If you’ve ever been to or hosted a party, you know howtough breaking the ice can be. At your next gathering, try introducing friends by explaining what you value about them. For more on the idea behind this method, check out the full post linked below. A Better Way to Introduce Your Friends at Parties| Storyline Image fromSteven Vance.

Android: Today, Microsoft announced that it is expanding itsOffice for Android beta. Now, you could install it on any 7-10" ARM-based tablet running KitKat or higher. You don’t even need an invite anymore.

Chrome: College textbooks are crazy expensive. Shopping around for a bargain takes time. The Occupy The Bookstore Chrome extension finds the best price directly from your college bookstore website. We’ve coveredtextbook comparison toolsbefore, but this extension saves you a lot of the hassle. It works with any school using BNCollege, bkstr.com or Neebo. Texts.com earns a commission when you buy through the Occupy The Bookstore link. Occupy The Bookstore| Chrome Web Store viaReddit

Investing in the stock market isn’t completely foolproof. I recently talked about this comparison in a conversation withLaurie Itkin, financial advisor andauthor. She mentioned that the comparison doesn’t make sense for many reasons, but mainly because of the odds. When youinvest properly, and follow somebasic rules, the odds are highly in your favor. But that’s not the case with gambling. That’s $260 a year or $5,200 after 20 years. Will you hit the lottery?...

Here is a simple solution to remove this unwanted feature. Popcorn ceiling is a spray-on ceiling treatment that can hide ceiling imperfections and also provide noise reduction. Check your local building codes and read up on what theEPAsays about asbestos before tampering with your ceiling. Allow the ceiling to soak a few minutes then use a paint scraper to remove the popcorn texture. Catch the old texture in plastic tray and dispose it....

you’re free to even automate this so you don’t have to put energy just into remembering. The Reason We Don’t Reach Our Goals| Simple Productivity Blog Photo byMary Hitchison.

Google is so entrenched when it comes tofinding information on the internet, we named the act after it. However, not every question can be answered by the first page of results. Google will tell you everyday things likehow many ounces are in a cup. Wolfram Alpha can tell you about median salaries in a given field, orperform key financial calculations. you’ve got the option to even estimate yourblood alcohol content....

It’sCES this weekand that means tons of journalists are flooding into Las Vegas to cover the gadget-centric event. Tested’s Will Smith shares his setup, which includes both essential travel gear and mobile podcasting equipment. The bag’s aRickshaw messenger bag. Photos must be at least at least 640x360. If yours catches our eye, we might just feature it! What’s in Your Bag, Will?| YouTube

Heating your house can be a pretty massive utility drain. Turning the heat off entirely in your home means your house is largely subject to environmental factors. Instead, turn your thermostat down 7-10 degrees. However, remember that many thermostatscan be programmed already. The savings can be well worth the time spent. Little Ways to Save Big on Your Heating Bill| This Old House Photo byDavid Berkowitz.

There’s a reason why polar bear plunge swimmers get plenty of coaching and warnings before they dive in. Why Winter Swimming Is Good For You| DNews (YouTube)

Actually achieving them is a different story. Here’s how it works. CLEAR stands forCollaborative,Limited,Emotional,Appreciable,Refinable. Some of the goals will even require collaboration. Limited: Limit the goal’s depth and scope to keep it clear and manageable. Appreciable: Remember to break down larger goals into smaller, more manageable ones. Refinable: Be flexible and roll with the punches. Use CLEAR to make a change if you’ve had a tough time achieving the job goals you set....

Are you paying for a wrist band or is your money really going to be put to use? A director of a charitable organization is here to discuss how to find and vet charities. She’ll be here for the next hour, so ask away! The live Q&A is over, but thank you for your questions. Have an expert you’d like to see participate?Email us. Image adapted fromromrf(Shutterstock).

What was the reason for the move? How many people work here? What kinds of jobs do they do? This can often lead to great follow-up conversations. Any reason for that? What’s the biggest department or division in this location? What do you like best about working here? Are the principals usually around, or mostly on the road? Do you get to see or talk to them much? Obviously you don’t need to ask every question and context is important....