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DIY IT Guy
Jack Wallen
TechRepublic Staff
Jack Wallen
Jack Wallen is an award-winning writer for Techrepublic and Linux.com. As an avid promoter/user of the Linux OS, Jack tries to convert as many users to open source as possible. His current favorite flavor of Linux is Bodhi Linux (a melding of Ubuntu and Enlightenment).
When Jack isn't writing about Linux he is hard at work on his other writing career -- writing about zombies, various killers, super heroes, and just about everything else he can manipulate between the folds of reality. You can find Jack's books on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords.
Outnumbered in his house one male to two females and three humans to six felines, Jack maintains his sanity by riding his mountain bike and working on his next books. For more news about Jack Wallen, visit his website Get Jack'd.
Must-Read Post
DIY: Free Windows backup tool Synchronicity
Synchronicity is a free and reliable backup solution. See how to create a new, scheduled backup to an external drive using the tool.
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DIY: Try SpiderOak, a first-rate cloud sync tool
Jack Wallen ranks SpiderOak as the best cloud-based sync tools he has used. He explains what's special about SpiderOak and describes how to use it.
Posted by Jack Wallen | April 20, 2012, 11:02 PM PDT
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DIY: Resolve formatting issues in LibreOffice Calc
If you use LibreOffice's spreadsheet application Calc, Jack Wallen's answers to a reader's problems with cell and default date formatting might help you, too.
Posted by Jack Wallen | April 18, 2012, 1:47 PM PDT
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DIY: Manage email campaigns with phplist
Phplist is a powerful and easy to install open source tool that makes it easy for small shops to create lists and send announcements for email marketing campaigns.
Posted by Jack Wallen | April 16, 2012, 3:35 PM PDT
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DIY: Deploy the Zimbra Desktop Client for a solid groupware experience
The open source Zimbra Desktop Client offers all of the email/calendaring/task/social networking functionalities that small businesses need to make a groupware solution useful.
Posted by Jack Wallen | April 14, 2012, 11:58 PM PDT
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DIY: Add formulas to LibreOffice documents with LibreOffice Math
Jack Wallen explains how to add user-friendly formulas in your LibreOffice documents by installing and using LibreOffice Math.
Posted by Jack Wallen | April 13, 2012, 5:15 PM PDT
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DIY: How to resolve LibreOffice 3.5 profile issues
In this installment of Ask Jack, a TechRepublic reader finds out how to fix the problems of LibreOffice 3.5 not displaying recent files and showing errors with some wizards.
Posted by Jack Wallen | April 11, 2012, 9:19 AM PDT
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DIY: Let Feng Office be your open source guide to business management
Feng Office is a great business management tool for small businesses. The open source solution can track time and manage projects, documents, knowledge, and tasks.
Posted by Jack Wallen | April 6, 2012, 1:08 PM PDT
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DIY: Get a Control key for Kingsoft Office on Android
In the latest installment of Ask Jack, a TechRepublic member wants to know how to read embedded links in the Kingsoft Office for Android app. Read Jack Wallen's answer.
Posted by Jack Wallen | April 4, 2012, 8:47 PM PDT
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DIY: Get a free ERP accounting package in PhreeBooks
PhreeBooks is a powerful ERP system that can serve as your small company's accounting system. Learn the installation and setup configuration processes for PhreeBooks.
Posted by Jack Wallen | April 3, 2012, 8:46 AM PDT
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DIY: Enhance your graphic design work with darktable
If Photoshop Lightroom is too pricey for your budget, you should try the open source alternative darktable. Find out what darktable is and isn't, and get the basics on using the app.
Posted by Jack Wallen | March 30, 2012, 12:59 PM PDT
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DIY: Configure Apache with the help of Webmin
Jack Wallen describes how easy it is to configure your Apache server using the Webmin web-based GUI.
Posted by Jack Wallen | March 29, 2012, 6:00 PM PDT
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DIY: Log in to a Windows domain from OS X
Jack Wallen answers a TechRepublic member's question about how to log in to a Windows machine from OS X using domain credentials.
Posted by Jack Wallen | March 28, 2012, 1:10 PM PDT
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DIY: Extend your wireless range on the cheap with a second wireless access point
If your business needs to extend its wireless range but doesn't have the budget for a complex setup, Jack Wallen has the solution for you.
Posted by Jack Wallen | March 24, 2012, 4:58 PM PDT
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DIY: Add Linux machines to a Windows domain
Jack Wallen says the answer to a TechRepublic member's question about connecting Linux boxes to a Windows domain is quite simple.
Posted by Jack Wallen | March 21, 2012, 9:03 AM PDT
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DIY: Tiny Core Linux, a great kiosk and emergency platform
Tiny Core Linux is worth considering if you're looking for a kiosk platform, an Internet cafe OS, or an OS on a stick rescue tool.
Posted by Jack Wallen | March 19, 2012, 1:50 PM PDT
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DIY: Let Webmin handle all your UNIX administration tasks
Jack Wallen thinks Webmin is still one of the most powerful administration tools you'll find for a UNIX environment. See what the admin tool has to offer.
Posted by Jack Wallen | March 16, 2012, 3:20 PM PDT
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DIY: Locate items in Linux Mint menus
Jack Wallen answers a TechRepublic reader's question about how to find downloaded applications in Linux Mint menus.
Posted by Jack Wallen | March 16, 2012, 12:40 PM PDT
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DIY: Use Applicasa for your early-stage mobile app development
Applicasa's Start App program helps make your early-stage mobile app development process easy and at no charge. It's currently only available for iOS.
Posted by Jack Wallen | March 12, 2012, 10:34 AM PDT
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DIY: Add digital signatures to LibreOffice documents
Read about an easy way to digitally sign your LibreOffice documents. This security measure allows recipients to confirm your documents are from you.
Posted by Jack Wallen | March 9, 2012, 3:35 PM PST
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Ask Jack: The most efficient Linux desktop
Jack Wallen answers a TechRepublic member who wants to know whether GNOME 3/GNOME Do is the most efficient Linux desktop.
Posted by Jack Wallen | March 7, 2012, 12:58 PM PST
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DIY: How to take screenshots from your Android mobile
Jack Wallen answers a question he gets asked a lot: How do I take screenshots on my Android phone?
Posted by Jack Wallen | December 15, 2011, 7:24 AM PST
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DIY: Setting up wireless access points as repeaters to extend wireless range
Do you have a need for wireless access, but your location is too large for only a single wireless router to cover? Without having to pay for a costlier router or boosters, here's what you can do.
Posted by Jack Wallen | March 14, 2011, 10:08 AM PDT
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DIY: Best Linux distros based on type of user
Jack Wallen gives a high-level overview of which major Linux distribution is best for specific types of users.
Posted by Jack Wallen | March 2, 2012, 9:49 AM PST
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DIY: Install the best open source POS
Jack Wallen's clients think the Openbravo point of sale (POS) software is solid and useful. Here are installation and configuration tips for this budget-friendly POS.
Posted by Jack Wallen | December 14, 2011, 8:38 AM PST
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DIY: Create easy to use databases with LibreOffice Base
Jack Wallen demonstrates how to use LibreOffice Base on Linux. You can also use the database tool on Windows or Mac.
Posted by Jack Wallen | January 27, 2012, 3:30 PM PST
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DIY: Add drop-down lists to LibreOffice spreadsheets
The addition of drop-down lists can make your LibreOffice Calc spreadsheets more flexible and powerful. Get instructions on adding them in Calc.
Posted by Jack Wallen | February 21, 2012, 12:49 PM PST
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DIY: Create a database form in LibreOffice Base Design View
Learn how to use the LibreOffice Base Design View mode, so you can get more specific and creative with your database forms.
Posted by Jack Wallen | February 2, 2012, 10:23 AM PST
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DIY: Four Terminal Server alternatives
Jack Wallen features some alternative solutions for a Terminal Server environment that are sure to save your small business serious cash.
Posted by Jack Wallen | October 21, 2011, 10:59 AM PDT
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DIY: FrontAccounting is a free alternative to QuickBooks
If Intuit's QuickBooks is out of your price range, you should look into FrontAccounting, an open source, web-based accounting/ERP package that is a breeze to install.
Posted by Jack Wallen | June 17, 2011, 8:30 PM PDT
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DIY: Free tools for removing malicious software
Fighting the malware battle really hurts when you're spending a good deal of your IT budget (if you even have an IT budget) on software to protect machines from attacks. Here's how to do it for free.
Posted by Jack Wallen | February 22, 2011, 5:23 AM PST
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DIY: Tiny Core Linux, a great kiosk and emergency platform
Tiny Core Linux is worth considering if you're looking for a kiosk platform, an Internet cafe OS, or an OS on a stick rescue tool.
Posted by Jack Wallen | March 19, 2012, 1:50 PM PDT
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DIY: Set up a FileZilla server on Windows 7
FileZilla is a great DIY FTP server, particularly for a Windows machine. Follow these installation and configuration instructions for FileZilla.
Posted by Jack Wallen | September 15, 2011, 12:26 PM PDT
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DIY: Connect LibreOffice Base to a MySQL database
By connecting LibreOffice Base to a MySQL database, it makes the office suite much more flexible and powerful. Learn how to make that connection.
Posted by Jack Wallen | February 11, 2012, 11:04 PM PST
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DIY: Replace Ubuntu Unity with a different desktop
If you're not a fan of the new Ubuntu Unity interface, learn how simple it is to replace the desktop with Classic GNOME, XFCE, or KDE.
Posted by Jack Wallen | September 13, 2011, 8:15 AM PDT
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DIY: Speech-to-text alternatives to Dragon NaturallySpeaking
If Dragon NaturallySpeaking speech recognition software isn't in your budget, read about other speech-to-text options Jack Wallen suggests to a TechRepublic reader.
Posted by Jack Wallen | November 9, 2011, 12:47 PM PST
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Ask Jack: iPhone email client replacement
Jack Wallen replies to a member who is looking for an iPhone app with similar functionality as the TouchDown mail client for Android.
Posted by Jack Wallen | January 13, 2012, 2:37 PM PST
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DIY: Extend your wireless range on the cheap with a second wireless access point
If your business needs to extend its wireless range but doesn't have the budget for a complex setup, Jack Wallen has the solution for you.
Posted by Jack Wallen | March 24, 2012, 4:58 PM PDT
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DIY: Create free, self-signed Certificate Authorities
Learn three methods for creating self-signed Certificate Authorities without depleting your company's IT security budget.
Posted by Jack Wallen | March 5, 2012, 12:41 PM PST
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DIY: Create data entry forms for databases in LibreOffice Base
The Forms Wizard in LibreOffice Base makes it easy to create forms so any user can enter data in a database. Follow along the Forms Wizard's eight-step process.
Posted by Jack Wallen | February 1, 2012, 12:49 PM PST
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DIY: Install and use a WAMP server for an inexpensive, Windows-based web server
WAMP is very simple to install and can have you serving up robust web sites quickly.
Posted by Jack Wallen | March 10, 2011, 9:50 AM PST
