New 'Things' In 2018

 Hi All,

We are ten days in to the new year and there are plenty of new things going on in the world! 

In business, technology, fashion, sports, personal growth, culturally and more!  So, in instead of listing these new 'things',  a list of 'new' 'stuff follows.

Enjoy the links!

Regards,
Stu

CNN World - 18 Things To Look Forward to in 2018

New York Post - 18 Crazy Things That Will Happen in 2018

Insider -  20 Things We're Looking Forward to in 2018

Elitedaily - 7 New Things to Try in 2018 So You Have the Best Year Ever 

Business Insider - The Most Important Things That Will Happen in Tech in 2018

USAToday - Five Coolest Things We've Seen So Far at CES 2018 

USWeekly -  Things We're Excited For in 2018

New York Times - How to Do Things Better in 2018

Forbes -  Top 10 Trends For Digital Transformation in 2018

Curbed New York - 18 Things New Yorkers Can Look Forward to in 2018

Daily Record - In 2018 We Should Embrace the New, Try Things That Challenge Us, and Good Things May Well Follow

How-To-Geek

Hi All,

Just found an interesting computer, geeky type site called 'How-To-Geek' (hereafter HTG). 

So, just what is HTG?  Its an online tech magazine that is dedicated to providing interesting articles, how-to's, and more to the audience of tech-type and not tech-type readers.  The site was founded in 2006 whose original goal was to bring a better how-to site to the internet - with content that's understandable for regular people, but geeky enough for more technical readers....(source: HT FAQ).

Click here for a link to the HTG Discussion Forum's.  

Click here for Windows articles and information. 

Click here for Mac articles and information about Mac OS. 

Click here for iOS article and for everything related to iPhone and iPad's.

Click here for Android articles and for everything related to Google and Android.

Other useful links on the site include Gaming, Security and Photography.  Click the links to follow them to that particular subject....

Enjoy the site and the new technology!

Regards,
Stu


 

How to Recycle Your Technology

Hi All,

We all have tech - smartphones, iPads, iPhones, tablets, phones, ear buds, wall chargers, laptops, smartwatches, desktop computers, watches, hard drives, monitors, computer mice, DVD's, CD's, CD-ROM's, CD players, DVD players, batteries, headphones and more - somewhere in our closet or under our bed.  Its everywhere this stuff!

And what happens when a new phone or laptop or tablet arrives in the stores and folks buy it?  What do you do with the older devices and equipment? Indeed, that would make for a lot of extra landfill garbage!

So...how do you recycle your older tech in an environmentally safe manner?  Read on for websites and stores that have some type of recycling program(s)!

PC Reviews - How To Recycle Your Technology?

e-Stewards - where you can recycle your tech  

Best Buy - excellent recycling program - website is helpful to explain what they will/will to accept

Staples - member of e-Stewards - and it sells 'sustainable products'.

e-cycle - focuses on wireless mobile buyback and recycling for businesses and organizations

Call2Recycle - non profit program specifically collects/disposes rechargeable batteries

Recycle and help make for a better planet!  Enjoy the links!

Regards,
Stu

Lifewire - Tech Untangled

Hi All,

Lifewire is a new site to help you get the most out of your technology - so you can get the most out of your life. Huh?  What does that mean?

Basically Lifewire shows you and teaches you how to best use your screens and gadgets and have fun with technology.  The site helps you fix devices and tech that's not working and it helps you buy tech so it works best for your life.  Information presented in a straightforward, practical way and advice is easy to understand.

The main Lifewire page has four major links for 'How To', 'Fix', 'Buy' and 'Do More'.  
The 'How To' includes technology how-to guides and tutorials.  There are whole subcategories including information on Windows, Macs, iPad, iPhone, iPod, Android, Internet, Digital Cameras, Wearables, Game Consoles, Browsers, Car Tech and Antivirus.

Each of these subcategories has almost an 'encyclopedia' feel since articles are organized in the same fashion - with chapters on 'Basics', 'Guides and Tutorials', 'Installing and Upgrading', 'Tips/Tricks', and 'Key Concepts'.

Articles - for example - the one titled 'How to Register Your Vehicle Online' - can be anywhere up to about 1200 words or so.  Articles can be shared via Facebook, pinned via Pinterest and emailed or printed.  In addition, similar articles are listed at the bottom of the page for users who want more information on the similar topic, .

One very useful feature on the site is section on 'Tech Buying Guides'. This part of the site helps users decide which tech items are worth spending their money on - and which items are not worth spending money on.  Tech Buying Guides are broken down into categories of Computers & Tablets, Smartphones, Games & Consoles, Gadgets, TVs & Home Theater, Cameras and Audio.  Reviews are short and sweet and very tightly written.  They might be of some use to users.

Finally, Lifewire has a daily tips page - users can have a daily article sent to their email by clicking on this link (sign up at the bottom of the page!)

Enjoy the site and the reviews and the technology assistance!

Regards,
Stu 

Tech Tips For Techies - and Non-Techies!

 Hi All,

You might have heard Kim Komando's radio spots on CBS radio.  She talks about computer, technology and other similar issues on the radio.

But did you know that she has a website?  Billing herself as 'America's Digital Goddess' she  discusses the digital lifestyle in our digital age.   Click here for a bit more about Kim Komando. 

For today's article - at least on her website - click on this link.  In addition to the radio spots on CBS radio she hosts the Kim Komando Show on over 450 stations each week.  Click here to find a station.

On her website are all sorts of tools for techies and non-techies to become proficient in (if you are non-techie type) or more proficient in (if you are already a techie type) computers and tech.  Topics include Buying Guides,  Apps, Cool Sites, Columns, Downloads, Forums. 

But wait, there's more.  You can watch a passel-load of her videos here, watch 'Live From the Studio', Tech News in the Morning, Flash Tips, Komando Reports and much, much more on the website.

Enjoy the site, the videos and the interesting way she imparts her wealth of knowledge to listeners, viewers and readers to her show!

Regards,
Stu

Best of 2016

Hi All,

As the year 2016 comes to a close many, many, many websites generate 'best of' lists...forthwith a whole bunch of them on a wide variety of topics!  Enjoy 'em...

Time Magazine - Top 10 of Everything of 2016 

AllMusic.com - Best of 2016 

National Geographic - Best Photos of 2016

Android Central - Best Tech of 2016

NPR Music - Best Music of 2016 

Rolling Stone - 20 Best Lists of 2016

Life Hacker - 25 Best Movies of 2016 and Where to Watch Them 

Gamespot - Best TV Shows of 2016 

School Library Journal - Best Books of 2016 

Washington Post - 10 Best Books of 2016

Publisher's Weekly - 20 Best Books of 2016

New York Times Critics - Top Books of 2016

Techradar -  Best Phone 2016 - The Top 10 Smartphones We've Tested

Car and Driver -  Best Cars, Trucks, SUVs, and More For 2016 - Editors' Choice Awards

Beer and Brewing Magazine -  Best in Beer 2016: Readers' Choice & Editors' Picks

Winemag.com - Top 100 Best Buys 2016 

...and the list could go on and on and on....

So, you might ask how I found all these lists?  Great question.  Just type in the phrase 'best of 2016' in Google.  Make sure to put a topic after the 2016 - for example, 'best of 2016 movie' or 'best of 2016 newspaper writing' or 'best of 2016 scientific discovery'...you'll get dozens of results of which you'll have hours and hours of reading/viewing ahead of you.

Enjoy the sites and the links.  And, of course, Happy New Year!  Here's to a great 2017.

Regards,
Stu 

Reuters Technology News

Hi All,

If you are interested in computers, tablets, internet news, smartphones or anything else related to technology you might want to visit RTN.  What is RTN?  Simply put its an acronym for Reuters Technology News.

With main topics like business, Google, Apple, Cybersecurity, Technology videos, and more, readers will be in the know with respect to technology news. News is current, relevant and the articles are very well written.

Enjoy the site and the technology news!

Regards,
Stu

Visual Capitalist

Hi All,

Looking for visual content (read: information and data) on business and financial topics?  Look no further than a new website called the Visual Capitalist.

As the Visual Capitalist says on their website, "Visual Capitalist is a new way to discover business opportunities and learn about investment trends.  The site is populated with exclusive infographics from our own design studio and curated visual content from around the web. Visual Capitalist was founded in 2011 under the belief that art, data, and storytelling can be combined in a manner that makes complex issues and processes more digestible. Today, we reach millions of people each year with our unique content."

The site has links to Markets, Technology, Energy, Mining, Green, Money, Politics and Miscellaneous topics. 

Charts and tables on the website are colorful, interactive, timely and very easy to understand.  For a perfect example of a useful chart click on this link entitled Visual Capitalist's 15 Top Infographics For 2015.

The list of the infographics includes a mix of infographics, data visualizations, and charts from 2015.

Enjoy the site!

Regards,
Stu

How Stuff Works?

Hi All,

How do things work? I'm talking about things like 'Are Married People Happier Than Singles?', or 'What are The 10 Worst Foods to Eat?', or 'How Does Your Computer Know How Much Ink is Left in Your Cartridge?', or  'Why Can't We Remember Being Babies?'

Well, for all of the above listed questions, readers can click on the link to answer that particular question.

One really, really excellent feature of HowStuffWorks.com is the search box at the top right corner of the screen. Users can type in a phrase or search term and results will appear after you click on the magnifying glass (aka the 'enter' button).  Great stuff because links appear at the bottom of the page.  One possible negative to the site - there are Google Ads after each search. This can be disconcerting, but the actual HowStuffWorks? results appear right after the advertisements.

And with that nugget out of the way, searching for the exact result or answer that you need is a snap!

Readers can click on this link from 'HowStuffWorks.com' to find a plethora (a lot! - not a google however) of answers to a huge variety of questions.  Topics range from Adventure, Animals, Auto, Culture, Entertainment, Health, Home & Garden, Lifestyle, Money, Science, Technology and more.

In addition, HowStuffWorks has links to Video, Shows and Quizzes - click on links just listed for more information on those topics.

My favorite link is the Technology link.  Currently there is an article titled, '10 Internet of Things Nightmares', and 'Could You Put a Camera in a Contact Lens?'  But wait, there is more!

Other categories in the Electronics section of How Stuff Works? include: Family Tech, Everyday Tech, Gadgets, Cameras and Photography, Future Tech, How-to-Tech and Tech Myths...

Whew!  That was a mouthful!

Enjoy the site, find an answer - and get on with your life!  Kind of helpful, useful and easy to use!
Regards,
Stu

What is in Store For Technology in the Next Five Years?

Hi All,

I just came across this very, very interesting article from a website called VentureBeat.com.  (VentureBeat - as they explain in their 'About' section on the website - provides news about innovation for forward-thinking executives. It covers a range of technology trends, from social media to mobile, clean technology, games and chips. We try to explain what these trends mean for business leaders, executives and other thought leaders in the industry.)

That all said, you can understand why VentureBeat would post an article entitled,'IBM reveals its top five innovation predictions for the next five years'.  Click on the prior link to find the full text of the article. 

So, just exactly what are the five innovations predicted in the next five years?
1. The classroom will learn you.
2. Buying local will beat online.
3. Doctors will use your DNA to keep you well.
4. A digital guardian will protect you online.
5. The city will help you live in it.

Simply put it means that the computers are going to get smarter, faster and their will be more appropriate safeguards for privacy and security...  "As computers get smarter and more compact, they will be built into more devices that help us do things when we need them done. IBM believes that these breakthroughs in computing will amplify our human abilities."

For computer enthusiasts (read: geeks and technologically savvy folks) there are many, many websites that can help you learn about these trends in real-time websites.  Some of the better technology websites available include:

www.PCWorld.com

www.PCMag.com

www.Cnet.com

www.Extremetech.com

www.Techcrunch.com

www.thenextweb.com

www.wired.com (future web trends and at one time a print magazine)

www.digitaltrends.com

www.techradar.com

All of these sites have are current, reliable, and focus on technological news related to computer, tablet computers, privacy, networking, the internet, software, hardware, and basically anything related to computers or technology.   Go forth and enjoy the many, many links and articles from the sites.  

Regards, 

Stu

Today's Pictures

Hi All,


I'm in a photographic type mood today. And have I found a great bunch of sites for you! Regular readers might remember a site that I've mentioned before: refdesk.com...


Well, I can't very well talk about the whole site in shot because the site is so large. It would takes days and days to discuss each and every link and nook and cranny on the site.


But what I can do is talk about some specific sections on the site. In particular, since I'm in such a picturey mood today, I'd like to talk about the 'Today's Pictures' link on RefDesk.com.


So dear reader, click on this link to get to RefDesk.com - then scroll down about halfway down the screen and you'll see - in the middle - a section called 'Today's Pictures'. Bingo. Score!


So what is Today's Pictures? It is a set of links from sites as varied as astronomy, weather, National Geographic, TIME, Washington Post, Reuters and more. The topic? Anything the sites linked on RefDesk.com feel are 'picture worthy'. Users will find a whole bunch of science, nature, news, and weather pictures on RefDesk.com Neat stuff. Take a gander!


Enjoy the photos and remember, you can always bookmark RefDesk.com so you can come back to it at a later date.


Regards,

Stu



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