Hot Computers & Programming How-Tos

How To: Apply stylesheets when using Ruby on Rails 3

In this free video programming lesson, we learn how to use stylesheets within Ruby on Rails 3. Whether you're entirely new to Ruby on Rails 3 or are a seasoned developer merely looking to brush up on a few of the basics, you're sure to find much to take away. For all of the details, watch this quality video guide from the folks at Lynda.

How To: Print from a shared printer in Ubuntu

In this video, we learn how to print from a shared printer in Ubuntu. First, turn your computer on and then go to your system. From here, go to admin and then printing. After this, you will get a pop up window. Click on 'new' and then it will search for the printer. Next, you will click on 'network printers' and then go to 'windows printer via samba'. Then, click on browse and expand the workgroup. Then, expand the name of the computer and you will find the name of the computer as well. Now, ...

How To: Clear your java cache

In this tutorial, we learn how to clear your Java cache. First, go to the control panel and then open up Java from the thumbnails menu. After this, you will right click on the program and then go to 'view cache'. From here, select all of the Java and click inside the boxes to do this. Then, push 'ctrl+a" and it will start to clear. After this the cache will clear out and you will be finished. It may take a few minutes to load depending on how much information you have loaded in the cache. Exi...

How To: Remotely assist someone in Ubuntu

Remote assistance is a feature that, as its name suggests allows a user to remotely control another computer. The user can then use the remote computer in the same way as if the user is physically present there. Most modern operating systems support this feature.

How To: Upgrade the firmware on a Linksys router

In this tutorial, we learn how to upgrade the firmware on a Linksys router. First, you will need to know what you already have, go to 192.168.1.1 on your browser to find this. Next, search for the name of your router that you got from the site. From here, click on the downloads on the page. Then, you will pick the model number for it. Download this on your computer and it will run through the download process. When done, go back to the router website to make sure it was upgraded and then you'...

How To: Use the world clock feature in Ubuntu

In this tutorial, we learn how to use the world clock feature in Ubuntu. First, you will go to the upper right hand side of the screen and click on the calendar. From here, click where it says "locations". Then, click on where it says "edit and then click from the preferences where it asks for a location name. Then you can click on the time zone drop down menu and see the times of a ton of different places. Add these to your clock and then when you're finished, you can have the weather displa...

How To: Password protect your folders on a Mac coomputer

In this tutorial, we learn how to password protect your folders on a Mac computer. First, use the spotlight tool to type in "disk" and then click on disk utility on the drop down menu. From here, go to the save as menu and enter in the name for the volume. After this, change the size of the desktop and change the encryption choice. Use the one that is recommended and then click on 'ok'. Form here you will be asked for a password, then you will need to verify that password. From here, click on...

How To: Password protect a folder on Windows Vista

In this tutorial, we learn how to password protect a folder on Windows Vista. To do this, you will first need to have WinRAR downloaded on your computer, you can get it here: http://download.cnet.com/WinRAR-32-bit/3000-2250_4-10007677.html. Next, you will right click on your screen and click "new" and "folder". Then, you will rename your folder to anything you'd like. From here, you will right click and then click "add to archive". Then, go to advanced and set password from the toolbar. Enter...

How To: Access Hotmail and Gmail through a local email client

In this tutorial, we learn how to access Hotmail and Gmail through a local email client. First, Google search "webmail Mozilla" and go to the official website. From here, you will click on the hotmail link and any other e-mail links you want for the add-on. Next, you will right click and save this to your computer. After this, go into your e-mail and go to the settings. From here, you will click on the "forwarding" tab at the top and then click "enable pop for all mail". Save these changes an...

How To: Tell if your hard drive is failing in Ubuntu Linux

With this video, we learn how to tell if your hard drive is failing in Ubuntu Linux. If you have a failing hard drive, it will start making noises like clicking or grinding. If you hear these noises coming from your hard drive, you will need to get a new one before it fails completely and you lose all your data. You could have a failing hard drive but it doesn't make any noises. Hard drives come with a monitoring system so you can see what shape the hard drive is in. To see this, open up the ...

How To: Change the mouse sensitivity on Vista

In this video, we learn how to change the mouse sensitivity on Vista. First, you will go to the start menu, then the control menu. From here, scroll down to where it says 'mouse' and double click on that. After this, you will see a section for the double click speed. Change that if you would like. Then, click on the tabs on the top of the window to change the pointers, pointer options, wheel, and hardware. Once you have changed all the options that you want, you will be able to apply them and...

How To: Remove a program from your startup menu in Windows XP

In this tutorial, we learn how to remove a program from your startup menu in Windows XP. First, hold down the start key on your keyboard, then hit 'r'. After this, type in 'msconfig' into the box that appears. Click 'ok' and then go to the start up tab. Find the applications that you don't want to start on your computer when you restart or turn it on. Check the check mark next to the ones that you want and remove it for the ones that you don't. When you're finished and have all the correct bo...

How To: Clear the ARP cache

In this tutorial, we learn how to clear the ARP cache. First, go the command prompt on your computer and type in "C:/>netsh interface ip delete arpcache Ok". Press 'enter' on your keyboard and then it should be cleared out. If you want to view your ARP cache, type in the command "C:/>arp -a". If this fails, then you will need to use Microsoft Windows to repair the network connection. If this doesn't work, talk to the person that manages your connection. If successful, this will help make your...

How To: Boot into safe mode in Windows XP operating system

This video will show you how to boot in safe mode on Windows XP. Just follow these instructions from the video. Now go to Start -> Run and type in msconfig. and click OK. Now select the BOOT.INI tab and select /SAFEBOOT, click apply and close and then it will prompt you to restart. After you restart a message will appear. Click Yes and you will notice that your screen resolution is small and you will have the classic theme. To return to normal mode just repeat the steps and uncheck the BOOT.I...

How To: Update a table with a trigger when using SQLite 3

In this clip, we learn how to update a table with a trigger when using SQLite 3. Whether you're entirely new to the SQLite embedded relational database management system or are a seasoned developer merely looking to brush up on a few of the basics, you're sure to find much to take away. For more information, take a look!

How To: Use transactions within SQLite 3

In this clip, we learn how to employ transactions when using SQLite 3. Whether you're entirely new to the SQLite embedded relational database management system or are a seasoned developer merely looking to brush up on a few of the basics, you're sure to find much to take away. For more information, take a look!

How To: Change parts of a string in SQLite 3 with REPLACE

In this clip, we learn how to use REPLACE to modify a string when using SQLite 3. Whether you're entirely new to the SQLite embedded relational database management system or are a seasoned developer merely looking to brush up on a few of the basics, you're sure to find much to take away. For more information, take a look!

How To: Match patterns with LIKE when using SQLite 3

In this clip, we learn how to match patterns with LIKE when using SQLite 3. Whether you're entirely new to the SQLite embedded relational database management system or are a seasoned developer merely looking to brush up on a few of the basics, you're sure to find much to take away. For more information, take a look!

How To: Work with Ruby on Rails 3 relationship types

In this free video programming lesson, we learn how to work with relationship types when writing an application with Ruby on Rails 3. Whether you're entirely new to Ruby on Rails 3 or are a seasoned developer merely looking to brush up on a few of the basics, you're sure to find much to take away. For more information, take a look!