Issue 345 - May 25, 2005
ISSN 1488-3163; PC Improvements © 2005
==== 2063 Subscribers in 59 Countries ====
Welcome to the 345th 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
After last
week's newsletter, my Dad jokingly said that if I thought he was going
to mess up on putting Andrew and Matthew's play set together than I could
do it myself. Well, he and Andrea did
a great job and Andrew loves it! I'll post some pictures next week.
This past weekend was our Victoria
Day holiday in Canada,
and this coming weekend is the Memorial
Day holiday in the US.
Wherever you are, and whatever you do to celebrate, enjoy your time. The
weather is supposed to be great here
and I'm off for the next 4 days, so I plan to enjoy it!
Graham editor@pcin.net and
Chris chris@pcin.net
The NEWS
Microsoft security guru: Jot down your passwords
Companies should not ban employees from writing down their passwords because
such bans force people to use the same weak term on many systems, according
to a Microsoft security guru.
Speaking on the opening day of a conference hosted by Australia's national
Computer Emergency Response Team, or AusCERT, Microsoft's Jesper Johansson
said that the security industry has been giving out the wrong advice to users
by telling them not to write down their passwords. Johansson is senior program
manager for security policy at Microsoft.
" How many have (a) password policy that says under penalty of death you
shall not write down your password?" asked Johansson, to which the majority
of attendees raised their hands in agreement. "I claim that is absolutely
wrong. I claim that password policy should say you should write down your password.
I have 68 different passwords. If I am not allowed to write any of them down,
guess what I am going to do? I am going to use the same password on every one
of them."
For more info:
http://techrepublic.com.com/2100-1009_11-5716590.html
Leave a comment:
http://www.pcin.net/update/index.php/2005/05/24/microsoft_security_guru_jot_down_your_pa
Apple allegedly explores using Intel chips
Apple Computer has been in talks that could lead to a decision soon to use
Intel chips in its Macintosh line, according to a report published Monday.
The Wall Street Journal, citing two industry executives with knowledge of
recent discussions between the companies, reported that Apple will agree
to use Intel chips.
Neither company would confirm the report, and an Apple representative told
the Journal that the information should be characterized as "rumor and
speculation."
It was unclear whether such a move would signal a large-scale shift away
from chips made by IBM, Apple's longtime supplier, the article said.
For more info:
http://techrepublic.com.com/2100-10877_11-5716539.html
Leave a comment:
http://www.pcin.net/update/index.php/2005/05/23/apple_allegedly_explores_using_intel_chi
FBI: Computer upgrade cost still unknown
"FBI Director Robert Mueller told lawmakers Tuesday he still doesn't
know how much it will cost to complete the bureau's computer overhaul, already
well over budget and behind schedule.
He also refused to state publicly the cost of the initial phase of the Sentinel
system, the planned successor to a failed project that was supposed to greatly
improve management of terrorism and other criminal cases.
For more info:
http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/05/25/fbi.computers.ap/index.html
Publishers protest Google library project
A group of academic publishers called Google Inc.'s plan to scan millions
of library books into its Internet search engine index a troubling financial
threat to its membership.
The Association of American University Presses said in a letter to Google
that the online search engine's library project "appears to involve
systematic infringement of copyright on a massive scale."
The association, which represents 125 nonprofit publishers of academic journals
and scholarly books, asked Google to respond to a list of 16 questions seeking
more information about how the company plans to protect copyrights.
For more info:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7957499/
http://print.google.com/googleprint/library.html
POLL of the WEEK
Last Week's Poll
How often are you upgrading the hardware on your computer?
Weekly |
|
1 % (1) |
Monthly |
|
0 % (0) |
Every few months |
|
20 % (17) |
Yearly |
|
18 % (15) |
Only when something breaks |
|
54 % (45) |
Never |
|
7 % (6) |
Total votes: 84 |
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
Build an XP-SP2 Recovery Disc
From PCMag.com:
"Odds are your PC came with a recovery disc, a CD with all the programs
and drivers that were installed on its hard drive when it was new. The odds are
also that you have absolutely no idea where that disc is.
The good news is that it probably doesn't matter. First, the recovery discs
provided by most PC manufacturers are designed for a single purpose: to restore
your computer to the state it was in when you bought it. This process typically
involves wiping your hard drive clean and then reinstalling Microsoft Windows
and the handful of programs originally included with your PC. Unless you're
preparing the whole kit and caboodle to sell on eBay, this is probably not
something you'll ever need.
Second, the hardware drivers on your recovery CD are probably out of date,
either made obsolete by newer and better versions available online, or simply
irrelevant because of new hardware you've installed.
So, instead of fretting about the old recovery CD, why not take a few minutes
and make one of your own?" Check it out at http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1819110,00.asp
Comment on this tip at http://www.pcin.net/update/index.php/2005/05/25/build_an_xp_sp2_recovery_disc
All things laptops
"Laptop news from Laptopical. View notebook computer reviews and read
articles about laptops from brand names such as Acer, Apple, Compaq, Dell,
Fujitsu, Gateway, IBM, Sager, Sony and Toshiba. Weblog includes news about
Centrino, Sonoma and Turion chips and processors."
There is a blog, news, reviews, and articles. If you are looking for information
on a laptop, this would be a good place to start. Check it out at http://www.laptopical.com/
Comment on this tip at http://www.pcin.net/update/index.php/2005/05/25/all_things_laptops
I'm a Blogger - Add Me!
"Do you think that your blog has what it takes to be included in our
database?
Please fill out this form so that we can evaluate and, hopefully, add your
blog to our expanding list of bloggers and blogs."
Submit your blog information to Answers.com at http://www.answers.com/main/new_blogger.jsp
Comment on this tip at http://www.pcin.net/update/index.php/2005/05/19/i_m_a_blogger_add_me
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.
This publication may be reproduced in whole, or in part, as long as the author
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Support PCIN by visiting http://PCIN.net/donate.php
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