Facebook, a website which is less than a decade old, now has over a billion users. Those users share a lot of information about their lives. Where they live, who they associate with, what they like – and more. That’s a lot of information in the hands of one company, and it has repeatedly earned the attention of the media for potential security issues. That hasn’t stopped anyone from using Facebook, however.

Modern smartphones and tablets have big, beautiful displays. They look great when they come out of the box but they leave a device more vulnerable to both major and minor damage. A drop can shatter the display, though that’s rare. Small scratches are a more common problem. So how do you protect your device from scratches? And do those dang screen protectors really work?

What about resolutions that geeks in particular should consider? Tech enthusiasts tend to have different priorities than other people – watching less TV, for example, may not be applicable if you’ve already replaced it with YouTube and video games. Here are five resolution ideas that even the most hardcore geek should consider.

Mech games were rare in the latter half of the last decade, but now there are two new options for enthusiasts of big stompy robots. Both of them are now in open beta and both are free-to-play. Blowing stuff up is just a matter of creating an account and downloading the client. But which is the best? Two mech games have entered, but only one can be the victor.

File compression is an important and common task users frequently ask of their computers. Reducing a file’s size makes it easier to email or place on a flash drive. It also reduces bandwidth usage and the time required to move a file between PCs. There are several popular ways to compress a file, but which is the best?

Nintendo’s new console is now available across the globe and gamers are weighing in. Most impressions are based of game selection, graphics and the new controller. Gamers, like everyone else, prefer to pay less and get more. It can be hard to justify the new console when approaching it from the perspective of graphics and games. Most Wii U games are a port, which means they can be played on hardware that’s less expensive.

One of the best ways to reduce the cost of upgrading your PC is to simply re-use the components which don’t need to be upgraded. Yea, you’ll have to replace the graphics card or processor. But other parts can be salvaged. An old power supply is often on the list of potentially reusable components. Many geeks worry, however, about the reliability of the old unit. Will it have the power required? Can it be trusted to last? Here’s how to find out.

Perhaps you haven’t heard, but there is this nifty website called Kickstarter where people can pledge to support projects that they’re interested in. Little things – like Android game consoles, eInk watches, and high-budget video games. Each Kickstarter is its own drama representing the hopes and dreams of at least one person. Will it succeed? Will it fail? Will it become a media sensation?

Making the move to upgrade your PC is exciting for any geek. There’s almost always something bigger or faster available – if only you spend another fifty bucks. This can lead to a slow budget creep that sneaks up to you and then, BAM! You’re spending a lot more than wanted. That doesn’t have to happen. Here are five ways to keep money in your wallet instead of your PC.

Microsoft’s new operating system has taken a radically new approach to the user interface. It’’s sleek, it’s simple – and it’s controversial. Some software developers are already learning from what Microsoft has done and packaging it into their own software. Bitdefender’s Windows 8 Security is an excellent example. It performs the same function as previous versions of software, and is just as effective. But it is also attractive, friendly and extremely easy to approach.

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Minecraft, the block-based sensation that took gaming by storm, is now well over three years old. It’s almost hard to believe it’s been that long since the first alpha was posted – and it’s equally hard to believe how far the game has come. The small indie title has spawned a successful company has transformed from a simple block-based building tool into a game with multiple modes that works on multiple platforms.

If you’ve purchased a Wii U, or plan to do so this holiday season, you’re far from alone. The console sold over 400,000 in its first week making it one of the most successful launches in history. One area of concern is storage. The Wii U Basic offers just 8GB of long-term memory and the Deluxe ups that to a still-measly 32GB. That’s not much space for users who want to download games from Nintendo’s online store. Fortunately there are some ways to give the console extra space.

Steam wants to be in your living room. To make this happen, the service has officially released a new interface mode known as “Big Picture.” Similar in appearance and function to Windows Media Center, Big Picture is built to be used with a game controller on a 720p or 1080p HDTV. The entire interface has been revised to make Steam features accessible without a keyboard or mouse. This feature was previously available to users who participate in Steam’s beta but it is now available to everyone. It is acquired automatically as part of the latest Steam update and can be launched by clicking the new “Big Picture” icon in the upper right corner of the client.

I’m a PC gamer. That’s not to say I don’t own consoles, of course, but my favorite and preferred platform is the PC. Games almost always look better and/or run smoother on a computer than they do on their console counterparts. They’re also less expensive. That’s not to say PC gaming is without issues. Many players don’t like it because it forces the user to sit at a cramped desk rather than lounging on a couch.