Issue 305 - August 18, 2004
ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2004
==== 1972 Subscribers in 58 Countries ====
Welcome to the 305th 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
Well, I'm back! Actually, I've been back since Saturday. We left Wednesday
after I got home from work. We were up at the cottage by 6:30 in the evening
and left Saturday morning at about 11:00. It rained one afternoon, and the
weather wasn't super hot (we didn't go swimming), but other than that the days
were beautiful and we had a great time. I'll have pictures up for you to see
by next week.
Chris has finished a review for Newsgator 2.0 by Newsgator Technologies. This
is one of the most popular RSS feed readers. You can read about it in the Tips
and Other Stuff section.
Graham editor@pcin.net and
Chris chris@pcin.net
The NEWS
Jeeves isn't asking, he's telling
"With the goal of building brand loyalty in the increasingly competitive
search business, search engines are practicing an old parlor trick: mind
reading.
Expanding on the spirit of Google's 'I'm feeling lucky' button, search engines
are giving users answers to questions directly rather than sending them out
to search on the Web.
These 'shortcuts' or 'programmed searches,' as they are known, are a way
for search engines to choose what information users see first when they search
for certain subjects, such as movie show times, celebrities, or stock quotes."
For more info:
http://www.redherring.com/article.aspx?a=10791
Men Are Pigs, According To Password Security Researchers
"An academic study of computer password security demonstrates what
women have always known: Men are pigs.
In addition to finding that men are drooling savages, the study also found
possible security weaknesses with schemes to use sequences of images as passwords."
For more info:
http://www.securitypipeline.com/news/28700176
A computer created just for teens
"This isn't your typical, humdrum, slate-colored
computer. Not only is the PC known as the hip-e almost all white, but its
screen and keyboard are framed in fuzzy pink fur. Or a leopard skin design.
Or a graffiti-themed pattern.
Sure, it's outlandish, but you won't see the hip-e in an office cubicle.
The creators of the $1,699 hip-e claim it's the first PC specifically for
teenagers.
Of course, teens are infamously fickle, and today's media-savvy kids are
skilled at sniffing out and rejecting things that seem contrived. Today's
teens also grew up with computers and have sophisticated demands for them."
For more info:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5737071/
Making Free IPods Pay Off
"Unless you're extremely gullible, the promise of getting a free iPod
from FreeiPods.com looks extremely dubious.
But surprisingly, the site appears to be legitimate. The program almost certainly
isn't a dodgy pyramid scheme; it's a new form of online marketing supported
by companies like eBay, AOL and Columbia House.
And while lots of happy customers are popping up all over the internet brandishing
new iPods, analysts are skeptical of the economics."
For more info:
http://www.wired.com/news/mac/0,2125,64614,00.html
POLL of the WEEK
Last Week's Poll
When will you install Windows XP SP2?
Immediately |
|
15 % (15) |
When prompted by Windows Update |
|
17 % (17) |
Not right away |
|
42 % (42) |
Never |
|
3 % (3) |
I didn't know there was an XP SP2 |
|
4 % (4) |
I don't have Windows XP |
|
18 % (18) |
Total votes: 99 |
This Week's Poll
You can also vote online at http://PCIN.net/polls/
PCIN.net UPDATE
Check out these new or updated pages on the PCIN.net site:
Newsgator 2.0 by Newsgator Technologies Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/newsgator2.php
CDBF for Windows by WhiteTown Software Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/cdbf.php
Photoshop Elements 2.0 plus Photoshop Album 2.0 by Adobe Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/elementsplusalbum.php
Updated PCIN.net Site Search
http://PCIN.net/search.php
Updated Windows Registry Tips and Tweaks Article
http://PCIN.net/help/articles/registry_tips.php
THE TIPS and OTHER
STUFF
Newsgator 2.0 by Newsgator Technologies Software Review
Newsgator 2.0 is one of the finest RSS aggregators available. It's tight
integration with Microsoft Outlook provides an easy, familiar and stable
interface to reading RSS and Atom news feeds. The Newsgator Online Services
provide many additional enhancements that will be very useful for some people.
Synchronizing feeds between machines, and having access to your feeds anywhere
you have access to the Internet are both valuable features.
Read the full review at http://PCIN.net/help/software/newsgator2.php
Using the Google Search bar to search a web page
I often want to look for certain terms in a web page. To quickly find all
occurrences of the word or phrase I am looking for, I use the Google Search
bar. Any terms entered in the Google show up on the IE toolbar and can be
searched for by clicking the words with your mouse.
Tech Time: 50 Coolest Websites
"First, a caveat. This is not a directory of the 50 greatest websites
ever. Rather, it's a tally of the best sites that launched - or piqued our
interest in some way - since last year's list. Think of it as our round-up
of 50 nifty links we think you should check out. So get clicking!"
Check it out at http://www.time.com/time/techtime/200406/
Verify Links in Outlook prior to following them
Spammers often hide true URL's in links to make them appear to be a legitimate
link (i.e. what appears to be http://www.pcin.net may point to http://382.15.154.21/aa%20?88sjejs/)
In Outlook 2000, hovering over a link in an email will provide the real URL
the link will follow in the status bar. In Outlook 2003, hovering over a
link will show the URL in a popup. In Outlook XP (2002), that functionality
appears to be missing. Of course the safest way to ensure you are not facing
a hidden link is to type in the URL in your address bar manually.
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.
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follow the appropriate links.
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be entered in a monthly draw.
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out the subscription form or asked me directly.
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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.
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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