ALT.COMP.FREEWARE FAQ

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ALT.COMP.FREEWARE FAQ
by
Me.Here <me.here@home.on.the.net>

dated 09 Sep 2008

http://www.toucano.plus.com/ALT.COMP.FREEWARE.FAQ.TXT

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========================================================================
CAVEAT EMPTOR
========================================================================
This FAQ is posted for *informational purposes only* in the hopes people
will find it useful. It will be posted on a regular basis. It contains
popular answers, it is *not* a set of rules which need to be obeyed. You
are free to accept or ignore the advice contained within at your own
discretion. Advice given here or in the Wikipedia links, should not be
taken as fact. Since ACF and its related newsgroups are unmoderated, you
may create and post your own FAQ if this one doesn't suit you.

This is a work in progress so feel free to request changes or provide
additional information to this FAQ. I'll do my best to incorporate
them, however, I cannot make any promises given the wide range of
personalities and points of view within ACF and its related newsgroups.
Please be aware that negative comments in response to this FAQ will be
simply ignored as background noise.


========================================================================
TABLE OF CONTENTS
========================================================================
1.  What is a FAQ and what's its purpose?
2.  What is the Usenet?
3.  What is alt.comp.freeware (ACF)?
4.  Is ACF moderated (controlled)?
5.  What should I try to avoid posting in ACF?
6.  Should I mention payware/warez if no free versions of a software
exist?
7.  If I have some freeware binaries, where should I post them if they
aren't welcome in ACF?
8.  I have found a great new freeware game, should I post about it in
ACF?
9.  What should I post about in ACF?
10. I've seen many conflicting view points in ACF about what
constitutes "FREEWARE". What is freeware and which one do I use?
11. What about other definitions like nagware, adware etc., used by some
to describe "FREEWARE". Do I have to use them?
12. Do I need to use the Pricelessware Glossary definitions if I want to
post about "FREEWARE"?
13. I've seen references to Pricelessware (PW) - what is it?
14. What is the best "<insert category>" freeware program to use?
15. Are there any posting conventions in ACF I need to follow?
16. What kinds of Subject title conventions are there?
17. Are there any Signature conventions?
18. What is "Netiquette"?
19. Should I cross-post into other newsgroups?
20. Should I use HTML to post in ACF?
21. Should I post using my real email address?
22. What do people mean by "mungeing" your email address?
23. Should I regularly change posting pseudonyms (nyms)?
24. I've seen references to <PLONK> or PLONK! at the end of posts. What
does it mean?
25. What is a kill-file?
26. How do I kill-file someone or filter a thread?
27. What should I do if I have a problem with someone in ACF?
28. Do I need to let people know I've kill-filed someone?
29. What do I do if my newsreader doesn't have advanced filtering?
30. Why do people have a problem with "top" posting?
31. Am I required to use a certain posting style in ACF.
32. What should I do if someone tells me to post in a certain way?
33. What is a "NetCop" and there any in ACF?
34. What is "flaming" and what is a "Flame-Warrior"?
35. What is "e-bashing"?
36. Do I need to quote the entire message when responding?
37. Should I post with minimal headers?
38. Should I use the X-No-Archive header?
39. How do I view or search for old ACF posts that are no longer stored
by my provider?
40. Are there any other ACF FAQ's for me to look at?
41. What is alt.comp.pricelessware (ACP)?
42. What is alt.comp.freeware.games (ACFG)?
43. What is alt.comp.freeware.discussion (ACFD)?
44. What is alt.binaries.freeware (ABF)?
45. Where can I download Usenet Newsgroup Control Messages?
46. What are all these meaningless combinations of letters and
punctuation I see in the articles like LOL, PITA, ROFL or MYOB?
47. Is typing posts using all capital letters acceptable?
48. Are there any limits to how much I can post in one day?

- SOFTWARE TAXONOMY
- NEWSPROXY FILTER EXAMPLES
- COMMONLY USED SITES FOR OBTAINING FREEWARE


========================================================================
1. What is a FAQ and what's its purpose?
========================================================================
Put simply, it is a series of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that
appear with uncommon regularity within a newsgroup or forum. Its
purpose is to alleviate regular posters from continually having to
answer some of those questions. Many Usenet groups have a FAQ for this
purpose. A FAQ *isn't* a rule set - it's simply answers to frequently
asked questions. For a more detailed explanation of FAQ, please check
out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FAQ


========================================================================
2. What is Usenet?
========================================================================
Usenet evolved in the late 1970's from the old UUCP (which allowed
servers to transfer files and email between themselves). It is a means
of allowing people to post and disseminate public messages to a large,
world-wide audience. For a much broader description see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usenet


========================================================================
3. What is alt.comp.freeware (ACF)?
========================================================================
It is a Usenet newsgroup set up to discuss free software. It was
created in late December 1995 by Terry Knab. It does not have a charter.
Related to ACF, are several sub-groups and a binaries group.  They are
alt.comp.freeware.games (ACFG), alt.comp.freeware.discussion (ACFD),
alt.comp.pricelessware (ACP) and alt.binaries.freeware (ABF).  See Q.41,
Q.42, Q.43 and Q.44 for further details.


========================================================================
4. Is ACF moderated (controlled)?
========================================================================
No, it is an unmoderated newsgroup which means no one is in charge and
there are no laid down rules for you to follow, including what is posted
within this FAQ, however, if you want to make the most out of the time
spent in ACF, you'd be well advised to stay within the yellow lines.


========================================================================
5. What should I try to avoid posting in ACF?
========================================================================
Preferably, anything contentious. The following are good examples of
what *not* to post in ACF because they will get you kill-filed quicker
than anything else:

- Shareware and Commercial Software (payware)
- Hacks and cracks to the above (aka Warez)
- Spam, advertising and surveys
- Hoaxes and scams (including chain letters)
- Viruses, trojans and other malware
- Flames and troll bait
- Usenet Floods (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usenet_flood)
- Binaries (although you can link to them)


========================================================================
6. Should I mention payware/warez if no free versions of a software
exist?
========================================================================
No. If you need a reason, refer to the question above.


========================================================================
7. If I have some freeware binaries, where should I post them if they
aren't welcome in ACF?
========================================================================
The appropriate place is alt.binaries.freeware (ABF). It was set up in
December 1999 specifically for this purpose.


========================================================================
8. I have found a great new freeware game, should I post about it in
ACF?
========================================================================
Yes, however, you are encouraged to use alt.comp.freeware.games (ACFG)
instead which was created in January 2001 specifically for the purpose
of discussing freeware games (binaries will still need to be posted to
ABF though).  See Q.42.


========================================================================
9. What should I post about in ACF?
========================================================================
Short answer, FREEWARE. Longer answer, anything to do with free
software (Freeware/Open Source).  See the SOFTWARE TAXONOMY below.


========================================================================
10. I've seen many conflicting view points in ACF about what constitutes
"FREEWARE". What is freeware and which one do I use?
========================================================================
The only criterion for being classified as freeware is that the software
must be fully functional for an unlimited time with no monetary cost.
Reference http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freeware


========================================================================
11. What about other definitions like nagware, adware etc., used by some
to describe "FREEWARE". Do I have to use them?
========================================================================
No. You are free to define and categories software in a way that works
for you. I've provided a list of the most commonly used software
definitions in the SOFTWARE TAXONOMY below, however, you are *not*
required to use or follow any of them.


========================================================================
12. Do I need to use the Pricelessware Glossary definitions if I want to
post about "FREEWARE"?
========================================================================
No. The Pricelessware Glossary (which is posted in ACF by Susan Bugher
as alt.comp.freeware's Ware Glossary) was written by several ACF posters
as a means of providing a common language for discussion and voting
during the Pricelessware process.  It has been used at various times in
ACF to discuss software but it's use within ACF is contentious,
therefore, I recommend you categorise the definition "freeware" for
yourself to suit your own needs.


========================================================================
13. I've seen references to Pricelessware (PW) - what is it?
========================================================================
It is a list of freeware that some members of ACF believe represents the
"best" in a particular category. It was created in 1999 as the successor
to The Big List hosted by Son Of Spy. Years of in-fighting by those
within the PW community itself, as well as, some regulars within ACF has
seen it decline to the point where it's no longer being maintained nor
updated. Unfortunately, any time anything Pricelessware is brought up or
mentioned in ACF, it tends to create arguments so my advice, since it's
nearly dead already, is to refrain from mentioning it.  See Q.41.


========================================================================
14. What is the best "<insert category>" freeware program to use?
========================================================================
Regardless of what people have told you, there is no "best" program for
anything. Software, like most things in life, is subjective. What
might be the best word processor for someone using 3.0GHz Vista Laptop
with 4GB RAM may not necessarily be the best word processor for someone
using a 533MHz Celeron Win 98E desktop with 512MB of RAM. You should be
aware of this when taking peoples recommendations into account. The
"best" program for a particular task is the one that best suits you.


========================================================================
15. Are there any posting conventions in ACF I need to follow?
========================================================================
No, this is an unmoderated newsgroup so you are free to post what you
want, how you want and when you want. That said, contained within this
FAQ are several conventions commonly used in ACF to make life easier.
You are not required to follow them, however, it will be appreciated if
you do.


========================================================================
16. What kinds of Subject title conventions are there?
========================================================================
Some people like filter out posts that they are not interested in and
some like to highlight posts that they particularly wish to be informed
about. You are not required to follow these conventions, however, it is
seen as a courtesy and is appreciated by those readers in ACF. Using the
following subject line conventions aids that filtering / highlighting
process:

- Off-topic posts are normally preceded with:
(OT), {OT}, [OT], <OT> or OT:.

- Software update posts are normally preceded with:
(UDPATE), {UPDATE}, [UPDATE], <UPDATE> or UPDATE:.

- Posts deemed as SPAM are normally preceded with:
(SPAM), {SPAM}, [SPAM], <SPAM> or *SPAM*

- Posts regarding Pricelessware discussions are normally preceded with:
(PL), {PL}, [PL], <PL>, PL:, or [PL....] where .... = year

- Software requests are normally preceded with:
(REQ), {REQ}, [REQ], <REQ> or REQ:


========================================================================
17. Are there any Signature conventions?
========================================================================
The following advice is the generally accepted netiquette in regards to
signatures. Please keep your signatures as concise as possible because
people do not appreciate having to pay to continually download them
every time they view one of your posts. 3 or 4 lines is usually plenty.
Long signatures are definitely frowned upon, as is drawings, pictures
and other graphics in your signature. Including such material in your
signature is considered as extremely rude by other readers and you
invite a barrage of nasty posts if you include them.


========================================================================
18. What is "Netiquette"?
========================================================================
Short answer - online courtesy. Longer answer - have a read of:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netiquette


========================================================================
19. Should I cross-post into other newsgroups?
========================================================================
There is nothing stopping you from cross-posting an article, however,
you need to be aware that many readers (in ACF and other newsgroups)
consider excessive cross-posting to be a bad thing and many drop (kill)
messages that have been cross-posted to more than 2-3 groups. It is
also considered highly inappropriate to broadcast your message to a wide
selection of newsgroups merely to have more people read it. Most
readers now consider wide cross-posting as SPAM. When replying to
posts, you should pay particular attention to the headers to ensure you
aren't further spamming. More info may be found by reading
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crosspost.


========================================================================
20. Should I use HTML to post in ACF?
========================================================================
HTML may be "prettier" but it's definitely not recommended for Usenet
posting. Most Usenet readers prefer plain text unless otherwise
specifically stated. Many have their newsreaders set to display plain
text only in Usenet so posting in HTML will lead to them seeing a page
of HTML code which in turn will lead to some nasty responses coming your
way.


========================================================================
21. Should I post using my real email address?
========================================================================
The best advice I can give is no, I don't recommend it. There are two
reasons for this, the first is to reduce spam harvesting (best described
by reading http://www.faqs.org/faqs/net-abuse-faq/harvest/) and the
second is to avoid being stalked. Unfortunately, there have been past
incidents within ACF where some people have gone to great lengths to try
and stalk others (stemming from a disagreement about something). You
can imagine how nasty the situation gets if the stalker manages to
obtain your real email address. A way to avoid those two scenario's is
to use a free email address (Hotmail/Yahoo etc) and munge it.


========================================================================
22. What do people mean by "mungeing" your email address?
========================================================================
"Mungeing" is simply a means to disguise your email address from robots
but allow humans to extract it easily. An example of a munged email
address would be: <Me Here@MYhotmailADDRESS.comREMOVE_CAPS_AFTER_AT>.
If you are interested in mungeing email addresses, I recommend you read
the following: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munge


========================================================================
23. Should I regularly change posting pseudonyms (nyms)?
========================================================================
The choice to change your posting nym is solely up to you. When and how
often is also your choice, however, you should be aware that if you
change your nym too often, readers may start to think your sole purpose
for doing so is either to spam or get out of kill-files. You should be
aware that many ACF regulars frown upon nym changing and it isn't
tolerated very well. Further reading on nyms or pseudonyms may be found
at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudonym.


========================================================================
24. I've seen references to <PLONK> or PLONK! at the end of posts. What
does it mean?
========================================================================
It's Usenet jargon indicating that a poster has been added to someone's
kill-file. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plonk


========================================================================
25. What is a kill-file?
========================================================================
A kill-file is simply a method of ignoring posts from certain people.
Most newsreaders have a means to accomplish this by using "message
filters", however, it may be termed differently such as - "Block Sender"
or "Twit List", etc. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kill_file


========================================================================
26. How do I kill-file someone or filter a thread?
========================================================================
This is almost impossible to answer in a FAQ due to the huge differences
in the implementation of message filters in individual newsreaders,
however, almost all require you to identify a message header to filter
on. This header value must be unique to the poster or thread you want
to kill (drop) or you run the risk of killing more than the required
posts. Filters commonly use the following headers:

- From (although this header can be faked)
- Message-ID (good for identifying forgeries)
- NNTP-Posting-Host (good for identifying forgeries and spammers)
- Subject (useful for dropping or highlighting interesting threads)
- User-Agent (useful for weeding out spammers and sporgers)
- X-Newsreader (useful for weeding out spammers and sporgers)
- X-Mailer (useful for weeding out spammers and sporgers)
- X-Complaints-To (useful for weeding out spammers and sporgers)
- X-No-Archive (useful for weeding out the certain types of posters)


========================================================================
27. What should I do if I have a problem with someone in ACF?
========================================================================
Ignore them and their posts by putting them in your kill-file. Everyone
has been allocated a certain number of minutes in their lifetime and
using them worrying about some anonymous poster in Usenet is not worth
wasting a single minute. Simply kill-file them and be done with it.


========================================================================
28. Do I need to let people know I've kill-filed someone?
========================================================================
No, not really, however, it's your choice. Some people like to let
other posters know that they have kill-filed a person in the hopes it
will encourage others to kill-file him/her as well (unlikely, however it
doesn't stop them trying), some like to show the offender that they have
been kill-filed (puts them on an imaginary power trip) and some just
like to let the offender know why they won't be getting any further
responses.


========================================================================
29. What do I do if my newsreader doesn't have advanced filtering?
========================================================================
The simplest answer is to use a 3rd party NNTP filtering program like
NewsProxy (aka Nfilter) or Hamster (Google them). I've included some
NewsProxy filtering examples at the end of this FAQ.


========================================================================
30. Why do people have a problem with "top" posting?
========================================================================
No real reason other than it's a personal thing. Some (actually, it's
almost always the bottom posters that complain) believe it breaks the
flow of the message but that's absolute rubbish especially given today's
propensity towards interleaved posting (which also breaks the flow but
is rarely complained about). Personally, I believe it goes back to the
days of dumb newsreaders and over-zealous netcops. You can read more
about posting styles here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posting_style


========================================================================
31. Am I required to use a certain posting style in ACF.
========================================================================
No, however, most readers of ACF seem to prefer bottom or interleaved
posting and there are those who would kill-file you for daring to breach
the commonly accepted posting style netiquette.


========================================================================
32. What should I do if someone tells me to post in a certain way?
========================================================================
Ignore them - they have *no* authority over you or anyone else in ACF
for that matter because it is an unmoderated newsgroup. You are free to
post whatever and however you like. The only person you're accountable
to, is you.


========================================================================
33. What is a "NetCop" and are there any in ACF?
========================================================================
Rather than simply tell you what a NetCop is, you'll get a better
appreciation by simply following the link I give in the question about
"Flame Warriors". Unfortunately, ACF is not immune to this type of
behaviour and like many other newsgroups we have a few here who try to
netcop everyone else. Since ACF is an unmoderated newsgroup, your best
weapon against these people is to simply ignore them and their requests
(even kill-file them).


========================================================================
34. What is "flaming" and what is a "Flame-Warrior"?
========================================================================
Flaming is a hostile interaction between posters usually stemming from a
provocative posting by one of the posters. A more detailed description
may be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flaming_(Internet). As for
flame warrior, the best description I can give you is to point you in
the direction of Mike Reed's site: http://redwing.hutman.net/~mreed/


========================================================================
35. What is "e-bashing"?
========================================================================
E-bashing is a form of intimidation. It is normally conducted by a
group of friends against a poster who happens to slight one of the the
group. The group then gangs up and verbally attacks the poster until
he/she leaves or apologises. Unfortunately, these groups exist in
almost every newsgroup. Most have an agenda and as soon as that agenda
is threatened, they come out of the woodwork in defence. My advice is
to kill-file the entire group once they become evident. In the long
run, this action will prove to be the best option.


========================================================================
36. Do I need to quote the entire message when responding?
========================================================================
This is not easily answered. Sometimes it's required and sometimes it's
not. I guess it depends on what you're responding to. If you decide
not to quote the full text, you must be careful not to quote out of
context (sometimes referred to as selective quoting) because you could
end up changing the entire meaning of a post and then you'll be the
brunt of some nasty responses. For a greater understanding of how
quoting out of context can effect the messages meaning, see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallacy_of_quoting_out_of_context


========================================================================
37. Should I post with minimal headers?
========================================================================
Personally, I don't recommend it. Some readers tend to drop (kill)
posts that don't have certain header fields. There are many reasons for
this, however, one stick out more than the rest. Simply, readers like
to know who they are conversing with and when you completely anonymise
your post by employing minimal headers, you'll end up being categorised
as anyone of the following trying to avoid detection:

- a spammer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spammer)
- a forger/sporger (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sporgery)
- a sockpuppet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_sock_puppet),
- a troll (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll)


========================================================================
38. Should I use the X-No-Archive header?
========================================================================
That's up to you. This header was introduced in 1995, primarily as a
result of privacy concerns by posters worried about having their posts
archived for all time, however, recently it's use has been linked to
forgers, sporgers and sockpuppets who wish to remain as anonymous as
possible by having servers delete traces of their posting path. It is
now considered by many as a good item to filter on - ie. if you use it,
chances are you don't stand by what you post anyway, and therefore, it's
no skin off anyone's nose if your post get dropped (killed). That said,
some people use it to avoid internet stalkers and identity theft. As I
said earlier, the choice to use it is up to you. Further info regarding
the header may be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-No-Archive.


========================================================================
39. How do I view or search for old ACF posts that are no longer stored
by my provider?
========================================================================
Google Groups is the easiest method. The following link provides you
with access to all posts in ACF except those that contain the
X-No-Archive header (which are only held by Google for 5 days before
being deleted):
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.comp.freeware/about


========================================================================
40. Are there any other ACF FAQ's for me to look at?
========================================================================
Yes, John Fitzsimons created one and maintains it on the following site:
http://clients.net2000.com.au/~johnf/faq.html


========================================================================
41. What is alt.comp.pricelessware (ACP)?
========================================================================
ACP is an unmoderated Usenet newsgroup set up to discuss and vote on all
things Pricelessware. It was created in January 2005 by Bill Roberts.
It's charter is: "This group is for discussion regarding pricelessware.
Binaries are not allowed. No advertising will be tolerated."


========================================================================
42. What is alt.comp.freeware.games (ACFG)?
========================================================================
ACFG is an unmoderated Usenet newsgroup created by Brian (Aguydude) in
Jan 2001. It has a lengthy charter which I won't post here, however,
it's prime focus is the discussion of freeware games which would include
providing information about new freeware games, requesting the location
of freeware games, providing assistance with troubleshooting,
requesting information about the creation of freeware games, and
requesting help winning freeware games.


========================================================================
43. What is alt.comp.freeware.discussion (ACFD)?
========================================================================
ACFD is another unmoderated Usenet newsgroup created by GruppenSchnitzer
users in 2001 as a chat room for ACF participants.  It has no charter.


========================================================================
44. What is alt.binaries.freeware (ABF)?
========================================================================
ABF is an unmoderated Usenet newsgroup created by geronimo816@cybcon.com
in December 1999 specifically for posting freeware software and requests
for such posts.  It's charter states: "This group is open to all who
wish to post freeware or a request for freeware. Commercial advertising
and / or solicitation is not allowed. The posting of warez and cracks or
the request for such posts is not permitted."  It was hatched as a
direct result of discussions in ACF in regards to freeware that had
become difficult to find (ie. last freeware version) as time marched on.


========================================================================
45. Where can I download Usenet Newsgroup Control Messages?
========================================================================
In the resources section of http://www.isc.org/index.pl  You will need
an FTP client.


========================================================================
46. What are all these meaningless combinations of letters and
punctuation I see in the articles like LOL, PITA, ROFL or MYOB?
========================================================================
They are a form of Internet Shorthand. A comprehensive list of these
acronyms can be found at: http://www.netlingo.com/index.cfm


========================================================================
47. Is typing posts using all capital letters acceptable?
========================================================================
While there is nothing physically stopping you doing this, it's
considered extremely rude to type a post using all capitals because on
the Internet, capital letters are considered the equivalent of SHOUTING.
My advice is to use capital letters sparingly unless you like being the
brunt of nasty responses.


========================================================================
48. Are there any limits to how much I can post in one day?
========================================================================
No, however, you should be aware that if you post rubbish, you'll likely
be tagged as a spammer and kill filed by everyone.


========================================================================
SOFTWARE TAXONOMY
========================================================================

This is how *I* define software. You don't have to agree with, or even
use, what's posted below.  You are free to define software anyway you
wish, however, in the end, it's the software license which determines a
software's category and type.

For me, software falls into two broad Categories, BOUGHT and FREE. From
these two broad Categories, I split software into Types as shown below:

'Bought' Software:
- Shareware (licensed)
- Commercial Software (licensed) includes Retail Software

'Free' Software:
- Freeware (licensed)
- Open Source (licensed) includes Public Domain (no license required)


I use the following definitions to categorise software:

*Shareware*:
Shareware is a marketing method for bought computer software in which it
can be obtained and used free of charge (usually for a specified time
period/number of uses) before the user is legally required to pay for
continued use of the software beyond the trial period. It is sometimes
known as try-before-you-buyware.
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_industry#Shareware
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shareware

*Commercial Software*:
Commercial software is computer software sold for commercial purposes or
that serves commercial purposes.
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_industry#Commercial

*Freeware*:
Freeware is fully functional, licensed computer software which is made
available for use free of charge for an unlimited time period.
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_industry#Freeware
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freeware

*Open Source*:
Open source is a computer software development methodology which offers
and promotes practical accessibility to a product's source code for the
purposes of collusion in directing production and the creative design
process.
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_industry#Open_source
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_source


If I feel the need to be more specific about the type of software I'm
discussing, I use the following (some poetic license is required):

*Abandonware*:
Refers to computer software (bought or free) that is no longer sold,
supported, distributed, or whose ownership may be unclear for various
reasons (sometimes referred to as Orphanware).
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abandonware

*Adware*:
Adware or advertising-supported software is any software package
(normally freeware) which automatically plays, displays, or downloads
advertisements to a computer after the software is installed on it or
while the application is being used.
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adware

*Betaware*:
This is the name given to software (bought and free) which has passed
the alpha testing stage of software development and has been released to
users for software testing before its official release. Beta versions
are intended for testing by users whereas Alpha versions are test
versions for the developers (normally).
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_release_life_cycle#Beta

*CDware*:
Promo CDs included with magazines, books and/or other products. It is
normally purchased as part of those magazines and books, however, it can
be given away free (eg. company promos etc.)
Reference: http://www.pricelesswarehome.org/acf/WareGlossary.php

*Crippleware, Demoware, Liteware and Trialware*:
These are all variations on a theme - it is normally bought software
which is normally given away free of charge that has been limited in
some way to entice you into purchasing the full version. Some methods
of limiting the software include removing essential functionality and
limiting the length and number of times it can be used.
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crippleware
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demoware

*Malware*:
Malicious Software is software (normally free) designed to infiltrate
and/or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent.
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malware

*Nagware*:
Sometimes known as begware or annoyware is a type of Shareware that
reminds (or nags) the user (usually via a pop-up window) to register it
by paying a fee.
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagware

*Requestware*:
This covers a wide range of themes, however, essentially it is software
(bought or free) in which the license has requested something of you.
This request may be optional or not. Some examples of Requestware include:
Beerware - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beerware
Careware - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Careware
Citeware - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citeware
Donationware - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donationware
Emailware - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emailware
Greenware - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otherware
Postcardware - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postcardware
Propagandaware - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otherware
Registerware - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Registerware
Sisterware - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otherware

*Spyware*:
This is computer software (bought or free) that is installed
surreptitiously on a computer to intercept and/or take partial control
over the user's interaction with the computer, without the user's
informed consent. It's main function is to send information about you
and your computer to others (hence the term spy-ware). Spyware may also
install files on your hard drive without your knowledge.
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spyware

*Warez*:
Pronounced "where's" refers primarily to copyrighted software that is
stolen, and/or enabled (in reference to crippleware), by illegal means.
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warez

*Webware*:
Online software (the functionality of software is provided as
an online service).
Reference: http://www.pricelesswarehome.org/acf/WareGlossary.php


========================================================================
NEWSPROXY FILTER EXAMPLES
========================================================================
The following NewsProxy filters require the RegEx option to be used.

Dropping selected subject headers to reduce spam:
* drop Subject:.*[Cc][Hh][Rr][Ii][Ss][Tt].*
* drop Subject:.*[Cc][Uu][Rr]+[Ee][Nn][Cc][Yy].*
* drop Subject:.*[Hh][Ii][Tt][Ll][Ee][Rr].*
* drop Subject:.*[Jj][Ee][Ww].*
* drop Subject:.*[Mm][^a-zA-Z]*[Ii][^a-zA-Z]*5.*
* drop Subject:.*[Mm][Oo][Nn][Ee][Yy].*
* drop Subject:.*[Mm][Uu][Ss][Ll][Ii][Mm].*
* drop Subject:.*[Vv][Ii][Aa][Gg][Rr][Aa].*
* drop Subject:.*[Ww][Aa][Rr][Ee][Zz].*
* drop Subject:.*[Zz][Ii][Oo][Nn].*

Using scoring to drop anonymous posters:
* score:+10 From:[\x20-\xFF].+
* score:-100 NNTP-Posting-Host:[\x20-\xFF].+
* score:-100 X-Original-NNTP-Posting-Host:[\x20-\xFF].+
* score:-100 Injection-Info:[\x20-\xFF].+
* drop score:10


The following NewsProxy filter doesn't require the RegEx option to be used.

Using scoring to drop anonymous posters:
alt.comp.freeware score:-100 NNTP-Posting-Host:*
alt.comp.freeware score:-100 X-Original-NNTP-Posting-Host:*
alt.comp.freeware score:-100 Injection-Info:*
alt.comp.freeware drop score:0


Other NewsProxy filter examples may be found here:
- http://bearware.info/NewsProxy/newsproxy.html
- http://www.nfilter.org/faq.html


========================================================================
COMMONLY USED SITES FOR OBTAINING FREEWARE
========================================================================
This is not a complete software repository list, just those more
commonly visited by denizens of ACF:

- http://bearware.info/
- http://www.freewarehome.com/
- http://www.freewarefiles.com/
- http://www.freeware-guide.com/
- http://www.nonags.com/
- http://www.pricelessware.org/


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