Word-processing II

In class:

Administrative:

• Continue to work on the word-processing assignment (Google ID and instructor permission required).
• Consider the tools learned in the first part of this lecture. How can you apply these tools to your school, work and personal life (brainstorm)?

Instructional:

We build on our knowledge of word-processing and discuss new word-processing topics. During this lecture we discuss:

• Page sizes
  • Most common is 8.5” x 11“
  • Other sizes are provided in all word-processing software to match a specific need and/or industry
• Tables
  • Usage
    • Data organization and display
    • Format a document
  • Terminology
    • row - horizontal
    • column - vertical
    • cell - intersection of a row and column
    • label - identifies a row and/or a column to identify the type of data
  • Creation
    • Quick create matrix from pull-down menu/ribbon
    • Insert/delete rows, columns and cell via menu or a right-click
    • Border thickness and visibility
    • Cell formatting and background color
• Headers and footers
  • Headers on the top, footers on the bottom
  • Use to present information on every page or a selection of pages
  • Page number are most often found in either the footer or the header
  • Create
• Document types
  • .doc versus .docx
    • Microsoft Word formats
    • .doc filetype - Microsoft Office 2003 and earlier
    • .docx filetype - Microsoft Office 2007 and newer
    • Most modern word-processing software will use both formats
  • Document Sharing Scenario
  • Rich text format (.rtf)
    • Retains text and format of document; however, does not include images
    • 95% of all word-processing software can utilize this format
  • Portable document format (.pdf)
    • Adobe format allows document sharing
    • Free reader is available for all modern operating systems
    • Protect documents
    • Document collaboration tools such as mark up
    • Apple OS X will read file type without additional software
• File storage (pros and cons)
  • Desktop
    • Temporary storage location
    • Many files on desktop WILL slow down computer operation
    • Easy to locate one or two files during a project but becomes a mess when the desktop is cluttered
    • Move files to folder when the project is complete
  • Network drives
    • Hard drive attached to local network
    • Shares files among multiple users
    • Usually part of a corporate backup process
    • Must attach to local area network or access via a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to use files
  • USB drives
    • Inexpensive
    • Portable and temporary storage
    • Easily lost
    • If primary storage tool, remember to back up the device regularly (RSync is a good tool but can be difficult to use initially)
  • Cloud storage
    • Saves file to a storage location online
    • Must have access to Internet to access
    • Dropbox and Google Docs
      • Examples of systems that use differing technologies
      • Both include free access with the option to purchase more space
• File management
  • Use descriptive file names
  • Folders organize files
  • Robust operating system search tools and tags replace need for older file/folder structure

Online:

• The online component of this lecture is designed to provide you with time to exercise your newly developed word-processing skills by creating a word-processing document using several of the tools discussed. You can view the assignment by clicking here (Google ID and instructor permission required) or visiting your Google Docs page. If you are unable to access this document, be sure you have completed the Google ID collection form at the bottom of the Google Services lecture page and notify your instructor that you have done so. If you are still having problems, contact your instructor immediately.
• Complete the Word-processing quiz on the course management system (20 points).