22 August 2017

How to Set Up and Use Your Roku Streaming Stick


If you have made the decision to cut the cord, there’s a good chance you have also decided to invest in a Roku Streaming Stick. With streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, personal media apps like Plex, and a vast catalog of private channels at your fingertips, a Roku Streaming Stick can provide almost all the video entertainment you could wish for. But like any new piece of kit, it takes some time to set up correctly. Yes, it’ll plug-and-play straight out of the box, but to really reap the benefits of a Roku Streaming Stick you’ll need to put...

Read the full article: How to Set Up and Use Your Roku Streaming Stick


Java Exceptions: Are You Handling Them Right?


An Exception in programming signifies an exceptional condition at some point in the program execution. It is used when the exceptional condition can be handled better elsewhere rather than where it is encountered. Consider the following examples: Failure to open a configuration file can be better handled higher up in the code, maybe by using an alternative configuration file location. Accessing an array item outside the bounds of the array signifies a program bug. Happy debugging! An XML parsing error should be brought to the notice of the user so the XML file can be corrected. The program running out...

Read the full article: Java Exceptions: Are You Handling Them Right?


21 August 2017

11 Thrifty Sites to Find Low Prices on “Back to School” Supplies


There are a lot of things that have gone digital over time. But something students will always need physical products for are school supplies. Whether it’s pencils and notebooks or backpacks and book bags, students need them. And what everyone needs is a way to save on those school essentials. These 11 websites will help you save both money and yourself from the crowds at the stores. Shop the Stores 1. Discount School Supply Discount School Supply offers good deals for discounts on merchandise plus free shipping. You can currently receive $10, $25, or $50 off your purchase and free...

Read the full article: 11 Thrifty Sites to Find Low Prices on “Back to School” Supplies


Never Go Online Without a VPN: Here’s Why


Virtual private networks (VPNs) have experienced a surge of interest since Congress voted to allow ISPs to sell your browsing history. It’s not always clear exactly why you should be using one though. Sure, it can help you unblock geo-restricted content on streaming sites like Netflix. However, a VPN can dramatically improve your security and privacy by routing your traffic out of the reach of eavesdropping governments, ISPs, and malicious hackers. While using a VPN at home is a good idea, it is even more important when on-the-go. Public Wi-Fi networks have a number of security issues, and you can’t...

Read the full article: Never Go Online Without a VPN: Here’s Why


Stupid Yet Entertaining Games to Play in the Office Whilst Your Boss Isn’t Looking


If you’re reading this in the office, then shame on you — why aren’t you working? Shouldn’t you be doing something more productive with your boss’s time? You know, fun activities like spreadsheets, photocopying, and email. Chances are if you do work in an office environment, your internet wings have been clipped and your access to guaranteed time-wasters like social media is restricted. Is it time to find something else to pass the time when you’re at your least productive? Well, here we present to you a small collection of games to play in the office that you and your coworkers...

Read the full article: Stupid Yet Entertaining Games to Play in the Office Whilst Your Boss Isn’t Looking


Are There Too Many Streaming TV Services?


So, you’ve dumped cable and launched yourself into the world of cord-cutting. But what now? How do you know which services to subscribe to? Is it possible that there are just too many TV streaming services to choose from these days? You browse through the libraries of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu, and see some of your favorite shows on each — you sign up for all three. But wait, you still want to be able to watch live TV, so you add a subscription to Sling TV or PlayStation Vue as well. It’s probably best to get a...

Read the full article: Are There Too Many Streaming TV Services?


Understand and Beat Procrastination With the Time Wasters Chart


Everyone procrastinates. Ready to stop? Track the problem to its source! Here’s how to figure out what kind of procrastinator you are, and do something about it. We all know the feeling. We have the time to do a job today, but it’s not really due until next week. It’s often easier to procrastinate than it is to get something done. However, as it turns out, not all procrastination is exactly the same. Dr. Joseph Ferrari of DePaul University (Chicago, Illinois) outlined three basic schools of procrastination in the following flowchart. Make your way through the graphic and see which...

Read the full article: Understand and Beat Procrastination With the Time Wasters Chart


How Is Your Sleep App Actually Tracking You at Night?


Getting a good night’s sleep is an essential part of having a good day. Unfortunately, too many of us experience restless sleep on a regular basis. Not that long ago there were limited choices for monitoring sleep. You could keep a diary, try to get to bed earlier, ask your partner about your sleeping routine, or visit a costly sleep clinic. Times have changed thanks to technological improvements and a better understanding of what happens during sleep. New monitoring solutions take many forms. Some track your sleep patterns with devices that attach to your bed, while others use wearable fitness...

Read the full article: How Is Your Sleep App Actually Tracking You at Night?


Are You Using the Best Snapchat Filters? Find Out With the Full List of 100+


Snapchat’s selection of filters, lenses, and geofilters change daily. It’s great for adding some variation to your selfie game, but can also be more than a little overwhelming. If you want to pick the best Snapchat filter for your photos, you should know what options are out there — and we’ve got you covered. This Snapchat filter list covers the essentials — the basic filters Snapchat offers, how to access your local geofilters, and as many lenses as we could track down at the time of writing. We also have some suggestions for you about when each photo editing tool...

Read the full article: Are You Using the Best Snapchat Filters? Find Out With the Full List of 100+


3 Ways You Can Use Android as a Desktop Operating System


Android is without a doubt the world’s favorite mobile operating system. But how does it fare on desktop and laptop computers? You probably know that phones and tablets feature Google’s Android operating system. You might even know about the TV boxes powered by Android. Whenever you use these devices, Android feels smart and intuitive. No instruction manual is required. Which is why it might come as a surprise to find Android can run on standard computers. But really, this should be no surprise. Touchscreen or otherwise, Android is user-friendly and familiar to so many people. In mid-2017, developer Jide announced...

Read the full article: 3 Ways You Can Use Android as a Desktop Operating System


How to Disable Facebook’s Popup Comments Tab


When you comment on a Facebook post, whether that of a friend or someone in a group, you’re automatically subscribed to receive notifications for every single new comment. If you aren’t a fan of this, you won’t like what Facebook added to this feature. To ensure that you don’t miss a single comment on certain posts, you’ll now see a popup tab with new comments on posts that Facebook thinks you care about. The tab mimics a chat window, but instead is a series of threaded comments on the original post. It’s unclear how Facebook determines which posts matter to you, but you can...

Read the full article: How to Disable Facebook’s Popup Comments Tab


How to Hide a File in your Google Drive in Plain Sight


The files in your Google Drive are either private (only visible to you) or they can be seen by specific people with whom you have chosen to explicitly share the file. In the case of folders, any file contained inside a shared folder can be seen by all users who have access to the folder.

Let’s consider a slightly different scenario where you have a shared folder in Drive any you don’t want other users to see a particular file inside that folder.

A simple option is that you move the file outside the folder. There’s an alternate workaround as well that will help you easily hide files in Google Drive folders through ‘camouflage’ without requiring any add-ons or extensions.

Hide Secret Files in Google Drive

The trick is simple.

Google Drive allows you to store multiple versions of a file and if you upload a new version of a file, the previous version is preserved as well. The file versions can be of different mime types so you can upload a PDF file first and then replace it with an image or a video file.

The old PDF file would still be available in Google Drive though hidden in plain sight. Here’s a step-by-step guide.

  1. Go to drive.google.com and upload the file that you wish to hide from other users.
  2. After the file is uploaded, right-click the file in Drive and choose Manage Versions.
  3. Choose Upload New Version and upload another file – say an unsuspecting photograph of a building.
  4. Now rename the original file to, say, image.jpg – you can give any file name and extension.

Google Drive will automatically update the thumbnail of the file to that of the most recent vesion. Also, if someone double clicks the file to open it, all they’ll see is an image preview.

This video tutorial describes the steps in detail.

Keep your Hidden Files forever

Google Drive, by default, stores the previous version of any file for 30 days and then deletes them. However, if you right-click the file in Google Drive, choose Managed Versions, select the 3-dot vertical menu and check Keep Forever, your hidden file would be around fover.

google-drive-hide-file.jpg

Here’re a few other things should should know about file version in Google Drive.

  • If you create a copy of the file (File > Make a Copy), the new copy will only hold the current version of the file.
  • If you grant view access to the file to another user, they cannot see the other versions of the file.
  • Versions take storage space. If the original file is 10 MB and you replace it with an image that weighs a mere 2 MB, the file will still consume 10+2=12MB space in your Google Drive.

 


How to Try the Newly Redesigned Skype on Windows and Mac


Skype is a curious app. It took VOIP telephone calls to the masses for the first time, and in the pre-WhatsApp era, it was the king of internet chat. Fast-forward to today and a lot has changed. It no longer enjoys an unrivaled hegemony over its rivals. Even apps like Instagram and Snapchat have started to eat into its user base. As such, Microsoft sensibly decided it was time to give the aging app a refresh. The preview version of the update can now be downloaded by anyone to try out. What’s New in Skype? As the tech world moved...

Read the full article: How to Try the Newly Redesigned Skype on Windows and Mac


How to Get Free Loot Boxes in Overwatch With Amazon Prime


While many games let you buy items outright, Overwatch only offers items through Loot Boxes. You earn one each time you level up, but can also purchase them with real money if you want a certain item and need to speed up the process. But if you’re an Amazon Prime member, there’s a special gift waiting for you: anyone who’s part of the Twitch Prime service can grab five Loot Boxes for free. This offer is only available until September 10 — after that, another free set will appear in October. Start by visiting the Twitch Prime Overwatch page. If you’re not...

Read the full article: How to Get Free Loot Boxes in Overwatch With Amazon Prime


19 August 2017

Wiredrive - Dropbox Alternatives For Agencies

For nearly a decade, Dropbox has helped media companies and creative agencies collaborate on their projects with greater efficiency. While many have embraced the benefits the service offers, enough time has passed for teams to realize that Dropbox is not tailored to everyone’s needs. Specifically, agencies that work extensively with video have found that slow upload speeds, poor playback quality, and limited branding options make Dropbox an imperfect tool for their projects. As video becomes a more ubiquitous component of the digital landscape, the demand for an alternative option has grown.

The collaboration app Wiredrive is one such option. Built specifically for teams who work heavily with video, Wiredrive streamlines the digital media management process and optimizes team collaboration. Offering fast upload and download speeds, as well as enhanced branding, presentation, and organization tools, it’s a Dropbox alternative designed to address the particular needs of creative and interactive agencies.



Finding a new, reliable option is only half the battle, though. Most groups have already been using their current collaboration app for several months or years, and migrating to a new file hosting service can seem like an intimidating task for agencies. The prospect of moving all your media assets from one cloud over to another can appear overwhelming, and if members of your team have grown accustomed to the interface and function of one service, the idea that they may need to learn to work with a new digital media management product could discourage you from making the switch. While you may appreciate and understand the benefits of another option, you might not feel prepared to actually start using it.

Fortunately, Wiredrive offers a solution to this problem. By allowing users to upload files from their current Dropbox accounts, Wiredrive smoothes the transition process. If you’re already using Dropbox, you can continue to do so, knowing that nothing you work with there will be lost as you begin to explore the usefulness of a new collaboration app. Should you plan to phase out Dropbox use at your agency, you can do so gradually. Rather than making a sudden shift, team members can acquaint themselves with the features and tools offered by a new service. Products that boost the efficiency of team collaboration tend to be most effective when groups embrace them naturally, instead of feeling that they’ve been forced to learn something new.

For creative agencies, Wiredrive also has the added benefit of integrating with popular Adobe software, including Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects. Team members can work on their projects and sync them directly via the Wiredrive panel, significantly reducing the learning curve and allowing them to focus on the creative work.

Dropbox made an impression, but for creative agencies, it’s not the ideal collaboration app. Boasting features that allow for more efficient digital media management, as well as tools which make the transition period much simpler for teams, Wiredrive is an option more fitting those in the creative fields

Sarahah and Other Yik Yak Alternatives for Honest Anonymous Feedback


yik-yak-alternatives

Anonymity is one of the internet’s greatest offerings. You can easily mask your identity online, while still getting to do and say what you want to. This anonymity lends itself to more honesty, since there aren’t repercussions. A new social network has gone viral, which promises to let you get honest feedback. Now that anonymous app Yik Yak has shut down, this is a void that needs to be filled. Apps like Sarahah and some other alternatives can do just that. Keep in mind, if you choose to use these apps, you are inviting people to comment about you. These...

Read the full article: Sarahah and Other Yik Yak Alternatives for Honest Anonymous Feedback


10 Free Ringtones That Sound Like Real Phones


Changing your ringtone is one of the best ways to personalize your phone, but many people don’t bother to swap out the default ringtone on their devices. How many times have you heard this in public and mistakenly thought it was yours? Thankfully, you have thousands of possibilities for a better ringtone. We’ve previously shown you sites that let you download all sorts of ringtones, but today we’re going to focus on ringtones that sound like actual phones. Whether you’re going for a vintage effect or want to mimic a ringtone from TV, these will do the job. 1. Universal Hollywood...

Read the full article: 10 Free Ringtones That Sound Like Real Phones


Microsoft Claims “Bing Is Bigger Than You Think”


Do you use Bing? Do you know anyone else who uses Bing? We’re guessing the answer to both of those questions is “No”. However, it turns out, according to market share statistics released by Microsoft, that plenty of people actually do use Bing. Which means some of you are lying to us. Bing has been with us since 2009. Over the course of those eight years, the latest incarnation of Microsoft’s search engine has blossomed into something beautiful. And yet it still never seems to get the same level of attention as Google. Perhaps we all just need a reminder...

Read the full article: Microsoft Claims “Bing Is Bigger Than You Think”


Coding Boot Camp for Beginners: Should You Take One?


coding-boot-camp

Programming offers a bevy of career opportunities. From web development to app development and even DevOps, coding is a useful skill. With the rise in popularity of coding, boot camps spawned as a quick means to learn programming fundamentals. These comprehensive courses provide an entry into the coding space. Find out what a coding boot camp is, what you’ll learn, and discover if it’s the right fit for your programming journey! What Is a Coding Boot Camp? Image Credit: skeeze via Pixabay A coding boot camp is similar to an exercise boot camp. Well, sans the physical exertion. Instead, it’s...

Read the full article: Coding Boot Camp for Beginners: Should You Take One?


How to Sideload Apps Onto Your Amazon Fire TV Stick


sideload-apps-amazon-fire-stick

With its compact size and ultra-affordable price, the Fire TV Stick is one of the best Amazon devices you can buy. It comes with a small app store of entertainment and news apps, plus a few casual games. But you can add more too. The Fire Stick runs Android, so in theory, you can sideload almost any Android APK file, just as you can on your phone or tablet. This means you can run Kodi, a web browser, a podcast player, or a VPN on your Fire Stick. In this guide, we’ll take a look at the best ways to...

Read the full article: How to Sideload Apps Onto Your Amazon Fire TV Stick