WORD PROCESSING

You can use word processing software for text media such as letters, memos, forms, and reports. Word processing, at a minimum, includes routines for creating, editing, storing, retrieving, and printing text. With word processing software, you generally enter the text on the keyboard and it is printed on a display screen. At that point, you may store it on a disk or tape, print it

on a printer, or change (edit) it. Using the edit functions will allow you to add or delete words, characters, lines, sentences, or paragraphs. You can also use these functions to rearrange text. For example, you can move a paragraph or block of information to another place in the same document or even move it to a different document. Word processing is particularly useful for text documents that are repetitive or require a lot of revision.

Other software features usually available with word processing software packages include spell check, mail listings, document compilation, and communication programs. It will be your responsibility to learn the word processing programs available for your CRP through on-the-job training, self-study, practice, and any other type of available training you can acquire.

SPREAD SHEETS

Simply stated, spread sheets are tables of rows and columns of numbers. Spreadsheets allow you to set up a table of rows and columns and specify what calculations you want performed. You must enter the values for basic information into the appropriate rows and columns. Then, simply let the processsor perform the calculations. Spread sheets can be an extremely useful tool in maintaining religious offering funds, producing budgets, and controlling expenditures and inventories. As with the word processing programs, you should take advantage of every opportunity to learn how to use spread sheets effectively.

DESKTOP PUBLISHING

Desktop publishing is highly desirable for most RMFs. As we briefly mentioned in chapter 2, you can use desktop publishing tools to create attractive, effective printed materials such as bulletins, newsletters, advertisements, brochures, manuals, and other documents. Remember, first impressions last and effective religious program designs will attract people to a CRP's products, services, or points of view.

Desktop publishing programs work on computer hardware such as an Apple MacIntosh or a PC. The various programs for desktop publishing include dedicated page layouts like PageMaker or Ventura Publisher, state-of-the-art word processing programs like WordPerfect 5.1 or Microsoft Word for Windows, or others.

Some of the many areas for which you can effectively use desktop publishing in the CRP are as follows: . Bulletins. RMF bulletins you compose using

desktop publishing can include more information that is effectively placed and results in a publication that is more attractive and pleasing to the reader's eye. . Newsletters. You can produce highly specialized

RMF newsletters for Navy families and ship's companies by using the most basic desktop publishing and word processing software. Your RMF newsletters could include eye-catching nameplates, logos, publication information, department headings, kickers, headlines, lead-ins, text, teasers, artwork caption jumplines, credits, and mailing areas. . Tabloids and newspapers. You can produce

tabloids containing front covers, inside pages, content, and back covers. You can produce newspapers using headlines, photographs, teasers, standing elements, article jumplines, and advertisements.

l Special materials. You can develop brochures, catalogs, flyers, and menus and produce sheets to broaden the CRP. You can also use illustrations to communicate your message. Good marketing allows more people to get to know what the CRP has to offer. Good advertising copy requires enthusiasm, creativity, and initiative on the part of the RP. . Books, documentation, and training materials.

Commands providing training and development can use desktop publishing to create books, visual aids, captions, annotations, organized elements, and multiple-page layouts. l Presentation graphics. RPs can employ desktop

publishing techniques to project the right image. Chaplains can have practical speaker's notes along with congregation or assembly handouts and overhead transparencies or lapcharts. . Response tools. Using desktop publishing, RPs

can construct their own forms and surveys. These instruments should be effective and easily read so that congregations and audiences can easily understand and use them.

Your creativity and your hardware and software are the only limits to your effective use of desktop publishing tools. The list of ways in which you can use these tools could go on and on. As you become involved in developing desktop design, you will find more ways to use your hardware and software.

GRAPHICS

Many PCs have graphics capabilities and can use programs to produce data displays such as bar charts, pie charts, and graphs or line drawings. Some PCS can use sophisticated drawing and design programs. High-resolution color graphics can help with more specialized applications.

Not all printers can produce graphics output. They must be capable of receiving graphics instructions and also be compatible with the software. Some character

printers can be used for limited graphics. Plotters and some dot matrix printers will produce acceptable graphics output. Laser and ink jet printers often can print both text and graphics. Graphics can be a useful tool for RPs in nearly all commands but particularly for those serving in school commands, staff headquarters, and training development.