Advice (Subscribe to this feed)
What's the Best Digital Camera for Around $100?
Question: I need a new digital camera. But since money is tight these days, I can't spend much over $100. Is there a camera around that price that's worth any money at all? Our Advice: Yes. These days, most camera makers sell surprisingly ... Read more →
Should You Get an Extended Warranty? (10 Things to Consider)
2 months ago on SwitchedBurning question: Should I pay extra for an extended warranty? The short answer: No. The much-longer answer: Probably not, though it depends on what you buy, what the plan covers, and how techie you are. We do recommend warranties for ...
Is Your Real Name Already Taken on Twitter? Here's How to Get It Back.
2 months ago on SwitchedRegistering early is the best way to get the username or URL of your choice on social networking services. But being first isn't always enough. Sites like Twitter and MySpace, for example, reserve the right to "reclaim" a URL for celebrities, ...
Is the Viliv S5 UMPC Worth the Hype?
3 months ago on SwitchedWelcome to another edition of Hype Check, where we give much-anticipated new gadgets or services a test drive and tell you whether or not they live up to the hype. Today, we set our critical eyes on the Viliv S5. What it is: The Viliv S5 is a ...
What You Probably Don't Know About Windows 7
3 months ago on SwitchedWe've covered some of the more important features of Windows 7 before -- including the improvements in security and speed -- but there are a host of other, lesser-mentioned features that make using Windows 7 much more pleasurable than Vista. ...
Which Rugged Camera Should You Get?
3 months ago on SwitchedQuestion: I'm planning a vacation with my wife and kids this summer, and I want one camera to cover it all. Something small enough to take around with us wherever we go, and most importantly, super durable and waterproof so we can take it to the ...
12 Ways Technology Threatens Your Privacy (and How to Protect Yourself)
3 months ago on SwitchedVast stores of sensitive details about you are living in computer networks all over the world. This is information -- secrets shared in e-mails, details of your finances, records of your purchases and disease diagnoses – that you may ...
Unconventional Ways to Speed up Your Computer
3 months ago on SwitchedWhen Paul Boutin of the New York Times' Gadget Wise blog wanted to convert his aging Toshiba laptop into a blazing-fast, blogging powerhouse, he took some unconventional steps in the name of performance. For starters, one of his five controversial ...
Unstable Flat-Screen TVs Sending More Kids to the ER
3 months ago on SwitchedFaulty installation of flat-screen televisions can pose a real risk to children when they're not properly secured, according to a new study recently published by the Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, OH. According to the study, nearly ...
How to Send Faxes for Free Online
3 months ago on SwitchedWith the advent of e-mail and file attachments, faxes have slowly disappeared. But, every so often, you'll come across a government agency, or employer, that requires you to actually fax a document. Sure, you could buy a fax machine for those rare ...
Why You Shouldn't Clean Your TV With Windex
3 months ago on SwitchedInevitably, your fancy HDTV and flat-panel monitor are going to collect dust. But how should you clean them? Many people go the Windex route, while others splurge for the pricey cleaning products sold at BestBuy and the like. Truth is, however, ...
17 Ways You Might Be Breaking the Law (With Your Tech)
3 months ago on SwitchedIn 1998, New York's then mayor Rudy Giuliani created uproar when he proposed a zero-tolerance crime policy that included nabbing people for jaywalking. Anyone who's strolled New York knows that jaywalking is as common as hot dog vendors and ...
Kill Frozen Programs in Windows With a Shortcut
3 months ago on SwitchedIf you're a Windows user, it pretty much goes without saying that you've encountered a frozen program before. Often these jammed apps get labeled with the dreaded "Not Responding" message and simply refuse to do anything, even close. Usually, the ...
Save Laptop Battery Power on Plane Flights
3 months ago on SwitchedSave precious laptop battery power for those long flights by tweaking a few basic settings. First, in the 'Performance and Maintenance' control panel, set it to 'Max Battery.' Then, turn down the brightness as far as you can, and turn off ...
Save Time With Keyboard Shortcuts
3 months ago on SwitchedKeyboard shortcuts save time, hassle, and work in virtually every app on PCs and Macs. Here are the most popular (for Macs, use the Apple key instead of Control): 'Ctrl + a' (select all); 'Ctrl + c' (copy); 'Ctrl + v' (paste); 'Ctrl + x' (cut); ...
Get a Real Mouse, Mac Lovers
3 months ago on SwitchedMac people: drop the clear plastic mouse-toy, go buy a $15 three-button USB mouse, and, right out of the box, enjoy all the right-click, scrolling-through-documents-and-web-pages goodness that PC folk have enjoyed forever. The Mighty Mouse doesn't ...