Page 104 - How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper, 8th Edition 8th Edition

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• Syquest Drive: Although the venerable Syquest is gradually being replaced by new types of equipment, it is still
one of the most widely used portable drives. The easily transportable cartridges come in 44- , 88- , and 200-megabyte
sizes. The 200-megabyte drive will read all three sizes; it will write or copy data to 88- and 200-megabyte cartridges.
Cartridges sell for around $50 each.

• Zip Drive: If you are planning to purchase a new drive, the Iomega Zip drive is an excellent choice for most general
uses. The drive is priced at around $150, and the cartridges, which look like fat diskettes, sell for about $15 each. Each
holds 100 megabytes of data. The Zip is gradually replacing the Syquest in terms of general availability. The drive is
light and small and can easily be carried in a briefcase. The Zip can be connected to either a PC or a Mac, and Zip
software for each type of computer is provided by the drive's manufacturer.

• Jaz Drive: Iomega Jaz drive is a good choice if you require larger data storage. The drive is more expensive than the
Zip, selling for around $400. The cartridges hold a full gigabyte of data and cost about $130.

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Modems are the link between an Internet server and your computer. The faster your modem is, the more quickly Web
pages will appear on your screen. The v28 modem runs at 28.8 kbps (28,800 bits per second) and can be purchased for
$125 or less. Somewhat faster speeds (32 and 54 kbps) are available for $50 to $100 more. For twice as much speed,
ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) lines running at 57.6 kbps are available from your telephone company.
Prices and availability vary greatly for these lines, from state to state and from one phone company to another. Your
Internet service provider will charge you more for an ISDN connection. If you are using a modem at a school or
business facility, the connections are probably the traditional T1 or T2 lines, which can handle many connections at
one time. Unless line traffic is especially heavy, Web pages load quickly on T1 and T2 connections.
If your work entails the use of photographic evidence, you might consider buying a digital camera. However, lower
resolution cameras are excellent choices for images you plan to view only on a computer screen, either for oral
presentations or for the Web.

Software

Word-Processing Applications

Word-processing programs can do some page layout, but they are essentially developed for writing. They include
functions for copying, cutting, and pasting text and allow you to set margins and work with one or more columns of
text. You can select from a variety of typefaces in an assortment of sizes. The more powerful word-processing
programs include spell checkers, a thesaurus, automatic page numbering, and automatic citation insertion. Some word
processors allow you to create tables and simple artwork, while others even include a grammar checker. Many
journals recommend using Microsoft Word or WordPerfect, two of the most common and most popular word-
processing programs. Word and WordPerfect are available for both Windows and Macintosh operating systems.

Grammar- and spell-checking functions are helpful but should not be relied on too heavily. Spell checkers should be
used only to correct typographical errors. Proofreading is still necessary to prevent errors in context (bow instead of
bough, for example); however, proofreading for

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contextual errors is usually much more efficient if you are not stopping constantly to correct typographical errors.
Virtually all spell checkers provide for the creation of custom dictionaries for scientific terms and unusual words. To
keep you from relying too much on spell checkers, I offer the following poem, Janet Minor's ''Spellbound":

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