Transcript Chapter 4 Computers in Your Future Template

Chapter
4
Module 4A
an introduction
to application software
Module 4B
word processing
Module 4C
spreadsheets
Module 4D
databases
Module 4E
presentation packages
Chapter
4
An Introduction to
Application Software

Introducing Application Software: Tools for
Productivity
Module
4 A  Integrated Programs & Suites: The All-inOne Approach

Web Integration: A New Way to Get the Word
Out
Application Software
Module
4A
Refers generally to all the
programs that enable
computer users to apply the
computer to the work they do.
Horizontal versus Vertical
Applications

general purpose
word processing, spreadsheets, data bases
productivity software
Module
4A
Horizontal applications

Vertical applications
for a particular line of business
example: medical billing
generally more expensive
sometimes custom software
Considerations
 System
Module
4A
requirements
 Commercial programs, shareware,
& freeware
 Software licenses
 Distribution methods
Not sure whether you’re using the latest version?
Versions will send you e-mail notifying you of new
versions of the software you’re using.
Considerations
 Documentation
 Software
versions
Module  Installation
4 A  Registration
Many software publishers use the Internet to
deliver software updates.
Visual Metaphors:
working in familiar ways
Module
4A
Successful programs
do a good job of
fitting into the way
we’re accustomed to
doing business
Integrated Programs & Suites:
the All-In-One Approach
Corel Office
Lotus SmartSuite
Microsoft Office
Word Processing
WordPerfect
Word Pro
Microsoft Word
Spreadsheet
Corel Quattro Pro
Lotus 1-2-3
Microsoft Excel
Database
Paradox
Lotus Approach
Microsoft Access
Presentation Graphics Corel Presentations
Freelance Graphics
Microsoft PowerPoint
Personal Info.
Managers (PIMs)
Lotus Organizer
Microsoft Outlook
Module
4A
Corel InfoCentral
Office Suites (Windows 95/98/NT)
Web Integration:
a new way to get the word out
Module
4A
Microsoft Office is a
popular office suite with
the ability to save your
files in the HTML codes
that underlie World
Wide Web documents
Word Processing
 Word
Module
4B
Processing Software:
the electronic scribe
 Desktop
Publishing
Word Processing Software:
the electronic scribe
 Writing
word wrap
Module
4B
 Editing
cut-and-paste
spell, grammar & style checkers
formatting
advanced formatting
Word Processing Software:
the electronic scribe

Saving
DOS up to 8 characters
Windows 95/98/NT up to 255 characters
Mac up to 32 characters
Module
4B

Printing
Word Processing Software:
the electronic scribe
Word processing & writing quality
 The Internet connection

Module
4B
save in HTML
Need some help with writing? Visit one of the most
amazing sites on the Web, Purdue University’s Online
Writing Lab (OWL).
Desktop Publishing
Module
4B
Combines text and graphics, and
advanced formatting to create
visually appealing printed
documents, such as newsletters,
brochures, magazines, and books.
Spreadsheets
Spreadsheets for Simulation—and more
 Exploring the Worksheet
Module  Working with Formulas
4 C  Creating a Worksheet
 Developing the Worksheet
 Generating Spreadsheet Charts
 Advanced Spreadsheet Features
 Spreadsheet Risks

Spreadsheets
Module
4C
“What would happen if we could
cut shipping costs by just 5
percent?” A few keys are pressed,
and the other manager says,
“Looks good. If we can get the
shipper to agree to this, we can
double our sales volume -- and
everyone wins.”
What-if scenario
Spreadsheets for
Simulation—and more
Module
4C
A spreadsheet is a program
designed to process
information in the form of
tables.
Exploring the Worksheet
 The
workbook
 The worksheet
Module  What you can enter in a worksheet
4C
numbers
text
formulas
 Cell
formats
Working with Formulas
 Simple
Module
4C
formulas
 Cell references
 Replication
 Functions
 Absolute cell reference
Creating a Worksheet
 Defining
Module
4C
the purpose
 Planning how the output will look
 Defining the user’s input
 Defining the calculations
Spreadsheets
 Developing
Module
4C
the worksheet
give the worksheet a title
indicate the purpose
provide instructions about number
format
provide input cells for user-supplied
data
keep data entry areas separate
Spreadsheets
 Generating
Module
4C
spreadsheet charts
column chart
bar chart
line chart
pie chart
 Get
fancy with charts
Spreadsheets

Advanced spreadsheet features
macros

Spreadsheet risks
burying important assumptions inside cells
creating formulas that contain mistakes
poor design
cells containing formulas look like any other
cell (formulas can be erased by mistake)
Module
4C

Strategies for avoiding errors
Databases
Database Concepts: The Essentials
 What’s a good Database System?
Module  Using Database Software
4 D  Types of Database Programs
 The Internet Connection: Going Public
with Data

Database Concepts:
The Essentials
 Database
Module
4D
collection of information stored in an
organized way
can consist of one or more files
 Database file
made up of records
unit of information about something
Database Concepts:
The Essentials
 Records
organized into distinct fields
Module
4D
 Field
separate area to store a certain type of
information
Explore the world of computer databases at
LookSmart’s Databases page.
What’s a Good Database
System?
 Data integrity
use data validation procedures
Module
4D
 Data
independence
 Avoidance of data redundancy
 Data security
 Data maintenance
Using Database Software
 Creating
a database
design an on-screen form
Module
4 D  Getting
information
validate fields
text, numeric, date/time, or logical fields
Using Database Software
 Finding
Module
4D
information
browse view
list view
queries
Structured Query Language (SQL)
Learn SQL online at “Introduction to Structured Query
Language,” an online tutorial.
Using Database Software
Reports can be
viewed on screen or
printed
Module
4D
 Printing
the data
reports
form letters
report languages
Types of Database Programs

File management programs
flat files
Module

Database management systems (DBMS)
relational database
object-oriented databases
4D

Data warehousing & data mining
The Internet connection:
Going public with data
Module
4D
AMP Inc. provides
a catalog of close to
90,000 components
via a Web server
linked to an Oracle
relational database
Like to see a high-powered relational database in action? Log
on to Tower Records) to link to an Informix relational
database containing information on thousands of CDs.
Presentation Packages
 Presentation
Module
4E
Graphics:
Liven your Lectures
 The Internet Connection
 Using Visual Aids Effectively:
Some Pointers
Presentation Graphics:
Liven Your Lectures
Module
4E
This software, like other top-selling productivity
programs, uses a visual metaphor: here, a
simulation of the media (such as a 35mm slide
or transparency) that you’ll actually use for
your presentation. Each “page” of the
presentation is called a slide
Presentation Graphics
 Getting
Module
4E
fancy
on-screen show
transparencies
35mm slides
audience handouts
speaker notes
 Templates
ready-made designs
Presentation Graphics
 View
Module
4E
options
slide view
outline view
slide sorter view
notes view
master
Presentation Graphics
 Slide
Module
4E
options
two-column bulleted list
table
organization chart
text and chart
text and clip art
multimedia
Presentation Graphics
 Getting
Module
4E
fancy
transition effect
expansion
build
multimedia
automatic presentations
 Runtime
version
Internet Connection
Module
4E

The latest programs can generate output to
HTML and Internet graphics formats. They can
generate an entire Web presentation, including
a title page and a table of contents
Using Visual Aids
Effectively
 One
Module
4E
concept per slide
 Keep language simple
 Don’t tell everything
 Use a variety of slide formats
 Make sure your text is legible