Q: Using Windows XP, I have many hundreds of words stored in the very useful AutoCorrect function, with English (Australia) as the selected language. Nevertheless the system frequently reverts to English (U.S.), so that AutoCorrect will not work until I re-set the language – always seeking to make it the default, but without permanent success. Is it possible to remove English (U.S.) as the default language so that the AutoCorrect function will not continually revert to it or, alternatively, to make English (Australia) the permanent default?
                

A: I use AutoCorrect extensively myself as this is a great improvement to my productivity and I am well aware of this problem. To permanently set the spelling to Australian English may involve several factors. Begin by clicking on Start, Settings, Control Panel, Regional and Language Settings. You will find there are three tabs, Advanced, Languages and Regional Options. You need to have English Australia selected under all three tabs. Note that you have to include the Details option in the Languages window. Then open Word to see if this has fixed the problem.

If this does not fix it then from Start, click Programs, Microsoft Office Tools select Microsoft Office XP Language Settings and then you will be able to select Australian (or UK). Caution: When you change the installation language as in the last step, your Normal.dot file is replaced and any changes you have made will be lost. This means that you will have to re-customise your settings in Normal.dot.

Note that this method naturally cannot change the existing files but will create all new files correctly.

Hiding the recipient list

Q: I note that in some emails suppress the list of recipients and I would be grateful if you would tell me how this is done.  I would pass it on to a friend who sends emails from overseas to me and dozens of other contacts which, when the message is printed, the list of names and addresses take up the whole of the first page!

A: He must use the BCC (Blind Carbon Copy) field. The actual wording that is inserted in the To line varies depending on the e-mail program that is being used. Using Outlook Express to send such mail will produce the Undisclosed Recipient message. Using Eudora will give Recipient list suppressed. MS Outlook (not the free Outlook Express) does not insert this. By having one name in the To field and the rest in BBC will avoid the “Recipient list suppressed” message.

You have not stated what mail reader he uses and I will assume it is Outlook Express, simply because it is the most common. Outlook Express does have this facility but it is not obvious,
and the default installation of Outlook Express makes this hard to find.

In the New Message window click on View and then on Show All Headers. This will show an additional dialogue box labelled BCC. Any recipients in that box will not be displayed to others and they will not know who else has received blind copies of the original e-mail.

If using Outlook, not Outlook Express he will have to click on the To.. icon and a new window will open listing the name in the address book and the BBC field will be show. All names should be then placed into the BBC and not the To field.

Faxing problems

Q: I have previously used an early version of Winfax from Symantec and lived in a black spot area where dialup or ISDN was only solution. Although this was recently rectified by Telstra with cable I held off till I moved.  I have just put in ADSL.   I am finding now that Winfax / XP Pro is totally unstable to the point that I am wanting to remove Winfax.  I have picked up on various internet sites that stay away from Winfax as it has problems, is unsupported at Symantec etc. I have seen various internet fax solutions that charge a monthly fee which I don’t wish to pay. I would rather purchase a solution and will buy a fax machine if needed. Do you have any recommendations or suggestions?

A: I do not have any strong recommendations as I seldom send faxes but rely very largely on e-mail. I use Winfax and my version works OK with XP for the very rare case when required but I also have a multi function printer/ fax etc which I now use for the very occasional fax.

I don't know why your version of Winfax is not working or what the problems are but have you tried the simple faxing software that comes with XP? See: http://tinyurl.com/24csp for details. If this does not work for your needs then a fax machine of multi-function device is the next option.