Issue 326 - January 12, 2005
ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2005
==== 2021 Subscribers in 60 Countries ====
Welcome to the 326th 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
Graham editor@pcin.net and
Chris chris@pcin.net
The NEWS
Scanner creates perfect-fit jeans
"They might be one of the most timeless items of fashion, but finding
a pair of jeans that best suits an individual's body shape can be a shopping
nightmare.
Now, thanks to Bodymetrics, a state-of-the-art body mapping system that,
in theory, allows designers to create perfect fitting clothes, things could
be about to change."
For more info:
http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/12/10/spark.bodymetrix/index.html
Court: No warrant needed to search your work PC
"Police do not need a search warrant to examine an employee's computer
for incriminating files, a Washington state appeals court has ruled.
All that is necessary is the permission of the business that owns the computer,
the appeals court said in a 3-0 decision last week."
For more info:
http://news.com.com/2100-1030_3-5513266.html
Apple Enters Value Market with Cheap iPod, Mac
"Apple Computer Inc. on Tuesday moved to make its products more affordable
for the masses, unveiling its cheapest Macintosh computer ever and a version
of its iPod digital music player for under $100.
Apple co-founder and Chief Executive Steve Jobs, announcing the new products
at the Macworld show in San Francisco, also said Apple had sold 4.5 million
units of the various models of its blockbuster iPod in the 2004 holiday quarter."
For more info:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?storyID=7300623
Report: Schools wired, but still not Internet savvy
"Virtually all public schools in the United States have access to the
Internet, but few are taking full advantage of the technology to instruct
students, according to a new government report."
For more info:
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1040_22-5517609.html
POLL of the WEEK
Last Week's Poll
Where do you print your digital photos?
At the local discount/box store |
|
9 % (9) |
At the local photo store |
|
13 % (12) |
I submit them to an online printer |
|
2 % (2) |
I print them myself |
|
57 % (54) |
I never print my digital photos |
|
8 % (8) |
I don't have any digital photos to print |
|
11 % (10) |
Total votes: 95 |
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:
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
THE TIPS and OTHER
STUFF
Black Viper's Web Site
This site was mentioned in one of the blogs I subscribe to, Unofficial
Microsoft Office Stuff. There are a collection of guides for different
operating systems. Most useful are the Services guide's, with explanation
on what each service does and whether it is safe to turn it off or not.
Check it out at http://www.blackviper.com/
Accidental IT: Spyware, Spyware Everywhere
Co-worker and subscriber Pat Clary sent us this link:
"Every day in your workplace, the curses get louder. Unwanted pop-up ads,
slow computers, PCs that crash all the time. Despite the network firewall and
the anti-virus software installed on the server and every computer, your office
is infested with spyware.
You've read the news stories. You know that spyware is not only annoying,
it's dangerous. It's certainly affecting productivity, and it could also
be recording the keystrokes of everyone in your office right now, discovering
logins, passwords, company secrets. Long story short, you need to get rid
of it. Now."
Check it out at http://www.smallbizpipeline.com/howto/56900502
Check directory size information with Diruse
This comes courtesy of the TechRepublic
Windows XP Tips newsletter:
If the vast amount of available space on your hard disk is dwindling, you're
probably wondering where all that space has gone. To figure that out, you
may open Windows Explorer and look for the folder or folders that are using
up all the hard disk space. Or, you can save some time by right-clicking
each folder, selecting Properties, and checking the Size report on the General
tab.
However, an even better way to gather the information you want is to use
the Windows Support Tools' Diruse command line tool. In its basic syntax,
the Diruse command displays the number of files in each folder and the total
size of the folder in bytes in a nice tabular format. By using the optional
parameters, you can configure the Diruse command to focus on specific folders
and report folder size in kilobytes or in megabytes. Other parameters will
even allow you to flag folders that exceed a size that you specify.
To use the Diruse command line tool, you'll need to download
and install Windows XP Service Pack 2 Support Tools (this assumes that
you've installed SP2).
TechRepublic has all sorts of good newsletters. Check it out at http://nl.com.com/guest.jsp?brand=techrepublic
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.
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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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