How-To Geek

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We explain technology. Learn more with our articles, reviews, tips, and the best answers to your most pressing tech questions.
Updated: 1 hour 14 min ago

Vim’s statusline can do almost anything, but most people don’t know it

Sat, 04/25/2026 - 18:30

Vim normally shows basic information at the bottom of the screen, including the file name and the current line number. But the statusline takes this concept much further, with more information available using several built-in variables.

Categories: IT General, Technology

10 VS Code extensions I can't live without

Sat, 04/25/2026 - 18:28

The sheer number of extensions for VS Code can be so overwhelming that even veteran users get lost searching for what they need. Let me show you how to take your coding experience to an entirely new level with ten VS Code extensions I just can’t live without!

Categories: IT General, Technology

You don't need a Raspberry Pi for most "Pi projects"—here's what you can use instead

Sat, 04/25/2026 - 17:45

Are you looking at Raspberry Pi projects, thinking that you need a Raspberry Pi to do them? Chances are, you don’t. Here are three Raspberry Pi alternatives that are better than a Raspberry Pi in most cases and cost the same (or less).

Categories: IT General, Technology

I tested the 3 most popular Linux distros of April 2026, here's how I rank them

Sat, 04/25/2026 - 17:15

The top three Linux distros on DistroWatch right now are CachyOS, Linux Mint, and MX Linux. I tested all three to understand what makes each one tick and who each one is really built for. One of them is for performance-obsessed users, one is for people tired of Windows, and one is quietly doing something most distros can't. Here’s the full breakdown, and how I’d personally rank these three.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 reasons you should skip the Bambu Lab A1 and buy an enclosed 3D printer

Sat, 04/25/2026 - 17:00

The Bambu Lab A1 and its smaller sibling, the A1 mini, are solid entry-level printers. But since their introduction, enclosed 3D printers have become more common, affordable, and desirable.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to see what changed in your Excel spreadsheet (and who changed it)

Sat, 04/25/2026 - 16:45

Has something in your Excel spreadsheet changed—but you're not sure what, when, or who did it? The old "Track Changes" button used to handle this, but modern Excel takes a different approach. Instead of a single feature, Microsoft now uses a set of cloud-based tools that let you trace edits, view past versions, and understand exactly what happened—provided you know where to look.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This app makes remote homelab access stupidly simple—no port forwarding required

Sat, 04/25/2026 - 16:30

When you set up a service on your home server, you can access it right away by just typing the server's IP address, followed by the port that service is mapped to. So long as you're connected to the same network as the server, you can access that service.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Forget the Mercedes-Benz GLE—This Korean SUV is plusher, faster, and cheaper

Sat, 04/25/2026 - 16:15

The Mercedes-Benz GLE has long been one of the default choices for buyers shopping in the premium midsize SUV segment, offering strong comfort, prestige, and a polished driving experience. But in 2026, paying extra for a German badge no longer guarantees the best overall package. One Korean luxury SUV is making that reality impossible to ignore.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The internet from your terminal: 8 ways to use cURL

Sat, 04/25/2026 - 16:00

The curl command-line tool is one of the most useful and versatile programs you can learn. Its versatility and comprehensive HTTP implementation mean that, if there’s a URL for it, curl can do it.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 Plex settings I immediately change on every TV and phone

Sat, 04/25/2026 - 16:00

Plex can be a really powerful tool if you use it properly. But it can take a bit of elbow grease to set up initially, and some of the default settings might actually harm your experience. Here's what you need to turn off and why.

Categories: IT General, Technology

You can throw your 3D prints in an oven to improve their strength (here’s how it works)

Sat, 04/25/2026 - 15:45

3D printing strong objects can prove challenging. Tougher filament types cost more, require hardened nozzles, and benefit from things you might not have, like a chamber heater. So what if you could get improved strength and heat resistance from basic filaments like PLA and PETG?

Categories: IT General, Technology

These Kindle layout settings are the closest thing to reading a real book

Sat, 04/25/2026 - 15:30

I’m the type of person who finds any kind of reading a good time. It could be by listening to celebrity-narrated audiobooks or by checking out the latest special editions to buy thanks to BookTok, but often I use my e-reader.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This one Bash script replaced half my desktop utilities

Sat, 04/25/2026 - 15:15

I’ve tried countless utilities to manage my tasks, organize my notes, and keep track of contacts. But there’s something about my workflow—or brain—that just keeps me from sticking with them, and I’m destined to forever be on the lookout for the next tool to try.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This free open-source app gave my Android phone the task manager it should've had

Sat, 04/25/2026 - 15:00

On desktop operating systems, you can usually look up exactly which apps and services are currently running on your device. Utilities like htop or Task Manager let you monitor what processes are actually running on the machine, either in the foreground or the background. However, Android (by default) doesn't have anything like this. This is how you can set one up.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 reasons you should own at least 3 drills

Sat, 04/25/2026 - 14:45

If you're a homeowner, DIY enthusiast, or busy on the job, you probably own all sorts of power tools. But do you own more than one drill? Slowing down to swap drill bits is like only owning one pair of shoes. If you're ready to finish jobs faster and work smarter, here's why you should have two, three, or even four drills.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This 20-year-old app gave me a reason to start using my Kindle again

Sat, 04/25/2026 - 14:30

I love to read. Nothing beats a good science fiction paperback or graphic novel. E-books (and comics) were a wonderful, mind-blowing thing when they came out. I loved spending less money, having easier access, and not having to worry about space as much.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 acclaimed Paramount+ documentaries to stream this weekend (April 24-26)

Sat, 04/25/2026 - 14:15

Are you a fan of documentaries? Are you also a Paramount+ subscriber? Then you're in the right place if you're looking for a few suggestions for a good doc or docuseries to watch.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Swapping schedules for sensors made my Home Assistant setup feel human

Sat, 04/25/2026 - 14:00

Setting up your smart home automations to run on a schedule often seems like the best option, but that's not always the case. When I moved some of these automations to sensor-based triggers, it made my home feel much more natural.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This Toyota hybrid beats Acura, Genesis, and even Lexus where it matters most

Sat, 04/25/2026 - 13:30

The 2026 Toyota Crown Signia is not a typical SUV or crossover. By combining a unique shooting brake silhouette with the refined ride of a premium sedan, the Crown Signia is an impossible-to-ignore alternative to the average boxy crossover.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 things you never thought a $5 ESP32 could do

Sat, 04/25/2026 - 13:00

The ESP32 is an inexpensive and versatile microcontroller that is normally associated with cheap smart home devices and small DIY gadgets. But this sliver of silicon can do much more than you probably thought, as evidenced by projects that push the board to its limit.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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