What is Shareware?

Shareware is a unique marketing strategy for computer programs. Basically, it's a way of distributing computer software where you get to try the software before you buy it. Shareware cuts out the middlemen in the distribution process, which ultimately saves you money.

The biggest advantage to you, the customer, is that you see what you're getting first, before you spend the money. How many times have you bought a program, only to find out it doesn't do what you want? Shareware is the ultimate money-back guarantee: I don't want your money in the first place unless you're going to actually use GIFConverter.

The first shareware author was Jim Button, widely considered The Father of Shareware. He invented the concept in 1982.