        Shareware is a method of software distribution designed to benefit
both the software developer and the end user.  Shareware (SW) should not
be confused with Public Domain (PD) programs.  While  PD programs are
released to the public with no restrictions attached to their use, SW
programs are the copyrighted work of their authors.  The SW programs are
released to the public for evaluation purposes under the assumption that
if the end user likes the program and continues to use it after a
reasonable period of time, that user is obligated to register the
program.
        If you purchased this program from a SW distributor, you have
not registered it.  You must still pay the programmer to register it.
The money you paid to the distributor was to cover the cost of
duplicating/advertising/etc the files.
        Programmers get to distribute their wares without the expense
of advertising, packaging & distribution.  The users benefit from being
able to try out the programs without having to pay for the privilege of
evaluation.  Shareware programmers (the good ones anyway) are generally
more responsive to bug reports & user requests for additional features.
Everyone benefits provided that the users remember to register and
programmers continue to ... well, program<G>.


