Tips, guides, and reviews about software, web apps, technology, mobile phones, and computers.

  • Essential Add-ons for Firefox #3: Netbook Edition

    In the third edition of our Essential Add-ons for Firefox series, I’ll be showing you how to maximize your usable workspace in Firefox.  This is especially useful for netbooks, which have small displays and typically offer a very limited amount of vertical space. The goal of this guide is to free up as much vertical…

  • How to Install Linux from a USB Flash Drive

    Since many ultra-portable laptops (commonly known as netbooks) do not come equipped with optical drives, users are typically forced to purchase an external optical drive to install an operating system such as Linux.  In this guide, I’ll show you how to easily install a Linux operating system with a USB flash drive and a piece…

  • How to Keep WordPress Secure with WP Security Scan

    If you’re running a WordPress self-hosted website, you are probably aware that WordPress’s popularity has caused it to become a frequent target for hackers.  Aside from keeping your WordPress software up-to-date (which is the most important step you can take to secure your website), it is critical to make sure your site’s folder permissions are…

  • Looking for Free Virus, Spyware, and Malware Protection? Try Microsoft Security Essentials

    Windows only:  Microsoft has just released the public version of their free virus, spyware, and malware protection suite dubbed Microsoft Security Essentials (the successor to their lesser-known Live OneCare product which offered similar features).  Security Essentials is a quick download and simple installation, giving users clear and easy-to-use indications whether your PC is secure or…

  • How to Partition Your Hard Drive with Easeus Partition Master

    Most hard drives come with multiple partitions – which can be thought of as individual hard drives within your main hard drive – to separate a hard drive into multiple sections.  Partitions are very useful if you want to separate your operating system from your documents (allows for easier OS reinstallation), and most manufacturers include…

  • How to Access Gmail Without an Internet Connection

    We all love the freedom and accessibility provided by keeping our email in the digital “cloud“, but an inevitable problem always arises: what do we do when we aren’t able to access the internet?  Or, as we recently discovered, what do we do when the our web-based email provider crashes? One solution is to activate…

  • Game Review: Goldeneye: Source (PC)

    “Hey! Wanna come over and play some GoldenEye?” There was never a negative response to that question when I was younger.  GoldenEye 007 is always the first game that comes to mind whenever I get into a nostalgic conversation about how awesome the Nintendo 64 was growing up.  Kids my age had birthday parties that…

  • Decrease Fedora Update Time With yum-presto

    Installing updates on any operating system can be a time consuming process.  Part of the philosophy of a free and open source operating system is the commitment to keeping your system updated with the latest security patches and feature updates.  With Fedora systems, I often see 50-100 MB worth of updates per week.  Even on…

  • How to Connect to a Windows Remote Desktop

    Previously, I covered the steps for setting up your computer to receive Remote Desktop connections, enabling you to control your computer from any other computer on the internet.   In this guide, I will cover the procedure for connecting to your Remote Desktop enabled computer  from another computer via the internet. Connecting from Windows XP/Vista/7 Click…

  • How to Enable Windows Remote Desktop

    Remote Desktop is Microsoft’s built-in software that allows you to access a computer from any other computer via the internet.  Remotely accessing your computer can be a valuable resource if you need access to files and other information if you do not have physical access to the computer. Note: Remote Desktop access is only available…