Feb 2011 Free software Overview and Objectives What is software? - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Penarth Computer Club Feb 2011

Free software

Overview and Objectives

• What is software?
• What does free mean, look at licensing
• Discuss Piracy (or Theft)
• Mention some “best practice techniques”
• Look at some recommended free software

and where to get it

• Promote thinking and discussion
• Questions at any time

What is software ?

• Firmware – normally on a chip e.g. disk

controller

• Drivers – programs that control certain

hardware and bridge between operating system and the hardware. E.g. printers

• Operating Systems
• Programs

– Full applications – MS Office, Adobe Photoshop – Utilities or small applications/tools

Quick Survey

Who here owns a genuine copy of …. Windows 7 ? Windows XP ?

Answer - Microsoft OWNS Windows

Quote From Microsoft’s website -

“Microsoft does not sell its products to customers. Instead, customers purchase the right to use the product in a specific manner. This is called a product license. All product licenses come with agreements that define and govern how you may use the software”

Legal

• Normally the users responsibility to ensure correctly

licensed to use the software

• Licensing is normally a Civil law issue
• Distributing or selling unlicensed Software is a

criminal offence

• BEWARE websites selling Cheap s/w or Media only

– it is probably unlicensed.

• Having a disk and/or serial is not the same as having

a licence

• Wrong licence – e.g. student edition if not a student

Main Licence Types

• Paid
• Freeware
• Shareware
• Nagware
• Shovelware
• Adware
• Other

Paid

• Traditional applications
• Buy software in a shop or Download
• May need registering online

Freeware

• Granted a licence to use without

payment

• Note – software is still licensed and can

be revoked or changed in later version

• Some only free to individual/home use

(not companies) – e.g AVG antivirus

• Freeware is not same as Free software

Free Software

• Free software has No restrictions - can be

modified and resold by anyone if required

• Often small utility apps that would never sell on

their own, though can be any software

• Often collaborative development
• Open source – means anyone can see behind the

scenes and add functionality

• Often developed under the GNU general public

licence see www.fsf.org

Shareware/trialware/demoware

Try before you buy……

• Works for set period e.g. 30 days
• Works a certain number of times – 10

tries

• Has certain functions disabled
• May or may not have support during

trial

Nagware

• Messages
• “buy it” message on start up, and you

have to click NO every time.

• Pop-ups whilst using it
• Winzip took 1 second to load for each

day installed

Shovelware

• Unwanted software that comes pre-

installed on new computers.

• Software that as a condition of use also

insists on installing other packages e.g.Yahoo toolbar

Adware

• Software is essentially free but will have

adverts either in the header or side of screen of they may pop-up during use.

• Payment removes the adverts.

Other

• Postcardware
• Beerware
• Abandonware – mainly DOS games

How do they make money ?

• Programmers do it as proof of skill
• Tired of big corporations
• Small programs not bloated large ones

– How much functionality do you really need ?

• Sometimes only free for home use
• Often no support/helpdesk
• Sometimes it really is free !

Can I give software to friend?

• Give away
• Loan
• Borrow
• Sell
• Install on 3 computers
• Most companies treat licence like a

book – can only be in 1 place

Can I give software to friend?

It Depends on the Licence

And the licence can say almost anything !

Theft

• “Borrow off a friend” -

Sneakerware/sneakernet

• Cheap copies at the market/car boot sale

– Watch for free shareware being sold and Fakes

• Dodgy websites
• Serials/Cracking/Keygens
• Warez (programz, bookz)
• Watch for Rapidshare, Hotfile links
• Fakes are often priced just below retail

Fakes - How to tell

• Microsoft products now have a number of

security features.

• Sticker on PC
• Holograms on disks
• Search google for “Microsoft how to tell”

How programs are “Cracked”

• Early programs just copied

– Copy protection

• Keys/serials were required

– Serials posted on the internet – Key generators

• Keys tied to PC/hardware, Online registration

– Makes them unique – Won’t work on another PC – Can’t be registered twice

Cracking a program

Original program

1. Start 2. Program instructions 3. Check serial/security 4. Program instructions 5. Program instructions 6. Program instructions 7. Program instructions 8. Program instructions

Cracking a program

Original program

1. Start 2. Program instructions 3. Check serial/security 4. Program instructions 5. Program instructions 6. Program instructions 7. Program instructions 8. Program instructions

Cracked program

1. Start 2. Program instructions Jump Line 4 Inserted Line 3. Check serial/security 4. Program instructions 5. Program instructions 6. Program instructions 7. Program instructions 8. Program instructions

But what if……?

Cracked program

1. Start 2. Program instructions ‘Malicious code/virus/trojan”  inserted 3. Check serial/security 4. Program instructions 5. Program instructions 6. Program instructions 7. Program instructions 8. Program instructions

Some best practices

• Keep all INSTALLED software CDs separate from all

non-installed CDS

• Take the serial key off the box before throwing away
• Keep all Downloaded software in a single folder. e,.g

INSTALLS

• Copy key into a .txt file and keep in same folder as

install

• Keep a notebook of product serial keys, especially for

paid software

• Keep all keys in a spreadsheet. Print it out
• Consider keeping emails with keys On-line

More best practice

• Download from manufacturers site
• Download from reputable sites e.g. –

– majorgeeks.com – downloads.cnet.co.uk/ – pcworld.com/downloads/downloads.html – Magazine operated sites are reliable – Search google “free alternatives to paid programs” – Recommendations from others – Most of the good sites have user ratings and comments for the software

Gizmos Freeware

• Very reputable and easy to navigate
• www.techsupportalert.com

Questions ?

Sentry F2300 „Safe‟

• Costco (need to be a member or know one)
• Normally £29.99+vat now £19.99 +vat = £24.00
• Offer until Saturday
• 1 hour fire protection (+water) up to 1700F
• Media safe (Paper, photos , CDs) disks - ?
• Poor lock
• Not fixable to floor but Weights 33lb
• 8 x 14 x 16 (ext) 4.5 x 9.5 x 12.5 (int)