About Computer Apps

There are many apps (applications, programs or software) available for computers.
This section lists some of those that are of more interest to seniors.

An application is a computer program or 'software' that can be used for a 'creative' task.
This could be creating a letter, a budget, an email or a picture.
Examples include wordprocessor for text based documents, spreadsheets for calculations and email client for managing email.

There are other forms of computer programs or software that help parts connect in a computer but these are not directly user controlled or have minimal creative input. Usually there may just be settings to change.
Examples may include devices such as a printer or scanner. In this case the particular software would be described as a 'driver'.
This software just allows the computer to speak in the 'language' of the printer or scanner and back again.

Pertinent Points

  • Applications must match the computer system installed eg Windows
  • Choose an application that suits the amount of effort you wish to devote to learning
  • Using a Workflow helps to use an application efficiently and assists learning
  • Applications may be free, one off payment or subscription payments
  • Examples of the use of selected application types is provided
  • You can use some applications in continuous collaboration with others
  • Some applications are designed to integrate their function with others to save time and ensure accuracy
  • Installing some applications can require a number of steps. Make sure you understand what is required.
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Match an Application to the Operating System

Computer applications are not able to work by themselves but are selected to run on a computer with a particular 'operating system' such as Microsoft Windows.
This means that for any application that you want to use, it must be confirmed that it has a version that is compatible with your computer's operating system, including the version of operating system that is used.
You may find also that you can match the application to either a 32 bit or 64 bit operating system.

Newer computers will be 64 bit but you can check in the System part of Settings in Windows to find what you have.
You can usually make a 32 bit program run on 64 bit computer but not the opposite way.

If you try to install an application for the wrong operating system it will simply not work.

Selecting the right application

For many users, applications have so many settings, options and controls that it is daunting and time consuming to develop a high skill level.
Even finding and understanding the features can be challenging!

Microsoft reputedly developed the current 'ribbon' interface in the Office applications (Word, Powerpoint, Excel…) because users kept asking for features to be added that were already there.
The 'ribbon' allows for easier discovery of features and once learned is faster to use than the old menu based system.

It is important then to select applications that suit your own needs or that can be customised to fit your purposes.
Owning a professional level application like Photoshop may be appealing for the potential quality of the results but if only basic functions are needed then a more basic application may be a better fit.

Please click here for more details about different types of applications.

The Workflow Approach

For effective use of an application it is recommended in this website that a 'workflow' approach be used for all applications.
A workflow is a pattern of use that incorporates all the necessary steps for the level of skill of a user.
Repeating the workflow assists with learning the required features as they are listed in sequence in the workflow.
In many cases too, a properly developed workflow is tuned to get the best result from the software by using the features in the most effective order.

Cost of Applications

Applications may be free or relatively low cost, may come with a one-off payment or may be a subscription based product.
The price is not always a guide to the quality as some suppliers provide a free version that has many of the 'pro-level' features.
Some applications are produced by cooperative effort and are completely free and provide high levels of performance.
Many of the high level applications are however moving towards a subscription payment model to guarantee steady income.
The cost structure of applications needs to be considered as part of the realisation of your needs as the ongoing subscription can become quite a burden.

Installing Applications

Computer applications can be installed from the Microsoft Store or from a download from the internet.
For details of how to manage application installation please click here.

Application Examples

Some application types are listed below and more information is available by clicking on the application type at left.

  • Cross Platform Apps These are apps that work across mobile and computer devices
  • Database Databases are used for many applications but are very complex to create and maintain
  • Desktop Publishing DTP creates brochures, flyers, pamphlets, newsletters and posters
  • Digital Illustration Illustrators can use computers for artwork but using new techniques
  • Online Maps Find out how to get there, how long it will take and where to get a coffee on arrival
  • Make a Website Build your own website quickly and easilly
  • Note taking Notetaking in depth that can be taken anywhere in the world
  • Photo Editing Camera buff? You need to know how to get the best results from digital images
  • Portable Apps These apps are loaded to USB stick so you have your favourite apps anywhere
  • Presentation Apps for presentations, training sessions, family entertainment, slide shows
  • Spreadsheet The powerful analytic tool for finance, surveys, science and technology
  • Video Conferencing Connect with others anywhere in the world via your computer
  • Video Editing Collect and connect your bits of video into an entertaining film
  • Wordprocessor Put your words together for a letter, document, pamphlet, book or report
  • Online Video Sharing Get your videos online. Shoot, edit, and upload to share with others.
  • Streaming Video Broadcast an event live to the internet that can be watched live or later as a recording
  • Email Setting up and monitoring Email

Applications: Integration or Collaboration

The features described in this section may be of no interest to seniors doing personal work.
They are included for completeness and to explain why some of the options in an application may be provided.

Integration

It may not be familiar to casual users but many computer applications for business, particularly 'office suites' are able to be deeply integrated (ie connected across multiple applications)
While a particular application such as a Wordprocessor has specific and probably familiar uses, the business power of such an application comes from the cross-application integration that is possible.

For example:
A wordprocessor can create a report that incorporates graphic and numeric data that are created in a spreadsheet.
A spreadsheet or database provides employee or customer names and addresses that are used in mail-out by the wordprocessor.
Spreadsheet graphic and numeric data can also be incorporated in a presentation application so that the report content can be presented to a meeting.
All this information can be connected to corporate systems that update regularly so that the whole reporting process can be semi-automated for weekly, fortnightly or monthly reporting cycles.

Collaboration

There are many instances where contributions from multiple people are required to write reports or complete analyses.
In the early days of computing, a file could only be opened by one person and edited by that person.
The file would then have to be saved before any other person could edit.
Some modern applications allow multiple people to edit the same document at the same time so that the whole document becomes a continual collaborative effort.

With Cloud computing this integration can be spread across global business sites so that many users can contribute to reporting, project work or other business needs.

Similar integration and collaboration may be seen in other application groups such as video production, photography and engineering.

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