How-To Geek

I got pretty bored the other day. So I said to myself, “Self, you should build an ambitious project today and share it with the world.” My Raspberry Pi was on the fritz, so I came up with something even better: a budget, self-hosted media streaming project. And I did it using second-hand hardware and open source software.

You no longer have to go through the company website to get one of Samsung's second-hand devices. Samsung has made some Certified Re-Newed (read: refurbished) Galaxy phones available through Amazon, making it that much easier to buy a previous-generation model at a discount.

3D printing doesn't have to be difficult or expensive when you can get a beginner-friendly model like the Creality K2 Combo at 19% off on Amazon. This 3D printer includes everything you need to get started and can print up to four colors at a time with the included CFS filament unit.

Self-hosting is awesome, because you own the hardware, and you have control over access and uptime. However, unless you've also written the software that runs your self-hosted services, there's still much of your homelab that depends on a third party to function.

Your Pixel phone came with a nice USB-C cable, but Google didn't include a power adapter in the box. So, you resorted to using one that happened to be sitting around your house, and your expensive Pixel phone is charging half as fast as it should.

If your favorite website is down for maintenance today (October 21), you now know why. The developers of the PHP scripting language have released emergency patches for two "critical" vulnerabilities that hackers can use to compromise web servers.

In early September 2026, Microsoft announced Project Zenith, an effort to provide developers with a ready-to-code, distraction-free Windows configuration out of the box, equipped with a suite of useful developer tools.

I absolutely love my Bambu Lab 3D printers—but they could be a lot better. Not in hardware. I think the hardware is fantastic. But the software that runs the printers could use a lot of work. Thanks to the open source community, my Bambu Lab 3D printers got a free upgrade that made them a lot smarter.

Managing the constant influx of emails manually can feel like a full-time job. That’s why it makes sense to automate your inbox. With features like quick steps and email filters, you can streamline routine tasks and let Outlook do the heavy lifting. Here's how I automate my Outlook inbox.

Have you ever shown up to a party only to realize that you're about 10 years too late? While I see some potential in the ASUS Googlebook 14, it feels like a clumsy effort that should've happened a long time ago. The extreme pricing certainly doesn't help, nor does my growing impatience for "early adopter" quirks.

Microsoft has released PowerToys 0.102, following a major update in August that introduced Window Hopper along with several other improvements. This time, the focus shifts to two new mouse utilities, an upgraded Command Palette, voice-assisted screenshots, and a fresh set of command-line tools.

Amazon just made it easier to secure the farthest reaches of your home — even if you have a giant yard. Blink has introduced five new security cameras, including two with extra-long range.

Setting up a smart home can be an expensive business. Not only do you need a device to run your smart home, but you also need all the devices for it to control. If you already have smart home devices set up, however, then there are plenty of incredibly useful automations that you can set up without needing to buy anything new.

In most homelabs, Docker management involves more than running the applications you actually want to use. One container manages your other containers, another checks for image updates, and a separate service handles logs. Before long, you have several containers dedicated to managing the rest of your containers.

Multi-tools are an essential gadget that I think everyone should own. With the right model, you'll have an invaluable tool perfect for everyday tasks around the house, on the job, or for your next outdoor adventure. And while many enthusiasts probably have a Leatherman they've owned for years, several exciting new multi-tools arrived in 2026 and are worth buying.

One of the most underused lookup and reference functions in Microsoft Excel is the DROP function. This powerful yet simple function lets you remove a specified number of rows or columns from the start or end of an array without altering the original dataset.

Those of us who are DIY-minded reach for a few common tools every day. Screwdriver, utility knife, tape measure, pencil, tweezers, and more. I wanted to find a way to keep these tools nearby, so I designed a pocket toolbox with magnets.

The way you play your music, listen to your favorite podcasts, and immerse yourself in your comfort movie can be a deeply personal experience. This also calls for the best sound quality your device can deliver, but not all devices are set up by default to give you what you may be looking for.

Most garages fill up with tools the same way attics fill up with boxes. You hang onto stuff because it seemed worth keeping at the time. If your dad was the type to buy quality once and hold onto it, there's a real chance some of what's sitting on his shelves is actually a piece of history. These aren't just fun finds for collectors. Each one changed how power tools were built, wired, or sold to contractors and homeowners. A few of them still work today, as long as you know what to check before you plug them in.

Everyone knows the obvious apps that you'll miss without Google: Gmail, Maps, Photos, etc. However, it's the Android features that rely on Google Play Services that are sneakier. One such feature is Android Auto, but it's easier than you might think to use on a de-Googled Android phone.