Not long ago, trained specialists were required to perform many of the operations you can now do with a microcomputer. Competent end users need to understand the capabilities of basic application software including: Word processors Spreadsheets Database management systems Presentation programs

Application software is end user software that is used to accomplish a variety of tasks Categories: Basic applications (focus of this part) 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

Graphical User Interface (GUI) Menus Toolbars Dialog Boxes Icons Windows

Many applications and Microsoft ones in particular use the Ribbons GUI, office 2010 Ribbons: replace menus and toolbars by organizing commonly used commands into a set of tabs. Tabs: are used to divide the ribbon into major activity areas. Each tab is then organized into groups. Galleries: simplifies the process of making a selection from a list. Microsoft Office 2010 is the newest version of Microsoft Office User Interface 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.

Used to create text-based documents Memos, letters, and faxes Newsletters, manuals, and brochures Word processing programs Microsoft Word Corel WordPerfect Apple Pages OpenOffice Writer 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

Editing Formatting Find and Replace Spelling and grammar checkers 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

Creating a Flyer Creating a Report

Programs that organize, analyze, and graph numeric data such as budgets and financial reports. Spreadsheet programs Microsoft Excel Corel Quattro Pro Apple iWork's Numbers OpenOffice Calc Analyzes and graphs numeric data such as budgets and financial reports Electronic spreadsheet used to organize, manipulate and graph data; also known as worksheets (Key Term) Consist of grid of numbered rows (Key Term) and columns (Key Term)

Spreadsheet Features Workbook vs. worksheet Formulas Range Analytical graphs or charts Recalculation Formulas (Key Term) are calculations user creates Data changes in the spreadsheet will cause all related formulas to update which is referred to as recalculation (Key Term) Range – series of cells Graphs – visual representations of data What-if Analysis (Key Term) Allows user to create different scenarios for different results Probably one of the most powerful tools of spreadsheet

Spreadsheet Features Functions Prewritten formulas

Creating a Sales Forecast Creating a Chart Analyzing Your Data

A collection of related data Comprised of tables, queries, forms, and reports Microsoft Access is the most popular desktop database management software Establishes a structure for data storage, usually relational – using related tables, so related data can be easily retrieved; also known as DBMS (database management systems) Emphasize the structure of the database – the smallest to largest part of DBMS Relate to telephone book (yellow and white pages represent tables; entries in each represent fields) Parts catalog Flight schedules Locate and display - ability to quickly locate records based on various criteria Can edit, retrieve, and display in different formats (reports or forms (Key Term))

Relational Table Query Form Record Field Relational databases (Key Term) are the most widely used database structure Relational databases organize data into related tables. Each table is made up of rows called records and columns called fields (Key Term). Tables can be linked by a key field, one that is common to both the tables. Table - made up of rows (records) and columns (fields) Query - question or request for specific data Form – used enter and edit records Report – preview and print data from one or more tables

Creating a Database

Presentation programs Programs that combine a variety of visual objects to create visually interesting presentations Presentation programs Microsoft PowerPoint Corel Presentations Apple Keynote OpenOffice Impress Creates interesting and professional presentation Features Slides (Key Term) Wizards Color schemes Slide layouts Special effects Design templates (Key Term)

Slides or pages Design templates Content templates Animations Transitions Each page is a slide. Professionally designed templates, color schemes, and styles Animations add action and/or sound effects to text and graphics. Transitions – defines how one slide moves to the next slide.

Creating a Presentation Updating a Presentation

A single program that provides the functionality of a word processor, spreadsheet, database, and more Advantages cost and simplicity Disadvantages limited functions

office software suite: contain gerneral-purpose apps Microsoft Office Collection of separate application programs bundled together and sold as a group office software suite: contain gerneral-purpose apps Microsoft Office Cloud suites or online office suites: stores at a server on the net and available anywhere. Google Docs, Office365 Specialized suites like graphic suites Utility suites : designed to make computing faster and easier. Norton Internet Security suite A collection of separate applications bundled and sold as a group that share information between applications Less expensive than individual applications; but more expensive than integrated packages