Computers & Programming Features

How To: Use the Ironkey High Security Flash Drive

The Ironkey is a high security thumb drive designed to provide strong AES encryption, tamper resistance and other security services. Some of the topics covered will include: How is the drive mounted without admin privileges in Windows? How is it mounted in Linux? How does the "Self Destruct" feature work? What is Secure Sessions? How is the Ironkey better than just using Truecrypt? For answers to these questions, take a look. Use the Ironkey High Security Flash Drive.

How To: Bind a collection of objects to a ListBox in Silverlight

In this clip, you'll learn how to use basic data binding and datatemplates in XAML. 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: Add animated transitions between states with Silverlight's AnimatedTransition

In this clip, you'll learn how to use the AnimatedTransition class to create transitions between visual states in your Silverlight apps. 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: Get started with programming in Visual Basic

This beginner's guide is designed for people with little or no prior knowledge of computer languages, who want to learn to program by using the Visual Basic language. If you have some previous programming experience, maybe in another language or from a few years ago, then you may also find this guide useful. Whether or not you have programmed before, you should already be familiar with computers before reading this guide. It assumes that you can perform simple tasks like starting a program, a...

How To: Resize and alter your window on a Mac

The window on a Mac computer can be confusing if you are used to using a Windows computer. You will learn how to resize your window by clicking and dragging the lower right side corner. Clicking on the green button will not completely maximize the window it will only make it as wide and tall as you need so there are no scroll bars. You will learn many more basics on a standard window so that you can navigate like a pro.

How To: Format your computer

Watch this video to learn how to format your computer properly. It's not as hard as you think. All you need is your startup CD. This video will work for Windows XP. Just follow the simple steps, and you'll be well on your well to a properly formatted computer that runs smoothly. For more videos on computers, search WonderHowTo for computers.

How To: Record audio with your computer

Looking for a primer on how to get started recording audio using your home computer (without shelling out the money for an expensive USB or FireWire interface)? This home-computing how-to from the folks at CNET TV is here to help. For specifics, and to get started recording audio using the built-in inputs on your own Windows PC or Mac, watch this free video guide.

How To: Disable Aero in Windows 7

A video from HelpVids that shows how to disable Windows Aero visual style in Windows 7. Nero makes your windows look more beautiful by adding effects like transparency / translucency, live thumbnails, live icons etc. All these effects however use valuable system resources like memory (RAM) and processor time. This may lead to a noticeable decrease in performance in some PC configurations especially those in which the processor speed and the amount of RAM is low.

How To: Defragment the hard drive in Windows 7

De-fragmenting a hard drive improves the performance of a hard drive and it is recommended to de-fragment your hard drive from time to time as shown in this video. In Windows 7 you can use the Disk De-fragmentation tool. To do this go to the start menu and open the Control Panel. In the right column select the Performance Information and Tools. Now in that window in the left hand column select the Advanced tools option. In that new window scroll down to the Open Disk De-fragmenter link. Click...

How To: Install Windows 7 correctly

InfoWorld has some expert advice for the new Windows 7 operating system from Microsoft. Now that Microsoft has made the Windows 7 beta available for public download, many people are trying to figure out what's new and different. And many others not willing to risk their PCs by installing a beta OS are curious, too.

How To: Program faster with some PHP speed tips

If you're looking to shave a few milliseconds off the Zend Engine's work load, check out this tutorial for some PHP programming speed tips. This efficency will pay off when you have tons of traffic to your site and save you valuable server resources.

How To: Set up a network tarpit or teergrube

A network Tarpit, sometimes know by the German word Teergrube, is a service or set of hosts that deliberately try to slow malicious network connections down to a crawl. The idea is to put up unused hosts or services on the network that respond to an attacker, but do things to waste their time and greatly slow their scanning (or spreading in the case of Worms). To follow along with this video tutorial, you'll need a package called LaBrea by Tom Liston and an unused IP address to tarpit. Set up...

How To: Install memory in a 2009 Mac Pro

MacOSG demonstrates how to install memory in a 2009 Mac Pro. When performing this upgrade, be sure to take precautions for static by discharging static electricity before beginning. Shut down, unplug and place the Mac Pro on a static-free surface. To access the memory, you need to open the side access door by lifting the latch located on the rear of the Mac until it locks in the open position. You can then the door forward and then remove from the body. The memory is attached to the processor...

How To: Use disk utility to format Mac drives

Gary teaches us how to use disk utility to format Mac drives in this tutorial. First, go to your utility folder in your applications folder. Now, look for all the drives connected to your computer. A disk is a physical drive and the volume is a hard disk on your machine. You can partition this to two volumes by selecting the drive and clicking "erase". Now, select the latest version of the Mac format and then choose a name. Click erase, and now a new volume will be created on your computer. I...

How To: Use the MediaElement control in Microsoft Silverlight

In this clip, you'll learn how to use the MediaElement control to react to changes in media states when working in Silverlight. 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.