ledcontrol library

I am trying to understand libraries.

I am working with the ledcontrol.h library.

I am able to drive a set of four seven segment displays using a max7219 with the following instructions from the library

LedControl lc=LedControl(12,11,10,1);
//wake the max7219
 lc.shutdown(0,false);
 // Set the brightness to a medium values //
 lc.setIntensity(0,3);
 // and clear the display //
 lc.clearDisplay(0);
lc.setRow(0,0,a[0]................lc.setRow(0,7,a[7]);

this means I have to make each bit of my code relate to each of the seven segments.
I understand I can put the max7219 into a decode mode that allows it to read hex and decode it into seven segment information to pass to the display. the datasheet calls this decode and says if I put
00001001 into the register it will perform this function.

If I go to the libraries page in the reference and click on ledcontrol it sends me to a login page (I am already logged in) which then sends me to a blank page when I log in?  update -- this happens on internet explorer now for all functions but not on firefox?

Is it possible to turn the decode on with an instruction similar to the ones above so I can send hex data to drive the seven segment displays?