166 lines
8.1 KiB
Markdown
166 lines
8.1 KiB
Markdown
# Week 3: Software, Working with Files, Getting Started with Apps
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**Hours:** 2 (1 lecture)
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---
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## Learning Objectives
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- Distinguish between system software and application software
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- Explain the role of an operating system
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- Navigate a file system: create, rename, move, copy, and delete files and folders
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- Understand file types and extensions
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- Install and update application software
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---
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## Key Concepts
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### What is Software?
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Software = instructions that tell hardware what to do. Two main categories:
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**System Software**
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- **Operating System (OS):** Manages hardware, runs applications, provides user interface
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- Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, iOS, Android
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- **Utility Software:** Maintenance tools (disk cleanup, antivirus, backup)
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- **Device Drivers:** Translators between OS and specific hardware
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**Application Software**
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- Productivity: Word processors, spreadsheets, presentation tools
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- Communication: Email clients, video conferencing, messaging
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- Creative: Photo/video editing, music production
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- Browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari
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- Specialized: Accounting, medical records, CAD
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> 💡 **Analogy:** The OS is like a building manager — it keeps the lights on, manages the rooms, and lets tenants (applications) move in and do their work. Without the building manager, the tenants can't function.
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### Open Source vs Proprietary
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| | Open Source | Proprietary |
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|---|---|---|
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| **Cost** | Usually free | Usually paid (or subscription) |
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| **Code** | Public, modifiable | Closed, protected |
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| **Examples** | Linux, LibreOffice, Firefox, VLC | Windows, MS Office, Photoshop |
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| **Support** | Community-driven | Vendor support |
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> 💡 **Discussion starter:** "Is free software actually free? What's the trade-off?" Leads to conversation about ads, data collection, community maintenance.
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### The File System
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**Files and Folders (Directories)**
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- A **file** is a named collection of data (document, photo, program)
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- A **folder** (directory) is a container for organizing files
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- Folders can contain other folders → hierarchical tree structure
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**File Paths**
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- Windows: `C:\Users\Student\Documents\essay.docx`
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- Mac/Linux: `/Users/Student/Documents/essay.docx`
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- Components: Drive → Folders → Filename.Extension
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**File Extensions**
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Common extensions students should recognize:
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| Extension | Type | Opens With |
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|-----------|------|-----------|
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| .docx | Word document | Microsoft Word |
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| .xlsx | Spreadsheet | Microsoft Excel |
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| .pptx | Presentation | Microsoft PowerPoint |
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| .pdf | Portable document | Adobe Reader, browser |
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| .txt | Plain text | Notepad, any text editor |
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| .jpg / .png | Image | Photos app, browser |
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| .mp3 / .mp4 | Audio / Video | Media player |
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| .zip | Compressed archive | File Explorer, 7-Zip |
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| .exe | Windows program | Windows |
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| .html | Web page | Browser |
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> ⚠️ **Security tip:** Be cautious with `.exe`, `.bat`, `.scr` files from unknown sources — these can run programs on your computer.
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**File Operations**
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- **Create:** New file or folder
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- **Save / Save As:** Save current work; Save As = new name or location
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- **Copy vs Move:** Copy = duplicate; Move = relocate (original disappears)
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- **Rename:** Change the name (be careful not to change the extension)
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- **Delete:** Sends to Recycle Bin / Trash (recoverable until emptied)
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- **Search:** Find files by name, date, type, or contents
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### Cloud Storage
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- OneDrive, Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox
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- Files sync across devices
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- Collaboration features (shared folders, simultaneous editing)
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- Trade-off: convenience vs privacy, requires internet
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### Installing Software
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- **App stores:** Microsoft Store, Mac App Store, Google Play
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- **Web downloads:** From vendor websites (verify the source!)
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- **Updates:** Keep software current for security and features
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- **Uninstalling:** Use the system's uninstall feature, not just deleting the icon
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> 💡 **Demo idea:** Walk through installing a free application (like VLC or 7-Zip). Show the full flow: download → verify source → install → find in Start menu → uninstall.
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---
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## Diagram Ideas
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1. **Software Layer Cake** — Bottom: Hardware. Middle: Operating System. Top: Application Software. Shows how apps sit on top of the OS which sits on top of hardware.
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2. **File System Tree** — Visual tree starting from C:\ showing Users → StudentName → Documents/Pictures/Downloads with example files in each.
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3. **File Extension Cheat Sheet** — Visual grid: icon + extension + "what it is" + "opens with."
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4. **Cloud vs Local Storage** — Side-by-side comparison showing where files actually live.
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---
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## Slide Concepts
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| Slide | Content |
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|-------|---------|
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| 1 | Title: "Software: The Instructions" |
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| 2 | System Software vs Application Software — two-column with examples |
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| 3 | The Operating System — screenshot of Windows/Mac desktops with labeled parts (taskbar, desktop, start menu, file explorer) |
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| 4 | Open Source vs Proprietary — comparison table |
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| 5 | The File System — tree diagram |
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| 6 | File Extensions — visual cheat sheet |
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| 7 | File Operations Demo — screenshots of copy, move, rename, delete |
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| 8 | Cloud Storage — logos + features |
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| 9 | Installing Software Safely — do's and don'ts |
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| 10 | Activity preview: organize a messy folder |
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---
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## Vocabulary
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| Term | Definition |
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|------|-----------|
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| **Software** | Instructions/programs that tell computer hardware what to do |
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| **System Software** | Software that manages hardware and provides a platform for applications (OS, drivers, utilities) |
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| **Application Software** | Programs designed for end users to perform specific tasks |
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| **Operating System (OS)** | System software that manages hardware resources and provides services for applications |
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| **Device Driver** | Software that allows the OS to communicate with a specific hardware device |
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| **Utility Software** | System tools for maintenance tasks (antivirus, disk cleanup, backup) |
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| **Open Source** | Software whose source code is publicly available and can be modified |
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| **Proprietary Software** | Software owned by a company; source code is not publicly available |
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| **File** | A named collection of related data stored on a computer |
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| **Folder / Directory** | A container used to organize files in a hierarchical structure |
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| **File Extension** | The suffix after the dot in a filename (e.g., .docx, .pdf) indicating file type |
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| **File Path** | The full address of a file in the file system (e.g., C:\Users\Documents\file.txt) |
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| **Cloud Storage** | Remote servers accessed via the internet for storing and syncing files |
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| **Install** | To set up software on a computer so it's ready to use |
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| **Uninstall** | To remove software from a computer |
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| **Update / Patch** | New version of software that fixes bugs, adds features, or improves security |
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| **Recycle Bin / Trash** | Temporary holding area for deleted files before permanent removal |
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| **Compression / Zip** | Reducing file size by encoding data more efficiently; .zip is a common format |
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---
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## Activities & Assignments
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### In-Class
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1. **Desktop Scavenger Hunt:** Students identify parts of the OS interface (taskbar, system tray, file explorer, etc.) on their own computers.
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2. **File Organization Challenge:** Give students a "messy" folder (downloadable zip) with 20+ files poorly named and unorganized. They create a logical folder structure and organize everything. Grade on structure and naming conventions.
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3. **Extension Matching Game:** Flash an extension on screen — students shout out what type of file it is and what program opens it.
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### Homework
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1. **OS Comparison (1 page):** Compare two operating systems (e.g., Windows vs macOS, or Android vs iOS). Cover: target audience, cost, app availability, pros/cons.
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2. **File System Map:** Screenshot or draw the folder structure of their Documents folder. Identify at least 5 different file types and explain what each extension means.
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---
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## Discussion Questions
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1. Why do we need an operating system? Why can't applications just talk to hardware directly?
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2. When would you choose open source software over proprietary (or vice versa)?
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3. You download a file called `free-movie.mp4.exe` — what should you do and why?
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4. What happens to your files if a cloud storage company goes out of business?
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