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Issue 345 - May 25, 2005

ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2005
==== 2063 Subscribers in 59 Countries ====

Welcome to the 345th 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

After last week's newsletter, my Dad jokingly said that if I thought he was going to mess up on putting Andrew and Matthew's play set together than I could do it myself. Well, he and Andrea did a great job and Andrew loves it! I'll post some pictures next week.

This past weekend was our Victoria Day holiday in Canada, and this coming weekend is the Memorial Day holiday in the US. Wherever you are, and whatever you do to celebrate, enjoy your time. The weather is supposed to be great here and I'm off for the next 4 days, so I plan to enjoy it!

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

The NEWS

Microsoft security guru: Jot down your passwords

Companies should not ban employees from writing down their passwords because such bans force people to use the same weak term on many systems, according to a Microsoft security guru.
Speaking on the opening day of a conference hosted by Australia's national Computer Emergency Response Team, or AusCERT, Microsoft's Jesper Johansson said that the security industry has been giving out the wrong advice to users by telling them not to write down their passwords. Johansson is senior program manager for security policy at Microsoft.
" How many have (a) password policy that says under penalty of death you shall not write down your password?" asked Johansson, to which the majority of attendees raised their hands in agreement. "I claim that is absolutely wrong. I claim that password policy should say you should write down your password. I have 68 different passwords. If I am not allowed to write any of them down, guess what I am going to do? I am going to use the same password on every one of them."

For more info:
http://techrepublic.com.com/2100-1009_11-5716590.html
Leave a comment:
http://www.pcin.net/update/index.php/2005/05/24/microsoft_security_guru_jot_down_your_pa

Apple allegedly explores using Intel chips

Apple Computer has been in talks that could lead to a decision soon to use Intel chips in its Macintosh line, according to a report published Monday.
The Wall Street Journal, citing two industry executives with knowledge of recent discussions between the companies, reported that Apple will agree to use Intel chips.
Neither company would confirm the report, and an Apple representative told the Journal that the information should be characterized as "rumor and speculation."
It was unclear whether such a move would signal a large-scale shift away from chips made by IBM, Apple's longtime supplier, the article said.

For more info:
http://techrepublic.com.com/2100-10877_11-5716539.html
Leave a comment:
http://www.pcin.net/update/index.php/2005/05/23/apple_allegedly_explores_using_intel_chi

FBI: Computer upgrade cost still unknown

"FBI Director Robert Mueller told lawmakers Tuesday he still doesn't know how much it will cost to complete the bureau's computer overhaul, already well over budget and behind schedule.
He also refused to state publicly the cost of the initial phase of the Sentinel system, the planned successor to a failed project that was supposed to greatly improve management of terrorism and other criminal cases.

For more info:
http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/05/25/fbi.computers.ap/index.html

Publishers protest Google library project

A group of academic publishers called Google Inc.'s plan to scan millions of library books into its Internet search engine index a troubling financial threat to its membership.
The Association of American University Presses said in a letter to Google that the online search engine's library project "appears to involve systematic infringement of copyright on a massive scale."
The association, which represents 125 nonprofit publishers of academic journals and scholarly books, asked Google to respond to a list of 16 questions seeking more information about how the company plans to protect copyrights.

For more info:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7957499/
http://print.google.com/googleprint/library.html

Return to the top Recommend PCIN Poll of the Week

POLL of the WEEK

Last Week's Poll

How often are you upgrading the hardware on your computer?

Weekly 1 % (1)
Monthly 0 % (0)
Every few months 20 % (17)
Yearly 18 % (15)
Only when something breaks 54 % (45)
Never 7 % (6)
Total votes: 84

This Week's Poll

What is your primary search engine?

Google
MSN
Yahoo
MyWay
Altavista
Mamma
Dogpile
Excite
Other

You can also vote online at http://PCIN.net/polls/

Return to the top Recommend PCIN Poll of the Week

PCIN.net UPDATE

Check out these new or updated pages on the PCIN.net site:

VMware Inc. VMware Workstation 4.5 Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/vmware45.php

PCIN.net Update Blog
http://PCIN.net/update/

Sunbelt Software iHateSpam 4.0 Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/ihatespam4.php

Micro Solutions RoadStor Hardware Review
http://PCIN.net/help/hardware/roadstor.php

Album Creator by FirmTools Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/albumcreator.php

Return to the top Recommend PCIN Poll of the Week

THE TIPS and OTHER STUFF

Build an XP-SP2 Recovery Disc

From PCMag.com:
"Odds are your PC came with a recovery disc, a CD with all the programs and drivers that were installed on its hard drive when it was new. The odds are also that you have absolutely no idea where that disc is.
The good news is that it probably doesn't matter. First, the recovery discs provided by most PC manufacturers are designed for a single purpose: to restore your computer to the state it was in when you bought it. This process typically involves wiping your hard drive clean and then reinstalling Microsoft Windows and the handful of programs originally included with your PC. Unless you're preparing the whole kit and caboodle to sell on eBay, this is probably not something you'll ever need.
Second, the hardware drivers on your recovery CD are probably out of date, either made obsolete by newer and better versions available online, or simply irrelevant because of new hardware you've installed.
So, instead of fretting about the old recovery CD, why not take a few minutes and make one of your own?" Check it out at http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1819110,00.asp

Comment on this tip at http://www.pcin.net/update/index.php/2005/05/25/build_an_xp_sp2_recovery_disc

All things laptops

"Laptop news from Laptopical. View notebook computer reviews and read articles about laptops from brand names such as Acer, Apple, Compaq, Dell, Fujitsu, Gateway, IBM, Sager, Sony and Toshiba. Weblog includes news about Centrino, Sonoma and Turion chips and processors."
There is a blog, news, reviews, and articles. If you are looking for information on a laptop, this would be a good place to start. Check it out at http://www.laptopical.com/

Comment on this tip at http://www.pcin.net/update/index.php/2005/05/25/all_things_laptops

I'm a Blogger - Add Me!

"Do you think that your blog has what it takes to be included in our database?
Please fill out this form so that we can evaluate and, hopefully, add your blog to our expanding list of bloggers and blogs."
Submit your blog information to Answers.com at http://www.answers.com/main/new_blogger.jsp

Comment on this tip at http://www.pcin.net/update/index.php/2005/05/19/i_m_a_blogger_add_me

Return to the top Recommend PCIN Poll of the Week

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:

Return to the top Recommend PCIN Poll of the Week

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 1998-2005, Graham Wing. All rights reserved.

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