This Week's Most Popular Posts: April 11th to 18th

This week we explained why your clever password tricks don't work anymore, discovered who expects a tip, overcame the biggest relationship challenges, and added cool stuff to our calendars. Here's a look back.

Security breaches happen so often nowadays, you're probably sick of hearing about them and all the ways you should beef up your accounts. Even if youthinkyou've heard it all already, though, today's password-cracking tools are more advanced and cut through the clever password tricks many of us use. Here's what's changed and what you should do about it.

Tipping is a confusing practice, usually because you're never quite sure who you're supposed to tip, when, and how much. This infographic from Wait But Why shows what most people do, and what's expected at different establishments.

It doesn't matter whether you're going on your first date your getting married, living together or long distance: we could all use a little relationship advice. Here are 10 tough relationship situations we've covered over the years, and how to tackle them.

Google Calendar is a wonderful tool. While many people may know that you can import pre-made calendars with lists of various holidays in them, there's a ton more cool stuff you can do with the service that's either baked right in, or possible with simple scripts and IFTTT recipes.

From dry cleaners to house cleaners, thousands of services exist to make our lives easier. Oftentimes, we think those services cost an arm and leg, but in reality, most of us can afford them. With that in mind, let's make a list of the services you thought were only for the rich.

To save on mechanic costs, a DIY approach can help. And there are plenty of car repairs you can do yourself. For example, over at Imgur, user sxpnthr uploaded a guide on how he fixed a car dent with boiling water.

It seems like pretty much everyone makes a smartphone accessory of some kind. Most of them are terrible and don't work. But some of them are actually awesome. Let's cut through the junk and make a list of the best.

Your desktop is a convenient place to store a few files, but it isn't always the best. PC World explains why.

Managing your money and budgeting can be a daunting task, even if you're a spreadsheet ninja. Corralling accounts, watching your money move, and keeping track of everything can be tough, but there are personal finance tools that make the job much easier. Here are some of the best personal finance tools, perfect for keeping track of your finances.

We all know living beyond your means and not having an emergency fund can wreck your finances. While most money flubs are obvious, some mistakes start with good financial intentions. Here are some savings habits that can backfire and end up costing you.

Looking good doesn't stop at getting good fitting clothes. You still have to dress yourself. For those times you need to tuck your shirt in, The Art of Manliness shows off four different techniques.

This is 2014. Isn't it time your car was as smart as your phone? Actually, it is. Your vehicle generates a ton of data and most of us don't realize it. With the right hardware and apps, you can use that data to save gas, find where you parked, and even diagnose those pesky check engine lights.

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This Week's Most Popular Posts: April 4th to 11th

This week we battled the Heartbleed security bug, learned a trick to looking better in photos, beefed up our favorite apps and services, and answered the age-old question about signing your credit card. Here's a look back.

Security researchers have discovered a serious vulnerability in OpenSSL, the cryptographic software library that protects many web sites on the internet. Here's what that means for you, the average user.

When it comes to looking good in photographs, you need stuff that you can remember quickly when facing a camera. Photographer Deanna McCollum offers a simple mantra that should be easy to enact before the shutter clicks.

The internet is filled with great apps and services to help you get things done. Alone, those services are powerful—but with a few choice add-ons, they're unstoppable. Here are ten services you can power up with extensions, scripts, and other apps.

Does it matter if you sign your credit card, write "See ID," or leave it blank? There are lots of rumors out there about what you should do on the back of your card to keep it secure. The plastic aficionados at Stack Exchange answer your question.

You've just gotten a new computer. Nice! You're probably excited to tear open the box and set it up, but there are a few boring-but-important tasks that will save you disappointment and even heartbreak (not to mention money) later. Here are a few things you should do whenever you buy a new PC.

If you want a yummy muffin but don't want to put in the effort of measuring and combining several ingredients, just grab a pint of vanilla ice cream and some self-rising flour.

Camera phones have come a long way in the past few years, but they don't always take point-and-shoot quality pictures on the first try. Here's how to squeeze the best quality photos out of your smartphone's camera.

If you have been thinking about using your iPad as your primary computing device, you're not alone. Tablet computers have become so powerful and practical that you can almost ditch your desktop and go iPad-only for day-to-day tasks, and with a few useful apps and accessories, you probably won't miss lugging that computer around. Here's how I made my tablet into a productivity workhorse.

Although food allergies are still rare (affecting about five percent of the population), food intolerances are quite common. I see patients for food intolerances every day with symptoms like constipation, difficulty swallowing, heart burn, bloating, and headaches. But how do you figure out which foods might be affecting you?

Bacon is delicious, and keeping it from shrinking when cooking is a popular topic. Instructables user craftclarity wanted a more scientific, rigorous approach to keeping bacon from shrinking, so he put a number of popular tricks to the test. Which was the best? The good old oven.

Yoga can be great for relaxation, in addition to improving your overall health and well-being. This one move is an instant de-stresser, great for doing right before bed.

You've probably heard about the popular "tech support" scams making the rounds these days. Someone claiming to be from Microsoft calls you, asks you to accept a remote connection, then they take control of your computer. You may be smart enough to avoid this, but your friends and family might not be—so take this time to educate them.

Who is your most valuable client? It's not the one who brings you the most money. Nor is it the one who is most famous.Youare your most important client, and that means you need to spend a little time refining your own process each week. Here are five ways to do just that.

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PC Market Posts Smaller Than Expected Q1 Declines On Strength Of Windows XP’s Demise

Data out from tracking groups point to a slightly rosier picture of the PC market than expected in the first calendar quarter of 2014: Gartner estimates a Q1 decline of 1.7 percent in shipments of PCs; IDC estimates a 4.4 percent decline.

That IDC number bests its forecast of a 5.3 percent decline.

Keep in mind that it is generally expected that 2014 will be a down year for PCs. IDC predicted in March that shipments would contract by 6 percent total in 2014, so its reported 4.4 percent decline in Q1 is almost a win. Almost.

What worried IDC before — sales weakness in emerging markets — isn’t what drove volume in the quarter. That’s not to say that its worries didn’t come to pass (more on that in a second), but that instead something else rode to the rescue: Windows XP.

Yes, Windows XP’s death seems to be driving sales at last. IDC: “Commercial refresh projects, which had already been protracted, received a last push from the impending end of Windows XP support, particularly in Japan. In addition, slowing demand for tablets seems to have helped constrain previously drastic cutbacks in notebooks.” So, Windows XP in global markets is finally helping the PC market and its constituents.

Still, as mentioned above, emerging markets remain an issue. IDC claims that they posted “weak results” in the quarter, as expected.

Microsoft and Intel declined to comment.

Gartner also cites Microsoft’s now-shuttered operating system as a positive driver for sales: “The end of XP support by Microsoft on April 8 has played a role in the easing decline of PC shipments.” Gartner went on to call the PC market “weak” but “showing signs of improvement.” 

Fair enough.

The question is whether these better-than-expected numbers can persist into the second quarter. I’d wager yes, given that Windows XP actually lost full support from Microsoft in the second quarter; what impacted the first quarter could be amplified in the second. What would be interesting is whether such a short-term updraft could bolster Gartner estimates to the point of having a year-over-year of positive unit growth in PC shipments.

None of this is to say that the PC market doesn’t still contain weaknesses. The transition to Windows 8 by the industry remains in progress, as Microsoft improves its operating system and OEMs build better, more touch-focused computers.

This data is better than expected, but a single quarter of decent news does not a trend make.

IMAGE BY FLICKR USER Vernon Chan UNDER CC BY 2.0 LICENSE (IMAGE HAS BEEN CROPPED)

This Week's Most Popular Posts: March 14th to 21st

This week we got advice for our 20s, found the best to-do list managers, learned some Windows shortcuts, and made PC gaming better. Here's a look back.

On my 20th birthday, I got drunk and peed on some old ladies' front lawn. A cop saw me and stopped me. Fortunately, I talked my way out of going to jail that night. I already had an arrest record, but he didn't bother to check. My 20s started out with a bang.

Finding the right tool to track your to-dos is highly personal, and one person's best is another's junk—but there are some that are better than others. The best offer great syncing and scheduling options, great apps, notifications and reminders, or just the right mix of features and flexibility that make it easy to stay organized. Here are five of the best, based on your nominations.

If there's one thing that'll make you faster and more productive on a computer, it's keyboard shortcuts. There area lot of keyboard shortcuts beginners should know, but here are three specific to Windows that can make getting around a lot easier.

PC gaming is great, but it's a bit more complex than console gaming. You have a lot of different hardware to choose from, tweaks to increase performance, and other ways to improve the experience—as long as you're willing to put in the time and effort. Here are our top 10 PC mods and tricks for better gaming.

If you've worked with Word much at all, you know how frustrating it can be getting formatting just the way you want it. While you can't remove all of the frustration, you can eliminate a lot of it by learning how formatting works in Word and what tools are available to help you control it.

You'd think there's only one way to breathe, like the way you do naturally, but you'd be wrong. Certain methods take more work than others, and you can improve your health by doing it better.

Facebook, love it or hate it, is the biggest social networking game in town and it's got the attention of over a billion people. It's not without its share of annoyances, and it could certainly use a little improvements here or there. Here are some of the best extensions you can use to make using Facebook even better.

Some of the most influential people in history kept detailed journals of their lives. Those journals served two purposes: a permanent record for posterity, and cathartic release for the people writing them. Even if you don't think you need either, keeping a journal has great benefits you can enjoy immediately. Here's why you might want to sit down regularly to jot down your thoughts.

When you move to a new place, you might have trouble finding a good and trustworthy mechanic to work on your car. Redditor TrevHolland has a suggestion.

Thanks to the NSA, everyone all of a sudden cares about their privacy more than they used to. But most of us aren't doing a good job of locking it down. Here are just a few of the things we all tend to do that leak private information to friends, strangers, businesses, and ad companies.

The Raspberry Pi is a fantastic device and the fact that it's open source means that all kinds of great accessories exist for it. So, let's build a list of the best accessories for your various DIY projects.

You probably already know "What to Expect When You're Expecting." Maybe your female friends and relatives can't stop giving you advice. Maybe you've been pregnant more than once. Regardless, there are some things we don't discuss very readily when it comes to pregnancy. It's time to spill the beans.

Electrical projects around the home can seem scary if you've never done them before. But they don't have to be. Here are eight common electrical repairs and replacements that you can do yourself. No experience necessary.

It seems like relaxing is something everyone should be able to do, but those of us who are constantly stressed, are workaholics, or have certain health issues don't have an easy "off" switch. Relaxation is something we actually have to learn and practice, much like happiness. And, like happiness, learning to relax is extremely important for your health and well-being. Let's take a look at the ways we can beat chronic tension and finally slow down.

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T-Mobile posts a little Galaxy S5 unboxing video, pre-order page now live (updated)

UPDATE: As expected, T-Mobile’s pre-order page is now live. You can grab the Galaxy S5 for $0 down and $27.50 a month. Those interested in buying it outright will pay $660.

Starting today, T-Mobile will be taking your pre-orders for the new Samsung Galaxy S5. Those that pre-order are expected to receive the actual phone in hand on April 11th. Ahead of this, a lucky T-Mobile employee has gone ahead and recorded a little Galaxy S5 unboxing video for all of us to enjoy now.

The official T-Mobile video, put together by their product guru Des Smith, provides a quick glance at the phone and packaging. The Galaxy S5 is a 5.1-inch device with an octa-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB or 32GB storage and Samsung’s new 16MP ISOCELL camera capable of recording 4K video. We took the phone for a quick spin at its official announcement back in February, check out all the specs and our impressions here.

Of interest in the video is the multiple references to the seal on the back cover of the device. This seal is key to the Galaxy S5′s IP67 dust and water resistance rating, which means it is effectively waterproof for short and shallow dunks. For me, the interesting part is the reminder to check your device’s back cover, as seen when it first boots into the Home screen.

Pre-ordering your T-Mobile Galaxy S5 from now until the end of the month will get you the device for $0 down, then pay it off in the next 24 months at $27.50 per month, for a total of $660. T-Mobile calls this a special introductory price, so expect a little price bump come April 1.

If you are not a fan of T-Mobile, but the Galaxy S5 is your must have device, head on over to AT&T or Sprint to pre-order for $200 with a 2 year contract, or U.S. Cellular for $200 after mail-in rebate. RadioShack will also give you special pre-order pricing, which means there really are no shortages of places to make sure you are one of the first to get the Galaxy S5 in hand next month.

Have you pre-ordered your Galaxy S5, or would you prefer to hold one before you commit?

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HTC posts countdown to March 25, will live stream the event

You’d be forgiven for thinking that the new HTC One 2014 had already been officially launched, given the number of leaks that we’ve seen, but there’s still actually a few days left to go until the device is made official. HTC has posted a countdown to the launch on its webpage, the timer will reach zero at 11AM EDT on Tuesday 25^th March, that’s 3PM GMT, 4PM CET, or 2AM on Wednesday morning if you live down under. At the end of the countdown, HTC’s page will transform into a live stream of the launch event, where HTC is set to share the ins-and-outs of its new flagship smartphone.

Despite the huge number of leaks, there’s still plenty to look forward to during the live stream. We’ll be able to have our first official look at HTC’s new Sense 6 software and improved Zoe camera features. There’s also plenty to delve into on the hardware front too, including the new handset’s duo-camera feature and the company’s improved Boomsound speaker technology.

Here’s a little recap of what we expect to see from the handset at the launch event:

• 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 SoC
• 4 Ultrapixel main rear camera, in duo-camera configuration
• 5MP wide-angle front facing camera
• 2600mAh battery
• 16GB of internal memory with microSD card slot
• New camera options, including Selective Focus and 3D imaging
• New “double tap” and “Motion Launch” Sense 6 gesture features

Are you pumped for the launch of the HTC One 2014, do you think that the handset will live up to your expectations?

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Capture your Readers: 8 Tips to Writing Engaging Blog Posts

Editor’s note: This is a contributed post by Issa Mirandilla, who writes about freelancing, writing, marketing, careers, personal finance and other business-related topics. Give her a nudge on Twitter or visit her website here.

Remember how Ratatouille’s Chef Gusteau said: "Anyone can cook, but only the fearless can be great"? You can easily rewrite his inspiring words as, "Anyone can write a blog post, but only the fearless bloggers can be great."

See, a good idea or topic, decent spelling and grammar, and a strong mastery of the essay form are enough for a good blog post. But if you want to write a great blog post, or one that makes people go "Wow! I’ll share this on Facebook!" instead of "Meh, this is nothing special", you have to go further than the essentials.

Here’s how you can do it.

Recommended Reading: 6 Simple Tips To Write Your Next Killer Post

1. Hook Them With The First Sentence

Admittedly, this is the hardest part of writing a blog post. That’s because the first sentence should be able to reel in the reader, and at the same time, give them an idea what your post will be all about.

You can start with a:

1. Thought-provoking question – "Do you know what a blog post and a sandwich have in common?"
2. Quote – "Ernest Hemingway once said: ‘There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.’
3. Statistic – "According to the Official Federation of Bloggers*, 99.9 percent of bloggers experience writer’s block."
4. Story – "The other day, I had a Newtonian experience. That is, an apple fell on my head."

*Disclaimer: This is a hypothetical example. As of this writing, the Official Federation of Bloggers doesn’t exist.  

2. Make Every Word, Phrase & Sentence Count

Because Internet users’ attention spans are shrinking by the day, you have to work harder to hold your readers’ attention from the beginning until the end of your post. To do that, every word, phrase, sentence, and even punctuation mark must add something to your piece.

A handy trick is to read your draft out loud. If it feels like you’re explaining things too slowly, or you’re falling asleep to your own voice (gasp!), you may need to edit the extraneous bits. Your draft could possibly feel "incomplete", in which case, you can insert additional information to clarify your thoughts or strengthen your arguments.

3. Shorten Your Sentences, If Possible

In relation to the tip, here’s a rough guide to help you decide whether you should cut down a kilometric sentence.

Do your eyes glaze over while reading a sentence? Do you read a sentence out loud, and lose your breath by the end of it? Do you see too many adjectives, adverbs, and other words that don’t add anything to a sentence?

If any of these happen, shorten it! Otherwise, that kilometric sentence is probably fine as is.

4. Use Simple, Yet Precise, Words

You know how MS Word’s "Shift + F7" pulls words from the more obscure parts of the thesaurus? Well, you might not want to rely on that function too much. Readers hate it when you bombard them with highfalutin jargon. Not only do these words sour the reading experience, but they also make your blog post look stilted and pretentious.

Instead of trying to sound "smart", try to sound sensible. Use words that best convey your idea and can be understood by the layman. For example, "to utilize resources" can be shortened as "to use resources".

5. Play With Analogies

Blogging is like dating. It’s not enough that you make a great impression on the first date. You also have to show, again and again on your following dates, that you’re a person worth someone’s time, commitment, and love.

See what I did there?

6. Throw In A Few Pop Culture References

Pop culture references add flavor to your blog post. They give your readers the impression that you’re relatable, and therefore likeable.

That said, be mindful of your audience when using these references. You may think that "The Beatles" are the greatest rock band of all time, but referencing the Fab Four while writing for "One Direction" fans may not be the best idea in the world.

7. Make Your Post Unique (Even If The Idea Isn’t)

Let’s face it: coming up with 100% original blog post ideas is anything but easy. If you run your topic through a quick Google search, chances are someone else has already written about it. So, what should a blogger do in this scenario? It’s simple, really.

Find a new angle.

If someone already came up with "5 Reasons Why You Should Try Freelancing", you can write a post about the darker side of freelancing like "20 Reasons To Say ‘No’ To Freelancing". Or you can run with "5 More Reasons Why You Should Try Freelancing".

8. End With A Punchy Conclusion

So, you’re done with your introduction and body. Now, it’s time to write the conclusion, which is just as hard to write as (if not harder than) the introduction. The easiest way out of your dilemma is to summarize all your points in the conclusion. Then again, that would be boring, since that’s what most bloggers do.

Instead, you can either end with a thought-provoking question or a call-to-action; or restate your main point, and persuade your reader to care about your point.

A Few More Tips (a.k.a. Something That Resembles A Conclusion)

These rules aren’t set in stone. Feel free to use them – or not – depending on what’s appropriate for your piece. What matters is consistently writing posts that are engaging, informative, and unique enough to keep your readers coming back for more.

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