ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2003
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Welcome to the 268th 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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Last week Chris and I received demo software of all of the software shown at the Microsoft TechNet event we attended. I've installed Office 2003 in a virtual machine (VMWare) and I'm not terribly impressed. It's not that the software doesn't work well, it's just not much of an upgrade, let alone a full new version. I didn't think there was that much of a difference from Office 2000 to Office XP, and there isn't much of a difference from Office XP to Office System 2003. If you were planning on upgrading, I'd say wait. At the very least, get a hold of a demo so that you can see for yourself.
Both Chris and I have gotten into the world of blogging. Chris' blog is at http://fbp.ca/ and my blog is at http://gawing.com/ Neither one is earth-shattering, but if you are interested you can check them out.
Graham editor@pcin.net and Chris chris@pcin.net
Microsoft revs its automotive engines
"After swerving off the road a few times, Microsoft is gearing up for another try at the automotive market.
The software maker has persuaded a number of carmakers to use its slimmed-down Windows CE operating system to power a variety of in-car electronics, from navigation systems to music players to information devices. BMW, in particular, has gravitated to Microsoft systems, although the company has announced wins with Honda, Volvo and others as well."For more info:
http://news.com.com/2100-1008_3-5111932.html
Windows ATMs raise security concerns
"Last week's revelation by Diebold that its automated teller machines (ATMs) operated by two financial services customers were struck by the W32/Nachi worm raises the specter of even wider disruptions from virus and worm outbreaks and highlights a growing security concern that cash machines running Windows XP and interacting with other Windows systems are vulnerable to attack."
For more info:
http://www.infoworld.com/article/03/12/02/HNwinatm_1.html
What is Google worth?
"Anyone with an insatiable craving for a dot-com-era hypefest need not look far. The prospect of search engine firm Google's considering an initial public offering seems to have Wall Street salivating.
As rumors swirl around the five-year-old privately held company--$800 million in revenue? $200 million in profit? Microsoft takeover interest?--the handicapping of its future is becoming something of a parlor game. Analysts are struggling to put numbers on intangibles, while technology boosters hail the potential IPO as if it were the second coming."For more info:
http://news.com.com/2030-1069_3-5112098.html
Dubious dinner date on eBay
"Elisabeth von Hullessem, who pleaded guilty to fraud last month related to a fictitious literary conference in Alberta - and is a wanted woman in the United States for, among other things, allegedly driving over her mother - tried unsuccessfully yesterday to sell a $10,000 (U.S.) chance to dine and regale the buyer with her tales -- most of them tall, according to police.
Von Hullessem (one of 16 aliases) turned to eBay to flog the opportunity to 'meet the fugitive,' but her posting was removed after officials with the Internet auction service nabbed her for 'fee circumvention.'"For more info:
http://www.globetechnology.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20031203.gthulle03/BNStory/Technology/
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Have you had any formal computer training?
Yes, through work 21.21 % (28) Yes, at school 21.21 % (28) Yes, through home courses 7.58 % (10) No 50.00 % (66) Total votes: 132
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
I have had e-mail that has not been delivered to me for 4 or 5 days. Can someone tell me why this happens ? I check my e-mail every day.
Response
It could be caused by the e-mail getting caught in a spam filter.
Try: using different words or omitting attachments
If the problem persists contact your ISP, network administrator (if applicable), your account may be black listed.
To post a response, visit the General Discussion forum at http://PCIN.net/help/forum/index.php?board=2 and click on the "E-Mail Delay" 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:
Updated PCIN.net Search
http://PCIN.net/search/Moon Software Password Agent Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/passwordagent.phpNewsGator Technologies NewsGator Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/newsgator.phpSunbelt Software iHateSpam Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/ihatespam.php
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Crystal Power
Last week I mentioned a couple of games that I have recently tried. Well, the last one I've tried is called Crystal Power by Jollygood Games.
"Crystal Power is an exciting and challenging puzzle game where you fill energy tubes to power your spaceship home. Energy tubes light and pulsate in brilliant colors when the right combinations of power crystals are placed."
It was quite enjoyable. It is a challenging game, but also not too difficult that you don't want to play it again. The colours and sounds are nice, and before you know it, you've spent half an hour playing. If you visit the Jollygood Games site, you can download a demo or purchase it for $19.95
MS Office Tips
http://www.microsoft.com/education/?ID=ClassTipsArchive
This page on the Microsoft site is part of their Microsoft Education section and is aimed at those in the teaching profession, however, these tips are valuable to more than just teachers. There are tips on Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Publisher and Internet Explorer. Teacher or not, I am sure there is something here for everyone.
Browse a little easier
Internet Explorer is one of the programs on your computer that is likely to be used the most, but how efficient are you at browsing the web? To speed things up for you, learn some of the shortcuts IE offers you.
If you have a wheel mouse, scrolling the wheel while holding the CTRL button will enlarge or shrink text
CTRL-B will bring up the Organize Favorites dialog box
Holding the CTRL key down while left clicking will select all the text in the paragraph you click in
CTRL-L brings up the Open URL dialog box
F4 will take you to the Address Bar in the browser
CTRL-F - Find on the current page
F5 - Refresh
F11 sends you into Kiosk (Full Screen) Mode and back
And for mouseless browsing, pressing the space bar will scroll down one page at a time and tab will jump from link to link (press enter to follow the link)
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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