Rick's Daily Tips

Rick’s Daily Pick: Topesel 512GB SATA III 2.5″ Internal Solid State Drive

Posted on February 21, 2026

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

My “Pick” for today is this speedy Topesel 512GB SATA III 2.5″ Internal Solid State Drive.

If your laptop or desktop PC has a hard drive instead of a much faster SSD you can speed up its boot time and make your programs load faster by replacing the hard drive with this.

Note: If you have a desktop PC with a 3.5 inch SATA hard drive you will also need this adapter.

Click here to check out the Topesel 512GB SATA III 2.5″ Internal Solid State Drive at Amazon.

Did you miss (or want to revisit) one of my earlier picks? You might find it right here.

Picture of the Day: “Meeting of the Minds”

Posted on February 21, 2026

Today’s POTD features a pair of seals having what appears to be a “meeting of the minds”. I hope you like it.

Have lots of treasured photos of your own that you’d love to display in your home but you have limited wall space? A digital picture frame (#ad) is an excellent solution. Check them out!

Enjoy these Pictures of the Day? Sign up for my free Rick’s Tech Tips Newsletter and you’ll never miss one (or any of my tech tips either)!

Monthly Tech Giveaway – February 2026

Posted on January 31, 2026

Note: The links on this page are affiliate links.

February’s winner will receive a fantastic SimpliSafe 10 Piece Wireless Home Security System w/ Outdoor Camera.

Every home needs a high quality security system. This is one of the very best and it’s easy to install.

All subscribers to the Standard edition of my Rick’s Tech Tips Newsletter have an equal chance to win.

Premium subscribers have two chances to win (their email addresses are added to the “pot” twice).

Not a subscriber? Just enter your email address in the sign-up form on this page.

Once subscribed you’ll be eligible to win each month’s drawing – starting with this month. Better yet, opt for a Premium subscription for double the chance to win!

The drawing for this month’s prize will be held on February 28 and the winner will be notified by email. The winner will be selected at random.

Good luck!

How (and why) to stop mobile apps from tracking your location

Posted on February 21, 2026

Did you know that at least some of the apps on your phone are probably tracking your location even if the app doesn’t need location data in order to perform the task it was intended for.

Of course a Maps app has a legitimate need to track your location, for obvious reasons.

So does an app that keeps you up-to-date on where to buy the cheapest gasoline in the area you happen to be driving through. [Read more…]

Q&A: Is a 6 digit PIN really all that much more secure than 4 digits?

Posted on February 20, 2026

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Question from Andy: My girlfriend and I have a bet that’s riding on your answer to this question:

Is a six digit PIN really all that more secure than a four digit PIN?

It don’t seem like just two digits could make that much of a difference. She says it makes a big difference if someone ever tries to break into my phone.

So who’s right? [Read more…]

Finding synergy in a high-output home office

Posted on February 20, 2026

In the modern freelance economy, your home office is no longer a secondary workspace; it is the command center of your professional life.

As a virtual assistant and writer navigating the complexities of 2026, I have learned that productivity is not merely a byproduct of discipline and software—it is deeply rooted in the physical infrastructure of our environment.

The transition from a “makeshift” setup to a professional-grade office is a milestone every freelancer must face. However, the most effective approach isn’t just about buying a better chair or a larger desk in isolation. It is about understanding the synergy between your tools. [Read more…]