Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 4.6
Personal
Productivity
Function
Microsoft
Office
Lotus
Symphony
Corel
WordPerfect
Office
WordPerfect
Apple
iWork
Sun
StarOffice
Google
Major Components of Leading
Software Suites
Word
Processing
Spreadsheet
Word
Documents
Writer
Pages
Docs
Excel
Spreadsheets
Quattro Pro
Calc
Numbers
Spreadsheet
Presentation
Graphics
PowerPoint Presentations
Presentations
Impress
Keynote
Presentation
Database
Access
Paradox
Base
More than a hundred million people worldwide use the Microsoft Office software suite,
with Office 2007 representing the latest version of the productivity software. Office 2007
uses new file formats that are more compatible with Web standards. It also provides a
revolutionary new interface, moving from menus and toolbars to a Ribbon with tabs. Office
2007 is available in seven editions: Professional, Standard, Home and Student, Small
Business, Ultimate, Professional Plus, and Enterprise. Each edition includes a subset of 15
applications
In addition to suites, some companies produce
integrated application packages
that contain
several programs. For example,
Microsoft Works
is one program that contains basic word
processing, spreadsheet, database, address book, calendar, and other applications. Although
not as powerful as stand-alone software included in software suites, integrated software pack-
ages offer a range of capabilities for less money. Some integrated packages cost about $100.
Some companies are offering Web-based productivity software suites that require no
installation, only a Web browser. Zoho, Google, and Thinkfree offer free online word pro-
cessing, spreadsheet, presentation, and other software that require no installation on the PC.
Documents created with the software can be stored on the Web server. Currently these online
applications are not as powerful and robust as installed software such as Microsoft Office.
However, it is likely that as the technology becomes more powerful, and network connection
speeds increase, users will need to install less software on their own PCs and turn instead to
using software online.
Microsoft has observed the trend towards Web-based software and is migrating its soft-
ware towards the Web as well. Microsoft Windows Live provides several Web-based services
such as a Live Search for searching the Web, Windows Live Messenger for instant messaging,
Windows Live Hotmail for e-mail, and Windows Live OneCare for PC security. Windows
Live Spaces provides Windows users with online storage for sharing files with others on the
Web. Microsoft Office Live provides tools for sharing Office documents on the Web. The
difference between Office Live and Google's applications is that Microsoft requires users to
have its software installed on their PCs. Microsoft also provides Xbox Live for online mul-
tiplayer gaming.
Other Personal Application Software
In addition to the software already discussed, people can use many other interesting and
powerful application software tools. In some cases, the features and capabilities of these ap-
plications can more than justify the cost of an entire computer system. TurboTax, for
example, is a popular tax-preparation program. Other exciting software packages have been
developed for training and distance learning. University professors often believe that colleges
and universities must invest in distance learning for their students. Using this type of software,
some universities offer complete degree programs over the Internet. Engineers, architects,
and designers often use computer-aided design (CAD) software to design and develop build-
ings, electrical systems, plumbing systems, and more. Autosketch, CorelCAD, and AutoCad
are examples of CAD software. Other programs perform a wide array of statistical tests.
Colleges and universities often have a number of courses in statistics that use this type of
application software. Two popular applications in the social sciences are SPSS and SAS.
