PSA: Change and Secure ALL Your Passwords NOW

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With the recent security flaw in OpenSSL, now dubbed the Heartbleed bug, every major website is alerting you the change your passwords. Just this morning alone, I'm sure that most of you will have to go about and I advise that you do so now, change your Facebook, Google, Yahoo, Tumblr, GoDaddy, Dropbox and Soundcloud passwords just to name a few. Do it now and make sure that no two are alike! Lucky for me, I use AgileBits's 1Password which, by the way, is now multiple platform, so generating that 8-16 or even 24 character password is automatic. If you haven't read the various sites that are listing the vulnerable web services, I suggest your head over to either here, here or the master list and start working!

Strongpasswordgenerator

3 things you can do to protect yourself Wait for an official announcement from any secure website or service that you normally use regarding a security update.

After you've confirmed that the site or service has installed a security update, change your passwords.

For at least the next week, keep an eye on any of your sensitive online accounts (banking, webmail) for suspicious activity.

In the meantime, while websites are installing the latest version of OpenSSL to fix the bug, it would be a good idea to wait for confirmed updates on your favorite websites and services and then change your password, just to be as safe as possible.

Share Your USB Port for Everyone

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The Anker 40W 5-port Family Sized USB Charger is by far the best charging station to carry with you on layovers, or have available at home when entertaining guests. More often than not, I've been finding myself in either the crew lounge, a hotel room bunking it up (read: saving money) or even around the airport scrambling to find a wall socket. Everyone needs to plug in usually via USB and charge their device so why not share a port? It's also the best way to become the most popular guy sitting at that lonely corner charging up your phone and / or tablet. Anker 5port USB

  • Smart ports, powered by PowerIQ™ technology, intelligently identify each connected device and speak its language - guaranteeing the fastest charge time for EVERY device (up to 8 Amps among 5 ports).
  • The size of a deck of playing cards (3.6 x 2.3 x 1.0in) and unibody design for added portability.
  • Industrial-grade plastic construction and premium circuitry ensure lifetime reliability.
  • AC 100-240V input voltage ideal for international travel.
  • Package contents: Anker® 40W 5-Port Wall Charger, 5ft / 150cm detachable power cord, user manual.

Amazonbasicslightningcable At the same time, why not grab a 3-foot USB Lightning Cable that's Apple Certified for only $14.99 so you don't find yourself standing too close to everyone! I grabbed two back in December and it's saved us that claustrophobic feeling. The only issue that I've had is that sometimes the Lightning Connector portion is too thick to bypass some cases but it's awesome nonetheless.

Wanna Save Your iPhone Battery?

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This is not one of those "Turn off every useful feature of iOS" posts that grinds my gears. My goal is to deliver practical steps to truly solve your iOS battery woes.

One quick thing before we start — 99.9% of the time it is not actually iOS that is causing your battery to drain quickly. I guarantee you that if you erased your phone and there were no apps or email on it, it would last for ages. But, no one uses their device like that, nor should they. Hopefully with these steps you will be living in iOS battery bliss while still using all the apps and features you love.

I will be reformatting my iPhone 5 again and start fresh with iOS 7.1. A few weeks ago, I installed iOS 7 which did posses amazing battery life, but after I started installing a few of the hundreds of apps that I use, my battery would eventually only last half a day! I'm going to have to start deducing what's really going on.

via OverThought by Scotty Loveless

This Should Be Your Next Car

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That last sentence summarizes it perfectly. This might be it folks, my last car! If you didn't already hear from the previous unveiling at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show, it Mercedes new C-Class is touted to be, "Larger, lighter, quicker, more elegant, more spacious, more powerful and more luxurious than the current sedan." So if you're looking at buying a 2014 on a heavy discount, just wait a few months! You won't regret your baby S-Class.

2015 Mercedes C Class

It was the early 1980s when German automakers began introducing their aspirational four-wheeled ladders, and there are still three sedan Leitens to choose from depending on what you want your ladder to say: there's the C, E, S, the 3, 5, 7 and the A4, A6, A8. The point of any ladder, though, has always been to climb – the only reason you stepped on the bottom rung was because you intended to get to the top, or at least as close as you could muster.

That might change with this car, the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. It might be so good that there's no need to climb any higher.

via Autoblog

A Perfect Review of the HIMYM Finale *spoilers… duh*

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If you're going to read one final recap and review of the HIMYM series finale, head over to BoingBoing for details. What did you think about it? HIMYM Last Forever

“We’ll always be friends. It’s just never going to be how it was. It can’t be. It doesn’t have to be a sad thing. There’s so much wonderful stuff happening in all of our lives right now, more than enough to be grateful for. But the five of us hanging out at MacLaren’s being young and stupid? It’s just not one of those things.”

Why You Need a Better Grinder for your Coffee

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NPR's "The Salt" goes into the the details of what a great grinder can do for your morning cup of joe. I have a Baratza Virtuoso at home but have been thinking of a hand cranker since I usually find myself away stuck at an airport or hotel as of late. Specifically, I'm looking at either the Hario Slim, Hario Ceramic Skerton, or the Porlex Mini to bring along with me on trips. I'll also keep my Aeropress handy for brewing =). Below are the hand crank coffee mills in order.

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The whirling blade grinder that most people have at home just doesn't cut it. The blade smashes coffee to smithereens, making boulders and fines all over the place. Instead, the coffee pros use burr grinders, which chew the beans up to a precise, consistent size by funneling them through a set of steel or ceramic teeth.

In other words, a good grinder can make all the difference between a cup of sludge and a rich, aromatic morning mug of Joe.

If you really want to, you can go for the gold and grab Orphan Espresso's Lido 2 for $175.

via NPR