David Buck
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I used to be a writer. My work has appeared on Tedium, Star Trek.com, Nerdvana, Weird History, and Syfy. My skills are now obsolete. Yay.
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Articles by David Buck
I monitor my homelab from my car now, thanks to a free sideloaded Android Auto app
I dig Android Auto. It's a fun way to use your phone's functions in the car, but it's heavily restricted sometimes. Recently, I found an app that works as a media player and web browser. Well, you know what that means for a nerd like me: monitoring my homelab remotely when I'm parked. I use it for more than that now, too, and it's slowly becoming one of my new favorite Android Auto apps.
I turned a broken practice amp into a killer speaker with my phone and a $10 DAC
Several years ago, I was really into playing the bass. The playing styles of Les Claypool, Geddy Lee, Arthur Barrow, and Victor Wooten inspired the heck out of me. So I bought a few basses and a couple of amps. One amp in particular, a Blackstar 3W practice amp, ended up being one of my most used amplifiers (with both bass and guitar). Last year, the input jack stopped working entirely, and I thought the device was completely dead.
6 essential Docker containers I only spin up when I need them
The last time I talked about Docker, I mentioned several containers that I keep running 24/7. These are containers that I never spin down unless I'm updating them manually. Some readers had some fantastic suggestions for containers I hadn't tried yet. And for those who asked about containers that I don't actually keep running, I got to thinking about it, and there are definitely a few Docker containers that I only spin up when I need them.
I expected Docker to choke on my old Raspberry Pi, but Kiwix proved me wrong
I've been obsessed with Docker lately. I've been using it for a lot of things. I've also been getting back into Raspberry Pis over the last year or so. I was talking with a fellow writer here at HTG about different things to do with a Pi 4 in my budget home lab, and we got toDocker containers. I wondered if I could get them to work on this older SBC. It turned out I had some success with the project. It unlocked quite a few cool new ideas.
These 5 cheap accessories completely transformed my Ryobi power tools
Accessories are a big part of owning tools and using them regularly. I've been a big fan of Ryobi tools for a very long time. They're not only decent, budget-friendly tools, but they often do the job just as well as some higher-end ones. I'm mostly a hobbyist and maintainer of things, though, so I'm not necessarily using them for professional reasons. Either way, I found several accessories that make my Ryobi tools better.
When the Monday Blues Turn into Retirement Gloom
I’ve had my fair share of Monday blues during a 40-plus-year career. That negative feeling can creep in on a Sunday night when you are faced with the prospect of starting another work week. The anticipation of work-related stress, tight schedules, and what can seem like never-ending demands on your time has driven me into a mental funk more than once.
How to turn your whole website into a single WARC file you can replay in your browser
I'm an ardent supporter of archiving things. The Internet Archive and Wayback Machine are two of my most frequented places online. As I was researching something earlier this year, I stumbled upon something I (surprisingly) hadn't heard of before: the WARC format. These things are one of the most fascinating files/formats I've come across since Ogg Vorbis. And I wanted to learn more about what they are and how to use them.
I tried building a location-based Android Auto dashboard with Tasker, and Google blocked it at every step
I've been having some fun experimenting with Android Auto lately. Recently, I discovered I could set up buttons for specific tasks. I enjoyed the customization, so I decided to try something a bit more ambitious. So I tried building a custom Android Auto dashboard that changes based on where I'm driving. It did not go as planned. Planning out a custom dashboard using Tasker Android Auto is fantastic on its own, but I'll need a little help from a third-party app for this part.
These cheap power tools were meant to be temporary, but they're still in my garage
For me, a cheap or budget power tool is one that runs between $30 and $100. Sometimes, I'll manage to get a deep discount on a tool, but I usually go for the less pricey ones. Most of the time, I'll pick up a tool to use temporarily, until I can afford a better-quality one or my wife lets me splurge. But surprisingly enough, there are a few inexpensive tools I bought for a temporary solution to a problem but have found them to be so useful I've hung onto them rather than finding a replacement.
How I built a complete streaming setup with open-source software and a $120 computer
I got pretty bored the other day. So I said to myself, “Self, you should build an ambitious project today and share it with the world.” My Raspberry Pi was on the fritz, so I came up with something even better: a budget, self-hosted media streaming project. And I did it using second-hand hardware and open source software. Taking a DIY approach to self-hosted streaming Now, my history and opinions about streaming are a bit all over the place. Spotify was great until it wasn’t.
6 surprising USB accessories you can plug into your phone that actually work
I have an extra Android Auto Wireless adapter with a USB-C to USB adapter. Since I recently upgraded to a different one, I figured I could make some use of the adapter portion of it. What better way to do that than hook random stuff up to my phone and tablet and see what works? So I tested basically every USB device I had with my phone and tablet. My benchmark for most of these tests is how well a device works, whether it has any input lag, and how long I can use it before it drains my battery.
I ditched Android Auto voice control for Home Assistant shortcuts—here's what changed
Driving around with Android Auto should feel more like listening to Majel Barrett’sStar Trek: TNG computer voice, giving you directions and handling tasks lightning fast. Instead, we got a dodgy Gemini integration over the past few months. My experience with it was a bit bizarre, to say the least. I also felt like it was a bit more dangerous and distracting. So I tried a little experiment: ditching Android Auto voice control for Google Home routine commands.
These 5 plugins turned my Obsidian notes into a daily dashboard
Information wants to be free. But to get the most out of it, you need some sort of organization. Having an Obsidian database full of notes, kanban boards, outlines, and information from unconventional sources is fantastic. But it is kind of useless if you can't find anything. I considered creating a Table of Contents or organizing my tabs better than I already do, but that's kind of a pain. So I built a Dashboard instead, using a few different plugins.
3 hidden Fire tablet settings that fixed my slow 10th-gen tablet
I love a good modded tablet. Whether it's a regular Android tablet or a modded Amazon Fire tablet, I usually like to tinker with the things that I own. The Fire tablet in particular is one I can't seem to stop messing with. I've used Fire Toolbox and other methods to improve its performance and functionality. But Fire OS has built-in system settings you can use to speed up your tablet. Here are a few that work for me.
I asked How-To Geek's writers which Linux distros convinced them to quit Windows, and I was surprised by some of the answers
One of the things I like the most about being a Linux user is the wide variety of perspectives and experiences people have on the OS. Earlier this year, I lost an important work machine to a misbegotten Windows update. So I committed to using Linux Mint and Debian 13 for my daily work tasks. I'd already been using Linux for personal stuff, but that botched update really made me go all in on Linux. Several HTG writers have done something similar.
I asked How-To Geek's writers which Linux distros convinced them to quit Windows, and I was surprised by some of the answers
Linux 10 hours ago Linux beats Windows at these 3 things, and Microsoft still has no answer howtogeek.com - Dibakar Ghosh • 10h Most people, especially casual desktop users, see Linux as a mere alternative to Windows.
17 Powerful Aliens In 'Ben 10' That We're Dying To Control
In the history of Cartoon Network, very few shows have become as legendary and beloved as Ben 10. There have been several iterations of the show - Ben 10, Alien Force, Ultimate Alien, Omniverse, and a reboot - each with its own storyline. But they all have one thing in common: Ben Tennyson’s ability to transform into awesome aliens using the power of a special watch called an Omnitrix. With these powers and unique alien abilities, Ben fights against several extraterrestrial threats.
3 Docker containers worth running on your Android phone
I feel like I'm stuck in perpetual productivity mode. I seem to have some trouble not working on something almost constantly. I always turn to Docker to handle work, budgeting, freelancing, personal projects, and even tracking my books/comics collection. I use it on my computers every single day, with some apps running 24/7 in my home lab. So the wheels started turning, and I finally did something nearly impossible: setting up and using Docker on Android.
3 Docker containers worth running on your Android phone
1:13 1 day ago Are You Damaging Your Phone Screen Without Realizing It? Unbranded - unbranded - Lifestyle • 1d According to microbiologists at the University of Arizona, smartphones harbor up to ten times more bacteria than most toilet seats due to frequent daily handling. Health experts recommend wiping down your smartphone daily, while major device manufacturers urge users to follow specific cleaning steps to avoid hardware damage.
6 Obsidian plugins that convinced me to delete my other productivity tools
Every so often I do a self audit of devices, apps, and even media I own. I'll ask myself if I use it often enough to justify keeping it. If the answer is no, bam, purged. Done. I've noticed myself doing this quite a bit with various productivity apps, like Tasker. It even extends to some Markdown-friendly apps on my tablet. As I've been building more and more with Obsidian, I've noticed some of its plugins have made me ditch other productivity apps. Here are my favorites.
Anything can be a keyboard if you're evil enough
Keyboards are a remarkable invention. I’ve been fascinated by them (along with typewriters). Aside from the eternal struggle between QWERTY and Dvorak, Human Interface Devices (HID) like keyboards and mice are just interesting in design and function. But what strikes me as most interesting is how a USB drive, a banana, or just about anything can be an HID. And while some of them are pretty fun and safe, there’s actually a bit of a darker side to the story.
7 Docker containers that I leave running 24/7
I'm a big fan of Docker, especially with apps like Papermerge and Actual Budget. Over time, I've ditched some containers like Wallabag for alternatives that work better for me. While I use it for many different tasks, I often spin down containers for apps I'm not actively using at any given time. However, I run some apps 24/7 on one of my homelab laptops. These apps help me monitor, control, and manage my work every day. Portainer The most important app I run 24/7 is pretty obvious.
I never expected Docker to handle document management and AI chatbots, but here we are
Over time, I've discovered several Docker containers/apps I can't work without. FOSS apps are consistently high-quality, but some apps kick it up a notch. I loved the app so much and got to thinking about similar apps. Apps you might jokingly say "do things you wouldn't expect from a Docker container" because they're premium-level, feature-packed programs that are (usually) free, self-hostable, and containerized. Here are a few of the best ones I've found.
3 unusual data sources you can use to build a "second brain" in Obsidian
Building a comprehensive Obsidian Knowledge Base has become a discipline for me lately. I already use several different methods to build it. Some of them are pretty standard, like using the web importer plugin. Others are a bit more unexpected. And I do a great deal of it without touching the editor for the most part. But I wanted to go further. So I found a few rather unconventional sources to use to continue building my "second brain".
These 5 Obsidian shortcuts changed how I organize my notes
There's something wonderful and appealing about navigating your favorite software with just a few keystrokes. Sometimes, it can be easy to forget that not everyone feels comfortable navigating their software using shortcuts and commands. And while it's certainly impressive to show your co-workers how fast you are with a keyboard (hey, the Gen Z kids who work for me think it's cool), sometimes it's not always intuitive or easy to work that way.
Curse? The Belmonts are back, baby!
Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is going to be released in just a few weeks. I just finished playing through the Nintendo Switch demo and I think it’s going to be a hit. I’m not just saying that because I’m a fan. It reminds me a lot of Dead Cells, a game I enjoyed and played the heck out of a few years ago. Only this time, the story is richer and it isn’t a roguelike. The lore it introduces from the start is fascinating and not necessarily a direction I would have thought the story would take.
You can now explore the Enterprise bridge online—and that's just the start of these Trek 60th anniversary projects
The Star Trek universe is huge and full of different media. I've watched the shows, played the video games, read a ton of the novels (Star Trek: Titan is a personal favorite), and have even written about Trek-related songs. Since this year is the series' 60th Anniversary, I thought I'd celebrate with these tech-related Star Trek hobbies.
Scratch turns anyone into an app maker, even if you've never written a line of code
Raspberry Pi users should be familiar with a program called Scratch. I've been doing more and more work with it lately, and I realized that, as I've moved away from spending time with streaming and doomscrolling, I've gotten more into making things with my various devices. Scratch is quite fun to use, and I wanted to share a few easy projects/mini apps you can make with it in less than a few hours. No coding or AI necessary So, what is Scratch?
Waking Zelda for the Legends’ 40th anniversary
It’s the 40th anniversary of the Zelda series this year, and we’re celebrating in style. That’s right, folks. I’m going to replay my favorite Zelda game, 1987’s Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. You can replay the game yourself on Nintendo Switch Online’s NES Classics if you are a member. No, I’m not trying to be funny or nothing. I really DO love Zelda 2. When I was around 11 years old, we were able to get the game(along with a copy of Shadowgate) from a local consignment store.
2 Obsidian replacements that let you self-host without any ridiculous workarounds
Obsidian is one of my favorite apps. I use it to build Knowledge Bases, write articles, take notes, and learn as much as I can. It's pretty versatile. It works well, but I don't pay for a premium subscription. Instead, I will either email my notes in MD (Markdown) format to myself, transfer them directly from the device via USB, or sync them using Syncthing inside Termux and a special folder on my desktop computer. But that seems like a lot of work to merely sync some files.
Could Oahu’s Real Estate Market Be Changing More Than You Think?
Could Oahu’s real estate market be changing more than you think? Hawaii Kai home prices jumped 26%, while North Shore condo prices surged 44% in August 2026. The latest Oahu real estate market update also shows a mixed picture for sales, with some neighborhoods seeing increases while others experienced declines. The numbers are especially interesting when you look at individual neighborhoods and condo communities.
On Castlevania fans and 40th anniversary wishes…
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Android Auto ruined my audio quality, and this is the only app that fixed it
I find it fascinating that Android Auto can be amazing for a long time, but then I suddenly notice something going subtly wrong. Maybe it's the sudden appearance of Gemini trying to get me to write songs with it while I drive. Or the cable comes loose a bunch of times, and I lose connection (I switched to Android Auto Wireless because of this issue). Sometimes, it's a navigation issue. It can be hit-and-miss. Recently, I was using Android Auto and noticed some dips in audio quality.
I automated my entire Linux desktop with 4 bash scripts—and reclaimed hours every week
The more you get into using Linux, the more likely you are to start using the Terminal for various tasks. Now, I'll admit that you don't need to do everything in the Terminal. But I truly believe knowing your way around it is pretty vital to the Linux experience (for me, anyway), whether it's learning basic short commands or playing video through the Terminal. Sometimes, though, it's nice to automate various Linux chores.
I automated my entire Linux desktop with 4 bash scripts—and reclaimed hours every week
The Queue: Get your rose-colored glasses here Do you remember your first trip to Ironforge? If you were a Gnome or a Dwarf, you were probably sent there around level 5 on one errand quest or …
This Linux app fixed my terrible laptop speakers without buying new hardware
My computer speakers aren't very good. Sometimes I wonder if sticking my phone in a coffee can would sound better. I used to own a nice set of M-Audio monitors that I used for my record player. But they broke. So I replaced them with a $15 set of Logitech computer speakers. I can usually get them to sound fine by messing around with different settings in the audio apps I use, but they still didn't sound great.
Is This the Best Value 2-Bedroom Condo in Waikiki?
VIDEO Could this be one of the best-value 2-bedroom condos in Waikiki? Unit 2108 at 1717 Ala Wai offers something buyers want: a 21st-floor location with incredible ocean views. 🌊 The remodeled 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom condo features an updated kitchen, granite countertops, and new appliances... Read More
I stopped fighting OBS's complicated interface after changing these 4 settings
I'm not planning to become a streamer any time soon. But I do enjoy recording retro games and tutorials for my classes. There's some fascinating technology used in modern streaming and screen recording that I like to mess with. I've been using OBS Studio (mostly in default mode) for a long time for my recordings, and I wanted more control. But sometimes, the interface can be a bit complicated for simple things.
What a Wonderful Night to Have a Curse!
Castlevania: Journey Through the Years – 9‑Year Anniversary Edition I started writing this on Jan. 4, 2026. Wow, this took a while to finish! September 15, 2026 Castlevania: Journey Through the Years – 9‑Year Anniversary Edition I started writing this on Jan. 4, 2026. Wow, this took a while to finish! September 15, 2026 If there’s one game series I could honestly and truly say is my favorite of all time (or the GOAT as the kids say), it would be the Mega Man series.
My tablet runs a full Linux distro, and it's the best testing ground I've found for new operating systems
- I like running Linux on a tablet. It's portable; I can switch to different distros more quickly and without partitioning, and it's a nice change from the typical tablet environment/user interface. It also offers more of a computing platform and feels less restricted than the standard Android UI. On the downside, you won't get the same experience using Linux on a tablet as you would on a desktop PC.
Royal Iolani 3705: Luxury Honolulu Condo With Diamond Head Views
VIDEO What would it be like to wake up 37 floors above Honolulu? Royal Iolani 3705 offers elevated island living with incredible Diamond Head and ocean views. 🌴 This three-bedroom, two-bath residence features a 2020 remodel, granite countertops, travertine floors, central air, and a spacious open lanai. The views stretch across Diamond Head, Waikiki, the Ala Wai Golf Course, and the Waianae Mountain Range.
I spent days trying to trigger Android's battery drain alert, but my phone outsmarted me
I was a massive science fiction fan growing up (I still am). I never imagined that one day I'd have a fully functioning computer that could do just about anything in my pocket. That tiny computer does a lot every single day. The fact that it runs on a battery is amazing. Unfortunately, some processes, apps, and usage can kill your battery fast. But if you're on Android, your phone probably has a hidden feature that will warn you when it happens.
The Retirement Drift Advisors Need to Watch For
The Retirement Drift Advisors Need to Watch For by David Buck, Chief Time Strategist, Infinity Lifestyle Design There’s no shortage of financial advice videos on social media. I know because I watch a lot of them. Whether you believe it or not, some of your most loyal clients are watching them as well. They are not looking to challenge your investment expertise. They are searching for reassurance about the lifestyle they hope their financial plan will create.
I tried the keyboard layout that was supposed to replace QWERTY—here's what happened
I'm no stranger to using different keyboard layouts. I'm a big mechanical keyboard fan, and I still use typewriters, even in 2026. The IBM Selectric I grew up with had a QWERTY layout, and the vintage (well, more like dilapidated and in bad need of some oil) Smith Corona I'm using now also uses the layout. In the late 1800s, QWERTY became the standard for typewriter keyboard layouts. But in the 1930s, another layout emerged: Dvorak.
Your old media files deserve better than Windows Media Player
Windows Media Player (WMP) used to be the best. It didn't quite whip the Llama's behind, but I remember a time when it was fantastic. But, as these things tend to do, it got worse over time. Streaming came along, people shifted away from local media players, and Microsoft just shifted its focus elsewhere. , but you can still access the legacy version of WMP. Better media players that could handle more formats appeared, and Microsoft kept breaking WMP features.
Oahu Real Estate Market Update: Home Prices Surge to $1.24 Million
VIDEO Oahu’s real estate market continues to show a major divide between single-family homes and condos. In August 2026, the median price of a single-family home on Oahu jumped 12.2% from a year earlier, reaching $1.24 million. At the same time, the Oahu condo market experienced declining sales, slightly lower prices, and increasing inventory... Read More
3 ways to build an Obsidian knowledge base without actually writing notes
Having a second brain is awesome. I've been using Obsidian a lot lately for just that. I built a knowledge base without even touching the Obsidian editor. Instead, I use photos and the Obsidian web clipper plug-in to store information. But I've started expanding my process a bit and came up with a few more ways to keep building that knowledge base using different techniques.
Amazon is making the Fire Tablet worse. Here's how I'm fighting back
There was a time when I loved Amazon Fire Tablets. Modding them and repurposing them is a hobby of mine. One reason, aside from curiosity (or the old standby of "because I can") is that Fire OS has just been getting progressively worse. So I'm fighting back the best way I know how: with knowledge and a few nifty power-user tricks. Fire OS is much worse than it used to be I never felt that Fire OS was all that bad. Sure, the ads were a pain, and it was a bit slow at times.
Planning for the Impact of FinCEN’s Corporate Transparency Act Rollback
In a Law360 article, Sidley lawyers David Buck, Paul Tyrrell, and Michael Mann examine the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’s (FinCEN) final rule significantly narrowing beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA).
Planning For The Impact Of FinCEN's CTA Rollback
By David Buck, Paul Tyrrell and Michael Mann ( September 9, 2026, 3:23 PM EDT) -- On Aug. 11, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued a final rule rolling back prior regulations under the Corporate Transparency Act requiring U.S. companies and U.S. persons to report beneficial ownership information.... Law360 is on it, so you are, too.
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