… refers to the electronic instructions that govern a computer’s actions to provide a computing service. Software Concepts > Software Software Engineering Acquiring Software Software License System Software Application Software Managing Software In this section:

…is the systematic process of transforming a software idea into functional software. Software Engineering Computer Programming Programming Languages Application Programming Interface Concepts > Software > Software Engineering Requirements Design Implementation Verification Maintenance In this section:

…refers to the several methods by which software can be purchased or accessed, such as off-the-self, custom-designed, or Web-based (cloud computing). Acquiring Software In this section: Off-the-Shelf Software Custom-Designed Software Cloud Computing Concepts > Software > Acquiring Software

Off-the-Shelf Software Off-the-shelf software refers to software that is mass-produced for use by the general public and made available through online outlets or retail stores. Concepts > Software > Acquiring Software > Off-the-Shelf Software System requirements are usually printed on the outside of the box that contains the software or on the Web page from which you download the software.

Custom-Designed Software Custom-designed software is software created to meet a unique need; typically used in business, custom-designed software can give a business a competitive advantage. Concepts > Software > Acquiring Software > Custom-Designed Software Although custom-designed software can help businesses and institutions to be more efficient and effective, some companies develop software to provide their primary service to the public. 1000’s of online businesses deliver software-based service over the Web, including: Google Facebook Hulu Twitter eBay

Cloud Computing Cloud computing refers to a computing environment where software and storage are provided on the Internet and accessed over the Web, requiring very few resources to be installed or stored on the user’s computer, and providing access from any Internet- connected device. Concepts > Software > Acquiring Software > Cloud Computing Links: Akamai

Salesforce.com Concepts > Software > Acquiring Software > Cloud Computing

A software license defines the permissions, rights, and restrictions assigned to the person who purchases a copy of software. Software Licenses In this section: Freeware Open-Source Software Creative Commons License Concepts > Software > Software Licenses

Freeware Freeware is software that is made available to the public for free. Concepts > Software > Software Licenses > Freeware SoftwareDescription ThunderbirdAn and newsgroup software program Pidgin (formerly Gaim)An instant messaging software program that runs on Windows and Linux operating systems Adobe ReaderA free program used to read Adobe PDF files AVG Anti-VirusA free antivirus program that requires registration on the Web site OpenOffice.orgA free and open-source suite of word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and database programs

Open-Source Software Open-source software is distributed, typically for free, with the source code so that it can be studied, changed, and improved by its users. Concepts > Software > Software License s > Open-Source Software

… is any software that coordinates the activities of the hardware and assists the computer in functioning effectively and efficiently. System Software In this section: Boot Process Operating System User Interface File Management Concepts > Software > System Software Microsoft Windows Mac OS Linux Virtual Machine Software Mobile Operating Systems Industrial Operating Systems Embedded Operating Systems Utility Software

The boot process, also known as booting, booting up, or bootstrapping, is the sequence of instructions in the BIOS that are executed when a computer is powered on to check the system and load the operating system into memory. Concepts > Software > System Software > Boot Process The boot process instructions are part of the BIOS, which is burned into memory so that it is always ready for the processor to execute. Boot Process

An operating system (OS) is a set of computer programs that runs or controls the computer hardware, and acts as an interface with both application programs and users. Concepts > Software > System Software > Operating System The operating system provides a user interface that allows the user to interact with the system. The user interface is what defines the user’s experience and causes some users to prefer Windows or Mac. Operating System OS Application Software

Mac vs PC vs Linux Concepts > Software > System Software > Operating System

A user interface (UI) allows one or more people to have access to and command of a computer system or computer software. Concepts > Software > System Software > Operating System Microsoft claims that its Windows Phone 7 Series user interface will change the mobile phone industry. User Interface The UNIX command-based interface

File management refers to the physical and logical storage system and practices provided for managing data on a computer. Concepts > Software > System Software > Operating System File Management Operating systems provide tools for managing files. Microsoft Windows users use My Documents or Documents to manage their files, while Mac users use Finder. All computers store and manipulate files that can contain data, instructions, or both.

Virtual Machine Software; Mobile and Embedded OS Concepts > Software > System Software > Virtual Machine Software; Mobile and Embedded OS Ubuntu Linux running in a virtual machine on a Mac HTC and Google’s Nexus One running Android OS Courtesy of HTC Corporation GPS navigation systems use embedded operating systems. Image copyright 2010, Pincasso. Used under license from Shutterstock.

Utility software is any system software besides the OS that assists in maintaining, managing, and protecting computer system resources. Concepts > Software > System Software > Utlitiy Software Utility Software Defragmentation and disk utilities Backup utilities Security software Spam and pop-up blockers Windows cleaners Diagnostic software

… consists of programs written to perform tasks or solve problems for people, groups, and organizations. Application Software In this section: Productivity Software –Word Processing Software –Spreadsheet Software –Presentation Software –Database Software Concepts > Software > Application Software Personal Information Management (PIM) Software Mobile Software Rich Internet Application (RIA)

Productivity Software Productivity software is any software designed to help individuals be more productive; often used in reference to software suites that include word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation software. Links: Microsoft Office 2010 Corel Office & Utilities; IBM Lotus SmartSuite; Apple iWork; Sun Microsystems StarOffice; OpenOffice.org; Microsoft Works; NeoOffice Concepts > Software > Application Software > Productivity Software

Microsoft Outlook, Google Calendar, and iCal are some examples of PIM software. Concepts > Software > Application Software > Mobile Software Personal Information Management (PIM) Software Personal information management (PIM) software helps individuals store useful information such as to-do lists, appointment calendars, and contact lists.

Mobile software, also called mobile apps, refers to software that is designed for smart phones. Concepts > Software > Application Software > Mobile Software Mobile Software More and more computing is being done on mobile devices. It is useful to consider what computing activities are most practical on the mobile platform with its small display and tiny keyboard.

A Rich Internet Application (RIA) has the power and functionality of a desktop application, but is delivered over the Web and used in a Web browser window. Links: Windows Live Google Apps Zoho Apps Concepts > Software > Application Software > Mobile Software Rich Internet Application (RIA) An increasing amount of software is available online, often for free. RIAs provide convenient services without a cumbersome installation procedure.

… refers to activities required to install, maintain, and remove software from a computer system. Managing Software Installing Software Maintaining Software Uninstalling Software Concepts > Software > Managing Software In this section:

Concepts > Software > Discussion Questions 1.List and describe at least three features you would look for when selecting a computing platform. 2.Review a list of the current software installed on the classroom computer. If this were your personal computer, how you would decide whether to keep or remove any of the programs listed? 3.Describe how you organize your files on your computer. Include details such as file naming techniques and folder management. 4.Choose two career areas in which you are interested. List the types of application programs you would need to know for each. 5.You need to upgrade and acquire new off-the-shelf productivity software for the computer lab. Identify a software suite that would most benefit students. 6.Visit to research the latest technology incorporating embedded operating systems. Choose one product, explain what it does, and identify its benefits to society. 7.You are going to be travelling for the next six months with access to only public computers. Research RIAs and discuss how it will support your collaboration with colleagues on documents. 8.List what factors you should consider when choosing between custom-designed software and off-the-shelf software. 9.Choose one PIM that you would like to use. Discuss ease of use and benefits. Discussion Questions