PCIN, The PC Improvement News logo

Issue 297 - June 23, 2004

ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2004
==== 1932 Subscribers in 58 Countries ====

Welcome to the 297th 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

Still no baby :-( Only 2 more days till the due date. Lisa did get her cast off yesterday.

A few people emailed us tips in exchange for a GMail account invitation. Both Chris and I have several more invitations to send to others so they can sign up for an account. If you know a few tips, send them along and we'll send you a GMail invitation.

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

The NEWS

Blind Get Earful of Spam Daily

"Think looking at spam is offensive? Try listening to it.
For the millions of blind and visually impaired Internet users around the world, using text-to-speech software is often the only way to check e-mail. But as the spam problem gets worse, more and more of those users are finding that having their e-mail read aloud can be a minefield. Listening to the next message in the inbox may reveal an important letter from an old friend or, more often, an embarrassing ad for penis-enhancement therapy.'

For more info:
http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,63934,00.html

Is E-Mail Doomed?

"Between spam and viruses, e-mail is taking a battering as users' favorite online application. Add to that privacy concerns and a few emerging alternatives such as messaging and voice telephony, and the killer app may be losing favor, say some experts at the recent E-mail Technology Conference here.
No single product or technology will keep our inboxes clean or our computers safe, speakers and attendees agreed. But some say it won't be possible to sufficiently stem the tide."

For more info:
http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,116606,00.asp

School Internet program abused

"Beset by poor design and oversight, the federal program that connects schools and libraries to the Internet is a target for fraud and abuse, an independent review shows.
Financed through phone charges, the $2.25 billion-a-year program, known as E-rate, provides discounted Internet access and internal connection gear such as wiring and adaptors.
But it's also proving messy, as cases of wasted equipment, improper or falsified purchases, insufficient payments and poor oversight have been found or alleged nationwide."

For more info:
http://www.cnn.com/2004/EDUCATION/06/17/schools.internet.ap/index.html

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POLL of the WEEK

Last Week's Poll

Do you subscribe to any RSS/ATOM feeds?

Yes, I use standalone software 9 % (8)
Yes, I use software that integrates with my email client 1 % (1)
Yes, I use a web-based service to retrieve my feeds 0 % (0)
No, I prefer newsletters 23 % (21)
No, but I'd like to move in that direction 4 % (4)
What are RSS/ATOM feeds? 63 % (57)
Total votes: 91

This Week's Poll

How often do you buy from an online auction?

All the time
Weekly
Monthly
Only when I need something very specific
Very rarely
I've never bought anything from an auction

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

Jeff Weiss' Tips

Subscriber Jeff Weiss sent in a few tips and got an invitation to sign up for a GMail account

Hardware:
1) Ground yourself with a strip avail at computer stores. Unplug system before opening case.
2) Do NOT use magnetic screwdriver when working inside your system.
3) When something fails check ALL cables inside and outside of system.

Software:
1) WinXP Keep safe by creating a System Restore point before making changes to system.
2) Win 98 Via System Properties uncheck 'Find floppy drive'
3) Win2k Do not just delete old user accounts, disable them. In the future it will make it easier to re-establish that account.

JC's Tips

Subscriber JC sent in a few tips and got an invitation to sign up for a GMail account
"The Windows tips were from my compiled list with many many other ones from my browsing on the Internet. However I just remember the source for those. It was http://www.dougknox.com/

1. How do I enable CD burning for Limited accounts?
This tip does not apply to Nero users, it is only for XP's built-in CD burning feature.
Allow limited users access to CD Burning:
To allow Limited User's to burn CD's, click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
Look in the right pane for AllocateDASD and double click the entry. Set the value to 2.
On PRO, this is exposed in Local Security Policy under Security Settings\Local Policies\Security Options "Devices: Allowed to format and eject removable media".
For XP Pro, you can do this by clicking Start, Run and entering SECPOL.MSC Go to Local Policies, Security Options, look in the right pane for Devices: Allowed to Format and eject removable media. Set this option to Administrators and Interactive Users
2. How do I delete an "undeletable" file?
Open a Command Prompt window and leave it open. Close all open programs. Click Start, Run and enter TASKMGR.EXE Go to the Processes tab and End Process on Explorer.exe. Leave Task Manager open. Go back to the Command Prompt window and change to the directory the AVI (or other undeletable file) is located in. At the command prompt type DEL <filename> where< filename> is the file you wish to delete. Go back to Task Manager, click File, New Task and enter EXPLORER.EXE to restart the GUI shell. Close Task Manager.
3. Windows. XP - Remote Desktop Web Connection - How to use
Host Machine:
On the server machine, go to Control Panel, System, Remote. Check Allow users to connect remotely to this computer. Any account that you want to have access the machine remotely should have a secure password.
On the server, you need to install Internet Information Services from Add/Remove, Windows Components. Specifically you need to install the Remote Desktop Web Connection. This will make your computer accessible via the web. The URL to use would be http://<youripaddress>/tsweb You can also use the hostname if one is available for your connection.
Guest machine:
You will be presented with a login screen. When asked for the server name, use the IP address or host name of the server. Check Send Login information. Enter the user name (this must be a valid user account on the server). Domain name (on my setup) is left blank
Click continue
You'll get a new screen, and a login prompt. Enter your password and you're all set to go.
4. Lock your Desktop
Press the Windows key and the L key (WinKey+L) at the same time. Additionally, you can create a new shortcut, with the following command line:
rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation
Copy the new shortcut to your Quick Launch bar and you have one click access to locking the desktop.
Notes: If you are using the Welcome screen and Fast User Switching is enabled, other users will still have access to you computer, by selecting their Username and entering their password. Additionally, if you don't have a password on your account, then all that is required is to click on your Username on the Welcome screen.
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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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