Rich Hein
Florida
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Writer, editor, lifehacker and technologist.
Living the digital dream in sunny FLA.
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Articles by Rich Hein
I stopped paying for Philo and Hulu after buying this used $15 antenna
I've been a cord-cutter for years, so over-the-air TV isn't new to me. I've used an antenna during hurricane outages and for the occasional football game when I wanted a local broadcast without worrying about which streaming service carried it. It was always useful, but it never became a big part of how I watched TV. That changed after I picked up another powered antenna on Facebook Marketplace. Once I hooked it up, I ended up with 10 digital channels I actually use and about 10 I don't watch.
I stopped paying for Philo and Hulu after buying this used $15 antenna
I've been a cord-cutter for years, so over-the-air TV isn't new to me. I've used an antenna during hurricane outages and for the occasional football game when I wanted a local broadcast without worrying about which streaming service carried it. It was always useful, but it never became a big part of how I watched TV. That changed after I picked up another powered antenna on Facebook Marketplace. Once I hooked it up, I ended up with 10 digital channels I actually use and about 10 I don't watch.
I built a better TV audio system than any soundbar for half the price
When it came time to replace my soundbar, I was ready for something better. The soundbar-and-subwoofer systems I was looking at were running between $300 and $600, and I wasn't excited about spending that much on another soundbar. I've never been completely happy with the soundbar experience, especially when I knew the same money could buy a traditional stereo setup with better speakers that would fill the room. I started looking around Facebook Marketplace instead.
Why I moved my most sensitive browsing from Firefox to LibreWolf
On my personal computer, I do a lot of the things I care most about protecting. I use it for banking and shopping, and I keep personal documents on it that I wouldn't want exposed. Firefox is usually the browser I reach for when privacy matters, but for this machine I wanted something that went a little further. That led me to LibreWolf. It's based on Firefox, but it comes with stricter privacy settings out of the box.
This free app generated subtitles for an entire folder of videos without uploading a thing
I have a lot of video files scattered between my Plex library and shared folders full of family videos. Some have subtitles, plenty don't, and I wanted an easy way to transcribe them without uploading personal footage to a third-party cloud service. While looking for something that could handle the job locally, I came across Whisperer on GitHub. I was really just looking for a transcription tool, but Whisperer turned out to be much more useful than I anticipated.
I’ve used PuTTY for years, but this open-source SSH app replaced my 3-tool setup
I've used PuTTY for years. It's a great program that has lasted this long because it does one thing really well. When I need to connect to another computer over SSH, PuTTY gets the job done without a lot of extra stuff getting in the way. I know how it works, I trust it, and I've never had much reason to replace it. The problem is that an SSH connection is only part of what I usually need. Once I'm connected, there are other things I want to do that PuTTY simply wasn't built for.
I finally found an easy way to run Windows apps on Linux without turning my desktop into a science project
Like a lot of Windows users, I resisted Linux for years for two main reasons. I expected a steep learning curve, and I assumed I'd have to give up some of the Windows apps I rely on every day. Either one is enough to make switching feel like more trouble than it's worth. That was especially true for software. Wine has been around for years, and tools like Bottles have made it easier to run Windows apps on Linux, but the process still felt more technical than I wanted it to be.
Google has a reputation for shutting down some of its most useful and well-loved apps. Over the years, countless users have watched services that became part of their daily routines suddenly get pushed aside. It’s a running joke at this point: just when a Google app or service finally gets some momentum, Google is ready to pull the plug. That said, there were a handful of those shutdowns that hit harder than others. These weren’t just niche experiments or half-baked tools that few users cared about.
I built a private AI document search engine my wife and I can use from any device at home
Paperwork used to be annoying, but at least there was an obvious place to put it. You bought a filing cabinet, labeled a few folders, and hoped you could remember where you filed something when you needed it. Today, most of that paperwork is digital. My wife and I have bills, receipts, records, manuals, and other documents scattered across our PCs, and finding a specific file isn't always as easy as it should be. That's what made this project interesting to me.
I tested 5 daily PC tasks to see if Linux is actually harder than Windows
I've been in the Windows camp for decades, and for years I thought Linux was simply harder to use. That was a pretty common view among Windows and Mac users, and for a long time, it was fair. That's not really the case anymore. Distros like Zorin OS have gotten far more user-friendly, so I wanted to see how they hold up against Windows in the kinds of tasks I do every day. I'm going to perform the same five tasks in both Windows and Zorin OS and see which one actually makes them easier.
3 easy Windows 11 commands every PC user should know
I consider myself a Windows power user these days, but I wasn't always. I can remember when the command line seemed like something programmers used, and I stayed out of it unless I absolutely had to. Even now, opening Windows Terminal and seeing a blinking cursor can make what you're about to do feel more complicated than it really is. You don't need to know PowerShell or understand a bunch of command-line syntax to get something useful out of it.
Ultra-slim SSDs and RTX Spark laptops: How-To Geek's favorite tech of IFA 2026
Another year, another IFA conference. How-To Geek is scouring the halls of Messe Berlin to uncover all the new innovative tech at IFA 2026. Through our search, we've managed to go hands-on with the slimmest portable SSD of all time, super-long-lasting hybrid batteries, the first batch of RTX Spark laptops, and more. This might be 2026's biggest week for new tech. So, sit up, lock in, and start calculating next year's budget, because you're bound to fall in love with these gadgets.
I couldn't believe Linux could run inside a PDF, so I tried it
I first came across LinuxPDF in a Reddit thread, and I had to read the post twice to make sure I understood what it was saying. Linux was apparently running inside a PDF file. This wasn't a screenshot of a terminal or a simulated command prompt. It was an actual Linux environment that you could interact with from the document. That was enough to send me looking for the project.
I couldn't believe Linux could run inside a PDF, so I tried it
1 day ago Never mind a stylus, this new dual-screen handheld even includes a stylus slot. Add Android Authority on Google: Preferred SourceGoogle Discover There are quite a few options on the market if you want a dual-screen handheld, with devices from ANBERNIC, AYANEO, and AYN. Now, ANBERNIC has shown off its …
I outgrew Linux Mint, but I didn't want a harder Linux distro
I've been using Linux more and more over the past year, and one of the things I've come to appreciate is how much choice it gives you. With Windows, you're largely working within the system Microsoft gives you. With Linux, if something doesn't work the way you want, there's probably another distro that handles it differently. Linux Mint was my first choice when I started using Linux regularly. It was familiar, easy to get around, and didn't make me relearn everything at once.
I outgrew Linux Mint, but I didn't want a harder Linux distro
Ubuntu 1 day ago 1Password wades into a right-wing mess after funding a Linux project The Verge - TC Sottek, Jacob Kastrenakes • 1d The controversy surrounds David Heinemeier Hansson, who has posted strident anti-vax and anti-immigrant views.
Your inexpensive OBD-II scanner can tell you more than why the check-engine light is on
I tend to hold on to my vehicles for a long time, which means things eventually wear out or stop working the way they should. I also try to handle repairs myself whenever it makes sense. Sometimes that's as simple as replacing a sensor or tracking down a bad connection, but the hardest part is usually figuring out what's actually wrong. That's where my OBD-II scanner has earned a permanent spot in my toolbox.
I thought my mini PC's SSD was dying, but 3 simple tests saved me from buying a replacement
Published Aug 30, 2026, 9:30 AM EDT Recently, my mini PC started acting up. It would freeze every so often, and Windows just didn't feel as responsive as it normally did. Nothing had completely stopped working, but the system had become unreliable enough that I knew something was wrong. I went through Windows first and checked for any obvious problems, but nothing stood out. That made me start looking at the hardware, and the SSD quickly became my main focus.
This free VLC alternative for Windows keeps things simple without losing the essentials
I've been a VLC user for years, and I still like it. It plays just about anything, works across platforms, and includes far more features than I usually need. The thing is, most of the time I'm not streaming over a network or digging into advanced playback settings. I'm just double-clicking a video file and watching it. As a Windows user, that's where MPC-HC started to make more sense to me. It's free, open-source, built specifically for Windows, and less complicated for everyday playback.
Google Photos just killed automatic PC backups—here are 4 alternatives
Google Drive used to make it easy to send photos and videos from folders on your PC straight to Google Photos. That changed when Google removed the feature from Drive for desktop. You can still back up PC folders to Google Photos, but you now have to select and manage that destination directly within the Drive for desktop app settings rather than having Drive and Photos sync automatically. That doesn't mean you need to leave Google Photos.
These free GIMP add-ons make Photoshop's price tag harder to justify
Photoshop is still the photo editor most people know, and there's a reason it has stuck around for so long. But paying for another monthly subscription is harder to justify when GIMP is free and already handles most of the editing work many people actually need. Adobe currently charges $22.99 per month for Photoshop on an annual plan billed monthly, which works out to about $276 a year before you've even added any other Adobe apps.
I bought dashcams after watching these 4 videos change people's lives
After seeing several videos of drivers getting out of trouble because they had dashcam footage, I finally bought cameras for both my SUV and my wife's car. She drives about 15 miles each way to work, much of it on the highway, and I'm always thinking about how quickly a normal commute can turn into a mess if there's a crash or some other incident. A lot of the time, these situations come down to your word against someone else's.
3 signs you've outgrown Linux Mint
Like many Linux users, I came to appreciate Linux through beginner-friendly distros like Linux Mint and Zorin OS. They make the transition from Windows much easier, and in Mint's case, a big part of the appeal is how little it asks of you. It's stable and familiar to Windows users. You can install it and use your PC without spending much time thinking about what's happening underneath. Those are exactly the reasons I still think Linux Mint is one of the easiest distros to recommend.
These 4 commands I run in PowerShell solve the Windows network problems I run into most
Last week, my internet started acting up. It wasn't completely down, but web pages were loading slowly, and my video meetings kept having connection problems. I rebooted my mesh network and modem, but the problem kept coming back. At that point, I knew it was time to dig a little deeper. That's where these PowerShell commands can help out. They can help narrow down whether the problem is your PC, your network, DNS, or something else entirely. And you don't need to be a PowerShell guru to use them.
3 tweaks that could make this VLC alternative your new media player
I've been using VLC for years, so when I recently started reading about mpv as a compelling alternative, I decided to give it a try. My first impression wasn't great. mpv opened my videos just fine, but compared with VLC, it felt almost unfinished. The interface is sparse, there aren't traditional menus full of settings, and a lot of the conveniences I was used to simply weren't there. That minimalism makes more sense once you know where mpv came from.
I keep these 5 tools on USB drives so I'm never caught without a fix
I've somehow become the person everyone in my family and circle of friends calls when a PC starts acting up. A lot of the time, the problem is minor. Other times, Windows won't boot, a drive starts throwing errors, files disappear, or the computer becomes so unstable that it's hard to know where to start.
These 4 Linux apps deserve to be called the best of all time
Before the comments blow up on me, I'm not claiming these are the four most technically impressive Linux applications ever written. There are plenty of more ambitious or technically complex programs out there. What makes these four stand out is that they helped solve the kinds of problems almost every desktop user runs into, especially people defecting from Windows, whether that's browsing the web, working with documents and spreadsheets, playing media, or editing images.
These 3 Linux distros make leaving Windows feel natural
I've used Windows for most of my life, but I've become increasingly frustrated with the way Microsoft expects me to work. Search is still unreliable, useful context-menu options are hidden behind an extra click, and Windows can use my internet connection to help distribute updates to other PCs through Delivery Optimization. Add in Microsoft's recommendations I never asked for and constant interface changes, and there's no shortage of reasons to consider leaving Windows.
Students can get these 4 expensive apps for free
Back-to-school season is here, and getting ready for another semester can get expensive fast. Tuition and books are only part of the equation. You may also need a laptop, accessories, school supplies, and software for writing papers, creating projects, designing presentations, or completing coursework. All those costs add up quickly, so saving money wherever you can matters. One easy place to start is software.
These 4 car tools can save you from the tow truck
For many years, I had a long commute to work. At one point, I was driving as far as 86 miles each way, which seems insane to me now, but I drove to where the work was. Spending that much time on the road also meant more chances for something to go wrong, whether it was a dead battery, a flat tire, or a minor problem that could leave me stranded. To reduce that risk, I put together a small kit of tools that could help me solve common problems without having to call for a tow truck.
3 problems a self-resetting Windows PC can solve
I've heard about Linux distributions designed to be difficult to break, and it got me wondering whether I could build something similar with Windows. I actually have a few good reasons to want one. I keep a PC in my garage connected to a large monitor next to my workout equipment. In addition, I do a lot of software testing for my job, and there's a shared media PC in my living room that my family and guests can all use.
I still install these 4 free apps on every Windows PC
Windows has supported a huge software ecosystem for decades, but only a small number of apps have truly changed how people use their PCs. The best ones didn't simply do one job well. They solved problems Windows handled poorly, made everyday tasks easier, and became the kind of software people installed on every new computer. The four apps on this list have all stood the test of time.
GitHub isn't the best choice for every developer—these alternatives might fit you better
GitHub has grown from a simple place to store code into the center of the modern development world. It's still the largest platform of its kind, and if you want other developers to discover, use, or contribute to your project, it remains one of the easiest places to reach them. That network effect is hard to ignore, and I don't think most developers need to abandon GitHub completely.
You don’t need to dual-boot anymore, there’s a better way to try another OS
I'm a Windows user, and I'm no stranger to dual-booting. It was actually my first real introduction to Linux. Like a lot of people, I carved out a partition, installed a second OS, and got that satisfying moment of choosing which OS to boot into at startup. At the time, it felt like the right way to do it if you wanted the full experience. But even early on, it didn't take long to notice the tradeoffs. Every time I wanted to switch, it meant stopping what I was doing and rebooting.
You don’t need to dual-boot anymore, there’s a better way to try another OS
22 hours ago It's been nearly a decade since point-and-click mystery Thimbleweed Park was released to critical acclaim. While the game did receive a small spinoff in 2020 that wrapped up some loose threads, the classic adventure game seemed finished. So it came as a surprise on Thursday when creator Ron Gilbert …
I've had Roku devices in my house for years, going all the way back to when it was just a little box sitting next to the TV. At this point, I've got several Roku TVs and a few sticks spread across different rooms, and for the most part, I've always used them the same way. Open an app, pick something to watch, and move on. It works, so I never really thought much about what else was there.
I invited hackers to attack my home server, and the results were a wake-up call
Self-hosting is both an entertaining hobby if you like computers, and a reasonable way to save a few dollars if you swap out your subscription services for something you host yourself. It does come with a bit of risk, however, if you put your self-hosted services online so they're accessible from the internet. I was curious about what kind of attacks my server was getting, so I set up a honeypot to see what happened. What is a honeypot?
Forget Roku and Fire TV, this is a better way to stream
If you walk through my house, you’ll see plenty of Roku gear. I've got Roku TVs and a couple of streaming sticks, and for the most part, they do exactly what they're supposed to do. They're simple, they're familiar, and they're good enough for most people. And honestly, if you just want something that works the same way every time you turn on the TV, that familiarity is hard to beat. But I'm also the kind of person who notices the limitations pretty quickly. An app isn’t available.
Windows Search ate up too much space on my SSD—here's how I fixed it
I've been using the Raycast beta for Windows as my main way to launch apps, find files, and move around my PC. It handles most of my search needs, so I rarely have a reason to use Windows' built-in search anymore. That made it difficult to justify the amount of space the Windows Search database was taking up on my SSD. I didn't want to disable it completely, but I also didn't need it indexing thousands of files I was unlikely to search for.
Automakers are obsessed with bigger screens and more apps—I just want better phone integration
Automakers have made infotainment a major selling point, and during a test drive, dealers are quick to point out the size of the screen, the built-in apps, the voice controls, and all the connected features packed into the dashboard. I understand why. Technology helps make a car feel newer and more advanced, especially when two models are otherwise difficult to separate.
Windows won't let you fix these 3 annoyances without PowerShell
Windows 11 is still my go-to operating system, but using it sometimes feels like a constant tug of war between how I want to work and how Microsoft thinks I should work. I like Windows, I know my way around it, and it fits my workflow better than the alternatives. What frustrates me is how often Microsoft gives me plenty of ways to customize the little things while making some of the bigger annoyances much harder to change.
These 3 Windows settings made my old PC feel new again
Windows is the OS I use every day, even though it does plenty of things I don't like. I've tried switching to Linux more than once, and I keep finding reasons to give it another shot, but I always end up back on Windows. For all its faults, it still works best with the apps, hardware, and workflow that I rely on every day. What frustrates me most, however, is when my Windows PC starts feeling sluggish. I spend most of my day at my computer, and small delays add up quickly.
Why you shouldn't use Roku, Tubi, and Pluto TV the exact same way
I pay for Netflix and Amazon Prime, but I still spend most of my time watching free streaming services. We keep Netflix largely because my wife despises commercials, while I use the other benefits of Amazon Prime throughout the year and treat Prime Video as a bonus. The bottom line, however, is that when I’m choosing something for myself, I usually end up opening Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, or Tubi.
I asked Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini to build a password generator—one outperformed the others
Price $20 Claude is an AI assistant made by Anthropic. It can assist with a wide range of tasks—writing, coding, analysis, research, and more. Unlike a search engine, Claude reasons through problems conversationally, making it useful as a thinking partner rather than just an information retrieval tool. Expand Collapse
4 free tools I keep on my USB drive to fix any Windows PC
I’ve spent more hours than I care to admit diagnosing stubborn Windows problems: sluggish laptops, desktop crashes, weird startup behavior, you name it. Over the years, I’ve used plenty of different tools, from flashy “PC optimizers” that promise too much, to hidden system utilities that actually deliver. What I’ve learned is that many of the best ones are lightweight, reliable, and give you a clear view of what’s really happening under the hood, so to speak.
Linux doesn't force me to use the terminal—these 3 tools prove it
I'm still a novice Linux user, but the more time I spend with it, the more I like it. What started as a way to keep an older PC useful has turned into something I genuinely enjoy using. Linux feels faster, more flexible, and far less intimidating than I expected, especially now that I've found applications that make the desktop experience feel more complete. That said, I'm still not a fan of opening the terminal for everyday tasks.
Microsoft killed my OptiPlex with Windows 11, so I gave it a better job instead
I grew up in the arcade era, when the best games weren't sitting on a TV stand or buried in a digital library. They were in pizza shops, bowling alleys, mall arcades, and movie theater lobbies. I spent a lot of time around those machines, and over the years I've owned more than a few arcade games and pinball machines myself. So when I had an aging Dell OptiPlex 9020 sitting around, I didn't see a useless old office PC. I saw the heart of an old-school arcade cabinet.
GitHub is no longer the best place to host your code
For years, GitHub was the default place to host code. If you were starting a new project, contributing to open source, or just needed somewhere to keep a repository, GitHub was usually the obvious choice. It had an enormous community, the strongest network effect, and most of the tools developers expected were already built around it. That's no longer the whole story.
I fired Claude after forcing it to build a private, self-hosted replacement
Paying for Claude feels fine until you start doing real work with it. The per-token costs through the API climb faster than most people expect, rate limits cut you off at the worst moments, and every prompt you write travels through infrastructure you don't control. You should take the time to learn how to replace that setup entirely with a local, self-hosted alternative. It runs on your own hardware, costs nothing per query, and keeps everything on your machine.
Searching PDF manuals is miserable. I turned AI into an expert on my gear
Price $20 Claude is an AI assistant made by Anthropic. It can assist with a wide range of tasks—writing, coding, analysis, research, and more. Unlike a search engine, Claude reasons through problems conversationally, making it useful as a thinking partner rather than just an information retrieval tool. Expand Collapse
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