Issue 293 - May 26, 2004
ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2004
==== 1930 Subscribers in 58 Countries ====
Welcome to the 293rd 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
CONTENTS
The NEWS
Vietnam goes off-line
"A break in an underwater fibre optic cable near Hong Kong has left
tens of thousands of Internet users off-line in Vietnam, an official said
Wednesday.
The cable connecting Vietnam to Hong Kong, Western Europe and North America
broke somewhere off the coast of Hong Kong Monday evening, said an official
with Internet service provider FPT Communications Company.
It will take several days to fix the cable, he said."
For more info:
http://www.globetechnology.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040526.gtnam0526/BNStory/Technology/
Toysrus.com Sues Amazon for $200 Million
"Toysrus.com has sued Amazon.com, the company that has run its online
store since early 2000, claiming the e-tail giant violated an exclusivity
agreement and seeking US$200 million in damages.
The online wing of Toys 'R' Us claims Amazon is in breach of the original
agreement between the two companies because it now offers products in the
games category for sale on its site through other merchants.
'We expect Amazon.com to respect its contract with us and to support our
position, especially since we pay a very high fee to maintain this exclusivity,'
said Toys 'R' Us counsel David J. Schwartz."
For more info:
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/33993.html
Wartime Wireless Worries Pentagon
"The rapid proliferation of digital cameras, phonecams and wireless
gadgets among soldiers and military contractors is giving senior military
officials concern, in the wake of images that showed abuse in an Iraqi prison
and snapshots that showed rows of coffins of American soldiers.
The Defense Department said it hasn't banned the devices and doesn't plan
to -- as the Business Times of London and two wire services have reported.
But the Pentagon is telling commanders in the field to strictly monitor the
use of consumer wireless technology through Directive 8100.2 -- Use of Commercial
Wireless Devices, Services and Technologies in the Department of Defense
Global Information Grid -- issued last month."
For more info:
http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,63604,00.html
A Break From Annoying Ads?
"A resurgence in online advertising is not only putting more money
in Web publishers' pockets, it's also allowing them to be more selective
about the ads they allow on their websites. The resulting shift in power
could lead to a trend in less-intrusive advertising, some of the Web's top
publishers predicted Monday."
For more info:
http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,63585,00.html
POLL of the WEEK
Last Week's Poll
Do you feel there are privacy concerns with GMail or similar services?
No, I have nothing to hide |
|
17.54 % (10) |
No, I trust them |
|
5.26 % (3) |
Yes, I need better assurances that my information is safe |
|
24.56 % (14) |
Yes, they will collect and sell my personal information |
|
24.56 % (14) |
It doesn't bother me, but I do understand the concerns |
|
28.07 % (16) |
Total votes: 57 |
This Week's Poll
You can also vote online at http://PCIN.net/polls/
PCIN.net UPDATE
Check out these new or updated pages on the PCIN.net site:
Updated Windows Registry Tips and Tweaks Article
http://PCIN.net/help/articles/registry_tips.php
MySlideShow 2.3 by Anix Software Software Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/myslideshow.php
Anyplace Control by Anyplace Control Software Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/anyplacecontrol.php
Inboxer 1.1 by Audiotrieve, LLC Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/inboxer.php
Microsoft Outlook Add-Ins by MAPILab Ltd. Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/mapilab.php
THE TIPS and OTHER
STUFF
Outlook 2003 Flag Message Usage
I have been using Outlook 2003 for about 3 months now and am finding new
features in it that I like quite regularly. I have started to use Search
Folders which allow you to setup criteria to search an message store for
(basically a more advanced view). This, combined with the ease at flagging
messages (simply click the flag icon that appears to the right of each message)
makes marking message for follow up much easier. Outlook 2003 also allow
multiple flag colours as well. To flag an item with a different coloured
flag than the default, right click on the message, choose follow up, then
choose the flag colour you want attached to the item.
VB.net for Free
Microsoft is giving away Not For Resale copies of Visual Basic.Net. VB.Net
is used to create many of the applications that we use today. Acquiring you
copy is quite easy. Visit http://msdn.microsoft.com/vbasic/atthemovies/ and
watch at least 5 of the many short training movies they have created, and
provide feedback to Microsoft at the end each movie. There are many movies
to choose from, and they are grouped into different categories. A good link
for aspiring developers.
Updated WindowsUpdate
In Windows 2000 and later operating systems, when you visit the WindowsUpdate
site, you end up at an address like http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ Apparently
WindowsUpdate is at version 4. Although still in beta testing, if you are
interested in checking out the new WindowsUpdate, you can just change the
v4 to v5 and the new page will load. It will ask you if you are a beta tester,
and you just have to click that you have read and agree to the terms, and
it will work for you. It looks a bit different, and it gives you the option
to hide updates, but other than that, it seems pretty much the same.
Current WindowsUpdate
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
Beta WindowsUpdate
http://v5.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
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:
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.
- To subscribe another address or unsubscribe, please visit http://PCIN.net/ and
follow the appropriate links.
- Recommend PCIN to others at http://PCIN.net/recommend.php and
be entered in a monthly draw.
- The only way to become a subscriber is by asking. You have either filled
out the subscription form or asked me directly.
- 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://PCIN.net/donate.php
Return to the top
Graham Wing can be reached at editor@pcin.net
Chris Empey can be reached at chris@pcin.net
Copyright 1998-2004, 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
PC Improvement News Home Page
PC Improvement News Archive
|