How-To Geek

Rooftop solar is one of the best things to happen to my home, but I still encounter trepidation when I speak about solar with others. There is a repetitiveness to the concerns, so let's just address them head-on.

Most ESP32 microcontrollers are blessed with both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, which means they can be used in a vast number of wireless projects. These could be some of the most useful DIY projects that you ever build.

Gardening is all about timing, spacing, and staying organized—and Excel handles all three better than you might expect. This summer, I'm using it to map beds, track planting schedules, monitor conditions, and record harvests. Here's how.

If you're constantly dealing with the frustration of weak Wi-Fi and spotty coverage at home, it's only a matter of time before you start eyeing those advanced and pricey mesh systems. To be fair, they absolutely have a place in large homes where a single router struggles to reach every corner.

I don't think Microsoft is doing anything evil here. Windows isn't uploading my personal files, and this isn't some sketchy background process pretending to be useful. It's a real Windows feature called Delivery Optimization, and the idea is simple enough: your PC can help distribute Windows updates and Microsoft Store app updates to other PCs so everyone gets them faster.

Subscription services are pretty convenient, but they're usually not free. Even when they don't cost money, you almost always pay with your privacy.

Are you switching over from Windows to Linux? Do you try to avoid the Linux terminal? Linux doesn't have to be scary, and these days there are plenty of easy options for you. I have two beginner-friendly distros that won't try to make you use the terminal.

Today's a big day on Paramount+, the premiere of Taylor Sheridan's wildly anticipated new Yellowstone sequel series, Dutton Ranch, has arrived on the streaming service, and I've got the details for you below.

Not everyone has the latest and greatest 3D printer with all the bells and whistles. Especially if you're focusing on bare-bones workhorse machines where raw capability mattered more to your budget than luxury.

Bambu Lab is the biggest name in 3D printing right now. Not content with making the hobby accessible to a more casual audience, the company frequently flirts with controversy and finds itself in the news for all the wrong reasons.

Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone universe returns to television in Dutton Ranch, a new spin-off series starring Kelly Reilly as Beth Dutton and Cole Hauser as Rip Wheeler. The first two episodes are now streaming on Paramount+. If you don't have Paramount+, there is another way to watch.

May is off to an excellent start on Netflix, with some great new shows making headlines, climbing the streaming charts and Rotten Tomatoes rankings, including the cringy roast of Kevin Hart, the unsettling drama Lord of the Flies, and, to throw in a movie pick, Sally Field's heartwarming Remarkably Bright Creatures.

Google Gemini can do a lot of cool stuff for free. Things like “Personal Intelligence” and ordering food from GrubHub. However, if you don’t pay for an AI subscription, you’re missing out on one of Gemini’s most useful features.

For a long time, buying a luxury SUV was pretty straightforward. If you wanted something powerful, refined, and packed with tech, you went German and accepted the hefty price tag that came with it.

When we last discussed new shows arriving on streaming, we spoke about The Bear spin-off episode along with the most recent adaptation of Lord of the Flies. While these shows have their moments, this week's crop of series has more star power and mainstream appeal for wide audiences.

Whole-home Ethernet sounds like the perfect home networking upgrade. In theory, having wired network access in every room seems like the best way to keep everything fast and stable. However, it’s often more effort and cost than most homes actually need, and in many cases, a single access point in the right location is all you really need.

Luxury SUVs have become incredibly expensive, with many premium hybrid crossovers now pushing well beyond the $60,000 mark before options. That rising cost has made mainstream alternatives far more appealing, especially as affordable brands continue improving interior quality, ride comfort, and in-car technology. Buyers no longer need a luxury badge to get features like leather upholstery, premium sound systems, massive digital displays, and a genuinely refined driving experience.

The Amazon Fire TV Stick is in an odd spot in the streaming market; it's both very accessible and very restricted for a smart device. However, for many years, there has been a conflict between Amazon and its users. The issue is that it isn't transparent or free enough; its default interface hides important performance information and deliberately limits adding third-party apps. There is a hidden developer menu that lets you get more out of the device.

Google has offered 15GB of free storage with its accounts for years, but there can now be some strings attached to claiming the full amount. Users have noticed that some new account holders have to link their phone number to get the expected storage. Otherwise, they're capped at just 5GB.

Are you looking to buy some new cordless power tools for DIY projects this spring and summer? If so, we have some deals you don't want to miss. I'm talking about three RIDGID battery packs, all for only $100, or huge 10-tool combo kits at a massive 50% discount.