Abandonware is a term that has become increasingly popular in the world of technology and software. It refers to software that has been abandoned by its developers and is no longer supported or updated. This article will explore the definition, origin, and associations of abandonware, as well as its synonyms and antonyms.
Definitions
Abandonware is a term used to describe software that is no longer being sold, supported, or updated by its developer. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as the company going out of business or the software becoming outdated.
Origin
The term abandonware was first used in the late 1990s when software piracy was at its peak. People were searching for older software that was no longer being sold, and they began sharing it online. The term was coined to describe this type of software.
Meaning in different dictionaries
Abandonware is not a widely recognized term, and it is not found in most dictionaries. However, some online dictionaries define it as “software that is no longer supported or updated by its developer.”
Associations
Abandonware is often associated with software piracy because it involves sharing software that is no longer being sold. However, some people argue that abandonware is not piracy because the software is no longer being sold and the developer is not losing any money.
Synonyms
There are several synonyms for abandonware, including obsolete software, discontinued software, and unsupported software.
Antonyms
The antonyms of abandonware are active software, supported software, and updated software.
The same root words
The root word of abandonware is “abandon,” which means to leave or give up. Other words that share this root include abandoned, abandonment, and abandoning.
Example Sentences
- “I was looking for an old game that I used to play, but it’s no longer being sold. I found it on an abandonware site.”
- “The software I’m using is no longer being updated. I guess it’s considered abandonware now.”
- “I don’t want to use abandonware because it’s not supported anymore. I need software that’s actively maintained.”