PC NEWS DIGEST: October 3, 2000 PC computing, hardware, software, searching, closeouts, news, sites, web design, humor. PLEASE NOTE:
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http://www.servenet.com/shoptalk/ 1.0 PERSONAL TRAINING THE PC WAYYou've probably used the Internet to shop, to find a hotel, to plan an evening's entertainment, and, of course, for reference. But have you used it to learn a skill or a problem-solving technique? In addition to the fee-based distance learning courses offered by major institutions, there are also several good sources of FREE tutorials, guides, and instructional ezines. WannaLearn.com and Findtutorials.com both offer searchable directories of tutorials, guides, and instruction websites ranging covering academic topics, hobbies, finances, fine arts, careers, and more. Ahem... In the interest of full disclosure, we must admit that one of our own better tutorials -- How to Stop Smoking -- is included in both directories. WannaLearn.com Findtutorials.com How
to Stop Smoking 2.0 VIRUS ALERT OR FALSE ALARM: HOW TO TELLPat yourself on the back if you've never forwarded a computer virus alert before taking the time to verify it. That's what we do, and we've yet to forward our first alert! To check out an alert, use the HoaxBuster site produced by the U.S. Department of Energy's CIAC service. (CIAC stands for Computer Incident Advisory Capability -- don't you love the name?) It tracks hoaxes and other computer scams. Then check the virus database of a reputable anti-virus software maker, like McAfee Corporation. Don't have the time to check the alert? Then consider this. Do you really think Microsoft, Apple, AOL, etc. decided not to publish the alert on their websites, by email, or in press releases because they're counting on you to spread the word by telling a few of your friends? Really? For the skinny on preventing, detecting, and removing viruses, read our own PC Tip on Viruses. DOE/CIAC HoaxBusters McAfee
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Tip on Computer Viruses 3.0 LOOKSMART'S FREE NEWS ARCHIVE SEARCHESNowhere is the power of the computer more evident than in a search engine's ability to index and retrieve information from literally billions of Internet websites. Now that power is harnessed again to make finding old news easy and cheap! A new service, FINDarticles.com from LookSmart lets you search magazines and periodicals online and retrieve full-text articles. This free service covers about 300 sources going back to 1998. In contrast, Northern Light covers 7000 sources, most back to 1995, but charges $1-4 per article. FindArticles.com Northern
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PDF Search Engine 9.0 GET ORGANIZED WITH TO-DO LIST SOFTWAREThe experts agree: The single most powerful tool for managing your personal or business affairs is the lowly to-do list. While the Luddites among us continue to make and manage their to-do lists using paper and pencil, PC users can now make theirs with a simple, but elegant piece of software by David Lehman from Angstrom Software. To-Do List does just one thing. It manages your list quickly and easily with no unneeded features, advertising, or complex equations. And it's on your PC, so it's completely confidential. There's a free version that may be all you need, and an almost free ($15) shareware version that adds pop-up reminders, multiple to-do lists, enhanced printing, etc. Add getting this to your to-do list for today! To-Do
List at Angstrom Software 10.0 INTERNET PRIVACY: SUPERHIGHWAY PIRACY?Ever wondered what information websites collect? A recent Georgetown Internet Privacy Policy Survey of the top 364 sites on the Web found: 92.9%
collect some kind of personal information Internet privacy is obviously a relative thing! THE PC CLINIC AT INSTALLATIONS PLUS+PC PROBLEMS? Help is just a mouse-click away! PC News Digest subscribers get priority treatment at the FREE personal computer clinic at Installations Plus+. The
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