MSWord, Wordpad, Notepad, Google Docs (formerly Writely)
Google.com's
free online word processing program is named Google Docs (it was originally called Writely). I can't help wondering why would anyone need a free word
processor when Windows comes with one called Wordpad, not to mention the
fact that most PC users also have MSWord.
Well, the answer is collaboration. If two or more people need to work on a given document, they
can all access it without needing an in-house network (assuming each
participant has an Internet connection). The document remains on Google's
server, and is only downloaded if and when any of the collaborators decides
to do so.
Wordpad — Windows' Built-in No-Frills Word Processor
Speaking of Wordpad, some folks prefer it to MSWord or WordPerfect simply
because it's a smaller, less complicated program. However, it does have some
notable limitations, such as no built-in spell-checker.
Notepad — Handy Program for Brief Notes
Another word processor that comes with Windows is Notepad, a plain text
program that only displays one size of black type on a white background. The
default font is rather ugly, but you can choose another by clicking
Format>Font. Notepad is handy for entering quick notes that don't need
special formatting.
"ReadMe" files are usually written in Notepad, and, despite its simplicity,
it is often used for creating HTML Web pages. To launch Wordpad or Notepad,
click Start>All Programst>Accessories, and choose your program. If you use
the programs frequently, you can create a Desktop Shortcut by right-clicking
the Wordpad or Notepad icon and choosing Send Tot>Desktop (Create Shortcut).
Back to Google Docs (Writely), it is can save files in DOC, RTF, and PDF formats, with PDF
being compatible with Acrobat Reader. Files can also be saved as HTML
documents, but I'd recommend using 1stPage 2006, a dedicated HTML-editing
program that is totally free. In fact, 1stPage is what I've used to create
all the pages on this site. Free downloading info can be found
HERE.
A number of other utilities can be found under
Start>All Programst>Accessories, such as an On-Screen
Calculator and Paint, the Windows no-frills image-editor and painting program.
For Those Who Prefer Typing to Mousing...
You can go to Start>Run, type in a program's name, and press
Enter to activate it.
For instance, pressing your keyboard's Windows key (with the flag icon)
will bring up the Start Menu, whereupon pressing R will display the Run box.
Type in notepad and press Enter to launch the program. You can bring up the
Calculator by typing calc or MSWord by typing winword.
This kind of keyboarding fixed a reader's problem recently when he said his
mouse had stopped working. He replaced it with another mouse, but the
problem remained. I suggested trying System Restore.
So he pressed his Windows key, used his keyboard Down Arrow to reach All
Programs, pressed Enter, and continued using the Arrow keys to reach
Accessoriest>System Toolst>System Restore. He then pressed Enter, and set a
Restore Date, along with pressing N when prompted to go to the Next screen.
The Left Arrow key let him choose a previous date on the Restore Calendar,
and voila — his mouse came back to life.
Pressing Alt+F4 will exit any program, and subsequent Alt+F4 clicks will
take you through an orderly shut-down of the computer.
©
- Donald Ray Edrington - All Rights Reserved
If you have any comments or questions regarding these pages,
Don can be contacted by clicking
here.
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