A shareware program, in the pure original ideal, should not be crippled or limited in it's functions, however in practicality, the term shareware has come to encompass programs which use registration incentives such as operational time limitations, registration nags, full feature release through registration keys, and other such devices meant to give incentive for the user to abide by the registration license. Shareware, as a distribution method, is the author allowing by license, the public to copy and share the program with others for their own evaluation. The methods of sharing is the distribution process and may include copying of the distribution archive to disks, CD-ROM collections, posting for downloading at BBSes, online services and Internet sites. The author may set limitations to distribution methods. The distribution methods and any limitations may be given in a text file included with the program.
Shareware works largely on the honesty factor in people.
It relies mainly on the conscience of the individual to eventually do the right thing in order to continue use of the program. It completes a trust that the author initiates releasing the program via the shareware method. The author's success is not only dependent on the usefulness of the program and it's distribution, but the conscience of the person using it. As a.c.s.p. is mostly read by other programmers, it is not the place to announce to the public your newest shareware program. There are different types of associations and groups for shareware authors.