Archives for April 2026

Today celebrates a genre that brings people together. International Jazz Day highlights the rich history and cultural impact of jazz music across the globe. Do you have a favorite jazz song or artist?

In This Issue: Finals Focused | Deal of the Day | 24 Port Network Closet Cleanup Kit | Auto-sensing Ethernet Port | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Finals Focused

Happy Thursday!

My day started bright and early with my first final exam of the season at 8am sharp. I’m an early riser, but even that was a little too early for me. It feels great to have one done though, and now my focus can fully shift to my other final coming up on Monday.

As tiring as studying can be, I’ve actually really appreciated these past few days being able to solely focus on studying, without juggling classes at the same time. It’s been a slower, more intentional pace, and it’s been refreshing! I even had time to take a break to grab Cookout with a friend I hadn’t seen in a while, and it was great to catch up over delicious milkshakes.

I’m officially halfway through finals now, which makes everything feel a little more manageable. Just a few days until I can head home and see all my favorite people again! It’ll be a great start to summer and I’m so excited for all to come!

Rachel

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Keep your network closet organized and efficient with this 24‑Port Network Closet Cleanup Kit. Designed for IT professionals and home networking enthusiasts, the kit includes 24 high-quality patch cables, a horizontal cable manager, and Velcro cable ties to maintain a clean, professional rack setup.

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Learning Center Article – What is an Auto-sensing Ethernet Port

When you’re browsing features and specifications for your networking equipment, you might come across something known as autosensing.

It’s a feature specific to Ethernet devices. It’s pretty common these days, but it is important to have on any network that services multiple endpoint devices, and when you know how it works, it can help you plan out your own network that much better.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Annual US inflation posts biggest gain in nearly three years in March. 
• ​World’s first optical computing system runs billion-parameter AI with 90% less power.
• Oil prices whipsaw while US stocks glide near their record heights.

Midweek brings a message of hope and inspiration. World Wish Day celebrates the impact of granting wishes and the joy it brings to people around the world. It is a reminder of how powerful kindness and generosity can be. If you had one wish today, what would it be?

In This Issue: Piece by Piece, One Figure at a Time | Deal of the Day | Velcro One-Wrap Straps | Why Are Redundant Power Supplies Important | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Piece by Piece, One Figure at a Time

Howdy and happy Wednesday! Wow, April is about to end. I hope it treated you well.

My collector era is still going strong. Right now, I’m into a figure that needs to be assembled manually. I find it really satisfying, it even feels like I’m doing ASMR. I’m also excited to see the finished product. Hopefully, I can complete it soon. It’s my first time having this kind of figure, so I’m really eager to finish it and add it to my collection.

It’s actually timely that I picked up this new hobby because I’m now officially living alone since my parents’ house is already completed. Plus, the weather here has been unpredictable. It’s extremely hot from morning until noon, then it suddenly rains in the afternoon. When it rains, I get bored, so this hobby will definitely save me.

How is your week so far?

Kat

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Durable and reusable, VELCRO® Brand ONE-WRAP® ties are suitable for indoor or outdoor use and help keep cable installations neat, organized, and easy to maintain. These straps are also available in multiple roll quantities including 25, 50, or 100 counts to fit different project needs.

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Learning Center Article – Why Are Redundant Power Supplies Important

When you have to maintain a network, power is important. Obviously, every device needs a source of power, but when you get into more complicated networks where downtime can be extremely expensive and infrastructure costs also run high, power becomes a central part of your planning and strategy.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• US gas prices surge to a 4-year high as Iran stalemate drags on. 
• ​Amazon targets mass hiring with agentic software, goal to humanize AI.
• ​FDA to use AI to track clinical trials in real time.

Today highlights the importance of safety in the workplace. World Day for Safety and Health at Work promotes safe, healthy, and supportive working conditions for everyone. What is one thing that helps you feel safe and supported at work?

In This Issue: From Beach Days to Concert Nights | Deal of the Day | Cisco Power Supply | Firewall Security Basics | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – From Beach Days to Concert Nights

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

I took last week off to enjoy some time in Hilton Head and it was such a refreshing week! The weather was absolutely perfect and I got to spend a ton of time outside which is my favorite! I had a great time with my family and, of course, we ate a ton of delicious food! It was a successful trip for sure!

I headed back on Friday because we had tickets to the Jason Aldean & Luke Bryan concert on Saturday at Sanford Stadium. My youngest brother, Phillip, is a huge fan of Luke Bryan, so Josh and I took him to the concert as a birthday present since his birthday was last week! It was a great, high energy show and Phillip was living his best life the whole time!

This weekend, Josh and I are heading to Clemson, SC for the George Strait concert. I’m sure it will be a little different vibe, but just as fun!

Hope everyone has a great week ahead!

Rebecca

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The Cisco PWR-CC1-250WAC is a reliable 250W AC power supply for Catalyst 8300 Series edge routers, delivering stable performance for enterprise and SD-WAN deployments. With a 100–240V input range and 80 PLUS Silver efficiency, it ensures energy-efficient operation across global environments.

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Learning Center Article – Stateless and Stateful Inspection – Firewall Security Basics

When you have a network, there’s a lot of work involved with building and maintaining that network. On top of that, you need to secure the network, and keeping connected devices safe is an endless pursuit.

One thing that can help with network security is a good firewall. That’s why we’re going to spend a few minutes discussing how firewalls work and what some of your options are when choosing one.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• ​Profluent, Lilly partner in genetic medicine deal worth up to $2.25 billion.​ 
• ​American Airlines restricts portable chargers on planes.
• ​Archaeologists at Pompeii use AI to reconstruct the face of a man killed in the volcano’s eruption.

Starting the week with a quick hello. We hope you had a restful and enjoyable weekend, whether it was relaxing or full of activities. As a new week begins, we wish you a productive and positive start. How was your weekend?

In This Issue: Climbing Mountains and Earning Ice Cream | Deal of the Day | 5-20P to 5-20R | Cisco Manufacture Date Lookup | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Climbing Mountains and Earning Ice Cream

Happy Monday!

It was a very tiring weekend, all because of one trip. On Saturday we took our young adult church group to climb Mount Yonah. I had done the hike with some friends in the fall and thought it would be a fun trip for the group. The morning started off great, but pretty quickly the youth decided the “old guys” (there were three of us) were moving too slow and took off ahead at their own pace.

As I was huffing and puffing my way up, I realized this climb felt a lot harder than the last time. I’m blaming the humidity. We eventually made it to the top, and even with a bit of haze, the views were just as stunning as I remembered. The way down was much faster, thankfully.

On the way back we stopped by Mountain Fresh Creamery in Clermont for some fresh churned ice cream. I went with butter pecan, which definitely helped make up for the climb. I’m still pretty sore from the hike, but seeing everyone enjoy it made it worth it.

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 AC Power Cord with NEMA 5-20P to NEMA 5-20R connectors is designed to provide a dependable extension for 20-amp power connections in professional and commercial environments. Built with heavy-duty 12 AWG copper conductors, it supports higher current loads while ensuring consistent and efficient power delivery for demanding equipment.

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Learning Center Article – Cisco Manufacture Date Lookup

If you’re investing in Cisco products, then there’s actually a mechanism in place that can help you know exactly when a device was manufactured. Below, you’ll see a complete guide to help you understand and utilize that mechanism.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• ​The AI splurge is costing big tech its workforce​. 
• ​​Google to build AI campus in South Korea, presidential office says.​
• Elon Musk is about to launch his ‘everything app‘.

Wrapping up the week with a little inspiration. National Bucket List Day reminds us it is never too late to set new goals, plan a dream trip, or try something new. Life is full of possibilities waiting to be explored. What is one thing on your bucket list?

In This Issue: The Little Things Are Everything | Deal of the Day | 5-15P to C13 | LSZH and OFNR | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – The Little Things Are Everything

Good Friday to all out there in Internet-Land! There’s a different kind of clarity that comes when you finally start to see the light at the end of the tunnel, not just relief, but perspective. The weight doesn’t disappear overnight, but it shifts, made lighter by the people who stand beside you. I’ve been thinking a lot about that lately, about how much easier life feels when you’re surrounded by family and friends who show up, who care, who help carry things when they get heavy.

This past weekend felt like one of those moments you wish you could bottle. The charity pro-wrestling show for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta turned out better than I could’ve hoped. Seeing the crowd, the energy, the support, it reminded me why the effort matters. It wasn’t just an event; it was proof that people will come together for something bigger than themselves.

And then there are my kids, who somehow keep raising the bar on what pride feels like. Watching my oldest finish her high school soccer season as the team’s high scorer, as a freshman, was something special. You could see the work and the determination all paying off. And my youngest? Another no-hitter at her softball tournament. I cheered until I had nothing left, literally. By Sunday, my voice was completely gone, but I wouldn’t trade that for anything.

In between all of it, I’ve been holding onto the quiet moments too, time with my wife, the love of my life, and every second I can get with my boys. Those are the pieces that don’t make noise but mean the most.
I used to think the little things didn’t matter much, that they were just background to the bigger picture. But I see it differently now. The little things are the picture. Every laugh, every game, every tired cheer, every shared moment… they’re not trivial at all. They’re everything.

Matthew

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

This hospital grade NEMA 5-15P to IEC 60320 C13 power cord is designed to meet strict medical standards for grounding reliability, durability, and safety. Built with heavy-duty 16 AWG SJT cable, it is fully molded for enhanced strength and long-lasting performance in demanding environments.

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Learning Center Article – What is the difference between LSZH and OFNR?

One of the biggest questions we get is what is the difference between OFNR fiber cables and LSZH fiber cables. While they seem like the same thing, they are really two very different and very important attributes of fiber cables, and the same fiber cable can be both. To understand these attributes better, we have to understand the construction of fiber cables and the different rating levels associated with fiber optic cabling.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• ​Amazon to provide Meta with hundreds of thousands of AWS AI chips in new deal. 
• US FDA rejects AbbVie’s wrinkle treatment due to manufacturing concerns.
• DeepSeek releases new AI model it claims beats all open-source rivals.

Today celebrates the joy of reading. World Book Night encourages people from all walks of life to pick up a book and enjoy some quiet time with a good story. What book are you currently reading or would recommend?

In This Issue: Final Stretch | Deal of the Day | Slanted Ceiling Plate | OM3 vs OM4 | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Final Stretch

Good morning!

It’s officially the last week of classes so finals are right around the corner! Ironically, this week has been busier than what I expect finals week to be. Between presentations in each of my classes, work, reviewing, social plans, and Miracle obligations, my schedule has looked a little crazy. Truth be told, I got overwhelmed at times, but I’ve been leaning on my calendar which makes it much more manageable.

Even in chaos, I’ve been having lots of fun and have plenty to look forward to! This weekend, I’ll get to head back home to celebrate one of my friends at her bridal shower which I’m super excited about. There will still be plenty to get done before and after but taking a second away from my computer will be nice.

As of now, I only have two more in-person classes left for the semester, which feels surreal. The year has flown by, but I’m happy to keep pushing and finish it out strong so the summer can get started!

Rachel

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Install your ceiling-mounted TV or projector securely and with confidence using the Slanted Ceiling Plate. Designed to accommodate angled or vaulted ceilings, this heavy-duty mounting plate works with any standard 1.5″ NPT pipe, making it ideal for custom AV installations in homes, offices, churches, or commercial spaces.

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Learning Center Article – OM3 vs OM4: a Detailed Comparison

OM3 is a common type of multimode fiber. It utilizes a 50-micrometer core size and is capable of multi-gigabit data transmission across a range of distances. OM4 is considered an upgrade to OM3, but there are some important characteristics to cover. The first is that OM4 is completely reverse-compatible with OM3, meaning you can use OM4 cables with systems that currently run on OM3.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• US reclassifies certain marijuana products as a less-dangerous drug. 
• ​Ping-pong robot Ace makes history by beating top-level human players.
• ​Tesla agreed to buy unnamed AI hardware company for up to $2B.