PCIN, The PC Improvement News logo

Issue 304 - August 11, 2004

ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2004
==== 1965 Subscribers in 58 Countries ====

Welcome to the 304th 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

Sssh, I think he might say something!

As Graham mentioned last week, I am writing this weeks newsletter. After 2 1/2 years, I think it is about time that I finally introduced myself. I've been assisting Graham with the the newsletter and the site since February 2002, and contributed to the newsletter as far back as five years ago (to the day) when I sent out the newsletter for Graham while he was on vacation for Issue 44. One of my many passions is photography, and many of my images, good and bad, can be seen in my gallery.

In the meantime, both Graham and I are working on reviews for some exciting products that will be featured in in the coming weeks.

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

The NEWS

Seeing Google With the Eyes of Forrest Gump

Any investor intent on Google might do well to remember Gump.
When the makers of the 1994 movie "Forrest Gump" sought a plot device that would render its main character fabulously rich, they cast him as an early investor in what Forrest Gump described as "some kind of fruit company": Apple Computer. By dumb luck, the movie suggested, its guileless hero had amassed so many millions that he could finance a Gump Medical Center, build a Baptist church and allow the family of his fallen friend Bubba to live in luxury.

For more info:
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/10/technology/10google.html?th&zx=c1cb85d037355e4b655743387

Lock 'em up and throw away the Webcam

An Arizona sheriff violated the rights of prisoners by using Webcams to broadcast them being booked and held in cells in a kind of "reality show" for the Internet, a federal appeals court has ruled.

For more info:
http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-22_11-5303690.html?tag=e019

Dial-Up holds it own in Canada

More people use broadband to connect to the Internet in Canada than in most other countries, but for many, there is no choice but dial-up, a new report says.
In 2001, notes the TNS Canadian Facts' continuous tracking of Canadian Internet usage, released Monday, approximately half of all households accessed the Internet via dial-up modems; today, one in three do.

For more info:
http://www.globetechnology.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040809.gtbroad0809/BNStory/Technology/

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POLL of the WEEK

Last Week's Poll

When traveling, do you book hotels or airline tickets online?

Yes, both hotels and airlines 49 % (38)
Only hotels 10 % (8)
Only airlines 16 % (12)
Neither, I'm afraid to buy something so important online 3 % (2)
Neither, I prefer to speak to someone 14 % (11)
I just don't want to 6 % (5)
I didn't know you could do this 1 % (1)
Total votes: 77

This Week's Poll

When will you install Windows XP SP2

Immediately
When prompted by Windows Update
Not right away
Never
I didn't know there was an XP SP2
I don't have Windows XP

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:

CDBF for Windows by WhiteTown Software Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/cdbf.php

Photoshop Elements 2.0 plus Photoshop Album 2.0 by Adobe Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/elementsplusalbum.php

Updated PCIN.net Site Search
http://PCIN.net/search.php

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

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THE TIPS and OTHER STUFF

CDBF for Windows

"When an average computer user thinks of databases, they probably think of a Microsoft product, in particular Microsoft Access. But long before Microsoft Access was dBase. It was the standard for flat-file databases, and is still in use today. WhiteTown Software has created a powerful utility, CDBF for Windows, that allows you to edit DBF files."
Check out the full review at http://PCIN.net/help/software/cdbf.php

Time Magazine's 50 Coolest Websites

Greatest Website Lists have been produced by just about every major magazine. This latest one from Time Magazine has broken the list up into five categories; News and Information, Lifestyle and Culture, Communities, Tools and Essentials and finally Just for Fun.
Check it out at http://www.time.com/time/techtime/200406/list.html?promoid=rss_me

Recommendation for Opera by a PCIN subscriber

Subscriber R R has sent us the following web browser recommendation
I'd like to point you in the direction of Opera. It has all of Firefoxs features plus more. Skins and toolbars galore, tabbed browsing, pop-up blocking,easily tweaked by anyone capable of opening Notepad or Vim. I've used Opera for the last 3 years, on *nix, windows and Mac boxes. I've also used Firefox for the last year. After making an honest effort with Firefox I'll stay with Opera. Trouble with extensions and upgrades make Firefox just to unstable for me to use it. When I am online I have better things to do with my time than search through forums for answers on why my browser is borked again. The only problem with Opera I have is web sites that are not written to WCC standards may not display correctly. I've also had this happen with Mozilla, Firefox, Konquerer and Avant though. Opera isn't free. After 2 months of use I bought it, but even with the ad version it's still an awesome bit of Software.

Updated Software previously reviewed by PCIN

Inboxer by Audiotrieve, has updated their Antispam blocker. Version 1.3.3 has been released. Our review of Inboxer can be found at http://www.pcin.net/help/software/inboxer.php
Moon Software has also released an update to a previously reviewed product. Password Agent has been updated to version 2.3.2

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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.

This publication may be reproduced in whole, or in part, as long as the author is notified and the newsletter is presented as is.

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