Hot Software Tips Posts
Dumpster Drive: Exchange Your Digital Trash with Strangers
Do you ever wonder if the files you're trashing on your Mac are actually trash? Let's say there are 80 million computer owners running Mac OS. If each user trashes at least 10 files each day, that's 800 million deleted files that cease to exist every 24 hours. If that doesn't sound like a lot to you, a month would equal 24 billion junked files, a year—nearly 1 trillion.
Miro 4: Syncing Media to Android Devices Just Got Easier
Android devices are becoming more and more popular with each passing day, so why is it that Google has yet to design a software program that allows users to manage their music and video libraries on their computers? Apple's iTunes offers iPhone users an easy way to control their media files, as well as effortless syncing capabilities. But where's the option for Android smartphones? Is there no easy way to synchronize your media library with your DROID?
How To: Use CamStudio to record your PC screen
Would you like to record your PC screen? Download CamStudio and watch this video to learn how to capture video of your PC, perfect for making tutorials and let's plays. This video explains all you need to know about CamStudio: what to download and how to use it.
How To: Play music from the Amazon Cloud Player app on your Android device
If you have an Android device, you have an enormous music library at your fingertips. Learn how to use the Amazon Cloud Player app to stream music to your Android smartphone and you'll be able to play any song you like anywhere, anytime.
How To: Create a sleek roll-over menu with Antenna web design studio
Looking for a stylish design for your web site's menu? You can use Antenna web design studio to create buttons that change color when the cursor rolls over them, a nice way to let people know where they are on your site.
How To: Use Gimp to select a specific area of an image for editing
Gimp is an amazing free program that is capable of creating many of the same effects as Adobe Photoshop. In this video, you'll see how Gimp can be used to select one area of an image to be edited. Using a few of the program's many tools, you can transform images however you want.
How To: Create an eBook in Windows with RealPrinter
Eager to share your favorite pieces of literature, but can't find any electronic version of the book? Don't worry! You can create your own e-book library. All you need is a digital camera and some free software.
How To: Convert Video Files to Any Format with the Hamster Video Converter
There are many video formats and video players out in this world today; and just the same, there are many video converters that allow you to convert your videos to just about any format imaginable. But as you might have already found out, these converters take hours to convert; and many times the video quality does not come out all too great.
How To: Download WinRAR and unpack audio media files
When the amount of memory on your computer sucks, you either have two options: Buy more RAM, or make use of the storage space you've got by compressing your files. One program that will become your new BFF should you choose to do the latter is WinRAR. WinRAR is a compression and packaging software that makes it way easier to store large files on your computer.
How To: Safely Download Pictures in Bulk from Google Images
Downloading images from Google Images search can be a time consuming and DANGEROUS process. On more than one occasion, while trying to save the full size image and being forced to the originating website, I have accidentally come across malicious websites.
How To: Add a new email address to your cPanel Hosting Account
This tutorial is for people who are already using the cPanel Hosting account, and want to learn how to add a new email address to the existing account (such as for a new employee). It's an easy, quick process - this video shows you how!
How To: Make an animation sequence with Sketchup
As you already know, Sketchup is a very cool program which allows you to design a myriad of things. But, did you know you can then animate those images? You can, and this tutorial will walk you through the steps to show you how. This is a very valuable thing to know if you're presenting something to a class, or client and want to show them the developmental stages of the project. So check out this video, get designing and put those pictures into motion!
How To: Make people fat in photos with Photoshop liquify tool
Wanna have some fun with Photoshop? Well, instead of touching up a photo to make someone look thinner, how about editing the photo to add on a few pound? Or 20? Or 40? Heck, why not an even 100 lbs! Well, with Adobe Photoshop liquify you can push those pounds to the max. Go for it and watch that skinny minnie turn into a beached whale. Of course, you then have the option to turn it all back again. After you post the photo to Facebook.
How To: Turn someone from thin to fat with Photoshop
Everyone wants to be thinner, BUT, what if you'd like to put on a little weight? Or, how about a LOT of weight? Even in a photo? Well this video shows how to use Photoshop and its liquify tool to expand someone from their svelt self to a bigger, beautiful person.
How To: Make someone look fat with Photoshop
Well, usually people are looking to go from fat to thin, but sometimes it's fun to see what a person would look like if they were on a full Twinkie diet. Well, this tutorial shows how to use the liquify tool in Adobe Photoshop to add weight to someone to make them look pudgey, overyweight, fat or even downright obese. The tool is easy to use and the video shows clearly how to turn that beach babe into a Jenny Craig "before" photo! Check it out and YOU can make people look fat in photos.
How To: Use Photoscape and install additional fonts
If you're using Photoscape you already know what a cool and free alternative it is to more costly photo editing programs such as Photoshop. You also likely know that the program only comes with so many fonts, but this how to video will show you what to do to install more fonts to expand all your graphic editing goodness. Check it out and learn how to do it! You'll want some sort of zip program such as winzip or winrar to unpack the zipped font files after you download them.
How To: Add fonts to Photoscape
Photoscape is a pretty sweet, free photo editing software. However, it comes with a limited number of fonts installed and you'll likely want to add more yourself. This how to video shows you step by step what to do to get additional fonts and then how to install them in Photoscape. This is an excellent video designed to expand a great piece of software by letting you add more fonts. You'll need an unzip prog like winzip or winrar to help you get it done.
How To: Insert a movie from iTunes into your Keynote project
The Media Manager that comes with Keynote is a useful tool for adding in all sorts of media to your slideshow or project; and videos can add an extra level of depth and information to your project. Take any movie or clip from your iTunes library and then use the Media Manager tool to insert it into Keynote. It's a very simple process - the whole video showing you how to do it takes barely a minute!
How To: Insert a YouTube movie into your Keynote presentation
Found a video on YouTube that's perfect for your Keynote presentation? It's easy to embed YouTube clips on websites, but how can you successfully insert them into something like a Keynote project? It's actually quite easy! This video, just over a minute long, shows you the basic process behind downloading and re uploading your chosen video. Make sure that you append the .flv file extension to your downloaded fire, and also take care that you have the right to use what you're incorporating.
How To: Use FileZilla to set up an FTP server for your website
If you're running your own website, you'll no doubt want to upload large files. An easy and free software program you can use to set up an FTP server is FileZilla, and this tutorial shows you all the basics of the program.
How To: Burn YouTube Videos to DVD with Freemake Video Converter
Have you ever come across a cute YouTube video that you absolutely fell in love with, and wanted to share it with your friends on a big TV? Unfortunately, YouTube doesn't have a "Burn to DVD" button next to every video. But after following the steps below, you won't need one. You'll be able to rip any video from YouTube and burn it directly to DVD, just in two clicks.
How To: Use all of the new effects included in Photo Booth for Mac OS X
Photo Booth is a fun application bundled with Mac computers that makes it easy to take photos with the built-in camera on the laptop. This tutorial shows how to take still pictures and video with Photo Booth, and add effects to the picture or video.
How To: Improve a Digital Photograph in Apple's Aperture
Meet Aperture 3.1.1, Apple's powerful photo post-production tool with the Amazing Shrinking Price Tag. First released in 2005 for $500, Aperture is now available in the Mac App Store for a measly $79.99—a price reduction of 83.67%! That means a lot of new buyers and, as a result, a lot of new users.
How To: Enhance a digital photo in Apple's Aperture 3 as a beginner
In this clip, we learn a basic digital photography workflow, one which will enable you to enhance your favorite digital photos with both ease and speed. (Note: To follow along, you will need to have the application installed. Learn how to download and install the Mac App Store here.)
How To: Import video from video DVDs to iOS
Handbrake is a free application that will read DVDs and convert the video footage for usable formats that you can open on your Macintosh, your iPhone, your iPod or Apple TV. The imported video footage can also be edited in iMovie.
How To: Sign and email PDF documents from your iPhone
Sign-N-Send is a helpful app for the iOS that lets you sign documents, whether PDF or an image, directly on the screen of your device. Open PDF documents from your iPhone, sign them using your touchscreen, and send them off. This informative video demo from Lifehacker shows you how it works.
How To: Make a fake tilt shift time lapse in Magic Bullet
You will need to create some time lapse footage first. Then, you can use the Magic Bullet software to edit in a fake tilt shift look for your time lapse film. This technique will work on most other video editing programs as well.
How To: Use Microsoft Expression to capture your screens to film a tutorial
Interested in making your own tutorials? You'll need some good screen capture software if you want to do a screencast, and one of the best programs for that is Microsoft Expression. This video goes over the basics of the program so you can get the most out of it.
How To: Make the Rocket Dock program behave like Mac Stack on your computer
The best thing about this application is that it's totally free - get the Rocket Dock program on a Windows machine to behave more like Mac Stack. Set up a download folder to make downloading files easier for your users and customers.
How To: Use the Tortoise SVN application on a Windows machine
Tortoise is an incredibly useful tool for programmers and those who do write or are planning to write lots of software on a Windows machine. New users don't have to worry about getting an SVN, but more advanced users will appreciate the functionality.
How To: Remove the background from images using GIMP
Found a great image you want to use for your website or blog, but don't like the background? this tutorial shows you an easy way for you to take any image in the free photo editing software GIMP and edit away the background.
How To: Clean your PC and remove malware
If you're concerned that your computer has been infected by spyware and other malicious programs, watch this informational video and find out how to clean and restore your computer back to a normal bill of health. This informative tutorial shows various methods that can be used to disinfect your computer and rid it of those nasty viruses once and for all!
How To: Use MiniLyrics with any music player to get all your songs' lyrics
How DOES that song go!? With MiniLyrics installed on your system, you won't ever ask again. Working in conjunction with any music player, MiniLyrics will give you the words to all your favorite tunes, letting your read along while you do something else. MiniLyrics works with iTunes, winamp, RealPlayer, Windows Media Player etc.
How To: Limit the access of your Facebook apps with FB-Secure
Like everyone, you're on Facebook. And, also like everyone, you'd like to control the access your Facebook apps have BEFORE you even install them. Well, you can, with a sweet little Firefox add-on called FB-Secure. Take control of Facebook app privileges before they read your secret diary.
How To: Set up the eye controls for your facial animations in Blender
Part of what makes an anthropomorphic animation convincing is being able to make the eyes move realistically. This tutorial shows you how to set up and customize the eye controls for your animation project made using the Blender animation software.
How To: Create a walk cycle for your animation in Blender
So you have your figure, all mapped out and rendered. And now you need to make it walk. This tutorial shows you how to set up a walk cycle in Blender by arranging your various poses in the correct sequence for a realistic stride.
How To: Password Protect Google Chrome with Rohos Mini Drive
Get Google Chrome Download and install Google Chrome.
How To: Use loops and beatmapping in Sony Acid Studio
This tutorial shows you how you can use two features of Sony Acid - loops and beatmapping. These can give you a good deal more versatility, especially when you are working on a remix. This tutorial shows you how to use both.
How To: Create Favicon icons with png2ico's free icon software
Are you tired of using other people's services to create Favicon icons for yourself or your clients? This tutorial shows you how to use a nifty (and free) little program called png2ico to do it yourself! Download the software here.
How To: Clone your head, face or anything, then print in 3D, with Anim8or & Pepakura
What could you do with two of you? Or, two cats, or two cars, or two of anything? Cloning, it's the way of the future and this tutorial shows you how to clone and print a 3D model of virtually anything. Using Anim8or and Pepakura Designer you can model your face and print it up to create a 3D mask. Two for the road I say! (Or would that be four?)