Yes, it may sound exaggerated, but sometimes it really does feel as if I will soon be the last freeware producer, author and developer on the German Internet.But why is that? And what does that mean for the future of free software? The temptation of advertising and adwareI regularly receive offers to fill my freeware with advertising or other adware. The thought of making some money from it is tempting. But that's out of the question for me. Because as soon as advertising or adware comes into play, it's no longer freeware. And above all, I couldn't expect that of the loyal users who value my software and trust in its purity. That would simply be irresponsible! The rocky road of the freeware developerI understand why many freeware developers lose enthusiasm. They start out full of enthusiasm and soon realize that the world has not been waiting for their software. There are countless solutions on the Internet, many of them similar or even identical. Often, their own programs are quickly copied, and donations from users are barely enough to cover the daily need for coffee. Tempting offers with bitter consequencesThen come the tempting offers: €5,000 a month for a small extension of the software. But these offers are often the beginning of the end. Companies that offer such deals infect computers and cover their costs through illegal activities. The price is high: the original developers usually don't see a cent and could even get into legal trouble if their software is misused for criminal activities. What remains of the freeware?The result is that less and less freeware is really "free". The market is flooded with software that is financed by advertising or even ends up as malware. If you filter all of these out, very little remains that can really be called freeware. Because if you subtract all the freeware that is malware or adware (advertising-financed) and all the non-functioning freeware tools, very little remains. Germany's biggest freeware author?In view of these developments, the title of "Germany's greatest freeware author" is within my grasp ;-) YIPPEE! But what does that really mean? Above all, it shows how much the freeware landscape has changed and how important it is to support the few remaining real freeware developers. An appeal to usersFinally, I would like to make an appeal to all users: Support the developers who invest their time and effort to provide you with high-quality and truly free software. Your donations, your feedback and your recognition are what motivate us to keep going and to resist the temptation of advertising. Together we can ensure that freeware remains truly free! So! Have fun with ►► my freeware!FAQ 19: Updated on: 5 June 2024 05:29 |
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