How to install WordPress in Windows Vista

By Ross McKillop on July 18th, 2008
Blogging Web Design & Dev Windows

This brief will take you through the steps required to install WordPress - and all of its dependencies (Apache, PHP and MySQL) - in Windows Vista, using the fantastic open source software BitNami WordPress Stack. Read the rest of this article »

How to use Transmission as your BitTorrent client (OS X)

By Ross McKillop on July 17th, 2008
Bittorrent Mac

From the About Transmission page:

Transmission has been built from the ground up to be a lightweight, yet powerful BitTorrent client. Its simple, intuitive interface is designed to integrate tightly with whatever computing environment you choose to use. Transmission strikes a balance between providing useful functionality without feature bloat. Furthermore, it is free for anyone to use or modify.

This tutorial will guide you through the steps to install, setup and use Transmission to download files using BitTorrent. Read the rest of this article »

How access the files on your Mac from Vista

By Ross McKillop on July 17th, 2008
Mac Windows

This tutorial will guide you through the steps required to access your OS X files and folders from Windows Vista. Read the rest of this article »

How to use Cover Stream to control iTunes

By Ross McKillop on July 16th, 2008
Mac

Cover Stream is an interesting little app that allows you to control iTunes - with very pretty interface, without having to leave your currently open program. Though I’m somewhat partial to using Quicksilver for everything iTunes-control-related, Cover Stream is without question much more visually appealing. The drawback? It’s not free. Cover Stream costs €14.95 EUR, which comes out to about $23.77 USD (at the time this was published). BUT, it does come with a lifetime of free updates, and there is a fully-functional (time limited) demo available for you to try out. Keep reading for a tour of the features and plenty of screenshots. Read the rest of this article »

How to use the Content Library feature of Publisher 2007

By Ross McKillop on July 15th, 2008
Office Windows

This tutorial will show you how to add items to the Microsoft Office Publisher 2007 Content Library, and then re-use them whenever you want. Read the rest of this article »

How to upload a website built with iWeb to a non .mac/MobileMe account

By Ross McKillop on July 15th, 2008
Mac Web Design & Dev

Publishing a web site using iWeb to a .mac or MobileMe account is dead simple. Publishing to your own server/hosting company isn’t difficult, but this tutorial will show you how to make it even easier - and much faster, especially if you have a large site. Read the rest of this article »

How to take screenshots with drop-shadows in OS X

By Ross McKillop on July 14th, 2008
Mac

This is a brief one, and most of you will know about it already. If you use Apple Key + Shift + 4 to take screenshots, hold down the Space bar at the end of that combination. Your cursor will change from the crosshairs to a “camera” - which you can use to take a screenshot of an application window. And those screenshots will have a nice drop-shadow - something that the screenshot software I use (InstantShot!) does not include.

screenshot without drop-shadow

screenshot with drop-shadow

How to take screenshots of your iPhone or iPod Touch screen

By Ross McKillop on July 14th, 2008
iPod/iPhone

Here’s another reader requested tutorial - how to take screenshots using your iPhone or iPod Touch (with the 2.0 firmware, non-jailbroken) and how to access them. Read the rest of this article »

How to reorder the icons on your iPhone or iPod Touch springboard

By Ross McKillop on July 14th, 2008
iPod/iPhone

This tutorial was created in response to several emails I’ve received on the subject. It’s another one of those “obvious, but easily overlooked” topics.

  1. To change the order of the icons on your iPhone or iPod Touch home screen (often referred to as the springboard) - tap and hold down any one of the icons. After holding down the icon for a couple of seconds, all of your icons will start to “wiggle”, and the applications that can be removed - generally those you have installed from the App Store - will have small X’s in the upper-left corner.
  2. iphone/ipod touch springboard
    click to enlarge

  3. While the icons are wiggling, tap and hold down the one you want to move, and drag it to whatever location you want.
  4. iphone/ipod touch springboard with icons relocated
    click to enlarge

  5. Repeat step #2 until you’re happy with your springboard layout. When you’re done, click the “bottom” button on your iPhone/iPod Touch.

Screenshot Tour: Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D for iPhone/iPod Touch

By Ross McKillop on July 12th, 2008
iPod/iPhone

I’m not much of a video game reviewer, so I’ll keep it brief and just include a bunch of screenshots. It’s fun. Getting used to the controls takes some time, and Mario Kart for Wii it is not. But it’s fun. And for $10, the price is certainly right. More screenshots after the jump.

crash bandicoot nitro kart 3d for the iphone and ipod touch intro screen
Read the rest of this article »

How to delete apps from your iPod Touch or iPhone

By Ross McKillop on July 12th, 2008
iPod/iPhone

So you’ve downloaded, perhaps even purchased, some of the new iPhone/iPod Touch apps from the App Store. Then you discovered you don’t really want or need that app. This tutorial will guide you in deleting it from your iPhone or iPod Touch. Read the rest of this article »

How to SSH from your Windows Mobile Smartphone

By Ross McKillop on July 12th, 2008
Windows Mobile

This tutorial will guide you through setting up and using MidpSSH, an open source (free) SSH and telnet client for Java-capable cellphones and other mobile devices.

ssh session in windows mobile
Read the rest of this article »

How to control iTunes with your iPhone or iPod Touch

By Ross McKillop on July 11th, 2008
iPod/iPhone

One of the great new features of the 2.0 iPhone/iPod Touch software is the App Store. One of the great (free) things in the App Store, is Remote. This tutorial will guide you through downloading, installing, setting up and using Remote to control iTunes from your iPhone and/or iPod Touch. Read the rest of this article »

How to use CrossLoop to make some extra money

By Ross McKillop on July 11th, 2008
Windows

Now that you know how to use CrossLoop to help remotely troubleshoot your friends and family members PCs, here’s how you can use it to make some money. Read the rest of this article »

Using CrossLoop to remotely connect to, view and control another PC

By Ross McKillop on July 11th, 2008
Windows

CrossLoop is an easy-to-use desktop sharing tool that allows any two people anywhere in the world to connect live via computer. When both users install CrossLoop (a free and secure program based on TightVNC), one can easily connect to the other. From there, you can see and control everything on the other persons PC, making remote troubleshooting remarkably easier. For a complete walkthrough on setting up CrossLoop, continue reading. Read the rest of this article »