Page 158 - DCAP609_CLOUD_COMPUTING

Unit 10: Collaborating on Word Processing

10.1 Web-based Word Processing Notes

Preparation of textual documents on computer. A word-processing system typically consists
simply of a personal computer linked to a computer printer, but it may instead employ a
terminal linked to a mainframe computer.

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Caution Word processing differs from typewriter typing in numerous ways.
Electronic text can be moved around at will; misspelled terms can be corrected throughout the
document by means of a single command; spelling and grammar checkers can automatically
alert the user to apparent errors of spelling, punctuation, and syntax; and the document’s format,
layout, and type fonts and sizes can be changed repeatedly until a satisfactory design is achieved.
Since all editing ideally occurs on-screen, word processing can result in decreased paper usage
and simplified editing. When the final draft is ready, the document can be printed out
(in multiple copies if necessary), sent as an email attachment, shared on a computer network, or
simply stored as an electronic file.

10.1.1 Features of Standard Word Processors

File management: Many word processors contain file management capabilities that allow
you to create, delete, move, and search for files.

Font specifications: Allows you to change fonts within a document. For example, you can
specify bold, italics, and underlining. Most word processors also let you change the font
size and even the typeface.

Footnotes and cross-references: Automates the numbering and placement of footnotes
and enables you to easily cross-reference other sections of the document.

Graphics: Allows you to embed illustrations and graphs into a document. Some word
processors let you create the illustrations within the word processor; others let you insert
an illustration produced by a different program.

Headers, footers and page numbering: Allows you to specify customized headers and
footers that the word processor will put at the top and bottom of every page.

Notes The word processor automatically keeps track of page numbers so that the correct
number appears on each page.

Layout: Allows you to specify different margins within a single document and to specify
various methods for indenting paragraphs.

Macros: A macro is a character or word that represents a series of keystrokes. The keystrokes
can represent text or commands. The ability to define macros allows you to save yourself
a lot of time by replacing common combinations of keystrokes.
Merges: Allows you to merge text from one file into another file. This is particularly useful
for generating many files that have the same format but different data. Generating mailing
labels is the classic example of using merges.

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