In between tips and how-tos, we also often do “explainers,” where we break down complicated topics into simple language. Our goal is to help you understand how these difficult topics work, and show you what you can do with the knowledge. Here are our best from the past year.
Why Chrome Uses So Much Freaking RAM
Chrome may be the best browser around, but it eats up your PC’s RAM like turkey on Thanksgiving. If you’ve ever looked at your task manager, you’ve probably flipped out at the sheer number of Chrome processes and the memory they hog. Here’s why Chrome uses so much RAM, and how to curb its gluttony.
What Windows 10’s “Privacy Nightmare” Settings Actually Do
Windows 10 has some handy new features, but if you believe the rest of the internet, it also comes with features that eviscerate any semblance of privacy. But that view is a little overblown. Let’s take a closer look at what each of these settings actually do — and which ones are actually a privacy problem.
Four Myths About Hydration That Refuse To Die
As Derek Zoolander wisely put it, wetness is the essence of life. Whether you like drinking water or not, it accounts for about 60% of your body weight, and plays a pretty darn important role in making sure your body functions normally. But statistics aside, there are a couple of myths about hydration that refuse to die.
Why Is Windows 10’s “System” Process Using So Much RAM?
If you’ve made the jump and updated to Windows 10, you might have noticed something strange: the System process sometimes takes up an insane amount of RAM, possibly over 1GB. That’s actually not a bug, it’s a feature of Windows 10. Here’s how it works.
Five Smartphone Battery Myths, Explained
Over just a few years, the batteries in our smartphones have changed a lot. That means those old tips to stretch out your battery life just aren’t as true as they once were, yet we still share them like they’re gospel. Before telling someone to disable Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, let’s shed some light on those old myths.
Charge Your Phone in Half the Time: Quick Chargers Explained
If you bought a phone in the last year, it might have included some kind of quick charger, or offered one as an accessory. Here’s how they work to charge your phone in half the time of a typical charger.
The Biggest Concerns About GMO Food Aren’t Really About GMOs
Everyone from Chipotle to the Food Babe rails against genetically modified ingredients, and laws to label GMO foods are making progress in some states. But the laser focus on GMOs is misguided, because most of the concerns people raise about them aren’t really about GMOs.
The Misconceptions About Mental Illness We Need to Unlearn
Mental illness isn’t like a sinus infection. You can’t just wait it out or take a pill to make everything go away. Our brains are complex and enigmatic, and mental illness is no different. This leads to a lot of misconceptions that make recovery much harder. Here are a few things you should know, whether you’re a sufferer or not.
What All of Those Confusing Dress Code Terms Really Mean
You just received an invitation to an event or party, and in the dress code section it says something to the effect of “business casual” or “black tie attire only.” Here’s what all of those dress code terms actually mean, and few examples of each to get you off on the right foot.
Enhancement or Gimmick? Your TV’s Advanced Picture Settings, Explained
HDTVs come with all kinds of advanced settings designed to “improve” the picture, but most of them are just marketing gimmicks. In fact, your picture will actually look better with some of them off. Here are some of the settings you’ll find in the advanced menu, and what you should do with them.
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