Friday 12 June 2015

Microsoft Office Sway

Microsoft Office Sway

David Briddock investigates Microsoft’s intriguing new addition to the Office family

Microsoft’s Office portfolio is regularly subjected to product updates and refreshes, but it’s rare to see a new addition to the Office family. Yet on 1st October 2014, Microsoft announced Sway, a brand new Microsoft Office app, destined to be a key element in the forthcoming Windows 10 rollout, due some time this summer.

Raspberry Pi-rate Radio

Raspberry Pi-rate Radio

David Hayward takes to airwaves with a hacked Raspberry Pi

There are countless hacks for the Raspberry Pi these days. Such is the legacy of this remarkable little computer that if you can think of it, the chances are someone, somewhere, has modified the Raspberry Pi and bent it to the task. With this in mind, we were searching the other day for a suitable project; one that’s quick and easy but can deliver results, and among the many retro arcades, TV streaming appliances and other serving duties, we discovered a tutorial that can turn the Raspberry Pi into a powerful FM transmitter, allowing you to broadcast your own pirate radio station.

Avoiding Bad Advice PC Maintenance Myths

Avoiding Bad Advice PC Maintenance Myths

Not everything you’re told is worth listening to…

There are many thousands of people who want to speed up their PC, so it’s no surprise there’s a small industry around telling people how to do it. The problem is that not everyone is trying to offer genuine solutions. In many cases, they’re just cannibalising lists of recommendations from other websites. But spotting bad advice can be hard, especially if you’re not that technically inclined. That’s why we’ve collected together the least helpful examples we’ve seen so you know not to waste your time.

How To Find A Better Graphics Card

How To Find A Better Graphics Card

Choosing the right pixel pusher doesn’t have to be hard

Buying a graphics card can be confusing at the best of times, especially if it’s been a couple of years since you last picked one up. In a world of rebranded and rebadged cards, it’s difficult to know what card does what.

That’s why the best way to make sure you find a better graphics card could be to go back to first principles and learn how to read the specifications. To help you do that, here’s our explanation of graphics card specs and how you can use them to look for a better, faster graphics card than your current one.

Overclocking: Risk Vs Reward

Overclocking

Should you go down this road or not? James Hunt looks at the pros and cons…

Whether you’ve bought new hardware that you want to push to the limits or you’re trying to squeeze extra performance out of your existing components, overclocking might just be the way to do it.

If you’re reading Micro Mart, it’s a safe bet you’ve at least heard of overclocking, but a surprisingly small percentage of people have ever tried it. That may be because of the associated risks – the idea that your hardware could be permanently damaged, but it might also be because the rewards aren’t quite obvious. Sure, your hardware will run faster, but how much faster? And at what cost?