About Dave Parrack
Dave Parrack is a Deputy Editor at MUO and also oversees the site's coverage of current events. He has been writing about technology since 2007, and with MakeUseOf since 2011.
He has previously written for various sites, including Blorge, WebTVWire, and New Atlas.
Dave uses ChromeOS and Android, but isn't a Google fanboy. He thinks AI will change the world sooner than people think, for good or for bad. He has a particular interest in new and emerging technology.
Why Websites With Dark Backgrounds Completely Suck [Opinion]
You're reading MakeUseOf right now, a website which primarily uses dark text on a light background. Which is as it should be. That bar across the top with light text on a dark background, and the section at the bottom which hardly anyone reads, are fine because they're just small parts of the site. Any more and I would have to give my bosses advice on how to improve the look and feel of the site as a whole.
How To Watch TV On The Web With BBC iPlayer [Mainly UK Only]
The Internet is becoming an increasingly important source for content of all media. There are legal and not-so-legal ways of listening to music, watching television and movies, playing games, and obtaining software. All via a simple broadband connection. You don't even need a computer these days thanks to the range of devices which you can hook up to the Web in order to transform them from dumb to smart.
10 Websites Where Cool Computer Geeks Reside
Geeks were once ridiculed and reviled. Or perhaps that was just at my school. Either way, as first computers hit the mainstream, and then the Internet entered into our lives in a big way, geeks became the people to know. In fact, they started being considered cool. The Internet is now awash with places for these geeks to hang out, and they do so in increasing numbers.
Will Windows 8 Succeed Or Fail? [Opinion]
Microsoft is trying to make Windows 8 be all things to all people. Or at least all operating systems to all devices. A risky strategy that has rarely, if ever, worked. This is Microsoft reaching for the future with one hand, while trying to drag the old-school stylings of its Windows operating system from the past along for the ride. Can this possibly work? Is Microsoft doing enough to catch up? Or is it doing too much?
Annoy Everyone You Know With Non-Stop Nyan Cat!
Nyan Cat is one of those memes that the more you try to avoid it, the more likely you are to encounter it. The solution is, of course, to embrace the meme and embrace the cat. That way you'll get it out of your system and when Nyan Cat next crops up as you trawl your way around the InterWebs you won't give two Nyan Cats about it.
Klout - Networking To Increase Your Online "Influence" Score
I wasn't a fan of Klout when I first heard about it. Even after I signed up and actively started to delve through what Klout is and does, I was underwhelmed. Actually, I'd go as far as to say I hated Klout and all it stood for. And hate is a very strong word that I use sparingly in my life. However, months later, I find myself drawn in to using (or at least checking) Klout on a regular basis.
Discover New Music For Free With The New & Improved Spotify Radio
Spotify continues to go from strength-to-strength. After becoming a growing presence in Europe over the course of several years, it emigrated across the Atlantic to embrace the U.S. The ultimate goal is to span the globe, and while doing so, founder Daniel Ek and his team of developers are trying to endlessly improve the service to ensure it stays ahead of the competition.
Make Points Stick With PointerStick For Presentations
The problem with the cursor is it's so tiny that it just doesn't do the job required of it in certain situations. Think of times when you need to show an individual or group something on your laptop or monitor. Like a formal presentation at work or an informal presentation at home. Thankfully there is a free tool which fills this void and is available for download.
Why More People Would Use Mac If It Cost The Same As Windows [Opinion]
I'm writing this on a Windows PC for one very good reason - Macs are too damn expensive. If only Apple was to lower the price of its full range of Mac computers then everyone could own one. Hell, it could even introduce a new entry-level base model of Mac to bring down the cost of owning a Mac, smashing the price-induced barrier to ownership in the process.
5 Fantastic Resources on the Web for Ukulele Players
Many people will have a new (or used) ukulele sitting in their house, either received as a gift or bought by themselves. As a proud new owner of a ukulele myself, I straight away headed online to find the best ukulele resources for new owners. Thankfully there are some great destinations on the Web to help new and experienced uke players alike.
Is Apple's Downward Spiral Inevitable Without Jobs?
All technology companies experience peaks and troughs. Products come and go, execs get up and leave, consumer tastes change. Just look at RiM and the fortunes of the BlackBerry platform for proof. Apple is just another company, despite the faith shown by the true believers. Which means its fate is one of doom and gloom.
The Top 10 Video Game Movies Of All Time
Media crossovers can often be highly successful. Books such as the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Forrest Gump, and It's A Wonderful Life have found new audiences after being translated into movies. But video games don't seem to be able to make the transition quite as well. In fact, most video game movie adaptations suck. That's just a fact.