Create a Hyperlink Button using CSS

This tutorial shows how to create a button using just CSS and HTML. There are no graphics used in this demonstration to create the button. This makes it a very fast loading page because all of the rendering is done by the browser instead of having to wait for a graphic file to download.




Download the files for this project here.

Recover the Password from a Cisco Switch

This is a step-by-step guide to show you how to reset the password on a Cisco switch without loosing any of the other configurations. In this particular example, it uses a Cisco Catalyst 3560-CG, but the process is similar on most other current Cisco Products.

 
In order to follow these instructions, you will need access to a compatible Cisco rollover cable.
Which cable you will need depends upon the device you are using and the specs of the computer that you are using. Here are some cables that can help point you in the right direction . . .

This particular cable (pictured to the top left) can be used on most Cisco devices, but you will need a computer with a serial port (COM1) in order to use it. The female DB9 connection will plug into your computer's serial port. While the male RJ45 connection will plug into the console port on the Cisco device.

On some of the newer Cisco devices, they've begun to offer connections that will support a Type B mini USB connection. These cables make use of connections that are found on most computers today (to the right is one of these cables). This will allow a computer or laptop to connect to the Cisco device by using its USB connection. The Type B mini USB connection plugs into the Cisco device, and the Type A USB connection will plug into the USB port commonly found on most computers.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of Cisco products still require an RJ45 connection for the console. Most of today's current laptops don't come with serial ports (COM1). To resolve this problem, many people have invested into an adapter that will turn a USB connection into a serial one. This product (listed to the bottom left) is an example of one of these products. The one key element that you need for one of these adapters is support for the Cisco Break command.

Create a Horizontal Web Site Navigation Bar using CSS

This is a quick demonstration to show how to create a simple and clean horizontal navigation bar. The demonstration uses CSS (cascading style sheets).



Click here to download files for this demonstration.

In this demo, I'm using the free text editor known as Notepad++.
This program can be downloaded from their website located here.

Textbooks on the iPad- Is it really a game changer?

Apple has announced that it is now taking the leap into textbooks. They have integrated textbooks into the iPad with the release of iBooks 2. Apple claims that this will fundamentally change the way students learn and the way teachers teach, but before anything like this can happen there are several hurdles to overcome. Unfortunately, Apple being Apple has put some unnecessary walls in place to make the adoption of electronic textbooks using iBooks more difficult than necessary.

For one thing, the cost is going to play a key factor. Even though Apple claims that the textbook cost could be as low as $15 annually, this neglects to include the cost of the iPad into the equation. Currently in K-12, textbooks are often used for several years spreading out the current cost of a textbook throughout its years of usage.  It may work better for higher education or private schools where the cost could be thrown into the cost of tuition, or the students could be expected to pay for the device for their own personal usage.

There is also the cost of the hardware needed to take advantage of iBooks. The cheapest iPad is $499, and that doesn't include any accessories like a case to protect the device. The typical lifespan of one of these devices is expected to be about 2 years. This could be either diminished or extended based on the usage of the device. So in a best case scenario, a public school would most likely have to spend about $500 per device per student every two years.

Needless to say, this would be a very costly endeavor for a public school to implement. Potentially, a school could apply for a grant to cover the initial cost of the devices, but after they are purchased, there is still the problem of maintaining them. When looking at all of these factors, it begins to become obvious that this would be difficult to sustain.

Apple to Make a "Big" Education Announcement in the "Big Apple"

On January 19, Apple is planning on making an education announcement. There are rumors that Apple will attempt to gain a foothold on the textbook publishing industry. Apparently, this was one of the goals that Steve Jobs had prior to his passing.

There have been several other tablet manufacturers that have made attempts into that market with lackluster appeal. The Kno Tablet which has transitioned to an app available on Apple's App Store, or the failed Entourage Edge. With the wide adoption of the iPad by many educational institutions, will the iPad accomplish what others have not been able to?

Of course, this is all speculation. On January 19, we'll have a better idea of what their plans are for education.

Microsoft Academic Search

Microsoft has a new beta service out. It's called Microsoft Academic Search. It is still in beta which basically means that it is still a work in progress, but there seems to be a lot of potential. It is still fairly functional in its current state.

As of this posting, they have roughly 27 million publications to search through. It appears that Microsoft Academic Search is a search engine geared specifically towards searching through academic publications. It appears to offer similar functionality to the Google Scholar, but it's also broken down into various categories.


Here is the URL to the new service: http://academic.research.microsoft.com.

Should I get a Stylus for my iPad or tablet?

Sometimes your finger is too large for doing any type of fine detail input. In those instances, a stylus is the best route to go. Targus makes a very affordable stylus.

Should you get one? It all depends upon whether or not you feel your hand isn't giving you the precision that you would like when working with your tablet. There are certain scenarios and apps that are better suited towards the usage of a stylus. Hand writing or note taking could make such an accessory essential.

A stylus is also great for creative apps like Sketchbook Express for the iPad. Sketchbook Express is a great program for doing illustrations. It has alot of functionality and the free version is pretty powerful, but there is also a pay version that includes additional features.