training

Have you thought about it?

Some morning when your cell phone slips from your hand, as you're waiting for the 7:37 train? What if that Galaxy of yours fell onto the tracks? What would you do? Would you leap down and get it? Would the swooshing sound of an oncoming train put you off? Or is your cell phone just far too important, far too much a part of you?

I ask all of these questions because of this footage from Brazil.

Thank you, Geekologie, for bringing it to my eyes and making me wonder about the true … Read more

TOKYO--The crowd lining the end of Tokyo Station's platform 22 is four people deep.

They're jostling for position with their cameras -- trainspotters, parents, and children alike -- to get a shot of Japan's latest bullet train: the Series E6 Shinkansen, known as the Super Komachi.

They all bought tickets for the privilege of entering this part of the sprawling terminal that serves 380,000 passengers daily, and operator JR East has to deploy extra security guards to keep them a safe distance from the glistening new locomotive.

With services to northern Japan on the Akita Shinkansen Line, the Super Komachi debuted earlier this month as one of Japan's fastest commercial trains.

It has been traveling at 300 kph (186 mph) and will eventually run at 320 kph (198.8 mph), also the new operational speed of the Series E5 Hayabusa, among the world's fastest along with France's TGV. … Read more

MacFixIt Answers is a feature in which I answer Mac-related questions e-mailed in by our readers.

This week, readers wrote in with questions about battery care, where to get Mac-specific training, what to do about guest accounts deleting user data, and the limitations of using an iMac as an external display for other systems. I welcome views from readers, so if you have any suggestions or alternative approaches to these problems, please post them in the comments!

Question: Common battery care guidelines MacFixIt reader Thomas asks:

Myanmar is one of the most closed off and least-connected countries in the world -- but with a newly opening government, this is rapidly changing.

Cisco announced today that it is setting up two technology training centers in the Southeast Asian country, according to USAID. The centers, dubbed Networking Academies, will be aimed at teaching residents tech skills.

This announcement comes after Cisco executives joined USAID, Google, HP, Intel, and Microsoft in a tech delegation visit to the country.

"We knew that in order for everyone in the country to benefit from a digital economy and for the government … Read more

When one of the most famous buildings, let alone the busiest train terminal in the world, turns 100, a lot of people stand up and take notice.

So it should come as no surprise that on its 100th birthday today, the world celebrated the grandeur of Grand Central Terminal, New York's shining beacon to public transportation, still vital and busy after all these years.

In 2010, I had the privilege of visiting Grand Central and getting a behind-the-scenes look at some of its greatest secrets, and some of its most awe-inspiring views. Given the opportunity to look out over … Read more

LAS VEGAS--A finalist in the Mobile Apps Showdown here at CES, Runtastic offers a suite of training apps designed to improve your fitness in several different areas. The newest apps in the suite focus on running, push-ups, pull-ups, and squats -- arguably the most important full-body, calisthenic exercises in popular use. However, Runtastic does have other downloads available for activities like biking and hiking. To get started, you must create an account or sign in with Facebook.

The flagship Runtastic app is focused on running, and lets you plan routes, track times and calories, and do so much more. As … Read more

Japan continues to set the standards for high-speed transport with its latest prototype, a magnet-powered train designed by Central Japan Railway Co.

A prototype Series Lo train was unveiled at a test facility in Tsuru, Japan, late last week, according to The Daily Yomiuri.

The magnetic, levitating train can reach speeds of 310 mph. Without actually touching any tracks and therefore not subject to friction, the train can reach much higher speeds than standard models. The train's cars can hold up to 24 passengers.

Central Japan Railway Co., also known as JR Tokai, plans to begin five-car test runs … Read more

Microsoft is aiming to smooth the transition for users switching to Windows 8 from its earlier predecessors. This upcoming operating system is a major change in direction for the software giant, which includes touch screen technology, "charms," and desktop tiles.

In an effort to help users get the knack of the new OS, Microsoft is apparently training sellers and others how to use the system. According to tech news site Neowin, a handful of Windows 8 demo videos (see below) have been leaked, which show just how the system will work.

One video focuses on how to navigate … Read more

By now most everyone knows about Apple's deficient Maps app in iOS 6 -- particularly those who counted on the former Google-powered app for public transit directions. Apple CEO Tim Cook publically apologized for the Maps app and said the company is working to make the app better. But in the meantime, if you need public transit directions, you're going to have to rely on third-party apps from the App Store.

Before you start sifting through hundreds of transit apps, I put together this collection so you can get the help you need right away. It's important … Read more