California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo
Consumer Technology
Internet Security
Smart Home Technology
Software and Applications
Microsoft Windows and Office
Apple and Android Smartphones
S.E. Slack is a freelance technology writer with more than 30 years' experience writing for consumer and business publications. She specializes in educating consumers on safely and easily using the everyday technology they own, from smartphones and PCs to websites and apps.
Slack has written thousands of articles for various publications and sites (including Microsoft At Work and IBM developerWorks) and provided voice-training on software for companies such as ClipTraining.com. She also has written or contributed to more than a dozen books, including titles such as CNET's Do-It-Yourself Digital Home Office Projects: 24 Cool Things You Didn't Know You Could Do!; PC Magazine's Office 2007 Solutions; and PowerPoint Graphics and Animations Made Easy.
Slack is the Strategy Director for Lifewire.com and manages all evergreen content for the site. Previously, she held positions as the newsletter editor for Microsoft's BizSpark program and as the communications lead for IBM's global deployment of Siebel.
My Gear
I use four monitors at home along with my Windows 10 PC: 2 Viewsonics, 1 Dell and 1 Insignia television monitor. I've got a Logitech Pro webcam and Cowin wireless headphones, plus a Trendnet USB hub to plug in my Android phone and various peripherals.
I use ergonomic tools wherever I can, such as my well-loved Microsoft natural ergonomic split keyboard and an ergonomic Microsoft mouse. I've got a virtual sandbox on a separate Windows 10 system that I use to test software before writing about it. I primarily use a Chrome browser but occasionally work with Edge; both Google GSuite and an Microsoft 365 subscription help me stay organized from a software perspective.
My office lights and computers are set up for voice commands through an Amazon Echo Dot, which is also connected to a Bose Soundlink Mini bluetooth speaker for tunes. I travel with a Dell laptop, a second pair of Cowin wireless headphones (pink!), a Chromecast for mirroring my laptop to hotel televisions, and a USB C Power Bank RAVPower 20100 Portable Charger (primarily so I can watch Hulu on my Samsung Note 9 while hanging out in airports).
I have four additional Echo Dots and two 2nd generation Echos; I'm a huge fan of smart homes and have connected fans, stereos, lights and other items to take advantage of voice technology. Streaming movies and music is second-nature now that I've cut the cord; I use Amazon Prime Music and Spotify for my tunes and watch movies and television shows on Hulu, Netflix, and a host of other apps on my Samsung TV via a Fire TV stick. I've just started learning how to use Android Auto in my car, too. Wish me luck!
Slack obtained her degree at California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo in California. She holds a BA in English Literature.
I write for Lifewire because I am passionate about helping people learn how to make their lives easier through the technology they use daily.
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