Advice

THE ERIC SPELLMAN COLUMN

Learn to Accessorize!

In this latest column, Eric Spellman looks at the Windows Accessories that come with your operating system

OK, men. How many of you have been shopping with your wife or girlfriend only to learn that the new dress she just picked out will NOT be the only purchase. As soon as the perfect dress is located, she proceeds to "accessorize" it with shoes, scarves, and jewellery. For the longest time I thought the term "accessorize" meant "to spend more money".

Well, my Neanderthal assumptions got me in trouble again when I mistakenly shared that theory with my wonderful bride. She immediately proceeded to "correct my misconceptions" on the subject. As it turns out, an accessory is something that adds value to the overall package. A dress is just a dress. But add the right shoes and jewellery, and you've got an OUTFIT.

Perhaps Microsoft was thinking along those lines when they created Windows. Whether you have Windows 98, ME, 2000, or XP you'll find a little folder full of Accessories on your system. To see those little gems, click the START button, and then PROGRAMS. Move your pointer over the ACCESSORIES sub-menu and you'll see the full list.

Your list may have more or less items than those of a friend, even if you have the same version of Windows. This variation is usually caused at the time of installation. Don't worry, though. You can add them back at any time as long as you have your Windows CD.

To see the full list of installed and uninstalled accessories, click on the START button, then SETTINGS. Choose CONTROL PANEL. Double-click on ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS. By clicking the tab with the words, "Windows Components" in it, you can check to see what is installed and what is not. Remember, if you start checking boxes, you will need your Windows CD handy.

The first accessory I want to cover is, in my opinion, the most useful: the Calculator. I can't tell you how many times I've had to do a basic computation and couldn't find my desk calculator. Since I'm in front of my computer all day, though, I just pull up the Windows version and do the maths.

If that calculator is too simple, pull down the VIEW menu and choose SCIENTIFIC. Wow! The calculator works with your numeric keypad on your keyboard, so if you are any good at "ten-key" you can add a lot of numbers in a hurry.

As an aside, let me share a little short cut I've discovered. I told you that the calculator is my favourite accessory. However, I hated having to click START, PROGRAMS, ACCESSORIES, CALCULATOR to pull it up all the
time. So what I did was assign a short cut key to the program. Now, all I have to do is hit Ctrl-Alt-C on my keyboard and the calculator pops up. Neat, eh?

How did I do it? Open the ACCESSORIES submenu, but instead of single-clicking on CALCULATOR, right-click on it. In the menu that appears, choose PROPERTIES. Click the SHORTCUT tab and find the field that says SHORTCUT KEY. Click in it and then hold down the Ctrl key and hit the letter "C" on your keyboard. It should put "Ctrl-Alt-C" into the blank. Hit the OK button and give it a try! Using these steps, you can assign keyboard shortcuts to all your favorite programs.

WordPad is another great accessory. Think of it as a "poor man's word processor." While it does not have all the bells and whistles of Microsoft Word or WordPerfect, it can be used, in a pinch, to hammer out a letter to Aunt Sue. Basic formatting, including bolding, italicizing, and underlining will help make those letters look presentable. Don't ask for mail-merge, though.

The PAINT program is a nice diversion. If you just want to sit and doodle, this program will work fine for you. Serious artists, however, will opt for Adobe Illustrator (http://www.adobe.com/illustrator). Enough said.

Hyperterminal is a program mainly used by computer geeks. Before the Internet came along, computer nerds like me hung out on "bulletin boards." Think of them as "websites on training wheels." Our computers would directly connect, via a phone line, to a computer somewhere else. We could read and post messages for others to see.

Every bulletin board was separate, so reaching a board in Los Angeles meant a long distance phone call. Anyway, hyperterminal is the "type" of program we used to access those boards. Chances are, you will never use it. At least I hope you don't ever have to.

The most popular section in the Accessories folder is Games. Depending on your version of Windows, you might see Solitaire, Mine Sweeper, Pinball, and FreeCell. Of these games, Solitaire, is the program I see most often in use.

From a training standpoint, I really like Solitaire. It is an excellent way to teach basic mouse use to a new computer user. And, by the way, if you are in "three card deal" mode, you can hold down Ctrl-Alt-Shift to deal one card at a time. Some may call that cheating. I call it "anger management."

I've noticed that in the last few years, Microsoft has avoided adding many more programs into the accessories folder. Perhaps they are a little nervous about the Justice Department. After all, if Windows offers a useful utility for free, what chance does a third party developer have in trying to sell his own? Can you say, "Anti-Competitive Practices?"

Remember, to get detailed help on any of the Accessories I've mentioned (and some I didn't), simply hit the F1 key on your keyboard while running the program.

I'll see you in Cyberspace!

Eric Spellmann is the owner of Spellmann & Associates, a corporate technology training facility in Amarillo, Texas. Besides his regular column, he produces technology segments for his local CBS television affiliate and speaks at numerous conferences. If you would like to receive the full transcripts of his columns as well as the television segments he produces for CBS, sign up for his FREE e-mail newsletter by sending a blank message to NL@ERICSPELLMANN.COM with SUBSCRIBE in the subject. Or, you can sign up at his website:
http://www.EricSpellmann.com

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		THE ERIC SPELLMAN COLUMN Learn to Accessorize! In this latest column, Eric Spellman looks at the Windows Accessories that come with your operating system OK, men. How many of you have been shopping with your wife or girlfriend only to learn that the new dress she just picked out will NOT be the only purchase. As soon as the perfect dress is located, she proceeds to "accessorize" it with shoes, scarves, and jewellery. For the longest time I thought the term "accessorize" meant "to spend more money". Well, my Neanderthal assumptions got me in trouble again when I mistakenly shared that theory with my wonderful bride. She immediately proceeded to "correct my misconceptions" on the subject. As it turns out, an accessory is something that adds value to the overall package. A dress is just a dress. But add the right shoes and jewellery, and you've got an OUTFIT. Perhaps Microsoft was thinking along those lines when they created Windows. Whether you have Windows 98, ME, 2000, or XP you'll find a little folder full of Accessories on your system. To see those little gems, click the START button, and then PROGRAMS. Move your pointer over the ACCESSORIES sub-menu and you'll see the full list. Your list may have more or less items than those of a friend, even if you have the same version of Windows. This variation is usually caused at the time of installation. Don't worry, though. You can add them back at any time as long as you have your Windows CD. To see the full list of installed and uninstalled accessories, click on the START button, then SETTINGS. Choose CONTROL PANEL. Double-click on ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS. By clicking the tab with the words, "Windows Components" in it, you can check to see what is installed and what is not. Remember, if you start checking boxes, you will need your Windows CD handy. The first accessory I want to cover is, in my opinion, the most useful: the Calculator. I can't tell you how many times I've had to do a basic computation and couldn't find my desk calculator. Since I'm in front of my computer all day, though, I just pull up the Windows version and do the maths. If that calculator is too simple, pull down the VIEW menu and choose SCIENTIFIC. Wow! The calculator works with your numeric keypad on your keyboard, so if you are any good at "ten-key" you can add a lot of numbers in a hurry. As an aside, let me share a little short cut I've discovered. I told you that the calculator is my favourite accessory. However, I hated having to click START, PROGRAMS, ACCESSORIES, CALCULATOR to pull it up all the time. So what I did was assign a short cut key to the program. Now, all I have to do is hit Ctrl-Alt-C on my keyboard and the calculator pops up. Neat, eh? How did I do it? Open the ACCESSORIES submenu, but instead of single-clicking on CALCULATOR, right-click on it. In the menu that appears, choose PROPERTIES. Click the SHORTCUT tab and find the field that says SHORTCUT KEY. Click in it and then hold down the Ctrl key and hit the letter "C" on your keyboard. It should put "Ctrl-Alt-C" into the blank. Hit the OK button and give it a try! Using these steps, you can assign keyboard shortcuts to all your favorite programs. WordPad is another great accessory. Think of it as a "poor man's word processor." While it does not have all the bells and whistles of Microsoft Word or WordPerfect, it can be used, in a pinch, to hammer out a letter to Aunt Sue. Basic formatting, including bolding, italicizing, and underlining will help make those letters look presentable. Don't ask for mail-merge, though. The PAINT program is a nice diversion. If you just want to sit and doodle, this program will work fine for you. Serious artists, however, will opt for Adobe Illustrator (http://www.adobe.com/illustrator). Enough said. Hyperterminal is a program mainly used by computer geeks. Before the Internet came along, computer nerds like me hung out on "bulletin boards." Think of them as "websites on training wheels." Our computers would directly connect, via a phone line, to a computer somewhere else. We could read and post messages for others to see. Every bulletin board was separate, so reaching a board in Los Angeles meant a long distance phone call. Anyway, hyperterminal is the "type" of program we used to access those boards. Chances are, you will never use it. At least I hope you don't ever have to. The most popular section in the Accessories folder is Games. Depending on your version of Windows, you might see Solitaire, Mine Sweeper, Pinball, and FreeCell. Of these games, Solitaire, is the program I see most often in use. From a training standpoint, I really like Solitaire. It is an excellent way to teach basic mouse use to a new computer user. And, by the way, if you are in "three card deal" mode, you can hold down Ctrl-Alt-Shift to deal one card at a time. Some may call that cheating. I call it "anger management." I've noticed that in the last few years, Microsoft has avoided adding many more programs into the accessories folder. Perhaps they are a little nervous about the Justice Department. After all, if Windows offers a useful utility for free, what chance does a third party developer have in trying to sell his own? Can you say, "Anti-Competitive Practices?" Remember, to get detailed help on any of the Accessories I've mentioned (and some I didn't), simply hit the F1 key on your keyboard while running the program. I'll see you in Cyberspace! Eric Spellmann is the owner of Spellmann & Associates, a corporate technology training facility in Amarillo, Texas. Besides his regular column, he produces technology segments for his local CBS television affiliate and speaks at numerous conferences. If you would like to receive the full transcripts of his columns as well as the television segments he produces for CBS, sign up for his FREE e-mail newsletter by sending a blank message to NL@ERICSPELLMANN.COM with SUBSCRIBE in the subject. Or, you can sign up at his website: http://www.EricSpellmann.com © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.