ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2007
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Welcome to the 467th issue of the PC Improvement News. PCIN consists mainly of news highlights 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.
Support PCIN at http://PCIN.net/donate.php
Lisa is now officially past her due date, and still no baby. She has been having some pretty painful contractions, but they stop and nothing happens. She had to be induced with both of the boys, but this pregnancy has been so different, she really thought she'd have it before the due date. Oh well... it'll be here soon no matter what.
Graham editor@pcin.net and Chris chris@pcin.net
Let the Facebook bidding war begin
Should we start calling Facebook, the popular social networking site, Microbook or Facesoft?
The Wall Street Journal reported on its Web site Monday afternoon that Microsoft is considering investing $300 million to $500 million for a 5 percent stake in Facebook. The high end of that range would value Facebook as a whole at $10 billion. A spokesperson for Facebook told CNN that it had no comment about the speculation and a representative from Microsoft said the software developer had no comment as well.
But the WSJ indicated that talks are just in preliminary stages and that Google, the search industry leader, is also interested in making an investment in Facebook, which has seen its popularity explode since the company developed an open platform for applications developers earlier this year. The site has gone from being one that was more of a niche social networking site popular on college campuses to a legitimate challenger to News Corp.'s MySpace.
Investigators: Homeland Security computers hacked
Hackers compromised dozens of Department of Homeland Security computers, moving sensitive information to Chinese-language Web sites, congressional investigators said Monday.
Investigators pointed a finger at a government contractor, saying the firm hired to protect DHS computers tried to hide the incidents from the department.
The FBI is investigating the incidents, a congressional staffer said, and two members of Congress have asked the department's inspector general to also launch an investigation.
"The results of our [committee] investigation suggest that the department is the victim not only of cyber attacks initiated by foreign entities, but of incompetent and possibly illegal activity by the contractor charged with maintaining security on its networks," Democratic Reps. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi and James Langevin of Rhode Island said in a written statement.
Google eyes discreet Street View for Canada
Canada's privacy commissioner told Google in August that the feature--which offers a series of panoramic, 360-degree images of nine U.S. cities--could violate Canadian laws if it were introduced without alterations.
Some of the pictures feature people who can clearly be identified, which contravenes Canadian legislation on privacy.
"We are thinking about launching it outside the United States, including Canada, and we're looking at how it would have to be different in Canada compared to its U.S. version," said Peter Fleischer, Google's global privacy counsel.
"We would launch Street View in Canada in keeping with the principles and requirements of Canadian law ... that means we know we'll have to focus on finding ways to make sure that individual's faces are not identifiable in pictures taken in Canada and that license plate numbers are not identifiable in Canada," he told Reuters in an interview.Read the Reuters (via ZDNet News) article...
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Do You Need A New Camera - Digital Photography Tip Of the Week
Digital photography or more specifically digital camera have become disposable items. New models are released at regular intervals and previous models do not hold high resale value. New models incorporate new technology, usually resulting in higher megapixel ratings, new features, and better quality images.
But do you need one?
There seems to be a community of people, not just in photography but in many technology related goods, that absolutely must have the latest and greatest. That can become quite expensive and may not necessarily lead to better images. Before upgrading, you should consider whether or not the new features are really justified for the type of photography you do. Have you already identified a need for a new camera? Do the new models fill in voids you have with your current model? The camera manufacturers push megapixels, but often without significant increases in performance or features. If the megapixel count of a new camera is the driving factor for you and you do not make large images, the upgrade may not prove to be worthwhile. However, if you have been limited with your current camera, either by the size of the enlargements you wish to make, the speed or responsiveness of your current camera, or if the image quality from your current camera does not meet your expectations, than an upgrade may be worth considering?
Other factors that may warrant a new camera may include more manual controls as your photography skills improve or the ability to use different accessories. Of course, with today's technology, there are plenty of features that may warrant a new camera. Reviewing your current camera's shortcomings can help determine an actual need for a new one.
Until next time, happy shooting.
Leave a comment on this week's Digital Photography Tip of the Week
The digital photography tip of the week is written by the PCIN Assistant Editor, Chris Empey. Chris is a long time photographer and is currently the President of the Niagara Falls Camera Club. You can see more of his photography at his Photo of the Day website.
If you have a tip to send Chris, or a question about digital photography he can address in the newsletter, send it to chris@pcin.net.
Check out these new or updated pages on the PCIN.net site:
Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0 and Adobe Premier Elements 3.0 Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/photoshopEL5_Premiere3.phpExpoDisc White Balance Filter Review
http://PCIN.net/help/hardware/expodisc.phpParagon Software Group Partition Manager 8.0 Professional Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/ppm8.phpUpdate PCIN.net home page with "Top 10 Most Popular..." features
http://PCIN.net/Microsoft Digital Image Suite Plus Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/msdimagesuiteplus.php
The 10 Funniest Sites on the Internet
From PC World:
Along with sex and shopping, comedy is one of the biggest drivers of traffic on the Web. Especially now that a lot of regular people know how to post their homemade video and audio to the Web (along with clips from TV or radio), there's an awful lot of funny stuff online. After months of exhaustive research, including lie-detector tests performed on laboratory rats, we've gathered a list of the funniest sites on the Web. Visit these sites and try not to laugh.
Adobe Releases Photoshop Elements 6 and Premier Elements 4
I received this press release in my inbox today:
Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced two major upgrades to its digital photo and video software for consumers: Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 6 for Windows® & Adobe Premiere® Elements 4 for Windows. Tight integration and a shared Organizer, with a common database accessible from either application, allow users to do more with their photos and videos. Available separately or together in a single retail package, Photoshop Elements& Adobe Premiere Elements software give photo and video enthusiasts more creative ways to organize, edit, create and share digital photos and home movies.
AntiRootkit.com
Most people are aware of viruses and the damage they can cause. Although rootkits have been around for a long time, it is only now becoming something that the average consumer is aware of. The site AntiRootkit.com aims to help people understand what rootkits are, highlight news regarding rootkits, and provide information on software to protect against rootkits.
Antirootkit.com aims to help ordinary computer users gain an understanding of Rootkits, what they can do and steps to remove them. This site aims to provide information on all aspects of Rootkit Information, Prevention, Detection, Identification and Removal.
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:
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.
Graham Wing can be reached at editor@pcin.net
Chris Empey can be reached at chris@pcin.net
Copyright 1998-2007, 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