| Computer software is the combination of programmes | | | | system to follow on from the roaring success of |
| and applications which interface with the physical | | | | Windows XP; Vista. Packages available include Home |
| components of the computer, the hardware, to enable | | | | Basic, Home Premium, Ultimate and Business. The main |
| the user to perform specific functions and tasks. | | | | improvements and selling points of this service |
| There are two basic types of software, known as | | | | package include state of the art user interfaces (Aero |
| system software, which is responsible for the basic | | | | Authentic, Energetic, Reflective and Open), easier |
| functions of the computer, and application software, | | | | transfer of media between devices and computers, |
| such as Word Processing programmes, which enable | | | | better security (virus protection, etc) and new |
| the user to perform actual specific tasks, e.g. typing. | | | | multimedia programmes. For example, Windows Media |
| An operating system is the software behind all of the | | | | Player 11 is included in the package and has undergone |
| system and application management; it is responsible | | | | a major revamp; including user interfacing, new search |
| for organising and controlling how each of the systems | | | | capabilities, and the facility too hook up with external |
| interface with each other (basically the smooth running | | | | devices such as the Xbox 360. |
| of every programme), for example, allocating the | | | | However, many consumers are fully aware of |
| appropriate amount of memory in accordance with | | | | Microsofts dominance in the computer industry and in |
| which programmes are running and require more | | | | particular the software market, and are reluctant to |
| power and input. Examples of operating systems are | | | | shell out for the new programme where many of the |
| Linux, and of course Microsoft Windows, which holds a | | | | new features are seen as luxuries rather than |
| monopoly on the computer market for such systems. | | | | necessities, and on top of that Vista cannot be installed |
| Without an Operating system, computers are merely | | | | on any machine brand new machines must be |
| empty shells with little or no use. They will typically run | | | | purchased with the system already built in. So potential |
| their won application software, for example Microsoft | | | | customers will have to buy a whole new PC setup |
| Windows has packages such as Microsoft Office, | | | | just to be able to use Microsoft Vista not a popular |
| which deals with word processing, publishing, | | | | choice amongst consumers in an industry where there |
| presentation slides, databases, etc. Modern computers | | | | will doubtless be further improvements and new, better |
| can run several applications simultaneously without | | | | software waiting just around the corner. An |
| crashing and becoming slow, depending on the power | | | | advantage gained then, for rival Linux, whose majority |
| and capabilities of the operating system. | | | | of software CDs and packages can be accessed for |
| Software is constantly being up dated and new | | | | free, so whilst it is a lot more complex and less user |
| versions being released, so much so that current | | | | friendly than the likes of Microsoft and their Windows |
| systems can become out of date within months it is a | | | | packages, yet it remains one of the most reliable and |
| very fast moving and fast evolving area of industry. | | | | up to date operating systems out there. |
| Microsoft have just released their latest operating | | | | |