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Discusses the benefits and drawback of virtual drive services. Description of virtual drive services, which offer password-protected drives that are accessible from any Internet-connected computer; Description of their size and speed; Features of virtual drives, which allow for various ways of file sharing and include wireless phone options; Evidence which suggests that virtual drives often are unreliable.

Offers advice to consumers on tips to use when buying a computer online. How to select a Web store; How to place an order online and getting support and service after the sale; Highlights of some of the best and worst features of selected Web sites. INSETS: Should You Buy Online;Where the Deals Are, by Brad Grimes;Buy Scouts.

Reports on `PC World' magazine's review of the top 20 computers for June 1996. Features of various computers included in the charts; Changes in the ranking scheme of computers. INSET: The price is right..

Reviews Intel Corp.'s 90-MHz Pentiums desktops and towers from 12 vendors. Dell OptiPlex XM 590; Austin Direct Power System-90; CompuAdd CP90p Mini-Tower; More. INSETS: Executive summary.;Report card.;SYSmark/Win tests latest Pentiums' speed edge.;NexGen takes on Intel with Pentium-class chips.

Evaluates four personal digital assistants (PDAs). Visor Neo and Visor Pro from Handspring; Cassiopeia Pocket Manager BE-300 from Casio; Pocket PC E570 from Toshiba; Features; Costs.

Evaluates the beta version of Microsoft Office 10, the final product of which should be available in the summer of 2001. Key features and upgrades; Pros and cons; Recommendation.

Evaluates several DX4-based desktop computers with speeds of 100MHz. Polywell Poly DX4-100; Ambra D41001/VL; Dell OptiPlex 4100/MX; Micron 4100PCI Magnum; Digital DECpcLPx+4100; Tangent VL4100; AST Bravo LC 4/100t; HP Vectra VL2 4/100 PC; IBM PS ValuePoint 100DX4/Dp; Mega Impact 486DX4-100VL+. INSET: Executive summary..

Presents information on the desktop computers reviewed by `PC World' magazine for its June 1996 top 20 listings.

The article discusses the 38th anniversary reunion of the Silicon Valley, California's Homebrew Computer Club (HCC) which was hosted by the Computer History Museum in 2013, focusing on the funding for the event which was organized by the Kickstarter crowdfunding website. Computer company Apple Inc.'s cofounder Steve Wozniak, who is reportedly a member of the HCC, attended the reunion and spoke about the HCC's mission of making computers a part of everyday life.

The author offers advice on various computer-related issues. He recommends using the Google search engine whenever Windows or other application presents an error message. He emphasizes the reliability of internal hard drives. He reveals a secret in producing digital photographs. He explains when is the best time to buy a new computer. INSET: PICK OF THE MONTH.

The author comments on the virtualization of computer operating systems and discusses events that help virtualization. According to the author, both Intel and Advanced Micro Devices have built support for new computers. He says that computer programs like Parallels and VMware run actively enough that makes one forget he/she is working in a virtual environment. The author also said that all Vista editions are capable of being virtualized from a technical standpoint. He mentions that Microsoft wants to discourage casual personal computer users from trying virtual computing, due to potential security risks with CPU-level virtual machines as implemented by Intel and AMD.

The article speculates over computer-related developments after the release of the Windows Vista operating system by Microsoft. The company is in the process of developing the next Windows upgrade code-named Vienna. Rumor has it that Vienna may have a completely new look. Vista's look, feel and functionality are advances from Windows XP, but it does not introduce much in the way of big new ideas. Sometimes Vista helpfully gives different tools similar interfaces. There is a need to simplify the use of Windows for online storage.

This article reflects on the editor's old computer which still plays an essential role in his everyday computing, even as it approaches its fifth year. Time was when a computer that was a couple of years old could feel downright creaky, especially when one threw the latest tasks at it. They may not pack the latest and greatest technology, but they can do most of the things that most people want to do in 2006. Especially with a few well-chosen upgrades. Upgrading is a smart move, avoiding the need to upgrade is smarter still.

The article presents the author's views on The 100 Best Products of the Year award presentation conducted by "PC World" magazine in the U.S. in 2006. "PC World" editors used to rate digital products, such as a laptop, a security suite, a music service, or a high-definition television set, on multiple measures. This year, the excellence and the impact of products on consumers were both taken into consideration. Products that were influential and widely adopted were included, such as the Core Duo processor platform from Intel Corp.

The article discusses various reports published within the issue, including computer product evaluations.

The author reflects on PC World magazines' venture into the television world via the new show PC World's Digital Duo (PCWD2), which began airing on public television stations in April 2005. The duo in question consists of two opinionated, technology-savvy individuals. One of them is Stephen Manes, whose Full Disclosure has crankily anchored people's back page for years. Its cohost Angela Gunn first wrote about the Internet in 1989 and has covered the technology beat ever since, for outlets ranging from PC Magazine to USAToday.com. An earlier incarnation of the program aired on public television stations in 1999 and 2000, without any PC World connection beyond Manes' presence. We are proud to be part of this new-and-improved version. Like PC World, PCWD2 is aimed at smart folks who want practical advice, not hype. PCWD2 is produced by Incandescent Entertainment, Dennis Allen is the executive producer. The program plays on one nationwide venue 24/7: our own web site. Since almost nobody wants to watch a half-hour show on a personal computer, we have divided each episode into concise chunks. And as long as one have the Flash Player installed, our clips would not sent one into video player configuration hell or force one to play hopscotch between two windows.

This article offers several tips on how to assemble a PC with the right components for particular tasks. First, one should pick his or her parts carefully. The author notes that the best thing about building your own PC is that you get to choose each component. The author recommends www.pcworld.com/reviews for regularly updated rankings of hard drives, graphics cards, and other components. Second, one should scavenge if he or she can. The author notes that it would be great if you already have usable parts hanging around from systems you already own. But, according to him, you should repurpose the components judiciously--your new PC may demand faster random access memory, a more potent graphics card, or longer hard drive. Third, one should not rush it. According to the author, the build is most likely to go well if you proceed at your own pace and you allow time for troubleshooting. If one does not feel ready to start from scratch, the author suggests considering a bare-bones PC, a case-motherboard-power supply combo that he or she fills out with other components. He also suggests working with a dealer who will build a system made up of parts he or she specifies. According to him, many local retailers have been doing this for years.

The article looks at new computer and related technology products previewed at PC World in the past. Back in January 2004, we previewed Iomega's DCT, which crammed 1.5-gigabyte of storage into $10 microdiscs for use in portable products such as MP3 players. Then Iomega decided not to bring DCT to market. Meanwhile, DataPlay, a DCT-like disc, is back for another try. But with memory cards such as SD still growing in capacity and shrinking in price, I suspect that the future of small storage will be solid state. Lilliputian Windows XP machines: Speaking of small, ultraportable personal computers have been stuck in vaporware mode, until now. Scansoft's Dragon NaturallySpeaking software remains a lifesaver for folks who cannot or should not use a keyboard. However, as with handwriting recognition, it seems that voice input will not matter for most of us until it gets close to perfect. After years of overpromising and underdelivering, this personal networking technology is finally the real deal. In the personal computer domain, its biggest accomplishment has been to make wireless keyboards and mice pricier and flakier. And now Ultra Wideband, a standard for wire-free communications, is gunning to kill off Bluetooth on the desktop.

Introduces the articles featured in the September 2003 issue of 'PC World.' Service that lets a user connect to the work system from any browser-equipped computer; Information on phone/personal digital assistant hybrids.

Gives advice on purchasing computing products. Information on technology specifications called buzznumbers; Background on the marketing of liquid crystal display monitors; Ways to rate technologies beyond their specifications.

Discusses Internet browser enhancements offered online. Features of the browsers, including customization and download managers; Ability of the enhancements to transform Internet Explorer; Companies which offer the enhancements, including NeoPlanet and CrystalPort.

Evaluates the Apple Power Mac G4 Cube computer. Features, including a top-mounted DVD-ROM drive and a convection cooling system which renders it virtually silent; Perceived drawbacks, including the Cube's lack of a floppy drive and the absence of free drive; Cost.

Presents a list of Web sites which offer information on Internet service providers (ISP). Sites which offer technical advice and economic aspects of ISPs.

Reviews the NEC Computers MobilePro 780 laptop computer. Features; Price; Recommendation.

Evaluates the Revo, a personal digital assistant (PDA) palmtop computer from Psion Inc. The use of a keyboard over a stylus; Size; Comparison to pen-based Palm organizers; Features of the Revo; Available software; Performance; Pros and cons; Performance.

Evaluates Psion's Series 5mx palmtop computer. Standout features; Price; Drawbacks.

Evaluates Uniden's UniPro PC100-A a personal digital assistant (PDA), or hand-held computer. Features; Pros and cons; Price; Contact information.

Presents information related to computers and the Internet as of September 1, 1998. Microsoft Home Advisor, which offers information about buying a house; The Center for On-Line Addiction and its netaddiction site; The availability of scanners capable of producing images for Web pages for under $100; The mahogany-cased computers from StyleTek Industries.

Provides information about computers for February of 1998. The opening of Gateway Country stores in several regions in the United States; Services provided by America Online to prevent spam, or junk e-mail; The SharpShopper Web site, which provides easy-to-understand information about electronic products.

Evaluates the Monorail personal computer from Monorail Inc. Features; Pros; Cons; Price; Contact point.

Features Psion Inc.'s PsiMail software for the Psion Series 3a palmtop computer and Sharp Electronics' Zaurus Access e-mail package for the Sharp Zaurus ZR-5800FX palmtop computer. Features and functions of the software and computers; Strengths and weaknesses; Prices; Contact information.

Introduces IBM Corp.'s IBM ThinkPad 760CD and Gateway 2000 Inc.'s Gateway 2000 Solo Multimedia Notebook portable multimedias. Design and functions of the computers; Cost advantage of Gateway Solo over IBM Thinkpad; Differences in features of the computers; Pricing of the computers.

Evaluates the Globalyst 360TPC computer from AT&T. Microprocessor used; Compatibility information; Pricing; Clock speeds; Performance rating; Features; Contact information.

Features Zenith Data Systems' ZDS Z-Star EX modular notebook computer and Z-Player portable multimedia playback device. Capabilities; Specifications; Enhancements; Support and compatibility; Pricing; Availability; Contact information.

Features two pen-based tablets. Wacom Corp.'s ArtPad; Kurta's PenMouse; Capabilities; Specifications; Support and compatibility; Pricing; Availability; Contact information.

Features Canon Computer Systems Inc.'s computers. Innova Book notebook computers; NoteJet notebooks with printers; Innova Vision multimedia desktops; Capabilities and specifications; Compatibility; Pricing and availability; Contact Information.