[ Jefferson H.S., LAUSD ]
DreamWriter Quick Start Directions
Technology Committee, May, 2002

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Portable word processors such as the DreamWriter units are a great way to get your students to do more writing. Students can write up outlines, essays, scripts, articles and even then text for web pages and PowerPoint presentations. By using commas and spaces, they can type up data for spreadsheets and databases too. And since they don't waste time with formatting and "font fiddle", they spend more time concentrating on writing, not layout. Once the first one or two drafts are completed, then you give them permission to copy the text into a Clarisworks, MS Word, Netscape Composer, or PowerPoint file on the computer. It is like having a cluster of computers in your classroom. However, you only need one computer in the classroom and about 10 to 15 word processors since only completed assignments are downloaded into the computer.

It is important to follow these steps completely in the order they are given. You should save student files to a 3.5 inch floppy disk as a backup. Make sure all disks are scanned for viruses. If not, please report this to the computer coordinator.

Step 1: Inputing text to DreamWriter

• Turn on DreamWriter by pressing top right button in the recessed portion of the DreamWriter.

• Press the the "WP" key to enter the main menu
• Choose the "Edit Text" icon by either pressing the number "1" key or moving the highlight by pressing the "Arrow" keys.

Step 2: Saving a File

• Press the "WP" key again to return to main menu.
• Press the number "2" key to select the "File" menu or move the highlight using the "Arrow" keys and press the "Return" key.
• Press the number "2" key to select the "Store" menu or move the highlight using the "Arrow" keys and press the "Return" key.
• In the store file window name the file that you wish to store.
• Use the "Tab" key to select the directory use wish to save the file. (Built-in, Card, or Dreamlink)
• Press "Return" key to save the file.

Step 3: Transferring File to a Computer.

Computer:

• Before you begin make sure you have loaded the "Dreamlink" software to a MAC or PC.
• Start the "Dreamlink" application on your computer.
• In the "Dreamlink" application window.
• Select the "Port" you used to connect the "Centronics" printer cable to the computer. (Modem or Printer).
• Choose the "Folder" where you are going to store the file by using the "Change Folder" button.
• Select "Store File".
• Select "RTF" if the file will be used by a word processor application ( MS Word, MS Works, ClarisWorks)
• Select "Text" if the file will be used by a spreadsheet or database application (Excel or Database)

• Press the "WP" key to go back to the main menu.
• Press the number "6" key to select the "Others" menu or move the highlight by using the "Arrow" keys and pressing "Return".
• Press the number "1" key to select the "Communicate" menu or move the highlight by using the "Arrow" keys and pressing "Return".
• Use the "Arrow" keys to move highlight to the file you want to transfer.
• Press the "Return" key.
• Select "No" in the convert to ASCII window.
• Press the "Return" key.