helpdesk

Crave giveaway of the day: Netgear WNDR3700 wireless router

For today's giveaway, we have the Netgear WNDR3700 wireless router. You may already have a router, the but the WNDR3700 offers a few state-of-the-art niceties, including simultaneous dual-band 802.11n operation (on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands), gigabit Ethernet and guest networking, and support for add-on USB storage. CNET networking guru Dong Ngo awarded the Netgear WNDR3700 3.5 stars when he reviewed it earlier this year, and CNET users are also positively inclined toward this model.

So, how do you try to win this Netgear WNDR3700? Let me enumerate the basic rules. Please read them carefully; … Read more

Crave giveaway of the day: Targus Crave laptop bag

For today's giveaway, we have the Targus Crave laptop bag. (The "Crave" moniker is just a happy coincidence--it's not related to this blog in any way.) The model in question is the TSB158US laptop backpack, which can accommodate laptops with wide screens up to 16 inches in size. The bag also sports a water-resistant cover and bottom, as well as double foam padding along the laptop compartment for maximum protection.

So, how do you try to win this Targus Crave laptop bag? Let me enumerate the basic rules. Please read them carefully; there will be a … Read more

Crave giveaway of the day: Motorola Cliq

For this weekend, the Crave Giveaway is the Motorola Cliq. It's one of T-Mobile's latest and greatest Android phones, and it scored a four-star rating from Kent German, who noted its "great design," "brilliant display," and "easy-to-use controls and keyboard." Its MotoBlur interface is optimized for fans of social networking and media sites including Facebook, Picasa, MySpace, Twitter, and Photobucket.

Normally, the Motorola Cliq would cost you $449 (with a service plan from T-Mobile, that price drops to $199). But you have the chance to get it gratis.

So, how do you … Read more

Crave giveaway of the day: Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 digital camera

For today's giveaway, we've got the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 digital camera. When Josh Goldman reviewed it just a few weeks ago, he praised this 12-megapixel megazoom for being simple to use and for delivering excellent performance and photo quality. Normally, the camera goes for between $230 and $280. But the folks at Willoughy's have supplied us with one to give away to our readers for free.

So, how do you try to win this Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1? Let me enumerate the basic rules. Please read them carefully; there will be a test.

Register as a CNET user. … Read more

Crave giveaway of the day: Vizio VOJ320F1A 1080p LCD HDTV

For today's giveaway, we've got the Vizio VOJ320F1A. It's a 32-inch LCD HDTV, but unlike most models at this size, the resolution is full 1080p. And the VOJ320F1A eschews basic black, going for a more unique java (brown) coloring. Normally, this set goes for between $519 and $569. But Vizio is giving you the chance to score it for free. (Thanks to the folks at Vizio for supplying the product.)

So, how do you try to win this Vizio VOJ320F1A? Let me enumerate the basic rules. Please read them carefully; there will be a test.

Register as … Read more

Crave giveaway of the day: Sony Bravia KDL-32L5000 32-inch LCD HDTV

You're not seeing things. The Crave giveaway has gone from weekly to daily (throughout the Christmas season), and we're raising the bar with a Sony Bravia KDL-32L5000. This 32-inch 720p HDTV earned three stars when David Katzmaier reviewed it recently. Normally, it goes for between $450 and $500. But we're giving you the chance to score it for free.

One important note: unlike most of our giveaways, this one isn't brand new. It is, in fact, the very model that Katzmaier tested. But that means it's barely been used and it's already been professionally … Read more

Symantec demos Project Guru at Demo 09

Are you sick of trying to diagnose your friends' computer problems over the phone?

Symantec is showing a demo on Tuesday at the Demo 2009 conference in Palm Desert, Calif., of a Web-based tool that allows tech savvy people to provide remote support to friends and family having computer problems.

Project Guru allows a user to connect remotely to another computer to troubleshoot and correct problems, with the connection secured using encryption and authentication. The tool offers diagnostic tools for network monitoring and identifying software installed on the remote computer.

The software uses that same internally developed technology as Symantec'… Read more

Holiday Helpdesk Deals

The Holiday Help Desk really is about helping. And that means helping you save money too. Once an hour during the help desk we got special deals from Shopper.com to announce. Just some ways of saving money on gadgets to say thank you for hanging out with CNET. So take a look below for the details on our shopping deals.

Desktops CompUSA -CompUSA.com has the HP Pavilion a6200n for $559.99, after a $50 mail-in rebate, plus free shipping. Regular price is $609.99 Sale price is $559.99 Savings $50 Offer ends 1/5/2008

Car Tech … Read more

10 hours of geek shopping advice, day after Thanksgiving

Call me Kreskin, because I'm pretty sure I already know the questions you're going to ask when you call us for advice on Friday, November 24 (from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT), during our annual live, Holiday Helpdesk marathon Webcast. Don't believe me? Try this on for size: "LCD or plasma?" "What's the best digital camera for my girlfriend/wife/grandfather?" "OK, break it down: PS3 or Wii?" Right? How'd I do?

But truthfully, if you have questions on these topics or any other, Brian Cooley, … Read more