How-To Geek

We all have a preferred power tool brand, and if you're a fan of Makita, we have some good news. Makita is a popular choice for mechanics, electricians, DIY users, and more thanks to its expansive lineup, and it's about to get even bigger. Makita released some excellent new tools late last year, which are now hitting shelves in 2026.

Sometimes, an update can break an app, get rid of a useful feature, or introduce a redesign that you don't like. The easiest way to fix those problems is to roll back the app to an older version. I'll show you three ways you can do just that.

This was another busy week in the Linux ecosystem, with the arrival of new Raspberry Pi hardware, a Linux Mint release, a premium Linux laptop from Slimbook, and much more. These are the biggest stories you might have missed.

Stop trying to win an Excel Hero award with ten-line formulas. They're impossible to debug and even harder to explain to your coworkers. Using helper columns doesn't mean you're a beginner—it means you're an engineer building a system that actually lasts. Here's why the simplest solution is actually the best.

For many of us, having remote access to our smart homes over the internet is non-negotiable. But is this really necessary? And more to the point, is there anything to be gained from not doing so?

Linux Mint has a reputation for being the distro most enthusiasts recommend to Windows users who want to try Linux. After trying Pop!_OS for a week, my next project was using Linux Mint for work, entertainment, and everything in between. After two weeks of daily driving Mint, I now understand why everyone recommends it as a Windows replacement.

If you’re in the market for a new USB-C hub, then Anker’s Prime Docking Station is a solid choice. Out of all the docks I’ve tested, this has to be one of my favorites. Here’s everything that I love (and the two things I dislike) with Anker’s latest USB-C hub.

Creating automations in Home Assistant can be a long and time-consuming process. You don't have to reinvent the wheel, however. There are some useful blueprints that you can use to create complex automations in next to no time.

Another weekend arrives, and lucky for us, so does another opportunity for a cozy binge with some of the best shows Amazon Prime Video has to offer—two of which I’ve seen and did not regret watching. My top recommendation, though, is the first thing I’ll be diving into this weekend, right along with you. It’s hard for voracious consumers like me to avoid shows that boast a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score.

I’m tired of trying to plug my printer in and failing multiple times because of the archaic USB-B connector on it. That connector is 30 years old, and it’s time to ditch it. Arduino did, even on its lowest-cost microcontrollers. If Arduino can embrace USB-C, so can printer manufacturers.

Storage prices have been steadily climbing over the past few months, with no slowdown in sight, while files keep getting bigger. Windows doesn’t always make it easy to manage your drive, and before you buy more of that expensive storage space, there’s an easier solution.

The 2026 K4 Hatchback takes everything Kia learned from the K4 Sedan and wraps it in a tighter, more playful shape. After seeing it in the flesh at the 2026 Detroit Auto Show, it’s clear this five-door was built with Civic shoppers in mind.

Smart home devices being discontinued and turned into bricks is a common occurrence, but larger companies like Google and Amazon usually keep their devices running for a long time. That's not true for the Fire TV Blaster, which is getting killed only a year after Amazon stopped selling it.

I was very late to the party with Notion. I tried the all-in-one workspace app a couple of years ago and didn't really get the hype. I recently tried it again, and now that I know just how much you can do by combining Notion with the automation software n8n, I kind of wish I'd left it alone. It's awesome—and that's the problem.

The latest Windows 11 security update from January 2026 is causing a frustrating bug that makes some PCs refuse to shut down or hibernate after installation. This issue stems from the monthly Patch Tuesday bundle, specifically update KB5073455, on devices running Windows 11, version 23H2.

Excel's fill handle is fine for a few rows, but in a big dataset, it's an error waiting to happen. Why drag and drop when you can automate? The MAP function lets you write a single formula that spills logic across your whole sheet, keeping your data clean and your workflow streamlined.

The Steam Deck is my go-to platform for retro gaming; I’ve even dedicated a 1TB microSD card to it. But it’s ill-suited to multiplayer sessions and non-portable use. Though I could invest in yet another USB hub, I’d rather make use of hardware I’ve already got, like my under-utilized Raspberry Pi.

LibreELEC is a Linux-based operating system that’s designed purely with media consumption in mind. Pair it with an old (or new) Raspberry Pi and hide it behind the TV for an invisible and highly capable media center setup.

Minivans and off-road capability don’t usually belong in the same sentence, but one American people-mover concept is challenging that assumption. With a focus on rugged design, enhanced traction systems, and adventurous styling cues, it pushes the idea of what a family van can do, not just on pavement, but on unpaved backroads too. It turns heads not because it debuted at a major show, but because it signals a new direction in how minivans can be configured for modern lifestyles.

If you've been following me for a while, you know Fedora Linux is not one of my favorite distributions. There are many spin-off distributions though that base themselves on Fedora, though, that I would recommend.