What is an App?

Today’s How-To Guide for the computer beginner we are going attempt answer the question, ‘What is an app?”

Today I will briefly explain:

What is an App?

What is the difference between a Native app and a Web app?

Don’t worry – the difference is easy to remember!

What is an App?

App is short for ‘application’.  A computer application is what most have referred to in the past as a computer program.  Software program even!

When the word app became popular I remember all the commercials going on and on about ‘We have an APP for that!”

My picture above is what most people see on the face of those fancy phone now days.  They are touch screen, and you push on one of the logos – and the program starts up.

Yes, its like doubling clicking on a program to open it up. You use your finger instead, because the screen is meant for fingers – not mouse clicks!

Just last week we had leak in the roof, and the water was coming into one of the teenager’s rooms.  I asked my daughter's boyfriend if he wouldn’t mind looking in the attic to see where the water was coming from, and if we needed to cover the area until the roofers got here. 

Once he was up there?  It dawned me that a flashlight just MAY help him!  He told me it wasn’t needed, and he whipped out his Apple Iphone – clicked on an ‘app’ called flashlight…and there was LIGHT!  The next thing I know he also clicked on another app to take pictures of where the leak was coming from.

Yep, they have an app for that!

App – to me anyway – is internet slang for computer program.  It’s the new and improved LINGO of this generation!

Now keep in mind there are two different types of apps that most people refer to.   Yes, I’m sure there will be more in the future!  Let’s start with the two basic ones!

You have what you call a Native App, or a Web App.  Most of the time people do not use those terms (they just call them an app), but there is a difference.  Read on, and you can impress your FRIENDS and FAMILY! (giggles)

Native App

Most of the software programs that come preinstalled on our computers in the past are Native Apps.  Yes, that could include your operating system – like Vista, or Windows XP.

One small program I use from time to time is called, ‘Calculator’.  Microsoft Word is another one that I use to write letters.  The flashlight app I spoke about?  That also is a Native app.

All I have to do is turn on the computer, and I can use those programs without the use of the internet.  The native app is installed directly into the operating system of the computer. 

No internet required!

In other words, I can write a letter in my word process, use the calculator to balance the check book, and click on flashlight – all without having to be ON the internet!

Yes, you may get updates to your programs online.  The big difference you need to see today is you don’t NEED to be online to use them!

Web App

With a web app you may have to download some software at the beginning, or small updates from time to time.  The big difference here is if you want to use the program? 

Internet Required!

For example, Facebook has an app that people use on their fancy phones we see today.  If they didn’t have access to the internet (internet is turned on)?  They can open the facebook app all they want to, but they can’t ‘use’ it to read the friend’s notes, or post one themselves.

Its much the same principal as clicking on your Internet Explorer Icon on your desktop to go online, and yet if your computer isn’t connected to the internet.   The window may open, but you can’t ‘surf the net’ can you?

I hope I explained it well enough for everyone to understand.  I tried to keep it pretty simple!

If something is not clear, or you feel something should be added to our lesson? Please feel free to leave your comment or question in section we provided.


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Thank you for reading our How-To Guide for the Computer Beginner, and today’s lesson on “What is an App?”

How-To Get SIMS 3 to work with Windows 8 Computer

I'm writing this due to my experience with the kids SIMS 3 program.  I had purchased Windows 8 netbooks (The new fancy word for laptops), and they truly enjoyed it.  All was well until they tried to install their SIMS 3 program.  Yes, we got the same type of errors that everyone else has been getting.

 

Is the SIMS 3 program Compatible with Windows 8?

I can't tell you that what I do here will do the job for everyone else, but I sure do hope it works for you like it has for us.   There was alot of talk about Bit Defender (a program) conflicting with the SIMS 3 software, but we didn't have that program installed.  Thus I had to look for other options.

For us?  Windows 8 is compatible with SIMS 3.  You can’t install the program like you would normally is what I found.  If you have YET to install any aspect of the SIMS 3 program on your windows 8 machine?  Skip the Revo uninstaller portion, but do start downloading the patch I link to before you do install SIMS 3 ANYTHING on your windows 8 computer!

If you have installed any portion of the SIMS 3 program on your Windows 8 computer – like my kids did – follow our instructions to completely remove all aspects of it off your machine.

Yes, SIMS 3 support does show you how to do this manually.  I found it is a pain in the butt, and REVO uninstaller can do it quicker.  Heck it may even remove files they aren’t thinking about at EA support.

Below we will speak about completely removing the SIMS 3 off your computer as if it never existed prior.  So you will need to find a way to save your game progress, the extras you may have purchased, etc.  Once you follow my instructions they will not be on your computer anymore.  Save them now before going forward.

I had spoken to EA support line at length a number of days ago, and I followed all their instructions to the tea.  I found after all that work I still had the same stupid error while trying to install SIMS 3 on their Windows 8 machine. I gathered my patience for the next day, and decided that I would try this my way using some of the principals they spoke about on the phone.

Before we start make sure all of your windows updates are complete!

The first thing I did was download what EA support called the SIMS 3 Super Patcher.

If you look at the file size it seems large to me – it starts with a TS.  I downloaded this to my desktop, and while I waited for it to finish I  did the following to get my Windows 8 machine READY to work with our Sims 3 program.

I would make a ‘restore’ point on your computer in case you have any issues later on. That way if you have any problems you can restore your computer to an earlier time. The Revo Uninstaller does this as well, but I make a practice of doing this manually anyway.

Use Revo Uninstaller to remove SIMS 3 from your Windows 8 Computer

I went to download a free program called, Revo UnInstaller.  You will notice that they have a free option, and what they called a PRO (or professional) option.  I will be purchasing the PRO version at a later date, but to get the ball rolling on the Sims 3 program on their Windows 8 machine?  I used the free version of the program.

If you look to the bottom of the screen it will give you a link to download this freeware.  I did notice on the windows 8 machine that it started to install itself, and yet sent me to some webpage asking me if I wanted to also download some other program.   I didn’t use the second program they wanted to advertise, but finished installing Revo Uninstaller completely.

Once I launched the Revo Uninstaller on windows 8 computer it will scan your system for all installed programs.  This can take some time if you have plenty of programs already on the Windows 8 machine.

Once the scan is completed - you have some options along the top of the menu.  Select the uninstall option.  (see 1)

Look below and FIND your program icon that you are going to remove – see 2 (it will remove everything - not just icon).

By the way, in my picture below I didn’t use a SIMS 3 icon as an example.

Right click on program icon
Select Uninstall (see 2)

It will prompt you asking you if you are want to uninstall program - click yes.
Next Screen is 'Select an Uninstall Mode" I picked 'advanced' on bottom – then click next

Next Screen is 'Performing the initial analysis and uninstall' screen.

At this point you will see the a list of  4 jobs it will be doing, and in the meantime your normal SIMS uninstall wizard will run.  If you have time to read the 4 steps listed in the Revo uninstaller program?  Step four on the REVO screen it tells you this will happen. 

(Keep in mind the REVO uninstaller will launch the SIMS Installshield wizard automatically for you - you don't have to do that part.)

Leave the REVO program alone for now, and run the SIMS uninstall wizard until its completed.  No doubt you will get this message in the picture below, and Click YES this is what we are trying to accomplish!

Do all the steps that the InstallShield Wizard for the SIMS 3 program is asking you to do. 

Once you hit the FINISH button on the wizard – the wizard will close automatically. 

Your Revo Uninstaller Screen should be the only thing present, and you want to hit the ‘next’ button at that point on the Revo Program.

‘Scanning for leftover information’ screen will be running.  Allow it to finish. then Click NEXT

Found Leftover files and Folder or Registry screen will be next. 

Click 'select all', and then click "delete'. 

You will then get a message, 'are you are you want to send the selected files to the recycle bin?"  Click Yes. 

Scan will happen and when its done - click next.

You may get additional screens afterwards with different names, but we will do the same actions that we did above.  Just select all, delete, YES I want to send to recycle bin– and next!

Do this until the program is DONE! and then click finish.

I did the same to remove SIMS 3, all extension packs, and origin using this program.

Once SIMS program, all the extensions, and Origin have been removed - remember to empty your recycle bin.

Sims 3 Super Patcher for the Windows 8 Computer

This is just me, but once I do all this work?  I normally restart the computer as well.  It may not be needed, but that's just me as I said.

I was told to install the SIMS 3 super patcher prior to the SIMS 3 program (ea support line), but it would not allow it due to no SIMS program on system at all at this point.  THIS was a great sign for me! The program is completely GONE!

I reinstalled Origin.  Signed in - went to 'my games' and only installed the SIMS 3 program.  I will not run this program, because I want to do install the super patcher program first (per EA support).  So in others words DON'T hit play when its done!

I then went to my super patcher for SIMS 3 download (first item we downloaded above), and executed the program.  Hopefully, by this time your download we started at the beginning is finished.  It took a while to run, and I left the computer completely alone to let it do its thing.

Once the patch was completely installed?  I was getting excited, and I crossed my fingers and did a little prayer while I launched the SIMS 3 base program.  I almost fainted when it actually did what it was suppose to. 

I told my daughter to let the SIMS 3 program load completely, and don't download any extensions until the program is done loading EVERYTHING!

Sims 3 is Compatible with Windows 8 computers

I instructed her to download one extension at a time - let it load all the junk it needs to - add her purchases, extras, update files etc. on each expansion pack ONE AT A TIME! 

Once she was SURE everything was working on that pack?  Move to the next one.  Do the same thing.

I told her if ONE expansion pack screws up?  STOP, and we will look for the next solution.  At that point you know it’s the expansion pack, and NOT the SIMS 3 program if another error occurs.

So Far so good...we will see, and I hope my journey helped others!  Her SIMS 3 program is actually working on our Windows 8 computer.  Yes, it was an annoying adventure but at least its done for now.

What is a Computer Application? Application Software?

In the past I did an article about the differences between Hardware and Software.    Then I wrote about what is a computer process. 

 

I have noticed that I come across questions that get a bit more technical in nature.  I decided I would try to explain in laymen terms today one of the more technical terms you may have heard about.

 

Today’s How-To Guide for the Computer Beginner is:  What is a computer application?  What is application software?

 

I think the best way to explain it is to introduced first what we call:

What is a web browser? Browser window?

When I speak to my friends about computers I sometime forget they may not know the basic terms, since  they are a computer beginner after all.

I get these confused looks and questions like:

What a browser?
What is a web browser?

What is a browser window?

I think to myself, “Oh boy!  I guess that would help huh?”  Dahhhhh to me!

Today’s How-to Guide for the Computer Beginner is, “What is a browser or Web Browser?”  We will also touch on Browser windows.

What is a Browser?  What is a web browser?

Browser is a short name for web browser.   YEP!  They are the same thing.

Java Won't Work? We have answers!

This little guy is called Duke the Java Mascot! What is Java? Chances are your computer may already have Java. If you have seen any multimedia type of things on your computer chances are good Java is what helping you see it!

(Later Note:  I have noticed with newer computer Java is NOT included.  You want to install it.)

Today’s How-To Guide for the Computer Beginner is about problems with java. 

I get emails:

java issues
java problems
java not working
java issue
problems with java
java troubleshooting
java security issues

I think you get the picture!

Let's go over what java is, where to find it, and then fix our issues with java in that order!

If you look in your programs section on your computer, and you don’t have Java?  It’s a free download, and you will USE it!

Part of Java's definition is: Java allows you to play online games, chat with people around the world, calculate your mortgage interest, and view images in 3D, just to name a few...

How do you know if you have Java? On the homepage of Java you can actually see the wording, "Do I have Java?".


Yes, what is neat about the Java Site is they will tell you if you have Java or NOT!  Just click the words, “Do I have Java” on the Java Homepage for the answer.

See my picture below, and keep in mind the Java home page may have changed..but that prompt will be there (look below free download button)!

In case you get a security question from your computer firewall asking if this is a safe and reputable site? I would place it in your trusted zone so you don't have issues in the future.  Yes, Java is a very trusted site.



With many other programs you get on the internet you are at times asked to update your version. They are basically telling you that they have come up with a new and improved version. 

In most cases you want to take advantage of this update, but if you have any doubts?  You can also search the internet about the update to see if people are having problems with it.  I would say most of the time?  You are fine.

The reason I started this lesson is because some of my friends had more than one version of Java on their computer, and going to some of the sites that they used Java for were giving them problems all of a sudden.   This is the quickest troubleshooting resolution I could come up with!

They normally had errors along the lines of:
java virtual machine not working
java script issues
or basically the screen to the chat room went blank.

HelpBytes has other error messages listed with solutions.  The Java Site also has a help section.

If they looked at their list of programs (add and delete program section) they had Java 6 and Java 7, etc. Those were added when they are asked to update the Java. You could have 3 or more versions of this program, and I have found it causes nothing but problems down the line!

Computers and programs also just can be strange.  The update can be seen to the machine as ‘wrong’, and you have all kinds of problems from there.  Don’t ask me why – machines just don’t have common sense.

For example, one night you go into a chat room and everything is fine.  You update something, and the next time you go to say HELLO to friends?  The computer just refuses to cooperate.  Java isn’t just for chat rooms, but I was more using that as an example.

Have you been asked to update your Java?

Most of the time you get will an update reminder on newer operating systems. The older operation systems (Windows 95, etc.) don't always do that from what I remember.



On your task bar  (like picture above) you at times will notice a java icon similar to ones I have pictured below. The taskbar is the area in which you will notice the reminder message to update Java.



YEP you got it – the logo is similar to a cup of coffee!

From time to time you will be reminded that you have a Java Update, and those are FINE to download! The problem I have seen is Java doesn't work as it should when you have to many different versions on your computer, or too many updates to Java.

If I know I will be updating lets say Java version Number 6 to Java Version number 7 for example....the NEW and IMPROVED version? I go to my add and delete program  section, and completely delete Java 6 before I install Java 7.

If you have don't remember doing this before you might be surprised at the number of versions you have. Its okay! Just delete ALL of versions of Java! When we install the new version of Java you won't be missing a thing! The site will replace the newest version with EVERYTHING you will need to be up to date and flying high once again!

Java is a program you will use quite a bit, but if you having issues after an update?

Delete all versions, and download a fresh copy! Chances are good your issues will disappear!

I will tell you at times certain sites will NOT keep up with the current version of Java, and the updates do you no good.  I will mention that is not the majority of the time.  Its actually very rare from what I have experienced.

Most people realize they are having problems with Java after a new update of the program, and they are no longer able to do something they had in the past.  It could be watching movies, entering a chat room, etc.  Just remove your old version of Java, and install the new version.  Chances are you are SET to go!   You don't know how to install or uninstall java or another program?  Here is a Uninstall Programs tutorial for you.

I hope our How-To Lesson for problems with Java helped you today.  If something is not clear, or you still have questions?  Please feel free to leave a comment.

Don’t forget to add your email in our subscribe box we have here.  You will have our future lessons sent directly to your email.

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What is the difference between hardware and software?

THIS is a great question for people just starting out, and just plain never did know the difference! You do need to know the difference so you can understand what people are talking about!

First off hardware and software work together to make your computer work! You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t have them both!




Hardware includes the physical components, such as the motherboard, chips, memory, and hard drives! The CD rom or the disk drive you use is hardware! I guess you could just plain call it the parts to the computer! If you ever opened up your computer will see ALL kinds of items in there, and those parts are your hardware!





Software on the other hand is the program that makes your computer RUN, or accomplishes some task you are doing! One program you use everyday is your operating system! We speak here about the different versions of windows (Windows 95, 95, ME, 2000, XP, Vista), and all of those are operating systems! If you like to write letters on Word, WordPad, Notepad, Word Perfect, etc. those programs are software programs as well!

This is a very simple explanation of the difference! They do work together, and you need to have both in order to run the computer!