Software Evolution

by:Steve Blampied

If you search the ‘net for “Free Software” you’ll alway come up with links to the Free Software Foundation or something called a GNU, rather than software that doesn’t cost anything.

You see, “Free Software” it doesn’t always refer to software that is free of charge. It actually refers to the software being “Free” as in “Freedom” !

Just so that you understand the difference, here is the definition of free software from GNU.org

“A program is free software, for you, a particular user, if:

You have the freedom to run the program, for any purpose.
You have the freedom to modify the program to suit your needs. (To make this freedom effective in practice, you must have access to the source code, since making changes in a program without having the source code is exceedingly difficult.)
You have the freedom to redistribute copies, either gratis or for a fee.
You have the freedom to distribute modified versions of the program, so that the community can benefit from your improvements.
Since “free” refers to freedom, not to price, there is no contradiction between selling copies and free software.

In fact, the freedom to sell copies is crucial: collections of free software sold on CD-ROMs are important for the community, and selling them is an important way to raise funds for free software development. Therefore, a program which people are not free to include on these collections is not free software.

Because of the ambiguity of “free”, people have long looked for alternatives, but no one has found a suitable alternative. The English Language has more words and nuances than any other, but it lacks a simple, unambiguous, word that means “free,” as in freedom–”unfettered,” being the word that comes closest in meaning. Such alternatives as “liberated”, “freedom,” and “open” have either the wrong meaning or some other disadvantage.”

“Free Software” is often but not always free-of-charge but it does have other benefits. Often the software is written by people who are doing it for the challenge or simply because they enjoy writing it, or to solve a particular problem, and this approach can produce really useful programs without the usual commercial undercurrent.

Also because the source code is normally freely available it is also likely that many people from the software community will have had a hand in the creation or debugging of the finished article.

More information and a large quantity of Free Software is available from www.sourceforge.net

About the author:
Steve Blampied lives in Jersey in the Channel Islands and has been an independent IT consultant for around 10 years and has a small IT company in Jersey.

http://www.technology.je

He is currently putting together a web site solely about free software.
http://www.freesoftwareadvice.com

by: Rafael Sosa

As Internet connections become more permanent with broadband access, software will be able to evolve into a more efficient and personalized medium. Currently, most software run from our hard drives and require installations that alter our system configurations, many times slowing down our computers. Because software occupies space and processing power, there is a limited amount of software that can run in our PCs. On the business side, current software systems require many companies to produce a system of distribution (Compac Discs), customer support, and is usually not compatible with all customers, thus limiting its customer base further.

A software evolution is ocurring and it is going to benefit both customers and businesses immensly. Software will no longer come as a packet that needs to be installed on a PC, but rather it will be completely Web based. Web based software will become the default way of reaching customers. Customers will have advantages such as, using unlimited amount of software, using applications regardless of where the person is or which computer he/she is using, software can be personalized and upgraded to meet specific needs to each individual. Businesses will be able to, reduce costs, reach a larger customer pool, taylor its software to diverse markets, repair bugs more rapidly and easily, understand its customer and the way they use their software, etc.

In order for this software revolution to occur in whole, there needs to be a central point. Like Miscrosoft’s DOS in the 80’s, which became the standard choice of operating system to centralize and organize our computer operations, there needs to be an online operating system. As of now, Microsoft has built an empire because of its vision and their dominance in the OS market. However, now there is a window of opportunity to take a large chunk of that empire and possibly eliminate Microsoft’s monopoly of the Operating System. While there are many companies and organizations (Apple, Linux, Lindows) out there trying to take a bite out of Microsoft by competing on the same turf, PC users are accostumed to Windows and will most likely not switch. The opportunity to eliminate this monopoly is to create an Online Operating System. PC users will inevitably move completely online.

An Online Operating System will be the central point of every user in the future. There are online companies who have an inside advantage to this, such as Yahoo!, Google, and AOL, but it can be anyone’s medal, even to a fairly unknown competitor, as was Microsoft when they introduced DOS to the world. In this new concept of Operating System, there can be a larger space of diversity and can be shared by more companies, unlike the current status.

About the author
Rafael Sosa has been in forefront of e-business development and digitizing of documents in Puerto Rico. For the past 5 years, he has worked extensively in the construction of websites and internet systems through the integration of an efficient international team. His articles can be found at http://www.WebArticles.com/

by:Tim Henry

Adware is one of many “malwares” or malicious software programs that are unknowingly installed on your computer when you visit online sites and download freebies. When you use share files or visit sites with free downloads of wallpaper, videos, or music, some of these sites will send along adware software with your download.

These malwares are a rapidly growing threat to all computer systems. It is estimated that in the first three months of 2005 over 80% of computer users had some type of malware software program running on their computer, without their knowledge.

Although it is much less a threat to your computer and information than spyware is, what adware will do is cause pop up banners and advertisements to appear on your computer. These advertisements are displayed on your computer no matter what program you might be using. What the people who place this type of nuisance software on you computer say is that adware advertising helps them to recover costs and allows them to offer you those freebies you want.

What you want to do to stop adware from appearing on your computer is to first run an anti-adware program. Run this program on demand regularly. Along with an anti-adware software program run your regular computer virus scan on demand also.

Check the security level on your computer. You security level setting should be at least medium to help protect you from unwanted downloads.

Do not download free files from the internet, period. When downloading any software read the end-user license agreement. Some of these agreements will state that when you download their software you are also agreeing to accept a downloaded spyware that may be placed on your computer at the same time.

Be aware of threats to your computer, and your personal information.

About the author:
This article courtesy of http://www.adware-eliminator-guide.net

by:Zack Macchio

Computers are all the rage today for people of all ages including children. There are many different types of software that you can choose from when it comes to picking something for your children to enjoy on the computer. Depending on the age bracket of your children you�ll have to take some time to choose software that does what you want it to do.

For the younger child aged three to five there is software that features some of their favorite television characters such as Dora the Explorer or Bob the Builder. Your children will be both entertained and educated as they play games, learn the alphabet, and learn to count. Software for very young children is easy for them to play so that you�re not always coming to their assistance whenever they press a wrong key.

Software for older children aged five to ten has even more interactive features than software for the younger child. You can buy software that is exclusively for learning and software that will only provide entertainment. Most software comes with a rating to let you know that it doesn�t contain any material that is inappropriate for children. Some types of software for this age group of children include puzzle games, software for learning a second language, math and science software, video game software, software for the artist, and software that allows your child to connect with the internet and play games with other children around the world.

Software for teens is something that you�ll need to supervise a little more closely since much of the software on the market can be objectionable and will often test the morals and virtues that you are trying to teach your children. When you buy software for your teen make sure that you take a good long look at what the software is all about, since many of the software games can feature a large amount of violence. There are, of course, software programs for your teen that are educational as well as fun and that they can use to enhance their schoolwork.

With so many different software choices out there how do you know that you�re making the right choices? Check out some of the parental listings that can be found on the internet. Many parent websites will offer you advice and ratings for much of the new software that comes out each month. This way you can be assured that other parents are approving a certain piece of software before you make your purchase.

Keep in mind that you should always limit the amount of time that your children spend on the computer. Children should be encouraged to spend just as much time playing outdoors as they do playing and learning on the computer.

About the author:
Zack Macchio is a software enthusiast and webmaster of “Software - Fone Software”, a top Internet directory for software resources. Get more great software tips and tricks at: http://www.fonesoftware.com

by:Sharon Housley

There are several kinds of software piracy. The bottom line is when software is pirated, the developer does not receive compensation for their work.

Effects of Software Piracy

When software is pirated, consumers, software developers, and resellers are harmed. Software piracy increases the risk consumer’s computers will be corrupted by defective software and infected with viruses. Those who provide defective and illegal software do not tend to provide sales and technical support. Pirated software usually has inadequate documentation, which prevents consumers from enjoying the full benefits of the software package. In addition, consumers are unable to take advantage of technical support and product upgrades, which are typically available to legitimate registered users of the software. Pirated software can cost consumers lost time and more money.

Developers lose revenue from pirated software, from current products as well as from future programs. When software is sold most developers invest a portion of the revenue into future development and better software packages. When software is pirated, software developers lose revenue from the sale of their products, which hinders development of new software and stifles the growth of the software company.

Kinds of Piracy

End User Piracy -

Using multiple copies of a single software package on several different systems or distributing registered or licensed copies of software to others. Another common form of end user piracy is when a cracked version of the software is used. Hacking into the software and disabling the copy protection, or illegally generating key codes that unlocks the trial version making the software a registered version creates a cracked version.

Reseller Piracy -

Reseller piracy occurs when an unscrupulous reseller distributes multiple copies of a single software package to different customers; this includes preloading systems with software without providing original manuals & diskettes. Reseller piracy also occurs when resellers knowingly sell counterfeit versions of software to unsuspecting customers.

Indications of reseller piracy are multiple users with the same serial number, lack of original documentation or an incomplete set, and non-matching documentation.

Trademark/Trade Name Infringement

Infringement occurs when an individual or dealer claims to be authorized either as a technician, support provider or reseller, or is improperly using a trademark or trade name.

BBS/Internet Piracy -

BBS/ Internet Piracy occurs when there is an electronic transfer of copyrighted software. If system operators and/or users upload or download copyrighted software and materials onto or from bulletin boards or the Internet for others to copy and use without the proper license. Often hackers will distribute or sell the hacked software or cracked keys. The developer does not receive any money for the software the hacker distributed. This is an infringement on the developer’s copyright.

Another technique used by software pirates is to illegally obtain a registered copy of software. Pirates purchase the software once and use it on multiple computers. Purchasing software with a stolen credit card is another form of software piracy. Unfortunately there are many kinds of software piracy that has hampered the software industry.

These types of software piracy have hampered the software industry. For the software industry to prosper and further develop useful software for consumers please support and pay for software. This results in better software for all.

To Report Piracy :

Software Information Industry Association

About the author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for NotePage, Inc. http://www.notepage.net a company specializing in alphanumeric paging, SMS and wireless messaging software solutions. Other sites by Sharon can be found atwww.softwaremarketingresource.com