Rick's Daily Tips

Q&A: How do I pick the best TV from a wall full of display models?

Posted on January 28, 2026

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Question from Sondra: I decided that I want to buy my husband a really nice TV for his birthday so I went to Walmart to pick one out.

What an exercise in confusion that turned out to be!

When I got to Walmart the TV section had dozens to choose from and the picture quality ranged from fair to really good, even on similar models.

How on earth is one to choose from all those different TV’s under those conditions? [Read more…]

Q&A: How can I quickly rename all the files in a folder on Windows?

Posted on January 27, 2026

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Question from Marge: I’ve recently begun dabbling in photography with an eye towards going pro at some point. I have a question for you if you don’t mind.

Is there a way to rename all the files in a certain folder to a common base name?

My camera always names the pictures with the same base filename but just changes the numbers on the end. That makes it hard to know what the pictures in a folder are of without looking at the pictures.

[Read more…]

Understanding the Datacenter Proxy for Better Internet Performance

Posted on January 27, 2026

A datacenter proxy acts as a fast intermediary using IP addresses that businesses, rather than ISPs, own between your computer and the internet. These tools run on massive servers, bringing incredible bandwidth and very quick response times to the users. Website owners categorize these IPs as being from a professional data center because they aren’t residential.

What are the implications for your everyday web surfing or business tasks? On one hand, they deliver power. On the other hand, their non-residential nature makes them traceable and blockable by security systems. This is the compromise in technical testing – the speed is usually accompanied by the lack of stealth.

[Read more…]

Why every business needs a Digital Marketing Manager

Posted on January 27, 2026

The modern business landscape is vastly different from what it was just a decade ago. Gone are the days when a simple billboard or a newspaper ad was enough to drive steady traffic. Today, the battle for customer attention takes place on screens, in search engines, and across social media feeds.

Navigating this complex digital ecosystem requires more than just casual effort; it demands expertise, strategy, and constant vigilance. This is where a digital marketing manager becomes indispensable. They are the architects of your online presence, ensuring that your brand not only survives but thrives in a crowded marketplace. [Read more…]

Here’s an easy way to fool burglars into thinking you’re at home

Posted on January 26, 2026

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Did you know that many burglars actually knock on the victim’s door or ring their doorbell before breaking into a home?

Well, it’s true, and there’s a reason why: If no one answers the door, they know there’s a good chance that nobody’s home.

But you don’t have to fall victim to burglars in this way. Simply install a Ring Wi-Fi Enabled Video Doorbell and you’ll be able to answer your door from anywhere in the world. [Read more…]