CHAPTER 8

Application Software

UCCS1613 Computer Systems and Applications 1

Computer Software

Software, also called a program, consists of a series of related

instructions, organized for a common purpose, that tells the com-
puter what tasks to perform and how to perform them.

With a graphical user interface (GUI pronounced gooey), you interact

with the software using text, graphics, and visual images such as
icons. The two categories of software are system software and
application software:
– Application software consists of programs designed to make
users more productive and/ or assist them with personal tasks.
– System software consists of the programs that control or
maintain the operations of the computer and its devices.
– Two types of system software are the operating system and
utility programs.
 An operating system is a set of programs that coordinates
all the activities among computer hardware devices.
 A utility program allows a user to perform
maintenance-type tasks usually related to managing a
computer, its devices, or its programs.
2
System Software & Application Software

Today’s system
software and
application
software usually
have a graphi-
cal user inter-
face.

3
Installing and Running Programs

Installing is the process of setting up software to work with the

computer, printer, and other hardware.

When you instruct the computer to run an installed program, the

computer loads it, which means the program is copied from storage
to memory.

Once in memory, the computer can carry out, or execute, the

instructions in the program so that you can use the program.

4
Installing and Running a Computer Program

5
Application Software

Application software: It consists of programs designed to make users

more productive and/or assist them with personal tasks.

Application software has a variety of uses:

– To make business activities more efficient.
– To assist with graphics and multimedia projects.
– To support home, personal, and educational tasks.
– To facilitate communications.

Product activation is a technique that some software manufacturers

use to ensure the software is not installed on more computers than
legally licensed.

6
Application Software

Application software is available in a variety of forms: packaged,

custom, Web application, open source, shareware, freeware, and
public domain.

• Packaged software: It is mass-produced, copyrighted retail software

that meets the needs of a wide variety of users, not just a single user
or company.
• Custom software: It performs functions specific to a business or
industry. Sometimes a company cannot find packaged software that
meets its unique requirements.
• Web application: A Web application is a Web site that allows users
to access and interact with software from any computer or device
that is connected to the Internet.
• Open source software: It is software provided for use, modification,
and redistribution. This software has no restrictions from the
copyright holder regarding modification of the software’s internal
instructions and its redistribution.

7
Application Software

Application software is available in a variety of forms: packaged,

custom, Web application, open source, shareware, freeware, and
public domain. (Cont.)

• Shareware: It is copyrighted software that is distributed at no cost

for a trial period. To use a shareware program beyond that period,
you send payment to the program developer.
• Freeware: It is copyrighted software provided at no cost by an
individual or a company that retains all rights to the software.
• Public-domain software: It has been donated for public use and has
no copyright restrictions. Anyone can copy or distribute
public-domain software to others at no cost.

8
Four Categories of Application Software

The four major categories of popular application software are outlined in this
table. Communications software often is bundled with other application or9
system software.
Relationship between System Software and
Application Software

A user does not com-

municate directly with
the computer hardware.
Instead, system software
is the interface between
the user, the applica-
tion software, and the
hardware. For example,
when a user instructs
the application software
to print a document, the
Application software
sends the print instruc-
tion to the system
software, which in turn
sends the print instruc-
tion to the hardware.10
The Role of System Software

System software serves as the interface between the user, the

application software, and the computer’s hardware.

To use application software, such as a word processing program,

your computer must be running system software — specifically an
operating system.

Three popular personal computer operating systems are Windows,

Mac OS, and Linux.

Each time you start a computer, the operating system is loaded

(copied) from the computer’s hard disk into memory.

Once the operating system is loaded, it coordinates all the activities

of the computer.

This includes starting application software and transferring data

among input and output devices and memory. While the computer is
running, the operating system remains in memory. 11
One Way to Start and Interact with a Program
from Windows

12
One Way to Start and Interact with a Program
from Windows

13
Utility Programs

Utility Program is a type of system software that assists users with

controlling or maintaining the operation of a computer, its devices, or
its software.

Utility programs typically offer features that provide an environment

conducive to successful use of application software.

For example, utility programs protect a computer against malicious

software and unauthorized intrusions, manage files and disks,
compress files, play media files, and burn optical discs.

One of the more important utility programs protects a computer

against malicious software, or malware, which is a program that acts
without a user’s knowledge and deliberately alters the computer’s
operations.

A computer virus is a type of malicious software.

14
Working with Application Software
Personal computer operating systems often use the concept of a
desktop to make the computer easier to use. The desktop is an on-
screen work area that has a graphical user interface.

A button is a graphical element that you activate to cause a specific

action to occur. One way to activate a button is to click it. To click a
button on the screen requires moving the pointer to the button and
then pressing and releasing a button on the mouse (usually the left
mouse button). The pointer is a small symbol displayed on the screen
that moves as you interact with the mouse or other pointing device. A
menu contains a list of commands from which you make selections. A
command is an instruction that causes a program to perform a
specific action.

A window is a rectangular area of the screen that displays data and

information. The top of a window has a title bar, which is a horizontal
space that contains the window’s name. A file is a named collection of
stored data, instructions, or information. A file can contain text,
images, audio, and video. A file name is a unique combination of
letters of the alphabet, numbers, and other characters that identifies a
file. A dialog box is a window that provides information, presents
available options, or requests a response. Dialog boxes, often con-
15
tain option buttons, text boxes, check boxes, and command buttons.
Business Software

Business software is application software that assists people in

becoming more effective and efficient while performing their daily
business activities.

Business software includes programs such as: word processing,

spreadsheet, database, presentation, note taking, personal
information manager, business software for phones, business
software suites, project management, accounting, document
management, and enterprise computing software.

Word processing and spreadsheet software have a heavier emphasis

because of their predominant use.

16
Popular Business Programs

17
Business Software: Word Processing Software
Word processing software is one of the more widely used types of
application software. Word processing software, sometimes called a
word processor, allows users to create and manipulate documents
containing mostly text and sometimes graphics.
Clip art is a collection of electronic drawings, photos, and other im-
ages. Word processing software usually includes public-domain im-
ages.
With word processing software, you can define the size of the paper
on which to print and specify the margins — that is, the portion of the
page outside the main body of text, including the top, the bottom, and
both sides of the paper.
A feature, called wordwrap, allows users to type words in a paragraph
continually without pressing the enter key at the end of each line.
Scrolling is the process of moving different portions of the document
on the screen into view.
Word processing software typically includes a spelling checker,
which reviews the spelling of individual words, sections of a docu-
ment, or the entire document.
A header is text that appears at the top of each page, and a footer is
text that appears at the bottom of each page. Page numbers, company
names, report titles, and dates are examples of items included 18in
Word Processing Software

Word processing software en-

ables users to create profes-
sional and visually appealing
documents.
19
Additional Word Processing Features

20
Business Software: Developing a Document

With application software, such as a word processing program, users

create, edit, format, save, and print documents.

When you create a document, you enter text or numbers, insert im-
ages, and perform other tasks using an input device such as a key-
board, mouse, digital pen, or microphone.

To edit a document means to make changes to its existing content.

Common editing tasks include inserting, deleting, cutting, copying,
and pasting.

Cutting is the process of removing a portion of the document and

storing it in a temporary storage location, sometimes called a
clipboard.

Pasting is the process of transferring an item from a clipboard to a

specific location in a document.

21
Business Software: Developing a Document

When users format a document, they change its appearance.

Formatting is important because the overall look of a document
significantly can affect its ability to communicate clearly.

A font is a name assigned to a specific design of characters. Two

basic types of fonts are serif and sans serif.
– A serif font has short decorative lines at the upper and lower
ends of some characters. Cambria is an example of a serif font.
– Sans means without. Thus, a sans serif font does not have the
short decorative lines at the upper and lower ends of the char-
acters. Calibri is an example of a sans serif font.

Font size indicates the size of the characters in a particular font. Font
size is gauged by a measurement system called points. A font style
adds emphasis to a font. Bold, italic, under line, and color are
examples of font styles. When you print a document, the computer
places the contents of the document on paper or some other medium.

22
Cambria and Calibri Fonts

23
Business Software: Spreadsheet Software

Spreadsheet software is another widely used type of application

software. Spreadsheet software allows users to organize data in rows
and columns and perform calculations on the data.

These rows and columns collectively are called a worksheet.

A cell is the intersection of a column and row. Each worksheet has

more than 17 billion cells in which you can enter data.

Cells can contain three types of data: labels, values, and formulas.
– The text, or label, entered in a cell identifies the worksheet data
and helps organize the worksheet.
– A formula performs calculations on the data in the worksheet
and displays the resulting value in a cell, usually the cell con-
taining the formula.
– A function is a predefined formula that performs common
calculations such as adding the values in a group of cells or
generating a value such as the time or date.
24
Business Software: Spreadsheet Software

Most spread sheet software includes what-if analysis tools, where you
change certain values in a spreadsheet to reveal the effects of those
changes.

Another standard feature of spreadsheet software is charting, which

depicts the data in graphical form.
– Line chart shows a trend during a period of time, as indicated
by a rising or falling line.
– A column chart, also called a bar chart, displays bars of
various lengths to show the relationship of data. The bars can
be horizontal, vertical, or stacked on top of one another.
– A pie chart, which has the shape of a round pie cut into slices,
shows the relationship of parts to a whole.

25
Spreadsheet

With spreadsheet software, you create worksheets that contain data arranged
26 in
rows and columns, and you perform calculations on the data in the worksheets.
Spreadsheet Functions

27
 Three basic types of charts provided
Spreadsheet Charts with spreadsheet software are line
charts, column charts, and pie charts.
The charts shown here were created us-
ing the data in the worksheet

28
Business Software: Database Software

A database is a collection of data organized in a manner that allows

access, retrieval, and use of that data.

Database software is application software that allows users to create,

access, and manage a database. Also known as Database
Management System (DBMS).

Using database software, you can add, change, and delete data in a
database; sort and retrieve data from the database; and create forms
and reports using the data in the database.

Each row, called a record, contains data about a given person,

product, object, or event.

Each column, called a field, contains a specific category of data within

a record.

Users run queries to retrieve data. A query is a request for specific

data from the database. 29
 This database contains two tables: one for the clients
Spreadsheet Charts and one for the trainers. The Client table has ten
records and eight fields; the Trainer table has three
records and eight fields.

30
Business Software: Presentation Software

Presentation software is application software that allows users to

create visual aids for presentations to communicate ideas, messages,
and other information to a group.

The presentations can be viewed as slides, sometimes called a slide

show, that are displayed on a large monitor or on a projection screen.

Users with an artistic ability can create their own graphics using
paint/image editing software and then import (bring in) the graphics
into a slide.

Some audio and video editing programs work with presentation

software, providing users with an easy means to record and insert
video, music, and audio commentary in a presentation.

31
 In presentation software, users can
Presentation Software PowerPoint change the design and layout of any
slide in a presentation.

32
Business Software: Note Taking Software

Note taking software is application software that enables users to

enter typed text, handwritten comments, drawings, or sketches
anywhere on a page and then save the page as part of a notebook.

The software can convert handwritten comments to typed text or

store the notes in handwritten form.

Users also can include audio recordings as part of their notes.

Users find note taking software convenient during meetings, class

lectures, conferences, in libraries, and other settings that previously
required a pencil and tablet of paper for recording thoughts and
discussions.

33
Note Taking Software

34
Business Software: Business Software Suite

A software suite is a collection of individual programs available

together as a unit.

Business software suites typically include, at a minimum, the

following programs: word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and
e-mail.

Popular business software suites include Microsoft Office, Apple

iWork, Corel WordPerfect Office, and Google Docs.

Software suites offer two major advantages:

– Lower Cost: When you purchase a collection of programs as a
software suite, the suite usually costs significantly less than
purchasing the programs individually.
– Ease of Use: Software suites provide ease of use because the
programs in the suite normally use a similar interface and
share features such as clip art and spelling checker.
35
Business Software: Personal Information Manager Software

A personal information manager (PIM) is application software that

includes an appointment calendar, address book, notepad, and other
features to help users organize personal information.

With a PIM, you can take information previously tracked in a weekly or

daily calendar, and organize and store it on your computer.

Mobile devices such as smart phones and PDAs include, among many
other features, PIM functionality.

You can synchronize, or coordinate, information so that both the

mobile device and your personal computer and/or organization’s
server have the latest version of any updated information.

36
Business Software: Business Software for Phones

Business software available for phones enables users to create

documents and worksheets, manage databases and lists, create slide
shows, take notes, manage budgets and finances, view and edit pho-
tos, read electronic books, plan travel routes, compose and read e-
mail messages, send instant messages, send text and picture mes-
sages, view maps and directions, read the latest news articles, and
browse the Web.

Many of the programs discussed in this chapter have scaled-down

versions that work with smart phones and other mobile devices.

37
 In addition to appointment, calendar, address book, and
notepad, current phones include business and other soft-
Phone Software
ware such as e-mail, spreadsheet, presentation, and travel
and mapping.

38
Business Software: Project Management Software

Project management software allows a user to plan, schedule, track,

and analyze the events, resources, and costs of a project.

Project management software helps users manage project variables,

allowing them to complete a project on time and within budget.

39
Project Management Software
With project management software, you
can plan and schedule a project.

40
Business Software: Accounting Software

Accounting software helps companies record and report their

financial transactions.

With accounting software, business users perform accounting

activities related to the general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts
payable, purchasing, invoicing, and payroll functions.

Accounting software also enables business users to write and print

checks, track checking account activity, and update and reconcile
balances on demand.

41
Accounting Software
Accounting software helps companies record and
report their financial transactions.

42
Business Software: Document Management Software

Document management software provides a means for sharing,

distributing, and searching through documents by converting them
into a format that can be viewed by any user.

The converted document, which mirrors the original document’s

appearance, can be viewed and printed without the software that
created the original document.

Some document management software allows users to edit and add

comments to the converted document.

A popular file format that document management software uses to

save converted documents is PDF (Portable Document Format),
developed by Adobe Systems.

43
Document Management Software

With Adobe Reader, you can view any PDF file,

such as the page from this book shown in this
figure.

44
Business Software: Enterprise Computing Software
Software used in functional units is not mutually exclusive; however, each
functional unit uses specific software, as outlined below.
• Human resources software manages employee information such as bene-
fits, personal information, performance evaluations, training, and vacation
time.
• Accounting software manages everyday transactions, such as sales and
payments to suppliers. Financial software helps managers budget, forecast,
and analyze.
• Engineering or product development software allows engineers to develop
plans for new products and test their product designs.
• Manufacturing software assists in the assembly process, as well as in
scheduling and managing the inventory of parts and products.
• Marketing software allows marketing personnel to create marketing
campaigns and track their effectiveness.
• Sales software enables the sales force to manage contacts, schedule
meetings, log customer interactions, manage product information, and take
customer orders.
• Distribution software analyzes and tracks inventory and manages product
shipping status.
• Customer service software manages the day-to-day interactions with cus-
tomers, such as phone calls, e-mail messages, Web interactions, and instant
messaging sessions.
• Information technology staff use a variety of software to maintain and secure
the hardware and software in an enterprise. 45
Graphics and Multimedia Software

In addition to business software, many people work with software

designed specifically for their field of work.

This software includes computer aided design, desktop publishing,

paint/image editing, photo editing, video and audio editing,
multimedia authoring, and Web page authoring.

Many graphics and multimedia programs incorporate user-friendly

interfaces and/or have scaled-down versions, making it possible for
the home and small business users to create documents using these
programs.

46
Popular Graphics and Multimedia Software

47
Graphics and Multimedia Software: Computer-Aided Design

Computer-aided design (CAD) software is a sophisticated type of

application software that assists a professional user in creating
engineering, architectural, and scientific designs.

CAD software eliminates the laborious manual drafting that design

processes can require.

48
Graphics and Multimedia Software: Desktop Publishing Soft-
ware

Desktop publishing (DTP) software enables professional designers to

create sophisticated documents that contain text, graphics, and many
colors.

Professional DTP software is ideal for the production of high-quality

color documents such as textbooks, corporate newsletters, marketing
literature, product catalogs, and annual reports.

Page layout is the process of arranging text and graphics in a

document on a page-by-page basis.

A color library is a standard set of colors used by designers and

printers to ensure that colors will print exactly as specified.

49
CAD Software and DTP Software

50
Graphics and Multimedia Software: Paint/Image Editing Soft-
ware

Paint software, also called illustration software, allows users to draw

pictures, shapes, and other graphical images with various on-screen
tools such as a pen, brush, eyedropper, and paint bucket.

Image editing software provides the capabilities of paint software and

also includes the capability to enhance and modify existing images
and pictures.

Image stitching, which is the process of combining multiple images

into a larger image.

51
Paint/Image Editing Software

This graphic artist uses paint software to draw characters in a

computer game.
52
Graphics and Multimedia Software: Photo Editing Software

Professional photo editing software is a type of image editing soft-

ware that allows photographers, videographers, engineers, scientists,
and other high-volume digital photo users to edit and customize dig-
ital photos.

Professional photo editing software allows users to save images in a

wide variety of file formats.

With professional photo editing software, users can retouch photos,

crop images, remove red-eye, change image shapes, color-correct
images, straighten images, remove or rearrange objects in a photo,
and apply filters.

53
Graphics and Multimedia Software: Video and Audio Editing
Software

Video editing software allows professionals to modify a segment of a

video, called a clip.

Video editing software typically includes audio editing capabilities.

Audio editing software lets users modify audio clips, produce studio-
quality soundtracks, and add audio to video clips.

Audio editing software usually includes filters, which are designed to

enhance audio quality.

54
Photo Editing Software and Audio Editing
Software

55
Graphics and Multimedia Software: Multimedia Authoring Soft-
ware

Multimedia authoring software allows users to combine text, graphics,

audio, video, and animation in an interactive application.

With this software, users control the placement of text and images
and the duration of sounds, video, and animation.

Once created, multimedia presentations often take the form of interac-

tive computer-based presentations or Web-based presentations de-
signed to facilitate learning, demonstrate product functionality, and
elicit direct-user participation.

56
Graphics and Multimedia Software: Web Page Authoring Soft-
ware

Web page authoring software helps users of all skill levels create Web
pages that include graphical images, video, audio, animation, and
other special effects with interactive content.

In addition, many Web page authoring programs allow users to

organize, manage, and maintain Web sites.

Many Web page developers also use multimedia authoring software

along with, or instead of, Web page authoring software for Web page
development.

57
Multimedia Authoring Software and Web Page
Authoring Software

58
Software for Home, Personal, and Educational Use

A large amount of application software is designed specifically for

home, personal, and educational use. Most of the programs in this
category are relatively inexpensive, often priced less than $100 and
sometimes free.

For instance: Personal Finance Software, Legal Software, Tax

Preparation Software, Desktop Publishing Software, Paint/Image
Editing Software, Photo Editing and Photo Management Software, Clip
Art/Image Gallery, Video and Audio Editing Software, Travel and
Mapping Software, Home Design/Landscaping Software, Reference
and Educational Software and Entertainment Software.

59
Popular Programs for Home/Personal/Educational Use

60
Software for Home, Personal, and Educational Use: Personal
Finance Software

Personal finance software is a simplified accounting program that

helps home users and small office/home office users balance their
checkbooks, pay bills, track personal income and expenses, set up
budgets, manage home inventory, track investments, and evaluate
financial plans.

Personal finance software helps determine where, and for what

purpose, you are spending money so that you can manage your
finances.

Online banking offers access to account balances, provides bill

payment services, and allows you to download monthly transactions
and statements from the Web directly to your computer.

61
Software for Home, Personal, and Educational Use: Legal Soft-
ware

Legal software assists in the preparation of legal documents and

provides legal information to individuals, families, and small
businesses.

Legal software provides standard contracts and documents

associated with buying, selling, and renting property; estate planning;
marriage and divorce; and preparing a will or living trust.

Once the legal document is created, you can file the paperwork with
the appropriate agency, court, or office; or take the document to your
attorney for his or her review and signature.

62
Personal Finance Software and Legal Software

63
Software for Home, Personal, and Educational Use: Tax Prepa-
ration Software

Tax preparation software, which is available both as packaged

software and as Web applications, can guide individuals, families, or
small businesses through the process of filing federal taxes.

These programs forecast tax liability and offer money-saving tax tips,
designed to lower your tax bill.

Instead of mailing forms through the postal service, the IRS allows
taxpayers to file their state and federal tax returns online, called e-fil-
ing.

64
Software for Home, Personal, and Educational Use: Desktop
Publishing Software

Personal DTP software helps home and small business users create
newsletters, brochures, flyers, advertisements, postcards, greeting
cards, letterhead, business cards, banners, calendars, logos, and Web
pages.

You can print a finished publication on a color printer or post it on the

Web in a format that can be viewed by those without DTP software.

Many personal DTP programs also include paint/image editing

software and photo editing and photo management software.

65
Tax Preparation Software and Personal DTP
Software

66
Software for Home, Personal, and Educational Use: Paint/Image
Editing Software

Personal paint/image editing software provides an easy-to-use

interface, usually with more simplified capabilities than its
professional counterpart, including functions tailored to meet the
needs of the home and small business user.

Personal image editing software provides the capabilities of paint

software and the ability to modify existing graphics and photos.
These programs also include many templates to assist you in adding
images to documents such as greeting cards, banners, calendars,
signs, labels, business cards, and letterhead.

67
Software for Home, Personal, and Educational Use: Photo Edit-
ing and Photo Management Software

Personal photo editing software allows users to edit digital photos by

removing red-eye, erasing blemishes, restoring aged photos, adding
special effects, enhancing image quality, or creating electronic photo
albums.

Some digital cameras even have basic photo editing software built in
so that you can edit the image directly on the camera.

With photo management software, you can view, organize, sort,

catalog, print, and share digital photos.

68
 As shown here,
Personal Paint/Image Editing Software, Photo
home users can
Editing and Photo Management Software adjust color on
their digital
photos with
personal photo
editing soft-
ware.

69
Software for Home, Personal, and Educational Use: Clip Art/Im-
age Gallery

Application software often includes a clip art/image gallery, which is a

collection of clip art and photos.

In addition to clip art, many clip art/image galleries provide fonts,

animations, sounds, video clips, and audio clips.

You can use the images, fonts, and other items from the clip art/image
gallery in all types of documents, including word processing, desktop
publishing, spreadsheet, and presentations.

70
Software for Home, Personal, and Educational Use: Video and
Audio Editing Software

Many home users work with easy-to-use video and audio editing
software, which is much simpler to use than its professional
counterpart, for small-scale movie making projects.

With these programs, home users can edit home movies, add music
or other sounds to the video, and share their movies on the Web.

Some operating systems include video editing and audio editing

software.

71
Clip Art and Personal Video and Audio Editing
Software

72
Software for Home, Personal, and Educational Use: Travel and
Mapping Software

Travel and mapping software enables users to view maps, determine

route directions, and locate points of interest.

Using travel and mapping software, which is available both as

packaged software and as Web applications, you can display maps by
searching for an address, postal code, telephone number, or point of
interest (such as airports, lodging, and historical sites).

Many are compatible with mobile devices such as smart phones and
portable media players. Many navigation devices, including those in
vehicles, have travel and mapping software.

73
Software for Home, Personal, and Educational Use: Home De-
sign/Landscaping Software

Homeowners or potential homeowners can use home

design/landscaping software to assist them with the design,
remodeling, or improvement of a home, deck, or landscape.

These programs show changes to home designs and landscapes,

allowing homeowners to preview proposed modifications.

Once designed, many home design/landscaping programs print a

materials list outlining costs and quantities for the entire project.

74
Software for Home, Personal, and Educational Use: Reference
and Educational Software

Reference software provides valuable and thorough information for all

individuals. Popular reference software includes encyclopedias,
dictionaries, and health/ medical guides.

Educational software is software that teaches a particular skill.

Educational software exists for just about any subject, from learning
how to type to learning how to cook.

Many educational programs use a computer-based training approach.

Computer-based training (CBT), also called computer-aided
instruction (CAI), is a type of education in which students learn by
using and completing exercises with instructional software.

75
Travel and Mapping Software, Home Design/
Landscaping Software and Reference and Ed-
ucational Software

76
Software for Home, Personal, and Educational Use: Entertain-
ment Software

Entertainment software for personal computers, game consoles, and

mobile devices includes interactive games, videos, and other
programs designed to support a hobby or provide amusement and
enjoyment.

Many games are available as Web applications, allowing you to play

individually or with other online players.

77
CBT Simulations for Flight Training and Enter-
tainment Software

CBT Simulations

78
Web Applications

Users typically install purchased application software on a computer

before they run it. Installed software has two disadvantages:
– It requires disk space on your computer.
– it can be costly to upgrade as vendors release new versions.
As an alternative, some users opt to access Web applications.

Web application, or Web app, is a Web site that allows users to access
and interact with software from any computer or device that is
connected to the Internet.

Web application hosts often store users’ data and information on their
servers, which sometimes is called cloud storage.

Experts often use the term Web 2.0 to describe Web applications.
Recall that Web 2.0 refers to Web sites that provide users with a
means to share personal information, allow users to modify Web site
content, and/or have application software built into the site for visitors
to use. 79
Spreadsheet in Google Docs and Popular Web
Applications

80
Application Software for Communications

One of the main reasons people use computers is to communicate

and share information with others.

Some communications software is considered system software

because it works with hardware and transmission media.

Other communications software makes users more productive and/or

assists them with personal tasks, and thus, is considered application
software.

81
Application Software for Communications

82
Learning Tools for Application Software

Learning how to use application software effectively involves time

and practice. To assist in the learning process, many programs
include an integrated Help feature.

Online Help is the electronic equivalent of a user manual. When

working with a program, you can use online Help to ask a question or
access the Help topics in subject or alphabetical order.

Most online Help also links to Web sites that offer Web-based Help,
which provides updates and more comprehensive resources to
respond to technical issues about software

83
Learning Tools for Application Software: Web-Based Training

Web-based training (WBT) is a type of CBT (computer-based training)

that uses Internet technology and consists of application software on
the Web.

Distance learning (DL) is the delivery of education at one location

while the learning takes place at other locations. The advantages:
– Students who live far from a college campus or work full time
can learn.
– These courses enable students to attend class from anywhere
in the world and at times that fit their schedules.
– These training courses eliminate the costs of airfare, hotels,
and meals for centralized training sessions.

E-learning, short for electronic learning, is the delivery of education

via some electronic method such as the Internet, networks, or optical
discs.

84
Online and Web-Based Help and E-Learning
System

85
- The End -
Thank you for paying attention!

"Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day-in and

day-out.“ – Robert Collier

86