Transcript Selection and Use of appropriate Software Features

tcowling 2009
12.11
SELECTION AND USE OF APPROPRIATE
SOFTWARE FEATURES
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TYPES OF SOFTWARE
Name given to computer programs
 Programs are needed to control the hardware.

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TYPES OF SOFTWARE
Applications Software
Systems Software
Is designed to make use of the computer
system for specific purposes
performs tasks that are required because
a computer is used
EG: Generic Applications
EG: Operating Systems
EG: Bespoke Applications
EG: Utility Programs
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OPERATING SYSTEMS
Interacts with hardware to ensure system is
managed.
 It hides the complexity
of the hardware from the
user.
 Useful for creating
File Directories on a computer

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UTILITY PROGRAMS


Provides Tools to support the management of a
system
COMPRESSION


FILE CONVERSION


Covert data into a format that takes up less memory space.
Each file has a file extension (.doc). It enables other programs to open
files with different extensions
CONFIGURATION FILES

Contain information on system parameters. When a program is run, it
may need to see what conditions it should adapt to
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GENERIC:
WORD PROCESSING

Scenarios include:
 Writing
a book
 Writing a letter

Features include:
 Bold
 Underline
 Font
Size
 Alignment
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DESKTOP PUBLISHING

Scenarios include:
 Creating

a leaflet
Features include:
 Re-sizing
images
 Importing images
 Modifying text
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SPREADSHEETS

Scenarios include:
 Creating

an electronic register
Features include:
 Formulae
 Functions
 Charts/Graphs
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DATABASE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE

Scenarios include:
 Keeping
Customer Records
 Police records of criminals

Features include:
 Storing
data
 Searching data
 Sorting data
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INTERNET
The Software is called a WEB BROWSER!
 Scenarios include:

 Viewing

a website
Features include:
 Email
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WEB DESIGN SOFTWARE
Setting up and testing web pages
 Uploading pages to the web
 Entering and formatting text
 Inserting hyperlinks
 Inserting tables

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EMAIL SOFTWARE
Sending emails to one or more addresses
 A reply button for easy response
 Forwarding emails
 Setting priority to URGENT

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IMAGE MANIPULATION SOFTWARE
Resizing images
 Cropping images
 Increasing or decreasing brightness
 Blurring or colouring images
 Cloning parts of images

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PRESENTATION SOFTWARE
Creating slides
 Include text, graphics and video
 Formatting text
 Use bullet points to highlight information
 Sound files

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MACRO
A sequence of instructions that performs a task
on a regular basis.
 An example is:

 In
Word Processing, you can record a macro to add
your name to every document automatically.

Another example is:
 In
Databases, you can record a macro to add an
instruction every time you click on a button.
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WHICH SOFTWARE SHOULD I USE?

How do you decide which one to use?
 Performance
- how quickly does it operate?
 Functionality Does it have all the features that I want?
 Usability is it easy to use?
 The
Interface is the layout clear
 User Support is it available – does it cost extra?