ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2005
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Welcome to the 343rd 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
The web host change happened and then switched back. I had switched a couple of domains earlier, and everything seemed fine, but when I switched PCIN.net, I ran into some problems, so I decided to say with my existing host.
I think the results to the last couple of polls has been interesting. Two weeks ago I asked if you cared if the polls continued. 100 people replied, and 85 said they wanted the polls to continue. So wouldn't you think that means at least 85 people like to participate in the weekly polls? Well, this past week only 72 people participated. I don't get it.
Andrew is sleeping in his "new big bed" tonight. My parents bought him a Captain's Bed from Value Village and Lisa's parents got him a mattress from Sleep Factory and he was very excited tonight.
Graham editor@pcin.net and Chris chris@pcin.net
Internet Phones Arrive at Home (and Some Need No Computer)
A few years ago, a buzz began spreading about Internet telephony, a technology allowing telephone conversations to be made across the Internet rather than exclusively over regular phone lines.
Such calls, made at little or no expense to the caller, were portrayed as a threat to the established phone companies. But the vision exceeded the actual experience, which early users likened to listening through mud.
Now, thanks to providers like Vonage and others, it has found its way into the home. The service is sometimes choppy, but costs are low and quality is satisfactory for routine calls. Moreover, Internet protocol lends itself to inexpensive videoconferencing as well, useful for informal video chats between friends or business associates.For more info:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/05/technology/circuits/05basics.html
Leave a comment:
http://www.pcin.net/update/index.php/2005/05/05/internet_phones_arrive_at_home_and_some_
Spyware firms targeting children
Earlier this year, researchers at Symantec Corp. wanted to see just how bad the spyware epidemic had become. So they took a brand new PC out of the box, connected it to the Internet without any standard protection software and browsed. An hour later, they dissected the machine.
The autopsy results weren't pretty. The unscientific experiment suggested something parents have known for a while now - spyware makers are aggressively targeting children.For more info:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7735192/
Leave a comment:
http://www.pcin.net/update/index.php/2005/05/11/spyware_firms_targeting_children
Toshiba Developing 45GB HD-DVD Disc
Despite reports in a Japanese newspaper stating that Toshiba and Sony may be close to deal that would standardize on Blu-ray for next-generation DVDs, Toshiba has announced the development of a higher capacity disc in its competing format, HD-DVD. The 45GB capacity would eliminate Blu-ray's size advantage.
Blu-ray offers a 50-gigabyte disc capacity and proponents boast that it is intended primarily for video purposes. Original HD-DVD discs had two layers of data: one in the old DVD format and a second that holds 15 gigabytes.For more info:
http://www.betanews.com/article/Toshiba_Developing_45GB_HDDVD_Disc/1115827313
Return to the top | Recommend PCIN Poll of the Week |
What type of polls are of most interest to you?
What type of hardware do you have? 11 % (8) What type of software do you have? 24 % (17) Spending habits online? 6 % (4) Hardware/software wishes? 39 % (28) Frequency of certain activities? 21 % (15) Total votes: 72
This Week's Poll
You can also vote online at http://PCIN.net/polls/
Return to the top | Recommend PCIN Poll of the Week |
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 |
TerraClient v1.3.3
Satellite imaging seems to be a very popular thing these days. I haven't spent a lot of time viewing images, but when I do, I am always amazed that a camera so far away can take such amazing pictures.
Well, Bill Friedrich has developed software that uses the images that Microsoft has and puts it in client software on your PC.TerraClient allows viewing and printing of ground level satellite photographs of the United States. Featured is a unique map overlay option that automatically superimposes a "paper" roadmap over the satellite photos. This map overlay option has been designed to help users identify indistinct land features in the satellite photos. All map and photographic data is downloaded in real time from Microsoft's free TerraServer web service. This program is freeware.
Check it out at http://billfriedrich.tripod.com/
Leave a comment:
http://www.pcin.net/update/index.php/2005/05/07/terraclient_v1_3_3
The top ten peeves of a support tech
If you've spent even a little time in the tech support biz, you're bound to have a list of special aggravations that drive you crazy on a semi-regular basis. Like users who deny all responsibility for the 'mysterious' appearance of unsupported software on their machines. Or the executive who insists on telling you what's causing a connectivity problem and demands you implement a fix immediately--even though the actual culprit is something else altogether.
You can download the PDF at http://techrepublic.com.com/5138-10589-5679809.html
While there, you can also read the discussion forum or add your own peeve.Leave a comment:
http://www.pcin.net/update/index.php/2005/05/05/the_top_ten_peeves_of_a_support_tech
Learning more about processes
I got an email today from Jeff Weiss with regards to ProcessLibrary.com: Free Process Information
"There is an excellent program (freeware) called ProcessExplorer http://www.sysinternals.com/. It gives detailed info on all programs running:
Process, CPU usage, Description, and Company name of the program running."From the site:
" Ever wondered which program has a particular file or directory open? Now you can find out. Process Explorer shows you information about which handles and DLLs processes have opened or loaded."Check it out at http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/procexp.shtml
Return to the top | Recommend PCIN Poll of the Week |
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:
Return to the top | Recommend PCIN Poll of the Week |
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