Workers' Edge

How to prevent Google from tracking you

Dennis O'Reilly — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:57:26 PST

To ensure that your browsing history isn't shared with online advertisers, use Google's opt-out features or the free Disconnect add-on for Google Chrome and Firefox to opt out of receiving ads based on your online footprints.

Originally posted at How To

How to start Windows 7 faster

Dennis O'Reilly — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:42:04 PST

If Windows 7 takes more than a minute to start, it may have too many programs that open automatically with the operating system. Longer delays are an indication of a more serious conflict with a piece of hardware, a network, or other software.

Originally posted at How To

Four free must-have iPad apps for road warriors

Dennis O'Reilly — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 21:24:39 PST

Convert your iPad into a business-travel companion by adding the FileApp file-transfer utility, PaperDesk Lite portable office assistant, Nightstand Central Free clock-and-weather display, and Pandora Internet radio player.

Originally posted at How To

How to prevent iTunes Match from exceeding your iPad cell-data limits

Dennis O'Reilly — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:03:46 PST

For $25 a year, Apple's iCloud service lets you access up to 25,000 songs in an iTunes library on an iPad, iPhone, and Macs/PCs, but by default cell-enabled iOS devices switch to cell connections when Wi-Fi is unavailable, leading to unexpected data-use charges.

Originally posted at How To

How to see the same view in all Windows 7 folders

Dennis O'Reilly — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 09:04:15 PST

Whether you prefer details, lists, thumbnails, or icons, making sure Windows Explorer always displays your files and folders in the view of your choice is more difficult than it should be. Freeware alternatives to Explorer may be just the ticket.

Originally posted at How To

Five free voice-recording iPad apps compared

Dennis O'Reilly — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 10:03:34 PST

Two let you e-mail short voice messages and upload the sound files to Dropbox, Wi-Fi or ftp servers. One coverts speech to text ready to be e-mailed or pasted. But two fall short.

Originally posted at How To

How to master the art of passwords

Dennis O'Reilly — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 09:34:37 PST

With no easy and reliable alternative to passwords in sight, you either have to memorize cryptic passphrases or use a password manager to access networks, systems, and online services.

Originally posted at How To

How to complain about online-purchase problems

Dennis O'Reilly — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:13:25 PST

When a Web vendor fails to live up to its promises about product delivery and availability, your best bet may be to register your complaint with the Federal Trade Commission or other third party rather than seeking redress directly from the company.

Originally posted at How To

Firefox add-ons automatically back up whatever you type

Dennis O'Reilly — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:14:29 PST

Lazarus: Form Recovery restores text and entire Web-form entries after accidental deletion; Clippings and Textarea Cache let you save what you type into text boxes for easy reuse. Plus, add-ons that clear form fields and show a site's nationality.

Originally posted at How To

How to avoid sites selling counterfeit items

Dennis O'Reilly — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 10:06:32 PST

The U.S. government's recent crackdown on Web sites offering fake brand-name products is an attempt to stem the torrent of bogus items available online. Here's how to spot bargains that are literally too good to be true.

Originally posted at How To