Chapter 3 Installing and Learning Software

Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3 Getting Started In this Chapter, you will learn: What is in an application window How to locate the instruction manual How software is distributed How to install software from a CD How to download software and install it About software updates How to remove software About USB flash drives Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3

What’s in an application window? The rectangular window that appears on your screen when you open an application is the application window. It includes: Title bar with three buttons Minimize button Maximize button Close button Menu bar Toolbar Ribbon (Office 2007) Office button (Office 2007) Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3

What’s in an application window? Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3

Where’s the instruction manual? Software documentation is provided by the publisher of the software and can include: Reference manual (User Manual) provides detailed descriptions of how to use the software’s features Online Help contains the reference manual in an electronic format Readme file contains installation notes and information about last-minute changes to the software Software tutorial provides step-by-step lessons on how to use the software Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3

How is software distributed? Most software is distributed on CDs at retail stores or downloaded from Web sites Software will include a EULA (end-user license agreement) Commercial software is marketed for profit Freeware is distributed for free Shareware allows you to install the software and share with friends for a trial period Open source software is often developed as a public, collaborative effort of volunteers Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3

How do I install software from a CD? Software applications are made up of a collection of program modules. When you install software: Some or all of the program modules are copied from the CD to your PC’s hard disk The program is added to the All Programs menu The program is added to the Windows Registry, which keeps track of installed hardware and software Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3

How do I install software from a CD? The software installation process is automated by a setup program that is included on the CD You interact with the messages displayed to accept the EULA and indicate where to store the program You usually install a program one time, but can use the CD again if you need to reinstall the software Before installing, check your system to make sure it meets the system requirements Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3

How do I install software from a CD? Installing software with a setup program Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3

How do I download software and install it? Downloading software is transferring the software from the Internet to your PC The installation process is usually very similar to installing programs from a CD You run a setup program that triggers the step-by-step installation process A portable application is software specifically developed to run on a computer without being installed Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3

What about software updates? Types of software updates (also called upgrades) include: New versions Software patches, which replace part of the program code Service packs, which correct problems Some software provides an automatic update option Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3

How do I remove software? When you uninstall software you remove it from: The hard disk The All Programs menu The Registry Uninstall program feature handles the complexities of removing the program modules behind the scenes Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3

How do I remove software? “Uninstall a Program” section of Vista Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3

Hardware: USB flash drives A USB flash drive (UFD) is a compact and portable storage device that plugs into a computer’s USB port Portable, pluggable, and powerful Files can be opened, edited, deleted, and viewed Capacities from 16 MB to 16 GB Transfers data 18-28 MB per second Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3

Hardware: USB flash drives You can run software from your UFD The ClamWin Portable application can protect your data from security threats You should password protect your data UFD’s are often used to store backup copies of files To remove a UFD use the appropriate on-screen eject control Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3

Hardware: USB flash drives Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3

Is it legal to install this software? What do you think? Have you ever used pirated software? Do you think most people try to comply with the terms of the software license agreements? If you discovered pirated software in use at your school or office, would you report it? Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3

Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3 Chapter Summary You should now be able to: Use an application window Locate the instruction manual Access and install software from a CD Access and install downloaded software Make decisions regarding software updates Remove software Use USB flash drives Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3