Computers & Programming Features

How To: Change your desktop background picture in Windows 7

Ever wanted to change your desktop background and can't figure out how to do this in Windows 7? This tutorial will show you how to change this background. If you have an image saved on your computer already, you can simply right click it and then choose "Set as Desktop Background" and this will set the picture as your desktop background. This can be used for any picture you have stored on your computer, regardless of location. Using this technique, you will soon be able to change your desktop...

How To: Install Chrome OS Cherry on a Windows PC or mobile device

Looking for instructions on how to install the "Cherry" build of the Chrome operating system on your device? This clip provides some helpful advice. It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to from the folks at Britec can present a complete overview of the process in just over three minutes. For complete details, including step-by-step instructions, watch this video guide.

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.

How To: Find and identify an AGP graphics card slot in your PC

If you haven't been inside a computer before then when you open the side panel, that massive forest of wires might be slightly intimidating for the first time. But it is necessary to eventually begin upgrading your hardware to keep up the todays technology. In this video you will learn how to identify the proper AGP slot on your motherboard where your graphics card is housed and how to remove it properly.

How To: Install Linux Mint 7 inside Windows Vista

In this tutorial, we learn how to install Linux Mint 7 in Windows Vista. Use Sun Virtual box to download the Linux Mint 7. When finished, open up the program and click the install button, then go through the install process to finish installing the Linux program. You can go through the default settings or you can choose your own. When it's finished installing, create a name and password, then choose if you want to log in automatically. When finished, you will have the operating system up, the...

How To: Create drag-and-drop file copies and aliases in OS X

When you drag files or folders on your Mac OS X system from one location to another, you expect them to be moved to the new location and not copied. In this video tutorial, you'll learn two things you can do while dragging these files and folders to change the default behavior. Learn to copy and create file aliases using the option and option buttons with this OS X video tutorial.

How To: Install a bootable Linux onto a USB stick

In this video PCMECH give a walkthrough the installation of a bootable Linux on a USB thumb drive from Windows. For this it's recommended to use a USB stick with a capacity of at least 1GB. First the UNetBootin application should be downloaded from the site mentioned and run the program keeping in mind to plug in the USB stick prior to the running of the program. Next the desired Linux distro and version should be selected and run as shown in the video. If you already have a distro you can us...

How To: Surf privately with the Safari web browser in Mac OS X

Apple's web browser, Safari, stores information like web history, Google's search history and cookies from websites. There may be certain instances where you want to keep this information private–for example, if you're on a public computer or have borrowed a computer from a friend, you may want to keep that information to yourself. For a step-by-step guide to using the private browsing feature in Safari, watch this OS X video tutorial.

How To: Play Steam games on a Mac

This video will show you how to run Steam games on your Mac natively. No, you don't have to switch to a Windows box for your gaming needs. All you'll need to do is to download the offical Steam Mac application for your Mac from the Steam store. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3!

How To: Use the Mac OS X terminal

This video tutorial offers an introduction to the terminal for those making a switch from Windows to Mac OS X, one of the most powerful (yet cryptic) of OS X, which will allow you to interact with OS X's underlying UNIX layer. If you'd like to get acquainted with the terminal, simply press play!

How To: Create rounded corners for boxes on a CSS website

Here are five different techniques you can use to create rounded corners for boxes on a website. There are always different ways to do things with CSS and rounded corners is a great example of that. Each of these five techniques has advantages and disadvantages. Knowing all of them so you can choose the perfect one in each situation is the kind of thing that makes you the best CSS ninja you can be! So if you want to make cool Internet websites and be the best designer around, why not start he...

How To: Customize your dock in Mac OS X

This video describes how to customize the Dock in Macintosh OS, we can arrange application into the docks as your wish, and in right side of the docks we have the "Trash" and also minimized applications. Now we are going to see how to add shortcuts to "Dock”. First get into the "Application" folder for example take Quick time player and Drag into the Dock directly. We can also change the position of the application in dog by drag and drop we can also add shortcut to folders into the right han...

How To: Make a data entry form component in Flash Builder 4

Need a little bit of help figuring out how to build custom data entry form components in Flash Builder 4? This clip will show you what to do. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular Flash IDE (previously titled Adobe Flex Builder) or simply wish to become better acquainted with the program, you're sure to find benefit in this free video software tutorial. For more information, including specific, step-by-step instructions, take a look.

How To: Save & backup your Outlook email to an archive file

In this video, we learn how to save & backup your Outlook email to an archive file. First, go into Outlook and then open "file", "import/export", and "export to a file". Click next, then click "personal folder file" and click next. Now you will see your inbox, highlight "personal folders", then click next and browse to select a location where you want to save them, and click next. Next you will be asked to make a name for your folder and make a password if you want to, then click "ok". The fi...

How To: Find free audiobooks online and network a Mac and PC

In this episode, Brandon Jackson joins D.Lee Beard to present an in-depth review of the Slingbox A/V, explore where to find free downloadable audiobooks online, and to answer viewer questions on using an iMac as a display and how to share files over a local network between a Mac and a Windows PC . Be sure to check out our next video to learn how you can win the Techies' Slingbox and begin watching your home TV from all over the world via the internet.

How To: Right click on the Macbook Pro

While the Macbook Pro track pad is a dream to use, it may not be immediately apparent on how to access the secondary, or "right click" menu. This video gives you a visual demonstration on how to right click using the two finger tap method. Note, it is important you check your System Preferences > Track pad preference pane to ensure secondary tap is the selected option. You can access the System Preferences by clicking on the Apple in the very top left hand corner of your screen and selecting ...

How To: Use 4 different hacks to make typing easier in Windows

In this video tutorial, viewers learn 4 different hacks that will make typing easier in Windows. Begin by clicking on the Start button and select Control Panel. Then click on Ease of Access Center and select "Make keyboard easier to use". Now users are able to configure the keyboard options for easier use such as: turning on/off the mouse keys, sticky keys, toggle keys and filter keys. All the features have more specific settings for self-adjusting to the user's liking. This video will benefi...

How To: Extract text from UIWebView to see if a user has an account

In this clip, you'll learn how to pull text from UIWebView when developing an iOS app. Whether you're new to the Objective-C operating language and Xcode IDE or are a seasoned developer merely looking to pick up a few new tips and tricks, you're certain to be well served by this tutorial. For more information, including a complete overview and detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this free video Objective-C programming lesson for iPhone & iPod Touch developers.

How To: Adjust the cursor size in Mac OS X

Learn how to adjust the mouse cursor size on a Macintosh computer, so that it is easier to see and locate. The cursor can be adjusted to your liking by accessing the "Universal Access" preferences window and then by selecting the "Mouse & Trackpad" option. Near the bottom of the control panel, you will be able to find a slidable bar that can adjust the cursor size to be smaller or larger, as needed. This option can help make the mouse cursor easier to see against a difficult desktop backgroun...

How To: Run Windows inside Mac OS X

Want to run Windows Vista or 7 on your Apple computer without having to install Bootcamp? With virtualization software like Parallels, it's easy! Learn how to run Microsoft Windows within Mac OS X with this free video tutorial from the folks at CNET TV. For specifics, and to get started running your favorite Windows applications and games in OS X, watch this handy how-to.

How To: Connect to a wireless network in Windows 7

First to connect to a wireless internet connection using Windows 7 you must first click on the icon that looks like sideways stairs that is located on your desktop in your task bar. Click on the icon and you will be taken to a page that will show all of the wireless connections in your area. Find your network then click on it. You will be prompted to type in your network security key, do so then your computer should connect to the wireless internet within the next few minutes. Close out of th...

How To: Use transformations & timers w/ OpenGL & GLUT for C++

OpenGL (OPEN Graphics Language) is a 3D graphics language developed by SGI. It has become a de facto standard supported in all Unix, Linux, Windows and Macintosh computers. To start out developing your own 3D games and programs, you need to know OpenGL and C++. This video lesson will show you how to use transformations and timers with OpenGL and GLUT for C++, so you can start making your own 3D programs. If you want to create your very first OpenGL project, this is the place to be.