Issue 281 - March 03, 2004
ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2004
==== 2198 Subscribers in 62 Countries ====
Welcome to the 281st 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
The Microsoft TechNet event last week was quite good. We were a little late
getting there (Chris had a flat tire), but heard half of Steve Balmer's speech.
He is a very good speaker and had some interesting things to say about future
licensing options, as well as Linux. The rest of the day was pretty good too.
The presenter, Kai Axford, was funny, and knew the material well. It was definitely
worth the trip into Toronto.
As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, I was playing around with my digital
camera and some photography equipment and took some nice shots of Andrew. There
are also some photos of me, Lisa, and Andrew in various combinations. You can
check them out at http://wingfamily.ca/lisagraham/20040301/index.html
Graham editor@pcin.net and
Chris chris@pcin.net
The NEWS
'Caller ID' for E-mail in the Works
"Microsoft is suggesting a new tactic in the fight against spam. Execs
have proposed a broad industry plan to publish technical details about big
companies' e-mail servers, in an attempt to block fake e-mail.
The plan, which Microsoft calls Caller ID for e-mail, is part of a panoply
of efforts under way at the company's headquarters, including challenge-response
software that could find its way into future versions of e-mail apps, aimed
at stemming junk mail that Microsoft says erodes customers' trust in Windows
PCs and curbs their Internet use."
For more info:
http://www.internetwk.com/breakingNews/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=18201111
http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/twc/privacy/spam_callerID.mspx
Electronic Rock Band Strikes Blow For Consumer Rights
"The self styled 'progressive electronic-trip rock' band Eisbecher
have bundled two blank CD-Rs with each copy of their new album.
Whilst much of the record industry wants to turn back the clock so that they
are the only people who can make any kind of recordings Eisbech have made
a point of supporting the consumers existing legal right to fair use copies.
From their site 'We are of the opinion that the music buyers are criminalized
enough and have been made responsible for the wretched state in the music
industry. We are giving them the chance to make 2 legal copies for private
use with 'official blanks'. It can't always be that the end users have to
take the blame for something that international corporations have arranged
with their artist-burning methods." Eisbrecher's record label ZYX Music
supports this action and will deliver the first 5000 albums of the group
with 2 blanks each.'"
For more info:
http://www.alwayson-network.com/comments.php?id=2762_0_5_0_C
http://www.eis-brecher.com/
Spam's 'dirty dozen' exposed
"The United States, Canada, China, South Korea and the Netherlands
are the top five birthplaces of spam worldwide, according to a new analysis
by security software maker Sophos.
In an analysis of junk e-mails received over two days in mid-February, the
company created a list of the 'dirty dozen' spam-producing countries."
For more info:
http://news.com.com/2100-7349_3-5167335.html
AskJeeves denounces paid inclusion
"AskJeeves will stop accepting advertiser payments for inclusion in
its searchable Web database, a move to draw competitive lines between it
and Yahoo's new search engine.
Jim Lanzone, vice president of product management for Emeryville, Calif.-based
AskJeeves, said late Tuesday that after 18 months the Internet search company
will cease Index Connect, its paid inclusion program. Paid inclusion allows
advertisers to pay fees to have large numbers of Web addresses indexed more
regularly in search engines--a service that Yahoo just re-launched and that
No. 1 search site Google denounces."
For more info:
http://news.com.com/2100-1024_3-5168805.html
POLL of the WEEK
Last Week's Poll
Do you use biometrics for computer authentication?
Yes, at home |
|
3.19 % (3) |
Yes, at work |
|
3.19 % (3) |
Yes, at home at at work |
|
0.00 % (0) |
No |
|
46.81 % (44) |
What's biometrics? |
|
46.81 % (44) |
Total votes: 94 |
This Week's Poll
You can also vote online at http://PCIN.net/polls/
PCIN.net UPDATE
Check out these new or updated pages on the PCIN.net site:
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
SnagIt 7 by TechSmith Corporation Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/snagit7.php
Icon Catcher 4 by Helexis Software Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/iconcatcher4.php
THE TIPS and OTHER
STUFF
Identify Disk Hogs
http://www.memecode.com/idisk.php
I've been using i.Disk for a while. This is a great little (280k) program
to help identify disk hogs on your hard drive. It scans any drive you have
and show graphically what folders have the most data in them. You can expand
each folder for a more granular look at where your space has gone. I recently
used it to identify why my profile had grown to 2.5 GB.
WinZip Updates
WinZip 9.0 was released last week. A free trial is available at http://www.winzip.com/.
A free upgrade is also available at the same site for existing WinZip users.
Along with the new version, WinZip has released an update to the WinZip Command
Line tool. The new version (1.1) may be found at http://www.winzip.com/prodpagecl.htm.
There is also a beta for their WinZip E-Mail Attachment Add-On for Microsoft
Outlook. This add on allows attachments in Outlook to be automatically (or
manually) zipped prior to sending.
Windows Support Center
"The Windows Support Center web site is wholly and privately owned
and produced by me, James A. Eshelman. (Other people contribute original
writings which are credited to them.) My address is provided in standard
whois directories but there is no public access at that location, and personal
privacy is requested. Site visitors may contact me here.
Our official purpose: To provide quality support information for users of
Microsoft operating systems and leading application software. Our secret
agenda: To help individuals become stronger in their own lives, by encouraging
community wherein those who need help can ask, those who have help to give
will offer it, and these roles reverse from time to time."
The site has all kinds of helpful articles, registry tips, and lists. Check
it out at http://www.aumha.org/
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:
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.
- If any of the links are too long to fit on one line, you may have to cut
and paste.
- You can only win one contest every 30 days.
- To subscribe another address or unsubscribe, please visit http://PCIN.net/ and
follow the appropriate links.
- Recommend PCIN to others at http://PCIN.net/recommend.php and
be entered in a monthly draw.
- There are only 3 ways to get on the subscriber list. You have either been
subscribed by filling out a subscription form on any of the pages on my site,
you have requested FreeHelp from me in the past, or you have registered with
the FreeHelp Forum.
- If you have a web site or run your own newsletter, please email me at editor@pcin.net and
I will add it to the subscriber web pages that I have on my site.
- Support PCIN by visiting http://PCIN.net/donate.php
Return to the top
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
PC Improvement News Home Page
PC Improvement News Archive
|