The Internet Is A Software Shop

If computer files containing books can be copied across the Internet, so can files containing anything else—including, of course, computer software.


Software most commonly describes a computer program—a word processor, a personal finance program, a game, and so on. Keep in mind, though, that there are other types of software. Most importantly, there are software files that contain images, video, music, or other types of information that can be viewed or played through a computer program that knows how to work with them. This other type of software is available on the Internet, just as programs are.

People find software several different ways on the Internet. When they find it, they can copy it to their computers and use it there, just as if they'd bought it at a software store. People often post on the Internet software they've written—much as they would post a message for others to read. That software can be copied and used by others. Some software companies also make their products available on the Internet to paying customers.

Software available through the Internet comes in three basic types.

Freeware software is absolutely free of charge and available to all.

Shareware is offered on a "try before you buy" plan. Users can copy the software and try it out for free, but they are instructed to send a nominal fee (usually $10 to $100) to the programmer if they intend to use the software regularly.

Commercial software is like the packaged software sold in stores (but without the box) and is offered by the same commercial software companies. Commercial software requires payment up front; typically, the user must supply a credit card number before copying the software files.

There's software available on the Internet for almost any type of computer and for almost any purpose—business programs, personal programs, games, and so on. Among the most popular programs found on the Internet are tools that help people use the Internet more easily or effectively.

So Now You Know. . .