Ask Mr. Modem!
Q. I know this is a little out of the area you usually cover, but last month I started receiving commercial text messages on my cell phone, a phone that I have owned for several years. I didn't even know I could receive text messages on this phone, which is something I don't want or need. What can I do about this?
A. Since you do not plan to use text messaging, contact your cellular service provider and request that the text-messaging capability be disabled. This is advisable because you may be charged for those unwanted, unsolicited, highly annoying text messages, depending on your calling plan. These types of intrusive text messages have nothing to do with the governments National Do-Not-Call Registry (www.donotcall.gov), but it is still worthwhile registering your phone numbers.
Q. I downloaded a font that I like, but I can't figure out how to install it in my word processor. I followed instructions, but the font doesn't appear in the list of available fonts. Can you help, Mr. M?
A. In this instance, dont install your new font into the word processor itself, install it in Windows where other programs, including your word processor, can then access it. To do this, using Windows Explorer, for example, copy the font file into your C:WindowsFonts folder, or whatever folder is appropriate for your system, if it's configured other than in this manner.
Then go to Control Panel > Fonts > File > Install New Fonts. In the Add Fonts dialog box, navigate to the C:WindowsFonts folder, and double-click to open the folder.
Under "List of Fonts," click to select your new font, then click OK. Restart your computer and the font will then be available for use in all Windows programs, including your word processor.
Q. Sometimes when Im using Microsoft Word, I get a mysterious thin black line that stretches across the page. Pressing DELete doesnt work. How can I get rid of it?
A. Thats an annoying feature of Word that I always disable as one of my first Word-related tasks. Its caused by an AutoCorrect option that asserts itself if you type more than two hyphens sequentially. In other words, you can type --, but if you type ----, it automatically morphs into that unwelcome horizontal line across the page. You can remove it by using the Undo command, (CTRL + Z), but you have to catch it immediately in order to execute the command in a timely fashion.
The easiest thing to do is to disable it. In Word, go to Tools > AutoCorrect Options > AutoFormat as you Type tab. Remove the check mark beside Border Lines, then click OK. That will resolve The Case of the Mysterious Black Line.
Mr. Modem's Sites of the Week
Musicovery: Mood Radio
A novel, interactive site that plays music based on the mood of the user. Click the site's graphical iPod-like console that features two mood scales ranging from Energetic to Calm vertically, and Dark to Positive horizontally. Click to include or exclude specific genres of music, plot a point along the timeline from the 1950s to the 2000s, then sit back and enjoy the music. Hint: There is nothing like a snappy Gregorian chant to brighten up ones day.
www.musicovery.com
The Old Foodie
A fascinating blog written by an English-born wellness professional living in Australia, who is passionate about uncovering the history of the food we eat. Five days a week, The Old Foodie provides visitors with an ancient but fresh culinary topic, a historic recipe, and occasionally even an accompanying menu. Browse the site's archives to learn about preparing stuffed pigeons, 19th Century seafaring cuisine, vintage holiday recipes, and other semi-edible gems that will leave culinary and history buffs smacking their lips or reaching for the Mylanta.
www.theoldfoodie.com
For plain-English answers to your questions by email, plus helpful PC tips, subscribe to Mr. Modems Weekly Newsletter. For information, visit MrModem.com.