Unit 8: Programs and Apps: Using Apps for Productivity, Graphics, and Security

Page 1: Unit 8: Programs and Apps

Jennifer T. Campbell, Discovering Computers: Digital Technology, Data, and Devices, 17th Edition. ) 2023 Cengage.

Page 2: Module Objectives

  • Identify categories and acquisition methods for programs and apps.
  • Identify features of productivity, graphics, media, and security applications.
  • Explain digital media, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI).
  • Identify personal-interest apps and system management tools.

Page 3: How Do You Use Programs and Apps?

  • Programs or apps are required for all smartphones, computers, and tablets.
  • The terms "software," "program," and "app" are used interchangeably.
  • Main categories: Productivity, graphics and media, personal interest, and communications.

Pages 4-5: Programs and Apps by Category

  • Productivity: Word processing, presentation, spreadsheet, database, note-taking, project management, accounting, legal, and tax prep.
  • Graphics and Media: CAD, desktop publishing, photo/video/audio editing, and AR/VR.
  • Personal Interest: Lifestyle, mapping, medical, entertainment, and education.
  • Communications: Blog, browser, chat, email, and videoconference.
  • Security: Personal firewall, antivirus, malware removers, and filters.
  • Management: File manager, search, disk clean-up, and backup/restore.

Page 6: Types of Apps

  • Local apps: Installed on hard drive.
  • Portable apps: Run from removable storage or the cloud.
  • Native app: Written for a specific operating system.
  • Web apps: Accessed via an Internet browser.
  • Mobile apps: Run on smartphones or tablets.

Pages 7-9: Mobile and Web App Synchronization

  • Mobile apps often focus on single tasks (e.g., email or maps).
  • Apps available as both native and web apps (e.g., Amazon) allow for varied input like camera/barcode scans or voice.
  • Data and settings synchronize across devices to remain consistent.

Pages 10-11: App Interaction and Limitations

  • Input: On-screen keyboards (with predictive text), voice recognition, or Bluetooth keyboards.
  • Pros: Quick creation (web apps), portability, voice input.
  • Cons: Limited speed/features compared to desktop, potential for poor design, cumbersome small keyboards.

Pages 12-13: Web App Tech and M-Commerce

  • Web apps use HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS.
  • Cross-platform tools allow apps to work on multiple platforms.
  • Devices use sensors (heart rate, temperature, voice detection).
  • Mobile commerce (m-commerce): Making online purchases via mobile apps (e.g., Uber, Lyft).

Page 14: Ethics: Acquiring Programs and Apps

  • Digital rights management (DRM): Restrictions on use, modification, and distribution to protect copyright.
  • Access controls: Security measures (passwords, biometrics) defining who can use an app.

Page 15: Software Distribution Forms

  • Shareware: Copyrighted; free for a trial period.
  • Freeware: Copyrighted; provided at no cost.
  • Open-source: No restrictions on modification or redistribution.
  • Public domain: Donated for public use; no copyright.

Pages 16-17: Popular Mobile App Types

  • Banking: Venmo, PayPal.
  • Calendars/Email: Outlook, Gmail.
  • Fitness: Fitbit, Apple Fitness.
  • Mapping/GPS: Waze, Google Maps.
  • Social/Travel: Instagram, Airbnb, Yelp.
  • Personal Assistants: Siri, Cortana, Google Home, Amazon Alexa.

Page 18: License Agreements

  • Single-user/EULA: One installation.
  • Multiple-user: Specified number of users.
  • Site license: Organization-wide access.

Page 19: Updates and Maintenance

  • Patches: Address single issues.
  • Service pack: Combined collection of updates.
  • Upgrades: New versions; may require a fee.
  • Automatic updates provide system software and security fixes.

Page 20: Piracy and Uninstallers

  • Uninstaller: Removes program files and associated system entries.
  • Piracy: Illegal copying of digital materials; punishable by law.

Pages 21-23: Productivity: Word Processing

  • Activities: Creating (entering data), editing (changing content/font/spacing), and saving.
  • Word Processing: Tools for entering, editing, and formatting text/graphics. Files are called documents.

Pages 24-25: Productivity: Spreadsheets

  • Worksheet: Grid of columns and rows.
  • Workbook: File containing related individual worksheets.
  • Cell: Intersection of a column and a row.
  • Charts: Visual representations of data (bars, lines, pie wedges).

Pages 26-28: Productivity: Presentations

  • Main Features: Bulleted lists, graphics, transitions, and animations.
  • Slide master: Template for theme, fonts, and backgrounds.
  • Slide show: Final delivery of content.

Pages 29-31: Productivity: Databases and Suites

  • Relational Database Management System (RDBMS): Organized into tables, records (rows), and fields (columns).
  • Data Types: Text, date, number, or hyperlinks.
  • Productivity Suite: Collection of apps sold as a unit (e.g., Microsoft Office, Apple iWork, G Suite, Open Office).

Pages 32-35: Graphics and Media Overview

  • Digitizing: Using sampling to convert analog data to digital.
  • Computers use digital signals (numbers) while instruments/cameras are analog.

Pages 36-39: Graphics and Audio Formats

  • Bitmap (Raster): Uses pixels. Formats: GIF, JPEG (lossy), PNG, TIF/TIFF (lossless).
  • Vector: Uses mathematical formulas. Formats: EPS, SVG.
  • Resolution: Higher clarity results in larger file sizes.
  • Audio formats: AAC, AIFF, MP3 (lossy), WAV, WMA (lossless).

Pages 40-43: Sound and Video

  • Synthesized music: Created using electronic synthesizers (synths).
  • Voice recognition: Security tool or text-to-speech (using phonemes).
  • Video Files: Consist of a codec (compression/decompression) and a container.
  • Standard Definition (SD): 640×360640 \times 360 and 720×480720 \times 480.
  • High Definition (HD): 1280×7201280 \times 720 and 1920×10801920 \times 1080
  • Ultra High Definition (UHD): 3840×21603840 \times 2160 (4K) and 7840×43207840 \times 4320 (8K).

Pages 44-47: Animation and Video Capture

  • Simulations: Sophisticated animations for training.
  • 3-D Rendering: Applying light/shadow to a wireframe.
  • Stop motion: Capturing individual frames of real-life objects.
  • Capture devices: Smartphones, digital cameras, and action camcorders.

Page 48: Digital Media on the Web

  • Streaming: Media is viewed/listened to as it arrives from a server.
  • Content includes live video (available once), on-demand (stored on servers), and podcasts.

Pages 49-52: Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality

  • VR: Computer-simulated 3-D environment.
  • AR: Digital information overlaid on physical locations (e.g., Pokemon Go).
  • Hardware: Headsets (like HoloLens), controllers, and motion sensors.

Pages 53-55: AI, Machine Learning, and Robotics

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI): Use of logic to simulate human intelligence.
  • Machine learning: Computers identifying patterns to improve performance.
  • Natural language processing: Computers interpreting spoken commands.
  • Robotics: Combining engineering and technology for precision movement (e.g., robotic surgery).

Page 56: Personal Interest Applications

  • Apps focusing on specific services: Lifestyle, Medical, Entertainment, Convenience, Education, and Financial.

Pages 57-61: Security Tools

  • Firewall: Protective barrier for networks.
  • Antivirus: Removes viruses; uses quarantine areas for infected files.
  • Spyware/Adware Remove: Detects programs that secretly collect data or display pop-up ads.
  • Internet Filters: Anti-spam, phishing filters (scam detection), and pop-up blockers.
  • Ransomware: Attacks that encrypt data until payment is made.

Page 62: System Management and Troubleshooting

  • Crash: Program stops functioning correctly due to hardware, software, or malware issues.
  • Troubleshooting: Steps to identify and solve problems.
  • File manager: Tool for organizing, copying, and deleting files.
  • Patch finders/Search tools: Used for locating items or comparing software versions.