Smarterware » Tutorial

Programmer 101: Teach Yourself How to Code

Gina Trapani — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:48:31 +0000

You've always wanted to learn how to build software yourself—or just whip up an occasional script—but never knew where to start. Luckily, the web is full of free resources that can turn you into a programmer in no time.

Since the invention of the internet, programmers have been using it to discuss software development techniques, publish tutorials, and share code samples for others to learn from and use online. If you're curious about how to become a programmer, you can get off to a running start using tons of great free web-based tutorials and resources.

Read the rest at Lifehacker »

One Star Pound Bypasses Needless Voicemail Instructions

Gina Trapani — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:13:12 +0000

It's 2009, and we all know how to leave a voicemail. We don't need explicit instructions on how to do so from a robot, yet you get just that almost every time you call someone's mobile: "To page this person, press five now. At the tone, please record your message. When you are finished, you may hang up, or press one for more options." To reduce your cell minute usage and stop letting carriers waste your life with Silicon Sally's dumb monologue, you've got to know the right keystrokes. Every carrier lets you skip voicemail instructions, but the keystroke is different for each.

Blogger Jeremy Toemon runs down the three-key combo that will cover major cellphone carriers in the U.S.: One Star Pound. When you call a friend and want to leave a VM fast:

Step One: Push 1. If your friend is on Sprint (or possibly Verizon, but not always), this skips the greeting and you are done, skip to End. IF you hear a message that says “One is not a valid option” skip to Step Three below, otherwise continue to Step Two.

Step Two: Push *. If your friend is on Verizon, you’ll hear the beep, and can leave your message. Skip ahead to the end now.

Step Three: Push #. This works for both AT&T and T-Mobile subscribers, and you’re all set to go.

So just remember One Star Pound (and listen to what happens in between). NY Times technology writer David Pogue is so incensed by carriers upping minute usage with lengthy automated messages he's launching the "Take Back the Beep" campaign. Here's how to let your feelings known to your carrier about wasting your time on the phone.

Clean Up that Crufty Mac

Gina Trapani — Wed, 13 May 2009 18:01:29 +0000

My MacBook Pro has taken a beating lately: it's been across the country and back, staying awake all night running hourly cron jobs, acting as my media center and development web server, and suffering through multiple software installations and uninstallations. So this week I made with the overdue Mac TLC and wrote it up over at Lifehacker. Here's the full rundown on how to Clean Up and Revive Your Bloated, Sluggish Mac.