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The Tech Wiki

This is a repository of technical and technological information I've amassed over the years. Old blog contents will eventually move here.

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The Tech Wikiplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigThe Tech Wiki

This is a repository of technical and technological information I've amassed over the years, including the contents of my old blog.

Recent Activity

Subject Index wiki index

  • Hosted Servicesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigHosted Services

    You can find a hosted “cloud” service for pretty much anything these days. When I was still working at Microsoft, I used GitHub regularly, and I've used a number of other Microsoft services. That said, it's possible to host most of your own stuff pretty easily these days.
    • Windows Server 2008 R2, SMTP, and Gmail for Domains (or How I learned to let go and love smart hosts)plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigWindows Server 2008 R2, SMTP, and Gmail for Domains (or How I learned to let go and love smart hosts)

      good

      I’ve been gone for awhile. I mean, not really, just from A Better Geek. I met a special someone, so that took up a lot of my time. Then said Special Someone got a job with IBM in Virginia, and we packed up and moved 700 miles to Fairfax from Lafayette back in mid-September 2009. I’m looking for work and spending my time being a server administrator, because we decided to go for Verizon …
    • Using GitHub Organizations for your OSS projectsplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigUsing GitHub Organizations for your OSS projects

      I’ve been working on a side project at work, in the interest of expanding my knowledge of Microsoft’s developer platform and tools (which is the division I’m in now). Twitter yanked their official app from Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile awhile back, so I decided to start writing my own client.
  • Operating Systemsplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigOperating Systems

    I'm an equal opportunity OS user - I use and am familiar with Windows, OS X (and MacOS), and Linux.

    I haven't really used any version of MacOS since Mojave, because I still use 32-bit Mac applications. I use numerous Windows products, although I haven't yet subjected myself to the abomination that is Windows 11. I run servers on both
    • Appleplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigApple

      I'm a big fan of vintage Apple hardware. We have a number of really cool machines, including a couple working SE/30s, a very heavily upgraded IIci, and even a Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh.

      I use a lot of different Apple operating systems, but I don't use any version of
      • MacOSplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMacOS

        Release History

        Data retrieved from Apple on Sept 17, 2022. Release Name Version macOS Monterey 12.6 macOS Big Sur 11.7 macOS Catalina 10.15.7 macOS Mojave 10.14.6 macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 macOS Sierra 10.12.6 Notes

        Why I still use
        • MacOS 10.14 (Mojave)plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMacOS 10.14 (Mojave)

          This is the last version of MacOS I use on compatible Macs.
      • OS Xplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigOS X

        Until 2016, Apple's flagship operating system was known as OS X, with the “X” representing the Roman numeral for 10. The original OS X, Cheetah, was rough around the edges, and it wasn't really until Panther (10.3) that things took off. Tiger (10.4) introduced many of the features Mac users take for granted today.osx index
      • Googleplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigGoogle

        not“”

        I have some Google products, but I don't actively use any of them. My inactive prepaid Android handset serves the purpose of giving me access to app-powered stuff I couldn't otherwise access (like smart devices), but I don't use it for anything else.
        • Androidplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAndroid

          Tucker Carlson Tonighton YouTube

          Android is Google's flagship smartphone and tablet OS. It's been around for a long time now, and is no longer the open platform it once was. Android today engages in broad spying and surveilling of you as a user, even if you think you've disabled every privacy-related setting in the OS.android index
          • Mounting CIFS/SMB Shares in CyanogenMod 7.0.3 on the ViewSonic gTabletplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMounting CIFS/SMB Shares in CyanogenMod 7.0.3 on the ViewSonic gTablet

            I have been waiting a long time for a mature, stable build of CyanogenMod for the ViewSonic gTablet, and I have to say that I am quite pleased with the effort that the CyanogenMod team has put into the version 7.0.3 build. In fact, the only complaint I have is about the lack of built-in CIFS support on the gtab build. This is a guide on how to mount CIFS/SMB shares on your gTablet running CM7.android index
        • ChromeOSplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigChromeOS

          Introduction

          I have one Chromebook, and it's now ancient and unable to run anything close to the latest version of the OS. The last time I used it, I installed Windows 10 on it.

          A Month With ChromeOS

          not“”

          It’s true. I love technology. There’s something about a new gadget or computer that gets me all giddy inside, so I was actually pretty excited when my significant other told me he bought me an
      • Microsoftplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMicrosoft

        I use a lot of Microsoft products. I worked there for seven years, and still use Windows-only stuff often. I even still use Windows 10 Mobile as my phone.

        This section is on all of Microsoft's operating systems.
        • Windowsplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigWindows

          I still primarily use Windows 10. I've used Windows 11 and have been disappointed with it to the degree that I don't run it on any of my own machines.

          I'll keep using Windows 10 as long as I can. I do a lot of hobby work in graphic design and CAD, and the software I use is, unfortunately, unavailable on Linux.
          • General Windows Tipsplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigGeneral Windows Tips

            Ever since Windows XP, consumer Windows has been built on a foundation that has remained consistent through every subsequent major release of the OS. Windows 11 has changed quite a bit under the hood, and since I don't use Windows 11 myself, I can't assume that anything in this section will work on any version after windows index
            • Enabling Remote Desktop...Remotelyplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigEnabling Remote Desktop...Remotely

              I’ve been working on rebuilding my home Active Directory environment, as well as splitting our personal data from multimedia to separate file servers. After getting everything up and running in Windows Server 2016, I moved both servers into our server room (just a corner of the basement, but it sounds fancier).
            • Fixing Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager when it saves a bad server nameplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigFixing Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager when it saves a bad server name

              I’m a big scary IT contractor now, working for a relatively small Texas-based company on a contract for the USDA. It’s pretty awesome, and I’ve learned all kinds of things since I started here. One of the cooler tools made available to us is Microsoft System Center, which allows for a single application to manage a huge variety of tasks, including pushing updates to users, working with virtual servers, and inst…
          • Windows Management Instrumentationplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigWindows Management Instrumentation

            The Future of WMI

            Windows Management Instrumentation, also known as WMI, is a systems management abstraction layer that has been part of Windows since NT (SP4). You can read more about it over here. You might notice in Microsoft's KB article that windows index
          • Windows 10plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigWindows 10

            Windows 10 was released as the successor to 8.1. It is currently supported by Microsoft, but it has been superseded by Windows 11, which I don't use.

            Articles in this section 10 index
            • Hacks & Tipsplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigHacks & Tips

              I like to hack at things and customize my desktop environment. Windows still has a lot of customizability, although some things have been relegated to the registry with no UI access to the settings.

              Use caution with articles in this section.hacks index
              • Digital Camerasplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigDigital Cameras

                Photo Import Wizard

                The Problem

                Since Windows XP, a simple wizard for importing photos has been integrated with the OS. This was called the *Microsoft Scanner and Camera Wizard* in Windows XP. The interface was streamlined in Windows Vista, and that import wizard has been integrated into Windows through at least Windows 10. It's a really useful tool, as it makes it efficient and easy to import photos from a digital camera and name them
          • Windows 7plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigWindows 7

            Windows 7 is officially unsupported by Microsoft. Use at your own risk.

            That said, Microsoft Security Essentials still works, as well as PC Matic, which i haven't used, but has a lot of positive reviews.

            Notes

            Even though Microsoft no longer supports the OneDrive client for Windows 7, you can still connect to your OneDrive quite easily via
          • Maximizing Windows: Restoring “Run As…” in Windows Vistaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaximizing Windows: Restoring “Run As…” in Windows Vista

            At work, we use Microsoft SQL Server 2005. The client software requires Windows authentication to connect to a database. However, the credentials are pulled from your logged in Windows account. If you’re not on Purdue’s domain, you can’t connect. While putting my workstation on the domain wasn’t an issue, I prefer using my local user account on my laptop.windows index
        • Windows Serverplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigWindows Server

          I still run a Windows server as my home Active Directory environment. This was originally so I could have a single account available on all my computers, which wasn't possible with desktop Windows until 8.0 introduced the ability to sign in with your online Microsoft Account.
          • Windows Server 2008 R2plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigWindows Server 2008 R2

            This version of Windows Server shares its codebase with Windows 7.

            Since I've been running my Windows Server for nearly 20 years now, I've relied on 2003, 2008 R2, 2016 R2, and 2019 as different versions have been released.
            • Server 2008: Enabling network discovery for a home networkplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigServer 2008: Enabling network discovery for a home network

              I run a Windows Server 2008 R2 box at home, primarily for hosting small multiplayer online games and various websites. While Server 2008 is built on the same foundation as Windows 7, there are quite a few differences.
    • Hardwareplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigHardware

      My husband and I are both massive hardware nerds. We have tons of vintage stuff - video game consoles, Macs, PCs, and other stuff.
      • PCsplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPCs

        What's a PC? Well, it's just about anything that isn't a Mac. Isn't it funny how Apple managed to embed that little semantic trick in our now-common vernacular?

        Generally speaking, this section covers hardware that's capable of running Windows and/or MS-DOS.pc index
        • Making your eeePC work for youplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaking your eeePC work for you

          I just finished up a review of the Asus eeePC 4g (701) for Julie over at The Gadgeteer (check it out here). Before i finally got around to writing that review, I hadn’t done a whole lot with my eeePC. Since last night, however, I’ve installed Windows and started looking for ways to make my eeePC as functional as possible.
      • Appleplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigApple

        I have a lot of vintage Apple hardware. My addiction to obsolete Macs started with my Clamshell iBook in 2006, and I dove into vintage hardware in earnest after happening across a Classic II in a dumpster outside an e-recycler in Indiana.

        I've done some cool stuff with my Macs. My clamshell iBook and my 12
        • iPhonesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigiPhones

          I vividly remember when the first iPhone was announced. It required a dongle to use third-party headphones, had no app store, and no 3G in an era when expensive cell phones were equipped with 3G. I just laughed at it, because it was so restricted and restrictive.
          • Make and upload your own iPhone ringtones for freeplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMake and upload your own iPhone ringtones for free

            I just got an iPhone and switched to AT&T after five years on Verizon Wireless. Don’t get me wrong – I really liked Verizon. It’s just that I left my previous employer several months ago, and I knew that resigning a contract meant they’d validate my employment status, realize I was no longer employed there, and cancel my 20% discount.
      • Google Devicesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigGoogle Devices

        not“”

        Being gadget geeks, we both have some Google stuff. It remains part of the collection for historical and preservation purposes.

        Articles in this section google index
        • Google Glassplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigGoogle Glass

          not“”

          Tucker Carlson Tonighton YouTube

          About a week ago I received Google Glass. I’m very excited about the potential applications, and I can’t wait to see how this dawning era of wearable tech will change our lives. In time we’ll see concepts from companies like Apple, Samsung and Microsoft that will help make wearables an intrinsic part of the 21st century. This is the first of a series of articles on Google Glass and wearable technology, and offers my first impressions of Glas…
      • Craftingplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigCrafting

        I'm a huge crafter. I discovered the Cricut Explore Air in 2015, and have been doing crazy fun stuff with crafting gadgets ever since.

        I currently have several Cricut machines. While I am very disappointed with the company's more recent business practices, they still make a superior product, so they've still got my business. For now.crafting index
        • CraftHacking: Tools for ProvoCraft’s Cricut Explore Airplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigCraftHacking: Tools for ProvoCraft’s Cricut Explore Air

          I’m a pretty creative person. I always have been, and my maternal family history includes a lot of creative-minded people. One of my cousins is a bona fide professional artist, my mom is musically talented as well as a great seamstress, my grandmother was an accomplished seamstress, quilter, and needlepointer
      • Input Devicesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigInput Devices

        If it sends input to your computer, it's an input device. This doesn't include , however.

        This includes (but is not limited to): MiceTrackballsRemote Controls
        • Miceplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMice

          It's impossible to not give a nod to Apple on this particular subject. They most certainly created the first mainstream, consumer-oriented graphical operating system, something that took Microsoft much longer to accomplish.

          I've always been a fan of Logitech mice. They used to have great domestic tech support and long warranties on all their products. Now that everything is made in China for the lowest cost possible, their products aren't what they used to be, but they're still better tha…
          • Maximizing Windows: uberOptions for Logitech hardwareplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaximizing Windows: uberOptions for Logitech hardware

            My freshman year of college, I knew a kid with a Logitech MX700 cordless mouse. The first time I used it, I knew I had to have one. It was only a few months before I bought the Cordless Elite set, with the Elite keyboard and the MX700 mouse.
        • Remote Controlsplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigRemote Controls

          Apple didn't invent the computer remote - long before the launch of the Apple remote were various PC-driven remotes.

          I have an old ATI TV Wonder Radeon 9400, which was a video card with a built-in analog TV tuner and analog (composite) video input. It came with an RF-driven remote for its built-in DVR software. It was a pretty sweet setup for its time.remotes index
          • Maximizing Windows : Getting the most out of your Windows Media Center remoteplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaximizing Windows : Getting the most out of your Windows Media Center remote

            There’s no doubt about it, Microsoft Windows Media Center is a pretty fantastic product. There are competitors out there (Boxee, Front Row, and MythTV come to mind), but WMC is undeniably an amazing piece of software. It has continued to evolve and improve since Microsoft created its Media Center Edition of Windows XP, and now most home computers come with Media Center – it’s a standard component in Windows 7 Home Pre…
        • Trackballsplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTrackballs

          I'm getting old, and too much regular mousing leaves my hand in a lot of pain, especially if I'm working on something fiddly and precise (like an SVG project, or editing video). I'm currently using a Kensington Orbit Fusion wireless trackball. So far, it's working out pretty well
      • Troubleshootingplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTroubleshooting

        I've done a lot of tech support in my life. Anything particular useful from my troubleshooting exploits will end up here.
        • When troubleshooting gets creativeplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigWhen troubleshooting gets creative

          can

          I tend to be the go-to person for tech support among my friends, family, and neighbors. A few nights ago, one of my neighbors asked me to help him with his custom-built machine. His USB ports had mysteriously quit working. I messed around, and the same thing kept happening. His Microsoft USB wireless mouse worked just fine, but his HP all-in-one inkjet printer and his SanDisk thumb drive didn’t work. Plugging them in resulted in a “one of the devices …
    • Softwareplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigSoftware

      I both write and use a lot of desktop applications. I have several ongoing Windows projects that will probably never be fully completed. I might release the source of what I've done so far. We'll see.

      You can always find my public projects at software index
      • MacOSplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMacOS

        This section covers software compatible with 10.12 and newer, since that version was the official rebrand from OS X to MacOS.

        Articles in this section macos index
        • Hyperswitchplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigHyperswitch

          Official websiteOfficial download[A Better Geek mirror] This allows Cmd+Tab to behave like Window Alt+Tab, meaning you can switch between open windows as opposed to open applications. This particular behavior of the OS X and MacOS app switcher has never made sense to me, and I've always used third-party applications to fix it. Hyperswitch complains about being an expired trial every time it launches (i.e. when you reboot), but if you let it check for updates, it will let you use it a…
        • BetterTouchToolplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigBetterTouchTool

          Official websiteOfficial download This is a paid application to enable customizing the behavior of all your Apple input devices (remotes, keyboards, mice, touchpads, etc.) It's definitely worth the money for a lifetime license. Older versions that don't support current
        • TotalFinderplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTotalFinder

          TotalFinder is a Finder extension that adds some very nice features to the Finder. Apple finally introduced tabs, but they're kludgy and fat. TotalFinder slims down the Finder chrome so it's not so bulky, along with adding features like context menu file cut/copy/paste and dual pane mode, which is
      • Win32 Applicationsplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigWin32 Applications

        This section covers “legacy” win32 applications - that is, not UWP apps.

        Articles in this section win32 index
        • X-Mouse Button Control (XMBC)plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigX-Mouse Button Control (XMBC)

          This is a very simple mouse button remapping application that uses a win32 mouse API that has been included in Windows since XP. It's a relatively limited application as a result, but it does what it says on the tin very efficiently.
        • Packagetrackr.com’s Windows Gadgetplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPackagetrackr.com’s Windows Gadget

          I rather like Packagetrackr.com, which has recently been migrating to a new site, Faranow.com. I buy stuff online a lot (mostly eBay these days), and having a single place to track everything is awesome, especially since I can get email alerts and the like.win32 index
        • Maximizing Windows: Better screenshots with Greenshotplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaximizing Windows: Better screenshots with Greenshot

          Every once in awhile, I like to peruse Sourceforge for new, interesting open-source applications. I was looking for a good screenshot application several months ago, when I was working on writing help documentation on a project at my job. I’ve since found out that the help documentation software, Adobe RoboHelp, includes a very nice screenshot manager called RoboScreenShot. This application, however, is not free, and I’m always interested in…
        • VMWare – Installing a virtual machine on a physical disk in Windows 7plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigVMWare – Installing a virtual machine on a physical disk in Windows 7

          We recently started working on an old Unisys Aquanta EN (which is a rebranded Acer AcerNote Pro 950cx) for the lulz. However, since the thing won’t boot off any external disks and we have no internal floppy or CD-ROM module for it, it turned out that getting an operating system onto it wasn’t so easy. After several hours of fiddling with USB sleds and other possible solutions, we gave up on doing it directly to the hardware.…
        • Setup a webcam stream in ten minutesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigSetup a webcam stream in ten minutes

          I have friends all over the world. Once in awhile, I make use of the various webcams I own and do a little video chatting. Getting video chat to work well will be for another day – something I learned recently, however, was how to setup a live stream on a webpage. It was surprisingly easy, and works in both Windows Vista and Windows XP.win32 index
        • Mozilla Firefoxplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMozilla Firefox

          MacOS

          I strongly advise against continuing to use Firefox in any capacity. It isn't secure and will not keep your online account passwords secure.

          Very old builds of Firefox still have some utility on older operating systems. Very old versions of Firefox classic are solid enough to use as daily drivers in Windows 9x and XP. I will be maintaining a mirror of themes and extensions I use, because there is no longer any central repository online where these may be found and d…
          • Fixing Firefox Quantum: Auto-hiding toolbarsplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigFixing Firefox Quantum: Auto-hiding toolbars

            MacOS

            I strongly advise against continuing to use Firefox in any capacity. It isn't secure and will not keep your online account passwords secure.

            With Firefox axing native browser plugins, there are a lot of things I can’t do in the browser anymore. Hiding the toolbars is one of those annoying things that the great gods of Firefox’s dev team have deemed an unnecessary and frivolous feature.
        • Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XPplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMicrosoft PowerToys for Windows XP

          This is a small collection of tools and utilities that were released by Microsoft in the era of Windows 9x and XP. They are mirrored here. The descriptions are also mirrored from Microsoft's page, which is now only available through archive.org.

          Alt-Tab Replacement
      • Mac OS Xplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMac OS X

        OS X includes every major release of Apple's desktop operating system from 10.10 (Cheetah) through 10.11 (El Capitan).
        • Adobe Creative Suite 5 Folder Iconsplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAdobe Creative Suite 5 Folder Icons

          I recently won a copy of Adobe Creative Suite 5 Design Premium…only to find out that there is no custom folder icon in OS X for containing all the different applications that are part of the suite. I decided to make my own icons, and they turned out so well that I’m releasing them here for the world to use – there are different icons depending on which suite you own (or which icon you prefer). Enjoy!
        • OS X : VNC from the command lineplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigOS X : VNC from the command line

          Since OS X 10.4 (Tiger), Apple has provided a remote desktop capability integrated into the operating system. However, unlike Windows (which uses a proprietary protocol called RDP), Apple chose to use the VNC protocol for their remote desktop server and client.
      • Codeplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigCode

        I'm a hobbyist developer. I was a web application developer professionally a long, long time ago, and I've continued to work on various scripting and programming projects for funsies.

        You can find my most complete projects at code.abettergeek.com. Some projects include a detailed breakdown on the project's wiki page.code index
        • Swiftplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigSwift

          Swift is Apple's answer to Microsoft's .NET (C# specifically). It's a monstrosity of a programming language that takes its cues from Objective-C, which itself implements standards and paradigms that will seem pretty foreign to anyone who isn't already fluent in developing Mac applications.swift index
          • Adobe ColdFusionplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAdobe ColdFusion

            Once upon a time, I was a ColdFusion web developer. It's pretty easy to learn, as languages go. I don't do any CF development anymore, mostly because it's expensive to run for hobbyist purposes.

            Articles in this section cfm index
            • ColdFusion: Browser identification in web applicationsplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigColdFusion: Browser identification in web applications

              I’m really, annoyingly, obsessively anal about browser compatibility in web design. Even if you’re convinced that none of your users will ever touch Opera, there’s no reason to not make sure your site is usable in Opera…or Lynx, or IE 5.5, or anything else.
            • ColdFusion: Generating and parsing RSS feedsplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigColdFusion: Generating and parsing RSS feeds

              One of my current projects at work has an RSS requirement. I’m redesigning the university’s policies website. My customers are concerned that other departments at Purdue have previously copied the content of a policy and placed it on a different site, which is problematic when policies are revised, superseded, or retired.
            • Coldfusion 8 and Microsoft SQL 2005 : @@IDENTITYplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigColdfusion 8 and Microsoft SQL 2005 : @@IDENTITY

              There’s a handy little query you can run in SQL to retrieve the identity (primary key) value of a record you just created. So, you can do something like this:

              INSERT INTO People ( Name ) VALUES ( 'Joe' ); SELECT @@IDENTITY AS NewName;
            • Internet Explorer and images as form input controlsplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigInternet Explorer and images as form input controls

              I like to provide clear visual or textual cues for an application. In the admin interface for one of my apps, I provide a pretty easy way of rejecting or accepting form submissions for a class – a red “X” to reject, and a green checkmark to accept. In order to pass these actions to the ColdFusion page on the server side and rely on
            • ColdFusion: Encrypting sensitive data in URL stringsplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigColdFusion: Encrypting sensitive data in URL strings

              On one of my current projects, I’ve found myself in need of passing sensitive data through a URL string. I could use an individual form for each link and pass it via POST, but I wanted to see what I might be able to do by way of encrypting the data. Turns out it’s quite easy.
          • Windows Scriptingplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigWindows Scripting

            Microsoft's operating systems have been scriptable since pretty much the beginning of the PC revolution. MS-DOS and older versions of Windows use a simple batch scripting language, whereas modern Windows (and supported older versions) can make use of winscript index
            • PowerShellplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPowerShell

              PowerShell is Microsoft's interactive scripting engine, allowing you to create powerful scripts for many purposes. PowerShell can easily import and use any .NET library or type, making it very powerful for automation and sophisticated processing of dirty inputs, such as badly-formatted text.
            • Batch Scriptsplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigBatch Scripts

              Scripting in Windows long relied on a very simple batch language. This language can still be used in modern Windows, but its utility has been superseded by PowerShell.

              Batch scripting is most useful when working with legacy Windows and DOS environments.
              • Guest post: Checking user permissions on a Windows networkplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigGuest post: Checking user permissions on a Windows network

                Recently I needed to find out which folders a certain person was able to access on our Windows network. Apparently, this was extremely easy in Novell. Since it isn’t 1995 anymore, I tried to find a way to do this on the Internet. I couldn’t, so I set about making my own.
          • PHPplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPHP

            PHP is truly the language that will not die. It's ancient and seen as archaic by a lot of modern so-called “developers,” but it's easy to use, and relatively easy to troubleshoot.

            I taught myself PHP in the summer of 2005, when I interned at Cummins Engine Company for the summer. I was tasked with figuring out how to consolidate a bunch of department-wide information that was still maintained on paper and as local files belonging to various business admins and managers. I ended up designi…
            • PHP: Browser identificationplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPHP: Browser identification

              Not too long ago, I wrote a short tutorial on using ColdFusion to identify the user’s browser and add extra browser-specific CSS files. Today, I found myself in need of similar functionality for PHP. The code isn’t quite the same – PHP doesn’t have a direct clone of CF’s contains decision operator; you have to use the
            • PHP: Dynamically generating images from textplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPHP: Dynamically generating images from text

              If you’ve visited my site more than once, you might start to notice that the silly little tagline next to the logo in my header changes, in both content and appearance.

              This is accomplished by way of a fancy little bit of PHP. The image generation uses the GD library (with FreeType support), and the fonts are all TrueType.
          • JavaScriptplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigJavaScript

            Ah, the bane of actual software engineers worldwide. JavaScript has, unfortunately, mutated into a quasi-compiled language, bringing with it its myriad flaws and inefficiencies.

            There is utility in JavaScript, but it's become ridiculously overused, all in the name of aesthetics.
            • JavaScript: Dynamic Form Element Namesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigJavaScript: Dynamic Form Element Names

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