That's right. These days, the typical computer user doesn't need cash, just an internet connection to get free software. More and more programmes are waiting on-line to be downloaded for next to nothing, or indeed for nothing at all.

``There are millions of such programmes on the internet,'' says an analyst at the German computer magazine ``c't'' Stephan Ehrmann free software is generally referred to as freeware or shareware.

The quality of free software is usually equal to that of commercial products, says Ehrmann. Technically speaking, shareware, unlike freeware, requires users to pay for the software after a trial period. Prices usually range between five and 30 dollars -- a bargain by almost any measure.

The most commonly available programmes, however, are public domain software. These are not covered by any copyright. Ehrmann notes, though,that while freeware comes at no charge, most often the copyright rests with the author.

The freeware movement, which arose out of a reaction against commercial software, is nearly as old as the internet itself. But the tradition of sharing continues on the internet today, with loads of free software available in categories such as graphics, math, taxes, E-mail, games, and web browsers.

The creators of many free programmes, Ehrmann says, are ``students, hobby programmers, and serious programmers. They think their services should be available free of charge.''

The success of the shareware concept has forced many commercial software providers to take counter-measures against it.

``Some (commercial producers) are offering older versions of their software for a pittance, while the latest versions cost 300 dollars,'' says Ehrmann.

The stiff competition has also forced some large software companies to release free software. Netscape and Microsoft, for example, are giving away their web browsers NetscapeNavigator and Internet Explorer. And since the middle of November, the office suite Star Office 5.0 by the Hamburg-based software company star Division has been available as a free download by private users.

According to Star Division spokesman Frank Loehmann, the free offering is aimed at making use of the suite more widespread in a market dominated by Microsoft. Star Division plans to earn revenues mainly from services connected to the suite, the sales of a deluxe version of the software on CD-Rom, and commercial users, who still have to pay for Star Office.

But how can private and commercial users be distinguished? ``We count on the honesty of our customers,'' says Loehmann.

Honesty, though, is difficult to guarantee. Software authors counting on a small income from their shareware products often complain about the number of people registering and paying for their software, says shareware expert Ehrmann.

Options for enforcing registration and payment are limited. Often, after a trial period forshareware is over, a friendly warning appears, and after a few weeks, so-called ``nag screens'' are often displayed, reminding users to register.

Even disruptions in functionality can be programmed. ``Some programmers are ruthless others think if you're fair, you'll support me, but I can't force you,'' Ehrmann says. And fairness is a keyword in the shareware arena.

Like the plethora of programmes available commercially, the shareware scene can be confusing. Freeware directories such as the popular no nags attempt to help users find the best translation software or the best of 200 versions of the game solitaire.

Other directories, such as ZD Net's software library at Shareware.Com present software arranged by genre, and give ratings and descriptions.

On-line services like Compuserve and AOL have thousands of available programs. According to AOL spokesperson Britta Doerig, how up-to-date a software programme is often determines whether it is included in their libraries. ``And of course the programmesare scanned for viruses,'' Doerig says. The same is true for Compuserve.

Black sheep are rare and don't harm the freeware movement as a whole, Ehrmann says. Most programmers are idealists. This is especially true of supporters of the free operating system Linux, which Microsoft views as serious competition to Windows NT.

The Linux community consists largely of technophiles. The code of the operating system can be improved and developed according to certain rules, available for all. This leaves little opportunity for profit motives. Says Ehrmann: ``It makes you feel guilty to buy anything connected to Linux.''