Summary If you enjoy using Plex, it’s a good idea to use a device dedicated to being a Plex server. But, where to start? So many server hardware options exist for Plex, it’s hard to know what you actually need. I think these are the key factors to consider before building or buying your Plex server. CPU Power In a typical Plex server, the CPU is probably the most important component, but that doesn’t mean you need an expensive, super-powerful CPU....

Quick Links Summary Cork is a simple app that makes command-line tool Homebrew easier to use with a graphical interface. You can either choose to pay for the app, or build it yourself from scratch. What Is Homebrew? Homebrew is a package manager for macOS, similar to Linux tools apt and flatpak. It’s intended to make software installation easier, and it’s very popular in the open-source community. It bypasses the Mac App Store, letting you install unverified software, but it’s totally legitimate....

Summary The Switch 2’s release date is less than two weeks away as I write this, so we’ll soon know exactly how this new console from the House of Mario measures up. However, there’s a persistent worry that this new console is too far behind the current-generation consoles from Sony and Microsoft. That might create the impression that we won’t be getting good versions of multiplatform games on this new handheld system, but I think some of us have forgotten about another under-powered underdog—the Xbox Series S....

Quick Links Summary There’s no such thing as a “hack-proof” camera. Every one of them could be broken into, and camera manufacturers have proven untrustworthy. The only “safe” move is not to install one. Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four is often used as an analogy for the dystopian hell we seem to be sliding towards. One of the book’s creepier elementsinvolved surveillance devices being installedin people’s homes. But if you’re jamming cameras in your own house, Orwell isn’t the only thing you have to worry about....

If you’re looking to save yourself some money on your next car purchase, chances are you’re eyeing the used market. However, if you don’t want to get something outdated and lacking in technology, you have to shop cleverly, getting something only a few years old. The second-hand market is filled with excellent bargains, with you able to buy nearly new cars at an absurd discount compared to buying them new. The first owner takes on the brunt of initial depreciation, and you get a more affordable car....

Quick Links While I believe that SteamOS will one day evolve into a worthy Windows alternative for PC gamers, I don’t think that day will come anytime soon. Despite loving SteamOS, its potential, and what it represents, here’s why I won’t install SteamOS on my gaming PC any time soon. 1There’s No Stable Public Release Available At the moment, the first result that appears when you type “SteamOS download” into yoursearch engineof choice is SteamOS 2, a woefully outdated version from the era ofSteam Machines....

Quick Links I’ve used many resources for language-learning purposes throughout the years. Books, blogs, newspapers, videos, speaking practice with friends, etc. But AI tools like ChatGPT have changed the game by bringing an all-in-one solution. Here’s how I use ChatGPT to improve my English as a non-native. 1Expressing Something Correctly As a non-native speaker, I sometimes find it difficult to express my thoughts in English the way a native would. It might be clear ideas or rough thoughts....

Smart lighting has a number of practical uses, but one of the best reasons to invest is the way it can help create the perfect look and feel for a range of different moods and activities. Here are some examples of how I use smart lights to create the right feel at the right time. 1Waking Up in the Morning As a writer who works from home, I’m extremely fortunate that alarm clocks do not play a frequent role in my life!...

Amazon has finally launched its first batch of Project Kuiper satellites. This deployment, which was significantly delayed due to manufacturing slowdowns and last-minute launch cancelations, marks a major step in the development of Amazon’s satellite broadband internet service. While this is a noteworthy moment for Project Kuiper, the details are actually somewhat unimpressive. Amazon sent just 27 satellites into low-Earth orbit—a fraction of the 3,236 satellites that will eventually be in its “constellation....

Quick Links Finder is fundamental to the macOS experience. It’s how you get around, so it should be as efficient as possible. Here’s how to make Finder work for you by tweaking a few settings. Customize the Finder Sidebar The Finder sidebar is where all of your favorite local folders, iCloud Drive files, and connected volumes appear. You’ll also find network locations, mounted disk image files, and a section for tags....

Quick Links Summary An operating system’s primary role is to provide a clean foundation to run other programs. That’s why it’s so concerning that Microsoft has been increasingly more aggressive with ads in Windows 11. Is this going to be the future of our operating systems? Microsoft’s Self-Promotion Knows No Bounds Windows is already full of Microsoft’s built-in apps and bloatware. Although this is a relatively common practice among most operating systems and their customized versions, Microsoft goes above and beyond to promote Microsoft Edge and OneDrive....

Black Friday is a great time to buy stuff you want at a discounted price, but it’s also a very popular time for scammers to try and bait you out of your money with phishing emails. To keep you and your money safe, look out for these telltale signs of an email scam this holiday season. Do You Recognize the Company or Person Sending the Email? The first step to spotting an email scam is the sender’s address: make sure the sender’s address isn’t suspicious....

Quick Links Samsung took to the streets of Paris today to announce its latest lineup of foldables, wearables, and earbuds at its Galaxy Unpacked 2024 event. I got an early sneak peek at theGalaxy Ring,Z Fold 6,Z Flip 6,Watch 7,Watch Ultra, andBuds 3/Pro, and while I wasn’t expecting to be blown away by this year’s upgrade, I walked away thoroughly impressed. Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6: A Fully Polished Design Now, in its sixth generation, Samsung has really started to refine and polish the foldable form factor....