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Encrypting a USB Key using TrueCrypt

October 26th, 2008 by James · 33 Comments

If you are a healthcare professional you have a duty to maintain the security of patient identifiable data. Within your job you sometimes need to use a USB key to transfer lists or letters between computers. If you lose your un-encrypted USB key with patient identifiable data then it may deemed negligent and you may […]

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Tags: Free · Medical · Open Source · Software

How to encrypt ZIP files securely using 7Zip

October 18th, 2008 by James · 29 Comments

Windows has had built in zip file support with encryption since Windows XP, unfortunately the quality of this encryption is poor as evidenced by the number of commercial programmes available to crack it. Winzip, WinRAR are trialware commercial programs that offer secure AES encryption to your compressed files but cost between 23 and 30 Euros […]

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Tags: Free · Open Source · Software

Filling in PDF Forms with Foxit PDF Reader

August 16th, 2008 by James · 5 Comments

Foxit PDF Reader is a free closed source alternative to Adobe’s PDF reader. On older machines it feels snappier than using Adobe’s bloated product. In this short how-to I will show you how to fill in forms using Foxit Reader with the 39 US$ Pro-Pack.

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Tags: Software

How to make a UK map for TrekBuddy

February 2nd, 2008 by James · 22 Comments

Sometimes you wish to use your GPS and data enabled mobile phone to navigate but either you do not have a data signal, or the map you require is not available through Google or BlackBerry maps. This short article will talk you through how to create a map to be used with TrekBuddy on your […]

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Tags: BlackBerry · Free · Software

How to install offline Maps on your BlackBerry using TrekBuddy 0.973

February 2nd, 2008 by James · 90 Comments

BlackBerry smartphones are handy for GPS navigation helped by the excellent BlackBerry and Google Maps applications. When you are out of range of a data signal both these applications are unable to continue to provide a map. With TrekBuddy you can use offline maps, from Google and elsewhere, record route speed and waypoints, or use […]

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Tags: BlackBerry · Free · Software

Pitfalls when buying a BlackBerry from Ebay

January 28th, 2008 by James · 20 Comments

BlackBerry produce a range of popular mobile phones that have a instant email function. Purchasing a new or used BlackBerry from a seller using Ebay may seem a low cost way of owning a BlackBerry smartphone. In this short article I will highlight some of the pitfalls in doing so, and how to avoid them…

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Tags: BlackBerry

How to get free phone calls from MSN Messenger to a BT Home Hub phone.

May 24th, 2007 by James · 8 Comments

The BT Home Hub enables consumers to get free or low-cost VOIP phone calls out from their DECT/regular phones in their home to UK 01/02 numbers. The BT softphone application when installed allows you to make these calls from a PC anywhere on the Internet. Using this guide I will show you how to make […]

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Tags: Free

Producing Spaghetti Plots using R

April 6th, 2007 by James · 11 Comments

If you wish to analyse longitudinal data sometimes it is helpful to plot each experimental subject’s data at each timepoint to get a feel for the patterns or trends. You can often learn more from this raw data than a boxplot or line graph of the means. I am a habitual SPSS user but have […]

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Tags: Graphics · Medical · Open Source · R statistical computing · Software

How to use JabRef (BibTeX) with Microsoft Word 2003

March 25th, 2007 by James · 264 Comments

JabRef is one of the best reference managers available and provides a realistic alternative to Endnote, as well as being open-source & free. Unfortunately most users are not aware that JabRef (or any other BibTeX based reference manager) can easily be integrated for use with Microsoft Word. In this guide I will show you step-by-step […]

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Tags: Free · Software

10 killer free apps for the Medical Research Student (Windows) 1/2

March 10th, 2007 by James · No Comments

Before you start out with your research project you need to be equipped with the tools required to help you keep notes, write papers and produce professional looking documents. In this 2 part article I will describe 10 of my favourite applications, most of which are open source, all are free.

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Tags: Free · Open Source · Research · Software