Was Windows Vista Really That Bad -- or Just Misunderstood?

May 8, 2023

Did You Know?

On the U.S. tone and grade designation scale, the number assigned to pencils (No. 2, No. 3, etc.) refer to the hardness of the graphite “lead” in the pencil; the lower the number, the softer the lead.

Happy Monday! Western Digital has confirmed that plenty of customer data was stolen in a hack earlier this year. Meanwhile, Valve has updated the search feature in Steam with some much-needed improvements, and Amazon is adding a TikTok-like video feed to its online store.

– Corbin

While some Windows versions are loved by enthusiasts for years to come, others are sorted into the “hall of shame.” This was true of Windows ME, in 2000, and Windows 8/8.1, in 2012. But perhaps one of the more notable entries on people’s lists of worst Windows versions is Windows Vista, released in 2007. Was it that bad, really? Read More »

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Want to use the ChatGPT in a terminal window on your Ubuntu Linux PC? ShellGPT lets you use all the features of the famous AI chatbot, on the command line. Here’s how to set ShellGPT up and start using it. Read More »

TikTok is the biggest social media phenomenon in the 2020s so far, and everyone is seeking to imitate its winning formula. The latest to do so is Amazon, out of all websites. Read More »

Whether you’re a content creator or want to be visible in meetings, it can be frustrating if your lighting situation isn’t ideal for video. The easiest solution? Pick up a ring light! You don’t need to shell out a bunch of cash for one, as Neewer has a simple, great ring light for $35.

This ring light comes with a short weighted stand, making it easy to put anywhere—and you can even swap it out for a longer stand if needed. Combine that with cold and warm light settings, and a few brightness options, and you don’t need to fiddle with this lamp for too long to get it going.

Back in March, Western Digital revealed it had been hacked, and many of the company’s online services were down for two weeks as “proactive measures.” Now we know more about what hackers stole from WD customers. Read More »

Weather apps provide tons of information, but you might only check the temperature and precipitation. Other metrics can give you a better idea of how the weather will actually feel. Barometric pressure—or “air pressure”—is one of them. Read More »

The iPhone and other Apple products still use Lightning ports for charging and data transfer, but you can use them with USB Type-C chargers (and possibly boost your charging speed) with the right cable. Anker’s cable for the job is now on sale for just $9. Read More »

How many FPS can the human eye see? That’s a tough question because the human eye doesn’t really see in “frames per second,” and everyone’s eyes are different. We’ll talk about the biology, but the real question is what the upper limit is when it comes to FPS on monitors. At what point do you stop noticing FPS increases? Read More »

Valve is testing a significant update to Steam right now that improves the in-game overlay, but that’s not the only upgrade to get excited about. There’s another change rolling out that can help you find the right page on the Steam store. Read More »

Smart air conditioners give you tons of added convenience and features over traditional options. the best smart ACs will connect seamlessly with your smart home ecosystem, allow you to control your unit remotely, and create schedules. Read More »

Enterprise-grade computer hardware can be really boring, but some of it can actually be exciting. There’s a specific feature that’s been commonplace in servers and workstations for a very long time, and users with consumer hardware have looked at in jealousy: ECC RAM. Can you use it? Read More »

If you’re shopping for a cable modem, you’ll come across the term “channels” paired with number designations like 16×4 or 24×8. What that means isn’t immediately apparent, but it has a big impact on your internet connection speed. Here’s what you need to know when shopping for an upgrade. Read More »

You don’t need any special software to create a custom map for yourself or others. Google Maps is all you need, allowing you to add your own pinpoints, shapes, and directions to a custom map. Here’s how. Read More »

You probably know that choosing a gaming laptop over a gaming desktop PC means getting less performance, but how big is that gap exactly? The answer is probably not as large as you think. In fact, it may not matter! Read More »

When you pack your next travel bag, consider packing an instant camera. It’s worth the extra space in your suitcase for multiple reasons, but my favorite is that an instant camera helps you be more thoughtful about which moments are worthy of an instant photo. I absolutely love traveling with my instant camera, and I’ll never go on a vacation without one again. Read More »

For the most part, streetlights are a bright, vibrant white or orange hue. No one is putting color-changing bulbs in these lights and turning them rainbow shades. But then why are streetlights turning purple? Read More »

The AT&T Franklin A50 Mobile Hotspot may not look like much, but when you’re sick of public Wi-Fi, it’s the one device you’ll want to have on hand. The A50 broadcasts both 2.4GHz and 5GHz network bands, hosts up to 20 devices, and can be customized to best match your web-connected routines.  Read More »

Netflix is bringing the funny, the heartwarming, and the educational this week. From documentaries to makeover shows to thrillers, this week’s Netflix drop has a bit for everyone. Read More »

Staying mobile while onboard long flights is crucial and will set you up for success as you begin your vacation, or as you return home. According to Roup, sitting still on a flight for hours may cause backaches, swollen feet, neck pain, and anxiety. But exercise—even limited exercise—can help. Read More »