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Hacks & Workarounds

1210 articles

All articles tagged Hacks & Workarounds.

Why Google Drive Is Not a Real Backup Solution

Google Drive syncs your files. It does not back them up. When you delete a file on your computer, Drive deletes it too. Here's why the distinction matters and what to do instead.

Huma Shazia·30 Apr 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

3 Three-Row SUVs That Match BMW and Audi for $30K Less

New vehicle prices in the US have hit a record $50,000 average. Hyundai, Mazda, and Toyota now offer three-row SUVs with luxury-grade interiors and tech that rival BMW and Audi, but at prices up to $33,000 lower. Here's how each stacks up.

Manaal Khan·30 Apr 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

Windows 11 Snap Layouts vs macOS Tiling: Which Wins?

Windows 11's Snap Layouts feature offers nine preset window configurations, outpacing macOS Tahoe's eight options that only arrived in 2025 after Microsoft's patents expired. For anyone juggling multiple apps on a widescreen monitor, the difference matters more than the numbers suggest.

Huma Shazia·30 Apr 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

Why You Should Learn Python in WSL Instead of Windows

Learning Python on Windows creates friction that trips up beginners. Tutorials assume Linux, file paths differ, and libraries break. Windows Subsystem for Linux solves these problems without leaving your Windows machine.

Huma Shazia·30 Apr 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

Why Fish Shell Beats Bash for New Programmers

Fish shell offers syntax highlighting, autocomplete, and web-based configuration out of the box. These features make terminal work less intimidating for beginners while remaining useful for experienced developers. The tradeoff is that Fish scripts won't run in other shells.

Huma Shazia·30 Apr 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·4 min

5 Tasks Where Old 1GB USB Drives Beat Modern Storage

That dusty 1GB thumb drive in your drawer isn't obsolete. For BIOS updates, portable tools, and emergency recovery, smaller drives often work better than their modern counterparts. Here's why you shouldn't throw them away.

Manaal Khan·30 Apr 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

Claude Code Organizes Five Years of Messy Notes in Minutes

A tech journalist used Claude Code to tackle half a decade of scattered notes across multiple apps. The AI agent analyzed personal note structures and created meaningful organization that no built-in app feature could match.

Huma Shazia·30 Apr 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

Does Windows Click-to-Do Solve a Problem Anyone Has?

Microsoft keeps pushing Click-to-Do as a flagship Copilot+ PC feature, but hands-on testing reveals it mostly summarizes text you've already read. The AI overlay sounds promising on paper. In practice, it solves problems most users don't actually have.

Huma Shazia·30 Apr 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·4 min

Motorola Razr Fold Undercuts Samsung, Google With May Launch

Motorola's first book-style foldable finally has a price and release date. The Razr Fold will go up for pre-order on May 14, 2026, priced below the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Pixel 10 Pro Fold. It brings features missing from competitors: a silicon-carbon battery and optional stylus support.

Huma Shazia·30 Apr 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

5 Smart Home Upgrades Renters Can Make Without Losing Their Deposit

Renters often assume smart home tech requires permanent installation. It doesn't. These five plug-and-play devices let you automate lighting, control locks, and build a voice-controlled setup that moves out when you do.

Huma Shazia·30 Apr 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·4 min

What's Leaving Netflix in May 2026: Full List

Netflix is pulling several beloved titles from its U.S. library in May 2026, including Train to Busan, Sicario, and the Bryan Cranston legal drama Your Honor. Here's what to watch before it disappears.

Huma Shazia·30 Apr 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·4 min

15 DIY Mistakes That Ruin Home Projects

Every house needs regular maintenance, and DIY can save money. But beginners often make simple errors that turn quick fixes into expensive disasters. Here are the most common mistakes and how to avoid them.

Manaal Khan·29 Apr 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·4 min

Claude Cowork Organized 500 Photos in Minutes. Here's How

A tech writer handed Claude Cowork a two-year backlog of 500 disorganized photos. The AI agent renamed files by metadata, removed duplicates, and completed the task without manual intervention.

Huma Shazia·29 Apr 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·6 min

5 Smartphone "Innovations" That Made Phones Worse

Modern smartphones are more powerful than ever, but not every change has improved the user experience. From missing headphone jacks to vanishing microSD slots, some industry-wide "upgrades" have actually removed features users loved.

Manaal Khan·29 Apr 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

Why I Can't Go Back to LED After Switching to OLED

After nearly a decade with OLED displays, the gap between OLED and traditional LCD/LED screens has only widened. From perfect blacks to superior uniformity, here's what makes the upgrade permanent for serious viewers.

Manaal Khan·29 Apr 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·6 min

How to Merge Excel Files and Tables with Power Query

Power Query turns hours of weekly copy-paste work into a single Refresh click. This guide covers three consolidation workflows: appending tables vertically, merging them horizontally with relational joins, and automating folder-based imports.

Manaal Khan·29 Apr 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

Why Affinity 2 Beats Photoshop for Most Users

Serif's Affinity suite went free after Canva's acquisition, offering Photoshop-level features without Adobe's $240/year subscription. For photographers, designers, and casual users, it's now the best alternative to both Photoshop and Canva.

Huma Shazia·29 Apr 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

5 Open-Source Apps That Fix Major Computing Problems for Free

Some of the most useful software of the past decade comes from solo developers, not tech giants. These lightweight tools solve file transfer, screenshot editing, and file server needs without subscriptions or cloud dependencies.

Huma Shazia·29 Apr 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

Ryobi Alternatives: 4 Tools to Skip (And What to Buy Instead)

Ryobi makes hundreds of affordable cordless tools, but not all of them deliver. A 20-year Ryobi user breaks down four tools that consistently disappoint buyers and recommends better alternatives.

Huma Shazia·29 Apr 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

Why Your Home Server Should Be More Powerful Than Your PC

Most people put their best hardware on the desk and their weakest machine in the closet. A tech journalist argues the opposite setup makes more sense. Here's the case for turning your powerful rig into a home server while using a lighter machine for daily work.

Huma Shazia·29 Apr 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

How to Stop Your Roku TV From Tracking What You Watch

Roku TVs collect viewing data from every connected input by default, including cable boxes, game consoles, and media PCs. Here's how to disable automatic content recognition and limit ad tracking without losing the features you actually use.

Manaal Khan·29 Apr 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

Why Most AI Models Fail at UI Design

Vibe coding can generate functional prototypes fast, but the resulting interfaces often look generic and feel off. A developer explains which AI models actually produce usable UI and why most fall short.

Manaal Khan·29 Apr 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

6 Hobbies That Work Better With a Raspberry Pi

The Raspberry Pi has evolved from an educational tool into the default platform for hobbyist projects. From 3D printing control to retro gaming, here's how the $21-$130 single-board computer can enhance your existing interests.

Manaal Khan·29 Apr 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

Roku's Free Channels Replaced My Cable. Here's How.

A veteran tech writer shares his experience ditching cable for Roku's free streaming options. With over 500 FAST channels and a growing content library, the platform now captures 3% of all U.S. TV viewership.

Manaal Khan·29 Apr 2026