Q&A
Enable user switching to speed up login process

By Kim Komando
Gannett News Service

Q: I share a Windows XP computer with two family members. We restart the computer between users, but that takes too much time. Is there a shortcut to switch users?

A: Logging out and in is quicker than restarting the computer. To do that, click Start and Log Off. Windows is restarted, but the computer is not. Better yet, use Fast User Switching. Click Start and Log Off. Then, select Switch User and click the new user's icon. If Switch User is not available, enable it. Click Start and Control Panel. Double-click User Accounts. Select "Change the way users log on and off." Check the "Use Fast User Switching" box.

Q: I need to exchange documents with co-workers in Europe. Can I type European characters in Microsoft Word?

A: Word includes many special characters for foreign languages. To use them, place the cursor where you want the character. Then click Insert and Symbol. Find the character you need, and click Insert and Close. The character will be inserted where you left the cursor. The symbol window also includes unusual punctuation marks and rarely used symbols, such as those for the euro and yen. Windows has a similar utility, called Character Map. You can access it by clicking Start, Programs or All Programs, Accessories, System Tools and then, Character Map.