Faster Forward Archive: Tips
PostPoints tip: Quick help for Netflix instant viewers
Netflix's "Watch Instantly" streaming-video service makes it fantastically easy to watch movies and TV shows on a wide variety of devices (with sufficiently fast bandwidth and payment of $7.99 a month). But its selection can be more than a tad erratic, between titles that take their time to arrive and...
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Rob Pegoraro
| March 7, 2011; 6:00 AM ET |
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PostPoints tip: Don't take your laptop's battery to extremes
There's a lot of confusion about the care and feeding of laptop batteries, to judge from my latest Web chat: Should you avoid running on battery to prolong its life--or rely on the battery as much as possible to keep it fresh? The answer is neither: As long as you...
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Rob Pegoraro
| February 28, 2011; 6:18 AM ET |
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PostPoints tip: Read a free site's pitch to advertisers
When a site can afford to give its services away for free, there's usually something else being sold--and that something is often your possible attention to commercial breaks of one kind or another. It's a smart idea to read over a site's pitch to potential advertisers to see what sort...
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Rob Pegoraro
| February 22, 2011; 6:38 AM ET |
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PostPoints tip: Higher-quality YouTube videos
Ever notice an item towards the right end of the toolbar underneath every YouTube video labeled "240p" or "360p"? That's a menu you click to request a higher-quality copy of a video on Google's site. Instead of the default 240p or 360p (rough equivalents of videotape quality, the numbers refer...
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Rob Pegoraro
| February 14, 2011; 6:22 AM ET |
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PostPoints tip: Discounts at Apple's Mac App Store (and their costs)
If you're running the current release of Mac OS X, you can score some tidy discounts on Apple's own software by buying through its one-click Mac App Store. For instance, while the company's new iLife '11 multimedia suite goes for $49 in its own stores, you can buy its three...
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Rob Pegoraro
| February 7, 2011; 6:17 AM ET |
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PostPoints tip: Download your Web-mail
Many Hotmail users got an unplanned reminder of the risks of relying on Web access to e-mail when Microsoft's site temporarily lost all their messages over the New Year's weekend. More recently, a small subset of AOL users also stopped getting new messages. And at some point, some other Web-mail...
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Rob Pegoraro
| January 31, 2011; 6:27 AM ET |
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Older Entries in This Category »
PostPoints tip: Don't pollute Twitter with other services,
Rob Pegoraro
, January 24, 2011
LivingSocial evokes dot-com boom with $20-for-$10 Amazon deal,
Rob Pegoraro
, January 19, 2011
PostPoints tip: Recharge your phone often in weak coverage,
Rob Pegoraro
, January 18, 2011
PostPoints tip: Have your Mac pick your time zone,
Rob Pegoraro
, January 10, 2011
PostPoints tip: Privacy and screen sharing in Skype,
Rob Pegoraro
, January 3, 2011
PostPoints tip: Time Machine works with flash drives too,
Rob Pegoraro
, December 27, 2010
How to set up your new computer, 2010 edition (with video),
Rob Pegoraro
, December 23, 2010
PostPoints tip: Holiday tech-troubleshooting reminder,
Rob Pegoraro
, December 20, 2010
Online shopping deadlines near, Free Shipping Day arrives,
Rob Pegoraro
, December 17, 2010
PostPoints tip: Things to avoid buying in stores: cables and flash-memory storage,
Rob Pegoraro
, December 13, 2010
Wrapping up our gadget guidance -- and reopening the 'Should I get an iPad now?' question,
Rob Pegoraro
, December 10, 2010
PostPoints tip: Ask me questions in public,
Rob Pegoraro
, December 6, 2010
PostPoints tip: Buy with the right credit card to double your warranty,
Rob Pegoraro
, November 29, 2010
Comcast Internet (or any other service) out? Try a new DNS.,
Rob Pegoraro
, November 28, 2010
PostPoints tip: If you put in data, make sure you can take it out,
Rob Pegoraro
, November 22, 2010
PostPoints tip: Have you bargained over your TV bill lately? ,
Rob Pegoraro
, November 15, 2010
PostPoints tip: Microsoft-logo keys aren't useless (on netbooks, at least),
Rob Pegoraro
, November 8, 2010
PostPoints tip: Know where to check a site's status,
Rob Pegoraro
, November 1, 2010
Mobile tech tips for rally-goers this weekend,
Rob Pegoraro
, October 28, 2010
PostPoints tip: Sites I like: MacRumors' Buyer's Guide,
Rob Pegoraro
, October 25, 2010
PostPoints tip: "Mac" is not an acronym (unless it is),
Rob Pegoraro
, October 18, 2010
PostPoints tip: Fine-tune Facebook notifications,
Rob Pegoraro
, October 11, 2010
PostPoints tip: Keyboard shortcuts for Web sites ,
Rob Pegoraro
, October 4, 2010
PostPoints tip: 'tap to click' still troublesome,
Rob Pegoraro
, September 27, 2010
Late-night experiment: Rooting an Android phone,
Rob Pegoraro
, September 22, 2010
PostPoints tip: When in doubt, search by date,
Rob Pegoraro
, September 20, 2010
PostPoints tip: Avoid proprietary power plugs,
Rob Pegoraro
, September 13, 2010
PostPoints tip: Sites I like: MacInTouch,
Rob Pegoraro
, September 7, 2010
PostPoints tip: Don't prove Godwin's law ,
Rob Pegoraro
, August 30, 2010
PostPoints tip: Grade gadgets by one-handed usability,
Rob Pegoraro
, August 23, 2010
PostPoints tip: Police program installers,
Rob Pegoraro
, August 16, 2010
Sites to e-cycle (and maybe profit from) your e-junk,
Rob Pegoraro
, August 11, 2010
PostPoints tip: Pick the right format for your music ,
Rob Pegoraro
, August 2, 2010
PostPoints tip: 'QR Codes' defined,
Rob Pegoraro
, July 26, 2010
PostPoints tip: Take your favorite programs with you,
Rob Pegoraro
, July 19, 2010
New blog feature: PostPoints tips,
Rob Pegoraro
, July 12, 2010
PostPoints tip: Have your phone use WiFi, not mobile broadband ,
Rob Pegoraro
, July 6, 2010
PostPoints tip: Blogs I like: Google Operating System ,
Rob Pegoraro
, June 29, 2010
World Cup traffic runs over Twitter,
Rob Pegoraro
, June 23, 2010
PostPoints tip: Buying first can cost you ,
Rob Pegoraro
, June 22, 2010
PostPoints tip: Two hidden benefits to Apple's Safari 5 ,
Rob Pegoraro
, June 15, 2010
PostPoints tip: Don't feel bad--anybody can have WiFi problems ,
Rob Pegoraro
, June 9, 2010
PostPoints tip: Revised Facebook privacy recommendations ,
Rob Pegoraro
, June 2, 2010
PostPoints tip: Label an HDTV's inputs ,
Rob Pegoraro
, May 25, 2010
PostPoints tip: Facebook is only for friends ,
Rob Pegoraro
, May 18, 2010
PostPoints tip: Don't recycle passwords ,
Rob Pegoraro
, May 11, 2010
PostPoints tip: Try rebooting a cranky router ,
Rob Pegoraro
, May 4, 2010
PostPoints tip: Pare down landline phone service ,
Rob Pegoraro
, April 27, 2010
No dearth of Earth Day tech tips,
Rob Pegoraro
, April 22, 2010
PostPoints tip: Search for obscurities,
Rob Pegoraro
, April 20, 2010
PostPoints tip: Don't rent your cable modem ,
Rob Pegoraro
, April 13, 2010
PostPoints tip: Take your HDTV out of "torch mode" ,
Rob Pegoraro
, April 6, 2010
PostPoints tip: Square away profile pictures ,
Rob Pegoraro
, March 30, 2010
PostPoints tip: Ease up on e-mail on your phone ,
Rob Pegoraro
, March 23, 2010
PostPoints tip: AVS Forum, where electronics enthusiasts unite ,
Rob Pegoraro
, March 16, 2010
PostPoints tip: Depart from default invitations,
Rob Pegoraro
, March 9, 2010
PostPoints tip: E-cycling isn't just for large items ,
Rob Pegoraro
, March 2, 2010
PostPoints tip: "SEO" explains why Web headlines can seem boring ,
Rob Pegoraro
, February 23, 2010
PostPoints tips: Don't let old e-mail addresses linger ,
Rob Pegoraro
, February 16, 2010
Taking better photos of our snowy landscape ,
Rob Pegoraro
, February 10, 2010
PostPoints tips: Three good gadgets for blizzards ,
Rob Pegoraro
, February 9, 2010
Fixes and a free replacement for snow-interrupted satellite TV,
Rob Pegoraro
, February 7, 2010
PostPoints tip: Move the taskbar on a netbook ,
Rob Pegoraro
, January 26, 2010
PostPoints tip: Get the scoop on your next phone ,
Rob Pegoraro
, January 19, 2010
PostPoints tip: Laptop battery defaults can be at fault ,
Rob Pegoraro
, January 12, 2010
PostPoints tips: Ease holiday tech troubleshooting ,
Rob Pegoraro
, December 22, 2009
Cheat sheets for setting up a new PC or Mac,
Rob Pegoraro
, December 18, 2009
PostPoints tips: Leave on that "s" for security ,
Rob Pegoraro
, December 15, 2009
PostPoints tip: Shop savvier with an iPhone or Android device ,
Rob Pegoraro
, December 8, 2009
PostPoints tip: Use social networks to update--or replace--contacts lists,
Rob Pegoraro
, December 1, 2009
Another tech holiday shopping season begins,
Rob Pegoraro
, November 30, 2009
Another helping of Thanksgiving tech-support tips,
Rob Pegoraro
, November 23, 2009
Help File help: Syncing an Android phone with iTunes,
Rob Pegoraro
, November 19, 2009
PostPoints tip: It's OK to hoard some USB cables ,
Rob Pegoraro
, November 17, 2009
PostPoints tip: iPhoto's hidden compare-pictures feature ,
Rob Pegoraro
, November 10, 2009
PostPoints tip: Finished punching the clocks for the time change? ,
Rob Pegoraro
, November 3, 2009
PostPoints tip: Facebook friends' photos aren't for everyone ,
Rob Pegoraro
, October 27, 2009
PostPoints tip: Read the manual before you buy ,
Rob Pegoraro
, October 20, 2009
PostPoints tip: My usual nag--backup your data ,
Rob Pegoraro
, October 13, 2009
PostPoints tip: Take less awful cameraphone pictures ,
Rob Pegoraro
, October 6, 2009
PostPoints tip: Put A grocery list on your smartphone ,
Rob Pegoraro
, September 29, 2009
PostPoints tip: Track price changes before you buy ,
Rob Pegoraro
, September 22, 2009
PostPoints tip: Don't fret about fixable photo flubs ,
Rob Pegoraro
, September 15, 2009
PostPoints tip: Write for spam filters ,
Rob Pegoraro
, September 1, 2009
PostPoints tip: Your TV--yes, your TV--may need a software update ,
Rob Pegoraro
, August 25, 2009
PostPoints tip: Read me online for more details ,
Rob Pegoraro
, August 18, 2009
PostPoints tip: Don't buy cables in stores ,
Rob Pegoraro
, August 11, 2009
PostPoints tip: Stop Start menu pollution ,
Rob Pegoraro
, August 4, 2009
PostPoints tip: Check your batteries for a charge,
Rob Pegoraro
, July 28, 2009
PostPoints tip: Shorten Web addresses wisely ,
Rob Pegoraro
, July 21, 2009
PostPoints tip: Wikipedia on your phone ,
Rob Pegoraro
, July 14, 2009
PostPoints tip: Assessing an eBay free-listings offer,
Rob Pegoraro
, July 7, 2009
PostPoints tip: The 'unsubscribe' link works with real companies ,
Rob Pegoraro
, June 30, 2009
PostPoints tip: Bring the "real" Web to not-so-smart phones ,
Rob Pegoraro
, June 23, 2009
New EFF Site Tracks Terms-Of-Service Changes,
Rob Pegoraro
, June 18, 2009
PostPoints tip: Keep your Adobe Flash plug-in current ,
Rob Pegoraro
, June 16, 2009
PostPoints tip: Prune your Facebook news feed ,
Rob Pegoraro
, June 9, 2009
PostPoints tip: Silence your camera's beeps ,
Rob Pegoraro
, June 2, 2009
PostPoints tip: Slow computer? Assign blame properly ,
Rob Pegoraro
, May 26, 2009
PostPoints tip: Don't rush to renew a wireless contract ,
Rob Pegoraro
, May 19, 2009
Cordian Knot: Cables Gone Wild!,
Rob Pegoraro
, May 18, 2009
PostPoints tip: expiration dates for (some) e-mail ,
Rob Pegoraro
, May 12, 2009
PostPoints tip: Ban browser toolbars ,
Rob Pegoraro
, May 5, 2009
Time Warner (Finally) Ready To Hit Undo Key On AOL Deal,
Rob Pegoraro
, April 29, 2009
PostPoints tip: Two (or more) Gmail addresses for the price of one ,
Rob Pegoraro
, April 28, 2009
Can You Clean A Keyboard In A Dishwasher? (Updated),
Rob Pegoraro
, April 27, 2009
Earth Day Tips For Cheapskates (AKA, Old-School Environmentalists),
Rob Pegoraro
, April 22, 2009
PostPoints tip: What's the big deal about Twitter? ,
Rob Pegoraro
, April 21, 2009
PostPoints tips: Don't recycle e-mail subjects ,
Rob Pegoraro
, April 14, 2009
Who's Behind That Web Site? Ask Whois,
Rob Pegoraro
, April 13, 2009
PostPoints tip: Test your Internet connection's speed ,
Rob Pegoraro
, April 7, 2009
Spring Cleaning For Computers,
Rob Pegoraro
, April 6, 2009
Conficker Removal Reminders,
Rob Pegoraro
, March 31, 2009
PostPoints tip: De-duplicate your iTunes music ,
Rob Pegoraro
, March 31, 2009
PostPoints tip: Old cables and chargers still have value ,
Rob Pegoraro
, March 24, 2009
PostPoints tip: Name flash drives by size ,
Rob Pegoraro
, March 17, 2009
PostPoints tip: Stop using AOL's software ,
Rob Pegoraro
, March 10, 2009
PostPoints tip: Use your most obscure e-mail address for web commerce,
Rob Pegoraro
, March 3, 2009
Help File Help: Decoding License Agreements,
Rob Pegoraro
, February 27, 2009
PostPoints tip: Tech support needs a map--in the form of a screen grab,
Rob Pegoraro
, February 24, 2009
PostPoints tip: Rescan for digital TV channels today,
Rob Pegoraro
, February 17, 2009
PostPoints tip: Beware of quick Registry fixes ,
Rob Pegoraro
, February 10, 2009
PostPoints tip: Hibernation is for bears, sleep is for laptops,
Rob Pegoraro
, February 3, 2009
PostPoints tip: Rent iTunes movies for less ,
Rob Pegoraro
, January 27, 2009
Circuit City's Bones Offer Slim Pickings,
Rob Pegoraro
, January 26, 2009
Have I Answered All Your DTV Questions?,
Rob Pegoraro
, January 22, 2009
Reminder: Pack Software Updates Before Heading Home For the Holidays,
Rob Pegoraro
, December 22, 2008
A Complex Answer To A Simple Question: What Laptop To Buy?,
Rob Pegoraro
, December 12, 2008
Gadget Guidance 2008: Leftovers ,
Rob Pegoraro
, November 26, 2008
Gadget Guidance 2008: (Don't Call Them) MP3 Players,
Rob Pegoraro
, November 26, 2008
Gadget Guidance 2008: Digital Cameras,
Rob Pegoraro
, November 26, 2008
Black Friday Sales Forecasts,
Rob Pegoraro
, November 26, 2008
Thanksgiving Tech-Support Recipes,
Rob Pegoraro
, November 24, 2008
What Not To Buy: Gadgets To Avoid This Holiday Season,
Rob Pegoraro
, November 20, 2008
What's Happening, CC? Circuit City Goes Chapter 11,
Rob Pegoraro
, November 10, 2008
Starting Tomorrow: No Login, No Comment,
Rob Pegoraro
, October 22, 2008
Don't Buy A Mac Laptop*,
Rob Pegoraro
, October 10, 2008
Bonus Review: magicJack Internet Calling,
Rob Pegoraro
, October 6, 2008
It's 10 A.M. Do You Know Where Your Backups Are?,
Rob Pegoraro
, October 3, 2008
Computing For Cheapskates, Telecom For Tightwads,
Rob Pegoraro
, October 2, 2008
Your Opinions Requested: PC-Repair Services,
Rob Pegoraro
, July 22, 2008
Energy Savings For Earth Day,
Rob Pegoraro
, April 21, 2008
Relationship 2.0: Two People, Two iPods, One iTunes Library,
Rob Pegoraro
, February 13, 2008
Reminder: Preserve Purchase Paperwork,
Rob Pegoraro
, December 21, 2007
Renewed Advice For New Computer Users,
Rob Pegoraro
, December 20, 2007
Help File Help: Nuking a Windows Nag?,
Rob Pegoraro
, December 3, 2007
Just-For-Today Deals,
Rob Pegoraro
, November 26, 2007
Sites That Dig For Black Friday Deals,
Rob Pegoraro
, November 21, 2007
A Thanksgiving Tech-Support Toolkit,
Rob Pegoraro
, November 20, 2007
Use a Smart Playlist to Fill Your MP3 Player,
Rob Pegoraro
, November 16, 2007
Help File Help: Windows Insomnia,
Rob Pegoraro
, August 24, 2007
Help File Help: Interrupted iTunes Podcasts,
Rob Pegoraro
, August 13, 2007
Anxiety at the Internet Cafe,
Rob Pegoraro
, June 18, 2007
A Current Affair,
Rob Pegoraro
, June 15, 2007
Reset Runaround,
Rob Pegoraro
, June 5, 2007
E-cycle Your E-Junk,
Rob Pegoraro
, April 20, 2007
Last-Minute Help With Daylight Saving Time,
Rob Pegoraro
, March 9, 2007
Two Other DST Fixes,
Rob Pegoraro
, February 27, 2007
RSS, Revisited,
Rob Pegoraro
, February 5, 2007
Help File's greatest hits,
Rob Pegoraro
, February 4, 2007
