Skip to Content

Massively explains Warhammer Online to the dedicated WoW player
AOL Tech

Posts Filed under: Advice

11 Quick Fixes for Gadget Disasters

by Warren Riddle, posted Mar 14th 2009 at 2:01PMFeatured Story



Dropping your cell phone in the pool (or worse) or spilling coffee on your computer keyboard doesn't necessarily mean that you have to buy a new one. Such last-minute disasters happen all the time. As a public service for our klutzy readers, or those who choose to take a 'MacGruber' approach to tech repair, we've put together a list of quick fix solutions for your gadget and tech mishaps or emergencies. We've scoured the Web (and pestered the IT guys) to compile this list, and, while some are tested methods of providing a temporary fix on the cheap, a few solutions are intended to be used only as a last resort option. (If you decide on a whim that your keyboard needs cleaning, put it in the dishwasher, and find that it no longer works, sorry, but you're on your own, folks.) Regardless, we hope these help.

Save Money on Printer Ink

by Jon Chase, posted Mar 10th 2009 at 3:49PM



Printer ink is one of the most ridiculously expensive liquids in the world; at retail, it costs thousands of dollars per gallon. For black-and-white documents, buy generic printer ink or refills. For color photos, save tons of money by using professional services; they make better prints for far cheaper than you can.

How to Twitter: One Writer's Experience

by Terrence O'Brien, posted Mar 9th 2009 at 5:30PM

Wall Street Journal Reporter Gets Familiar with Twitter

Another day, another news outlet hops on the Twitter bandwagon. Wall Street Journal reporter Julia Angwin is the latest in the horde of mainstream media personalities and news journalists to write about the micro-blogging, social networking service.

Angwin takes a more personal approach to the write up than other articles, avoiding some of the broader "this-is-Twitter-isn't-it-cool"-isms that most other recent reports have been focusing on. She chronicles her own experiences with the service and how she's learned to use it.

Do you use Twitter?



Angwin admits, like many, that she didn't quite understand the service when she first joined. But after getting acquainted with Twitter by checking out other users on the site, she was hooked. Her biggest challenge was gathering followers, which she quickly realized was as simple as starting to Tweet. While posting thoughts worked to build a base of followers, she found that offering commentary and opinion drew far more attention. So instead of simply saying "eating strawberries during a snowstorm," she tacked on, "not carbon efficient but lovely."

Continue reading How to Twitter: One Writer's Experience

15 Phishing Scams to Watch Out For

by Warren Riddle, posted Mar 5th 2009 at 2:10PMFeatured Story



Perhaps the most pervasive and discussed Internet graft, phishing garners daily mention from media outlets for its high-profile victims, such as PayPal, and its incredibly diverse methods. Traditionally known as an e-mail scam, the hustle has grown to incorporate seemingly infinite forms of attack, which can make it seem intimidating and confusing.

In theory, though, the con is pretty simple. Scammers bait unsuspecting targets with seemingly legitimate requests from what appear to be reliable sources (banks, news outlets, stores) in efforts to obtain personal information. The perps specifically target data, such as social security numbers, passwords and bank pins, that can be used to access bank and credit card accounts, resulting in stolen funds and identity theft.

Casual surfers of the Web can take precautions to ensure they don't fall for any bait. Be incredibly wary of whom you give personal information, and always keep your anti-virus software up-to-date. To help you stay informed about the latest phishing incarnations, here are some of the most prevalent and convincing scams making the rounds

How to Shut Off Startup Programs (Windows)

by Terrence O'Brien, posted Mar 3rd 2009 at 1:31PM



You might not even realize it, but when you first log onto your PC, dozens of programs and services are starting that you most likely don't need. Some rear their ugly heads in the system tray (that little collection of icons next to the clock in Windows), but others run quietly in the background with you none the wiser.

Now, don't get scared, these instructions will take you to corners of your operating system (OS) you may not have seen before, but follow our instructions below and you should notice slightly quicker performance and potentially much faster boot times.

Windows:

  • In XP select Run from the Start menu, under Vista you can hit the Windows key and "r" at the same time to bring up the Run dialog.
  • Run msconfig.
  • Select the Services tab.
  • You can safely uncheck the following services: Fast User Switching (if you only have one account on the PC), Indexing Service, Remote Registry, Smart Card, Telephony, Computer Browser (unless you have a home network), Messenger, Net Logon, Telnet, Terminal Services, NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing, Remote Desktop Help Session Manager, Uninterpretable Power Supply.
  • Now navigate to the Startup tab.
  • Uncheck any applications that don't need to be running the minute you startup your computer -- like AIM, iTunes Helper, and QT Task. But leave the antivirus.

Real-World Financial Tips From Virtual World Investing Pros

by Chad Mumm, posted Feb 28th 2009 at 6:01PM



With Wall Street in disgrace and the economy in a nosedive, where should the country turn for financial advice? Would you ever think gamers? Since 2003, players on the massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG) Entropia has been steadily building an economy that now boasts a daily turnover of $1.25 million per day. Entropia sports a real cash economy model of play where monetary units in the game (PEDs) have a fixed 10:1 exchange rate with the US Dollar and players use this currency to purchase anything from weapons and other items to pieces of virtual real estate. In fact, Club NEVERDIE, an asteroid space resort in the game, set a world record as the "Most Expensive Virtual Object" when it was purchased for $100,000 USD in 2007, an investment with an estimated value over $1 million USDs today. The game is free to join but like the real world, it often takes money to make money and many players treat gaming in Entropia like a job.

We had a chance to speak with some of those who have had tremendous success in the game (one player put his brother through college using his earnings) and they had a few words of advice for fallen Wall Street investors, who may have overlooked one of the core tenets of investing:

Related Links:

How to Disable Startup Programs on Your Computer (Linux)

by Terrence O'Brien, posted Feb 28th 2009 at 1:36PM



You might not even realize it, but when you first log onto your PC, dozens of programs and services are starting that you most likely don't need. Some rear their ugly heads in the system tray (that little collection of icons next to the clock in Windows), but others run quietly in the background with you none the wiser.

Now, don't get scared, these instructions will take you to corners of your operating system (OS) you may not have seen before, but follow our instructions below and you should notice slightly quicker performance and potentially much faster boot times. Every Linux distribution is slightly different, so check the support forums for your particular flavor if this doesn't work for you.

Continue reading How to Disable Startup Programs on Your Computer (Linux)

21 Places to Go When You're Sick of Facebook

by Christine Whitney, posted Feb 27th 2009 at 11:45PMFeatured Story



Remember the days before MySpace, Facebook, and the like, when online social networking was considered kind of odd? Now that everyone from kindergartners to grandmas have online profiles, these Web sites are officially part of our reality. Obviously, MySpace and Facebook aren't for everyone, so where can you go for your online mingling? As it turns out, there are Web communities that cater to almost every imaginable interest, from film to pets to knitting and so on. We've collected a whole world of options for those of you looking for a place want to meet people that are more like you, and not like the weirdos you'll find on Hoffspace. Click through to see our full list.

8 Ways to Back-Up Your Computer (and Keep Your Stuff Safe)

by Terrence O'Brien, posted Feb 26th 2009 at 2:01PMFeatured Story

If there's one important task computer users regularly ignore, it's backing up their data, including important items like their office documents, music, videos, and photos. Things go wrong sometimes: Computers get viruses, hard drives fail, and ex-girlfriends launch belongings out of windows, leaving you in a bind.

One of the biggest reasons people forget backing up is that they don't know where to start, what tools to use, or how to go about it. While we can't come to your house and do it for you, we can at least give you our preferred options to help you choose. Don't be scared -- the process is relatively simple these days and often completely automated, so you won't have any excuses when your music library and your financial records are all gone.

Click on 'Next' below to see Switched's Backup Roundup. It's for your own good.

Tech Deductable From Taxes, Says Accountant - Here's How

by Lee Bains, posted Feb 26th 2009 at 12:15PM


As April 15th rapidly approaches, and as more and more of us become under- (if not un-)employed, one CPA named Glenn Eisenbruch is willing to ease our burdens, showing us how to strike tech from our taxes at LaptopMag.com.

We here at Switched are pleased to find out that -- whether incorporated as a business, or not -- any self-employed person (including bloggers, thankfully) can write off his or her computer, phone, printer and even furniture. "As long as it is used in a trade or business," Eisenbruch told Laptop Magazine, "it would qualify."

While this news is more than welcome, the tax break code is not an easily broken one for schmoes like us. So, that being said, we'll let Mr. Eisenbruch speak for himself. Click through to find out how you can catch a break on your computer, your smartphone, or even your vehicle.

Continue reading Tech Deductable From Taxes, Says Accountant - Here's How


Most Commented On (7 days)

Switched Video

 


Follow us on Twitter

Featured Galleries

MIDs at CES 2009
BlackBerry Storm
Death of Print

Switched Photo Galleries

AOL Tech Network


Latest Reviews from CNET.com

CNET provides the latest tech news, unbiased reviews, videos, podcasts, software, and downloads, making tech products easy to find, understand and use.

Top Product Reviews

AOL News

Other Weblogs Inc. Network blogs you might be interested in:

Joystiq
Download Squad
The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)
BloggingStocks
Joystiq Xbox
Autoblog
Big Download
Fanhouse NFL Blog