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When you buy your software you may have an option to Download it from the Vendor's Website

How soon do you need the software? Are you purchasing a site license or just a single install license? If you download the software from the Vendor Site are you getting a ISO image or the full installation?

Let us say we DO NOT need the software right now and that we ARE purchasing a site license. In this case you DO want the CD and the documentation plus the license information. Then, getting the CD/DVD would be an advantage. This is also true when you are moving the software from one host machine to another hosting system. This is especially true when you are planing to install it on a Remote System. The IT person would be interested in your license and may have to insert that license into their License Server.

When you move from one system to another you will want to load your application from the DVD/CD. This assures that you can get the new application installed. Now, you can log into the Application's Manufacturer's site and download and install the Updates. Upgrading may mean that you have to purchase a special license before the Upgraded API will function. Here you will download and install from a Special Web Site. When you get the new license, make sure that you keep the the files safe on some removable media.

You can download software from your Company's Web site. This usually requires a special login and permissions to get to the correct software archive. The Companies are now using DVDs with the license information included. These are special and will have to be returned to you Company when you terminate your employment.

There are shareware software packages that can be obtained from 2 cows, souceforge.net and/or freashmeat.com. And, there are trial versions of software from various Software Manufacturing sites. Some of these sites can supply their software trials either by download or DVD/CD media. While shareware software packages can be downloaded and used, after agreeing to the licensing agreement, the package will not expire. Trial copies of software will often expire within the month.

Downloading software allows you to use the Software Package/API quickly the ability to move from system to system is limited. The use of removable media takes care of this problem to some extent one should be aware that, at some point, you will have to transfer the package to medial YOURSELF.

The answer to the question of "which is a better method to obtain software" is a matter of perspective and need.

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