can network computers share software?

  • Thread starter Thread starter kat
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K

kat

I want to double-check for a study paper if networked
computers can:
1. share the same software?
2. if so how does it work, is the software loaded on one
computer and downloaded to the other computers?
3..is any software shareable, ie. microsoft office,
pagemaker etc. ?
4.Is it possible through a LAN, WAN, both?
4.Are operating systems shareable?

thanx
 
Why don't you post what you have found out so far, and ask if it is correct?

--
Just my ¢ worth
Jeff
__________in response to__________
| I want to double-check for a study paper if networked
| computers can:
| 1. share the same software?
| 2. if so how does it work, is the software loaded on one
| computer and downloaded to the other computers?
| 3..is any software shareable, ie. microsoft office,
| pagemaker etc. ?
| 4.Is it possible through a LAN, WAN, both?
| 4.Are operating systems shareable?
|
| thanx
 
I'm assuming as with periphals that networked computers
can share software. I just dont know what type of network
it involves or the method which is why I'm asking.
 
Ahh, I see.

You haven't done any research yet.

Never assume, it makes an ass out of u and me.

--
Just my ¢ worth
Jeff
__________in response to__________
| I'm assuming as with periphals that networked computers
| can share software. I just dont know what type of network
| it involves or the method which is why I'm asking.
 
kat said:
I want to double-check for a study paper if networked
computers can:
1. share the same software?
2. if so how does it work, is the software loaded on one
computer and downloaded to the other computers?
3..is any software shareable, ie. microsoft office,
pagemaker etc. ?
4.Is it possible through a LAN, WAN, both?
4.Are operating systems shareable?

thanx
Click to expand...

The answer is 'it depends', but mostly, No.

A simple program which is a single stand-alone executable ( .exe )will
_usually_ run OK across the network, so long as it doesn't look for stuff
which is on the remote machine.

Any program which requires to be Installed will usually not run properly.
The installation will do a whole bunch of things in in the registry, which
will not be present on the other machine. It needs to be Installed on each
machine.

There are of course exceptions.
Some programs are designed to be run from a central server.
Another option is a special server which can be configured to 'share'
programs, called a terminal server.
Typically, this is not an option on most people's home network.

But to come back to groung level,
For the products you mention, you need to buy a copy and install it on each
machine.

No, operating systems are not shareable.
 
In the Microsoft world, end-user software is installed on the computer
where it is run and is not shareable, with one important exception,
called "Terminal Services", where you can run software installed on a
server, but pay an onerous terminal services client license so you don't
get the idea that you can share software on the server without paying
through the nose for the privilege.

If you want to "borrow" a desktop, you have Remote Desktop and Remote
Assistance features of XP which would allow you to run software on
another computer from your computer without paying additional license
fees, assuming the EULA for that software doesn't specifically prohibit
desktop sharing.
 
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