Announcements

Hey! Watch Your Language!

Our Best Language Offer Ever!

Have you ever wanted to learn another language? If so, we have an awesome deal for you!

We now have the Instant Immersion language series available - and they're the best bang-for-the-buck we've ever seen in language software! These 2 CD ROM, 2 program sets take you from the very basics up to more advanced lessons of your chosen language - at a fantastic price. How fantastic? Only $12.97 and we'll ship it to you for free if you live in the US!

And it gets better :-)

In addition to the low price, we're still running our "Buy 3, get 15% off sale" this week. So, if you want to learn more than one language, you save even more. In fact, if you buy 3 or more languages, we'll even throw in a FREE headset microphone (retail value $19.95)! This microphone works with the software, so you can compare your speaking skills with the "people" in the program! It's not required, but it is nice to have. Of course, you're still welcome to buy just one title for $12.97.

I used to be very skeptical of language CDs, but all of that changed after trying the "Instant Immersion Spanish" CDs. I'm not fluent or anything yet, but I am picking it up very quickly. I can't believe how easy it is.

The program uses games, quizzes, and similar methods to teach you how to speak in your new language. Of course, it's full multimedia, so you can hear the words pronounced for you (by both a man and a woman). It's a lot of fun - more than I ever thought it would be! From start to finish, the whole thing is very interactive. I find it's a lot easier than trying to listen to cassettes or reading a book.

Once you finish with the basics, you can go on to more advanced skills like putting sentences together, asking directions, holding "conversations" with the computer, and more. I really think that the average person could spend 20 minutes a day at this and be able to communicate effectively in a matter of weeks (or days if you're a quick study ;-)

If you've ever wanted to learn another language, this is an offer you don't want to miss! Again, they are only $12.97 each! It's a fantastic deal and a fantastic way to learn a new language!

Here's the info link:

http://www.worldstart.com/store/instant-immersion-languages.htm

PS - Don't miss out - These are bound to be popular with the vacation season upon us. Be sure to grab your favorite languages before we run out! If you don't love it, send it back within 30 days for a refund - nothing to lose unless you wait!

MS Office 101

Date & Time On Demand

Do you find yourself constantly entering the date and / or time in MS Excel?

Wish you had a quick key combination to get the job done for you?

Yes?

Good—because that's what you're going to get.

Next time you're in a cell and need to insert the current date try this combination

Ctrl + ; (semicolon)

And if you need the time?

No problem.

Use Ctrl + Shift + : (colon)

Demand away—Excel is up to your date and time issues, anytime.

Office Tip of the Day

Be Gone Monster Buttons

If you've ever created a new toolbar button from a macro or some other command that doesn't' possess an icon, then you've probably been disturbed by the length of the text on the button.

In some cases, macros in particular, the button can be an inch or two long trying to accommodate an incredibly long name you don't want or need.

The big question is: how to either shorten the button name or use a picture of some sort?

The answer to either option is yes.

(Yeah! :-)

Here's what you need to do to give your toolbar buttons a little "face lift".

To edit buttons—and I don't mean just re-coloring them—you first need to open the Customize window.

You can accomplish this in a couple of ways.

• You could use the Tools menu, Customize choice...
  
• or you could use Alt, T, then C keystrokes
  
• or you could put the mouse pointer over a toolbar, right click and choose Customize at the bottom of the popup menu.

Now that you have the Customize window open you're ready to customize any button you choose.

Put your mouse pointer over the button to be edited and right click.

You should get a popup menu like this.

For text buttons with names you want to shorten you can use the name field. (Second section of the menu.) Simply delete and add text to get the name you're looking for.

Then either click outside of the menu or hit the Enter key.

Poof! Displayed name of button changed. (Your wish is my command!)

If you would rather have a picture for the button then you could try choosing Default Style from the bottom area.

I must warn you with this one that some things, such as two different macros, would have the same picture - not a really good way to recognize each macro quickly.

Another way to assign a picture - without drawing it yourself - is to go to the Change Button Image option.

When you settle your mouse pointer over this option a submenu of pictures will pop up, allowing you to pick from several icons.

And yet another option would be to use the Default Style for the basic picture. Then go to the Edit Button Image to alter the picture so you can tell which button goes with each command.

(For information on the Edit Button Image command visit our archives at http://www.worldstart.com/archives/index.htm. You're looking for the October 24, 2002 issue of MS Office Tips and Tricks.)

When you finish your adjustments simply click the Close button on the Customize window and you're back on your merry way.

Whatever your choice—you can settle your mind (and streamline your toolbars)—there is a way to shorten those impossible macro buttons we created on Tuesday.

So, for all of you who gave up on that because of the clutter they created, go on back to Tuesday's newsletter and give it another try.

Clutter need not apply here.

~ April