Software Report

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Software Report

For a computer to work and perform all the tasks we want it to, there are two important sections, the hardware (see my hardware report) and the software, in this report I am going to talk about software. Software is the name given to all of the programmes the individual can run on the computer hardware. There are two types of software, the Operating System (OS), for example, Microsoft Windows or Linux Ubuntu. The other type of software is the Application Software, for example, Cyberlink Power DVD and Microsoft Office. Hardware is used personally by the individual, they actually touch it, whereas with software it is used through the hardware, for instance I am typing now using the keyboard (hardware) and I am getting what I have inputted on Microsoft Word.

To design Type a Flight’s new system, I needed to use an OS, available to me was Microsoft Windows XP SP2.  This operating system controls all the hardware and software I have used throughout creating the new system. The OS also manages my files, controls the hard drive, runs the DVD±R/RW/ROM I have available and any other hardware I plug in via Universal Serial Bus (USB) e.g. the mouse.

The Microsoft Windows XP desktop is a Graphical User Interface (GUI) which means it uses graphics and icons that are used for telling the OS what to do and make it perform tasks. The desktop can be used to display regularly used programme icons which means the programme can be launched quickly and easily, and it means that files and folders can be arranged visually.

To create the new system for Type a Flight I have been using the Microsoft Office 2007 suite which includes everything I need. It includes many features, however, I will not be using them all, below is a brief description of what each of the programmes I’ll be using does:  

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  • Office Word – a word processing programme
  • Office Excel – a spreadsheet that also has abilities like a database
  • Office Access – a relational database
  • Office Publisher – a desktop publishing package

This package all links in together because it is possible to make links between the programmes to perform specific tasks for example, mail merge from Office Access or Excel into Office Word.

I also used a graphics design programme a few times during the system set up. I used Corel Paint Shop Pro X2 which has many features. It gives me the opportunity to save ...

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