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Andrew Burton/Getty Images Windows 10 turned 10 years old this week. It’s a bittersweet birthday, as it marks the beginning of a steady march toward a forced retirement that will kick off with the official end of support on October 14, 2025. For a computer operating system, time is measured in something roughly equivalent to […] More
Andrew Burton/Getty Images Windows 10 turned 10 years old this week. It’s a bittersweet birthday, as it marks the beginning of a steady march toward a forced retirement that will begin with the official end of support on October 14, 2025. For a computer operating system, time is measured in something roughly equivalent to dog […] More
Arutthaphon Poolsawasd/Getty Images It’s always in the middle of a heatwave. Your AC hums to life, but instead of the icy rush you’re craving, it pushes out a faint, lukewarm breeze. That’s when the dread sets in. Is the unit failing? Am I about to face a massive repair bill? And how am I supposed […] More
Lenovo/ZDNETThe Lenovo ThinkBook G6 More
Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETOpenSnitch is a Linux port of the popular MacOS app Little Snitch. This app is essentially an application firewall that tracks network requests from apps, so you can create rules to block or allow those requests.Why is that important?Also: 7 things every Linux beginner should know before downloading their first distroSay, for example, that you’ve installed a Linux app that shouldn’t require internet access (those do still exist). You’re using that app with OpenSnitch running, and it reports that the app has made an outgoing internet connection. What gives? That shouldn’t be the case. It’s possible the app is sending telemetry (which could include information about your activity) to some third party. You don’t want that. Also: You can try Linux without ditching Windows first – here’s howWith OpenSnitch, you’ll know when these things occur, and when they do, you can take action to block those outgoing requests. This is a great tool to help you keep your privacy and security intact. Let me show you how to install the app and how it’s used.How to install OpenSnitch What you’ll need: I’m going to demonstrate this on Ubuntu Linux 24.04. OpenSnitch can also be installed on Fedora-based distributions, and you’ll only need to modify the installation commands. So, you’ll need a running instance of an Ubuntu-based distribution and a user with sudo privileges. That’s it. Let’s make it happen. More
Dell Premium 16 <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Dell Premium 16 starts at $1,800. This is a premium laptop capable of handling heavy workloads, especially graphic design, thanks to its top-notch hardware. However, it does share some of the same issues as its predecessor, like its tendency to run warm and power-hungry battery. –> I’ve […] More
Finally, there’s something to be said for supporting the underdog.In the Windows desktop browser arena, Chrome is still the top dog by far (though some of the upcoming AI-based browsers may start nipping at its heels). Edge is in second place. That puts Firefox in third. But I think the browser should be defined by much more than its third-place status.Unlike Google and Microsoft, which are major corporate giants, the Mozilla Foundation is a nonprofit organization with a strong bent toward online privacy and transparency. That’s one reason I prefer Firefox.Also, if Firefox disappeared, we’d be left with just two major Windows desktop browsers, neither of which places extra emphasis on privacy. That’s another reason I favor Firefox.Also: This new browser won’t monetize your every move – how to try itDespite my fandom for Firefox, I’m certainly not blind to its weaknesses nor to the criticisms leveled against it. While Chrome and Edge use the Blink engine to render web pages, Firefox taps into its own Quantum/Gecko engine. This is important because some web developers make sure their sites render properly in Chrome and Edge but leave Firefox as an afterthought.Many benchmarks also peg Chrome and Edge as faster than Firefox depending on the pages you load and the tasks you run. Additionally, I’ve found that Firefox typically chews up more memory than Chrome, especially when running multiple tabs.Then there are the gripes against Mozilla itself. Back in March, Mozilla changed some of the language used in its privacy policy, triggering concerns over its continued focus on user privacy.As I mentioned, I use Chrome and Edge, so those browsers do play a role for me both personally and professionally. But among the three, I still favor Firefox. I find that most web pages work fine in Firefox, that the browser is fast enough, and that the focus on privacy is still strong, especially with the settings that you can tweak and tighten. For those reasons and more, I remain a dedicated Firefox user. More
Sony Bravia 5 TV (98-inch) <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Enhanced color, contrast, and clarity make this TV live up to its hype. It handily delivers upscaled HDR content and high-speed footage. A soundbar will complement its size, and its off-angle viewing can be less than perfect. more buying choices Sony recently sent us the 2025 […] More
