Applications Software:
Getting the Work Done
Objectives
• Distinguish between operating systems and
applications software
• List the various methods by which individuals and
businesses acquire software
• List and briefly describe various types of task-
oriented software
• Identify the kinds of software available for both large
and small businesses
• Discuss ethical issues associated with software
• Describe the functions of various computer
professionals
Contents
• Applications Software
• Software Types
• Task-Oriented Productivity Software
• Business Software
• Application Software and Ethics
• Computers and People
Applications Software
Apply to real-world tasks
Solves user problems
vs. OS
controls the hardware
PC Software Characteristics
• User-friendly
• Easy
• Intuitive
• Minimum training and documentation
needed to use
Software Types
Custom Software
• Written by programmers
• Takes a lot of time to write and test
• When specifications are unique
Software Types
Packaged or Commercial
• Sold in stores, catalogs, or downloadable
from the WWW
• Purchased from software publishers
• Must be installed
– Standard or custom installation
– The setup process copies some of all of the
software to the hard disk
– May require the CD-ROM to be in the drive to run
Acquiring Software
• Freeware
– Free to all
– Copyrighted
– Distributed in machine-readable format
• Shareware
– Freely distributed for a trial period
– Pay a nominal fee to register with the
author
Acquiring Software
• Public-domain software
– Un-copyrighted
– May be used or altered without restriction
– Generally developed under government
grants
• Open-source
– Free to all
– Source code is distributed
– May be used or altered
– Popular under the LINUX OS
Acquiring Software
• Commercial software
– Used most often
– Copyrighted
– Generally costly
– May not be copied without permission of
the manufacturer
Purchasing Commercial Software
Individuals
• Software warehouse store
• Mail order
• Electronic software distribution
Purchasing Commercial Software
Businesses
• Volume discount
• Site license
• Network versions
• Application Service Provide (ASP)
– Software is setup and maintained by ASP
– Access the software over the Internet
– Pay per use
– Saves the expense of installing and maintaining
the software
Task-Oriented Software
Productivity Software
Makes work faster
Makes our lives easier
Word Processing
• Uses
– Memos
– Reports
– Correspondence
– Minutes of meetings
– Anything to be typed
• Functions
– Create
– Edit
– Format
– Store
– Print text and graphics
Desktop Publishing
• Uses
– Newsletters
– Reports
– Brochures
• Functions
– Handles high-level publishing needs
Electronic Spreadsheets
• Uses
– Comparing mortgage interest rates
– Preparing budgets
– Tracking weight loss
• Functions
– Manipulates numbers in rows and columns
– Recalculates the results when a number is
changed
– What if?
Electronic Spreadsheets
Database Management
• Uses
– Keep track of a large number of related facts
– Query the data for specific information
– Retrieve information in a variety of ways
• Functions
– Store data
– Update data
– Manipulate data
– Retrieve data
– Print data in many forms
– Report on data in a variety of ways
Graphics
• Uses
– Maps
– Graphs
– Charts
• Helps to
– Compare data
– Spot trends
– Make decisions
• Visual information is more compelling
Presentation Graphics
• Uses
– Sales tool
– Demonstrate a product
– Show cost/benefit projections on charts
– Present audio/video testimonials from satisfied
customers
• May contain
– Text
– Graphics
– Audio
– Video
Computer Art
• Use software to
– Produce art
– Express ideas
• Graphic artist
– Artistic ability
– Computer skills
– Produces computer art
Communications
• Communicate from home with computer
at office
• Access data stored in another computer
in another location
• Stock exchange updates
• Weather information
Communications
• Provides method for
communicating
between computers
• Most likely way to
connect is via the
Internet
• Use a browser to
access the Internet
Office Suites
• Group of basic software applications
designed to work together
• Data is portable between basic applications
of the suite
• Various applications in the suite have the
same “look and feel”
• Cost of suite is less than purchasing
individual applications
Integrated Applications
• Combine basic word processing,
spreadsheet, and graphics capabilities
• More limited than a suite
• Easier to learn and use
Software Development Focus
• Ease of use
• Personal use programs
– Personal time organizers
– To-do list makers
– E-mail programs
• Internet access
Business Software
• Custom-written to
meet special
business needs
• Standard packages
• Combination of
custom-written and
off-the-shelf
Vertical Market Software
• Written for a particular type of business
– Dentist’s office
– Drugstore
– Auto shop
• Software may be part of complete package
– Hardware
– Installation
– Training
– Support
Software for Workgroups
• Groupware / collaborative software
• Lets a group of people share information or
track information together
• Data being used is located in central
database
• Data can be accessed and updated by
anyone in the project group
Software for Workgroups
Examples
• Scheduling
• Preparation of
proposals by several
individuals
The Information Center
Help Desk
• Software selection
• Software training
• Software and hardware installations
• Software and hardware updates
• Troubleshooting
Software for Small Business
• Accounting
– Spreadsheet software
– Accounting package – Basic accounting,
financial statements, tax summaries, payroll
• Writing and Advertising
– Word processing
– Desktop publishing
• Customer Service
– Database management
Software for Small Business
• Keeping Up and Making Contacts
– Networking over the Internet
• Making Sales Pitches
– Graphical presentation software
Small Office, Home Office
SOHO
• Moderately priced to solve typical needs
• All-in-one software package
Small Office, Home Office
SOHO
What is needed What is has
• Organizational skills of a • Searchable library of
secretary resources
• Legal guide
• Research skills of a
librarian • Tax guide
• Accounting skills of a • Collections of business
bookkeeper documents
• Experience of someone • Links to useful business
and government sites on
who has done it before the Internet
Application Software Ethics
What is
What is legal?
legal?
Software Piracy
• Making illegal copies of copyrighted software
• Why the fuss?
– Very easy to duplicate software vs. a text book
– Software company may lose hundreds of dollars
per pirated copy
• Prosecution
– Yes: Small-medium sized business who purchase
a few copies and distribute to many users
– No: Individual users who probably would not have
purchased software on their own anyway
Counterfeiting
• Software is copied onto CD-ROMS / DVD-
ROMS
• Package duplicates the original
• Sold in flea markets or small stores
• Cheaper price
• Occurs more overseas
Copying Software
• Legitimate reasons
– Backup copy
– Copy to hard disk
• Illegitimate reasons
– Obtain software without paying for it
Computers and People
Users
• Any individual who
operates a computer
to accomplish a task
• Home
• Business
Computer Professionals
• Management Information Systems (MIS)
• Computer Information Systems (CIS)
• Computing Services
• Information Services
• Information Technology (IT)
Computer Professionals
• Data entry operators – key data into a machine-
readable format
• Computer operators – monitor the computer
• Librarians – catalog and keep secure the disks
• Computer programmers – write, test, implement, and
maintain programs
• Systems analysts – plan and design computer
systems
• Network manager – oversees the network
• Chief information officer (CIO) – department
manager; makes strategic decisions relating to the
flow of information in the organization
