Tech It Out

Practical tips and tricks to take your tech gear and computing skills to the next level.

by Melanie Pinola

Melanie Pinola is a freelance writer covering all things tech-related. A former IT admin and occasional web developer, she is also the author of LinkedIn in 30 Minutes, a Lifehacker editor, and the Guide to Mobile Office Tech at About.com.

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This free site could teach you a new language more effectively than a college class or Rosetta Stone

Posted Jan 28, 2013 - 12:14 pm

You could start speaking Spanish in about half the time it'd take to learn with Rosetta Stone. Best of all, Duolingo is free.
foreign languages, free
Use Outlook as an automatic time tracking tool

Posted Jan 02, 2013 - 03:27 pm

This hidden feature in Microsoft Outlook can log your tasks, emails, Office documents usage, and more
Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook
What's new in Windows 8 Blue (Windows 8.1)

Posted May 30, 2013 - 02:28 pm

Welcome back, Start button! and, hello, more touch features
tip, updates
What's the difference between Windows RT and Windows 8?

Posted Oct 18, 2012 - 05:46 pm

[chunklet]
Image credit: Microsoft
Microsoft, windows 8
Windows 7 has 6 times more security threats than Windows 8, according to Microsoft

Posted Sep 09, 2013 - 12:04 pm

Microsoft's infographic points out a few reasons the company thinks you should move to Windows 8. Especially if you're using Windows XP.
infographics, malware
Windows 8.1 preview is out today, but don't install it over your current system

Posted Jun 26, 2013 - 01:04 pm

"Windows 8.1 is Windows 8 refined" but the preview is only for "experienced" PC users.
Microsoft, windows 8
You can jailbreak Windows RT to run desktop apps...or even Mac OS

Posted Jan 11, 2013 - 02:06 pm

Free your Surface RT tablet
jailbreak, jailbreaking
Change Microsoft Office 2013's default search engine from Bing to Google

Posted Sep 30, 2013 - 01:26 pm

Not surprisingly, Microsoft's own search engine is the default one in Microsoft Office. But you can change that.
Bing, Google
Don't hide your tech cables and cords. Display them artfully instead.

Posted Aug 07, 2013 - 02:17 pm

Turn that rat's nest of cables into something attractive.
cable management, cords
Google is ditching its most affordable storage plan for Google Drive, Gmail, and Google+ Photos

Posted May 31, 2013 - 01:50 pm

But you can still get the old 25GB plan before it's removed
gmail, Google

October is...
Unified Communications Month

BY THE NUMBERS: UC&C

HOW-TO: Look alive and professional in Web meetings

TIP: Use your cell phone as a WiFi VOIP phone

TOOLBOX: Six alternative tools for small business collaboration

CASE STUDY: Enterprise social network moves ad agency into the future

Microsoft's Security Essentials isn't the best antivirus program, according to Microsoft

2 comments
AMD pushes forward with new video cards and a few surprises

2 comments
Build interactive HTML5 sites and graphics with Google's free Web Designer tool

1 comment
What to do after your email account is compromised

1 comment
See - and hear - what it was like to surf the web 20 years ago

1 comment

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Containerization Options: How to Choose the Best DLP Solution for Your Organization

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