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7 Applications Software

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
30 views43 pages

7 Applications Software

Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Applications Software: Getting

the Work Done


Objectives
 Distinguish between operating systems and
applications software
 List the various methods by which individuals and
businesses acquire software
 List and briefly describe various types of task-
oriented software
 Identify the kinds of software available for both large
and small businesses
 Discuss ethical issues associated with software
 Describe the functions of various computer
professionals
Contents

 Applications Software
 Software Types
 Task-Oriented Productivity Software
 Business Software
 Application Software and Ethics
 Computers and People
Applications Software

Apply to real-world tasks


Solves user problems

vs. OS
controls the hardware
PC Software Characteristics

 User-friendly
 Easy
 Intuitive
 Minimum training and documentation needed to use
Software Types
Custom Software

 Written by programmers
 Takes a lot of time to write and test
 When specifications are unique
Software Types
Packaged or Commercial

 Soldin stores, catalogs, or downloadable


from the WWW
 Purchased from software publishers
 Must be installed
 Standard or custom installation
 The setup process copies some of all of the
software to the hard disk
 May require the CD-ROM to be in the drive to run
Acquiring Software

 Freeware
 Free to all
 Copyrighted
 Distributed in machine-readable format
 Shareware
 Freely distributed for a trial period
 Pay a nominal fee to register with the author
Acquiring Software
 Public-domain software
 Un-copyrighted
 May be used or altered without restriction
 Generally developed under government grants
 Open-source
 Free to all
 Source code is distributed
 May be used or altered
 Popular under the LINUX OS
Acquiring Software

 Commercial software
 Used most often
 Copyrighted
 Generally costly
 May not be copied without permission of the manufacturer
Purchasing Commercial Software
Individuals
 Software warehouse store
 Mail order
 Electronic software distribution
Purchasing Commercial Software

Businesses
 Volume discount
 Site license
 Network versions
 Application Service Provide (ASP)
 Software is setup and maintained by ASP
 Access the software over the Internet
 Pay per use
 Saves the expense of installing and maintaining
the software
Task-Oriented Software
Productivity Software

Makes
Makes work
work faster
faster
Makes
Makes our
our lives
lives easier
easier
Word Processing

 Uses
 Memos
 Reports
 Correspondence
 Minutes of meetings
 Anything to be typed

 Functions
 Create
 Edit
 Format
 Store
 Print text and graphics
Desktop Publishing

 Uses
 Newsletters
 Reports
 Brochures
 Functions
 Handles high-level publishing needs
Electronic Spreadsheets

 Uses
 Comparing mortgage interest rates
 Preparing budgets
 Tracking weight loss

 Functions
 Manipulates numbers in rows and columns
 Recalculates the results when a number is
changed
 What if?
Electronic Spreadsheets
Database Management

 Uses
 Keep track of a large number of related facts
 Query the data for specific information
 Retrieve information in a variety of ways

 Functions
 Store data
 Update data
 Manipulate data
 Retrieve data
 Print data in many forms
 Report on data in a variety of ways
Graphics

 Uses
 Maps
 Graphs
 Charts
 Helps to
 Compare data
 Spot trends
 Make decisions
 Visual information is more compelling
Presentation Graphics

 Uses
 Salestool
 Demonstrate a product
 Show cost/benefit projections on charts
 Present audio/video testimonials from satisfied
customers
 May contain
 Text
 Graphics
 Audio
 Video
Computer Art

 Use software to
 Produce art
 Express ideas

 Graphic artist
 Artistic ability
 Computer skills
 Produces computer art
Communications

 Communicate from home with computer at office


 Access data stored in another computer in another location
 Stock exchange updates
 Weather information
Communications

 Provides method for


communicating
between computers
 Most likely way to
connect is via the
Internet
 Use a browser to
access the Internet
Office Suites

 Groupof basic software applications


designed to work together
 Data is portable between basic
applications of the suite
 Variousapplications in the suite
have the same “look and feel”
 Cost of suite is less than purchasing
individual applications
Integrated Applications

 Combine basic word processing,


spreadsheet, and graphics capabilities
 More limited than a suite
 Easier to learn and use
Software Development Focus

 Ease of use
 Personal use programs
 Personal time organizers
 To-do list makers
 E-mail programs
 Internet access
Business Software

 Custom-written to
meet special
business needs
 Standard packages
 Combination of
custom-written and
off-the-shelf
Vertical Market Software

 Written for a particular type of business


 Dentist’s office
 Drugstore
 Auto shop
 Software may be part of complete
package
 Hardware
 Installation
 Training
 Support
Software for Workgroups

 Groupware / collaborative software


 Lets a group of people share
information or track information
together
 Data being used is located in central
database
 Data can be accessed and updated by
anyone in the project group
Software for Workgroups

Examples
 Scheduling
 Preparation of proposals by several
individuals
The Information Center
Help Desk

 Software selection
 Software training
 Software and hardware installations
 Software and hardware updates
 Troubleshooting
Software for Small Business

 Accounting
 Spreadsheet software
 Accounting package – Basic accounting,
financial statements, tax summaries, payroll
 Writing and Advertising
 Word processing
 Desktop publishing

 Customer Service
 Database management
Software for Small Business

 Keeping Up and Making Contacts


 Networking over the Internet
 Making Sales Pitches
 Graphical presentation software
Small Office, Home Office SOHO

 Moderately priced to solve typical needs


 All-in-one software package
Small Office, Home Office SOHO

What is needed What is has


  Searchable library of
Organizational skills of a
secretary resources
 Legal guide
 Research skills of a
librarian  Tax guide
  Collections of business
Accounting skills of a
bookkeeper documents
 Links to useful business
 Experience of someone
and government sites on
who has done it before the Internet
Application Software Ethics

What is
What is legal?
legal?
Software Piracy

 Making illegal copies of copyrighted software


 Why the fuss?
 Very easy to duplicate software vs. a text book
 Software company may lose hundreds of dollars
per pirated copy
 Prosecution
 Yes: Small-medium sized business who purchase
a few copies and distribute to many users
 No: Individual users who probably would not have
purchased software on their own anyway
Counterfeiting

 Software is copied onto CD-ROMS / DVD-


ROMS
 Package duplicates the original
 Sold in flea markets or small stores
 Cheaper price
 Occurs more overseas
Copying Software

 Legitimate reasons
 Backup copy
 Copy to hard disk
 Illegitimate reasons
 Obtain software without paying for it
Computers and People

Users
 Any individual who
operates a computer
to accomplish a task
 Home

 Business
Computer Professionals

 Management Information Systems (MIS)


 Computer Information Systems (CIS)
 Computing Services
 Information Services
 Information Technology (IT)
Computer Professionals
 Data entry operators – key data into a machine-
readable format
 Computer operators – monitor the computer
 Librarians – catalog and keep secure the disks
 Computer programmers – write, test, implement, and
maintain programs
 Systems analysts – plan and design computer
systems
 Network manager – oversees the network
 Chief information officer (CIO) – department
manager; makes strategic decisions relating to the
flow of information in the organization

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