How to Shop for the Best DVD Player

Published on November 17, 2005 to Networking

You usually get what you pay for, but this is certainly not true for DVD players. Instead of overpaying $500 for a player from a brand-name OEM, we strongly suggest that you check out the decoder and video processing components under the hood first before making a purchase. Read more

All You Need To Know About Ripping DVDs

Published on August 28, 2006 to Networking

Sooner or later, you're going to need to rip a DVD. Mary Branscombe provides some tips for how to get the job done right and avoid getting scammed for ripping software. Read more

How Many Drivers Do You Need in Your Earphones?

Published on December 7, 2006 to Home Theater

Two drivers are definitely better than one. As good as the UM1 earphones are, the UM2 phones sound significantly better. Both offer excellent sound isolation, but you need to take the time to get the correct fit - which is also easier with the UM2s. Read more

How You Are About To Become Responsible For Credit Card Fraud

Published on May 4, 2006 to Networking

3D Secure is the new protocol being developed by the main players in the credit card payments business to try to combat credit card fraud. The kicker, however, is that it shifts responsibility for the cost of fraud from the acquirers (merchants and their banks) to us - consumers and our banks. Pat McKenna shows you just what 3DS is all about. Read more

How Microsoft's DreamSpark Works and What It's For

Published on March 5, 2008 to Software Miscellaneous

Giving away software to a billion students around the world is a complex operation. Microsoft’s Senior Director of Academic Initiatives told us how the DreamSpark system works and why it’s more than just a way of catching Windows developers young. Read more