Category: Uncategorized

If you had to choose a single book to represent each country…

Before GoodReads, there was LibraryThing where I recorded several thousand books I’ve read over my life including the countries of origin. At the time I thought I was well-read, but my inability to read in any languages but English and (sometimes) French limited me fat more than I was willing to acknowledge. People living in … Continue reading If you had to choose a single book to represent each country… →

How difficult is it to stop flying? Depends

It's virtually impossible for those who live on relatively isolated islands (depending on your career) to avoid ALL air transportation. But there are approaches that can help at least reduce air travel. At the very least, one can purchase offsets. Being a New Zealander is a classic example. No fly zone: I didn't catch a … Continue reading How difficult is it to stop flying? Depends →

Book discussions invade even TikTok

Since I am very far from being a teenager, I know what Tiktok is (essentially very short videos) but would never have thought of it as something suitable for discussing or even relating to books. This author has spent the time to find nine Tiktok accounts that have something to say about the written word. … Continue reading Book discussions invade even TikTok →

Here’s why Costco pizzas taste so good

Unfortunately, several key factors in the always reliable "yum" factor are not reproducible in the home kitchens. But several of the reasons why the pizza tastes great can, and should, be a part of the home kitchen: measuring ingredients consistently and accurately, letting the yeast do its job before rushing the pizza into the oven, … Continue reading Here’s why Costco pizzas taste so good →

Phone numbers you need on your smartphone

Given that smartphones now serve as the replacement for multiple devices, we need to be as efficient as possible. This handy list of phone numbers you should enter into the phone is one worth pursuing Now. https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/important-emergency-phone-numbers-36638923? 11 Phone Numbers Everyone in the US Should Have Saved In Their Phone by Caroline BiggsPublished: Oct 27, … Continue reading Phone numbers you need on your smartphone →

Scotland preserves a carbon sink

Always nice to see a country take affirmative action on the climate crisis. Peatlands (bogs) are carbon sinks that work twice as well as forests. Unfortunately, nature creates them -- not humans. But it is possible to take action to protect the peatlands that now cover 3% of the world's land in 175 countries. https://www.ecowatch.com/scotland-peatlands-climate-change-2641173982.html … Continue reading Scotland preserves a carbon sink →

Everything you ever wanted to know about the fall time change

Changing the time by "falling back" or "springing forward" is beyond annoying, but is unlikely to change soon. This article explains why this historical anachronism began and continues. https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2019/10/28/20931998/daylight-saving-time-2019 Daylight saving time ends Sunday: 8 things to know about “falling back” We push our clocks back at 2 am Sunday, November 3. Here’s why.By Brian Resnick@B_resnickbrian@vox.com  Oct … Continue reading Everything you ever wanted to know about the fall time change →

Nine AirPod Pro tricks to learn

The AirPod Pro reviews I've seen so far are universally full of praise but not necessarily helpful to the eventual user. This article fills that role. Because of all the screen shots, I suggest you just click thru. https://www.cnet.com/how-to/9-cool-airpods-pro-tips-and-tricks-to-try-with-your-new-earbuds/#ftag=CAD-09-10aai5b

If you’ve been looking for best sellers in eBook format, this is why they’ve disappeared

If you want to borrow a book from the library that's printed, you may have to wait on a hold list for a bit before gaining access but the library owns the volume and can allow users to borrow the book until it literally falls apart. Publishers are doing their best to establish a very … Continue reading If you’ve been looking for best sellers in eBook format, this is why they’ve disappeared →

Update Chrome immediately

Given how widely Chrome is used, it’s sad to see this headline. Do update your software tho. New Google Chrome Security Alert: Update Your Browsers As ‘High Severity’ Zero-Day Exploit Confirmed EDITOR'S PICK|180,584 views|Nov 1, 2019,8:11 am Davey WinderSenior ContributorCybersecurityI report and analyse breaking cybersecurity and privacy stories It takes a lot to scare anyone … Continue reading Update Chrome immediately →

Turns out grocery story layouts useful for servicing online customers

Fascinating article about how online grocery sales are being serviced -- and why. FreshDirect is the primary online grocer in midtown Manhattan and it has had its own problems with trying to service its customers: first by picking the place for its service center and second by walking the line between nonbranded products and the … Continue reading Turns out grocery story layouts useful for servicing online customers →