Chapter 12 - Software Unit 1 Role and function of application software
Contents Revise software concepts Role of application software Multimedia software Communication software
Application software Definition: Is software that produces an end product that has some use.
System software Definition: Software helps to manage the computer hardware as well as the applications that are stored on a computer
Mobile Applications Mobile apps written specifically for use on mobile phones, especially smartphones and tablet computers. Internet applications that run on smartphones and other mobile devices. Trimmed down versions of the larger applications found on personal computers or written for the mobile environment
Mobile Applications Mobile-based instant messaging client (Gmail) Easier to use the Internet on their portable devices. Make your work easier by highlighting apps specially designed to perform tasks on a small screen. Android Apps for Mobile Business Tasks
Online applications software A online or web application is any application that uses a web browser as a client. Examples: Word processors Online spreadsheets Presentation tools Video editing
Web apps - Advantages Create and share work online Collaborate on projects and documents online Can be accessed anywhere via internet Don t need the app on the computer Free use Don t use hard disk space
Web apps - Disadvantages No internet = no access to files or apps Rely on third party for online storage No control over software upgrades Shut down of web app = lose online document
Online storage Online storage is accessed via the Internet and is not shown in your directory structure. Ability to share documents and collaborate with other people on the documents
Cloud computing Involves using the Internet to access applications and store documents so that they are accessible to you anywhere in the world on any computer that has Internet access. SkyDrive, Ubunto One, DropBox and Google Docs 1GB free storage space
Advantages of online storage Data and info accessed globally internet access Allow others to access files instead of e- mailing to them Safety due to offsite backups Storage can be scaled up or down Can use theses online storage for free Can share files with only certain people
Disadvantages of online storage Hackers can gain access to online data Cost of online storage maybe an issue Closure of the online storage company Unavoidable circumstances such as server downtimes, weather issues causing disruptions
Intranet Is a private shared network resource within a company or organisation. It is used to share data, hardware and software resources and is often web-based. Example: Moodle, Train your brain
Wiki A Web site developed collaboratively by a community of users, allowing any user to add and edit content Example: Wikispaces or Wiki spot
Social networking A website where a user sets up his or her personal online profile and builds social relations or social groups based on common interests, photo, music, video or other activities, with other registered users. MySpace, YouTube, Flickr, Twitter, Facebook
Advantages of social networking Communication Promote blogs, services or products, etc. Cheaper
Disadvantages of social networking Cyber bullying Steal personal information of users Cyber crackers break into profiles of users and steal their passwords. Cyber crackers also design false profiles and penetrate other persons social environments. The cyber criminals mislead users to open certain documents and infect the victim computers with the a worm.
Blogs It s a web application that enables you to keep an online diary. Uses a diary format working in reverse chronological order to feed your information on a specific topic Online journal Web page that serves as a publicly accessible personal journal for an individual. Examples: blogger.com or blogspot
Uses of a Blog Online personal diary Information and discussion on a specific topic Promote product or enhance interaction Forum for teachers and learners
Advantages of Blogs Easy to create Quick and easy to update Increase knowledge Improves writing skills Solution provider Social media Money promoting or selling products
Disadvantages of Blogs Infringes privacy Undermines communication between people Hard to maintain constantly update Time consuming task to maintain Content and comments are not based on facts
Good practices when blogging Post frequently Respond to comments Kill flames Blog postings short
Communication software Software that enables the exchange of information between computing devices. Convergence of technology Email software
Convergence of technology Coming together of two or more disparate technologies. Technological convergence is the process by which existing technologies merge into new forms that bring together different types of media and applications.
Communication software - VoIP Voice over Internet Protocol Skype phone calls and live video chats over the internet No international costs You need a high-speed Internet connection, VoIP software and a microphone. (Ex. Skype)
Advantages of the use of VoIP services VoIP makes it possible to transfer pictures and data. Friends and family can easily stay in contact. VoIP to VoIP calls are free. A lot of the VoIP service providers levies a monthly fee which enables the user to make unlimited calls within a certain geographic area. A nominal fee is levied on calls which are made outside this areas. Learners and teachers across the whole world can easily contact each other en learn from one another.
Disadvantages of using VoIP services VoIP users may sometimes experience problems with the quality of the sound. VoIP can be unreliable at times, and data can be lost Need broadband internet connection for VoIP Power supply interruptions is a big problem. It is much easier to make a 911 emergency call from a traditional phone than using a VoIP service. Experience problems to make a connection during peak times.
Blog storm A slang term that describes the use of blogging to push an event or subject to mainstream news. A blog storm is when the blogosphere collectively writes thousands or more posts about a particular subject, topic or event, and as a result, the story is picked up by mainstream media and carried over to newspapers, television and radio.
Blogsphere Meaning all blog, it is an expression used to describe the 'world of blogs'
Blogola A slang term used in marketing circle to describe the act of bribing or paying influential bloggers to create a buzz in the blogosphere about a specific product or technology in their blog.
Chapter 12 - Software Unit 2 Managing Software
Windows compatibility issues The terms 32-bit and 64-bit refer to the way a computer's processor (also called a CPU), handles information. The CPU has small built-in memory areas called registers that hold is determined by whether it is a 32-bit or 64-bit register. The 64-bit version of Windows handles large amounts of RAM more effectively than a 32-bit system.
How can I tell if my computer is running a 32-bit or a 64-bit version of Windows? Control Panel System
Patch Pieces of software designed to fix problems or bugs with or update a computer program. Fix security issues in programs The patches which update software to write over glitches are designed to protect users from hackers or malicious software downloaded from the Internet
Versions Solve compatibility issues A piece of software is written by a computer programmer, it has to be compiled into a version that the computer s operating system can understand.
Service Pack A service pack is a collection of patches for an application or operating system that provides a single, easy installation that fixes a number of issues. Can include new features in the software Fixes existing problems Downloaded from the developer s website. Word SmartArt can not be edited in earlier version.
Updating software - Benefits Security issues fixed Known bugs (problems with program) fixed Latest features are available
Updating software - Disadvantages Unsuccessful software update can stop the software working properly. Cause your operating system to stop working properly
Restore points Enable you to return your computer to its condition before the software update or new software installation. Create a restore point
Activate automatic windows updates Control panel System Change settings Windows update