Practical PC, 7th Edition Chapter 3: Getting Started with Software

Getting Started FAQs Technology: User Interfaces How do I know which software will work on my computer? How do I install local software? What about software upgrades and updates? How do I remove local software? How do I get started with Web apps? What about apps for mobile devices? What’s the significance of software copyrights and licenses? Technology: User Interfaces Practical PC, 7th Edition

How do I know which software will work on my computer? Check the software’s systems requirements Will specify the operating system and minimum hardware capacities necessary for software to work correctly. Located on the software product box, on the software’s download page, or in its apps store description Operating system Check Windows version and bit specs Practical PC, 7th Edition

How do I know which software will work on my computer? Storage Will specify how much space is needed to store the software on the permanent storage device. Mobile devices Not all apps work on all mobile devices. Read the app store description before purchasing. Practical PC, 7th Edition

How do I know which software will work on my computer? Practical PC, 7th Edition

How do I install local software? Software installed on user’s computer is called local software Two types of software do not have to be installed: portable apps and Web apps Portable apps are designed to run from removable storage devices such as USB flash drives and CDs Web apps run from a Web server and are accessed using a browser Practical PC, 7th Edition

How do I install local software? When software is installed: Some or all of the program modules are downloaded (copied) to PC’s hard disk Software’s name is added to Start screen 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, 7th Edition

How do I install local software? Usually a setup program is run that triggers the step-by-step installation process Download software’s files Find the download Extract software Set up software Configure software Access software Practical PC, 7th Edition

How do I install local software? Figure 3-3 Practical PC, 7th Edition

How do I install software? Many software applications have to be installed on your computer before you can use them. When you install software: Some or all of the program modules are copied 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 6th Edition

How do I install software? The software installation process is automated by a setup module Two categories of software: Web applications run on a remote Web server Portable applications are designed to run from a removable storage device Practical PC 6th Edition

How do I install software ? Practical PC 6th Edition

How do I install software ? 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 Practical PC 6th Edition

What about software upgrades and updates? Types of software upgrades include: New versions Version number Usually requires fee payment Software patches, which replace part of the program code Practical PC, 7th Edition

What about software upgrades and updates? Software upgrades are usually free and provided over the Internet The software’s Preferences or Options menu gives options for handling updates: Manual Notification Automatic Practical PC, 7th Edition

What about software upgrades and updates? Practical PC, 7th Edition

What about software upgrades and updates? Types of software upgrades include: New versions Version number Software patches, which replace part of the program code Service packs, which correct problems Some software provides an automatic update option Practical PC 6th Edition

What about software upgrades and updates? Practical PC 6th Edition

How do I remove local software? Uninstall utility should be used to remove software Handles the complexities of removing the program modules behind the scenes When software is removed, it is deleted from: The hard disk The All Programs menu The Registry Practical PC, 7th Edition

How do I remove local software? Practical PC, 7th Edition

How do I get started with Web apps? Software accessed with a Web browser Program code runs on a remote computer Sometimes referred to as Cloud computing Some Web apps, such as Facebook and Gmail, require no installation at all on the local computer Device must have a Web browser and must remain connected to the Internet while using the apps Some apps offer a local version that can be installed and used when internet connection is not available, i.e., Google Docs Practical PC, 7th Edition

How do I get started with Web apps? Some Web apps are free Some require a one-time registration fee or ongoing monthly fee Companies supplying software that runs from the Internet are referred to as application service providers (ASPs) Process of deploying fee-based software over the Internet is called Software as a Service (SaaS) Practical PC, 7th Edition

What about apps for mobile devices? Mobile apps are designed for handheld devices Sold through an online app store Many are free or cost just a few dollars Most handheld devices can use both Web apps and mobile apps Mobile apps must be downloaded and installed Web apps run on a remote computer Practical PC, 7th Edition

What about apps for mobile devices? Installing a mobile app: Visit desired app store, log in, select app, and pay for it, if necessary Touch the download button and app is automatically installed Download updates by accessing the Update button on the app store screen Deleting a mobile app Process varies by device Practical PC, 7th Edition

What about apps for mobile devices? Figure 3-7 Practical PC, 7th Edition

What about apps for mobile devices? iPads, iPhones, and iPods are only allowed to download apps from the iTunes store Other apps are available but require an unauthorized change to the device’s software This change is called a jailbreak Android devices are not limited to a single app store Practical PC, 7th Edition

What’s the significance of software copyrights and licenses? A copyright is a form of legal protection for the author of an original work Grants author an exclusive right to copy, distribute, sell, and modify that work Purchasers do not have this right Purchasers can: Copy software from distribution media to a computer’s hard disk for installation purposes Make an extra (backup) copy in case the original is erased or damaged Copy and distribute sections of a software program for use in critical reviews and teaching Practical PC, 7th Edition

What’s the significance of software copyrights and licenses? Software licenses A legal contract that defines how user may use a computer program EULA (end-user license agreement) is displayed on screen when software is first installed. Must agree for software installation to be completed Legal perspective Public domain software is not protected by copyright Practical PC, 7th Edition

What’s the significance of software copyrights and licenses? Proprietary software has restrictions on it based on copyright, patent, or license agreements Commercial software Demoware Shareware Freeware Open source software Unauthorized use of applications Vendors commonly use a registration key to activate software Practical PC, 7th Edition

Technology: User Interfaces Audio, visual, and mechanical tools used to interact with a computer or hand-held device Keyboard Mouse Touchpad Touchscreen Originally computers used a command line interface (text based) Practical PC, 7th Edition

Technology: User Interfaces Figure 3-9 Practical PC, 7th Edition

Technology: User Interfaces Today most computers use a graphical user interface (GUI) Icons represent an application, file, or hardware device which can be displayed on the desktop Can be incorporated into buttons or tiles on the Start screen, toolbars, or taskbars Figure 3-10 Practical PC, 7th Edition

Technology: User Interfaces Toolbars, taskbars, docks, menus, and ribbons Buttons and icons can be grouped together to keep them organized Called taskbars and docks when they are part of the operating system’s desktop Generally located at the bottom of the screen Figure 3-11 Practical PC, 7th Edition

Technology: User Interfaces Toolbars, menu bars, and ribbons are strips of icons and buttons in application windows Select desired command from the list All command choices are valid; therefore, it is impossible to invoke invalid commands that generate errors Practical PC, 7th Edition

Technology: User Interfaces Practical PC, 7th Edition

Technology: User Interfaces Practical PC, 7th Edition

Technology: User Interfaces Explicit user interface Provides clearly labeled control All are accessible using a standard access method, such as clicking a menu tab Every command is linked to an object on screen Implicit user interface Calls for some experimentation on user’s part Sometimes how to use it is not obvious, i.e, the Charms menu. Can be frustrating to use at times Practical PC, 7th Edition

Technology: User Interfaces Tips for using an implicit user interface Try clicking, double-clicking, and/or right clicking the mouse Be aware of the mouse pointer shape When it changes, an object on screen can usually be manipulated in some way Swiping touchscreen from the side, top, or bottom often reveals a set of controls Hold or double-tap screen objects Often reveals list of commands or options Practical PC, 7th Edition

Technology Tips, continued Watch demo, if available Check Help Check out online user groups Practical PC, 7th Edition