Videos

Running unnecessary Windows XP services can increase your vulnerability to exploits that might use those services as attack vectors. Disabling unnecessary services can be an important step in securing Windows XP. However, the typical Windows XP system has more than 80 services. Knowing which ones you can safely turn off can be tricky.

In this IT Dojo video, Bill Detwiler, Head Technology Editor, shows you how to disable Windows XP services and discusses the following five services that you may want to disable:

• Simple File Sharing
• SSDP Discovery Service
• Universal Plug and Play Device Host
• Telnet
• Windows Messenger Service

The five services Bill mentions in this video are just the beginning. You can download our complete list of Windows XP services that can be disabled from the IT Dojo blog. This reference sheet lists each Windows XP service, describes each service’s function, specifies whether you can safely disable the service, and outlines the ramifications of doing so.

Booting Windows XP from a USB Flash drive gives you great IT support tool. For example, you can make a troubleshooting toolkit for booting and analyzing seemingly dead PCs. Or you could always have your favorite support applications at your fingertips.

In this IT Dojo video, Bill Detwiler, TechRepublic’s Head Technology Editor, explains the process and pitfalls of creating a bootable Windows XP USB flash drive. You’ll learn how to configure a computer’s BIOS to boot from a USB drive, how to download and use the free software to create a bootable drive, and how to installed Windows XP on the drive.

Once you’ve watched this IT Dojo video, you can read the original TechRepublic article, walk through the process in a screenshot gallery, and download a PDF version of the tip from our IT Dojo blog.

So you want to be a computer support technician. Or perhaps you are one already, but you can’t decide whether you’re just having a bad week or you’re really not cut out for the job. In this IT Dojo video, Bill Detwiler discusses several signs that you may not be cut out for IT support. 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.

Navigating without a mouse is a forgotten skill among many users and even some support techs. But when Dr. Engelbart’s venerable rodent is ill or absent, the keyboard can be your only option. Also, using the keyboard can be faster than the mouse if you know the right key combinations. Bill Detwiler shows you some of the best keyboard shortcuts for Windows Vista. 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.

Short of adding more RAM, there are a few things you can do to help a sluggish Windows Vista system run faster. Bill Detwiler shows you how to find and evaluate startup programs that you might want to shut down in order to get better performance from Vista. 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’s another lucky Friday the 13th at TechRepublic, and TR Out Loud on Video (TROLOV) is back again with your weekly dose of highlights on the site, including the top discussions and members on the forums.

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

Leadership and management are opposing disciplines. Sometimes the demand is for more vision and inspiration from leader, while other times it’s for more measurement and control from managers. But the reality is that the two disciplines cannot work apart. This episode of Sanity Savers for IT executives looks at five ways that leadership and management roles complement and depend on each other.

Even though support techs often try their best to communicate honestly and clearly, sometimes they fall back on a few handy excuses or stalling tactics. Bill Detwiler takes a lighthearted look at some of the things you might hear from tech support staff and translates what they really mean. 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.

This episode of TROLOV — that’s TR Out Loud on Video — highlights the weekly happenings 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.

Estimating IT costs and implementing specific measures to control those costs is critical. This episode of Sanity Savers for IT executives explains five ways you can stay on top of costs and build a solid basis for IT financial management.

Work in IT long enough and you’ll notice that users repeat several key phrases. Novice techs may take these expressions at face value, but IT veterans know that these phrases often have hidden meanings. Bill Detwiler takes a lighthearted look at what users say and deciphers what they often mean. 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.

TechRepublic’s 2009 IT salary and skills survey has good news for IT pros but also showed the effects of the global recession. This episode of Sanity Savers for IT executives shares the key findings, including the five most lucrative IT management certifications.

During this episode of TROLOV — that’s TR Out Loud on Video — you’ll find out what discussions and members were most active on the boards. This is a great way to keep up on the weekly happenings at TechRepublic.

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

For the second year in a row, Global Knowledge and TechRepublic partnered to create and distribute a comprehensive IT salary survey. In February, we released the result of this survey in our 2009 IT Skills and Salary Report. Bill Detwiler examines the survey’s results and discusses several factors that can increase your base salary, including the five most lucrative technical certifications. 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.

This episode of TROLOV — that’s TR Out Loud on Video — captures some of the weekly highlights on TechRepublic, including the top discussions and most active members on the boards.

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

IT leaders need a full arsenal of cross-functional skills, including a lot of stuff that goes beyond the traditional IT skill set. Learn several skills you need to develop in order to excel in an IT leadership role. Some of them might surprise you.

This week’s TR Out Loud on Video (TROLOV) failed miserably at staying under its 10-minute limit. The good news is that this episode is packed full of interesting information about the TechRepublic forums and community.

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

When you start a new job as CIO, you have to quickly get up to speed on the make-up of your team, the organization’s top priorities, and the current condition of the IT department’s balance sheet. Above all, you have to figure out how to build some early momentum. This episode of Sanity Savers for IT executives shares a 100-day plan that proved successful for one newly appointed CIO.