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Chapter 4

Application Software:

Programs That Let You Work and Play

Computer Skills For Preparatory

Programs

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Software

Software: A set of instructions that tells the computer

what to do.

Two main types of software System software

Application software

System Software vs. Application Software

System Software

Helps run the computer

and coordinates

instructions between

software and hardware

Includes Operating system Utility programs

Application Software

Programs used to complete

tasks.

Includes Productivity software Specialty software Entertainment software Educational and

reference software Personal software

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Application Software

Application Software

Productivity

Media

Home/Entertainment

Business

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1. Productivity Software

Productivity Software :

Programs that enable you to perform tasks

required in home, school, and business.

1.1. Word processing programs

1.2. Spreadsheet programs

1.3. Presentation programs

1.4. Database programs

1.5. Note Taking Software

1.6. Personal information manager programs

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Used to create and edit documents Features include:

Quick and easy editing

Formatting options

Search-and-replace

Translation.

Examples Microsoft Word

1.1. Word Processing Software

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1.2. Spreadsheet Software

Used to perform calculations

and numerical analyses.

Basic element in

spreadsheet program is

worksheet.

Work sheet: a grid that

consisting of columns &

rows.

Columns & rows form

individual boxes called cells.

Features include:

Worksheets with cells.

Text, values, formulas, and functions.

Automatic recalculation.

Graphs and charts.

Examples

Microsoft Excel.

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1.3. Presentation Software

Used to create dynamic slide shows.

Features include: Templates and layouts

Animation : control how and when text

and other objects enter and exit each slide.

Transitions: add different effects as you

move from one slide to the next during the presentation.

Examples Microsoft PowerPoint

1.4. Database Software

Allows to store and organize data and it’s basically Used

as a complex electronic filing system that can be used to

track invoices, and personnel information.

Features include:

Ability to group, sort, and filter data and generate reports

Organized into fields, records, and tables

Examples

Microsoft Access

Database Software (conti)

Traditional databases are organized into fields, records,

and tables.

Field:

is a data category such as “First Name.”

Record:

is a collection of related fields.

Table:

groups related records together.

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1.5. Note Taking Software

• Programs are available to help students take notes during lectures and organize and maintain their lecture notes.

• Examples:

- Microsoft OneNote

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1.6. Personal Information Manager Software [PIM]

Used to replace the management tools found on a

traditional desk

Features include:

Calendar, address book, notepad, to-do list

Some contain e-mail management features

Examples

Microsoft Outlook

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Productivity Software Tools

Wizards

Step-by-step guides that help you complete a task

Templates

Predesigned forms included with software

Macros

Small programs that group a series of commands to

run as a single command. are best used to automate a

routine task or a complex series of commands that

must be run frequently.

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2. Multimedia Software

Med

ia S

oft

ware

Image Editing

software

Audio Editing software

Video Editing software

Media Management software

2.1. Digital Image Editing Software

Used to edit photographs and other images

Include tools for basic modifications to digital

images such as: Remove red-eye

Modify contrast

Fix scratches

Examples: Adobe Photoshop

2.2. Digital Audio Software

Used to edit audio files in formats such as MP3, WAV, WMA, and AIFF,

Most popular format: MP3: “MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3” is a type of

audio Compression format

Features include:

recording, editing, adding special effects, and format conversion

Example: Open Source Audacity

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2.3. Digital Video Editing Software

Used to create and edit video files.

Buy the application that supports your file format

Many portable devices (iPod touch) play MP4 format ( it compresses video file)

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Video File Format:

Flash Video ( FLV for Youtube)

MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 “MP4”.

AVI.

WMV.

MOV.

Examples Microsoft Movie Maker

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2.4. Media Management Software

Software to organize media files

Sort, filter, and search by artist, album, or

category

Examples

Windows Media Player

Manage tracks and generate playlists

Burn songs to CDs and print liner notes

Online Photo Management

Web-based sites allow easy management

and sharing of digital photos

Allow creation of photo albums

Offer professional printing services

Examples

Flickr.com

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3. Software fun for home

Ho

me

En

tert

ain

me

nt

Gaming

Education

Reference

Drawing

Software fun for home

Entertainment software is designed to provide users with thrills

,chills , and all-out fun!

Games began with Pong , Pac-Man ,and Donkey Kong and evolved

to include many different categories including action, driving,

puzzles, role-playing, card-playing, sports, strategy and simulation

games.

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3.1. Gaming Software

Computer games require appropriate: Processing power

Memory (RAM)

Hard disk capacity

Sound card

Video card

Speakers

Monitor

CD or DVD drive

Specialized controllers

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Game Rating System

The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)

previde :

Rating symbols: suggest age appropiateness.

Everyone (E)

Teens (T)

Mature (M)

Adult Only (AO)

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3.2. Educational and Reference

Software Educational Software

Provides instruction

Types include: K–12 education

Skill development

Test preparation.

Brain training

Simulations

Online courses

Reference Software

Electronic research

Types include:

• Encyclopedias

• Atlases

• Dictionaries

• Thesauri

• Medical and legal references

3.2. Educational and Reference

Software :Course Management

Software (cont)

Used for Web-based classes

Features include: Calendars

Grade books

Discussion boards

Examples Blackboard

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3.3. Drawing Software

Used to create and edit Two-dimensional drawings

Technical diagrams

Animations

Geometric shapes

Examples Microsoft Visio

4.Business Software

Busin

ess S

oftw

are

Home Business software

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4.Business Software for Home and Office

4.1 Programs for home business

a) Accounting software

b) Desktop publishing software

c) Web page authoring software

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4.1. Home Business software

a) Accounting Software:

Helps small-business owners efficiently manage their finances

Includes templates for invoices, statements, and financial reports

• Examples

- Intuit QuickBooks

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4.1 Home Business software

b) Desktop Publishing Software (DTP):

Used to arrange text and graphics for publications

- Features include:

• Text formatting

• File importing

• Graphics tools

• Web publishing

- Examples

- Adobe InDesign

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4.1 Home Business software

c) Web Page Authoring Software

allows even the novice user to design interesting and

interactive Web pages without knowing any HTML code.

- Features include:

• Wizards and templates

• Reference materials

• Interactive content

- Examples

- Adobe Dreamweaver

- Office applications can save a document as a Web page

Another important Application Software

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Mapping Software

Provides nationwide street maps and directions

Supplies geographic data for decision making

Users can customize maps to include landmarks &

other traveling sites such as Airports, Hotels and

restaurants.

Available versions

GPS (available in Smartphones & cars)

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Computer-Aided Design Software

CAD

Used to create 3D models

Applications for architecture,

automotive, aerospace, and medical

engineering industries

Example: Autodesk’s AutoCAD

Integrated Software Applications vs. Software Suites

Integrated Application

• Single program that incorporates many software programs into a single integrated program.

• Complex features are not included

• Less expensive.

• Example: Microsoft Works, Quick Office

Software Suite

• Collection of stand-alone software programs packaged together

• Share common menus and toolbars

• Integrate well

• Developers: Microsoft, Corel, and Apple

• Example: Microsoft Office, Apple iWork

Getting Help with Software

Types of help

Frequently

asked questions

(FAQs)

Online help

and support

ScreenTips

MS Office

integrated help

Buying Software

Software license:

is an agreement between you , the user and

the software company .

You buy a license, not the software itself

Check license for:

Ultimate owner of software

Number of installations allowed per license

Per computer, per user.

Warranties

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Acquiring Software

1- Software can be purchased Through retail stores

Online

By mail order companies

2- Preinstalled software

3- Web-based application software (ex:Google Docs) Hosted on a Web site

Requires no installation on your computer

4- Discounted software

5- Custom-developed software

Freeware and Shareware

1. Freeware:

Copyrighted software you can use for free

2. Beta versions:

Programs still under development

3. Shareware:

Software that allows users to run it for a limited

time for free

4. Open source:

Free to use

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Software Versions

1. Numbers are used to represent major

and minor upgrades. - Major upgrade: Version 2.0

- Minor upgrade: Version 2.1

1. Years (Microsoft Office 2007).

2. letters (WordPerfect Office X3) are also

used.

- When an upgrade is released, consider if it

is cost-effective to purchase it.

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Installing/Uninstalling Software

• Installing software from CD or DVD

• Installation wizard

• Choose full or custom installation

• Downloading software from the Web

• Unzip files

• Launch setup program

• Uninstalling software

• Software uninstall utility

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The End