Pickleball has been called the “fastest growing sport in America” and it’s easy to see why. Throughout the pandemic, the sport moved out of retirement homes and into the mainstream. Now famous athletes like Lebron James have started their own league and millions of people are playing every day. What’s the history behind this sport and why has it become so popular?
How NASA plans to back up data on lunar soil
Let me ask you a question: Do you think the cloud is a safe place to back up your data, the world’s treasures and government secrets? In a world of increasing breaches, hackers and threats, even cloud storage might not be enough.
Welcome to the next frontier: Lunar backups. NASA is teaming up with Lonestar, a Florida-based startup, and the Isle of Man, that self-governing British Crown Dependency you might’ve never heard of, to store data on the moon. Think of it like the ultra-secure Fort Knox but for digital information.
🚀 Blockchain goes intergalactic
How do you keep data safe on the moon? By using a blockchain — the same tech behind crypto. It ensures data is secure, genuine and tamper-proof. This isn’t your mom’s filing cabinet; it’s out of this world.
The first data cube, “Freedom,” landed on the moon in February 2024, proving the concept works. Lonestar’s first commercial mission takes off in 2026. Oh, and the Isle of Man’s post office got in on the fun, too, sending digital stamps to the moon. Now that’s first-class mail.
🌝 Why the moon?
The moon isn’t becoming a storage locker for your embarrassing selfies. The mission is first to preserve humanity’s crown jewels — our most vital data. Think of it as Earth’s external hard drive or a modern Library of Alexandria (hopefully, with a less tragic end).
What’s on the moon-bound list? Obvious candidates include:
- Scientific research: DNA sequencing data, climate models and pandemic studies.
- Cultural archives: Literary classics, historical texts and digitized art collections.
- Financial records: Stock market data, transaction histories and economic models.
- Health care information: Genome mapping and medical research.
- National security data: Sensitive classified information.
- Tech blueprints: Designs for critical infrastructure, from power plants to the internet backbone.
- “The Kim Komando Show”: Audio files of all my shows, because they’re that important to all mankind. (OK, I made that up!)
🌎 Earth vs. the moon
Not everyone’s on board with storing data on the moon. It’s not like you can send a tech to fix things. And retrieving something? Think “break glass in case of emergency,” not your daily backup.
Accessing lunar data would take spacecraft, encryption and dealing with space itself. Long-term storage? Sure. Easy? Not at all.
15 out-of-the-box ways to make extra cash from anywhere
By now, you probably know that you don’t have to leave home to make money. After all, many companies sent employees home to work during the pandemic. But even if you aren’t a salaried employee, you can still make a living from the comfort of your own home.
It's official: Facebook censors your opinions
Mark Zuckerberg is now apologizing for censoring conservative views during the pandemic. But the real shocker? He claims it was under pressure from the White House.
🍿 Minecraft mayhem: Minecraft meets real-life survival mode. Teens are going wild for the new Minecraft movie, shouting, tossing snacks, spraying lotion on seats and someone even let live chickens loose. Why? Many kids got hooked on the game during the pandemic. Now they’re letting all that nostalgia loose in the form of chaos. Talk about a block party!
Need some extra cash? 15 jobs you can do from home
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Working remotely isn’t suitable for everybody. But in the wake of the pandemic, it has seen a considerable boon globally. Tap or click here for legit ways to find work-from-home jobs.
If you’re interested in earning a living from home, there is no better time to get involved with the right opportunity.
How to rock a remote interview: Tips for shining over the phone or on video
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Remote interviews are the present and the future. Why? The pandemic forced many companies nationwide to move to a remote system nearly overnight.
Now that we’ve been operating remotely for a while, many employers have seen the positive benefits of having remote employees. Increased productivity is one of them.
The one thing that kept airlines afloat
COVID impacted a ton of industries, and airlines were no exception. People traveled less, and that meant less income. But there’s a surprising way airlines make money, and it only became clear during the pandemic.
🚲 A big hill to climb: Peloton’s dropped three of its star instructors from its roster. Their money situation is shaky at best, and there’s a rumored private equity takeover coming. I guess their overnight success might’ve just been a flash in the pan (or a stationary bike in the pandemic).
Best gigs for seniors to make extra cash without a 9 to 5 job
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You may need or want to make some extra money after you’ve retired, but it can be tough to find full-time, in-person work after being away from the employment scene for a while. Not only are jobs hard to come by, but competition is stiff.
Zoom's fall from grace
Why has Zoom been struggling since the pandemic ended? Here’s the full story, in 60 seconds.
Package theft up 47% in December - Protect your gifts!
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If you’ve ever ordered a package from an online store, there’s a chance someone snatched your goodies. Last month, porch pirates stole 47% more packages than they did in November 2021, RetailDive reports. You’re especially at risk if you order clothes, books, toys, games, groceries or health products.
Shock about new online dating trend
Is sex appeal the key to online dating success? It used to be, but the pandemic changed our relationship goals. Here’s the new top priority, in 60 seconds.
3 work from home mistakes you're making
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We’re beyond the two-year mark of working from home here at Komando.com. There’s a good chance you’re not far behind.
All these months later, you might still be making a few mistakes that make getting your job done harder than it needs to be. Hopefully, by this point, you’ve figured out Zoom or whatever video chat program your company uses.
5 silly mistakes putting your online privacy and security at huge risk
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There are so many online scams and tricks out there I can’t cover them all on my website and national radio show. I make it my duty to inform you of the tactics bad actors use to fool you.
A great podcast was the episode when I dove into the mind of a hacker. Tap or click to listen to an episode of my podcast, Kim Komando Today, with an IBM social engineer. She spills the secrets hackers use to scare and confuse people.
CDC got your cell phone records to track your every move
Did you know the CDC watched your every move during the pandemic? Here’s how they did it, in 60 seconds.
Need to set up a security system? Hire the pros
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DIY projects have gotten incredibly popular during the pandemic. Folks are posting videos of themselves crafting slime — and sometimes spilling it everywhere. Some people are creating their own robots, NFTs and more.
Covid changed TV forever
Wondering how the pandemic impacted America’s TV viewing habits? Listen now to find out what the executives learned.
8 ways travelers can save time and travel safer
Many people shelved their wanderlust during the pandemic. Now that things are back to normal, it’s time to start exploring life again. If you’re dreaming about a big vacation, you’re not alone.
A study by Expedia says 37% of American travelers are planning international and domestic trips next year. As they say, go big or go home — but no matter where you go, you should prioritize your safety. Tap or click here for five tips to keep you safe while you travel.