Software

1. Chapter 3: Software
4.1 Learning Objective Checkpoints
1. What are the most popular types of application software?
Music, graphics, mapping, finance, and entertainment.
2. What basic utilities are included with Windows and Mac operating systems?
The basics are found in the System Preferences window on Macs and you can find the utilities provided by
Windows in the Control Panel.
3. How do iPhones provide adaptive utilities for people who can’t see the screen?
They add closed captions,text-to-speech and large screen texts applications. Also, there are screen readers that
narrate the text and VoiceOver options provide a description about anything you touch on the screen.
4. Why is it important to know where to locate the version numbers for device drivers?
They help with establishing communication to the computer and you can compare those to the most recent versions
posted online to help figure out whatever problems are occurring if there are any.
5. How can word processing software help improve your writing?
It gives you the ability to create, spell check, edit and format a document on screen before you commit the idea to
paper. Also, Search and Replace helps hunt down any mistake you continue to make in your writing. It also has a
thesaurus,a grammar checker, a spell checker and analyzes your reading level using a readability formula.
7. How is the data in a database stored and accessed?
It stores data as a series of records that are composed of fields that hold data. You can then access them by using
queries.
8. What are key features of presentation software?
Bulleted lists that summarize presentation points,graphics,transitions,speaker notes,themes and templates, and
conversion routines.
9. What is the difference between Web apps and mobile apps?
Basically the difference between the two is that Web apps can run on a computer, while mobile apps run on
handhelds and must be downloaded and installed.
10. What kinds of files are included in local applications software?

2. An executable file is one of the main things in local applications that allow them to run. All the files that are needed
are found on folders in the computer’s hard disk and are brought up only when the program is ready to run.
12. What are software patches and service packs?
A software patch is a small section of code that replaces a part of already installed software, while service packs are
updates that apply to the operating system.
13. How do I uninstall software on Windows and Macs?
On a Windows computer, you use uninstall routine that deletes the software files from folders and the hard disk and
removes references of the program from the operating systemfiles. While on Mac systems,you must use Finder to
locate the program’s .app file and move it to the trash,however it leaves support files on the hard disk, while there is
some Mac programs that have an uninstall routine option which is found in the Utilities folder.
15. What are the differences between proprietary software, commercial software, shareware, open source
software, freeware, and public domain software?
Public domain software has no copyright because it is either expired or has been placed in public domain.
Proprietary software has some restrictions on its use and is either free or sold commercially but it mainly depends on
the agreements signed.Shareware is protected by copyright and you are allowed to try the product before you buy it.
Open source software is a program that is given out for free if the source code is given out,so that it can be modified
or improved. Freeware is free and copyrighted.Finally, commercial software, is sold at many locations and you only
actually purchase the right to use it under the terms of a software license.
4.2 Beyond-the-Book Exercise (BTB)
1) What is the specific function of the software?
The software I choose to use was The Intelex Environmental Management Software System which allows you to
capture, track and report on every aspect of your environmental program in real-time. It enables regulatory
compliance, sustainability management and adherence to common management standards .
http://www.intelex.com/Environmental_Management-150-1product.aspx
2) How does the software increase the productivity of your workload?
It allows people from different departments to all use one form, along with the fact there is a lot of past reports in the
library to draw from and help configure yours easily. There is automated messages that remind you of what you
have to complete as well.

3. 3) What is the price of the software (approximately)?
According to the website, the price varies depending on what you are using it for.
http://www.intelex.com/request_price.aspx
4) Are there any certifications and/or training that can be obtained that pertain to the software? If
so, what are they?
According to the website information listed above,you can keep track of individual certifications that an employee
needs by uploading their information. However, most of the time ISO 14001 seems to be a common theme that this
software is responsible for.
5) Are there any large-scale agencies and/or companies currently using the software (e.g. FBI,
USGS, etc.)? If so, how and why do they use the software?
I’m not sure what you consider a large scale agency,but here are the current companies using it:
http://www.intelex.com/client.aspx
The biggest I saw was Campbell’s, the City of St. Albert, Subaru, and the United States Sugar Corporation.
Campbell’s uses the software’s Refrigerant and Water Management systemwhich helps them keep track of soup
temperatures. The United States Sugar Corporation uses the Farm Management systemto keep track of current and
new farm techniques and the conditions needed to keep the product growing. Subaru has been a customer since 2004
and uses the software’s training and audit management techniques.The City of St. Albert uses the software’s main
function and focuses on all areas of environmental concern.