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
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?
Advertisement
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?
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.
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.
Advertisement
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?
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?
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?
Advertisement
Uninstalling programs from Microsoft Windows is pretty easy once you know which version you're using.
Technology moves so quickly that sometimes it seems like every new release is outdated the minute it hits store shelves.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?
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
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
Advertisement
Do you have a smartphone? How about a digital camera? A portable music player? We bet you'll be surprised by how many of these 'essential' gadgets you actually own. Take a look and see whether yours made the list, or if we omitted any of your favorites.
It's been called a Google killer, but Stephen Wolfram's computational knowledge engine doesn't work like Google. So what does it do, and does it live up to its hype?
Technology has changed our lives, mostly for the better. But what happens when our inventions get the better of us? The results can be devastating.
By Chris Pollette & Dave Roos
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?
Advertisement
You need a new computer, but you don't have enough cash to buy the latest model. You're perusing the classifieds looking for a used one, when you come across an ad for a refurbished laptop. What does that mean?