FRIDAY,
MAR.
3D,
CABRINI
19B4
COLLEGE,
RADNOR,
PA 190B7
VOL.
XXX,
NO.
1D
Loquituradvances into computerage by Gia DiGiminiani This past fall semester, the Loquitur newsroom officially welcomed two new additions to the staff, a couple of IBM Personal Computers ("P.C.s"). For the Loquitur staff, somewhat apprehensive about permanently relinquishing the use of their antiquated typewriters, this meant learning computer operations, and doing their own typesetting and page pasteups were necessary. Such tasks had previously been performed by an outside printing company. Dr. Jerome Zurek, chairperson of tlie English and communications department and the Loquitur's advisor, said, "The changes were initiated so that journalism students could get experience writing and editing on the computer teminals. These methods are used by professional newspapers." Due to the advent of computerized word-processing technology, typesetting has become a necessary part of the print media. At virtually all professional daily newspapers and a growing number of campus papers, of which Cabrini is one. The reporter composes the story on VDT, or "video display terminal" (a device that combines a typewritter-like keyboard and a television screen. As the story takes shape on the screen, the writer has unlimited freedom to move the copy around, inserting and deleting words, sentences, and paragraphs at will. After the reporter types the story on a VDT, it goes into a computer for storage on a magnetic disc. When the editor is ready to edit the story, he or she calls 路it up and makes whatever changes are necessary electronically. When revisions are completed, all the stories are placed on a master magnetic disc which is sent by carrier to the John C. Myers Typesetting Company in Philadelphia. The people at John C. Myers place the the disc 路into a computer run high-speed typsetting machine which produces the printed copy. The Loquitur's IBM P.C.s use a software program called Wordstar, which is one of the most common and most difficult P.C. programs, as well as the leading seller. Zurek commented, "The Wordstar program was chosen because it is the most highly used, and since it is the most difficult, it is easier for students to adapt to different, lesser models."
Newdorm stillon schedule
Above is the construction site of the new dorm which is now in the process known as fill and compaction. (photo by John Doyle) by D.B.Field Despite delays due to recent rain anq freezing, the construction of the new dorm is still on schedule, according to John Heiberger, vice president of development and public relations. "We have completed brining in enough fill dirt and are now in the stage called, compaction (Mar. 26)," Heiberger said. "What you see down there now is basically where the ground floor will be." Heiberger also said that the main "bulk" of the building should be completed by October, and it should be ready by January. "Within in the next couple of weeks the workers will be digging the foundation, and the activity will appear slow. They have already brought in the electricity, water, and sewage. Now they have to dig conduits for gas and telephone," Heiberger said. Heiberger also said, "Starting in May, they will begin the constructing of the block walls, which will happen very fast and seem like a lot of activity."
INSIDE Perspectives.... News ........... Features........ Living .......... Sports .........
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Above is a Loquitur staff member working on the process known as paste-up. (photo by Allen Reyes) Living editor, sophomore, Barbara Mongelli, said, "With the IBM computer, making major changes in articles is much easier. At the beginning we were all frustrated with learning how to use it, but now I would never give it up. It makes editing 100 percent easier." On the advantages of the new system, Zurek said "It provides the most realistic experience for journalism students. The printer now does nothing except for the actual printing of the newspaper. Every line, dot, and letter must be physically put on the paper by the students or else the paper would be blank. All typesetting and editing must be done physically by the students. The printer no longer intervenes. Everything that is good and bad 路about the paper is placed squarely on the staffs shoulders." Zurek also said,"Typesetting experience is important for anyone who wants to get involved in print." Junior, Features editor, Robin Larkins said, "At first we started out from behind since the editors had to learn how to use the equipment, and were also responsible for overseeing the staffs use of the computers and transferring all stories onto a master disc. The editor's job this year is radically different from the editor's job last year." ''The computers have definitely been helpful. At first it was like 'culture shock', but now I'm so accustomed to it that I haven't used a typewriter since last year. The only problem is that there are only two of them. This causes a lot of problems around deadline time when the computers are the most in demand." In fact, around dealine Loquiturs editors can be found spending the night together in the news room. Zurek also agreed that a shortage of computers can pose a problem and hopes to have more. "Ideally, I would like to have around eight computers in the newsroom," Zurek said. "These computers could also be used for other course, such as Technical Writing or Writing Process. Computer experience would benefit any writer." The Development Office has been seeking funds for this purpose since December. Along with doing their own typesetting, Loquitur has also branched into assembling their own paste-ups. Pasteups is the next step following electronic typesetting in which stories, headlines (also produced with the help of the newsroom computer) and art are arranged on large pieces _ of paper call "Grids." After the pages are completely pasted-up, they are said to be "camera-ready" (ready to be photographed and printed). On the relationship between the two processes, Schultz said, "Editing stories for corrections is done on the computer, while cutting stories to make them fit is done during
paste-ups. During paste-ups the page is being physically assembled according to my original design. I live for pasteup. I live for Loquitur " The bask . requirements to successful paste-ups are patience and a steady hand for cutting and positioning headlines, stories, and borders. News editor, D.B. Field, who is responsible for pa.-.ting-uJt the front page ard, "Before we started doing our own pasteups, mistakes in the paper were largely due to misunderstandings with the printer. Now all mistakes are our own fault." When asked what she thought of doing paste-up at 2 a.m., Barbara Bruhin, editor-in-chief said, "Ask me some other time." Due to the increase in the amount of time required by paste ups in addition to class time, the number of credits for each journalism course will be increased to two, with editors receiving extra credits for their additional responsibilities next semester. Another result of the changes in Loquitur production is the editorial staffs decision, based upon Dr. Zurek's suggestion, to have the Loquitur become a weekly newspaper. In accordance with this change, the Loquitur will cut back from sixteen to eight pages. 路 Zurek said, "Now we have the production under our control, we can squeeze the process into a shorter period of time." By becoming a weekly, the Loquitur, which has received a top rating in previous years from the Associated Collegiate Press, hopes to become enhanced by providing more timely news for the Cabrini community.
Here we see a loquitur staff member typing and editing their story on one of the IBM Personal Computers. (photo by Allen Reyes)
Campus MinistrY. sponsorstrip to Appalachia
Buck reviews the new Cars' album
Project Appalachia is an annual trip to the poverty striken mountains of West Virginia, sponsored by Campus Ministry. Page 6.
Loquiturs record reviewer Judy Buck takes an in-depth look at the rock group The Cars' new album, "Heartbreak City." Page 7.