5 free software applications for computer geeks

Google Chrome, 7Zip, Notepad ++, Windows Live Writer, and Syncback

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An Interview With Wolfram|Alpha

"Recently, RevisingMRI sat down with WolframAlpha for an interview about MRI. Every answer is a genuine reply from WolframAlpha (links are provided)."

How to discover new and interesting music online

"What do you do when your music library gets stale and you can't stand commercial radio?"

Free Comptuer Security Software

"This outstanding list has been compiled by one of our senior security editors, Antti Koponen. The products are listed with the best products first, as judged by Antti."

Kwikset's Connected Locks Feature Remote Locking, Email Notifications

David Marusek's "Counting Heads"

Although I like to read science fiction, either it or I changed over the last few years, and I think I stop reading about a third of the books I check out from the library because they just aren't doing it for me (and this is after I am choosy at the shelves; and don't even get me started on how Fantasy and Horror are classified with the same spine sticker, oft leading me astray). But I just read a great book that I can recommend to anyone interested in what the future may hold technologically and socially: "Counting Heads" by David Marusek. The guy has quite an imagination, and the ability to incorporate technology into the story smoothly. And there's a *lot* of tech talk: almost every page has multiple introductions to cool futurist ideas; and the guy is a genius at naming things. I just inter-library-loan-requested his follow-up book, "Mind Over Ship".

Facebook strips down to Lite site

"'It appears, at a quick glance, to be a better site for Facebook newbies or for anyone who finds the current site overwhelming and noisy,' said Rafe Needleman at technology website Cnet." http://lite.facebook.com

"Anonymized" data really isn't—and here's why not

Online disinhibition effect

"In psychology, the online disinhibition effect refers to the way people behave on the Internet with less restraint than in real-world situations"

Even More Research: Technology Is Making Kids Better Writers, Not Worse

Windows 7: The Complete Guide

50 things that are being killed by the internet - Telegraph

"The internet has wrought huge changes on our lives – both positive and negative – in the fifteen years since its use became widespread. "

Sansa Clip+ Review: Big Sound, Tiny Body

I've had an older-model Clip for a while, and they are indeed great, especially when combined with some Sony vertical-in-ear headphones. I've used a Sansa MP3 player to provide music for our school's talent show for the past three years, and it's worked out great.

Does less evening Internet mean Europeans lead better lives?

"Data from ISPs in Europe and North America shows big difference in peak Internet use. Europeans drop off quickly at 7pm, which Americans keep going strong until 11pm. Some wonder if the difference extends to quality of life."

The Internet Is Not Especially Dangerous For Kids

"We're regularly treated to alarmist stories about the growing problem of child predators on the Internet. But David Pogue has a great post putting the danger in perspective -- fitting well with recent studies showing the danger is overstated. "