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Issue 213 - November 13, 2002
ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2002
==== 2221 Subscribers in 56 Countries ====
Welcome to the 213th 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
There is a new review of ObjectDesktop on the web site and below. If you like
to tweak the layout of Windows with "skins" then you should definitely
check it out.
Graham editor@pcin.net
and Chris chris@pcin.net
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The NEWS
Amazon Writes a Drama in Canada
"It used to be easy to identify Canadians. They were quiet, law-abiding
folks, partial to Wayne Gretzky's hockey, Margaret Atwood's novels and Leonard
Cohen's music. They shopped at Hudson's Bay Co. stores and knew who the Canadian
prime minister was. They had Canadian passports.
To keep Canadian culture as Canadian as possible, the government erected a
multitude of barriers. One was that a non-Canadian couldn't own a book publisher
or distributor. The fear was that an outsider would promote the novels of
John Grisham, say, over domestic talent."
For more info:
http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-fi-amazon10nov10,0,2244303.story
Study: Prolonged PC use saps energy
"Researchers in Japan have scientifically documented what dwellers of
Dilbertville have known for years: Prolonged daily computer use can make you
sore and sap your strength, energy and motivation.
In a three-year study of more than 25,000 workers, Japanese researchers discovered
that people who sat in front of computer screens were more likely to experience
physical pain such as eye and shoulder strain, and to suffer from motivational
symptoms such as lethargy."
For more info:
http://www.msnbc.com/news/832062.asp
Are Macs Virus-Proof?
"Historically, Mac OS users have had little to fear from the scourge
of viruses plaguing their Windows counterparts. The operating system's 'Classic'
incarnation was practically impervious, Macworld editor Jason Snell told NewsFactor.
But Apple's new operating system, known as OS X , is based on the Unix platform,
whose code base has been around for more than three decades. While Unix underpinnings
have made Apple's OS more powerful and stable, they also have made it more
susceptible to viruses and worms."
For more info:
http://www.newsfactor.com/perl/story/19930.html
AOL discs returned to sender
"A campaign to collect one million AOL CDs has got off to a good start.
The two Californian men who kicked off the campaign have now gathered more
than 80,000 of the promotional discs.
The campaign is intended to tell the company about the damage the discs do
to the environment when discarded, and shame it into curbing its zealous promotional
efforts.
In addition sister campaigns to collect CDs are springing up around the world."
For more info:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/2440911.stm
POLL of the WEEK
Last Week's Poll
Is technology making life easier for you?
| Yes - at work |
 |
6.09 % (7) |
| Yes - at home |
|
20.00 % (23) |
| Yes - at home and at work |
|
50.43 % (58) |
| No - It just slows me down |
|
1.74 % (2) |
| No - It just gives me another way of doing things |
|
21.74 % (25) |
| Total votes: 115 |
This Week's Poll
FREEHELP FORUM
Visit the new and improved PCIN FreeHelp Forum at http://www.pcin.net/help/forum/index.php
to post your questions or answer others.
Question
I recently had a power outage. My computer worked fine for a short while
afterwards, but then while my son was on the internet the computer crashed.
My computer tries to reboot but it is not detecting the secondary slave. The
screen just keeps going through the same thing over and over again trying
to reboot but it does'nt work.
Response
You should be able to download a utility from the hard drive manufacturer
(for free) that will do a thorough check of any connected hard drives. They
can often detect drives even if Windows can't. Of course if the utility can't
see the drive, then you may be out of luck.
To post a response, visit the Hardware How-To forum at http://www.pcin.net/help/forum/index.php?board=7
and click on the "Help me please" topic.
Visit http://www.pcin.net/help/forum/index.php
to post a question of your own.
PCIN.net UPDATE
Check out these new or updated pages on the PCIN.net site:
Object Desktop Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/objectdesktop.php
LG GCE-8400B 40x 12x 40x CD-RW Hardware Review
http://PCIN.net/help/hardware/lggce8400b.php
PCIN.net Search
http://PCIN.net/search/
Some Useful Registry Tips
http://PCIN.net/help/articles/registry_tips.shtml
THE TIPS and OTHER STUFF
Object Desktop Software Review
When Graham and I approached Stardock about doing a review
of their desktop modification software Object
Desktop, we weren't really sure about what was in store for us. When the
software arrived, we were both taken aback. Our first impression: "WOW".
The software quickly transformed our desktops from the regular, familiar Windows
GUI to a new, exciting interface that was easily modified. For users looking
for some excitement in their windows installation, Object Desktop satisfies
that need. Through it's various components, you can modify the entire computing
experience. Change how icons, windows, browsers, even your desktop and start
menu may be altered. There are many themes available for download allowing
you to change everything as an entire theme, or simply one aspect of your
environment.
Read the full review online at http://www.pcin.n
et/help/software/objectdesktop.php
Quick Save
When saving a file in Word and you want to quickly bring up the Save As dialog
box, press F12
New Portal and Improved Search Engine
Altavista relaunched this week with a much sleeker design. It is far less
cluttered and appears easier to use. Before Google came along, I did all my
searches at Altavista. It might be time to give them another shot. Check it
out at http://www.altavista.com/
There is a new portal/search engine out there called MyWay.com. It is supposed
to look like Yahoo, have all the features of Yahoo, but with no image ads.
They also claim that when you sign up for one of their email accounts, they
won't ever send you any promo emails. I guess the good thing is since it is
a new service, there are lots of good usernames left :-) If you've been looking
for a different free online email service, this might be it. Check it out
at http://www.myway.com/
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.
- If any of the links are too long to fit on one line, you may have to cut
and paste.
- You can only win one contest every 30 days.
- To subscribe another address or unsubscribe, please visit http://www.pcin.net/
and follow the appropriate links.
- Recommend PCIN to others at http://www.pcin.net/recommend.php
and be entered in a monthly draw.
- There are only 2 ways to get on the subscriber list. You have either been
subscribed by filling out a subscription form on any of the pages on my
site, or you have requested FreeHelp from me in the past.
- If you have a web site or run your own newsletter, please email me at
editor@pcin.net and I will add it to
the subscriber web pages that I have on my site.
- Support PCIN by visiting http://www.pcin.net/donate.php
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Graham Wing can be reached at editor@pcin.net
Chris Empey can be reached at chris@pcin.net
Copyright 1998-2002, 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://www.pcin.net/donate.php
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