CablesAndKits Blog

Adding value to your IT infrastructure

CK Daily Updates

CK Daily – 05.19.2021

by

In This Issue: LC/UPC to SC/APC Singlemode Duplex OS2 Fiber Patch Cable | Deals of the Week | Reasons to buy a Refurbished Server | News to Start Your Day

May 19th is National Devil’s Food Cake Day! This day is for you chocolate cake lovers. Here is a delicious recipe for you to make and enjoy at home!

The CK Daily – Seize the Day!

Happy Wednesday! 

A few weeks ago, I mentioned my excitement in celebrating my upcoming birthday and y’all gave me some great suggestions on what traditions you and your family have. Well, my big day has come and gone. I always find it so interesting how quickly a long-awaited day comes and goes. We spend so much time anticipating the day for it to go by in a mere 24 hours. 

In my new age, I have spent a lot of time thinking of how I can seize the day and enjoy every little moment. Nowadays, we are so used to the fast pace life and lately, I have found it so rewarding to just sit down and enjoy whatever is going on around me. 

How do you make sure you are seizing the day? I will love to learn from you!

Shanyce 

Product Spotlights & Updates:

Happy Hump-Day! Today’s product spotlight is the LC/UPC to SC/APC Singlemode Duplex OS2 Fiber Patch Cable, FSD9-LCSCA-05 and it’s 20% off!

OS2 fiber patch cables are known for their outdoor use and for their loose-tube construction, compared to OS1’s tightly-buffered design and indoor use, this allows OS2 fiber to transmit over longer distances. This also makes OS2 fiber cords best for use with underground and burial applications.

Fiber optic cabling is the medium of choice for longer distance and challenging cabling runs. These cables are thinner than copper patch cords and immune to EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) making them perfect for riser runs and uplink cables.

There are two basic types of fiber cabling, single-mode and multi-mode. The cables listed here are single mode. Inside these cables, you will find three basic layers. Starting from the inside, you have the core which is surrounded by the cladding. Both are protected with the jacket on the outside. Single mode cables have a thinner “core size”. The core size is simply the thickness of the optical fiber inside the cladding. The cladding is material that surrounds that core which basically serves as the boundary for the signal, keeping the light refined to the core and not allowing it to escape. The thicker the core size, the more refraction the signal exhibits, the more signal degradation that occurs and the shorter the distance an intelligible signal can transmit. 

In addition, single mode cables are more “stable” as they are only thick enough to carry one wave of light. This eliminates distortion caused by overlapping light signals making them ideal for applications that require couplers or other branching devices.

Reasons to buy a Refurbished Server – CK Learning Center

As your company’s IT manager, you are required to make many decisions when it comes to selecting which technology you will utilize to best fit the needs of your company. One of the decisions you will be faced with is selecting a server that fits your needs for both price and performance. When it comes to shopping for servers, the options and price ranges are nearly endless. You might become overwhelmed and begin to think that you will have to sacrifice either price or performance, however, we’ve got good news. You can have the best of both worlds by going with a refurbished server. Here are some reasons this might be the best choice you could possibly make!

Price

Of course, price is an important factor to consider when you are working within a tight budget. Although new servers may have ever-so-slight advantages over refurbished ones in term of performance, most often the differences in performance are minor but the price difference is great. Buying a refurbished server can see you save 10, 20, or even 50 percent per unit. As a smart shopper, you want to get the most out of each dollar and buying a refurbished server allows you to do just that, which means you have more money left over for other IT needs.

Performance

There is a misconception that the refurbished servers’ performance is inferior to new ones. The truth is that the performance of a server is based on the configuration (drives, memory, processors, etc) of the particular server. A new server with the same configuration as a refurbished server should perform exactly the same.

Most IT departments replace their servers, not because they are damaged but because of schedules that they follow or agreements with manufacturers. Consequently, it is possible to get a refurbished server that in excellent shape and can be used for another 5 to 10 years without any issues. Next time you need to replace your server, contact us for a refurbished server that may even see you achieve better performance, and for a fraction of the price.

Maintenance

Maintenance cost is an important consideration when buying a new or refurbished server. One major benefit of going with a server that is one or two generations behind the new ones is the availability of spare parts. Getting replacement parts for refurbished servers can be easy and affordable, reducing maintenance cost and stress that comes with trying to find the correct replacement parts.

Warranty

Many people go for new servers because they trust the brand of the server and they feel confident that they can rely on the warranty (assuming one is provided). However, most warranties offered by other companies are limited to 2-3 years and, in many cases, they even cost you extra money. We’ve got your back, though. Here at CK we offer an industry-best lifetime warranty on all of our servers. That means that if you experience trouble with the server or components in the server, we will make it right!

Check out our servers here!

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

  • As of this morning, in the US, active COVID cases are reported to be 5,944,794.
  • Another cheesy one bites the dust as Taco Bell fans are mourning the removal of a cult-favorite menu item. After making its long-awaited return earlier this year, the fast-food giant announced that the Quesalupa will no longer be available.  Fans are encouraged to satisfy their Quesalupa craving before it leaves the menu. But judging by internet outrage, it seems that the beloved crunchy item has already been removed from the menu at Taco Bell locations across the country.
  • Burger King will enter the chicken sandwich wars on June 3 with the Ch’King. The burger chain is trying to set itself apart from the pack by hand breading its chicken. To celebrate the nationwide launch, customers who order the Ch’King on the Burger King app or online will receive a free Whopper in addition to the chicken sandwich.
  • Google IO 2021 is its first developer conference in two years. Though there were not big announcements, the company dropped several updates and expansions to products ranging from AI to shopping aimed at Amazon. Read more here!
  • With more than 1.9 billion drinks served every day, Coca-Cola is one of the world’s largest beverage companies. With U.S. soda consumption on the decline, the soft drink maker has been forced to pivot. Coke recently launched Topo Chico Hard Seltzer, marking its first move into alcoholic beverages on its home turf after a four-decade-long hiatus. The company has also recently invested in the sports performance drink category with BodyArmor and it purchased U.K. coffee maker Costa in 2019.

CK Daily – 05.18.2021

by

In This Issue: Cisco Aironet 3700 Series Access Point | Deals of the Week | What is OM5 fiber and how is it different than OM4 & OM3? | News to Start Your Day

Each day we take a dish out of the cupboard, dirty it, wash it and put it back in the cupboard. Today is National No Dirty Dishes Day, so the madness of washing dishes is put on pause! Enjoy a meal out, use disposable dishware, or eat something pre-packaged – enjoy a day free of dishwashing! 

The CK Daily – Stepping out of Your Comfort Zone

Happy Tuesday!

When I first started writing for the CK Daily, I mentioned that in my free time you can most likely find me running or hiking. A few weeks ago a friend convinced me to sign up for a 5.5 mile trail race that she was doing and, although I had never done any trail running before, I was game to give it a try! There were definitely some nerves from not knowing what to expect. How much would being on a trail slow my pace? What would the hills be like? Would I be able to run them? Would there be tons of roots and rocks? Would I fall and bust it at some point in the race?

Generally speaking, I really don’t love the “unknown”. By nature, I’m a planner and a processor. I like to know what to expect in pretty much all situations so that I can be prepared. But, in this case, the stakes were low, and sometimes trial by fire is the best teacher anyway, so I went for it! The race was on Saturday and I must admit, it was so much fun! It really was the perfect combination of my two favorite activities which left me wondering why in the world I had never tried it before!  I’ll definitely be signing up for more of these races! I guess it goes to show that stepping out of your comfort zone and “going for it” can really pay off sometimes! So, if you are on the fence about doing something just outside of your comfort zone… consider this your sign and go for it!

Rebecca

Product Spotlights & Updates:

Today’s product spotlight is the Cisco Aironet 3700 Series Access Point, AIR-CAP3702E-A-K9 and it is 20% OFF this week!  This ready-to-install, easy-to-manage access point offers high capacity, high security, enterprise-class features to deliver wireless LAN access with a low total cost of ownership. Designed for coverage in offices and similar RF environments, this unobtrusive access point features integrated antennas and dual IEEE 802.11a/g/n/ac radios for comprehensive and predictable coverage, providing a combined capacity of 450 Mbps.

What is OM5 fiber and how is it different than OM4 & OM3? – CK Learning Center

Designing fiber optic networks was never easy, but over time, the challenges have shifted. There are more tools than ever to help you optimize every corner of your network. At the same time, increasing options make it more difficult to find satisfaction with the choices you make. That holds true with selecting your fiber cables. So far, the options between singlemode and multimode networks were self-selecting. As for multimode systems, the somewhat narrow range of variety made that selection a little easier as well. Now, OM5 is on the rise, and it brings with it a new niche combination of performance and cost-effectiveness. Is it right for your systems? A quick read will help you determine the answer.

What is OM5 Fiber? 

As the name suggests, OM5 is a multimode fiber cable. It’s fairly new to the industry, and it is designed specifically for high bandwidth and short to medium-range applications. What makes it more than just the next iteration of OM cable is the new take on multiplexing. OM5 is the first approved as WBMMF (Wide Band Multimode Fiber) is designed to specifically handle high-speed data center applications with using two fibers to transmit from 40GBs up to 100GBs and is powered by shortwave wavelength division multiplexing (SWDM). This multiplexing design allows OM5 to dramatically reduce parallel fiber counts. Operating in the 850 to 950 nm range, OM5 can provide 100 GB data streams with just one pair of parallel fibers.

With fewer fibers comes reduced crosstalk and overall lower loss. What’s more is that OM5 can utilize four separate wavelengths in its range, and channel loss is consistent across each frequency.

Comparing OM3 & OM4

For those familiar with the previous iterations, OM3 and OM4 offered substantial bandwidth increases over their predecessors. By switching to laser signaling, they were able to boost performance substantially without sacrificing multimode advantages. They may cost more than their LED counterparts, but OM3 and OM4 have been competitive fiber options for data centers.

OM5 aims to raise the competition. It is capable of notably faster data transmissions, and when running at the same speed as OM3 and OM4, OM5 can provide longer connections without significant loss.

Applications for OM5

OM5 does once again raise the cost per foot of cable over its predecessors, but it offers performance that many data centers are now demanding. The longer transmission lengths help with expandability. In fact, the specs on OM5 make it perfectly suited for the next generation of data centers. It will maintain steadily increasing speed demands without costing as much as singlemode alternatives.

Speaking of singlemode fiber, it still remains the champion for the highest speeds and longest distances. You’ll find that singlemode cables are still the clear choice for outdoor and long-range networking. However, when cost matters and OM5 can meet performance needs, it’s a clear favorite for high-demand indoor networking.

OM5 doesn’t redefine networking in all aspects. Instead, it takes a niche that has been served by OM3 and OM4 and raises the bar on performance. It fits very nicely between the older cables and more expensive singlemode options. Any data center that wants to clearly raise data speeds without replacing your entire infrastructure with substantially more expensive and less convenient equipment now has a perfect cable.

Be sure to check out our new Corning LSZH Fiber cables today.

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

  • As of this morning, in the US, active COVID cases are reported to be 5,944,794.
  • Jaden Smith is continuing his fight against homelessness by opening a restaurant to help provide free meals to those in need. The rapper/actor is expanding his I Love You food truck initiative into a full-blown restaurant to feed the homeless.
  • McDonald’s recently announced a salary increase for employees of its restaurants in the United States. This measure would serve to increase hiring and retain workers. The fast-food chain explained that over the next few months, the salary of more than 36,500 workers will increase by an average of 10%. Until now, salaries for general staff were $12 dollars per hour and between $16 and $18 dollars for supervisors. With the increase, staff members will earn $11 to $17 an hour, while supervisors will earn $15 to $20 an hour, depending on the location of the restaurant.
  • Italian supercar maker Lamborghini has announced that it will launch a fully electric car by 2030. Lamborghini laid out “a roadmap to the decarbonization of future Lamborghini models and of the Sant’Agata Bolognese site.” Over the next 10 years, the company will transition to hybrid models before fully launching an electric car. 
  • The coronavirus variant that first emerged in India could become the dominant strain of the virus in the U.K. in a matter of days and could pose unknown dangers.

CK Daily – 05.17.2021

by

In This Issue: Cisco 2960S Series Switch | Deals of the Week | PoE vs PoE+ vs UPoE | News to Start Your Day

Today is National “Do Something Good for Your Neighbor” Day. So get together with your neighbors to celebrate this day by spreading love and happiness in your neighborhood!

The CK Daily – Admiring Others

Happiest of Mondays Friends and CK Fam!! 

Today is going to be a bit heavy, but in a good way. Hopefully it starts your week off right!  

Throughout life, we ALL go through ups and downs. Some are just less severe and difficult/fortunate than others. What we can learn and experience through them, can really help us grow and appreciate their existence, and in turn our own. 

Met a good friend’s fiancée this weekend for the first time, and they have a six month old baby. Little did I know, that 10 weeks into the pregnancy, this young lady had a seizure in the middle of the night, and a tumor that had never been an issue her whole life grew against her brain due to the hormones the pregnancy had brought upon her. Her doctors immediately suggested an abortion to reduce the hormones. She refused and went into emergency brain surgery to remove the tumor. 

Fast forward to this weekend, a perfect baby boy and healthy mom. The strength it took to make a decision 99% of us will never have to face is so impressive to me. A story I’ll never forget and I hope you can apply it to remember to smell the flowers today, and everyday for the blessings we too often take for granted. 

Thank you all – have a great Monday!!! 

Corey

Product Spotlights & Updates:

Today’s product spotlight is the Cisco 2960S Series 48 Port Switch, WS-C2960S-48TS-L and it is 15% OFF this week! 

The Cisco Catalyst 2960-S Series Switches with LAN Base provide the performance and availability that today’s small businesses demand, as well as the intelligence to support business applications and security services. Switches are a key component of your network foundation and can improve the availability of critical applications while protecting business information. The Cisco Catalyst 2960-S Series Switches are specifically designed for growing businesses that need to accommodate expanding services, and optimize network bandwidth and to assure the fast and reliable delivery of applications and services.  

PoE vs PoE+ vs UPoE – CK Learning Center

If you’re new to networking, you might be wondering what in the world is the difference between PoE, PoE+ and UPoE switches. And, why should I care? 

With numerous variations of series, port counts, sizes, and types of switches out there, it’s challenging for the non-technical elite to make sense of it all. So, we’ve rounded up some knowledge and insights to help you understand what a PoE switch is and how the three main versions differ. By the time you finish this post, you’ll be mentally sparring with the best CTO’s out there. 

Power-over-Ethernet, often referred to as PoE, is a system used to distribute data and power to a targeted network of devices via safe Ethernet cabling. It uses basic copper cables and a switch to send power to the network. Recently, PoE+ has also become popular by boosting the amount of power that can run through the system. Additionally, UPoE was developed by Cisco to make another jump in power delivery through PoE networks. Use this guide to help you determine which one best meets your needs. 

What is PoE? 

PoE uses 802.3af, which is the IEEE standard. The 15.4W/port is compatible with Gigabit Ethernet but not with Cisco inline power since its power negotiation process is different. PoE, as a designation, is the first form of power through ethernet lines that was commercially available. It is the base line, and it is often less expensive than its more powerful counterparts. 

Where To Use PoE 

PoE provides enough power for most wireless access points, surveillance cameras, and IP phones. It is most often used in places where it isn’t sustainable to use universal serial buses or AC power due to inconvenience or expenses. Another benefit of using PoE is that the power transfers over more cable than what USB can handle. 

Benefits of Choosing PoE 

PoE is the simple choice for those who need an easy setup for basic networking. It uses standard copper Ethernet cables, making it as easy as setting up a regular network. The only special equipment you’ll need is a switch that is PoE-compliant. By powering multiple devices over a single network, you eliminate the need for separate cables and AC/DC converters for each device, which makes the entire system easier to maintain. PoE is flexible in that you can install it anywhere you need to and even move entire systems as your needs change. The system is highly reliable, allowing for constant availability. Finally, using PoE allows you to save money on network installation and energy management. 

What Is PoE+? 

Like PoE, PoE+ is a method used to transfer power and data over an Ethernet cable. However, as indicated by the plus sign, this Power-over-Ethernet option is more powerful to accommodate changing technology used by businesses. PoE+ uses the standard IEEE802.3at and has a maximum wattage of 25.5W, making it much more accommodating for devices like WLAN access points, VoIP phones. and security or web cameras that offer additional functions such as tilt, pan or zoom capabilities. 

When to Use PoE+ 

Use PoE+ when you need better efficiency. Some of its benefits include optimized power distribution, allocation of dynamic power and better utilization of the power supply. Typically, PoE+ is best for anybody running a business while PoE is sufficient for home networks. 

Whether you choose a basic PoE switch and cabling for use in your home office or you need a much more powerful PoE+ setup for your business, these systems are sure to make your space more efficient and easier to use. 

What Is UPoE? 

We have made it to the third standard in Power over Ethernet. UPoE is another escalation in power distribution. It stands for Universal Power over Ethernet (and is sometimes also called PoE++). UPoE pushes power draw capacity up to 60W, while still working with Cat5e cables. Since this doubles the PoE+ standard, it’s great for power-hungry setups. It was developed by Cisco to open up even more networking options and can help with transitions into larger and/or smarter networks. 

When to Use UPoE 

UPoE shines when you need more power delivered across your system. Virtual desktop terminals are a great example. The terminals use less power than a dedicated desktop computer, but they use much more than your average networking device. 

Building management gateways and compact switches are other common devices that need more power than you can supply with PoE+. UPoE can also power larger strings of low-power divides — giving it a popular place in Internet of Things networks as well. 

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

  • As of this morning, in the US, active COVID cases continue to drop, 5,979,982. 
  • Starbucks and Target won’t require fully vaccinated customers to wear masks inside stores except when required by law. The change in policy comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidance on mask-wearing. Walmart, Costco, and Trader Joe’s are also allowing customers to shop without mask if they are fully vaccinated. 
  • The Biden administration announced Monday that about 39 million families will begin receiving monthly child tax credit payments for the first time starting July 15. The payments, which are part of the expanded child tax credit program in the American Rescue Plan, are expected to dramatically reduce child poverty, administration officials said. 
  • Long working hours are killing hundreds of thousands of people around the world every year, according to estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) and ILO, the International Labour Organization. In joint research by the global public health and employment bodies, they estimated there were 745,000 deaths from stroke and ischemic heart disease in 2016, marking a 29% increase since 2000. 
  • ATT is preparing to spin off its entertainment business, WarnerMedia, and merge it with competitor Discovery, Bloomberg reported yesterday. If the deal pans out—and it could be announced as soon as today—that’s a pretty compelling content catalog to stand up against streaming heavyweights Netflix and Disney+, which boast 200+ million and 100+ million subscribers, respectively. Combined, WarnerMedia and Discovery would be worth $150 billion, the Financial Times estimates.

CK Daily – 05.14.2021

by

In This Issue: The Nexus 7000 Series Ethernet Module, a Path to 10GB.  | Friday Encouragement | News to Start Your Day

Happy Friday! Today is National Dance Like a Chicken Day and National Buttermilk Biscuit Day…seems perfect, right? This calls for a stop in the drive-thru to grab a biscuit and while you’re eating it, flap your arms and strut like a chicken! We’re certain it’ll make someone’s day!

The CK Daily – Looking forward!

It’s the end of the school year! One of the things going on in our house is preparing for the end of the school year. I think we’d all agree it’s been a memorable one! As I was finishing helping my middle schooler with her homework, I realized that we only have a couple more nights of homework since her last day for the school year is next week. It’s both an exciting and bittersweet time. We’re excited as our summers are always packed with activities. It’s bittersweet since another school year has passed. I had a realization recently that I only have 5 more years with my oldest daughter before she goes off to college!! Where has the time gone? 

As King Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 3:1, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” I know that time marches forward and I will make the most of every day! 

So as you come to this time of year, what are you looking forward to? 

Chris

Product Spotlights & Updates:

Happy Friday! Today’s product spotlight is the Cisco Nexus 7000 F2-Series Ethernet Module, N7K-F248XP-25E (Try saying that 5 times fast!). This ethernet module is a perfect addition for any Cisco 7000 Chasis to provide Ethernet connectivity via SFPs or SFP+ and is a cost savings way to 10 GB Ethernet connectivity.  The module includes 48 ports that can support either 1 GB or 10 GB speeds and the module can also support Fiber Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) capabilities. The Layer 2 and Layer 3 functionality is perfect for data centers and the uni can be used in conjunction with existing Cisco Nexus 2000 Series Fabric Extenders. 

If you are looking for a cost-effective, powerful, and reliable path toward 10 GB the Cisco N7K-F248XP-25E is a great option! 

The Best Advice I’ve Ever Had – Jon Gordon

Dr. James Gills accomplished the remarkable feat of completing two triathlons back to back. Most of the world, including me, couldn’t complete one triathlon, never mind two. Yet, Dr. James Gills, a man in his fifties, was able to complete a double triathlon six times.

When asked how he did it, he gave the best advice I’ve ever heard.

He said, “I’ve learned to talk to myself instead of listen to myself.”

He continued, “If I listen to myself I hear all the reasons why I should give up. I hear that I’m too tired-too old-too weak to make it. But if I talk to myself I can give myself the encouragement and words I need to hear to keep running and finish the race.”

It’s the same way with life.

Too often we listen to ourselves and hear all the complaints, self-doubt, fear, and negativity that lead to unhappiness, failure, and unfulfilled goals.

But instead of listening to the negative, we can choose to feed ourselves with the positive. We can fuel up with words, thoughts, phrases, scripture, and beliefs that give us the strength and power to overcome our challenges and create an extraordinary life, career, and team.

Just keep running, stay positive, talk to yourself instead of listen to yourself and make sure you celebrate and raise your hands in the air when you’ve reached your destination!

Do you need to talk to yourself instead of listen to yourself? If you do feed yourself with encouragement what do you say?

This post is from the Jon Gordon blog. 

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

  • As of this morning, in the US, there are 6,360,358 active COVID cases, 26,667,199 have recovered and there have been 598,540 deaths. 
  • The CDC announced that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a face mask under new public health recommendations. 
  • The long-awaited “Friends” reunion special will arrive on HBO Max on May 27. 
  • NASA’s Mars rover Perseverance is starting to take the measure of its new Red Planet home. Perseverance has studied nearby rocks in greater detail using two other instruments: its rock-zapping SuperCam laser and the WATSON (“Wide Angle Topographic Sensor for Operations and Engineering”) camera at the end of its robotic arm. The mission team is keen to know whether the stones are volcanic or sedimentary in origin.
  • The Colonial Pipeline Co. paid a ransom to hackers after it fell victim to a cyberattack. The assault, carried out by the criminal cyber group known as DarkSide, forced the company to shut down approximately 5,500 miles of pipeline, leading to a disruption of nearly half of the nation’s East Coast fuel supply. Ransomware attacks involve malware that encrypts files on a device or network that results in the system becoming inoperable.

CK Daily – 05.13.2021

by

In This Issue: CB-RCA2F13M | Google Photos’ Unlimited Storage – Alternatives | News to Start Your Day

Today we are celebrating America’s favorite dessert, Apple Pie! Did you know the first apple pie recipe printed was in England in 1381? The list of ingredients included apples, spices, figs, raisins, pears, saffron, and cofyn. Happy National Apple Pie Day!

The CK Daily -How do you shop in 2021?

How do you shop in 2021?

I have been thinking about how I shop a ton lately. Not only is my job to oversee the online shopping experience for all of you at CablesAndKits.com, I personally have done a LOT of online shopping since I moved into the new house. I bet we all can say we have done a ton of this since COVID started. The way we shop has radically changed since the beginning of 2020. 

It is so easy to hop online or on an app to research, price check, or click a button to buy. It is almost too easy..haha! There have been a ton of times over the past couple of months that I see something I like or need and put it in my cart then I pause and think, “Do I really need this right now?” You have probably experienced the exact same thing. This is the world we live in now and every website/company is vying for our business to shop right now. What they offer as an “incentive” is what hooks us to shop with them. Some of the things I look for are:

– Do they have exactly what I want?

– How much does shipping cost? Is it free?

– How quickly can I get it?

– Is it easy to return it if I have an issue?

– Do I like the brand that makes the product or who I am shopping with?

– Is it easy to order?

– What’s their customer service like?

On the business side of things, I try and look through the same lens as we work to continue to improve the CK site and shopping experience. If there are things I look for when shopping, there are probably a lot of people out there that shop the same way. Sometimes it can take some time when making big changes to a website or the way a business operates, but I want to make sure we do it right and that our customers actually want it. 

So here’s your chance. I am listening with my ears wide open. How would you improve the CK site or shopping experience? What would you like to see different on the site? What should we do on the site to make it easier to shop or buy? Give me your thoughts…the good, the bad, and the ugly. I can take it! I need to hear from you…our rabid fans. 

You can respond to this email or you can email me directly at [email protected]. I really want to know what you think.

Have a great Thursday! We’ve almost made it to the weekend!

Jason
Ecommerce Manager

Product Spotlights & Updates:

Happy Thursday! Today, we’re spotlighting the CB-RCA2F13M. Our audio Y-Cables are the ideal solution for adapting your audio connections to meet your application needs. They allow you to split a signal or adapt from one connection to another. They are small but mighty! Some of our customers have shared some great reviews!

Sam M. said, “Works like a charm. The cable works great.”

Chaks S. wrote, “This is my first with CablesandKits. Prompt response to questions (by email). The 3.5 mm Male to RCA Female Y-Cable, 6″ works well. Shipment arrived in the time promised along with a small pack of M&M’s. Nice touch!”

Gordon K. noted, “Exactly as ordered, high quality, low price. Outstanding.”

This week, they are 10% off! Go grab one while it’s on sale!

Google Photos’ Unlimited Storage is Ending – Here are the Best Alternatives

Google Photos offers free unlimited photo storage, which we love. However, this convenient (and wallet-friendly) service will cease at the end of May, leaving many wondering what the best alternatives for Google Photos are. Lucky for you, we found ’em.

All of these storage solutions keep your files stored in the cloud, allowing you to access them on any device connected to the internet. But keep in mind that not all of these services are free and unlimited like Google Photos, though they are usually at least one of the two. When looking for an alternative, consider how much storage you actually need along with your budget.

-Amazon Photos: If you’re looking for a photo storage service that offers unlimited photo storage that’s (probably) free, take a look at Amazon Photos. If you’re already an Amazon Prime customer, you have access to Amazon Photos, along with a host of other Amazon services you probably don’t know about. And in addition to unlimited storage for full-resolution photos, Prime users also get 5GB for storing video.

-Google One: If you’re currently using Google Photos (which is likely if you’re reading this), the easiest solution by far is to just pay for storage through Google One. This way you won’t have to transfer any files or do much of anything at the end of May besides fork over a little cash. Plans start at 100GB for $1.99 per month and range up to 10TB for $49.99 per month.

-Dropbox: Dropbox has been a reliable file storage option for over a decade, and it’s a solid alternative for storing your photos in the cloud. The easy-to-use interface is an added bonus, as it makes it a cinch to add, manage, and share your files as needed. Dropbox’s only real shortcoming is its limited storage capacities; it doesn’t offer much, but it’s a solid option for those who don’t have a ton of photos.

-Microsoft OneDrive: For anyone already embedded in the Microsoft lifestyle, OneDrive is a solid choice. Odds are, it’s already on your Windows device, and installing the app will let you access your files on any connected device. OneDrive offers a free basic plan, which gives you 5GB, or you can upgrade to the Standalone 100GB plan for $1.99 per month. Both give you storage and nothing else.

-Flickr Pro: Flickr has also been around for some time, which gives you 1,000 free photo or video uploads. And if you upgrade to Flickr Pro, which we recommend, you’ll have unlimited ad-free storage starting at just $5 per month.

What to read more? Check out this post from ReviewGeek here!

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

  • As of this morning, in the US, there are 6,368,122 active COVID cases, 26,620,229 have recovered and there have been 597,785 deaths. 
  • McDonald’s is raising the hourly wages for its U.S. company-owned restaurants by an average of 10%. The fast-food giant is also looking to hire 10,000 workers for those restaurants over the next three months. 
  • Walmart said it will acquire Zeekit, a virtual fitting room company. Shoppers will be able to use the technology to try on clothing from Walmart’s private labels or the national brands it carries and get opinions from friends. 
  • According to a tweet from CEO, Elon Musk, Tesla has suspended vehicle purchases using bitcoin out of concern over the rapidly increasing use of fossil fuels for bitcoin mining. 
  • The 2021-2022 NFL schedule has been released, and teams are pumped! There’s one obvious change in the NFL’s 2021 schedule — for the first time, there will be 17 regular-season games and just three preseason games.

CK Daily – 05.12.2021

by

In This Issue: Deals of the Week | Multi-Factor Authentication | News to Start Your Day

It’s hump day, which means we are halfway through the week! Anyone looking forward to their weekend plans? Keep pushing through this week – Friday will be here before you know it!

The CK Daily – Busy, Busy, Busy!

Happy Wednesday! 

Full disclosure, I am writing to you at 1 AM. It’s not that I have forgotten about you, it’s full transparency that life was BUSY for me today. Have you ever had a day where you begin to wonder where your day went? Today was that day, or yesterday rather. The Customer Solutions Team was super busy assisting many customers via phone, chat, and email and made our day extremely busy. I tend to enjoy days like this because it gives us a sense of accomplishment. We can “go home” knowing we have served the face off of each of our customers. 

After work, I made my mission to tidy up my home as I have neglected it over the weekend since it was my “weekend of rest,” as I celebrated Mother’s Day. Though it was tough to look away, I did not clean one single thing this past weekend. 

So here I am, in the wee hours of the morning praying that today will be as fulfilling as yesterday, and maybe I will get to serve your face off. 

Have a great day friends! 

Shanyce

Product Spotlights & Updates:

Have you had the chance to check out our Deals of the Week? We’ve given you a sneak peek these last few days, but don’t wait to check out the rest of them! Head over to our Deals of the Week page to check them out! 

This week, we’ve got incredible deals on: 

-OM3 Fiber

-CAT6 Ethernet Cable

-48 Port Cisco Nexus F2 Module

-Male to RCA Female Y-Cable

-Tilting Universal TV/Monitor Mount

Head on over and snag one of these amazing deals before it’s too late! Also, don’t forget that we’re still offering FREE shipping on orders over $250 and $4.99 Flat Rate Shipping on all other orders!

Website Security: Website Multi-Factor Authentication

You probably use multi-factor authentication (MFA) when logging into your banking app or when accessing your social media accounts from a different device. MFA is also very important for securing your website.

What is Multi-Factor Authentication?


MFA is a method that strengthens access security by requiring multiple factors to confirm a user’s identity. Often these factors will include something the user knows (such as a password or the answer to a security question) and something that they have access to (such as a verification code texted to a device or an authentication code from an app). Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a type of multi-factor authentication.

Why is Multi-Factor Authentication Important for Websites?


MFA provides an additional level of security for your website. It helps confirm that your website users are who they say they are, prevents unauthorized use or changes to your admin account and website, and protects against password brute-force attacks. The type of content management system (CMS) used by a website will dictate the best method for installing MFA for user accounts. For example, there are several MFA plug-ins that may be installed and configured for WordPress sites.

This post can be found on Tech+Wise Group’s page here. 

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

  • As of this morning, in the US, there are 6,395,031 active COVID cases, 26,558,138 have recovered and there have been 596,946 deaths. 
  • Fuel shortages have widened across the East Coast as consumers continue to panic buy amid the fallout from a cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline last week by Russian ransomware group Darkside. The 5,500-mile pipeline system transports more than 100 million gallons of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and heating oil per day between the Gulf Coast and the New York metro area.
  • The U.S. government is planning for the potential need for Covid-19 vaccine booster shots. Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson have said they are developing booster shots or next-generation versions of their vaccines that will bolster protection.
  • YouTube is launching a fund to pay its most popular users on its Shorts product, which aims to compete with popular video app TikTok. The company’s new social network platform, which uses short-form videos, is garnering 6.5 billion daily views.
  • “Hamilton,” “Wicked” and “The Lion King,” three of Broadway’s cornerstones, are set to reopen on September 14th. “Aladdin,” “Six,” “Come From Away” and “Chicago” are also expected to restart in September while “Jagged Little Pill,” “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Ain’t Too Proud” have opening dates set in October.