GENERAL PURPOSE PACKAGES Standard Grade Computing GENERAL PURPOSE PACKAGES CHAPTER 1 WORD PROCESSING DATABASE SPREADSHEET GRAPHICS PRESENTATION WEB AUTHORING

Standard GradeComputing

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PURPOSE PACKAGES

CHAPTER 1WORD PROCESSING

DATABASE

SPREADSHEET

GRAPHICS

PRESENTATION

WEB AUTHORING

DESKTOP PUBLISHING


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What is a GPP?

SINGLE PURPOSE PACKAGE • Has only one function • You cannot add any information e.g. a game

GENERAL PURPOSE PACKAGE • Allows you to complete many different tasks

• You supply the data e.g. word processing documents


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Need for GPPs

STORAGEMuch information can be stored in a small space.

FOUNDATION

RETRIEVAL Data accessed quickly (random/direct) & accurately

COMMUNICATING large Quantities of InformationTo make decisions - all data can be searched, sorted & displayed as required.


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Need for GPPs

GPPs allow us to have• ACCURATE INFORMATION – G

e.g. calculations, sorting & searching, spell checkers etc

• UP-TO-DATE & COMPLETE INFORMATION – GData easily amended & added to

• DATA FLOW WITHIN / BETWEEN ORGANISATIONS – CEasier to share electronic data rather than paper information


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StorageNEED FOR BACKUP (F)An extra copy of programs & data are kept for

emergency usee.g. data corruption, viruses, storage room damaged.

STANDARD FILE FORMATS (C)Allows data to be transferred between

different packages /different computer systems. Text / ASCII – allows plain text to be

transferred RTF (Rich Text Format)- formatting

is also transferred with the text e.g. bold, underline, centred etc.


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Human Computer Interface

How does the user & computer communicate?USER FRIENDLYIt is easy to use the package? e.g. click icons / select from a menu

WIMPWindows Icons Menus Pointer – easy to understand & use

TEMPLATEA readymade blank document with place holders for text, graphics etc

WIZARD Package feature that takes you step by step through a process e.g. reporting

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Online Help: Advice when you have a problemOnline TutorialTeaches you how to work a new feature

Graphical User Interface (GUI)WIMP

ToolbarSelect icons from top of package

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Keyboard Shortcuts Perform functions by pressing keys rather than

menu/ icon selection

e.g. CTRL button plus S to SAVE

Customising HCIAllows you to change the look of your desktop to

suit yourself• Change icon size• Mouse tracking speed• Background colour / pattern / photograph

CREDIT

CTRL


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Software IntegrationINTEGRATED PACKAGES – F2 or more GPPs sold as a single package e.g. WP,

DB, SS

LINKS BETWEEN TASKS - F Different types of document open at the same time

COMMON HCI – FSame key presses/menus/toolbars for each package

=easy to learn

EASE OF TRANSFER OF DATA – GData easily transferred between

applications….compatible file format


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Software IntegrationLinkage involves sharing the same data in separate packages in a software suite

STATIC LINKAGEChange data in one package & it does not change in the otheri.e. the link has been broken

Dynamic LinkageChange data in 1 package & data will change in the otheri.e. the link remains

CREDIT


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Selection of PackagesMain purpose of each packageWord Processing Produces text documents e.g.

lettersDatabase Storing, searching & sorting dataSpreadsheetStoring numbers, performing calculations, chartsGraphics Producing graphics e.g. drawings, cartoonsWeb page creator Producing web pages & web sites

Presentation & MM Producing multimedia presentations e.g. sound

Desktop Publishing Displaying text, graphics with control & precision

Expert Systems Storing & processing knowledge from a few experts

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Overlapping of Packages

Word Processing also deals with graphicsDatabase can also do calculations &

chartingSpreadsheet can also store data, sort

& searchGraphics can also add text

Choice of package used to perform a task depends

on the hardware & software available - CGENERAL


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Data Types

Text (F)

Number (F)

Graphic (F)

Audio (G)

Photograp

hic (G)

Animation (C)

Video (C)

MY CAR IS GREAT!!

15 500


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Social Implications

JOB TYPES Many jobs now require IT skills to operate computersCAREERSSchools, colleges, universities offer IT related coursesRETRAININGStaff need to learn to use new software & hardwareMAIL SHOTS (Junk Mail!)Many customers are simultaneously sent identical mail but with personal details added

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Social ImplicationsEFFECTS ON EMPLOYMENTLess staff can produce more work with computers

WORKING CONDITIONSQuieter, cleaner offices with work to a higher standard

MORE PAPERMails shots allow companies to produce vast quantities of mail to be sent to customers

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Security & Privacy

You have the right, by law, to see any personal data stored about you.

You have the right to have any errors corrected

Companies must take backups to prevent any data loss.

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Security & Privacy

Exceptions to Right of Access• Safeguard national security• Prevent & detect crime• Collect taxes

Access ControlUser ID & password entered to access to

company data

Unauthorised Data AccessHacking is breaking the law!

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Security & PrivacyData Protection Act • Data subject: person about whom

data is held• Data controller: person company

holding the data• Data user: same as data controllerComputer Misuse Act Against hackers & virusesCopyright, Designs & Patents Act Protects program creators against theft

CREDIT


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Economic Implications

INITIAL COSTS – FHow much it costs to buy the equipment & softwareREPLACEMENT COSTS - GHow much it costs to upgrade & replace broken

equipmentRUNNING COSTS – GCost of using the system e.g. computer paper,

ink/tonerSTAFF COSTS – CFor operating computers & training for new software


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Advantages

Why use GPPs?• Data can be processed QUICKLY &

ACCURATELY – F• Data can be amended easily (& tidily) – F• Businesses can reduce their costs in the

long term, as productivity is increased – G

• Layout Flexibility – G• Availability of Information – C


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Common Features

Run application/ new / open file / save file / print file – F

Insert/ amend/ delete/ change text appearance/ copy/ move/ header & footer – F

Print part of file / document – GPrint from page 2 to 4, even pages, current page


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And there’s more….

Can you wait for the

next exciting chapter?

Documents

GENERAL PURPOSE PACKAGES Standard Grade Computing GENERAL PURPOSE PACKAGES CHAPTER 1 WORD PROCESSING DATABASE SPREADSHEET GRAPHICS PRESENTATION WEB AUTHORING