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Issue 257 - September 17, 2003
ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2003
==== 2097 Subscribers in 60 Countries ====
Welcome to the 257th 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
We all know that there have been a lot of viruses out lately, but I also can't
believe the number of computers I've come across that have Trojan Horse programs
installed. I realize that often viruses and trojan horses go hand in hand.
But in the years I've worked with computers, I've only come across a few computers
with viruses. In the last week or so though, I have worked on 3 computers that
had trojans, and have heard of 2 others. Be careful people. Remember... not
having antivirus software, and not updating your computer can be risky business.
My older sister Alisa is getting married this Saturday to her fiance Jason.
My brother Jeff and his family (Evy, Ryan, Lillie, and Lauren) are coming up
from Florida. This will be the first time in a while that we've been all together.
I'll be sure to take lots of pictures :-)
Graham editor@pcin.net and
Chris chris@pcin.net
The NEWS
Why Do Ink Cartridges Cost So Much?
"At $22 per quarter-ounce, a Hewlett-Packard color ink-jet cartridge
is more expensive, by weight, than imported Russian caviar.
Observing such high prices, Connecticut research consultant Zel Dolinsky
wants to know the reasons for them. 'How come, with printer prices falling,
ink prices are still so outrageous?' Dolinsky asks. 'I'm appalled.'
Ink jet and toner cartridges are fanning angry sparks in the ink cartridge
replacement market--a $21 billion field, according to Lyra Research."
For more info:
http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,112199,pg,1,00.asp
'Commodity' not a dirty word at Dell
"Although more and more computers are being built using off-the-shelf
parts, which many in the industry consider to be ordinary commodities, standardization
has yet to stamp out innovation and creativity in the PC market, said Kevin
Rollins, Dell's president.
Rollins, a keynote speaker Tuesday at the TechXNY conference's PC Expo trade
show, used his appearance to argue that the widespread use of standard components,
such as Intel processors, is letting Dell increase its market share and profitability
while improving the way its customers use PC technology.
' We disagree with the idea that we've entered the twilight of technology,'
Rollins said."
For more info:
http://news.com.com/2100-1003_3-5077520.html
House Backs Making Internet Tax Ban Permanent
"The U.S. House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to make permanent
a ban on Internet use taxes and to require nine states to repeal existing
taxes on access fees.
By a voice vote lawmakers agreed to a bill cementing the moratorium on Internet
access and traffic taxes due to expire in November, and removing a provision
that had allowed a handful of states to levy taxes that were in place before
the ban was first passed in 1998.
The tax ban would apply to all methods of Internet access, including pricier
high-speed links taxed by some states."
For more info:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?storyID=3462949
Copy-protected CDs take step forward
"For the first time in the United States, BMG Music will release a
music CD that's loaded with anticopying protection, a move that opens a new
round of technological experimentation for record labels.
BMG division Arista Records will include 'copy management' protections produced
by SunnComm Technologies on soul artist Anthony Hamilton's new album, the
company said Friday. Although the label has previously released promotional
copies of various CDs with copy protection, this will be the first major
test of consumers' reaction to the latest generation of the anticopying technology."
For more info:
http://news.com.com/2100-1027_3-5075656.html
POLL of the WEEK
Last Week's Poll
How often do you use floppy disks these days?
| Daily |
 |
6.38 % (9) |
| Every few days |
|
7.09 % (10) |
| Weekly |
|
3.55 % (5) |
| Every couple of weeks |
|
14.89 % (21) |
| Monthly |
|
14.18 % (20) |
| Almost never |
|
53.90 % (76) |
| What is a floppy disk? |
|
0.00 % (0) |
| Total votes: 141 |
This Week's Poll
You can also vote online at http://PCIN.net/polls/
PCIN.net FREEHELP
FORUM
Visit the PCIN.net FreeHelp Forum at http://PCIN.net/help/forum/ to
post your questions or answer others.
Question
My friend has got a netcomm wireless np7032 nic for her laptop. She purchased
it to access the internet and vpn on the universities computers. The problem
lies in browsing the internet. We can connect to the wireless network, we
can dial into the vpn but internet explorer will not connect at all.
Response
No answers yet.
To post a response, visit the General Hardware Help forum at http://PCIN.net/help/forum/index.php?board=4 and
click on the "Wireless Card Access" topic.
Visit http://PCIN.net/help/forum/ to
post a question of your own.
PCIN.net UPDATE
Check out these new or updated pages on the PCIN.net site:
Logitech Cordless Elite Duo Hardware Review
http://PCIN.net/help/hardware/lced.php
XemiComputers Ltd. DeskLook 3.0 Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/desklook3.php
Symantec Norton Ghost 2003 Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/ghost2003.php
Amic Games Email Saver Xe Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/emailsaverxe.php
THE TIPS and OTHER
STUFF
The Who Would You Kill? Game
"The Who Would You Kill? Game allows you to select the most annoying
characters from your favorite television shows and then kill the in horrifying
and descriptive ways."
Trust me... the main site is not that horrifying :-) There are all sorts
of TV shows from past and present that you can choose from. If you are adventurous,
you can read all of the suggestions people have to get rid of these characters.
Some are hilarious, others are just plain weird. Check it out at http://www.whowouldyoukill.com/
Playing With Time
"Playing With Time is an exciting, new project that looks at how the
world around you is changing over many different time periods. The project
consists of two major parts: this web site and a traveling museum exhibit.
The site is being developed by Red Hill Studios. The exhibit is a collaboration
between Red Hill and the Science Museum of Minnesota.
Here at the Playing With Time web site, unseen worlds of change will be revealed.
You will see time sped up and slowed down, and behold the beauty of change.
Time will be in your hands to witness, replay, and even create. You never
know... you might not look at things quite the same way again."
Check it out at http://www.playingwithtime.org/
Note to self...
I know it is not the most sophisticated tool around, but if you need to
record a quick sound, note, or other audio material, don't forget about the
Microsoft Sound Recorder. You can create and edit WAV files. Although there
aren't a lot of options, I've used it before and found it very easy to use.
On most Windows computers, Microsoft Sound Recorder can be found in the Start
Menu - Programs - Accessories - Entertainment - Microsoft Sound Recorder.
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:
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://PCIN.net/ and
follow the appropriate links.
- Recommend PCIN to others at http://PCIN.net/recommend.php and
be entered in a monthly draw.
- There are only 3 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,
you have requested FreeHelp from me in the past, or you have registered with
the FreeHelp Forum.
- 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://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 1998-2003, 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
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