Word processing
Word processing is the use of a word processor to create documents using computers.
Word processing can also refer to advanced shorthand techniques. Shorthand is an abbreviated symbolic writing method that improves speed of writing or brevity as compared to a normal method of writing a language. The process of writing in shorthand is stenography. Typical shorthand systems provide symbols or abbreviations for words and common phrases, which allow someone well trained in the system to write as people speak.
Shorthand was user more widely in the past, before the invention of recording and dictation machines. Until recently, shorthand was considered as essential part of secretarial training and was useful for journalists as well Shorthand notes are typically temporary, intended for later transcription to longhand, sometimes used in conjunction with specialized Keyboard. In this sense of the term, the processing may or may not be being done on a computer terminal, but on a modified typewriter.
Word processing developed as specialized application programs, on mainframe computers during the 1970’s as “online computing” (with the use of personal terminal devices having from text based editors used by programmers and computer professionals. The advent of microprocessors and, in the late 1970’s, the ability to place intelligent devices on the desks of workers of reasonable cost in duding cheaper and smaller printers, led to “ word processing”. These were primarily acmes at typists, particularly those in centralized typing pools where other workers send handwritten notes or Dictaphone tapes to be transcribed into documents for printing and returning. Considerable time saving economics were achieved by word processing operators. Especially as the word processing systems evolved to give more powerful functions.
By the early 1990’s, the typing and word processing pool had disappeared. The evolution of word processing software continued with both increased ability and ease of use as PC’s increased in power and as graphical user interfaces become powerful document creation packages able to manipulate images as well as text to create publications to a standard. Not only the typing pool disappeared but the career of typist too.
The evolution from typing using mechanical devises to electronic word processing systems to “do – it yourself” PC based packages provided commercial. Companies rose and grew strong and then declined and even disappeared as a result of the fast changes. Wand computers is the best example of a company that became very successful on the back of specialized word processing systems but then collapsed when it lost its revenue from word processing systems develop.
Exercise 17. Answer the questions.
1. What is word processing?
2. What does shorthand improve?
3. What does stenography mean?
4. What are shorthand notes?
5. What did word processing application programs evolve from?
6. What led to the introduction of machines dedicated to “word processing”?
7. What was achieved by word processing operators?
8. When did the typing and word processing pool disappear? Why?
9. What happened to companies as a result of the fast changes? Give an example.
Exercise 18. Give the equivalents:
Symbolic writing method, invention of recording and dictation machines, in conjunction with specialized keyboard, specialized application programs, advanced shorthand technique, abbreviated symbolic writing method, secretarial training, later transcription to long hand, modified typewriter, centralized typing pools, to be typically temporary, lead to the introduction of machines, to be achieved by word processing operators, to become powerful document creation, to write as people speak, to rise and grow strong, disappear as a result of quick changes, to loose the revenue.
Exercise 19. Match the terms to their explanations:
terms |
explanations |
shorthand |
something that was created |
stenography |
to reach |
invention |
result of success |
advent |
symbolic writing method |
achieve |
apparition of something new |
revenue |
the process of writing in Shorthand |
Exercise 20. Decide if the following statements are true or false. Correct the false ones:
1. Shorthand is widely used nowadays.
2. Shorthand notes are usually permanent.
3. The advent of microprocessors led to the introduction of dedicated machines.
4. By the early 1990’s the career of typist had disappeared.
5. Wand computers is the best example of a company that became very successful.
Exercise 21. Study the given definitions by heart.
1. Shorthand is an abbreviated symbolic writing method that improves speed of writing.
2. Word processing is a specialized application program, evolved to give more powerful functions.
3. The process of writing in shorthand is stenography, from the Greek “stenos” (narrow, close).
Exercise 22. Find all the sentences with Past Participle and Present Participle in the function of attribute translate them.
Exercise 23. Make a short summary of the text.