17 January 2018

What Is Quad9 DNS and Is It Better Than OpenDNS?


quad9-dns

There are now several Domain Name Service (DNS) providers out there, all vying for your attention and internet traffic. The majority of people use their ISP’s default DNS, especially when using an ISP-issued router. But you don’t have to stick with that. You have a choice of Google Public DNS, OpenDNS, FreeDNS, and many more, including a newcomer called Quad9 DNS. But it is it worth a switch to Quad9 DNS? Is it more secure than the alternatives? Or is it faster than its competitors? Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about Quad9. What Is DNS?...

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Today Only: Save Big On A Lenovo ThinkPad X1


If you’re looking for a 2-in-1 laptop and don’t want to spend a lot, today is your lucky day! Plus, there are deals on office supplies and the Echo Dot. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet, 12" Full-HD+ IPS Touchscreen w/Active Pen, Intel Core m5-6Y57 Dual-Core 1.1GHz, 128GB Solid State Drive, 4GB DDR3, 802.11ac, Bluetooth, Detachable Keyboard, Win10Pro Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet, 12" Full-HD+ IPS Touchscreen w/Active Pen, Intel Core m5-6Y57 Dual-Core 1.1GHz, 128GB Solid State Drive, 4GB DDR3, 802.11ac, Bluetooth, Detachable Keyboard, Win10Pro Get reliable performance from the Intel Core m5-6Y57 processor 1.1GHz (Burst up to 2.8GHz)...

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Google’s Project Fi now caps data bills at $60


 Google’s Project Fi cell service never played the “unlimited data” game that most carriers in the U.S. like to play (and which is never truly unlimited). Instead, Google simply offered data at $10/GB/month and would give you a refund for any data you paid for but didn’t use. Now, however, it’s taking its own stab at what is essentially an unlimited data plan. With… Read More

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If You Can’t Cut the Cord, Try Cord Shaving Instead


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If you’ve been paying attention, you will know cord cutting is all the rage around the world. Cable television companies are losing subscribers at a rate never seen before in history. The growing popularity of apps such as Plex and Kodi, combined with the affordability of Netflix and Hulu, has made it easy than ever for users to watch locally-saved video and on-demand TV shows and movies. People’s reliance on traditional TV for their entertainment needs has never been lower. But cutting the cord isn’t right for everyone, especially in the United States. As a result, a new phenomenon —...

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Google’s Project Fi now caps data bills at $60


 Google’s Project Fi cell service never played the “unlimited data” game that most carriers in the U.S. like to play (and which is never truly unlimited). Instead, Google simply offered data at $10/GB/month and would give you a refund for any data you paid for but didn’t use. Now, however, it’s taking its own stab at what is essentially an unlimited data plan. With… Read More
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Google’s new G Suite security center gives admins a new perspective on their organization’s security


 Google today launched a new tool for G Suite admins that gives them a better view of the state of their organization’s security. The new G Suite Security Center, which is only available to G Suite Enterprise users, features two main components. The first is a dashboard that gives admins an overview of current security metrics across services like Gmail (think incoming phishing emails)… Read More
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YouTube Introduces New Rules for Content Creators


YouTube is introducing new rules for content creators. On the one hand these rules will make it harder for channels, both big and small, to make money. But on the other hand they should help YouTube have a healthier, happier, and less controversial year than the company endured in 2017. Last year was a strange one for YouTube. First, PewDiePie’s antics prompted brands to pull their advertising. Then there were those bizarre videos aimed at children. And then Logan Paul decided that laughing at a dead body was somehow appropriate behavior. And YouTube is taking action. YouTube Changes Things Up...

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Pantheon Explained: A Look at the Minimalist Elementary OS Desktop


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If you’re a first-time Linux user, there’s a decent chance you’re using Elementary OS. The relatively young Linux operating system has accrued millions of downloads over the past half decade, with many of them coming from computers running Windows or macOS. Elementary OS brings a degree of focus and attention to detail that sets it apart from other versions of Linux. But when you use Elementary OS or look at a screenshot, what you see is actually something called Pantheon. Pantheon Is a Desktop Environment Pantheon contains everything you see on screen. It’s what displays your desktop background, what switches...

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Are Any Computers Not Affected by the Meltdown and Spectre Bugs?


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Is your computer at risk from the Meltdown or Spectre vulnerabilities at the heart of Intel and AMD processors for the past two decades? Probably. The bigger question is, what should you do next? While Intel and AMD work with Apple, Microsoft, and various Linux distributions to roll out patches, there’s a significant potential for a performance hit on your PC. This is especially the case if you’re running an older operating system. You might, therefore, be tempted to buy a new computer. But what devices are currently available that don’t have these vulnerabilities? The Problem and the Solution Meltdown...

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Global app downloads topped 175 billion in 2017, revenue surpassed $86 billion


 Global app downloads topped 175 billion and consumer spending exceeded $86 billion in 2017, thanks to growth in emerging markets including China, India, Brazil and Russia, according to a new report from App Annie out this morning. Notably, India has now become the number two country by downloads, passing the U.S., which is now third. China has long since been in the lead. The difference… Read More

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This small robotic stingray could be the future of biological bots


 What do you get when you smush a bunch off live heart cells, specialized biomaterials, and electrodes into a tiny, stingray-shaped package? If you said “lunch” than you’re wrong. Instead, you get the first example of bioinspired robotic systems that can imitate nature using both electrical and organic components. The resulting project – a 10mm long robot that can swim… Read More

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GarageBand vs. Audacity: Which Audio Recording Tool Should You Use?


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High-quality, free music production software is hard to come by. Unless you’re willing to shell out the big bucks for Ableton Live, FL Studio, or Logic Pro, you’re pretty much stuck with either GarageBand or Audacity. To be clear, both of these programs have been used successfully by thousands of musicians to create all kinds of music. Rock? A capella? Electronica? Hip hop? It’s all possible, and both are technically free (not freemium). But which one is right for you? The Pros and Cons of Audacity First things first: Audacity is a digital audio editor, not a digital audio workstation. It’s...

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Google’s AutoML lets you train custom machine learning models without having to code


 Google today announced the alpha launch of AutoML Vision, a new service that helps developers — including those with no machine learning (ML) expertise — build custom image recognition models. While Google plans to expand this custom ML model builder under the AutoML brand to other areas, the service for now only supports computer vision models. Read More
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How to Use Facebook


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Facebook has over a billion users. It’s the second-most popular website in the world behind Google, and it pioneered the social media craze. But do you know how to use it? Whether you’re baffled by all the changes or are just signing up for a Facebook account, we’ll show you everything you need to use Facebook. Note: This guide covers using Facebook on the web. You can, of course, browse Facebook on mobile too. Many of these instructions apply to the smartphone apps, though certain elements appear in different places. 1. Facebook Basics and Getting Started Let’s discuss some basics...

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How to Record a Macro in Excel 2016


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Using macros in Microsoft Excel is the perfect way to automate tasks. We’re going to show you how to record a macro in Excel 2016 so that you can free up your time and stop wasting it on repetitive actions. Before beginning, you might want to check out our top resources for Excel macros to give you an idea of what you could create. Once you’ve mastered it, you’ll even be able to send emails from Excel or integrate your Excel data into Word. Let us know how you get on recording your macros in the comments below. How to...

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How to Hide Your Friends List on Facebook


It can get a little confusing to understand what exactly you’re sharing with whom on Facebook. Frequently changing and complicated settings often result in people sharing a lot more than they intended. If you delve into your Facebook privacy settings, however, you can gain complete control over almost each part of your profile, including who can see your list of friends. By default, everyone can see all your friends on your list, but you can keep most of your friends list hidden and privy only to yourself: Go to Settings > Privacy. Under the Who Can See My Stuff section, click Edit for Who...

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How to Apply a Smart Filter to Multiple Layers in Photoshop


Every beautiful Adobe Photoshop effect is the result of editing magic on multiple layers. Layers, like simple transparent sheets, can be shuffled and shaped together. But did you know you can use a smart filter, instead of a regular filter, on multiple layers for even more interesting effects? A regular filter alters the pixels in a layer permanently. A smart filter applies a filter effect to layers non-destructively. This is a huge time-saving step. Let’s see how you can use a smart filter on multiple layers and retain the power to make edits at any time. How to Apply a Smart Filter to Multiple Layers...

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Google moves into Shenzhen in latest China expansion


 A month after announcing plans to open its first AI lab in China, Google is expanding again through a move into Shenzhen. The U.S. tech giant has opened an office in the Chinese city, which borders Hong Kong and known for being a global hardware hub, according to an internal email obtained by TechCrunch. This isn’t a fully-blown Google campus, instead the company has taken up space within… Read More
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YouTube tightens the rules around creator monetization and partnerships


 In an effort to regain advertisers’ trust, Google is announcing what it says are “tough but necessary” changes to YouTube monetization. For one thing, it’s setting a higher bar the YouTube Partner Program, which is what allows publishers to make money through advertising. Previously, they needed 10,000 total views to join the program. Starting today, channels also need… Read More
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Scribblenauts Showdown Is a Party Game for Creative People


Scribblenauts is returning from the dead, with a new games set to hit consoles later this year. The brand new title is called Scribblenauts Showdown, and as its name suggests, the focus is on the multiplayer side of things. Essentially, this is set to be a party game for creative types. For the uninitiated, Scribblenauts is a puzzle game which requires players to use their initiative. You’ll face an obstacle, and have to figure out how to get past it. You do so by writing the name of the object on the screen, and it will appear as if by...

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Your Chromecast May Be Killing Your Wi-Fi


If you have noticed your Wi-Fi struggling recently, you may have cause to blame Google. Reports suggest that Google devices with the Cast feature, such as Google Home and Chromecast, can mess with your wireless connection. Google is working on a solution, but there’s no instant fix. Most people reading this will have the luxury of a permanent internet connection in their home. It’s great when it works, but when it goes down it’s annoying and frustrating in equal measure. And we now know another possible reason why your Wi-Fi connection may be faltering at times. Google Messes With Your...

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How to Install a MySQL Database on Windows (And Access It Remotely)


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If you often write applications that connect to database servers, it helps if you know how to install a MySQL database on your Windows machine for testing purposes. Connecting to a database with most applications usually just involves a specific connection string, so testing your application with one database server and then switching it later to a “production” server is very simple. In this article, we’re going to walk you through the steps of setting up your own local MySQL database on any Windows PC. Later in the article you’ll also learn how to set up that test database for...

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Your Complete Guide to Windows 10 Customization


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Do you desire a desktop that looks and feels like your own? This guide will help you create a fully customized Windows 10 desktop and user interface (UI). A few minutes is all it takes to turn your desktop into a unique UI suited to your needs and wants. It’s fun, it’s easy, and the results will be stunning. Let us take you through the process, step-by-step. In this guide: Introduction | Themes | Rainmeter | More Apps | Instant Customization | Wrapping Up 1. Introduction to Desktop Customization 1.1 Why Should I Customize My Desktop? Your desktop is simple. You use it...

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How to Upgrade Your Android Phone Without Buying a New One


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It can be hard to resist the temptation of a new smartphone. Yet phone development has slowed to the point where a new device isn’t guaranteed to be that much better than an old one. Especially not $1,000 better, which is what you might end up paying. So maybe a better solution is to get more from your current Android phone. Let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons for upgrading, and how you can work around them. You Want Updated Software As desirable as it is to have the latest version of Android, it isn’t actually...

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