Image Editing Software

These are application software that enable us to create and edit images.
Image editing applications can be categorized into two;
a) Drawing software – they are used to create vector format images. This are
images made through a sequence of commands or mathematical statements
that place lines and shapes in a given two-dimensional or three-dimensional
space. E.g. Adobe Photoshop
b) Painting software – they are used create bit-mapped images. These are images
produced by changing the colors of the dots that make up the image (pixels).
E.g. Paint
A) Drawing Packages (Graphics Editors)
They allow us to create or edit vector graphics.
An example of drawing software is Adobe Photoshop.
Features of graphics editors include:
• They are able to vectorize images – i.e. to convert bitmap images to vector image
• They allow use of layers - the ability to place some graphics on top of others
• Adding text
• Adding or drawing shapes and lines
• Resizing, aligning or moving shapes and lines
• Altering the color of shapes, lines and fill areas.
B) Painting Packages (Photo Editors )
These allow users to edit and enhance digital photographs and images.
An example of photo editing software is Paint.
Features of photo editors include;
• Adjusting brightness and contrast
• Resizing the image
• Altering sharpness and blurring
• Applying filters and effects such as distortion
• Red-eye removal
• Cropping
Difference Between Vector & Bit Mapped File Images
Graphics can be categorized into two; Bit-mapped file images and vector-format
files. The table below shows the difference between these two.
BIT MAPPED FILES VECTOR FORMAT FILES

Produced by painting packages Is produced by drawing packages

Quality of the image is lowered when Quality of the image isn’t affected when
the image is resized image is resized

Take up a lot of memory space Take up little memory space compared

compared to vector format files to bit mapped file format

Produced by changing the color of pixels Are represented by mathematical codes.

Desktop Publishers (DTP)
• These are software that are used to create publications such as
magazines, newsletters, leaflets, posters etc.
• They very similar to word processors but are more suitable for creating
publications that require a mixture of graphics and text.
• Examples of DTP include; MS Publisher, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe
InDesign, Corel Draw, Page Maker, etc.
Features of DTP;
• They allow blending of images and text.
• They have text place holders that allow one to precisely place text in
the page
• They require some expertise to use unlike word processors
Sound Editors
Sound editing software allows users to edit audio files or to join together different audio files in
order to create multitrack music or soundtracks for video.
An example of sound editing software is Audacity®.

Features of this software include;

• Cut and join audio clips
• Mute and solo some audio tracks
• Alter volume levels for individual tracks
• Change tempo
• Frequency equalization (changing the levels of high and low pitch frequencies)
• Add effects like reverberation
• Apply audio processing such as Reverse, Noise reduction, Normalization, Fade the volume in, so
that it gets louder, or out, so that it gets quieter.
Presentation software
Presentation software allows users to create multimedia content, including images,
text, animation, audio and video.
This content can be placed on slides or pathways that are used to illustrate and
support the spoken content of a talk given to an audience.
An example of presentation software include MS Power Point and Prezi.
Features of a Presentation Software;
 Some applications allow users to practice timings and add narration that
automatically plays back on the appropriate slides.
 These slides can be set to advance(move) automatically after a set period of time,
or on command from the presenter.
 Notes can be added to the presentation to remind and prompt the presenter to
speak about specific points during the presentation.
Web Authoring Software
These are software that enable users to create web pages. Web pages are hypertext documents
containing include text and images created using Hypertext Markup Language (HTML). They can
only be opened using a web browser software such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge or Mozilla
Firefox, etc.
Web browsers translate HTML tags into pages that people can see and read. Web pages can be
linked together to create a website for people to view on the internet.
Although some people prefer to create or customize web pages by writing their own HTML, some
web authoring applications will allow users to produce complex websites with little or no
experience of HTML coding.
These applications are sometimes called 'What You See Is What You Get' WYSIWYG) editors,
because the published page will look very similar to the page that the user edits in the web
authoring application.
An example of web authoring software is Adobe Dreamweaver, MS Web Expression, MS Front
Page.
Web Browsers
Web browsers allow users to view web pages and websites created in web
authoring software.
Web pages could be locally on the computer or hosted on web servers that
could be accessed through the internet.
These servers may be in another country. Different browsers have different
features and compatibility with file types used on the World Wide Web.
Browsers also allow users to access other systems that use the internet but
are not on the World Wide Web, such as file transfer protocol (FTP) servers, e-
mail, instant messaging, etc.
Examples of web browsers include Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge or Mozilla
Firefox, etc.
Control Software
Control software are used to automate the movement of control devices or actuators, such as
motors. They make something happen in the physical environment.
Control software takes input from sensors, makes a decision based on the input value and then
outputs something, such as a command, as a result.
Control software is often used in engineering, vehicles and building control systems. However, a
developing group of control applications is in the area of home automation systems, where
devices can be monitored and controlled using a smartphone app.
Applications of control Software;
Application software are commonly used in control devices such as;
In lifts
Traffic lights
Burglar Alarm systems etc.
Project Management Software
A project is a lengthy task that needs to be completed within given time and budget.
Project management applications are used to help plan and track the individual tasks in a
project, so that project managers can make the most efficient use of the available resources.
Some tasks cannot be started until a previous task is completed or has been partly completed,
It is important for a project manager to see which tasks are dependent on others. When all of
these dependent tasks are combined together into a timeline, it is easy for the project manager
to see the critical path.
Features of Project Management Software;
 It can set milestones – important steps in the project.
 Has a feature that allocates tasks to individual people or groups of people.
 provide tools for tracking the costs
 Able to arrange for resources to be delivered on time.
Communication Software
These are application software that enable us to communicate through electronic networks or
smartphones. Common examples include;
 E-mail applications such MS Outlook, Gmail App on smart phones.
 Social Media applications such Facebook, Instagram, etc.
 Short messaging Service (SMS) applications found on mobile phones. They enable a user
compose a message of up to 160 characters using the mobile phone network and do not
require an internet connection.
 Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) applications that extend the capabilities of SMS. Can
deliver more than 160 characters per message and can include video, animations, images and
audio. Like SMS, they are sent using the mobile network and do not require Internet
connection
 Instant Messaging Apps such as WhatsApp – they are very similar to MMS applications, but they
require a connection to the internet. They can allow users to see when other users are typing,
and users can also prevent others from seeing when they are typing.
User Interface
User Interface
A user interface is a system that enables users to
interact with a digital device.
There are five types of user interface;
1) Command Line Interface (CLI)
2) Menu Driven Interface (MDI)
3) Graphical User Interface(GUI)
4) Voice Interface
5) Gesture Interface
Command Line Interface (CLI)
Users enter text instructions and the computer system
provides results or feedback as text.
This type of interface is often found on older systems
or for devices with limited storage because it requires
little memory.
Commands have to be typed precisely because the
interface only recognizes certain commands. There is
usually a help menu for users that lists and explains
the acceptable.
Advantages of CLI
1) If a user knows the correct commands off head
then this type of interface can be much faster than
any other type of interface.
2) Needs less memory (RAM) in order to use it than
other user interfaces.
3) Does not use as much CPU processing time as the
others do.
4) Can be used on any type of monitor.
5) A CLI does not require Windows to run.
Disadvantages of CLI
1) It is very hard to know all the commands offhead
2) Commands have to be typed in precisely, if there is
a spelling error the command will fail.
3) If you miss-type a command then you have to start
all over again.
4) There are a large number of commands which need
to be learned.
5) It is tedious since it involves a lot of typing
Example of Commands in CLI
Menu Driven Interface (MDI)
This is a type of interface that displays a list of options
as a menu allowing a user to select one of these
options to either trigger a command or display another
menu with further options to choose from.
They are easier to use than command line interfaces,
but can take more time as you have to go through the
menu structure each time you want to carry out a
command, rather than typing the command directly
into the system.
Is used in many devices including ATMs televisions and
older mobile phones.
It presents a user with a menu, they make a choice and
then the next menu appears on the screen. Make
another choice and so on.
They can also be verbal rather than visual. I.e. when I
make a phone call to Safaricom and told to press 1 to
speak in English or 2 to speak in Kiswahili.
Advantages of Menu Driven Interface
1) They are extremely easy to use because the user who
has never seen the interface before can easily figure out
what to do.
2) There are no commands to learn or remember.
3) Step-by-step options are given so that the user doesn't
have to remember anything.
4) Menu driven interfaces don't have to be visual, they can
be spoken - good for telephones or for visually impaired
people.
5) They don't need huge processing power or memory
Disadvantages of Menu Driven Interface
1) A poorly designed menu interface may be slow to use.
2) It can be irritating if there are too many menu screens to work
through - users get annoyed or bored if it takes too long.
3) You often can't go to the exact place you want right at the start.
You have to work your way through the menu screens even if you
know where you want to get to.
4) The menu can take up a large part of the screen so you have to
keep flicking back and forwards between applications
5) If the menu is poorly designed it might be hard to read e.g. writing
is too small for people with poor sight, colors might clash and be
difficult to read, font style might be hard to read
Graphical User Interface (GUI)
A graphical user interface is controlled by a pointer on the screen and
uses a screen made up of windows, icons and menus.
A GUI is also known as a WIMP interface because it makes use of:
 Windows – these are the rectangular area on the screen where the
applications run. E.g. the Desktop window, My Computer window.
 Icons - a picture or symbol representing the program, file, or
storage location which can be clicked to perform an action.
 Menus - a list of options from which the user can choose what they
require. E.g. the start menu, pop up menu, drop down menu, etc.
 Pointers - a symbol such as an arrow which moves around the
screen as you move your mouse. It helps you to select objects.
Also called the cursor.
Most modern digital devices use graphical user interface.
E.g. devices using Microsoft Windows have a GUI.
It is the easiest to use.
Many programs that run in GUI are known as WYSIWYG - this
stands for What You See Is What You Get. It ensures that
whatever you create on the screen will be very similar to
what appears on the paper when printed or is displayed
world-wide-web
Advantages of Graphical User Interface
1) This type of user interface is extremely easy to
use, especially for a beginner
2) It is easy to explore and find your way around the
system using a GUI
3) You do not have to learn complicated commands
4) There are usually good help facilities provided with
GUIs
5) You get the benefit of WYSIWYG
Disadvantages of Graphical User Interface
1) GUI take up a much larger amount of hard disk
space than other interfaces
2) GUI need significantly more memory (RAM) to run
than other interface types
3) GUI use more processing power than other types of
interface
4) GUI can be slow for experienced programmers to
use, they find CLI interfaces much faster to use.
Gesture Interface
This type of interface allows the user to control the
device by swiping their finger or fingers across the
screen, or by pinching their fingers together to zoom in
or out.
Commonly found on devices with touch screens. It has
been applied in virtual environment (virtual games),
sign language translation and medical systems.
Advantages of Gesture Interface
1) Provides a real experience especially when playing virtual
computer games.
2) No need of additional peripheral devices like keyboards and mouse

Disadvantages of Gesture Interface

1) Expensive type of interface since it requires touch screen.
2) Can only work best in a controlled setting or environment i.e. If
there are no high contrast stationary backgrounds and ambient
lighting conditions, the recognition is very likely to make mistakes.
3) It cannot recognize the start and end points of meaningful
gestures from continuous motion of the hands
Voice Interface
This interface allows the user to give spoken commands to a
device. The device has voice recognition software which
matches the spoken words against a library of words to find
a match.
To save storage on the device, the library of words is often
stored online, so these devices usually require internet
access.
Most Voice Recognition Systems use Voice Recognition
Software which has a Voice Interface.
Applications of Voice Recognition Systems
1) Car systems-controlling usage of steering wheel, multimedia systems
installed and ignition
2) Health care-it is implemented in front-end and or backend of the medical
documentation process for example editing and signing off a medical
document
3) Military- High performing fighter aircrafts use speech recognition systems
4) Education-When learning a new language, it implements proper
pronunciation and developing fluency in speaking skills
5) Mobile telephony- usage on mobile phones and systems
6) Gamming Zones-Activating and in playing of computer games
7) Court reporting- recording courtroom session
8) Robotics-communication with or from a robot
9) Home automation and security
Advantages of Voice Interface
1) Quick response time when interacting with a
computer system
2) Allows for hands-free operation and often used in
vehicles in order to improve road safety.
3) Allows dictation of text, commands;
4) Eliminates handwriting, spelling problems
Disadvantages of Voice Interface
1) Software may not find a match since the speed, pitch,
range, rhythm, intonation, loudness and pronunciation of
an individual speaker can vary
2) Might return an incorrect match, which produces unwanted
results. For this reason, voice interfaces sometimes check
the instruction with the user before searching for a match.
Some voice interfaces use the results of this confirmation
to 'learn' the voice of their user and improve future
matches.
3) Homophones- some words sound the same.
4) Word separation- Connected speech has to be segmented
Software Licensing
Software Licensing
A software license is a legal document governing the use or redistribution of
the software. It give a user permission to use one or more copies of software in
ways where such a use would otherwise potentially constitute copyright
infringement of the software owner's exclusive rights under copyright law.
When buying software, the purchaser may acquire some or all of the following:-
 Copy of software on a CD-ROM or access rights to download software from
website.
 Manual explaining how to use the software.
 A license to use the software.
Sometimes, users require a software license to be able to install and use
software on a computer.
Types of Software Licenses
1) Proprietary
2) Open Source
3) Trial Version
4) Shareware
5) Freeware
Types of Software Licenses
There are a variety of different types of software licenses, with
different characteristics and conditions:
1) Proprietary - Proprietary software, or closed source software, is
computer software licensed by the copyright holder with the
intent that the licensee (the user) is given the right to use the
software under certain conditions, and restricted from other uses,
such as modification and sharing.
2) Open Source - This type of license makes the source code and
design of the software available to anyone who wants to enhance
or develop it. It is important not to confuse open source software
with free software.
Types of Software Licenses
3) Trial Version - Trial version refers to a version of the software that
is only usable for a certain period of time before it has to be
purchased.
4) Shareware - This is where software is initially made available free
of charge to users. Software functionality may be limited, with
additional features becoming available only after payment.
5) Freeware - This is software which can be copied or downloaded
for free. It is often fully functional. Examples may include
software developed by organisations such as universities, where
the aim was not to profit from the software. Freeware and
shareware should not be confused.
Software Updates
Software Updates
Software updates refer to newer versions of the software which
may be installed in part or an overhaul. An update is simply a
change or addition to a computer file so that it has the most
recent information.
Software updates are usually made available for download from
a server on the internet. Some updates can be scheduled to
happen automatically when they are released. It is important to
back up a system and files before updating software in case the
update introduces problems, such as removing components that
other software needs in order to function.
Reasoning for Updating Software
1) Fixing security vulnerabilities or bugs in the software
2) Increasing compatibility with newer operating systems and
devices
3) Improving performance and efficiency
4) Introducing new features
5) Improving usability i.e. make it easy to use the software or
device.
NB:
Bugs are errors in the program's source code of a software program.
Compatibility is the ability of the software to work with other
devices, systems and applications.