Issue 301 - July 21, 2004
ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2004
==== 1956 Subscribers in 58 Countries ====
Welcome to the 301st 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
The site move is complete. We hit quite a few bumps, so if you were trying
to send email, subscribe, unsubscribe, or do anything else and weren't able
to, you can certainly try again.
I've added about 100 more pictures of Matthew (covering about 2 weeks) to
the family web site. You can see them at http://wingfamily.ca/lisagraham/Matthew/
Chris and I still have GMail invitations.
Send us tips, a software recommendation, a helpful web site, or anything that
you think other PCIN subscribers would find useful and we'll send you a GMail
invitation.
Graham editor@pcin.net and
Chris chris@pcin.net
The NEWS
Are you flirting with a felon?
"Criminal background checks aren't just for Little League coaches and
church volunteers any more. Now they are another way to vet prospective online
dates.
Earlier this year, online dating upstart True.com announced it would use
technology to protect members from flirting with felons. New members must
submit to criminal background checks, and if they fail the test, they're
out. The site also plans to add systematic screening for marital status soon.
'I wanted to provide a wholesome environment for courtship,' says CEO Herb
Vest, who actually met his wife on a blind date. 'There are a lot of predators
in this world. The first thing to do is to screen out people who are married
and ex-felons.'"
For more info:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5429902/
Gates to donate $3 billion windfall
"Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates plans to give himself a $3 billion bonus.
But unlike many top executives in Corporate America, the world's richest
man doesn't plan to keep a penny of it.
As part of a plan announced Tuesday to distribute $75 billion to shareholders
during the next four years, stockholders will receive a one-time dividend
of $3 per share. As the company's largest
stockholder, with 1.1 billion shares, Gates stands to earn about $3 billion.
Gates said Tuesday that he plans to donate the windfall to the Bill & Melinda
Gates Foundation, which works to expand access to technology through public
libraries and to help fight diseases around the world. The foundation estimates
its endowment at $27 billion."
For more info:
http://news.com.com/2100-7343_3-5277369.html
Open-source software running the Internet under the radar
"It powers more than 70 percent of all Web servers and routes much
of the world's e-mail traffic. It makes surfing the Internet simple and provides
the muscle behind Google Inc.'s search engine and countless e-commerce sites.
It's open-source software, a wide spectrum of programs developed not under
the lock and key of a single company but by the communal efforts of volunteers
who often start with little more than common interests and e-mail discussion
groups."
For more info:
http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/internet/07/20/open.source.ap/index.html
Lindows Settles with Microsoft, Sets IPO Terms
"Lindows Inc. settled a trademark infringement case with Microsoft
Corp., maker of Windows software, and set terms for a $48 million public
offering on Monday, the company said.
The San Diego, California-based software company, which develops a version
of the Linux operating system for consumers, had been planning to go public
over the last few months, even as the dispute over whether its name and products
were too similar to Microsoft's 'Windows' tied up senior management.
'We are pleased to resolve this litigation on terms that make business sense
for all parties,' Michael Robertson, chief executive of Lindows, said in
a statement.
Although Microsoft originally sued Lindows, it will pay the smaller company
$20 million as part of the settlement, according to the settlement agreement
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission."
For more info:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=technologyNews&storyID=5710004
POLL of the WEEK
Last Week's Poll
Do you use online photo printing services?
Yes, always |
|
4 % (3) |
Yes, but only for large prints |
|
0 % (0) |
Occasionally |
|
11 % (9) |
No, I print my photos at home |
|
57 % (47) |
No, I go to the store for my prints |
|
14 % (12) |
No, I don't have digital photos to print |
|
14 % (12) |
Total votes: 83 |
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
Protect Your Computer From Internet Explorer Vulnerabilities
Subscriber and co-worker Pat Clary sent me this:
http://www.smallbizpipeline.com/news/23900886
"Over the past few weeks more Internet Explorer vulnerabilities have come
to light. Bob Matsuoka, President and founder of Runtime Technologies, offers
some detailed advice."
Windows XP A to Z
"Windows XP A to Z - Tips, Tweaks, Articles, Downloads, Wallpapers,
Visual Styles and Software Reviews for Microsoft Windows XP
Welcome to WindowsXPAtoZ.com! Here you will find tips and tweaks to improve
and customize Microsoft Windows XP."
Check it out at http://www.windowsxpatoz.com/
Pricelessware
"The best of the best in Windows © Freeware, as determined by
the readers of alt.comp.freeware "
Check it out at http://www.pricelessware.org/
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
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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
is notified and the newsletter is presented as is.
Support PCIN by visiting http://PCIN.net/donate.php
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