UNITED STATES AND ITS TERRITORIES.-

The 50 states; District of Columba; Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; territories of Guam, American Samoa, and the Vigin Islands; Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands; Canal Zone; and the possessions of Midway and Wake Islands. 

UPGRADE.- To decide that certain classified information requires, in the interest of national security, a higher degree of shelter against unauthorized disclosure, combined with a changing of the classification designation to reflect the higher degree.

Classified information can be compromised through careless talk, actual subversion by enemy agents, careless handling of classified material, and in various other ways. To make sure the office of the chaplain does its part in protecting classified material, you need to develop sound security habits as a matter of routine. You must not store classified material (Top Secret, Secret, and Confidential) in the office of the chaplain. If a situation arises that requires a chaplain or an RP-as an approved person-to review classified material, you or the chaplain may review the material in the office of the chaplain and return the material at once or you or the chaplain may proceed to where the command safeguards classified material. In either case, you must exercise security awareness.

WORD AND DATA PROCESSING

To handle all your duties and responsibilities in religious programming, you must become computer literate. This means you should have a basic knowledge of word and data processing systems and equipment. If you are not already familiar with the variety of functions you can perform by using computer programs, systems, and equipment, the information in this chapter is designed to provide you with a basic introduction to these important tools. As an RP, you will use these tools to solve problems and to handle the processing of data. Word processing equipment and computers can facilitate providing quality ministry to sea service personnel. Some areas where this equipment is used include the management of research, program design, cost accounting, planning, and control of religious programs and processes. As a result, many chaplains' offices are involved with the use of these important tools.

In your career as an RP, you will be assigned to handle matters related to the administration of religious programs and chaplain support in religious program development. Your skills in automated systems should include word processing, the use of spread sheets, desktop publishing, graphics, data base management, communication, and disk operating systems. These

skills will be essential so you can perform a variety of administrative functions including the following:

• Maintaining RMF and CRP volunteer rosters

• Updating directives and publications

• Preparing the chaplain's quarterly report

• Formatting and preparing messages

• Preparing correspondence

• Tabulating survey data

• Filing RMF and CRP documents

To provide these functions, you must have computer skills and become computer literate. This means you must have a general knowledge about computers and their uses. A personal computer (PC) is a tool that will help you solve problems by accepting data, performing certain operations on the data, and presenting the results of those operations. A PC can do these tasks rapidly, accurately, and reliably, given the right equipment and "software" or computer programs. Many chaplains offices have automated equipment. Even in cases where equipment or adequate software is lacking, it will be essential for you to learn what equipment, systems, and programs you may need to acquire and how to go about obtaining them.

Word and data processing equipment and systems have become so important in the efficient management of administrative tasks in support of CRPs that several of these tasks have been designated by occupational standards (OCCSTDs). By this time in your career, you have likely realized that on-the-job training can provide you with the most effective method of learning several of your OCCSTDs, such as how to transmit data via facsimile machine; how to prepare naval and ecclesiastical forms, reports, directives, and faith group reports using a PC; how to draft and deliver field messages; how to process applications for volunteers to obtain faith group endorsement; and how to maintain a mailing list of chapel participants. You should seek all available opportunities for on-the-job training to become proficient in these areas.

By now, you have also likely realized that other types of training, such as nonrate training or training through available contracted training services, can provide important avenues by which you can learn other administrative tasks, such as how to use specific software; how to purchase PC equipment and programs for the variety of tasks required to support your CRP; and how to provide data integrity, security, and access. If you are just beginning to learn about computers and their applications, the information in the following sections should provide you with some of the basics. If you are already computer literate, you may find some of this information too basic and you may wish to study the following sections selectively, depending upon your current level of expertise.

COMPUTER COMPONENTS

Components or parts of a computer system are grouped into two general categories, hardware and software. As shown in figure 6-3, hardware includes the computer itself and consists of the keyboard, the printer, and the monitor. The basic components (the hardware) of a computer are shown in figure 6-3. Software is a program or instruction for the PC hardware to follow. Examples of commercially licensed software are Enable, WordPerfect, WordStar, dBase 3 or 4, and Lotus 1-2-3. For your tasks in the RMF, you can use word processing software in a variety of ways.

COMPUTER TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

An important part of your training in computer awareness and use of word processing programs is the knowledge of computer terminology. Being computer literate means knowing and understanding how to use certain common terms.

Common Computer Terms

To be proficient in any field of knowledge, you must first learn the language. The commonly used computer terms in the following paragraphs are intended to give you an introduction to the world of computer

Figure 6-3.-A computer system.

terminology. If you are already aware of most of these terms, you may choose to read over them briefly and continue to the other areas of this chapter. If you are just beginning to learn about personal computers and word processing, however, we recommend you study these terms carefully.

NOTE: Although the following terms are commonly used, they are not all inclusive. Be aware that these are not the only terms you will hear used by computer-literate persons. In your efforts to become _{computer literate,} we recommend you take responsibility for obtaining as much knowledge about computers as possible, either through on-the-job training, self-study programs, or formal classroom instruction.

AMERICAN STANDARD CODE FOR INFORMATION INTERCHANGE (ASCII).- In computer language, an ASCII code is a convention that assigns a standard binary code to each upper- and lowercase character, numeral, and typographical symbol.

BAR CODE.- This inventory and sales computer code is a machine-readable code consisting of ink lines (bars) that represent information such as a product description and price.

BINARY.- You will hear the word binary used to represent a computer code that is made up of two possible components or states-zeros or ones.

BIT.- This is the smallest unit of information in a binary computer, represented by a single zero or one. The word bit is a contraction of binary digit.

BYTE.- A sequence of bits, usually eight, treated as a unit of computation or storage is known as a byte.

CATHODE-RAY TUBE (CRT).- The CRT is a television-like display device with a screen that lights up where it is struck from the inside by a beam of electrons. (A CRT is simply referred to as a computer screen.)

CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU).- The CPU is the part of a computer that interprets and executes instructions. It is commonly referred to as the _{brain of the computer.} The CPU is composed of an arithmetic logic unit, a control unit, and a small amount of memory.

COMMAND.- A command is a statement such as PRINT or COPY that sets in motion a preprogrammed sequence of instructions to a computer.

COMPUTER.- Simply stated, a computer is a programmable machine that accepts, processes, and displays data.

CURSOR.- This is a moving spot of light that indicates a point of action or attention on a computer screen. The cursor shows you where you are on the screen.

DAISY-WHEEL PRINTER.- This printer has a circular print element consisting of thin stems, with characters on their ends, radiating from a central hub (like a daisy).

DATA BASE.- This is a popular term that refers to a collection of facts about a subject or subjects divided into files and records that are organized for easy access.

DIGITAL.- Digital is a commonly used term pertaining to the representation, manipulation, or transmission of information by discrete (on-off) signals.

DIRECT MEMORY ACCESS (DMA).- This term refers to the mechanism or characteristic that allows data to be transmitted directly between a computer's input and output ports and its temporary memory.

DISK.- Spelled either disk or disc, a computer disk is a round magnetized plate, generally made of plastic or metal, used for storing data.

DISK DRIVE.- The disk drive is the mechanism in the computer that rotates a storage disk and reads or records data.

DOT-MATRIX PRINTER.- This printer uses a pattern of dots arranged in rows and columns to print text or graphics.

FLOPPY DISK.- A floppy disk, either solid or flexible, is a small, portable disk used to store information or instructions. A floppy disk is a convenient, portable way of storing information.

HACKER.- Often an avid experimenter with computers.

HARD COPY.- A commonly used term referring to printed computer output, usually on paper. (Simply stated, hard copy is the printed copy.)

HARD DISK.- A rigid metallic platter coated on both sides with a thin layer of magnetic material where digital data is stored. Hard disks have more storage capacity than floppy disks but are usually permanently installed in a computer's disk drive and are thus less portable.

HARDWARE.- The physical apparatus of a computer system consisting of the equipment itself.

HEAD CRASH.- A catastrophic malfunction in a hard-disk drive that occurs when the read/write head touches the spinning disk, gouging its magnetic surface and destroying both the data and the head.

IMPACT PRINTER.- A printer that works by striking a raised character or a pin against paper through an inked ribbon.

INK-JET PRINTER.- A nonimpact printer that works by spraying electrically charged droplets of ink onto paper.

INPUT.- Simply stated, input is any type of data or facts fed into a computer.

INPUT/OUTPUT (I/O) PORT.- An outlet on a computer circuit board for attaching input or output devices such as keyboards or printers.

INSTRUCTIONS.- An elementary machine-language order to the central processing unit (CPU) of a computer. A sequence of such instructions forms a program.

INTEGRATED CIRCUIT.- An electronic circuit whose components are formed on a single piece of semiconductor material. (A semiconductor material is a substance such as silicon whose conductivity falls between that of a metal and an insulator.)

INTERFACE.- An electronic circuitry that allows two devices to communicate with each other.

INTERRUPT.- A temporary halt in executing a program, or the signal that causes that halt.

JOYSTICK.- A handheld lever that can be tilted in various directions to control the movement of a cursor on a display screen.

KEYBOARD.- An arrangement of keys, like those on a typewriter, used to enter data into a computer.

KILOBYTE (K BYTE).- A unit of measure equal to 1,024 bytes often used as a measure of memory capacity. (One K is equal to 1,024 or 2 to the 10th power.)

LANGUAGE.- A set of rules or conventions to describe a process to a computer.

LASER PRINTER.- A form of electrostatic printer that employs a laser to electrically charge a piece of paper in a desired pattern to which particles of dry ink then cling.

LIGHT PEN.- A pen-shaped photosensitive input device used to direct the computer or to draw images by touching a cathode-ray tube (CRT) display.

MAGNETIC TAPE.- Plastic tape coated with a magnetic material on which you store information in the form of magnetized spots.

MEMORY.- The storage facilities of a computer. This term is applied only to internal storage as opposed to external storage such as disks or tapes.

MENU.- A list of commands, functions, or graphic symbols shown on a display screen or a digitizing tablet.

MICROCOMPUTER.- A desktop or portable computer, based on a microprocessor and meant for a single usen often called a home or personal computer.

MICROPROCESSOR.- A single chip containing all the elements of a computer's CPU.

MODEM.- A device that enables data to be transmitted between computers, generally over telephone lines but sometimes on fiber-optic cable or radio frequencies.

MONITOR.- A television-like device for displaying data. (It is referred to very simply as the computer screen).

MOUSE.- A handheld input device that, when rolled across a flat surface, causes a cursor to move in a corresponding way on a display screen.

MULTIPROGRAMMING.- The ability in a computer to switch rapidly among several programs in memory to give the appearance that all are being run simultaneously.

NETWORK DATA BASE.- A system of data organization in which any discrete group of facts (or a record) can be linked to any other.

ON-LINE.- The characteristic of being immediately accessible by a computer's CPU. This term also refers to the technique of entering data and instructions directly into a computer.

OPERATING SYSTEM.- A complex program used to control, assist, or supervise all other programs that run on a computer system. The operating system is also referred to as DOS (disk operating system) by most microcomputer users.

OPTICAL CHARACTER READER (OCR).- A unit capable of recognizing characters in a special typeface, such as the typeface on a bank check.

OUTPUT.- The data presented by a computer either directly to the user, to another computer, or to some form of storage.

PLOTTER.- An output device that produces charts, graphs, and other artwork in the form of line drawings on paper or film.

PORT.- The connection between a computer and another device through which data enters and leaves.

PRINTER.- An output device that prints computer results in numbers, letters, or graphic images on paper.

PROGRAM.- A sequence of detailed instructions for performing some operation or solving some problem by computer.

PROGRAMMABLE.- Capable of responding to instructions and thus performing a variety of tasks.

PURGING.- In a computer's memory, the automatic erasure of stale information to create more storage space.

RANDOM-ACCESS MEMORY.- Temporary internal memory whose contents can be altered by the CPU; sometimes called read-and-write memory.

READ.- The process by which a computer's CPU examines data in memory or transfers data to memory from a storage medium such as a disk.

READ-ONLY MEMORY (ROM).- Permanent internal memory containing data or operating instructions that cannot be altered.

REAL-TIME COMPUTING.- Computer processing rapid enough to solve problems and handle events as they occur.

RESET.- To return a central processing unit's registers to a zero state for a fresh start-up.

SAMPLING.- The process of taking the value of a signal at regular intervals; often used when converting analog signals, such as voltage, into digital signals.

SERIAL.- Pertaining to data that is processed in sequence, one bit at a time, rather than in groups of bits.

SOFTWARE.- Instructions or programs that enable a computer to do useful work (as contrasted with hardware, or the actual computer apparatus).

STANDARDS.- Technical definitions accepted in computer science to ensure uniformity among devices.

STORAGE.- Devices such as disks and tapes that store data either magnetically or optically. Although slower than a computer's internal electronic memory, storage devices provide virtually unlimited capacity and preserve data indefinitely.

STYLUS.- A penlike input device that is used for drawing or writing on pressure-sensitive tablets.

TELETYPEWRITER.- A typewriterlike device capable of receiving or sending data in a communications system.

TERMINAL.- A device composed of a display or printing device and a keyboard linked together to function as a single input or output unit.

TIME SHARING.- The simultaneous use of a computer by more than one person.

TRACK.- The narrow band on a disk or tape where data is stored. A disk track is either one revolution of a continuous spiral filling the whole disk or one of a series of concentric circles; tape tracks run the length of the tape.

VOICE RECOGNITION.- The translation by a computer of spoken commands into digital instructions.

WINDOW.- A defined portion of a file displayed on a CRT.

WORD PROCESSING.- The use of a computer for creating, displaying, editing, storing, and printing text.

WRITE.- The process by which a computer records data in memory, external storage, or display devices.