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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.
Mr. Modem’s DME (Don’t Miss ‘Em) Sites of the
Month
Little Known Facts Show
This family-friendly site features short stories and vignettes about Americana.
The site includes fun facts about American presidents, inventions,
silly-but-real laws, amusing town names, and trivia fans without a life can read
a new “Little Known Facts” story every day. These stories are similar to Paul
Harvey’s world-renowned “The Rest of the Story” feature.
www.littleknownfactsshow.com
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!”
http://tinyurl.com/6n42xd
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.
www.unusualhotelsoftheworld.com/
For plain-English answers to your questions by email, plus great computing
tips, subscribe to Mr. Modem’s award-winning
newsletter. Subscribe using Promo Code 4022 and receive two free months with
your 12-month subscription (60 issues!) To view a sample issue or subscribe,
visit www.MrModem.com.
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