Chapter 4 -Software Applications: Tools for Users

Consumer Applications
--> Many software companies have replaced their printed documents with:

• Tutorials (ex: how to make your own blog)
• Refrence materials
• Help files
• On-line help

Users can upgrade a program to the new version by paying an upgrade fee to the software manufacturer.
-->Newer releases often have additional features and fewer faults

Compatibility

• Let's software function properly with hardware, operating system, and peripherals
• A program written for one type of computer system may not work with another.

Disclaimers: when software developers limit their liability for software problems by selling the software as it is. (ex: before you install a computer, you must read the disclaimer and then agree to the terms and conditions)

Licensing: Commercial Software is copyrighted so it can't be legally duplicaed for distribution to others (Ex: Software License and olume License)

Distribution: Software is distributed bye  retail stores and email order catalogs. Not all software is copyrighted

Web applications fall into several categories:

• applications that perform simple data- processing tasks that are also done on stand-alone PCs
• applications that take advantage of the web's connectivity
• applications that support online business transactions
• new- oriented web applications provide up to minute reports on a several subjects
• applications that support a more traditional form of information broadcast

The Origins of Linux - Linus Torvalds

Chapter 4- Software Basics- The Ghost in the Machine

Keep in mind: Open source means that a source is open to the public. You can also change the code behind this software or system.

Objectives:

• Three fundamental categories of software and relationships
• The relationship of algorithm to software
• Know the factors that make a computer application
• Know how file systems are organized and etc.

Linus Torvalds and the Software Nobody Owns

• Linus Torvalds- the Linux creator
• Linux= open source software
• Linux powers web servers, handhelds, scientific supercomputers.

*user interface-->application or other program-->operating system

Major categories of software:

1. compilers and other translator programs- lets programmers create different software (Ex: Intel compilers, Lahey compilers)
2. software applicators- help computer users solve problems in regards to productivity (Ex: Open Office)
3. system software-  coordinates hardware operations. Does the "behind-the-scenes" work a user rarely sees. (Ex: Microsoft Windows, Linux)

What are compilers? Computer programs that transform a source code written in a programming language into a computer language.

Processing with Programs
Note: The hardware in a computer system is equipped to produce whatever output a user requests.
For example: recipe = input out put= when u mix it and have your product

A fast, Stupid Machine

• Programmers begin with algorithms ( step-by-step instructions written in natural language (e.g. English))
• The steps are often over-achieving
• The steps are then translated into the vocabulary of a programming language

The Language of Computers

• Machine Language= numeric codes that represent data (ex.
• High-level language= a balance btween machine language and natural human language (ex.
• Natural Languages= resembles languages spoken by humans

Project Theory

A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product or service.
Software Development Life Cycle:-
Project Identification & Selection
Project Initiation & Planning
Analysis
Logical Design
Phsyical Design
Implementation

Maintenance

 

A project is also a sequence of unique, complex, and connected activities having one goal or purpose and that must be completed by a specific time, within budget, and according to specifications

SDLC

 

Project Management Criteria:

-Projects are oriented towards a goal.

-There is something unique about every project

-Project have a finite duration

- Projects require coordination of interrelated activities

 

What is project management?

- Project management is a set of principles and tools for :-

- Defining

-Planning

-Executing

-Controlling...and

-Completing a PROJECT

 

Why is PM important?

-ORganize your approach

-Generate a credible schedule

-Track progress and control your project

-Identify where to focus your efforts

-Identify problems early- befor they are crises

-Saves you TIME and MONEY

 

If you fail to plan, PLAN TO FAIL

1. Assessment- Know your "W"
2. Planning: define your aims, motivate yourself, what is your analysis??, know who your client is and what they want. Know your resources (human, financial, material, time). Predict possible outcomes, issues --> outline your project. Know who will help you throughout the process (team, partners-->or individual work? ==> Have CONCRETE OBJJECTIVES- SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timed)

  

 

 

 

 

IT News Project (presentation)

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/news/rims-blackpad-to-rival-apple-ipad/story-e6frg90x-1225927779150

Side Notes:
RIM brings about the rival to the iPad- the "BlackPad".
Main issue for RIM's BlackPad: It will  will face tough competition in an increasingly crowded market.
Impact area of study: To possibly bring Blackberry up to the one percentage point to 18 per cent lost from the second quarter of this year.
Social issues:The BlackPad could slowly but surely change how people are entertain, read, or interact.
Ethical:Not much different from the PC, the iPad. Overall, it's an example of information action, sharing, and use issues.

Tomorrows Technology and You 8/e- Chapter 2 (Friday the 17th, 2010 Sept.)

RAM (random access memory)
>Used to store program insturctions and data temporarily
> Unique addresses and dazta can be stored in any location
> Can quickly retrieve  information
> Will not remain if power goes off (volatile)
--> ROM (read-only memory)
> Information stored permanently on a chip
>Contains startup instructions and other permanent data
--> CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor)
>Special low-energy kind of RAM
--> Flash Memory
>Used for phones, pagers, portable computers, handheld computers, and PDAs

---> Information travels between components on the motherboard through groups of wires called system


Buses
> typically have 32 or 64 wires
> connect to storage devices in bays
> connect to expansion slots
> connect to external buses amd [prts

Slots and ports
>Make it easy to add exteranal devoces called peripherals


==> New laser etching technology called extreme ultraviolet lithoghraphy (EUVL) could reduce chip size and increase performance radically
==> Superconductors that transmit electricity without heat could increase computer speed a hundredfold.
==>The optical computer transmits information in light waves rather than electrical pulses.

==> Lister several examples of input devices and explain how they can make it

Buses, Ports, and Peripherals

Information travels between components on the motherboard through groups of wires called system buses, or just buses.

Buses

Ø      Typically have 32 or 64 wires

Ø      Connect to storage devices in bays

Ø      Connect to expansion slots

Ø      Connect to external buses and ports

Slots and ports

Ø      Make it easy to add external devices, called peripherals.        

-New laser etching technology called extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL) could reduce chip size and increase performance radically.

-Superconductors that transmit electricity without heat could increase computer speed a hundredfold.

-The optical computer transmits information in light waves rather than electrical pulses.

-A computer manipulates patterns of bits—binary digits of information.

-The CPU follows software instructions, reduced to strings of bits, to perform the calculations and logical manipulations that transform input data into output.

-Not all CPUs are compatible with each other.

-The CPU uses:

Ø      RAM (random access memory) as a temporary storage area—a scratch pad—for instructions and data

Ø      ROM (read-only memory), which contains unchangeable information that serves as reference material for the CPU as it executes program instructions

-The CPU and main memory are housed in silicon chips on the motherboard.

What's the big deal? About Net Neutrality!!!

I am totally for net neutrality. Because, first it means that the internet is controlled by no one. Second, you get to choose where you can buy service for your internet from. Also, because it brings about competition, and personally i like it that way. With competition there is always going to be one who has succeeded and one who has lost. That's why companies like Google are very fortunate because they are able to buy certain web properties like You tube. Also by providing a search engine, Google has created very high standards that leaves other service providers envious!! For example, small companies that are not as big as Google are not at advantage, because they lack popularity, publicity, networking and association with other big companies. Which totally makes sense, because if you want to make it big, your going to want to connect, network, and market your company with other big or well-known companies!! And, of course this could lead to competition and paranoia among certain ISPs and internet companies!! Which, lastly, I believe will gradually develop better services and device use and ,in the end, for the consumer is never bad thing- as long as it is cheap right??

ISPs: Internet Service Provider; Comcast, AT&T, Verizon, etc...


Read the article: http://www.fiercecontentmanagement.com/story/whats-all-fuss-about-net-neutrality/2010-09-13
Watch Barack Obama talk about Net Neutrality: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-mW1qccn8k

Homework for ITGS

1. Research the topic of Net Neutrality. Just google it,  in the News, not general, tab. What is all the hype about it? Why are there fights, paranoia among companies like Google, Yahoo, At&t and more? (write an opinion response on your blog)
2. Pick complex and interesting words, and bring them to the basic by using google.

DUE?

Chapter 2 Performance

CPU- Central Processing Unit
The CPU: The Real Computer

 

Microprocessors

 

• interprets and executes the instructions in each program  
• supervises arithmetic and logical data manipulations  
• communicates with all the other parts of the computer system indirectly through memory  
• an extraordinary complex collection of electronic circuits  
• housed along with other chips and electronic components on the motherboard
• All software is not necessarily compatible with every CPU 
• software written for the Power PC family of processors used in Macintosh computers wont run on Intel processors 
• Both programs written for Linux cant run on Windows 
• Both systems run on PCs powered by Intel's microprocessor
• CPUs in the same family are generally designed to be backward compatible 
• Newer processors can process all the instructions handled by earlier models
• Applications require faster machines to produce satisfactory results 
• A computer's overall performance is determined by: its microprocessor's internal clock speed, measured in units called gigahertz (GHz) fir billions of clock cycles per second
• the architecture and word size of the processor 
• High-end workstations and servers use a 64-bit processor 
• most PCs and Macs use 32-bit processors 
• some embedded and special-purpose computers still use 8 and 16 bit processors
• Techniques for speeding up a computer's performance: parallel processing, server clusters
• Application require faster machines to produce satisfactory results
• A computer's overall performance is determined by: Its microprocessor's imternal clock speed 
• measured in units called gighertz (GHz) for billions of clock-cycles per second
• The architecute and word size of the processor
• High-end workstations and servers use 64-bit processors

Tomorrow's Technology and You 8/e Chapter 2

SIDE NOTES
Bit-
Byte-8 Bits
KB- Kibbyte 1024
MB- Megabyte 1024 to the power of 2
TB- Terabyte 1024 to the power of 3
PB- Pebibyte 1024 to the power of 4
EB- Exbibyte 1024 to the power of 5
ZB- Zebibyte 1024 to the power of 6
YB- Yottabyte 1024 to the power of 7

 

The Computer's Core the CPU and Memory

The  CPU: The Real Computer
 CPU (micro processor)

• Interprets and executes the instructions in each program
• Supervises arithmetic and logical data manipulations
• Communications with all the other parts of the computer system indirectly through memory
• An extrodinary complex collection of electronic circuits
• Housed along with other chips and electronic components on the motherboard

All software is not necessarily compatioble with every CPU.

• Software written for the Power PC family of processors used in Macintosh computers wont run on Intel processors
• Programs written from Linux cant run on Windows. ----> Both systems run on PCs powered by Intel's microprocessor
• CPUs in the same family are generally designed to be backward compatible. ---> Newer processors can process all of the instructions handled by earlier models.

• Applications requre faster machines to produce satisfactory results.
• A computer's overall perfomance is determine by:
• Its microprocessor's internal clock speed ---> measured in units called gigahertz (GHz) for billions of clock cycles per seccond.
• The architecture and word size of the processor

--High-end workstations and servers use 64-bit processor
--Most PCs and Macintoches use 32-bit processors
--Some embedded and special-purpose computers still use 8- and 16- bit processors

Techniques for speeding up a computer's performance:

• Parallel processing
• Server clusters

Total Point: 2