week 7 lecture - Software/Freeware Apps

Ok so today we talked about software applications and we looked at in particular : open and closed source software.

So just for clarity I shall provide a definition of each below using Wikipedia

Open source software (OSS) is defined as computer software for which the source code and certain other rights normally reserved for copyright holders are provided under a software license that meets the Open Source Definition or that is in the public domain. This permits users to use, change, and improve the software, and to redistribute it in modified or unmodified forms. It is very often developed in a public, collaborative manner. Open source software is the most prominent example of open source development and often compared to user-generated content.[1] The term open source software originated as part of a marketing campaign for free software A report by Standish Group states that adoption of open source software models has resulted in savings of about $60 billion per year to consumers.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_sourced_software

Closed source is a term for software whose license does not allow for the release or distribution of the software's source code. Generally, it means only the binaries of a computer program are distributed and the license provides no access to the program's source code. The source code of such programs might be regarded as a trade secret of the company. Access to source code by third parties commonly requires the party to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Closed_source_software

Closed source software is produced by one company its normally copywrited and you can not sell it or copy it and distribute it unless you have permission, it is normally sold by the company or authorised vendors, examples are Microsoft Office which I am sure we have all used!

Open source software is basically the opposite of closed source, its normally free to copy, use and distribute.

We also talked about freeware apps and there are a host of different website that offer these below are some that I discovered under a few categories:

First up audio & visual :

well I had better put the obvious... iTunes of course : iTunes Is an audio player for playing and organizing digital music files, and purchasing them from the Apple Store.

I think iTunes is brilliant! it so easy to use and organise your music, create playlist etc and I am pretty sure everyone I know has an ipod so I thought this one worth a mention.

Automation:

KeePass - KeePas is an opensource password manager which helps you manage your passwords in a secure way, very handy if you are terrible at remembering things like me!!

Compression, Backup, and File Recovery:

Mozy: Mozy is the perfect solution for online backup. Its offers 2GB storage for free. which is very handy if like me use have lost about 3 or 4 USB sticks.. yes seriously alomost defeats the purpose of even having them!

Also another one worth a mention is Recuva, it is a freeware Windows utility to restore files that have been accidentaly deleted from your computer so basically awesome if you delete your essay before you have submitted it! but yeah probably not your best friend if you are trying to hide a weird facination or online porn addiction.. you could always blame it on your roomates right?!

Blogging:

ok so I have to totally take the opportunity to give Blogspot a good rap, where we would be without it! truth be told I didnt know what a blog was until I started New Com Tech but I have been pleasantly surprised by this application, it is super easy to use and understand even for someone as "technologically-confused" as me LOL excuse the pun!

Ok and I think I have done enough but another one I keep close to my heart and simply coulnt live without (being a poor student and all) is Skype, it is the best invention ever.. who would of thought you can call anywhere in the world for FREE!! awesome!! I was actually on it earlier tonight talking to my family in NZ, and if you have webcam its even better or better still I have a built in cam on my laptop and I can carry it around and show them new things around the house or the view from the balcony LOL possibilities are endless!! anyway getting off the subject a little now but yeah you get the point! it is free to call any "computer' in the world and you can also load credit onto your account for very resonable prices and then call landlines and mobiles for cheaper than if you used you phone.. BRILLIANT!! I dont know why it isnt HUGE I am still surprised that people havent heard about it!!