© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.1

2 Technology in Action Technology in Focus: Computing Alternatives

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.3 Application Software Alternatives Open-source softwareOpen-source software –Freely distributed –Contains the source code (the actual lines of instructional code that make the program work) –Can be distributed to others

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.4 Productivity Software Alternatives OpenOfficeOpenOffice –Comparable to MS Office Writer is like MS WordWriter is like MS Word Calc is like MS ExcelCalc is like MS Excel Impress is like MS PowerPointImpress is like MS PowerPoint Draw is a graphics programDraw is a graphics program Math is an equation editorMath is an equation editor Base is a database program like AccessBase is a database program like Access Allows you to open files created in Office applicationsAllows you to open files created in Office applications Documents created with OpenOffice can be opened by other programsDocuments created with OpenOffice can be opened by other programs

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.5 Database Software Alternatives BaseBase –Part of OpenOffice MySQLMySQL –Comparable to SQL Server and Oracle Database 10g –Many books and online tutorials are available

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.6 Client Alternatives EudoraEudora –Popular client –Free, but feature-limited version Mozilla ThunderbirdMozilla Thunderbird –Open-source client –Add-ons available: CalendarCalendar CalculatorCalculator Search toolsSearch tools

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.7 Drawing Software Alternatives OpenOffice DrawOpenOffice Draw DIADIA –Comparable to MS Visio –Allows you to create diagrams, graphs, and charts

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.8 Web Page Authoring Software Alternatives NVUNVU –Comparable to Adobe Dreamweaver –Don’t need to know HTML to generate a Web page

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.9 Image-Editing Software Alternatives GIMPGIMP –Comparable to Adobe PhotoShop –Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and UNIX versions available

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.10 Operating System Alternatives LinuxLinux –Linux versions called “distros” –KNOPPIX and PC Linux run from a CD so do not replace your current OS –Other distros install Linux permanently

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.11 Operating System Alternatives 3D Linux: Mandriva Linux3D Linux: Mandriva Linux –3D desktop environment –Includes open-source software –Includes security features

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.12 Hardware Alternatives AppleApple –Mac OS X –Intel platform –Open-source software for Macs –Special software lets you run Windows-based software on a Mac

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.13 Hardware Alternatives: Do It Yourself Case Power Supply Processor Motherboard RAM Hard Drive Video card Sound card

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc.14 Hardware Alternatives: Do It Yourself AdvantagesAdvantages –Exact configuration desired –Choice of quality components –Satisfaction Disadvantages –No technical support if there is a problem –Multiple considerations in matching components –Often more expensive