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This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. I’m supposed to live with my boss and her husband for months I have been working at my company for two years, and I get along well with my boss, who is a woman in her early thirties. Her husband also works for the same startup and we are all on a work trip together for a few months in a foreign country. The company is providing community housing (with private beds and bathrooms) for commuting workers that holds about 10 people, and a few two-bedroom condos. Before we arrived, my boss, her husband, my coworker, and I were under the impression that we would be the four people filling the two condos — me and my coworker in one, my boss and her husband in the other. When my coworker arrived, she was taken to the community housing and given a room, and when we arrived, my boss and her husband were moved into one bedroom of an apartment and I was moved into the other bedroom of the same apartment. When I asked if my coworker and I were going to move into the other condo once it became available in a few days, I was told no. I brought up the problem to my boss’ boss and said that I am concerned about living with my boss and her husband for the next three months, but for the short term it is not a problem. He said that it’s a valid concern, and that he would work on it and that I should suck it up for about a week. About a week has passed, and my coworker who I originally was going to live with has expressed her preference for staying where she is because she is already settled in, and I was informed by my boss that I am to keep living with her and her husband for the foreseeable future. This is so my boss’ boss and another male coworker can live in the other apartment and my coworker can stay where she is. I am quite uncomfortable with this situation and have expressed this to my boss, my boss’ boss, and the person in charge of housing, and I am not sure what to do next. I am excited about this job and really enjoy working with my team, but working 72 hours a week with my boss and her husband and then going home with them is just a bit too weird for me. Any advice? How firmly have you told your boss’s boss and the person in charge of housing that this won’t work for you? This isn’t less-than-ideal housing for a couple of nights in an emergency; this is three months of your life outside of work, and they almost certainly have other solutions available if you make it clear that the current plan is a no-go for you. If, out of a desire to be flexible and not demanding or to seem like a team player, you’ve been anything less than than crystal clear that this is a no for you, it’s time now to get much more emphatic. Talk to your boss’s boss again, state firmly that you’re not on board with this, and say you need to make arrangements to move, whether to the community housing where your coworker is or somewhere else. For example: “I was willing to do it for a week like you asked, but I’m not comfortable with this for longer than that. I’d like to move to the community housing where Jane is or, if that’s not possible, to a hotel or other solution.” If you get any pushback: “Given the length of the trip, it’s really not feasible and I wouldn’t have signed on for it under these conditions. I can take the lead on finding a place to move if that’s the fastest way to handle it.” 2. My bad coworker is finally leaving … should I stay? I’ve had issues with my underperforming coworker, Sanford, as long as I’ve been with my small nonprofit. From missing agreed-upon deadlines 90% of the time, to saying misogynistic things to coworkers in meetings (he singles out our foreign-born female coworkers — never the males — to repeat things back to him, to make sure they understood it, despite them being fluent in English and just being one of the people listening in a group meeting), he has been a “missing stair” in our organization for years. Despite this, our CEO saw it fit to create a completely new director-level position for him, promoting him by two levels and firmly setting a ceiling on my career path within the organization, as his new role took parts of what I would do at that level. Despite all the flexibility, raises, and promotions he’s received despite his skills and work ethic (or lack thereof), Sanford has landed another role outside of the organization and is leaving. Many of us are celebrating, but I’m left in a tricky situation. I’d also planned on leaving, in large part due to being tired of cleaning up after Sanford, but now my path for growth seems to have opened up. Do I stick around and see if Sanford’s absence helps make my job easier and clears the way for my career growth, or do I continue to pursue other opportunities? I am in the final stages of interviewing at several other companies that would pay me substantially more than what I make in my current role. Keep pursuing those other opportunities. Sanford is leaving because he got another job, not because your organization decided to deal with him (in fact, the opposite — they promoted him) so if you stay, you’re staying at an organization that not only accommodates Sanfords, but rewards and tries to retain them. They didn’t suddenly see the light and become a better place to work, and if another Sanford comes on the scene tomorrow, you’d have no reason to believe they’d do anything differently with the new one. Their handling of Sanford says something about who they are as an organization; you shouldn’t change your plans just because this one manifestation of those problems is gone. 3. New manager is changing things for the worse I work in a grocery store bakery. My teammates and I all have things organized in a way that is best for our efficiency. This new assistant manager has rearranged things into a mess. I have allowed this to go on out of respect. It’s just not working. I have gone to my bakery manager as well as store management bout it. What do I do now? I have changed things around since no one has helped me. And she just changes it back. She has not been receptive to speaking about it. She struggles with a power struggle. The thing about being in a power struggle with your manager is that the manager is nearly always going to win because of their power and authority relative to yours — or at least that’s the case if you’ve talked to levels of management above you and no one cares enough to intervene. You and your teammates can certainly try talking to your manager as a group and explaining why you want to switch things back — and that’s worth doing if you haven’t yet — but ultimately if you can’t convince her, you don’t have much recourse. In that situation, your best bet is probably to roll with the changes for a while. If a month or two from now they’re still causing problems, raise it again at that point; sometimes when you’ve made a good-faith effort to roll with changes but can still point to problems, that’s an easier sell than when you resist them from the start. 4. Is it illegal to hire someone just to fire people? I’m writing a novel and I have a character who is hired solely to make people redundant before moving on. I heard from someone recently that it is illegal to hire someone for the sole purpose of making people redundant/firing them, only to get rid of them after they’ve completed this job. Is that true? You mean hiring someone specifically to conduct layoffs/firing but not keeping them on after that? Like George Clooney’s character in Up in the Air? It’s not illegal to do that. Typically, though, if a company brings in someone from the outside to do it, they’d go with a firm or contractor (also like Up in the Air), not hire a full employee to do it — but it wouldn’t be illegal to have them be an actual employee if for some reason they wanted to. (That said, your use of “make people redundant” makes me think you might be in the UK rather than the U.S., and I can only speak to U.S. laws.) View the full article

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Google has announced the general availability of Gemini 2.0 Flash, expanding access to its AI models through the Gemini API in Google AI Studio and Vertex AI. The company is also launching an experimental version of Gemini 2.0 Pro, aimed at improving coding performance and handling complex prompts, and introducing Gemini 2.0 Flash-Lite, its most cost-efficient model to date. Gemini 2.0 Flash Now Widely Available Initially introduced at Google I/O 2024, the Flash series has been positioned as a high-speed, low-latency model optimized for large-scale AI tasks. Gemini 2.0 Flash now features improved performance on key benchmarks, with image generation and text-to-speech capabilities set to roll out in the coming months. The model supports a 1 million token context window and multimodal reasoning, making it highly effective for processing vast amounts of information. Developers can now integrate 2.0 Flash into production applications via Google AI Studio and Vertex AI. Gemini 2.0 Pro Experimental Targets Advanced AI Use Cases Google has also introduced Gemini 2.0 Pro (Experimental), an AI model designed for coding performance and complex prompt handling. The model features a 2 million token context window, enabling it to analyze and understand large datasets comprehensively. It also integrates Google Search and code execution tools to enhance reasoning and knowledge retrieval. “Today, we’re releasing an experimental version of Gemini 2.0 Pro that responds to that feedback. It has the strongest coding performance and ability to handle complex prompts, with better understanding and reasoning of world knowledge, than any model we’ve released so far,” writes Koray Kavukcuoglu, CTO of Google DeepMind. Gemini 2.0 Pro is now available in Google AI Studio, Vertex AI, and for Gemini Advanced users via desktop and mobile. Introduction of Gemini 2.0 Flash-Lite for Cost-Effective AI Solutions Google is also rolling out Gemini 2.0 Flash-Lite, a public preview model that improves upon 1.5 Flash while maintaining the same speed and cost efficiency. It supports a 1 million token context window and multimodal input, allowing it to generate AI-driven content at scale. According to Google, Flash-Lite can generate captions for approximately 40,000 unique images for less than a dollar in Google AI Studio’s paid tier. The model is now available in Google AI Studio and Vertex AI for developers. Security and Responsible AI Development As AI capabilities expand, Google has emphasized safety measures for the Gemini 2.0 family. The company has implemented reinforcement learning techniques that allow Gemini to critique its responses, improving accuracy and its ability to handle sensitive prompts. Additionally, Google is deploying automated red teaming to identify security risks, including indirect prompt injection attacks, where malicious instructions are embedded in data that AI models might retrieve. Google plans to continue refining the Gemini 2.0 lineup, with additional multimodal capabilities set for release in the coming months. Developers and businesses can explore the models now in Google AI Studio and Vertex AI, with more details available on the Google for Developers blog. This article, "Google Expands Availability of Gemini 2.0 AI Models" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Google has announced the general availability of Gemini 2.0 Flash, expanding access to its AI models through the Gemini API in Google AI Studio and Vertex AI. The company is also launching an experimental version of Gemini 2.0 Pro, aimed at improving coding performance and handling complex prompts, and introducing Gemini 2.0 Flash-Lite, its most cost-efficient model to date. Gemini 2.0 Flash Now Widely Available Initially introduced at Google I/O 2024, the Flash series has been positioned as a high-speed, low-latency model optimized for large-scale AI tasks. Gemini 2.0 Flash now features improved performance on key benchmarks, with image generation and text-to-speech capabilities set to roll out in the coming months. The model supports a 1 million token context window and multimodal reasoning, making it highly effective for processing vast amounts of information. Developers can now integrate 2.0 Flash into production applications via Google AI Studio and Vertex AI. Gemini 2.0 Pro Experimental Targets Advanced AI Use Cases Google has also introduced Gemini 2.0 Pro (Experimental), an AI model designed for coding performance and complex prompt handling. The model features a 2 million token context window, enabling it to analyze and understand large datasets comprehensively. It also integrates Google Search and code execution tools to enhance reasoning and knowledge retrieval. “Today, we’re releasing an experimental version of Gemini 2.0 Pro that responds to that feedback. It has the strongest coding performance and ability to handle complex prompts, with better understanding and reasoning of world knowledge, than any model we’ve released so far,” writes Koray Kavukcuoglu, CTO of Google DeepMind. Gemini 2.0 Pro is now available in Google AI Studio, Vertex AI, and for Gemini Advanced users via desktop and mobile. Introduction of Gemini 2.0 Flash-Lite for Cost-Effective AI Solutions Google is also rolling out Gemini 2.0 Flash-Lite, a public preview model that improves upon 1.5 Flash while maintaining the same speed and cost efficiency. It supports a 1 million token context window and multimodal input, allowing it to generate AI-driven content at scale. According to Google, Flash-Lite can generate captions for approximately 40,000 unique images for less than a dollar in Google AI Studio’s paid tier. The model is now available in Google AI Studio and Vertex AI for developers. Security and Responsible AI Development As AI capabilities expand, Google has emphasized safety measures for the Gemini 2.0 family. The company has implemented reinforcement learning techniques that allow Gemini to critique its responses, improving accuracy and its ability to handle sensitive prompts. Additionally, Google is deploying automated red teaming to identify security risks, including indirect prompt injection attacks, where malicious instructions are embedded in data that AI models might retrieve. Google plans to continue refining the Gemini 2.0 lineup, with additional multimodal capabilities set for release in the coming months. Developers and businesses can explore the models now in Google AI Studio and Vertex AI, with more details available on the Google for Developers blog. This article, "Google Expands Availability of Gemini 2.0 AI Models" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Leading a team has never been simple, but today’s challenges demand something extra. With deep divisions in America spilling over into our workplaces, simply carrying on “business as usual” won’t cut it. Employees are craving authenticity, transparency, and leaders who genuinely care. So, how can you step up, even when the path forward seems uncertain? Through conversations with leaders at Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups, we discovered three actions that can help you navigate this moment with courage and empathy. Cultivate trust through transparency & curiosity In an era marked by mass layoffs, arbitrary return-to-office mandates, and eroding faith in institutions, trust in leadership is waning. Our firm, The Courage Collective, held conversations with leaders that revealed two keys to restoring and sustaining trust: curiosity and transparency. Aisha Washington, global vice president and chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer at HPE shared, “Leaders who approach conversations with curiosity rather than judgment uncover deeper insights. It’s about asking questions, being open to all perspectives, and using those insights to make informed decisions.” A recent Gallup poll found that leaders who strongly exhibited clear communication, showcased an inspirational vision for the future, and supported change were trusted by 95% of their employees. Cultivating trust during precarious times demands acknowledging uncertainty and being honest about not having all the answers. Carolyn Moore, former CHRO and current managing director at Momentum People, explained, “It’s about honesty and vulnerability—admitting we don’t know everything but creating trust by being open and realistic.” Leaders should be ready to ask the difficult questions: Who’s being left out of the conversation? How can I showcase that every employee’s feedback is valuable? Transparency without fear tactics fosters openness and empowers teams to navigate challenges together. Leaders who embrace open dialogue, share information honestly, and leverage insights to inform decisions create a strong foundation for trust. Generating an uplifting vision, rather than setting punitive standards, is the emerging core competency of successful leaders. Defining the organization’s direction (the vision), while allowing “the how” to emerge through team collaboration is essential. Let go of the (impossible) burden of having all the answers and lead through curiosity, transparency, and trust. Invest in opportunities for connection & community care If a return to office is necessary to foster a healthy work culture, leaders must communicate their intentions effectively. Positioning it as a faux productivity boost sends a message of mistrust. Employees will quickly poke holes in this rationale and absorb the implicit message, “if I can’t see you working, I don’t trust that you’re doing your best.” Marc Berger, EVP at DH, observed that “rigid [return to work] policies can lead to frustration and disengagement, particularly when there is a lack of intentionality with how the time is spent.” The truth is, leaders from a variety of work structures have found employees willing—and sometimes eager—to be in person if they’re given flexibility and purpose. Leaders should lean into a new normal by creating opportunities for meaningful connections. Below are a variety of tactics leaders are using to make in-person days feel more purposeful, connected, and collaborative. · Purpose-Driven Office Days: Leverage in-office days to foster collaboration with all-hands meetings or cross-team working opportunities · Meaningful All Company Retreats: Host at least and invest in one or two all-hands meetings annually with balanced agendas that blend structured discussions with team-building events. · Invest in the Experience: Allocate resources for well-organized, engaging events to encourage alignment and connection. · Encourage Feedback and Continuous Improvement: Gather employee input to refine future meetings and ensure they align with team needs. Prioritize the human experience through active listening & meaningful response In times of compounding crises, employees long to be seen, heard, nurtured, and encouraged. More than ever, employees are seeking workplaces where they can share feedback, experience deep listening, and see change enacted as a result. While many organizations have created systems to signal care about receiving feedback, failing to act on it often leaves employees feeling frustrated and micromanaged. Elaine Gibbons, chief impact officer at Panorama Global, shared, “One of the biggest gaps in organizations is a lack of true listening. Leaders must go beyond collecting employee feedback—they need to act on it consistently and authentically. When employees see their input driving real change, not only do they feel valued, their commitment to the organization strengthens.” Simply put, if you ask for feedback, ensure that there is follow-through and follow-up. When employees see leaders actively listening and enacting real change, it builds connection, motivation, and trust. For many organizations, employee morale is at an all-time low. The simple act of deep listening and connecting to employees on a human level can drive meaningful change, especially in challenging times. As workplace dynamics evolve, leaders have a unique opportunity to rise to the occasion and demonstrate effective, human-centered leadership. The future of leadership demands courage, empathy, and a steadfast commitment to growth. While some challenges may seem daunting, they also present an opportunity for leaders to create workplaces where people feel empowered to do and be their best. The world of work is evolving. The way you lead should, too. View the full article

President claims International Criminal Court ‘undermines the critical national security’ of US and allies such as IsraelView the full article

Doubts grow within government about value for money of new technology View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. When someone experienced uses a rowing machine, it’s almost a thing of beauty—a continuous rhythm, their entire body continuously moving back and forth as the numbers on the screen rise higher and higher. So why, when you get on, does using it immediately feel impossible, and also your back hurts? You probably have the settings wrong, and chances are your technique sucks too. Let's fix both of those. There is a learning curve to the rowing machine (also called an erg), but you can master it—probably more quickly than you think. It’s also common to note the damper setting and assume it works the same way as the resistance setting on any other cardio machine, but that’s not exactly the case. Once you’ve fixed your technique and learned where to set the damper, and soon you’ll be sliding along rhythmically yourself. Concept2 RowErg Model D Indoor Rowing Machine - PM5 Monitor, Device Holder, Adjustable Air Resistance, Easy Storage with Black Sweat Towel $1,294.99 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $1,294.99 at Amazon The only "resistance" setting you need is #4On other cardio machines, you usually have a control that makes your workout harder, like the resistance knob on a bike, or the speed and incline controls on a treadmill. So you look at the rowing machine, see the damper that has settings from 1 to 10, and figure that you must want to crank this up to get a harder workout. If you think you're a tough guy, you'll set it to 10. But please don't. You’re best off setting it to number 4 (out of 10) and leaving it there, no matter the workout. That’s because the damper is not really a resistance setting, even though a lot of people mistake it for one. It makes more sense to think of it as being like the resistance of the water if you were in a real rowboat or rowing shell. You don’t get a harder workout by moving your boat to a lake made of, I don’t know, mercury. You stay on the water and you either row faster or push harder. At the highest settings, like 10, it’s hard to get the flywheel spinning, and the flywheel also slows down more before the next stroke. Rowing machine maker Concept2 compares rowing at a high damper setting (above 5 or so) to rowing a clunky rowboat: you need to push harder, and can’t easily get into a continuous rhythm. You can do it if you want a more strength-based workout, in the same way that runners can focus on strength by doing sprints up a steep hill. But it’s not the way you would expect to do most of your training. To drive the point home, Concept2 surveyed Olympic rowers on what settings they actually use. Rather than damper number, serious rowers tend to look up their “drag factor” (which you can find from the little screen on the rowing machine) and adjust the damper as needed to get the drag factor they want. But the settings they described typically correlate to a damper setting of around 3 to 5, so 4 is a safe bet. Push with your legs, then pull with your armsThe biggest technique mistake most of us make is to grab the handle and immediately yoink with our arms. After all, the point is to row it toward us, right? Not really. The first thing you need to do, after you’ve gotten the handle in your hands, is to push with your legs. This is the part of the movement where you need to apply the most force, and conveniently, your legs are home to your biggest muscles. You power into the stroke by treating this initial phase almost like a squat. Then you can get your upper body into it. Once your legs are mostly straight, lean back from the hips; only then should you pull with your arms. So the sequence goes: Push with the legs Lean back a little Pull with the arms If you’re used to doing cable rows or barbell rows in your strength training, that pulling motion is similar to the last step here. You can use your usual cues, but only after completing the first two steps. Once you’ve done all three parts of the stroke, you’ll be leaning back with legs straight and the handle at your chest. What now? Just reverse the movement: Allow your arms to straighten out Return your torso to its upright position Bend the legs and slide your butt back to the starting position. Just repeat to yourself: “Legs-back-arms, arms-back-legs.” Once you get that basic rhythm, you can look up videos on the finer points of technique, like these from Concept2. View the full article

Kendrick Lamar aims to infuse his Los Angeles hip-hop flavor into New Orleans while staying true to his storytelling roots during Sunday’s Super Bowl halftime performance. “Being in the now and being just locked-in to how I feel and the energy I have now, that’s the L.A. energy for me,” he said Thursday at a press conference hosted by Apple Music. “That’s something I wanted to carry over to New Orleans and for the world to see. This is me. This is Kendrick Lamar, 37 years old, and I still feel like I’m elevating, I’m still on a journey.” The rap megastar will take the Super Bowl stage fresh off a Grammy triumph, where he claimed two of the night’s biggest awards — song and record of the year — for his diss track “Not Like Us.” When asked what viewers can expect, Lamar answered: “Storytelling. I think I’ve always been very open about storytelling through all my catalog and my history of music. And I’ve always had a passion about bringing that on whatever stage I’m on.” Lamar will be bringing hip-hop back to the NFL’s championship game, where he performed as a guest artist with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent and Eminem in 2022. On Sunday, he becomes the first solo hip-hop artist to headline the halftime show. “It reminds me of the essence and the core response of rap and hip-hop and how far it can go,” he said. “It puts the culture at the forefront, where it needs to be and not minimized to just a catchy song or verse. This is a true art form, so to represent it on this type of stage is like everything that I’ve worked for and everything that I believe in as far as the culture.” SZA will join him but few other details about the performance were revealed, bowing to a tradition in which headliners keep their plans secret. Rihanna waited until her Super Bowl performance in 2023 to reveal she was pregnant with her second child. The Super Bowl will be held Sunday at the Caesars Superdome, with the two-defending champions Kansas City Chiefs facing off against the Philadelphia Eagles in a championship rematch. Who else is performing at the Super Bowl? The Super Bowl pregame will have some Louisiana flavor: Jon Batiste will hit the stage to sing the national anthem, while Trombone Shorty and Lauren Daigle are slated to perform “America the Beautiful.” Ledisi will perform “ Lift Every Voice and Sing ” as part of the pregame performances. The national anthem and “America the Beautiful” will be performed by actor Stephanie Nogueras in American sign language. Otis Jones IV will sign “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and the halftime show will be signed by Matt Maxey. The pregame performers are all Louisiana natives. —Jonathan Landrum Jr., AP entertainment writer View the full article

US president tells lawmakers he wants to strike ‘carried interest’ rule used by leading financiers View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. I recommend a lot of organizational tools around here, from high-quality shelves to renter-friendly options. While having a bunch of designated storage space is crucial for maintaining the decluttering and organizational principles that keep a home in order, some of the products on the market are a little spendy. Sometimes, sure, you need to drop some significant cash on something that will really help you whip a space into shape, but most of the time, there are inexpensive options that get the job done just as well. Here are some of my favorite organizing staples, all of which cost me less than or around $25. Storage carts save money and spaceFirst up, I got a new storage cart this week. You might not think that something so small—it's just 15 inches deep and under five inches wide—would be useful, but it absolutely is. A few notes: It was outrageously easy to build. The pieces were simple, they all snapped into place in a logical way, and I didn't even need any tools. It took me about two and a half minutes to do. It came with six different hooks, which really expands the potential it has for storage beyond its three tiered shelves. Crucially, it also came with wheels, but unlike the ones I've seen on a lot of build-it-yourself furniture, these actually work. The little casters don't get tangled or messed up. They're not sticky. They just... roll. Best of all? I got it for $16.71 after watching its price fluctuate between $17 and $21 while it was sitting in my Amazon cart. I am in love. Credit: Lindsey Ellefson As I've admired this over the past few hours, I've been stuck on what I want to do with it. It might be small, but it has a lot of potential. I'm tempted to make a new cleaning cart, which requires a rolling contraption such as this, but I'm also tempted to slide it next to my toilet for extra bathroom storage. Then again, it could fit easily in my closet, too, where it could help me with all the accessory organizing I struggle with—shoes and bags could go on the shelves while scarves, necklaces, and belts drape from the hooks. At this price point and knowing how versatile and simple it is, I'm thinking I should buy three more right now and just do it all. Under-cabinet storage is key (and cheap)On second thought, I probably won't create a cleaning cart out of my wonderful, tiered organizer—but only because I have finally organized my cleaning supplies just how I like them (and for under $25, again). I have an under-cabinet storage unit similar to this, but this product actually is better because you get two for $21.99. 2 Pack Pull-Out Storage Organizers $21.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg Shop Now Shop Now $21.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg I only got one before, but it was around $17. Even though I just have the one, it's made a world of difference in keeping my cleaning supplies organized, mostly because of the bottom shelf's ability to slide out, which means I don't have to dig through a bunch of carefully stacked items to reach what I need. Again, there are hooks on the side, which are perfect for rags, so everything stays together. Acrylic organizers for existing shelvesI've mentioned this before, but acrylic organizers have done wonders for organizing my shelving. You can get wooden ones, too, but acrylic tends to be cheaper. Look for anything with tiered, tiny steps built in, like this: Large Acrylic Display Risers $6.49 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $8.73 Save $2.24 Shop Now Shop Now $6.49 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $8.73 Save $2.24 I use little risers like this all over my apartment: They store my makeup, my perfume, and, in some cases, smaller knick-knacks like candles and little decorations. Beyond the fact that they're just ridiculously cheap, the tiers make them perfect for holding delicate objects, since I don't have to disrupt any of the items in front to get to what's in the back and they don't touch or rub on each other. I can see and reach what I have and everything stays safe. (If you're worried about knocking things over on these delicate little units, though, pick up some museum gel, which is a sticky substance you can place under items on flat surfaces to keep them in place.) Cube shelving for creating subdivisionsI am, I believe, in my 12th year as a cube-shelving enthusiast. I've evangelized about these before, but I really stand by it for a few reasons. First, the shelves being broken up into square compartments makes it very easy to organize your possessions by niche categories. With longer shelves or drawers, you may only have one to dedicate to "shirts," but shirts can refer to long-sleeved tops, t-shirts, going-out tops, camis, button-ups, sweaters, and a whole slew of other types. With cube storage, you can drill down on more refined categories, keeping everything in better order and making it easier to find what you need when you need it. Furinno Pasir 3-Tier No Tool Assembly Open Shelf Bookcase, White $25.92 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $29.99 Save $4.07 Shop Now Shop Now $25.92 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $29.99 Save $4.07 The second reason is that they're cheap—most of the time. Yes, you can find larger versions that retail up into the $80 or $90 range, but my apartment is stocked up with these three-cube types, which are usually around $25. (I know the one linked above is $25.92, so not under $25, but according to price-tracking tool CamelCamelCamel, it's been down to $17.99 before and that's close to the price I remember purchasing these at most often. It's a waiting game, that's all.) I have them in my closet behind my hanging garments, in my kitchen (doubling as extra work space, with their flat tops), in my bathroom, and in my living room. They're compact and buying them in smaller configurations makes them more versatile and adaptable, especially when you're living in a smaller space. Cube shelves forever! I remain obsessed with my storage lamp (though its price fluctuates)Finally, since buying a storage lamp during October Prime Day, I've been consistently impressed with how useful it is—but the price has gone up recently. I cannot tell you this is something you can get for below or around $25, though it pains me to admit it. The one I have was in the $33 range in the fall, but is now $51.09. Kind of despicable, if you ask me, but I'm lucky I got it when I did because I use one level to hold lotions and cozy items, another for my gaming stuff, and the top one as a display area to take pictures of things I want to sell online, since the lighting from up top illuminates my goods just right. Plus, it's just a damn useful lamp in its own right, with or without the storage shelves underneath. The good news is that competing brands and products are available in the lower range, for about $29. Again, it's not $25, but it's still close and if you're looking for classy storage that doubles as functional decor, this is what I recommend. View the full article

LexisNexis Legal & Professional has introduced an enhanced conversational search feature in its Nexis+ AI platform, aiming to accelerate research and business intelligence through generative AI-powered search capabilities. The update enables users to conduct conversation-based searches across a vast repository of licensed news and corporate data, including the industry’s largest collection of Gen AI-approved news datasets. Conversational Search and AI-Powered Research Launched in July 2024, Nexis+ AI is designed to assist researchers with AI-driven tools that streamline data discovery, document analysis, report synthesis, and news summarization. The newly introduced conversational search function generates multi-source responses with linked citations to enhance transparency. Alongside the AI-generated summaries, Nexis+ AI also provides traditional search results compiled from its licensed news sources. Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) technology plays a critical role in refining search accuracy, ensuring responses are drawn from authoritative sources such as The Associated Press, McClatchy, and Gannett. Nexis+ AI employs automated relevance metrics, human review processes, and citation validation to reduce inaccuracies and improve the reliability of AI-generated insights. “Conversational search allows Nexis+ AI users to engage with our industry-leading corporate data and global news content in ways that were never possible before, rapidly delivering valuable, trustworthy business insights that lead to faster, more accurate business decisioning and increased market competitiveness,” said Dani McCormick, Vice President of Product, Nexis Solutions. Data Security and Privacy Safeguards LexisNexis emphasizes data security and compliance as a core aspect of Nexis+ AI’s functionality. The platform follows Privacy-by-Design principles, ensuring adherence to data protection regulations and preventing external access to stored conversations. Key privacy safeguards include: Secure encryption of all AI conversations, with automatic data purging after 90 days. No use of customer interactions to train foundational AI models, protecting proprietary business information. Compliance with RELX Responsible AI Principles, addressing ethical concerns and preventing algorithmic bias. Enterprise Adoption and Future Access Nexis+ AI is positioned as a business intelligence solution that enhances decision-making efficiency while ensuring transparency and reliability. Organizations seeking early access to updates and engagement opportunities can join the Nexis+ AI Insider Program at www.lexisnexis.com/insiderprogram. Image: LexisNexis This article, "LexisNexis Enhances Nexis+ AI with Conversational Search for Faster, Transparent Business Intelligence" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

LexisNexis Legal & Professional has introduced an enhanced conversational search feature in its Nexis+ AI platform, aiming to accelerate research and business intelligence through generative AI-powered search capabilities. The update enables users to conduct conversation-based searches across a vast repository of licensed news and corporate data, including the industry’s largest collection of Gen AI-approved news datasets. Conversational Search and AI-Powered Research Launched in July 2024, Nexis+ AI is designed to assist researchers with AI-driven tools that streamline data discovery, document analysis, report synthesis, and news summarization. The newly introduced conversational search function generates multi-source responses with linked citations to enhance transparency. Alongside the AI-generated summaries, Nexis+ AI also provides traditional search results compiled from its licensed news sources. Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) technology plays a critical role in refining search accuracy, ensuring responses are drawn from authoritative sources such as The Associated Press, McClatchy, and Gannett. Nexis+ AI employs automated relevance metrics, human review processes, and citation validation to reduce inaccuracies and improve the reliability of AI-generated insights. “Conversational search allows Nexis+ AI users to engage with our industry-leading corporate data and global news content in ways that were never possible before, rapidly delivering valuable, trustworthy business insights that lead to faster, more accurate business decisioning and increased market competitiveness,” said Dani McCormick, Vice President of Product, Nexis Solutions. Data Security and Privacy Safeguards LexisNexis emphasizes data security and compliance as a core aspect of Nexis+ AI’s functionality. The platform follows Privacy-by-Design principles, ensuring adherence to data protection regulations and preventing external access to stored conversations. Key privacy safeguards include: Secure encryption of all AI conversations, with automatic data purging after 90 days. No use of customer interactions to train foundational AI models, protecting proprietary business information. Compliance with RELX Responsible AI Principles, addressing ethical concerns and preventing algorithmic bias. Enterprise Adoption and Future Access Nexis+ AI is positioned as a business intelligence solution that enhances decision-making efficiency while ensuring transparency and reliability. Organizations seeking early access to updates and engagement opportunities can join the Nexis+ AI Insider Program at www.lexisnexis.com/insiderprogram. Image: LexisNexis This article, "LexisNexis Enhances Nexis+ AI with Conversational Search for Faster, Transparent Business Intelligence" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Most people won't be able to tell the difference in visual quality between a QLED and OLED TV at a glance, but the difference in price is immediately obvious. The truth is, if you get a good QLED TV, most people will be happy with the picture quality and be happy to pocket the price difference. If you think that applies to you, I think this QLED from TCL is a about as good a choice as it gets. The TCL QM7 is a Quantum Dot Mini Light Emitting Diode (QD Mini-LED) QLED TV, meaning TCL combines QD and Mini-LED tech to improve picture quality with more realistic colors, better contrast, and higher brightness. The QM7 also supports most HDR formats that most people want and is a great TV for gamers. Perhaps the best part is how affordable this TV is for how good it is. TCL sent me a 65-inch QM7 for me to review. After testing it for a while, I can recommend this TV to anyone who wants a solid, budget QLED TV without the premium perks and prices of TVs like TCL's QM8 or OLEDs. Display Technology: QD Mini-LED and QLED, Resolution: 4K, Refresh Rate: 144 Hz. TCL 55-Inch QM7 QLED 4K Smart QD-Mini LED TV $497.00 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg Shop Now Shop Now $497.00 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg Display Technology: QD Mini-LED and QLED, Resolution: 4K, Refresh Rate: 144 Hz. TCL 65-Inch QM7 QLED 4K Smart QD-Mini LED TV $698.00 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg Shop Now Shop Now $698.00 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg Display Technology: QD Mini-LED and QLED, Resolution: 4K, Refresh Rate: 144 Hz. TCL 75-Inch QM7 QLED 4K Smart QD-Mini LED TV $897.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $997.99 Save $100.00 Shop Now Shop Now $897.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $997.99 Save $100.00 Display Technology: QD Mini-LED and QLED, Resolution: 4K, Refresh Rate: 144 Hz. TCL 85-Inch QM7 QLED 4K Smart QD-Mini LED TV $1,397.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $1,999.99 Save $602.00 Shop Now Shop Now $1,397.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $1,999.99 Save $602.00 Display Technology: QD Mini-LED and QLED, Resolution: 4K, Refresh Rate: 144 Hz. TCL 98-Inch QM7 QLED 4K Smart QD-Mini LED TV $2,299.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $2,299.99 at Amazon SEE 2 MORE TCL QM7 pros, cons, and specsSpecsType: QLED with QD-Mini LED technology Dimming Zones: Up to 1,240 local dimming zones Brightness: Up to 2,400 nits peak brightness Ports: 4 HDMI inputs (One 4K/144Hz, one 4K/120Hz, one 4K/60Hz, and one eARC/ARC with 4K/60Hz), 2 USB ports (one USB 3.0 and one USB 2.0), 1 Ethernet port, 1 Digital Audio Optical output, 1 Antenna/cable input, 1 RF Input, 1 Headphone output, 1 AV Input (Composite Video + L&R Audio In) Screen Size and Weight: 55-inch model: 28.9 lbs (13.1 kg), 65-inch model: 45.9 lbs (20.8 kg), 75-inch model: 63.1 lbs (28.6 kg), 85-inch model: 81.6 lbs (37 kg), 98-inch model: 130.1 lbs (59 kg) Resolution: 4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160 pixels) HDR Support: HDR ULTRA with Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG Input Lag: Low input lag, enhanced by features like Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, providing a responsive gaming experience. Refresh Rate: 120Hz native panel refresh rate, supporting up to 144Hz Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) Contrast: Enhanced contrast with 1,240 local dimming zones, delivering deep blacks and bright whites Voice Assistant: Built-in Google Assistant; also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit Operating System: Google TV ProsBright with up to 2,400 nits Strong contrast makes colors pop Hands-free Google Assistant Support for most HDR formats Support for Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, Alexa, and Apple HomeKit Native 120Hz and support VRR up to 144Hz ConsColors are saturated out of the box Plastic build feels cheap Stand is wobbly (but you can just mount it) TCL QM7 first impressionsThe QM7 didn't make a good impression out of the box. The plastic build quality was poor and felt cheap and weak. However, as you will read on, this is mainly where TCL made cuts to give such a good value TV. I would much rather have TV companies make cuts on the build than on the specs, ports, formats, or picture quality. Once my TV was set up, none of the physical aspects of the TV mattered. Credit: Daniel Oropeza Design The ports on the QM7. Credit: Daniel Oropeza Thin bezels give this TV a very modern look. The ports on the QM7 are well thought out and will make gamers happy. You have four HDMI ports, two of which are HDMI 2.1, and one of those can handle 4K at 144Hz. Neither of these two is the eARC port, letting you hook up a soundbar without taking one of the good HDMI ports. Good job TCL. The "Ultra-Bass" subwoofer from Onkyo on the back of the TV. Credit: Daniel Oropeza The stand on the QM7 is in the center, with a 3.5-inch gap to place a soundbar. However, I felt the stand was too wobbly, so I opted to mount the TV using a standard VESA bracket for my bedroom. I personally recommend getting a soundbar if you value proper audio. The "Ultra-Bass" subwoofer from Onkyo on the back of the TV looks cool, but it was nothing more than a gimmick. I could not hear any difference in audio, much less in bass, compared to any other TV. Controller of the QM7. Credit: Daniel Oropeza I really like the controller, with an auto-sense backlight that came in pretty handy when I was looking for the controller in pitch darkness. Image Image looks great on a scene from 'Lost.' Credit: Daniel Oropeza The two main things that stood out from the image when I first watched the QM7 were the contrast and brightness. The contrast is powerful, with a native contrast of 8,264;1 and getting up to 66,900: 1, which is better than most non-OLED TVs. Deep blacks look very good, even when next to bright highlights. This is due to the high amount of local dimming zones (1,240 to be exact), which is impressive given the price of this TV. Credit: Daniel Oropeza This TV is also very bright, hitting up to 2,400 nits of peak brightness. This makes it a great TV for a bright living room or a bedroom with a lot of natural light, which is the case in my bedroom. The highlights in dark scenes really stand out in HDR content, and since it supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, I could not think of a better way to put this to the test than by re-watching the darkest episode I could think of, "The Long Night" from Game of Thrones (season 8, episode 3) on Max, which streams in 4K and with Dolby Vision. Dark scene from Game of Thrones where you can see detail in the caves. Credit: Daniel Oropeza I was blown away by how much detail I picked up with the QM7 that I missed the first time I watched the episode. With the QM7 I could see details in caves and fight scenes that I never saw before. Even during the darkest scenes, I could make out what was happening on the screen. There was barely any blooming on the scenes with fire or bright highlights against dark backgrounds (even the subtitles looked good). Credit: Daniel Oropeza The image isn't perfect though, since some black and shadow images do look over-bright (you can fix a lot of this in the settings with the right adjustments though). But overall, it does a great job in most cases, especially in HDR content. Since this is still a VA panel, it does lose some detail and color saturation at certain viewing angles, but it's not terrible. I could still enjoy the details, colors, and brightness sitting from the most extreme angles. Credit: Daniel Oropeza The reflection can be problematic, but mostly when I was watching dark scenes and I had my overhead fan light on and the windows open during the brightest time of the day. When I switched over to bright scenes with the same amount of bright light in my room, the glare was barely noticeable. Credit: Daniel Oropeza FeaturesTCL is one of the TV brands that isn't loyal to one specific HDR format, so you get to enjoy all of them (if that TV offers them). The QM7 offers HDR ULTRA with Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG, covering most of the formats used in premium streaming app subscriptions these days. The HDR Ultra with Dolby Vision IQ adjusts the brightness of the light in your room, which can be a cool feature for those who are sensitive to brightness, but I personally don't enjoy it, so I turned it off. Google TVThe hands-free Google Assistant is responsive and works better than my aging Google Home. Because this is a Google TV, it is compatible with Google Cast, but it's always great to see it supports others like Apple AirPlay, Alexa, and Apple HomeKit. Credit: Daniel Oropeza The Google TV OS is snappy and easy on the eyes. It also comes with many free channels through TCL TV and live Google TV Freeplay. You won't find the latest shows or movies playing, mainly reruns or local live TV, but it's free. GamingThe Xbox Series X/S is the only console that does Dolby Vision (for now), so your results may vary, but my experience was one of the best ones I've had. Using the 4K and 120Hz refresh rate (you can do 144Hz if your computer supports it) in game mode picture setting was beautiful (remember you'll need an Ultra High-Speed HDMI to do this). The colors are radiant, the movements smooth, and the input lag isn't noticeable (6 milliseconds). My only qualm is with the sound delay. When playing games like Halo Infinite or Call of Duty: Black Ops, there is a noticeable delay when shots are fired and when the sound is heard. This can likely be fixed if you hook up a soundbar and adjust the audio delay settings, but I didn't see an option to adjust this with the TVs built-in speakers. Credit: Daniel Oropeza I enjoy having the "information" button on the remote, which shows me if I am actually gaming with the Game Master setting on, the resolution, refresh rate, UHD and FreeSync, and the HDR format (Dolby Vision in my case). You can see what it looks like in the image above. Bottom line Credit: Daniel Oropeza The QM7 is an incredible QLED TV with great value for the money. It is incredibly bright reaching highs of up to 2,400 nits, has a powerful contrast that makes colors pop while keeping deep darks, and very minimal blooming. The up to 1,240 local dimming zones make this TV one of the best value options for picture quality for non-OLEDs. Watching movies or shows is great with HDR support from the most used formats for streaming media. With four HDMI ports all of which can get 4k, and one of which can support VRR and up to 144Hz (separate from the eARC), gamers have plenty of ports to use multiple consoles or products at once. If you're willing to look past the cheap plastic build and wobbly stand (mount it and forget it) this is an incredible budget QLED for the money. You can find the 65-inch for under $700, making it a very competitive TV in the mid-tier TV market. View the full article

There's a lot of advice out there for proper password management: Each of your passwords should be strong and unique; use a secure manager to store your passwords; use two-factor authentication (2FA) to add an extra layer of security to your accounts. But there's another piece of advice that is held in the same regard as the others: Change your passwords often—perhaps once every three months. This habit is so emphasized, many companies and organizations will make you change your passwords multiple times a year in the name of security. The thing is, in all likelihood, this isn't actually doing anything to help your security. This idea that changing your passwords multiple times a year is a cornerstone of your security, might be engrained in some of you. After all, it's not new advice. As PCMag examined, the practice goes back a long time: When security experts write about passwords, they often write about changing passwords, too. It's just the way the advice has been presented. But that's likely because it's anticipating and responding to bad security habits. Good passwords don't (usually) need to be changed Changing your passwords really only makes sense when your passwords are compromised. After all, if no one knows your password, why change it? Still, passwords are cracked all the time. As such, it might seem logical to frequently switch yours up: You never know which of your passwords could be guessed, right? So might as well keep those bad actors on their toes. But let's take a step back: There's no reason any of your passwords should be guessable. If a hacker is able to guess your password, it's a bad password, and you shouldn't have been using it in the first place. I'll take it a step further, and say none of your passwords should be crackable by a computer, either—at least, not on a timeline where it matters. A good password, meaning one that is both strong and unique, is inherently uncrackable. It should be long, varied, and not in use on any other account. It shouldn't matter if the companies that control one of your accounts is breached, because this password is different than that one. You can use a tool like Bitwarden's password tester to see how long different passwords take a computer to crack. "Lifehacker" takes eight seconds to crack. "Lifehackerdaughtcalm" takes centuries. If your password is strong and unique, and takes longer than a human lifetime to theoretically crack, there's no need to change that password in three months time. There's no need to change that password in a year. There's no need to change that password period—unless you're presented with an actual threat. When to change your passwordI'm not saying you should never change your password. You should definitely change it if other people know about it. Most often, that happens when the company that holds your account has a data breach. Let's say AT&T has a mega breach, and authentication data from users is leaked onto the dark web. In that case, you should change your password ASAP. In an event like this, the company in question will probably tell you to do as much, and may even offer you extra perks to make up for the inconvenience of having your data leaked. Of course, data breaches aren't the only times good passwords are discovered. Malware is another threat to look out for. If you fall for a phishing scam, for example, and download malware to your computer, it may monitor and steal your passwords to your sensitive accounts. Or, you may be tricked into opening a fake version of a website you have an account for, typing your username and password into that site, and presto: password compromised. In these cases, your strong and unique password has fallen, so yes, it's time to change it. But barring an actual reason to do so, you don't need to bother with switching it up. To be clear, you're not hurting your security by changing your passwords. In fact, you might not even have a choice, if your company or organization requires you to change your password every so often. But so long as all of your passwords are strong and unique, and none of them are compromised, you're just giving yourself more work without any real gains. Security tips that won't waste your timeWant some real security gains? Store all those strong and unique passwords in a secure password manager. That way, you only need to remember one strong and unique password—the master key to your password manager. In addition, use two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible. 2FA requires a trusted device for secondary authentication after providing the correct password. That way, even if a bad actor knows your password, they won't be able to break in without access to your trusted device. (Just prioritize an authenticator app or security key over SMS authentication.) If it's an option for your accounts, you may want to explore passkeys over passwords, too. Passkeys effectively combine the convenience of passwords with the security of 2FA: They generate a key on your trusted device, which is required when signing into a site. That way, there's no password to steal. As long as you authenticate yourself on the device—say, through Face ID or a PIN—you're in. As long as you make sure each of your accounts is secure using these steps, and you're aware of any data breaches, there's no reason to worry about changing your passwords every three months. Stay secure out there. View the full article

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On a GAAP basis, Intercontinental Exchange's mortgage business has lost money for nine quarters, but a metric that includes Black Knight makes it profitable. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Groceries are damn expensive now, even the basics. Honk if you walked out of the supermarket with one measly bag of food that cost $50. Food shopping is one of those instances where I get mad about it (nothing will stop me from complaining into the void), but in the end, I have to find a way to cook smarter. Here are some of the strategies I use to maximize the money I spend at the grocery store, along with a few of my favorite budget-friendly recipes that are anything but boring. Make proteins work for your budgetThough eating meat will make your grocery bill climb quickly, you don’t need to go without. I eat a variety of proteins and I think that's the key to both decreasing my spending and keeping meals interesting. When buying meat, I recommend dividing it into smaller quantities, so you can use one item—say, a bag of shrimp or a pound of ground turkey—for three to five different meals. Then use the accompanying ingredients to bulk it up. The following recipes include seafood, meat, and plant-based options. All of the recipes are scaled for two servings, so divide or multiply the measurements as needed. Red lentil slow cooker grazing soup Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann Lentils and chickpeas are the heroes in this comforting and satisfying soup. They're full of fiber which you can thank for that full-belly feeling, but equally as pleasant is their low price tag. A pound of dried lentils will only run you a couple bucks (if that) and you'll have plenty leftover to use in other soups. This slow cooker soup is always welcome in my house because you can leave it to cook and stay warm on the counter, so whenever you walk by, you graze on it a little. Ingredients: ½ onion, minced 2 waxy, medium-sized potatoes, cubed ¾ cup chopped carrots ¾ cup dry red lentils 2 cups lacinato kale, de-stemmed and roughly chopped 4 cups chicken broth ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon MSG ¼ teaspoon garlic powder ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper powder 2 teaspoons lemon juice 1 can organic chickpeas (optional), not drained 1. In true lazy slow cooker soup fashion, dump all of the ingredients, except the lemon juice and the can of chickpeas, into the cooker. 2. Cook the soup for 2 hours on high heat, stirring occasionally. Click the cooker over to the warm setting for the rest of the day. Just before eating your first bowl, stir in the lemon juice. 3. If you notice your soup is running low and you don’t want the party to end, stir in the can of chickpeas with its liquid. Air-fried tofu with beet saladAir fried tofu is experiencing major popularity in my household these days. I like to use this recipe for coating firm tofu in nutritional yeast and air frying it until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The beet salad is a simple preparation and always leaves me convinced I should be eating more beets. Ingredients: ¼ red onion, thinly sliced 3 tablespoons white vinegar 1 teaspoon sugar ½ teaspoon salt 1 container firm tofu, drained Neutral oil to coat Nutritional yeast to coat Sprinkle of salt 1-8 ounce pack steamed and peeled beets, quartered 3 cups of spring mix (or any salad greens) 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil Gefen Ready-to-eat Beets A handy 3-pack of ready-to-eat beets $13.79 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg Shop Now Shop Now $13.79 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg 1. Add the sliced onion to a deep salad bowl along with the vinegar, sugar, and salt. Mix it around to coat the onion and let it “pickle” in the liquid while you prepare the meal. 2. Slice the drained tofu into four thick planks. Dab them dry with a paper towel. Spray or drizzle a neutral oil to coat the tofu and sprinkle them with salt. Pour nutritional yeast onto a plate and press the tofu into it until completely coated. Air fry the planks at 400°F for 10 to 15 minutes, or until crispy on the outside. 3. Add the beets and spring mix to the bowl of onions and toss with the olive oil until coated. Plate the crispy tofu alongside the salad and serve. Khao Tom Goong (Thai shrimp and rice soup)This soup is great for any time of day, so don’t hesitate, even if it’s 8 in the morning. I’ll buy a pound of raw, deveined frozen shrimp from Trader Joe’s for about $12 and use it for several meals, including this one. It’s filling, satisfying, and you can use leftover rice to keep the preparation quick. Ingredients: 1 teaspoon cooking oil 1 clove garlic, chopped 8 raw, tail-on deveined shrimp, thawed (if frozen) Pinch salt Dash fish sauce 1 cup chicken broth (or any broth) 1 cup rice, cooked Garnish with chopped cilantro, fried garlic, and sliced ginger 1. Heat the oil in a medium pot with the garlic on low heat. Once the garlic starts to gently sizzle, add the shrimp. Sprinkle in the salt as you flip the shrimp. After a minute or so, when the shrimp is halfway cooked, add a dash of fish sauce and the broth. 2. Add in the rice and allow the soup to come up to a simmer for two minutes. Serve the soup topped with plenty of fried garlic, cilantro, and ginger. Cold ramen noodle salad Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann This noodle-y salad feels like a fun treat, makes enough for two servings, and will leave you with veggies to spare and use for other meals. The instant noodles are quick to cook and add necessary bulk so you walk away from the table satiated. Thinly sliced veggies bring in the nutrients, while the bright and flavorful dressing brings the whole dish to life. While you'll see asparagus in my recipe, it's more important to use seasonal veggies to keep the cost down. You can always rely on carrots, bell peppers, scallions, or snow peas to be affordable and available year-round. Feel free to swap out the noodles for a couple servings of cooked and drained pasta or a cup of cooked, warm rice. Ingredients: 1 pack ramen noodles, boiled and drained Drizzle of neutral oil for the ramen noodles 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar ½ tablespoon white balsamic vinegar 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil ½ teaspoon salt ½ English cucumber, smashed and cut into 1-inch chunks ¼ red bell pepper, sliced 2 asparagus spears, sliced (optional) 5-10 sugar snap peas, sliced Cooked chicken breast slices or a handful of cooked shrimp (optional) 1. Toss the drained ramen noodles with a drizzle of oil to keep them from sticking in a clump. Chill the noodles in the fridge. 2. In a serving bowl, combine the vinegars, sesame oil, and salt. Add the cucumber, pepper, asparagus, and snap peas. Toss. Add the chilled ramen noodles and toss until thoroughly combined. Serve and top with sliced chicken. Frozen dumplings and broccoliThis recipe is barely a recipe. Besides adding sauce to the broccoli, it’s pretty much exactly what it sounds like: dumplings and broccoli. Somehow, I find it to be a meal I always look forward to. It’s vital that you use frozen dumplings you actually like. Once again, I frequent Trader Joe’s for the affordable frozen gyoza, but if you can, I recommend stopping by an Asian supermarket for well-priced, delicious dumplings. Ingredients: 1-16 ounce bag frozen pork gyoza (substitute any filling) 2 cups fresh broccoli florets 2 tablespoons Bachan’s Original Japanese Barbecue Sauce (substitute soy sauce) Bachan's Original Japanese Barbecue Sauce This flavorful condiment delivers tons of umami to any meal. $7.98 at Walmart $8.49 Save $0.51 Shop Now Shop Now $7.98 at Walmart $8.49 Save $0.51 1. Place a steamer basket in a large pot with a half-inch of water in the bottom. Add the frozen dumplings to the steamer and cover the pot with a lid. Steam the dumplings over medium heat for five minutes. 2. Open the pot and dump the broccoli florets over the dumplings and replace the lid. Steam the contents for another five minutes. The broccoli should be cooked but slightly crunchy, and the dumplings will be cooked through. Toss the broccoli with the sauce (or leave it on the side for dipping). Plate the dumplings with the broccoli on the side. Pantry pastaWhen you’re looking for a recipe that sticks to your ribs without breaking the budget, pasta is a reliable ally. This is a simple recipe where any protein can substitute in, and the “sauce” is butter. You can use any bean to pair with your pasta, but I use peas here because I always have them in the freezer. If you’re looking for a red sauce pasta idea, try my dairy-free vodka sauce recipe. Ingredients: Cooking oil to coat the pot 8 ounces ground turkey 1 shallot (or quarter-onion), minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced ½ teaspoon salt 4 mushrooms, chopped ⅓ cup frozen peas ½ teaspoon garlic powder 4 ounces any pasta, boiled (I like rigatoni for this) 2 tablespoons salted butter 1. Add oil to a medium pot, enough to coat the bottom, and heat it over medium-low. Add the ground turkey and break it apart into small hunks while it cooks. When it’s halfway cooked through, add the shallot, garlic, salt, and mushrooms. 2. Cook the mixture until the shallot has softened and the mushrooms are plump. Add the peas and garlic powder. Stir and allow the peas to heat through. Add the cooked pasta with a spoonful of the pasta water, turn off the heat and add the butter. Toss gently until the butter melts. Serve in bowls. Hot chicken sausage and veggiesAs I mentioned earlier, I find it easier to stretch protein when it’s presented in smaller bits. It’s more of a mind game, and I play it on myself. Serving a three-ounce steak will look meager on the plate, but chop it up and mix it with things and you’ve got a hearty helping. You can use any sausage you like, but I like chicken sausage for this because it doesn’t feel as heavy as pork. Ingredients: Cooking oil to coat the pan 2 links of pre-cooked chicken sausage 1 medium onion, peeled and sliced 1 red bell pepper, deseeded and sliced 4 mushrooms ½ teaspoon garlic powder ½ teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon hot sauce ½ tablespoon soy sauce 1 cup cooked rice Aidells Smoked Chicken Sausage, Garlic & Gruyere Cheese, 4 Ct Fully cooked, hardwood smoked sausages. $4.98 at Walmart $0.00 Save 0.00 Shop Now Shop Now $4.98 at Walmart $0.00 Save 0.00 1. Slice the sausages in half lengthwise. Then cut them across into half-inch wide chunks. Peel and slice the onion into strips. Deseed the pepper and cut it into strips about the same size as the onion. Quarter the mushrooms. 2. Coat the bottom of a medium pot with a neutral cooking oil. Heat it over medium-low heat and add the sausage pieces and veggies. Sauté everything until the onions begin to sweat and soften. Add the garlic powder and salt, and stir to incorporate. Stir in the hot sauce and soy sauce to coat. Serve the hot chicken and veggies over rice. View the full article

IDEAS shared have the power to expand perspectives, change thinking, and move lives. Here are two ideas for the curious mind to engage with: I. Jonah Sachs on the expert’s trap: “While expertise can make us enormously efficient at playing an established game, it can also make us slower to realize when the game has changed and less able to respond to those changes. Our expert’s mind, so used to moving quickly and efficiently, tries to fit new information into old boxes so it can use its rapid processing power. ‘Oh, that’s just a new flavor of an old problem,’ our expert brain says. Too often it’s not. After all, most of the problems we face in a world of rapid change have little in common with a two-dimensional chessboard with rules that never change.” Source: Unsafe Thinking: How to be Nimble and Bold When You Need It Most II. Robert Pirsig on egotistical endeavors: “When you try to climb a mountain to prove how big you are, you almost never make it. And even if you do it’s a hollow victory. In order to sustain the victory you have to prove your self again and again in some other way, and again and again and again, driven forever to fill a false image, haunted by the fear that the image is not true and someone will find out.” Source: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance * * * Look for these ideas every Thursday on the Leading Blog. Find more ideas on the LeadingThoughts index. * * * Follow us on Instagram and X for additional leadership and personal development ideas. View the full article

One of Apple's best recent features is iPhone mirroring, which lets you control an iPhone from a Mac. Scrcpy is a free application for Linux, Windows, and macOS that does the same thing: It allows you to control your Android phone from a window on your computer. This application takes a bit to set up—it launches from the terminal or command prompt, for one thing, and it only works if you enable developer mode on your Android phone. Once you set it up, though, you can control your Android's screen from your computer, or even turn on a virtual screen so you can launch applications while your phone is off. To get started, you will need to install Scrcpy (which is just "screen copy" without the vowels). The simplest way to do this is by using a package manager like Homebrew on the Mac or Scoop for Windows. Linux users can use whatever package manager came with their distribution. Using a package manager is recommended because it will also install all dependencies, which is to say it will install all of the tools and drivers you need to use in order to get the application working. If you don't have a package manager, or just prefer not using one, you can download the latest release and try to run it directly. There are instructions for Linux, macOS, and Windows on the Github page. This is going to be the harder option, though. You will need to ensure all dependencies are installed, so check the documentation for more details. As always, be careful where you download the application. Do not download Scrcpy from a third party website—stick to either a package manager mentioned in the documentation or download it from the official Github page. After installing, you need to enable USB debugging on your phone, which requires enabling developer mode. To start, head to Settings > About phone and tap the Build Number until you see a message that say You are now a developer. This will open a new sub-menu under System called Developer options. Open that and turn on USB Debugging. You should now see a message about the feature when you plug in your phone. Credit: Justin Pot Plug your phone into your computer and you can start controlling your Android. The simplest way to get started it to simply type scrcp in the command prompt or terminal—this will take control of your phone. You can even open the camera app and point it at your screen to create an extremely confusing screenshot, if you want. Apple doesn't let you use the camera while mirroring an iPhone. This app does what Appledon't. Credit: Justin Pot If this doesn't work, there are a number of things you can check. The first is whether you installed all dependencies. The simplest way to solve this is to use a package manager instead of installing directly. On Windows, you might not have the correct drivers installed, or you might not have enabled USB debugging. Check the official FAQ for more details. By default, you get an exact recreation of what's currently on your phone, but it doesn't have to be that way. For example: You can have a virtual display for your phone on your computer, allowing you to run Android apps while your phone's screen is turned off. Just type scrcpy --new-display=1920x1080 and you're off and running. This is great if there are Android games you want to play on your computer. If you just want to use your computer's mouse and keyboard to control your phone, but not see the display on your screen, you can do that with scrcpy --otg and you can do that. There's a lot more you can do, though. I'd highly recommend digging into the documentation to learn about that. I promise it's fun. View the full article