SoftwareAll parts of the computer people can NOT touch, such

as programs, files,  documents and any other data.

Software Contents

1. Types

2. File and Folder Management3. Productivity Applications

Software Types I

System Software: (Software and data used for computer operation)

•System files ofiles necessary for computer functionality, usually hidden from view

some examples: msdos.sys, io.sys or boot.ini

•Operating Systemothe main program that is run when a computer is turned onoGUI (Graphical User Interface) drivenoit is the interface (connection) between users and the computer

hardware or software some examples: Windows XP, Windows 7, Mac OS, Linux

Software Types IIa

Application Software (Software tools used by people to increase productivity)

•Word Processingoused for basic typing of essays, letters or any text-based documents

such as Microsoft Word or Open Office Writer

•Graphicsoused for any documents that involve images, pictures, drawings or other

graphical nature such as Adobe Photoshop or Open Office Draw

•Spreadsheetsoused for organizing managing and analyzing (numeric mostly) data

such as Microsoft Excel or Open Office Calc

•Databasesoused to collect and organize common data, such as a library, music

collection or a contact list such as Microsoft Access or Open Office Base

Software Types IIb

•Slideshowsoused to create digital presentations

such as Microsoft PowerPoint or Open Office Impress

•Web-basedoused for any web-related activity from web browsers to web design

such as Google Chrome or Macromedia Dreamweaver

•Communicationsoused to help people communicate online, like email or chatting

programs such as Microsoft Outlook or MSN Messenger

•Suitesoused to package a variety of programs into one integrated product

such as Microsoft Office or Open Office Suites

•Others...oProgramming, Educational, Entertainment, etc.

such as Turing, All the Right Type or Starcraft

File and Folder Management I

•File: any document containing information created by a user

•Folder: a virtual directory and way of organizing files 

•Current folder: the folder that is active (selected)

•Tree Structure (Hierarchy): The virtual way folders and files are managed, starting with one "root" folder (usually a drive) and branching out into folders within folders.

File and Folder Management II

•Child folderoa folder that is inside another folder

•Parent folderoa folder that has other folders inside of it

•Pathothe full ordered list of folders leading up to a specific file

for example: c:/documents/school/english/assign1.doc

•Root folderothe "top most" folder in one tree hierarchyothere are common letters used for most drives

c: the hard drive d or e: another hard drive or CD/DVD drives f or g: USB drives other letters used for network drive spaces 

File and Folder Management III

Files names have 2 parts:•name

othe part typed in by a user, should be descriptive of the fileothere are characters that are not allowed in the name

•extensionousually a 3 letter (sometimes 2 or 4) extension after a period that is a

link to the associated programosome common ones:

.doc   Microsoft Word .txt     Notepad or Wordpad (basic text document with no formatting) .jpg    Microsoft Photo Editor or Adobe Photoshop (the default graphics program) .html  Google Chrome or Firefox (the default web browser) .pdf    Adobe Reader

oLook at your computer files and find some other extensions and their associated programs

File and Folder Management IV

Some Suggestions and Tips:•Get comfortable using your operating system and windows explorer•Store data in one or two basic locations •Use shortcuts•Keep file names short•Use descriptive names for files and folders•Group common things together in folders and nest folders inside of related folders•Organize as you work•Back-up regularly 

Word Processing (and DTP)

Font Types (Typeface):•Serif: text that has little edge details on the ends of the letters•Sans Serif: text that does NOT have the edge details

Main Terms:•WYSIWYG: What you see is what you get•Point: size of text•Alignment: how text lines up between the left and right margins•Kerning: how much space there is between letters•Leading: how much space there is between lines

Spreadsheets I

Formula vs Function:•Formula: any equation you can type into a cell (always begins with an equals sign (=)•Function: built in formulas to the application you can use, such as sum, average, count, min, max and MANY others

Relative vs Absolute Addressing•Relative addressing: when formulas are copied or filled to cells across rows or down columns and any cell references automatically update based on where they are copied to•Absolute addressing: using the $ to fix the column or row value in formulas so that the cell reference does NOT change when copied to other cells 

Spreadsheets IIFormulas: all cells that begin with '='Functions: Formulas with 'SUM'

Relative addressing

Absolute addressing

Relative addressing

Relative addressing

Databases I

Terms:

•File - a full collection of information about one topic (for example a music collection)

•Record - details about one item in a file (for example all information about Maroon 5's CD "Moves Like Jagger"

•Field - one piece of information in a record (for example the title track to the CD "Moves Like Jagger")

Databases II

•Table - a way to display and/or enter data into a database file (looks similar to a spreadsheet)

•Form - a user interface that links to a table which displays data in a more presentable way

•Query - a way to search a database file for specific information and save results

•Report - a page (or more) of displaying information in a presentable and professional manner linked to a table or usually a query

Databases III

Filter vs. Query•You can filter data (search) in a table or form to see specific results temporarily.•If you want to see specific results in a report or in the future, save searches in a Query

AND vs OR•In searches (Queries) OR is used to search more data, AND will limit a search on data

Relationships•Tables can be connected together if there is a relationship (a common field in both tables)•This helps in Queries to find data from more than one table if they are related

Summary I

1. Types:    A. System Software        i. System Files        ii. Operating System    B. Application Software        i. Categories            a. examples

2. File and Folder Management    A. Terms    B. Organizing tips / suggestions

Summary II

3. Productivity Applications:    A. Word Processing        i. Typeface        ii. Terms

    B. Spreadsheets        i. Formula vs. Function        ii. Relative vs. Absolute Addressing

    C. Databases        i. Terms

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