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'Bout Computers Reviews I've got two REALLY good ones for you this month! One is hardware and one is software.
Microsoft Word Keyboard In last month's issue, I mentioned that Ideazon had some problems with one of their keysets (letters on keys were fading) and Oren Kramer at Ideazon told me he would send me a new keyset to replace the one I had problems with. Well, he asked me if I wanted the same keyset I had (the basic Internet keyset) or if I would prefer to have the Microsoft Word keyset instead. So, I chose the Word keyset since I seem to spend a lot of my time in Word lately. And boy am I glad I made THAT choice! As with all the other keysets, there are lots of customizable buttons which can be set up any way you want (see my review of the Excel keyset for more info on that). Buttons to launch your web browser, email program, media player, etc. All very handy indeed. And, with this Word keyset, you have so many great shortcuts specific to Word, I can't even begin to describe them all. As you know, most keyboard shortcuts use the ctrl key with other keys, and these are clearly labeled in red on the top of the keys on this keyset. However, there is also a full line of additional shortcuts which use the ctrl+shift combo and these are clearly labeled in blue on the top of the keys. AND, there's a third full set of shortcuts using the ctrl+alt combo and these are all clearly labeled in blue on the front side of the keys. Do the math and you will see that the number of keyboard shortcuts you have readily available to you when you use this keyboard is tripled! And there's a "key tips" key on every zboard that you can use whenever you want to know what any key combo does (especially handy for blind users who can't read the labels on the keys but can hear what is displayed on their screens, using their screen reading software). Some examples:
There are lots more ... you'd have to see the actual keyboard to appreciate all it offers. And, you should see all you can do from the Number Pad! Insert tables, insert comments, insert WordArt, go to Print Preview, view headers and footers, and MORE. I don't think you even need a mouse if you have this great keyboard. And, no more need to waste hours going thru the menus to try to find a feature. It's ALL easily available to you from this keyboard! And, as with the other keysets, if you move outside of Word, the keyboard acts like a normal keyboard. But, as soon as you bring Word up as the active window, it's back in Word keyset mode. I'm using it right now to type this article in FrontPage and it works great ... but as soon as I launch Word, the shortcuts are instantly available to me again. Remember that Ideazon has MANY different custom keyboards for programs like PhotoShop, Flash, Excel, etc., not to mention many different action games. I recommend you check them out. I now own four different keysets and I love them all. And the best news of all .... Once again, Ideazon has made a great offer to ABC readers. For you only, they are offering 20% off this already inexpensive Word keyset and the NEW Zboard system from June 12 to June 26. I highly recommend you take advantage of this offer. AND for every one you order, ABC makes a couple bucks, so you will be supporting ABC if you do this. Instructions from Ideazon on how to get your discount:
Custom keyboard for Microsoft Word
Here's what this beautiful new Zboard system looks like:
Remember, this coupon is only good from June 12 to June 26, 2004, so order NOW! FrontLook's Site Search Engine As I mentioned in my FrontPage Shortcuts article, I've added this new site search engine to my site and it is truly sweeeeet!! Once installed, it adds the following choices to FP's Insert menu:
It is so simple to use. First thing you do is click on "Edit Search Areas" and you can choose which pages you want included in your search area. And, this new updated version even allows you to include Subwebs! All you do is put checkmarks beside any pages you want included when people search. Once you've setup your search areas, then you can "Insert Search Page". This creates either a php search page or an asp search page, depending on what your domain host supports. In my case, I'm using php, so it made a page called search.php and also a page called search.php.htm. I then formatted the search.php.htm page so it matches the style of my website. Then, I simply added links in the top and bottom shared borders on my pages in my subwebs that said "Search" and linked them to my search.php page. (see a sample of that at the top and bottom of all ABC pages). However, for my main site (not my subwebs), I was also able to use the "Insert Quick Search Form" to add a search box to individual pages and that I REALLY like (see the one on my home page). Why don't you try it out. Try searching my site. If you like it and want to download a free 30-day trial version, click on the FrontLook button at the bottom of any of my search pages or just click here. I think you will agree with me that it's a great little tool. Also, don't forget the rest of FrontLook's great addins and templates for FrontPage. See my review of them here. And, PLEASE don't forget to check out FrontLook's Screen Capture program. This is a standalone program and doesn't require FrontPage at all. This is one of my favorites! Read my review here. Linda Johnson is a college instructor of all of the Microsoft Office Programs, as well as Adobe PhotoShop and Windows. She also teaches online distance learning classes in Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Word at Eclectic Academy. She has worked helpdesk and teaches and lectures at many local businesses and tech schools in her area. Support this newsletter by checking out Linda's eBooks, MS Word MAGIC!, Book I: Fonts, Fun & Formats and Book II: Table Wizardry, How To Get Started As a Software Trainer, and her newest series of MSOffice eBook Tutorials and CD |
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