140 likes | 280 Views
Technology in Action. Technology in Focus: Computing Alternatives. Application Software Alternatives. Open-source software Freely distributed Contains the source code (the actual lines of instructional code that make the program work) Can be distributed to others.
E N D
Technology in Action Technology in Focus: Computing Alternatives
Application Software Alternatives • Open-source software • Freely distributed • Contains the source code (the actual lines of instructional code that make the program work) • Can be distributed to others
Productivity Software Alternatives • OpenOffice • Comparable to MS Office • Writer is like MS Word • Calc is like MS Excel • Impress is like MS PowerPoint • Draw is a graphics program • Math is an equation editor • Base is a database program like Access • Allows you to open files created in Office applications • Documents created with OpenOffice can be opened by other programs
Database Software Alternatives • Base • Part of OpenOffice • MySQL • Comparable to SQL Server and Oracle Database 10g • Many books and online tutorials are available
E-mail Client Alternatives • Eudora • Popular e-mail client • Free, but feature-limited version • Mozilla Thunderbird • Open-source e-mail client • Add-ons available: • Calendar • Calculator • Search tools
Drawing Software Alternatives • OpenOffice Draw • DIA • Comparable to MS Visio • Allows you to create diagrams, graphs, and charts
NVU Comparable to Adobe Dreamweaver Don’t need to know HTML to generate a Web page Web Page Authoring Software Alternatives
GIMP Comparable to Adobe PhotoShop Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and UNIX versions available Image-Editing Software Alternatives
Operating System Alternatives • Linux • Linux versions called “distros” • KNOPPIX and PC Linux run from a CD so do not replace your current OS • Other distros install Linux permanently
Operating System Alternatives • 3D Linux: Mandriva Linux • 3D desktop environment • Includes open-source software • Includes security features
Hardware Alternatives • Apple • Mac OS X • Intel platform • Open-source software for Macs • Special software lets you run Windows-based software on a Mac
Hardware Alternatives:Do It Yourself Processor Videocard Hard Drive Power Supply Sound card Case RAM • Motherboard
Advantages Exact configuration desired Choice of quality components Satisfaction Disadvantages No technical support if there is a problem Multiple considerations in matching components Often more expensive Hardware Alternatives:Do It Yourself