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The GEM software package consists of three applications. These are:
GEM Desktop
GEM Write
GEM Paint.
GEM Desktop is a filing and administrative system. It allows you to control and order the documents and pictures you create using GEM Write and GEM Paint.
GEM Write is a versatile word-processing system. Using GEM Write you can produce documents of any length from the briefest letter to a full length book.
GEM Paint is a graphics program which enables you to produce exciting and original pictures using a variety of painting techniques and automatically generated patterns.
The three parts of the GEM package are closely linked. The most unusual feature of the package is that you can incorporate pictures created using GEM Paint into GEM Write documents. Documents and pictures can be arranged in a filing system using GEM Desktop, and printed.
Although the GEM applications interact closely, it is not necessary to understand how to use every part before you start. After mastering the basic principles, you could begin with GEM Write or GEM Paint and produce a document or painting before learning how to operate GEM Desktop.
This manual is divided into the following sections:
This introduces the general concepts of GEM and some of the terms and techniques you will encounter. The first time you use GEM, go from the introduction to the Set-up Guide in the Appendix.
This introduces procedures which are common to all the GEM applications, and the Desktop features necessary to beginning the Paint and Write programs. After reading this section, you can read any of Sections 3, 4 or 5 next. It may be best to go to Write or Paint, returning to the other Desktop commands later.
This describes the drawing and other techniques available within Paint. You should experiment freely with Paint, as this is the easiest way in which to learn how to use it.
This describes all the operations available within GEM Write. It refers you to a tutorial supplied on the discs which demonstrates the use of all the facilities.
This section describes the techniques and procedures which are specific to Desktop. It may be left until after you have become acquainted with Write and/or Paint.
The Output Guide describes the output options available from GEM Desktop, Gem Write and Gem Paint. As the procedures are the same irrespective of which application they are accessed from, they are grouped together in a separate section. You should create one or more documents with Write or Paint before using the output options.
This covers the procedures involved in setting up the hardware and software before you can use the GEM package. Most of this information will be required once only.
The GEM package is based on the use of the mouse and the display of symbols on the screen. Moving the mouse causes a pointer to move around on the screen. You will quickly become accustomed to how far you need to move the mouse to achieve the corresponding movement of the pointer which you require.
The symbols displayed on the screen represent facilities or attachments which are available. They are known as ICONS. For example, GEM Desktop displays a floppy disc icon, a simple line drawing of a floppy disc. All the icons used in GEM are easily recognisable.
As well as the icons, GEM has a series of MENUS, or lists of commands. These give access to a wide variety of operations within each GEM application. The pointer is moved around the screen to indicate and SELECT items. You can select any of the icons, or any of the highlighted commands in the menus. Moving the pointer to indicate menu items or icons, and using simple CLICKING techniques (described in 2.5) are the basic operations involved in using GEM. Combining these operations in a meaningful sequence instructs the computer to carry out a command. If you use them in a sequence which does not make sense to the computer, you can do no damage. In such a case, either nothing at all will happen, or the system will issue a message informing you that what you have requested cannot be done.
Moving the pointer to indicate menu items and icons is a technique which is very easy to use. It does not require you to learn and remember a series of keystrokes or to be a proficient typist; the facilities available are always readily visible on the screen.
Now turn to the Set-up guide in the Appendix.