How-To Geek
Excel Power Query isn't just for experts or big data—it's an everyday tool you should be using
Cleaning up data by hand in Excel is a recipe for mistakes, and even well-built formulas can become difficult to maintain as spreadsheets grow. Power Query is often dismissed as a tool for data experts working with massive datasets—but it's actually one of the most practical tools for everyday Excel tasks. It offers a safer way to automate spreadsheet chores without the complexity most people expect.
3D-printed threads are amazing—here are some of my favorite ways to use them
3D printing has democratized fabrication at home, but there are a lot of items that many of us assume cannot be 3D printed. For a while, I put threads in this category.
Ubuntu tries to improve GNOME. Fedora convinced me it didn't need fixing
Ubuntu has done a lot for the Linux desktop, including making installation less frightening, pushing Linux into normal laptop conversations, and giving many people their first working desktop. The problem is that Ubuntu's GNOME no longer feels like GNOME with a distro underneath it. It is a negotiated settlement between GNOME's design, Canonical's old Unity instincts, Snap integration and an entire set of defaults designed to make the transition from other desktops less awkward.
The luxury SUV that's every bit as reliable as a Lexus
When reliability tops the wish list, most luxury buyers head straight for Lexus. It makes sense, considering the brand has built its reputation on Toyota engineering wrapped in a premium package, but it's far from the only Japanese luxury automaker making dependable SUVs.
How I use Gmail aliases to create disposable email addresses instantly
There are many reasons why you might want to get or send emails from an email address that's not your main one. Setting up entirely new Gmail accounts for one-time use purposes can get annoying quickly, though.
9 forgotten '90s sitcoms still worth watching
As a Gen-Xer, I believe that the 1990s featured excellent sitcoms thriving on both cable and network TV. While many gained widespread popularity and stole the spotlight, there are countless worthy sitcoms that have since fallen into complete obscurity and deserve some attention.
Nobody told me about these 5 Excel PivotTable tricks—now I use them every day
PivotTables can summarize thousands of rows in Excel in seconds, yet many people still waste time filtering raw data, building duplicate reports, and writing formulas that already exist inside the tool. These five overlooked tricks eliminate that extra work and have become part of my everyday workflow.
Google killed Android Auto for phones, but you can bring it back with an app
You may already know that Android Auto lives on your phone, but it’s not officially possible to literally use Android Auto on your phone’s screen. I’ve always thought that was a shame since so many people drive around with their phone in a mount and Google Maps open. Why shouldn’t the phone interface adapt to the car? Turns out it can.
These 5 open-source utilities should be on every Android phone
It's no mystery that there's a bountiful harvest of excellent open-source apps for Android. All five of the utilities in this article should be on your phone if they're not already. They are all open source, have no ads or trackers, and they all just work.
3 trending free, open source apps to replace your defaults this weekend (Jun 26-28)
Modern free and open-source (FOSS) apps are incredibly capable—in fact, I’d argue some are even more powerful than their paid counterparts. The problem is that, because they’re free, most FOSS projects don’t have the budget for major marketing campaigns. That means word of mouth is often the best—and sometimes the only—way to discover them. This week, I’ve rounded up three trending FOSS apps that are picking up serious momentum and are good enough to become your new defaults.
Finished The Bear season 5? Watch these 4 Hulu shows this weekend
And with that, The Bear has come to an end. Hulu's Emmy-winning drama released all eight episodes of season 5 on June 25. That was the final season, so don't expect new episodes this time next June. The Bear will always hold a special place in my heart as the rare instance where I preferred binge-watching over a weekly release.
These 4 apps feel like they were made for your Pixel phone
The Material 3 Expressive design language is the reason your Pixel phone's UI looks so good, but many Android apps haven't implemented it yet (and many never will), resulting in a ton of apps that look kind of out of place on Pixels.
Nobody wanted this old Windows 10 laptop, so I turned it into a free Jellyfin media server
As often as not, the PC or laptop that is headed for the recycling center can easily be repurposed to do something in your homelab, especially if you're careful about the job you give it.
5 things you never thought to 3D print for a cleaner UniFi setup
Is your UniFi networking setup not as clean as it could be? Whether you have an access point just sitting on your desk or you want to make your Dream Router look more like a decoration than a piece of networking equipment, here are 5 ways to use 3D printing to make your UniFi setup cleaner.
Google's bet on broken hard drives changed storage forever
There was a time when serious storage meant buying serious hardware. More expensive drives, more expensive servers, and more expensive storage arrays all promised the same thing: reliability.
Enola Holmes 3 is here: Everything coming to Netflix in July 2026
July is shaping up to be a busy but amazing month for Netflix users. With summer titles dominating the platform right now, there's plenty of new content to watch. Alongside a fresh batch of Netflix Originals, the streamer is adding several acclaimed movies and fan-favorite TV shows to its library.
The luxury hybrid SUV with Toyota reliability and 40 MPG
By 2026, luxury hybrid SUVs have gone from a niche experiment to the default choice in the premium market. What used to feel like a compromise is now the main event, with efficiency tech improving fast and luxury brands pushing hybrids across their core lineups.
Why your Amazon Fire TV Stick keeps buffering—and 5 fixes that actually work
Few things can ruin a Stranger Things binge quicker than buffering. It happens from time to time on a Fire TV Stick. It's often a temporary glitch, but if it keeps happening, you'll want to try out these steps to fix it.
Samsung's Secure Folder does something most people miss—run two instances of any app
Secure Folder is an old Samsung feature that most people probably don’t think they need. It sounds like something for CEOs or spies. However, there’s one part of Secure Folder that often gets overlooked, and it can be useful to anyone.
This 10-minute USB project completely changed how I fix broken PCs
One of the most universal experiences that I'm sure computer geeks can relate to is that friends and family approach us whenever they have a computer problem. As my family's designated IT guy, I hear cries for help on a monthly basis.


