Do you get what you pay for?

[riff]

Recently I reviewed PestPatrol, a competitor to renowned adware remover Ad-aware. Both applications make good on their promise of removing adware effectively, but Ad-aware is free while PestPatrol costs $29.95 for the full version. This got me to thinking about the differences between freeware developed as a labor of love and software developed under good capitalist auspices of remuneration.

On the one hand, if you pay for software, you can demand quality. With free software you've got no leverage; it's a gift. And since supporting software costs money--for example, adware removers require a constantly updated database--I wonder how long a developer would be willing to keep updating it in his or her spare time. On the other hand, I've found that many freeware programs have an elegant simplicity that their commercial counterparts lack. I'm writing this letter on AbiWord, a free word processor that has all the features I need--and no more. And I went looking for a CD-to-MP3 ripper recently and found CDex, a great little free utility that does one thing and does it well. If I wanted more features I could have paid $20 for MusicMatch Jukebox, but I'm content with the simple utility of CDex.

What free software have you found to be worth your time? Let me know at edit@download.com.

Wayne Cunningham
Features Editor, CNET Download.com

 

[SINthysist]

You're right.

p_p_ has a point.

 

[christophe]

i recieved ad-aware and still use it. it was free, so i am not complaining. it does exactly what it says it would. what i do look for are programs that will allow ou to trial them for 14-30 days and then give you the option to purchase them. that way if i dont end up liking them , i am not out any cash!

 

[riff]

You're right.

p_p_ has a point.

Write the man. I am sure he would like to hear from you.