Videos

Spying on end users may an unwelcome activity for most IT pros, but it is often a necessary duty for network administrators. In this IT Dojo video, Bill Detwiler shows you a free tool called IEHistoryView that can help you investigate complaints of inappropriate Internet usage and suspicious browsing behavior.

Once you’ve watched this IT Dojo video, you can find a link to the original TechRepublic article and print the tip from our IT Dojo Blog.

Just when everyone at TechRepublic started to feel safe, Sonja bought a Flip video camera. What exactly does this mean? TR Out Loud on Video (TROLOV) goes mobile! Find out who Sonja corners in the office to talk about the top five discussions of the week. Of course, TROLOV wouldn’t be complete without TR member participation, and there was plenty to pluck from this time around.

To listen to this week’s TR Out Loud as just an audio file, download the mp3.

Green IT is one of the hottest trends in the technology industry. The idea is to provide computing services in an environmentally conscious way. Most green IT methods involve significant changes to an organization’s server and storage infrastructure and can even extend to the desktop. This episode of Sanity Savers for IT Executives shows how to start the process of lowering your energy consumption and making your IT infrastructure a little greener.

Most of your users probably don’t see themselves as criminals, but they might be pretty clueless about the legal implications of what they’re doing or storing on your network. For your own protection, as well as that of your organization and your end users, you must know which computer activities are potentially illegal and be able to warn users about them. In this IT Dojo video, Bill Detwiler gives you an overview of several recent laws and their implications for IT.

Once you’ve watched this IT Dojo video, you can find a link to the original TechRepublic article and print the tip from our IT Dojo Blog.

It was another action-packed week at TechRepublic, and this week’s TR Out Loud on Video (TROLOV) highlights the top discussions and members on the boards.

To listen to this week’s TR Out Loud as just an audio file, download the mp3.

You’ve probably run across “Green IT” at industry trade shows and in the media. Although the concept is a little vague, Green IT is making its influence felt across the IT landscape. This episode of Sanity Savers for IT executives explains what green IT is, why it’s important, and how it may affect your organization.

Gartner has cited its top 10 IT trends to watch over the next three to five years. IT leaders should put these trends on the radar to exploit them for competitive advantage. In this episode of Sanity Savers for IT executives, I share four of these trends and give you my take on each one.

The BIOS is critical to your computer’s proper operation. It’s the first code executed at start-up, and it defines how your motherboard will communicate with the system’s hardware. Flashing the BIOS is not for the faint of heart, but by taking the proper precautions and planning for the worst-case scenario; your chances of a successful upgrade are greatly improved. In this IT Dojo video, Bill Detwiler shows you how to safely flash your BIOS and points out 10 mistakes to avoid.

Once you’ve watched this IT Dojo video, you can find a link to the original TechRepublic article and print the tip from our IT Dojo Blog.

TROLOV (TR Out Loud on Video) is back yet again to recap some of the community highlights over the past week. If you missed all the action, this episode will give you the juicy — and the not so juicy — details.

To listen to this week’s TR Out Loud as just an audio file, download the mp3.

Windows upgrades and service packs are great when they actually solve problems or add cool new features. Unfortunately, updates sometimes introduce new problems or whack a feature you find really useful. In this IT Dojo video, Bill Detwiler shows you how to retrieve a handy Windows XP feature that Microsoft removed in Service Pack Three — the Address toolbar.

Once you’ve watched this IT Dojo video, you can find a link to the original TechRepublic article and print the tip from our IT Dojo Blog.

The release of Ubuntu and other user-friendly distributions has bolstered Linux’s popularity among IT pros and end-users alike. Yet Linux neophytes can still stumble over common tasks, like installing new software. In this IT Dojo video, Bill Detwiler discusses common mistakes people make when they’re trying to add new Linux software. He also gives you tips to make the installation process a bit easier.

Once you’ve watched this IT Dojo video, you can find a link to the original TechRepublic article and print the tip from our IT Dojo Blog.

Remotely controlling an end user’s PC across the Internet can be complicated. Remote support tools, like Windows Remote Desktop and VNC, simplify the process, but even these programs can trip up a frustrated, novice user. Add firewalls and routers to the mix, and remote support becomes a real headache. CrossLoop might be the cure.

CrossLoop is a remote control application that distills connecting two PCs via the Internet into a simple one-button interface. The program works through firewalls and routers, making it easy to connect two computers on different networks. CrossLoop uses GPL-licensed TightVNC, which protects all transferred data with 128-bit encryption.

In this IT Dojo video, Bill Detwiler demonstrates how easily you can establish a remote connection with CrossLoop. He also shares his personal experience using CrossLoop to support the technically-challenged. To run CrossLoop yourself, you’ll need a machine running Windows 98 or later, with a Pentium 500 MHz or better processor, at least 128 MB of RAM, 2 MB of free hard drive space, and a high-speed Internet connection.

Once you’ve watched this IT Dojo video, you can find a link to the original TechRepublic article, print the tip, and get links to additional remote support and administration resources from our IT Dojo Blog.

Adding new printers to your network isn’t rocket science, but it can take time out of your already busy schedule. Luckily, there is a feature in Windows Server 2003 R2 that automatically detects and sets up printers on the same subnet. In this IT Dojo video, Bill Detwiler shows you how the Print Management Console can shave a little time off a common network administration task.

Once you’ve watched this IT Dojo video, you can find a link to the original TechRepublic article, print the tip, and get links to additional remote support and administration resources from our IT Dojo Blog.

In this episode of TROLOV (TR Out Loud on Video), Head Blogs Editor Toni Bowers recaps her recent posts that the TR community is talking about, four of which made the top five discussions of the week. You go, Toni! You’ll also find out which TR members are burning up the boards and other contributions to this week’s show.

To listen to this week’s TR Out Loud as just an audio file, download the mp3.

Professions such as law and medicine have long-established ethical guidelines to govern behavior. But in the IT field there isn’t always a consensus about what’s right. This episode of Sanity Savers for IT executives highlights five of the ethical concerns that IT leaders must confront.

Network administrators are always looking for tools that can save them time and help them optimize and secure their networks. I’m sure most, if not all, of you have your own list of favorite tools. In this IT Dojo video, Bill Detwiler talks about the following three net admin tools that our TechRepublic authors and members say they can’t live without:
1. PuTTY
2. Wireshark
3. Nessus

Once you’ve watched this IT Dojo video, you can find a link to the original TechRepublic article, print the tip, and get links to additional Linux and open source resources from our IT Dojo Blog.

Some argue that Linux distributions are essentially the same, and you should just pick the one with the color scheme you like the best. In reality however, distributions are different and some will suit your company’s needs better than others. In this IT Dojo video, Bill Detwiler discusses the following five critical factors IT managers should consider when choosing a Linux distribution:
1. 100 percent open source or not
2. Package management
3. Desktop environment
4. Intended use
5. Security

Once you’ve watched this IT Dojo video, you can find a link to the original TechRepublic article, print the tip, and get links to additional Linux and open source resources from our IT Dojo Blog.

It’s pink, it’s cute, and it’s the special guest on this episode of TROLOV (TR Out Loud on Video). Take a peek as we recap this past week at TechRepublic, including the top discussions and members on the boards.

To listen to this week’s TR Out Loud as just an audio file, download the mp3.