How-To Geek
4 great movies to watch on Paramount+ this week (December 22 - 28)
Whether you're off for the holidays or working through, if you're looking for some great movies to entertain you or even get you in the holiday spirit, I've got you covered with four excellent Paramount+ picks—expertly chosen and all Certified Fresh by the movie nerds at Rotten Tomatoes.
Comparing Honda, VW, and Hyundai to find the best affordable sports compact
The affordable sports compact segment is more competitive than ever, and 2025 has brought three standout contenders from Honda, Volkswagen, and Hyundai into a surprisingly tight race. Each delivers its own blend of performance, practicality, and value, making this comparison especially important for buyers who want thrills without breaking the bank.
5 Prime Video movies you have to watch this week (December 22 - 28)
Finally, it’s here—the most anticipated week of the year. It’s also the most stressful and chaotic, so to help with that, I bring you a healthy mix of lighthearted, mostly holiday-spirited flicks to shift your mood and put it right where it needs to be.
Stop paying for subscriptions, self-host these 5 apps instead
Practically every useful online service requires a subscription now. Even though each individual one may seem small, together, over time they add up. There's probably no way to completely cut subscriptions out of a digital life these days, but you can cut back if you use these 5 self-hosting apps.
4 great movies to watch on Netflix this week (December 22 - 28)
Many of you will be celebrating Christmas this week, so it's a perfect time to watch some movies. But even if the holiday isn't for you, you never really need an excuse to enjoy some cinematic treats. That's why I dish up some Netflix recommendations every week.
The real reasons Excel has 1,048,576 rows and 16,384 columns
Excel's grid feels like an endless canvas until you hit the boundaries of row 1,048,576 or column XFD. These limits aren't random—they're digital walls shaped by history, hardware, and binary logic. Here's why the "Big Grid" is the size it is, and why it hasn't moved since 2007.
Kubuntu Focus M2: The power and privacy of Linux without the hassle
If you’ve kept up with recent technology news, you may have noticed that the world’s most popular operating system has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Users are now required to log in with a cloud account, the use of AI is basically a requirement, surveillance data is sent off to unknown servers, and users are forced to accept ever-changing license agreements that invade privacy. Why do we put up with this?
Early PC graphics were wild: A look back at the pre-GPU era
For most people, the story of graphics cards starts with Nvidia and AMD. The reality is quite different.
5 cozy anime shows to watch during the holiday season
When it comes to anime, your watch list will always be well-fed. There's a show and trope out there for all your moods and curiosities, whether you're into fast-paced action and adventure or mellow stories that focus on romance or friendship.
5 hidden terminal surprises you can try on Ubuntu right now
If you're trying to get into the terminal app on your Ubuntu computer, why not start with some lighthearted fun? There are some command line Easter eggs that won't do anything but entertain you, and I've gathered some of the best.
Watch this 10/10 genre-bending TV show before it leaves Netflix soon
Netflix is bidding farewell to a popular TV series in the new year, meaning subscribers don't have much time to watch it. You will have to take advantage of the show's finite availability on the streaming platform. So, whether it's to start the series for the first time or to rewatch favorite episodes, the clock is running out on access to Lost via Netflix.
This productivity app is the iPhone App of the Year: Here's why I love it
The year is drawing to an end, which means Apple's 2025 App Store Awards have recognized the best apps for all your Apple devices. The contenders for iPhone's App of the Year were strong, but I was not surprised at which app emerged as the winner.
5 obscure Milwaukee tools you didn't know you needed
All the popular power tool brands produce a ton of excellent tools, and that means you have endless options to choose from. And sure, Milwaukee, Ryobi, DeWALT, and others all make many similar items, but Milwaukee also offers some rather obscure items you've probably never seen or heard of. Here are a few that you'll likely want to buy once you're aware of them.
This year I’m using my Raspberry Pi to relive my childhood Christmas
Christmas and nostalgia go hand in hand, and this year I’m overdosing on both with the help of my Raspberry Pi. One thing I remember fondly from childhood is playing Christmas-themed games and demos on my Amiga, so I figured now is the perfect time to relive the classics.
Gigabit Ethernet is the bottleneck killing your homelab's performance
Are you still using gigabit Ethernet as the backbone of your homelab? It’s time to stop. As we get ready to enter 2026, it’s time to leave 1998 in the past and embrace a multi-gig future.
How to navigate with maps in Android Auto without cell service
It’s easy to forget that the Android Auto display in your car is literally your phone. So, if you’re out of cell signal range, the maps you need to navigate aren’t going to be very useful. That is, unless you’ve planned ahead—I’ll give you two options.
This ultra-exclusive American super sedan can be yours for just $30K
For most Americans, the idea of owning a $130,000 sedan sounds ridiculous. Even if you could swing it, there are better ways to spend that kind of cash, and waiting for depreciation can feel like a gamble.
5 wild things you can power with a USB-C cable
USB-C is finally making its way into everything, and I’m in no position to complain. After spending much of my life lamenting the design decisions that went into USB-A, mini USB, and the dreaded micro USB connectors, I for one welcome USB-C ubiquity.
Stop using the Snipping Tool. Try these open-source Windows screenshot apps instead
I write about tech every day, which means taking a lot of screenshots. The built-in Windows Snipping tool works for the occasional screenshot, but it doesn't work for my regular workflow. I can't configure the hotkeys, the annotation tools are limited, and there are no tabs or autosave features. If you want something better than the snipping tool, try any of these screenshot tools.
I found the 7 best superhero adventures to stream this holiday season
The superhero genre may consist mostly of multiverse mayhem and larger-than-life battles, but there have also been occasions where heroes have embraced the holiday spirit. Sometimes our beloved heroes are dragged into a villain's scheme while their worlds celebrate, while others have focused on their own efforts to take a break with their loved ones during the festive period.


