ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2006
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Welcome to the 392nd 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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One of my sisters has a birthday today. The family pooled our money and bought a Creative Zen MicroPhoto for her. She's in love :-)
Lisa's been working hard on our kitchen cupboards. She has primed them and painted them. Supposedly the colour is "Desert Bone" but it sure looks like white to me on the cupboards. Whatever colour it is, it still looks good.
The good weather we've been having is driving me crazy. On the one hand I love being outside without a coat on, but I'm so anxious to get out in the yard and start planting our vegetables and some of our flowers. Unfortunately in this part of the country the rule of thumb is to wait until the holiday weekend in May. I'll try to be patient...
Graham editor@pcin.net and Chris chris@pcin.net
Is The Internet Out Of Room?It happens in minutes. Hackers with bot code break into vulnerable computers, turn them into zombies and launch an assault against your computer systems. And while you scramble to secure your network - and the vital data on it - botmasters sell access to your hacked machines for pennies apiece.
Here's the inside story of how bots work - and what you can do to protect your company.
iPod Vending Machines Land at Airports, HotelsThe Internet is supposed to be limitless--a boundary-free exchange of digital information and profit. So how can it be running out of real estate?
The answer, according to information technology experts, lies in cyberspace's ever-growing popularity. In theory, each new user who wants to log on needs a new address, as does each new Internet-enabled gadget, like smartphones that can access the Web. Routers, which allow multiple users and devices to use a single address, are helping stave off the problem for now, but it's only a stopgap measure.
Currently, the Internet has room for 4.3 billion addresses. About one-third of those are already in use, and more than another one-third are spoken for. By 2012, there will be some 17 billion devices connected to the network, estimates research firm IDC.
But an update to the rules that govern how data moves along the Internet could solve the real estate crunch before it starts.
Webby Awards hit ripe old age of 10A San Francisco company specializing in automated retail has plans for 10,000 consumer electronics vending machines installed in high-traffic places like airports and hotels in just a few years.
Zoom Systems already has 100 units installed, and Zoom chief executive officer Gower Smith hopes the company's strategy will increase sales of high-end Apple Computer gadgets and other electronics through kiosks.
Nominees for the 10th annual Webby Awards were announced Tuesday, and the list of potential honorees reads like a who's who of well-known Web properties.
The awards--which have seen the Internet rise, fall and rise again with the birth of Web 2.0--will be presented June 12 at a ceremony in New York City hosted by comedian Rob Corddry of "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart." Winners will be officially revealed May 9.
Awards will be granted in 65 categories, including activism, banking and bill paying, celebrity/fan, humor, personal Web site, science and more.
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Check out these new or updated pages on the PCIN.net site:
Update 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
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Scan the edges of your viewfinder
Many otherwise excellent photographs have been ruined by distracting elements in the photo.
One easy way around this is to scan all four side of your viewfinder for things that have no business in your photo. The top of someone's head, a light standard or maybe sign. If you find something that does not belong or add to the image, then recompose your shot. Either move in a little closer (or zoom in with your camera) or possibly switch positions and change your angle relative to the subject. And when you are finished looking at the sides of your frame, look at the background of your image as well to be sure something back there won't detract from your main subject either.
Compare the two photos below. Notice the elements in the three corners circled in red and how then take away from the image, then look at the same photo on the right, cropped a little bit tighter to eliminate the extra's. A little makes a big difference.
Leave a comment about 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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Find FreebiesThe oft-rumoured Google Calendar finally made its appearance this week and it looks impressive.
The only thing I'm not sure of, is who actually needs a web-based calendar? If you are a business user, you are most likely using Outlook or something else similar. If you are a home user, then you've probably found something else to use. Why a web-based calendar? I guess we'll see how it progresses.
If you are interested in this, you may also want to check out the Interesting Google Calendars posting at Google Blogoscoped for some interesting publicly available calendars.
Kidscom.comFrom Google Blogoscoped:
If you want to have companies send you free samples of, well, just about anything (coffee, magazines, shrimp recipe brochures), the Freebie Finder may be for you.
Kids games, chat rooms for kids, plant babies, safe site for kids - KidsCom, fun site for kids.
Kidscom.com seems to have a wide variety of activities and games for kids to try. Check it out!
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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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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.
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