2. Hardware and Software Interaction
Users interact with computers by:
Input devices
Output devices
Application programs
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3. Data Input
Keyboard
Entering text and numbers
Uses software to interact with the user
Mouse
Select and reposition items
Scanner
Capture images
Microphone
Input voice commands
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4. Software Commands
Activate modules of instructions
Ways to activate a command
Click a word in a menu
Click a button
Pressing a function key
Voice commands
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5. Software Applies Rules & Processes
Rules make decisions for software
Some common rules:
AutoCorrect
Change commonly misspelled words
AutoFormat as you type
Convert text to fractions
1/2 into ½
Convert e-mail address to hyperlink
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6. Software Communicates Results
Results are often sent to output devices
Monitor
Most common
Printer
Hard copy of results
CNC – Computer Numeric Control
Instructions for automated machinery
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7. Steps of the Development Process
Software creation takes several steps
Results of proper development
Reliable software
Easy to use
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8. Programming
Written in a language computers understand
Words have single meanings
Basic grammar structure (syntax)
Computer languages
Visual Basic
C++
<html>
COBOL <head>
<script type="text/vbscript">
function myFunction()
myFunction = "BLUE"
Pascal
end function
</script>
</head>
<body>
<script type="text/vbscript">
document.write("My favorite color is " &
myFunction())
</script>
<p>A function procedure CAN return a
result.</p>
</body>
</html>
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9. Debugging
Software malfunction called a bug
Teamwork can reduce errors
Ancillary programs
Catch simple mistakes
Does not stop problems with:
Faulty logic
Unanticipated input combinations
Unrecognized hardware components
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10. Beta Review
Review revised software prior to release
Beta version
Newly revised version of software not yet
released for public sale
Beta tester
Report errors
Often voluntary
Requires confidentiality
Test software on their PC
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11. Instructions and Help Manuals
Often created while in beta release
Digital forms accompany software
Access methods
Click Help (Menu bar)
Press F1
Most up-to-date manuals
and help files typically found
on the company’s Web site
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12. Quality Control
Beta tester comments compiled
Software revisions are made
New version number assigned
Versions can be numbers or text
Office XP
Corel Draw 10
Delicate balance
Do we fix all the bugs or do we sell the
product now and fix problems later?
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13. Software Updates
After release additional errors are identified
Fixes are created to repair known issues
Downloadable from the Web
Often free for legal users
Commonly known as:
Updates
Patches
Service packs
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14. Upgrading Software
Major revision to software
New interfaces
New features
Support for new technology
Investment required
Normally less expensive than full versions
Check hardware requirements
Often requires newer, more powerful hardware
RAM, CPU, hard disk space, video card, etc.
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15. Reasons to Update and Upgrade
Updates protect us from:
Viruses – Antivirus updates
Hackers – Firewall updates
User meltdown – System locking up over and over
again
Upgrades allow us to:
Access new tools, features, and gizmos
Stay compatible with the rest of the world
Utilize new hardware to its full potential
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16. Methods of Staying Up-to-Date
Downloads from the Web
Updates – Secure or unsecured downloads
Upgrades – Secure downloads
Purchase key codes (access codes) online
Order CD from manufacturer
Network-based installation
Done by system administrator
Primarily for site licensed software
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17. Basic Word Processing Concepts
Input is received
Stored in RAM
Manipulated within capabilities of program
Format - Bold, italics, font color, etc.
Input graphics
Ideal for editing
Faster than retyping on typewriters
Displayed on the screen
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18. Word Processing Documents
From memos and letters to entire books
Can utilize advanced features
Index and table of contents
Save as a Web page
Graphics
Common file extensions
.docx – Microsoft Word 2007
.doc – Microsoft Word 2003 & earlier
.odt – OpenOffice.org Writer
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19. Spreadsheet Concepts
Used to display numbers in a variety of ways
Formulas
Calculations of values in other cells
Worksheet – Single table of cells
Workbook – Collection of worksheets
Layout
Columns – Letters
Rows – Numbers
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20. Spreadsheet Basics
Cell – Where column and row cross
Identified by pairing column
and row designation
Formulas
Algebraic equation
Start with “=” (equal sign)
Functions
Predefined equations
Functions can be a formula
or part of a formula
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21. Spreadsheet Processes
Variety of features
Charts – Pie, bar, scatter plot
Data analysis 100
Sorting and filtering
80
60 East
West
40 North
20
What-If analysis 0
1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr
Crunch values in equation
to get desired results
1st Qtr
2nd Qtr
3rd Qtr
4th Qtr
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22. Spreadsheet Documents
Possible uses
P&L (profit & loss statement)
Investment tracking
Expense reports
Grade book
Budget
Common file extensions
.xlsx – Microsoft Excel 2007
.xls – Microsoft Excel 2003 & earlier
.ods – OpenOffice.org Calc
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23. Presentation Software Concepts
Visual aids
Graphics
Clip art and digital pictures
Charts
Text
Titles
Bulleted lists
Animation
Holds audience attention
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24. Presentation Basics
Slides
Image composed of text, graphics, etc.
Slide show
Group of slides
Extra features
Speaker notes
Displayed on screen
Student handouts
Printouts
Slide miniatures
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25. Presentation Documents
Possible uses
Educational presentation
Display at trade shows
Interactive Web pages
Common file extensions
.pptx – Microsoft PowerPoint 2007
.ppt – Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 & earlier
.odp – OpenOffice.org Impress
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26. Database Concepts
Database
A collection of organized data
Stores huge amounts of information
Used in the retail sales environment
Inventory system
Point of sale
Considered more difficult for beginners
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27. Database Basics
Primary components of most databases
Tables
Store the data
Queries
Filter the data
Ask a question of the data
Which customers live in Colorado?
Forms
Input, edit, and view data
Reports
View the data – On screen or printed
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28. Database Documents
Possible uses
Customer records
Inventory system
Bill payment tracking
Common file extensions
.accdb – Microsoft Access 2007
.mdb – Microsoft Access 2003 & earlier
.odb – OpenOffice Base
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29. Memory Usage
Database programs use RAM differently
Store only active record in RAM
Automatically saves
Saves a record when moving to the next record
Power failure
Loss of current record, not all records
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30. Graphic and Multimedia Basics
Limited by hardware
CPU, RAM, hard drive, video card
Limited by software
Necessary software not installed
Purchase legal copies
Download trial versions
Adobe – 90-day try and die
Avoid copyright infringement
Don’t share your legal software
Microsoft Hotline: 1-800-RU-LEGIT
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31. Graphics Software Concepts
Basic graphics programs
Built into some software
PowerPoint, Word, etc.
Microsoft Paint – Windows
Sophisticated programs
Able to manipulate pictures
Remove items, recolor hair, etc.
Adobe Photoshop Elements
Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft PhotoDraw
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32. File Types
Image types
.bmp – Bitmap
.gif – Graphics interchange format
256 colors maximum and could be animated
.jpg – Joint Photographic Expert Group
16 million colors maximum
Sound and video
.wav – Uncompressed audio
.mp3 – Compressed audio
.mov – QuickTime movie
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33. Other Multimedia Software
Software for manipulating sound and video
High hardware requirements
Can be very expensive
Examples
Liquid Edition 6 Pro ≈ $1000
Video and audio editing + DVD authoring
ULead Studio ≈ $150
Video and photo editing + DVD authoring
AlamDV ≈ $100
Futuristic video tweaking
Laser blast, Fire, Star Wars style light sabers
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34. Other Types of Software
Bundle or suite
Designed to complement each other
Convenient exchange of data
Personal information manager (PIM)
Microsoft Outlook, Act, GoldMine
Accounting
Microsoft Money, Quicken, Peach Tree
Web authoring
Flash MX, Microsoft FrontPage, Dream Weaver
Project management
Microsoft Project
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35. How to Select Software
Similar to choosing a computer
Identify the tasks:
What are you making?
Is it simple or complex?
Look for software that meets your needs
Problems that arise
Too complex to use
Incompatible with other software
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36. Software Performs Similar Tasks
Not apparent which software to use
Example: Table
Word processing programs use tables
Spreadsheets and databases also use tables
Choose software based on need
Word processing – Basic table of entries
Spreadsheet – Calculated values
Database – Large quantities of data
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37. Common Incorrect Uses
Generating queries and reports
Spreadsheets are great for storing data
Spreadsheets are not great for complex queries
and complex summarization reports
Need to convert to database
Calculations in tables
Microsoft Word tables support formulas
Formulas do not auto recalculate like a spreadsheet
Manual “formula refreshing” required
Right-click cell Refresh
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