Techworld.com How-tos

Saving Google Maps destinations for easy navigation

Nick Barber) — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:54:00 GMT

Saving a destination in Google Maps makes it easier to navigate to and also lessens the chance for error when entering or trying to remember an address.

How to pick a CPU when buying servers

Henry Newman) — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 10:54:00 GMT

As 2013 rolls in and the economy stabilises, many IT organisations are looking to upgrade their computational and storage systems. Like any IT purchasing decision, there are tradeoffs to consider and choices to make regarding hardware features and the technology available. When it comes to storage servers, the first step is understanding your CPU options.

How a private cloud can save money and the environment

Stephanie Overby) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 16:30:00 GMT

When Ricoh Europe realized its IT environment was both spiraling out of control and environmentally unfriendly, it turned to a IT services provider for help. Working with Infosys, Ricoh developed a private cloud that helped it consolidate nine data centers into two, cutting infrastructure costs and reducing carbon dioxide emissions significantly.

How to temporarily disable Microsoft Security Essentials

Rick Broida) — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 16:07:00 GMT

When it comes to keeping my PC secure, I rely on a small handful of tools: Windows 7's built-in firewall, Gmail's spam filtering, Web of Trust's helpful browser plug-in, and Microsoft's free Security Essentials anti-virus utility.

How to make your Surface RT touchscreen respond faster

Rick Broida) — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 15:03:00 GMT

Fiddling with the Registry is old hat to anyone conversant with Windows, but Microsoft's Surface RT - well, that's a tablet with a specialised version of Windows. Surely it has no Registry to hack, right?

Why, how and where to update your Windows 8 drivers

Alex Castle) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Has your computer's hardware started freaking out, freezing up or behaving in weird ways since you've made the jump to Windows 8? Don't lay blame at the feet of a mischievous gremlin. Instead, it's much more likely that your devices simply aren't rocking the most up-to-date Windows 8-compatible drivers.

How to shut down your MMO's servers for good: Farewell Glitch

Laura Blackwell) — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 16:34:00 GMT

It's been a sad few weeks for the developers and players of browser-based open-world sandbox MNO Glitch, which closed on Sunday night after 3 years of joy. Developer Tiny Speck gave the quirky, innovative game a memorable ending that made the blank stare of the servers more bearable for loyal players and development team members.

How you can stop spear-phishing

Jason Clark) — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 16:52:00 GMT

Most of us have clicked on an email that seemed legitimate, but wasn't. I am embarrassed to say it, but I recently clicked on a malicious link myself, and I should know better considering that I preach to people every day about the importance of protecting your organization against such tactic. But, the phishing email caught me at the wrong time when I was half paying attention to what I was doing, and it enticed me with right authentic looking message.

How to uninstall Windows 8

Matt Egan) — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 16:46:00 GMT

Windows 8 is set to launch on October 26 and many PC, tablet and laptop users have already installed the Consumer Preview or the Release Preview. But Windows 8 is a big change from Windows 7, and won't be for everyone: particularly those who wish to continue using only mouse and keyboard.

How to buy the best portable hard drive

Michael Brown) — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 17:03:00 GMT

You can never have too much digital storage, and the day will come—sooner than you think—when you won’t be able to squeeze a single new file onto your computer’s hard drive. And if your primary computer is a laptop or an all-in-one desktop, you won’t be able to solve the problem by opening the case and tossing in a supplemental drive.

How to enable Hibernate mode in Windows 8

Rick Broida) — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 16:35:00 GMT

Last month I explained how to shut down Windows 8, an option you wouldn't expect to require step-by-step instruction. And yet.

How to recognise and defeat website malware

Computerworld Philippines staff) — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 18:00:00 GMT

The Internet is already a general service in the Philippines, benefiting nearly 30 million Filipinos for everything from looking for a place, reading news, shopping and connecting with others through social networks.

How to make your own (cheaper) Fusion Drive

Albert Filice) — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 18:10:00 GMT

A Fusion Drive gives you the best of two worlds: the high storage capacity of a traditional platter-based hard drive, and the speed boost of a solid-state drive, without you having to manually manage files. Apple offers the Fusion Drive as build-to-order options for the $799 Mac mini and the upcoming iMac, but if you are willing, able, and have the parts, you can make your own Fusion Drive.

How to use social media to create business value

Kristin Burnham) — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 12:14:00 GMT

What makes your business a top business? According to a new report from the IBM Institute for Business Value, it could be how well your company implements social business.

How to build a killer Windows 8 gaming PC for under $1,000

Loyd Case) — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 18:20:00 GMT

Building a fast gaming PC is easier than ever. Building a fast gaming PC on a tight budget is a little harder—not because of the building, but because of the shopping. You have to scour the web (or your favorite retail stores) for the right prices on components.

How to gain access to an old PC without the logon password

Lincoln Spector) — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 17:23:00 GMT

This method of gaining access to a PC without the logon password doesn't reveal the existing password, it removes it completely, so if someone tries to break into your PC this way, you'd know as soon as you booted it up.

RIP MSN. How to become a Skype power user with our 7 must-know secrets

noreply@idg.co.uk (Rick Broida) — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Skype is so popular that in some circles people use the name of the service as a verb. Yet most people use Skype only for making free voice calls, and for conducting occasional video chats between far-flung relatives. That's a shame, because Skype is a powerful business tool. A Skype-powered videoconference can take the place of a business trip, saving you money on airfare, hotel, and car rental. And let’s not forget the free Skype-to-Skype calls you can make to overseas suppliers, clients, and other contacts.

How to add a Windows Server 2012 domain controller to an existing Windows 2008 domain

Mike Brown, Windows Server Instructor at Firebrand Training) — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 16:59:00 GMT

There are two ways to add Windows 2012 DCs to an existing domain: 1 Perform an in-place upgrade of an existing Windrows 2008 or Windows 2008 R2 domain controller; or 2) Install a new Windows 2012 Server, join it to the domain and promote it to be a domain controller.

How to look behind URL shorteners with Unshorten.it

Rick Broida) — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 15:44:00 GMT

Shortened links are everywhere these days, especially on Twitter, where long web addresses are at odds with the 140-character message limit.

How to make sure Facebook Page posts you want to see aren't hidden

Kristin Burnham) — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 17:07:00 GMT

A change to Facebook's algorithm means you're probably not seeing posts from businesses and brand pages you've liked. Here are step-by-step instructions for changing these settings.

How to add Windows Media Center to Windows 8 for free

Rick Broida) — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 16:57:00 GMT

Earlier this year I suggested that because Microsoft was unbundling Windows Media Center from Windows 8, fans of the former should avoid upgrading to the latter.

How to make an SAP enhancement pack upgrade 'silent'

Chris Kanaracus) — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 16:32:00 GMT

Several years ago, SAP introduced enhancement packs, which were supposed to provide a much easier and less painful way to upgrade its ERP (enterprise resource planning) software. Executives extolled how customers could add new functionality without committing to a full-blown upgrade.

How to shut down Windows 8

Rick Broida) — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 15:39:00 GMT

Anyone who has given Windows 8 a test drive has probably encountered the same conundrum - how do you actually shut down your PC?

How to dual-boot Windows 8 and Windows 7

Rick Broida) — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 12:50:00 GMT

Although you may not be jumping for joy that Windows 8 is coming, I'll wager you're at least a little curious. Could the new OS make your computing life any better? Is the new interface a boon, or more of a boondoggle?

How to replace missing Start button in Windows 8

Susan Perschke) — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 17:28:00 GMT

We tested three different products that produce a decent facsimile of the legacy Windows start button for Windows 8, since Microsoft has confirmed that the missing start button will not be making a re-appearance in the release version of Windows 8.