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Articles by Joe Coburn
Review: Gia Ford @ Art Club
By Sophie Mitchell, First Year Politics and International Relations After supporting Self Esteem on tour earlier this year, Gia Ford makes an appearance at Bristol’s Art Club on the first date of a seven-stop national tour. Her debut album Transparent Things, released on 13th September, is a stunning tapestry of classic rock-inspired gritty guitar combined with dreamy Americana-influenced vocals.
Dot To Dot Festival announces 2025 lineup
By Benji Chapman, Music Editor Dot To Dot prides itself as a day festival that platforms artists who are successful within their respective musical niches, encouraging attendants not to stay within a certain area of the city for too long before moving to a new venue. This year, the lineup reflects its previous tendency to spotlight post-punk playmakers from the Speedy Wunderground scene with artists from further afield.
Review: XIU XIU @ Strangebrew
By Joe Coburn, SecondYear Philosophy Jamie Stewart formed Xiu Xiu in 2002, and few other bands with two decades under their belt continue to invent and delight as they do. They veer between soul-wrenching vulnerability and experimental oblivion with such polished artistic exactness you just can’t help but get sucked into their world. It was a brisk Wednesday evening. City centre swayed to a cheery late autumn rhythm; but one venue was set to beat to a very different drum.
Review: Sainté @ SWX
By Joe Coburn, SecondYear Philosophy Following the release of three EPs, including his breakout project Local MVP, which to date has amassed over two hundred and fifty million streams on Spotify, this year Leicester-born rapper Sainté released his debut LP Still Local. The title serves as both a knowing, avuncular wink to longtime fans and a reminder that, despite growing into one of the emergent stars of contemporary UK rap, Sainté keeps an eye cast back home.
Five AWS Lambda Tricks to Save You Money and Improve Performance
Hi, I’m Joe. I’m the founder of Remr.io — a lightning-fast key-value storage API designed for developers. I’d love you to try it out, but don’t worry, this isn’t a marketing pitch. I built this tool to solve my own problems, and I used AWS to do it. Today I’m going to share the tips and tricks I used to leverage the power of Lambdas, and how you can use these tricks too to speed up performance and reduce your AWS bill. HMS AWS Fargate Container Ship. But first, who am I?
The Essential SQL Commands Cheat Sheet for Beginners
Query Commands SELECT Basic query building block to retrieve data. SELECT * Using * with SELECT returns all columns. SELECT column Specify exact columns with their name. SELECT table.column Reference a column from a specific table. FROM Specify where to find data. AS Temporarily alias a table name or column to a new name. WHERE Filter results with a condition. AND Use multiple conditions with a WHERE clause. Results must match all conditions. OR Use multiple conditions with a WHERE clause.
How to Use Any Computer to Mine Ethereum and Earn Money
Mining Ethereum or other Proof of Work cryptocurrencies can be a fun way to earn some extra cash or help support a blockchain. That said, Proof of Work mining is difficult to start. You need a powerful computer, and deep pockets to pay your electric bill or absorb the falling price of a project. Here’s how to begin mining on any computer, with any technical specifications, on any operating system! Note: cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum use Proof of Work (PoW) consensus algorithms.
8 Most Secure Bitcoin Wallets and Cryptocurrency Wallets | Blocks Decoded
You’re here for the best and most secure Bitcoin and cryptocurrency wallets you can use. But before we dive into that, here’s a quick reminder of the different wallet types: Hot wallet: A hot wallet has a direct connection to the internet and is usually online. Online web wallet: Like a hot wallet, only accessible via the internet. Desktop wallet: Desktop wallets (also known as software wallets) install to your computer and allow offline management.
What Is Blockchain? A Simple Explanation in Easy Terms
Blockchains are “distributed ledgers”. In Layman’s terms, they store digital data. Each participant gets a copy of the data, and the opportunity to confirm new data. If someone wants to manipulate this data for nefarious purposes, they would have to coerce every participant—something that’s very unlikely to happen. Every member works to keep everyone else honest. Let’s illustrate by contrasting a blockchain with a bank. Your bank maintains a central database (a “ledger”) of all their customer details.
How to Check Any Cryptocurrency Price From Your Linux Terminal
If you’re looking to get the latest cryptocurrency prices from your Linux or Mac terminal, then by following this simple tutorial, you can be up and running in less than five minutes. This simple project uses an application programming interface (API) to pull the latest crypto prices. For this tutorial, you’ll use the API provided by CoinMarketCap. While free to use, you need to register on the site first. While this project doesn’t assume you’re a rockstar coder, it is a technical tutorial.
How to Get Verified on Binance in 3 Easy Steps
Like all exchanges, Binance uses a know-your-customer (KYC) validation process to verify you before you can begin trading. If you’re worried about this verification process, or you’re not sure what to expect, then keep reading, as we explain the exact steps you need to take. 1. Create a Free Account on Binance Getting verified on Binance starts with a free account. If you already have an account, you can skip this step.
How to Buy Bitcoin Anonymously (And Why You Should)
As the first cryptocurrency, Bitcoin is sublime. A digital currency for the digital age that transcends all borders and government clampdowns. That said, Bitcoin isn’t very anonymous. Anyone can inspect the ledger and trace transactions and account balances. While nobody knows you own an account, in theory, many exchanges enforce “Know Your Customer” (KYC) validation, which governments, exchange employees, or hackers can use to identify you and your Bitcoins.
How Many Cryptocurrencies Are There (And How Many Should You Buy)?
With so many different cryptocurrencies, ICOs, IEOs, scams, coins, tokens, blockchain companies, and forks, it can be hard to make sense of the cryptocurrency space. Read on to learn which projects are worth your time, and which are worthless. How Many Cryptocurrencies Are There? There are currently 2368 cryptocurrencies vying for your attention (at the time of writing). Due to this explosion of new projects, this number will be out of date by the time you read this.
Tumblr Launches Disappearing Group Chats
Tumblr has launched group chats. Tumblr’s group chats are ephemeral, publicly viewable, and designed to connect people who are passionate about niche interests. And they’re available right now on Tumblr’s mobile apps on Android and iOS. Tumblr hasn’t had a great time of it of late. To the point that many people seem to have forgotten it even exists.
Harness the Power of AI to Enhance Your Photos With Luminar 3
In photography, capturing an image is only part of the creative process. Much of the time, skillful editing can be the difference between a lifeless snap and an award-winning photo. If you want to take your photography to the next level, Luminar 3 can help. This powerful software utilizes artificial intelligence to help you achieve your creative vision. You can download the app now on Mac and Windows for $29 via MakeUseOf Deals. AI Editing Most photo editors are stacked with options nowadays.
Netflix Adds the Option to "Skip Politics"
Netflix has added a button which allows viewers to “Skip Politics”. Unfortunately, this option is currently only available in one comedy special, and is intended as a joke. However, the option to skip segments of shows could become a thing in the future. Politics Is Everywhere People are becoming increasingly annoyed with politics, and it doesn’t matter what side of the political spectrum you’re on. However, because politics is everywhere, it’s virtually impossible to get away from it.
Spotify for Kids, Chromebook Parental Controls, Increase iPhone Storage
Want to know more about the Spotify Kids app, how to keep your children safe online using a Chromebook, or find more space on your iPhone or iPad? The Really Useful Podcast is here to help you with these points and more. Hosts Christian Cawley and Gavin Phillips walk you through everything you want to know from the HBO Max launch to finding SimCity-like browser games, managing RAM on Android, and even some recommendations for YouTube channels.
Google Launches a Rewards Program for Android Users
Google has launched Google Play Points, a rewards program for Android users. Google Play Points lets you earn points by using Google Play. You can earn points in a number of different ways, and then use those points for a myriad of different rewards. In September 2018, Google debuted Google Play Points in Japan. Then, in April 2019, it launched in South Korea too. Google claims that millions of people have joined the program, and that success has moved the company to launch Play Points in the US.
Code Anything on Any Device With Codeanywhere, the Cloud-Based IDE
Many of the apps we use every day are based in the cloud. Yet most developers still rely on outdated desktop software. If you want to work across multiple devices and speed up your workflow, you might want to try Codeanywhere. This powerful cloud-based development environment lets you collaborate in real-time, connect with Git repositories, and run terminal commands on desktop and mobile. Right now, you can pick up a one-year Freelancer subscription for just $49.99 at MakeUseOf Deals.
You Can Now Download Adobe Photoshop for iPad
Adobe has finally released Photoshop for iPad. It may have taken a while to arrive, but Photoshop is finally available on iPadOS a year after it was first announced. Which means you can now download Adobe Photoshop onto your iPad. In October 2018, Adobe showed off a preview of Photoshop for iPad. The company promised a new UI designed just for tablets, and most of the same features beloved by users of the desktop version. And now, in November 2019, Photoshop for iPad has arrived.
The Bullet Journal Cheat Sheet for Quick Note-Taking
What makes the Bullet Journal method of note-taking so popular? It’s the magic combination of speed, structure, and flexibility! Once you understand how to set up your bullet journal and personalize it, you can capture any aspect of your day, work, and life in a streamlined manner. If you’re new to this method and find it daunting or if you just need a refresher on its essentials once in a while, our cheat sheet below can help.
You Can Now Use Google Maps in Incognito Mode
Google is rolling out Incognito mode for Google Maps. Incognito mode for Google Maps is now available on Android, with iOS also getting the feature in the future. Which means you no longer have to worry about Google knowing your whereabouts. What Does Incognito Mode Do? Incognito mode has been a staple of Google Chrome for many years. Once enabled, it means you can browse the web privately, without other people who use the same device from being able to see your online activity.
5 Common Questions About Ethereum for Beginners
As the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, Ethereum enjoys an ever-increasing following from both veteran cryptocurrency users and novice traders alike. If you’ve ever wondered how does Ethereum work, how to buy Ethereum, or how to mine Ethereum, then read on. We’re going to answer some of the most common Ethereum questions. 1. How Does Ethereum Work? Ethereum is a decentralized ledger, but what does that even mean? Put simply, it’s like double-entry bookkeeping.
HBO Max Launches May 2020 for $15/month
Another day, another new media streaming service. This one courtesy of WarnerMedia. HBO Max is a streaming service offering the entire HBO service, plus original programming, and older content from the vaults. HBO Max is set to launch in May 2020. From Cable Companies to Streaming Services A decade ago, cable companies had consumers in their pockets. They could charge what they wanted, force bundles of unwanted channels on viewers, and generally take their customers for granted.
Elegoo Mars: High Quality Resin Printing for Anyone
Our verdict of the Elegoo Mars: If you're looking for a 3D printer, then the Elegoo Mars provides outstanding quality for a modest price. There are few reasons not to buy it!1010 If you’re looking for a resin 3D printer, then you may have heard of the Elegoo Mars. This elegant machine retails for under $300 and is capable of producing stunning 3D prints. It’s surprising how user-friendly this 3D printer is, which isn’t the case with every 3D printer we review.
Learn How to Build Databases From Scratch With the Ultimate MySQL Bootcamp
When your job involves analyzing data, being able to build databases is pretty useful. Recruiters in marketing, sales, finance, and many other sectors are actively looking for people with these skills. If you want to stand out from the crowd, the Ultimate MySQL Bootcamp can help. This learning library includes 34 video tutorials and five hours of content, transforming you from a coding virgin to a database expert.
Spotify Launches a Standalone App for Kids
Spotify has launched Spotify Kids, a standalone app designed for “the next generation of listeners”. This is Spotify built for kids. And it features a child-friendly UI and a collection of songs curated for even the youngest music lovers. What to Expect From Spotify Kids Spotify Kids is designed for kids aged 3+. There are thousands of songs available, all hand-picked by a team of editors. Younger children get Disney soundtracks and the like.
Amazon Fresh Is Now Free on Amazon Prime
Amazon Fresh is now free for Amazon Prime members. Amazon Fresh formerly cost $14.99/month on top of the price of a Prime membership, but it’s now included as an Amazon Prime benefit. Which means Prime members can get groceries delivered for free. What Is Amazon Fresh? Amazon Fresh is Amazon’s delivery service for groceries. Customers place an order for groceries, including fresh produce, frozen goods, and household essentials. And it’s delivered straight to their door within a couple of hours.
Apple TV on Fire, Reduce Smartphone Use, Awesome Halloween Movies & Makeup
In this week’s packed show, Christian Cawley and James Frew cover everything from the Apple TV app on Amazon Fire Sticks to Halloween movies. On the way, free VPNs, record players, giant squids, reducing smartphone use, managing the Screen Time feature on macOS, and the latest installment of Christian’s Samsung tablet repair. Is it fixed? Will he wait another week?
Netflix Is Testing Variable Playback Speeds
Netflix has been testing variable playback speeds for video content. The feature would allow viewers to speed up or slow down the playback speed of movies and TV shows. And while users have been requesting this feature, filmmakers aren’t keen. Binge-Watching Junkies Have Big Appetites Streaming has changed everything.
Apple Unveils the AirPods Pro for Audiophiles
Apple has unveiled the AirPods Pro, the latest addition to its AirPods range. The AirPods Pro are aimed at audiophiles who don’t mind paying a little more for headphones. And they are, on paper at least, better in every way than the standard AirPods.
PipelineDeals Is a Powerful Sales CRM That You Can Actually Understand
Building relationships with hundreds or thousands of clients isn’t easy. That pis why every sales team needs a good CRM system. Many of these platforms provide a vast array of features to meet the needs of big business. But trying to understand and navigate these complicated apps can slow you down. PipelineDeals is a sales management system that focuses on ease of use. It provides all the tools you need, without the clutter and confusing vocabulary. Sounds good?
Microsoft Relaunches Xbox All Access for $20/Month
Microsoft has relaunched its Xbox All Access subscription offering. Xbox All Access lets you buy an Xbox One console in increments over the course of two years. And while you’re paying it off you’ll also have access to Xbox Pass Ultimate.
Instagram Bans Memes About Suicide and Self-Harm
Advertisement Instagram is expanding its ban on content related to suicide and self-harm. Instagram will no longer allow drawings or memes about suicide and self-harm on its platform. And the accounts posting this content will have their reach severely limited. Hundreds of thousands of people take their own lives each year. And suicide is one of the leading causes of death amongst young adults. There are a myriad of different reasons for this, but the internet and social media certainly play a part.
The Apple TV App Is Now Available on Fire TV Sticks
If you own an Amazon Fire TV Stick, you can now install the Apple TV app on it. Doing so will allow you to access your iTunes video library, and buy or rent new movies and TV shows. It will also enable you to use the new Apple TV+ streaming service. Apple TV+ Is Going to Be Available Everywhere In March 2019, Apple unveiled Apple TV+. This is Apple’s foray into the burgeoning world of streaming TV.
The Trello Cheat Sheet: Search, Navigation, and Markdown Essentials
Advertisement Trello makes a fantastic Kanban-style digital organizer. You can use its intuitive features to maintain a shopping list, plan an event, monitor your job hunt, and to manage various other kinds of projects. Once you start using Trello to track all the bits and pieces of your life, it’s a great idea to become familiar with Trello shortcuts to save yourself time.
Anycubic Photon S: The Best Resin 3D Printer? (And Less Than $500)
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Our verdict of the Anycubic Photon S: A stunning 3D printer, capable of producing outstanding 3D prints. Liquid resin plastic means this isn't for everyone.910 The Photon S is the follow-up to Anycubic’s wildly popular Photon, SLA 3D printer. This fully-enclosed 3D printer is perfect for producing highly detailed small models such as tabletop gaming miniatures. Retailing for $489 (but on sale for $100 less until 28th October!), is it worth your money?
By Dave Parrack Verified, Christian Cawley Verified, Sandy Writtenhouse Verified, Sarah Adedun, Joe Coburn
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MUO
Verified
7 Things to Look For When Choosing a Crypto Exchange
In the world of cryptocurrency, exchanges dominate. Serving as both market-maker and consumer on-ramp, exchanges provide a vital service. That said, there are many stories and unfortunate circumstances where users have lost money, cryptocurrency, or been a victim to theft or a scam. With so many choices available, and so many bad actors in this space, how do you choose a good exchange? How can you tell the best crypto exchanges from the worst crypto exchanges?
YouTube Launches a Bandersnatch-Style Interactive Film
YouTube has launched its first interactive film. It’s called A Heist With Markiplier, and, as the title suggests, it stars popular YouTuber Markiplier. Interactive films have been a thing on YouTube for many years, but this is the first professional production. Would you like to discover 70+ useful YouTube tips and tricks? Download our FREE YouTube cheat sheet now! From Bandersnatch to Markiplier Interactive films, which let you choose the course of the story, are coming of age.
Upgrade Your Microsoft Office Skills With 62 Hours of Training for $29.99
If you work behind a desk, Microsoft software is almost certainly part of your workflow. By getting to know Office a little better, you can get things done faster and impress recruiters. The Complete Microsoft Office Training Bundle helps you learn all the major apps, with eight video courses and over 62 hours of content. You can currently get lifetime access to the training for just $29.99 at MakeUseOf Deals — and use coupon code 40LEARN40 for 40% off.
Spotify Users Can Now Get a Free Google Home Mini
Spotify is giving away a free Google Home Mini to all Premium subscribers in the US. This applies to both Individual users and Family account holders. However, there are some limitations on eligibility, and the offer only applies for a limited time “while supplies last”.
Disney+ Content, Revive Your Mac, Conspiracy Websites, Amazon Price Trackers
It’s time for your weekly dose of tech news made easy with the Really Useful Podcast, the tech podcast for technophobes. This time, Disney+ content announced, how to revive your Mac, top conspiracy websites, and Amazon Price Trackers ahead of Black Friday. Join Christian Cawley and Ben Stegner as they guide you through the latest news, tips, and tricks to help you enjoy life with tech, rather than be frustrated by it.
Firefox Privacy Protections Let You Track the Trackers
Advertisement With the release of Firefox 70, Mozilla’s web browser now lets you track the trackers. Every user can view their own personalized Privacy Protections report showing them how many third-party trackers Firefox has blocked. Plus more besides. Mozilla Launches Enhanced Tracking Protection In June 2019, Mozilla launched a new feature Firefox Now Blocks Third-Party Trackers by Default Firefox Now Blocks Third-Party Trackers by Default Firefox will now block third-party trackers by default.
Lemonade Uses Tech to Streamline Insurance Policies
Most of us don’t want to think about insurance; especially when it comes to homeowners’ or renters’ insurance. We’d just like to pay it and be done with it, trusting that if something goes wrong, we’ll be covered. However, that’s not always the case, and even with good insurance, it can be like pulling teeth to get reimbursed after a life-changing accident. The insurance industry is filled with pain points, a great irony considering it’s supposed to be a lifeline.
Adobe's Inspiration Engine Could Boost Your Creativity
Adobe has launched a new Alexa Skill it hopes will help boost your creativity. It’s called the Adobe Inspiration Engine, and it delivers inspirational quotes and creative exercises designed to get your creative juices flowing when the tap seems to be stuck. When Your Creative Juices Stop Flowing… Creative block can hit the best of us. Whether you’re a writer, an artist, a photographer, or a designer, there are times when your creative juices stop flowing.
How to Buy Bitcoin When Your Bank Blocked Your Crypto Purchase
Many banks across the world are anti-crypto. They block cryptocurrency purchases with your credit card, stop you spending your own money on Bitcoin, and bad-mouth digital money in the media. In their defence, banks and other financial institutions are often trying to protect your money or follow local financial regulations. Here’s what you can do if your bank has blocked your crypto purchase, along with some tips on how to buy your cryptocurrency in other ways. 1. Is it a Security Feature?
Giphy Arcade Lets You Create and Play Mini Games
Giphy has launched Giphy Arcade, which lets you create, play, and share your own mini-games. Giphy is best known as a search engine for GIFs, and Giphy Arcade is an attempt to bring the thinking behind GIFs to gaming. And it kinda works. How to Create and Play Giphy Arcade Games Giphy Arcade is essentially a database of mini-games you can play online. There are a limited number of styles of game available, but beyond that every element is customizable.
The Essential CSS3 Properties Cheat Sheet
Cascading Style Sheets or CSS define the look and feel of the web as we know it. While HTML and JavaScript focus on the functional side of the web, CSS deals with the visual aspects of it. Need help navigating the world that is CSS3? Download our "Essential CSS3 Properties Cheat Sheet" today! After you’ve learned how to build static webpages with HTML, it’s time to discover how to style them and make them presentable with CSS.
135 Useful Things You Didn't Know Google Could Do (Free Ebook)
Pretty much every internet user relies on several of Google’s services for certain aspects of their digital lives. Whether that’s Google Search, Gmail, Google Calendar, Chrome, Google Maps, or any of the myriad other Google services on offer. These services are already impressive as they are, but there is much more to them than meets the eye.
LinkedIn Events Helps You Plan IRL Meetups
Advertisement LinkedIn has launched LinkedIn Events. This feature is designed to help you plan and manage real-life meetups with your professional contacts. Because while the web is a great way to break the ice with new contacts, nothing compares to meeting in real life. How to Use LinkedIn Events LinkedIn launched Events on the Official LinkedIn Blog.
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