The Power of One

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One of the biggest trends in IT is the way in which technologies including the cloud, mobile, and others amplify personal productivity and capabilities, allowing, for example, a single person to be an entire IT staff for a small business. This blog focuses on technologies at the intersection of the personal and IT and includes related news, tips, and reviews of individual services or tools.

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Preston is a freelance writer, and the author of more than 40 books, including "Windows 8 Hacks," "How the Internet Works," and "NOOK Tablet: The Missing Manual." He has written about technology for more than 20 years, and has published in numerous national magazines and newspapers, ranging from Computerworld to USA Today, the Los Angeles Times, the Dallas Morning News, and CIO Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter @pgralla or Google+.

Who needs Microsoft Office? 7 great free office suites for PCs, Macs, iOS and Android

Posted Sep 23, 2013 - 02:17 pm

Microsoft is being coy about when and if it will release Office for the iPad and Android tablets. Why wait? Here are seven free office suites for the a PC, Mac, iPad or Android device you can use right now.
Apache Open Office, CloudOn
Why a Chromebook should be your next notebook

Posted Sep 06, 2013 - 11:37 am

Google has just announced a new generation of Chrome OS apps, and for the first time, Chromebooks may be able to compete against their more expensive Windows and Mac OS X competitors. In a BYOD world where companies increasingly ask you to buy your own portable devices, it may be time to opt for a Chromebook.
Chrome Apps, chromebooks
6 free IPad productivity apps you can't live without

Posted Sep 04, 2013 - 02:47 pm

Tablets are eating into PC sales for a reason -- they can be big productivity boosters, at much less cost. If you've got an iPad, you don't need to spend a penny for great free productivity apps. Check out six of my favorite ones.
apps, free
Five reasons you need a smartwatch like the Samsung Galaxy Gear

Posted Sep 03, 2013 - 03:07 pm

Samsung this week is expected to announce its Galaxy Gear smartwatch, powered by Android and a dual-core processor. You might dismiss it as a plaything, but you'd be wrong. Smartwatches can be surprising productivity boosters. Here are five reasons you need one.
Productivity, Samsung
Smartphone shootout: Which mobile OS is the biggest productivity-booster?

Posted Sep 27, 2013 - 10:21 am

Want to get more done faster with your smartphone? iOS 7, iOS 6, Android, BlackBerry and Windows Phone all have their fans. But if you really want to know the truth, you need to go to the pros: Usability experts who have put them through their paces. Here's what they found.
Android, blackberry 10
Why upgrading to iOS 7 could be a productivity killer

Posted Sep 18, 2013 - 10:38 am

Before you upgrade to shiny new iOS 7 right away, be aware that it could be a big productivity killer. Here are all the reasons you might want to stay away for at least several weeks.
apps, ios 6
How to protect your Wi-Fi network from snoopers...including Google

Posted Sep 11, 2013 - 02:16 pm

A lawsuit against Google for snooping on Wi-Fi networks is moving forward, and it should raise this question for you: Just how safe is your own network against snoopers? If you've got a small wireless network you use for business or home, here's how you can protect yourself against break-ins and snoopers.
privacy, security
Will Chromebooks muscle out Windows and Mac laptops?

Posted Sep 13, 2013 - 11:59 am

You may consider Chromebooks merely solid, inexpensive notebooks, but the newest generation may be muscular enough that you'll want to buy one not just in addition to a Windows or Mac notebook, but instead of one
Chrome, Chromebook
5 great free apps for customizing Android

Posted Sep 25, 2013 - 12:05 pm

Android is the most customizable smartphone OS, but if you want more ways to master it, I've got help. Here are five free apps that will help you customize Android and be more productive.
ADW.Launcher, Android
5 great productivity apps redesigned for iOS 7

Posted Sep 20, 2013 - 10:42 am

No need to wait to take advantage of iOS 7's new features and design. I've rounded up five productivity apps that have been redesigned to help you get more work done with the new OS.
apps, Byword

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
Change Microsoft Office 2013's default search engine from Bing to Google

2 comments
What to do after your email account is compromised

1 comment
Build interactive HTML5 sites and graphics with Google's free Web Designer tool

1 comment

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