ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2006
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Welcome to the 403rd 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.
Support PCIN at http://PCIN.net/donate.php
I hope everyone had a safe and happy Canada Day and Independence Day. Unfortunately I have an acquaintance who drowned at a beach on Monday. They're still not sure what happened. As can be imagined, his family is devastated. Be sure to be safe and always have someone with you when you are out in the water this summer.
Due to the holidays, I was outside a lot with my family, and didn't get a chance to do much on the computer. Most of what I did get together for the newsletter was all today, so I may have missed some good stories or tips. Remember, if you've read any interesting stories that aren't in the mainstream media, or if you have some good tips, please pass them along.
Graham editor@pcin.net and Chris chris@pcin.net
AOL Said, 'If You Leave Me I'll Do Something Crazy'
"You're going to listen to me."
This was the taunting command of an AOL customer service representative who sounded like a jailer twirling his keychain. The customer on the phone wanted to complete his business, but the person on the other end of the phone did not share a sense of urgency.
It is fitting that the customer service representative's wish to be heard has been fulfilled on a scale he never anticipated.
When Vincent Ferrari, 30, of the Bronx, called AOL to cancel his membership last month, it took him a total of 21 minutes, including the time spent on an automated sequence at the beginning and some initial waiting in a queue. He recorded the five minutes of interaction with the AOL customer service representative and, a week later, posted the audio file on his blog, Insignificant Thoughts (insignificantthoughts.com/2006/06/13/cancelling-aol/).
Shortly thereafter, those five minutes became the online equivalent of a top-of-the-charts single.
Modern media meets Colonial Williamsburg
Thomas Jefferson isn't about to start listening to an iPod, with telltale earbud wires dangling from beneath his three-cornered hat as he walks the streets of Colonial Williamsburg.
But people far from the restored 18th-century capital of Virginia can use their portable audio players to hear costumed interpreter Bill Barker talk about portraying Jefferson or, in honor of the Fourth of July holiday, read the Declaration of Independence.
The world's largest living history museum long has used modern media to share its stories with audiences far beyond its 301-acre Historic Area, dating back to before World War II when it produced an educational film for schools.
Today, it has an extensive Web site with photo slideshows, online exhibits and interactive tours, and it offers "electronic field trips" for schools using live television broadcasts and the Internet.
It's also using something that didn't even exist a couple years ago: podcasts.
CD format gets a "reboot" from Universal Music
The world's biggest record company is not ready to give the compact disc up for dead just yet, and is giving the venerable music format a revamp.
Universal Music Group, home to artists such as U2 and Mariah Carey, is rolling out three new tiers of CD packaging in Europe, ranging from lush deluxe editions down to bare-bones cardboard sleeves that are designed to compete with albums sold online.
Despite the hype about online music stores like iTunes, the huge majority of music is still sold on CDs, usually inside the "jewel boxes" that have been around for decades.
Watch for Distracting Elements - Digital Photography Tip of the Week
Last week I talked about the quality of light and how it is affected by the size of your light source. I hope that you have since tried to compare similar photos in different types of lighting. Until you practice and experience it, it can be a hard concept to utilize in your photography.
One small thing you can do to improve your images is to look for distracting elements in your photos before you take them. One phrase commonly used in photography is if an element doesn't add to the photo, it takes away. I touched on this briefly in a previous tip about scanning the edges of your frame. Unfortunately, distracting elements may not necessarily be only on the edge of your view finder. Look around your subject; all four sides as well as behind and in front of them. Sometimes, a minor adjustment in camera angle or position can place an unwanted element behind your subject, or out of the frame.
Leave a comment about this week's Digital Photography Tip of the Week...
Return to the topThe 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 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.
Check out these new or updated pages on the PCIN.net site:
Return to the topUpdate PCIN.net home page with "Top 10 Most Popular..." features
http://PCIN.net/Microsoft Digital Image Suite Plus Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/msdimagesuiteplus.phpOmega One Software Battery Pack Pro 2.1 Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/bpp2.phpMakayama Interactive DVD to Pocket PC 3.0 Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/dvd2ppc3.phpAdobe Photoshop Elements 4.0 Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/elements40.php
BreakTheChain.org - Stop Junk E-Mail and Misinformation
Found on the Office Tips and Hints Blog...
I've mentioned the Museum of Hoaxes before, and most people are familiar with Snopes.com (the Urban Legends Reference Pages). I just learned about a similar site that specifically tries to debunk chain letters:
BreakTheChain.org is your source for common-sense evaluations of e-mail chain letters, helpful tips and advice.
There are dozens of chain letters that are explained on the site. You can view the What's New page (it doesn't seem to be updated that often) as well as the forums.
Writely - The Web Word Processor
Return to the topBack in March Google purchased Writely, an web-based word processor. When I first heard about it I went to the website and filled out the form to be notified when I could register. I still haven't heard anything yet. But Chris learned that if you have a Writely account and then add someone as a collaborator, then they automatically get an account. Chris got an account from someone, and then added me as a collaborator, so now I have an account. I don't know how much I'll use it, but it looks interesting:
If you are interested in a Writely account, email us and we'll add you as a collaborator so you can sign up.
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:
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.
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.
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