Between the success of Christina Perri's acclaimed 2011 debut album "Lovestrong" and the acclaimed singer/songwriter's work on her sophomore album "Head or Heart," she knew she had two choices: she could either write for an audience or write for herself. Fortunately for fans, the top-selling "Jar of Hearts" and "A Thousand Years" singer and iTunes' "Breakthrough Pop Artist of 2011," chose the latter and graced us with a 13-track album that is even more beautiful than her first and featuring Top 20 hit, "Human." Her voice is angelic and the subject matter, raw and relatable. The album, which dropped April 1st, precedes Perri's North American tour, which kicked off April 4 in Denver. I chatted with Perri just days before she embarked on her two-month trek about the inspiration behind her emo material, going from married to single, hanging backstage with rock stars at 17, and her favorite apps.

On Head or Heart, Christina Perri learns to find the balance between the two.

You're such a raw, emotional songwriter. Where does the material come from? I don't know. The first time I ever wrote a song, was after I had fallen in love for the first time, at 15. I was so emo and couldn't handle it and have really not done anything ... [Read more]

Microsoft no longer supports Windows XP, an OS still used by approximately 20-25% of Windows customers. That means one in four PC users must upgrade to a more secure, supported version of Windows or risk their un-updated, un-patched version of Windows XP catching a virus or other Internet bug. As a rule of thumb, we always recommend upgrading your OS and then updating it as often as possible to protect your system. If you're switching to a new OS, read how to migrate easily from Windows XP. However, if you're a die-hard who wants to keep a Windows XP machine, here are five tips for keeping it running as safely and smoothly as possible until you upgrade.

1. Use updated browsers -- no more Internet Explorer

The latest version of Internet Explorer for Windows XP is IE 8, an incredibly outdated browser. For security, it's better to use third-party browsers like Chrome, Firefox, or Opera. All have promised to continue Windows XP support for at least another year.

While you're installing a better browser, turn up your browser security. Add-ons and extensions that disable JavaScript can prevent websites from running malicious scripts. ... [Read more]

As of today, Microsoft has stopped support for Windows XP. To keep your system up-to-date and safe, Windows XP users should move to Windows 7 or Windows 8 (and for those who insist on clinging to their old OS, see our tips for making Windows XP more secure). To help you through the pains of migration, we've compiled apps and tips for transitioning to either Windows 7 or 8. If you're considering upgrading to Vista...don't.

File Transfer

Microsoft Easy Transfer

Microsoft has its own transfer manager to help migrate files, pictures, and basic settings to Windows 7. It's a basic tool that lets you migrate settings by profile and produces a detailed report of everything moved to your new PC.

Laplink PCmover Express

Microsoft is also partnering with Laplink to offer free data transfer from Windows XP to any newer Windows OS. PCmover Express connects to the Internet and walks you through the process step by step. It doesn't impact any personal settings on your new PC... [Read more]