Tech Blog

I bang the back up monkey a lot. There's really no excuse for not doing it. If you treasure your media files, documents and everything you do on your computer, you need to be making copies before it needlessly disappears into the ether. Read more...

Ah yes, the Apple vs Microsoft rivalry is heating up again after this weekend's 'leak' (strategic release?) to Engadget of all sorts of interesting Courier tidbits. But what wasn't said? Are they really aiming at the same audience? Why did Microsoft name it after a font? Read more...

Remember mice before optical technology? They were great... for a while, until the rollers started to gunk up. While they were a pain in the rear to clean they did maintain one element of superiority over optical mice: they'd work just about everywhere, though not particularly well. Enter Darkfield. Read more...

The singular lack of vision that saw the iPod frowned upon and the iPhone trashed by bloggers has reared its head again. This time it seems meaner and more personal - and it is. For tech bloggers tired of celebrating Apple's achievements there's only one thing to do: knock the 800lb gorilla down a peg. Read more...

I love Apple announcements. The excitement, the fervour and the enthusiasm with which they are greeted creates a tangible energy in the technology world. They shine a spotlight forward and point us toward the future. The trailblazers fall in line behind the light and beat down a path for the rest of us to follow. Read more...

One of the neatest recent developments in tech is the pico projector. Basically this is a tiny little device, a little smaller than a paperback, that packs fairly good projection technology into that little size. But what can you do with such a little thing... Read more...

By now you should have had all your major gifts bought, wrapped and out of the way, but what about the little things, the cool tech toys that just fit in that stocking, hung by the chimney with care. Fear not, I've got a stocking stuffer list that will help you out in these final few hours before the big guy stuffs himself down your chimney to deliver the Christmassy booty.. Read more...

Netbook for your niece? Maybe a DSi for your daughter? Or an iPod Touch for your tot? Think I'm crazy? Maybe, but I think that kids are ready for technology earlier than we'd expect. Within reason. My kids have always been rather techie (wonder where that comes from), and knew how to use computers well before that were school age. This has, as it turns out, been a boon to them. My daughter shared a story she wrote for school via Google Docs and my son researches on online. The aren't in high school, my son is elementary age and my daughter is in middle school. So when your kids start asking for tech, how do you decide when they are ready? And if they are ready, how do you choose the right tech? Well read on... Read more...

If you've been thinking of trying ChromeOS, especially the USB boot versions, then you should consult this ChromeOS hardware compatibility guide. No, this isn't 100% guaranteed stuff, and will certainly be be updated over time, but it's a good idea to check. Read more...

Since we're in the business here of helping folks get more out of their tech, I thought I'd help you let out your inner Spielburg or Ken Burns with a little movie making. If you have relatively recent Mac you've got an iSight built in and coupled with iMovie you're ready to start recording movies like this masterwork I recorded tonight: Read more...

I think one of those vexing questions all tech shoppers have is "should I wait until it's cheaper?". I don't think anyone is immune to this conundrum, especially with Black Friday sales, Last Minute Christmas Sales, and Boxing Day Sales all looming large. Here's my advice: go with your gut and watch the fliers ahead of time. Read more...

Tech Blog's Tris Hussey wrote a little earlier this week about Apple's Magic Mouse, so I thought it would be a good time to weigh in on a product, which while not exactly a directly competing product, is certainly from Apple's famous competitor. The Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000 is one of Microsoft's most recent forays into the laptop mouse market, with a nice small form factor and clever USB dongle design. Read more...

I was on the fence about the Magic Mouse when it first came out. The reviews were mixed. I read several that were of the "you'll either love it or hate it" ilk and that wasn't good enough for me when you're buying a $70 mouse. I finally tried one out in the store and found that have a little fussing about that I thought I'd like it and be able to get used to the unique mousing concept. Last night I cashed in some gift cards and bought one. Oooh I'm so glad I did! Read more...

We all need gift ideas for the holidays and if there is a gadget freak or geek in your life, the challenge becomes just what is the right gift. So, Sony is trying to help out this holiday season with their gift guide, complete with a promo video (which includes a rather familiar face!): Read more...

Yeah, it's that time again. I've made my list—something I haven't been fond of doing since I was a kid—but for those of you who are still making your list (double checking is always recommended) or the recipient of said list (in which case I suggest triple checking) MacWorld is running a series of buying guides for the Mac faithful. Read more...