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Gadgets: 5 of the best cocktail shakers for the home and parties

by Loknath Das
written by Loknath Das

Barmans Barware Kit, www.drinkstuff.co.uk, 24.99

Barmans Barware Kit, www.drinkstuff.co.uk,

We look at the 5 best cocktail shakers

Tom Dixon Plum Cocktail Shaker, Copper, www.nest.co.uk, £76

This futuristic copper-plated cocktail shaker combines a thick centre and tapered ends to provide a sturdy hand grip, for pleasurable shaking. The slim lid cap can also be used as a spirit measure. A handsome and useful bar accessory, it makes a great gift for the discerning cocktail-lover.

Rainbow Cocktail Layering Tool, www.drinkstuff.co.uk, £12.99

Imagine being one of those cocktail masters. The kind of person you see behind the bar of a trendy London nightclub, dazzling everyone with some amazing layered cocktail creations.

John Lewis Stainless Steel Cocktail Muddler, www.johnlewis.co.uk, £7.00

Stylish yet durable, this stainless steel muddler has a non slip handle for a sure, comfortable grip and a textured silicone head for mashing fruit and herbs. A must have cocktail tool for fans of mojitos.

Barman’s Barware Kit, www.drinkstuff.co.uk, £24.99

You’ll soon be mixing and shaking cocktail like a pro with the Barman’s Barware Kit. A perfect kit for beginners and keen bartenders, this gift set is stylishly presented in a gift box tube. Containing a range of professional quality equipment, including a Professional Boston Cocktail Shaker, Twisted Mixing Spoon and selection of strainers, you’ll be able to accommodate any drinks request.

John Lewis Glass Recipe, Cocktail Shaker, www.johnlewis.co.uk

The clear glass body of this cocktail shaker recipe indicators that provide the correct measurements for six classic cocktails, ensuring that you mix up perfect cocktails, time after time. Features a stainless steel lid and collar.

[“Source-newsletter”]

 

 

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Tech Update

THE BEST THIRD-PARTY PLAYSTATION 4 CONTROLLERS

by Loknath Das
written by Loknath Das

BY DEREK WALTER Be sure to visit IGN Tech for all the latest comprehensive hands-on reviews and best-of roundups. Note that if you click on one of these links to buy the product, IGN may get a share of the sale. For more, read our Terms of Use.

Sony did a solid job with its DualShock controller for the PlayStation 4. But you might want something that can be better tweaked to your liking or just have a completely different feel. Fortunately, there are some excellent third-party choices that may be just what you’ve been looking for. Here are four of the top alternatives.

Nacon Revolution Pro

See it on Amazon

See it on Amazon UK

The Revolution Pro Controller is an officially licensed gamepad with some welcome tweaks when compared to Sony’s DualShock. It certainly wins in the looks department, with a swanky LED below the right analog stick. More importantly, the D-Pad has larger wings for better control and the triggers and shoulder buttons have been contoured for maximum comfort. Just like the stock controller, there’s even a touchpad and a share button.

Horipad FPS Plus

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See it on Amazon UK

The Horipad FPS Plus features a target button with three levels of sensitivity and thumbsticks with larger grooves to keep your thumbs comfortable. It doesn’t have some of the fancier elements of other controllers like the lightbar function, but it does have a clickable trackpad, which makes it unique. Overall it’s a solid choice for those who just want a comfortable, easy-to-use controller.

PS4 Wireless Mini Bluetooth Keyboard

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See it on Amazon UK

This isn’t an actual controller, but rather a mini-keyboard that attaches to your PS4 controller so you can type derogatory comments easier. It features soft-touch keys and doesn’t get in the way of using the controller when attached, and it is easy to disengage if you’re not feeling chatty.

HORI Fighting Commander

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See it on Amazon UK

The Hori Fighting Commander is a wired controller for those of you who specialize in 2D fighting games. It offers a wider design than the standard controller along with the necessary six button layout. You can customize the functionality of its D-pad, and it even has a Turbo function as well.

 

[“Source-ign”]

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Tech Update

Best Tech of 2017 So Far

by Loknath Das
written by Loknath Das

gadgets-lead

There’s a growing consensus among the technological cognoscenti that we’re in a “boring” period for gadgets. Some have long argued that “software is eating the world,” a.k.a. there’s no interesting hardware because iteration has trumped innovation.

But, nah, not so much. Yes, our smartphones are replacing lots of standalone gadgets we used to carry around. That doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of interesting new hardware out there. Granted, that depends on expanding your definition of gadget to include, say, a reusable rocket or a robotic bicycle wheel. Here’s a look at some of the most interesting of 2017 so far compiled by TIME’s technology reporters and editors.

What did we miss?

In this handout provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket makes its first successful upright landing on the "Of Course I Still Love You" droneship on April 8, 2016 some 200 miles off shore in the Atlantic Ocean after launching from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

In this handout provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket makes its first successful upright landing on the “Of Course I Still Love You” droneship on April 8, 2016 some 200 miles off shore in the Atlantic Ocean after launching from Cape Canaveral, Florida.NASA/Getty Images

Multi-stage space rockets are a bittersweet affair: One minute, they’re sitting on the launch pad, shiny, expensive, and awaiting an explosion-fueled climb. They next, they’re dropping back to Earth in pieces, unceremoniously plopping in the ocean, and sent off to the scrap heap for good. Not anymore. In March, SpaceX launched a “used” Falcon 9 first stage, an unprecedented achievement in spaceflight. It was a milestone for the company, which designed the Falcon’s first stage to land upright—and intact—back on Earth after every launch. Perhaps more importantly, it proved SpaceX’s concept valid. Rockets cost tens of millions or even hundreds of millions of dollars to build. Being able to reuse them could significantly reduce the cost of spaceflight. That may pave the way for all manner of aerospace innovations.

Samsung Unveils New Galaxy S8 Phone

A view of the new Samsung Galaxy S8 at its Samsung launch event, March 29, 2017 in New York City. Drew Angerer—Getty Images

Samsung Galaxy S8

Samsung hit a much-needed home run after the PR disaster caused by its Galaxy Note 7. That’s what the Korean tech giant got with the Galaxy S8, a redesigned smartphone with a dazzling screen, long battery life, and a great camera. The S8’s curved display and smaller bezels combine to give the feeling of a borderless screen, making it more adept at displaying games and movies. The S8 isn’t perfect—its voice assistant wasn’t ready at launch, and some found its fingerprint sensor to be awkwardly placed—but it’s a big win overall.

Snapchat Spectacles

Much like Snapchat itself, you either get it or you don’t. Snapchat parent company Snap Inc. demonstrated its mastery of artificial scarcity when it debuted its Spectacles video-recording glasses late last year. An easy setup process, good-enough video quality and stylish look made Spectacles a hit. But the company’s distribution process—vending machines with limited stock that randomly appeared across the country—made them a phenomenon. From a hardware perspective, Spectacles could use improvement—they’re not great when it’s dark out and they’re troublesome for prescription eyeglass wearers. But Snap’s first foray into hardware shows promise at a time when camera companies like GoPro are struggling.

Here One

The next time you’re sitting on a plane with a wailing baby, imagine being able to simply turn down the poor kid’s volume. Or you’re hanging out in a crowded bar, struggling to hear your friends, and you boost just their voices. That’s the promise behind Doppler Labs’ Here One earbuds, which let users manipulate sounds in the world around them thanks to onboard microphones and sound processors. In practice, the Here Ones are often better are quieting general background noise rather than specific sounds. But Doppler’s innovation reveals how the headphone tech of tomorrow could make us masters of the audio universe around us.

Superpedestrian Copenhagen Wheel

Superpedestrian’s robotic bike wheel augments cyclists’ oomph by powering their ride up to 20 miles per hour for over 30 miles. Though it looks like a simple bike wheel, the Copenhagen packs impressive technology inside. An integrated motor powered by a battery provides the giddyup, a wireless sensor connects to smartphones for data crunching, smart-locking hardware makes sure no one makes off with this $1,499 wheel, and regenerative brakes add to the efficiency. Cycling purists might shun the device, but it’s really geared for the increasing number of bike commuters out there. Turns out reinventing the wheel was worth it.

LG Signature W-Series “Wallpaper” TV

TV-makers today face an impossible task: On one hand, consumers expect new screens to make TV shows and movies look fantastic. On the other, they want these eye-popping displays to blend seamlessly into their living room. LG’s Signature W-Series “wallpaper” TV accomplishes this masterfully. The $7,999, 65-inch display weighs just 16 pounds and is .15-inches thick, making it seem like the screen is floating on the wall. (It’s mounted with magnets, no bulky brackets necessary.) But it’s the OLED (Organic LED) technology that’s most impressive. Pairing the blackest blacks possible with rich color results in a visually stunning high-contrast.

eSight 3

In a world of Internet-connected coffeemakers and juicers and whatnot, it’s nice to find a gadget aiming to solve problems of a higher order. The eSight is an over-eye visor that helps legally blind people navigate via a combined high-definition camera and video display. Showing a live feed on a pair of OLED displays placed in front of the wearer’s eyes, the lightweight, hands-free device do everything from read to provide directions. With virtually no input lag from the front-facing camera to the screens, eSight is a true augmented reality headset.

Microsoft Surface LaptopMicrosoft

Microsoft Surface Laptop

Microsoft’s new Surface Laptop is a first for the Windows maker: a conventional laptop that runs a stripped-down but more battery-efficient operating system called Windows 10 S. The company is aiming the $999 Surface Laptop at the educational set, but it’s bound to go toe-to-toe with Apple’s entry-level MacBook Air as well. Other hardware makers, meanwhile, will offer Windows 10 S on far cheaper devices that will compete with Google’s Chromebooks. Together, the Surface Laptop and the new version of Windows show Microsoft is willing to mix things up in the notebook world—to consumers’ benefit.

Nintendo Switch Console Hardware Shoot

A Nintendo Switch console with a pair of Joy-Con controllers.Nintendo

When Nintendo gets it right, its gets it really right. That’s the emerging consensus of the Mario- and Zelda-maker’s $299 TV-or-handheld gaming device. The Switch has become so red-hot Nintendo has resorted to schlepping systems to stores by air, a very pricey move. The console’s masterstroke is the way anyone can grok why it exists at a glance: Drop the Switch in its cradle and its games display on your TV. Pluck it out and they’re in your hands on the go. Snap the motion controllers off its sides, pop its kickstand and it’s on a table. The Switch is both mobile and mighty, versatile and idiosyncratic. If the company can provide a steady stream of games over the next year, the Switch may be an exemplar of things to come in gaming.

Raspberry Pi Zero W

Miniaturization is microprocessing’s Feng shui. Little better exemplifies this concept than the Raspberry Pi Foundation’s series of cut-rate micro-computers. And with this year’s Raspberry Pi Zero W—effectively a zippier Raspberry Pi Zero with wireless connectivity included—anyone can forge the bones of a 32-bit computer that runs Linux for $10. Whether you’re a hobbyist tinkering with robotic racers and retro game handhelds or building computers for children in Mali, the promise of affordable ad-hoc computing just got sweeter.

[“Source-ndtv”]

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News Update

Best Medium For The Recovery Of Lost Data

by admin
written by admin

One of the best ways to store your important data is to make use of the computer. The computer has a very big memory. It is capable to storing large number of information. The process of storing and the process of using the data in time of need with the help of the computer are very simple. But one problem that we might encounter is the loss of this important data. There are a number of reasons due which we can lose the data. For example at times we are working on the computer and suddenly if the electricity goes away then all the work that you have been doing will get erased. You might not be able to find it once when you put on the computer again. Then at times due to human error also the loss of data is caused.

At times we by mistake and click on the delete button and everything gets washed away in no time. In a situation like this the data recovery software’s will be of a lot of help to you. You will be able to recover the data very easily with the help of this software. Let us now have a look at the benefits of using this software’s:

  1. Helps in saving time- By making use of file recovery software and by following the right direction to use these software’s you can recover the data very easily. You need not open each and every folder and file for the purpose. The software will scan your system and hence show the result on the computer screen and you can then safe it again for your use.
  1. Cost effective method- These data recovery software free are available on the internet. You need not buy them in order to use them. You can surf the net and come across the best ones and make use of any of them. A powerful software, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard can be offers recycle bin recovery to users.
  1. Can retrieve data from all kind of mediums- One of the best part of these storage options are that you can get back all kind of deleted data from any kind of device. You can make use of this software on MP3 players, I pads, mobile phones etc. It is not just computer oriented it works swiftly on all kind of technology.
  1. Can be used for the recovery of any kind of data- You can make use of this software to recover any kind of data. It is not just that one particular kind of information can be gathered. It is very useful to derive data like audio and video files. You can make use of this software for both domestic and as well as official use both for small scale and large scale brand names.
  2. Easy to use- This software is very easy to use. By following a few simple steps you will be able to get the desired information. The steps that are involved are both simple and fast to use.
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News Update

Lose weight rapidly with the best supplement ever!

by admin
written by admin

Image result for Lose,weight,rapidly,with,the,best,supplement,ever

If you search on the internet about dietary supplementation products that are recently sold in the market, you will that the range of varieties is quite extensive because so many pharmaceutical companies have up in the last few years. Different drug manufacturing industries have understood the growing problem of obesity that people are facing and have thus taken the initiative to produce more and more effective dietary medications. But do you think all the products manufactured are equally efficient in their actions? The question is vague as every steroidal or hormonal regulatory medication will have certain amount of positive and negative aspects. The important part is actually your attention towards the dosage cycles by which you are going to monitor it from time to time. This will help you extract maximum of the beneficial effects and cut out the undesired ones.

Which is the best dietary product in the market?

Out of so many newly created diet supplementary products, Clenbuterol proved to be highly efficient in its action as an amazing fat cutting tool. The product was initially developed with the idea of helping patients suffering from breathing disorders like asthma. It served as an efficient bronchodilator, which means that it can decongest or clear the blockages that restrict passage of oxygenated air inside the respiratory tract. But do you know every detail about the medication? As in why it was created for weight loss purpose? Is it really effective or everything is just a big hoax?

Before you decide on purchasing a particular fat loss supplementation product, it is very important that you know every detail on the formulation and composition. This means you need to check all the necessary ingredients that must be present in the product bottle in the correct percentages and ratios as recommended by the experts. Double or triple check your product before purchasing so that you are not conned by any fraudulent dealer for cheap price.

What is the speciality of your chosen dietary medication?

So you have heard the name several times being taken on every TV channel, nutritional journals or in the fitness forum but what is Clenbuterol exactly? Is it a steroid? Does it regulate your hormones? How does it work inside your body?

The product is commonly known as Clen in the market. It is a non steroidal compound that acts as a β-2 agonist by triggering the β-2adrenergic receptors. The action of the substance is very similar to adrenaline hormone and amphetamine, since it stimulates the central nervous system (CNS) to bring out thermogenic effects and anti catabolic effects. Clen is generally available in the form of clenbuterol hydrochloride.

Due to the stimulation of the beta-2 adrenergic receptors, the production rate of cellular cAMP (cyclic adenosine mono phosphate) is largely increased. This alteration in the physiological process helps in accelerating the basal metabolic rate which ultimately results in burning excess fats and lipids stored in the body. Therefore if you want to get rid of extra fat and build a strong and beautifully carved physique, do not hesitate to buy Clenbuterol from your nearest pharmacy or order online.

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Online Marketing

Get the best fromAmazon New Year Sale

by admin
written by admin

First Christmas and now with just few days left to step into 2017, you must be excited to celebrate the New Year leaving your old baggage and worries behind. Adding more to your joy we have Amazon New Year Sale coming up, where you can grab some amazing deals on your favorite products. Start creating your wish list, so that you can grab the items before they get out of stock.

In the upcoming New Year sale by Amazon, thehighlight will be huge discounts and offers on electronics. You can get heavy discount plus buy-back offers for your old and used mobile phones. Get greatest discounts on many more than just mobile phones like cameras, telephones, televisions, laptops, tablets, electronic appliances, and other electronic accessories. Amazon offers up to INR 2000 off on the Moto G4 range. You can get additional 10% cashback, if you make the payment through Standard Chartered credit or debit card.

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Other than this you can get minimum 55% off on the whole range of electronics available on Amazon. Be it laptops, smart phones, cameras, printers, tablets, computer accessories and other electronic products. Choose your favorite brand like Apple, HP, Lenovo, Karbonn, Samsung and others.

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You can easily get styled for New Year by shopping from Amazon. You can find 60% off on selected range of clothing, accessories, and footwear. Apart from up to 60% off you can also get additional 20% off. In order to get additional 20% off, all you need to do is apply the code “DAZZLE20”. So, find your choice of tees, shirts, sarees, tops, maxi dresses, jewellery, watches, bags or anything and just apply the given code before you transact and save some extra bucks.

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With New Year around the corner and Amazon knowing what people actually want and wish for, is offering heavy discount on Grocery shopping as well. Going to a grocery store and shopping according to your needs takes a lot of time. The better option these days is to shop online for your most needed grocery items. Instead of bargaining you can get cashback from Amazon. When you shop for100 rupees or more, you can get a cashback of 10% on total cart amount. The maximum cashback you can get from here is of 450 bucks. One thing you have to remember is that the offer is valid only on payments made through Amazon Pay balance.

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Amazon Pay balance has been recently launched. It is a kind of Amazon online wallet only, through which you can pay from your amazon balance. No need of cash and you get extra cashback also when you use Amazon Pay balance to make the payments. Because shopping online and getting a cashback for the same feels amazing! That’s exactly what Amazon offer its customers. All Amazon prime customers can get 15% of the total amount when they spend Rs 100 or more on their shopping. All non-prime customers can get 10% cashback on their shopping amount. The minimum order amount should be INR 100 or more. So, load your Amazon pay balance now and make the most of this amazing offer.

Along with all this, Amazon New Year Sale includes great offers on laptops and computers, and exchange offers on your old laptops and old computers at great buy-back prices. Offers on different screen sizes, fastest processors, RAMs, and other factors will get you glued to this sale for hours on end. You can find offers separately only on processors, USB cables, scanners, speakers, hard disks, graphics cards, monitors, chargers, laptop batteries, and other electronic accessories. You can even find some great offers on amazing health bands which are amazon exclusive.

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It’s not the end of the list. Don’t you love tablets? These extended versions of phone and miniature versions of laptops put together are trendy as well as useful. But what is the need to purchase them now? The answer to this is Amazon’s Great New Year sale.You can find huge discounts waiting for you like up to 15% off on Apple iPads.

So, with all these mind blowing offers served to you in New Year sale by Amazon, get all your favorite products delivered to your doorstep without any worries and hassle.

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Gadgets News

The 12 Best Tech Blogs to Stay Informed about Technology News, Products, and Culture

by Loknath Das
written by Loknath Das

Here are 20 of the Top Tech Blogs You Should be Following in 2021

The world of technology is vast. Every second, it seems, we see a new product release, research breakthrough, or other development that will change the way we live, work, and play. Keeping up with this deluge of information is the challenge, as anyone who works in tech knows.
Luckily, there are a host of blogs out there to help you stay informed about tech news, which products are worth buying, and how technology affects our society. The world of tech bloggers, however, is as extensive as technology itself, making it difficult to know whom you should read and follow.
To help you cut through the confusion, we’ve put together this list of the best technology blogs on the internet. Whether you’re searching tech information related to your work, trying to decide which phone you should buy, or looking for inspiration to start your own tech blog, you’ll find it on one of the sites below.

1. CNET

If you want a great place for tech news coverage, tutorials, and product reviews, CNET is your go-to. The site reports on a vast array of topics, giving you the latest news in everything from tech culture to cybersecurity.
They also have an entire section of their site devoted to smart home tech, making it a valuable resource if you want to set up a smart home or tweak your current setup. And they can offer you guidance when buying a car, helping you find the right mix of fuel-efficiency, safety, and performance.
In addition to written blog content, CNET also has podcasts and videos about tech topics ranging from Microsoft to Apple and smartphones to wearables.

2. TechCrunch

Looking for a blog that focuses on a variety of technology industry news, ranging from social media to apps to the hottest new tech startups? Then you’ll love TechCrunch. As you can see from some of the headlines in the image above, TechCrunch focuses especially on the business side of tech, including IPOs to watch and notable tech company acquisitions or mergers. The site also has a clean layout that makes it a pleasure to read.

3. ZDNet

If you’re a business tech professional who wants to stay updated on the latest trends, issues, and events in IT, then ZDNet is a site you should follow. The site does cover mainstream topics such as reviews of phones and PCs, but it focuses mainly on more technical issues (such as how to upgrade to the latest build of Ubuntu, for instance). Think of it as CNET’s nerdier cousin (their similarity isn’t a coincidence, as both are subsidiaries of CBS Interactive).

4. MIT Technology Review

“MIT Technology Review” is the world’s longest-running tech magazine, with its first issue published in 1899. On their site, they cover topics such as the business and political impact of technology, sustainable energy, and AI.
Given that it’s also a print magazine, the editorial standards for “MIT Technology Review” tend to be higher than for other sites that are publishing exclusively online at the pace of the news cycle. Therefore, it’s a source to turn to when you want longer, deeper examinations of how technology is shaping the present and future. On the other hand, it’s not the best place for tech reviews or tutorials.

5. Gizmodo

Gizmodo is a site that covers design, technology, science, and science fiction. In a notable difference from some other tech websites, it also covers politics. It’s a site worth visiting if you want a break from the industry-focused tech reporting of other sites (though you’ll find a healthy dose of that type of content if you want it).

6. Engadget

Engadget is a blog that features content related to gadgets, consumer electronics, gaming, and entertainment. You’ll find detailed product reviews, as well as buyer’s guides to phones, laptops, headphones, home theater, and gaming systems. In addition to the English-language version, the site is also available in Japanese and Mandarin Chinese.

7. Wired

Wired is a tech site with articles on business, culture, science, security, transportation, and gear, as well as the ideas shaping the future. News is certainly the focus above all else, along with plenty of cultural commentary and analysis. The articles tend to be casual and accessible, making it a good site to read if you just want to stay updated in the broad strokes of tech without getting into the digital weeds.

8. The Next Web

Known as TNW for short, The Next Web covers tech news, internet trends, and gadget reviews. They also put on a conference each year that explores how technology is shaping business innovation (this year’s topics included AI and blockchain tech).
As you can see from the screenshot above, the site focuses on breaking news, constantly updating its homepage feed with the latest stories. If you like to be up to the minute on all tech developments, this is the blog you should follow.

9. The Verge

The Verge is a site that covers the intersection of technology, science, art, and culture. Indeed, tech coverage is just a small fraction of what the site discusses, though you’ll find no shortage of info on the latest trends relating to devices, apps, and the impact of digital media on politics.
The Verge also tends to be a bit slower-paced in its content than some other strictly news sites, even including a dedicated “longform” section that examines stories in greater detail than your typical listicle or clickbait news article.

10. TechSpot

If you want a tech take that’s focused on IT pros, power users, and PC gamers, you should read TechSpot. You won’t find as much cultural commentary as some other tech blogs. Rather, the focus is on the technology itself, as the selection of headlines above shows. The blog isn’t afraid to get technical, either, giving you hardware buying guides, software development tutorials, and advice on how to make your PC perform at its optimum level.

11. Mashable

Mashable is a technology website that also examines entertainment and culture. In some aspects, it verges into the pop territory of sites such as BuzzFeed, including quizzes with titles like “Are You an Apple Expert? Test Your Knowledge.” Still, the site includes interesting expositions of many tech innovations, especially in its video content.

12. SlashGear

SlashGear is a personal technology review site, covering everything from cars to wearables to the latest Apple and Android operating systems. They have buyer’s guides to any gadget you could ever dream of purchasing, and they even have columns devoted to science and health. If you want to be on the cutting edge of the latest tech trends, you should subscribe to this site.

Get All the Tech Info You Need

We hope this post has given you a better idea of where to go for tech information, as well as some models to follow when creating your own tech blog. Whether you want to blog about news, culture, product reviews, or app tutorials, you’ll find an example to emulate in the blogs above.
If you’re in the process of launching your tech blog, be sure to check out our guides to starting a blog in 2018, as well as our exclusive discount on web hosting. For even more blogging tips, sign up for our weekly newsletter.

[“source=bloggingtips”]

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Education

DAVID C. ANCHIN CENTER ONLINE COURSE PROVIDES TEACHERS WITH BEST PRACTICES FOR VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION

by Loknath Das
written by Loknath Das

World map that shows where participants in the online course are from

With the rise of the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, educators everywhere made a rapid transition towards online instruction―and for many of them, it was an experience they weren’t fully prepared for.

USF Alumna Cindy Porcelli, `98, a sixth-grade science teacher in Pasco County, described the weeks following spring break as an exciting, yet intimidating “dunk tank.” Her biggest concern, she said, was making sure her students received the best possible education while learning from their homes.

“I knew that once we got them on the bus and in my classroom, I had a 90 percent chance of making them successful,” Porcelli said. “But, without that, I had been asking myself: ‘How are we going to make this successful for them?’”

Driven to provide educators like Porcelli with the skills and tools they need to be successful while teaching online, James Hatten, PhD, an instructor in USF’s Instructional Technology program, collaborated with the David C. Anchin Center for the Advancement of Teaching to launch a free, online professional development series titled, “Effective Online Teaching.” The two-week-long course was created using an asynchronous format and welcomed more than 500 participants who were eager to sharpen their skills before the new school year.

Dr. Hatten, who also served as the course’s instructor, says individuals participated in one of three sessions navigated through two modules where they learned how to humanize their online teaching experience, create purposeful structure on their management platform and measure their success as online teachers with an assessment framework called the R.A.T.—the Replacement, Amplification and Transformation model, an educational technology integration framework that was developed by Dr. Joan Hughes from the University of Texas.

Upon starting the series, Dr. Hatten guided his students on the importance of personalizing their courses by having them share video introductions, join in on meaningful conversations and submit creative graphics that offered tips to students on their first day of class. Dr. Hatten also modeled the behavior he was teaching about to participants an example to follow in their own classrooms.

“Students should feel like they are in a learning community and not just interacting with content,” Dr. Hatten said. “I model structures and behaviors as a teacher in the course by being a very active participant in the online discussion boards, answering questions as quickly as possible over email or the chat function and by sending out reminders and course announcements every five days or so.”

Activities in the online series ranged from participants creating memes to posting responses on a designated discussion board called “The Teachers’ Lounge.” Lisa Albrecht, a fifth-grade educator in Lake Charles, Louisiana, said connecting with her peers through this forum allowed her to learn about the virtual tools she can use to help support her inclusive classroom.

“I asked questions like, ‘What resources can I use online for students with special needs?’ and many people responded,” Albrecht said. “It made me feel comfortable because I knew I wasn’t the only one thinking about it.”

Though Albrecht has enrolled in similar courses throughout her 30 years of teaching, there was one part of the course that stood out to her. At the end of each module, Dr. Hatten shared step-by-step videos that demonstrated how he created the module participants had just completed. This alone, she says, taught her the online teaching skills she couldn’t learn elsewhere.

“Other courses I took explained how to deliver material, but it did not explain how to create that module to get your material delivered,” Albrecht said. “You need to know the background set-up in order to get the information to the kids and this is honestly the only course where I’ve seen that taught.”

For Jeremy Blythe, a culinary arts teacher at Land O’ Lakes High School, enrolling in the course enabled him to better understand what virtual interactions should look like with his students.

“The biggest thing I learned about online teaching is how beneficial it is to not just have an introductory video, but also have everybody introduce themselves so that we all can get to know each other better,” Blythe said. “I think I undervalued how important that was―having to do it now for this class and seeing it from a student perspective helped a lot.”

As participants completed quizzes, listened to podcasts and submitted projects, Dr. Hatten posted specific questions on discussion boards that helped individuals reflect on their teaching practice and speak candidly about themselves.

In one instance, after asking his students to discuss their experience as virtual learners before taking the course, Dr. Hatten says he was able to recognize how necessary the experience was for those who enrolled.

“I’d say 50 percent of (participants) said that they haven’t taken an online class before and then they were asked to teach online,” Dr. Hatten said. “That’s like thinking about how many teachers you have in your life that have never gone to school before. So, even them just being in an online course is accomplishing something huge.”

When reflecting on her decision to take the course, Porcelli, who’s taught in Florida for more than 20 years, said she was eager to learn the online strategies and tools that came easy to others in her field. Having Dr. Hatten as her instructor, she says, enabled her to look at online teaching with a fresh perspective.

“I always thought of virtual learning as this mass assignment, but he made it personalized by adding components that drive student engagement,” Porcelli said. “It just opened up a new window to what a classroom should like, whether a student is sitting in a desk or at a computer.”

[“source=usf”]

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Education

How to improve staff wellbeing and achieve the best for your school and pupils

by Loknath Das
written by Loknath Das

Staff wellbeing

How can we improve staff wellbeing to achieve the best for schools and pupils?  Here are my eight top tips, created in association with three inspirational school leaders.

1) Focus on your own wellbeing before anything else

This is a ‘must’! Look after your own wellbeing and everyone around you benefits.

It’s important to lead by example and practise what you preach if you are to truly enhance staff wellbeing, and as a result, the outcomes for your pupils.

Start by booking some thinking and reflection time each week and to focus on what you need to do for you, as well as those you lead. The quality of your thinking underpins your success – so make time for it.

2) Put a focus on what is going well

If you are like many leaders, teachers and staff I know, you probably end each day thinking about what you haven’t done and the things that have gone wrong.

Yet what about the many things you have done and your successes? We are either our own biggest cheerleader or critic.

So how can you flip this?

In her book ‘Positivity’, Barbara Frederickson a US psychologist revealed that we need a 3:1 positive to negative ratio to be emotionally well. Create a trigger – for example a phone alarm or post-it note on your steering wheel – to make sure when you ask yourself at the end of each day, “What did I do well?” or “What were my three biggest achievements.”

Repeat until it becomes your habit and share this with colleagues to help them too.

3) Make praise part of every day

Recognition improves engagement and performance. Schools are often great at shout-outs and staff messages. Yet they miss out on ‘in the moment’ praise. It is hard because so many staff are spread across classrooms, yet when done well, the impact can be better than a pay rise!

Set a goal to catch people doing things right and share this with other leaders. This means being in the present and spotting all those brilliant things that happen each day. Imagine the impact if you and other leaders all caught three people every day!

This is one of the fastest ways to build staff wellbeing into the school culture – people copy and it is contagious.

4) Measure staff wellbeing

If you want to make a difference to staff wellbeing, you must first understand where you are now and what needs to change.

Track staff data and run an evidence-based anonymous staff survey to provide scores, benchmarks and feedback. You can see how well you are doing in building a workplace environment where your staff can do their best work.

Share strengths and focus on recommended actions.

5) Focus on behaviours

Review your school values and agree with all staff what behaviours you would see if they were being lived. Start with the senior leadership team, make sure they are role models, then move to middle leaders, providing coaching and training to ensure everyone is fully engaged. Make them part of everything you do, including performance management and appraisals, and reinforce them through praise and holding staff to account.

6) View any changes through the lens of staff wellbeing

Before changing or implementing any new policies, procedures, or practices, consider them through the lens of staff wellbeing by asking the question: ‘What impact will this have on the wellbeing of colleagues and the outcomes for pupils?’

Remove anything that needs high energy or commitment and even where it delivers strong outcomes, make sure it is worth it!

Apply the ‘in/out’ rule. If you are going to add something new then you need to remove something too.

7) Train colleagues in efficient approaches

There will always be too much to do, so we have to quit trying to do it all and focus only on what is important!

The more efficient your staff are, the more time they will have to invest in the things that matter to the school and to themselves. Teach people how to prioritise, delegate, better manage themselves, their email, technology, their workload, and that perfection is over-rated.

Challenge them to set their hours and fit the work to these, rather than letting the work dictate the hours they work.

8) Ensure all meetings are necessary and effective

We have all attended meetings that start late, finish late, cover too much, cover agenda items not relevant to them, have unprepared attendees, or do not achieve a satisfactory outcome. Ask yourself:

Getting this right can have a big impact on the degree to which staff feel valued. They are giving up time, which they could use to better manage their own life balance.

[“source=gesseducation”]

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Gadgets News

The 10 Best Developer and Tech News Resources

by Loknath Das
written by Loknath Das

The 10 Best Developer and Tech News Resources | by DevMountain | The DevMountain Blog | Medium

The tech industry is growing and changing rapidly, so it’s important that anyone involved in it stay up to date on the latest tech news and advancements. As the industry expands and impacts even more of our day to day lives, it’s becoming important for people in every industry to know what’s going on in the tech field. While this may seem like a daunting task on the face of it, tech news can be really interesting.

It can be difficult to know where to start, and not all news sources are reliable or provide the best information. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite resources to help you stay informed! Bookmark these pages and revisit them often or you can end up being one really out-of-date dev.

1. Twitter

If you don’t know what Twitter is by now, well you should. Twitter is a great resource for following your technology and language of choice. So many thought leaders, brands, and experts take to Twitter to shout out their newest findings, trends, and tips.

For example, a great general account to follow is @thepracticaldev. If you like react and redux news follow @danabramov or @vjeux. Are you familiar with npm, then follow @izs and @seldo. Another great account is @b0rk who is good to follow if you’re into (trying to get into) unix/linux.

There is a whole world of dev to explore on Twitter and a great place to easily stay informed about the latest in tech news by following the people and organizations who regularly post what’s new. You can also try this list by Robert Scoble for a large variety of great tech news channels or this list for additional developers to follow.

2. JavaScript Weekly

Here is a fun fact. JavaScript Weekly is a weekly newsletter that gives you the best information on what’s new in JavaScript. They email you once every Friday and won’t sell your information or spam your mailbox, and it’s simple to unsubscribe at any time. You can view their current newsletter on their homepage to get an idea of what they’ll be sending you.

3. Node Weekly

Node Weekly is exactly like JavaScript Weekly, but it sends newsletters focused on Node.js news and articles instead of news about the broader topic of JavaScipt.

Signup for their newsletter to get the top node.js news and modules delivered to your inbox every week or follow this Twitter account!

4. TechCrunch

With articles, videos, and even funding data, TechCrunch provides a wealth of information to anyone interested in the latest tech advancements. It covers information in many different industries, so it’s a great place to go when you have more time to browse. They also have several newsletters that you can subscribe to based on what you’re interested in hearing about.

5. CNET

CNET is a highly accessible tech news source that also does reviews, how-to’s, and more. You’ll find a lot of information on new and up-and-coming tech products. Although the website publishes reviews, news, articles, blogs, podcasts and videos on mainly consumer electronics globally, the CNET audience frequently discusses up and coming trends and stuff all developers should pay attention to.

6. Scotch.io

Scotch.io is a web development blog discussing all things programming, development, web, and life. With insightful web design/development articles scotch.io is a great resource for tips and news. They also have courses and tutorials that you need to check out.

7. Hacker News

Hacker News is a great place to go to keep your finger on the pulse of the tech community. It’s a social media site for those interested in everything tech, and functions much the same way that Reddit does. Users can upvote quality content, and downvote all the bad stuff.

You can sign up for their newsletter and get a Hacker News digest in your email every so often with the cream of the crop content, which is pretty cool.

8. MacRumors

Some of the best places to get your news will depend on what you’re interested in. More specific websites like MacRumors will give you the latest on the programs, languages, and products that mean the most to you. MacRumors is the best place to go for updates regarding Apple’s products.

9. W3Techs

If you are fact checker and need data to back anything up, then W3Techs is for you. W3Techs stands for “World Wide Web Technology Surveys.”

W3Techs provides information about the usage of various types of technologies on the web. They have a collection of surveys to keep you informed on all the latest trends. We have found the surveys to be super extensive and awesomely reliable.

10. Company Blogs

Industry giants like Google and Windows report much of their own tech news, and are worth checking in on from time to time. Another great one to follow is the GoDaddy blog. They frequently cover tips on how to rev up your website. If you turnover all the self-promotion in company blogs you can find awesome reads that are truly diamonds in the rough.

All this being said, there is no one comprehensive tech news site because there’s just too much to cover. The best way to stay informed is to accumulate a good library of resources, like the ones listed here!

When you’re pursuing a career in such a fast-paced industry, it’s important to have the best resources available. This includes a fast-paced, hardworking education like the kind you can get from DevMountain’s coding bootcamp. In just 12-16 weeks we can put you on the path to the career of your dreams. Our professional team has been out in the field and knows what it takes for you to succeed. Learn more about our program on our website, and request a syllabus today.

[“source=devmountain”]

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