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Software Design – Chapter 1 (Social and Ethical Issues)
GUIs and CLIs
A GUI is a graphical user interface, which provides users with graphical elements to interact with.
A CLI us a command line interface, which required users to input text commands to the system.
Intellectual Property
Intellectual property is property resulting from mental work, such as software development.
Software License Agreements
A software license agreement is an agreement which legally enforces the intellectual property rights
of the author/developer. The SLI gives the user formal permission to use the product within
parameters. This is not the same as ownership of the software product.
A software license is not required for intellectual property, but it helps in the prosecution of violators.
SLI Terms
o License
Formal permission to use the software.
o Agreement
A mutual agreement between parties.
o Term
The period of time the agreement is valid for
o Warranty
An assurance or guarantee applied to the product
o Limited Use
The use of the software is limited or restricted.
o Liability
An obligation or responsibility as a result of an event.
o Program
The software product.
o Backup Copy
A copy of the product for archival/backup purposes.
Copyright Law in Australia
The copyright act of 1968 enforces copyright law in Australia. Software licenses must adhere to these
laws.
Types of Software Licenses
o Commercial License
Covered by copyright, one backup copy can be made, the product cannot be modified and
source code is not available.
o Shareware
Covered by copyright, copies can be made, the product cannot be modifies and source code is
not available.
o Freeware
Covered by copyright, copies and modifications can be made so long as modified products are
also freeware. Source code may or may not be distributed.
o Public Domain
No covered by copyright, copies and modifications can be made without restriction. Source
code may or may not be distributed.
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o Open Source
Although covered by copyright law, open source licenses explicitly remove many copyright
restrictions. The source code is developed collaboratively, and is available to modify and
redistribute.
Why Software Licenses Exist
o Ease of Reproduction and Copy
Copying software is easy and anonymous process. To combat this, software licenses were
created.
o Collaborative Development
Software products are often evolutionary in nature, and are often developed collaboratively,
with several other developers. Software licenses allow recognition and renumeration for all
developers.
o Current Open Environment of the Internet
The internet is a largely uncontrolled worldwide network of computers. Thus, controlling
illegal distribution is incredibly difficult. Software licenses provide international regulation
for intellectual property rights.
Copyright Relinquishment
Copyright relinquishment is when copyright laws are removed for a specific piece of code or for a
specific software product. It is usually done for educational or demonstrative purposes, such as
internet code help websites or technology literature.
Ergonomics
Ergonomics is the study of the relationship between a worker and their workplace. It includes
physical, emotional and physiological aspects of the work experience.
User Interface
The UI is the communication point between the software product/hardware and the user. As far as the
user is concerned, the user interface is the system.
User Friendly
If a system is user friendly, it meets the needs of the user. User friendly software is often intuitive,
consistent and easily leant.
Consistent User Interfaces
Consistency involves:
o Setting standards and maintaining them
o Setting and explaining simple interaction rules
o ✘ Using interface elements correctly
o Using colour correctly
o Using fonts appropriately
o Aligning elements correctly
Inclusivity
Inclusivity in software should always be taken into consideration. Inclusivity is considering different
users and their needs.
1. Cultural Inclusivity
a. Changing numbers, dates and currency for different cultures
b. Changing language
c. Refrain from making jokes that could be offensive or taken out of context
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2. Economic Inclusivity
a. Quality of the Product – is it good value for money?
b. Nature of the Market – are there more economically affordable options?
c. Management of the SDD Process – are users’ funds being used appropriately?
d. Influences on Pricing – are measures being taken to make the software affordable?
3. Gender Inclusivity
a. Including a range of genders in the development process
b. Structuring answers appropriately (i.e. referencing the user in a non-binary way)
4. Disability
a. Visual Disabilities
i. Large/Clear Fonts
ii. Not using colour as a primary indicator
iii. Text to speech implementation
b. Hearing Disabilities
i. Not using sound as primary indicator
c. Physical Disabilities
i. Use of special input devices
ii. Altering key-time delay (sticky keys)
iii. Altering mouse sensitivity and speed
Privacy
Privacy is an individual’s ability to control their own data. Many pieces of software genuinely require
personal information. Therefore, under the Privacy Act 1988, Info. Systems may use personal
information IF:
1. There is a legitimate need for the information
2. The user may access their records
3. Inaccurate information can be corrected
4. Information given to other organisations is divulged
5. The purpose of holding the information is described to the user
6. The management of the information is described to the user
Required Skills in SDD
o Communication
o Teamwork
o Creativity
o Design Skills
o Problem Solving Skills
o Attention to Detail
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