How-To Geek

I've been using the Linux shell for about 20 years. Although I found it powerful from the beginning, there are some things I wish I'd known when I first used it.

I haven't owned a desktop PC in years, having moved to gaming laptops that better fit my adult lifestyle where I don't want to spend my gaming time tied to a desk and like to move around the place. So, as a consequence, it's been a while since I've had to put a build together, and I don't want to get rusty!

The first thing I do with a new Samsung Galaxy phone is download Gboard—Google's mobile keyboard. There's little argument that Gboard is the superior option, but Samsung's own keyboard is so much worse that it saddens me to think that many owners of these phones don't even know they can just swap it out for something better.

Google Photos is one of the best services for cloud photo management, with backups, AI search, and a convenience that makes it worth the fee. Depsite people loving this service, a common idea is that you should have your own private cloud storage. While it isn't very hard to set up a network-attached storage (NAS) drive, it's not as simple as it seems. If you are contemplating cutting the cloud cord, you should think twice. The seemingly free and private world of self-hosting comes with many harsh truths, and you may not want the responsibility of being a full-time, unpaid system administrator.

Practicality has become one of the biggest reasons buyers continue to flock to SUVs, but getting useful space, strong versatility, and family-friendly features doesn’t always require a premium budget. In 2026, several affordable SUVs are proving that smart packaging and thoughtful design can deliver everything most drivers actually need without pushing prices into uncomfortable territory.

Like many of you, I used to love renting VHS tapes and later DVDs from brick-and-mortar stores. Not only was it a fun experience and way to meet new people, there often was no other way to see the movies you wanted.

So you've downloaded yet another app to make your PC faster. But then you realize, this is the 12th time you installed bloatware that's just slowing down your device. Fortunately, Windows PowerShell commands can suffice for many of these Windows problems you face.

A close friend recently remarked that nobody wants a Raspberry Pi anymore. This is someone who has built up an extensive homelab setup and who frequently takes on projects powered by single-board computers.

Uber is expanding its robotaxi empire for the second time in as many weeks. The ridesharing giant has started taxi test rides for employees in the San Francisco Bay Area, using Lucid Gravity SUVs upgraded with Nuro's autonomous car technology.

We're just about halfway through April, and Paramount+ still has plenty of life left in it when it comes to movies recently added to the service for U.S. subscribers. With so many movies to choose from—not to mention all the new CBS and Paramount+ Originals TV series like Marshals and The Madison—deciding on what to watch can be tough.

With gas prices trending upward this spring, the appeal of going electric for some has never been stronger.

Netflix's subscribers have been treated to a solid couple of months of movies, with some top-shelf titles gracing its Top 10 and beyond, including Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, all the James Bond movies (which are leaving soon), and some fun creature horrors like Anaconda and the newly-released Thrash.

After just over four years, I've finally come back to the world of Android, which means that once again I care about Android mobile games. A lot has changed since I was last here, but it seems I'm just in time for the biggest set of changes to hit the mobile platform since the first games hit the Play Store.

We're inching closer to the blockbuster movie season, which unofficially begins the first weekend in May. However, Netflix gave us a taste of the summer with a new shark thriller that premiered on April 10. It might not be Jaws, but I'm always entertained by sharks and how they terrorize humans. That formula will always work for me.

Ever wondered what you're missing by sticking to Windows and not trying out Linux? As a dual booter, I jump between Linux and Windows every day, and I find Linux far more feature-rich compared to Windows.

The first time I encountered mesh Wi-Fi was when I went to university. One Wi-Fi password, but no matter where you roamed on campus you'll stay connected. I've always thought of mesh networks as enterprise technology that you need an IT department to handle, but then router makers figured out how to make mesh easy enough for mere mortals.

If an app icon appears on my desktop—ZAP! Gone. I now even hide my taskbar so that nothing greets me but a pristine wallpaper and my open apps. I don't plan to be less vigilant any time soon.

The sun is out, the birds are singing, and the wildlife is buzzing with plenty of activity, which puts me in the mood for some action-packed streaming entertainment to watch this week.

Tesla is bidding farewell to the Model S and X with ultra-limited editions for both. The car giant is making Signature Series versions of the Model S and X Plaid with unique trim that will help them stand out in an already rarified EV category.

Slate Auto, the EV startup backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has raised $650 million in a Series C funding round that will help launch its affordable, modular pickup truck in late 2026.