3: Using Track Changes.

With the document file open in OpenOffice , you should see something like the following:A screenshot ot the Open Office window, displaying a document with the following text: During the past decade or so the problem of writing user-centered fomputer [sic] documentation has been one of the most talked-about problems in professional communication. The reasons for this widespread dialogue are many, and the scope for this chapter will not be to expound on all of the debated regarding the processes and techniques for cresting computer user instructional materials. Instead, I will limit the focus by examining one general question that in many ways has driven the multitude of discussions surrounding computer documentation: Why can't users use computer documentation, whether in print or online form? --From 'The Art of Minimalism: Constructing a Rhetorical Theory of Computer Documentation,' by Robert R. Johnson

Notice that in the first sentence, the word "computer" is misspelled. Let's also assume that, in your professional opinion, there should be a comma after the first phrase "During the past decade or so." When OpenOffice is in Record Changes mode, you can mark and correct these problems in much the same way as if you were editing with pen and paper.

We'll begin by turning on the Record Changes mode. When this mode is on, OpenOffice keeps track of every revision that you make to a document. To turn on or off, go to the "Edit" menu, select "Changes" and then select "Record":

When Record Changes mode is on, a checkbox appears next to the word "Record":

Now that Record Changes is on, you can fix the problems in the first sentence. After you've made your changes, you should see something like the following:A screenshot ot the Open Office window, displaying a document with the following, corrected text: During the past decade or so, the problem of writing user-centered computer documentation...

Notice that the stuff you added is in color and underlined, while the stuff you deleted is struck out. All of this markup gets saved with the file, and it's what the writer will see when they open the document. Experiment by making other changes to the document, including changes to the formatting.

If you want to see the document in its final form without the marked-up changes, go to the "Edit" menu, select "Changes" and then un-check the option "Show." (Note that your revisions may still be tracked if Record Changes mode is on.)

 

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