Chapter 4
Installing Software
1
What’s inside and on the CD?
• In this chapter, you will learn how to:
– Install software from CDs, DVDs, and downloads
– Learn about portable software
– Get started with Web apps
– Deal with software installation and access problems
– Learn about software updates
– Remove software
– Learn about the significance of software licenses and
copyrights
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition
Chapter 4
2
How do I install software from CDs,
DVDs, and downloads?
• A software application is a collection of program modules
that work together to accomplish a task
• When you install software, these program modules are
copied from a distribution CD to your computer’s hard
disk, or unzipped from a distribution file
• Technical information is stored in the Windows Registry
• Software installation is automated by a setup program
HW1: What is Windows Registry?
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition
Chapter 4
3
How do I install software from CDs,
DVDs, and downloads?
• The setup program usually starts automatically when you
insert the installation CD or DVD
• Follow the on-screen prompts to install the software
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition
Chapter 4
4
How do I install software from CDs,
DVDs, and downloads?
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition
Chapter 4
5
How do I install software from CDs,
DVDs, and downloads?
• Software activation is a means of protecting software
from illegal copying by requiring users to enter a product
key or activation code before the software can be used
• Downloaded programs are often zipped to reduce
download times
– Unzip before the installation can proceed
– Setup.exe or Install.exe will begin the installation
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition
Chapter 4
6
How do I install software from CDs,
DVDs, and downloads?
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition
Chapter 4
7
What about portable software?
• Portable software is designed to run from removable
storage
– CD or USB flash drive
• Program files do not exist on the hard disk, and no trace
of the software is left there when the removable media is
removed
–
–
–
–
–
BookOnCD
OpenOffice.org Portable
Thunderbird (e-mail)
Firefox (browser)
FileZilla (upload and download)
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition
Chapter 4
8
What about portable software?
• Simple to install and sometimes referred to as install-free
software
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition
Chapter 4
9
How do I get started with Web apps?
• A web application is software that is accessed with a
Web browser
– Software runs on a remote computer connected to the
Internet or other computer network
• Available for many of the same applications that run
locally
• Many Web apps require no installation
• Some are free, and others require a fee
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition
Chapter 4
10
How do I get started with Web apps?
• Companies supplying software that runs from the
Internet are referred to as application service
providers (ASPs)
• The process of deploying software over the Internet is
termed Software as a Service (SaaS)
• Consumers do not have to worry about installing updates
• Apps are not accessible if the ASP service goes down
• Many require users to register
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition
Chapter 4
11
How do I get started with Web apps?
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition
Chapter 4
12
How do I deal with software
installation and access problems?
•
•
•
•
•
•
Defective distribution media
Installation program will not start
Installation stops before completion
Installed program does not appear on the computer
Installed program fails to work
Other programs fail to work after a new product is
installed
• Files cannot be read by the new application
• Access to online application denied
• Online application not available
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition
Chapter 4
13
What about software updates?
• Software publishers periodically produce new versions of
software
– Indicated by a version or revision number
– Usually involves a fee
• You may receive e-mail notification when an update is
available
• Many wait for a few weeks or months before upgrading
to a new version
• New version usually installs in a similar way as the
original version
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition
Chapter 4
14
What about software updates?
• Publishers often release software updates, referred to as
patches and service packs
• A software patch is a small section of program code
that replaces part of the software you currently have
installed
• The term service pack, which usually applies to
operating system updates, is a set of patches that
correct problems and address security vulnerabilities
• Automatic update features periodically check for
updates, and installs them automatically
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition
Chapter 4
15
What about software updates?
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition
Chapter 4
16
How do I remove software?
• You might choose to remove software for a variety of
reasons
• Uninstalling software removes specific program files
from the hard disk, removes the program name from the
All Programs menu, and updates the Windows Registry
• Program modules might be stored in various folders, and
can be shared among multiple programs
• Windows Registry must be kept up to date
• It is essential to use uninstall procedures to uninstall
software
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition
Chapter 4
17
How do I remove software?
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition
Chapter 4
18
What’s the significance of software
licenses and copyrights?
• A copyright is a form of legal protection that grants the
author of an original “work” an exclusive right to copy,
distribute, sell, and modify that work, except under
special circumstances
• A software license is a legal contract that defines the
ways in which you may use a computer program
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition
Chapter 4
19
What’s the significance of software
licenses and copyrights?
• Read the license agreement to discover how you can
legally use the software
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Commercial software
Single-user license
Multi-user licenses
Network licenses
Demoware
Freeware
Open source software
Public domain software
Practical Computer Literacy, 2nd edition
Chapter 4
20