What Can I Use Stationary For?
by Duke Vasey
When Martin asked me to write a short article on the stationary feature found in
System 7, I was delighted. After all, what word processor user isn’t aware of the
time savings you can achieve not having to re-create a letterhead or re-set margins
all the time?
A few mechanics...
To make stationary you use the Save as...dialog box. When you get there, you should
find a pull down menu which asks “Save File as Type” which you activate and then
select “stationary.” (If not you can still use this feature from the Finder–found
later in this article.) In some programs, the Save as...dialog box will have a Format
pop-up menu that contains a stationary option. In other programs, there will be a
radio button or check box for the stationary option in the Save as...dialog box.
A stationary document doesn’t actually open when double-clicked. Instead, a perfect
copy of it opens, named Untitled. The original–the master–is left safely on your
disk. You can modify the Untitled copy to your heart’s content, and eventually save
it with its own name. That’s one of the ways you can use stationary. Doing so, you
just saved yourself the effort of re-creating whatever elements are already in it,
i.e., your logo, for example.
Turning any document into stationary...
If your application doesn’t offer a stationary option in the Save as...dialog box,
you can use the Finder to make any document into a stationary pad. Here‘s how:
- Select the document you want to make into a stationary pad by clicking on it
while in the Finder.
- Choose Get Info from the file menu. In the information window you will be given
an opportunity to select “stationary pad.” The Icon and Kind information will show
the application document you used to create the stationary document.
- After clicking the “stationary pad” you will notice that the icon changes.
- Close the window.
The next time you double-click this document in the Finder to open it, you’ll
see a message telling you that a stationary pad has been opened and you need to give
it name. Once you have done that, the new document will appear with all the formatting
text and graphics you had in the original.
Preferences...
I think being able to name the copy and save it before it opens on the screen
is the right solution! A program that’s “Stationary-savvy” works differently. You
double-click a Stationary icon and get an Untitled document on the screen. It’s up
to you to name and save it. By naming and saving the file right off the bat the whole
Stationary concept is clearer. You understand better.
You can't add Stationary-awareness to a program that doesn’t have it. But you can
make a program that doesn't do Stationary “right,” such as Word 5, act as though
it does. In other words, you can make any program’s documents behave and save you
lots of time.
What did he say?
A stationary document is a type of document that serves as a template for the
creation of other documents. When you save a document in a stationary format, it
protects the original, master document. Each time you open a stationary document,
you are really opening a copy of the stationary to work with. It’s like having a
fresh sheet of formatted paper, e.g., letterhead stationary, each time you want to
write a letter.
Templates...
Paper Direct, 1-800-A-PAPERS, is a company on the move in the area of computer operator’s
little helper. Especially if you are looking for a solution to business cards, professionally
designed brochures/mailers, laser note cards, certificates and post cards, etc.
After I loaded the Paper Templates software, the Users Guide was simple to follow
and the job was done in a hurry. If there are any takers, I would enjoy sharing the
joy of fine paper products and the art of a first impression.
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