CIM600 ICT Management Assignment 1

This assignment constitutes 30% of the total marks.

You may submit your assignment via email. Each answer should not be more than 5 pages long using Arial font type, size 12 and single spaced.

1. Comparing Web Browsers 

Once you are connected to the Internet, in order to locate, navigate to, and view Web pages, you need a special software—a Web browser—installed on your system. If you purchase a computer from a retail store, the computer typically has a browser installed on it. However, there are other Web browsers available as well. You can use the browser already installed on your computer, replace it with another, or have several installed on your machine.

Using the Internet, locate and research three Web browsers. Compare and contrast these browsers. With which operating systems are they compatible? What are the features of the software? What are the advantages and disadvantages? After making your comparison, decide which browser you would most likely use.

Suggested Web Sites:

http://websearch.about.com/od/whatistheinternet/a/browser.htm

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,1990859,00.asp

http://www.consumersearch.com/www/internet/web-browser-reviews/comparison.html

http://www.learnthenet.com/english/html/12browser.htm

http://www.yourhtmlsource.com/starthere/browserreview.html

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-3118_7-6226062-1.html

Suggested Keywords:

Web Browsers, Compare Browsers, Review Browsers


2. Discuss the difference between software you must purchase, freeware software, and shareware software. Why would you pay for software when you can get software free?

3. There are many reasons that people purchase commercial software. It may be due to brand awareness and popularity or because a particular program is commonly used in the workplace. Whatever the reason, many people are unaware of the options that open-source software presents. Open-source software is not necessarily free, but it may be less expensive than more well-known products. On the other hand, open-source software may not come with all the “bells and whistles” or as much technical support as traditional titles do.

Select a popular software title (such as Microsoft Excel or Adobe Dreamweaver), and use the Internet to locate at least two open-source alternatives. Locate knowledgeable reviews for each product. Write a brief paper that compares and contrasts the open-source products with the commercial product, being sure to document your sources. For each product, answer the following questions:

1. For which platforms is the software available (e.g., Windows, Linux, Mac)? 
2. Is there a fee for the software? 
3. What sort of technical support is available (e.g., user manuals, phone support, live help, online documentation?
4. Does the open-source software include all of the major features of the commercial product?
5. Do you think the open-source software is a viable alternative to the commercial product? Why or why not?

Suggested Web Sites:

http://www.dwheeler.com/oss_fs_eval.html
http://osswin.sourceforge.net
http://www.opensource.org
http://www.opensourcewindows.org
http://www.osalt.com
http://www.w3.org/Status

Suggested Keywords: Open-Source, Open-Source Alternatives, Open-Source Evaluation, Software Review