Videos

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.

What does it take to be a great IT leader? The best insights come from the CIOs who are out there doing it every day. In this episode of Sanity Savers for IT executives, see what CIOs have identified as the top leadership qualities needed to run an IT department.

When it comes time for corporate belt-tightening, IT is often a popular target. There are also times when an IT leader simply needs to rework the budget in order to make room for new projects or priorities. This episode of Sanity Savers for IT executives looks at five ways to save big bucks with some strategic tweaks to the budget.

After some technical difficulties in the studio, TechRepublic’s Sonja Thompson, Toni Bowers, and Jason Hiner put together one heck of a show. Find out what discussions and members topped the charts on the site this week, plus the extent of community participation for TROLOV.

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

A lot of IT leaders fail to hit their IT budgets and find themselves sweating it out in the second half of the year. This episode of Sanity Savers for Executives explains why IT budgets are often unrealistic and poorly-conceived, and provides tips for creating an achievable budget.

The decision of when to buy new hardware on a large scale is typically driven by changing needs in the organization. The challenge for CIOs is knowing how and when those changes translate into real hardware needs. This episode of Sanity Savers for IT Executives provides several questions to help guide IT leaders in the process.

When you install Microsoft Windows Vista Service Pack 1, the installation process leaves behind about 800 MBs of original Windows Vista files–in case you later want to remove SP1. Relative to current hard drives, 800 MBs isn’t that much space. But, it’s still enough space to store a couple hundred MP3 files or a few video clips. Personally, I just don’t like useless files taking up space on my drives. In this IT Dojo video, Bill Detwiler shows you how to remove all those old files using the SP1 Files Removal Tool.

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.

TROLOV (TR Out Loud on Video) is back in full swing this week, highlighting the most active discussions and members on the site. You’ll also get to see and hear the photos and voice messages that were sent in from the TR community.

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

TechRepublic’s Sonja Thompson is in San Francisco this week, checking out multimedia productions at the main office and then attending the BlogHer 2008 conference. Since time was cut too short to recap the data for the top discussions and members of the week, we decided to put together a TROLOV Community FAQ. The visual aid may be particularly helpful for newer members, and the hardcore members will at least have something to watch on Friday morning with their cup of coffee.

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

See the top five benefits for decentralizing your IT department, and the trade-offs you have to make if you decentralize, in this episode of Sanity Savers for IT Executives.

Also see: Five reasons to centralize your IT department