How-To Geek
The writing is on the wall for X11 on Linux, here's what is replacing it
If you use a Linux desktop, you might be confused about Wayland and how it's taking over from the traditional X11 display server that's been a part of Linux for so long. Here's why Wayland is taking over, how to prepare, and why you might be using Wayland already without knowing it.
Why I’m still using Windows 10 and how I’m keeping it safe past its end of support
Windows 10 has been technically "dead" for a couple of months as of the time of publishing, as the operating system reached its end-of-life date. Yet, it's still widely used in millions of computers around the world at this very moment.
6 time-saving Excel UI tips I wish I knew sooner
I'm obsessed with workflow efficiency, yet I overlooked Excel's best UI tools for years. These six features are the game-changers I wish I'd discovered much earlier to stop the constant clicking and tab-hopping.
12 single-purpose Mac apps I couldn't live without
Apple's desktop operating system is the best reason to buy a Mac, especially if you're trying to escape Windows 11's increasingly user-hostile desktop experience. Still, macOS isn't perfect. But there are plenty of single-use apps to fix, tweak, and add the things that Apple forgot.
2026 could be the year of the Android desktop
Every year, someone jokes that this may just be the "year of the Linux desktop." It's a meme. But under the radar, enough pieces are falling into place that someday we might look back on 2026 as the year, not of the Linux desktop, but of Android-based ones.
Move over BMW - this Korean luxury SUV is better than an X5
BMW’s midsize luxury SUV has long been the benchmark for buyers who want performance, prestige, and everyday usability in one package. But a newer challenger from Korea is forcing shoppers to rethink that default choice. With a lower price, a longer list of standard features, and a growing reputation for long-term dependability, this luxury SUV is proving that you don’t need a German badge to get a truly premium experience.
3 Paramount+ movies you must watch this week (December 29 - January 4)
If you're trying to squeeze a few more movies into the weird in-between stretch of the month/year we find ourselves in right now, you've come to the right place. I regularly dig through the huge library of movies on Paramount+, and as we wait for the new swath of titles for January 2026 to arrive, below are three excellent movies to watch this week.
5 things you didn't know you could add to your RSS feed
RSS is older than most of the stuff we use on the Internet on a daily basis. It's older than Facebook, it's older than this very website, and it's just as old as Google. And it remains very widely used because it's tremendously useful.
5 Prime Video movies you have to watch this week (December 29 - January 4)
As we celebrate the passing of one year and welcome the arrival of a new one, we’re doing so in style with Amazon Prime Video.
3 modern CLI tools that have replaced ps, df, and curl for me
You've probably been using ps, df, and curl for years, but there's always room for improvement. I know I'm always on the lookout for new tools, and perhaps you are too? If that's the case, I have three modern replacements for these tools that you may appreciate.
4 great movies to watch on Netflix this week (December 29 - January 4)
As we leave 2025 behind and enter the new year, there is one thing we know for sure: Netflix has plenty of great movies to watch. That said, there is ample trash too, and you shouldn't waste your time watching a turkey.
The 5 best mac-OS like Linux desktop environments
Do you like the freedom Linux offers but hate how it looks by default? Or do you love macOS’s polished, modern design but dislike its restrictive nature? Either way, here are five macOS-like Linux desktop environments that let you pair freedom with aesthetic polish.
How to sync files between two local machines using Git
Working remotely, I often switch between a desktop computer at home and a laptop when I’m out and about. That’s as simple as it gets; in theory, I could work anywhere, on any computer, with just a few basic requirements.
I replaced Microsoft's Bloated Notepad with this free app
Notepad has been a hallmark of the Windows operating system for decades, and for most of that Notepad has been largely unchanged. It has been simple, reliable, and one of my go-to programs. Recent updates have changed that, and I've started using something else entirely.
What exactly makes Linux so bulletproof?
Look at almost any mission-critical computer system in the world—servers, workstations, embedded computers, and many more—and you'll see Linux in some form. The open-source juggernaut may not have a large share in the desktop market (yet), but when stability, security, and uptime actually matter, Linux seems to be the OS of choice.
Forget the RTX 5090: This was the actual best graphics card of 2025
2025 has proven to be a strange year for PC hardware, with DRAM prices surging late in the year just as graphics cards released at the start of the year began to fall in price.
If Blender is so good, why isn’t Hollywood using it?
The movie Flow was made on a small budget, with a modest team of people, all within the open-source 3D modeling software Blender. Yet, the result was good enough to snag this plucky film an Oscar for "Best Animated Feature."
Stop buying cheap Windows laptops: This 5-year-old MacBook is better
In 2020, Apple pulled off one of the rarest events in the world of computers—a multi-generational leap. The first generation of Apple Silicon chips weren't just better than the Intel Macs that had come before, they were substantially better in every way. They were so good, that most people didn't need anything more than the cheapest Mac Apple sold—five years later, they still don't.
This is my worst smart home habit (and I'm not stopping any time soon)
I love tinkering with my smart home. It's provided me with endless hours of fun and has made many aspects of my home life simpler. I have one terrible smart home habit, however, and it's one I don't see myself shaking any time soon.
The most affordable EV that delivers 300 miles on a single charge
Electric vehicles are becoming more capable, but long range and affordability rarely go hand in hand. Many EVs that promise 300 miles of driving on a single charge come with price tags that put them out of reach for mainstream buyers. That’s what makes this particular model so compelling. It delivers true long-range capability while remaining one of the most affordable electric vehicles you can buy today.


