91
Learning the Basics
Printing your work
5.375 x 8.375 ver 2.3
File names
If you plan to share your files with a computer using a pre-
Windows
®
95 version of the Windows
®
operating system, the
file name must be no more than eight characters long.
Typically the file name also has an extension, consisting of a
period and up to three additional characters.
You may use all the letters and numbers on the keyboard plus
these characters: _ ^ $ ~ ! # % & { } ( ) @ and ‘. MS-DOS
®
file names are not case-sensitive and must not contain spaces.
Using a file extension
Most programs assign an extension to the file name that
identifies the file as being created in the program with a
particular format. For example, Microsoft
®
Word saves files
with a .doc extension. Any file name with an extension of
“.doc” is assumed to be a Microsoft
®
Word file. Creating your
own extension is usually unwise, since the program is
unlikely to recognize a strange extension and may refuse to
handle your file correctly.
Printing your work
Your computer must be connected to the printer before you
can print. Depending on your type of printer, you may also
need to install printer software (drivers). For more
information see
“Connecting a local printer” on page 59
.
HINT: You only need to set up the printer the first time you
connect it. If you use more than one printer or are changing
printers, you will need to set up the Windows
®
XP operating
system to run with the additional printer(s).
If you are connected to the printer and have installed the
necessary printer software, you are ready to print.
