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General Purpose Packages (GPP's) are common programs created to help people undertake common tasks. These include programs for Word-Processing, Spreadsheets, Databases, Graphics, Multimedia, Web authoring (creating web sites), Web Browsers and communication programs.
Think of these programs like a tool kit. Each tool has been designed and built for a common, but specific task.
The arrangements below indicate what you have to know about all GPP's collectively. Each separate GPP like word-processing have their own requirements. These are detailed in the respective Arrangement page of each separate topic.
What you have to know about and what you will be questioned on.
Main Aspect |
F/G/C | G/C | C | |||
Need |
Storage, retrieval , and communication of large quantities of information | Accurate, complete and up-to date information | Flow of information between and in organisations. | |||
Storage |
Need of backup | Advantages of standard file formats (text, ASCII, RTF) | ||||
Human Computer Interface (HCI) |
User Friendliness; WIMP environment ( Windows Icon Menu Pointer) Template Wizard |
On-line help, on-line tutorials, Graphical User Interface (GUI) and tool bars | Keyboard shortcuts, Optical Character Recognition (OCR) |
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Software Integration |
Integrated package; links between tasks; Common HCI |
Ease of transfer of data | Static/dynamic data linkage; Integration between separate packages in software suite. |
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Selection of Packages |
Main purpose of each package (e.g. word processing for the production of text) | Potential of packages to fulfil more than one function (e.g. drawing graphs using spreadsheets.) | Selection of most appropriate package or packages on the basis of hardware and software availability and the nature of the task. | |||
Data Types |
text; number; graphic. |
Audio; Photographic |
Animation; Video |
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Implications |
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Social |
Job types and careers; retraining; mail shots. |
Effects on employment and working conditions; Increased paper. |
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Security and Privacy |
Right of access to personal data; need to check accuracy. |
Exceptions to right of access; Control of access (e.g. passwords) Unauthorized access to data (e.g. Hacking). |
Data Protection Act Data subject, data controller, data user; Computer Misuse Act; Copyright, Designs and Patents Act. |
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Economic |
Initial costs | Replacement costs; Running Costs |
Staff costs; | |||
Advantages |
Speed and accuracy of processing; | Increased productivity; layout Flexibility. |
Availability of information. | |||
Features of most general purpose packages |
Run/open application; Create new files; Save files; Print files; Open/load files; Ease of amendment; Insert/amend and delete; Change text appearance; Copy/move; Headers and footers. |
Print part of file/document | ||||
