How-To Geek

The only 5 Linux distros I recommend to beginners — after 10 years of using Linux

Dibakar Ghosh — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 12:00:13 GMT

When someone new to Linux asks which distro they should start with, the usual recommendations are Ubuntu or Linux Mint. However, I think that’s an overgeneralization — and part of why some folks walk away from Linux with a bad taste in their mouth. The right recommendation depends entirely on why you’re switching in the first place and what’s actually motivating you to leave Windows or macOS.

I ditched AT&T's router for UniFi using one setting they don't advertise

Patrick Campanale — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 11:30:13 GMT

I have had AT&T Fiber for over seven years at this point. While I enjoy the service and have had very few reliability problems with it, I really just want to use my own router. AT&T doesn't allow you to use anything but its provided gateway, and it's always annoyed me. Here's how I got around their rules and started using my own router with AT&T anyway.

Windows 11's Weather app eats 1GB of RAM—this is how I built my own that doesn't

Nick Lewis — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 11:00:14 GMT

I wanted an app that seemed easy: the temperature and forecast displayed on a widget on my desktop. Instead, Windows 11 gave me a "widget" with ads and entirely too much extra stuff.

4 Android apps that transformed how I use my 3D printer

Joe Fedewa — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 10:30:15 GMT

3D printing and Android are typically not things that go together. The best software is available for desktop computers, and that’s where I do 99% of my modeling and printing. However, there are a small handful of 3D printing Android apps that I like to keep on my phone for various purposes.

Xteink's new tiny eReader has everyone complaining about two things that really don't matter

Adam Davidson — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 10:00:13 GMT

Xteink has quickly become a popular brand for low-cost tiny eReaders. The most recent model has caused quite a stir in the community, with a lot of people upset about two specific design choices. In fact, neither of them really matters that much.

You don't need a powerful PC for these 8 surprisingly useful Linux projects

Umair Khurshid — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 00:00:13 GMT

An old PC with a few CPU cores, several GBs of RAM, and a working network connection can still be useful long after it stops being suitable for demanding tasks, but Linux can turn that hardware into something that quietly handles useful jobs around your home or small office.

I use Google Messages every day. These 5 features make it better

Sanya Shah — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 23:30:14 GMT

For me, Google Messages is more than an inbox. From asking my husband what to cook for dinner to coordinating plans with friends and family, this app has quietly become one of those apps I reach for without even thinking. Because so much of my daily communication happens there, even small features can make a noticeable difference.

4 "smart" home gadgets that don't need Wi-Fi or an app

Bertel King — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 23:00:13 GMT

I have a home filled with devices connected to my router, but I'm not fully convinced that these have made my home smarter. In fact, many of my favorite purchases, those I can recommend with an unequivocal yes, don't require an app at all.

5 Emmy-nominated shows that prove Apple TV is finally worth subscribing to

Dan Girolamo — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 22:30:14 GMT

Apple TV has quickly become an Emmy darling. At the 2026 Primetime Emmys, Apple TV led all networks and streamers with eight wins during the broadcast, including six for Widow's Bay and two for Pluribus. Overall, Apple TV earned 89 nominations, bolstering its reputation as a streamer with critically acclaimed shows and star talent.

Universal USB-C docks are convenient, but old-school docking stations were actually better

Sydney Butler — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 22:00:14 GMT

My first laptops were usually office hand-me-down machines and one I remember most fondly was a Pentium 133 system that was pretty thin and light for its time. The coolest thing it came with was a docking station, but this wasn't what you'd think of as a laptop dock today.