Reviews

Image gallery: 3 alternative OSes for your netbook
Netbook fans who feel that Windows 7 Starter edition is too limited for their liking might want to try one of the Linux distros made especially for netbooks. We review three.

Review: 3 free Linux alternatives for your netbook
Netbook fans who feel that Windows 7 Starter edition is too limited for their liking might want to try one of the Linux distros made especially for netbooks. We review three.

Facebook offers up privacy policy for user review
Looking to avoid user angst, Facebook today unveiled a proposed new privacy policy for review by its users.

First Look: Google Social Search
Google is pouring personalized social data into search results with its new Google Social Search, launching in experimental mode today. Google Social Search, announced at last week's Web 2.0 Summit, adds content from your friends right into your Google searches.

NASA ready for Mars rocket test flight Tuesday
NASA said it's ready to launch the next generation Ares I-X rocket tomorrow morning, though weather woes may postpone the test flight for a day.

Review: Psystar's Rebel EFI -- Snow Leopard on a PC
Psystar's latest challenge to Apple is a software package that purports to let PC owners install a Mac OS on their systems. But does it really work? Yes and no.

Google Wave: It's innovative, but is it truly useful?
A groundbreaking real-time collaboration tool, Google Wave is in a controlled beta that everyone wants to try out. But it may get lost in the crowd of communication apps.

Review: Wireless docking with Toshiba's newest Dynadock
A wireless docking station that works with any notebook is a nice idea, but the Toshiba Dynadock Wireless U comes with a few major caveats.

Windows 7 to go: New portables for the new OS
Microsoft's Windows 7 is bringing with it a wave of new and stylish netbooks and notebooks. Here's a preview of what's coming.

Browser wars redux: The top 5 contenders duke it out
Over the past few months, the top 5 browsers for the PC and the Mac -- Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Opera and Safari -- have come out with major new versions. We put them through their paces.

Image gallery: Browser wars redux
Over the past few months, the top 5 browsers for the PC and the Mac -- Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Opera and Safari -- have come out with major new versions. We check them out.

Review: The NZXT Lexa S case allows easy SSD installation
The NZXT Lexa S computer case lets you convert a 3.5-inch bay to accept two 2.5-inch drives, making it simple to add SSD drives.

Microsoft to put free Office Starter 2010 on new PCs
Microsoft announced today that it will abandon its decades-old Works entry-level suite, and will instead offer a stripped-down, advertising-supported version of Office 2010 on new PCs next year.

FTC tells bloggers to disclose payments, freebies for reviews
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission today released new guidelines requiring all bloggers to disclose any payments or freebies they get from companies in exchange for reviewing their products.

Why IT Needs User-Focused Designers
The new book Wrench in the System says enterprise software development would benefit from having professional designers who could figure out how to make applications that empower the humans who use them on a daily basis.

Google Wave could threaten Facebook, Twitter
Analysts say that Google's Wave collaboration and communication tool could find its initial success as an alternative to social networks like Facebook, Twitter and MySpace.

Review: Three 17-in. laptops provide big screens for low prices
Once high-priced marvels, 17-in. laptops are becoming surprisingly affordable. We look at notebooks from Acer, Dell and Toshiba that deliver spacious screens and keyboards for less than $850.

First look: Dell's Latitude Z laptop goes for the high end
Dell's pricy Latitude Z notebook offers a stylish look, a wireless charging stand, and some snazzy features for the executive who wants to impress.

Image gallery: Microsoft's Office Web Apps
Microsoft's Office Web Apps looks very much like its desktop twin, but this Technical Preview isn't close to being ready to compete with Google Apps.

Hands-on: Microsoft's Office Web Apps
Microsoft's Office Web Apps looks very much like its desktop twin, but this Technical Preview isn't close to being ready to compete with Google Apps.

Review: 8 free Twitter clients for better tweeting
The features available from Twitter's Web site are the epitome of 'basic.' We look at eight third-party clients that greatly expand Twitter's functionality.

FAQ: How to tell if you're on the Office Web Apps invite list
Microsoft launched the first public preview of Office Web Apps as a Technical Preview. But what's in the preview? Can you use the desktop software you love, or loath, alongside the online version? Here are answers to the pressing questions.

Microsoft launches Office Web Apps preview
Microsoft today launched a limited beta test of its Office Web Apps, the company's first public unveiling of its rival for Google's Web applications.

Review: Toshiba's stylish mini NB205 netbook features a great keyboard
The Toshiba mini NB205 is one of the better entries into the $400-and-under netbook market, offering a sharp display, comfortable keyboard and long battery life.

Review: AMD, Intel budget chipsets go head to head
AMD and Intel have released new chipsets in a bid for dominance in the value PC marketplace.

Karmic Koala: The best Ubuntu Linux ever?

After kicking the tires of the beta of Ubuntu Linux 9.10, I'm impressed. This may be the best version of Ubuntu to date.

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Why Office Web Apps won't trump Google Apps

As polished as Microsoft's Office Web Apps may be, in one very significant way, it's far inferior to Google Apps, and will give Google plenty of time to catch up to Microsoft. Once again, Microsoft can't seem to get synchronization and sharing right.

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ExamDiff Pro finds the differences

If you need to compare HTML, XML, or even binary files, only a proper diff utility will do. And ExamDiff Pro meets the gold standard for diff utilities, including its unique "fuzzy comparison."

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Google launches Chrome 3.0 -- should you care?

Chrome 3 is finally out, but the first reaction you might get when loading it is, "So what?" Yes, Chrome is fast. But it doesn't have much going for it beyond speed. I have a review and screenshots in my blog.

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Archos 5: The Linux Internet tablet for everyone

You can keep your Zune HD; the brand-new Archos 5 Internet tablet is the real competition for Apple's iPod Touch.

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Five reasons to switch to Opera 10

Opera, may be the browser that time forgot, but the final version of Opera 10 is a very nice piece of work. I've put the release candidate version through its paces --- here are five reasons it's worth switch to Opera 10 from your current browser.

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The easiest operating system to update is...

Mac OS X, Ubuntu Linux, and Windows, which is the easiest to update? The answer may surprise you.

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The affordable Mac

Yes, you read that right. You can buy a Mac, with Snow Leopard, for not much money. Here's how.

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Seven reasons for upgrading to Windows 7

I recently put Windows 7 RTM through its paces for an in-depth Computerworld review, can vouch that it's well worth the upgrade. Here are the seven top reason you should switch to Windows 7, whether from XP or Vista.

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A first look at KDE 4.3

KDE 4.3 will be released within the next few days, and the latest release candidate proves that the KDE 4 is finally ready for prime time.

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