Archives for January 2026

Yey, Wednesday! Today is all about our furry companions. National Dress Up Your Pet Day invites pet owners to celebrate their pets’ personalities and style, whether through a simple grooming session or a fun outfit. Have you ever dressed up your pet or given them a special look?

In This Issue: Little Extended Holiday Moments | Deal of the Day | TV Wall Mount | Best Way to Connect Multiple Switches | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Little Extended Holiday Moments

Hello, everyone! It’s time for our mid-week check-in. How’s everyone doing so far?

Last week, my whole family had an extended holiday trip since my boyfriend also visited our hometown. So yes, I can say we were complete. We’ve been together for nearly 11 years, and both our families are already asking the big question: when are we getting married? I think that’s pretty normal for Filipino families, putting someone in the hot seat with questions about marriage, having kids, and everything else. We are already talking about and planning those things, but they’re not our top priority right now. We both want to earn enough money first before starting our own family.

Going back to our extended holiday break, I can say it was 20% planned and 80% impromptu. How did that go? Well, we all agreed to go swimming, but we had no idea where. Even the food was undecided. Since we had just finished our New Year feast days before, we couldn’t decide whether to cook and pack food or just eat at a nearby restaurant. In the end, we simply drove around looking for a pool or beach resort. As for the food, we just asked each person what they wanted to eat and ordered everything from the restaurant. We spent the whole day swimming, and I can honestly say everyone had fun. But after all the fun came the body pain. In my case, it’s body pain plus a stiff neck that I’m still feeling until now.

When planning a vacation, do you prefer something well-planned, or do you enjoy going with whatever comes to mind once you’re there? How was your experience?

Kat

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Mount your TV with confidence and flexibility using the KLA26-112 Full Motion TV Mount, designed for screens 13 to 27 inches. With an extendable arm reaching up to 11.1 inches (282mm) and a compact retraction of just 1.73 inches (44mm), this mount is perfect for achieving the optimal viewing angle in any room.

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Learning Center Article – Best Way to Connect Multiple Switches

What is the purpose of connecting multiple switches? In most cases, the goal is to expand network access. When you connect switches, you get more ports that can be used, and that means more devices can utilize the network.

Depending on the configuration, connecting multiple switches can also increase the bandwidth of the network. This is important for any demanding network that is short on total bandwidth.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Microsoft responds to AI data center revolt, vowing to cover full power costs and reject local tax breaks. 
• ​Wing and Walmart expand drone delivery to 150 new stores coast to coast.
• Tesla‘s full self-driving is switching to a subscription-only service.

Happy Tuesday! Today celebrates the small details that bring personality and fun. National Sticker Day recognizes all the ways stickers brighten pages, spaces, and messages, each with a story of its own. Want to share a photo of your favorite sticker or a CablesAndKits sticker you have?

In This Issue: Making the Most of a Rainy Day | Deal of the Day | CAT-6A Slim Ethernet Patch Cable | OS2, OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4 & OM5 | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Making the Most of a Rainy Day

Good Morning & Happy Tuesday! Hope everyone’s having a great week so far!

I had a bit of an adventurous weekend which was fun. Rain rolled in on Friday night and the forecast for Saturday didn’t look great, but we decided to head to North Georgia anyways and hope for some breaks in the weather. The drive up was intense. The rain was absolutely pouring and the winding mountain roads were a little nerve-wracking given the amount of water! It was beautiful though, and we saw so many pop up waterfalls from all the rain flowing over the side of the rocks.

We ate at a really delicious hole-in-the-wall BBQ joint, and then decided to drive to Brasstown Bald to check out conditions. Not surprisingly, it was completely enveloped in clouds and you couldn’t see anything! We decided that was not the play, so we drove to Vogel State Park to do a short 1 mile hike around the lake. When we got there, we were told the lake loop was closed due to some work being done.

Fortunately, third time truly was the charm for us and we drove a few miles down the road to DeSoto Falls which is one of Georgia’s little hidden treasures! It’s one hike with 2 waterfalls, an upper falls and lower falls. The lower falls is a 20 foot waterfall which is beautiful enough, but the upper falls is an 80 foot cascading waterfall which is just breathtaking! It was even more impressive given all the rain… the water was flowing like crazy! We really enjoyed it and felt pretty good about making the most of a rainy day!

Rebecca

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Upgrade your network with this high-performance Cat6a Slim Ethernet Patch Cable in vibrant red — perfect for home, office, or data center installations. Designed to deliver reliable 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, this slim patch cable combines excellent performance with flexible, space-saving design.

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Learning Center Article – What are the differences between OS2, OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4 & 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:

• Trump says tech giants must bear cost of data center electricity. 
• ​Elon Musk just got permission to launch 7,500 more Starlink satellites.
• Lucid Gravity self-driving Uber robotaxi is set to launch later in 2026.

The second Monday of January brings a fresh reason to reset. National Clean Off Your Desk Day encourages starting the year with a clean and organized workspace. Whether your desk is at home or in the office, a little decluttering can boost focus, productivity, and peace of mind. How much time do you usually spend cleaning your workspace?

In This Issue: Weekend Highlights and What’s Coming Up | Deal of the Day | Cat6A Ethernet Patch Cable | Is Your Network Ready for 2026? | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Weekend Highlights and What’s Coming Up

Happy Monday!

This weekend I got together with some friends and watched Anaconda, and honestly, I enjoyed it way more than I expected to. It’s one of those movies that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and it ended up being a really fun watch. Jack Black and Paul Rudd were a great combo and made the movie even more entertaining.

I’m also getting excited for the upcoming Winter Olympics, which kick off on February 6. We watched some of the figure skating with the family, and it already looks like there’s going to be some fierce competition this year. I’m especially looking forward to watching the skiing, snowboarding, bobsledding, and of course curling. There’s just something about curling that pulls you in.

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 Cat-6A UTP Ethernet Patch Cable is a 20 ft (6.1 m) high-performance networking solution engineered for dependable data transmission in today’s networks. Compliant with the Category 6A standard, this unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable supports 10-Gigabit Ethernet (10GBASE-T) speeds with bandwidth up to 500 MHz, making it well suited for connecting switches, routers, patch panels, servers, workstations, media converters, and other network equipment in home, office, and data-center environments.

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Learning Center Article – Is Your Network Ready for 2026? The Ultimate Infrastructure Refresh Checklist

As 2026 approaches, network expectations continue to rise. AI-driven applications, higher device density, cloud-first strategies, and evolving security threats are pushing legacy infrastructure to its limits.

If your network hasn’t been reviewed in a while, now is the time. This 2026 Network Refresh Checklist will help you identify performance gaps, reduce risk, and make strategic upgrades that keep your business fast, secure, and scalable.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Rare form of helium found in the US being hyped as possible future fuel source. 
• ​China plans to launch 200,000 satellites, challenging SpaceX’s Starlink dominance.
• Google teams up with Walmart and other retailers to enable shopping within Gemini AI chatbot.

Happy Friday! The first full week of the new year is coming to a close. Whether it felt energizing, busy, or somewhere in between, today is a good moment to reflect before heading into the weekend. How did your first full week of the new year treat you?

In This Issue: Walking Into the New Year Together | Deal of the Day | Fiber Patch Cable | 5 Key Factors While Installing Ethernet Cables | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Walking Into the New Year Together

Fantastic Friday, everyone! A new year is underway, and I’m grateful to continue this journey with CablesAndKits.

One of the things I appreciate most about CK is how much growth is encouraged, not just professionally, but personally too. On the work side, I’ve had the chance to learn new skills and take on challenges that push me in the best way. Those moments where you figure something out, solve a problem, or realize you’ve grown more than you thought, those are the wins that keep me motivated.

But it’s the people that really make the difference. There have been days when work was busy, life was heavy, or both, and someone on the team checked in or simply reminded me that I wasn’t doing it alone. That kind of support sticks with you. It’s the reason coming to work feels less like a job and more like being part of something that matters.

Working at CK gives me confidence, not just in my role, but in knowing I’m supported through life’s ups and downs. The culture of care, teamwork, and encouragement is real, and it shows up in the small moments every day. This team truly feels like family, and I’m thankful to be part of it as we step into another year together.

How’s your first workweek of the year going so far?

Christine U.

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

This laser-optimized OM4 multimode fiber patch cable supports high-speed 10G/40G networks and can reach up to 100G in select applications. Featuring industry-standard LC duplex connectors with UPC polish and precision zirconia ferrules, it delivers low insertion loss and reliable performance.

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Learning Center Article – 5 Key Factors to Keep in Mind While Installing Ethernet Cables

It’s time to install the Ethernet. That means your network planning should be in a good place, and you’re ready to plug in devices and get things running.

For simple networks, this can be a straightforward task that doesn’t take too long or run up costs. In more complicated networks, even installing Ethernet cables can be an ordeal.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Scientists create robots smaller than a grain of sand. 
• ​DeepSeek‘s AI gains traction in developing nations, Microsoft report says.
• Nvidia and auto suppliers roll out partnerships to rekindle self-driving push.

Hello, Thursday! Winter is in full swing, and today highlights the importance of a little extra care. National Winter Skin Relief Day reminds us that cold air and indoor heat can be tough on our skin. As temperatures shift, small habits can make a big difference. What is one thing you do to keep your skin comfortable during winter?

In This Issue: One Last Break Before Classes | Deal of the Day | 22U LINIER Server Cabinet | T568a vs T568b Termination | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – One Last Break Before Classes

Good morning!

Wow, it’s been a minute since I’ve had the chance to post an update here! It’s been a busy season, to say the least, and I’ve really tried to soak up every part of it. There’s no way I could recap everything from the past few weeks, so I’ll keep it simple and focus on this past week.

On Sunday, my boyfriend, Alex, and I drove up to meet our friends at their mountain house for a few days of relaxing before school starts next week. We kicked things off with a very hilly hike that still has my hips a little sore, but it was a great way to get some movement in after the long drive. We grilled fajitas and watched The Thursday Murder Club, which was just an okay movie but still entertaining.

Since we were close to Blue Ridge, we spent the other days doing indoor putt-putt, getting ice cream, and trying out a local tavern for dinner. One day we kept things low-key by making a fire and spending time outside, playing games and relaxing while the fog rolled through.

It was a quick trip, but it was exactly the reset we needed before the semester begins. We’re only a few days away from being back in the action, and I’m super excited to see how this semester unfolds. There’s nothing like settling back into a routine after a long, relaxing break. I hope you are all having an amazing start to the New Year, however that may look for you!

Rachel

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The 22U LINIER® Server Cabinet includes lockable vented doors mechanism designed to promote airflow, which aids in cooling the equipment inside the cabinet. This helps in extending the lifespan of the equipment and reduces the risk of downtime or hardware failure. The server cabinet is 19.00” EIA-310-D compliant which ensures the easy installation, operation and maintenance of equipment that need to fit into standard -sized racks. The frame has a 1300 lb. weight capacity and can hold 800 lbs. on casters.

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Learning Center Article – T568a vs T568b Termination

Ethernet is still the backbone of modern networking. It shows up all the time, and there’s a good chance that you regularly work with Ethernet devices. Considering that, it’s important to know a little bit about Ethernet and how it works, and one important topic covers the little connectors that actually allow you to plug in an Ethernet cable. Those connectors are called cable terminations, since that’s where each cable ends.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• OpenAI launches ChatGPT Health in a push to become a hub for personal health data. 
• JPMorgan reaches deal to take over Apple credit card.
• ​​​​​Tesla stock can’t handle the robot competition.

It’s Wednesday! Today is Old Rock Day that encourages curiosity about the ancient world beneath our feet. From fossils to time-worn stones, it is a fun reminder of how much history exists all around us. Have you ever seen a rock or fossil while exploring nature?

In This Issue: Simple Celebrations, Genuine Happiness | Deal of the Day | DB9 Female Crimp Pin Connector | Is a Cat6 Cable the Same as an Ethernet Cable? | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Simple Celebrations, Genuine Happiness

Hello everyone! It’s the first Wednesday of 2026. How’s everyone doing?

Just last Wednesday, we were preparing for New Year’s Eve, and now it’s already January 7. Time really flies, doesn’t it?

During this season, I can’t help but reminisce about my younger self. Before, while waiting for the New Year countdown, we were either already asleep or outside our house watching our neighbors’ fireworks. All we had were toy trumpets and casserole lids so we could make loud noises. We believed that the louder we were, the more bad luck we could scare away from our home. When the countdown ended and the sky lit up with colorful fireworks, we kids had to jump, believing it would make us grow taller for the year. After that, it was eating time and game time. That was how simply we celebrated back then.

This year, or I should say last year, 2025, was our first time buying fireworks for our own mini fireworks display. Our only goal was to heal our inner child by seeing colorful fireworks up close again. I don’t know what it is, but there’s something about fireworks that brings warmth and joy. It wasn’t anything massive, just a small display, but it felt special. While eating Media Noche, we noticed our neighbors recording our little fireworks show for their TikTok, dancing, laughing, and feeling just as excited as we were. It made me happy knowing we were able to share that joy with others. Simple things really can bring genuine happiness, and I’m grateful that my family got to share that moment with our neighborhood.

And while resting and getting ready to sleep, I saw a post that said, “Remember, you are blessed because you are a blessing to others.” It really stuck with me. I hope everyone reading this has a blessed 2026.

Kat

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

A DB9 female crimp pin connector is a 9-pin D-subminiature connector used to terminate cables in various electronic and industrial applications. It features a female pin configuration and is designed for solder or crimp-style wire termination, allowing secure and customizable cable assembly. The connector’s robust metal housing provides mechanical stability and shielding, making it suitable for data transmission, control signals, and general-purpose connections where a reliable 9-pin interface is required.

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Learning Center Article – Is a Cat6 Cable the Same as an Ethernet Cable?

When you’re trying to make a network that is fast and stable, you usually have to run cables. If you want to save money along the way, then more often than not, you’re going to turn to Ethernet cables. But, what is Ethernet? Which cable should you use? What about Cat6? Isn’t it supposed to be better?

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Gemini is now running humanoid robots on factory lines. 
• ​Free satellite Wi-Fi now rolling out on American Airlines.
• ​​​​​Warner Bros urges shareholders to reject ‘inferior’ Paramount offer.