Computers 101

Q:
Help! I'm working on a document and need to insert the copyright symbol, but I can't find it! Since it's not on the keyboard, can you tell me where it is hiding?

A:
Special characters (stuff like the degree symbol, the small square checkbox, the copyright symbol, etc.) are tucked away in a folder that, once you know where to look, is easy to get to and use.

Here's How:

Click the Start Button, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, then select Character Map.

You'll be presented with a screen that has lots of different symbols. When you click (and hold) a symbol, it gives you an enlarged preview of it.

To actually select the symbol:

1. Click the symbol you want.
2. Click the Select button, then the Copy button.

This will copy your symbol onto the clipboard where you can then paste it into any word processing program.

Some word processors give you direct access to the character map. In Word for example, click the Insert menu and select Symbol. You will be given a "customized" screen that can automatically insert a symbol directly into your current document.

Finally, if you find yourself using a particular symbol all the time, check out the lower right hand corner of the above window. On the status bar, you can view the keystroke combo you can use to generate the current character.

Now, all you have to do is hit your keystroke combo whenever you need the beloved ©.

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Tip of the Day

Pictures in E-Mail (Part 2 of 2)

OK, yesterday we looked at how to resize your photos so they are the right size for e-mail. Today, we'll go through the process of actually sticking them in your e-mail messages.

Outlook Express:

1. First, start a new message, then from the Insert menu, select Picture.

2. A screen will come up that allows you to browse to the picture's location on your hard drive.

3. Hit OK and you're all set.

Note that you can set a few other options from that screen as well. Here's a quick rundown:

Alternate Text - This will be displayed in place of the picture if the recipient's e-mail client is not able to, or not set to, display pictures.

Layout: Alignment - This lets you set your text wrapping. For example, if you set it to Left, the image should appear on the left of the message with your text wrapping around to the right. It's actually kinda cool.

Layout: Border Thickness - If you would like to have a border around your image, set the thickness using this box. The units are in pixels, so 2 or 3 is usually a good size.

Under Spacing - Your horizontal and vertical spacing sets the distance the text will be from the image. By default, there is some space, but you can increase that area by entering values in pixels into these two boxes.

Netscape Messenger:

1. First, start a new message. Then from the Insert menu, select Image.

2. A screen will come up that allows you to browse to the picture's location on your hard drive.

3. Hit OK and you're all set.

Note that you can set a few other options as well from that screen. Here's a quick rundown:

Checkboxes: Leave image at original location - Only use this if the image is on the web. Otherwise when you send the picture, the computer on the other end will try to look on the hard drive for the image. And this won't work.

Checkboxes: Use as background - If you would like to have the image as a background image, you can click this checkbox.

Under Text alignment and wrapping - This sets how your text wraps around the image. Click the button that has the wrapping option that looks best to you. For example, if you click the button for wrapping to the right the image should appear on the left of the message with your text wrapping around to the right.

Under Dimensions - You can set the width & height of the image. This shouldn't be necessary if you sized it in your imaging software first. If you do use it, keep the Constrain box checked to insure the picture remains proportional.

Under Space around image - Your horizontal and vertical spacing sets the distance the text will be from the image. By default, there is some space, but you can increase that area by entering values in pixels into these boxes. If you would like a border around the image, put a value in pixels in the Solid Border box. Usually 2 or 3 is good.

That's the main stuff. There are some other options you may want to explore, but this should get you started.

Final Notes - If you are using an e-mail client other than Outlook or Netscape you'll find that most of the information above probably still applies.

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Amanda's Cool Site of the Day

Suspicion of Murder

Welcome to Suspicion of Murder. Here, you are the detective. This is a wonderful site for those of you who love solving mysteries. Play "Murder Without Escape" today. To do so, click on the words Start Playing.

This takes you to the first page of the mystery. Can you solve this murder before there are more victims? Challenge your wits and your survival skills in this daring game. It’s possible to score 102 points. Can you solve this mystery?

http://www.suspicion-of-murder.com/crime/e/book11.htm

Do you have a cool, non-commercial site that you want to share?
Send it to Amanda at amanda@worldstart.com