Archives for January 2026

Today celebrates a simple classic. National Shortbread Day honors the buttery Scottish treat that has been enjoyed around the world for generations. Whether paired with coffee or enjoyed on its own, it is a reminder that sometimes the simplest things are the most satisfying. Do you prefer shortbread plain or with a twist?

In This Issue: Grateful for 2025, Ready for 2026 | Deal of the Day | Mini DisplayPort Adapter | Cat7 Ethernet | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Grateful for 2025, Ready for 2026

Good Morning, happy Tuesday, & Happy New Year! I can hardly believe we are now in 2026, but I’m not mad about it!

Truthfully, 2025 was a surprisingly wonderful year for me. It started out with a lot of uncertainty and exhaustion, but as it went on, it turned into one of the best years I’ve had. It was the year that I met Josh, which was a wonderful surprise. It brought a steadiness and support to my life that I didn’t even realize I was missing!

If I had to pick a word that defined 2025, it would probably be clarifying. It was a year that brought a lot of things into focus for me, from my relationship with Josh, to family, and even to friends. I was able to realign my life around my priorities, which honestly meant choosing a calmer, quieter pace than I’ve had in the past. It’s been different for sure, but in a good way!

I’m excited as we head into 2026. I feel thankful for all the blessings the last year brought and look forward to being intentional in the new year!

Rebecca

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The latest MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air models feature a Mini DisplayPort, giving you the flexibility to connect an external display or projector with the help of an adapter. Whether you’re looking to extend your desktop for increased productivity, use an external display as your main workspace, or mirror your screen for presentations, this feature makes it easy to get the most out of your Mac’s display capabilities.

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Learning Center Article – Cat7 Ethernet: Beginning & End

Cat7 Ethernet has been a staple in networking for decades. When copper cables can provide enough throughput, they tend to be much cheaper and easier to use than other connection types. Ethernet is the king of simplicity, and that’s a major part of why it is so popular.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Tesla rival Lucid unveils self-driving car for Uber robotaxi service. 
• ​Radar cameras in this state can now give you a ticket, no cops involved.
• ​​​​​Alaska Airlines’ Starlink rollout is moving faster than originally expected.

The first Monday of the new year is here, and today invites us to lean into a fresh start. National Thank God It’s Monday Day is all about bringing energy, optimism, and a positive mindset into the week ahead. What is one thing you are looking forward to as the year gets underway?

In This Issue: Back to Basics for the New Year | Deal of the Day | Active Optical Cable | Do Ethernet Couplers Reduce Speed? | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Back to Basics for the New Year

Happy Monday, and welcome to the New Year!

As we step into a new year, I’ve been thinking a lot about how I want to approach it. Instead of making big, sweeping New Year’s resolutions that tend to fizzle out after a few weeks, I’m focusing on a simple theme for the year: back to basics. For me, that means taking a closer look at my habits and goals and breaking them down to their roots. I want to be more intentional and really question whether the steps I’m taking are necessary or actually helping me move in the right direction. It’s less about adding new things and more about simplifying and refining what’s already there. I already have so many habits and things I do on the daily, it’s time to trim and optimize.

This feels more like a mental shift than a checklist, and I think that approach will be more sustainable in the long run. Instead of measuring success by how much I change, I’m hoping to measure it by how consistently I show up and make thoughtful choices throughout the year. I think it’ll be less discouraging than setting up a big lofty goal and just ending up forgetting about it or failing big at it after month 2.

So as we kick things off, I’m curious. What is your theme for the year?

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

This Cisco®-compatible 25GBASE SFP28 solution delivers high-density, low-power 25 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity for data center and high-performance computing applications. Built on the SFP28 form factor and tested for compatibility with Cisco SFP28 ports, it supports flexible rack-to-rack configurations and high-bandwidth network deployments.

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Learning Center Article – Do Ethernet Couplers Reduce Speed?

An Ethernet coupler is a fairly simple device. It allows you to connect two Ethernet cables together, end-to-end. The basic idea is that you can extend the length of a cable, since splicing two Ethernet cables together doesn’t really work.

A coupler has a female RJ45 port on both sides, so you simply plug your two cables into the coupler, and they can now run the same signal and connection. That’s all it takes.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day

• OpenAI may buy Pinterest — and it could change how we search, shop and scroll. 
• ​Major airline expands passenger test that holds flights to help prevent missed connections.
• This robotic surgery stock could be a $1M payoff for patient holders.

The first Friday of 2026 has arrived, bringing a fresh start and plenty of possibilities. Whether you are easing back into routine or jumping into new goals, today is a great time to set the tone for the year ahead. What are you most looking forward to in 2026?

In This Issue: New Light, New Year | Deal of the Day | DB9 Serial Cable | Guide to Fixture Joint Termination | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – New Light, New Year

Welcome to the first Friday of the new year!

This Christmas looked a little different for us this year, and honestly, it was exactly what I needed. We spent our first unconventional family Christmas in Chattanooga, just me, my wife, and the kids. No routines, no usual distractions, just new sights and time together. Being fully present with the people I love most filled a part of me I didn’t even realize was running low.

The Aquarium was our first stop, and it was massive, way bigger than I expected. Everywhere we turned there were incredible displays and some of the most beautiful fish I’ve ever seen. It felt peaceful and awe-inspiring at the same time. Next up was the Zoo. It may not have completely blown us away, but it was still worth the visit. The red pandas absolutely stole the show and ended up being the highlight of the day.

One of the most memorable nights was visiting the Christmas lights at Rock City. The Fairytale Caverns were unreal. Every turn revealed childhood fairy tales glowing under blacklights, bringing a wave of nostalgia in the coolest way. The SkyBridge was a whole different story. It was terrifying, but standing there and looking out over Chattanooga at night somehow made every shaky step worth it.

Then there was Ruby Falls. Walking through the cave system to get there made the experience even better. When we finally reached the waterfall, it stopped us in our tracks. One of those moments where you don’t say much, you just stand there and take it all in.

Eventually, it was back to reality, back to work, and back to the everyday rhythm. But those memories came with me and helped ease us back into routine. We wrapped it all up by ringing in the New Year with friends and family, grateful for what was and hopeful for what’s ahead.

2025 brought new friends and new light into our lives. I’m praying that 2026 brings all of that, and even more.

Matthew

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Ensure reliable data transfer with this DB9 male to female serial cable, designed for connecting compatible devices and equipment. The 6 ft length provides flexible reach, making it ideal for configuring, managing, or maintaining serial-based systems.

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Learning Center Article – Step-by-Step Guide to Fixture Joint Termination

When it comes to electrical work or networking installations, knowing how to properly terminate fixture joints is essential. Not only does it ensure everything runs smoothly, but it also keeps you safe and helps avoid costly mistakes down the road. In this guide, we will learn the step-by-step process of fixture joint termination, covering the tools you need, the methods you can use, and some common mistakes to avoid.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• 2026 is coming for big tech and AI with a battery of new laws. 
• ​Quantum computing finally works, now the stocks must prove it.
• ​​​​​​BYD overtakes Tesla as China reshapes the global EV race.