Software, Continued
Using software
wisely
(Continued)
Break the habit of hitting the ENTER or RETURN key to move the curser
to the left margin before completing a line of text. Using this key
unnecessarily enters a hard return into the coding of the document.
As
you enter text, the curser automatically returns to the left margin when the
line of text fills. This feature, called word wrap, enters a soft return vice
a hard return into the document.
Hit the SAVE option periodically. Although most computers have a
timed back-up feature, this is a crash-protection feature only that saves
data if you turn off the machine or close the document before saving it
properly. Make it a habit to save data whenever you must look away
from the document to answer the phone, hold a conversation, or look up
reference material. Habitually saving material, in addition to the timed
backup feature, lessens data loss should unforseen circumstances cause the
computer to crash, freeze, or lock up.
Use working copy disks. Using working copy disks saves memory space,
and facilitates safeguarding and protection of classified or sensitive
material. If the computer develops a virus or loses data during power
fluctuations, the damages would be recoverable.
Make back-up disks. At the end of the work day and even if you save
data on the hard drive, make a back-up disk. This disk may save you
hours of work if your hard drive crashes and you must swap out hard
drives.
Label disks. Label disks when created with the correct security marking
and file names. This prevents inadvertently using disks that have data
already stored, mixing classification levels, or misplacing data by mixing
unlabeled used disks with unused disks.
Select file names that can be identified by another SYSOP. Refer to the
Department of the Navy, Standard Subject Identification Codes in
SECNAVINST 5210.11 for the five sections and 13 major subject groups
used in Navy graphics shops. Select file names that identify or easily
cross reference to information on the disk.
Continued on next page
8-7
