If you have an iPhone or an iPod Touch, you’ve no doubt downloaded the “lite” or free versions of several different games available in Apple’s app store. But what about spending a few bucks for a couple full-version apps? Here are five that are guaranteed to give you your money’s worth: 1. Plants vs. Zombies ($2.99): players must set up a series of plants to protect their house from the undead as the walk, run, and pole-vault across the lawn…. Read more

A soft breeze blows across your skin as you head to the mailbox. It’s a new month and you feel great until you open the mailbox. A couple magazines, a letter from mom and credit card bills. Bank statements. Utility balances. If you dread this monthly ritual—and the balance in your checking account— take a look at Mint, a money free money management tool owned by the Intuit, the company that makes Quicken.

When I first started going to CSUN more than two years ago, students had to meet in person at least once to their complete group projects. At the time, I was commuting from, 57 miles, from Lancaster to campus. Fortunately, there are ways around having to meet in person. Students who need to work group projects can do so remotely from their desktops at home or on their laptops at Starbucks. Just use one of these applications: 1. Google Apps:… Read more

Microsoft Word and notebooks are two staples for students pursuing their degrees in higher education. Two problems: 1. The notebooks weigh two pounds too much for your walk from the Arbor Grill to Manzanita Hall. 2. Microsoft Word, with its thousands of features you never use, is almost as cumbersome. Time to ditch both for a new way of taking notes. Evernote is an free note-taking tool that stores data in what tech-geeks call “the cloud.” Notes can be typed… Read more

Some access news by visiting a Web site. Others crash on the couch, consuming 30 second snippets crafted for them by one or two news sources (CNN, Fox News). However, this method of news consumption can skew a reader or viewers perception of the world. There’s a more efficient way to browse the news by consuming it from a variety of sources within the time it takes to watch a one-hour broadcast. It’s called Really Simple Syndication (RSS). Undoubtedly, your… Read more

With less than 10 days until spring break, students are all asking their friends the same question: “Where will you be?” When the flash mobs form and the party starts you don’t want to be the last one to hear about it. Your solution: Foursquare. Like other location-based services (LBS), Foursquare uses your phone’s GPS to find your position. Distinguishing itself from normal a standard LBS meant to get from one location to another, Foursquare lets you “check-in” at different… Read more

Food served out of the back of a truck isn’t new, but leave it to Los Angeles to make what would otherwise be called a “roach-coach” into something trendy. That said, there are a number of food trucks roaming the L.A. area that use Twitter to tell fan foodies where they are serving meals. If you’re new to L.A. or just haven’t had the chance to try the cat and mouse game, here are five must-follows and their fan-favorites: 1…. Read more

Viruses and trojans, malware and bloatware. Let’s face it, the Internet is more dangerous and contagious than Van Wilder’s bedroom. Your computer, if it’s a PC, likely came with some trial-version of a mainstream anti-virus solution such as Norton Internet Security or McAfee Internet Security. Here’s the problem: those trials are going to expire and ask you to plant a few more dollars in that graveyard called your computer. Never fear, here are four free applications that will make your… Read more

New technology programs could be implemented at CSUN to reduce costs and increase efficiency. CSUN must look to the future and compare it to the present to meet the campus’ projected student growth, said Harry Hellenbrand, provost and vice president for academic affairs at a meeting meant to showcase new technology that will be used by CSUN administration, faculty and students. “The state will tell us we need to grow again, but without the bonding we need for new buildings,… Read more