Transcript Standard Grade

Standard Grade Notes
General Purpose Packages
General Purpose Packages
These are Software packages which
allow the user to solve a range of
problems.
Examples of GPPs
Word processing
Graphics
Spreadsheet
Database
Presentation and multimedia
Web page creation
Desktop publishing
Expert systems
Advantages of GPPs
Can edit documents easily
Data can be kept up to date
Can produce better quality work
Can increase productivity
Common Features of GPPs
Open or run the application
Create, save, open and print files
Insert, amend and delete data
Change appearance of text
Change Styles e.g. Bold underline italics
Change Font e.g. Comic Sans, Arial, Verdana
Change Size e.g. 12 point, 20 point etc
Move and copy data
Use headers and footers
Print part of a document
Word Processor
These are programs which give the user
a variety of text handling functions.
Entering Text
Text is entered at the keyboard.
Optical Character Recognition
software can be used with a scanner.
Voice recognition software can be
used with a microphone.
Tablet with handwriting recognition.
Wordwrap automatically takes a new
line when required
Proof Reading
Tools to help the user find and correct errors
Spell checker
Checks against built in Dictionary
Marks possible spelling mistakes
Give suggestions for correct spelling
User decides whether to change spelling
Grammar Checker
Search and Replace
Used to change a word throughout a document
Global – changes all words automatically
Selective – user decides for each change
Alignment of Text
Right aligned
Left aligned
Centered
Justified
Page Formatting
Page size can be altered
Page layout can be portrait or
landscape
Margins can be altered
Page breaks can be inserted
Documents
Standard paragraphs can be saved and
used to make up different individual
documents.
Standard letters can be used with data
files. They use mail merge to send the
same personalised letter to lots of people.
Text can be imported and exported to other
programs to save retyping.
Templates can be used to provide the
structure of a document without having to
set it up each time.
Printing
Printed output is called a hardcopy
A Printer driver is a special piece of
software which makes sure that the
printer is able to print the text
correctly. Each different printer
needs its own specially written printer
driver.
Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets are used mainly for tasks
involving numbers and calculations.
Structure
Each location is called a cell
Each cell has a cell reference
A horizontal set of cells is a row
Rows are numbered from 1 upwards
A vertical set of cells is a column
Columns have the letters A, B, C, …
Data
Values – are numbers
Labels – are text
Formulae –perform calculations
Editing
Column width can be altered
Row height can be altered
Insert / Delete column
Insert / Delete row
Alter cell attributes or format
decimal places
currency
date
Formula
Standard arithmetic can be used
= A4 + B4 + C4
= G6 * F6
Built in functions can be used
=SUM(B4:B14)
=AVERAGE(H3:H16)
=MAX(A1:A20)
=MIN(C2:K2)
IF conditions are used when two results are
possible
=IF(G6>100, G6*10%,0)
=IF(K5<50,”Fail”,”Pass”)
Cell Protection
Cell protection can be used to prevent
formula and values being changed
accidentally.
Replication
This is copying the contents of a cell to
another cell.
Replicating a relative cell reference
adjusts the cell references to suit the
new position.
Absolute cell references never change
when replicated or moved.
Charts
Charts are used to help the user to
understand the data at a glance
Bar Charts
Pie charts
Line graphs
Charts should be labeled
Title
X axis
Y axis
Database
This type of software is used for storing
and organising related data.
Structure
A File is a collection of records
e.g. File of pupil data
Records hold the data on one person
or object in the file
e.g. data on one pupil
A Field stores one piece of data
e.g. Name of pupil
Field Types
Text
Numeric
Time
Date
Graphic
Computed Fields
These are fields which get their value
from a calculation involving other
fields in the database.
Alter Record Format
Add or delete record
Add or delete field
Alter field type
Viewing Data
List / Table view shows all the records
in one continuous table
Form view shows one record at a time
Report
Reports allow the user to specify
exactly what is to be printed
choose which fields
choose the order
choose which fonts etc
choose layout
Searching
A search involves picking out certain
records from the file.
Also known as filter or a query
A simple search uses one field
A complex search uses more than one
field
AND and OR is used to combine
searches
Sorting
Putting the records into order
Simple sort on one field
Complex sort on more than one field
Ascending / Descending order
Human Computer Interface
The HCI is used to interact and
communicate with the computer.
Graphical User Interface
A Graphical User Interface uses
pictures to control the computers
actions.
Most computers nowadays have a
GUI and are easy to learn to use.
GUIs are user friendly.
WIMP
Windows Icons Menus Pointers
Window : displays items.
Icon : picture to represent software
or hardware.
Menu : list of available choices
Pointer : used to make selection
Toolbars
A series of icons which can be
selected. These are usually the most
commonly used functions of the
program.
On-line Help
This is help to solve a specific
problem.
It is available within the package.
It provides help while working.
On-line Tutorial
This teaches the user how to use the
program.
It gives step by step examples and
exercises.
It is best used when learning to use a
new package.
Customising the HCI
Making changes to the HCI
Change desktop colour or wallpaper.
Change size of icons.
Change speed of pointer movement.
Change sound effects.
Template
These are like skeletons of
documents.
The format is already setup.
Templates save time.
Templates improve consistency.
Wizard
This is a guide through a complicated
task.
The wizard asks questions then sets
up the document to the users
requirements.
Keyboard Shortcuts
These save time for proficient users.
Ctrl S will save the current document
Ctrl P will print the current document
Ctrl N will create a new blank
document
Integrated Packages
This type of package has several
GPPs in the one package.
There is a common HCI.
It is easier to learn to use all the
different sections.
Cheaper than buying several separate
GPPs.
Transferring data between sections is
simple.
Suite of Packages
These are collections of applications
from the same software company.
The packages have a similar HCI.
Transfer of data between packages is
easy.
They offer more features than
integrated packages.
Use up more disc space.
Cost more than integrated packages.
Linking Files
Dynamic Linkage : data changes in
one file are automatically updated in
the linked file.
Static Linkage : data changes in one
file do not update in the linked files.
Graphics
Graphics packages are designed to
create, edit and view pictures on a
computer.
Types of Graphics Packages
Draw
Produce objects on the screen
Paint
Bitmapped graphics, uses pixels.
Graphics
A set of tools are usually available
Draw, text, select, fill, circle, line,
rectangle, eraser, etc.
Alter Tool Attributes
Most tools can have their attributes
changed
colour
line thickness
fill
Graphics
Scaling – changes the size
Rotating – turns graphic by degrees
Cropping – cuts sides off graphic
Zooming – gives a close up view
Graphics
Resolution
High resolution : large number of
small pixels better quality image.
Low resolution : small number of
large pixels poorly defined image.
Animation
Moving graphics.
Actually a series of graphics played in
succession to give the appearance of
motion.
Video - a series of photographic
images played in rapid succession.
Animation
Early animators had to draw these
individual images by hand.
Thousands were needed to create a
very short animation.
Animation
Computer animation software can
help to take a lot of the work out of
animating and make the task
considerably easier.
The software can fill in the gaps
between drawings we have created.
This process is called tweening or
morphing.
Animation
The Toy Story
Movie was the
first to be
created entirely
using computer
animation
software.
Text File Types
ASCII
Stores information about the characters in the
document only.
Can be read any computer and software.
Plain Text
Similar to ASCII but does store the return code
for paragraph breaks.
Rich Text Format
Stores information about the text and
paragraphing, indentation, styles, fonts and
sizes.
Graphics File Types
wmf – vector graphics
bmp – bitmapped graphics
gif
jpeg – compressed graphics
avi - video
mpeg – compressed video
Audio File Types
MIDI
Stores instructions that tell the computer how to
create musical notes.
Eg pitch, duration.
Digital Audio
Stores samples of sound waves that have been
changed into binary numbers.
MP3
Audio files are often compressed to make them
smaller.
Desk Top Publishing
This type of software is used when
producing documents with complex
layouts and a combination of text and
graphics.
DTP packages are used for creating
magazines, books, leaflets and other
types of documents.
Desk Top Publishing
DTP packages have many tools to help the
user position text and graphics precisely in
complicated layouts.
The text is usually prepared in a
wordprocessor then imported into the DTP
package.
The graphics are prepared in a graphics
package then inserted into the DTP
package.
Multimedia Presentation
This type of software allows the use
of text, graphics, sound, animation
and video.
Using different types of data like this
is called multimedia.
Multimedia presentations can be
simple slide shows in a set sequence.
interactive where the user chooses what
to see by clicking on links to other slides.
Multimedia Presentation
Text, graphics, sound and video can
be imported from files.
Some packages will allow direct
capture of audio using a microphone.
Web Design
World Wide Web pages can be
created easily using this type of
software.
Web Design
Web pages are created in Hypertext
Markup Language. HTML
Web design packages allow the user
to create web pages without learning
HTML.
Web Design
Hypertext links can be used to link to
other related web pages.
Hotspots can also be set as links.
Tables are very useful for lining up
text and graphics on a web page.
Expert Systems
This type of software is used to
simulate the knowledge of a human
expert.
An expert system helps the user
make decisions by asking questions
and then giving advice.
Expert systems are able to explain
how they arrived at their conclusions.
GPPs in the Workplace
Jobs may be lost due to the
introduction of computer systems and
the use of GPPs. This is because
many tasks can be done with fewer
people.
Jobs may change to fit in with the
new computer systems.
GPPs in the Workplace
Staff will need training to use the new
systems and software
Training is expensive but the business
will be more efficient and productive
which will save money in the long
term
GPPs in the Workplace
Paper use should decrease as
companies store information on hard
discs, CDs and DVDs and USB flash
drives.
Less storage space is required.
The frequent use of mail merge and
easy access to printers does tend to
increase the use of paper, however.
Initial Costs - essential
Cost of the computer hardware
Cost of the applications packages
Installation costs
eg network cabling, power sockets
Training costs for staff
Redundancy payments
Replacement Costs - optional
Newer more powerful computers
Newer software with more features
Worn out printers, scanners, monitors
etc will need replacements.
New technology devices as they
become available
Running Costs - essential
Maintenance and repair costs
Printer ink and toner
Printer paper
Internet connections
Data Protection Act
Data Protection Commissioner
A government official who regulates the use of
personal data
Data Subject
The person the data is about
Data Controller
The business or organisation that controls the use
of the personal data
Data User
A person within the organisation who has access to
the personal data
Data Protection Controllers
Register with the Data Protection
Commissioner
Apply for permission to keep personal
data on computers
State what data they want to keep,
what it will be used for and who has
access to it
Comply with the data protection
principles
Data Protection Principles
Processed only if the consent of the
individual is given
Be held only for registered purposes
Be accurate and up to date
Be relevant and not excessive
Be adequate for the purpose
Be processed in accordance with subject
rights
Be surrounded by proper security
Only be transferred to countries outside the
EU who have adequate security measures.
Data Subject Rights
To know what is stored about them
To know why the data is being
processed and who will receive it
Check the data and have errors
rectified
Ask for compensation for inaccuracies
or if unauthorised people see their
data
Data Protection Exemptions
Subject Access rights can be denied by
Police
Security Forces
Inland Revenue
Copyright Designs and Patents Act
Software is copyright material
It is illegal to
make unauthorised copies
run unauthorised copies
Computer Misuse Act
It is illegal to
Gain unauthorised access to a
computer system
Make unauthorised modifications to
computer data
Penalty : up to five years imprisonment