Tezzo's Technology Blog

Put Linux on a USB Drive

2012-02-15T08:15:00.000-08:00

A flash drive is one of the single most useful tools a person can own. With it you can back up critical data, transport large files, rescue a malware-infested PC, and even run an entire operating system. Regarding this last option, a while back I explained how to put Windows 8 on a flash drive. (It works with Windows 7, too.) Today, let's talk about putting Linux on a flash drive.

Why would you want to do that? Two reasons: to see how the other half lives, so to speak, and to create a rescue tool that can work around nearly any Windows-related disaster.

For example, I recently spent days troubleshooting a relative's malware-infested, effectively non-operational laptop. She wasn't concerned about getting the system working again, but she desperately wanted to retrieve her business documents, personal photos, and the like. (I did not, you'll be glad to know, take the opportunity to scold her about making backups. I waited until later.)

More at: PC World

How to Remove Malware From Your Windows PC | PCWorld

2012-02-01T08:55:00.000-08:00

"Is your computer running slower than usual? Are you getting lots of pop-ups? Have you seen other weird problems crop up? If so, your PC might be infected with a virus, spyware, or other malware--even if you have an antivirus program installed on it. Though other problems, such as hardware issues, can produce similar symptoms, it's best to check for malware if you aren't sure. But you don't necessarily need to call tech support or the geek across the street to scan for malware--I'll show you how to do it yourself."

More at: PCWorld

Securing Your Home Wi-Fi Network

2012-01-16T09:44:00.000-08:00

OVERVIEW
Wi-Fi networks (sometimes called by their technical name 802.11) allow people to wirelessly connect devices to the Internet, such as smartphones, gaming consoles, tablets, and laptops. Because Wi-Fi networks are simple to setup, many people install their own Wi-Fi networks at home. However, many home Wi-Fi networks are configured insecurely, allowing strangers or unauthorized people to easily access your home network or anonymously abuse your Internet connection. To ensure you have a safe and secure home Wi-Fi network, here are a few simple steps you should take.

The key to a secure home Wi-Fi network is making sure only you have administrative access, your communications are encrypted, and that people have to authenticate to use your network

More at: OUCH

Free Windows Optimization Tool

2012-01-04T22:25:00.000-08:00

Optimize Your PC with Advanced SystemCare 5 Free

Proceed with caution.

That's what I always advise when people ask me about PC-optimization utilities like Ashampoo WinOptimizer 8 ($50) and CCleaner (free). While these tools can be helpful, they can also create problems--usually when users go overboard with the amount of "cleaning" they attempt.

I mention this only for purposes of introduction to Iobit's Advanced SystemCare 5 Free, the latest version of one of the more popular "computer healthcare" products. I recently tested it on a year-old Windows 7 system, and was very pleased with the results.

(One important note right up front: Advanced SystemCare will try to sneak in a few bits of junkware during installation, so be sure you opt out--don't just blindly click Next on each setup screen.)

The program can perform a wide range of functions, starting with the handy Quick Care, which scans for and removes malware, cleans up the Registry, fixes invalid shortcuts, erases your browsing history, and deletes junk files.

When I ran Quick Care on my system, it discovered a surprising amount of detritus--including some spyware that Microsoft Security Essentials (my primary sentry) had missed! Within a few minutes, all that stuff was gone.

More at: PCWorld:

Most Popular How-To Guides of 2011

2011-12-30T08:29:00.000-08:00

"We handle a lot of different topics throughout the year, and our how-to guides come in a wide range of sizes and subjects, but the goal is always the same: to make it easy for you to accomplish something awesome. Here's a look back at our most popular how-to features of 2011."

More at: Mashable

Stream Live TV to Your PC

2011-12-13T08:51:00.000-08:00

Why buy an HDTV when you have a perfectly good screen right in front of you? Here's how to stream live TV to your PC.
Everyone assumes that consumers want to stream Internet programs and media to the big high-def screen in the living room. Heck, these days the market is filled with set-top boxes dedicated to funneling Internet media to HDTVs. But what if you want to do the opposite, and stream live television to a smaller screen--the one connected to your computer?
More at: PCWorld

How to Extend Your Wireless Network without Replacing It

2011-12-02T07:22:00.000-08:00

The top three connection issues and how to fix them.
What’s the biggest difference between a wired and a wireless network? A wireless network is only as robust as its signal. In other words, setting up a Wireless-N network doesn’t always mean you’re going to get Wireless-N speeds. Poor signal strength and range, interference from non-network wireless devices, and the way your router broadcasts Wi-Fi signals can cause network slowdowns. If you’re ready to improve your wireless network but you’d rather not start from scratch with a new router, read on. We’ll show you exactly how to deal with the three biggest challenges.

Overcoming poor signal strength and range

Amplifi Wi-Fi BoosterYou can easily extend your existing network into hard-to-reach locations by installing an access point, which connects directly to your existing router and improves its wireless signal. Access points like D-Link’s DAP-1525 Amplifi Wi-Fi Booster require no additional setup or passwords to distribute a wireless signal to areas that need it most.

More at: PCWorld:

How to Download YouTube Videos

2011-11-29T07:55:00.000-08:00

If you want to download YouTube videos without having to pay a fee, install a toolbar, or run a dubious browser plug-in, check out our handy guide to using YouTube Downloader HD.
A free downloadable program, YouTube Downloader HD keeps things simple: You provide the URL of the video, select the video quality and format, and click the Download button. YouTube Downloader HD has a limited selection of output formats and can’t download from video sites other than YouTube, but it still shines with its adware-free installation, ability to download multiple videos simultaneously, and automatic conversion feature.

More at: PCWorld

Potential Quick Fixes When Your iPad Won’t Connect to Your Wifi Network

2011-11-22T07:31:00.000-08:00

"The iPad is a great device even when its offline, but like nearly all computing devices these days it is much greater when it’s connected to the web. For most of us, most of the time that means connecting via a WiFi network when possible. So it is terribly frustrating when an iPad won’t connect to a home WiFi network.

So I thought I’d share some basic troubleshooting tips for when your iPad won’t connect to your WiFi network, and some potential quick fixes."

See more at iPad Insight:

How to Get Free Music From the iTunes Music Store

2011-11-15T17:16:00.000-08:00

Tired of paying for music? You can find a bunch of free songs hiding in plain sight in the iTunes Music Store.

I get it: You want some free tunes, but you don't want to be sued by the RIAA or by copyright trolls. Fair enough. Unfortunately, totally free music is rare these days--er, totally free and legal music, that is. But you can find some free music, and you can grab it straight from the music player you're probably already using: iTunes.

Yes, iTunes may be clunky, slow, and annoying, but it isn't entirely bad--especially once you know how to dig up free, legal music straight from the iTunes Music Store."

More at: PCWorld

Custom Labels in Blogger

2011-10-20T12:37:00.001-07:00

It’s always been known that regular and normal is boring, and I pretty much follow that always throughout my life. Innovation and creativity makes life more fun and exciting, and the turn out becomes beautiful.

Cutting out the philosophy and getting straight to the point, have you wondered, why not change the regular style of the labels that blogger gives, and make it more creative and animated.

Using some of CSS3, I tried to customize my label section in my blog, which you can see in my home page.

More here.

How to Secure Your Home Wi-Fi Network

2011-08-24T09:58:00.000-07:00

Is your Wi-Fi network at home password-protected? If not, it should be. You might not care if your neighbors use your Wi-Fi connection to surf the Web, but someone with more sinister motives could take advantage of your generosity (and lack of protection) to gain access to data stored on your home PCs.

The easiest way to guard against Wi-Fi interlopers is to encrypt your Wi-Fi network. Afterward you'll have to enter a password whenever you connect to your Wi-Fi network, but that's a small price to pay for improved security. Most Wi-Fi routers support WEP, WPA, and WPA2 encryption standards. Be sure to use either the WPA or WPA2 encryption settings, which provide a much higher level of security than WEP encryption. Another safeguard is to set your router not to broadcast the SSID (your network's name). With SSID broadcasting disabled, your wireless network won't be visible to computers nearby, and only people who specifically know your network's name will be able to find it.

See also:

Stop Internet Poachers from Stealing Your Wi-Fi

More at: PCWorld

Best Streaming Music Services 2011

2011-08-05T22:33:00.000-07:00

Free music is often associated with illegal file sharing, but that's not the whole online music story. There are many music services that will let you stream tunes from to any Web connected computer free of charge (and if a mobile app is available, tablets and smartphones)—without breaking the law.

For example, the Editors' Choice award-winning Slacker Radio (Free, 4.5 stars) is a service you should check out, especially if you're the type who likes to customize your listening experience. If niche genres such as anime and video game music are more your speed, AOL Radio (Free, 3.5 stars) is the lone mainstream streaming music service that caters to such nerd audiences. In addition, a recently announced Slacker Radio partnership means that AOL Radio will have one of the most stacked streaming music services today. Grooveshark (Free, 3.5 stars) adds peer-to-peer elements that let users upload their own MP3s to the service so that others can tune into their streams.

Social networkers and indie music fans should check out Jango (Free, 3 stars) and Last.Fm (Free, 4 stars), two services that place connecting with others and promoting independent talent in the forefront. Pandora (Free, 3.5 stars), which is powered by the Music Genome Project, offers algorithm-based related song and artist recommendations. The innovative Spotify, which very much resembles a cloud-based version of iTunes, has recently touched down in the U.S. after years of European acclaim, and it's a very solid way to discover new music and upload your personal collection for access from any Web-connected computer.

Read more at: PCMag.com

2011-08-04T21:22:00.000-07:00

Slaying the Cable Monster: Why HDMI Brands Don't Matter

For the vast majority of HDTV owners, a $5 HDMI cable will provide the same performance as a $100 one.

You've probably experienced this when shopping for a new HDTV: A store clerk sidles up and offers to help. He then points you toward the necessary HDMI cables to go with your new television. And they're expensive. Maybe $60 or $70, sometimes even more than $100 (You could buy a cheap Blu-ray player or a handful of Blu-ray discs for that price!). The clerk then claims that these arespecial cables. Superior cables. Cables you absolutely need if you want the best possible home theater experience. And the claims are, for the vast majority of home theater users, utter rubbish.

The truth is, for most HDTV setups, there is absolutely no effective difference between a no-name $3 HDMI cable you can order from Amazon.com and a $120 Monster cable you buy at a brick-and-mortar electronics store. We ran five different HDMI cables, ranging in price from less than $5 up to more than $100, through rigorous tests to determine whether there's any difference in a dirt-cheap cable and one that costs a fortune.

HDMI Basics

The first thing to remember about HDMI is that it is a digital standard. Unlike component video, composite video, S-video, or coaxial cable, HDMI signals don't gradually degrade, or get fuzzy and lose clarity as the signal fades or interference grows. For digital signals like HDMI, as long as there is enough data for the receiver to put together a picture, it will form. If there isn't, it will just drop off. While processing artifacts can occur and gaps in the signal can cause blocky effects or screen blanking, generally an HDMI signal will display whenever the signal successfully reaches the receiver. Claims that more expensive cables put forth greater video or audio fidelity are nonsense; it's like saying you can get better-looking YouTube videos on your laptop by buying more expensive Ethernet cables. From a technical standpoint, it simply doesn't make sense.

More at PC Mag

How to Buy a Blu-ray Player

2011-08-04T21:15:00.000-07:00

The benefits of Blu-ray are crystal clear: Video from traditional DVDs contains fewer than 350,000 pixels, while 1080p HD video packs more than two million, which translates to sublime, high-resolution detail. If you want to make the most of your 1080p HDTV, you should upgrade to a Blu-ray player.

And there's never been a better time to do it. The current crop of Blu-ray players offer stellar HD picture quality, fast disc-handling, and extras like integrated Wi-Fi, 3D support, and audio and video streaming.

These days you can find a well-rounded player that performs well for less than $200 if you do some smart online shopping. Still, there are a lot of choices out there. Here's what you need to consider when choosing the right Blu-ray player:

Blu-ray Basics
If you have a 1080p HDTV, you have the most to gain from Blu-ray, since a television with full HD is equipped to show every one of those glorious pixels. A couple of years ago when 1080p TVs were fetching a premium and Blu-ray player prices were still prohibitively high, it made sense to wait to make the move to Blu-ray. But today, 1080p is more standard than exception in HDTVs, and it's clear that Blu-ray is replacing DVD. Simply put, buying a new DVD player today, no matter how inexpensive, doesn't make much sense; you're just investing in technology that's on its way out. The good news is that all Blu-ray players can upconvert traditional DVDs, (and they'll even look better than they would if you played them on your DVD player) so getting one doesn't mean you have to ditch your DVD collection or keep your old DVD player around.

More at PC Mag

12 Tips You Need To Know Before You Start Using Spotify

2011-08-02T17:20:00.000-07:00

1. Often there are multiple versions of the song you're looking for

Even if song durations are a little different, if songs have the same track name and artist, Spotify
groups songs together but highlights the most popular version.

Click the little arrow just left of the artist column to expand it and pick the song from the specific
album you like.

Google Chrome 12

2011-06-13T09:10:00.000-07:00

Chrome Instant means your Web page is ready to read before you finish typing the address. This, its speed, minimalist design, and advanced support for HTML5 have been attracting more and more users to the browser. The latest version adds more security options and limited hardware acceleration.

Google Chrome's speed at displaying Web pages is seemingly only matched by the speed with which its development team adds new features. With Chrome 12, Google has added a couple important security enhancements, and new 3D graphics capabilities.

More at PC Mag

Add More USB Ports to Your PC

2011-05-04T06:59:00.000-07:00

Reader Jay wants to know how many USB "splitters" he can use with his desktop. The system has four USB ports in the back and two in the front; Jay says he's already using one splitter, but needs two additional USB ports.

Holy mackerel, Jay, how many devices do you have? (I'm a power user myself, and only four of my desktop's six ports are occupied.)

To answer your question, yes, it's safe to add another splitter (which, although an apt description, is traditionally known as a USB hub). In fact, a PC is theoretically capable of accommodating up to 127 USB ports. However, the reality is a bit different.

By "splitting" a USB port, you reduce the power available to the newly added ports. Whether or not that's a problem depends on the kinds of devices you plug in, but I strongly recommend using only powered USB hubs. They cost a little more, and force you to find yet another free AC outlet, but they virtually eliminate the issues that tend to arise with non-powered hubs.

I also recommend plugging each hub directly into one of your PC's built-in USB ports. In other words, don't daisy-chain them. And if you use an external hard drive, plug that into a built-in (i.e. non-hub) port as well. When it comes to your data, it's not wise to risk any kind of power fluctuation.

More at PC Mag

iPad 2 Tips, Tricks, and Shortcuts - Slideshow from PCMag.com

2011-04-28T08:28:00.000-07:00

While some might argue that it can almost replace a full-fledged computer, the iPad was designed to be simple. Even if you have very little tech savvy, you can probably pick up Apple's latest tablet and master most of the basic features in a matter of minutes. And the longer you spend swiping your way around the touch-based iOS operating system, the more you'll learn. Like it is with any OS, though, there are just some things that aren't obvious. You could (gasp!) pore through the 22-chapter iPad 2 User Guide (it's got three appendices too), to make sure you're not missing out on anything, but where's the fun in that?

After a couple of months of testing and using the iPad 2, we've learned some cool tricks and we want to share them with you. In the slideshow, you'll find general tips that apply to multiple applications, along with those specific to Safari, Maps, iPod, and Photos.

More at: PCMag.com

Fix your hijacked web browser

2011-04-12T17:10:00.000-07:00

"Browser hijacking" is a type of online fraud. Scammers use malicious software to take control of your computer's Internet browser and change how and what it displays when you're surfing the web.

If you keep your computer updated with the latest security software and updates, and practice safe Internet browsing you're already doing a lot to keep the hijackers away.

But if you are already the victim of a hijacked browser there are several ways you can combat online fraud, free your browser from the hackers, and restore its settings.

Don’t know if your browser has been hijacked? Read about the signs in What is browser hijacking?

Help restore a hijacked browser and boost browser security
The following six tips can help restore your browser's settings:

Stop cascading pop-up windows. If endless pop-up windows appear on your screen, you'll probably want to stop them first. To do this in Microsoft Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, or Windows 2000 while using Internet Explorer:

Continued at Microsoft

The Best Free Software

2011-04-08T21:53:00.000-07:00

Every year at this time, PCMag takes a look at what is worth installing on your PC— software that's totally free that does the job as well as, if not better, than the big boys. That's not to say programs from Microsoft, Adobe, and hundreds of other developers aren't worthwhile, but you should always be aware of your options, especially when they're free.
With that in mind, we're here again to gather the best of the freebies. First, we re-examined our picks from last year's story (The Best Free Software of 2010) to ensure they're still worth installing and that they're still freeware. Of course, we also took a look at all of the great free software announced in the last 12 months.

More at PC Mag

How to Calibrate Your HDTV

2011-04-08T08:37:00.000-07:00

You don't need to pay a pro to calibrate your new HDTV. You don't even need to spend $40 for a special disc. All you need is a DVD or Blu-ray Disc with the THX Optimizer feature, like Terminator 2: Judgment Day Skynet Edition Blu-ray disc, and a $2 pair of blue glasses to turn your expensive screen from an out-of-the-box testament to visual mediocrity into a glorious example of cinematically accurate color and light.

Step 1: Turn on your HDTV and let it run for about 30 minutes. For the best color accuracy, you want the screen to warm up a bit. This is more of an issue for plasma screens than LCDs, but it's still a good practice for getting the most accurate calibration.

Step 2: Access the THX Optimizer. For most THX-certified DVDs and Blu-ray discs, the THX Optimizer feature should be located in the Set-Up menu.

More at PC Mag

How to Fix Your Wireless Internet Connection Problems

2011-04-01T12:04:00.000-07:00

Without question, your router is one of the most useful and convenient tech devices you own. But many of you probably view it as one of the biggest sources of frustration, anxiety, and downright anger. The fact is, setting up a home router—and keeping it running—is still more complicated and demanding of tech knowledge than the average user would like it to be.
Part of the problem is that routers do so much more than average user can understand. A router performs two primary functions. First, it routes data packets between networks. Second, it serves as a wireless access point, sharing the inbound Internet connection with all devices on a home network. A router is the central figure in a home network, connecting the vast Internet with our comparatively, tiny (yet increasingly sophisticated) private networks. That's a complex set of responsibilities for a small, inexpensive device to perform. Most routers manage to do all these job reasonably well for the vast majority of the time. But, because all of these functions are critical to a router's network, when your router begins to act up, you're likely to forget the fact that it functioned flawless for weeks, or even months, at a time.

More at PC Magazine

All about Dynamic Views for Authors

2011-03-31T16:16:00.000-07:00

Blogger now offers you the ability to present your content in several new and exciting ways. These dynamic views will work on your blog if all of the following are true:

Your blog is public. Your readers don’t need to sign in to view your blog.

Your blog has feeds fully enabled. In the Settings | Site feed tab, you have enabled either Full or Jump Break for your Post Feed.

You have not disabled dynamic views. In the Setting | Formatting tab, the option for Enable Dynamic Views is set to Yes.

If any of the above conditions are not true, users who attempt to access dynamic views for your blog will instead be taken to a landing page and redirected to your original blog in a few seconds.
If all of the above conditions are true, your readers can access the dynamic views for your blog by simply appending /view to the URL. For example, our own blog, Blogger Buzz, is available at http://buzz.blogspot.com. To see this blog in the new dynamic views, users would instead visit http://buzz.blogspot.com/view. Or if they wished to visit a particular view directly, such as the Flipcard view, they would simply visit http://buzz.blogspot.com/view/flipcard.

Via Google Blogger - All about Dynamic Views for Authors

Browser Wars

2011-03-31T08:05:00.000-07:00

"When it comes to choosing a Web browser today, you're spoiled for choice. Major new releases Internet Explorer 9 and Firefox 4 have brought these two big name browsers to near parity with upstart Google Chrome and longtime innovator Opera. The current crop of surfing software all include plenty of speed, minimized interfaces for a better look at that site you're browsing, and support for the emerging HTML5 standard markup language.

Each brings a unique twist, though. The new browser from Microsoft, Internet Explorer 9, adds hardware acceleration for graphics-intensive sites and arguably the best privacy tool to prevent tracking of your Web activities by marketing sites. Firefox offers a Panorama view of your tabs and a refreshed version of what's still the most powerful set of customizations, along with the ability to sync bookmarks, history, settings, and more"

More at PC Mag

10 Fun Headphone Cable Management Solutions

2011-02-26T19:28:00.000-08:00

"It’s one of life’s little unwritten laws — like toast always falling butter-side down — that when you get your headphone cables out, no matter how neatly you put them away, you’ll inevitably be faced with a pile of wire spaghetti.

Don’t let those cable gremlins get the best of you. Employ a headphone cable management solution that is both effective and adorable. We’ve found 10 fun options for you that won’t break the bank, and will help you store your headphones neatly, keep them tidy on the go, or both."

More at: Mashable:

Blur the Background for Punchier Photos

2011-02-18T07:39:00.000-08:00

I've talked to a lot of digital photographers who are disappointed with basic photo editing tools because they don't always have the intended effect. Take sharpening tools, for example: Somewhat counterintuitively, sharpening doesn't sharpen blurry pictures.

But you can increase your subject's apparent sharpness by blurring everything else. This is also an awesome trick for adding a sense of depth to your photos. A long time ago, I mentioned four ways to get a deep depth of field in your photos. This week I'd like to focus on one of those techniques in particular: blurring the background of your photo using layers.

More at: PCWorld-Dave Johnson

Google Chrome 9 Review & Rating

2011-02-15T12:37:00.000-08:00

"With Chrome, Google single-handedly set off a revolution in the Web surfing software on several fronts: Its blazingly fast JavaScript performance kicked competitors like Firefox (Free, 4.5 stars), Internet Explorer (Free, 4 stars), Safari (Free, 4 stars), and Opera 11 into a speed race. Chrome also started the trend of minimizing the application's window to let the Web page shine unimpeded, which has influenced the user interface design of all those competitors. If you want a fast and fluid Web experience, Chrome can't be beat, and it's updated more frequently than any other browser, too, at version 9 after just two and a half years."

More at: PCMag.com:

How to Buy the Right Headphones

2011-02-04T12:42:00.000-08:00

A top-notch MP3 player is only half of the audio equation. No matter what your budget, we've got advice on picking the best headphones to maximize your listening experience. These days, some people happily spend more than half a grand on a new tablet or portable media device with an estimated lifespan of around three years, yet the question I'm asked most often is still, "What's the cheapest pair of headphones I can buy that don't completely suck?"

Headphones, earbuds, and earphones (I'll describe the difference between them in a bit) are generally viewed as the least essential link in the musical chain—the part you can easily skimp on. In reality, your headphones are the most important link in that chain: A quality pair has a larger impact than the player itself on how your tunes will sound. Also, if well cared for, they will long outlive your planned-to-be-obsolete tablet, phone, or MP3 player. And you don't have to break the bank, either. For as little as $40, you can get a high-quality pair of headphones and really begin to enjoy all the sweet-sounding audio you've been missing.

More at: PCMag.com:

How to Buy a Wireless Router

2011-01-21T23:15:00.000-08:00

It's hard to imagine a modern home or business network without a wireless router, but that doesn't mean it's easy to pick the right router. Our guide can help you choose the best one for your network.

You'd think that hardware as ubiquitous as the wireless router would be easier to choose, configure, and manage; you'd think that, by now, manufacturers would all be delivering dead-simple hardware that worked right out of the box, no matter what the RF environment in your office. Well, routers are better, faster, and simpler than ever (at least the good ones are). But you still need to be an informed customer if you want to pick the right router for your needs. And you'll still need to know some (mostly) simple tricks to get the most out of your router, even if the basic setup has become pretty simple. Our guide can help you on both counts.

More at: PCMag.com

How To Set Up A Home Network In 5 Simple Steps

2011-01-07T09:56:00.000-08:00

Networking a new tech toy has become the modern equivalent of the dreaded "some assembly required." But setting up a secure, robust network isn't hard—if you know what you're doing.Since you're a PCMag.com reader, chances are you got a shiny new tech toy as a holiday gift. Maybe it was an 802.11n wireless router, a NAS device, a new Netbook, or an iPad. One thing all of these devices have in common: they need to be attached to your home network. The introduction of a new piece of hardware is the perfect time to set up or reorganize your home network. For many people, this is the most painful part of the tech experience. Let's face it, networking a new piece of tech you got for the holidays is the latter-day "some assembly required."
No matter what networking hardware makers tell you, setting up your home network involves more than just purchasing and plugging in a router. But that doesn't mean that it has to be a nightmare, either. You can set up a managed and centrally controlled network in a few (relatively) easy steps. You just have to know what you're doing and do it the right way.

More at: PCMag.com

Why You Should Buy Refurbished Computers

2010-12-28T09:48:00.000-08:00

"If you're afraid of buying used technology, when it comes to a factory refurb, there isn't much to fear. Here's what you need to know.
We've all had the experience of buying something expensive, getting it home, taking it out of the box, and finding that something just isn't right. Maybe it's scratched or dented. Maybe it lacks a feature you desperately wanted. Maybe the product in question just doesn't work properly. And in all of these cases, the natural thing to do is return it.
So what happens to it then?
When it comes to technology products like desktop and laptop PCs—even printers, phones, and more—unless they are beyond repair, the chances are that what you send back will ultimately end up going back on the shelves. And, it's likely you'll see it at a much better price."

More at: PCMag.com:

How to Buy a Desktop PC | Roundup | PCMag.com

2010-12-24T21:17:00.000-08:00

When buying a Desktop PC, you still need to make some choices when it comes to CPUs, memory, hard drive capacity and graphics technology. The good news is your money has never gone further.

Does your PC take so long to start up you have time to go get a cup of coffee-and drink it? Tried installing the latest game only to find out your graphics card is six generations too old to play it? Or maybe you just want to take advantage of the speed and reliability of operating systems like Microsoft Windows 7 and Snow Leopard. If any of these are true, then it is time for you to buy a new desktop PC. And we can help you do it.

Prices for desktop PCs start as low as $250 and range all the way up to $5,000, but most of us would be more than happy with an $800 box. You still need to make some choices when it comes to CPUs, memory, hard drive capacity and graphics technology, but the good news is your money has never gone further. And a PC you buy today could very well last you for four to six years.

The Nettop Option

If all you want to do is surf the Web, run Office apps, and do very light computing duties, you should consider a nettop. Nettops belong to a desktop category that comes in below the $400-500 value desktop categories, both in price and capabilities. Nettops run on the same basic components that netbooks do: low-powered single- or dual-core processor like the Intel Atom, AMD Neo, or some of the low-powered AMD Athlon X2 processors; non-upgradable integrated graphics; 512MB to 2GB of RAM; smaller hard drive; no optical drive; and Windows XP, Windows 7Starter/Home Basic, or Linux operating system.

More at: PCMag.com

Making the Most of Google Webmaster Tools

2010-12-17T10:52:00.000-08:00

"This article is an excerpt from our latest release, The SEO Business Guide. The entire chapter from which the article is drawn, along with two other chapters, is available as a free PDF download. It’s well worth checking out if you’re interested in learning more about conducting effective and best-practice SEO.
Both Google and Bing offer a webmaster dashboard that gives insights into activity by the search engine on any site that has been registered and verified via the dashboard.
These dashboards present a number of tools and insights to data unable to be gleaned by any other method. They provide the only way to gain an understanding of how the search engines “see” your site, and are the only way to identify critical crawling, indexing, and ranking issues with your site(s)."

More at: Sitepoint

Windows 7 Safe Mode – Advanced Boot Options

2010-12-16T07:33:00.000-08:00

"In the first two articles in this series, we explored how to restart your computer in Windows 7 Safe Mode when the F8 method won’t work and some of the options available to you on the Boot tab of the System Configuration window.

There are, however, some other boot options that although not technically part of Safe Mode, complement the Safe Mode options to enhance troubleshooting and diagnosing your computer. These options are found right next to the Safe Mode options.

To view these options, click on Start and then on Run. If you don’t have the Run command on your Start menu, hold down the Windows key on your keyboard and press the R key. Either method will bring up the Run dialog box. Type msconfig in the box and click the OK button."

Windows 7: The Top 10 Hidden Features | PCMag.com

2010-12-12T04:53:00.000-08:00

"There are plenty of hidden features and goodies in the depth of Windows 7. We'll tell you where to find them.

Everyone likes to find hidden stuff, whether it's loose change in the couch cushions or an Easter egg in your favorite video game. Windows 7 has its own hidden treasures. Yes, there are features and goodies to be uncovered—some obvious, some not. And you can access all of those listed here without downloading anything extra (well, mostly). Read on for 10 handy and largely-undocumented items in Windows 7 that you probably weren't aware of...and soon won't be able to live without.

More at: PCMag.com:

Google Maps Update Deals Another Blow to GPS

2010-12-08T16:53:00.000-08:00

As Google Maps for Android becomes more powerful, buying a standalone GPS device becomes harder to justify.

An update to Google Maps for Android, which will roll out in a matter of days according to the New York Times, includes 3D building images in major cities and dynamic rendering for a smoother experience while panning and zooming.

But the biggest new feature, and the one that poses the latest threat to dedicated GPS devices, is offline mapping and navigation.

Previously, Google Maps Navigation would cache a single route when you looked up directions, so if you got lost in a dead zone, Android couldn't help out. After the update, Google Maps will store maps of your most-frequently searched locations locally. Although GigaOM reports that you won't be able to look up new locations when you're offline, you will be able to get turn-by-turn guidance after navigating off-course.

Google Maps Navigation debuted in October 2009, bringing turn-by-turn voice guidance to Android phones. Nokia followed in January, and although the iPhone's Maps app doesn't have voice navigation,Mapquest 4 Mobile's free app does.

More at: PCWorld

The 50 Best iPad Apps

2010-11-29T15:05:00.000-08:00

"We've sifted through Apple's App Store to find you the best free and paid apps for Apple's iPad that will entertain, inform, and make you more productive.

Apple reinvented tablet computing with its groundbreaking iPad. Although some critics have knocked the device for being nothing more than a giant iPod touch, it has gone on to sell a whopping 4.1 million units in the last quarter alone. One of the secrets to its success may be the thousands of apps available within the Apps Store to satisfy the legions of business users and entertainment-seekers that use the iPad on a regular basis.

The sheer number of apps, unfortunately, can make it difficult for someone to find new software. Chew on this: Within the first seven days of the Apple iPad's release, over 3,000 apps appeared in the App Store—and that was in April. As a result, it may prove challenging to figure out which iPad apps are worth your time and hard-earned cash. So let us provide a helping hand."

More at PCMag.com

Top 10 Registry Tweaks that Power Up Windows

2010-11-27T12:29:00.000-08:00

"The Windows registry is a mysterious place, but if you're comfortable editing it, you have the power to tweak nearly every Windows setting you can imagine. Here are 10 of our favorite registry tweaks that make life easier.

All of these hacks work in Windows 7, even if not labeled as such. Many may work in Vista or earlier versions of Windows, but varies, so be sure to read up more on the tweak before you go meddling in Vista's registry. And, of course, be sure to make a backup of your registry before you start hacking away."

More at Lifehacker

10 iPad Apps Everyone Should Have

2010-11-08T22:28:00.000-08:00

"The first thing most people do after buying an Apple iPad is head to iTunes and start downloading apps. But with thousands to choose from, where do you start. That is easy. Start with these 10 apps. Six of them are free, so there is no commitment there. The other 4 are well worth the money, I promise.

Dazzling design aside, the iPad owes its remarkable success chiefly to the vast and varied library of applications it runs. Competitors like the Galaxy Tab fall short because they don't have an app library to match it. For the time being, HP's Slate is relying on Windows 7 massive number of apps, but that only matters to business users. For the average consumer, the AppStore is the only game in town.

I had just a couple of requirements for this list. The apps had to have wide appeal among average users. Sketch for the iPad is certainly a killer app, but if your artistic abilities are like mine--the word "limited" comes to mind--it is useless to you. Likewise, the Bloomberg iPad App is the best way to track your investments, but after a year with unemployment at 10%, precious few of us have those anymore. When I say these apps are essential for every man, woman and child, I mean it. And if you think you don't need to download Angry Birds, you've never played it."

More at: PCMag.com:

Ebook Go-To Guide | PCMag.com

2010-11-01T14:39:00.000-07:00

This primer covers the current ebook ecosystem, from the hardware to the software to where to shop for freebies and best sellers.

Once upon a time—like two years ago—electronic books (ebooks) were strictly for die-hard bibliophiles, those dedicated enough to spend extra time in front of a computer screen to read a book on the cheap, or to make an investment in an over-priced ebook reader. In the last year, apps for mobile phones and an explosion of ever-cheaper ebook hardware has changed all that, creating a hugely competitive ebook market. In the first eight months of 2010, ebooks made up 9 percent of total consumer book sales, according to the Association of American Publishers (AAP), and Amazon now sells more ebooks than hardcovers.

It should come as no surprise that, spurred by this growth and the fact that downloading a books is cheaper than printing and shipping, book sellers want more ebook readers out there to facilitate selling more ebooks. Prices are being slashed regularly on the big name readers, such as Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook. Hardware is getting great updates (like long overdue Wi-Fi support), and software apps are evolving constantly to improve not only the ebook reading experience but the process of shopping for ebooks, as well.In this story, I'll cover just about every aspect of the ebook world that exists today for consumers—the stores, the readers (both hardware and software), and other things you may not have considered (hint: where to find free books).

If you've been unable to decide which reader is right for you, or if you already have one, this guide may help simplify your purchasing and/or make your reading experience more pleasurable.

Read more at: Ebook Go-To Guide | PCMag.com

Two Monitors in Every Office

2010-10-31T17:05:00.000-07:00

Via Steve Bass - Techbite

I added a second monitor years ago and it was sweller than swell. Click a link in an e-mail on the right monitor and watch it appear in the browser on the left monitor. Besides watching my productivity increase (I say that for you business types), it felt wildly cool seeing two screens at once.

If you didn't realize, I like cool things.

But my gut said, "If two's good, three's got to be better." It is.

That's because with three, I'm on the middle screen, writing in Word, doing research in a browser on another screen, and trying out the app I'm reviewing in on the third window. Or if Judy's not around, watching a movie.

Once you get used to spending money for the equipment, believe me, adding a second, third, or even fourth screen isn't difficult.

Okay, that's the setup. Here's how to do it.

The Nuts, Bolts, and Details

In less time than it takes for your system to boot up, you can install a second or third monitor. (Actually, you can string together as many as six of them; more in a sec.)

Most PCs have video adapters -- either built into the motherboard, or a separate video adapter add-in card -- and have two monitor ports. The ports are generally two DVI or VGA connectors, or maybe one of each. (Of course, if you're on the forefront of technology, you probably have the even better HDMI; I'm jealous.)

VGA and DVI ports

So adding a second monitor is straightforward: Turn off your PC, connect the cable that comes with the monitor to the second port on the video adapter, and boot. XP and Win 7 will spot the new monitor and talk you through the setup steps. Microsoft has a tutorial that explains how it works.

But I'm thinking that many of you don't want to crawl under the desk with all the dust and schmutz to find the second video adapter port. So I have an alternative, a nifty one, too.

All you need is a spare USB port and StarTech.com's Professional High Resolution USB DVI External Dual or Multi Monitor Video Adapter (USB2DVIPRO). You can use it to save crawling under the desk to attach a second monitor. And like me, you can have a third monitor without the struggle of opening your computer's case to add a another internal video adapter.

Flying high with three monitors.

Installing the StarTech device is a five-minute operation. Install the drivers, attach the monitor's cable into the gizmo, plug it into a USB port, and you're in business. (Okay, yes, if your only free USB port is on the back of the computer, you'll need to wiggle your way to its location.)

The USB2DVIPRO device is rated for a super-high 1920 x 1200 resolution. Amazon sells it for under $100.

StarTech has a another model, the USB2DVIE2, that's rated for 1680 x 1050 resolution, more than adequate for most of us, and it sells for about $50 on Amazon.

StarTech's USB DVI video adapter

If you have extra USB ports -- and extra moolah -- you can connect up to four StarTech adapters on your PC. With the two connected to your PC's video adapter, you can act like a super day trader with six monitors.

Sure, you're saying, the image must be lousy and the display refresh rate -- if it refreshes -- will be slower than a '386 booting Windows 3.1.

Wrong and wrong. It's like plugging directly into your PC's video adapter. And if I didn't know, I couldn't tell which monitor was attached to the StarTech.

No, I didn't test it with a notebook or 64-bit operating system, and I don't own a memory- or graphic-intensive video game, so I don't have those answers for you. But I was fine with the refresh and images and resolution for the dozens of apps I run, online games, and for playing videos.

Subscribe to Steve's Newsletter at TechBite

Keep Your PC Awake, Install Apps Fast, and More . . . for Free

2010-10-30T08:50:00.000-07:00

Are you upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7 or buying a new PC? In both cases, you face the same tedious chore: reinstalling all your apps. That means digging out a bunch of CDs and/or downloading programs from various sites, then installing them one at a time. I don't know about you, but I can think of better ways to spend several hours.

The Ninite Web site creates a custom software installer with all the freeware and open-source apps you want. Just choose from the dozens of available programs--everything from AVG Anti-Virus Free and Dropbox to OpenOffice.org and uTorrent--and the service builds an installer that will download and load them all.

Once you start the installer, you can sit back and relax: Ninite automates the entire process, meaning you don't have to sit around clicking Next a bunch of times. Even better, Ninite automatically chooses the proper version of each program--32- or 64-bit--and eliminates any toolbars that might try to sneak in during installation.

I love this service. I've used it several times on new PCs, and it saves time like you wouldn't believe. Bookmark it.

More at PC World

Flash Drive 101: Copying Files, Removing Viruses

2010-10-30T08:07:00.000-07:00

Learn some basic flash-drive survival skills, like how to copy files to a USB drive and protect a drive from viruses.

The other day, my wife asked me how to copy a PowerPoint presentation to a flash drive so she could take it with her to school. I was a little shocked. My very own wife doesn't know how to do this? I've failed as a husband!

To make sure I don't fail you, dear readers, allow me to explain the process of copying files to flash drives. Most of you probably know how, but I'll wager it's a mystery to at least some users.

There are two basic ways to go about this (both of which start with you plugging the drive into a USB port).

First, you can open the document in whatever program you used to create it--Word, PowerPoint, etc.--then save that document to the flash drive by way of the Save As command. Basically, you're rerouting it to the drive . . .

More at PC World

How to Buy a Video Card

2010-10-20T15:44:00.000-07:00

A discrete video card is a must for games, but will boost the performance of other applications as well. You can find one that matches your needs and your budget as long as you keep in mind these few simple things.

Let's face it: Most of the time people buy a video card (also known as a graphics card) for a non-business PC, it's to play games. Oh sure, discrete video cards may offer additional benefits with video playback or transcoding (and, increasingly, Web browsing), but who are we fooling? The main reason discrete video remains such a huge and fiercely competitive market is because, when it comes to playing games that don't come from PopCap or Big Fish, integrated graphics just don't cut it.
The ugly truth about buying a discrete card can be summed up in five sad words: The more expensive, the better. There's almost no way around the fact that the more money you're willing to drop on a video card, the better your gaming experience will be. So if you have $700 (or more—and yes, that is possible) to drop on a video card, you're going to be buying yourself an outstanding gaming experience, even if the rest of your computer isn't so special.

More at PC Mag

10 Ways to Watch TV and Movies on Your Apple iPad

2010-10-16T07:53:00.000-07:00

The iPad's big screen and long battery life make it the perfect gadget for watching TV and movies. Here are the 10 best ways to do just that.
When it was first released, many called the Apple iPad, "a big iPod touch." That's debatable, but it does describe one of the best things about the iPad: its big, bright 9.7-inch screen makes it ideal for movie and TV watching. Throw in the iPad's robust battery life and obvious portability, and you've got a top-notch on-the-go entertainment device.

Plenty of developers and media companies have figured this out, so there has been a steady stream of new ways to watch TV and movies on your iPad that don't involve iTunes. Some, like Netflix and Hulu, are apps that you download, while others are iPad-optimized sites that help you find and watch the best TV and movies the Web has to offer. If you want to watch TV and movies from your own collection, there are apps for that, and there are even products that let you watch live TV on your tablet.

More at: PC Magazine

Essential Guide to Online Banking Protection

2010-10-13T06:29:00.000-07:00

As the use of virus attacks to target online bank accounts by cyber criminals increase, it is important that online banking customers know how to protect their accounts from malicious programs such as viruses and trojan attacks. Only recently there was a report about a ‘trojan’ virus which was described as ‘the most sophisticated and dangerous malware program ever created’ by security experts. Like other online attacks, the program operated discretely by secretly emptying customer accounts while showing them fake statements so that the scam was undetected.

However, the following measures can be taken to ensure that your computer remains secured so that online transactions can be made in a safe and secure environment.

- Keep your firewalls set to the highest level of security possible.
- Ensure that your anti-virus software is operational and up to date.
- Never open an e-mail attachment from people you do not know and scan with anti-virus, if you must.
- Never double-click on an e-mail attachment that ends in .exe as this denotes that the file is an ‘executable’ file which has the potential of harming your computer.
- If you suspect that you are already a victim of an Internet banking scam, contact your bank immediately. Banks will normally reimburse genuine victims of online banking fraud.

Reader comments . . .

- Pretty obvious, but make sure you log-off if you’re on a public computer.
- Don’t set your password to something obvious you can find in your Facebook or personal homepage.
- Don’t assume if someone calls you and says they’re from your bank, it’s true.. same with text messages.. this is actually a pretty sneaky trick they’re doing nowadays
- I think most online banking sites are fairly secure these days. Just make sure to read what each site offers to make sure your banking is secure. I would avoid doing online banking from wireless locations as well.

More at: TechSling|Home

How to Buy a Wireless Modem

2010-09-30T18:03:00.000-07:00

Why limit your on-the-go Web surfing to hot spots when you can get online almost anywhere with a cellular modem or MiFi-style hotspot? Here's how to pick the right service and device to bring mobile broadband to your laptop.

It's an exciting time to get Internet on the go. Less-expensive 3G service plans and new 4G networks are making wireless cellular modems faster and more affordable than ever. In many cases, you don't even need to sign a contract.

Wireless modems aren't just for PCs any more, either. Many connections will work other gadgets too, like your iPod Touch or iPad. (They can even turn those devices into phones, with the right voice-over-IP software.) Depending on your hardware, plan and usage, you'll pay anywhere from $20 to $60 a month for nationwide connectivity at speeds of up to 6Mbps, which is as fast as some cable connections. Here's what you need to know to pick the right service and hardware . . .

More at: PC Mag

Convert PAL DVD for PC Playback

2010-09-28T15:24:00.000-07:00

Sam asks, "How do I convert a PAL DVD made in Europe to NTSC?"

I've experimented with a handful of ways to convert PAL format video to NTSC, with none of them yielding perfect results. If you have a friend in Europe who sends you a DVD created in the PAL format, you might have problems playing it back if you don't either have a DVD player with PAL support or a computer that knows how to playback PAL format content. One way around this is to convert the PAL DVD to either a digital file on your PC or converting the file to an NTSC compatible DVD.

Making a PAL Video File

The easy solution to your problem is to simply convert the PAL DVD to a digital file on your computer. While there are rules about DVD drives supporting multiple regions or both NTSC and PAL, software doesn't care what format a digital file is in, it simply plays the file.

To convert the PAL DVD to a file, you need VLC Player. You can download VLC Player here.

More at Jake Ludington's Digital Lifestyle: Convert PAL DVD for PC Playback

How to Pick the Right TV Tuner for Your DIY DVR

2010-09-08T17:32:00.000-07:00

You can pay a monthly fee to your cable provider for a time-shifting DVR, but if you prefer control and flexibility to DRM and, well, that monthly fee, you can roll your own DVR with a TV tuner for your PC.

So you've set up a geeky media center that non-geeks can actually use, but you still have a separate method for watching and recording live TV. If you'd like to consolidate your devices, a TV tuner is the perfect add-on for your media center. We've briefly discussed TV tuners before, but the state of modern television can make the buying process a little overwhelming. There is no one-size-fits all solution to buying one, so we've created this guide to sorting out whether a TV tuner is right for you, and how to go about buying the right one.

More at Lifehacker

How to Buy a Netbook

2010-09-02T15:06:00.000-07:00

Netbook makers are including more features, bigger screens and keyboards, and faster parts. We walk you through the latest trends and tell you what features really matter in a netbook.

The first batch of netbook to hit the scene was greeted with awe and surprise. That tiny laptops, which were once sold at a premium, could be had for half the price of a typical system seemed incredible. Since then, the stakes have risen and the competition grown fiercer. Netbook makers are including more features, bigger screens and keyboards, and faster parts—all while slashing prices like a Walmart special. These devices, which are popping up in more and more households, are also becoming increasingly popular among small business professionals and college students who are about to head back to school.

More at PC Mag

Turn Your Apple iPad into an iPhone—Free!

2010-08-26T13:17:00.000-07:00

It won't cost you a penny to add voice calls and texting to Apple's tablet with these five apps.
The Apple iPad performs several functions with aplomb—it's a wonderful media player, Web surfing device, and, thanks to a deep apps catalog, it can become an e-book reader, gaming system, or a myriad other devices much like the iPhone 4. There's one task that the iPad can't do out of the box that the iPhone 4 can: place calls and send texts. But even those functionalities are within reach if you download the right apps, some of which are designed with iPad in mind and others of which were originally designed for the iPhone.

More at PC Mag

Install All Your Favorite Freeware in One Fell Swoop - PCWorld

2010-08-16T21:40:00.000-07:00

Are you upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7 or buying a new PC? In both cases, you face the same tedious chore: reinstalling all your apps.

That means digging out a bunch of CDs and/or downloading programs from various sites, then installing them one at a time. I don't know about you, but I can think of better ways to spend several hours.

Ninite creates a custom software installer with all the freeware and open-source apps you want. Just choose from the dozens of available programs--everything from AVG Free Anti-Virus and Dropbox to OpenOffice and uTorrent--and the service builds an installer that will download and load them all.

More at PC World

Windows Tip: DIY Repair Disc

2010-08-04T07:25:00.000-07:00

A few months back I explained how Windows 7 users can use built-in tools to create a system-repair disc--an important step to take given that few PCs these days come with one. A reader who uses Vista wrote to ask how he can accomplish the same thing. (Stop snickering. Plenty of people use Vista, and a few of them even like it.)

The answer to your question, Dom, is another question: Have you been good about installing Windows updates? Because when Microsoft released Vista Service Pack 1 back in 2008, it included a recovery-disc builder very similar to the one bundled with Windows 7. To see if you have it, select Start, All Programs, Maintenance, Create a Recovery Disc. Then just follow the instructions.

If for some reason you don't have SP1 or can't find the tool, try NeoSmart's Windows Vista Recovery Disc, which is available in both 32- and 64-bit versions.

And what about XP users? Your best bet is UBCD4Win, a free boot-CD creator that provides a wide variety of tools for repairing Windows.

Whatever tool you use, don't put off using it. You just never know when something will get fouled up on your PC, leaving you with no way to access your programs and data. A bootable repair disc can really save the day

More at PC World

Laptop Tips: Add RAM, Recycle a Hard Drive, Tweak Power Settings

2010-07-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

Learn how to add memory to a laptop, turn an old laptop drive into external storage, and use your laptop's power settings most effectively.

It's been almost a year since I served up some nice, hot laptop tips (see "Laptop Q&A: Power Off Quickly, Fix Sticky Keys")--and that's inexcusable. I'll make it up to you this week with some useful advice on adding memory to a laptop, turning an old laptop hard disc into an external drive, and using your laptop's power settings effectively.

Add RAM to a Laptop
So my dad was griping that his Acer Aspire 9300 laptop takes forever to boot. I inspected it for spyware, excessive startup programs, and the other usual suspects, but everything checked out.

More at PCWorld

Top 10 USB Thumb Drive Tricks

2010-07-15T07:13:00.000-07:00

What can you do with a few gigabytes and a USB port? Quite a lot, with the right software. Learn how to encrypt your work, run whole systems, rescue Windows, and customize your thumb drive with these USB-geared tricks.

10. Give Your Drive a Custom Icon
An "oldie" but goodie. If you use multiple USB drives, or just want to make your USB drive more recognizable at a glance, you can give it a custom icon. The root of the trick is keeping a .ico file on the drive—you can create one from any image with any number of tools, including the ConvertIcon webapp. Now when you plug in your USB drive, you'll know which one you're looking at on your desktop and explorer windows.

More at Lifehacker

Terrific Media Tools: Boxee and GrooveSelect

2010-07-08T07:40:00.000-07:00

"Stream video content to your PC with Boxee, and play your favorite songs right away with GrooveSelect. Let's take a look at another media-related tool this week: Boxee, a free download that streams video content from Hulu, Netflix, and TV networks. I've also run across a fun little program that lets you play any song you want, instantly".

More at PC World

Make YouTube Jump Through Hoops

2010-06-30T17:16:00.000-07:00

Make a YouTube video start at your favorite part, default to high-def playback, leave out related videos, and more.

Download YouTube Videos for Offline Viewing
Ever wish you could watch that piano-playing cat at 35,000 feet? Alas, YouTube requires a live Internet connection, and Wi-Fi is still pretty hard to find in the friendly skies. Fortunately, you can download YouTube videos to your PC for anytime, anywhere viewing, no Internet required.

There are countless ways to "rip" YouTube vids, but I'm partial to Keep Tube. It's available as both a Firefox extension and a browser bookmarklet, the latter compatible with Chrome, Internet Explorer, and so on.

What's more, Keep Tube works with not only YouTube, but also CollegeHumor, Facebook, Google Video, Metacafe, and countless other sites.

More at: PC World

How To Buy Video Editing Software Roundup | PCMag.com

2010-06-24T10:02:00.000-07:00

Whether it's home movies from your phone or slick HD productions, these video editing apps will help you get the most out of your video clips.
If you can shoot video, you need video-editing software. And chances are, you've got something that shoots video. It's not just expensive digital camcorder that can shoot great digital video; digital cameras and even some cell phones can now record HD video. And with the rise of cool little dedicated devices like our Editors' Choice Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera, along with the Sony Bloggie MHS-PM5, and Cisco Flip SlideHD HD recording is simpler and more fun than ever. But, as anyone who's ever had to sit through friends and family's unedited clips knows, even the highest quality unedited video can be painful to watch. That's where video-editing software comes in.

More at: PCMag.com

Make Windows leaner, cleaner and faster

2010-06-07T15:33:00.000-07:00

Here's the shocking truth: dubious default settings, wrong configurations and wasteful processes are sapping many of your PC's valuable resources. And what's to blame? Windows.
Windows is deceptive. After you've installed it, the OS happily connects to the internet, downloads all the necessary drivers, configures itself and there you go – one stable PC all ready to roll. It couldn't be easier or more convenient.

Read more: Make Windows leaner, cleaner and faster | News | TechRadar UK

Five Best Computer Diagnostic Tools

2010-05-31T21:02:00.000-07:00

Computers are easier to use and more dependable with each new generation of hardware and operating system update, but that doesn't mean they're problem-free. Here's a look at the five most popular tools for troubleshooting your computer problems.

Photo a composite of images by jimrhoda and Axonite.

Earlier this week we asked you to share your favorite diagnostic tool. Below, we've rounded up the top five answers, and now we're back to highlight the most popular computer diagnostic tools among Lifehacker readers.

More at Lifehacker

How to Buy a GPS Roundup | PCMag.com

2010-05-28T12:44:00.000-07:00

"It's a great time to buy a GPS. The category has matured and competition from nav-equipped smartphones has helped drive prices way down. As a result, you can get a capable stand-alone GPS that can do much more than just help you find your way for a lot less than you would have paid just last year. Still, there are several factors to consider when choosing the right GPS: Do I need a big display? Should I spring for a live traffic subscription? How about voice control? Should I even bother with a GPS, or can I just use my phone? Here's what you should consider when navigating the GPS market."

More at PCMag How to Buy a GPS

Simple Travel Photography

2010-05-26T09:39:00.000-07:00

"I am not a professional photographer, but I do share the same goal as a lot of travelers who tend to be amateur photographers: take good pictures that capture the mood of the people or atmosphere of the location in a unique and interesting way. I have taken a few courses in my life and many bad photos. I once attended a National Geographic Seminar on photography. The host, a true, professional photographer of the highest talent, made all the attendees feel better about our skills after informing us that many a professional photographer takes a heap of bad photos to get that one photo that is great enough to grace the pages of the world-renowned magazine. I have taken some of the tips I’ve learned from my courses, books, magazines and websites to come up with this simple list of how to compose some decent photographs. Of course, these tips won’t necessarily get you into the pages of a magazine, but perhaps you’ll be proud enough of the results to share your photos with your friends. Here are the tips ….."

More at BrilliantTips

FixWin One-Click Repairs Over Fifty Windows Annoyances

2010-04-21T08:34:00.000-07:00

"FixWin One-Click Repairs Over Fifty Windows Annoyances
Windows 7 & Vista: When something goes wrong in Windows, especially something maddening like the recycle bin vanishing or thumbnails failing to build properly, it's extremely frustrating. FixWin is a portable application that puts one-click repairs at your finger tips."

More at Lifehacker

How to Backup your Gmail Account Online

2010-04-20T09:12:00.000-07:00

"If you want to backup your emails from Gmail to the local computer, enable POP3 access in your Gmail settings and then use a desktop mail client to download a copy of all your messages from the Google cloud to the local disk. That’s easy!

Windows Live Mail, Outlook and Thunderbird are some nice email clients that can automatically and easily bring your entire archive of Gmail messages offline.

Why you should backup Gmail to the cloud?

If you are not a huge fan of desktop applications or if you think that setting up a Gmail backup plan involves way too much effort, you can consider creating a backup of your Gmail account in the cloud itself. Before we get into the details, here are three situations where an online backup of Gmail messages will come handy:

Reason #1 – If your main Gmail account gets hacked (it happened to me), you will still have access to all your previous emails."

More at Digital Inspiration

Tech Euphemisms: What Those Error Messages Really Mean

2010-04-06T09:08:00.000-07:00

Our devices often tell us of our dumb user errors in comically understated terms. ('Please insert a readable CD in the drive.') What would they sound like if they just gave it to us straight?

More at PCWorld

How to Buy an LCD Monitor - Reviews

2010-04-01T17:13:00.000-07:00

Whether you're looking for a cheap LCD monitor or a high-end display, we walk you through the latest market trends and help you find your perfect monitor.

The monitor you are using right now probably came bundled with your desktop PC. Since you spend a huge part of everyday looking at it, however, it pays to be picky when picking a LCD monitor. Price ranges vary widely, as do the quality of the panels. So how can you make an informed choice? Start buying reading this Buying Guide. We will walk you through the latest trends in the display market, as well as the specific features to look for when buying an LCD monitor."

More at PC Magazine

Bring Your Middle Mouse Button to Life - PCWorld

2010-03-17T06:59:00.000-07:00

Take a close look at your mouse. Chances are good it has at least three buttons: left, right, and middle. (Note: Your middle button might be your scroll wheel, which on most mice is clickable.) I've already talked about getting the most from your mouse, but this week I thought I'd home in on the middle button.

Why would I want to do that? Well, I just took an informal poll of about ten people, and guess how many of them actually use that middle button? A grand total of one. One! People, people, people...

More at PCWorld

New PC? Move programs, files & settings easily

2010-03-14T12:11:00.000-07:00

New PC? Move programs, files & settings easily
(ARA) - Now that Windows 7 is out, it's a great time to buy a new PC. Buying a new computer is exciting: the latest technology will give you more computing speed, stability, and enjoyment. But you can't enjoy that new computer without all the stuff that's on your old one - like e-mail, address books, Internet favorites, tax files, music, videos and pictures. And what about all your programs?

More here: New PC? Move programs, files & settings easily

How to Find and Follow the Best Twitter Users

2010-02-27T08:17:00.000-08:00

Tired of following people who don't know who the heck you are and don't interact with you? Forget Twitter's Suggested User List and try these methods.
Mitch Wagner, Computerworld

I hit a Twitter landmark today. As I write this, I'm following precisely 1,000 people. It's taken me more than three years to get to this point. I've tried various strategies to decide who to follow. Let me tell you about the methods I'm using now, which seem to be working well.

More at PCWorld

How to Buy PC Speakers

2010-02-18T16:54:00.000-08:00

Don't settle for anemic audio from your computer—pump it up with new speakers. Here's how to find the right set.

"Tired of the sad sound coming from your computer? Buying PC speakers should be relatively painless, but to get the most bang for your buck, you should analyze your needs before pulling out your wallet. Options run the gamut from super-cheap, space-saving stereo speakers that sound just okay to pricey, bass-infused powerhouses that deliver loud, thumping beats. Since music lovers, movie addicts, and gamers have different sound agendas, first we'll explore the key points everyone should consider."

More here: How to Buy PC Speakers - Reviews by PC Magazine

Top 10 Google Settings You Should Know About

2010-02-15T10:51:00.000-08:00

As the outcry over Google Buzz's privacy has shown us, it's smart to explore settings in Gmail, along with other places you're sharing data with the search giant. Let's take a look at 10 privacy, convenience, and annoyance fixers you should know.

More at Google settings - Lifehacker

PC Maintenance: What Tasks When?

2010-02-10T12:39:00.000-08:00

Ruption18 asked the Answer Line forum what regular chores will keep his PC healthy. Back in December, I recommended ways to remind yourself to do regular PC maintenance tasks. But I neglected to discuss the actual tasks.

Here they are:

Daily: Backup your data. You don't want to lose yesterday's work anymore than you want to lose last week's, so your documents, pictures, and application data should be backed up daily. For details, see 7 Backup Strategies for Your Data, Multimedia, and System Files, and consider one of the first three strategies.

Weekly: Scan for malware . . . .

More at PCWorld: PC Maintenance

Lab Testing Antivirus Software

2010-02-04T11:34:00.000-08:00

Not everyone wants or needs an entire prefab security suite. At the very least, however, you've got to run antivirus software; we've got reviews of eight antivirus apps (including some free antivirus software) that can protect you against some of the Internet's nastiest malware."

Reviews by PC Magazine

Transform Windows XP into Windows Seven

2010-02-04T06:54:00.000-08:00

Here's a very simple and easy way to transform your XP into a Windows Se7en.

1. Go to JCXP.net and download the Seven Transformation Pack (STP). The alternate download links are here and here.

2. Install Seven Tranformation Pack in your Windows XP. There are two installation methods available: the manual and the automatic which requires no user intervention. Choose the method that's comfortable to you.

3. When done, you will see your Windows XP having a brand new look. Start the Windows 7 experience right away without having to upgrade your XP.

Via COOLBUSTER.net

Free Tools for Fine-Tuning Your Windows 7 Setup

2010-01-14T07:48:00.000-08:00

Last week I told you how to migrate to Windows 7 at your own pace--there's no need to jump into the deep end right away. Now that you've got Windows 7 up and running on your newly partitioned, dual-boot PC, it's time for the next big step in any OS migration: reinstalling your software.

More at PC World

Make the Most of Your New PC

2010-01-03T08:58:00.000-08:00

Unlike most electronic devices, which you can plug in and use instantly, PCs—particularly those with Windows—need some adjustment before they're ready for everyday use."

Make the Most of Your New PC - Reviews by PC Magazine

How the New Facebook Privacy Settings Work

2009-12-24T11:34:00.000-08:00

Yes, big changes have come to Facebook, but not quite this profound. You should have noticed by now prominent notifications that privacy settings on the social network have changed. The major changes are:

> You can control who does and doesn't have access to every item you post. The major settings you can make are "Everyone," "Friends" and "Friends of Friends" but you can include and exclude specific names.

> Regional networks (cities, countries, etc.) have been eliminated. Many became so large the lost their usefulness.

> Certain information about all users is now publicly available. This may be more information than you previously had available to complete strangers.

> Facebook apps and outside sites that use the Facebook API can only access information that you've made accessible to Everyone (unless you grant them greater access).

More from PC Mag How the New Facebook Privacy Settings Work - Security Watch

Make the Most of Your Middle Mouse Button, Part 2 - PC World

2009-12-16T17:01:00.000-08:00

"Many scroll wheels also double as middle mouse buttons. As I mentioned yesterday, few users know the power of their mouse's middle button (which on many mice is also the scroll wheel). That's why I'm devoting this week to our good friend 'Middy' and its unsung abilities.

Yesterday, for example, you learned that clicking Middy on any open browser tab closes it immediately--even if it's a tab that's not currently visible."

More at PC World

Review: Quick & Simple CD/DVD Burning in XP

2009-12-11T07:31:00.001-08:00

Windows XP has built-in functionality to burn CDs:

Insert a blank CD-R or CD-RW into the drive.
When the drive options window appears, select Open writable CD folder and click OK.
Drag and drop the files you wish to burn to the CD folder.
In the task bar to the left, click Write these files to CD, label the CD, then click Next to burn the files.

DVD burning is not native to Windows XP. To burn a DVD, refer to the documentation for your DVD burning software, such as Roxio CD Creator or Nero.

The Computer Maintenance Flash Drive

2009-12-09T07:31:00.001-08:00

"In Applications on a Flash Drive, I mentioned that I keep a flash drive with portable diagnostic tools I use for fixing friends' and relatives' PCs. Andy Ludlum asked what programs I keep on that flash drive.
I'm glad you asked. It gave me an excuse to update some of these programs and look for better alternatives.
All the programs here are portable--meaning you don't have to install them to run them. They're also all free for personal use, but not necessarily for professional use. If you're charging people for your computer repair services, check the license for each program you use and see if you have to pay for it."

More at PC World

7 Windows 7 Printer Installation Tips - Reviews by PC Magazine

2009-12-02T16:37:00.000-08:00

7 Windows 7 Printer Installation Tips - Reviews by PC Magazine: "7 Windows 7 Printer Installation Tips
11.23.09
Getting your printer or MFP to run in Windows 7 will be easy if your printer is new, but older models may require troubleshooting. Here's our expert advice."

avast! Free Antivirus 5.0 beta - Full Review - Reviews by PC Magazine

2009-11-26T08:38:00.000-08:00

avast! Free Antivirus 5.0 beta - Full Review - Reviews by PC Magazine: "Prague-based ALWIL Software has offered 'Free antivirus for everyone' for ages. The company started in 1991, and their core product dates back to 1988. With around 100 million users, ALWIL provides the security software that protects a substantial fraction of all consumer PCs worldwide. avast! Free Antivirus 5.0 (free, direct), currently in beta, has a totally new appearance and offers significantly enhanced protection against malware"

Migrating to Windows 7: Final Touches

2009-11-18T08:28:00.000-08:00

"Now that we've installed Windows 7 on a new partition, it's time to copy over iTunes files and important data. For the past month or so, I've been leisurely migrating to Windows 7--at my own pace. If you've been following along, thus far we've partitioned the hard drive and installed Windows 7 on a new partition, and then used a couple free programs to install favorite apps and copy over Firefox bookmarks. This week I'll show you how to finish up the process by migrating your Apple iTunes library and copying over your data.

Move Your iTunes Library
Copying over your iTunes library is a drag-and-drop procedure, though it may take some time . . . ."

More at PC World

You're Backing Up Your Data the Wrong Way

2009-11-17T06:00:00.000-08:00

Time and time again, people tell me that they've bought an external hard drive to back up their pictures, music, and documents. Great, right? Sadly, that's not always the case.

There's one simple rule about backups that everybody needs to fully understand: Your files should exist in at least Two places, or it's no longer a backup—and your data is at risk. Too often people delete the files from their primary PC, assuming they are backed up.

It's time to educate people on proper backup strategy, so we'll run through your options and talk about the pros and cons. These days, you've got plenty of choices on the Windows side of things, Mac users have Time Machine, and there's online backup for anybody.

More at Lifehacker

Add Real Folder Monitoring to iTunes 9 - PC World

2009-09-16T08:17:00.000-07:00

"Uh, remember yesterday when I called iTunes 9 out for failing to add folder monitoring? Well, it turns out I was wrong. Sort of.

See, if you peek inside C:\Users\[Your Username]\iTunes\iTunes Music, you'll find a new addition: a folder called Automatically Add to iTunes."

More at PC World

Use Dropbox for More Than Just File Syncing

2009-09-14T15:36:00.000-07:00

Dropbox, at its core, is a simple file synchronization utility that stores your data in the cloud and makes it accessible across Windows, Mac, and Linux machines—or via the web interface from any browser. What sets Dropbox apart from other file syncing tools is that changes are nearly instantaneous, uploads are blazing fast, and it just works.

Dropbox doesn't have to be limited to simply syncing your documents, photos, and music, however—with the proper setup you can completely synchronize your digital life across any PC.

More at Lifehacker

50 expert tips to make your PC faster | TechRadar UK

2009-08-10T11:18:00.000-07:00

Speed up your PC without paying for upgrades.

1. Optimize your Hardware
2. Windows Tweaks
3. Application Tweaks

More at TechRadar

Laptop Q&A: Power Off Quickly, Fix Sticky Keys - PC World

2009-08-05T09:54:00.000-07:00

What do you do when your laptop won't turn off? And how can you fix sticky, broken keys? Here's the problem: "I have a Dell Studio Laptop. When I turn off my computer, the Power button light stays on and blinks. The only way I can stop it from blinking is to disconnect the battery and then connect it again. Please help."

I have a pretty good idea what's happening here. Shawn's using the Studio's Power button to shut down, but it's actually putting the system into Standby mode. That would explain the blinking LED. There are two easy fixes for this . . .

More at PC World

Some versions of Windows 7 worth it, others not!

2009-07-20T11:34:00.000-07:00

With the arrival of Windows 7's release to manufacturing (RTM) imminent, our inbox is teeming with questions about the next version of every PC user's favorite whipping boy. You need to make a few key decisions to ensure that you pick the Windows 7 version that best meets your needs.

Read more at Windows Secrets

Banish Start-Up Errors

2009-07-15T06:07:00.000-07:00

"Hassle-Free PC reader Randy is suffering from a vexing problem. Each time he boots his PC, he gets a pop-up Internet Explorer window with this message:

'Cannot find 'File:///'. Make sure the path or internet address is correct.'

I feel your pain, Randy. Stuff like this can be seriously annoying. My guess is that you recently installed or uninstalled a program that Windows is looking for--but can't find--during startup.

What you need is some kind of startup monitor that will show you everything that's trying to run during the boot process, so you can determine which Internet Explorer-related item is the offender--and then disable it.

If you're reasonably tech-savvy, I recommend Autoruns, a free utility hosted on Microsoft's TechNet site"

More at PC World:

A Violent Virus Cure?

2009-06-30T20:19:00.000-07:00

"Q: I have heard of people throwing out their hard drives because of virus infections. Why not zap the hard drive with an electromagnetic videotape bulk eraser, then format and reload the operating system? Works for me....— Ann

A: It's never reasonable to throw out a drive because of a virus infestation. If you're frustrated enough to wipe everything and start fresh, you can do so without any special hardware. A product like the free DBAN (Darik's Boot And Nuke) will overwrite the entire disk multiple times, wiping out all data to military standards. You create a floppy disk or CD of DBAN on a clean system and boot the to-be-wiped system from it. DBAN then thoroughly wipes the drive's data.

A different problem arises when the drive is actually nonfunctional. Your data is still on it, and conceivably a forensics expert could recover it. If the data is sensitive enough for this to be a worry, you can solve your problem the old-fashioned way: Take the drive out to the garage and whack it . . . "

A Violent Virus Cure? - Solutions by PC Magazine:

Back Up Your Windows XP Service Packs

2009-06-24T09:06:00.001-07:00

If you're running Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or even Service Pack 3, what happens if you have to perform a system recovery using your original XP CD? Hassles, that's what.

Reader Ralph recently experienced that exact scenario, resulting in an awful lot of Windows Updating after the installation. That's because the old CD doesn't have all the patches and updates you've downloaded over the years. It could take hours or even days to re-download and reinstall all that extra stuff, during which time your PC is more vulnerable to viruses and outside attacks. (A lot of those patches tackle security issues.)

Consequently, Ralph wanted to know if there was some way to back up the Windows Service Packs so he wouldn't be in the same boat next time.

There is--you can download the Service Packs as standalone installers directly from Microsoft (here's SP3, for example)--but I propose a different solution: slipstreaming.

Slipstreaming is the process of combining your existing Windows XP CD and the latest Service Pack into a new CD. When you're done, you can install Windows XP with SP3 outright.

This is easier to accomplish than you might think, provided you've got your original CD and the aforementioned standalone Service Pack. However, I'm not going to repeat the details here; check out Lincoln Spector's "Slipstreaming Service Pack 2 on an Old Windows XP CD." Just substitute SP3 for SP2 and you're golden.

More at PC Mag

Pry Loose Stubborn Programs

2009-05-29T08:39:00.001-07:00

My first strategy in getting rid of an unwanted, but impossible-to-uninstall program is straightforward and usually successful: Reinstall the application and then remove it using Revo Uninstaller. If that works, cool, you're already home free; crack open a beer and celebrate.

Unfortunately, reinstalling the app isn't always possible. One reason could be that the program took a nose dive the first time you installed it, maybe stopping midway. If it left bits of detritus on your PC, the junk easily confuses the installation program, an app that's usually not very smart as it is. So you might see the program's icon in the Start menu, but you get an error message when trying to run it.

Start by running Microsoft's Windows Installer CleanUp Utility. If the program you're having trouble with was installed using Windows Installer, the Cleanup Utility will list the program; select it to clean up remaining parts of the incomplete or faulty installation program. The Cleanup Utility won't do any harm . . . . . .

I Bought a Corrupt iTunes File--How Do I Fix It?

2009-05-14T12:37:00.001-07:00

If you download a lot of files on iTunes, particularly videos, eventually you're bound to get a corrupt file that can't finish downloading. As a fix, iTunes might prompt you to "Check for Available Downloads" under the Store menu, but chances are this will only redownload the corrupt file, sticking you with something you paid for that doesn't play. The solution? Easy. On a Mac, go to Users\User\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Downloads. In the Downloads folder, you'll find the TMP folder for the corrupt file—delete it. Then click on Check for Available Downloads: iTunes will download a fresh, uncorrupted file, and you'll get your money's worth. On a PC, it's basically the same drill. For Windows XP, the folder path is: Documents and Settings\User\My Documents\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Downloads. In Vista, it's Users\User\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Downloads.

via PC Mag

Clear DNS Cache in XP and Vista to Speed Internet

2009-05-13T07:30:00.000-07:00

Windows XP and Vista store the DNS information of Web sites you've visited, to reach those sites faster each time you access them. The cache sometimes gets corrupted or stores a lot of unusable data, and that leads to slower Internet response times. To clear the cache, go to the command prompt and type ipconfig /flushdns. The command purges the DNS cache and restores your Internet access speed."

via PC Magazine

How to keep your wi-fi network safe

2009-04-28T11:00:00.000-07:00

By Paul Rubens

With growing numbers using wi-fi in their homes, Paul Rubens looks at how good security is on these networks.

In less than two minutes hackers can defeat the security measures protecting many home wireless internet connections.

Defeating these measures could let them capture passwords, steal confidential information or download illegal pornographic material using the connection.

Many home internet users rely on an encryption system called Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) to stop others using their wi-fi link, even though WEP has long been known to be flawed.

In early April three cryptographic researchers at the Darmstadt Technical University in Germany revealed a method of exploiting the flaws far more effectively.

Before now it took at least 20 minutes of monitoring the airwaves before it was possible to break in to a wireless network protected by WEP.

Now, armed with a program written by the researchers, it is possible to break in to the same network far faster.

More here

Send to (Blogger, Bookmarks, Mail, Wayback, English) in Google Chrome

2009-04-20T10:38:00.000-07:00

"I have customized Google Chrome to make it simple to send the current page to:

Blogger (create a post about the page)
Google Bookmarks (bookmark the page)
Gmail a.k.a. Google Mail (create an e-mail containing the page)
Wayback (show the page’s revision history)
Google Translate (show the page in English translation)"

More: Scrupuli

10 Top Photography Composition Rules

2009-04-18T11:59:00.001-07:00

The only rule in photography is that there are no rules. However, there are many composition guidelines which can be applied in almost any situation, to enhance the impact of a scene. Below are ten of the most popular and most widely respected composition 'rules'.

1. Rule of Thirds

The most important elements (the horizon and the haystack) are placed on or around the lines and points of intersection. Image by Cayusa.

Imagine that your image is divided into nine equal segments by two vertical and two horizontal lines. Try to position the most important elements in your scene along these lines, or at the points where they intersect. Doing so will add balance and interest to your photo. Some cameras even offer an option to superimpose a rule of thirds grid over the LCD screen, making it even easier to use.

More at Amateur Snapper

Advanced iTunes 8 Management

2009-04-07T11:42:00.001-07:00

Inexpensive iPods, music-playing cell phones, and—heck—even PCs have essentially replaced the traditional stereo system. As the typical stack of 17-inch-wide audio components goes the way of the dodo, so too do their accompanying fiberboard shelving units stuffed with hundreds of plastic CD jewel cases.

That doesn't mean that your organizational chores are over, unfortunately. The average music fan may have one or more PCs, an MP3 player, a cell phone, a car stereo, and other music-playing gadgets. And while you won't catch many of us returning to the days of physical media for music—despite what SanDisk may think—it's still tough to keep everything under control. With that in mind, power up your iTunes 8 organization, navigation, and maintenance skills with the following tips:

Blogger Labels: music,cell,stereo,system,components,player,navigation,maintenance,tips,units,gadgets,skills,iTunes

More at PC Mag