Technology

The package manager is what primarily makes a Linux distribution special. You can always swap out the desktop environment, the window manager, and the shell, but you're stuck with the package manager built into the distro you're using. And unless you go out of your way to avoid the terminal, you will be interacting with the package manager fairly often. So it makes sense to give that choice some thought, especially if you're new to the Linux ecosystem. The Advanced Package Tool (or APT) and Pacman are the two most popular package managers out there, and I'll try to help you pick one.

Modern earbuds can block out the world with active noise cancellation, yet still let you hear someone when you need to, thanks to transparency mode. Still, there’s one small, often overlooked feature that makes it even easier: wear sensors.

If you're like me, you're probably properly sick of everything being a subscription. I recently started purging subscriptions from my life, Microsoft 365 being prime among them. But, if you get rid of apps that you need when you cancel your subscription, how can you keep doing what you were before? These apps are just the ticket to replace key paid services.

I used to waste hours in Microsoft Excel manually cleaning data, fixing formulas, and reformatting worksheets. That was until I realized I could use the Find and Replace dialog (Ctrl+H) to achieve the same results in seconds. As a result, I can now spend more time on the things that matter.

If you want to master Google Sheets on your phone, you need to make a significant change in how you think about it. Your smartphone isn't just for looking at data while you're out and about. It's actually a fully functional, highly optimized platform that handles complex data management and analysis perfectly well.

Some smart home tech feels like it's solving a problem that doesn't exist. Does your fridge really need to be able to tell you when you've run out of milk? Used well, however, smart home tech can help to solve some of the problems you face every day.

I never had much interest in VR headsets, but XR is a different story. I like the idea of working with virtual windows floating around me in my physical space. So after experimenting first with AR glasses, I took the plunge with a full-blown XR headset, and while it wasn’t cheap, I’m glad I did.

Cross-browser extensions are easy to write, thanks to the WebExtension initiative and core Web technologies. Using a common format, you can write extensions that work anywhere, without the need to target specific browsers.

Many of us have old phones shoved away in a box somewhere, and there are plenty of great ways to repurpose them. If you’ve been interested in getting into the home media server craze, you may be hesitant to buy a bunch of new hardware. What about that old Android phone?

Throughout the past year, I took a break from Linux to try and find a mobile platform that could fulfill the role of a desktop computer. First it was the BOOX Tab Ultra, an eReader. Then I moved onto the Moto Edge+ with Motorola's desktop mode, and later a Galaxy Z Fold 5 with DeX. Yet I'm back on Linux, and for good reason.

I recently purchased a TCL CM6K mini-LED TV, and I've been extremely happy with it. This is basically a regional variant of the excellent TCL QM6K, and as such it also comes with a built-in Google TV that serves as the operating system for the set.

When I decided to switch to Linux, I'd only ever used one OS: Windows. Admittedly, the differences between the two operating systems made the first few months of my switching experience challenging, but also interesting and exciting. Although Linux doesn't have an unbearably steep learning curve, it truly started making sense when I developed productivity-boosting workflows and stopped defaulting to habits I'd developed from years of using Windows.

This year, Isabela Merced topped IMDb's list of most popular stars, which ranks actors by the number of views their pages have had on the movie database website. She appeared in several high-profile productions this year, like The Last of Us and Superman, and is only going from strength to strength.

America’s most affordable family sedans are disappearing fast, and one of the last great bargains is on its way out. As automakers shift toward crossovers and EVs, the traditional midsize sedan has been pushed to the margins, and with it, the models that once offered roomy cabins, strong safety scores, and genuine value. Now, one of the segment’s final holdouts is being discontinued, making this a rare moment for buyers who still want comfort and practicality without an oversized footprint or an inflated price tag.

When Wear OS first launched as “Android Wear,” it had an awesome gesture that allowed you to navigate without touching the screen. The feature went away at some point, and I’ve missed it ever since. Google has finally brought it back, but it works a bit differently.

The early 2010s were a fascinating time for portable devices. Not only were smartphones advancing rapidly, but smartwatches were ushering in a new era of wearable technology. One company that was at the forefront of this movement was Sony.

After getting annoyed with having to switch between so many different remotes for my AV equipment, I ended up investing in a Logitech Harmony Hub and the Harmony Companion remote. I was able to replace all my existing remotes with just a single remote. Sadly, Logitech stopped making these products, and after mine broke, I was forced to find an alternative option.

When I decided to try a different Linux distro, I did what most people would do: I typed ‘the best Linux distros for beginners’ into my search bar. The AI overview and top ten organic search results recommended Ubuntu LTS, Linux Mint, Zorin OS, Pop!_OS, Elementary OS, and a few other Linux distros. I ran with Pop!_OS because it promised a fast, organized, intuitive, and modern UI, customizations, security, and hardware compatibility.

Do you have old tech sitting around your house unused? Well, it’s time to put that old Mac mini or Wii U to use and repurpose it as a network-attached storage server.

Excel's Format Painter button is seductive. It promises speed and efficiency, and for a quick fix on a handful of cells, it delivers. But once your workbook grows, the tool becomes frustrating, inefficient, and error-prone. That's why I use Find and Replace instead.