When using a public wi-fi network in an Internet café or coffee house, it is up to you to secure your transmissions against prying eyes. Only using https secure connections is one way of stopping those around you from seeing your transmissions. For more cyber café security tips, read Ask Leo, and PC Magazine.

Wikipedia is a collaboratively-edited encyclopedia, but only a small percentage of visitors ever contribute by editing an article. To learn how, start with this overview from Gina Trapani or the official Wikipedia Tutorial And if you think that the tutorial itself needs improvement, feel free to jump in and add your own two cents.

Cable clutter is the bane of the modern desk. This tip from the Closet Entrepreneur offers instruction on how to use a simple daisy chain (or chain sinnet) to tame stray cables and power cords. The article includes a video that shows a slightly different method for long extension cords.

Free Wi-Fi hotspots can usually be found at public libraries, Barnes & Noble and McDonald’s. But there is no reason to limit yourself to these well-known spots. In her “Definitive Guide to Finding Free Wi-Fi” Gina Trapini lists free tools for Windows, Mac and smartphones for finding public hotspots wherever you may roam.

There are many Internet speed tests that will measure your download and upload speeds. Speedtest.net, CNET Bandwidth Meter Speed Test and PC Pitstop are a few. But before using them, you need to understand terms such as “k”, “m”, “bits” and “bytes.” For that, I recommend reading Ask-Leo.

Looking for a simple way to occasionally share files between your computer at home and one at work? Google Desktop 3 has an optional “Search Across Computers” feature that may be just what you need. Although some have raised privacy concerns, Developer Shed at Search Engine News concludes it is a useful tool that can be controlled . Learn more at Search Engine News and at Google Desktop.

Securing a wireless home network consists of several steps. First change the default password (which you can find online at http://www.routerpasswords.com/ ), then change the router’s default name, then add encryption. For a step-by-step illustrated guide, read CNET’s How to Secure Your Home Network.

With the introduction of music networking appliances, digital music collections are moving beyond the home computer, onto the home stereo system. Here are just some of the products in this new category: Apple’s Airport Express for iPod owners, a variety of devices that work with RealPlayer’s Rhapsody music service and SoundBlaster’s Wireless Music.

Are you installing a home network this holiday season? Here are three key definitions to get you started. A hub is a simple, unintelligent device that sends incoming signals out to ports. A switch is more selective, and only sends incoming traffic to specific ports. A router is the most intelligent, and can be programmed to route signals in very specific ways. For more home networking help see Home PC Network (
http://www.homepcnetwork.com/ ) and Home Net Help ( http://www.homenethelp.com/ ).

Short for “Wi-reless Fi-delity,” Wi-Fi is a brand name for a wireless network that uses radio signals. Wi-Fi can be used to distribute Internet access throughout a small area such as a house or a caf�, and will soon be used to connect household gadgets such as television sets and DVD players. To learn more, read CNET.com: What You Need to Know About Wireless or Wi-Fi Planet: Wi-Fi Shopping 101 .