Learn tech the easy way, one project at a time.
Plain-English tutorials on Raspberry Pi, home networking, everyday IT and the gadgets I use, written for beginners by a network engineering graduate and tech enthusiast.
Tutorials
Step-by-step guides in plain English, newest first.
Why Learning Tech Is Worth It, and How to Make It Stick
New to tech? Begin with why it's worth learning and how to make it stick. 4 min read.
RIPv2 vs OSPF vs EIGRP: What My Dissertation Taught Me About Routing Protocols
I tested RIPv2, OSPF and EIGRP on the same GNS3 lab for my degree dissertation. Here's how each works, how fast each converged, and which to use when. Free cheat sheet.
Why Learning Tech Is Worth It, and How to Make It Stick
Why tech skills matter for everyone, the skills worth learning first, five tech careers to know about, and practical strategies to keep learning without burning out.
Set Up Your Own VPN Server on a Raspberry Pi 3B (with WireGuard)
Turn a Raspberry Pi 3B into your own home VPN server with WireGuard, so you can use public Wi-Fi safely and reach your home network from anywhere.
The Best Free and Low-Cost Resources for Learning Tech
The online courses, coding sites, networking labs, communities and books I'd recommend for learning tech, plus how to choose the right resource for you.
Cloud Storage: How I Use It, Set It Up and Keep It Secure
How I use Google Drive, pCloud, iCloud, OneDrive and Dropbox, how I set up Google Drive properly, and the rules I follow to keep cloud files secure.
How I Installed and Use Sniffnet to Monitor My Network on Linux
How I installed Sniffnet on Linux (the .deb package and the AppImage) and how I use it day to day to see what's happening on my network.
How to Supercharge Pi-hole with Unbound (Your Own Private DNS Resolver)
Add Unbound to Pi-hole so your network looks up websites itself instead of sending every DNS query to Google or Cloudflare. Step-by-step, with tests.
Windows vs macOS vs Linux: A Beginner-Friendly Comparison for Home Computers
Comparing Windows, macOS and Linux for home use: strengths, drawbacks, gaming, security and cost, so you can pick the right operating system.
How to Diagnose and Fix Common IT Issues Like a Pro
Step-by-step checklists for the tech problems everyone runs into: slow internet, a PC that won't start, failed updates, printers, crashing apps, lost files and security settings.
Block Ads on Every Device with Pi-hole and a Raspberry Pi 3B
How I set up Pi-hole on a Raspberry Pi 3B to block the nasty ads, pop-ups and trackers on every device in the house, without installing anything on each one.
Home Networking Tips: Simple Setup Tweaks to Get Online Smarter and Safer
Practical tweaks for your home network: router placement, Wi-Fi security, fixed IP addresses, guest networks, QoS, parental controls and backups.
5 Tools to Help You Monitor Your Network Like a Pro
Five network monitoring tools for home and small office: GlassWire, Wireshark, Fing, PRTG and NetWorx. What each does, who it's for and which to try first.
What Is a VPN, and Do You Actually Need One?
A plain-English explanation of what a VPN does, what it doesn't do, when it's worth using one, and how to choose between free and paid VPNs.
How to Assign a Static IP Address in Windows 10 and 11
Give your Windows 10 or 11 PC a fixed IP address, step by step, plus how to pick an address that won't clash with other devices.
IP Addresses Explained: A Short History from ARPANET to IPv6
What an IP address is, where IPv4 came from, why we ran out of addresses, how IPv6 fixes it, and the difference between public, private, static and dynamic addresses.
Ethical Hacking Basics: A Beginner's Practical Guide
What ethical hacking is, the key ideas (pen testing, vulnerability scans, social engineering), the tools beginners use, how to practise legally, and the certifications worth knowing about.
How to Set Up a Basic Home Network: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
A plain-English guide to setting up a home network: connecting the router, securing the admin login and Wi-Fi, guest networks and keeping firmware updated.
Gadgets
Gadgets I've bought and actually use. These write-ups are on the way.
Steam Deck SSD upgrade: 64GB to 1TB
How I took my Steam Deck apart and swapped the 64GB drive for a 1TB SSD myself.
3D printing at home
Getting started with the 3D printer I own: what it does and how I use it.
Helium LoRaWAN hotspots
The Helium LoRaWAN hotspots I run: what they are and how they work.
Kaspa (KAS) miners
The Kaspa (KAS) miners I run: what they are and what's involved in running them.
Free Cheat Sheets
One-page PDFs to print, pin up or keep on your phone. No sign-up needed.
Routing Protocols Cheat Sheet
The three protocols side by side, with admin distances, timers and the Cisco commands you need.
Pi-hole Commands
Install, update, allowlist and troubleshoot your network ad blocker.
Pi-hole + Unbound Setup
The config file, test commands and Pi-hole settings on one page.
Hi, I'm Ray
I'm a BSc (Hons) Network Engineering graduate and tech enthusiast who loves tinkering with Raspberry Pis, home networks and anything with a plug. I write the guides I wish I'd had when I started, and I share my projects on my YouTube channel, FrƎƎjack Tech.