As anyone who’s used Windows built-in troubleshooting utility will know full well, it’s positively useless. The Windows Troubleshooter tries its damndest to help you with your problem, but it just doesn’t have the answer to any but the simplest of questions. And while it’s certainly possible to wait a few hours to talk to tech support,...

What a lot of people don’t realize is how much our society relies on computers for…well, everything.  They’re pretty much the beating heart of modern civilization, and are involved in operating everything from government to finance to power. The trouble with computers is that, well…they’re far from perfect. Most of these systems...

If you’re using Windows, there are a few things you should know to do. It’s not simply a matter of turning on your system and letting it run. Occasionally, you need to do more. Sometimes, you need to take an active role in your computer’s operations, whether it’s to change a setting, access a feature, or recover from a...

This might be a little late in coming, but… It’s occurred to me that, when faced with the prospect of purchasing a new computer, the concept of Intel’s different processors might end up confusing quite a few people. It’s pretty obvious how their new line of processors stack up against the old (they’re better), but at the same...

Microsoft Word might be one of the foremost word processing tools around, but that doesn’t mean it’s of peerless quality. Ask anyone who has to use the application on a regular basis and there’s a good chance they’ll regale you with horror stories of the various foibles, flaws, and bugs that they have to deal with – all of which...

Everybody knows that heat is bad for electronics. Keeping your computer in an area that’s too well-insulated or not properly ventilated is a sure recipe for disaster. In the most extreme circumstances, key components could end up simply melting. Circuitry can overheat and overload. I even had a friend whose graphics card actually lit on fire because of an...

I’ve got this friend. He’s a bit of a PC buff. Building computers (building anything he can, really) is a hobby he attacks with a sort of characteristic zeal. And his knowledge about computers rivals (if not surpasses) that of many so-called technology experts. However, there’s this weird thing he used to do. Every couple of months (I believe...

Most of you by now have probably heard that Google’s implemented a new privacy policy that came into effect on March 1st. A lot of you, however, likely don’t know just what this entails. What does it mean for your searches? Your personal information? Your privacy?  Nothing good. The new policy, Google cheerfully claims, is designed to help deliver...

Does anybody here remember the Nintendo 64? The Super Nintendo? The Atari 2600? The Sega Genesis? What did all of these awesome old school consoles have in common? No, it wasn’t the fact that they all used cartridges (good guess, though.)  Give up? They were all nearly indestructible. Unless you opted to take a baseball bat to one, chances are...

The Internet is the lifeblood of our society. That’s pretty obvious to anyone who hasn’t been living under a rock for the past few years. Nowadays, it’s not just a matter of browsing the web anymore. We’re using the ‘net for everything from finances to gaming and from connecting with others to our very livelihood. It should go...

Now, some of you are probably looking at that title and scratching your heads a little. You’re wondering why there needs to be a guide for getting rid of an antivirus. Isn’t it as simple as clicking ‘uninstall?” You’d think so, but no. See, Strong Malware Defender is actually false antivirus software – one of the most...

Most of you probably already know by now that despite the fact that the iPad 2 hasn’t even reached the end of its life cycle, Apple’s planning on adding another iteration to their product line. Due on March 16, the product which Apple’s dubbed “the new iPad.” Some journalists feel that the name’s something of a misnomer...

Google Voice is a pretty awesome service…one which allows for phone calls to anywhere in the States, low-rate long distance, video chat, and voice mail. Best of all? It’s completely free of charge. Of course, there’s a catch. It’s not available everywhere. Even in those countries where it is available, you can’t actually receive...

I saw a rather interesting article in Forbes a few days ago. Written earlier in the month by contributor Paul Tassi, it covers the war on Piracy and why the RIAA/MPAA and all their cronies are ultimately fighting a losing battle. The problem, Tassi writes, is that the lobbyists and executives are coming out swinging at air, raging against a foe that is...

I’ve a confession to make: I don’t actually have a cable connection. For obvious reasons, I’ve eschewed television altogether. What few shows I actually do watch, I can legally view online. Why bother paying an extra thirty to one hundred a month for something I’m not actually going to use, right? But I digress – we’re getting...