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wellyoucantliveinfear · 6 years ago

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There’s Something Rotten in Las Vegas (It’s Clexacon)

Hey y’all, I’m back again with my feelings about Clexacon. This is my 3rd year going to the convention, and sadly it’ll likely be my last. This will be a longgggggg post, so I’ll be putting it under a cut. So if you want to hear about my experience at Clexacon 2019, here you go:

Show! Me! The! Money! (No Seriously, Where’s it Going???)

One of my biggest concerns (among the many that I have) is how this convention is now an opportunity to grab as much money as it can from its LGBTQ audience. I’ll start with the con itself, and then work all the way through to its “affiliates”.

If you wanted to do anything at Clexacon that was not the actual convention itself, you were required to pay an additional fee. I personally went to the Academic Lab, which was an additional $75 on top of the regular $160 3-Day Pass ticket price. The Creator Lab was also the same day and was also an extra $75. Ascension, the Saturday night party, was $50. There was also a comedy show, and unfortunately I don’t have the info on how much that was. And sure, you might say, “Well Morgan, those are all extra events that are optional, so maybe paying for ‘opting in’ makes sense!”. Okay, sure, but there are also plenty of conventions that have additional, “opt in” events that are free for attendees.

Let’s use Dragon Con for example, as I live in Atlanta and am the most familiar with that one currently. Dragon Con has a TON of extra events, including a wrestling show, a burlesque revue, and dance parties. Most of these events are completely free as long as you have your convention badge. The events that aren’t free? An awards banquet and a HUGE ball with celebrity guests. There’s even an academic track for panels, which is also free. And okay, yes, Dragon Con is gigantic and is already established in the convention circuit. There are even smaller conventions that are doing free events too. I lived in Cincinnati for years and went to the Cincinnati Comic Expo, which is much smaller but still runs free events for attendees. So it is doable.

There also needs to be attention drawn to the fact that every organization attached to the “Clexacon” name is ran/owned by the same handful of people (NOTE: The two people in question will not be named here as I do not want to open myself to them potentially taking legal action. However everything stated here is either my experience, the noted experience of others, or easily accessed through organization websites, particularly the website for The Visibility Fund). Those people own and operate Clexacon, DASH Productions, and DASH Photos. They are also on the board for The Visibility Fund, a non-profit organization that gained funds from the Cocktails for Change event hosted at Clexacon this year. Prior to the removal of the Clexacon staff page online (which was removed promptly after the convention ended), the names of people from Tellofilms were also included as staff for the convention. It is deeply concerning that all of the money is being funneled in/through a small number of organizations ran by a small number of people. When I teach Media & Culture I always warn my students of the dangers of a small handful of people owning the means of creation. Often when that occurs, the limits on what the audience is able to see get smaller and smaller, focused on the wants of the corporations and businesses. It seems that Clexacon is moving in that direction.

Who’s Running the Show?

The organization of this year’s Clexacon was a complete and utter mess. I’ll start with the mismanagement of the Vendor Hall. While there was more space in the Vendor Hall this year, this did not lead to better promotion by the Clexacon staff. With the Photo Ops being moved upstairs, the hall was not as cramped, but it did remove a large source of foot traffic for the vendors. A logical next step would have been for Clexacon to tweet something about the Vendor’s Hall to push that foot traffic back into the space, but that did not happen. Instead, the traffic continued to flow upstairs and into the large panel room, with people only coming into the Vendor Hall through word of mouth or to get autographs. As someone who was in the Vendor Hall this year and last year, I noted a significant decrease in foot traffic, and other vendors I talked to noticed it too. This doesn’t even take into account the issues concerning the inconsistent pricing of vendor tables. I cannot speak further about this as I wasn’t involved, but there are multiple tweets in the #clexapocalypse hashtag with more info.

There were also issues with volunteers checking badges and other forms of “security” during the weekend. There were multiple instances where I walked into the Vendor Hall and no one checked my badge. There were instances where I walked into the Vendor Hall without a badge on, and no one questioned me. Bags were rarely being checked. I’m not advocating for more security at Clexacon. I’m against having heavier security or “police” in a queer space, especially a space where queer folks of color are present. However, there at the very least should be volunteers present to make sure that people without badges can’t walk in. Why on earth would I buy a $160 badge if anyone can just walk into the space?

Photo Ops were also a disaster. My friend and I bought a Photo Op for Chantal Thuy and Nafessa Williams. Not only was the picture very washed out, but when we asked about getting an extra print for one of us, we were told by volunteers that extra prints wouldn’t be available, and if we wanted them we’d have to “wait for the digital print and get it printed at a Fed Ex or something”. Y’all, I’ve been to multiple conventions and not once have I not been able to get another print at the con. They also said that it would take nearly two weeks for us to get the digital print, as “it’s just one person processing all of the images”. WHAT. That’s completely unacceptable. Other folks I spoke to at the convention cited similar issues, including being charged for Photo Ops that they didn’t get and poorly shot photos.

Finally, there’s the issue of leadership for this convention. In the previous section I outlined an issue with the heads of Clexacon running multiple organizations connected to Clexacon, which appears to be fairly well known on the internet. What might be less well known is that after last year’s Clexacon, those people pushed out one of the original organizers for the convention. This person questioned the concerning direction the convention was taking and not only were their concerns invalidated, they were given no choice but to walk away from staff and were asked to not return to the convention this year. (Note: slight edit made to previous sentence based on new information) After the removal of that person, the convention morphed into what was presented this year. As you might have noticed on Twitter, many of the Clexacon staff resigned from their positions through each of them sending a public statement tweet. Of my knowledge of the situation, this was due to the management issues concerning the heads of Clexacon, as well as problems with how their labor was used (or misused) by those heads. When multiple people exit their jobs within an organization, that signals an issue with how that organization is run. I hope people will look deeper into this issue than what I’ve outlined here.

I’m going to move on now to more “identity based” issues. I wanted to get all the money bullshit out of the way first because I have a lot of fucking Feelings about how people were continually marginalized at this convention and I didn’t want to run out of anger steam before talking about the money.

Concerns About Accessibility (I Have Them)

HOLY FUCKING SHIT, DO I HAVE CONCERNS. First, let’s review what occurred before Clexacon happened. Multiple people contacted Clexacon with issues attached to their unclear accessibility policy, with many getting poor responses or no responses at all from the staff. Eventually the outcry on Twitter prompted the staff to issue a new statement about accessibility, which was initially done so through an image on Twitter…which was not accessible to those with screen readers. They later reissued the statement through multiple tweets, but this would be foreshadowing of things to come. They stated they were talking to people well versed with ADA compliance knowledge, but it’s clear that either they didn’t do that at all, or they did and then chose to not follow them. This showed at the actual convention itself.

First was the issues with obtaining the program itself. They didn’t have any paper programs available this year, instead telling everyone to use the app. Well, that app was only accessible half the time because getting wifi was impossible, and cell service was horrible in the con space. Also, having the programs through the app only meant that they were assuming everyone had a cell phone and were able to use it throughout the entire con. I’ve been to conferences/conventions where they’ve had digital programs, but there’s always the option of getting a paper program if that works better for you. Not having those options got in the way of people being able to plan what events they were going to.

From just my experience at Clexacon, there was not enough accommodation made for attendees who were deaf or hard of hearing. There were multiple panels, including panels in the large room, that did not have an interpreter present. There were also clearly not enough interpreters available for the number of attendees who needed them. Moog ( @wayhaughtt ) talks more about this in their vlog, which I’ll link here. It is completely and totally unacceptable (not to mention illegal) for Clexacon to not have enough people available to assist attendees.

Along with not having enough interpreters, the space is just totally not accessible for anyone who has mobility issues. Small panel rooms are all the way at the back of the con space, making it hard for people who cannot walk long distances. Aisles were not wide enough for people with mobility devices to use. While there were some things in place to assist with having to stand in line, it was still difficult for many people who couldn’t stand for long periods of time. The elevator on the bottom floor near the Vendor Hall was out of the way enough that I didn’t notice it until Sunday. The Quiet Room shouldn’t have even been called that, as it was sandwiched between the Photo Ops and the Film Festival, making it impossible for people to achieve the quiet they were going there to find. And sure, you might say, “Well that’s not their fault, it’s the fault of the Tropicana”. But at the end of the day if you are really committed to making your event accessible to everyone, to create this “safe space” that you continually advertise, then you will make the effort to not only actually provide people with adequate accommodations at the very least, but also find a venue that will be accessible for your attendees.

The Unbearable Whiteness of Being (At Clexacon)

Okay, so, I’m really annoyed that I basically have to write the same thing I did last year. I was really, really hoping that white people wouldn’t fuck it up again and would show up, but apparently the small amount of faith I had in my fellow white fandom people was too much. It was very clear AGAIN this year that white fandom will only show up for shows with white characters. I did notice an increase in the amount of people who attended the One Day at a Time Panel, and that’s great! But there were so many other panels with queer folks of color that were either a quarter or half full. I was hoping more people would attend the Black Lightning panel now that they were an established show finished with their second season, but nope, it was maybe half full. The Vida panel had a good number for attendance, but it was in a smaller panel room, so I can’t really gauge it with the other large room panels, but that room was not full. The Queer People of Color Representation panel, a really great panel with an important discussion, was about a quarter full. WHITE FANDOM NEEDS TO BE HEARING THESE CONVERSATIONS. Us not showing up and not putting in literally the minimum amount of work is fucking ridiculous, and shows everyone else where we stand.

There also, again, was a noticeable difference in the length of autograph lines for white actresses verses actors and actresses of color. Jes Macallan’s line was wrapped around the autograph area. Even though this is their third Clexacon, Dominique Provost-Chalkley and Kat Barrell’s lines were long as well. Caity Lotz’s line was also pretty long. On the other hand, Nafessa Williams was sitting at her table with no line for a significant chunk of her autograph time, as was Chantal Thuy and Lesley-Ann Brandt. Just that visual alone makes it abundantly clear who white fandom is willing to give their time and money to. So many of us complain that there’s not enough LGBTQ representation, but then refuse to put in the work when the characters are people of color. Saltygaysianpowerhour on instagram has a great post about this, which I’ll link here. White fandom, if we’re not putting in the work, we cannot complain when we feel there’s not enough LGBTQ representation. We’re part of the problem.

Lastly, I noticed that the Clexacon space was extremely white. When this happened, we as white fandom should have been aware of that and been better allies for attendees of color. That did not happen. I’ve heard so many stories of attendees of color who felt othered or additionally marginalized by both attendees and con staff in a space that should have been just as much theirs as everyone else’s. This convention is not a “safe space” for queer people of color, and some very, very significant changes will have to be made for it to get even close to that.

I Can’t Fucking Believe I Have to Write About TERFs

Just like the fucking subtitle says, I CAN’T BELIEVE I HAVE TO WRITE ABOUT TERFS. The complete and utter failure to make this con a positive and safe space for trans folks is honestly stunning. Literally so many people I know got repeatedly misgendered at Clexacon, and so many people didn’t even care to find out what people’s pronouns were. Volunteers misgendered multiple people, which is a problem staff should have addressed at the very beginning. I heard many people say they encountered TERFs at the con and I don’t think I need to mention this, but like, if TERFs think your con is a safe space then that’s a huge problem. I honestly think there were more cishet men on main stage panels this year than trans folks. That’s a problem. This con should have had some way to signify your pronouns on your badge, whether that be a ribbon, button, or even a fucking sticker for people to fill in. I feel like if you’re running a convention that claims to include all LGBTQ people, then you need to do basic things like that. Otherwise change how you market the convention.

What Is it Good For? (Actually, a Few Things)

Okay, now that I’ve aired all my grievances (or at least the ones I can think of), I do want to talk about the good things this con can bring. This con does offer a space for people to create community. Sure, we can do this online with Tumblr or Twitter, but it’s not the same as seeing a living person in front of you. It’s not the same as talking to someone face to face and being excited about whatever media you love. It’s not the same as getting to hug your favorite people. And with all its faults, Clexacon does create a space for this to happen in real time. I know people who have met some of their closest friends at Clexacon. Hell, I met my current girlfriend at the first Clexacon. But that doesn’t erase that this community is currently toxic, and if we want to keep going we’re going to have to deal with those toxic parts or it’s all going to rot. Unfortunately I’m not going to be attending Clexacon in the future unless the current management is removed and significant changes are made. I’m lucky enough to have other places that create positive LGBTQ community like @tgifemslash. I’m not going to shame anyone for going to Clexacon next year, especially if that’s the only community you have. I just hope that in reading this very long post (and thanks if you’re still with me!) you reflect on what Clexacon is and how it can be better. We’re already marginalized by broader society, we don’t deserve further marginalization from our own “community”.

#Clexacon #Clexacon2019 #Clexapocalypse

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vivintsmarthousesecurity · 5 years ago

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Vivint Home Security System

We ordered the Fundamental security system1 from Vivint that included a SkyControl Panel, security sensors, a Kwikset wise lock, a video doorbell, smoke and CO monitors plus an indoor cam. Later on, we added the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro to our system, which we likewise information listed below. Vivint SkyControl PanelThe SkyControl Panel is the touchscreen command center of our entire Vivint security system.

On top of that, the SkyControl Panel is where we could arm and deactivate our security system, press a panic button to get in touch with the monitoring teams, and even see cloud storage. Although we installed our SkyControl Panel to the wall, it can likewise be utilized as a standalone item.

Wireless, the sensors connected to, you thought it, our SkyControl Panel so we got signaled when they went off, along with the tracking team. Vivint Ping Indoor CameraNow, if you haven't figured it out yet, we're sort of compulsive about security cameras, so naturally, we were very excited to check out Vivint's Ping Indoor Camera.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AI0WRFxwFTw

Vivint Indoor Camera Video DisplayThe infrared LED sensors enabled us to see plainly in the evening, plus, as we pointed out in the past, we had the ability to speak to our guests through two-way audio. Vivint Indoor Web Cam Night VisionAlthough we didn't have any intrusions throughout testing, fortunately, we did use the two-way audio to inform other household members when dinner was prepared, which was much more civilized than yelling like regular.

Like Good Technology The Experience Is Magical

Rather, we needed to pay $5 a month for 2 week of cloud storage, all divided into 30-second clips. However, there was another choice if you want constant recording for 1 month, namely, Vivint Smart Drive, which costs $249. This was a bit costly, so we adhered to those clips.

So while it might not be the very best option for someone with animals, we were still total satisfied with Vivint's indoor cam, specifically in regards to video, audio and night vision. Vivint Outdoor Electronic camera ProNot to overemphasize anything, however Vivint's new outdoor camera is among the most remarkable models that we have actually ever evaluated out.

Yes, it has that clear, 1080p HD display screen that we liked in the indoor electronic camera, but on top of that, it also has 4K sensing units, which suggests two times as lots of pixels as 1080p HD.Vivint Outdoor Cam Day VisionIt likewise has HDR, which aided with light distortion outside. Include a good, 140-degree field of vision and the ability to zoom in 3 times in HD and 10 times digitally, and the electronic camera's video was more than clear enough.

Again, we stuck to the $5 a month plan rather than paying out $249 for the Vivint Smart Drive. Vivint Outdoor Webcam Pro Night VisionBut without a doubt the finest feature of the Vivint Outdoor Video Camera Pro was the synthetic intelligence. Unlike the indoor cam, the outside cam might distinguish in between people and other moving objects, indicating we only got notified when it detected an individual.

Additional Drawback

This was a bit much, specifically when our mail was delivered, but absolutely good for our outdoor security. Remember that the siren goes all the method approximately 85 decibels, about as loud as a snowblower, so the entire neighborhood could get included. In truth, a few of our next-door neighbors told us that they could hear it from inside their houses!On the other side, one drawback of the Vivint Outdoor Electronic Camera Pro was the reality that it needed to be plugged in.

However, once we got the correct extension cord, it didn't wind up being an issue. Overall, we're more than pleased with the Vivint Outdoor Cam Pro, although it's pretty expensive at $399. Nevertheless, this is the precise very same rate as the Nest Web Cam IQ Outdoor, which has very similar functions, so essentially, you pay for what you get.

Vivint's water resistant doorbell cam, which operates in temperature levels from 14 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, retails for $249.99. This was definitely a bit expensive compared to the market average of around $190, especially when we saw that the cam's video display was only 720p HD, not 1080p HD. When you think about the fact that something like the Ring Video Doorbell 2 expenses $169 and has 1080p HD video, the Vivint Doorbell Cam seems a lot more costly, however it does have person detection, which the Ring Video Doorbell 2 lacks.

We didn't get notified when every automobile passed or every squirrel ran by; rather, just when people were at our door, and as soon as we got alerted, it was fun to speak with them through two-way audio. Although the video quality wasn't as clear as we would've liked, the 180-degree field of vision gave us the best possible picture of our front backyard, which we valued.

Vivint Smart Home Security Review App

Vivint Doorbell Video Camera Night VisionWhile the Vivint Doorbell Camera can be hardwired or battery-operated, we chose to hardwire it to our existing doorbell setup, however for those that desire wireless, the battery life is three to 5 years. Keep in mind that Vivint simply brought out a Doorbell Electronic Camera Pro, which repaired a lot of the issues that we had with the original.

It's completely cordless, and it even has detection for packages as well as people!Kwikset DeadboltIt's 2020; are you still getting locked out of your house? With a wise lock, we do not have to stress over that any longer. Vivint gave us a smart lock from Kwikset which we might either control from another location through the app or open by means of a numerical code, which was terrific the one time we left our secrets at the office.

And even though the lock is made by a 3rd celebration, we had enjoyable linking it to other Web of Things devices and creating automated actions. For us, that implied having the doors unlock when the smoke alarm went off, which brings us to our next point Don't leave a key under that mat.

Vivint also provided us a WiFi-connected smoke detector so that we 'd look out if it went off, even when we weren't house. It safeguarded a 35-foot radius, had an 85-decibel siren and a five-year battery life, and in our experience, it worked well, alerting us as soon as we burnt our popcorn (which is too simple to do, by the method).

Our Recommendation

Vivint deals an almost similar detector, other than that it spots carbon monoxide and not smoke. While we didn't in fact release hazardous levels of CO into the air (as it can be deadly if you consume enough of it), we were impressed that the detector is currently connected with other linked gadgets.

Basically, the CO detector does more than beep!Finally, Vivint offers a water sensor that prevents leakages, which we placed near our cleaning device (although it can be anywhere that leaks can take place). The water sensor is likewise wireless and has a battery life of three to 6 years. And that's it for Vivint's parts!.

" Don't DIY your smart-home security system-- the pros at Vivint are totally worth the expense" Dead-simple to run Feature-rich Highly adjustable High-quality video Impressive customer care Costly to get begun Some power cables need to be hidden with tracks Vivint has come a long method given that it presented its doorbell camera in 2015.

The difference, as I've experienced first-hand, boils down to the service experience. Frankly, I never thought I would need a security system. I grew up method out in the sticks of central Texas where it was prevalent to leave the front door opened all day. Call it willful lack of knowledge if you desire, but I've constantly been resistant to the idea that I ought to need to spend for security monitoring services.

The Research

It was then that I installed an Amazon Cloud Camera and got cozy with the comfort paid for by access to video of my home, on-demand, for a modest cost. After being struck by patio pirates who took valuable products a number of times last year, I started to wish for more security and peace of mind.

I quickly learned that a person Amazon Cloud Camera wasn't going to suffice. Bitten by the clever home security bug, I desired more security: Smart locks, voice control, door sensing units, window sensors, and cameras with night vision. When Vivint came along and offered to set up an extensive wise home security system for evaluation with the alternative to either eliminate the system later or leave it in location for follow-up reviews, I immediately concurred.

Vivint isn't the most cost effective wise house security option (you get a personalized quote based upon your requirements), however their service and app experience are exceptional. Through my experience with their system, I have actually found out both of those aspects are definitely crucial. Vivint outfitted my home with a doorbell electronic camera, one indoor electronic camera, three outside cams (all with night vision), 2 Kwikset SmartCode deadbolt locks, three door sensing units, 10 window sensing units, one interior movement sensor, two glass-break sensors, two smoke alarm, a flood/heat/cold sensor, and a touchscreen control panel.

The point here is that Vivint systems are created to supply smart house convenience along with security, and systems can be scaled from modest to almost obscenely fancy. Vivint expertly installs its systems for a flat fee of $99. I was seriously impressed at how quickly the two-person group managed to set up and set up my system.

Why We Recommend The Vivint Smart Home Service Monitoring Plan

All sensing units and door locks are battery-operated and communicate through Wi-Fi. Following their installation, the crew helped my housemate and I with personalizing the system and strolled us through its operation from top to bottom. vivint smart home security system. When they left, we knew precisely how to adjust all factory settings and make personalizations of our own, either from the touchscreen control board or Vivint's mobile app.

The crew left no mess of any sort. When they were gone, the only evidence of them having actually existed was a well-installed system. Vivint's systems aren't totally cordless all 3 video cameras plus the control board must be plugged into wall outlets for power. Vivint utilizes that plug-in point wisely, however, by making use of a house's electrical system for data in lieu of miles of ethernet cables.

The result is a stealthy system that avoids calling attention to itself. Power wires run through your home were neat, if not undetectable. If there's any barrier to entry with a Vivint wise security system, it's the initial cost. Vivint utilizes high quality components, therefore system constructs can get expensive in a rush.

If that's not of interest, the system will save 30-second video clips from any electronic camera for approximately 14-days as part of the service strategy explained listed below. These clips are activated by motion sensing units and other "notifies," and should be plenty for most users. The on-going service strategy is much more palatable.

Related Reviews

If you have a problem with your system's operation, it's most likely going to occur in the very first few months, and Vivint will look after it. If there's an issue with hardware, like a damaged cam, that will also likely happen early on if it will occur at all and Vivint will take care of that too.

Step up to Smart Home and the cost increases to $40/month. Add the Smart Home Video storage, and you're up to $50/month no contract required. If you're the sort who likes voice assistants, Vivint's system works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant gadgets. To put that in viewpoint, Comcast charges about the same month-to-month tracking fee for its Xfinity security systems, with a $30 contract rate for the first two years, bumping to $40 afterward.

We'll let you take that as you will. Is Vivint much better than ADT? Though I've not had recent experience with ADT, I will say that it's hard to envision being more happy that I have with Vivint's service. Because service and price are essential factors to consider, I'm inclined to motivate those with the means to pursue Vivint as their choice.

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elecdarkon · 3 years ago

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vastknowing · 3 years ago

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Why Alexa Door Locks Make Users Peace In Mind

The upgrade method of the smart home starts with the smart lock, so that we can get the ease of life from the moment we enter the door. We can find that when we use alexa door lock, we get in and out of the room more freely and securely. In addition, they can now unlock by voice, which is very in line with the current use during the epidemic. As an alexa door lock exporter, we will discuss this very helpful smart lock with you.

What is an Alexa door lock?

Smart door locks enable you to from another location manage your deadbolt padlocks using your phone for locking or even unlocking your residence from another location. A lot of them also keypads that permit you to make use of keyless access also when you don't have your phone as well as delegate short-term key codes to house cleaners, pet pedestrians, specialists or even member of the family.

How does it work？

Alexa clever padlocks are just one of the various wise property devices that you can easily control with your vocal. When you set up your lock as well as link it to your wifi system, you can easily then connect your Alexa padlock to the Alexa application for voice command.

Why Alexa door lock make users peace in mind?

Stressed regarding how a person might make use of Alexa to gain access to your house? Rest very easy. At Schlage, we know that the electronic grow older delivers new security problems, which is why, at this moment, our company merely allow Alexa to secure your door and also check the condition of your hair. Just an authorized consumer can use the Schlage Sense app to unlock the door for guests.

To use your Alexa-powered device to lock your door, you are going to require the Schlage Sense ™ Wi-Fi Adapter in addition to your Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt. The adapter likewise enables you to control your hair coming from your cell phone when you are actually out of property. The Schlage Sense application simplifies the procedure of linking your phone to the Wi-Fi adapter and also lock, making use of industry-leading protection to defend interaction between your Apple or even Android smartphone and also your hair.

What happens when the batteries abandon my smart door lock?

The all of the smart locks specified are going to inform you of reduced electric batteries prior to the padlock running totally out of energy. In our testing the most wise padlocks lasted much more than 6 months and also sometimes up to 1 year before needing to have the electric batteries substituted. Typically you will acquire 2-3 full weeks notifying that the batteries are actually low with the application before the batteries are fully dead. I definitely would not stand by that long, and your end results may be various based on usage, temp as well as various other elements. Having said that if you do allow the electric batteries go fully lifeless, you can electrical power up several of the locs to get from the outside through positioning a 9V electric battery on pair of terminals found on bottom of the away from the hair to temporarily energy up the wise lock as well as to enter your code and get to alter the electric batteries.

Yes, alexa door lock can give users more peace of mind and is simple to use. It is now a popular choice for home smart locks. You can get the most complete quotation information through the contact information at the bottom.

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thecoroutfitters · 6 years ago

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Written by Guest Contributor on The Prepper Journal.

Editors Note: An article from Berta Melder to The Prepper Journal. As always, if you have information for Preppers that you would like to share and be entered into the Prepper Writing Contest with a chance to win one of three Amazon Gift Cards with the top prize being a $300 card to purchase your own prepping supplies!

Our homes are usually our first, best option in a SHTF, TEOTWAWKI or natural disaster scenario. Not only does it most likely have the majority of our prepping supplies, but its has “the family” and is often the primary “meet here” place in disaster planning when family is spread across work locations, schools, friends homes, etc.

So it goes without saying that home security is of monumental importance and that the world is a place full of people who will take what is yours given the opportunity. Professional thieves seldom miss an easy target and the opportunity to get into your house and take what’s yours, and even bored youths may find the idea of an easy target a thrill, not to mention free stuff!

This is after all our homes, our castles, the place where our children and family feel the most secure. As such we are all dealing with a group of people who steal for a living, and practice makes better (perfection is not achievable.) Alas, as preppers and homeowners or tenants, we do all bare the responsibility of protecting ourselves and we have to admit that some of us do not cross all the “t’s” and dot all the “i’s”.

Many of our neighbors are just not as concerned about the security and safety of their homes, or they are but have made little no effort to discourage intruders.

Fortunately I could find no real pictures of people running from bears.

While you cannot free this world from burglars, you can protect your house and make their job much more difficult. It is the application of the bear escape principal. If you are not alone and chased by a charging bear you do NOT have to outrun the bear, just someone else running with you. So making your home a harder target than your neighbors is the goal here.

30 years ago, you could protect your home from intruders by buying a dog, installing more door locks, and asking neighbors to keep an eye on your house while you’re on vacation. Fortunately, now we have many more tools and gadgets that can protect your property and create problems for those who want to steal from you.

What Are The Burglars Friends?

Time First of all, burglars are looking for an opportunity. They are searching for homes they can easily access and leave quietly, hopefully unnoticed. They want to do it quickly because the more time they spend on getting in, the higher chances that someone will see them and call the police.

Why do people lock their doors? The truth is, there is no lock that can make your home 100% safe. The only function of locks is to buy you more time. If a burglar realizes that he must spend an hour picking your locks, he will likely go away looking for an easier job.

Sound Burglars don’t want to attract attention. Any loud sound can make your neighbors look out their windows and see that something is wrong. If there is a barking dog or a loud alarm, a burglar will likely move on to the next house. Breaking windows makes sound and taking out enough to release the simple lock or to get in makes a lot of sound.

Visibility Why do we say “like a thief in the night?” Because criminals like dark areas. If you have many trees and your garden is dark, it is likely to be the first home that burglars check. They choose such homes because there they can easily hide. If your bushes are trimmed and your home is well-lit 24 hours a day, you stand a better chance that they won’t try to break in.

These three items, time, sound and visibility are still concerns today even with the advent of so many smart gadgets and security services.

Motion sensors comes to mind as a near perfect solution for those who don’t want to waste electricity, but do want to not only know when someone is out there but, more importantly, want the intruder to know that he has been discovered.

Smart gadgets allow you to see what happens in your home while you’re away and to be aware of burglars when they just start thinking about getting in.

While we hope the following gadgets/services will help you in preventing crime, and are provided as an explanation of the service they provide. YOU can better protect your home, family, and yourself by ensuring that the three buglers friends, time, visibility and sound are denied by controlling the access.

Why Do I Need Smart Home Gadgets?

Because they are a deterrence, Period. Can smart-devices be hacked? Yes, anything using wifi can be hacked by someone determined, and skilled in the dark-web arts. But the key here is again, out running your neighbors as opposed to the bear.

Advanced technology does provides you with a vast range of opportunities to make your home more secure. Remote cameras allow you to keep an eye on your house while you’re at work or on vacation by just opening an app on your smartphone. No matter how far away you are, you can see what happens in real time. There are security systems that can be armed or unarmed remotely, even if you forget to do it in the morning when going to work. You can also install smart locks that will lock your doors automatically any time you go out. Various motion-detecting devices can notify you at the very moment when someone is trying to get into your house.

Gadgets & Services that Can Protect Your Home

So a quick review of some of the more prominent players in home security systems.

FrontPoint is a simple solution. This company offers a range of security devices that you can easily install yourself. Frontpoint also includes a traditional monitoring option which will cost you around $35 a month. You can customize and adjust this system using live video and automation functions.

Vivint offers many smart devices for your home security system. This kit includes cameras, smart locks, thermostats, doorbells, and sensors, so you can create your own system that meets your needs. This system requires professional installation, which implies additional fees, but people who don’t like DIY solutions will appreciate it.

Simplisafe – this is a kit that includes sirens, alarms, monitoring system, and a number of sensors that detect movement, fires, and even natural disasters. Why is it called Simplisafe? Because you can control the whole system using one device and a security code keypad. If you want to save money, you’ll appreciate this system for simple installation. There are many all-in-one solutions, but not many of them include an alarming monitoring system. It’s a perfect solution for small homes and apartments.

Link Interactive – If you’re looking for a traditional security system, Link Interactive is a good choice for you. It takes care of your house while you can do whatever you want, with no need to control the system. It includes sensors, locks, and a professional monitoring system. You can also install an app and control it remotely. Link also includes advanced protection of your electricity, in case a burglar tries to turn it off.

Scout – This system is much more flexible than its competitors. The system consists of only four sensors and is controlled using one hub. All devices can be installed anywhere in your house, allowing you to create your own security system. It comes with an easy-to-use app that will notify you if your alarms suddenly go off. Prices for monitoring start from $10 a month, which makes this system rather inexpensive. However, this system also has a considerable disadvantage: It does not support security cameras.

Brinks – Brinks is a great solution, especially if you already have some smart security devices. It’s a set of smart wireless gadgets that can be customized as you like. Remote monitoring involves a monthly fee that starts from $20, which is not too bad but get this set in stone. A good feature is you can always cancel it for free.

Protect America – Choosing Protect America, you can select one of many customizable plans. This system allows you to add as many smart gadgets as you want, from simple sensors to Amazon’s Echo. It comes as an all-in-one solution, and the system is installed by professionals. Prices are rather high and you won’t be able to change the chosen plan. However, if you’re not satisfied with other traditional systems, Protect America may be the right choice.

ADT – This is, probably, the most conservative security system. However, recently, ADT released their updated Pulse line, which is a fruit of its collaboration with such partners as Samsung SmartThings and Nest. Some packages include free installation, and the system itself also includes some free options, such as a Nest Thermostat. On the other hand, we suggest reading your contract carefully because it can’t be called flexible.

Nest Secure – If you’re a fan of DIY solutions and don’t want to pay monthly fees for monitoring services, Nest is your best choice. This system was made for people who love managing their smart homes. It consists of a motion sensor, hub, and a satellite sensor. The latter is called Detect and helps in guarding windows and doors. A Tag system makes it possible for certain people and animals to pass through sensors without triggering the alarm. You can add as many sensors and cameras as you need, which is also a great thing, however, Nest devices are not cheap.

Abode – It’s one of the simplest starter kits on the market, and it is also beautiful. It includes a motion sensor, hub, door sensor, and a key fob. This system allows you to install your devices wherever you need. You can also buy additional cameras and sensors and control your security system using a simple app. There are also many plans available, including weekly and 3-day options.

Conclusion

There are many ways to make your home a safe place. Some smart systems are simple and allow you to create your own scheme, adjusting every device to your needs. Others will be good for users who want to forget about all troubles, buying an optimal monitoring plan. Smart home gadgets come in all shapes and sizes, so everyone can choose a solution that will be best for a particular house.

There is a whole world of dummy cameras, easily installed, even some that move and blink. Great to make anyone think twice. There are even systems that can trigger a broadcast of a large dog bark when a doorbell is rang or any other noise is detected, like breaking glass.

It’s important to understand that, even though you cannot stop criminal activity, you are still able to make your home a challenge even for the most experienced burglars. New security technologies will help you protect yourself and your family, so you have more peace of mind when it comes to your homes security, no matter where you are.

BIO Berta Melder is a brand manager and co-founder of Masterra.com. Being passionate about her job, she cooperates with different universities as a guest lecturer on examples of leading brands, cases of successful personal branding. In her spare time she enjoys creative writing and blogging. Follow @BertaMelder on Twitter.

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tech-battery · 4 years ago

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The Asus RT-AX86U Is a Wi-Fi 6 Router That Doesn't Sacrifice Looks for Power

Wi-Fi 6 has accelerated its creep into mainstream wireless networking, urged along by the similarly accelerating spread of gigabit internet. Until the last few months or so, purchasing a Wi-Fi 6 device has largely been a decision more about future-proofing and less about immediate gain. That’s quickly changing, however, with all manner of wireless device manufacturers releasing products boasting about blazing this and blistering that, and it’s finally time to take a serious look at 802.11ax routers.

The Asus RT-AX88U was an early entrant in the field, and the company now has several follow-ups, including our best gaming router runner-up: the RT-AX86U. There, I gave it credit for being extremely fast and for its restrained physical design. However, I took issue with Asus’s UI decisions. In the end, I concluded that I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good gaming experience. Now I’m taking an even deeper dive to find out: Is this router worth it for just any old person and not just gamers presumably reading this in a hoodie with some kind of RGB lighting and heat vents? I think so, and you should, too.

As far as the design of the Asus RT-AX86U goes, there isn’t much to say, and frankly, that’s a good thing. It’s neither a slab nor a monolith, neither an ancient alien artifact nor an air freshener chic pod (though it can be a Gundam, apparently). It’s black, it stands upright, and it has three stabby, removable, adjustable antennas jutting from the top. It has four outgoing gigabit ethernet ports—one of which is an auto-prioritizing gaming port—in the back, a gigabit WAN, and a 2.5-gigabit LAN/WAN port for those lucky enough to be able to make use of it. Two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports give you a fast NAS if you’ve got a hard drive lying around.

Getting it set up is a quick process, refreshingly letting me choose up front whether to separate the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands. Knowing that I would need to reconfigure some real dumb smart devices, I opted for separation, and my network was up and running in about five minutes.

But it should be noted there are two ways to handle setup and management. One is via a lovely mobile app, and the other is via the browser, and I hate the browser-based UI of Asus routers. It’s just a weird, unfocused, confusing mess. If you’re the type of person who wants deep, granular control of your home network, but don’t want to shell out for expensive enterprise-grade hardware, you could do a lot worse than Asus, but prepare to hunt for the settings you need to adjust. Trudging through the settings reveals menus and submenus that stretch out seemingly to infinity, with an intimidating depth that would have most people regarding it with narrowed eyes and a feigned understanding, muttering, “Yes, I see,” as they slowly mouse up to click the X button on that tab.

The intro screen has a basic network topology map which gives you a diagram of what all is connected, and a section where you can split out your 2.4 and 5 GHz bands or update your network SSID and password. After that, you get the shiny feature-y stuff, the majority of which, like the specific data-type prioritizing Adaptive QoS, Traffic Analysis, and various media modes and security, is powered by Trend Micro.

Together they offer a host of security features in the AiProtection section, promising to block malicious sites, protect you from Distributed Denial of Service attacks, and network vulnerability attacks like Heartbleed, while also monitoring outgoing traffic for suspicious packets from virus-infected devices. Each tab under this section gives you reports of suspicious network behavior, with downloadable logs for your review. In testing at wicar.org, the router blocked all but two of 10 sites, with Safari catching the last two. It seemed to work well, though the experience is barebones, and unlike the rest of the settings for the router, there are no opportunities for customization, just toggles for each of the three categories of protection. But using this, or a few other key features powered by Trend Micro, will bring you eventually to this EULA notice:

It seems that in order to have access to Trend Micro’s features, you must agree to give them access to all kinds of data, which may include your e-mails or your web browsing history. It’s spooky stuff, as usual, but thankfully all fairly easy to opt in or out of, as well—so long as you can bear the ensuing message about the valuable capabilities you’ll lose out on. So, it’s not quite the deal with Ursula the Sea Witch I initially worried it was, and, in the end, the details in the EULA are perhaps not unexpected for security software like this. I reached out to both Asus and Trend Micro for their input on what sort of data they collect and how exactly it’s used, and we’ll update here when we get a response.

Deeper in the menus, you will find a surprisingly pleasant Open NAT section with pre-configured port reservations for specific games and consoles, and NAS options that include support for Apple’s Time Machine backup software. Most people will go wall-eyed looking at options past these, but it’s worth noting that if you want to use features like OFDMA and MU-MIMO, beamforming, and, I don’t know, the actual Wi-Fi 6 standard, you’ll want to push on into the advanced settings—just don’t expect to understand much of what you are presented with here, unless you have studied networking down to a very specific level. That said, if you have time and sufficient grit, you can sift through it and find some truly powerful options.

Now, for all the shade I throw at the browser interface, Asus actually does a pretty decent job with their mobile app. Appearance-wise, it’s far from the tidy design of most of Asus’s competitors; the app looks the way we might have imagined the UI of the future would in the early aughts or late ‘90s—all sci-fi space controls floating against a star field, complete with animations that are just there to look neat. While very silly, it’s a breath of fresh air after using the web interface, with more of the stuff you would want quick access to right there on the home screen, like Adaptive QoS mode switching, letting you quickly switch priority to games, video conferencing software, media streaming, and more.

While not quite as robust as the browser UI, the mobile app is far more user-friendly, even if it isn’t perfect. I greatly appreciated seeing signal noise shown for individual devices—also an option in the browser—which helps a lot when placing them for the best signal, which is especially important for things like smart speakers, which can be made or broken by your choices regarding network topology.

Looking at the feature list, it’s not unusual to wonder why in the hell you would want to command your router with Alexa. But, in the interest of being thorough, I grabbed my long-banished Echo Dot to test, and I did find some genuinely useful bits here—temporarily activating your guest network, for example, or pausing wifi. Perhaps the most useful of the bunch is the ability to change Adaptive QoS modes without going into the app.

The main shortcoming of Alexa Skills remains: Every command must be prefaced with “Alexa, ask my router…”, followed by a prescribed set of phrases you must memorize (or look up every time, defeating the purpose). The pricier RT-AX88U gives you a small selection of more natural-sounding phrases like, “Alexa, pause my wifi.” I tried anyway; not only did it not work, but Alexa pretended not to know who I was.

The rest of my smart home experience on this router, initial difficulties aside, was a good one—lightbulbs flicked on and off, routines ran, and my chosen smart assistant didn’t hesitate to respond to my requests.

The RT-AX86U is powered by a 1.8 GHz quad-core CPU with 1 GB of RAM and 256 MB Flash memory. Theoretically, it can transmit up to 4804 Mbps on the 5 GHz band, or up to 861 Mbps on the 2.4, but you’ll never see those speeds, nor should you expect them. It has four antennas—one of which is an internal, printed circuit board antenna, and works all the way up to the 160 MHz band, which is a key component of Wi-Fi 6, and necessary to reach the fastest speeds the router is capable of. It has a long list of other terms that describe how powerful it is.

As I’ve noted previously, the RT-AX86U is great for gaming. I wanted to take it further, so I decided to stress test the router, streaming music at the highest quality available on multiple devices, watching a 4K nature documentary on Apple TV, which is known for its high-bitrate streaming, conducting a video call with a friend, and playing CS:GO on official servers. This is a realistic scenario in my home, and the RT-AX86U aced it—I saw no sign of buffering or stuttering anywhere, my friend reported clear audio and smooth video, and in-game ping seemed unaffected. In raw numbers, I had to move into my back yard to get anything slower than the max I’m getting from my ISP, finding that I had good, usable internet even at the farthest reaches of my yard, which is about a fifth of an acre.

I tested file transfers with a 734 MB copy of Ernest Saves Christmas—a typical use case for network storage—and found the transfers to be very fast, with the limiting factor seemingly the actual read/write capability of the router. Transfer speeds reached as high as 465.79 Mbps, but averaged between 310 and 350 Mbps, and hardly budged at any distance. Write speeds were about half that.

After determining that the RT-AX86U was gross overkill for my needs, I thought I would look at Asus’s AiMesh, which lets you use multiple Asus routers to create a mesh network. Self-healing and pretty straightforward to set up, an AiMesh network can definitely get you that kind of blanketed internet plants crave.

I tested the mesh capabilities with the addition of an RT-AX82U, and for some reason, setting this up ended up actually being the only way I could finally get my “smart” bathroom light switch to join my new network. I came to this experience with the breezy setup of Eero already in mind and found it similarly easy with Asus. Network performance was as expected, with devices generally connecting to the node closest to them or, at least, with the lowest amount of signal noise, and no real noticeable changeover time. Basically, mesh networking is a revelation to anyone who hasn’t used it, and that much is true here, as well.

In the end, the Asus RT-AX86U is a great router, with speedy performance and easy setup, despite an annoying menu system. Actually getting down and dirty in the settings is a pain, thanks to confusing, incompletely explained technicals and messy organization, but basic and intermediate settings can be easily changed in the mobile app. Security and device prioritization for the router is decent, though I recommend you review the EULA before proceeding to make sure you’re comfortable with the exchange you must make to take advantage. The mesh setup was fairly painless. The RT-AX86U met and, in some cases exceeded, my expectations, at least where it counts. Of course, you’re going to pay for it, at MSRP $250—though you can find decent discounts at the usual online retailers.

Whether you just want lag-free gaming or you need something that can handle a heavy overall load, this router does it with aplomb. We are rapidly approaching the day when recommendations like this one isn’t just about future-proofing, but you will find in the RT-AX86U a router more than capable of meeting the unexpected demands put upon all of us this year. If you’ve got a smaller home that needs a lot of power and would prefer to check out mesh networking at a later date, this is absolutely the router for you.

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kathydsalters31 · 4 years ago

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The Best GPS Cat Collars as well as Why You Might Want One

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Updated September 9, 2020|For Cat People By Karen Anderson This

blog post consists of affiliate links. Read more here.

We like our cats and also never ever wish to experience the headache situation of losing track of our favored round of fluff. And yet this occurs, despite having indoor pet cats– they can disappear during a step or if service providers or guests leave the door open. We protect them with microchips, ID collars, and GPS pet cat collars.

Tools making use of the satellite-based Global Positioning System (GPS) innovation are anywhere today. It’s made use of in whatever from navigational software program to delivery service package tracking. Equally as you can use your phone or desktop computer to see where the UPS vehicle is on the next block, you can currently see if your kitty is in the next-door neighbors’ back yard– as well as which means they’re heading.

How GPS Cat Collars Work GPS feline collars are simply a monitoring device connected to your feline. The firm you purchase the equipment from can track your feline’s distinct tracking apparatus and show its area on a map you can watch online or with a smartphone app. Generally, you can establish a” secure area “for your cat(such as your house, or a block in your neighborhood); if the pet cat’s collar tracking gadget sends signals from outside that zone, the tracking company will certainly send you a text or email.

Pixabay Regularly Asked Questions About GPS Cat Trackers When it comes to pet cat collars with GPS tracking modern technology, you might have a great deal of inquiries– especially if you aren’t a professional.

We have some responses. What’s the tracker’s range? Satellite-based GPS is theoretically worldwide. In technique, GPS feline collar devices work best in areas with great GPS network coverage as well as cellular insurance coverage. If your feline hopped on an aircraft as well as flew from San Francisco to Chicago, you would have the ability to sit in your apartment or condo in San Francisco and track your cat throughout the nation and into a structure in Chicago. However, if your pet cat were shed in a remote forest, or a foreign country with an incompatible cellular network, the cat’s device could not be able to link to a GPS-compatible network.

What details will I obtain? With many GPS feline collar trackers, you have to pay for a subscription to the monitoring solution in order to get info. You can follow your cat’s path by means of the business’s internet site or app once you’re subscribed. The majority of solutions let you designate a “risk-free area” where your feline can be. If your pet cat leaves the safe location, the monitoring service notifies you quickly by email or text message. The smart device app is a fundamental part of the tracking system, allowing you to move around while tracking your pet cat with the area. Before you buy, make certain the firm’s app is offered in the app store your mobile phone utilizes (Apple, Android, and so on).

Do GPS feline collars require to be billed? Definitely. GPS feline collar devices have lithium batteries that need to be billed often. (The device will certainly send you an alert when it is running reduced on power.) A cost lasts anywhere from a few days to two weeks, depending upon the brand of GPS tracker you pick. If you neglect to charge the collar, and your pet cat races out the door, you may have only a day or 2 to track it before the collar goes dead.

The good news is that lots of GPS cat collar tools likewise let you attach them to your residence WiFi network. You need to do that. As long as your cat is being tracked by your WiFi, their GPS tool won’t send regular signals to the GPS or mobile system, and that conserves battery life.

Are GPS feline collar trackers hefty? The early generations of GPS trackers were hefty– and thus extra useful for canines than for your tiny pet cat. Currently there are trackers on the marketplace that consider less than an ounce. When purchasing, inspect the device’s weight. While some gadgets are incorporated right into total collars, the majority of the newer GPS cat collar trackers are clip-on devices that affix to your feline’s existing collar. Bear in mind that if your cat uses a breakaway collar for safety (good!), and also sheds the collar (negative!), the device might be lost as well.

Are GPS cat collar gadgets reliable? Review the evaluations– and also make sure to read the ones about felines, not dogs. When GPS trackers stop working to work, it is commonly due to the fact that they are being used in a remote location, the pet dog ate on them, the owner can not figure out the software program, or forgot to charge the tracker. With pet cats, the major problem seems to be pet cats running away from their collars as well as losing the monitoring device. That leaves you out the expense of the tool, and also frequently the cost of the year-long membership too.

The Very Best GPS Cat Collars

While it’s a little bit challenging to locate the appropriate GPS cat collar, it’s worth the search. Once you have one, it will be so much easier to discover your pet cat. Here are three leading picks for cat-friendly tracking gadgets, plus one recommendation for an RF (superhigh frequency) tracker:

This well-regarded cat collar tracker utilizes GPS, WiFi, and mobile technology to track your four-legged good friend

in real-time– plus it just snaps onto their existing collar, making set up a cinch. The Whistle 3 is also an activity screen so you can maintain tabs on your feline’s everyday activities (consisting of how much they spend scurrying as well as resting concerning). You can obtain updates using message, smart device app, or e-mail when the kitty leaves their authorized area. We enjoy that this GPS pet cat collar tracker has a durable battery

too– a single charge benefits approximately 7 days. Key features: Clips on existing collar For pet cats and canines

1.8 x 1.4 x 0.6 inches; 0.96 ounces

It’s both a GPS and task tracker

Needs a regular monthly registration plan

Several individuals can access tracking details

Durable and waterproof

Long battery life

Uses Google Maps tracking system and also AT&T’s mobile network

Shop on Chewy

The Jiobit GPS pet cat collar tracker is extremely inconspicuous and also light-weight(much less than an ounce ), making it a good option for your

kitty’s comfort. It utilizes GPS, WiFi, as well as

Bluetooth technology to keep tabs on your feline’s whereabouts. Secret features: Clips on to existing collar

For felines and dogs It’s incredibly thin and light, at 1.45 x 1.96 x. 47 inches and also 0.64 ounces Numerous individuals can be authorized to utilize the monitoring software Calls for a month-to-month subscription plan

Water-resistant as well as long lasting

Approximated battery life is 7 days

Store on Chewy

The Tractive is marketed mostly for canines yet likewise works well on grown-up feline collars (the gadget is a little bit on the large side

). In addition to GPS place monitoring, it keeps track of activity so you’ll learn how far your feline is hiking and also where and when

they’re taking a nap. Key attributes: Clips on existing collar For felines as well as canines 2.83 x 1.14 x 0.63 inches; 1.28 ounces It’s both a GPS as well as task tracker Worldwide place monitoring you can utilize in greater than 150&nations The membership plan requires 1 year development settlement Shop on Amazon The Loc8tor Pet Track is not a GPS feline collar tracker, yet we’re adding it to the checklist because it’s very reliable at locating a feline that has roamed past the boundaries of your home’s Bluetooth or WiFi network. You don’t need a registration solution; it uses traditional radio frequency (RF) technology. Your pet cat uses a small collar tag and you lug a mobile phone that tells you if you are obtaining closer to the identified cat– the range is about 150– 400 feet. The phone also has a button that allows you to make the collar tag beep– you’ll have the ability to hear the beep (it might also be feasible to train the pet cat to return home when it hears the beeping).

Trick features:

No registration required

Clips on to existing collar

For felines as well as pets

2.83 x 1.14 x 0.63 inches; 0.18 ounces

An RF (radio frequency) tracking system

Store on Amazon

Other Ways of Keeping Up With Your Adventurous Cat

There are some various other terrific means to get your cat out in the fresh air if roaming the outdoors is not a sensible (or secure) choice for your feline. Have a look at these short articles on infant strollers, cat-friendly knapsacks, chains, and catios.

Additional Reading

Included photo by skeeze/Pixabay

Karen Anderson is a writer at Rover. Before joining Rover, she was a writer and editor at Apple and a freelancer for companies consisting of Cardiac Science, Houzz, the Home Owners Club, and also the Seattle Times. Her hobbies are dancing, gardening, science fiction, as well as pet-sitting for next-door neighbors and good friends. She shares her home with a wonderful clowder of quirky rescue pet cats.

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source http://www.luckydogsolutions.com/the-best-gps-cat-collars-and-why-you-might-want-one/ from Lucky Dog Solutions https://luckydogsolutions.blogspot.com/2020/09/the-best-gps-cat-collars-as-well-as-why.html

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barryswamsleyaz · 4 years ago

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The Best GPS Cat Collars as well as Why You Might Want One

ShareShare

Updated September 9, 2020|For Cat People By Karen Anderson This

blog post consists of affiliate links. Read more here.

The Very Best GPS Cat Collars

This well-regarded cat collar tracker utilizes GPS, WiFi, and mobile technology to track your four-legged good friend

too– a single charge benefits approximately 7 days. Key features: Clips on existing collar For pet cats and canines

1.8 x 1.4 x 0.6 inches; 0.96 ounces

It’s both a GPS and task tracker

Needs a regular monthly registration plan

Several individuals can access tracking details

Durable and waterproof

Long battery life

Uses Google Maps tracking system and also AT&T’s mobile network

Shop on Chewy

The Jiobit GPS pet cat collar tracker is extremely inconspicuous and also light-weight(much less than an ounce ), making it a good option for your

kitty’s comfort. It utilizes GPS, WiFi, as well as

Bluetooth technology to keep tabs on your feline’s whereabouts. Secret features: Clips on to existing collar

Water-resistant as well as long lasting

Approximated battery life is 7 days

Store on Chewy

The Tractive is marketed mostly for canines yet likewise works well on grown-up feline collars (the gadget is a little bit on the large side

). In addition to GPS place monitoring, it keeps track of activity so you’ll learn how far your feline is hiking and also where and when

Trick features:

No registration required

Clips on to existing collar

For felines as well as pets

2.83 x 1.14 x 0.63 inches; 0.18 ounces

An RF (radio frequency) tracking system

Store on Amazon

Other Ways of Keeping Up With Your Adventurous Cat

Additional Reading

Included photo by skeeze/Pixabay

sidebar

The Dog People Newsletter

from Lucky Dog Solutions http://www.luckydogsolutions.com/the-best-gps-cat-collars-and-why-you-might-want-one/ from Lucky Dog Solutions https://luckydogsolutions.tumblr.com/post/629312167530971136

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wirelessroutersreviews · 5 years ago

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Netgear AC1600 Review – C6250 Cable Modem WiFi Router Combo

If you are not a fan of Wi-Fi routers yet then you will be after going through this post of the wifi Review. IT is the most popular brand of wireless Wi-Fi routers in the market for a long time. This router is an amazing invention in the field of the router. It is a Gigabit router which is capable of delivering ultrafast speed and a great stable connection.

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If you have a big home to cover with a wireless connection then this will be the perfect choice for you. This router can cover a long range with an ease. This is why the router is unique from other cheap routers in the market. If you don’t know anything about this router and whether to buy it or not then don’t worry because we are always here to help you. After going through this Wifi review you will know about all the good and the bad of this router. Then I hope that you will not get confused about whether to buy it or not. Also if you need to Boost this signal check this out wifi range extender reviews

The design of this router is simple but it looks great with its simple design. They used a simple look in the router to give it a proper look and not to look bulky. Recently they is making routers with simple look and lighter in weight so that people get attracted to their routers. The router has a glossy finishing which always shines and it can also reflect lights. Because of its glossy finish, it can catch dust and fingerprints which are not a good thing. Overall I like the design and look of this router though tastes and choices vary person to person.

To reduce the overhead of the router manufacturer gave a good ventilation on the side of the router which is a good feature I think. You will not see many routers in the market with a physical button of on/off but Netgear used a physical on/off button in the router which makes the router a little unique. You will find this on/off button on the right side beside the WPS button. Another good thing about the router is that the WPS button is not mounted beside the Ethernet ports so you don’t have to press the button between cables. See how precisely everything is placed in this router by Netgear so that you all can easily use this router. The transformer of this is integrated, which will help the router to reduce power brick.

The NETGEAR AC 1600 Specs ( C6250 Cable Modem WiFi Router Combo)

Best wireless coverage for large homes

WiFi speeds up to 300+1300Mbps†

Ideal for homes with multiple WiFi devices

NETGEAR genie®app—Easily manage your home network

Beamforming+—Faster, more reliable connections

USB port—For USB hard drive access

Ultimate connectivity for latest dual band WiFi devices such as smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, etc.

netgear ac1600 range

Excellent Speed

Boosted Wi-Fi

Robust security

802.11ac technology

Affordable price

Incredible range

You love the router or not but the main reason and the feature that amazed us is its wireless function. Typical AC routers reduce their manufacturing costs by limiting the 802.11ac bandwidth to 867Mbps which is a bit slow then the capability of 802.11ac standard. But they didn’t do that, they used the full power of 802.11ac standard which is up to 1300Mbps. So, now you can really choose the better one. Netgear used Beamforming technology in the Netgear router. This technology works together with the 802.11ac technology to trace the location of connected devices and then it forwards signal towards that direction. It removes the signal throwing in all directions and focuses in just one direction in which the device is connected.

This wireless router can provide great wireless coverage for a big apartment or small office. If you have multiple Wi-Fi devices at your house then you can have this router to connect them all without any hesitation. Another interesting feature of this router is its mobile app which name is Netgear Genie. With the help of this app, you can control, monitor, manage and connect your network from anywhere in the world. You can stream HD video lag free and smoothly.

Speed of AC1600

To provide you super fast speed they used next generation 802.11ac technology which will deliver you amazing speed. Dual band technology is present in this router and with the help of this technology it can cover your whole house easily. This unit has Gigabit Ethernet ports to deliver a really fast, fast, very fast connection all over your home. The AC technology can deliver up to 1600Mbps (300+1300Mbps) speed, isn’t that fast. This speed is great for gaming and streaming HD videos simultaneously.

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Netgear ac1600 Coverage

Your existing Wi-Fi setup is not giving you good range? Are you fed up with the short coverage of your existing Wi-Fi router? Don’t worry this one is here to remove all of your complaints about the Wi-Fi range. It has a technology name Smart Wi-Fi Router that can deliver a great range all over your house no matter where you are connected to your whole house. The router is designed in a way to provide a long range for large houses. Actually, it is just perfect for a big apartment. So, you don’t need to worry about the range coverage once you own this router.

ac1600 Reliability

If your router is not giving you a stable connection even within the range, then it is time you change your old router. Replace your router with this oneto get the best reliable connection over your home network. It has some integrated features with modern technology which will provide you a great stable connection and your device won’t get disconnected over and over again. Dual band technology of the router will decrease the interference like walls and deliver an excellent connection to your Wi-Fi devices. Beamforming+ another amazing technology that is used in this router that will boost your Wi-Fi connections with incredible speed.

Netgear ac1600 router Security

They have used the latest security to secure your home network from intruders. You can keep full faith in this router when it comes to the security of your family. There are Parental controls which will keep away your children from unwanted web contents. Guest network access with this option you can set connections for your guest separately. They used excellent and robust wireless security with WPA/WPA2 in the router which makes the connection secure than ever.

Read Reviews

See Manufactures PDF Specs

Cons:

UI and setup is Complicated

from Reviewimo https://reviewimo.com/netgear-ac1600-review/ from Review IMO https://reviewimo.blogspot.com/2020/06/netgear-ac1600-review-c6250-cable-modem.html

#Review IMO

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wifitechtips · 5 years ago

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WiFi Basics: What You Need To Know

WiFi you here it everywhere from young kids to adults. As time goes on, wirelessly provided internet will be the basis of every household and will soon move away from connecting your laptop and or desktop computer to an Ethernet cord plugged into your router, switch or wall. Which a lot of houses after 2004 were being built with. Having CAT5e cable running through the walls providing internet access to each of the rooms in the house. However with WiFi theirs no need to run wires and everything is cast across a distance of your house, apartment or business. What you have to remember is WiFi can be affected by a number of things and what we will be going over today is the basics. As time goes on however we will be posting articles on setups, DSL for those who have satellite TV and all in ones from your cable provider or internet service provider ISP for short. We have to keep in mind there are a lot of people who don't understand what effects WiFi in their home, apartment or business and this can lead to frustration or simply over-doing it with wireless repeaters which do have there pros and cons. This article is simply basics of WiFi.

What you need to understand is location. Location plays a pivotal role in how your wireless or WiFi setup will work in your house, apartment or business. Some places will not have the connections where they need them. Most often these connections can be in a corner or a place that is not ideal and what you need to figure out is how do I get point A to point B with point B being where you want to set up your wireless router. The best position for a WiFi or wireless router is in the center of your home, apartment or business. This gives you the best possible outreach and signal capabilities for you to give continuous access across a wider range. We recommend always having your wireless router or WiFi in the center most area of where you'll be living and or working because it'll give you the best possible signal for what your paying for. Being it expensive hardware of a higher rate of speed coming from your ISP (Internet Service Provider). A lot of people do have the luxury of enjoying cable or fiber internet access where they live while others have to resort to satellite or DSL like services. Which is DSL is your only connection we will be going over a whole section of DSL and DSL setups. Which more than likely you have century link as your provider.

Now that we've covered location - now it's a matter of how many people will be needing access and what type of speed should I be paying for in my house, apartment or business. This one is hard to say as a lot people don't have the option to get over 300MBs and others do. The ISP's will start you off at 50MBs which is fine if your by yourself and you don't do more than use your phone for email, some apps and that's about it. If you have a family with kids then your looking at wanting 300MBs and up. This will allow you to stream, email, apps, gaming, etc without noticing any lapse in service or drops with your WiFi in your house, apartment or business. Now fast doesn't always mean your going to have the best service. This comes down to - your wireless router. The placement of it and how you set it up. Don't worry we will be discussing setups of wireless routers in other articles and sections of this blog. For now we are focusing on basics. and getting some knowledge so you know what your looking at if your a first timer or just need a refresher.

So, we have great down speed at 300MBs plus and our wireless router is located in a centralized spot in the house, apartment or business. But we aren't getting the speeds advertised. Why ? well again this is something a lot of people forget and one particular instance where walls, steel, concrete, wiring, etc all plays into diminishing your WiFi or wireless signal. Yes, the lights in the ceiling the drywall between you and next room. Even concrete all can interfere with your WiFi or wireless signal that you have running through your house, apartment or business. You may ask ? Well Why ? How ? Wireless isn't a solution for everyone or every place. Why a lot business run wireless and wired connections because of this interference. In a house you may want to have a dedicated area to where you can run Ethernet cord to your desktop and if need be your laptop. However there is a work around well two work around solutions to wifi or wireless dropping off and you not getting the full speed. 1) Wireless Repeater which syncs to your wireless router and can be placed in the home where the signal isn't strong enough. 2) Wireless MESH setup. Which is the same concept of a wireless repeater but will act as one continuous signal across your house, apartment or business. Your seeing emergence of Wireless MESH systems more and more today because they simply work better when properly setup. We will be going over wireless repeaters and MESH setups in other articles in this blog.

Last but not least and should be second is, security. Securing your wifi or wireless signal is a must and can not be ignored. The security setup occurs when your going through the setup wizard for any wireless router. It allows you to set the password and SSID or The name of the WiFi network your creating. I would highly suggest you do a password that is not easily known. Someone who could sit there for hours trying every combination known in order to access your network. Without a WiFi password your opened to someone downloading and using your network for malicious means. DDOS Torrenting the list goes on and on. As well I would disable the GUEST network and don't even think about hiding your SSID or network name because you will have wireless printers and other items that will need to be picked up in order to connect to your network. A safe and secure network is a good network. A lot of routers prevent DDOS attacks and other methods of trying to get in which doesn't disrupt your WiFi in your house, apartment or business. There you go those are the basics around setting up your WiFi or wireless router and it's not as hard as it looks and or seems. Once you know what your looking for and doing the rest comes naturally. Remember location, speed from your ISP and what type of environment your setting up your wireless router.

#wifi #wireless #wireless router #wireless routers #router #routers #computer #computers #technology

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capechicago · 5 years ago

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CAPE Network Forum Newsletter: Issue II

Students at New Sullivan Elementary’s CAPE After School program led by Jordan Knecht and Darlene Carothers learned how to “glitch” digital images by tampering with computer codes to create original art pieces.

Welcome to the second edition of the CAPE Network Forum Newsletter. In this edition you will find the voices of teachers, artists and CAPE staff exploring the new reality in which we find ourselves, a reality that places us all in an unknown and undefined relational space. As William Estrada expressed in a recent CAPE Network Forum post, “I am a big supporter of public education and teaching in front of students in their neighborhood schools, so jumping into remote teaching feels so disconnected for me.”

William is not alone in that sentiment but as he aptly points out, this moment also offers a learning opportunity for us all: “I am curious how this experience will shape our thinking about making mistakes, thinking out loud what our artistic and teaching practice is and what we want it to look like with others. These videos are meant to remind us what art can do, and what we can do with art and I am excited to learn more about it with others in these uncertain times.” Additionally, this moment asks us to collectively question how we all relate to one another and how we form a network.

For years, CAPE has explored the concepts and the interactions of space and identity as a network. Through aesthetic and pedagogical explorations, we have examined the ways in which spaces are both physical and how they are also the constructs of our social interactions. In the context of a school building or a neighborhood, CAPE teachers and teaching artists along with their students have re-imagined and redefined spaces, creating new paradigms that flatten hierarchies amongst participants through art making and dialogue. In some cases, this has involved changing the physicality of a space by painting staircases (see full documentation of that project here) or rearranging furniture. In other cases, the spaces are co-constructed by altering the political and power structures within school spaces wherein teachers, artists and students engage in shared inquiry that follows uncharted trajectories, where there is no “expert” in the room, only a group of collaborating thinkers and doers.

Working in digital spaces is not a new concept for many CAPE teachers, artists and students. In 2018, CAPE program staff partnered with researcher partners Dr. Louanne Smolin and Erin Preston to co-write a chapter in the book Negotiating Place and Space through Digital Literacies entitled “Digital Media Explorations: How Space and Identity Become Sources of Learning.” In it, past examples of CAPE school-based projects illustrated how “CAPE teachers and artists co-created curriculum that diverged from the linearity of instruction, conceiving of digital technology as material to produce space and identity creating opportunities for all to better understand the world and themselves.”

However, the lack of person to person physical interactions still raises many questions

about what is possible for the construction of identity in relation to the co-creation of space. How will we as a network navigate this current scenario and maintain upholding the value of shared envisioning of teaching, learning and arts practice? How can we co- create digital spaces in a way that allows for exploration of content and material? And how do we as a network share our insights and learn together in ways that are relevant right now, but also for the future of our shared work?

— Joseph Spilberg

Updates

On April 12, Chicago Public Schools central office issued a prohibition on external guests joining in virtual learning lessons. This would prevent CAPE teaching artists joining live, online instruction happening in students’ homes. This should not prevent sharing pre-recorded artist instructional videos for students, nor should it prevent take-home instructions for students. CAPE program staff is seeking further information and clarifications on this policy. CPS central office has also issued a best practices document to parents on live virtual learning, and provided suggestions as to different platforms for remote and online learning. Individual schools know best which platforms they are using and how they are using it. Artists must consult with their teacher partners as to how students receive pre-recorded videos or take-home instructions.

CPS central office has out a guide for accessing internet from various providers:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ejwEUTt56mDdcNUDQ2oLFlL--qhC3qe- lhlOe5mD4gs/edit

State Superintendent of Education Dr. Ayala’s message for April 13 includes an interactive map for finding drive-up wifi hotspots (http://illinois.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html? id=23e8046edd2940bc8ad3ad1725e47cd0). In addition, she asks schools and other public institutions who may have wifi accessible from their building to fill out this survey: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/7dabc7cdbd7149d3ab49254568295502

The Artists For Illinois Relief Fund (AIRF) will open for applications again on Monday, May 4. Artists who wish to receive information and email notification when the application reopens should go to https://3arts.org/news/airf-artists/.

CAPE Network Forum Tumblr Highlight:

This week's Tumblr highlight is a video produced by teaching artist Shenequa Brooks and New Sullivan Elementary School teacher Jacquelyn Limon. Here, Brooks and Limon are filming in split screen, a prime example of co-teaching in the digital space. Click to see their channel.

CAPE Network Interview: William Estrada, Interviewed by Jenny Lee

William Estrada was born to immigrant parents and grew up in California, Chicago, and Mexico. His teaching and art making practice focus on exploring inequality, migration, historical passivity, cultural recognition, self-preservation, and media representation in under-represented communities. He documents and engages experiences in public spaces to transform, question, and make connections to established and organic systems through discussion, creation, and amplification of stories already present. He is currently a visual art teacher at Telpochcalli Elementary School and faculty at the School of Arts and Art History at UIC. He has worked as an educator at many organizations, including as an Artist/Researcher with CAPE since 2002.

Your most recent CAPE Network Forum video was on a read-aloud on the book The Table Where Rich People Sit. Why did you choose this book, and how does it resonate with you in general and during this pandemic?

I’m trying to figure out how to have conversations that we’d usually have at Telpochcalli. How do we start reframing what art education looks like and what it can do.

The Table Where Rich People Sit is about thinking about inequality and wages, but it’s also exploring the idea of decolonizing wealth and what we value. Especially when we think about invisible labor, and who is considered essential workers right now and who was considered essential workers four weeks ago. The online videos themselves are meant to be a reflection of conversations that I would have with students anyway. It’s also a way for me, as an adult, as a teacher, as a parent, and as a community member, to amplify voices that are missing in these discussions.

How have you centered play and experimentation in your projects now?

I’m trying to make videos with intention and me playing, both with the technology and the content. I’m specifically thinking about the audience. I primarily teach elementary

students, so I’m trying to figure out how to engage in conversations with younger audiences, but the content isn’t distilled. That’s how I teach anyway, but I’m really trying to figure out how to play around with words and concepts, like being read to. I’m trying to curate the books that I read. How do we use stories to address inequality? Who generates knowledge? Whose stories get to be told? Those are all conversations that I try to have with elementary age students that I teach, but they’re also conversations that I have in studio courses at the college level. It’s about access to culture, power, and resources.

How do you see community support during this time?

I’m specifically thinking of myself as a cis-Latino male. We’re constantly thinking of ourselves as strong, like we’ll get through this. But what does it mean for me to be afraid? And how do we begin to have these discussions about being transparent, vulnerable, and complex. This is what makes us who we are. And this is how we take care of each other. We don’t have all the answers, but the answers that we do have, they can comfort others. And the fears that we have, others can comfort us. This is what it’s like being in a collective. This is what we do everyday, and this is what relationships are. But in this moment in time, it’s allowed us to be more transparent and intentional, and thanking those that make us feel safe and take care of us. This is a moment to remind people that they’re important to us.

Telpochcalli Community Education Project (TCEP) is really coming together as a community to self-organize and help others gather resources that they might not have the connections to, like diapers and formula. TCEP has always done community organizing, but now all these efforts are condensed into one, and these are our immediate needs. It’s been really amazing to see the love and the hard work that’s taking place, but it’s also disheartening because the inequality that existed in the city was present before, but with this pandemic it’s being emphasized tenfold. Who has access to food? Who is able to wash their clothes?

How have you seen collaboration change?

It’s not the same. The meaning for me to teach comes from the relationships that are formed. The relationships are different when we aren’t necessarily in the same room. It obviously makes it more accessible to others, and we can document what we’re teaching. It’s good. But I feel like it’s one-way. I’m not responding to people’s comments or facial expressions. If I’m filming a video, I can sit and talk for three hours. But in a classroom, I would break it down because I would see students and adults wiggling in their seats...

Right now, the projects are very one directional. They’re very “This is what I want!” But when we’re teaching collaboratively, I usually introduce ideas, and I have an idea on what the final project might look like, but we never end up with that project. The students know that they’re collaborators. They’re part of that creative process. It helps to come in with an idea and structure, but you know that idea and structure are going to change based on the responsiveness of the people in front of you, and that’s kind of missing right now. I really enjoy being with others and creating with others. It’s missing -- the conversation that we have with our bodies.

Beginning in the 2000s, CAPE began to see itself as a network. You are part of that network, and you are on the CAPE Board. How do you see the CAPE network in relation to the present crisis?

The CAPE network has been essential in forming and informing the relationships that have been created. One part is the extensive network of artists, teachers, administrators, and schools that has really helped in getting off the ground these remote learning plans. Without these relationships that CAPE has built, it would be so hard to do. The other part is that because CAPE has created professional developments and is in constant communication with all the teachers and artists about needs, about new ways of thinking about our own practice, about how to deliver that practice, it hasn’t been as difficult to reframe what our teaching can look like. Obviously there are still challenges around technologies and accessibility, but I think the underlying threads and foundations that we’ve been dealing with for a really long time: relevancy to the schools we’re teaching, how we’re being responsive to the needs of our particular communities, what resources we’re using....all of this has been so transparent as we’ve been transitioning. It’s CAPE’s model that has been changing, but ongoing, that has alleviated some of the pressure and stress of what we could potentially do because we’ve been doing it all along. The only difference is how it’s being delivered.

As a CAPE board member, as all this was happening and having these conversations about how to support the teaching artists was really heartfelt for me -- being able to make that commitment to support the artists no matter what happens. We’re shaping what art education is, and we’re shaping how other people see art education, not only as an organization but as teachers and artists.

Contemporary Recall:

Written by: Scott Sikkema

In the spring of 2012, Mark Diaz and I planned a session to look at archives/archiving for a group of teaching artists. We looked at the frameworks through which archives are seen, and how the teaching artists can think about archiving in their own practice and how they represent their own work to others.

In order to get at these notions and questions around archiving, Mark and I first met with Karen Kanemoto from the Japanese American Service Committee (JASC). The JASC was formed after World War II to provide support services for Japanese Americans relocated to the Chicago area after having been incarcerated in internment camps during the war. The JASC has extensive holdings of documents, artifacts, photographs, and other material relating to the Japanese American experience prior to coming to the U.S., early years in the U.S., World War II and the internment camps, and post-war life. With Karen, we looked through a portion of the archives, and settled on a selection of materials.

We asked ourselves, how do we look at these powerful materials in such a way as to build the artists’ capacity to look at themselves and what they generate out of their own practice, and, if they archive, how is that archive used and what can it say to others?

This was not an easy task. After much discussion, Mark and I determined that we should ourselves select what we thought were key frameworks for looking at an archive. Following are the frameworks, with the short definitions we provided the artists:

Big Idea (Some archives represent an overarching big idea, such as World War II, internment, diaspora, etc.)

Personal Stories (Within archives there are often potent and compelling stories of individual people.)

Institutional (Within archives there are often legal documents and processes, which, while official, give another sense of how people were living or how conditions were or were not functioning.)

Taxonomy/ways of categorizing (An archive often uses an organizing system, also known as a taxonomy. Taxonomies provide viewers with a variety of ways to approach and begin exploring the materials contained in an archive. Taxonomies are either naturally dictated by the materials, or are constructed by the archivist.)

Site (While some archives are more geared towards the temporal, other archives capture all the different aspects of a site, including the space, people, physicality, objects, relationships, and more.)

Once we settled on these frameworks, our next challenge was how to explore them, in relation to two things: the JASC artifacts, and the artists themselves (their self reflection). This again proved a debate, but it finally settled us into the final format of the workshop we led at the JASC.

Mark, Karen, and I chose artifacts that were varied in a number of ways. They varied in their physicality: some pieces were in journal/scrapbook form, some were photo stock paper, some were thin and fragile newsprint, etc. They varied in the nature of their content: some were official documents, some were personal, some were text, some were images, and some were commercial ephemera. They were also varied in terms of their levels of accessibility, i.e., some artifacts were not easy to decipher, and some had little or no visual appeal.

The artifacts were divided up into 10 tables. The participants were divided up into groups of two. Each pair went to a table. They were given timed intervals to be at a table, and then we would tell them to switch. During their time there, they would examine the artifacts, and discuss and debate them. Mark and I gave them framework analysis worksheets, using the overarching ideas listed above. For each overarching idea, such as “Site” or “Institutional”, they were also provided with a series of questions to understand the artifacts/archive through that framework, and after that questions to transfer that framework over to how they think about their own archive of work.

In education, we (arts organizations or other similar bodies) often ask teachers or students or teaching artists to document their work, to collect samples, and to write short explanations. That documentation often is used by the organization for its own purposes. Sometimes it is used by the teacher and/or teaching artists to tell the story of what they did. Both of those results have their value. But in our own work, or looking at the work of others, how often do we pull back and try to look at an individual piece or fragments of work? How often do we try to look at the work as a collective accumulation, without immediately forcing it into a story, or into a narrative of what we want?How can we build on collective knowledge by collectively examining an archive? How often do we clearly think about the frameworks we inherently almost always bring to looking at artifacts and archives? How often do we ask ourselves, what other frameworks are possible?

Questions like these can allow us to take more time to become more open to what archives, artifacts, and documentation can say to us, and what meanings they might hold beyond the particular meaning we have predetermined. Questions like this can also help us examine closely how we ourselves actually produce artifacts for our own archives, what constitutes an artifact itself for inclusion, and how one artifact relates or does not relate (without value judgments) to another.

Looking back on this workshop, I am also thinking about what might resonate today, about life before and during the pandemic, our relationships, what artifacts we generate or encounter, and how we frame meaning from this.

CAPE Program Staff:

Scott Sikkema, Education Director ([email protected]) Mark Diaz, Associate Director of Education ([email protected]) Joseph Spilberg, Associate Director of Education ([email protected]) Brandon Phouybanhdyt, Program Coordinator ([email protected]) Jenny Lee, Research Program Coordinator ([email protected])

#newsletter

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josephlrushing · 5 years ago

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The New Nest WiFi from Google Is WiFi for the 2019 Smart Home

A little over a year ago, I went looking for a new router for our home. I tried a few and was disappointed. I eventually settled on a system Perry recommended. It’s okay, but I’ve spent the last few days checking out the brand new Nest WiFi from Google, and I’m impressed.

Three years ago, Google launched its first WiFi system. Three years later, it is still the number one mesh system on the market. Part of the reason for that is the regular updates that enhance features and keep the system’s security able to address new threats. The goal was, as the team begins the system explain during an interview last week, to provide great WiFi that’s easy to set up and even easier to use. So what, the team wondered, could they do next?

That ultimately led to the Nest WiFi that is available today.

Google is selling the Nest WiFi Sistem in a variety of different configurations. I was sent a ��two-pack.” It includes a Nest WiFi router and a Nest WiFi Point. More in that in a moment.

According to the team behind the new Nest WiFi, the combination of one router and one WiFi point should cover up to 3800 square feet. The router creates the network while the WiFi Point (or Points) works with it to create a mesh network that blankets your home or office with fast WiFi.

As they explain:

A traditional, single router has relatively limited coverage. It becomes spotty the farther away you are. Extenders can add a bit more range, but they degrade performance. Nest Wifi is a scalable system that gives both whole-home coverage and a consistently strong signal.

The router that comes as part of the new Nest WiFi looks simple but packs some serious tech chops inside. A rounded cylinder, there is no antenna to be seen. Routers of the past looked like a spider whose legs were directed upward. The new Nest WiFi looks like a humongous egg laid by one of those spiders. The soft-touch material doesn’t call attention to itself, and it is available in a number of colors. A Google “G” is subtly embossed on top. It is small enough that most people won’t notice it.

Underneath the router, there is a port for the included AC power, one Ethernet port for connecting to a modem (the router wirelessly spreads out the internet signal but it still needs to receive a signal from a modem), and a port for connecting to other devices.

A channel at the back allows the router to sit flush even as the cables extend behind it. finally, when the router is plugged in a small LED illuminates. It is bright enough to let you know the router has power but not so large or bright at to be disrupted. Taking all of this together means the Nest Router can fit into pretty much any decor without impacting the aesthetics.

The design of the router isn’t just about making something that looks cool. It is also about making something that doesn’t scream to be hidden in a closet or behind a cabinet door. Those spider-like routers were so hideous that many of us, myself included, often did out best to get them out of sight. Unfortunately, that’s the worst place for a router as it cuts down on the signal range and strength. Ideally, a router should be out and fully exposed. That, of course, lets the signal mode as freely as possible. In order to do that, however, you need something that is aesthetically pleasing or, at the least aesthetically neutral. That’s exactly what the Nest WiFi router is.

That design, however, comes at a cost. The one outgoing Ethernet port isn’t nearly enough for many homes. I asked the team about this decision, and they told me their research showed only five percent of users actually need and use multiple ethernet ports on WiFi routers. The solution, of course, is to get an inexpensive Ethernet Network Switch. That’s exactly what I did, and it works just fine for everything from my Sonos audio system to my Hue Hub.

The Nest WiFi router may look simple but it’s packed with updated tech. Compared to the Google WiFi router it replaces, the Nest WiFi router has an updated antenna, a fast quad-core processor running at 1.4GHz, double the RAM and updated Bluetooth that eliminates the need for a peerage hub when connecting many smartphone devices. So while the Nest WiFi router looks simple it is best described as a “WiFi wolf in sheep’s clothing.” (And a speedy WiFi wolf at that!)

As I mentioned, I was sent a two-pack of the new Nest WiFi system. It retails for $269. A three-pack of one router and two WiFi Points is also available for $349. The WiFi points create the mesh network that blankets your home in WiFi. We’ll come back to that in a moment.

Setting up the router was simple. In fact, it was the simplest WiFi setup I have ever done. I unplugged my old router, plugged in the Google Nest WiFi router and launched the Google Home app on my phone. I tapped on “Add Device” and the app walked me through the process step by step. In my case, I keep the same network name and password so, once the setup was completed and I had plugged my Ethernet network switch into the free Ethernet port on the router, all my devices were back online.

After the router was set up, the app asked if I wanted to add ant WiFi points. I indicated that I did and, once again, the app walked me through the setup process in a step-by-step manner that even the most tech-averse person would appreciate.

Once the WiFi point was added to the network, the app ran a test to check its “mesh-iness.” After a few seconds, it indicated that the mesh network was up and running. I then asked the app to run a speed test. After about a minute it told me I had “blazing fast” speeds.

The router offers some neat features, chief among those features is the Guest Network. Sure, guest networks are standard these days, but the implementation here is neat. From the app, you can turn on the guest network. You can then select which devices that are currently on the man network can be accessed by someone using the guest network. Right there is a level of control that should impress. In addition, logging onto a Guest Network can be a pain if the password is long and complex.

If you have a Nest Hub display device like the Google Nest Hub Max I am currently reviewing, logging on to the Guest Network is as simple as swiping down from the top of the screen, tapping the WiFi icon (they call it a coin) and pointing the camera on the phone or tablet seeking WiFi at the QR code that appears. Within seconds the device will be authenticated and online.

The implementation of “Family WiFi” is another nice feature. It lets users set up a series of groups and then control the access of those groups. For example, one could set up a group called “kids” and have their offspring access the internet through that group. That group, however, may be limited to “safe search” and can be set to turn on or off at specific times of the day. That way, for example, WiFi may be available for the group during the homework hours of 6-9 pm but turn off at 9:01. It is a great way to give adults control over their kids’ internet usage. It could also be used to make sure there is no internet usage during meals or other family times.

Other Features Include:

Stream with speed: One Nest Wifi router with one Wifi point is strong enough to handle up to 200 connected devices, and it’s fast enough to stream multiple 4K videos at a time.

Connects: Connects you to the fastest WiFi point and keeps buffering at bay from room to room.

Updates: Regular software updates improve your WiFi performance over time.

Optimizes: Puts your network on the clearest channel and fastest band to avoid congestion.

Coverage: Router covers upo to 2200 square feet while WiFi point adds up to 1600 additional coverage

Expandable 802.11s mesh WiFi: Scalable and flexible; add routers or points any time

Multiple connections: Each router and point can each handle up to 100 connected devices and can handle multiple simultaneous 4K video streams a with ease

WPA3 encryption: Automatic secutirty updates ad a trusted platform module

Thus far, I have discussed the Nest WiFi Points as key to establishing a mesh network. It is all of that, but with the new Nest WiFi system, the WiFi point is also a smart assistant. Unlike the router which has a solid top, the WiFi point (from here simple referee to as WiFiP) has four microphone holes on top and a hidden speaker grill on the bottom. The holes are, of course, for the Far-field microphones needed when using the Google Assistant.

If you tap the top two hidden LED illuminate indicating where the volume up and volume down buttons are.

When you say, “Hey Google” a light at the bottom of the WiFiP lights up to indicate the device is listening. From there it is essentially a Google Home Mini. You can ask it questions, use it to control your smart home devices or ask it to play music. The speaker puts out 360-degree sound thanks to a 40 mm driver and has Bluetooth 5.0. The sound from the speaker isn’t going to win any audiophile awards, but it is more than passable.

I asked the design team why they added Google Assistant to the WiFiP but not the router. They explained that, in their research, the router isn’t usually kept in a high traffic area; ours is, but that is just us.) In addition, adding the theology to turn the router into a Google Assistant would have required a far larger unit even as they were trying to keep things as small and understated as possible.

I played around with various locations for the WiFiP and discovered the guest room was the best location for covering the upstairs with WiFi. It also puts a Google Assistant in that room. I have the Google Nest Hub Max in the kitchen and a Google Nest Mini in the bedroom, so my entire upstairs is now Google Assistant-powered.

With the router and WiFiP set up, I get coverage in my entire house. Downstairs in my office, however, I see a bit of degradation in the signal: I expect I’ll pick up an additional WiFiP. That, in turn, will not only give me amazing WiFi downstairs, but it will also put Google Assistant there as well. It’s pretty cool.

Finally, it is worth noting that Google made the new system backward compatible. That’s good news if you already have a Google WiFi system at home. And last but not least, it is worth noting that Google used sustainable materials in their manufacturing. The external enclosure of both router and the WiFiP s made from at least 40% post-consumer recycled plastic.

I was happy with my previous WiF system. It worked and seemed to be quite stable. Thanks to the easy setup, expandability, powerful account controls and the addition of Google Assistant to the WiFiPs, this new Google Nest WiFi system has replaced it. I’m a fan, and I can see Google’s voice services slowly making their way into my home. That’s a good thing. Check out the new Nest WiFi from Google here.

Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample

What I Like: Easy Set up Strong WiFi signal; Expandable; WiFi Points extend the range and have Google Assistant and a speaker built-in; Clean, simple design doesn’t need to be hidden

What Needs Improvement: Pricey but in the range of other premium mesh network systems

from Joseph Rushing https://geardiary.com/2019/11/04/nest-wifi-google-smart-router/

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android-for-life · 5 years ago

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"How the Nest Wifi team set up their home networks"

The building I live in was built in 1912—and 100 years ago, nobody was thinking about Wi-Fi signals when building homes. So I’ve had to improvise. My fiancé and I have a Nest Wifi router set up in our living room, at the far end of our one-bedroom apartment. But even though our apartment is only 850 square feet, we’ve found having a Nest Wifi point gives us the signal boost we need, even down three stories to the building’s garage and backyard. We placed our Nest Wifi point in the kitchen, and since the device doubles as a smart speaker with the Google Assistant, I can listen to music and my favorite podcasts while I’m cooking dinner or doing the dishes.

Every home is unique, and that’s why we designed the Nest Wifi system to be completely modular. While most homes up to 3,800 square feet will be covered by a Nest Wifi router and point, you can also get a three-pack consisting of a Nest Wifi router and two points for homes up to 5,400 square feet. You can even purchase a standalone Nest Wifi router for a smaller home, or a standalone Nest Wifi point to add to an existing network. Plus, Nest Wifi is backward compatible with Google Wifi, so you can easily upgrade your network.

Nest Wifi is on shelves today at the Google Store, Amazon, Target, Best Buy and more retailers. Here’s how a few people behind Nest Wifi have used it to make the most of their home’s connectivity.

Pushkar Sharma, product manager

I live in a 1300-square-foot house with a large backyard. I have a Nest Wifi router in my garage, because that’s where our cable drops in. But one of the bedrooms behind the kitchen often drops to low speeds. I have now added a Wifi point in my daughter’s bedroom, and it extends our signal to all rooms and even the backyard. So now I can make Google Duo video calls on my phone to my parents while I sit outside. As a family, we love asking the Google Assistant on our Wifi point to answer questions or play Bollywood songs.

Shea Ritchie, product marketing manager

We live in a long, old, San Francisco apartment, with high ceilings and thick walls, and the cable box is in the living room, on one end of the apartment. Our Nest Wifi router sits in there next to the TV–we cut the cord last year, so good Wi-Fi is critical for watching our favorite shows and sports without constant buffering. My boyfriend works from home, so halfway down the hall in his office we have his work’s access point plugged into the Google Wifi point we’ve been using for the last few years. Without the Google Wifi point in the office, his work network wouldn’t be strong enough for him to actually get online. At the other end of the apartment, I keep the Nest Wifi point in Mist next to my bed so I can listen to guided meditation at night and the news every morning. We use the Google Home app to manage our network, share the guest network password and troubleshoot from anywhere.

Melissa Dominguez, engineering manager

We live in a two-story house with a large backyard. We have the Nest Wifi router in the office, which is downstairs at the front of the house, and a Nest Wifi point in the master bedroom, which is upstairs at the back of the house. This gives us great coverage for the whole house and yard, access to the Assistant from the adjoining bathroom so I can ask about the weather while I get ready. Plus, I can enforce bedtime with Wi-Fi pause schedules and remind the kids to get out the door on time with a scheduled broadcast reminder. This helps the kids build good habits without constant nagging from their parents.

Sanjay Noronha, product manager

We have a U-shaped house with stucco exterior walls—a big no-no for Wi-Fi signal. The Nest Wifi router is at the end of one of the legs of the “U.” We put a Nest Wifi point in the kitchen, which is at the opposite side. We spend most of our time in the kitchen, where having a Wifi point in plain view allows for a fast and robust signal where we need it the most. Even our garage door opener is Wi-Fi connected, so we can verify we didn’t forget to close it after we’ve left home. I’ve got Safesearch turned on for everyone so we don’t stumble upon explicit content, and we have Wi-Fi schedules set up for the kids.

Source : The Official Google Blog via Source information

#jeprog

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miniliew-blog · 6 years ago

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Date: June 24, 2019

We started the renovation on Feb 18, 2019. Finally, the renovation is completed after 3 months.

Here are the photo gallery of the new place. After the major overhaul.

Study Room

Me and the kids will take this room as our study room.

All of us love it.

As you can see, all our desks are from Ikea. All can go up and down by pressing the button.

I opt for a standing chair. As most of the time I will be standing up doing my work. That keeps me not to spent so much time at my iMac.

And we even move their messy bookshelves over here.

Store Room

The store room is much bigger, as we cut a room into half and make it into store room. The other side of the wall is the walk-in wardrobe.

I think we should be able to keep lots of things here. But may be I was wrong. Hahaha

Let’s see. I like to use the Ikea plastics drawers to keep things. Hahaha

It’s almost full. But let’s see what magic we can do later this week.

Master Bedroom

The master bed room also smaller than the old Park West. That is why we lost a lot of storage space here.

My king size bed fit just in nicely.

I moved the 65″ LG TV from my old Pack West home to here. So, let’s place it in my bedroom. Of course Apple TV is a must.

IoT is furnished with Philip Hue lights, Haiku Fan, Sensibo controlled air-conditioning.

Master Bedroom Toilet

Must bigger toilet.

No more bath tub. In our previous two homes, we had it. But seldom use it at all.

We moved the Diamond Water Spa here. Toilet Equip with Toto Washlet.

Lot’s of storage.

Walk-In Wardrobe

After you open the Toilet door, on your right is the door to the walk-in wardrobe.

I think I made a mistake here. Because whoever inside the toilet will prevent the entrance to the walk-in wardrobe. hahaha

But after the renovation, I like it. Equipped with Fan, and air-con.

The air-con is controlled by Tado. Tado has recently updated their firmware, and there is a feature where Tado will turn on and off the air-con to save energy. haha

This is an important room, because this is where I stored my Synology boxes here. The NAS is the most important equipment in the house. It stores all the photos of any kind for this family since 10 plus years ago until now. As you can guess, I have 2 Synology in backup configurations. I also had the movies I like in 1080p format stored here so that it can be accessed by all the TV as well as IOS, Apple TVOS devices.

The new walk-in wardrobe also house all my camera equipment, my lenses, by camera, etc.

Plenty of spaces to keep our clothing.

Kid’s Bedroom

Kay Kay requested the room to be painted yellow.

I bought the double decker bed from FortyTwo online furniture stores. Pretty good service. I bought more from there.

The double decker is Super Single on top and Queen Size below.

Of course we cannot install a Haiku fan here, so, we placed an antique fan on top.

Kid’s Bedroom Toilet

Simple toilet for the kids.

Will the 3D effect hexagon wall.

Did not install shower tampered glass door here as it is quite small the toilet.

Toto Waslet from our old Park West home.

They now have a proper closet. Big storage space for them.

Corridor

The long corridor that separate the Living Room to the bed rooms.

Well lid by natural light.

iRobot resting place at the middle.

On the ceiling, Eero is doing its job providing Internet to the house thru WiFi.

Door way to roof top.

There is a guest toilet here too.

Guest Toilet

With the guest toilet, I think there should not be any problem in accessing toilet within the household. hahaha

We moved the Diamond Water Spa to here too. Toto Washlet is installed here.

Stairs to Roof Top

Bought a fancy door to access to the roof top.

Changed the lights, as well as the stairs handle.

Roof Top

Perhaps one of the main feature is the roof top area. It is 1300 sq feet. Downstairs total area is 1700 sq feet.

This will be my wife main working area. Since she is doing some new aquaponics initiatives, she needs a good Feng Shui place to work.

After moved in, we still unpacking. But the roof top getting nicer.

My wife work area. My roof top kitchen.

Our exercise area.

My photograph area too at night.

Living Room

Simple Living Room.

This is where I chose to use the bigger tiles for my flooring. Looks nice when you have big tiles.

Bought a new Sony 75″ Android TV. Still trying to figure how to install other APK apps on it. The small attic area upstairs is the children play room.

A small book shelves to store their games and books.

The final configurations makes it looks nice and spacious.

Kid’s Play Room Attic

This small stairs leads to the playing area.

I bought a small chair or sofa bed here. Just in case some one stay over night.

A Xiaomi TV for the gaming console. I moved the Denon sound bar here too.

Dining Area

This is the dining area space.

We moved our Italian Dining Table here. As well as all the chairs.

But the chairs cushion looks old because of the cat claws.. hahaha But we love the chairs. So we keeping it.

A white Ikea cupboard to put all the wine glasses, plates, etc.

The Kitchen & Washing Area

The kitchen is much smaller.

It housed my NLT Fibre and internal cabling. Which I am very proud of. Hahaha

Smaller kitchen, but I have two, one downstairs and one upstairs.

The washing area is at the back.

Domestic Helper Bedroom

My domestic helper sleep behind this door with ventilation.

This is originally the bunker. But we changed the door.

Inside, is a high bed with lots of storage.

A mirror for her.

A Xiaomi TV for her with all Philippines channels loaded onto the Xiaomi TV OS.

My helper is glad to have this such nice place. hahahaha

Remember, treat your helper nice nice, then, she will treat you and family nice nice.

Domestic Helper Toilet

Although is smaller, but everything you need is there.

We already choose to move in on June 18, 2019. An auspicious day. Yeah!

Our New Home – The Madeira Date: June 24, 2019 We started the renovation on Feb 18, 2019. Finally, the renovation is completed after 3 months.

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