Useful Information.
Paper Sizes.
HB Graphite Scale.
Most pencil manufacturers outside of the U.S. use this scale, using the letter “H” to indicate a hard pencil. Likewise, a pencil maker might use the letter “B” to designate the blackness of the pencil’s mark, indicating a softer lead. The letter “F” is also used to indicate that the pencil sharpens to a fine point.
Historically, pencil makers also use combinations of letters to tell us about the graphite — a pencil marked “HB” is hard and black, a pencil marked “HH” is very hard, and a pencil marked “BBB” is really, really black! Today, however, most pencils using the HB system are designated by a number such as 2B, 4B or 2H to indicate the degree of hardness. For example, a 4B would be softer than a 2B and a 3H harder than an H. |
Quick Guide To Pens.
Types of Pens
There are a few basic types of writing pens. One type, the felt-tip pen, is a derivation of the marking pen and is relatively simple. A hard, fibrous material is saturated with ink; this material is pointed at one end to form the writing tip. The other types of pens used today, fountain, calligraphy, ballpoint, and rollerball, are described below in more detail.
Fountain Pens.
No longer as popular as other types of pens, fountain pens are slightly more troublesome to use than other types. However, they result in a very smooth flowing writing, which is desirable in circumstances where one's writing is to be highlighted, such as in a journal, a letter, or for one's signature. The ink from a fountain pen is water-based and flows quite freely through a metallic nib. Little effort is required to put the ink onto the paper; however, because the nib is a sharp edge instead of a ball, the pen must be held at a certain angle when writing. Still, many people prefer the ease of writing with a fountain pen.
Old-fashioned fountain pens had to be filled from an ink bottle, often using a dropper or syringe and with the potential to create a mess. Modern fountain pens use sealed plastic ink cartridges that snap into place and are therefore extremely easy to use. Even with cartridges, fountain pens must be carefully capped when carried, as ink can still leak out through the nib end. Fountain pens are obviously refillable and so are sometimes the choice of environmentalists, although there are certainly other types of refillable pens as well.
Calligraphy Pens Calligraphy is the art of writing, usually in a highly stylized manner not seen in everyday writing. Most modern calligraphy pens are a sub-type of the fountain pen. These types of calligraphy pens take plastic ink cartridges and feature a metallic nib for a writing point. In order for a pen to be designated as a calligraphy pen, it does not require a specific technology; rather, it simply must be designed with the type of tip that works for calligraphic writing. There are also dip pens and even felt-tip pens with chisel tips that are intended for calligraphic use.
Ballpoint Pens.
The ballpoint pen revolutionized the world of writing instruments. Although the first patent on a ballpoint pen was issued in 1888, these pens were not generally available to the public on a wide scale until the 1940s. Reusable ballpoint pens are generally retractable, allowing the pen tip to be retracted into the barrel by pushing a button or twisting the barrel when not in use to prevent the ink from drying out or the pen from accidentally marking something. The ink in ballpoint pens is oily and viscous but also dries quickly; however, a leaking ballpoint pen makes quite a mess, and the ink is difficult to remove from clothing. When the ink has run out of a ballpoint pen, the entire prefilled plastic capillary and tip is removed and discarded. Disposable ballpoint pens may feature a removable cap or may also be retractable. When these pens run out of ink, the entire pen unit is put in the trash.
Rollerball Pens.
Rollerball pens are a relatively recent development and were intended to be an improvement on ballpoint pens for a few reasons. Rollerballs use water-based gel or liquid ink, as opposed to the sticky oil-based ink in ballpoint pens. The nature of the ink results in handwriting that is more akin to that produced by a fountain pen. However, watery ink does take longer to dry and has a tendency to bleed on low-quality porous paper. Like ballpoint pens, rollerballs come in refillable and disposable versions as well as retractable and capped styles.
There are a few basic types of writing pens. One type, the felt-tip pen, is a derivation of the marking pen and is relatively simple. A hard, fibrous material is saturated with ink; this material is pointed at one end to form the writing tip. The other types of pens used today, fountain, calligraphy, ballpoint, and rollerball, are described below in more detail.
Fountain Pens.
No longer as popular as other types of pens, fountain pens are slightly more troublesome to use than other types. However, they result in a very smooth flowing writing, which is desirable in circumstances where one's writing is to be highlighted, such as in a journal, a letter, or for one's signature. The ink from a fountain pen is water-based and flows quite freely through a metallic nib. Little effort is required to put the ink onto the paper; however, because the nib is a sharp edge instead of a ball, the pen must be held at a certain angle when writing. Still, many people prefer the ease of writing with a fountain pen.
Old-fashioned fountain pens had to be filled from an ink bottle, often using a dropper or syringe and with the potential to create a mess. Modern fountain pens use sealed plastic ink cartridges that snap into place and are therefore extremely easy to use. Even with cartridges, fountain pens must be carefully capped when carried, as ink can still leak out through the nib end. Fountain pens are obviously refillable and so are sometimes the choice of environmentalists, although there are certainly other types of refillable pens as well.
Calligraphy Pens Calligraphy is the art of writing, usually in a highly stylized manner not seen in everyday writing. Most modern calligraphy pens are a sub-type of the fountain pen. These types of calligraphy pens take plastic ink cartridges and feature a metallic nib for a writing point. In order for a pen to be designated as a calligraphy pen, it does not require a specific technology; rather, it simply must be designed with the type of tip that works for calligraphic writing. There are also dip pens and even felt-tip pens with chisel tips that are intended for calligraphic use.
Ballpoint Pens.
The ballpoint pen revolutionized the world of writing instruments. Although the first patent on a ballpoint pen was issued in 1888, these pens were not generally available to the public on a wide scale until the 1940s. Reusable ballpoint pens are generally retractable, allowing the pen tip to be retracted into the barrel by pushing a button or twisting the barrel when not in use to prevent the ink from drying out or the pen from accidentally marking something. The ink in ballpoint pens is oily and viscous but also dries quickly; however, a leaking ballpoint pen makes quite a mess, and the ink is difficult to remove from clothing. When the ink has run out of a ballpoint pen, the entire prefilled plastic capillary and tip is removed and discarded. Disposable ballpoint pens may feature a removable cap or may also be retractable. When these pens run out of ink, the entire pen unit is put in the trash.
Rollerball Pens.
Rollerball pens are a relatively recent development and were intended to be an improvement on ballpoint pens for a few reasons. Rollerballs use water-based gel or liquid ink, as opposed to the sticky oil-based ink in ballpoint pens. The nature of the ink results in handwriting that is more akin to that produced by a fountain pen. However, watery ink does take longer to dry and has a tendency to bleed on low-quality porous paper. Like ballpoint pens, rollerballs come in refillable and disposable versions as well as retractable and capped styles.
How to Sit at a Computer.
STEP 1: Your Chair
STEP 2: Your Keyboard
An articulating keyboard tray can provide optimal positioning of input devices. However, it should accommodate the mouse, enable leg clearance, and have an adjustable height and tilt mechanism. The tray should not push you too far away from other work materials, such as your telephone.
STEP 3: Screen, Document, and Telephone
Incorrect positioning of the screen and source documents can result in awkward postures. Adjust the screen and source documents so that your neck is in a neutral, relaxed position.
STEP 4: Pauses and Breaks
Once you have correctly set up your computer workstation use good work habits. No matter how perfect the environment, prolonged, static postures will inhibit blood circulation and take a toll on your body.
- Push your hips as far back as they can go in the chair.
- Adjust the seat height so your feet are flat on the floor and your knees equal to, or slightly lower than, your hips.
- Adjust the back of the chair to a 100°-110° reclined angle. Make sure your upper and lower back are supported. Use inflatable cushions or small pillows if necessary. If you have an active back mechanism on your chair, use it to make frequent position changes.
- Adjust the armrests (if fitted) so that your shoulders are relaxed. If your armrests are in the way, remove them.
STEP 2: Your Keyboard
An articulating keyboard tray can provide optimal positioning of input devices. However, it should accommodate the mouse, enable leg clearance, and have an adjustable height and tilt mechanism. The tray should not push you too far away from other work materials, such as your telephone.
- Pull up close to your keyboard.
- Position the keyboard directly in front of your body.
- Determine what section of the keyboard you use most frequently, and readjust the keyboard so that section is centred with your body.
- Adjust the keyboard height so that your shoulders are relaxed, your elbows are in a slightly open position (100° to 110°), and your wrists and hands are straight.
- The tilt of your keyboard is dependent upon your sitting position. Use the keyboard tray mechanism, or keyboard feet, to adjust the tilt. If you sit in a forward or upright position, try tilting your keyboard away from you at a negative angle. If you are reclined, a slight positive tilt will help maintain a straight wrist position.
- Wristrests can help to maintain neutral postures and pad hard surfaces. However, the wristrest should only be used to rest the palms of the hands between keystrokes. Resting on the wristrest while typing is not recommended. Avoid using excessively wide wristrests, or wristrests that are higher than the space bar of your keyboard.
- Place the pointer as close as possible to the keyboard. Placing it on a slightly inclined surface, or using it on a mousebridge placed over the 10-keypad, can help to bring it closer.
STEP 3: Screen, Document, and Telephone
Incorrect positioning of the screen and source documents can result in awkward postures. Adjust the screen and source documents so that your neck is in a neutral, relaxed position.
- Centre the screen directly in front of you, above your keyboard.
- Position the top of the screen approximately 2-3” above seated eye level. (If you wear bifocals, lower the screen to a comfortable reading level.)
- Sit at least an arm’s length away from the screenand then adjust the distance for your vision.
- Reduce glare by careful positioning of the screen.Position source documents directly in front of you, between the screen and the keyboard, using an in-line copy stand. If there is insufficient space, place source documents on a document holder positioned adjacent to the screen.
- Place screen at right angles to windows
- Adjust curtains or blinds as needed
- Adjust the vertical screen angle and screen controls to minimize glare from overhead lights
- Other techniques to reduce glare include use of optical glass glare filters, light filters, or secondary task lights
- Place your telephone within easy reach. Telephone stands or arms can help.
- Use headsets and speaker phone to eliminate cradling the handset.
STEP 4: Pauses and Breaks
Once you have correctly set up your computer workstation use good work habits. No matter how perfect the environment, prolonged, static postures will inhibit blood circulation and take a toll on your body.
- Take short 1-2 minute stretch breaks every 20-30 minutes. After each hour of work, take a break or change tasks for at least 5-10 minutes. Always try to get away from your computer during lunch breaks.
- Avoid eye fatigue by resting and refocusing your eyes periodically. Look away from the monitor and focus on something in the distance.
- Rest your eyes by covering them with your palms for 10-15 seconds.
- Use correct posture when working. Keep moving as much as possible.