Computers & Programming Features

How To: Organize the OS X Finder

John Hendron demonstrates keyboard shortcuts and the "Sidebar" in Mac OS X Tiger with tips on keeping files organized. This 7.5 minute video includes how to "tell where you are" in the file system, how to set desktop preferences, and how to customize the toolbar in Finder windows. John is an instructional technologist for Goochland County Public Schools (VA).

How To: Write an applet with JAVA

In this video series John Montgomery demonstrates how to create a Java Applet and how to render a string of text within the applet. He starts off with the very basics, and each video builds on the previous one. He covers double buffering, zoom, creating icons and many other important features.

How To: Use an octree to solve collision detection problems in Visual C++

In this clip, you'll learn how to utilize octrees to resolve certain detection problems when working in MS Visual C++. Whether you're new to Microsoft's popular general-purpose programming language and IDE or are a seasoned developer merely looking to improve your chops, you're sure to find benefit in this free, official video tutorial. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look. Use an octree to solve collision detection problems in Visual C++.

How To: Unzip compressed files

learnaniche shows you how to unzip compressed .zip files using his own example. You'll need an unzipping program for this; usually, WinZip is standard. If you don't have it or if it's expired, you can search "WinZip" on a search engine and click "WinZip - Download Evaluation Page" or CNET's download page. If you're on CNET, just click "Download Now" to download it quickly. Save it to a destination and then open it from there to install it. When you click on the link to download the file, your...

How To: Replace a fan and hard drive in a Macbook Pro laptop

Opening up your own laptop and working with it is a lot harder than doing the same to a desktop. The components are arranged more carefully in a tighter space and it is generally easier to break things. This video will show you how to replace the hard drive and a broken fan in a Macbook Pro laptop. Work on your own Apple laptop? It might sound crazy, but with this guy's help, you should be able to pull it off.

How To: Use the display list feature in Adobe Flash Professional CS5

In this clip, we learn how to make use of the display list when working in Flash Professional CS5. Whether you're new to the Adobe's popular Flash authoring application, new to ActionScript 3.0 or are a seasoned Flash developer merely looking to better acquaint yourself with Flash Professional CS5, you're sure to be well served by this clip. For more information, and to get started using the display list yourself, watch this video guide.

How To: Use the XPS Document Writer function in Windows Vista

While printers are not normally considered to be at the leading edge of computer technology, these devices have evolved at a lightning pace over the years. Before today's low cost, high-quality inkjet and color laser printers, we used low-quality dot matrix printers and slow laser printers where quality and performance of printing was often questionable. Additionally, documents that looked correct on screen often came out looking differently on paper, due to differences between what the scree...

How To: Properly burn an ISO file to a CD-R or DVD-R on a Mac

This video teaches the secrets of properly burning an ISO file to a CD-R or DVD-R on a Mac. First download the CD burning software from internet and open it. Now click 'Copy' and browse for the disk image. Find the required file and click 'Open' to open it. To see the data on the file click 'Mount' and check them. Click 'Burn' finally, wait for it to complete and start using your CD.

How To: Clone a hard drive from a non-bootable computer

Although computers are intended to make life much more easier, they can sometimes be confusing as cheese! So, it's fine if you need help trying to figure out how to do certain tasks. Like this one here. In this tutorial, you'll be finding out how to clone a hard drive from a non-bootable computer in no time at all. So check out the video above, good luck, and enjoy!

How To: Encrypt a NETGEAR router with WEP password protection

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to set and encrypt a NET-Gear router with WEP password protection. Begin by opening your web browser and go to the router website: Router Login.. When the Prompt window appears, type in your router user name and password, and click OK. In the sidebar, under Setup, click on Wireless Settings. Once again, type in your user name and password, and click OK. In the Security Options, check WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy). Then select the Pass-phrase box, typ...

How To: Use the TextEdit text editing application in Mac OS X

Before you buy a professional word processor consider using TextEdit, a program that comes with your Mac and can handle most non-professional word processing needs. You can format and style text, add images, lists and tables, and even open Word docs. It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to from MacMost can present a full overview of the process in about five minutes. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this Apple lover's guide.

How To: Resize images files with the Mac OS X Automator

This tutorial shows how to create what's called a Folder Action, which means that when files are dropped into the folder, it automatically triggers certain actions. In particular, this folder action will resize image files dropped into it, and it will move those files to the desktop. For detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started using this great Mac OS X trick yourself, watch this free video guide.

How To: Play back an FLV clip in Adobe Flash Professional CS5

In this clip, we learn how to play FLV video within an Adobe Flash Professional CS5 project. Whether you're new to the Adobe's popular Flash authoring application, new to ActionScript 3.0 or are a seasoned Flash developer merely looking to better acquaint yourself with Flash Professional CS5, you're sure to be well served by this clip. For more information, and to get started playing back Flash video in your own Flash Professional CS5 projects, watch this video guide.

How To: Use Process Tamer to reduce the priority of high-CPU applications on a PC

Looking for a way to reduce the amount of processing power used by a certain application? This clip will teach you everything you'll need to know. With Process Tamer, 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 two minutes. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.

How To: Create a free flash website using Wix

In this video, we learn how to create a free flash website using Wix. First, log online and go to "www.wix.com" and either create a screen name or log into your account. Now, click on "create" and choose a premade template or make one from scratch. Now, change the background to a color you prefer, then add in a frame and different media to your page. You can also add a title to the website by clicking on the "text" section. You can play around with the different effects and additions, making ...

How To: Set up a wireless network using Ubuntu

TheUMLabs shows how to setup a wireless network with Ubuntu. The first thing the user does in this task is open Hardware Drives. After the searching for drives box finish scanning it list available drives to install. This s then selects a driver that is available to the computer they are working on. The next thing that the user do is edit the Wireless connection. If you follow all of the steps in the video, you should be able to connect to a wireless network in Ubuntu.

How To: Zoom in like a Mac on Windows XP or Vista with QZoom

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to zoom in like a Mac on a Windows computer. Users will be using the program, Q Zoom. Begin by downloading the program from the link provided in the video description. Once downloaded, double-click on the file and follow the instructions to install it. Open the program and configure the settings. Users are able to set the maximum and minimum of zooming in and out. Users can also set mouse zoom and shortcut keys for zooming. This video will benefit tho...

How To: Write a "Hello, World" program 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 TheNewBostonian will have you coding your own Java apps in no time flat. Specifically, this lesson discusses how to write that most basic of applications, a "Hello, World" program. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this helpful programmer's guide.

How To: Save and use custom style settings in Apple Pages

So you've got that perfect shape, chart or table in Pages, complete with custom colors and styles. Have you ever wished you could save those settings and use them later in your project? In this video tutorial, you'll learn how. For step-by-step instructions on saving custom style settings in the Apple iWork program, Pages, watch this OS X video tutorial.

News: Windows 8 Reports Your Downloads to Microsoft, But Is It Really a Security Threat?

Security researcher Nadim Kobeissi has discovered that the Windows 8 SmartScreen feature, meant to screen downloads for malicious software, actually reports the data about which applications users are installing to Microsoft. He also says that "the Microsoft server is configured to support SSLv2 which is known to be insecure and susceptible to interception." The two main concerns are the ability of law enforcement to subpoena Microsoft for the information and of hackers to intercept user data...

How To: Change The Windows 7 Start Orb

In this video, we learn how to change The Windows 7 Start Orb. First, you will need to download Universal Theme Patcher to your computer, which you can find at: Freeware Geeks. Once you download this, install it to your computer and make sure you choose the right type to download. Also, download the registry files from MediaFire, click the "take ownership" option when you right click on this, then double click on it. When the window comes up, click to add the ownership option. Now, go to the ...

How To: Adjust folder option in Windows Vista

From Windows 95 through Windows XP, setting file and folder permissions was accessed in the same way. With the introduction of Windows Vista, many things have moved, including this feature. While it works in largely the same way, the steps you take to access these features has changed. This short video will take you step by step through changing file and folder permissions in Vista, with a focus on setting hidden files to show in Explorer.

How To: Implement a list box in a Microsoft Visual Basic 6 application

In this clip, you'll learn how to implement a list box within Microsoft Visual Basic 6. Whether you're new to Microsoft's popular event-driven program language & IDE or a seasoned developer merely looking to improve your chops, you're sure to find benefit in this free Visual Basic programming lesson. For more information, including a complete demonstration and detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.

How To: Connect a class to a symbol in Adobe Flash Professional CS5

In this clip, we learn how to connect a class to a symbol within Flash Professional CS5. Whether you're new to the Adobe's popular Flash authoring application, new to ActionScript 3.0 or are a seasoned Flash developer merely looking to better acquaint yourself with Flash Professional CS5, you're sure to be well served by this clip. For more information, and to get started tying classes to symbols in your own Flash projects, watch this video guide.