Issue 278 - February 11, 2004

ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2004
==== 2194 Subscribers in 62 Countries ====

Welcome to the 278th 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.

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Support PCIN at http://PCIN.net/donate.php

CONTENTS

Opening Thoughts

This week both Chris and I each finished another review. Check out the Tips and Other Stuff section for the review of InBoxer 1.1 by Audiotrieve and Anyplace Control by Anyplace Control Software. InBoxer is an anti-spam tool that works with Microsoft Outlook. It does an excellent job! Anyplace Control is a remote control utility. Chris was quite impressed with its speed in comparison to VNC.
And don't forget to rate the reviews when you are done. This will help us determine the type of software and types of review you would like us to do.

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

The NEWS

Legal downloads outsell CDs

"Legal music downloads have outsold traditional physical formats such as DVDs and CDs for the first time, according to research from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).
The organisation found that over 150,000 downloads were sold in January 2004. Some 50,000 of these sales came in one week alone, with the launch of legal download site MyCokeMusic."

For more info:
http://www.vnunet.com/News/1152688

Court: eBay's off the hook over feedback

"Be careful when reading feedback left in online auctions: eBay and similar Web sites are not required to remove information that's false or even libelous, a court has decided.
A California appeals court ruled last week that eBay cannot be forced to remove allegedly defamatory information posted to the popular auction site by users."

For more info:
http://news.com.com/2100-1028_3-5156094.html

Microsoft offers cut-rate Windows

"Microsoft has provided a modified version of Windows XP with reduced features for use in the Thai government's low-cost PC program, and may make this software available to other governments, the company said.
The 'entry-level' version of Windows was created to allow Microsoft to participate in the Thailand ICT Ministry's program without adjusting its policy of charging the same price for Windows and Office no matter where in the world they are sold, Microsoft said Monday. The software was provided at a cost of 1,500 baht, or about $40 (U.S.), compared with the usual price of several hundred dollars."

For more info:
http://www.globetechnology.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040209.gtmsms0209/BNStory/Technology/

MLB throws high heat at Web portals

"Major League Baseball is playing hardball as it shops its coveted online broadcast rights to the Web's heaviest hitters, leaving potential partners fuming at the plate.
With opening day still weeks away, anything could still happen. But sky-high terms and inconsistent offers are pushing the league's negotiations into extra innings, sources familiar with some of MLB's offers said."

For more info:
http://news.com.com/2100-1026_3-5156247.html

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POLL of the WEEK

Last Week's Poll

Do you regularly run software to check for spyware on your computer?

Yes 85.93 % (116)
No 11.11 % (15)
What is spyware? 2.96 % (4)
Total votes: 135

This Week's Poll

Which spyware detector/remover do you use?

Ad-aware
Aluria's Spyware Eliminator
PestPatrol
SpyBot Search & Destroy
Other

You can also vote online at http://PCIN.net/polls/

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PCIN.net UPDATE

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

Anyplace Control by Anyplace Control Software Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/anyplacecontrol.php

Inboxer 1.1 by Audiotrieve, LLC Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/inboxer.php

Microsoft Outlook Add-Ins by MAPILab Ltd. Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/mapilab.php

SnagIt 7 by TechSmith Corporation Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/snagit7.php

Icon Catcher 4 by Helexis Software Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/iconcatcher4.php

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THE TIPS and OTHER STUFF

Anyplace Control by Anyplace Control Software Software Review

"PC remote control software is becoming a common program for many computer users as more and more people wish to access their PC's when they are away from home or work. One such program is Anyplace Control by Anyplace Control Software. Remote control software allows a person to control a remote computer from another location."
Check out the full review at http://PCIN.net/help/software/anyplacecontrol.php

Inboxer 1.1 by Audiotrieve, LLC Software Review Software Review

"I don't know spammers do it, but it seems like you can have the strangest email address, but it is quite probably that you will end up getting junk email Whether is is called Bulk Unsolicited Commercial Email (BUCE or UCE), junk email, or spam, we all get it. This has lead to a relatively new market of software products called junk email filters. These programs interface with your email client (either checking the mail before it is downloaded or as it comes in) and have a way to classify email. Some programs will learn what you consider to be junk while others strictly judge email based on a predefined set of keywords.
I recently obtained a copy of InBoxer by Audiotrieve. This is a package that is based on SpamBayes, an open source project."
Check out the full review at http://www.pcin.net/help/software/inboxer.php

Penguin whacking

This was passed on to me by the Manager at the Boston Pizza that the company I work for owns. It is a flash game where the abominable snowman hits penguins like baseballs. Sounds odd, but it is strangely addictive! My record is 323. Bryan, the BP Manager, kept trying until he beat me (323.5)!
You can try it at http://n.ethz.ch/student/mkos/pinguin.swf

Healthy Eating

Kraft Foods has put together a website to help maintain healthy eating lifestyle. The site has some tools and calculators, meal and fitness planners, recipes and cooking tips as well as the web portion of their Food and Family magazine.
Check it out at http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/

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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:

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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.

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Graham Wing can be reached at editor@pcin.net
Chris Empey can be reached at chris@pcin.net

Copyright 1998-2004, Graham Wing. All rights reserved.

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