Two New Vertical Sites Tailor Web Searches, But Still Have Kinks
Vertical search sites like Ziggs and Indeed.com provide interesting, focused information and show real promise — if they can get the kinks out, Walt writes.
Personal Technology Columns Tagged ‘Microsoft’
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Microsoft Service Lets You Create A Nice Blog, But Limits Tweaking
Walt tests Microsoft’s just-launched blogging service, MSN Spaces and says the service is a good, basic blogging service — if somewhat limited.
A Guide to Using RSS, Which Helps You Scan Vast Array of Web Sites
If you are a news-oriented Web surfer who wants the latest stuff from a broad range of sources, RSS — a system that allows you to quickly scan large numbers of newsy, frequently updated sites — can be a great boon.
Free Microsoft Stopgap Offers Tabbed Browsing And Desktop Searching
Microsoft has just released a product that adds both tabbed browsing and desktop searching to Windows computers. Walt says the features aren’t as good as their built-in counterparts, but they get the basic job done.
Samsung Phone Offers Wireless Broadband, But It Has Drawbacks
The new Samsung i730 surfs the Web and sends and receives email at broadband speeds, but Walt says the short battery life and two-handed navigation can be aggravating.
Google Earth Thrills With Photos, Stunts, But How Practical Is It?
Google Earth lets you view satellite and aerial photos of pretty much any spot on the planet. While the program may not be practical for most people, it’s still worth fooling around with just because it’s cool.
Despite Others’ Claims, Tracking Cookies Fit My Spyware Definition
If you don’t like the idea of tracking cookies, run an antispyware program that detects and removes them, along with all the other indefensible computer code some companies think they have the right to install.
Info Appliance Offers Nice Touches, but It’s Costly, Has Limitations
Walt says the Pepper Pad, a new info appliance, mostly did what was promised, but it isn’t quite as easy and intuitive to use as its makers claim. And, at $799, it costs more than some laptops.
New Microsoft Program Offers Homework Tools But It’s Clumsy to Use
Microsoft Student is designed to help middle-school and high-school students to attack their homework efficiently. Walt says it can provide some aid, but is confusing and clumsy to use, and disappointing in some respects.
Apple’s New Mouse Is Not as Mighty As Rival’s Magnifier
Apple finally released an optional, add-on mouse that allows right-clicking and scrolling. But Apple designed the Mighty Mouse so it looks like, and can work like, a one-button mouse, making it harder to use than competing mice.
Fujitsu’s Tablet PC Feels Like a Paper Pad, So Why Is It Clumsy?
Fujitsu got the size right when making its tablet PC, but like other models, it’s still annoying to use more often than it should be, because not enough thought has gone into tablet-specific hardware innovation, writes Walt Mossberg.
Google Wants to Be Your Best Friend On Your Computer
Google’s two newest releases, Google Desktop and Google Talk, are bold, major steps for the company — and useful programs that have great potential, Walt writes.
New Services Give You Reliable Ways to Keep All Your Files Updated
Many people resort to time-consuming methods for transferring key files between computers. Walt looks at services that automatically keep certain folders synchronized among multiple PCs, without any work on your part.
Yahoo Email Delivers That Desktop Feel Most Users Expect
Walt referees the battle for Web-mail supremacy between Yahoo Mail and Google’s Gmail. His verdict: Yahoo more closely matches the desktop experience most serious email users have come to expect.
What PC to Buy If You Are Planning On a Vista Upgrade
In Walt’s annual fall buyer’s guide to desktop computers, he focuses on what kind of PC Windows buyers should be considering if they want to run Microsoft’s next version of Windows, called Vista.
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Here is a statement of my ethics and coverage policies. It is more than most of you want to know, but, in the age of suspicion of the media, I am laying it all out.
