The Florida State University College of Information

Home : About The College : Overview IS : Computer Application Competencies

Computer Application Competencies

Prospective students frequently ask how competent they need be with various computer applications for our programs. Students in the User Services Group at the School of Information Studies have compiled the following list of tasks and issues.

Software Download Page

Acrobat Reader

Freeware from Adobe that enables users to view PDF documents. An error will occur if this software is not installed on the user's machine.

Check program list for software or try and open a PDF file
Install free software from Adobe
Print from PDF viewer
Save from PDF viewer

Win Zip/Zip it/Stuff it (for Macs)

Free compression software used to make files smaller for storage and emailing purposes. User will be unable to view zipped files without software.

Attempt to view a zipped file
Check program list for software
Download zip application software
Zip multiple files
Unzip or extract a zipped file(s)
Save original files to local machine

Real Player Basic

Free media player needed to view real media files (current media serving software used by the School)

Find and download software
View presentations and lectures from the Web
Play presentations/lectures from saved files
Adjust window presentation size and volume settings

Internet Explorer/Mozilla Firefox

Install both on local machine
Locate address bar and enter/modify URLs
Use back and forward buttons
Use refresh and home buttons
Use print and adjust print options
Use favorites/add and delete features
Set default homepage
Delete cookies
Delete history

AVG Antivirus software

Free, easy to use antivirus software

Check to see if antivirus application is installed on computer
Download and install AVG
Run virus scan
Ensure automatic update features is engaged
Clean, dispose, and quarantine viruses

MS Word

Open a new document or existing file
Close or delete a file
Change margin settings
Use copy, paste, format painter features
Use and turnoff highlight feature
View/edit headers and footers
Use/Edit Styles

MS Excel

Add/delete/edit cells
Format cells
Merge cells
Use basic formulas
Create basic tables and graphs
Page view/page set up
Print select pages

MS PowerPoint

Create a presentation
Insert a photo or image
Add/delete slides
Format slides
Use Word Art
Save as ppt, show, or as jpg
Use basic animation

SSH

Secure shell is a protocol used for creating a secure connection between two systems using a client/server architecture. FSU students using garnet from a local mail client must have this installed.

Install software from ACNS site
Access e-mail account
Upload a file to garnet account
View and change folder/document security settings

FTP

File Transfer Protocol

Log in and connect to a Web server
Transfer files
View and change folder/document security settings

Personal Firewall

Software that checks each packet of incoming or outgoing network traffic and rejects packets of information that does not meet established criteria.

Download and install firewall software
Configure firewall software
Check and interpret log reports