Chapter 4 continued

Software application: Tools for Users
Customer applications
Many software companies have replaced their printed documentation with:
-tutorials
-reference materials
-help files
-online help
Upgrading
Users can upgrade a program to the newer version by paying an upgrade fee to the software manufacturer
-newer releases often have additional features and fewer bugs
Compatibility
It allows software to function properly with the hardware, operating systems and phripherlas
- Programs written for one type of computer system may not work on one another
Disclaimers
Software manufacturers limit their liability for software problems by selling software 'as is'
Licensing
Commercial software is copyrighted so it can't be legally duplicated and distributed to others
-software license
-volume license
Distribution
Software is distributed via:
-direct sale
-retail stores
-mail-order catalogs
-websites
(not all software is copyrighted such as public domain software or shareware)

Web Applications
Web applications are divided into 7 categories:
1. Some sample web applications preform simple data-processing tasks that could also be preformed by traditional programs running on stand-alone PCs
2. Most Web applications take advantage of the Wen's connectivity
3. Many Web applications leverage on the Web's strength as a huge repository of information
4. Some Webs Applications support online business transactions
5. News oriented Web applications provide up to the minute reports on a myriad of subjects
6. Other Web applications support a more traditional form of information broadcasting

The hardware-software connection
Operating system functions:
-it supports multitasking
-manages virtual memmory
-maintains file systems
-responsible for authentication and authorization

System software:
-a class of software that includes . . .

Utility programs
-serve as tools for doing system maintainance and repairs that arn't automatically handled by the operating system

This makes it easier for users to:
-copy files between storage devices
-repair damaged fata files
-translate files so other programs may use them
-guard against viruses and other potentially harmful programs
-compose files so they take up less disk space
-preform other importnat tasks

Symantic Norton utilities is a popular utility package that includes software tools for recovering damaged files, repairing damaged disks and improving daily proformance

Device drivers
Where the operating system lives
-some computers store their operating system in the ROM
-others include only part of it in the ROM
--> the remainder of the operating system is located into memory in a process called booting, which occurs when you turn on your computer

Linux
-Linux is free for anyone to use
-UNIX remains the dominant operating system for Internet servers
-some forms of UNIX is available for personal computers, workstations, servers, mainframes, and super computers