ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2003
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Welcome to the 257th 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.
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Support PCIN at http://PCIN.net/donate.php
We all know that there have been a lot of viruses out lately, but I also can't believe the number of computers I've come across that have Trojan Horse programs installed. I realize that often viruses and trojan horses go hand in hand. But in the years I've worked with computers, I've only come across a few computers with viruses. In the last week or so though, I have worked on 3 computers that had trojans, and have heard of 2 others. Be careful people. Remember... not having antivirus software, and not updating your computer can be risky business.
My older sister Alisa is getting married this Saturday to her fiance Jason. My brother Jeff and his family (Evy, Ryan, Lillie, and Lauren) are coming up from Florida. This will be the first time in a while that we've been all together. I'll be sure to take lots of pictures :-)
Graham editor@pcin.net and Chris chris@pcin.net
Why Do Ink Cartridges Cost So Much?
"At $22 per quarter-ounce, a Hewlett-Packard color ink-jet cartridge is more expensive, by weight, than imported Russian caviar.
Observing such high prices, Connecticut research consultant Zel Dolinsky wants to know the reasons for them. 'How come, with printer prices falling, ink prices are still so outrageous?' Dolinsky asks. 'I'm appalled.'
Ink jet and toner cartridges are fanning angry sparks in the ink cartridge replacement market--a $21 billion field, according to Lyra Research."For more info:
http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,112199,pg,1,00.asp
'Commodity' not a dirty word at Dell
"Although more and more computers are being built using off-the-shelf parts, which many in the industry consider to be ordinary commodities, standardization has yet to stamp out innovation and creativity in the PC market, said Kevin Rollins, Dell's president.
Rollins, a keynote speaker Tuesday at the TechXNY conference's PC Expo trade show, used his appearance to argue that the widespread use of standard components, such as Intel processors, is letting Dell increase its market share and profitability while improving the way its customers use PC technology.
' We disagree with the idea that we've entered the twilight of technology,' Rollins said."For more info:
http://news.com.com/2100-1003_3-5077520.html
House Backs Making Internet Tax Ban Permanent
"The U.S. House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to make permanent a ban on Internet use taxes and to require nine states to repeal existing taxes on access fees.
By a voice vote lawmakers agreed to a bill cementing the moratorium on Internet access and traffic taxes due to expire in November, and removing a provision that had allowed a handful of states to levy taxes that were in place before the ban was first passed in 1998.
The tax ban would apply to all methods of Internet access, including pricier high-speed links taxed by some states."For more info:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?storyID=3462949
Copy-protected CDs take step forward
"For the first time in the United States, BMG Music will release a music CD that's loaded with anticopying protection, a move that opens a new round of technological experimentation for record labels.
BMG division Arista Records will include 'copy management' protections produced by SunnComm Technologies on soul artist Anthony Hamilton's new album, the company said Friday. Although the label has previously released promotional copies of various CDs with copy protection, this will be the first major test of consumers' reaction to the latest generation of the anticopying technology."For more info:
http://news.com.com/2100-1027_3-5075656.html
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How often do you use floppy disks these days?
Daily 6.38 % (9) Every few days 7.09 % (10) Weekly 3.55 % (5) Every couple of weeks 14.89 % (21) Monthly 14.18 % (20) Almost never 53.90 % (76) What is a floppy disk? 0.00 % (0) Total votes: 141
This Week's Poll
You can also vote online at http://PCIN.net/polls/
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Visit the PCIN.net FreeHelp Forum at http://PCIN.net/help/forum/ to post your questions or answer others.
Question
My friend has got a netcomm wireless np7032 nic for her laptop. She purchased it to access the internet and vpn on the universities computers. The problem lies in browsing the internet. We can connect to the wireless network, we can dial into the vpn but internet explorer will not connect at all.
Response
No answers yet.
To post a response, visit the General Hardware Help forum at http://PCIN.net/help/forum/index.php?board=4 and click on the "Wireless Card Access" topic.
Visit http://PCIN.net/help/forum/ to post a question of your own.
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Check out these new or updated pages on the PCIN.net site:
Logitech Cordless Elite Duo Hardware Review
http://PCIN.net/help/hardware/lced.phpXemiComputers Ltd. DeskLook 3.0 Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/desklook3.phpSymantec Norton Ghost 2003 Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/ghost2003.phpAmic Games Email Saver Xe Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/emailsaverxe.php
Return to the top | Recommend PCIN.net Update |
The Who Would You Kill? Game
"The Who Would You Kill? Game allows you to select the most annoying characters from your favorite television shows and then kill the in horrifying and descriptive ways."
Trust me... the main site is not that horrifying :-) There are all sorts of TV shows from past and present that you can choose from. If you are adventurous, you can read all of the suggestions people have to get rid of these characters. Some are hilarious, others are just plain weird. Check it out at http://www.whowouldyoukill.com/
Playing With Time
"Playing With Time is an exciting, new project that looks at how the world around you is changing over many different time periods. The project consists of two major parts: this web site and a traveling museum exhibit. The site is being developed by Red Hill Studios. The exhibit is a collaboration between Red Hill and the Science Museum of Minnesota.
Here at the Playing With Time web site, unseen worlds of change will be revealed. You will see time sped up and slowed down, and behold the beauty of change. Time will be in your hands to witness, replay, and even create. You never know... you might not look at things quite the same way again."
Check it out at http://www.playingwithtime.org/
Note to self...
I know it is not the most sophisticated tool around, but if you need to record a quick sound, note, or other audio material, don't forget about the Microsoft Sound Recorder. You can create and edit WAV files. Although there aren't a lot of options, I've used it before and found it very easy to use. On most Windows computers, Microsoft Sound Recorder can be found in the Start Menu - Programs - Accessories - Entertainment - Microsoft Sound Recorder.
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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:
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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 1998-2003, 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