DuckDuckGo is a privacy-focused search engine that’s been online since 2008. Find websites, maps, videos, news, and more—without tracking your searches and serving you targetted ads. Here’s how to make the switch from Google, Bing, or any other search engine. Most Browsers Already Include DuckDuckGo as a Search Option DuckDuckGo has been gaining ground for over a decade, finally breaking through to the “mainstream” in September of 2014 when Apple offered it as a default search engine option in Safari for iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite. Later, in November of the same year, Mozilla added it to Firefox 33.1. RELATED: What Is DuckDuckGo? Meet the Google Alternative for Privacy Since then, almost every major browser has recognized DuckDuckGo by making it an optional default search engine. This includes Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Opera. Google Chrome Launch Chrome, click on the “three dots” menu icon in the top-right corner of the window, and click “Settings.” … [Read more...] about How to Switch to DuckDuckGo, a Private Search Engine
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Did You Know? Windows 10 PCs Have “Game Mode” on by Default
All Windows 10 PCs have “Game Mode” enabled by default. Microsoft once touted this feature, but it’s now faded into the background. Bizarrely, some people report that disabling Game Mode boosts the performance of certain PC games! What Does “Game Mode” Do on Windows 10? First introduced in Windows 10’s Creators Update , which was released back in April 2017, “ Game Mode ” promises to boost the performance of many PC games. Here’s the official description: Microsoft says that Game Mode “helps achieve a more stable frame rate depending on the specific game and system.” Technically, it works by detecting games and giving them priority access to your computer’s resources. The game you’re focused on playing gets more CPU and GPU resources, while other applications and background processes get fewer resources. This only works if Windows 10 detects that you’re playing a game. Microsoft’s limited explanation of Game Mode also says that, in Game Mode, Windows Update won’t … [Read more...] about Did You Know? Windows 10 PCs Have “Game Mode” on by Default
How to Install the RetroArch Emulator on Xbox Series X or S
Thanks to Developer Mode on the Xbox Series X and S, you can install emulators like RetroArch . Turn your Xbox Series X or S into a retro gaming powerhouse and emulate the PS2, GameCube, Dreamcast, and more, all without impacting your ability to play retail games. First, Activate Developer Mode The first thing you have to do is activate Developer Mode on your Xbox . To do so, you’ll need a paid Microsoft Partner developer account. This requires a one-time fee of $19 (pricing is different in other regions). Once you’ve activated your account, you can add your Xbox as a developer console. RELATED: How to Put Your Xbox Series X or S into Developer Mode With a valid developer account, you can download the Xbox Dev Mode app, activate your console in Partner Center, and then reboot in Developer Mode. From there, it’s just a matter of configuring your network connection, and then accessing the Xbox Developer Mode web interface via a browser. For this guide, we’ll … [Read more...] about How to Install the RetroArch Emulator on Xbox Series X or S
What Does “ITT” Mean, and How Do You Use It?
What does it mean when someone comments “ITT” on a message board, and what exactly is a thread? We’ll answer all your questions about this online forum acronym here. ITT: In This Thread ITT is an initialism that stands for “in this thread.” It’s typically used on online forums, social networking sites, and message boards to describe or suggest a topic to be discussed in a particular thread. If you’re unfamiliar with message boards, this might be the first time you’ve heard of an internet “thread.” It’s a string of messages from various people on the same topic. Each message is viewable by a community, and they’re often replying or referring to each other. Every thread is started by an “OP” or “original poster. Threads are also present on social networks, like Twitter and Facebook. A highly popular website that uses threads is Reddit, where the comment section under each post is a thread. RELATED: How to Make a Twitter Thread The Origins of ITT ITT has likely … [Read more...] about What Does “ITT” Mean, and How Do You Use It?
How to Open Firefox’s Private Browsing Mode with a Keyboard Shortcut
If you’re browsing the web with Mozilla Firefox and you’d like to quickly open a Private window , there’s no need to reach for a menu. Here’s how to start private browsing in Firefox with just a keyboard shortcut on Windows, Linux, and Mac. First, open “Firefox.” With any Firefox window active, press one of the following shortcuts depending on your computer platform. Windows or Linux: Press Ctrl+Shift+P Mac: Press Command+Shift+P After that, a new Private window will open. While in Private mode, you can always tell because Firefox will include a special “Private” logo in the toolbar that looks like a silhouette of a carnival mask within a circle. While using a Private window, Firefox will not store your browser history, cookies, or saved form data once you close the window. You’ll still need to manually clear downloads and bookmarks if you’ve added any of those during your Private session, however. Once you’re in a Private window, you can open as many tabs … [Read more...] about How to Open Firefox’s Private Browsing Mode with a Keyboard Shortcut
How to Pause Family Bell Announcements From Google Assistant
Google Assistant speakers and displays can play scheduled announcements with a feature called “Family Bell.” But what happens if your routine is going to be different for a while? There’s an easy way to pause these announcements. If you’re unfamiliar with the Family Bell feature , it’s a great way to keep your household on schedule. Simply enter a phrase such as “it’s bedtime,” select days and times, and choose a smart speaker or display. Google Assistant will make the announcement at the selected time. RELATED: How to Schedule Announcements on Google Assistant Speakers and Displays It’s possible to disable a Family Bell announcement if you don’t need it, but if you intend to turn it on again later, you can pause it instead. We’ll show you how. Open the “Google Home” app on your iPhone , iPad , or Android smartphone or tablet, then tap your profile icon in the top-right corner. Select “Assistant Settings” from the menu. Select “Family Bell” from the … [Read more...] about How to Pause Family Bell Announcements From Google Assistant