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Re: Web services are NOT freeware.
de Roger Johansson 01/19/2007 06:54
Susan Bugher wrote:
> > I would say that a program which accesses a server in order to update
> > your system's clock is an example of something that can do this no other
> > way. I.e., many programs access data on a server. Sometimes this is
> > necessary due to the huge amount of data that's available and-or the
> > fact that it's continually changing, but sometimes the data could just
> > as easily have been included with the program for storage on one's hard
> > drive. And then of course, there are gray areas between these two exremes.
> Yup. . . IMO it's difficult to draw the line between Webware and web
> sites that have a ton of useful information - ISTM if the site has a
> database and a search engine it's Webware. . .
The borderline between software and webware is becoming fuzzier.
A virusprogram needs to be updated and fetch the latest def list every
day, internet radio and tv programs need to be in contact with
internet. Mail, web and news clients would be pretty useless without
contact with the net, weather programs, maps, traffic information,
etc..
Maybe it is time to change the definition or freeware from:
Software which can be downloaded and used for free on your own
computer.
to
Software which can be used for free, no matter if it is partly executed
on your own computer or/and another computer on the net.
--
Roger J.