Working with Words

What you need

1. Basic Windows skills: The skills covered in the Windows unit - using a mouse to click, double-click, drag, & right click; parts of a window; moving, resizing, maximizing, & minimizing a window; scrolling; using the folder tree; creating and managing folders; naming files; opening a program; opening and saving files; using dialog boxes; using Help; printing.
    
2. Typing skills: You need to be familiar with the computer keyboard and have some skill in typing to do these exercises in a reasonable amount of time.
    
3. Resource files: Files that you need to create the documents in the projects are provided for download in a zip file or in a self-extracting exe file. Your instructor may have put these files on your computer already.

   To get these resource files, click on one of the following links to download either a zipped set of files (if you have WinZip or similar software for the PC) or a self-extracting file which will extract the compressed files for you. (Some folks are intimidated by the exe extension. This file is safe!)

   resources-words.zip OR  resources-words.exe. 

   A download dialog will appear. Choose "Save". Choose a folder on your hard drive for the file to be downloaded into. 

   After the file is downloaded, extract the compressed files. If you downloaded the zip version, use your WinZip or similar program to do this. If you downloaded the exe version, find the file in an Explorer or My Computer window and then double-click on resources-words.exe.

   By default, the files will be put in c:\My Documents\complit101\words\. Of course you can choose a different location if you wish. Just be sure to remember where you put the files.

   The resource files that are Word documents are in Word 95 format so that students using Word 95, 97, or 2000 can use the same files. You can save the documents that you create or edit in whichever file format suits your word processor.
    

4. Removable File Storage: USB drive or several floppy disks

   You need removable storage for a working copy and a backup copy of your documents.

   If you have a computer of your own, keep an up-to-date copy of your work on your home computer, too. Start good backup habits early and you won't kick yourself later when your files are lost or corrupted.

   USB drive: Recommended
   Called by many different names: flash drive, flash pen,  thumb drive,  key drive, jump drive, and mini-USB drive. A USB drive is an excellent choice for storing your class work. Your data is much safer on a USB drive than on a floppy disk.

   Before you buy:
   Check the following for both the classroom computer AND your home computer-
    

   • Computer does have USB ports.
   • You are allowed to use one of the USB ports.
   • You can physically get to the USB port.
     Some are on the the back of the computer case.
   • Operating system will recognize a USB drive.
     Windows 2000, XP, and Me will automatically recognize your USB drive. For Win95 and Win98, you must install drivers.
   • Physical arrangement of USB ports - Are they side by side? one above the other?
     Some USB drives are wider or thicker than others and may not fit all port arrangements, especially if a neighboring USB port has something plugged into it. Many USB drives come with a short extension cable.

   If you do not have a computer at home, consider buying 2 USB drives so that you can use one to keep a backup copy of your work. Don't lose them both at the same time!

   Floppy disks: Cheaper; Not as reliable
   You will need at least   two blank 3½" floppy disks at a time to store the documents you create. One you will use to save your documents as you work and on the other you will make a backup copy of the first disk. Keep a third blank floppy on hand as a spare in case of floppy disasters.

   You'll need more than 2 floppy disks if you don't delete any of the documents you create.  After you have put more than one document on the floppy, keep that spare blank floppy disk handy. It is no fun at all to do a lot of work and then find that the changed file won't fit on the disk!

   Floppy disks are cheap and handy but it is easy to lose the data on them from magnetic damage and physical damage when you are carrying them around all day. Be careful and have several backup copies.

   More on caring for floppy disks and caring for data

   How to handle a full disk
    

5. Word Processing Program: To create text documents you use a word processing program like MS Word, Lotus WordPro, or WordPerfect. This tutorial was written for Microsoft Word, version 97, 2000, 2002 (which is part of the Office XP suite), or 2003 . There are comments where different methods apply. Word 95 is quite similar in the basic tools and methods. Different brands of word processors will do most of the same tasks these days. But the details, names for the features, and commands may be quite different.

Word Processing Programs

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