Jane

Yeah, feelings mutual about those sunflowers. It’s a blooming sea of hope in concrete terrains, right? Otherwise, any tiny cheerful plant in this concrete jungle is a breath of fresh air for me. Almost feel like they’ve done a jail-break from pavement cracks! And you bet the journey is a wonderland. Those garden bots, been eyeing one for a bit now, reckon it might save me some aches and pains. We keep chugging along in our concrete oasis, yeah? Hats off, mate.

Ah, you nailed the RAM explanation with that kitchen analogy! And you’re spot on - the more demanding the task (like gaming or video editing), the more RAM you’re gonna need. For gamers, 16GB is usually the sweet spot. Though I’ve seen some hardcore gamers boasting about their 32GB! I guess you can never have too much countertop space, right? 😄 Also worth considering RAM speed, not just capacity. Having super fast RAM can make even a smallish kitchen work like a well-oiled machine! Cheers for the chat! 🚀

I just updated my iPhone to the latest iOS last night and my phone has been acting weird ever since. Some of the apps freeze randomly while I’m using them and it’s driving me nuts. Anyone else experiencing the same problem? Especially on the gmail app, it just hangs in the middle of scrolling through my inbox. The battery life seems to have taken a hit too. I mean, I’m no tech guru, but this kind of thing happening immediately after the update can’t be a coincidence right? Also, the deal-breaker for me is the Wi-Fi. It’s too flakey now. Keeps disconnecting. I’ve tried resetting the network settings and restarting my router but to no avail. I’ve also been hearing about some cool features that the new update has brought but honestly haven’t been exploring much due to these issues. So, anybody got some words of wisdom to share? Or if you’re able to help me solve these issues I’d really appreciate it. P.S. I’ve checked Apple’s support forum and it’s mostly people with the same issues, but no definitive solutions yet. Any help here would be amazing. P.S.S. Share your experiences too. I’m curious to know if it’s just me or this is a widespread thing. Has anyone managed to solve these problems? Also (and this is the optimistic side of me talking) but what improvements have you noticed, 🤔

So cool you’ve ventured into the investing world! I remember when I first started using those micro-investing apps, totally like a piggy bank on steroids, right? And who knew making coffee at home could save so much dough! Adding to that, have you considered using online budgeting tools? They’ve been a game changer for me. Anyway, keep truckin’ with your financial journey. Remember, it’s not about getting rich quick, it’s more like a marathon than a sprint. 🐢💨

Nah mate, you ain’t the only one feelin’ that way. I was in your shoes a few years back. Felt like trying to run uphill in mud - difficult and messy. First, you gotta track where your money goes. Without that, you’re just shootin’ in the dark. Mint and YNAB worked wonders for me. Keeps you honest about how much you’re really spending and on what. As for investing, I started with something simple like index funds. It’s slow and steady, not very exciting, but it’s a solid way to grow your cash over time. Also, don’t be scared to chat with a financial adviser. It’s their job to understand this stuff and they can be real helpful. Keep pushing, mate! It ain’t easy, but it’s definitely worth it.

Hey, gaming and working all on a budget, eh? No problem, mate! For something decent around $600, look out for something with an Intel i5 or Ryzen 5 processor, 8GB RAM or more and at least 256GB SSD for quick boot-ups. I’ve had good experiences with Asus’s Vivobook series, pretty reliable and falls right in your budget. As for the chip shortage - yeah, it’s a bit of a pain, but budget laptops shouldn’t be too hard to find. Plus, waiting for something ‘better’ in tech will keep you waiting forever, there’s always something new on the horizon. Better to jump in when you need to. Hope this helps!

Haha, photo op with a pothole? That’s a first, but hey, no publicity is bad publicity, right? 😂 Love the idea of the caution tape, it kind of adds to the dramatic appeal while helping us avoid accidents. Let’s hope the council actually takes note. Speaking from past experience, it might also help if we could get a local news outlet to cover our little ‘operation pothole’. The more exposure, the better. They can’t ignore us if we’re making headlines! 💪🏽📰🔦

Haha, totally get ya! It’s like they come out with a new phone every other week these days. Agreed, those new features can sure seem flashy, but when you sit down and think about it, how much use will you really get from them? And yeah, there is a sense of victory in keeping an old phone kicking for as long as possible! Personally, I’ve managed to hold on to my phone for 4 years and it’s still doing the job! Makes you wonder about planned obsolescence sometimes, huh? Anyway, I guess at the end of the day, if those shiny new features aren’t gonna impact your everyday life significantly, is it really worth dishing out the cash? Best to wait it out, methinks!

Hey there! Yeah, personal finances can get complicated, I totally get it. It’s awesome that you’re looking for ways to make your money work for you, though. As for scrimping and saving, every little bit really does add up. Some not-so-obvious ways I’ve saved is by cutting cable and just sticking to a couple streaming services, or shopping secondhand for clothes and furnishing. The whole saving vs investing thing is all about risk to me. Sure, your money in the bank isn’t earning much, but the chances of you losing it is lower. But the thing with investing, that’s where you might get a good return. It’s all about going with what you’re comfortable with, you know? As for getting started in investing, I recommend doing a bunch of research first or talking with a financial advisor. I was in the same boat a few years back, and now I’ve gotten pretty comfortable with investing in very low risk index funds. It takes some time but you’ll find what works for you! 👍

Yeah, mate, gotta say I felt the same when that “gender fluid” term started floating around. Needed a hot minute to wrap my head around it. But you’re spot on, it’s pretty awesome seeing folks being unapologetically themselves. Adds loads of color to the world, that’s for sure. And even though it feels like pulling teeth sometimes, we’re making headway. Bit by bit, right? It’s all about keeping an open heart and mind. Keep on keeping on! 🌈👍🏽.

Totally get your hesitation on handing over the reins to a gadget, mate. It felt a bit Black Mirror-y at first for me too, but honestly, I’ve found it more convenient than anything. Good tip - start slow with it controlling just one or two things and then slowly expand. And yeah, the app situation is a nightmare! I’m with you on that. Hope they’ll sort out a better system for that soon. Until then, guess we just need to keep juggling! Just gotta remember, it’s all meant to make our lives easier in the end, right? But yeah, Apple TV and Netflix, the dream team indeed!

Oh, you’re speakin’ my language now! I was sweatin’ over the price of that latest “special edition” phone, but after some good ol’ window shopping, decided to sit it out. Waited for their ‘old’ model’s price to drop off a bit (even though that old model was only like, what, six months old?), and snagged it up. Works a treat and my bank account didn’t take a nose dive! So yeah, quality tech doesn’t mean you gotta blow all your savings. And hey, if you aren’t bothered about flaunting the most recent model, it’s really a no-brainer. No need to keep up with the Joneses, am I right?

Smart plugs and doorbells, heck yes! Totally agree with you on how they’ve made life so much easier. Do you also have those smart lightbulbs? They’re a blessing for those ‘bed is too comfy’ moments when I forget to switch off the lights. One tap on the phone and voila, lights off! I feel like they’re a bit underrated but definitely worth checking out. And also, something to consider if you’re frequently missing deliveries, parcel lockers might just be your new best friend! You can pick up your parcels anytime, no more missed delivery drama. Tech’s indeed simplified stuff for us, can’t wait for what’s next! 👀🙌

Totally get what you mean, tech advancements feel like magic sometimes! It’s nuts to think about how far we’ve come, right? Hard to guess what the next “can’t live without” piece is gonna be, though. Maybe something even wilder and more futuristic? Like, hologram messages Star Wars-style or teleporting, haha! Just hoping the sci-fi future also includes flying cars, cause traffic is seriously a bane of my life. Ah well, till then I’ll just tap away at the GPS and marvel at how it knows exactly where I’m at.

Totally with you on that Fortnite thing, sometimes mixing work and play keeps things light and bearable. I introduced Friday picnics during lunch break at ours, sun or rain, we’re on that mat munching away sandwiches while chatting about anything but schoolwork. About focusing on work, headphones work for me. Even if I’m not listening to anything, my kiddos consider it as a “Do not disturb” sign. And about the pressure, easier said than done but try to remember we’re all sailin’ the same boat. So, cut yourself, and them, some slack. You’re doin’ just fine!

Absolutely with you there, seems like a tornado hits when teens hit puberty, huh? Loving the “I see you” method, I remember using the same to my daughter. She’d roll her eyes but it always seemed to take the edge off. Online school and work, yeah, feels like trying to walk and juggle at the same time. The co-work time seems like a good idea. Mates of mine have been adopting similar methods, they say it’s helping the kids settle. All we can do is hang in there and remember, “this too shall pass”. Stay strong!

Totally feel you on the pothole issue! It’s like playing a real-life game of dodge-the-pothole, except it’s damaging and dangerous. A petition is indeed a solid step in the right direction. Maybe we could also organize a local meet-up, gather those affected and hash out a strong case to present to the council. A combo of signatures and personal accounts might just do the trick. Would you guys be down for that? And if you start that public petition, count me in!

Right? Jake Gyllenhaal does bring the thunder! As for “The Artist’s Way,” I’ve heard good things about it. Pretty inspiring stuff. And if you’re into the art scene, gotta recommend “Street Art Boy” - about Keith Haring. Love his work. So vibrant and full of life. I saw it last week and it’s stayed on my mind. Hard to find that kind of impactful docu nowadays. So, yeah, dust off that easel and let the creativity flow, man! Netflix and art, name a better duo, I’ll wait haha! Keep us posted on any great finds. Happy Netflixing!

Just was thinking the other day how amazing the progression of language and acceptance is in our society regarding genders and sexuality. Not too long ago, we only had ‘male’ and ‘female’ to label ourselves with. But now there’s an array of labels out there which allows us to really understand and embrace our unique identities. Non-binary, pansexual, asexual, trans… just to name a few. I remember when I first heard the term ‘non-binary.’ It was from this Instagram influencer I loosely followed. At first, it felt strange and confusing. And I’m not proud, but I was even a bit dismissive about it. Because I just couldn’t grasp the concept of someone not being ‘one or the other.’ It’s not something you’re taught in school, ya know? It took some time, effort and a lot of late night Google searches to understand it. It’s been amazing to see how these terminologies and discussions have emerged and evolved in popular culture. Shows like ’Ru Paul’s Drag Race’ and ‘Transparent’ are shaping the understanding of gender and sexuality on a global scale. With younger generations growing up with these discussions, it’s a great leap towards acceptance and understanding. It shows how much we’ve progressed, yet also reminds us how far we need to go still. Do you remember when you first started thinking about these terminologies and what they meant? Or are you currently in the 🤔

Man, I get where you’re coming from. Those intros can feel like they drag on forever, especially when you’re just trying to find out how to unclog your sink or something. The double speed button is a life saver for sure, but have you ever tried just skipping ahead a bit? The YouTubers gotta do what they gotta do to secure the bag, but honestly, sometimes I wish they could just get to the point. Guess it’s all part of the game. Might have to invest in a plunger instead, save me some time on the video intros haha!

Right there with ya, mate! My daughter had to walk me through the whole smart home setup. Really felt like I was back in school. And those WiFi dead zones - don’t get me started! Even had to rope in my neighbour, who’s a bit of a whiz with tech. Beats me why they can’t make these smart home devices easier to set up. But you’re right, they’re a dream once they start working properly. Always have a story to tell down the pub now though. Cheers to surviving the smart home nightmare!

Oh man, you’re totally singing my song here! Autoplay is my own personal horror movie, especially when it happens unexpectedly and almost gives me a heart attack. Chrome’s ‘data saver’ mode, that’s a nice tip, I gotta remember to use that more. And I feel you on the email jump scares, been a victim of that too many times. Fingers crossed the internet overlords catch our vibes and do something about it. Till then, we gotta just roll with the punches, eh? Ah well, such is life in this digital jungle. Keep the faith, buddy!

Ahh, the nostalgia! Windows ’98 and Jazz Jackrabbit, those really take me back. Totally agree with the Linux drop, it’s a livesaver and open source to boot. As for wiring, it’s a love/hate relationship, but you’re right, there’s a sweet satisfaction in getting it right. Just mind the sparks and pops! I’m with ya on the Sega console. Bet it still plays Sonic like a dream, right? And never underestimate the power of an air can. Those things are priceless. Keep at it with the restoration job, and post pictures when you’re done - I’d love to see that old beast up and running. Remember, we’re all here to help if you hit a bump in the road. All the best, mate!

Man, I feel you. Had the same issue with my headset a few months back, it drove me nuts! Turned out it was some weird conflict with another application on my laptop. You might want to check out what other apps or programs you’re running while connecting your headphones. To figure it out, I basically closed everything and then started opening them one by one while the headphones were connected. There was this random game app that was causing the issue for me. Once I uninstalled it, the problem was gone. Not saying it’s your fix-all, but could be worth a shot, no?

Ever wondered how your smartphone can pin down your exact location, anywhere on the planet? You can thank the Global Positioning System (GPS) for that. Now, I know that sounds all fancy and complicated, but think of it as a big game of cosmic tag that your phone is always playing with satellites in space. Back in the early 70s, the US Department of Defense began launching a bunch of satellites into orbit that eventually became the GPS system we rely on today. When it’s fully operational, the system has at least 24 active satellites circling the earth. It’s these guys that your phone is constantly communicating with. Now, these satellites are kind of like a bunch of cosmic clocks. They’re all fitted out with incredibly precise atomic clocks that send signals back to earth with their precise time and location. When your phone gets these time stamps, it does a bit of math - or triangulation - comparing the time it received these signals from at least four different satellites. This lets it calculate how far it is from each of them, and voila - your phone knows where you are. It’s pretty crazy when you stop to think about what’s going on behind the scenes. Every time you open up a map, your phone is talking to satellites in space. The timing has to be so precise. If the time’s off by even a nanosecond, it could mean your location is off by miles.