rescue

CNET to the Rescue: Hacking Thanksgiving

This week, a very special pre-Thanksgiving episode, "Hacking Thanksgiving," with two special guests: Jeff Potter, the author of "Cooking for Geeks," and Roxanne Webber of our sister site Chow. Today's show is for you if you can re-flash a router but always burn the biscuits. If you can assemble a PC from the motherboard up blindfolded but go screaming to your own mama when it's time to boil a chicken. Get the idea? Listen up if you want to bring leet skillz to the kitchen.

Also, I'm sorry to announce that CNET to the Rescue regular co-host Josh Lowensohn isn't going to be a regular on this show anymore. Josh is now on the Microsoft beat on the News team, which is a full-time gig to say the least. Josh will be back from time to time to talk about Microsoft tips, but I'll have rotating co-hosts on to replace him.

We will return to regular tech topics next week with the first of our rotating hosts, Kent German, who covers mobile phones and cellular carriers. If you have a tech question on this topic for CNET to the Rescue, CALL US to get on next week's show: 877-438-6688. No question is too basic. Or e-mail rescue@cnet.com.

Episode 24: Hacking Thanksgiving

CNET to the Rescue: Darren tackles network dilemmas

No fooling around today. Just your geeky networking and Wi-Fi questions with special guest nerd, Darren Kitchen of Hak5. Let's get to it.

Got a tech question? E-mail rescue@cnet.com or leave it at our new toll-free number: 877-438-6688

Episode 23: Darren tackles network dilemmas

Seth's Security Secrets

Josh is down at Apple getting the brainwashing. Briefing. Whatever. So Seth from Download is here instead, filling us in on the latest in antivirus and security software.

Also, your questions answered, like, How do I network schoolroom in Alaska? How much will AT&T gouge me for when I take my iPhone to France? And, if my laptop doesn't open far enough, is it OK to snap its hinges?

Got a tech question? E-mail rescue@cnet.com or leave it at our new toll-free number: 877-438-6688

Episode 22: Seth's Security Secrets

How to back up your social networks (podcast)

Facebook finally gives users a way to save their social-networking data for their own later use. This week, we check out Facebook's new tool as well as other ways to back up your social data.

In Road Tests, Josh explains the allure of the game Minecraft, while Rafe finds replacements for products he's been using forever.

User topics include two questions from unhappy HP notebook users, what to do about a loud MacBook, and how to make several hard disks act as one.

Got a tech question? E-mail rescue@cnet.com or leave it at our new toll-free number: 877-438-6688

Episode 21: Back up your social networks

From Macs to MAC addresses, your questions answered

Everyone's out but Rafe, so today you've got a one-man band answering tech questions, from the prosaic (Which laptop should I buy?) to the profound (Has my router been hacked?). Plus: Why to use an unstable version of Chrome. And more.

Got a tech question? E-mail rescue@cnet.com or leave it at our new toll-free number: 877-438-6688

Episode 20: More of your questions answered

CNET to the Rescue: Four girls walk into a hot spot...

This week we tackle a worried father's conundrum: His daughter is at college borrowing a Wi-Fi signal from the boys downstairs. What could go wrong? We explain, and solve. Also: how to replace the expiring XMarks; yet more questions about what to do with old iPhones; Josh road-tests and iPad case with a built-in keyboard; and we watch a Parrot AR.Drone fall from the sky.

Got a tech question? E-mail rescue@cnet.com or leave it at our new toll-free number: 877-438-6688

Episode 19: Your questions answered

CNET to the Rescue: Tech tips for car buyers and owners

Today's show has Josh and Rafe joined by CNET Car Tech's senior editor Wayne Cunningham, who brings us into the expert fold with tips for researching and maintaining your vehicle. We also do a road test with the power strip of the future, and Parrot's high-flying A.R. Drone, along with answers to your tech questions.

Below is an audio and a video archive for you to watch, along with our show notes, and links to subscribe to the podcast in iTunes or your favorite RSS catcher.

Episode 18: Tech tips for car buyers and owners

Pricing/… Read more

CNET to the Rescue: Biker gear and iTunes alternatives

Josh is out covering Demo so I've roped in Seth Rosenblatt and Darren Kitchen to answer your tech questions. We start with a special look at gear for motorcyclists. Later, iTunes, cable modems, and DSLR memory cards get rescued.

CNET to the Rescue: Show notes

ROAD TEST Rafe tests Linksys powerline networking.

Darren has advice for geeky motorcyclists.

QUESTIONS Cameron: Im having trouble deciding what CF card to get for my Canon 7D, I want something with at least 6GB but im not sure how fast of a write speed I would need and if there are any other … Read more

CNET to the Rescue: What to do with old iPhones

Josh and Rafe are back on the show together again, finally. This week, we answer the burning question of iUpgraders: What to do with an old iPhone 3? Give it to your kids or a homeless shelter...or hack it? Tough call. Also: Jason answers audio questions, we have a few networking puzzlers, and we discuss how to ruin a perfectly good HD TV with bad video signals.

CNET to the Rescue: What to do with an old iPhone

Rafe's ideas: 1. Sonos controller 2. Computer for kids.

Josh's ideas: 1. Set it up in your kitchen as … Read more

Patriotic snake robot slithers up a tree

We're betting some of our readers will spend the long weekend communing with nature, where they'll hopefully encounter sunshine, blue skies, and the fresh smell of pine trees--and robotic snakes climbing up trees.

Actually, the last sight is fairly unlikely, unless they're hanging out near Pittsburgh's Carnegie Mellon University. The reptile-inspired Snakebot out of the school's Biorobotics Lab can make its way up a tree impressively, as the new CMU video below demonstrates.

We've previously watched the Snakebot wrapping itself around poles and climbing vertically inside pipes. For its latest trick, a red, white (… Read more