Now, the next question you’d be asking is, How do I download files using BitTorrent? Here’s a simple 3-step guide:

1. Get a BitTorrent client
The very first thing that you’ll need is a BitTorrent client, a program that will enable you to connect to other users (or peers) and thereby download the files you want to. The most popular ones: Windows – uTorrent, Mac – Xtorrent, Linux – BitTorrent. Click through one of the links and download and install the client.

2. Find a torrent
With your BitTorrent client installed, you can now look for files you want/need to download. For that you can use search engines (like Google, Yahoo, Bing) or you can go to specific torrent sites. The most popular (and notorious) being The Pirate Bay, BTJunkie, Demonoid.

Head to one of the sites mentioned above, do a search for something you want to download (for example: Lady Gaga). If you see something you like, download the .torrent file from the site.

3. Start the download

Once downloaded, double-click the file and it will open and start downloading in your BitTorrent client. Some clients like Utorrent and Xtorrent ask you to specify a location to save the file.

That’s all. You’re using BitTorrent! Not too complicated, is it?

If you like this tutorial, you can share it via facebook or twitter using the links at the top of the post.

© sylv3rblade for Techie Xplorer, 2010. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Download using BitTorrent, How to use BitTorrent, Torrent

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Hit the jump for the start of our tutorial.

Login to your WordPress blog’s admin page, go to themes editor and open your theme’s functions.php. Let’s try adding a Hello World short code to our template:

//Let's define our Hello World code here:
function hello_world() {
return 'Hello, World!';
}
//Add the Hello World to the functions list
add_shortcode('hw', 'hello_world');

When you add [hw] to any of your blog posts, you’ll get:

Hello, World!

Simple right? Now let’s start the tutorial.

Custom Short codes

For people who want more functionality and customization for their themes, you can create your very own short code for use with social networking sites, here’s a few examples:

Twitter Short code for WordPress

function twitt() {
 return '<div id="twitit"><a href="http://twitter.com/home?status=Reading @techiexplorer '.get_permalink($post->ID).'" title="Click to send this page to Twitter!" target="_blank">Share on Twitter</a></div>';
}

//Add the Twitter to the functions list
add_shortcode('twitter', 'twitt');

When you add [twitter] to any of your blog post, you get something like this:

Share on Twitter

Plurk Short code for WordPress

function plurkk() {
 return '<div id="plurkit"><a href="http://plurk.com/?qualifier=shares&status=Reading http://www.techiexplorer.com/?p='$post->ID' ('.get_the_title($post->ID)')" title="Click to send this page to Plurk!" target="_blank">Plurk This!</a></div>';
}

//Add the Twitter to the functions list
add_shortcode('plurk', 'plurkk');

When you add [plurk] to any of your blog post, you get something like this:

Plurk This!

Facebook Short code for WordPress

Facebook as a special API just for sharing so we’ll use that instead of generating a link

function fbshare_script() {
     return '<div class="fbshare"><script src="http://widgets.fbshare.me/files/fbshare.js"></script></div>';
}

//Add the Fbshare to the functions list
add_shortcode( 'fbshare', 'fbshare_script' );

When you add [fbshare] to any of your blog post, you get something like this:

This was inspired by Smashing magazine’s article on WordPress shortcodes

© sylv3rblade for Techie Xplorer, 2010. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Facebook Short Code, Plurk Short Code, Short Codes, Twitter Short Code, Wordpress

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• Make “Print Preview” Function Your Friend – Before sending stuff to your printer, be sure to do an ocular inspection with the Print Preview. You may just save yourself from printing and reprinting the whole volume of your college thesis
• Keep The Print Cartridges Alive – Printer Ink dries when not used for an extended period of time. If you don’t plan on printing anything, anytime soon, consider running a color test/head cleaning of your printer. This is blot out a small amount of ink yes but will keep your ink cartridges functional for much longer. Do this at least every 3 days.
• Power Down Right – Your printer has a shut off button, use it instead of just killing the switch. Who knows, the next time you pull that plug without shutting down your printer, you may just kill it
• Use the Draft Setting – When printing documents without graphics, be sure to use the draft setting. There’s very little visual difference when you look a printed text that’s using the draft setting and the best quality setting. It does however, save you ink in the long run.

Got any more tips on how to save printer ink? Post them in the comments

© sylv3rblade for Techie Xplorer, 2010. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Epson, Printer Ink, Printers

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Google Analytics tracks feedburner visitors by appending tags such as “utm_source” and “utm_medium” to the URL which turns it to something like http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TechieXplorer/~x/xxxxxxxx/. The resulting URL then reads:

http://www.techiexplorer.com/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed|email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+${feedUri}+%28${feedName}%29

Ugly isn’t it? Not only does this merger of Google’s tools give your readers an almost unintelligible URL, it can also break web pages when your site interprets what’s after the “?”. It may also be harmful to your site’s SEO if your robots.txt us confirgured to to stop and prevent bot crawling on URLs that contains special characters like “?”. No webmaster wants that right?

What do I do?

• Login to FeedBurner account.
• Select a feed you want to disable GA tracking by clicking on its Feed Title.
• Click the Analyze tab
• Click on Configure Stats.
• Unselect (untick) the checkbox for Track clicks as a traffic source in Google Analytics option.
  

If you have any more questions, please post it in the comments

© sylv3rblade for Techie Xplorer, 2010. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Analytics, Feedburner, Google

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The most common way of preventing hotlinking is the of the .htaccess file (considering your webserver is apache, not lighttpd or nginx ). Apache will use the directives on your .htaccess file to redirect / block requests from hotlinkers depending on your configuration. Below are three examples of how you can prevent hotlinking:

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Please note that you should know what you are doing. Modifying the .htaccess file carelessly will result in your site throwing error 500 (configuration error)

For WordPress users, you can insert these lines of code right before the line # BEGIN WordPress in your .htaccess file. Make sure you make a backup of your .htaccess file before editing it.

Allowing certain sites to link to your images (whitelisting)

This code will allow you to block all other domains but allow sites you want to have access to your images (like feedburner, netvibes, bloglines and other accredited syndication sites). Sites that make requests for your image but aren’t listed below will encounter a 403 Forbidden Error instead of the image on your server.

RewriteEngine on
#List sites that you own below
RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} !^http://(.+\.)?mysite1\.com/ [NC]
RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} !^http://(.+\.)?mysite2\.com/.*$ [NC]
RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} !^http://(.+\.)?mysite3\.com/.*$ [NC]
RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} !^$
RewriteRule \.(jpg|jpeg|png|gif|bmp)$ - [F]

Blocking certain sites from linking to your images (blacklisting)

This code will allow you to block certain domains like blogspot, myspace, other social networks or specifically a site that hotlinks your images. Sites listed below that make requests for your image will encounter a 403 Forbidden Error instead of the image on your server.

RewriteEngine on
#Block sites that hotlink your image
RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} ^http://(.+\.)?blogspot\.com/ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} ^http://(.+\.)?myspace\.com/.*$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} ^http://(.+\.)?facebook\.com/.*$ [NC]
RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} !^$
RewriteRule \.(jpg|jpeg|png|gif|bmp)$ - [F]

Redirecting to a no hotlink image

If you don’t want to use a 403 Forbidden Error but want to deliver a strong message to the hotlinker or the readers of the site that’s hotlinking your image, you can use the code below. Instead of the image his/her site requested, the hotlinker will get an image that you specify below.

RewriteEngine on
#List sites that you own below
RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} !^http://(.+\.)?mysite\.com/ [NC]
RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} !^$
#image to return if your image is getting hotlinked
RewriteRule \.(jpg|jpeg|png|gif|bmp)$ http://mysite.com/nohotlink.jpg [NC,R,L]

A combination of all examples above

For the perfect anti-hotlinking .htaccess file, you have to use combinations of the examples listed below. A word of warning, if you’re going to use THIS example, be sure to whitelist all sites (that you want) that have access to your feeds (like feedburner, netvibes, bloglines and other accredited syndication sites) or else they’ll be getting the nohotlink image.

RewriteEngine on
#Block sites that hotlink your image
RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} ^http://(.+\.)?blogspot\.com/ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} ^http://(.+\.)?myspace\.com/.*$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} ^http://(.+\.)?facebook\.com/.*$ [NC]
RewriteRule \.(jpeg|JPEG|jpe|JPE|jpg|JPG|gif|GIF|png|PNG|mng|MNG)$ - [F]
#List sites that you own below
RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} !^http://(.+\.)?mysite1\.com/ [NC]
RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} !^http://(.+\.)?mysite2\.com/.*$ [NC]
RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} !^http://(.+\.)?mysite3\.com/.*$ [NC]
#RSS syndicators and online readers
RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} !^http(s)?://(www\.)?feedproxy.google.com/.*$ [NC]
RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} !^http(s)?://(www\.)?feeds2.feedburner.com [NC]
RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} !^http(s)?://(www\.)?feeds2.google.com [NC]
RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} !^http(s)?://(www\.)?.google.com/reader/view/.*$ [NC]
RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} !^http(s)?://(www\.)?.google.com/reader/m/view/.*$ [NC]
RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} !^$
RewriteRule \.(jpg|jpeg|png|gif|bmp)$ http://mysite1.com/nohotlink.jpg [NC,R,L]

Once you’ve uploaded your new souped up .htaccess file, just head to this hotlink checker tool to see if your configuration works . Be sure to clear your browser cache.

If you’ve done it right, then you won’t have to worry about hotlinkers for a long, long time . Post a comment if you need to ask anything.

© sylv3rblade for Techie Xplorer, 2009. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Administrator, Hotlinking, Tips, Websites

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Techie Xplorer’s Guide on how to view Private Folder Friendster Pictures:

1. First, open the Friendster profile you want to view. (ie. the friendster ID  you want to view is : http://www.friendster.com/user.php?uid=39157026).
   When you try to view a private photo (ie. the photo url is http://www.friendster.com/viewphotos.php?uid=39157026&photo_type=privatephotos), you’ll get an error message saying you’re blocked from doing so.  The message may vary but more or less, it tells you that it’s private and you can’t view it.  But we can’t have that now can we?
2. On the page that, you’ve been blocked from accessing just Right Click > properties > URL image properties
   Once that’s done, you get a URL that goes http://www.friendster.com/image-server.php/35/88/39157026/33403760906_private_m.jpg
3. Paste the URL to notepad
4. Replace the www part with photos and replace the image-server.php part with photos.
   You’ll now have a URL that goes: http://photos.friendster.com/photos/35/88/39157026/33403760906_private_m.jpg
5. Copy the new URL to your browser and voila!  You’ve successfully accessed the private pics

Do note that this method will not work for long as friendster’s admins keep tabs on existing hacks and try to patch them as soon as possible.  Be sure to subscribe to Techie Xplorer’s feeds for the latest updates on this hack.

A word of warning though, if you don’t want your private photos to get leaked, don’t upload them online .

© sylv3rblade for Techie Xplorer, 2009. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Friendster, Hacks

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So… to help me avoid this experience again AND to share it to everyone looking for any free method of converting from Office 2007′s godawful DRM’d file, here’s a list of ways to convert your DOCX file to DOC for FREE!

• Install the Compatibility pack

If you’re trying to open a docx file and failing to do so, chances are you’re opening it with an older version of Word. If this is the case, download the free Microsoft Office Compatibility pack available here.

For Mac users, you can just download the Microsoft Office Open XML File Format Converter here.

For those using OpenOffice or StarOffice, you can download the free Open XML Translator from SourceForge here.

• Convert to doc online
  1. Docx-converter (http://docx-converter.com/) : Docx converter is a FREE docx to doc conversion service that where you can upload your .docx file and have them email you a link to the converter file. The catch? It takes a WHILE for your file to get converted.
  2. Google Docs (http://docs.google.com/) : Although it needs a google account, you can simply upload the docx to Google docs. From there, you can either edit it (you’ll want to do this since you’ll loose a LOT of formatting) or download the file by choosing the “Download file as” option to convert the docx file into your required document format.
  3. Zamzar (http://www.zamzar.com/): And last but definitely one with my personal recommendation, Zamzar. The service is pretty straight forward. You upload the docx file, give your email, select the format you want it converted to and submit. In a few minutes, you get an email confirming the completion of the process AND a link to download the converted file .

I hope this short tutorial was able to help you convert DOCX files to DOC format or open DOCX files in other word processing softwares and applications.

© sylv3rblade for Techie Xplorer, 2009. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Docx, Office

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They say that imitation is the best form of flattery but when comes to products, imitations are bootlegged or pirated copies of actual products that have subpar or worse quality. Buying one is a waste of money and time.

Fakes are Cheap

Yes, bootleg phones may cost a whole lot less than original phones but that’s only because manufacturing them is cheap. How? Sub-standard parts (and cheap labor, most are from Chinese companies), which also means that these cheap imitations does not perform as well as originals and that their lifespan is quite short.

What’s the point of buying a substandard phone when you’ll have to dump it in two months?

What Nokia has to say?

According to Nikka Abes, Corporate Communications Manager for Nokia Philippines:

The latest phone models like Nokia N81, Nokia 5310, Nokia N95, Nokia N82, Nokia 6120, etc. are being sold at a 1/2 to 1/3 of the original price. They’re branded Nokia and sometimes even the packaging is made to look like the real thing. Some are being brought to the Nokia Care Centers for repair and of course, because they are fake, they are turned down.

Nokia has also provided some guidelines in checking a phones legitimacy before and/or after purchase.

• Warranty
  Nokia mobile phones bought in the Nokia Store or from its authorized dealers have a blue 12-month limited warranty sticker from Nokia Care slapped on the top or side parts of the phone’s box .A Nokia Care Tamper Proof warranty sticker is also found in the mobile phone’s accessories such as the charger, battery, memory card, or data cable.
• Stamp of Approval
  All Nokia phones bought from the Nokia Store or any of its authorized dealers have a Tamper Proof Type label at the back of each mobile phone along with the NTC logo and the Type acceptance number as part of one sticker. Also found in the back of the mobile phone is the Nokia tamper proof Warranty Seal.
• Battery
  To see if your battery is the real thing, you have to make sure the hologram label reflects the Nokia Connecting Hands at one angle and the Original Enhancements logo at another angle. When you angle the hologram on the left, right, down and upsides of the logo, you should see 1, 2, 3 and 4 dots on each side respectively.

Now if you’re really THAT meticulous or careful with your purchases, here’s a few more guidelines that you can follow:

1. Price - This should be the very first thing you should look at. If the price of the phone is way cheap, half or a even third of the original price, it’s most likely to be a scam.
2. Weight - Check out the official specs of the phone you are purchasing/have purchased and compare. Fake phones tend to weigh lighter than original ones.
3. Color - Some Nokia phones come only in limited colors (out of the box, not referring to phones already attached with custom housings) so if it’s an odd color, be wary.
4. Missing/Added features – Features are mostly the reason we buy mobile phones so do a cross-reference with the features on the phone with the official spec list. Although imitations may copy the features list, they’re still man made so flaws are still present. Check the pic above for an example on Added features on a bootleg phone.
5. Unofficial Models – The disadvantage of having SO MANY phone models is that it’s easy for imitations to choose a phone family as a niche and start creating non-official models that you can’t find on the officials manufacturer’s catalog (for example, if you an N74 model, its 100% fake since it’s not on the Nokia or even the Nseries site.)
6. Keep your receipt - Not only will it be your “proof of purchase” when claiming warranty, it’ll also save you time in remembering the store where you bought your phone. If you’ve found that your phone is a fake, you can use the receipt as evidence when you report it to the proper authorites.

Hope that helps.

© sylv3rblade for Techie Xplorer, 2009. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Fake, Mobile Phones, Nokia

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