Latest Development in ICT Essay

1.0 Introduction Meaning of open source software 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. Meaning of hardware A computer’s hardware consists of the physical components necessary to operate and interact with a computer. Since a computer’s primary language is binary, devices are necessary to convert our input into that language. The binary code coming out of the computer must also be translated into something usable for the operator. Meaning of software Software is often divided into two categories: 1. System software: Includes the operating system and all the utilities that enables the computer to function. ` 2. Application software: Includes programs that do real work for users. For examples:word processor,spreadsheets and database. 2.0The Latest Open Source Application Software 2.1 Meaning of Open Source OS Open Source Operating System is the most important program that runs on a computer that is free to use, change, and improve the software, and to redistribute it in modified or unmodified forms. Every general-purpose computer must have an operating system to run other programs. Operating systems perform basic tasks, such as recognizing input from the keyboard, sending output to the display screen, keeping track of files and directories on the disk, and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers. 2.2 Examples of open source OS a)Ubuntu Linux A user friendly operating system based on KDE, the K Desktop Environment.With apredictable 6 month release cycle and part of the Ubuntu project, Kubuntu isthe GNU/Linuxdistribution for everyone. Improved desktop, updated applicationsand increased usability features arejust a few of the surprises with this latest release. b) Fedora Linux A Linux-based operating system that showcases the latest in free and opensource software. Fedora is always free for anyone to use, modify, and distribute. It isbuilt by people across the globe who work together as a community: the FedoraProject. The Fedora Project is open and anyone is welcomed to join. 3.0 The Latest Open Source Application Software 3.1 Meaning of open source application software Open Source Application Software includes database programs, word processors, and spreadsheets and others. It is free to use, change, and improve the software, and to redistribute it in modified or unmodified forms. 3.2 Examples of open source application software a)Open Office An office application set (for word processing, spreadsheet manipulation,picture drawing and data base access) compatible with all other major officeapplication sets such as Office and available for Windows and Mac as well as Linux and other UNIX systems. b)Squirrel Mail An email application (for reading and writing email through a web clientprogram) supporting IMAP and SMTP and available for Windows and Mac as well asLinux and other UNIX systems.