Bill Detwiler

Windows Vista’s User Account Control (or UAC) was designed to improve security. But, when you’re running Vista with anything other than administrator the constant UAC prompts can be a real pain. In this IT Dojo video, Bill Detwiler shows you how Task Scheduler and a custom desktop shortcut let you run UAC-restricted programs without encountering those annoying UAC prompts.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Following up on our Cracking Open gallery of the first iPhone, TechRepublic editors joined Apple’s launch-day madness to secure an iPhone 3G for disassembly. Jason Hiner and Bill Detwiler recount their experiences battling long lines, Apple’s iTunes meltdown, and limited supplies at AT&T stores.

Bill explains how Mark Kaelin and he cracked open the iPhone 3G, what they discovered inside, and how the iPhone 3G differs from the original Apple iPhone. Jason gives a preview of several upcoming articles that will examine the latest business and productivity applications for the iPhone 3G. In closing, Bill explains his “conspiracy theory” that Apple tricked original iPhone customers into beta testing the iPhone 3G.