10 Cool Things to Do with a Laptop
Some of us take our laptop computers with us everywhere: to work, to school, to the local coffee shop, and even on vacation. With computing power available to us at all times, it's tempting to work even when we should be enjoying the beach or taking a well-deserved break at home. Go to article/video >
Choose a Computer Monitor
If the eyes are the windows to the soul, then the monitor screen must be the window to the computer. So how do you choose a computer monitor among the hundreds of options? Stick around, and we'll help you make sense of the many available features. Go to article/video >
Choosing Good Passwords
When it comes to your computer, choosing good passwords are the keys to the kingdom—you don't want them falling into the wrong hands. Follow these tips for creating and safeguarding effective passwords, and you'll keep the bad guys guessing. What makes a password obvious to hackers? Often you create a password on the spot, when you may be in a hurry. Go to article/video >
Choosing Software for Common Tasks
Choosing the right software for common tasks can be hard with so many applications to choose from. And chances are pretty good these days that if you buy a computer, you'll pay more for the software on it than for the computer itself. Many common software packages cost more than $500, and it may not be clear whether these expensive purchases are necessary. Go to article/video >
Clean Your Laptop Safely
Remember the last time you washed your car? You took it to the car wash or broke out the hose and blasted off layer after layer of grime. And afterwards, you beamed at how good it looked. Heck, you might even have thought it ran better, too. But when was the last time you cleaned your laptop computer? Go to article/video >
Freeware Programs
If you've bought a computer recently, you may have spent more for the software than you did for the computer itself. That's because for a number of years, the price of computer hardware has been decreasing, while the cost of software has been increasing. One way to save money on some of the popular software packages is to consider free alternatives. Go to article/video >
Getting Rid of Spyware
Most of us don't have to worry about encountering 007-style super-spies or shifty-eyed characters in trench coats, but we all need to know about their cyber-versions-spyware. Spyware lurks around every corner of the Web, waiting for a chance to infect your computer. Knowing what to look out for is your best counterattack, and we'll show you how. I've heard of spyware, but what is... Go to article/video >
Google Tools
A Swiss Army* knife is a wonderful tool. When everything is folded away, it looks neat and simple, but when you inspect it closely you might find a magnifying glass, a USB memory card, a laser pointer, a flashlight, or a cigar cutter (I kid you not, visit www.victorinox.ch and see for yourself). Google* is a lot like a Swiss Army knife. Go to article/video >
How to Set Up Instant Messaging
Sure, e-mail is a great way to connect with friends and family. It's free, quick, and best of all it's easy. However, much like sending a letter through the mail, with e-mail you usually have to wait awhile for a response, check your spelling and hit send. What if you could chat with someone, much like you do on the phone, and get a response back in an instant? Go to article/video >
Install a Wireless Webcam
Installing a Webcam is a fun and worthwhile project, whether it's for home security or to help you keep track of your kids or pets. You can securely view whatever the camera sees from anywhere in the world, as long as you have access to the Internet. And with a wireless Webcam, you'll have even more flexibility, because you can install it farther away from your computer. Wired or wireless? Go to article/video >
