My sister is just learning how to use her Windows XP computer with the
Internet. In her first message to me she complained about not being able to
spell check her text. As an ME user I do not have that difficulty and I
know there are some add-on apps to perform this function. Will someone
kindly point me to a satisfactory program, a free one if possible, that I
may enlighten my sister.
Spell-checking has nothing to with the operating system. It's not Me
as opposed to XP, since neither comes with any spell-checking
functionality. What provides spell-checking is the particular
application you use.
So, for example, if you create a text document in Microsoft Word
(using either Me or XP), you have spell-checking capability. But if
you create it in Notepad (in either Me or XP), you do not.
You mention the internet. Do you mean E-mail, and is that what she
wants to spell-check? If so, again, it depends on what application she
uses to read and write E-mail.
If it's Outlook Express, be aware that Outlook Express does *not* have
any built-in spell-checking capability. Outlook Express uses the spell
checker that comes with Microsoft Word, (or another Microsoft Office
program) if you have it installed.
If she doesn't have Word or Office installed, she probably doesn't
have a spell checker. However there are several downloadable
freeware/shareware alternative spell checkers that work with Outlook
Express and Outlook. Since I have no personal experience with any of
these, I'll let someone else recommend one.
On the other hand, if a Microsoft Office component *is* installed, try
the instructions at
http://michaelstevenstech.com/spellcheck.htm