Issue 246 - July 02, 2003

ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2003
==== 2278 Subscribers in 62 Countries ====

Welcome to the 246th 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

CONTENTS

Opening Thoughts

I can't believe the year is half over! And now that July is here, we're getting ready to celebrate Andrew's first birthday. Yes, it's hard to believe, but Andrew has been making us smile for a year now! We don't have anything extravagant planned ... just a party with family members. But I'm sure Andrew will continue to make us laugh and smile :-)

I should have an update to the AccessNiagara.com site soon and Chris should have a review of some Logitech keyboards and mice for next week's newsletter. 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

The NEWS

Michigan Senate Passes Law Creating Do-Not-E-mail List

"Michigan's state Senate unanimously passed an anti-spam law on Tuesday that calls for the creation of a do-not-e-mail list. The law still needs to be passed by the state's house of representatives and signed into law by the governor.
Under the terms of the bill, passed 37 to zero, the state' consumer and industry services division would contract with a company to maintain a do-not-e-mail list. Michigan residents fed up with the flood of spam in their in-boxes would then be able to register their e-mail addresses on the list for $5 each. Businesses would pay a $150 blanket fee to cover all their employees. Registration would last three years."

For more info:
http://www.internetnews.com/IAR/article.php/2227101

Microsoft's next target--Google?

"Microsoft's path to expand the Windows empire is leading directly to search king Google.
The software company this month quietly launched a new search program called MSNBot, which scours the Web to build an index of HTML links and documents. The homegrown system--which performs robot functions previously left to Inktomi and other partners--may pose a significant threat to Google if Microsoft fulfills its promise to make the program a cornerstone of its overall PC and services strategies.
MSNBot is believed to be the first step in a multiyear plan to build new search technology that bridges Microsoft's home and business customers. Company executives hope the program will eventually prove to be the elusive technology that binds its various Web sites, applications and, of course, the dominant Windows operating system."

For more info:
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104_2-1020731.html

The Magazine That Launched a Decade

"With an empty bank account, an army of interns, and a borrowed photocopier, Louis Rossetto and Jane Metcalfe created Wired and, in the process, helped trigger the digital revolution. In his new book, Gary Wolf recounts how they did it."

For more info:
http://www.business2.com/subscribers/articles/mag/print/0,1643,50311,00.html

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POLL of the WEEK

Last Week's Poll

Do you read newsgroup messages?

Yes, it helps me in my job 13.39 % (15)
Yes, it interests me 32.14 % (36)
No, they're boring 15.18 % (17)
No, I have no need to 23.21 % (26)
What is a newsgroup message? 16.07 % (18)
Total votes: 112

This Week's Poll

Do you check email when on vacation?

Yes
No

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

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PCIN.net FREEHELP FORUM

Visit the PCIN.net FreeHelp Forum at http://PCIN.net/help/forum/ to post your questions or answer others.

Question

I want to delete everything on my hard drive & start over. I downloaded a program & it changed all my settings. Could someone please tell me how to delete every thing & start over?

Response

There have been several responses to this thread on the forum. To post a response, visit the General Hardware Help forum at http://PCIN.net/help/forum/index.php?board=4 and click on the "How to delete every thing on hard drive?" topic.

Visit http://PCIN.net/help/forum/ to post a question of your own.

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PCIN.net UPDATE

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

XemiComputers Ltd. DeskLook 3.0 Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/desklook3.php

Symantec Norton Ghost 2003 Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/ghost2003.php

Amic Games Email Saver Xe Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/emailsaverxe.php

XemiComputers Ltd. DeskLook 2.0 Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/desklook2.php

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THE TIPS and OTHER STUFF

Google Toolbar 2.0 Beta

I've been a big fan of the Google Toolbar since I first heard about it. Now there is a new toolbar that adds 3 new features:
Popup Blocker
AutoFill
BlogThis
I love the popup blocker and I've used the autofill feature a couple of times. I don't have a blog, so I can't use that feature.
If you are just looking for a search tool, then stick with the original toolbar or try the Groowe toolbar that was mentioned a couple of weeks ago. But you may find that these new features are just what you've been looking for.
Check it out at http://toolbar.google.com/index-beta.php

CoolArchive.com

"Huge free vault of 1000+ clipart images, 950+ fonts, 4000+ icons, hundreds of animations, buttons, bullets, arrows, bars, html and photoshop tips, sounds. Plus an online Logo Generator and Button Maker to create your own graphics!"
Check it out at http://coolarchive.com/

WebTechGeek.com

"WebTechGeek.com A computer news oriented website that provides news, Windows Tips, How-to-Repair, free software downloads, and upgrade your computer. Reviews on the best PC hardware and software."
Check it out at http://www.webtechgeek.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.
  2. You can only win one contest every 30 days.
  3. To subscribe another address or unsubscribe, please visit http://PCIN.net/ and follow the appropriate links.
  4. Recommend PCIN to others at http://PCIN.net/recommend.php and be entered in a monthly draw.
  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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