Tech Blog Articles and Howtos
Top Free Mac Applications
Tuesday, 29 November 2011 13:08
This is comprehensive list of our top favourite freee Mac OSX software, including a mix of open source and closed source application available for anyone to download. This isn't a list of most common programs, but a list of what we have found to be best in their free categories. We use these programs day in and day out; they've been tried and tested by our tech savy "panel of judges" per say, tested to breaking point and so in our opinion if it's not here, you don't need it!
Printer Driver Setup Error: Operation Could Not Be Completed
Sunday, 06 March 2011 17:27
This problem is usually caused by permission problems on a Windows XP machine, but there are other causes.
One thing we've found, are certain Windows Updates can also cause the "Printer Driver Setup Error: Operation Could Not Be Completed" message when installing new Printers on a machine. Usually caused by security update KB979683.
Blu-ray MP4 Ripping & BR Collection Backups Howto
Monday, 07 February 2011 11:09
If you want amazing High Definition video backups, this howto will demonstrate the best way to rip your own bluray collection and DVD collection (for Legal Use ONLY - We only backup DVDs/BRs that we own).
Through much trial and error, we've found this to be the best and cheapest way to get our Bluray's onto our Media Center and NAS at near perfect HD quality.
If you don't have file size constraints on your Bluray video collection and want near perfect video and surround sound quality every time then this tutorial is for you.
This is only for creating personal backups of your BR discs and we in no way condone or support ripping of illegal material. Use this information at our own risk.
Adium/Pidgin Error "Unable to add user: Unknown error (204)” on login
Tuesday, 12 October 2010 00:00
So you're using Adium or Pidgin and have been getting this annoying error message like "Unable to add user: Unknown error (204):"
How do you get rid of it?
Firstly don't try and modify the configuration files of Adium/Pidgin like I spent an hour trying to do, just do the following:
System BIOS Boot Keys for Laptops/Desktop PCs
Saturday, 19 June 2010 13:50
Here is my list of Laptop and Desktop System Boots Codes for various vendors. It's great if you're a tech and trying to remember what code to use for that particular brand or model of computer. Note that not all keys will work as some models have different key combinations to others.
Australian Telstra Exchange Feature Codes
Wednesday, 10 February 2010 13:14
On the odd occasion, we find ourselves having to use advanced features on Telstra service landlines. Finding these numbers is often time consuming and what's worse, trying to remember those exchange numbers you USE to know is frustrating.
This is why we've compiled my own list of Exchange Feature codes. Please let us know if we have missed additional numbers that should be included. (VoIP Service Providers aren't covered below and if you're looking for Mobile GSM/2G/3G Network Feature Codes try here.)
HTACCESS Header/Footer Wrapper for PHP
Thursday, 13 July 2006 04:16
HTACCESS is a remarkable tool you can use for password protection, error handling (like custom 404 pages), or HTTP redirects. It can also be used to transform whole folders in seconds: adding headers to all your HTML documents, watermarking all your images, and more.
What is the best free Installer Creation Program for Windows?
Monday, 10 April 2006 01:30
One of the best Free/Open Source Installer Programs for Windows is called "Inno Setup". It is developed by JR SoftwareStreaming Video with NSV Shoutcast
Saturday, 25 March 2006 21:14
This tutorial assumes knowledge of how to use command line tools in the Windows environment. The tutorials also assume basic knowledge of setting up the SHOUTcast DNAS. Refer to the streaming audio tutorials for information on the SHOUTcast DNAS, these tutorials use the default configuration, though. Both the command line tools and GUI tools are explained (excluding FLASK currently).
Unison Linux System Synchronisation
Saturday, 08 October 2005 09:17
Unison is a simple program to synchronize two file locations. Think of it as a combination of rsync and subversion. Though it's not as robust as either of those two programs, it's extremely simple to use and comes in handy more than you think.Secure and Private Browsing with Squid
Saturday, 08 October 2005 09:13
Browsing a site that supports SSL is a definite way to make sure no one can snoop in on what you're doing -- which is a good thing when you're doing something personal like checking email over the web or buying something from amazon. But if you're just doing stuff like reading the daily news or checking movie times, is privacy that important? The ultra-paranoid will give a resounding "yes" to that question while most people will just shrug. I find myself in between those two parties. At home while I'm reading the news, I could care less if the traffic is encrypted or not. However, when I'm at a public wi-fi spot, it does bother me a bit.Firefox Setting Default Preferences
Wednesday, 28 September 2005 19:46
Firefox allows for set preferences for every new user that opens up the web browser.
The best way to automatically set preferences within Firefox 2 is to do the following:
MSN Messenger TCP/UDP Service Ports
Tuesday, 27 September 2005 14:34
MSN Messenger 7.0 and earlier runs on multiple ports including NetMeeting. Here is a list useful for port-forwarding.
FDISK Tutorial (Basic)
Saturday, 24 September 2005 13:45
The Basics of Fdisk:
Primary partitions are the only one that are bootable. They're always the C: drive when active. Normally you can only have one (more with some special tricks etc.) Extended partitions are needed when you want more than one partition.
Windows Key Shortcuts
Saturday, 24 September 2005 13:43
The Windows logo key, located in the bottom row of most computer keyboards is a little-used treasure. Don't' ignore it.Setup and Use Internet Connection Sharing in Windows XP
Saturday, 24 September 2005 13:40
With Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) in Windows XP, you can connect one computer to the Internet, then share the Internet service with several computers on your home or small office network. The Network Setup Wizard in Windows XP Professional will automatically provide all of the network settings you need to share one Internet connection with all the computers in your network. Each computer can use programs such as Internet Explorer and Outlook Express as if they were directly connected to the Internet.DHCP FAQ
Saturday, 24 September 2005 13:34
Don't know what DHCP is? Chances are your computer is using it right now.DHCP mini-HowTo
Saturday, 24 September 2005 13:27
This mini-HOWTO covers both the DHCP _SERVER_ daemon as well as DHCP _CLIENT_ daemon. Most people need the client daemon which is used by workstations to obtain network information from a remote server. The server daemon is used by system administrators to distribute network information to clients so if you are just a regular user you need the _CLIENT_ daemon.
Subversion (CVS) Quick Setup Howto
Wednesday, 21 September 2005 01:11
Subversion is a free/open-source version control system. That is, Subversion manages files and directories over time. A tree of files is placed into a central repository. The repository is much like an ordinary file server, except that it remembers every change ever made to your files and directories. This allows you to recover older versions of your data, or examine the history of how your data changed. In this regard, many people think of a version control system as a sort of "time machine".
Apache .htaccess Files
Tuesday, 02 August 2005 11:20
Access Configuration or .htaccess files can be used to change various directives for a directory and any directories beneath it.
Each Apache server has a global access configuration file which can set the defaults for all directories. It can also limit or completely forbid .htaccess files. If you administer your own server, great. Otherwise, you may need to check with the admin to see if any limitations are in place. We're not going to deal with this type of configuration, just with .htaccess.
Sending files as Mail Attachment (Unix Shell)
Wednesday, 27 July 2005 11:27
This article shows how to send e-mails from a shell script, including file attachments. It lists different ways (uuencode, MIME), and explains the advantages and disadvantages of each.Customise Internet Explorer Toolbar
Monday, 25 July 2005 14:57
Make sure Internet Explorer is not running.This is how you can set IE to automatically clear the cache of websites you have visited. This allows for more disk space on your drive, and stopping annoying caching problems that can arise.
Run Regedit and go to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Internet Settings\ Cache
Hide Windows Drives Policy
Monday, 25 July 2005 14:54
To prevent a drive or any combination of drives from appearing in My Computer, Windows Explorer or Internet Explorer, for security purposes in a multiuser environment, if you own the computer or have Administrator privileges, add/modify the "NoDrives" (don't type the quotation marks) Binary [hex] value under this Registry key, using Regedit:HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software\Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Policies\ Explorer
Why DVD+R(W) is superior to DVD-R(W)
Friday, 20 June 2003 00:00
Since the war between DVD+R(W) and DVD-R(W) started, several comparisons of the two formats have been published, but none of those I read did contain really accurate technical information. Instead, journalists relied on public press releases and white papers provided by vendors to write their articles, resulting in the end into superficial explanations and sometimes contradictory conclusions.