What’s the Best Plex Client For HTPC Users?
You’ve set up a Plex server, and now you’re wondering about the best client for watching stuff on your home theater PC. The answer: it depends.
The iPhone X Might Be Samsung’s Most Profitable Phone: How Tech Companies Rely on Each Other
Tech companies hate each other, right? Reading the popular tech press certainly makes you think so, but don’t buy into it.
Why Old Video Games Were So Hard: The Unofficial History of Nintendo Hard
If you’re old enough to have played games in the 80s or early 90s, you’ll remember that they were hard: really damn hard. Why they were they so infuriatingly difficult? The answer presents a fascinating look at the history …
Why There Will Never Be a Spotify For TV Shows and Movies
Spotify is great. $10 a month gets you access to pretty much all the music ever made, and you’re done. We’re not going to get that kind of thing for TV shows and movies.
What is sandboxd, and Why Is It Running on my Mac?
You noticed something called “sandboxd” while looking through Activity Monitor, and now you’re here. So what is this thing?
Re-Live 90s Computing In Your Browser Right Now
Remember the 90s? Computers were slow, and connected over dialup, but we loved them anyway. If you ever feel nostalgic for that era you can revisit it online, right now, without leaving your web browser….
How to Watch Free Live TV with Plex DVR
Plex’s DVR and live TV service is easy to set up, streams to all of your devices, and can remove commercials automatically. Every cord cutter should set this up.
How to Edit Your Pictures Using macOS’ Photos
Lots of Mac users use Photos for sorting and browsing photo collections. It syncs easily with your iPhone, recognizes faces, and even sorts your photos into Memories. What you might not know is that Photos is also now a dece…
How to Add an AirDrop Icon to Your macOS Dock
You know you can use AirDrop to quickly share files between Macs and iOS devices, but on the Mac, Airdrop is kind of hidden. There’s an icon in the sidebar of the Finder, and that’s it.
It’s Time to Banish Your Screens From the Bedroom
Can’t get to sleep? You might as well pick up your phone and scroll through Instagram for a bit, then maybe Facebook, and what was that blog with the funny pictures you used to look at back in the day, does it still exist? Oh…
How to Set Up Whole-House Parental Controls with OpenDNS
Your kids need internet access to do their homework, but that doesn’t mean you’re comfortable with them accessing everything online. There’s no technological substitute for proper adult supervision, but a free service called …
Why Ad Companies Love Google’s Ad Blocker, But Hate Apple’s Privacy Features
On February 15, Google Chrome will start blocking ads on intrusive sites, and mainstream ad companies aren’t particularly upset about it. In fact, they helped Google make this happen.
Skype Is Vulnerable to a Nasty Exploit: Switch to the Windows Store Version
If the desktop version of Skype is on your Windows computer, you’re vulnerable to a really nasty exploit. A flaw in Skype’s update tool could give attackers full control over your system, and Microsoft says there isn’t going …
Perfect Computer Security Is a Myth. But It’s Still Important
Maybe you’ve heard it before: “Security is a myth.” It’s become a common refrain after a never-ending string of high-profile security breaches. If Fortune 500 companies with million dollar security budgets can’t lock things d…
How to Get TurboTax or H&R Block for Free with IRS Free File
If you watch television, browse the web, or even listen to the radio, you’ve heard them: tax preparation apps promising to help you file your taxes for free. Try to actually use those apps, however, and it doesn’t take long b…
What Is “parentalcontrolsd”, and Why Is It Running on My Mac?
Something called parentalcontrolsd is running on your Mac—at least, that’s what you found when you checked Activity Monitor. Maybe it’s using up CPU cycles, or maybe it’s just there and you want to know why. To begin: this …
How Do YouTube Channels Make Money?
Most people are aware that popular YouTube channels make money, but it’s not immediately obvious how. And there’s a reason for that: the answer isn’t straightforward.
What Is the “commerce” Process, and Why Is It Running on My Mac?
There’s a process called “commerce” running on your Mac right now. You can find it using Activity Monitor, but with a generic name like that, how are you supposed to know what it’s doing?
What Is nsurlstoraged, and Why Is It Running on my Mac?
You’re browsing the applications running using Activity Monitor when you notice something you don’t recognize: nsurlstoraged. What is this, you might be wondering, and why is it using network and CPU resources? First, don’t p…
How to Reset the DNS Cache on macOS
If you work on websites, you’ll occasionally need to reset your computer’s DNS cache, particularly after editing records or changing hosts. While flushing the DNS cache on Windows is easy with a dedicated command, Mac users h…
What Is Apple’s “Secure Enclave”, And How Does It Protect My iPhone or Mac?
iPhones and Macs with Touch ID or Face ID use a separate processor to handle your biometric information. It’s called the Secure Enclave, it’s basically an entire computer unto itself, and it offers a variety of security featu…
How to Enable Fast User Switching in macOS
If you share a Mac with family or roommates, you’re going to want to set up multiple macOS user accounts. Each account has its own documents, browser history, and saved passwords.
What Is UserEventAgent, and Why Is It Running on My Mac?
You’re looking through Activity Monitor when you notice a process you’re unfamilar with: UserEventAgent. Should you be worried? No: this is a core part of macOS.
Alexa, Why Is Cortana Still on My Computer?
Alexa is coming to PCs, according to numerous reports. Acer, ASUS, and Lenovo are all working on computers with Alexa support built in, meaning you’ll be able to ask your PC a question the same way you ask your Echo….
What Is mDNSResponder, And Why Is It Running On My Mac?
You’re setting up a Mac firewall, or just checking what’s running using Activity Monitor, when you notice something cryptic is running: mDNSResponder. What is this process, and should you be worried? No: this is a core part o…
