Hot Computers & Programming Posts
How To: Create Pacman-style level boundaries using Flash CS4
Okay, so you've started making a Flash CS4 gam. You've got a character that walks around. Where is he going to go?
How To: Create an XML-driven video player using Flash CS4
XML video players are the most efficient and accessible type of video player that you can put on your website from both a user and a web designer standpoint. This video will teach you how to create one and put it on your website using Flash CS4 and Actionscript 3. After your do this, you will have saved yourself many future headaches by making it easier to modify and add videos in your player.
How To: Create a typewriter effect using Flash CS4
The typewriter effect is a popular text effect for games and movies that makes text appear letter-by-letter on the screen as if it is being typed as your watch. It's cumbersome for actual reading, but looks cool and old-school. This video will teach you how to create this effect using Actionscript 3 and Flash CS4. Bring the 20th century into the 21st!
How To: Create 3D rotation using Actionscript 3 and Flash CS4
The evil monkey from my closet is back!
How To: Master the basics of Adobe Actionscript 3
Scripting languages, like coding languages, are among the most complicated and daunting aspects of computer use to master. If you can do it, however, they allow you to do nearly anything you want with a computer. This video will introduce you to the popular scripting language Actionscript 3. This language is crucial to using Flash successfully to create games, movies, and websites, so get this stuff down and then go watch our other Actionscript tutorials!
How To: Create mouse and movie clip interactions in Flash
The mouse is the primary way in which web users interact with most websites, and it can do almost anything if your website allows it to. This video will teach you how to use Flash CS3 and Actionscript 3 to create custom mouse and movie clip interactions. This will make viewing your website, movie, or game a much more dynamic experience.
How To: Create a random frame using Flash and Actionscript 3
Flash and Actionscript can be used together to create damn near any sort of animation or website feature that you could want. This video will teach you how to do just one thing: generate a random frame using Flash CS4 and Actionscript 3. This is handy if you want to create a button that will link to several different objects randomly. Fun if you want to add the zest of unpredictability to your user's website experience.
How To: Use the Twitter API to bring tweets into Flash
Twitter has become one of the most popular and powerful populists movements / websites on the web. You may want to integrate it into you Flash website or animations as a result. This two-part video will teach you how to use Twitter API to bring Twitter and all of its tweets into your website design.
How To: Master the basics of Actionscript 2.0
Actionscript 2.0 may be an old man by scripting language standards, but some browsers still use it so it is still worth learning if you want to create Flash websites. This video series will introduce you to the basics of scripting in Actionscript 2.0, leaving you well on your way to creating dynamic, widely compatible websites.
How To: Code tween classes using Actionscript 3
Most of you viewers out there who are familiar with Flash, After Effects, or other creative software know what a tween is. But can you write the code for them? This video will teach you how to code different classes of tweens using Actionscript 3 in Flash CS4.
How To: Create 3D doors using Flash CS4 and Actionscript 3
Does your website feel a little bland? Do you want to give your viewers the impression of traveling from the world they know into another? Well now you can. This video will show you how to create a cool 3D door-opening effect that reveals a photo on your website using Flash CS4 and Actionscript 3.
How To: Create the basics of a platform game with Actionscript
The platform game is probably the most popular style of game of all time (1st person shooters are catching up) thanks to Mario. Have you ever wanted to make your own? This video is here to help you get started. It will walk you through the first steps in the process, creating a hero character and then enabling them to jump and land on platforms at the press of a button. Now you're on your way to making your very own platformer!
How To: Create a custom class for your game's hero using Flash
Creating a modern video game is a mammoth undertaking, especially if you are working alone. Hopefully, this video will make it a little bit easier. It will teach you how to create a custom class for your game's hero character using Flash CS4 and Actionscript 3. Doing so will make your main character react in predetermined ways to a variety of actions, which is very useful if you want the character to react consistently throughout the game.
How To: Use custom classes in Flash CS4 to reuse code
Custom classes are powerful tools in Flash CS4 that enable you to reuse sections of Actionscript 3 code more easily, greatly smoothing the software development process. This video will teach you how to create, integrate, and use custom classes in Flash CS4. Don't waste your coding time repeating yourself, watch this video.
How To: Install FlashDevelop and use it to develop Flash
Flash development software can be very expensive stuff to come by, but it need not be. This video will teach you how to install and get started using FlashDevelop and Flash SDK together to edit Flash without having to shell out for the Flash IDE.
How To: Enable multiple key detection with Actionscript 3
Flash Actionscript 3 is a wonderfully powerful, but somewhat obtuse, tool for creating websites. This video will teach you how to use one particular function in the language, creating a class that has multiple key detection enabled. This will allow you to create a website where users can key in multiple inputs and the website will respond appropriately.
How To: Run DOS games in Windows (XP, Vista or 7) with DOSBox
Need some help figuring out how to run your favorite DOS games under Windows? With DOXBox, it's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home computing how-to can present a complete overview of the process in just over four minutes. For detailed instructions, and to get started playing your favorite games of yesteryear on your own Windows PC, take a look.
How To: Turn Vista into Windows 7 for free
This video demonstrates how to turn Windows Vista to Windows 7 for free. Make sure that you are running your PC on a Windows Vista OS. First, unlock your taskbar by right-clicking on it and unchecking the option. The space where your smaller application icons are located can now be made wider. Re-lock your taskbar once done. You can also right click and select View>Large Icons to make the icons look bigger. You can also download a free application at RocketDock which will make your Vista task...
How To: Install RAM in an iBook G4
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to install RAM into an Apple iBook G4 laptop. Begin by turning off the laptop and closing it. Flip the laptop to the backside. Turn the lock and remove the back cover. Flip the laptop over and open it. Press on the keyboard notch (between esc and F1) and remove the keyboard. Then remove the Air Port Extreme card and unscrew the 4 screws underneath it. Remove the cover and carefully press down on the 2 latches that hold the RAM card. Now replace the RA...
How To: Burn an .iso disc image with one click
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to quickly burn ISO disc images in Windows 7. Users will not need to download any third party software. This task is very fast, easy and simple to do. Simply double-click on the ISO file to Open Windows Disc Image Burner. Then select your disc drive and click on Burn. Users may also right-click on the ISO file an select Burn disc image. This video will benefit those viewers who use a Windows 7 computer, and would like to learn how to easily burn ISO d...
How To: Encrypt an Apple AirPort with WPA password protection
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to set and encrypt their Wi-Fi password using WPA in Apple Airport. Begin by opening the Airport Admin Utility application from the CD. Then locate your the name of your network and double-click it or press the Configure button at the bottom right of the screen. Now enter your password and click OK. The network should be opened now. Then click on the Airport tab and click on Wireless Security. In the pull-down menu, select WPA2 Personal. Then click on...
How To: Bring back the "show desktop" button in Windows
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to add the "Show Desktop" button in Windows 7. This task is very fast, easy and simple to do. Users will need to download the freeware from this site: German freeware. Once downloaded, users will then need to extract the file and pin it into the task-bar. Users may also use the keyboard shortcut by pressing the Windows button and M. This video will benefit those viewers who use a Windows 7 computer, and would like to learn how to have a Show Desktop b...
How To: Restore deleted recycle bin files using Restoration
In this tutorial, we learn how to restore deleted files. This is how to retrieve them after you have deleted them from the recycle bin. First, load your internet browser and open up snap files and download it to your browser. Unzip the file from your desktop and load it to your C drive. When it's done, right click on it and click "run as administrator". Under the "drives" section, click on the drive then type in the name of the file you deleted as well as clicking the check marks on both boxe...
How To: Encrypt a Linksys router with WPA password protection
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to set and encrypt your Wi-Fi password using WPA on a Linskys router. Begin by opening your web browser and type in the address: Click Enter. Now type in your user name and password, and click OK. Then click on the Wireless tab and select Wireless Security. In the Security Mode drop-down menu, select WPA Pre-Shared Key and then type in a password under WPA Shared Key. Finish by clicking on Save Changes. This video will benefit th...
How To: Encrypt a D-Link router with WEP password protection
In this Computers & Programming video tutorial you will learn how to encrypt a D-Link router with WEP password protection. First you connect to your wireless network. Open your browser and type in http://192.168.0.1. Type in your base station username and password and press OK. Under the SETUP tab, select WIRELESS SETTINGS, scroll down to 'Wireless Security Mode' and select 'Enable WEP Wireless Security'. Scroll down to WEP. Under WEP Encryption pull down menu select 128Bit. Now create a pass...
How To: Optimize a PC for the best performance
In this Computers & Programming video tutorial you will learn how to optimize a PC for the best performance. Head over to Smart PC Utilities and click on downloads. Here you can download and install Vista Services Optimizer. This works perfectly well for Windows 7 as well. Open the program and select Automatic Tune Up, where it will ask you a few questions about how you use your machine so it gets an idea what services are unnecessary for you. You can also use Manual Tune Up or even Gaming Mo...
How To: Use Spotlight to find files in Mac OS X
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to use Spotlight to find files in Mac OS X. To activate Spotlight, click on the blue magnifying glass icon in the top right corner. Then type in the term to search. Spotlight will display all the documents and files that match your search. If you click on Show All, you will have more options in Spotlight. In the Spotlight Preferences, users are able to select the categories for Spotlight to search in or not search in. This video will benefit those vie...
How To: Copy a directory's listing to the clipboard in Windows
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to quickly copy a folder's content list in Windows. Begin by clicking on the Start menu and open the Run program. Then type in "cmd" to open the Command Prompt window. Now navigate the desired folder and type "dir | clip" beside it. Press Enter and it will automatically copy the directory to the clipboard. Essentially, it is a tool that will the command prompt command to the clipboard. This video will benefit those viewers who use a Windows computer, ...
How To: Make drawer icons for your stacks in OSX with Tekzilla
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to make custom drawer icons for their stacks in Mac OS X. Users will need to go to the site provided in the video. There users will need to follow the instructions and download the icon sets. Once downloaded, place the icons into the appropriate folders. Users may need to restart the computer. Once restarted, the icons will be neatly overlapped in drawer icons. To add a folder to Stack, simply drag it to the dock. This video will benefit those viewers...
How To: Create a heart symbol on your computer
In this tutorial, we learn how to make a heart and other symbols on a computer. To make a heart, you will want to click on "run" and type in symbols inside of the white space. A new window will come up with a number of different symbols for you to choose from. You can choose the heart symbol on this, or you can choose any other symbol you would like to use. This isn't like clip art, it's just a simple symbol that anyone can use while they are in a word processing program and need a symbol tha...
How To: Remove/change the arrows on shortcut icons
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to remove/change the arrow on the shortcut icons in Windows. These arrows allows the user to know that the icon is only a shortcut. Users will need to download the program, Vista Shortcut Overlay Remover. The program allows users to display an arrow, light arrow, custom arrow or no arrow. This program also provides an option to disable the " - Shortcut" extension on any shortcut icon. This video will benefit those viewers who use a Windows Vista compu...
How To: Change the default password on a NETGEAR router
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to change the default password on a NET-GEAR router. Begin by opening your web browser and go to this site: Router Login. When the Prompt window opens, type in your router's user name and password, and click OK. In the sidebar, under Maintenance, click on Set Password. Now type in the old password, new password and re-type the new password once again to confirm. Finish by clicking Apply. This video will benefit those viewers who use a NET-Gear router,...
How To: Get an easy folder preview in QuickLook
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to easily preview content by improving Quick Look on a Mac OS X computer. Quick Look allows users to preview files without having to open it. This video reveals a plug-in that enhances the abilities of Quick Look. Download the plug-in and extract the files into the Library/Quick Look folder. Then right-click on Finder and select Relaunch. Now users will be able to see all the contents of a folder just by pressing the space bar. This video will benefit...
How To: Uninstall programs for Mac
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to uninstall programs in a Mac computer. Normally, users would get rid of a program by dragging it into the trash bin. But that does not completely delete all the contents of the program. Users will need to download the application, App-Zapper. Users just need to simply open the application and drag the program(s) into App-Zapper. Then just click Zap to uninstall the program. This video will benefit those viewers who use a Mac computer, and would like...
How To: Restore a crashed system
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to restore a crashed system in Windows 7. This task is very easy, fast and simple to do. In Windows 7, users are able to create a repair disc. To do so, open the Start menu and type "system repair" in the search bar and select "Create a System Repair Disc". Then just follow the instructions to create the repair disc. It will take less than 5 minutes. This video will benefit those viewers who use a Windows 7 computer, and would like to learn how to res...
How To: Add color to your Firefox browser tabs
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to add to the Fire Mozilla browser tabs. Begin by going to the Firefox Mozilla add-ons site and search for "colorful tabs". Click Add to Firefox to install it onto your web browser. Once installed, the browser tabs will be randomly assigned to a color. In the add-on options, users are able to configure the color scheme, selected tab and miscellaneous. This video will benefit those viewers who use Firefox Mozilla as their web browser, and would like to...
How To: Use a webcam on MSN for Mac
In this Computers & Programming video tutorial you will learn how to use a webcam on MSN for Mac. Go to Google and carry out a search for aMSN and click on the 2nd result which has the download link. Then click on 'Mac OS X Universal', download the program and open it. Next you start a conversation by typing in your text. Then click on the button on the right side for webcam as shown in the video. There is also a button for sending an audio clip. This will open the webcam and then you can use...
How To: Allow one computer access to an Apple AirPort
In this tutorial, we learn how to allow only your computer to access your Wi-Fi while using Apple Airport. First, select the Apple Airport Express item on the base station chooser. Double click this and press Configure, then enter your password in the new window that pops up. Now, a new window will open, and you will need to click to "Access Control" tab on the top of the window. Next, click "add" and then select "Mac address" and enter in your MAC address and description. Once finished, clic...
How To: Disable Wi-Fi SSID broadcast on a NETGEAR router
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to disable SSID broadcast on a NETGEAR router. Begin by opening your browser and go to the site: Router Login. Then type in your user name and password. Click OK. In the sidebar under Setup, click on Wireless Settings. In Name (SSID), type in a new network name and click on Apply. In the sidebar under the Advanced, click on Wireless Settings. Type in your user name and password once again, and click OK. Under Wireless Router Settings, uncheck Enable S...
How To: Change the default password on an Apple AirPort
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to change the default password on Apple Airport Base stations. Begin by selecting the Apple Airport Express item. Then double-click the Apple Airport Express item or press the Configure button on the bottom right of the screen. Now enter your password and click OK. Then click on the Airport tab and click on Change Password beside your Airport name. Now type in the new password, confirm it by re-typing it and click on Change. Finish by clicking on Upda...