Social media platforms are hotbeds for fake news. What is Twitter’s latest plan to battle false and dangerous info? A warning that leaves me asking … Really? That’s all you got?
Working from home: The tech you need to get the job done
As the news director for Komando.com, I spend a lot of time researching topics and staying on top of current events. That part of the job description has only increased since our staff began working from home two months ago.
And while our goal has always been to keep you informed through Kim’s show, this website and our other platforms, now a big focus has been placed on keeping you and your family safe. Tap or click here to read Kim’s column that explains why it’s so important that you sanitize Amazon packages and handle food properly during this pandemic.
Part of doing my job requires the right amount of tech at my fingertips, whether at the office or now at home. Here are a few tips to turn your home office into a powerhouse of efficiency, and some of what you need might already be lying around the house.
Tech used to find the news
I take tech pretty seriously, which is why I’m here in the first place. But I’ve always been an early adopter of gadgets for as long as I can remember. That’s important to know because my home office setup is a little more souped-up than the average corner desk in the guest room.
The brains of the operation
I’m not going to get into a debate about PCs versus Macs, or desktops versus laptops. Use what works for you, just make sure the specs are right for the job you perform. Tap or click here for 10 of the biggest differences between PC and Mac explained.
Personally, I need a fairly powerful machine because of the work I do and the sheer amount of peripherals I have hooked up. My desktop PC has a quad-core i5 Intel processor (albeit one that’s a few years old) and 16GB of RAM. Here’s why:
First of all, I’m not a gamer (or a 911 dispatcher) even though I run two 27-inch monitors and one 34-inch ultrawide up top. I also occasionally use my iPad as a fourth monitor even though at times it seems a little excessive. Don’t judge, and yes, the screens are intentionally blurred in the image above.
Not quite information overload
The screens aren’t just for show, particularly the pretty standard two-monitor setup. I use one of those lower screens for anything I’m writing on a particular day or another project I’m actively working on. The other I typically use for quick reference and research. It’s very helpful when I’m planning and assigning stories to staff and freelance writers. Although not the same brand, here’s something similar.
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Start 2020 right with the Komando Community
The internet is a dangerous place. Hackers and scammers are everywhere, and big tech companies thrive on collecting and selling your data.
That’s why Kim and the team created the ad-free Komando Community. If you’re looking for a safe place to get answers to your digital questions, meet others who share your interests and get exclusive access to Kim’s trusted advice, look no further. The best part? We’ll never sell your data to advertisers.
How to get the lowest price on Amazon
Online shopping has revolutionized the way we buy things. You can find whatever you want, from car accessories and groceries to office supplies and sporting equipment. It’s the perfect way to get what you’re looking for without too much effort. But with so many good deals all around, how do you know that you’re really getting the absolute lowest price?
There is truly no place left to hide online
Maybe you’re the one person who has never had a Twitter or Facebook account. The massive social media network computers don’t know anything about you, right? Wrong. In this podcast, Kim looks at recent research that shows that even though you have never been on social media, these companies still know what you like, dislike, and how you respond to situations.
Terms of service killed your privacy
Each time you “click here to agree,” a piece of your privacy dies. Most of us use smartphones, Facebook, Twitter, Google and dozens of other apps. Each one makes you agree to a contract that you likely didn’t read. Do you know what you’ve given up? Click here to listen to my free Komando on Demand podcast about how our need for convenience is coming at a very high price.
The first city to scan residents' social media posts
California becomes the first city to monitor its residents’ social media posts. Artificial Intelligence will scan Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram daily. Click on this Consumer Tech Update for more on this innovative idea and why it may not be a bad one!