The Origins of Word Processing Software for Personal Computers: 1976-1985

Bergin, Thomas J.

doi:10.1109/mahc.2006.76

Cited by 42 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Text editing was once considered a 'killer app' of personal computing [6]. Editing text is usually the first skill a novice computer user masters, and all personal computers are sold with a word processor.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Textlets: Supporting Constraints and Consistency in Text Documents

Han

Renom

Mackay

et al. 2020

Proceedings of the 2020 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems

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Writing technical documents frequently requires following constraints and consistently using domain-specific terms. We interviewed 12 legal professionals and found that they all use a standard word processor, but must rely on their memory to manage dependencies and maintain consistent vocabulary within their documents. We introduce Textlets, interactive objects that reify text selections into persistent items. We show how Textlets help manage consistency and constraints within the document, including selective search and replace, word count, and alternative wording. Eight participants tested a search-and-replace Textlet as a technology probe. All successfully interacted directly with the Textlet to perform advanced tasks; and most (6/8) spontaneously generated a novel replaceall-then-correct strategy. Participants suggested additional ideas, such as supporting collaborative editing over time by embedding a Textlet into the document to flag forbidden words. We argue that Textlets serve as a generative concept for creating powerful new tools for document editing.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Textlets: Supporting Constraints and Consistency in Text Documents

Han

Renom

Mackay

et al. 2020

Proceedings of the 2020 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems

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show abstract

“…Computers have been used for writing text since the 1960s (for more detailed historical overviews see Haigh 2006;Eisenberg 1992;Bergin 2006aBergin , 2006b. Word processors at that time consisted of a combination of specialized hardware (input device and screen) and software, mainly intended for secretaries to type, store, index, and search text.…”

Section: A Short History Of Word Processingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Eisenberg (1992 ) and Bergin (2006aBergin ( , 2006b show that many of the first commercial word processors, like WordStar and WordPerfect, later disappeared because of mismanagement. Eisenberg (1992 ) and Bergin (2006aBergin ( , 2006b show that many of the first commercial word processors, like WordStar and WordPerfect, later disappeared because of mismanagement.…”

Section: A Short History Of Word Processingmentioning

confidence: 99%

12 Production media: Writing as using tools in media convergent environments

Mahlow¹,

Dale²

2014

Handbook of Writing and Text Production

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Writing requires a tool and a medium. Technology affords previously inconceivable ways of extending the functionalties of both. In this chapter, we focus on electronic writing tools, highlighting differences to older writing tools like pen and paper. We set the context by providing a brief history of word processing technology, before going on to survey the scope for tools that provide writing assistance to authors. We begin by surveying existing work on spell checking, grammar checking, and style checking, along with some specialist needs that can be met with existing tools. We then go on to look at the broader context of writing, exploring how state-ofthe-art natural language processing technologies might provide support for aspects of the writing process that, to date, have been out of reach for machines. We show the influence of input devices and word processor features on the writing process as well as on the resulting text. The chapter also covers aspects of fully automated text production, where writing is done by a machine. Writers and their toolsWriting is impossible without a tool and a medium: we write with a finger in the sand, with a pen on paper, with a spray can on a wall, or with a keyboard and intermediating software on a computer. Writers have to consider the topic and genre of what they are writing, take the audience into account, find the right words, and master their writing tool -all at the same time. Writing is also a task whose physical demands vary depending on the tools and media used: in former times, texts were produced on marble columns or clay tablets; using a typewriter from the 1980s is more exhausting than using a keyboard from the 21st century.The writer interacts with a tool and a medium to produce text. Given a class of writing tools -e.g., pen, typewriter, or keyboard and word processor -writers usually develop preferences. From the literature, we know about the writing habits of authors like Friedrich Nietzsche, Thomas Mann, Gabriel García Márquez, and Neal Stephenson, who relied on the use of a certain type of nib, typewriter, or word processor. The medium is also important: authors using a pen, a nib, or a typewriter not only prefer a certain type of the tool (including elements such as a specific ink or typewriter ribbon), but also a very specific type of paper. Others using word processors prefer certain types of screens or input devices. Authors may need a specific environment to produce text: Brought to you by |

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“…Campbell‐Kelly (2007b) himself has written about the development of spreadsheet programs, anchoring a special issue on the topic. Tim Bergin and I have carried out a similar role in issues on the early development of word processing (Bergin, 2006a, 2006b; Haigh, 2006) and database management systems (Bergin & Haigh, 2009; Haigh, 2009). These issues also featured articles by participants, including the authors of important programs such as VisiCalc and WordStar and the leaders of companies that developed and published them.…”

Section: Computer Technologiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The history of information technology

Haigh

2011

Annual Review Info Sci & Tec

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The Origins of Word Processing Software for Personal Computers: 1976-1985

Cited by 42 publications

References 3 publications

Textlets: Supporting Constraints and Consistency in Text Documents

Textlets: Supporting Constraints and Consistency in Text Documents

12 Production media: Writing as using tools in media convergent environments

The history of information technology

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