Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Software applications
1. Word processor
  1. Standard applications software
  2. Creating and formatting documents
  3. Uses: Letter Memos Reports
2. Desktop Publisher
  1. Standard applications software
  2. Uses: Flyers Brochures Posters
  3. Manipulating text and images
3. Spreadsheet
  1. Financial and mathematical models
  2. Probability models
  3. Functions and formulae e.g. GOALSEEK WHATIF
4. Presentation
  1. Produce slideshows
  2. Text Images Animations
5. Web Authoring
  1. Uses HTML and CSS to create and style pages
  2. Hyperlinks, Wizards and templates make construction easier
  3. WYSIWYG interface
  4. Web management tools e.g. FTP client
  5. More expensive than standard software
Specialist software
1. Personnel System
  1. Detailed information about different employees
  2. Calculations performed for salary/hours worked etc.
  3. Uses: finding vacancies forecasting redundancies
2. Stock Control
  1. Stores data on products and predicts when orders are needed
  2. Delivery times are logged to manage stock effectively
  3. Uses: keeps product in stock automated re-ordering
3. Invoicing
  1. Records flow of products in/out of the business
  2. Cash flow and costs can be calculated and invoices output
  3. Uses: managing invoices keeping records of orders
4. Booking
  1. Records date, time, costs and contact details
  2. Allows sorting and querying
  3. Uses: Records bookings sort/store bookings
5. Route finding
  1. Destinations with (via) points can be mapped out
  2. Update with traffic news
  3. Uses: Creating optimal routes to a location
6. Timetabling
  1. Highly detailed
  2. ETAs and speed can be calculated using formulae
  3. Uses: Transport Schools
Software utilities
1. Stylesheets
  1. Set layouts and formatting
  2. Still scope for creativity
  3. Uniform and house styling
2. Wizards
  1. User makes choices whilst being guided through a task
  2. Saves time and allows inexperienced users to perform complex tasks
  3. User friendliness
3. Macros
  1. Stored commands which can be replayed
  2. Shortcut keys
  3. Conditions must be the same
4. Templates
  1. Standard (pre-set) layout and format
  2. Text stylings, page formating and placeholders
  3. Saves time
House Style
1. Easy to identify a brand
2. Documents can be merged/split and still look correct
3. Master Slide
  1. Slideshow components
  2. Everyone in a company can have the same style
4. Template/Stylesheet
  1. Essentially a master slide for documents
  2. Create sub sections
File types
1. Different programs use different file types
2. Compatibility issues
3. Operating systems use different file types
Forms
1. Design aspects
  1. Expertise of the user
  2. Shortcuts and buttons
  3. Clearly labelled exits
  4. Easy to learn/use interface
  5. Logical (flowing) order
  6. Font style, colour etc.
  7. Help messages clear and simple
2. Evaluation
  1. Ease of use
  2. Buttons and shortcuts speed up input
  3. More productive
  4. Easy to validate
  5. Simplification of data entry leads to fewer mistakes
  6. Technical know how for building and testing a form
  7. Change in software can make the form incompatible
  8. If options in the interface are missed out a task may be impossible

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	Created by green.george about 11 years ago