“Microsoft” collection
Master your productivity with in-depth guides on the Microsoft ecosystem, including Windows operating systems and Office software. From software troubleshooting to Surface hardware reviews, these articles offer practical solutions for both professional and home environments.
HTD Tech Briefs
View all →October 11, 2012
How to Easily Edit Hosts Files on Mac & PC using Free Editors: Gas Mask (Mac) or HostsMan (PC)
If you have ever come across a situation where you need to edit your Hosts file on your Mac or PC, I'm sure that you have discovered that it is a bit of a pain. For starters, on either platform, you need to have elevated privileges, namely that of the administrator. Then you have to actually get to the Hosts…
Read more →
June 28, 2012
How To Set the Default Address Book in Microsoft Outlook 2010
I recently got a new computer at my work and got Microsoft Outlook 2010 installed on it. However, I kept running into problems as I was trying to send emails to people within my organization. I would type in their name and Outlook wouldn't find it. I would then click the "To:" button and no names would show. This is…
Read more →
May 4, 2012
How To Create a “Work” Menu Like Office 2004/2008 in Microsoft Word 2011 for Mac
While I truly like Microsoft Office 2011 for Mac (you can see my review of it here on the Microsoft Office for Mac Blog), there are some folks who have complained about a feature being removed from previous versions, specifically, the “Work” menu that was present in previous versions of Word in Office for Mac (2004 & 2008). Personally, I…
Read more →
April 24, 2012
Get Those Cleaning Supplies Out & Roll Up Your Sleeves – How to Clean Your Digital Home!
It's Springtime! Leaves are appearing on the trees, the sun is starting to gain dominance over the rain, and my eyes are teary, not only from the pollen in the air, but also from the fact that I need to start doing my spring cleaning around the house! It's time to put away the winter clothes, coats and blankets, throw…
Read more →
March 27, 2012
Just Cover It Up! Pritect – A Privacy Guard for the Xbox 360 & Windows Kinect
Sometimes low-tech is the best way to go. I hadn't really thought much about the Kinect for Xbox and Window in terms of privacy, until the folks at Catalyst Components reached out to me about their new product called the Pritect cover. It's a privacy guard for the Xbox 360 Kinect. What is the Kinect? It's a gesture, motion and sound…
Read more →
January 9, 2012
I’m an Ultrabook Fan – the Speed, Weight, Performance & Design Convinced Me (An #UltrabookDads Video Production)
Remember when netbooks were the "next big thing"? A few years ago, everyone wanted one of these small, compact and seemingly essential computers. But after a few years, the fog lifted from people's eyes as they realized that the small form factor wasn't the only thing that people needed. They wanted the best of all worlds, a small, lightweight, portable…
Read more →
January 3, 2012
The “Power” Behind the New 2013 Ford Escape
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting with the Ford folks at a San Francisco 49er game. There I got to see a preview of the new 2013 Ford Escape, which is billed as a "smart utility vehicle." I didn't actually get to test drive it, but I did have a chance to test out a new,…
Read more →
May 13, 2011
How to Write & Blog Efficiently with Free Tools like Evernote, DropBox, Picasa & Live Writer
A while ago, I wrote a blog post about how I do blogging. That was over a year ago. Times have changed, tools have evolved and processes have gotten better, at least for me. I still believe that how your blog or write is extremely personal in nature and what may work for me, might not for others. I would,…
Read more →
May 5, 2011
Intel(‘s) Take(s) On Tablets & Other Mobility Devices
Part of being an Intel Advisor is getting insights and information directly from inside Intel. This month's conference call with Intel and other Intel Advisors was no different and we learned about a hot topic in the Tech industry - the tablet race. Leading our discussion was Mark Miller, director of outbound marketing from Intel's Netbook and Tablet team. Not…
Read more →
April 25, 2011
10 Days in a Lincoln MKX – A Crossover SUV with an Almost Perfect Blend of Technology and Luxury
It seems that I have started sort of an annual tradition every Spring Break. For the past two years, Ford Motors has graciously lent me a car to enjoy with my family during our vacation. Each year thus far, we have driven from San Francisco to Los Angeles and back again. And each year, the car that we used has…
Read more →
March 22, 2011
Is Your Life Fragmented? Mine Is! But My Hard Drive ISN’T with the new Diskeeper 2011
Just yesterday I was thinking how nice it would be to be able to split myself into multiple fragments, each part commissioned to do something else. One would go to work, one would help get my kids to school, one would catch up on all of the "honey do" items around the house, one would spend time with my wife…
Read more →
January 25, 2011
From the Tablet Clutter and Chaos Comes “The 10 Tablet Commandments”
Apple has tablet competition...and lots of it. The iPad has been reigning supreme for over a year and only now are some possible contenders starting to pop up. The next iPad model is due in April, or so the rumors are saying. By all intents and purposes, Apple is well ahead in the tablet race having come to market early…
Read more →
