Computers & Programming Features
How To: Use floats and absolute & relative positioning in CSS
In this free video CSS tutorial, you will learn how to use floats and absolute and relative positioning. Whether you're using a fancy WYSIWYG (or what-you-see-is-what-you-get) page editor like Adobe Dreamweaver CS5 or a barebones text editor like Notepad, if you want to build websites, you'll need to have some understanding of HTML (for the structure of your web pages) and CSS (for their style). And this free coder's guide will get you started along that path.
How To: Control the fan speed of a MacBook or MacBook Pro
Fan speed determines the level of heat your CPU might get exposed to. In this tutorial, Sky Van Iderstine will tell you how to control the fan speed of your MacBook or MacBook Pro using a freeware program, iCyclone. iCyclone has an easy-to-use interface, and support for many Mac OS X system technologies such as Growl, Sparkle and the Keychain. Control the fan speed of a MacBook or MacBook Pro.
How To: Use the new Windows Vista Sleep mode feature
With the new Sleep mode in Microsoft Windows Vista, you can put your computer to sleep or wake it up in only a few seconds. For more information on using the new Sleep feature, watch this Microsoft Vista video tutorial. Put your Windows PC to sleep with this how-to.
How To: Clean dust & dirt from your desktop computer
In this tutorial, we learn how to clean dust & dirt from your desktop computer. First, take the front panel off of the tower and then clean the area around the fan off as well. Use a vacuum cleaner to suck the dirt out but make sure not to touch the surface on the system. On the inside you can use cotton swabs and wash cloths that are slightly damp. You can also use a small straw and remove the dirt and dust from the fan and the areas around it. When finished, your computer should be running ...
How To: Control Keynote presentations with the Apple Remote
If you have a new Mac and run OS X, you probably already use your Apple Remote for your photos, music and movies. But did you know you can use it for your Keynote presentations as well? While running Keynote, press play to begin the presentation, use the forward, or back, buttons to move between slides, and use the up and down buttons to raise or lower the volume. To put your computer to sleep, just hold down the play button. For a video demonstration for each of steps, watch this OS X tutorial.
How To: Use basic HTML with Notepad
This is an introduction to HTML using Notepad. While some prefer to use a WYSIWYG editor, HTML can be a great benefit if you want to modify your MySpace profile, embed video clips on your blog, etc. The second part of this video series expands on using HTML, introduces a WYSIWIG (What You See Is What You Get) editor into the mix, and gives a basic introduction to Microsoft Front Page.
How To: Implode and explode when using array functions when coding in PHP
In this clip, you'll learn how to implode, explode, splice and slice when coding in PHP. Whether you're new to the PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor scripting language or are a seasoned web developer merely looking to improve your chops, you're sure to find benefit in this free video programming lesson. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
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: Enable Aero on Windows 7
Windows' new Aero interface is a nice, clean style to use on your desktop. Aero is included with most editions of Windows Vista and Windows 7 and is also available on Windows Server 2008. Aero is a cleaner, more powerful, more efficient and more aesthetically pleasing user interface than the old theme and includes fun things like live icons, animations, and a funky new design.
How To: Build a USB hard drive
If you are looking for a data storage solution that's portable, but also durable, you should watch this video to learn how to build a USB hard drive. Take apart your external hard drive to find out what kind it is and then build a new one.
How To: Use your trackpad on MacBook
Watch this tutorial video to learn some tips that will make using your MacBook or MacBook Pro's trackpad easier and more effective. This how-to video is good for new MacBook owners who may not yet know how to use the trackpad well.
How To: Use IF Statements in Visual Basic 2005 & 2008
In this Visual Basic tutorial, you'll learn to use conditional statements for the push-button validation of a designated text string. The code used in this example is as follows:
How To: Build a custom Windows recovery disk
Systm is the Do It Yourself show designed for the common geek who wants to quickly and easily learn how to dive into the latest and hottest tech projects. We will help you avoid pitfalls and get your project up and running fast.
How To: Create scripts and services with the Mac OS X Automator
In this clip, learn how to use the Mac OS X Automator to create custom scripts! It's easier than you'd think! So easy, in fact, that this free video tutorial can present a complete overview of the process in just over four minutes' time. For specifics, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
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: Use the HP Compaq 2710p Business Notebook PC
Get a new perspective on computing with an HP Tablet PC. HP's Tablet PCs are well-equipped personal notebooks, with a significant twist. The display turns around one hundred and eighty degrees, transforming your notebook into a flat tablet touchscreen PC.
How To: Control a Eee PC using your iPhone as a remote
This is a short tutorial on how to use your iPhone as a remote control for your eeePC. First download touchpad from installer.app, as well as install VNSea if you don't have it.
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: 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: 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 first-generation Wacom Bamboo pen tablet on a Mac OS X computer
In this clip, you'll learn how to install and use a Wacom Bamboo pen tablet on an Apple computer running Mac OS X. Happily, it's an easy process. So easy, in fact, that this video tutorial can present a complete, step-by-step overview of the process in just under four minutes. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
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: 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: Create a 'contact us' page in ASP.Net
Build a web page to collect information from the user with the Wizard control, validate that information, and use the System.Net.Mail classes to send a confirmation email message. Check out this video tutorial to see all about making a 'contact us' page on a ASP.Net website.
How To: Overclock your PC
Back in the day, only the foolhardy overclocked a PC. Today? It's practically expected for home builders. We walk you thru the basics of getting free performance from your processor.
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: Build a RAID HD array with the Mac OS X Disk Utility
In this clip, you'll learn how to make a RAID (or redundant array of inexpensive disks) with the Disk Utility on a Mac OS X computer. For more information, including a complete demonstration and detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started making your own arrays, watch this handy home-computing how-to from the folks at CNET TV.
How To: Say 'hello world' in C++
Watch this video to get set up with C++. The video covers creating a project, what to do with the console window, hello world code, and the debugging process.
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: 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: 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: Make a photo t-shirt with an Apple Mac OS X computer and a printer
In this tutorial, you'll learn how to use a Mac, a printer and heat transfer paper to create custom t-shirts from your digital photographs. It's an easy process and this video presents a complete guide. For more information, including a full demonstration and detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this helpful home-computing how-to.
How To: Use forward deleting on an Apple laptop
On OS X Mac portables, like the MacBook and MacBook Pro, the delete key backspaces, or deletes backwards. If you're accustomed to having the keyboard delete forward, just hit function delete. For more, watch this MacBook video tutorial.
How To: Use owner and parent properties in Delphi programming
Delphi controls have an owner and parent property, find out what the difference is and how to use them when programming in Delphi.
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: Record the screen with Windows Media Encoder on a Microsoft Windows Vista PC
In this clip, you'll learn how to record a screencast with Windows Media Encoder on a desktop or laptop computer running the MS Windows Vista operating system. For more information, including a complete demonstration of the process and detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this home-computing how-to.
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: 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...