PCIN, The PC Improvement News logo

Issue 305 - August 18, 2004

ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2004
==== 1972 Subscribers in 58 Countries ====

Welcome to the 305th 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

Well, I'm back! Actually, I've been back since Saturday. We left Wednesday after I got home from work. We were up at the cottage by 6:30 in the evening and left Saturday morning at about 11:00. It rained one afternoon, and the weather wasn't super hot (we didn't go swimming), but other than that the days were beautiful and we had a great time. I'll have pictures up for you to see by next week.

Chris has finished a review for Newsgator 2.0 by Newsgator Technologies. This is one of the most popular RSS feed readers. You can read about it in the Tips and Other Stuff section.

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

The NEWS

Jeeves isn't asking, he's telling

"With the goal of building brand loyalty in the increasingly competitive search business, search engines are practicing an old parlor trick: mind reading.
Expanding on the spirit of Google's 'I'm feeling lucky' button, search engines are giving users answers to questions directly rather than sending them out to search on the Web.
These 'shortcuts' or 'programmed searches,' as they are known, are a way for search engines to choose what information users see first when they search for certain subjects, such as movie show times, celebrities, or stock quotes."

For more info:
http://www.redherring.com/article.aspx?a=10791

Men Are Pigs, According To Password Security Researchers

"An academic study of computer password security demonstrates what women have always known: Men are pigs.
In addition to finding that men are drooling savages, the study also found possible security weaknesses with schemes to use sequences of images as passwords."

For more info:
http://www.securitypipeline.com/news/28700176

A computer created just for teens

"This isn't your typical, humdrum, slate-colored computer. Not only is the PC known as the hip-e almost all white, but its screen and keyboard are framed in fuzzy pink fur. Or a leopard skin design. Or a graffiti-themed pattern.
Sure, it's outlandish, but you won't see the hip-e in an office cubicle. The creators of the $1,699 hip-e claim it's the first PC specifically for teenagers.
Of course, teens are infamously fickle, and today's media-savvy kids are skilled at sniffing out and rejecting things that seem contrived. Today's teens also grew up with computers and have sophisticated demands for them."

For more info:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5737071/

Making Free IPods Pay Off

"Unless you're extremely gullible, the promise of getting a free iPod from FreeiPods.com looks extremely dubious.
But surprisingly, the site appears to be legitimate. The program almost certainly isn't a dodgy pyramid scheme; it's a new form of online marketing supported by companies like eBay, AOL and Columbia House.
And while lots of happy customers are popping up all over the internet brandishing new iPods, analysts are skeptical of the economics."

For more info:
http://www.wired.com/news/mac/0,2125,64614,00.html

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POLL of the WEEK

Last Week's Poll

When will you install Windows XP SP2?

Immediately 15 % (15)
When prompted by Windows Update 17 % (17)
Not right away 42 % (42)
Never 3 % (3)
I didn't know there was an XP SP2 4 % (4)
I don't have Windows XP 18 % (18)
Total votes: 99

This Week's Poll

Do you use file sharing software?

Yes, all the time
Yes, occasionally
No, but I used to
No, but I would like to
No, I don't want to
What is file sharing software?

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:

Newsgator 2.0 by Newsgator Technologies Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/newsgator2.php

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

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THE TIPS and OTHER STUFF


Newsgator 2.0 by Newsgator Technologies Software Review

Newsgator 2.0 is one of the finest RSS aggregators available. It's tight integration with Microsoft Outlook provides an easy, familiar and stable interface to reading RSS and Atom news feeds. The Newsgator Online Services provide many additional enhancements that will be very useful for some people. Synchronizing feeds between machines, and having access to your feeds anywhere you have access to the Internet are both valuable features.
Read the full review at http://PCIN.net/help/software/newsgator2.php

Using the Google Search bar to search a web page

I often want to look for certain terms in a web page. To quickly find all occurrences of the word or phrase I am looking for, I use the Google Search bar. Any terms entered in the Google show up on the IE toolbar and can be searched for by clicking the words with your mouse.

Tech Time: 50 Coolest Websites

"First, a caveat. This is not a directory of the 50 greatest websites ever. Rather, it's a tally of the best sites that launched - or piqued our interest in some way - since last year's list. Think of it as our round-up of 50 nifty links we think you should check out. So get clicking!"
Check it out at http://www.time.com/time/techtime/200406/

Verify Links in Outlook prior to following them

Spammers often hide true URL's in links to make them appear to be a legitimate link (i.e. what appears to be http://www.pcin.net may point to http://382.15.154.21/aa%20?88sjejs/) In Outlook 2000, hovering over a link in an email will provide the real URL the link will follow in the status bar. In Outlook 2003, hovering over a link will show the URL in a popup. In Outlook XP (2002), that functionality appears to be missing. Of course the safest way to ensure you are not facing a hidden link is to type in the URL in your address bar manually.

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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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