ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2003
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Welcome to the 250th issue of the PC Improvement News. PCIN consists mainly of news and tips. There is something for everyone, and if this is your first issue, I'm sure there will be something for you. If you give me two or three issues, I know that you will come back for more!
You can reach me at editor@pcin.net with any suggestions or comments.
Recommend PCIN at http://PCIN.net/recommend.php
Support PCIN at http://PCIN.net/donate.php
We had a great day on Saturday during Andrew's first birthday party. Not including Andrew, Lisa and me, there were 11 other family members there. And did Andrew every clean up! He got lots of presents and of course made us all smile. I'll have pictures up for next week.
I'm looking for a few volunteers who will help me do some testing on the web site and with the newsletter. I would like to test some different features of the mailing list software and also with the layout/style of the newsletter. I also want to test a few new scripts on the site. If you are interested in helping, please email me at editor@pcin.net
Graham editor@pcin.net and Chris chris@pcin.net
PKWare seeks patent for .zip file format
"Questions about the splintering of the popular .zip file compression format may soon be resolved by the U.S. Patent Office.
Two months into a standards battle between WinZip Computing and PKWare over the way .zip software does strong encryption, PKWare, the company that has openly published the .zip specification since it was invented by company founder Phil Katz in 1986, has applied for a patent that it claims will govern the standards in dispute.
'What we've filed a patent for is the whole method of combining .zip and strong encryption to create a secure .zip file,' said Steve Crawford, the chief marketing officer at PKWare. The patent was filed with the Patent Office on July 16, he said."For more info:
http://www.infoworld.com/article/03/07/25/HNpkware%20_1.html
Report: 1 in 10 tech jobs may go overseas
"One out of 10 jobs in the U.S. computer services and software industry could shift to lower-cost emerging markets such as India or Russia by the end of 2004, a top computer consultancy said on Tuesday.
Gartner Inc., the world's biggest high-tech forecasting firm, said in a report entitled 'U.S. Offshore Outsourcing: Structural Changes, Big Impact' that 500,000 of the 10.3 million U.S. technology jobs could move just in 2003 and 2004.
While professionals in the computer industry itself are likely to bear the brunt, the report predicts that one in 20 tech jobs in industry-at-large also could be moved overseas."For more info:
http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/internet/07/30/jobs.oversees.reut/index.html
Spam: Don't Butcher its Name
"Canned-meatery Hormel Foods filed two legal challenges with the Patent and Trademark Office to try to stop SpamArrest, a software company, from using the name Spam, for which Hormel holds the trademark.
SpamArrest, which specializes in blocking junk e-mail or 'spam,' filed papers to trademark its corporate name early this year. Hormel then sent the company a warning to drop the word 'Spam.' SpamArrest refused.
SpamArrest said its use of the word has nothing to do with Hormel's product, first produced in 1937. Hormel officials disagree, arguing that the company has carefully protected and invested in the brand name, and that the public could confuse the meat product with the technology company.
Hormel acknowledges that its brand name has taken on new meaning; its website outlines what the company considers acceptable uses of the word. It filed the trademark challenges in late June."For more info:
http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,59827,00.html
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Do you use remote control software to control your pc while away from it?
Yes 5.77 % (6) No 89.42 % (93) What does that mean? 4.81 % (5) Total votes: 104
This Week's Poll
You can also vote online at http://PCIN.net/polls/
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Visit the PCIN.net FreeHelp Forum at http://PCIN.net/help/forum/ to post your questions or answer others.
Question
I've assembled a new pc with older components I had. Everything works very fine apart from the soundcard which I cant get to work. It's a Asus P4T motherboard and the soundcard is a Soundblaster 4.1. with Windows XP pro. I checked with another soundcard from another brand with the same result. I also checked all the usual settings in device manager, control panels and soundblaster controls. I also tried another PCI slot. Might that be a motherboard problem?
Response
Check the Volume levels for the WAV channel and the Master Volume Control.
Make sure the speakers are plugged into the correct jack and that they work properly (check them).
To post a response, visit the General Hardware Help forum at http://PCIN.net/help/forum/index.php?board=4 and click on the "problem with soundcard" topic.
Visit http://PCIN.net/help/forum/ to post a question of your own.
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Check out these new or updated pages on the PCIN.net site:
Logitech Cordless Elite Duo Hardware Review
http://PCIN.net/help/hardware/lced.phpXemiComputers Ltd. DeskLook 3.0 Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/desklook3.phpSymantec Norton Ghost 2003 Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/ghost2003.phpAmic Games Email Saver Xe Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/emailsaverxe.php
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Best Free Stuff on the Web
PC World magazine has a listing of sites that they have determined are the best of the Internet.
"Our eighth annual extravaganza uncovers 101 essential sites, services, and tools you didn't know you couldn't live without."
http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,111109,00.asp
Registering Microsoft Office File Types
I had a problem recently where none of my Excel documents had an Excel icon. I could double-click on the file and Excel would open in a blank screen... the file wouldn't open. As I researched the problem, I discovered a start-up switch for Excel, Word, Excel and Powerpoint. Start each program with the /REGSERVER switch and this will force the program to register itself. Use this switch when you want the program to rewrite all its registry keys and reassociate itself with files.
50 Ways to Tweak Your Browser
"Are you really getting the most out of your browser?
You've worked with Internet Explorer for years, and you surf and browse like a pro. You're a whiz with the Back and Forward buttons, can stop slow-loading pages with a single click, and even know how to keep squirrelly cookies from invading your system.
But there's a lot more to Internet Explorer 5.x than meets the eye: it's loaded with tons of hidden features and secret functions designed to make your browsing experience faster, safer, and more fun--if only you could find them. We've collected 50 hot tips and cool tricks from CNET Help.com. Try them today, and it'll be smooth surfin' from now on. (Note: Many of our tips are aimed at IE 5, but they'll also work with IE 5.5.)"
http://www.cnet.com/internet/0,10000,0-3774-8-2832644-1,00.html
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Both of us have other sites other than PCIN.net. These are all sites that we are actively involved in (they aren't client sites). Don't forget to check them out from time to time for updates:
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PCIN is brought to you by Graham Wing. The opinions expressed are those of the Editor, Graham Wing and the Assistant Editor, Chris Empey. Graham Wing and Chris Empey accept no responsibility for the results obtained from trying the tips in this newsletter.
Graham Wing can be reached at editor@pcin.net
Chris Empey can be reached at chris@pcin.net
Copyright 1998-2003, Graham Wing. All rights reserved.
This publication may be reproduced in whole, or in part, as long as the author is notified and the newsletter is presented as is.
Support PCIN by visiting http://PCIN.net/donate.php