Thursday, May 5: A Special WWEmoms Twitter Event

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A Special WWEmoms Twitter Event

#WWEmoms

When: TODAY, Thursday, May 5, 2016
7:00 – 8:00 pm ET
4:00 – 5:00 pm PT

Join @WWEmoms @SusanGKomen and friends at 7 pm ET (4 pm PT) on Thursday, May 5 as we encourage you to share your stories and join the fight against breast cancer!
Featuring:

Share Your Story Survivor Contest

Susan G. Komen
#4EveryMom
Honoring the moms and other women in our lives whom we celebrate this Mother’s Day

RSVP and attend the party for a chance to win one of four $25 WWE Shop gift cards, a 3-month WWE Network subscription or a Championship Title belt!

(Click here to learn more about our Twitter chats. You must RSVP and attend the party to be eligible for a prize.)

To RSVP:
  1. Email RSVP@theonlinemom.com (subject line: WWEmoms) and include your Twitter ID
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed:  http://ow.ly/4n4Jq9
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#WWEmoms) on Thursday, May 5 between 7 – 8 pm ET
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!
PRIZE WINNERS will be announced during the Party!

(The Online Mom LLC receives a fee for participating in certain promotional programs for WWE.)

Don’t Believe Everything You Read – Particularly Online

By Tracey Dowdy

Let’s consider this post a public service announcement. No less than eleven times this week, I’ve seen stories in my newsfeed that clearly fall into the ‘you-don’t-really-believe-that’s-true-do-you’ category.

One story told me that asparagus is the cure for cancer drug companies don’t want us to know about. Another purportedly shows Michelle Obama cursing the flag and her husband agreeing (supposedly lip-read and interpreted by an instructor from a school for the deaf and blind). And a third, harmless in comparison to the others, suggests that a planetary alignment this month will result in the moon appearing green for 90 minutes, an event that happens once every 420 years.

Most of us have been duped at least for a moment by something that’s popped up in our social media newsfeeds. Remember the one about Facebook starting to charge fees? Or the one with people posting their own copyright notice so Facebook couldn’t steal their images or posts? Maybe you bought the warning that you needed a privacy subscription so your photos wouldn’t go public. Some of these look totally legitimate, others not so much.

It’s an easy trap to fall into, and we’re more likely to repost stories that resonate with our values and support our beliefs. The bottom line is that the old adage “You can’t believe everything you read” still rings true.

Before you repost, take a minute to check the source. If it’s one of the sites below, spare yourself some awkwardness and don’t repost.

The Onion is the granddaddy of all fake news sites. With satirical headlines like “Woman Leaving Meeting Worried She Came Off As Too Competent” and “New Evidence Suggests Early Humans First Used Fire To Impress Friends,” most Onion stories aren’t hard to spot as fake. On the other hand, I remember outrage when an Onion story about the USDA introducing a brunch program exclusively for wealthy students was shared.

National Report and its former head writer Paul Horner are at the top of any list of fake news sites. Among their greatest hits is a story that the U.S. hired mercenaries to hit ISIS targets and that a teen was arrested over a “swatting” prank. While most National Report stories are relatively harmless – for example Whole Foods to Charge Cover at California Stores – their story about an Ebola outbreak caused a quarantine in Purdon, TX during the height of the virus scare.

Paul Horner moved on to the News Examiner after Facebook’s algorithms made it harder for National Report stories to be shared. Having learned his lesson, Horner now mixes real news with fake in order to skirt those pesky Facebook guidelines. The tricky part is that there’s no indication which is which – what’s real and what’s fiction – so beware of anything that can be traced back to the News Examiner.

Similarly, Newswatch28, now Newswatch 33, managed to beat the algorithms by mixing real news with fake. Again, there’s nothing on their site to indicate they’re satirical or posting bogus news stories. Stories include a suicide resulting from casting black actors in Star Wars and the FDA approving the sale of tranquilizer guns for use on children.

Following in the “sounds like a local news affiliate” name choice, Now8News stories are a little easier to spot because most of them are ridiculous: an old lady arrested for making cat fur coats or a couple arrested for running a meth-lab in the attic of a Wal Mart.

There are a lot more out there – Stuppid and Huzlers seem to give themselves away with their name as does The Satira Tribune – so sometimes simply taking a beat and looking at the source is all you need. Ultimately, if it seems too crazy to be true, it probably isn’t.

After all, Abraham Lincoln himself warned that you can’t believe everything you read online.

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Washington DC. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances, edits and researches on subjects ranging from family and education to history and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.

How To Speed Up Your Home Wi-Fi

By Tracey Dowdy

The Wi-Fi signal in my house is terrible unless you’re sitting in my home office where the router is located, or if you’re in the family room right next to my office. It’s not the quality of the router that’s the issue, it’s that I’m fortunate to live in a solid, well-built home that may or may not have been designed along the same lines as a cold-war bunker.

The walls are solid, as in really, really solid, making it really difficult for the signal to reach other parts of the house. The router was initially placed in a window seat – don’t judge me, I wasn’t there – in the furthest corner of the house, close to the floor. When using the internet upstairs translated to watching the screen buffer forever then eventually timing out, it didn’t take me long to Scooby-Doo the mystery of why I was having trouble.

Location isn’t always the issue, although placement is critical. Connectivity issues are all about how you set up your router. Follow these steps to ensure and your router is performing at optimum levels.

  • Location, location, location. As I said, you’re not doing yourself any favors tucking away your router in the back of the house or the basement. Place it in as central a location as possible, in an open space like a bookcase or shelf, at least 2-3 feet off the floor.
  • Check the router settings. Most routers have two separate frequencies: 2.4 GHZ and 5 GHZ. Choosing 5 GHZ will provide the fastest connection but if your router is 2.4 GHZ, you need to choose the best channel available. Most newer routers will choose the least crowded channel for you automatically, but if not, there’s an app for that. Wi-Fi Analyzer for Android or Network Analyzer for iOS will automatically scan your network to help you find the best channel.
  • Use an Ethernet cable to connect any streaming boxes or your computer for optimal speed and connectivity.

If you’re still having trouble, check the option or the package you selected from your Internet Service Provider. Many offer tiered data speeds and perhaps you thought you could get away with a less expensive plan offering 25 Mbps but it’s just not cutting it after all. Call and talk to them about options and consider upgrading to get the speeds you want.

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Washington DC. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances, edits and researches on subjects ranging from family and education to history and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.

Friday, May 27: Mobile Entertainment

VERIZON MOBILE LIVING TWITTER PARTY

#VZWBuzz

When: TODAY, Friday, May 27, 2016
3:00 – 4:00 pm ET
12:00 – 1:00 pm PT

‘Mobile Entertainment’

Join @mistygirlph and the VZWBuzz team at 3 pm ET (12 noon PT) on Friday, May 27 as we look at Mobile Entertainment!

Super-fast wireless networks and a host of streaming and download services are turning our smartphones and tablets into personal TV screens, movie players, music centers and more. Join us as we explore the devices and apps that are leading this mobile entertainment revolution!
RSVP and attend the chat for a chance to win a Nest Cam security camera and a Droid Maxx 2 by Motorola smartphone!

(Click here to learn more about our Twitter chats. You must RSVP and attend the party to be eligible for a prize.)

To RSVP:
  1. Email RSVP@theonlinemom.com (subject line: VZWBuzz) and include your Twitter ID.
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: http://ow.ly/4mPrL8
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#VZWBuzz) on Friday, May 27 between 3 – 4 pm ET
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!
PRIZE WINNERS will be announced during the Party!

(The Online Mom LLC receives a fee for participating in certain promotional programs for Verizon Wireless.)

Friday, May 20: Health & Fitness

VERIZON MOBILE LIVING TWITTER PARTY

#VZWBuzz

When: Friday, May 20, 2016
3:00 – 4:00 pm ET
12:00 – 1:00 pm PT

‘Health & Fitness’

Join @TheTechDad and special guest @joycecherrier at 3 pm ET (12 noon PT) TODAY as we look at how mobile tech can improve our health and fitness!

We all want to live a healthier lifestyle but how many of us can find the time or motivation to get on track? Join us as we look at how a few simple changes to our daily routines can make a big difference to our health and wellness – and how mobile technology can lend a helping hand!
RSVP and attend the party for a chance to win a Fitbit Charge HR activity tracker or a Motorola Droid Maxx 2 smartphone!

(Click here to learn more about our Twitter chats. You must RSVP and attend the party to be eligible for a prize.)

To RSVP:
  1. Email RSVP@theonlinemom.com (subject line: VZWBuzz) and include your Twitter ID.
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: http://ow.ly/4mPqoD
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#VZWBuzz) on Friday, May 20 between 3 – 4 pm ET
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!
PRIZE WINNERS will be announced during the Party!

(The Online Mom LLC receives a fee for participating in certain promotional programs for Verizon Wireless.)

Friday, May 13: Better Smartphone Photography

VERIZON MOBILE LIVING TWITTER PARTY

#VZWBuzz

When: TODAY, Friday, May 13, 2016
3:00 – 4:00 pm ET
12:00 – 1:00 pm PT

‘Better Smartphone Photography’

Join @TheTechDad and special guest @mrvalography at 3 pm ET (12 noon PT) TODAY as we look at the keys to Better Smartphone Photography!

While smartphone cameras have become more and more sophisticated, that doesn’t always result in better photos. Join @ThetechDad and special guest Valeriy Poltorak (@mrvalography) us as we offer tips and tricks that will help create photos we can be proud of!
RSVP and attend the party for a chance to win a Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth speaker and a Droid Maxx 2 smartphone!

(Click here to learn more about our Twitter chats. You must RSVP and attend the party to be eligible for a prize.)

To RSVP:
  1. Email RSVP@theonlinemom.com (subject line: VZWBuzz) and include your Twitter ID.
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: http://ow.ly/4mPlZ3
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#VZWBuzz) on Friday, May 13 between 3 – 4 pm ET
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!
PRIZE WINNERS will be announced during the Party!

(The Online Mom LLC receives a fee for participating in certain promotional programs for Verizon Wireless.)

Friday, April 29: Understanding Virtual Reality

VERIZON MOBILE LIVING TWITTER PARTY

#VZWBuzz

When: TODAY, Friday, April 29, 2016
3:00 – 4:00 pm ET
12:00 – 1:00 pm PT

‘Understanding Virtual Reality’

Join the VZWBuzz team at 3 pm ET (12 noon PT) TODAY as we explore the wonderful world of virtual reality!

It seems that virtual reality is poised to be the next big thing but what is VR and why has it suddenly become so popular? Join us as we explore the concepts and technologies behind VR and highlight some of the devices that are bringing us this whole new world of immersive entertainment!
RSVP and attend the party for a chance to win a UE Boom 2 Bluetooth speaker or a Droid Maxx 2 by Motorola smartphone!

(Click here to learn more about our Twitter chats. You must RSVP and attend the party to be eligible for a prize.)

To RSVP:
  1. Email RSVP@theonlinemom.com (subject line: VZWBuzz) and include your Twitter ID.
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: http://ow.ly/4mPjBJ
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#VZWBuzz) on Friday, April 29 between 3 – 4 pm ET
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!
PRIZE WINNERS will be announced during the Party!

(The Online Mom LLC receives a fee for participating in certain promotional programs for Verizon Wireless.)

YouTube Red Helps Reshape Streaming Services for Mobile

By Tracey Dowdy

Although we all know YouTube as a free online video service, you may be surprised to learn that it also offers paid video streaming subscriptions. Previously offered as a little-known music streaming platform called YouTube Music Key, the service was revamped to include video and relaunched in October 2015 as YouTube Red.

Like many streaming services, the first month’s subscription is free, and then it costs $9.99 a month thereafter. While that price tag isn’t the cheapest, it’s certainly comparable with the cost of many other video streaming services. Choosing Red over watching YouTube the way we always have means you no longer have to deal with ads interrupting your videos (unless you’re watching paid TV channels or renting TV shows and movies). Currently Red is only available in the U.S. but there are plans to expand to a global market.

YouTube has created original series and movies for PewDiePie, Lilly Singh, Rooster Teeth and other YouTube stars that will be offered exclusively through YouTube Red. There is speculation it will eventually be available for free but there’s no guarantee or timeline offered as to if and when that will happen.

The pros for Red are that users will be able to download and watch videos offline and that you’ll be able to listen to videos with the screen off – in other words, you can open another app on your phone and still be able to listen to your video in the background.

Because YouTube is owned by Google, subscribing to Red means free access to Google Play Music, making it a better deal than Spotify, Rdio, Deezer and other streaming music services. Conversely, if you have a subscription to Google Play Music, you already have access to Red; they’re a package deal, you just need to be signed in to the same account on both services and ensure that both are available in your area.

The cons are that video is available for direct download only to phones and tablets. Content will be available for 30 days but some features such as liking and commenting are unavailable if you’re offline. Red may not be a good fit if you already subscribe to a service like Spotify and use an ad-blocker extension. At $10 a month, it simply may not be worth the additional cost. However, if you’re a commuter or frequent traveler, being able to download content to watch offline and hang on to it for 30 days may be enough of an incentive. At the very least, subscribers have that one month free trial to give it a test run.

One final piece to consider is the impact ad blocking and subscription services are having on the “free Internet.” Ad blockers have been around for years but, with increased awareness of how our personal preferences are monitored and logged by advertisers, more and more people are using ad-blocking extensions to circumvent the tracking. This has an impact not only on retailers but on content creators on services like YouTube, as many of the channels are dependent on ads to stay in business. It will be interesting to see how long access to sites like YouTube will continue to be available at no cost. If monetizing a formerly free service is successful, we can expect the so-called “free Internet” to disappear faster than Fantasia in “The Neverending Story.”

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Washington DC. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances, edits and researches on subjects ranging from family and education to history and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.

Making the Most of Spotify

By Tracey Dowdy

When we moved back to Virginia after five years in Canada, one of the things that eased the pain of saying goodbye to poutine and ketchup chips was access to sites like Amazon Prime, Hulu, Netflix, and Spotify. Of course Canada has Amazon, Netflix and Spotify, but the content is different and like everything else ‘Merican, well, your content libraries are bigger.

Spotify in particular has been a welcome addition – who wouldn’t love rolling through Spotify’s catalog of over 30 million songs, available through free or paid subscriptions? One of my favorite features is “Discover Weekly” – a customized list based on your listening preferences that gets updated every Monday. I’m guaranteed to pick up at least 2 or 3 songs a week to add to my playlists.

Spotify’s launched back in 2008, but even if you’ve been using it for a while these tips and tricks can help you make the most of the service.

1. If you don’t want the world to know your secret life as a diehard Belieber, make your listening activity and playlists private.

  • In desktop preferences, un-check “Publish my activity on Spotify”
  • Make individual playlists private by right-clicking the title and selecting “Make Secret”
  • Start a temporary private session under the main Spotify window on the desktop

2. Read lyrics in real time as a song plays so you can avoid “momming up” the lyrics and you’ll discover Taylor Swift isn’t actually singing about her list of “Starbucks lovers” in Blank Space.

3. If you use the paid version, you can import songs from iTunes and other places on your computer directly into Spotify. This is particularly useful for artists like Taylor Swift whose music isn’t available through the service. Tracks will be displayed under the Local Files tab under “Your Music” in the Spotify app.

4. Make your playlists collaborative by clicking the “…” icon next to “Following.” You’ll get a notification any time the list is edited by another Belieber, I mean another user. Ahem.

5. Get specific with Advanced Search. Go beyond searching by artist, genre, album or title and use common search parameters AND, NOT, OR. E.g. “Simon AND Garfunkel”, “Simon OR Garfunkel” or “Simon NOT Garfunkel.”

6. Easily recover a playlist you deleted. Not that that’s ever happened to anyone I know. Simply login to your account on Spotify’s website and select “Recover Playlists.”

7. Use “touch preview” to sample an album or playlists. Tap and hold the cursor over the album or playlist to explore, quite literally, without having lifted a finger.

8. Use your phone as a remote control to play music from another computer or your speakers. The technology also works with newer TV’s and some speakers like those from Sonos.

9. Organize your playlists into folders. On the desktop, go to “File” and then “New Playlist Folder” and sort and label away.

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Washington DC. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances, edits and researches on subjects ranging from family and education to history and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.