What exactly does Vista ReadyBoost do? Is it the same as adding RAM, or is it more like a disk cache? I've read varying reports as to whether or not it really boosts performance on Vista. What do you know...
"I've heard that Google keeps a log of everything that people search for. If this is true, can I delete my search history? Who else is keeping track of what I search for?"...
What information about you is publicly available on the Web? In the past, only government agencies and businesses with a 'need to know' were able to access personal information. Today, Internet search engines allow almost anyone to find information about...
"I'm worried about the worth of my house in today's economy. The mortgage crisis is wreaking havoc on property values. What online tools can you suggest to help determine the value of my home?"...
If you maintain a website, a content management system (CMS) can make it easier to add or update information, whether it has 10 pages or 10,000 pages. Read on to learn what a content management system can do for you,...
"I've gotten some forwarded emails claiming that the Internet is doomed to collapse very soon, unless some big changes are made to the infrastructure. Is it true… is the Internet going to go "poof" and vanish in a cloud of...
"I'm looking for a basic entry-level desktop computer to give to a high-school student as a Christmas gift. What do you recommend in the budget category that can handle web surfing, email and word processing?"...
"I'd like to do a survey of visitors to my website. I need basic demographics, some multiple choice questions, and the ability to generate reports. Oh, and free is nice! What tool do you recommend?"...
"I've heard reports about people making pretty good money inside Second Life. How can I get started in the business of making money for (virtually) nothing?"...
"Can you explain what Mechanical Turk is all about? A friend of mine uses it to make money by doing small jobs, but I've heard some people say it's more like slave labor. What's the deal with Mechanical Turk?"...
"I'm thinking about selling some stuff on eBay to make a little money for the holidays, but my previous attempts to sell on eBay haven't worked out very well. Can you give me some power tips for eBay sellers to...
"I've tried several times to buy items on eBay, but the bidding options are confusing to me, and I always get outbid at the last minute. Can you give me some tips on saving money and winning eBay auctions?"...
"I've heard that a RAID hard drive is the best solution for automatic backups. What exactly is a RAID, and what are the pros and cons of RAID systems?"...
"I've read your articles about the best sites for public school students. But my children are young and I'm considering home schooling for them. Can you recommend any sites with good resources for homeschooling families?"...
It’s back-to-school time again... parents breathe a sigh of relief and students groan under the load of spiffy new backpacks. Of course you want to help you child succeed in school, so here are some sites that will inspire kids...
"I've been using the free Norton antivirus package that came with my computer, but the subscription will expire in a few days. Are the free anti-virus programs any good? What do you recommend?"...
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...
I love science, especially offbeat and weird science. During my Internet travels I've come across some amazing resources-- some informative, some strange, but all of them fascinating. Here then, are my top picks in the Weird Science category......
"My nephew plays the World of Warcraft online game for hours at a time. I've watched a little bit, but don't really understand the game, or its appeal. Can you explain what the World of Warcraft game is all about,...
Apple's iPhone seems like the coolest gadget to hit the streets in a long time. It slices, it dices, it can browse the web, manage your calendar, take pictures, and even make a phone call. But here's why I'm NOT...
High prices at the gas pump continue to put the squeeze on family budgets, recent fluctuations not withstanding. It seems like $3 per gallon gas is here to stay. While there’s no magic pill or bolt-on gizmo that will magically...
"I just downloaded an ISO image file for a Linux install, but I can't figure out how to burn the ISO image to a CD. Can you help?"...
Videoconferencing, once primarily used for long distance business meetings, is becoming more accessible. Got a webcam? Here's how you can start videoconferencing on the web......
"I've seen ads for movies on Blu-Ray discs but I'm not sure what that means. What is Blu-Ray and how is it different from a regular DVD disc? Do I need a special player to view a Blu-Ray disc?"...
"I've heard you can change BIOS settings to affect performance and startup options, but I've always been hesitant to poke around in the BIOS setup screens. Can you demystify this for me?"...
"I'm looking for a camcorder, but the selection and features are overwhelming. What's a good model for someone who wants decent quality without spending a pile of money?"...
Tired of the same old search engine? In this article you'll find reviews of some new Internet search tools with all the bells and whistles......
As the Myspace population passes 100 million members, the site seems to be creaking and groaning, ready to burst at the seams. With frequent outages, valid passwords being rejected, problems with music players, and comment spammers, you might be looking...
"What is social bookmarking, and how is it different from a regular bookmark or favorite in my browser?"...
"There's a lot of medical information online, but I'm not sure what to trust. Where can I go to learn more about various drugs and medical conditions? I want information from real doctors, not some guy selling miracle cures."...
Are you concerned about the risk of getting cancer from long-term cell phone usage? Finally, some scientific studies assessing the link between cell phones and cancer have been conducted. The results are in, and I for one was surprised......
Got hiccups? It turns out the cure may be worse than the disease... The 2006 Ig Nobel Prize winners were awarded last week, on the campus of Harvard University. Among the winners were a group of researchers who claim that...
"I had an anti virus program by McAfee but uninstalled because it was bogging my computer down. I now have anti spyware software, so do I still need to get an anti virus program? What is the difference between viruses...
"I'm a long-time computer user, almost 80 years young, but I'm no expert at Internet searching. Can you point me to some sites that are especially useful to senior citizens?"...
If you're a parent, teacher, home-schooler, or a student then your thoughts are bound to be turning towards the Fall school season. So if you're looking for homework helpers, lesson plans, and other online reference tools for education, read on......
If you're a stock market investor, there lots of great resources on the Net that will help you keep tabs on your stock portfolio, keep up with the latest market news, do company research, and even do your trading online....
"I know there are plenty of websites where I can go to find the weather conditions. But can I get my local weather forecast delivered automatically to my desktop or inbox every morning?"...
"My family is planning a vacation this summer, but we can't agree on where to go. What online travel sites do you recommend to help people research popular destinations, and find good deals on reservations?"...
If you are a U.S. citizen and plan to travel outside the United States, you'll most likely need a passport. Recently I found this out the hard way. I arrived at Newark airport bound for Jamaica, and ended up in...
"I just got a speeding ticket, and now I'm wishing I had a radar detector. But there are so many different kinds and price ranges. How do radar detectors work, and which one should I buy?"...
"I've recently become interested in researching my ancestors and creating a family tree. Can you recommend any good software or websites where I can do genealogy research?"...
Leavin' on a jet plane? Learn how to make online air travel reservations, find airports, get airline information, and view real-time flight tracking data. Read on......
Is the government or AOL planning to implement an email tax? Does your lipstick contain dangerous levels of lead? Will Microsoft send you money for forwarding an email? Do you need to add your cell phone number to a "Do...
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...
The proliferation of PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) in the last several years has been staggering, and a wide range of products exists to satisfy the needs of everyone from the busy stay-at-home Mom to the power hungry Internet geek on...
"My ten-year-old son is excited about video games, both online and offline. Like any good citizen of the planet, I want him to have fun and learn to kill aliens, but I worry about some of the graphic violence and...
"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?"...
So, you've got a web browser and an email program... Is that all the Internet software you'll ever need? Maybe, but first take a look at some of the nifty tools that are reviewed in this article. I think you'll...
Too much time on your hands? Then you'll be pleased to learn that there are still plenty of websites that have ABSOLUTELY NO REDEEMING VALUE. My scholarly research into the best of the utterly useless in the online world is...
Back in 1995-96 I worked for BoardWatch Magazine, covering the world of Bulletin Board Systems and the fledgling Internet. One of my favorite parts of that job was interviewing prominent netizens of the day. Some may boast about being self-made...
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...
No matter what I do, including extensive research on Firefox site and the Internet, I still get CPU usage of 99% with Firefox, and it won't go away. It stops my system until I shut it down with ctl-alt-delete. Sometimes,...
In setting up some space on which to install linux, AND not have to move all my partitions around, I have been wondering IF buying a USB "external" drive would be the way to go. The external drives are being...
"The stories of Jessica Lunsford and other abused children make we wonder if my child is safe in our neighborhood, and on the Internet. I've heard that people can use the Internet to find out if there is a sexual...
Recently my partner in crime Patrick Crispen answered this question in a Tourbus newsletter posting. Here's what he had to say: You may have heard about a new version of Windows XP - Windows XP Professional x64 Edition - that...
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...
I have an unorthodox strategy for dealing with computer viruses. It doesn't involve the use of firewalls or anti-virus software. But if everyone understood the simple virus safety tips I'll outline here, the virus writers would get very bored very...
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