There are ways to tweak software that can improve the performance of your network connections, especially your Internet connection. Because most of these adjustments are operating system- and vendor-specific, I can’t review them all here. However, there are a few things that you can do that continually improve the performance of your hardware. The most [...]

When you are deciding which carrier to use, don’t be lured in by offers that sound too good to be true. Often there are hidden charges, or better deals that you may miss in your haste. Study the plan thoroughly and consider the following things before you sign anything. Promotions: Everywhere you look you are [...]

What do you do if you’ve found a device that does everything you want, but it doesn’t support Wi-Fi? The first step is to write or e-mail the manufacturer and politely suggest that they support Wi-Fi in future versions. After that, it’s up to you to correct their oversight and get that thing on your [...]

When selecting the type of backup solution and media that you will use, there are four main factors to consider. The importance of each varies from situation to situation. You may be most concerned with speed and reliability, while another person may be more concerned with cost. Backup or recovery speed varies among systems. Online [...]

Because airtime charges can add up quickly if you use the wireless Web frequently, any steps you take to streamline your browsing process can save you a significant amount of money. A good start is to avoid having to re-input Web addresses every time you surf. Most phones have a “Favorites” type of feature that [...]

The jury is still out on this. While some studies, as well as common sense, suggest a connection between cell phone use and car accidents, accurate data is hard to gather because police seldom collect this information in accident reports. Studies and surveys often use self-reporting by drivers as a method of data collection. The [...]

Once your router is up and running, you need to configure your computers so that they can communicate with it. Chances are that your router has DHCP, so all you need to do is set each PC to acquire its IP addresses automatically and, voila, you’re on the Net. If you don’t have DHCP, you [...]

You can help prevent failure of your hardware by performing periodic maintenance on it. This involves routine cleaning inside the case and maintaining the hard drive with special utilities. You will need the following equipment: – A grounding wrist strap to prevent damage from ESD – A grounding mat, if possible, as added ESD protection [...]

Digital media players, media hubs, or media adapters allow you to view or listen to digital media from your computer on your home entertainment center. Functionality and design varies among devices, but there are two basic types. One type connects to your network and allows you to upload all your video and audio files to [...]

Every phone has some secret functions that can be unlocked; and almost none of them are of any interest to the average user. Most unlocked features do such things as display network identification codes, date of manufacture, date of last repair, software versions, and so on. Caution: Messing with your phone and trying to unlock [...]