Rick's Daily Tips

How (and when) to boot your Android device into Safe Mode

Posted on March 6, 2026

Want to get my easy to follow Tech Tips in your email?

If you’re a Windows or Mac user you probably know that restarting your computer in Safe Mode is a great way to troubleshoot software problems that are difficult to track down when everything but the kitchen sink is running on the machine.

In a nutshell, booting a device into Safe Mode ensures that only the most essential parts of the operating system and the most basic hardware drivers are loaded into memory to make it easier to track down those most stubborn issues.

Luckily, Android devices can be booted into Safe Mode as well. [Read more…]

Q&A: Will leaving the lid open 24/7 damage my laptop?

Posted on March 5, 2026

Want to get my easy to follow Tech Tips in your email?

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

Question from Mark: I have a four month old Acer Nitro Gaming Laptop with a 32 inch gaming monitor connected and set as the primary display.

I use the external monitor for my games. The laptop’s built-in screen is always open with my email and a few other apps open on it.

What I need to know is could leaving the lid open all the time damage the laptop in any way? [Read more…]

Vehicle Paint Protection Services: What they are and why they matter

Posted on March 5, 2026

A friend of mine drives the Tauranga to Auckland motorway three times a week. Last month he counted 14 fresh stone chips across his bonnet and bumper after one run behind a loaded truck.

The respray quote was over NZ$900 for the bumper alone.

New Zealand roads are hard on paint, and our summer UV Index regularly hits 12 or higher, which is classed as extreme. That combo speeds up fading, oxidation, and chip damage. [Read more…]

How to earn your Class 6 Riding License in NZ

Posted on March 5, 2026

Getting your Class 6 license is simpler than the acronyms make it sound. You’ll pass a handling test, sit a theory exam, then progress through learner, restricted, and full stages.

When I first looked it up, BHST, LAMS, CBTA, 6L, 6R, 6F felt like a wall of letters. Once you map them to real steps, it becomes straightforward.

For now, today’s graduated rules still apply, with no confirmed changes taking effect until July 2026. That means you can plan with confidence using the current timeframes. [Read more…]

Car Park Marking: Why it matters for safety, flow, and compliance

Posted on March 5, 2026

I watched a supermarket car park in Auckland grind to a halt one Friday afternoon. Faded arrows, missing give-way lines, and a near-invisible pedestrian crossing turned a simple exit into a ten-minute jam.

The next weekend, fresh paint and new signage were in place. The difference was immediate, drivers flowed, and people stopped second-guessing each other.

Use the standards and checks below to set bay sizes, protect pedestrians, meet accessibility obligations, and plan a repaint without shutting the site down.

[Read more…]