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Issue 176 - February 27, 2002
ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2002
==== 2304 Subscribers in 60 Countries ====
Welcome to the 176th 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.shtml
CONTENTS
OPENING
THOUGHTS
As many of you know, I help my dad with a web site for some antique
glassware that he collects called Corn Flower by W. J. Hughes.
He has corresponded with many people who have seen his site at
http://www.hughescornflower.com/.
On Saturday he met with a man whom he met this way. This person
is an expert in Depression Glass. They have both been able to
share things that the other person had never seen before. If it
weren't for the Internet, they never would have met.
This leads me to the next special issue. For the next several
weeks, I will be asking people for their "success" stories
that only happened because of the Internet. Did you meet your
true love online? Have you left your "regular" job behind
and made money online? Did you find that long-lost relative? Have
you been able to learn more about a hobby then you ever dreamed
possible? Send your thoughts and comments to editor@pcin.net.
Lastly, Chris and I have been working on some updates to the
site. If you haven't checked it out yet, visit the main page at
http://www.pcin.net/
and look on the right-hand side for the PCIN.net Site Updates.
It will always show the most recent updates to the site.
Graham editor@pcin.net
and Chris chris@pcin.net
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The NEWS
RIAA Blames Digital Music Pirates For Bad Year
"The recording industry has singled out Internet piracy
as a major, contributing factor in its poor music sales during
2001, when U.S. shipments from record companies slipped by over
10 percent.
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) said it
is lost for a 'simple explanation' as to why record shipments
to retailers crashed last year.
The industry group on Sunday further revealed the dollar value
of all music shipments fell from $14.3 billion in 2000 to $13.7
billion in 2001.
Hilary Rosen, president and CEO of the RIAA, said 2001 was a
difficult year for the industry, citing Sept. 11 and the slow
economy as brakes on music sales. But Rosen reserved particular
disdain for online music downloaders and CD burners."
For more info:
http://www.newsbytes.com/news/02/174732.html
Chris: If the recording industry hadn't been overcharging for
CD's for the past 15 years, they wouldn't be in this predicament
now.
Arbitration Panel to Rule on Internet Radio Royalties
"An arbitration panel is to rule this week on the amount
that Internet radio stations must pay recording companies for
songs played online. The ruling could clear up one of the more
nettlesome issues facing the Internet radio business."
For more info:
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/18/technology/ebusiness/18ECOM.html
AltaVista scraps free e-mail
"AltaVista said Tuesday that it will discontinue its free
Web e-mail service, the latest online amenity to get axed as
a result of cost-cutting measures.
The Internet search company notified its 400,000 subscribers
by e-mail Tuesday that it would close the service as of March
31, according to AltaVista spokeswoman Krista Thomas. The company
does not plan to forward e-mail or provide access to archives
after that time."
For more info:
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-840648.html
Chris: This appears to be an ongoing trend in the free email
market. Several of the large providers are now offering fee
based enhanced services to try to help offset their costs.
Label to warn of copy blocking on CD's
"The first U.S. record company to use copy-blocking technology
on a compact disc has settled a lawsuit filed by a Marin County
woman who claims she was misled. Music City Records of Nashville
agreed to include a warning on its packaging that owners cannot
copy "Charley Pride -- A Tribute to Jim Reeves" into
computer MP3 files. Also, the label agreed to ensure it will
not require or store personal identifying information like e-mail
and IP addresses when album owners access a downloadable version
from the Internet.
For more info:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2002/02/26/BU201062.DTL&type=tech
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POLL of
the WEEK
Here are the responses from the last poll:
Would you rather Surf The Net or Watch TV?
Surf the Net: 82.61 % (57)
Watch TV: 17.39 % (12)
Total votes: 69
Visit http://pcin.net/polls/
to participate in the new poll this week:
When you surf the Internet you surf for...
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FREEHELP
FORUM
Visit the new and improved PCIN FreeHelp Forum at http://www.pcin.net/cgi-bin/bb/YaBB.cgi
to post your questions or answer others.
Question
I have a used gateway LE500 with no restore disk or CD and
no manual! I've found them on gateway site and called to order
on , and they said they have them, BUT they're all mixed UP
and it to hard to get them sorted (figure that!!!) Is there
such thing as a MASTER RESTORE CD that would fit most average
PC's?
Answer
There is have been no answers posted yet. If you have a suggestion,
visit the General Discussion forum at http://www.pcin.net/cgi-bin/bb/YaBB.cgi?board=general
and click on the "I need a quick restore CD !?" topic.
Return to the top
PCIN.net
UPDATE
Check out these new or updated pages on the PCIN.net site:
PurgeIE 4.04 Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/purgeie4.shtml
Recommend PCIN
http://PCIN.net/recommend.php
Search PCIN.net
http://PCIN.net/search.shtml
(Note: This is still being tested. It works, but is slow)
Return to the top
THE TIPS
and OTHER STUFF
Microsoft Word and Excel Tutorials
Check out http://www.oootraining.com/QwikAndDirty/index.html
for One on One Training's Qwik and Dirty guides to Microsoft
Word and Excel. These web-based tutorials show you how to perform
dozens of tasks in each program. Screenshots are provided, as
well as an easy to use Table of Contents.
Online Art Store
Subscriber Paul Arnold recently sent me this:
"I have been a long time subscriber and because of your
tips and hints, along with Chris Pirillo's, I recently created
my own website. It is a Canadian art poster and print store
located at www.artgalore.ca. I was hoping you would add my site
to your list for people to visit. I have learned a lot over
the past few years and continue to learn more everyday."
Check out Paul's site at http://www.artgalore.ca/
Graham: I know this isn't a "techie" site, but it
is good to hear from people who have learned from the newsletter.
Remember that subscribers can have their web sites (of any kind
other than "adult" sites) listed at http://pcin.net/links/subweb.shtml
The Computer Corner
Subscriber Steve Henthorn has a wonderful web site for his
Computer Corner radio show and free newsletter. The radio show
airs on 5:20 PM. each Monday on WSGS, 101.1 FM in Hazard, KY.
The corresponding web site offers links, tips, articles a unique
PUZ'LER™, quotes and more. Check it out at http://users.mis.net/~sphere/cc.html
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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.
- If any of the links are too long to fit on one line, you may
have to cut and paste.
- You can only win one contest every 30 days.
- To subscribe another address or unsubscribe, please visit
http://www.pcin.net/ and
follow the appropriate links.
- Recommend PCIN to others at http://www.pcin.net/recommend.php
and be entered in a monthly draw.
- There are only 2 ways to get on the subscriber list. You have
either been subscribed by filling out a subscription form on
any of the pages on my site, or you have requested FreeHelp
from me in the past.
- If you have a web site or run your own newsletter, please
email me at editor@pcin.net
and I will add it to the subscriber web pages that I have on
my site.
- Support PCIN by visiting http://www.pcin.net/donate.shtml
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Graham Wing can be reached at editor@pcin.net
Chris Empey can be reached at chris@pcin.net
Copyright 1998-2002, 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
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