Newest iPhone worth the wait

July 24, 2008

If you coveted the first-generation Apple iPhone but decided to play it smart and wait for the second iteration, your patience has been rewarded.The iPhone 3G is better than the original in almost every way.

Recent columns

• New look at Kindle

  July 17, 2008

  Just before Mother's Day, my wife casually mentioned hearing Amazon.com's announcement that ample supplies of its Kindle electronic book reader were finally on hand.

• Verizon LG needs work on acoustics

  July 10, 2008

  Not long ago, if you spotted someone walking down the street and having a conversation with an imaginary companion, you were looking at a candidate for the funny farm.

• Growth in faster Internet surprises

  July 3, 2008

  With a miserable economy - and a gut feeling that nearly everyone who really wants high-speed Internet access and can afford it probably has it by now - I would have predicted slow growth or none at all this year in that market.

• Computer shopping

  June 26, 2008

  Buying a computer for a new grad can be a simple job because there are so many good, inexpensive machines out there. But it can be frustrating, too - because there are so many good, inexpensive machines out there.

• Laptop likely to be best bet

  June 19, 2008

  If there's a recent grad in your house, or you're one of the many buyers who think they can get a better deal at midyear than during the holidays, chances are good that you're looking for a computer. And your chances of finding a good one for a reasonable price are good indeed. In fact, you'd have to work pretty hard to find a bad one.

• You can convert PC to an HDTV

  May 22, 2008

  So you're sitting around, totally bored with the same old PC, bored with word processing, bored with spreadsheets, bored with Web browsing, bored with music, bored with news, bored with grainy YouTube videos.

• Lying to PC-savvy woman is dumb

  May 15, 2008

  For years, my colleague Dan Rodricks has entertained us with columns entitled "Guilty - but mostly stupid." They're tales of criminals who just don't get it, like the bank robber who scribbles a holdup note on the back of his business card.

• Digital converter quality uneven

  May 8, 2008

  For months I've been urging readers who get their TV service the old fashioned way - over the air, with an antenna - to apply for a pair of government coupons. Each provides $40 toward a converter that will keep an analog TV working when the nation's broadcasters switch to digital transmissions on Feb. 17, 2009.

• Back up files on your old machine

  May 1, 2008

  If you have an old laptop that starts making ominous, clicking noises, don't wait for it to get better. It won't. And don't put off making backup copies of your important files, even if your computer isn't complaining.

• We can't see as votes get counted in a black box

  February 23, 2006

  Most computer-savvy people I know would never entrust something as important as picking the next president or governor to gadgets as unreliable as computers. Especially with no paper backup.

• Don't send computer off to college till it's equipped

  August 15, 2002

  If you have a student headed to college for the first time, you've probably bought a computer by now. It was a big expense, and undoubtedly the object of more than a little anguish. But before you load it into the car, it's a good idea to stock up on the extras that will keep your student's computer and other electronic gadgets running properly.

• Web helps Americans connect during their darkest hour

  September 17, 2001

  "IHAVE JUST learned of the safety of a friend. I can't even begin to imagine the pain that you all must feel. I have the luxury of hugging my wife and children today and will NEVER again take this simple act for granted. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. If there is anything that we can do please let us know. God, please bless all of us at this, humanity's darkest hour."

• No honor in Amazon's site scheme

  February 12, 2001

  If you've ever bought a book or CD from Amazon.com, try this little experiment: point your Web browser to www.seti.org.