Software EssentialsICT 1 & 2

What is software?

software is the set of instructions stored inside a computer

These instructions tell the computer how to work with the hardware.

They also enable the user to communicate with the computer.

software license

allow you to run the program on 1 or 2 machines and make copies of the software for backup purposes.

protects the software developer from people buying and selling illegal copies

2 types of licenses: Commercial – the user pays a fee for permission to use the software

(Microsoft, Adobe)

Open Source - software whose source code is free. Anyone can change, copy, or distribute it. (Linux, Apache)

two basic types of computer software

Operating System Software - Directs all the activities and sets all the rules for how the hardware and software will work together.

Application Software - Programs that work with operating system software to help the computer to do specific types of work.

System Software 3 common operating system software for desktops and

laptops

Microsoft Windows

Mac OS

Linux

Microsoft Windows commercial software installed on

desktops

dominates the market

supports largest amount of application software

suffers many virus attacks

Mac OS introduced before Windows

commercial software installed only on Apple computers

not as many application software as Windows

not as many viruses as Windows

Linux open source software

installed on desktops

not as widely used

popular with Techies

can run on older machines

very few application software available

hardly any virus attacks

Tablet and Smartphone Operating System Software

3 most common mobile operating systems: Google Android Apple iOS Windows Phone

Google Android

Very large market share because it can be installed on almost every type of smartphone and tablet

Uses icon- and widget-based home screen

Preloaded with an online store called Google Play, which allows users to download millions of audio tracks, movies, TV shows and applications

Google Play offers both paid apps and free apps

Google Android is highly customizable, making it a favorite for technology-savvy consumers

Apple iOS

Large market share, but limited because it is installed only on Apple smartphones and tablets

Sleek and simple user interface with icon-based home screen

Very limited in customizability

Preloaded with an online store called the App Store

The App Store is similar to Google Play in that it offers millions of paid and free multimedia downloads

Windows Phone

Smallest market share compared to Android and iOS

Developed years after Android and iOS

Uses “Live Tiles” that provide live updates on home screen instead of icons to open the related apps

Preloaded with an online store called Windows Marketplace

Windows Marketplace has substantially fewer apps available compared to its competitors

ICT 1 Activity – software essentials word search

Use the handout to identify various terminology associated with computer software

ICT 2 Activity - Creating and Moving Files

Follow along with the “Creating and Moving Files” Handout to learn how to create folders and move files

Application Software

Application software allows users to perform specific tasks on their computers.

Examples: writing letters, preparing budgets, playing games, sending and receiving e-mails, browsing the internet.

Types of Application SoftwareApplication Software Type

Function Examples

Web Browser Enables user to view webpages on the Internet

Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Apple Safari

E-mail Client Enables users to send and receive e-mail messages from their computers

Microsoft Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird, Windows Live Mail, Eudora

Word Processor

Enables users to create documents such as letters, brochures, business cards, etc.

Microsoft Word, OpenOffice Writer, Google Docs

Presentation (slide show)

Enables users to create visual presentations

Microsoft PowerPoint, OpenOffice Impress, Google Slides

Spreadsheets Enables users to create spreadsheets that contain text and numbers and can perform calculations. Can use data to create tables, charts, and graphs

Microsoft Excel, OpenOffice Calc, Google Sheets

Cloud Computing

Cloud Applications run within a browser

This means they can run on any operating system

Examples of Cloud Computing Software:

Google Docs

Office 365

File Management

managing files and folders correctly can prevent wasted time, frustration and errors.

proper file management begins with using file naming conventions and good organization.

guidelines for naming files and folders:

Use short, simple file and folder names

Use file and folder names that describe the content accurately.

Use underscores instead of spaces in file names. For example: descriptive_essay

Use all lowercase letters in file names.

Avoid using characters such as: ! # $ % @ ^ ` ~ + ; = in file and folder names. Some systems do not allow you to use characters in file and folder names, and will not accept them.

File Extensions A file extension is the suffix at the end of a filename that

indicates what type of file it is.

File Type Extension

Portable Document Format (PDF) .pdf

Microsoft Word Document .doc, .docx

Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet .xls, .xlsx

Plain Text File .txt

Webpage .htm, .html

Compressed File .zip, .rar, .tar

Audio File .wav, .mp3, .ogg

Video File .avi, .wmv, .mp4, .mpg

Graphics File .jpg, .png, .gif

ICT 1 – Activity: Identifying File Types

classify file types according to their file name extensions

ICT 2 – Activity: Software Essentials Matching

match common terms associated with software to their definitions