7 Fun Online Games for the Geography Geeks

Maybe you’ve just discovered the Google Maps version of “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego” and are disappointed at how soon it was over/how easy it was. Maybe you’re a geography nerd looking to hone your skills. Maybe you’re just bored and looking for a lightly educational way to waste some time. No matter, you’ve come to the right place: the Internet is full of ways to learn more about the world we live in. 1. Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? on Google Earth This classic game has recently been revived by Google Earth as a short adventure through several world… Read more

A Good Company recycled stone notebooks review

REVIEW – I’m a tree hugger. I recycle and feel sad when I see pictures of forests being clear cut. At the same time, I prefer writing a journal and my to-do lists in a notebook using a favorite pen vs. typing into an app on my smartphone. I realize that wood pulp from trees was used to make the paper for my favorite notebooks but I still use them. However, I’m open to trying alternatives to paper and today I’m going to talk about notebooks that have paper that is made from recycled stone. Nope, not kidding. Let’s check them out.

What is it?

A Good Company is located in Estonia and makes notebooks that are made of a paper-like material from stone. They use a dry process that uses no wood pulp, chemicals or water. The stone comes from the leftover limestone and marble from local construction company operations. Calcium carbonate powder from the crushed stone is mixed with recycled non-toxic high-density polyethene to form pellets which are then squeezed into a paper-like material.

Design and features

A Good Company offers their notebooks in a A6 pocket size, an A5 size and an A4 size sketchbook. I’ll be taking a look at the pocket diary and A5 sized notebook. The Pocket Diary is available in 3 packs in 6 colors including the dusty pink version that was sent to me.

When most people think of a pocket notebook, the first brand that comes to mind is Field Notes. As you can see, the A Good Company notebook is slightly larger than a Field Notes notebook. That means if you like to use a cover for your pocket-sized notebook, you’ll need one made specially to fit the larger Pocket Diary.

Each Pocket Diary notebook has 144 pages.

The notebooks have a stitched binding with a thread color that matches the notebook’s cover.

This notebook is only available with blank pages.

One of my must-have features in any notebook (even pocket-sized notebooks) is the ability for them to lay completely flat when open. I’m happy to say that these notebooks pass that test.

Each page is perforated for easy removal.

The back cover has an open-topped folder style pocket that you can use to hold small papers, receipts, etc.

The first thing that I noticed about the notebooks was that the cover and pages felt different than traditional paper. They felt soft and every so slightly rubbery.

You can’t review a notebook without writing in it, so I did so with one of my Big Idea Design Ti Arto with a Pilot G2 refill. The first few words (at the top of the page) came out fine but as I continued to write (numbers and letters), it seemed that the pen was running out of ink and it felt like I was writing on a sheet of rubber because the pen’s tip felt like it was dragging.

I switched to a mechanical pencil and that felt and wrote better as did a Sharpie market. But switching to any fine point pen just didn’t feel or write right.

I didn’t notice any ink bleed through on the other side of the paper (that one ink dot was put there on purpose to help me focus on the page) but as you can see the impressions from the writing do “bleed” through.

The “paper” doesn’t even rip like wood pulp paper. It stretches…

Until it breaks instead of tears.

The A5 sized notebooks have a hardcover and are available in the same 6 colors as the Pocket Diary.

The first sheet has a block to write your name and other info.

The A5 sized notebooks are available with lined pages, dotted pages, and blank pages. As you can see, I was sent the lined version. You can also see that the notebook has a ribbon bookmark.

On the back cover is a pocket to hold small papers.

Each notebook has 144 pages and is bound in a way that allows the notebook to lay flat when open no matter what page you’re on.

I was confused by the fact that the notebook is listed as being A5 sized when it’s wider than my Leuchtturm 1917 notebook which is also A5 sized.

I had the same experience writing in the larger notebook as I did with the pocket diary as they both have the same type of paper.

What I like

  • Made of recycled products

What needs to be improved

  • Writing experience with fine-tipped pens is not good
  • Expensive

Final thoughts

I wanted to like these notebooks, but writing in them with my favorite pens felt like I was writing on a sheet of rubber. Also, even with free worldwide shipping, these notebooks are incredibly expensive. I love that A Good Company is using recycled materials for their products, but unless money is no object and you don’t mind writing with a pencil or marker, they are not a notebook that I would be able to call my favorite.

Price: A5 sized notebook €29 ($32.49), A6 sized pocket diary €37 ($41.45)
Where to buy: A Good Company
Source: The sample for this review was provided by A Good Company.

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A Good Company recycled stone notebooks review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 2, 2019 at 1:00 pm.

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RESCUE A6 Emergency 6-In-1 Tool is a convenient life saver

NEWS – I’m typically pretty skeptical about all-in-one tools designed for emergencies because I’ve found that in most emergencies I don’t have any tools near me that would do any good. Also, not many of these devices really catch my attention for car-related uses as most of my tools just float around the inside of my truck independent of where I may find them useful.

However, the RESCUE A6 seems like it would be in the perfect place for me to use it should I find myself in a vehicle-related incident: in the standard power plug/cigarette lighter found in every vehicle.

This multi-tool boasts the following features:

  • Charger – being able to be connected to the car power plug, it can charge mini-USB, USB-C and lightning connection devices
  • Seat Belt Cutter – allows you to cut the seat belt in case of a jam after an accident
  • Flashlight – 130-lumen flashlight in case of a nighttime emergency
  • Flashing Red Beacon – to alert people to your location
  • Glass Breaker – allows you to break out a window with one tap on the glass
  • Power Bank – if fully charged, will give 3-4 hours of charge time to your mobile phone

Overall, I think this would be highly useful and much more likely for me to plug in and keep in place, within reach in case something bad happened. These can be found on Amazon for $27.95.

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RESCUE A6 Emergency 6-In-1 Tool is a convenient life saver originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 2, 2019 at 12:00 pm.

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How to Install Pip in Ubuntu

Linux is absolutely rife with package managers. Not only does Ubuntu have apt, but many programming languages come with their own package managers as well. Node.js has npm, Ruby has gem, and Python has pip. Pip stands for Python Installs Packages and lets you easily install packages from the Python Package Index (PyPI). You can use it to install from other indexes as well, but much of what you’ll generally need is available on PyPI. In order to use pip to install packages, you’ll need to install it on your system first. Related: Top 5 Websites to Learn Python Online for FREE Which Version of… Read more

Mixcder E9 headphones review

REVIEW – If you’re looking for reasonably priced headphones with excellent battery life and background-noise buffering, consider the Mixcder E9.

What is it?

Mixcder E9 noise-canceling, wireless Bluetooth headphones feature an over-the-ear headset and exceptionally long playing time.

What’s in the box?

  • Headphones
  • Hardshell case
  • Instruction manual
  • 3.5mm aux cord
  • Charger
  • Airplane adapter

Hardware specs

  • Weight: 9 ounces
  • Dimensions: 7.6 x 6.6 x 3.4 inches
  • Playtime: 30 hours (80 hours in wired mode)
  • Charging port: Micro USB
  • Batteries: 2 Lithium Polymer

Design and features

The Mixcder E9 headphones have an adjustable headband, making them comfortable for children and adults. They’re labeled left and right, printed onto the headband piece. And they’re cushioned, designed to fit entirely over the ear.

There’s “+” and ” – ” volume control buttons on the right earpiece, as well as the micro USB port for charging and the power on-off button.

On the left earpiece is the ANC toggle switch to turn the noise-canceling feature on and off.

Under the ANC switch, you’ll find the 3.5mm aux connection for plugging in to your device with a wired connection.

The earmuffs swivel and turn into themselves for easy storage. And the hardshell case is great for keeping them protected while traveling, or really any time you’re not wearing them.

It comes with a charger (though the battery life is stellar), and aux cord (though the Bluetooth works great) and an airplane adapter (though I haven’t needed one of these in ages).

Noise cancellation

We tested these headphones by having my 10-year-old yelling and playing loud music, both of which we could hear through the earmuffs. So these aren’t true blue, can’t hear a single thing noise-cancellation headphones.

For busy moms desperate for a minute of peace and quiet, this isn’t your miracle cure.

However, it does perfectly muffle out road noise, the refrigerator buzz and the ticking clock. And if you put on some soft music along with the noise cancellation, then you’re in business. (Take note, parents!)

Performance

We took these with us for spring break on a five-stop, nine-night road trip through the Midwest. My teenager usually prefers earbuds he can shove in his pocket, but decided to give these a whirl. Turns out, they were so comfortable, with such good audio quality, I doubt he’ll ever go back to earbuds.

Right away I noticed it was difficult to get his attention during the drive. Where I could normally yell back to him, I had to physically touch him to get his attention. With his music on (at half volume, so not exceptionally loud), he couldn’t tell I was speaking to him.

On a similar note, we couldn’t hear even a hint of his music, even when sitting right next to him.

When using it with Bluetooth, which is how he usually connects, it was quick and easy to pair.

We also tested out the microphone feature, and it worked well on my son’s smartphone while we chatted on a call. He had no trouble pairing or using the mic, and on my end, the clarity of his voice was the same quality as a speakerphone call, maybe even a little better.

At this point, my son’s been using these consistently, wired and with Bluetooth, for two weeks including about 15 hours in the car and at least 15 more outside the car, and they’re showing no signs of needing to be charged.

He notes that the sound balance of bass/treble is quite good with the factory settings but it’s also easy to adjust the balance on your device.

What I like

  • Exceptionally long battery life
  • Good for buffering background noise, especially with music on
  • Very comfortable

What needs to be improved

  • Overall noise cancellation could be better

Final thoughts

Comfortable travel headphones with long battery life and decent noise cancellation for the price point.

Price: $69.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Mixcder.

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Mixcder E9 headphones review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 2, 2019 at 11:00 am.

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