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Issue 268 - December 03, 2003
ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2003
==== 2158 Subscribers in 62 Countries ====
Welcome to the 268th 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
Last week Chris and I received demo software of all of the software shown
at the Microsoft TechNet event we attended. I've installed Office 2003 in a
virtual machine (VMWare) and I'm not terribly impressed. It's not that the
software doesn't work well, it's just not much of an upgrade, let alone a full
new version. I didn't think there was that much of a difference from Office
2000 to Office XP, and there isn't much of a difference from Office XP to Office
System 2003. If you were planning on upgrading, I'd say wait. At the very least,
get a hold of a demo so that you can see for yourself.
Both Chris and I have gotten into the world of blogging. Chris' blog is at http://fbp.ca/ and
my blog is at http://gawing.com/ Neither
one is earth-shattering, but if you are interested you can check them out.
Graham editor@pcin.net and
Chris chris@pcin.net
The NEWS
Microsoft revs its automotive engines
"After swerving off the road a few times, Microsoft is gearing up for
another try at the automotive market.
The software maker has persuaded a number of carmakers to use its slimmed-down
Windows CE operating system to power a variety of in-car electronics, from
navigation systems to music players to information devices. BMW, in particular,
has gravitated to Microsoft systems, although the company has announced wins
with Honda, Volvo and others as well."
For more info:
http://news.com.com/2100-1008_3-5111932.html
Windows ATMs raise security concerns
"Last week's revelation by Diebold that its automated teller machines
(ATMs) operated by two financial services customers were struck by the W32/Nachi
worm raises the specter of even wider disruptions from virus and worm outbreaks
and highlights a growing security concern that cash machines running Windows
XP and interacting with other Windows systems are vulnerable to attack."
For more info:
http://www.infoworld.com/article/03/12/02/HNwinatm_1.html
What is Google worth?
"Anyone with an insatiable craving for a dot-com-era hypefest need
not look far. The prospect of search engine firm Google's considering an
initial public offering seems to have Wall Street salivating.
As rumors swirl around the five-year-old privately held company--$800 million
in revenue? $200 million in profit? Microsoft takeover interest?--the handicapping
of its future is becoming something of a parlor game. Analysts are struggling
to put numbers on intangibles, while technology boosters hail the potential
IPO as if it were the second coming."
For more info:
http://news.com.com/2030-1069_3-5112098.html
Dubious dinner date on eBay
"Elisabeth von Hullessem, who pleaded guilty to fraud last month related
to a fictitious literary conference in Alberta - and is a wanted woman in
the United States for, among other things, allegedly driving over her mother
- tried unsuccessfully yesterday to sell a $10,000 (U.S.) chance to dine
and regale the buyer with her tales -- most of them tall, according to police.
Von Hullessem (one of 16 aliases) turned to eBay to flog the opportunity
to 'meet the fugitive,' but her posting was removed after officials with
the Internet auction service nabbed her for 'fee circumvention.'"
For more info:
http://www.globetechnology.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20031203.gthulle03/BNStory/Technology/
POLL of the WEEK
Last Week's Poll
Have you had any formal computer training?
| Yes, through work |
 |
21.21 % (28) |
| Yes, at school |
|
21.21 % (28) |
| Yes, through home courses |
|
7.58 % (10) |
| No |
|
50.00 % (66) |
| Total votes: 132 |
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
I have had e-mail that has not been delivered to me for 4 or 5 days. Can
someone tell me why this happens ? I check my e-mail every day.
Response
It could be caused by the e-mail getting caught in a spam filter.
Try: using different words or omitting attachments
If the problem persists contact your ISP, network administrator (if applicable),
your account may be black listed.
To post a response, visit the General Discussion forum at http://PCIN.net/help/forum/index.php?board=2 and
click on the "E-Mail Delay" 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:
Updated PCIN.net Search
http://PCIN.net/search.php
Moon Software Password Agent Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/passwordagent.php
NewsGator Technologies NewsGator Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/newsgator.php
Sunbelt Software iHateSpam Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/ihatespam.php
THE TIPS and OTHER
STUFF
Crystal Power
Last week I mentioned a couple of games that I have recently tried. Well,
the last one I've tried is called Crystal
Power by Jollygood
Games.
"Crystal Power is an exciting and challenging puzzle game where you fill
energy tubes to power your spaceship home. Energy tubes light and pulsate in
brilliant colors when the right combinations of power crystals are placed."
It was quite enjoyable. It is a challenging game, but also not too difficult
that you don't want to play it again. The colours and sounds are nice, and
before you know it, you've spent half an hour playing. If you visit the Jollygood
Games site, you can download a demo or purchase it for $19.95
MS Office Tips
http://www.microsoft.com/education/?ID=ClassTipsArchive
This page on the Microsoft site is part of their Microsoft Education section
and is aimed at those in the teaching profession, however, these tips are
valuable to more than just teachers. There are tips on Word, Excel, PowerPoint,
Access, Publisher and Internet Explorer. Teacher or not, I am sure there
is something here for everyone.
Browse a little easier
Internet Explorer is one of the programs on your computer that is likely
to be used the most, but how efficient are you at browsing the web? To speed
things up for you, learn some of the shortcuts IE offers you.
If you have a wheel mouse, scrolling the wheel while holding the CTRL button
will enlarge or shrink text
CTRL-B will bring up the Organize Favorites dialog box
Holding the CTRL key down while left clicking will select all the text in
the paragraph you click in
CTRL-L brings up the Open URL dialog box
F4 will take you to the Address Bar in the browser
CTRL-F - Find on the current page
F5 - Refresh
F11 sends you into Kiosk (Full Screen) Mode and back
And for mouseless browsing, pressing the space bar will scroll down one page
at a time and tab will jump from link to link (press enter to follow the
link)
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
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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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