XP Practical PC, 3e Chapter 10 1 Writing and Printing Documents

XP Practical PC, 3e Chapter 10 2 Writing and Printing Documents In this Chapter, you will learn: –How word processing software can improve your writing –How WP software can help format a document –What standard styles are available in WP software –What desktop publishing software is –When I might need DTP software –About selecting and installing printers

XP Practical PC, 3e Chapter 10 3 Using WP Software to Improve your writing WP software contains tools to help create, format, edit and print documents. WP software contains: –A grammar checker to check for improper word usage and improper sentence structure –A spelling checker to check for improperly spelled words –A thesaurus which gives other word choices

XP Practical PC, 3e Chapter 10 4 Using WP Software to Improve your writing Microsoft Word’s writing tools Spelling error marked Grammar error marked Error missed by both spelling and grammar checkers Thesaurus suggested “thrilling” instead of “exciting”

XP Practical PC, 3e Chapter 10 5 How WP software helps format documents WP software also contains many format options: –WP software automatically word wraps when you enter text, formatting each paragraph. –You can change the look of the text by changing the font, color, size and special effects. –You can change the margins or line spacing, create bulleted lists, or change text alignment. –You can also add headers and footers or automatically number pages.

XP Practical PC, 3e Chapter 10 6 How WP software helps format documents Special formatting using Microsoft Word Center using the Center button Use automatic page numbering Change Fonts as appropriate Line wraps automatically inserted

XP Practical PC, 3e Chapter 10 7 Using WP software standard document styles A style is a set of attributes to use. You can define your own styles which the WP software will keep track of in a style list. How a document looks depends on the style settings used for each element – such as text, headers, footers, etc. The style setting used to make up a whole document is called a style sheet.

XP Practical PC, 3e Chapter 10 8 Using WP software standard document styles Style sheet settings can be saved as a template so that you can reproduce a document in the same style. WP software also contains standard templates in various styles for your use. Your software may also contain template wizards to help you use a template.

XP Practical PC, 3e Chapter 10 9 Using WP software standard document styles A Microsoft Word template wizard The Style List A template with places to add your text

XP Practical PC, 3e Chapter Desktop publishing software DTP software is used to produce widely distributed documents such as newsletters, books and brochures. DTP software is used to collect all of the needed elements for the publication and format them for publication. You would probably use a WP package to create your text and a graphics package to create the illustrations.

XP Practical PC, 3e Chapter Desktop publishing software One of the primary advantages of DTP software is its ability to move and format elements, graphics or text. Text is usually formatted within rectangular elements called frames which can be moved around like graphic elements.

XP Practical PC, 3e Chapter Desktop publishing software A sample screen from a DTP package You can link text from one frame to another The work area is frame based. Frames can be moved, resized, etc. Floating toolbar for frequently used tools

XP Practical PC, 3e Chapter WP versus DTP software uses Most documents can be created using WP software. Many DTP features are included in WP packages for simple applications and vice-versa, causing an overlap between the two types of software. A good option is starting a project in WP software and importing it to DTP software if the document becomes too complex.

XP Practical PC, 3e Chapter WP versus DTP software uses Comparison of WP to DTP software

XP Practical PC, 3e Chapter Hardware – Printers Printers converts computer files to visible images on paper or other usable media. Printers translate the files into small dots using either dot matrix, ink jet, or laser technology. An image’s quality is measured by resolution – the density of the dot grid that created it. The measure of resolution is dpi – dots per inch.

XP Practical PC, 3e Chapter Hardware – Printers Dot matrix printers: –Produces characters using a matrix of fine wires –Uses a print head and a ribbon (approx. cost $4) –Resolution of about 360 dpi –Low quality output –Visible dots –Prints at about 6 pages per min or 569 cps –Can print multipart carbon forms

XP Practical PC, 3e Chapter Hardware – Printers Dot matrix printing

XP Practical PC, 3e Chapter Hardware – Printers Ink jet printers: –Produces characters using a nozzle-like print head that sprays ink –Most use CMYK color (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) cartridges (approx. cost $25-$35) –Resolutions range from 600 to 2,400 dpi –Prints best on special paper –Prints at about 12 pages per min

XP Practical PC, 3e Chapter Hardware – Printers Ink jet printing

XP Practical PC, 3e Chapter Hardware – Printers laser printers: –Produces characters by applying electrostatically charged ink to a drum and then the page –Uses a toner cartridge (approx. cost $70) –Resolution of about 600 dpi –Prints at about 8-15 pages per min –Professional lasers are faster (19-40 pages per min) and have higher resolutions (1,200 dpi)

XP Practical PC, 3e Chapter Hardware – Printers laser printers (cont): –Laser printers construct a full page in the printers memory before printing –They use a Printer Control Language (PCL) or a PostScript language. –Lasers usually contain from 2 to 32 MB of memory

XP Practical PC, 3e Chapter Hardware – Printers Laser printers

XP Practical PC, 3e Chapter Installing Printers The Windows Add Printer wizard To open the Printers window, click the Start button, then Settings and select Printers To add a new printer To change the default printer, right click the printer icon

XP Practical PC, 3e Chapter What do you think? What’s truth got to do with it? 1.In your opinion, can people typically recognize false information in print, on the Web, or on TV? 2.Have you believed information from a reliable source that you later discovered was false? 3.Do you think that governments should penalize people who knowingly disseminate false information?

XP Practical PC, 3e Chapter Chapter Summary You should now be able to: –Understand the ways WP software can help improve your writing –Understand the ways WP software can help format a document –Create and use document styles –Understand the advantages of both WP and DTP software –Understand the basic types and uses of printers