This year, try some ultramodern ideas
(December 20, 2011 Cape Cod Times)

A little digging on the Web produced some conflicting versions, including the Roman pagan holiday of Saturnalia. But none of them told me what I wanted to know: Why do we do the things we do each Christmas?

What to get your geek
(December 6th, 2011 Cape Cod Times)

Each year, after my annual column with gift suggestions for the techno-nerds in your life runs, I invariably get email commenting on how silly/useless/insane some of those gifts appear to be.

Giving thanks for electronic savings
(November 22nd, 2011 Cape Cod Times)

I'm happy to say that I now know the true meaning of Thanksgiving. It's the official day when merchants can legally put out Christmas decorations. Kidding! Just kidding. (They put them out in June these days so, clearly, they never got that memo.)

Avoid 'bargain' iPad deals sure to go bad
(November 8, 2011 Cape Cod Times)

The economy's funk has brought bargain-hunting even more to the forefront this holiday shopping season. And the latest wave of consumer electronics has made many covet the latest in gadgetry.

It's like Facebook, minus the annoying bits
(November 1, 2011, Cape Cod Times)

As the ongoing — and, so far, lopsided — tug-of-war between Facebook and Google Plus continues, most of the pundits online have already declared the "threat of Google Plus" to be a non-threat, despite the fact that it has only attracted around 40 million users so far.

Wring out the old before selling devices
(October 11, 2011, Cape Cod Times)

It might not be the iPhone 5 that most consumers were hoping for, but the iPhone 4S is still a major step up in the eyes of most fans of Apple's wonder phone.

Facebook earns an 'F'
(September 27, 2011 Cape Cod Times)

The changes that Facebook rolled out last week include a redesign of the news feed that did several things the users were not expecting — changing the contents of the feed based upon the last time the user checked it, and adding a news ticker to the feed that allows users to see updates from their networks in real time.

Keeping a smarter eye on kids' 'Net use
(September 13, 2011 Cape Cod Times)

It seems that in addition to protecting our children from online predators, pornography, and keeping track of their activities online, there is now another threat that we have to guard against: mad fiction that is being presented as fact; that is designed to turn our children against the government.

Technology in motion
(August 30, 2011 Cape Cod Times)

While media player integration has been at the forefront of developing features for the past five years, the real news in gadgets and tech is no longer purely focused upon entertainment. That does still feature high up on the list, though, and capabilities continue to expand.

Camping in the digital age
(August 16, 2011 Cape Cod Times)

A firm believer in multitasking, I decided that a week at camp would be an excellent opportunity to take a look at — and test out — some of the new technology that can make camping easier. I am happy to report that I have found four pieces of technology that made our experience at camp more convenient and entertaining than it might otherwise have been.

3D printing advances give added dimension to Xbox avatars
(August 2, 2011 Cape Cod Times)

In the 1990s, belonging to Generation X was something of a big deal — and the only requirement to be a part of it was to have been born some time between 1960 through 1981. It's not an exclusive club, but it's one with members that have a lot in common — some of my best friends are Gen-X'ers after all.

Businesses and the heat of a humble tweet
(July 19, 2011 Cape Cod Times)

In 2009, social media sites exceeded email as a primary online activity for most Internet users, with the fastest growing age group being users age 35 to 49. Coincidentally, that happens to be the same age range for the group of consumers who spend the most money

Would you let your kids play with this man?
(July 5, 2011 Cape Cod Times)

Last week, the Supreme Court declared California's law on violent video games invalid on Constitutional grounds. By doing this, the court extended First Amendment protection to games. This decision was celebrated by the games industry, and condemned by parenting groups and California state Sen. Leland Yee, the man who wrote the law.

Network attacks: cracking that's not so wise
(June 21, 2011 Cape Cod Times)

After a well-publicized and major breach of its PlayStation Network exposed millions of accounts and credit cards — including mine — Sony is engaged in a desperate battle to protect its networks around the world, dealing with dozens of successful attacks that are happening on a scale never seen before.

In air travel, online takes over from opulence
(June 7, 2011 Cape Cod Times)

Asked about the impact that the personal computer has made on the world, Bill Gates of Microsoft offered this understated reply: "I think it's fair to say that personal computers have become the most empowering tool we've ever created. They're tools of communication, they're tools of creativity, and they can be shaped by their user."

Play ... and learn to play
(May 24, 2011 Cape Cod Times)

As my friend John pointed out, "Just because you can play 'Stairway to Heaven' on Guitar Hero doesn't mean you can play 'Stairway to Heaven.'

Striking a bargain on computers for students
(May 10, 2011 Cape Cod Times)

As I sit at my computer, my eyes naturally wander to the window, to a scene that has remained largely unchanged over the past 20 years, the stand of scrub pine, scrub oak, and red cedar that occupies my back acre.

A library that fits in your hand
(April 26th, 2011 Cape Cod Times)

The correct way to spell Apple's incredibly popular music playing device is iPod. Its phone? iPhone. And of course, there's the iPad. Even the operating system these devices use is spelled iOS.

With spring in the air, gadgets galore
(April 12, 2011 Cape Cod Times)

Long time readers of my column will recall that spring leads me into fits of whimsy "» and invariably, I find very odd items to buy online. While these items are not always silly — some are downright useful — the people I work with fear this time of year because of it.

Stolen gadgets that can help catch a thief
(March 29, 2011 Cape Cod Times)

When a thief breaks into your home or car, they're likely to steal consumer electronics such as laptops, desktop computers, cameras, and digital electronics — especially flat screen TVs and personal audio devices — simply because these are very easily converted to cash.

There's a degree of gaming at one Mass. college
(March 15, 2011 Cape Cod Times)

This past weekend, the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center played host to a massive video game and gaming expo called PAX East — which stands for Penny Arcade Expo East, and is arguably the largest event of the year for games.

iPhone basics
(March 1, 2011 Cape Cod Times)

If the Verizon iPhone had a Facebook page I imagine that the details would look something like this: In a relationship … born on February 10, 2011 … lives on a 3G network … from Cupertino, Calif.

Here's why I approve of UL approval
(February 15, 2011 Cape Cod Times)

Have you ever heard of William Henry Merrill? No? Well, I am not really surprised, because while I was attending the Consumer Electronics Show last month I asked 100 random people if they had ever heard of him.

E-mail @ 40
(February 01, 2011 Cape Cod Times)

When you turn 40, people say and do things that are theoretically aimed at making you feel better about your life being statistically half-over but, I suspect, contain just a smidgen of schadenfreude as well.

At CES, the future takes on a new dimension
(January 18, 2011 Cape Cod Times)

At 9 p.m. on June 30, 1941, an event occurred in New York that really was the tip of the iceberg. It was the first part of something big. And cool. And right in the path to the future.

Outsourced papers become school problem
(January 04, 2011 Cape Cod Times)

This past fall, two students in a high school honors English class in Cambridge confessed to cheating — admitting to purchasing essays online and handing them in as their own. The pair drew attention to a new problem, but the faculty had no idea how widespread the cheating might be, or how complex.

The New 360 Dashboard and What it Means for Us
(December 23, 2011 Gaming Update)

The newest version of the Dashboard for the Xbox 360 console is now fully deployed all over the world, and Xbox gamers have formed their opinions -- good or bad, like or hate -- we have what we have

The Top Ten Most Influential Video Game Consoles of All Time
(December 21, 2011 Gaming Update)

It is not enough that a video game console had some sort of an impact upon the generation of its release, or upon gaming and gamers as a whole, it also must have a lasting and meaningful influence on video games as an industry. . .

Our annual look at the top video games
(December 13, 2011 Cape Cod Times)

The holiday season is upon us already, and while you probably managed to take care of the lion's share of your gift list between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, those were the easy gifts, to be sure.

Meet the tweets
(October 18, 2011, Cape Cod Times)

With the popularity of the messaging services of Twitter rapidly expanding to new segments of the online community, and particularly with teens and senior citizens

Swimming with Sharks: Multi-Player Gears 3
(September 18, 2011 Gaming Update)

Gears 3 is the final entry in the three-story-arc that details the adventures of Delta Squad and its ongoing battle against the alien invaders called Locust, and now also a new threat called Lambent, whose creation and existence was covered in the last game, Gears of War 2.

Video Game Addiction
Addicted to Xbox Achievements and PlayStation Trophies
(July 4th 2011 Gaming Update)

When you examine their Gamerscore and the individual games that they play the underlying patterns revealed there tend to identify their motivation much more accurately and easily than asking the question directly.

Portable PlayStation, next Wii star at Expo
(June 10, 2011 Cape Cod Times)

Sony and Nintendo -- two of the big three companies in gaming -- announced new consoles this week at the Electronic Entertainment Expo, opening the door for a new generation of gaming systems with expanded capabilities.

NSFW: A Sorceress in the Centerfold -- The Changing Face of Video Game Sexuality
(May 9, 2011 GamingUpdate.com)

Unless you have been ignoring the gaming news over the course of the past week you are likely aware of the controversy brewing among fans of the RPG series The Witcher, as it relates. . .

Play Station Network User Accounts Compromised Anonymous Denies Connection
(April 27th, 2011 GamingUpdate.com)

At this point what we do know is that after a delay of almost a full week between when the breach was detected and today, Sony called a "My Bad" and sent an email out to all of the subscribers for their service who they think might have been effected by the breach

The Impact of the CES Gaming Zone
(January 09, 2011 GamingUpdate.com)

What has been widely termed the 'Geek Mecca' by the popular press is in reality the show that kicks off the new retail season, but this year it is more than that -- much more -- as the 2011 show marks an important watershed moment: the first year that Video Games were recognized as an economic force in the CE industry.

Speaking of . . . Pokemon
(March 30, 2011 Speaking of Blog)

Most gamers think that the Pokemon series began with the anime TV show Pokemon, but that is not what happened. The question of the chicken and the egg is no question at all in the case of Pokemon -- as the original game that started it all, Pokemon Green, came first

Speaking of . . . Vegas Stories
(January 12th, 2011 Speaking of Blog)

"Lemme help!" he slurs, and then loses control and falls on top of me, then begins to flail around as his sober companion tries to get him off of me. With the assistance of another man who is entering the bathroom they get this drunk off of me, and I finally get a good enough look at him to recognize him. I don't know him personally, but I know who he is.

Batman: Arkham City
(November 28th, 2011 SuperCheats.com)

The Unofficial Guide to Batman Arkham City for the Xbox 360 and PS3.

Brink
(May 24th, 2011 SuperCheats.com)

The Unofficial Guide to Brink for Xbox 360 and PS3.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
(December 20, 2011 SuperCheats.com)

The Unofficial Guide to The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim for the Xbox 360 ad PS3.

Farmville
(May 16, 2011 SuperCheats.com)

The Unofficial Guide to the Facebook Browser-based Flash game Farmville from Zynga.

Forza Motorsports 4
(October 18, 2011, SuperCheats.com)

The Unofficial Guide for Forza motorsports 4 for the Xbox 360.

Gears of War 3
(September 20, 2011 SuperCheats.com)

The Unofficial Guide for Gears of War 3 for the Xbox 360.

L.A. Noire
(May 31, 2011, SuperCheats.com)

The Unofficial Guide for L.A. Noire for the Xbox 360.

Lego Star Wars III: Clone Wars
(May 14, 2011 SuperCheats.com)

The Unofficial Guide for Lego Star Wars III: Clone Wars for the Xbox 360 and PS3 consoles.

Moshi Monsters
(June 4, 2011 SuperCheats.com)

The Unoffical Guide to the web-game Moshi Monsters.

Pokemon: Black
(April 21st, 2011 SuperCheats.com)

The Unofficial Guide to Pokemon Black for the Nintendo DS/DSi/3DS consoles.

Pokemon: Emerald
(March 09, 2011 SuperCheats.com)

The Unofficial Guide to Pokemon Emerald for the Nintendo GBA, DS, and Game Boy Player consoles.

Pokemon: FireRed
(March 16, 2011 SuperCheats.com)

The Unofficial Guide to Pokemon FireRed for the Nintendo GBA, DS, and Game Boy Player consoles.