Technology

Climate change is a very real issue. Since scientific recordings detecting ozone thinning from excessive use of CFS gases contained in various home devices from the 1970’s the larger issue of carbon emissions has only become common knowledge in the last decade.

Something so vital to our very existence on the planet was perhaps so great, contradicting the evidence seemed to some as a means of shelving the concern that the global community faced.
Despite this, more and more people are lobbying governments to take action and making personal decisions as a means of improving the way we treat our environment.

Climate change researcher, Steven Fisackerly, has made studies into the impact household energy consumption has on global temperatures. He makes a compelling case that on something so devastating to sustained life on earth, the opportunity to make small amendments at home can have great consequences if played out across a national scale.

Here are 4 ways to reduce energy consumption at home.

Change all light sources to LED

Incandescent light bulbs contribute to 30% of energy consumption in an average home, recent studies conclude.
Considering the heat alone from a 60w lightbulb can fry an egg in 20 minutes demonstrates the energy emitted from a single light source is extremely high.
Thankfully the range and availability of LED light bulbs across retailers provides a simple solution to this issue. Available with various color temperatures, incandescent light bulbs should be discontinued from any household.

Insulate windows and loft

During winter months, temperatures across the UK have been known to plummet to minus figures. Considering the rising energy costs and the ever more demand for keeping homes warm, insulating the home is perhaps the most important thing one can do to keep warm.
It is a given that most homes have some form of roof insulation. However, extending insulating measures inside walls like applying double glazing can reduce the usage of radiators by 6 hours per day. Annual savings of £3k in an average household can cover the expense of double glazing.

Low setting for boiler

Water boilers are an essential aspect of all households. In light of our reliance and high usage they are prone to disrepair regularly.
For this reason and counter intuitively, keeping a boiler operating all day but at a low setting of 14 degrees can greatly benefit its life span and maintain a healthy level of accumulative heat.

The temptation to burst the temperature up during cold snaps in winter months can exhaust components and creates a high stress on energy provision. Power stations employ strategies to cater for these surges. By altering one’s treatment of boilers, we can save power plants energy creation by 40% per quarter annum. It also saves the cost of repair and replacements.

To read more on topics like this, check out the Technology category

Most of us want to wear the latest clothing trends and which means we have to go shopping for clothes regularly. However, shopping turns out to be very expensive, especially if you want to buy the latest branded pieces. This doesn’t mean you should stop buying new clothes. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can save money and still have a full closet with great clothing pieces.

Clothes are fun, and they speak about your personality. So, buying new things will make you always look sharp, attracting other benefits in your life.

In this article, we will go through some of the ways you can save money when you go clothes shopping.

1. Out of Season Shopping

This is probably the best and most commonly used way to save money while shopping for new clothes. We all know that it is very exciting to buy the latest pre-season clothing pieces, but when you are buying in anticipation of what season is next, you are actually paying the maximum retail price.

If you want to save a lot of money, you should buy clothing for the next season. Every shopping center has huge discounts when the summer or winter season is over just so they can get rid of any unnecessary stock. This is the perfect time to buy your clothing pieces and save them for the next season.

2. Go for Generic Basics

There are many types of clothing, and if you are buying layering pieces that you would usually wear under all clothes like plain tees or tank tops, you should avoid going for brand names. This would be an unnecessary expense since no one is going to see them, and they last just as long as a no-name brand. Remember, your undershirt’s job is to keep sweat off you, so stick to stuff that is not expensive.

3. Avoid Shopping in Factory Outlets

People often make this mistake where they are easily attracted to outlets with more than 50% off retail price. However, outlets are usually full of clothing pieces that did not perform well last season, and there is always a good reason for that like poor fit, unflattering color, damaged goods or etc. Most outlets have made up starting price, and the “sale” price, which seems like a good bargain for you, is the real price of the product. Additionally, items made for outlets have much lower quality, and all you will be paying is the label.

4. Slow Down on Trends

As you’ve probably already noticed, you cannot save money if you want to follow the latest clothing trends all the time. Fashion is moving forward rapidly, and in order to keep track of every new trend, you need to continuously update your closet. Additionally, the latest clothing trends are super expensive, and if you wait for the next season, you can get the same pieces for half the price.

Instead of falling for fast fashion trends, you should only buy trendy clothing items that you genuinely like and match your style. Follow the right expert tutorials on social media and YouTube. Just like when you bet on the Kentucky Derby contenders following horse racing expert websites like TwinSpires, you should also follow experts who you can rely on for shopping trends.

5. Go for a little DIY

Personalization of your clothing is a great way to leave an impression and also make something that is different from any other design. DIY trends are very popular at the moment. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should make your own clothes. This is a great way to add additional items like the hand-sewing button, dye your shirts, and much more. Customizing your clothes is a great way to bring back to life some of the clothes that you do not even wear anymore.

6. Let the Hunt Begin

In order to catch the latest promotions and price drops, you need to be ready for the hunt. Following your favorite clothing stores on social media can help you stay informed about all of their promotions. Additionally, you should go and check out their stores just because they have “last piece” promotions that they usually don’t advertise. If you want to save money, you need to be ready to strike when you see a great deal.

These are some of the ways you can save money while clothing shopping. It is important that you do not underestimate the power of great promotions and clever managing through your closet. You will be surprised at how much money you can save.

To read more on topics like this, check out the Technology category

When it comes to online tutoring Chicago has an enormous amount of talent and finding an online tutor here is very simple, there are both private companies and individuals who can help you out. Whilst you can get anyone from anywhere in the world to help you out with tutoring, going local not only supports the local economy but there is also a level of familiarity there and the opportunity of a face to face meet up should it be required. I have used online tutoring for a large number of topics which have studied in the past and it is something which brings with it so many benefits. If you are still in education, or perhaps back in education, here are some of the benefits which you can expect from online tutoring.

Cost

The cost of online tutoring is significantly lower than face to face tuition and that is based purely on the logistics of the operation. Instead of having to lose time and money on transport, the tutor simply needs to load up their computer or tablet and give the class straight from the computer.

Class Quality

Because of the fact that computers are interactive it makes the class quality so much better and images, videos and links which support the learning and add to the standard of the class which is given. Many think that because tutor and student aren’t in the room together that it diminishes the quality but that is not the case at all and when you consider how easily the class can be given, you start to see the real value of a virtual class.

Comfort

Whilst it may not be a benefit for everyone, I certainly found that because I was in a relaxed place, in my own home, I could really ramp up the concentration levels and things just made much more sense when I did things this way. I would always make sure that I was ready for the class in my study, not taking it from bed, but being in my own surroundings was such a joy and it really helped me to learn faster.

Open Up

I do agree that a local tutor is best but that is not to say that every tutor is going to be around the corner, and that is where online tutoring is able to bridge the gap. Chicago is a big place and if I were to be having lessons in public then I’d have a very small area to look at, or I’d be having to travel a great deal more than I would have liked. Doing it online means that you can cast your net much further when looking for a tutor, giving you a better chance of getting the best.

Have you tried online tutoring? What were your thoughts on it? Let us know in the comments section below, we’d love to hear from you. If you want to read more posts like this one, you can also check out the Voice Originals technology category!

Online gaming can be fun and even help you build some real-life skills. But, is your privacy worth risking for entertainment? Online gaming platforms and privacy concerns have always gone hand in hand. Often, the design of the game is not secure from hackers. Many online gaming platforms even sell user data to big companies. So, how can you preserve your private data from third parties

The Major Risks

Some of the key risks involving online gaming platforms include –

• No restrictions on camera/microphone access
• Tracking the locations of the players
• Lack of protection on the gaming servers
• In-game malware or ransomware
• Hidden charges (never give up financial info without reading the terms of the agreement)

Players must stick to visiting an original site that has a track record of providing safe services. Also, make sure not to play online games using unknown Wi-Fi networks.

Playing it Safe

There are some general approaches that you can apply to your gaming or basic internet browsing habits. Some of them include –

• Refraining from downloading gaming mods.
• Never download files from random websites.
• Keep an adblocker on to avoid clickbait ads or in-app purchases.
• Take breaks while gaming. Excessive activity may expose you to predators/hackers on the platform.
• Make sure the platform offers strict privacy settings.
• Refrain from playing with random players.
• Don’t share private information. Use a secondary email ID for gaming on these platforms.

You must visit sites that offer specific safety guidelines. Research proficiently before entering an unknown digital world.

Using a VPN for Online Gaming?

Virtual Private Networks offer online gamers an easy way to maintain their privacy on all websites. These networks encrypt any data that websites extract. This includes your IP address, any data receive/send to the website, and your internet history. Top online gamers use VPNs because they –

• Protect gamers from Distributed DoS attacks that are quite common on platforms simultaneously engaging multiple users.
• Encrypt gaming history
• All private data is completely safe
• VPNs enable users to access games from foreign countries. Simply switch your location to overcome geo-blocks.

VPNs are cheap. Plus, there are countless providers in the market. Choose a VPN that offers special services for gamers!

To read more on topics like this, check out the Technology category

It can be difficult to know when something is wrong with your vehicle, which is why warning lights illuminate on your dashboard to inform you of any issues. As there are lots of different warning lights and symbols, it is often difficult to decipher what needs urgent attention and could lead to a severe problem. Therefore, by reading your vehicle handbook and the Highway Code regularly, you will be able to understand when serious problems occur and avoid additional damage.

The warning lights show up on our dashboards when sensors detect problems and faults, such as brake and tyre wear. There are multiple different warning lights differing in severity, red lights require immediate attention and can mean there is a serious problem. Amber lights advise you to get your vehicle checked or check it yourself if possible, for warnings such as tyre pressure. While green/blue lights are advisory such as filling up your screen wash.

It is easy to forget what each symbol means as we are not always familiar with the highway code, a quiz has been created allowing you to test your knowledge against a survey conducted by Lease Car to see how well respondents knew their car warning lights.

Engine warning

A surprising 29% believed this symbol showed low fluid oil!

If this light appears, it is advised to take your vehicle to a garage as soon as possible as it can indicate a serious problem with your engine.

Anti-lock braking system warning 

Some vehicles can be safe to drive without ABS although it is best to get it checked by a professional encase. This was guessed correctly by 43% of respondents.

Tyre pressure monitor warning

If your vehicle gets a puncture in its tyre or the tyre pressure drops, it is likely that this warning light will appear. You can check your tyre pressure at a garage pump. 16% of respondents mistook this for a brake warning light!

Engine coolant warning light 

If the symbol appears it’s important to check your coolant levels immediately, as it could be overheating. If unsure take it to a garage to be checked over, 75% of respondents got this correct!

Brake system warning light 

52% of respondents got this incorrect thinking it was a seatbelt warning and this is one of the most important symbols! Take your vehicle to a garage as soon as possible to be checked over to avoid causing further damage.

Battery charge warning
If this symbol appears it can indicate numerous different issues, such as a faulty battery. It is important to go to a garage immediately as it can indicate a serious problem. It is no surprise that 96% of respondents got this correct!

Fancy testing your warning light knowledge? Take the quiz to see how well you do.

As each vehicle is different it is important to read your handbook, as there may be some warning lights unique to your car.

To read more on topics like this, check out the Technology category.

eSports is on the rise. Across player earnings, sponsorship deals and audience figures, the industry is rivalling traditional sports and has emerged as a profession of its own. In 2018, Tyler Blevins, a notable gamer with a huge following on Twitch, reported earnings in excess of $10 million. The same year, eSports pro Jesse Vainikka’s annual tournament winnings meant his average weekly pay came to over $70,000 making him a millionaire too.

Since 2016, the industry has witnessed dramatic growth. Every year has seen millions added to its audience figures. According to Newzoo statistics, there was a 19.3% increase in those viewing eSports between 2016 and 2017. This grew by 13.8% in 2018 meaning the industry had a global audience base of 380 million people. Predicting further growth in both dedicated followers and casual fans, Newzoo suggests audience numbers will reach 557 million next year. This would put it among the world’s top 10, ahead of baseball and golf.

For tech careers, eSports presents huge opportunities

While some will think of becoming the next eSports celebrity, earning millions of dollars per year, the industry has a lot more to offer. The infrastructure to make eSports happen is huge. Technology is at the heart of that and the focus is on ensuring events stream effectively to a worldwide online audience.

That means managing customized ecosystems for each tier of service, optimizing access for the players themselves. It means managing virtual LAN extensions, various subsystems and microservices, and ensuring thousands of game servers are operational and accessible.

As well as engineers, eSports is also reliant on software developers, data analysts, programmers, product managers, and applications technicians. As well as more general roles concerning administration, marketing, customer engagement and social media, careers can also focus on quality assurance where an individual works with the programmers to eliminate bugs or animation engineering which focuses on building new game prototypes.

An industry now recognized among traditional professional sports

The repute of eSports has been underlined in recent years by an emerging acceptance of the industry alongside traditional professional sports. For example, in England, where soccer is currently suspended, bet365 is applying some of its popular betting features to eSports games played on FIFA 2020 and live streamed on the site.

Illustrating the reputation of eSports today is the fact specific bets that are a mainstay of Premier League and Championship betting such as the fulltime result, first goal, total goals, both teams to score and more, are now attributed to those matches played on the virtual stage.

 

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“YOU DID A VERSTAPPEN!” Charles Leclerc wasn’t happy with Alex Albon’s overtake 😂

A post shared by ESPN F1 (@espnf1) on Apr 18, 2020 at 4:11am PDT

Similar evidence of eSports’ emergence as spectator entertainment is the growing number of tournaments streamed live on major sports channels like ESPN. Recently, the broadcaster presented a 12-hour marathon titled “ESPN Esports Day” featuring both live and archived events across a number of games such as Madden NFL20. It also hosted a virtual grand prix with celebrities joining real life drivers such as Charles Leclerc and Alex Albon for a race on the Xbox/PS4 release F1 2019.

eSports’ growth means career opportunities are going to increase. From hardware and software development to operations and infrastructure, there are a number of compelling roles for those eager to follow a tech career.

The Chevrolet Cruze (or Chevy Cruz) is a great compact car. It is a very practical car, with great fuel mileage and a superb predicted reliability rating. It makes life easier, thanks in part to its front and back comfortable seats which are adult-friendly and appealing tech features. When you’re out on the road, there’s nothing more important than having a vehicle you can rely on to get the job done. Once you’ve purchased the right make and model, you also need to love and care for your vehicle so that it lasts a long time without giving you much downtime. To keep your Chevy Cruz in good condition and efficiency at all times, it is important to ensure that your Chevy Cruz Mass Air Flow sensor is in good working order.

A mass airflow sensor (MAS) determines the mass of air entering a vehicle’s fuel injection engine, and passes that data to the Engine Control Unit (ECU). The air mass information is necessary for the ECU to correctly balance and deliver the correct amount of fuel to the engine. When a vehicle’s mass airflow sensor is faulty or defective it can cause a variety of problems, and usually results in very poor performance from your engine. It is highly advisable to clean your vehicle’s mass air flow sensor every six months or every time you change the oil or bring your vehicle for servicing.

The mass air flow sensor is prone to failure caused by age or other factors such as common pollutants like dirt and dust. A faulty MAF sensor can result in a significant loss in power, poor gas mileage, and poor performance from your car’s engine. When your vehicle has declining mass air flow sensor quality, you will notice several driveability issues like slow acceleration and reduced engine power.

These are the common symptoms of a bad mass air flow sensor:

The engine has difficulty starting or turning over.

Your air fuel ratio is either too rich or too lean

Your OBD-II scanner gets code P0101

The engine stalls shortly after starting.

The engine hesitates or drags while under load or idle

Hesitation and jerking during acceleration

The engine hiccups

Most of the time, a check engine light appears due to a dirty mass air flow sensor. When you notice the light or feel the symptoms from your vehicle, you should immediately take a look at the MAF.

In times of global pandemic like what the entire world is facing now, shopping for your vehicle’s mass air flow sensor as well as all your Chevy Cruze parts online at AutoZone is the best that you can do. Shopping at this online parts store means you’ll get access to some of the best parts at unbeatable prices. They offer free shipping on Chevy Cruze parts to make sure you save even more when you shop with them. If you want to take the difficulty out of taking care of your Chevy Cruze, AutoZone is the place to go to!

To read more on topics like this, check out the Technology category.

It is vital to correctly install and position a hydraulic power unit to get the best from your equipment. In most circumstances, installation is quick and easy when you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. But in other locations, it is more difficult to effectively position and fix a power unit for safe and efficient operation.

Different aspects affect the system installation, including temperature and accessibility requirements. How do you manage the installation of a hydraulic power unit in a challenging location? What are the factors to consider to get the most from your machinery?

1. Installations in Offshore Locations

Power units must often be used offshore, in applications at sea, for example in the Launch Recovery System. When installing Hydraulic Power Packs in offshore locations, you must consider weatherproofing so that the unit is protected from extremes of climate and the elements. These installation requirements include coating with corrosion-resistant paint. You must also ensure that all components are protected from water and that the unit is sealed so no water can enter the system. It is best to locate the unit in a position where contact with salt water is limited.

2. Installing in Hot Climates

Heat affects the stable and efficient operation of hydraulic power units. When installing a unit in a hot climate, make sure you position it in the best-ventilated area as possible. Make sure you have installed the necessary components to cool the system, including fans and filters. You should locate the unit away from other machinery that generates heat. Make sure that the power pack is protected from other environmental contaminants including dust. This will ensure the system operates at full capacity for as long as possible.

3. Installation in Cold Climates

Cold climates also negatively affect a hydraulic power unit. Think about the best location for a unit when you run it in low temperatures. The hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic system must remain at the correct viscosity to balance out the effect of the cold. This ensures the system is lubricated to be able to function correctly.

4. Paying Attention to Accessibility

Many systems require easy access for maintenance. Other systems are regularly monitored to maintain correct pressures, working temperatures and fluid integrity. Make sure you leave enough room around the unit for an operator to make the necessary checks to the system.

5. Installation By Qualified Personnel

You don’t need a certificate or a certain qualification to install a hydraulic power unit. But the person installing the system must be well-qualified to work with these units and understand how they function. This is especially critical when installing a unit in a challenging location. The installer should follow the correct installation procedure according to the manufacturer instructions. After installation, check that the machinery is running efficiently and make regular checks to the system for ongoing maintenance. Units positioned in hot, cold or offshore locations should be checked more frequently to ensure effectiveness.

To read more on topics like this, check out the technology category.

Sometimes life can get a bit messy. It can be hard to stay on top of everything especially if you have a lot of things you have on your mind. If the current projects you work on lack progress, then it may be time for you to re-evaluate your strategy. Furthermore, you should consider using productivity apps to help you achieve your goals. Below is a list of the most common type of apps that can help you to improve how you organise your tasks and plans.

Project management tools

Planning the most intricate details of your project can be a bit challenging without the help of a project management tool. Such types of tech solution allow you organise tasks, designate roles to team members, set due dates and attach files. Some popular examples of project management software include Trello, Slack and Asana. The majority of these apps offer a free trial period so you can check out the features that they provide.

Membership management software

If you need help in managing the members of your team, you can use club management tools from companies like https://www.coacha.co.uk/en-us. It’s a tool that lets you upload membership data, compile reports, jot down notes, track finances and send automated messages. In most cases, membership management software comes with a monthly subscription fee, so you need to compare your options. Check out at least three membership management software options if you want to find the best one for you.

Digital notepad

Sometimes you may need to jot down important information about a certain place or event. When such an occasion arises, you must have a digital notepad ready. It’s a simple tool that lets you type reminders, attach photos or documents and mark calendars. Some examples include Google Keeps and EverNote. This tool comes in quite handy especially for those who do not want to bring a classic pen and notepad.

Social media management tool

If you manage more than one social media page, you can try using a social media management tool like Hootsuite. It allows you to schedule posts on a specific schedule and generate detailed and well-explained reports. It will also help you minimise the time you need to spend on performing your social media tasks. It can help you free up time so you can attend to other important tasks.

Fitness apps

Sometimes it can be challenging to keep up with your fitness schedule. It may be caused by your hectic work schedule or the number of things you need to do at home. Thankfully, there are plenty of fitness apps that can help you get back on track. Some of the apps include helpful features such as recipe banks, exercise logs, goal trackers and food tips. With an excellent fitness app installed on your mobile device, you get to access everything you need to achieve your health goals anywhere and anytime.

The continuous technological advancements have benefited a lot of people. Nowadays, you can find a lot of handy apps or software that can help you streamline your work process or create a more structured schedule and to-do list. If you haven’t tried using the latest tools used in the market, now is the time to experiment. Use software such as those enumerated above so you can start living a more productive and organised life.

When 3D printing first began to become familiar to the public a few years ago, it seemed like something out of a sci-fi film. The idea that we could simply input designs and see them transformed into material form felt like a major technological advancement with a world of exciting implications. Since then, news and headlines about 3D printing have been surprisingly subdued, however, and consumer applications have been few and far between. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t all sorts of interesting things that have been happening surrounding this exciting technology.

Here in particular are five things you might not know about 3D printing, but which demonstrate its progress and intrigue.

1. 3D Printing Is Good For The Environment

As with most anything that stakes a claim to eco-friendliness, 3D printing has its skeptics where this point is concerned. In a few fundamental ways, however, the technology is undeniably beneficial. Perhaps most importantly, it stands to significantly reduce material waste, potentially for production efforts across entire, large industries. Even the most efficient manufacturing processes tend to result in plenty of wasted, excess material; by nature, 3D printing uses only the material it needs to create a product.

Beyond the responsible nature of its basic processes, 3D printing can also produce materials that are beneficial to the environment. The Recycler pointed out in a 2018 article that these materials can include coral reefs and seawalls used to repair underwater ecosystems. But beyond exciting concepts like those, it stands to reason that we could see innumerable 3D-printed products designed for environmental benefit.

2. 3D Printing Can Support Entire Product Lines

This may not seem like the most surprising point on this list, but a lot of people still think of 3D printing on a fairly small scale. They imagine using their own affordable 3D printers for this and that, or think of artists and design studios undergoing their own creative endeavors through the technology. However, 3D printing has also improved to the point that it can now be used by entire companies to efficiently create product lines.

Naturally, it depends somewhat on the specific product at hand, but it’s the efficiency that really marks the improvement over the last few years. According to Fictiv, high resolution prototypes and 3D-printed parts can be delivered in as fast as one day, making it easy for businesses to rely on printing services to mass-produce products. Those same services can also provide quick quotes and on-the-go quality control, ensuring the whole process goes as smoothly as possible.

3. Material Variety Enables Art & Jewelry

A lot of people hardly give a thought to what materials are actually used in 3D printing. Even if they did, they’d mostly just find lists of hybrids and specialty materials that were specifically useful in the early days of 3D printing. At the same time, however, there are always more materials being used in 3D printing, which in turn is expanding the tech’s applications. Even a few years ago, Huffington Post pointed to some astounding examples of 3D-printed art using a variety of different materials, and more recently the introduction of more metals has made it possible for high-quality jewelry to be 3D printed. So, to sum this point up, 3D printing isn’t all about carbon fiber, nylons, and hybrids. There are more materials being used, and with them more artistic designs being printed.

4. There Are Already Applications In Fitness

In October of last year, an article here covered various ways to use technology to get fit: setting up a Spotify playlist, downloading a highly rated fitness app, etc. 3D printing doesn’t make for this direct of a technological application, but it does have the potential to impact our fitness in a broader, and perhaps more important way. Already, in fact, the technology is being used to print out everything from weight racks to jump ropes. Over time, it could significantly overhaul many categories of fitness equipment, and in doing so make it cheaper for people to purchase the exercise-related products they want or need.

5. 3D Printing May Shape Our Cities

This idea is a little more “out there,” so to speak, but it’s also a very real concept that’s being discussed more and more. Several years ago in fact The Guardian speculated about the possibilities of 3D-printed architecture as a housing solution, both for slums in need of updated housing, and for disaster-stricken communities in need of relief. And since then, the technology has only grown more impressive. This is not to suggest that we’ll see gigantic 3D printers literally producing buildings. However, the idea of 3D-printed parts being used to assemble homes, public buildings, and various components of city infrastructure is no longer far-fetched at all.