Transcript General Purpose Packages

General Purpose Packages
Chapter 1
General Purpose Packages
Data and Information
What is the difference between data and
information?
Information has meaning.
Computers store information as a series of
numbers in memory.
These stored numbers are data and don’t
mean anything on their own.
Applications & GPPs
An application package is any software
that processes data using a preprogrammed set of instructions.
There are lots of applications from games
(like Quake 3 Arena) to databases (like
Microsoft Access).
General Purpose Packages are a special
class of applications that can be used for
more than one type of task.
Types of GPP
There are five broad classes of GPPs
Word processors
Database
Spreadsheets
Graphics
Communications
GPPs like these can be used to carry out
many different tasks from writing a letter
to keeping track of business accounts.
What do you get with a GPP
A GPP will normally include the following:
Storage Media
The floppy disc, CD-ROM, website or DVD from which the
software can be installed
Installation Guide
Instructions about how to install the software from the storage
media
Tutorial Guide
A set of lessons to teach the user how to use the main features
of the software.
Reference Guide
Provides details of how every feature of the software works.
Software Licence
The user must read and sign this document before installing the
software.
Human Computer Interface
The HCI is how the user issues commands to and
enters data into the computer system. It includes
both the hardware and software used.
The user interface is the software that is used to
issue commands etc. to the computer system.
A command driven interface uses typed commands
or keywords that control what the software does.
A menu driven interface uses menus instead of
typed commands.
WIMP is a type of graphical user interface (GUI)
that uses windows, icons, menus and a pointer to
control the software.
On-line help and On-line tutorials
On-line help is called ‘on-line’ because it is
available on your computer system. On-line
help tells the user about how the software
functions without the user having to leave
his/her computer to read a paper manual.
On-line tutorials are lessons that are also
stored on your computer system that teach
you how to use the main features of the
software.
Common features of all GPPs
All GPPs have a number
of features or
commands in common:
Load or open
application
Start a new file
Enter and edit data
Save data
Load data
Print data
Back-up data (saving a
second copy to floppy
disc etc.)
Cut, Copy, Paste, Move
data
Print a section of the
document
Alter or customise the
HCI
Add headers & footers
Use printer drivers
Questions
Walsh Question Book Page 2
F: 1, 2, 3, 7, 8 (KU)
F: 1, 2, 3 (PS)
G: 1, 2, 3 (KU)
G: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 (PS)
Implications of GPPs
A wide area network such as the Internet
allows users to access and share the same
information from anywhere in the world. The
exchange of accurate and up to date
information can help to make a company more
efficient.
Computers like the Police National Computer
(PNC) depend on this type of exchange of
information in order to function effectively.
For example, the PNC connects with the
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority
computer system (DVLA) to obtain
information about motor vehicles and drivers.
Personal Privacy
With all this information potentially
changing hands some people are very
worried that information about them could
be accessed.
What if the data held about YOU was
incorrect or out of date. How might it
affect you?
The Data Protection Act has been brought
in to protect people and their personal
data. The act was introduced in 1984 and
updated in 1998.
The Data Protection Act
Data Controller (the holder of the
information)
Data Processor (the processor of the
information)
Data Subject (the person who the data is
about)
The Data Protection Act
The data protection principals:
fairly and lawfully processed;
processed for limited purposes;
adequate, relevant and not excessive;
accurate;
not kept longer than necessary;
processed in accordance with the data subject's
rights;
secure;
not transferred to countries without adequate
protection.
The Data Protection Act
The data subject has the right to:
to inspect information held about them
have incorrect information changed
to apply for compensation if incorrect
information has causes distress.
The Computer Misuse Act
This law makes it illegal to access a
computer system without permission
Unauthorised access
Unauthorised access with intent to
commit an offence
Unauthorised modification of data
Hacking and writing
computer viruses are both
made illegal by this act.
The Copyright & Patents Act
Most published material (including text, images,
video, music, software etc) is protected by the
Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1988.
Copyright may be infringed if, without the prior
permission of the copyright owner, you
Copy a work (including scanning or storing
electronically)
Issue copies to the public
Perform, show or play the work in public
Broadcast the work or include it in a cable
programme
Make an adaptation of the work
The Copyright & Patents Act
If you do any of these without permission,
you are liable to be held personally
responsible. Infringing the law may be a
criminal offence.
Costs
Initial costs
Replacement costs
Running costs
Staff costs
Staff training and retraining