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How-To

Essential tips for buying, using, and fixing technology products

Today's Top How-To Stories

December 14, 2006

Twenty Ways to Keep Windows XP Fresh

Vista may be on the way, but XP hasn't outlived its usefulness. These tips will help you keep the old OS vibrant.

Recent Columns

Consumer Watch: Is That a Sales Pitch in Your Pocket?Get ready for the age of mobile marketing, coming soon to your cell phone.
Internet Tips: New Tools Help Take Your Blog to the Next LevelWith WordPress blogging software and a compatible host, you can customize your blog pages and gain greater control.
Hassle-Free PC: Dump Pricey Antivirus for a FreebiePlus: Restore your zapped Internet access and cancel a stuck print job.

Tip of the Day

Good-Bye, Outlook: Evolution Comes to Windows
I like being free to use the computer, operating system, and application that are the best for the job I'm doing. I use Macs and Linux machines along with Windows PCs, although I've mostly given up using Microsoft Office and Internet Explorer. Still, I remained a prisoner of Microsoft Outlook, because no other Windows program provided the same killer combination of e-mail, calendar, task, and contact management. However, Novell's Evolution--long a Linux-only Outlook competitor--is wending its way to Windows. Though still pre-beta software at this writing, Evolution for Windows can already function well as an alternative to Outlook.--Scott Spanbauer
Latest How-to Stories
Tempted to buy a new notebook? Read our advice before you start shopping. 14-Dec-2006
Tools and advice for keeping children safe online, plus a new natural-language search engine. 13-Dec-2006
Focal length, zoom, f-numbers--if you've wondered about it, we discuss it. 12-Dec-2006
Keep business e-mail communications private and secure using low-cost Digital IDs. 11-Dec-2006
Hidden fees, products that suddenly disappear from stock, shady stores--don't put up with them. Here are strategies for getting the right products at the right price, without hassles. 05-Dec-2006
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iPod Super Guide

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A PDF Download from the PC World EditorsLearn to organize and manage your music files, import music, download podcats, video blogs, TV shows and more. Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned pro, every chapter is filled with smart ideas and time-saving strategies so you can spend less time managing your music more time enjoying it.

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