Topic Notes - Software

The computer is a "stupid" machine !! It is useless without the software that tells it what to do..
When the computer is first "booted up" it loads a program called the OPERATING SYSTEM. This OPERATING SYSTEM is also called SYSTEM software.

System software

Most common are WIndows, UNIX ,  DOS , OS10
This software contols the inner workings of the computer and is the FIRST program to load up.

Application software: is the next  "layer" of software.

These are the programs that we know and love:

Word processors, databases,  e-mail, AOL, Netscape, Calendar maker, Print Shop, games, Quicken

What others do you know ??

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Types of software licenses:

Freeware: author writes a program and gives this away..

Shareware: author writes a program and asks people to distribute it. He asks that people send a small fee $ 10-15 to register the program.

Single user license. When you purchase a program, you have the license to install it one computer- This is the most widely abused. ( see piracy below )

Multi - user or SITE license - Institutions (such as B.C.C.) get a small discount when purchasing software for labs.

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Piracy

Is the act of "stealing" software. When you purchase a program from the store, you are NOT buying a disk - You are buying the LICENSE to use the software on ONE computer.

NOT - one computer at a time
NOT - one computer at work and one at home
NOT - one for you, one for your friend.