Part 2: Apps, applications, programmes, platforms suites - Demystifying Software!

Image of computing devices and phone
So you have your hardware!  Most suppliers put a lot of work into what they refer to as the "out of box experience".  Essentially this means (apart from lots of pretty packaging), that they usually provide enough software to get you up and running straight out of the box.  However, some of the stuff which is pre-installed will work for a month or so and then require you to part with money to continue to use it.  Suppliers also often include what is smilingly known as "bloatware", designed to tempt you into paying money for things which you probably wouldn't otherwise buy.  Bloatware also clutters up machines needlessly, dulling the performance of your shiny new machine.

So what do you actually need and what should you ignore, avoid or remove?

But first what about the terms Operating systems, Apps, applications, programmes etc.
Well first - it's all "software" - essentially it's code, electronic instructions designed to allow your "hardware" to do useful things.
Once upon a time a computer user used to have to remember a huge amount of detail, special languages to make the machines do anything useful.  Once upon a time also the only way to pass the instructions to the machine was via punched cards ... but that's just ancient history!
Gradually, it was realised that for "normal" human beings to work with these machines, they would require a much more straightforward, intuitive way to communicate.  This need was the original driver behind Windows and pretty much all of the systems which have followed Windows.  
So the Operating system (Windows, Android, Ios (in the apple world)), handle all the complex stuff and allow the user to select icons (pictograms) or from presented menus so that you don't have to learn specialist machine language.  You also usually have either a touchscreen, trackpad or mouse to stop you having to do too much typing!

The next layer up, are apps, applications and programmes, which are specialised sets of instructions which are designed to do the actual things which you want to do.  Be it searching for information on the internet, writing documents, building presentations, playing games "There's an app for that!"
They used to be called "programmes", then "applications", then with the addiction to contractions always found in the mobile phone world " Apps".  Don't worry they are all basically the some thing, its just that the mobile phone world seems to struggle with more than four letters hence "Apps".  It's fair to say also that Apps (like the term) are smaller than their counterparts - so mobile phone Apps tend to be smaller and simplified versions of equivalent Tablet or Computer Applications, they also tend to be fairly inexpensive.

So how does this reflect on the major types of hardware.
 

SMART PHONES 
The software world is generally pretty straightforward for phones.  Whether you are Android or Apple both platforms have "Stores" which lists a huge range of software apps all designed to run on your phone (check system requirements).  From practical tools like e-mail, word-processors and conferencing, to a massive range of frivolous (and often pointless) games and gadgets.  Some are free - some have a small cost - but most bought through the stores are safe for your device and should be easy to uninstall if you make a mistake.

Remember that Phones are limited in capacity - so if you choose to load many apps you may soon run into limitations.  


TABLETS (Android/ Apple) 
Basically follow the same route as phones - using the same "stores" and the same Apps designed for phones.  Most tablets will have more capacity than phones and also a better performance

TABLETS (Windows)
A tablet using the windows platform is basically a small computer so the applications available will be of the same type as those listed for Windows computers below.


COMPUTERS  - Apple
Large range of quality applications available through the Apple Store - be specific that we are talking about software for (MacOS, or OSX), though Apple tend to be more prescriptive and frequntly more expensive than Windows, but if you ahve taken the decision to go Apple, you can be pretty sure of quality software.

COMPUTERS - Windows
The largest range of software available - the windows environment scores strongly on compatibility and inter-operability.  As with Apple there is often a cost associated with the software though many popular applications provide free options (like video conferencing, e-mail etc., and Web browsers are pretty much always free.


SO WHAT DO I ACTUALLY NEED?

1) ESSENTIAL - Antivirus/ Firewall
Most important of all - is some protection, essentially Antivirus and Firewall.  There are numbers of alternatives here, well known brands (Norton, Bullguard, Kaspersky, provide great protection but do have a cost - whilst Avast and AVG provide basic protection for free.  Windows and MacOS normally also have a basic level of protection inbuilt.
DO NOT TAKE SHORTCUTS HERE - THIS IS FRONT LINE PROTECTION IN AN INCREASINGLY AGGRESSIVE ONLINE WORLD!!
 
2) Browser (one will be included)
Your window on the online world - a browser takes your basic search or enquiries and passes it to the World Wide Web and delivers your search results back to you, together with all the information you could  possibly require, all in a format which you can use and inspect.  Built in examples like Edge and Explorer work fine - though popular alternatives include Google Chrome, Safari, Opera, Forefox and Brave.  Take a look and pick your favourite.

3) E-mail 
There are standard free options for e-mail (if on Windows you should have a thing called Mail built in and similarly for Apple.  The Free options are generally "Cloud based" in other words your e-mail lives online not on your computer, so you can work with your e-mail only when you are online.  There are also e-mail "client systems" which allow you to hold your e-mail locally any synchronise it with "the cloud version" when you are connected.

4) Wordprocessor/ Spreadsheet/ Presentation etc etc  (The Application Suite)
Traditionally referred to as "office" applications the importance of these applications will depend on how you use your machine.  If you just want a window on the Internet, e-mail and some entertainment these may not be important, however if you want to use some of teh the more advanced capabilities of your machine they are important.
The modern approach is to offer a package of integrated Office applications or an "Application Suite".  The longest established of these is Microsoft Office which offers the widest compatibility and interoperability (you can also get the office suite for Apple products), but the main examples are:-
1) Microsoft Office (Cloud or Desktop)
DESKTOP - Microsoft offer a comprehensive suite of applications in two formats.   The Downloadable "Desktop" applications are the most complete and full  featured set of tools - though they are offered as a subscription service (Office 365 account - Around £59 pa for a single licence or £79 pa for up to 6 accounts).  As these are downloaded to your machine they can run without an internet connection.
CLOUD - online versions of most of the the applications which are available whenever you have an internet connection.  Functionality is slightly reduced from the Desktop versions but usable for most people ..... and they are available free with a Microsoft outlook account (also free).
2) Google Docs (Cloud based)
 Google also have a suite of applications known as Google Docs.  Whilst some apps may be downloadable the suite is designed to be used online.  The package is free and accessible by signing up for a Gmail e-mail account.   Docs has many fans but lacks the easy interoperability of Microsoft or Libre.   We have a more detailed description of Google Docs written by one of our contributors available.  Docs is especially well integrated with the Android world,  so is useful for those using phones and computers together, GDocs is also used as a platform of choice by many schools - always check the schools policy if this is important.  
3) Libre Office (Open Source Desktop)
Also worth a mention is Libre office.  This is "Open Source" software freely available without a commercial licence.  Libre has its roots in the days when MS office was only available (legally) at a purchase price of several hundred pounds - however it retains many fans, is well equipped, can usually export documents to be compatible with office .... and its free!

5) A word about Video Conferencing
In these Social distancing times - many people are using video chat tools to stay in touch with friends, family and groups. 
Probably the best known app of this type is "FaceTime" for the Apple Platform,  Apple being very early to spot the wide social impact of this technology.
If you are not in the Apple World - the same functionality is available over Microsoft's Skype (included with your Microsoft account) and also a range of independent tools like "Zoom", "Go to Meeting" and many more.  Zoom has become massively popular in recent months though the rapid expansion has created some concerns over the platform's security.
Most of these platforms have free options and can be accessed from  a range of platforms - but importantly all call participants need to be on the same platform so talk with the people you will want to videoconference with to agree the best options for you. 

6) Back up, Back up , Back up
Your system hardware and software is a truly complex package of technology - and wonderfully reliable when you consider the millions of tasks it is conducting every few second to allow you to interact with the world, however nothing is infallible.  Disks do Fail, systems can get virus infections, power supplies fail .... things do go wrong.  Failures are often, but not always fixable but repairs and data recovery can be expensive.  So if you have 12 years worth of photographs, letters and e-mails to loved ones, a huge music collection all resident on your machine - the simple question is "what would happen if the system failed".  
All your important Photographs, documents, music, account information, videos etc etc should be backed up somewhere.  This could be to an external drive or memory stick or to the cloud.
If you use Microsoft or GoogleDocs - they feature synchonised online storage making your information stored there automatically recoverable or sharable with different systems.   If not there are other specialist companies who operate free or fee based services (usually depending on how much space you use).  You can also buy back up applications to select what you want to back up and how frequently to refresh to back up.
The range is large so there is no reason not to keep your precious data safe!

7) Passwords
 The online world is full of passwords - sometimes it feels as though every site you visit needs one!  Conventional wisdom encourages people NOT to use the same password in many places as if any one site is compromised all the others become compromised - BUT we are only human with fallible and limited memories - so how can you reduce your risk.
There ar ea number of "Password manager"  applications around which basically do the hard work for you.  One master Password (DO NOT FORGET THIS) - unlocks your military grade encrypted password store allowing browsers and other applications to complete the security credentials for you!
There are both free and paid options but most work in a similar way - just check the reputation of the provider make your choice, install and then you can relax.
 

7) Everything Else ....
Whatever you would like to do online there is probably a piece of software to allow it to happen - from Social media, Dating Applications, Games and entertainment to home design and sophisticated publishing.  It would be impossible to even touch the range of possibilities here ..... just set yourself up with the basics and then use the web to explore and to do your own research on more specalised applications.
Just bear in mind that NOT ALL software is legitimate.  Installing any software on your machine exposes you to some risk of malicious hidden code - so DO YOUR RESEARCH into the credentialy of the supplier, use reviews, ask other users and if it seems too good to be true - treat with caution.
...... And to go right back to the start - ALWAYS MAINTAIN A GOOD SEURITY / ANTIVIRUS PLATFORM!


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