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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
How Bluetooth Works
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?
How 3-D Printing Works
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?
How Does the Herbicide Glyphosate (Roundup) Work?
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?
How to Fix the Black Screen of Death
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?
How to Uninstall Programs in Windows
Uninstalling programs from Microsoft Windows is pretty easy once you know which version you're using.
10 Biggest Gadgets of 2011
Technology moves so quickly that sometimes it seems like every new release is outdated the minute it hits store shelves.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?
How to Uninstall on a Mac
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?
How a VPN (Virtual Private Network) Works
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.
Essential Gadget Pictures
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.
How Wolfram|Alpha Works
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?
10 Scary Modern Technologies
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.
Do I really need a digital converter box for my TV?
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?
How Refurbished Electronics Work
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?
How the Google-Apple Cloud Computer Will Work
In cloud computing, programs and files are stored on a centralized computer or network. It's rumored that Google and Apple are teaming up to bring a cloud computer to the masses.
Consumer Electronics Show 2008
The Consumer Electronics Show is where technology companies show off their newest and most innovating products for the consumer. What new products hit the show floor for 2008?
How Replicants Work
Dark skies drop with acid rain. Advertising screams from every direction. And blade runners track down replicants -- murderous illegal androids that have returned to Earth. But how can they tell who's a replicant and who isn't?
How PayPal Works
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.
How RSS Works
Short for Really Simple Syndication, RSS is a way to subscribe to a source of information, such as a Web site, and get brief updates delivered to you. So what should you subscribe to, and what happens next?
How Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) Work
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.
How Computer Keyboards Work
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!
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