Archives for February 2026

Midweek is a perfect time for a little comfort. National Latte Day celebrates the smooth, creamy coffee classic made with espresso and steamed milk. Whether you like it plain or flavored, a latte can make the day feel a bit brighter. How do you like your latte, hot or iced?

In This Issue: Cozy Weekend Gaming | Deal of the Day | Lighted Foot Switch Extension Cord | Tips for Maintaining Your Server | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Cozy Weekend Gaming

Good morning, everyone! How’s your week going so far?

One of the ways I spend my weekends, aside from doing my rhinestone (diamond) painting, is playing mobile games. The game I recently started playing is called Heartopia. I saw it while browsing on TikTok, and as a cozy game “gamer,” I was intrigued. The animation looked cute, and the content I watched felt so cozy, so I downloaded it. Since the weekend up to now, I’m still playing it, so I guess that says a lot about how much I like it.

The game is a life simulation crafted for creativity, freedom, and peace. You can design and build your own house. It’s kind of like using AutoCAD, but with a cute interface. You can explore different hobbies like cooking, gardening, bird watching, and fishing, plus three more that I haven’t unlocked yet. These hobbies help you earn money in the game, which you can use to buy materials, fixtures, appliances, and many other things for your house. You can customize almost everything, from clothes to your home.

Sorry, I shared a lot about the game. Sometimes I find myself wondering, if only in the real world it were that easy to earn money, buy what you want, travel with ease, and explore the world without feeling unsafe. I think that would be so wonderful. My kid-at-heart is playing again because of this game, and I love it.

Are there any games you’re also fond of, maybe for relaxation or just as a pastime? What game is it?

Kat

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

This extension cord features an easy to access foot switch and is the perfect product for every household. This cord comes with an easily spottable on and off toggle switch which remains partially lit when turned off, making the switch easy to find when you are in the dark. The switch comes with 3 outlets, making it a perfect choice for living rooms, dining rooms, nightlights, and even holiday decorations.

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Learning Center Article – Tips for Maintaining Your Server

Servers are powerful in every sense of the word, in fact, they can hum for 24 hours a day, seven days a week without having any issues. However, their efficiency can be reduced drastically or even cut short completely if they are deprived of proper maintenance. You can avert server failure or a major disaster by simply having a regular check-up on them. Hiring a server management solution is the easiest and worry-free way to go. However, if you choose to do it yourself, here are a few maintenance tips to follow.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Taiwan to send team to assess US rare earth deposits. 
• ​Moderna shares fall as FDA declines to review new flu vaccine.​
• Kraft Heinz pauses plan to split into two companies.

Happy Tuesday! Today is a great reminder that online safety matters. Safer Internet Day brings awareness, education, and tools to help create a safer internet for both kids and adults. From identity theft to scams and cyberbullying, small habits can make a big difference. What is one online safety tip you always follow?

In This Issue: A Perfect Winter Getaway | Deal of the Day | Mini DisplayPort Adapter | Unified Communications | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – A Perfect Winter Getaway

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

I’m back after a long weekend. We went up to Franklin, NC for a little winter getaway! We stayed at a cute little cabin that was about 15 minutes outside of town. It was quiet and peaceful which was exactly the vibe we were going for. We mostly spent our days exploring various hikes & waterfalls in the area. We saw 9 waterfalls over the weekend which was crazy! The weather has been super cold lately, so many of them were partially frozen over which made them even more beautiful.

Aside from hiking, we spent some time exploring some of the cute towns nearby. We loved walking around Highlands, NC and found some really good places to eat there. We also enjoyed a little time in Sylva, Dillsboro, and Bryson City. It’s the off season for these areas, so there weren’t many crowds and we were able to truly enjoy exploring the little shops and restaurants.

It was a perfect little mid-February getaway!

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 – What Is Unified Communications?

Unified communications (UC) is a classification of technology products. The products under this classification include equipment, software, and services, and they all aim to provide a concise technological solution.

UC technology is designed to provide and combine various communications channels, usually for enterprise networks.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Record snow drought in western US raises concern for a spring of water shortages and wildfires. 
• ​Amazon plans to launch AI content marketplace.​
• Electric semi-trucks could serve as mobile AI data centers, Belgian startup proposes.

Kicking off the week with a crowd favorite. National Pizza Day celebrates one of America’s most loved foods, whether you prefer thin crust, deep dish, or something in between. Pizza has a way of making any meal feel like a treat. What is your favorite pizza topping?

In This Issue: Sushi, Cards, and a Championship Weekend | Deal of the Day | CPU Wall Mount Shelf | Zone-based Firewalls Overview | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Sushi, Cards, and a Championship Weekend

Happy Monday!

It was a busy but fun weekend for me. On Friday I grabbed dinner with some friends at the Revolving Sushi Factory. We had a great time and probably ate way more sushi than we should have, but that’s kind of the point when everything keeps coming by on a conveyor belt.

Saturday was a big day. I went down to Atlanta with some friends for Collect-A-Con, which was held at the Georgia World Congress Center. We decided to take MARTA down instead of driving, and before hopping on the train one of my friends treated us to some incredible banh mi from a spot near the station called Quoc Huong Banh Mi Fast Food. He ordered everything ahead of time, and we ate while waiting for the rest of the group. Highly recommend if you’re ever in the area. The card show itself was overwhelming in the best way. There was so much to see, but I managed to snag a couple of great deals, sell some cards I no longer needed, and enjoy chatting with vendors and other collectors.

Sunday was a little more relaxed. We went to church and then watched the U.S. Olympic skating team clinch gold, which was really exciting to see. Later that evening we watched the Super Bowl with family, rounding out a very full weekend.

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

Kendall Howard’s Small-Form-Factor Wall Mount CPU Brackets are designed to get the computer off the floor and the desktop. The brackets make it easy to secure and mount any small-form-factor PC to the wall or side of the desk. The velcro strap secures the PC to the bracket.

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Learning Center Article – Zone-based Firewalls Overview

If you have any important information or tools attached to devices in your network, then you need good network security. An essential tool for security is the firewall.

Of course, firewalls have seen a lot of development over the years, so if you want modern solutions, then you need to know about modern firewalls. It’s time to learn about zone-based firewalls.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• ​Alibaba‘s AI chatbot struggles with coupon giveaway, asks shoppers for patience. 
• Microsoft just killed Windows 11 support for these older printers.
• NASA to let astronauts bring smartphones into space for upcoming missions.

Wrapping up the week with an important reminder. National Wear Red Day raises awareness about heart disease in women and encourages conversations around heart health. Wearing red today is a simple way to show support. Are you wearing red today?

In This Issue: The Good Kind of Chaos | Deal of the Day | High Speed Fan Assembly Kit | Ethernet Cable Types & Data Rates | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – The Good Kind of Chaos

Another week in the books. Lately I’ve found myself settling into my role at CablesAndKits more and more each day, feeling confident, challenged, and genuinely grateful to be here.

Outside of work, life is moving at full speed, in the best way possible. We’re gearing up for youth baseball season with the boys, celebrating my youngest daughter making the tennis team at her middle school, and watching my oldest juggle travel softball while jumping straight into high school soccer like it’s no big deal.

We somehow survived Snowmageddon 2026, which now feels like a badge of honor. And this past weekend, I had the absolute thrill of announcing televised talent at a wrestling show. Definitely one of those moments that reminds me how wild and fun this journey can be.

Now I’m diving into plans to book a charity wrestling event benefiting the Children’s Healthcare Network of Atlanta, and it just feels right.

Life is loud, busy, exhausting, and incredibly full, and I’m loving every second of the madness. Most of all, I’m grateful for every moment spent with my incredible family. They are my absolute reason for being.

Matthew

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The High Speed Fan Assembly Kit is designed to deliver efficient cooling and reliable airflow for compatible equipment. Ideal for maintaining optimal operating temperatures, it helps support system performance and longevity in demanding environments.

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Learning Center Article – Fix Slow Network Speeds: Ethernet Cable Types & Data Rates

In a world where wireless connections dominate the consumer tech space, the consistent performance of wired Ethernet remains irreplaceable. Whether you’re streaming UHD video, running a data center, or simply ensuring lag-free communication between servers and endpoints, understanding Ethernet speed, bandwidth, and cable types is the first step to building a reliable, future-ready infrastructure.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• On this date: Earth’s coldest town plunged to minus 90 degrees 
• ​​​​​Amazon shares sink as company boosts AI spending by nearly 60%.
• ​​​Tech shares steady after a week of severe declines and Bitcoin stabilizes.

As the week continues, today offers a moment to focus on positivity. Optimist Day celebrates those who look ahead with hope and work toward a brighter future. What are you feeling optimistic about today?

In This Issue: Finding the Calm | Deal of the Day | DB15 Male Solder Cup Connector | Ethernet Cable Standards & Compliance | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Finding the Calm

Good morning!

Well, what a nice second weekend spent mostly inside, away from the snowy and chilly weather. I relaxed, caught up on work, and eased into the week, but Monday quickly had other plans. Nothing major went wrong, but it was one of those days where unexpected things just kept popping up back-to-back. I stayed optimistic that Tuesday would slow things down, but it kept me on my toes again!

On Tuesday, I finally had to upgrade my iPhone 11 after it decided that 64GB of storage was no longer enough for basic apps (even my mail app)! While it was an unplanned purchase, I was able to get a new phone quickly so now I’m just waiting for the case to come in before I set it up. Luckily, I already know where to grab the best cables for it too 😉 (hint : it’s cablesandkits.com).

Thankfully, my brain finally stopped spinning yesterday, and I’m hopeful the rest of the week is a little calmer. Sometimes you just must push through the crazy to get back to steady ground. I hope your week has been going well and that you’re able to find your calm, wherever that may be.

Rachel

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The DB15 Male Solder Cup Connector is a reliable and versatile solution for custom cable assemblies and repair projects. Featuring a rugged metal shell and high-quality tin-plated bronze contacts, this connector ensures secure signal transmission and long-term durability.

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Learning Center Article – Avoid Fails: Know Your Ethernet Cable Standards & Compliance

When building a network that must perform consistently over time, standards are the quiet force that hold everything together. Whether you’re wiring a home, office, or a large-scale data center, adhering to ethernet standards guarantees compatibility, performance, and scalability. These industry specifications define the rules that govern cable construction, layout, and functionality, ensuring devices connect seamlessly, speeds are achieved reliably, and upgrades remain backward-compatible across various setups.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Starlink fuels SpaceX growth with potential phone, more internet services. 
• ​​​​​Amazon makes Alexa+ AI assistant available to everyone in the US nearly a year after launch.
• UK-based AI voice startup ElevenLabs hits $11b valuation.

Midweek feels like the perfect time for comfort. National Homemade Soup Day highlights the warmth, history, and flavor found in a simple bowl of soup across cultures. What kind of soup always hits the spot for you?

In This Issue: Love and Luck This February | Deal of the Day | Catalyst 9300X Network Module | Data Rate Limits by Cable Type | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Love and Luck This February

Happy mid-week, CK buddies! How has the start of February been for you? Last January, we had the first typhoon of the year, but luckily, it wasn’t too strong. This February, another typhoon is being monitored, and my area is one of the regions it may pass through. I’m praying that it will dissolve. It’s quite unusual to have typhoons during these months.

This February, we have Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year to look forward to. Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday, so I guess we’ll be having a chill night with the family. I am also thinking of stepping out for a bit and leaving my mom and dad some time alone so they can talk and fix whatever they need to. After all, that’s the essence of Valentine’s Day, right? Strengthening affection for one another.

Chinese New Year falls on a Tuesday, the 17th. Normally, we just watch the Chinese parade with dancing dragon mascots, and we cook Nian Gao, or what we locally call tikoy. The belief is that since it’s sticky, luck will stick as well. We’re not Chinese, but we believe in these small customs about luck. After all, there’s nothing to lose, so we just do it.

Do you have any plans for these upcoming holidays? Do you have any Nian Gao recipes you’d like to share? Any traditions you usually do during these celebrations?

Kat

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The Cisco Catalyst 9300X 8 x 10G/mGig Copper Network Module is a field‑replaceable uplink expansion module designed for Cisco Catalyst 9300X Series switches. It adds eight high‑density multigigabit copper RJ‑45 ports to the host switch chassis, supporting auto‑negotiating speeds of 1 Gbps, 2.5 Gbps, 5 Gbps and 10 Gbps for flexible deployment with access devices such as high‑speed wireless access points, servers, or aggregation links.

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Learning Center Article – Data Rate Limits by Cable Type: Why Your Network Feels Slow

This article explores data transfer rate limitations by cable type, helping everyone from everyday users to IT managers understand how different Ethernet cables (Cat5e, Cat6a, Cat8, and more) affect bandwidth and throughput. By comparing specifications, distance tradeoffs, and common bottlenecks, we’ll also highlight the benefits of upgrading cables and how to test performance, ensuring you make well-informed decisions for your network.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Walmart becomes first retailer to hit $1tn market value. 
• ​​​​​Netflix and Warner Bros struggle to defend merger.
• ​​​World’s first biomimetic AI robot Moya walks with 92% human-like accuracy.