Donationware

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Donationware is a licensing model that supplies fully operational software to the user and requests a donation be paid to the programmer. It generally falls into two categories and the programmer should specify which of these meanings they intend.

Category 1: Given away with a suggestion that anyone using the software makes a donation to offset the costs of creating this software.

Category 2: A reasonably satisfied user is suggested to compensate the programmer if real value or use is achieved from the program. The compensation amount is left up to the discretion of the user. This amount is based on a value the user estimates they derived from the program.

Although Donationware comes fully operational (i.e. not crippleware), it should not be considered freeware. It should be considered similar to shareware in that a reasonable payment (in this case donation) is expected but with no specific value assigned. It is important to note that the donation itself does not "purchase" the software like in shareware or retail models; there is no ownership assigned. The donation is strictly to compensate the programmer for his time and effort.

If the payment goes towards making the software open source, the software may be considered ransomware.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

Jesse Reichler (2006) Donationware experience - An article describing experiments with Donationware: Ethical Software, Work Equalization, Temporary Licenses, Collective Bargaining, and Microdonations at Donationcoder.

Forms of software distribution
Adware • Beerware • Careware • Crippleware • Demoware • Donationware • Donateware • Freely redistributable software • Free software • Freeware • Greenware • Nagware • Open source • Otherware • Postcardware • Proprietary software • Ransomware • Registerware • Shareware