How-To Geek

Syndicate content
We explain technology. Learn more with our articles, reviews, tips, and the best answers to your most pressing tech questions.
Updated: 4 hours 26 min ago

The 3 best Linux distros for gamers

Sun, 11/16/2025 - 21:00

Some people will claim Linux gaming is awesome, while others will complain that it’s broken and doesn’t work! This vast difference in experience largely boils down to the choice of distribution. As such, I only recommend three Linux distros, because they’re the best when it comes to gaming on Linux.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I swapped my big smartwatch for something smaller and I'm not going back

Sun, 11/16/2025 - 20:00

In the tech world, it’s easy to get lost in specs, but a bigger number isn’t always better. When it comes to a smartwatch, this is especially true. I recently upgraded from a bigger watch to a smaller one, and it has been a vast improvement.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why I'm putting my money on Galaxy XR

Sun, 11/16/2025 - 19:30

At $1800, Galaxy XR is half the price of the Apple Vision Pro, but it’s still far from an impulse buy. Yet I’ve decided to buy one and am about to take the plunge into VR for the first time. Here's why this headset appeals to me when others have not.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google Maps hacks to dodge annoying construction zones

Sun, 11/16/2025 - 19:00

Road construction is a necessary evil when we talk about infrastructure, but it always brings along a frustrating mix of traffic jams, surprise detours, and trips that take way longer than they should. For most drivers, seeing those orange cones and flashing lights means their day is about to get worse, turning a normal drive into a real test of patience.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 settings that make Google Wallet the fastest payment app

Sun, 11/16/2025 - 18:00

The entire point of mobile payments is to be more convenient than a physical card. Any little bit of friction ends up feeling more cumbersome than just pulling out your wallet. While Google Wallet is genuinely great, there are a few often-hidden tweaks that can make the tap-to-pay process even better.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 uncomfortable truths about 3D printing that you need to hear

Sun, 11/16/2025 - 17:30

3D printing is a hobby that quickly turns casual observers into enthusiasts. That means it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and overlook the rougher edges, even if you’re completely taken in by it.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why every DIYer needs to stock up on power tool batteries

Sun, 11/16/2025 - 17:16

We've all purchased a tool, gadget, or tech item that we eventually regret or don't use enough. However, if there's one thing you'll end up using frequently, or be glad you have a few extras in your garage, it's power tool battery packs.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I use this cheap trick to extend my smart home’s wireless range

Sun, 11/16/2025 - 17:00

A smart home needs solid foundations, and that means reliable wireless pathways that ensure your lights, sensors, and remotes can communicate effectively. If you’re suffering from dropouts and spotty performance, there’s a cheap trick you can use to get a bit more range out of your Thread, Zigbee, or Z-Wave networks.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The new Toyota model that loses more than 80% of its value in five years

Sun, 11/16/2025 - 16:30

Toyota has long been synonymous with resale value, but one of its newest models breaks sharply from that reputation. Despite wearing one of the most trusted badges in the industry, this vehicle sheds more than 80% of its original price within just five years, an eye-opening contrast to the brand’s usual strong performers. For shoppers who assume every Toyota is a safe financial bet, this outlier proves that name recognition isn’t everything.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Audiobooks did nothing for me—here's why I went back to physical reading

Sun, 11/16/2025 - 16:00

I've always loved to read. My house is so full of books that I'm struggling to find places to put them all. I've listened to audiobooks in the past, but I always found myself returning to physical books. I finally decided to give audiobooks another try, but the experience still left me cold.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 powerful pandas techniques every Python user should know

Sun, 11/16/2025 - 15:30

pandas is the premier library for data analysis in Python. Here are some advanced things I like to do with pandas DataFrames to take my analysis to the next level.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How I’m using tech to beat the winter blues

Sun, 11/16/2025 - 15:00

As the days get shorter and the temperature drops, we can quickly fall into the trap of the winter blues. Luckily, technology offers simple tools to help boost our mood and motivation. Here are the ways I use tech to stay energized and positive throughout the winter months.

Categories: IT General, Technology

8 ways that Powertoys can improve your Windows experience

Sun, 11/16/2025 - 14:30

Every recent Windows update feels like a lateral move in terms of new features added (unless you count Copilot, which I won’t). However, behind the scenes, Microsoft developers have built some super useful new features for Windows 10 and 11, but you have to install them manually. It’s a set of utilities called PowerToys, and the best part is they’re free and open source. Let me show you how you can use these tools to add features that Windows should have by default.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to take back control of your smart home when the cloud fails

Sun, 11/16/2025 - 14:00

Did your smart home devices suddenly stop responding? There’s a good chance that the cloud is to blame. But, what do you do when that happens?

Categories: IT General, Technology

Here's how I created a custom newsletter for my Jellyfin media server

Sun, 11/16/2025 - 13:30

Do you ever wish you could easily let everyone who uses your Jellyfin server know what shows and movies you just added? I did, and I found out it's pretty simple to set up an automated email newsletter thanks to a third-party Jellyfin plugin.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I tried living like it was 2005—here’s the tech that still holds up

Sun, 11/16/2025 - 13:00

I was 18 for most of 2005, and I have fond memories not only about that time in my life but also the technology that came to define it. So is this pure nostalgia, or is there something desirable about a simpler time?

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to use the VHS command to turn a Linux terminal session into a beautiful, compact GIF

Sun, 11/16/2025 - 12:30

Have you ever seen those GIFs that animate the command line and wondered how they look so good? Or seen a tiny GIF and wondered how they're so small? It's not as difficult as you may think, and I address both with two easy-to-use commands.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your gadgets are spying on you, here's how to catch them in the act

Sun, 11/16/2025 - 00:00

By now, it's common knowledge that if you have a device—whether a fridge or a smart TV—it's collecting information about you and sending them back home. It's not controversial anymore.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why digital photos from the 2000s are disappearing (and what you can do about it)

Sat, 11/15/2025 - 23:30

It might not feel like it,but digital photography is still relatively new. Yet once the digital shutterbug bit, everyone was taking photos all the time. The thing is, those digital photos from the early 2000s are at risk of disappearing forever—here's why.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The small American SUV that’s currently outselling its Japanese competitors

Sat, 11/15/2025 - 22:30

America’s smallest SUVs don’t usually steal the spotlight, but one model is quietly dominating the segment, even outperforming some of the most established Japanese nameplates. Its surge in sales isn’t a fluke; it’s the result of smart packaging, strong value, and features that resonate with buyers who want more for less.

Categories: IT General, Technology

eXTReMe Tracker