Computer Ease

Altar Is Here!

admin — Tue, 11 May 2010 02:00:33 +0000

Altar is Here!

Everything has been finalized.

Font Types

admin — Mon, 10 May 2010 14:30:55 +0000

Just for fun…
Though most users can install and use all three formats, there are differences between PostScript, TrueType and OpenType fonts that you should be aware of. If you need to use your fonts in a specific program, it is a good idea to consult the user guide to confirm that it supports all font formats. If you have a typeface in multiple font formats, we strongly recommend installing just one format at a time. More information about each format is provided below.

PostScript
The PostScript or “Type 1“ font format was developed by Adobe in the 1980s, several years before the release of TrueType. The format is based on Adobe’s PostScript printing technology – a programming language that allows for high-resolution output of resizable graphics. PostScript has long been viewed as a reliable choice, particularly for professional designers, publishers and printers.

PostScript fonts consist of two parts, which are both necessary for the font to be properly printed and displayed on screen. With most operating systems, PostScript fonts can be installed simply by being placed in the system’s font folder. However, PC users working on operating systems that predate Windows 2000, need to install the free ATM (Adobe Type Manager) utility in order to use PostScript fonts.

TrueType
The TrueType format was jointly developed by Apple and Microsoft in the late 80s, several years after the release of the PostScript font format. Many of the fonts included with both the Macintosh and Windows operating systems are TrueType. TrueType fonts contain both the screen and printer font data in a single component, making the fonts easier to install. For this reason, TrueType is a good choice for those who have limited experience working with and installing fonts

OpenType
OpenType, a joint effort from Adobe and Microsoft, is the latest font format to be introduced. Like TrueType, OpenType fonts contain both the screen and printer font data in a single component. However, the OpenType format has several exclusive capabilities including support for multiple platforms and expanded character sets. OpenType fonts can be used on either Macintosh or Windows operating systems. Additionally, the OpenType format permits the storage of up to 65,000 characters. This additional space provides type designers with the freedom to include add-ons such as small caps, old style figures, alternate characters and other extras that previously needed to be distributed as separate fonts.

However, not all OpenType fonts contain additional characters. Many fonts have been converted from either PostScript or TrueType formats without expanded character sets to take advantage of the cross-platform functionality benefits of OpenType. Unless clearly stated otherwise, assume that the OpenType font you are purchasing features the traditional character set found in PostScript and TrueType fonts. OpenType fonts that do contain expanded character sets are referred to informally as “OpenType Pro” fonts. Support for OpenType Pro fonts is increasing, yet the format is yet to be fully supported by all applications. To be safe, check the documentation of your applications.

for more info, visit http://www.itcfonts.com/Support/FontDifferences.htm

Access Data Types

admin — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:28:44 +0000

Working with Database Fields

Microsoft Access database fields are created by entering a field name and a field data type in each row of the field entry area of the database table window. The field description is an option to identify the fields purpose; it appears in the status bar during data entry. After you enter each field’s name and data type, you can specify how each field is used by entering properties in the property area. Before you enter any properties, however, you should enter all of you fields names and data types.

Naming a Database Field

A field name identifies the field to both you and to Microsoft Access. For information regarding field names please see the article: Tables and Fields

Specifying a Microsoft Access Data Type

After you name a field, you must decide what type of data the field will hold. Before you begin entering data, you should have a grasp of the data types that your system will use. Ten basic data types are shown in the table below; some data types (such as numbers) have several options:

Data Type	Use For	Size
Text	Text or combinations of text and numbers, such as addresses. Also numbers that do not require calculations, such as phone numbers, part numbers, or postal codes.	Up to 255 characters. Microsoft Access only stores the characters entered in a field; it does not store space characters for unused positions in a Text field. To control the maximum number of characters that can be entered, set the FieldSize property.
Memo	Lengthy text and numbers, such as notes or descriptions.	Up to 64,000 characters.
Number	Numeric data to be used for mathematical calculations, except calculations involving money (use Currency type). Set the FieldSize property to define the specific Number type.	1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes. 16 bytes for Replication ID (GUID) only. Click here for more information on changing Number field sizes.
Date/Time	Dates and times.	8 bytes.
Currency	Currency values. Use the Currency data type to prevent rounding off during calculations. Accurate to 15 digits to the left of the decimal point and 4 digits to the right.	8 bytes.
AutoNumber	Unique sequential (incrementing by 1) or random numbers automatically inserted when a record is added.	4 bytes. 16 bytes for Replication ID (GUID) only.
Yes/No	Fields that will contain only one of two values, such as Yes/No, True/False, On/Off.	1 bit.
OLE Object	Objects (such as Microsoft Word documents, Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, pictures, sounds, or other binary data), created in other programs using the OLE protocol, that can be linked to or embedded in a Microsoft Access table. You must use a bound object frame in a form or report to display the OLE object.	Up to 1 gigabyte (limited by disk space).
Hyperlink	Field that will store hyperlinks. A hyperlink can be a UNC path or a URL.	Up to 64,000 characters.
Lookup Wizard	Creates a field that allows you to choose a value from another table or from a list of values using a combo box. Choosing this option in the data type list starts a wizard to define this for you.	The same size as the primary key field that is also the Lookup field; typically 4 bytes.

For numeric data types, the field size enables you to further define the type of number, which in turn determines the storage size. The table below shows the seven possible settings in the Numeric Field Size property.

You should make the field size the smallest one possible; Access runs faster with smaller field sizes. Note the first three settings don’t use decimal points, but allow increasingly larger positive or negative numbers. Single and Double permit even larger numbers: Single gives you 7 decimal places, and Double allows 15. Use the Double setting when you need many decimal places or very large numbers.

Setting	Description	Decimal Precision	Storage Size
Byte	Stores numbers from 0 to 255 (no fractions).	None	1 byte
Integer	Stores numbers from –32,768 to 32,767 (no fractions).	None	2 bytes
Long Integer	(Default) Stores numbers from –2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647 (no fractions).	None	4 bytes
Decimal	Stores numbers from -10^38 -1 through 10^38 -1 (.adp) Stores numbers from-10^28 -1 through 10^28 -1 (.mdb)	28	12 bytes
Single	Stores numbers from –3.402823E38 to –1.401298E–45 for negative values and from 1.401298E–45 to 3.402823E38 for positive values.	7	4 bytes
Double	Stores numbers from –1.79769313486231E308 to –4.94065645841247E–324 for negative values and from 1.79769313486231E308 to 4.94065645841247E–324 for positive values.	15	8 bytes
Replication ID	Globally unique identifier (GUID)	N/A	16 bytes

Caution: If you convert a large FieldSize setting to a smaller one in a field that already contains data, you might lose data. For example, if you change the FieldSize setting for a Text data type field from 255 to 50, data beyond the new 50-character setting will be discarded.

If the data in a Number data type field doesn’t fit in a new FieldSize setting, fractional numbers may be rounded or you might get a Null value. For example, if you change from a Single to an Integer field size, fractional values will be rounded to the nearest whole number and values greater than 32,767 or less than –32,768 will result in null fields.

Tip: You can use the Currency data type if you plan to perform many calculations on a field that contains data with one to four decimal places. Single and Double data type fields require floating-point calculation. Currency data type fields use a faster fixed-point calculation.

Come and see me Bald !

admin — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:40:04 +0000

Yes, I’ll be playing Daddy Warbucks in Annie!

No, no skull cap for me! Bald!

Come and see!

http://www.prairieplayhouse.com/ for ticket information.

Thank you for voting - Altar

admin — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 21:37:54 +0000

Unfortunately we missed by only 10 votes of it going to the top 3.My grateful thanks to all of you that hung in with us for all these weeks.I have implemented an alternative plan so stay tuned for more information on the publishing of Altar!

Altar made it to the 3rd round !!!!

admin — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:19:12 +0000

Thanks to all who voted !!!!

More information on the 3rd round voting to follow…

2nd Phase of Altar Voting is HERE!!! November 28,29,30!

admin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:30:24 +0000

I am publishing Altar but need your help!

My publisher has entered me in a contest and whoever gets the most votes get published!I’ve made it through to the 2nd round thanks to you.

And now the voting is November 28,29,30, 2009

You can now go out and read the first 500 words of my book.

Here’s the easy way:

This is a pdf that you can download to expedite matters. Step by step instructions…

http://www.daverhoades.com/pdffiles/step_by_step_altar_voting.pdf

Follow the instructions.

If you have problems, email me at dave@daverhoades.com

There will be 3-4 rounds, Nov. Dec. Jan.Whoever makes it through will get published!Please help!

Thanks, dave

Don’t re-register Office 2007 every time.

admin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:30:58 +0000

Does your Office 2007 try to reconfigure everytime you launch it?

Here’s a cool fix I found…

Be careful, this is the registry we’re talking about…

Multiple versions of Word

If you have two versions of Microsoft Word installed on the same computer, you experience a delay when you start Word 2007. This behavior occurs because Word 2007 auto-registers itself on the computer.

You can bypass the auto-registration. This enables Word 2007 to start faster. However, we do not recommend this because Word may not function correctly if it cannot auto-register itself.

Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

322756 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756/ ) How to back up and restore the registry in Windows

To bypass the auto-registration for Word 2007, follow these steps:

Exit Word 2007.
Start Registry Editor.
- In Windows Vista, click Start
  Collapse this imageExpand this image
  
  , type regedit in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
  
  Collapse this imageExpand this image
  
  If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.
- In Windows XP, click Start, click Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.
Locate and then click to select the following registry subkey:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Word\Options
After you select the subkey that is specified in step 3, point to New on the Edit menu, and then click DWORD Value.
Type NoReReg, and then press ENTER.
Right-click NoReReg, and then click Modify.
In the Value data box, type 1, and then click OK.
On the File menu, click Exit to close Registry Editor.

Visit My YouTube

admin — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 13:53:42 +0000

for more fun and info on me and the fam

http://www.youtube.com/user/daverhoadesdotcom

64 bit software timeline…

admin — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:56:00 +0000

1991: 64-bit support for the R4000 would not be included in the IRIX operating system until IRIX 6.2, released in 1996.

1993: DEC releases the 64-bit DEC OSF/1 AXP Unix-like operating system (later renamed Tru64 UNIX).

1995: DEC releases OpenVMS 7.0, the first full 64-bit version of OpenVMS for Alpha.

1998: Sun releases Solaris 7, with full 64-bit UltraSPARC support.

2000: 64-bit Linux on zSeries follows the CPU release almost immediately.

2001: Linux is the first operating system to run on the IA-64 processor at the CPU’s release.

2003: Apple releases an update to its Mac OS X operating system which adds partial support for 64-bit mode. Several Linux distributions release with support for AMD64. Microsoft announces plans to create a version of its Windows operating system to support the AMD64 architecture. FreeBSD releases with support for AMD64.

2005: On January 31, Sun releases Solaris 10 with support for AMD64 and EM64T processors. On April 30, Microsoft releases Windows XP Professional x64 Edition for AMD64 and EM64T processors.

2009: Apple’s Mac OS X 10.6, “Snow Leopard,” is almost entirely rewritten in 64-bit code which is backwards-compatible with 32-bit applications and processors.