Mashable: “Even though California is setting record high temperatures this Labor Day weekend, autumn is mere weeks away. It might not feel like fall yet, but the changing foliage is definitely coming. And we have a digital map to prove it. The 2020 Fall Foliage Prediction Map from SmokyMountains.com is finally live, which means you can officially start planning your outdoor fall activities and scenic road trips. If you’ve never used the annual interactive tool before, you’re in for a real treat. This year’s map begins on Sept. 7, a day when minimal and patchy foliage is predicted in only a few states. The map concludes on Nov. 23, when nearly the entire country will be be past-peak foliage…” [Please note that travelers may be subject to 14-day quarantine when visiting other states – h/t Pete Weiss]
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Daily Archives: September 8, 2020
CBO – US budget deficit hits record $3 trillion
Congressional Budget Office, September 8, 2020: “The federal budget deficit in August 2020 was $198 billion, CBO estimates, $3 billion less than the deficit in August of last year. However, that comparison is distorted by shifts in the timing of certain payments in both years that had opposite effects on the August deficit in their… Continue Reading
How to Customize Your Web Browser’s Homepage
Gizmodo: “Most of us open a web browser and either stare at whatever tabs we never closed or a homepage that’s not quite as customized as it could be. This is our launchpad for the web, which is why it’s important to make it as useful as possible. The major browsers now make a distinction… Continue Reading
Google’s new ‘Verified Calls’ feature will tell you why a business is calling you
Google Blog: “Businesses often rely on phone calls to reach out to new customers and serve existing ones. But here’s the hang-up: customers often don’t answer the call if they don’t recognize the number. They worry it could be spam, or worse, a scam: a 2019 FTC report found that phone calls were the number… Continue Reading
AT&T’s current 5G is slower than 4G in nearly every city tested by PCMag
Ars Technica: “AT&T smartphone users who see their network indicators switch from “4G” to “5G” shouldn’t necessarily expect that they’re about to get faster speeds. In PCMag’s annual mobile-network testing, released today, 5G phones connected to AT&T got slower speeds than 4G phones in 21 out of 22 cities. PCMag concluded that “AT&T 5G right… Continue Reading
CBS will celebrate ‘Star Trek’ Day 2020 with an epic Trek panel marathon
Space.com -“Here’s what to know. It’s been an incredible 54 years since “Star Trek” first debuted. On Tuesday (Sept. 8), actors from across the multi-decade franchise will celebrate an online “Star Trek” day with panels and discussions, while discussing the series’ emphasis on diversity. More than three hours of free virtual panels will play at… Continue Reading
Do you really have to wash your mask after every use?
Short answer: Yes. Masks have become a necessity. Here’s how to pick the right one, and wash it. “…“It’s definitely recommended to wash that mask every day,” said Dr. Ravina Kullar, an infectious disease specialist and epidemiologist. Kullar points out that the purpose of the mask is to prevent the virus from spreading, so if… Continue Reading
Report – Regulating Social Media
The Fight Over Section 230 and Beyond by Paul M. Barrett is the deputy director of the New York University Stern Center for Business and Human Rights. “Recently, Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996 has come under sharp attack from members of both political parties, including presidential candidates Donald Trump and Joe… Continue Reading
Literally Pause the Internet With This Built-in Browser Tool
Gizmodo: “If your Internet habits resemble anything like mine, you probably have 20-plus tabs open at once, maybe multiple windows too, because you want to keep that YouTube playlist or Gmail inbox separate for quicker access. But all overwhelming digital clutter can keep us glued to our screens anyway. Sometimes the best thing to do… Continue Reading
