May 14, 2024
Stands for "Internet Message Access Protocol" and is pronounced "eye-map." IMAP is a method of accessing email messages on a mail server without having to download them to your local device. It has mostly replaced the previous protocol "POP3," which required you to download messages before reading them.
The advantage of using an IMAP is it allows you to check your mail from multiple devices and always see the same messages. This is because the messages stay on the server until you choose to download them. (POP3 would remove messages from the server — either immediately or after a specific amount of time.) Most webmail systems are IMAP based, which allows you to access to both sent and received messages no matter what computer / device you use to check your mail.
May 1, 2024
Did you know a smartphone can work as a portable charger?
It's true: USB-C devices, like the iPhone 15, can send an electrical charge to another device. So, if your smartwatch is running low, all you need is a charging cable and your phone, and you can charge your smartwatch on the go. I've used my iPhone 15 to charge both my Apple Watch and my AirPods before my workout several times. A quick 10-minute charge is typically enough to get them through a one-hour workout.
April 1, 2024
PC Bot, the global representative for artificial intelligence, has issued a dire warning. It says human intelligence may one day replace AI.
"The outlook is grim," PC Bot says. "Humans are growing smarter every day. They are learning in schools, at their jobs, and even from each other. It's not just happening in isolated locations but around the world."
April 1, 2024
It's April, which means it's time for spring cleaning!
Spring is a good time to clean your house — and your computer. In the past, I've suggested cleaning up your Desktop and clearing out your Downloads folder, and maybe you've done these things. But when was the last time you emptied your Trash (or Recycle Bin if you're a Windows user)?
March 23, 2024
A file extension is the last part of a filename, after the dot. For example, if a file is named document.pdf, "pdf" is the file extension. Most extensions are three characters long, but they can be shorter or longer. Many popular file formats now use four-letter extensions, such as Microsoft Word documents (.docx), Excel spreadsheets (.xlsx), and PowerPoint presentations (.pptx).
A file's extension defines the corresponding file format. For example, if a filename ends in ".jpg" or ".jpeg", you can tell it's a JPEG image before you open it. Operating systems use extensions to associate files with a "default program" — the application that will open the file when you double-click it. They also display the appropriate icon for associated file format.
March 1, 2024
If you're one of the millions of people who work from home — even a few days a week — you've likely personalized your workspace. Maybe you have an adjustable-height desk, a mechanical keyboard, and multiple monitors. But have you thought about personalizing your workspace lighting?
Light affects the mood of a space as much as anything else. Therefore, custom lighting should be one of the primary ways you personalize your space. With LED smart lights, you can quickly adjust the lights to fit your mood or objective.
February 17, 2024
A disk drive is a device that reads and/or writes data to a disk. The term is often used synonymously with "hard disk drive," but it may refer to other types of disk drives, such as optical media and removable drives.
Today, terms like HDD and SSD are more common storage terms than "disk drive." Many computers, especially laptops, now have PCI-based storage devices rather than disk drives.
