Hot Computers & Programming Posts — Page 82 of 101 « Computers & Programming

How To: Watercool a PC

If you've never dabbled in water cooling, it's all about removing heat from the components in your PC using water instead of air–although instead of having a "cooling jacket" designed into the engine block, you attach a waterblock to the component you want to cool on your motherboard (or GPU, HD, memory, etc) in place of a heatsink, along with a set of tubes, a heat exchanger (i.e., radiator) along with a pump to move your coolant. In this video, you'll learn the fundamentals of watercooling ...

How To: Repair scratched CDs and DVDs with sandpaper

Have a Playstation game, or any other disc, that just won't play? In this how-to video, you'll learn how to repair damaged and scratched optical media (e.g., DVDs & CDs) using sandpaper and rubbing compound. Check it out.

How To: Use Xbox Media Center, or XMBC, on your PC

Interested in running Xbox media center, or XMBC, on your Windows PC? In this video tutorial, you'll learn how to install Xbox media center on an USB drive and boot to it from any computer with the capability to boot to USB devices. Take a look.

How To: Use wallpaper clocks in Mac OS X

Are you a clockwatcher? In this how-to, Gary Rosenzweig of MacMost.com takes a look at Wallpaper Clocks, artistic desktop wallpapers that also include a live clock and changing graphics, which display the time as well as the date. Turn your desktop background into a clock with this how-to.

How To: Create and use a custom cursor in Windows XP

In this cursory three-part tutorial series, you'll learn how to create your own custom cursor using Windows XP using IconArt 2.0. Get pointers on making your own pointers with this how-to. And be certain to stay tuned for parts two and three.

How To: Manage your Windows desktop without a mouse

Interested in third-party launchers but aren't sure which to go for? In this tutorial from PCMech.com, you'll learn how to use Enso Launcher, a freeware personal shortcut tool for Windows 2000, XP and Vista that will allow you to manage your desktop almost entirely from your keyboard. Take a look!

How To: Use the Microsoft Windows Live Mail Client

In this five-part video tutorial series from PCMech.com, you'll learn how to use the Windows Live Mail client. Learn, for example, how to set up your client with POP, IMAP, Gmail and, of course, Windows Live accounts like MSN and Hotmail. Take a look!

How To: Create FTP shortcuts using the Windows HOSTS file

If you have your own domain, odds are you do things from FTP from time to time. In this tutorial, you'll learn a technique for making FTP shortcuts with the Windows HOSTS file, which will allow you to simplify the process. The time you save will be your own.

How To: Use an Apple keyboard in Windows XP

If, for whatever reason, you'd like to use a Mac keyboard under Windows XP, you'll be happy to know you can. This tutorial from PCMech will show you how, as well as how to make your Mac keyboard act like a regular Windows keyboard with the SharpKeys remapping tool.

How To: Create an application, or app, bundle on Mac OS X

Wondering how to create an app bundle in Mac OS X? In this two-part video tutorial series, you'll learn how to create an application that is completely self-contained and is drag-and-droppable/relocatable. Frameworks, PlugIns, and Resources are embedded in the .app bundle, thus avoiding the need for installers and avoiding issues like dll-hell. There is also a quick demonstration on how to enable Universal Binary building at 15:46. Take a look!

How To: Build an OpenSceneGraph program with the command line

Interested in creating an OpenScenGraph project without using the XCode GUI (or, more generally, curious about how to use XCode from the terminal)? If so, then this tutorial, which demonstrates how to build an OpenSceneGraph program using the command line (Terminal.app) in Mac OS X, is for you. Take a look!

How To: Compile a kernel in a Debian-based Linux distribution

In this four-part video tutorial series, you'll learn how to compile a Linux kernel on a Debian-based system (e.g., Ubuntu). You'll learn two separate methods for kernel compilation, both (1) how to make the kernel into a Debian package, which can be handy if you're using a package manager and (2) how to install the kernel manually with make and make install. Take a look!

How To: Use XNEST to log into another local user's account

Have you ever wanted to go into another user's account on your computer but had trouble finding the energy to log out, then log out, only to log back into your own account? Well, here's your solution: XNest will let you log in to another user's account from your account in a virtual way. It's very simple to set up and may just help you with your virtual account crisis!

How To: Run Ubuntu Linux through a live CD

Interested in running Linux but are afraid of accidentally formatting your primary hard drive? One solution is to bypass your hard drive altogether and run your Linux distribution live from a CD. This three-part video tutorial series will show you how to do just that using Ubuntu.

How To: Play Windows games on GNU/Linux

Are you, as a Linux user, jealous of the gaming possibilities available to your Windows and GNU/Linux-running friends? In this tutorial, Linux Journal Gadget Guy Shawn Powers walks you through how to play Windows games on Linux using Wine, an open source implementation of the Microsoft Windows API built on the X-Window System.

How To: Install Ubuntu in Windows with Wubi

If you're interested in trying out Linux but afraid of accidentally formatting your hard drive, take heart. In this tutorial, Linux Journal Gadget Guy, Shawn Powers, takes you through installing Ubuntu on a machine running Windows with the Wubi installer. Install and uninstall Linux as if it were a Windows application with this how-to.

How To: Get your webcam working under Linux with GSPCA

Webcams are notorious for their lack of support under Linux. But thanks to GSPCA, many webcams now have functional V4L drivers. This tutorial from Linux Journal Online covers the building, installation, and configuration of the GSPCA drivers, including how to adjust color balance and brightness directly at the kernel module level.

How To: Secure your data with GNU's PGP implementation, GPG

In today's time of rampant information crimes, including identity theft, security is more important to the average computer user than ever. This tutorial from Linux Journal Online shows how you can use GnuPG to secure and verify data on your Linux box. (This video was created using only free and open source software tools: TightVNC, pyvnc2swf, ardour2, audacity, jackd, LAME, kolourpaint, cinelerra-cv, mjpegtools, and ffmpeg.)

How To: Set up a wireless network in your home or office

Interested in setting up WiFi in your home or office? This tutorial will show you precisely how to set up your own wireless network. Before you begin, make sure you have the following: (1) a wireless-enabled computer, (2) a wireless router, and (3) a modem.

How To: Connect your PS3 wirelessly to your Windows PC

This video will show you how to connect your Playstation 3 to your Windows computer via WiFi, which will allow you, in turn, to stream media from your computer to your television. Watch this how-to for a step-by-step walkthrough.

How To: Connect your Rock Band microphone to your PC

All you'll need to connect your Rock Band microphone to a personal computer is an empty USB port. This brief, step-by-step tutorial will show you precisely what to do (and guide Windows users through the driver installation process). Start digitally recording with your Rock Band mic today.

How To: Hide your IP address to surf the web anonymously

This video tutorial will show you how to hide/change your IP address so that you can bypass websites that have blocked your IP address or so that you can surf anonymously. The websites used in this video are cmyip.com

How To: Share a printer over a network

Odds are you have more computers on your network than printers. This video lays out the steps for sharing a printer over a network. This tutorial assumes that the printer is installed on another computer and not connected directly to the network. Take a look!

How To: Upload iPhoto pictures directly to Flickr and Facebook

Do you access either Flickr or Facebook from a home computer running Mac OS X? In this video tutorial, Gary Rosenzweig of MacMost.com looks at two useful extensions for iPhoto that will allow you to upload your photos directly from iPhoto to Flickr and FaceBook.

How To: Connect your Mac to your XBox 360 with Connect360

Interested in connecting your Apple computer to your XBox 360 game console? In this how-to, Gary Rosenzweig looks at how you can use your XBox 360 to view video and listen to music that is stored on your Mac using Connect360.

How To: Find large, space-hogging files in Mac OS X

One of the most common difficulties in freeing up space on your hard drive can simply be determining which files you ought to delete. In this tutorial, Gary Rosenzweig shows you how to find the largest files on your hard drive and clean them up to create more space.

How To: Use iChat in Mac OS X with a free AIM account

In this tutorial, Gary Rosenzweig of MacMost.com shows you how to sign up for a free AOL Instant Messenger account that you can use with iChat on your Mac. Stay in touch with friends and family while avoiding troublesome cell phone radiation with this how-to.

How To: Burn an MP3 CD in Mac OS X

MP3 CDs are a convenient, economical way of taking a substantial part of your music library with you on the road. In this tutorial, Gary Rosenzweig from MacMost.com looks at how to use iTunes to make an MP3 CD that will fit hundreds of songs on to a single CD and play back in most modern CD players.

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: Streamline your web browsing with Safari in Mac OS X

Do you spend too much time performing basic functions in Safari? In this tutorial, Gary Rosenzweig takes a look at three simple techniques that make web browsing easier (and thus faster) in Mac OS X: tabs, find-in-a-page, and the bookmarks. Master each of the abovementioned browser features with this how-to.

How To: Set up the Apple Mail application in Mac OS X

If you're new to the Mac OS X operating system, one of the first things you might like to do is set up an email client. In this how-to, Gary Rosenzweig looks at how to set up the Apple Mail application to receive and send email from a standard ISP email account.

How To: Subscribe to calendars using iCal in OS X

Are the entries in your date book distressingly few and far between? Take heart, friend; in this tutorial, Gary Rosenzweig shows you how you can subscribe to free and interesting calendars using iCal in Mac OS X.

How To: Use a Flickr stream as your Mac OS X screensaver

In this tutorial, Gary Rosenzweig looks at how to pull in an updated list of photos from Flickr or an RSS feed and use them as your Mac screensaver in OS X. Watch and learn how to create your own dymanic, self-updating screensaver.

How To: Run a web server with PHP on your OS X Mac

Provided you have the bandwidth, running your a own web server can be a good way to cut down on hosting costs. In this tutorial, Gary Rosenzweig looks at how you can use your Mac to develop Web pages using the built-in Apache Web server and PHP.

How To: Optimize the Apple Mail application

Any veteran user of the OS X Mail application would be well served to take a moment to follow the instructions laid out in this tutorial from MacMost.com. In this video, Gary Rosenzweig takes a look at how to clean up and optimize Apple Mail to save some hard drive space and speed it up.

How To: Force quit applications in Mac OS X

Applications on the blink? In this tutorial, Gary Rosenzweig looks at various ways to force broken applications to quit. He also shows some handy keyboard shortcuts for logging out, restarting, shutting down and quitting instantly.

How To: Store passwords securely in Mac OS X

In this how-to, Gary Rosenzweig of MacMost.com takes a look at best practices for making and storing passwords. You should have a different password for every account, for example, use secure passwords and store them in using a security utility. Learn how to store your passwords securely with this tutorial.