Chatbots for Job Searches: 8 Tips for Finding Jobs and Getting Hired With a Chatbot

Searching for a job is significantly more high-tech than it once was. People used to buy newspapers, search the help wanted section, and highlight ads of interest.

Now, it’s possible to tweak your resume with intelligent algorithms and get job alerts based on preferences. Chatbots have also become useful for boosting job searches. Keep reading to learn how and why to use them.

What Are Chatbots and How Do They Help Find Jobs?

A chatbot is a programmable browser-based or smartphone application that mimics human conversations. Many businesses use them to handle the most frequently asked questions, especially outside of business hours.

Some chatbots act as screeners for in-demand positions. They can determine if you’re a good fit for a job based on your responses to questions.

There are also chatbots that give details about the kinds of work available at a company. Marriott uses one called MC. Advertised as a Career Concierge, the chatbot assists job seekers in determining appropriate career paths. It also lets you explore whether the positions you want most are currently available in your area.

While applying for a job, you may have a simple question, such as the closing date for the position. A chatbot can answer it for you, helping avoid mistakes that might hurt your chances of success.

Ready to get started? Keep reading to learn a step-by-step process.

1. Start With the Right Expectations for a Chatbot

The chatbots used for hiring are getting sophisticated. However, the technology has limitations and chatbot developers know it.

For example, don’t expect a chatbot to answer every question you have. There will likely be times when the bot’s responses are inaccurate or too flat. Fortunately, some developers and employers regularly review questions people pose and update the chatbots accordingly.

2. Be Precise About Role and Location Preferences

Chatbots are smart, but they work best when you provide the most specific information possible. Before you start using one, think about the kind of job you want. Also, consider your geographic range. Are you up for moving to take the right position or is relocation out of the question?

Jobo is a chatbot that searches for available positions based on your parameters. It also prompts you to set up a career profile. After that, you can apply for jobs via Messenger or the company’s website.

Whether using Jobo or another chatbot, the more concise you can be, the better. Otherwise, the search results generated might not apply to your needs.

3. Decide Whether You Want to Make a Career Change

Some people use chatbots to find familiar types of work. Others feel ready to make a major move into another field and might realize they need guidance. If you’re pondering a change of career, a chatbot called Wade & Wendy could help. It recognizes the career growth journey and aims to learn more about you during the job search.

Wade responds to your job ideas and opens new chats as opportunities arise. You can review the details and let Wade know if you’d like to take the next step and interview.

Using Wade requires building a LinkedIn profile. It’s also still in the beta-testing phase, so the chatbot might have a few quirks.

4. Tweak the Notification Settings

One advantage of job-seeking chatbots is that they can look for jobs while you sleep. Most let you choose how often to receive notifications. Be sure to go into the settings of any chatbot you use and change the notification settings if necessary. Doing that eliminates the frustration of near-constant notifications as new postings arrive.

5. Type Your Responses Carefully

The informal nature of a chat window might make you write responses without thoroughly choosing your words. But chatting with a recruitment bot is not the same as a lighthearted conversation or small-talk with your friend. That’s because some employers use chatbots to replace or supplement phone interviews.

The Wendy chatbot handles the recruitment end and works with the Wade bot described above. It encourages informative and naturally-flowing conversations. Therefore, Wendy lets employers spend less time organizing phone interviews so that they can devote more time to other parts of the hiring process.

With that in mind, take all your chatbot conversations seriously. Before hitting send, proofread for spelling and grammar mistakes. Furthermore, re-read the entire response to ensure maximum clarity. You never know if those proactive steps could lead to in-person interviews.

6. Keep Reference Material Nearby While Chatting

Another positive factor about chatbots is you don’t need to rush while using them. You won’t risk annoying a human by taking your time to write thoughtful responses.

It’s in your best interests to keep reference materials close by before starting to talk with a bot. For starters, have your resume handy as a PDF or printed copy.

Some chatbots, such as Mya, check people’s qualifications during conversations. You might think you know your job history by heart, but why take chances? You’ll feel more at ease by having materials to check as needed.

When using Mya, applicants were over three times more likely to hear from an employer. That’s a strong reason to try it. But remember, accurate responses will improve your success.

It’s a good idea to have a calendar nearby, too. Provided you get far enough along in the screening process, some chatbots offer available interview slots.

7. Don’t Be Discouraged by Initial Rejections

It’s essential to give your best shot when talking with a chatbot in hopes of getting a job. If things don’t go your way, though, stay positive.

Stella is a chatbot with a shared talent network concept that recommends jobs based on what your career profile says. If you don’t land a job, Stella automatically considers you for all others in the system. More possibilities appear each day. You just need to log in at least once every 45 days to stay active.

If Stella determines a newly added job is a good fit, you get notified via email or text message alert. Additionally, the companies using Stella do not see your details unless you confirm interest in a position.

8. When to Use Chatbots to Find Your Next Job

Chatbots are undoubtedly convenient but aren’t appropriate in all job-seeking cases. For example, if efficiency is your primary goal, you probably won’t see instant results in your job search. That’s because many of them learn from the ways you reply to potential options. They get smarter from your interactions. If you’re only casually looking for a job and aren’t in a rush, chatbots are great solutions.

Also, consider only using chatbots for the lower-priority positions on your list. Then, you can devote more time to the most-desirable roles.

Maybe you feel you’ve exhausted all traditional resources and still haven’t found a place to work. If so, chatbots could revitalize your search by improving your access to recruiters.

If you haven’t nailed down the ideal characteristics of a new job, it might be too early to interact with a chatbot. As described earlier, the chatbots learn from the feedback they get.

Are you thinking, “I know I want a new job, but I’m not sure what kind”? Figure out the basic details first and rest assured you’re giving a chatbot worthwhile information.

Chatbots: The New Universal Recruitment Tool?

Chatbots could make your job search more streamlined, but only if you’re tech-savvy.

According to a small survey from Allegis Global Solutions, chatbots make some people nervous. Just over a third reported feeling slightly or very uneasy about using chatbots. Talking to one could make you overwhelmed if chatting is not a communication method that comes naturally.

By depending on the tips above, you could let chatbots fuel your job search. They’re not universally advantageous, but you could find they help you make meaningful progress.

Chatbots are just one of many tools you can use to help you find work. Consider using these big job search engines to further assist with your job search.

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How to Track and Locate Your iPhone Using Location Services

Your smartphone’s ability to pinpoint your exact location goes way beyond simple navigation. GPS is used for web searches to deliver relevant local results, in dating apps to find you a nearby date, and as a safety net when you lose your device.

Knowing how to customize your location settings is important, since location tracking presents a real privacy risk. Today we’ll look at how you can manage those settings, as well as sharing your location and finding your friends.

How to Turn On/Off Location Services on iPhone

To turn on Location Services on your iPhone:

1. Launch Settings, scroll down the list, and tap Privacy.
2. Tap Location Services and make sure the toggle is set to On.

Every app that has requested access to your location will appear below this option. It’s here you can easily revoke access, or grant access to an app you have previously denied. It’s a good idea to periodically check this list, since many apps can check on your location in the background.

While GPS used to consume a large chunk of battery power, location technology is way more efficient than it once was. Motion co-processors reduce the reliance on a “GPS fix” by reducing the number of satellite requests your device has to make.

It’s also required to use most mapping apps, exercise trackers, food delivery services, and ride sharing apps. There’s no need to disable Location Services on your iPhone anymore.

How to Send Your Location Using Your iPhone

To share your location using Messages:

1. Launch Messages and find the contact you would like to share your location with (you may need to create a new chat).
2. Tap the Info button in the top-right corner of the screen.
3. Tap Send My Current Location to instantly acquire and share an Apple Maps link.

To share your location using Apple Maps:

1. Launch Maps and wait for the app to acquire your location.
2. Tap on the blue flashing location pin to bring up the My Location pane at the bottom of the screen.
3. Select Share My Location followed by your sharing method: AirDrop, Messages, Mail, Facebook, or another medium of your choice.

To share your location using Google Maps:

1. Download and launch Google Maps for iPhone.
2. Wait for the app to acquire your location, then tap on the blue location pin.
3. Choose to share with select individuals, via Messages, or hit More to reveal the full sharing menu.

Note: Google Maps creates a real-time sharing link which others can use to track your location, rather than a link to a static location.

How to Permanently Share Your Location on iPhone

To share your location permanently from an iPhone, you’re best off using Apple’s own Find My Friends service. This service only works within the Apple ecosystem, so your friends will need iPhones too.

You can also share with non-Apple devices using Google Maps, but it won’t be as reliable.

To permanently share your location using iMessage:

1. Launch Messages and find the contact you want to share your location with (you may need to start a new chat).
2. Tap the Info button in the top-right corner of the screen.
3. Tap Share My Location then choose between One Hour, End of Day, or Indefinitely.

To permanently share your location using Find My Friends:

1. Download and launch Find My Friends.
2. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
3. Specify a contact with whom you want to share your location (they will need to approve the invitation with their Apple ID).

To permanently share your location using Google Maps:

1. Download and launch Google Maps for iPhone.
2. Let the app determine your location then tap the blue location pin.
3. Choose Share My Location then choose Until you turn this off.
4. Tap Select People and specify who you want to share your location with.

Note: Find My Friends is a feature integrated into your iPhone’s operating system, so it functions as a service rather than a third-party app. Google Maps, on the other hand, is restricted to Apple’s approved background processes like any regular app.

As a result, Google Maps likely won’t be as reliable as Apple’s baked-in technology.

How to Check Who Can See Your iPhone Location

To see who can detect your device location using Find My Friends and iMessage:

1. Launch Settings, scroll down, and tap Privacy.
2. Select Location Services followed by Share My Location.
3. Browse the list to see who can track your location.
4. Tap on a contact, scroll to the bottom of the page, and select Stop Sharing My Location where necessary.

If you have set up location sharing in Google Maps, you’ll need to disable it within the app:

1. Launch Google Maps and tap on the blue location pin.
2. Select Share My Location then Until you turn this off.
3. Tap Select People and revoke access to your location as you see fit.

How to Locate Your Own iPhone

If your iPhone is missing, you can locate it provided Find My iPhone is turned on. This feature is automatically enabled when you activate your iPhone, so unless you’ve specifically turned it off you should be able to locate your device:

1. Visit iCloud.com in a web browser and log in with your Apple ID and password.
2. Click on Find iPhone and wait while the location request goes out.
3. Select All Devices at the top of the screen and select your iPhone (or any other device you want to locate).

Find My iPhone lets you play a sound to try and locate your device, enable Lost Mode, or initiate a remote erase. You can also see your current battery level. When your battery dies, Find My iPhone will report the last known location.

If you have another iOS device like an iPad, you can locate all of your Apple devices with the Find My iPhone app.

How to See Someone Else’s iPhone Location

Provided your friends have already invited you to track their location, use any of the following methods to find them:

• Download and launch the Find My Friends app. Anyone currently sharing their location (and any invitations) will show here. Simply tap on them to see their current location on a map.
• Open the relevant Messages chat and tap on the Info button in the top-right corner. Your contact’s location will appear on a map.
• Login with your Apple ID at iCloud.com and click on Find My Friends.

How to Set Up iPhone Location Notifications

You can choose to receive a notification when a contact either leaves their current location or nears another, provided they are already sharing their location with you.

1. Download and launch Find My Friends on your iPhone.
2. Select a contact and wait for their location to update.
3. Tap Notify Me at the top of the page and specify your notification criteria (tap Other to adjust the location and geofence).
4. Hit Done to finalize the alert.

Location Sharing Is Caring

The perks of using your iPhone’s GPS abilities to share your location with friends and family vastly outweighs the battery life you’d save by turning off Location Services. Just be mindful of which apps and contacts you grant access to your location, and review the list periodically to avoid any nasty surprises.

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The 12 Best Period Dramas to Watch on Netflix

American audiences love a good period drama, especially those set in olde worlde England. The most recent example of this genre is Downton Abbey, which has captivated American audiences.

However, Downton Abbey is far from the only period drama worth watching. And, as it’s only available on Netflix in Canada, Australia, and Japan, you’ll probably want to know what other period dramas are worth watching.

In this article, we list the best period dramas available to watch on Netflix right now. And we can personally recommend each and every one of them.

1. Sense and Sensibility

Sense and Sensibility was the first published work by acclaimed British author, Jane Austen. It went on sale in 1811. The novel follows the story of the Dashwood sisters as they leave their home to move into a distant relative’s small cottage.

The 2008 television adaptation is a three-part series starring Janet McTeer, Charity Wakefield, and Hattie Morahan. It won nominations for several awards, including Outstanding Costume Design, Best Score, and Best Cinematography at the BAFTAs.

2. The Duchess

The Duchess is a 2008 drama about English aristocrat Georgiana Cavendish, the Duchess of Devonshire. Keira Knightley takes the lead role. She is ably supported by Ralph Fiennes, Hayley Atwell, Charlotte Rampling, and Dominic Cooper.

The plot takes you on a journey through the Duchess’ loveless marriage, the sexual double-standards of the time, and the poor treatment of women in the 18th century.

3. The Crown

The Crown is one of the best Netflix originals. It tells the story of the life of current British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. The first season starts in 1947 when Elizabeth marries Prince Philip and ends with Princess Margaret’s engagement to Peter Townsend in 1955.

As the series progresses, the modern day comes into focus, making it less of a period drama. The fourth season features the election of Margret Thatcher in 1979.

And in case you’re interested, Queen Elizabeth has watched the show. She reportedly enjoyed it, but found some aspects to be “too heavily dramatized.”

4. Juana Inés

For the fourth show on our list, we depart European shores and head to 17th century colonial Mexico. Juana Inés was one of the most important figures in both the Spanish Golden Age and Mexican classical literature. She was a nun, scholar, poet, and philosopher who won plaudits for battling the entrenched dominance of men in the religious and scientific worlds.

The seven-part series is filmed in Spanish, so make sure you turn on the subtitles (or learn Spanish using these free apps).

5. When Calls the Heart

Let’s stay in the Americas. When Calls the Heart tells the story of Elizabeth Thatcher, a young Canadian woman who leaves high society to become the only teacher in a small coal-mining village on the west coast of the country.

The series starts in 1910, and there are five seasons for you to enjoy, along with three Christmas specials. Erin Krakow takes the lead role, with Daniel Lissing being the main supporting actor.

6. The Tudors

The British royal family perfectly lends itself to period dramas, and The Tudors is the second show on the list that uses them as inspiration.

This show takes you back to 16th-century England and the reign of Henry VIII. The four series each cover an important aspect of the king’s life. His fallout with the pope, his marriage to Anne Boleyn, the reformation revolts, and the siege of Boulogne all enjoy ample coverage.

The Tudors received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Drama Series in 2007.

7. North and South

The 1800s were a unique time in Britain. The century began with the industrial revolution taking hold across the north of the country and ended with Queen Victoria leading the largest empire in the world’s history.

North and South takes place in the middle of the century, around the time of the Great Exhibition 1851. The show is based on the 1855 book of the same name by Elizabeth Gaskell.

The plot follows Margaret Hale, a wealthy southerner who moves to the industrial north. Stories about class and gender are a reoccurring theme, as is Britain’s increasingly dominant role in the world.

8. Poldark

Poldark is set in the 1800s in Cornwall, a county on the southwestern tip of England that’s famous for its tin mining.

Ross Poldark is the central figure. He returns from the American War of Independence and finds his mineral business in ruins. The main storyline sees him try to wrestle back control of his mines from a rival.

Aidan Turner—one of many actors tipped to be the next Bond—plays the lead role.

9. Parade’s End

Parade’s End is an adaptation of Ford Madox Ford’s trilogy of novels of the same name. The story begins in the build-up to World War I and tracks the lives of three people whose lives interweave in unforeseen ways.

The outbreak of war signals the end of their aristocratic way of life. By the end of the five episodes, the protagonists’ worlds are unrecognizable from those which they previously enjoyed. With Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead role, some commentators have called the show the “highbrow Downton Abbey.”

Note: If you enjoy TV shows and movies about the two World Wars, check out our list of films everyone who loved Dunkirk should watch.

10. Pride and Prejudice

The BBC adaptation of Jane Austen’s second work is now more than 20 years old, but it has aged exceptionally well. The series was responsible for turning Colin Firth—who plays Mr. Darcy—into a household name around the world.

For those who don’t know, Pride and Prejudice is a humorous romantic drama set in Britain’s Georgian era. The story follows the lives of five sisters who need to marry well to secure the future of their estate.

11. Magnificent Century

Are you getting fed up with shows set in Britain? Then let’s head to Turkey. Magnificent Century is about Suleiman the Magnificent, a 16th century Ottoman Sultan.

His 46-year reign saw the pinnacle of the Ottoman Empire. He built an empire larger than Alexander the Great that stretched from modern-day Vienna all the way to the Sahara Desert in the south and the Persian Gulf in the east.

Magnificent Century ran for four seasons before eventually ending in 2013. But it’s all now available to watch on Netflix.

12. The Paradise

We’ll end the list back in Victorian Britain. The Paradise is set in the country’s first department store in 1875. It uses Émile Zola’s novel Au Bonheur des Dames for inspiration.

In many ways, it’s a traditional rags-to-riches story. Scottish woman Denise Lovett arrives at the store and is immediately considered to be a rising star by the owner, John Moray.

The story follows her battles with her co-workers, her fascination with the luxury of modern life, and her feud with the daughter of the shop’s benefactor who wants to marry Moray.

The series ran for two seasons and 16 episodes.

Even More Netflix Recommendations

Period dramas are more popular than ever. In this article, we’ve only scratched the surface of what’s available on Netflix. If you’d like to do your own research, try using Netflix’s secret codes. The code for period pieces is 12123.

And if you have enjoyed our period drama recommendations, make sure you check out some of the other genres we’ve covered in detail here at MakeUseOf. There’s our list of the best British crime dramas and the best Nordic dramas to get you started.

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Krita Is the Free GIMP Alternative You Should Be Using

Free tools are awesome. They empower anyone with a computer and passion to develop their talents. I played around with GIMP and Photoshop when I was a high school student, and years later, I use GIMP in my professional life.

But GIMP isn’t the only option in town. If you’re looking for another way to create visual art, it’s time to check out Krita.

What Is Krita?

Krita is a free and open-source image editor built for the KDE Plasma desktop Linux interface. But you don’t have to know what KDE is or use Linux to fall in love with Krita. You can also download Krita for Windows and Mac.

What Can Krita Do?

GIMP and Photoshop are one-size-fits-all image editors that you can use for a large range of tasks. This makes them versatile, but this can also make them clunky. An interface tailored toward doing everything may not be ideal for the one or two kinds of jobs you find yourself doing often.

Krita is a far more specialized tool. Here’s a taste of what you can use it for.

Krita’s Painting and Drawing Features

If you know how to work a brush and like to do the same with a mouse or stylus, you’re part of Krita’s primary target audience.

Elements are in place to make you feel more like you’re working with actual art supplies rather than a mouse. The initial set of visible tools provide ways to draw using various pencil, pen, and brush styles. Krita lets you edit these brush presets and save your own. Plus, these brushes are pressure sensitive.

Other aspects offer advantages over using actual art supplies. A color wheel and sliders are there for you to select colors with a fair degree of precision. Layers make it easier to work with the foreground and background in whichever order you like. The various selection tools, such as lasso, provide you with the ability to make alterations that are harder to do when working with actual paint.

I haven’t done much painting, physically or digitally, but I found the tools straightforward enough for me to try my hand at drawing this picture:

OK, so it’s probably not going to be hung in a gallery anytime soon, but it’s a good example of what can be achieved quickly and effortlessly. Want a better example of what Krita can do? Over on its website, you can see a gallery of art that people created in Krita alongside interviews where artists explain why they use Krita.

Here’s one artist who uses Krita offering a tutorial on YouTube:

Krita’s Graphic Design Features

Say your work isn’t limited to paintings. You also deal with logos, create banners, and like to make icon packs. Krita can manage those tasks as well.

In addition to drawing freehand, you can drag straight lines or work with shapes. There’s also a basic text tool, making Krita something you can use for book covers and posters.

In older versions of Krita, the text tool leaves much to be desired. Fortunately, the latest version gives you more of the core functions you would expect, such as a window for adjusting the font size, line height, color, boldness, italics, and more.

That’s not all. Many of the changes for Krita 4.0 are geared more toward graphic designers than artists. The developers have updated the vector tools so that it’s easier to switch between the type of fill, stroke, and transform properties. The shape editing tool is now always visible in the toolbox, and nodes are easier to see.

Perhaps more importantly, vector tools now use SVG. Krita 3.0 used the OpenDocuments Graphics (ODG) format. That format was intended for office documents, so Krita’s implementation was not ideal. SVG is an open standard that you can export and open in many different types of software. This change is more likely to benefit graphic designers.

With all of this work, Krita isn’t just a replacement for GIMP. It may be a worthwhile alternative to the Inkscape vector tool as well.

Krita’s Photography Features

Krita’s photography related features aren’t immediately apparent, but if you dive into the menu bar, you will find much of the expected functionality. This includes the basics such as cropping and resizing, along with enhancements such as sharpening.

You will also find filters, such as the ability to turn a photo into an oil painting. Or you can manually tweak the colors in a photo that didn’t come out quite right.

If you are looking for a free photo manager, digiKam is a great option built on the same KDE foundation as Krita. You can download digiKam for Windows and macOS.

Krita’s Animation Features

Tucked away under Krita’s Window & Workspace menu, there’s an interface for animators. Like in a video editor, a timeline appears at the bottom of the app. Here you can track each individual frame of an animation.

This workspace could come in handy when creating video games or when producing GIFs. For a better look, check out Krita’s documentation with examples of how the interface works.

What Else Can Krita Do?

Unlike GIMP, Krita’s interface defaults to a single window. The initial layout is tailored to painting, but like most KDE programs, you can change the toolbars and panels however you see fit.

As far as customizing Krita goes, that’s just the beginning.

Krita 4.0 adds support for python scripting. These scripts can create and manipulate images, add menu entries, and perform various other functions.

You don’t need to be a technical user to benefit from this new code. With python scripting comes support for python plugins. One example plugin lets you manage the pages of a comic book. Another adds a docker window that helps you more easily switch between brush sizes, opacity, and other aspects.

If it feels like I’ve listed off much of the changelog, I haven’t. Take a look at the lengthy and detailed Krita 4.0 release notes. The Krita team has even provided animated videos and GIFs of many of the changes. You can see a number of them in this announcement video:

Should You Download Krita?

Krita isn’t more powerful than GIMP or Photoshop, but it is more focused. Which can be a great thing. One size doesn’t fit all, nor should it.

The same goes for Krita. Give it a try, and if it turns out not to be a good fit, here are more alternatives to Photoshop et al for you to consider.

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6 Disney World and Disneyland Apps for Magical Vacations

When it comes to the “happiest place on Earth,” you’d have to be a real grump to not like Disney’s theme parks. After all, who didn’t grow up with classic Disney icons like Mickey, Goofy, and the various princesses?

Disney’s theme parks are a wonderful place to go and forget about reality, replacing your troubles with some Disney magic pixie dust. But if you don’t regularly visit Disneyland or Walt Disney World, planning these trips could become overwhelming quickly.

Fortunately, there are some great apps to help you get the most out of your Disney vacation!

1. Disneyland

You can’t have a day at Disneyland without the official app. It’s a vital tool to have for your Disneyland experience.

The Disneyland app lets users (with a free account) buy tickets directly, so there’s no waiting in the ticket line. You can also link existing tickets and Annual Passports so that cast members can just scan a barcode from your phone. This lets you avoid getting your physical ticket or passport out each time you enter Disneyland or Disney California Adventure.

Wondering how long the line is for a certain attraction? The Disneyland app not only provides you with a digital map of both parks, but you can check wait times from it as well. This data gets updated constantly, so you know it’s accurate. And when rides are down, you’ll see that too.

You can also filter out character meet-and-greet schedules, dining options, shops, restrooms, entertainment, and special events happening around the parks. Character meets include the time they come out, so you can plan accordingly. You can also make dining reservations directly in the app. This is the best way to get into fancier restaurants, like Blue Bayou and Steakhouse 55.

With Disneyland’s PhotoPass service, you can link a PhotoPass card to your account. Then, photographer cast members can scan your PhotoPass barcode for photo opportunities. You’re then able to download high-resolution digital copies of your photos (for an extra fee).

The new MaxPass lets parkgoers download digital copies of all photos for the day and get FASTPASS selections from the app itself, rather than physically going to FASTPASS distribution points. This is certainly convenient, but costs $10 a day, or $75 added to your annual passport.

The Disneyland app is a must-have for anyone who plans to go or frequently visits the parks. There are also separate apps for other global Disneyland parks.

Download: Disneyland for iOS | Android (Free)
Download: Disneyland Paris for iOS | Android (Free)
Download: Hong Kong Disneyland for iOS | Android (Free)

2. My Disney Experience

If you’re heading to Florida for your Disney vacation, then you need My Disney Experience. It’s the official Walt Disney World app.

With My Disney Experience, you can purchase park tickets directly in the app and have them scanned at the gate. Like the Disneyland apps, you can get wait times for attractions, as well as see character meet-and-greet schedules, parade showings, and more. If you’re hungry, just open the app and check out the closest dining options for you or even make reservations for later.

Walt Disney World is much bigger than Disneyland, since it consists of four parks. It’s easy to get lost, but you won’t with My Disney Experience. The app also provides users with step-by-step directions to all locations across the resort, which is especially helpful for new visitors.

Walt Disney World also has its own FastPass+ system, which you can manage directly from the app. And if you purchase their Memory Maker service, you get unlimited photos taken by their professional photographers throughout the park. You’ll then have the ability to download, edit, and share them with friends and family.

If you’re visiting Walt Disney World, chances are you’re staying at one of the Disney hotels. You’re able check in to your hotel and manage your Disney itinerary with My Plans in My Disney Experience. This includes MagicBands, which is certainly convenient.

Walt Disney World is a beast of a theme park, so My Disney Experience is a necessity if you’re tackling it with your family this summer.

Download: My Disney Experience for iOS | Android (Free)

3. MouseWait

Ever wonder how crowded Disneyland is today? With MouseWait, you’ll get a pretty good idea of how busy the parks are before you get there.

The app shows park hours for the day, as well as the crowd index. This number’s based on the large user base of MouseWait itself, historical algorithms, and massive amounts of real-time historical data. On top of this, you can see which Annual Passes are valid for entry to the park, and which ones are currently blocked.

In addition to providing users with crucial info on how busy the park is, MouseWait includes a complete schedule of all upcoming shows and events right on the front page. Wait times for attractions included in the app are also here. However, these are predictions based on MouseWait’s numbers, rather than up-to-the-minute updates like with Disneyland’s app.

If you’re hungry, you can browse through the menu of every restaurant in the parks, or even search for specific items that you’re craving. MouseWait includes access to the community boards, where you can post and share photos about anything Disney with other parkgoers. Plus, each restaurant’s rated and reviewed by other MouseWait users, so check out their experiences before spending your money.

For those of you who have favorite attractions, shows, or restaurants, just mark them as Favorites in MouseWait so estimated wait times appear on the main screen.

MouseWait covers a lot of aspects for your trip to Disneyland, and it’s a must for any visitor.

Download: MouseWait Disneyland Lounge for iOS | Android (Free)

4. Shop Disney Parks

We all know that cute, although overpriced, merchandise fills Disney parks. But what if you can’t physically make it to the park? Then you download Shop Disney Parks on your smartphone.

With this app at your fingertips, you can browse through a huge selection of clothing, accessories, collectibles, and much more. All the exclusive merchandise on Shop Disney Parks isn’t sold outside of Disney World or Disneyland.

Since there’s a lot of items on offer, Shop Disney Parks has plenty of filters so you can refine your search to specific categories or characters. Or you can just browse the featured categories on the main screen.

Nearly everything is available online, but some items are exclusive to the parks. For these, you can tap Find On Map and it’ll point out all the shops at the park that carry the item. Unfortunately, the biggest caveat to Shop Disney Parks is that it provides item locations for Walt Disney World only.

You can also sign in to your Disney account and get discounts for being an eligible Walt Disney World Annual Passholder, Disney Visa card member, or Disney Vacation Club Member.

If you love exclusive Disney park merchandise, then Shop Disney Parks is a necessity for your shopping needs (or you can save some money and look for deals elsewhere).

Download: Shop Disney Parks for iOS | Android (Free)

5. Eats for Disneyland

Even though most people go to Disneyland for the rides and shows, there’s some pretty good food at the parks. Eats for Disneyland helps you find them.

This is the official app for DisneylandEats.com, a blog that’s dedicated to trying out every unique dish at Disneyland Resort. It’s run by real people who visit the parks frequently, try the food, and give their verdict. And their images of the food are original photographs, not edited to look prettier than they are.

The app presents all their reviews in chronological order, from newest to oldest. It’s visual-heavy, with large thumbnails of each dish containing a text overlay for the dish name and restaurant. It infinitely scrolls, so you can browse to your heart’s content. If you’re looking for a specific restaurant, cuisine type, or food item, just use the filters or search bar.

Their reviews follow a strict formula, and get straight to the point with the price, whether you need a reservation, and their verdict (recommended or not) at the top. Then, you can read their simple and short anecdotes about the food item and service, and once again get their verdict.

If you want to save something to try out next time you’re at the park, add it to your Favorites with the heart button. They also provide the restaurant location on the map, and you can share the review with others.

Disneyland has a lot of original and unique dishes at its restaurants, and this app is a great companion to find the best eats. The other alternative is deciding to eat somewhere off-site.

Download: Eats for Disneyland for iOS (Free)

6. Disneyland Inside Out

Are you visiting for the first time, or prefer some historical information on the attractions? If that’s the case, then you should grab Disneyland Inside Out.

It’s a bit of a dated app, but the information it packs is invaluable. While Disneyland Inside Out has the basics like hours, show schedules, and wait times, it also dives into the backgrounds of each attraction. And for first-timers, there’s even information to help you prepare for certain rides, such as Splash Mountain.

There’s also dining information available in Disneyland Inside Out, though it’s a tad outdated. For example, it still lists Village Haus Restaurant, even though it became Red Rose Taverne in 2017. And with Disneyland always changing the menu items, it’s a good idea to check the restaurant first before deciding from this app.

Disneyland Inside Out also features a community, so you can join in discussions with other fellow Disney fans. Even with the app’s lack of updates recently, the message boards are pretty active.

Despite being a bit older, Disneyland Inside Out still has valuable information for prep and fun facts about rides. It’s worth keeping around if you enjoy the history behind the parks.

Download: Disneyland Inside Out for iOS | Android (Free)

Get Ready for Your Disney Vacation

Every summer, thousands of people visit one of the many Disney parks around the world. Whether you’re a seasoned Passholder or first-time visitor, these apps are sure to make your magical Disney vacation even better.

If Disney’s not within your budget this vacation season, there’s always next year. It’s never too early to start planning for summer vacation. Or you can prep yourself with virtual Disneyland tours through Street View.

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Why MacBook Keyboards Break So Easily (And How to Fix Jammed Keys)

3 Quick Fixes for When the Windows 10 Photos App Isn’t Working

Having issues with the Photos app on Windows 10? At times, the app may refuse to open certain types of images or crash whenever you try to use it.

This is a pain since Photos is the default picture viewer in Windows. But don’t worry, we’ll show you a few fixes to try!

1. Reset the Photos App

Before proceeding, you should try a quick reset of the app. Windows 10 allows you to reset any Store apps to send them back to defaults.

To do so, open Settings and open the Apps category. Use the search box to quickly jump to Photos. Click its entry, then select Advanced options. On the resulting screen, click the Reset button to initialize the Photos app. Note that this will remove any custom settings in the app, and it may take a bit to become usable again.

2. Reinstall Photos

If your app still doesn’t work after the reset, you can try a full resintall of Photos. Unfortunately, Windows doesn’t let you uninstall Photos normally, so you’ll have to either remove it via PowerShell or using a third-party uninstaller. CCleaner can do the job if you have it installed.

Right-click on the Start Button and choose PowerShell (Admin). Enter the following command to remove Photos:

get-appxpackage *Microsoft.Windows.Photos* | remove-appxpackage

Once you’ve done this, re-download Photos from the Store and see if it’s fixed.

Download: Photos (Free)

3. Try Another Photo App

Should both of the above steps fail, you’re best off using another photo viewer. We recommend replacing it with IrfanView, but any photo viewing app will work. If you like, you can even restore the old Windows Photo Viewer in Windows 10.

Download: IrfanView (Free)

Hopefully, one of these solutions will work for you. While Photos is decent, a third-party app gives you access to many more tools.

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How to Change the Colors of Command Prompt

Have you ever stopped to notice how bland the Command Prompt window looks? Even after all this time, it’s still white text on a black background. It’s like a throwback to the early days of computing.

Let’s be honest, the app’s design isn’t exactly modern either—but we can’t do anything about that. We can, however, change the default colors of the Command Prompt app and jazz up the color scheme. Let’s take a closer look.

How to Change the Color of Command Prompt

To change the default colors of Command Prompt, just follow the simple step-by-step instructions below:

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Type cmd and press Enter.
3. Click on Command Prompt to open the app.
4. Right-click on the app’s title bar.
5. Select Properties on the context menu.
6. Click on the Colors tab at the top of the window.

You now have several options to play with. In the upper left-hand corner of the window, you’ll see the four properties you can change. They are Screen Text, Screen Background, Popup Text, and Popup Background.

Color-wise, you can either select one of the pre-loaded options or enter your own RBG values in the box on the right.

Lastly, at the bottom of the window, you can change the Command Prompt’s opacity. You can set a very high opacity if you choose suitably bright text colors. While you’ve got the Properties window open, it’s worth exploring the other tabs. You can change settings such as the cursor size, font, and text size.

If you’d like to learn more about the app, check out our guide to the best Command Prompt tips and tricks.

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How to Publish Images From Lightroom to Instagram Directly

If you’re a photographer that does most of your editing in Lightroom, with the use of a little plugin, you can also publish your photos straight into Instagram right from your desktop.

If you don’t use Instagram’s filters or editing features, and aren’t planning on adding multiple photos to one post, you can use LR/Instagram plugin to add captions and publish your photos. The plugin is shareware, meaning you can downloaded it for free to test it. If you plan to continue using it, you can register it for $10.

How to Install and Set Up the Plugin

1. File > Plugin Manager or use the keyboard shortcut Shift + Alt + Cmd + Comma.
2. Click the Add button.
3. Navigate to the extracted plugin on your computer.
4. Click on the file and click Add plugin.
5. Go to the Library screen in Lightroom and on the left scroll down to find Publish Services. (If you’re not seeing Publish Services, go to Window > Panels > Publish Services to open it.
6. You should see LR/Instagram in the list of publishing options. Click Set up.
7. Under Instagram Account enter your username and password and click login.
8. Once you’re logged in, click Save.

Other settings you can adjust after you’ve logged in to your Instagram credentials includes limiting the number of photos you post at a time and determining whether deleting the image in Lightroom will delete it from Instagram.

How to Publish Images From Lightroom to Instagram

Now that the plugin is set up, you can start publishing photos you’ve edited in Lightroom directly to Instagram:

1. In Library view, navigate to the image you’ve edited. In the panel under the right find Metadata and in the dropdown menu at the top of the panel, select LR/Instagram.
2. You’ll see a field where you can add your caption and hashtags. (If you want paragraph breaks in your caption, you should write it up in another program and then just copy and paste it into the Lightroom caption.)
3. Drag the image(s) you want to publish to the LR/Instagram folder under Publish Services.
4. Click on the Instagram photos folder and click Publish.

If you’re looking for a way to publish your photos from your desktop computer but don’t use Lightroom, you could opt for this Chrome trick to post directly to Instagram.

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How to Use Snapchat: A Complete Beginner’s Guide

No matter how much experience you have with Snapchat, the chances are you have some questions about how this social media platform works.

This guide is available to download as a free PDF. Download How to Use Snapchat: A Complete Beginner’s Guide now. Feel free to copy and share this with your friends and family.

Hundreds of millions of people now use Snapchat every month. Most of these users are under the age of 25, and have grown up navigating the ever-changing world of social media apps.

However, while most social media apps have a clear purpose and function, Snapchat is simultaneously a news source, instant messenger, public broadcast platform, selfie-taker, and #1 source of that dog tongue filter. Honestly, even for its most experienced users, Snapchat can be pretty confusing.

To help, we have put together a single resource where you can learn exactly how to use Snapchat. Whether you want to send pictures of your breakfast to your best friend, participate in a location-based story, create a Bitmoji, or catch up on your favorite celebrities, this article will answer all of your questions…

What Is Snapchat?

Released in 2011, Snapchat began as a way to send friends pictures (the titular “snaps”) that would automatically disappear 10 seconds after being viewed. But that was only the beginning.

Now, Snapchat is really more of a social media platform than a singular app. You can still use the app to send and receive silly photos, but you can also use it to share an ongoing “story” of photos and videos from your day (either publicly or with friends), instant message your friends, follow the lives of celebrities, or keep up with current events by watching location-based stories happening near you.

Confused? You’re not the only one. So keep reading to learn more about all of the features that are now available on Snapchat.

Snapchat Glossary

You’re not imagining it – Snapchat has its own language. If you don’t know a Filter from a Lens, a Story from a Sticker, or what the heck a Bitmoji is, we’re here to help.

Here’s a short guide to Snapchat as a Second Language:

• Bitmoji: A cartoon character that looks like you, with a variety of different poses and expressions that you can add to your snaps and chats.
• Emoji: Just like most other messaging apps, Snapchat has a collection of smiley faces, animals, flags, and symbols that you can add to messages and snaps using your phone’s keyboard. This may also refer to the emojis next to your friends’ names – some of these have a secret meaning.
• Filters: Filters are photo editing tools that you apply after taking a snap, like “black and white,” “slow motion,” or “glow”.
• Friends: Friends in snapchat are the people you choose to add to your contact list. If you send enough snaps to each other, you may become “best friends”!
• Geofilter: A geofilter is a filter that appears automatically based on the location you are currently in.
• Geosticker: A geosticker is a sticker that appears automatically based on the location you are currently in.
• Lens: Like a filter, but you can apply a lens to your image before you take the picture or video. Many lenses distort your face in funny ways, give you animal ears, or change your voice.
• Memories:  Want to save your snap forever? Snapchat Memories allows you to look back at saved photos and videos that you sent in the past.
• Sketch: A staple feature of Snapchat, the sketch feature allows you to draw on top of any picture that you take.
• Snap: The name for any photo or video that you take and send using the app.
• Snapcode: A QR code associated with an individual user. This makes it easy to add new friends.
• Snap Map: A map that shows you your friends’ locations, and all of the stories happening near you.
• Snap Streak: When you and a friend send snaps back and forth within 24 hours you start a snap streak. Your snap streak counts the number of days that you have snapped each other.
• Sticker: A sticker is like an emoji, but you can change its size and location on your snap. The app personalizes several stickers based on your location, the time of day, and any events happening near you.
• Story: A story is a collection of snaps that you play in sequence. You can create a general story for your day, add to a public story, watch a celebrity’s story, or create a specialized story for a single event. Usually these expire after 24 hours.
• Trophy: Snapchat awards trophies to users for completing certain combinations of actions on the app. How many can you collect?

How to Set Up Snapchat

Start by downloading Snapchat for iOS or Snapchat for Android — it’s only available as a mobile app. When registering, the app will ask you for your name, date of birth, username, password, email, and phone number.

Choose your username carefully, because there’s no option to change it in the future.

After you create your account, Snapchat will guide you through the steps you need to take to start using the app.

If you want, Snapchat can access your contacts to see which of your friends is already using Snapchat. Alternatively, you can skip this step using the button in the top right-hand corner and add your friends manually instead.

That’s it. The selfie screen will now open automatically, and you’re all set.

Navigating the Snapchat App

Snapchat is a maze. Here are the key screens you need to know about to find your way through the app and access the features you want to use.

1. Camera Page: This is the “main page” of the app, and it’s where you go to take photos and videos using the front or rear camera. While taking a snap you can add lenses, and after taking a snap the page will automatically load the filters, geofilters, sketch tools, and stickers available for you to use.
2. Profile Page: Find this page by pressing the outline of a person’s head and shoulders in the top left-hand corner. This page shows you your Snap Code and Snap Score, and gives you access to your Trophies, Stories, Contacts, Bitmoji, and Settings (the gear in the top right-hand corner)
3. Friends Page: Find this page by tapping the chat bubble in the bottom left-hand corner or by swiping to the right. This page shows you all of your friends and current conversations. This is where you can check on your snap streaks, snap or message friends directly by tapping on their name, and place audio calls or video calls to friends.
4. Memories Page: Find this page by tapping the image of two photos in the bottom centre of the camera page, or by swiping up. This page gives you access to your saved snaps (memories) and phone’s camera roll.
5. Discover Page: Find this page by tapping the map icon at the bottom right-hand corner of the camera page, or by swiping left. This page lets you watch stories from celebrities, publications, and events around the world. You can also access the Snap Map by pressing the search bar – it will load as your first result!

How to Add Friends on Snapchat

Snapchat is only fun if you have friends to snap with. You can add people you already know by letting Snapchat access your contacts, or pressing Add Friends on your Profile Page.

Use the top search bar to search for friends using their username, or press Snapcode to add a friend using a photo of their unique snapcode.

If you want to follow a celebrity or brand on Snapchat, you can try searching for them by name. But, beware, as there are a lot of fake accounts out there. You’re better off looking for the person’s information on another verified social media platform, or checking this list of verified Snapchat users.

How to Take (and Send) a Snap

You’re navigating the app like a pro, and you have friends to talk to — it’s time to send your first snap!

Taking a snap is as easy as one, two, three:

1. Choose whether you want to take a selfie or a rear camera photo. You can switch between these two options by pressing the lens button in the top right-hand corner of your screen.
2. Press the Circle in the bottom centre of your screen to take a photo. If you’d prefer to take a video snap, press and hold the button to film. When you remove your finger the camera will stop filming.
3. Press the Blue “Send to” Button in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen. We’ll talk about editing your snaps later – for now, simply select the friend or story you wish to send the snap to, and hit “send” in the bottom right to confirm.

How to Send a Photo From Your Phone on Snapchat

Already taken the perfect picture? You don’t need to try to replicate it on the Snapchat app. Immediately under the circle button you’ll see an icon with two rectangles overlapping. Press that icon to access saved snaps and your camera roll, then send your photo using the method above.

How to Chat With Friends on Snapchat

Do you want to use Snapchat for instant messaging? Then simply tap on their name on your friends page, and use the buttons at the bottom of the screen to navigate your chat options.

Moving left to right:

• Memories icon: allows you to send your friend a saved snap
• Phone icon: will let you start a voice call with your friend
• Circle button: lets you take a snap to send directly to this friend
• Video icon: lets you start a video call with your friend
• Smiley face icon: lets you send a Bitmoji to your friend

Like snaps, your chat messages will disappear after you view them a single time.

Want to save a message to re-read later? Press and hold on the message to pin it to your chat.

How to Use Snapchat Stories

Snapchat stories are easily one of the most addictive features of the entire app. This is the best way to tell a cohesive story about an event you’re at, showcase a vacation, or answer questions from friends and fans. Your snaps remain on your story for 24 hours, and can be viewed an infinite number of times before being deleted.

Unfortunately, Stories are also one of Snapchat’s most confusing features. Here’s what you need to know…

How to Make a Snapchat Story

You can add to your story by taking a snap the usual way and then selecting “My Story” as one of the recipients.

Or, you can navigate to the “My Story” button on your Profile Page to take a snap that will be sent directly to your story and no one else.

From your Profile Page you can also choose to make a “New Story”. This story will be separate from your default story. These stories can be a “Private Story” (only you can add to the story, and only invited friends are able to view it), a Custom Story (you choose who can add to the story and who can view it), or a Geo Story (visible to you and anyone nearby).

Your Profile Page also lets you change the privacy settings of any story. Just press the “…” button to change an individual story’s audience.

Want to save an entire story for later? Press the download button next to the story you want to keep.

How Do I Know Who Has Viewed My Snapchat Story?

View your own story by pressing the circle button next to your username on your Profile Page. Then, tap the tiny arrow found at the bottom of your screen. It will slide up to show you how many views your snap has (the eye icon) and how many screenshots have been taken (the overlapping arrows).

Want to delete a snap from the story? Press the garbage can icon. Or, if you’d rather save an especially good snap forever — simply tap the download icon at the bottom right.

How to Watch Someone Else’s Snapchat Story

All of your friends’ stories are found in the circle next to their username on your Friends Page. Tap on the circle, and enjoy watching what they’re up to!

To navigate a story, you:

• Tap the screen anywhere to skip a snap before it times out
• Press and hold the screen anywhere to send the snap to a friend
• Pull down to exit out of the story

How to Add to a Snapchat Our Story

Want to participate in a public story curated from snaps submitted by tons of unrelated users? These may be linked to an event, a geographical location, or a worldwide theme.

To participate, take your snap like normal from the Camera Page. Then, instead of “My Story” select “Our Story”. Your photo will be reviewed, and then will be available for anyone to view publicly based on your location or event.

Our Story is an incredibly fun feature. But be careful, as you never want to give identifying information or locations in your public snaps — the photos could go anywhere or be seen by anyone.

How to Block People on Snapchat

Snapchat can be a lot of fun, but like all social media there’s a dark side. Unfortunately, bullying and harassment can easily happen on an app that immediately deletes most of its content.

If someone is being offensive, creepy, or even just annoying, you don’t have to put up with it!

To block a user after they have snapped you, tap and hold on their user name. A menu will appear on your screen. Press “settings” and then Block. If you simply don’t want to be friends with them anymore, you can also choose “Remove Friend”.

How to Use Snapchat Discover

Snapchat Discover is equal parts chaotic and fun. Immediately your feed will be populated by shortened stories from publications around the world.

If a Discover story draws you in, you can swipe up to read the full article. Or, tap and hold to send the snap to a friend.

Don’t like what you see? Press and hold on any story that you aren’t interested in and choose “See Less Like This”. This will help Snapchat’s algorithms give you only the content you want.

If you especially like a publication, you can press and hold on their story. Then, choose “Subscribe” — these stories will now show up higher on your newsfeed.

How to Use the Snap Map

Much like the Our Story feature, the Snap Map is a really cool feature that also has some privacy issues. Don’t let that put you off, but do read our Snapchat security tips first.

On the plus side, the Snap Map lets you see cool events around you, keeps you up-to-date with your friends’ activities, and helps you find fun things to watch around the world.

On the other hand, if you don’t choose your settings carefully, your friends can watch your every move on a scarily accurate map!

To find the Snap Map, go to the discover screen. Then, tap on the “search” button at the top of the screen. Your Snap Map should appear as your first result.

Press on the map to open it fully. Now, you can scroll around — if your friends have Bitmojis it will be easy to recognize them no matter where in the world they are.

In the top right corner of your Snap Map there is a Settings icon. Tap on this icon to access a menu that lets you access “Ghost Mode” (where no one can see your location), choose which friends can see your location, or create a Bitmoji.

How to Make a Bitmoji on Snapchat

You might already be familiar with Bitmoji — they were made for Facebook years and years ago. If you don’t already know, you can think of a Bitmoji as an emoji that looks just like you!

You can customize a small cartoon character (or avatar) that Snapchat then animates into a number of different expressions, emotions, and poses that you can then integrate into your snaps. Your Bitmoji will also be featured on your friends’ Snap Maps so that they can easily locate you.

The easiest way to create a Bitmoji is to press the “Add Bitmoji” button on your Profile Page. But, as mentioned above, you can also access the feature through the Settings icon on your Snap Map.

After you press “Create Emoji” you’ll be asked to download a separate Bitmoji app. Then, the app will guide you through creating a character in easy-to-follow steps.

You can use your Bitmojis as stickers in any snaps or chats you send! (See below for more information on using stickers).

Bonus Snapchat Features

Are all of these basic features not enough for you? Don’t worry — Snapchat is full of extra features for you to explore.

How Do You Earn Snapchat Trophies?

Snapchat trophies are awarded for the most random of accomplishments, and no one truly knows the full extent of the trophies out there. Try using as many features as possible and sending snaps regularly — you’ll be amazed at how fast the trophies pile up.

To view your trophies, go to your Profile Page. There, you can press the “Trophies” icon to view your Trophy Case. Press on each trophy to learn how you earned it.

How Do You Increase Your Snap Score?

The exact algorithms behind the Snap Score are a closely guarded secret. You can view your score on your Profile Page, directly under your name.

All we can say for sure? The more active you are on Snapchat, the higher your score. If you figure out the exact formula for raising your Snap Score, please let us know.

What do the Snapchat Emojis Mean?

Sooner or later you may notice that Snapchat has a set of emoji hieroglyphics placed next to your friends’ names. These emojis will change based on how you and your friends interact with each other.

Curious about their exact meanings? Check out our list of surprising things Snapchat users should know.

How Do You Get a Snap Streak?

Snap Streaks appear next to the name of any friend that you snap every day. Each time you both snap each other a photo or video (text messages don’t count) within a 24 hour window of time, you add one day to your snap streak. How high can you go before one of you breaks the streak?

Getting Creative With Your Snaps

Basic snaps are fine enough, but the real fun of Snapchat happens when you get creative with your snaps. After taking your snap, you’ll see a row of icons appear along the side of your image.

Here’s what each of them lets you do, in order from top to bottom:

How to Add Text to Your Snap

Type in any message you want, then change the color and font to give your message just the right amount of emphasis.

How to Draw on Your Snap

This was the first feature ever released, and it’s still key for adding emphasis (or art!) to your images and videos.

Change your brush size by pinching or expanding your fingers on the screen. You can also change your ink color using the rainbow slider at the side of the screen.

Undo any mistakes using the rewind arrow in the top right corner.

How to Add Stickers to a Snap

You can scroll through endless sticker categories (including ones based on your location, the time of day, or the weather), or search for your favorites using the search bar.

This is another great place to use your Bitmoji to add some truly individual expression to your snaps.

Simply click on a sticker to add it to your snap. You can now press and drag on the sticker to move it around, or pinch your fingers to change its size or rotate it.

Want to delete a sticker? Press and drag it over to the garbage can icon that appears at the end of the list of icons.

How to Make Your Own Snapchat Sticker

Is there an especially funny part of your snap that you want to duplicate in the future? Click on the scissor icon, then the add sticker icon to outline the part of your snap that you want to save. It will appear on top of your snap, where you can modify it like any other sticker. These stickers will appear under the “scissor” screen of your sticker menu in the future.

How to Hide Blemishes on Snapchat

Is there a part of your snap that you want to clean up? Instead of using a third-party editor (which is WAY too time consuming for a simple snap), press the scissor icon and then the star icon. Highlight the blemish, speck, or sunspot you want to remove and snapchat will automatically blur it into the surrounding area.

How to Add a Backdrop on Snapchat

Want to have a fun pattern overlaid on your snap? Press the scissor icon and then the scribbled-square icon. You can choose from several predefined backgrounds.

Use your finger to outline any part of your snap that you don’t want to be affected by the backdrop — this can be a great way to emphasize a key detail.

How to Change an Object’s Color on Snapchat

Press the scissor icon, and then the paintbrush. You can now draw on any area of your snap that you would like to tint a specific color (choose the color from the rainbow slider). This can be a great way to highlight key areas of a snap or make your picture of the  sunset a little more brilliant.

How to Add a Link on Snapchat

Want to use your snapchat to link to a webpage? Simply press the paperclip icon and enter your target URL. A preview of the page will appear, and once you know it’s the page you want, you can press “Attach to Snap”.

How to Change Your Snap’s Time Limit

The stopwatch icon changes the amount of time that your snap is visible for. You can choose a time between one and 10 seconds before the snap disappears. Or, choose the infinity symbol – meaning that the viewer will have to tap the screen to move past your snap. Be careful though, as this allows more time for screenshots!

Add Filters to Your Snap

There aren’t icons for filters — you add them by swiping left and right on your photo. Be careful not to accidentally move a sticker when you do this.

You can’t edit filters the same way you can other design elements, so what you see is pretty much what you get. Filters change daily and are often based on your location, so check out your selection regularly.

There are also fun filters for video snaps like slow-motion and reverse.

How to Use Snapchat Lenses

Snapchat lenses are a little different from most other Snapchat design elements because they are added while you are taking your snap, not afterwards. To access the lenses available today, tap the Camera screen. Then you can swipe through the small circles that appear along the bottom of the screen and give yourself a preview of the different lenses available.

Have fun — a lot of these lenses add sounds and fun effects that react to the movements you make on the screen.

There’s an almost infinite number of Snapchat Lenses out there, so get busy sending them all.

How to Delete Your Snapchat Account

Has this all been a little much? Or are you too addicted to designing “Snapsterpieces” and need to take a break from it all?

Deleting your Snapchat account isn’t as easy as you might think. The easiest way to delete your account is to use this link:

accounts.snapchat.com/accounts/delete_account

After entering your username and password, your account will be deactivated for 30 days. After 30 days pass, your account will be permanently deleted. Logging back in at any time during the 30 day period will completely reactivate your account.

Just need a little break from notifications? You can log out from your account by going to your Profile Page, selecting Settings, and scrolling down to the “Log Out” button.

Does Snapchat Make Sense Now?

This guide should have helped you understand Snapchat a lot better than you did previously. Unfortunately, Snapchat has a habit of updating the app and changing how it all works. So make the most of this moment of clarity!

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What’s the Problem With NCH Software & How to Remove It?

A few years back, downloading and installing tools developed by NCH Software was more trouble than it was worth. The concern wasn’t the software—NCH Software provides good, niche converters and a huge, varied range of media editing tools—but the unwanted add-ons, extra browser toolbars, and other issues that took away from the software at hand.

Are NCH Software products inherently bad? Or is it time to reconsider NCH’s old and possibly outdated reputation? We dove in and tested it ourselves.

NCH Software: Who Are They?

Founded in 1993, NCH Software develops software out of Canberra, Australia. They also have a US office in Greenwood Village, Colorado to cater to their US customers.

NCH Software develops and releases a huge number of media editing and file conversion utilities and more. These tools include sound editors, accounting software, document converters, CD label makers, inventory management, an FTP client, and even a free point-of-sale system.

As you see, NCH Software offers a broad selection of tools. Downloads are available directly on their site, as well as across the web on several free software download sites.

NCH Customer Service

NCH Software’s customer care appears vastly improved now than in the past. We previously reported that NCH Software shuns the most popular social media channels, but as of this writing, they seem quite active on Facebook and Twitter (and I’ve seen them post on some tech forums too).

The most common course of action they offer is directly contacting their Software Technical Support team. Furthermore, the main NCH Software site has a “Chat Now” feature that’s quick to respond and offers direct support on some issues.

That said, the level of support depends on your paid-for Technical Support Plan. (All NCH Software users have access to email support, but paid users receive priority help ahead of free users: Platinum ahead of Gold and Gold ahead of Silver.)

Useful Software for a Fair Price

NCH Software offers a surprisingly broad range of editors, converters, and other software. They’re often one of the first search results to pop up too, especially when looking for a specific conversion type.

You might wonder if a company with such a vast array of software cuts development corners. It doesn’t appear that they do. However, there are significant differences between the free and paid versions of their products.

You can download and install the majority of NCH Software’s catalog free of charge. The free period usually lasts around one month, and during that time you have complete, unfettered access to the utility.

When that period ends, you have two choices: pay for a license to continue using the full version, or fall back to a restricted-but-functional free version.

NCH Software Licenses Explained

NCH Software sells licenses for their products. One common complaint against NCH Software is that their licenses seem to expire when software versions change. You can find numerous forum posts wondering why a particular piece of software refuses to accept a paid-for license after an update.

The answer lies in the small print. When you buy an NCH Software license, you are purchasing a license only for that specific product version:

“Our program versions are updated regularly and your serial number purchased is valid for the version available for download at that time, and new releases for six months after.”

In that, you can upgrade your license and the product version for up to six months following your purchase. That’s admittedly not a long time, but it does explain this particular issue that users seem to have. And you now know to upgrade as often as possible during those six months.

Unfortunately, this can cause problems if you delete your NCH Software utility but want to reuse it at a later date. In that case, you should head to the NCH Software List of Old Versions site, which lists a huge number of old product versions for download.

Is NCH Software Safe?

“The insidious creep of NCH Software will spread across your PC slowly at first.”

Our first review of NCH Software many years ago took a dim view of NCH Software’s business practices at the time.

Since then, NCH Software has acknowledged that “a bug in a few of our programs was changing file associations,” adding that it was “completely unintentional” while “apologizing for any frustration and difficulties” the bug caused. NCH Software fixed the file extension hijacking bug in January 2016, nearly two years after our original review.

Similarly, a separate bug caused some NCH Software utilities to overpopulate the right-click context menu. This bug is also now fixed and obsolete.

Why Is NCH Software Flagged as a Virus?

“In the past, NCH Software has offered consumers the option to download an Ask or Google toolbar along with their software application.”

NCH Software utilities no longer come with any form of browser toolbar or other bundleware. For a long time this was certainly the case, but as of July 31, 2015, all toolbar downloads ceased.

You can check this out for yourself by downloading and running any NCH Software installer. There are no additional boxes to tick, and I can personally attest to the fact that nothing nefarious mysteriously appeared on my system even after testing a wide range of different utilities.

Another easy test is to use the malware scanning tool Virus Total. Drag and drop any NCH Software installer onto the “Upload and scan file” icon and wait for the results.

There are anomalies from time to time, but they can be explained: The internet is full of sites that offer free software downloads, and unfortunately for both you and NCH Software, some of these sites repack software installers and add their own bundleware. Always download NCH Software utilities directly from the NCH site to avoid this issue.

Problems Uninstalling NCH Software

NCH Software does have some quirks.

One of the major complaints often leveled at NCH Software is the difficulty users encounter when trying to uninstall their applications. While this may have been true in the past, I didn’t encounter any difficulties using the official uninstall method (through Windows Programs and Features).

After uninstalling, context menu additions were gone and all file associations were also removed.

However, there is one thing to note: NCH Software creates a large number of registry entries, and many of these registry entries are left behind by the uninstallation process. If you want to truly clean your system of NCH Software, you have to manually clean your system registry.

How to Completely Remove NCH Software

This falls into the “times you actually need to clean the registry” category. The vast majority of the time, you should steer well clear of the registry.

Making changes to the registry can have unexpected, damaging consequences. However, in this instance, you can just use Revo Uninstaller to manually delete all registry entries relating to NCH Software.

1. Download and install the free version of Revo Uninstaller.
2. Open Revo Uninstaller and scroll to the NCH Software you want to remove.
3. Right-click the utility and select Uninstall.
4. Select Advanced from the “Scanning modes” and then Scan.
5. The scan reveals all remaining registry entries relating to the utility. Hit Select All, then Delete, then Next.
   
6. On the next screen, delete any remaining folders (note this might delete saved files, media, or projects relating to NCH Software).
7. Your system is clear of the NCH Software utility. Repeat as required.

Note that NCH Software leaves some registry entries behind to stop the abuse of their free trial policy.

NCH Software: The Final Verdict

Ultimately, the choice over whether to trust and use NCH Software remains with you. Their approach to software has definitely changed over the years—customer service improvements, social media engagement, and the removal of bundleware are all excellent, positive steps.

The original MakeUseOf review of NCH Software was damning—and rightfully so. But now, we believe NCH Software products are generally worth using, especially if you’re willing to pay for full versions of their products (the restricted free versions do leave a bit to be desired).

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Google Home and Google Home Mini smart speakers go on sale in India

Google’s two smart speaker products — the Google Home and Google Home Mini — and its Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL smartphones are now available in India following a launch event in the country.

The devices are priced at Rs 9,999 ($154), and Rs 4,499 ($69), respectively, and Google confirmed that they are available for purchase online via Flipkart and offline through over 750 retailer stores, including Reliance Digital, Croma and Bajaj Electronics.

The Google smart speakers don’t cater to India’s multitude of local languages at this point, but the U.S. company said that they do understand “distinctly” India voices and “will respond to you with uniquely Indian contexts,” such as answering questions about local sport, cooking or TV shows.

For a limited time, Google is incentivizing early customers who will get six months of Google Play Music alongside offers for local streaming services Saavn and Gaana when they buy the Home or Home Mini.

Google Home and Home Mini were first announced at Google I/O in 2016. The company said recently that it has sold “tens of millions” of speakers, with more than seven million sales between October 2017 and January 18.

Still, it’s been a long time coming to India, which has allowed others to get into the market first. Amazon, which is pouring considerable resources into its India-based business to battle Flipkart, brought its rival Echo smart devices to India last October.

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