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Dan Reilly

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Latest Posts from Switched

Doing the Right Thing -- 5 Tech Pitfalls

by Dan Reilly on September 23, 2009 at 04:53 PM


Kids (and kids at heart) have always loved a little school-time tomfoolery, be it streaking at a football game or leaving a flaming bag of poop on a neighbor's doorstep. But in the digital age, the mischief has moved to the most public of forums: online. What may seem like harmless virtual-reality hijinks can have devastating real-world consequences. Switched consulted sociologist Carrie James of Harvard's GoodPlay Project, who recently conducted a study that examined the online behaviors and dilemmas facing 60 teens and young adults aged 15 to 25. With her help, we've come up with the top five online ethical pitfalls that ensnare today's students (and plenty of adults, too). Remember, like the toilet paper dangling from a TP'd tree of yore, online insults and Net misbehavior can leave a trail of incriminating, rep ruining, and possibly career-ending evidence. Ignore at your own risk.

If you're in school or you're an adult in the working world, ignore them at your own peril.

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Ethics 101: 5 Online Pitfalls That Destroy Students

by Dan Reilly on September 22, 2009 at 12:41 PM


Kids have always loved to mix it up with a little school-time tomfoolery, whether it's streaking at a football game or leaving a flaming bag of poop on a teacher's doorstep. But in the digital age, the mischief has moved online. What may seem like harmless virtual-reality hijinks can have devastating real-world consequences. Switched consulted sociologist Carrie James of Harvard's GoodPlay Project, who recently conducted a study that examined the online behaviors of and dilemmas confronted by 60 kids aged 15 to 25. With her help, we've come up with the top five online ethical pitfalls that can ensnare today's students (and plenty of adults, too). If you're in school, ignore them at your own peril. And if you're the parent of a pupil, read on and remember with fondness the simpler, olden days.

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14 Annoying Tech Types

by Dan Reilly on September 8, 2009 at 02:21 PM


Though technology generally makes our lives better, it can also turn us into idiots. Inspired by Blue Tools -- those people who never remove their wireless headsets -- we've compiled a list of personality types who irritate by misusing gadgets and the Internet in ways that are mean, rude, or simply clueless.

Are we stereotyping a bit? Sure, but ultimately, we're here to help. Recognizing that you have a problem is the first step to recovery. So take that headset off for a moment and ask yourself: "Is this what I've become?" If so, just look up from the screen, turn down the volume, and your friends will be happy to have you back. But first, take a look at 12 types who we think should take their technology and shove it.

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How to Lower Your Monthly Bills With Technology

by Dan Reilly on August 18, 2009 at 12:35 PM

Foreclosures. Bailouts. Unemployment. Cats and dogs living together. Yes, these are stressful times. But don't panic: There are a lot of ways to stay afloat during this economic downturn. While we can't advise you on stocks or mortgages, we do know a thing or two about technology. So we present this list of gadgets, Web sites, and tips that will keep at least a few bucks in your bank account (and, in some cases, save energy and the environment). Every penny counts these days.
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How to Lower Your Monthly Tech Bills

by Dan Reilly on August 18, 2009 at 12:01 AM


Save On Car Repairs.

Visiting a mechanic is a gamble that can easily leave you ripped off or with a shoddy work. Luckily, there's RepairPal.com, which approximates how much fixing your car should cost and recommends where to go. All you do is enter your car's information, the problem, provided you know it, and your location. The site then gives you the estimated cost of parts and labor and tells you what to expect from your local shops. Remember to leave feedback and help your fellow drivers out.

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How to Lower Your Monthly Tech Bills

by Dan Reilly on August 18, 2009 at 12:01 AM


Light Up With CFLs

Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) use 75-percent less energy and last longer than typical incandescent bulbs. They also come in all sorts of sizes, so you're not stuck with that soft serve cone shape if you don't want it. Yes, they do contain some mercury, but they're not as dangerous as you may have heard. There are now lower mercury bulbs, more recycling centers, and boatloads of advice out there for disposing of them safely.


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How to Lower Your Monthly Tech Bills

by Dan Reilly on August 18, 2009 at 12:01 AM


Shop With Free Shipping.

The next time you're in the market for something, don't bother driving to the mall. Look online at sites like Freeshippingon.com and MSN's Free Shopping Center and you might be able to find deals that cost the same as in the stores and you won't have to spend the gas and time getting there. It's that easy.
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How to Lower Your Monthly Tech Bills

by Dan Reilly on August 18, 2009 at 12:01 AM


Find and buy cheaper gas.

If you're not taking public transportation, biking, walking, etc., then you should do everything in your power to find cheap gas. Luckily, the Web offers a multitude of gas sites such as GasBuddy.com and GasPriceWatch.com, where visitors constantly update local fuel prices so you can find the best deal. There's even a simplified version for mobile phones, GasBuddyToGo.com. Happy hunting.

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How to Lower Your Monthly Tech Bills

by Dan Reilly on August 18, 2009 at 12:01 AM


If you have to buy stuff, at least get some money back.

 We've told you about all the deal and comparison shopping sites out there, but here's another great one to add to the list: ebates.com. Just sign up and do your shopping at over 900 stores that partner with the site, including Apple and Circuit City, and you'll get cash back for every purchase you make. Ebates also shows you what percentage you'll save at each store before you even buy anything, so you'll be the smartest shopper around.



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How to Lower Your Monthly Tech Bills

by Dan Reilly on August 18, 2009 at 12:01 AM


Stick to a Laptop

Are you reading this on a desktop computer? If so, you're probably using five to ten times as much power as you would on a laptop. Despite the cheaper costs of desktops nowadays, you'll still end up paying when it comes to your electricity bill. Plus, with a laptop, you can always charge your battery or do your work away from home. But, as we already said, you might try to avoid coffeehouses, unless you can hang out there without purchasing anything.
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How to Lower Your Monthly Tech Bills

by Dan Reilly on August 18, 2009 at 12:01 AM

Use A Low Flow Showerhead Wasting one minute of hot water per shower, according to the people at showerhead manufacturer Evolve, can cost you $75 in heating bills. Luckily, there are a lot of options when it comes to efficient showerheads, such as the ones featuring Evolve's ShowerStart technology, which slows water to a trickle when it reaches $95, then lets you turn it back on full ... Read more »
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How to Lower Your Monthly Tech Bills

by Dan Reilly on August 18, 2009 at 12:01 AM

Go Solar Do we really need to explain how solar gadgets help your budget? Remember that products that use solar energy aren't limited to the panels you put on your roof. The options range from practical lighting products, including Christmas lights, to neckties and golf bags that charge your cell phones and iPods. Seriously. << Back Next >> ... Read more »
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How to Lower Your Monthly Tech Bills

by Dan Reilly on August 18, 2009 at 12:01 AM

Buy Yourself A Dining Gift Certificate Tightening your budget doesn't mean sticking to ramen every night. If you need to get out and enjoy a nice meal, check out Restaurant.com, a site that basically gives you free money for dining out. Available for eateries around across the country, the site offers, on average, a $25 gift certificate for only $10, provided you purchase a minimum ... Read more »
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How to Lower Your Monthly Tech Bills

by Dan Reilly on August 18, 2009 at 12:01 AM

Brew Your Own Coffee We know most people can't survive without coffee in the morning because we're in the same boat. But we also know that spending a few bucks at Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts every morning is a waste of cash. That's why it's much more cost efficient to pony up a mere $36 for a snazzy-looking coffeemaker like the Braun KF590 and buy your own beans or grounds. This baby ... Read more »
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How to Lower Your Monthly Tech Bills

by Dan Reilly on August 18, 2009 at 12:01 AM

Use Efficient Power Strips Power strips are great and all, but they can lead you into the bad habit of always leaving gadgets and appliances on, thereby raising your energy costs. That's why you should look into efficient power strips like the $90 Wattstopper, which senses when you're at your desk and turns on the connected gadgets, or the $42 Smart Strip, which shuts down idle gadgets, ... Read more »
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