2. Chapter 03: Basic Application Software

3. Application Software
Application software is end user software that is used to accomplish a variety of tasks
Two categories
Basic applications (focus of this chapter)
Specialized applications
Two kinds of software (as discussed in Chapter 1)
System software (Key Term) – works with end users, application software, and computer hardware to handle the majority of technical details
Application Software (Key Term) – is end user software that is used to accomplish a variety of tasks
Two categories of Application Software
Basic Applications (Key Term) – focus of this chapter
Specialized Applications (Key Term) – focus of next chapter

4. Basic Applications Basic applications are also called general-purpose
Common types
Word processors
Spreadsheets
Database management systems
Presentation graphics
Use the application for which it was designed: if you want to process text, use Microsoft Word
If you need to sort (Key Term) information, use a database (Key Term) rather than a spreadsheet (Key Term)
Publications can be created with Microsoft Word, but presentation software and desktop publishing software are designed to perform this type of task more easily
Return

5. Specialized Applications
Also known as special-purpose applications
There are thousands of programs more narrowly focused on specific disciplines and occupations
Includes:
Graphics programs
Audio and video editors
Multimedia authoring programs
Web authoring programs
Virtual reality programs
… and more
Specialized Applications (Key Term) (will be presented in Chapter 4)
Called special-purpose applications
Common types
Graphics
Audio/video editors
Multimedia creation
Web authoring
Virtual reality programs
Return

6. Common Features Graphical User Interface (GUI) Icons Windows Menus
Toolbars
Common features of software
User interface (Key Term)
GUI – graphical user interface
Mouse and pointer (Key Term)
Window (Key Term)
Menus (Key Term)
Dialog Box (Key Term)
Pull-down menu or drop-down menu bars – these are commands presented on the menu bar (Key Term)
Toolbars (Key Term)
Buttons (Key Term)
Standard toolbars

7. Toolbars Quick access to commonly used commands
Contains buttons that provide shortcuts
Examples
Standard Toolbar in Microsoft Office Excel 2003
Review the common toolbar commands with students
Open
New
Save
Print
Print Preview

8. Microsoft Office 2007 & 2010
Office 2010 is the latest version of Microsoft Office
Office 2007 introduced a new interface
Ribbons
Tabs
Galleries
See changes from the manuscript, pg. 63 for the graphic/screenshot.
Microsoft Office 2010 is the newest version of Microsoft Office
Redesigned interface intended to make it easier for users to find and use all the application’s features
New design includes:
Ribbons (Key Term) – replace menus and toolbars by organizing commonly used commands into a set of tabs
Contextual Tabs (Key Term) – tabs that appear automatically when needed and anticipate the next operations to be performed by the user
Galleries (Key Term) – simplify the process of making a selection from a list of alternatives.
New interface is the first major change in over a decade and promises to greatly improve user functionality and efficiency.

9. Making IT Work for You Speech Recognition
Allows your voice to control application software
For best results, use your voice along with your mouse and keyboard
Train the software
Control a program
Dictate a document

10. Word Processors Used to create text-based documents
Memos, letters, and faxes
Newsletters, manuals, and brochures
Word processing programs
Microsoft Word
Corel WordPerfect
Apple Pages
One of the most flexible and widely used software tools
One of the first programs used by PC end-users
Used by most end-users

11. Word Processor Features
Word Wrap
Editing
Thesaurus
Find and Replace
Spelling and grammar checkers
Formatting
Font and font sizing
Character effects
Bulleted and numbered lists
Word wrap (Key term)
automatically moves text to new line when prior line is full
Enter overrides and starts new line
Editing (Key Term)
Thesaurus (Key Term) – provides synonyms, antonyms, and related words for a selected word or phrase
Find and Replace (Key Term) – quickly locate and replace selected words
Spelling checker (Key Term) - Incorrect spelling is identified and alternatives offered
Grammar checker (Key Term) - Identifies poor grammar and makes suggestions
Formatting (Key Term)
Font (Key Term) – design of the characters
Font Size (Key Term) – the height of a character
Character Effects (Key Term) – enhance the appearance of a character and include bold, italic, shadows, and colors
Bulleted and number lists (Key Terms) – make a sequence of topics stand out for easy reading