Practical Tips, Plainly Explained

Unroll.Me scans your inbox for subscription emails and shows them all in one place, so you can unsubscribe from the ones you no longer read with a single click.

The newsletters you want to keep can be combined into one daily digest called the Rollup, which keeps your inbox clean without missing anything important.

• Sign up at unroll.me with your email account
• Review the list of detected subscriptions
• Choose Unsubscribe, Keep in Inbox, or Add to Rollup for each one

The quality of an answer from ChatGPT, Gemini, or Copilot depends on how you ask. A good prompt gives the AI a role, context, and a clear format for the result.

• Give it a role: “Act as a friendly IT support specialist…”
• Add context: who the answer is for and why you need it
• Be specific about format: “Give me 5 bullet points” or “Write a short email”
• Iterate: ask follow-up questions to refine the answer
• Never paste passwords or private personal information

AirTags are small trackers you can attach to keys, wallets, luggage, or bags. They use the Find My network of nearby Apple devices to show their location on a map.

• Pull the tab to activate, then hold it near your iPhone to pair
• Open the Find My app to see its location or play a sound
• Turn on Lost Mode to get notified when it is found
• Replace the CR2032 battery about once a year

Before thinking about a new computer, a few simple steps can make a big difference in speed.

• Restart your computer regularly
• Uninstall programs you no longer use
• Limit the apps that launch at startup
• Free up disk space and empty the recycle bin
• Run a malware scan
• Install the latest system and driver updates
• Consider adding RAM or upgrading to an SSD

A little routine maintenance keeps your computer running smoothly for years.

• Keep your operating system up to date
• Use reliable antivirus protection
• Back up your files regularly
• Clean up temporary files
• Manage startup programs
• Keep at least 15% of your drive free
• Keep vents and fans free of dust
• Use a surge protector
• Restart at least once a week
• Remove browser extensions you do not use

Every computer, Windows or Mac, shares the same building blocks: a processor (CPU) that does the thinking, memory (RAM) for active tasks, storage for your files, and an operating system that ties it all together.

Windows PCs are made by many manufacturers and offer a wide range of prices and options. Macs are built by Apple and are known for tight integration with iPhone and iPad.

Switching between Windows and Mac is easier once you know the equivalents.

• Start menu on Windows = Launchpad / Spotlight on Mac
• File Explorer = Finder
• Control Panel / Settings = System Settings
• Ctrl key shortcuts = Command (⌘) key shortcuts
• Task Manager = Activity Monitor

Compressing files makes them smaller and easier to email. Merging PDFs combines several documents into one.

• Windows: right-click files and choose Compress to ZIP file
• Mac: right-click files and choose Compress
• Use 7-Zip or PeaZip for more compression options
• Merge PDFs with Adobe Acrobat, or Preview on a Mac

Computers do not really get slower, but the work we ask of them grows. Newer software needs more resources, storage fills up, and background programs pile up over time.

Older hard drives also wear out, and dust can cause overheating, which makes the processor slow itself down.

Start each year with a few healthy tech habits.

• Set up a password manager
• Turn on two-factor authentication
• Back up your photos and documents
• Unsubscribe from emails you never read
• Set screen-time limits that work for you

A cluttered desktop makes it harder to find files and can even slow down your computer.

• Create a few main folders: Documents, Photos, Projects
• Delete shortcuts you never use
• Move old files to an Archive folder
• Use Stacks on Mac to group files automatically
• Pick a calming wallpaper and keep it clean