 A set of step-by-step instructions that tells the computer what to do.  Also called programs P. 162

 System Software – Operating System › Runs the computer › Coordinates instructions between application software and the computer’s hardware devices  Application Software › Task oriented › Set out to complete a task and the software helps you to do that P. 162

 Create and edit documents  Format documents for visual appeal  Change appearance of documents P. 163

 Spelling/Grammar  Search and Replace  Translate words or phrases to another language P.163

 Calculations and numerical analyses  Worksheet environment – grid of columns and rows  Create charts P. 164

 Create dynamic slide shows  Create high-quality presentations P. 166

 Complex electronic filing system  Organized into fields, records and tables  Used to “filter” records P. 166

 Microsoft Outlook  Management tools like a calendar, address book, notepad and to-do list P. 166

 Wizard – step-by-step guides that walk you through steps to complete a complicated task  Templates – provide the basic structure for a particular kind of document, spreadsheet or presentation. P. 167

 A single software program that incorporates the most commonly used tools of productivity software  Perfect if you don’t need the more advanced features found in the individual productivity software applications  “Software lite” P. 168

 Group of programs that have been bundled as a package  Microsoft Office  Less expensive to buy than buying individual programs  Share common features, toolbars and menus P. 170

 Intuit TurboTax  Enables you to prepare your state and federal taxes on your own rather than having to hire a professional P. 171

 Financial Planning Software helps to manage your daily finances  Quicken and Microsoft Money  Electronic Checkbook Registers  Automatic bill payment tools – print your own checks or pay recurring monthly bills P. 171

 Create image, video, and audio editing software, animation software and other specialty software required to produce computer games, animations and movies P. 175

 Microsoft Photo Story (free download)  Google’s Picasa (free download)  Add text, music, and camera movement to create full-featured slide shows P. 175

 Adobe Photoshop CS3  Corel Paint Shop Pro  Remove red-eye, modifying contrast, sharpness and color, removing scratches or rips from scanned images of old photos P. 175

 Best selling novels, newspapers and radio shows can be purchased as audio files  P. 176

 MP3 is an audio compression format  Reduces file size of digital audio files  More files will take up less room  Typical CD stores between 10 and 15 songs in uncompressed format  MP3 format – same CD can store between 100 and 180 songs P. 176

   Enables you to perform basic editing tasks on audio files – cut dead-air space from beginning or end of the song  Add special sound effects – echo P. 177

 Microsoft Movie Maker  Create professional-quality movies  Download from Microsoft Web Site for free P. 177

 Computer games  P. 178

 Rating system to help consumers choose the computer and video games that are right for their families  EC – (early childhood) ages 3 and older  E – (everyone) ages 6 and older  E 10+ (everyone 10+) ages 10 and older  P. 179

 Macromedia Flash (Adobe Systems)  RPG MAKER XP  Provide tools you need to explore game design and creation  GameMaker ( is a free download that enables you to build a gamewww.gamemaker.nl P. 180

 Full set of encyclopedias are on CDs or DVDs  Include multimedia content such as interactive maps, video, and audio clips  Word Book, Britannica, Grolier are all on CD/DVD P. 181

 Create or edit two-dimensional, line- based drawings  Adobe Illustrator  Microsoft Visio  Microsoft Paint P. 182

 Accounting Software – QuickBooks  DTP (Desktop Publishing Software) – size and place text and graphics  Web page authoring software – create and edit web sites – Dreamweaver and Microsoft Office SharePoint Designer 2007 P

 Project Management Software – manage schedules and timelines  Mapping Programs – for businesses that require employees to travel frequently  “Vertical Market” software – specialized software P. 185

 CAD programs are 3-D modeling programs that engineers use to create automated designs and technical drawings P. 187

 Web sites FAQs page  Chat using the Internet with a member of an online support team  Microsoft Applications – top right of the screen you’ll find a question mark icon – this is the help button  Online Tutorials – how to use a program P. 187

 Application software you buy has to be installed on your computer  Web-based application software – Mapquest.com – does not have to be installed on your computer P. 188

 Campus computer stores or college bookstores offer discounted prices to students and faculty  eBay  Computer Shows P. 189

 Freeware is any copyrighted software that you can use for free  is a good source of freeware offering a large variety of programs P. 189

 Software distributed freely BUT with certain conditions  Shareware is NOT Freeware  Shareware – used for a certain trial period – then you are expected to purchase the software  Developers may incorporate code into programs to stop them from working completely after the trial period is over P

 Downloading software from an UNKNOWN source could potentially put your system at risk for contracting a virus P. 191

 Number after the software name indicates a version  No need to rush out and buy the latest version of a software program  Unless upgrades add features that are important to you, you may be better off waiting until all the bugs are out P. 191

 Newest versions of software are “backward compatible” – can open files created with older versions  “Forward Compatible” – older versions CANNOT open files created on newer versions P. 191

 On the “Box” of the software are the requirements – specify the operating system, processor, RAM and hard drive capacity P. 192

 You need to uninstall a program  Deleting the icon from your desktop does not rid your system of all the pieces of the program P. 194