Chris Pollette is the former tech editor for HowStuffWorks.com and the original co-host of the TechStuff podcast. He's written many articles on technology subjects as diverse as VPNs, Bluetooth and LEDs.
Recent Contributions
Chromecast is a tiny TV dongle that promises to bring you streaming media controlled via your mobile device. Can it compete with the rest of the streaming media market?
Streaming video and audio have come a very long way since it was first introduced in the 1990s. In fact, millions of people have gotten rid of cable and rely on streaming only for entertainment.
Now almost anyone can be a disc jockey, talk show host or recording artist. Find out what tools you need to record and receive podcasts and see what industry analysts have to say about the future of podcasting.
By Stephanie Watson & Chris Pollette
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Mac or PC? It's a question almost everybody has an opinion about. Or, are you wondering what the difference is? We've broken down these computers to reveal their strengths and weaknesses.
You're typing along on your laptop when, all of a sudden, your computer fades to black. What's causing your black screen and how do you fix it?
You want to share what's on your screen with someone on email or through social media. But how do you do it? Microsoft Windows has several easy ways.
More people are using virtual private networks to establish secure communication over the internet, protecting their private information and allowing remote employees to connect to the private corporate networks.
By Jeff Tyson, Chris Pollette & Stephanie Crawford
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On Feb. 17, 2009, TV sets in the United States will need a converter to watch local stations. Is your television ready for the switch?
Light emitting diodes form numbers on digital clocks, send data from remote controls and illuminate watches – the simple genius of the design makes it infinitely applicable. And now, LEDs are affordable.
You know how you can program your smartphone to connect through your car speakers so you can talk hands-free? That's Bluetooth technology in action. Bluetooth allows electronic equipment to connect without wires. So how does it work?
The Xbox Live network gives players the opportunity to connect with thousands of other gaming enthusiasts online. What do users get out of the experience?
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Mac fans always talk about how easy and intuitive Apple's OS is to use. Is it really that simple to uninstall programs on a Mac?
By Chris Pollette & John Kelly
Want to take a music video from YouTube and make it an audio file you can hear on the go? There's an app (or several apps) for that.
You can replace your iPhone easily but what about its contents? That's why it's good to back them up. Here's how.
Tired of getting spam calls on your phone? You may wish to install an app like Nomorobo that says it can stop unwanted calls. But how does it work?
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You've taken your new TV out of the box and set it up, but the picture quality doesn't look as good as it did in the store. What's the best and easiest way to fix that?
Your IP address is one of 4.3 billion unique numbers that identifies your computer on the internet. Learn the different IP classes and discover how your computer gets its own address.
A digital photo has a wealth of info embedded in it — including date and time it was taken, location and camera used. But what if you don't want all that data falling into the wrong hands?
Python is a programming language even novices can learn easily because it uses a syntax similar to English. And it has a wide variety of applications.
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3-D printing has made it possible to print out almost anything, including homes, medical devices, clothing, even guns or a human heart. But how do you print these objects and are there drawbacks?
Roundup is the brand name for the chemical glyphosate, which is the most widely used weedkiller today. Some hail it, some hate it, but what does it really do?
Uninstalling programs from Microsoft Windows is pretty easy once you know which version you're using.
With all the extras and options that are available for new computer keyboards, it's hard to believe that their design originated with mechanical typewriters. Now just look at all they can do!
By Jeff Tyson, Tracy V. Wilson & Chris Pollette
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The simple idea behind PayPal, using encryption software to allow people to make financial transfers between computers, has turned into one of the world's primary methods of online payment.
Technology moves so quickly that sometimes it seems like every new release is outdated the minute it hits store shelves. Which electronic doodads stood out enough to make headlines in 2011?