ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2005
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Welcome to the 325th 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
Happy New Year!
I can't believe we're in 2005. I can't believe Y2K was 5 years ago! And I can't believe that I've been doing this for 6+ years, and that 2005 is the 8th calendar year that I will have sent out an issue of PCIN. I guess time really does fly by when you are having fun.
Chris has finished a review of the latest VMware Workstation 4.5 that you can read about in the Tips and Other Stuff section. We're also looking at a couple of D-Link products but have run into a few problems. And then our plate is pretty empty, so we'll be sending out a new round of requests for products to review.
Graham editor@pcin.net and Chris chris@pcin.net
Customer Service: The Hunt for a Human
"Try to reach customer service at Amazon.com to fix a problem with an order and you will encounter one of the most prominent and frustrating aspects of the Internet era: a world devoid of humans. Not only is there no telephone number on Amazon's Web site, but the company makes a point of not including one. Instead, customers are asked to fill out an online form and wait for a response.
'It's incredibly annoying,' said Ellen Hobbs of Austin, Tex., whose frustration has led her to publish Amazon.com's customer support number at her own Web site (clicheideas.com/amazon.htm). 'They haven't invested the kind of money in helping you solve problems as they have in selling you things.' In December alone, some 1,100 people visited Ms. Hobbs's site."For more info:
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/30/technology/circuits/30serv.html?ex=1262408400&en=b148bc2e844b6599&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland
Yahoo to Provide Real-Time Traffic News
"Many travelers by now are accustomed to getting maps and driving directions on the Internet. A new offering from Yahoo Inc. will now provide real-time traffic conditions as well.
Using information from radio traffic reports, police scanners, embedded road sensors and traffic helicopters, Yahoo will warn motorists of construction and other delays along a planned route. In some cases, the new service will also provide weather advisories issued by state and local jurisdictions."For more info:
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1745688,00.asp
McAfee Warns on Top Viruses
"The number of new viruses in circulation increased in 2004 after three years of declines, anti-virus software company McAfee reports. The firm says about 50 new viruses were discovered every day during the first half of the year."
For more info:
http://www.toptechnews.com/story.xhtml?story_id=29450
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Where did you buy most of your presents this year?
Only at retail stores 34 % (25) Mostly at retail stores 29 % (21) Equally at retail and online stores 15 % (11) Mostly at online stores 15 % (11) Only at online stores 5 % (4) Other 1 % (1) Total votes: 73
This Week's Poll
You can also vote online at http://PCIN.net/polls/
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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.phpPCIN.net Update Blog
http://PCIN.net/update/Sunbelt Software iHateSpam 4.0 Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/ihatespam4.phpMicro Solutions RoadStor Hardware Review
http://PCIN.net/help/hardware/roadstor.phpAlbum Creator by FirmTools Software Review
http://PCIN.net/help/software/albumcreator.php
| Return to the top | Recommend PCIN Poll of the Week |
VMWare Inc. VMware Workstation 4.5 Software Review
VMWare workstation allows you to run multiple operating systems at the same time within one physical PC. It is a great tool for developers, testers, support technicians and those who have a need to access multiple computers or operating systems but do not have the money or the physical space to do so.
Check out the review at http://pcin.net/help/software/vmware45.php
File association fixes
This is another good one courtesy of Ed Bott. If you don't subscribe to his blog, then get to it!
"Visit Doug Knox's site and pick one of these handy-dandy downloadable Windows XP File Assocation Fixes. He's got 24 in all, from Batch Files to Zip Folders."
Web Usage Statistics
Have you ever wondered what the employees at Microsoft view most often on the web? Or how about what the most popular sites are for your ISP? Well, you can view this information at the VisitorVille web site.
Best Free Reference Web Sites 2004 Sixth Annual List
"This is an annual series initiated under the auspices of the Machine-Assisted Reference Section (MARS) of the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) of ALA to recognize outstanding reference sites on the World Wide Web."
Check it out at http://www.ala.org/ala/rusa/rusaourassoc/rusasections/mars/marspubs/MARSBestRef2004.htm
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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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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.
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.
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
