ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2003
==== 2287 Subscribers in 63 Countries ====
Welcome to the 248th 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've finally got the review done for the Logitech Cordless Elite Duo keyboard/mouse combo. Chris has done an excellent job with the review, so make sure that you check out The Tips and Other Stuff for more information. We've got a couple of other things we need to take care of with the site, but then we'll be ready to request some new products. If you'd like us to review a product, just let us know and we'll do our best.
Graham editor@pcin.net and Chris chris@pcin.net
Yahoo to buy Overture for $1.63 billion
"Yahoo announced on Monday its plan to buy search company Overture Services in a $1.63 billion deal, bolstering its position against rivals Google and Microsoft in the booming market for Web search advertising.
The deal calls for each share of Overture stock to be exchanged for $4.75 in cash and 0.6108 of a Yahoo share, which values each share of Overture at $24.63, roughly a 15 percent premium over Overture's Friday closing price.
Yahoo said the deal will allow it to expand its pay-for-performance search business and to expand contextual advertising throughout its network. Overture specializes in selling advertising links that accompany search results on sites such as Yahoo and MSN. It's a market into which search rival Google has been making inroads."For more info:
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104_2-1025394.html
Top spam subject lines exposed
"The black art of spamming has grown ever more Machiavellian since the start of the year, according to new research.
Secure messaging firm FrontBridge claimed that the use of deceptive subject lines in spam has grown by half this year.
Gone are the days of obvious spam, when a cursory glance at the subject line of a mail encouraging you to 'Buy Viagra online' or 'Enlarge your breasts' was all that was needed to prompt you to hit delete.
Now, recipients are more likely to be invited to answer a question, rather than begin a quest for answers to inadequate body parts.
FrontBridge highlighted the top 10 most common subject lines used to try and con victims into opening spam.
Top of the pops is 'RE: Information you asked for', which implies that the user has requested something."For more info:
http://www.vnunet.com/News/1142199
PC users rate Dell tops in desktops
"The biggest merger in high-tech history may be a financial success for Hewlett-Packard Co. and the former Compaq Computer Corp., but it hasn't made buyers of their computers any happier. Both brands picked up terrible grades in an annual PC user satisfaction survey released Thursday. Dell Computer Corp., on the other hand, continued to shine.
Overall, the 18,000 subscribers surveyed by PC Magazine were happier this year than in 2002 about the reliability of their computers and the available technical support.
Much of the credit for that improvement goes to Microsoft Corp.'s Windows XP operating system, which was released in October 2001, the survey found. Earlier incarnations of Windows were more likely to crash or freeze."For more info:
http://www.msnbc.com/news/936754.asp
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Do you check email when on vacation?
Yes 59.09 % (104) No 40.91 % (72) Total votes: 176
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
Everytime I click on IE to open a browser it takes about a min. to load. I have un-installed and re-installed IE. I have tried different version of IE and still the same thing happens. I have sifted through the registry looking for something that maybe causing this grief. I believe that something on this P.O.S is corrupt.
Response
This is usually caused by faulty plug-ins.
Uninstall:
- Any Third-party Toolbars
- Any Third-party Add-Ins
- Remove Unknown or Damaged ActiveX and Plugins from C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Program Files (IE: Tools > Internet Options > "Temporary Internet Files" section {Settings...} > {View Objects})
Choose the "Details" view to determine which to delete.
- Run IE Repair from Start > Settings.. > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs > Microsoft Internet Explorer > {Change} > (o)Repair Internet Explorer.
To post a response, visit the General Software Help forum at http://PCIN.net/help/forum/index.php?board=3 and click on the "IE has a long delay before it opens a browser" 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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Logitech Mouse Review
Logitech has been an industry leader in computer input devices for many years. They have continued this tradition with their recent keyboard/mouse combinations. The Logitech Cordless Elite Duo is one of their premium class sets. Featuring customizable, enhanced function keys, multimedia control, iNav wheel for quick access to many features and F-Lock functionality to further customize your computing experience by allowing you to change the way your F Keys work, the keyboard can make your computing life more product and enjoyable.
For the full review, visit http://PCIN.net/help/hardware/lced.php
Best Free Utilities for Small Business PCs
This was a news story I saw this week, but it contains a good list of free utilities:
"Of all the words that inspire affection in a small-business owner's heart, few can compete with 'free,' especially in this economy, with companies trying to rein in spending as tightly as possible. Still, it is virtually impossible, even in a buyer's market, to get something for nothing when it comes to enterprise software.
On the other hand, PC utilities -- small programs that perform specific, narrowly defined tasks -- can be a great alternative in some cases, allowing small businesses to stretch their IT dollars. Although these businesses have a variety of different systems and needs, just like bigger companies, buying giant software suites can feel like overkill. Using utilities instead of bloated applications can help boost the bottom line -- and many of these tools are not only free, but also time-tested and useful."
Check it out at http://www.ecommercetimes.com/perl/story/21804.html
Boy the Bear's Age Gauge
Subscriber, friend, and co-worker Vicki Steel (sister of subscriber, friend, and co-worker Tracey Norton) sent this to me:
Try this.. it's kinda cool... http://www.frontiernet.net/~cdm/age1.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:
Return to the top | Recommend PCIN Tips 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.
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