Users of desktop publishing may be distracted from clear communication by the advanced features of the technology. Common problems include irregularly-shaped blocks of copy, angled type, excessive underlining, widows and orphans, unequal spacing, excessive hyphenation, exaggerated tabs and indents, grammatical errors, cramped logos and addresses,…

Describes the nature and use of Structured Document Processors (SDPs), which integrate word processors and various writing aids to guide and control composing processes for specialized writing. Notes the need for SDPs in industry. Explores their implications for the practice and teaching of technical writing. (SR)

Until computers revolutionized the process of preparing hometown news releases, they were the most tedious job of the college news services. Word processors merge data on individual students with a basic 'shell' story. The computer can generate better, more personalized stories, process standard stories more efficiently, and distribute releases…

Microcomputers are used in a technical writing course to enhance instructor and student productivity, improve the quality of student writing performance, and prepare young engineers for future on-the-job communication tasks. Describes the microcomputer facility, software, and activities included in the course. Also provides information on the…

Focusing on the process of composition, lists and discusses problems students have in prewriting, writing, and revising. Solutions to these problems, which involve computer use, include making students aware of the composition process, writing strategies good writers use, audience analysis, grammar review, and need for peer review. (JN)

A method for downloading Lexis documents to the WordPerfect program and removing extraneous codes and characters is described. Use of a specific utility program is recommended, and a specific sequence of procedures and hints for streamlining the process are offered. (MSE)

Reviews the functions that should be included in an analytical workstation. Also discusses the common data file structures and the techniques of data interchange between software modules and presents a brief overview of commercial products and their interfacing characteristics. These software include word processors, spreadsheets, database…

No college is too small to benefit from the technology explosion. By computerizing the college catalog, a school can save money, time, and trouble. A word processor at the University of Wisconsin is described that edits, stores, and updates its catalog series. (MLW)

Discusses use of the computer (which could be a word processor, mini-, or microcomputer) in the area of written composition and revision of text. Implications of this new writing tool are highlighted, including benefits in composing and revision strategies. (EJS)

Describes the application of a specific word processor to acquisitions fund accounting and reporting functions at Rice University's Fondren Library. Encumbrance of firm orders, preparing budget reports, math calculations, ledger format (for each fund), report format (summarizes overall fund activity), and the value of word processors are…

Rutgers' direct mail fund-raising campaign operated by volunteers and using computer and word-processing technology is outlined. Alumni were divided into subgroups and different techniques were used in the mail appeal, including personalized letters and reply cards. Suggestions for others undertaking such a campaign are noted. (MSE)

This paper describes one accreditation team leader's experience with coordinating the entire team accreditation review process on personal computer and offers 14 suggestions for future implementation. The leaders of the accreditation team describes pre-accreditation visit arrangements to facilitate the use of computers. He polled team members on…

A philosophical overview of the place of technology in higher education and especially in teaching is presented. Research can be viewed as the acquisition of knowledge; teaching as its transmission; and service as its application. Technology affects the transmission of knowledge in both the teaching process and the content of teaching. The…

Discusses five values of personal computing, including its role as attention grabber, word processing (and related uses), information retrieval, simulation, communications. Also considers four ways of thinking about the future as related to computing and issues related to computers and education. (JN)

Discusses the use of word processing in an experimental business writing course at the University of South Carolina. Students found that word processing made the task of writing and revising easier and more interesting. (JN)