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Hacks & Workarounds

1210 articles

All articles tagged Hacks & Workarounds.

5 VS Code Features That Speed Up Your Daily Workflow

VS Code dominates the developer editor market, with 75% of Stack Overflow Survey respondents using it daily. But many of its best productivity features hide behind keyboard shortcuts most developers never learn. Here are five that can change how you write code.

Manaal Khan·8 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·4 min

How to Set Up Claude Projects for Better AI Results

Most people use Claude like a glorified search engine, typing questions into fresh chats and wondering why the AI seems slow to understand. The fix is simpler than you'd expect: Claude's Projects feature lets you create specialized personas with custom instructions that only apply to specific conversations.

Huma Shazia·8 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

How One Developer Vibe-Coded a Rust GUI for FFmpeg

A How-To Geek editor used Claude Opus to build a working front-end for FFmpeg without writing code manually. The experiment shows how AI-assisted 'vibe coding' can turn loose prompts into functional applications, even for complex multimedia tools.

Huma Shazia·8 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

4 Free Open-Source Apps That Replace Microsoft 365

A tech writer dropped his Microsoft 365 subscription after finding free alternatives that matched or exceeded the paid tools. Here's the breakdown of Obsidian, LibreOffice, Nextcloud, and Mailspring as replacements for Word, Office, OneDrive, and Outlook.

Manaal Khan·8 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

5 ESP32 Wi-Fi Projects to Build This Weekend

The ESP32 microcontroller's built-in Wi-Fi makes it ideal for weekend tinkering. From internet radios to penetration testing tools, these projects range from beginner-friendly to advanced security applications.

Huma Shazia·8 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·7 min

How to Use Excel's LAMBDA Function for Reusable Formulas

Excel's LAMBDA function lets you define custom, reusable functions without writing VBA macros. This guide walks through the syntax, practical examples, and why Microsoft researchers call it a 'qualitative change' that made Excel Turing-complete.

Huma Shazia·8 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·4 min

Arc Launcher: A Free Fix for Google TV's Cluttered Home Screen

Google TV's default interface is packed with ads and suggested content. Arc Launcher, a free open-source alternative, strips it down to a clean grid of your apps. Here's how it works and why it might be worth the switch.

Manaal Khan·8 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

5 Windows 11 Display Settings That Matter More Than HDR

HDR on Windows 11 remains inconsistent, with many PC displays delivering subpar High Dynamic Range experiences. Before spending money on an HDR monitor upgrade, you should focus on five display settings that have a bigger impact on daily usability: refresh rate, resolution, color accuracy, scaling, and brightness calibration.

Manaal Khan·8 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

10 Zoom Features That Make Virtual Meetings Less Painful

Zoom has hidden features most users never discover. From self-selected breakout rooms that mimic real networking to CSV uploads for large meetings, these tricks can cut meeting friction for hosts and participants alike.

Manaal Khan·8 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·4 min

FlorisBoard: An Open-Source Gboard Alternative Worth Trying

FlorisBoard offers Android users a privacy-focused keyboard that stores all data locally. The open-source app trades some features like predictive text for complete transparency about what happens to your keystrokes.

Manaal Khan·8 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·4 min

Why the Toyota GR86 Holds Value Better Than a Camry

Sports cars usually bleed money the moment you drive them off the lot. The Toyota GR86 breaks that rule, retaining value at rates that rival practical sedans while delivering the lightweight, rear-wheel-drive experience enthusiasts crave.

Manaal Khan·8 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·6 min

How to Check If Your Laptop's USB Port Is Actually Fast

That USB-C port on your laptop might run at a fraction of its advertised speed. Modern laptops mix fast and slow ports together, and manufacturers rarely explain the difference. Here's how to verify what you're actually getting.

Manaal Khan·8 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

How to Use Claude to Edit Photos in Darktable

A developer built an MCP server that connects Claude to Darktable, the free open-source photo editor. The setup lets you edit RAW camera images using natural language commands instead of manually adjusting sliders. It's a practical workaround for photographers tired of Adobe's subscription model.

Huma Shazia·7 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·4 min

Lexus Unveils 2027 TZ: First Three-Row Electric SUV

Lexus has introduced the 2027 TZ, its first three-row electric SUV. The vehicle features power ottomans, up to 300 miles of range, and what Lexus claims is its quietest cabin ever. Production targets a 2027 launch.

Huma Shazia·7 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·4 min

Home Assistant 2026.5 Adds Native RF Support for Legacy Devices

Home Assistant's latest update lets users connect garage doors, ceiling fans, blinds, and other RF devices without community workarounds. The feature follows last month's infrared support, continuing the platform's push to bring offline, non-smart devices into unified home automation.

Manaal Khan·7 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

4 BIOS Settings That Boost Performance (and 4 That Brick PCs)

Your motherboard's BIOS contains hidden performance tweaks most users never touch. But the same menu also holds settings that can permanently damage your hardware. Here's what to change and what to avoid.

Manaal Khan·7 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·4 min

6 Hulu Miniseries You Can Binge in a Weekend

Hulu's miniseries library offers complete stories in 12 episodes or fewer. These six picks deliver critically acclaimed performances and strong book adaptations without the multi-season commitment.

Huma Shazia·7 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·6 min

How to Build Your Own DNS Server and Ditch Cloudflare

A tech journalist explains how he set up a private DNS server using Proxmox, Unbound, and AdGuard on an old laptop. The project took minimal Linux experience and delivers both privacy and ad-blocking for the home network.

Manaal Khan·7 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

4 Ways Your Old NVIDIA GPU Can Replace Paid Subscriptions

A mid-range NVIDIA RTX 3060 can run local alternatives to cloud storage, AI tools, and transcription services. One tech journalist documented $820 in annual savings by switching to open-source software that leverages GPU acceleration.

Manaal Khan·7 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

Why VS Code's Continue Extension Is My New Default AI Tool

The Continue extension brings AI coding assistance to VS Code without the overhead of switching to a dedicated AI editor. Its design works with VS Code's multi-process architecture, keeping the editor responsive even on modest hardware while adding intelligent code completion and chat features.

Huma Shazia·7 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·4 min

4 Ace Hardware Finds That Beat Home Depot on Value

A comparison of specific products at Ace Hardware versus Home Depot reveals that the smaller chain often delivers better value. From shop vacs to unexpected inventory like Lego sets, Ace's pricing and customer service create advantages the big-box competitor struggles to match.

Huma Shazia·7 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

Windsurf vs Cursor: A Free IDE That Matches Paid Features

A developer spent a week testing Windsurf as a replacement for Cursor and found the free AI coding IDE matched its paid competitor on core features. The switch highlighted Windsurf's cleaner UI, faster startup times, and a workflow that feels more conversational.

Huma Shazia·7 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·4 min

Google Pixel 11 May Revive Notification LEDs via Pixel Glow

Code discovered in Android 17 Beta 4 reveals a feature called 'Pixel Glow' that would place subtle colored lights on the back of Pixel 11 devices. The feature appears designed to work when phones are placed face down, potentially integrating with Gemini for visual feedback during AI interactions.

Manaal Khan·7 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

5 Home Devices You Didn't Know Could Be Automated

Smart home automation goes beyond lights and thermostats. Energy monitoring plugs and variable electricity plans unlock automation possibilities for turntables, water heaters, and other unexpected devices.

Huma Shazia·7 May 2026