How We Work, 2015: Eric Ravenscraft's Gear and Productivity Tips

Every week, we ask notable people how they work. What apps/software/tools can’t you live without? I dislike repeating the same things Iwrote last yearif nothing’s changed. However, I have added some new tools to my repertoire!Plexhas become my go-to media center manager. It took me far too long to get into this app. All of my movies and TV show rips are available on nearly every equipment I own. It’s like my own personal Netflix....

February 19, 2015 · 3 min · 580 words · Leonard Ali

IFTTT Launches Camera, Note, Button Apps to Quickly Trigger Recipes

The third app,Do Button, is perhaps the most brilliantly simple of the three. This app does nothing but trigger recipes. You don’t need to take pictures or give it commands. Just press the button and the recipe runs.

February 19, 2015 · 1 min · 38 words · Joshua Mcdonald

Learn to Cut Glass Safely With a Few Basic Tools

It’s an easy process provided you have the correct tools and know the proper technique. Protective eyewear is also a must when working with glass. A glass cutter will score (cut) glass and are available in a variety of styles. Check out the video above for a great tutorial for scoring glass using these tools. How To Cut Glass - The Basics| Delphi Glass Creativity Center

February 19, 2015 · 1 min · 66 words · Laura Murphy

No, Tablets Aren't Necessarily Rotting Kids' Brains

According to many experts, young childrenshouldn’t have much screen time. But tablets and smartphones are becoming so ubiquitous that those recommendations are starting to look unrealistic. Screen time isn’t necessarily harmful for kids, though. Here’s what you should probably know. Television is passive: stuff happens, and you get to watch. So, while tablets aren’t as bad as television, kids still need to develop these real-world skills. Kids who spent time at a no-screens-allowed camp showed better social skills after just five days....

February 19, 2015 · 2 min · 274 words · Michael Stanley

Prioritize Your Goals with This Simple Two-Question Test

Can you focus on that for at least a month? If not, maybe it’s not that important to you. A month is also long enough to start forming a habit of working on something. An Addict’s Guide to Overcoming the Distraction Habit| Zen Habits Photo byKlearchos Kapoutsis.

February 19, 2015 · 1 min · 47 words · Samantha Middleton

Rice Wine, Rice Wine Vinegar, Rice Vinegar: What's the Difference?

Rice wine, rice wine vinegar, rice vinegar, seasoned rice vinegar: say that three times fast. Let’s talk about the similarities first:rice vinegarandrice wine vinegarare the same thing. Along with sugar and salt, rice wine vinegar is also commonly used to flavor sushi rice. There are dozens of different rice wines with origins all across Asia. Although let’s be honest: it’s probably best when it’s reserved for drinking.

February 19, 2015 · 1 min · 67 words · Jessica Lewis

Split or Merge Finder Tabs in OS X with a Couple Clicks

Back when Mavericks was released, we finally got tabbed browsing in Finder. It’s great, but things can get a little out of control if you open too many tabs. It’s simple, but handy for those moments when you’ve accidentally found yourself with a cluttered screen. How to split and merge Finder windows on the Mac| iDownloadBlog

February 19, 2015 · 1 min · 56 words · Laura Yates

Stop Thinking About What You'll Say Next to Become a Better Listener

Fast Company points out that this really screws with your listening ability. Fast Company breaks it down like so: Shifting yourself out of a doing mode can be difficult. Taking the thinking perspective is the conversational equivalent of the carpenter’s saying “Measure twice, cut once. When you focus on your next contribution, you may miss the emotion behind what is being said. You communicate a lot more than just the statements we make with the words we use....

February 19, 2015 · 1 min · 108 words · Elizabeth Thompson

Tally 2 Is a Simple, Eyes-Free Counter for iOS

We’ve mentioned Tallybefore when it was a paid app, but now it’s free for most uses. It’s also dead simple to use. Tap the screen to count, or swipe down to reverse. you could also change step increments, add visual/audio confirmation, and easily share your tallies with others. For a $1.99 in-app purchase you could get unlimited tally counters and a nice dark theme. Tally 2(Free) | iTunes App Store

February 19, 2015 · 1 min · 70 words · Nicholas Bailey

The Financial Issues with Unique Challenges for Same-Sex Couples

All couples in long-term relationships must learn how to tackle financial decisions together. But gay and lesbian couples face additional challenges, thanks to confusing and ever-changing laws. This post originally appeared atNerdWallet. What Is Our Current Financial Situation? Stone recommends all couples start by addressing big-picture financial issues with each other. How much do you spend and how much do you save? What Does Retirement Look Like for Us? Josh Stoffregen is director of global communications at Prudential Financial and works with Mahaney on LGBT initiatives....

February 19, 2015 · 3 min · 427 words · Zoe Contreras

The Three Layers You Need to Stay Warm in Freezing Winter

This infographic shows us the three layers that can keep you insulated outdoors. The graphic was created byColumn Five Mediain tandem withIcebreaker, makers of Merino wool clothing.

February 19, 2015 · 1 min · 27 words · Sharon Pruitt

These Maps Show You the Cost of Living in Other Countries

When you plan to go to another country,there are a lot of factors to considerincluding cost. The lower the CPI score, the lower the cost of living is from New York. Check out the full map by following the link below. Map: Living Costs Around the World| MoveHub (viaBusiness Insider)

February 19, 2015 · 1 min · 50 words · Nicole Swanson

Use Customer Service Strategies to Resolve Arguments More Effectively

Get in a more constructive mindset by adopting some customer service strategies. (This is the “customer is not always right” part.) It doesn’t mean that you should hide behind the fine print of your terms and conditions. But if someone expected you to provide a service that you clearly don’t provide, point that out. Providing a better understanding might give you a better chance at retaining that customer. And many of these strategies can be useful for disputes everywhere else....

February 19, 2015 · 1 min · 110 words · Patricia Hill