Stay tuned, true believers, as we coalesce and distill the collective knowledge of the ages into coherent and eminently useful recommendations for those of you looking to spend a little bit of that hard earned cash!  Browse through our selections below for reviews, technical information, and more, or just grab a look at our current Recommended Systems page where we make it nice and easy to pick top-notch hardware.  Our buying guides cut through the myriad reviews out there and tell ya where it's at.

How the 'Net works: an introduction to peering and transit

Network neutrality is more than just regulatory dilemma; the way that these issues are decided will have a major impact on the costs and nature of connectivity in the enterprise. Ars takes a look at the basic economics of how the Internet currently works.

September 02, 2008 - 11:11AM CT - by Rudolph van der Berg

Ars Technica Guide to Virtualization: Part I

Part I of the Ars Technica Guide to Virtualization provides an introduction to basic virtualization concepts, terms, and techniques.

August 03, 2008 - 11:26PM CT - by Jon Stokes

Ars System Guide: Summer Gaming Edition

The Ars Summer Gaming Guide helps you the heat by giving you an excuse to stay inside, basked in the cool glow of the LCD as you blast your way through one opponent after another.

July 20, 2008 - 11:45PM CT - by Brian Won

Christmas in July: the best console games to beat the heat

Summer is a time to head outdoors and enjoy the good weather, but that's not to say you should forgo gaming altogether. We've got some great picks for your summer gaming time.

July 01, 2008 - 11:35PM CT - by Ben Kuchera, Frank Caron

Ars Technica System Guide: May 2008 Edition

As May comes to a close and summer rapidly approaches, we bring you the latest updates to our ever-popular System Guide.

May 26, 2008 - 11:53PM CT - by Brian Won

The ABCs of securing your wireless network

Sometimes you don't need to know everything about wireless to secure a home or home-office network; you only need to know what's important.

April 29, 2008 - 11:46PM CT - by Joel Hruska

Ars System Guide: HTPC edition

The Ars Technica System Guide returns with a focus on home theater PCs. We've got two options for you: an all-in-one or a lightweight front end combined with a heavyweight back end.

April 27, 2008 - 11:52PM CT - by Brian Won

Five important security apps for Linux, Mac OS X and Windows

A little bit of common sense goes a long way when it comes to keeping your system safe and locked down. But some of us have friends, family, and coworkers that need a little bit more. Ars has five freeware or shareware security apps for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux that will go a long way towards keeping your systems secure.

April 24, 2008 - 10:55PM CT - by Ars Staff

Between black and white: the state of grayware on the PC

Grayware claims to offer a useful service, but unwanted software tags along for the ride. We take a look at the top offenders.

April 23, 2008 - 11:55PM CT - by Jeremy Reimer

Keeping your Mac locked down: a Mac OS X security primer

Security isn't just for Windows users. Those running Mac OS X need to be concerned about making sure their computers are secure. Ars offers this handy guide to keeping your Mac locked down tight.

April 16, 2008 - 11:05PM CT - by Erik Kennedy

Ars System Guide: Spring forward and build a new, badass rig

Spring is finally upon us, so it's time for a new System Guide. In this edition, we roll out the awe-inspiring God Box, the sweet spot that is the Hot Rod, and the wallet-friendly Budget box.

March 23, 2008 - 07:40PM CT - by Brian Won

Ars System Guide special: it's easy being green

Ars goes in a new direction in this month's System Guide as we offer suggestions on building a green, low-power PC. We've got two options, one aimed at reasonable performance and one aimed at maximum energy savings.

February 24, 2008 - 11:48PM CT - by Brian Won

Ars System Guide: January 2008 edition

Ars Technica's System Guide makes its 2008 debut. If you're thinking about building a new PC or upgrading the one you've got, this is the place to start.

January 22, 2008 - 01:20AM CT - by Brian Won

Ars Technica's 2007 last-minute holiday gift guide

With the holidays fast approaching, Ars has some last-minute gift ideas for geeks in need of stocking stuffers. Easy to find and generally inexpensive gifts for geeks inside.

December 18, 2007 - 06:38AM CT - by Nate Anderson

Ars Technica 2007 hardware gift guide

Stumped for gift ideas for the geek in your life (or even yourself)? Ars steps up to the plate with our hardware gift guide, chock full of video cards, CPUs, cases, motherboards, and more.

December 10, 2007 - 11:11PM CT - by Joel Hruska

Ars Technica 2007 Gaming Gift Guide

This is it: the gaming hardware and software that will make your holiday complete. The Ars Technica 2007 Gaming Gift Guide is your home for the best consoles, games, and accessories this holiday season.

December 02, 2007 - 11:07PM CT - by Ben Kuchera, Frank Caron, Johnathan Neuls

Ars Technica 2007 holiday gift guide

No matter which holiday you are preparing to celebrate, chances are you still have some shopping left to do. Ars Technica is here to help with the first installment of its annual holiday gift guide!

November 25, 2007 - 10:54PM CT - by Ars Staff

Ho-Ho-Holiday System Guide: DIY for the holidays

It's all here: the Budget box, the Hot Rod, and the God Box. Our final system guide for 2007, we spec out three levels of build-it-yourself goodness, aimed at different needs and expectations. It's the most wonderful time... to build a new badass PC.

November 19, 2007 - 11:18PM CT - by Brian Won

Ars System Guide: August 2007

Is your PC looking old and busted? Build yourself some new hotness with the help of this month's Ars System Guide.

August 26, 2007 - 10:34PM CT - by Brian Won

Ars System Guide: Gaming Box

The Ars System Guide returns, this time with a focus on gaming. We've got two options for do-it-yourselfers: one for those on a budget, and another for those interested in living on the bleeding edge.

July 29, 2007 - 04:17PM CT - by Brian Won