Basic Application Software

Application software is a program or group of programs that is designed for end users. There are different types of application software: Basic applications and specialized applications.

1.0 Basic application software

Basic application software also known as general purpose applications and productivity applications. These programs are widely used in nearly every discipline and occupation. Word processors, spreadsheets, database management systems, and presentation graphics are the common types of basic application software.

When talking about the Microsoft Office, I would like to share some different between the Microsoft Office 2010 and Microsoft 2007. Even though I am using 2007 now but I hope I can try it and see what attractive it is.

Microsoft Office 2010 VS Microsoft Office 2007

In Microsoft, there does not appear to be a big different between both. The toolbars use in Microsoft Office 2010 is still shown as Ribbons and the reformed composition of icon also remains the same. However, there are still something different between both.

1- File Menu

Office Button has been replaced with File Menu. File Menu not only shows popular functions such as save, print and others, but it also improve the recently view (10 documents they had been working on) by include the recent locations too.

2- Text Effects

Formatting effects have been taken out of WordArt. In where text with these effect applied could only displayed in WordArt format, this enhanced function can now be spell-checked and threaded like normal Word Text. In addition, many of the same effects used for the image are now available to both text and shapes. It enabling user to seamlessly coordinate all of their content.

New effects- additional photo editing is minimized. Pictures can be adjusted with color saturation and temperature controls.

3- Co-authoring

Users can use Microsoft Office 2010 to edit documents and share ideas with others at the same time as well as viewing the availability of others and even initiate a conversation while still in Word.

4- Enhanced Features for Recovering Work

In Microsoft Office 2007, the Close button became a prominent feature as an alternative to clicking in the top right corner screen. When the users did this when there are only one document file is open, they are risky closing the whole program down. It means the users would have to reopen the program. If there is unfortunates, users could even lose their work. However, this problem has been fit in Microsoft 2010 by recover draft versions of recently edited files.

5- Cut, Copy, and Paste

This function is the most common way to move content between applications. In Word 2010, users can copy and paste in many formats. Many options are available at paste time through the Preview before users paste the contents. These options include keep source formatting, merge formatting, use destination theme and keep text only.

6- Protected View

Files from potential unsafe location such as internet and mail attachment or even files that contain of the active content such as macros or ActiveX controls are validated and can open in Protected View. When the users open these files in Protected View, the editing functions are disabled.

In a conclusion there are not a big different in the appearing to Word 2007. The color setting is still blue, black and silver but more diluted tones. The Ribbons have lost their bevel vibrant look and are simpler and more spaced out which easier on the eye.

2.0 Specialized software

Second type of application software is specialized software. This is software that is designed for a specific task rather for a broad application area. Specialized software includes thousands of other programs more narrowly focused on specific disciplines and occupations. Graphic programs, audio and video editors, multimedia creation programs, web authoring and virtual reality programs is a common types of specialized software. Specialized software is software that is written for a specific task rather for a broad application area. These programs provide facilities specifically for the purpose for which they were designed.

2.1 Graphic programs include desktop publishing, image editors, illustration programs, image galleries and graphic suites. It is a collection of programs that allow users to manipulate visual images on a computer.

2.1.1 Desktop publishing (DTP) allows users to mix text and graphics to create publications of professional quality. While the word processors focus on creating text and have the ability to combine text and graphics, desktop publishers focus on page design and layout and provides greater flexibility. Example of Desktop publishing programs is Adobe Page Make.

2.1.2 Image editors are programs that use for creating and editing Bitmap images. A Bitmap image (also known as raster images) is a type of image files that use dots or pixels to represent an image. Examples of the image editor are Adobe Photoshop and Corel PhotoPaint.

2.1.3 Image galleries are libraries of electronic images that are using for a variety of applications. There are two basic types of image galleries, Stock photographs and Clip Art.

2.1.4 Graphic Suites is a bundled graphic programs that users can buy a large variety of graphics programs at a lower cost. The most popular suites is CorelDraw Graphics Suite and Macromedia’s Studio.

2.2 Audio and video programs are very useful when the users want to create their own compilation movies. Video editing software allow users to recognize, add effect, and more to users digital video footage. Windows Movie Maker is a common type of video editing software. Audio editing software help users to creates and edits audio clips and enables users to create their own MP3s. the most common audio editing software is Sony’s ACID.

2.3 Multimedia is the integration of a variety of media into one presentation. It includes of this five elements- video, music, text, voice and animation. Moreover, multimedia should include user interactivity.

2.4 Virtual reality consists of sensory equipment to stimulate alternative realities to the real world. Artificial or simulated reality generated in 3 dimension by the computer and commonly known as VR, artificial reality or virtual environments. Virtual modeling language (VRML) sed to create real time animated 3 dimension scenes.

2.5 Web authoring is software that allows users to develop a website in a desktop publishing format. This software will generate the required HTML code for the layout of the web pages based on what the users have been designed. Web authoring begins with the site design and then follow by the creation of document.

Web authoring Programs also known as Web Page Editors or HTML editor that will support for web site design and creates HTML codes. The most famous HTML editors and site management tools are What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG). WYSIWYG has become popular is because of the low learning curve, and yet it is important to get some understanding of HTML since WYSIWYG HTML editors can be limiting. The popular programs are Macromedia Dreamweaver, NetObjects Fusion, Microsoft FrontPage and so on. Web site design help users to create graphical map of overall content and add multimedia elements like animation.