| Software |
- Software, as apposed to hardware you can touch, is the operating
systems, programs and data on your hard drive or network.
Operating systems like Windows XP or the new Vista, Mac OS or Linux, are compilations of
code and subprograms which feed instructions to your processor on
how your computer works. Windows has several levels at which
activities in your computer, like running a program or printing
happen. The graphical interface, i.e. Windows, lets you use the
mouse to click on icons, buttons, menus or highlight text.
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| Drivers |
- Drivers are programs associated with making hardware like
printers work with your operating system. Manufactures will write
these programs and ship them with their equipment for installation.
Drivers are normally available for download from a manufacturer from
their website. They list the drivers by operating system as each
driver is coded to work with different operating system versions.
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| Firmware |
- Firmware is software used to update programs stored on chips in
devices like printers or scanners. Firmware works with the drivers
which in turn work with the operating system to make a device work.
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| Utilities |
- Utilities have been available since the '80's to keep computers
in proper working order. Since then, additional tools were invented
to combat viruses, spyware, popups, spam and a host of other nasty
things. We will invariably see new blockers as time goes on.
These utilities are critical to keeping you and your business safe
and your systems operating at peak efficiency. The two most
important are virus protection and firewall utilities. Keep these
programs and their associated updates current. Also, make sure these
and other utilities are run frequently and/or constantly in the
background.
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| Updates |
- All of the above software programs are updated by their
manufactures from time to time. Sometimes it is daily as with
antivirus programs; sometimes when they discover a bug in or an
improvement to their code or when a new operating system becomes
available.
Some updates are automatic or can be set as such. Some, like a
firmware update require a manual download. Windows updates and
utilities that protect your computer are the most important updates.
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