A look back at ZDNet's most popular posts in 2012

This year was dominated by the slow-down of the PC market, thanks to the impending release of Windows 8, which was finally launched on October 26; along with a bevy of Apple releases, pushing the traditional PC hardware makers away for the post-PC world to begin its market domination. 

Also, governments around the world continue to push for greater controls over the Internet, the open-source movement is still going strong, and almost above all else: litigation, litigation, litigation! 

Here is a look back at the most popular posts on ZDNet throughout the year: 

1. Demonoid hit by DDoS attack
2. Top 374 keywords the U.S. government monitors
3. Top 10 smartphones to kick off 2012
4. 16 reasons not to buy a new iPad (including 7 that haven't changed from earlier iPads)
5. Windows 7 and SSDs: Setup secrets and tune-up tweaks 
6. Seven reasons to buy the Nokia Lumia 920
7. Philippine cybercrime law under fire, 6th petition filed
8. Why the iPhone 5 launch will be the 'biggest upgrade in consumer electronics history' 
9. 2011 iPad Office apps showdown: Who says you can't work on the go?
10. iPad Office app showdown: Four apps to help you get work done
11. Windows 8 is the new XP
12. The truth about Goobuntu: Google's in-house desktop Ubuntu Linux
13. Microsoft's radical new business plan is hidden in plain sight 
14. Viacom, DirecTV talks fail; 26 channels go dark
15. Seven perfectly legal ways to get Windows 7 cheap (or even free)
16. Apple's mind-bogglingly greedy and evil license agreement 
17. Five Reasons why Windows 8 will be dead on arrival
18. Man faces five years for 'God does not exist' Facebook post
19. Apple loses U.K. Samsung appeal; must run 'apology' ads
20. Confession of a Nexus 7 owner: iPad Mini will blow it away
21. Ten little things to secure your online presence 
22. How to really erase a hard drive
23. Lost your Windows discs? How to get replacement media, legally 
24. First 10 things to do with your new Nexus 7 tablet
25. 2012's Best Linux desktop: Linux Mint 13

And, here's a quick look at the top galleries we offered on ZDNet this year (it turns out you, the reader, really like the iPad):

1. Most used apps on the iPad 3
2. My seven favorite Windows 7 utilities
3. 20 of the coolest gadgets and must-haves for your office
4. Top Productivity Apps for the iPad 3
5. The best of CES 2012
6. A first look at Ubuntu 12.04
7. 10 best tablets for kids
8. Best tablet for those who don't want an iPad
9. Best keyboard/case combos for the new iPad 3
10. 10 cool iPad apps you'll wish you found sooner
11. Top 10 iPad apps (plus a sneak preview of a cool app)
12. 10 extremely awesome iPad tips and tricks
13. Love stinks: The worst mergers in the history of the technology industry
14. How to delete every Facebook wall post, wipe your Timeline
15. Windows 8 from every angle: A guided tour of the Release Preview