Shareware is a different distribution method for commercial software — a "Try-Before-You-Buy" arrangement. Shareware programs are distributed through shareware libraries, or at the web sites of the software companies that produce them. The general idea is that you can download a copy of a program and try it out for 30 or 90 days. After that time, if you like the program, you are supposed to send in the registration fee. Sometimes, the download copy of the program has some restrictions that are not in the registered version, or has fewer features, or is just an older version. Sometimes, the shareware program contains a code to disable the program after 30 or 90 days. There is also "freeware" or programs that are given away for free by new programmers attempting to establish their reputation, or by companies attempting to establish their credentials to sell you more expensive products. Some are very, very good, some not so good. The sharware libraries have reviews.

With all the hype about viruses, many people want to know if there is a safe source of programs that won't have viruses in them. There are four shareware libraries that I use because they have almost everything, and because I know that every program is carefully checked for viruses before it is made available for downloading. I also know that there won't be any viruses because these are big businesses and they would get sued if they ever had a virus in a download program.

• Stroud's CWSApps List

  Stroud's Consumate Winsock Applications List is the absolutely best place to get any program for use on the Internet. There are categories that cover every aspect of on-line life. Each program is thoroughly reviewed and rated within its category. In addition to the ratings, a popular download list lets you see what other people think are the best programs.

• ZD Net

  Ziff Davis publishes many computer magazines including PC Magazine. Their shareware library is just one of the many things they use to attract visitors to their site so that they can sell you magazines and expose you to web advertising. They have one of the largest software collections in the world, and reasonable methods for searching for the program you want. Reviews are short and are not related to other products in the same category.

• SHAREWARE.COM -- the way to find shareware on the Internet

  CNET: The Computer Network produces many of the computer oriented programs we see on educational TV and on Discovery and The Learning Channel. I don't know what else they do, but they have one of the largest software collections in the world, and reasonable methods for searching for the program you want. They also have lots of ads on their web site.

• Tucows

  TUCOWS has everything and probably the fastest download from a mirror site near you. If you know what you are looking for, it's the best place. It is not as easy to search, and does not have reviews anywhere near as good as the other sites.

There are many other fine shareware libraries. I just find everything I need at these four, so I don't visit any of the others.

Copyright © Jim and Gloria Winer. You may make a copy of this article for your own personal use. Copying for commercial purposes is prohibited.

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