Blogroll

The space junk doomsday scenario is getting closer

Mashable - Sun, 02/22/2026 - 17:45

Elon Musk's SpaceX just got approval from Trump's FCC to double the number of satellites it has in Low Earth Orbit, and to bring them closer to Earth than ever before. Here's what that means for the worsening space junk problem.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The 5 tools every first-time homebuyer needs

How-To Geek - Sun, 02/22/2026 - 17:30

Buying a new home is exciting, but once you unpack all the boxes and get settled in, the real work begins. You'll start decorating rooms, changing cabinet hardware, hanging pictures, or worse, something breaks. It's bound to happen, and while you don't need a bunch of fancy pro-grade tools, you'll need the essentials.

Categories: IT General, Technology

You don't need Plex—here are 5 free alternatives that work just as good

How-To Geek - Sun, 02/22/2026 - 17:15

When it comes to home media servers, the most popular choice has been Plex for quite some time. I use Plex at the moment, and I even pay for an (optional) Plex Pass. Yet, just because Plex is the most popular option doesn't mean it's the best choice for you.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I install these 7 CLI tools on every Linux system

How-To Geek - Sun, 02/22/2026 - 17:00

Most people treat a fresh Linux installation as a clean slate. Usually you install a browser, set your terminal font, run an update, and get on with real work. Over the years, though, I have noticed that my environment only feels usable when a handful of command line tools are present. These tools dramatically reduce friction and make daily tasks more efficient and reliable.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to turn your Ryobi battery into a portable phone charger

How-To Geek - Sun, 02/22/2026 - 16:45

Do you have a garage full of Ryobi power tools and battery packs? If so, you'll be happy to hear that those batteries are useful for all sorts of things aside from powering drills and leaf blowers. You can actually turn your Ryobi battery into a portable phone or laptop charger while camping, in an emergency power outage, and more.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 Debian-based Linux distros that are better than Debian

How-To Geek - Sun, 02/22/2026 - 16:30

Debian Linux is a tried-and-true choice for getting a Linux device up and running. There are lots of other distros out there that take the Debian Linux experience a step further, and here are my favorites.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This 400-hp Japanese sports sedan costs less than a new Corolla

How-To Geek - Sun, 02/22/2026 - 16:15

For about what you’d spend on a brand-new 2026 Toyota Corolla, the classifieds open the door to something way more interesting. Sitting around $17,000 on Kelley Blue Book, a 2016 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 brings 400 twin-turbocharged horsepower to the party—and that’s where things get fun.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Here’s how I made my Home Assistant notifications way more entertaining

How-To Geek - Sun, 02/22/2026 - 16:00

Home Assistant notifications can be helpful, but seeing or hearing the same old thing can make your smart home feel static. Thankfully, you can brighten up your notifications with a bit of personality by integrating a service like Google Gemini into your notifications pipeline.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why Linux is the best place to learn coding

How-To Geek - Sun, 02/22/2026 - 16:00

If you've dreamed of learning to code, you may wonder how to start. Linux might be the best OS to start your programming journey in. You'll be in good company for learning how to program like a professional. Here are several reasons why what's good for them is good for you as a new programmer.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop fighting hotel Wi-Fi: How a travel router secures and connects all your devices at once

How-To Geek - Sun, 02/22/2026 - 15:45

Sometimes hotel Wi-Fi is insecure, limited, or an outright hassle to join. Fortunately, there is a way around all of those issues—the humble travel router.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The "Windows vs. Linux" debate is a waste of time: Here’s a better approach

How-To Geek - Sun, 02/22/2026 - 15:30

Linux fans love to position Linux as the mortal enemy of Windows, but I think the whole debate misses how people really use Linux, or don't use it. Here are the reasons why.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why filling your M.2 slots might be throttling your GPU: The hidden limit of PCIe lanes

How-To Geek - Sun, 02/22/2026 - 15:00

When you bought or built your last computer, how much thought did you give to your PCIe lanes? I bet there's a good chance you never even considered the issue. For most people, things will probably work out even if you missed this particular spec, but for a significant portion of you reading this, getting your PCIe lane configuration wrong can end up being a painful and expensive lesson.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 powerful Windows features most people never turn on

How-To Geek - Sun, 02/22/2026 - 14:45

I work across multiple Windows machines every week, from my main desktop to laptops and rotating test systems. They're all running the same OS, but none of them feel finished right out of the box. Windows is perfectly usable by default. It's just not optimized.

Categories: IT General, Technology

750-HP Porsche for 70% off? The rise of used EV supercar bargains

How-To Geek - Sun, 02/22/2026 - 14:45

Everybody loves a good bargain. Black Friday deals and Amazon Prime Days are just two examples of the human desire to save money. According to a report by Psychology Today, bargain hunting may be addictive. There is even a National Bargain Hunting Week that is observed in August each year.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How I rank Linux window managers

How-To Geek - Sun, 02/22/2026 - 14:30

On the surface, most Linux window managers look deceptively similar. It’s only once you start using them that you realize how differently they handle your workflow. Here’s a quick breakdown of how Linux window managers differ—and which ones I rank above the rest.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Atalanta vs. Napoli online for free

Mashable - Sun, 02/22/2026 - 14:13

TL;DR: Live stream Atalanta vs. Napoli in Serie A for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Napoli desperately need to string some positive results together if they want to reduce Inter's lead at the top of the Serie A standings. Napoli are the defending champions, but they find themselves 11 points behind the leaders going into their all-important clash with Atalanta.

Atalanta are back in seventh position, but they'll have their sights firmly set on breaking into the top six. A win at home to Napoli could help them leapfrog Como into European qualification spots. We're expecting an entertaining contest between two sides stacked with talent.

If you want to watch Atalanta vs. Napoli in Serie A for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Atalanta vs. Napoli?

Atalanta vs. Napoli in Serie A kicks off at 9 a.m. ET on Feb. 22. This fixture takes place at the Stadio di Bergamo.

How to watch Atalanta vs. Napoli for free

Atalanta vs. Napoli in Serie A is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Atalanta vs. Napoli for free by following these simple steps:

  1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

  4. Visit BBC iPlayer

  5. Live stream Atalanta vs. Napoli for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Atalanta vs. Napoli without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream select fixtures from Serie A before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including the UK

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Atalanta vs. Napoli in Serie A for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This essential Home Assistant trick stops you ruining your smart home

How-To Geek - Sun, 02/22/2026 - 14:01

When you make changes to Home Assistant, there's always a risk that something will go wrong, rendering your entire smart home useless. This shouldn't stop you from experimenting, however. You just need to try things out in a safe environment that won't destroy your main Home Assistant instance.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Forget Linux Mint. These distros are the only way to switch

How-To Geek - Sun, 02/22/2026 - 13:30

Windows 10 has reached end-of-life, and as Microsoft has continued to push unpopular and buggy updates to Windows 11, the urge to switch to Linux has never been higher. This is the Linux distro you should try first.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The most comfortable headphones weve ever tested will take care of your ears

Mashable - Sun, 02/22/2026 - 11:05
In-ear, on-ear, or over-ear?

If you're looking for comfort above all, over-ear headphones are almost always the way to go. They just wear better than earbuds or on-ear models. The latter is harsher on your ears, which can cause serious discomfort, depending on how long you wear them. In-ear buds are generally more comfortable than on-ear headphones, but they can still begin to hurt after just a few hours (they are jammed inside your ears, after all).

Although over-ear headphones are bulkier and less portable, it's worth the trade-off for comfort's sake. Plus, over-ear headphones can be safer for your ears compared to earbuds because the sound isn't being funneled directly into your ear canal. They also provide extra noise cancellation.

What are the most comfortable headphones?

After a full year of extensive testing, we selected the six most comfortable headphones based on price, performance, and purpose. Read on to find out which pairs emerged as the top contenders, including picks for those who want top-tier noise cancellation.

How much should you spend on comfortable headphones?

The good news is that comfortable headphones aren't locked to a specific budget range. You can find a super cozy pair at premium pricing just as easily as you can find them at the budget end of the spectrum. The extra features you're looking for are what really determine how much you need to spend.

Want unrivaled active noise cancellation or the best sound quality in the business? Then be prepared to spend a minimum of around $200, all the way up to $800. If comfort is literally the only thing you care about and the extra bells and whistles are just nice-to-haves, you can expect to spend anywhere from $50 to $300. Go any cheaper, and you're probably not going to get a lot of value for your money. No shade toward your favorite pair of gas station headphones, but they probably aren't the best option for all-day wear.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Today only, you can get lifetime access to ChatGPT, Gemini, and more for just $75

Mashable - Sun, 02/22/2026 - 11:00

TL;DR: Get lifetime access to ChatGPT, Gemini, and more from 1min.AI, now only $75.

Opens in a new window Credit: 1minAI 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan Lifetime Subscription $74.97
$540 Save $465.03   Get Deal

AI subscriptions aren’t cheap, but it’s manageable if you only use one model like ChatGPT. However, if you need tools for generating images, writing copy, analyzing documents, or translating between languages, a platform like 1min.AI is a more viable option. 1min.AI gives you lifetime access to some of the most popular AI tools, including ChatGPT, Gemini, Mistral, and many others. It’s also only $74.97 for a lifetime subscription right now (reg. $540).

1min.AI runs in your browser and pulls a ton of everyday work into one place. You can research keywords, draft blog posts, rewrite and shorten text, generate social posts, and keep a consistent brand voice across projects. There are tools to summarize or translate documents, chat with multiple PDFs at once, and spin up slide presentations. For visuals, you can generate images from prompts, upscale low-resolution pictures, remove backgrounds, extend edges, or turn rough sketches into cleaner artwork.

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Here’s a small sample of the AI models you’ll get access to:

  • GPT

  • Claude 3 Opus and Claude 3 Sonnet

  • Gemini Pro 1.5

  • Llama 3

  • Mistral models

The Advanced Business Plan includes 4,000,000 credits each month, plus the chance to earn up to 450,000 more through daily logins and other tasks. Credits are shared across writing, images, audio, and video, so you can lean harder on whichever tools you need that month. The plan supports up to 20 members, with shared workspaces, an unlimited prompt library, unlimited storage, and unlimited brand voices. If you don’t use all your credits, they just roll over, so you aren’t missing out if you have a lighter month.

Right now, it’s only $74.97 to get a 1min.AI lifetime subscription, but it won’t stay that way. This offer expires Feb. 22 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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