Archives for January 2025

Happy Tuesday! 🍤 It’s National Tempura Day! Celebrate by enjoying some crispy, golden goodness—whether it’s seafood or veggies dipped in a tempura batter. What’s your favorite tempura dish?

In This Issue: Fresh Starts & Intentions for 2025! | Deal of the Day | Cable Raceway | Difference between OS2, OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4, and OM5 | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Fresh Starts & Intentions for 2025!

Good Morning & Happy Tuesday! I hope everyone is settling into the new year! After some time off over the holidays, I’m super excited to get back into a routine and feel productive again. There’s just something about starting fresh that gives me a little extra motivation to tackle everything head-on.

I’ve never been big on New Year’s resolutions—they tend to feel a bit extreme, and let’s be honest, the stats don’t really back them up (only about 9-12% of people stick with them!). Instead, I like to focus on more general goals or intentions for the year. I really love how the new year feels like a clean slate—a little shake-up that gets you thinking critically about different areas of life and what you want to focus on.

One thing I’m really looking forward to this year is reading through the Bible in a year using “The Bible Recap” plan. It’s a chronological reading plan that takes you through the entire Bible in a year, and I’m so thankful to be going through it with a few friends! We’re only six days in, so there’s still a long way to go, but it’s already been such a great experience.

What about you? Are there any goals, intentions, or plans you’re excited about for 2025?

Rebecca

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Cable raceways are used to route, conceal, and protect cables. These raceways can also be used to hide and organize exposed cables to free up the area around you for a cleaner look. This raceway forms a physical pathway for cables and protects them against corrosion, humidity, heat, and other physical threats. These cable raceways can be cut down to smaller pieces and painted. They also have foam adhesive tape pre-applied for extra protection.

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Learning Center Article – What is the difference between OS2, OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4, and OM5?

When it comes to fiber optic networks, there are a lot of options in how a network is designed. Ultimately, the demands of the network will determine which cable is best for any given job, but you need to have a clear understanding of the different fiber cables in order to make that decision. While the complete list of design differences could fill several books, you can understand the key variations in design in a few minutes.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Walmart is selling a ‘wonderful’ $50 handheld vacuum for just $19, and shoppers say it’s ‘portable yet powerful’.
• Nvidia revealed new chips for desktop and laptop PCs that use the same Blackwell architecture underpinning the company’s fastest AI processors for data centers.
• Online spending grew 8.7% during November and December, according to Adobe Analytics, as consumers took advantage of discounts.
• Starbucks Korea has introduced a collection of Harry Potter-themed beverages, food items, and merchandise in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products.

Happy Monday! 🎉 It’s National Thank God It’s Monday Day—what better way to embrace new beginnings than with a fresh start? How are you setting the tone for your week?

In This Issue: New Beginnings and Gratitude! | Deal of the Day | Ethernet Cable Boots | Cat8 Ethernet Cable | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – New Beginnings and Gratitude!

Happy Monday!

It’s been a while! I hope you had a great Christmas and New Years! I can’t believe it’s already 2025. We’re in the future, folks! I can hear the movie voice in my head every time 2025 is mentioned… “In the year 2025…” I enjoyed some quality time with my family over the break. We went and visited the Georgia Aquarium and the kids absolutely loved it. They especially loved the dolphin show there and the whole place was decorated with beautiful Christmas trees. I’m very thankful for the time we spent together, and I think we managed to unlock a core memory with the kids! If you’re ever in the Atlanta area, I highly recommend the aquarium, it’s a must see in my book.

This season I was extra thankful, because I had a slight health scare a few days before Christmas where I had to spend 3 days in the hospital. I’ll probably write more on that later, but through the grace of God, I was able to get out of the hospital pretty much unscathed (just have to take a bit more medications than usual), and I was able to spend the holidays relatively normally. I’m looking forward to 2025 and putting all the 2024 craziness behind me. I even spent a day intentionally writing some goals down for the year. I don’t like calling them resolutions, I usually fail at every resolution I set, so I’ll just stick with goals. For me this year is about intentionality and consistency! Wish me luck!

I hope you have a great day and a wonderful week!

Cris

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Protect your cables and prevent snagging with these blue Ethernet cable boots. Ideal for custom cable builds, they should be installed before attaching RJ45 connectors.

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Learning Center Article – What is a Cat8 Ethernet Cable and How is it Different?

Cat8 is the most modern, fastest Ethernet cable standard available today. Although Google tried to make fiber optics the standard for home internet connections, Ethernet has maintained a presence, and every few years new iterations are released that offer better performance.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• According to ESG Today, IKEA’s parent Ingka Group intends to set aside €1.5 billion (around $1.54 billion) to improve energy efficiency within its stores and switch to renewable heating and cooling technology.
• Disney’s Hulu+ Live TV will be combined with Fubo, merging together two internet TV bundles, the companies announced on Monday.
• Comcast will launch Universal Ads, an advertising platform meant to simplify the ad-buying process for small- and medium-sized businesses.
• Krispy Kreme and Pop-Tarts are releasing the ultimate breakfast pastry collaboration.

Happy Friday! 🍒 It’s National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day—what better way to sweeten up the first Friday of the year? Are chocolate-covered cherries one of your favorites?

In This Issue: Kicking Off 2025 with Purpose | Deal of the Day | Cisco Original Hard Drive | Why NEMA Connectors Matter | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Kicking Off 2025 with Purpose

Happy Friday, everyone!

Time really flies, doesn’t it? Can you believe it’s already the first Friday of the new year?

As I reflect on the start of 2025, I’ve been thinking about the simple yet meaningful goals I’ve set for myself. Growing up with a simple life has shaped my approach to the future, and this year, my focus is clear. I’m working toward living a healthier lifestyle, preparing for the future by earning and investing wisely, and upskilling to grow both personally and professionally. These goals aren’t just for me—they’re for my family and our future. Each one is a stepping stone toward the life I’ve always envisioned, and I’m excited to take them on, one step at a time.

What about you? Have you set your resolutions yet?

Kat

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The Cisco A03-D1TBSATA is a high-performance 1TB SAS hard drive, ideal for hosting high-transaction applications. With a 7200 RPM speed and 2.5-inch small form factor, this drive is fully tested and wiped clean for reliability. It offers state-of-the-art performance and is available from CablesAndkits with a range of storage capacities.

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Learning Center Article – Powering Up Safely: Why NEMA Connectors Matter

Selecting the right NEMA connector is crucial for safe and efficient power connections across various applications. From household electronics to industrial machinery, they offer a standardized approach that ensures compatibility and reliable performance across different power needs.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Americans who have a TV or internet subscription with Cox Communications can expect to see their bills increase this month.
• Walmart is selling a $600 home gym for only $260 that shoppers say is the ‘best piece of workout equipment’.
• Apple has agreed to a $95 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit over claims that its Siri voice assistant recorded and shared conversations without user consent. While denying wrongdoing, Apple will pay eligible U.S. customers up to $20 per Siri-enabled device, pending federal approval. The lawsuit alleges privacy violations, including unauthorized recordings and third-party data sharing.
• Due to a combination of drought in Brazil and floods in Kenya, two major coffee producers, coffee prices in the U.S. are set to rise significantly. This price increase will affect both grocery store purchases and coffee shop offerings, including those at Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks.

Happy Thursday! 💪 It’s National Personal Trainer Awareness Day! As we set our New Year’s fitness goals, let’s give a shout-out to the trainers who help us stay on track. What’s the best tip you’ve gotten to kickstart your fitness journey?

In This Issue: Holiday Recap & Prayers for 2025 | Deal of the Day | Cisco ASA 5515-X Firewall Edition | Most Reliable Fiber to Ethernet Media Converters | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Holiday Recap & Prayers for 2025

Happy Monday… wait, Tuesday… what day is it again?

Is anyone else feeling like the holidays and the end of the year blur all the days together? Time is flying by SO fast, but here we are, welcoming 2025!

I hope your New Year was everything you’d hoped it would be. For me, Christmas was surprisingly sweet. After a year of big changes and challenges, I wasn’t sure how it would feel. But my family really came together—my older brother revived some of our favorite Christmas Eve traditions, and we sprinkled in new memories too. It reminded me how important it is to hold onto what matters most while still making room for growth and change.

Speaking of sweet memories, Christmas with a 16-month-old was a blast! He was more into playing with his toys than ripping open presents, but his mini Dyson vacuum and blocks were clear winners (shoutout to my aunt and uncle for nailing the gift game!).

2025 is going to be a big year for our entire family! We are soon going to be welcoming a little one into the family (and I’ll officially be an aunt!), we’re going to be learning ways to support other family members through things that we haven’t had to before, and so much more that we don’t even know about yet. It’s going to be hard. It’s going to be fun. It’s going to test our faith. It’s going to test the strength of our family…and so much more.

Lastly, it’s a strange time in our country right now. There’s so much hurt happening in our world that can be so defeating. If you’re anything like me, turning on the news is the last thing you want to do. I don’t have a ton to say on any of the recent events that have taken place, but I am praying for those who were directly impacted and their families, those who have/are/will witness these tragic events take place, those who have heavy hearts for all that is going on around us, and those who are on the edge of simply losing hope. I’m not sure there are any words that can make anything better, but I am a firm believer in “let go, and let God”.

If our team can be praying for you in any way, please let us know! We’re here for you and care about you. I hope you have a wonderful rest of your week, a relaxing weekend, and kick-off 2025 in the best way possible.

Ashley

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The Cisco ASA 5515-X Firewall offers advanced security for small to medium-sized businesses, with features like malware defense, VPN support, Web Security Essentials, and intrusion prevention. Designed for multi-location networks, it provides detailed control, visibility, and cloud or onsite web security to protect your network infrastructure.

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Learning Center Article – Network Upgrade: Expert Picks for the Most Reliable Fiber to Ethernet Media Converters

In today’s fast-paced digital world, maintaining a stable and high-speed network is essential for both businesses and individuals. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by converting fiber connections to Ethernet. This conversion allows for faster speeds and greater coverage within existing networks. TP-Link, a well-known leader in networking solutions, offers a range of media converters that facilitate the transition between fiber and Ethernet.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Lectric’s new XPeak 2.0 e-bike features an 85 Nm motor, smoother pedal assist, an eight-speed system, and a 60-mile range, with an 80-mile battery upgrade for $200. Priced at $1,399, it’s built for adventure with all-terrain tires and weatherproof tech.
• The Samsung 98″ Class Crystal UHD TV (DU9000) is now $2999.99, saving you $1000. Enjoy stunning 4K resolution, vibrant colors, HDR, and smooth action with advanced features like Motion Xcelerator Turbo and Q Symphony audio. Powered by Tizen OS, it’s perfect for streaming, gaming, and more.
• Elon Musk’s Starlink technology will soon allow iPhone and Android users to make calls from even the most remote locations without relying on traditional cell towers. Using the existing Starlink satellite network, ordinary smartphones can connect without needing expensive new hardware.
• Chipotle and Strava are teaming up for a global fitness challenge, offering free Lifestyle Bowls for a year and a chance to win free Chipotle for entire cities. Participants in 25 cities can compete on Strava segments through January 31, with prizes for top performers and the city with the most mileage. Chipotle is also hosting a “Goals, Gym, Guac” challenge through January 9, featuring motivational texts and exclusive offers to help stick to New Year’s resolutions.