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Issue 326 - January 12, 2005

ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2005
==== 2021 Subscribers in 60 Countries ====

Welcome to the 326th 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

 

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

The NEWS

Scanner creates perfect-fit jeans

"They might be one of the most timeless items of fashion, but finding a pair of jeans that best suits an individual's body shape can be a shopping nightmare.
Now, thanks to Bodymetrics, a state-of-the-art body mapping system that, in theory, allows designers to create perfect fitting clothes, things could be about to change."

For more info:
http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/12/10/spark.bodymetrix/index.html

Court: No warrant needed to search your work PC

"Police do not need a search warrant to examine an employee's computer for incriminating files, a Washington state appeals court has ruled.
All that is necessary is the permission of the business that owns the computer, the appeals court said in a 3-0 decision last week."

For more info:
http://news.com.com/2100-1030_3-5513266.html

Apple Enters Value Market with Cheap iPod, Mac

"Apple Computer Inc. on Tuesday moved to make its products more affordable for the masses, unveiling its cheapest Macintosh computer ever and a version of its iPod digital music player for under $100.
Apple co-founder and Chief Executive Steve Jobs, announcing the new products at the Macworld show in San Francisco, also said Apple had sold 4.5 million units of the various models of its blockbuster iPod in the 2004 holiday quarter."

For more info:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?storyID=7300623

Report: Schools wired, but still not Internet savvy

"Virtually all public schools in the United States have access to the Internet, but few are taking full advantage of the technology to instruct students, according to a new government report."

For more info:
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1040_22-5517609.html

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POLL of the WEEK

Last Week's Poll

Where do you print your digital photos?

At the local discount/box store 9 % (9)
At the local photo store 13 % (12)
I submit them to an online printer 2 % (2)
I print them myself 57 % (54)
I never print my digital photos 8 % (8)
I don't have any digital photos to print 11 % (10)
Total votes: 95

This Week's Poll

How much do you rely on the Internet to receive you non-technical news?

I only use the Internet for my news
I use the Internet in addition to traditional news
I do not use the Internet for news coverage

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

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THE TIPS and OTHER STUFF

Black Viper's Web Site

This site was mentioned in one of the blogs I subscribe to, Unofficial Microsoft Office Stuff. There are a collection of guides for different operating systems. Most useful are the Services guide's, with explanation on what each service does and whether it is safe to turn it off or not.
Check it out at http://www.blackviper.com/

Accidental IT: Spyware, Spyware Everywhere

Co-worker and subscriber Pat Clary sent us this link:
"Every day in your workplace, the curses get louder. Unwanted pop-up ads, slow computers, PCs that crash all the time. Despite the network firewall and the anti-virus software installed on the server and every computer, your office is infested with spyware.
You've read the news stories. You know that spyware is not only annoying, it's dangerous. It's certainly affecting productivity, and it could also be recording the keystrokes of everyone in your office right now, discovering logins, passwords, company secrets. Long story short, you need to get rid of it. Now."
Check it out at http://www.smallbizpipeline.com/howto/56900502

Check directory size information with Diruse

This comes courtesy of the TechRepublic Windows XP Tips newsletter:
If the vast amount of available space on your hard disk is dwindling, you're probably wondering where all that space has gone. To figure that out, you may open Windows Explorer and look for the folder or folders that are using up all the hard disk space. Or, you can save some time by right-clicking each folder, selecting Properties, and checking the Size report on the General tab.
However, an even better way to gather the information you want is to use the Windows Support Tools' Diruse command line tool. In its basic syntax, the Diruse command displays the number of files in each folder and the total size of the folder in bytes in a nice tabular format. By using the optional parameters, you can configure the Diruse command to focus on specific folders and report folder size in kilobytes or in megabytes. Other parameters will even allow you to flag folders that exceed a size that you specify.
To use the Diruse command line tool, you'll need to download and install Windows XP Service Pack 2 Support Tools (this assumes that you've installed SP2).
TechRepublic has all sorts of good newsletters. Check it out at http://nl.com.com/guest.jsp?brand=techrepublic

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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 1998-2005, Graham Wing. All rights reserved.

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