Feedback

Sorry if we're not always able to publish every question or comment within the month. Sometimes they arrive at a busy time or the solution needs more time. But we do hang on to all feedback posts and will try to make sure we eventually publish as many as time permits. Below we've listed many of the current feedback posts.

Feedback
Chris Holliman, Double Oak (Dallas), TX writes:
Was reading an article you wrote on handling pictures in HTML...and noticed an important, but common omission. In the article you mentioned looking for typos if an image doesn't appear. However something that wasn't mentioned is that html is by nature case-sensitive. Although Internet Explorer incorrectly operates as a case-insensitive browser, many others (including Netscape, and any UNIX/Linux oriented browser) correctly operate in a case-sensitive nature, and will not open "pic.JPG" if the HTML code lists "pic.jpg". This is a very common error, exacerbated by Microsoft's tools ignoring the fact (often Windows explorer for instance will change the case of a file extension without my wishing it to do so when I move the file from one location to another, for example). Proper HTML coding is case-sensitive and that detail should be mentioned even though pages may look "correct" in IE, they aren't if the case in the code doesn't match the case of the file itself. Other than wanting to point that out, love the TechTrax website, and the great articles, thank you."

Reply
Dian Chapman, author of the HTML tutorial series, replied:
You're absolutely right, Chris, and thanks for pointing out that fact. I will update the article soon. And you're also right that I fall prey to that issue due to using IE all the time! I do generally write lowercase code, because I also have to write for other servers...but I forget about this fact. I was also bitten by IE's habit of overcorrecting table mistakes. Thankfully, now using Dreamweaver, I have it set to verify my code so IE won't let me THINK I have not made an error when I have.<wink> And thanks for your kind words about TechTrax.

Further Reply
Chris replied:
Glad to offer the commentary, and I look forward to reading more as time goes by (actually popped in to read an article on database normalization, via Google, and thought I'd peek around to see what else was there, enjoyed the little bit I had time to read).

Feedback
Another reader writes:
Hi Dian,
I just finished running through the latest edition of TechTrax and was absolutely WOWed by the Media Player story. You do nice work lady. I have WMP6 on this machine simply because I've read so many adverse reports concerning the later versions. I fully realize I'm missing a lot and I don't like that but, before I take the plunge I come to you for definitive answers. Is it true that WMP9 contains spyware which if disabled renders the application unusable? Are the picture and video plugins free downloads and are they compatible with Win2K or do they only work with XP? I'm afraid that XP is beyond my grasp."

Reply
Dian Chapman, author of the Microsoft Photo Story article, replied:
Thanks for the kind words. Yeah...Photo Story is pretty cool. As for spyware, I seriously doubt it, but can't tell you for sure...don't know, but I also, personally, don't care. Yes, I know some people are saying they'd never use Media Player. I really don't understand why...it's SO cool! I love media player 9. Not sure what you mean by photo and video plugins being free??? Yes, if you mean is Movie Maker free, yes. But that's just the video program that you use to capture video and you'll still need a video card. And the picture program, Photo Story, comes as part of the Plus! pack, which is $19.95 total for the pkg and it's just one of the items in it.

As for Win2k...I believe it does work for that version, as well as XP, since they both have the same core. But when you go to that download page, you'll see what versions work with what OSes. So check out the media download page. Sorry I can't provide you with too much more info. Photo Story was a no brainer for me, so I didn't do much research on it, as I didn't have the time. I just got it, messed with it, loved it and wrote about it. So you'll have to check out the media and plus links I provided to read up more if you want.

Feedback
Michele Alcorn, Chesterland, OH, writes:
Dian~
Hi - I have to tell you that I just LOVE you!!! I just read your article for Blind Users~! Thank you - thank you! I have 7.5 year old triplet boys - one of which is visually impaired and a braille reader! He is just now learning the regular keyboard and will be using a screenreader soon! He whizzes around on his BrailleNote now! You are incredibly awesome and I'm so thankful that I came across your website! I'm thinking that by the time he's truly ready to learn the nuts and bolts - I'll have learned SO MUCH from you and how to write programs (from your VBA book) which can help him and other little ones we know who are blind/and or visually impaired as well! Warmly, Michele

Reply
Dian Chapman replied:
Thank you so much for the kind words, Michele. Wow...triplets! Geez! I have teens. HA...I can't imagine three of the same age! My hat's off to you!<smile> By the time your little guy is ready to get a job, I'll hope that his world will be a lot more naturally able to allow him to compete without too much special equipment. Thanks again!

Further Reply
Michele replied:
My boys are joys! They were born 14 weeks early and are all happy and healthy! True miracles! I can't even imagine the TEEN years!! Good luck to you! <smile> Because schools are using computers at such an early age and there are more "challenged" children being mainstreamed - you may have heard the "No Child Left Behind" campaign, I would love to see more programs designed to help these children excel and succeed in school.

It's funny - just today I met with Robbie's Braille teacher to discuss arranging a demonstration of the Kurzweill scanner as an option and in addition to obtaining Braille versions of books. I was so excited to see the article published on your site that I immediately wrote her and referenced it! We are also going to receive a demonstration on JAWS.

One thing I can share with you now is that we've learned that although blindness/visual impairment is a low incidence "challenge" for children there is a DEFINITE and ABSOLUTE need for more adaptive/accessible technology, especially geared for younger children. Sighted kids start with crayons. Blind kids aren't able to benefit from the "visuals." Typically children Robbie's age are still required to "write" with a Perkins Brailler which is similar to a typewriter. He started when he was three. The difference being it uses six keys to create the appropriate "dots" that represent the letters/numbers. Although it is a useful tool, it is very difficult for a small child to manipulate the keys. So.... me being the "persistent" mother than I am <grin>, researched various technologies and prepared a proposal outlining my reasons why and how Robbie would benefit from the purchase of the particular technology. We were fortunate and the administrators agreed to purchase a BrailleNote, which is similar to an electronic note taker with refreshable Braille. Fortunately, Robbie is a very bright kid and he's learned to use it very quickly! I'm sorry - this is probably more info than you wanted to know .... <big smile> it's the mom in me!

Have a great weekend! I'm planning to scour your e-books this weekend! I'm addicted to the info!!

Further Reply
Paul Traynor, author of the Kurzweill Scanner article, replied:
Wow!!, that just made my day Dian, I feel so good that something I wrote gets noticed like that. Thank you for sharing it with me. Paul.

Feedback
Another reader writes:
Help. I've just put Windows XP Professional Edition on my computer. Will this program (Temp Scrubber) work here.

Reply
Greg Chapman, developer of the free utility, Temp Scrubber, replied:
It should do the job just fine provided you also have Microsoft Word 2000 or later installed. The TempDirScrubber is intended to be run by Word to clean up left over tmp files and abandonded installation folders from your System and User Profiles Temp paths.

Feedback
Another reader writes:
Hi Dian, I just signed up for your newsletter. I noticed you mentioned something about blind people. I appreciated your attention on "challenged"
individuals, as I have a hereditary eye disease myself.

Reply
Dian Chapman replied:
Thanks for the comments and I hope you find lots of useful information in TechTrax.

Feedback
Heather writes
Are you planning to add a search engine to your site?

Reply
Dian Chapman replied:
You can do all kinds of searches in TechTrax. The software I use to create TechTrax has a great ability to search by author, keywords or related articles, as well as listing full issues as they originally appeared.

Further Reply
Heather said:
Ahh, I didn't realize the Archives had a search -- that's pretty much what I wanted! I usually look for info about Word, so that's why I was hoping for a search capability. Thanks so much for the quick response. By the way, I also use the MVP site and think it's very helpful! I'm just getting aquainted with MouseTrax and look forward to reading TechTrax each month.

Feedback
Harry writes:
Hello, Dian! Thanks for the great article on creating custom dialog boxes. I've been looking for the follow up, to see how you move the code from the form. You wrote at the end of the article: "Future articles will discuss modular code and you'll learn more about using separate modules for calling reusable code." Can you point me at those articles?

Reply
Dian Chapman, author of the Creating Custom DialogBoxes article, replied:
Sorry for the confusion, Harry, I guess I missed a link. I do have an article regarding Sharing Macros that explains more about how to move modules around, however I haven't gotten around to much discussion about reusing code in other modules. I have written a new article this month that explains how I keep code snippets in a code library, so be sure to check out that article. But I guess I need to get busy with more basic VBA articles in the future. Thanks for the reminder!

Feedback
Colin McDonald, Edinburgh, UK, writes:
Great article by Linda on Web Development.

Reply
Linda Johnson, author of Understanding FrontPage 2002 Navigation, replied:
Thanks for your nice words, Colin. People who know me, know that Web Design is not my forté, but with FrontPage, I am able to achieve what I need with a minimal amount of time and headaches, so, though some criticize FrontPage, I remain a very loyal fan.

Feedback
Fred Hammond, Wellesley, MA, writes:
Your discussion of "Normal.dot" is by far the best I have seen"
Thank you for making it available to us who use Word reluctantly but of neccesity. My Normal.dot template was corrupted two days after I first used Word on a new computer three years ago and I have never been able to correct it. (I was a diehard Word Perfect user for a decade before switching to Word). I only wish I could have printed it out for future reference. Again "Thank you". May you have the success you deserve.

Reply
Dian Chapman, author of Normal.dot Template—Explained, writes:
Thanks for your feedback. Sorry you had problems printing the document. I'll have to explain just how easy it can be to paste any articles into Word...in the April issue. In the meantime, attached is a copy of this article for your future reference.

Feedback
Another reader writes:
Hi, first off - great site! I looked all over until I found your simple explanation... THANKS. Need a little more help. How can I add the WIDTH and HEIGHT to the mouseover code to ensure my pics are all the same size.

Reply
Dian Chapman, author of the HTML tutorial series, replied:
You just need to add the height and width numbers to the image. I make sure my images are the same size when creating them, so I don't have to bother and they default, but you could add them right into the image code, if there's a chance they're different sizes and you want them to match. However, a better way is to MAKE THEM MATCH! Granted, I have javascript code in the MM_swapImgRestore() function, but you'll notice that the measurements are within the image.

<!---MOUSEHOUSE--->
<a href="index2.html" onMouseOut="MM_swapImgRestore()" onMouseOver="MM_swapImage('MouseHouse','','images/ON_mousehouse.jpg',1)">
   <img name="MouseHouse" border="0" src="images/OFF_mousehouse.jpg" width="146" height="27" alt="Mouse House: Click this nav button to go to our main page.">
</a>

Feedback
Pearl writes:
I am so happy to have found your site. It has been a gold mine of help and I have only been on for a few days. Please send me all the back issues of TechTrax. Thanks.

Reply
Dian Chapman replied:
Thanks for the kind words, Pearl. You can find all the back issues via the Archives on the site. But I've attached them all here as zipped Word docs for your convenience.