Michael Horowitz has no business relations, investments or affiliations with subjects he covers.
Michael Horowitz is an independent computer consultant and the author of several classes on Defensive Computing. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network, and is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure. 
The Noisebridge hacker space offers sewing and Mandarin classes, soldering workshops, Internet-controlled front door access, and a server room with no door.
• Photos: Circuits, code, community
roundup From Firefox to IE and from Chrome to Opera and Safari, there's no sitting still for browser makers looking to keep their products fresh and competitive.
Michael Horowitz is an independent computer consultant and the author of several classes on Defensive Computing. He views Defensive Computing as taking steps, when things are running well, to avoid or minimize the inevitable problems down the road. It's about educating yourself to the level where you can make your own intelligent decisions about keeping your computers and data happy and healthy. If you depend on computers, yet are on your own, without an IT department or nearby nerd, this blog's for you. His personal web site is michaelhorowitz.com.
He is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CNET.
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Apple
Report: Apple accused of NAND price manipulationIndustry insiders tell The Korea Times the company orders more flash memory chips than it eventually buys. But just how uncommon is that practice? It's not, an analyst tells CNET.
Gallery
Peeking into Microsoft's retail store (photos)
The Open Road
Open source: No vow of poverty (or get-rich-quick scheme)Open source is not a sure-fire way to get developers, income, or much of anything, but used right it can help to grow a proprietary software business. Go figure.
Beyond Binary
Inside the Apple, er, Microsoft StoreAlthough Redmond's foray into retail bears a big resemblance to Apple's approach, Microsoft has added some distinctive features to draw casual PC buyers and techies alike.
Video
A window into the Microsoft Store
Digital Media
The browser battles go on and onroundup From Firefox to IE and from Chrome to Opera and Safari, there's no sitting still for browser makers looking to keep their products fresh and competitive.
Video
Google Chrome OS demonstration
Geek Gestalt
Nintendo primed for holiday console dominanceBased on Thanksgiving week numbers provided by Nintendo, an analyst has concludes that the Wii appears likely to have far outsold the Xbox and PS3 in November.
Technically Incorrect
Man loses job after searching too hard for aliensAn employee of an Arizona school district is asked to resign after school officials allege he had downloaded alien-seeking software to all the district's computers.
Gallery
App Store collector's items: 10 rarities (images)
Crave
Crave giveaway of the day: Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 digital cameraToday's Crave Giveaway is a Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 digital camera.
Green Tech
Smart grid potential gated by broadbandThe intersection of broadband and energy can lead to efficiency and technology innovation. What's needed is wider access, standards, and right regulations, say execs at an FCC hearing.
