News & Observer | newsobserver.com | Columns by Paul Gilster

Paul Gilster

Paul Gilster has been writing about technology for the News & Observer since 1986. He can be reached at gilster@mindspring.com.



Humans can; computers can't

Can you tell a human being from a computer? As the great mathematician Alan Turing proposed 60 years ago, a human in one room interrogating a human and a machine in another could be a test for intelligence.

Updated: Aug. 20, 2008 5:50 AM | Full story

Launchy reduces keystrokes

I'm always trying to simplify things in my daily work, and one way is to use the keyboard rather than the mouse for basic commands.

Updated: Aug. 6, 2008 1:44 AM | Full story

IPhone illustrates technology's power

With a million new iPhones sold in the initial weekend, Apple reaps the rewards of a program that has produced the best mobile computing device of its time.

Updated: Jul. 23, 2008 1:23 AM | Full story

Where is online video headed?

Tracking a revolution from inside is tricky, as I've learned from trying to keep up with computers.

Updated: Jul. 9, 2008 1:42 AM | Full story

Firefox upgrade worthwhile

Many software upgrades are incremental, adding features seemingly for the sake of having something new to advertise, rather than delivering enhanced value.

Updated: Jun. 25, 2008 2:24 AM | Full story

Smoothing out Google maps

In its early days, the Internet reminded me of shortwave radio -- the more distant the station, the more thrilling the reception.

Updated: Jun. 11, 2008 6:07 AM | Full story

New skills needed

My friend David Warlick gave me a great tip about searching the Web. Instead of starting with a huge search engine such as Google, start small.

Updated: Oct. 22, 2005 10:28 PM | Full story

Wake up to ethics question

A retired computer scientist considers the possibility of machines that are smarter than humans.

Updated: Oct. 23, 2005 2:06 AM | Full story

Use Net to limit hassles

I remember telling a friend about five years ago that we'd soon start thinking about the Internet as a storage space, an online hard disk.

Updated: Oct. 22, 2005 4:49 PM | Full story

What's ahead for PCs?

The one thing we can say with certainty about the future is that it will surprise us.

Updated: Oct. 24, 2005 12:10 AM | Full story

Linux gets simpler

The new Linux version called Xandros is designed for people switching from Windows.

Updated: Oct. 24, 2005 7:58 AM | Full story

Security takes an effort

Passwords have become a critical part of good computer management. My PC requires a complicated password before it lets me in, one that I never write down.

Updated: Oct. 22, 2005 7:02 PM | Full story

Simplify your surfing

STOPzilla is an interesting new take on pop-up blockers, those programs that remove pesky ads while you browse the Net.

Updated: Oct. 24, 2005 3:59 AM | Full story

Ways to clean your PC

One of the things I've always appreciated about Linux is the way you can set up "virtual" desktops.

Updated: Oct. 24, 2005 7:34 AM | Full story

Gone with the Web

Missing pages, irritating for casual Web surfers, can play havoc with researchers, many of whom publish their findings on the Web.

Updated: Oct. 22, 2005 6:18 PM | Full story

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