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CNET Help
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Reviewed By: Robert Irvine

This review updated: 03/02/2005
Featured in magazine:
Issue 102
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Tucked away in the sprawling mass known as CNET is Help.com a thriving online community dealing with virtually every product problem you can think of. For the troubled gadget owner there are forums devoted exclusively to different types of device.

What we liked:
CNET accomplishes the rare web feat of packing a huge amount of information into an easy-to-navigate interface. This means that despite the dozens of help forums on offer, you can quickly find the one relevant to you and use the powerful, accurate search facility to narrow down the long list of threads. Gadgets with their own boards include handhelds (PDAs and GPS units), MP3 players, digital cameras and mobile phones, with an eclectic range of models covered within each. The popularity of the site means that questions and answers come thick and fast, so it's very likely your problem will have been mentioned - and hopefully solved - before. Fortunately, an efficient team of moderators keeps the discussions on topic and removes time-wasting or abusive posts. Sample threads when we visited included "How do I increase the memory capacity of my MP3 player?" (Answer: use WMA rather than MP3 files) and "Help me with my first digital camera. Please!"

Outside of the forums, further help comes in the form of a weekly newsletter packed with technology tips and Q&A features from the site's resident experts. There are also free online courses on such subjects as taking better shots with your digital camera and setting up a wireless home office.

What we didn't like:
The forum-based nature of the CNET help community doesn't leave much room for visual assistance with gadgets. Also, as certain products have different names in the US, where the site is based, this can occasionally lead to confusion.

Review date: 03/02/2005

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