Hot Computers & Programming Posts


How To: Create a live CD or DVD installation of Ubuntu Linux
In this clip, you'll learn how to create a live CD or DVD installation of Ubuntu Linux. This installation, in turn, will allow you to try Ubuntu Linux out without actually installing it on your PC. For more information, and to get started creating your own live disc installations, take a look.

How To: Use salty hashes to keep passwords secure
In this tutorial, we learn how to use salty hashes to keep passwords secure. A hash is stored in a database that is hashed with an algorithm, so not everyone can see exactly what your password is. When you type your password into a website, it doesn't actually register as words, it registers as a hash. This keeps your passwords secure so not everyone can see them. Salting is when you use random pits and attaching them to your regular hashes so not every password is the same. The salt is what ...

How To: Change the default taskbar icons in MS Windows 7
Want to change around the default taskbar icons in Microsoft Windows 7? It's quite easy once you know how to go about it. So easy, in fact, that this free video tutorial can present a complete, step-by-step overview of the process in just under five minutes' time. For more information, and to get started tweaking your own taskbar icon, take a look.

How To: Password protect files and folders in Windows
Password protect your files and folders in Microsoft Windows XP or Vista. This free video tutorial from CNET TV will show you how. Thwart would-be snoopers with this home cryptography guide, which presents easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions on how to protect your privacy by encrypting your sensitive data.

How To: Get a Vista-style Taskbar in Microsoft Windows 7
New to Microsoft Windows 7? Pining for the old Vista Taskbar? It's easy to restore it! So easy, in fact, that this free home computing how-to can present a complete (and somewhat talky) overview of the process in just under a minute's time. For specifics, and to get started using a Vista-style Taskbar on your own Win 7 computer, watch this PC user's guide.

How To: Create mouse events for Java programming
Want to write Java applications but don't know beans about object-oriented programming? Never you fear. This free video tutorial from TheNewBoston will help you on your merry way to accomplishing just that. Specifically, this lesson will demonstrate how to create mouse events. For detailed instructions, watch this programmer's guide.

How To: Delete a user account in Microsoft Windows Vista
In this video, Nub shows us how to delete a user account. First, you will click "start" then "control panel". Then click on "user accounts" and then "manage another account". You must be logged in as the administrator to do this. A new window will pop up once you click on this and you will see all the user accounts on your computer. Click on the user you want to delete and a menu will show up. Click the button that says "delete this account". A message will appear asking if you want to save t...

How To: See who's using your wireless network on a Windows PC
This video shows you the method to find if someone else is using your Internet connection. There are two methods for this. The first method involves opening the start menu and click on 'Run'. Type cmd in the text box which opens as a result of clicking on 'Run'. Type NET VIEW at the command prompt. This will show all people using your network. The second method involves going to Start menu. Go to Connect to and Show all connections. Click on My network places. Click on 'View workgroup compute...

How To: Configure your Mac to accept VNC connections
This video demonstrates how to set your Mac up to accept VNC connections.First we open up the "system preferences". Double click on Sharing and then go down to remote management and check this. We can see some options . Check the options Open and quit the application, Change settings, Delete and replace items, Send text messages, Restart and shutdown and Copy items. Then select "OK". Over here we can see "allow access for" and check "only these users". Remote management is now On. We can mana...

How To: Set programs to open when connecting your camera
In this how-to video, you will learn how to change what application will open once you connect your camera to your Mac. For example, you may not want iPhoto to open up when you hook up your camera. Open up Image Capture and open up the preferences. Change the drop down section so that it will open whatever program you want once this is done. Choose Other so that you get a list of programs that you can use. Select the program you want and hit okay. By viewing this video, you will learn how to ...

How To: Delete unwanted files to free up disk space on Windows XP or Vista PCs
Disk space is a valuable commodity on your PC, and if you're running low, it's time to sell some of that unneeded property! This video shows you the steps to freeing up space on the hard drive of your Windows XP or Vista computer. There are many areas in Windows from which you can delete temporary files and hence, decrease your overall disk usage.

How To: Troubleshoot problems in Ubuntu Linux
Ubuntu comes with pre-installed tools that can help solve problems you may encounter when using Ubuntu Linux. This video tutorial shows how to identify and address common problems in Ubuntu Linux. Such tools discussed include the system monitor, the log file viewer and the network tools.

How To: Take a screenshot on your laptop computer
This helpful tutorial will show you how to take a screenshot on your laptop computer. To take a screenshot on your laptop, follow these steps: 1. Locate the 'FN' key. (Bottom left of your keyboard.) 2. Find the 'sys rq' key. It is also known as the delete button. (Top right of keyboard.) 3. Hold both keys in at the same time. 4. The image has now been copied to your clipboard, and you can open it through a program such as Paint. ( Press 'ctrl + V'. )

How To: Zip and unzip files in Windows XP
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to unzip and zip files. The ZIP file format is a data compression and archive format. To unzip a file, right click on the file and select "Extract All". Continue by pressing "Next" and wait for the file to extract. To zip a file, right click on the file, select "Send To" and click on "Compressed (zipped)" folder. This video contains voice narration and a visual demonstration for viewers to easily understand and follow along. This video will benefit th...

How To: Flip your computer screen upside down in MS Vista
This video is a quick guide on how to turn your computer screen up side down. If you have Windows Vista, right click on mouse and go to graphics properties. Go to display settings. On the rotation box, choose the desired angle of rotation. Click apply and hit OK to confirm settings. For the keyboard shortcut, click control+alt+down arrow key to turn screen up side down. Click control+alt+right arrow key to turn screen to the left. Click control+alt+left arrow key to turn screen to the right. ...

How To: Create an RSS feed using XML code and RSS Builder
This instructional video shows you how to make a RSS ("Really Simple Syndication") feed using the free program RSS builder. RSS is a script that can be put up on a website that other users can subscribe to in order to get notified when the website gets updated. The xml code behind creating RSS feeds is explained. The code should be entered as shown and the file should be saved as "feed.xml" and upload it to a web server. Go to the URL mentioned, download and install RSS builder. Launch the pr...

How To: Catch your spouse cheating on the computer on Windows
This video is a tutorial on how to catch your spouse cheating on the computer if you are on a Windows computer. The camera is at a very low angle pointing towards the computer so the viewer can watch everything that is happening. The narrator talks the viewer through each step and offers various hints and tips. He shows the viewers how to do searches for photos, website history, videos, and music files. He suggests to check out the photos and website history as the computer finds them.

How To: Program infinite loops and breaks in Python
Bucky from The New Boston serves up this Python video tutorial on how to program infinite loops and breaks in Python. This is the program you use to write all of your Python code down. Learn how to make an infinite loop and also how to use the break statement!

How To: Download and install wxPython for Python
Bucky from The New Boston serves up this Python video tutorial on how to download and install wxPython for Python. This is the program you use to write all of your Python code down. Learn how to install the GUI (graphical user interface) toolkit.

How To: Setup the Verizon FiOS Router for multiplayer gaming
Learn how to setup the Verizon FiOS Router for multiplayer gaming. Most games and gaming consoles only require that UPnP (Universal Plug-n-Play) be turned on. The MI424WR Verizon FiOS Router that is manufactured by Actiontec ships with UPnP ON, as the default.

How To: Use a transparent background on the GNOME terminal
Turn heads with your terminal. This clip show you how to make the GNOME Terminal background transparent. To turn transparency on and off, open the Terminal and go to Edit->Current Profile->Effects. Take a look!

How To: Use the pwd, cd and ls terminal commands in Ubuntu
This video tutorial will acquaint you with the Ubuntu Terminal. Three terminal commands are introduced: pwd (print working directory), cd (change directory), and ls (list the contents of a directory). Remember, to return to your home directory, you can always type cd or cd ~.

How To: Remove desktop wallpaper in Ubuntu Linux
Is your Ubuntu system running sluggishly? Removing the desktop wallpaper and disabling the preview of text and images files can improve the performance of Ubuntu on older computers. This video tutorial will show you how to disable the desktop wallpaper in the Ubuntu Linux distribution.

How To: Wash your Apple keyboard in the dishwasher
Your Apple computer keyboard, over time, can accumulate quite a lot of dirt and sticky gunk. It is only natural, then, that you should want to clean it from time to time. In this tutorial, Gary Rosenzweig talks about his success in putting his Mac keyboard in the dishwasher and the risk you take when you try this extreme method. Take a look!

How To: Close multiple windows on the Mac
Ever had too many windows open in an application on the Mac? Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to close them all with a click of the button.

How To: Build a password and user protected app in AppleScript
This video shows how to program a password and user protected application in AppleScript.

How To: Use align and margins when programming Delphi
In this movie we look at how you can use Align and Margins to control how your visual controls behave when you resize your form.

How To: Tell if a CD is blank
Need to figure out if your cd has been written on or not? Here is a quick way to be able to tell the difference between a blank cd and a cd that has been written on. Obtain the techniques to be able to tell between a dvd and an audio cd that have been written on.

How To: Restart your computer without losing any data
This video shows you how to use Windows Task Manager to restart your computer without losing any data.

How To: Use the Memory in the Windows Calculator
For the purpose of simplicity, we shall consider the Windows version to be used as Windows XP. How to start the calculator in Windows XP?

How To: Detect hackers with netstat
Netstat (network statistics) is a command-line tool that displays network connections (both incoming and outgoing), routing tables, and a number of network interface statistics. It is available on Unix, Unix-like, and Windows NT-based operating systems. This video tutorial presents a basic introduction to working with the netstat tool. Determine whether you've been hacked with this how-to.

How To: Hack LAN passwords with Ettercap
Want to hack a LAN? Well, hacking local area networks is easier than you'd think. And by watching a few short videos, you can become a master hacker, something every techie wants to achieve. And what's the best way to hack a LAN? Ettercap, a password sniffing program.

How To: Turn any video into a screensaver on a Windows PC
You can make a screensaver with a MPG you get from the web and use "CamStudio" as one idea. You can use Infanview40, and install it the way you want it to open mpegs and add plug-ins that you get from the homepage.Open Infanview40, right click your .exe file to install in the program. Click "open" and Slide Show on INF.,scroll down to MPG that you want to add for your screensaver. Now the MPG is in the INFanview program,add to the screensaver.Click on "Play in full screen mode. Current Monito...

How To: Take screen captures on a PC with the Print Screen key
How to take screen captures on a PC with the Print Screen key

How To: Align the printhead on your Epson printer
Not aligning your printer before you print is like going to a job interview without brushing your hair: Everything else looks right, but you somehow still look unprepared and messy. Aligning the printhead on your printer will help ensure all text prints out where it's supposed to print out and there's no awkward color blurring with pictures.

How To: Install Google Chrome OS on a Flash drive
The Google Chrome OS has been making a lot of waves for its convenience. In this video, the convenience is further highlighted, as we are shown how to install the Google Chrome OS on a Flash drive. Now you can take the entire OS with you wherever you'd like to go.

How To: Create a new Windows partition with GParted software
In this tutorial, we learn how to create a new Windows partition with GParted software. First, insert your boot CD into your computer, then turn your computer off and it will automatically boot. Next, hit enter to select the first option, then wait for the scan to complete. When done, select your type of keyboard, then hit enter. After this, select your language and then continue to wait for the boot to continue. Once loaded, you will see the main partition. To split this, select it and click...

How To: Fix a sticky mouse
This video shows you how to fix a sticky computer mouse. Probably one of the most infuriating issues surrounding computers, never let your mouse get sticky again! Fix a sticky mouse.

How To: Clone computers across the LAN
In this video the instructor shows how to clone computers across the Local Area Network using BartPE and Selfimage. To do this first we will have an original computer. Now create the image of the hard drive of the computer and share it on the network drive. Now, using that image from the shared folder you can start the clones of other computers by overriding their hard drive using this image of the main hard drive. Using this technique you can clone multiple computers which are the exact dupl...

How To: Import modules into IDLE in Python
Bucky from The New Boston serves up this Python video tutorial on how to import modules into IDLE in Python. This is the program you use to write all of your Python code down. Fun with importing modules!