Archives for November 2025

Rolling into Tuesday with good vibes! Today we’re celebrating Mickey Mouse’s birthday, the debut of the iconic character who started it all back in 1928. From black-and-white shorts to modern animation, he’s been a symbol of creativity for generations. Do you have a favorite Mickey moment?

In This Issue: Friendsgiving, Football & Firefly Trails | Deal of the Day | Keystone Jack LC/UPC Multimode Duplex | How to Pin Out an Ethernet Cable? | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Friendsgiving, Football & Firefly Trails

Good morning & Happy Tuesday! Hope everyone’s week is off to a great start!

I had a wonderful weekend that started with a “Friendsgiving” dinner with some of my closest childhood friends on Friday night. We decided to keep it simple so, instead of making food, we went out to dinner at the Iberian Pig in Decatur, GA. They serve all sorts of delicious tapas that we thoroughly enjoyed! My favorites were the lamb skewers and bacon wrapped dates!

Saturday was pretty laid back. I headed out for my long run on Saturday morning, then hit the grocery store to get some ingredients to make a small game day spread so that Josh and I could enjoy an evening of watching college football! The food was wonderful and the UGA game was even better! The atmosphere in the stadium looked like so much fun, and the game itself was insane! We had a lot to cheer for!

Sunday involved church in the morning followed by an afternoon in Athens. We finally got to check out the Firefly Trail which was a really nice place for a Sunday stroll and the weather was perfect. We grabbed a late brunch after our stroll and then it was time to get back into productivity mode with some Sunday cleaning to get set for the week ahead!

Rebecca

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

LC/UPC Multimode Duplex Keystone Jack in Ivory offers a professional, high-speed fiber optic connection for data and broadband applications. Designed with a durable gray body and white keystone insert, it fits any standard keystone wall plate or patch panel for a clean, customizable setup.

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Learning Center Article – How to Pin Out an Ethernet Cable?

When pinning out Ethernet cables the first thing you have to do is know exactly what type of Ethernet patch cord you are wanting to pin out.

• Straight-through Ethernet (standard)
• Crossover Cables
• Rollover Cables

All of these pinouts are based on T568B specs.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Ford to sell used vehicles on Amazon, joining Hyundai. 
• ​​​Amazon to raise $15 billion in first US bond sale in three years to fund AI push.​
• ​​Google expands AI Mode’s flight and event booking features.

Another Monday, another chance to reset. Today is National Take a Hike Day, a perfect excuse to step outside and enjoy a little fresh air. Whether it’s a long trail or a quick neighborhood walk, a little time outdoors can do wonders. Have you been on a good hike lately?

In This Issue: North Georgia Adventures | Deal of the Day | Cat6 Panel-Mount Ethernet Cable | Port Mirroring 101 | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – North Georgia Adventures

Happy Monday!

This weekend I went on a retreat and spent some time exploring North Georgia. Our group met up at Brasstown Bald, the highest point in the state, and rode a bus to the top to take in some amazing views of the surrounding mountains. While we were there, we met a local who shared some stories about the area and recommended a restaurant in Helen called Campfire. After watching the sunset, we headed down the mountain and stopped there for dinner. I ended up having one of the best smashburgers I have ever had. If you are ever in the alpine town of Helen, Campfire is worth a visit.

The next day is when things got interesting. We hiked Yonah Mountain, which was described to us as a moderate 4.1-mile trail with about 1,400 feet of elevation gain. It did not feel moderate at all once we started. It was the perfect day for a hike, and there were a ton of families and people with dogs taking advantage of the weather. We had to park along the road leading up to the trail because it was so busy. There were several steep sections, and it felt like we were climbing uphill the entire time. We took many breaks and paced ourselves, and there were a few moments when I thought about giving up. I am glad I kept going because the view at the top made it worth it. The sense of accomplishment felt great too.

I am still recovering from the hike. My calves are not happy, but one day I hope to take the kids with me.

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

The Cat6 Panel-Mount Ethernet Patch Cable provides a clean and professional network connection for wall plates, panels, and custom enclosures. Designed with a bulkhead-mountable female RJ45 connector, it allows for secure and convenient installation—no need to punch down or terminate wires.

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Learning Center Article – Port Mirroring 101

When you have an important network, it’s a common practice to use some form of network monitoring. This can help you keep an eye on things for better security and network performance. How do you implement monitoring techniques into a network? One of the most straightforward methods is to use port mirroring.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• FAA ends shutdown-era flight limits as controller staffing rebounds. 
• ​​​UK Twitter hacker who breached Obama’s account ordered to repay $5.4 million in Bitcoin.​
• ​​Amazon saves 30 cents per item by replacing workers with robots.

TGIF! Today is National Family PJ Day, and honestly, what a perfect way to roll into the weekend. It’s all about comfort, coziness, and rocking your favorite pajamas with the people you love. What’s your ideal “stay comfy” weekend plan?

In This Issue: A Week Full of Meaning | Deal of the Day | Modular T Adapter | Certified Pre-Owned Cisco | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – A Week Full of Meaning

Merry Friday, everyone. Hope your week has been steady. Mine had its own rhythm, and honestly, it was a good one.

Monday was my “second birthday.” Marines know what that means. The Marine Corps’ birthday always hits in a quiet way for me. A little celebration, a little reflection, and a reminder of the standard I still try to live by. Nothing fancy, just pride that sticks with you.

Tuesday brought a moment I won’t forget anytime soon. My oldest son honored me at his Veterans Day recital. When he pointed at me and said, “That’s my dad,” it stopped me. Serving was one chapter of my life, but seeing your kid recognize it with that kind of respect hits different. That one stayed with me.

The week kept moving after that. Basketball practice with the boys on Wednesday and Thursday. Missed shots, made shots, laughing, coaching, just spending time together. Simple but good.

We’re heading into a packed weekend now. The girls have a softball tournament that runs all weekend, and my oldest son and I have the 8U soccer end-of-season celebration. There will be medals, proud faces, and the usual fun chaos that comes with kids and sports.

Sunday will be church, and I’m already looking forward to that reset. It slows everything down for a minute and helps me remember what keeps me grounded.

It has been a full week, meaningful in a lot of ways. Even if the weekend runs me ragged, I’m ready for it.

What moments stood out in your week?

Matthew

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Easily expand your RJ11 phone line with this RJ11 (6P4C) 1F/2F Modular T Adapter. Designed with one female input and two female outputs, it enables quick and reliable connection of multiple phone or fax devices to a single line. Constructed with high-quality copper-plated contacts to ensure optimal signal transmission and long-lasting performance.

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Learning Center Article – Certified Pre – Owned Cisco & More: The IT Secret

Certified Pre-Owned Cisco gear is a game-changer for businesses and IT professionals who want premium equipment without the premium price tag. Our CPO products undergo a meticulous refurbishment process, ensuring they meet the same standards of reliability and performance as new equipment. Plus, we back it with a lifetime warranty and advance replacement, so you can buy with total confidence.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• La Niña will dominate winter weather, federal forecasters say. 
• ​​​Amazon rebrands its Starlink competitor to Amazon Leo.
• ​​Mozilla will add an ‘AI window‘ to Firefox.

It’s Thursday! The weekend’s peeking just around the corner. How’s your week been so far—smooth sailing or running on caffeine? ☕

In This Issue: Weekend of Miracles | Deal of the Day | Hinged Patch Panel | SAS vs SATA Drivers in Servers | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Weekend of Miracles

Good morning and Happy Thursday!

This past weekend started off with a special event for me! UGA held its very first annual Family Weekend, and for families that participated there was a “Very Important Bulldogs” brunch. They go to hear from guest speakers, tour the football lockers rooms, take pictures with the national championship trophies, and even see the field up close! I got to attend as a representative for UGA Miracle (which I’ve talked a lot about here!), and my boyfriend was one of the speakers. He got to tell the families about Miracle and his story with it, while I was there for any questions that people had during the ‘mingle’ time. It’s always special to hear him share his story, and I think the families really enjoyed it too.

After that early morning, we went home and spent the rest of the day getting some schoolwork done and preparing for Miracle’s big fundraising push, which kicked off last night! The theme for this one is “Beyond Limits,” and we spent a good hour or so setting up emails, social media posts, and all our fundraising materials. It took a while, but I’m so excited to see the total tonight when we do the reveal! My goal for this push is to raise $1,000, which is a little intimidating but I’m feeling motivated and hopeful to hit it.

The rest of the weekend was a productive one filled with errands, chores, and meal prepping to get ready for the week ahead. Since then, it’s been nonstop Miracle events! From our general body meeting on Tuesday, to our fundraising kickoff last night, and our “hype room” today, it’s been busy! But it’s the best kind of busy, because I know everything I’m doing makes a real difference in kids’ lives.

I’m planning to finish this week strong with our push, and I hope your weekend ahead is restful and just as rewarding in your own way!

Rachel

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

This sturdy metal mounting bracket is designed to mount a 1U, 1.75″, patch panel or other 1U high 19″ item on a wall. The depth is 6″ and the hinge allows the panel or equipment to swing out so that you may gain access to the back side.

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Learning Center Article – SAS vs SATA Drivers in Servers: Which is Better?

If you have a server, it needs storage drives. Whether you are using hard drives, solid-state drives, NVMe drives, or another storage medium, those drives need the ability to communicate with the rest of the system. For that communication, you have a multitude of connection types. When it comes to server systems, the two most prominent connections are SAS and SATA. Which is better for your server? That depends on how you intend to use it. We can take a closer look at SAS and SATA to see when one might outperform the other.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Microsoft launches its first AI superfactory to train massive models in weeks. 
• ​​​Google’s ‘moonshot’ project would put AI data centers in space.​
• ​​Thousands of unionized Starbucks workers to strike on Thursday.

Midweek check-in! National Chicken Soup for the Soul Day reminds us to give a little TLC to our minds and hearts. What’s your favorite way to recharge midweek?

In This Issue: Strength in the Storm | Deal of the Day | SFP Transceiver Module | Cisco Catalyst vs Nexus Switches Guide | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Strength in the Storm

Hello everyone, it’s midweek again! I hope you’re making good progress on your weekly tasks.

Last week, a typhoon caused significant devastation in the Philippines, especially in the Visayas region. Watching news reports and videos online brought me to tears. People and animals were affected, homes were buried in thick mud, and many lives were lost. I cannot imagine what it would be like to survive in that situation.

A few days later, a new and stronger typhoon formed, and unfortunately, it was forecasted to pass through my area in Quezon Province. We prepared as best we could, stocking up on food and water, securing loose objects, and building a stronger pen for my dad’s chickens. With limited space, we could not bring everything inside, so we made room for relatives who would be staying with us during the storm.

Before the typhoon, the weather was calm and sunny. Then, the winds picked up, and trees began to sway violently. Power and phone signals went out, and we had to wait it out. Even two days later, electricity was not fully restored. People lined up at water refilling stations and stores with generators just to get clean water or charge their phones. Hotels were fully booked, some areas flooded, and coastal regions were littered with debris from the ocean. Thankfully, the damage in our area was limited, and there were no casualties.

As someone living in the community, I hope these disasters remind everyone, including government authorities, of the importance of flood control and disaster preparedness. Even facing these monstrous storms, we are grateful to God for keeping us safe, for the air we breathe, food on the table, and the love of family.

Kat

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The Cisco GLC-T 1000BASE-T SFP Transceiver Module provides reliable Gigabit Ethernet connectivity over Cat5e copper cabling up to 100 meters. Featuring an RJ45 interface and hot-swappable design, it’s IEEE 802.3:2000 compliant and compatible with other 1000BASE modules. A cost-effective way to upgrade your network, each unit is a genuine Cisco Original, brand new, and factory sealed.

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Learning Center Article – Cisco Catalyst vs Nexus Switches Guide

When you’re designing a powerful network, you need access to the best switches. In order to determine which switches might be the best, you have to explore a few options. Cisco has plenty of switches to offer, and for high-end networking, the Catalyst and Nexus series come up a lot. What really distinguishes one from the other? We can take a dive into their differences, and you can determine if either family is right for your network.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• SpaceX’s Starlink launches $40 internet plan to take on fiber giants AT&T And Verizon. 
• ​​​Scintillating auroras dazzle in the night sky over North America.
• ​​Google is introducing its own version of Apple’s private AI cloud compute.

Happy Tuesday! Today, we honor those who’ve served our nation with strength and pride. Wishing all veterans a meaningful Veterans Day—your service means the world.

In This Issue: Cold Days, Warm Memories | Deal of the Day | DB25 Male Solder Cup Connector | Rack Solutions | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Cold Days, Warm Memories

Good morning & Happy Tuesday! Hope everyone’s having a great start to the week and staying warm! We’re experiencing a bit of an arctic blast here in Georgia and wow… I am not ready for winter!

Fortunately, the weekend was mostly warm and beautiful! I got to have my nieces over on Friday night which is always such a fun time! We kept things pretty low key with a dinner at Chick-fil-a, followed by a cozy night in doing a little Christmas decorating! On Saturday, we ventured out to Hobby Lobby which should honestly be considered an extreme sport at this time of year. It seemed like half our town was there stocking up on Christmas decorations! We didn’t get much, but each of the girls got to pick a Christmas ornament for the tree. They get to pick a new one every year and it’s always so fun to see their selections! Katherine chose a cute “K” shaped ornament, and Charlotte went with a fluffy reindeer ballerina!

On Saturday evening, we went out to dinner to celebrate my dad’s 69th birthday which was a lot of fun! After a weekend full of family fun, I’m definitely feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the week!

Rebecca

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The DB25 Male Solder Cup Connector is a reliable solution for custom cable assemblies, data communication, and legacy device connections. It features 25 pins and solder cup terminations for secure, precise wiring. The nickel-plated steel shell offers enhanced durability, corrosion resistance, and shielding against interference—ideal for professional and industrial applications.

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Learning Center Article – Rack Solutions on your Data Center

Setting up a data center network requires careful planning and meticulous execution. Everything has to be right or you hit bottlenecks and errors. The planning has to go so far as to pick the right resources for mounting your electronic equipment.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• FDA removes the black box warning on hormone therapy for menopause.
• ​​​Cathie Wood buys $16.2 millions of sinking AI stock.​
• ​​Second-ever Chick-fil-A vending machine launched on Georgia Tech’s campus.