Nick Calder
Nick Calder writes the guides on Tricks & Tips. He's a home-tech tinkerer who likes gadgets that actually make the house work better - and explaining them without the jargon. His rule: if a guide doesn't help you decide or fix something, it isn't finished. He covers smart home gadgets, home networking, energy use, weather stations and 3D printing.
Pages by Nick Calder
Set up your first smart plug
Pick the right plug, check your Wi-Fi band and the plug's load rating, then put a lamp on a sunset schedule in about 15 minutes.
How much does it cost to run an appliance?
The simple formula for what any appliance costs to run, a worked TV example, typical wattages for common appliances, and where your rate is on your bill.
Where to put your router for better Wi-Fi
Put your router central, off the floor and out in the open, away from metal, water and microwaves, then prove the new spot with a 10-minute phone speed test.
What is dew point, and what does it mean at home?
What dew point is, why it shows how muggy it feels better than humidity, NWS comfort levels in °F, and why your windows fog up in winter.
How to choose your first 3D printer
What you'll print decides the printer. The features worth paying for, open vs enclosed, first-year costs, and which printer to buy for what.
No pages published yet.