• Article

When you buy an NVMe PCIe SSD these days, it is probably going to be the 2280 form factor. That seems to be the most popular length, and for the most part, it can fit into most computers with M.2 slots. With that said, there are devices that require a smaller M.2 drive due to limitations.

The shorter 2242 form factor is rather rare, though not unheard of, and ADATA has a new ultra-compact solid state drive at that length. Called "IM2P3014," the stubby M.2 2242 NVMe PCIe Gen3x2 SSD is intended for industrial applications, but it can, of course, be used in pretty much any computer with an M.2 slot and a mounting hole for 2242 SSDs. In fact, this drive could be an absolute godsend for those that need that form factor.

Continue reading →

First introduced in Windows 7, and still working just fine in Windows 10, God Mode is a hidden feature that displays all of the admin tools and control options in Microsoft's operating system, on a single screen. There are actually a number of different God Modes available which offer extra functionality. We explained how to unlock them all here.

If God Mode isn’t powerful enough for you, and you want even more options, then Extended GodMode is the answer.

Continue reading →

Securing enterprise networks used to be a matter of simply defending the perimeter, but in the new normal world of much higher levels of remote access, things have become more complicated.

One of the technologies being used increasingly by businesses is Secure Access Service Edge (SASE). We spoke to Mike Wood, chief marketing officer of Versa Networks, to discover more about SASE and what it can deliver.

Continue reading →

Microsoft is no longer an enemy of the Linux or Open Source communities. Believe it or not, the Windows-maker is an ally these days. Shocking, I know, but totally true. Linux is now built into Windows thanks to WSL, and Microsoft has several apps available for Linux.

The company has even made some of its apps open source as well. For instance, back in 2019, Microsoft released the source for Windows Calculator on GitHub. And now, that calculator app has been ported to Linux by Uno Platform. Best of all, its insanely easy to install as it is packaged in Snap format.

Continue reading →

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into force in the EU in May 2018 with the aim of giving individuals greater protection over how businesses use their data.

But the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown up new challenges and remaining compliant with the regulations in an age of remote working is one of them. We spoke to Brendan Kiely, managing director and co-founder of secure remote working specialist ThinScale Technology to discuss the implications of GDPR and the 'new normal'.

Continue reading →

Paramount Software UK has unveiled Macrium Reflect Free 7.3, a major new update of its Windows drive-imaging backup tool.

Version 7.3 unveils a new integrated task scheduler to address increasing frustration with problems scheduling backups using the previous system, which tied into the Windows Task Scheduler. Paid-for editions also gain improved protection against ransomware thanks to tweaks to the Macrium Image Guardian feature.

Continue reading →

New research from Exabeam reveals that while 88 percent of cybersecurity professionals believe automation will make their jobs easier, younger staffers are more concerned that the technology will replace their roles.

The 2020 Cybersecurity Salary, Skills and Stress Survey, an annual survey of security practitioners finds overall satisfaction levels continue a three-year positive trend, with 96 percent of respondents indicating they are happy with their role and responsibilities and 87 percent pleased with salary and earnings.

Continue reading →

The speakers that are built into laptops or integrated into computer monitors have gotten much better over the years, but make no mistake, they still don't provide an optimal audio experience. Whether you are watching movies or listening to music, investing in superior speakers will certainly make your life much more enjoyable.

The great thing is, solid computer speakers don't have to break the bank either. Today, Logitech launches the Z407 Bluetooth 2.1 computer speaker system, and it is priced well under $100. What makes these particularly cool is that the two satellite speakers can be positioned horizontally or vertically, making them fit well on almost any desk.

Continue reading →

Microsoft is no stranger to using Windows and other software to promote more of its own apps and services. The latest way the company is doing this is via Edge.

Accusations of using its products as an advertising tool or as a means of forcing products onto users are nothing new for the Windows maker, and the company's latest move with Edge does nothing to shake them off. The browser has been found to install Microsoft Office web apps without asking for permission.

Continue reading →

Windows Insiders on the Dev Channel get another new Windows 10 build to play with today.

Build 20236 adds the ability to change the refresh rate of a selected display by going to Settings > System > Display > Advanced display settings. The rates on offer will vary depending on what your hardware supports, but a higher refresh rate should deliver smoother motion.

Continue reading →

A digital camera without a storage card is like a car without gas -- pretty much useless. You need a memory card to store the photos and videos you take, and most cameras don't come with any onboard storage these days.

There are no shortage of SD cards (Amazon is littered with them), but you should always make sure you are purchasing one made by a reputable company. Don't recognize the brand? Don't buy it. You don't want to lose your valuable data when that cheap card dies prematurely.

Continue reading →

Learn Microsoft Office 2019 provides a comprehensive introduction to the latest versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook. With the help of illustrated explanations, this Microsoft Office book will take you through the updated Office 2019 applications and guide you through implementing them using practical examples.

You'll start by exploring the Word 2019 interface and creating professional Word documents using elements such as citations and cover pages, tracking changes, and performing mail merge. You'll then learn how to create impressive PowerPoint presentations and advance to performing calculations and setting up workbooks in Excel 2019, along with discovering its data analysis features.

Continue reading →

While the pandemic disrupted business, the great remote migration made believers out of many decision-makers. Despite having to implement sweeping changes very quickly, the long touted benefits of remote working proved real and it’s obvious many aspects will remain in place for good.

Software companies already had employees who were quite familiar with working remote and maintaining productivity. Yet, while these companies were generally in a better position to adapt to the "new normal," their sales teams were impacted just like those in any other industry -- perhaps even worse. After all, they deal with complex technology that traditionally has required a lot of face-to-face time to educate prospects. No-touch software sales is tricky business, particularly when prospects are accustomed to hands-on experiences and trials. That said, software companies need to rethink their strategies and procedures.

Continue reading →

When COVID-19 unexpectedly shut down the country, enterprises were hit hard. Millions of workers went remote almost instantly. In the months since, we’ve learned a lot about our networks and how they respond to various stressors. With Google, Facebook and others announcing that employees won’t return to campus until at least July 2021, and as companies like Twitter and Square debut new policies that allow any employee to work from home permanently, post-pandemic, it is clear that remote work will be a fixture in business for some time to come. As such, issues in endpoint management will need to be addressed in order for networks to run efficiently.

To understand what’s happening with infrastructure today and how COVID-19 is prompting long-term changes, it’s important to first understand the past.

Continue reading →

One of the side effects of the pandemic has been to accelerate digital transformation efforts, but a lack of good product intelligence means many companies don't have the proper tools in place to understand and act on customer data.

New research from product intelligence platform Amplitude shows that 97 percent of businesses say improving the digital experience for users is a priority, but 71 percent say they don't know exactly where to start when it comes to understanding their users' behavior and 38 percent don't know what to do to improve their digital experience.

Continue reading →