1. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.1 Computer Literacy for IC 3 Unit 1: Computing Fundamentals Project 4: Identifying Software and Hardware Interaction and Types of Software

2. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.2 Objectives Identify hardware and software interaction Identify steps of the development process Discuss issues related to software updates and upgrades Explore fundamental word processing concepts and uses Explore fundamental spreadsheet concepts, processes, and uses Explore fundamental presentation concepts and uses Explore fundamental database concepts and uses Explore fundamental graphic and multimedia concepts and uses Identify other types of software and their uses Identify how to select software

3. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.3 Hardware and Software Interaction Users interact with computers by:  Input devices  Output devices  Application programs

4. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.4 Data Input Keyboard  Entering text and numbers  Uses software to interact with the user Mouse  Select and reposition items Scanner  Capture images Microphone  Input voice commands

5. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.5 Software Commands Activate modules of instructions Ways to activate a command  Click a word in a menu  Click a button  Pressing a function key  Voice commands

6. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.6 Software Applies Rules & Processes Rules make decisions for software Some common rules:  AutoCorrect Change commonly misspelled words  AutoFormat as you type Convert text to fractions  1/2 into ½ Convert e-mail address to hyperlink

7. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.7 Software Communicates Results Results are often sent to output devices  Monitor Most common  Printer Hard copy of results  CNC – Computer Numeric Control Instructions for automated machinery

8. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.8 Steps of the Development Process Software creation takes several steps Results of proper development  Reliable software  Easy to use

9. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.9 Written in a language computers understand Words have single meanings Basic grammar structure (syntax) Computer languages  Visual Basic  C++  Cobalt  Pascal Programming function myFunction() myFunction = "BLUE" end function document.write("My favorite color is " & myFunction()) A function procedure CAN return a result.

10. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.10 Debugging Software malfunction called a bug Teamwork can reduce errors Ancillary programs  Catch simple mistakes  Does not stop problems with: Faulty logic Unanticipated input combinations Unrecognized hardware components

11. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.11 Beta Review Review revised software prior to release Beta version  Newly revised version of software not yet released for public sale Beta tester  Report errors  Often voluntary  Requires confidentiality  Test software on their PC

12. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.12 Instructions and Help Manuals Often created while in beta release Digital forms accompany software  Access methods Click Help (Menu bar) Press F1  Most up-to-date manuals and help files typically found on the company’s Web site

13. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.13 Quality Control Beta tester comments compiled Software revisions are made  New version number assigned Versions can be numbers or text  Office XP  Corel Draw 10 Delicate balance  Do we fix all the bugs or do we sell the product now and fix problems later?

14. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.14 Software Updates After release additional errors are identified Fixes are created to repair known issues Downloadable from the Web Often free for legal users Commonly known as:  Updates  Patches  Service packs

15. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.15 Upgrading Software Major revision to software  New interfaces  New features  Support for new technology Investment required  Normally less expensive than full versions Check hardware requirements  Often requires newer, more powerful hardware RAM, CPU, hard disk space, video card, etc.

16. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.16 Reasons to Update and Upgrade Updates protect us from:  Viruses – Antivirus updates  Hackers – Firewall updates  User meltdown – System locking up over and over again Upgrades allow us to:  Access new tools, features, and gizmos  Stay compatible with the rest of the world  Utilize new hardware to its full potential

17. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.17 Methods of Staying Up-to-Date Downloads from the Web  Updates – Secure or unsecured downloads  Upgrades – Secure downloads Purchase key codes (access codes) online Order CD from manufacturer Network-based installation  Done by system administrator  Primarily for site licensed software

18. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.18 Basic Word Processing Concepts Input is received Stored in RAM  Manipulated within capabilities of program Format - Bold, italics, font color, etc. Input graphics  Ideal for editing Faster than retyping on typewriters Displayed on the screen

19. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.19 Word Processing Documents From memos and letters to entire books Can utilize advanced features  Index and table of contents  Save as a Web page  Graphics Common file extensions .doc – Microsoft Word and WordPerfect .mcw – Microsoft Works for Mac .wks – Microsoft Works for PC

20. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.20 Spreadsheet Concepts Used to display numbers in a variety of ways Formulas  Calculations of values in other cells Worksheet – Single table of cells Workbook – Collection of worksheets Layout  Columns – Letters  Rows – Numbers

21. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.21 Spreadsheet Basics Cell – Where column and row cross  Identified by pairing column and row designation Formulas  Algebraic equation  Start with “=” (equal sign) Functions  Predefined equations  Functions can be a formula or part of a formula

22. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.22 Spreadsheet Processes Variety of features Charts – Pie, bar, scatter plot Data analysis Sorting and filtering What-If analysis  Crunch values in equation to get desired results

23. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.23 Spreadsheet Documents Possible uses  P&L (profit & loss statement)  Investment tracking  Expense reports  Grade book  Budget Common file extensions .xls – Microsoft Excel .wk1 – Lotus 1-2-3

24. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.24 Presentation Software Concepts Visual aids Graphics  Clip art and digital pictures  Charts Text  Titles  Bulleted lists Animation  Holds audience attention

25. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.25 Presentation Basics Slides  Image composed of text, graphics, etc. Slide show  Group of slides Extra features  Speaker notes Displayed on screen  Student handouts Printouts  Slide miniatures

26. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.26 Presentation Documents Possible uses  Educational presentation  Display at trade shows  Interactive Web pages Common file extensions .ppt – Microsoft PowerPoint .sh3 – Harvard Graphics 3 Show

27. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.27 Database Concepts Database  A collection of organized data  Stores huge amounts of information  Used in the retail sales environment Inventory system Point of sale Considered more difficult for beginners

28. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.28 Database Basics Primary components of most databases  Tables Store the data  Queries Filter the data  Ask a question of the data  Which customers live in Colorado?  Forms Input, edit, and view data  Reports View the data – On screen or printed

29. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.29 Database Documents Possible uses  Customer records  Inventory system  Bill payment tracking Common file extensions .dbf – dBase .mdb – Microsoft Access .db – Paradox

30. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.30 Memory Usage Database programs use RAM differently Store only active record in RAM Automatically saves  Saves a record when moving to the next record  Power failure Loss of current record, not all records

31. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.31 Graphic and Multimedia Basics Limited by hardware  CPU, RAM, hard drive, video card Limited by software  Necessary software not installed  Purchase legal copies  Download trial versions Adobe – 90-day try and die  Avoid copyright infringement Don’t share your legal software Microsoft Hotline: 1-800-RU-LEGIT

32. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.32 Graphics Software Concepts Basic graphics programs  Built into some software PowerPoint, Word, etc.  Microsoft Paint – Windows Sophisticated programs  Able to manipulate pictures Remove items, recolor hair, etc.  Adobe Photoshop Elements  Adobe Photoshop  Microsoft PhotoDraw

33. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.33 File Types Image types .bmp – Bitmap .gif – Graphics interchange format 256 colors maximum and could be animated .jpg – Joint Photographic Expert Group 16 million colors maximum Sound and video .wav – Uncompressed audio .mp3 – Compressed audio .mov – QuickTime movie

34. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.34 Other Multimedia Software Software for manipulating sound and video  High hardware requirements  Can be very expensive Examples  Liquid Edition 6 Pro ≈ $1000 Video and audio editing + DVD authoring  ULead Studio ≈ $150 Video and photo editing + DVD authoring  AlamDV ≈ $100 Futuristic video tweaking  Laser blast, Fire, Star Wars style light sabers

35. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.35 Other Types of Software Bundle or suite  Designed to complement each other  Convenient exchange of data Personal information manager (PIM)  Microsoft Outlook, Act, GoldMine Accounting  Microsoft Money, Quicken, Peach Tree Web authoring  Flash MX, Microsoft FrontPage, Dream Weaver Project management  Microsoft Project

36. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.36 How to Select Software Similar to choosing a computer Identify the tasks:  What are you making?  Is it simple or complex? Look for software that meets your needs Problems that arise  Too complex to use  Incompatible with other software

37. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.37 Software Performs Similar Tasks Not apparent which software to use Example: Table  Word processing programs use tables  Spreadsheets and databases also use tables  Choose software based on need Word processing – Basic table of entries Spreadsheet – Calculated values Database – Large quantities of data

38. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.38 Common Incorrect Uses Generating queries and reports  Spreadsheets are great for storing data  Spreadsheets are not great for complex queries and complex summarization reports  Need to convert to database Calculations in tables  Microsoft Word tables support formulas Formulas do not auto recalculate like a spreadsheet Manual “formula refreshing” required  Right-click cell  Refresh

39. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.39 End-of-Project Exercises Multiple Choice Discussion Skill Drill  Finding Versions of Software  Copy a Formula in Excel  Looking for Updates in Microsoft Office Challenge  Learning About Reasons to Upgrade  Checking Your Installation Disks for Readme Files  Evaluating a Windows Upgrade Discovery Zone  Learning About the Speech Recognition and Voice Synthesis Features in Microsoft Office  Learning About Audio Compression

40. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.40 Summary Identified types of hardware and software interactions Identified how to make rules for the computer to follow Learned about software development process Learned about roles of updates and upgrades Explored basic concepts and uses  Word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, database, multimedia, utility, and other types of software Learned how to choose between applications Extended your learning by reviewing concepts and terms, and by practicing variations of skills presented in the lessons

41. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.41 Questions?