I quickly put this blog entry together to try to summarize all the different “types” of software that exist:
http://techfettish.wordpress.com/software-nomenclature/
There are some terms that come to mind quickly:
Spyware, adware, freeware, shareware, malware, fearware, vaporware, crippleware…
Wikipedia has entries for all of these but I have not found a page tying them together. What “wares” can you think of that I don’t have in the list above?
I am also trying to coin terms for various activation policies and licensing schemes. In the blog entry I described what I called dongleware, serialware, activationware, and consumableware. There may terms out there for some of these already and some descriptions I do not have terms for yet.
If you could take a look and offer your thoughts, corrections, clarifications, or additions I would appreciate it!
-tek