Andrew Fluegelman

Andrew Cardoza Fluegelman (born November 27, 1943--presumably died July 6, 1985) was a programmer and attorney best known as the inventor of what is now known as the shareware business model for software marketing. He was also the leader of the 1970s New Games movement which advocated the development of noncompetitive games.

Related Topics:
July 6 - 1985 - Programmer - Attorney - Inventor - Shareware - Software - 1970s - New Games

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Shortly after the introduction of the IBM PC Fluegelman developed PC-Talk, a very popular and successful communications software. He marketed it under a system he called "Freeware," which he characterized as "an experiment in economics more than altruism." Freeware was licensed under terms that encouraged users to make voluntary payments for the software, and allowed users to copy and redistribute the software freely as long as the license terms and text were not altered. He trademarked the term "freeware" in order to retain control of the word's meaning, which ironically had the unintended result of causing other developers to use the subsitute term "shareware" in order to avoid infringing the trademark.

Related Topics:
IBM PC - PC-Talk - Freeware - Economics - Altruism - Trademark

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Fluegelman edited PC World magazine from its introduction in 1982 until 1985, and Macworld magazine from its introduction in 1984 until 1985.

Related Topics:
PC World - 1982 - Macworld - 1984

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In 1985, Fluegelman, already suffering from colitis, was diagnosed with cancer. On the afternoon of July 6, 1985, he left his office in Tiburon, California. A week later, his abandoned car was found at the north end of the Golden Gate bridge near San Francisco. A memorial service was held for Fluegelman by his family, and he is presumed dead, though his body has never been found.

Related Topics:
Cancer - Golden Gate bridge - San Francisco

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