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Issue 402 - June 28, 2006

ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2006
==== 1596 Subscribers in 50 Countries ====

Welcome to the 402nd 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

Today is my sister Brianna's birthday. She is the "baby" of the family and turns 19 today. Happy Birthday Brianna!

Speaking of birthdays, this coming Sunday is Matthew's birthday. I can't believe he's going to be 2 already! And then at the end of the month Andrew will turn 4. I sound so old saying this, but they grow up too fast! They are both great little boys and their Mommy does a great job. I'm pretty luck to have them all.

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

The NEWS

Computers break down less often: survey

Computers have become more reliable in recent years as manufacturers have improved designs, but one in every six new notebooks still needs to be repaired within a year after purchase, a survey found on Tuesday.
Failure rates of both desktop and portable notebook computers have improved in the 2005-2006 period compared with 2003-2004, market research group Gartner found.
Five percent of desktop computers need to have a component replaced within the first year, compared with 7 percent two years ago. Four years after purchase the chance that a desktop computer needs to be repaired is 12 percent, compared with 15 percent in 2003-2004.

Read the Reuters article...
Leave a comment...

PC users 'want greener machines'

Consumers are willing to pay up to an extra £108 ($197) for a PC containing fewer chemicals, a survey has found.
People also feel manufacturers should take responsibility for the disposal of old machines, the research shows.
So-called e-waste is a growing global problem, with 30 million PCs being dumped each year in the US alone

Read the BBC article...
Leave a comment...

Coming soon: Mind-reading computers

A raised eyebrow, quizzical look or a nod of the head are just a few of the facial expressions computers could soon be using to read people's minds.
An "emotionally aware" computer being developed by British and American scientists will be able to read an individual's thoughts by analyzing a combination of facial movements that represent underlying feelings.
"The system we have developed allows a wide range of mental states to be identified just by pointing a video camera at someone," said professor Peter Robinson, of the University of Cambridge in England.

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

Most Microsoft Workers Search With Google

An overwhelming majority of Microsoft employees use rival Google to search the Internet, bloggers and a Web metrics company claimed Tuesday.
Andrew Hitchcock, a 20-year-old student at the University of Washington, got the ball rolling by posting Google Analytics statistics on visitors to his Web site. Of the users originating from Microsoft's domain who reached Hitchcock's site via a search engine, 80 percent came through Google. Only 20 percent used a Microsoft search engine (either MSN's or the Live.com's).
"Do companies drink their own Kool-Aid? (or eat their own dog food, depending on which company culture you follow)," Hitchcock asked on his site.

Read the TechWeb article...
Leave a comment...

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Digital Photography Tip of the Week

The Quality of Light - the Size of Your Light Source

Light is the foundation for all great photos. Great photographers can both read the light and manipulate it to meet their needs. Even if light manipulation is out of the realm of most photographers, knowing a little about the quality of light can still help you in your photography. The quality of light is one of the key distinctions between two photographs. Today I am going to briefly discuss the quality of light as it is influenced by the size of your light source.

In general, a larger light source relative to your subject will produce a softer, more flattering light with diffused shadows, soft highlights and low contrast than that of a smaller light source. A smaller light source will produce harsher, more contrasty light that will yield sharply defined shadows, more contrast and large, bright highlights. Relative is the key in this statement though.

The sun, though physically larger than any other light source you can find, is only a very small, point source in relation to your subject. It produces very strong, harsh, directional shadows and high contrast photographs. An overcast day on the other hand provides very soft, even light with diffused shadows. The clouds act as a diffuser and become a massive light source relative to your subject. If you have ever been to a professional photographer for a portrait session, you will have seen this in action. They will likely have used large 42" umbrellas or 60" softboxes to act as a large light source. This allows them to create soft lighting and shadows we find attractive in a portrait.

How can you apply this knowledge in your photography? Look for large light sources for low contrast, soft light images, and try to use smaller light sources for images where you want a harsher light. Soft (large) light sources include the shade of a tree, an overcast sky, or a large window, either with shears drawn, or without direct sunlight filtering in. Small light sources include light from a flash, either on or off camera or as I mentioned earlier, the sun.

Get out and try it to see for yourself. Shoot a subject in bright, directional sunlight, and again under an overcast sky. Soft light is not always the best light, but learning to identify it, and when to use will certainly improve your photography.

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 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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PCIN.net UPDATE

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.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

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THE TIPS and OTHER STUFF

Make your GMail Signature For Free

I think I've mentioned something similar to this before, yet I couldn't find it, so here it is. The site has 3 images to choose from. You enter what your username is, and it puts it in the image for you. This displays your email address, but hides it from email harvesters (or spambots).

gawing_gmail.png

Make your own Gmail signature...

Leave a comment...

Online SiGGy Maker

User Bars:These are the so called User bars :) , you can use them as your email or forum signature, it also helps in hiding ID's from spambots.

Have you been on a blog or bulletin board web site and noticed users who have nice graphics as part of their "signature"? Well, GFXedit.com has a few that you can customize.

google0xf.png

As of the time of this posting they have 6 styles to choose from along with 7 fonts. You can add your name (or other short text) to them as well.

Leave a comment...

Free Printable Coloring Pages

I found this at FreeAfterRebate.info...

If you have small children or work with small children, then you should check out FreePrintableColoringPages.net. They claim to have over 1,800 pages to download and print. The pages are in categories and all seem to be in PNG format. Even if you have children that are a little older, there are maps, military pictures, and more that may be good for project. The only drawback is since these are "coloring pages", they are all in black and white.

Leave a comment...

The PDF of 55 Ways to Have Fun With Google

From Google Blogoscoped:

The full PDF of my book, 55 Ways to Have Fun With Google, is now available on 55fun.com. As the book is Creative Commons licensed, you are encouraged to copy, read, share, remix, convert, quote, browse, and print the PDF to your liking. If you do create conversions, e.g. an HTML version, please send me the URL so I can link to it from 55fun.com.

Visit Google Blogoscoped to follow the links to the free PDF.

Leave a comment...

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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.

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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