Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2016 March 8

Computing desk
< March 7	<< Feb | March | Apr >>	March 9 >

Welcome to the Wikipedia Computing Reference Desk Archives
The page you are currently viewing is an archive page. While you can leave answers for any questions shown below, please ask new questions on one of the current reference desk pages.

March 8

MS Word

How do I write ‘one fourth’ or ‘1 by one fourth’ in MS Word? -- Apostle (talk) 18:18, 8 March 2016 (UTC)

I forgot to stated: Also with any desired numbers manually. -- Apostle (talk) 08:14, 11 March 2016 (UTC)

You can always just use 1/4 or 1/4th, but I assume MS Word can also do special characters, so it would look more like 1×¹/_4th. Is that what you are asking about ? StuRat (talk) 19:21, 8 March 2016 (UTC)

In my old version of Word, I use insert --> symbol, then select a font that has the one-quarter character. There's probably an easier way in newer versions of Word. Dbfirs 20:13, 8 March 2016 (UTC)

In word 2010 you just type "1/4" and it converts to ¼ automatically. Graeme Bartlett (talk) 01:38, 9 March 2016 (UTC)

1) hit ALT+F4 2) Start LaTeX/TeXstudio  :) SemanticMantis (talk) 16:55, 9 March 2016 (UTC)

It will take time to learn now. I've saved the links for the future; probably in the end. Thanks. -- Apostle (talk) 19:35, 9 March 2016 (UTC)

I've downloaded Texstudio as it was easy to find the download button. I'm going on an undesired holiday on the 20th, for a week, with the people I live with, I'll try to learn it then, if possible. -- Apostle (talk) 08:14, 11 March 2016 (UTC)

I'm searching for what Graeme stated but with any desired number(s). How do I convert manually? -- Apostle (talk) 19:35, 9 March 2016 (UTC)

Did you try looking at the Word help function? I did a search for "fraction" on mine and found the answer: Some fractions (1/4, 1/2, and 3/4) automatically switch to a fraction character when you type them (¼, ½, ¾). But others do not (1/3, 2/3, 1/5, etc.). 1.To switch to a fraction character, click Insert > Symbols > More Symbols. 2.In the Subset drop-down list, click Number Forms and select a fraction. 3.Click Insert > Close. Word is fairly standard across releases, but you should check your version's help function to make sure it's the same procedure. Matt Deres (talk) 21:18, 9 March 2016 (UTC)

User:Russell.mo, are you familiar with the typing of extended characters? I use them enough that I can tell you that it's a simple alt code, ALT+0188, but you can always look up the relevant number in a printed guide if it exists, or use Windows Character Map either to look up the alt code or to put the character onto your clipboard (so you can paste it instead of typing it) for future use. Nyttend (talk) 02:12, 10 March 2016 (UTC)

Sorry for the delay peeps, I was tired and .

It doesn't work Nyttend.

I also tried the symbol option, when Dbfris stated. After reviewing (thereafter Matts post), I found that it only has the default numbers. -- Apostle (talk) 08:14, 11 March 2016 (UTC)

Wireless switch

Could a switch have a wifi interface for being programmed remotely or at least turned off/on from a computer?--Scicurious (talk) 22:27, 8 March 2016 (UTC)

Yes. See home automation. I have a few switches in my house that I can turn on via a bit of software on my computer using the Insteon interface. Dismas|^(talk) 22:37, 8 March 2016 (UTC)

And do you know about a switch that does not have to be installed, but just connected in between the plug and the device?--Scicurious (talk) 01:33, 9 March 2016 (UTC)

There are many many many versions of this. It is similar to asking "Are there any things that have wheels and an engine that I can use to move my body around?" You are asking far to vague a question. You need to get very specific. What do you want to use to turn it on/off? What are you turning on/off? What is the distance between the controlling thingy you want to use and the controlled thingy you want to use? 209.149.113.194 (talk) 13:15, 9 March 2016 (UTC)

Just answer the question that was asked; a vague question can be answered with a general answer. Here's my general answer:
Here is one example, which may or may not work for you depending on your specific requirements: . (Without looking into it more, I'm uncertain whether the wireless technology is WiFi or something else like Bluetooth or something proprietary, but it can be controlled wirelessly via software on a personal computer.) ―Mandruss ☎ 13:33, 9 March 2016 (UTC)

If you just want to turn on a light, a search for the phrase "wifi light switch" on Google brings up many results. As mentioned though, to be more specific, we'll need a more specific question. Dismas|^(talk) 13:41, 9 March 2016 (UTC)

I meant, a lamp, not a light. Like a temporizer for turning on and off the lights or any other device, but remotely. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Scicurious (talk • contribs) 00:39, 10 March 2016 (UTC)