Chris Heisel

Editors note: This is one of several columns that I wrote for the Columbia Missourian. They were originally called Your Digital World

With the gift-giving holiday season is upon us, you may be wondering what to do if you get a new computer?

Whether it’s Mac or PC there are some simple things you can do to make sure your new computing experience goes as smooth as possible.

Unpacking — Like real estate, it’s all about location, location, location.
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Editors note: This is one of several columns that I wrote for the Columbia Missourian. They were originally called Your Digital World

I want my MP3s … and if you do too, there’s more than one way to listen to them. Devices that play MP3s are very hot items this holiday season.

MP3 is the popular file format for recording digital audio because it takes up very little storage space, while at the same time preserving the quality of the audio.

Once you’ve gotten some MP3s, (you can rip them off a CD you own, or get them from file-sharing services like Napster), you need a way to play them.
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Editors note: This is one of several columns that I wrote for the Columbia Missourian. They were originally called Your Digital World

If you’ve decided to take the new computer plunge this holiday season, whether for yourself or others, you must ask yourself one question.

Macintosh or PC?

It’s the great debate, bigger than the cola wars, and the fuel for many a fight in techdom.

But I have unraveled the mystery, researched many hours, tested several platforms and come to one undeniable answer.
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Editors note: This is one of several columns that I wrote for the Columbia Missourian. They were originally called Your Digital World

You did it, didn’t you?

You probably went shopping last week and braved the hordes at the mall for the traditional post-Thanksgiving bonanza.

I used to take part in that bargain hunting free-for-all, until I found the Internet.

Unless you’ve been living in a cave for the past few years, you’ve probably heard about the ups and downs of e-commerce.

So with the threat of hackers, or more likely, your e-tailer going out of business, what’s an online shopper to do?
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Editors note: This is one of several columns that I wrote for the Columbia Missourian. They were originally called Your Digital World

Soon, manufacturers are going to start digging into their pockets and shelling out funds for advertisements.

That’s right tech fans, it’s holiday shopping season.

So to help prepare you for the stores and e-tailers, I’ve compiled a list of terms you might want to have handy when shopping.
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