HOME USER

  An increasingly common item in the home is a desktop computer (can be used for different purpose by various family members) like:

More than likely, the home user has a purchased a variety of software application.Reference software such as:

Software also provides hours of entertainment like:

      Educational software help adults learn to speak a foreign language and youngsters to read, write, count, and spell.

      For other user in the house a variety of productivity software exists.

      Most computers today are sold with word processing and spreadsheet software already installed.

      Personal finance software help to prepare taxes, balance, check book and manage investment and family budget.  

SMALL BUSINESS USER

Computer also plays and important role in helping small business users manage their resources effectively. A small business, sometimes called a small office/home office (SOHO), such as a local law practice, accounting firm, travel agency, or florist, usually has fewer than fifty employees. Many individuals also will have handheld computers; especially Web enabled PDAs, to manage appointments and contact information.

Small business often has a local area network to connect the computers in the company. Networking the computers save money on both hardware and software. For example, a company can avoid the expense of buying multiple printers by connecting a single shared printer to the network. The company also can purchase a network version of a software package, which usually cost less than purchasing a separate software license for each individual desktop computer. Employees can access the software on a server as needed. For business document preparation, finances and tracking a small business owner usually purchases basic productivity software such as word processing and spreadsheet software.

Business may use other types of software, specific to the industry or company. An accounting firm, for example, will have accounting software to prepare journals, ledgers, income statements, balance sheets and other document.

The employees in a small business usually have access to the Web; so they can connect to online references such as the Yellow Pages, travel information, package shipping information and postal rates as well as legal information relevant to small business. Today many small businesses are building their own Web sites to advertise their products and services and take orders and requests from customers.

MOBILE USER

Mobile users include a range of people, such as outside sales representatives, marketing managers, read estate and insurance agents, and consultants. Mobile user often have a laptop computer equipped with a modem, which enables them to transfer information between their computer and another computer, such as one at the main office. They also use smart phones, Web-enabled PDAs, and other handheld devices. The software utilized by mobile users includes basic productivity software such as word processing and spreadsheet software, as well as presentation graphics software that allow the creation and delivery of presentations. To deliver such presentations to a large audience, the user connects the laptop to a video projector that displays the presentation on a full screen. Other types of software, such as communications software and a Web browser, allow a mobile user to access the company network the Internet. Today, e-mail quickly is becoming a primary communication method for both personal and business use. Mobile users can send and receive e-mail messages at any time of the day. As e-mail has gained in popularity, several informal rules for using e-mail have developed.

LARGE BUSINESS USER

A large business can have hundreds or thousands of employees in offices across a region, the country, or the world. The company may have an equally large number of computers, all of which are connected in a network. This network – a local area network or a wide area network depending on the size of the company – enables communications between employees at all locations.

Throughout a large business, computers help employees perform a variety of tasks related to their job. For example, large business users in a typical large companies use an automated telephone system to route call to the appropriate department or person. The inside sales representatives enter order into desktop computers while on the telephone with a customer. Outside sales representatives – the mobile users in the firm – use laptop computers as described in the previous section. The marketing department uses desktop publishing software to prepare marketing literature such as newsletters, product brochures, and advertising material.

The accounting department uses software to pay invoices, bill costumers, and process payroll. The employees in the information systems department have a huge responsibility: to keep the computers and the network running and determine when and if you hardware or software is required. In addition to work processing, spread – sheet, database, and presentations graphics software, employees in a large firm also may use Calendar programs to post their schedules on the network and PDAs to maintain personal or company information. Electronic mail and web browsers also enable communications between employees and other around the world.

Most large organizations have their own website to showcase products, services, and selected company information. Customer’s vendors and any other interested parties can access the information on the web without having to speak to a company employee. Some large businesses also use a kiosk to provide information to the public. A kiosk is a freestanding computer, usually with a touch screen that serves as an input device. More advanced kiosks allow customers to place orders, make payments, or even access the web.     

Another category of user, called a power user, requires the capabilities of a workstation or other powerful computer. Examples of power users include engineers, architects, desktop publishers, and graphic artists. Developers working with multimedia also use workstations, in which they combine text, graphics, sound, video and other media elements into one application. Because of the nature of their work, all of these users need computers with extremely fast processors that have multimedia capabilities.

In addition to powerful hardware, a workstation contains software specific to the needs of the power user. For example, engineers and architects use software to draft and design items such as floor plans, mechanical assemblies, and computer chips. The desktop publisher uses specialized software to prepare marketing literature such as newsletters, brochures, and annual reports. A multimedia developer uses multimedia- authoring software to create presentations containing text, graphics, video, sound and animation. Animation is the appearance of motion. Many of these users also have software that enables them to create and edit drawings, photographs, audio and video. Because of its specialized design, this software usually is quite expensive.

Power users are found in all types of businesses, both large and small; some also work at home. Depending on where he or she works, a power user might fit into one of the previously discussed categories, as well. Thus, in addition to their specific needs, these users often have additional hardware and software requirements such as network capabilities and Internet access.  

POWER USER

Another category of user, called a power user, requires the capabilities of a workstation or other powerful computer. Examples of power users include engineers, architects, desktop publishers, and graphic artists. Developers working with multimedia also use workstations, in which they combine text, graphics, sound, video and other media elements into one application. Because of the nature of their work, all of these users need computers with extremely fast processors that have multimedia capabilities.

In addition to powerful hardware, a workstation contains software specific to the needs of the power user. For example, engineers and architects use software to draft and design items such as floor plans, mechanical assemblies, and computer chips. The desktop publisher uses specialized software to prepare marketing literature such as newsletters, brochures, and annual reports. A multimedia developer uses multimedia- authoring software to create presentations containing text, graphics, video, sound and animation. Animation is the appearance of motion. Many of these users also have software that enables them to create and edit drawings, photographs, audio and video. Because of its specialized design, this software usually is quite expensive.

Power users are found in all types of businesses, both large and small; some also work at home. Depending on where he or she works, a power user might fit into one of the previously discussed categories, as well. Thus, in addition to their specific needs, these users often have additional hardware and software requirements such as network capabilities and Internet access.

UPSTAIRS

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