Chris Brewer's Garbage Bags

Set up Screen Sharing (VNC) via command line on Mac OS X remotely using SSH


Locked out of a Mac because Remote Desktop has suddenly taken a crap on you? Want to remotely enable Screen Sharing (Apple’s fancy name for VNC)? Well, as long as you have SSH active, you can enable Screen Sharing on Mac OS X 10.5 by following these easy instructions.

Restore 30 second commercial skip to your Motorola DCT 6416 DVR


Want to fast forward 30 seconds at a time (commercial skip) on your Motorola 6416, 6412, or 6408 DVR? I’ve got a Motorola DCT 6416 DVR, which is used by Insight Cable here in Northern Kentucky and elsewhere, and by Comcast elsewhere. Both cable companies have kowtowed to the networks on this issue, disabling the […]

Using wii’s controller as an advanced computer input device


Wii is currently one of the world’s best selling gaming platform, having sold 6.3 million units in 2007 and a cumulative 7.38 million units. The unique nature of its input devices makes it so. The motion-sensitive wireless hand held controller and sensor bar combine for a unique combination of twisting, turning, pushing and pulling game […]

A multi-touch world awaits…


Multi-touch interfaces are taking the computing world by storm. While not completely new (multi-touch research has been around since the 80’s), researchers such as Jeff Han are hard at work bringing it to the forefront of computing interfaces.
Traditional touch screens allow only one point of contact at a time. Apple’s iPhone utilizes a technique that […]

Crash (and I don’t mean cymbals)!


I’m sitting at my Mac this morning, facing a window that looks out onto the street in front of my house, working on a web site.
I hear the throaty growl of an accelerating engine, and look up just in time to see the smear of a black car flying past. Simultaneously, I hear an enormous […]

Mute system audio when increasing/decreasing volume


Here’s a cool tip from The Distant Librarian on how to silence the audio feedback you get when using the keyboard to increase or decrease the volume in Mac OS X.

Hold down the shift key while depressing the volume keys will silence the auditory feedback while raising and lowering the volume, but still show the […]

Screencasting on Mac OS X: What you need to get the job done


Your choices for screen capture on Mac OS X are increasing, both in quantity and quality. Screen capture and screen casting is cake using these low-cost (and sometimes free) applications:

 
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Configure Apache Web Sharing for user accounts in Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard


Apple’s new Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) changes how web sharing is set up. Thankfully, they’ve moved us all to Apache 2 codebase (a good thing™). But in doing so, they’ve disabled the ability to serve web pages contained in your home Site directory.
If you turn on Web Sharing from the System Preferences panel, it […]

How to own that pesky telemarketer


Next time a telemarketer calls, use this slick routine to teach him/her a lesson:

Apple bug breaks 3rd party USB web cams; no fix from Cupertino


Since the release of Apple’s 10.4.10 update, users (including me) have been complaining to Apple that their third-party USB web cams have lost audio capabilities. Although a bug report was issued and acknowledged (ID #5285354) by Apple, no fix has been forthcoming. In fact, Apple has stranded a large number of users in a void […]

Who is Chris Brewer?

From my CV, at http://binaryblind.com (my home page, by the way): Chris Brewer has worked in both industry and academia for years at the intersection of information systems and communications. His background is in areas ranging from technical consulting with Fortune 500 companies, developing award-winning web sites, publishing the Denver Scene, and operating small business concerns. Chris has a unique mix of in-depth technical skills ranging from web and database development to server administration, and strong creative skills in traditional and rich media. Chris actively illustrates his love for the impact and promise of web-based media by fusing creative and technical inputs into seamless integrated output. Chris is also a dynamic lecturer and an innovative technical instructor, and holds an undergraduate business degree from the University of Colorado.


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