Career Spotlight: What I Do as a Plumber

We are and always have been considered as Commercial Plumbing Contractors. We have one of the best reputations for quality workmanship in South Florida. Id like to think Ive lived up to that request. What drove you to choose your career path? I actually never considered becoming a plumber. No one in my family had ever been involved in any of the trades as a profession. I spent my childhood and youth as a professional drummer, always thinking that would be my career....

February 24, 2016 · 4 min · 690 words · Leslie Clark

Collaborating With Insects to Make Art

Some of the most hated creatures on earth are bugs. Some of them also bite and sting. They are disgusting, annoying and scary. Its almost funny how a creature so small can bring out so many different emotions in humans. But can we develop bonding with insects? Within a few weeks tiny bejeweled cocoons are formed. Aganetha Dyck Aganetha Dyck, a Canadian, is our second artist. The process can take weeks, months and sometimes years until Dyck decides the sculpture is done....

February 24, 2016 · 1 min · 123 words · Kelli Thompson

How We Work, 2016: Kristin Wong’s Gear and Productivity Tips

Every week, we share the shortcuts, workspaces, and productivity tips of our favorite experts. Today its my turn. Im Kristin, and heres how I get stuff done. My two cats are incredibly needy and have to be around me ALL THE TIME. I thought cats were supposed to be independent. I still loveMintfor budgeting andPersonal Capitalfor keeping track of my investments. Still a big fan ofInvisible HandandHoneyfor finding online deals, too....

February 24, 2016 · 2 min · 349 words · Daniel Ramirez

The Best Antivirus App for Windows

Windows has more antivirus programs than we can count, and none of them are quite perfect. Right now, we recommend Avira for the best balance between protection, ease of use, and cost. So, weve decided to update our pick. It took home awards in real world protection, file detection, overall performance, and malware removal. Overall, it came in fourth, but its #1 if you only focus on free apps. Avira also took homeawards from AV-Testfor 2015....

February 24, 2016 · 2 min · 354 words · Miss Kimberly Vazquez MD

How to Choose Your Next Android Phone: 2016 Edition

This means that you have more freedom to buy a new phone. Theyll come out onMarch 11th. If youre more interested in Samsungs Galaxy Note line, youll have longer to wait for the newest version. The most recent version, the Note 5, was released in August of last year. Typically the Notes are updated between August and October. LG(April):The newLG G5, which is absolutely insane, comes out in early April....

February 23, 2016 · 4 min · 652 words · Christopher Hernandez

How We Work (Out), 2016: Stephanie Lee's Gear and Productivity Tips

Im Stephanie, and heres how I work (and work out!). Fun fact: I used to write video game strategy guides for a living atIGN. There doesnt seem to be a shortage ofEvernotelove among my colleagues, but thats no surprise. On the mobile side, Im attached to Spotify and the food-tracking appCron-o-meterat the hip. Ive written about Cron-o-meter at least twice. Whats your workspace setup like? These days, Im content with just having my laptop and at least a table and chair....

February 23, 2016 · 3 min · 541 words · Tina Nelson

The Old Mill of Vernon

Originally the bridge had five mills that ground corn grown in the nearby Vexin Plateau. The bridge is mostly gone now only a couple of piers remain standing. King Philip was at war with English king, Richard I who reigned over the western half of France. Instead of repairing the bridge, ferries were put into service to transport people across the river. The old mill is now restored and is a symbol of Vernon....

February 23, 2016 · 1 min · 74 words · Robert Hernandez

The Pigment Library at Harvard

That passion led to his collection of materials related to the making and restoration of art. He also brought with him nuggets of artist pigments discovered in the excavation of Pompeii. Today, it has over 2,500 samples and is renowned in the art community. The use of tiny metallic flakes suspended in a binding medium can give artworks a shining finish. The red-orange realgar is derived from arsenic sulfide minerals....

February 23, 2016 · 1 min · 83 words · Teresa Jennings

How We Work, 2016: Heather Yamada-Hosley's Gear and Productivity Tips

Im Heather and heres a peek into how I work. The apps I use havent changed much fromlast year. Breatheto track how I feel emotionally and physically, and for meditation. SF Climatesto see what the weather is like in the micro climates of San Francisco. WhatsAppto message my close friends who live overseas. Whats your workspace setup like? Honestly, I usually work sitting on my bed. Its comfy, plus I have a great view of my neighborhood and the start of thePresidio park....

February 21, 2016 · 3 min · 441 words · Mariah Miller

PC Stick Showdown: Intel Compute Stick vs Google Chromebit

We took both for a test drive. Theyre different products (with some big differences), but theyre clearly playing in the same space. Theres a USB port for external storage or input devices, just in case. Its powered by a Rockchip RK3288 processor, and packs 2GB of RAM. You cancheck out the full specs here. The Intel Compute Stick($146 at Amazon): Intels Compute Stick is made by Intel proper. The newer version isa far sight better....

February 21, 2016 · 2 min · 315 words · Micheal Hurley

How We Work, 2016: Claire Lower's Gear and Productivity Tips

Every week, we ask cool and interesting people how they get things done. Today were asking me for some reason. Im Claire Lower, a freelance food and beverage writer who runsSkillet, and this is how I work. That is literally all of the information I can give you about it, because Im not very tech-savvy. What apps, software, or tools cant you live without? I dont use it everyday like youre supposed to but I always feel better after I do....

February 20, 2016 · 3 min · 566 words · Kaitlin Williams

Lifehacker: The Index

Heres a helpful index of useful posts, categories, and tricks to find what youre looking for. This article discusses the basics of some of these systems and helps you build your own. Top 10 Awesome MacGyver Tricks That Speak For Themselves: This is just life hacking at its finest. Hacking just means finding a clever way to do something better. Sometimes its good, and perfectly moral, like finding a faster way to go through your email inbox....

February 20, 2016 · 2 min · 387 words · Julie Smith MD

The Boiling River of Mayantuyacu, Peru

The locals call it Shanay-timpishka which loosely translates to boiled with the heat of the sun. The river is about 25 meters wide and 6 meters deep, but only 6.4 km long. Many unfortunate animals have fallen into the river and got killed. While there are documented hot springs in the Amazon, nothing is as large as Shanay-timpishka. Somehow, this natural wonder has managed to elude widespread notice for over seventy five years....

February 20, 2016 · 1 min · 136 words · William Smith