P rogram   D escriptions

Retail Software

Retail Software is the software you buy at your local store. Once you buy it, you can use it.      Advantages include fairly reliable sources. Since the packaging and marketing involved tends to be quite expensive, you can be fairly sure that this software was written by someone doing this for a living.      The disadvantage is you have already paid for it. If you don't like it, too bad.

Shareware Software

Shareware is software you can try for awhile before you actually pay for it.      This marketing technique is nearly free, so the author could be just about anybody (even you). But, if you don't like it, just throw it away.      The most successful shareware is excellent. If you do like a program, it is ultimately to your advantage to register it. If the programmer never gets paid, they will assume nobody likes it and move on to more profitable endeavors. Also, when you register, the author usually gives you something. Different products vary.

Freeware Software

Freeware has been released to the Public Domain. and is free to anyone. Government agencies and some companies release to the Public Domain just to be remembered fondly.      Freeware is seldom state of the art, cutting edge stuff. It however, can be a valuable addition to another product. It could be a great time saver.

What is Compression

Compression was originally developed to decrease download times over phone lines. Obviously, a small file takes less time to send than a large one.      If a program has multiple files and one doesn't get to the destination, the program won't work correctly. Compression routines allow you to package a multi-file program in a single file. Then you simply decompress to get your multiple files.      Compressed files are usually in the form *.ZIP. Some files are self extracting in the form *.EXE. Only the ZIP files need special software to decompress.

What is a Browser

Browsers are programs designed to view HTML pages on the World Wide Web (WWW).      For many years the online world functioned with a multitude of programs, platforms and layouts. Now that everyone has adopted HTML as the language of choice, many of these functions can be integrated into a single program, regardless of layout or platform (DOS vs MAC vs UNIX etc).      Now most of the functions are built into these browsers including HTML Page viewing (Web Surfing), FTP (file downloads), Email, News Groups, Chat Rooms etc. This simplifies the Internet so that most anyone can use it.

What is E-Mail

E-Mail is a program to send written messages electronically. The way it works is simple, yet powerful. E-Mail sends mail privately, unless you CC: (carbon copy) someone.      When you send someone a message, it is first converted into a file. The file is then sent to your mail server (at your Internet Providers Site). The mail server then determines which mail server to pass it on to, then does so. It then waits for the recipient to get their mail, which could be in moments or months.      This tends to eliminate some phone tag. It doesn't automatically announce itself to most users, however.

What is IRC (Chat)

IRC stands for Internet Relay Chat. It holds some similarities to E-Mail, but is instantaneous and public. In other words, IRC is a great place to have a meeting. Of course, everyone must show up at the right time for it to work.

What are News Groups

News Groups are areas where people trade messages. It is similar to E-Mail except messages are public. They also remain to be read for a certain time period.      First, you would go into a news group that specializes in your subject. Look for previous messages that could involve your question. Sometimes you might find many answers just waiting. If not, then ask your question. When you come back tomorrow, you may have many answers.

What is FTP

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. It is a standard method for moving files from one location to another. Most browsers include FTP functions in the program, but some functions are better with a separate tool.

What is Virus Protection

A computer virus is similar to a biological virus. It wants to live, reproduce and propagate itself as widely as possible. Some virus programs are fairly harmless, while others sneak in and destroy everthing in their path.      Where does a virus come from? They are written by a programmer somewhere who often just wants to see if they can. Unfortunately, sometimes it will unknowingly do some damage. In some cases, it is written by someone with purely malicious intent.      The good news is that other programmer's have developed software to detect and eliminate viruses.

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