VirusTotal can help you scan files you upload to them. The interface is pretty dummy proof so I won’t explain how to use it.

From VirusTotal’s Website:

Virustotal is a service that analyzes suspicious files and facilitates the quick detection of viruses, worms, trojans, and all kinds of malware detected by antivirus engines. More information…

Jotti is another good alternative to VirusTotal. Apparently Jotti uses a lot of virus scanners to scan the file, so I guess Jotti has a better detection rate.

According to the Jotti website:

Jotti’s malware scan is a free online service that enables you to scan suspicious files with several anti-virus programs.

So when downloading files from websites like Hotfile, MegaUpload, and Rapidshare, you can have some sense of security. By using those file scanning websites, if you think you have an infected file.

How-To Analyze & Scan Suspicious Downloaded Files is a post from: Kalvster Dot Com

Did you know a keyboard can contain more germs than your toilet seat? That is why research shows you should regularly clean your keyboard to remove the dust and clutter that attracts germs.

Materials:

• Rubbing alcohol
• Cotton swab (e.g. Q-tip)
• Compressed air (e.g. Dust Off)

The simple steps to a fresh and clean keyboard:

1. Disconnect your keyboard from your computer.
2. After the keyboard is disconnected, grab your can of compressed air and turn it over. Now, tap or lightly shake your keyboard… Look at all that grime and dust fall out! You may repeat this step if there still appears to be more.
3. Now grab a cotton swab and dip one end into the alcohol and swoosh it around the sides of the keys. You can also scrub the top of the keys too.

Note: You can remove all the keys of the keyboard (using the sides of the keys), and wipe them with a moist towel for more thorough cleaning. Never ever put anything containing liquid directly on your keyboard; you risk breaking it.

Now after all that work, go relax. Drink a Mocha!

How-to Guide on Cleaning Your Computer’s Dirty Keyboard is a post from: Kalvster Dot Com

Macintosh icons help display a specific image so you may determine what program to open.  Changing and customizing the icons of your dock, programs, folders, documents and anything else is quite simple on a Macintosh computer.

How to change and customize an item’s icon to another one:

1. Click on the icon that you would like to use in place of the original icon.
2. At the top bar, click on File and choose Get Info or press Command-I on your keyboard or CTRL-Click and choose Get Info  to open the information window.
3. In the information window, select the icon in the top-left corner of the information window.
4. Once again at the top bar, click on Edit and choose Copy or press Command-C.
5. Now select the icon that you would like to replace.
6. From the top bar, click on File and choose Get Info or CTRL-Click and choose Get Info or press Command-I on your keyboard to open the information window.
7. Click the icon in the top-left corner in the information window.
8. Now at the top bar, choose the Edit menu and click on Paste or press Command-V on you keyboard to replace the icon

Now that you have changed your icon, sit back and enjoy your good work!

Note: You may obtain cool icons from Icon Archive . And if you do not want to do all this work, there is an easier way! You can use applications like LiteIcon (free) or Candybar (paid).

How to Change and Customize Macintosh Icons is a post from: Kalvster Dot Com

Yes, I know most of us are off to enjoy the summer. But what about the future in your studies? So out of my boredom (yeah, I’m bored already)… I compiled a list of what you could do…

1. Preparation and practice is essential in learning.

This obviously helps always we all know the saying goes “Practice makes perfect”.

2. Do not let your self-defeating behavior overcome you.

So let’s go say you don’t want to study. Do not let that attitude overcome you that is what leads to failure.

3. Keep track of what you have learned.

Write and keep notes in organized sections so that you may go back to them for studying.

4. Review! Review! Review! That is how you memorize and retain information to learn and understand.

Seriously! The more you see it, the more likely you will memorize it. Helping you succeed in exams.

5. Weren’t paying attention or was absent? Catch up what you have missed so you will have the information to pass.

Yeah, once again be sure to have your notes! Notes are the best things to study from for exams because they are a summary of what you have learned.

6. Create a good study environment that is distraction free.

Let’s go see, if you have a TV playing in front of you. What are you more inclined to pay attention to? The TV (obviously), so get rid of those distractions to concentrate.

1. Be sure to have all your needed materials.

Running back and forth will waste your time. Don’t you want to use the least amount of study time to retain the most information?

2. Form a schedule that suits you.

If you cannot allot some time to study… how will you pass? Unless your some “nerdy brainiac”, your going to fail.

3. Be relaxed when studying. Study in cycles and short periods of time if it helps.

If you cannot be relaxed when studying, how can you concentrate? You simply cannot. So experiment with study times and see what works for you.

4. And finally, prioritize your work.  Work on your most important to the least important.

You don’t want to spend most of your time on something that was not for marks and “wing” your assignment that was for marks. See what is most needed to be done and work down to the least needed .

Stay tuned for my next post on “Reasons Why You Should Not Follow the 10 Tips to Success In Your Studies and School”. Have any more suggestions? Feel free to comment; I’m sure the comments are working!

10 Tips to Success In Your Studies and School is a post from: Kalvster Dot Com

That’s right! A airplane solely powered by bugs, and in theory should work. This is great amazing experiment, that somebody has actually attempted!…

So while surfing the Internet, I came across this interesting project. I thought, “Cool!” Well, here were the instructions I had came upon…

As you can see, it seems somewhat plausible. And after further research, I read up on how someone attempted it. I guess I can sum this up in my post…

Well, the first did not work with flies. So another attempt took place with wasps.. That too did not work. There was also an explanation of why it might of not worked, “I’ve gotten several emails explaining why the insects won’t fly. Apparently when their legs are touching something, it suppresses their urge to fly. If they are glued by their body segments instead, it simulates falling through the air, triggering the flight reflex. Thus they start beating their wings. Unfortunately, this being the middle of winter, there are very few insects to be found. I’ll repeat my experiment once again in the spring.”

So I guess in turn it never worked so well. But if you’d like to check out how the experiment went, click here.

Now for those that prefer to use kits over DIY models… They are actually available online (Fly Power) (I went WOW too)! I guess this for those that are not handy!

There are no animal rights on insects (free engine slave labor), so try it out sometime. And please, share your results I’m sure the comments are working.

Building a DIY “Fly” Plane (literally) is a post from: Kalvster Dot Com