ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2001
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Welcome to the 166th 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.shtml
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PCIN at http://PCIN.net/donate.shtml
Wow. Yesterday we woke up and there was no snow in sight. Then at noon it started to snow, and it has been snowing ever since. We've gotten around 15 cm (6 inches). It was nice sitting down to dinner with Nanny, Dad, Mom, Lisa, Julia, Andrea, and Brianna and seeing the snow fall. And for those interested, our turkey turned out fine (our first one).
What did you get for Christmas, what did you give for Christmas, or what did you do for someone for Christmas? If you have anything you'd like to share, email me at editor@pcin.net. Items with a technology edge would be preferred, but not necessary.
Lastly, I'm trying to clean up the mailing list a bit. If an email address bounces 4 times, they are automatically removed from the list. Unfortunately if mail is redirected, this make it difficult to have them removed automatically. I have a few addresses that have been bouncing for several months and I can't figure out which email address is causing the problem. So, I'm sending the newsletter out a little differently this week. I don't think any of you will notice. But there is a chance that I've messed something up, so consider yourself warned. Next week I will send the list out the standard way.
20 factors that will change PCs in 2002
"Hot economies cool down and Net empires collapse, but technology continues to move at light speed. Digital tools are not only getting smaller, faster, and cheaper, they're also insinuating themselves into every corner of life. And these days they're as likely to be found in your pocket as on your desk.
We've picked 20 trends and technologies that will have the greatest impact on personal computing for business and home use. We polled trend watchers, technologists, industry experts, and our own editors to uncover the products that will change how you work -- and possibly even how you live."For more info:
http://www.cnn.com/2001/TECH/ptech/12/25/pc.changes.idg/index.html
Microsoft sues Linux start-up over name
"The Redmond, Wash.-based software giant filed a motion with the U.S. Court for the Western District of Washington against Lindows, which is developing a version of the Linux operating system that will run popular applications written for Microsoft's Windows OS.
Microsoft contends the company, which plans to formally release its product next year, purposely is trying to confuse Lindows with Windows. The suit asks the court to order the start-up to stop using the Lindows name and also seeks unspecified monetary damages."
For more info:
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1003-200-8246647.html
Expedition to the lost net
"The global reach of the net is one of its greatest charms.
But there are some parts of the net that no-one can reach, parts that are cut off from even the most dedicated net user either by accident or design.
A study of these lost sites by US researchers has investigated the extent of the "dark net" and just what causes a net address to fall off the map.
The study found that up to 5% of the net - potentially 100 million hosts - are completely unreachable."For more info:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_1721000/1721006.stm
Visit http://pcin.net/polls/ to participate in the new poll this week:
For how long have you had a computer at home?
Visit the PCIN FreeHelp Forum to post your questions or answer others. Each week I highlight a question, and where to go to get the answer.
Question
All was well until recently. I have not downloaded anything that may affect my pc.
Firstly I noticed that the whole pc kept freezing up regularly, whether working locally or on the net. The freezes first then the whole pc goes!
Secondly, & more importantly, I cannot run CD-roms. When I insert one, it says 'no CDROM found'.
The light works, the tray slides out & I can hear it working away inside. So I try to check it in windows explorer, it is not even there anymore, I look in 'My computer', it's just not listed.
The 'A floppy' & 'c hard drive' is there but not the CD-rom or the re-writer!!
Have I been virused?!?!? And, how do I fix it all?!?
Please..?? Anyone..??Answer
No answer given yet.
Do you know the answer or have a suggestion? Visit http://www.pcin.net/cgi-bin/forum/index.cgi and check out the Hardware Forum. Post your answer or post a question of your own.
Check out these new or updated pages on the PCIN.net site:
Sonic Foundry SIREN Jukebox 2.0 Review
http://pcin.net/help/software/sj2.shtmlWE Compute Magazine's Cheap Tricks of the Week
http://pcin.net/help/articles/cheaptricks.shtml
(The entire collection is in Microsoft Word format and currently has 100 tips and tricks. You can download the file from here)Windows Registry Tips and Tweaks
http://pcin.net/help/articles/registry.shtml
(The entire collection is in Microsoft Word format and currently has 76 registry tips. You can download the file from here)
Cheap Trick of the Week
Serve Yourself
Windows 95 or 98 users can check what servers they're connected to when they're online.
While connected to the Internet, click on the Start button, Programs and MS-DOS Prompt. MS-DOS will open in a separate window with the Windows directory showing. Just type netstat at the prompt and hit Enter. After a few seconds a list will pop up with the servers you are connected to and the state of the connection.Get your own copy of "The Little Black Book of Cheap Tricks: 2001" by visiting http://www.pcin.net/lbbct/
SIREN Jukebox 2.0 Review
The market for media players has a lot to offer. Some programs focus solely on audio, others on video. Then there are many programs that try to do it all. Some people use the default Windows CD player. Others use WinAmp. Others use any number of other MP3 or CD players. I used to use WinAmp exclusively, until I received my review copy of SIREN Jukebox 2.0 (SJ2) by Sonic Foundry. Although not perfect, it is the best all around media player I've tried to date.
The program has 7 main windows/tabs (I was able to test all of them except for the Portable Player tab):
- Media Library
- Play/Rip CD
- Explore Files
- Internet Media
- Internet Radio
- Burn CD
- Portable Player
Read the full review at http://PCIN.net/help/software/sj2.shtml
Google's 2001 Timeline
Google has put together a timeline of the top searches throughout the year. There are facts, as well as links to search for the same things. Check it out at http://www.google.com/press/timeline.html
Fix Windows
This is a handy site that has some help articles for Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP. There are tweaks to optimize performance, tips to avoid problems, and an email address to ask questions. Check it all out at http://fixwindows.com/.
PCIN is brought to you by PC Improvements. The opinions expressed are those of the editor, Graham Wing. PC Improvements and Graham Wing accept no responsibility for the results obtained from trying the tips in this newsletter.
Graham Wing can be reached at editor@pcin.net
Copyright 1998-2001, PC Improvements and 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://www.pcin.net/donate.shtml