Tech tips – lithium-ion batteries – how can something so handy be so dangerous?
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Tech tips – lithium-ion batteries – how can something so handy be so dangerous?

By Malcolm and John Harding of Compu-Home Q: Considering the huge number of the shapes, sizes, and types of batteries in our homes, isn’t it a bit surprising to be talking about them potentially being dangerous? A: Batteries store chemical energy that is used to power a device, but that power can be released suddenly…

Tech tips – news and updates
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Tech tips – news and updates

By Malcolm and John Harding of Compu-Home PRICES of tech equipment are likely to rise noticeably fairly soon. Frankly, we have been a bit surprised that prices have been quite stable for the past year in the face of unusually high demand, but good things seldom last forever. As devices become more sophisticated, their components…

I am hearing LOTS about this AI thing – will it help me, or should I be worried?
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I am hearing LOTS about this AI thing – will it help me, or should I be worried?

By Malcolm and John Harding of Compu-Home We can answer these questions in two words: “yes and probably.” For a bit more detail read on, in this and in our November column. To begin, we have a bit of a quarrel with the name, “artificial intelligence,” as we think that “accumulated intelligence” is a better…

Niche fraud online
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Niche fraud online

By Malcolm and John Harding of Compu-Home Everyone who uses the internet is vulnerable to online fraud but certain groups are increasingly targeted by criminals who focus on their specific vulnerabilities. We all would do well to become aware of the ways in which friends and relatives (and we ourselves) are in groups that are…

Upgrading from Windows 10 to 11 – NOT a Nightmare
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Upgrading from Windows 10 to 11 – NOT a Nightmare

By Malcolm and John Harding of Compu-Home We remind Macintosh users that although this column is one that they can blissfully ignore, it is unseemly to appear too smug! Microsoft sometimes ghoulishly refers to “end of life” when the date for the end of support for a piece of software is approaching. In the case…