Issue 299 - July 07, 2004
ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2004
==== 1940 Subscribers in 58 Countries ====
Welcome to the 299th 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
Opening Thoughts
It seems like Lisa is an over-protective mother, even when the baby isn't
born yet. She just won't let them out :-)
As was planned, she was induced on Friday, July 2, 2004 and Matthew Joseph
James Wing was born at 2:45 PM. I've created several pages of pictures, and
also have video clips, the birth time line, and a copy of the birth announcement.
You can check them all out at http://wingfamily.ca/lisagraham/Matthew/
Graham editor@pcin.net and
Chris chris@pcin.net
The NEWS
Google bans Gmail swaps and sales
"Google changed its Gmail membership policy this week to prevent people
from profiting on the sale of popular e-mail names.
According to Google's new policy, altered Monday, the Web search company
prohibits Gmail subscribers from selling, trading or transferring the free
e-mail accounts 'for any unauthorized commercial purpose.' It also bars people
from setting up multiple accounts in violation of the policy.
The changes are designed to deter people from creating multiple e-mail accounts
with the purpose of reselling or trading them, according to a source at the
company. The policy alterations do not target people trying to barter Gmail
invitations, which allow people to sign up for a new membership."
For more info:
http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-22_11-5255721.html
ISPs free from paying royalties from downloads
"Internet service providers are off the hook when it comes to paying
royalties on music downloaded by individual users, the Supreme Court of Canada
said Wednesday.
In a 9-0 ruling that sounded a sour note for music composers and publishers,
the court said it is both impractical and unfair to expect service providers
to monitor and pay tariffs on the vast flow of material that individual users
can access."
For more info:
http://www.globetechnology.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040630.w5scoc0630/BNStory/National/
Hi-tech answer to student cheats
"Measures to help detect cheating students are being demonstrated at
a conference in Newcastle.
A survey of around 350 undergraduates found nearly 25% had copied text from
another source at least once.
A service that can scan 4.5 billion web pages is now online so that lecturers
can check the originality of the work submitted by students.
The software is being demonstrated at a Plagiarism Advisory Service conference
at St James's Park."
For more info:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/tyne/wear/3852347.stm
The Scoop on CNET
"Even as the Web's tech-news leader rides the rebound in online ads,
it's looking more like a traditional, fixed-cost media outfit.
Shelby Bonnie is a rare creature among dot-com CEOs. The top dog at online
publishing company CNET Networks (CNET ), he has managed to keep his job.
The former vice-chairman and a long-time executive with CNET, Bonnie succeeded
company founder Halsey Minor in March, 2000, just before the tech bubble
popped. He wasted no time paring expansion plans, shuttering multimedia efforts,
and enhancing the efficiency of CNET's internal technology -- by 308%, he
says."
For more info:
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jun2004/tc20040629_9907_tc055.htm
POLL of the WEEK
Last Week's Poll
Do you have a cell phone that takes pictures?
Yes, I have one |
|
8 % (8) |
No, but I plan to get one |
|
9 % (9) |
No, I don't need one |
|
83 % (81) |
I didn't know they could do that! |
|
0 % (0) |
Total votes: 98 |
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
Jim Kniskern's Tips
Last week Jim Kniskern recommended a program by Antanas Zdramys of Lithuania
called Cardfile. Neither he or I linked to the web site where you can learn
more about it. Check it out at http://www.azzcardfile.biz/
John Mood's
Tips
1) If you need to bring up the task manager in Windows XP and you don't
want to have to go through the hassle of the CTRL-ALT-DEL biz, just use CTRL-SHIFT-ESC
and you immediately get the task manager.
2) Sygate offers a free personal firewall, it works very well. http://www.sygate.com/
3) Don't smoke around your computer(s), the tars and nicotine cling to parts
and grab dust like mad, resulting in shortening the useful life of your system
by causing early component failure due to overheating. It also reduces the
resale value to others who don't want to smell the nasty smoke in the components.
Many Ham radio operators won't buy used equipment if it stinks of cigarette
smoke. They also say that wiping out equipment with antistatic dryer sheets
tends to kill the stink.
More Flash Games
In a February 2004 (http://www.pcin.net/archive/2004/20040211.php)
issue, we featured a Flash game where an abominable snowman plays plays baseball
with a penguin used as the ball. Well, there are four more games in the series. http://www.yetisports.org has
games for your mobile phone, to play online, or to download. You can take
target practice using a killer whale as a launch pad for our friendly penguin,
participate in a penguin toss, Albatross overload and Penguin golf. My favourites
are Seal Bounce (penguin toss) and Flamingo Drive (golf)
Lego Spiderman Movies
The big hit movie of the summer is supposed to be Spiderman 2 (http://spiderman.sonypictures.com/).
Now you can watch a condensed version at home, amazingly made entirely out
of stop-motion Lego!. SpiteYourFace is a London Film and Animation company
who have created several great works have recreated Spiderman 2. View it
online at http://www.spiteyourface.com/video/peril_of_doc_ock_medium.mov.
You can also watch it at Yahoo Movies (http://playlist.yahoo.com/makeplaylist.dll?id=1277883&sdm=web&qtw=640&qth=400)
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.
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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
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