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Issue 331 - February 16, 2005

ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2005
==== 2028 Subscribers in 59 Countries ====

Welcome to the 331st 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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Support PCIN at http://PCIN.net/donate.php

CONTENTS

Opening Thoughts

There isn't much new happening around here. Chris has been busy getting things together for his new house. However, he's still found time to post his picture of the day. I start vacation Thursday after work. We'll probably go to Whitby and visit Lisa's parents and then spend the rest of the time at home. I know... it's not very exciting, but it will be a nice break.

Graham editor@pcin.net and Chris chris@pcin.net

The NEWS

Microsoft plans new browser version

"Microsoft Corp. will release a new version of Internet Explorer, the world's most widely used Internet browsing software, with new, built-in security features, Chairman Bill Gates said Tuesday.
'We have decided to do a new version of Internet Explorer, this is IE 7,' Gates said at the RSA Security Conference being held in San Francisco.
The world's largest software maker had not previously indicated whether it planned to release a new version of IE.
Recently, however, Microsoft's browser has been facing competition for the first time in years from the Firefox browser, a free Web browser developed by a network of software programmers.

For more info:
http://money.cnn.com/2005/02/15/technology/microsoft_browser.reut/index.htm

China shuts down thousands of Net cafes

"Chinese authorities shut down more than 12,575 Internet cafes from October to December last year for operating illegally, the government said.
The purpose of the crackdown was to create a 'safer environment for young people in China,' the official Xinhua News Agency said Sunday. It didn't give details of the violations, but said the businesses closed 'were mainly located nearby primary schools and middle schools.'"

For more info:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6969418/

You There, at the Computer: Pay Attention

"First, a confession. Since starting to write this article two hours ago, I have left my chair only once. But I have not been entirely present, either.
Each time I have encountered a thorny sentence construction or a tough transition, I have heard the siren call of distraction.
Shouldn't I fiddle with my Netflix queue, perhaps, or click on the weekend weather forecast? And there must be a friend having a birthday who would love to receive an e-card right now.
I have checked two e-mail accounts at least a dozen times each, and read eight messages. Only two were relevant to my task, but I responded right away to all of them. My sole act of self-discipline: both instant messaging accounts are turned off. For now.
This sorry litany is made only slightly less depressing when I remind myself that I have plenty of company."

For more info:
http://tinyurl.com/5tfq2

Doctors prescribe iPods for storage

"While Apple is riding high on the sales of the iPod, the iconic music player is morphing into a business tool for radiologists at the University of California, Los Angeles.
They are teaming the devices with an open-source platform to help the medical community cut costs.
In addition to using the iPod for storing image sets, Ratib adapted the software to be compatible with the iPod Photo after its release in December, giving medical staff a "cute, sexy" way to show images to other personnel."

For more info:
http://news.com.com/2100-1041_3-5566145.html

Return to the top Recommend PCIN Poll of the Week

POLL of the WEEK

Last Week's Poll

Do you regularly pay for and download music from an online store?

Yes 7 % (6)
No 93 % (78)
Total votes: 84

This Week's Poll

What file-sharing program do you use to download files?

Kazaa
Kazaa Lite
eMule
WinMX
BitTorrent
Usenet Groups
Other
I don't download files that I would need these programs for

You can also vote online at http://PCIN.net/polls/

Return to the top Recommend PCIN Poll of the Week

PCIN.net UPDATE

Check out these new or updated pages on the PCIN.net site:

VMware Inc. VMware Workstation 4.5 Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/vmware45.php

PCIN.net Update Blog
http://PCIN.net/update/

Sunbelt Software iHateSpam 4.0 Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/ihatespam4.php

Micro Solutions RoadStor Hardware Review
http://PCIN.net/help/hardware/roadstor.php

Album Creator by FirmTools Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/albumcreator.php

Return to the top Recommend PCIN Poll of the Week

THE TIPS and OTHER STUFF

Google Toolbar 3 Beta

Google has release a beta of it's newest toolbar. Now at version 3, it has the features from before, and adds 3 new ones:
SpellCheck
Check your spelling whenever you type in web forms
WordTranslator
Translate English words into other languages
AutoLink (US only)
Turn street addresses into links to online maps
I installed the toolbar and enabled the WordTranslator feature. It's pretty cool.Web pages still look the same, but if you hover over a word, you get a translation in the language that you chose when you enabled the feature (I chose Spanish). I hovered over the word free (as in "it's free and takes seconds to install") and libre appeared as a tooltip-like box.
You can download the Google Toolbar 3 Beta at http://toolbar.google.com/T3/

Use wildcards when changing folders/directories

Another tip from John:
"Want to traverse several directories at the command prompt? From the root, typing CD MYD* instead of CD My Documents will take you there in 7 less keystrokes. It just needs enough to be unique to one directory, and you're in another directory quick and easy. It works with absolute directory addresses, like C:\Windows or from relative references such as (from the root) cd WIN* will take you to the same place as C:\Windows.
You can even back up a level or two with CD ..\win* from say, C:\Program Files will navigate you up one, and back down to Windows. I figure most readers know the cd .. thing but many people don't know about the Win* trick. I still think most people should try to become at least somewhat command line familiar. I did DOS first with DOS 2.11 (I'm giving up my age, but what the heck.)"

Putting your family history files online

If you've visited the main page of our family web site, you've probably noticed the Wing Family Genealogy link. This was something I put up several years ago. It was quite plain and I didn't update it very often. I had looked for a better way to present genealogical (family tree) data online, and couldn't find anything good. Then the other day I came across the PhpGedView script.
"PhpGedView is a revolutionary genealogy program which allows you to view and edit your genealogy on your website. PhpGedView has full editing capabilities, full privacy functions, can import from GEDCOM files, and supports multimedia like photos and document images. PhpGedView also simplifies the process of collaborating with others working on your family tree. Your latest genealogy information is always on your website and available for others to see."
It is amazing! You can see it in action on my family site at http://wingfamily.ca/fh/ You can see my immediate tree by visiting http://wingfamily.ca/fh/individual.php?pid=I1868

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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:

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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 1998-2005, Graham Wing. All rights reserved.

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