Computing’s shareware revolution

At a time when the software industry was urging people to stop copying floppies, a small group of individuals actively encouraged it, giving birth to a new distribution model, explains David Crookes

There’s little doubt that shareware revolutionised the way software was distributed in the early days of computing. It steamed in with a blend of innovation and accessibility, offering users a “try before you buy” model that went a long way towards democratising software development. Suddenly, pioneering independent coders could reach a global audience without needing a big budget or corporate backing. They could create games and serious applications while breaking free from retail shelves, all the while shaping the digital landscape by offering consumers greater choice. Key to this movement were a small number of individuals who took a great gamble with their work by pleading to the good side of human nature. Chief among them was former attorney, writer and publisher Andrew Fluegelman, who developed and released an excellent…

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PC Pro (Digital) - 1 Issue, April 2025

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