FAQS! FACTS! FAX!  253 (09/03/01)

Q

I often see adverts selling domain names but what I don't understand is how I would use my own domain name? Say for instance I managed to buy the domain name www.Laura.com, how would I get it on to the Internet? Would my ISP let me publish my own web page using my own domain name?

Laura

A

When you buy or register a domain name it is usually 'parked' with the registration company, so that anyone keying  'www.yourname.com' (www.laura.com is long gone I'm afraid…) into their web browser will be directed to the registration company's server computer. For an extra fee they will host your web site, or (for a much smaller fee) it will automatically redirected the caller to the free web space provided by your ISP. If you choose not to have your own site visitors to www.yourname.com will just see the registration company's home page. A basic registration fee usually includes email forwarding. That means any email messages sent to 'laura@yourname.com' (or any other name in front of the @ symbol), is automatically forwarded by the registration company's server to your Hotmail mailbox, or any other email address you have nominated.

Q

When I am e-mailing my friends in Sweden or France using Outlook Express I would like to be able to use the special characters with circles, umlauts or accents, but they are not available from the Insert menu as they are in Word. What is the secret?

Penny Aldred, London SE13 5BN

A

You can insert special characters and symbols in the OE email message window by copying and pasting from Character Map (Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools), but it is far easier and quicker to compose your message in Word and then copy and paste that into the message window, but make sure 'Rich Text (HTML)' is selected on OE's Format menu, otherwise the characters may not come out at the other end.

Q

To avoid RSI in my two 'mouse' fingers where can I buy an alternative input device to a mouse, similar to the pressure pad used on a laptop. It would need to work with Windows 98.

P. Lavelle

A

I dread to think what you are doing, or the type of software you are using that could run the risk of RSI from using a mouse, but the answer to your question is yes. You can get laptop-style touch pads as mouse replacements, and keyboards with built-in touch pads. They range in size from a few centimetres across to full-blown graphics tablets. They are widely available from accessory dealers with prices starting at around £40 and there's a small selection on the Maplin Electronics web site at www.maplin.co.uk.

Q.

I have followed your recent advice and downloaded Spider v1.16, (F!F!F! February 22nd) but it doesn't seem to work! I get a long list of sites visited, made up of a mixture of recognisable titles, weird abbreviations and alpha/numeric jargon.  I select delete everything, then get the message that Spider has bitten and inviting a re-start.  But on re-starting everything is still there! What am I doing wrong?

Stanley Newey

A

Absolutely nothing. In my experience it can take Spider two, three or even four attempts to clear all of the hundreds, possibly thousands of entries in the hidden 'index.dat' files, especially if it's the first time you have run the program, or you are a heavy-duty Internet user.

Q

I use Outlook Express and every once and awhile when I log on to receive mail a message appears which takes so long to download I would rather delete it. I have a friend who sends me big pictures, for example. Is there anyway to stop this process before downloading into my Inbox?

P. Richmond

A

The easiest method is to use a webmail service like www.mail2web.com. Log on and you will be asked to enter your email address and password. You can then view the contents of your mailbox, it shows the size of all the files, and you can decide to open or delete any messages.

Q

Some months ago, I think you published details of a function key combination for a guaranteed completion of Windows Solitaire. Having finally found an opportunity to utilise it and put the office know-all in his place, I have of course misplaced the solution.

P. Duncan

A

It won't guarantee a win but when you are stuck in a Draw 3 game press Ctrl, Alt and Shift, then click on the top card and you can access the 'covered' cards.

Q

I would like to use a "tick" to confirm items checked on a schedule.  Where do I find one and how do I make it available for regular and easy access?

Bruce Ernest

A

If you are using Word go to Symbol on the Insert menu, select Mathematical Operators in the Subset drop-down menu, highlight the tick symbol and click the Shortcut button. Choose a memorable keyboard shortcut (Ctrl + 7 is usually free), and click Assign. There's another tick symbol in Wingdings 2, which you may prefer. In other applications you can insert ticks using Character Map (Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools), either copy and paste or use the symbol's three or four digit character assignment code (in Symbol font try Alt+0214). By the way, you have to press Num Lock and use the keyboard's numerical keypad.

Q

I have recently acquired a new keyboard & there are a couple of features I don't understand. I now have a Euro sign bedside the 4 and a new Fn key. How do. I access the former and what do I do with the latter?
Richard Hutchinson

A

To insert the Euro symbol press Alt Gr + 4 (the right hand Alt key). The action of Fn or 'Function' keys varies according to the PC and the program so you'll have to read the instructions…