Computer Hysteria:   Wares        by Berry F. Phillips   April 2005          Once upon a dreary, I was downloading "Wares," a.k.a. "Freeware," and "Shareware." My mind reflected on the early days of computing prior to the Internet: I would download from BBS (Bulletin Board Systems) or go to the library at the Oklahoma City PC Users Club, now the Computer Club of Oklahoma City. I wondered what was the origin of the "Wares?"       In 1982, Andrew Fluegelman, a successful attorney and also editor of PC World Magazine, wrote a telecommunications program called PC-Talk, which he copyrighted and released to the public. The program incorporated many new features and was very popular. He decided to market his software with a new twist. If you liked it and used it, then he asked you to pay for it. He decided to call his new marketing idea, "Freeware" which he copyrighted.       At the same time Jim Button, an employee of IBM, wrote a database program called PC-File that he marketed the same way calling it "user supported software."       In 1983, Bob Wallace, a former programmer at Microsoft, started QuickSoft to develop a word processing package for the IBM PC called PC-Write. Mr.Wallace decided to use a new approach to marketing software, for which he coined the term, "Shareware," which eventually became the industry standard. People were encouraged to copy and share the software for evaluation and if they liked and used it, to purchase it.       Today "Freeware" is a program that requires no compensation to use it. However, some programs have included spyware, malware, and viruses so it is a good idea to check on the Internet before using if there have been any user complaints.       "Shareware" has evolved from its humble beginnings to an industry that does an annual business of $300 million and it is still growing. "Shareware" products have entered into the retail channel and while once considered inferior, now are praised in newspapers, computer magazines, and on radio and television.       Well my download of "Wares" is completed and for some reason I feel more aware!     Berry Phillips is a member of the CCOKC and a regular writer for the CCOKC website and the eMonitor