Q&A
'Read-only' files limit access

By Tamara E. Holmes

Q. How do you make a document "Read-Only" in Microsoft Word?

A. Microsoft has armed Word with a number of features that let users designate who is able to edit a file and under what circumstances. Users can designate that a file is "Read-Only," alerting others who may open the file that they should not edit it. Users also can forbid anyone from making changes to a Word document without first entering a password.

To access these features, click on "Save As" in the File menu. At the top of the dialog box, you should see a Tools button. Click on it and then click on General Options. There, you can click on the box recommending that the file be Read-Only, or you can password-protect the file, making it either impossible to open or impossible to edit without a password of your choosing.

Q. The person I sold my printer to says the paper always clumps up or causes jams. This never happened to me when I used the printer. Could cheap paper be causing his problem?

A. The paper could very well be the cause, though it doesn't necessarily have to be because it is cheap. Printers generally come with a set of weight recommendations for paper that works best with them. If you buy paper that doesn't fall into the specified range, that could affect the printing experience and could conceivably cause the paper to clump. You also should buy paper specifically designated for laser or ink-jet printers, depending upon the type of printer you have.

Paper should be kept someplace where it will remain cool and dry. If it's damp, it also is likely to clump when you're ready to print.

Q. I bought a software program and downloaded it, but it isn't what I thought it was. The company says it will only provide a refund for software that has not been downloaded. Does that sound reasonable to you?

A. Regardless of whether it sounds reasonable, it's a common return policy. Just like many software manufacturers will refuse to provide refunds if packaged software is opened, manufacturers who let users download their products often won't give users who've already downloaded the software their money back.

If you have a problem downloading the software and change your mind about the program in the process, that's grounds for getting your money back in the viewpoint of many of these companies.

Holmes answers questions daily at usatoday.com/tech.htm.