This week we looked at all the cool stuff in the new Windows 10 Creators Update, made our own VPNs using cloud services, explained all the terrifying weapons we’ve been hearing about, and learned to get over little breakups. Here’s a look back at this week’s most popular posts.
All the Coolest New Features in the Windows 10 Creators Update
Microsoft is doing their best to drum up excitement for the relatively mundane experience of updating Windows. Today’s release—the Creators Update—is a little more fun than the usual system tweaks, though. Is it worth its cheerful name? Maybe, if you’re a fan of MS Paint.
How to Set Up Your Own Completely Free VPN In the Cloud
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a great way to add security to your browsing while also preventing snoopers (including your internet service provider), but VPN providers are notoriously sketchy. You could do some research to find a good one. Or you can make your own in about 10 minutes.
Don’t Buy Women’s T-Shirts—Buy Men’s Shirts And Tailor Them
I’ve been a devotee of the “capsule wardrobe” since, hmmm, childhood, back when it was just called “not having a lot of clothes.” I’ve always been a T-shirts and jeans gal, and in the summer I switch to T-shirts and skirts. That means it’s time to stock up.
How to Enable YouTube’s Secret Dark Mode in Chrome
If you’re running Google Chrome 57 or above, it turns out there’s a hidden dark mode. Reddit user _paul- found the menu, which you can enable with a quick jump into the console menu.
Get Over a Micro-Breakup With These Six Slightly Cynical Strategies
Entire movie plots are dedicated to big, proper, capital-B Breakups, but not much attention is paid to the smaller, seemingly less significant “micro-breakups,” a term used by Britany Robinson to describe the end of something that never really was.
Believe It or Not, the Student Loan Situation Just Got Worse for Borrowers
Last year, the Department of Education and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released some guidelines to protect student loan borrowers. Yesterday, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos sent a letter (PDF) to the Federal Student Aid office withdrawing some of those guidelines.
The Simplest Way to Build A Raspberry Pi-Powered Amazon Echo
A while back we detailed how to make your own Amazon Echo device using a Raspberry Pi, but if anything went wrong with it, you’d have to manually reboot the whole thing. It was a pain in the butt. Now, there’s an easier way to make your own Echo.
Check In Early to Avoid Angering the Drag-You-Off-the-Plane Gods
Airlines are within their rights to kick you off an overbooked plane, even if you’ve paid for a ticket and don’t want to leave. According to United employees, a “computer” picked a man who said he was a doctor and needed to see patients in the morning to be dragged off a flight this weekend. How does the computer know who to pick? The airlines’ policies offer some clues.
Your Guide to All the Devastating Weapons You Hear About in the News
Check the news and you’re guaranteed to hear to about conflict in some part of the world. But there are a lot of weapon terms getting thrown around without explanation, and even people in the public eye are totally clueless about what these weapons do. Here’s everything you need to know about the MOAB, Tomahawk missiles, barrel bombs, chemical weapons, and more.
How Negative Thinkers Can Train Themselves to Stop Being Grumps
Positive thinking has a ton of benefits, from expanding your creativity to boosting your health, but if you’re prone to a more negative outlook, it can be hard to see the glass as half full. Here’s how you can retrain your brain to become a more positive thinker.
How to Prevent iMessages From Accidentally Appearing On Other Devices
If you own multiple Apple devices, you’ve probably signed into all of them with your Apple ID. You’ve also probably noticed that when you get a Facetime call your computer rings, or when you get an iMessage your iPad beeps. For most of us, this is a small annoyance worth fixing. For others, it’s a potential privacy nightmare.
How to Pick the Perfect Travel Shoes for Your Adventures Around the World
Epic journeys call for top-notch footwear that can handle anything. You need a pair of shoes that are so comfy, protective, and versatile you won’t even think about them the entire trip. Here’s what you need to know before you go.
Ode to a Dead iMac
A couple of weeks ago, I had to lay my eight year old iMac to rest. After years of faithful service, it had finally died beyond repair. I do not like shopping for new computers, nor do I like spending money on them. To me, buying a new computer is as exciting as buying a new dryer.
Two Weeks of This Workout Brought Me Within Inches of a Perfect Pull-Up
I’ve been doing that pull-up program we posted two weeks ago, and guess what? It works. At the beginning, I could do about half a pull-up, and now I can get my nose up to the bar. I also more than doubled the amount of time I can hang from the bar with my arms flexed. Here’s how I did it.