May 14, 2022

Did You Know?

Historically, many colleges in the United States required that you demonstrate the ability to swim (since it was considered a necessary life skill) before graduating. While the tradition has waned, there are still schools, such as MIT and Cornell University, that require students to demonstrate swimming proficiency.

There was a time when unlimited data plans were truly unlimited. You paid a certain amount every month and you could use as much data as you wanted. However, as more of the world has adopted smartphones, these plans have gone away. Read More »

Something you may encounter when purchasing a new TV is poor color uniformity on a black background, also known as the “dirty screen effect” or DSE for short. So what causes it, and is there anything you can do about it? Read More »

By adding a header or footer to your document, you can include information without distracting from the content. But you may not want the same one on each page. Here’s how to use different headers and footers in Google Docs. Read More »

NAS (network-attached storage) devices can keep all of your files backed up, secure, and accessible from anywhere around the world. Hook up the right NAS to your router, and you’ll have everything from a centralized backup to a home streaming server. These are some of the best choices. Read More »

If you’ve ever shopped for home networking, there is an excellent chance you have heard about Ethernet cables. But what are they for, why would you want to use them, and how do they differ? Read More »

Capacitors play a crucial role in protecting electronic components from dips and surges. Over time, though, they degrade, becoming worse at their job. Here’s how to minimize the risk of capacitor aging when buying a PSU. Read More »

Python is a dynamic programming language that can be used in a variety of ways, and you can learn how to harness its power with a free copy of Python for Geeks. This eBook will teach you everything about Python best practices, to leveraging design patterns, to multithreading, and more.
Download your free copy and get started today.

High refresh rate monitors have traditionally been aimed at gamers, but they have a broader appeal. Device manufacturers like Apple and Samsung have started including displays with high refresh rates in their tablets and phones. So, should you get one for your office computer, as well? Read More »

Windows and Android are very popular, so naturally, there are a lot of people who use both. Microsoft’s “Phone Link” app integrates your Android phone with your PC, giving you access to your phone’s notifications, text messages, photos, and more—right on your PC. Read More »

Google revealed this week that it’s revamping how tap-to-pay purchases, card management, and passes work on Android devices. It’s all a bit complicated, but generally sounds like an improvement. Read More »

I reviewed a $2,800 ultra-short throw (UST) laser projector two years ago and proclaimed it so good I’d buy one. Of course, I had to send that review unit back, which left me with the hard decision: do I spend the money? I did. And after two years, I can comfortably say it was worth it. Read More »

Home theaters are ballooning in popularity, and projector owners are now obsessed with ALR or  “ambient light rejection” screens. Unlike standard white screens, which are shockingly affordable, ALR screens cost well over $600 and promise to improve image quality in unfavorable theater environments—particularly in rooms with lots of unwanted light. Read More »

iPhones with Touch ID look different than iPhones with Face ID, and it can also change how you use certain features on your device. Here’s how to spot a phone with Touch ID—and a list of models that support the feature. Read More »

Google Glass was one of the first breakout attempts at augmented reality technology, but the product was never sold to the general public beyond the initial prototype. At the end of this year’s Google I/O keynote, Google teased a new type of glasses. Read More »

High Efficiency Video Coding, usually called HEVC or H.265, is currently the standard for compressing video. Most new content is encoded using HEVC — but it isn’t included with Windows 11, and the codecs normally cost money. Here’s how to get HEVC for free. Read More »