Le Journal

I have long since abandoned the Windows Start menu. It’s slow, it’s cluttered with recommended content I never asked for, and its web search integration with Bing is a feature I actively fight against. For a long time, PowerToys Run was my escape — a Spotlight-esque launcher that felt like a breath of fresh air. But then I found Flow Launcher, and I haven't looked back since. It is a keyboard-centric command center that integrates seamlessly with the Everything search engine, meaning I can locate a file buried six folders deep in milliseconds, not minutes. It supports a plugin ecosystem that puts even paid tools to shame, letting you control Spotify, manage Docker containers, or query color hex codes without lifting your hands from the home row.

In the last year, I have had to install Windows on a couple of devices, some due to work-related commitments, and others purely for experimental purposes. After the first few installs, I knew I had to devise a smarter strategy to set everything up, from installing my go-to apps to tweaking Windows settings that directly improve the experience. What followed next was hours of digging around online, looking for tools and scripts that would automate and streamline the process. By the end of it, I had three PowerShell scripts that would make every fresh Windows install not only usable, but aligned with how I like my PC set up.

One of the first things many home labbers install is Pi-hole, the DNS sinkhole that cleans up unwanted traffic on your network by preventing your devices and browsers from resolving domain names. It's a great program, but because it uses DNS, troubleshooting it when it goes wrong isn't easy.

PC part prices have shot through the roof over the past few months, and it looks like prices are going to stay elevated for the time being. That means if you're planning to build something new, or just want to upgrade, you'll either need to wait it out or be strategic. Sometimes the latter option is the only one that makes sense, especially since we don't know when prices will go back to normal.