We're pretty well-known for our how-tos here at Lifehacker, but from time to time we also like to break down complicated subjects and just explain how things work?and maybe offer a little info on how to use that information. Here are our best explainers from 2012.
How Do I Torrent Safely Now That Demonoid Is Down?
Dear Lifehacker,
My favorite private BitTorrent tracker, Demonoid, has apparently gone down for good. I was so dependent on it for its quality, security from viruses, and protection from prying eyes. More ?
10 Stubborn Body Myths That Just Won't Die, Debunked by Science
Hair grows back thicker when you shave it! Reading in dim light turns you blind! Peeing on a jellyfish sting will soothe the pain! The way our bodies work is a bit of a mystery, and our desire to unlock its secrets has led to a vast amount of misinformation. More ?
Why You Should Start Using a VPN (and How to Choose the Best One for Your Needs)
You may know what a VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is; you probably don't use one. You really should be using a VPN, and even if you don't think so now, at some point in the future you may consider it as important as your internet connection. More ?
All About PIPA and SOPA, the Bills That Want to Censor Your Internet
The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect IP Act (PIPA) are two bills that sound like they have a mildly positive aim but, in reality, have serious potential to negatively change the internet as we know it. More ?
Everyone's Trying to Track What You Do on the Web: Here's How to Stop Them
It's no secret that there's big money to be made in violating your privacy. Companies will pay big bucks to learn more about you, and service providers on the web are eager to get their hands on as much information about you as possible. More ?
10 Stubborn Exercise Myths that Won't Die, Debunked by Science
"No pain, no gain!" "You'll never bulk up without supplements." "Crunches are the key to six-pack abs!" It seems there are more questions and half-truths in the market about healthy exercise than there are clear, definitive facts-but the exercise industry is a multi-billion dollar business... More ?
What Are Magnet Links, and How Do I Use Them to Download Torrents?
Soon, popular torrent site The Pirate Bay will no longer host torrent files. Instead, it will only offer magnet links. Magnet what now? You may have seen the term "magnet link" before, but if you haven't used one, here's the lowdown on what this change means for you as a BitTorrent user. More ?
Nine Stubborn Brain Myths That Just Won't Die, Debunked by Science
Brain games will make you smarter! The internet is making you dumber! Alcohol is killing your brain cells! The brain is a mystery we've been trying to solve for ages, and the desire to unlock its secrets has led to vast amounts of misinformation. More ?
Is Usenet Safer than BitTorrent?
Dear Lifehacker,
I've been downloading torrents for a long time and people keep telling me about how great Usenet is, but is it actually safer than BitTorrent downloads? More ?
Brainwashing Techniques You Encounter Every Day (and How to Avoid Them)
While it's pretty unlikely that you're a target of deliberate brainwashing, it is likely that you're subject to some of the common techniques associated with the less-than-ethical practice. More ?
Is it Bad to Shut Down My Computer Regularly or Leave It On All the Time?
Dear Lifehacker, I've heard it's bad to shut down your computer every night. Is it really better to leave it on all the time? I have a high-end machine and want to take care of it but I don't know the best way to do that. More ?
Is There Anything Awesome I Can Do with All These Unused Ports on My TV?
Dear Lifehacker, The back of my television is a barren wasteland. I have one HDMI port in use and, beyond that, nothing else. I don't know what half of these other ports even do (e.g. More ?
Five Things You Buy That Don't Actually Work The Way You Think
We've learned to be skeptical of product packaging and not always trust the claims it makes, but our hopefulness sometimes gets the best of us. Here are five products you've likely used, or maybe even purchase regularly, that don't yield the results you may expect. More ?
The Complete Guide to Solid-State Drives
Adding a solid-state drive (SSD) to your computer is simply the best upgrade at your disposal, capable of speeding up your computer in ways you hadn't thought possible. More ?
Why Do I Have to Keep Resetting My Router, and How Can I Fix It?
Dear Lifehacker,
My router sucks. My connection goes wonky once every few days, and I have to unplug the router and reboot it (I believe this is called a hard reset) to fix the problem. More ?
Is it Okay to Use an HDTV as a Computer Monitor?
Dear Lifehacker,
I've been debating between buying a new computer monitor or an HDTV to use with my PC. Since large monitors (say about 27 inches) are close to the prices of a decent sized HDTV (say 32 inches or smaller) which would you go with? More ?
Which Alcoholic Drinks Are "Healthiest"?
Dear Lifehacker,
I like to drink socially. I also like being healthy. Yes, I know these two things are not 100% aligned, but that's between me and my god. More ?
How You're Breaking the Law Every Day (and What You Can Do About It)
You share music, rip DVDs, make Hitler whine about your first world problems, and much more in the course of your regular online activities-and more often than not, you do these things without giving a thought to the fact that you're actually breaking the law. More ?
Are Screen Protectors Necessary Anymore?
Dear Lifehacker,
Now that most phones have scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass, do I really need a screen protector? Do they offer any additional protection from scratches? More ?
What's All the Fuss About Evernote? Should I Be Using It?
Dear Lifehacker,
It seems like everyone is always raving about Evernote, but I don't really understand its appeal. Isn't it just a notes app that other apps do better or simpler? More ?
Why Does Everyone Hate Windows 8? Should I Upgrade?
Dear Lifehacker,
Windows 8 is out, and it's all anyone's talking about-except everyone just keeps telling me how much it sucks and how I shouldn't upgrade. More ?
There you have it. Hopefully you feel a little more educated about the myriad of topics we covered this year, but if you're thirsty for more knowledge, be sure to check out our most popular explainers of 2011 and 2010.
Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/Y-SPeLmXfZY/the-most-popular-explainers-of-2012
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