13 July 2017

Why a Digital Inheritance Vault Can Protect Your Online Data


digital-inheritance

It is easy to hoard digital accounts. I’m sure most people cannot remember every account they’ve ever created. The internet is a vast place. Services come and go. Sometimes creating an account is the only way to get access to a specific file or publication. Add in your enormous digital footprint — photos, music, videos, and so on — and keeping track of what is important becomes difficult. The succession of your digital world is becoming equal to your physical life. We make a will declaring how we can our earthly belongings at the moment of death, so why not consider our digital...

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How to Annotate Screenshots and Images on Android Like a Pro


screenshots-images-android

Taking a screenshot is a common practice for smartphone users to show the world what they’re seeing. It is an extremely effective way for professionals working on software products to point out specific things in the interface to their peers. You can see how important they’ve become with Apple introducing easily accessible annotation tools in iOS 11. Many Android phones, like the ones made by Samsung, already have built-in annotation features. Your Android phone may or may not, so let’s talk about interesting apps that help enhance your screenshot or image before sharing. 1. How to Highlight a Portion of...

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Why Hardly Anyone Calls Linux “GNU/Linux”


gnu-linux

You’re interested in Linux and have read a few blog posts. Along the way, you’ve come across a funny name: GNU/Linux. What do those letters mean, and why do people keep appending them to Linux? I can answer that question, and as I do, I’ll be dropping you into the middle of a debate that has persisted in the Linux world for decades. Now, with that out of the way… Linux or GNU/Linux, which is it? What Is GNU? The decade is the 1980s, and the computer industry is in a period of transition. A Supreme Court involving Apple case...

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The Complete Windows 10 Creators Update Troubleshooting Guide


The Windows 10 Creators Update has been available since early 2017. If you’ve not upgraded yet, you can grab a copy of the latest build directly from Microsoft’s website. As with any operating system update, some users have been reporting bugs and annoyances. If you’re one of the affected users, it can be frustrating. Your productivity will suffer. But don’t worry. Whether it’s a problem with the installation process or an issue that’s arisen after a few months of usage, MakeUseOf is here to help. We’re going to investigate some of the most common problems with the Creators Update and...

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The Best Cases and Covers for the Kindle, Paperwhite, Voyage, and Oasis


best-covers-kindle

Amazon’s Kindle series is the best of all ebook readers out there. But like with any gadget, it isn’t immune from damage. Plus, some people don’t like the soft plastic feel much. Put a cover on it and you’ll protect your Kindle — but it also changes the reading experience. Amazon makes its own cases for all Kindles, but with that branding comes a higher price tag. It’s unnecessary too since most third-party case makers offer the same or better product for cheaper. Now, only you can figure out which Kindle is right for you. But no matter which one...

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This Is the Easiest Way to Create a Pie Chart in Microsoft Excel


pie-chart-excel

A pie chart is a wonderful tool for displaying information visually. It allows you to see the data relationship to a whole pie, piece by piece. Plus, if you use Microsoft Excel to track, edit, and share your data already, then creating a pie chart is the next logical step. By using a simple spreadsheet of information, we will show you how to make a useful pie chart. And once you get the hang of it, you can explore options using more data. Import or Enter Your Data The most important aspect of your pie chart is the data. Whether...

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5 Reasons You Need to Stop Using Free VPNs Right Now


free-vpn-stop

I know, free VPNs are tempting. After all, why would you want to pay for something you can get for free? It’s the same reason illegal Kodi boxes and IPTV subscriptions are so popular. But just like pirating the latest films has a downside, so too does using a free VPN. You’re going to compromise your safety, security, and possibly even your personal data. Oh, and your privacy, even if they are “virtual private networks.” Paid VPN services — like ExpressVPN — don’t charge a lot of money per month. They are will within the budget of most people and offer a...

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5 Ways To Bypass Torrent Connection Blocking


There’s a worldwide war against torrents right now. Content-makers and copyright holders are trying their best to shut down access to torrent hosting websites. Some ISPs (Internet Service Providers) are under pressure to block all torrenting activity. But there are still some ways you can bypass these torrent blocking efforts. In a world where you don’t need to be a pirate any more, blocking the illegal download of copyrighted works should no doubt be stopped. But blocking the act of torrenting, which can also have legitimate purposes, isn’t the right way to go about it. That hasn’t stopped some over-zealous...

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What Is a PDF File and Why Do We Still Rely on Them?


pdf-files

Have you opened a PDF this week? Chances are you work with them regularly. Despite some other file types fading into obscurity, PDFs are still a popular choice (despite Adobe Reader becoming unnecessary). Have you ever wondered why this is? Let’s explore how PDFs work, why they’re important, and the reasons they still enjoy so much popularity. The History of PDF PDF stands for Portable Document Format. Created by Adobe, it first launched in the early 1990s as a way to completely store a document in one file. Because the web was young when PDF was growing, they were mainly...

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Never Get Stuck in Traffic Again With Google Home or Google Assistant


One of Google Home‘s biggest advantages over competitors like Amazon Echo is the surrounding Google ecosystem and all the data that comes with it — and it all works right out of the box. Don’t have Google Home? You can use Google Assistant instead. One place you can really see this shine is when using Google Home or Google Assistant to check traffic conditions. It works at any time for any destination. Just use the following voice commands with the specific address or the name of a store or business: “How long will it take to get to Costco?” “How long will...

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Get a Heads-Up on Cutting-Edge Tech With Microsoft’s New Podcast


It’s not always easy to find podcasts you want to listen to, especially ones about technology. It seems comedy and crime are the two vogue genres of the podcast world at the moment. So when a fresh podcast comes along, it’s certain to grab our attention — and the new .future podcast from Microsoft has done exactly that. If you love tech talk, it won’t disappoint you. I promise. Wait, Microsoft Makes Podcasts? Yes! It seems the tech giant isn’t solely focused on making operating systems and collecting as much of your data as possible. While several of the company’s developers...

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You Can Now Use PayPal to Buy Stuff on iTunes


Apple is finally playing nicely with PayPal by allowing its users to set PayPal as their payment method. This means that Apple fans in 12 countries will now be able to use PayPal to pay for purchases from the App Store, Apple Music, iTunes, and iBooks. Which previously wasn’t possible. Apple has always maintained a tight grip over the payment methods used on its platforms. Which was bad news for PayPal users and even worse news for PayPal itself. Now, Apple is relinquishing a little bit of control over how you pay for stuff while ensconced in the Apple ecosystem…...

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The 5 Toughest Samsung Galaxy Cases Money Can Buy


Smartphones aren’t made to last. Sure, there are exceptions like rugged phones meant for outdoors, but those are outliers. When you buy a new phone, it’s smart to put a case on it for added protection. Samsung is the largest worldwide seller of Android phones today. Naturally, plenty of third-party accessory manufacturers make cases for its phones. But you need to avoid low-quality accessories. So let’s find out the toughest cases you can buy if you’re a Samsung user. LifeProof Fre Series Since the launch of the Galaxy S5, Samsung’s flagship phones have been water-resistant. But well, water-resistant doesn’t mean...

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Make TextEdit More Powerful With These 9 Hidden Features


textedit-powerup

When it comes to native Mac apps, TextEdit is perhaps the most foundational. It’s a simple text editor that seems rather unexciting, especially with all of the other great text editing options out there. But TextEdit has a few tricks up its sleeve that make it a great option for all sorts of tasks. It doesn’t have the power of its third party competitors, but don’t dismiss it out of hand! Let’s look at what this Notepad killer can do. 1. Version History Because TextEdit is tightly integrated into macOS, it gives you the opportunity to keep track of the version history...

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32 Genius DIY Hacks for Phones and Tablets


smartphone-diy

Smartphones and tablets have taken their place as the dominant form of consumer technology. We almost all have one or the other. More often than not it serves as our media center, social hub, reference and organizer all in one. We have covered ways to recycle your old phone or what to make with an old tablet, along with when it is a good idea to try to repair your own phone or when to leave it up to the professionals. Today we are concentrating on DIY hacks for your current phone or tablet. This mega list is split up...

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Prime Day Is Over But Today’s Deals Are Just as Good [US/CA]


Prime Day has already ended, but don’t worry, there are still some tremendous deals available! In fact, many of these are all-time lows! US Deals TOMOLOO Hoverboard with Bluetooth Speaker (Refurbished) ($273.75) TOMOLOO Hoveroard with Bluetooth Speaker and Lights - Black Hover Board with App UL2272 Certified… TOMOLOO Hoveroard with Bluetooth Speaker and Lights - Black Hover Board with App UL2272 Certified… ▶ Verified Safety: Comply with all U.S safety regulations Buy Now At Amazon $273.75 Lowest Price: Today’s Deal ($273.75) Average Price: $374.19 User Rating: 4.6/5 (FakeSpot Grade: D) Deal Quality: Good Panasonic Link2Cell DECT 6.0 1-Line Bluetooth Cordless...

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