Computers & Programming Features

How To: Style list items with Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)

With help from this free video tutorial, you'll learn how to style list items with CSS. 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: Open .zip files

In this tutorial, we learn how to open .zip files. First, go to the start menu and search for "regedit.exe", then press enter. After this, a new window will pop up, open the computer icon, then open "current user", "software", "Microsoft", "Windows", then "current version". Now, click on the explorer folder, then the "file exts" folder and ".zip" folder. You should now see three different folders, right click on "user choice", then delete it. Exit this program, and now return to your zip fold...

How To: Increase your computer's low virtual memory

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to increase a computer's low virtual memory. Begin by clicking on the Start menu. Then right-click on My Computer and select Properties. Then click on the Advanced tab and click on Settings under Performance. In the Performance Options window, click on and Advanced tab and click on Change under Virtual Memory. Now select your hard disk and check Custom Size. For both Minimal Size and Maximum Size, set it at 2500 MB. Finish by clicking on Set and OK. U...

How To: Use composition 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 relate classes via composition 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 a bitmap in memory with the Silverlight WriteableBitmap class

In this clip, you'll learn how to create bitmaps one pixel at a time with the WriteableBitmap class. Whether you're new to Microsoft's popular web application framework or a seasoned web developer merely looking to improve your chops, you're sure to find benefit in this free MS Silverlight programming lesson. For more information, including a complete demonstration and detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.

How To: Set up Papervision3D in Adobe Flash Builder for hacking the Number3D class

In this clip, you'll learn how to set up PV3D for hacking the Number3D class. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular Eclipse-based integrated development environment (formerly known as Flex Builder) or are a seasoned developer merely looking to improve you're chops, you're sure to benefit from this free video programming lesson. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.

How To: Install & uninstall programs on a Mac

If you have recently switched from PC to Mac or are just getting used to your new Apple computer, you may need help on adding and deleting programs. In order to fully appreciate your Mac you will want to install fun programs. In this tutorial, learn how to add useful things to your computer and delete ones you don't use to save space. This process is incredibly easier to do on a Mac than it is on a PC, and you will be able to master it in no time. Follow along with Luke as he shows you the st...

How To: Back up your hard drive

You store everything on your computer's hard drive… precious family photos, your favorite music and video files, valuable financial information, and let's not forget about all that porn (just kidding). You can't back up your data when it crashes, so don’t wait another day to protect your hard-earned hard drive data.

How To: Unlock the fourth core of an AMD Phenom II or X2 CPU

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to unlock the fourth core of an AMD Phenom II or X2 CPU. Begin by installing the CPU chip into your computer. Then turn on the computer and wait for the black screen to boot up. Go to the setup by pressing the Delete button and select MB Intelligent Tweaker (M.I.T). Select the Advanced Clock Calibration and select Hybrid for the EC Firmware Selection. Select Auto for the Advanced Clock Calibration and press "y" to save it. The system will then reboot....

How To: Update a table with a trigger when using SQLite 3

In this clip, we learn how to update a table with a trigger when using SQLite 3. Whether you're entirely new to the SQLite embedded relational database management system or are a seasoned developer merely looking to brush up on a few of the basics, you're sure to find much to take away. For more information, take a look!

How To: Install Windows 7 on your PC from a USB drive

Some computers might now have a working DVD drive and in such cases you can use a USB pen drive to install Windows 7 on it. To do this first connect the USB drive to your computer. Now go to the command prompt and run the 'diskpart' command to find the details of the hard drive. Use the 'List Disk' command to list all the drives on you computer. You can also find the USB drive in the list. Now use the Select disk command to select the disk. Perform a clean command of the disk. Next create a p...

How To: Set up an Oki C8800n Color Laser Printer

In this video tutorial, you'll learn exactly what you need to do to set up your new Okidata C 8800n color laser printer. This guide includes all steps necessary to set your new printer up, from taking the printer out of the box to installing the toner cartridges. For more information, and to get started setting up your own Oki 8800n laser printer, watch this video tutorial.

How To: Use the copy and paste functions on a Mac or PC

In this video 2 people show you copy and paste functions on a Mac and a PC. On the PC, the girl copies a paragraph of text on a web page by highlighting it, right clicking, and selecting copy. Then she opens up a TextEdit program and pastes it into there and saves it. On a Mac, just like the PC, he highlights the paragraph, but this time he drags the highlighted portion right to the desktop. This will automatically create a file right on your desktop. If you open it up, it will open up in a t...

How To: Implement password validation in a Silverlight application

In this clip, you'll learn how to do basic password validation within a Silverlight app. Whether you're new to Microsoft's popular web application framework or a seasoned web developer merely looking to improve your chops, you're sure to find benefit in this free MS Silverlight programming lesson. For more information, including a complete demonstration and detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.

How To: Quickly generate PHP code templates with Flash Builder 4 Data Wizard

In this clip, you'll learn how to quickly generate templates with Flash Builder 4 Data Wizard. 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: Adjust taskbar clock settings in Microsoft Windows 7

Need some help figuring out how to modify taskbar clock settings in MS Windows 7? This video tutorial will show you how it's done! It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to can present a complete overview of the process in just over a minute's time. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this Win 7 user's guide.

How To: Turn your digital photos into Polaroids on a Microsoft Windows PC

Wish there were an easy way to give your digital photos the appearance of an old Polaroid picture? Well, there is. And it's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to from the folks at TekZilla can present a complete overview of the process in just under two minutes. For more information, including step-by-step instructions, and to get started applying a Polaroid effect to your own digital photos, take a look.

How To: Install RAM, or random access memory, in an Apple iMac

Using a Phillips head screwdriver remove the screw under the handle in the back of your iMac. Remove the screws outlined in the picture below. Remove screws 1 and 2 with a standard Phillips head screwdriver. Screws 3 and 4 use a standard flat head screwdriver. After removing the screws, gently pull out all of the plugs. Next holding the clear handle just below the bar code, pull out the section of the iMac.

How To: Create mouse events for Java programming

Want to write Java applications but don't know beans about object-oriented programming? Never you fear. This free video tutorial from TheNewBoston will help you on your merry way to accomplishing just that. Specifically, this lesson will demonstrate how to create mouse events. For detailed instructions, watch this programmer's guide.

How To: Choose the right PHP framework and CMS

In this video tutorial, JREAMdesign looks at the task of choosing a PHP framework and a CMS. He helps simplify the act of choosing between the major framework contenders (Zend Framework, Symfony, Yii, Code Igniter, CakePHP) and content management systems (Drupal, WordPress, Joomla, Wolf CMS, Mod X) by summarizing what normally is expected from these systems and some of their typical features.