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By Jessica Miller Thanksgiving is an enjoyable time for us all, but less so for our pets. There are a few things we need to be mindful of while we’re enjoying the holiday, in order to keep our pets safe. A rabbit in the backyard might be far enough away from the celebrations to not care, but for your dogs, cats, and hamsters in the same room as you, Thanksgiving can be a potentially dangerous time of year. Think Food So many of our much-loved foods are actually toxic to our pets. Dropping some chocolates, onion, garlic, or other scraps may have fatal consequences for our furry friends who decide to pick it up off the floor. Too much of any human food can be dangerous for our pets. After all, we have human food and they have specialized pet food for a reason. Watch The Kids If you’ve got a family gathering going on, make sure children are supervised. Not only are they likely to feed your pet food that they really shouldn’t be having, but kids also have a tendency to play rough. If there

BY BARBARA ORTUTAY AND FRANK BAJAK / AP  Facebook said Friday that it has suspended “tens of thousands” of apps made by about 400 developers as part of an investigation following the Cambridge Analytica scandal. The announcement came the same day that unsealed legal documents in Massachusetts disclosed that Facebook had suspended 69,000 apps. In the vast majority of cases, however, the suspensions came not after any kind of serious investigation but because app developers had failed to respond to emailed information requests. Starting in March 2018, Facebook began looking into the apps that have access to its users’ data. The probe came after revelations that data-mining firm Cambridge Analytica used ill-gotten data from millions of Facebook users through an app, then used the data to try to influence U.S. elections. It led to a massive backlash against Facebook that included CEO Mark Zuckerberg being called to testify before Congress. The company is still trying to repair its reputa

BY ROD MCGUIRK / AP   CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — An Australian state is attempting to persuade people to put down their smartphones while driving by rolling out cameras to prosecute distracted motorists. New South Wales Roads Minister Andrew Constance said Monday that Australia’s most populous state is the first jurisdiction in the world to use such technology to punish drivers distracted by social media, text messages or phone calls. Road safety experts are alarmed at the growing prevalence of accidents involving drivers using smartphones on New South Wales roads. Experts say drivers who illegally use phones increase their chances of an accident four-fold. “There is no doubt drink-driving as far as I’m concerned is on a par with mobile phone use, and that’s why we want everyone to be aware that you’re going to get busted doing this anytime, anywhere,” Constance told Australian Broadcasting Corp. The government intends to roll out 45 Mobile Phone Detection Cameras across the state by D

BY PATRICK LUCAS AUSTIN  Nintendo’s got a winner on its hands with the Nintendo Switch, there’s no denying it. The hybrid console, whether connected to your TV at home or in your hands while you’re on the go, has revitalized the company, helped spawn an indie game revival, and successfully introduced a new audience to both the company’s most iconic characters as well as its newer, more experimental titles. But like the ship of Theseus, how much of the Switch can you change, replace, or remove before it becomes something else? And is the Switch Lite, Nintendo’s new handheld-only version of the Switch, truly worthy of the name? I mean, come on, it doesn’t even do any switching! At $199, the Switch Lite undercuts the larger Switch by a cool hundred bucks, putting it well within impulsive holiday purchase territory. But a few bucks isn’t the only thing the handheld console ditches. The Switch Lite certainly takes its misspelled name to heart. While the original Switch isn’t heavy by any m

BY PATRICK LUCAS AUSTIN  Consider the professional, if you will. Complete with a demanding career, full schedule, and disheveled hair, they need the best of the best when out and about, ostensibly being a “pro.” That need extends to the tools they use, be it a fast laptop, full-frame camera, or set of razor-sharp knives. But how long until the smartphone is considered another tool in any person’s disposal? And when does a smartphone get so good it becomes a tool for professionals? Apple thinks its iPhone 11 Pro fits the bill thanks to its new cameras brimming with features. Whether the rest of it matches the whole “Pro” thing is another story. But first, the basics. Apple’s newest smartphones, the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max are all pretty similar — looking only at the front, you’d be hard-pressed to differentiate them from their iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max predecessors. In addition, every iPhone 11 device shares the same new A13 Bionic processor, and all run Apple’

BY PATRICK LUCAS AUSTIN  How does one improve Apple’s iPhone, the smartphone that set the standard for what we carry in our pockets today? If you’re Apple, you simply add more to the mix, this time with the $699-and-up iPhone 11. It doesn’t change much visually, but its internal updates and new photography features are enough to make anyone with an old iPhone do a double-take. But is a new iPhone with a second lens really what you need? That depends on what you plan to do with it. The iPhone’s design hasn’t changed much since the introduction of the all-screen iPhone X (and abandonment of the home button enabling TouchID fingerprint scanning). The iPhone 11, unfortunately, doesn’t do much to alter that formula, looking nearly identical to the iPhone that came before it, down to the same 6.1-inch screen that’s slightly too large for comfort. It does come in an array of bright, pastel-like colors, but once your appreciation of hues like Lilac wears off, you’ll wonder why it still looks

Finding ways to strengthen your social media accounts can be tremendously beneficial to your brand. Whether you are an entrepreneur looking to find your next project or a local business trying to expand, being able to reach people is integral to our success. Nowadays, we live in a social media-driven world. You simply cannot maximize your potential without attending to your digital platform. While anyone can set up a series of social media accounts, it takes skill to cultivate an organic following. Today, we are going to direct you toward three simple tips that can go a long way toward establishing your following. Building Your Brand Alright, so let’s start by simply pointing you to the biggest social media platforms on the internet. While websites come and go, social media platforms are oddly consistent. Right now, businesses need to be focused on establishing a Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook account. If you already have a personal account on these profiles, forget about it. Your br

Ever get the feeling that you’re getting more and more dehydrated during long-haul or even short distance flights? You’re not alone and it’s for good reason. Sitting on a climate-controlled aeroplane cruising at around 30,000ft may sound cushy, but that climate control has humidity that can be as low as 10-15%. That’s 3 times drier than the Sahara desert – so it’s no wonder that you’re feeling a bit thirsty, dry and uncomfortable. In an average 10 hour flight, men can lose approximately 2 litres of water with women not far behind at 1.6 litres. So I think it’s pretty safe to say that flying is not great for your levels of hydration, but how can you make the most of a bad situation and stay hydrated on every flight? 1. Pack a bottle and drink up The Aerospace Medical Association suggests passengers drink 8 ounces of water every hour that they’re in the air to prevent dehydration. To make sure that you’re keeping topped up, you’re going to need a good bottle that you can trust within yo

It used to be simple to avoid picking up a virus online. You stuck to trusted websites, didn’t download anything, or simply went offline. Nowadays, with the advances made in tech, things are a lot more complicated. Cybercrime is set to cost in the region of $2 trillion in 2019! It’s a real growth industry that is very appealing for the criminal mindset. It’s fairly easy money and, with the software out there can be set to make you a nice passive income. Essentially, it’s the criminal’s version of the Four Hour Work Week, ramped up to make a lot more money. If you have a knack for computers, are willing to colour outside the lines, and not too fussed about sticking to the rules, you could earn yourself a tidy income as a hacker. If you’d prefer to earn an honest living, you will need to protect yourself against a variety of cyberattacks.  Let’s have a look at the more common kinds of attacks. Phishing Attacks Phishing attacks are most commonly emails that look like they’re from a legiti

As a business owner, one of the easiest ways you can transform your business is by incorporating technology and systematizing every task possible. Besides simplifying common business activities and processes, technology enhances consistency and efficiency, both which tend to diminish when relying entirely on human labor. In this post, we explain five top reasons you should consider adding technology to your business for improved productivity and smoother operations and management. Enhance fluid communication Good business relationships are built by streamlining communication and interactions made between you and your target market. Luckily, technology facilitates communication channels that are seldom barred by distance and other physical factors. A good example is social media and websites which now allow businesses to advertise as well as interact with prospects even when they’re miles away. Additionally, tech paves way for instant feedback from consumers, whether in the form of com

If your home is using an old-school mercury thermostat, then it’s way behind the times. These very basic models usually only offer control in turning the heat or air conditioning on or off and basic temperature adjustment. It might be perfect if you don’t have to change the temperature very often, but in some places, like the desert, you want that kind of control. You may even want that kind of control to be able to program your thermostat to come on or turn off or stay at a certain temperature at certain times. “There are many reasons someone would want to upgrade their heating and air system to include a more modern thermostat,” says Steve Lewis, president, and CEO of Ambient Edge, “Here are just a few of the best reasons to switch to a programmable thermostat.” One of the biggest advantages to a programmable thermostat is that unlike its predecessors, it has fewer moving parts . This means less to maintain and no technician visits to calibrate. Not having to have regular maintenanc

Getting an Ignition Interlock Device is basically like getting a breathalyzer installed in your car. You have to breathe into the device to start the car every time, and then it may require you to breathe into it periodically while driving as well. It scans your breath for signs of alcohol in your lungs and it won’t start the car if it tests positive. The device is now a frequently imposed penalty for DUI convictions in the United States. Ignition interlock can be a big hassle, but it’s often better than the alternative, which could be a total loss of driving privileges. If you’re going to have to drive with one, you should make sure you get a good understanding of how it’ll work first. Read about it here and ensure you’re prepared to go about your daily life and maintain good behavior for the judge while you’re at it. When Are Ignition Interlock Devices Required Your state may require you to install an ignition interlock device after a DUI , but depending on your state, the specific

Social media listening is the monitoring and evaluation of conversations and social digital platforms for analytical data regarding products, brands, and industries. Individuals, companies and even political parties have used social media listening to further their brands against the competition. It allows them to monitor their and the competition’s; enabling the formulation of informed and timely tactical strategies. This not only expands their product or service’s reach but also to gather the response which determines their effectiveness. What is social media? means the collective mass of online person to person or group customizable communication platforms. There are hundreds of sites and applications in all-digital format of social media platforms on the internet today; some strictly exclusive but most all-inclusive. Companies and their brands can easily stay in direct touch with their target consumers; who express their interest and loyalty. Besides cutting the time to less than h

The dating world has changed immensely even over the last few years with the emergence of dating apps that have brought online dating to the mainstream. This can be a difficult place to navigate especially if you have been in a long term relationship. Divorce is far more common than many people think so do not think you are somehow unworthy just because a relationship failed. Often times relationships fail due to issues on both sides rather than a breakup being one-sided. The following are tips for dating after you have been recently divorced. Try Online Dating Online dating allows for people to start talking to people that they might be interested in without any of the commitment. The first few months after you have decided to start dating might just be flirting on Tinder with people you find attractive. You need to find a site that has your best interests and goals in mind as some apps or websites are more for casual dating than potential long term relationships. There is almost a da

Proper installation of data cables is necessary to get the maximum performance and high results. The main purpose of proper installation is to allow the data networking equipment for actual functioning. But sometimes, the installers did not pay attention to some effective installation guidelines, which leads to severe risks like loss of property, harm yourself, etc. This means if wires are not properly installed or necessary precautions are not taken, then it will maximize the risk of failure and maintenance costs. Therefore, it is ideal to follow the guidelines and best practices while installing data cables. Under the installation, rules understand the methods and accuracy of the connection of components and organizations of cable flows. This module will improve operations by reducing the risk of failure, increasing the mean time between failure, reducing the installation time, plus maintenance costs. Installation of all components and cables must be performed in accordance with the