Previously, Google required everyone to make a Google+ profile so that get a new Gmail account. This made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move. Now, that requirement is lifted. While it was still technically possible tocreate a Google account without tying into Google+, it was very difficult. This doesn’t come without some drawbacks, of course. However, if you’d prefer to stay out of the Google+ fray, it’s now an option....

We’ve all had to deal with a loose or popped button. Note that this trick is safest with knit sweaters, since they have a relatively wide weave. With other fabrics, you may spin up the risk of making bigger holes, so use with caution. 13 DIY Tricks for Fashion Emergencies at Work| Mashable Photo byTasha.

It can be difficult to leave work at the workplace. Apartment Therapy recommends using rituals to disconnect from your work day. Work-life balance is difficult to maintain. It’ll go a long way to. Trouble Leaving Work at Work? 5 Ways to Truly Disconnect at Home| Apartment Therapy Photo byA Girl With Tea.

Windows: Explaining a problem you’re having to someone else is never easy. The tool records every action you take after you hit record. YSK about “Problem Steps Recorder”, a criminally underrated troubleshooting tool for Windows| Reddit

Many of us had tosign a noncompetewhen we started a job. Some of us lost that precious document and aren’t sure the exact restrictions when we leave. Aol Jobs has some tips on what to do when you might’t find your non-compete. If you work for a larger company, everyone’s agreement is typically the same. How Do I Get a Copy of My Noncompete Without Alarming HR?| Aol Jobs Photo byGrant Baldwin....

Earlier in the week we asked you tonominate your favorite places to buy used games and consoles. You turned in tons of great suggestions, from the local to the international. Of course, the prices online are just as good. They’re worth checking out. Read morein its nomination thread here. They’ll even reimburse your shipping for your trade-in. The company has a customer service and sales team that works with customers all over the globe....

iOS/Web: Goodshop is a shopping portal that lets you earn money for charities while you shop. Wecovered Goodsearchway back in the day, a similar tool that donated money when you searched the web. It does’t cost the user anything. If you’re going to shop online, might as well make some money for your favorite charity. Check out the link for a list ofsupported charitiesoradd your own.

With the Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Supreme court case, an employer’s religious beliefs can determine job benefits. While an employer shouldn’t ask you about your religious beliefs, you’re allowed to ask them. Remember, you aren’t asking about your interviewer’s personal religious beliefs. You want to know if the company’s beliefs are going to affect you. If you’re concerned, the interview process is the time to speak up. 5 Tips for Addressing Religion During the Hiring Process| Entrepreneur....

Someone’s made an offer. With a backup offer, you could still buy that home. The original offer may fall through because the buyer couldn’t get funding or didn’t like the inspection. Why You May Lose A Bidding War, But Still Get The House Of Your Dreams| Forbes Photo bypallspera.com.

Most people know about thefeedback sandwich: compliment, criticism, compliment. Many managers overuse that scheme and the Losado Ratio is a better alternative. We’ve talked aboutgiving negative feedback quicklyto be effective. That feedback may not be effective, though, if you give too much criticism in relation to praise. Too much negative feedback and your employee’s productivity suffers. If you’re havingproblems taking constructive criticism, try asking for more positive feedback from the boss....

If you often travel to the same hotel for work, don’t carry luggage with you. Keep a trunk or suitcase at your destination instead. Remember the first Jason Bourne movie, when various agents are “activated” to kill Jason? That is an example of a single “cache.” In the case of disaster tornado, terrorism, zombies, Sharknado, etc. they can set off walking empty-handed, if needed, and find everything they need waiting for them....

Android: Fitness trackers are awesome until you lose them. Bluetooth Finder helps you find lost Bluetooth devices if they are nearby. The reviews warn that it doesn’t work with all devices, so your mileage may vary. Bluetooth Finder(Free) | Google Play Store

GEGeek TechToolkit downloads hundreds of programs and updates itself. We’vecovered portable app suites before, but GEGeek designed Tech Toolkit for computer repair technicians. It includes apps for finding malware and diagnosing computer problems. The downloaded kit has over 250 apps. Best of all: the suite always stays up to date. It usesKetarinto find the latest updates for the included programs. Check it out at the link below. GEGeek Tech Toolkit| GEGeek viaGHacks