How-To Geek

You might not think of Excel as a tool for managing your PC. I didn't either. But after years of accumulating files, I used it to build an inventory of everything in my Windows user folder, and suddenly I could see my computer in a way I never had before. Once that information is in Excel, I can filter it, combine different criteria, build dashboards, and follow whatever rabbit hole I happen to find.

Google Maps is usually associated with directions, traffic updates, and finding nearby places. But it also has a solid set of accessibility tools that many people don’t know about. These cover different needs, including mobility, vision, and hearing, and many of them help everyone, not just the people they were built for. Stair-free walking routes can help if you’re carrying luggage or pushing a stroller, and spoken walking directions let you keep your eyes up while you move.

If you're a fan of Ryobi power tools, there's a good chance you use multiple tools across both its 18V ONE+ and 40V battery platforms. Do you ever wish you had a single charger that could recharge both systems? Thankfully, earlier this year, Ryobi finally answered users' calls, and the new dual-platform hyper charger is finally available.

If you're a middle-aged geek like me, you'll love a good hobby. Whether you're obsessed with pulling the perfect god shot of espresso or building the perfect audiophile setup, a lot of hobbies can get very expensive. They don't have to start that way; plenty of great tech hobbies let you start with gadgets you may already have lying around.

Eye strain is something many people struggle with, especially if you stick to your phone's default display settings. If you use your phone a lot for work, or you simply like to doomscroll (both of which apply to me), you've likely experienced fatigue from staring at your screen for long periods. Thankfully, you can change things pretty easily.

Your digital information can start to add up over the years, and next thing you know, you're running out of storage and cloud space. If you're trying to save family pics, work files, or videos, having a mega storage machine like a NAS device is the way to go, and thanks to Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days, you can score this UGREEN device for just $347.

Steve Jobs famously revealed the first iPhone as three devices in one: an iPod, a phone, and an internet communications device. While a smartphone can replace plenty of devices, there are some gadgets that a phone just can't match.

That scratchy throat you went to bed with has evolved into a full-on head cold the next morning—yep, you're sick. You've emailed your boss, set your Slack status to that cute emoji with the thermometer in its mouth, and have enough meds on your nightstand to take down a rhino. Now comes the one perk of being sick—a full day of guilt-free TV.

Back in the day, we did everything we could to avoid transcoding in our Plex libraries. The typical home server's hardware was very weak, so transcoding turned a simple playback request into a never-ending buffering nightmare. But now that even cheap PCs can transcode video with ease, it's become a surprisingly useful trick for saving storage without having to buy more storage drives.

You can't afford to have the wrong tools when you're out on a breakdown. That's why it makes sense to get a mechanic's tool set, like this one by DeWalt, with everything you need to do repairs efficiently and without unnecessary stress.

I don't think I've ever come across a rate limit and been fine. It normally comes right as I really need it to work. If you've burned time on Claude Code or Codex and hit the wall that keeps you from using it, you know how unfair it feels. Luckily, there's an open-source coding agent that connects to over 75 model providers, so when one shuts you out, you move to another.

You don't have to buy an expensive dedicated camera (or repurpose an old phone) just to take timelapse photos of your garden. Reddit DIY engineer Atypicalworkshop has made a Raspberry Pi camera that captures timelapse footage from his backyard.

Your phone apps define the tone of your entire experience. If every useful feature is hidden behind a subscription, using your phone can start to feel like a never-ending checkout page. I’ve definitely had moments where I wanted an app to do one simple thing, only to find a monthly plan waiting for me.

Linux gives you plenty of control, but it also expects you to look after your own system. Most hardcore users do, but if you're coming from a more closed OS, it can feel daunting at first. These three tools handle the most common causes of trouble: broken updates, hostile login attempts, and missed patches.

With the dawn of the graphical user interface in the 1980s, people have been saying that text-mode apps are outdated. Using the terminal might seem archaic, but power users and developers still reach for it when they want to get to work.

Most people overpay for cellular service. There's really no reason for a homebody to burn $75 a month on a postpaid unlimited plan when they could get comparable prepaid MVNO service for $20. Still, MVNOs come with some downsides, and these downsides regularly convince people to stick with postpaid service even though they know it's grossly overpriced.

Whether video calls are the bane of your existence or you love them, most people own a webcam. It might be in your laptop; it might be your phone; maybe you have a standalone webcam. If you have a spare one, you have a treasure trove of weird possibilities awaiting you.

Turning off your TV doesn't necessarily mean all of its smart features have stopped working. Modern televisions are essentially connected computers with microphones, internet connections, and software that can continue operating in the background while the screen is off. That can be convenient, but it also means there are privacy settings worth paying attention to if you don't want your TV collecting more information than necessary.

Amazon is now live with its Prime Big Deal Days sale, and there are thousands of products to look through if you're trying to maximize savings. Samsung has some fantastic offerings, and some of the standouts in its lineup are its Buds earbuds—right now, you can pick up the Buds 3 FE, Buds 4, or Buds 4 Pro versions at a great discount.

One of the largest media mergers in history is now official. Paramount has completed its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, with far-reaching implications for the pair's streaming services and the competition.