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Sites for Shareware, Software Evaluation and Tests, and Download Sites for Free and Open Source Software.

There are many free software sites on the Internet. By that we mean a site, where you can download shareware, or, complete unlimited software packages for free. Some of the most famous of these sites are the ones who also test and evaluate software. Though, often, on these sites you can only get time limited of otherwise restricted software for free. If you want the full package or the limitations removed, you will have to go to the software sellers site and purchase their product. The people offering these packages, obviously, want you to purchase a license for their product. This is not such a bad deal. Think of it, will Mercedes or BMW give you a car to try out for free? Not very likely!

Some Definitions about the different types of "Free Software"

Definition of Shareware

Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before buying it. If you try a Shareware program and continue using it, you are required to register it (or purchase the Licensed version).

Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and retail software, and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are accomplished programmers, just like retail authors, and the programs are of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are good programs and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method of distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a specific group. For example, some authors require written permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their Shareware.

Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook, whether it's retail or Shareware. The Shareware system makes fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy. And, because the overhead is lower, prices are lower also. Shareware has the ultimate money-back guarantee - if you do not use the product, you do not pay for it.

Definition of Freeware

Freeware distribution gives users a chance to try software and continue to use it for no payment at all or just for some acknowledgement (a thank you note, a postcard, some suggestions, comments, etc.).

Copyright laws apply to both Freeware and retail software, and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific exceptions as stated below. Freeware authors are generally accomplished programmers, just like retail/shareware authors, and the programs are of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are good programs and bad ones!)

The main differences is in the method of distribution and the fact that there is no charge for using the software. The author specifically grants the right to copy and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a specific group. For example, some authors require written permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their Freeware.

Definition of Public Domain

Public domain is a bit different from the above two. Generally the source code for the software is included and the author specifically grants you the rights to copy and distribute the software. In addition you can modify the software or include the modified code in your own programs (non commercial usually) for an acknowledgement.

The copyright holder retains all rights to the original code, but the modified code belongs to the new copyright holder. As this depends on author, you should read the specific instructions issued with the respective software.

We are indebted to SiSoft Software for these excellent definitions.

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Below, we have a small selection of sites that offer free software within the above definitions.

download.com by c|net shareware.com is part of c|net download.com	This site reviews evaluates and tests hundreds of soft- and hardware products. It offers a huge number of software packages classified by type of application. Some of these are Business Development Tools Drivers Education Games Home & Personal  Internet Multimedia & Design PalmPilot Utilities Windows CE iPod iPhone iPad There are a large number of sub categories within each of the above. You can find software for Windows, Apple, iPod, iPhone, iPad and numerous other platforms.
zdnet.com	This is a Tech News, Blogs and White Papers for IT Professionals, evaluation, test and review as well as a download site for IT professionals, business and home users of coputer products. It probably maintains the largest download library of software on the internet. If you want to keep abrest about what is going on in IT development, that is the site where you have to read the articles and blogs.
tucows.com	This is another site that tests, evaluates and reviews hundreds of hard- and software products every year. You can find software of almost any category or platform on here. It has probably one of the largest collections of spyware and adware removers on the Internet. Whether you are looking for Windows, MAC, LINUX or Android software, you are sure to find it here.
thefreesite.com	This site offers a host of free software (mostly Windows and MAC) and other freebies on the internet. Amongst the things you will find are Anonymous Freebies, Business Freebies, Free Chat Services, E-mail Freebies, Family Freebies, Free Fonts, Fun Freebies, Free Games, Free Graphics, Free Internet Access, Free Java & JavaScript. There are also articles and other information about forthcoming product releases
freshmeat.net	freshmeat maintains the Web's largest index of Unix and cross-platform software, themes and related "eye-candy", and Palm OS software. Thousands of applications, which are preferably released under an open source license, are meticulously cataloged in the freshmeat database, and links to new applications are added daily. Each entry provides a description of the software, links to download it and to obtain more information, and a history of the project's releases, so readers can keep up-to-date on the latest developments. freshmeat is the first stop for Linux users hunting for the software they need for work or play. It is continuously updated with the latest developments from the "release early, release often" community. In addition to providing news on new releases, freshmeat offers a variety of original content on technical, political, and social aspects of software and programming, written by both freshmeat readers and Free Software luminaries. The comment board attached to each page serves as a home for spirited discussion, bug reports, and technical support. An essential resource for serious developers, freshmeat.net makes it possible to keep up on who's doing what, and what everyone else thinks of it.
isc.org	Internet Systems Consortium, Inc. (ISC) is proud to be the producer and distributor of commercial quality Open Source software for the Internet Community and to offer world-class online and professional services based on our software. Since 1996 ISC has led the industry with the most complete reference standard implementation of DNS (BIND) software using a Managed Open Source model. ISC also provides production-quality reference implementations for other core protocols such as DHCP, and distributes other open source software. Managed Open Source means that users benefit from community ideas, while quality and compliance are the responsibility of professional software engineers. ISC also provides a number of Operational Programs and Services that benefit users of the Internet directly and indirectly. Since 1994, ISC has operated F-Root (one of the 13 root DNS servers) as a public service to the Internet. ISC is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation dedicated to supporting the Internet community with software essential to its infrastructure.
freewarefiles.com	This site offers free and shareware software that cover the following areas: Audio/Video Business Desktop Developer Tools Drivers Games Graphics Home/Education Internet ScreenSavers Security/Privacy Utilities You will also finde software product reviews on the site
fsf.org	The Free Software Foundation (FSF) advocates for free software ideals as outlined in the Free Software Definition, works for adoption of free software and free media formats, and organizes activist campaigns against threats to user freedom like Windows 7, Apple's iPhone and OS X, DRM on ebooks and movies, and software patents.
completelyfreesoftware	The CFS site has links to many, many thousands of completely free – and legal – Windows and DOS programs. We have access to archives dating back to the early 1980s! All listed freeware, not hosted by CFS, is freely available to all visitors, as are all our exclusive program reviews. Over 2,000 of these freeware programs are hosted directly on the CFS server and some are not available anywhere else. However, only CFS members can access the freeware hosted by this site. Find out about CFS membership from our Members Information page. Members have unlimited access to these downloads for the period of their membership.

All Data contained in these pages is based on information gathered from material supplied as sales literature by the software producer/publisher and/or received from the same upon request. The publisher of these webpages does not assume any responsibility as to the correctness and accuracy of the statements made herein and potential buyers of software are urged to verify statements in these pages independently, before making any purchase decisions on software.