Computer Corner

Real-world Computer and Internet Access issues are addressed here.

Please note that if you are having performance issues with Apple computers, I suggest that you read Why is my Mac Running Slow? at ChrisWrites.com.

SOLVED: Fingerprint Scanner

HP Elitebook 23 Oct 2013

The fingerprint scanner - a Validity Sensor VFS451 - was not available as a login method on the initial computer configuration. It was during ...

Windows 8 and the HP fingerprint scanner

HP Elitebook 23 Oct 2013

Warning: HP's validity sensor software does NOT work in Windows 8, according to Microsoft's Upgrade Assistant. If you upgrade to Windows 8 ...

Who needs a 1024x768 LCD monitor?

20 Jul 2013

Once upon a time a 17" LCD monitor running at a resolution of 1024x768 would be state of the art, but not any more. The screen was also produced ...

Autocomplete in jQuery

Web Programming 09 Jul 2013

This is my solution for an as-you-type auto-suggest behaviour in an HTML form input, using jQuery. Now, jQuery plugins for doing text input ...

Mashape is an API marketplace!

Web Programming 29 Jun 2013

Is this the API utopia for web developers and data services? Mashape claims to be the one-stop-shop for developers to access thousands of ...

Automated Chromakey in PHP

Web Hosting 27 Jun 2013

This is an experiment in removing a photograph's background automatically, as long as the background is reasonably uniform. To create such ...

Efficient, minimal MySQL backup

Web Hosting 22 Apr 2013

When someone asks you about what you do to backup your website's database, you'll probably have one of these responses: "I don't think ...

Bitcoins: currency of the future?

10 Apr 2013

Bitcoins are all the rage these days. They are a virtual currency, with their value determined by cryptographic computer effort, but can be ...