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Dutch to English translations [PRO] Tech/Engineering - Computers: Software / Belgian traffic-signal controller tender
Dutch term or phrase:gebruikerssoftware
I have seen this variously translated as:
desktop software, consumer software, application software, firmware, user-written software, and, last but not least: user software.
Reading the following Wikipedia article then confused me even more:
"Architecture See also: Software architecture
Users often see things differently from programmers. People who use modern general purpose computers (as opposed to embedded systems, analog computers and supercomputers) usually see three layers of software performing a variety of tasks: platform, application, and user software.
• Platform software: Platform includes the firmware, device drivers, an operating system, and typically a graphical user interface which, in total, allow a user to interact with the computer and its peripherals (associated equipment). Platform software often comes bundled with the computer. On a PC one will usually have the ability to change the platform software.
• Application software: Application software or Applications are what most people think of when they think of software. Typical examples include office suites and video games. Application software is often purchased separately from computer hardware. Sometimes applications are bundled with the computer, but that does not change the fact that they run as independent applications. Applications are usually independent programs from the operating system, though they are often tailored for specific platforms. Most users think of compilers, databases, and other "system software" as applications.
• User-written software: End-user development tailors systems to meet users' specific needs. User software includes spreadsheet templates and word processor templates. Even email filters are a kind of user software. Users create this software themselves and often overlook how important it is. Depending on how competently the user-written software has been integrated into default application packages, many users may not be aware of the distinction between the original packages, and what has been added by co-workers." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software )
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------* OK, and now my own text (a tender document relating to a traffic-signal controllers; basically, the Belgian government is looking for a company to supply the equipment):
"Het afstandsbedieningssysteem staat ook in voor het tot stand brengen van een verbinding tussen de verkeersregelaar en een PC of laptop op afstand ( zie ook $gebruikerssoftware)."
[…]
1.2.1.1.O GEBRUIKERSSOFTWARE Als last van de aanneming levert de opdrachtnemer alle gebruikerssoftware nodig voor het uitvoeren van minstens alle handelingen zoals hieronder beschreven. De gebruikerssoftware wordt in 7-voud geleverd op een USB-stick, CD- of DVD-ROM die het de aanbestedende overheid mogelijk maakt de software volledig te (her)configureren op een eigen toestel. De minimale specificaties dat dit toestel moet hebben, worden duidelijk bij de inschrijving vermeld. De gebruikerssoftware laat minimaal toe om lokaal (via ethernetverbinding of draadloze, goed beveiligde WIFI verbinding) en op afstand (via een inbelverbinding of het telematicanetwerk): • De inhoud van het geheugen uit te lezen en op te slaan in een gebruikelijk formaat, in het bijzonder: o Alle actuele en afgemelde foutmeldingen o De gegevens van het kruispunt: seingroepen, detectoren, beveiligde/bewaakte rode verkeerslichten, conflictmatrix, … o De opgeslagen detectorwaarden en seingroeptoestanden • Een overzicht te geven van eerder geïnstalleerde kruispuntprogramma’s (datum aanpassing, verkeersplannummer, …) etc."
Explanation: Do not let yourself be confused by the mental image of the user as an ordinary 'man on the street'. The user here is not necessarily a lay individual; more likely a professional who is using the software in a highly technical way to control the traffic signals but would still be classed as a user. Seems to me to be a straightforward choice.
Just asked someone I trust (and who would prefer to remain anonymous), who said:
"User software is any software that is required by a user to operate something, e.g. you buy a printer but need the user software to operate it, i.e. for settings, to add or delete various features etc. The same would apply to e.g. a smartphone that has features and settings that require the use of user software.
User software is not the same as user-written software.
User-written software is software (often scripts, modules etc.) written by users of a specific programming language or programming script language. User-written software can also be scripts or modules written in other software, like Dbase, XLS, MS Access etc. after purchasing the primary software packages. An extensive macro in MS Word, for example, would also be classified as being user-written software."
… so "user software" it is then. I'll wait the remainder of the suggested 24 hrs and then select Madeline's answer.
It's not that I can't find any references to the term "user software". I can! It's just that I can't find it clearly defined anywhere, and so far no reliable tec/IT dictionary clearly stating something like: gebruikerssoftware = user software/programs/applications.
Just translating it as … "software" (in my text) seems to be another possibility, but I'll probably ask the client just in case.
@Textpertise: I didn't just ask this question to figure out which term to use in this particular text. I asked it so I could create a definitive glossary entry (in my CAT tool) for the term "gebruikerssoftware".
It seems fairly clear to me that the term you need is user software. Some users may customise their browsers, others may use them out of the box. The latter will have a minimal degree of "user-writing" to their "user software". If you are worried about the term being too generic, presumably the rest of your text clarifies the nature of this user software. If this is the only problem you have to worry about in your translation, than the text you have is a makkie.
Michael, user-written is entirely different. I don't think you'll find 'user software' used much in English. You might be better forgetting the adjective altogether and say 'Operator's software' of 'Software for the User' or similar
"System software is a type of computer program that is designed to run a computer’s hardware and application programs. If we think of the computer system as a layered model, the system software is the interface between the hardware and user applications.
"System software (systems software) is computer software designed to operate and control the computer hardware and to provide a platform for running application software. System software can be separated into two different categories, operating systems and utility software. * The operating system (prominent examples being z/OS, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Linux), allows the parts of a computer to work together by performing tasks like transferring data between memory and disks or rendering output onto a display device. It also provides a platform to run high-level system software and application software. … * Utility software helps to analyze, configure, optimize and maintain the computer, such as virus protection. … In contrast to system software, software that allows users to do things like create text documents, play games, listen to music, or web browsers to surf the web are called application software. The line where the distinction should be drawn isn't always clear. Most operating systems bundle such software. Such software is not considered system software when it can be uninstalled without affecting the functioning of other software." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wi
"Application software is a subclass of computer software that employs the capabilities of a computer directly and thoroughly to a task that the user wishes to perform. [Application software] should be contrasted with system software which is involved in integrating a computer's various capabilities, but typically does not directly apply them in the performance of tasks that benefit the user." (http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/a/application_software.... ) --- "OPERATING SYSTEMS LECTURE:
"System Software System software refers to the files and programs that make up your computer's operating system. System files include libraries of functions, system services, drivers for printers and other hardware, system preferences, and other configuration files. The programs that are part of the system software include assemblers, compilers, file management tools, system utilites, and debuggers.
The system software is installed on your computer when you install your operating system. You can update the software by running programs such as "Windows Update" for Windows or "Software Update" for Mac OS X. Unlike application programs, however, system software is not meant to be run by the end user. For example, while you might use your Web browser every day, you probably don't have much use for an assembler program (unless, of course, you are a computer programmer)." (http://techterms.com/definition/systemsoftware )
"The components of an operating system all exist in order to make the different parts of a computer work together. All user software needs to go through the operating system in order to use any of the hardware, whether it be as simple as a mouse or keyboard or as complex as an Internet component.
…
A daemon, being a user program, can in turn access the local hardware resources of that computer by passing requests to the operating system kernel.
In protected mode, programs may have access to a more limited set of the CPU's instructions. A user program may leave protected mode only by triggering an interrupt, causing control to be passed back to the kernel. In this way the operating system can maintain exclusive control over things like access to hardware and memory." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operating_system )
Here, "user software/program" seems to be used to mean software used by a user logged into an OS.
Maybe it'll come to me in my sleep. It's past my bedtime anyway ;)
Automatic update in 00:
Answers
58 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +3
user software
Explanation: Do not let yourself be confused by the mental image of the user as an ordinary 'man on the street'. The user here is not necessarily a lay individual; more likely a professional who is using the software in a highly technical way to control the traffic signals but would still be classed as a user. Seems to me to be a straightforward choice.
Textpertise United Kingdom Local time: 20:56 Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 8