Terry's Computer Tips - Newsletter
March 29, 2009
Terry's Computer Tips Newsletter
http://www.terryscomputertips.com
A computer tips newsletter for users of PC's.
Volume 4, Number 42 — Sunday, March 29, 2009
IN THIS ON-LINE ISSUE:
1. Form Underlining in Microsoft Word
2. The Lighter Side of Technology
3. How To: Creating Underlined Input Fields in Microsoft Word
4. My Computer Security Software Recommendations
5. Recommend my Terry's Computer Tips Newsletter to Your Friends
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Welcome to the on-line edition of my Terry's Computer Tips newsletter. Its articles are not in the email issue — and the email articles aren't in the online issue — subscribe to my email newsletter so you can read both.
1. Form Underlining in Microsoft Word
New subscriber Denise Kramer wrote me a very interesting question. I'd run into the issue before and forced an answer, but I hadn't ever addressed it from the point of a document to be filled out on a computer.
I am making a referral form in Microsoft Word 2007. I have managed to get everything I want except for underlining. Wait. I can underline a field as it is being typed but, I would like to have the field show up as underlined BEFORE you type so that it may be printed and faxed.
This is a form which will be sent as an attachment which can be completed and emailed or printed and faxed.
I have an example of another template in which fields are underlined and when you enter text into the field, the text glides freely over the underline. This sample I have is locked and I cannot see their formatting to figure out how they did it.
I am ready to throw in the towel. this is my first template. If you can answer this question, I would just love you.
I wrote back to Denise to give her a quick tip on how to solve her problem, wile I wrote the article in more detail and with screenshots.
The good news is that this process works for Word 2003, Word 2007 and other word processors, too. OpenOffice Writer and Word Perfect, among many others, can do the same thing.
Microsoft doesn't make it easy. First, you can't use spaces and underline them — the underline doesn't work that way. You can't underline spaces!
If you create a textbox and change it's font style to underline, when the user types in the textbox, only the typed content is underlined. Plus, the textbox resizes to fit the typed text — so the carefully designed form is messed up.
If you use the Underscore character to create a pseudo-underline, it does not underline anything that is typed, and the typing extends the underscore so that the line is messed up again.
The trick to create the underlines that stay in place is to fake the underlines. We can use tables, or even tables within table cells of other tables, and change the colors of the cell borders.
By changing the left, top and right borders of the table cells to "None" and changing the bottom cell borders to be lines of your chosen style and weight, you can use the cell borders to create the underlines for the entries.
See the "How To" in the next article...
2. The Lighter Side of Technology
This week's technology cartoon at Terry's Computer Tips!
I guess he uses the Internet, virtual private networks and GoToMyPC...
(try GoToMyPC free for 30 days)
3. How To: Creating Underlined Input Fields in Microsoft Word
The good news is that this process works for Word 2003, Word 2007 and other word processors, too. OpenOffice Writer and Word Perfect, among many others, can do the same thing.
Although Microsoft doesn't make it to create underlined input fields in Word documents. First, you can't use spaces and underline them — the underline doesn't work that way. You can't underline spaces! Some of the other tricks don't work either.
It's not obvious, but you can do it by using tables!
The good news is that this process works for Word 2003, Word 2007 and other word processors, too. OpenOffice Writer and Word Perfect, among many others, can do the same thing.
First, we need to create the input format in the form of a table. Here's an example in image on the left, below.
Then, select all the cells in the table, as in the right image below.
 (click on the image for a larger version) |
 (click on the image for a larger version) |
In Word 2007, once you highlight the cells, Word's ribbon bar shows you the Table Styles. To the right of the styles, click on Borders to open the Borders and Shading dialog box.
In Word 2003, you'll find the same dialog box by highlighting the table, right-clicking on the highlighted section, and selecting Borders and Shading...
Make sure the "Apply to:" option box says Table, and then click the None setting on the left.
In the image on the right, you can see the table with the light cell shading that Word 2003 displays on the screen when you've selected None.
 (click on the image for a larger version) |
 (click on the image for a larger version) |
Next, we need to select the cells on the right-hand side of the table. These are the cells into which the users will enter their data.
Again, open Borders and Shading. This time, we're going to make cell borders at the bottom of each cell into which the user is to enter data.
First, select the style of line. Then, the Width (thickness) of the line. Make sure that Apply To says "Cell".
Now, use the button with the horizontal line at its bottom, to change the cell bottom of the bottom-most cell. Then, use the button with the horizontal line at its middle, to change the cell bottoms of the other cells.
 (click on the image for a larger version) |
 (click on the image for a larger version) |
Now, we can see an example of the form after someone has filled it in. But, the cells look quite full with that font and the underlines.
Let's select all the cells on the right side. Then, let's change the font size in those cells to a larger font (the default was 12 point, and now it's changed to 18 point). That gives us more space between the lines.
 (click on the image for a larger version) |
 (click on the image for a larger version) |
Now, on the left, we can see the nicely sized form with the data typed into it.
In the right hand image, see what happens if the user types too much data into the form. The table row will expand (get taller), as we see in the image on the right.
All that changed is that the word Company was typed instead of its abbreviation Co.
 (click on the image for a larger version) |
 (click on the image for a larger version) |
We can't control how much the user will type into the cell, but we can control the height of the row into which he types.
Right-click on the cell in question (or all the cells, whichever you want to modify) and select Table Properties.
In the Table Properties dialog box, pick the Row tab. Then, put a check in the checkbox beside Rows-Specify Height, set the height you want, and change "Row height is" from At Least to Exactly.
On the right image below, we see the result, as the word Company, which wrapped to the next line, is no longer visible. At this point, the user would probably change Company to Co. so it would fit in the field.
 (click on the image for a larger version) |
 (click on the image for a larger version) |
4. My Computer Security Software Recommendations
I review my security software recommendations and update them for each weekly newsletter issue, if I think they need to change.
My Philosophy: Many people want to pick their most economical solution and prefer an all-in-one anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall solution. In concept, that's a great idea. In actual practice, I don' think that this type of package is likely to be the best in all the protection categories you need. Other people want to pick the best of each type program. I'm one of the these folks.
My choice of software that I am willing to recommend is driven by my search for software for me to use. I only recommend programs that I like and that I use. I will sometimes suggest alternatives to my recommendations, but I clearly note if I no longer use them.
UPDATE: I like the thought of not "having all my eggs in one basket." I also have requests occasionally from readers and subscribers who either want an alternative, so they can make a choice themselves, or want to use a suite. I stopped using the major brands years ago for one reason or another — I've just installed Panda Internet Security 2009 on my desktop for testing. Look for a review in the near future. Meanwhile, I've found a special limited-time sale price if you use this link: Buy Panda Internet Security 2009 for $51.97. Save $27.98!
. This sale price is scheduled to end in late March.
Anti-Virus
I'm often asked about several other popular anti-virus or anti-virus combination packages. Yes, I realize that they are not in my recommendation list. "Enough said..."
From 2003 through mid-2008, my personal choice was ESET's small, fast NOD32 anti-virus program, which offers a FREE 30-day evaluation license. I consider NOD32 one of the best in anti-virus protection — and it continues to get recognition andn awards. Unlike some of its competitors, ESET offers multiple-year licenses also, and includes program updates in the multiple-year license.
Tech Tip
Many antivirus programs will offer you an anti-virus signature subscription renewal when your subscription renews. I strongly recommend against this option — buy the full program or make sure you get program updates with the subscription renewal. Both NOD32 and VIPRE purchases include both program updates/upgrades AND antivirus signature updates.
Vendors routinely improve the capabilities and speed of the programs, too. If you update only the signatures, you miss any program improvements.
Now, I've changed from my long-time programs NOD32 (antivirus) and CounterSpy (antispyware) to Sunbelt's new VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware.
I've found that VIPRE puts even less load on my computer than the speedy combination of NOD32 and CounterSpy. I've also been impressed with the way its "deep scan" has found and eliminated risks that were stored in zip files, which is one of the latest malware email tricks.
Read more about anti-virus programs on my web site.
Related articles:
- Anti-Virus Programs and Online Scanners
- Free Online Antivirus Scan
- NOD32 Anti-Virus Review - A Look at NOD32
- VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware Review
Firewall Software
While the Windows XP firewall is much better than no firewall at all, don't count on the Windows XP firewall to meet your needs. You need a two-way firewall, which the Windows XP firewall is not!. Microsoft woke up and supplied a two-way firewall with Windows Vista.
The Windows XP firewall does not control outbound communications originating from your computer — and you should want to have control if adware/trojans/spyware or even commercial products want to talk to the Internet. Whether they are calling home or spewing spam, you want to be able to control your computer.
Do you want Windows Media Player to call home every time you play something? It does! Do you use the Search function in Windows Explorer to find things on your hard drive? Did you know that every time you search, Windows Explorer talks to Microsoft?
I didn't know that when I ran ZoneAlarm, but the Sunbelt Personal Firewall flags that to me, and I can stop it or allow it to happen. Many other programs try to call home when you run them, too.
I recommend my choice for a firewall program, which is Sunbelt Personal Firewall.
You can try the full-featured "paid version" of Sunbelt Personal Firewall free for 30 days — after that, you can register it or, if you're using it on a home non-business computer, you can let it revert to the free, lesser-function license.
Tip: Be sure to read my review of SPF for the settings I recommend.
Sunbelt Personal Firewall is regularly $19.95 (with discounts for multiple computers and/or multiple years!) for a non-expiring license for the program and includes one year of their updates subscription.
Related articles:
Anti-Spyware / Anti-Adware Software
CounterSpy, from Sunbelt Software, has received many kudos from the computer press for its always-running and periodic full system scans. It has been my personal choice for my PC's and my family's PC's.
Sunbelt's CounterSpy v2.5, both improved CounterSpy's performance against malware and reduced its impact on system resources and responsiveness when its scanning.
Sunbelt continues to release updated program versions — the current version is v3.1 — and there's an even newer version about to be released. Nicely, Sunbelt do NOT install the updated programs automatically. You have to use the Update process in the program, which means that you'll know that something significant has changed.
Now, I've changed from my long-time programs NOD32 (antivirus) and CounterSpy (antispyware) to Sunbelt's new VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware.
I've found that VIPRE puts even less load on my computer than the speedy combination of NOD32 and CounterSpy. My computer seems to have much more pep and power than it had previously. I've also been impressed with the way its "deep scan" has found and eliminated risks that were stored in zip files, which is one of the latest malware email tricks.
Related articles:
Anti-spam Software
In today's Internet world, the question is not "if" you will get spam, but "how much will you get?"
I use and recommend POPFile as my first choice for handling spam. POPFile sits on your computer, between your email program and your ISP mailbox, and handles emial as it downloads.
POPFile uses a different approach to handle spam than some other programs do — it does nothing to reduce spam. It is designed as an email classification tool — you train it to recognize spam and any other type of email that you want to classify. These classifications can help you sort your emails into appropriate folders in your email program.
Sunbelt Software, who makes the anti-spyware program CounterSpy (which I use and recommend) and the firewall that I use and recommend (Sunbelt Personal Firewall) also has a well-regarded, award-winning anti-spam program called iHateSpam for Outlook and Outlook Express. Since I don't use Outlook or Outlook Express for email, I haven't tried iHateSpam.
Mailwasher Pro would be my first choice to handle spam before it ever gets into your computer's Inbox. Mailwasher Pro uses on-line Realtime Black Lists mail servers sending spam recently, "training" by you of what you think is spam, and your own "friends" and "blacklist" lists. Note: I found that PopFile generally meets my needs and stopped using Mailwasher Pro, even though PopFile works AFTER the emails have been downloaded. If I used a dialup connection, I would be more interested in Mailwasher Pro.
Mailwasher Pro can even bounce spam messages, as if your email address was not valid, although the usefulness and appropriateness of this is questionable. There is a free version called "Mailwasher," but it omits the functions that I consider critical for this purpose -- such as safely previewing the emails safely before they ever get to your email inbox.
Related articles:
Cable/DSL Router
If you have a cable modem or a DSL modem, you need to have another layer of inexpensive protection between you and the Internet. A cable/DSL router isolates your computer from direct connection to the Internet. Your computer can easily request your email, web pages, etc. through the router. The responses come back to the router and are smoothly routed to your computer. But, someone on the Internet side of the router can not initiate a connection to your computer — they can only respond to your request.
Even if you only have one computer to connect to your cable or DSL modem, I recommend that you purchase and use a cable/DSL router because of the protection it can give you against attempts to attack through some flaws in Windows itself.
A router isolates your local network, whether it is only one computer or several, from the Internet by actually making it a separate network. The router gets the "public" IP address and handles all your outbound communications and the responses to them. But, it blocks computers on the Internet side from being able to initiate communications with your computer! This will prevent you from falling prey to many worms that try to attack security holes in Windows itself.
For a wireless router, I recommend the Linksys WRT54G
If you don't want wireless, I recommend the Linksys BEFSR41
Tech Tip
By the way, if you get tempted by the new "802.11n" routers, please pay close attention. So far, the 802.11n specification has not been approved and finalized.
If you buy one, you may be locked into a specific vendor's implementation of a draft of a standard that never got approved. I recommend choosing 802.11g for now.
See these related articles:
7. Recommend my Terry's Computer Tips Newsletter to Your Friends
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Volume 4, Number 42 — Sunday, March 29, 2009
Copyright © 2009 Terry A. Stockdale. All rights reserved.
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