TR Dojo
This blog will help IT pros in small and mom-and-pop shops tweak and bolster their systems without breaking the bank.
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Manage MySQL databases from a Windows desktop with Toad
Jack Wallen walks through the process of installing Toad for MySQL, connecting to a server, creating a database, and creating a table on the new database.
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Access and sync folders with AjaXplorer
AjaXplorer is a powerful, open source, web-based file sync tool. Learn how to install and configure this file management system.
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Wireshark makes locating bandwidth issues easy
When a small business experiences network bottlenecks, the best troubleshooting tool for the job is Wireshark, according to Jack Wallen.
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Use this lightweight WAMP server to serve content on a Windows machine
With the free Uniform Server, you could easily take a simple Windows desktop PC, turn it into an internal web server, and create a useful portal for whatever you need.
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Manage the product inventory in your TomatoCart installation
In this TomatoCart tutorial, learn how to add tax codes and zones, manage product categories, add products, and change banner images in the ecommerce solution.
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Customize and manage your TomatoCart website
Jack Wallen clues you in on where to look in the TomatoCart's admin control site to configure the open source shopping cart solution to best meet your needs.
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Use TomatoCart to sell your products and services online
TomatoCart is a powerful and flexible open source shopping cart solution. Here are instructions on how to install TomatoCart.
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Replace SyncToy with FreeFileSync for your SMB backup needs
FreeFileSync is an open source, cross-platform backup tool. Learn how to install it and then use it to set up a backup job.
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Recover data from a damaged Office file with the help of 7-Zip
Jack Wallen walks you through how to recover data using 7-Zip. He notes this data recovery solution isn't ideal, but it could put you back in business.
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Use RedNotebook as your IT admin journal
RedNotebook is a modern journaling application that is available on Linux, Windows, and Mac. The tool's standout feature is that you can create your own templates.
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Tonido: A Dropbox alternative for SMBs
Jack Wallen calls Tonido a nice change from the standard cloud-based Dropbox clones. Find out why he recommends SMBs give it a try.
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Create virtual FTP servers with Xlight FTP Server
Learn how to make the best use out of virtual FTP servers on Xlight to give you the most flexible FTP server available for a Windows desktop or server machine.
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Let FARR make your Windows desktop easier to search
Stop wasting time switching from keyboard to mouse and opt for an keyboard-only interface. Discover how the Let Find and Run Robot problem can make your desktop search more efficient.
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Give this tiny 'out of the box' server suite a try
The Smallest Server Suite is free, easy to administer, and requires very little in the way of hardware. Your SMB can get TheSSS up and running in minutes.
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Try the solid, configurable firewall distribution Sphirewall
If you're looking for a firewall distribution for your small business, Sphirewall is worth a look. Jack Wallen informs you on how to install and configure the Linux-based tool.
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Video: Take control of any Windows PC on the Internet with CrossLoop
If remotely controlling PCs across the Internet is a support headache, CrossLoop might be the cure. In this IT Dojo video, Bill Detwiler shows you how to take control of Windows PCs using the free CrossLoop remote control application.
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The Empire Strikes Back gifts for every Star Wars fan
Celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back with a tauntaun sleeping bag, Boba Fett costume, or wampa rug.
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Businesses can still buy new Dell and HP computers with Windows XP Pro
Dell and HP are selling select, business computers loaded with Windows XP Professional. Customers can have Windows XP preinstalled and get a DVD to upgrade to Vista when they are ready.
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Delete hiberfil.sys by disabling Windows Hibernate function
Hiberfil.sys can use several GB of hard disk space. Delete the file, and it will likely return. Bill Detwiler explains how to get rid of it for good.
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Set up a free SSH server on Windows 7 with freeSSHd
freeSSHd is a handy little application. Learn how to use freeSSHd to get an SSH server up and running on a Windows 7 machine.
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Replace Windows Explorer with a free, feature-rich file manager
Bill Detwiler examines five free file managers that might make IT pros and power users dump Windows Explorer.
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Reduce the size of the WinSxS folder with vsp1cln.exe and compcln.exe
Deleting files from the Windows Side-by-side (WinSxS) folder is a bad idea. But, you can shrink the WinSxS folder with vsp1cln.exe and compcln.exe.
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Clone and move virtual machines in VirtualBox
Jack Wallen describes cloning and moving virtual machines in VirtualBox. He tested this process going from Linux to Linux, Linux to Windows, and Windows to Linux hosts.
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Replace SyncToy with FreeFileSync for your SMB backup needs
FreeFileSync is an open source, cross-platform backup tool. Learn how to install it and then use it to set up a backup job.
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Monitor Windows 7 boot logs with the help of msconfig
If you just want to analyze what occurs during the boot process on a Windows 7 machine, Jack Wallen says msconfig is the perfect tool for the job.
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Four cost-effective POS systems for small businesses
Point of sale software can cost a pretty penny. If you're shopping for a POS product, the ones featured here are either free or should be affordable for small businesses.
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The best free IT tools for cheapskate admins
Jack Wallen lists 11 free applications that can be useful to any IT admin adhering to a strict budget. From antivirus software to a backup utility and more, we've got you covered.
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Save images in Microsoft Word documents as separate files
Save Word document images as separate files with the Save as Web page option (Word 2000/2002/XP/2003) or by unzipping the .docx file (Word 2007).
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Registry hack tricks Windows XP SP2 into thinking it’s running SP3
You can make a machine running Windows XP SP2 think it's running SP3 with this quick and easy registry hack.
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Reset Windows passwords with the help of Linux
One cost-effective and reliable way to reset a Windows password is to keep a copy of Linux with you and use the chntpw application.