PC NEWS DIGEST: September 19, 2000 PC computing, hardware, software, searching, closeouts, news, sites, web design, humor PLEASE NOTE:
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SERVENET.COM http://www.servenet.com 1.0 Is Windows ME Right for You? To
read this and past issues in your browser,
use this link for an HTML version of the
newsletter:
http://www.servenet.com/pcnews/ 1.0 IS WINDOWS ME RIGHT FOR YOU?Is
Windows Millennium Edition (ME) right for you?
If you're buying a new PC, the answer is "yes".
Windows ME includes new software for cataloging,
editing, and playing digital images, video, and
music -- software designed for new 300 mhz or
faster processors. (Minimum processor for ME: 150
mhz) But if you're sticking with your current PC,
the answer is "no". Fortunately, without
switching to Windows ME, you can benefit from two
core upgrades, the new Internet Explorer v5.5
browser and the Media Player v7.0, both of which
can be downloaded from Microsoft's website and
used with Windows 95 or 98.
http://www.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ Under the hood, Windows ME is not fundamentally different from Windows 98, but it should be easier to use for neophytes, albeit a bit slower. It includes protection for critical files -- it won't allow you to delete required Windows components -- and it no longer provides a confusing DOS startup mode. And networking several PCs at home with Windows ME is easier than in earlier versions. The best new feature is the system restore function which rolls the system settings back to those that worked before a crash or nasty new program took your PC down. If this feature makes you want to run out and buy the upgrade, remember this. Initial releases are always buggy, and it will be several months before manufacturers provide Windows ME drivers for your key hardware -- modem, sound card, video card, etc. 2.0 MINIMIZE TO SYSTEM TRAY, NOT TO STATUS BARRBTray
is a tiny freeware program that reduces
Windows 9x status-bar clutter. RBTray minimizes
an open window to the system tray when you right-
click on the window's minimize box ("-" in the
upper right-hand corner of your screen). RBTray
was written by Redko Nikolay, a Russian whose
programming is much better than his English. Get
it here: 3.0 SET YOUR PC CLOCK TO ATOMIC TIME!To
set your PC clock to exactly the right time,
synchronize it to an atomic clock. WebTime, a
freeware application from Gregory Braun's Software
Design house, handles the chore with a minimum of
fuss and it won't break your budget. Get it here:
http://www.gregorybraun.com/WebTime.html 4.0 SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:For
websites that work -- the WebShop at
SERVENET.COM Ready to join the Internet explosion? Let our experts build a website for your business, school, club, or group. Call or write today for a quote. Call 1-212-567-3705 mailto:info@servenet.com 5.0 PCMCIA DVD-ROM for $269Add DVD-ROM capability to any Pentium 266 mmx or faster notebook computer. This manufacturer's overstock DVD-ROM looks like a portable CD player. It connects to your laptop via a Cardbus 32-bit slot. Brand new, retail boxed, it includes AC adaptor, software drivers and instruction manuals. Works with Windows 95/98/2000. Call 1-212-567-3705 mailto:dvdrom@servenet.com 6.0 SEARCH ENGINE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY, DIGITAL IMAGINGInterested
in photography? Here's a search engine
devoted to photography and digital imaging. All
Things Photo has a Yahoo-like directory, but can
also be searched by keyword. Find images,
reviews, news and more: 7.0 EARLY AMERICAN FILMS TO DOWNLOADMore
for photographers to feast on... The Library
of Congress has just added a new feature to its
American Memory section. Called America at Work,
America at Leisure, it features 111 films -- many
already available for download -- made between
1894 and 1915. Go view: 8.0 FROM OUR BOOKSHELFIf you're inclined to perform your own PC upgrades and repairs, this 1340-page guide should be on your reference shelf. The PC Upgrade and Repair Bible by Barry and Marcia Press was published by IDG Books Worldwide in December, 1999. The book is chock full of data -- over 700 tables and illustrations, including 200 pages of appendices. It comes with two CD-ROMs packed with useful test and benchmarking utilities. For
more information, or to buy the book:
http://www.servenet.com/09192000.html 9.0 RUN YOUR WINDOWS UPGRADE FROM YOUR HARD DRIVEWhen
upgrading to Windows Next Edition, do what
the pros do -- first copy the installation files
to your hard drive. Copy the contents of the
WinNextEdition directory on the CD-ROM to the
factory default directory --
C:\Windows\Options\Cabs 10.0 FREE ONLINE SPELLCHECKERToday
most web, word, and email software includes
a spell-check facility. But if yours doesn't,
here's an easy web-based solution: Spell Online.
Now you can check your text or HTML code in
English, French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese
for free. Surf on over to:
http://www.spellonline.com 11.0 ADMINISTRATIONSUGGESTIONS. Your thoughts about our newsletter and our website are always welcome. Tell us. We're listening! RECOMMEND US. Tell a friend about our website and newsletter. Produced in the WebShop at SERVENET.COM. Please report bad or changed links to the WebMaster. Last update: 9/16/2000. |