1. Copyright (c) 2003 by Prentice Hall Computers Tools for an Information Age Chapter 2 Applications Software: Getting the Work Done

2. 2Copyright (c) 2003 by Prentice Hall Objectives Distinguish between operating systems and applications software List the various methods by which individuals and businesses acquire software List and briefly describe various types of task- oriented software Identify the kinds of software that are available for both large and small businesses Discuss ethical issues associated with software Describe the functions of various computer professionals

3. 3Copyright (c) 2003 by Prentice Hall Applications Software Software used to solve a particular problem or perform a particular task

4. 4Copyright (c) 2003 by Prentice Hall Acquiring Software: Traditional Ways Custom software Custom software Written by programmers hired by organization Written by programmers hired by organization Packaged (commercial) software Packaged (commercial) software Purchased from a store, catalog, or downloaded from Web site Purchased from a store, catalog, or downloaded from Web site

5. 5Copyright (c) 2003 by Prentice Hall Custom Software Specifically tailored to an organization’s needs Organization hires computer programmers to design, write, test, and implement software Organization hires computer programmers to design, write, test, and implement software Can be extremely complex and take years to write Return

6. 6Copyright (c) 2003 by Prentice Hall Packaged Software Sold in stores, catalogs, or Web sites Sometimes downloaded from the Internet Sometimes downloaded from the Internet Package contains one or more CDs or DVDs holding the software Typically contains software documentation Typically contains software documentation Designed to be user-friendly Return

7. 7Copyright (c) 2003 by Prentice Hall User-Friendly Software Easy to use Should be intuitive for even a beginning user Should be intuitive for even a beginning user Can be used with minimum of training and documentation Can be used with minimum of training and documentation Return

8. 8Copyright (c) 2003 by Prentice Hall Acquiring Software: New Ways Freeware Public Domain Public Domain Open-Source software Open-Source software Shareware

9. 9Copyright (c) 2003 by Prentice Hall Freeware Author provides it free for all to use Normally distributed in a machine readable format Normally distributed in a machine readable format Author retains copyright Author retains copyright May place restrictions on its use May place restrictions on its use May not be altered or redistributed without permission May not be altered or redistributed without permission Return

10. 10Copyright (c) 2003 by Prentice Hall Public Domain Software that is not copyrighted May be used and even altered without permission May be used and even altered without permission Typically developed by universities and/or research institutions using government grants Return

11. 11Copyright (c) 2003 by Prentice Hall Open-Source Software A variation of freeware Source code made available Source code: readable by humans Source code: readable by humans Other programmers can modify and redistribute the programs freely Helps identify bugs and create improvements more easily Helps identify bugs and create improvements more easily Return

12. 12Copyright (c) 2003 by Prentice Hall Shareware Copyrighted software, freely distributed for a trial period If you like it, register it for a fee Most authors add free documentation, enhancements, support, and updates to encourage people to register Most authors add free documentation, enhancements, support, and updates to encourage people to register Return

13. 13Copyright (c) 2003 by Prentice Hall Packaged Software People use most often Usually copyrighted Costs more than shareware Must not copy without permission from manufacturer The making of illegal copies of commercial software is piracy The making of illegal copies of commercial software is piracy

14. 14Copyright (c) 2003 by Prentice Hall Buying Commercial Software Individual copies for each computer Site license Site license Electronic software distribution Electronic software distribution Application Service Provider Application Service Provider

15. 15Copyright (c) 2003 by Prentice Hall Site License Software installed on some or all computers, depending on license terms Customer keeps track of how many users Customer keeps track of how many users Number of users cannot exceed number of licenses Customer copies and distributes software and manuals to users Customer copies and distributes software and manuals to users Some organizations use network licenses Software installed on server Software installed on server License fee may be based on total number of users on the network License fee may be based on total number of users on the network License fee may also be based on number of concurrent users License fee may also be based on number of concurrent users

16. 16Copyright (c) 2003 by Prentice Hall Electronic Software Distribution Get software from the Internet Typically freeware and shareware Typically freeware and shareware Some commercial software Some commercial software Typical scenario: Download copyrighted software for trial period Download copyrighted software for trial period Software disables itself after trial period unless you register (pay) Software disables itself after trial period unless you register (pay) Return

17. 17Copyright (c) 2003 by Prentice Hall Application Service Provider Delivers applications to businesses via the Internet ASP maintains software and data on its systems ASP maintains software and data on its systems Customers access applications as needed over the Internet Business can avoid the expenses of installing and maintaining those applications on the system by using an ASP Alternative to creating and maintaining custom software or purchasing packaged software Alternative to creating and maintaining custom software or purchasing packaged software “Rent” software, paying based on usage

18. 18Copyright (c) 2003 by Prentice Hall Task-Oriented Software Often called productivity software Common categories Word processing/Desktop publishing Word processing/Desktop publishing Word processing/Desktop publishing Word processing/Desktop publishing Electronic spreadsheets Electronic spreadsheets Electronic spreadsheets Electronic spreadsheets Database management Database management Database management Database management Graphics Graphics Graphics Communications Communications Communications Others Others Others

19. 19Copyright (c) 2003 by Prentice Hall Working with Words Word Processing Most widely used personal computer software Most widely used personal computer software Create memos, reports, papers, term papers, minutes of meeting Create memos, reports, papers, term papers, minutes of meeting Let us create edit, format and print text and graphics Let us create edit, format and print text and graphics Incorporate graphics into documents Incorporate graphics into documents Desktop Publishing High-level publishing needs especially when it comes to page layout and color reproduction High-level publishing needs especially when it comes to page layout and color reproductionNewsletters Brochures, promotional materials

20. 20Copyright (c) 2003 by Prentice Hall Electronic Spreadsheets A manual spreadsheet many calculations may need to be redone if there is a change Made up of rows and columns of numbers Perform “what if” analysis Change a cell and have spreadsheet recalculate Change a cell and have spreadsheet recalculate Present data graphically Pie chart and bar chart etc Return

21. 21Copyright (c) 2003 by Prentice Hall Database Management Handles the management of a collection of interrelated facts Software can store, retrieve, update, and manipulate data Software can store, retrieve, update, and manipulate data Can report data in many ways and print Can report data in many ways and print Can be useful for anyone who must keep track of a large number of related facts Turn large amounts of data into information Return

22. 22Copyright (c) 2003 by Prentice Hall Graphics Graphics software creates graphs and charts from numeric data Spot trends and compare data more easily and therefore make decisions more easily and quickly Spot trends and compare data more easily and therefore make decisions more easily and quickly Visual evidence more compelling Included in spreadsheet programs Presentation graphics creates “slide show” presentations Combine high-quality graphics, audio, and video Combine high-quality graphics, audio, and video Return

23. 23Copyright (c) 2003 by Prentice Hall Communications The ability to hook the computer up to phone line or cable and communicate with another computer Access data stored in another computer in another location Typically connected over the Internet Needs a browser to access other locations on the Internet Needs a browser to access other locations on the Internet Browsers may be standalone or part of other software offerings Browsers may be standalone or part of other software offerings Return

24. 24Copyright (c) 2003 by Prentice Hall Other Task Software Personal Information Managers Keep track of activities in life Keep track of activities in life Typically include appointment calendar, address book, and task manager Typically include appointment calendar, address book, and task manager These features are all integrated These features are all integrated Most handheld computers include many of the same PIM functions can be synchronized with the PC software Most handheld computers include many of the same PIM functions can be synchronized with the PC software Office Suite A group of basic applications that work together A group of basic applications that work together Easy to share data among applications Similar look and feel among applications Integrated application Integrated application A “stripped down” version of the office suite Easier to learn and use Mail merge is one of the most common office applications

25. 25Copyright (c) 2003 by Prentice Hall Business Software Vertical Market software Vertical Market software Software for Workgroups Software for Workgroups Small Business software Small Business software

26. 26Copyright (c) 2003 by Prentice Hall Vertical Market Software Written for a particular type of business Written by companies who have a thorough knowledge of that industry Easy to follow screens minimize the training needs Easy to follow screens minimize the training needs Allows business to easily maintain information on the business, customers, vendors Allows business to easily maintain information on the business, customers, vendors Encompasses all of the business’s activities Encompasses all of the business’s activities Complete package include software, hardware, installations, training and support Complete package include software, hardware, installations, training and support Return

27. 27Copyright (c) 2003 by Prentice Hall Groupware Lets a group of people share or track information together Also called collaborative software Also called collaborative software Often combines electronic mail, networking, scheduling, and database technology Often combines electronic mail, networking, scheduling, and database technology Business people can work together and share knowledge and expertise Business people can work together and share knowledge and expertise Data stored in one central location or place which is database Data stored in one central location or place which is database Eliminates the possibility of having separate or different versions of same project Eliminates the possibility of having separate or different versions of same project Data can be accessed and changed by anyone working in a project Data can be accessed and changed by anyone working in a project Often used by organizations with remote employees

28. 28Copyright (c) 2003 by Prentice Hall Software for a Small Business Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) Moderately priced software to perform functions aimed at small business Moderately priced software to perform functions aimed at small business Examples: Examples: Accounting software Writing and advertising Customer service Keeping contacts Making sales pitches Help Desk

29. 29Copyright (c) 2003 by Prentice Hall Ethics and Application Software Piracy: the acquisition and use of illegal copies of software Counterfeiting: copying large numbers of CD-ROMs or DVD-ROMs and packaging them to look like the real thing Unauthorized copying of software is stealing

30. 30Copyright (c) 2003 by Prentice Hall Software Piracy Examples of piracy Copying software from a lab or from a friend Copying software from a lab or from a friend Buying 2 or 3 copies of software and distributing it to dozens or hundreds of employees Buying 2 or 3 copies of software and distributing it to dozens or hundreds of employees Buying 1 copy of software and installing it on several computers at home Buying 1 copy of software and installing it on several computers at home Copying is not bad always

31. 31Copyright (c) 2003 by Prentice Hall Computers and People Due to user-friendly software the populations of computer users has broadened considerably Most organizations have some sort of information technology department Made up of people who are responsible for the organization’s computer resources Made up of people who are responsible for the organization’s computer resources Maintain data and provide services to end users Maintain data and provide services to end users

32. 32Copyright (c) 2003 by Prentice Hall Computer People Data entry operators prepare data for processing by data input Computer operators monitor systems, keep peripherals running, and make backups of data Librarians catalog processed disks and tapes and keep them secure Programmers design, write, test, implement, and maintain computer programs Also maintain and update programs

33. 33Copyright (c) 2003 by Prentice Hall Computer People Systems analysts plan and design entire systems Must have knowledge in programming, as well as knowledge of the business Must have knowledge in programming, as well as knowledge of the business Maintain a working relationship with programmers as well as end users Maintain a working relationship with programmers as well as end users Work closely with the users to plan new systems that meet user’s need Work closely with the users to plan new systems that meet user’s need Has to be good communicator Has to be good communicator Network managers implement and maintain organization’s network(s) Chief Information Officer (CIO) makes key technology decisions A key member of the organization’s strategic decision-making team A key member of the organization’s strategic decision-making team Must understands the goals and operations of the entire organization Must understands the goals and operations of the entire organization