Jayric Maning-Senior Author

Jayric Maning

Senior Author

Contributor Since November, 2021
Expertise
Programming, Artificial Intelligence, Hardware Tips
  • 302
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  • 52
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  • 25
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About Jayric Maning

Jayric is a Forensic Science graduate with over five years of writing experience and a passion for reverse engineering and hardware.

 

His tech journey kicked off in childhood with an old hand-me-down Nokia N91, where he repackaged Java games like a Symbian port of Pokémon Blue to tweak TMs and Poké Dollars. By high school, he was flashing custom Android ROMs and trading modded games for lunch money, and in college, he learned C/C++ and electronics on a TI Tiva C LaunchPad, then went on to create DIY projects ranging from USB security keys to home automation devices.

 

Jayric now enjoys writing at MUO to keep sharing and learning about tech while honing his own craft. Outside of tech, he enjoys grinding CS2 and Dragon Nest, lifting weights, running daily 5Ks, and reading in his greenhouse.

Latest

Using PeaZip to archive external hard drive
I archived years of files in minutes — this Windows tool is absurdly fast
File Compression

This free Windows app uses fast compression algorithms to archive your files quickly.

3
Ueli cross-platform launcher
This is the Windows 11 launcher everyone should try but nobody talks about
Windows App Launcher

This Windows 11 launcher runs anything you throw at it!

6
Creating mind maps with Freeplane
These 5 visualization tools make brainstorming actually productive
Productivity

Use these tools to find the perfect visual setup for your next brainstorming session.

Accessing Dawarich on my phone
I use this free open-source app to track everywhere I’ve been — without giving Google a thing
Maps

This app is the Google Timeline alternative that gives you full control of your location history.

10
Obsidian MCP Server using Docker Desktop
I connected a local model to Obsidian with MCP and it’s better than NotebookLM and ChatGPT combined
NotebookLM

This fully local setup lets your AI interact with your Obsidian vault while staying private and secure

3
WizTree saved on flashdrive for Windows disc cleanup
I use this portable app to clean up gigabytes of Windows junk in minutes
Windows

This is my go-to tool for clearing gigabytes of data whenever I need more storage

Rainmeter Windows customization tool
This 20-year-old app still makes Windows look and feel better than ever
Rainmeter

This tool has always been the go-to app for customizing Windows desktops

Command Palette on a black Windows desktop.
I stopped using the Windows Start menu after finding this brilliant free launcher
Windows App Launcher

Ditch the slow Windows Start menu and this faster, cleaner launcher instead.

2
Running my custom sleep mode using Tasker on Android
I finally understand why Android power users swear by this app
Android Apps

A bit complex, but its the best automation app for Android I've tried!

8
An illustration showing the Excel logo above the LAMBDA function
We need to talk about the LAMBDA function in Excel
Microsoft Excel

Most people skip LAMBDA, but it's simpler than it looks and can streamline your everyday Excel work.

1
Tracking life progress using Obsidian on my phone
I created one Obsidian template that organizes my entire life
Obsidian

I use this system to view my days through the months without putting extra work

5
Ricing my Windows 11 setup
I riced Windows 11 and now every other setup feels boring
Windows

Once you start improving your setup it's hard to go back to default Windows

2
Testing alternative battery health checker app
My Android finally shows real battery health like an iPhone
Android Apps

This app allows me to check my real battery health on Android 16 for free!

2
Accessing PhotoPrism on any web browser
This self-hosted app sorted my messy photo library in minutes
Photo Management

I use this open-source app to organize my photos offline with AI, privacy, and full control. No limits!

1
Creating mind maps with Freeplane
This old-school mind-mapping app still beats modern note tools
Note-Taking Apps

This old mind-mapping tool is something I’m not giving up, even with all the newer options.

4
Searchable highlights with Web Highlights
This browser extension keeps every idea I highlight instantly searchable
Browser Extensions

Finding my saved highlights has never been easier thanks to this browser extension

1
Free Android apps that live rent free on my phone
These 3 lesser-known free Android apps make my life easier
Android Apps

These three underrated free Android apps that simplify daily tasks without ads or paywalls.

10
Floccus app installed on Android
This open-source bookmarks sync tool just freed me from Google Chrome
Browser Extensions

This open-source tool lets you sync bookmarks across browsers and devices effortlessly

1
Transcribing MakeUseOf video using Whisper
This local voice-to-text app replaced every paid service for me
Transcription

I get free and unlimited transcriptions using this self-hosted service

2
Comprehensive mind map using Obsidian
My local LLM turns any file into a mind map and it’s actually brilliant
Obsidian

Turns PDFs into diagrams faster than I could think.

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