Issue 176 - February 27, 2002

ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2002
==== 2304 Subscribers in 60 Countries ====

Welcome to the 176th 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.shtml

CONTENTS

OPENING THOUGHTS

As many of you know, I help my dad with a web site for some antique glassware that he collects called Corn Flower by W. J. Hughes. He has corresponded with many people who have seen his site at http://www.hughescornflower.com/. On Saturday he met with a man whom he met this way. This person is an expert in Depression Glass. They have both been able to share things that the other person had never seen before. If it weren't for the Internet, they never would have met.

This leads me to the next special issue. For the next several weeks, I will be asking people for their "success" stories that only happened because of the Internet. Did you meet your true love online? Have you left your "regular" job behind and made money online? Did you find that long-lost relative? Have you been able to learn more about a hobby then you ever dreamed possible? Send your thoughts and comments to editor@pcin.net.

Lastly, Chris and I have been working on some updates to the site. If you haven't checked it out yet, visit the main page at http://www.pcin.net/ and look on the right-hand side for the PCIN.net Site Updates. It will always show the most recent updates to the site.

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

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The NEWS

RIAA Blames Digital Music Pirates For Bad Year

"The recording industry has singled out Internet piracy as a major, contributing factor in its poor music sales during 2001, when U.S. shipments from record companies slipped by over 10 percent.
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) said it is lost for a 'simple explanation' as to why record shipments to retailers crashed last year.
The industry group on Sunday further revealed the dollar value of all music shipments fell from $14.3 billion in 2000 to $13.7 billion in 2001.
Hilary Rosen, president and CEO of the RIAA, said 2001 was a difficult year for the industry, citing Sept. 11 and the slow economy as brakes on music sales. But Rosen reserved particular disdain for online music downloaders and CD burners."

For more info:
http://www.newsbytes.com/news/02/174732.html

Chris: If the recording industry hadn't been overcharging for CD's for the past 15 years, they wouldn't be in this predicament now.

Arbitration Panel to Rule on Internet Radio Royalties

"An arbitration panel is to rule this week on the amount that Internet radio stations must pay recording companies for songs played online. The ruling could clear up one of the more nettlesome issues facing the Internet radio business."

For more info:
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/18/technology/ebusiness/18ECOM.html

AltaVista scraps free e-mail

"AltaVista said Tuesday that it will discontinue its free Web e-mail service, the latest online amenity to get axed as a result of cost-cutting measures.
The Internet search company notified its 400,000 subscribers by e-mail Tuesday that it would close the service as of March 31, according to AltaVista spokeswoman Krista Thomas. The company does not plan to forward e-mail or provide access to archives after that time."

For more info:
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-840648.html

Chris: This appears to be an ongoing trend in the free email market. Several of the large providers are now offering fee based enhanced services to try to help offset their costs.

Label to warn of copy blocking on CD's

"The first U.S. record company to use copy-blocking technology on a compact disc has settled a lawsuit filed by a Marin County woman who claims she was misled. Music City Records of Nashville agreed to include a warning on its packaging that owners cannot copy "Charley Pride -- A Tribute to Jim Reeves" into computer MP3 files. Also, the label agreed to ensure it will not require or store personal identifying information like e-mail and IP addresses when album owners access a downloadable version from the Internet.

For more info:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2002/02/26/BU201062.DTL&type=tech

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POLL of the WEEK

Here are the responses from the last poll:

Would you rather Surf The Net or Watch TV?

Surf the Net:  82.61 % (57)
Watch TV:  17.39 % (12)

Total votes: 69

Visit http://pcin.net/polls/ to participate in the new poll this week:

When you surf the Internet you surf for...

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FREEHELP FORUM

Visit the new and improved PCIN FreeHelp Forum at http://www.pcin.net/cgi-bin/bb/YaBB.cgi to post your questions or answer others.

Question

I have a used gateway LE500 with no restore disk or CD and no manual! I've found them on gateway site and called to order on , and they said they have them, BUT they're all mixed UP and it to hard to get them sorted (figure that!!!) Is there such thing as a MASTER RESTORE CD that would fit most average PC's?

Answer

There is have been no answers posted yet. If you have a suggestion, visit the General Discussion forum at http://www.pcin.net/cgi-bin/bb/YaBB.cgi?board=general and click on the "I need a quick restore CD !?" topic.

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PCIN.net UPDATE

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

PurgeIE 4.04 Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/purgeie4.shtml

Recommend PCIN
http://PCIN.net/recommend.php

Search PCIN.net
http://PCIN.net/search.shtml
(Note: This is still being tested. It works, but is slow)

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THE TIPS and OTHER STUFF

Microsoft Word and Excel Tutorials

Check out http://www.oootraining.com/QwikAndDirty/index.html for One on One Training's Qwik and Dirty guides to Microsoft Word and Excel. These web-based tutorials show you how to perform dozens of tasks in each program. Screenshots are provided, as well as an easy to use Table of Contents.

Online Art Store

Subscriber Paul Arnold recently sent me this:
"I have been a long time subscriber and because of your tips and hints, along with Chris Pirillo's, I recently created my own website. It is a Canadian art poster and print store located at www.artgalore.ca. I was hoping you would add my site to your list for people to visit. I have learned a lot over the past few years and continue to learn more everyday."
Check out Paul's site at http://www.artgalore.ca/

Graham: I know this isn't a "techie" site, but it is good to hear from people who have learned from the newsletter. Remember that subscribers can have their web sites (of any kind other than "adult" sites) listed at http://pcin.net/links/subweb.shtml

The Computer Corner

Subscriber Steve Henthorn has a wonderful web site for his Computer Corner radio show and free newsletter. The radio show airs on 5:20 PM. each Monday on WSGS, 101.1 FM in Hazard, KY.
The corresponding web site offers links, tips, articles a unique PUZ'LER™, quotes and more. Check it out at http://users.mis.net/~sphere/cc.html

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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.

  1. If any of the links are too long to fit on one line, you may have to cut and paste.
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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.

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