Chapter 12

Word Processing and Desktop Publishing: Printing It

Word Processing 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? document creation is separated from

printing users can concentrate on content

before worrying about format

Some software terminology menu - a list of commands/features from which

the user can choose button - a shortcut used to invoke a command

(mouse click) toolbar - collection of buttons default setting - a predefined value used by a

program undo - reverses the effect of the previous

action

Basic concepts cursor (insertion point) - symbol that shows where

the next character typed will appear 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 scrolling - ability to view any part of a document,

one screen at a time

Basic concepts 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

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

formatting a document means deciding how it will look

word processors use a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) approach

all programs have default settings– margins, line spacing, justification, etc.– default settings can be changed by the user

Popular Formatting Features document -

– headers and footers

– margins and paper size

– orientation (portrait and landscape)

– page breaks and pagination

– footnotes 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) character -

– size and font (style)

– emphasis (bold, italics, underline)

Other features

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 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

the current contents of a document are stored in RAM while editing

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 files must have a name - try to make it

meaningful

Printing

print preview - allows the user to see what the document will look like before printing

print options provided include:– number of copies– print range

Desktop Publishing

DTP combines text, graphics and advanced formatting to create a visually appealing document– fills the gap between word processing and

professional typesetting saves time and allows the production of high-

quality publications in-house

DTP Process determine page layout (how text and

pictures are to be arranged) insert text

– may be keyed in directly or imported insert graphics adjust layout save final page print

Ergonomics ergonomics - science of creating a work environment

that is efficient and safe 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