All love something for nothing. A bargain, especially if it is “free” always calling us the view that “hey, I have nothing to lose here, right?” Way. The free software is plentiful on the Internet – from appropriate business tools through packages for those who took astronomy. For anyone with a limited budget, free software gives you access to programs that would normally be beyond their financial reach. They are also usually developed by like-minded people with the same interest in a particular field, but with a little extra programming experience.
But the hidden costs? Free software is great – when it works well. The problem with the wealth of available software is free and there is no “gold standard.” Anyone can put a piece of software out there for everyone else to use without having thoroughly tested for bugs, support or even just to see if the program actually does what it should. Free software is a “lucky dip situation” – if you’re lucky, you get a gem that can enrich your life, make it easier and even help manage your business more successfully. If you’re unlucky, you end up with a program that can lock the hard disk every time you boot crashes, damage your operating system and end up costing you money in the long term. Although the initial reaction, that could really have much to lose from free software.
Another problem with freeware is that in most cases, you are not getting the full version of the program. Most freeware is a “cut down” version of the complete package and can also have a limited duration (usually 30 days) before the license runs out. To get the complete package, then you will have to pay for the upgrade. This is particularly true for anti-virus packages as AGV or Zone Alarm. Also worth reading the terms and conditions carefully before clicking “I agree” on your record. What you are actually agreeing? How to use your data? If you are unsure, disagree with nothing and have surf around to see if there is something a little less constricted in their terms and conditions may also be more suitable for your needs. Or save and buy the full version.
Customer Service – an optional accessory
One of the biggest bugbears of free software is the lack of customer service. With operating systems such as Microsoft acknowledges that technical teams are dedicated to classify small insects and bugs that we all come across from time to time. But free software developers can be a corporation or just some guy in his bedroom has been a good idea. If that idea does not work as you want, then your only option is to send an email to the type and hope he replies. If it has been some time since I developed the software, is a good chance that he moved on to other things and you’re left hanging with a piece of freeware that is virtually useless, no customer support and little chance of getting any kind of response .
There is also the ever present danger of encryption errors, Trojans and malware. While the vast majority of people who produce freeware not even contemplate infect your virus program with a purpose, a lot of open source freeware, which means that people can adapt and change the source code at will. This also includes the less scrupulous than they can get some kind of kick in the shipment of infected programs. The consequences, as we all know, can be devastating.
Freeware will have an important role to play in the development of Web 2.0. As the Internet becomes more open source, the future of software is assured. After all, even taking into account all the shortcomings of “something for nothing”, all still love a freebie. Fortunately, to date security protocols can be very effective filter anything that has bad intentions in his valuable hard disk. But the problem of customer service is one that is more difficult to solve. There are certain websites that specifically address this problem by having a control system to ensure that all the free programs provided on their site of origin is posterior to the developer, and he or she understands its obligation to the people who use their free software. But this is self-regulation and open to “interpretation.” Unfortunately, there is always a cost to everything it claims to be “free.”