Category: Tools

  • Microsoft Office 2010 Beta Now Available

    Microsoft Office 2010 has recently been released as as a public download.  The download weighs in at a fairly light 685 MB and includes Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel, OneNote, Access, Publisher, InfoPath, SharePoint Workspace, and Communicator (which is an instant messenger for Outlook). If you’re working in the IT field and want to prepare for…

  • How to Use 2D QR Barcodes to Quickly Share Information

    I was recently introduced to QR Codes, which are a type of two-dimensional barcode that can store large amounts of information encrypted in a graphic.  This graphic can be scanned by devices like cell phones to quickly retrieve the data, so it’s great for sharing contact information, text, or URLs. Scanning QR Codes with your…

  • Control Your Linux System With A Web Interface

    Administrating a Linux system is sometimes thought to be a task reserved for the command-line-savvy individuals.  While Linux does provide other means of administration such as various desktop environments and VNC (Virtual Network Computing), these means can sometimes be difficult for users to setup. Webmin is a web interface for Linux that can provide a…

  • How to Take Screenshots of an Android-based Phone

    Since I’ll be writing about the Motorola Droid (which uses Google’s Android mobile operating system) in the upcoming weeks, I wanted to be able to perform screen captures directly from the device instead of taking photographs of the entire thing.  This guide will walk you through the simple process of taking screenshots of an Android-based…

  • Windows Security Tip: Enable Windows Firewall

    Having your computer on any network, whether wired or wireless, subjects it to a countless number of security attacks everyday.  These attacks are an attempt to breach the security of your connection to collect information or damage your computer.  Since the release of Windows XP, Microsoft has included the Windows Firewall in it’s operating system. …

  • Have a Virus? Let Malwarebytes Help

    It can happen to anyone:  You turn on your computer and log in, only to find pop-up advertisements, search bars, a changed desktop background, and many screens warning that you may be infected with a virus. One sign that you have been infected with a virus (or what can be referred to as malware) is…

  • How to Setup Folder Sharing with VirutalBox Guests

    Having a virtual machine installed on a personal computer offers many uses.  One use is the ability to try a new operating system before it is released, such as Windows 7. Once you’ve installed a virtual operating system, you might want to access files that are stored on the host operating system.  VirtualBox offers a…

  • Can’t Find a Device Driver? Let Unknown Devices Help

    The scenario: You just reinstalled Windows on your computer and are having a difficult time finding a driver for an obscurely named device.  You have checked the manufacturer’s website and have tried several different drivers, all with no luck finding the correct the device driver.  Unknown Devices is a program that will assist with searching…

  • How to Install Linux from a USB Flash Drive

    Since many ultra-portable laptops (commonly known as netbooks) do not come equipped with optical drives, users are typically forced to purchase an external optical drive to install an operating system such as Linux.  In this guide, I’ll show you how to easily install a Linux operating system with a USB flash drive and a piece…

  • How to Keep WordPress Secure with WP Security Scan

    If you’re running a WordPress self-hosted website, you are probably aware that WordPress’s popularity has caused it to become a frequent target for hackers.  Aside from keeping your WordPress software up-to-date (which is the most important step you can take to secure your website), it is critical to make sure your site’s folder permissions are…