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Issue 380 - January 25, 2006

ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2006
==== 2060 Subscribers in 58 Countries ====

Welcome to the 380th 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.

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Support PCIN at http://PCIN.net/donate.php

CONTENTS

Opening Thoughts

I mentioned awhile ago in a blog posting that I was looking to get into the Windows Live Mail beta. I was sent an invite from Microsoft last week and I signed up. Not bad. You can read about it my Windows Live Mail Beta impressions post. Apparently, not everyone likes it as much as I do.

I received Nero 7 Ultra Edition the other day to review. It looks very impressive. Chris and I will play with it for a few weeks and then type up a review. It looks like it is trying to be a total solution to your PC-based digital entertainment needs. So far it looks like it is a winner.

Can you believe Pixar was worth $7.4 billion?!

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

The NEWS

Do Web filters protect your child?

Millions of parents around the country rely on Web filtering software to shield their children from the nasty side of the Internet--porn, predators and other unseemly phenomena.
But according to the U.S. Justice Department, Web filters are not enough to protect minors. The agency voiced its concern about the technology last week as it geared up to defend an antiporn law that's under attack from civil liberties advocates.
The case, which deals with the 1998 Child Online Protection Act, grabbed attention Thursday after the department subpoenaed Internet search companies, including Google and Yahoo, for millions of search records.

Read the TechRepublic article...
Leave a comment...

Twenty years of computer viruses

It is 20 years since the release of the world's first PC virus, according to antivirus firm F-Secure.
'Brain' was a boot sector virus created by two brothers, Basit and Amjad Farooq Alvi, to protect a game they had written.
The exact day of creation is open to question, however, and some experts have suggested that the 'Ashar' virus pre-dated 'Brain'.
These viruses were spread via floppy disc and could be avoided fairly simply by making the disc read-only. Since then virus propagation has become significantly easier, and transmission rates have skyrocketed since the birth of the internet.
" It will be interesting to see what kind of viruses we will be talking about in another 20 years - computer viruses infecting household appliances perhaps?" said Mikko Hyppönen, chief research officer at F-Secure.

Read the Vnunet article...
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Computer crime costs $67 billion, FBI says

Dealing with viruses, spyware, PC theft and other computer-related crimes costs U.S. businesses a staggering $67.2 billion a year, according to the FBI.
The FBI calculated the price tag by extrapolating results from a survey of 2,066 organizations. The survey, released Thursday, found that 1,324 respondents, or 64 percent, suffered a financial loss from computer security incidents over a 12-month period.
The average cost per company was more than $24,000, with the total cost reaching $32 million for those surveyed.
Often survey results can be skewed, because poll respondents are more likely to answer when they have experienced a problem. So, when extrapolating the survey results to estimate the national cost, the FBI reduced the estimated number of affected organizations from 64 percent to a more conservative 20 percent.

Read the TechRepublic article...
Leave a comment...

Like This? You'll Hate That. (Not All Web Recommendations Are Welcome.)

On Amazon.com, a customer interested in buying the novel "The Life of Pi" is also shown "The Kite Runner" because other Amazon customers - presumably with similar tastes - also purchased that book. That's just one approach among many in the science of recommendation software.
Web technology capable of compiling vast amounts of customer data now makes it possible for online stores to recommend items tailored to a specific shopper's interests. Companies are finding that getting those personalized recommendations right - or even close - can mean significantly higher sales.

Read the New York Times article...
Leave a comment...

Other News postings from the PCIN.net Update blog

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PCIN.net UPDATE

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

Microsoft Digital Image Suite Plus Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/msdimagesuiteplus.php

Omega One Software Battery Pack Pro 2.1 Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/bpp2.php

Makayama Interactive DVD to Pocket PC 3.0 Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/dvd2ppc3.php

Adobe Photoshop Elements 4.0 Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/elements40.php

Norris Family Industry ActiveEarth 2.0 Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/activeearth2.php

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Digital Photography Tip of the Week

Night Photography Part 1

Last week I discussed using s-curves and diagonals in your photos for a more attractive image. This week I will start to discuss night photography, specifically, some of the equipment that will be helpful when shooting at night.

Night photography poses some challenges for the photographer. Unlike during the daylight when light levels are high, shooting in low light requires some different techniques and equipment. A tripod and cable release (some cameras use a wireless release) or self timer are important, though you can get by without a cable release.

Shooting in low light will require a longer shutter speed to properly expose the film (whether it is traditional or digital). Because of this, it is necessary to stabilize your camera on a tripod, a railing, or against a tree. Any motion from the camera during exposure will show up in the photo as ghost images or streaks and will detract from the look of your photo.

I also mentioned using a cable release or infrared remote control. This is for the same reason as supporting the camera on a tripod; to prevent camera shake. A release will allow you to activate the shutter without having to touch the camera thereby reducing camera shake. Most digital SLR's and some prosumer cameras have the option to use a cable release though not all, and some point and shoot digicams also feature remote release capabilities. If yours does not, or if you have simply forgotten it at home (something I have done) your next option is to use the self timer on your camera. Using this feature will allow you to press the shutter and then give them camera about 10 seconds to fully come to rest to before starting the exposure to avoid the camera shake that can occur when you press the button. The downside to this is if you are waiting for an event to happen (such as the burst of a firework) timing will be difficult in waiting for the self timer to count down.

Midway ride at night
Midway Rides at Dusk

Next week I will follow up to this with helpful camera settings and techniques to achieving nice night shots.

Comment on this week's Digital Photography Tip of the Week...

The digital photography tip of the week is written by the PCIN Assistant Editor, Chris Empey. Chris is a long time photographer and is currently the vice-president of the Niagara Falls Camera Club. You can see more of his photography at his Photo of the Day website.
If you have a tip to send Chris, or a question about digital photography he can address in the newsletter, send it to chris@pcin.net.

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THE TIPS and OTHER STUFF

Irving's Info Page

Subscriber Irving Stein emailed me about his web site.

U might be interested in sharing my web-site (my hobby....wanting to help people) with your readers.

The site has the following description:

This site was started by Irving Stein in July 2000. The reason for creating and maintaining this site is to help computer users ("newbies" and intermediates)....learn how to keep their computers in top running condition; take advantage of the free links offered; download and install useful utilities; keep U out of trouble, and to enjoy your computing experience.

There seems to be lots of good tips and links. Be sure to check out Irving's Info Page.

Leave a comment...

Virtual Magnifying Glass 3.1

A free, open source, screen magnifier, for both Windows and Linux.

This is neat software. If you want to zoom in on something on your screen, you can use it. You can customize how magnified it is, how big the magnification area is, and more. Check it out...

Leave a comment...

EBCD - Emergency Boot CD

EBCD is a bootable CD, intended for system recovery in the case of software or hardware faults. It is able to create backup copies of normally working system and restore system to saved state. It contains the best system software ever created, properly compiled and configured for the maximum efficient use.

I haven't tried it, but it sounds interesting. You can download an ISO of it and then burn that to CD.

Leave a comment...

FREE Software Tools for Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP

The following table contains a select group of Programs or Registry files which solve Windows System problems or functional deficits, or significantly help you to get better use of your computer. ( Unless otherwise noted, the files here are for ALL Windows OSs. They should function normally on Win NT/2000/XP, but we would be interested in any feedback from users of these versions. There are a few compatibility notes listed under specific applications below.)

Check out the list...

Leave a comment...

Other Tips

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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 1998-2006, Graham Wing. All rights reserved.

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