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CalendarMarch 23, 2024

Glossary Update: File Extension

File Extension ImageA file extension is the last part of a filename, after the dot. For example, if a file is named document.pdf, "pdf" is the file extension. Most extensions are three characters long, but they can be shorter or longer. Many popular file formats now use four-letter extensions, such as Microsoft Word documents (.docx), Excel spreadsheets (.xlsx), and PowerPoint presentations (.pptx).

A file's extension defines the corresponding file format. For example, if a filename ends in ".jpg" or ".jpeg", you can tell it's a JPEG image before you open it. Operating systems use extensions to associate files with a "default program" — the application that will open the file when you double-click it. They also display the appropriate icon for associated file format.

CalendarMarch 1, 2024

March Tip: Customize Your Workspace Lighting

March Tip: Customize Your Workspace LightingIf you're one of the millions of people who work from home — even a few days a week — you've likely personalized your workspace. Maybe you have an adjustable-height desk, a mechanical keyboard, and multiple monitors. But have you thought about personalizing your workspace lighting?

Light affects the mood of a space as much as anything else. Therefore, custom lighting should be one of the primary ways you personalize your space. With LED smart lights, you can quickly adjust the lights to fit your mood or objective.

CalendarFebruary 17, 2024

Glossary Update: Disk Drive

Disk Drive ImageA disk drive is a device that reads and/or writes data to a disk. The term is often used synonymously with "hard disk drive," but it may refer to other types of disk drives, such as optical media and removable drives.

Today, terms like HDD and SSD are more common storage terms than "disk drive." Many computers, especially laptops, now have PCI-based storage devices rather than disk drives.

CalendarFebruary 1, 2024

February Tip: Hold Your Phone with Each Hand

February Tip: Hold Your Phone with Each HandBack in 2014, I published a tip about using two mice. The point was to even out the usage between your left and right hands, reducing strain on one side of your body. Ten years later, I'm still using two mice, and I've had minimal neck and shoulder issues since then.

Today, most people spend more time on their smartphones than their PCs. So, the 2024 version of the tip is to switch hands when holding your phone.

CalendarJanuary 23, 2024

Glossary Images!

Glossary Images!The PC.net Glossary now includes images! And it only took me 25 years.

When I first published this site in 1999, the web was a much different place. I could get away with text-based articles and still generate decent traffic. Those days are long gone. When was the last time you visited a webpage without images?

CalendarJanuary 4, 2024

Glossary Update: Bounce

Bounce ImageWhen you send an e-mail message to another person, the mail server processes the message and delivers it to the appropriate user's mailbox. For example, if you send a message to "[email protected]," the mail.com server looks for a user named "pcuser" to deliver the message to. If the user does not exist, the mail server may bounce the message back to the sender, saying "Sorry, that user does not exist."

▶ Bounced messages often come from "Mail Delivery Subsystem" and have a subject line that reads "Returned mail: see transcript for details."

CalendarJanuary 1, 2024

January Tip: Check Your Spam Folder Once a Month

January Tip: Check Your Spam Folder Once a MonthIt's now 2024, and spam remains an unfortunate reality of the Internet. Thankfully, most email platforms now include advanced spam/junk mail filtering, so the unwanted messages don't clutter your inbox. But the algorithms aren't perfect. Chances are you've had legitimate messages marked as spam more than once.

Because spam filters are not 100% accurate, it's essential to check your spam/junk folder at least once a month. Why that frequently? Because most mail platforms, including Gmail, iCloud, etc, automatically delete spam messages after 30 days.

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