Common Computer Applications
Common Computer Applications
These tables name the common computer applications one might find in a school or business, and place them into categories. There are often many other titles that might fall under these categories, but those listed below are the most common, and are often the standard by which similar programs are judged. To learn more about any program, visit the companys website (http://www.microsoft.com, http://www.apple.com, et cetera). Please note that some programs appear in multiple categories. This is because they are program suites (i.e., AppleWorks, Netscape Communicator), which means that they can perform more than one function within the same program. Although Microsoft Office, when bought as a package, is often considered a suite, its individual programs each fall under a single category. Also, keep in mind that although many of these programs do more and more tasks with each new update, only their core features are listed below. NOTE: All programs are available for both the MacOS and all Windows 95 and above unless otherwise indicated. Not all programs may be available for Unix-based systems. Check with the program's manufacturer. Operating Systems: The software by which the computer operates no computer can function without some type of operating system. Computer System Intel-based Systems (Intel 80x86 through Intel Pentium 4) Operating System DOS Microsoft Windows 95 through XP (includes 98, ME, 2000, NT) OS/2 Microsoft Windows 3.1 (not a true operating system; provided a shell for DOS) System 1.0 through 7.6.1 (all 68k-based Macs) MacOS 8.0 through 9.2.2 (all Power Macs) Mac OS X (all G3/G4 Power Macs) BeOS Sun SolarisOS Linux (and variants) BSD (and variants including Mac OS X)
Apple Macintosh Systems (all developed by Apple Computer for systems developed by Apple; this list does not include Apple IIx systems which used the ProDOS OS) UNIX (includes many, many different versions which can run on both Apple and Intel processors as well as others; often found in networking and academic environments; included here are just some popular versions of UNIX)
Common Computer Applications
Applications: Software the performs various tasks and adds functionality to your computer Application Type Word Processors: Programs that allow the user to create typewritten documents such as reports, articles, stories, poems, etc. Desktop Publishing: Programs that allow the user to design newsletters, magazines, newspapers, and other such media for print Spreadsheets: Programs that allow the user to organize numeric and textual data, apply formulas, and create charts based on those data Databases: Programs that allow the user to sort and organize many types of data into one file for easy retrieval. Consists of data records, which are comprised of smaller informational units known as fields Multimedia Authoring Tools: Programs that allow the user to create multimedia presentations using graphics, text, sound, and video Popular Programs Microsoft Word AppleWorks Microsoft Works Core WordPerfect Office Adobe PageMaker Adobe InDesign Quark XPress Microsoft Excel AppleWorks Microsoft Works Corel WordPerfect Office FileMaker Pro AppleWorks Microsoft Works Corel WordPerfect Office Microsoft Access (Windows only) Microsoft PowerPoint HyperStudio HyperCard Macromedia Director Macromedia Flash Macromedia Shockwave Adobe Photoshop Adobe Illustrator Macromedia Fireworks Macromedia Freehand Macromedia Dreamweaver Microsoft FrontPage Netscape Composer Adobe GoLive
Graphic Creation and Editing: Programs that allow the user to create and edit graphic images HTML (Web Page) Editors: Programs that allow the user to create and edit web pages. The files generated by these programs are written in HTML (hypertext markup language) for viewing through a web browser
Common Computer Applications
Web Browsers: Programs that allow the user to surf the Internet using a network or modem connection Digital Video Editors: Programs that allow the user to edit digital video captured from a videotape or digital camcorder Multimedia Players: Programs that allow the user to experience digital audio and video through the Web or from another media, such as CD-ROM Email Programs: Programs that allow the user to send and receive electronic mail
Netscape Communicator Microsoft Internet Explorer Apple Safari (Macintosh Only) Opera Media 100 Apple Final Cut Pro (Macintosh Only) Apple iMovie (Macintosh Only) Avid Cinema Adobe Premiere Apple QuickTime Apple iTunes (Macintosh Only) RealPlayer Windows Media Player Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express Apple Mail Qualcomm Eudora Microsoft Entourage (Macintosh only) Netscape Communicator
