Recent What I Use Stories

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My approach to file management has evolved over the years, guided by both my own special form of OCD and by major improvements to cloud-based storage services.

At the end of every year, tech blogs lazily pump out “best of” lists culled from back-end site queries. And, yeah, we’ll get to that here soon enough.

The iPhone 12’s display is gorgeous but it’s also a bit small, especially with that intrusive notch. Is there even a display size sweet spot anymore?

The web is awash with ideas about how we can optimize our smartphone home screens to be more efficient and less distracted.

For the first time in over six months, I’ve had to think about which personal tech I would need for a trip away from home.

With the HP Envy 15 up and running in a quick-and-dirty fashion in my home office, it’s time to move towards a cleaner configuration.

For years, I’ve resisted using a docked laptop, but with a recent lightning strike taking down my desktop PC, I’m forced to give it a shot.

Or the cloud service provider of your choice. With a bit of organization, you can minimize the data you need to sync to each PC you use.

Signal is a cross-platform encrypted messaging service championed by privacy advocates. But I have some questions.

With pandemic emphasizing what’s really important, I thought this might be an interesting time to take another look at what I use every day.

Here’s a look back at the audiobooks and podcasts---especially podcast serials---that I enjoyed in the second half of 2019.

A new web browser extension will allow you to view Thurrott.com---and most of the web---in dark mode. It works with all popular browsers

When I finally decided to move past my unreliable AIO PC and use an Intel NUC, I had hoped to do so with no additional costs or effort.

As I write this, we’re about two-thirds of the way through this year’s home swap, which is taking place near Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

We’re only halfway through 2019, but I’ve already listened to some great new audiobooks plus a growing collection of serial podcasts.

I’ve long used and recommended Pocket Casts, but it’s become a confusing and complex mess. I need something better. And simpler.

OK, you’ve scanned in your old paper-based photos. Now what?

I knew I’d provide an update about my experience using a high-speed photo scanner. I just didn’t think it was going to be this successful.

2018 was an unusually good year for audiobooks, so I had to split my normal wrap-up into two parts.

Back when the “SuperSite for Windows” was a thing, I would take an occasional look at the technology I used regularly.

As 2018 comes to an end and we take a look back at the past 12 months, one thing I like to do is to document the tools used in the previous year.

When it comes to paid and free online services, I’m usually looking for cross-device and -platform availability, with as little lock-in as possible.

As with my PCs, I install the same basic set of mobile apps on each phone and tablet that I use. Here’s a quick rundown.

I install the same basic set of desktop applications, web apps, and Store apps on every PC I use. Here’s a quick rundown.

I’ve developed a strategy for minimizing the annoyances in Windows 10 and optimizing it to be as efficient as possible.

A few years ago, I switched to a Markdown editor to simplify my writing workflow. This confuses some.

It's been a few years since I last documented the mobile apps and services that I rely on while traveling internationally.