FAQS! FACTS! FAX!  240 (30/11/00)

Q

When writing in WordPerfect I could get an entire book, comprising 23 chapters, on one 3.5-inch floppy disc 23. I now use Microsoft Word 97 and I need twelve disks: a disk only takes two chapters at the most. Agents and publishers want one disk and besides, sending a manuscript by snail mail costs twelve quid. Is there anyway in which I can get a disk to accept more?

W.T. Potter

A

The reason Word files are so large is that they contain not only the text, but also formatting instructions, revisions and lord known what else. You can reduce the size of files created in Word by 75% or more simply by saving them as plain text (see Save As Type drop-down list in the Save As dialogue box), which is probably all your publisher wants. Other possibilities include compressing or ‘zipping’ the files, using a shareware utility like WinZip, which is regularly featured in the Utilities sections on free cover mount CD-ROMs on magazines like PC Pro. If the files contain formatting instructions or other items that you want to preserve why not invest in a CD-writer? They sell for less than £100 these days, and blank CD-R discs, which can hold up to 650 Mb of files cost from as little as 50 pence each and can be read on most PCs made in the past five years. They are very easy to fit and this will be the subject of a forthcoming Boot Camp article in a few weeks time.

Q

I would like to be able to limit my son’s use of our PC. Do you know of any software that can be set to allow a user only a certain length session, which will disconnect the user automatically?

Phil Ternent

A

Assuming that gentle reasoning, logical debate and finally firm parental pressure have already been tried and failed then there are plenty of PC and Internet timers available from shareware sites such as www.tucows.com and www.jumbo.com (just type PC timer into the Search field), but they should be used with caution, particularly timers that control PC usage as they could result in data loss if a program or Windows is abruptly terminated. Programs that flash up a warning or sound an alarm that time’s up are less likely to cause problems. At a pinch you could try Windows Task Scheduler (Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools) to start a program or the disc defragmenter, which should curb his activities.

Q

I remember reading about a program, which could enable a computer to download and temporarily store, let’s say the second page of an Internet site whilst one was looking at the first page. When the viewer clicked onto the second page hyperlink it would be almost instantly displayed because it was already downloaded. It saves time on line. I didn't make a note of the software at the time. Do you know what it is or of anything similar please?
Tony Reynolds

A

Internet accelerators were all the rage a couple of years ago but they seem to have fallen from favour, possibly due to concerns about accidentally or unknowingly downloading unwanted programs or a virus. Several programs are still available, have a look at NetAccellerator 2, it’s freeware, the file size is around 3.5Mb and it can be downloaded from: http://www.imsisoft.com/free/

Q

Could you please advise if it is possible to turn down the loud dialling tones that my modem makes when connecting to the Server.
Mike Godwin

A

It varies from modem to modem, some external models have their own volume controls, and on others there may be a desktop control. To find out right-click My Computer and select Properties and then the Device Manager tab. Click on the plus sign next to Modems, highlight yours on the list that appears then Properties and select the Modem tab, if one is available a volume slider will be shown. Internal modems with on-board speakers may be controllable by the same method; otherwise sound is heard through the PC speakers and can be adjusted using the Windows volume control.

Q

How do you put a short cut to 'calculator' permanently on the task bar in Windows 95?

Mike Davies

A

On early versions of Windows the simplest method is to add the Calculator to the Start Up group so that it open with Windows, then you can minimise it so that it stays on the Taskbar until needed. To do that go to Settings on the Start menu, select Taskbar and the Start Menu, click Add and use the Browse button to find Calc.exe in the Windows folder, click Open then Next and on the directory tree find and highlight the StartUp folder, click OK and it’s done. On later versions of Windows 95 and all versions of Windows 98, ME and 2000 use Windows Explorer to open the Windows folder and holding down the Ctrl key (to make a copy) drag the Calc.exe icon onto the Quick Launch toolbar next to the Start button

Q

The function of the @ key and the " key are transposed on my new MS Internet Keyboard. Despite browsing the help index I have found no clues! Help please!

Nigel Melton

A

That’s usually due to incorrect keyboard language setting, or a return to the US default, which has the amphora symbol (the correct name for the @ sign, as we learnt last week…) and double quotes transposed. The solution is to open Control Panel (Start > Settings), click on the Keyboard icon; select the Language tab and either make English the default, or if it’s not shown, use the Add button to install it.

Q

I found a file called "webHancer" in my program files. It appears I downloaded this "enhancement" a day or so ago. This snooping program claims it sends details of my Internet searches anonymously to businesses. I don't want it! But it cannot be deleted because it is protected. If I send it to the recycle bin the Internet Explorer sends an error message. Help please.

Richard Letters

A

This sounds like the webHancer Customer Companion, which monitors Internet activity as part of a market research project, so you must have downloaded it voluntarily and read the terms and conditions? Details of how to remove the program are included with the installation instructions. Simply use the uninstaller listed in Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel. For more details refer to the webHancer web site at:

http://www.webhancer.com/site/support/install.asp

Q

I have a Toshiba laptop which has a 100MHz Pentium processor - a bit older but still useful for most things (a bit like me...). I was thinking of adding a PCMCIA 56K modem instead of a slow external one, but the system requirements on some say 133MHz Pentium minimum. Is there any hope of 56K on a 100MHz machine? If not, how fast could I reasonably expect to go?
Geoff Hughes

A
Generally speaking modem data rates are not directly governed by processor speed. In any case the difference in performance between PCs with 100MHz and 133MHz processors is minimal, particularly in a relatively undemanding application like web browsing. All things being equal a 56K modem should operate normally on your laptop.