How to Use Google Chrome to Remotely Access Your Computer. We have looked at some of the various ways in which remote access of your computer can be achieved, including using TeamViewer and VNC, but if you have Chrome installed you can do the same with nothing more than a browser extension. It does not matter whether you’re using Windows or OS X (sadly, Linux users are left out in the cold), all you need is the Chrome Remote Desktop extension. Grab yourself a copy of the add-on from the Chrome Web Store – click the Add To Chrome button followed by Add. You’ll need to install the extension on both the computer you want to be able to used remotely and any machines you want to be able to use to dial in. Start with the machine you want to be able to control.
This is actually a surprisingly large extension, weighing in at some 22.6MB, but it will install very quickly nonetheless. The first time you launch Chrome Remote Desktop, you’ll need to grant it permission to access your computer. How to Backup Your DVD and Blu-Ray Movie Collection. In this guide, we will show you how to backup your movie collection on to blank DVD and Blu-Ray discs, along with ripping the movie on to your computer if you prefer to keep a digital copy instead. Image by El Gran Dee. Whether you have family videos that you’d like to preserve or the latest Hollywood blockbuster, it’s worth your time to make sure that your investment doesn’t become scratched, lost, stolen, or otherwise useless.
Making copies of commercial discs (such as Hollywood movies) requires an extra step that isn’t necessary for homemade discs. Commercial discs are encrypted to make copying them a little more difficult. The first part of this guide will show you how to bypass that encryption, but it will be irrelevant to you if you’re only looking to backup a homemade DVD, such as one of your wedding. So skip this first “Bypassing Disc Encryption” section if you’re only looking to backup homemade discs right now. Bypassing Disc Encryption The Ripping Process Making a Duplicate Disc. How to Create a Strong Password (and Remember It) “Be sure to use a strong password” is advice we all constantly see online. Here’s how to create a strong password — and, more importantly, how to actually remember it.
Using a password manager helps here, as it can create strong passwords and remember them for you. But, even if you use a password manager, you’ll at least need to create and a remember a password for your password manager. The Traditional Password Advice According to the traditional advice — which is still good — a strong password is: Has 12 Characters, Minimum: You need to choose a password that’s long enough. Try to mix it up — for example, “BigHouse$123″ fits many of the requirements here. A Trick For Creating Memorable Passwords With the tips above, it’s pretty easy to come up with a password. The only problem here is memorizing this password. You’ll need to think about how to come up with a memorable password.
The Passphrase / Diceware Method The most important thing to remember here is that the words need to be random. How to Send and Receive Faxes Online Without a Fax Machine or Phone Line. Some slow-moving businesses and government agencies may not accept documents over email, forcing you to fax them in. If you are forced to send a fax, you can do it from your computer for free. We’ve previously covered ways to electronically sign documents without printing and scanning them. With this process, you can digitally sign a document and fax it to a business — all on your computer and without any printing required. How Fax Machines Work (and Why They’re So Inconvenient) This isn’t as easy as it should be. This process was invented before the Internet and seems laughably archaic at this point. Ideally, you’d be able to submit a document via email or a more secure online method. There’s no way to connect to a fax machine directly over the Internet, as the fax machine is only connected to telephone lines.
You Could Fax With Just Your Computer, But… You could skip the below services, of course. This obviously isn’t ideal. Scan the Document or Use an Existing Digital File. How to Turn An Old Android Phone into a Networked Security Camera. If the idea of a networked security camera that you can remotely view and receive alerts from appeals to you (but the $$$ of a commercial model does not), read on as we show you how to turn older generation Android phones into sophisticated security cameras.
Why Would I Want to Do This? Well, we hate to presume, but we imagine you opened this tutorial because you have something you want to keep on eye on. Whether that’s your backdoor to watch for delivered packages, your new ferret cage to see if Mr. Winks actually uses the super-deluxe hammock lounge on the top floor, or your kids in the backyard while you’re in the house tidying up, is your business. We’re just here to help you do it cheaply with old hardware you likely have laying around already (or can acquire easily off eBay).
What Do I Need? For this tutorial you’ll need the following things: Why two different camera applications? In addition, there are a few things worth noting before we proceed. Configuring SECuRET SpyCam. How to Prepare a Computer, Tablet, or Phone Before Selling It. So it’s the end of the road for your PC, tablet, or smartphone. Before letting go, be sure to follow this quick check list to prepare your device for its new owner. If you don’t follow these steps, you may lose important personal data, run into issues authorizing DRM’d purchases in the future, or have your personal data at risk of being recovered by the device’s new owner. Back Up Your Personal Data This part’s obvious, but it’s important anyway. If you’re moving to a new computer, you’ll want to back up your important personal data and take it with you.
If you’re already backing up your important personal data — and you should be — you should know where the data you care about is on your computer and should already have backup copies. Thanks to cloud services, much of your important personal data may already come with you. If you’re using a tablet or smartphone, you probably don’t have to worry as much about backing up its data.
Deauthorize Any DRM Purchases Wipe the Drive. How to Recover Files From a Dead Computer. Uh-oh, your computer isn’t booting anymore. Maybe it’s a problem with Windows, or maybe the computer’s hardware is fried. If you have important files trapped inside your malfunctioning computer, this guide will help you recover them. There’s no guarantee your data is recoverable. If your computer isn’t working because the hard drive died, there may be no recovering the files — not without some sort of expensive professional data recovery service, at least. Boot From a Linux Live CD (or Windows Installation Disc) If your computer’s hardware has actually died on you and that’s the reason it’s not booting, this method won’t work. Just insert the Linux live CD or Windows installer disc into the computer and start it up. This is simple to do with a Linux live CD, as you’ll be given a full Linux desktop that you can use for copying files. This method may even work if your computer’s hard drive is dying.
Pull the Hard Drive and Put it In Another Computer Image Credit: Bruce Turner on Flickr. 6 Ways to Use Microsoft Office For Free. Microsoft Office costs money, except when it doesn’t. From a hidden 60 day free trial that doesn’t require payment details to web apps and mobile apps, there are many ways to get Office for free. Office is still one of Microsoft’s big cash cow, so you can’t just download a free full version of Office 2013 and use it forever.
But there are ways to use Office without ever spending a dime — if only for a few months. Office 365 Trial – 30 Days Microsoft offers a free month of Office 365 Home Premium, which allows you to use Office on multiple PCs and Macs. Office Professional Plus Trial – 60+ days Microsoft also offers a free 60-day trial of Office Professional Plus 2013. The Office Professional Plus Trial gives you a download link and a product key you can enter. We recommend using the 7-Zip file archiver to extract the .IMG file’s contents. After installing Office, click Enter a product key instead in the Activate Office window and enter the product key Microsoft gave you. Office Online.