On 9/23/11 11:16 AM, Higgs Boson wrote [in part]:

NOTE: I am using asterisks to set off my replies, because something
went wrong with a recent reinstallation of my system; carats have
disappeared. Geek is not answering my pleas. Any ideas how to get
carats back?

Try using a real newsgroup reader instead of participating via Google
Groups. I use Thunderbird from http://www.mozilla.com/thunderbird/.
It's free. You might also look at
http://www.big-8.org/wiki/Newsreaders, which lists many other
newsgroup readers.

--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean, see
http://www.rossde.com/garden/climate.html
Gardening diary at http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary