Shopping Product Reviews

Become a game tester and have a super cool and fun job

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I grew up with video games during the era of Super Nintendo games. My first console was a Sega Genesis, my first game was the original Sonic the Hedgehog. In that game alone I fell in love with video games and it’s a love that hasn’t been broken since I was about 6 years old (I’m 23 now). When I was around 18 years old, I started wondering how I could become a game tester, since EA Sports is just a short drive from where I live. It took me about a year to get my tester job, but with the information that’s available now, you could be a game tester in a couple of months if you know what you’re doing.

Having the game tester job is a very fun and enjoyable job, but also a very important job. It goes way beyond just “paying to play video games all day,” which is a common misconception of this job. You’re going to be testing the games you play for bugs, but you’re going to be testing certain titles that haven’t been released to the public yet. This is a great job, because you get to do what you love and get paid for it too. Some people have a hard time believing that they can actually get a job like this, but it’s true, and they’re out there. Game companies need a lot more testers than you think. One of the best parts of this deal is that you could advance to “career” minded positions if you become a tester at a company and stick around long enough. You may not end up with a college degree in programming, but you’ll learn a little here and there while you’re on the job, so you can eventually advance. Basically, by starting out as a tester, you could end up with a career, in a field that you are truly passionate about. Not many people can honestly say that about their work.

If you want to become a game tester, you definitely have a good chance to become a game tester. It’s just a matter of doing your homework before you apply and knowing what you’re getting into before you jump.

Sports

Football Bet Sports 101 – Where to place a good bet

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Football fans believe that betting on spreads nets you a million fortunes in sports betting. It is not so simple. Winning a series of bets is a bit difficult. Experts say starting with spreads is a good option, but it doesn’t work that way. These are the things you need to know before placing your bet.

o Sports bookmakers advise punters to place a $100 bet as a start. Although this seems to be the best way to start, you can collect your own sum of bets. Professionals typically place up to $20,000 per game, while online sports bettors place as little as $1. It really is up to you how much you want to place.

o Locate the best betting outlet. If you’re close to the gaming capital like Las Vegas, you don’t need to go far. If you live far from the gambling towns, you may need to find a bookie, which is a person who arranges the betting. If you are really busy or away from gambling venues, you may want to try gambling online. Whichever exit is most convenient for you, take it. As long as you can manage the point of sale you have chosen, you will have a good chance with your bet.

o After selecting the location, the next step is to find the best bet. The most common soccer bet is the point spread. Here, people favor the strong team over the weak team. They will study the team that seems to outperform the other team and carefully predict the win of your bet on that team. This is the easy bet. Some bets are made up of seasons or leagues. The bets depend on your patience to study the game of the best team.

o Now that you know the bet you want, the next step should be to go online and place your bet. Of course, you will choose to bet on the winning team. Choosing seems like the easy part when it comes to predicting who will win. Currently, this is not true. You need to carefully focus on team ranks, picks, and team player scores. Here you will know who is the best player and if your team is really the best or not. When you predict the best team, you need proof to be really sure of making that bet. While soccer betting sports is on the rise, you still need to be careful when placing bets.

o Starting with a bet still costs more than a penny. For example, if you place a bet of $10, you are likely to get a payout of $9.10. So if you want $10 in your pocket, place a bet of $11. Sports bookmakers usually get their commission on their bets because this is their way of making a profit. So don’t be surprised. As I said before, betting on the winning team is expected. This is known as the “house edge”. It is one of the oldest forms of gambling, but it still works.

Always remember that placing your sports bets doesn’t just mean looking at ranges, selections, bet types and antees. In the end, what matters is how well you manipulate all these factors. The game of soccer is a difficult bet. It not only takes away your capital. It also plays with your emotions, so take advantage of it.

Tours Travel

Netsh Pop-Up and how to fix it

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Note: These events are based on problems I experience with my own personal computer. The instructions below should not be considered a panacea for this problem. This is a list of the steps I used to fix my computer system from the netsh.exe popup. Your situation may be similar, but different. If all else fails, consult a professional computer technician.

If you are one of those who have been trying to fix the annoying netsh.exe popup, this may help.

I’m running Windows XP Pro and first encountered this problem around the first week of July 2007. I don’t know if these two are related to the problem, but I downloaded and installed Windows Service Pack 3.

My antivirus program is CA Antivirus 2009 and I have Network Magic installed.

I searched online to find out what the hell netsh.exe was. Was it a virus? No, it’s not! Netsh.exe is part of the Windows XP files.

Now, let’s put this all together!

The problem:

CA quarantines the netsh.exe file as a virus. [False positive reading from the CA antivirus program.]

When CA removed the netsh.exe file, the Network Magic nmctxth.exe file was looking for this file and did not see it to function.

The result was the annoying netsh.exe pop-up.

I did a search on my computer and sure enough netsh.exe was missing.

The solution:

Put the netsh.exe file back in its original location. Since CA removed it, I just had to tell it to put it back.

Note: I checked a computer that didn’t have this problem and here are the locations of the netsh.exe file.

Here are the steps on how I got CA to restore my netsh.exe.

1. I located my CA Antivirus program by going to my Start button and clicking on it; which opens the menu and button for my CA Antivirus.

Now, your computer may not have it in the same location. From the Start button, you may need to click the All Programs button to locate it. If you can’t find it there, you should be able to click My Computer, go to your C: drive, go to the Program Files folder and open it, go to the CA folder and open it, go to CA Internet Security Suite and open it, go to CA Anti-Virus folder and open it, locate the caav icon. Double click on it.

2. Click the Quarantine button, which will show you all the files that CA has quarantined. There were two locations of netsh.exe on my system.

3. Click on the first netsh.exe file in the list to highlight it.

4. With the file highlighted, click the Restore button. This process will restore or move your netsh.exe file back to it’s original location. You should get a message that your file has been restored.

5. Repeat this process for the remaining netsh.exe files.

6. You may also receive a note with a box telling CA not to try to quarantine this file again. If so, check that box to prevent CA from quarantining the file again. Close the antivirus window of your CA.

This process should take care of your netsh.exe popup, it did.

If you know someone with this type of problem, send them this eBook.

Thanks for your time and I hope it helps.

Arts Entertainments

So what is all this about homeowners reselling solar power to the province of Ontario?

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What exactly is the new feed in rates program?

A feed-in tariff program is one way for governments to kickstart the third industrial revolution that is migrating from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.

It usually consists of providing long-term contracts to industry and the population by buying energy generated by solar, wind, biogas or water from them. The prices of the contracts will be calculated based on the investment made and a good return on investment, sufficient to encourage the movement.

In our centralized grid-based power system, we will move from large power plants to a distributed power system. For small systems under 10kw this is not a problem, but for larger systems some local economic testing should be done to make sure it is worth the investment in a particular area by the power companies to change the cables and transformers to accept the new power.

How long has this program been running?

The new FIT program began last October. It has two parts, the FIT and the microFIT for systems less than 10Kw. The FIT program has been very successful to date with 2900Mw of contracts awarded so far.

Under the microFIT program, the initial goal is about 100,000 people. Some 16,000 applications have been received so far; most of these for agricultural ground mounting systems. Only about 3,500 rooftop contracts have been awarded so far.

How does this benefit Ontario homeowners?

There are two main benefits: directly to the owner and then in full to Ontario.

1. First, to encourage homeowners to participate in the program, the return on investment has been set at around 8%. This means that you can sign a 20-year contract with the Ontario Power Authority and create a small electricity generation business. The 8% ROI is calculated based on the purchase and installation costs of a renewable energy system such as solar panels. This is new to the Province and you can expect prices to change as the costs of renewable energy systems come down, however the 8% ROI should stay the same.

2. The big picture is that it drives a renewable energy industry, creating jobs and reducing our carbon footprint. We moved to a distributed energy production from a centralized system, so we eliminate the need to build new and expensive power plants, we can turn off coal plants and reduce the import of expensive and dirty energy during our peak loads in the summer , therefore, reducing air pollution. and saving money.

How does it really work?

You should see it as a small business that generates energy. It connects to the grid and feeds its neighborhood. Solar panels are installed on the roof, connected to a disconnect switch and then through a production meter to the grid. You will still have your consumption meter for your usual use of the time of day. You will receive an invoice for consumption and a check from your LDC for production.

We know how bureaucratic the province can be – how complicated is the registration process?

The microFIT process for systems less than 10kWh is very simple. For a homeowner, the application is done online. After about 6 weeks, a response arrives with a conditional offer. The homeowner sees to it that the solar panels are installed, inspections and permits have to be done of course, then the local power company hooks up a production meter and you’re producing! You receive a contract offer from the takeover bid that you must accept within 45 days. Then you wait for the first check. Some systems allow you to monitor your solar panels online so you can see your output by the hour, day, week, etc.

What are the best systems?

There are really 6 things the owner needs to keep in mind:

1. National content. First, it is absolutely imperative that homeowners understand that there is a 60% local content requirement, which ensures Ontarians that their tax money stays in Ontario. Currently offshore panels are allowed this year, but this will end on December 31, 2010.

2. Quality system. I urge all homeowners to make sure they buy quality Canadian-made systems that are built to last.

3. Professional analysis. I also recommend that you have a professional solar analyst conduct an evaluation of your potential solar installation to provide a realistic estimate of performance and detail any difficulties with the installation that may result in additional expense. All this must be taken into account when calculating the return on investment.

4. Avoid unrealistic returns on investment. Avoid any provider that gives you crazy ROIs; I have seen quote 25%; this is totally unreal.

5. Research the products. Solar panels come in monocrystalline and polycrystalline formats. The mono is pure silicon and is more expensive, but also a bit more efficient. Polyethylene panel is less expensive, has a shorter carbon offset life, and is generally larger in size. Carbon offset or carbon neutral life means the amount of renewable electricity you produce that offsets the amount of carbon that was produced to make the panel, usually 4 years. Solar panels can be mounted on sloped or flat roofs, ground and pole mount tracking systems.

6. System design. There are also a couple of different system designs: microinverters where the panel produces 240 grid-like AC, and string inverters that are high voltage (and very dangerous) DC. The string inverter design is much like Christmas lights, when you pull one out, they all go out. The microinverter design is superior because shading affects only one panel, rather than all. They also emit a data signal for web monitoring.

How expensive is it and what is the return on investment?

ROI is typically 8% and systems are typically 100% financed. The system pays for itself in 7-9 years. The average homeowners 3Kw system will generate around $3000 per year depending on site and shade. A 3Kw system will cost around $25,000 installed for an Ontario manufactured system.

How much space does it take up?

Typically, you’ll install it on a south-facing sloped roof; however, SE and SW also work very well. You’ll want to install as many panels as possible, since adding later to the contract will require a renegotiation of your contract.

If you are a farmer with a lot of space, I would consider a tracking system. They are more expensive but also more efficient as they follow the sun.

Do you need a particular roof or structure?

Your roof must be solid. A good analyst will check your roof from the attic. If you have multiple shingles, I may recommend replacing them to avoid having to uninstall and reinstall the panels later. Keep in mind that panels will make your shingles last longer.

If your roof doesn’t look solid I would recommend getting it checked out by an engineer, you may need to install better support such as blocks between the joists.

Can it be installed on the ground?

Absolutely, ground mount systems similar to flat roof systems can be pointed directly south. These are typically ballast-type systems, meaning concrete blocks support a mounting system and the panels are installed at the ideal angle. Tracker pole mount systems are also available in various sizes up to 10 Kw or around 50 panels.

What kind of maintenance does this system need?

Typical maintenance would be an annual checkup: clean panels, make sure wiring is ok, tighten bolts, etc. Other than that, with no moving parts, the system is virtually maintenance free.

Are parts freely available?

This depends on where you bought them. If you’ve decided on Ontario-made, which is mandatory next year anyway, then parts won’t be an issue.

With the amount of technology and innovation being introduced each year, how long will it be before this system becomes obsolete?

I ran a Solar Laboratory, one of only 5 in the world. Trust me, you have to rely on technology that has been tried and tested and in use around the world for the last 30 years. The space program is still installing silicon solar cells on spacecraft because they are reliable and robust.

New technologies such as thin-film solar cells are still at a very early stage. Accelerated life tests show that thin-film technology doesn’t like the sun, it quickly deteriorates when exposed to the sun.

And what happens when the sun doesn’t shine?

Well, even on a cloudy day you will produce some electricity. When the system is designed, the degradation is calculated in. This accounts for cloudy days, air pollution, inverter efficiency, bird droppings, dirt and dust, snow, etc. Be sure to take degradation into account when analyzing your final potential production numbers.

How many homes has The Energy Store equipped with solar panels? Do you have any anecdotes or success stories?

This is very new since last October. With our partners, we have installed over 100 systems to date, but this is just the beginning. We now have over 30 analysts across Ontario and expect to sell 500-1000 systems in the next year. Considering that there are 100,000 households expected to install a system, we expect to expand fairly quickly. An anecdote would be that wherever we install a system we get 5 or 6 homeowners from the same street asking about the system and when can they get one!

Are Ontarians and Torontonians more open to environmental solutions that may cost a little more in the short term?

We are all part of the planet; little by little we are realizing the need to abandon fossil fuels and change our society to one that is associated with our biosphere. I think everyone is now more aware than ever and open to investing in solutions that will improve our planet.

Where can homeowners go for more information?

You can go to our website where there is a lot of information. You can also Google microFIT and check the OPA website. Wikipedia offers a very interesting history of the FIT program.

http://www.theenergystore.ca

Technology

5 happiness apps to help with anxiety

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The Partridge family sang, “Come on, be merry.” But that’s easier said than done right now in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Isolation and fear can make us struggle with our mental health. On top of that, stay-at-home orders can make it harder to get help in more traditional ways.

But thanks to technology, apps are available to bring help with anxiety and depression right at your fingertips. With that in mind, I’m sharing some happiness apps meant to help calm your nerves and help you live a happy life, even during these trying times.

happy

A few years ago I tried the Happify app. It called my attention. For one, the name is catchy. Also, while I want to be happy, I’m also stingy at heart, and the basic version is totally free.

The idea behind this app is that all it takes is a few minutes a day and you’ll be on your way to freeing yourself from negative thoughts. You’ll learn how to cope with stress and develop positive habits that will change your life with some fun exercises and games.

Depending on the app, you can strengthen basic happiness skills such as: savoring the moment, thanking those who matter, aiming for meaningful goals, eliminating dead-end thoughts, empathizing with others, reducing stress and negative thoughts, and improving your relationships.

After you download the app and create an account, Happify will rate your happiness based on a questionnaire. The app then gives you a series of clues that you can use to start living a healthy, stress-free life.

Next, choose a “track” to start with. As my mom’s caregiver at the time, I thought I’d start one to reduce stress and anxiety. My first task: list three things I’m grateful for, and the trick that really helped me, explain why.

This app ranks high on many lists of the best happiness apps and I can see why.

Head space

This is another app that I have tried and love. Headspace provides tools and resources to help you stay mentally strong, reduce stress and anxiety, live healthier, breathe properly, sleep better, and live a happier life.

They offer a two-week free trial, after which you’ll automatically be signed up for their $69.99 a year plan. As of this writing, if you’re unemployed, you can get a free year of Headspace Plus to help you get back on your feet.

I discovered this app while enrolled with Weight Watchers (WW), which offers it for free as part of their program. I suffer from insomnia and your sleep meditation exercise helped me calm my thoughts, slow my breathing and relax my body to make it easier for me to fall asleep. I also used your “Take a Moment to Pause” exercise to help me stop for a few minutes when I was feeling stressed and refocus.

Calm is a similar app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation that helps you reduce stress through guided meditations, sleep stories, breathing programs, stretching exercises, and relaxing music. Calm offers a 7-day trial, but after that, you’ll be automatically signed up for their $69.99 a year plan.

real life change

The Real Life Change app is meant to be a portable life coach, designed to take your social interactions, moods, decisions, discoveries, and emotions you experience every day and provide you with meaningful and actionable feedback to help you live a better life and more. . conscious life

The basic plan is free. This app is only available on the App Store for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.

Track your happiness

Track Your Happiness is a free app used with your smartphone. You spend about 10 minutes answering questions, then you’re contacted via email or text (you choose how often you want the app to ask you) and asked to report what you’re doing and how you’re feeling.

A personalized happiness report tracks your mood so you can learn what makes you happy, who makes you happy, and where you feel happiest.

super best

Super Better has made building happiness a game with short, simple activities that you complete as you go through quests to develop happiness-enhancing skills like resilience.

Their site claims that millions have played SuperBetter to achieve goals and deal with challenges including anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and more. The Original Super Better is available for free.

Do you need more than an app? You may want to check out Talkspace, which allows users to virtually connect with a licensed therapist. For $49 per week, you’ll have private access to a therapist via text, audio, or video chat, daily or multiple times a day.

I’ll let you make your own decisions. Find what works best for you and your life. There are many more apps available besides the five I’ve listed. Who knows? A happiness app might come in handy and provide feedback to brighten your day during these stressful times.