FAQS! FACTS! FAX! 162 (18/05/99)

CAST A SPELL

In an item in F!F!F! (6th May), you showed how to amend the custom dictionary file in Word 97. I want to change incorrect spellings in the main dictionary (yes, there are some!). Where do I find it and how do I correct it?
Andrew McLachlan

A

You can't, at least not directly because the file is 'hard coded' and there's no way to get at it but you can impose your will upon the dictionary by making it spell words the way you want them to be. Click on Help then Contents and Index, select the Index tab, type in Dictionaries, double click on dictionaries (spelling), then select 'Specify a preferred spelling for a word'. This will bring up instructions on how to create an exclusion dictionary.

EASIER UNDO

With regard to Rod Ruston's concern (F!F!F! 6th May) over the AutoCorrect feature in Microsoft Word that converts (C) to a copyright symbol, there is another solution. It seems that Word regards this conversion as the last action performed. Therefore if you type Ctrl-Z the operation is undone and the symbol is converted back to (C). Useful if you want to continue using AutoCorrect.
Ron Read

When the copyright symbol appears click the Backspace key and it changes to
the bracketed 'C' originally typed.
Ann Perrett

A

Thanks for those handy tips

APPLE ANSWERS

The lack of serial/SCSI ports and floppy disk on the iMac – and Blue Power G3 Macs -- seems to have caused a good deal of consternation (F!F!F! 6th May), no doubt because Apple has been so careful to adopt backward compatibility hitherto. Nobody in the non-Mac PC market would even bother to pen a letter about connecting an elderly printer to a modern PC. Might I suggest another solution for S. R. Sim, assuming that he could find a corner for his retired Mac? The Performa 475 has capabilities, which he can use; in particular the connections required to run the Stylewriter. Why not invest in a network solution between the Performa and the iMac (which has built-in Ethernet capabilities). The iMac can use the Performa as its print server and it will also provide other useful facilities such as easy back-up, extra disk space and access to a floppy disk drive.
Paul Fulton

S. R. Sim might like to consider the KeySpan USB-to-Serial adaptor http://www.Keyspan.com/products/USB/adapter/
or Momentum's "uConnect for Printers"
http://www.momentuminc.net/products/

as alternative ways of connecting his StyleWriter printer 2500 to his iMac. Either should be cheaper than the suggested Ethernet-to-LocalTalk adaptors
Alan Staniforth

SIMPLE START

I read recently (I thought) that there are ways of emulating the Windows key on older keyboards. My keyboard is much more robust and less tinny and I would like to keep using it. But I also like the ease of hitting the Windows key to get into the Start menu.
Linda O'Donnell

A

The combination Ctrl + Esc has the same effect as the Windows key

TANGLED WEB

I have been sent some web addresses from a friend in the USA, but when I try to view them my computer I can't connect. An example of one of the addresses is: AHREF="http://www.healthandage.com?fpatient.htm"
I have tried entering the address inside the quote marks but that doesn't work either.

Les Green

A

If you are using an up to date browser like Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator you can try leaving off the http:// part of a web address, and any other characters preceding it. If the site is still not recognised omit all of the characters after .com (or .co.uk etc.) and insert a forward slash after .com, (i.e. www.healthandage.com/ ) and this should take you to the site's home page or main index from where you can navigate to a specific page.  

WAIT IN LINE

I have been using the Internet at home for about a year now and often get complaints from friends and relatives that my phone is engaged. Is there any way of using Call Waiting to know that I have another call without crashing my Internet connection?
Sanjay Varsani

A

Unfortunately not, all you can do is disable Call Waiting whilst you are on line (# 43 #  before you dial, * 43 # to reset), but that rather defeats the object of the exercise. The only answer is to have a second line installed. Now is a good time but you'll have to be quick. BT is currently running a half-price special offer that lasts until the end of May, installation costs £49.49, plus a quarterly charge of £26.76. If you decide to go ahead make sure you tell the BT salesperson that you intend to use the new line for the Internet and that you want an exchange line and not a 'split' line, which may slow down the speed of your Internet connection. You can contact BT Customer Services on 0800 5211125.

BELIGERENT BROWSERS?

I would like to try out an alternative 'free' ISP but I need to install Netscape Navigator. Is it safe to do so or will Netscape conflict in some way with Microsoft Internet Explorer 4 which is already installed on my machine?
Brian Slater

A

Are you sure you have to install a second browser? Check first with the ISP, as you may be able to continue to use your existing software. Even so IE4 and Netscape will normally leave each other alone, but to be on the safe side make a note of your current Internet and email settings before you install any new Internet software…

TOUCH OF DEATH

Almost every time my daughter-in-law touches the mouse of the computer she shares with her husband, the system freezes and crashes. Is this a common problem and have you got any suggestions?

Fred Pearson

A

We hear from plenty of people who claim that their PCs keel over and die if they so much as look at them, but your daughter in law sounds as if she has a very rare talent… Quite honestly we're baffled. It could be something to do with static electricity, in which case wearing an anti-static wristband (available from PC dealers) might do the trick. Obviously we will be only too happy to pass on any advice and comments from F!F!F! readers.

SLOW WORD

My Word 97 program has developed this infuriating fault. If I save and close the current page, instead of disappearing immediately, it takes about 12 seconds before it closes. I've tried uninstalling and re-installing with no success.
Jeanne Wood

A

If you are using Office 97 it could be that Outlook is automatically creating a journal entry, this can still happen even if Outlook is not running. In Outlook on the Tools menu select Options and the Journal tab, clear all of the check boxes in the 'Also record files from' list and click OK.