Special characters. We all know people that we call “characters” and we use the term because it signifies something special, out of the ordinary, or outside the expected. We apply the same term to things. We say it has character. Some good examples might be the new Sunloft and Thomas Ryan buildings in downtown Punta Gorda. We can’t specifically define “character” but we know it when we see it.
There are many characters we use when communicating via the written word as well. Things like copyright symbols, registered symbols, and even cents signs. Many of us know that inserting these symbols into a document is possible, but quite time consuming when hunting and pecking for the symbol from the computer’s character map. Did you know that you can make typing a document that uses special characters much easier?
There are probably one or two special characters that you regularly use. (for example, ® and ©). It can be a real chore to open the Character Map to insert one of these symbols every time you need one. So don't! Open the Character Map by clicking Start, clicking All Programs, and then clicking Accessories. Click System Tools, and then click Character Map. Click the © symbol. Notice that the bottom-right corner of the Character Map shows the keyboard shortcut used to insert the special character. On my PC and probably on yours, pressing and holding the ALT key plus typing 0169 and then releasing the ALT key gives you ©. Write it down for later use. When you want to insert that character, here's the trick: Position the cursor where you want to insert the special character, then with NUM LOCK key on, hold down the ALT key and use the number pad keys to type the character value. (ALT + 0177 give us ± for example) These short cuts can be real time savers.
Speaking of time savers, there is another area where we can pick up some time. Many folks use the default Windows setting that requires a double click on an icon with the left mouse button to start a program. This can also pose a problem for folks with arthritis or other problems that reduce the flexibility of their fingers. But with a few adjustments we can do in one click what used to take two. If you want to change your two clicks to one, click Start, click My Computer. If still using XP look under the Tools menu, click Folder Options. Now click the General tab in the dialog box, click Single-click to open an item (point to select), and then click OK. This makes everything in Windows exactly one click faster. The same thing is accomplished in Vista and Windows 7 by clicking on Organize then Folder and Search Options.
Finally, just as Hurricane Charlie removed the background of Punta Gorda and allow buildings with “character” to grace the new downtown, we can give our computers some flashy new tweaks. Let’s add a little character to our personal computers. How boring is it to have that little arrow cursor pointing here and pointing there? Nothing wrong with the defaults from Windows, but then again there isn’t anything wrong with carrots either. But who cares about carrots?
If you want to change your pointer scheme, click Start, and then click Control Panel. If using XP and the Category View (vs. Classic View) click on Printers and Other Hardware, and then click on Mouse. Click the Pointers tab and browse the available themes. Select the one that suits you best, and then click OK. Vista and Windows 7 choose Personalization. I think the conductor scheme is right for me. Little drums, metronomes and keyboards just seem to fit my mood right now.
While you’re in the pointer changing window don’t overlook the chance to change the set up of your mouse. For example: if you are a lefty, under the heading of Buttons the primary and secondary buttons on the mouse can be switched. Under the Pointer Options tab the speed with which the curser moves across the screen can be slowed down or speeded up, depending on your comfort level. There is also a check box to give the pointer a trail as it moves. This makes it much easier to find the pointer when it blends into the background of one of our projects.
Those Charlotte County folks, what a bunch of characters!
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Epicuria: An Adventure That Really Cooks! (9781456561734): Court Nederveld: Books
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Grumbles From The Keyboard: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love My Computer (9781467985895): Courtland Nederveld: Books
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