How-To Geek

Linux users like to argue about which distros are best, especially on Reddit. This can be either generally or for a particular use case, such as on laptops. I wanted to look at some of the "worst" distros and see if they were really as bad as some Reddit users claimed.

Switching to Linux is easier than it used to be, but one of the issues that hasn't changed is software compatibility. Genuinely good open-source apps that should run anywhere don't run on Linux at all or just aren't good at it. Unfortunately, open source doesn't mean cross-platform. Some of these tools are so deeply tied to Windows internals that even their own developers haven't figured out how to move them.

Do you know how many requests your smart devices make on your network? I didn't until I tracked it for 24 hours. Out of over 30 devices, just six smart plugs and switches used nearly 1.5GB of data and made nearly half a million DNS requests—in one single day.

German luxury sedans offer plenty of allure, but they also demand a price that few people can actually afford. This is only made worse if you want a back seat that can actually comfortably fit an adult. At the top of the trim ladder of a Korean mid-size sedan, however, sits a model that delivers most of what you'd want from a German luxury sedan for a fraction of the price.

As a Home Assistant user, how do you ensure security? Most advice on the internet talks about the network. Make a VLAN. Enforce a firewall. But the official sources tell a different story. One about what happens once something malicious is already running inside the hub. That's a problem you'd rather want to solve using Qubes OS.

I recently upgraded my first-generation Centauri Carbon 3D printer with the Elegoo CANVAS multi-material upgrade kit. It's an excellent deal, and totally worth doing, but it has one major downside.

Popular AI tools such as Claude Code and Codex can write code from scratch. You don't always need to reinvent the wheel; you can also use these tools to change code that already exists. I've used AI coding assistants like Codex and ChatGPT on several occasions to fix open-source apps that don't do everything that I want.

Since it's near the end of summer, it feels right to watch some movies on Netflix U.S. The first movie takes place in the Amazon rainforest, where a group of people come face-to-face with an aggressive and gigantic snake.

The Linux world has no shortage of software. A new distribution drops every other week, and more and more developers are creating FOSS alternatives to popular proprietary apps. However, the same can’t be said about the Linux hardware space. Most of what we get are laptops that ship with Ubuntu preinstalled or iterative smartphones trying to replace Android—which, all things considered, is Linux.

Genesis unveiled its first full-size flagship SUV, the GV90, on Aug. 19 at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. It's the production version of the Neolun concept the brand revealed in 2024. The forthcoming SUV comes in two variants, a standard GV90 and a Neolun version with doors that open and close on their own.

Over on Prime Video this week, a couple of interesting things are afoot. Season 4 of Alan Ritchson and his chiseled jaw are at the top of the TV chart with Reacher, and Masters of the Universe—which didn't come anywhere near recouping its $170 million budget in theaters—is enjoying the top spot on Prime's movie charts. Indeed, streaming is a great equalizer.

PivotTables are great for turning thousands of rows into useful summaries in Excel, but they're only as good as the data you give them. So before I build one, I take a few moments to prepare my source data using four simple functions.

When thinking of processors, what comes to your mind first? (Outside of a food processor, that is.)

Back in the early days of Android (circa the early 2010s), I decluttered my phones of redundant files with third-party storage-cleaning apps. At one point, I even used one of those infamous RAM cleaner apps, but I quickly realized the error of my ways and banished memory cleaners from my phone for good.

Windows 11 came with a number of refreshed default apps and a sleek new user interface, but it still leaves a lot to be desired. The basic media app often struggles with unusual formats or HDR content, the UI changes were not universally popular, it still lacks the ability to interact with some kinds of files effectively, and managing your installed apps is a messy nightmare.

If you own even a moderately modern car, you may not have a CD player in your vehicle at all, but that doesn't mean you can't find some way to enjoy your high quality audio collection on the road.

If you know a thing or two about power tool brands, you're probably well aware that Black+Decker is primarily aimed at at-home DIYers looking for affordable, easy-to-use power tools. On paper, I sound like the perfect customer, but I have some real regrets a year after buying my first cordless drill from the company.

Google Maps is one of those apps I use so often that I just assume I know everything it can do. I was wrong. When I started digging, I found some features that solve surprisingly common problems and make everyday journeys easier. Here are seven hidden gems worth knowing.

An aggravating amount of software today requires a sign-in to use, even if it doesn't require a subscription or license to use. Software that just used to install and work now has an extra step.

When I first planned out my home theater setup, I knew there was one thing I didn’t want: a bunch of wires running all over the room. Having fewer wires reduces the tripping hazard and the chance of them getting caught on something and pulling what they are connected to down.