Neil Cumins

Neil is our resident tech expert. He's written guides on loads of broadband head-scratchers and is determined to solve all your technology problems!

Freely is the latest evolution in live online streaming

The new Freely streaming service promises to simplify the task of watching live British television online.

How to keep working when your broadband fails

Being able to keep working when your broadband fails can make an offline period surprisingly productive.

What does the new Online Safety Bill mean for free speech?

The UK Government’s new Online Safety Bill could change our relationship with the internet forever.

Is social media finished?

Is social media over? Some platforms are clearly in their death throes, but the need to communicate will stay with us.

Where is the streaming media industry headed?

Streaming media industry changes are coming, and the market we know today could be radically different in a few years.

What is peer-to-peer file sharing, and is it legal?

Peer-to-peer file sharing is a popular – if controversial – method of distributing data online

Ten tips for selling your old computer

Selling a secondhand computer is no harder than selling a smartphone, yet it’s something many people are reluctant to do

Are people scared of upgrading to fibre broadband?

Upgrading to fibre broadband might seem an obvious step, yet statistics suggest many consumers are wary of making the move.

Why is my favourite website not accessible?

From server failures to essential maintenance, there are many reasons why you might suddenly find a website not accessible.

Does Bluesky have a bright future?

The Bluesky social media platform continues its slow rollout, but will it succeed in replacing the outlet formerly known as Twitter?

How to remove a deceased person’s digital footprint

As older generations increasingly adopt the internet, it’s vital to know how to remove a deceased person's digital footprint

What’s causing my broadband to drop out?

Broadband dropouts are frustrating and inconvenient, but it’s always worth investigating the root cause.

Plug and play broadband is transforming internet access in flats

Getting online is becoming simpler for residents in blocks of flats thanks to centralised broadband.

What causes buffering?

The question ‘what causes buffering’ is often asked – but only usually once it’s already happened…

How does viral marketing work?

Viral marketing is one of the internet age’s most successful – yet also most challenging – promotional methods.

Data harvesting – the price you pay for free online services

Data harvesting funds free services by allowing shadowy agents to persuade and predict our behaviour, at the cost of our personal privacy.

Will AI replace writers?

The question of will AI replace writers has been asked many times – but the answer doesn’t change.

Ten steps to creating a new website

Creating a new website becomes simple if you follow ten logical stages – and avoid a few obvious pitfalls…

Five things which can block WiFi around the home

Any list of things which can block WiFi will include unexpected barriers including water, wood and wireless baby monitors

Why can’t I access my email?

Being unable to access email is frustrating, but it’s usually temporary – and there may be workarounds

Do I really need to do system updates on my computer?

They are annoying and often inconveniently timed, but system updates can be crucial for the health of your PC or Mac.

Staying safe: how to tackle online extortion

Recognising and understanding online extortion could prove invaluable if you find yourself being threatened or coerced.

Looking back on obsolete online tech we used to use every day

Obsolete internet technologies show how far the online world has come, and offer pointers to where it’s heading..

Lampposts might be the future of home broadband

Broadband from lampposts might sound implausible, but it’s already being trialled in Scotland.

Could a desktop PC last forever?

Desktop PCs are highly accessible and constructed using separate components, so can a PC last forever in the right hands?

Broadband advertising more accurate than ever, but still needs improvement

How accurate is broadband advertising? Reassuringly, the answer is far more than it used to be.

What is HTTPS, and why does it matter?

What is HTTPS? Only the most secure form of web content distribution, and one which every website should adhere to nowadays

Tips for freeing up hard drive space

Freeing up hard drive space helps maintain your computer’s functionality, and it doesn’t require a computing degree

How the online experience varies around the world

Internet access overseas isn’t always as fast, dependable or trustworthy as the UK’s online infrastructure.

Help! Why won’t my computer connect to the internet?

If your computer won't connect to the internet, there are plenty of things you can try before contacting your ISP’s technical support team.

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Neil Cumins

Freely is the latest evolution in live online streaming

How to keep working when your broadband fails