Active Computers & Programming Posts
How To: Protect your computer from snoops
Keep private info from prying eyes and earn some peace of mind when you safeguard your PC or Mac against nosy intruders. You will need several great passwords, virtual desktop software, snoopware blockers, a screen filter, a mirror, a healthy sense of paranoia, WPA encryption, and an understanding IT specialist.
How To: Fix a wet laptop
How were you supposed to know your computer can't swim? Isn't it called a laptop? You will need paper towels or lint-free cloth, cotton swabs, a towel, lots of luck, and professional help. Warning: liquids and electricity don't mix. Please make sure your hardware and all points of electrical contact are completely dry before plugging them in.
How To: Install wxPython
wxPython is fast becomming one of the most popular cross-platform GUI programming solutions. Here Kyran Dale takes you through the simple steps required to have wxPython up and running on your Windows machine.
How To: Program variables in the Lego Mindstorms NXT system
Using variables allows your Lego Mindstorms NXT robot to store numbers or text based on input. Learn how to program variables using the NXT programming environment. Program variables in the Lego Mindstorms NXT system.
How To: Carry your computer in your pocket on a USB drive
Bring your favorite software, files, and settings with you on a USB drive
How To: Set your mouse cursor to leave a trail on screen
See how you can make your mouse cursor leave a trail behind it. First, go to "Start" and then "Control Panel". Then go to "Printers" and "Other Hardware" and then "Mouse". A new window should pop up and you should go click on the "Pointer Options" and then select the length of the trail you want your cursor to leave behind. It's easy to set your mouse cursor to leave a trail on your computer screen.
How To: Code a prank hard drive formatting program
Learn how to write a simple prank program that will make someone think that their hard drive is being formatted and completely erased.
How To: Restore files
Learn to restore four different types of files: deleted files, files from a damaged CD or DVD, files from a formatted hard drive, and files from unbootable hard drives.
How To: Deploy a Flex 3 application to the web
This web application tutorial teaches how to deploy a Flex 3 application on to a webserver for Internet use. Learn how to figure out what files you made in Flex Builder 3 need to be uploaded to the web to make your application run.
How To: Power a computer with car batteries
The original idea was to turn a small home UPS into a giant UPS but because the UPS was only able to run the RAID-wielding desktop for three minutes before shutting down, he decided to add two 24V car batteries to the equation (the maximum that his UPS could tolerate). The good news: it worked, and will run his computer for an hour plus.
How To: Embed a browser into Adobe Flex 3 with Adobe AIR
In this web application development tutorial we show you how to create an Adobe Air desktop application and how to produce an unsigned certificate. The example shows how to embed a browser into Adobe Flex 3.
How To: Build a home theater PC computer
The Real HT Info Podcast assembles a computer that has all the cooling and noise considerations to make an admirable HTPC. If you've ever wanted to build your own computer, this is a good place to start.
How To: Create a GUI with the Java Swing interface
A Java programming tutorial on creating a graphic user interface (GUI) using Java's Swing interface. This tutorial uses Netbeans 5.5.1 & Java 1.6.
How To: Using dynamic DNS with no-ip.com
This covers using no-ip.com to set a dynamic domain name after you set up your own server. This makes the IP dynamic rather than static. It updates the domain name with your IP address so you don't have to. This is an informationleak.net video from Halla.
How To: Install nVidia video drivers in Ubuntu Linux 7.10
How to install nVidia graphics card video drivers in Ubuntu Linux 7.10.
How To: Display kernel times in task manager
A quick tutorial showing how to, with one click, show kernel times in your task manager.
How To: Creating a custom class in Flex 3
In this programming tutorial, Mike Lively of Northern Kentucky University explains the six parts of a Flex 3 class. He demonstrates how to create and extend a class using Flex 3, and how to bring that class into a Flex project using xmlns name space. Learn how to work with custom classes in this beginners Adobe Flex Builder 3 tutorial.
How To: Set up external network access pt.II
A tutorial showing how to set up a free dynamic DNS address with DynDNS.org and configuring the home router/firewall to forward traffic to your webserver.
How To: Upgrade your power supply on a PC
Upgrading your power supply can solve all sorts of problems that may arise after upgrading your PC's hardware. THe Lab Rats, Andy Walker and Sean Carruthers, will let you know how to tell if you need to upgrade your power supply and if you do they will help you figure out what kind you need and show you how to install it.
How To: Build an Android application for mobile devices
This video tutorial is about Android, and no it's not a robotic creature, it's a software platform and operating system form mobile phones and PDAs. The Android system is based on Linux and was developed by Google and the Open Handset Alliance. Code is managed in the Java language, but can be written in C also, although C is not officially supported. A lot of the new cell phone and other mobile devices will be running off of Android, so know how to use it.
How To: Create a wireless network at home
Anyone can set up their own wireless network. All you need is a little know-how. You will need a computer with wireless capability, a high-speed modem, a wireless router, and a broadband internet connection. Don't get tied to the wall; a wireless connection will allow you to move the computer freely around your home and still get an internet connection. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to hook up a wireless network at home.
How To: Hack an Oracle database
In this installment from the Unorthodox Hacking series of Internet security tutorials, you'll learn how to get a shell on an Oracle database. To see how to pop a shell from within Oracle or even perform a port scan from the database itself, watch this hacking how-to.
How To: Bypass RealVNC authentication
VNC stands for Virtual Network Computing. It is remote control software which allows you to view and fully interact with one computer desktop (the "VNC server") using a simple program (the "VNC viewer") on another computer desktop anywhere on the Internet. The two computers don't even have to be the same type, so for example you can use VNC to view a Windows Vista desktop at the office on a Linux or Mac computer at home. For ultimate simplicity, there is even a Java viewer, so that any deskto...
How To: Hack a Virtual Host, or vhost, with PHP
This hacker's guide demonstrates a quick PHP script which may allow you to crawl through the operating system on your hosting provider. demonstrate the power of PHP on a Virtual Host, or vhost, if PHP is not correctly secured by your web hosting provider. For more information on this hack, watch this helpful video guide.
How To: Exploit Microsoft Windows in new and unusual ways
In this installment from the Unorthodox Hacking series of computer security videos, you will explore a few of the areas in Windows that most Sysadmins don’t even know exist. See how to become Local System through the Task Scheduler and abuse long filenames. Take a look at some of the features within Windows—registry—that many system administrators don't know exist with this hacking how-to.
How To: Mod a 12-volt power adapter onto your PC case
In this case modding video tutorial, you'll learn how to install a cigarette lighter-style 12-volt accessory outlet into a PC case. Charge your cell phone and other accessories directly from your case with the hack outlined in this video. For detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look!
How To: Use ActionScript 3.0 in Adobe Flash CS4
Adobe Flash Creative Suite 4, or CS4, Professional software is the industry-leading authoring environment for creating engaging interactive experiences. It is ideal for interactive designers, graphic designers, and developers. But having the program isn't enough; you need to know how to use it. That's where this video tutorial comes in. In it, you'll find a schematic guide to using ActionScript 3.0 in Adobe Flash CS4. For more, and to get started incorporating ActionScript into your own Flash...
How To: Hack with GNU Netcat
Netcat is a featured networking utility which reads and writes data across network connections, using the TCP/IP protocol.
How To: Port scan with Nmap
Nmap ("Network Mapper") is a free and open source (license) utility for network exploration or security auditing. Many systems and network administrators also find it useful for tasks such as network inventory, managing service upgrade schedules, and monitoring host or service uptime. Nmap uses raw IP packets in novel ways to determine what hosts are available on the network, what services (application name and version) those hosts are offering, what operating systems (and OS versions) they a...
How To: Choose a new computer
So many choices, so little patience? That’s why we've cut to the chase for you. The most basic questions to ask yourself: a Windows (PC) OS or a Mac and laptop versus desk top computer. You'll also need to determine what you need your computer to do. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to choose a new computer.
How To: Remove viruses from a Windows PC with System Restore
If your Windows PC has a virus and you don't have third-party antivirus software, or your AV program is otherwise unable to deal with it, you may want to try running a system restore, which will restore your machine to an earlier point in time in its history. For more information on getting rid of viruses with the System Restore tool, watch this video guide.
How To: Secure and verify data on a GNU/Linux box with GnuPG
In today's time of rampant IT crimes, including identity theft, security is more important to the average computer user than ever. This tutorial, which was recorded and encoded for the Internet usingly only open source tools, demonstrates how you can use GnuPG to secure and verify data on your GNU/Linux box. Secure your Linux computer with this how-to.
How To: Set up an Oki C8800n Color Laser Printer
In this video tutorial, you'll learn exactly what you need to do to set up your new Okidata C 8800n color laser printer. This guide includes all steps necessary to set your new printer up, from taking the printer out of the box to installing the toner cartridges. For more information, and to get started setting up your own Oki 8800n laser printer, watch this video tutorial.
How To: Set up an Oki C 3600n color printer
In this video tutorial, you'll learn exactly what you need to do to set up your new Okidata C 3600n MFP printer. This guide includes all steps necessary to set your new printer up, from taking the printer out of the box to installing the toner cartridges. For more information, and to get started setting up your own Oki 3600 color printer, watch this video tutorial.
How To: Set up an Okidata C 6150n color printer
In this video tutorial, you'll learn exactly what you need to do to set up your new Okidata C 6150n MFP printer. This guide includes all steps necessary to set your new printer up, from taking the printer out of the box to installing the toner cartridges. For more information, and to get started setting up your own Oki 6150 color printer, watch this video tutorial.
How To: Set up an Okidata C 3530n color printer
In this video tutorial, you'll learn exactly what you need to do to set up your new Okidata C 3530n MFP printer. This guide includes all steps necessary to set your new printer up, from taking the printer out of the box to installing the toner cartridges. For more information, and to get started setting up your own Oki printer, watch this video tutorial.
How To: Use the PC Backup & Restore features in Windows Vista
While many people back up their important files on a regular basis, few back up their entire computer. If your computer were to crash or be damaged, reinstalling the software for your system can mean hours or days of downtime. In this video tutorial, you'll learn how to use the PC Backup and Restore features in Microsoft Windows Vista. Take a look.
How To: Set up automated backup for files in Windows Vista
Regular backups of your important files are something that should be a top priority, though because of the complexity of most backup systems, regular backups are often overlooked until it is too late. In this video tutorial, you'll learn how to set up automated backups in the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system. Get started backing up your files with this helpful guide.
How To: Work with offline files and folders in Windows Vista
Never again will being out of the office mean you are out of luck when it comes to working with your files. Thanks to the Offline Files and Folders feature in Windows Vista Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate editions, you'll have access to documents, even when you aren't connected to the network. For more on how to work with offline files and folders in Microsoft Windows Vista, watch this video tutorial.
How To: Use the XPS Document Writer function in Windows Vista
While printers are not normally considered to be at the leading edge of computer technology, these devices have evolved at a lightning pace over the years. Before today's low cost, high-quality inkjet and color laser printers, we used low-quality dot matrix printers and slow laser printers where quality and performance of printing was often questionable. Additionally, documents that looked correct on screen often came out looking differently on paper, due to differences between what the scree...