Mozilla has updated its free open source Firefox browser to version 3.6, which it claims is the fastest yet in processing JavaScript. According to Mozilla, the new TraceMonkey JavaScript engine brings superfast performance to Firefox 3.6, which is three times faster than Firefox 3 and 20% faster than 3.5. Firefox 3.6 also brings with it new features and additional support for the latest HTML 5 specification, including open video and audio.

But in terms of new features, we think it's worth upgrading for these simple reasons:

1: Private Browsing

Just like the brilliant Google Chrome, Firefox finally inlcudes a private browsing mode (now located in the Tools menu), and enables you to surf anonymously.

2: Better Plugins ... read more »

Creating a document purely for your own enjoyment isn’t a common practice – usually it’s a way to communicate information with someone else. In the previous section we looked at how to import and export files, but Google Docs enables you to begin sharing your data long before you’ve even finished it.
Although it’s more usual that you would finish a document before wanting someone else to see it, in many cases it can be easier to collaborate with colleagues on a document. If you’ve ever done this before, you may be familiar with the ping-pong of emails containing file attachments. What starts out being seemingly simple often results in a creakingly full inbox, inconsistencies between versions and a headache working out where bits have been changed and where it all went wrong. ... read more »

Now you can upload just about any file to Google Docs, not just Office documents. So if you need somewhere online to dump your digital photos or music files you can. With huge amounts of storage on Google accounts there's never been a better time to start using Google Docs, we'll have more on some of Google Docs' hidden features in a special series of online tutorials coming soon - watch this space.

Smart ideas for Windows
The PCAnswers team show you how to work faster with your PC. With this handy collection of shortcuts, tips, tricks and tweaks, you're decrease the amount of time you spend trauling through menus and the reaction time of your PC.

Covering all three latest incarnation of Windows (Windows XP, Vista and 7) and Microsoft Office, they're something for everyone. You'll be speeding through regular tasks and applications in no time at all.

Windows Media Center explained
We've all heard of Windows Media Player, well Windows Media Center is it's big brother. Learn how to use the mammoth media suite to watch videos, listen to your music, record TV and stream video around your home.

Fix your damaged photographs
Old photos can degrade dramatically, black and white photos crack and turn yellow and early colour photographs discolour, dramatically changing your photos. Learn how to repair these issues and more with Christian Hall's indepth guide.

Create a home video DVD
Tanya Combrinck shows you how to create a custom DVD, how to set up menus and chapters and finally how to burn it out using the software on this issue's Movie Toolkit Video Disc.

If you've got a bit of spare time over the Christmas and New Year break, why not give your PC a refresh by reinstalling Windows? If it sounds like too much of a hassle, try following the easy guide below to learn how to reinstall your copy of Windows including all the latest updates so it takes no longer than about 30 minutes! One of PC Answer's specialties over the years has been showing you how to declutter Windows. Back in the days of Windows 98, we showed you how to remove Internet Explorer, and other applications, using 98lite. Since then we've covered nLite, which enables you to customise your Windows XP install and now, there is vLite, for Windows Vista. Vlite follows in the footsteps of nLite, and in fact looks, feels and operates in a very similar manner, and you can even slipstream Service Packs into the bargain. ... read more »

If you dual boot with another version of Windows or Linux you may find that at some point the boot loader becomes corrupt and causes you problems. Thankfully, there is an easy fix, even if it's Linux's GRUB loader that has caused the problem and interrupts your Windows boot. Follow these simple steps to fix your Master Boot Record (MBR) through a clever console command: ... read more »

Windows 7 supertips
Sink your teeth into the latest incarnation of Windows with the help of our comprehensive collection of Windows 7 tips and tricks. Learn how to migrate to and enhance Windows 7, how to search more effectively and how to unlock the full potential of the monstrous new operating system that's taken the world by storm.

Excel Explained!
It may not be as exciting as building a new PC or editing a photograph, but spreadsheets are common place among PC users, be it for home finances or managing statistic data. When it comes to juggling data and figures, Excel doesn't lose it's balance.

Take a tour through all the key features of Excel 2007 and discover new and interesting ways of managing and displaying data. With 16 pages of everything you need to know about the spreadsheet application, you'll be a pro in no time.

We solve your problems
Fix 23 common problems submitted by you, from copying data from the internet into excel documents correctly to display issues caused by an overheating graphics card.

Some keyboard features look great as they're winking out of the packaging, but turn out to be an unexpected source of pain in real life. Here are some of the top design flaws to avoid when buying a keyboard. ... read more »