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Microsoft has updated Vista again, in an attempt to crack down on software piracy. Reactions have ranged from outrage, to applause, to apathy. Read the article and let us know what you think.

PC World recently named the "15 Best Places to Waste Time on the Web." Although there were a lot of great sites mentioned in the article, there were plenty of others that we didn't have room for. What are your favorite time sinks?

Have you ever wished that you could be involved in planning future PC World stories? Now is your chance! In this newsletter I've included a special message from PC World Editor in Chief Harry McCracken, with a link to his discussion page.

In the wake of many mishaps, Nintendo has started an exchange program for customers to get a stronger strap on their Wii controller. Will you be getting a new strap? Take our poll, and then share your Wiimote experiences.

As usual, we close with product reviews from users like you. Please take a moment to write a review for a product you have, and help someone else make the right decision this holiday season. Or, if you have already received a gift, please write a review and share your experiences with it. To write a review, go to PC World Shopping and search for the product you'd like to review.

Note: To use our interactive features, such as adding comments to discussions, voting in the weekly poll, and contributing your own product reviews, you must be signed in to PCWorld.com. (Not registered? You can sign up online.) However, you can view the discussion threads and poll results without being signed in.

Microsoft Updates Vista in Latest Piracy Crackdown

oggy says: I have to believe that the hackers out there in the world are better programmers than the motley bunch at Microsoft. They can't write good code to begin with. How are they gonna write code to protect it?

mogofod says: I don't like this kind of OS punishment that Microsoft is building in their computers, like if you don't activate properly and we will restrict you like you're a child who said a bad word. I don't want it pestering me to activate and restart itself and restrict me from doing what I want just because it doesn't agree with how I use it, or the kind of software or the legitimacy of it.

abinadi says: I personally applaud Microsoft's move to protect its product. First, [piracy] is illegal; second, it reduces the producer's revenue, [and] that could hurt innovation.

mert123 says: I don't see the whole big deal with Vista. Yes, I know that it has a whole deal of new features--but XP still gets the job done. If you are a PC freak and want to stay up to the latest trend, then go ahead. I am not saying that I am not going to get Vista, but people make too much out of it.

Read all the posts in this thread and contribute your own opinion.

The 15 Best Places to Waste Time on the Web

hippyboy says: I don't know about you, but I think Likebetter is a lot better time waster than hotornot. Not just people--anything!

devicenull says: OMG, how could you forget about Popurls?

clomeyj says: What about Tenspotting? It's new, but I'm loving it.

ckeller says: I think you forgot to put in FaFaRazzi. It's a celebrity fantasy league based on all the gossip blogs. Now it actually turns your unproductive reading into a productive game.

Read all the posts in this thread and contribute your own opinion.

Help Us Plan Some Upcoming Stories

Wanna help shape some articles we've just begun planning? We're currently at work on three of them, and any input would be appreciated. They are:

Best Free Stuff: These articles are longtime PCW favorites, so we're getting to work on one for 2007--a big story reviewing cool downloads, sites, and services that don't cost a dime. Got any to recommend? Would you rather we did useful ones, fun stuff, or a bit of both? Comparisons in particular categories, or unique items?

Networking Tips: A lot of us would be lost without home networking (usually Wi-Fi, sometimes wired) these days. But they bog down. They have range problems. Security can be a hassle. And on and on... We plan to devote an article to solving problems--ideally before they happen. Any particular problem spots you think we should cover? Any tips you have to share?

High Definition Everywhere: We're planning a review of HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc movie players for the living room, plus some information on more PC-centric HD products, such as HD TV tuner cards and software for editing HD. Anything you'd like to see us cover?

Your thoughts will make for better and more relevant content, so let us know what you'd like to see.

Thanks!

--Harry McCracken, editor in chief, PC World

Community Poll: Will You Exchange Your Wiimote Strap?

In the wake of stories and videos showing Nintendo Wii controller straps breaking under vigorous game play, Nintendo has offered to exchange the Wii straps for more sturdy ones. Will you be exchanging your Wii strap? Take the poll and then share your Wii strap experiences.

• Yes, mine has broken already.
• Yes, even though it has not broken.
• No, but I will if it breaks.
• No, I think it is unnecessary.
• No, I don't have a Wii.

Vote now in the PC World Forums.