Applications Technical Guide
Application software, also known as an app, is computer software designed to help you to
perform specific tasks. Examples include word processing software, accounting software,
graphics software, media players and much more.
Contents
What is Application Software? ......................................................................................................................2
Microsoft Office Suite for Windows ..............................................................................................................2
What version of Microsoft office do you have? ........................................................................................3
Updating Microsoft Office .........................................................................................................................4
Microsoft Word .........................................................................................................................................4
Cut / Copy and Paste .................................................................................................................................4
Saving images ............................................................................................................................................4
Installing software .....................................................................................................................................5
To install a program from a CD or DVD .................................................................................................5
To install a program from the Internet ..................................................................................................5
Managing Plug ins / Add ons .....................................................................................................................6
Apple Mac OS X applications .........................................................................................................................7
iWork office suite for Mac .....................................................................................................................7
Microsoft Office Suite for Mac ..............................................................................................................7
What is Application Software?
Click on the following links to find out more the different types of application software:
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An Application suite consists of multiple applications bundled together. They usually
have related functions, features and user interfaces. Examples include Microsoft Office,
OpenOffice.org and iWork, which bundle together a word processor, a spreadsheet, and
much more.
Educational software has the content and/or features adapted for use in by educators or
students. For example, it may deliver evaluations (tests), track progress through material,
or include collaborative capabilities.
Content access software is used primarily to access content without editing. Examples
include media players, web browsers, and help browsers.
Media development software generates print and electronic media. This includes
graphic-art software, desktop publishing software, multimedia development software,
HTML editors, digital-animation editors, digital audio and video composition, and many
others.
Sourced from Wikipedia.
Microsoft Office Suite for Windows
Microsoft Office is a set of interrelated desktop applications that include:
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Microsoft Office Outlook - emails
Microsoft Office Word – documents
Microsoft Office Excel – spreadsheets
Microsoft Office Access - databases
Microsoft Office PowerPoint - presentations
Click here to see a full list
Click on the following links to access a variety of training resources:
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Microsoft training by Microsoft – Productivity Programmes
training videos on Microsoft Office programs (click on the link and then scroll down)
FREE Microsoft Office training manuals
What version of Microsoft office do you have?
You can find out more than just the version of a software application in one simple right click
action. And you can use the same right click action to find the properties of other things like files,
folders and directories.
Click on the Start bar and locate Microsoft Word on your menu. Then right click the menu option
and select Properties:
From the dialogue box you can read what version of the application you have. As you can see
from the example below, the version of Word on my computer is 2007.
Updating Microsoft Office
Software is being continuously changed and therefore you need to have the software regularly
updated. To do this is quite easy. All you need to ensure is that your system is set up to
automatically update. Click here to find out more.
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word is part of the Microsoft Office application suite. Microsoft Word is a very popular
application used to create a variety of documents such as letters, memo’s, faxes and newsletters.
Following are training videos on how to create documents using two different versions of
Microsoft Word:
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Microsoft Word 2007 training videos
Microsoft Word 2010 training videos
The following are manuals and other resources that will help you learn more about Microsoft
Word:
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Introduction to Microsoft Word 2007
Advanced Microsoft Word 2007
Microsoft Word 2007 quick reference guide
Microsoft Word 2010 quick reference guide
Upgrading to Word 2010
Cut / Copy and Paste
Copy and paste is a process that you are going to use frequently to move items around in a
document. Click here to watch a video on the basic process of copying (and cutting / moving) and
pasting of text.
Saving images
Saving images is useful should you wish to use them in your documents. Google Images has a
great library of images. Click here to watch a video on how to save a picture off the internet.
Installing software
How you install a program depends on where the installation files for the program are located.
Typically, programs are installed from a CD or DVD, from the Internet, or from a network.
To install a program from a CD or DVD
Insert the disc into your computer, and then follow the instructions on your screen. If
you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or
provide confirmation.
Many programs installed from CDs or DVDs open an installation wizard for the program
automatically. In these cases, the AutoPlay dialog box appears and you can choose to run
the wizard.
If a program doesn't begin installation automatically, check the information that came with
the program. This information will likely provide instructions for installing the program
manually. If you can't access the information, you can also browse through the disc and
open the program setup file, usually called Setup.exe or Install.exe.
To install a program from the Internet
In your web browser, click the link to the program.
Do one of the following:
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To install the program immediately, click Open or Run, and then follow the instructions
on your screen. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation,
type the password or provide confirmation.
To install the program later, click Save, and then download the installation file to your
computer. When you're ready to install the program, double-click the file, and then
follow the instructions on your screen. This is a safer option because you can scan the
installation file for viruses before you proceed.
Note: When downloading and installing programs from the Internet, be sure you trust the
publisher of the program and the website that's offering the program.
(Sourced from Windows Help)
Managing Plug ins / Add ons
(Sourced from BBC WebWise)
A plug-in is a (sometimes essential) piece of software code that enables an application or
program to do something it couldn’t by itself. For example, you may be on the BBC site and
decide to watch one of their videos. If you don’t have the appropriate software loaded to watch
the video, it may pop up with a message that you need to install a ‘plug-in’. One of the more
common plug-ins is Adobe Flash Player. Without Flash Player you won’t, for example, be able to
view some games or videos. Note: Flash Player is not compatible with Apple idevices.
Click here to find out how to download several plugins.
Apple Mac OS X applications
Apple automatically comes installed with a number of applications and utilities. For a full list of
them and what they do, click here.
There might be additional applications that you may require. The Mac App Store application lets
you browse, purchase, and download your favourite Mac apps. When you find an app you like,
click to buy it. Apps are added to Launchpad on your Mac in seconds, ready to go. The Mac App
Store even tells you when updates are available, so you’ll always have the latest version of any
app you buy.
Click on the following links to access a variety of training resources:
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Using Mac Applications
Training videos for Apple Mac’s.
iWork office suite for Mac
iWork is an office suite of desktop applications created by Apple for OS X and iOS operating
systems. It includes software to create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
Click here to access the iWork training tutorials.
Microsoft Office Suite for Mac
Microsoft Office for Mac is a version of the Microsoft Office suite released for use on the
Macintosh operating system. In a strange twist, Microsoft Office was available for the Mac even
before it was available for Windows. Sourced from www.whatismicrosoftoffice.com
Click here find out more about Office for Macs.