Q. I want to build a Web site, so I spoke with one company, but they wanted $12,000 to build it. I don’t have that kind of money. What would you suggest, Mr. M? I just want a simple Web site and the ability to perhaps add to it in the future.

A. One of easiest ways to construct a Web site these days is to use a service such as GoDaddy.com. Depending how sophisticated you want your site to be, prices start as low as $9.99/month. (Why don’t they just call it $10?) You can do everything from registering your domain name, to creating your Web site, to gaining exposure for your site through GoDaddy’s Traffic Blazer services. You’ll also find contact information for GoDaddy’s telephone and email support, both of which are excellent.

Other popular build-your-own Web site services include Homestead.com, BuildYourSite, and Yahoo! GeoCities.

Q. I’ve been getting email from somebody that I don’t want to hear from. I asked the person to stop contacting me, but they aren’t stopping. Isn’t there a way to block this mail in Outlook Express? Thanks, Mr. M. I look forward to your newsletter every Friday.

A. To block messages from a sender, go to your Inbox, select a message from the sender that you want to block, then click Message > Block Sender. This will add the sender’s email address to your Blocked Sender’s List.

If you don't have a message from the offending sender in your Inbox, you can go directly to the Blocked Senders List as described above, click the Add button, and manually enter the appropriate email address.

If you change your mind at some point, to remove a sender from the list, click Tools > Message Rules > Blocked Senders List. Select the sender and click Remove.

Q. I’ve got a lot of files that I have to rename. Is there any way I can rename them at one time or do I have to rename each one of them, individually? I’m using Windows XP.

A. You can, indeed, rename multiple files simultaneously or even at the same time, for redundancy enthusiasts, with Windows XP. Using Windows Explorer (right-click the Start button, then click Explore), and select (highlight) all the files you want to rename. (Read the next paragraph if you’re not sure how to select multiple files.) Right-click one of the highlighted files, select Rename from the menu that appears, and enter a new name. Presto! All the selected files will share the same new name with a number in brackets to differentiate each file.

To select multiple files, hold down the SHIFT key and click the first file to select it, then scroll down to the last file and click it. This will highlight all files in between. If the files you want to select are non-contiguous, which is just a fancy-shmancy way of saying “not located next to each other,” use the CTRL key instead of the SHIFT key, and click just the files you want to select. When the desired files are highlighted, right-click and choose Rename.

Mr. Modem's Sites of the Week:

Health Calculators
Here you’ll find 15 Web-based health calculators designed to either assist you achieve your health and fitness goals or ruin your day, depending on your perspective. Features include two body-fat estimators (what, one body-fat estimator wouldn’t be distressing enough?), an unintentionally hilarious Ideal Weight Calculator, and the always-popular Waist-to-Hip Ratio calculator. I’m thinking this site might be a candidate for this year’s “Sites That Depress Us” award.
www.selfcheckup.com

TimeandDate.com
Display yearly calendars for any country, show local holidays and observances, and life-altering moon phases. Calendars can be printed and customized.
www.timeanddate.com/calendar

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