ICT Chapter 3

ICT Chapter 3

1. Applications software

   • Word processor
     • entry, editing and formatting of text
       • Formatting text, tables, styles, spell checker, margins, headers and footers, automatic numbering
   • Desktop publishing (DTP)
     • combining text and images on a page, manipulation of images and the positioning of media in specific locations
       • text boxes, importing of images, text flow, columns, text wrap, shapes, borders, shading, guides, backgrounds
   • Presentation
     • Creating a multimedia presentation for an audience
       • automatic transitions, animations, images, video, sound, buttons
   • Spreadsheet
     • numerical calculations, modelling real-life situations
       • Formulae, functions, worksheets, 'what-if' analysis, graphs and charts, sorting data, conditional formatting
   • Database
     • store, manipulate and present large amounts of data
       • tables and relationships, queries, forms, reports
   • Web authoring
     • creating and editing websites
       • tables, hyperlinks, HTML elements, forms, source code editor, navigation, CSS, publishing options
   • Graphics
     • Creation and manipulation of graphics
       • freehand drawing, shapes, paint fill, transparency, crop, resize, contrast, red-eye removal

2. Application systems

   • Personnel
     • management of people within a business
       • contact details, attendance, salary details, qualifications, training records, appraisals
       • must comply with the Data Protection Act
       • may be part of an MIS (management info system)
         • Assisting with decision making
   • Stock control
     • ensuring that a shop always has enough stock to sell, and not too many, as well as data about stock and suppliers
       • stores data on quantity in stock, reorder levels, and reorder amounts
       • viewing all stock, stock locations, automatic reorders, sales data storage, manual change of orders
   • Invoicing
     • produce invoices to customers and monitor payments
       • stores details about products and services, customers, and past invoices
       • producing quotations for products and services, customisation of templates, automatic reminders for payment sent, receipts sent, report production
   • Booking
     • finding availability in events
       • appointments, flights, concert tickets, courses, holidays
       • input: time and date, type, number and type of customers, payment method and details, confirmation
       • details of events, prices, confirmation page
   • Timetabling
     • producing a timetable of events
       • input of data, parameters set, constraints set, output of timetable
   • Route finding
     • Finding a route from an origin to a destination, providing alternatives
       • input: origin location, destination location, method of travel, time of travel
       • output: suggested route, alternative routes
   • Training
     • using a computer to assist with training
       • progress monitoring, feedback, hyperlinks, multimedia, quizzes, feedback to tutor, target and assignment setting

3. Pre-sets

   • Macros
     • set of instructions performed in one go, through recording
       • accessed from a button, shortcut key or menu option
   • Wizards
     • step by step instructions to help create (part of) a document
       • uses a forms interface, which asks questions to prompt the user to respond with answers, making choices
   • Templates
     • pre-defined layout for a document
       • can be simply the size or a whole presentation layout
       • cutomisable
   • Style sheets
     • defines a style that must be used within an organisation
       • font, colour, size, emphasis, background colour, borders, text types
   • Master slides

4. Data entry screen design considerations

   • User
     • assume all are novice, while providing pathways for those with experience
     • accessibility
   • Consistency in layout, house style and corporate style
     • logo, corporate colours, and standard fonts
     • recognisable
   • Font size and style
     • appropriate for all users
     • conforming to house style
   • Colours
   • Validation of information
     • reducing errors
       • presence check
       • picture check
       • range check
     • drop down boxes to limit choice
   • Error messages
     • clear indication of problem and positive instruction as to how to fix it
   • Flow of information
     • logical
   • On screen help
     • balance - enough help but not too cluttered

5. Tailoring of standard and generic applications software

   • Buttons
     • moving from one screen to another
     • standard functions
     • running a macros
   • Forms
     • Form controls
       • buttons
       • text boxes
         • text entry
       • drop down boxes
         • select an answer from a list
       • spinners
         • select value from a set using arrows
       • tick boxes
         • choosing more than one option
       • radio buttons
         • choosing one option
     • view of data
   • Menus
     • can be added or removed
   • Templates
     • following house style

6. File types

   • shows users what software should be used
   • different types to save different things