A fellow mylotter friend of mine started a discussion as she was interested in how to be able to use different symbols like monetary ones...She seemed to think that the only monetary symbol on US made keyboards only had the dollar sign $ but thought that only European keyboards could have say the British pound symbol...£ or the Euro symbol €--well as you can see...not so. It surprised me that the responders didn't know how to get symbols other than the most commonly used ones.
Now I have a Mac computer so our keyboard is different anyway...and in my opinion in many ways a heck of a lot easier to use and you'll see what I mean by this little demonstration
For Mac users to get different symbols one hits the Option key + something else
so for instance
Option + 2 gets the trademark symbol ™
Option + 4 gets the cent symbol ¢
Option + Shift + 2 gets the Euro symbol €
Option + 3 gets the British pound symbol £
for a listing of symbols to use on Macs here's a link
http://german.about.com/library/blcharcodes.htm
It has further links for more symbols
Ah...alas do I hear you say..."'But I don't have a Mac"??
All is not lost...but it's more complicated to get the symbols..hehee--nah nah, nah nah nahrasp
For any other symbol other than the traditional ones on your keyboard you have to press the ALT key + a code number
A great website for all the symbols is here
http://tlt.psu.edu/suggestions/international/accents/codealt.html
So for that British pound symbol you have to press the ALT + 0163
And this my friends concludes Computer 101
Okay folks...how many of you knew you could do this? How many did not know...not don't be shy...confess
[question posted by pyewacket]
responses and comments:
I knew it ... just now. Thanks pyewacket I'm using a PC and firefox and it work. myLot® µTorrent my 1¢ [ferdzNK]
I just hope it wont go "Dory" with me. smrs [ferdzNK]
This is just great website, thank you, Pye. I knew some of codes for accents, like those in my language, but not all, they are not so easy to remember, and I had some shortcuts to it also. But this is just great, I have bookmarked this link, I know it will be useful. By the way, it seems that Mac computer and keyboard is really easier to use. [Natrak]
LOL..yes the Mac computer and keyboard is a lot easier.. I can use it to my advantage too for foreign words...Like Parlez-vous français? instead of just plain francais [pyewacket]
Hi pyewacket! Alright, I confess! I didn't know anything about it. I usually depend on hubby for all my queries on the PC. I didn't have any use of this before but I think it will come in handy. Thanks for the lesson Teacher Pye! haha..I saved this discussion so I can try my hands on it later. haha..Thanks for sharing this. Take care and have a nice day! happy [faith210]
Hi pyewacket! I did try it last night and had fun. Never thought it was that easy. haha..Now I know better, thanks to you! Take care and have a nice day! happy [faith210]
I came across the list of all the symbols you could use some 10 years ago... and I printed it. But I did not memorize it and I keep losing the list amongst my paper work. lol [Aussies2007]
That is what I thought Plooker. I am sure it is somewhere in Windows. So why don't you be a good myLotter and tell us where to find it. [Aussies2007]
I knew that the ALT + numbers could get other symbols, but only ever remember the degree º one. [ElicBxn]
On mine for the degree it's option + K = ° [pyewacket]
Thank you very much for the info its really helpful, its soemthing worth sharing and something that we can also make use with just a few key strokes. [Zelmarq]
I'm really so surprised a lot of people didn't know about this [pyewacket]
You are a fountain of knowledge Ms Pye. I never knew any of this. When a friend started a discussion on the keyboard symbols, I was looking for the pound sign also. I am going to try this now and see if it works. £ hehehehehehehehe look at that I did a pound symbol. £ £ £ £ £ Hey that is cool Pye, who would have thought you could make a pound symbol with the ALT + 0163. [Goodie123]
Once our little Elf finds a new toy she must play with it Pye.lol [Goodie123]
Well i Know About it. After Seeing Pepole in MMORPG Game Typing it to me. And Then I Saerched Google. In Search I Typed Alt+ Special Characters. And That,s All. [dbzfan]
Not too many people do know about this though--glad you knew about it [pyewacket]
I checked it out but the instructions do not show how to get the correct results with a laptop. However thanks for sharing. [whiteheather39]
Try it without holding the ALT..first tap the Alt then type the code??? [pyewacket]
i didnt know xD but yeah lolz what about altGR [an3lin]
¡™£¢8§¶•ªº–? œ?´®†¥¨ˆøp'« åß?ƒ©??°¬…æ O˜çv?˜µ==÷ I'm an old typesetter... I know all about ßell codes, as they were called. In fact, there was a saying when things looked dire... "There's always Option-8..." (That symbol is called a "bullet"...) [BarBaraPrz]
Hehe--show off...as TheProgrammer pointed out though not all the symbols seem to come out though..that's why one gets the question marks instead [pyewacket]
thank you for this useful info ,i know this now .its do useful .thank you share it to all the people .i will get more about this info to share with people . [lunmun]
You're welcome...I was surprised how many people didn't know about this [pyewacket]
Thanks for the lesson Pye... I was one who wondered the same things.. and thought only European keyboards had these options. You are so smart Pye...Good discussion! [OreoCookie3]
Just call me the computer geek...or is that nerd? LOL [pyewacket]
I will confess that I didn't know any of this. It will be great to have access to these symbols. They will really come in handy. Thanks for going to the trouble to find the chart for those of us that don't have a Mac computer. [deebomb]
Well more people do have PCs then Macs..the code system was something I knew about when I did work on PCs though and taught to me long time ago [pyewacket]
Another link to bookmark for future visits. Never knew we could use different codes for symbols on our puters. You and your MAC. rasp Rather have my Dell anyday. [blackbriar]
Oh yeah? Macs are better...hehee....used to work on PCs though in the library and they are Dells too [pyewacket]
I knew that there was a list. I have used it before, but I lost my link to it when I switched computers a long time ago. That you for posting the link to it. I will have to bookmark it for future use. [lilybug]
I had first learned computers on a PC type rather than a Mac...this code thing was told to me long time ago, but lost the list too, so was glad it was available on a website [pyewacket]
While I can't remember where it is, there is actually a box you can pop up that has all of the symbols too. As far as the Mac goes...I am a new Mac user. I only just got a Mac about 3 months ago so, this info was very helpful as I am still learning. And, BTW...I love Mac! My hubby loves it too and has already said that the next time we need to replace any computers in our house, it will be with a Mac. Thank you for the help! [cortjo73]
LOL! Thank you for trying Pye! And, thank you for helping me remember how to find it on a PC! [cortjo73]
I must confess, I did not know this even existed! I believe as the saying goes, you learn something new every day, Well I've learned something today so I guess now its nap time!!! [tarheelnancy]
Kind of nice to learn something new..hehe [pyewacket]
I knew that you had to press alt and a code (windows user) but I can never remember the codes and don't use the symbols enough to bother learning them. My keyboard has the $ and the £ sign, so I only need codes for the euro sign. I tend to just go on Microsoft Word, insert symbol and then find it there and copy and past it over. Learning the code would be quicker, but I don't need it often, so I would just forget it. [Elixiress]
Not really, I always though it was common sense. Well that is until my economics teacher started replacing £ with # because he couldn't find the symbol. Hmm ctrl + 3. [Elixiress]
I had absolutely NO idea I could do this LOL! It annoyed me because I'm from the UK and so have been writing pounds instead of £. Thank you for giving us this lesson. I'm going to have SO much fun with this, and have bookmarked the website you gave the link to, for further perusal when I have the time to look. [angelwhispers30]
It is fun isn't it? Like relearning all over again...I also have something called a character palette I can open up and all I need to do is click on it and drag over to the page I'm typing...all kinds of cute symbols like hearts, arrows..LOL..probably PCs have something similar?? [pyewacket]
Only certain characters will work with the current mylot format and font database. Some characters work fine, and some languages work fine, but some webdings do not. ???? - I am O - Omega ß - Beta ?? - Music Notes ? - Heart ¼ - One fourth Theprogamer™ - My username with "TM" =3 Now if the characters work now, don't expect them to work in an update (my posting of kanji and katakana proves it. I've had them changed to question marks because the server didn't understand or the update didn't understand). For characters that don't work, arrows don't work and you have to be creative if you do it ??? - Hurricane kick (using the arrows in symbols) |/<- - Hurricane kick (improvising) Another instance delta doesn't work ? - Delta Oh yes and it should go without explanation that I've known this Pye. [theprogamer]
Yep--I discovered that too that some symbols don't transfer well here at MyLot..I was trying to do the heart one too, and an arrow..didn't work, oh well c'set la vie [pyewacket]
Teacher Pye..I didn't know this and thank you for the lesson..do we get graded on this? a boost on my star perhaps? durn thing just keeps going up and down.. by the way i sent off the envelope to you! [Rosekitty]
Well I always grade you with a big plus.happy..guess your being targeted too...a lot of folks star ratings are going kaput. Great will send out those coupons as soon as I get your envelope [pyewacket]
I knew ya could make them but hadnt picked up on how to do it and now I know I still probably wont lol [Lakota12]
w00tthats why I will probably never use them [Lakota12]
I knew it could be done, I'm just so new and un-savvy that I didn't know HOW... thanx for the good, easy lesson... no excuses now!! [alamode]
Heehee--yup no excuses now..LOL [pyewacket]
I had not a clue on how to do any symbols, but then again, I don't use them that much at all. Thanks for the great information and educating me this this information. [kaysue4]
I don't use the symbols that much either, but it's nice to know one can do this [pyewacket]
Thanks for this,Pye! I was aware that these codes were around,but hadn't gotten around to bookmarking it.. Most UK spec keyboards have £ and $ as standard,newer ones have Euro ( € ) using [Alt Gr][4] keys-I don't have use for many special symbols,but this is worth checking out! [ShepherdSpy]
Well see here in US our keyboards don't have those symbols as standard, so it is nice to know there is a way to do these symbols like the £ [pyewacket]
Thanks so much for this, I wanted to type a few symbols recently and didn't know how. This will really come in handy. [howard96h]
Knowing the symbols and how to get them when writing in a different language help, especially the accent marks ..so one can write sauté instead of just saute..Hehe [pyewacket]
I didn't know, put me in the stats. I do however know how to get the copywrite symbol and the registered symbol. Control Alt c for the copywrite symbol. Control Alt r for the registered symbol. I use those when writing sometimes. I sometimes put them on something I've written so people can't steal it, they may not check to see if it's copywrited but it deters them from taking it. Just a little trick I use now and then. [gitfiddleplayer]
I add the copywright notice on my photos..that REALLY comes in handy [pyewacket]
ok thanks for your suggestion regarding this from now onwards i will use these symbols ok bye bye [msnbtech]
its my pleasure to take your help ok bye bye take care [msnbtech]
All the more reason for me to save for the Mac. I know about the symbols on my PC, but I use the ones for the dots and the em and en dashes more often, I will have to look up the ones for the cents and the pounds since they are not on the keyboard. They should be! I converted my keyboard to US international and if I want to put the forward slant on the top of an e, I just press the control key plus e and I get that. I will have to see if I can do the same with some other key to get all those weird numbers. You see, I am basically lazy. As for the Mac, I am half there! [suspenseful]
I really do think Mac computers are easier to use to get these symbols...it would drive me daft to try and memorize all those code numbers [pyewacket]
Okay! Second time posting a response evidently the first one didn't go through tried to post usingsome of the symbols. But I thank you very much for this very informative information. I have always wondered how to do most of the symbols now I know. Again thanks for this discussion. [mtdewgurl74]
I have ask everyone I know and saved the link and sent it to them since they didn't know either. I have used them since I learned how to do them and it is great not having to spell things out but being able to use a symbol. Thanks. [mtdewgurl74]
Thank you for the link I made sure to bookmark it for future use. I knew about how to do the copyright symbol © but not on the others. There are times when it would come in handy to have these things. Like earlier I was doing a recipe and typing out one and one half would have made more sense as 1 ½ instead of 1 1/2. It would be clearer is all. I have a feeling I'll be referencing that page a great deal in the future. Thanks again for the information. [emeraldisle]
lol I'm glad you found them. I had someone show me once how to make a heart appear but I can't remember what it was and it wasn't on that page you had the link for. Still knowing those things can come in handy at times. [emeraldisle]
Now I know how to do it. Does that count? ROFL! Thanks for the computer lesson hon. There are days that I can still use all the help I can get! lol [Katlady2]
Yes Katlady..that counts...hehe. I just found the way to do quarter cup and half cup measurements...kind of handy for typing recipes ½ ¼ [pyewacket]
Thank you, thank you!!! I wasn't on myLot at all yesterday so I missed this discussion, Pye! Thanks for posting it. I was just asking someone on my discussion where the information was obtained for the alt + number information. I'll definitely bookmark this site...thanks! happy [dfn12968]
I just received a message from Plooker... and he was right. It is all on your computer. Go to START>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Character Map Tick the box 'Advanced view' and it tells you the key stroke as well!!! Also... if you have Microsoft Word Click insert>symbols And there are all there again. [Aussies2007]
Yes I found an alternative way of doing it also...I have to click my Applications, then Font Book, then click Edit, then Special Characters...then all I have to do is a click on the symbol that highlights it and do a drag thing to where I want to type--Plooker kind of follows you around I notice [pyewacket]
I had no idea what the Mac shortcurs were because I have never used a Mac, but I was fully aware of the Windows equivalents. I have used ASCII codes before, which is what the 0163 for the £ sign is, and also use a few other shortcuts to avoid accessing the Character Map. The most common one for me was the letter á which is typed by holding the Ctrl nad Alt keys while pressing a. I am a great Plácido Domingo fan and use it quite often. [Asylum]
I use that one accent mark myself a lot but instead of for Spanish words, use it for French, like sauté or Français [pyewacket]
i knew it when i started playing online games. but i only know few of them. thanks for sharing this though [rhane7315]
Glad to share thishappy [pyewacket]
Ok, ok, ok...I admit it! I'm a keyboard symbols novice! (LOL) Thanks for posting this discussion. I think it's a very good and educational experience for all of us. I knew you could do something like this because of all those wonderful computer classes I had to take back in college, but I couldn't remember how. That's what I love about myLot...it allows us to bring to remembrance those wonderful things we learned however many years and decades ago! Ok...so maybe I'm not that old. I graduated college a little over a year ago...but still. The memory slips at times. I have what I call "brain farts" quite often as well. (LOL) Anyway, my question to you is, when did you become a computer genius, Pye? I didn't know you were so knowledgeable in this area! I'd love to pick your brain sometime. Of course, perhaps you also had some excellent Internet resources as well, just as you listed a few in your discussion. I really appreciate your information here. Thanks for a great post! Take care, my friend. [JJ4Ever]
"Love at first mouse click" turned into a wonderful "computer love affair" for you, didn't it? (LOL) Very well put, my friend. I love anything and everything that has to do with computers, but I'm what you would've considered one of those 5-year-olds you mentioned in your comment because I pretty much grew up with a computer and couldn't keep my hands off it! Once I knew how to use one, it's like the mouse was glued to my hand at all times! I'm very glad I learned to use the computer at an early age. I think it's wonderful that you put forth the effort and most definitely succeeded in learning to use the computer having not had the same experience early on as I did. I always admire people who make an effort and take the time to stay updated on things like this and keep themselves informed. It's the way to go! Technology has an 18-month turnover rate. In other words, technology changes every year and a half. That's extremely often, so it's definitely worth staying up on! Thanks so much for sharing your experiences. You've really helped me out with this discussion and proved yourself to be a true computer geek! (LOL) Take care. w00t [JJ4Ever]
I've had to use these symbols with ALT key for years way back to my first pc at work in 1986, using the ALT key with ASCII code numbers. Earlier computers were quite limited in the number of symbols that could be used (and repeated after reaching number 128), but they have been expanded since then. [Eskimo]
wow..you're an "old timer" with computers..I only taught myself about four years ago..bet you've seen a LOT of changes with computers [pyewacket]
Thanks for the tips. A lessin on computers and how things work is always very handy. It's nice when we can find a little bit o extra information here on MyLot. Thanks for sharing this with all o us. [danishcanadian]
I'm still learning things about my computer since it's a Mac, a whole different breed of a computer [pyewacket]