Computers & Programming Features

How To: Speed up Windows Vista & free up ram

Start by clicking start and type regedit in the search box. Hit enter and when the screen opens go under hkey current user and click on control panel and then desktop. Under desktop go to menushowdelay. Under menushowdelay right click and then click modify. In the box that pops up set the value to zero and click ok. Then close the registry editor. Next you will want to download ram booster 2. 0. Once you have downloaded and installed the ram booster program you will want to edit your options....

How To: Fix or recover a corrupt Windows registry

Learn how to fix or recover a corrupt windows registry following the steps outlined in this video tutorial. To begin, take the hard drive out of the computer with the corrupted registry and connect to another computer. To find the files you need to replace go to Start and My Computer. Look for the hard drive that you just added and double click on it. Go to Tools and Folder Options. On the View tab under Advanced Settings click Show Hidden Files and Folders, and unclick Hide Protected Operati...

How To: Encrypt files with Windows XP's built-in encryption

If you have files on your PC that you don't want other window's accounts to be able to access, you can encrypt them. Right click the file that you want to encrypt and select properties from the drop down menu. Once the properties page comes up, choose advanced. Now choose Encrypt contents to secure data and click ok. Now you click on apply. Select encrypt the file only and click ok. Hackers and administrators will not get an access denied message when they try to open the file. To make things...

How To: Install HP printer drivers in Windows XP

In this Computers & Programming video tutorial you will learn how to install HP printer drivers in Windows XP. Go to www.hp.com and click on ‘support and drivers’. Choose ‘download drivers and software’, enter your product name and click GO. On the next page click on the specific product link then choose the operating system on the following page. Next choose the basic driver and click on ‘download only’. Then double click on the icon on your desktop and click ‘run’. If you ha...

How To: Use the Lego Mindstorms NXT Brick

The Lego Mindstorms system may seem like a toy at first, but it is actually a very powerful robotics system used by universities, schools, hobbiests, and kids alike. The NXT Brick is the basic component of the NXT system - learn how to use it to build robots and program or check functions. Use the Lego Mindstorms NXT Brick.

How To: Fix problems on your Mac computer

Is your Mac computer broken? Here are some basic troubleshooting tips that you might find useful before you take it into the shop to be repaired. These are some simple things that you can do to troubleshoot issues. If you are not a computer expert, you might have to bring your computer to the repair shop for proper diagnosis and repair. However, one of these helpful hints solve your problem and save you a costly repair bill.

How To: Keep your laptop battery safe and secure with four tips from CNET

Millions of laptop batteries have been recalled because of the risk of FIRE. Get some tips from CNET to learn how to keep your laptop battery safe and secure. First, make sure your battery hasn't already been recalled. Second, don't leave the laptop constantly charging because it heats it up. One way to save your battery is to remove it completely when you plug in directly. Third, treat the battery as fragile. And finally, four, avoid buying knockoff batteries.

How To: Fix the VAIO SZ spacebar

In this video, we learn how to fix the VAIO SZ space bar. First, gently lift up on the space bar until the top is removed from the bottom of the board. After this, take a scrap piece of paper and place it underneath the middle of the metal that's on the space bar. After this, click the bar back into place on the keyboard. Now, test out the space bar to see if it works! It should be working without any problems now. If you do experience more problems, just repeat this same procedure and you wi...

How To: Record desktops with RecordItNow! on Ubuntu Linux

Record desktops with RecordItNow! on Ubuntu Linux Ever wanted to record your desktop screen? Well, it's entirely possible on Ubuntu Linux. This computer operating system could be a bit tricky for beginners, but fret not, help is here. Check out this video tutorial on how to record desktops with RecordItNow! on Ubuntu Linux.

How To: Create basic if-else statements when coding in PHP

In this clip, you'll learn how to create simple if else logical statements 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 composition instead of inheritance in PHP

While inheritance is very useful within PHP and OOP, it is notably better to favor composition over inheritance. In this video walkthrough, JREAMdesign demonstrates the composition concept with interrelated functions, and also shows a way of logically organizing the resultant files.

How To: Burn downloaded movies onto a DVD

Burn downloaded movies onto a DVD. Open your browser, go to the Google website and type axxo torrents in the search bar. Then select the homepage of axxo torrents, and download the favorite video in to your computer. Then open the DVD flick, you select burn a DVD. In that you select the files to be burned on to a DVD, and then click ok. Then the general settings appear on screen, about the name of video. Then also select how to burn and writing speed, and check the box of verify the data on w...

How To: Build an Air Collada Papervision3D viewer in Flex 3

If you work with the Adobe Air Collada format a lot, and have certain formats you want to bring into Collada and into Papervision through that Collada file format, you'll need to compare Collada files and graphics, which requires that you createa viewer. This video tutorial offers instructions on doing just that. For more information, and to get started making your own Collada Papervision3D viewer in Flex 3, take a look!

How To: Apply anti-aliasing to text when programming in Java

Want to program your own Java games and applications but don't know beans about object-oriented programming? Never you fear. This free video tutorial from TheNewBoston will have you coding your own Java apps in no time flat. Specifically, this lesson discusses how to anti-alias text when writing code in the Java programming language. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this helpful programmer's guide.

How To: Use logical operators in Java programming

Want to program your own Java games and applications but don't know beans about object-oriented programming? Never you fear. This free video tutorial from TheNewBostonian will have you coding your own Java apps in no time flat. Specifically, this lesson discusses how to work with logical operators in Java. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this helpful programmer's guide.

How To: Create an automator workflow to upload to Flickr

Learn how to create an automator workload that will upload pictures to your Flickr account in this video tutorial. Simply Google "automator Flickr." Upload it to Flickr to allow access to your Flickr account. This means you will have to sign into Flickr and allow for the application to have access to your account. Every time you use the application, you will have to give the photo a title as well as tags. You will then save the photo as an application with whatever title you want. Anytime you...

How To: Check for a HomeGroup setup on your PC in Windows 7

In this video the instructor shows how to check if your computer has a home group setup or setup one if required. Home group is Microsoft's new way of making networking easier with computers. They allow you to share documents, pictures, videos and all kinds of media between computers that are a part of a home group. Go to the start menu and go to Control Panel. In the Control Panel select the Network and Internet link. Now in the Network and Internet window select the Home group. In this page...

How To: Create custom keyboard shortcuts in Mac OS X

Interested in creating your own custom keyboard shortcuts within Mac OS X? It's easier than you might think. It's so easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to can present a complete, head-to-toe overview of the process in just over a minute's time. For details, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started making your own custom key commands on your Apple computer, take a look.

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: Thoroughly clean your keyboard

A lot of things come into contact with our keyboards throughout the day: dirty fingers, food, beverages, dust..they are full of germs and crumbs of who knows what. In this 4 part tutorial, learn how to take your keyboard apart and clean it completely. This process should bring your keyboard back to its original glory. So, follow along and clean up your workspace.