Software


 * __Software__**

Hardware is any physical device that makes up part of or plugs into your computer, you can see it, touch it and pick it up. Software is everything else, the Program or applications that allow you to perform your various tasks.

There are two main types of computer software - System software and application software. System software includes the Operating System, and Utility programs that control how the hardware of a computer works. Application software includes common programs that you use daily, for example Word processors, Spread sheet, and Database. It also includes e-mail programmes, Web browsers and anti-Virus software.

Operating system is a software that controls your computer. It manage input output, error handling. It runs between hardware and application software

There are three main categories of application software. They are known as:

1. Integrated software - it is a software that puts the most useful productivity software together into one software

2. Specialist software - It is software used by people who have specialist jobs, and would not be used by ordinary people. Anyone could have a use for a word processor, but software to design houses might only be used by architects

3. General purpose software - General software is in contrast to specialist software, it is usually off- the shelf software. It is used for a lot of tasks, but must be customized before using it.

__**Example of what might profesional use**__ Musician ITunes (To listen to music, it is first because if you don’t listen to music you might not have inspiration) Composing software (GenieSoft Overture)(Composing software he needs to write his own music, this is how might make a living) Web browser (to find tabs or notation for the musical piece, if he is a performer he need tabs or notation the perform)

Accountant Excel (because it is easy to calculate total, it is faster than just writing on paper and it could be more accurate) Word (To write a report to tell his employer, it is second because if you don’t write report your employer wont know what you are doing) Web browser (to access banking information remotely)

Journalist Publisher (To write article that, it is the first because you could just choose layout the layout are already very good) Photoshop (to edit the Picture, it is second because if the picture are too dark or bright it wont be seen on the newspaper) Web browser (To research the article that the person is writing about, it is last because it isn’t as important as writing the actual article but it is essential to research)

__**Licence of Software**__ Licensed software Purchasers buy the right to use the software on one or several computer.

Public Domain software It is software that the owner of the software makes it free and available to anyone who wants to use it. There might be restriction.

Open source software A software that allows the users to modify and distribute software, because the software source code is given

Shareware The software started to be free then, if decide to use regularly, then must pay, and if not pay. It is counted as illegal

Creative Commons Licenses help those who produce software communicate to user in a straightforward way the rights they keep for themselves.

Demonstration Disks It is a disk containing a demonstration version of the software, demonstrations are often sent to intending purchasers so that they can evaluate software themselves.

Software piracy When software is used with out license it is illegal.