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What 'FREE' Really Means
How
free is FREE?-
For the internet 'newbie' the term 'free' comes as a
shock, especially when you consider the cost of a computer
and the monthly connection fees, maintenance, programs,
added hardware, software, etc... the list goes on and on
of out-of-pocket expenses that can accumulate. And the
costs will accumulate proportionately to the knowledge you
gain as your desire to grow and learn more about the
internet increases. So, if you're determined to be a
'geek' or a 'power user' and not just an average surfer,
you will have to find a way to cut as many costs as you
can. The word 'free'
is a powerful attraction to us all!
I've
noticed that the term 'free' on the internet comes in
degrees. I've been answering a lot of newbie questions
lately so I thought I'd share my thoughts on one of my
favorite topics and help to clearly define what free
really means on the internet, since it's a word that is
often abused. So here goes:
'Open
source' usually applies to code, but can be for any file
that you can modify without stipulation, add to, make
available to anyone else, brand and use truly without
restriction for your benefit and for the benefit of others
in the internet community. Open source is my favorite way
to learn and to cut operating costs. Most of the
contributors to the open source community are the most
generous people on the face of the earth. Generous with
their limited time and knowledge and they truly have a
mission of bettering the global community for everyone. I
have no problem with it whatsoever and contribute to it
and support it myself whenever my time allows.
'Freeware'
applies to programs and services that are usually branded
by their originator for your personal use without paying a
fee. Most freeware products and services come with the
stipulation that you cannot remove the originator's
copyright branding, disassemble, recompile, make
derivative works from, resale or redistribute as your own
in exchange for your free and personal use. No problem
there, unless your freeware becomes 'spyware'.
'Adware'
is also a type of freeware that generates revenue for the
originator by giving you the use of a free product or
service in exchange for viewing (and possibly) clicking on
or buying products from ads. I understand the need for
revenue generated from advertisement. Advertisement is
what keeps most services free. No problem there, unless
the ads are 'spyware'.
'Shareware'
refers to trials and demos of products and services that
you can use for a free time period to decide if you want
to purchase them or not and can be limited or crippled
until you do. I don't have a problem with 'try before you
buy' either unless it becomes 'spyware' too.
'Spyware'
refers to freeware and shareware products and services
that are cleverly disguised to track your movements on the
internet without your knowledge by using ads or embedded
scripts that report your every move online and off. If you
know you are being tracked in some way and you still want
to use a product, then I don't have a problem with that
either. It's your choice.
However,
I do have a big problem with products and services that
track you or access your information without your
knowledge. I think it's an invasion of privacy and highly
unethical. However, not all adware is spyware. Some of it
is useful and does provide a way for the average home user
to cut their costs.
How
do you know if you have spyware on your computer? The
links below should help you determine that. You can
protect yourself (incidentally - truly FREE for personal
use) against unauthorized access to your information and
computer. It would definitely be to your advantage to find
out more and protect yourself against an invasion of your
privacy and any unauthorized access to your computer. You
might be surprised at what you find out!
Useful
links:
OptOut - get rid of
spyware:
http://www.grc.com/optout.htm
SpyWare Lookup
Database:
http://www.spychecker.com/
Ad-Aware by LavaSoft
spyware removal:
http://www.lavasoft.de/
SpyBot
Search and Destroy
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
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