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Adele vs. Spotify

December 4, 2015 // by Cassie// Leave a Comment

Following the footsteps of another global phenomenon, Adele takes her album off the availability list for Spotify. What does this mean for the industry that is trying to put a stop to illegal downloading?

The chart topping songstress took the Taylor Swift route, according to sources at Spotify, to make her album unavailable as part of the music streaming service. With two leading ladies taking a stand against the streaming service—plus a new outlet, Apple Music—the online music business may be in fear of losing listeners to illegal downloading.

With Adele’s first album in 4 years, 25 is expected to sell over 2.5 million copies its first week; the album’s single “Hello” has already been downloaded 1.1 million times, and it’s video, produced by French Canadian director Xavier Dolan, has been viewed on YouTube 400 million times.

Adele, and her company, Sony Corporation, mutually made the decision based on Adele’s wide demographic. Unlike most pop music artists, Adele caters to a very wide fan base, not just teenagers watching YouTube, but also adults who are likely to go out and buy an album rather than stream online. With music purchases producing more money for the artist than streaming plays, it’s hard to tell Adele that she’s making a bad decision.

And this isn’t the first time the singer has come up against Spotify. In 2011 with the release of 21, Adele pulled her album due to the fact that subscribers weren’t limited to the number of plays allowed. Swift’s position against the company was similar. That American fans be limited to their number of plays is another argument to add to the fire with Spotify, but with Adele, downloading a Virtual Private Network wouldn’t help you listen to her album. She’s all about cutting down on plays across the board.

Adele’s not all restriction however. Unlike Spotify and Apple Music, Pandora Internet Radio, which follows different licensing rules than it’s rivals, will be streaming the album on its website a few days after its worldwide release. The singer also has a deal with Target, where customers who buy the album from the chain, selling at $13.99 on Target.com, will get 3 bonus songs over the $10.99 purchase on iTunes.

While it’s a huge uptick for the music industry—fondly called “the Adele Effect”—that albums be sold rather than accessed through streaming sites or repeated plays on an online playlist, there is revenue to be lost for the streaming services, who otherwise are a strong contender in the failing music industry. With the continued rise of illegal downloading, online streaming sites have managed to grow to be 10 percent of music industry revenue, attempting to bring back listeners from the land of piracy.

Big artists such as Adele and Beyonce are earning less per play than by album buy, but the growth of online streaming hasn’t put a stop to album sales as much, and artists can always make their music available to stream at a later date, after the initial release of their new album when record sales have dwindled.

According to research conducted by Rolling Stone, the actual numbers and money figures that come from music plays is a difficult equation. With most streaming services like Spotify, musicians earn $.09 cents for every 60 listens, for Pandora it’s around $.001 per song. For every $1.29 purchase on iTunes, around $.20 cents goes back to the artist, with $.09 cents for the songwriter. Record labels can also bank on an artist’s YouTube plays—$1 for every thousand plays, even if it’s not an official music video, but a fan made video that went viral—which can really bring in the revenue. And for straight album sales, an album that’s almost $18 can have as little as less than $2 go back to the artist. But don’t feel sorry for the artist’s yet, that’s just in music. Most mainstream pop musicians benefit much more from concert tickets, merchandise and sponsorships.

The jury may still be out on whether it’s a tactic that will benefit or hurt an artist, since no one has ever made the claim that online streaming has caused a decline of album sales. It’s almost guaranteed that for a top-charted artist like Adele, it doesn’t matter where the music comes from, the fans are going to find it.

Spotify commented saying: “We love and respect Adele, as do her 24m fans on Spotify. We hope that she will give those fans the opportunity to enjoy 25 on Spotify alongside 19 and 21 very soon.” But will it be enough to get the music up for listeners? It’s a time-tested fact that anytime Adele hits the public with a new set of songs from her one of a kind pipes, we all rush to listen, and this time is likely to be no different.

Only time, and the success of album sales, will tell.

5 Free E-Books You Should Grab Off The Shelves This Second

November 6, 2015 // by Caroline// 1 Comment

Calling all readers! Whether you’re a fan of the classics or more modern pieces, this month you’re going to want to delve into the latest free eBooks available. Between army agents, Washington operatives to mustachioed sleuths and ghost-chasing widows, this month’s 5 best free picks will take you on a rollercoaster adventure into literary nirvana and beyond.

Any Means Necessary by Jack Mars

For people with a taste for thrillers and international intrigue that can form a habit for delving into issues that are plaguing the news, then Any Means Necessary by Jack Mars is the download for your next read. Beginning with nuclear waste stolen by jihadists and leading down endless roads of conspiracy, ultimatums and political trysts, this first chapter in the newest series built around Agent Luke Stone is going to leave you grappling with the knowledge that what you see may not always be what it seems, and most of all, leave you begging for the next Stone adventure.

Ghosts of Tsavo by Vered Ehsani

If you can’t decide what you love best, a good mystery or a heartwarming tale, something exotic or something with a little bit of a British humor twist, Ghosts of Tsavo is definitely the next read for you. Set in Victorian times but traveling to the culture shocks of Kenya, Beatrice Knight takes in her newly widowed status, her best friend’s charming godfather and her safari guide’s likelihood to feed her to roaming lions, in an attempt to get to the bottom of a most difficult ghost story.

Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Classics like Sherlock need no introduction, but in this installment of the famed sleuth, Doyle captures the minute details of Baker Street cases in segments that zip a reader through the fast paced world of the detective in his native Victorian England. From start to finish, this rendition of Sherlock’s adventures into murder and mayhem will satisfy any big fan hoping for another taste and definitely become a quick favorite for new readers.

The Big Green Tent by Ludmila Ulitskaya

The Big Green Tent is another classic—but only recently translated to English for lovers of classic Russian storytelling to fall in love with. Set in 1950s Moscow, three school friends are marred in the middle of the Soviet Empire and grappling with the realities of everyday life, everyday dissent and the ideologies coming to power. Intimately showing the lives of a pianist, photographer and poet, this journey into the aftermath of Stalin and the rise of the KGB from an insider’s perspective will give you cause to rejoice your own freedoms while coming to appreciate the hardships of individuals in a society defined by unity.

All The Houses by Karen Olsson

Modernity never seemed so authentic or unsettling than in All the Houses by Karen Olsson, as the author takes her characters through the everyday of life of a family grappling with the effects of the patriarch’s heart attack and following medical care. The unsolved past is what meets L.A. transplant and Hollywood hopeful Helen Atherton when she returns to her home of Washington D.C. in the aftermath of her father’s illness, uncovering the painful truths that relationships must face as they grow, change and age throughout time.

For more ideas on where to get great picks for your next read, check out Kindle’s free 100 list—it’s got a great selection of classics that can perk up any reader dying for more adventures. Don’t have a Kindle? They have their app available for free download so you can get to reading straight from your phone or computer—no gadget purchase necessary!

Netflix Nightmare: Answers to Your FAQ’s

October 2, 2015 // by Isa// 1 Comment

Don’t get me the wrong impression, Netflix is great. Millions of people have voted with their dollar that the service is worth it and that their service is on the whole a better experience than competitors. That being said, there can be some frustrating or confusing issues that come up when using the service. It could be hard to get a constant stream, and some people might rightfully be concerned about their privacy and security.

You shouldn’t let some of the most common concerns prevent you from taking advantage of the future. So we’ve asked some people for questions and looked online for some of the most common queries regarding Netflix. Here are some thoughts regarding the most common topics brought up:

Is Using Netflix Safe?

As a general rule, absolutely. Netflix takes its security very seriously. It knows that it would lose a great number of customers and potential customers should it become the victim of a major data breach. They likely have a cybersecurity team or firm working around the clock to make sure you don’t have to worry about anything while you sit down and chill.

You still should absolutely do what you can on your end to make sure your account is safe. Don’t share your password with anyone else. Make sure to use the proper verification measures. Your personal information is still linked to your account, and you don’t want that info spreading through cybercriminal circles.

I Want to Watch Netflix When I Travel. What Should I Do?

One of the largest problems for people who are traveling frequently yet love Netflix is that the service is typically geo-blocked outside of the United States. There aren’t many other streaming options that operate at the same level around the world, so people often find themselves out of luck.

One of the most common answers these days is to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to help you access Netflix regardless of your physical location. A VPN is a service that connects your device (smartphone or laptop) to an offsite secure server and then proceeds to encrypt that connection, also protecting you and your account on any public networks you might use. So long as you set the VPN to a region within the United States, you shouldn’t have any difficulties.

Is There Any Way to Get My Stolen Account Back?

The first thing to do is to change your password if you can to see if you can block off further access to any thieves. If you are having trouble getting into your account in the first place, you might need to go through the process to reset your password and other account information. In the event that you are having trouble with your email address, you will likely need to directly contact Netflix customer support and possibly your credit card provider.

Also, you will want to go to your account page as soon as you possibly can and select the option to sign out of all devices. It will usually lock the hackers out, and all you will need to do is sign in or register with your devices again. It’s a small cost of time for peace of mind.

How Do I Stop All of This Stupid Buffering?

Unfortunately, this one doesn’t have an easy answer. It could very well be that the connection you are using to watch Netflix in HD isn’t sufficient. You should try to have at least a 5 Mbps connection if you don’t want to have issues. If you do have that kind of connection, it might be worth checking your computer or network to see if there are any other factors inhibiting the connection.

On the other hand, it could be something on Netflix’s end. If you are experiencing buffering, first try to refresh the page. If your internet is working fine everywhere else, note that sometimes Netflix has peak times and their servers might not be able to handle the load. At this point, there’s very little you can do except come back later or try to bear the burden of buffering.

Is There Any Way to Extend the Free Trial?

Unless you want to try making multiple accounts (each with their own set of credit card info), no. Any other methods are impractical or illegal. As a general rule, it is always good to financially support services which you take enjoyment from and would normally pay for. If you want to take advantage of your account preferences and content rating after 30 days, there’s no real method to extend your free trial.

Do you have any other questions about Netflix that you want answers to? Are there any problems your friends have all the time? How do these problems make you feel about the general state of Netflix and whether you’d want to switch over to another service? Please leave a comment or question below and we’d be happy to continue this conversation.

3 Cheaper Alternatives to Your Cable TV Subscription

September 24, 2015 // by Cassie// Leave a Comment

For a long time now, cable has been perhaps the number one way to watch TV. With tons of different channels, there’s always something to watch. But there’s a big catch to cable—an increasingly expensive one—and that’s the cost. While cable prices have continued to increase, the service has remained largely unchanged.

Sure, there are a few new bells and whistles now: HD choices, DVRs to record your shows and more On Demand options than before. But those features are now facing some steep competition both on the front of price and on the front of convenience. As consumers, cable needn’t be the only option. It certainly isn’t the cheapest. So what else is there?

Netflix

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Netflix would be first on the list. With thousands of movies and recent TV shows to view, it presents a clearly valuable choice at the low cost of $7.99 for the basic package, or as much as $11.99 for the premium package. While it does require an internet connection to stream shows, you probably wouldn’t go without internet anyway.

What you get is much more than traditional cable has to offer. You can watch shows on any TV with a viable device connected (such as PS4, Xbox One or Wii U), as well as on Smart TVs with the built in feature for apps. But more than that, you can also watch Netflix on your PC, smartphone, tablet or other similar device.

For those you whom are a little more old fashion, Netflix does still offer a DVD/Blu-ray rental option. This is considerably slower than just streaming, but the choice is there if you need it.

Traveling and still want to view all your favorite Netflix shows on your Android or iPhone? You can, but you’ll need to get yourself a Virtual Private Network (VPN), as Netflix restricts content regionally. With a VPN, you can connect to remote servers located in the US, which will allow you full access to the usual line of content (and it also makes using public WiFi safer).

Sling

The one downside of Netflix is limited access to more ordinary TV programming. But it isn’t the only service on the block competing for your hard earned cash. Starting at $20 a month, Sling offers access to a small handful of the most popular channels, with options to add very select channels for just a fraction of the cost of cable.

Sling functions similar to Netflix in that it can be accessed on a variety of different platforms, though only on one device at a time. Typically owning a device such as a Roku will allow you to watch programs on your television set just like with cable. You’ll also be able to access live television, something not all streaming services offer.

Unlike with cable, you can actually own the device playing your shows, rather than being forced to rent a device for extra cost every month. There are admittedly a few channels missing that might be otherwise available on cable, but at such a steep discount, that hardly matters.

The only real downside is lack of access to “public access” television. You won’t get any local channels just using a Roku or the Sling app. That’s why it may be worth investing in.

Digital Tuners and Antennas

When we think of an antenna, it brings back memories of a bygone era where dad had to climb up on the roof to adjust the signal, perhaps with some aluminum foil. After all, we’ve reached a new era of smart technology.

But with that, we’ve also come far ahead in the field of broadcast television. Many stations such as FOX and NBC publicly broadcast their channels. So long as your TV has a built-in digital tuner, you’re able to receive those signals. For older TVs, you can purchase a separate digital tuner that can decode the signals.

Digital tuners can do more than that though. Newer devices can connect to your WiFi and broadcast to any devices connected in the house. They can even sync up with a PC so that you can create your own DVR system to record, pause and play your shows as you wish.

Naturally, you’ll also need an antenna to pick up the signal. Depending on the antenna, expect to pay anywhere from $20-$100; some antennas are simply better than others, complete with better reception and compatibility with HD signals.

Channel availability will vary with your locale, so this is best used as a supplement to other programs. But given that there is no subscription cost, it works as an excellent complement.

Don’t Be a Slave to Cable

Maybe cable doesn’t deserve all the flak it gets. But with some subscribers paying more than $200 a month, mostly to access just a tiny handful of channels they actually like, it certainly feels like the criticism is justified. If you’ve been stuck paying high cable bills, maybe it’s time to consider an alternative.

Don’t feel like cable is the only option, because it isn’t. Many consumers have decided they needn’t pay through the nose for a service scarcely more feature rich than other, much more affordable alternatives. Cutting the cord might be a little scary at first, but after a few hundred dollars saved in just a few months, you’ll quickly come to appreciate what competition has to offer.

How to Ensure Your Favorite Actor’s Twitter Account is Legit

August 7, 2015 // by Caroline// 4 Comments

Twitter grants us regular folks the unique opportunity to personally connect with some of our favorite celebrity idols. However, like on any other social media website, things are not always as they appear to be. Unfortunately, there are often crooks opening up social media accounts in attempts to pose as someone they’re not.

This can include posing as celebrities of all sorts, or even regular people (ever heard of a Catfish?). Sometimes these people are posing as actors online in attempts to persuade you into clicking on malicious links or sharing your personal information, though some may be posing as someone else simply for attention. Whatever the reason, you definitely don’t want to waste your time following these sorts of phonies on Twitter, as it can not only become a waste of your time but can also be somewhat dangerous.

Consider protecting your device with an security suite and a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN allows you to surf the web anonymously and securely, which helps to protect your identity on the internet and prevent malware. There are some added benefits to using a VPN as well, but most importantly, it can keep you safe while interacting with others online. On some sites, there really is no guarantee people are who they say they are.

So how can you ensure that your favorite actor’s Twitter account is legitimate? Luckily, there are a few key clues that will help you figure it out. Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can ensure you’re following who you intend to on Twitter!

Check the Actor’s Website

Often your favorite actor will have their own website with all of their social media pages listed on it. This is an easy way to find your favorite actor’s social media pages, but just make sure you’re visiting an official website instead of a fan-created one. It’s likely that their official website will appear to be very well made and list information about them, such as a biography, filmography and more.

Take a look at this screenshot of Tom Cruise’s official page in comparison to an unofficial Johnny Depp website.

As you can see, the difference in quality of each of these websites is huge, and the Johnny Depp one (which actually has the domain name www.johnnydepp.com) is unfortunately riddled with ads that could be malicious in nature.

Keep an eye out and pay attention to the small details, as they can save you from wasting time and money on a website that is only tricking you into believing it’s the real deal. Luckily, when you do come across an official website of an actor, you will typically be able to head over to their Twitter page directly from their site. And for the rest, who may not even have a website of their own, Twitter has implemented a feature that will help them protect their name on social media and also assist you out in figuring out whose page is legit and whose isn’t.

Are They Verified?

You may have already noticed a small blue badge with a white checkmark in the center of it on some of your favorite actors’ Twitter pages. This is actually a great sign, as that means you’re in the right place and the account is official. For those of you who have not noticed such a mark yet on Twitter, it’ll appear next to the person’s name. You can also find a similar symbol on Facebook.

Thankfully, Twitter has begun verifying accounts in an attempt to help out their users and prevent fake profiles from gaining too much attention on the site. Imposters can unfortunately sway users’ opinions about celebrities however they want, convincing them that the official page of the celeb is actually the fake, and of course negatively affect their reputation or even convince people to donate money.

Sometimes these false accounts even trick the media into believing they’re legitimate! Because of this, verification systems are really essential for social media websites, especially if they are interested in protecting their users. Overall, the verification badge on Twitter is the main way (and perhaps the safest) to tell whether or not your favorite actor’s account is legitimate, so you should always be looking out for the badge first whenever you’re looking at a celeb’s page.

Many actors, singers, reality TV stars, politicians, etc., are now verifying their accounts so the majority of them should already have the badge displayed on their Twitter page. And if they don’t, this of course isn’t a guarantee that they aren’t the real deal, but it’s definitely a wise idea to proceed with caution until you see the verification badge appear!

If you’d like to learn more about verified accounts and check out what the badge looks like, you can do so here. Remember that there’s likely to always be some phonies floating around the net (whether they choose to pose as an actor or something else), but at least Twitter is stepping up and giving everyone a way to distinguish them. Now let’s hope Instagram starts doing the same!

Have you ever come across a fake profile on Twitter? If so, what tipped you off that it was fake? Let us know in the comments below.

How to Read Your Favorite Comic Books Online

July 10, 2015 // by Isa// Leave a Comment

Sometimes it may be hard to find some of your favorite comic books locally and perhaps you really don’t have the space for them or the cash to spare at the moment. Luckily, finding them online is possible! Whether it’s Marvel comics you’re looking for or some manga from abroad, the internet has you covered.

However, it can be quite risky to go searching around the internet for just about anything, especially if you don’t know where to look or how to protect your computer in the process. Before you set out on your venture, ensure the security of your data by using an anti-virus program and a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN service allows you to unblock websites, safely surf the net over public WiFi, and anonymize your internet experience while also protecting your device from malware.

There are several different websites where you can read your favorite comic books online, many of which may not be well-known or particularly trustworthy. But now that you’re aware of how to protect your device, here are a few places you can find some of your favorite comic books available for your enjoyment 24/7.

Hello Comic!

If what you fancy is Marvel or DC Comics, Hello Comic! has just about the best selection of comic books for you. With ongoing updates and a huge list of comics available on their site, Hello Comic! offers high quality scans of a ton of great comics. The best thing is, all of their content is entirely free.

Walking Dead fans, you might want to make your way over to their page, as they have two pages worth of issues of the The Walking Dead right now and more to come.

Crunchyroll

Though a monthly fee of $6.95 applies, Crunchyroll is well worth it. Not only does Crunchyroll have a selection of manga to choose from, but shows as well. Like Hello Comic!, Crunchyroll also features regular updates, allowing you to stay current with some of your favorites.

The only downside is that the manga section is fairly limited in what titles are offered. However, Crunchyroll is still a great choice since they also feature a good amount of shows to choose from and you can even browse through it on your game consoles, such as the Wii U or Playstation 4. Forums, news, and an online store is also available.

GetComics.info

If you prefer to download comics instead of viewing them on the website itself, GetComics.info is the page for you! GetComics.info offers a wide selection of comics, including several from both DC and Marvel. They also have a variety of comics by other publishers, such as Dark Horse.

GetComics.info offers all of their comic books for free and even allows you to request specific ones if you choose. Their search feature on their site also makes it simple to find what you’re looking for. Just be sure that you have your security software in use when visiting their page, as all of their comics are available for download only and you will need a specific app in order to view them.

MyManga

For the manga lovers, MyManga is an appealing choice. Featuring a huge selection of manga titles and even new releases, MyManga offers something for just about everyone. There are no downloads required and on their website you can easily flip through the pages of each manga by using the arrow keys on your keyboard.

If you don’t have much time to spare, you can quickly find your favorite manga by using the search bar on MyManga’s page. And if you’re looking for something new or want to check out some of the most popular manga, it’s simple to do so. One unique feature of this webpage is that you can create a My Manga List, which will allow you to keep track of what you’re reading.

Read Away!

Keeping up to date with your favorite comics (manga included) doesn’t always have to cost you an arm and a leg. Of course it’s always nicer to have a physical copy, but for those times when you really can’t spare the extra cash or clear up any shelf space to fit any new additions, reading them online is a nice alternative. Let’s keep in mind too, that certain comics are really hard to come by and you might get lucky and find that rare issue on one of the websites mentioned.

Whatever your reason for seeking ways to read your favorite comic books online, always remember to protect your device before you begin visiting any new websites or downloading comics. You’ll be thankful that you did!

What are some of your favorite comic books and have you been able to find them available to read online? Let us know in the comments section.

Top 5 Games of E3 2015

June 22, 2015 // by Cassie// Leave a Comment

As the nerds of the world gather and disperse, some thrilling new titles have come into view at the 2015 E3 conference. Not all titles will be released in the coming year—many have no expected release date —but at the very least, a few anticipated titles have taken the stage. In case you’ve missed it, we have compiled a short list of crowd-pleasing games to keep you on the edge of your seat from this year’s E3.

Star Wars: Battlefront

E3 just isn’t complete without yet another Star Wars title. With its incredible power of nostalgia and immersive universe, Star Wars: Battlefront captivated much of E3’s audience by allowing visitors to actually play the game—if only briefly. Following the trend of multiplayer games, this Star Wars title hopes to bring players right into the action of notable battles in the fictional universe.

Whether you’re fighting as a Rebel soldier or an Imperial Stormtrooper, the battles are presumed to be pretty intense with scales looking to be as large as 40 vs. 40. Vehicle options include several of the Empire’s walkers and TIE Fighters, as well as Rebel Snowspeeders and X-Wings. To cap things off, the trailer ended with the player controlling Luke Skywalker in the middle of the battlefield crossing sabers with Darth Vader, so we can potentially expect to play as heroes from the movies.

Fallout 4

Let’s be honest, there’s no shortage of fans who’ve been waiting for this to be announced. Fallout 4 marks another step back into the post-apocalyptic world that robbed us of too many days of our lives and brings answers to several new game options that fans have been asking for. From the ability to customize the coveted power armor to a settlement editor which allows players to redesign towns from the bottom up, Bethesda is really pushing to outdo its previous creations.

Customizability and options seem to be the theme based on Fallout 4’s E3 showing, with weapon and armor mods numbering in the dozens. The character development system looks like it’s getting an overhaul as well, so you might be able to play that post-apocalyptic grenadier-ninja you’ve always wanted.

Super Mario Maker

Perhaps hoping to dethrone Lunar Magic or Super Mario Bros X as the premiere Mario making engine (both are third-party programs), Nintendo has finally shown what Super Mario Maker can do and it’s nothing short of amazing. The ability to create levels for Mario is nothing new, but the sheer level of customization offered by Nintendo is blowing the lid off of the fan community.

Offering the ability to use graphics from the original Super Mario all the way to the most current 2D games, Super Mario Maker allows the player to create a truly unique play experience for other fans with the added bonus of allowing the same player to enjoy other levels from the community. Enemies from a number of the franchise’s titles will be available, including what appears to be some fairly customizable events. The staying power of a game like this is hard to determine. Hopefully Nintendo continues to support it even after its release in September.

DOOM

It may seem like an odd choice, but the very limited amount of information regarding the new title in DOOM franchise makes it that much more tantalizing. In a return to the franchise’s roots, DOOM has seemingly abandoned the horror style gameplay introduced in DOOM 3 and revved up the action in this new title that takes the graphics and cranks them up to 11.

Incorporating elements of a popular mod (Brutal DOOM) to the original two DOOMs—such as executions and excessive gore—id Software’s new title is sure to please fans of this 90s classic. With a renewed focus on fast-paced battles and slaughtering hordes of demons, DOOM hopes to bring us straight back to hell. This is refreshing, because we could all use a break from aliens and terrorists.

Metal Gear Solid 5

Despite the recent conflict with Hideo Kojima, Konami has still managed to raise a few eyebrows with the introduction of the next title in its Metal Gear Solid franchise. Showcasing around 40 minutes of gameplay, the company that kept you hiding in boxes continues to impress with all sorts of new tricks, including a new pet dog (one of the several companions showcased), uses of weather to aid your escape, and the usual espionage we’ve become so used to.

MGS will also be receiving micro-transactions to assist players with less time to invest in the game. Thankfully, anything buyable is also acquirable via in-game means, so for most players the intended experience should remain the same. With the decline in the number of difficult games, it’s nice to see that Konami has taken the middle road offering the player choices (without simply adding a “hard” mode).

Getting Ready

With the increase in online capabilities in this new era of games comes new risks and problems too. Considering even Mario is likely to have online transactions, you may want to consider encrypting your internet service with a Virtual Private Network (VPN). This is basically a service that protects your data sent and received, while providing you with a veil of anonymity (so little Timmy can’t come find you after you blow up his AT-AT).

Three out of these five titles will be available for PC, so be sure to update your video drivers as well. There’ve been some pretty terrifying glitches of late, and you wouldn’t want to have any eye-popping moments just because you decided that critical update wasn’t needed. That goes doubly if you happen to be a software developer.

More to Come

The best 5 titles of this year’s E3 are pretty subjective; a multitude of impressive games were announced and only just the surface has been scratched regarding their gameplay. While this may serve as a short guide to some of the best titles out there, we encourage you to look into the rest of this year’s up and coming titles.

Do you think that there were any other titles worth checking out? Excited for anything in particular? Please leave a comment below and let us know what you think!

Top 5 Torrent Sites of 2015

June 5, 2015 // by Caroline// Leave a Comment

Looking for a safe, reliable way to download quality files? Searching for what you want on Google may not always yield these kinds of results. Often, direct downloads can be risky (with all the malware floating around), and they cost a lot of bandwidth for webhosts to provide. Direct downloads are also subject to much more tracking so you’ll want to use one of the top torrent websites from behind the safety of a Virtual Private Network.

What exactly is a torrent? Technically speaking, a torrent file directs the user’s computer to connect with other users also seeking (or providing) the same file(s). Rather than relying on a central server to host the file, it is uploaded from every user in pieces as it is downloaded by those same users. It’s sort of like the digital version of a farm cooperative.

That being said, you still have to find the torrent files before you can start downloading the goods. So here are the top 5 torrent sites of 2015.

The Pirate Bay

Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a landlubber, The Pirate Bay will welcome you with open arms. Known as “the galaxy’s most resilient BitTorrent site,” The Pirate Bay is one of the most well-known torrent sites. It was founded in 2003, is currently available in 35 different languages, and is the world’s largest BitTorrent indexer.

The site itself is free to use for personal usage and has a good reputation with its users. Overall, it is generally a pretty safe website, though with any web browsing, you should still take precautions to ensure the safety of your system.

KickassTorrents

Founded in 2008, KickassTorrents is available in 30 languages and has over 1 million visitors per day. As of 2014, it became the most visited torrent directory in the world. According to its website, over 10 million files are currently being shared as a whole.

What makes KickassTorrents somewhat unique is that their site has an active forum, which allows users to interact with one another. They also offer their own torrenting software that they claim offers higher download speeds and a safer environment for downloading and browsing.

Torrentz

If you’re looking for simplicity, Torrentz is the website for you. Torrentz is a free torrent meta-search engine and, like The Pirate Bay, it was founded in 2003. Impressively, it currently indexes 31,259,541 active torrents and is the second most popular torrent website this year, a title it held in 2012 as well.

Unlike the previously mentioned websites, Torrentz only offers their site in English, though you can easily use a service like Google Translate to translate the page.

ExtraTorrent

ExtraTorrent is another popular torrent site of 2015 and has a great online community. Not only do they offer a forum, but they also have a chat and regularly post topic-related articles on their site that allow user commenting. This allows the site to double as a news source while performing the usual torrent search tasks.

The layout is pretty straightforward and even allows you to see how healthy a torrent is (i.e., how likely you are to actually be able to download it). This is a boon for you, and will likely save you hours of time over your torrenting career.

Yify Torrents

Yify Torrents is an unusual example of a torrenting site. Even outside of its own web space, its files are well known for their high quality and small file sizes. Their main focus is on movies, including HD and 3D versions. While it might not seem too important, the differences in file sizes are often extremely significant when it comes to Yify versions.

It may mean downloading a movie that is normally 5 GB with a Yify file size of just 700 MB. This is excellent for everyone involved: lower space requirements, faster downloads, and less upload strain on other connected users. The faster the file finishes downloading, the sooner you become an uploader. Best of all, the quality (in my experience) is not compromised.

Torrent Etiquette

There are a lot of options for finding the best torrents out there, but some may be more suitable for your needs. However, there are also a few rules of etiquette when downloading torrents. There are two types of people on a torrent: seeders and leechers.

Seeders are those who have already finished the download and are now exclusively uploading the file they’ve finished downloading. Leechers are those who have not yet finished the download, but are still uploading pieces of the file they already have. Because a file cannot be 100 percent completed without seeders (they have the whole file), it’s important to continue uploading after finishing a download.

Remember, all the bandwidth in a torrent comes from users. If you close the torrent after downloading the file, it reduces the available bandwidth for everyone. Torrents can only work so long as people are still uploading. So, torrent responsibly. Make sure to seed when you’re done! If you have any additional tips or thoughts on torrenting, please make sure to comment below so you can share your knowledge!

How to Stay Safe When Online Gaming

May 6, 2015 // by Isa// Leave a Comment

Online gaming was blown wide open a few years ago when it captured mainstream audience’s attention through its marriage with social media. As Farmville and Candy Crush partnered up with Facebook, millions of people let the dishes pile up and the grass grow waist high as they got sucked into these virtual worlds.

Of course, online gaming is nothing new, and the interactive gameplay that the internet offers has connected users from all walks of life, all around the world. PC gaming, mobile gaming and even online play through consoles has turned what was once a solitary experience into a social competition, where players can challenge ten-year-old gurus in the UK.

With so much connectivity undoubtedly comes a higher risk for security. Like sharing toys on the playground, your system runs a much higher risk of being compromised when sharing a connection with other gamers. Don’t worry, no need to put down the iPad and get productive. With a little diligence, and plenty of common sense, you can shore up your security and give yourself some peace of mind while you annihilate the enemy in Call of Duty.

Beware of Public Networks

This goes for anything you do online; avoid using public WiFi networks whenever possible. Sure, they’re convenient, and there’s nothing better than chowing down on some wings and beer while you dominate in WoW. However, without taking plenty of security precautions, these places are total hotbeds of hacker activity.

Open public networks provide snoops with plenty of opportunities to swipe your login information, or worse, your credit card number. Private, secured networks offer a closed connection with only authorized users, in theory keeping people you don’t know or trust off of your network.

Only Use Legitimate Sites and Platforms

This one should go without saying, but really, it doesn’t. So many people fall into the trap of downloading what they think is a new game, only to discover too late that it’s a malware-filled, phishing pile of junk.

Many scammer websites exist, often promoting bogus software and games designed to trick you into downloading a malware file. Don’t fall for it. Once you have these files on your device, they are incredibly difficult to get rid of, and wreak havoc with pervasive adware and phishing that can swipe your personal information before you know what hit you.

The moral of the story here? Only download games, or anything really, from trusted, secure websites. Look for a padlock icon next to the URL of any site you visit, and make sure that anywhere you’re required to enter personal or payment information for gameplay has at least an https:// address so that your information will be encrypted on its way to their servers.

Check Your Security Settings

Okay, let’s be honest, have you ever even SEEN your sharing settings? While online gaming is all about sharing in the glory of victory and the shame of defeat, it’s not all about sharing your files and everything else. The thing is, if you haven’t checked your security settings, chances are your device is readily allowing other users on public networks to peek at your files.

Whether you’re gaming on a PC or a smartphone, go into your security settings and make sure that your firewall is up and running, and that your sharing settings are set to where you’d like your privacy to be (otherwise, none of your business). Public file sharing, device sharing and network discovery are some big ones. Check ‘em, and make sure your device is airtight.

Use Additional Privacy Software

Chances are, you’re still going to game on public networks. Hey, I don’t blame you. But do yourself a favor, and at least install a Virtual Private Network (VPN) first. They are simple software programs that encrypt your data in a secure tunnel through the internet. Since your information is being sent to a gaming server, a VPN will give it an added layer of security.

Even better, as any gamer in China or the UAE will tell you, there’s a ton of internet censorship and content restriction that goes on around the world. Not only will using a VPN keep prying eyes off your connection, but it will open up your access to any content you want by routing you to a server in a country of your choice, thanks to their IP address blocking technology. You’ll have a totally anonymous and secure connection, all in one neat little software bundle.

Don’t Be a Statistic

Online gaming gets a bad rap with worried parents because of the inherent vulnerabilities in that type of connection. While it’s incredible that we can meet and interact with people from anywhere in the world, it’s also incredibly risky to our personal information.

Don’t play with fire, and don’t assume that your information is safe. Sharing in the adrenaline of the game can also mean sharing a connection with someone who is only after your personal information. Use that strategizing brain of yours, and play it safe. Avoid public networks whenever possible, keep a tight lid on your security settings, and use a VPN if a free WiFi hotspot is just too enticing.

How to Watch Anything, Anywhere

April 1, 2015 // by Cassie// Leave a Comment

I have a long list of TV shows that I follow, but the amount that I travel often interrupts my viewing schedule. One of my biggest pet-peeves is having an episode spoiled because my friends are talking about it before I’ve had a chance to watch it, so I’ve gotten pretty good at keeping up with all my favorites no matter where my busy life takes me!

Depending on where you are, though, you may have a difficult time finding local shows on basic television channels. You might even encounter restrictions on Netflix, Hulu and the other streaming sites that you love. There’s no reason you should have to go without though!

Here are five ways you can watch anything you want from anywhere:

See if your current service provider allows free online streaming.

A lot of television service providers (among them Comcast, DirectTV and many more) allow you to sign on to their websites and stream certain content. Unfortunately, this is for the most part available for live-viewing only, which doesn’t really help if the problem is your busy schedule (or if you’re in a vastly different time zone). But hey, if you’re paying for cable at your home, you might as well get the most out of it.

Check if you can watch it on the broadcaster channel’s website.

Increasingly more broadcasters are realizing the value of allowing shows to be streamed from their websites. Not only does this allow their shows to reach a broader audience, but it allows them to give you direct access to special features, outtakes, merchandise and more.

Unlike with television service providers, broadcasters will often restrict their shows to not be viewable live. Instead, you may have to wait a day, and the video may only be available for a certain amount of time (often a week, but sometimes less). I like this option because it’s often free and because it keeps me to a week-by-week schedule where I’m looking forward to the next show-night, just like normal television viewing would!

Subscribe to a website so you can stream content.

Netflix has long made a name for itself offering streaming of movies and television shows on its website. Many other sites have followed suit, and now they’ve even started offering exclusive shows that aren’t being broadcast anywhere else. In fact, I find that most of the shows my friends are talking about these days are Netflix Originals!

Unfortunately, when I’m traveling, I find that a lot of these sites won’t allow me to stream from abroad. Then I found out this little trick of using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to hide my IP address so that Netflix doesn’t actually know where in the world I’m located. Now I can catch up on shows during a layover or watch a movie in the hotel on a lazy night in, no matter where I am. It’s definitely helped me get through a few homesick nights!

Scour YouTube for interesting content.

You’d be surprised at what you can find on YouTube these days. It’s no longer just a place for dumb videos taken by teens using cheap cellphones! From your favorite music videos to sports clips to DIY lessons to yoga classes, you should be able to find enough content to keep you interested for hours. Weed between the only-on-YouTube content and you might even be able to find some of your favorite movies, despite the fact that copyright restrictions might apply.

Torrent movies, shows and other multimedia directly onto your device.

Torrenting services are great because they allow you to download larger files (such as shows or movies) quickly and from a number of sources around the world. Unlike streaming, you’ll be able to save content directly on your device, so you don’t need an internet connection to watch whatever it is (which is great for long bus rides, hanging out in the dentist’s waiting room, etc.).

Of course, torrenting copyrighted material is kind of a legal grey area. Some people say it’s fine as long as you aren’t uploading and sharing any material on your own, but a lot of internet providers will cut your connection if they even suspect you’re torrenting copyrighted content, in a bid to eradicate the issue. But again, a VPN can be a handy tool. It’ll give you an encrypted connection so that your service provider won’t be able to see exactly what you’re up to.

The internet has made it so much easier to access the content we want from anywhere in the world. What are your favorite movies and shows? Do you prefer to watch at home or stream on the go?