General Technology
General Technology Unit
General Technology

Activity One
Finding and Downloading Free Software

  • Brief Description
  • Goals
  • Materials and Resources
  • Activity Description
  • Internet Resources

  • Brief Description

        There is a large collection of software that can be downloaded and used for individual purposes "free" of charge. This activity helps you locate Websites that have large databases of shareware you can download that cover many educational areas-everything from weather-simulation programs to HyperCard learning environments.

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    Goals

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    Materials and Resources

        In developing our lessons and activities, we made some assumptions about the hardware and software that would be available in the classroom for teachers who visit the LETSNet Website. We assume that teachers using our Internet-based lessons or activities have a computer (PC or Macintosh) with the necessary hardware components (mouse, keyboard, and monitor) as well as software (operating system, TCP/IP software, networking or dial-up software, e-mail and a World Wide Web client program, preferably Netscape, but perhaps Mosaic or Lynx). In the section below, we specify any "special" hardware or software requirements for a lesson or activity (in addition to those described above) and the level of Internet access required to do the activity.

    1. Special hardware requirements: none.
    2. Special software requirements: none.
    3. Internet access: Medium-speed (28,800 BPS via phone) or High-speed (greater than 1 MBPS via network).
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    Activity Description

        If you are looking for specific shareware, and you know what the shareware program is called, your best bet is to use the search functions at the shareware Websites to find and download it. If you don't know the name, many of these Websites maintain their own directories of available shareware that you can browse until you find what you want. Be sure to check the publisher's requirements for fair use of the shareware so you won't be violating their copyright policies when you use it. We also encourage you to register or purchase the software if you use it regularly or for any purposes outside your individual use.

        Follow these steps to find and download the shareware program you need:

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    Internet Resources Up to Contents

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