Ask Ask Mr. Modem! – February 2009     
www.MrModem.com   


Prevent Scrolling Excel Headings

Q.  I am building a large Excel address file and I want to know how I can make the column headings (Name, Address, Email, etc.) appear on each page. Right now they only appear on the first page.  Also, isn’t there also some way to keep the column headings visible, so they never scroll off the screen? Thanks, Mr. M.


A.  Click File > Page Setup, and go to the Sheet tab. In the “Rows to Repeat at Top” field, enter 1:1, assuming your column headings are in Row 1, and click OK. This will ensure that Row 1 is at the top of every printed page.

To keep your headings visible (again, assuming your headings appear in Row 1), click to select cell A2 (yes, A2, not A1), then click Window > Freeze Panes. Once selected, you can scroll through your spreadsheet and your column headings will remain within view at all times.


Q.  How can I select the file types that my Windows Media Player will play?

A.  Open Windows Media Player (WMP) by going to Start > Progarms > Windows Media Player. Click Tools > Options > File Types tab. Select the check box next to the file type(s) that you want to open automatically using WMP, such as .WMA, .WMV, .MP3, MIDI. If you want to use WMP as your exclusive media player, click the Select All button to choose all file types. Click OK to save your changes and exit.


Q.  When I visit Web sites using Internet Explorer, a small screen pops up stating a line error has been encountered. It asks if I want to debug it. If I click “No,” the pop-up disappears, but it comes back. If I click “Yes,” it goes to a debugging page of some type, but I don't know what to do from there. How can I get rid of this?


A.  If you disable the debugging function, you won’t encounter those pesky pop-ups in the future. The debugging function is intended for programmers and developers, so by disabling it you won’t be adversely affecting your computing life. To turn it off, click Tools > Internet Options > Advanced. Scroll down to the Browsing section and remove the check marks beside “Disable script debugging (Internet Explorer),” “Disable script debugging (Other),” and “Display a notification about every script error.” Finish up by clicking Apply > OK, close then reopen IE, and you should be all set.


Wanted: Positive Customer Service Experiences

I’m working on an article about the ethereal concept of customer service. Examples of abysmal service abound, but if you have had an outstanding experience with customer service—it need not be related to computing or tech support—tell me about it. Be sure to include the name of the company, what your call (or email) concerned, and what you most appreciated, or what most impressed you, about the service you received.

Published submissions will be edited, so don't be concerned about grammar, punctuation or spelling. If your submission is selected and approved for publication, you will receive a copy of the published work. (What, you were expecting cash?) Please send your experience(s) to me at MrModem@mrmodem.com. Thanks very much.


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Little Known Facts Show
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Plot-O-Matic
Have you ever sat in a movie theater, robotically consuming a $27 tub of popcorn and thinking to yourself, “I can write a better movie than this drivel”? Judging from what’s passing for entertainment these days, you probably could. In fact, it’s even easier than you might think. Using the Plot-O-Matic (patent pending), select your characters and the plot elements you would like to include in your movie. When you're satisfied with your choices, click “Lights! Camera! Action!”
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Unusual Hotels
As its name implies, this is the place to turn if you’re seeking non-traditional hotels. Perhaps you have mole-like tendencies and would like to stay underground, or inside an igloo, in a tree, or even underwater? If so, you’ll find the opportunity here. Categories include Art Galleries, Lighthouses, Underground Caves, and even Prisons. Yes, for $150/night you can stay in a fabulous Turkish Prison. See, dreams do come true! Hotels are rated on a scale ranging from “Different” to “Wow,” though I’m surprised there isn’t a “Get-me-out-of-here!” category.
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