Ride The Lifetrain w/Chuckie

Welcome aboard passengers. Today I want to talk quickly about three things that could change your (computing) life and save you hundreds of dollars.  They are, Freeware, shareware and free education.  I rarely pay for any software due to the ability which exists to find most computing functionality you need by GOGGLING “FREEWARE | “WHAT I NEED TO DO”.  for example, try: (CLICK).

First let me briefly (and I mean briefly) explain the first two:

Shareware

Shareware software is distributed at low (or sometimes no) cost, but usually requires payment and registration for full legal use. Copies are distributed on a trial basis. You are free to test the software, see if it matches your needs, and decide whether it’s a good value. Order forms or advertisements included in the program or on the distribution disk usually tell you how to register the program and what fee is required. Registered users of a shareware program will typically receive a printed manual, an updated copy of the software, often with additional features, and the legal right to use the program in their home or business.

Shareware is not free software, since authors of shareware programs expect payment from those who intend to use the programs regularly. However, it does have the advantage over standard commercial software that you may thoroughly test a program to see if it’s useful before making a purchase.

Shareware is generally written by individuals or small companies, and its quality and level of support vary widely. In some cases, however, shareware packages are actually more capable than corresponding commercial software, and some commercial programs got their start being marketed as shareware.

While shareware may be freely copied, companies may not charge fees for copies that significantly exceed their duplication and handling costs. The authors of shareware programs also retain their copyright on the contents, and you may not modify such programs or distribute modified copies.

Freeware

Freeware is also distributed “free” or at very minimal cost.  Thus in the case of most freeware the authors do not expect payment for their work. Typically, freeware programs are small utilities or incomplete programs that authors release for their potential benefit to others, but without support. The author of a freeware program may still retain a copyright on its contents and stipulate that others not modify the program or charge significant fees for its use or distribution.

And finally free educational resources.  More and more I am coming across very valuable educational resources available at minimal costs.  And while there may not be a degree or certificate involved these resources serve as excellent research material.  One such find recently was FREE access to courseware, lectures and other aids from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology).  Now how cool is that!  Check it out and pass on to that future graduate in your spear of influence!

Free lecture notes, exams, and videos from MIT. No registration required.

MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW) is a web-based publication of virtually all MIT course content. OCW is open and available to the world and is a permanent MIT activity.  OCW can be found as: CLICK

And for the younger scholars check out this site (one of MANY):  CLICK