Think of the microcomputer as an electronic tool. You may not consider yourself very good at typing, calculating, organizing, presenting, or managing information. A microcomputer, however, can help you to do all these things—and much more. All it takes is the right kinds of software.
Competent and knowledgeable end users need to understand the capabilities of basic application software, which includes word processors, spreadsheets, database management systems, and presentation
programs. They need to know how to effectively use application programs and how to share data between applications.
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| Word Processor |
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| Spreadsheet |
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| Database Management System |
Application Software
Application software can be described as end user software. It is used by end users to accomplish a variety of different tasks.
Application software in turn can be divided into two categories.
One category is basic applications. These programs, also known as general-purpose applications and productivity applications, are widely used in nearly every discipline and occupation. They include word processors, spreadsheets, database management systems, and presentation graphics as describe previously.
The other category, specialized applications, also known as special purpose applications, includes thousands of other programs that are more narrowly focused on specific disciplines and occupations. Some of the best known are graphics programs, audio/video editors, multimedia creation programs, Web authoring, and virtual reality programs.
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| Graphics Programs |
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| Video Editors |
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| Multimedia Creations Program |
Common Features
A user interface is the portion of the application that you work with. Most applications use a graphical user interface (GUI) that displays graphical elements called icons to represent familiar objects and a mouse. The mouse controls a pointer on the screen that is used to select items such as icons. Another feature is the use of windows to display information. A window is simply a rectangular area that can contain a document,
program, or message. (Do not confuse the term window with the various versions of Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, which are programs.)More than one window can be opened and displayed on the computer screen at one time. For example, one window might contain a graphics program, another a spreadsheet program, and yet another a word processing program.
APPLICATION SOFTWARE Basic and specialized are the two categories of application software. Common interface features include icons, windows, menus, dialog boxes, help, toolbars, and buttons. ASPs provide access to Web-based applications. On the Web Explorations Microsoft is one of the leaders in creating software applications. Typically, menus are displayed in a menu bar at the top of the screen. When one of the menu items is selected, a pull-down or drop-down menu appears. This is a list of options or commands associated with the selected menu. Selecting one of these options may display an additional list of menu options or a dialog box that provides additional information and requests user input. One of the commands on the menu bar is Help. This option provides access to a variety of Help features and acts as an online reference manual for the application. It is an invaluable resource for learning and using application programs. Toolbars typically are below the menu bar. They contain small outlined areas called buttons that provide shortcuts for quick access to commonly used commands. For example, the standard toolbar contains a variety of buttons that are common to most applications including those to open, save, and print files. All Microsoft Office applications have a common user interface, including similar commands and menu structures.
MAKING IT WORK FOR YOU
What is sPEEch Recognition?
- These are exciting technologies that change the way you interact with your computer. Now you can speak to your computer and it can speak back. The speech that you and your computer exchange is scripted. In other words, you can't just ask your computer how he/she is feeling? Rather, you can talk to your computer using a set of pre-defined commands and instructions (i.e., a script). Your computer will respond in the same way (also using a scripted language). For example, you can say: "File Open", and the computer would respond: "Select the file". Or you can say: "Edit Find" and the computer would ask: "Find What?". (www.e-specking.com)
- People have been speaking to each other for tens of thousands of years. Our brains have evolved to perform a fantastic and complex set of analyses of auditory input (i.e., sounds). Our brains convert the sounds we hear into conceptual ideas and thoughts which in turn form the basis of instructions, commands, information, and entertainment. Though the computer is just beginning its evolution in this area, most computers are capable of hearing your speech and acting on it. This is the promise of voice recognition technology today. Using speech to interact with your computer--both you speaking to your computer and your computer speaking back.(www.e-specking.com)
- Utilizing Microsoft's Speech Application Program Interface (SAPI) and Microsoft's .NET Framework, we have developed a very small and efficient voice command and recognition application. SAPI and .NET are both required to use this software.(www.e-specking.com)
- Train The Software
- Control the Program
- Dictate a Document
WORD PROCESSORS
- Word processors create text-based documents and are one of the most flexible and widely used software tools.
- All types of people and organizations use word processors to create memos, letters, and faxes. Organizations create newsletters, manuals, and brochures to provide information to their customers.
Memo
- Students and researchers use word processors to create reports. Word processors can even be used to create personalized Web pages.
- The three most widely used word processing programs are
Apple Pages
Microsoft Word
WORD PROCESSORS FEATURES
Using a computer to create, edit, and print documents. Of all computer applications, word processing is the most common. To perform word processing, you need a computer, a special program called a word processor, and a printer. A word processor enables you to create a document, store it electronically on a disk, display it on a screen, modify it by entering commands and characters from the keyboard, and print it on a printer.
The great advantage of word processing over using a typewriter is that you can make changes without retyping the entire document. If you make a typing mistake, you simply back up the cursor and correct your mistake. If you want to delete a paragraph, you simply remove it, without leaving a trace. It is equally easy to insert a word, sentence, or paragraph in the middle of a document. Word processors also make it easy to move sections of text from one place to another within a document, or between documents. When you have made all the changes you want, you can send the file to a printer to get a hardcopy.
WORD PROCESSORS CASE
Watch And Learn
better way to manage your report
Spreadsheets.
Programs that manipulate numeric data
Spreadsheet programs
- Ms Excel
- Corel Quattro Pro
Features:
- Workbook Files
- Formulas
- Functions
- What-if Analysis
Case:
- Creating a Sales Forecast
- Creating a Chart
- Analyzing your data
Creating a Sales Forecast
Creating a Chart
Analyzing your Data
Database Management System (DBMS)
Definition:
A database management system (DBMS) is the software that allows a computer to perform database functions of storing, retrieving, adding, deleting and modifying data. Relational database management systems (RDBMS) implement the relational model of tables and relationships.
Examples:
Microsoft Access, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle and FileMaker Pro are all examples of database management systems.
Database Case
Database Case can be divided into two type which is contains Database and Query. This type of database used for save the information about customer systematically.
Create a Database
Microsoft Access provides three methods to create an Access database (Microsoft Access database: A collection of data and objects (such as tables, queries, or forms) that is related to a particular topic or purpose.).
- You can create a database by using the Database wizard. The wizard lets you choose from one of the built-in templates, and customize it to some extent. Then it creates a set of tables, queries, forms, and reports, and also a switchboard for the database. The tables do not have any data in them. Use this method if one of the built-in templates closely match your requirements.
You can use a Database Wizard to create in one operation the required tables, forms, and reports for the type of database you choose — this is the easiest way to start creating your database. The wizard offers limited options to customize the database.
- Click New
on the toolbar. - In the New File task pane, under Templates, click On my computer.
- On the Databases tab, click the icon for the kind of database you want to create, and then click OK.
- In the File New Database dialog box, specify a name and location for the database, and then click Create.
- Follow the instructions in the Database Wizard.
- If you are using Access 2003, you can search <Office Online> for Access templates. Downloading a template is the quickest way to create a database. If you find a template that closely matches your requirements, follow this method. A template is an Access database file (*.mdb) and includes tables, queries, forms, and reports. The tables do not have any data in them. After opening the database, you can customize the database and the objects.
This is the quickest way to create a database. This method works best if you can find and use a template that very closely matches your requirements.
- Click New on the toolbar.
- In the New File task pane, under Templates, either search for a specific template or click Templates on Office Online to browse for a suitable template.
- Locate the Access template you want, and click Download.
- If you want to start creating a database based on your design, create a blank database, then add the tables, forms, reports, and other objects individually — this is the most flexible method, but it requires you to define each database element separately.
- Click New on the toolbar.
- In the New File task pane, under New, click Blank Database.
- In the File New Database dialog box, specify a name and location for the database, and then click Create.
The Database window (Database window: In Access 2003 and earlier, the window that appears when a database or project is opened. It displays shortcuts for creating new database objects and opening existing objects. In later versions, it is replaced by the Navigation Pane.) appears, and you can create the objects (database objects: An Access database contains objects such as tables, queries, forms, reports, pages, macros, and modules. An Access project contains objects such as forms, reports, pages, macros, and modules.) that you want in your database.
Create Query in Access
On the way to creating a report, it is useful to create a query in Access. As was mentioned before, a report should not be just a dump of the data in the order in which it was entered. Some massaging of the data, in terms of selection of records and fields, and sort order, helps to create a report that enlightens the reader. This massaging can be done in the report, but it is usually easier to do it in a query. We'll leave the report function for formatting the data. The result of a query is a temporary table that reflects the choices made in the design of the query. The temporary table is used as input for the report.
Let's assume we want a report of all open issues, sorted by date received, in ascending order.
To start designing a query, click on the Query button, then double-click on Create Query in Design view.
You will next get a panel as shown below. This allows you to pick what tables will supply data to the query. You can have multiple tables (and even other queries) as sources of data.
Since we've only defined one Correspondence table, select it, then click on Close. The Correspondence Table with its data elements will appear at the top of the Query Design Screen. The bottom portion of the Query Design Screen will be blank until you select the data elements to be included in the query. Below is the screen, filled out to reflect the specifications discussed above.
The top part shows the tables that supply data for this query. The lower part is where we enter data reflecting our specification. Think of each column below as the specification for a field in the temporary table. We want to work with the IDNumber, DateReceived, SenderName, SenderOrganization, and AssignedTo fields.
Some comments on how the query has been specified:
- You can "drag-and-drop" fields from the upper part of the screen to the lower part, to include them in the query.
- See that the Sort item for DateReceived has been set to Ascending. This means that the resulting temporary table will be sorted according to DateReceived, in ascending order (earlier dates first).
- Note that the Criteria item for Closed? has been filled out with "=No". This means that only records with "No" in the Closed field will be selected.
- Note that the "Show" box for Closed? has been unchecked. This means that although we are using Closed for processing, we don't necessarily want to see it in the temporary table. Based on the criterion entered, all records in the temporary table will have a Closed value of "No", anyway.
Presentation Graphic
- Programs that create visually interesting presentations.
- Software that enables users to create highly stylized images for slide shows and reports.
- Presentation programs:
- Microsoft Power Point
- Corel Presentations
- Lotus Freelance Graphics
- Microsoft Power Point
is a presentation software program that is part of the Mstunning presentation that look like they were design by a professional. Power Point can For
For marketing field, make a presentation into a web page for emailing purposes or as a promotion displayed on company website.
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| PowerPoint Slides |
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| Stunning Presentation |
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| Interactive Reports |
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| Project Proposal |
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| Slideshow Project |
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| Multimedia Presentation |
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| PDF File |
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| Sign |
3) Lotus Freelance Graphics presentation graphics into an everyday visual communications tool for individuals and teams. Gives users a faster, eaier way to develop plans, reports and proposals by helping organize and summarize the ideas.
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| Freelance |
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| Freelance Graphic |
Presentation Graphics Features
- Slides
- Auto Content Wizard
- Design Templates
- Master Slide
Creating Presentation
Integrated Packages
A single program that provides the functionality of several widely used programs.
- Combines several applications in one program: word processing, spreadsheet and database management.
- Include:presentation graphics, page layout, paint, calendar, address book, e-mail and etc.
- All programs in an integrated package are accessed via a common launching pad.
- Microsoft Works and Apple Works are two primary examples of integrated software packages.
Advantages:
Cost: integrated packages are often already installed on new computers, so they might not cost you any more than the original purchase price of the computer.
Simplicity: these programs tend to be smaller, older versions of larger programs, so they might be less complicated to use.
Disadvantages:
Limited Functions: With the advent of graphic user interfaces and modern operating systems, programs have become more and more standard even if they were written by completely different companies.
Collection of separate application programs sold as a group.
Four types of suites:
- Productivity Suite or Office Software Suite
- Alternative Office Suite
- Specialized Suites
- Utility Suites
