Free software -why ?

why do people produce free software( %26 antivirus/spyware programes).what's in it for them?

don't they need the $, or is it like a challenge to see if they can "do it "?

why would they do it ?

Free software -why ?triumph

Some programmers do it for personal satisfaction or out of the generosity of their heart. They keep the full version of the software free by asking for donations. Sometimes they will sell advertising on their web sites to help support their efforts.

Other programmers will create more than one version of their software. The basic limited version will be free, and the full version will sell for a price. Once users start using it on a regular basis and encounter some of the limitations, some will realize that they need the extra features that the full version has. So they eventually purchase the full version.

And yet other programmers will offer free software because they know that this is the best and fastest way to get people interested and using their product. These programmers are hoping that someday, their software will become so popular that some large company will purchase their "business". This kind of "business" deal could make the programmer millions of dollars.

And finally, there are other programmers who also have a good "business" sense. An example of this is Adobe. They offer a free Adobe reader program to anyone who visits their web site. And lots of other web sites have links to the Adobe reader download site. Because they offer a free reader version to anyone who wants it, they can now sell their Adobe converter program to businesses who are trying to reach those same users. Once these businesses can be convinced it would be good "business" sense to convert their products into Adobe, they will purchase Adobe applications and licenses.