Hot Computers & Programming How-Tos
How To: Use panels in Ubuntu for quick access to applications
Ubuntu Linux offers panels that you can create and customize to launch your most commonly used programs and applications quickly and with ease. Ubuntu panels and the applications launcher are found at the top of your screen–at least initially. This video tutorial offers step-by-step instructions for customizing your own Ubuntu panels. For more information on using panels within Ubuntu Linux, take a look!
How To: Cut, copy and paste on a Windows PC
This video tutorial takes a look at the cut, copy and paste functions and how to use them on a Windows PC. If you don't know how to use the cut, copy and paste tools, you'd be well served to take a look. Get started using cut, copy & paste with this how-to!
How To: Use Ubuntu Linux
If you're brand new to the Ubuntu Linux operating system, you'll seem some help acclimating to your new platform. Fortunately, this video is here to help you do just that. For more information on using your new operating system, as well as setting up applications and games, take a look at this tutorial, which covers the very basics of using Ubuntu.
How To: Create a desktop shortcut to a website in Windows XP
Want to access a website without using bookmarks or, heaven forbid, typing its URL into your address bar? This video tutorial offers instructions for creating a desktop shortcut to a given website while running any version of the Windows operating system and running any browser. Take a look!
How To: Speed up your Windows PC with MSConfig
In this video tutorial, you'll learn how to speed up your Windows computer's startup efficiency (and so its startup time) with MSConfig, or the Microsoft System Configuration Utility. MSConfig will allow you to disallow unnecessary programs from starting up when you boot your PC. For more information on using MSConfig to speed up your computer, take a look!
How To: Set up WiFi in Ubuntu Linux
In this video tutorial, you'll learn how to use the WiFi Radar application to find wireless networks while running the Ubuntu Linux distribution. For more, and to get started finding and using wireless networks in Ubuntu for yourself, take a look!
How To: Set up Ubuntu's email client, Evolution, in 2 minutes
New to the Ubuntu Linux distribution? Ubuntu has a great built-in email client in Evolution. This video tutorial will walk you through the Evolution setup process, using the Evolution Setup Wizard. To get started setting up your own Evolution client, watch this Ubuntu tutorial!
How To: Batch resize photos in Windows Vista
Because Microsoft has not yet released PowerToys for Windows Vista, you might be at a loss for how to batch resize your images. This video tutorial presents a handy workaround for resizing multiple images at once. For a clear, step-by-step look at the process, press play!
How To: Send email with Evolution in Ubuntu Linux
Sending email with the Evolution client in Ubuntu Linux is much the same as with any other email program. In addition to offering step-by-step instructions for the setup and use of Evolution, this Ubuntu tutorial also will teach you how to access your address book when writing an email. For a detailed look at the Evolution email client, take a look!
How To: Make Vista run faster
Are you disappointed with the sluggishness of Microsoft Windows Vista? In this Windows video tutorial, you'll learn how to use the Performance tool in Windows Vista to disable senseless features you don't need and to make Vista run more quickly in the process. For more, or to get started speeding up your own Windows Vista machine, take a look!
How To: Use the Print Screen button in Windows
When you press the Print Screen button on your keyboard in any version of Windows, be it 95, 2000, ME, XP or Vista, Windows will take a picture of your display output and put it into your clipboard. Once in your clipboard, it can be pasted into most any image editing program (e.g., Paint). For more information on taking screenshots with Print Screen, watch this helpful Windows tutorial!
How To: Use the dock and use and resize windows in Mac OS X
New to the Mac OS X platform? If you've just switched platforms, you'll want some help accimating to your new operating system. In this tutorial, you'll learn how to use the OS X dock as well as how to use and manipulate windows in Mac OS X. For more on getting to know the Mac OS X operating system, take a look!
How To: Pimp your quick launch bar in Windows Vista
One nice little feature built into Microsoft Windows, since Windows 95, in fact, is the ability to dock the quick launch bar on the side of your screen. While this feature has been removed in Windows Vista, in this video tutorial, you'll learn how to create something comparable with a toolbar. For more, or to try the this Windows trick for yourself, take a look!
How To: Change desktop icons in Microsoft Windows Vista
One of the most common positives one hears about Windows Vista is that it's pretty. Indeed, Windows Vista has new icons, a new theme and it does look nice. But what if you want to add even more pizazz to your desktop? In this video tutorial, you'll learn how to change any desktop (shortcut) icon. For more information, and to get started changing icons on your own desktop, take a look!
How To: Navigate within Ubuntu Linux
New to Ubuntu Linux and having a hard time getting around? This Ubuntu Linux video tutorial offers instructions for finding files and folders on your Ubuntu desktop. You'll find navigating Ubuntu Linux is simple once you figure out where to find all of your applications. Get started with this helpful clip!
How To: Backup files under the Ubuntu Linux Distribution
In this video tutorial, users of the Ubuntu Linux operating system will learn how to use the Simple Backup application to either manually or automatically back important data. For more, or to get started using Simple Backup on your own Ubuntu Linux system, watch this handy how-to.
How To: Quickly rename multiple files in Windows XP
This Windows XP video tutorial offers an explanation of how to use a little-utilized and known trick that gives you the power to rename multiple files both quickly and with ease. For more, or to get started batch renaming files yourself, take a look!
How To: Install WAMP and create a MySQL database
This tutorial covers installing the WAMP (that is, Windows-Apache-MySQL-PHP) all-in-one package and creating a MySQL database using the import function of phpMyAdmin. For step-by-step instructions on the WAMP installation process, or to get started installing your own WAMP serve, take a look.
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: Get started with Papervision3D in Adobe Flex 3
In this video we cover downloading Papervision 3D using tortoise svn then using those Papervision classes with open source code in Flex 3.
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: Create a client-server web application with Flex & PHP
This tutorial demonstrates how to create what is called a complete client-server web application which consist of a Web Application, PHP, and MySQL. The tutorial shows how to automatically generate the PHP necessary to talk to a MySQL database using Adobe Flex Builder 3.
How To: Chage the Adobe Flex 3 preloading screen
Altering the preloading screen in Flex 3 sure can be complicated, to say the least. Wouldn't it be awesome if the whole process was easier? Maybe if someone made, I don't know, a tutorial that walked you through the steps so that even a beginner could understand the procedure. Wouldn't that be fantastic? We thought so too... so here it is. Watch and learn how to change the Flex preloading screen in this programming tutorial.
How To: Put up an Adobe Air Flex 3 encryption system
This tutorial series shows you how to put up an Adobe Air Flex 3 Encryption System. One of the weak points of Adobe AIR and Flex is there is no encryption system built in, making your data and applications vulnerable. But that's ok, because this tutorial will show you how to remedy the problem by adding an AES encryption system.
How To: Use Adobe Air Content Management System
In this tutorial, Mike Lively of Northern Kentucky University gets you started in getting the Adobe Air Content Management System up and going.
How To: Install Cairngorm in Adobe Flex 3 and use MVC
In this tutorial, Mike Lively of Northern Kentucky University discusses the MVC (Model Viewer Controller) architecture, installs Cairngorm into Adobe Flex 3, and discusses one of David Tucker's examples. The MVC model is comprised of a Model (encapsulates information from the d base (XML file), View (presentation layer that the user interacts with, and Controller (processes and responds to events and invokes changes to the model and viewer). See how to use the MVC model and install Cairngorm ...
How To: Build a 3D sinc plotter in Papervison3D and Flex 3
Mike Lively of Northern Kentucky University demonstrates how to create a 3D plotting program for the sinc math function. Part 1 shows how to convert a Flash Package into a Flex application. Part 2 shows how to get the sinc function running and add different textures. Create a cool interactive 3D plotter in thie Adobe Flex Builder 3 and Papervision3D tutorial.
How To: Create a molecule viewer in Papervision3D & Flex 3
Mike Lively of Northern Kentucky University shows you how to build an interactive Molecule Viewer in Papervision3D and Flex 3. This is a fun application building project for anyone learning Adobe Flex Builder 3 and a great resource for molecule viewer for students, educators, and researchers in chemistry and biochemistry.
How To: Create a 3D Carousel in Flex 3 and Papervision3D
In this tutorial, Mike Lively of Northern Kentucky University demonstrates how to create a 3D clickable Carousel in Adobe Flex 3 and Papervision3D. All code can be downloaded from Google Code at:
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: Drag and drop in Ubuntu Linux
Drag and drop doesn't work automatically in the Ubuntu Linux distribution. You'll need to make some settings changes to enable it. For a step-by-step look at the process to enabling drag and drop file management in Ubuntu, watch this Ubuntu tutorial.
How To: Start programs automatically in Ubuntu Linux
New to the Ubuntu Linux distribution (or one of its derivatives) and looking for a way to start programs automatically when you boot up your machine? Take heart: This video tutorial will show you how to accomplish just that using your system preferences. Take a look!
How To: Switch between applications in Windows, Ubuntu & OS X
Ever wanted a quick way to toggle between programs? If so, you're in luck: This video tutorial demonstrates how to use the keyboard shortcut for switching among open applications, an often-overlooked feature available in Windows, Ubuntu Linux, and Mac OS X. Make time for this time-saving how-to.
How To: Install an optical drive in a Power Mac G4 system
Installing a second optical drive on your Power Mac is a simple project, provided you know what you're doing. In this video tutorial, you'll find detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to install an optical drive in a Power Mac G4 mirrored drive door system. For more, watch this optical drive installation how-to.
How To: Install a serial ATA hard drive in a G5 Power Mac
If your Power Mac is running out of disk space, you might consider installing a second hard drive. In this video tutorial, you'll find instructions for installing a second serial ATA drive into a Power Mac G5 system. For more on the hard drive installation process, watch this how-to and, remember: take proper anti-static precautions when working on any computer.
How To: All my desktop icons are gone, missing, disappeared
Have you woken up to discover all of your Windows XP or Vista desktop icons are missing or otherwise departed or gone? Are all of your shortcuts missing? In this video tutorial, you'll find instructions for bringing your errant icons back, restoring them to their normal place. For more, watch this Windows video tutorial.
How To: Backup your photos in Apple iPhoto
Backing up your digital photos with Apple iPhoto while running Mac OS X can give you peace of mind of knowing that you will not accidentally lose your precious photos. In this video tutorial, you'll learn how. For more, or to get started backing up your own photos in Apple iPhoto, watch this how-to.
How To: Set up a network tarpit or teergrube
A network Tarpit, sometimes know by the German word Teergrube, is a service or set of hosts that deliberately try to slow malicious network connections down to a crawl. The idea is to put up unused hosts or services on the network that respond to an attacker, but do things to waste their time and greatly slow their scanning (or spreading in the case of Worms). To follow along with this video tutorial, you'll need a package called LaBrea by Tom Liston and an unused IP address to tarpit. Set up...
How To: Run an Adobe Flex Project from Google Code
This simple Adobe Flex tutorial shows how to download source code from Google Code and get it running in Adobe Flex. If you are new to programming and building applications with Adobe Flex, this project is a great way to practice or get started learning about Adobe Flex.
How To: Use Flex Photo Viewer on Google Code
This is a simple Adobe Flex Photo Viewer. It uses a number of techniques that are not found in any one place in the literature - data shorting, tile repeater, xml http services, inline mxml actionscripting, click on double functions, use of CDATA Tags, tooltip, glow and fade effects - all done in less than 100 lines of code (once you take out the blank lines). This was created by Mike Lively Director of Instructional Design at Northern Kentucky University for the Over The Rhine project.