5/19/06 |
Free media ride is over
Digital technology means media companies and consumers need to throw out the old ways we consumed our media.
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4/3/06 |
Citizen journalism: Inside information vs. outside perspective
Much is made of journalism by the masses, or citizen journalism. Many journalists think this is not journalism. Tom Merritt points out that all journalists are citizens and tries to get at the heart of the issue.
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3/27/06 |
The American pastime: fantasy baseball
It's one of the rites of spring on the computer. Whether you can hit a curve ball or not, you'll love the game online.
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3/6/06 |
How to avoid phishing scams
Phishers want to steal your identity and then your money. Their e-mail messages can be pretty clever. Find out how not to get ripped off.
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2/28/06 |
Run 1980s-era computers
on your PC
You can relive the experience of the old computers that paved the way for the PC revolution. Run a TI-99/4A, a Commodore 64, or an Apple II right on your current PC.
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2/10/06 |
How to get tech help
Technology is frustrating, but before you give up a day's pay for tech support, take a look at these troubleshooting tips. It could save you money--and your self-esteem.
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12/2/05 |
Should I buy an extended warranty?
Selling extended warranties--also called service contracts--makes a lot of money for electronics stores. Should you pay for this extra protection, or is it a rip-off?
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11/23/05 |
Good customer service does happen
Tom Merritt messed up his iTunes download of an episode of Lost and had no problems getting it back. In this day and age of DRM witch-hunts, he was pleasantly surprised.
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11/4/05 |
Free and easy publishing on the Web
Whether you want to do your own podcast, video show, or blog, there are some excellent tools on the Web to store large files and help you set up an RSS feed.
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10/13/05 |
Does Creative Commons free your content?
Creative Commons licenses purport to help people distribute content freely online. Some think they might hurt fair use and undermine copyright law. Tom Merritt takes a close look at Creative Commons and how it works.
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10/4/05 |
Rewards programs are their own punishment
As more and more companies start offering frequent flier-like programs, we begin to feel crushed under their weight. Tom Merritt has some advice and suggestions to survive the rewards storm.
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9/16/05 |
Don't let TiVo copy protection ruin your life
Macrovision's copy protection has forced TiVo to disable some of your freedom to record and view shows. Here are some alternatives to let you keep control of what you watch.
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9/6/05 |
One more reason you don't need commercial radio
Two sites on the Web provide great ways to expose yourself to new music without exposing yourself to ads and inane chatter.
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8/2/05 |
Never pay for software again
Can you set up a new computer with all the software you need for free? Open-source projects and freeware efforts have made this quite a reality.
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7/26/05 |
Surf the Web anonymously
Online sites value your personal information and make it hard for you not to give it to them. However, a few Web sites can help you get the content you want anonymously.
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7/15/05 |
Web makes TV a medium for the masses
Cheap gear and software make it easy for anyone with a passion for video to make their own TV shows. A former TV host strikes out on his own and shows that you can make a quality product without huge studio backing. It also points the way to citizen television.
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6/22/05 |
Is satellite TV harder to install than cable?
Cable companies want you to believe satellite installation is tough, while satellite companies want you to believe it's a breeze. Who's telling the truth? The answer is somewhere in the middle for both cable and satellite.
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5/3/05 |
Making movies kid-friendly
The president just signed legislation allowing a company called ClearPlay to sell software that alters DVDs to cut out parts parents may find inappropriate for children. Is this filtering software worth it? Why is this company the only one getting protection?
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4/26/05 |
Pick your battles with Internet privacy
Thousands of people were shocked recently by the addresses and phone numbers found in a search engine called ZabaSearch. And that's exactly what ZabaSearch wanted: an overreaction to a very low threat that got it lots of brand awareness.
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4/19/05 |
Get the content you pay for online
As paid content becomes more prevalent, Web companies must get ready to deliver good customer service and a quality product. Make sure you demand it, if you're paying.
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4/12/05 |
Keep deleted cookies from sneaking back and spying on you
Cookies are mostly harmless, but new technologies are making them harder to manage. Get ahead of the game with these tips and tricks.
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4/4/05 |
When to play the rebate game
Get some guidelines on when to go for a rebate and how to make sure you get it.
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3/23/05 |
Can you really get a free iPod?
Tom Merritt investigates the ads for free iPods on the Web. Can he get a new music player for nothing?
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