How-To Geek

TVs are often set up to look great in the store, but they don't always look so good when you get them home. They have gimmicky features that are designed to make your experience better but often have the opposite effect.

Minivans are back in style, and the Chrysler Pacifica has been leading the pack as America’s top-selling model. It’s consistently at the top for both sales and value, making it a reliable pick for families.

Some people treat self-hosted apps as permanent infrastructure. Once installed, they leave them running forever, waiting to be used, even if in reality many apps are only actually needed for a few hours a week.

Smart home devices with cloud-based features can feel surprisingly affordable and convenient when you first buy them. However, the ongoing costs and potential risks aren't always obvious until further down the line. The real cost isn't just what you pay up front, but what happens when the company changes the rules.

I grew tired of paying for Google One storage just to use Google Photos. Plus, I wanted more privacy and security over my stored pictures. What did I do? I built my own server to replace Google Photos, and you can too.

Are you still using your RAID card for RAID? It’s time to move to software-based RAID—but don’t throw that RAID card out yet, it still has a lot of use in your homelab.

Every week I deliver posts on some of the best documentaries to watch on Netflix and Prime Video, but I'm also a Paramount+ subscriber, and lately I've been finding some absolute killer docs on the service, and you deserve to enjoy them, too.

I know March Madness will be on everyone's TV this weekend, and rightfully so, but if you're not among the basketball devout, or you just want a break from all the, er, madness, flip over to HBO Max and try out one of our suggestions this weekend.

Have you ever found yourself wanting a new Ryobi tool, only to realize how expensive it is, and left the store or closed your browser tab? Cordless power tools (and battery packs) are expensive, and the secret to finding lower prices and better Ryobi deals is easier than you think.

Wi-Fi standards keep moving fast. First, we got Wi-Fi 6, which got a massive bump with a third 6GHz band thanks to Wi-Fi 6E, and now Wi-Fi 7 routers are already starting to become mainstream. If you're still running an older router that already matches your internet speed, it's easy to wonder what the point of upgrading is.

When you think of a camera, you're probably thinking of a device that's at least partly mechanical. The zoom lens, the shutter, and the little knobs and wheels are all moving parts that exist even in a DSLR.

Do you think that everything about a homelab is expensive? Think again! These are my five favorite cheap gadgets that improved my homelab the moment they arrived.

When you're shopping for a laptop, there are plenty of features to consider. Some are obvious—like a fast processor or, for gamers, a dedicated graphics card. After all, no one wants a sluggish, unusable machine.

Despite the many worthy alternatives, I always find myself coming back to Plex. I know people have strong opinions on Plex, partly because it's the corporate face of self-hosting and partly because it has paywalled features that feel like they should be free.

For years, we've all seen the same lists detailing "must-have apps" for any new Android phone, but times have changed. Android has been around for a long time, and dozens of once-popular apps have faded away. Still, there are several apps many consider "essential" that you no longer need and should probably uninstall.

Despite being 30 years old, the USB-A standard is as popular as ever. While USB-C has been steadily gaining ground since it was introduced in 2014, USB-A isn't going anywhere. Considering its ubiquity, popularity, and affordability, USB-A outlasting USB-C isn't out of the realm of possibility.

It feels cliché to say at this point, but cameras are a big part of the appeal of Google Pixel phones. I’ve been using Pixel phones for many years, and I’ve become very familiar with the Camera app. With just a few toggles, I have it perfectly set up to my liking.

Windows Notepad is slowly losing many of its best qualities, but that doesn't mean it isn't usable today. Since its quiet debut in 1983, it has stayed a fundamental, lightweight core utility. For most of its history, Notepad's stubborn refusal to modernize made it an excellent tool for quick notes and great code writing. Recent updates have brought both good and bad, but for now, there's no reason to avoid it; in fact, it can end up being your most used program. Its invisible design, technical dependability, and commitment to simplicity make it an unbeatable choice, even as Microsoft risks its legacy by chasing unnecessary generative AI integrations.

You've decided to see what all the fuss is about and have installed Home Assistant. It's up and running, and you've logged in for the first time. Now what? Here are some of the key things to do first.

If you've been using KDE Plasma for a while, you've probably settled into a workflow and think you know most of its features and what it has to offer. However, there's a good chance you've been walking past some of its most useful features without realizing they exist. I've been using Plasma for nearly a decade now, and I'm constantly discovering new things you can do on this desktop environment. Here are five underrated yet advanced features that’ll make you a KDE Plasma power user.