AskBob's Best of 2024 - Part One

Your Favorite AskBob Stories of 2024

As always, there were some key concepts that dominated the year in tech. Security... Privacy... Artificial Intelligence... Those phrases, along with tips, tricks and computer troubleshooting advice also popped up often in the most popular items published here during 2024. Whether you're a long-time reader, or a recent subscriber, I'm sure you'll enjoy reviewing the first installment of my "Top Ten" list below. Part Two will be arriving on Monday...

1. Yes, You Can Get Free Satellite TV

An AskBob reader asks: “Can I really get satellite TV for free? I've heard about free satellite TV channels one can receive with a free-to-air satellite receiver and dish. Is this true? If so, what satellite channels can I get, what equipment do I need, and is it legal?” The short answer is YES, you can. Read on to learn about free satellite TV options...

2. How (AND WHY) to Clean Computer Clutter

Computers and cars have one thing in common: both tend to accumulate junk in hard-to-reach places. Cleaning out your car can be a messy, sweaty job with plenty of opportunities for back injuries. Cleaning out a PC is a more civilized affair. Here are some free tools to clean up your hard drive, improve system performance, and make sure your backups run smoothly. Ready to jettison the detritus? Read on...

3. What Will Happen to Windows 10?

Perhaps you've heard rumblings that Windows 10 will soon reach “end of life” and will no longer be a supported operating system. Does that mean you'll need to buy a new computer, be forced to upgrade to Windows 11, or BOTH? There's a lot of confusion about this topic -- read on for the straight scoop on the fate of Windows 10, and your PC's future.

On a related note, you may be looking for an alternative to Windows 11. See
Is This a Better Alternative to Windows 11? for a discussion of one option.

4. Still Using Microsoft Office? Stop Now, Here’s Why

Since the Dark Ages of personal computing, Microsoft Office has been the standard for home, school, and office productivity suites. But it's always been a rather expensive software package. Today's prices range from $249 for Office Home & Business, up to $439 for Microsoft Office Professional. The subscription-based Microsoft 365 Family product costs $100/year. Fortunately, there are plenty of good, compatible (even free) alternatives to Microsoft's word processor, spreadsheet, and related office tools. Here are some of the best free and low-cost office suites to replace Microsoft Office...

5. Is Your Smart TV Spying On You? (yes, and here's how to stop it)

Almost every television sold these days is advertised as a Smart TV. Behind the screen, these TVs are computers with an operating system, a hard drive, and Internet connectivity. They also have cameras, a microphone, and sophisticated software that allows them to collect and sell your viewing data. And because they are constantly connected, the same risks (malware and hacking) that apply to computers also apply to smart TVs. Read on to learn about the privacy and security risks of smart TVs, and what you can do to minimize them...

6. 10 Free Windows Troubleshooting Tools

A computer operating system is a complex beast. If things go wrong with Windows, it can be difficult to track down the source of the glitch. But you can put away the screwdriver, sledgehammer (and chainsaw!) because there are plenty of free troubleshooters you can use to fix most problems. Read on for my recommended list of free Windows problem solvers.


The most common computer problems can be fixed or avoided altogether, simply by keeping all of your software up to date. So here's another tip to stop trouble before it happens. Here's Why You Must Keep Your Software Updated (and how to do it for free)

7. Where to Find Free Movies and TV Shows Online

I’ve written previously about various options for watching TV shows and movies via online streaming services. The good news today is that while Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Disney and YouTube are constantly raising prices and cracking down on password sharing, a bunch of free options are popping up. Read on to learn how you can get local television channels, movies and popular shows without a subscription or monthly fees...

8. Was Your Password Just Revealed in a Massive Data Breach?

On July 4, 2024, a hacker known as "ObamaCare" released a compilation of nearly 10 billion plaintext passwords on a popular hacking forum. This leak, dubbed "RockYou2024," is an updated and more extensive version of the infamous "RockYou2021" leak, adding approximately 1.5 billion more passwords to the already vast database. This massive repository significantly increases the risk of brute-force attacks on various online accounts. Should you be worried? Here's what you need to do...

9. Is Your Computer Obsolete?

An AskBob reader says: 'Our computer is about five years old, but one friend says it is obsolete. He says it will soon be unsupported, and advises us to buy a new computer with a faster CPU, more memory, bigger hard drive, and a larger monitor. Do I really need to do all that? Can you give me some of the pros and cons of upgrading versus buying a new computer?' Sure, here's my advice...

10. The Most Common Computing Mistakes (how many have you made?)

You might prefer to blame hackers, cyber-criminals, and shoddy software, but the unpleasant truth is that most computer problems are caused by users. Here's the good news: there are a few basic steps you can take to avoid malware infections, data loss, and performance issues. Too often, people try to save time or money by cutting corners, and they end up paying the price. Check out my list of common computing mistakes, and how to fix (or even better, avoid) them. Read on...

I hope you enjoy reading (or re-discovering) each of these, and of course, leave your own comments! If you're not a subscriber, you can sign up for AskBob Updates, or forward this to a friend who would enjoy it. Tomorrow I'll publish Part Two of AskBob's Best of 2024, so stay tuned!