Chapter 3
Application Software
Objectives
Identify the categories
of application software
Identify the key features of widely used
home, personal, and educational programs
Explain how to work
with application software
Identify the types of application
software used in communications
Identify the key features of widely
used business programs
Describe the function of several
utility programs
Identify the key features of widely used
Describe the learning aids available
for application software
graphics and multimedia programs
Application Software
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•
Programs designed to make users more productive.
Uses:
•
•
•
•
•
Efficient business activities
Assist Graphic & Multimedia projects
Support home/personal & educational tasks
Facilitate Communication
4 Categories:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Business
Graphics & Multimedia
Home/Personal/Educational
Communications
Categories of Application Software
How is software distributed?
• Packaged software: mass-produced, copyrighted
retail software. MS Office
• Custom software: performs functions specific to a
business or industry
• Open source software: provided for use,
modification, and redistribution
• Shareware: distributed free for trial period
• Freeware: copyrighted software provided at no cost
• Public-domain software: freeware with no copyright
restrictions
1. Business Software
•
Assists people in becoming more effective & efficient while performing business
activities.
Business Software
• Word Processing Software:
• Allows users to create and manipulate text and graphics.
• Clip art, font, font style, font size, formatting, print
• Spreadsheet Software:
• Organizes data
• Calculations
• Charts
• How is a spreadsheet organized?
• Columns identified by letters
• Rows identified by numbers
• A cell is the intersection of a column and row
Business Software
• Database Software:
• Allows users to create, access, and manage a database.
• Database is a collection of organized data that allows
access, retrieval & use of data.
• Parts of database:
– A table contains records
– A record is a row in a table that contains data about a given
person, product, object, or event.
– A field is a column in a table that contains a specific category
of
data within a record.
Business Software
• Presentation Graphics Software:
– Used to create visual aids for presentations
– A presentation is sometimes called a slide show
• Note Taking Software:
–
–
Enables users to enter typed text, handwritten
comments, drawings, or sketches anywhere on
the page
Notes are organized like a notebook
Business Software
• Personal Information Manager Software:
– Allows PDA users to help users organize personal
information
• Calendar, address book, notepad, and synchronization with
desktop computer
• PDA Business Software:
– In addition to PIM software, a huge variety of business
software is available for PDA like:
•
•
•
•
•
Create documents & worksheets
Manage databases
Create slideshows
Take notes
Manage budget
Business Software
• Software Suite:
– A collection of individual applications sold as a
single package
– Microsoft Office, Sun StarOffice.
• Project Management Software:
– Allows you to plan, schedule, track, and analyze
the events, resources, and costs of a project.
Business Software
• Accounting Software:
– Helps companies record and report their financial
transactions.
• Document Management Software:
– Provides a means for sharing, distributing, and
searching through documents by converting them
into a format that can be viewed by any user.
– PDF
Business Software
• Enterprise Computing Software:
– A large organization requires special computing
solutions because of its size and large
geographical distribution
– Each functional unit has specialized software
requirements
Graphics and Multimedia Software
Graphics and Multimedia Software
•What is computer-aided design (CAD)?
•Software that allows you to create engineering,
architectural, and scientific designs
•What is desktop publishing (DTP) software?
•Enables you to design and produce sophisticated
documents that contain text, graphics, and many
colors
•What is paint/image editing software?
•Used to create and modify graphical images
•Sometimes called illustration software
Graphics and Multimedia Software
• What is video and audio editing software?
• Video editing software allows you to modify a
segment of a video, called a clip
• Audio editing software allows you to modify audio
clips
• What is multimedia authoring software?
• Allows you to combine text, graphics, audio, video,
and animation into an interactive presentation
• What is Web page authoring software?
• Allows users of all skill levels to create Web pages
• Some application software programs include Web
page authoring programs
Software for Home, Personal, and
Educational Use
Application Software for
Communications
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•
•
•
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•
•
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Email
FTP
Web Browser
Video Conferencing
Message Board
Chat Room
Instant Messaging
Blogging
Popular Utility Programs
Antivirus
Program
Personal
Firewall
File
Compression
Spyware
Remover
Backup
Internet
Filters
CD/DVD
Burning
File
Manager
PC
Maintenance
Learning Aids and Support Tools for Application
Software
• What is Online Help?
Learning Aids and Support Tools for Application
Software
• What is Web-based Help?
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
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A Web site linked from Online Help
Provides updates and more resources to respond
to technical issues about a program
Some Web sites contain chat rooms where a user can talk
directly with a technical support person
Learning Aids and Support Tools for Application
Software
• How can I learn more about a software package?




Books
Web
School
What is Web-based training (WBT)?

Self-directed, self-paced instruction on a topic on the
Web
Summary of Application Software
Application software
Software for communications
Business software
Popular utility programs
Graphics and multimedia software
Software for home, personal,
and educational use
Learning aids and support tools
within an application
Questions?