FAQS! FACTS! FAX! 170 (15/07/99)

SPEECH THERAPY

Now well into my seventies, I am very deaf, a problem originating from when I flew noisy Wellington bombers during WW2. In spite of two powerful hearing aids, I'm afraid my wife and I have been reduced to going to sign language classes in order that I can respond to simple questions, like 'would you like another slice of cake?' Is there such as thing as a small instrument that converts speech into text. Meanwhile, I see that a number of software companies have produced programs for dictating into word processors. I am contemplating purchasing a small laptop, which I can have by my armchair, a microphone (radio mike?), for my wife and a useful speech program, so we can communicate.

D.W.G.Byatt, Great Baddow, Chelmsford

A

A 'black box' speech-to-text processor is technically possible but according to an RNID spokesperson a practical and affordable device is still some way off. PC speech recognition packages like Dragon Naturally Speaking (the basic version sells for around £40) can covert continuous speech into words on a PC screen and is definitely worth trying. However, even this leading edge product is far from perfect. It will involve a fair amount of 'training' in order for the software to reliably translate your wife's words into text but if you both persevere there's no reason why it shouldn't work.

GYRATING GLASS

Some time ago you explained how to enliven the 'hourglass' on Windows, kindly remind me how it is done.

Fergus Brown, Eshiels, Peebles

A

From the Start button go to Setting > Control Panel > Mouse and select the Pointers tab. On the Scheme drop-down menu highlight Animated Hourglass and click on the Apply button.

FREE FOR ALL?

I saw recently on television an item about a company offering free Internet telephone calls to subscribers switching from BT to the Internet company's affiliated telephone company. I have forgotten the name of the company do you know it?
Robert Wall

A

The service you're referring to is almost certainly Screaming.Net, a joint venture between electrical goods retailers Tempo and Localtel, a telephone services provider. The free Internet phone calls are available in the evening and at weekends. You can find full details and links to on-line registration at: http://www.localtel.co.uk/, alternatively pop into your local Tempo for a free sign-up disc.

SPACE RACE

I have an old PC (486SX) with 12MB RAM and 347 MB hard disk, but with only about 60 MB still free. I have recently gone over to both Windows 95 and the Internet. Everything is working fine, but I could do with some more space. For example, I have not loaded my copy of Encarta because it would reduce free space even more. With such limited resources, is it a good idea to use DriveSpace? I know it will give me a lot more room on my hard disk, but will it use up other vital resources and slow everything down?
Paul James

A

DriveSpace should give you a little breathing space but it can only be a temporary solution since your hard drive is so small. There will be a reduction in performance but unless you are using demanding applications that frequently access the hard disc drive you probably won't notice any difference. However, sooner or later you will need to replace your hard disc, or add a second drive, it's not a difficult job, or expensive. If you shop around, you can find 3.2Gb drives selling for as little as £60.

STAY CONNECTED
I have a computer with only one parallel port, this is being used by the printer. Is it possible for me to use a scanner in this parallel port either by taking out the printer cable or by using a switch box?
Robert Palmer

A

Virtually all parallel port scanners have a 'through port' on the back. This is basically a pair of parallel port connectors. One goes to the PC and you plug your printer cable into the other one. That means the printer remains connected to the PC and operates normally, the only minor limitation is that you won't be able to print and scan at the same time.

FILE FINDER

I find that the Windows Help facility rarely gives me the help I need. I looked for information on what a 'cab' file is. I have many of them in a Windows folder called Options and they are taking up a lot of space. What are they? Can I get rid of them?  Where can I find information on folder types and file extensions?
Gordon Spooner

I have some files with .dpp extensions, which were created with a program, which I have since removed from my hard disk. I now need to open these files but can't
remember which program was used. I have tried to locate a list of file extensions on the net without success. Can you tell me which program I used and where a detailed comprehensive list can be found for future use?
Derek Harper

A

Cab or 'Cabinet' files contain compressed data and usually live on installation discs like the Windows CD-ROM. They contain all of the Windows files need for installation and set-up, plus the various tools and utilities. Occasionally, when you install a new piece of hardware or something goes wrong you may need to load new drivers or re-install Windows files or components. Having all the Cab files on your PC means you won't have to mess around looking for the installation disc, if and when the need arises. Unless you are desperate to recover space they are best left alone.

As for the meaning of file extensions, you can check the details of files on your PC from within Windows Explorer. Click on Folder Options on the View menu and select the File Types tab. Highlight the top entry and use the page up/down buttons to scroll through the list; the extension and the programs the files are associated with appear in the Window below.

There are several Internet sites with comprehensive listings of file extensions (details below), however none of them had any reference to .dpp. The nearest match was .dpr, which is a Delphi Project file. If any F!F!F! readers have come across a .dpp file please let us know and we'll pass it on.

File extension search sites:

http://kresch.com/exts/ext.htm#

http://www.in2nett.com/acarlson/

file_formats/formats_the_list.htm

CHEEKY TWEAK
My version of Tweak UI (Powertoys) shows neither an icon in Control Panel nor is it included in Add/Remove Programs. What's wrong?
Phil Payne

A

It sounds as though you have successfully loaded Tweak UI on to your PC but have not installed it. It's not your fault the instructions in the Readme file are very poor. Use Windows Explorer to open the folder where PowerToys or the Tweak UI files is kept and double click on the file called Tweakui.cpl. This should start the installation process. If you are asked to insert a Disk, click OK and when the next window appears use the Browse button to point it in the direction of your PowerToys folder (or wherever the Tweak files are stored).