Switched http://www.switched.com Switched http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.switched.com/media/feedlogo.gif Switched http://www.switched.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[What's the Best iMac for Basic Creative Tasks?]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/11/09/whats-the-best-imac-for-basic-creative-tasks/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/09/whats-the-best-imac-for-basic-creative-tasks/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/09/whats-the-best-imac-for-basic-creative-tasks/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Question: I'm finally ready to move to Mac, especially with Apple's latest iMacs. I really like the design and simplicity. But which one should I get? I was thinking I should get the base model for $1199, but the big 27-incher is pretty tempting, too, even though it's another $500. Or should I spend the extra money and get the upgraded versions of the iMac? So confusing -- I thought Apple was easy! I'll be using it for a little bit of everything, but my high-end needs will include a little video editing, music writing, and graphic design with Photoshop.
Answer: Apple certainly likes to tout its simplicity and plug-and-play usability, but try telling that to someone switching to Mac for the first time. On the surface, it looks as though Apple has two new iMacs out: the 21.5-inch and 27-inch. Simple. Done. Right?

Not so much. Let's take a quick trip to Apple shopping land (otherwise known as store.apple.com).

Continue reading What's the Best iMac for Basic Creative Tasks?

SwitchedWhat's the Best iMac for Basic Creative Tasks? originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applecreativefeaturesimacjusttellmewhattogettopMon, 09 Nov 2009 16:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Gift Guide: HP Touchsmart 300z]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/11/04/gift-guide-hp-touchsmart-300z/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/04/gift-guide-hp-touchsmart-300z/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/04/gift-guide-hp-touchsmart-300z/#commentsFiled under: , ,

HP Touchsmart 300z (Novice, Under $2,500)

HP's all-in-one desktop ($799 - $1,099, depending on the configuration) includes the specs you'd want for day-to-day computing: a 20-inch widescreen LCD, an AMD Athlon multi-core processor, 2-4-gigabytes (GB) of RAM and up to a 750 GB hard drive. But what separates the Touchsmart 300z from the pack is the user-friendly, iPhone-like touchscreen interface, which has been much improved with the addition of Windows 7. No need for a stylus. Just select an item by tapping a finger on it. To rotate a photo, move your fingers in a circular motion. And if you prefer a touch keyboard, tap the edge of the screen twice. It's so intuitive, you'll wonder why all computers don't have one.

SwitchedGift Guide: HP Touchsmart 300z originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hgghgg-2500hgg-novicehphptouchsmarttouchscreenwindows7Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Gift Guide: Alienware Area 51 ALX Gaming PC]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/11/02/gift-guide-alienware-area-51-alx-gaming-pc/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/02/gift-guide-alienware-area-51-alx-gaming-pc/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/02/gift-guide-alienware-area-51-alx-gaming-pc/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Alienware Area 51 ALX Gaming PC (Gamer, Cost No Object)

If you're trying to keep up with the Joneses in PC gaming, Alienware's Area 51 Gaming PC ($3,999 and up) is tough to beat. Housed inside one of the company's trademark love-'em-or-hate-'em "futuristic" cases, this rig is decked out with some of the best components money can buy: Intel Core i7 975 Extreme processors, your choice of ATI CrossFireX or NVidia SLI graphics graphics cards (making it great for the 3-D gaming with Nvidia's 3-D Vision Kit), and plenty of memory to keep things running smoothly). Oh, and it uses a fancy liquid cooling system to keep all this stuff from melting down inside. it's a hefty price to pay, certainly -- fully tricked out, this thing will set you back nearly as much as a small car, but the benchmarks are right up there near the head of the pack. And hey, you can't shoot nasty, earth-hating aliens with a Hyundai Accent, can you?

SwitchedGift Guide: Alienware Area 51 ALX Gaming PC originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alienwarearea51gamingpcgamingpcshgghgg-cnohgg-gamerluxuryMon, 02 Nov 2009 11:14:00 EST<![CDATA[5 Essential Tips to Keep Your PC Safe]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/10/05/5-essential-tips-to-keep-your-pc-safe/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/05/5-essential-tips-to-keep-your-pc-safe/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/05/5-essential-tips-to-keep-your-pc-safe/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

One of the most important things everyone -- even Mac users -- needs to do with a computer is to make sure it is as secure from viruses, phishing scams, and other 'net threats as possible. No matter how often you practice safe browsing habits or think twice before clicking on a random link in your e-mail, you'd be surprised how often even the most cautious of folks can be caught off guard, which is why you need to have some basic security measures in place to protect you (and your computer), should something slip past. We've boiled it down to five basic steps that everyone -- even the computer and 'Net-threat-savvy -- should take to make sure that their PC and personal data are safe.

Continue reading 5 Essential Tips to Keep Your PC Safe

Switched5 Essential Tips to Keep Your PC Safe originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuressafetysecurityspywaretopvirusMon, 05 Oct 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Classic Computer Keyboards Revisited]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/09/29/classic-computer-keyboards-revisited/http://www.switched.com/2009/09/29/classic-computer-keyboards-revisited/http://www.switched.com/2009/09/29/classic-computer-keyboards-revisited/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Okay, this is our last post from that Vintage Computer Festival, we promise, but we thought there was something kind of beautiful about all those retro keyboards we saw, especially after seeing them through the lens of Matthew McMullen Smith's camera. Take a look at the gallery below and let us know if you agree. (We call first dibs on the all-turquoise and PET computer keyboards!)

Gallery: Vintage Keyboards

SwitchedClassic Computer Keyboards Revisited originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>computeraccessorieseventsfeatureskeyboardsretroretrotechtopvcfvcf2009vintageTue, 29 Sep 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Retro Logos From the Early Days of Computing]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/09/28/retro-logos-from-the-early-days-of-computing/http://www.switched.com/2009/09/28/retro-logos-from-the-early-days-of-computing/http://www.switched.com/2009/09/28/retro-logos-from-the-early-days-of-computing/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Last week, we showed you the biggest exhibitions we saw at the Vintage Computer Festival East 2009. Still, we also became mildly obsessed with all the logos we saw on those retro PCs. So, we asked our photographer, Matthew McMullen Smith, to shoot some close-ups of as many retro logos (and vintage fonts) as he could find on the various restored computers that were on display.

If you're a retro PC or design enthusiast, or are just feeling nostalgic, then take a look at these bygone beauties -- from the '60s to the early '80s.

Gallery: Retro Computer Logos

SwitchedRetro Logos From the Early Days of Computing originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>designeventsfeaturesretroretrotechtopvcfvcf2009vcfeast2009vintagevintagecomputersMon, 28 Sep 2009 13:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Vintage Computers Get the 'Classic Car' Treatment at VCF East 6.0]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/09/24/vintage-computers-get-the-classic-car-treatment-at-vcf-east-6/http://www.switched.com/2009/09/24/vintage-computers-get-the-classic-car-treatment-at-vcf-east-6/http://www.switched.com/2009/09/24/vintage-computers-get-the-classic-car-treatment-at-vcf-east-6/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


We trekked down to the New Jersey shore a couple of weeks ago to attend the Vintage Computer Festival East 6.0, an annual gathering of serious computer enthusiasts who prepare and exhibit working, restored computers from '50s, '60s, '70s and very early '80s ("essentially nothing later than a 186," says festival organizer Evan Koblentz). The festival is run by the Mid-Atlantic Retro Computing Hobbyists (MARCH) and took place at the InfoAge Science Center, a former secret military wireless radio and radar research center in Wall Township, New Jersey. Nowadays, the site houses many museums, including the MARCH Computer Museum, which is open every Sunday from 1-4pm.

As for the festival itself, it was a friendly cross between a classic cars festival and a science fair, with amateur computer restorers blowing our minds with working examples from computing history's hall of fame. Check out our slide show below with some of our favorite highlights, and be sure to check back for a couple of other slide shows featuring these same computers, from slightly different angles -- there was just so much to see!

Gallery: Vintage Computer Festival

Sony SMC-70Altair 8800bMITS 1440 Electronic CalculatorMITS 1440Tape Delay Machine


Related Links:

Classic Computer Keyboards Revisited
Retro Logos From the Early Days of Computing

SwitchedVintage Computers Get the 'Classic Car' Treatment at VCF East 6.0 originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eventsfeaturesretroretrocomputingretrotechtopvcfvintagevintagecomputersThu, 24 Sep 2009 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[What Are the Best Budget Computer Speakers Under $100? ]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/08/28/what-are-the-best-budget-computer-speakers-under-100/http://www.switched.com/2009/08/28/what-are-the-best-budget-computer-speakers-under-100/http://www.switched.com/2009/08/28/what-are-the-best-budget-computer-speakers-under-100/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,


Question: I use my computer for most of my TV and movie watching and music listening, but my machine's built-in speakers sound bloody awful. I want a set of computer speakers that sounds good whether cranked up loud or turned down soft. And I don't want to spend a fortune.

Advice: The underpowered speakers built into laptops and desktops can suck the life out of any video or song. They're too small to handle bass, and not of a high enough quality to reproduce most of the detail and richness in the audio.

Continue reading What Are the Best Budget Computer Speakers Under $100?

SwitchedWhat Are the Best Budget Computer Speakers Under $100? originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>budgetfeatureshouseholdjusttellmewhattogetspeakersstudentstopFri, 28 Aug 2009 12:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Dell to Offer Encrypted Solid-State Drives for Careless Workers]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/04/16/dell-to-offer-encrypted-solid-state-drives-for-careless-workers/http://www.switched.com/2009/04/16/dell-to-offer-encrypted-solid-state-drives-for-careless-workers/http://www.switched.com/2009/04/16/dell-to-offer-encrypted-solid-state-drives-for-careless-workers/#commentsFiled under: ,



Your hard drive is like your pet; if anything were to happen to it, you just don't know what you would do. And it doesn't help that it's constantly being attacked on all sides by viruses, breakdowns, and overheats.

To help deal with the problem, Dell announced yesterday that it will be offering encrypted solid state drives (SSD) from Samsung in the coming months, making Dell one of the first manufacturers to offer secure SSDs. The drives, which will reportedly deliver "some of the fastest encrypted storage available" (remember, SSD's are significantly faster than your standard hard drive) will bring your resting heart rate down a good 20-percent, as well; the drive offers 8.5 times the shock tolerance of a standard notebook's hard drive. Moreover, full encryption means that, for hackers, accessing all of this tightly held information will be tougher than frozen beef jerky. The encrypted SSDs will be available at 64, 128, and 256 GB capacities, though prices are still to be announced.

Continue reading Dell to Offer Encrypted Solid-State Drives for Careless Workers

SwitchedDell to Offer Encrypted Solid-State Drives for Careless Workers originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsdellsamsungsecuritysolid state driveSolidStateDrivessdThu, 16 Apr 2009 11:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Acer Unveils Slim Timeline Laptop, Plus Desktops, Netbooks, and Nettops]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/04/08/acer-launches-new-laptops-desktops-and-netbooks/http://www.switched.com/2009/04/08/acer-launches-new-laptops-desktops-and-netbooks/http://www.switched.com/2009/04/08/acer-launches-new-laptops-desktops-and-netbooks/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



We rolled over to the Liberty Science Center in New Jersey last night for Acer's computer announcement extravaganza. The PC manufacturer announced brand new netbooks, laptops, and desktop lines under its eMachines, Gateway, and Acer brands. Considering the loads of new computer models flashing onto the giant IMAX screen overhead, all intercut with short IMAX clips driven by techno versions of Barber's 'Adagio for Strings,' it took us a while to get a hold on the sheer number of announcements. Improved battery life and affordability seem to have been the trends guiding last night's announcements. We've combed through the announcements, and here's a quick rundown of the big releases.

Continue reading Acer Unveils Slim Timeline Laptop, Plus Desktops, Netbooks, and Nettops

SwitchedAcer Unveils Slim Timeline Laptop, Plus Desktops, Netbooks, and Nettops originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aceraspire oneAspireOnebreaking newsBreakingNewsemachinesgatewaynetbooknew productsNewProductsupcomingWed, 08 Apr 2009 11:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Office Depot Employees Altering Computer Price Tags]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/03/17/report-office-depot-employees-altering-computer-price-tags/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/17/report-office-depot-employees-altering-computer-price-tags/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/17/report-office-depot-employees-altering-computer-price-tags/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Wow. Things at Office Depot appear to be worse than we could have possibly thought. In fact, the alleged apparent systematic misleading of customers makes the shenanigans at BestBuy look quite tame by comparison.

Laptop Mag has published a follow up to its initial report of employees being encouraged to lie to customers at Office Depot. It turns out that salespeople at other Office Depot locations across the country are telling Laptop that the the same dishonesty is being encouraged at their stores. Even worse, the lying goes beyond mere fibs about laptop stock -- employees have reported Photoshopping and digitally altering price tags, as well as including the price of extended warranties and protection plans in the cost of clearance items. For example, if a $500 laptop were on sale for $450 and the employees needed to push an $80 extended warranty, the store would list the laptop at $500 and claim to be offering the $80 warranty for only $30.

View Poll



We'd like to say we're shocked, but it has become increasingly clear that dishonesty and unethical behavior (while not "officially" endorsed) are simply standard corporate policy at some major retail chains. We may not be shocked, but we are certainly appalled.

Continue reading Report: Office Depot Employees Altering Computer Price Tags

SwitchedReport: Office Depot Employees Altering Computer Price Tags originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businesscustomer serviceCustomerServicedishonestyethicslaptopmaglieslyingoffice depotOfficeDepotretailshoppingtopTue, 17 Mar 2009 15:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Most Speed-Up-Your-PC Programs Are Bogus]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/03/16/most-speed-up-your-pc-programs-are-bogus/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/16/most-speed-up-your-pc-programs-are-bogus/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/16/most-speed-up-your-pc-programs-are-bogus/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Surely you've seen the annoying ads on television or flashing banner graphics on your favorite sites advertising applications guaranteed to take your slow-as-molasses computer and make it run like new again? Hopefully you've never taken the plunge and clicked or installed, but Slate's Farhad Manjoo did. Out of curiosity, he installed My Faster PC just to see what it would do to his computer. As it turns out, it didn't really do a thing -- other than milk him for $30.

That program, and the dozens of others like it, pledge to clean up supposed detritus left behind by months or years of computing. Sadly, My Faster PC relies largely on tools that are already on your computer, like Microsoft's disk defragmenter, which re-arranges things on your computer's hard drive to speed it up. It's automatically enabled in Vista (here's how to adjust it) and you can get to it in XP by going to "My Computer," right-clicking on your hard drive (C: or D:), clicking "Properties," clicking "Tools," and then clicking "Defragment Now."

View Poll

Continue reading Most Speed-Up-Your-PC Programs Are Bogus

SwitchedMost Speed-Up-Your-PC Programs Are Bogus originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccleanercomputersdefragmentdefragmentingmy faster pcMyFasterPcperformanceregistrytopupgradeswindowsMon, 16 Mar 2009 15:47:00 EST<![CDATA[PC Prices Keep Going Down, Sales Expected to Increase]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/03/12/pc-prices-keep-going-down-sales-expected-to-increase/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/12/pc-prices-keep-going-down-sales-expected-to-increase/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/12/pc-prices-keep-going-down-sales-expected-to-increase/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

PC Prices Keep Going Down, Sales Expected to Increase

With the recession pushing prices of everything down, and with low-priced netbooks' newfound popularity, the research firm IDC is reporting a much larger than normal drop in the average price of PCs. On average, computer prices drop about five-percent per year, but, in the fourth quarter of 2008, prices dipped a dramatic 14.3-percent.

Only once before have prices of computers fallen faster; following the burst of the Internet bubble in the fourth quarter of 2001, they fell 14.5-percent. Another research firm, iSuppli, sees costs continuing to drop, as much as 10-percent in 2009. As consumers increasingly favor netbooks, which usually rest in the $300 to $600 range, more established manufacturers worry that consumers may significantly drive down the prices of their laptop and desktop PCs, according to one expert. "What's concerning here is, [netbooks] could potentially reset consumer expectations of what you pay for a notebook," IDC's Richard Shim told Business Week.

Ezra Gottheil of Technology Business Research, however, believes that lower prices could spur more purchases. With some netbooks having been found at Radioshack for a mere $99 (with a two-year contract from AT&T), such deals may become more popular as people flock to the idea of mobile Web browsing. Accordingly, iSuppli expects that, even in this troubled economy, the downward trend of prices should lead to a 12-percent increase in mobile PC sales. So maybe there is some light at the end of the tunnel for PC manufacturers. [From: BusinessWeek]

Related Links:

SwitchedPC Prices Keep Going Down, Sales Expected to Increase originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 12 Mar 2009 07:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businesseconomynetbookPCspricesresearchretailshoppingThu, 12 Mar 2009 07:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple Upgrades iMac, mini, Pro, and AirPort]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/03/03/apple-upgrades-imac-mini-pro-and-airport/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/03/apple-upgrades-imac-mini-pro-and-airport/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/03/apple-upgrades-imac-mini-pro-and-airport/#commentsFiled under: ,



We'd heard rumblings about computer upgrades from everyone's favorite Cupertino-based company, but we didn't expect anything this soon. This morning, Apple announced new updates across its desktop computer and router lines. Although there aren't any significant aesthetic changes or redesigns to the models, the Mac Pro, Mac mini, and iMac all received spec upgrades (e.g. faster chips, improved graphics cards, and more storage), and there are even some welcome price downgrades. Click after the break to get the quick rundown of the new items (available now on the Apple store) and new features:

Continue reading Apple Upgrades iMac, mini, Pro, and AirPort

SwitchedApple Upgrades iMac, mini, Pro, and AirPort originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apple airport extremeapple time capsuleAppleAirportExtremeAppleTimeCapsulebreaking newsBreakingNewsGeForce 9400mGeforce9400miMacIntelIntelXeonmac miniMac ProMacMiniMacPronew apple releasesnew macsNewAppleReleasesNewMacstopupcomingupdatesTue, 03 Mar 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[What Does Your Computer Desktop Say About You?]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/03/02/what-does-your-computer-desktop-say-about-you/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/02/what-does-your-computer-desktop-say-about-you/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/02/what-does-your-computer-desktop-say-about-you/#commentsFiled under: ,



Privacy is a funny thing, isn't it? These days, it's fairly common to update your Facebook page with your likes and dislikes, taste in music, contact information, personal photos and who knows what else. This is information we give out consciously and willingly, and it all says something about the types of people we are. But what are we unconsciously saying about ourselves when we use the computer? Are we confident or do we have big egos? Are we insecure, or shy?


One way to find out is to analyze your computer desktop. According to a study in desktop psychology, everything from your habits to your ambitions may be revealed just by looking at your desktop icons and background. "Our desktops are our personal space and as such provide a fairly accurate personality description of an individual," says Donna Dawson, a personality and behavior psychologist.

Have icons evenly placed on each side of the screen? Chances are you like everything in its place and well-proportioned and stay calm in stressful situations. If you have icons all over the desktop, then it's likely you're disorganized and unfocused. Use a personal photo as your desktop background? It's likely you are a parent or frequent traveler. If you're one of those folks who just opts for the plain blue wallpaper that comes with your computer, then you probably like to keep your private life private.

View Poll


There's a lot of interesting stuff here that, while fairly generalized, seems like it makes logical sense. Check the read link and to find out what type of person you might be. And if you're wondering what some of your other gadgets say about you, then take a look at the "What Your Gadgets Say About You" gallery below. [From: Telegraph]

Continue reading What Does Your Computer Desktop Say About You?

SwitchedWhat Does Your Computer Desktop Say About You? originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consumerismdesktoppersonalitypersonality traitsPersonalityTraitsprivacypsychologystudiesMon, 02 Mar 2009 11:51:00 EST<![CDATA[8 Ways to Back-Up Your Computer (and Keep Your Stuff Safe)]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/02/26/8-ways-to-back-up-your-computer-and-keep-your-stuff-safe/http://www.switched.com/2009/02/26/8-ways-to-back-up-your-computer-and-keep-your-stuff-safe/http://www.switched.com/2009/02/26/8-ways-to-back-up-your-computer-and-keep-your-stuff-safe/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

If there's one important task computer users regularly ignore, it's backing up their data, including important items like their office documents, music, videos, and photos. Things go wrong sometimes: Computers get viruses, hard drives fail, and ex-girlfriends launch belongings out of windows, leaving you in a bind.

One of the biggest reasons people forget backing up is that they don't know where to start, what tools to use, or how to go about it. While we can't come to your house and do it for you, we can at least give you our preferred options to help you choose. Don't be scared -- the process is relatively simple these days and often completely automated, so you won't have any excuses when your music library and your financial records are all gone.

Click on 'Next' below to see Switched's Backup Roundup. It's for your own good.

Switched8 Ways to Back-Up Your Computer (and Keep Your Stuff Safe) originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backupfeaturessecurityThu, 26 Feb 2009 14:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Virus Tip: How to Disable Print and File Sharing in Windows XP]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/02/20/disabling-print-and-file-sharing-in-windows-xp/http://www.switched.com/2009/02/20/disabling-print-and-file-sharing-in-windows-xp/http://www.switched.com/2009/02/20/disabling-print-and-file-sharing-in-windows-xp/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Disable Print and File Sharing

One of the first things you should do if you think you have a virus is to quarantine your PC and disconnect from your home network to prevent the infection from spreading to other computers in your home. You don't want to disconnect from the Internet entirely however or you won't be able to download updates for your anti-virus software. Doing this on a Mac (in Preferences: Sharing) or in Vista (go to the Network and Sharing Center) is (relatively) straightforward, but under XP it takes a little maneuvering. Here's how to do it:

Disable File and Print Sharing:
  • Right click on the network icon in the system tray and choose "Open Network Connections"
  • Right click on "Local Area Connection" and select "Properties"
  • Under the "General" tab uncheck "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks"
Disable Network Discovery and Simple Sharing:
  • Open "MyComputer"
  • Click on the "Tools" menu and open "Folder Options"
  • Under the "View" tab uncheck "Automatically search for network folders and printers" as well as "Use simple file sharing"
This isn't a perfect solution, but it will put up an additional road block between your computers and the nasty virus you've picked up.

SwitchedVirus Tip: How to Disable Print and File Sharing in Windows XP originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>file sharingFileSharingnetworknetworkingsharingtechtiptechtipswindowswindows xpWindowsXpxpFri, 20 Feb 2009 15:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple Store Bans Facebook to Free Up Public Computers]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/02/08/apple-store-bans-facebook-to-free-up-public-computers/http://www.switched.com/2009/02/08/apple-store-bans-facebook-to-free-up-public-computers/http://www.switched.com/2009/02/08/apple-store-bans-facebook-to-free-up-public-computers/#commentsFiled under: , ,



With the thousands visiting Apple retail stores each week competing for time to test drive the in-store machines, the company has again decided to ban a social networking site from the computers in its store. This time, Facebook is getting the boot. As of this week, the ubiquitous site, like Myspace before it, will no longer be accessible on computers in the Apple Store. The retailers have become impromptu Internet cafés at malls across the country and we know firsthand the frustration of waiting for an available computer behind a loitering Facebooker. Therefore, we applaud Apple's move to limit time-wasting -- as long as they keep Gmail available, that is. [From tinyComb]

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SwitchedApple Store Bans Facebook to Free Up Public Computers originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 08 Feb 2009 09:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Before they were mortal enemies, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates were just two big dorks who really liked computers, and each other! Of course, the video (check it out after the break) also predates that whole Windows thing by about seven years.

This bizarre dating show, taken from an Apple Event in 1983, features a bunch of software guys in '80s-era-preppy khakis and polo shirts answering questions about how they view Apple and its relationship with the computer company, all in the style of 'The Dating Game.' Interestingly, all the non-Gates answers are cut.

The whole thing is awkward, slightly embarrassing, and features Bill Gates primping and preening in hopes that Steve Jobs will pick him -- we don't see that happening again anytime soon. Check out the video above in all it's '80s geek glory. And, for more images of these moguls when they were slick young things, check out the gallery below. [From: BuzzFeed]

Jobs and Gates, When They Were Young

    Can you recognize Bill Gates in this Microsoft company photo from 1978?

    Gates and Wozniak show off the Apple I in 1976.

    Bill Gates Strikes a Pose for 'Teen Beat' Photospread in 1983...Meow!

    Steve Wozniak, left, and Steve Jobs hard at work at Apple in the early 1980s.

    A dapper Steve Jobs with the groundbreaking Mac Classic computer in the 1980s.

    This famous mugshot shows a young Bill Gates after getting caught for speeding outside Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1977.


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SwitchedFlashback: Young Bill Gates, Steve Jobs Play 1983 Mac Dating Game (Video) originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applebill gatesBillGateseventfunnymicrosoftretroretro techRetroTechsteve jobsSteveJobsthe dating gameTheDatingGamevideoviralweb videoWebVideoyoung steve jobsYoungSteveJobsThu, 29 Jan 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Why You Should Get Rid of Your Screensaver (Tip of the Day)]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/01/28/why-you-should-get-rid-of-your-screensaver-tip-of-the-day/http://www.switched.com/2009/01/28/why-you-should-get-rid-of-your-screensaver-tip-of-the-day/http://www.switched.com/2009/01/28/why-you-should-get-rid-of-your-screensaver-tip-of-the-day/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

no screensaver lcd monitors

This tip only applies to folks with LCD computer monitors, which includes anyone with a laptop, of course. Unlike old tube-style CRTs, LCD monitors don't benefit from a screensaver-in fact, using one may shorten your LCD monitor's (or laptop screen's) lifespan and will tax your PC's components more than simply turning it off or putting your PC to sleep.

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SwitchedWhy You Should Get Rid of Your Screensaver (Tip of the Day) originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 10:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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