Page 159 - DCAP104_EXPOSURE_TO_COMPUTER_DISCPLINES

Exposure to Computer Disciplines

Notes amounts of information using very little storage space. Computers customarily represent text
using the ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) system. The ASCII
system assigns a number for each of the characters found on a typical typewriter. Each character
is represent as a binary number which can be understood by the computer. On the internet
ASCII can be transmitted from one computer to another over telephone lines. Non-text files
(like graphics) can also be encoded as ASCII files for transmission. Once received, the ASCII
file can be translated by decoding software back into its original format.

7.5.1.2 Fonts
The graphic representation of speech can take many forms. These forms are referred to as fonts
or typefaces. Fonts can be characterized by their proportionality and their serif characteristics.
Non-proportional fonts, also known as monospaced fonts, assign exactly the same amount of
horizontal space to each character. Monospaced fonts are ideal for creating tables of information
where columns of characters must be aligned. Text created with non-proportional fonts often
look as though they were produced on a typewriter. Two commonly-used non-proportional
fonts are Courier and Monaco on the Macintosh and Courier New and FixedSys on Windows.
Proportional fonts vary the spacing between characters according to the width required
by each letter. For example, an “l” requires less horizontal space than a “d.” Words created
with proportional fonts look more like they were typeset by a professional typographer. Two
commonly-used proportional fonts are Times and Helvetica on the Macintosh and Times New
Roman and Arial on Windows. This article is written using proportional fonts.
Serif fonts are designed with small ticks at the bottom of each character. These ticks aid the
reader in following the text. Serif fonts are generally used for text in the body of an article
because they are easier to read than Sans Serif fonts. The body text in this article is written
using a serif font. Two commonly-used serif fonts are Times and Courier on the Macintosh
and Times New Roman and Courier New on Windows. The body text in this article uses a serif
font that is proportional.
Sans Serif fonts are designed without small ticks at the bottom of each character. Sans Serif fonts
are generally used for headers within an article because they create an attractive contrast with
the Serif fonts used in the body text. The section headers in this article are written using a sans
serif font. Two commonly-used sans serif fonts are Helvetica and Monaco on the Macintosh
and Arial and FixedSys on Windows. The headings in this article use a sans serif font that is
proportional.
7.5.1.3 Font Samples
Times New Roman and Georgia are proportional serif fonts.
Verdana and Arial are proportional sans serif fonts.
Courier New and Courier are non-proportional serif fonts.
Monaco and FixedSys are non-proportional sans serif fonts.

7.5.1.4 Font Standards
There are basically two font standards of interest today. The first is called Postscript. Postscript
fonts are designed to produce exceptionally good looking type when printed on a high-resolution
printer. To use a Postscript font, a set of files must be installed on the host computer. These files
include a printer font that is downloaded to the printer when a page containing the font is printed,
and a set of screen fonts which represent the font on screen at various point sizes. If the user chooses
to view the font at a size not provided for by the font file, the computer interpolates and produces
an unattractive font on screen. The printed output, however, will always appear attractive.

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