Misleading bloggers and the use of "free".

On Fri, 17 Jun 2016 13:08:54 -0400, Tony Cooper
wrote:

I recently read a blog where the blogger provided a link to a site
where I could download a free software program. "The download is
free", he said.

It was, in my opinion, deceptive at best. Of course the download is
"free". No one charges the user to download the program. The use of
the program, though, may not be free.

The downloaded program may be a free trial period or a crippled trial
period where all uses of the program result in a watermarked result or
provide only limited functions compared to the paid-for version. There
may not even be a free trial period, but the download is still free.

You don't get "ThisSoftware" free in many cases. No free goods are
offered. You get use of the program for a limited time, but you must
pay for that use after the trial period.

Just another reason we should understand the difference between "free
goods" - which are goods you get to keep at no charge - and "free
use", which is access to something at no charge.


http://www.gnu.org

--
Dale
http://www.dalekelly.org
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