Computers & Programming Features

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Speed up Windows Vista with a flash drive

Want to speed up a Microsoft Windows Vista PC? Have a USB drive? This PC user's guide from CNET TV demonstrates how to take advantage of Windows Vista's Readyboost feature to convert your flash drive into extra virtual ram for your computer. For specifics, and to get started speeding up your own sluggish Vista PC, watch this handy how-to.

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: 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: 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: 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.

How To: Connect hardware peripherals to an HP TouchSmart PC

HP TouchSmart PC is a powerful computer with various features. You can use you PC to connect to other hardware devices like printer, scanner etc. A hardware device might not even work with you computer because the connecting cables might not match. So if you want a printer to connect to your computer you will need a USB connector. If your printer has a normal pin connector, you cannot work with it directly. In this case the other option is to print wireless, provided your printer supports it....

How To: Remove the LCD module from a 15" MacBook Pro

Accidents will happen. This brief how-to will guide you through the process of removing the LCD on your 15" MacBook Pro's LCD from the bottom pan 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: Use the switch statement for 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 intermediate-level lesson will discusses how to work with switch statements. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this helpful programmer's guide.

How To: Use the ListView control in Visual Studio 2008

Microsoft ASP.NET is a free technology that allows programmers to create dynamic web applications. ASP.NET can be used to create anything from small, personal websites through to large, enterprise-class web applications. All you need to get started with ASP.NET is the free .NET Framework and the free Visual Web Developer. By creating a new website, this video tutorial will demonstrate the new ListView control in Visual Studio 2008. Because the ListView is data driven, you will need a data sou...