Chapter 03: Basic Application

Software

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 Competencies (Page 1 of 2)
• Discuss common features of most software
Computing Essentials 2012: Making IT Work for You

applications.
• Discuss word processors and word processing
features.
• Describe spreadsheets and spreadsheet features.
• Discuss database management systems and
database management features.

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 Competencies (Page 2 of 2)
• Describe presentation graphics and presentation
Computing Essentials 2012: Making IT Work for You

graphics features.
• Discuss integrated packages.
• Describe software suites including office suites,
cloud suites, specialized suites, and utility suites.

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 Introduction
• Not long ago, trained specialists were required to
Computing Essentials 2012: Making IT Work for You

perform many of the operations you can now do

with a microcomputer.
• Competent end users need to understand the
capabilities of basic application software
including:
– Word processors
– Spreadsheets
– Database management systems
– Presentation programs

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 Application Software
• Application software is end user software that is
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used to accomplish a variety of tasks

• Two categories
– Basic applications
(focus of this chapter)
– Specialized applications

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 Basic Applications
• Basic applications are also called general-purpose
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• Common types
– Word processors
– Spreadsheets
– Database management systems
– Presentation graphics

Return

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 Specialized Applications
• Also known as special-purpose applications
Computing Essentials 2012: Making IT Work for You

• There are thousands of programs more narrowly

focused on specific disciplines and occupations
• Includes:
– Graphics programs
– Audio and video editors
– Multimedia authoring programs
– Web authoring programs
– Virtual reality programs
– … and more

Return

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 Common Features
• Graphical User Interface (GUI)
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• Icons
• Windows
• Menus
• Toolbars

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 Toolbars
• Quick access to commonly used commands
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• Contains buttons that provide shortcuts

• Examples
– Standard Toolbar in Microsoft
Office Excel 2003

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 Microsoft Office 2007 & 2010
• Office 2010 is the latest version of Microsoft Office
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• Office 2007 introduced a new interface

– Ribbons
– Tabs
– Galleries

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 Making IT Work for You
Speech Recognition
• Allows your voice to control application software
Computing Essentials 2012: Making IT Work for You

• For best results, use your voice along with your

mouse and keyboard
– Train the software
– Control a program
– Dictate a document

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 Word Processors
• Used to create text-based documents
Computing Essentials 2012: Making IT Work for You

– Memos, letters, and faxes

– Newsletters, manuals, and brochures
• Word processing programs
– Microsoft Word
– Corel WordPerfect
– Apple Pages

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 Word Processor Features
• Word Wrap
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• Editing
– Thesaurus
– Find and Replace
– Spelling and grammar checkers
• Formatting
– Font and font sizing
– Character effects
– Bulleted and numbered lists

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 Word Processor Case
• Creating a Flyer
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• Creating a Report

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 Spreadsheets
• Programs that organize, analyze, graph, and
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otherwise manipulate numeric data

• Spreadsheet programs
– Microsoft Excel
– Corel Quattro
Pro
– Apple iWork's
Numbers

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 Spreadsheet Features
• Workbook files
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• Worksheet or spreadsheet or sheet

• Formulas
• Functions
• Analytical graphs
or charts
• What-if Analysis

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 Spreadsheet Case
• Creating a Sales Forecast
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• Creating a Chart

• Analyzing
Your Data

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 Database Management Systems
(DBMS)
• A database is a collection of related data
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• Comprised of tables, queries, forms, and reports

• Microsoft Access is the most popular desktop database
management software

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 Database Features
• Relational
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• Tables
– Records
– Fields
• Record sorting
• Queries
• Forms
• Reports

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 Database Case
• Creating a Database
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• Creating a Query

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 Presentation Graphics
• Programs that create visually interesting
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presentations
• Presentation programs
– Microsoft PowerPoint
– Corel Presentations
– Apple Keynote

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 Presentation Graphics Features
• Slides or pages
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• AutoContent wizard
• Design templates
• Content templates
• Animations
• Transitions
• Master slide

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 Presentation Graphics Case
• Creating a Presentation
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• Updating a Presentation

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 Integrated Packages
• A single program that provides the functionality of several
Computing Essentials 2012: Making IT Work for You

widely used programs

– Popular with many home users
– Classified as personal or home software
• Advantages are cost and simplicity
• Disadvantages are limited functions
• The most widely used
package is Microsoft Works

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 Software Suites
• Collection of separate application programs bundled
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together and sold as a group

• Four types of suites
– Productivity suites or office software suite
(e.g., Microsoft Office)
– Cloud suites or online office
suites (e.g., Google Docs)
– Specialized suites
– Utility suites (e.g., Norton
Internet Security suite)

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 Careers In IT
• Computer trainers instruct new users on the latest
Computing Essentials 2012: Making IT Work for You

software or hardware
• Attributes
– Good communication skills
– Teaching experience
– Detail oriented
– IT Experience
– Comfortable speaking to groups
• Earning potential of
$25,000 to $50,500 annually

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 A Look to the Future
• Agents will help write papers, pay bills, and shop
Computing Essentials 2012: Making IT Work for You

on the Internet
– Intelligent programs that can
understand your needs and act
to fulfill them.
– Currently primitive agents exist,
but next generation agents may
provide the most efficient way
to locate information on the Web

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 Open-Ended Questions (Page 1 of 2)

• Explain the difference between general-purpose

Computing Essentials 2012: Making IT Work for You

and special-purpose applications.

• Discuss the common features of most software

programs. Describe the new interface introduced
with Microsoft Office 2007 and Office 2010.

• What is the difference between a function and a

formula? How is a formula related to what-if
analysis?

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 Open-Ended Questions (Page 2 of 2)

• What are presentation graphics programs?

Computing Essentials 2012: Making IT Work for You

How are they used?

• What is the difference between an integrated

package and a software suite? What are the
advantages and disadvantages of each?

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