Answers to Exercises Chapter 12

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  Answers to Exercises, Chapter 12

  1. Revise for an Emphasis on Actions

Revise the following sentences to shift them from a focus on functions to a focus on actions.

  1. Zoom.  Enter a magnification between 10 and 400 percent to reduce or enlarge the display of the active document.
  2. The following section will explain the use of the List menu.
  3. In order for these instructions to be used effectively, the user must have a working knowledge of WordPerfect.
  4. The Reporting sub program provides a number of features, including print setup, multiple report printing, fax printing, and a selection of full color or grayscale.

Revision:

  1. Zoom.  You can enter a magnification between 10 and 400 percent to reduce or enlarge the display of the active document.
  2. The speed bar helps you perform functions easily.
  3. The following section will help you use the List menu.
  4. In order to use these instructions effectively, you should know WordPerfect.
  5. The Reporting sub program shows you how to perform a number of tasks, including setting up your printer, printing multiple copies of reports, fax printing, and printing in grayscale and color.
  1. Revise for the Active Voice

Revise the following sentences putting them in the active voice.

    1. The following examples are to be used as a reference guide.
    2. Check to see if the data are entered correctly.
    3. The prompt will be shown as a dollar sign.
    4. Events do not need to be all entered at once and can be modified accordingly.

Revision:

    1. Use the following examples as a reference guide.
    2. Check to see if you entered the data correctly.
    3. The program will display the dollar-sign prompt.
    4. You do not need to enter all the events at once, and can modify events accordingly.
  1. Revise for Correct Parallelism

Example 1

  • Custom Background and Font Colors
  • Insert Your Own Logo
  • Custom Headers and Footers
  • Choice of Time Zone and Date Format
  • Choose Your Banner Type
  • Thread Format Choice
  • Convert Smile Symbols to Images

Revision

  • Use Custom Background and Font Colors
  • Insert Your Own Logo
  • Use Custom Headers and Footers
  • Choose the Time Zone and Date Format
  • Choose Your Banner Type
  • Choose Thread Format
  • Convert Smile Symbols to Images

Example 2

  • Receive a Discount
  • Brand as Your Own
  • Your Own Price Charged
  • Increase Your Recurring Revenue & Sales of Core Products and Services
  • Improve Customer Retention and Satisfaction
  • Ease of Use
  • No Installation, Completely Browser Based
  • All Inclusive Self-service Customer Sign-up and Development
  • Interface provides complete e-commerce resources
  • Retain Your Customers for All Their Needs

Revision

  • Receive a Discount
  • Brand as Your Own
  • Charge Your Own Price
  • Increase Your Recurring Revenue & Sales of Core Products and Services
  • Improve Customer Retention and Satisfaction
  • Enjoy Ease of use
  • Avoid Installation, Completely Browser Based
  • Enjoy All Inclusive Self-service Customer Sign-up and Development
  • Use complete e-commerce resources provided in the interface
  • Retain Your Customer for All Their Needs
  1. Revise to Simplify

Revise the following sentences to make the grammar and style as simple as the idea they express.

    1. Before you start using ModemMaster, you should have set up your computer by plugging it into a power source, attaching the keyboard and mouse, and connecting any peripheral devices, such as printers, which are described in Section 4: Printer Setup.

      2. Revision:

      Before you start using ModemMaster follow these steps:

      1. Plug the computer into a power source

      2. Attach the keyboard and the mouse

      3. Attach any peripherals such as a printer (see…)

       

    2. For each event you are asked to enter planned, revised, and actual event start dates and event end dates.

      3. Revision:

      For each event you will enter two dates: the start date and the end date.

       

    3. If at any point during the entry of the maximization function and the constraints the data is entered incorrectly the following may be done at any point during the program to edit the data.

Revision:

If you make a mistake while entering the maximization and constraint data, you can edit your work by following these steps:

1. etc.

  1. Write Operational Overviews

Rewrite the following paragraph shifting the focus from the technical to the operational.

    1. Sending mail is controlled with QuickMail’s message windows, toolbars, and icons. Message composition occurs offline, reducing the amount of connect time. Composing offline represents a significantly cost-effective approach for users.

      2. Revision:

      Use QuickMail’s message windows, toolbars, and icons to controll sending mail. You can compose your messages offline, reducing the amount of connect time. Composing offline can really save users money.

       

    2. In the first place, there is only one official version of FlagMaster and changes to the basic program are discouraged. A ‘file change’ mechanism allows the program to be compiled differently as dictated by the hardware and system software constraints that exist at any particular computer installation, but these changes should not modify FlagMaster’s formatting capabilities.

Revision:

You can easily modify the compiling of FlagMaster to meet the system software constraints of your computer installation. Just use the ‘file change’ mechanism. Even though you may alter the program in this way, we discourage it, because we dedicate software support to the official version. But don’t worry, changes in the basic program will not modify FlagMaster’s formatting capabilities.

8. Relax the Diction

Rewrite the following passages in a more conversational style that encourages users' performance.

    1. Before you can begin using the Party Planner program, you should have set up and configured your computer. Setting up involves plugging it into a power source, attaching the keyboard and mouse, and connecting any peripheral devices, such as printer or fax machines. Instructions for setting up the computer are in the owner’s guide.

      2. Revision:

      Don’t let computer problems slow down your party planning. Make sure you’re all plugged in and ready to go, and if you’re not, check your owner’s guide.

       

    2. If printing large database, prompt "Press any key to abort print." appears. Pressing key will result in printing process abort confirmation prompt.

      3. Revision:

      If you’re printing a large database, the following prompt will appear:

Press any key to abort

Press the key, and then press "Y" at the confirmation prompt to stop the printing process.

    1. If doctor has performed procedure at another site, and has not been entered on day sheet, use Main Menu/print day sheet to enter doctor on day sheet and print new routing slip.

Revision:

Sometimes doctors perform a procedure at another site than their office (such as at a hospital, or at another doctor’s office) and the procedure will not appear on the day sheet. In this case use the Print Day function from the Main Menu to enter the doctor on the day sheet and print a new routing slip.

  1. Make the Diction Less Abstract

Examine the following sentences that demonstrate the difficulty of understanding abstract terms. Rewrite them to make them more concrete.

    1. As soon as the chart data form appears on your screen, press F9/Options and select Option #6, Bullet Options. Use the SPACE bar to cycle through the selections until the word "None" appears (or use the F3/Choices function key to display a complete listing of bullet types.)

      2. Revision:

      As soon as the chart data form appears on your screen, you’re ready to select your bullet options. Press F9/Options and select Option #6, Bullet Options. Use the SPACE bar to cycle through the selections until the word "None" appears. (You can also use the F3/Choices function key to display a complete listing of bullet types from which you can select the one you want.)

    1. If you hit Auto-configure on boot you may set up the wrong file table, so you should press Esc to terminate the load.

Revision:

If you press Auto-configure when you start the program, you may set up the wrong file table. If you happen to do this, you should press Esc to stop the program from loading.

  1. Eliminate the Clutter

The following sentences don’t support workplace tasks because of their wordiness. Revise them using fewer words and making clearer sentences.

    1. You are prompted to enter a chapter name when you use the Create Chapter function to create a new chapter. You may also change the current chapter name at any time while running the program by selecting the Rename Chapter function under the Chapters menu.

Revision:

You are prompted to enter a chapter name when you use the Create Chapter function. You may also rename a chapter at any time while running the program by selecting the Rename Chapter function under the Chapters menu.

    1. The following page shows a photocopy of the model that is produced by this set of instructions. This copy may be used as a reference to ensure that the program has been correctly completed.

      2. Revision:

      The following page shows the model these instructions produce. You may use this copy as a reference to ensure that the program has been correctly completed.

       

    2. Installing the Race Sheet program on a hard drive requires that the software program is on a non-copy-protected program distribution disk. The user of the program must insert the program distribution disk into the floppy disk drive of the computer.

Revision

Installing the Race Sheet program on a hard drive requires the program distribution disk. Insert the program distribution disk into the floppy disk drive of the computer.

  1. Reduce the Number of Acronyms and Abbreviations
    1. There are several reasons to name BNN files, not only to use them with the RETRF and RENAM functions, but to avoid confusing with DOS or UNIX filenames.

Revision:

There are several reasons to name BNN (command) files, not only to use them with the RETRF (return a register file) and RENAM (rename) functions, but to avoid confusing with DOS or UNIX filenames.

    1. To round out our discussion of \def, we will note that there exists a \let primitive that is somewhat analogous to \def but differs from \def in timing. The difference can be explained by noting that \let\b=\a sets \b to \a at the time when \let\b=\a is read by MegaForm. (Hint: \b and \a are "values" and \let\b=\a is an "expression.)

Revision:

To round out our discussion of \def, we will note that there exists a \let primitive that is somewhat analogous to \def but differs from \def in timing. The difference can be explained by noting that the expression \let\b=\a sets letter values for \b to \a at the time when the expression is read by MegaForm. The \def primitive waits until you have designed the form to check the values.

    1. Use .ip, .ep, .sp, and .lp to set VARS for paragraph and chunk sizing in SETUP or REDO modes when running in DOS.

Revsion:

Use .ip, .ep, .sp, and .lp to set variables (VARS) for paragraph and chunk sizing when you adjust the program settings (that is, when you run the program in SETUP or REDO modes when running in DOS.)

  1. Create Real Steps

Rewrite the following sequence of steps, eliminating the non steps, and organizing the information in an action/result pattern.

    1. Enter the maximization function at the colon prompt:

      2. :MAX 3x+2y

    2. Press Enter
    3. Note: At this point, a ? prompt will appear.
    4. Type the following at the ? prompt: Note: This command stands for "subject to" which signals the computer that the next set of data entered will be the constraints.

      5. ?S.T.

    5. The program will display the ? prompt.
    6. Press Enter, the program will display the ? prompt.
    7. Type ?END at the ? prompt. The program will respond by asking you to enter a disk in drive A:

Revision

    1. Enter the maximization function at the colon prompt:

      2. :MAX 3x+2y

    2. Press Enter

      Note: At this point, a ? prompt will appear.
    3. Type the following at the ? prompt:

      4. ?S.T.

      Note: This command stands for "subject to" which signals the computer that the next set of data entered will be the constraints.

    4. Press Enter

      The program will display the ? prompt.

    5. Type ?END at the ? prompt.

The program will respond by asking you to enter a disk in drive A:\

13. Add Articles

Revise the following sentences to include articles, thus making them sound more conversational.

    1. If insurance company found in list, then type in number of carrier. Press Return.
    2. Turn on computer and monitor.
    3. If doctor is not in history file or has changed diagnosis data but not updated patient record, then do 1-main menu, 1-update patient record to update patient record.
    4. Find data and resource files in cabinet next to computer.

Revision:

    1. If the insurance company is found in the list, then type in the number of the carrier. Press Return.
    2. Turn on the computer and the monitor.
    3. If a doctor is not in the history file or has changed the diagnosis data but not updated the patient record, then do 1-main menu, 1-update patient record to update the patient record.
    4. Find the data and resource files in the cabinet next to computer.

14. Add Humor

Imagine you’re working with a scientific calculation program that displays some irregularities in its overall operation. This program, DigiDoc, displays the odd feature of requiring the user to input the same information (a date parameter) twice in the same sequence of steps, once at the beginning of the sequence and again at the end. If the user doesn’t enter the date in the exact same format as the original date, the program assumes the user has given a "nul" date variable and stops the operation, returning the user to the system prompt. Other than that the program runs pretty straightforwardly.

Your task: write a paragraph or so about this behavior, informing and warning the user. The description will go in the introduction to a chapter called Inputting Calculation Variables. Use the technical description above as the starting place, but put the experience in terms of the user’s point of view.

Suggestion:

How well can you remember the date format you used three steps ago? Military, foreign, or abbreviated, you’ll find out soon enough, because of DigiDoc’s habit of checking your input variables for matching date formats….

15. Shift the Focus from the Computer to the Program

In the following examples, revise the sentences to emphasize the program and its functions rather than the computer.

    1. When you ask for an inquiry, the computer searches the hard disk for the file containing the account records for that vendor.
    2. The computerized version of the document will appear on the screen, and you may edit it using the draw functions.
    3. To choose a control code, click in the box next to the number one (the first column) and type in a code. The screen shows the code you entered.
    4. When you press Tab, the computer automatically records the default data for that field and moves to the next field.

Revision:

    1. When you ask for an inquiry, the Mediquick searches the hard disk for the file containing the account records for that vendor.
    2. The FlyWriter shows you the document on the screen, and allows you to edit it using the draw functions.
    3. To choose a control code, click in the box next to the number one (the first column) and type in a code. The DNADesigner shows the code you entered.
    4. When you press Tab the CloneMaster automatically records the default data for that field and moves to the next field.

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