Issue 269 - December 10, 2003

ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2003
==== 2163 Subscribers in 62 Countries ====

Welcome to the 269th 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.

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Support PCIN at http://PCIN.net/donate.php

CONTENTS

Opening Thoughts

Not much new going on here. All 3 of us (Graham, Lisa, and Andrew) have been sick for the last week or so. Lisa and I are almost better. It turns out that Andrew has an ear infection in each ear, but he's still as chipper as always.

Graham editor@pcin.net and Chris chris@pcin.net

The NEWS

Most Federal Agencies Flunk Internet Security

"Most federal government agencies have failed to adequately protect their computer networks from hackers and other online threats, the fourth year in a row that the government has earned low marks on a computer security report card issued by a congressional oversight committee.
The Department of Homeland Security -- the government's lead agency on matters of Internet security -- was one of seven agencies that received an F grade for 2003."

For more info:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A50914-2003Dec9.html

Should ISPs pay music royalties for file-sharing by customers?

"A landmark case came before the Supreme Court of Canada this week, with its music industry seeking an order for ISPs to pay royalties for file-sharing by their customers. In effect it wants a tax to compensate for what it cannot stop.
The music industry is fighting a desperate battle to control the unauthorised downloading of copyrighted music that leaves artists and recording companies bereft of their lucrative royalties. Peer-to-peer file-sharing services like KaZaA are seen as the biggest problem."

For more info:
http://www.out-law.com/php/page.php?page_id=shouldispspaymusi1070628115&area=news

Microsoft to ditch older products

"Microsoft will retire several of its products in two weeks' time, including Windows 98 and SQL Server 7, to comply with a court order related to its dispute with Sun Microsystems over Java.
In a posting to Microsoft's developer Web site, the company lists several older products that are being phased out and that will no longer be available to customers as of Dec. 15.
The company on Monday updated the posting to say that it is extending the deadline to download older products to Dec. 23 'in order to allow subscribers to download copies of content scheduled to be removed.'"

For more info:
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104_2-5116216.html

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POLL of the WEEK

Last Week's Poll

What is the biggest obstacle to obtaining training?

Work won't pay for it 11.63 % (10)
I can't afford it 40.70 % (35)
I'd rather learn on my own 33.72 % (29)
I'm not interested in training 13.95 % (12)
Total votes: 86

This Week's Poll

Who is your primary email provider?

School
Work
Web-based service
Your own domain/site
Your ISP
Other

You can also vote online at http://PCIN.net/polls/

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PCIN.net FREEHELP FORUM

The activity on the forum has been quite low the last couple of weeks. Visit the PCIN.net FreeHelp Forum at http://PCIN.net/help/forum/ to post your questions or answer others.

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PCIN.net UPDATE

Check out these new or updated pages on the PCIN.net site:

Updated PCIN.net Search
http://PCIN.net/search/

Moon Software Password Agent Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/passwordagent.php

NewsGator Technologies NewsGator Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/newsgator.php

Sunbelt Software iHateSpam Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/ihatespam.php

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THE TIPS and OTHER STUFF

Windows XP Professional How-to Articles

Microsoft XP How-to Site, from the guys who know Windows XP best, Microsoft.
"Find out how Windows XP can help you work smarter. How-to articles are grouped by topic on this page. You can also view a complete list of all how-to articles. If you manage Windows XP in a corporate environment, or for advanced how-to information, see the Windows XP Professional How-to Articles for IT Pros page. There is also a list of How-to Articles for Small Business."
Check it out at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/default.asp

Recover deleted Outlook messages

From the Brian Livingston Newsletter: BriansBuzz.com
'Most corporations, of course, use Microsoft Outlook, not Outlook Express, for e-mail. Reader Bob Clifton turned me on to a way that corporate IT pros can get back any messages that anyone has recently deleted from his or her Outlook folders.
I'll paraphrase, below, an outline of the procedure. Don't try this without reading the complete list of steps at http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-6270-5054599.html
Back up the Outlook .pst file, which contains the message store.
Use a hex editor to insert blanks into 13 specific character positions near the beginning of the file.
Run Microsoft's Inbox Repair Tool on the .pst file. This utility is included with Windows 9x, NT, 2000, and XP, as well as Outlook 98 and Office 2000. More information on the tool is available in Knowledge Base article 287497.
Run Outlook, and the repaired .pst file will be opened, with the Deleted Items folder containing all of the recently deleted messages."

Free Web Hosting

"Who on Earth is 1&1 ?
1&1 is a part of United Internet, a public company with 3,500 employees. Previously, we only served large providers in the USA, but now 1&1 is thrilled to be serving you directly. We have 2.5 million loyal customers, 4 state-of-the-art Data Centers and industry leading Connectivity."
Up until a week or so ago, I'd never heard of 1&1 either. But they are apparently a hugh hosting company with a very large presence in Europe. They are trying to increase their business in North America, so they are offering an excellent hosting package for free. It sounds too good to be true, but I've signed up for an account and it has been quite impressive so far. Their free offer expires January 14, 2004, so I'd go and sign up even if you don't have a need for it right now. You don't need to have a domain name. You don't provide any credit card information. You can check it out at http://1and1.com/

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PCIN.net AFFILIATED SITES

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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DISCLAIMER and OTHER STUFF

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.

  1. If any of the links are too long to fit on one line, you may have to cut and paste.
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  3. To subscribe another address or unsubscribe, please visit http://PCIN.net/ and follow the appropriate links.
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  5. There are only 3 ways to get on the subscriber list. You have either been subscribed by filling out a subscription form on any of the pages on my site, you have requested FreeHelp from me in the past, or you have registered with the FreeHelp Forum.
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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.

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