Private Character Editor

Things You Probably Don't Know You Have Like "Private Character Editor"
Windows XP Home, Media, and Professional - Windows Vista All Versions

All versions of Windows XP and Windows Vista come with something called a Private Character Editor. Think of it as a poor person's font editor. You can, indeed, create your own fonts, but that would take you a decade or so, I think. Better to create your own characters or special hand-drawn font-like thingies

Using Private Character Editor (PCE), you can create up to 6,400 unique characters (such as special letters and logos) for use in your font library. PCE contains basic tools for creating and editing characters, along with more advanced options. Using private character Map no matter which font you select.

To open Private Character Editor, click Start, click Run, and then type eudcedit . You will see a number of options. One of which is grid with drawing tools (pencil, eraser, square, circle, etc. on the left).

Using the Select Code dialog box, you can view your entire set of private characters. The Select Code dialog box displays miniature views of all your private characters with their corresponding hexadecimal values.

If you want to create a new private character using an existing character as your model, you can copy the existing character to the Edit grid and then modify it to suit your needs, or you can display the existing character in a Reference window alongside your Edit grid for use as a visual reference. You can use any character from any font that is installed on your computer.

Three Handy Productivity Tips For You!
Windows XP Home, Media, and Professional

1. Print from Windows Explorer
If you need to print a document, for example, let's say a Microsoft Word document, you don't have to open up MS Word first. Browse your hard drive and find the file that you want to print, right-click on its icon, and then click Print. This automatically sends the document to your printer without having to launching MS Word.

2. Use small icons on your Start menu
After you install a few dozen (or a few hundred) applications, your Start menu becomes very crowded. The simplest way to reduce the size of your Start Menu and to reduce the clutter is to use small icons instead of those big ones (you know the ones!)

To switch to small icons, right-click the Start menu and click Properties.

Next, click the Start Menu tab and then click the Customize button.

Now click the General tab, click Small Icons, and then click OK twice.

3. Send an e-mail attachment from anywhere

Find the file on your hard drive that you want to send by e-mail.
Right-click the file's icon
Click "Send To" and select "Mail Recipient"
A new mail message will open with the file attached and ready to send.
Insert the person's email address you want to send your attachment to from your address book (or type it in)
Change the message text from the default stuff that appears there (or you can leave it if you really don't care)

Now you can send your attachment. The best part is that you don't have to open your email program, add the attachment or fill in the subject line. Simpler is better and easier is best

. Are You A Fan Of Fonts?
Windows All Versions -From Windows 98 through Windows Vista

I've always been a fan of fonts. One of the things about me that has not changed since I first sat down at a computer is my affection for fonts. I've got tons of them. And, I've got tons of RAM too. If you're going to have tons of fonts you're going to need tons of RAM (a word to the wise).

Most of us "font fanatics" know about the sites on the web from which you can download "free" fonts. But did you know that you can get tons of fonts without even knowing you're getting them? The next time you're in a store that sells computer software, look for the "bargain" rack where older software is selling at a huge discount. Many print programs, greeting card creators, and the like come with dozens, sometimes hundreds of fonts, included. Even if you're not keen on the program, you might love the fonts that come with it. And did you know that most all of these types of programs come with great fonts? Think about it. If you're going to be creating a print project, greeting card, poster or other project that requires text, you will need fonts. And these kinds of programs are a virtual treasure trove of them. And, if you look in the discount software section of any store that sells software, you can pick up these kinds of programs for less than $10.00.

If you browse through your local Wal-mart, K-mart, Best Buy, or other store that sells computer software on CD, look for the bargains. Pick up any "print" , "greeting card" or "calendar creation" program and you'll find that a treasure of fonts probably come with the program.

Very few like fonts more than I do and most of my fonts came from installing these kinds of programs on my computer - sometimes just for the fonts :). Fonts don't just come from "free" download sites. They're in unexpected places. The next time you're yearning for some new fonts and have a few bucks to spend, just look around your local software store for print, calendar or greeting card software on CD. You'll get more fonts than you bargained for and a lot of them are very nice. I should know. I really like fonts!