Open-source… Freeware? It’s a free real estate!

Overtime I installed a bunch of free software. Some claim to be open-source, and some just say it’s free. Despite both of these are free, they actually carried out by different people or purposes. But really how many of us actually look closely the difference between them?

Open-source, as the name says it all, it is open to everyone. What makes it open-source is that the software does not owned by anyone or any organization. Developers are actually encouraged to work with the software to help improve the product itself. For non-developers can donate for the project as an act of kindness too. Other than that, every user is free to use the product and help provide feedback for better improvement.

As for freeware, it’s totally free. Free, but with some limitation. Freeware provides their best basic function to attract people and utilize them. Some freeware lures users into trials and have them pay monthly bill after that. Some limit the daily usage for users, and some limit the full functionality of the product. For most users including myself, the basic function of freeware actually quite enough for personal use. A lot of freeware premiums mostly aim for Small/Medium Enterprises who are looking for alternative software instead of paying the big bucks to the mainstream corporation software.

Developers! Developers! Developers! Developers!

— Steve Ballmer

Both open-source and freeware may have some unfriendly UI, but they both get the jobs done! They both consume less space in your computer, and neither of them will eat up your computer RAM nor utilize much of your processing power. Support the open-source/freeware developers by donating as contribution, join them and help contribute some source code, install and use their product, provide relevant feedback, or spread their works to people you know that is looking for alternative software! By the end of the day, you’ve helped them by endorsing their creativity ideas, and their hardworking codes.