Category: Tutorials

Methods to Delete Your Data from the Internet and obtain some privacy.

Online privacy is a major concern for many people, and for good reason. Your personal information is constantly being collected by various websites, companies, and organizations, and it can be difficult to keep track of who has your data and how it is being used. If you’re looking to increase your online privacy, one of the best things you can do is to take steps to delete your information from the internet. Here are some ways to do that:


Review and delete your online accounts: Go through a list of all the websites and online services you use, and consider whether you really need all of them. If you have accounts that you no longer use, consider deleting them. This will not only help to reduce the amount of personal information that is available online, but it will also make it easier to keep track of your active accounts.


Delete old posts and comments: If you have been active on social media or forums, there is a good chance that you have made a number of posts and comments over the years. Go through your old posts and delete anything that you no longer want to be available online. This includes posts that contain personal information, as well as anything that you might regret posting in the future.


Remove your personal information from people search websites: There are a number of websites that specialize in collecting and publishing personal information about people. These sites can be a major source of information for anyone who is trying to track you down. To remove your information from these sites, you will need to go to each site individually and request that your information be removed.


Opt out of data brokers: Data brokers are companies that collect and sell personal information to other businesses. If you want to reduce the amount of personal information that is available online, you can opt out of these data brokers. This can be done through the Network Advertising Initiative’s opt-out page, or through the Digital Advertising Alliance’s opt-out page.


Use privacy-focused search engines: If you’re concerned about your online privacy, you may want to consider using a search engine that places a greater emphasis on privacy. Some options include DuckDuckGo and StartPage. These search engines do not track your searches or collect your personal information, which can help to increase your online privacy.


Use a virtual private network (VPN): A VPN is a tool that encrypts your internet connection and hides your IP address. This can be useful for increasing your online privacy, as it makes it more difficult for websites and organizations to track your online activity. There are a number of VPNs available, and it’s important to do your research and choose a reputable one.


Enable privacy settings on your devices: Most devices and operating systems come with a range of privacy settings that you can customize. Take some time to go through the privacy settings on your devices and adjust them to your liking. This can include things like turning off location tracking, disabling cookies, and limiting the amount of personal information that is shared with apps and websites.


Use secure and unique passwords: One of the easiest ways for someone to gain access to your personal information is by guessing your password. To protect yourself, it’s important to use strong, unique passwords for all of your accounts. Consider using a password manager to help you generate and store secure passwords.


By taking these steps, you can help to reduce the amount of personal information that is available online and increase your overall online privacy. It’s important to remember that complete privacy on the internet is difficult to achieve, but by taking control of your personal information, you can make it much more difficult for others to track you and access your data.

Why Learn Linux in 2023?

Linux is a powerful and versatile operating system that is widely used in a variety of settings, from personal computers and servers to smartphones and smart TVs. While it may seem intimidating to those who are not technically inclined, learning Linux can offer numerous benefits for anyone looking to improve their computer skills and expand their knowledge of technology. Here are a few reasons why someone who isn’t technically inclined should consider learning Linux in 2023:


Cost: One of the biggest advantages of Linux is that it is free and open-source. This means that you can download and use it without having to pay any license fees or subscriptions. This can be a great option for those who are on a budget or who simply want to save money on software.


Customization: Linux is highly customizable, allowing users to tailor the operating system to their specific needs and preferences. This can be especially useful for those who want to use their computer for specific tasks or who want to personalize their computing experience.


Security: Linux is known for its security features, making it a good choice for those who are concerned about online threats such as viruses and malware. Linux is less susceptible to these types of attacks and can offer added protection for your data and personal information.


Compatibility: Linux is compatible with a wide range of hardware and software, making it a good choice for those who want to use their computer for a variety of purposes. It can run on older hardware and can be used with a wide range of applications, from office productivity tools to graphic design software.


Community: One of the great things about Linux is the strong community of users and developers that support it. There are numerous online forums, discussion groups, and resources available to help users learn and troubleshoot issues with Linux. This can be especially helpful for those who are new to the operating system and may need additional guidance.


Overall, learning Linux can be a great way for someone who isn’t technically inclined to improve their computer skills and expand their knowledge of technology. Whether you are looking to save money on software, customize your computing experience, or simply want to learn something new, Linux is a great choice.

Understanding .bashrc in the GNU/Linux OS.

The bashrc file is a script that is run every time you start a new terminal session in a Linux operating system. It is responsible for setting up your terminal environment and defining any customizations or aliases that you may have defined.
To customize your bashrc file, you will first need to open it in a text editor. This can typically be done by typing nano ~/.bashrc into the terminal. If you prefer to use a different text editor, such as vi or emacs, you can substitute it in place of nano.
One common customization that many users make to their bashrc file is to define aliases for frequently used commands. For example, you might define an alias for ls -al as la, so that you can simply type la to see a detailed listing of the contents of a directory. To define an alias, you can use the alias command in your bashrc file, like so:


alias la='ls -al'


Another useful customization that you can make to your bashrc file is to set up custom prompt strings for your terminal. By default, the prompt string will typically include your username, the name of the current directory, and a $ symbol, but you can customize this to include any information that you find useful. For example, you might want to include the current time, the current git branch, or the status of your background jobs. To customize your prompt string, you can use the PS1 variable, like so:


PS1='\u@\h:\w$ '


This will set your prompt string to include your username, the name of the current host, and the name of the current working directory. You can use various escape sequences to include other information, such as \t for the current time or \j for the number of background jobs.


Another useful customization that you can make to your bashrc file is to set up custom functions. Functions are essentially small scripts that you can define and then call by name from the terminal. This can be useful for automating repetitive tasks or for encapsulating complex commands into a simpler interface. To define a function, you can use the function keyword, like so:


function hello {
echo "Hello, world!"
}


You can then call this function by typing hello into the terminal. Functions can also accept arguments, which can be accessed within the function using the $1, $2, etc. variables.

In addition to the customizations that you can make directly in your bashrc file, you can also include other script files or configuration files from within your bashrc file. This can be useful if you want to keep your customizations organized or if you want to reuse the same customizations across multiple machines. To include another script or configuration file, you can use the source command, like so:

source ~/.my_custom_configurations


There are many other customizations that you can make to your bashrc file, and the exact steps will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Some other examples of customizations that you might consider include setting up custom key bindings, setting up environment variables, or configuring command history.

In summary, the bashrc file is a powerful tool for customizing your terminal environment in a Linux operating system. By defining aliases, custom prompt strings, functions, and other customizations, you can

Get That Job – An Exciting New YouTube Series

Hello,

As some of you may be aware I was a Technical Trainer at one time in my life. As I am attempting to get back into that field I thought that the best way to do that is to start a series on YouTube where I cover the most common coding questions asked during a technical interview.

You can find the playlist here:

As I have just started creating this playlist there may be not a whole lot of content covered. However, I can assure you there is going to be plenty more questions and answers covered. With a series such as this, there really is no end. So, hopefully, this will become a go-to resource for any college graduate that wishes to obtain a job in the software development field.

Bitcoin and BlockChains: Your Guide to the new Cryptocurrencies

Have you started to notice that just about everyone is talking about a strange phenomenon called BitCoin? Does this leave you a bit confused? It sure did me and I consider myself technically literate. Well, after some time researching this subject, and actually buying and mining BitCoin I decided to write a guide for those like me who were a bit confused by these new Cryptocurrencies.

Blockchain technology has been claimed to be one of the better technological advances in the past decade. Just about everyone is considering integrating this technology into their products and services, so becoming familiar with it may be beneficial so you can talk intelligently about it at the very least.

You can, of course, find this guide on my platform of choice for such things, namely the Kindle Store.

Below you will find a link to the book:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0766DTVQV

Hope you enjoy!

Why Learn Python?

Hello,

I am currently working on a course for Udemy, Skillshare, and others on the topic of Python programming language. In that effort, I created a short video on the compelling reasons why someone would want to learn this programming language. As you can imagine the title of this video is Why Learn Python!

Here it is for your enjoyment or criticism.

 

Of course, this course is going to be basic but thorough in its depth and breath.

Video Production – How to create your own online video course using free resources

Recently I have been tempted to take a course on MatadorU for Travel Video production. The main reason being is that I believe I can get better at this and the instruction at this website seems to be far above what many others seem to offer. However, it dawned on me that I probably didn’t even need to do this; I could in fact create my own video production course from freely available resources.

There is a plethora of excellent tutorials available on YouTube. Sure, you may have to wade through some of the bad channels to find some good examples from experienced people who know their craft. The channels I am going to point you to be what I consider to be some of the best around. Of course, I may have missed a few and if so please do let me know so I can add them to the list.

Now, of course you will not get the one on one feedback from a structured course but this should get you going to where you want to go. After you have practiced on your own you could then sign up for the MatadorU course to see how well you learned these concepts. The point that just about every channel and YouTuber seems to drive home is just use what you have available and not get bogged down by your lack of equipment or knowledge. Practice here is what seems to really make a good videographer above all else.

Below is a bunch of channels I have found useful in learning how to create better videos for just about any medium. You can translate this into your travel videos and also you could create a side business as a wedding photographer/videographer from what you may learn on these channels.

FilmRiot
The folks at FilmRiot are pretty hilarious. Using humor as a tool to help you learn is something that many youtubers don’t seem to realize is highly effective. Since these are film makers they don’t necessarily use the same techniques you would see if you were to become a full time travel photographer/videographer.
However, if you plan on making your travel videos with some flair and some extra bit of effort you will learn quite a lot from this channel. The equipment that they are reviewing now will probably be out of your price range if you are just starting out, however, these tools are certainly aspirational and would add quite a bit to your videos and cinematography.
Ultimately when you are creating travel videos you want to tell a story. These people will help you do just that; you may even want to script out some scenes while you are out and about and see how that goes. I am going through this channel and I learn quite a bit from them every day. Each day I just watch one or two videos and take notes to expand on what I have already learned. Eventually, I will be able to put these tools and techniques into practice to make some pretty interesting videos.
Definitely check these people out if you have the chance, it is time well worth spending.

https://www.youtube.com/user/filmriot

FilmSkills
This is yet another youtube channel that has some interesting tidbits to learn about making better videos. Many of their more recent videos seem to be teasers for their own courses on film making. That is all fine and well but you will be able to find a few good things to learn from these folks.

Going deeper into this channel is certainly a learning experience. The videos teach you how to do basic film skills and should get you started on your way to making some compelling travel films. Clearly if you have had no knowledge in the past about these sorts of things you will learn a couple items with each video. If however you already have a degree in filmmaking then you may not learn quite as much, although you may pick up a trick here and there.

The manner in which this channel teaches is pretty standard and there is nothing wrong with that, being too funny is distracting after a while. Overall the content in this youtube channel is certainly worth a giving it a go and you will be able to expand on your knowledge of how to create the perfect shot no matter where you may be filming.

https://www.youtube.com/user/FilmSchoolOnDVD

UglyMcGregor
This is an interesting title to a very interesting youtube channel that supplies quite valuable information to those wishing to up their video production skills. Clearly, you can see that the tips and tricks he provides are going to come in handy regardless of the genre you wish to record. Basically, you could learn more from this channel and some of the other channels combined than you could if you went to professional film school.

As a disclaimer I never did go to a film school so I have no idea if that is an accurate assessment but it just sounds good. However, with the amount of free information supplied by these various channels I am curious as to why anyone would go to a film school other than networking as many of these video tutorials seem all you need to learn.

If you are into using DSLR cameras than this channel will come in very handy as some of the tips and tricks mentioned and shown in this channel can be used to make your videos look outstanding. Later on I really hope to show the efforts of my work and to prove that my film skills have improved.

https://www.youtube.com/user/UglyMcGregor

Philip Bloom
The shots on this channel are beyond stunning. It is really fantastic work. That is why I listen to what the man has to say when he reviews products. Clearly, you can learn a lot from just watching his videos and seeing how they are edited together.

Product reviews on his channel are deep and show a depth of knowledge I really aspire to one day. It is apparent he puts a lot of effort into his craft and that is why you should subscribe and listen to what the man has to say on this subject.

https://www.youtube.com/user/philipbloom

Dave Dugdale – Learning DSLR
This channel is packed with tips on what else but learning the DSLR. It is most assured that you will be using a DSLR camera on your travels, or for whatever you wish to shoot later on in life. As opposed to just reading a blog post or reading the manual seeing someone go through the effort to help you learn the DSLR is quite good.

There are some other channels I could mention but honestly I think this blog post is getting a bit big and I have probably lost about half my readers already. Needless to say you can find out a lot by just using youtube. Should you bother creating your own video course? That really is up to you to be honest.

Learning from others is probably the only way to really learn anything. It is true that if you want to get better at anything you should practice it and with the amount of information supplied from the channels above it is clear you will have plenty to practice. Now, the next step is just to get out there and actually do it.

https://www.youtube.com/user/drumat5280

The argument for taking a structured class

These videos are all well and fine but they don’t give you immediate feedback. One of the benefits of taking an online course, or a in person classroom course is that you can get instant feedback. No youtube videos are going to be able to give you constructive criticism and unless you want to hear from know-it-all youtube commenters about how you should improve your videos you won’t get any immediate feedback.

That is one of the compelling reasons to take a course offered by MatadorU is that they can give you feedback on their assignments that they give out on a weekly basis. You can then go back and redo these assignments to see if you improved. This kind of feedback loop is what is going to help you become better at your craft, and as a result get more viewers and hence more revenue on your channel.

Now, creating some compelling images and a story would dramatically help you get more views. However, as many people don’t expect a huge budget on youtube you shouldn’t always try and impress your viewers with some flashy videos. It seems as though the best channels have a mixture of both low budget “real” films and some good travel videos with some great shots, good music, and good narration.

Ultimately what story do you want to tell? What is that you want your viewers to learn from you? That is going to get you to be more focused on what is in the content of your videos and by and large that will help you create better videos in the future.

There is something to be said of writing a script and telling a narrative over a bunch of B-Roll to give you the impression of something more “professional”, this is going to take time and honestly may not be something you want to do right off the bat. Do you really want to replicate what you see on the Travel Channel or even National Geographic? If so, then you may have to practice a lot at home before venturing out into the wild with your camera and your editing skills.

What I didn’t include was some classes or even books on screenwriting or even software to use when trying to come up with a story to tell. The reason for this was simply because I believe that this may be better suited for a blog post of its own. In the future I may very well review some books and pieces of software on this subject so be sure to keep a look out for that, it will be worth your time.