Hot Computers & Programming How-Tos
How To: Repair a MacBook Air - Bottom case removal
PowerBook Medic is the ultimate resource for Mac computers and electronics repair. They have helpful tutorials on most Apple products including the MacBook, MacBook Pro, PowerBook, iBook, iPhone, iPod, and more, covering topics from disassemblies, to RAM upgrades, to replacement hard drives.
How To: Repair a MacBook Pro 17" - MagSafe board removal
PowerBook Medic is the ultimate resource for Mac computers and electronics repair. They have helpful tutorials on most Apple products including the MacBook, MacBook Pro, PowerBook, iBook, iPhone, iPod, and more, covering topics from disassemblies, to RAM upgrades, to replacement hard drives.
How To: Repair a MacBook Pro 17" - Left speaker removal
PowerBook Medic is the ultimate resource for Mac computers and electronics repair. They have helpful tutorials on most Apple products including the MacBook, MacBook Pro, PowerBook, iBook, iPhone, iPod, and more, covering topics from disassemblies, to RAM upgrades, to replacement hard drives.
How To: Repair a MacBook Pro 17" - Airport module removal
PowerBook Medic is the ultimate resource for Mac computers and electronics repair. They have helpful tutorials on most Apple products including the MacBook, MacBook Pro, PowerBook, iBook, iPhone, iPod, and more, covering topics from disassemblies, to RAM upgrades, to replacement hard drives.
How To: Repair a MacBook Pro 17" - Keyboard removal
PowerBook Medic is the ultimate resource for Mac computers and electronics repair. They have helpful tutorials on most Apple products including the MacBook, MacBook Pro, PowerBook, iBook, iPhone, iPod, and more, covering topics from disassemblies, to RAM upgrades, to replacement hard drives.
How To: Repair a MacBook Pro 17" - Top case removal
PowerBook Medic is the ultimate resource for Mac computers and electronics repair. They have helpful tutorials on most Apple products including the MacBook, MacBook Pro, PowerBook, iBook, iPhone, iPod, and more, covering topics from disassemblies, to RAM upgrades, to replacement hard drives.
How To: Repair a MacBook Pro 17" - Battery removal
PowerBook Medic is the ultimate resource for Mac computers and electronics repair. They have helpful tutorials on most Apple products including the MacBook, MacBook Pro, PowerBook, iBook, iPhone, iPod, and more, covering topics from disassemblies, to RAM upgrades, to replacement hard drives.
How To: Take apart a MacBook display
Accidents will happen. This brief how-to will guide you through the process of taking apart your 13" MacBook's display quickly and efficiently without damaging any of the components, the first necessary step of any successful repair. This tutorial will also be of use to those who wish to learn more about the guts of their MacBooks without actually disassembling their units. Replace your own display with this video tutorial.
How To: Remove the top case and keyboard from a 13" MacBook
Accidents will happen. This brief how-to will guide you through the process of removing your 13" MacBook's top case both quickly and efficiently without damaging any of the components, the first necessary step of any successful repair. This tutorial will also be of use to those who wish to learn more about the guts of their MacBooks without actually disassembling their units.
How To: Add pause/resume functionality to a scroll in Flash
In this video tutorial, Creative Cow leader Tony Ross demonstrates how to add a simple pause/resume functionality to a scrolling image bar using Actionscript 2. If you have a scrolling image bar on your website, this Flash Actionscript 2 tutorial will show you how to let users pause and resume with the scroll. Add pause/resume functionality to a scroll in Flash.
How To: Optimize your Windows PC
Has your Windows PC grown increasingly sluggish over time? In this how-to, Digital Connector James Vargas (recalling a young Jean-Pierre Léaud) guides users through speeding up and optimizing a Windows PC. Take a look. Whether you run XP, 2000 or Vista, you're certain to benefit from this tutorial.
How To: Build your own NAS or networked attached storage
If you're just itching for an excuse to reuse that retired desktop PC or laptop sitting in your closet there here's your chance. This tutorial offers a look at the basics of installing FreeNAS, an open-source DIY NAS. So instead of spending money on off the shelf options why not save yourself some cash and make use of the stuff you already have and get a super customizable network storage device to boot?
How To: Run Windows on your Mac while running OS X
There's nothing wrong with running Windows on your OS X machine: all you need is Boot Camp, right? Wrong. There's a better way: virtualization software, such as the Parallels Desktop for Mac or VMware's Fusion. If you run virtualization software, you can run Windows operating systems like XP and Vista inside of OS X. Features like "Coherence" or "Unity Mode" even let you run a Windows application as if it were just another OS X app. But which software should you choose? In this tutorial, CNET...
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: Write data to a CD or DVD under Linux
In this Linux tutorial, you'll learn how to write data to, and retrieve data from, optical discs like CD-ROMs and DVDs as well as how to write .iso disk image files. Get started burning your own media under the Linux Mint desktop distrubtion with this how-to.
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.