Chapter 12 Word Processing and Desktop Publishing: Printing It

Word Processing n word processor - software that allows the user to create, edit, format, store, retrieve, and print a text document –creation - original composition and entry –editing - making changes to content –formatting - adjusting the appearance of a document –storage - saving the document to secondary storage –retrieval - bringing the document from secondary storage to main memory for use –printing - producing a hard copy of the document

Why are word processors so useful? n document creation is separated from printing n users can concentrate on content before worrying about format

Some software terminology n menu - a list of commands/features from which the user can choose n button - a shortcut used to invoke a command (mouse click) n toolbar - collection of buttons n default setting - a predefined value used by a program n undo - reverses the effect of the previous action

Basic concepts n cursor (insertion point) - symbol that shows where the next character typed will appear n word wrap (wraparound) - the word processor’s ability to recognize when to start a new line –soft carriage return - inserted by word wrap to signify the end of a line –hard carriage return - inserted in the document by the user when Enter key is pressed n scrolling - ability to view any part of a document, one screen at a time

Basic concepts n text entry modes –insert mode - allows the user to insert text without losing any prior content (old text moves to make room for next text) default setting for most word processors –overtype (typeover) mode - new text replaces existing text n cut and paste - allows the text to be reorganized –a block of text may be selected and “cut” (placed on the clipboard, a temporary storage location) then “pasted” in its new location

Formatting n formatting a document means deciding how it will look n word processors use a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) approach n all programs have default settings –margins, line spacing, justification, etc. –default settings can be changed by the user

Popular Formatting Features n document - –headers and footers –margins and paper size –orientation (portrait and landscape) –page breaks and pagination –footnotes n paragraph - –justification (alignment of beginning and end of lines) - left, right, centered, fully –line spacing (single, double, etc.) –indentations (first line of paragraph - tab, hanging) n character - –size and font (style) –emphasis (bold, italics, underline)

Other features n spell checker - matches words in the document against a dictionary –does not check for context –may flag correct spellings as errors if not in dictionary n thesaurus - provides a list of synonyms and antonyms for words in a document –can be used to improve the word choice in your document

Saving a document n the current contents of a document are stored in RAM while editing n you must SAVE the document as a file on a secondary storage device to retain it –Save As - user will be asked to provide a name for the file –Save - program will automatically update the last version of the file in secondary storage n files must have a name - try to make it meaningful

Printing n print preview - allows the user to see what the document will look like before printing n print options provided include: –number of copies –print range

Desktop Publishing n DTP combines text, graphics and advanced formatting to create a visually appealing document –fills the gap between word processing and professional typesetting n saves time and allows the production of high- quality publications in-house

DTP Process n determine page layout (how text and pictures are to be arranged) n insert text –may be keyed in directly or imported n insert graphics n adjust layout n save final page n print

Ergonomics n ergonomics - science of creating a work environment that is efficient and safe n computer related considerations include: –hardware design factors adjustable keyboards, tilt and swivel monitors, non-glare screens, etc. –lighting and furniture appropriate light levels, adjustable chairs with proper back support, etc. –human behavior use wrist supports, sit with feet firmly on the floor, take a break at regular intervals