How-To Geek

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.

For a long time, 4GB DDR4 RAM sticks were seen as the awkward leftovers from upgrading your machines. While 4GB is too small for a modern PC intended to run games or even multiple Chrome tabs, it's still relevant hardware because it’s relatively modern compared to older RAM standards.

Nothing ruins a professional Excel report like a "Summary" line floating on its own page when you send it to a printer or PDF. While you could manually adjust your print area for every update, the real pro move is automation. Here's how to use the OFFSET function to create a print area that truly thinks for itself.

This was another busy week in tech, with Google revealing changes to sideloading apps on Android devices, big upgrades for Visual Studio Code and IntelliJ IDEA, a new project for Linux-powered phones, and much more Here are the biggest stories you might have missed.

The professional world has pretty much lived by the unspoken rule that Microsoft Excel is the essential foundation for anything numerical. It's universally accessible and really powerful for simple tasks. However, it gets pretty unwieldy and slow when you're trying to clean complex data, process large amounts of information, or do any kind of advanced statistical modeling.

If you spend enough time around Linux users, you will eventually notice something interesting about desktop environment discussions. They almost always revolve around the same two names. GNOME gets mentioned because many major distros ship it by default. KDE Plasma gets attention because of its enormous customization capabilities and constant visual polish. Occasionally, someone brings up a tiling window manager like i3 or Sway and explains how using the mouse is apparently inefficient now.

Bambu Lab makes the most popular 3D printers in the world, earning a reputation for ease of use, reliability, and great value. But not everyone is in love with the company’s walled garden approach, which involves locking out third-party slicers and a heavy dependence on the cloud.

PC troubleshooting is usually quite the odyssey. Between needing multiple programs to cover all the bases, not having the slightest idea what's wrong in most cases, and the ever-looming chance that the machine will reboot, freeze, or bug out in the middle of the troubleshooting process, it can all be pretty frustrating.

Sometimes you have to commit to doing something, regardless of whether you think it will work or not. If you don’t fail, you’ll never learn. If you don’t try, you’ll never start. This was the logic behind my very first design-to-print 3D printing project.

There are many aspects of Windows 11 that are genuine improvements over previous versions, but there are also many more annoyances, especially if you are sick of seeing Copilot AI everywhere. Microsoft has now announced a bold new plan: actually listening to PC owners about what they want in Windows 11.

Fantasy-adventure shows are always fun to watch, especially when you’re in the mood for an exciting weekend binge that provides a real-world escape—heroic journeys, unique landscapes, fellowship, and epic battle action on top of mythical creatures, magical abilities, and ancient prophecies. I’m all in. Just show me where to sit.

While the 2026 Oscars ended with some surprises and snubs, the spirit of the show can still be celebrated. From classic watches and new movies, the iconic Oscar collection of winners in major and other categories is a gift that keeps giving.

Your car is not just a machine with an engine and four wheels anymore; it is an advanced, networked device. Many use the most basic functions, but car screens have gotten more advanced as years have gone by.

I've never been a fan of how Windows 11 handles the Start menu or search. I've covered those frustrations before, but it still comes down to the same issue. I want Windows to adapt to how I work, not force me into a layout and workflow that feel less efficient.

If you have a ton of time on your hands, then I really hope you make these Raspberry Pi projects for me. I want to make them myself, but I just don't have the time, however cool or useful they are.

Guess what? GPUs are really, really expensive right now. I know, shocking, right? I kid, but it's true that graphics card prices have been on a rapid rise ever since the ongoing RAM shortage started. And no, it doesn't look like the prices will improve anytime soon.