"Like most people, I do a little personal web browsing at work. But I'm wondering... Can my boss see what websites I visit?"...
"I'm using cloud-based services like online backup, web-based email and document sharing. But I really don't know much about the safety and security of cloud computing. How vulnerable am I?"...
Partitioning your hard drive is like putting up a digital fence, splitting your hard drive into distinct sections, each for a specific purpose. It allows you to install multiple operating systems, or just keep different types of data in their...
What is a netbook? And what's the difference between a netbook and a laptop? You may be standing in a store asking yourself these questions soon. Here are the answers......
"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?"...
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......
"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?"...
"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....
"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?"...
"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?"...
"I just got a new computer and I'm wondering about hard drive partitioning strategies. A friend told me to create a very small C: partition for a swap file, put Windows on the D: drive, and create several other parititions...
Anyone can plug in a computer and attach a printer. But that's not all there is to being a serious computer jockey these days. Are you ready to get your geek on? Check out these five must-have gadgets to enhance...
"My hard drive failed last week, and my latest backup was a year old. So I lost pretty much ALL of my important files. Can you recommend an AUTOMATIC backup that just works?"...
So you're ready to explore Linux, an operating system alternative to Windows or Mac. But you don't have an extra computer laying around. No problem... you can run Linux on your existing computer, without messing up your Windows system. Here's...
"I just saw an ad for a Terabyte hard drive. What exactly is a terabyte?"...
"There's so much happening with computers and technology. How do you keep up with all the latest cool stuff without getting information overload?"...
It’s sometimes difficult these days to differentiate between science fiction and fact, because the two worlds often borrow ideas from each other. If you've ever read Alfred Bester's classic 1956 sci-fi thriller "The Stars My Destination", or Ray Bradbury's space...
Kermit the Frog told us that it's not easy being green, but that concept also applies to computers and how they can be more friendly to our planet. Learn how computers impact the environment, and how Green Computing can make...
"Our computer is three years old, and my teenager says it's obsolete. He wants us to buy a new computer with more speed, more memory, etc. Can you give me some pointers on how to determine if I really need...
Every geek needs gadgets, but even the computer novice will love these plug and play USB add-ons. Here are my latest top ten gadgets, sure to add a little fun to your desktop....
"I recently upgraded to Microsoft Office 2007, and I have a problem. When I save a document or spreadsheet in an Office 2007 program, other people cannot open it. It seems the file is incompatible with other versions of Office....
At first glance, an inkjet printer may seem appealing because of its relatively low price tag compared to laser printers. Even though the ink cartridges often cost nearly as much as the printer, it still might make sense to buy...
You run Linux... Maybe it's because no big company is going to dictate to you which OS you choose. Maybe you like Linux for its reliability, or for the fact it’s less apt to be a target for malware. Or...
If you thought computers only came in two flavors, think again. There are other operating systems besides Mac and Windows. In fact, most of the computers that power the Internet are running Linux. This free operating system is robust, secure...
Imagine... putting that big old television set to good use as a secondary, or even primary, monitor for your computer. The thought has certainly crossed the minds of many a technophile. Here's how to hook it up......
Didja ever notice that Captain Kirk never had to fuss with a mouse or keyboard to communicate with the computer on the Star Trek? He simply spoke direct commands at the machine, and the computer complied. Happily, voice recognition technology...
"I've been using Netflix to rent movies by mail, which is okay, but with high-speed connections so common now, why can't I just download movies I want to watch from the Internet?"...
"I just got a new computer but it doesn't have Microsoft Word. And the Microsoft Office package is WAY expensive... are there any good alternatives for cheap or free office software?"...
"I have a wireless network at home, which lets me get an internet connection on my laptop all over the house. But I'm concerned that neighbors or people driving by can hack into my computer. A friend said that hiding...
"I've seen a new wi-fi adapter that claims to be a HUNDRED TIMES FASTER than the currently available ones. Is this new 802.11N technology really that fast, and will it work with Windows XP?"...
Remember that 1995 movie "The Net", starring Sandra Bullock? Okay, I didn't see it either. Somehow I couldn't imagine Sandra as a software engineer after watching her in "While You Were Sleeping". But I digress... the movie was a story...
"Every day I get the same lame jokes in my email that have been making the rounds for years. Are there some websites you can recommend for really good computer humor?"...
"Recently I installed a game on a friend's computer and when we tried playing it, we would get a message saying 'Your system is low on virtual memory.' Can you please help us fix this problem?"...
"I see lots of freeware and shareware available on the Web, but I'm never sure if it's safe to download them. Are there good alternatives to the expensive shrink-wrapped software packages for sale in stores?"...
The history of computing and the story of how the Internet came to be are fascinating subjects to me. After doing some reading and research on early computers and Internet history, I've put together some excellent links that you can...
Sooner or later, something terrible will happen to your hard drive. That's not a very happy thought, but the good news is you can survive a hard drive failure with only minimal inconvenience -- if you back up your files....
"I'm wondering if there is a 'definitions' website that provides free definitions for people who do not know what every little computer term means. I consider myself something of a computer geek and I am the basic 'go to' in...
When I wrote in a previous entry "Do I need anti-virus software?" that "You CANNOT get a virus just by opening or reading your email" I fully expected it would unleash a torrent of emails in response. I knew this...
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