The hardware can be the least expensive part of owning a PC. However, much of the software that computer owners buy is available for free in a similar form; and it's not illegal or pirated software. It's called "public domain software," when produced at public expense and not copyright protected; or "Shareware" or "Freeware" when the author retains the rights, but allows free distribution. After one has used the Shareware or Freeware for a while, one is morally bound to send the author the suggested donation (usually between $5 and $30). If one doesn't want to continue to use the program, no money is owed.
There is a wide range of programs available. PC-Software Interest Group (PCSIG), a distributor based in Sunnyvale, California, has more than 26,000 programs for the IBM-PC. The entire collection is available for $495, or a basic package is priced at $179. There's a program which guides the user in the writing of a will. Another helps a commodities trader to store, analyze, and display commodity price information. An encoding program is available to keep data confidential. There also is a Center for Disease Control program for calculating health risks. Several word processing packages are available. There also is a wide variety of programs for data base management, mailing lists, accounting, graphics, household management, inventory control, programming aids, languages, operating systems, and utilities. Early versions of commercial programs can be found, as well as "fixes" to clear up problems with programs one may now be using.
While the quality is uneven, there are many high quality programs available. Mark Christensen's "MODEM", a public domain modem-control program, set the standard for telecommunications. "PC-TALK" (a communications program), "PC-WRITE" (a word-processing program) , and "PC-FILE" (a data base-management program) are all highly regarded in computer circles.
Some programs don't have a commercial counterpart. For instance, IBM-PC users don't have a way to tell if the SHIFT-LOCK key has been pushed until they start typing. Someone solved this problem with a program to display an arrow in the upper left-hand corner of the screen to indicate uppercase and lowercase letters.
Unlike commercial programs, public domain programs are "listable", meaning that one can print the program out and actually see what the programmer did to accomplish a task. There also are programs available to help the experienced programmer who wants to increase his or her productivity. "MONITOR" is designed to he used by professional programmers for the common, but necessary, portions of the program, such as keyboard entry, screen design, and parameter checking.
There are several ways to obtain public domain software and Shareware. The fastest way is to join a local user's qroup, or computer club. Usually, computer stores have the names and phone numbers of computer groups in their area. The other major alternative is to contact a copying service, an organization which charges a small fee (as little as $5) to copy a disk and mail it out. Catalogs usually are available, and some include ratings for the programs. Dynacomp, Inc. and Public Brand Software are two copying services with free catalogs. In the case of Dynacomp, Inc., one can rent 100 volumes (or disks) of software, copy, and return within ten days for $99.95. There are 274 volumes available, and all 274 disks can be copied for $249.95.
A Shareware Gold CD ROM from Quanta offers a library of leading shareware software titles, and brief reviews of each program. Quanta is promoting the $79.95 disc "as "virus-free" to quell concerns about programs often distributed on public bulletin boards. The disc medium is gold, rather than the aluminum commonly used on CD ROM discs, because Quanta claims the gold surface will not deteriorate as rapidly as a standard aluminum CD-ROM disc.
[Contact: Dynacomp, Inc., 1064 Gravel Road, Webster, NY 14580; 1-800-828-6772. JDX Disk Copy Service, P.O. Box 1561, Corona, CA 91718; (714) 734-7075. PC Sig, 1030 East Duane Avenue, Suite D, Sunnyvale, CA 94086; (408) 730-9291. People's Choice, P.O. Box 171134, Memphis, TN 38187-1134; 1-800-635-0342. Public Software Library, P.O. Box 35705, Houston, TX 77235-5705; 1-800-242-4PSL. Quanta Press, 2239 Carter Avenue, St. Paul, MN 551081 (612) 641-0714.]
