Hot Operating Systems How-Tos
How To: Play lightsaber with a Wii remote and MAC OSX
Wii Saber is a new MAC program that allows the player to hook up a Wii remote to the MAC OSX and play lightsaber games. Finally, the long-awaited union of MAC and Star Wars nerds. Watch this video computer tutorial and learn how to play lightsaber on a MAC with a Nintendo Wii remote.
How To: Remove the bloat from your Windows PC
If you've recently purchased a new, prefab computer, odds are it's loaded with things you don't need. With this helpful how-to, you'll learn how to optimize your Windows PC so as to get rid of said unwanted resource hogs. Get rid of bloatware with this video tutorial.
How To: Optimize your Windows PC
Has your Windows PC grown increasingly sluggish over time? In this how-to, Digital Connector James Vargas (recalling a young Jean-Pierre Léaud) guides users through speeding up and optimizing a Windows PC. Take a look. Whether you run XP, 2000 or Vista, you're certain to benefit from this tutorial.
How To: Run Windows on your Mac while running OS X
There's nothing wrong with running Windows on your OS X machine: all you need is Boot Camp, right? Wrong. There's a better way: virtualization software, such as the Parallels Desktop for Mac or VMware's Fusion. If you run virtualization software, you can run Windows operating systems like XP and Vista inside of OS X. Features like "Coherence" or "Unity Mode" even let you run a Windows application as if it were just another OS X app. But which software should you choose? In this tutorial, CNET...
How To: Use wallpaper clocks in Mac OS X
Are you a clockwatcher? In this how-to, Gary Rosenzweig of MacMost.com takes a look at Wallpaper Clocks, artistic desktop wallpapers that also include a live clock and changing graphics, which display the time as well as the date. Turn your desktop background into a clock with this how-to.
How To: Create and use a custom cursor in Windows XP
In this cursory three-part tutorial series, you'll learn how to create your own custom cursor using Windows XP using IconArt 2.0. Get pointers on making your own pointers with this how-to. And be certain to stay tuned for parts two and three.
How To: Manage your Windows desktop without a mouse
Interested in third-party launchers but aren't sure which to go for? In this tutorial from PCMech.com, you'll learn how to use Enso Launcher, a freeware personal shortcut tool for Windows 2000, XP and Vista that will allow you to manage your desktop almost entirely from your keyboard. Take a look!
How To: Use the Microsoft Windows Live Mail Client
In this five-part video tutorial series from PCMech.com, you'll learn how to use the Windows Live Mail client. Learn, for example, how to set up your client with POP, IMAP, Gmail and, of course, Windows Live accounts like MSN and Hotmail. Take a look!
How To: Create FTP shortcuts using the Windows HOSTS file
If you have your own domain, odds are you do things from FTP from time to time. In this tutorial, you'll learn a technique for making FTP shortcuts with the Windows HOSTS file, which will allow you to simplify the process. The time you save will be your own.
How To: Create an application, or app, bundle on Mac OS X
Wondering how to create an app bundle in Mac OS X? In this two-part video tutorial series, you'll learn how to create an application that is completely self-contained and is drag-and-droppable/relocatable. Frameworks, PlugIns, and Resources are embedded in the .app bundle, thus avoiding the need for installers and avoiding issues like dll-hell. There is also a quick demonstration on how to enable Universal Binary building at 15:46. Take a look!
How To: Compile a kernel in a Debian-based Linux distribution
In this four-part video tutorial series, you'll learn how to compile a Linux kernel on a Debian-based system (e.g., Ubuntu). You'll learn two separate methods for kernel compilation, both (1) how to make the kernel into a Debian package, which can be handy if you're using a package manager and (2) how to install the kernel manually with make and make install. Take a look!
How To: Use XNEST to log into another local user's account
Have you ever wanted to go into another user's account on your computer but had trouble finding the energy to log out, then log out, only to log back into your own account? Well, here's your solution: XNest will let you log in to another user's account from your account in a virtual way. It's very simple to set up and may just help you with your virtual account crisis!
How To: Find the "hidden" mic boost on Realtek HD sound cards
Need to adjust your microphone's input volume using the Realtek Sound Manager but aren't sure how? The 20db mic boost gain appears to be in a buried spot in the Realtek HD sound cards software, but it's there! In this video tutorial you'll see how to get to it.
How To: Run Ubuntu Linux through a live CD
Interested in running Linux but are afraid of accidentally formatting your primary hard drive? One solution is to bypass your hard drive altogether and run your Linux distribution live from a CD. This three-part video tutorial series will show you how to do just that using Ubuntu.
How To: Play Windows games on GNU/Linux
Are you, as a Linux user, jealous of the gaming possibilities available to your Windows and GNU/Linux-running friends? In this tutorial, Linux Journal Gadget Guy Shawn Powers walks you through how to play Windows games on Linux using Wine, an open source implementation of the Microsoft Windows API built on the X-Window System.
How To: Install Ubuntu in Windows with Wubi
If you're interested in trying out Linux but afraid of accidentally formatting your hard drive, take heart. In this tutorial, Linux Journal Gadget Guy, Shawn Powers, takes you through installing Ubuntu on a machine running Windows with the Wubi installer. Install and uninstall Linux as if it were a Windows application with this how-to.
How To: Secure your data with GNU's PGP implementation, GPG
In today's time of rampant information crimes, including identity theft, security is more important to the average computer user than ever. This tutorial from Linux Journal Online shows how you can use GnuPG to secure and verify data on your Linux box. (This video was created using only free and open source software tools: TightVNC, pyvnc2swf, ardour2, audacity, jackd, LAME, kolourpaint, cinelerra-cv, mjpegtools, and ffmpeg.)
How To: Upload iPhoto pictures directly to Flickr and Facebook
Do you access either Flickr or Facebook from a home computer running Mac OS X? In this video tutorial, Gary Rosenzweig of MacMost.com looks at two useful extensions for iPhoto that will allow you to upload your photos directly from iPhoto to Flickr and FaceBook.
How To: Connect your Mac to your XBox 360 with Connect360
Interested in connecting your Apple computer to your XBox 360 game console? In this how-to, Gary Rosenzweig looks at how you can use your XBox 360 to view video and listen to music that is stored on your Mac using Connect360.
How To: Find large, space-hogging files in Mac OS X
One of the most common difficulties in freeing up space on your hard drive can simply be determining which files you ought to delete. In this tutorial, Gary Rosenzweig shows you how to find the largest files on your hard drive and clean them up to create more space.
How To: Use iChat in Mac OS X with a free AIM account
In this tutorial, Gary Rosenzweig of MacMost.com shows you how to sign up for a free AOL Instant Messenger account that you can use with iChat on your Mac. Stay in touch with friends and family while avoiding troublesome cell phone radiation with this how-to.
How To: Burn an MP3 CD in Mac OS X
MP3 CDs are a convenient, economical way of taking a substantial part of your music library with you on the road. In this tutorial, Gary Rosenzweig from MacMost.com looks at how to use iTunes to make an MP3 CD that will fit hundreds of songs on to a single CD and play back in most modern CD players.
How To: Streamline your web browsing with Safari in Mac OS X
Do you spend too much time performing basic functions in Safari? In this tutorial, Gary Rosenzweig takes a look at three simple techniques that make web browsing easier (and thus faster) in Mac OS X: tabs, find-in-a-page, and the bookmarks. Master each of the abovementioned browser features with this how-to.
How To: Set up the Apple Mail application in Mac OS X
If you're new to the Mac OS X operating system, one of the first things you might like to do is set up an email client. In this how-to, Gary Rosenzweig looks at how to set up the Apple Mail application to receive and send email from a standard ISP email account.
How To: Subscribe to calendars using iCal in OS X
Are the entries in your date book distressingly few and far between? Take heart, friend; in this tutorial, Gary Rosenzweig shows you how you can subscribe to free and interesting calendars using iCal in Mac OS X.
How To: Run a web server with PHP on your OS X Mac
Provided you have the bandwidth, running your a own web server can be a good way to cut down on hosting costs. In this tutorial, Gary Rosenzweig looks at how you can use your Mac to develop Web pages using the built-in Apache Web server and PHP.
How To: Optimize the Apple Mail application
Any veteran user of the OS X Mail application would be well served to take a moment to follow the instructions laid out in this tutorial from MacMost.com. In this video, Gary Rosenzweig takes a look at how to clean up and optimize Apple Mail to save some hard drive space and speed it up.
How To: Force quit applications in Mac OS X
Applications on the blink? In this tutorial, Gary Rosenzweig looks at various ways to force broken applications to quit. He also shows some handy keyboard shortcuts for logging out, restarting, shutting down and quitting instantly.
How To: Store passwords securely in Mac OS X
In this how-to, Gary Rosenzweig of MacMost.com takes a look at best practices for making and storing passwords. You should have a different password for every account, for example, use secure passwords and store them in using a security utility. Learn how to store your passwords securely with this tutorial.
How To: Use the command line in Mac OS X
In this tutorial, Gary Rosenzweig of MacMost.com shows you the basics of using the Terminal application. Learn how to navigate, list files, rename, copy and delete. Also learn some shortcuts that experts use.
How To: Organize files in Mac OS X
Suffering from a cluttered desktop? In this tutorial, Gary Rosenzweig takes a look at the basic structure of Mac OS X, especially the user folder, and gives suggestions on how to organize your files. Take a look!
How To: Type special characters in OS X
In this video tutorial, Gary Rosenzweig of macmost.com takes a look at how to use the Keyboard Viewer to easily find and insert special characters and accent marks into your text documents. Très chouette!
How To: Set custom print settings in Mac OS X
Do you do a lot of printing on your Apple computer? In this tutorial, Molly Stanberry from MacMost.com demonstrates the extended print settings in Mac OSX. Learn to set up custom print options with this how-to.
How To: Use fast user switching in Mac OS X
Ever wish you could switch between users on your Mac without having to kill all of your applications (and losing all your data) in the process? In this tutorial, Molly Stanberry from MacMost.com Shows how to enable fast user switching in Mac OS X Leopard.
How To: Configure Apple's Might Mouse for two-button use
Molly from MacMost.com shows how to configure Apple's Mighty Mouse as a two button mouse. This will allow you to bring up contextual menus by right-clicking à la other popular operating systems. Learn how to configure your own Apple Mighty Mouse with this tutorial.
How To: Organize the My Documents folder in Windows XP
The Windows XP My Documents folder is a great way to organize and view folders and files on a computer running Microsoft Windows XP. Learn how to organize the My Documents folder with tips from a computer programmer in this free computer video on Windows XP.
How To: Stop start-up programs from loading automatically
Has your Windows computer been sluggish of late? This simple how-to demonstrates how to stop background processes from running automatically on your Microsoft Windows PC without the use of third-party software. Stop unnecessary start-ups with this tutorial.
How To: Switch, or flip, between windows in Windows Vista
This how-to video discusses various modes of window management in Windows Vista. Learn how to use the hesitate, alt-tab and flip features. Never again will you need to engage in the laborious process of cycling through each minimized application window by mouse click. Switch, or flip, between windows in Windows Vista.
How To: Patch a package in Ubuntu Linux
New to the Linux operating system? In this video, Daniel Holbach takes you through the process of patching a package in Ubuntu Linux. Watch this tutorial to learn for yourself this necessary skill for Ubuntu packaging.
How To: Hide folders on the Mac
Do you have folders on your Mac that you don't want anyone else to see? Take a look at this tutorial and learn how to turn your folders invisible.