The Metro hater's guide to Windows 8.1

"If you've got no use for the Start screen and Metro-style apps, I have some good news for you. Windows 8.1 has a handful of interface tweaks you can make that will put the Windows desktop back in charge. "

Also: Classic Shell

Mom Creates App That Prevents Her Teens from Using Their Phones Until They Call Her

“War and Peace” tortured me: Facebook, email and the neuroscience of always being distracted

"I can tell you absolutely that everyone who thinks they’re good at multitasking is wrong. We know that in fact it’s those who think they’re good at multitasking who are the least productive when they multitask."

Tech maintenance tasks everyone forgets about, but really shouldn't

"With so many tech devices in our lives these days, it's important to stay on top of maintenance that needs to be done periodically on your Windows computer and other devices to keep things running smoothly."

Being a Better Online Reader

"What was going on with these students and professionals? Was the digital format to blame for their superficial approaches, or was something else at work?"

Web Design: Icon Usability

"A user’s understanding of an icon is based on previous experience. Due to the absence of a standard usage for most icons, text labels are necessary to communicate the meaning and reduce ambiguity."

Fixing a sticky-sided Microsoft mouse

I like Microsoft mice. My current one is part of the Microsoft Wireless Desktop 2000 which is an inexpensive wireless mouse and keyboard. However, it is getting sticky, as in tacky, on the sides, where I hold it. I had thought it was just dirty, but in looking around on the internet I see that many others have this issue (also with products from other manufacturers), and that it's really the breakdown of the rubberized paint used on the devices. 

I had a Lenovo keyboard at work that had this rubber surface on the wrist rest, and it was just becoming uncomfortable to use because it felt icky.  I tried cleaning it with strong (91%) rubbing alcohol, but that made it way worse, so much so that I threw the keyboard away.

There are many pieces of advice out there to sand such surfaces, or use Goo-Gone, or melamine sponges etc. to remove the rubberized surface. Then I read, in a couple of places, the recommendation to use Armor All (the car stuff) on the surfaces. I decided to do that because it was non-destructive: I sprayed some Armor All on a microfiber cloth and polished the mouse with it, twice, and it has helped a lot. If it doesn't last long I'll probably try the Goo-Gone to strip away the rubber coating, take it down to plain smooth plastic.