Copyright: Typequick P/L Sydney Australia
Citation: Copyright 1982-96 Typequick P/L Sydney, Australia


Inform Library

Welcome to the TYPEQUICK Inform Library.

This library contains books of useful information to make you feel comfortable with your computer.  Whether it be health tips, jargon busting, or hints for faster learning you can find them here.

Introduction To Computers

Healthy Operating

The Keyboard

Microsoft Windows

Word Processing

Protecting Data

Lawrence Model For Learning With TYPEQUICK

End User Licence

All Rights Reserved  ©Copyright 1982-98 Typequick P/L Sydney


Introduction To Computers

Computers used to be big, frightening machines but since the introduction of personal computers all this has changed.  Computers have now become so friendly that many people consider them to be as easy to use as a car or a telephone - and just as necessary.

You don't need any special talents or intelligence to obtain the advantages and benefits of your computer; if you are reading this you already possess the qualities to be a successful user.

Learn to touch type and you will be able to "talk" to your computer with confidence.

What is a computer?

What is a program?

What is an operating system?

What makes up a computer?

What precautions do I take?

What does this new word mean?


What Is A Computer?

A COMPUTER is a machine which processes information gathered from the keyboard, other computers, or from a magnetic storage system (such as a magnetic disk) or other input devices like touch screens or text reading machines.  It requires a PROGRAM to tell it what to do and how to do it - it is as helpless as a baby without one.

The advantages of a computer are its speed of operation, its ability to process and store enormous amounts of data and its ability to teach with great patience.

A computer can be a personal amplifier to anyone who really knows how to use it.


What Is A Program?

A PROGRAM is simply a list of instructions that tell the computer what to do in various situations - for example, accept numbers from the keyboard and add the amount to the total.  It is written by a person who knows the logic needed to process and store the information given to the computer at each stage of its operation.  It can be 3 lines long or a very complex suite of programs with tens of thousands of lines of instructions.

Programmers learn a language (like BASIC or C++). This enables them to write instructions the computer will understand after it has converted the "source code" into its "machine language".

APPLICATION SOFTWARE is another name for a suite of programs.


What Is An Operating System?

An OPERATING SYSTEM is a group of programs, or software, that controls all the components of a computer system.  It consists of:

1.  A command processor which interprets commands you enter via the keyboard, mouse or microphone.

2.  Input/output programs to control peripheral devices (disks and printers)

3.  A coordinating program to load user programs and handle the interface with 1 & 2 above.

When you switch on the power to the computer it automatically loads (called BOOTING) its own control program into a special section of its memory that controls its personal functions.  (Your body has one which tells your heart to beat, your eyes to blink and your brain to sleep.) This is called an operating system.

MS DOS(Microsoft Disk Operating System) manages the files and data on your disks.  It is loaded into the sleeping memory from disk when you turn the power on.  This is "booting" your computer.  You do not boot an application program, only a computer.  A program is "loaded" or "run".

(Noel's Tip:  However, you don't run a loaded programmer; you boot them!)

MS WINDOWS 3.x, & MS WINDOWS 95/98 use a Graphical User Interface(GUI pronounced GOOEY) which allows you to control a computer with a mouse and pictures.  It makes MS DOS easier to use and improves many application program packages.


What Makes Up A Computer?

Like you, the computer has a number of parts.  These parts receive information (your eyes, its keyboard), write information (your hands, its printer), retain information (memory), reason (your brain, its Central Processing Unit CPU), store data (your exercise book, its magnetic disks).

DISK DRIVE is a device which spins a magnetic disk so that its electric head can read  from, or write on, the oxide disk surface. Data saved here is not lost when you turn the computer off

- A FLOPPY DISKETTE is a magnetic diskette/platter, similar to a music tape onto which the DISK DRIVE reads and writes information.  It can hold about 100 book pages.

- A HARD DISK is a magnetic rigid disk similar to a floppy disk except that it holds a tremendous amount of data - 3,000 to 8,000,000,000 book pages or more.

CD-ROM DRIVE is a device that spins a compact disc so that a laser can read, (and some write to), data on the surface.

CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU) is the brain of the computer which controls its functions and is also called a MICROPROCESSOR.  INTEL 486, Pentium chips are CPUs.

MEMORY is where your program and data reside when the computer is on.  It can store at least 640,000 characters (640K), but WINDOWS requires at least 4 million bytes (4MB) to run. The data stored here is temporary and is lost when you turn the computer off.

MONITOR is the screen upon which the computer displays information for you to read and view.


What Precautions To Take?

HANDLING DISKETTES.  Your magnetic disks must be treated with great care if you expect them to reliably store your data - don't treat them like your music tapes as they are far more delicate.

(Noel's Tip:  Don't be careless or you will waste your time and money)

HANDLING CDS. Your CD is a lot more robust than a floppy diskette, but care should still be taken to avoid fingerprints and dust.  If you wish to clean the surface refer to your CD-ROM Drive manual for the correct procedure.

LOOKING AFTER THE EQUIPMENT.  Keep heat, liquids and dust away from the computer.  Place it on a sturdy table and keep the electric wires away from your feet to prevent the sudden loss of electricity if you kick the plug or socket.  Make sure the interconnecting wires are securely plugged into each component.

(Noel's Tip:  Don't let kitty sleep on the keyboard!)


What Does This New Word Mean?

The computer industry has spawned a lot of new words and acronyms. To help you understand the jargon we have listed a few here. The glossary contains references to other words explained elsewhere in the text.

BITS are the smallest bit of information the computer can read or write.  Eight bits make a BYTE.

A BYTE is a group of bits and is capable of storing a letter or character.  This sentence takes 38 bytes in memory.

CURSOR is the underscore line or bright rectangle on the screen which indicates the position of the next letter which will appear when you hit a key.

A FILE on a disk is a collection of information or data.  It contains anything the program writes to disk and can be a collection of related or unrelated data. One disk can contain many files; files are storage units within the disk.

OLE, OOPS, WYSIWYG, GUI, DDE are acronyms which will impress your bank manager but not your political representative.


The Keyboard

The computer keyboard contains the following groups of keys: The Typewriter and Keypad keys are easy to understand - what you see (on the key top) is what you get.  The Function and Special keys are used in different ways by different programs.  However the computer can be programmed so that a key can mean something other than what you see on the key top.  For example, if you use the "key shortcuts" or "macros" in your word processor, you can put a whole line of text on the screen by pressing two keys at the same time.

Each of these groups are explained in more detail, just click on the group you want more information on.

Typewriter keys - A to Z, 1 to ZERO, punctuation keys and special characters

Numeric Keypad or Calculator Pad

Function keys

Movement and Cursor Control keys

Special computer keys


Typewriter Keyboard

The keys in this section are the same ones you will find on any typewriter - like letters A to Z, 1 to 0 and punctuation keys (,.;':"?!), SHIFT, TAB and ENTER.  You should be aware that the zero (0) key and the letter (O) are not interchangeable.  Similarly the one (1) and the letter (l) are different.  There are also many special characters like `~@#$%^&()_+=|\}{<>][/ which are sometimes used to indicate annoyance in comics and cartoons.

SHIFT KEY (or [image] )  is used to make capital/uppercase letters and to select the characters shown on the top of the number and punctuation keys.

CAPS LOCK has the same effect as the SHIFT key except once pressed it locks on and all the letters will be in uppercase until it is pressed again.

SPACE BAR is the long bar on the bottom row that puts a blank space on the screen.

TAB (or [image] ) is used to indent a line with about 4 or 8 spaces.

ENTER/RETURN (or [image] )is used to move to the next line or indicate that you now wish to enter the data you have typed.  The program package you use will decide how the RETURN key will operate.

BACKSPACE (or [image] ) usually on the top right side and is used to move the cursor one space to the left.  You can use it to over type an incorrect keystroke.


Numeric Keypad / Calculator Pad

The numeric keys, on the right side of the keyboard, are used when you have large amounts of numeric data to put into the computer - as you do with spreadsheets, bookkeeping or accounting.

On some computers these keys are also used to control the Cursor movement on the screen; in this case, you need to press the NUM LOCK key to lock it in NUMBER MODE and activate the number keys.

The layout of the keys on the various makes and models of computer varies but the numbers 1 to 9 are almost always in the same position.

Use the little finger for the ENTER key.


Function Keys

These keys are located on the left side or above the typewriter keys.  They are used by certain program packages to control special functions that would normally require you to type in a long command.  For example, most Windows programs will display their help files if you press F1.

Most word processors use Function keys to specially format anything you type, such as underlining a section or printing it in a special typeface.  Other programs will use those same keys for different purposes such as deleting a record or editing data.  Each program will have documentation to tell you which keys do what.


Cursor Movement Control Keys

These are either a separate set of keys, or they are the same as the Numeric Keypad.  They have arrows pointing up, down, left and right (maybe ones pointing at angles) They are used to control the cursor movement on the display screen if the program is designed accordingly.  Spreadsheet and game programs use these keys extensively.

If the cursor keys are on the keypad, the NUM LOCK key must be released for the cursor keys to be operative.


Special Computer Keys

There are a number of keys on the keyboard which are used by some programs but not all.  You will have to study the particular program manuals to see what these special keys do in that program.

CTRL is used with another key to give a specific command to the computer.  The CTRL key is held down while striking the other key.  EXAMPLE: In many DOS programs if you hold down CTRL and hit C you will exit the program.

ALT is always used in combination with another key/s.  EXAMPLE: if you press ALT CTRL and DEL together your computer will REBOOT.

DEL will delete the character above or to the right of the cursor.

INS is used to allow you to make spaces and insert letters at the cursor position without overwriting the existing letters.  Press it once to turn it on and once to turn off - use it like a switch.

ESC usually enables you to ESCape from your current activity. Sounds exciting!!!

PrtSc prints the contents of the screen under DOS.

PgUp and PgDn moves back or forward a screen (page up or page down).

\ (back slash) is used to change to different directories.  The \ indicates the root directory eg. CD \ takes you to the root directory.  CD \SUB1 will take you to the root directory and then to a sub directory called SUB1 if you have such a directory.  If you don't have a directory called SUB1 you will get a message and nothing will happen.

(You will have to study the particular program manuals to see what the special keys do in that program.)


Healthy Operating

You will be using your computer for hours a day so it is essential to know the correct posture, exercises and habits to prevent health problems.

Aches and pains associated with operating keyboards (musical and computer) can be avoided by following the advice of experts.  We offer some advice below which we think is sound but we recommend seeking further advice if you have a problem or persistent pain.

Good Posture

How To Strike The Keys

How To Relax

Fun Exercises

Working Environment

Touch Typing With 10 Fingers


Posture

One of the most important messages that has come from all the ergonomic studies is that POSTURE IS IMPORTANT.  The positioning of the keyboard, screen and chair can dramatically effect your typing speed and comfort when sitting in front of a computer for any length of time.

Click on various parts of the picture below to read the experts' ergonomic advice

(Noel's Tip:  There are 12 parts to find in the picture, find them all!)


How To Strike The Keys

Curl your fingers slightly and allow them to hover over the home keys.

Hit the keys smartly and sharply with the tip of your finger.  Strike at them fearlessly and with confidence.  After you have struck the key there should be no tension left in the finger muscles.

To type keys in the rows above the home row you should move your hand a fraction forward and reach with the finger.  The remaining fingers should remain over the home row by curving them a little more.  Bottom row keys are typed by moving the hand away from the screen, curving the active finger and straightening the remaining fingers so they hover over the home row.

Keep your wrists straight and do not bounce your hands.  Don't imitate concert pianists.

DO NOT press keys slowly.


How To Relax

Relaxed people think and work more efficiently. Muscles store tension; during a normal working day tension builds up and can lead to back pain, headaches, and a stiff neck.

We have included some fun exercises you can use to release tension. A simple one to do every 50 minutes or so is with your eyes closed, breathe deeply through your nose and exhale quickly through your mouth.  Do this 6 times to relax.


Exercises

Be smart and do the following exercises.  Exercise can help you to release tension and relax.  We suggest some exercises which can be done at your computer in a matter of minutes.

Exercise can increase your concentration and performance levels. Do these few fun exercises on a regular basis for the best results. You don't have to be a fitness freak to do these.  Just do it!

Loosen up by moving all your joints for 60 seconds - neck, back, shoulders, waist, wrists, elbows, knees and ankles.

Slowly raise your arms above your head and pull in your stomach.  Do this  3 times

With your eyes closed, breathe deeply through your nose and exhale quickly through your mouth.  Do this 6 times to relax.

Flex your fingers and spin your wrists.

Hold your right hand with your palm facing away and try to pull your fingers back with your left hand for 10 seconds .

Close your eyes for 30 seconds and gently massage your eyelids.

Stretch out your arms with your fingers spread apart for 10 seconds.

Twist your trunk 10 times.

Lift your legs and run - but not too far!


Good Working Environment

Have good lighting.

Make sure your table and chair are the correct height; your forearms and thighs should be horizontal.

Take regular breaks and try to vary your activities.

Avoid glare from bright lights within your field of vision.

Keep away from noise - close your printer cover.

Ensure a supply of cool fresh air to keep you alert.


Learn To Touch Type With 10 Fingers

One of the best and easiest ways to reduce keyboard fatigue is to learn how to type properly.  You will spend less time at the keyboard as you will type faster and have fewer errors to correct.

People who do not know how to TOUCH TYPE are often anxious about their performance.  If you HUNT & PECK you will move your head and wrists up and down excessively.  You will worry constantly about hitting the wrong keys, and having to make time consuming corrections.

Keyboard competence allows you to concentrate on what you are creating and not how you are doing it.

Strive to be able to type as you hand write - effortlessly.  You will be the envy of your friends - just ask someone who types with ten fingers.


Arms

Arms

Keep your forearms level, you may need to adjust the height of the chair or keyboard. Have your elbows touching your sides and at right angles.


Back

Back

Have a straight back, with the chair backrest supporting your waist.


Chair Backrest

Chair Backrest

Adjust the backrest so that it supports your lower back when you are sitting up straight.


Feet

Feet

Keep your feet flat on the floor. If your feet are not flat on the floor use a foot rest or a couple of telephone directories.


Hands and Fingers

Hands and Fingers

Bend your fingers to have a natural slight curve, as they would be when your arm is loosely hanging by your side.  Strike the keys smartly and then relax the finger above its home key. Use a light fearless touch.  Do not bounce your hands up and down, move your fingers only.


Head and Neck

Head and Neck

Hold your head up straight, your chin in and eyes level with the top of the screen.


Keyboard

Keyboard

Have the keyboard at a slight angle towards you. Adjust the height of your chair or table so the keyboard is below your elbow. Most keyboards have angle adjusters on the base of the keyboard.


Knees and Legs

Knees and Legs

Keep your knees at right angles, and the table clear of your legs.


Screen

Screen

Ensure the top of the screen is at eye level.  Adjust the height by placing a stand or books, etc.. under the screen.  Have the screen at least an arms length away from your eyes.  Ensure there are no bright reflections or glare on the cleaned glass.  Adjust the brightness and contrast for comfort.


Chair Height

Chair Height

Adjust the height of the chair so that your feet are flat on the floor or on a foot rest, and your forearms are level.


Buttocks and Thighs

Buttocks and Thighs

Keep the weight of your body on your bum and upper thighs.  Ensure that your thighs clear the end of the seat.  Acquire a foot rest if the chair is too high.


Wrists

Wrists

Keep your wrists flat when your fingers are on the keyboard. Do not rest your wrists on a support while typing.


Microsoft Windows

Windows is a GUI Operating System that allows you to control most of the actions by using a mouse.  If you have WINDOWS NT or WINDOWS 95/98 it load automatically when you turn the computer on.  With WINDOWS 3.1x you must loaded it from either a DOS prompt or call it from a BATCH program.

A useful and vital set of utility programs are provided with Windows or DOS to help you do such tasks as copy files, format disks, list directories, etc.

Formatting A New Disk.

Copying Files And Disks.

Using Directories.

Useful Command Line Programs.

Where To Get More Info.


Formatting A New Disk

Formatting a diskette is necessary to divide the magnetic surface of the diskette into "pigeon holes" onto which your data or files will be placed.

BE CAREFUL. This process will destroy any data previously held on the diskette which is in drive 'A'.

NOTE: We are assuming that Drive 'A' is a floppy diskette drive!!  If 'A' is your hard disk drive, do not use 'A'.

How to format a floppy with Windows 95/98 and NT 4.x

How to format a floppy with Windows 3.1x and NT 3.x

When the program has finished formatting the diskette you may be asked to format another, Select No and remove your formatted floppy diskette from the drive


Winform

Windows 95/98, NT 4.x Formatting:

Open Windows Explorer.

Insert the Disk to be formatted.

Click on 3.5" Floppy.

Select Yes to format it.

Select the drive capacity and options then click on Start


Win311form

Windows 3.1x, NT 3.x Formatting:

Double click on File Manager.

Insert the Disk to be formatted.

Click on Disk.

Click on Format .

Select the drive capacity and options then click on OK.


Making A Security Copy Of A Valuable Diskette

Ensure that your original diskette is WRITE PROTECTED and your newly formatted diskette is WRITE ENABLED.

(You are going to need a "FORMATTED" disk, click show me how to format a disk if necessary)

How to copy with Windows 95/98 and NT 4.x

How to copy with Windows 3.1x and NT 3.x

Upon completion you will have a backup copy of the original directories/folders and files.  Write the name of the program and the date on a label and affix it to the diskette.  (Do not write on the label after it is attached to the diskette.)

Write protect the backup diskette and store it in a safe place.


WinCopy

Windows 95/98, NT 4.x Copying:

Open Windows Explorer.

Click on 3.5" Floppy.

Click on Edit, then click Copy

Now click the directory which will hold the copy of the files.  This will be either another floppy drive or a sub-directory on your hard drive.

Click on Edit, then click Paste


Win311Copy

Windows 3.1x, NT 3.x Copying:

Double click on File Manager.

Click on the picture of drive A.

Hold down the CTRL key and click on each file name. You will now have all the file names in highlight.

Click on File then click Copy.

Now enter the directory which will hold the copy of the files.  This will be either another floppy drive or a sub-directory on your hard drive.


Using Directories

Directories or folders are ways to divide up the space on your disks to make it easier to find files on them; just like dividing a book into chapters with a chapter index at the front.  It is important to understand directories, so after reading this you should also look up "directories" in your operating system manual or online help.  Initially a disk has only one directory.  This is called the Root directory.

You could put all your files in the root directory.  On floppy diskettes this usually works quite well.  However, on a hard disk you should  group your files into sub directories otherwise it will soon be difficult to find a file.  It is a good idea to group related files together.  The installation process of most packages will put their files into sub directories for you.

A DOS sub directory name is limited to 8 characters in length just like file names.  You can extend this length by three letters if you put a period in between the two words.  MS Windows 95/98 and NT are not restricted to the 8.3 name length like DOS, check your manual for maximum length. You should make the name meaningful to allow easy navigation.

Windows 95/98, NT4.x

Windows 3.1x, NT3.x


Windir

Windows 95/98, NT 4.x Viewing and Creating:

Viewing directories.

Click on a drive in the Windows Explorer

For example to see the files on the diskette in drive A you double click on 3.5" floppy

Creating a sub directory

Open Windows Explorer.

Click on a hard drive, then  File, New and Folder

Type the name of the new directory.


Win31dir

Windows 3.1x, NT 3.x Viewing and Creating:

Viewing directories.

Click on View in the File Manager

For example to see the files on the diskette in drive A you double click on File Manager then on disk drive A icon click on View

Creating a sub directory

Double click on File Manager.

Click on File.

Click on Create Directory.

Type the name of the new directory.


Useful Command Line Programs

MS DOS and later versions of Windows are shipped with many helpful programs commonly referred to as DOS Commands. You must be at a MS DOS prompt to use these programs.  These one line descriptions are only an introduction - use your manual to ensure the correct usage.  There are many more and some are explained in detail elsewhere in this Inform Library

COPY and XCOPY will copy files

CHKDSK will analyse the disk and report faulty sections.

SCANDISK will do an in depth analysis of the disk.

COMP will compare two files and report the differences.

DATE YY-MM-DD will enable you to change the date in the computer.

DEL filename.ext will delete the specified file name.

DIR, MD, RD and CD are commands to view, create, remove and change directories respectively.

FORMAT will wipe any information from a disk then initialise it for your computer system.

FIND will find a phrase or string of data in a file.

REN will rename the file specified with another name.

TIME HH:MM:SS will enable you to change the time in the computer.

TYPE filename.ext will list the contents of the file on the screen.


Where To Get More Info

We suggest you refer to your Operating  System User's manual every time you use a command for the first few times to avoid silly errors.  Don't try to learn every command - use your reference manual.  There are many commands and utilities which computer professionals with years of experience have never needed or wanted to use.

There are a number of very good Computer Based Training courses which will teach you quickly.  Many good computer suppliers provide basic training.


Word Processing

Is the most wonderful system for writing - or CREATING - letters, reports, essays, notes and drafts.  In the past on manual typewriters it was impossible to rearrange, delete, add, change, move text or alter the layout once the page was typed.  Happily this is no longer the case.

Most WP packages contain additional features such as spelling checkers, grammar improvers, thesaurus, merge/print the same letter to a list of names and addresses, make a table of contents or an index and many more.  The packages have many exciting features to complete your tasks quickly and professionally and are a real pleasure to use.

Advantages

Features Available

Using Word Processors Effectively


Advantages Of Word Processing

Entering text is simpler and faster because of end-of-line wrap, right margin control and quick, easy cursor movement.

All information may be stored and/or duplicated.

Text on the screen can be altered to correct, delete and insert words, sentences or paragraphs prior to printing.

Whole blocks of text can be moved around the document at will.  You can copy paragraphs from other files and merge them into reports.

Printed letters and reports are of a much higher quality because of printing and formatting features such as font sizes, high lighting, underlining, automatic page numbering, columns, indenting etc.

Changes can be made anywhere in a document.

Your letter text can be merged with a file of names and addresses to print letters to many people.

Pictures, graphics, and sound can be added to the document to making it come alive.


Features Available

The functions below are available in most good packages, although personal taste and the suitability to the tasks performed will dictate which package you use

EASY TEXT ENTERING.

Features such as automatic returns at the end of lines, hyphenation, easy insertion of new words, replacement of abbreviated words with the full word all save you time and effort.

ALTERATION OF EXISTING TEXT.

Paragraphs are automatically reformatted when words are changed or deleted and can be moved around the text.  You can also search for a word or phrase and replace it throughout your text.

PRINTED PAGE CONTROL.

With one command, via the keyboard or mouse, you may change the line length or the number of lines on a page, set the position of the left or right margin and reformat the page, enlarge and reduce letters, draw graphics, change line spacing, double strike letters - and much, much more.

MOVING AROUND THE TEXT FILE.

When you write a document, you often refer back to parts you have previously written; you can do the same on the computer.  You will find commands to skip a page, search for words or text, skip to the end or beginning, skip to bookmarks etc.,

INSERTING GRAPHICS AND SOUND.

You may wish to add a picture to summarise, clarify or illustrate your text. Some packages allow you to add recorded music or speech to your document for easy distribution to other people.


Using Word Processors Effectively

A word processor allows you to plan your creative writing in a simple and very effective manner.

You can write subject headings followed by sub-paragraph titles, each on a separate line.  Once you have this rough list of ideas you can type the details under each heading and the computer will automatically make space for your text. You will be able to skip from one heading to another as ideas come to you.

Example: When writing this INFORM text I put up the chapter titles in a table of contents (like WORD PROCESSING), made a second copy of this list and then moved the cursor into the second list.  Then I put some blank lines between each chapter title and typed the list of topics for each chapter.  After that, all I had to do was fill out the details within each paragraph.

Use the commands freely - "FIND" to jump to specific locations; "DUPLICATE" to copy common bits of text, etc.

Do as much of your editing on screen as you can and only print the result once - save our trees.  You will soon develop the confidence and skill to do this.  One of our friends, a solicitor, reviews contracts with his client in front of the screen allowing quick and accurate changes to agreements.

Don't correct spelling errors as they occur or your train of thought will be broken.  Wait until you have finished then use a Spelling Checker and proof-read.

Keep copies of your files on backup diskettes as well.

(Noel's Tip:  Save your work to disk frequently so that you don't lose more than 15 minutes work if the computer fails - 'Murphy's Law it usually fails when you have hours of work on the screen.'  WOOF all gone!)


Protecting Your Data

Loss of data is unnecessary.  Simple precautions will prevent careless loss; good precautions will prevent catastrophes.

The contents of your disks are valuable.  You may have spent a lot of time putting the data onto your disks or they may contain expensive information or a costly package.

We have based the advice in the topics below on years of experience with payroll processing where data loss and confidentiality are critical.

Making Copies Of Disks And Data

Where To Keep The Backup Disks

Take A Few Sensible Precautions

A Suggested Security System

Controlling Access To Your Data


Make Copies Of Useful Disks

You should make copies (called Backups) of all your precious disks so that if you lose or destroy one copy, you will be able to replace the loss.

BACKUP FREQUENCY You must assess the cost of data accumulated in a day/week/month to determine how frequently to make backup copies.  The consequences of loss of data are another criteria to consider.  You should balance the cost of losing the data on a disk with the cost of taking a backup and the cost of the disk.  The cost of a floppy diskette is $1 to $2 and your time to make the copy is worth perhaps $1, a total of $2 or $3. An hour of your time is worth many dollars so you can see that it is wise to make copies frequently.

Tape, DAT and Removable Drives as well as CD-ROM Burners can store large amounts of data and if set up correctly can do most of this unattended.

For example, if you spend the whole day writing a program or writing a report it is smart to make a copy of that file.

PROGRAM PACKAGES When you buy a new package, make a copy of all the floppy disks BEFORE you try the program. A lot of packages are now shipped on CD which eliminates most of the problems associated with floppy diskettes. Backing up a CD in most cases is unnecessary with a lot of space required to do so.

Don't use poor quality disks for your Backups as reliability is vital.


Where To Keep Your Backup Disks

ARCHIVE COPIES of program packages and snap shot copies of important data disks should be kept in a fireproof safe in a building remote from your office such as your bank.

CYCLICAL BACKUPS, as suggested below, some of the copies should be placed in a remote safe.  A friend's house will suffice if you have no better remote storage!

For each valuable file, or set of files, for which you have a backup procedure you should have three sets of backup disks marked A, B or C.  The first backup is made onto the A disk, the second on B, the third on C, the fourth on A, the fifth on B and so on.  Keep the latest copy in your safe; keep the second oldest copy off site ( in another building or with your bank).  The third oldest copy is kept in your safe.

This is called the "Grandfather, father, son" system, or the blessed system.

It is effective in most cases but you should also take copies for archive purposes.  These must be kept secure for years; accounting records need to be kept for 5 to 7 years to enable the tax authorities to rake over your past.

Another, more secure backup system for files updated daily, is to have 5 diskettes or tapes, one for each day of the week.  Copy the files at the end of Monday onto Monday's backup diskette, Tuesday's files to Tuesday's backup and so on.  Keep all the Friday diskettes until the month-end.  The month-end disk should be kept as a permanent record as should the year-end backup disk. You may find these month-end Backups also useful for statistical research!

TEST THE PROCEDURE YOU SET UP BY HAVING A "FIRE DRILL".


Take A Few Sensible Precautions

Do not switch off the power, or pull out any connecting cables, when your computer is writing files to disk as you risk losing the file.

The FORMAT and DEL etc commands are the most ruthless commands - they can wipe out your files faster than you can say "gone" or even a three letter word. Two easy precautions are to remove "FORMAT" from the hard disk and keep it on a special floppy.  Rename it to 'DANGER' and build a Batch file called FORMAT which only allows the Formatting of the floppy disk in drive A.  It is so easy to reformat the hard disk!

Only DEL (delete/cut) files on the disk in the active drive after first listing the directory of the disk in the active drive.

WRITE PROTECTING.  This is an important point to understand.  You can prevent a floppy disk from being written on by sliding the shutter on a 3.5" disk to open the small hole in the corner of the disk case. On a 5.25" disk cover the notch on the side with a Write Protect sticker ( silver or black stickers supplied with all good disks.)

Anti-virus and security software is available that enables you to write protect hard disks and their directories.

Take care and keep your valuable disks write protected at all times whenever you are using DOS commands, especially when copying files.  I have seen computer professionals DISKCOPY from the blank disk onto their precious disk and end up with two blank disks!

If the contents of a disk appear to be lost seek expert advice as the data can often be recovered with special recovery programs.

If you suspect that your floppy diskette drive is damaged do not put your backup diskette into the drive - get it fixed before you damage all your disks.  A damaged head may scratch every disk.

If you have to recreate a damaged file from a backup disk make sure you write protect the backup disk before you attempt the copy.


A Suggested Security System

Once you have established the backup frequency needed for each group of files you should write up the procedure and make sure it is brought to everyone's attention.  Write the restore procedure at the same time.

Keep a log book with a page for each set of valuable volumes and write the date the BACKUP was made together with its location.

Test the backup and restore procedure to see how well it works.

LABELING OF BACKUP DISKS

Label every backup disk with sufficient information for it to be identified quickly.  At least record the date and time copied, a brief description of the contents, operator name, the computer used and the density of the disks/media.  It is a good idea to put a serial or sequence number on all your disks - do it when you format your new media.


Control Access To Your Data

BEWARE OF THE FOLLOWING:

Diskettes can be stolen from under your nose - who knows ?

Unauthorised copies of your data/disks can be made in minutes onto disks brought to your computer.

Your computer may be stolen with a hard disk full of your programs or confidential business data.

Special programs can read erased data so reformat your old disks before you reuse/sell them.  For very confidential data there is software available to securely erase and reformat disks

Shred your printouts if they contain your secrets.

Data can be changed in your source programs, spreadsheets, or database files which might cause later disasters.

Keep your computers totally quarantined to prevent viruses infecting your files.  Use only programs and packages which are known to be virus free.  Make regular searches for viruses.

TAKE SENSIBLE PRECAUTIONS TO PREVENT THE THEFT OF YOUR VALUABLE DATA.


Lawrence Model For Learning With TYPEQUICK

Ron Lawrence is an Australian PC training consultant who has taught thousands of people to type with ten fingers.  He has trained  executives, lawyers, clerks, Becky the archaeologist, doctors, nurses, blue-collar workers, engineers, nuns, children, authors,  and many unemployed people.

He uses techniques, which he has perfected over the past ten years, based on natural learning, Accelerated Learning and Creative Visualisation.

This is Ron's model for learning with TYPEQUICK to touch type quickly.

Create A Visual Goal Map

Prepare For Optimal Performance

Learn The Power Of Creative Visualisation

Use Creative Visualisation For Keyboard Training

Benefit From Chunking, Feedback And AI

Relax With A Few Exercises

Ensure You Have Good Posture

Enjoy Learning With Some Final Ideas


Create A Visual Goal Map

Write down your Goal (eg 35 wpm) and make smaller sub-goals (15,20 wpm, etc.)

Assign Target dates for each sub-goal (amend if necessary)

Visualise achieving each Sub-goal and Goal

Record actual achievement dates (feel good about achieving sub-goals)

Write down Rewards you expect (keeping up with technology, more leisure, better job)

Record what you will SEE, FEEL and HEAR

Make a game of it (You're only competing against yourself)


Optimal Performance Needs

Relaxed Alertness for Learning

- Progressively relax each part of the body in turn

- Breathe deeply from diaphragm for relaxation

- Deliberately yawn to help oxygen flow to the brain

- Feel physically relaxed and mentally alert

Create the right MIND-SET for Learning

- Recall a winning experience from the past

- Winning a race, riding a bike for the first time, etc.

- Bring that winning feeling into the present

- Focus on your keyboard training

Use Creative Visualisation


The Power Of Creative Visualisation

Look at the results of Australian psychologist Alan Richardson's Classic Study

Basketball players were divided into three random groups:

Group 1:

Practised everyday for 20 days and - improved 24%

Group 2:

Practised for first and twentieth day only - No improvement

Group 3:

Practised for first and twentieth day only but in days between they Visualised throwing the ball into the hoop - Improved 23%

Later studies produced even better results for the group 3 with improved visualisation techniques.

Make the visualisation multi sensory.  Imagine what you see, hear (swish into the net!), feel when you score? Watch a ten finger typist and take mental snapshots of yourself touch typing.

Many sports people use these techniques for Optimal Performance

Jean Claude Killy, a three-time winner of Olympic Gold Medals in skiing, was injured and unable to practise for a major race.  He skied it mentally as his only preparation, and it turned out to be one of his best races.

Australian golfer, Roger Davis, won a  the Bicentennial Classic in 1988.  He publicly acknowledged that he owed his success to his psychologist who taught him visualisation.

 "I always prepare myself mentally for a Rugby League match after training is finished on Thursday night.  I lie in bed before I go to sleep and imagine myself doing things in a game correctly and at speed. I visualise myself coping and succeeding.  The opponents in my mind are the actual guys we'll be facing on the weekend..." Peter Sterling.


Creative Visualisation For Keyboard Training

Visualise yourself sitting relaxed and confident

Visualise your fingers moving over the keyboard

- smoothly, accurately and quickly striking the keys with the letters appearing on the screen.

Visualise performing at your best

- eg using a Laptop on a train, bus or plane

Home Keys

LEFT HAND               RIGHT HAND

 All          Students   Doing     Fine         Just       Keep    Learning  Semicolons

Rest fingers of both hands on HOME KEYS

Feel each key

Mentally say each key as you feel it

Visualise each key as you feel and say it and associate it with the right finger

Correct posture

Creative Visualisation is a great natural aid to learning


Chunking, Feedback & AI

CHUNKING

Chunking is breaking up the learning process into "chunks".  You can then concentrate on one chunk.  Typequick will present a chunk in each lesson to help you focus on a group of keys.

For example,

Chunk 1:ASDF

Chunk 2:J KL ;    etc.

FEEDBACK

Typequick	- provides continuous feedback

- Summarises general performance

- Provides detailed comments

- supports a full analysis in tables and  graphs and a course summary

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

The Typequick course adapts to your personal abilities and weaknesses by changing the path you take through the course.


Some Relaxing Exercises

(Perform them at odd moments)

Gently bend neck towards left shoulder, return to centre, then bend to right shoulder

Gently massage right shoulder with left hand, then vice versa

Take a deep breath, hold, then slowly release

Rotate your eyes slowly in a circle.  Blink.  Rotate them in the opposite direction.  Blink.

Blink eyes and focus away from the screen, focus nearby and focus away

Palming: Rapidly rub palms together to warm them.  Gently place palms over eyes without touching them.  Feel and imagine your eyes being soothed and energised by the warmth.

(Noel's Tip:  Click on more exercises to view others in the Healthy Operating section)


Posture Is Important

REMEMBER look after yourself

Feel relaxed.

Develop a light touch.

Listen to your body's messages.

Gently exercise muscles when pausing.

Blink frequently.

Take stretch breaks.

The Brain needs: Oxygen, sugar & water.

Do not look down at your fingers.  Establish this discipline as early as possible.


Further Aids To Learning

Some final ideas to make learning enjoyable.

Rhythm: Be conscious of a rhythm in your keying but let your fingers zap out letters if the combination is familiar.

Music: Music not only helps to establish rhythm but certain music, especially classical baroque, can be a great aid to learning.  Bach, you may say but it's true!

Colour: Study the Finger chart in the manual and visualise in colour.

Left & Right Brain: Use both Left (logical, verbal, etc.) and Right (intuitive, imaginative, etc.).  But try trusting the Right more and let the finger find the keys.  (Noel's Note: This has something to do with 80486 or 80487 chips?)

Peripheral Learning: Place keyboard charts on your study or bedroom wall (come on, Ron) and in your Training Room.

Repetition: Repetition is one of the most important aids to learning.  Do your lessons and mentally repeat them over and over with your finger chart at every opportunity.

Use mnemonics to help remember keyboard patterns:

All Students Doing Fine(ASDF)

Enter a Flow State (performing in the zone).  You're relaxed/alert, confident, focused, and achieving your goal.

Practise mental keying of frequently used words, or ads you see about you: "the, and, your name, Go well go shell".

Improve your photographic memory:

Visualise each key, colour it, shrink, enlarge, move it.

(Noel's Note:  Ron has his own, proven ideas which you may like to try as they may suit you.  We all want you to learn to ten finger type. Follow which ever path you wish - just succeed!)


End User Licence

THE TYPEQUICK

ENDUSER SOFTWARE LICENCE AGREEMENT

DO NOT BREAK THE SEAL ON THE CD OR DISKETTE UNLESS YOU HAVE READ AND AGREED TO THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT.  IF YOU DO NOT AGREE, RETURN THE SEALED CD OR DISKETTE AND MANUAL TO YOUR DEALER OR THE AUTHOR FOR A FULL REFUND.

By accepting a copy of TYPEQUICK (CD or diskette and manual) the PURCHASER (YOU) becomes an END USER.  You also become an end user if you accept or use the TYPEQUICK course which has been purchased as a part of a TYPEQUICK multi-user license.  You implicitly agree to all the following terms, conditions and obligations.

The COPYRIGHT owner of TYPEQUICK is Typequick Pty Limited of Sydney, Australia (AUTHOR).

YOU own the CD or diskette purchased, but under copyright law AUTHOR owns the information recorded on it and all copies of it.  No part of the software, typing exercises, animation, film, video, pictures, bit maps, graphics, speech, sound, music, help file, advice or instructions may be copied in any way.  YOU may not duplicate the manual in part or in whole by any means.

AUTHOR hereby grants YOU the right to use this serialised copyrighted TYPEQUICK program and documentation for your personal use to learn to type for as long as YOU comply with the terms of this LICENCE and either return or destroy the TYPEQUICK when the LICENCE is terminated.  YOU may allow another person to use TYPEQUICK on your computer provided that person agrees to all the terms of this LICENCE. You may not load TYPEQUICK into more than one PC to train another person.

YOU agree that the proprietary information of the program is privileged and a trade secret.  YOU may not sell, give, loan or otherwise transfer the original or any copy of TYPEQUICK to another person.  YOU agree to take all reasonable steps to safeguard TYPEQUICK material to ensure that no one else shall have unauthorised access to it.  Unauthorised transfer may be a serious crime as well as making YOU liable for legal fees and damages.

NOTE:  The TYPEQUICK course may only be loaded in one directory in a single computer from an original serialised TYPEQUICK CD or diskette identified by a green TYPEQUICK (TM) label .  Only one copy of the TYPEQUICK course may be installed at any one time.

Multiple CPU systems, networking or emulations on mainframes or mini-computers require additional LICENSES which are available from the AUTHOR.

YOU may not make any modifications or adaptations to TYPEQUICK programs or files.

YOU agree not to:

a)  Use TYPEQUICK on more than one terminal or workstation of any network of computers or a multi-user system.

b)  Use TYPEQUICK on any time sharing or interactive cable system.

c)   Rent, lease or loan TYPEQUICK

This agreement will be governed by the laws of the country of purchase and/or international law, whichever operates to best protect the interests of the AUTHOR.  Copyright is protected under federal law in the USA and the Universal Copyright Convention in all other countries.

ALL RIGHTS NOT SPECIFICALLY GRANTED ARE RESERVED BY THE AUTHOR.

TERMINATION OF LICENSE

This LICENSE is effective from the day you use TYPEQUICK until terminated.  YOU may terminate it at any time.  If any provisions of this agreement are breached the END USER LICENSE may be terminated.  In the event of termination all TYPEQUICK materials and all copies of the software shall be returned to the AUTHOR.  All the provisions of this agreement which operate to protect the rights and interests of AUTHOR shall continue after termination.

LIMITED WARRANTY

TYPEQUICK is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.  The entire risk as to the quality and performance of TYPEQUICK is with YOU.  Should the program prove defective, YOU (and not the AUTHOR or publishers or an authorised personal computer dealer) assume the entire cost of all necessary servicing, repair or correction.

Some states do not allow the exclusion of implied warranties, so the above exclusion may not apply to YOU.  This warranty gives YOU specific legal rights and YOU may also have other rights which vary from state to state.

AUTHOR does not warrant that the functions contained in the program will meet your requirements or that the operation of the program will be error free.

However, AUTHOR warrants the CD or diskette on which TYPEQUICK is furnished, to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use for a period of thirty days from the date of delivery to you as evidenced by a copy of your receipt.

LIMITATIONS OF REMEDIES

AUTHOR'S entire liability and your exclusive remedy shall be:

1.  The replacement of any CD or diskette not meeting the "Limited Warranty" and which is returned to AUTHOR or an authorised computer dealer with a copy of your receipt, or

2.  If AUTHOR or the dealer is unable to deliver a replacement CD or diskette which is free of defects in materials or workmanship, YOU may terminate this Agreement by returning the manual and disk and your money will be refunded.

IN NO EVENT WILL AUTHOR BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY DAMAGES INCLUDING ANY LOST PROFITS, LOST SAVINGS OR OTHER INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE SUCH PROGRAM EVEN IF AUTHOR OR AN AUTHORISED COMPUTER DEALER HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, OR FOR ANY CLAIM BY ANY OTHER PARTY.

SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

TYPEQUICK® Is A Registered Trademark Of Typequick P/L

©COPYRIGHT 1982-98 TYPEQUICK P/L SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA.