That's a very good idea John. There are also maps out there which tell you the shortcuts to such symbols. Since I use the degree sign all the time I know that ° can be created by holding down ALT and typing 248 on the numeric keypad [NOT the numbers on the regular keyboard]. I have memorized the ones I use over the years but you can also print yourself a cheat sheet and tape it to your computer [as I did for years]. There are some variations but one source of these is: http://searchwin2000.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid1_gci847800,00.html Note also that using my way works quite well in plain text [which is what the mailing lists are done in] and in the forums I run but may not work in all programs whereas John's method with give you the character map for the font you are using in that program. Cheryl Rothwell [email protected] Logan County ILGenWeb www.rootsweb.com/~illogan Central IL Regional Coordinator, ILGenWeb Clark, Downing, Harding, Lucas, et al -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, December 17, 2004 12:12 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [ILLOGAN] Re: ILLOGAN-D Digest V04 #96 To all in ILogan: Many researchers in Logan county have German roots, if not nearly all of us. Many of the German, Bavarian, or Swiss town names have "umlats". If you do not use the umlats, the meaning or the town may not be understood by a German researcher. There are several methods of producing umlates in your E-mail. I have had need of the "percent sign" for years, and have made use of a tool provided by Windows called a "Character Map". The character map can be put on your desktop by going to: "Programs"; "Accessories"; "System Tools"; "Character Map". When you get to "Character Map" right click and make a "shortcut". Click and drag your shortcut onto your desk top. Just before using a word processor or AOL or another provider, click the icon and then "minimize" it so that it will stay in the menu at the bottom of your screen until you need it. You can also get it after the fact if you wish. This is so handy! you can do accents, tilda, umlates in any Font you choose. It works by using the copy/paste under the edit menu. (ö, ü, ß, 32°, ÷, ñ, and many others symbols and signs). JOHN WILHAM ==== ILLOGAN Mailing List ==== To unsubscribe from the Logan County List if you are in mail mode, send to [email protected] If you are receiving messages in the digest mode, send to [email protected] -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.296 / Virus Database: 265.5.4 - Release Date: 12/15/2004 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.296 / Virus Database: 265.5.4 - Release Date: 12/15/2004