Via laterlife.com Jackie aims to particularly help those new to IT and the web to
build up knowledge and confidence, so no question is too basic. At the same time she will
cover Q&As for the more experienced user.
So if you
would like to ask a question of Jackie, why not email her jackie@laterlife.com
or if you
have discovered something which may be of interest to others in making the most of the
web, then she would love to hear about that too jackie@laterlife.com
Using a database
Q: I
don’t know how to use a database package such as Access and so keep records of all
the members of my local tenants’ association in an Excel spreadsheet. Can you explain how I can search the records for
members in specific categories without checking each one manually?
A: To use Excel as a database, highlight all the records with your mouse and then open the Data menu and select Filter – AutoFilter.
Small arrows will appear next to each heading (referred to as a field). Clicking any arrow will drop down a list of all
the entries in that particular field. To find
members meeting one criterion you just select the option from the drop-down list. Records not matching will be filtered out and you will be left with a subset of records
that you can then refer to or print.
For example, if one category was CATS and you had entered
the number of cats owned by each resident, selecting 2 from the drop-down list would
produce a subset of all residents owning 2 cats. You could then carry out a new search, or
go on to search the 2-cat owners for residents who also had 1 child etc. etc.
To return to the full spreadsheet, just select Data – Show All.
Using WordArt
Q:
I produce posters and leaflets and want my text to stand out. Apart from increasing the size and making it bold
or underlined, what else can I do?
A: Instead of using normal text, I suggest you insert something called WordArt that is available in both Word
and PowerPoint. When using MSOffice version
97 onwards, simply click the button
on the Drawing toolbar to open the WordArt application. Choose
a style from the gallery that appears, then type your own text in the box provided. Back on the page, you can resize the block
of text, move it into a new position or change its appearance by using the formatting
tools that will appear.
If you want to change the words – double click the
WordArt object to return to the editing box.
Creating
labels
Q: Please
tell me how to use my computer to create labels. I
make a lot of jam and chutney and think I could make my life easier by saving my labels so
that I can just change the dates each year.
A: The label
facility on computers is quite easy to use and is available from
the Tools menu. After buying sheets of sticky
label paper from your local stationery shop, click Envelopes and Labels and check that
your size of label paper (e.g. Avery A4 L7160 38.1 x 63.5mm or Ryman P24L 34 x 64mm) has been selected. If not, click Options to choose from the list of
sizes or to customise the label size by selecting custom - Details.
For a sheet
of identical labels, type the text into the main window on screen and then print directly
or view first by clicking New Document. You
can now save this document in the normal way to use year after year. (To produce a range
of different labels on one sheet, click New Document straight away and type the various
labels into the grid outlined on the screen. If no guidelines are visible, click Table – Show Gridlines.)
Which e-mail system?
Q: A friend who attends a local evening class uses a
web-based e-mail system (Yahoo) as he can access this free when he goes to College. Is it better to do this than use Outlook Express,
as I do at home?
A: The
advantages of using Outlook Express, Eudora, or customised
versions offered by CompuServe, AOL etc. available on your home computer are:
1. You can
work offline for most of the time so that you are not paying the phone bill when reading,
composing or organising your messages. (On
the Web, you must be connected throughout the period you are working with your messages.)
2. You
can save your log-in name (Username) and password so that they are entered automatically
and you don’t have to type them in yourself each time.
3. It is
fairly simple to send attachments and read files sent to you by other people. (Depending on which machine you use, this can be
hard with Web-based e- mail if using a networked computer system e.g. in a College or
Internet cafe.)
4. There
is no time limit so that, if you don’t send e-mails for a long time, you will still
be able to use the system at a later date. (Some
Web-based services close your account if you leave too long a gap before logging on
again.)
If you
don’t have your own computer, or need to receive e-mails in different parts of the
country, then a Web-based system such as Hotmail or Yahoo can have great advantages and,
as you say, can be accessed free if you are on an educational course. The ideal may be to have two accounts and use the
most appropriate at the time.
Jackie Sherman`s new book:
 Basic
Computer Skills Made Simple' provides all necessary computer skills an individual may need
and presents them in a straightforward and intelligent way. It demystifies computers and
is ideal for those wishing to develop their skills and confidence in the subject whilst
working at their own pace.
By using the text the reader will be able to produce a wide range of word-processed
documents, prepare illustrated slides to aid talks, store and search for information
systematically, and gain confidence handling simple numbers or charts. They will also
learn how to connect to the Internet, surf the Web, and send and receive emails.
|
Aimed at first-time Internet users, the guide, co-written by TV
personality Carol Vorderman and Internet expert Rob Young, offers a thorough and
non-intimidating introduction to the Internet.
and under the books section select
Computers and Internet.
