Chapter 3 Computer Software

Chapter Contents Section A: Software Basics Section B: Popular Applications Section C: Buying Software Section D: Installing Software and Upgrades Section E: Security Software Chapter 3: Computer Software

FastPoll True/False Questions Answer A for True and B for False 030100 Word processing software and operating systems are examples of application software. 030200 Spreadsheets are classified as utility software. 030300 The software you install to help a printer communicate with a computer is called a device driver. 030400 Desktop publishing software is based on frames. 030500 Spreadsheet software is particularly useful for what-if analyses. 1 False (121) There are two general categories of software: Application software and System software. Word is an example of Application software, the OS is an example of System Software 2 False (122) Spreadsheet software, such as Excel, are also application software. Utility software is another form of System Software 3 True (124) All pieces of hardware require special software to allow them to communicate with the OS. These are known as drivers. 4 True (129) Word processing software treats each page as a single rectangular object that can be filled with text and graphics. Text automatically flows from one page to the next. DTP is frame-oriented meaning that you can divide each page into several rectangular-shaped frames that you can fill with text or graphics 5 True (130) With spreadsheet software you can set up scenarios such as “what if I get an 80 on my next test, what will my grade be….what if I get a 100? Chapter 3: Computer Software

FastPoll True/False Questions Answer A for True and B for False 030600 Database software stores information in HTML codes. 030700 CAD software is a good choice for professional-quality photo editing. 030800 Payroll software is a good example of vertical market business software. 030900 If the main screen of a software product does not contain a copyright notice, it is legal to make copies and share them with your friends. 031000 A EULA is a license agreement that specifies how to legally use a software product. 6 False (134). HTML is the code that is used to create Web pages 7 False (138) CAD is Computer Aided Design and is used primarily by architects and engineers. 8 False (142) There are two general categories of markets: vertical and horizontal. Vertical market software is software that is very specialized and used in very specific markets. An airline reservation system would be an example of vertical market software. Horizontal market software is software that is used by many industries, such as Payroll software. 9 False (148) Most software displays a copyright notice on one of its screens, however, this is not required by law. So, programs without a copyright notice are still protected by law. 10 True (148) EULA: End User License Agreement. Typically displayed as part of the install process and requires user to accept or decline. Most people tend to click right past these agreements without reading them, however, the courts have consistently backed up the EULA as being binding. Chapter 3: Computer Software

FastPoll True/False Questions Answer A for True and B for False 031100 Open source software is public domain. 031200 The Windows Registry is a database that keeps track of a computer’s peripheral devices, software, preferences, and settings. 031300 Downloaded software is usually zipped to decrease download time. 031400 Hash codes are used to generate a unique number as part of the software activation process. 11 False (150) Public domain software is available for public use without restriction (except it cannot be copyrighted) Open source software also has no restrictions except that it is copyrighted. 12 True (154). It could be argued that the registry is the most important file in Windows – it keeps track of everything. 13 True (156) When you zip software you compress it down so that it takes up less space. The less space it takes up, the less there is to transmit and therefore the faster the transmission will go. Zipped software has to be unzipped before it can be used. 14 True (157) A hash code is a specially generated code that is based on a unique value, such as a computer serial number. Complex algorithms are used to generate this code. The code can then be used by the manufacturer to validate the install or activation process. Chapter 3: Computer Software

FastPoll True/False Questions Answer A for True and B for False 031500 Web apps typically are installed on your computer’s local hard disk. 031600 A software worm can replicate itself. 031700 To keep your antivirus software up to date, it is important to get updates of the rootkit. 031800 Botnets offer effective security protection from spyware. 15 False (158) A Web application is accessed via a browser and typically runs on a Web server. 16 True (163) Worms are one kind of virus. They typically get into your computer through a security hole in your browser or operating system. They have the ability to replicate themselves. A mass-mailing worm typically sends itself to every address in your e-mail packages address book, thereby spreading to other computers. 17 False (168) You need to make sure that your antivirus database software is regularly updated. Rootkits are a relatively new tool in the arsenal of hackers and virus writers. They are used to hide malware running on your computer. 18 False (164) A bot, short for robot, is any software that can automate a task. Bots are used by search engines to index all of the Web pages. However a computer under the control of a bad bot is called a zombie. A botnet is a group of computers under control of bots. According to the book experts have discovered botnets encompassing more than 1 million computers. Chapter 3: Computer Software

Software Basics Software Categories Application Software Utility Software Device Drivers Chapter 3: Computer Software

Software Categories 2 Major Categories of software: System and Application Figure 3-1 Chapter 3: Computer Software

Application Software Productivity software can be defined as any type of application software that has the potential to help people do their work more efficiently Groupware is designed to help several people collaborate on a single project using local networks or Internet connections Figure 3-2 Chapter 3: Computer Software

Utility Software Utility software (a type of system software) is designed to help you monitor and configure settings for your computer system equipment, the operating system, or application software Compression Backup Defrag A desktop widget is a specialized utility program that appears on a computer’s screen-based desktop Figures 3-3 and 3-5 Chapter 3: Computer Software

Device Drivers A device driver is software that helps a peripheral device establish communication with a computer Windows Device Manager Figure 3-6 Every piece of hardware needs to be able to communicate with the software. Small pieces of software called Device Drivers are used to accomplish this. The manufacturer of every piece of hardware needs to supply a device driver with its device so that the device can communicate with the OS. Before Windows 95, when installing a new device, you often had to open the computer and manually make some hardware settings called DIP switches and Jumper settings (metal bridges that close off electrical circuits) Windows 95 introduced Plug ‘N Play. If a device follows Plug ‘N Play protocols, most of this manual setting is not required. You can use the Device Manager to get information about your devices. On Windows XP: Right-Click “My Computer”  Click Properties  Hardware  Click Device Manager On Windows Vista: Control Panel  Device Manager Chapter 3: Computer Software

Popular Applications Document Production Software Spreadsheet Software “Number Crunching” Software Database Software Graphics Software We’ll skip through this section quickly. If you are interested in more information you can take the CMP 203 course: “Computer Software Applications” Skip through this section very quickly. Tell students the CMP 203 course “Computer Software Applications” covers these packages in a great deal of detail. Chapter 3: Computer Software

Popular Applications Music Software Video Editing and DVD Authoring Software Educational Software Entertainment Software Business Software Chapter 3: Computer Software

Document Production Software Assists you with composing, editing, designing, printing, and electronically publishing documents Word processing Microsoft Word, Corel Word Perfect Desktop publishing Adobe PageMaker, Corel Ventura Web authoring Microsoft FrontPage Adobe Dreamweaver Figure 3-7 Desktop publishing software takes Word Processing software one step further by incorporating higher level graphic design techniques. Most word processing software allows some graphic design, desktop publishing allows much more Chapter 3: Computer Software

Document Production Software Document production software may include: Spelling checker – Spell Check All Your Documents ! Spelling dictionary Thesaurus Grammar checker Feature to analyze the reading level Readability formula Search and Replace feature Chapter 3: Computer Software

Document Production Software The format for a document refers to the way that all elements are arranged on the page Figure 3-9 Chapter 3: Computer Software

Document Production Software Mail merge automatically creates personalized letters by combining the information in a mailing list with a form letter Additional capabilities of word processing software include: Automatically generating table of contents and index Numbering and positioning footnotes Providing document templates and document wizards Exporting to HTML format Chapter 3: Computer Software

Spreadsheet Software A spreadsheet uses rows and columns of numbers to create a model or representation of a real solution Spreadsheet software, such as Microsoft Excel, iWork Numbers, or OpenOffice Calc, provides tools for creating electronic spreadsheets Figure 3-12 Chapter 3: Computer Software

Database Software A database is a collection of data Database software helps you enter, find, organize, update, and report information stored in a database Figure 3-17 Recipes Comic collections Directions Google! Chapter 3: Computer Software

Graphics Software Designed to help you create, manipulate, and print graphics Paint software Photo editing software Drawing software 3-D graphics software CAD software Presentation software Figure 3-21 and 3-22 Chapter 3: Computer Software

Music Software Allows you to make your own digital voice and music recordings Audio editing software Playback as well as recording and editing capabilities CD ripper software Pulls audio track from CD and stores it on computer Audio encoding software Converts raw audio file into another format such as MP3 Ear training software Notation software Musicians equivalent of a word processor. Helps to compose, edit and print music Computer-aided music software MIDI sequencing software Controls keyboards and other digital instruments Figure 3-24 I know very little about this stuff because I don’t really use it. Chapter 3: Computer Software

Video Editing and DVD Authoring Software Provides a set of tools for Transferring video footage from a camcorder to a computer Clipping out unwanted footage Assembling video segments Adding special visual effects Adding a sound track DVD authoring software creates DVDs with Hollywood-style menus Figure 3-25 Chapter 3: Computer Software

Educational Software Educational software Helps you learn and practice new skills For older students and adults, software is available for such diverse educational endeavors as learning languages, training yourself to use new software, learning how to play the piano or guitar, improving keyboarding skills, and even learning managerial skills for a diverse workplace Chapter 3: Computer Software

Entertainment Software Computer games are the most popular type of entertainment software Role-playing Action Adventure Puzzle Simulation Sports Strategy Chapter 3: Computer Software

Business Software Vertical market software is designed to automate specialized tasks in a specific market or business Airline reservations Horizontal market software is generic software that just about any type of business can use Payroll software Accounting software Project management software Chapter 3: Computer Software

Buying Software Consumer Basics Software Copyrights and Licenses Chapter 3: Computer Software

Consumer Basics Most operating systems include a handful of small applications and a good variety of useful utility software Figure 3-27 Chapter 3: Computer Software

Consumer Basics A software suite is a collection of application software sold as a single package Figure 3-28 Buying a software suite is much cheaper than buying the products individually. Also, usability is enhanced. Since all the products are produced by the same manufacturer, the user interface is usually common, making it relatively easy to go from one product to the other. Chapter 3: Computer Software

Consumer Basics Available in many types of stores Software contained on distribution media Make sure your computer meets the system requirements Figure 3-29 Chapter 3: Computer Software

Software Copyrights and Licenses A copyright is a form of legal protection that grants the author of an original “work” exclusive rights Copyright notice Software licenses, also called license agreements, define the ways in which you may use a computer program Single-user Site Multiple-user (Norton 360) Shrink-wrap Software purchased “off the shelf. Goes into effect as soon as you open the package. Figure 3-31 Chapter 3: Computer Software

Software Copyrights and Licenses EULA (End-User License Agreement) Different types of software licenses Public domain – No restrictions, cannot copyright Commercial software – pay for, buy in stores or online Demoware – free but limited use, pay to get full use Shareware – free for trial basis – “Honor System” Freeware – Totally free Open source – Copyrighted, but allows users to modify, Figure 3-33 Chapter 3: Computer Software

Installing Software and Upgrades Installation Basics Installing Local Applications Installing Portable Software and Web Apps Software Upgrades and Updates Uninstalling Software Chapter 3: Computer Software

Installation Basics Software installation is a process that places a program into a computer so that it can be run or executed Figure 3-34 Chapter 3: Computer Software

Installing Local Applications Figure 3-37 A Local Application is one that is designed to be installed and run off of a computer’s hard drive – as opposed to say, running off of a network Most applications have a setup file, often named, setup.exe that steps you through the entire process. Installations are usually pretty straightforward. For most users taking the default options is the best way to go. Some software today requires activation. Microsoft Windows and Norton Anti-Virus are two examples. Activation helps the company insure that you are not installing pirated software. Chapter 3: Computer Software

Installing Local Applications Figure 3-38 Local Applications can also be downloaded from the Internet and installed on your computer’s hard drive. When you click to download the file, you are often given the choice of running the file or saving it to your hard drive. Personally, I like to save the file and then execute it myself. This way I have a copy of the install file on my computer if I ever need it again. Chapter 3: Computer Software

Installing Portable Software and Web Apps Portable software is designed to run from removable storage, such as a CD or USB flash drive Installation is simply a matter of getting program files to the media on which they are supposed to run A Web application, or Web App, is software that is accessed with a Web browser Yahoo! E-mail, Google Maps May require client-side program to be installed Chapter 3: Computer Software

Software Upgrades and Updates Software publishers regularly update their software Add new features Fix bugs Improve security Software patches replace part of the software you currently have installed Patch Tuesday – Microsoft issues patches the 2nd Tuesday of every month. Out-of-Cycle patches occur if highly critical problems are discovered. Service packs correct problems and address security vulnerabilities, usually in operating systems Accumulation of many Software Patches Two main philosophies on when to apply maintenance 1.) Apply the maintenance as soon as it becomes available. For instance Microsoft releases patches the first Tuesday of every month. More often in the event of a critical security fix. 2.) If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. I personally adhere to the second philosophy, because I want to take a backup before I apply any maintenance. In any case, you should never go more than 2 or three months without applying your fixes. Chapter 3: Computer Software

Uninstalling Software Uninstall routines delete the software’s files from the various folders on your computer’s hard disk Figure 3-43 Years ago if you wanted to uninstall software, all you had to do was to delete the directory that the files resided in. Today that’s not enough, in fact, doing that can cause problems. Today, most applications not only install files into the application directories, but they also update Windows. Simply deleting the directories will not undo the changes to Windows. If an application has given you Uninstall software, you should try that first. If the application does not give you Uninstall software, you can go to: Start  Control Panel  Programs and Features Chapter 3: Computer Software

Security Software Security Software Basics Security Suites Antivirus Modules Chapter 3: Computer Software

Security Software Basics Security software is designed to protect computers from various forms of destructive software and unauthorized intrusions The terms malicious software and malware refer to any computer program designed to surreptitiously enter a computer, gain unauthorized access to data, or disrupt normal processing operations A blended threat describes malware that combines more than one type of malicious program E.g. a Trojan horse that contains a bot to turn computer into distribution point for a mass-mailing worm Chapter 3: Computer Software

Security Software Basics http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/Internet/2004/virus.asp Computer virus Computer worm Mass-mailing worm Trojan horse Keylogger Remote Access Trojan (RAT) Bot Zombie Botnet Spyware Viruses can lay dormant on your machine for days, weeks or even months. I once had to restore my system back to 3 previous backups to get rid of a virus I had. This is why backups are extremely important. A Bot, short for Robot, is a piece of software that can automate a task when commanded to do so. Google uses Bots to search out all of the Web pages on the Internet A computer under the control of a malicious Bot is called a Zombie. Bots on various computers can be linked together to form what’s called a Botnet. According to the book Botnets of over a million computers have been discovered. Spyware is a a type of program that secretly gathers personal information without your knowledge, usually for advertising and other commercial purposes. Spyware is, generally, not as serious as a virus, nevertheless you should be running a couple of versions of anti-spyware. Chapter 3: Computer Software

Security Software Basics What does malware do? Figure 3-45 Chapter 3: Computer Software

Security Software Basics The term rootkit refers to software tools used to conceal malware and backdoors that have been installed on a victim’s computer Rootkits are becoming increasingly prevalent and anti-virus packages have a hard time finding and removing them. As usual, prevention is easier than removal. A virus hoax usually arrives as an e-mail message containing dire warnings about a supposedly new virus on the loose Always check www.snopes.com Chapter 3: Computer Software

Security Suites A security suite integrates several security modules to protect against the most common types of malware, unauthorized access, and spam A security suite costs less than purchasing standalone security modules Chapter 3: Computer Software

Security Suites Figure 3-48 Chapter 3: Computer Software

Antivirus Modules Antivirus software is a type of utility software that looks for and eradicates viruses, Trojan horses, worms, and bots A virus signature is a section of program code, such as a unique series of instructions, that can be used to identify a known malicious program, much as a fingerprint is used to identify an individual Virus signatures and other information that antivirus software uses to identify and eradicate malware is stored in one or more files usually referred to as virus definitions Keeping your anti-virus data base updated is crucial to avoiding viruses. Chapter 3: Computer Software

Antivirus Modules Figure 3-50 Chapter 3: Computer Software

Antivirus Modules Most experts recommend that you configure your antivirus software to periodically scan all the files on your computer If, during the scanning process, your virus protection software identifies a virus, worm, Trojan horse, or bot in a file or attachment, it can try to remove the infection, put the file into quarantine, or simply delete the file Figure 3-51 Chapter 3: Computer Software

Chapter 3 Complete