What is 4G internet access?
Aus May 2013
by Darryl Budge
4G is the fourth generation of mobile data communication, succeeding third generation (3G) standards. 4G provides mobile ultra-broadband Internet access.
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Save big with no contract
Aus April 2013
by Darryl Budge
Whether you prefer the Telstra, Optus or Vodafone network in Australia, there are unlimited 3G phone plans available from network resellers for half the cost of the big three providers.
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Apple iOS tricks
Aus March 2013
by Darryl Budge
Download apps bigger than 50MB using mobile data
Improve Siri’s intelligence
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Avoid massive mobile bills while overseas
Aus February 2013
by DARRYL BUDGE
The best way to avoid sky-high international roaming bills is to buy a pre-paid voice and data SIM at your destination and SMS your new number to your friends back home.
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Windows 8: the anti-panic user guide
Aus December 2012
With Darryl Budge
Windows 8 is the most touch-friendly of all Windows versions, but this has resulted in some confusion as to how to use it.
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Prepare your PC for Windows 8
Aus November 2012
by Darryl Budge
Released on October 26, 2012, Windows 8 comes in two versions for desktop users and one version for tablets.
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Can Mozilla Thunderbird replace Microsoft Outlook?
Aus October 2012
by Darryl Budge
Short answer, at home, definitely! And there is one big scenario when you might want to.
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Outlook.com — Hotmail rebooted
Aus September 2012
by Darryl Budge
Just in time for Windows 8, Microsoft has created a new cleaner email service which is open for new signups, or for Hotmail users to migrate to using their old credentials. If migrating from Hotmail, you can keep your old address, or create a new Outlook.com ID, which you must use to sign in to Outlook.com.
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Near Field Communication (NFC)
Aus August 2012
by Darryl Budge
NFC is a set of standards for mobile devices to quickly exchange data by bringing them in close proximity (around 4cm) or by touching them together. It is claimed that this short proximity enhances the security of its main application, contactless transactions. Estimates of mobile phone sales indicate that a third will have NFC by 2015.
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How to create panoramic photos
Aus July 2012
by Darryl Budge
Panoramic photos have become dead easy with in-camera modes that take many shots as you sweep the camera across the vista, however, the method used by professionals for much sharper results is a little more demanding.
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Google Docs new fonts and templates; iPad keyboard
Aus June 2012
by Darryl Budge
Google Docs (Google Drive) adds 450 new fonts and 60 templates
Connect desktop keyboard to iPad
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ACMA issues net blackout warning
Aus May 2012
by Darryl Budge
You may be one of ten thousand Australian internet users who have been infected by malicious software that redirects all domain name requests to servers that will be shut down by the US FBI on July 9.
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Mac OS X Lion (10.7) tips
Aus April 2012
by Darryl Budge
This winter in Australia, OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) will arrive. Until then here are some tips on how to use OS X Lion better.
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MULTIPLE USER BROWSING
Aus March 2012
by Darryl Budge
Ever been so frustrated by having to log-in and -out of your family’s user accounts? In December, Google Chrome added a smooth new feature that, even though it makes accessing another ‘browsing profile’ not password protected (not a problem within families or a small business), makes a simple two-click operation to switch over to another instance of the browser with separate store of your browsing history, favourites and login sessions.
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Forgotten your phone or tablet passcode?
Aus February 2012
by Darryl Budge
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Hidden iPhone and iPod Touch features on iOS 5
Aus December 2011
by Darryl Budge
Assistive Touch
Private browsing mode
Snap pics with your headphones
...
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Picking between tablets — IPAD, Playbook or Android?
Aus November 2011
by Darryl Budge
A tablet is a touch-based mobile computing/entertainment device. Most tablets are designed to be entertainment and media consumption devices. But a few are designed for productivity and business applications.
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What is Google+ ?
Aus October 2011
by Darryl Budge
Google+ powerfully combines the best features of Twitter and Facebook, so that you can easily maintain a private and public persona. It also helps you discover information from people near to you.
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Choosing the right printer: Laser or Inkjet?
Aus August 2011
by Darryl Budge
Buying a printer for home or office use presents you with two options: an inkjet printer that sprays liquid ink through microscopic nozzles onto the paper, or a laser printer, comprised of a toner cartridge (filled with fine powder) and a heated fuser.
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Sync Facebook Events with your Calendar
Aus July 2011
by Darryl Budge
It may not be obvious, but there is an easy way to sync Facebook events to Google calendar. You don’t even need to download a plugin, an extension, export any files or make any crazy connections between multiple devices. If you can copy and paste, and have about two minutes, you can sync Facebook events to your Google calendar.
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Web-Based IM Clients: chatting without a download
Aus June 2011
By Darryl Budge
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Using public unsecured wi-fi hotspots safely
Aus May 2011
by Darryl Budge
Beware how easily someone can steal your login details at an open-access wireless data point.
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The OLED TVs of the future
Aus April 2011
by Darryl Budge
OLED, or Organic Light Emitting Diode, is a technology already used in many mobile phones and small screens because it offers a brighter, thinner and more flexible display than any other technology today.
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What TV is better: Plasma, LED, or LCD?
Aus March 2011
by Darryl Budge
Plasma TVs have the highest native contrast ratios (40,000:1), giving them the blackest blacks and more vivid and rich looking colours of all, but their performance is reduced in bright or naturally lit rooms. They have the fastest response times (.001ms) and fastest refresh rates (600hz), which means they are highly recommended for fast motion content like sports, movies & gaming.
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How to sync iPod/iPhone without iTunes
Aus February 2011
by Darryl Budge
MediaMonkey is a Windows-only audio management and player software that can easily sync with your Apple OS device, as well as copy media off your device onto your computer. The only clear limitation is that media bought from the Apple iTunes Store can only be played through iTunes and on Apple devices due to DRM-protection.
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Save video from the internet
Aus December 2010
by Darryl Budge
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How to create ringtones with iTunes 10
Aus November 2010
by Darryl Budge
With the new version Apple has removed the ability to make custom ringtones for 99c, but it’s possible to do it in iTunes for free.
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Desktop clutter and Facebook privacy
Aus October 2010
by Darryl Budge
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Windows 7 and Vista tips
Aus September 2010
by Darryl Budge
Automatic login
Run older Windows applications on Windows 7
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Is your mobile phone secure?
Aus August 2010
by Darryl Budge
Consider for a moment what the data on your phone could be used for if it fell into the wrong hands.
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Managing files on your computer
India May 2010
by Darryl Budge
Why organize your hard disk drive?
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Privacy and security requires diligence
Aus July 2010
by Darryl Budge
There are two questions you need to consider when posting online news, pictures and video about yourself, family, and friends. Firstly, how publicly do you want to share the data? Secondly, what are the security implications of sharing it?
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Photo Maps and Route Maps online
Aus June 2010
by Darryl Budge
Two free services you may not have heard of
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Top 3 free email clients
Aus May 2010
by Darryl Budge
Sync Lightning calender add-on with Google Calender or Google Apps Calender
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Online protection for families
Aus April 2010
by Darryl Budge
Internet access has become an essential part of every household, but the same wealth of resources gives the family access to pornography, gambling, cults, predators and other dangers.
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Windows 7
Aus March 2010
by Darryl Budge
Windows 7 time-savers and tips
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WINDOWS 7 TIME-SAVERS
Aus February 2010
by Darryl Budge
Keyboard Shortcuts
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Getting a clear digital TV picture
Aus December 2009
by Darryl Budge
In most parts of Australia, free-to-air digital TV recently became even more attractive as a 24-hour ABC kids channel (ABC3 on Channel 23) is launched on December 4.
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Windows 7 — what it means for you
Aus November 2009
by Darryl Budge
Windows 7 is now available in shops, either with a new PC or as an upgrade to your existing computer. Microsoft have admitted its a refined version of Windows Vista, so here’s some info to help you decide if its worth upgrading.
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GUIDE TO A NEW COMPUTER
Aus October 2009
by Darryl Budge
If you are thinking about upgrading, now is a good time for two reasons: the next Windows operating system Windows 7 will be available from October 22 and, if you just like surfing the net, using email and completing basic office tasks, a suitable system with a 19 inch LCD monitor is only $800-$900. The hardware requirements for these type of applications is unlikely to increase much in the future, so there is much less need to worry about future proofing.
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How to recover deleted files
Aus September 2009
by Darryl Budge
Ideally, you have already backed up important files to a second hard-drive, a USB flash drive or online backup (such as iDrive.com, Mozy.com, Box.net, Mediafire.com, Microsoft Skydrive or Live Mesh), from which you can recover your file.
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Super spread-cheating (tips for spreadsheets)!
Aus August 2009
By Darryl Budge
Super mouse shortcuts
Super keyboard shortcuts
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Common HDTV misconceptions
Aus July 2009
By Darryl Budge
We look at three common misconceptions about HDTV
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What is digital radio?
Aus June 2009
By Darryl Budge
From May 2009, several commercial radio stations in capital cities around Australia began broadcasting in digital, including new stations such as Radar (‘undiscovered music’, www.radarradio.com.au) and Novanation (‘exclusively dance’, www.novanation.com.au).
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Data backups: un-missable
Aus May 2009
By Darryl Budge
When it comes to computer data, the amazing thing is that many people don’t
back up anything, and that’s just planning to fail – to lose ALL your data one dark day in the future.
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Why use GPS street navigation?
Aus April 2009
by Darryl Budge
Why use a GPS (Global Positioning System) device when a $30 map book will do? Take a look at these great features:
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What is Freeview all about?
Aus March 2009
by Darryl Budge
‘Freeview’ is the new marketing name for free-to-air digital TV. The commercial and government-funded TV networks have partnered together to advertise the eventual availability of 15 channels (including three new) via a digital set-top box, digital video recorder (DVR), or TV equipped with a digital tuner.
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Monitoring internet usage
Aus February 2009
by Darryl Budge
When considering screening software, it is important to understand the weak nature of any stand-alone solution.
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Share digital memories
Aus December 2008
by Darryl Budge
Over Christmas and the New Year holidays you are likely to snap countless pictures and hours of video, which you would love to share with family and friends.
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Keyboard shortcuts
Aus November 2008
by Darryl Budge
You don’t have to always use your mouse — take control with your keyboard and rest your hands!
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Accessing files on your Mac from Windows PC
Aus October 2008
by Darryl Budge
Step by step instructions.
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What are netbooks?
Aus September 2008
by Darryl Budge
Netbooks are highly portable ‘sub-notebooks’,
light on features (smaller
hard drive and no CD/DVD drive) but big on portability.
Best suited
to surfing Web sites and checking e-mail.
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Web Browser Wars
Aus August 2008
by Darryl Budge
This month, we line up two of the newest browser releases, both offering some great
time-saving features, improved security and are available as free downloads for Windows, Mac and Linux.
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Using white balance correctly
Aus July 2008
by Darryl Budge
Changing “White Balance” on your digital camera means you are adjusting/compensating for the colour of the main source of light.
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Choosing a compact digital camera
Aus June 2008
by Darryl Budge
Generally, the more megapixels, the larger you can print your photos at acceptable quality. It also means you have more flexibility to crop the photo later and still have a usable image. But, ‘more’ does not always mean ‘better’.
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How to reduce spam/junk email
Aus May 2008
by Darryl Budge
Spam is commonly defined as bulk, unsolicited electronic messages, and it is increasing at an incredible rate worldwide.
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Making better PowerPoint presentations
Aus April 2008
by Darryl Budge
Your job, as a communicator, is to personally relate to the audience
good, useful information, based on your knowledge and research. Arm yourself with an
attractive presentation and good research.
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Best free anti-spyware products
Aus March 2008
by Darryl Budge
Spyware evolves quickly, so it stands to reason that some companies and their products will keep up with the latest tricks,
while others will fall behind.
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How do I get high-definition (HD) content?
Aus February 2008
by Darryl Budge
Now that most of the major TV stations broadcast a high definition channel with unique content, there are HD-DVD and Blu-ray (whatever they mean!) discs at your local rental store, and a major pay-TV provider is also going high definition — you’re probably wondering what all the fuss is about.
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Get creative this Christmas
Aus December 2007
by Darryl Budge
A personalised greeting card with a fun drawing or creatively-edited photo can really add that extra something special to your Christmas gifts. Below are a few programs that can help you.
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Improve your organisation and creativity
Aus November 2007
by Darryl Budge
If you would like to stay organised, but find diaries or wall calendars fail with lack of use, then perhaps your computer can help.
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Internet safety for families
Aus October 2007
Recently, the Federal Government released an internet safety website, NetAlert.gov.au, and a setup telephone hotline, 1800 880 176, through which families can obtain free internet filters and net safety advice.
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Spring clean your computer!
Aus September 2007
If your PC is more than six months old, there is a fair chance that up to a large portion of your hard disc is filled with temporary files left behind by Windows, un-installed or unused programs and files, and general rubbish.
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Getting older programs to run on Vista or XP
Aus August 2007
by Darryl Budge
If an older application gives you trouble when running Windows Vista or XP, you can adjust various compatibility settings so that the program runs in a different mode, such as Windows 95, or in a different display or resolution setting.
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A thirst for speed: 802.11n wireless networking
Aus July 2007
by Darryl Budge
Your home or business may already have a 54mbps ‘Wireless-G’ access point, maybe it has a built-in broadband modem too, but you might be finding it just a bit too slow.
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What is a rootkit and how do I remove them?
Aus June 2007
by Darryl Budge
A rootkit is a piece of computer code that is designed to hide malicious software (malware) from the user or security programs. They are typically not malicious by themselves but are made to hide a virus, worm, trojan, keylogger, backdoor or other malicious program, concealing their existence and location.
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Non-printing characters
Aus May 2007
by Darryl Budge
How do I find and replace non-printing characters? (eg. ¶)
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The 80 Core CPU
Aus April 2007
by Tim Pearce
You may have heard of dual core and quad core CPUs, well the 80 core CPU is on it’s way, but will we be able to use it?
We also have an update on Windows Vista.
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Sharing digital media
Aus March 2007
by Darryl Budge
Sharing hundreds of photos and multi-megabyte videos of your holiday times with
friends and relatives can be a huge hassle.
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Why do emailed photos take so long to download?
Aus February 2007
by Darryl Budge
You need to resize your photos first, because email attachments are encoded in an inefficient ASCII text format (Base 64), which adds up to 40% to the original size.
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Stay smart and secure
Aus December 2006
Small businesses, families and other home users can inform themselves about how to secure their computer, shop smart online and helps kids stay safe by visiting a new government website
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The dark side of the digital revolution
Aus November 2006
by Phil Cooke
The Los Angeles Times recently reported on cell phone use in Korea that revealed remarkable information about where our digital culture may be heading. They discovered Korean teenagers make up to 90 cell phone calls a day, and social scientists are now beginning to correlate high cell use with rising rates of depression. For some time, I’ve noticed that many young people value their digital life as much (if not more) than their real life. A friend of my daughter sent 2,500 text messages last month (that’s more than 84 per day).
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