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: 5 hours 39 min ago

Screeching tapes and printed code: The wild analog era of early PC storage

Wed, 03/04/2026 - 14:45

There was a time when saving a computer program sounded like a modem arguing with a fax machine. Before floppy drives were crunching and grinding away in our homes, the humble cassette was an affordable and effective way to sell, store, and record data.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These are the Linux TUI apps I leave open 24/7

Wed, 03/04/2026 - 14:30

One of the easiest ways to up your Linux terminal game without memorizing a ton of commands is just to start using TUIs. These are the ones I keep on virtually all day long while I work on my Linux computers.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why the 2026 Lexus UX is the smartest affordable luxury SUV

Wed, 03/04/2026 - 14:15

Affordable luxury SUVs often promise premium style and features, but many fall short when it comes to long-term value and everyday usability. In 2026, one compact luxury SUV manages to deliver upscale design, advanced technology, and strong efficiency without carrying the high ownership costs usually associated with the segment. The Lexus UX stands out as the smartest choice for buyers who want true luxury at an attainable price.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your smart switches can control more than lights: 4 creative uses you haven't thought of

Wed, 03/04/2026 - 14:00

Smart switches aren't only for controlling lights. These switches can control anything your prior wall switch could, and that means you can have much more fun with a smart switch than you might expect.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 mistakes I made setting up my first Jellyfin server

Wed, 03/04/2026 - 13:30

Setting up a Jellyfin server is no small task. While I love my setup now, there are several regrets I have about the way I first installed my Jellyfin server.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop trusting online tools with your photos—build this Python background remover instead

Wed, 03/04/2026 - 13:30

Ever uploaded a photo to remove the background and wondered where it is stored, and what will happen to it later on? Online background remover tools are convenient to use, but convenience often trades against control. So, instead of uploading your photos to strangers’ servers, let’s build a background remover that runs entirely on your own computer.

Categories: IT General, Technology

In two weeks, all 10 movies in James Wan’s billion-dollar horror franchise will stream on Netflix

Wed, 03/04/2026 - 13:00

Jigsaw has a new streaming home this month. All 10 movies in the Saw franchise arrive on March 19, 2026, on Netflix. There are nine main installments in the Saw franchise and one spin-off, Spiral. However, all 10 exist in the same twisted universe and headline Netflix's new movies arriving this month.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 overlooked Linux shells you’ll actually want to use

Wed, 03/04/2026 - 12:30

If you think shells are limited to just Bash and Zsh, think again. True to the Linux philosophy, a shell is just another program that you can swap in and out; in some cases, with remarkable effects.

Categories: IT General, Technology

xTool P3 CO2 Laser Review: The best beginner laser you can buy

Wed, 03/04/2026 - 12:00

xTool has been a staple of the laser engraving industry for many years, but, until now, they’ve only focused on the hobby space. 2025 marked the year that xTool decided to step into the industrial space, starting with the xTool P3—and it’s their most powerful, yet easiest to use laser the company has ever released.

Categories: IT General, Technology

After a 15-year hiatus, Guy Ritchie returns to the Sherlock Holmes universe with a new adventure

Wed, 03/04/2026 - 00:00

Guy Ritchie is back with a new adventure involving one of the world's most famous detectives. Young Sherlock, an origin story for Sherlock Holmes, premieres March 4, 2026, on Prime Video. Instead of a weekly rollout, all eight episodes will be released at once for Prime Video subscribers.

Categories: IT General, Technology

You’re not wrong—the streaming versions of shows and movies are secretly worse

Tue, 03/03/2026 - 22:30

Streaming services such as Netflix have made watching shows and movies more convenient. In some cases, however, the versions that are available on streaming services may secretly be significantly worse.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Out of PCIe slots? Here's how to add another GPU anyway

Tue, 03/03/2026 - 21:45

Sometimes, you just need an extra GPU. I'm not going to ask questions. Even though SLI and CrossFire are dead and buried, there are still plenty of legitimate uses for a second GPU, and in fact those use cases are growing. Unfortunately, peering through the window of your computer case you notice that your motherboard only has one PCIe slot long enough for a GPU.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best PSP emulator just got a big upgrade

Tue, 03/03/2026 - 21:19

The popular emulator for the Sony PlayStation Portable, PPSSPP, has just received a significant update. PPSSPP v1.20 has a new portrait mode for phones and tablets, performance improvements, full support for ARM Windows, and much more.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Everything you need to know about Marshals season 1

Tue, 03/03/2026 - 21:00

Taylor Sheridan’s new neo-Western television series Marshals premiered March 1 on CBS and Paramount+. The series shocked audiences right out of the gate, which I won’t spoil in case you haven't seen it yet. The newest chapter in the Yellowstone universe finds former U.S. Navy SEAL and rancher Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) stepping into an entirely new role with three things—a new outlook, a new badge, and a brand-new mission.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This $30k Japanese sports car still feels new 10 years later

Tue, 03/03/2026 - 20:30

Sports cars in 2026 are split down the middle. Some are chasing electrification and wild aero tricks, while others stick to the old-school formula and dare you to call them outdated.

Categories: IT General, Technology

7 open source apps for Windows you should be using

Tue, 03/03/2026 - 20:23

Did you know that many of the tools you use every day have free, open-source alternatives that are just as good as—or even better than—their expensive commercial counterparts?

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google Chrome is speeding up its release cycle, again

Tue, 03/03/2026 - 20:18

Google Chrome already releases new major versions every four weeks, delivering new features, web APIs, bug fixes, and critical security patches. That’s now changing to every two weeks, and other Chrome-based browsers could follow suit.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The March Android updates and Pixel Drop are full of life hacks

Tue, 03/03/2026 - 20:00

March is here, and so are some new Android updates. Google is releasing several features for Android users at large, as well as the latest Pixel Drop. There are better tools for finding everything from luggage to friends, Circle to Search improvements, a highly-requested app, and much more.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Don't trust your backups: Here's what to do immediately after copying your data

Tue, 03/03/2026 - 19:45

Congratulations—you finally got up to actually making backups of your data. If you think it's a "run and forget" ordeal, though, you're very, very wrong.

Categories: IT General, Technology

You're setting up your smart home's motion sensors backwards—literally

Tue, 03/03/2026 - 19:30

Motion sensors are a part of many smart homes. They're very useful for common purposes, such as having your lights automatically turn on when you enter a room. Where you position them can be key to how quickly they react, and the obvious positions aren't always the best.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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