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Issue 293 - May 26, 2004

ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2004
==== 1930 Subscribers in 58 Countries ====

Welcome to the 293rd 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

The NEWS

Vietnam goes off-line

"A break in an underwater fibre optic cable near Hong Kong has left tens of thousands of Internet users off-line in Vietnam, an official said Wednesday.
The cable connecting Vietnam to Hong Kong, Western Europe and North America broke somewhere off the coast of Hong Kong Monday evening, said an official with Internet service provider FPT Communications Company.
It will take several days to fix the cable, he said."

For more info:
http://www.globetechnology.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040526.gtnam0526/BNStory/Technology/

Toysrus.com Sues Amazon for $200 Million

"Toysrus.com has sued Amazon.com, the company that has run its online store since early 2000, claiming the e-tail giant violated an exclusivity agreement and seeking US$200 million in damages.
The online wing of Toys 'R' Us claims Amazon is in breach of the original agreement between the two companies because it now offers products in the games category for sale on its site through other merchants.
'We expect Amazon.com to respect its contract with us and to support our position, especially since we pay a very high fee to maintain this exclusivity,' said Toys 'R' Us counsel David J. Schwartz."

For more info:
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/33993.html

Wartime Wireless Worries Pentagon

"The rapid proliferation of digital cameras, phonecams and wireless gadgets among soldiers and military contractors is giving senior military officials concern, in the wake of images that showed abuse in an Iraqi prison and snapshots that showed rows of coffins of American soldiers.
The Defense Department said it hasn't banned the devices and doesn't plan to -- as the Business Times of London and two wire services have reported. But the Pentagon is telling commanders in the field to strictly monitor the use of consumer wireless technology through Directive 8100.2 -- Use of Commercial Wireless Devices, Services and Technologies in the Department of Defense Global Information Grid -- issued last month."

For more info:
http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,63604,00.html

A Break From Annoying Ads?

"A resurgence in online advertising is not only putting more money in Web publishers' pockets, it's also allowing them to be more selective about the ads they allow on their websites. The resulting shift in power could lead to a trend in less-intrusive advertising, some of the Web's top publishers predicted Monday."

For more info:
http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,63585,00.html

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POLL of the WEEK

Last Week's Poll

Do you feel there are privacy concerns with GMail or similar services?

No, I have nothing to hide 17.54 % (10)
No, I trust them 5.26 % (3)
Yes, I need better assurances that my information is safe 24.56 % (14)
Yes, they will collect and sell my personal information 24.56 % (14)
It doesn't bother me, but I do understand the concerns 28.07 % (16)
Total votes: 57

This Week's Poll

Do you trust companies online with your personal information?

Yes
No

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

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PCIN.net UPDATE

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

Updated Windows Registry Tips and Tweaks Article
http://PCIN.net/help/articles/registry_tips.php

MySlideShow 2.3 by Anix Software Software Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/myslideshow.php

Anyplace Control by Anyplace Control Software Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/anyplacecontrol.php

Inboxer 1.1 by Audiotrieve, LLC Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/inboxer.php

Microsoft Outlook Add-Ins by MAPILab Ltd. Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/mapilab.php

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THE TIPS and OTHER STUFF

Outlook 2003 Flag Message Usage

I have been using Outlook 2003 for about 3 months now and am finding new features in it that I like quite regularly. I have started to use Search Folders which allow you to setup criteria to search an message store for (basically a more advanced view). This, combined with the ease at flagging messages (simply click the flag icon that appears to the right of each message) makes marking message for follow up much easier. Outlook 2003 also allow multiple flag colours as well. To flag an item with a different coloured flag than the default, right click on the message, choose follow up, then choose the flag colour you want attached to the item.

VB.net for Free

Microsoft is giving away Not For Resale copies of Visual Basic.Net. VB.Net is used to create many of the applications that we use today. Acquiring you copy is quite easy. Visit http://msdn.microsoft.com/vbasic/atthemovies/ and watch at least 5 of the many short training movies they have created, and provide feedback to Microsoft at the end each movie. There are many movies to choose from, and they are grouped into different categories. A good link for aspiring developers.

Updated WindowsUpdate

In Windows 2000 and later operating systems, when you visit the WindowsUpdate site, you end up at an address like http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ Apparently WindowsUpdate is at version 4. Although still in beta testing, if you are interested in checking out the new WindowsUpdate, you can just change the v4 to v5 and the new page will load. It will ask you if you are a beta tester, and you just have to click that you have read and agree to the terms, and it will work for you. It looks a bit different, and it gives you the option to hide updates, but other than that, it seems pretty much the same.
Current WindowsUpdate
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
Beta WindowsUpdate
http://v5.windowsupdate.microsoft.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.

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Graham Wing can be reached at editor@pcin.net
Chris Empey can be reached at chris@pcin.net

Copyright 1998-2004, Graham Wing. All rights reserved.

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