++ Hewie's Favorites Newsletter now on YahooGroups ++
++ High-end Processor News ++
++ CD-R Media to increase 300% this summer ++
++ Recordable DVD still confusing and no one standard ++
++ Bugnosis Controversy ++
++ X-OUT X10 ADS ++

Here are a few items for you. Please pass this newsletter on to your friends, relatives and co-workers. Urge them to subscribe and visit Hewie's Favorites often.

++ Hewie's Favorites Newsletter now on YahooGroups ++

This is the first Hewie's Favorites Views & Reviews Newsletter using the Yahoo e-groups. There has been a lot in the news about Microsoft ending the ListBot service. I hope that Yahoo doesn't get overwhelmed and drop this service. There is a place to subscribe on the website.

++ High-end Processor News ++

There is a lot of action in the chip field. Chip manufacturer Transmeta has announced the second-generation Crusoe TM5500 and TM5800 chips at Tech Expo - formerly PC Expo - in New York. At a time when an economic downturn is affecting all chip makers, Transmeta is banking on its ability to deliver chips that consume less power and run cooler - making them candidates for notebooks and mobile Internet devices - to keep its Intel-compatible production lines running. < http://www.zdnet.com/intweek/stories/news/0,4164,2779528,00.html >

Compaq had acquired the Alpha high end chip from Digital, but now has sold that division to Intel. Intel, through the Alpha deal, gains valuable intellectual property from Compaq for use in its chips, while eliminating a potential competitive threat to its Itanium processor. < http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1003-200-6367418.html >

++ CD-R Media to increase 300% this summer ++

Several news articles look at the rising costs of CD-R media. The cost per disk will level out at the 30 to 60 cent a piece mark. There have been many sales with the prices at about 10 cents each, but they have been disappearing. CD-R media's price increase also means CD-RW media costs will probably stay at current levels (about 70 cents per disc on average) instead of dropping. Blame the CD media price hikes on recent soaring demand, consolidation among makers, and high patent royalties.

++ Recordable DVD still confusing and no one standard ++

There is a good article on the 3 different formats for writing DVD disks is at < http://www.zdnet.com/anchordesk/stories/story/0,10738,2779465,00.html >

This comes from PC EXPO: The PC, the Internet, and your home entertainment system are on a crash course, thanks to recordable DVDs. But which standard will win? And how can you avoid picking the wrong one right now?

There are three major formats that will be doing battle in the 12 to 36 months ahead: DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, and DVD+RW. Note the use of the dash and plus sign: DVD-RW (the dash is not meant to mean DVD-minus-RW) and DVD+RW do pretty much the same thing, but come from different groups of companies.

Sony, like Compaq and Apple, bring DVD-RW to market. Panasonic will be here at PC Expo (the show actually opens tomorrow) showing DVD-RAM, which is also supported by Toshiba, Samsung, Hitachi, and others. DVD+RW, whose main backers are Philips and Hewlett-Packard, will also be here.

++ Bugnosis Controversy ++

This is from the Kim Komando Show Newsletter < http://www.komando.com/media/newsletter/ >

BUG OUT WEB BUGS. Web bugs are tiny graphics coded into Web pages or e-mail messages designed to monitor and track your online activity. These sneaky one-pixel files are nearly invisible, and can be used to gather your IP address, the URL of the bugged page, the date and time you viewed the bugged content, the type of browser you use, along with any previously set cookie values (which may include your name and address if you've filled out online forms).

You can use Bugnosis (a free download from the Privacy Foundation) to "debug" your browsing. As you surf, this utility analyzes content and alerts you if it finds any Web bugs. When Bugnosis finds one of these little critters, you don't have to respond, but if you want, you can examine the details of the bug, and in some cases send an e-mail to the nasty "bugger."

Download your own Bugnosis at: http://www.bugnosis.org

A good response to this is contained in Fred Langa's LangaList < http://www.langa.com/newsletter.htm >

Quoted from Fred Langa: I believe that the Privacy Foundation means well, and their intent with Bugnosis is honorable. But I also believe their Bugnosis site generates more heat than light about Web Bugs, and may do more harm than good by obscuring larger issues, and elevating a truly minor issue vastly out of proportion.

Long-time readers know I take security very, very seriously. But in most cases, I think fear of Web Bugs--- like the fear of most Cookies--- is a form of mass hysteria, and way out of proportion to any real risk. End Fred Langa's Quote

He has written a great article as well. Before you panic, read it at < http://www.informationweek.com/thisweek/story/IWK20010621S0030 >

++ X-OUT X10 ADS ++

This is also from a recent issue of THE KIM KOMANDO NATIONAL TALKRADIO SHOW E-ZINE < http://www.komando.com/media/newsletter >

X-OUT X10 ADS They're driving us nuts and we bet that they are you too! Those automatic pop-up (rather pop-under) ads from X10.com. If you're not satisfied with just closing these ads as they appear, you can regain control over your browser by opting out of the X10.com ads, at least temporarily.

On X10.com's "Information on X10 Advertising" page, you can elect to receive a special cookie that disables X10 pop-up ads from appearing on your computer--at least for the next 30 days, when you'll have return here and get another cookie. You'll also need to have your browser's cookie setting enabled (Tools>>Internet Options>>Security>>Custom Level and then scroll to cookies to choose disable, enable or prompt), and if you delete your cookies, you'll need to return to the X10.com site again, too.

For the X10 advertising FAQ and opt-out page, go to: < http://www.x10.com/x10ads.htm >

That's it for now. Thanks to everyone who is helping as a result of my recent job situation. Your leads have been great. Keep them coming.