Benj Edwards
How-To Geek
Raleigh, NC, United States
Contact Benj
Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
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Past articles by Benj:
A Farewell Tour of Benj’s Best HTG Computer History Articles
After 2.5 years and over 1,000 articles here, I’m leaving How-To Geek. It’s a bittersweet feeling, since I love this place, but new adventures are calling. Before I go, I thought it would be fun to round up my favorite and most popular features with behind-the-scenes tidbits. I think you might enjoy it, too. → Read More
How to Download Files From GitHub
If you’re trying to download a program, file, or source code from GitHub, finding the right download link can be confusing. We’ll give you some tips so you can locate the right download link on any GitHub project page. → Read More
How to Safely Pack and Ship Fragile Electronics
If you need to ship something bulky or fragile, such as a computer case, CRT monitor, priceless video game retail box, stereo component, or otherwise, it can be tricky to protect it from damage. We’ll show you how. → Read More
Why Is Everything a Subscription Now?
From streaming services to software to content, it feels like we’re constantly shelling out money every month to keep access to the things we want. So what’s behind this shift, and is there anything you can do about it? → Read More
What is VGA?
You’ve probably seen a VGA video connector on the back of a TV set, video projector, or even on a computer. We’ll explain what it is, where it came from, and help you decide if you should use it. → Read More
5 Great Programming Languages for Kids
If you’re a teacher or you have a kid interested in programming, it can be confusing to sort out the dozens of options available. We’ve picked five great programming languages (and environments) that will give kids a head start in the world of software development. → Read More
Shift+Enter Is a Secret Shortcut Everyone Should Know
The Enter key can mean several things based on context. It can produce a line feed and carriage return, or it can submit a form or text field. With Shift+Enter, you can often toggle between those two modes with ease. Here’s why—and how to use it. → Read More
10 Awesome iPad Features You Should Be Using
Whether you’re an iPad veteran or newbie, Apple’s tablet packs so many features that some of them might have slipped under your radar. Let’s take a look at ten great features that every iPad owner should use. → Read More
What Is a Pixel?
In our age of digital media, we often take for granted the humble pixel. But what exactly is a pixel, and how did it come to be such an important part of our lives? We’ll explain. → Read More
Fix: Why Is My Apple TV Remote Not Working?
If your Apple TV remote (or Siri Remote) isn’t working properly, playing shows or selecting apps can be impossible. We’ll show you why it might be happening and what you can do about it, starting with the steps you should try first. → Read More
How to Restart an Apple TV
If you’re having trouble with your Apple TV—if it has become unresponsive or buggy, for example—it’s a good idea to completely restart the device itself, which can fix many issues. Here’s how to do it. → Read More
What Is an LED?
You can’t go anywhere these days without hearing about LEDs, whether in TV sets, light bulbs, smartphones, or otherwise. But what are they, and how are they different from other light sources? We’ll explain. → Read More
10 Great iPhone Features You Should Be Using
There’s a lot to love about the iPhone, and it can be overwhelming at times. Apple’s smartphone includes thousands of handy features tucked away in places you might never discover unless someone told you about them. With that in mind, we’ve picked out ten great features every iPhone owner should be using—newbies and veterans alike. → Read More
How to See the First Amazon Purchase You Ever Made
Amazon.com has been around since 1995, which gives people plenty of time to build a long history with the site. It’s especially fun to look back at first Amazon order you ever placed, since Amazon keeps records going back to the beginning. Here’s how to find it. → Read More
What Is a Universal Binary on Mac?
To ease the transition into Apple Silicon Macs, Apple allows developers to create a Universal Binary, which is an app file that can run on both older Intel and modern Apple Silicon Macs. We’ll explain what they are and how they work. → Read More
10 New Windows 11 Features You Should Be Using
Whether you’ve been using Windows 11 for a while now or you’re just getting started with a new Windows 11 PC, there are some handy new features that you might have missed. Here are ten great ones you should be using. → Read More
How to Change the Screen Saver on Mac
If you’d like to add some personal graphical flair to your Mac—or prevent burn-in on an OLED, plasma, or CRT display—macOS lets you select from a number of attractive screen savers. Here’s how to set it up. → Read More
What Is Rosetta 2 on Mac?
If you have a Mac that uses Apple Silicon, you might have heard about Rosetta 2. It’s a critical part of macOS that enables compatibility with applications designed for Intel Macs. We’ll explain. → Read More
Why Is My Phone Charger Hot, and Should I Worry?
If you’ve ever noticed that your iPhone or Android phone charger is warm or hot to the touch after using it, you may be wondering why this is happening and if it’s something to worry about. Here’s what you need to know. → Read More
How to Keep Your Laptop On With the Lid Closed on Windows 11
If you’d like to use your Windows 11 laptop with an external monitor, mouse, and keyboard, it’s often nice to keep the lid closed. Here’s how to close the lid without putting your PC to sleep. → Read More