"Fast food" design

David Wieland on why taking the shortcut when creating your website is bad for your company’s health

Interactive design is a complex and poorly understood industry – after all, it is only decades old. What to an outsider seems a simple, albeit technical process (‘make a website’), is actually a complex combination of dozens of disciplines intertwining over an entire spectrum.

Add patch power to your antivirus

Your antivirus can’t work alone – it needs Windows Update. Jane Hoskyn reveals why updates are more important than ever, and what you must do now

Pro-Ject Elemental Phono USB

Success on a platter

After years patiently explaining that the hole in your car dashboard was originally designed for a plastic box that played magnetic tape, and the tray that pops out of your PC isn’t a cup holder, anyone over 40 will now be amused to note that the young folk are getting into vinyl. Good luck to them, but we own all the records. The only problem is finding a turntable to play them on.

Google Chromecast Audio

Stream music from phone to hi-fi

There are lots of ways to get music and radio on your smartphone or tablet, but how do you listen to it? A good way is to attach something that can receive audio wirelessly to your hi-fi, TV sound bar or multimedia speakers. This is the latest example of such a device, and at 30 quid it’s got to be worth a look.

Don’t pay for Office 2016

Microsoft Office 2016 is a fantastic program with a hefty price tag. Jonathan Parkyn reveals how to get its best features for free

If you read our review of Office 2016, you’ll know what we think about it. In short, it’s great – but it’s not cheap.

Microsoft’s new office suite will set you back at least £120 for a standalone version (Home and Student). If you opt for an Office 365 Personal or Home subscription plan, it’ll cost £60 or £80 per year respectively. But Office 2016 is far from being your only option – there are several free office suites that offer equivalent features for free. Here we reveal the best of the bunch.