A. One way to create a desktop shortcut icon to a calendar is by going to the website http://calendar.yahoo.com, right-clicking on the calendar page, and selecting Create shortcut. To use the calendar you will need to go online. If you have a DSL or cable connection, this will be almost instantaneous.

There are also calendar programs that can be downloaded (free to try, some to buy) at www.zdnet.com under Downloads. I haven't tried any of them.

Q. How can I create a keyboard shortcut to insert certain words repeatedly in text documents other than Copying and Pasting them?

A. What you are describing is called a macro, and it can be very useful when the same words or procedure has to be keyed in frequently. The following directions are for MS Word; WordPad doesn't use macros, and I don't know about MS Works. For example, you want a keyboard shortcut to insert "Springfield, MO 658" because you're typing in a bunch of addresses:

1. With a document open, position the cursor where you want the first one and click on Tools > Macro > Record New Macro. Give the macro a one-word name such as InsertSpfdMO, assign the macro to the keyboard by clicking on Keyboard. I want to keep this macro available for future use so I leave the default to Store macro in: All documents (Normal.dot). Click OK.
   
   
2. The Customize Keyboard window opens with the cursor in the Press new shortcut key box. I select Alt+S and am told that this key combination is currently unassigned. (If the keys you select are already assigned to other shortcuts, it will appear in the box to the right.) Click on the Assign button and Close.
   
   
3. Key in Springfield, MO 658, and click on the black square in the little box that has appeared in the upper left-hand corner of your document to Stop Recording or click on Tools'Macro'Stop Recording. Now, try out your new keyboard shortcut and see how it works. Be sure to include any punctuation or spacing you want as a part of your macro.
   

Q. How do I edit or remove a macro or keyboard shortcut?

A. Use the path Tools > Macro > Macros or Alt+F8 to open the Macros window, click on the name of the macro you wish to change or remove to select it, and then click on the Edit or the Remove button. If you edit or change the information you typed in and click on the X to exit, the information will be saved. If you choose to Remove the macro, you will be asked if you want to remove it and you can click on Yes.