Wayne Williams shows that you don’t have to spend a fortune on expensive gadgets to make your home smarter. Read our cheap smart home devices guide. Set up a smart home as cheaply as possible We still don’t have flying cars or personal jetpacks, but one sci-fi staple that’s within everyone’s grasp is the smart … Read more
Solve Windows Update problems to get the latest features and fixes. Read our Troubleshoot Windows updates when they fail. Windows update fail Microsoft provides a collection of troubleshooters designed to fix a range of problems that can occur with Windows and the hardware that runs it. They can’t fix everything, but they should be your first … Read more
Virtual Machine Sof tware David Hayward looks at virtualisation Virtualisation is the future.” That was once the mantra that was driven into me on a regular basis by the head of an IT department some years ago. I used to take his prophetic ramblings with a pinch of salt, nodding and agreeing at the appropriate … Read more
Learn how-to… Edit and sync notes securely “Joplin is the perfect note-taking tool. Get started with this powerful and completely free app” We’ve spent a long time trying to find the perfect note-taking service, and we’ve finally struck gold in the form of Joplin. It’s free and open source, plus works across all major desktop … Read more
Thunderbird Version: 68 Web: https://thunderbird.net You’ve got new mail! One of the greatest open source e-mail clients. Thunderbird, has seen a big bold new release lately: 68, although the previous version was 60. Don’t worry, you haven’t missed anything – it’s just that the Thunderbird development team aligned the version numbering with Firefox ESR. Although the … Read more
Try new features in Thunderbird 68 Thunderbird, Mozilla’s free email software, has been updated with a wealth of improvements. Here’s what’s new and how to get started Thunderbird: © 10 mins | Windows 7, Mac OS +10.9+, Linux [wpsm_toplist] Webmail services such as Gmail offer the convenience of accessing your email from anywhere, but there … Read more
Windows Defender has matured into a surprisingly powerful and comprehensive security suite. Nik Rawlinson explores its essential features and best hidden options Over the course of Windows 10’s recent updates, Microsoft has paid a lot of attention to improving and expanding the operating system’s built-in security tools. However, it can’t seem to make up its … Read more
Dell UP2414Q DETAILS • Manufacturer: Dell • Requirements: GPU capable of handling 4K resolutions, both HDMI and DisplayPorts cables needed as nothing The familiar sight of a Dell monitor Considering the amount you’re paying, you don’t get a very good monitor in return Dell was one of the first companies to launch a 4K monitor on … Read more
Gigabyte P34w V3 – A smaller laptop, but one with some surprising specifications DETAILS • Manufacturer: Gigabyte • Requirements: Windows account, free upgrade to Windows 10 The Gigabyte P-range of laptops have so far impressed us, with the P55k and the P37x scoring highly and making us nod in appreciation of the specification and style. … Read more
REVIEW Written by Jason M Before we dive in to this, a few thoughts. This review is the first for a “non-systemd” Distro. I will not get into the aspects or controversies regarding systemd vs Init… suffice to say, both sides have some compelling arguments: • The anti-systemd crowd concentrate on how systemD keeps growing the … Read more
Colour Laser Printers Brother HL-3170CDW DETAILS • Manufacturer: Brother • Website: goo.gl/nStfyA • Requirements: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Server versions of OSs This Brother HL-3170CDW is a reasonably compact printer that’s aimed at small, busy offices or homes, where the users need lots of connectivity and reliability. It would just be another bland- looking … Read more
Dual-band Wireless Routers Trendnet AC1750 Dual-band Wireless Router DETAILS Manufacturer: Trendnet Website: goo.gl/m8smQ4 Requirements: Separate ADSL modem, any modern browser for administration This is the second Trendnet product to feature in this group test, and it would seem that Trendnet has tried to raise the bar somewhat with this example. The AC1750 dual-band wireless router is … Read more