Like a magpie, you gravitate towards things that are shiny: cell phones, TVs, anything that allows you to play Rock Band. But just because you love ‘em doesn’t mean you know much about ‘em. That’s where we come in.

Every week we will be highlighting the best, coolest and shiniest in technology. Consider us your personal Geek Squad. And let us tell ya; with CC on your side, geek has never looked so chic.]

We all have computers, but what do we really use them for? More than likely they’re dedicated to the normal music/internet/term paper cycle with a little Snood and movie watching thrown in for fun. But there’s a ton of other things that can be done with them. And there’s no reason to let money or lack of technical know-how stand in your way of making the most of your machine.

Graphic Software:

So your BFF makes hilarious pictures with Photoshop. You know, changing that can of soda you had at last week’s party into a 40 and writing some incriminating line above your head. Haha, very funny.  You want to join in the fun…and get her back but you don’t have the programs for it. You could do it in paint, but that’s lame. Why don’t you try Paint.net or pikifix.com first? They may not make you a graphic artist but they’re prefect for having a little fun with pictures when you have a little time. Read More »

[Like a magpie, you gravitate towards things that are shiny: cell phones, TVs, anything that allows you to play Rock Band. But just because you love ‘em doesn’t mean you know much about ‘em. That’s where we come in. Every week we will be highlighting the best, coolest and shiniest in technology. Consider us your personal Geek Squad. And let us tell ya; with CC on your side, geek has never looked so chic.]

So you waited until the last minute to do that super important term paper again. There you are, middle of the night, all by yourself cranking away at this monster of an assignment with only your trusty laptop for company. And then it happens. Out of nowhere: the Blue Screen of Death!!

Who you gonna call?

Ummm, nobody, because it’s two in the morning. You’re on your own with this one, cupcake.

Actually, if this happens, just restart your computer and only open what you need to get the work done (read: no AIM or Facebook), remembering to save often. You should be able to at least make it through the paper. In the morning you can diagnose the issue. And by morning, I really mean later in the afternoon when classes are over and you’ve had a much needed nap.

In any case this is exactly why you need to be able to do more on a computer than hit the power button. If your computer starts smoking, then, yeah, it’s pretty much dead, but when software issues arise you should be able to identify and at least partially work around ‘em. Computers are very rarely “broken,” they’re just momentarily troubled. Read More »