Posted 11/27/08 at 12:00:00 PM by Alex Castle

It’s that time of year again, Max PC readers. It’s time for stuffing ourselves, watching football, and—if "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" has taught us anything— it’s time to give thanks. As tech fans, we take a lot for granted, so we felt like taking a step back and examining all the things that are making a nerd’s life better right now.

Read on to check out our list of 17 things techies should be thankful for, then hit the comments and let us know what we missed.

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Posted 11/17/08 at 02:05:44 PM by Paul Lilly

It's that time of year again when scorching hot deals start to scatter the web in anticipation of Black Friday, one of the biggest online shopping days of the year. Despite still being almost two weeks away, several retailers have already posted Black Friday ads, giving bargain hunters a head start. But lest the hunter becomes the hunted, buyers should take caution not to fall prey to identity thieves.

According to the FTC, consumers were stung for more than $1.2 billion in losses last year as a result of identity theft and fraud. Consumers, who are already stretched thin amid a struggling economy, should be extra cautious this shopping season.

"While the holiday season is surely a time for cheer and celebration, it is also a time when identity thieves are waiting for the perfect opportunity to pounce on unsuspecting consumers," said LifeLock CEO Todd Davis. "Whether it takes place at shopping malls or online, identity theft can increase over the holidays."

Most, if not all of LifeLock's recommended safety precautions will rank as obvious to seasoned shoppers and the tech savvy alike, but they're worth brushing up on before going on that holiday spending spree.

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