How To

How to integrate your Facebook and Google+ streams

How many social networking sites is too many? For some, Google+ answered that question, but for many of us, the desire to try new things and keep up with our people is just too strong. For those on the fence, a Chrome extension called SGPlus can help avoid digital clutter. It lets you read Facebook and Twitter feeds within G+ and--better, maybe--lets you post to all three at once. Here's how to use it: 

Install the  SGPlus extension for Chrome. (For now, anyway, it doesn't work in other browsers).  Read through the tutorial. It will … Read more

How to get the new Gmail preview pane

If you enjoy the three-pane look of a desktop e-mail client, but use Gmail, today is your day. Google just announced a new Labs feature, Preview Pane, allowing you to view and reply to e-mails while navigating your inbox. The feature is also available to Google Apps users.

As Google mentions, the new look will be familiar to iPad owners, who currently enjoy this three-pane view on their devices.

To get the new look, go to Gmail > Mail Settings (upper right) > Labs. Scroll down to "Preview Pane," enable it, and save your changes.

Once enabled, a … Read more

How to create a Foursquare brand page

Until recently, companies interested in creating a Foursquare page had to fill out an Excel spreadsheet, and then submit it to the Foursquare business development team. They would then have to wait for approval, and all the submitted information to be entered before the brand page would come to life.

Now, creating a Foursquare page is an automated process, making it easier for anyone to create a page. A page is a great way for organizations to promote their business, and it's free!

… Read more

8 ways to make awesome Spotify playlists

If you were lucky enough to get an invite to the newly arrived Spotify, you'll notice that the streaming-music service is centered around playlists. Once you know the basics--creating, editing, and sharing--it's time to learn the more advanced tricks and tips for Spotify playlists.

Discover new music

Use search operators. In the Spotify search bar, use advanced search syntax. For example, searching "year:1970-1980" will give you a list of popular songs from that decade. Or, search "genre:rap year 1994" for rap music from 1994. For a full list of search operators, go … Read more

How to hide images on specific sites in Chrome

It's difficult to read a large portion of text on a Web site that has images flashing and scrolling by. Luckily, Google Chrome offers a way to block individual sites from being able to load these images, keeping your reading environment distraction-free. Here's how:

Step 1: Open Google Chrome and click the wrench menu in the top right corner. Then go to Options.

Step 2: Click Under the Hood on the left side, and then the Content settings button.

Step 3: Under the Images area, click the Manage Exceptions button.

Step 4: Click inside the blue box to … Read more

Fixing and deleting saved passwords in Google Chrome

Forget which password you saved in Google Chrome for that random Web site? Wouldn't it be nice to take a peek at what it is, in case you need to log in from somewhere you can't sync your Chrome browser? How about when the wrong password gets saved and you're forced to type in the correct one every time you log in? Managing passwords in Chrome can be a speedy process--once you know where the tools are and how to use them.

Step 1: Click on the wrench icon in the top right corner and choose Options.… Read more

How to share music on Spotify

Spotify is a great way to listen to full songs and albums online, but many people neglect to take advantage of all the unique music-sharing features that are baked into the program.

Fortunately, it just takes a minute to get up to speed on the many different ways Spotify allows you to share your musical discoveries with the world (or just your closest friends). After checking out the video and slideshow, check out more great Spotify tutorials on CNET's How To blog.

Eight Pandora keyboard shortcuts

Pandora is everywhere. It's in your cars, your phones, and your TVs, but let's not forget where they started--your computer. If you're still listening to Pandora on your computer, these eight keyboard shortcuts may help you groove along a little easier.

Space bar: Play/pause Right-arrow: Skip track Up-arrow: Volume up Down-arrow: Volume down Shift-Down-arrow: Mute volume Shift-Up-arrow: Maximize volume Plus (+): Thumbs up Minus (-): Thumbs down

Within a few minutes, you'll be flying around Pandora without having to use that pesky little mouse.

Note: The browser window or tab that is playing Pandora must be … Read more

5 seriously useful Chrome extensions

There's one major element that sets browsers like Google Chrome apart from Safari and Internet Explorer: add-ons. Some are entertaining--Angry Birds, anyone?--while others add convenience or manipulate the look of Web sites you visit.

Below, you'll find the most useful extensions available in the Chrome Web Store. Everyone has their favorites, so I asked you for recommendations on Facebook and Twitter. Although there were many excellent suggestions, here are the top five useful extensions (and one app):

1: AdBlock Plus. Most Web sites pay their bills using advertisements, which often distract you from seeing anything else … Read more