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Issue 198 - July 31, 2002
ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2002
==== 2427 Subscribers in 57 Countries ====
Welcome to the 198th 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
Well, if you were worried about what would happen with PCIN 28 years from now
when I retire, worry no longer! Andrew Graham Wing was born on Saturday, July
27, 2002 at 5:05 p.m. He is as cute as can be and both he and Mommy (Lisa) are
doing great.
  
You can see all of the pictures at http://WingFamily.ca/LisaGraham/Andrew/
Graham editor@pcin.net
and Chris chris@pcin.net
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The NEWS
Deep Linking Takes Another Blow
"Using a search engine to locate stories on newspapers' sites violates
European Union law, according to a recent ruling by judges in Munich's Upper
Court.
The ruling is the latest legal decision in a two-year battle between German
newspaper Mainpost and German search service NewsClub. Mainpost charges that
NewsClub violated the law by searching through and linking directly to Mainpost
content."
For more info:
http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,54083,00.html
Could Hollywood hack your PC?
"A draft bill seen by CNET News.com marks the boldest political effort
to date by record labels and movie studios to disrupt peer-to-peer networks
that they view as an increasingly dire threat to their bottom line.
Sponsored by Reps. Howard Berman, D-Calif., and Howard Coble, R-N.C., the
measure would permit copyright holders to perform nearly unchecked electronic
hacking if they have a "reasonable basis" to believe that piracy
is taking place. Berman and Coble plan to introduce the 10-page bill this
week."
For more info:
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1106-945976.html
At Grocery Checkout, No Wallet Needed
"A handful of grocery stores in the United States are testing fingerprint
imaging machines that enable shoppers to pay for their purchases simply by
putting a finger to an electronic pad.
Shoppers who demand a speedy checkout process and retailers who are battling
credit card fraud laud this new application of biometric technology, but some
consumers worry that it could expose them to being tracked by government or
industry."
For more info:
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/25/technology/circuits/25PRIN.html
POLL of the WEEK
Here are the responses from the last poll:
What is the most time you've spent at the computer for personal use?
< 1 hour 2.67
% (2)
1 hour 0.00 % (0)
2 hours 4.00 % (3)
3 hours 9.33 % (7)
4 hours 5.33 % (4)
5 hours 5.33 % (4)
> 5 hours 73.33 % (55)
Total votes: 75
Visit http://pcin.net/polls/ to participate
in the new poll this week:
How many emails do you get a day?
FREEHELP FORUM
Visit the new and improved PCIN FreeHelp Forum at http://www.pcin.net/help/forum/index.php
to post your questions or answer others.
Question
How do you get a cassette tape recorded in such a way that it can be saved
as a MP3 file on the computer. I know how to go from a .wav file to an .mp3
file. I do not know how to go from a cassette tape to a .wav file.
Response
None yet.
To post a response, visit the Software How-To forum at http://www.pcin.net/help/forum/index.php?board=6
and click on the "How to make MP3 from cassette tape" subject.
Visit http://www.pcin.net/help/forum/index.php
to post a question of your own.
PCIN.net UPDATE
Check out these new or updated pages on the PCIN.net site:
Outback Plus 3.0 Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/outbackplus3.php
Microsoft Office Keyboard Hardware Review
http://PCIN.net/help/hardware/msok.php
VMWare Workstation 3.1 Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/vmware31.php
Microsoft Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer Hardware Review
http://PCIN.net/help/hardware/mswie.php
THE TIPS and OTHER STUFF
Microsoft Office Keyboard Hardware Review
"I've always been one who thought that a keyboard was a keyboard. As
long as it has 26 letters, 10 numbers, and some other useful symbols, then
it is fine with me. But recently I acquired a Microsoft Office Keyboard to
review and I certainly don't think that anymore!
Even though I turned off some of the special features, there were still plenty
of features that were very useful. An advanced user will enjoy using the keyboard,
while a beginner will love learning to use a computer with this keyboard.
They will get used to the new features as if that is the way keyboards are
supposed to be. The bottom line is that for about 2x the price of a basic
keyboard, you will find this to be a keyboard that will more than double your
effeciency and enjoyment."
Read the full review at http://pcin.net/help/hardware/msok.php
Use PC Speaker for sound
"Speak.exe contains a Microsoft Windows sound driver that allows most
.wav files to be played on the PC speaker on most computers not equipped with
a sound card. This article describes how to obtain, install, and use the PC
speaker driver with Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows Me."
Visit http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q138857
to download the file and read the instructions.
Use the System Configuration Editor
If you have Windows 95, 98, ME, and 2000 (I'm not sure about XP) you have
a program on your computer called System Configuration Editor. This can be
a very useful utility on the Win9x systems. If you run this program, you will
be able to view and edit the following system files:
autoexec.bat, config.sys, win.ini, system.ini, and protocol.ini
There may be a shortcut for this program in the Start - Programs - Accessories
- System Tools folder. If not, then from the Start - Run window, type sysedit
and press enter.
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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