Week 4: Clear: Everyone Benefits From Software Suites

A software suite is a collection of individual programs that come together as a single unit. For the most part business software suites included software with a word processor, a spreadsheet editor, a presentation program, and some form of email. Examples of this type of software is Microsoft Office, Apple iWork, and Google Docs.




Software suites generally offer two advantages. They are usually cheaper and easier to use. When you buy software individually, it is way more expensive that buying the suite. In addition, a software suite is easier to use due to its similar interface throughout the programs. For example if you print or save one way in a program then it will most likely work the exact same way for the rest of them in that suite.

The Business Environment

Software suites benefit the business world by allowing people to buy the many programs that they need for a cheaper price. Also it allows for less training to use all of these programs because the interfaces are generally the same. In the future I expect for there to be more software suites out there and many corporations to link up to make the ultimate software suites.

Related Link

PC Magazine wrote an article about software suites and what they are. Then it says how they differ from single packages. It also includes some related topics which are examples of software suites.

Week 3: Clear: The Three Amigos of Access Providers

Access Providers are businesses that provide internet access to individuals and organizations. Some Wi-FI (Wireless Fidelity) networks allow free access to them while others charge a small fee. These fees are either per use or for a fixed amount per month for faster speeds and better services. There are two types of service these providers administer, dial-up and broadband. Dial-up is a slower and cheaper way to use the internet, arranging from $5 to $24 per month. On the other hand, broadband is a much faster connection but can be highly expensive ranging from $13 to $150 per month. Many providers offer more services than the internet including news, weather, games, travel guides, financial data, e-mail, photo communities, and online storage. Access Providers are categorized as Internet Service Providers (ISP), Online Service Providers (OSP), and Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISP).

Internet Service Providers (ISP)

An internet service provider is either a regional or a national access provider. A regional ISP provides internet to a specific geographical area. For example in the Gainesville, FL area is the regional ISP. A national ISP is a business that provides internet access nationwide. Due to their larger size and structure, national ISPs typically offer more services and have a larger technical support staff than regional ISPs. Two examples of national ISPs are:
and .


Online Service Providers (OSP)

Just like ISPs, online service providers offer communication with the internet, however they offer many special features that only members can use. For instance some offer instant messaging or a customized version of a web browser. The two most popular OSPs are and .


Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISP)

A wireless internet service provider administers wireless internet access to computers with either built-in wireless capabilities, wireless modems, or a wireless access points. A wireless modem is typically a usb drive or a card that is inserted into a slot on the computer or mobile device. Some examples of WISPs are:

, , , , and .


The Business World

Access Providers are the ground base for communication to the internet for individuals and organizations. If they didn't exist then the way we communicate to each other would be much harder and we would get less information out of it. Access providers allow for people to communicate with one another cheaply compared to the price without them. If we didn't have access providers the only people that could use the internet would be rich people, scientist, and the government.

What Is An Access Provider?

The Site above explains what an access provider is and the types of them out there. It also explains the uses of them and how people are benefited from them.

Week 2: Clear: The Computer and Its Diverse Categories

A computer is an electronic device that processes data and produces results under a specific rules and instructions. There are seven categories of computers and each category has certain characteristics.

Personal Computers

Personal computers can perform all of its activities on its own and can fit on or under a desk, hence the name desktops.
There are two types of personal computers, desktops and notebooks.

Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

A mobile computer is a personal computer that you can easily be taken from place to place. A mobile device is a personal computer that you can hold in your hand. This category includes notebooks, tablet PCs, and smart phones.



Notebooks are personal computers than can be easily transported and fit on your lap, hence the name laptops. Compared to desktop computers, notebooks are thinner and lighter but don't have the same amount of power. Notebook computers are generally more expensive than comparable desktop computers.





Tablet PC's are considered a special type of notebook. These notebooks allow the user to write or draw on the screen with a digital pen. The digital pen can also be used to give the computer it's instructions rather than using a mouse or keyboard. These computers also come with a voice input so the user can also give instructions by talking.




Smartphones are internet- based phones that have a lot of the capabilities of personal computers. However, these are controlled by single handed motions. Most smart phones nowadays have the ability to receive and send email, take pictures and videos, play music, and manage time and word documents. In addition, instead of calling someone, a smart phone allows you to send text messages, picture messages, instant messages, and video messages.

Game Consoles

A game console is a computing device that's made for interactive single-player or multi-player games. These consoles require a controller input, a TV, and a disc that contains the game. These game consoles weigh between two and nine pounds therefore they are easily transportable. The four most popular games consoles are the Playstation 3, Xbox 360 (pictured above), Nintendo Wii, and the Nintendo DS Lite.

Servers

Basically a server controls a network. It restricts access to the hardware, software, and other resources the network provides. The server also provides a centralized storage system for the network. People access these servers on a network with their personal computers.

Mainframes

Mainframes can handle hundreds or thousands or connected users at the same time. They are very large, powerful, and expensive. Mainframes can store a huge amount of data. This is why big corporations use them.

Super Computers

Super computers are the fastest and most powerful computers in the world. Common sense, being they are the most expensive. These computers are capable of computing over a trillion instructions in a single second. Super computers are huge and can way over one hundred tons and can store more than 20,000 as much as a personal computer. Pictured above is IBM's Roadrunner. Computers like these are created to solve complex math calculations and are used in the fields of medicine, aerospace, automotive design, online banking, weather forcasting, nuclear energy research, and petroleum explorations.

Embedded Computers

Embedded computers are made for a special purpose and are generally small. These computers are used in everyday appliances like microwaves, TVs, dishwashers, washers and dryers, navigation systems, and even thermostats. Their basic purpose is to be a component of larger product and because of their size, they have limited capabilities.

The Business World

These categories are essential to the business environment and is the backbone to the way we compute. If there wasn't computers then we would be in the dark ages again and wouldn't have near the capabilities and the technology that we have now. There would be no internet or networks so the time it would take for information to get around is astronomical. If we didn't have this technology we would still be using the basis of pen and paper with horseback riding.

Categories of Computers

This site (above) further explains the category of computers and even has them grouped by their category and characteristics. It describes in detail about the different types and tells their capabilities. It would be a perfect website for studying these topics.

Week 1: Clear: Copyrighting! You Better Follow The Rules Or You're Screwed

The Copyright Act of 1976 is the primary foundation of the Copyright Laws in the United States. These laws were created so the creators of copyrighted materials could profit from the capital benefits of their idea. The idea in general cannot be copyrighted but the material form of the idea can be. Materials that can be copyrighted include:

books, Music, Movies,

Pictures, Plays, and Dance

Due to The Copyright Act of 1976, copyrighted material is privately owned by the creator for his or her life plus 70 years. In order for copyrighted material to be "fair use" one of these three circumstances must be true. The user is the owner of the copyrighted material, the owner has given the user a written statement granting permission to use the material, or the material is in the public domain. If material is in the public domain then it is legally accessible by anyone at anytime.

If someone uses copyrighted material they are required to use the copyright symbol (to the left) to credit the owner. In addition, one can only copyright a small amount of material and each type of material has its own special rule.

For instance, if someone wants to copyright a song they could either use ten percent of the song or thirty seconds, whichever is less.

In The Business World

Out of chapter 1, Copyrighting is the most important topic because not doing this correctly could get you in serious trouble. This is used a lot in the business environment. Business's use copyrighted material in there advertisements, in their presentations, and sometimes even in their slogans. Trust me, If you were in control of any one of these parts of a corporation I would definitely make sure I have a legal use of the material.

Fair Use of Copyrighted Materials

The article "fair use" explains and how it is seen in the courtroom. There is no set definition of "fair use", it's just up to the judge to determine. The site also gives step-by-step instructions to see if a material is copyrighted and how to fairly use it.