e.g. add-ons in mozilla. Those are fantastic...is that kind of altruism?
2006-12-13 04:14:18 · 5 answers · asked by bernieEC 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
I've written and posted some free software. I wrote it because it was something I needed. In one case it was about some thermodynamic properties. I made it available because I found it useful and hoped other people would, too. It was really pretty cool when I received my first e-mail thanking me for my work.
2006-12-15 18:10:41 · answer #1 · answered by Pretzels 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, mozilla was created by the government to prevent viruses and pop ups better in their own computers.... most free sofware is part of a group called open source software, and most of these are just as good if not better than the 'big names' that we all are used to. Just be careful of what you use, because they are mostly prototypes of new products to come out on the market (Except mozilla - try thunderbird, it's the email client, much like outlook express... it's great!!). There's also the part about using Linux, and Linux compatible software - it's almost non existant, really really hard to find, expecially in the stores. Linux is another type of operating system, more like mac than windows.... most of these open source programs are created using a linux based format, so that it will work on all operating systems. Even Linux is a type of freeware, i believe it is being produced as a system called UBUNTU. Check it out!!
good luck, and have a good day!!
p.s. there is an economical reward, actually,,, think about it, by creating software that is free that does the same things as other software on the market, it is keeping the prices down a bit, and giving the big guys some competition.... imagine if there were no free sofware,,, you'd have to buy EVERYTHING, and there wouldn't be anything affordable..... :)
2006-12-13 16:33:27 · answer #2 · answered by Silver Thunderbird 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In a way, it is altruism, pride on having developped something really neat, satisfaction of bettering what overpriced and underperforming bloatware do, and so on. Same kind of people who spend their time answering Yahoo! Answers, actually, when you think about it.
It somewhat balances all those other people who develop virus simply because they like to hurt other people.
2006-12-13 12:20:16 · answer #3 · answered by Vincent G 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
think of it as a treats.
They dont want you to go and use microsofts Explorer 7 which is great!
Its to keep people using their products!
2006-12-13 12:18:04 · answer #4 · answered by amir_in_london 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a learning experience.
2006-12-13 13:09:09 · answer #5 · answered by cletusyoakam 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋