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Welcome to today's edition of the Computer Kindergarten Newsletter.
Today is Tuesday, May 1, 2001
In this Issue:
Today's Featured Computer Term: Protocol
Today's Topic: Formatting Text
Progressive Learning Series: Cleaning Printer Rollers
Today's Featured Website: Dr. Grammar
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Today's Featured Computer Term: Protocol
Protocol is an agreed-upon format for transmitting data between two devices. The protocol determines the following:
-the type of error checking to be used
-data compression method, if any
-how the sending device will indicate that it has finished sending a message
-how the receiving device will indicate that it has received a message
Protocol can refer to either hardware or software.
There are a variety of standard protocols from which programmers can choose. Each has particular advantages and disadvantages; for example, some are simpler than others, some are more reliable, and some are faster.
From a user's point of view, the only interesting aspect about protocols is that your computer or device must support the right ones if you want to communicate with other computers.
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Today's Topic: Formatting Text
You're typing and all of a sudden, your text is red and underlined. Why did my word processor do that? Well, it really didn't; you did. Inadvertently, of course.
Sometimes, when you start changing font sizes and colors and spacing and whatever, you're putting in codes that can come back and haunt you further down on the page. Here's what happens: your formatting changes affected a space or a paragraph mark. That space or paragraph mark stayed ahead of the insertion point for awhile, but then you moved the insertion point onto the formatted space; when you typed new text, it looks like the format reappears.
How can you avoid this? Don't format as you move forward -- wait until you're completely finished with the document before doing anything to it. This way, you'll be able to target the exact text you wish to change and no other areas should be impacted.
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Progressive Learning Series: Cleaning Printer Rollers
Paper dust can build up on printer rollers and cause them to become very slick, which in turn causes paper jams. To clean, follow the manufacturer's recommendation or use a very small amount of gentle cleaning solution on a lint-free cloth and rub each roller until the entire surface has been cleaned. Be sure you get all the rollers in the paper path.
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Today's Featured Website: Dr. Grammar
Check out drgrammar.org for help with grammar and writing. It's got writer's resources and a toolbox, and poetry and sketches.
Take a look at Frequently asked questions; it answered a lot of my grammar questions!
drgrammar.org |
