Issue 325 - January 05, 2005
ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2005
==== 2022 Subscribers in 60 Countries ====
Welcome to the 325th 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
Happy New Year!
I can't believe we're in 2005. I can't believe Y2K was 5 years ago! And I
can't believe that I've been doing this for 6+ years, and that 2005 is the
8th calendar year that I will have sent out an issue of PCIN. I guess time
really does fly by when you are having fun.
Chris has finished a review of the latest VMware Workstation 4.5 that you
can read about in the Tips and Other Stuff section. We're
also looking at a couple of D-Link products but have run into a few problems.
And then our plate is pretty empty, so we'll be sending out a new round of
requests for products to review.
Graham editor@pcin.net and
Chris chris@pcin.net
The NEWS
Customer Service: The Hunt for a Human
"Try to reach customer service at Amazon.com to fix a problem with
an order and you will encounter one of the most prominent and frustrating
aspects of the Internet era: a world devoid of humans. Not only is there
no telephone number on Amazon's Web site, but the company makes a point of
not including one. Instead, customers are asked to fill out an online form
and wait for a response.
'It's incredibly annoying,' said Ellen Hobbs of Austin, Tex., whose frustration
has led her to publish Amazon.com's customer support number at her own Web
site (clicheideas.com/amazon.htm). 'They haven't invested the kind of money
in helping you solve problems as they have in selling you things.' In December
alone, some 1,100 people visited Ms. Hobbs's site."
For more info:
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/30/technology/circuits/30serv.html?ex=1262408400&en=b148bc2e844b6599&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland
Yahoo to Provide Real-Time Traffic News
"Many travelers by now are accustomed to getting maps and driving directions
on the Internet. A new offering from Yahoo Inc. will now provide real-time
traffic conditions as well.
Using information from radio traffic reports, police scanners, embedded road
sensors and traffic helicopters, Yahoo will warn motorists of construction
and other delays along a planned route. In some cases, the new service will
also provide weather advisories issued by state and local jurisdictions."
For more info:
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1745688,00.asp
McAfee Warns on Top Viruses
"The number of new viruses in circulation increased in 2004 after three
years of declines, anti-virus software company McAfee reports. The firm says
about 50 new viruses were discovered every day during the first half of the
year."
For more info:
http://www.toptechnews.com/story.xhtml?story_id=29450
POLL of the WEEK
Last Week's Poll
Where did you buy most of your presents this year?
Only at retail stores |
|
34 % (25) |
Mostly at retail stores |
|
29 % (21) |
Equally at retail and online stores |
|
15 % (11) |
Mostly at online stores |
|
15 % (11) |
Only at online stores |
|
5 % (4) |
Other |
|
1 % (1) |
Total votes: 73 |
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:
VMWare Inc. VMware Workstation 4.5 Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/vmware45.php
PCIN.net Update Blog
http://PCIN.net/update/
Sunbelt Software iHateSpam 4.0 Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/ihatespam4.php
Micro Solutions RoadStor Hardware Review
http://PCIN.net/help/hardware/roadstor.php
Album Creator by FirmTools Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/albumcreator.php
THE TIPS and OTHER
STUFF
VMWare Inc. VMware Workstation 4.5 Software Review
VMWare workstation allows you to run multiple operating systems at the same
time within one physical PC. It is a great tool for developers, testers,
support technicians and those who have a need to access multiple computers
or operating systems but do not have the money or the physical space to do
so.
Check out the review at http://pcin.net/help/software/vmware45.php
File association fixes
This is another
good one courtesy of Ed
Bott. If you don't subscribe to his blog, then get to it!
"Visit Doug Knox's site and pick one of these handy-dandy downloadable Windows
XP File Assocation Fixes. He's got 24 in all, from Batch Files to Zip Folders."
Web Usage Statistics
Have you ever wondered what the employees at Microsoft view most often
on the web? Or how about what the most popular sites are for your ISP? Well,
you can view this information at the VisitorVille web
site.
Best Free Reference Web Sites 2004 Sixth Annual List
"This is an annual series initiated under the auspices of the Machine-Assisted
Reference Section (MARS) of the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA)
of ALA to recognize outstanding reference sites on the World Wide Web."
Check it out at http://www.ala.org/ala/rusa/rusaourassoc/rusasections/mars/marspubs/MARSBestRef2004.htm
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.
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Graham Wing can be reached at editor@pcin.net
Chris Empey can be reached at chris@pcin.net
Copyright 1998-2005, Graham Wing. All rights reserved.
This publication may be reproduced in whole, or in part, as long as the author
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Support PCIN by visiting http://PCIN.net/donate.php
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