ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2004
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Welcome to the 281st 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
The Microsoft TechNet event last week was quite good. We were a little late getting there (Chris had a flat tire), but heard half of Steve Balmer's speech. He is a very good speaker and had some interesting things to say about future licensing options, as well as Linux. The rest of the day was pretty good too. The presenter, Kai Axford, was funny, and knew the material well. It was definitely worth the trip into Toronto.
As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, I was playing around with my digital camera and some photography equipment and took some nice shots of Andrew. There are also some photos of me, Lisa, and Andrew in various combinations. You can check them out at http://wingfamily.ca/lisagraham/20040301/index.html
Graham editor@pcin.net and Chris chris@pcin.net
'Caller ID' for E-mail in the Works
"Microsoft is suggesting a new tactic in the fight against spam. Execs have proposed a broad industry plan to publish technical details about big companies' e-mail servers, in an attempt to block fake e-mail.
The plan, which Microsoft calls Caller ID for e-mail, is part of a panoply of efforts under way at the company's headquarters, including challenge-response software that could find its way into future versions of e-mail apps, aimed at stemming junk mail that Microsoft says erodes customers' trust in Windows PCs and curbs their Internet use."For more info:
http://www.internetwk.com/breakingNews/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=18201111
http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/twc/privacy/spam_callerID.mspx
Electronic Rock Band Strikes Blow For Consumer Rights
"The self styled 'progressive electronic-trip rock' band Eisbecher have bundled two blank CD-Rs with each copy of their new album.
Whilst much of the record industry wants to turn back the clock so that they are the only people who can make any kind of recordings Eisbech have made a point of supporting the consumers existing legal right to fair use copies.
From their site 'We are of the opinion that the music buyers are criminalized enough and have been made responsible for the wretched state in the music industry. We are giving them the chance to make 2 legal copies for private use with 'official blanks'. It can't always be that the end users have to take the blame for something that international corporations have arranged with their artist-burning methods." Eisbrecher's record label ZYX Music supports this action and will deliver the first 5000 albums of the group with 2 blanks each.'"For more info:
http://www.alwayson-network.com/comments.php?id=2762_0_5_0_C
http://www.eis-brecher.com/
Spam's 'dirty dozen' exposed
"The United States, Canada, China, South Korea and the Netherlands are the top five birthplaces of spam worldwide, according to a new analysis by security software maker Sophos.
In an analysis of junk e-mails received over two days in mid-February, the company created a list of the 'dirty dozen' spam-producing countries."For more info:
http://news.com.com/2100-7349_3-5167335.html
AskJeeves denounces paid inclusion
"AskJeeves will stop accepting advertiser payments for inclusion in its searchable Web database, a move to draw competitive lines between it and Yahoo's new search engine.
Jim Lanzone, vice president of product management for Emeryville, Calif.-based AskJeeves, said late Tuesday that after 18 months the Internet search company will cease Index Connect, its paid inclusion program. Paid inclusion allows advertisers to pay fees to have large numbers of Web addresses indexed more regularly in search engines--a service that Yahoo just re-launched and that No. 1 search site Google denounces."For more info:
http://news.com.com/2100-1024_3-5168805.html
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Do you use biometrics for computer authentication?
Yes, at home 3.19 % (3) Yes, at work 3.19 % (3) Yes, at home at at work 0.00 % (0) No 46.81 % (44) What's biometrics? 46.81 % (44) Total votes: 94
This Week's Poll
You can also vote online at http://PCIN.net/polls/
Return to the top | Recommend PCIN Poll of the Week |
Check out these new or updated pages on the PCIN.net site:
Anyplace Control by Anyplace Control Software Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/anyplacecontrol.phpInboxer 1.1 by Audiotrieve, LLC Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/inboxer.phpMicrosoft Outlook Add-Ins by MAPILab Ltd. Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/mapilab.phpSnagIt 7 by TechSmith Corporation Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/snagit7.phpIcon Catcher 4 by Helexis Software Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/iconcatcher4.php
Return to the top | Recommend PCIN.net Update |
Identify Disk Hogs
http://www.memecode.com/idisk.php
I've been using i.Disk for a while. This is a great little (280k) program to help identify disk hogs on your hard drive. It scans any drive you have and show graphically what folders have the most data in them. You can expand each folder for a more granular look at where your space has gone. I recently used it to identify why my profile had grown to 2.5 GB.
WinZip Updates
WinZip 9.0 was released last week. A free trial is available at http://www.winzip.com/. A free upgrade is also available at the same site for existing WinZip users. Along with the new version, WinZip has released an update to the WinZip Command Line tool. The new version (1.1) may be found at http://www.winzip.com/prodpagecl.htm. There is also a beta for their WinZip E-Mail Attachment Add-On for Microsoft Outlook. This add on allows attachments in Outlook to be automatically (or manually) zipped prior to sending.
Windows Support Center
"The Windows Support Center web site is wholly and privately owned and produced by me, James A. Eshelman. (Other people contribute original writings which are credited to them.) My address is provided in standard whois directories but there is no public access at that location, and personal privacy is requested. Site visitors may contact me here.
Our official purpose: To provide quality support information for users of Microsoft operating systems and leading application software. Our secret agenda: To help individuals become stronger in their own lives, by encouraging community wherein those who need help can ask, those who have help to give will offer it, and these roles reverse from time to time."
The site has all kinds of helpful articles, registry tips, and lists. Check it out at http://www.aumha.org/
Return to the top | Recommend PCIN Tips and Other Stuff |
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 1998-2004, 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