In This Issue: Cisco 2960S 48 Port PoE+ Switch | #TechTips | News to Start Your Day
April 14th is National Gardening Day! Grab your shovel and favorite seeds, and kick-off a beautiful year of homegrown bounty! Happy gardening!
The CK Daily – The Great Outdoors
Happy Wednesday! It’s hard to believe we’re already halfway through the week! I took some time off last week and got to spend it in the north Georgia mountains. The weather was absolutely incredible which means I got to spend a lot of time outside (which is kind of my thing!). I’m an avid hiker and it always amazes me how spending time in nature always results in such a mood boost. I’m noticeably happier and more relaxed after a hike, and sometimes it seems like that mood boost can last for days!
The topic of how spending time in nature can affect us has interested me for a while which has led to reading up a bit on it over the years. Some of the research that has been done is fascinating. Here’s a fun fact: A study out of Japan found that people who spent 40 minutes walking in a cedar forest had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol (think blood pressure and immune system) when compared to those who spent 40 minutes walking in a lab. Isn’t that interesting!? And that’s just one of the physiological effects that have been discovered. Obviously, I’m not a doctor or a scientist, so don’t take my word for it, but if it interests you, do some digging and you might be inspired to spend a little more time outside!
Rebecca
Product Spotlights and Updates:
Today we’re spotlighting the Cisco Catalyst 2960-S Series, 48 port PoE+ switch – WS-C2960S-48LPS-L. This powerhouse of a switch provides Layer 2 connectivity with a 370 watt PoE budget. With 48-gigabit ethernet ports and additional 4 SFP ports, this switch will work perfectly for growing businesses and offers flexible setup options. This unit also comes with an array of Cisco SmartOperations features which include Smart Install, Auto Smartports, and Smart Troubleshooting that help you set up and manage your switch efficiently without a lot of headache. If you need to stack these switches to create a unified switch with a single IP address, you can do so by adding an optional FlexStack module, giving you, even more, power and flexibility.
#TechTips
Minimizing Blue Light
Have you ever felt your eyes strain or had a headache from staring at your computer for too long? Blue light may be to blame.
The sun naturally emits blue light during the day to help keep us awake. But too much artificial blue light from our computers, laptops, phones, and other devices can cause sleep trouble and eye strain. Not only that but the circadian rhythm, the body’s internal clock, can fall out of whack. Here are a few ways to restore your sleep and reduce discomfort.
To adjust the color temperature and reduce blue light on your Windows devices, select Start > Settings > System > Display > Night Light Settings. Under Schedule, set Schedule Night Light to On. You can select your own custom times or click the Sunset to Sunrise option. Please note that night light isn’t available for devices using DisplayLink or Basic Display drivers.
To adjust these settings in your Mac, you can utilize Night Shift. Simply go to System Preferences > Displays > Night Shift. You can then select your hue and set a custom schedule.
Since blue light comes from the sun, too much of it in the evening will tell your body it’s still daytime. You can turn on Dark Mode, Night Light, or Night Shift on your tablet or mobile device by visiting the display settings. Adjusting your device to a warmer color hue a few hours before bed will help your body wind down and prepare for sleep.
Today’s News to Start Your Day:
- As of this morning, in the US, there are 6,868,958 active COVID cases, 24,626,413 have recovered and there have been 577,191 deaths.
- Apple has officially announced its press event on April 20th. New products are expected, including new versions of the iPad Pro and AirTags.
- Astrobotic has signed a contract with SpaceX for the launch of its Griffin lunar lander, carrying a NASA lunar rover, on a Falcon Heavy in 2023.
- The IRS plans to begin sending monthly payments from the new $3,000 child tax credit in July. The new significantly expanded child tax credit was included in the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan. Under the law, families will receive an annual benefit per child ages 6 to 17 for the 2021 tax year.
- Moderna has stated its Covid-19 vaccine was more than 90% effective at protecting against Covid and more than 95% effective against severe disease up to six months after the second dose.