Issue 304 - August 11, 2004
ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2004
==== 1965 Subscribers in 58 Countries ====
Welcome to the 304th 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
Sssh, I think he might say something!
As Graham mentioned last week, I am writing this weeks newsletter. After 2
1/2 years, I think it is about time that I finally introduced myself. I've
been assisting Graham with the the newsletter and the site since February
2002, and contributed to the newsletter as far back as five years ago (to
the day) when I sent out the newsletter for Graham while he was on vacation
for Issue 44. One
of my many passions is photography, and many of my images, good and bad, can
be seen in my gallery.
In the meantime, both Graham and I are working on reviews for some exciting
products that will be featured in in the coming weeks.
Graham editor@pcin.net and
Chris chris@pcin.net
The NEWS
Seeing Google With the Eyes of Forrest Gump
Any investor intent on Google might do well to remember Gump.
When the makers of the 1994 movie "Forrest Gump" sought a plot device that
would render its main character fabulously rich, they cast him as an early
investor in what Forrest Gump described as "some kind of fruit company":
Apple Computer. By dumb luck, the movie suggested, its guileless hero had
amassed so many millions that he could finance a Gump Medical Center, build
a Baptist church and allow the family of his fallen friend Bubba to live
in luxury.
For more info:
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/10/technology/10google.html?th&zx=c1cb85d037355e4b655743387
Lock 'em up and throw away the Webcam
An Arizona sheriff violated the rights of prisoners by using Webcams to
broadcast them being booked and held in cells in a kind of "reality show" for
the Internet, a federal appeals court has ruled.
For more info:
http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-22_11-5303690.html?tag=e019
Dial-Up holds it own in Canada
More people use broadband to connect to the Internet in Canada than in most
other countries, but for many, there is no choice but dial-up, a new report
says.
In 2001, notes the TNS Canadian Facts' continuous tracking of Canadian Internet
usage, released Monday, approximately half of all households accessed the
Internet via dial-up modems; today, one in three do.
For more info:
http://www.globetechnology.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040809.gtbroad0809/BNStory/Technology/
POLL of the WEEK
Last Week's Poll
When traveling, do you book hotels or airline tickets online?
Yes, both hotels and airlines |
|
49 % (38) |
Only hotels |
|
10 % (8) |
Only airlines |
|
16 % (12) |
Neither, I'm afraid to buy something so important online |
|
3 % (2) |
Neither, I prefer to speak to someone |
|
14 % (11) |
I just don't want to |
|
6 % (5) |
I didn't know you could do this |
|
1 % (1) |
Total votes: 77 |
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:
CDBF for Windows by WhiteTown Software Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/cdbf.php
Photoshop Elements 2.0 plus Photoshop Album 2.0 by Adobe Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/elementsplusalbum.php
Updated PCIN.net Site Search
http://PCIN.net/search.php
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
THE TIPS and OTHER
STUFF
CDBF for Windows
"When an average computer user thinks of databases, they probably think
of a Microsoft product, in particular Microsoft Access. But long before Microsoft
Access was dBase. It was the standard for flat-file databases, and is still
in use today. WhiteTown Software has created a powerful utility, CDBF for
Windows, that allows you to edit DBF files."
Check out the full review at http://PCIN.net/help/software/cdbf.php
Time Magazine's 50 Coolest Websites
Greatest Website Lists have been produced by just about every major magazine.
This latest one from Time Magazine has broken the list up into five categories;
News and Information, Lifestyle and Culture, Communities, Tools and Essentials
and finally Just for Fun.
Check it out at http://www.time.com/time/techtime/200406/list.html?promoid=rss_me
Recommendation for Opera by a PCIN subscriber
Subscriber R R has sent us the following web browser recommendation
I'd like to point you in the direction of Opera. It has all of Firefoxs features
plus more. Skins and toolbars galore, tabbed browsing, pop-up blocking,easily
tweaked by anyone capable of opening Notepad or Vim. I've used Opera for
the last 3 years, on *nix, windows and Mac boxes. I've also used Firefox
for the last year. After making an honest effort with Firefox I'll stay
with Opera. Trouble with extensions and upgrades make Firefox just to unstable
for me to use it. When I am online I have better things to do with my time
than search through forums for answers on why my browser is borked again.
The only problem with Opera I have is web sites that are not written to
WCC standards may not display correctly. I've also had this happen with
Mozilla, Firefox, Konquerer and Avant though. Opera isn't free. After 2
months of use I bought it, but even with the ad version it's still an awesome
bit of Software.
Updated Software previously reviewed by PCIN
Inboxer by Audiotrieve,
has updated their Antispam blocker. Version 1.3.3 has been released. Our
review of Inboxer can be found at http://www.pcin.net/help/software/inboxer.php
Moon Software has also released an update to a previously reviewed product. Password Agent has been updated to version 2.3.2
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
|