Tag Archive for: save

Save printer ink, avoid malware, speed browsing

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You need a timer and you need it fast. Do a Google search for “timer” and one appears right there for you to use. There’s a stopwatch option, too. Easy, right?

Here’s another smart tech tip I’m surprised so many people mess up. Most people fill in the email recipient section before writing the message. That’s a mistake. Make that your very last step — that way, there’s a much lower chance you’ll send an email before it’s truly ready to send.

Don’t stop there. Let’s dive into easy, quick tech tips you’ll use all the time.

Cybersecurity 101: After you download a PDF file online, look at the file extension. You’re looking for .pdf. If the filename ends with .exe, delete it — it’s likely malware.

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Shhh: You can instantly silence incoming calls on your smartphone by simply pressing the side button, volume up or volume down button once. Nice.

YouTube shortcuts: On your computer, tap keys 0 through 9 to skip to a specific percentage of the video. Press 5 for 50%, 8 for 80% and so on. But wait, there’s more! Press J to rewind and L to fast forward. (“JLo” is an easy way to remember that.) But press K to pause first.

Forgetful? Do this! Are you that person who reads an email or text, mentally reminds yourself to reply later … and never does? Stop relying on memory alone! Mark the text or email as unread. You’ll find this in the options of your email or convo. You can also say, “Hey Siri/Google, remind me to share Kim’s newsletter at noon.”

Skip the garage: Next time you hang a frame, grab your phone instead of finding a level. On iPhone, open the pre-installed Measure app. Tap Level, then hold your iPhone against an object. On Android, open the Google app and search for “bubble level.”

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Quick text search: You know you sent someone a pic but can’t find it. On iPhone, open Messages, tap a convo then the person’s profile photo or group name….

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New computer game lets you decide how to save Social Security

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Computer games are usually built around an overarching goal: Kill the zombies, win World War II, rescue Princess Zelda. Now gamers have a new mission: Keep Social Security solvent.

“The Social Security Challenge” is an online, interactive experience created by the American Academy of Actuaries, a professional association that provides statistical analyses for public policy. The game is now on the Academy’s website — and you can play it for free.

Linda Stone, a senior pension fellow at the Academy, said the purpose of the initiative is to educate the public about the funding shortfall bearing down on the New Deal-era program — and the many ways Congress could solve it.

“There are a lot of misconceptions about Social Security,” Stone said. “And as Social Security reform has become more of a topic of conversation lately … I think it’s important for the public to understand what the options are so they can evaluate what they’re hearing.”

Social Security is America’s largest entitlement program. This year, it will pay out more than $1 trillion in benefits to 67 million Americans — including 48.6 million retirees, 7.6 million disabled workers, 5.9 million survivors and all their dependents. 

But this lifeline is rapidly approaching insolvency. According to last year’s report by the program’s board of trustees, Social Security will only be able to make 80% of its scheduled payments by 2035, or 74% by 2096. 

But that’s only if Congress does nothing — something that’s unlikely to happen, given that more than 90% of Americans support the program. And as the Academy’s new game makes clear, there are still many ways to save it — whether by increasing taxes, cutting benefits or taking over steps — before it’s “Game Over.”

That’s where you, Player 1, come in. In the Social Security Challenge, you begin by exploring “Townsville,” a SimCity-looking community of average Americans. Right away, it becomes clear this is not like other video games. As you visit Townsville’s stores and offices, you are armed not with a bazooka but with a journal. And as animated citizens pop up and speak to you, your task is not to blow their brains out, but to take notes on their concerns.

“Hello, I’m Vince,”…

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Six marine safety devices that could save a fisherman

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My fisherman left at five this morning without a Garmin InReach because we couldn’t find it. Recent engine trouble makes me nervous, but what can I do? It’s the nature of the beast, boat stuff happens, and my husband, Chris Dabney, needs to pull traps “today.”

Commercial fishing is not the enemy, but rather anxiety, and over the years, Partners of Commercial Fishermen (POCFs) have learned to tame the worry. However, it is reassuring to have more than good vibes and a satellite phone to protect your fisherman, especially with stories like this from Jim Colomy, a forty-year spiny lobster commercial fisherman out of Santa Barbara, California:

“I’ve fished alone for years now. After a close call years ago when my seat broke, and I almost went over while my boat was doing 16 knots on autopilot, I bought a kill switch from Emerald Marine.”

 *Gulp*

His wife, Jolene, offers excellent tips on raising a family with a fisherman here, and his daughter, Lauren, confirmed dad’s advice with an Instagram DM. (Hey, Lauren!) 

application on phone that shows location of commercial fishing boat

personal Direct message from Instagram recommending a marine safety device from Emerald Marine

Here’s a quick reference for marine safety devices to make this easier because it’s confusing AF:

MMSI: “Marine Mobility Service Identity Number.” 

I relate an MMSI to a boat’s social security number plugged into the vessel’s VHF radio system to broadcast the boat’s position for travel and emergencies. I believe you need an MMSI number to connect with a few devices linked below. 

VHF Radio: “Very High Frequency” Radio. 

Or the walkie-talkie-looking thing that truck drivers also use. Channel 16 is the primary channel to contact the Coast Guard and communicate with other vessels. Vessels connect on channel 16, then move up or down to connect on a less public channel to share information (or shoot the sh*t).

MOB: “Man Overboard.” 

When someone falls off the boat and into a body of water. 

PFD: “Personal Flotation Device.” 

PFDs are usually designed as vests with manual or automatic deployment.

PLB: “Personal Locator Beacon.” 

A basic tool using satellite signals to locate a person anywhere in the world, both land and sea. Transmits signals for up to twenty-four hours. Generally not waterproof unless specified on the device. 

EPIRB:…

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We’re chiming in to help save you up to $124 on Ring’s best cameras

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While Ring might be known for making some of the best video doorbells on the market, it has applied its long history in that space to security cameras. The holiday shopping season is great for bringing peace of mind to your home with new cameras. Whether it is getting a couple more to finish out your system or you are getting started, we’ve rounded up the best Ring security camera deals for you right here.

Ring is discounting nearly all of its cameras during the holiday season, and the Ring Indoor Cam is perfect for adding coverage to the inside of your home — especially when it’s as cheap (opens in new tab) as it is during these holiday sales. The compact camera is easily set up and ready to start monitoring your house. The Ring app offers you complete control over the camera, including setting up motion zones, reviewing events, and even chatting using the two-way communication feature.

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