Chapter 4

Module 4A an introduction to application software Module 4B word processing Module 4C spreadsheets Module 4D databases Module 4E presentation packages Chapter 4

An Introduction to Application Software Introducing Application Software: Tools for Productivity Integrated Programs & Suites: The All-in-One Approach Web Integration: A New Way to Get the Word Out Module A

Introduction to application software Module A Refers generally to all the programs that enable computer users to apply the computer to the work they do.

Horizontal versus Vertical Applications Introduction to application software Horizontal versus Vertical Applications Horizontal applications general purpose word processing, spreadsheets, data bases productivity software Vertical applications for a particular line of business example: medical billing generally more expensive sometimes custom software Module A

Considerations System requirements Introduction to application software Considerations System requirements Commercial programs, shareware, & freeware Software licenses Distribution methods Module A Not sure whether you’re using the latest version? Versions will send you e-mail notifying you of new versions of the software you’re using.

Many software publishers use the Internet to deliver software updates. Introduction to application software Considerations Documentation Software versions Installation Registration Module A Many software publishers use the Internet to deliver software updates.

Visual Metaphors: working in familiar ways Introduction to application software Visual Metaphors: working in familiar ways Module A Successful programs do a good job of fitting into the way we’re accustomed to doing business

Integrated Programs & Suites: the All-In-One Approach Introduction to application software Integrated Programs & Suites: the All-In-One Approach Module A Office Suites (Windows 95/98/NT)

a new way to get the word out Introduction to application software Web Integration: a new way to get the word out Microsoft Office is a popular office suite with the ability to save your files in the HTML codes that underlie World Wide Web documents Module A

Word Processing Word Processing Software: the electronic scribe Desktop Publishing Module B

Word Processing Software: the electronic scribe Writing word wrap Editing cut-and-paste spell, grammar & style checkers formatting advanced formatting Module B

Word Processing Software: the electronic scribe Saving DOS up to 8 characters Windows 95/98/NT up to 255 characters Mac up to 32 characters Printing Module B

Word Processing Software: the electronic scribe Word processing & writing quality The Internet connection save in HTML Module B Need some help with writing? Visit one of the most amazing sites on the Web, Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab (OWL).

Word processing Desktop Publishing Module B Combines text and graphics, and advanced formatting to create visually appealing printed documents, such as newsletters, brochures, magazines, and books.

Spreadsheets Spreadsheets for Simulation—and more Exploring the Worksheet Working with Formulas Creating a Worksheet Developing the Worksheet Generating Spreadsheet Charts Advanced Spreadsheet Features Spreadsheet Risks Module C

Spreadsheets What-if scenario “What would happen if we could cut shipping costs by just 5 percent?” A few keys are pressed, and the other manager says, “Looks good. If we can get the shipper to agree to this, we can double our sales volume -- and everyone wins.” Module C What-if scenario

Spreadsheets for Simulation—and more Module C A spreadsheet is a program designed to process information in the form of tables.

Exploring the Worksheet Spreadsheets Exploring the Worksheet The workbook The worksheet What you can enter in a worksheet numbers text formulas Cell formats Module C

Working with Formulas Simple formulas Cell references Replication Spreadsheets Working with Formulas Simple formulas Cell references Replication Functions Absolute cell reference Module C

Creating a Worksheet Defining the purpose Spreadsheets Creating a Worksheet Defining the purpose Planning how the output will look Defining the user’s input Defining the calculations Module C

Spreadsheets Developing the worksheet give the worksheet a title indicate the purpose provide instructions about number format provide input cells for user-supplied data keep data entry areas separate Module C

Spreadsheets Generating spreadsheet charts Get fancy with charts column chart bar chart line chart pie chart Get fancy with charts Module C

Spreadsheets Advanced spreadsheet features Spreadsheet risks macros Spreadsheet risks burying important assumptions inside cells creating formulas that contain mistakes poor design cells containing formulas look like any other cell (formulas can be erased by mistake) Strategies for avoiding errors Module C

Databases Database Concepts: The Essentials What’s a good Database System? Using Database Software Types of Database Programs The Internet Connection: Going Public with Data Module D

Database Concepts: The Essentials Databases Database Concepts: The Essentials Database collection of information stored in an organized way can consist of one or more files Database file made up of records unit of information about something Module D

Database Concepts: The Essentials Databases Database Concepts: The Essentials Records organized into distinct fields Field separate area to store a certain type of information Module D Explore the world of computer databases at LookSmart’s Databases page.

What’s a Good Database System? Data integrity use data validation procedures Data independence Avoidance of data redundancy Data security Data maintenance Module D

Using Database Software Creating a database design an on-screen form Getting information validate fields text, numeric, date/time, or logical fields Module D

Using Database Software Finding information browse view list view queries Structured Query Language (SQL) Module D Learn SQL online at “Introduction to Structured Query Language,” an online tutorial.

Using Database Software Reports can be viewed on screen or printed Module D Printing the data reports form letters report languages

Types of Database Programs Databases Types of Database Programs File management programs flat files Database management systems (DBMS) relational database object-oriented databases Data warehousing & data mining Module D

The Internet connection: Going public with data Databases The Internet connection: Going public with data AMP Inc. provides a catalog of close to 90,000 components via a Web server linked to an Oracle relational database Module D Like to see a high-powered relational database in action? Log on to Tower Records) to link to an Informix relational database containing information on thousands of CDs.

Presentation Packages Presentation Graphics: Liven your Lectures The Internet Connection Using Visual Aids Effectively: Some Pointers Module E

Presentation Graphics: Presentation packages Presentation Graphics: Liven Your Lectures Module E This software, like other top-selling productivity programs, uses a visual metaphor: here, a simulation of the media (such as a 35mm slide or transparency) that you’ll actually use for your presentation. Each “page” of the presentation is called a slide

Presentation Graphics Presentation packages Presentation Graphics Getting fancy on-screen show transparencies 35mm slides audience handouts speaker notes Templates ready-made designs Module E

Presentation Graphics Presentation packages Presentation Graphics View options slide view outline view slide sorter view notes view master Module E

Presentation Graphics Presentation packages Presentation Graphics Slide options two-column bulleted list table organization chart text and chart text and clip art multimedia Module E

Presentation Graphics Presentation packages Presentation Graphics Getting fancy transition effect expansion build multimedia automatic presentations Runtime version Module E

Internet Connection Presentation packages Module E The latest programs can generate output to HTML and Internet graphics formats. They can generate an entire Web presentation, including a title page and a table of contents

Using Visual Aids Effectively Presentation packages Using Visual Aids Effectively One concept per slide Keep language simple Don’t tell everything Use a variety of slide formats Make sure your text is legible Module E