ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2004
==== 1986 Subscribers in 58 Countries ====
Welcome to the 312th 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
I've recently had my first experience with wireless networking. I have a Dell
Axim that comes with wi-fi and bluetooth. The wi-fi has worked great. As I've
walked or driven around, networks pop up everywhere, and I've been able to
connect to a substantial number of them. It's cool having Internet access on
a PDA. But it also shows how many people haven't setup their network properly
in the first place. Someone who wants to do something illegal could easily
drive around until they found an open connection and then do their illegal
ctivity as if it were that home user.
I've also played around with Bluetooth a bit trying to connect to a printer,
but haven't had much success.
I'm still gathering information on why some people are getting errors when they try to vote in the Poll of the Week If you are getting errors when voting and haven't emailed me about it, please do so this week.
Lastly, I have completed a review for Remote Task Manager by SmartLine Inc. This is software that lets you control various aspects of your own and remote system. You can read a blurb from the review in the Tips and Other Stuff and the fulr eview on the web site.
Graham editor@pcin.net and Chris chris@pcin.net
Microsoft hears jingle of cash register software
"Microsoft thinks it can ring up more sales of its operating system by creating a custom version of Windows XP Embedded aimed at high-tech cash registers.
The company announced plans Monday to release Windows Embedded for Point of Service, although the software won't ship until the first half of next year."For more info:
http://news.com.com/2100-1016_3-5395512.html
Is Network Outage Information a Terror Threat?
"Before negotiating telecommunications contracts for clients out West, Bill Harris made a habit of reviewing network outage reports filed with the Federal Communications Commission, scanning for clues that carriers had laid fiber on open ground in areas prone to wildfires.
By knowing where carriers had experienced problems, Harris said he was better prepared to discuss SLAs (service-level agreements) and to procure redundant services where necessary. But he's now lost that advantage. After more than a decade of making such carrier outage reports available to the public, the FCC in August ruled that the information will be kept secret, lest it fall into the hands of terrorists."For more info:
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1666011,00.asp
Ballmer calls security a never-ending battle
"Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer says the task of trying to stay one step ahead of virus writers and hackers is a never-ending battle.
Speaking at a gathering of U.K. press, Ballmer said Microsoft's 'trustworthy computing' effort is far more than just a one-off initiative.
'We will be working on 'trustworthy computing' for the rest of my days at Microsoft, which I hope are many. There are bad people out there in cyberspace, and they are not going to go away. We are going to have to be vigilant. That's going to last for the duration,' he said."For more info:
http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-22_11-5394797.html
Return to the top | Recommend PCIN News |
How do you feel about giving your personal information out on the Internet?
More secure than I felt a year ago 13 % (13) About the same as I felt a year ago 42 % (42) Less secure than I felt a year ago 25 % (25) I don't give personal information out 20 % (20) Total votes: 100
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:
Remote Task Manager by SmartLine Inc. Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/remotetaskmanager.phpFlash File Recover by PanteraSoft Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/flashfilerecovery.phpEmail Saver Xe 2.0 by WinGuides Software Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/emailsaverxe2.phpNewsgator 2.0 by Newsgator Technologies Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/newsgator2.phpCDBF for Windows by WhiteTown Software Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/cdbf.php
Return to the top | Recommend PCIN.net Update |
Remote Task Manager Software Review
"It used to be that software that let you control remote systems were for large networks only. Now that Windows XP (a Windows NT-based operating system) is universally in use, and many homes have more than 1 computer, remote management tools are not just for the Network Administrator anymore. Windows XP comes with a variety of tools that lets you control what services run, view logs, and other system information of the local and remote workstations. Unfortunately there isn't a single tool that does everything. This is where Remote Task Manager by SmartLine Inc. comes in handy. Remote Task Manager provides a straight-forward interface that lets you control services, shares, security patches, running processes, etc from a single window."
Check out the full review at http://pcin.net/help/software/remotetaskmanager.php
Askthebuilder.com
Askthebuilder.com is a website of home renovation tips and techniques by newspaper columnist Tim Carter. It features many sections on just about every aspect of home renovation (and building) you can think of, from floor to ceiling, wall to wall and exteriors as well.
Check it out at http://www.askthebuilder.com/
MyWay.com
I've only mentioned MyWay.com once before in the newsletter, and it was almost 2 years ago. I mention it again because a subsriber I've been corresponding with has a MyWal.com email account, and it reminded me that I had an email account there. After reactivating my account, I noticed that they have far more features available now. They have a very nice customizable home page, where you can choose content similar to MSN (horoscopes, headlines, scores, weather, etc). You can aslo change the colours, logo, and background of the page. And of course don't forget the free email. You get 125 MB of storage and can send/receive files up to 10MB. You can also check POP accounts (which GMail doesn't do yet). If you haven't checked MyWay.com out before, or haven't for a while, then check it out at http://MyWay.com/
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