Meta’s New ChatGPT Competitor Is Llama 2

ChatGPTis one of the most popular (if not the most popular) generative AI chatbots around, and its underlying GPT language model powers many other services. Meta, the company formerly known as Facebook, has now partnered with Microsoft to create an alternative: Llama 2. Llama was initially released in February 2023 as a large language model, but unlike the GPT model that powers ChatGPT andBing Chat, it wasn’t intended as a general-purpose chatbot....

May 31, 2025 · 2 min · 369 words · Brittany Thomas

Mono vs. Stereo: What’s the Difference and When Does It Matter?

Summary “Mono” and “stereo” are two common options you may get in audio apps and speaker systems that produce audio in different ways. At the most basic level, mono and stereo audio simply refer to having one or two audio channels, but the difference between these two options can be dramatic, and stereo audio isn’t always the better choice. Mono and Stereo Sound Defined Mono ormonophonicaudio has a single audio channel....

May 31, 2025 · 4 min · 681 words · Emily Wood

My 7 Hacks to Maximize Productivity When Working Remotely

Quick Links Did you know Windows has built-in and third-party tools to minimize distractions and keep your workflow smooth? These hidden gems can help you stay organized, cut clutter, and get more done. When I started working from home many years ago, it felt like walking on a tightrope—deadlines on one side, notifications on another. My concentration sat somewhere in the middle, trying to stay steady. I tried manyproductivity hacksduring this time and, fortunately for me, some did stick....

May 31, 2025 · 5 min · 1040 words · John Edwards

Ready to Code Python in Visual Studio? Let’s Set It Up

Quick Links New to programming in Python and not sure where you should start? Visual Studio (VS) is a popularIntegrated Developer Environments (or IDEs), and the first time I tried to install Python on my machine to work with VS, I was pulling my hair out. We’ll help you set it up with much less hair loss as a side effect. Installing Python on Windows or macOS Naturally, before you can start programming in Python, you’ll need to install it....

May 31, 2025 · 6 min · 1161 words · Tina Novak

The 10 Most Influential CPUs of All Time

Every era of computing has its standout stars. The brains behind our beloved machines, theCentral Processing Units (CPUs), have shaped technological advancement. Here’s our list of the ten most influential CPUs that have left their mark on history to date. 1Intel 8088 (1979) This little piece of silicon magic was the heart of the first IBMPersonal Computer.The 8088 was a modified version of the 8086, tailored to be more cost-effective. Even though it was a compromise solution, its architecture placed the Intel 8088 in a league of its own....

May 31, 2025 · 6 min · 1235 words · Jordan Owens

The Best Amazon Big Spring Sale Deals of March 24

Need to do some shopping? The Amazon Big Spring Sale is still going strong, and we have some of the best tech deals. What is Amazon’s Big Spring Sale? TheAmazon Big Spring Saleis one of the company’s sales events, which is similar to Amazon Prime Day. Running from March 20 to 25 this year, you can take advantage of deep discounts on anything from tech items to toothbrushes to clothing. The Big Spring Sale event also isn’t running parallel to events like Black Friday or Cyber Monday, either, so it’s a blessing if you’re trying to research the best price for the stuff you want—more likely than not, Amazon will have the lowest price this week....

May 31, 2025 · 4 min · 710 words · Ryan Roberts

The Best Order to Unlock Warbonds in Helldivers 2

Helldivers 2has most of its fun toys locked behind warbonds. If you just joined the game or came back from a hiatus to defend Super Earth, you’ve probably got a heap of locked warbonds to choose from. As a veteran player, this is the order I recommend unlocking them in, from best to worst. 1Urban Legends As of right now, I firmly believe that the Urban Legends warbond offers the most value....

May 31, 2025 · 8 min · 1605 words · Charles Spence

The Best Under-Desk Footrests of 2024

Footrests can help align posture and ease back strain. When working at a desk for extended periods of time, it’s not uncommon to feel discomfort in your feet, ankles, and knees. An under-desk footrest offers the right level of support. VIVO Footrest What to Look for in an Under-Desk Footrest in 2024 Spending more than a couple of hours at a desk can result in various areas of your body feeling uncomfortable....

May 31, 2025 · 9 min · 1789 words · Debra Little

The Last Pickup Truck with a Manual Transmission: A Driver's Dream

While not everyone understands the appeal, there is no replacement for a manual transmission to old-school drivers and enthusiasts. If you’re looking for a pickup truck in 2025 that still offers the setup, however, you’re now unfortunately limited to a single option. Of the many new pickup trucks to choose from in 2025, there is only one automaker who still sees value in the analog method of shifting gears. A manual transmission gives you a deeper connection with your vehicle and lets you control how you want to drive, which is something that many of us see as invaluable....

May 31, 2025 · 7 min · 1357 words · James Cruz

The Rally-Inspired Renault Hot Hatch America Will Miss Out On

Throughout history, the French have been considered the mad scientists of the automotive world. Sometimes they produce absurd ideas and other times works of art that are era-defining. The latest chapter in this story comes from Renault in the form of a tribute to the brand’s rich rally heritage. While hot hatchbacks are certainly a dying breed, even in Europe where smaller cars are still fairly popular, Renault has decided to develop the ultimate hot hatch....

May 31, 2025 · 7 min · 1442 words · Chase Brock

This Hybrid Sedan Doesn’t Turn Heads, but It Goes the Distance

Hybrid carsare having a moment—and it’s easy to see why. They’re fuel-efficient, low-maintenance, and offer a great stepping stone to fullEVlife without giving up gas entirely. The catch? Sticker shock. But that’s whereused hybridsshine: you get a lower entry price, strong long-term value, and a track record you can actually check. If you’re after one that’ll go the distance without drama, start withToyota. One midsize sedan in particular has built a reputation for rock-solid reliability, a no-fuss hybrid system, and the kind of dependability you’ll be thankful for year after year....

May 31, 2025 · 6 min · 1252 words · Bryan Cortez

This Is Microsoft’s Plan to Kill the Classic Outlook for Windows

Microsoft has a new Outlook mail application for Windows, which has already replaced the old Mail and Calendar Windows apps, and will eventually replace the classic Outlook mail client. Microsoft has now shared more details on its plan to retire the old Outlook app. The new Outlook application wasreleased in September 2023, based on the design and codebase from the Outlook.com web app. Not everyone has been happy with the transition, since it’s still missing a few features compared to the Windows apps it replaced, and login information for third-party mail accounts isstored in the cloud....

May 31, 2025 · 3 min · 440 words · Autumn Carter

This Open-Source App Made Me Abandon the Windows Start Menu

Many of us spend hundreds or thousands of hours per year on our PCs between work and leisure. When you spend that much time on a computer, the little annoyances can really start to add up—which is why I totally cut the Start Menu out of my daily workflow and replaced it with an open-source app. The Start Menu: Great but Imperfect I’ve never been much for desktop icons. In fact, I usually disable desktop icons immediately when I first install Windows and do everything through the Start Menu....

May 31, 2025 · 4 min · 688 words · Joan Miller