A set of step-by-step instructions that tells the computer what to do.

Also called programs

P. 162

System Software – Operating System› Runs the computer› Coordinates instructions between

application software and the computer’s hardware devices

Application Software› Task oriented› Set out to complete a task and the

software helps you to do thatP. 162

Create and edit documents Format documents for visual appeal Change appearance of documents

P. 163

Spelling/Grammar Search and Replace Translate words or phrases to another

language

P.163

Calculations and numerical analyses Worksheet environment – grid of

columns and rows Create charts

P. 164

Create dynamic slide shows Create high-quality presentations

P. 166

Complex electronic filing system Organized into fields, records and tables Used to “filter” records

P. 166

Microsoft Outlook Management tools like a calendar,

address book, notepad and to-do list

P. 166

Wizard – step-by-step guides that walk you through steps to complete a complicated task

Templates – provide the basic structure for a particular kind of document, spreadsheet or presentation.

P. 167

A single software program that incorporates the most commonly used tools of productivity software

Perfect if you don’t need the more advanced features found in the individual productivity software applications

“Software lite”P. 168

Group of programs that have been bundled as a package

Microsoft Office Less expensive to buy than buying

individual programs Share common features, toolbars and

menus

P. 170

Intuit TurboTax Enables you to prepare your state and

federal taxes on your own rather than having to hire a professional

P. 171

Financial Planning Software helps to manage your daily finances

Quicken and Microsoft Money Electronic Checkbook Registers Automatic bill payment tools – print your

own checks or pay recurring monthly bills

P. 171

Create image, video, and audio editing software, animation software and other specialty software required to produce computer games, animations and movies

P. 175

Microsoft Photo Story (free download) Google’s Picasa (free download) Add text, music, and camera movement

to create full-featured slide shows

P. 175

Adobe Photoshop CS3 Corel Paint Shop Pro Remove red-eye, modifying contrast,

sharpness and color, removing scratches or rips from scanned images of old photos

P. 175

Best selling novels, newspapers and radio shows can be purchased as audio files

www.audible.com

P. 176

MP3 is an audio compression format Reduces file size of digital audio files More files will take up less room Typical CD stores between 10 and 15

songs in uncompressed format MP3 format – same CD can store

between 100 and 180 songs

P. 176

http://audacity.sourceforge.net www.sonymediasoftware.com Enables you to perform basic editing

tasks on audio files – cut dead-air space from beginning or end of the song

Add special sound effects – echo

P. 177

Microsoft Movie Maker Create professional-quality movies Download from Microsoft Web Site for

free

P. 177

Computer games http://www.download.com

P. 178

Rating system to help consumers choose the computer and video games that are right for their families

EC – (early childhood) ages 3 and older E – (everyone) ages 6 and older E 10+ (everyone 10+) ages 10 and older www.esrb.org

P. 179

Macromedia Flash (Adobe Systems) RPG MAKER XP Provide tools you need to explore game

design and creation GameMaker (www.gamemaker.nl) is a

free download that enables you to build a game

P. 180

Full set of encyclopedias are on CDs or DVDs

Include multimedia content such as interactive maps, video, and audio clips

Word Book, Britannica, Grolier are all on CD/DVD

P. 181

Create or edit two-dimensional, line-based drawings

Adobe Illustrator Microsoft Visio Microsoft Paint

P. 182

Accounting Software – QuickBooks DTP (Desktop Publishing Software) –

size and place text and graphics Web page authoring software – create

and edit web sites – Dreamweaver and Microsoft Office SharePoint Designer 2007

P. 183-184

Project Management Software – manage schedules and timelines

Mapping Programs – for businesses that require employees to travel frequently

“Vertical Market” software – specialized software

P. 185

CAD programs are 3-D modeling programs that engineers use to create automated designs and technical drawings

P. 187

Web sites FAQs page Chat using the Internet with a member

of an online support team Microsoft Applications – top right of the

screen you’ll find a question mark icon – this is the help button

Online Tutorials – how to use a program

P. 187

Application software you buy has to be installed on your computer

Web-based application software – Mapquest.com – does not have to be installed on your computer

P. 188

Campus computer stores or college bookstores offer discounted prices to students and faculty

eBay Computer Shows

P. 189

Freeware is any copyrighted software that you can use for free

www.freewarehome.com is a good source of freeware offering a large variety of programs

P. 189

Software distributed freely BUT with certain conditions

Shareware is NOT Freeware Shareware – used for a certain trial

period – then you are expected to purchase the software

Developers may incorporate code into programs to stop them from working completely after the trial period is over

P. 190-191

Downloading software from an UNKNOWN source could potentially put your system at risk for contracting a virus

P. 191

Number after the software name indicates a version

No need to rush out and buy the latest version of a software program

Unless upgrades add features that are important to you, you may be better off waiting until all the bugs are out

P. 191

Newest versions of software are “backward compatible” – can open files created with older versions

“Forward Compatible” – older versions CANNOT open files created on newer versions

P. 191

On the “Box” of the software are the requirements – specify the operating system, processor, RAM and hard drive capacity

P. 192

You need to uninstall a program Deleting the icon from your desktop

does not rid your system of all the pieces of the program

P. 194