Brian Fagioli

For quite a while, I was hesitant to embrace Facebook because of privacy concerns. While that is still a worry, I have softened a bit, coming to like its Messenger app in particular. While the logic Facebook uses to list content in my timeline still eludes me (what's wrong with chronological?), it is a satisfying experience overall.

Believe it or not, the ability to leave comments and reply to posts using video was not previously available on Facebook. This is probably because video cannot be text-mined, but I digress. Today, the social network announces that video commenting is now a reality. Want to try it yourself? It is actually very simple.

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With all of the negative press surrounding Windows 10, many folks in my private life are asking me about alternatives. Believe it or not, Linux is often the answer. The first thing I ask them is, for what do you use your computer? Almost everyone tells me things like Facebook, email, and word processing. Well, a combination of Google Chrome and LibreOffice on top of an easy-to-use distro meets those needs perfectly.

The big decision, however, is selecting a Linux-based operating system. Ubuntu is always a good choice, although Unity can be a bit confusing for a transitioning Windows user. Manjaro is a solid choice too, and I highlighted that recently. Ultimately, however, Linux Mint is probably the wisest choice for someone totally new to Linux -- it is familiar, beautiful, and easy to use. Today, version 18 -- named Sarah -- becomes available with both Cinnamon and Mate desktop environments. While newbies should avoid it until the final release, Linux experts can safely jump in.

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Open source software is ideal for security. Its transparency allows code to be publicly reviewed and audited. This not only helps to detect bugs and vulnerabilities, but intentional backdoors too. In contrast, closed source software can be a mystery to users -- who knows what is lurking in your favorite such programs?

Unfortunately, auditing open source software takes resources. While everyone has the freedom to review code, most consumers do not know how to do so, meaning things can be hiding in plain sight because folks with the know-how don't have the time to look at it. Thankfully, Mozilla is aiming to increase resources with its newly-formed Secure Open Source (SOS) Fund. To show just how committed the Firefox-maker is to the cause, it has already earmarked a half million dollars.

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One of my favorite things is my Philips Sonicare toothbrush. While I used to think folks that spent so much money on a fancy toothbrush were a bit crazy, my dentist always recommended it. I ended up receiving one as a Christmas gift, however, and I couldn't be happier. The Sonicare not only makes my teeth feel cleaner, but is more hygienic, thanks to the UV light holder for the replaceable head.

If you take your dental health seriously, and value a quality toothbrush, Philips has a new product that will make tech nerds giddy. The Sonicare FlexCare Platinum Connected is a smart toothbrush that connects to your smartphone using Bluetooth and can even map your mouth. Is this needed innovation, or just overkill?

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It is amazingly sad that in 2016 consumers still must face a major dilemma -- battery anxiety. Laugh all you want, but the fear of running out of juice is a legit issue. Yes, this is partly due to concerns about trivial things like being disconnected from social media and texting, but more importantly, it can be scary to lose the ability to call 9-1-1 in an emergency. Hopefully battery life in future smartphones will last weeks, not mere hours.

If you are constantly worrying about battery life, a portable USB battery pack is a smart purchase. There are countless models available nowadays -- Amazon is chock full of them. Today, SCOSCHE releases its goBAT 4400. As the name implies, it is 4,400mAh -- not the largest such capacity. While it doesn't stand out much from the crowd, its price tag and integrated flashlight make it fairly interesting.

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One of the most stifling trends in modern times -- from a technology standpoint -- is the death of unlimited mobile data. Now that customers must monitor how much data they use, it can be argued that progress -- especially regarding the cloud -- is negatively impacted. As someone who still clutches to a grandfathered unlimited Verizon plan, I feel for my fellow smartphone users.

Thankfully, Google's Project Fi cellular service largely takes the worry out of data overages. While it is not unlimited, it offers affordable tiers -- you won't have to claim bankruptcy for using too much data. The most brilliant aspect, however, is that it aggregates multiple carriers -- Sprint and T-Mobile -- so that it can switch to the one with better coverage when needed. Today, Google welcomes a third carrier, U.S. Cellular, to the Project Fi family.

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While warm weather is finally here, and many of our days will soon be filled with outdoor activities, the sunshine and fresh air can get a bit tedious. As a computer nerd, I like to balance my trips to the beach with both gaming sessions and PC builds in my dingy basement.

If you are planning to build a new PC this summer -- or upgrade your existing machine -- there are a lot of amazing new components available. As a prime example, today, CORSAIR announces its new Neutron Series XTi line of solid state drives. Since it uses a traditional SATA interface, compatibility is high, but speeds are lower than the newer NVMe offerings. The really cool aspect, however, is the monstrous top capacity of 1,920GB -- damn near 2TB!

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Depending on your hobbies or career, you may have a need for rugged devices. What would be some of these scenarios? Maybe your job is a coal miner, police officer, farmer, or in the military. Maybe on the weekends you need to take a laptop on a snowmobile or ATV. Whatever the case, constantly breaking your computer due to hostile environments can get costly quick.

Today, Getac announces one of the most rugged Skylake-powered Windows 10 laptops on the market. Called the B300, it has a Core i7 processor and is built like a tank. Not only can it take a beating, but its hardcore internal specifications can dish one out too.

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Windows 10 is a great operating system from a usability standpoint. Unfortunately, between the privacy issues and Microsoft's unethical upgrade tactics, more and more folks are turned off to it. Luckily, thanks to Linux, users don't have to tolerate the company's shady behavior.

If you want to switch to Linux, please know that while Ubuntu is a great operating system, it is not the only OS based on that kernel. Quite frankly, there are too many distributions, but I digress. Another fairly easy-to-use Linux-based operating system is Manjaro. For many folks leaving Windows, the default UI should be an inviting sight. Today, version 16.06 code-named "Daniella" becomes available for download. Will you format your Windows drive and join the Linux community?

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The summer is almost here, and I am so excited! Relaxing and having fun at the beach, pool, or my backyard are some of my favorite things. Unfortunately, water and sand are not good for electronics. While I absolutely adore my iPhone, I wouldn't dare bring it to the beach, or rest it on a table near a pool.

If you live a very active summer lifestyle, and cannot deal with owning a phone that you must treat gently (such as Apple's), a rugged such offering would be a wise choice. Today, Samsung announces that the all-new rugged Galaxy S7 Active is coming to AT&T as an exclusive. Best of all, it will be available just in time for the summer season.

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The Olympic games are a time when the countries of the world should put aside their differences to engage in sport. Whether that actually happens, however, is debatable. While the athletes are surely capable of focusing on the competition, it can be hard for long-standing disagreements to be forgotten -- even temporarily -- by their home countries.

If you plan to visit Brazil for the Olympic games, and to focus on sport and having fun, Google has you covered. In anticipation of the 2016 Rio Olympics, the search giant is bringing the 'Explore' feature to Brazil Maps.

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When I think of horseback riding, my mind drifts to simpler times. It also conjures thoughts of cowboys, farming, and the Amish. Since the invention of motorized vehicles, equestrian travel just seems a bit old fashioned.

With all of that said, there is an apparent need to bring technology to horseback riding. How, you ask? With the Hoofbeatz Audio 'i Rock N Ride' Bluetooth speaker, currently on Kickstarter. You can now listen to music and answer telephone calls from the convenience of your saddle!

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As a system builder, I am constantly trawling the web for good deals on components. I am a fairly cost-conscious person; spending  $1700 on any processor is not something I would ever do -- value is what I target. Actually, this weekend I will be doing a budget build with an AMD Athlon X4 845 which sells for less than $70, but I digress.

Patriot is a company that makes excellent memory-based products, like RAM, flash drives, and SSDs to name a few. While its offerings are usually priced competitively, its newest product takes affordability to a new level. The all-new Spark SSD will be available in a 512GB capacity for a super-low $105!

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The "wearable" product segment is a bit curious. Quite often, it feels like smartwatches, bands, and more are merely solutions in search of a problem. For many consumers, they can end up being nothing more than money spent to get notifications on their wrists.

The one clear usage for wearables, however, is fitness. Whether you are an active exercise aficionado, or someone just wanting to shed some pounds, a fitness tracker or other activity-based wearable can be a godsend. Today, Samsung announces two such products -- the Gear Fit2 wrist wearable and the Gear IconX wireless earbuds..

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If you are into technology and computers, but unsure about a career path, open source and Linux are both wise focuses. While the job market cannot be predicted with absolute certainty, it is undeniable that both of those things are increasingly important. The Linux-based Android is the most popular mobile operating system, while major companies like Microsoft, Google, and Apple embrace open source.

The problem with education nowadays is the high cost. Many people can't afford to pay for classes out of pocket, and if they take out student loans, they can end up in debt for many years. Luckily, scholarships can help alleviate the stress of education costs. Today, The Linux Foundation announces the 2016 LiFT Scholarship Program, offering a free course and certification exam for chosen applicants. If you want to experience formal learning of Linux, you should definitely apply.

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