1.0
Introduction
1.1
Meaning of Open Source
Software (OSS)
Open source software (OSS) refers to software that is developed,
tested, or improved through public collaboration and distributed with the idea
that they must be shared with others, ensuring an open future collaboration.
Generally, the software’s source code and other rights are provided under the
Open Source Definition or it is located under a public domain. Hence, this
authorizes the users to use, change and improve the software and allows them to
redistribute the software in it modified or unmodified forms.
1.2 Meaning
of Hardware
In the field of computer science, hardware
refers to the
mechanical, magnetic, electronic, and electrical components that makeup a
computer system. They are corporeal and tangible.
1.3 Meaning
of Software
In the field of software engineering,
software refers the intangible and intellectual written programs or procedures or rules and associated
documentation pertaining to the operation of a computer system and that are
stored in read or write memory.
Software is divided into two
categories:
1.
System software: Consists of
the operating system, the firmware, the BIOS, and various utilities software.
2.
Application software: Consists
of software that does real work for the user.
2.0
The Latest Open Source Operating System (OS)
2.1
Meaning of Open Source
Open source refers to a program in which the source code is
available to the general public for use and/or modification from its original
design. Open source code is typically created as a collaborative effort in
which programmers improve upon the code and share the changes within the
community. Open source sprouted in the technological community as a response to
proprietary software owned by corporations.
Meaning of operating
system
An operating system is a set of programs containing instructions
that coordinate all the activities among computer hardware resources. Most
operating system perform similar function that includes starting a computer,
provide a user interface, managing program, managing memory and configuring
devices. Some operating system also allows user to control a network and
administer security.
Meaning of Open Source Operating
System
Open Source Operating System is any operating system that is free to
use and which provides the original code where the source code is available
(under a copyright license) to the public, which enables them to use, modify /
enhance the operating system, and redistribute the modified (or unmodified)
form of the operating system. The advance user can modify the code of the
operating system to make it works better for them in starting the computer or a
likely user interface.
Linux is the best example of Open Source OS.
OpenSolaris, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, GNU etc are other example of Open Source OS's
OpenSolaris, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, GNU etc are other example of Open Source OS's
2.2 Examples of Open Source OS
Elive Linux
A
complete operating system alternative for computers to replace the proprietary,
high-cost system. It is built on top of Debian GNU/Linux and customized to meet
the needs for a complete operating system while still offering the user
eye-candy, with minimal hardware requirements. Elive Linux comes with a full
suite of applications both work-wise and multimedia-wise. This OS gives users
the ability to make 3D animations, or compose movies in a real-time non-linear
video editor from simple videos taken with the video camera. Users can edit and
manipulate audio and image files for better quality, effects, or design. EliveLinux
is a very stable system with ultra-fast desktop and perfectly secure with no
random errors or surprises.
|
Pros
|
Cons
|
|
-
Stable
-
Inexpensive
-
Flexible
-
Fast
-
Highly customizable
-
Amazing GUI
|
-
Users need to learn how to
install it
-
Users must be highly
knowledgeable in programming languages to customize it
-
Low games/software/
hardware compatibility
-
Complex
|
ReactOS
An advanced free
open source operating system providing a ground-up implementation of a Microsoft
Windows XP compatible operating system.ReactOS aims to achieve complete binary
compatibility with both applications and device drivers meant for NT and XP
operating systems, by using a similar architecture and providing a complete and
equivalent public interface. ReactOS has and will continue to incorporating
features from newer versions and sometimes even define the state of the art in
operating system technology.
|
Pros
|
Cons
|
|
-
Stable
-
Inexpensive
-
Fast
-
Highly compatible with new
generation software/hardware
-
Similar functions and GUI
as Windows XP
|
-
Users need to learn how to
install it
-
Users must be highly
knowledgeable in programming languages to customize it
-
Simple provided that users
know about Windows XP
|
3.0
The Latest Open Source Application Software
3.1
Meaning of Open Source
Open source refers to a program in which the source code
is available to the general public for use and/or modification from its
original design. Open source code is typically created as a collaborative
effort in which programmers improve upon the code and share the changes within
the community. Open source sprouted in the technological community as a
response to proprietary software owned by corporations
Meaning of Application
Software
Application software is all the computer software
that causes a computer to perform useful tasks (compare with Computer viruses)
beyond the running of the computer itself. A specific instance of such software
is called a software application,
application or app.
Meaning of
Open Source Application Software
Open source
application software is computer software that is
available in source code form for which the source code and certain other
rights normally reserved for copyright holders are provided under a software
license that permits users to study, change, and improve the software. Open
source licenses often meet the requirements of the Open Source Definition. Some
open source application software is available within the public domain. Open
source application software is very often developed in a public, collaborative
manner. Open source application software is the most prominent example of open
source development and often compared to user-generated content or open content
movements. The term open source application software originated as
part of a marketing campaign for free application software.
3.2 Examples of Open Source Application
Software
Mozilla Firefox
Mozilla
Firefox is a popular Open Source web browser used by 30% users worldwide.
Codenamed Tumucumaque, the
latest Firefox incorporates a faster user interface, web integration,
multitouch display and redesigned extension manager. Mozilla Firefox is based
on the Gecko 2.0 engine, which
adds and improves support for HTML5, CSS3, WebM, and WebGL.Also, it
includes a new JavaScript engine (JägerMonkey) and betterXPCOM APIs.
VLC Media Player
VLC Media Player is
a free and open source media player that gained popularity over RealPlayer and
Windows Media Player recently. Lightweight and wide OS compatibilities, VLC
Media Player contains various video and audio codecs that plays from the
popular formats such as Audio Video Interleave (AVI), Flash Video (FLV) and
M-PEG Audio Layer 3 (MP3) to the less-used and rare formats such as Matroska,
Free Lossless Audio Codec (FLAC) and Advanced Audio Coding (AAC).
4.0
The Latest Development in
ICT
4.1
Hardware
ATI Sapphire Radeon HD 5970
Sapphire Radeon HD 5970 is the best graphic card
available for PC gaming up until this day. This extremely powerful video card has two GPUs
on-board and a massive 2GB of on-board memory. Combined with a quality
motherboard and processor, users will experience amazing frame rates in the latest games,
realistic HD gaming, and picture-perfect Blu-ray and HD DVD movie capability.
Nvidia GeForce GTX 480
Nvidia GeForce GTX 480 is the fastest single GPU graphic cards in existence. The full Graphics Fermi 100 GPU (GF100) is a marvel of graphical architecture, but some of the 512 small processing (CUDA) cores had to be dropped. The GTX 480 then comes with 480 of these cores, but still manages to give an astounding performance. Able to play almost every game in the world with HD gaming with realistic colour, this single GPU graphic card became the second best graphic card after ATI Sapphire Radeon HD 5970.
4.2
Software
BitDefender Total
Security 2011
Packed with high class security and various
utilities, BitDefender Total Security 2011 was chosen as the best Security
Software of the Year by TopTenReviews. Several improvements had been made after
1 year of its predecessor; one of most important would be the one step instalment
without the needs to reboot the computer, which is advancement for Security
Software on Windows. Another new function is the Search Advisor that warns users about unsafe pages displayed in search
results, Smart Schedule provides maximum performance with system load analysis
so tasks like on-demand scanning are suspended, to free-up resources for other
processes, such as a media player or games and Firewall Troubleshoot Wizard
guides users and solves most common problems related to internet, printer or
remote office (VPN) connectivity.
Kaspersky PURE 2011
Earning the second place in the Security Software of
the Year by ToptenReviews, Kaspersky PURE never disappoints the users. With
full fledged utilities and top notch security, it came with various features
including several of which that had been incorporated in the Antivirus and
Internet Security version. Kaspersky
PURE introduces the ‘sandbox’ feature which secure an unknown application to
run under several level of security. For those
with children, Kaspersky PURE's Extended Parental Control helps to limit the
time that minors spend on the computer, regulates access to specific programs
and the Internet and blocks users attempting to access websites displaying
adult content. The IM control feature can be set to block messages containing
obscene language or predefined words.
5.0
Pervasive Computing
5.1
Meaning of Pervasive
Computing
Pervasive Computing or commonly known as Ubiquitous
Computing refers to computers contained in commonplace objects such as cars and
appliances and implies that people are unaware of their presence. All these
devices are integrated into everyday life, either wired or wireless and
communicate with each other over wireless networks without any
interaction required by the user. The proponents of ubiquitous computing
envision a progression in computing functionality from the primacy of desktop
computing, with its focus on programming and publishing, to an age of
"natural" computing, wherein computers are accepted and utilized in
all aspects of work and leisure. Rapid changes in technology, combined with an
increasingly mobile society, ensure that the average person is continually
challenged to use unfamiliar electrical and mechanical devices. This requires
that devices operate in accordance with the intuition of the user, and serving
that intuition requires computing power. Ubiquitous computing is, therefore,
not a dream in need of pursuit, but a predictable outgrowth of technical
solutions to societal trends.
5.2
Examples of Pervasive Computing
Smart
House
A smart
house is a house that has
highly advanced automatic systems for lighting, temperature control,
multi-media, security, window and door operations, and many other functions. A
smart home appears "intelligent" because its computer systems can
monitor so many aspects of daily living. For example, the refrigerator may be
able to inventory its contents, suggest menus, recommend healthy alternatives,
and order groceries. The smart home systems might even take care of cleaning
the cat's litter box and watering the plants. Smart home technology is becoming
increasingly sophisticated. Coded signals are sent through the home's wiring to
switches and outlets that are programmed to operate appliances and electronic
devices in every part of the house. Home automation can be especially useful
for elderly and disabled persons who wish to live independently.
Phone
Watch
Technology has expanded
and became more miniature as they progress. One of the latest gadget would be a
phone watch basically a phone embedded into watch like structure that is
capable more than to read time. Smart Watch and Phone abbreviated as sWaP was
created to fulfil the future of mobile phone that everyone dreamt before, a
phone watch. This small gadget with a TFT 1.50” Touch Screen colour 176 x 132
Pixels is advance for a normal watch. It has Bluetooth capabilities, supports
audio formats such MIDI, MP3, WAV, supports video formats such as 3GP and MP4,
has in-built camera with video recording and still picture taking, and of
course a miniature sensitive microphone that is built to allow the most basic
function, calling and speaking. Although the screen is small for any video
watch, it still has cool and sleek design that can provide a jaw dropping awe
from everyone.
6.0
Conclusion
Open Source Software had become a great
medium for users to explore the concept of software engineering and programming
and provide a great deal of information on freedom to modify in mass media.
Pervasive computing on the other hand will help users in various difficulties
faced and make our life easier and not complicated. With a simple input
command, computers and technology may one day takeover a more sophisticated task
like data entry and promoting.
7.0
Reference
Definition of
Open Source Software
Definition of
Hardware
Definition of
Software
Open Source OS
Examples of Open
Source OS
Open Source
Application Software
Examples of Open
Source Application Software
The Latest
Development in ICT - Hardware
The Latest
Development in ICT - Software
Meaning of
Pervasive Computing
Examples of
Pervasive Computing
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