Archives for December 2024

Happy Tuesday! 💌 It’s National Say It Now Day—a great time to let someone know how much they mean to you. Who will you show gratitude to today?

In This Issue: Polar Express Magic & Family Fun! | Deal of the Day | Kendall Howard Performance Racking System | OTDR Testing (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer) | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Polar Express Magic & Family Fun!

Good morning & happy Tuesday! Hope everyone is having a great start to the week!

The weekend was full of Christmas magic around here! We got to attend my friend Christy’s annual Christmas party, and it did not disappoint! There theme was The Polar Express and she had all sorts of Polar Express crafts for the kids to work on, cookies to decorate, and lots of food and hot chocolate to consume! Everyone wore pajama’s which was super cute! At one point, we received a delivery from the North Pole with a bell for each child and a note to let them know they were all on the “nice list”! They loved it!

We also had our Christmas Family Fun Night which was an absolute blast. We decorated a gingerbread house, decorated cookies, did crafts, ate pizza, and played lots of silly games! It was a wonderful time and we’re already looking forward to next year!

Rebecca

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Maximize your workspace with the Kendall Howard Performance Racking System, designed to convert the area into an efficient equipment rack. With 13U of mounting space (22.75” height) and a depth of 23”, this system offers versatile storage for your hardware. It features universal mounting holes and requires optional cagenuts (sold separately) to mount equipment.

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Learning Center Article – OTDR Testing (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer)

Aside from the price point of the technology, fiber optic networking is much more complicated than copper-only systems, and installing and maintaining fiber optics requires specialized testing and troubleshooting. In that pursuit, one powerful testing tool is known as an OTDR. This form of fiber optic testing can save time and improve results.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Walmart has launched a pilot program where some employees wear body cameras in U.S. stores to help deter conflict and prevent theft. This move mirrors trends in law enforcement and retail, as other companies like TJX have also adopted body cameras for loss prevention efforts. The technology aims to improve safety and reduce incidents in-store.
• The Nintendo Switch 2 looks like it might be following the handheld gaming PC trend and going large.
• Winter weather warnings are in effect for nine states, with heavy snow, gusty winds, and icy conditions expected to disrupt travel. Areas in Wyoming, Colorado, and Oregon could see up to 15 inches of snow, while South Dakota, Minnesota, Alaska, and others brace for slippery roads and hazardous commutes. The National Weather Service advises caution, urging travelers to prepare for difficult conditions through midweek.
• Oro Valley, a suburban community near Tucson, Arizona, has been named the safest and wealthiest retirement town in the U.S., according to GoBankingRates.com.

Happy Monday! 🍫 Today is National Chocolate-Covered Anything Day, so why not sweeten up your day? What’s your favorite treat to dip in chocolate?

In This Issue: Intentional Gifts 🎁 | Deal of the Day | TP-Link Fiber Converter | Terminate Cat6 Cable | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Intentional Gifts 🎁

Happy Monday!

I hope you had a great weekend! We are 9 days away from Christmas…can you believe it?!

This year, we’re not doing anything too over the top for Christmas, but if there’s one thing I love it’s finding very meaningful and intentional gifts for people. There is nothing better than a warm smile on Christmas morning when someone opens something that has some meaning behind it. Yes, all the other things are fun, but I feel like my husband and I try to truly think of something that someone will hit home.

I think gift giving gets harder and harder each year. Especially with so much change that can happen throughout the year, it can be kind of stressful! This year, I think we’ve fallen into the semi-last-minute shoppers. Which isn’t super typical of us, but…we’ve had a lot going on. But good news – I think we’re covered, for the most part! We’ve got a few more things we need to get and then it’ll be time to sit and wrap (which I love doing but also hate at the same time).

Are you a fan of gift giving? What’s your favorite thing about it?

Ashley

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The TP-Link MC220L Gigabit SFP to 1000Base-T media converter allows seamless interconnection between 1000Base-T and 1000Base-SX/LX/LH fiber cables in your network. It supports both single mode and multimode fiber, with copper RJ45 connectors for Cat5 or better cables and fiber connectors (LC or SC). The converter features hot-swappable SFP ports and status LEDs for easy monitoring of your network. It’s an essential solution for expanding and optimizing your network infrastructure.

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Learning Center Article – The Ultimate Guide to Terminate Cat6 Cable: A Step-by-Step DIY Guide

Whether you’re a tech-savvy homeowner or a network installer, this guide is packed with valuable tips and expert advice to help you achieve clean and efficient terminations every time. As you may know, terminating Cat6 cables requires precision and attention to detail. Using the wrong techniques or tools can result in signal degradation and poor network performance. That’s why it’s essential to follow the correct procedures, from stripping the cable jacket to crimping the connectors.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• East Coast residents and lawmakers are again demanding answers after another slew of drone sightings in the region, with the origins of the alleged craft still unclear.
• GM has announced the closure of its Cruise robotaxi business, signaling a shift in growth priorities to preserve capital amid industry-wide retrenchment. Once envisioned as a major revenue driver with projections of $50 billion by 2030, the driverless ride-hailing service will now be folded into GM, along with many of Cruise’s nearly 2,300 employees.
• Starbucks CEO doubles parental leave amid turnaround effort. Starting this spring, the company will double its paid parental leave benefits. For some workers, it’s as much as three times the original amount.
• General Mills, known for iconic brands like Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Lucky Charms, is kicking off the New Year with a lineup of nine new cereals hitting shelves this month and beyond. Fans can look forward to Cheerios Protein, Cheerios Oat Crunch Chocolate, Strawberry Vanilla Chex, Bluey Cereal, Nature Valley Dipped Granola, and more.

Happy Friday! ☕ Warm up your day with a cup of comfort—it’s National Cocoa Day! Here’s to wrapping up the week with a little sweetness and a lot of coziness.

In This Issue: Slowing Down to Celebrate the Season ✨ | Deal of the Day | Cisco Original Server | The Ultimate Long-Range Solution! | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Slowing Down to Celebrate the Season ✨

Happy Friday!

The holiday season is filled with traditions, big and small, that bring meaning and joy to this special time of year. For me, one of my absolute favorites is the Christmas Eve candlelight service at our church. In the midst of a busy season, I treasure that hour of slowing down—being with our church family, singing Christmas songs, and remembering why we celebrate. It’s like a deep breath in the middle of the holiday rush.

Last year, we added another tradition after the service. The kids changed into their coziest PJs, we made some hot chocolate, and then drove around to see Christmas lights. It was such a simple thing, but the joy it brought made it unforgettable.
These moments of togetherness and reflection remind me what this season is truly about.

Christin

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The SAS hard drives operate in a state-of-the-art performance for hosting high transaction applications. The SAS hard drives are available in 2.5-inch small form factor (SFF) and comes in a wide selection of storage capacity.

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Learning Center Article – Boost Your Connectivity with 1000BASE-LX Cisco MGBLX1: The Ultimate Long-Range Solution!

In today’s fast-evolving networking environment, maintaining an up-to-date infrastructure is essential. Whether you manage a small business or a large enterprise, choosing the right transceivers plays a key role in ensuring smooth, long-distance Ethernet communication.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• A recent Pew Research Center survey revealed that only 17% of American teens use Elon Musk’s social media app, X, marking a significant decline from its popularity a decade ago. Instead, teenagers are increasingly turning to Meta’s platforms, with Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp gaining traction among this demographic.
• OpenAI has upgraded ChatGPT’s Advanced Voice Mode to include video and screenshare capabilities. Users can now interact with ChatGPT using their phone camera, allowing the model to “see” what they see and provide real-time assistance. Demonstrated by OpenAI’s team, the feature showcased tasks like guiding a pour-over coffee brewing process and interpreting messages via screenshare. These updates are available to ChatGPT Plus and Pro users today, with Enterprise and Edu access coming in January.
• Wendy’s is spreading holiday cheer with its “Bow-GO” campaign, offering buy-one-get-one-free deals on popular menu items through December 22. Fans can enjoy treats like the Breakfast Baconator, Saucy Nuggs, and more, amounting to over $50 in savings. These exclusive deals are available daily in the Wendy’s app, making it easy to grab festive freebies all season long.
• Dunkin’ fans can now carry the sweet aroma of fresh doughnuts with them all day! In partnership with Native, Dunkin’ has introduced a personal care line featuring doughnut-inspired scents. From body washes to deodorants, this unique collection brings the comforting smell of freshly baked treats into your daily routine.

Happy Thursday and Happy National Gingerbread House Day! It’s the perfect day to spend the day baking, cutting, and building to your heart’s delight. Or maybe even a perfect day for a good ole fashion gingerbread house decorating competition?

In This Issue: Holiday Traditions That Bring Us Together | Deal of the Day | Cisco 4-Port Single-Wide EtherSwitch Card | Power of Network Servers | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Holiday Traditions That Bring Us Together

Happy Thursday!

The holiday season is such a special time to slow down and savor the little traditions that bring joy and connection to our lives. Amid the busyness, these moments remind us of what truly matters—spending time with loved ones, creating memories, and cherishing the simple pleasures.

One of my favorite traditions during this season is completing a holiday puzzle. Each year, we head to Hobby Lobby to pick out a new puzzle, and it becomes an ongoing project that lasts throughout the season. It’s not just about finishing it quickly; it’s about the time spent with family and friends who stop by, joining in to place a piece or two as we go about our daily lives.

Add in some baking, a warm cup of coffee, and the cozy spirit of the holidays, and it becomes one of my absolute favorite parts of the season. It’s such a simple thing, but it brings so much joy and togetherness.

Mandy

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Introducing the Cisco HWIC-4ESW EtherSwitch Card. It enables seamless VLAN routing through the router platform and supports flexible stacking with other Cisco EtherSwitch modules. Designed for versatility, it includes an optional power module for delivering inline power to IP phones, making it ideal for unified communication setups. Perfect for enhancing network scalability and efficiency.

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Learning Center Article – Ready for Peak Performance? Unleash the Power of Network Servers in Your IT Strategy!

At the core of every strong IT system lies the network server, a powerful tool designed to manage your data, streamline operations, and support your business growth. Whether you’re hosting critical applications or managing network resources, the right server can make all the difference in optimizing your IT performance.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has finalized a rule limiting banks’ ability to charge overdraft fees, aiming to save American consumers $5 billion annually. Set to take effect on October 1, 2025, the rule marks a significant step toward consumer protection, though its future implementation remains uncertain.
• After an hours-long outage on Wednesday that left users unable to access ChatGPT or the Sora video generator, OpenAI has restored its services. The disruption came on the same day Apple announced the integration of ChatGPT into the iPhone’s iOS operating system, marking a significant step for AI accessibility.
• Nike will continue to be the exclusive uniform provider for the National Football League through 2038.
• Pizza Hut is piloting a new restaurant design in Plano, Texas, featuring a Hut ‘N Go drive-thru offering “ready-now” items for faster service. The revamped concept includes self-service kiosks, contactless pick-up cabinets, a visible pizza-making station, and sustainable features like energy-efficient lighting and ovens.

Happy Wednesday! It’s National Stretching Day, a perfect midweek reminder to pause, stretch, and refresh. We’re halfway to Friday, hang in there!

In This Issue: Nutcracker Competitions Continued | Deal of the Day | Toslink Audio Cable | Cisco’s QSA Network Adapter | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Nutcracker Competitions Continued

Happy Wednesday!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend so far. In the spirit of Christmas and holiday traditions, last year my family started a few new traditions where we got together each weekend leading up to Christmas in December at a different member of the family’s house and did a different activity. This year, the festivities continued and this past weekend we hosted our 2nd annual nutcracker painting competition. Last year’s theme was The Grinch and this year it was Roudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. Last year, everyone was all over the place as it was our first year doing it, but this year, people were much more prepared and serious. It was quite the competition!

This upcoming weekend we will be at my aunt’s house for our next event and I can’t wait to share what that is with you next week. Until then, have a great week!

Ashley

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Our Optical Cables are high quality and will provide the sound you desire. With gold plated connectors protecting you against corrosion and a durable outer layer, this is the only optical cable you’ll ever need. This cable is compatible with both standard and high-definition devices and will work with all standard s/PDIF and Optical Ports.

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Learning Center Article – Dealing with Lagging Connections? Cisco’s QSA Network Adapter Can Help

In an increasingly connected world, the need for fast, reliable network communication has become essential for businesses, homes, and data centers alike. At the core of this connectivity are network adapters, which serve as the bridge between devices, enabling them to transmit data efficiently across networks. Whether it’s for wired, wireless, or fiber optic connections, network adapters play a pivotal role in maintaining smooth and stable communication.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Apple has rolled out new versions of its iPhone, iPad, and Mac software featuring a highly anticipated ChatGPT integration with Siri.
• Utah’s video game industry has grown over 230% in the past decade, generating more than $2.3 billion in revenue last year. The University of Utah, with its top-ranked video game program, plays a pivotal role by producing industry-ready graduates who contribute to blockbuster titles like Hogwarts Legacy and Fortnite. These achievements, along with strong partnerships with local studios, solidify Utah’s reputation as a rising hub for gaming innovation.
• The Voice Season 26 has finally crowned its winner, and America is celebrating. Sofronio Vasquez took home a monumental win for first-time coach Michael Bublé.
• According to Burger King, it’s Melts Season. You heard that right. BK Melts, which debuted in 2022 and returned for the holiday season in 2023, will officially come back in 2024. Beginning on Dec. 19, the cheesy sandwiches served on two slices of toasted bread will grace Burger Kings nationwide for just $4.99.

Happy Tuesday! The countdown to Christmas is on. We’re just 15 days away. Are you one of those people who had your shopping done weeks ago or are you just getting started?

In This Issue: The Excitement of Christmas! | Deal of the Day | Kendall Howard 2 Piece Rack Conversion Kit | Power Strip vs. Extension Cord | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – The Excitement of Christmas!

Good morning & happy Tuesday! I hope everyone’s week is off to a wonderful start!

The holiday excitement is really ramping up around here as Christmas gets closer. This year, we “adopted” an Elf on the Shelf, and it’s been such a blast! The kids wake up every morning eager to see what kind of mischief he’s gotten into overnight, and we usually all share a good laugh—it’s been a highlight of the season so far.

We’re also gearing up for some of our favorite Christmas traditions this weekend! On Saturday, one of my best friends is hosting her annual kid-centric Christmas party, which is always a hit. This year’s theme is The Polar Express, so it’s a pajama party—how fun is that? We’re counting down the days!

Then, on Sunday, it’s time for our annual Christmas Family Fun Night, a new tradition we started last year. The whole family comes over, and we play silly games, decorate a gingerbread house, enjoy delicious food, and just savor the joy of being together.

I absolutely love all the festivities this season brings, but I’m also reminded of how easy it is to get so “busy” that we lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas. I’ve been reading an advent devotional that’s been a helpful (and sometimes convicting) reminder to carve out quiet, reflective moments to focus on and appreciate the miracle of Christmas. I’m making a conscious effort to do just that amidst all the fun and activity.

Wishing you all a joyful and meaningful week!

Rebecca

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

This two-piece rack conversion kit can be used to attach a two post rack to the wall for extra stability or can be used in addition to a four piece conversion kit to make the new four post rack even stronger. Simply screw the conversion arms into the back of the front Telco rack and the front of the back Telco rack and you have a fully functional adjustable 4 post rack.

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Learning Center Article – Enhance Your Setup: The Ultimate Guide to Power Strip vs. Extension Cord

Choosing between a power strip and an extension cord is often confusing when setting up power solutions for your home, office, or outdoor projects. While both provide power, they serve different needs. Power strips are great for indoor spaces with multiple outlets. Extension cords, however, are designed to extend power over distances. Using the wrong tool can cause electrical issues, inefficiency, or even damage your devices.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Walmart is offering an unbeatable deal on the Juyafio Cordless Car Vacuum, slashing the price from $230 to just $23. Lightweight yet powerful, this handy device makes car cleaning quick and efficient, whether tackling crumbs or dust in hard-to-reach spots. With over $200 in savings, this deal won’t last long—grab it before it’s gone!
• Tesla shuts down Cybertruck production over slow demand and quality issues.
• OpenAI has unveiled “Shipmas,” a 12-day marketing campaign filled with product releases, feature updates, and demos just in time for the holidays. Kicking off with an updated version of o1 and ChatGPT Pro, OpenAI is set to roll out exciting new innovations daily. Stay tuned for more as the countdown continues!
• Sonic is bringing creativity and nostalgia to its menu with two limited-time drinks inspired by Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie. In collaboration with the upcoming show Paris & Nicole: The Encore, Sonic introduces “The Nicole” (Dr Pepper, sweet cream, vanilla, real strawberries, and whipped topping) and “The Paris” (Sprite, dragon fruit flavor, fresh lemon and lime, whipped topping, and Nerds Candy). These playful beverages channel the duo’s iconic style and are available now—so grab one before they’re gone!