Zach Hope

XP + IT Professional = OS X

For at least 6 months my mantra has been, "Gotta get a Mac, gotta get a Mac, gotta get a Mac". Whenever I visit the Apple store at Oxford Circus, I am always impressed by the speed at which the Mac can work. My old XP computer seems more that a little old... Read >

3 Of the Best Things About Apple Computers

Before writing this article I had changed my list many times. There are many great things about Apple's products over rival companies, but getting the order is subject to personal opinion.#1 - AestheticsDifferent people have different likes and dislikes. ... Read >

If Think You Think Computers are Complicated Now - Just Wait

Looking back over the last 20 years of home computing, it's hard to comprehend how we managed to cope without our PCs. Starting from computers such as the weird ZX Spectrum and the Commodore 64, the modern PC has become a normal part of daily life.Despite... Read >

Introducing the Indestructible Laptop

One of the major weaknesses of the common notebook computer is its fragility. Whilst the name ‘notebook' is an accurate analogy to describe its size, in terms of robustness a better name might be ‘vase'. Manufacturers seem to have finally recognised t... Read >

Five Ways to Speedup Your Slow Computer

In 2005 I finally purchased my first Windows PC. In the 15 years before I had used an Apple Macintosh computer for my school and university work. Of course I had to use Windows machines from time to time but I never owned one: the university and school su... Read >

The Ultimate Ultraportable

It just occurred to me that with the ever-increasing speed of memory cards, surely this is going to be the way people carry their data around with them in the future. This might not sound too groundbreaking to most people but let me explain some of the im... Read >

Forget Phones - Skype is Much Better

Alexander Graham Bell (the inventor of the telephone) may be turning in his grave, because the conventional phone seems like it's on its way out. Skype is the latest and greatest way to communicate with anyone in the world for free via the internet.To get... Read >

The Best Way to Get Rid of an Old CRT Monitor

LCD monitors are rapidly replacing the old cathode ray tube (CRT) type monitors. LCD displays (a.k.a. TFT, or flat panel) use substantially less electricity; a typical CRT uses more energy whilst on standby than a LCD does when switched on. Other advantag... Read >

The Best Way to Record a Skype Conversation

The sound quality of Skype telephony is one of the most amazing aspects of the technology. Skype offer a paid subscription service which allows you to record your conversations. This is not the only way to create an mp3 file of your phone call.Dedicated s... Read >

USB Trip Wires - How to Avoid Smashing Your Camera, Cell Phone, or iPod

I have lots of devices that I regularly plug into the USB slots of my PC. There must be millions of people who use USB cables to transfer data to all sorts of portable devices. Although most people don't realise, they are setting themselves a trap when th... Read >

Two Computers are Better than One - Diagnosing PC Problems

If something went wrong with your computer what would you do? Look up the manufacturer's website, ask a question on a forum, or perhaps download a user guide? All these things involve using the internet, so if you can't get online it could leave you a bit... Read >

The Ticking Time Bomb that is Your PC

Most people who own a computer have it in the back of their mind that they need to backup there important document. What most people are less aware of is why they need to do this. In my experience most would say that it in case your computer gets stolen, ... Read >

The Secret of Getting What You Want on eBay

How many times have you sat at your computer, your eyes glued to an eBay listing and counting down the seconds until it ends? Just when you thought you were going to finish as the highest bidder, you find that someone had piped you at the post. Just 3 sec... Read >

The Coolest Way to Launch Applications

When it comes to launching applications Windows XP is not the most efficient tool ever devised. Mac OS X has an infinitely better looking solution - the Dock is one of the most beautifully illustrated and nicely animated tool bars to grace computer screen... Read >

PC Repair and Proverbs

"A stitch in time saves nine". This is a common quote that says that if you take a precautionary measure today you will reap the rewards from it in the future. Although this phrase was coined many years ago (probably hundreds of years but I'm not sure), i... Read >