Al Fasoldt's reviews and commentaries, continuously available online since 1983
 
 
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      articles from 2006 on (choose Topics for full index)
 
  • Half of all adults say they text on phones while driving (September 13, 2015)
  • Lumix DMC-ZS40 camera breaks the mold for features and price (August 16, 2015)
  • Windows 10, Part 3: Bringing Microsoft back from the brink (August 9, 2015)
  • Windows 10, Part 2: Fastest Web browser and much more (August 2, 2015)
  • Windows 10: At last, an outstanding effort from Microsoft (July 26, 2015)
  • Get a TV that's as smart as you are (July 5, 2015)
  • Courting anger in the oldest democracy (June 28, 2015)
  • Sound that can bring you to tears (June 21, 2015)
  • Get rid of that wimp-bucket keyboard! (June 7, 2015)
  • Getting rid of cable, Part 2, or how to deal with the loss of local broadcasts (May 24, 2015)
  • Getting rid of cable, Part 1, or what happened when I dropped the TV (May 17, 2015)
  • Puro headphones for kids: They won't play too loud, they sound great and they're cable-free (May 3, 2015)
  • A tribute to Gene Wolf (April 23, 2015)
  • Incredibly cheap laser printer: Only $29 (April 13, 2015)
  • Don't pay for Chinese fakery, even when it's sold by Amazon (April 5, 2015)
  • Internet Explorer gets the boot (March 29, 2015)
  • Apple's iPhone-satellite watch is a dud (March 22, 2015)
  • Solve a huge problem with this simple app: It lets you send photos and videos from any device or computer to any other one (March 15, 2015)
  • Proof that my Brother color laser makes photo-quality prints (March 8, 2015)
  • Brother color laser puts inkjets to shame (March 1, 2015)
  • Only $40 to make your Wi-Fi stronger (February 22, 2015)
  • TextExpander: New keyboard provides powerful macros in iPhone, iPad (February 15, 2015)
  • Custom keyboards -- at last -- for iPad and iPhone (February 8, 2015)
  • Cabin fever? Sharpen your Windows skills (February 1, 2015)
  • Best audio player for Windows (January 25, 2015)
  • $129 GoPro camera: Super in every way except price (January 18, 2015)
  • Apple forcibly deleted MP3s from iPods without informing its customers (January 11, 2015)
  • Have Windows 8? Here's how to turn it into Windows 7+ (without the childish junk) -- at no cost (January 4, 2015)
  • Treat your iPad (and phone and tablet) like it's family (December 28, 2014)
  • The Christmas Truce of World War 1: The day the killing stopped (December 21, 2014)
  • Cheapskate's Buying Guide: Have an 'Appy' holiday (December 14, 2014)
  • Cheapskate's Buying Guide: Printers and hard drives (December 7, 2014)
  • Cheapskate's Buying Guide: Laptops (November 30, 2014)
  • Cheapskate's Buying Guide: Tablets (November 23, 2014)
  • Apple is the new Microsoft, or why I ended up with a Mac that couldn't shoot straight (November 16, 2014)
  • Roku vs. Apple TV: The winner is clear (November 9, 2014)
  • Get more than 1,000 channels without cable using Roku (November 2, 2014)
  • New iPads: How thin is too thin? (October 26, 2014)
  • Little things you're probably wrong about (October 19, 2014)
  • New Windows math: 7, 8, 10. Forget about 9 (October 12, 2014)
  • Make Apple's Siri work harder -- yes, on your iPad, too (October 5, 2014)
  • Turn your tablet into a studio-quality stereo audio recorder (September 28, 2014)
  • Apple's new watch is dumb (September 21, 2014)
  • The buggy whip of our time (September 14, 2014)
  • Why I no longer recommend Macs (September 7, 2014)
  • Photographer, heal thyself (with good software) (August 31, 2014)
  • If it smells like a fish … (August 24, 2014)
  • Best recent iPad apps, part 2 (August 17, 2014)
  • Back to school? Skip the Mac (August 10, 2014)
  • Best recent iPad apps, part 1 (August 3, 2014)
  • The Web's wonderful oddities (July 20, 2014)
  • Trust the government? No way (July 13, 2014)
  • Apple's autocorrect driving you crazy? Android does it much better (July 6, 2014)
  • Great sound? It's in the Bluetooth Canz (June 29, 2014)
  • Mail bag: Great tips for password protection (June 22, 2014)
  • Father's Day is a day for grandfathers, too (June 15, 2014)
  • Mac's little known 'Services' are a bonus (June 1, 2014)
  • More tips and tricks for the iPhone and iPad (May 25, 2014)
  • Time to show Windows XP the door (May 18, 2014)
  • On Mother's Day: Kenley, a truck and an understanding mom (May 11, 2014)
  • A big bad bug is forcing you to change your passwords (May 4, 2014)
  • The tricks images play on your eyes (April 27, 2014)
  • Ease the pain of keeping up with the times when you read about something here (April 20, 2014)
  • Computers? They're just appliances now (April 13, 2014)
  • JPEGmini photo squeezer frees up storage space (April 6, 2014)
  • Gee, mail! What have you done to us? (March 30, 2014)
  • How to find the right apps (March 23, 2014)
  • 'Raw' photos on an iPad or iPhone (March 16, 2014)
  • A picture of Jupiter -- taken by an iPad? (March 9, 2014)
  • Sounds that won't go away, Part 2 (March 2, 2014)
  • Sounds that won't go away, Part 1 (February 23, 2014)
  • Picasa's amazing photo expertise (February 16, 2014)
  • Let Picasa free you from 'GM' syndrome (February 9, 2014)
  • Farewell, iPhoto -- I knew ye when (February 2, 2014)
  • News apps for Apple and Android devices (January 26, 2014)
  • Make your PC or Mac run better (January 19, 2014)
  • Android 101: What newbies need to know (January 12, 2014)
  • iPad 101: What newbies need to know (January 5, 2014)
  • What didn't happen in 2013 (December 19, 2013)
  • You're doing it all wrong (December 15, 2013)
  • Cheapskate's guide for 2013, Part 4: Printers (December 8, 2013)
  • Cheapskate's guide for 2013, Part 3: Backup drives (December 1, 2013)
  • Cheapskate's guide for 2013, Part 2: Smartphones (November 24, 2013)
  • Cheapskate's guide for 2013, Part 1: Tablets (November 17, 2013)
  • Wide-format pro photo printer for $99 (November 10, 2013)
  • Want a great smartphone photo app? Try Snapseed (November 3, 2013)
  • Apple's new iPads max out at $929; even iPad mini can hit $829 (October 27, 2013)
  • iPhone and iPad get a new operating system, and it's a typographical turkey (October 20, 2013)
  • Watch for bogus installations (October 6, 2013)
  • Yes, Macs need protection against malware (September 29, 2013)
  • Parents, time to get a clue (September 22, 2013)
  • Apple's new iPhones are disappointing (September 15, 2013)
  • How to find out if a photo was manipulated (September 8, 2013)
  • Unlock the hidden info in your photos (September 1, 2013)
  • ePost-Standard: At last, a real newspaper online (August 25, 2013)
  • Bringing the old iMovie back from the dead (August 18, 2013)
  • Don't faint. I'm recommending Windows laptops for college students. Apple has priced itself out of contention (August 11, 2013)
  • Can't access the Google Play Store for Android? Here's an alternative (August 4, 2013)
  • My 10 favorite Android apps (July 28, 2013)
  • A reprieve from a very hard lesson when my wife's priceless work was stolen (July 21, 2013)
  • Find the hidden functions in your Apple earbuds (July 14, 2013)
  • Easy fixes for 'phantom' problems (July 7, 2013)
  • Jailbreaking: What's in it for you? (June 30, 2013)
  • iPhone's 'jail' can be a big limitation (June 23, 2013)
  • Kids home all day? Lock up your iPad with parental controls (June 16, 2013)
  • A new tablet that's better than the iPad mini -- at only $149 (June 9, 2013)
  • How good is the video from Netflix? (June 2, 2013)
  • With Netflix and other streaming services, the Internet is kissing cable TV goodbye (May 26, 2013)
  • Can you recompress MP3s and still have good sound? No way (May 19, 2013)
  • Remembering mom (May 12, 2013)
  • Rip your CDs to tiny files (May 5, 2013)
  • Big changes over the next 30 years (April 28, 2013)
  • Cleaning out your iPad fast, Part 2: Getting photos, videos, books and music off your iPad (April 21, 2013)
  • Cleaning out your iPad fast, Part 1: The easy stuff (April 14, 2013)
  • Cure for overworked USB: A hub with 28 ports (April 7, 2013)
  • Cable TV costs and other stuff (March 31, 2013)
  • Android's secret weapon (March 24, 2013)
  • An iPad competitor from Acer (March 17, 2013)
  • A Windows fixit method that actually works -- for free (March 10, 2013)
  • Wikipedia readers for tablets and computers (March 3, 2013)
  • Network safety, plain and simple (February 24, 2013)
  • Advantages of a non-Apple phone or tablet (February 17, 2013)
  • Password? No way! Use a passphrase instead (February 10, 2013)
  • Tablets 101: Care and feeding (February 3, 2013)
  • Tablets 101: The best apps for iPad and Android devices (January 27, 2013)
  • Tablets 101: Where to get apps for iPad and Android devices (January 20, 2013)
  • Turning Windows 8 into Windows 7+, Start Menu and all (January 13, 2013)
  • How Apple is losing its mojo (January 6, 2013)
  • The times, they are a-changin' (December 30, 2012)
  • Holiday special: The 5 people you meet on Christmas (December 23, 2012)
  • Cheapskate's Guide for 2012: Accessories (December 16, 2012)
  • Cheapskate's Guide for 2012: Printers (December 9, 2012)
  • Cheapskate's Guide for 2012: Computers (December 2, 2012)
  • Cheapskate's Guide for 2012: Tablets (November 25, 2012)
  • Epson's Workhorse 845 is a workhorse indeed (November 18, 2012)
  • Thumbs down on Windows 8 -- and on Microsoft's stealth ads inside the new operating system (November 11, 2012)
  • When Windows is not really Windows (November 4, 2012)
  • Baby iPad costs $329 (October 28, 2012)
  • Don't let your memory card wreck your holiday photos (October 21, 2012)
  • Android apps you won't want to miss (October 14, 2012)
  • iPad users' Appy days are here again! (October 7, 2012)
  • Power user tips for Windows (September 30, 2012)
  • Coping with downloads in their twilight time (September 24, 2012)
  • The iPad's domination is threatened by a tough competitor from Google (September 16, 2012)
  • Apple's Android problem is your big break (September 9, 2012)
  • Power user tips for iPads (September 2, 2012)
  • An iPad lover finds Android a delight (August 26, 2012)
  • Tablet prices plunging: How about $69.99? (August 19, 2012)
  • Will the real Apple TV please stand up? (August 12, 2012)
  • Top iPad apps for school (August 5, 2012)
  • Looking for a laptop for school? Fresh 'Air' can't be beat (July 29, 2012)
  • iPad macros can type words and phrases for you (July 22, 2012)
  • Don't pay for antivirus software (July 15, 2012)
  • 3D photos you can put on your shelf (July 8, 2012)
  • iPhoto turns iPad into a photo workstation (July 1, 2012)
  • The new iPad's unique photo prowess (June 24, 2012)
  • Put your bookmarks where you can find them (June 17, 2012)
  • How to take care of your laptop's battery (June 10, 2012)
  • Battery meters with real muscle (June 3, 2012)
  • Geeks need not apply, Part 4: Biggest computer mystery: Where things go (May 27, 2012)
  • Geeks need not apply, Part 3: File all of this under 'folder' (May 20, 2012)
  • Geeks need not apply, Part 2: What everybody is supposed to know (May 13, 2012)
  • Geeks need not apply, Part 1: Left behind? Help is on the way (May 6, 2012)
  • Don't let a 'helper' keep you from knowing how your computer or iPad is set up (April 29, 2012)
  • New iPad is a hot item (April 22, 2012)
  • Apple iTunes support? Better late than never (April 15, 2012)
  • Technofile special: Turn off Java NOW (April 8, 2012)
  • Someone's tracking you, and it's time to put a stop to it (April 8, 2012)
  • Playskool version of Windows? Yep, you're getting it this fall (April 1, 2012)
  • iPad's hidden features, Part 2 (March 25, 2012)
  • iPad's hidden features, Part 1 (March 18, 2012)
  • Send photos to your computer the instant they're taken (March 11, 2012)
  • How to clean out unwanted fonts on a Windows PC or Apple Mac (March 4, 2012)
  • It's all in your head: The best-sounding earbuds for personal listening (February 26, 2012)
  • How to watch recorded TV shows on your iPhone or iPad (February 19, 2012)
  • Turning DVDs into videos for your laptop or iPad (February 12, 2012)
  • Are DVD rippers legal? (February 5, 2012)
  • Two free Mac utilities you won't want to be without (January 29, 2012)
  • Scanning a collection of slides is easy, but it might take a long time. Canon has a scanner that can help (January 22, 2012)
  • 2 superb Windows cleanup programs (January 15, 2012)
  • 10 iPad apps you can't live without (January 8, 2012)
  • A long ride with this column, with more to go (January 1, 2011)
  • Yes, Ginny, there is a Santa Claus (December 25, 2011)
  • Christmas special: Happy Holy Day (December 25, 2011)
  • My encounters with Steve Jobs (December 18, 2011)
  • Cheapskate's Guide: No mousing around for these gifts (December 11, 2011)
  • Cheapskate's Guide: Buying a printer? The real cost is ink (December 4, 2011)
  • Cheapskate's Guide: Laptop conundrum: Cheap -- or good? (November 27, 2011)
  • Cheapskate's Guide: iPad 3G can be expensive; choose wi-fi-only model instead (November 20, 2011)
  • Turn a bare drive into an external unit for $19.99 (November 13, 2011)
  • How to hide stuff from prying eyes (November 11, 2011)
  • Kensington iPad keyboard and case: Small, but it does well (October 30, 2011)
  • How low can you go when buying a digital camera? (October 23, 2011)
  • Free search methods for your files in Windows and Macs (October 16, 2011)
  • Steve Jobs: The man with vision also caught his own mortality in the shadows (October 9, 2011)
  • Free service, Web of Trust, protects you from suspicious sites (October 2, 2011)
  • Picasa's hidden 'expert' features make it superb (September 25, 2011)
  • Can a solid-state drive make your computer faster? (September 18, 2011)
  • Great color photos from a century ago (September 11, 2011)
  • Apple dares to make scrolling 'right' (Sept. 4, 2011)
  • Best iPad photo apps, Part 2 (August 28, 2011)
  • Best iPad photo apps, Part 1 (August 21, 2011)
  • Apple giving iPads and iPhones new 'brains' for connectivity s (August 14, 2011)
  • Apple cuts the cord from iPads and iPhones (August 7, 2011)
  • New photo software for Windows and Macs (July 31, 2011)
  • Fuji makes a camera for all the rest of us (July 24, 2011)
  • Goodbye, netbooks! We hardly knew ye (July 17, 2011)
  • Website installs popular software for you (July 10, 2011)
  • BlueAnt hands-free headset sets new standard (July 3, 2011)
  • Turning an iPad into a laptop, Part 3 (June 26, 2011)
  • Turning an iPad into a laptop, Part 2 (June 19, 2011)
  • Turning an iPad into a laptop, Part 1 (June 12, 2011)
  • An innocent mistake can ruin your memory card (June 5, 2011)
  • How to make your laptop louder (May 29, 2011)
  • Best apps for your iPad, Part 2 (May 22, 2011)
  • Best apps for your iPad, Part 1 (May 15, 2011)
  • Two effective Windows fixer-uppers -- TuneUp and CCleaner (May 8, 2011)
  • System Mechanic? Fishy reviews give it the boot (May 1, 2011)
  • There's no 'home' home any more (April 24, 2011)
  • FoxL speaker has big sound in a tiny package (April 17, 2011)
  • How to really get your news online (April 10, 2011)
  • Cameras and more speed for the iPad 2 (April 3, 2011)
  • Internet Explorer finally hits the target (March 27, 2011)
  • 2 photo sites that can sharpen your skills (March 20, 2011)
  • What they don't tell you about downloads -- a guide (March 13, 2011)
  • The spell checker from hell (March 6, 2011)
  • Goodbye, Word. I've got mail (Feb. 27, 2011)
  • Blog: Updating a Xoom tablet is easy -- just delete everything and ship it to Motorola (Feb. 25, 2011)
  • Beware of overloading USB (Feb. 20, 2011)
  • If only Apple and Microsoft would agree (Feb. 13, 2011)
  • Tips on using Google, Part 3 (Feb. 5, 2011)
  • Tips on using Google, Part 2 (Jan. 30, 2011)
  • Tips on using Google, Part 1 (Jan. 23, 2011)
  • What you don't know about the iPad (Jan. 16, 2011)
  • How to take advantage of The Cloud (Jan. 9, 2011)
  • How The Cloud is changing the way information rains on us (Jan. 2, 2011)
  • Help for those who jettison the home phone (Dec. 26, 2010)
  • 3 exciting new computer accessories (Dec. 19, 2010)
  • Cheap ways to fill out your gift list (Dec. 12, 2010)
  • Can an iPad replace your laptop? (Dec. 5, 2010)
  • Office 2011 for Mac needs more work (Nov. 28, 2010)
  • Top-tier FiOS provides very fast Internet connection (Nov. 21, 2010)
  • iPad already has 37,180 apps, with 1,000 new ones each day (Nov. 14, 2010)
  • A 'magical' iPad? Despite the hype, the answer is 'yes' (Nov. 7, 2010)
  • 12-megapixel Panasonic Lumix camera joins cheap-snapshot league (Oct. 31, 2010)
  • 10 tips for proper power in computers (Oct. 24, 2010)
  • Parallels 6 shines for running Windows on Macs (Oct. 17, 2010)
  • Microsoft's new IE browser is a charm (Oct. 10, 2010)
  • Google adds free phone calling to Gmail (Oct. 3, 2010)
  • Telephone calling without a phone? Apple makes it easy (Sept. 26, 2010)
  • How to block a sneaky Web-tracking ploy from Adobe's Flash' (Sept. 19, 2010)
  • Stop paying for software: Readers offer more free software ideas (Sept. 12, 2010)
  • Quicken's Windows software can run on Macs (Sept. 5, 2010)
  • Beware of Windows Registry problems (Aug. 29, 2010)
  • Super-size your netbook battery (Aug. 22, 2010)
  • Able Planet headphones aid cancer research -- and sound gorgeous (Aug. 15, 2010)
  • Raw photo format isn't worth the trouble for most of us (Aug. 8, 2010)
  • MacBook laptop makes a great dorm mate (Aug. 1, 2010)
  • Road Runner Wideband speed tests: Wireless PCs slow down a combination wired/wireless network (July 25, 2010)
  • Make a 'God Mode' super menu in Windows 7 (July 18, 2010)
  • Digitizing your phono records? Here's how to clean up the noise (July 11, 2010)
  • Getting out of sticky situations (July 4, 2010)
  • Deceptive download confuses readers (June 27, 2010)
  • New Photoshop CS5 makes image fixing easy (June 20, 2010)
  • Stop paying for software: Get rid of the junk software that comes on new PCs (June 13, 2010)
  • Is super-fast Road Runner really super fast? (June 6, 2010)
  • How to find software for LTH Blu-ray burning (May 30, 2010)
  • Good news: Cheaper Blu-ray blank disks arriving (May 23, 2010)
  • Why I can't recommend Internet Explorer 8 (May 16, 2010)
  • Put your name in lights -- or on a gingerbread cake -- with PixyMe (May 9, 2010)
  • Stop paying for software: Easy fix for toughest problem in computing (May 2, 2010)
  • Need privacy? Don't post Word documents online (April 25, 2010)
  • How Time Machine saved my bacon when my main drive and its disk clone both died (April 23, 2010)
  • A phish story that can bite you (April 18, 2010)
  • Use this hidden tip to keep your mail private (April 11, 2010)
  • Stop paying for software: Free video converters for Windows and Macs (April 4, 2010)
  • Helicon Focus makes 3D macro close-ups (March 28, 2010)
  • Shudder! Wikipedia foe turns out to be a fan (March 21, 2010)
  • Alternative browsers shine (March 14, 2010)
  • How to figure your monthly Internet usage (March 7, 2010)
  • Stop Paying for Software: Free Web-based helper programs (Feb. 28, 2010)
  • Stop Paying for Software: 32 free Windows programs in Karen's Power Tools (Feb. 21, 2010)
  • Stop Paying for Software: Readers suggest 10 free programs (Feb. 14, 2010)
  • Google lunacy: You MUST turn off Buzz for privacy (Feb. 11, 2010)
  • The mouse is dead (Feb. 10, 2010)
  • Apple's iPad is a laptop on steroids (Feb. 7, 2010)
  • 3 ways to run Windows programs on your Mac (Jan. 31, 2010)
  • Able Planet's top headphones immerse you in sound (Jan. 24, 2010)
  • 'Miracle' software -- PhotoZoom Pro 3 -- recreates detail in photos (Jan. 17, 2010)
  • Mailbag: How reliable are thumb drives? (Jan. 10, 2010)
  • Imagine Windows users cheering (Jan. 2, 2010)
  • A simple manual for your new PC or Mac, Part 2 (Jan. 3, 2010)
  • A simple manual for your new PC or Mac, Part 1 (Dec. 27, 2009)
  • Make 'safe' copies of your important photos (Dec. 20, 2009)
  • Netbook screen too small? Not for this Linux software (Dec. 13, 2009)
  • Cheapskate's Buying Guide to good Windows and Mac software (Dec. 6, 2009)
  • High definition audio has arrived (Nov. 29, 2009)
  • Holiday gifts for technophiles (Nov. 22, 2009)
  • Linux for old PCs? This 'Puppy' shows you how (Nov. 15, 2009)
  • New Mac operating system is faster and leaner; new Windows 7 is coming soon (Oct. 11, 2009)
  • Wild and wonderful Web sites (Oct. 4, 2009)
  • 'Tape recorder' and DJ software for audio fans (Sept. 27, 2009)
  • VirtualStudio shows how cool 'free' can be (Sept. 20, 2009)
  • Why pay more than you have to? You can buy $8 eyeglasses on the Web (Sept. 13, 2009)
  • Google vs. Microsoft: Are you the winner? (Sept. 6, 2009)
  • Secrets of the 'Win' key in Windows, including Windows 7 (Aug. 30, 2009)
  • Stop Paying for Software: Postbox, based on Thunderbird, takes the free-e-mail crown (Aug. 23, 2009)
  • Stop Paying for Software: Legacy Family Tree is a well designed and free genealogy program for Windows and some Macs (Aug. 16, 2009)
  • Watch free TV shows and movies on the Internet (Aug. 9, 2009)
  • Stop Paying for Software: VLC, free video player, finally grows up and out of beta status (Aug. 2, 2009)
  • Get startling realism with HDR photo software (July 26, 2009)
  • Stop Paying for Software: Top 10 free utilities for Macs (July 19, 2009)
  • Stop Paying for Software: Top 10 free utilities for Windows (July 12, 2009)
  • 2 unusual products: New ink jet paper made from stone, earpieces that throb with the beat (July 5, 2009)
  • What's new: Fast drive, silky case, smooth sound (June 28, 2009)
  • Latest version of Windows is the best ever (June 21, 2009)
  • Better late than never for all-digital broadcast TV (June 14, 2009)
  • Stop Paying for Software: How's this sound? Pay nothing for audio fixes (June 7, 2009)
  • Stop Paying for Software: CCleaner fixes Windows errors for free (May 31, 2009)
  • Speech recognition finally comes of age (May 24, 2009)
  • Push-to-talk phones very handy for some users (May 17, 2009)
  • Stop Paying for Software: Free ways to keep your computer safe (May 10, 2009)
  • Stop Paying for Software: Get Microsoft Word's features for free (May 3, 2009)
  • Stop Paying for Software: Thunderbird and SPAMfighter are the top e-mail freebies (April 26, 2009)
  • Shorten complicated Web addresses with TinyURL (April 19, 2009)
  • Mac users have an uninstaller, too, and all users, of Windows and Mac alike, should be cautious while installing (April 12, 2009)
  • Revo helps uninstall Windows programs (April 5, 2009)
  • Automate computing tasks with PowerPro for Windows and Keyboard Maestro for the Mac (March 29, 2009)
  • Avast takes crown from AVG as best free antivirus software for Windows (March 22, 2009)
  • Acer mini-laptop has everything -- except size (March 15, 2009)
  • How to launch programs with keystrokes in Windows (March 8, 2009)
  • Acer mini-laptop has everything -- except size (March 15, 2009)
  • Better browsers spawned by WebKit project (March 1, 2009)
  • What a name! But the GIMP is a free and powerful image editor (Feb. 22, 2009)
  • No-sweat backups for Windows and Macs (Feb. 15, 2009)
  • Confused about digital TV switchover? Here's the plan (Feb. 8, 2009)
  • Screen Dreams DVDs: An American Idyll (Feb. 1, 2009)
  • Can you save money on OCR? (Jan. 25, 2009)
  • Turn those old LP records into digital audio files (Jan. 18, 2009)
  • Adobe hurting itself with high prices, fewer review copies (Jan. 11, 2009)
  • Forget Vista -- Microsoft will have a replacement soon (Jan. 4, 2009)
  • 10 tips for that new computer (Dec. 28, 2008)
  • Fabulous iPod speakers and last-minute gift ideas (Dec. 21, 2008)
  • Diskless laptop is a sign of things to come (Dec. 14, 2008)
  • Epson's new all-in-one sets new standard for print quality (Dec. 7, 2008)
  • Cheapskate's holiday guide to iPods, HDTVs and GPS devices (Nov. 30, 2008)
  • Cheapskate's holiday guide to computers and software (Nov. 23, 2008)
  • Rip your DVDs and watch them on your computer or portable player (Nov. 9, 2008)
  • CDs are so '90s! Give them up for good (Nov. 2, 2008)
  • Get custom-made alerts on news events (Oct. 26, 2008)
  • Are you at risk from 'peeping Tom' office snooping? (Oct. 19, 2008)
  • How to rescue photos from a bad memory card (Oct. 12, 2008)
  • Powerful file renamers for Windows and Macs (Oct. 5, 2008)
  • How to safely store passwords and sensitive data (Sept. 28, 2008)
  • Google's own Web browser is a champ (Sept. 21, 2008)
  • Mamas, don't let your PCs grow up to be zombies (Sept. 14, 2008)
  • Installation disk can help rescue your computer (Sept. 7, 2008)
  • Disk cloners make backing up a simple chore (Aug. 31, 2008)
  • Tired of texting fees? Zipit might be for you> (Aug. 24, 2008)
  • Headphone heaven: Able Planet wireless headphones are the best I've ever heard (Aug. 17, 2008)
  • Have a Mac? Safely run Windows programs with Crossover (Aug. 10, 2008)
  • Should we give Vista a 2nd chance? (Aug. 3, 2008)
  • 'Mozy' keeps your files backed up online for free (July 27, 2008)
  • Hot stuff: Converting VHS tapes to iPod videos, a tiny hard drive and a printer for CDs and DVDs (July 20, 2008)
  • Run Picasa on a Mac? Here's how (July 13, 2008)
  • Movies are an eye-filling treat with Myvu video glasses (July 6, 2008)
  • Adobe and Apple create a new class of photographer's helpers (June 29, 2008)
  • Mobile router lets you share your Internet connection on the go (June 22, 2008)
  • Beware! An old limit can hobble your thumb drive (June 15, 2008)
  • Have cable? You might not have to pay extra for HDTV (June 8, 2008)
  • Burn 50 GB disks on your computer with a Blu-ray burner (June 1, 2008)
  • When 'help' is not what you expect (May 25, 2008)
  • AT&T wireless broadband card is disappointing (May 18, 2008)
  • Tips and tricks for Macs (May 11, 2008)
  • Tips and tricks for Windows (May 4, 2008)
  • Getting 'mystery files' to open with the right programs (April 27, 2008)
  • A simple way to monitor what your kids do on the Internet (April 20, 2008)
  • Got an HDTV? Use it for a giant computer screen (April 13, 2008)
  • How fast is your connection? Find out with a free 'Internet speedometer' (April 6, 2008)
  • New 'Tune Up' a fool-proof way to get Windows to run better (March 30, 2008)
  • Stop paying for important software (March 23, 2008)
  • HD radio is here, and you don't have to pay much to enjoy it (March 16, 2008)
  • New iPod has a superb screen, but it's sooo tiny (March 9, 2008)
  • New software allows non-destructive photo editing (March 2, 2008)
  • Where to download music legally -- and, in one case, for free (Feb. 24, 2008)
  • Gmail's 'IMAP' synchronizes your laptop and desktop e-mail (Feb. 17, 2008)
  • $300 Microsoft software is ideal for managing digital photos, but free programs do well, too (Feb. 10, 2008)
  • On the road for two months but still online: How we did it (Feb. 3, 2008)
  • HTC Touch phone is OK, but it's not an iPhone (Jan. 27, 2008)
  • Windows users have only a few hurdles when switching to Macs (Jan. 20, 2008)
  • Finding the best free utility software for Windows, Part 2 (Jan. 13, 2008)
  • Finding the best free utility software for Windows, Part 1 (Jan. 6, 2007)
  • What's ahead for the next 25 years? You might be surprised (Dec. 30, 2007)
  • Putting your old videos and movies onto DVDs, Part 2 (Dec. 23, 2007)
  • Putting your old videos and movies onto DVDs, Part 1 (Dec. 16, 2007)
  • Sprint's wireless computer modem is fast and trouble-free (Dec. 9, 2007)
  • Apple's new OS X software, Leopard, is part wow, part wacko (Dec. 2, 2007)
  • Pinnacle 'stick' brings HD TV to your Windows or Mac laptop (Nov. 26, 2007)
  • Kodak 5300 printer-copier-scanner is a charm (Nov. 18, 2007)
  • In HD players, my choice is HD DVD, not Blu-ray (Nov. 4, 2007)
  • Ghosts in the machine can turn your PC into a spam generator (Oct. 28, 2007)
  • GPS prices reach $200 level for first time as TomTom One goes on sale (Oct. 21, 2007)
  • Firefox keyboard shortcuts make it easy to use (Oct. 14, 2007)
  • Backups are easy with an external drive and the right software (Oct. 7, 2007)
  • HDTV's little flaw might drive you batty (Sept. 30, 2007)
  • Elgato USB device speeds up video conversion (Sept. 23, 2007)
  • Windows PCs have hidden costs (Sept. 16, 2007)
  • Samsung NV-7: A good camera and a good camcorder, for less than $300 (Sept. 9, 2007)
  • Back-to-school software? Get it free with OpenOffice (Sept. 2, 2007)
  • Adobe's newest version of Photoshop has many improvements (August 26, 2007)
  • Fancy screen captures are easy on Windows and Macs (August 19, 2007)
  • Looking for a back-to-school laptop? MacBook is ideal (August 12, 2007)
  • $5 earbuds can turn your iPod into a hi-fi haven (August 5, 2007)
  • Log on to your computer from afar with LogMeIn (July 29, 2007)
  • Verizon broadband card keeps my RV connected on an 8,000-mile journey (July 22, 2007)
  • Finding hotspots and dealing with big videos (July 15, 2007)
  • Fireman for Windows and Dragon Burn for Mac make disk burning a pleasure (July 8, 2007)
  • Macs work like PCs in most ways (July 1, 2007)
  • Tricks and tips with a PC's 'Windows' key (June 24, 2007)
  • Spyware blockers: A new kid on the block, and a tried and true remedy (June 17, 2007)
  • The iTunes Store will tattle on you (June 10, 2007)
  • CD-quality downloads of the best classical music (June 3, 2007)
  • Store your passwords safely: Put them in your wallet, in plain sight. Am I crazy? Not at all (June 3, 2007)
  • Technofile workshop: Photo scanning tips and tricks (May 29, 2007)
  • How to send 20 MB attachments: Sign up for Google's Gmail (May 28, 2007)
  • How to save YouTube 'Flash' videos the easy way in Windows and how I do it more easily on a Mac (May 27, 2007)
  • Summer storms can zap your PC if you're not careful (May 20, 2007)
  • Epson CX7000F all-in-one is an excellent photo printer, great scanner and quick copier, at a bargain price (May 13, 2007)
  • Windows on a Mac: You can run Windows programs without needing to install Windows itself (May 6, 2007)
  • Essential Googlemania: Fly away with Google Earth, or find that file with Google Desktop (April 29, 2007)
  • How the magic works: What's behind the amazing Parallels Desktop software that turns a single computer into a dual Mac-plus-Windows PC (April 22, 2007)
  • What are you paying for if you can't run both?: My choice of a new laptop is one that runs Windows and Mac OS X (April 15, 2007)
  • Ben Gest's amazing photos: When art and the mind's eye meet photography (April 8, 2007)
  • Reader questions: Copying VCR tapes, making the 'Run' command work better, the dangers of Outlook and the non-dangers of a Mac (April 1, 2007)
  • Reader questions: Parental Control software for Windows, copying your Favorites to another computer, choosing the right blank DVD (March 25, 2007)
  • Want to create a blog? (Part 1): It's easy, and I'll show you how. (March 11, 2007)
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  • Want to create a blog? (Part 2): Here's how to make sure your blog gets noticed. (March 18, 2007)
  • Should you use a firewall?: Yes, indeed, but Windows users should stick with a hardware firewall for best protection. (March 4, 2007)
  • Verizon's GPS cell phone: Low cost, good GPS functions and a big benefit -- it's always with you if you carry your phone.
  • Daylight Saving Time is springing some changes on us. Make sure you and your computer are ready!
  • Bad news for Vista users: Problems with games, upgrades, MP3 players and QuickBooks — and that's just Week 1 (Jan. 28, 2007)
  • Newspaper blog: Another Windows expert tosses in the towel on Microsoft's unsatisfactory operating system and recommends Macs for business and home use (Feb. 8, 2007)
  • Newspaper blog: Apple's bombshell -- No more digital rights management? Steve Jobs sets out to shake up the industry (Feb. 7, 2007)
  • Wireless security: Do as I say, not as I do (Feb. 4, 2007)
  • On the periphery: What peripherals are, Part 2: FireWire (Jan. 28, 2007)
  • On the periphery: What peripherals are, Part 1: USB (Jan. 21, 2007)
  • A wireless iPod? That's the ring of a cash register you hear, not a phone, in Apple's announcement that it is entering the cell-phone business (Jan. 14, 2007)
  • Got Windows? Got a digital camera? Then you need Picasa, especially considering the price (Jan. 7, 2007)
  • A few surprises in the important tech news from 2006 (Dec. 31, 2006)
  • Season's gleanings: Special wishes for the only kind of gifts that keep on giving (Dec. 22, 2006)
  • Life at Internet speed leaves little time for an old-fashioned Christmas (Dec. 24, 2006)
  • Beware of geeks baring gifts: A list for last-minute shoppers (Dec. 17, 2006)
  • Macs don't come with Windows, but you can install Windows on modern Macs if you want (Dec. 9, 2006)
  • The Cheapskate's Guide to iPods and other portable music players (Dec. 10, 2006)
  • The Cheapskate's Guide to Digital Cameras and Photo Printers (Dec. 3, 2006)
  • Attention, PC shoppers! In Aisle 3, you'll find an incredible deal -- a Windows PC that's also a Mac! Or was that a Mac that's also a Windows PC? (Nov. 26, 2006)
  • Aiptek camcorder: Proof that you can buy a cheap product and still get less than you paid for (Nov. 19, 2006)
  • Is Vista so safe you don't need antivirus software? Sure, but only if you're a kid (Nov. 13, 2006)
  • The backaphobic's guide to backing up your stuff (Hint: It's easy if your computer has a DVD burner) (Nov. 12, 2006)
  • Microsoft's new Web browser, IE7, is a dud, and you have much better choices (Nov. 5, 2006)
  • Windows Explorer? It's not Internet Explorer, despite the similar name (Nov. 2, 2006)
  • Trashed Vietnam photos restored from tiny prints (Nov. 1, 2006)
  • PhotoZoom Pro 2 rescues lost Vietnam photos, enlarging tiny contacts to exhibition size (Oct. 29, 2006)
  • Adding a wireless router to a wired network? Here's how to keep it from blocking access to your other home computers (Oct. 22, 2006)
  • Spotting hoaxes and scams in your e-mail: Sometimes, all you need to do is think (Oct. 15, 2006)
  • The CAN-SPAM act failed utterly, and we're awash in junk and filth. What can we do? (Oct. 8, 2006)
  • Did Microsoft put drugs in the water? Ugly beige boxes are dumb, but Windows users don't seem to care (Oct. 1, 2006)
  • Can you copy DVDs to your computer or iPod? Sure. It's easy, and the video looks good  - (Oct. 1, 2006)
  • Vista, we'll hardly miss ya: How to get more safety and security out of your current Windows PC (Sept. 24, 2006)
  • Buy a new Vista PC? Upgrade your current computer? Or is it time to switch? (Sept. 17, 2006)
  • Windows Vista available to consumers Jan.30, 2007; Amazon taking orders now (Sept. 10, 2006)
  • Essay: How to keep your sanity in the text-messaging, laptopped world of kids (Sept. 3, 2006)
  • Blog: Choosing a student laptop? It's easy (Sept. 3, 2006)
  • iView Media Pro: Image management at its best for Windows and OS X Macs (Aug. 29, 2006)
  • Not using iPhoto? Here's what you're missing in Mac OS X (Aug. 29, 2006)
  • Photo software gets a boost for Windows and OS X Macs (Aug. 27, 2006)
  • Free alternative to Windows Update does a much better job (Aug. 20, 2006)
  • Live performances of top musicians in free (and legal) downloads, in super-fi sound, too (Aug. 13, 2006)
  • Blog: Apple's new version of OS X and new Macs (Aug. 7, 2006)
  • Sample photos show how JPEG damages images (Aug. 6, 2006)
  • When will I learn? When you don't know what you're doing, don't do it (July 30, 2006)
  • Blog: Tweaking software for Windows and OS X (July 30, 2006)
  • Blog: Microsoft will force upgrades to IE 7 through buggy Windows Update system, whether users want it or not (July 28, 2006)
  • Blog: Scams and common sense, and one that should make you puke (July 27, 2006)
  • How to make backup copies of your photos, using DVDs and an external drive (July 23, 2006)
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