How to!

I need to start with an update on my last article. Just hours after the newsletter it's published in went to print, LastPass sent me an email telling me that the free version of their password manager would no longer work across multiple platforms. That left me having to decide whether to pay for the premium version or to find a new password manager.

​This brings me to a topic I've been planning to write about for a while … 

​One of the things I usually love about technology is that it's constantly innovating, looking for new or better ways of doing things. This video is an eye-opening reminder of just how far Windows has come since 1985. 

But not all the changes are for the better – and even the good ones can take some adjusting to. A client recently asked me ‘How do you find out about these things?’ Another told me that even when she Googles for solutions, she doesn't know which information to trust. So let me share with you some of the websites that may help.

HowtoGeek is possibly my favourite tech site. As its name suggests, it's full of How To articles, all written in very approachable language with lots of images so you can see exactly what you need to do. 

Make Use Of's style is similar to HowToGeek's. From tutorials to troubleshooting on Windows, Mac, Android and iPhones through to tips and tricks on hardware, gaming and smart homes, it's hard to find a tech area MUO doesn't cover.

wikiHow – no relation to Wikipedia – is a more general How To site. Delve into their Computers and Electronics section and you'll find an eclectic range of guides. They won't always cover what you need, but when they do, their instructions are so clearly written you'll struggle to go wrong!

PC Mag is great for side-by-side comparisons of rival products along with more in-depth reviews. If you need to replace an app that's no longer supported, this is a great place to start.

You can also use these sites, and others such as The Verge, Digital Trends, Windows Latest and even Twitter, to get ahead of changes by following their tech news. 70 Tech Websites to Follow in 2021 is a great list of sites that you can read to keep yourself updated on the tech industry.

For the record, having done my research on a replacement for LastPass, I've switched to Bitwarden. While its ‘Free forever’ personal plan lacks style, it has all the functionality I need. I even find its mobile app easier to use than LastPass's.

Keep on learning!!!