Chapter 3: Software for Systems

September 6, 2016. Teusday

Application Software

Application software consists of programs designed to make users more productive and/or assist with personal tasks.

Available in a variety of forms:

Application software also available in a variety of forms:

• Packaged software 

  - Mass production, copyrighted and complete version. Eg: Microsoft

  Office, Adobe creative cloud, AutoCAD

• Open source software 

- Provide for use, modification, redistribution and has no restriction from copyright holder. It can be downloaded from Internet for free. Eg: Linux, Mozilla Firefox, Chromium, Libreoffice, Blender

• Shareware 

- It is free for trial period. Payment is needed after trial period. Eg: Winzip, Adobe Acrobat Pro, Wondershare video converter, Xilisoft video converter

• Freeware 

- Copyrighted software provided for free to user by an individual/company that retail all rights to the software. 

Eg: Google Chrome, Adobe PDF, Yahoo messenger, Skype, AVG antivirus

• Public-domain software 

- It is donated for public use and has no copyright. Anyone can copy/distribute it to others for free. 

Eg: ProTracker, CSPro, Epi info, Epi map

Application Software

•       System software serves as the interface between the user, the application software, and the computer’s hardware.

–      Utility programs

Business Software

•       Business software is application software that assists people while performing business activities.

•       Word processing software allows users to create and manipulate documents.

•       Developing a document.

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

•       Charting depicts data in a spreadsheet in graphical form.

•       Presentation software allows users to create visual aids for presentations to communicate ideas, messages, and other information to a group.

•       Note taking software is application software that enables users to enter typed text, handwritten comments, drawings, or sketches anywhere on a page.

•       A software suite is a collection of individual programs available together as a unit.

•       A personal information manager (PIM) is application software that includes.

•       Scaled down versions of software are available to work with smart phones and other mobile devices.

Graphics and Multimedia Software

•       Web page authoring software helps users of all skill levels create Web pages that include multimedia and interactive content.

Software for Home, Personal, and Educational Use

Web Applications

•       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.

Learning Tools for Application Software

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

•       You can ask a question or access the Help topics in subject or alphabetical order.

•       Web-based Help provides updates and more comprehensive resources to respond to technical issues about software.

•       Web-based training is a type of CBT 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.