A Character is the word that describes any thing that you can write
- letters, punctuaction marks and symbols.
Character Map is a list of all the fonts and symbols (characters) that
have software loaded on your computer. Computers originally had one font
to work with - Unicode text (I think).
After someone had the idea of coming up with a different font, it was
then an easy step to upload any set of letters and characters, including
Korean, Arabic, Maths notation, Map symbols etc.
Go to Start > Programs > Accessories > Character Map or if
it's not there go to Start > Find and type in CharMap.
You use Character Map to get hold of a symbol that you can't see on
your keyboard. In fact you can change the font you are using, but the
keyboard doesn't show what is produced until you hit the buttons, it is
also used to copy and paste unusual characters.
We have looked at holding down ALT, then typing numbers from the numberic
keypad. These numbers are related to Character Map in the way they
are produced.
The numbers start at 32. Zero to 31 don't generate anything (I think).
Why 32? 32 equal 2 to the power 5. When you start using computers you'll
notice that powers of 2 come up a lot. It is all connected with the size
of bits and bytes. The last symbol on Character Map is numebr 256 (equals
2 to the power 8)
The Fonts are normally loaded in C:/ Documents and Settings/ System/
Fonts or something like this. They can be updated by going to msn.com
or downloads.com. Some fonts are copyrighted and so you need to pay for
them, others aren't.
Lastly a Serif is the pointly bit that letters sometimes have. This
font has a few. Sans Serif means the font doesn't have serifs - sans is
he French for without.