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.

Connect on: Google+ | Twitter

View Profile

Get 25GB of free online storage on Box

Posted Feb 07, 2013 - 02:52 pm

Because you can never have enough cloud storage space
Box, Box.net
Download Windows 8 for Dummies and nearly a hundred other Microsoft e-books for free

Posted Nov 05, 2012 - 12:36 pm

Dozens of free e-books from Microsoft will teach you how to use Windows 8, Microsoft Office, SQL Server, SharePoint, and lots more
e-books, ebooks
Bypass blocked webpages and paywalls with Google as your proxy server

Posted Jul 16, 2013 - 03:48 pm

A few Google tricks will have you accessing content and downloading files otherwise blocked
blocked websites, Google
How to access a Dropbox file on your mobile device when you're offline

Posted Feb 27, 2013 - 03:24 pm

Useful for when you're traveling, away from Wi-Fi, or you can't get a data signal
dropbox, dropbox android
Save 15% on Amazon Subscribe & Save deliveries

Posted Mar 01, 2013 - 03:49 pm

A new discount means bigger savings on essentials from Amazon
Amazon, amazon deals
Get a free year of ShopRunner 2-day shipping with an Amex credit card (save $79)

Posted May 16, 2013 - 07:00 pm

ShopRunner is like Amazon Prime membership, but for more stores, incl. Newegg and Toys R US. And free is hard to beat.
amazon prime, deals
Turn off Windows 8's default sharing of your location, name, and web content usage

Posted Nov 07, 2012 - 02:05 pm

By default, Windows 8 lets apps use your name, location, and more. Head to the settings if you want to protect your privacy
privacy, windows 8
Make Windows shut down faster

Posted Oct 16, 2012 - 03:55 pm

Skip the forced updates and speed up the shutdown process with these tricks and keyboard shortcuts
how to, shutdown
Create an email list from all of your Gmail messages

Posted Jun 21, 2013 - 03:11 pm

A handy tool for anyone who does email newsletters or email marketing campaigns
email marketing, email newsletters
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

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

White Papers & Webcasts

White Paper

5 Steps for Building a Secure Cloud

Webcast On Demand

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

Webcast On Demand

CDW Software Asset Management

See more White Papers | Webcasts

Join today!

Get FREE access to premium content, in-depth reviews, practical tips

How it works: The basic tech behind the Internet
You may think you know, but do you really know?
Free and cheap ways to study for IT certifications
Helpful tips for finding inexpensive study resources and getting hands-on experience
iOS vs. Android vs. BlackBerry vs. Windows Phone
Which platform provides the security you need?