INSENTIF HARI GURU 2012

Berita baik untuk guru lepasan ijazah dan lepasan diploma sempena Hari Guru 2012.

Sejumlah 8,222 guru lepasan ijazah dan 158,831 guru lepasan diploma berpeluang dinaikkan pangkat mulai 1 Jun ini.

Disifatkan sebagai hadiah sempena Hari Guru, Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin mengumumkan perkara itu pada Majlis Sambutan Hari Guru Ke-41 Peringkat Kebangsaan di Kuala Kangsar, Perak, pagi tadi.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin yang juga Menteri Pelajaran berkata, semua guru terbabit akan dipertimbangkan untuk kenaikan pangkat apabila memenuhi syarat perkhidmatan mereka.

Kenaikan pangkat guru lepasan ijazah membabitkan dari Gred DG41 ke DG44 manakala guru lepasan diploma membabitkan mereka yang sedang berkhidmat dalam Gred DG34.

 

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PROPRIETARY AND OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE

PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE

Proprietary software is also called closed source software. The closed source software or proprietary software offers a stable system with support if the software fails or malfunctions.

Example :

 

OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE

Open source software is:

• software provided for use, modification and redistribution
• software that any programmer can download from the Internet for free and modify with suggested improvements. 
• the only qualification is that changes can't be copyrighted,

Why is it popular? Because this software is not closed software. Any programmer can make improvements which can result in better quality software.

Examples :

Linux is the popular multi-tasking UNIX type operating system. Some versions of Linux are command line. Others are GUI. The two most popular GUIs available for Linux are GNOME and KDE.

Many application programs, utilities and plug-in have Linux versions including OpenOffice.org, PHP-Nuke, The GIMP, Mozilla, ClamAV, OpenLDAP, Audacity and RedHat.

Users can obtain Linux in a variety of ways. Some download it for free from the web. Others purchase it from vendors.

Comparision :

 

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE

ADVANTAGES OF PRODUCING PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE

The producing company creates software that must be purchased in order to be installed and used, thus giving room for profit. The company can set limit to the licence of use. This will allow the company to control and monitor the installation and distribution of the software sold.

 ADVANTAGES OF USING PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE

The advantages of using proprietary software are :

1. The software offers a stable system support if it fails or malfunction.
2. The software is safe and guaranteed to be safe from dubious threats like programming bugs and viruses thus providing ease of mind for the user.
3. The software is easier to install and used as the production is planned and extensive research is carried out to ensure users purchase only the best.
4. Furthermore, free updates and latest information on the software are usually provided to the user.

DISADVANTAGES OF PRODUCING PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE

Disadvantages of producing proprietary software are:

1. manufacturers are often under massive amounts of pressure to release the software before it is ready, causing major problems    later. This is because the release of the software would affect the profit
2. security is a major issue. Manufacturers will have to invest in an ongoing research against threats from hackers

DISADVANTAGES OF USING PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE

Disadvantages to users of using proprietary software are:

users need to spend a long time downloading and installing security patches to fix bugs announced by the manufacturer.

Any improvements would usually require fees, which is often expensive.

users are not allowed to describe and share the software as that are licensed.

Customising the software is nearly impossible because when users buy proprietary software will receive binary version of the program, not the code as the code is the manufacturer’s trade secret.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE

ADVANTAGES OF OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE

Some advantages of open source software are:

1. The source codes are available to users and they have the rights to modify them.
2. This will allow improvements to the software without having to invest large sum of money in research and development.
3. The modified and improved source codes can be freely redistributed.

MORE ADVANTAGES OF OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE

The open source software is created according to industry demands but allows for upgrades to take place freely when the need arises. Therefore, if bugs in the codes are found, they can be fixed by anyone interested and capable. Fixes and patches to rectify the bugs are rapidly developed.

The software can be used in any way and for any legal purposes. There is no restriction in a unilateral way on how the software could be used.

DISADVANTAGES OF OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE

Since nobody in particular is responsible for the codes, there is no exact knowledge and assurance on when the codes are going to be fixed if there a bugs in it. Thus, users will have to use the problematic software until someone rectifies the problem.

MORE DISADVANTAGES OF OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE

Other disadvantages of open source software are:

1. The codes are too complicated for novice users to understand.
2. There is no particular official monitoring the works of a programmer improving the codes. This is because anyone is free to use, modify or even distribute the codes.

Open source usually comes without warranty and after sales support should the software fail or malfunction. This is because the software usually distributed free of charge or sold for very minimal fees.

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 Others Lesson : | click lesson to view |

• Type Of Software
• Operating System
• Application Software
• Utility Program
• Proprietary and Open Source Software

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Software : Utility Software

Utility programs, also known as service programs, perform maintenance-type tasks related to the managing of a computer, its devices, or its programs.

They enhance existing functions or provide services not supplied by other system software programs. Most computers come with built-in utilities as part of the system software. However they may also be bought separately as external utility programs such as Norton SystemWorks and McAfee Utilities.

FILE MANAGER

File manager is the software used to manage files on a disk. It provides functions to delete, copy, move, rename and view files as well as create and manage folders (directories).

File manager performs tasks of formatting and copying disks, displaying a list of files on a storage medium, checking the amount of used or free space on a storage medium, organising, copying, renaming, deleting, moving and sorting files and also creating shortcuts.

DIAGNOSTIC UTILITY

A diagnostic utility compiles technical information about a computer's hardware and certain system software programs and then prepares a report outlining any identified problems. Information in the report assists technical support staff in remedying any problems.

DISK DEFRAGMENTER

When an operating system stores data on a disk, it places the data in the first available sector on the disk. It attempts to place data in sectors that are contiguous but this is not always possible. When the contents of a file are scattered across two or more non-contiguous sectors, the file is fragmented.

The process of defragmentation is the reorganising of the disk so the files are stored in contiguous sectors. A fragmented disk has many files stored in non-contiguous sectors. Defragmenting reorganises the files so they are located in contiguous sectors, which speeds access time.

SMALL UTILITY PROGRAMS

• An image viewer displays, copies and prints the contents of a graphics file.
• A personal firewall detects and protects computer from unauthorised intrusions.
• An uninstaller removes a program and any associated entries in the system files.
• A screen saver displays a moving image or blank screen if no keyboard or mouse activity occurs for a specified time.

MORE TYPES AND USAGES OF UTILITY PROGRAMS

BACKUP UTILITY

Backup utility allows users to copy or back up, selected files or an entire hard disk to another storage medium.

Why is it important?

The program allows the user to retrieve data if the hard drive fails and there are no more programs or files that can function.

An example of a backup utility program is Norton Ghost from Symantec.

DATA RECOVERY

A data recovery utility is used to restore the data that has been physically damage or corrupted. Data can be damaged by viruses, bad software, hardware failure and power fluctuations that occur while data is being written or recorded.

VIRUS PROTECTION

It is essential that you install antivirus software. Antivirus software is a utility program that scans the hard disks, floppy disks and memory to detect viruses.

Some utilities destroy the virus on the spot. Others notify you of a possible viral behaviour. Examples of antivirus software are Norton Antivirus and McAfee’s VirusScan.

Antivirus utilities normally look for virus signatures to identify a virus. Users of antivirus utilities must update the virus definition files as often as possible to ensure that such files contain patterns for newly discovered viruses.

If an antivirus utility cannot remove the virus, it often quarantines the infected file in a separate area of a hard disk until the virus can be removed. Most antivirus utilities can create a recovery disk to remove or repair infected programs and files. In extreme cases, a hardisk may need to be reformatted to remove a virus.

Virus Signature

A virus signature or virus definition is known as a specific pattern of a virus code.

Quarantines

Keeping a virus away because it is dangerous.

DATA COMPRESSION

Data compression utility is a utility that removes redundant elements, gaps and unnecessary data from a computer’s storage space so that less space is required to store or transmit data. With the increasing use of large graphics, sound, and video files, data compression is necessary both to reduce the time required and to reduce the time required to transmit such large files over a network.

Compressed files are sometimes called zipped files because they usually have a .ZIP extension. A compressed file must be unzipped or restored to its original form before being used. Two popular file compression utilities are PKZIP and WinZip.

DISK SCANNER AND DISK CLEANUP

These utilities detect and correct certain types of common problems on hard disks and floppies and search for and remove unnecessary files, such as temporary files or “temp files”.

Both windows and the applications you run create temp files needed only for a small tasks and system restore after certain types of system problems. These files are stores in the Temp folder.

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 Others Lesson : | click lesson to view |

• Type Of Software
• Operating System
• Application Software
• Utility Program
• Proprietary and Open Source Software

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Software : Application Software

Application software is a computer program or a suite of computer 

programs that performs a particular function for the user. Application software includes all programs that perform specific tasks  such as word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, e-mail and Web browsing

A software application that enables a user to display and interact with text, images, and other information typically located on a web page at a website on the World Wide Web.

TYPES OF APPLICATION SOFTWARE

Word Processing

Word Processing an office application that enables user to create, edit, format and print textual document.

Spreadsheet

A program that processes information in the form of tables. Tables cells can hold values or mathematical formula.

Presentation

An application software that allows a user to create visual aid for presentation to communicate ideas, messages and other information to a group.

Graphics Editing

Program that can edit digital representation or non-text information such as drawing, charts and photograph.

WORD PROCESSING

A word processing program is an office application that  enables users to create, edit, format and print textual  documents. It also offers commands that enables users to format a document so that they can create an attractive  appearance.

 

USAGES OF WORD PROCESSING SOFTWARE

1. creating and editing document
2. defining the size of paper on which to print and specifying the margin
3. changing the shape and size of characters
4. organising texts in newsletter-style columns
5. incorporating many types of graphical images
6. typing words in a paragraph continually without processing the ENTER key at the end of each line
7. reviewing the spelling of a document (spelling checker)
8. inserting header and footer in a document
9. drawing tables of any size or shape

SPREADSHEET

A spreadsheet is a program that processes information in the form of grid of columns and rows. It is also called a table. Table cells can hold values or mathematical formulas. Spreadsheets are indispensable tools for anyone who works with numbers.

USAGES OF SPREADSHEET SOFTWARE

1. creating, editing and formatting worksheet in rows and columns
2. containing formulas which can perform calculations on the data in the worksheet
3. making charts, which depicts the data graphically such as column charts or pie charts
4. what-if analysis, the ability of recalculating the rest of the worksheet when data in a worksheet changes.

PRESENTATION

A presentation software enables users to create transparencies, slides and handouts for presentation. It allows a user to create visual aids for presentation to communicate ideas, messages and other information to a group.

USAGES OF PRESENTATION SOFTWARE

1. providing a variety of predefined presentation formats that define the  complementary colours for backgrounds, text and graphical accents on   the slides
2. providing a variety of layouts for each individual slide such as a title slide, a two-column slide and a slide with clip art, a picture, a chart, a table or animation
3. enhancing text, charts and graphical images on a slide with 3-D and   other special effects such as shading, shadows and textures
4. setting the slide timing so that the presentation automatically displays the next slide after a preset delay
5. applying special effects to the transition between each slide
6. inserting images, video and audio clips

GRAPHICS EDITING

Graphics editing is a program that can edit digital representation or non-text information such as drawings, charts or photographs.

  

USAGES OF GRAPHICS SOFTWARE

1. drawing pictures, shapes and other graphical images with various on-screen tools such as a pen, brush, eyedropper and paint bucket
2. modifying the contrast and brightness of an image
3. cropping unwanted objects
4. removing “red eye”
5. adding special effects such as shadows and glows 

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 Others Lesson : | click lesson to view |

• Type Of Software
• Operating System
• Application Software
• Utility Program
• Proprietary and Open Source Software

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Software : Operating System

DEFINITION OF OPERATING SYSTEM

An operating system is a set of programs that schedule tasks, allocates storage and presents a default interface to the user between applications. Many of the first operating systems were device-dependent and proprietary.

The functions of the operating systems are:

1. starting a computer
2. providing a user interface
3. managing data and programs
4. managing memory
5. configuring devices

A device-dependent program is the one that runs only on a specific make of a computer.

Proprietary software is privately owned and limited to a specific vendor or computer.

PC PLATFORM OPERATING SYSTEMS

There are various types of operating system used on different platforms. The examples of operating systems used on PC platforms or IBM compatible computers are:

• Disk Operating System (DOS)
• Microsoft Windows XP

It is necessary for computer manufacturers to produce unique software versions for each platform available in the market. For instance, the Apple Macintosh, PC-compatibles, and Sun SPARC-Stations are all different platforms.

DOS is an acronym for Disk Operating System. Microsoft developed DOS in the early 1980s for personal computers. DOS used a command line interface when Microsoft first developed it. It is a closed source software.

Microsoft Windows XP’s operating environment is a Graphical User Interface (GUI). It is a closed source software.

APPLE PLATFORM OPERATING SYSTEMS

The operating systems used on Apple platforms are:

• Mac OS
• Mac OS X

Mac OS was the first commercially successful graphical user interface released in 1984. It is a closed source software and are targeted for use with home desktops and workstations.

Mac OS X is a multitasking operating system and it is the latest version of the Macintosh operating system released in 2001. Mac OS X is targeted for use with home desktops, workstations and servers. It also has better security protection compared to Mac OS, for example the integrated firewall utility.

CROSS-PLATFORM OPERATING SYSTEMS

Cross-platforms operating systems are:

• UNIX
• LINUX

UNIX is a multitasking operating system developed in the early 1970s by scientists at the Bell Laboratories. Some versions of UNIX have a command line interface but most versions of UNIX offer a graphical user interface. 

Linux is a popular, free, UNIX-like graphical user interface operating system. It is an open source software. Linux follows the Free Software Foundation's radical licensing model, which provides a great deal of liberty to those that interact with Linux technology.

Although Linux runs on many kinds of equipment, it is best known for its support of IBM-Intel PC-based hardware.

USER INTERFACES

 

The user interface is the part of an operating system that you see and interact with and by which users and programs communicate with each other.

The importance of user interfaces are:

• to assist users interacting with a software
• to control how a user enters data and instructions
• to control how information is displayed

COMMAND-LINE USER INTERFACE

The command-line user interface requires a user to type commands or press special keys on the keyboard to enter data and instructions that instruct the operating system what to do. It has to be typed one line at a time.

The command-line user interface is difficult to use because it requires exact spelling, syntax or a set of rules of entering commands and punctuation.

We must observe the complicated rules of syntax that specify exactly what you can type in a given place.For example, if we want to rename a filename from ABC.txt to DEF.txt  we use the following command.

The command-line user interface also requires memorisation. It is also easy to make a typing mistake. The advantage of command-line interface is, it helps the user to operate the computer quickly after memorizing the keywords and syntax.

MENU DRIVEN INTERFACE

Menu-driven user interface enables the user to avoid memorizing keywords such as copy, paste and syntax. On-screen, menu-driven interface provide menus as means of entering commands. It shows all the options available at a given point in a form of text-based menu. Menu-driven user interfaces are easy to learn.

GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE (GUI)

Graphical user interface makes use of the computer’s graphics capabilities to make the operating system and programs easier to use, which is also called ‘user-friendly’. On today’s PCs and Macintoshes, GUIs are used to create the desktop that appears after the operating system finishes loading into memory.

We can easily differentiate the interfaces between Mac OS, Windows XP or Linux by looking at their desktops. Graphical user interface interact with menus and visual images such as buttons, icons and other graphical objects to issue commands.

On the desktop, we can initiate many actions by clicking icons that represent computer resources such as files, programs and network connections. Graphical user interface is commonly used and has become a standard.

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 Others Lesson : | click lesson to view |

• Type Of Software
• Operating System
• Application Software
• Utility Program
• Proprietary and Open Source Software

Read More