Rick's Daily Tips

Try this first if a newly-installed program/app doesn’t work as expected

Posted on February 14, 2026

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The Internet has forever changed the way we acquire new software to run on our computers and mobile devices.

Gone are the days when we had to visit a retail store and buy a disk.

Now all we have to do is perform a quick Google search to find what we’re looking for and then click “Download” and install it.

But even though it’s easier than ever to find and download useful new software, things still go wrong during the installation process on occasion.

[Read more…]

This is my #1 tip for ALWAYS taking great photos

Posted on February 13, 2026

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Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

Countless books and how-to articles have been written explaining how to take great photos, but in my opinion there is one photography tip that trumps all the rest…

Take LOTS of pictures!

Yes, it’s true that an experienced professional photographer can adjust a few camera settings and frame the shot based on little more than intuition, then come away with a winner after snapping just a few exposures.

But not everyone is a pro, and that’s fine. You don’t have to be a professional photographer to have others believing you might be a pro. [Read more…]

Why I prefer connecting printers via USB instead of WiFi

Posted on February 13, 2026

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Ok, I’ll admit it. Wireless printers that allow you to print via WiFi instead of having to connect a cable sure are handy.

After all, who wants to run a long USB cable into every room where you occasionally use your laptop?

And if you print from your phone or tablet then using WiFi is a no-brainer.

But what if you only use a desktop computer or you always use your laptop in the same place every time?

If you don’t need to print from a mobile device you’d be a lot better off connecting your printer to your computer with a USB printer cable instead of WiFi, for the following reasons: [Read more…]

What to do when a website you really need to access won’t load in your browser

Posted on February 12, 2026

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Have you ever really needed to access a website but you just couldn’t get it to load in your browser?

I’m guessing we all have at one time or another.

There are several things that can go wrong and prevent a site from loading in a browser. This post discusses four of the most likely culprits and provides some possible solutions. [Read more…]

A beginner’s guide to setting up a Home Theater without hiring a pro

Posted on February 12, 2026

A decade ago, building a home theater meant hiring a specialist, running conduit through your walls, and writing a check that made your eyes water. That era is over.

Today’s equipment is designed for regular people. Speakers connect wirelessly. Projectors auto-correct their own image. AV receivers walk you through setup with on-screen guides. If you can mount a shelf and plug in a few cables, you can build a home theater that sounds and looks incredible. [Read more…]