On Mon, Feb 16, 2009 at 1:50 PM, Sam Korn smoddy@gmail.com wrote:
On Mon, Feb 16, 2009 at 1:47 PM, Thomas Dalton thomas.dalton@gmail.com wrote:
2009/2/16 Alvaro García alvareo@gmail.com:
Doesn't the -ware suffix only show that the software isn't paid?
No... the "free" part shows that. The "ware" part shows that it's software...
But, generally, yes: "freeware" means free-gratis, not free-libre.
And the -ware suffix does show that it is a product.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/-ware
That article's a bit rubbish, but gives you some idea.
Better is this:
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=ware
"manufactured goods, goods for sale," O.E. waru ..."
O.E. is Old English.
Carcharoth