Easy ways to get money

The proliferation of game platforms has created an interesting (and money-wasting!) problem. It’s all too easy to forget you have a game and repurchase it on a different platform. Here’s how to avoid that. Note: The method outlined below requires a free open-source Windows app. Unfortunately, there isn’t an equivalent macOS or Linux-based solution—nor are there any comparable web-based options. The Problem: Your Games Are Scattered Everywhere Not every gamer will have this problem, but it’s incredibly common. Back when the only way to get your hands on PC games was to purchase them through Steam or buy a physical copy at your local retailer, it wasn’t too difficult to keep track of what you had. Further, back then in the veritable stone ages of game downloading and online platforms, console storefronts were underwhelming or didn’t even exist. So when you went game shopping, either the game was already in your Steam library—and the one place you were shopping online, … [Read more...] about Playnite Is Best Way to Save on Video Games

Ever since the Silk Road, Bitcoin’s power to fuel anonymous transactions (and, more specifically, money laundering) has been a prime concern for lawmakers and law enforcement agencies. A new provision passed as part of the infrastructure package tried to tackle that issue, but it’s running into stiff opposition from cryptocurrency groups — and a legal challenge that could have huge implications for financial transparency across the country. In November 2021, when President Biden’s trillion-dollar Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was signed into law, a controversial cryptocurrency-related provision was passed along with the major legislation on roads, bridges, and other infrastructure. The bipartisan infrastructure bill included an amendment to the tax code that required any business or individual receiving a cryptocurrency transaction of more than $10,000 to report it to the IRS, using a specific form that includes the sender’s name, date of birth, and taxpayer … [Read more...] about A legal challenge over crypto reporting could strike down decades-old anti-money laundering laws

It's fair to say that publishing is in the middle of a long transition period, and nowhere is that transition more obvious than in publishing software. Publishers now have to hit multiple formats for maximum sales, while having little extra money to support the additional staff needed to keep their publications in the black. That puts a lot of pressure on their tools—and Indesign CS5.5 looks to be a reliable team player. Until recently, the Indesign EPUB features for creating e-books felt tacked on. Features were missing that just made the solution lacking as a whole, and you'd invariably have to use other tools to hack at the unzipped EPUB code to really have it render the way you want within e-readers. Indesign CS5.5 looks to fill these workflow holes: covers can now be embedded, flow can be strictly controlled, and it looks like one app can finally handle the e-book creation process from start to finish. Non-EPUB feature additions The bulk of Indesign CS5.5's new tools are … [Read more...] about Indesign CS5.5 review: e-books made easy

Before you officially close on your new house, take note of the energy-efficient features that come with it. Energy-efficient features could save you big over time. With green home upgrades proven to save money on utilities, many current buyers now see energy-efficiency as a priority when looking for a home. In fact, a March 2021 study found that 83% of buyers desire Energy Star -rated windows, 81% desire Energy Star-rated appliances and 80% of buyers desire energy-efficient lighting. Not only are green home upgrades good for your wallet and the environment, they could even increase the value of your home. If you're in the market for a new home, follow these tips and tricks to ensure that you buy on that's energy-efficient. Read more: How to Save Money on Your Gas, Electric and Water Bills: 7 Free Ways 1. Solar panels Around 47% of millennials think solar panels and efficient energy storage are important features in a new home, according to a survey by Nationwide … [Read more...] about How Do You Know You’re Buying an Energy-Efficient House?

If you don't already have an AC unit at home, it's time to think about how to cool your home. Many people have central air, which vents air conditioning around the house through ductwork. But others have to rely on a different type of air conditioner to keep their homes comfortable. Window air conditioners and portable air conditioners are two of the most popular options on the market. Each one has its own selling points, and it's important to consider your budget, the size of your home and your physical ability to install a unit. Let's explore the key differences so you can decide which one makes the most sense in your home. Marius Hepp/EyeEm/Getty Images Window air conditioner A window air conditioner is a small appliance that fits into an open window to cool your home. These units work by pulling air from outside your window, cooling it and circulating it into your home. It also works to pull the hot air and humidity from your room and push it outside while it … [Read more...] about Window Air Conditioners vs. Portable Air Conditioners: Which One Is Best for You?

Ecobee's new midrange thermostat, the Smart Thermostat Enhanced, has me a bit stumped. At $190, it has the same updated design as the high-end Smart Thermostat Premium , but few of the luxury features. Given the shifting trend toward more affordable smart thermostats with similar options, this model won't be worth the splurge for most. It worked well during my testing and the design changes did improve the usability of the thermostat, but I wouldn't recommend this one unless you specifically want an updated Ecobee thermostat without the built-in Alexa speaker and air quality monitor. That said, you could just get the entry-level Ecobee3 Lite , either as a new model for $150 or certified refurbished for $120 directly from Ecobee's site with many of the same options minus the updated design. 7.2 Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced Like Updated design Don't Like Expensive Remote sensor not included Trying out the Smart … [Read more...] about Ecobee’s Smart Thermostat Enhanced Has All the Basics at a Premium Price

More and more people are transitioning to smart home gadgets, but many people on budgets still believe that smart thermostats are still out of reach. This is starting to change, though. Smart thermostats are dropping in price, and there are a number that are actually quite affordable. For example, the Amazon Smart Thermostat is only $60. There are a couple of other options, too, including a handful under $100. Below you'll find the four best smart thermostat we recommend for $130 or less, including the Amazon and Wyze models I mentioned above, as well as more affordable products from Nest and Ecobee (certified refurbished) . Chris Monroe/CNET Amazon Smart Thermostat Best overall Amazon took a look at Nest and Ecobee's premium flagship smart thermostats and went an entirely different route. Instead of starting with a $249 model like the competition, it introduced its first thermostat for just 60 bucks. The Amazon Smart Thermostat is a solid … [Read more...] about Best Affordable Smart Thermostats of 2022

There was a time when $250 was a typical price for a smart thermostat . The industry was relatively new and brands like Nest and Ecobee introduced top-of-the-line models with long lists of features. But, increasingly, other companies are entering the market with sub-$100 app-enabled thermostats. Suddenly, $250 gets a lot more difficult to justify, even for a luxury product with lots to offer. Enter the Smart Thermostat Premium: Ecobee's new high-end model that replaces the SmartThermostat with Voice Control . The Premium retains a lot of the unique features of the past iteration -- most notably a built-in Alexa speaker -- and adds in new ones, like an air quality sensor. It also sports a larger, redesigned touchscreen and a zinc body instead of plastic. It's an impressive thermostat that does what it claims, even to the point of offering a decent overall value despite the high price. That said, I really wish Ecobee had found a way to add in these updates while also … [Read more...] about Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium Replaces Existing Flagship Model With New Features

Disney Plus has been the breakaway success among a wave of new streaming services in the last two-plus years, thanks in part to its large library of shows, movies and exclusive originals. During the pandemic, Disney Plus streamed big-screen movies the same day they hit theaters. But recently, Disney has been holding most of its movies in theaters exclusively for weeks -- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness , for example, just started streaming there Wednesday after hitting cinemas in May. Disney Plus also is planning to launch a cheaper subscription with advertising later this year. Here are the big details to know. When is Doctor Strange available to stream? Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness hit Disney Plus early Wednesday. It's available to stream at no added cost for all subscribers. That's about 47 days after its wide release in theaters, much faster than the last two Marvel films made it to Disney Plus. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten … [Read more...] about Disney Plus: Everything to Know (from Lightyear to the Cheaper Tier)

In science, the ultimate measure of academic worth is the number of papers published where you're credited as an author. There are subtleties that matter—where you are in the list of authors and whether others cite your publications. But it's hard for those factors to overcome the weight of raw numbers. Other things, like grants and promotions, also matter a great deal. But success in those areas often depends on a large publication list. That's why a publication released on Wednesday by Nature is significant: It describes data that indicate that women are systematically left off the list of authors of scientific publications. The gap between participation and publication continues even after various factors of career advancement are considered. And it goes a long way toward explaining why science has a problem called a "leaky pipeline," where women drop out of research at higher rates at each stage of their careers. Making the team It's pretty easy to crunch the data and see … [Read more...] about Who gets credit for science? Often, it’s not women