Latest Smart Tech How-To Stories
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How-To
How to buy a laptop for college
Light. Fast. Not too expensive. Study up on the most important specs for long days at class and long nights at the library.Answer Line
Find and watch free TV on the Internet
Lucyer asked about Web sites where you can watch television programs for freeHow-To
7 browser tricks to get the most out of your Chromecast
Chromecast already offers a ton of value for its $35 price tag, but the Cast extension for the Chrome browser can help it do so much more.How-To
How to put your DVD library in the cloud
Free your films from their shiny silver prisons so you can watch them forever on your phone, tablet, Roku box, game console, and other devices.How-To
Break the Bottleneck: Smooth out your business’s voice and video streaming with QoS
Prioritize your network traffic to ensure consistent quality.Answer Line
In Android, move a photo to another folder
Once he's snapped a photo with his Android phone, Bob wants to move it to another folderHow-To
Get more out of Google Earth with these tips for power users
Google Earth users can do more than just fly around a virtual globe. The free mapping application can display real-time weather, help compose photographs and measure distances much more easily than its Maps cousin.Answer Line
How to safely remove a USB drive even when Windows says it isn’t safe to do so
Windows doesn't always allow you to safely remove a flash drive or external hard drive. Klaatu asked the Answer Line forum for advice.Answer Line
Add an external drive to your WMP or iTunes music collection
Kat Korsmo asked how to play music off an external hard in Windows Media Player library. (My answer covers iTunes, as well.)
Hassle-Free PC
Add a Wi-Fi hotspot to Windows 8 with Virtual Router Plus
This free utility restores a capability that Microsoft removed from Windows 8, and does it with ease.Answer Line
Cool down an overheated laptop
Gamersim17's laptop was "getting intensely hot." He turned to the Laptops forum for adviceHassle-Free PC
Spruce up your Windows Media Center TV guide with My Channel Logos XL
This newly updated add-on lets you pimp your program guide in all kinds of cool and practical ways.
How-To
8 essential features you need in a business router
It's not enough to offer the latest wireless standard. Make sure the router that will support your office is up to snuff with these core features.Answer Line
Why some Web sites are much slower than others
John asked why one Web page "comes up right away, while another takes quite a long time to load."How-To
Designing your digital legacy
Virtual life can go on. Here's how to set up your online estate through major social networks and useful Web services.How-To
How to set up two-factor authentication for Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and more
No more excuses! Microsoft, Google, and Facebook make it easy to improve your account security with two-factor authentication. Here's how.
Hassle-Free PC
Use SpeedTest to help diagnose Internet problems
If your connection suddenly seems slow, SpeedTest can help you determine where the problem lies.Hassle-Free PC
Turn an RSS feed into a ‘Star Wars’ crawl
The aptly named StarRSS takes your favorite feeds to a galaxy far, far away. Call it the cure for the common RSS.Hassle-Free PC
How to decrease the spacing in Chrome’s bookmark lists
No, you're not imagining it: Google just starting padding your bookmarks. Here's how to undo the change.
How-To
Six ways to cope with flaky hotel Wi-Fi
If a troublesome network is keeping you from getting your work done, consider these other options.
How-To
How to set up public Wi-Fi at your business
Offering free Wi-Fi can increase foot traffic and earn goodwill for your small business. Here's how to get started.Answer Line
How to sync files and folders across two PCs
Sasdas asked the Desktops forum for ways to keep the same folder synced on two PCs, so that changes on one computer show up on the other.How-To
Make your website stand out in Windows 8
New features in Windows 8 and Internet Explorer 10 help you integrate your website and attract visitors to it.How-To
How to migrate RSS feeds from Google Reader
With Google Reader closing in the coming months, taking your RSS feeds with you to a new service doesn't need to be a painstaking process. In this IDG News Tech Tips video, we'll show you how it's done.How-To
How (and why) to set up a VPN today
Investing in a good VPN is one of the smartest steps you can take toward improving your online privacy. We'll show you how to do it right.How-To
Google Chrome: Best security tips for safer browsing
The browser's built-in security features are good but not perfect. Here's how to work around Chrome's shortcomings and protect yourself from attack.Hassle-Free PC
Three great alternatives to Google Reader
So Google is pulling the plug on yet another popular service. Thankfully, there are other ways to manage your RSS feeds.
How-To
Video: How to secure your home Wi-Fi network
In this Tech Tip video, we'll show you how to do more than just set a password to restrict access to your Wi-Fi network.How-To
Make your PC kid-friendly with four custom operating systems
Parental controls are outdated. Make your PC fun for all ages using operating systems designed specifically for tech-savvy tykes.How-To
The ultimate Linux starter kit for small business
Linux machines can save your business cold, hard cash. Here's how to pick the best OS and apps for yourself, your workers, and your IT pros.How-To
The Ubuntu guide for displaced Windows users
Scared of Windows 8 and thinking of switching to Linux? Here's the definitive guide to making the transition.Simply Business
Tackle overloaded Google Apps Gmail accounts with FreeSpace
If your users are constantly bumping into their storage limit, this app can help clear out space-hogging attachments.Hassle-Free PC
Use a Google Voice phone number to keep your personal number private
Google's free service might just be the ultimate 'disposable' phone number for online activities.
How-To
How to make Ubuntu Linux look like Windows 7
Are you ready to make the jump to Linux, but scared of learning a whole new interface? Here's how to make unfamiliar Ubuntu look and feel like the familiar Windows 7 desktop.Hassle-Free PC
Convert a Kindle ebook to a different format
Whether you're looking to back up your Kindle books or read them on another device, you'll need to remove the DRM.Hassle-Free PC
How to browse the Kindle Lending Library on your PC
Your Amazon Prime membership entitles you to one free book "rental" per month. So why does Amazon make them so hard to find?
Answer Line
Answer Line: Change your Wi-Fi password on various devices
1gynRat258 asked the Windows forum how to change the password for a home Wi-Fi network.Hassle-Free PC
How to get Google Voice Search on your PC
If you've fallen in love with the feature on your smartphone, you can have it on your PC as well—if you're willing to switch browsers.How-To
How to monitor and manage your PC from any smartphone or tablet
All you need is a mobile device, a data plan, and a few computers that need love and attention.
How-To
An obscenely slow Internet connection when you’re paying for a fast one
Interronator is paying Time Warner for 20mbps Internet service, but is only getting about .7 (note the decimal point).How-To
How to get started with Google AdWords
Building a genius campaign on the Internet's largest ad network is easier than you think. Here's how to get started and build exposure for your site.How-To
Power through schedules with 21 Google Calendar tricks
Whether you're a Calendar novice or a long-time user, you can start the new year with even greater control and productivity thanks to these must-known tips.How-To
How to return your gadget gifts without any runaround
Unhappy with a gift or other seasonal tech purchase? Here’s our advice for hassle-free returns and exchanges, online and in person.How-To
Ultimate Windows 8 starter guide: Must-know tips, apps and utilities
The gift-giving season has reached a head, and there's a strong possibility that you now find yourself with a new Windows 8 tablet, laptop or hybrid. Does the new OS confuse you? Allow us to assist.How-To
How we built a tiny home theater PC with Intel’s NUC
Intel's "Next Unit of Computing" platform provides everything you need for a competent entertainment PC in an extremely small package.
How-To
The best way to watch Netflix
Darryl asked if he could stream video from Netflix (and presumably other services) through his laptop, and then wirelessly to his HDTV.How-To
Do-it-yourself holiday photo gifts make a big impression
Using iPhoto or Photoshop Elements, you can prep your images to appear on anything from handbags to decorative postage stamps.How-To
How to buy the best laptop in the age of Windows 8
Laptops have changed dramatically in the past few months, making buying choices more difficult. We help you navigate the mobile PC maze.
How-To
How to keep your PC connected on the road
Visiting relatives and faraway cities doesn't mean you have to leave your email behind. Here's how to keep your PC connected in unfamiliar locales.
Answer Line