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Hardware and Software

This version was saved 15 years, 6 months ago View current version     Page history
Saved by Jeff Martinek
on September 11, 2008 at 2:19:29 pm
 

Overview

Software in general is various programs that perform certain tasks in a computer, such as application software, and systems software. Hardware is the physical part to any computer, like a motherboard, disk drives, or even your power supply.

 


Hardware

When you think about what computer hardware is the best way to describe it would be to say that, if a computing entity is defined by its physical presence, it is hardware. [6] Also you could think of them in a more physical form too. For instance, the double helix spiral of DNA uses proteins as its hardware. [6] “The physical elements of a computer, its hardware, are generally divided into the central processing unit (CPU), main memory (or random-access memory, RAM), and peripherals.”[2] The CPU is like the brain of the computer because everything in the computer must use the CPU in one way or another. [1] Another form of computer hardware could be the Motherboard, which is like the heart of the computer because everything is somehow connected or linked to the motherboard. One of the things that is connected to the motherboard is the CPU which is removable so that is can be upgraded from time to time.

 

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Here is a video that will better explain the different parts of Computer Hardware and how each part works.

Software

Here is one way you can approach the meaning of sofware, if an entity is independent of any particular physical form, it is software. [6] Another way to approach the meaning of software are genetic patterns coded within a double helix of DNA are software. [6] Software consists of a few different systems, such as Application Software, which consist of things like web browsers, email programs, or even instant messaging software. Another form of software could be Operating Systems, such as, Windows, or Linux. “The term software was first used in the late 1960s to show the difference from computer hardware, which are the fixed parts of a machine. Before compact discs (CDs) or Internet downloads, applications and operating systems came on soft media like magnetic discs and magnetic tape. Software is an essential part of today's society. Basically software tells the hardware when to do a specific task.” [3] “The term was coined to differentiate these instructions from hardware—i.e., the physical components of a computer system. A set of instructions that directs a computer's hardware to perform a task is called a program, or software program.”

[4] 

 

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Hardware vs. Software

 

When comparing Hardware to Software there are many advantages and disadvantages for choosing one over the other. “The biggest advantage of the software option is that it is virtually free. In other words, you already have the controller or processor.” [5] Although Hardware has its advantages too, “you don't spend valuable time reinventing the wheel or troubleshooting your software programs.” [5] But in the end when it all comes down to it both Hardware and Software are useless without each other.

 


Implications For Media Ecology

Hardware and Software have had major effects on Media Ecology today, it has given society a new form of technology in things like the computer. With the computer came the internet and with that came social networking.

 


 

References

[1] Wikipedia. 3 Apr. 2008 <http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Processor>.

[2] “computer." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2008. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 3 Apr. 2008 <http://search.eb.com/eb/article-235895>.

[3] Wiki Pedia. 3 Apr. 2008 <http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software>.

[4] “software." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2008. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 3 Apr. 2008 <http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9002206>.

[5] Baker, Bonnie. "Hardware versus software: You decide." Electronics, Design, Strategy, News. 3 Apr. 2008 <http://www.edn.com/index.asp?layout=article&articleid=CA421503>.

[6] Miller, Keith W. "Hardware and Software." Encyclopedia of Science, Technology, and Ethics. Ed. Carl Mitcham. Vol. 2. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2005. 896-898. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Gale. Iowa Wesleyan College. 24 Apr. 2008 <http://go.galegroup.com/ps/start.do?p=GVRL&u=mt85337>.

 


Original Author:  Chris Walz

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