Two types of software:

• Applications software: is software that has been developed to solve a particular problem.
• Systems software: enables the applications software to interact with the computer and helps the computer manage its internal resources.

Some things you should read about in Chapter two and three that aren't covered on these notes, but will be covered in class

• Utility Programs
• Drivers
• Registry
• Plug and Play (PnP)
• foreground vs background applications
• Virtual memory - makes your computer think it has more RAM than it really does. This is why not enough RAM can really slow down your computer.
• Interrupts
• All the different Operating Systems listed.

• Versions: a version is a major upgrade in a software product.
• Traditionally versions have been indicated by numbers such as 1.0, 2.0, 3.0.
• The Microsoft products we use in this class declare their upgrades by the year of the release "Office 95", "Office 97", and "Office 2000".
• Release: a release is a minor upgrade. Releases are usually indicated by a change in number after the decimal point - 3.0 then 3.1, then perhaps 3.11, then 3.2, and so on.

• Types of applications software
• entertainment software
• games
• home/personal software
• encyclopedia
• education/reference software
• typing, math skills, ect. ect.
• productivity software
• Microsoft Office
• specialty software
• accounting, 3D art, desktop publishing, ect. ect.

Common Features of Software

• Keys:
• special purpose keys,
• function keys,
• Mnemomic keys - Just about any software you use has Mnemoic keys. They are keys or shortcuts designed by the programmer to replace the mouse. If your mouse doesn't work, you can still use the pulldown menus and other window features with just the keyboard.
  • Right now try holding down the alt key and while holding it down push the f key. The file pulldown menu on the Web browser should open up. Many programs will have the Mnemonic keys underlined all the time. Others programs like the version of Internet Explorer I am currently using wait till the key is pushed down and then the Mnemomic keys becomed underlined. When the pulldown menu is displayed by holding down you should notice that all the choices have one underlined letter. By pressing the underlined letter you have completed the same task as clicking it with the mouse.
  • It should be noted if you get good at using the Mnemonic shortcut you'll stop using the mouse, Mnemoic keys can be much faster.
• Macros- many programs such as the Office programs will allow you to record a set of steps you are doing. This way you can replay the set of steps by just using one key, instead of going through all the steps, this process is called Macro. You are recording a macro.
• The GUI
• Menu
• Windows
• Icons
• Buttons
• Dialog Box
• Tutorials and Documentation
• Tutorials
• Documentation
• Help index

Spreadsheets

DBMS (Database Management System Software) -  also known as database management. There  is a good chance when you get a "REAL"  job someday that you will use this type of software. It   consists of programs for storing, cross-indexing, retrieving and manipulating large amounts of data. I have biologists, business people, doctors, and many more occupations ask me questions about these type of software. Microsoft has a version called Access. The grade page is done using a database software I developed.

Communications Software - includes programs that access software and data from, and transmit to, a computer in a remote location.

• Electronic Mail Software or EMAIL - These enables users to send letters and files from one computer to another.
• Web browsers - software that enables you to "browse through" and view Web sites. You can move from page to page by clicking on or using a mouse to select an iconor by typing in the URL (address) of the page.
• Internet Explorer
• Netscape Navigator
• Mozilla

 

Off-the-shelf or packaged software- Microcomputer users usually get their software from stores like Hastings or specialized software stores. A very popular type of off-the-shelf  software is Desktop publishing software (DTP). Dtp involves using a microcomputer and mouse, scanner, laser printer, and DTP software for mixing text and graphics to produce high-quality printed output.

Drivers -  Most hardware you buy has installation software that has to be loaded before the
hardware can be used. The software is called Drivers, it's a series of program instructions that
standardizes the format of data transmitted between a computer and the hardware. The mouse,
keyboard, modems, sound/video cards all have drivers, plus most other hardware.
If you see Plug-n-Play attribute with a piece of hardware your about to buy, this means
usually the driver is already loaded with Windows XP.

When Software Causes Problems

• Drawbacks of new software
• Bloatware - define in book, you will see it again.
• Deadlock - Where your computer freezes up because applications that are running are waiting for resources that are tied up by another application, it turns out to be a circular wait, all applications are waiting on a resource that is held by another application, none of the applications release the resource it's holding so all applications are frozen waiting. This leaves your computer frozen.
• Bugs

• Copyright - is the exclusive legal right that prohibits copying of intellectual property without the permission of the copyright holder.
• Piracy is the unauthorized copying of copyrighted software.
• warez - a slang word that is used in the computer world to represent pirated software.
• Plagiarism - is the expropriation of another writer's text, findings, or interpretations and presenting it as one's own.

• Freeware
• Shareware
• Commercial ware