Mobile Video Aggregate Apps

In addition to revolutionizing the business world, mobile devices have completely transformed our ability to kill time. No longer will we ever find ourselves twiddling thumbs in an airport or staring blankly at the floor while waiting in line. With a world of video entertainment right at our fingertips, keeping busy is easier than ever before, but it can quickly become overwhelming.

Fortunately, a number of video aggregate apps have made their way onto the mobile circuit, making it much easier to find and organize your favorite online media. Apps like Showyou and Plizy collect and organize videos and media from your selected social networks, while also loading relevant video content based on clips you’ve watched or “liked”. These completely free apps also allow users to choose their favorite video posters, and easily explore the best of their content in a smooth, fluid, Flipboard-style layout.

Whether your mobile video viewing is a daily habit or simply a passing interest, downloading any of the free mobile video aggregate apps will surely improve your time online. But, they can eat up a lot of time as well, so try not to get too attached!

Improving Browser Security

Even if your computer is protected with up-to-date virus blocking software, malware can still take advantage of several vulnerabilities in your web browser. To prevent these kinds of attacks, use the following tips to help improve browser safety.

Many browsers require the addition of certain plug-ins, like Java, Flash and Shockwave to view or run certain applications and codes. Unfortunately, these plug-ins also open doors for predatory programs to creep into your computer. By turning off these plug-ins when they aren’t in use, you can cut off a key point of attack for many dangerous programs. Then, you can reactivate them with one click one needed.

Internet Explorer: Under the “Tools” menu on your browser toolbar, select “Manage Add-ons”. When the Add-on manager appears, simply highlight the utility you’d like to turn off, then click “disable” in the field below. Repeat process, then click “enable” to reactivate at any time.

Mozilla Firefox: Under the “Tools” menu on your browser toolbar, select “Add-ons”. A new tab should appear with the heading “Add-ons Manager”. Locate the plug-in you’d like to turn off and click the “disable” button on the right. Repeat and click enable to reactivate at any time.

Google Chrome: Enter “chrome://plugins/” into the URL field in your browser. From that page, locate the plug-in you’d like to turn off and click “disable”. Repeat and click “enable” to reactivate at any time.

Check back next month for more tips about improving browser security.

Home Energy Saving Tips

Families all over the country are looking for ways to save a few pennies here and there. Fortunately, cutting down your monthly energy bill is as easy as turning off some of your favorite tech (when not in use, of course). Use these easy tips to help bring that unruly power bill down to a more manageable level.

• Turn off the lights, TV and air conditioner when you leave the house. Unplug appliances and cell phone chargers when not in use.

• Switch to CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulbs to save energy and money.

• Program your thermostat to regulate different temperatures for days and nights. There's no need to crank the AC or heat when no one’s home.

• In the cooler months, reduce cold air leaks by installing plastic window energy conservation kits, so you can set your thermostat lower.

• Wrap your hot water heater in an insulating blanket to conserve energy. You might even consider replacing your water heater with a pump or tankless unit.

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Indoor Composting

If you’re limited on yard space but still want to put a dent in the volume of kitchen waste your home produces, consider investing in one of the many indoor composting devices on the market. There are plenty of different commercial products available to help get your indoor compost pile going. Some use chemical compounds to expedite breaking down food waste, while others use electric heating elements. One of the most effective means, however, is vermicomposting. The process uses red worms to digest and process your kitchen waste into a potable fertilizer, ready for the garden.

Don’t be frightened by the prospect of worms in the kitchen. Most of the worm bins on the market are clean, secure and effective. With some reliable ventilation and temperature control, these little guys will cut your kitchen waste by 60% or more.

This Month in Tech History

Among the myriad of critical technological developments that took place in the month January are two very disparate landmarks that each made a major impact in their own way. First, 1922 saw the earliest applications of insulin treatments for diabetics. The extracted hormone has since helped millions of sufferers manage the illness with regular injections.

Less than 25 years later, eager ears were treated to the first 45 rpm records. At only 7” wide, these diminutive discs could hold as much material as a regular sized 78 with much improved portability. Pop singles were never the same!

One final note: we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the fact that Sir Issac Newton’s birthday is celebrated by great minds around the world every January 4th. Newton, of course formulated laws of motion and gravitation.