Technical "Howto" Articles

Introduction and background

The first articles originated in our Diary of a Home Page as detailed documentation of various steps in setting up our own computer, it's software, it's communications and the web site itself. Some were, or still are, considered important enough to be referenced directly on our Home Page. The articles form an essential part of the documentation of our own system and how to rebuild it in the case of disasters and hopefully prevent us, our friends and those we support reinventing wheels. The series has been progresively extended, initially to provide specific support to Pauline's OU Students and other Tutors and finally grew to the point where it became a valid entry point to our Web Site with its own counters etc.

As time has passed some of the early articles have become less relevant as machines have increased in power and software has has evolved - the articles are retained in a separate section for those with older and less powerful systems who need to work with software from earlier generations. It has recently gained a "Small Firms" section directed towards the information needed by the small firms, consultants (and clubs) I support. Some articles are duplicated in the various tables to emphasise their particular importance to the area. Specific information can be found using the Site Search Engine covering the whole of our site.

Background Articles Updated - Mobile Computing and Communication: - of interest to those seeking freedom. Updated - Our Computer System - Rationale and Specification- of interest to those purchasing or upgrading and provides a reference on our hardware and software for the other articles. Updated - Essential Windows System, Application and Utility Software - of interest to those seeking efficiency. New - Open Source, Free and Cross-Platform Software - This is a new page which is still under development coming out of our experiences with Ubuntu Linux. It addresses the issues of Open Source, Free and Cross-Platform Software. It is targeted at making the transition between operating systems, keeping options open for such a transition or just obtaining the enhanced security of Open Source software. It may even save you money as well!

 

Ubuntu Linux "Howto" Articles Updated - Fun with Ubuntu Linux- Actually a serious look at migration from Windows to Linux: this page served as my documentation and work in progress. It was updated to cover changes up to the last LTS version Precise Pangolin and sections specific to versions which are no longer supported have been removed. The original which includes Ubuntu 6.06 Dapper Drake remains here. The version covering Hardy, Jaunty and Karmic remains here and Lucid to Oneiric Ocelot here . The new Unity Desktop and its features are covered in Ubuntu Unity - Evolution or Revolution . New - Fun with Lubuntu - this page - An introduction to Lubuntu which outlines the difference from the original Ubuntu based on the Gnome Desktop in the same way I have produced a page covering the use of the Unity Desktop - the path the mainstream Ubuntu has followed. Updated - Ubuntu on the Lookout - covers installing and setting up the main programs which interact with the outside world through the Internet, namely Browsers, Email, Contacts, Calendars and Tasks. There are details of sharing and synchronising Email, Contacts, Calendars and Tasks etc., between between a number of computers and with PDAs running Windows Mobile. Updated - Ubuntu All Together - Sharing, Networking, Backup, Synchronisation and Encryption under Ubuntu Linux - Mounting Drives, File Sharing between Computers running both Linux and Windows and secure access to remote machines which are all prerequisites for the main topics of Backup and Synchronisation. Ubuntu Linux on the Move - covers global communications via mobile phones, PDAs and mobile broadband USB dongles etc., with some coverage of specific software and techniques to minimise data costs. Ubuntu on the Take - covers how to handle all the pictures we take in the Digital Camera era using Ubuntu Linux - it is currently being extended to include capturing video, editing video and authoring DVDs. Recent - Ubuntu making Music - Transcribing music from CDs, cassette tape and LPs into digital format, adding and editing metadata and playing Updated - Ubuntu Unity - Evolution or Revolution - An introduction to the Unity Desktop including bug fixes and enhancements updated for Precise Pangolin PHP Scripts and setting up a Ubuntu Linux Server An introduction to PHP directed at form handling and encryption tested on an Ubuntu Linux Server. The Road to Freedom - A progressive migration from Windows to Ubuntu for Safety, Security and Savings in Home Computing is in two parts and marks the transition from a how I did it story to a how you should do it guide. It aims , in five dedicated evenings to take a normal Windows user through all the steps to improve, secure and backup their Windows system and then, in Part Two - Base Camp, to make the transition to a dual booted Windows and Ubuntu Linux System and configure Ubuntu to have capabilities similar or better than a typical pre-installed Windows system and much more secure. The MSI Wind U100 Netbook for Global Communications and Computing - how we brought all our other work together to provide the ultimate in mobile communications. It is so successful we have bought a second one! Another full guide. Open Source, Free and Cross-Platform Software - This is still under development coming out of our experiences with Ubuntu Linux. It addresses the issues of Open Source, Free and Cross-Platform Software. It is targeted at making the transition between operating systems, keeping options open for such a transition or just obtaining the enhanced security of Open Source software. It may even save you money as well!

General "Howto" Articles Updated - Mobile Computing and Communication: - of interest to those seeking freedom. Howto Send Email from Anywhere - Various ways to get round the restrictions of many ISPs including using Authenticated Email Servers. The XDA Executive Pocket PC an important tool in the search for lightweight global communications and computing. The Palm Treo 750 Smartphone/Pocket PC a competitor in the search for lightweight global communications and computing. The Blackberry Bold 9700 - the latest of my tools for lightweight global communications and computing and the most practical overall. Secure Storage and Email - Pretty Good Privacy, OpenPGP, GNUGP and Truecrypt - strong encryption for everyone who needs Secure Storage or Email under Windows and now Linux, Pocket PCs and Securing Form Output using PHP on servers - almost a new page. New - JavaScript for Hiding and Expanding Blocks of Text JavaScript Popup Windows for Images - Open larger images in a single new window of the correct size when one or more thumbnails are clicked. Using Cookies in Web pages - more useful JavaScript snippets. Updated - A Guide to Painless Networks - A guide to setting up a simple and cheap network for home or a small firm. Networking with Mixed Windows XP and 9X systems - what to do when you have to add Windows XP machines to an old network. ADSL Broadband - considerations and practicalities of Broadband access. Internet Connection Sharing - a cheap way to get all machines online when you go Broadband Recent - ADSL Wi-Fi Router Firewalls - a better way to share broadband and add Wi-Fi Wireless access to your network. Guide to Selecting an ISP Freezone - where this site is hosted with both free Services, a number of good value hosting packages and free email virus checking. Fasthosts - A comprehensive, good value host - one of the biggest in the UK claiming it hosts over 100,000 business sites. Updated - How to create your first web site - Tips and hints for the novice on how to create and upload a simple web site. Updated - Arachnophilia - a simple Free (CareWare) Linux compatible HTML Editor HTML Forms - a guide to adding a Form to your web site Updated - How to Handle the Output from Forms - Script files, cgi, PERL, FormMail and iHTML and now PHP using Freeserve and Fasthosts as examples. Form Validation - How to validate important fields to check they filled in and that an email address is valid, before the the form is submited Search Engines and Directories - How to get a listing, a crucial page rewritten for the small firms section. Web Page Counters - how to add a Hit Counter to your web page Embedding Video in Web pages with many useful JavaScript snippets - for those with Internet Explorer 5+ and/or some experience of Java. Thoughts on Communications - of interest to those setting up systems. In need of updating but the philosophy holds Thoughts on Backup and Archiving - of interest to those seeking robust systems. In need of updating but the philosophy holds Recovering from Internet and Email Disasters - what you need to do to restore contact (uses Freezone and Fasthosts as examples). (Established Page) Howto Backup Email messages, Address books and Dictionaries originally for small firms where ones address list and email messages are of vital importance. Internet Security - How to make sure you are protected against Hacking Virus Checkers - Configuration and Testing - including validation of correct operation/detection using the EICAR standard test virus. Remote Access to POP mailboxes - access POP mailboxs on the server to delete virus infected files. Install or Rebuild a Windows XP System - older systems are covered in a Install or Rebuild a Windows 95/98 System File Types and Associations in Windows 9X and XP - what you should know before installing any software. Written for Windows 95/98 but still relevant. Zipped files, archives and the use of Winzip Using Multiple ISPs - how to add and utilise a new ISP such as Freeserve Maximise Modem Performance for the Internet Update Modems with Flash Memory - speed up access by upgrading your modem to the latest standards How to save money on the Internet - Tips and hints to speed up access and minimise time online (parts now out of date, others still very relevant!).

 

Howto Articles appropriate to OU Students and Tutors Open Teaching - How to Maximise the Use of Open Source Software for Open University Tutoring - Our experiences using a Dual Booted Linux Laptop for Tutoring round the world. New - The OU Virtual Learning Environment - Efficient use of Forums and Email by Students and Tutors - first experiences with the new OU VLE and how we are setting up for use away from broadband. It includes important information on how to fix problems such as now to cut and paste into VLE Forum Postings when using Firefox. Updated - Guidance on Preparation of TMAs for Electronic Marking for Students - This is essential reading before submitting e-TMAs especially now there are many more tools and matching bear traps. Updated - Guidance on Electronic Marking of TMAs for Tutors - This contains a lot of useful information for marking e-TMAs - the OU has now included much of the original material in their guidance notes but it now contains information on setting up modern Word Processors, includng OpenOffice for easy marking and a lot of new tips and tricks. Guide to FirstClass - including Offline use with "Personal" and a new section covering use under Ubuntu Linux - now becoming redundant with the introduction of the VLE. Older OU Articles for reference only How to save money on the Internet - Tips and hints to speed up access and minimise time online (parts now out of date, others still very relevant!). File Types and Associations in Windows - what you should know before installing any OU software. Zipped files, archives and the use of Winzip Virus Checkers - Configuration and Testing - including validation of correct operation/detection using the EICAR standard test virus. Using NetMeeting for Tutoring - an initial assessment of possibilities Publishing PowerPoint Presentations on the Web Using Microsoft Power Point ActiveX Presentations Dolphin Smalltalk 98 - an initial assessment How to add Learning Books to LearningWorks Smalltalk - for OU Tutors and Students.

 

Howto Articles appropriate for Older Systems,Reference and Legacy Articles Install or Rebuild a Windows 95/98 System - still relevant for the many Windows 98 SE systems in use. Install Widows 95 upgrades - Service pack 1 , Windows Messaging and Internet Mail and Newsreader - a legacy document Loading Windows 95 Service Release 2 (OSR2) Create a Dial Up Network PPP Connection - includes details for older systems using Windows 95 Real life Internet Access Rates Publishing PowerPoint Presentations on the Web Using Microsoft Power Point ActiveX Presentations Transfer of Programs and Data to and from a Laptop Installing Windows 95 Direct Cable Connection software Install a Modem under Windows 95/98 Create a Dial Up Network PPP Connection - includes details for systems using the original releases of Windows 95 Adding HTML capabilities to Microsoft Office 4.2 and 95 - Internet Assistants CompuServe POP3/SMTP server - a comparison to csmail, how to convert Personal Address Book (.PAB) files and using Remote Mail. The Free Agent Offline Newsgroup Reader - Installation and configuration Howto install the Microsoft Fax Service in Windows 98 - handle all your faxes along with your other mail in Outlook. Experiences with Internet Explorer 4 Experience with Pipex The Hauppauge WIN/TV PCI Video Card - inputing pictures from a video camera. Guide to Freeserve - A free ISP service with Email Newsgroups and Web space Guide to Telinco - free ISP service from a major telecoms firm. Needs updating to reflect changes after takeover by Tiscali and now only open to existing subscribers. Guide to Genie - BT Cellnet's Free ISP services with advantages for overseas use and services for mobile telephone users - now replaced by O2 which does not offer Internet Access yet.

 

Howto Articles for Small Businesses Internet Requirements of a Small Business Domain Names and their Registration Choosing an ISP to host a commercial site and provide email Freezone - where this site is hosted with both free services and a number of good value business hosting packages. Claims to host over 12000 business sites. Fasthosts - A comprehensive, good value host - one of the biggest in the UK claiming it hosts over 100,000 business sites. Update - Web Site Tutorial - Tips and hints on how to quickly create and upload a simple web site without expensive software (appropriate to a small firm, club or home). A well established and much visited page. Search Engines and Directories - what you need to do to get visitors to a business site. Essential reading before starting to design a site. Secrets of successful web site design part 1 - covers the priorities, strategy and techniques required for creating a small business site with impact. Secrets of successful web site design part 2 - part 2 covers the implementation of a small business site and contains an example "template" with a description and rationale for every element. HTML Forms - a guide to adding a Form to your web site Major Updates - How to Handle the Output from Forms - Script files, cgi, PERL, FormMail and iHTML and now PHP using Freeserve and Fasthosts as examples. Form Validation - How to validate important fields to check they filled in and that an email address is valid, before the the form is submited PHP Scripts An introduction to PHP directed at form handling and encryption with notes on setting up a Ubuntu Linux Server Secure Transactions - SSL and all that Web Page Counters - how to add a Hit Counter to your web page to measure your success. JavaScript Popup Windows for Images - Open larger images in a single new window of the correct size when one or more thumbnails are clicked. Recovering from Internet and Email Disasters - what you need to do to restore contact with your customers (uses Freeserve, Freezone and Fasthosts as examples). Howto Backup Email messages, Address books and Dictionaries - The address list and email messages are of vital importance. A Guide to Painless Networks - A guide to setting up a simple and cheap network for home or a small firm. Networking with Mixed Windows XP and 9X systems - what to do when you have to add Windows XP machines to an old network. ADSL Broadband - considerations and practicalities of Broadband access. Recent - ADSL Wi-Fi Router Firewalls - a better way to share broadband and add Wi-Fi Wireless access to your network. Major Update - Secure Storage and Email - Pretty Good Privacy, OpenPGP, GNUGP and Truecrypt - strong encryption for everyone who needs Secure Storage or Email under Windows. Now also covers Linux, Pocket PCs and Securing Form Output using PHP on servers - almost a new page. Virus Checkers - Configuration and Testing - including validation of correct operation/detection using the EICAR standard test virus. Internet Security - How to make sure you are protected against Hacking Consultancy Support - Options to provide a helping hand when you start and a safety net if disaster strikes Dedicated pages for Small Firms support use a different colour scheme and are in bold above.

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Copyright © Peter and Pauline Curtis Content revised: 7 th October, 2012