Downloads cont.

Software as a service, sometimes referred to as "software on demand," is software that is downloaded over the internet and/or is deployed to run behind a firewall on a local area network or personal computer. The main dowloadable service provider is the windows update. Users can visit Windows update and download the relevant updates they need.

Windows Update

Windows Update is the online extension of Windows that helps you to keep your computer up-to-date. Use Windows Update to choose updates for your computer’s operating system, software, and hardware. New content is added to the site regularly, so you can always get the most recent updates and fixes to protect your computer and keep it running smoothly.

Windows update is very useful for computer users. It allows them to update their system to make it peform better and more efficiently.

Updates are available to anyone who has an Internet connection as the service needs to contact Microsoft to gather the relevant updates.  Updates are often free, which is useful as people often pay a considerable amount for their computer and it would seem unfair if they have to pay to maintain the performance of it. User satisfaction is high as updates to their system can correct problems instantly, or even prevent them from happening and preventing the user from a productive experience on the net.

Windows Update has flexible installation options so you can reduce interruptions and install update when it's most convenient for you. You can choose when updates will be installed.  When software update applies to a file that you're using, Windows update can save the application's data, close it, update the file, and then restart it. This avoids loss of work and prevents the file from becoming corrupted. 

Problems with Windows Update

The main problem with Windows Update is that sometimes after a Microsoft patch many computers seem to crash and brings up a dreaded "Blue screen of Death." Also there has been a number of times where the updates failed to install for various reasons. This aggravates users as there isn't anything wrong with their internet connection.

News Stories

Sony rolls out rival to iTunes

"Sony has launched a new music and video download service as it gears up to challenge Apple's iTunes.

The announcement, made at the IFA technology fair in Berlin, was timed to coincide with an Apple media event in the US.The cloud-based service will be available on PlayStation 3s, Bravia TVs, Blu-Ray players and Sony's personal computers.Initially it will offer movies. Music will be added at the end of the year.
Sony's online services platform Qriocity has offered video-on-demand in the US since April this year but will now be available in Europe.The Music Unlimited service, due at the end of the year, will give users access to millions of songs."


"FOXNews - The music industry has turned its big legal guns on Internet music-swappers — including a 12-year-old New York City girl who thought downloading songs was fun."

"Brianna LaHara said she was frightened to learn she was among the hundreds of people sued yesterday by giant music companies in federal courts around the country."I got really scared. My stomach is all turning," Brianna said last night at the city Housing Authority apartment where she lives with her mom and her 9-year-old brother."I thought it was OK to download music because my mom paid a service fee for it. Out of all people, why did they pick me?" The Recording Industry Association of America — a music-industry lobbying group behind the lawsuits — couldn't answer that question."