How-To Geek
Stop trusting your TV's night mode: What happens when you're not watching
When you've woken up after falling asleep while watching Netflix, and you turn your TV off and go to bed for real, your day may have ended, but your TV still has business to conduct.
I stopped using desktop icons on Windows, and you should too
The Windows desktop is iconic. Some of the backgrounds, the green rolling hills featured in Windows XP, have even become a bit of a meme. However, I do one thing very differently: I have completely removed all desktop icons from my desktop.
5 ways I use presence sensors with Home Assistant to automate my morning routine
My smart home morning routine has evolved a lot over the years. It used to be triggered at the same time each morning, but life isn't always that predictable. I now use presence sensors to help automate my mornings.
5 Ryobi lighting products you didn’t realize you needed
Ryobi tools are a popular option for DIYers and homeowners for several reasons. And while you probably have all sorts of Ryobi tools, one thing a lot of buyers forget about is lighting. If you're looking to upgrade your garage for less, get these affordable Ryobi lights that outperform the rest.
Your DNS server knows every website you visit—here's why Google's 8.8.8.8 is different
At some point, you've probably been told that switching your DNS server to 8.8.8.8—or some other alternative—might be the cure for your internet problems.
Linux does these 3 things better than Windows, and the gap is widening
As Microsoft leans harder into the "OS-as-a-Service" model with Windows 11, the philosophical and technical divide between Windows and Linux really only keeps growing more and more.
Tesla is making a cheaper personal EV despite Elon Musk's robotaxi dreams
Elon Musk may have effectively shelved Tesla's plans for an affordable EV in 2024, but the company appears to be rethinking its strategy. Reuters sources claim Tesla is developing a compact electric SUV that would be priced well below the Model 3, which starts at $37,000 for American customers.
Homelab projects to try this weekend (April 10 - 12)
Are you ready to dive into some fresh homelab projects this weekend? Today, I’m showcasing a few fun projects for you to try out, like Calibre-Web, ChangeDetection.io, and even a unique authentication experience with Teleport.
The best compact SUV for $40K isn't Japanese—it's German
New-car prices blasting past $50,000 have made the used market feel like the only sane place left to shop. And tucked between all the forgettable listings is a standout deal you probably wouldn’t expect: the 2020 Porsche Macan Turbo.
You only need 12 lines of CSS to build a clean, attractive website
A web page without any styling is like a blank canvas. The possibilities are endless, and it’s easy to waste time experimenting with different layouts, colors, and fonts. But the default browser styles are not ideal, so you need to put in the effort just to get started with a proper design.
Stop believing these 4 myths about Linux—they're all outdated now
Linux has been popular with enthusiasts and enterprise users for decades, but it still has a negative reputation among Windows users. However, most of that negative reputation is based on outdated information.
5 open-source projects that secretly power the world
It feels like our digital world is dominated by a handful of tech giants, and that is true to a certain extent. However, even they lean on countless free and open-source projects that power the internet as we know it. Here are four of the most important ones.
This Linux distro will give your old Windows 10 PC a new lease on life
I have a 10-year-old PC that ran Windows 10 its whole life. When Microsoft dropped support for Windows 10, I replaced it with the Arch-based CachyOS. It ran fine for a while, even with the graphics-heavy Hyprland compositor. That setup ran fine for a few months until a random CachyOS update broke it. At that point, I wanted stability more than anything. So I picked a stable mid-weight distro that was designed for hardware from 10 to 12 years ago. It's called MX Linux, and it has quickly become my favorite distro of all time. I've been using it for the past four months and I've no desire to ever replace it.
How to use the hidden Form tool in Excel for quick data entry
We've all been there: staring at a massive spreadsheet until the rows start to blur. It turns out Microsoft added a specialized data entry tool decades ago, but never included it on the ribbon by default. Here's how to find Excel's best-kept secret and save your eyesight (and your data integrity).
How to use the SEARCH function in Microsoft Excel
Scanning Excel spreadsheets by hand is a recipe for a headache. Whether you're flagging keywords or validating IDs, the SEARCH function is your best tool for "reading" text inside a cell. Here's how to master the syntax and four practical uses.
5 hidden Pixel settings I wish I’d changed years ago
Android's best customization features aren't obvious on the surface—they're tucked away in menus most people never open. I've been daily-driving Android for years, and I still stumbled across some of these settings embarrassingly late. Here are five things I wish someone had pointed out to me from the start.
This hidden Excel tool can quickly clean up your data automatically
M is the powerful formula language that runs Power Query behind the scenes. While it may look like complex code, many common tasks in M are surprisingly beginner-friendly and can automate data cleanup quickly. If you can write a basic Excel function, you can start learning M to handle your heaviest datasets.
I built my ultimate travel toolkit—here’s the gear that made the cut
Whether it's a loose screw on your sunglasses or car problems while traveling or camping in the great outdoors, nothing kills the vibe faster than being unprepared. You don't need a bulky toolbox to save the day—you just need the right portable travel toolkit.
I save $900 a year by rotating my streaming platforms
Gone are the days when Netflix had almost everything you wanted to watch. These days, if you want to watch all the biggest shows and movies, you need several different subscriptions. The cost can soon get out of hand, but there's a simple trick that can save you a significant amount of money.
Forget a new RAV4: This used German luxury SUV costs less than $30K
A brand-new Toyota RAV4 remains one of the safest choices in the compact SUV market, but its pricing has steadily climbed into territory that opens the door to more premium alternatives. For buyers shopping around the $30,000 mark, the used market can now offer something far more upscale than a mainstream family crossover, without demanding any extra budget.


