Was Windows Vista Really That Bad -- or Just Misunderstood?

Did You Know?: On the U.S. tone and grade designation scale, the number assigned to pencils (No. 2, No. 3, etc.) refer to the hardness of the graphite “lead” in the pencil; the lower the number, the softer the lead. [Read in Browser]( [How-To Geek]() May 8, 2023 Did You Know? On the U.S. tone and grade designation scale, the number assigned to pencils (No. 2, No. 3, etc.) refer to the hardness of the graphite “lead” in the pencil; the lower the number, the softer the lead. 🧑‍💻 A Bad Hack Happy Monday! Western Digital has confirmed that [plenty of customer data was stolen]( in a hack earlier this year. Meanwhile, Valve has [updated the search feature in Steam]( with some much-needed improvements, and Amazon is [adding a TikTok-like video feed]( to its online store. – Corbin TODAY'S TOP STORY [Was Windows Vista Really That Bad—or Just Misunderstood?]( [Was Windows Vista Really That Bad—or Just Misunderstood?]( While some Windows versions are loved by enthusiasts for years to come, others are sorted into the “hall of shame.” This was true of Windows ME, in 2000, and Windows 8/8.1, in 2012. But perhaps one of the more notable entries on people’s lists of worst Windows versions is Windows Vista, released in 2007. Was it that bad, really? [Read More »]( SPONSORED [Protect All of Your Electronic Devices for Just $15/Month with AKKO]( [Protect All of Your Electronic Devices for Just $15/Month with AKKO]( With AKKO's "Everything Protected" plan, you get insurance coverage on your phone and up to 25 additional devices such as your TVs, gaming consoles, laptops, and smartwatches, all for just $15/month! Whether you're dealing with cracked screens, liquid damage, battery failures, or even a lost/stolen device, AKKO has got you covered. Plus, if you use code SAVINGS1 at checkout, you get your first month for FREE + a $50 deductible credit. [Learn More >>]( [How to Run ChatGPT Using ShellGPT From the Ubuntu Terminal]( [How to Run ChatGPT Using ShellGPT From the Ubuntu Terminal]( Want to use the ChatGPT in a terminal window on your Ubuntu Linux PC? ShellGPT lets you use all the features of the famous AI chatbot, on the command line. Here’s how to set ShellGPT up and start using it. [Read More »]( [Amazon’s Online Store Is Adding a TikTok-Like Video Feed]( [Amazon’s Online Store Is Adding a TikTok-Like Video Feed]( TikTok is the biggest social media phenomenon in the 2020s so far, and everyone is seeking to imitate its winning formula. The latest to do so is Amazon, out of all websites. [Read More »]( STUFF WE LIKE [Need to Be Seen? Get a Ring Light]( [Need to Be Seen? Get a Ring Light]( Whether you’re a content creator or want to be visible in meetings, it can be frustrating if your lighting situation isn’t ideal for video. The easiest solution? Pick up a ring light! You don’t need to shell out a bunch of cash for one, as Neewer has a simple, great [ring light]( for $35. This ring light comes with a short weighted stand, making it easy to put anywhere—and you can even swap it out for a longer stand if needed. Combine that with cold and warm light settings, and a few brightness options, and you don’t need to fiddle with this lamp for too long to get it going. [Buy at Amazon]( $34.99 [Western Digital Confirms Hackers Stole Customer Data]( [Western Digital Confirms Hackers Stole Customer Data]( Back in March, Western Digital revealed it had been hacked, and many of the company’s online services were down for two weeks as “proactive measures.” Now we know more about what hackers stole from WD customers. [Read More »]( IN CASE YOU MISSED IT [Why You Should Care About Air Pressure in Weather Apps]( [Why You Should Care About Air Pressure in Weather Apps]( Weather apps provide tons of information, but you might only check the temperature and precipitation. Other metrics can give you a better idea of how the weather will actually feel. Barometric pressure—or “air pressure”—is one of them. [Read More »]( [Grab an Anker USB-C-to-Lightning Cable for Just $9 Today]( [Grab an Anker USB-C-to-Lightning Cable for Just $9 Today]( The iPhone and other Apple products still use Lightning ports for charging and data transfer, but you can use them with USB Type-C chargers (and possibly boost your charging speed) with the right cable. Anker’s cable for the job is now on sale for just $9. [Read More »]( [How Many FPS Can the Human Eye See?]( [How Many FPS Can the Human Eye See?]( How many FPS can the human eye see? That’s a tough question because the human eye doesn’t really see in “frames per second,” and everyone’s eyes are different. We’ll talk about the biology, but the real question is what the upper limit is when it comes to FPS on monitors. At what point do you stop noticing FPS increases? [Read More »]( [Steam’s Latest Update Makes Search More Useful]( [Steam’s Latest Update Makes Search More Useful]( Valve is testing a significant update to Steam right now that improves the in-game overlay, but that’s not the only upgrade to get excited about. There’s another change rolling out that can help you find the right page on the Steam store. [Read More »]( [The Best Smart Air Conditioners of 2023]( [The Best Smart Air Conditioners of 2023]( Smart air conditioners give you tons of added convenience and features over traditional options. the best smart ACs will connect seamlessly with your smart home ecosystem, allow you to control your unit remotely, and create schedules. [Read More »]( [ECC RAM: Can You Use the Most Reliable RAM in Your PC?]( [ECC RAM: Can You Use the Most Reliable RAM in Your PC?]( Enterprise-grade computer hardware can be really boring, but some of it can actually be exciting. There’s a specific feature that’s been commonplace in servers and workstations for a very long time, and users with consumer hardware have looked at in jealousy: ECC RAM. Can you use it? [Read More »]( [What Are Cable Modem Channels (And How Many Do You Need?)]( [What Are Cable Modem Channels (And How Many Do You Need?)]( If you’re shopping for a cable modem, you’ll come across the term “channels” paired with number designations like 16×4 or 24×8. What that means isn’t immediately apparent, but it has a big impact on your internet connection speed. Here’s what you need to know when shopping for an upgrade. [Read More »]( [How to Create a Custom Map in Google Maps]( [How to Create a Custom Map in Google Maps]( You don’t need any special software to create a custom map for yourself or others. Google Maps is all you need, allowing you to add your own pinpoints, shapes, and directions to a custom map. Here’s how. [Read More »]( [Gaming Laptops: How Far Are They Behind Desktops?]( [Gaming Laptops: How Far Are They Behind Desktops?]( You probably know that choosing a gaming laptop over a gaming desktop PC means getting less performance, but how big is that gap exactly? The answer is probably not as large as you think. In fact, it may not matter! [Read More »]( REVIEW GEEK [Why I Love Traveling With My Instant Camera]( [Why I Love Traveling With My Instant Camera]( When you pack your next travel bag, consider packing an instant camera. It’s worth the extra space in your suitcase for multiple reasons, but my favorite is that an instant camera helps you be more thoughtful about which moments are worthy of an instant photo. I absolutely love traveling with my instant camera, and I’ll never go on a vacation without one again. [Read More »]( Want to see more great content from Review Geek? Join the mailing list! [Sign Up for the Review Geek Newsletter]( LIFESAVVY [Seeing Purple Streetlights? Here's Why]( [Seeing Purple Streetlights? Here's Why]( For the most part, streetlights are a bright, vibrant white or orange hue. No one is putting color-changing bulbs in these lights and turning them rainbow shades. But then why are streetlights turning purple? [Read More »]( REVIEW GEEK [AT&T Franklin A50 Mobile Hotspot Review: A Decent 5G Deliverer]( [AT&T Franklin A50 Mobile Hotspot Review: A Decent 5G Deliverer]( The AT&T Franklin A50 Mobile Hotspot may not look like much, but when you’re sick of public Wi-Fi, it’s the one device you’ll want to have on hand. The A50 broadcasts both 2.4GHz and 5GHz network bands, hosts up to 20 devices, and can be customized to best match your web-connected routines. [Read More »]( LIFESAVVY [Here's Everything Coming to Netflix the Week of May 8, 2023]( [Here's Everything Coming to Netflix the Week of May 8, 2023]( Netflix is bringing the funny, the heartwarming, and the educational this week. From documentaries to makeover shows to thrillers, this week’s Netflix drop has a bit for everyone. [Read More »]( LIFESAVVY [In-Flight Exercises to Prevent Stiffness]( [In-Flight Exercises to Prevent Stiffness]( Staying mobile while onboard long flights is crucial and will set you up for success as you begin your vacation, or as you return home. According to Roup, sitting still on a flight for hours may cause backaches, swollen feet, neck pain, and anxiety. But exercise—even limited exercise—can help. 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