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Issue 269 - December 10, 2003
ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2003
==== 2163 Subscribers in 62 Countries ====
Welcome to the 269th 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
Not much new going on here. All 3 of us (Graham, Lisa, and Andrew) have been
sick for the last week or so. Lisa and I are almost better. It turns out that
Andrew has an ear infection in each ear, but he's still as chipper as always.
Graham editor@pcin.net and
Chris chris@pcin.net
The NEWS
Most Federal Agencies Flunk Internet Security
"Most federal government agencies have failed to adequately protect
their computer networks from hackers and other online threats, the fourth
year in a row that the government has earned low marks on a computer security
report card issued by a congressional oversight committee.
The Department of Homeland Security -- the government's lead agency on matters
of Internet security -- was one of seven agencies that received an F grade
for 2003."
For more info:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A50914-2003Dec9.html
Should ISPs pay music royalties for file-sharing by customers?
"A landmark case came before the Supreme Court of Canada this week,
with its music industry seeking an order for ISPs to pay royalties for file-sharing
by their customers. In effect it wants a tax to compensate for what it cannot
stop.
The music industry is fighting a desperate battle to control the unauthorised
downloading of copyrighted music that leaves artists and recording companies
bereft of their lucrative royalties. Peer-to-peer file-sharing services like
KaZaA are seen as the biggest problem."
For more info:
http://www.out-law.com/php/page.php?page_id=shouldispspaymusi1070628115&area=news
Microsoft to ditch older products
"Microsoft will retire several of its products in two weeks' time,
including Windows 98 and SQL Server 7, to comply with a court order related
to its dispute with Sun Microsystems over Java.
In a posting to Microsoft's developer Web site, the company lists several
older products that are being phased out and that will no longer be available
to customers as of Dec. 15.
The company on Monday updated the posting to say that it is extending the
deadline to download older products to Dec. 23 'in order to allow subscribers
to download copies of content scheduled to be removed.'"
For more info:
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104_2-5116216.html
POLL of the WEEK
Last Week's Poll
What is the biggest obstacle to obtaining training?
| Work won't pay for it |
 |
11.63 % (10) |
| I can't afford it |
|
40.70 % (35) |
| I'd rather learn on my own |
|
33.72 % (29) |
| I'm not interested in training |
|
13.95 % (12) |
| Total votes: 86 |
This Week's Poll
You can also vote online at http://PCIN.net/polls/
PCIN.net FREEHELP
FORUM
The activity on the forum has been quite low the last couple of weeks. Visit
the PCIN.net FreeHelp Forum at http://PCIN.net/help/forum/ to
post your questions or answer others.
PCIN.net UPDATE
Check out these new or updated pages on the PCIN.net site:
Updated PCIN.net Search
http://PCIN.net/search/
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
Windows XP Professional How-to Articles
Microsoft XP How-to Site, from the guys who know Windows XP best, Microsoft.
"Find out how Windows XP can help you work smarter. How-to articles are
grouped by topic on this page. You can also view a complete list of all how-to
articles. If you manage Windows XP in a corporate environment, or for advanced
how-to information, see the Windows XP Professional How-to Articles for IT Pros
page. There is also a list of How-to Articles for Small Business."
Check it out at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/default.asp
Recover deleted Outlook messages
From the Brian Livingston Newsletter: BriansBuzz.com
'Most corporations, of course, use Microsoft Outlook, not Outlook Express,
for e-mail. Reader Bob Clifton turned me on to a way that corporate IT
pros can get back any messages that anyone has recently deleted from his
or her Outlook folders.
I'll paraphrase, below, an outline of the procedure. Don't try this without
reading the complete list of steps at http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-6270-5054599.html
Back up the Outlook .pst file, which contains the message store.
Use a hex editor to insert blanks into 13 specific character positions near
the beginning of the file.
Run Microsoft's Inbox Repair Tool on the .pst file. This utility is included
with Windows 9x, NT, 2000, and XP, as well as Outlook 98 and Office 2000.
More information on the tool is available in Knowledge Base article 287497.
Run Outlook, and the repaired .pst file will be opened, with the Deleted
Items folder containing all of the recently deleted messages."
Free Web Hosting
"Who on Earth is 1&1 ?
1&1 is a part of United Internet, a public company with 3,500 employees.
Previously, we only served large providers in the USA, but now 1&1 is
thrilled to be serving you directly. We have 2.5 million loyal customers,
4 state-of-the-art Data Centers and industry leading Connectivity."
Up until a week or so ago, I'd never heard of 1&1 either. But they are
apparently a hugh hosting company with a very large presence in Europe. They
are trying to increase their business in North America, so they are offering
an excellent hosting package for free. It sounds too good to be true, but
I've signed up for an account and it has been quite impressive so far. Their
free offer expires January 14, 2004, so I'd go and sign up even if you don't
have a need for it right now. You don't need to have a domain name. You don't
provide any credit card information. You can check it out at http://1and1.com/
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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