Author: Scott Nesbitt
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How to Create Your Own Custom Short URL with bitly
If you use Twitter, then you’ve probably learned how indispensable a URL shortener is. You’ve only got 140 characters in which to make your point, and if you include a URL then you can easily go over that limit. Shortened URLs aren’t very sexy. They’re bland. If you shorten a lot of URLs, then why…
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How to Learn the Linux Command Line with CLI Companion
Contrary to an enduring myth, you don’t need to constantly jump to the command line in order to effectively use Linux. There are people who spend all their time ensconced in their favorite window manager who’ve never, and never will, type a string of esoteric commands. Having said that, there are times when knowledge of…
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An Introduction to Ubuntu’s Personal Package Archives
Do you use Ubuntu? Then you probably know that there really only are a few ways in which you can install software on your computer. Most people use either the Ubuntu Software Center or Synaptic Package Manager. Of course, you can compile the software’s source code or install it with a .deb package, but both…
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Collaborate on Documents Online with ScribTex
Let’s talk about LaTeX. No, LaTeX (the document markup language and preparation system). For a majority of computer users, LaTeX is so far off their radars that it doesn’t exist. But for others — students, writers, scientists, academics — LaTeX is the way to write and typeset beautiful documents. The problem with LaTeX, at least…
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Write Blog Posts From Inside Your Browser with ScribeFire
That seems kind of obvious, doesn’t it? Blogging from insider your browser, I mean. That’s how most people do it — go to whatever blogging site they use, log in, and start typing. But that’s not necessarily the best way. And it’s not the most convenient, either, especially if you have more than one blog.…
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Create an Instant Photo Gallery with DropMocks and min.us
Sometimes, people like to make things a little more complicated than they need to be. One of those things is creating an online photo gallery. Most people when they want to post their photos online will turn to Flickr, Picasa, or Facebook. There’s nothing wrong with any of them, but sometimes you just need a…
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Make Your Searches More Social With Wajam
How do you find out about things? I’m talking about things like interesting places to visit while on vacation, a good place to eat, whether or not a particular bicycle seat is worth buying. Well, that and more. Chances are you take one of two routes. One, you turn to your favorite search engine. Or…
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Using the Linux Command Line with Nautilus Terminal
One myth about Linux that just won’t die is that you absolutely need to understand and use the command line to get the most out of it. I know a number of Linux users who’ve never cracked open a terminal window, and they’re quite happy. That said, I find the command line to be an…
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Converting Files Online, Quickly and Easily
Ever come across a file that you can’t open? You know what I mean — an archive with the extension .rar or an Apple Numbers spreadsheet. We’ve all run into that situation before. And still do. Some of us more regularly than others, and yes, it can be frustrating. Instead of running around trying to…
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Move Files Between Your Android Phone and Your Computer Without Wires
How do you transfer files between your Android-powered phone and your computer? Maybe you use Dropbox or a similar service. Or, chances are you stick one end of a USB cable into your phone and the other into your computer. Come on, we’re not talking about an iWhatever here. We’re talking about Android, and there’s…