PCIN, The PC Improvement News logo

Issue 299 - July 07, 2004

ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2004
==== 1940 Subscribers in 58 Countries ====

Welcome to the 299th 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

It seems like Lisa is an over-protective mother, even when the baby isn't born yet. She just won't let them out :-)
As was planned, she was induced on Friday, July 2, 2004 and Matthew Joseph James Wing was born at 2:45 PM. I've created several pages of pictures, and also have video clips, the birth time line, and a copy of the birth announcement. You can check them all out at http://wingfamily.ca/lisagraham/Matthew/

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

The NEWS

Google bans Gmail swaps and sales

"Google changed its Gmail membership policy this week to prevent people from profiting on the sale of popular e-mail names.
According to Google's new policy, altered Monday, the Web search company prohibits Gmail subscribers from selling, trading or transferring the free e-mail accounts 'for any unauthorized commercial purpose.' It also bars people from setting up multiple accounts in violation of the policy.
The changes are designed to deter people from creating multiple e-mail accounts with the purpose of reselling or trading them, according to a source at the company. The policy alterations do not target people trying to barter Gmail invitations, which allow people to sign up for a new membership."

For more info:
http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-22_11-5255721.html

ISPs free from paying royalties from downloads

"Internet service providers are off the hook when it comes to paying royalties on music downloaded by individual users, the Supreme Court of Canada said Wednesday.
In a 9-0 ruling that sounded a sour note for music composers and publishers, the court said it is both impractical and unfair to expect service providers to monitor and pay tariffs on the vast flow of material that individual users can access."

For more info:
http://www.globetechnology.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040630.w5scoc0630/BNStory/National/

Hi-tech answer to student cheats

"Measures to help detect cheating students are being demonstrated at a conference in Newcastle.
A survey of around 350 undergraduates found nearly 25% had copied text from another source at least once.
A service that can scan 4.5 billion web pages is now online so that lecturers can check the originality of the work submitted by students.
The software is being demonstrated at a Plagiarism Advisory Service conference at St James's Park."

For more info:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/tyne/wear/3852347.stm

The Scoop on CNET

"Even as the Web's tech-news leader rides the rebound in online ads, it's looking more like a traditional, fixed-cost media outfit.
Shelby Bonnie is a rare creature among dot-com CEOs. The top dog at online publishing company CNET Networks (CNET ), he has managed to keep his job. The former vice-chairman and a long-time executive with CNET, Bonnie succeeded company founder Halsey Minor in March, 2000, just before the tech bubble popped. He wasted no time paring expansion plans, shuttering multimedia efforts, and enhancing the efficiency of CNET's internal technology -- by 308%, he says."

For more info:
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jun2004/tc20040629_9907_tc055.htm

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POLL of the WEEK

Last Week's Poll

Do you have a cell phone that takes pictures?

Yes, I have one 8 % (8)
No, but I plan to get one 9 % (9)
No, I don't need one 83 % (81)
I didn't know they could do that! 0 % (0)
Total votes: 98

This Week's Poll

Do you have a GPS device?

Yes, my car has one
Yes, my laptop has one
Yes, my palm device has one
Yes, I have a portable one
No, but I'd like one
No, I don't need one
What is GPS?

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

Jim Kniskern's Tips

Last week Jim Kniskern recommended a program by Antanas Zdramys of Lithuania called Cardfile. Neither he or I linked to the web site where you can learn more about it. Check it out at http://www.azzcardfile.biz/

John Mood's Tips

1) If you need to bring up the task manager in Windows XP and you don't want to have to go through the hassle of the CTRL-ALT-DEL biz, just use CTRL-SHIFT-ESC and you immediately get the task manager.
2) Sygate offers a free personal firewall, it works very well. http://www.sygate.com/
3) Don't smoke around your computer(s), the tars and nicotine cling to parts and grab dust like mad, resulting in shortening the useful life of your system by causing early component failure due to overheating. It also reduces the resale value to others who don't want to smell the nasty smoke in the components. Many Ham radio operators won't buy used equipment if it stinks of cigarette smoke. They also say that wiping out equipment with antistatic dryer sheets tends to kill the stink.

More Flash Games

In a February 2004 (http://www.pcin.net/archive/2004/20040211.php) issue, we featured a Flash game where an abominable snowman plays plays baseball with a penguin used as the ball. Well, there are four more games in the series. http://www.yetisports.org has games for your mobile phone, to play online, or to download. You can take target practice using a killer whale as a launch pad for our friendly penguin, participate in a penguin toss, Albatross overload and Penguin golf. My favourites are Seal Bounce (penguin toss) and Flamingo Drive (golf)

Lego Spiderman Movies

The big hit movie of the summer is supposed to be Spiderman 2 (http://spiderman.sonypictures.com/). Now you can watch a condensed version at home, amazingly made entirely out of stop-motion Lego!. SpiteYourFace is a London Film and Animation company who have created several great works have recreated Spiderman 2. View it online at http://www.spiteyourface.com/video/peril_of_doc_ock_medium.mov. You can also watch it at Yahoo Movies (http://playlist.yahoo.com/makeplaylist.dll?id=1277883&sdm=web&qtw=640&qth=400)

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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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