Ch03 q&a

Chapter 3 1. Identify four uses for application software.

Application software has a variety of uses: (1) to make business activities more efficient, (2) to assist with graphics and multimedia projects, (3) to support home, personal, and educational tasks, and (4) to facilitate communications.

2. Differentiate among packaged software, custom software, Web apps, open source software, shareware, freeware, and public-domain software.

Packaged software 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 performs functions specific to a business or industry.

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 is software provided for use, modification, and redistribution.

Shareware is copyrighted software that is distributed at no cost for a trial period.

Freeware is copyrighted software provided at no cost to a user by an individual or a company that retains all rights to the software.

Public-domain software has been donated for public use and has no copyright restrictions. Anyone can copy or distribute public-domain software to others at no cost.

3. Explain how the operating system and utility programs work with application software.

To use application software, such as a word processing program, your computer must be running system software — specifically, an operating system. Utility programs typically offer features that provide an environment conducive to successful use of application software.

4. Name three popular personal computer operating systems.

5. Malicious software is also known as _____.

6. Identify ways a computer can be infected with a virus.

7. Describe common elements of the Windows user interface.

8. Explain the purpose of a file. Give an example of a file name.

9. Know how to start a Windows program.

10. Describe the features available in word processing software. Name popular word processing programs.

11. Explain the process of creating, editing, formatting, saving, and printing a document.

12. Font size is gauged by a measurement system called _____.

Font size is gauged by a measurement system called points.

13. Describe the features of spreadsheet software and the organization of a spreadsheet.

14. create, access, and manage a database. With most personal computer database programs, a database consists of a collection of tables, organized in rows and columns.

Each row contains data about a given person, product, object, or event. Each column,

contains a specific category of data within a record. Microsoft Access, Corel Paradox, Oracle Oracle Database, and Sun MySQL are popular database programs.

15. Describe the features available in presentation software. Name popular presentation programs.

16. Identify the function and benefit of 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. Users also can include audio recordings as part of their notes.

17. Identify programs typically in a business software suite and advantages of using a suite.

Name popular business software suites.

Business software suites typically include, at a minimum, the following programs: word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and e-mail. Popular software suites are Microsoft Office, Apple iWork, Corel WordPerfect Office, and Google Docs. Software suites offer two major advantages: lower cost and ease of use.

18. Identify types of business software available for phones.

Business software 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 photos, read electronic books, plan travel routes, compose and read e-mail messages, send instant messages, send text and picture messages, view maps and directions, read the latest news articles, and browse the Web. 19. Describe the purpose of project management software, accounting software, and document management software.

Project management software allows a user to plan, schedule, track, and analyze the events, resources, and costs of a project. Accounting software helps companies record and report their financial transactions. 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.

20. Adobe Reader enables you to view any ____ file.

Adobe Reader enables you to view any PDF file.

21. Identify the functional business units in an enterprise that use specialized software.

Nearly every enterprise has the following functional units: human resources, accounting and finance, engineering or product development, manufacturing, marketing, sales, distribution, customer service, and information technology. Each of these functional units has specialized software requirements.

22. Explain how engineers, architects, and scientists use CAD software.

Engineers create design plans for vehicles and security systems. Architects design building structures and floor plans. Scientists design drawings of molecular structures.

23. Explain how professionals use DTP software, paint software, image editing software, photo editing software, video and editing software, and multimedia authoring software.

Desktop publishing (DTP) software enables professional designers to create sophisticated documents that contain text, graphics, and many colors.

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

Image editing software provides the capabilities of paint software and also includes the capability to enhance and modify existing pictures and images.

Professional photo editing software is a type of image editing software that allows photographers, videographers, engineers, scientists, and other high-volume digital photo users to edit and customize digital photos.

Video editing software allows professionals to modify a segment of a video, called a clip.

Multimedia authoring software allows users to combine text, graphics, audio, video, and animation in an interactive application.

24. Identify the purpose and users of Web page authoring software.

Web page authoring software helps users of all skill levels create Web pages that include graphical images, video, audio, animation, and special effects with interactive content. In addition, many Web page authoring programs allow users to organize, manage, and maintain Web sites.

25. Describe the benefits of 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 track investments, and evaluate financial plans. Most of these programs also offer a variety of online services, such as online banking, which require access to the Internet.

26. Identify the purpose of legal software.

Legal software assists in the preparation of legal documents and provides legal information to individuals, families, and small businesses.

27. Describe the purpose of tax preparation software.

Tax preparation software, which is available both as packaged software and Web applications, can guide individuals, families, or small businesses through the process of filing federal taxes.

28. Identify key features of these programs for personal use: desktop publishing, paint/image editing, photo editing, photo management, clip art/image gallery, video and audio editing, and home design/landscaping.

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.

Personal paint/image editing software provides an easy-to-use interface; includes various simplified tools that allow you to draw pictures, shapes, and other images; and provides the capability of modifying existing graphics and photos.

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.

With photo management software, you can view, organize, sort, catalog, print, and share digital photos.

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.

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.

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.

29. Describe features of travel and mapping software.

Using travel and mapping software, you can display maps by searching for an address, postal code, telephone number, or point of interest. Most programs also allow you to download construction reports and calculate mileage, time, and expenses.

30. Describe types of reference software and educational software.

Popular reference software includes encyclopedias, dictionaries, and health/medical guides. Educational software exists for just about any subject, from learning how to type to learning how to cook to preparing for college entrance exams.

31. Identify some uses of computer-based training.

Computer-based training (CBT) is a type of education in which students learn by using and completing exercises with instructional software. CBT typically consists of selfdirected, self-paced instruction about a topic.

32. Describe types of entertainment software.

Entertainment software for personal computers includes interactive games, videos, and other programs designed to support a hobby or provide amusement and enjoyment. For example, you might use entertainment software to play games individually or with others online, make a family tree, or fly an aircraft.

33. Describe the purpose of a Web app and various distribution methods. Name popular Web apps.

A 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. Many Web

application hosts provide free access to their software. Others offer part of their Web application free and charge for access to a more comprehensive program. Some Web applications allow you to use the Web application free and pay a fee when a certain action occurs. Britannica.com, Dictionary.com, Flickr, Gmail, Google Docs, Google Earth, Google Maps, MSN Encarta, Office Web Apps, Photoshop Express, Picnik, TaxACT Online, TurboTax Online, Windows Live Calendar, Windows Live Hotmail, and YouSendIt are popular Web apps.

34. Identify issues surrounding online mapping services.

Some parents and advocacy groups claim that online mapping services allow predators to locate potential victims quickly. Google Maps, for example, provides photos for neighborhoods of entire cities.

35. Describe the purpose of these application programs for communications: Web browser, email, text/picture/video messaging, RSS aggregator, blogging, FTP, VoIP, and video conferencing.

Web Browser - allows users to access and view Web pages on the Internet E-Mail - messages and files sent via a network such as the Internet Instant Messaging - real-time exchange of messages, files, audio, and/or video with another online user Chat Room - real-time, online typed conversation Text, Picture, Video Messaging - short text, picture, or video messages sent and received, mainly on mobile devices RSS Aggregator - keeps track of changes made to Web sites by checking RSS feeds Blogging - time-stamped articles, or posts, in a diary or journal format, usually listed in

reverse chronological order FTP - method of uploading and downloading files with other computers on the Internet VoIP (Internet Telephony) - allows users to speak to other users over the Internet Video Conferencing - meeting between geographically separated people who use a network such as the Internet to transmit video/audio 36. Define the terms, online Help and Web-based Help.

37. Define the term, Web-based training.

38. Explain the purpose of distance learning and e-learning.

39. Identify the names of Adobe’s widely used programs.

Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Reader are the names of Adobe’s most widely used programs.

40. Identify some of Microsoft’s products and services.

Microsoft’s Office and Internet Explorer programs dominate the computer industry.

Microsoft also manufactures hardware, such as the Xbox, Zune, mouse devices, keyboards, fingerprint readers, Web cams, and game controllers. Windows 7 is Microsoft’s latest operating system.

41. Identify the advantages of personal and business use with e-mail, text/picture/video messaging, blogs, wikis, online social networks, Web conferences, and content sharing.

Personal Advantages of e-mail: one of the most preferred methods of online communications; available on nearly any computer or mobile device with Internet access; send files, called attachments, via e-mail messages to others; fast, reliable, and proven technology; allows messages to be sent anywhere free of charge or inexpensively; allows communications with more than one person at a time; and provides an electronic forum for communications in which the originator has time to consider a thought before it is sent or spoken.

Business Advantages of e-mail: easily archive, or store long-term, all e-mail messages sent from or received by the business; generally can guarantee delivery of any e-mail message that is sent within the business; a replacement for memos, letters, faxes, and other internal and external business communications when permitted by company policy; and communicate with someone who is not available at the time you need to communicate.

Personal Advantages of text/picture/video messaging: virtually instantaneous form of digital communications; fast, reliable, and popular method of digital communications; useful when you prefer an immediate response from the recipient; and allows you to carry on several conversations at any time.

Business Advantages of text/picture/video messaging: when used properly, greatly increases collaboration and communications because users have instantaneous access to each other; all messages can be archived for retrieval at a later date or for meeting legal requirements; immediate contact with customers when allowed by company policy and agreed to by the customer; collaboration with geographically separated colleagues;

instant messaging: some programs allow conferences of several people at one time; and picture/video messaging: provides instant views of remote locations.

Personal Advantages of blogs and wikis: some blogs and wikis provide secure access so that only a select group of qualified or desired individuals are allowed to read and write entries; blogs: easy, accessible, and often free method of keeping a group of people informed about events; blogs: easy way to keep up with an acquaintance or expand your knowledge about political or social points of view; blogs: often can be read or written using Internet-enabled mobile devices; and wikis: provide free access to concise, almost encyclopedic, information about nearly any topic.

Business Advantages of blogs and wikis: provide easy access to gained knowledge and experience; easily can be searched by employees; some may be made available to customers, business partners, or the general public; and blogs: publicly accessible blogs often are used as an effective means to promote products or services.

Personal Advantages of social networks and Web conferences: online social networks: easily find friends throughout the world with similar interests or traits; online social networks: can expand your knowledge about political or social points of view; Web conferences: use Web conferencing when offered by a company for technical support issues because the tenor of the interaction is more personal than a telephone call; and Web conferences: often effectively provides the necessary communications to avoid a visit to a store location or a visit from a repair technician.

Business Advantages of social networks and Web conferences: online social networks: encourage people to collaborate with others with whom they typically would not collaborate; online social networks/chat rooms: often can be accessed using Internet-

enabled mobile devices; online social networks/chat rooms: provide forums for meeting potential customers, employers, and employees; Web conferences: programs often allow application program sharing, which means that all participants can view the contents of one or more participant’s computer screen; online social networks: some are located internally within a company and allow only employees access to the sites; and online social networks: some are subscription-based and allow people to interact freely with others in related fields or industries.

Personal Advantages of content sharing: ability to view broadcasts of events that may not be available through traditional broadcasts in your area; media sharing Web sites provide almost limitless information and entertainment at little or no cost; some services allow you to edit your content or the content of others directly on the site using a Web application; view or listen to live broadcasts of sporting events; view or listen to news stories; and can provide a sense of community to a group of geographically separated individuals.

Business Advantages of content sharing: multimedia sharing sites allow companies to archive video conferences, advertisements, employee photos, and other multimedia content; executives and managers create podcasts or vodcasts to spread their vision or message; video conferences allow geographically separate people to transmit audio and video and engage in a meeting remotely; most business-based content sharing software provides for enhanced collaboration by making the content accessible and searchable; multimedia content, such as videos and photos, can be stored in a document management system to archive information about important projects or events.