Post #2

In Chapter 3 we learned about application software, which is software containing programs that do specific things for the users, such as Windows programs which are used by a number of different users. We read about the different icons and buttons in some applications, such as paint. We looked at the desktops of both a Mac and a PC to see the differences and what the commands for each are. We learned how to format things using the Windows clipboard that is used on applications and then how to save the work we had done. Another type of software we learned about was productivity software which is software, such as word processing, that is used to make people more efficient and productive in their daily activities. We learned about the different aspects of word processing software, such as Clipart, and then we learned about spreadsheet software and all the different features and how to use them properly, like how to make a chart. More productivity software that we read about was database, which is used to create actual databases to save and retrieve data, and graphics software that is used for presentations. Other types of productivity software that we learned about include PDAs and software suites and integrated softwares such as Microsoft Works and AppleWorks. The third type of software that we learned about is graphics and multimedia software which is designed for specific areas of work. Some types of graphics and multimedia software are image edititing programs, publishing programs and authoring programs for web pages and multimedia software.

Some new skills I have acquired since reading this chapter is learning about spreadsheet software because I find programs like Excel very hard to use. The hardest part is learning about a function in the program and how to input a calculation into the spreadsheet. Another neat thing is learning about the wizards that can use to make cooler presentations, and even add my chart to a word document, which I did not know I could do. This could help with my education career greatly because I can use Excel to make grading charts to see where my students are and to maybe make a presentation on grades for my department head one day. I found that section in the chapter to be very helpful.

I learned a lot about internet connections this week because my internet in my apartment refuses to work. I had to call the internet company every day and basically learned how to manually connect the internet which I had no idea how to do. It sucks but my internet still isn't working so now I have to come on campus and use computer labs or borrow my roommates' computers, which by the way the connection works in their rooms it just doesn't work in mine. I guess this could help me one day because now I know how to find my IP address and how to use my system preferences to format my connection.