How-To Geek

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We explain technology. Learn more with our articles, reviews, tips, and the best answers to your most pressing tech questions.
Updated: 54 min 51 sec ago

Docker became much easier once I started using a container manager

Sat, 08/01/2026 - 22:30

I love Docker, but I didn't always have such an easy time with it. In retrospect, not using a Docker manager was one of my biggest mistakes when first starting to use the software. While I run Portainer on a daily basis nowadays, my first time using Docker was spent without a manager. It was rough, to say the least.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Claude and ChatGPT are ruining your critical thinking—here are 3 prompts that will keep your brain sharp

Sat, 08/01/2026 - 21:30

There is a growing body of research examining how AI influences the way we think, learn, and solve problems. While no study has yet measured the long-term cognitive effects of AI use—after all, these tools have been widely available for less than five years—researchers are identifying patterns that align with established findings in psychology and neuroscience.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I built a whole-home leak detection system with $10 sensors

Sat, 08/01/2026 - 21:00

If something goes wrong in my home, like a pipe bursting, I would rather find out from a notification than stepping in inches of water. It’s for that reason that I’ve started building a water leak detection system using this one adorable, off-the-shelf sensor: the IKEA KLIPPBOK.

Categories: IT General, Technology

7 ways to repurpose your old Android tablet

Sat, 08/01/2026 - 20:54

Got an old Android tablet gathering dust in a drawer? Wondering if there’s anything genuinely useful you can do with it besides recycling it? Here are seven practical ways to give your old Android tablet a new life and a new purpose.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 hidden Google TV Streamer settings you should change right now

Sat, 08/01/2026 - 20:45

Google's TV Streamer ships with a handful of defaults that work against you. These three changes take less than five minutes and make the whole experience faster and less intrusive.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The 5 Samsung Galaxy features that beat Google Pixel's flashier alternatives

Sat, 08/01/2026 - 20:30

We often hear more about Google's Android features than Samsung's, even though Samsung sells far more phones. While those Samsung phones come with many Google apps installed, they're also packed with Samsung-specific features that are often better than their flashier alternatives on Pixel phones. Let's touch on some of the bangers.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why I still use the '90s most ridiculed desktop accessory in 2026

Sat, 08/01/2026 - 20:00

Yes, I daily-drive a trackball mouse. I have used trackballs on and off throughout my life, but I've never actually owned one. It was usually at school or using my dad's friend's PC. An architect, he swore by this big A4Tech trackball mouse and when I had to do anything on one of these computers (usually fix them), the big red ball mouse was the only option.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Android Auto isn't worth the hassle—my car's infotainment does it better

Sat, 08/01/2026 - 19:45

I know many consider Android Auto to be essential when buying a car—but as for me, I rarely use it. The way I see it, my car's infotainment system is already a better experience.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This one free tool backs up my files to multiple cloud services at once

Sat, 08/01/2026 - 19:30

Rclone is an app that lets you upload, download, sync, and delete files in the cloud. Let me show you why it's better than the official apps from your cloud providers.

Categories: IT General, Technology

9 Google Messages features everyone should know

Sat, 08/01/2026 - 19:07

From a built-in spam detector to the option of pinning messages and automatically deleting OTPs, the Google Messages app offers a variety of features. Here are nine Google Messages features that everyone should know about.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 of the weirdest ways I control my smart home

Sat, 08/01/2026 - 19:00

I love tinkering with Home Assistant. While the main purpose of using it is to create automations for controlling my smart home, sometimes you need to do things manually. Tapping smart home dashboards or shouting at voice assistants isn't always that much fun, but over the years I've set up plenty of weird and wonderful ways to make my smart home do what I want.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I drove a 500-horsepower Porsche Cayman, and it beat a GT4 RS where it matters

Sat, 08/01/2026 - 18:45

I owned a 981-generation Porsche Cayman S for several years. I put about 4,000 track miles on mine before I moved on to something else. My Cayman S was brilliant on the racetrack. It was so well-balanced, the PDK transmission was fantastic, and the car sounded great as well.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Motorola's answer to Samsung DeX is faster, smarter, and built for what you actually do

Sat, 08/01/2026 - 18:45

Samsung DeX is the oldest and most popular Android-based desktop, but it wasn't my first, and it's not necessarily the best. Depending on how you want to use your phone with an external display, you would be wise not to sleep on Motorola's Smart Connect.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I refuse to pay Microsoft for these 7 features that Linux offers for free

Sat, 08/01/2026 - 18:30

Linux is pretty impressive, and its greatest feature is arguably its cost. If you were to dip into your pocket and pull out nothing but fresh air, you'd still have enough to cover the license fees for this powerful system. Windows, on the other hand, well, Microsoft locks many of its capabilities behind a tiered payment structure. But what supposed features am I talking about? Seven off the top of my head; maybe you can think of more?

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 groundbreaking movies you can only watch on Paramount+

Sat, 08/01/2026 - 18:15

Some movies stand out because of the stories they tell, while others make an impression because of how differently they tell them. Paramount+ has a mix of both, with a collection of original movies that aren't afraid to experiment with genre or storytelling.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I ditched my ISP's DNS to kill their tracking. Here's what actually changed

Sat, 08/01/2026 - 18:00

I lived in my previous apartment for more than seven years, and during most of that time, I used a small ISP that had a lot going for it. For starters, I paid the equivalent of $18, first for a 250/50Mbps plan and later for a 500/100Mbps plan, which was a great price no matter where you live, if you ask me. Better yet, I never signed a contract. I was on their prepaid plan, so when I moved apartments, I just let them know I no longer needed their service, returned the equipment, and that was it.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I spent $10,000 remodeling my garage—and it was better than buying another car

Sat, 08/01/2026 - 17:45

Many car enthusiasts dream about the next modification: bigger brakes, better tires, and more horsepower! Others simply enjoy performing their own maintenance. I am no different. But after years of spending money on my cars, I finally invested in the place where I work on them instead. Looking back, it may have been the best automotive investment I've ever made.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The 4 most important things in 3D printing have nothing to do with your printer

Sat, 08/01/2026 - 17:30

The most exciting part of 3D printing is the actual printing process. Watching your desktop factory do its thing is exhilarating, and I, for one, never get tired of watching that print head zoom around.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I doubled my Galaxy Watch's battery life with these 5 simple tweaks

Sat, 08/01/2026 - 17:15

My Galaxy Watch typically has lasted a little over a day, which I always considered good enough—until I went on a trip. It completely changed my routine. I forgot to charge my watch before leaving, and by the middle of the day, I was walking around with a useless device strapped to my wrist.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 affordable multi-tools to kickstart your EDC journey

Sat, 08/01/2026 - 17:00

Power tools are great, but sometimes you don't need something that big or powerful for around the house. And while you can choose from an array of compact power tools, occasionally, all you need is a good multi-tool. Leatherman instantly comes to mind, but they're not the only ones that offer solid options perfect for multiple jobs.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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