How-To Geek
The Milwaukee PACKOUT kit that'll save you hours in the garage
It's no secret that the Milwaukee PACKOUT system is the king of modular storage for all your tools, and users everywhere swear by it. If you're tired of wasting half the day hunting for tools, digging through random bins, or having a cluttered mess in the garage, you need a PACKOUT. Here are a few kits that'll save you hours in the garage or shop, letting you focus on the job at hand.
Smart home lighting can be complex, but Govee’s new AI lights change that
Since the first lightbulb was invented, technology has evolved to the point where there’s almost nothing a typical modern LED light can’t do. Dimming is a basic feature, but altering the color temperature and actual color, and even creating unique patterns, are also possible. This creates the opportunity for some truly amazing lighting scenes, but getting it all to work can be a challenge. Thankfully, Govee thinks there’s a better way.
I started playing CTFs, now they're my new hobby
When it comes to learning cybersecurity, there's a way to do it that feels less like studying and more like a high-stakes game. I'm talking about Capture the Flag competitions. Out of curiosity, I dived into this interesting world and, before I realized it, I got totally hooked.
HTC Vive Eagle Review: Privacy-first smart glasses come at a price
I’ve never been very interested in smart glasses. The idea of having a hands-free camera on my face sounds great, but there’s always so much extra stuff that goes along with it. However, my Android brain perked up when I heard HTC was releasing a pair of smart glasses. I’ve been using the Vive Eagle for several weeks, and I have a lot of thoughts.
Stop putting off these 3 infrastructure projects your homelab needs (September 4 - 6)
Are you ready to take your homelab to the next level? This weekend, you should definitely deploy at least one of these three homelab infrastructure projects. They might not be glamorous, but they're sure useful.
I outgrew Linux Mint, but I didn't want a harder Linux distro
I've been using Linux more and more over the past year, and one of the things I've come to appreciate is how much choice it gives you. With Windows, you're largely working within the system Microsoft gives you. With Linux, if something doesn't work the way you want, there's probably another distro that handles it differently.
Belkin's Long-Lasting USB-C Power Banks with BoostSolid Cell
Tired of USB-C power banks that need to be replaced every few years? Belkin might have your fix: it's releasing its first power banks with semi-solid-state batteries that reportedly last "up to" 3X longer than conventional models.
Your SSD and RAM warranties are worthless now, but these escalation tactics actually work
Times are tough for RAM, SSDs, GPUs, and whatever else comes to mind. Close to a year of the RAM-pocalypse has left the market bone dry, and the aftershocks are reverberating throughout more than just the store shelves. Warranties are affected, too.
I replaced cloud apps with these 8 open-source Linux programs that keep everything local
Cloud applications seem very convenient until you start thinking about how much of your work depends on someone else’s servers, but Linux gives you another option.
The internet's wrong about Android Auto — switching to wireless is the only thing that fixed my problems
Earlier this year, I was having a ton of issues with Android Auto. My cable didn't want to work. I'd lose my connection randomly (even with a plugged-incable). The cables wore out quickly. There always seemed to be some kind of problem with Android Auto in my car. When I switched to wireless, it was like a completely different experience. I've seen some talk online about the wired vs wireless debate for Android Auto, and I'm firmly in the wireless camp. Here's why.
These 3D-printed AirTag cases beat what you can buy at the Apple Store
AirTag cases and holders are essential if you want to put the item tracker somewhere that isn’t just the pocket of a bag. Apple’s selection of AirTag accessories leaves a lot to be desired, and they’re pricey to boot.
Anker MindBase serves as AI brain for the smart home
You might just have an easier way to manage your smart home without leaning on custom automations or becoming an expert. Anker has unveiled the MindBase, an AI hub that serves as a decision-making "brain" for security cameras and other smart home devices.
These 5 Linux distros promise to run Windows apps—I tried them all, and one was clearly the best
One of the biggest problems with switching from Windows to Linux has always been software compatibility. Linux has thousands of applications, but there are still Windows programs that people depend on for work, school, creative projects, and everyday computing.
I’ve used Google Keep for years, and these 5 features still surprise me
After trying endless note-taking apps over the years, Google Keep became my go-to. Whether I needed to capture a fleeting idea, create a grocery list, or jot down notes from my editor, Keep always had my back.
How car A/C works, and the 5 tricks to keep it working
Most people don't think about their car's A/C until it stops working, and by then the repair bill is already uncomfortable. This is something you either crank up in July or forget about entirely until next summer. The problem is that neglect is exactly what kills it. A lot of the failures that send people to the shop are easily preventable if you start adding in a few habits.
You will never own the definitive version of a movie
What you see up there are my two copies of Robocop. One is the version that people saw in theaters, and the other is the version that director Paul Verhoeven wanted people to see in theaters, but had to edit slightly to get past the ratings board.
How the humble parallel port outlived everything that was supposed to replace it
The parallel port is gone as of the time I'm writing this. But its demise was long and drawn-out, even as supposedly better alternatives came along and tried to take its place. Here's how it finally met its ultimate demise, long after it was supposed to.
ChatGPT got smarter, so I stopped trying to write the perfect prompt
I used to spend ages crafting ChatGPT prompts, telling it exactly how to behave, what steps to follow, and how to format the answer. But ChatGPT has changed, and so has OpenAI's prompting advice. With the release of GPT-5.6, OpenAI's newest model guidance puts more emphasis on clearly stating your goal and less on micromanaging how ChatGPT gets there.
Director Kevin Macdonald tells HTG how he captured Gal Gadot’s intense action in Prime Video's The Runner
Ask any director, and they'll tell you that filming a movie is rather difficult. Now try shooting a movie where the protagonist is constantly on the move. That is one of the several challenges director Kevin Macdonald faced in The Runner, a new Prime Video action movie starring Gal Gadot.
I switched to Samsung for one hidden feature and discovered 3 more I can't live without
I have been loyal to iOS since 2018. I liked the polished iOS experience and reliable day-to-day performance. But one Samsung feature kept tempting me to buy their phone. Samsung offered me something Apple still doesn’t: DeX, a full desktop-style interface that runs from my phone. It became a game-changer for my productivity.


