Explaining Green Computing

(refers to chapter 2)

Chapter 5

Doug Engelbart
-one of the pioneers of the hardware and software
-in 1968 he demonstrated his augment system:

• mouse
• video display editing
• mixed test, graphing, and windowing
• outlining
• hyper media
• group ware

The Wordsmith's Toolbox

-working with a words processor involves many steps

1. Entering Text
2. Editing Test
3. Formating the document
4. Proofreading the document
5. saving document on disk
6. printing the document

Entering test:

-test is displayed ion the screen and saved on the computers RAM
-save your work periodically because RAM is permanent memory


Editing text:
-navigate to different parts of the documents
-insert of delete text
-move and copy text
-search and replace words and characters


Formating Characters:
-characters are measured by point size = 1/72 inch
-a font is a size and style of type face
-serif fonts have serifs or fine lines at the end of each character
-you can use mono-spaced fonts and proportionally spaced fonts


Formating Paragraphs:

• margin spaces
• line spacing
• indents
• tabs
• justifications

Formating the document:
-style sheets
-headers and footers
-multiple variable-width columns
-graphics
-automatic editing features
-hidden comments
-table of contents
-help features (wizard)
-conversion to HTML for web publishing

Word processing is not typing
-use the return of enter key only when you must
--->word wrap moves to the next line
-use tabs and margin guide, not the space bar to align columns
--->text that looks perfectly aligned on screen may not line on paper

Tips:
-don't underline
-use only one space after a period
-take advantage of special characters

Outlines and Idea Processors are effective at:
-arranging information into levels
-rearranging ideas and levels
-hiding and revealing levels of detail as needed

Digital references
-dictionaries, quotation books, encyclopedias, atlases, almanacs, and other references are now available in digital form
-the biggest advantage of the electronic form is speed
-the biggest drawback is quick and easy copying might tempt people to plagrize


Spell checkers
-compare words in your documents with words in a disk based dictionary
---> words might be flagged but you make the decision to Shanie the spelling


Grammer and Style checkers
-analyze each word in context checking for errors of content
-check spelling
-point out possible errors and suggest improvement


Form Letter generators
-mail merge capabilities produce personalized form letters.
-create a database with names
-create a form letter
-merge the database with the form letter to create a personalized letter
--->you can incorporate custom paragraphs based on the recipient's personal data
-each letter looks as if it were personally written


Collaborative Writing tools
-group ware: software designed to be used by a work group

• provides for corroborative writing and editing
• tracks and changes and identifies them by the originator's name
• compares documents versions and highlights differences in documents

Emerging Word tools
-processing hand written tools

-processing words with software that can reliably recognize human speech
-anticipating a writer's needs, acting as an electronics editor or co-author


What is desktop publishing?
-the process of producing a book, magazine, or other publications includes several steps
-writing text
-editing text


The desktop publishing story

• producing drawing and photographs and other graphics to accompany the text
• designing a basic format for the publication
• type setting text
• arranging text and graphics on pages
• binding pages into a finished publication

Desktop publishing software:
-image editing software
-page layout software combines the various sources documentsing into a coherent publication
-quark express
-page maker
-adobe


Rules of Thumb

• plan before you publish
• use appropriate fonts
• don't go style crazy
• view your document through your reader's eyes
• learn from the masters
• know your limitations

Why desktop publishing?

• saves money
• saves time
• can reduce number of publication errors
• offers new hope for every individual's right to publish

Paperless publishing and the web

-paperless publishing will be replaced by electronic media


Electronic books: a handheld device that has books on it


The Malleable Matrix
the spreadsheet consists of cells
-addresses (columns and rows)
spread sheets contain:

• values such as numbers
• labels such as columns and report headings

Formulas allow you to create instructions using mathematical expressions and commands

Things to remember when using word processors and other tools:

• don't underline! Use italics for book and journal titles.
• use boldface for emphasis
• use only one space after a period-take advantage of special characters
• outliners and idea processors
• help with arranging info into levels, rearrange ideas and levels, hiding and revealing levels of detail

Digital References

• dictionaries, quotation books, encyclopedia's and more are now available in digital form
• the biggest advantage is the electronic form is speed!
• the biggest drawback is that people can plagiarize
• synonym finders are computerized thesaurus
• spelling checkers compare words in documents with words in disk-based dictionary
• words may be flagged, but it your choice with what to do with it.

Grammar and style checkers
-analyze each word in context, checking for errors in content, check spelling, and point out possible errors and suggest ideas.

Form letter generators:

• mail merge capabilities produce personalized form letters, create a database with names, and create form letters.
  --> merge the database with the letter to create a personalized one.- you can use custom paragraphs based on the recipient's personal data so that every letter looks as if it were individually written.

Collaborative Writing tools
-Groupware is software designed to be used by a workgroup.

Providers for collaborative writing and editing-tracks and identifies changes by originator compares document versions
Possible Word tools to come

• handwritten word processors
• human speech processors (Speech recognition software)
• anticipating a writer's needs, acting as an electronic editor

What is desktop publishing technology (DTP)?

• The process of producing book, magazine, and more that include writing and editing texts.
• Also, produce drawings, photographs to accompany texts-typesetting/ arranging texts on graphics on pages
• Binding pages into a finished publication

DTP makes the production process affordable and easy, and have a sophisticated result
-DTP software: image-editing software, page-layout software, i.e. QuarkXPress.With creating professional-looking documents, one must:

• plan before you publish
• use appropriate fonts
• not go style-crazy
• view documents through the reader's eyes
• learn from the pros
• know the limits

Why DTP?

• saves you: money, time, number of errors,.
• offers everyone the right to publish.

Going beyond printed paper:

• paperless publishing and the web
• electronic books and digital paper

The Malleable Matrix:
where a spreadsheet consists of cells and addressesSpreadsheets contain: values (i.e. numbers/dates), labels

• Formulas allow you to create instructions using mathematical expressions and commandsFormulas can be:
• Relative, meaning that they refer to different cells when they are copied
• Absolute when the formula references never change when they are copied
• Spreadsheets offer many automatic features such as replication of data.
• Automatic Recalculation: in excel, whenever you change anything in the data, it will automatically update itself to those changes.
• Functions: automate complex calculations
• Macros: store keystrokes and commands so the can be played automatically
• Templates: offer ready to use worksheets with labels and formulas already entered.
• Linking spreadsheets together: when changes are made in one spreadsheet, the data is automatically changed and linked to other spreadsheets.

A database is able to help you search for info, and generate reports,
To avoid making big mistakes when using spreadsheets, it's a good idea to plan on what you are going to write before you add any formulas/ values, and when you do add them make sure you have double checked them so that they are readable. Also predict possible issues that you may come across. Lastly, it's important to use spreadsheets as a decision-making aid rather than a decision maker.

Spreadsheet graphics help one take digits and make them into graphics, like in pie and line charts. Certain data works with certain graphics, like when one uses a scatter chart to compare two variables.


Statistical software: Scientific Visualization
-Scientific visualization software uses: shape, location in shapes, color, brightness, and motion to help us visualize data.
-It turns numbers into pictures, and makes the unseen, seen.
-Visualization helps researchers see relationships that are hard or even impossible to see w/ out tools.

Calculated Risks
-Computer modeling uses computers to create abstract models of objects, organisms, organizations, and processes.
-For example: games, businesses, and flight simulation
-Computer simulations are widely used for reasons such as, safety, economy, projection, and more.



GIGO (garbage in, garbage out)

• is the accuracy of a simulation that depends on how accurate its mathematical model corresponds to the system that is being simulated.
• Some of these models suffer from false and hidden assumptions, go astray because of human errors.
• Making reality fit the machine: some simulations are so complex that researches need to simplify models and streamline calculations so that they can run on the best hardware possible.
• No matter what, information can be lost, and loss may compromise with the integrity of the simulation and question it.

The Illusion of Infallibility
Truly Intelligent Agents

• Future users interfaces will be based on agents rather than on tools
  agents are software programs that are designed to be managed, not manipulated
• Intelligent software agent can ask questions and respond to commands, serve as a guide and coach, and take on goals
• They teach you new applications and answer reference questions
• Help you protest your privacy on and off the net