If you’re a naturally shy introvert like me, you might struggle to make conversation with strangers, or even with coworkers and other folks you don’t know well.
As a result, introverts are often unfairly characterized as social misfits who avoid other people like the plague. We can also, quite unintentionally, come across as distant and unfriendly.
Years ago, my own quiet, reserved manner began to hinder my career.…
Computer security hit the mainstream long ago, with regular media attention on high-profile security breaches and ransomware attacks.
A ransomware attack that hit the city of Atlanta had far-reaching effects on city services such as the court system, police reporting and online payment of water and sewer bills.
Unfortunately, you can’t protect your data that’s in the hands of other companies from incidents like what happened at Equifax.…
After your kids are long past the baby stage, you might find yourself with a bunch of baby stuff that’s taking up oodles of space in your garage, basement, attic or closets.
What’s great about some of your unwanted baby gear is that you can sell it. For smaller, shippable items, research past sales on eBay to get a feel for what you should list your own items for.…
Google knows a lot about your ancestors if you know how to search for it. These 5 tips will help you get the most out of your Google genealogy research.
A word of caution, though – take care when you find other people’s family trees. It’s best to avoid copying information from other people’s genealogy unless they cite reliable sources. Otherwise, you have no way of verifying that the information is correct.…
Ancestry.com offers a mindblowing array of genealogy records, but you might be surprised to learn that not all of those records show up in a normal search.
The site also contains a large number of records that haven’t been indexed into the standard search function. These “browse-only” collections are mostly invisible to the average Ancestry user.
Some of these collections have been around for years, while others are new to the site.…
You may not think you’re paying anything for using Facebook, but you are.
You’re giving up gobs and gobs of personal information, often without even realizing it.
Facebook is once again in hot water for playing fast and loose with your personal information, regardless of your privacy settings. A company named Cambridge Analytica is at the center of the latest firestorm.…
If you think your parents or grandparents would have no use for an Amazon Echo Dot with Amazon Alexa technology, you might want to reconsider.
When I asked for an Amazon Echo Dot a year ago for Christmas, I thought it was a frivolous request and wasn’t sure how I’d actually use it. Was I ever wrong!
Right away, my dad, who was visiting for the holidays, started asking questions of Alexa.…
The smart entry key for my Honda CR-V really is smart. It automatically unlocks the door to my CR-V when I lift my hand near the door. There’s no actual key to start the motor – I press a button while my foot is on the brake pedal.
This type of key fob is common on popular 2015-2018 Honda models such as CR-V, Civic and Accord.…
Remember that scene in “The Empire Strikes Back” when Chewbacca is tortured by loud siren noises? That’s what it felt like the other day when all six of the smoke alarms in my house went off.
That is, all of the alarms went off except for the one that I’ve recently replaced. The others are all wired together and hooked into the house’s electricity, with battery backup.…
Be aware of one website that masquerades as a genealogy resource but instead provides a thoroughly creepy and in-depth listing of your personal information.
You can find a number of sites on the internet that offer to find personal information on just about anyone. Most of these sites provide minimal information without registering for an account and paying a fee.
Companies that run such sites scour thousands of public records to come up with a comprehensive listing on you.…