ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2003
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Welcome to the 241st 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.php
I've added some pictures from Mother's Day to the Wing Family web site. There are 2 pictures which are particularly cute of Andrew in a little shirt and tie. Check them out at http://www.wingfamily.ca/lisagraham/20030511/
Another week, another review. This week Chris has finished a review for Email Saver Xe. It is similar to the Outback Plus software that I reviewed a few months ago. Read The Tips and Other Stuff section for more. The Tips and Other Stuff section also has a link I've included to some of my new pictures of Niagara Falls.
Graham editor@pcin.net and Chris chris@pcin.net
eBay guilty of patent infringement
"A U.S. district Court jury sided with MercExchange of Great Falls, Va., which accused eBay in 2001 of infringing on three patents held by MercExchange founder Tom Woolston. The verdict determined that eBay and its Half.com subsidiary willfully infringed on two of those patents with their 'Buy It Now' feature for fixed-price sales.
The willful infringement ruling opens the door for the judge to hold eBay liable for triple damages, or $105 million, said Neil Smith, an attorney specializing in intellectual property law at Howard Rice, a San Francisco firm. The judge may also issue an injunction against eBay to prevent the company from continuing to use the patented invention, a method for using a credit card to lock in an offer when purchasing items online, Smith said."For more info:
http://news.com.com/2100-1018_3-1010397.html
Software makes stolen PCs useless
"Pilfering a PC may become less appealing, if software makers Phoenix Technologies and Softex have their way.
The two companies are teaming to offer software called TheftGuard, which is designed to be anchored in the guts of PCs and automatically disable any stolen machine connected to the Internet.
TheftGuard is also meant to help victims of computer theft track down a perpetrator, if he or she uses the stolen machine to go online. 'You know how he's accessing the Internet through his ISP, and then you can get the cops involved,' said Timothy Eades, senior vice president and general manager of San Jose, Calif.-based Phoenix."For more info:
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1105_2-1009807.html
Which Is Buggier - Windows or Linux?
"Which operating system -- Windows or Linux -- deserves the dubious title, 'Most Prone to Bugs and Security Problems'?
The answer, judging by a quick survey of industry headlines, seems obvious: It must be Windows. Every week brings a new announcement of yet another Microsoft security fix. To best describe the number of security bulletins the software giant puts out, the word that jumps to mind is 'blizzard.'
So it comes as quite a surprise that Linux is far more prone to problems than Windows -- at least, judging by one side-by-side comparison (described later in this report). In any case, answering the question of which OS wins the dubious 'Bug' award requires plenty of twists and turns."For more info:
http://www.newsfactor.com/perl/story/21583.html
Patriotism? No, just more pop-ups
"It sounds innocent enough, even patriotic. 'Show your support for our troops by downloading our free cursors!' says MyFreeCursors.com. One click, and your mouse pointer is an American flag. But that click will cost you. It gives the company behind the Web site, publicly traded eUniverse Inc., the right to watch your every move on the Internet."
For more info:
http://www.msnbc.com/news/914492.asp
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Yes | ![]() |
7.52 % (10) |
I can, but don't | ![]() |
17.29 % (23) |
I can't, but wish I could | ![]() |
6.02 % (8) |
No | ![]() |
51.88 % (69) |
Why would any want to do that? | ![]() |
17.29 % (23) |
Total votes: 133 |
This Week's Poll
You can also vote online at http://PCIN.net/polls/
Return to the top | Recommend PCIN Poll of the Week |
Visit the PCIN.net FreeHelp Forum at http://PCIN.net/help/forum/ to post your questions or answer others.
Question
My mouse pointer keeps changing shape to a black square or box. I have removed software from add and remove program and reinstalled. I have tired different (new mice) mice and different pointers. In order to correct this problem I must reboot my computer.
Response
Try a different set of pointers. Your cursor files may be damaged.
If the problem persists, run Windows Update and update your graphics card drivers.
To post a response, visit the Software How-To forum at http://PCIN.net/help/forum/index.php?board=6 and click on the "mouse pointer" 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:
Amic Games Email Saver Xe Software
http://PCIN.net/help/software/emailsaverxe.phpXemiComputers Ltd. DeskLook 2.0 Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/desklook2.phpExecutive Software Diskeeper 7.0 Second Edition Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/diskeeper7se.phpLogitech Cordless Freedom Optical Hardware Review
http://PCIN.net/help/hardware/lcfo.php
Return to the top | Recommend PCIN.net Update |
Amic Games Email Saver Xe Software Review
Email Saver Xe is a small utility that will ease the burden of email backups. The easy to use software can backup and restore email, contact lists, and settings for 9 popular email clients as well as back up your Internet Explorer Favorites. The software proved invaluable to me during recent computer rebuild when I did not have to worry about missing a .pst file, or having to rebuild each of my many email accounts.
For the complete review, visit http://PCIN.net/help/software/emailsaverxe.php
Niagara Falls Images
As many of you know, I live near and work in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Every so often I go for a walk and take my digital camera. I've recently added 100 images of Niagara Falls and some surrounding sites. You can visit them at http://AccessNiagara.com/gallery/ The AccessNiagara.com site doesn't have much else on it, but more content will be added as I have time.
You know it's time for a site redesign when...
Chris read this in a recent WebProNews newsletter:
- Bob Villa wants to put you on "This Old Homepage."
- Spammers refuse to send you email.
- Your reflective water applet freezes over.
- Your ping comes up "no way, I'm not going there."
- People visit your website only to mysteriously end up missing.
- Your "punch the monkey" banner links to Pets.com.
- Your experience with Flash is limited to pool parties and Mardi Gras.
- Your site has to sneak up on an IP to get hosted.
- Your webmaster confesses that he is color blind.
- You proudly proclaim in your header: "this site compatible with Netscape 4.0."
- You see your 8 yr old's school html project and you know it's better than your site.
- The flames on your .gif have gone out.
- Your design team is lovingly referred to as "Grumpy Old Men".
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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