Wireless Print Server

"I have a printer that I want to connect to my wireless network, but the printer does not have wireless capability -- just a USB connection. Is there a gadget I can buy to allow my printer to connect wirelessly?"

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Posted by Bob Rankin on July 02, 2009 | Category: Wireless


Geekly Update - June 29

Here's your Geekly Update for the week of June 29th, presented in small bytes. Get the scoop on gadgets & hardware, security patches, browser news, social networking, web tech and search engines. Read on...

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Posted by Bob Rankin on June 29, 2009 | Category: Tech News


Free AntiSpyware Programs

"Everyone seems to recommend a different free antispyware program. Which is the best for protecting me against spyware?"

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Posted by Bob Rankin | Category: Security


Windows 7 Half Price Offer

Thinking about upgrading to Windows 7? Microsoft is offering users of Windows XP and Vista a chance to get the Windows 7 Upgrade for half price...

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Posted by Bob Rankin on June 26, 2009 | Category: Windows 7


Five Reasons Blu-Ray Will Fail

There seems to be a buzz lately that consumers are just not buying into Blu-ray. Here are five reasons why I think Blu-ray will ultimately fail in the consumer marketplace...

Continue reading: "Five Reasons Blu-Ray Will Fail"

Posted by Bob Rankin on June 25, 2009 | Category: Video


Alternatives to Adobe Reader

"I have to deal with a lot of PDFs, and Adobe Reader just takes too long to open. Are there any good, free alternatives for PDF viewing?"

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Posted by Bob Rankin on June 24, 2009 | Category: Software


Geekly Update - June 22

Here's your Geekly Update for the week of June 22nd, presented in small bytes. Get the scoop on gadgets & hardware, security patches, browser news, social networking, web tech and search engines. Read on...

Continue reading: "Geekly Update - June 22"

Posted by Bob Rankin on June 23, 2009 | Category: Tech News


What is Wolfram Alpha?

Have you heard about Wolfram Alpha? It sounds like a secret society of zoologists, but it's actually one of the coolest new search engines to come along in quite a while. Here's the scoop...

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Posted by Bob Rankin on June 15, 2009 | Category: Search Engines


Today is DTV Day!

After many delays, the much-anticipated digital television switchover is today. Older TV's with analog receivers will display only snow -- unless you install an analog to digital converter. Here's the scoop...

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Posted by Bob Rankin on June 12, 2009 | Category: Television


Windows 7 XP Mode

"I'm getting ready to upgrade my XP system to Windows 7. I've heard there is something called 'XP Mode' that will allow me to run XP programs. What exactly is XP Mode and which programs will need it?"

Continue reading: "Windows 7 XP Mode"

Posted by Bob Rankin on June 10, 2009 | Category: Windows 7


Privacy Software

"I'm concerned about threats to my privacy while using my home computer. Can you recommend any good tools to help me use my computer and navigate the web safely, without compromising my privacy?"

Continue reading: "Privacy Software"

Posted by Bob Rankin on June 04, 2009 | Category: Privacy


What is Scareware?

"I've heard of software, shareware, freeware and malware. And I think I know what all those things are. But what exactly is scareware?"

Continue reading: "What is Scareware?"

Posted by Bob Rankin | Category: Security


What Is Bing?

Today you have many search engines to choose from. Each search engine offers you both standard keyword search options and a few special features. One of the newest search engines to hit the streets is Microsoft's Bing. Let's see what interesting features Bing has, and how it differs from the others...

Continue reading: "What Is Bing?"

Posted by Bob Rankin on June 02, 2009 | Category: Search Engines


Wireless PC to TV

Wouldn't it be great to pipe whatever is on your computer screen directly to your big-screen TV? Now you can wirelessly send YouTube videos, computer games and movies from your PC screen directly to your television screen. Even browse the web on your fancy HDTV. Here's how to make a wireless PC to TV connection...

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Posted by Bob Rankin on June 01, 2009 | Category: Television


Webmail Smackdown!

You have choices when it comes to handling your email. So which webmail service is best for you? Let's compare the top webmail offerings and find out...

Continue reading: "Webmail Smackdown!"

Posted by Bob Rankin on May 28, 2009 | Category: Email


Twitter Tools Twelve

Using Twitter doesn't automatically make you cool. But if you put a bunch of these awesome Twitter tools, apps and addons to work for you, the chances of achieving a higher standing in the twittosphere are greatly increased...

Continue reading: "Twitter Tools Twelve"

Posted by Bob Rankin on May 26, 2009 | Category: Social Networking


Free Online Storage

"I'm running out of storage space on my hard drive. On a tight budget, I'm considering using a free online storage tool to offload some files. But which ones do you recommend?"

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Posted by Bob Rankin on May 20, 2009 | Category: Backup


Free Online Books

"I have a Kindle, and my wife owns a Sony eReader. We love our portable book readers, but we need to cut expenses. Can you recommend some online sources for free ebook downloads?"

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Posted by Bob Rankin on May 18, 2009 | Category: Cool Stuff


Note Taking Tools

When I was a kid, research meant spending hours in the library, poring over dusty tomes, making notes on index cards, and then trying to organize it all. Today the wealth of information on the Internet can be tapped, annotated, and organized with easy-to-use web research and note taking tools. Here's how...

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Posted by Bob Rankin on May 14, 2009 | Category: Software


Free Credit Reports Online

"I've heard some people say that I can get a free credit report online, but the websites I looked at want to charge me a fee. Is it true that I can get a free credit report once a year?"

Continue reading: "Free Credit Reports Online"

Posted by Bob Rankin on May 12, 2009 | Category: General


Recover Deleted Files - Free

There is almost nothing worse than losing important files when you experience a finger fumble, brain freeze, or computer crash. But never fear, there are tools that can help you recover those lost files, and some of the best ones are free...

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Posted by Bob Rankin on May 11, 2009 | Category: Backup


Free Online Research Tools

The Internet is at once a gold mine and a cesspool, so how can you find the helpful, authoritative information you need? Check out my list of the best free online reference and research tools...

Continue reading: "Free Online Research Tools"

Posted by Bob Rankin on May 08, 2009 | Category: General


Internet Radio

Internet radio allows you to listen to online radio stations on your computer or on a mobile device. But of course, the Internet is much cooler than a radio, so Internet radio lets you do all kinds of things you can't do with regular AM, FM or satellite radio broadcasts. Here's the scoop on tuning in to Internet radio...

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Posted by Bob Rankin on May 06, 2009 | Category: Music


Free Video Chat Programs

Two-way video phones have been "just around the corner" for about 40 years. I've officially given up waiting on Ma Bell to provide this feature, since you can get free video chat software that works over the Internet. Here's a roundup of free video chat solutions you can try now...

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Posted by Bob Rankin on May 04, 2009 | Category: Video


Best Portable GPS

"I want to buy a portable GPS that I can use in multiple cars, or when walking around the city. Which model do you recommend?"

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Posted by Bob Rankin | Category: Gadgets


What is OpenDNS?

"What exactly is OpenDNS? I've heard that it can be used to make your Internet access faster, but I'm a little fuzzy on how it works, and if there are any gotchas I should know about."

Continue reading: "What is OpenDNS?"

Posted by Bob Rankin on April 21, 2009 | Category: Networking


Internet Explorer 8

"Should I upgrade to Internet Explorer 8? How does it compare to Firefox, when it comes to features, speed and security?"

Continue reading: "Internet Explorer 8"

Posted by Bob Rankin on April 20, 2009 | Category: Browsers


Free Apps for iPhone and iPod Touch

"I just got an iPhone and the number of free apps in the App Store is a bit overwhelming. I also find it hard to navigate through the apps. Can you recommend ten must-have free apps for iPhone?"

Continue reading: "Free Apps for iPhone and iPod Touch"

Posted by Bob Rankin on April 06, 2009 | Category: Cool Stuff


Is Internet Speedway a Scam?

"I've heard those radio commercials for Internet Speedway saying 'Make thousands of dollars a week with your own Internet business.' It sounds too good to be true... so is Internet Speedway a scam?"

Continue reading: "Is Internet Speedway a Scam?"

Posted by Bob Rankin | Category: General


The Lexicon of Online Evil

Hackers, black hats, cyber-criminals, identity thieves, and spam kings -- these are some of the Bad Guys in the online world. And because of them, we've had to invent a whole new vocabulary to describe the dastardly deeds they do. Here are plain English definitions of twenty one words you should know that deal with the darker side of the Internet...

Continue reading: "The Lexicon of Online Evil"

Posted by Bob Rankin on April 02, 2009 | Category: General


Laptop Security

The mobility that laptops and notebook computers provide has made it imperative for users to take steps to secure their computers. There are several simple things that you can do to keep your laptop safe. Read on to learn how to protect your laptop from theft, snooping and data loss...

Continue reading: "Laptop Security"

Posted by Bob Rankin on April 01, 2009 | Category: Security


Wireless HDTV

It's becoming a wireless world, and now that world is extending to the realm of HDTV. If you're tired of the clutter of cables going to and from your HD television screen, read on to learn how to wirelessly connect your HDTV to the set-top box, DVD player or Internet router...

Continue reading: "Wireless HDTV"

Posted by Bob Rankin on March 26, 2009 | Category: Television


Private Browsing

"Some browsers now have a 'private browsing' mode which is supposed to eliminate your tracks while surfing the web. How well does this work in practice, and which browsers support the private browsing feature?"

Continue reading: "Private Browsing"

Posted by Bob Rankin on March 23, 2009 | Category: Browsers


Portable Apps

Did you know that you can load up a flash drive with your favorite programs and run them on any computer, without installing, directly from the portable drive? Here's the scoop on portable apps...

Continue reading: "Portable Apps"

Posted by Bob Rankin on March 20, 2009 | Category: Software


Free Backup Solutions

"I know I need to backup my computer, because I've experienced a hard drive failure in the past. But I don't have a lot of money to spend on backup software. Are there any good FREE backup software programs, or free online backup services you can recommend?"

Continue reading: "Free Backup Solutions"

Posted by Bob Rankin on March 17, 2009 | Category: Backup


TrapCall Reveals Blocked Caller ID

"I've read about TrapCall, a service that claims to be able to reveal the true caller for calls where the callerID info is blocked or hidden. Does Trapcall really work? Are there any privacy concerns or gotchas?"

Continue reading: "TrapCall Reveals Blocked Caller ID"

Posted by Bob Rankin on March 16, 2009 | Category: Cool Stuff


Turn Your PC Into a Home Theater

If you have a decent computer, why buy a home theater system that can cost thousands? For a lot less money, I'll show you how to convert your PC into an awesome home theater system at about the quarter of the price...

Continue reading: "Turn Your PC Into a Home Theater"

Posted by Bob Rankin on March 13, 2009 | Category: Television


My New Phone is an iPod Touch

I had myself talked into buying a new phone, and was eagerly checking out the latest phones, smartphones and PDAs. But something happened on the way to the phone store...

Continue reading: "My New Phone is an iPod Touch"

Posted by Bob Rankin on March 05, 2009 | Category: Gadgets


The Top Twenty

Every few months I go through the Ask Bob logs and see which articles were the most popular. Here is the current Top Twenty, ranked by readership volume...

Continue reading: "The Top Twenty"

Posted by Bob Rankin on March 04, 2009 | Category: Cool Stuff


Is Pirate Bay Sinking?

Pirate Bay is one of world's largest facilitators of illegal downloading. But now the owners are facing the prospect of huge fines and jail time. Is this the end of the line for online video, music and software pirates?

Continue reading: "Is Pirate Bay Sinking?"

Posted by Bob Rankin on March 03, 2009 | Category: File Sharing


What is TiVo?

What's the big deal with TiVo? Is it just a glorified VCR, or is it really a revolutionary new way to watch television? Get the scoop on TiVo here...

Continue reading: "What is TiVo?"

Posted by Bob Rankin on February 24, 2009 | Category: Television


Which DVR Should I Get?

So you want to record movies and your favorite shows from your fancy HD television? Most people think of TiVo first, but you've got options when it comes to selecting a DVR service. Here's the scoop...

Continue reading: "Which DVR Should I Get?"

Posted by Bob Rankin on February 19, 2009 | Category: Television


Free Anti-Spam Tools

"It seems like I get more spam than ever, and I'm not sure why. What free anti-spam tools can you recommend to help me keep spam to a minimum?"

Continue reading: "Free Anti-Spam Tools"

Posted by Bob Rankin on February 18, 2009 | Category: Spam


Magic Jack - Good or Evil?

Perhaps you've read reports about spyware in Magic Jack, or heard claims that the company sells your private information to third parties. Here's the scoop...

Continue reading: "Magic Jack - Good or Evil?"

Posted by Bob Rankin on February 11, 2009 | Category: Gadgets


Upgrading to Windows 7

"Will I be able to upgrade my XP system to Windows 7? I'm hoping I don't have to upgrade to Vista in
order to install Windows 7. What's the scoop?"

Continue reading: "Upgrading to Windows 7"

Posted by Bob Rankin on February 10, 2009 | Category: Windows 7


Free Firewall Protection

"Everyone says that if you have an Internet connection, you should have a firewall. But can I use a free firewall, or should I pay for one of the commercially available firewall packages?"

Continue reading: "Free Firewall Protection"

Posted by Bob Rankin on February 09, 2009 | Category: Security


Best Web Browser?

"I have friends who have stopped using Internet Explorer and they're always telling me that Firefox or some other browser is better. What are my choices, and which one is best for the average internet user?"

Continue reading: "Best Web Browser?"

Posted by Bob Rankin on February 06, 2009 | Category: Browsers


Windows 7 is Coming

Windows 7 does not sleep... it waits. Will the eagerly awaited successor to Vista be a winner in the marketplace? Read on for a preview of what to expect in Windows 7...

Continue reading: "Windows 7 is Coming"

Posted by Bob Rankin on February 03, 2009 | Category: Windows 7


Magic Jack Phone Service

"I've seen commercials for Magic Jack, a device you can plug into your computer for really cheap phone service. It sounds too good to be true, so... is there a catch or is Magic Jack a scam?"

Continue reading: "Magic Jack Phone Service"

Posted by Bob Rankin on January 30, 2009 | Category: VOIP


Portable DVD Players

"We want to buy a portable DVD player for the car, since we have kids a travel often. What features should we look for, and do you have any reviews of the best portable DVD players?"

Continue reading: "Portable DVD Players"

Posted by Bob Rankin on January 28, 2009 | Category: Video


Internet Connected HDTVs

The next wave in television evolution has arrived in the form of the marriage between Internet connectivity and HDTVs. Many television manufacturers have joined this trend by releasing their latest broadband HDTV models with the ability to connect directly to the Internet, bringing some pretty cool interactive online services to your TV screen...

Continue reading: "Internet Connected HDTVs"

Posted by Bob Rankin on January 26, 2009 | Category: Television


Terabyte Hard Drives

"I've been thinking about buying a terabyte hard drive. Right now I have a 500GB drive. Are the terabyte drives as fast and reliable as smaller drives?"

Continue reading: "Terabyte Hard Drives"

Posted by Bob Rankin on January 21, 2009 | Category: Hard Drives


How to Buy a Computer

"I teach senior citizens in a community based free computer lab. They often ask what to look for when buying a computer, what software they need for email, basic Internet usage, word processing, etc. Many are on a limited budget. What would you suggest they need as a minimum?"

Continue reading: "How to Buy a Computer"

Posted by Bob Rankin on January 20, 2009 | Category: Hardware


Prepaid Cell Phones

"I've noticed that Verizon, AT&T and other mobile phone providers are offering pre-paid cell phone with pay-as-you-go billing. I like the idea of not having a long-term contract, and I only need my cell phone for emergencies. Would a pre-paid cell phone be a better option for me?"

Continue reading: "Prepaid Cell Phones"

Posted by Bob Rankin on January 19, 2009 | Category: Gadgets


HD Mini Cams

"I love my Flip Video mini cam, but it doesn't record in HD (high definition). Should I upgrade to the Flip MinoHD, are there other HD mini cams I should check out?"

Continue reading: "HD Mini Cams"

Posted by Bob Rankin on January 15, 2009 | Category: Video


Parental Control Software

"I have pre-teen children who are just starting to get interested in the Web. What parental control software do you recommend?"

Continue reading: "Parental Control Software"

Posted by Bob Rankin on January 12, 2009 | Category: Software


USB Turntables

"I want to buy a USB turntable to convert some vinyl record albums to MP3 format. Are there any specific turntables you can recommend?"

Continue reading: "USB Turntables"

Posted by Bob Rankin on January 06, 2009 | Category: Audio


Solid State Hard Drives

"I'm checking out laptops, and some say they have a solid state hard drive. Is this a good thing? How does a solid state hard drive compare to a regular hard drive?

Continue reading: "Solid State Hard Drives"

Posted by Bob Rankin on January 05, 2009 | Category: Hard Drives


Free Registry Cleaners

"I've heard conflicting stories on the effectiveness of registry cleaners. Do they really help? If so, which registry cleaner do you recommend?"

Continue reading: "Free Registry Cleaners"

Posted by Bob Rankin on December 17, 2008 | Category: Software


What's New With Zune?

It's been a year since I compared the newest Zune and the iPod. So let's see what's new with Microsoft's music player and if it is a force that Apple has to reckon with for the holiday season and beyond...

Continue reading: "What's New With Zune?"

Posted by Bob Rankin on December 16, 2008 | Category: Music


Virtual Memory

"What's the difference between virtual memory and real memory? And how can I add more virtual memory to my computer?"

Continue reading: "Virtual Memory"

Posted by Bob Rankin on December 15, 2008 | Category: Windows


Watch Television on Your Computer

"What's the best way to watch TV on my computer? I know some websites have selected shows, but I've also heard that you can buy a gadget that will pretty much turn your computer into a television set. What are my options for watching TV on the PC?"

Continue reading: "Watch Television on Your Computer"

Posted by Bob Rankin on December 11, 2008 | Category: Television


Is Blu-ray Doomed?

"I'm thinking about buying a Blu-ray player, but I've read some reports that claim Blu-ray may not survive in the marketplace. What's your take on Blu-ray's chances of long-term success?"

Continue reading: "Is Blu-ray Doomed?"

Posted by Bob Rankin on December 03, 2008 | Category: Video


How To Mess Up Your Computer

Aside from actually drop-kicking it or smashing it with a sledge hammer, it's fairly difficult to actually "break" a computer. That said, there are a number of ways to render your computer just slightly more useful than a doorstop. Certain careless acts can cause crashes, freezes, painfully slow performance, loss of data or invasion of your privacy. Here's my list of Ten Stupid Things You Can Do To Mess Up Your Computer...

Continue reading: "How To Mess Up Your Computer"

Posted by Bob Rankin | Category: General


Passport 9500ci Radar Detector

Escort bills it as "The World's Most Intelligent Custom Installed Radar and Laser Defense System." With a price tag of $1600, the Passport 9500ci had better be. Let's check out what makes this little dashboard device smarter, quieter and more accurate than the competition...

Continue reading: "Passport 9500ci Radar Detector"

Posted by Bob Rankin on November 30, 2008 | Category: Gadgets


Online Shopping Discounts

Saving money is something that everyone is interested in, and because of this many sites have been created to help shoppers find good deals on the products they want to buy. Here's the scoop on the best price comparison websites, and where to find killer coupons for online deals...

Continue reading: "Online Shopping Discounts"

Posted by Bob Rankin on November 26, 2008 | Category: Cool Stuff


Cloud Computing

"I'm hearing the term Cloud Computing more and more. One friend told me that it means computers will soon not need a hard drive. Is that correct?"

Continue reading: "Cloud Computing"

Posted by Bob Rankin | Category: Software


Great Gadget Gifts

Are you going nuts over the selection of electronics that are available for this holiday season? There are so many choices -- cell phones, music players, PDAs, video cams and more. Read on for my personal recommendations to help you in your gift giving decisions...

Continue reading: "Great Gadget Gifts"

Posted by Bob Rankin on November 24, 2008 | Category: Gadgets


Speed Up Vista

"I upgraded to Windows Vista on my desktop PC, and instead of speeding up, it seems to run slower than ever. Do you have any tips or tweaks to make Vista run faster?"

Continue reading: "Speed Up Vista"

Posted by Bob Rankin on November 20, 2008 | Category: Vista


Make Vista Look Like XP

"I just got Windows Vista, after using XP for many years. Frankly, I'm not crazy about the Vista look and feel... are there some tweaks I can use to make Vista look more like XP?"

Continue reading: "Make Vista Look Like XP"

Posted by Bob Rankin on November 13, 2008 | Category: Vista



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