Blog

Network Synergy Blog

Network Synergy has been serving the Trumbull area since 1988, providing IT Support such as technical helpdesk support, computer support, and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses.

Tech Term: What are All These “-Wares?”

Tech Term: What are All These “-Wares?”

When you’re talking about something to do with a computer, you’re going to start hearing about some word that ends with “-ware.” You could probably list off a few yourself, but have you ever stopped to think about why they’re all described as “something-ware?” For this week’s Tech Term, we’ll take a peek at why we refer to things that way.

Why ‘Ware?’
It does seem like a strange part of the word, unless you look back to where we get it. According to Wiktionary, Software was first coined as a term in 1953, and was named based upon the fact that the term for the physical elements of the computer were already known as hardware. A quick peek into the online Merriam-Webster dictionary gives us a few definitions for the root of that word, ware.

The ones we’re concerned with are the first and the last definitions in the first entry: “manufactured articles, products of art or craft,” and “an intangible item (such as a service or ability) that is a marketable commodity.” We can combine these to give us a fair representation of what soft-’ware’ means: “manufactured articles to provide a service that is marketable.” After all, what is a computer program, if not an assortment of code meant to complete a specific task desired by a specific audience?

The word was first coined by Paul Niquette in 1953.

Different Software ‘Wares’
As you may imagine, there are plenty of varieties of ‘wares.’ Wiktionary.org offers a pretty impressive list of software types, with names derived from ‘-ware’, including the ones that you’ve already heard about, and some that are minutely specific. We’ll go over a few of these lesser-known varieties here:

Dreamware - This software type covers those that have not yet begun development and are still in the “what if there was a software that…” phase. Many of these projects never begin development, remaining something that some software developer once dreamt up.

Trialware - This variety of software is that which is only available to the user for a limited period of time, after which it is only available in a restricted form (if at all). This can be considered the free sample of software, offering just enough to make you want more.

Crapware - You know how a new computer often comes pre-installed with programs that you have no interest in, let alone the need for? This is what is known as crapware, as it takes up space without really offering anything to you. Another four-letter synonym for ‘crap’ can also be combined with “-ware” to make another, more forceful term for this variety.

Foistware - Malware can often come bundled with other, more legitimate software titles, to be installed without the user knowing. Of course, other programs can do this as well. Foistware is the term given to these software stowaways.

Fanware - Professionals aren’t the only ones capable of writing code, and even professionals will continue their coding in their off hours. Fanware describes the products that special-interest coders write to promote that interest.

Nagware - Another version of trialware, nagware describes a software title that will interrupt a user with persistent reminders to register it. Nagware will often disable the use of the program for short intervals during use, or display pop-up dialog boxes. In essence, this kind of trialware is designed to coerce a user into purchasing the full version through annoyance.

Garageware - This is a not-so-nice term for software that simply doesn’t perform as it should or has a lot of mistakes. The name is meant to suggest that the creators were total amateurs, developing this program literally in their garage.

Again, this is just a short list of the many different software varieties out there. What other ones have you heard of? Share them in the comments!

Protect Your Business This Year with a BDR
Your Technology May Fail, but You Can Still Succee...
 

Comments 29

Susan Taylor on Wednesday, 03 April 2019 09:43

Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read something such as this before. So nice to seek out somebody by incorporating authentic ideas on this subject. realy i appreciate you for starting this up. this excellent website are some things that’s needed online, somebody after a little bit originality. helpful work for bringing something new to the web! Hostile wheels

Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read something such as this before. So nice to seek out somebody by incorporating authentic ideas on this subject. realy i appreciate you for starting this up. this excellent website are some things that’s needed online, somebody after a little bit originality. helpful work for bringing something new to the web! [url=https://www.aspiremotoring.com/collections/hostile-wheels-hostile-wheels-for-sale]Hostile wheels[/url]
Susan Taylor on Tuesday, 09 April 2019 15:43

Excellent website you have here, so much cool information!.. Putting Contest

Excellent website you have here, so much cool information!.. [url="http://www.hole-in-won.com"]Putting Contest[/url]
Susan Taylor on Thursday, 25 February 2021 11:49
[url=https://www.deskflex.com/]ms exchange integration[/url]
Susan Taylor on Sunday, 30 May 2021 09:04
[url=https://www.deskflex.com/]software reservation[/url]
Susan Taylor on Sunday, 29 August 2021 14:28
[url=https://www.flexfridge.com/]dorm size refrigerator freezer[/url]
Susan Taylor on Sunday, 12 September 2021 15:45
[url=https://www.riadtile.com/]cement tile company[/url]
Susan Taylor on Tuesday, 12 April 2022 12:08
[url=https://lesproductionstechnomage.com/casino/]soirée casino[/url]
Susan Taylor on Friday, 12 April 2019 12:50

i hate artifical stuffs so i always do organic gardening at home to get some natural foods“ 토토 사이트

i hate artifical stuffs so i always do organic gardening at home to get some natural foods“ [url=https://totohonjin.com/]토토 사이트[/url]
Susan Taylor on Saturday, 13 April 2019 11:25

I truly appreciate this post. I?ve been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thank you again kalyan matka tips

I truly appreciate this post. I?ve been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thank you again [url=http://sattamatka.news/]kalyan matka tips[/url]
Susan Taylor on Sunday, 14 April 2019 17:32

whoah this weblog is excellent i love studying your posts. Keep up the good work! You recognize, many individuals are looking around for this info, you could help them greatly. 바다이야기 무료게임 다운로드

whoah this weblog is excellent i love studying your posts. Keep up the good work! You recognize, many individuals are looking around for this info, you could help them greatly. [url=https://bgx77.com/]바다이야기 무료게임 다운로드[/url]
Susan Taylor on Tuesday, 16 April 2019 15:01

Nice post. I learn something very complicated on diverse blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to see content using their company writers and employ a little from their store. I’d prefer to use some together with the content in this little blog regardless of whether you do not mind. Natually I’ll provide link with your internet weblog. Appreciate your sharing. click over here

Nice post. I learn something very complicated on diverse blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to see content using their company writers and employ a little from their store. I’d prefer to use some together with the content in this little blog regardless of whether you do not mind. Natually I’ll provide link with your internet weblog. Appreciate your sharing. [url=http://gambaswiki.org/wiki/doc/forum]click over here[/url]
Susan Taylor on Wednesday, 17 April 2019 11:59

You ought to seriously think about working on growing this web site into a serious voice in this market. You obviously have a respectable knowledge of the areas all of us are searching for on this internet site anyways and you could potentially even earn a dollar or three from some advertising. I would explore following recent news and raising the volume of blog posts you make and I bet you’d start earning some great traffic in the near future. Just an idea, fine luck in whatever you do! 바다이야기 기계

You ought to seriously think about working on growing this web site into a serious voice in this market. You obviously have a respectable knowledge of the areas all of us are searching for on this internet site anyways and you could potentially even earn a dollar or three from some advertising. I would explore following recent news and raising the volume of blog posts you make and I bet you’d start earning some great traffic in the near future. Just an idea, fine luck in whatever you do! [url=https://bgx77.com/]바다이야기 기계[/url]
Susan Taylor on Saturday, 20 April 2019 12:36

Some truly nice stuff on this website , I like it. garage flooring melbourne

Some truly nice stuff on this website , I like it. [url=https://www.floorchef.com.au/floor-coatings-and-floor-paints-cost/]garage flooring melbourne[/url]
Susan Taylor on Tuesday, 02 July 2019 22:32
[url=https://auralivecasino.hpage.com/]Judi slot online[/url]
Susan Taylor on Saturday, 27 July 2019 18:49
[url=https://costumesrock.com/decades/60s-costumes.html]Costumesrock[/url]
Susan Taylor on Wednesday, 07 August 2019 12:48
[url=https://hellogenio.com/]hot schedule[/url]
Susan Taylor on Wednesday, 21 August 2019 09:33
[url=https://www.sugarlove.one/]sugar momma[/url]
Susan Taylor on Tuesday, 27 August 2019 11:39
[url=https://buyitcert.com/ceh.html]ceh certification verification[/url]
Susan Taylor on Thursday, 05 September 2019 08:41
[url=https://www.azull.be/regio/costa-blanca-zuid/]Costa Blanca[/url]
Susan Taylor on Sunday, 15 September 2019 13:56
[url=http://www.traexs.de/internet-tv-radio.shtml]http://www.traexs.de/internet-tv-radio.shtml[/url]
Guest
Already Registered? Login Here
Guest
Thursday, 21 November 2024

Captcha Image

Contact us

Learn more about what Network Synergy can do for your business.

Network Synergy
126 Monroe Turnpike
Trumbull, Connecticut 06611

Network Synergy Corporation BBB Business Review

Best IT Managed Service Providers in Bridgeport aicpa logo net syn

News & Updates

Network Synergy is proud to announce the launch of our new website at www.netsynergy.com. The goal of the new website is to make it easier for our existing clients to submit and manage support requests, and provide more information about our services for ...

Copyright Network Synergy. All Rights Reserved.