Archives for Advice

Commentary: Big Changes Coming to CNET

Commentary: Big Changes Coming to CNET

March 25, 2012 | Comments Off on Commentary: Big Changes Coming to CNET

For any of you who have been fans of Buzz Out Loud, one of the original tech podcasts, I have good and bad news.  Bad News (sort of): Buzz Out Loud is ending as of its April 5 show.  Good News (we’ll see): CNET Live on demand video is about to become the main outlet for tech info on CNET (now owned by CBS)

Buzz Out Loud six years ago (something like two centuries ago in Internet years) started out as a regular tech broadcast featuring the professional news/radio sound of Tom Merritt, the often outrageous but always entertaining color commentary of Molly Woods and one of the original board ops Veronica Belmont.  It was insightful, one of the best sources for in-depth tech news and a magical mix of personalities.  Tom was alway something of the straight man, Molly, an accomplished journalist added her own crazy spice to the mix while Belmont added her own edgy, game-oriented flavor and hip “hackeresque” cache.

For those of us with voracious appetites for tech information and insightful commentary, Buzz Out Loud was like water in a weary  land. The program slowly crept its way up to an unwieldy hour or …


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Gamble on Microsoft Security Essentials Pays Off

Gamble on Microsoft Security Essentials Pays Off

March 24, 2012 | Comments Off on Gamble on Microsoft Security Essentials Pays Off

There was a lot of skepticism when Microsoft launched yet another attempt to protect Windows OS without choking it to death with protection…and doing it for free.  Recent reports seem to say that those of us who gambled on Microsoft Security Essentials getting it right this time, won…in a big way. …


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Find Out Whether Your Computer is Pwned

Find Out Whether Your Computer is Pwned

March 24, 2012 | Comments Off on Find Out Whether Your Computer is Pwned

As part of the DNSChanger malware campaign hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide were affected.  Is you computer one of them? Here is a link to an article by Dennis O’Reilly with links to a test that will tell you whether your computer is clean or not and what to do about it. …


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How to Protect Yourself from WiFi Honeypots

How to Protect Yourself from WiFi Honeypots

March 16, 2012 | Comments Off on How to Protect Yourself from WiFi Honeypots

They are called “honeypots” because they ensnare the unsuspecting WiFi user and steal their information.  So how can you protect yourself and surf your local coffee shop’s free WiFi without getting stung? Here are five tips about safe surfing! …


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How to Safely Test Drive Windows 8 Consumer Preview

How to Safely Test Drive Windows 8 Consumer Preview

March 16, 2012 | Comments Off on How to Safely Test Drive Windows 8 Consumer Preview

Fred Langa wants to offer a way for you to try out Microsoft’s newest Operating System, Win 8. So here is his column from the latest Windows Secret Newletter with the step-by-step instructions. …


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Who Will Buy a Shiny New Apple…?

Who Will Buy a Shiny New Apple…?

March 9, 2012 | Comments Off on Who Will Buy a Shiny New Apple…?

Is the “new iPad” just another expensive toy?  To many yes, but to nearly half the owners of present iPads, it’s a must have.

To put things in perspective, Tim Cook, the new CEO of the “post-Jobs” Apple, reported astounding sales figures of all Apple “devices” for 2011.

“Last year, Apple sold 172 million of what Cook calls “post-PC” devices, making up 76 percent of the company’s revenues. On a related note, he said Apple sold 62 million iOS devices in the last quarter and 315 million overall.”

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Left Behind: Windows Standard Crowd

Left Behind: Windows Standard Crowd

March 9, 2012 | Comments Off on Left Behind: Windows Standard Crowd

A long-time Windows supporter and analyst for all the past incarnations of Microsoft’s OS is haunted by the notion that Windows 8 is leaving him and his colleagues behind. Woody Leonhard, of Windows Secrets Newsletter, expresses grave doubts about the direction toward which Windows seems to be heading.  The march toward the Metro interface on the Consumer Preview of Windows 8, means the departure of old signposts like the “Start button.”  Looks like mobile devices are having a profound affect on desktops as well as laptops. …


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iPhone Apps to Help You With Your Fuel Economy

iPhone Apps to Help You With Your Fuel Economy

March 2, 2012 | Comments Off on iPhone Apps to Help You With Your Fuel Economy

Here is a review by noted car site Edmunds.com of four iPhone applications to help keep track of your fuel economy in the face of soaring costs. …


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Android Apps to Help With Fuel Economy

Android Apps to Help With Fuel Economy

March 2, 2012 | Comments Off on Android Apps to Help With Fuel Economy

Here is a listing of a wide range of Android apps to help you keep track of your fuel economy. …


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Why Your Computer Is Looking More Like Your Phone

Why Your Computer Is Looking More Like Your Phone

February 25, 2012 | Comments Off on Why Your Computer Is Looking More Like Your Phone

Maybe  you haven’t noticed but the announcement of Mountain Lion for Mac OS, is taking computers one step closer to looking and working like the smartphones in many of our pockets.  Pete Cashmore of Mashable has an interesting commentary on the subject. …


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