Productivity & Utility

Applications used to produce documents, spreadsheets, diagrams, bibliographies, or to accomplish clerical work and applications that are either a component of the operating system or helps to extend the operating system in some way including applications to visualize operating system environments. As well, applications focus on the direct transfer of files between two computers.

Parallels

February 09, 2015 by Andy Voelker
Categories: Productivity & Utility

parallels_desktop_logo

Availability: Download
Comparable: VMware Fusion

Parallels is a virtualization utility that allows you to run a Windows operating system environment within the MacOS.  The platform shares your computer’s hardware resources with the guest operating system according to customizable specifications.  Users can dedicate a set amount of memory, number of processors, and other computer resources to the virtual instance according the resources needed for the intended software.  Parallels also streamlines the interface between the two for an integrated experience.  It allows the user to use a Windows application without necessarily having to see the windows desktop and start menu.

Parallels is a competitor to VMWare Fusion.  View the Parallels website for more information.

Tags: hypervisoroperating systemvirtualization

Perceptive Content

November 15, 2017 by Laurie Parker
Categories: Productivity & Utility

Perceptive Content logoAvailability:  University owned computers

Perceptive Content (formerly known as ImageNow) is a document management system used to track and store electronic documents. It uploads, organizes, and stores documents and content. This can include items such as email, electronic files, multimedia, XML and hundreds of other formats in addition to scanned documents.

Powerpoint

February 19, 2015 by Andy Voelker
Categories: Design & VisualizationProductivity & Utility

239091_567_powerpoint2013

Availability: Labs | Faculty/Staff | Download
Part of: Microsoft Office Suite
Comparable: Google Apps, OpenOffice, Prezi, Sway, Keynote

Microsoft Powerpoint is slide show presentation software.  The user develops slides with text, graphics, charts, animations, videos, sounds, and other multimedia content to display during a presentation.  The slides proceed in a linear fashion either at a timed pace or according to the user prompt.  Slides can then be exported to pictures, PDF documents, videos, or web pages.  Powerpoint is available on the MacOS and Windows platforms.

Powerpoint has also been used for basic graphic design, flow charting, and digital signage.  Though other tools are often more appropriate for this kind of function, a user can save time by using a tool they are thoroughly proficient in.  For other tools proficient in these functions see GIMP, Inkscape, or Dia.