Digital Bytes - Word and Wiki
In this episode, I walk you through disabling the backstage view or start screen that users often encounter when launching Microsoft Word. While the visual interface provides a selection of templates—including the option to open a blank document—many users, including myself, prefer to bypass this screen entirely to maximize productivity. I share the steps to navigate directly to a blank document upon opening Word.
To configure this setting, I explain how to access the options menu using keyboard shortcuts. By pressing Alt and F, then navigating to "Options", users will find a general tab containing 11 different categories of settings. Among these, I'll highlight the specific option to disable the start screen. After unchecking the corresponding box and confirming the settings, I demonstrate how, upon reopening Word, the user is taken straight to a blank document, allowing for immediate work without distractions.
Shifting gears, I delve into my lifelong passion for encyclopedias, beginning with childhood memories of the Encyclopedia Britannica. I recount how having access to such impressive collections represented a form of status and knowledge, and how this fascination has evolved over the years—from physical encyclopedias to digital access on computers and now smartphones. The introduction of Wikipedia as a freely editable encyclopedia piques my interest, as I present its features via the Wikipedia app on my iPhone.
I walk listeners through the app's interface, detailing features such as a search function for articles, the ability to save articles for later, as well as historical highlights through the "On this Day" section, which reveals significant historical events. This enables users to easily find engaging articles or learn about topics such as the Portland Pickles or historical occurrences like the Spanish Civil War.
As I demonstrate article navigation, I explore the ease of accessing information on specific topics, in this case, the Perkins Brailler—a Braille embossing typewriter. By showcasing the article navigation features, I reveal how users can skim through headings, view related articles, and even access multimedia content like videos, emphasizing the app's usability and the wealth of knowledge available at one’s fingertips.
Additionally, I contrast the Wikipedia app with an alternative, Wikipanion, noting its simplified interface and fewer on-screen distractions while maintaining the essential functionalities for researching topics. The comparison underscores the evolution of how we approach information retrieval and learning in our rapidly advancing digital age, all while catering to a simple and user-friendly experience.
This episode serves not only as a practical guide for Microsoft Word settings but also as a reflection on the extraordinary journey of knowledge acquisition, culminating in our current, tech-savvy world where information is ubiquitously accessible, fostering a continued thirst for learning.
Chapters:
00:00:00 Digital Bytes - Word and Wiki
00:00:03 Disabling Backstage View in Word
00:02:24 Fascination with the Encyclopedia
00:05:07 Exploring the Wikipedia App
00:11:43 Comparing Wikipedia and Wikipanion Apps