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Technology August 2012

Ask Mr. Modem

Use Arrow Keys for Text Selection

Its objective is to provide information about the pros, cons and risks of online dating and how to minimize them; how to safely and securely create an online dating profile, and read reviews of online dating sites that cater to the “seasoned single.” This is not a dating site itself; its focus is assisting those who are interested in meeting others online, in a safe manner.

Q. Isn't there some way to use the arrow keys when highlighting text? I try to use my mouse cursor, but I always end up overshooting the mark or selecting an entire paragraph when I only want a few words or a sentence or two.

A. There is indeed a way to use your arrow keys to select text. Place your cursor where you want to start highlighting, hold down your Shift key, then use your up and down arrow keys. If a section that you want to highlight is really large, use your Page Up and Page Down keys.

 

Q. I'm using the latest version of Microsoft Office, but for the life of me, I cannot find the Close All command that I had in previous versions. Can you help, Mr. M?

A. The Close All command comes in handy when you have multiple files open and you want to close them in one swell foop. It still exists, but it's hidden so it needs to be nudged out into the open which you can do with the Quick Access Toolbar, located by default in the upper left corner of the screen.

Use the down arrow to the right of the Quick Access Toolbar to select the More Commands option. Within the Customize category, use the drop-down list on the left to choose All Commands > Close All. Use the Add button to place it on the list for the Quick Access Toolbar, followed by OK. You will then be able to execute the Close All command from the Quick Access Toolbar.

 

Q. I terminated my AT&T account for my smartphone because I didn't need all the Internet-related bells and whistles. Even though I no longer have Internet access by phone, can I continue using the phone's calendar, camera, etc? I'd consider selling it, but I don't know why anybody would want a year-old phone. Thanks for always providing honest, reliable answers, Mr. M.

A. Honest? Reliable? Whew. I'm really feeling the pressure, but I'll do my best: Different
phones function in different ways, so if the calendar and camera aren't dependent on Internet access, you should be fine, though you won't be able to forward photos and other items. If the calendar is Web-based and you were using your cell phone's wireless connection to the Internet, you will not be able to access that feature. The easiest way to check is to simply power up the phone and see what you can and cannot do.

As far as selling your phone, there are many people who do want older phones, particularly folks who may not be able to afford newer ones. If you do decide to sell it, Gazelle.com is one of several popular (and legitimate) outfits that buys and sells older technology.

 

Q. At the top of my computer screen it shows my current printer and two other printers that I have not had for some time. How can I remove these two former printers? I'm using Windows XP, if that makes any difference.

A. Click Start > Settings > Printers and Faxes. You will see your printer icons there. Right-click any printer you want to remove and select Delete. Restart your computer and the icons will be gone with the wind.

 

Mr. Modem’s DME (Don’t Miss ‘Em) Sites of the Month

Best Senior Dating Sites

This site was created to educate and counsel single seniors who are contemplating joining a dating Web site. Its objective is to provide information about the pros, cons and risks of online dating and how to minimize them; how to safely and securely create an online dating profile, and read reviews of online dating sites that cater to the “seasoned single.” This is not a dating site itself; its focus is assisting those who are interested in meeting others online, in a safe manner. I tested the site. Mrs. Modem was not amused.

www.bestseniordatingsites.org

 

Brain Age Games

Medical researchers wearing white lab coats and carrying clipboards, tell us that as we age, it is important to exercise our brains and continue to use them to help ward off those increasingly frequent “senior moments” that most of us have come to know and...and... What was I talking about about? Through a series of five games/tests that focus on memory, attention to detail, language, and reaction times, this site will compute the age of your brain. Completing all the tests requires about five minutes. Upon completion you will be presented with your brain-age score. Ideally, it will be less than your current age. Mine was...barely.

www.freebrainagegames.com

 

FreeMD

An online symptom-checker that can help determine if you need to head to the emergency room, make an appointment with your doctor, or have another slice of pizza and take a nap. Unless you have a death wish, don't use this site as a replacement for in-person medical care and consultation with a real physician or health care professional, but it does provide a convenient means of preliminarily evaluating symptoms.

www.freemd.com

 

For more information about Mr. Modem's technology-tips eBooks and award-winning weekly computer-help newsletter, featuring his personal answers to your questions by email, visit www.MrModem.com.

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