Hola
 

My name is Julie and I am much appreciating this website. I often have questions about translation/grammar and have not really had any answers till now. So thanks!!
QUESTION: when using the computer to write in Spanish, how does one get the accents and punctuation above vowels and "n" ? And the upside-down question marks?

This one of the few things I know related to spanish :). Well i don't know but this website does: http://www.studyspanish.com/accents/typing.htm

Hi,
There's a good thread explaining how to accent letters here.
I prefer changing the keyboard layout myself. If you're going to be doing any lengthy writing in Spanish it's really easy to use. The Alt + ### practice seems so arcane to me.

For me ñ is "alt grph" + 4, then "n"
perhaps works for you
Bienvenida

I've had 2 keyboard layouts installed for years now. It's pretty easy to do (the thread that Felipe mentions has instructions) and you can switch between your English / Spanish keyboard layouts using alt + shift. The old-fashioned way (Alt + a number) can get you by in a pinch or when using someone else's computer, but it does take more time.

The main problem with installing an alternative Spanish keyboard layout, is that you have to learn where the keys are (some of the keys don't do what's printed on them anymore). They vary a bit depending on the version of Spanish you choose to install for your layout. A quick run-down of these new key mappings is also in the other thread.

¡mis más efusivas gracias todo!