With desktop publishing you can combine text, pictures, numbers, graphics and images of all sorts into a single document ready for printing such things as brochures, books, flyers, posters, newsletters and the like. Many contemporary word processing programs now include desktop publishing features, but if you are interested in the full array of uses the industry leaders are Quark and Pagemaker. Database Management programs help you find and use large lists of information which you have stored in your computer, but want to use in a variety of ways. Database programs let you keep your data like mailing lists, library holdings, student grade rosters, football team members, current, print reports about them, manipulate and change items, produce mailing labels etc. Living in the Information Age uses a database management program to keep track of all student assignments and grades, for example.
Accounting programs help users to follow their expenses and income and manage their money.
Many home accounting programs also write checks, produce financial statements, reconcile bank statements and most importantly allow for categorizing and tracking how you earn and spend your money. Presentation and Graphics programs allow for the manipulation of pictures, graphics, sound, images of all types for display in either electronic or print form. There are special features to assist in drawing, editing photographs and video, enhancing pictures and colorizing images. Also in this category are the programs which allow users to transform their overhead transparencies into visually attractive and compelling computer graphic presentations. The industry leaders here are Persuasion, Powerpoint and Photoshop.