software

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Software Software needed to give detailed instructions to the computer to be able to manipulate data and tranform it into information. These instructions are known as software. There are four main types of software. These include:
 * Operational Software
 * Application Software
 * Utility Software
 * Programming Software


 * Operation Software: **
 * Operational software controls the actual operations of the computer hardware.
 * A computer system without an operating system (OS) would not be able to run.
 * Some of the functions of an operating system include starting the computer, executing and storing application programs and storing and retrieve files.


 * NOS - Network operating system.
 * A network  NOS is a software program that controls other software and hardware that runs on a  network  . It can control multiple  network  computers to allow communication with one main computer so that they share resources, run applications, and send messages among each other. A NOS is basically a OS specifically designed for a network and with extra features that would help run, control and and protect the network.

Examples:
 * Windows - Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 98, Windows 2000.....
 * Linux - Mint, Ubuntu, Fedora, Puppy Linux,
 * Mac - Mac OS X


 * Application Software: **
 * Application software provides support to computer users.
 * These programs are generally created by programmers and are sold in large quantities to customers.
 * Application software can also be custom made to suit the needs of a particular organization or business. For example a custom made program specifically made for report writing might be produced for a school.
 * Software purchased form a shop is also sometimes refereed to as off-the-shelf or 'shrink' wrapped software. This means that it is common and written for the mass market.

Examples: Microsoft Office, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Itunes.


 * Utility Software: **
 * Utility Software is a type of system software that performs a particular task. Utility software are specifically designed to help the end-user manage and tune the computer hardware/software, operating system or application software and perform as single precise task.
 * Most operating systems include utility software that perform task such as diagnosing problems, scanning disk and defragmenting.

Examples: Creating backups, converting programs (video formats), anti-virus, compression, encryption.


 * Programming software: **
 * A programming language is a set of words and/or codes that allow a programmer to communicate instructions to a compute(C ++, Java, HTML.
 * programming software is software that uses programming language to allow users to to create applications by first creating a set of instructions via the programming language, and then using that to form new programs and applications

Examples:


 * Software Accessibility:**
 * Software accessibility refers applications and files which use software that is generally used within the world and is commonly available.

Example:
 * Interface designers should design on screen user documentation that can be read in common software applications that are widely available, such as Adobe Reader or browser applications.
 * Websites should be designed so that they are compatible with any browser and do not require a certain screen resolution or any unusual plug in to be viewed.


 * Software License:**
 * Site License:
 * A site license (also called a network license, or a bulk license) allows multiple users within an organization to simultaneously use a software package. A site license is usually less expensive than buying the same number of licenses that would be require to provide the same service separably.
 * The network manager should closely control the running of a site license software to ensure that no breaches are made of the software license agreement.
 * Individual License:
 * Buying software is not the same as buying a book. When you buy a book, you 'own' it and can do what ever you want with it. When you buy software, you don't own it as such, you are licensed to use it under the terms of the agreement.
 * This means you are not allowed to copy the software or give it to anyone else to install on their computer.


 * OEM Software License:**
 * OEM stands for "Original Equipment Manufacturer" and refers to software sold in bulk to resellers, designed to be bundled with hardware.
 * Resellers install the operating system before systems are sold and the OEM CD is supplied to the buyer.
 * OEM software is not legal to buy unbundled from its original hardware system

Example: Microsoft has contracts with various companies including Dell Computers, Toshiba, Gateway.........were they create bundles with the OEM software already installed on the computer. (operating system). This allows for a cheaper sales price of the bundle.


 * Software Copyright:**
 * Computer software is covered by the copyright amendment act of 2000.
 * Under the copyright amendment act of 2000, you are permitted to make a backup copy of your software only, but not any associated video or audio inside the software unless you are further states on the license.
 * You are not permitted to bypass copy protection features in order to make your backup. If your original media are destroyed, the copyright act allows you to make a another backup from the first backup .Multiple backup of more than 2 are forbidden.