What Does “DW” Mean, and How Do You Use It?
The acronym “DW” is a great way to make a conversation a little less tense. We’ll tell you what it means and how to use it in your messages.
What Is Among Us, and How Do You Play It?
The thrilling multiplayer video game Among Us recently emerged as a cultural phenomenon online as it continues to gain new features and platform support. Here’s more info—and why people keep talking about it….
What Is a Smart Power Strip?
Smart power strips, available for as little as $20, give you the ability to schedule your devices to run whenever you’d like—all from the control of your phone or voice. Here’s everything you need to know about these super-…
What Are Personalized Ads, and How Do They Work?
If you’re worried about how oddly specific the ads you see online are getting, read on. We’ll explain what ad personalization is and how you’re being targeted every time you use your smartphone or computer….
How to Choose a Motherboard for Your PC: What to Look for
New PC builds happen along a common trajectory: You decide on your GPU and CPU in whichever order is important to you. Next, you usually decide on the motherboard based on your budget (and chosen CPU), the case, and then ever…
What Is Color Depth?
Color depth is a term you’ve probably heard while buying a TV or setting up a new console. It’s a unit of measurement that relates directly to the number of colors that can be displayed, and it can also affect image quality….
A Successful Failure: The TI-99/4A Turns 40
In June 1981, Texas Instruments released the TI-99/4A, a 16-bit home computer and gaming platform that became a huge cultural success in America after selling 2.8 million units, although it resulted in a business loss for TI….
Why “Hackers” and “Hacks” Aren’t Always Bad
Not every “hack” is bad, and not every hacker is a criminal. In fact, many hackers secure websites and companies from malicious actors. Here’s how the terms got started—and how they became misunderstood….
Forget Humidity, Dew Point Is How It Really Feels Outside
Humidity can have a huge effect on how hot it really feels outside. Thankfully, weather apps typically include humidity numbers, but you’re probably looking at the wrong ones. What you should be checking is the dew point….
What Is Peak Brightness?
With high dynamic range (HDR) now coming as standard on most new TVs, you might have heard the term “peak brightness” used to describe display performance or image quality. So what is peak brightness, how is it measured, and …
Macintosh System 1: What Was Apple’s Mac OS 1.0 Like?
On January 14, 1984, Apple released the first version of its Macintosh operating system, System 1.0. Despite being almost four decades old, many of its features resemble today’s macOS. We’ll take you on a brief tour of this h…
What Does “HODL” Mean?
You’re scrolling through social media, and you encounter someone saying that they’re “HODLING” or telling someone else to “HODL.” Confused? Here’s what the word means in the world of cryptocurrency and finance—and why it’s …
What Is Amazon Sidewalk, and Should You Disable It?
On June 8, 2021, most Amazon smart home devices—as well as certain other connected gadgets—will become part of a nationwide network called Sidewalk. Here’s what you need to know, and how to opt out if you choose to….
What Is Contrast Ratio?
If you’re searching for a new TV or monitor, you’ve probably come across the term “contrast ratio” in marketing materials and reviews online. So what exactly does contrast ratio mean and what does a “good” contrast ratio look…
What Is “Black Crush” on a Display?
Have you heard the term “black crush” while looking at TV or monitor reviews? The problem is getting more attention now that display manufacturers are trying to improve black reproduction, particularly on LED-lit LCD models. …
What Is Shareware, and Why Was It So Popular in the 1990s?
It’s a crazy idea: Give your software away for free and hope that people like it enough to send you money. That was the idea behind shareware, a popular commercial software model in the 1980s and 1990s. Here’s what made it un…
What Is Aspect Ratio?
You might have come across the term “aspect ratio” while shopping for a new computer monitor or looking up a film on IMDb. The term is used extensively throughout the video and photography world. At its core, aspect ratio is …
What Is a Smart Home Hub?
Getting started with smart home technology is daunting. There are many different paths you can go down. A common component of smart homes is the central “hub.” What exactly is a smart home hub, and do you need one?…
What Does “IDC” Mean, and How Do You Use It?
Has anyone ever sent you a short “IDC” in response to something you were really excited about? Here’s what it means and why you might find it a little rude.
What Is a “Lite Hash Rate” or “LHR” GPU?
Forget about software. In 2021, it’s cryptocurrencies that are eating the world. Thanks to miners looking to strike it rich in cryptocurrencies like Ethereum and Dogecoin, prices are sky-high in the consumer market for graph…
Windows 10 Myth: Don’t Touch “Limit Reservable Bandwidth”
Here’s an old PC myth that just won’t die: Did you know that your Windows PC only uses 80% of its available network bandwidth by default? You can speed up all your downloads by changing a setting in the Registry or Group Poli…
What Does “SMTH” Mean, and How Do You Use It?
Have you ever been sent a sentence referring to “smth” and wondered what that’s supposed to mean? We’ll explain this internet abbreviation to you and tell you how to use it.
What Is Satellite Internet?
Satellite internet is known for being slow and expensive. Traditionally, it was used by people in remote rural areas and at sea. Let’s take a look at the problems associated with satellite internet—as well as how several pl…
What Is the Bash Shell, and Why Is It So Important to Linux?
The Bash shell is over 30 years old and still going strong. What does it do, where did it come from, and why is it still the most common shell on Linux systems?
What Does “Link in Bio” Mean on Social Media?
If you’re an Instagram user, you may have seen someone on the platform refer to their “link in bio” in a video or image post. Here’s what that is and where you can find it.
