Specialized Application Software

Audio Editing Software


a computer application for audio editing, i.e. manipulating digital audio. Digital audio editors are the main software component of a digital audio workstation.


Editors designed for use with music typically allow the user to do the following:

• Record audio from one or more inputs and store recordings in the computer's memory as digital audio

• Edit the start time, stop time, and duration of any sound on the audio timeline

• Fade into or out of a clip (e.g. an S-fade out during applause after a performance), or between clips (e.g. crossfading between takes)

• Mix multiple sound sources/tracks, combine them at various volume levels and pan from channel to channel to one or more output tracks

• Apply simple or advanced effects or filters, including compression, expansion, flanging, reverb, audio noise reduction and equalization to change the audio

• Playback sound (often after being mixed) that can be sent to one or more outputs, such as speakers, additional processors, or a recording medium

• Conversion between different audio file formats, or between different sound quality levels

Bitmap Image


A representation, consisting of rows and columns of dots, of a graphics image in computer memory. The value of each dot (whether it is filled in or not) is stored in one or more bits of data. For simple monochrome images, one bit is sufficient to represent each dot, but for colors and shades of gray, each dot requires more than one bit of data. The more bits used to represent a dot, the more colors and shades of gray that can be represented.

Desktop Publishing Program


Using a personal computer or workstation to produce high-quality printed documents. A desktop publishing system allows you to use different typefaces, specify various margins and justifications, and embed illustrations and graphs directly into the text. The most powerful desktop publishing systems enable you to create illustrations, while less powerful systems let you insert illustrations created by other programs.



HTML editors


Also called an authoring tool, an HTML editor is a software program that inserts HTML code as you create a HTML file. Some editors will provide a word processing GUI enabling users to create HTML documents without knowing any HTML code.

Image Editors


A graphics program that provides a variety of special features for altering bit-mapped images. The difference between image editors and paint programs is not always clear-cut, but in general image editors are specialized for modifying bit-mapped images, such as scanned photographs, whereas paint programs are specialized for creating images.

In addition to offering a host of filters and image transformation algorithms, image editors also enable you to create and superimpose layers.

Multimedia


The use of computers to present text, graphics, video, animation, and sound in an integrated way. Long touted as the future revolution in computing, multimedia applications were, until the mid-90s, uncommon due to the expensive hardware required. With increases in performance and decreases in price, however, multimedia is now commonplace. Nearly all PCs are capable of displaying video, though the resolution available depends on the power of the computer's video adapter and CPU.

Vector Image


Same as object-oriented graphics, refers to software and hardware that use geometrical formulas to represent images. The other method for representing graphical images is through bit maps, in which the image is composed of a pattern of dots.


Vector-oriented images are more flexible than bit maps because they can be resized and stretched. In addition, images stored as vectors look better on devices (monitors and printers) with higher resolution, whereas bit-mapped images always appear the same regardless of a device's resolution.

Basic Application Software

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

A program interface that takes advantage of the computer's graphics capabilities to make the program easier to use. Well-designed graphical user interfaces can free the user from learning complex command languages. On the other hand, many users find that they work more effectively with a command-driven interface, especially if they already know the command language.

 Word Processor

Using a computer to create, edit, and print documents. Of all computer applications, word processing is the most common. To perform word processing, you need a computer, a special program called a word processor, and a printer. A word processor enables you to create a document, store it electronically on a disk, display it on a screen, modify it by entering commands and characters from the keyboard, and print it on a printer.

The great advantage of word processing over using a typewriter is that you can make changes without retyping the entire document. If you make a typing mistake, you simply back up the cursor and correct your mistake.








 Spreadsheet

A table of values arranged in rows and columns. Each value can have a predefined relationship to the other values. If you change one value, therefore, you may need to change other values as well.

Once you have defined the cells and the formulas for linking them together, you can enter your data. You can then modify selected values to see how all the other values change accordingly. This enables you to study various what-if scenarios.

 Database Management System (DBMS)

A database management system (DBMS), sometimes just called a database manager, is a program that lets one or more computer users create and access data in a database. The DBMS manages user requests (and requests from other programs) so that users and other programs are free from having to understand where the data is physically located on storage media and, in a multi-user system, who else may also be accessing the data.

Utility Suites

A kind of system software designed to help analyze, configure, optimize and maintain the computer. A single piece of utility software is usually called a utility (abbr. util) or tool.

Utility software should be contrasted with application software, which allows users to do things like creating text documents, playing games, listening to music or surfing the web.

The Internet, The Web and Electronic Commerce

What exactly is Javascript?

Javascript is a programming language that is used to make web pages interactive. It runs on your visitor's computer and so does not require constant downloads from your web site.

 

 

What do I need to run Javascript?

Javascript support is built right into web browsers. Provided that the visitors to your site are using web browsers that support Javascript (most do) and have Javascript enabled (it is by default) then your Javascript will run.

Do I need to learn Javascript to be able to use it?

No. There are plenty of Javascripts that have already been written that people have made available for you to plug straight into your web page. All you need to know to be able to use such scripts is how to paste the supplied code into the required places in your web page.

Applets

Applet: a small Java program that can be embedded in an HTML page. Applets differ from full-fledged Java applications in that they are not allowed to access certain resources on the local computer, such as files and serial devices (modems, printers, etc.), and are prohibited from communicating with most other computers across a network. The common rule is that an applet can only make an Internet connection to the computer from which the applet was sent.

Examples of Web-based Applets include:

• QuickTime movies
• Flash movies.
• Windows Media Player applets - used to display embedded video files in Internet Explorer (and other browsers that support the plugin).
• 3D-modelling display applets allowing a view of a model to be rotated and zoomed.
• Browser games can be applet-based, though some may develop into fully functional applications that require installation.

Filters

(1) A program that accepts a certain type of data as input, transforms it in some manner, and then outputs the transformed data. For example, a program that sorts names is a filter because it accepts the names in unsorted order, sorts them, and then outputs the sorted names.  Utilities that allow you to import or export data are also sometimes called filters.

(2) A pattern through which data is passed. Only data that matches the pattern is allowed to pass through the filter.

(3) In paint programs and image editors, a filter is an effect that can be applied to a bit map. Some filters mimic conventional photographic filters, but many transform images in unusual ways. A pointillism filter, for example, can make a digitized photograph look like a pointillistic painting.

Plug-ins

In computing, a plug-in (or plugin) is a set of software components that adds specific capabilities to a larger software application. If supported, plug-ins enable customizing the functionality of an application. For example, plug-ins are commonly used in web browsers to play video, scan for viruses, and display new file types. Well-known plug-ins examples include Adobe Flash Player and QuickTime.

 

  

Internet security

Internet security is a branch of computer security specifically related to the Internet. Its objective is to establish rules and measure to use against attacks over the Internet.

Securing Your Computer When Connected To The Internet !!!
 Internet security has become a serious issue for anyone connected to the net. Even if you don't think you have anything worth protecting on your computer, it's still important that you keep it locked down.

Even if your computer isn't used for anything critical you need to run security software such as an antivirus and a firewall.


These programs will keep your computer "hidden" from prying eyes over the internet, as well as protected from viruses and other malware that can be spread through email or other methods.

FTP - File Transfer Protocol

                               What is the File Transfer Protocol (FTP)?

In the language of the Internet, FTP refers to a network protocol responsible for transferring files from one computer to another over a TCP computer network or the Internet, which explains the origin of its name, formed as an acronym of File Transfer Protocol.

                                     What is the FTP commonly used for?

The most common use of FTP - for data transfer purposes, is of greatest help to users creating their websites on their personal computers due to the high flexibility levels it offers as far as the parameters of the computer-server connection are concerned.

                                                FTP- How does it work?

To take an advantage of FTP you must have an active Internet connection, a hosting server from/to where the files will be transferred and FTP account creation rights. All web hosting plans offered by NTC Hosting feature an integrated FTP Manager, allowing users to create several independent FTP accounts for their particular needs.

                                                            Wiki

Wiki is a piece of server software that allows users to freely create and edit Web page content using any Web browser. Wiki supports hyperlinks and has a simple text syntax for creating new pages and crosslinks between internal pages on the fly.

 

Wiki is unusual among group communication mechanisms in that it allows the organization of contributions to be edited in addition to the content itself.

 

                     URL

In computing, a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) is a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) that specifies where an identified resource is available and the mechanism for retrieving it. In popular usage and in many technical documents and verbal discussions it is often incorrectly used as a synonym for URI.The best-known example of the use of URLs is for the addresses of web pages on the World Wide Web, such as http://www.example.com/.

Career in IT

Introduction


What is Career? Career is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as an individual's "course or progress through life (or a distinct portion of life)". It is usually considered to pertain to remunerative work (and sometimes also formal education). So, when we talk about career in IT is a sector uses a wide and sometimes confusing range of different job  titles to describe its employees skills. Two people with the same job title might be doing completely different things  depending on which organisation they are based with.


If you don't know your Systems Analyst from your Software Engineer this list of common job titles might help. With each description is a selection of course programmes which, we think, will provide you with the right skills and experience to perform in that role. Salary ranges are, of course, only approximate and dependent on the business sector you will be working in as well as the employer.


Different kind of job in IT that you can choose:

-Webmaster-

Also known as: web designer, web producer, multimedia architect, internet engineer, usability consultant or  HCI designer

Salary Range:

£28,000 - £53,000

Webmaster are some of the only people working in IT who manage to avoid the stereotypes that can plague the IT sector. Web developing is roughly about building websites and making them idiot proof. The job is still viewed as the trendy side of IT years after it emerged and as such it attracts 'media' types as well as those with technical expertise. These days web development is becoming much more technical and involves some real hardcore programming as well as the creative side of designing new sites. e-commerce is big news these days as the online side of business grows and grows.

Recommended courses:

• Multimedia Systems,
• Information Technology and Multimedia Computing
• Computer Studies,
• Business Mathematics,
• Information Systems,
• Software Engineering

-Computer support specialist-

Also Known as: helpdesk support, operations analyst, support analyst, system administrator, technical support engineer

Salary range:

£27,000-£33,000

 These are the professional troubleshooters - the SAS of the IT world. When other people are standing around tutting or exclaiming 'bloody computer', the technical support team are bustling around- sorting it all out, either over the phone or under your desk, without even a mutter of complaint. Many technical support specialists work for hardware manufacturers and suppliers, solving the problems of business customers or consumers like you or me. But many work for end-user companies. In fact, any organization with more than 50 or so computer users is likely to need a full-time technical support person.

Recommended courses:

• Computer Studies,
• Information Systems,
• Information Technology and Multimedia Computing,
• Mathematics, Statistics and Computing

-Technical Writer-

Also known as: technical communicator

Salary Range:

£36,000 - £44,000

A technical writer is a professional writer who designs, creates and maintains technical documentation. This documentation includes online help, user guides, white papers, design specifications, system manuals, and other documents.
Engineers, scientists, and other professionals may also produce technical writing, usually handing their work to a professional technical writer for proofreading, editing, and formatting. A technical writer produces technical documentation for technical, business, and consumer audiences.


Recommended courses:

• Information design
• Information architecture
• Training material development
• Illustration
• Typography

-Software Engineer-

Also Known as: application programmer, software architect or system developer

*Salary range:

£31,000-£38,000

'Software engineer' is something of a catch-all title. What you'll actually end up doing will probably depend on your age and experience. Juniors might write the basic code, while more senior people are involved in the cutting-edge stuff, designing and developing large-scale systems and applications. You will usually work at one end of the process - either creating the software or helping to test it to make sure it is 100 per cent perfect. The work involves lots of talking to clients and colleagues to assess what they actually want from the software you're designing, which means there is a lot of IT interaction as well as full-on technical work.

 

Recommended courses:

• Software Engineering,
• Multimedia Systems,
• Computer Studies,
• Information Technology and Multimedia Computing,
• Computer Games Technology

-Network Administrator-

Also known as: hardware engineer, network designer, network engineer

Salary range:

£30,000 - £34,000

Network administrator is one of the more technically demanding jobs in IT. The nature of the work you do will depend on what type of company you work for and what its network requirements are. Broadly speaking, the job involves setting up, administering, maintaining and upgrading networks. It is a highly technical role and you will definitely need a good understanding of IT when you apply and you'll most likely gather a hoard of specialized technical certifications as you move through your career. Despite the tough technical nature of the job, network engineers spend a lot of their time with clients, helping them make informed decisions and get the best out of the technology they are using.

Recommended courses:

• Software Engineering,
• Computer Studies,
• Computer Forensics,
• Information Systems,
• Information Technology and Multimedia Computing

-System Analyst-

Also known as: product specialist, systems engineer, solutions specialist or technical designer

Salary range:

£37,000-42,000

Roughly-speaking, a systems analyst designs computer system solutions for customers. The job is a mixture of business stuff, technical know-how and touchy-feely client sales pitches. Like many IT jobs it involves client contacts as well as full-on technical work. A company will approach an IT company with a specific IT need.  It's the job of the systems analyst to assess what the client really needs and design and IT package based on their knowledge of hardware and software applications.
 Further up the ladder, systems analysts can progress deeper into the technical side of the job, or move across to focus on the client-led business side. 

Recommended courses:

• Software Engineering,
• Computer Studies,
• Multimedia Systems,
• Information Systems,
• Information Technology and Multimedia Computing

-Programmer-

Also Known as: analyst programmer

Salary range:

£28,000-£42,000

You never hear about 'computer programmers' any more - these days they all seem to have become 'programmers' or 'analyst programmers' instead. Basically they're the people who write the code. In some industries 'programmer' can be a much more senior role, distinguishing them from the non-technical people. But programmers don't just sit in front of computers with anorak hoods up all day. They'll usually work as part of a team composed of other programmers, testers, team leaders and so on. At more senior levels the emphasis shifts towards the analysis side and managing whole projects. You'll need a very logical, organized approach to problem solving and a thorough understanding of programming.

 

Recommended courses:

• Software Engineering,
• Information Technology and Multimedia Computing,
• Multimedia Systems,
• Computer Studies,
• Information Systems,
• Information Technology and Multimedia Computing,