Have you heard of shareware? Are you in need of a software but are not sure if this software is what you need? If a website or any individuals offered you a try before you buy software, then this is what a shareware is. Software that you may use in its demo version and for purchase later on is what a shareware is.

Shareware is a form of marketing campaign where manufacturers induce customers to purchase the software by letting them try the product first. The trial product is most often the complete version with several upgrade or additional features that will unlock when you pay for the product.

Shareware is different from the retail software demo version because a shareware, while it is a trial copy, you can share it with friends and hopefully they get the same interest and will buy the full version.

Retail software trial version most of the time do not have the same features of the full version, retail software trial sometime is just a peak of what is in the actual software version.

Originally, sharewares are game softwares where customers will play the game with complete features up to a certain stage of the game. You can move to the next level if you pay for the product.

Today, however, the popularity and the profitability of sharewares are diminishing. The advent of the internet made it easy for people to download softwares. Some manufacturers even use shareware as a come on for people to give them their email address and the shareware is theirs for free.

Another issue that shareware is facing is the fact that many unscrupulous individuals develop softwares that does not do any good to people in the guise of a shareware.

The term shareware is thus dreaded because of the experience of many individuals with cripplewares, those softwares that are no good. Cripplewares are used to just get the email address of the customers.

The true essence of shareware is thus diminishing because of these factors. However, it may be worthy to note that there are many platforms where shareware could be useful to your computing needs.

Platforms of shareware include Microsoft Windows, Macintosh, Linus and UNIX. Shareware such as for business, education, home, multimedia, design, drivers, games, utilities and for software developments are available.

It may also be important to tell you that any useful software that you may try before you buy is a shareware. Again, you can share this trial version to your colleagues and if they like it, they may likewise buy the full version.

While it may be hard to find good quality shareware, by reading reviews on the internet you may find reputable shareware manufacturers and try these softwares from them.