Recent Comments
Comment by FAROUK on Who is Bob Rankin? (November 12, 2025 07:53 PM)
Acquire GEEKDA.COM: Your Authority in the Tech & Data Market. Hello A rare, brandable .com domain that instantly positions your business as an indus...
Comment by Ken H on How to Buy (or Sell) Used Phones - Without Getting Scammed (November 11, 2025 09:27 PM)
I found it is not worth my time to sell my iPhone. AT&T gives me $1000 (knocks $1000 off the interest free price of a new one) for my old one every th...
Comment by Ernest N. Wilcox Jr. on How to Buy (or Sell) Used Phones - Without Getting Scammed (November 11, 2025 06:49 PM)
I tend to keep all my devices for as long as they remain serviceable/usable, so none of these services would do me any good, because by the time I'm d...
Comment by artm on Wontons, Slush and Wet Phones (November 10, 2025 06:09 AM)
Over the years I've dampened a few phones, calculators & other electronic devices. My solution has been to open the case of the device as best I can, ...
Comment by William Harvey on Wontons, Slush and Wet Phones (November 4, 2025 10:56 PM)
I put my three day old Samsung down while gardening so it didn't fall out of my pocket accidentally. It was turned on. Forgetting the phone I turned ...
Comment by Mike Davies on Wontons, Slush and Wet Phones (November 3, 2025 09:00 PM)
Tesco (a UK supermarket chain) sell own-brand polyethylene "resealable snack bags". The seal is of the "pinch" type where you slide your fingers along...
Comment by cropduster on Wontons, Slush and Wet Phones (November 3, 2025 08:58 PM)
FORGET all those time-consuming "solutions." Instead, do 2 things: (1) refrain from loading your phone with important financial information and photo...
Comment by Ryan James on Wontons, Slush and Wet Phones (November 3, 2025 07:56 PM)
You seem to be a walking, swimming, sailing hazard for mobile phones. Thanks for the heads up....
Comment by David Y. on Review: PC Matic Gets a Zero! (November 2, 2025 06:45 PM)
I just sent a question to PC Matic and they no longer offer the Evergreen purchase option. Pricing is vague at best. I see "$50 for first year". No...
Comment by Charles on [PHONE SCAM ALERT] Dodge the Digital Bullets (November 1, 2025 03:24 AM)
Good timely info. I got a message from my uncle's name of facebook. The picture was missing and so I thought maybe he got a new account. When I looked...
Personal Articles
Your Electrons Needed (and a favor...)
I love my job. Every day, I help people use computers and the Internet, answering their questions and pointing them to resources that will save them time, trouble, or money. I especially love it when readers become friends and people tell me that they're using what they've learned here to help others. It's very satisfying, but there is one favor I'd like to ask of you. Please read on...
...Doctor, My Eyes!
Hi All! Today I’m taking a break from my usual job as Translator for the Technology Impaired, to share an “eye opening” story with my AskBob readers. If you’ve noticed I haven’t been publishing as regularly as usual lately, read on to see the reason for that. I think you’ll be glad you did...
...Can You Spare a Few Electrons?
I love my job. Every day, I help people use computers and the Internet, answering their questions and pointing them to resources that will save them time, trouble, or money. I especially love it when readers become friends and people tell me that they're using what they've learned here to help others. It's very satisfying, but there is one favor I'd like to ask of you. Please read on...
...Hey, It's My (digital) Birthday!
Today I'm celebrating a birthday. It was 24 years ago, in July 1995, that The Internet Tourbus first rolled out into cyberspace. And ten years later, AskBobRankin.com was born. With thanks to awesome readers like you, I'll keep on keeping on, with my continuing guaranteed to make you better looking and 146% smarter. Read on!
...A Big Milestone + Geekly Update
Today I'm celebrating an anniversary -- 20 years of online publishing! The Internet Tourbus first rolled out into cyberspace in July 1995, and ten years later, AskBobRankin.com was born. With thanks to awesome readers like you, I'll keep on keeping on. Today's Geekly Update is an expanded version, with twenty items that are guaranteed to make you 146% smarter. Read, think and comment!
...Announcing... The Rankin File!
I've started a new website, and what better day to officially announce it than on my birthday? The Rankin File offers 'small business tech and tips' for those who run their own business. If you have a home-based business, a small business with employees, or you're even thinking about starting your own business, The Rankin File is for you! And as the name suggests, it's not just for business owners. If you're a secretary, office manager, or wannabe techie, my tips will help you score points with the boss. Read on to learn more about what you'll find in the Rankin File...
...Tourbus - The Final Bus Stop
In case you haven't heard, The Internet Tourbus is rolling up to its final stop. After 16 years of online publishing, Tourbus is one of the longest-running email newsletters. But two things have happened this year, prompting me to hit the brakes. Here's the full story...
...Who is Bob Rankin?
Every so often, people ask about my background, and how I got started with computers and the Internet. I've published bits and pieces of my bio before, but never a detailed account of my professional life. So here it is, with a few interesting personal asides...
...My Cholesterol Level is Too High!
After a routine physical, I got the news from my doctor that my cholesterol is too high. My diet is pretty healthy, and I'm not in bad shape for a 48-year-old guy. But this LDL and HDL stuff is a wakeup call for me. Clearly I need to exercise more and be aware of foods to avoid high cholesterol. So here's my 4-month plan to knock 40 or 50 points off that cholesterol number, without using any prescription drugs...
...Bonzai - It's a New Puppy!
I know I'm supposed to write about computers, the Internet and nifty gadgets, but life is more than all that electronic stuff. I'm so happy with my new puppy that I've just got to show him off...
...
