Revision notes on Strand 3 – IT Systems-Software, Gr.

12

3.2 Software
Computer Software & Operating systems

Computer software are the sets of instructions which hardware follows in order to perform
tasks. Software processes input data and transforms into useful output. All information
technology requires software to operate. Software is said to run ‘on top’ of hardware,
providing the interface between computer and the user.

 Commercial, Free & Open Source Software (FOSS)

- Software Licenses and the impact of piracy Computer software is a form of intellectual
property and is therefore, protected by copyright laws.

- Different types of software have different restrictions on how the software can be used,
including the circumstances under which it can be sold or copied for other users,
whether the source code is available, and whether you are allowed to modify the
software.

- Copyright infringement (piracy) is a major issue for many software companies. The
Business Software Allaince (BSA) has a large section on their website dedicated to anti-
piracy efforts. They also publish an Annual report on the state of global software piracy
which explains many of the impacts of piracy.

Compare statistics from your part of the world with the Global figures. The video below
explains the same. (Software theft – A $63 billion problem).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heNgmE48v84
Another impact of pirated software is the potential for malware – A recent report by Microsoft
estimated Malwatein counterfeit software cost business $114 bn in 2015.
Individual reading
Article – Re selling of software licenses Oracle V UsedSoft.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/oracle-the-battle-against-reselling-software-licences-is-not-
over/
Describe De
After reading, answer the below questions into your notebook.

(This is for your HL/SL Paper 2 preparation).

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 Revision notes on Strand 3 – IT Systems-Software, Gr.12

1. Criterion A — The issue and stakeholder(s) [4]

(a) Describe one social/ethical concern related to the IT system in the article.

(b) Describe the relationship of one primary stakeholder to the IT system in the article.
2. Criterion B — The IT concepts and processes [6]

(a) Describe, step-by-step, how the IT system works.

IT system: Virtual learning environment (VLE) for learners to participate in online courses.

Explain t (b) Explain the relationship between the IT system and the social/ethical concern described in
Criterion A.

3. Criterion C — The impact of the social/ethical issue(s) on stakeholders [8]

Evaluate tE(a) Evaluate the impact of the social/ethical issues on the relevant stakeholders.

4. Criterion D — A solution to a problem arising from the article [8]

Evaluat (a)Evaluate one possible solution that addresses at least one problem identified in Criterion C.

Below link is for self-reading only.

Article – 10 reasons why open Source Software is good for Business.
https://www.pcworld.com/article/209891/10_reasons_open_source_is_good_for_business.ht
ml

Free & Open Source Software (FOSS) Group task.

Use linoit.com for research on FOSS, using both words and images. Prepare a word document
highlighting on the following:
 What is FOSS software and why we need to use it?
 Describe the impacts that you could visualize on society and why?
 Write any two disadvantages of using FOSS software.

Lesson to be continued..

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