World processing is the most used computer application,
application that is used most often and most widely. We will start with it to learn about the terms and features that are common to most applications, as well as some that are specific to word processing. Then we will look at other major applications and what they do.
Examples of word processing programs: Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, Lotus WordPro, and Open Office Writer.
Desktop publishing
does on the computer what used to be done with scissors and glue and other non-computer methods - put together text and graphics for printing.
Spreadsheet
is the application of choice for most documents that organize numbers, like budgets, financial statements, grade sheets, and sales records. A spreadsheet can perform simple or complex calculations on the numbers you enter in rows and columns.
Examples of spreadsheet programs: MS Excel, Lotus 1-2-3, Quattro Pro, and Open Office Calc.
Database
A database is a collection of data that you want to manage, rearrange, and add to later. It is a good program to use to manage lists that are not entirely numbers, such as addresses and phone numbers, inventories, and membership rosters. With a database you could sort the data by name or city or postal code or by any individual item of information recorded. You can create forms to enter or update or just display the data. You can create reports that show just the data you are interested in, like members who owe dues.
Examples of databases: MS Access, dBase, FoxPro, Paradox, Approach, Oracle, Open Office Base.
Graphics
Graphics programs deal with pictures, either static or moving, flat or 3D. There are an amazing number of different formats for images in the world and no one program can handle them all.
Adobe Photoshop is the most widely used graphics program for professionals.
Presentations
A presentation program, also known as presentation graphics, links together a sequence of slides containing text and graphics. A slide show might be used for a sales presentation or for training or to enhance any kind of speech. A presentation program includes a number of tools for creating graphics that are quite useful. High-end programs can add sound and video to the slides. |
Examples of presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint, Corel Presentations, Lotus Freelance Graphics, Harvard Graphics, Open Office Impress
Communications
These programs temporarily connect computers to each other to exchange information. They may use telephone lines or dedicated cables for the connection. This allows you, for example, to work at home on the weekend and transfer all you've done to your computer at work before you leave home.
These are not the same as networking programs where computers are actually linked together all the time.
Most communications programs now include many different communication functions in one interface.
Browser
An Internet browser is a program that lets you navigate the World Wide Web or view HTML pages on a CD or on your hard disk. [It's what you are using to view this page!]
A browser displays web pages, keeps track of where you've been, and remembers the places you want to return to.
Web Pages
To create a web page for the Internet, you must write HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) code to define what is on the page, create or acquire the images for the page, and then upload the files to a web server.
What do you need?
- HTML editing program
- Graphics editing program
- Uploading program
- Browser
- Web space
Email, or electronic mail, is becoming more and more popular as people learn to communicate again with written words. For many purposes it is superior to a phone call because you don't have to catch the person in and you can get straight to the point. No time is wasted on casual conversation. It also leaves a written record to refer back to for a response or if you forget who said what. Email is superior to the traditional office memo because it uses no paper (Save the trees!!) and it can be sent to a whole list of people instantly.
Project Management
When you have a group of people working together on a complex project, you need a way to manage all the details. A project management program, like Microsoft Project, tracks all of the people, tasks, and deadlines in a major project. By linking to the personal scheduling programs of the people involved, the project management program can see when meetings can be arranged by looking at everyone's scheduled events. It can check for conflicts between parts of the project and for deadline errors.
PIM
PIM programs (Personal Information Management) are a special kind of database. A PIM will normally include an address book, a calendar to schedule activities and appointments, and a to-do list where you list chores, calls to make, various things to do.
Integrated & Suites
Integrated software combines the functions of several programs into one interface. Such a program is usually designed for the beginning or casual user.
Many advanced features are omitted that might be found in stand-alone products. For example, the word processor in an integrated software package would not likely have a way to automatically generate a table of contents and would have fewer options on how to handle footnotes, headers, and footers.
Microsoft Works is an example of integrated software
