This week we learned about a variety of things involving computers and the inner workings. We learned about software, applications, operating systems hardware and much more. One of the most interesting things that we were taught in this week's lesson was about software licenses and the ins and outs of that process.
When we first come to school we are faced with a long to do list of things to get. Laundry bag, check, laptop, check, software...wait, whats that? Or at least that's what I first thought when I came to college. I had no idea that software needed to be purchased, let alone the many different ways it is offered. This topic was a muddy one for me, but after this lesson the basic ideas of licences became clear.
Commercial software is software that you purchase, usually its the code that you buy that allows you to download the software. When it is being purchased there are different ways this can be done; the shrink-wrap method, single-user applications,Original Equipment Manufacturer licences.
The shrink-wrap application forces you into an implicit agreement with the company. When one opens the shrink wrap of the source code, you agree to the terms and conditions of the license.
Single-user application is a license that has perpetual use. Users can use the application on any machine they own as long as the application is uninstalled in the old machine and re-installed in the new one.
OEM licenses are cheaper than full retail or packaged licensees but they are tied to one machine. Once the license is used it can not be used again.
The best piece of advise I learned from the lecture on licenses is before you buy a license use a trial license. Feel the program out, make sure you understand and feel comfortable using it and then make the decision to purchase and download on your computer.
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