CablesAndKits Blog

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Ashley

CK Daily – 4.13.2021

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In This Issue: CablesAndKits 1080p Webcam | #TechTips | News to Start Your Day

Call up your friends and pull out that Scrabble board, because today it’s National Scrabble Day! Originally named Lexiko and then Criss-Cross Words, Alfred Mosher Butts eventually settled on the name Scrabble. Any big Scrabble fans out there?!

The CK Daily – A-A-Ron

Two of my favorite things, Jeopardy! and the Green Bay Packers. Combine them and you get Aaron Rodgers hosting the show that many of us sharpen our minds watching along and answering questions with a question. The round-robin of show hosts has sparked the debate amongst friends and family alike.  

Who should replace Alex Trebek full-time? 

Is it too early to tell? Have any of the people who have stepped in as Guest Host been strong enough to take over the job of a legend? Do you have a favorite so far between Ken Jennings, Katie Couric, Dr. Oz, Mike Richards, or my favorite A-A-ron?

Corey

Product Spotlights and Updates:

Happy Tuesday! Yesterday we shared some video recording tips, hopefully, you found those helpful. Today’s we’re sharing one of our Deals of the Week, the CablesAndKits 1080p webcam. Perfect for all video conference platforms!

This webcam is perfect for Zoom, Skype, Teams, and any other video conference platform. The quality of the 1080p allows you to share videos with clear and fine detail. In addition, the built-in wide-angle microphones matches users’ voice quality to the crystal clear video quality and makes it feel like you are face to face.

#TechTips

Keyboard shortcuts have been around for decades, but many folks still do not use them. when you’re trying to get the most out of your workday, these basic shortcuts can help you save time and energy, providing an easier and quicker method of navigating and executing computing commands. Here are a few of the most useful shortcut keys you’ll want to use: 

  • In your web browser, if you hold the CTRL + A buttons down together, you can select everything on a particular page. 
  • Want to go back in your web browser? Hold the ALT and Left Arrow. 
  • In Microsoft Word, Shift and F7 together will get you a thesaurus lookup in Microsoft Word. 
  • Minimize all windows by hitting the Windows Key + M and conversely Shift + Windows Key + M to restore windows that were minimized with the previous keystroke. 
  • One of the most important keyboard shortcuts you can use is the Windows Key + L, this will lock your computer so that when you leave your workstation no one can mess with your desktop. 

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

  • As of this morning, in the US, there are 6,855,520 active COVID cases, 24,561,404 have recovered and there have been 576,339 deaths. 
  • The FDA is asking states to temporarily halt using J&J’s Covid-19 vaccine after six people in the U.S. developed a rare blood-clotting disorder.  
  • Taco Bell plans to open its first digital-only restaurant in the U.S. on Wednesday in Times Square. The simplified design is expected to keep employees from becoming overwhelmed. 
  • President Joe Biden has met with executives from key companies to discuss the global chip shortage that has hit automakers and spurred Intel Corp to announce that it plans to make chips for car plants at its factories in the next six to nine months. 
  • The deadline to file a 2020 individual federal return and pay any tax owed has been extended to May 17th. The Treasury Department and the IRS moved the date to give filers, tax preparers, and the IRS itself more time to adjust to disruption from the coronavirus pandemic. 

CK Daily – 4.12.2021

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In This Issue: 3-Ply Protective Face Mask | Video Recording Best Practices | News to Start Your Day

Each year, National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day on April 12th recognizes one of the top comfort foods in the United States. Why wouldn’t it be when we’re talking about bread grilled to perfection, and warm, gooey, melted cheese. Any big grilled cheese fans out there?! 

The CK Daily – Refreshed!

It’s Monday again! I took a few days off last week while my kids were on spring break! We had a great time getting away from our normal daily routines, relaxing, and spending time together. I’m feeling refreshed and ready to tackle a new week! 

So question for you: how do you handle your first day back after taking time off? 

Chris

Product Spotlights & Updates:

Stay safe & comfortable with CablesAndKits 3-Ply Protective Face Mask, 50 Pack. No marks on your face, uncomfortable strings, or tears; only safety! Keeping anything from dust, pollen, and other airborne pollutants from entering your system. These masks are also much more lightweight compared to others, preventing any traces from being left on your face. Stay protected while maintaining comfort with the soft & smooth ear-loop fitting! This week, these masks are 70% off! Grab them while you can – at such a low price!

Video Recording Best Practices:

While we are all hopeful the days of fully virtual classes and/or work meetings are numbered, chances are, the video will continue to be used frequently for presentations, meetings, and even inclement weather days. Here are a few tips to enhance your videos and audio from your devices, even while on a budget. 

For the best lighting, position your desk facing a window if possible. The natural light will not only make your face look bright and clear, but it will increase video quality by reducing pixilation. Make sure you are not sitting with a window behind you, as it will create too much brightness and give you a dark silhouette.

While your computer’s internal mic will suffice for audio, using a good pair of headphones with an internal mic will make the audio much more clear and powerful. Headphones should work with any device that has a headphone jack, such as tablets, laptops, computers, and smartphones. Try your best to eliminate any background noise, so the mic can focus on just your voice. Household items such as A/C units, refrigerators, or even jewelry shuffling around can create added background noise, so it’s good to be cognizant of your surroundings.

If you’re looking for the perfect web camera with built-in noise reduction microphone that captures natural stereo audio and filters annoying background noises to give you clear conversations, check out our 1080p HD webcam! 

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

  • As of this morning, in the US, there are 6,864,316 active COVID cases, 24,480,631 have recovered and there have been 575,831 deaths. 
  • NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter attempted to take flight on the Red Planet early this morning, and you’ll be able to watch live as the NASA team tracks this historic test from mission control. Should the four legs of this tiny 4-pound helicopter leave the Martian surface, it will become the first time that NASA—or any other space agency—has successfully attained powered controlled flight on an alien planet.
  • Winners of the recently announced Crystal Cabin Awards created new concepts for airplane cabins with an eye for useful, problem-solving, and modern solutions. Check out some of the most interesting designs here!
  • Disney has found the next president of ABC News. Kimberly Godwin, the executive vice president of CBS News, is in the final stages of negotiations with Disney to become president of ABC News.
  • Verizon is recalling 2.5 million hotspot devices after discovering that the lithium-ion battery can overheat, creating a fire and burning hazard. The recall impacts Ellipsis Jetpack mobile hotspots imported by Franklin Wireless Corp and sold between April 2017 and March 2021.

CK Daily – 4.09.2021

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In This Issue: PoE Power Injector | Friday Encouragement | News to Start Your Day

April 9th is National Cherish an Antique Day! Do you have something special passed down to you from your family? Today provides us the opportunity to learn the story and the history behind our treasured antiques. We’d love to hear the stories of the antiques you have!

The CK Daily – Eat Fresh!

Spring is finally here! Since the weather is getting nicer, it is time to work on those new spring goals. My goal this season is to eat fresher. I recently watched a YouTube video of a chef reviewing TikTok meals and something he said really inspired me to eat this goal. He kept mentioning that in all these of recipes that most of the ingredients are not alive, meaning that it hasn’t been grown from the ground or raise in a farm. Everything was either a powder or processed. It opened my eyes to view my relationship with food differently. I want to decrease how much processed food I’m consuming and take my time with preparing my meals, To live to eat, not to eat to live.

Some ways that I have worked on this goal is to try to incorporate more vegetables and fruits into my diet and cut down the number of times I order out and get fast food. I have also been swapping out powdered seasonings with the real thing when available, instead of using onion and garlic powder. It really makes a difference in fresh vegetables and herbs. It also inspired me to start a small garden! So far, I’ve been growing basil and green onions with my small window garden. I hope this has inspired you to eat fresh and take the time to appreciate your meals!

Amy

Product Spotlights & Updates:

Happy Friday! Today we’re highlighting a product you can’t go wrong with – our PoE Power Injector from CablesAndKits! This is the perfect replacement for CP-PWR-CUBE-4 and/or AIR-PWRINJ4. This Power injector will ensure your connection never fails when you need it most. Shop all our accessories and equipment to outfit your entire network. All your purchases with us come individually bagged and labeled so you can easily store and retrieve your stock. This Injector comes ready with an AC power cord. Better yet, this product is on sale this week but not for much longer! Head on over to our Deals of the Week page to grab yours today!

Friday Encouragement:

This past year has been full of uncertainty and change. And the wheels are still turning. Things are still shifting. We’re still going through the transition. Here are 8 things you need to do to survive change, uncertainty, and difficult times. 

  • Accept things that are outside of your control. 
  • Take full accountability and responsibility for what is within your control. 
  • See the stress that you face and issues you have to solve as a test for your mental strength. 
  • Focus on the possibilities and opportunities that come with change instead of the losses. 
  • Use this time to focus on connecting with yourself. 
  • Deepend your connections with those you love. 
  • Save money. 
  • Focus on your health. 

Read the full blog post from The Happiness Planner here. 

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

  • As of this morning, in the US, there are 6,869,253 active COVID cases, 24,122,221 have recovered and there have been 570,264 deaths. 
  • Dick’s Sporting Good has opened the biggest store it’s ever built, called House of Sports. It includes an indoor rock climbing wall, golf driving bays, and a putting green. There is also a health-and-wellness shop. Outside, it has a track and turf field. Take a look inside here. 
  • General Motors announced a halt in production at several North American plants and Ford announced additional downtime at two plats, the latest disruptions to the auto supply chain because of a chip shortage. 
  • Avengers Campus at Disney’s Anaheim Park will open on June 4th. The new area is an extension to the park and features Marvel’s mightiest heroes from Earth and the Stars. Thor, Black Panther, Black Widow, and more will be walking around the land – and visitors may occasionally catch a glimpse of trickster Loki. 
  • Britain’s royal family announced Prince Philip died on Friday at the age of 99.

CK Daily – 4.08.2021

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In This Issue: Cisco Catalyst 3560 | When Sports and Technology Play Together | News to Start Your Day

It’s National Zoo Lovers Day! Did you know that there are over 10,000 zoos worldwide and over 2,400 in the U.S. alone?! Are you a Zoo lover? What’s your favorite zoo to spend the day at?

The CK Daily – Warm Weather & Camping Adventures

Warmer weather is here! The common theme from the other daily posts this week is all around the warmer weather that comes with spring and the outdoor activities that start to take place. This one won’t be any different. 🙂

Since my daughters are on spring break this week, we’re taking them on a camping trip. This is one of our favorite things to do as a family! We decided that we wanted to try something new this year, so my wife and I got bicycles to ride. Since our girls already have bikes, this will be another activity that we can do together while camping. What activities are you looking forward to doing with your family? 

Chris

Product Spotlights & Updates:

Today’s product spotlight is the Cisco Catalyst 3560 Series PoE 48 Port Switch! The Cisco Catalyst 3560 Series PoE Switch comes with (48) 10/100/1000 Ethernet Ports and 4 SFP Gigabit Ethernet Ports, 128 MB of RAM, 32 MB or DRAM, supports 1024 VLANs, and has a PoE budget of 370W.

The Cisco Catalyst 3560 is an ideal access layer switch for small enterprise LAN access or branch-office environments, combining both 10/100/1000 and PoE configurations for maximum productivity and investment protection while enabling the deployment of new applications such as IP telephony, wireless access, video surveillance, building management systems, and remote video kiosks. 

As always, our equipment comes with our Advance Replacement Lifetime Warranty! And we also have FREE shipping on all orders over $250 through the end of the month.

When Sports and Technology Play Together:

NBC Sports Bay Area and NBC Sports California team up with Cisco Webex in pursuit of hybrid sports experiences. 

NBC Sports Bay Area and NBC Sports California are the latest in a series of strategic Cisco partnerships in the new world of hybrid sports. This partnership, which goes live today, marks the fourth sports collaboration in 2021, between Cisco Webex and major sports empires. 

For many people, the absence of live sports has been a significant void during these challenging times. Cisco’s mission is to bring sports to the masses and to make the experience as interactive, exhilarating, and inclusive as the in-person experience. 

This partnership with NBC Sports Bay Area and NBC Sports California is a natural extension of that mission. Fans can get in on the action with game highlights, player-to-audience interaction, and promos surrounding their favorite Bay Area teams and athletes. Specifically, Cisco is now the official video-conferencing technology partner for NBC Sports Bay Area’s coverage of the Golden State Warriors and San Francisco Giants, and NBC Sports California’s coverage of the San Jose Sharks. Over the next 12 months, fans will see Webex technology in action as part of pregame and postgame video conference interviews as well. 

Read more here! 

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

  • As of this morning, in the US, there are 6,859,173 active COVID cases, 24,206,567 have recovered and there have been 572,856 deaths. 
  • Best Buy is piloting an annual membership program in select stores. The program, called Best Buy Beta, will cost $199.99 per year. It will include perks like free shipping, unlimited tech support from the Geek Squad and exclusive membership pricing.  
  • iPhones will soon be able to track lost items using a built-in app called Find My. The first products that work with Find My will be released next week including e-bikes, wireless earbuds, and lost item tracker.  
  • YouTube saw the most significant growth of any social media app among American users during the pandemic. The Google-owned video service saw usage grow from 73% of U.S. adults in 2019 to 81% in 2021. 
  • The NIH has begun looking at why some people have suffered from allergic reactions after receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines. The study will enroll 3,400 adults ages 18 to 69 at up to 35 academic allergy-research centers nationwide. 

CK Daily – 4.07.2021

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In This Issue: Spring has Sprung! | Microsoft 365 Updates | News to Start Your Day

It’s time to stretch your legs and get your heart pumping because today is National Walking Day! Lace up your favorite shoes, grab your water, and head on out for a walk (or run) outside!

The CK Daily – Spring has Sprung!

“Spring won’t let me stay in this house any longer! I must get out and breathe the air deeply again.” -Gustav Mahler

Since Spring has sprung, I have been more inclined to spend loads of time outside. I’m not sure if it is due to the weather or the fact that things are slowly getting back to normal since the start of the pandemic. 

I plan to start taking daily walks around my neighborhood and planting my garden soon. I typically plant cherry tomatoes and herbs but since I am feeling ambitious this year, I think I want to add to my garden. Zucchini, squash, and bell peppers are on my list this year to see if my thumb is as green as I think it is. 

What are some activities you plan to start since the flowers have bloomed?

Shanyce

Product Spotlights & Updates:

Today’s product spotlight is the Cisco SFP-10G-SR module! This module gives you a wide variety of 1 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity options for your data canter, enterprise wiring closet, and service provider transport applications. This module boasts a variety of features and benefits, including being the industry’s smallest form factor, which results in the greatest density per chassis. The SFP-10G-SR is hot-swappable and can be switched out with ease, making upgrades and maintenance easy!

This week, the Cisco SFP-10G-SR is on sale! Head on over to our Deals of the Week page for 10% off!

Microsoft 365 Office – App Updates

If you’re a Microsoft 365 user, you’ve probably seen recent updates put in place in order to improve your Office features. Staying on top of these changes can be tough, so let’s review some of the updates: 

  • Get meeting suggestions when you search for a person. When you type a person’s name in the Microsoft Outlook search box, the most relevant email containing calendar invites will be included with the search result suggestions.
  • Every meeting online. Update your calendar settings to make every meeting you create a Teams Meeting by default so you no longer need to remember to click the Teams Meeting option.
  • End meetings early or start late. You can now have Outlook end your meetings a few minutes early or start late. This can help you build in travel time between meetings. You can choose a different duration for meetings under one hour and meetings over one hour. Select  File> Options> Calendar> Calendar Options Check the “Shorten Appointments and Meetings” checkbox and select “End Early” or “Start Late.”
  • Natural Language Search in Outlook. With Natural Language in search, you simply type the way you would ask a question/statement – no fancy syntax is needed. Selected the Search box at the top of Outlook, and use your own naturally formed queries. 

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

  • As of this morning, in the US, there are 6,869,253 active COVID cases, 24,122,221 have recovered and there have been 570,264 deaths. 
  • The United Parcel Service announced it has agreed to purchase 10 electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft from Beta Technologies. The package delivery giant will test the eVTOLs for use in its Express Air delivery network, focusing on small and medium markets. 
  • The “Pac-Man 99” battle royale will launch today on the Nintendo Switch! 99 players will battle until the field is winnowed down to only one winner. 
  • SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spaceship moved on Monday to make way for the next Dragon capsule set to arrive on April 22nd bringing four more astronauts to the space station. The spaceship undocked from the International Space Station and maneuvered to a different port.
  • Are you a Stranger Things fan? Gaten Matarazzo, in a recent interview, hinted at what to expect from the fourth season! Watch the interview here!

CK Daily – 4.06.2021

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Today’s Topics: Something to Look Forward to | Deals of the Week | #TechTips | News to Start Your Day

Happy Tuesday!

Any popcorn lovers out there? Today is National Caramel Popcorn Day and boy does that conjure up some memories of fairs, sporting events, and summer snacking. Bring on all the bags of Cracker Jack and warm summer days!!

Happy Tuesday!

It seems like everyone in the state is on Spring Break or vacation this week, at least here in Georgia. Is it that way where you are too? Tis’ the season I guess. I think most people are beginning to make up for the last year. Does anyone have any big plans for this summer?

I am the type of person that enjoys having something to look forward to even if it is a month or two out. Something about that excitement helps keep my energy up and helps me stay in a good mood. No major plans for me over the summer yet besides just enjoying the new house and getting it set up…which I am very excited about. Hopefully, if everything continues going smoothly with the house I should close on April 23rd. So, while it seems like everyone else is on vacation this week, I have something to tie me over to look forward to.

What are you looking forward to right now? A vacation? A birthday? Graduation? A promotion? A wedding? Finishing a big project? Getting to see a special loved one? 

In the meantime, I hope the rest of your week goes great.

Jason

Product Spotlights & Updates:

The Deals of the Week just keep on getting better! This week we’ve included an HDMI adapter, a Rack Mount Kit, an IP Phone Accessory, a SFP+ Module, and a Cisco 3560 Switch. Pretty sweet, right?! 

To add to it – we’ve extended our free shipping on orders over $250 and now have a flat rate shipping fee of $4.99! What are you waiting for? Get your order in today! 

#TechTips

Nobody likes to waste time. And although technology helps us save time in a myriad of ways, it can also slow us down. Here are some quick tech tips that will help you maximize your time!

  • Search Google with a right-click. Are you ever reading something online, see a term or person you’re interested in, and want to learn more? To do it quickly in most browsers, right-click on the term in your browser and choose the “Search Google” option in the menu. Your browser will open a new tab and show you search results on the topic.
  • Use your scroll wheel to open a new tab. When you want to quickly open a link in a new tab, look to your mouse. After placing your cursor on the link, click down on your scroll wheel. It’ll automatically open the link in a new tab!
  • Use the Spacebar to scroll up and down. Using a scroll bar — or worse, arrow keys — to move up and down a web page is tedious. So why not move up and down a page more quickly using the spacebar? Tapping on the spacebar on a web page will allow you to quickly scroll down. If you want to go back up, hold Shift while you tap the spacebar.
  • Use “Site:” to find content on a single site. If you’re searching Google but don’t want to look for results in just any old website, try out the search engine’s “Site:” command. From within the Google Search box, type “site:” followed with no space by the site of your choosing. For instance, “site:tomsguide.com” without quotation marks. You can then add a query after the URL and press Enter. Google will then only display relevant results from the site of your choosing.

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

  • As of this morning, in the US, there are 6,869,132 active COVID cases, 24,058,562 have recovered and there have been 569,282 deaths. 
  • The Baylor Bears are celebrating their first championship season – beating the previously undefeated Gonzaga Bulldogs 86-70 Monday night at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. 
  • NASA’s Ingenuity mini-helicopter has survived its first night alone on the frigid surface of Mars, the US space agency said, hailing it as “a major milestone” for the tiny craft as it prepares for its first flight. Detached from the Perseverance, Ingenuity had to rely on its own solar-powered battery to run a vital heater to protect its unshielded electrical components from freezing and cracking during the bitter Martian night, where temperatures can plunge as low as -130 degrees Fahrenheit. 
  • Google plans to migrate its internal financial software from Oracle to SAP. The two companies increasingly compete in the cloud computing market, and Oracle’s refusal to certify its database for use in Goggle’s cloud hampered the adoption between the two. 
  • Dr. Anthony Fauci warned Monday that Americans should still be vigilant and adhere to public health measures as warmer summer months approach. His comments come as vaccine production increases and a record number of coronavirus vaccine doses are administered.