Issue 244 - June 18, 2003

ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2003
==== 2252 Subscribers in 62 Countries ====

Welcome to the 244th 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

CONTENTS

Opening Thoughts

Things are always changing in Niagara Falls. One of the newest attractions is the Niagara Falls Aviary. There was an Open House today that we went to so we could see the "Birds of the Lost Kingdom". The building is still finishing up with construction, but it is still quite impressive. The main room where most of the birds are is beautiful. I took some pictures that I should have up for you to see next week. You can check out the Niagara Falls Aviary website at http://www.niagarafallsaviary.com/

Graham editor@pcin.net and Chris chris@pcin.net

The NEWS

The Fine Print of IT Rebates

They seem ubiquitous wherever consumer electronics, hardware and software are sold: the offers for rebates plastered on packaging, store displays and even cash register receipts.
It seems like a great deal, this offer of money back, especially when all the consumer has to do is send in a receipt and UPC code. However, some technology buyers have found that sometimes it really is too good to be true.
A rebate's fine print may demand serial numbers, proofs of purchase and other detailed information, making the collection process more time-consuming than a customer might have thought. Worse, sometimes a company will take weeks or months to issue a check, or may simply declare that paperwork provided by a buyer is insufficient proof.
So, why do companies offer rebates rather than simply lowering product prices? Because when they work, everybody wins.

For more info:
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/perl/story/21690.html

Bell, Microsoft to merge Web sites

Bell Canada and Microsoft Corp. are combining their online efforts in a new Web site.
'Next Spring we will launch a co-branded portal that combines the best of Sympatico.ca and MSN in both French and English,' said Charlotte Burke, senior vice-president of Bell Canada's consumer Internet services.
'This will replace both our Sympatico.ca and MSN portals with a single, easy to access destination where customers will get the best Canadian and global content.'
Under the five-year agreement, Bell and Microsoft will jointly manage day-to-day operations of the new Web site."

For more info:
http://www.thestar.ca/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_PrintFriendly&c=Article&cid=1052251855537&call_pageid=971794782442

Calgary U virus course takes flack

Experts were quick to take issue with the University of Calgary Department of Computer Science's decision last month to offer a virus and malware course. The course, which will be open to fourth-year students in the school's undergraduate program, will commence this fall. Along with focusing on legal, ethical and computer security issues, students will be shown how to develop computer viruses, worms and Trojan horses.

For more info:
http://www.itworldcanada.com/index.cfm/ci_id/44643.htm

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POLL of the WEEK

Last Week's Poll

What do you use your personal web page for?

To learn how to build web pages 19.51 % (16)
To share pictures with family 4.88 % (4)
To share information about a hobby 10.98 % (9)
To test pages before I put them on a better site 2.44 % (2)
I don't have a personal web page 62.20 % (51)
Total votes: 82

This Week's Poll

Have you ever purchased an eBook?

Yes
No
What's an eBook?

You can also vote online at http://PCIN.net/polls/

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PCIN.net FREEHELP FORUM

Visit the PCIN.net FreeHelp Forum at http://PCIN.net/help/forum/ to post your questions or answer others.

Question

I have been having trouble with removing a lot of files from the Autocomplete since when I try to click on it, I get the mouse to have the hour glass and I have to click out of it since it won't work. The files are piling up and when I go to post in the yahoo clubs, or the Google, I have to go through lots of files to find the one I want, I want to remove these. I can start over new when they pile up, but I am having problems with this. I have programs which delete my past files, but it seems to not work on this. In the past, I had no problem with this and in fact I found a file which when removed, removed all of these files, but I am having this problem although I don't know which file it was, it was in Windows although I am not sure what it was called. I would be grateful for any help since this bothers me. I have Windows XP Pro and I have the Internet Explorer Version 6.0 + so this is the latest version.

Response

No responses yet.

To post a response, visit the General Software Help forum at http://PCIN.net/help/forum/index.php?board=3 and click on the "Autocomplete Freezes up" topic.

Visit http://PCIN.net/help/forum/ to post a question of your own.

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PCIN.net UPDATE

Check out these new or updated pages on the PCIN.net site:

XemiComputers Ltd. DeskLook 3.0 Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/desklook3.php

Symantec Norton Ghost 2003 Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/ghost2003.php

Amic Games Email Saver Xe Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/emailsaverxe.php

XemiComputers Ltd. DeskLook 2.0 Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/desklook2.php

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THE TIPS and OTHER STUFF

Official DVD FAQ

Everything you've wanted to know about DVDs. Check it out at http://www.dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html

Googlism

"Googlism.com will find out what Google.com thinks of you, your friends or anything! Search for your name here or for a good laugh check out some of the popular Googlisms..."
I search for Graham Wing and the response was "graham wing is the webmaster of pcin and his fine newsletter". I don't know where it got the "fine newsletter" part from, but I appreciate the compliment :-)
You can check it out at http://www.googlism.com/

Tech Word Spy

"The Tech Word Spy Web site is a lexicon of technical terms. The bulk of the terms come from various glossaries that I've included in my books. Therefore, the terms tend to focus more on Windows and HTML technology. However, for variety, I've included quite a few technology-related terms from the Word Spy database."
Check it out at http://www.wordspy.com/TechWordSpy/

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PCIN.net AFFILIATED SITES

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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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.

  1. If any of the links are too long to fit on one line, you may have to cut and paste.
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  3. To subscribe another address or unsubscribe, please visit http://PCIN.net/ and follow the appropriate links.
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  5. There are only 3 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, you have requested FreeHelp from me in the past, or you have registered with the FreeHelp Forum.
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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.

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