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PC World Site FAQ

If you're like most people who come to PCWorld.com, you have a specific goal in mind. Here's lots of help so you can get the most from your PCWorld.com visits.

How do I find information on PCWorld.com?

PCWorld.com provides a number of ways for you to find the information you want. First, PCWorld.com pages include navigation links designed to get you where you want to go as swiftly as possible.

  • Left-column navigation links
    Along the left side of the main pages, you'll find links to our product category pages, ranging from Apple (products such as iPad and iPhone) to Laptops, Software, and Windows. Each product page offers news, reviews, research tools, and more. Depending on the page you're visiting, you'll also find links to resources, top reviews, and other information.

    The Mobile Apps link in the left column goes to our App Guide, where you'll find editorial and user reviews of both Android and iOS apps.

    We also have links to our Blogs, Forums, Podcasts, and Videos sections.
  • Top navigation links
    Links across the top of each PCWorld.com page take you to general types of content--reviews, news, and how-to articles--as well as to our Business Center, Downloads library, Apps (the App Guide), and the products Shop & Compare center.
  • Searching PCWorld.com
    You can search for a specific subject, Downloads file, or title by using the search field at the top of PCWorld.com pages. Search results appear in sections for Products, Articles, and Downloads. On the Search Results page, you can narrow your query to a content subcategory (such as news, reviews, or how-to) by clicking one of the 'Filter Results' category links.

How do I use Find URLs from PCWorld magazine articles?

PCWorld magazine readers have a convenient, quick way to locate Web resources mentioned in the magazine: Find URLs. They're printed in blue in magazine articles and appear as find.pcworld.com/xxxxx (the x's represent the five-digit code). Use them as you would use any other URL (Web address). First, enter the entire URL as it's published in PCWorld (beginning with the word find and ending with the five-digit code) in your browser's address field--that's usually the field at the very top of the window. (Don't add www at the beginning.) Then click your browser's Go button to reach the mentioned page or Website. (Find URLs won't work in search engines such as Google or Yahoo because they're Web addresses, not search objects.)

If you're already on PCWorld.com, you have an even easier way: Enter just the five-digit code in the 'Search' field at the top of the page.

Keep in mind that Find URLs don't always go to PCWorld.com pages. They can take you to any page on the Web that our editors want to cite as useful.

Can I find PCWorld magazine content on PCWorld.com?

We emphasize providing up-to-the-minute information on PCWorld.com, and the very best technology information in both PCWorld magazine and online. The needs of print and online media are different, though. Because of that, content in PCWorld magazine is also available on PCWorld.com, but often in different forms.

Information in PCWorld magazine--especially in our award-winning reviews--is continually updated and augmented online. Consequently, we usually can't link articles in the magazine directly to the same articles online. Content on PCWorld.com that also appears in the magazine is often in a newer form, with updated titles and more information. The material may even be divided into separate articles specifically adapted for online use.

If you're searching PCWorld.com for something you saw in the magazine, it's best to search on a product name or company name, rather than on a specific article title (which may be different online). Another good way to search for such material is by subject area; often, that may lead you to even newer articles. Find URLs (mentioned above) will sometimes take you to online versions or to supplementary content, especially in the case of product reviews.

How do I register to participate in PCWorld.com's community features?

Simply click the Join Us link at the top-right corner of any PCWorld.com page, and complete the registration form.

  • Username: Your username will appear on any posts you make on PCWorld.com. It must be unique in our community, and can't include any spaces. As an example of the requirement that it be unique, if your name is John or Mary and you want to specify that as your username, when you submit the form you'll be returned to the form with a message stating, 'Sorry! That username has already been taken. Do you mind trying another one?' (Note that you won't use your username for signing in.)
  • Email: This is the e-mail address to which we'll send your verification message. You'll also use this e-mail address to sign in.
  • Password: Your password can be anything you want it to be, except that it can't include any spaces.
  • Confirm: Enter exactly the same password again. Be sure to keep an exact record of your password, including the case (upper or lower) of any letters you use.

After you submit your completed registration form, we'll send a verification message to your e-mail address. Click the link in that message to activate your membership. (Note that you can use that verification link only once. To sign in on later visits to PCWorld.com, just click the Sign In link at the top-right corner of any PCWorld.com page.)

We use JavaScript and cookies for your sign-in and participation in various PCWorld.com features. Please make sure that JavaScript is enabled in your browser settings, and that your settings accept cookies from PCWorld.com.

Sign-in on PCWorld.com is case-sensitive. This means that when you sign in, if you have letters in your password, you must use exactly the same uppercase or lowercase letters that you specified when you registered.

How do I sign in on PCWorld.com using my social network account?

Another way to participate in the community is by signing in using your Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo, Google, or LinkedIn account. Click the Sign In link at the top-right corner of any PCWorld.com page. Then click the icon for the social network you want to use to sign in. You'll see a sign-in form in which you can enter the information about your account. You'll then be able to participate in all the community features.

Can I stay signed in?

If you allow your computer or device to accept cookies, when you sign in on PCWorld.com--either as a member or through your social network--a cookie will keep you signed in for one month. In other words, if you leave PCWorld.com and return later, you'll still be signed in. If you prefer not to stay signed in, you can click the Sign Out link at the top of any page. If you decide to sign out, that will disable the cookie; the next time you return to PCWorld.com, you'll need to sign in again.

How can I change the e-mail address on my PCWorld.com member registration?

First, sign in on PCWorld.com. Then click the My Account link at the top-right corner of any page. In the 'E-mail address' field on your 'Update My Profile Information' page, replace the current e-mail address with your new address. Then click the Submit button. We'll send a verification message to your new address. Click the link in that message to activate the address change. The next time you sign in on PCWorld.com, you should use the new e-mail address.

How can I change my PCWorld.com password?

If you're a PCWorld.com registered member, click the Sign In link at the top-right corner of any page. Then, on the sign-in form, click the Forgot your password? link. That will take you to the password-reset form.

Can I change my PCWorld.com username?

For security and continuity-of-identity reasons, usernames can't be changed. For similar reasons, we don't remove PCWorld.com registrations, in order to maintain the integrity of posts and threads in our forums, and also to prevent users from creating multiple identities. In addition, a removal process would consume technical-staff time, which is limited and valuable.

How can I vote on a PCWorld.com article?

After you read an article, you can indicate whether you recommend the story by clicking the Yes or No button (available at the beginning or end of most articles). You don't have to be signed in to participate in these votes. If you want to comment on the reason for your vote or on the article in general, see the next item.

How can I comment on a PCWorld.com article?

When you're signed in as a PCWorld.com member or through your social network, you can share your ideas with other site visitors. Just click the Comment icon, and you can post your thoughts. Published comments appear at the bottom of an article.

If you aren't a PCWorld.com member or you aren't signed in, write your comment in the 'Leave a comment' field at the bottom of the article. When you click the Submit Comment button, you'll be presented with a form containing a 'Sign in' link, icons to let you sign in using your social network account, and a 'Create a New Account' form that you can complete to become a PCWorld.com member. (See "How do I register to participate in PCWorld.com's community features?" above.)

How can I share an article?

When you find an article on PCWorld.com that you want to share with another person, click the Email link at the top or bottom of the article, and you can quickly send a link to the story. Since PCWorld will send the message, please be sure to alert the recipient so that he or she knows to expect it; otherwise, your friend may think the PCWorld message is spam.

You can also share articles through your social network connections. To do so, click the Share button and select from the list of networks.

How can I print a PCWorld.com article?

Click the Print link at the top or bottom of the article. PCWorld.com will generate a printer-friendly version of the article and display it on your screen. To print it, use the Print command in your browser, or press Ctrl-P on your keyboard.

What kinds of information are available on PCWorld.com?

♦ Business Center

PCWorld's Business Center provides information for people who buy, implement, and optimize technology products and services in small to medium-size businesses. Just under the PCWorld Business Center logo, you'll find tabs linking to the major categories. Within each category are news, reviews, and other related resources.

In addition to articles and reviews by our own editors, we've gathered useful content from around the Web, such as articles from IDG sibling publications like Computerworld and Network World. We've created a community, too, including bloggers involved in day-to-day business issues, Expert Advisors who can answer your nagging questions, and a Business Center Community section where you can share your knowledge when you're signed in on PCWorld.com.

♦ How-To

Our how-to articles cover word processing, databases, the Internet, hardware, multimedia, upgrading, and many other subjects. On the How-To main page, you'll see the heading 'How-To by Category' along with a linked list of how-to topics. Below those items is a list of the latest how-to articles, with the newest first.

♦ Reviews

Product reviews are some of the most popular articles on PCWorld.com. We offer reviews and comparisons of products, as well as analysis of current computer-related trends and new information-technology products. Click the Reviews link at the top of any PCWorld.com page; once you're in the Reviews section, the Latest Reviews tab will be highlighted, showing excerpts from the newest PCWorld reviews. Next to that is the Top-Rated Products tab, which you can click to see a linked list of our Top 5 and Top 10 reviews-comparison charts.

Use the 'Find a Review' menu to locate a specific product to explore. The drop-down menu lets you select the product category, and a series of other drop-down filters will display to help you focus on the product you want to see.

On a product's review page, we offer a variety of information. Click the Overview tab to see highlights of the product. Click the Specs tab to see its technical specifications. Click the Review tab to see the PCWorld review, if we've reviewed that product. The User Reviews tab lets you see what other users have to say about it. The Shop & Compare tab shows you price-comparison information for online merchants that are selling the product. (See "Price comparisons," below.)

For background information on our reviews:

Read how we test.

Read our guide to PCWorld Ratings.

Read how the charts work.

Once you've arrived at a specific review, at the beginning of the article you'll find top-level information, including pros and cons, our PCWorld Rating (a maximum of 5 stars), and our 'Bottom Line' summary of our reviewer's opinions.

♦ Price comparisons

For price-comparison information, links to sellers, connections to PCWorld reviews of specific products, and much more, click the Shop & Compare link at the top of any PCWorld.com page. This will take you to PCWorld.com's shopping and price-comparison section. Powered by PriceGrabber, it provides a wide variety of information to assist you in shopping wisely. You can select a product category from the list on the Shop & Compare page. You can also look for a specific product by entering its name in the 'Search for' field in the gray bar to the right of the Shop & Compare page title.

When you select a product and arrive on its page, check under 'Compare Prices' for prices from merchants listed with PriceGrabber. You'll see user ratings (out of 5 dots) for each merchant. When you find the merchant and price that you want, click the merchant's logo to go to that merchant's Website and make your purchase.

In the right column on product pages are tabs that let you view the manufacturer's product description and specifications, as well as any reviews that users have posted. When PCWorld editors have reviewed the product, you'll see a red PCW Review tab that you can click to read the review.

♦ Blogs

Click the Blogs link in the left column of PCWorld.com pages to explore our popular blogs. On the Blogs main page, we list the most recent blog posts, with the newest first. In the right column is a list of all of our blogs; just click one to go to the main page of a particular blog, such as Today @ PCWorld, Answer Line, or Geek Tech.

On that main page, the center column shows the most recent posts. In the right column, we present each blog in a handy format that starts with the current installment and then goes backward so you can check out earlier entries. When you're signed in, you can post comments.

In the PCWorld Business Center, our Business Center blogs are listed in the right column. (They're also listed on the Blogs main page.) Click the link to any of the blogs to see the latest post. Earlier posts appear below the newest in reverse chronological order.

♦ Community

PCWorld.com offers discussions on tech topics from laptops to Linux. They're great places to ask (or answer) a question, to chime in on the news of the day, or to provide feedback to PCWorld. You can lurk and read without registering, but we hope you'll become a member and post messages of your own. Click the Forums link in the left column of PCWorld.com pages to see discussions on issues, exchange of technical information and help, and much more.

Other community features are also available for your participation when you're signed in, including article comments, blog comments, and user reviews of products, services, and Downloads files.

Consult Forum Guidelines and PCWorld Web Site Documents for more information.

♦ Downloads

Click the Downloads link at the top of any PCWorld.com page to visit the Downloads library, an extensive selection of freeware files and shareware trial and demo versions that you can try and then buy, as well as some complete software that is marked for purchase only. Here are some guidelines for finding Downloads files:

  • You can always use the search function at the top of any PCWorld.com page. On Downloads pages, you'll also find a gray-framed 'Search' field to the right of the Downloads page name. You can use that to search for a specific Downloads file. You can locate a file by entering its name, or one of the words in its name, in the field. (If you aren't sure which letters in the file's name are capitalized, enter the search object as all lowercase; the search engine will search all possibilities.)
  • To look for a general type of file, click one of the category links in the gray bar near the top of the Downloads page (Antivirus & Security, Design & Multimedia, and so on). On each of those category pages, you'll see a 'Related Categories...' (subcategories) list with links to select.
  • Another way to filter your search is under 'You are browsing Downloads', farther down the main page's center column. Drop-down menus let you filter your search by operating system, by license type (freeware, demo, etc.), and by category.

The individual page for each Downloads file includes the PCWorld editorial review (if PCWorld has reviewed that software), or the manufacturer's description. We also include the file's specifications--such as its size and its operating system compatibility--and a link to the author's Website. If other PCWorld users have reviewed the file, you can read those opinions, and you can post your own review when you're signed in. You can also browse related files in a list farther down that page.

For much more information about the Downloads library, check the Downloads FAQ.

♦ Subscribe to PCWorld magazine or check/change your magazine subscription

To subscribe to PCWorld magazine, click the Subscribe link at the top-left corner of most PCWorld.com pages, next to the picture of the magazine cover. If you're on a page that doesn't show that subscription box, just scroll all the way to the bottom of the page, where you'll see another subscription box.

You can check your subscription to PCWorld magazine (or the digital PCWorld) or change it by clicking the Customer Service link. You'll need your ten-digit subscription account number and your zip code (for U.S. residents) to log in. If your e-mail address is on file with your magazine subscription, you can use that instead of your account number.

♦ Free newsletters

PCWorld.com offers free newsletters on a spectrum of subjects, from "Daily Downloads" to "Weekly Brief" to "Business News Daily." Select the newsletters you want on our sign-up page.

For more information about how to subscribe, how to change an existing newsletter subscription, and how to "whitelist" newsletters to ensure that you receive them, visit the Newsletters Help page.

♦ RSS feeds

You can get PCWorld.com's latest content delivered to you throughout the day via convenient RSS feeds--all you need is an RSS reader. We update all feeds regularly, so you'll always have the latest information delivered to you, on the topics you choose. Select your feeds either by clicking the RSS icon at the top or bottom of any article, or by going to our RSS Feeds page.