Rigorous Themes https://rigorousthemes.com/blog/ Wordpress, Productivity, Technology, Gadgets Thu, 19 Oct 2023 11:20:04 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://rigorousthemes.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/cropped-icon-32x32.png Rigorous Themes https://rigorousthemes.com/blog/ 32 32 Is Inspirit AI Worth it? A Comprehensive Assessment https://rigorousthemes.com/blog/is-inspirit-ai-worth-it/ Thu, 19 Oct 2023 04:53:23 +0000 https://rigorousthemes.com/blog/?p=117471 Inspirit AI is a program that offers project-based AI education to high school students. The program was developed by Stanford and MIT alumni and graduate students to help students practice coding, designing, and implementing their own AI projects. Today, AI is everywhere. We interact with AI through our voice-activated devices, face-recognition systems on our smartphones, ...

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Inspirit AI is a program that offers project-based AI education to high school students. The program was developed by Stanford and MIT alumni and graduate students to help students practice coding, designing, and implementing their own AI projects.

Today, AI is everywhere. We interact with AI through our voice-activated devices, face-recognition systems on our smartphones, as well as autonomous vehicles.

Since the potential to apply AI for good is limitless, Inspirit exposes curious students to this robust technology to help them build projects for social good.

As mentioned earlier, Inspirit AI is run by a team of graduates from leading universities. The team is vast with AI matters to mentor students in a variety of domains, including law, education, AI and finance, education, healthcare, astronomy, and more.

But before we delve deeper into its features and how it works, it’s essential to establish the essence of evaluating Inspirit AI.

The program prepares students for college, so evaluating its worth will determine whether the ten sessions (25 hours long) are enough to immerse them in fundamental AI concepts.

The Inspirit AI team designed various courses for students and professionals at different levels. Inspirit also runs workshops, summer workshops, mentorship programs, and research fellowships for interested parties.

Inspirit AI program is open to students worldwide. The complexity of the program depends on the course a student selects. Students can enroll as complete beginners, intermediate learners, or advanced professionals.

Core Features and Learning

Inspirit AI’s primary objective is to bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical application. The program empowers students with robust experiences that foster creativity, problem-solving capabilities, and critical thinking.

Inspirit AI online program runs for 2.5 hours per day. Before any live session begins, students receive preparation materials to enable them to maximize the benefits of the program once it finally begins.

The program is divided into two halves. During the first half, students explore foundational AI concepts, how to apply them in real life, and AI programming skills. The second half is more practical.

Students are expected to apply the knowledge acquired in the first half to create a mentor-led AI project for social good. In this half, students will also complete college and career prep workshops.

Let’s look at some of Inspirit’s core programs and offerings:

AI Scholars Program

The AI Scholars Program is Inspirit AI’s flagship program. It is an intensive program that takes ten weeks (25 hours) and exposes students to fundamental guides and concepts for building socially impactful projects.

The team of graduate students from leading universities offers personalized learning experiences to small groups at a ratio of 5:1. The students choose a domain for their project, after which they will present the final project to their peers and instructors.

Students enrolling for the high school tier must be in Grades 9 to 12 or equivalent. No prior programming background is required, but at least students should show interest in AI. There is an advanced program for students with programming experience.

AI Mentorship Program

The AI Mentorship Program is for returning students. In this program, students collaborate with experienced AI research mentors, extract insights from larger data sets, and architect key questions.

The team then engineers machine learning models to answer these key questions. At the end of this program, students would have completed independent AI projects, research proposals, and final research papers or articles.

In summary, the AI Mentorship Program features mentorship sessions, guided research experiences, access to multiple research resources, and Science Fair preparation. The program lasts for 10 to 25 sessions, one hour each.

Inspirit AI Conference

The Inspirit AI conference brings together students, researchers, and AI professionals. The annual event features keynote speeches, workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities among professionals.

If the testimonials on the Inspirit AI website are anything to go by, then there is no doubt that the program is quite beneficial to all participants. Participants praise the program, claiming that it helped them grasp crucial AI concepts quickly.

Generally, learning AI has multiple benefits to students’ education and future careers. AI can help students streamline education processes, learn tasks more easily, and receive tutoring from AI experts based on their unique needs.

The Inspirit AI program is also beneficial to students looking to sharpen their skills and improve their weak spots outside the classroom.

User Experience and Feedback

Inspirit AI claims to prepare young minds for success in an increasingly AI-powered world. The program inspires students of all ages, interests, and backgrounds.

Inspirit AI is grounded in high curriculum ethics to prepare students to leverage technology to solve real-world problems.

While the program is intensive, learners still appreciate it as it is packed with a large amount of information within a short amount of time. With its ability to help learners apply AI to solve real-world problems, the Inspirit AI program has been used as a launch of responsible journalism.

One learner praised Inspirit AI in a testimonial, claiming that the program inspired him to create an AI-powered fencing referee system. But what could make you want to enroll in the Inspirit AI program is its excellent curriculum.

The curriculum has a great introduction that is easy to parse with an understandable and accommodating format. The program is delivered in a supportive environment of AI experts and peers to help learners further their passion for AI.

Inspirit AI Pros and Cons

Now that you understand what is expected of students in every Inspirit AI program and their potential benefits, it’s also important to know its positive and negative aspects from the participant’s perspective.

Inspirit AI fosters technological literacy. Artificial intelligence is slowly becoming an integral part of our daily lives.

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, technological literacy is now a core competency that each student needs to succeed in college.

On the downside, Inspirit AI is not clear about its selection criteria and acceptance rates. While we may understand a few things about what to expect once you apply for the program, it would be best if Inspirit AI considered having the information on its website.

From the reviews, you can easily tell that the program isn’t selective. So, we can conclude that its acceptance rate is pretty high. The program will not ask you about your past grades, personal statements, or recommendation letters.

Additionally, the program is open to students from more than 50 countries. With the 5:1 student-teacher ratio, it means there will be lots of students striving to secure a slot.

Therefore, since almost everyone is eligible for the program, I advise that you apply for the program in advance since selection is likely to be on a first-come, first-served basis.

Expertise of Instructors and Learning Support

As mentioned earlier, all courses for students and professionals are taught by researchers from Stanford, MIT, and other leading universities.

The team of professionals, also called Inspirit innovators, develops courses to build fundamental and technical AI skills with no prerequisites.

AI applies to all disciplines. So, whether you want to learn in-demand technical skills such as Python, SQL, or machine learning, Inspirit innovators will walk with you to see you achieve your goal.

Since the program is live for 2.5 hours per day, tutors encourage healthy interactions and participation. Inspirit tutors divide students into small groups of five to ensure that each participant receives a personalized learning experience.

Hands-on Projects and Practical Application

By integrating AI into the high school curriculum, Inspirit AI seeks to empower students to become responsible creators, ready to thrive.

On the other hand, practical learning improves students’ understanding and application of concepts while allowing teachers to analyze learning gaps.

Inspirit offers AI programs that expose learners to fundamental programming skills in Python to help them create their own AI projects.

The hands-on program covers crucial topics, including logistic regression, linear regression, natural language processing, computer vision, and neural networks. These topics are covered in four consecutive programs under the mentorship of industry experts from Stanford, MIT, and Ivy League students and alumni.

Through the above concepts, learners can build projects intersecting AI and a discipline they are passionate about. For instance, a student who is passionate about healthcare and medicine can build a project that trains an AI model to help detect pneumonia in patients.

On the other hand, a student passionate about business and finance can use an NLP to create algorithm trading to predict returns on business portfolios.

Comparison with other AI Education Programs

The Inspirit Scholars program is not the only course created to educate high schoolers about artificial intelligence. But, what sets this program apart from other AI educational programs is its hands-on approach to coding, designing, and implementing AI projects.

Additionally, the Inspirit AI program offers guidance from when students start projects to pursuing ventures or applying to college. Inspirit AI offers programs for different skill levels; therefore, students can check their interests and eligibility before applying.

The Inspirit AI program is not limited to AI enthusiasts. Students can also explore AI applications in art forms or healthcare delivery systems. The program immerses students in core artificial intelligence.

For the first two weeks, instructors offer personalized mentorship while helping students create AI concepts that can impact the real world. The live online sessions cost $1100, which covers the 25 one-hour lessons.

One advantage of Inspirit AI is that it accommodates young learners from elementary and middle school. The students have a chance to learn from experienced minds in the AI field.

While the program does a better job of preparing learners for college, some people may not be happy about its cost. The program costs at least $900, which might lock out a few families that cannot afford it.

Cost-Benefit Analysis

As mentioned earlier, the Inspirit AI program costs about $900 to $1100. The biggest question among participants is whether the program is worth the said amount. I’d say the program is worth the cost, given the rich curriculum it features.

The super-intensive program is divided into halves, with the first one introducing learners to the AI world. Students also learn to complete tasks involving crucial AI concepts, including computer vision, NLP, and classification.

But just before the program begins, Inspirit AI asks students to fill out a survey to highlight their top three projects for social good. Inspirit AI promises to ensure that students are best matched with what resonates with their career goals.

Learning AI through Inspirit AI does not only teach students to code AI software. The program is proof of competency and an effective preparation for college and internships.

Student Success and Career Outcomes

We can all agree that AI is significantly transforming homes, cities, the economy, transportation, healthcare, agriculture, education, and more. The second phase of the Inspirit AI program encourages students to work in groups to implement socially impactful projects.

On the website, Inspirit AI highlights some of the key projects that students work on in line with their career objectives.

The projects cut across criminal justice, autonomous driving, mental health, algorithmic trading, health and safety, law and politics, and environmental sustainability.

Suitability for Different Learning Goals

Inspirit AI is experiential. It accommodates students at all levels. Therefore, whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or hoping to advance your AI knowledge, you will benefit from Inspirit AI’s case discussions and interactive demos, and you’ll learn about real-world AI applications.

The sessions are highly personalized, as at the end of the day, students are expected to develop their own projects. Once students submit their projects to instructors and peers, they get access to an online portal with coding assignments, quizzes, and more AI projects.

Regardless of students’ levels, students can benefit from the Inspirit Scholars program. Grades 2- 5 fall under AI Adventurers: Level 1, which covers AI fundamentals, paper programming, block-based coding, storytelling, and UX/UI design basics.

Level II is ideal for Grades 3-5. At this level, learners explore AI fundamentals, optimized search algorithms, block-based coding, UX/UI design basics, and build interactive games. Levels 1 and 2 take ten sessions.

As students advance to Grades 5-7, they are exposed to real-world AI applications, AI and ethics, block-based coding, UX/UI design basics, and project building.

The program is ideal for AI creators and features projects like self-driving cars, chatbots, and emotion detection and text classifiers.

The last level of the Inspirit Scholars program is perfect for AI Pioneers in Grades 7-8. Like the AI Creators level, this level takes about 20 sessions, amounting to 75 minutes.

The AI Pioneers level encompasses PythonNLP chatbot programming, AI algorithms and techniques, web app deployment, and AI+ Social Good projects.

Like any educational AI, Inspirit AI has multiple benefits over traditional class education systems. While we’ve focused more on these benefits in this article, it’s essential to note that Inspirit AI also has potential limitations for learners from various backgrounds.

Inspirit AI appears to provide quick answers as opposed to helping them get to an answer. The program somehow accustoms students to getting information as opposed to taking time to learn and understand their own thoughts.

Like any education AI, Inspirit AI poses a series of security concerns, following the amount of data it extracts from students when creating an AI model. But overall, Inspirit AI is instrumental in expanding and improving the education sector.

Is Inspirit AI worth It?

By now, I hope we can agree that the Inspirit AI program is worth your time and money. We’ve covered in length what makes the program tick, but we can still go over some of the pros that make it the right program for high schoolers.

Inspirit AI helps students become better problem solvers. It prepares them for college and internships, as Inspirit classes allow them to figure out solutions to complex problems that affect the environment around them.

If you are still unsure as to whether Inspirit AI is good for your child, I recommend you take time to read through reviews on the Inspirit AI website. Many students are happy with the program for having helped them grasp the AI knowledge within a short time.

Students also share their experience with the program on other platforms, praising the program for having equipped them with the right tools to pursue artificial intelligence with a strong foundation.

I highly recommend Inspirit AI for students who wish to use computer vision to diagnose patients in healthcare, use AI to create a simple and safe autopilot system for cars, and use machine learning to predict returns within economics and finance.

Inspirit AI can also be helpful in the sphere of politics, law, and democracy. In law and politics, AI can assist in compiling supporting legal evidence, detect fake news, predict whether an offender is likely to re-offend, and understand the nuances between political candidates in a debate.

The best part is that the online Inspirit program is no different from an in-person program. All the assignments and instructions are customized to offer a personalized learning experience.

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30 Best Apps Like Webtoon https://rigorousthemes.com/blog/best-apps-like-webtoon/ Thu, 19 Oct 2023 04:28:29 +0000 https://rigorousthemes.com/blog/?p=117438 Webtoon is a South Korean platform that provides digital comics from different parts of the world. It was created in 2004 by JunKoo Kim and is now home to thousands of creative comics. Some of the genres available on Webtoon include romance, action, fantasy, horror, and manga among others. Siren’s Lament, Bluechair, and Tower of ...

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Webtoon is a South Korean platform that provides digital comics from different parts of the world. It was created in 2004 by JunKoo Kim and is now home to thousands of creative comics.

Some of the genres available on Webtoon include romance, action, fantasy, horror, and manga among others. Siren’s Lament, Bluechair, and Tower of God are among the popular comics that have been featured on Webtoon.

However, Webtoon is not free. Sometimes you’re forced to buy coins if you want to access early chapter releases starting from $0.99 for every 10 coins.

Most readers aren’t fans of this. They would rather wait for the chapters to be released the normal way, although this can take too long.

Alternatively, readers can choose to watch ads instead of paying coins. But this negatively impacts the overall experience. Furthermore, Webtoon is known for canceling comics without any warning, leaving readers in the lurch.

For this reason, we have compiled a list of the best apps like Webtoon that you can use. If you love reading amazing comics from all over the world, this is for you.

30 Webtoon Alternatives Worth Checking Out

1. Tapas

Tapas is home to hundreds of comics from different writers. A majority of the content on Tapas is by Korean creators, just like Webtoon. You don’t need to create an account to access the comics either.

There’s even a section for adult content and you have to confirm your age before proceeding. Overall, navigating the app was very easy. The search function was particularly handy with auto-complete making it faster.

Tapas has an app for Android and iOS.

2. MangaDex

MangaDex is another amazing Webtoon alternative. It has a huge collection of colored comics with a majority of them from Japan. It even features some of the most popular mangas like Black Clover, One Piece, and Jujutsu Kaisen, among many others.

Navigating the platform is easy. This is because the content is categorized based on genres, country of origin, and time of update. MangaDex doesn’t have an official app. But you can use a third-party client called MobileMD to read comics from your mobile.

3. Manga Rock

Manga Rock is much newer than Webtoon as it has been around since 2009. The platform features a huge collection of comic titles by different types of writers across multiple genres.

The comics on Manga Rock are arranged by order of update. So whatever you see on top when you open the site or app is the most recent addition.

You can also find adult content on Manga Rock. But while the platform doesn’t have official apps, you can download third-party clients for Android and iOS on Uptodown and Softonic.

4. MangaToon

MangaToon offers a broad selection of genres to suit different preferences, such as fantasy, action, romance, and more.

Readers are able to produce, share, and read their own material and they get new stories through frequent updates.

While Webtoon focuses on original webcomics, MangaToon features works from established writers with classic works already in circulation. But you can still find the occasional comic from an upcoming creator.

MangaToon is available on Android and iOS.

5. Comic Fury

Comic Fury may not have a dazzling interface that’s highly organized like Webtoon, but it delivers where it matters most. It has one of the best collections of quality comics.

The platform is a preferred location for independent content producers. You will find work from creators just starting out who need a simple platform to showcase their stories. Artists are able to customize their comic pages to meet the needs of their readers.

If you’re the type of person who values original, hand-drawn comics, then Comic Fury may have what you need. There are no apps but the web version is optimized for mobile phones.

6. MangaPark

MangaPark lets you browse through a rich catalog of manga and comics. Unlike Webtoon, it features premium manga titles like Dandadan. You also receive new updates as soon as the official digital copies are released.

MangaPark is gracious enough to display the number of chapters released for each comic and that’s helpful for readers.

At the moment, MangaPark is only available for Android. It comes with a very clean user interface that’s easy to navigate even on small screens.

7. Crunchyroll Manga

Crunchyroll is best known as an anime streaming site and app. But most people aren’t aware that it offers high-quality premium manga and other comic genres, like Webtoon. Reading content is easy and you can even turn the screen to dark mode to go easy on your eyes.

Popular titles you can find here include Sun-Ken-Rock, which is one of my favorite manga. However, you need a premium membership to access the content on Android, iOS, or the web.

8. Comic Rocket

Comic Rocket is another good source of comics from different countries and genres that can keep you entertained for hours.

The platform offers comic books with a lot of different genres, like fantasy, romance, sci-fi, and more. For fans of comic books, this is like a treasure trove.

Although Comic Rocket doesn’t have the aesthetics associated with Webtoon, you’ll always find what you’re looking for without fail. There’s a Beta app you can use on your Android device to keep track of all the latest additions.

9. Toomics

Toomics is expertly designed with an aesthetic look similar to Webtoon. In fact, if it wasn’t for the simple fact that it uses yellows and reds, it would be easy to confuse the two platforms.

Toomics features some of the most popular manga, manhua, and superhero comic strips around. Everything on the app and site is well organized. You can locate what you want based on the different categories available.

Toomics is available on Android and iOS.

10. Lezhin Comics

Lezhin has a lot of free comics you can read at your leisure. But like Webtoon, if you want to fully unlock the site, a premium subscription is necessary.

Some comic genres you can find here include drama, fantasy, romance, and BL (Boys’ Love). It also has an intuitive UI that makes navigating it simple.

I particularly loved the way the site is arranged and the clever use of blending colors. It’s very calming to look at for readers using Android and iOS.

11. MangaDoom

MangaDoom is just as straightforward as Webtoon as far as how content is displayed. It prioritizes new releases over everything else which means the list changes every time you launch the site.

You can also scroll through lists to find your favorite content based on the genres. If you go further down, you can find a very lively comment section. This is a very good spot to be if you’re unsure of what to read. Seasoned users can give you recommendations if you ask them.

There are no official apps for MangaDoom but you can use the web version on mobile screens without issues.

12. The Duck Webcomics

The Duck Webcomics platform has a “cartoonish” appearance and this isn’t just limited to the overall interface. Even the content itself appears to be fanmade. But that doesn’t take away the entertainment value they offer.

The place is perfect for budding creators. In fact, most people whose works end up on Webtoon started on sites like Duck Webcomics.

You can access a rich trove of archives that features old classics. At the same time, the platform provides you with updates on new releases every time they drop. There’s no official app but the web version works fine for smartphones.

13. Hiveworks Comics

Hiveworks Comics is the most inclusive alternative on this list. While Webtoon and the rest focus on content geared toward adults, Hiveworks has a section for kids.

They feature very kid-friendly stories that are drawn beautifully with so many colors to entice their imagination.

Outside of that, the platform has a very amazing design. Everything is grouped into categories that make it easy to find what you need. Despite lacking apps, the site works very well on all types of smartphones.

14. TappyToon

TappyToon is a comic book website with a wide range of genres that appeal to all comic book readers. It’s a one-stop shop for a variety of storytelling genres, including romance, fantasy, thrillers, and slice-of-life.

TappyToon focuses on premium content and provides users with carefully chosen and translated comics.

This gives it a very rich catalog of content making it perfect for people looking for exciting new comics.

The service can be accessed on Android and iOS.

15. Webnovel

Webnovel allows users to dive into a wide array of genres. Romance is the most in-demand genre on the platform and there are hundreds of titles to choose from.

But what sets Webnovel apart from Webtoon and other alternatives is the community-driven atmosphere, interactive features, and captivating comics.

It’s one of the few platforms where readers can engage in fan discussions, criticism, and even communicate with authors.

You can read your favorite Webnovel works on Android and iOS.

16. Izneo

Izneo features the same high-quality content you would find on Webtoon. The only big difference is that it features different languages outside of English. This makes it a very good option for multilingual people.

Every digital comic on Izeno also displays the number of stars it has received from readers. This can act as a guide for people unsure of what to go with. You can even find some of the most acclaimed manga like Demon Slayer and Edens Zero.

The platform supports Android and iOS apps.

17. Manta

Manta is the closest thing you’ll get to Webtoon in terms of content and design. The content available on Manta features some of the most amazing artwork.

But what I love the most about the site is the default black background. This may seem insignificant but it’s vital for readers who usually browse these platforms at night in darkness. The black background is easy on the eyes.

You can read all types of comics on your smartphone or tablet whether you’re on Android or iOS.

18. Manga Dogs

Manga Dogs has an extensive collection of comics that cover a wide range of genres. You can find action, fantasy, romance, manga, and many more.

The app features an intuitive layout that can be used even by first-timers. Every single element on the page is well-arranged, correctly labeled, and within reach.

The platform features colored content and offers up to six languages. You can even favorite an unlimited number of comics so you can receive notifications whenever new chapters are released.

At the moment, the platform is only available on iOS.

19. Pocket Comics

Pocket Comics is another Webtoon alternative with an impressive collection of well-drawn comics, mostly from Korean artists.

The landing page of the main website catches your attention right away. It’s designed with a rich array of very colorful panels of hundreds of digital comics.

You can create an account if you want to get the most out of Pocket Comics, but that’s not a requirement. You can choose to read and exit.

The platform is supported on iOS and Android.

20. Graphite Comics

Graphite Comics has everything under one roof. From classic editions that can’t be found anywhere else to some of the most sensational creations from modern and upcoming artists.

I was even surprised to find popular hits like Toy Story, Lilo and Stitch, and even The Dark Crystal. All these are acclaimed works that have gone on to be award-winning animated films.

The app design is as user-friendly as Webtoon. It combines beautiful and colorful gradients that make reading very pleasant. Graphite Comics is available on Android only.

21. WebComics

WebComics boasts a remarkable variety of genres, including action, horror, romance, and fantasy. Readers can lose themselves in the creativity of gifted authors from all over the world, especially Asian content.

A user-friendly layout and a vibrant community are major highlights of WebComics. The site also lets readers interact with other enthusiasts and share comic recommendations.

In a nutshell, WebComics is a promising place for comic book fans looking for new content. It can be accessed on Android and iOS.

22. Manga Plus

If you’re an avid reader of Japanese manga then you’ve definitely come across Manga Plus. It has one of the largest collections of Japanese manga. This includes popular names like One Piece, Jiangshi, and Sakamoto Days. None of these can be found on Webtoon.

But what makes Manga Plus such an amazing option is that it’s free. You don’t need to open an account to read what you want. New chapter updates also come super fast every Sunday without fail. Manga Plus has support for Android and iOS apps.

23. DC Comics

DC Comics is a collection of the best-known superhero comics like Batman, Superman, and Teen Titans, just to mention a few.

It has a more professional look than Webtoon and the other options on this list. But this isn’t surprising considering how big these comics are in Hollywood.

The comics on DC Comics aren’t free. You can even place your order and have them delivered to you in hard copies. You can access all the digital comics you want through the DC Universe Infinite apps on Android and iOS.

24. Archie Comics

Archie Comics is a little different from Webtoon. It focuses on old comics from back in the day even before the internet was born.

It’s the perfect place for people who grew up on the early versions of superhero comics. If you want to relive your childhood years without spending too much, then check out Archie Comics.

While the site mainly stocks Archie comics, you can also find other popular alternatives that defined the 1960s era. Most of the premium comics are in physical form but you can get digital copies if you want.

There are no apps for this service.

25. Manga Zone

Manga Zone features a crazy amount of comics of all types from all corners of the globe. But while Webtoon focuses on original webcomics, Manga Zone hosts even the classical manga titles.

You can read old seinen and josei manga like Choju Jinbutsu Giga or the latest creations like Kagurabachi. This platform has everything under one roof.

The apps and the site are also well-designed with dark mode options. This is good for people who love reading in their beds at night as it reduces the screen glare.

Manga Zone is available on Android and iOS.

26. Bilibili Comics

Bilibili features full-colored comics like Webtoon with a very aesthetic website and apps. Each comic is uploaded with all the relevant information like the number of chapters released so far. This acts as a guide for the reader.

If you’re unsure of what to read, you can make use of the Editor’s Picks. There’s even an option to publish your work if you’re an artist.

Bilibili is available on Android and iOS.

27. INKR Comics

INKR Comics is one of the most stylish comic platforms on this list. It features the coin system for some of its publications.

The site and apps are very well-organized. It has sections displaying comics based on genres, language, or the time of chapter updates.

Speaking of genres, you can read romance, manga, boy love, action, and even adult-only content. So as far as variety is concerned, INKR Comics nails things down very well.

You can either read content on the big screen through the web version or use the Android and iOS apps.

28. VIZ Manga

VIZ Manga is the official platform for major Japanese manga. So most of the content available here isn’t on Webtoon, which usually focuses on original works from unknown artists.

You can read the official versions of popular manga like Kimetsu no Yaiba, One-Punch Man, and the Legend of Zelda. The site is well designed with images displayed alongside manga information to give you a preview.

However, VIZ Manga is a premium option and you have to buy everything. If you have a premium account, then you can buy and download any manga you want through Android or iOS.

29. TapRead

TapRead is very similar to Webtoon on many fronts like design and the coin system. The biggest difference is that it has actual novels that don’t feature any images but text only.

This makes it a good option for people who love short digital stories. Most of these stories range from 10 to 60 chapters and can be very entertaining once you start diving in. Some of the common genres include romance, horror, fantasy, and sci-fi among many others.

TapRead works on Android and iOS.

30. Astonishing Comic Reader

Last on our list is Astonishing Comic Reader. It’s an all-inclusive site and app that gives you access to the best comics around for free.

Some of the formats supported on this platform include CBZ and CBR. This gives it a slight edge over most of the other alternatives here.

Astonishing Comic Reader also happens to have the most extensive app support. You can access it on Android and Chrome apps. The iOS app is still in the works though.

Conclusion

There you have it, a complete list of the best Webtoon alternatives.

Most of them come with intuitive apps for Android and iOS. For those that lack apps, the web versions are well-optimized for smartphones.

Tapas is my top recommendation because it has a huge collection of comics across different genres. It’s also well-designed and easy to use on the web and phones. Pure manga fans can try Manga Plus or VIZ Manga. For those who love short novels, TapRead is a good place to start.

In short, pick the one you like and start reading your favorite comics.

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How Do You Handle Stress Interview Questions? (With Sample Answers) https://rigorousthemes.com/blog/how-to-handle-stress-interview-questions/ Thu, 19 Oct 2023 03:50:37 +0000 https://rigorousthemes.com/blog/?p=117422 Regardless of the industry you work in or the kind of job you do, you can expect some level of stress to accompany the execution of your duties. Employers need the assurance that the candidate they hire will not buckle under the pressure that comes their way. As a result, “How do you handle pressure?” ...

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Regardless of the industry you work in or the kind of job you do, you can expect some level of stress to accompany the execution of your duties.

Employers need the assurance that the candidate they hire will not buckle under the pressure that comes their way.

As a result, “How do you handle pressure?” is one of the most common interview questions you will have to answer.

How well you answer this question and convince the interviewer that you’re equipped to manage stress can determine whether you make it to the next stage of the process or get weeded out.

In this post, we’re going to provide some sample answers that you can draw inspiration from, build upon, or use as a guideline to craft the perfect response to this line of inquiry.

Different Forms of “How Do You Handle Stress” Interview Questions

Hiring managers and interviewers can use different ways and words to ask how you tackle stress. You need to be ready to modify your prepared answer to suit the specific context you’re given.

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Let’s take a look at some common variations of stress-related questions you may be asked in an interview.

  • How did you handle a stressful situation that helped you learn valuable skills?
  • How do you deal with stress and pressure?
  • Do you have any stress management skills?
  • How do you keep stress in your personal life from interfering with your work performance?
  • When you encounter challenges at work, how do you tackle them?
  • How do you deal with pressure at work?
  • What’s an example of a time when you faced a difficult situation at work and how did you handle it?
  • How do you manage working in stressful situations?
  • Can you give me five examples of methods for coping with stress?
  • What techniques do you use to manage stress?
  • Do you perform well under pressure?

Sample Answers to “How Do You Handle Stress”

Here are some examples of insightful answers you can give if an interviewer poses a question about workplace pressures and your methods for dealing with them.

Sample Answer #1

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“Whenever I’m facing considerable stress at work, my solution is to stay calm and attack it with a level head. I believe that panicking does more harm than good in these circumstances.

For example, at my last job, there was a time when I was overseeing the development of a new product. Technical issues arose that threatened to delay the scheduled launch date.

Everyone was confused and worried about the consequences of the delay but I took my time to consider possible solutions. I then suggested that we all work longer hours and on weekends to fix the problems and make up for the delay.

The team found my solution agreeable and we were able to reorganize, address the challenge, and release the product as planned.”

Key Takeaway: This sample answer doesn’t just explain how you manage stress. It goes a step further to provide an example of how you problem-solved and succeeded in achieving your goals despite the pressure you were under.

Sample Answer #2

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“I think we underestimate how much stress we can avoid or reduce by over-communicating.

When faced with a stressful situation, my strategy is to ramp up my communication efforts. This ensures all the stakeholders have a clear understanding of the workload and the timeline for completion.

I let my managers know what I’m working on at each point in time and when they can expect to see results.

So, they can plan accordingly and won’t have to keep checking in constantly or adding things to my plate when I’m already at capacity.

I also like to carry every other team member along and check in on their tasks to ensure there is no duplication of efforts.

This also creates room for us to collectively devise strategies to cope with the stress and cut down any issues that might be slowing down progress.”

Key Takeaway: With this answer, you’re showing the interviewer that you have a strategic approach to dealing with and working through stress.

Instead of being blindsided and flailing about cluelessly, you faced the problem head-on and utilized proper communication to assuage concerns.

Sample Answer #3

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“I find that a good amount of pressure can be a motivating factor that pushes me to be my most productive and efficient self. For example, when there’s a lot on my plate, I like to break each project down into smaller tasks.

Then I assign deadlines to each task even if no overarching deadlines have been set for the project. This way, I have goals to work towards which help keep me on track and allow me to prioritize my workload so I don’t end up feeling overwhelmed by stress.”

Key Takeaway: This response puts a positive on pressure by talking about how you take control of it instead of letting it control you.

It also highlights the actions you take to boost productivity even when you’re experiencing stress.

Sample Answer #4

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“I believe managing stress is one of the most important skills I’ve mastered in my career so far. I take particular care to maintain a balance between my work responsibilities and my personal life and I try not to let one encroach into the other.

I am very organized, assertive, and good at setting boundaries. This helps me acknowledge stressors and nip them in the bud before they start to affect my performance or focus on either front.”

Key Takeaway: One of the things interviewers are trying to determine when they ask how you handle stress is whether you can keep tensions from your personal life from interfering with your work.

This response not only assures them that you know how to separate both worlds but that you have ways of remaining calm and focused in the face of stress.

Sample Answer #5

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“I know that dealing with stress is often a prerequisite for the job so I don’t waste much time dwelling on it or complaining. Even when I run into unexpected challenges at work, I try to keep my head up and take advantage of the tools at my disposal to address them.

For example, in my last role, I had a manager who left the company a week after I was hired. I was still learning the ropes of the job and we were the only members of the marketing team.

So as you can imagine, it was not a pleasant experience and I was left feeling rudderless. I was able to rise above the circumstances by reaching out to team leaders in other departments to ask for guidance and instructions on how to get up to speed faster.

I also devoted a few hours after work to assess what I’d learned so far and where my knowledge gaps were and come up with a plan to hasten my time-to-productivity.

Within five months, I was already a high-performing employee and was even able to absorb additional responsibilities until a new manager was hired.”

Key Takeaway: This answer uses the STAR method to provide an in-depth response to the interview question. First, it describes a time when you had to contend with a difficult scenario and the task or challenge you faced.

Then it talks about the actions you took to mitigate the stressful situation and the results that followed.

Sample Answer #6

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“What I do when I find myself feeling overcome by stress is to take a few minutes to diagnose the source or cause of the stress. Understanding what’s prompting the stress allows me to take effective action to relieve it.

Sometimes, the action could be taking a little break or watching an episode of my favorite sitcom to relax. It could also be talking to my partner on the phone or admitting that I’m dealing with too much and asking for help.”

Key Takeaway: This is how you demonstrate that you are highly emotionally intelligent.

It shows you’re able to interrogate your feelings and self-regulate to lighten stress rather than giving in and falling apart.

Sample Answer #7

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“My most powerful tool for managing stress is planning. I like to rise above difficult situations by constructing a detailed plan for each task on my daily to-do list.

I find that breaking down assignments in this way lets me streamline my workflow and focus on what needs to be done at each point in time.

Planning helps me avoid unnecessary delays, predict issues that may stand in the way of my success, and effectively communicate with other parties involved in the project.”

Key Takeaway: This briefly explains the practices you use to maintain focus and sharpen your mind so you can continuously do great work.

Sample Answer #8

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“I do some of my best work under pressure and I tend to excel in fast-paced, intensive environments. I take pride in my ability to adapt, multi-task, and handle worrisome circumstances without losing my cool.

I have a journal where I track my upcoming and current deliverables. This allows me to plan for potential outcomes ahead of time and tackle tasks based on their importance.

I am careful not to overextend myself to the point where I get burnt out so I dedicate time to care for my mental and physical health.

I prioritize “me time” on weekends to help me destress so I can return to work every week feeling at ease and ready to take over the world.”

Key Takeaway: What makes this answer stand out is that it positions you as a candidate who has experience and is comfortable working in high-pressure environments.

It also mentions the proactive steps you take to reduce any pent-up workplace frustrations before they have a chance to get in the way of your performance.

Sample Answer #9

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“For me, the first step to dealing with stress is discerning whether I’m up against the good kind of stress or the bad kind of stress.

If it’s healthy stress like having a tight deadline, I use the pressure as fuel to spur me to work harder and faster.

Also, I leverage my time management skills to help me plan my priorities better. But if it’s bad stress that arises from constantly having to interact with irate customers or a toxic work environment, then I will address this with my manager.

Furthermore, I will rely on my meditation skills. When I feel negative feelings starting to take over, I take a few steps back and practice breathing deeply.

It might seem trivial or even silly but I find it’s a very effective way to clear my head and recenter myself so I can return to the situation and attack it with fresh eyes.”

Key Takeaway: By mentioning the healthy techniques you use to reduce stress, you’re positioning yourself as someone who is mentally equipped to handle whatever the job throws at you.

You’re telling the interviewer that you know how to cope with pressure and will be able to thrive in the position if hired.

Sample Answer #10

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“I handle stress by finding outlets for the tension that enrich my mental and physical well-being. For instance, I start all my mornings doing yoga or some form of physical exercise to get my blood pumping and to rid myself of any pent-up negative energy from the day before.

I like to go on walking lunches to soak in the natural environment and recharge my mind. When I’m feeling particularly stressed, I swap lunchtime for a quick yoga session so I can regain my zen and effectively confront the struggles I’m faced with.

For me, these simple activities are an instant mood lifter.”

Key Takeaway: When answering, you can choose to be straightforward and focus on the specific stress management strategies you use as this sample response does.

It’s detailed enough for you to skip providing situational examples to buttress the point you’re making.

Sample Answer #11

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“Oftentimes, work-related stress is just a matter of having too many responsibilities competing for my attention.

So instead of surrendering to the chaos, my strategy is to spend a few moments making a list of all the tasks on my plate so I know what has me stressed.

I then move on to rank them according to their urgency and make a note of which ones I can multitask on and which demands my undivided attention.

Armed with this information, I can make judicious use of my time and take the course of action that will satisfy most people first before moving on to less pressing tasks.

I also make sure to keep team members, supervisors, customers, or other stakeholders in the loop as I go so they know I’m taking the task at hand seriously.”

Key Takeaway: The reason this response works is because it not only talks about how you handle stress. But it also discusses the specific skills you use to achieve this such as multitasking, communication, organization, and more.

Sample Answer #12

Photo by Timur Weber

“As a project manager, stress emanates from different aspects of my work. There are client expectations, squabbles between team members, manager demands, and more. And it’s my job to liaise with these parties and make sure all the moving pieces are in order.

I know I can’t afford to lose my cool or let any anxieties or tension I may be feeling take over. So when pressure begins to build up, I try to ignore the negative emotion and direct all my attention to the situation and what I can do to mitigate the challenges.

I try not to take things personally because I know they are not necessarily about me. I keep my eye on the bigger picture which is tackling all outstanding issues so projects can move forward.”

Key Takeaway: This response discusses the ways they encounter stress in your role to show that you have experience dealing with high-pressure situations.

Also, it doesn’t neglect to mention examples of techniques you use to combat stress and get the job done.

Conclusion

There’s no one right away to answer questions about how you deal with stress when asked in an interview. However, knowing how to structure your answers and practicing what you might say when the question comes up will enable you to deliver an articulate response every time.

Remember to maintain composure and avoid saying anything that will come across as unprofessional.

Instead, use your answer to signify that you’re the right person for the position.

The post How Do You Handle Stress Interview Questions? (With Sample Answers) appeared first on Rigorous Themes.

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15 Best Free Online PDF Summarizer Tools 2023 https://rigorousthemes.com/blog/best-free-online-pdf-summarizer-tools/ Thu, 19 Oct 2023 02:36:32 +0000 https://rigorousthemes.com/blog/?p=51549 Reading through a document with lots of pages can be time-consuming and tedious – so is skimming. You want to get quick facts and key points about an article, news story, book, or other information so you can decide what to do next. A summary gives you a concise overview of the main points in ...

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Reading through a document with lots of pages can be time-consuming and tedious – so is skimming.

You want to get quick facts and key points about an article, news story, book, or other information so you can decide what to do next.

A summary gives you a concise overview of the main points in the text you’re reading and is much shorter than the original text.

Maybe you’re required to show that you’ve understood a standalone assignment, or you want to make notes that will help you remember what you’ve read. In such cases, you need a summary of key points to get a clear understanding of the original source before paraphrasing or quoting it.

You can take the longer route of reading the entire document or material and creating your own side notes about what you’ve read. Or you can use a summarizer tool to do it for you.

In this guide, we’ll look at 15 of the best online PDF summarizer tools you can use for this purpose. Let’s dive in.

Best PDF Summarizer Tools

1. IntelliPPT

IntelliPPT is an online summarizer tool that uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to deliver text summaries that are accurate. You can upload your PDF document or add in a few paragraphs or Word documents.

Once you upload the text, you can increase or decrease the summary size to any length you want. Just hit the summarize button and you’ll get an automatically generated PPT that you can copy and use wherever you want.

The summary process will give you precise results thanks to the use of AI, which makes your job easier by converting documents to PPTs. This way you don’t have to read the entire file yourself.

The process is quick and simple, and you can input text of up to 3000 characters on the free version with a 1MB file size limit.

2. AskYourPDF

AskYourPDF is an AI-powered PDF summarizer for working with PDF documents, streamlining reading and data extraction. Users have rated it highly, with an average score of 4.65 based on 40 reviews.

AskYourPDF, driven by ChatGPT, enables users to upload PDF files and interact with an intelligent chat AI to extract valuable insights.

It supports various formats and provides a Chrome extension for easy access . Notably, it’s multilingual and doesn’t require sign-up for its free version.

This tool can generate concise summaries from PDFs and allows users to inquire about the summary. Additionally, it offers a chat function for interactive document engagement. The Pro plan supports up to 6000 pages per document (up to 90MB) and offers unlimited questions and conversations per day.

Moreover, AskYourPDF provides a ChatGPT plugin designed to expedite information extraction from PDF documents. The plugin accepts a URL link or a document ID and scans through stored PDFs to find answers or retrieve specific details.

AskYourPDF offers a free plan with limitations, including a maximum of 100 pages per document (up to 15MB), 50 questions per day, 3 conversations per day, and 1 document per day.

3. Flacked AI

Flacked AI is an all-in-one AI-powered platform that you can use to summarize your copy among other needs like copywriting and email writing.

The tool succinctly summarizes your content by digesting any document or text and delivers a beautifully written summary with as much information as possible on the subject.

You can summarize any document, webpage, text, or image in seconds. Whether you want to write more or do better copy faster, you can use Flacked AI as your go-to summarizer tool.

The tool is used by founders, content creators, creative agencies, marketing teams, media agencies, and product managers among other users to get quick summaries and make decisions faster.

4. Summarizer.org

This summarizer tool also uses AI to generate summaries of your PDF files within seconds. The tool finds the important and best lines of your text and eliminates the time-consuming and tedious process of having to read and summarize lengthy documents or portions of text.

You can save time, make PDF files easier to read, and it’s free so you don’t have to pay anything. You can focus more on what matters and make sure people understand the key takeaways from the material you share.

Once you open the platform, you can upload a PDF document and the tool will extract the most relevant information from the text in your file. It will then create a summary that includes only the necessary key points in less than five minutes.

You’ll get a condensed, short, and concise summary that you can use or share online for higher engagement. You can also set summarization length, customize your content to show bullets and best lines, and get the core meaning you want to convey through the summary based on the PDF you upload.

The summarized content won’t save in the system so no third party can use it.

You can also use the Summarizer.org Chrome extension, which focuses on making your content brief while keeping its wit intact. You’ll get the same features as the online tool for free and use it on any electronic device including your computer and mobile device.

5. Scholarcy

Scholarcy is another free online summarizer tool that scans your content and reads it within seconds. It then breaks it up so you can easily access and assess your file.

The unique Robo-Highlighter feature highlights important contributions and phrases automatically, so you don’t have to print a paper and go over it with a marker pen to highlight what you need.

Plus, the tool creates a referenced summary that summarizes the entire paper rewriting statements in the third person so it’s easier to cite the information correctly in your PDF file.

You can customize the summarization process by choosing the number of words, and highlighting and language variation levels.

Scholarcy will find the references in the PDF document and you can download them in a .RIS format or BibTex so you can import each entry into your reference manager.

You can also extract tables and figures in your PDF document and download them in Excel format to run calculations on the results.

Plus, you can configure Scholarcy to give you thumbnails of each figure in your document and jump to the corresponding numbers as you read through.

The tool is used by different people including professionals, students, or researchers to get points of their PDF documents quickly and get summaries they can revert to any time.

You can speed-read content, follow arguments, and even use the browser extension for free to get your file summarized while it’s open.

6. QuillBot Summarizer

QuillBot is known for its paraphrasing features, but it’s also an online summarizer tool you can use for your PDF documents. You can take any text-based content and, in one click, you can get the important bits of the information.

The summarizer condenses lengthy documents, white papers, articles, research papers and other information to key points using AI’s natural language processing to find the necessary information and keep the original meaning.

You can summarize key sentences or paragraph mode. This way, you’ll get bullet-point lists of the important phrases or sentences, and unique paragraphs that summarize the content.

You can also manage the length of your summary whether it’s a news article, confusing paragraph, or research paper. You can also get the information you’re looking for from the summary.

Through AI-based algorithms, you can choose the important parts you want and check that the summary matches the original context.

Check out the best alternatives tools to QuillBot.

7. Paper Digest

Paper Digest is a summarizer tool that’s powered by AI and enables communicators, students, or researchers, and other users to summarize their documents and cut down reading time.

The tool generates an automatic summary of a given research paper or your PDF file, which you’ll upload, and the tool will deliver a bulleted summary of the paper.

The software understands your content and then fetches, parses, and summarizes your document. However, it must be in Open Access and is compatible with Wiley, Springer, and other publishers.

The summarization service is fast and saves you the time you’d otherwise have spent reading the entire document. Paper Digest summarizes what your paper is about and what you can learn from it by determining important sentences from the full text and then listing them out in a single-page summary.

The overall goal is to give you the central concepts in your document so you can decide whether to read the whole document.

Explore: Best Writing Assistant Software

8. Text Compactor

Text Compactor is a free online summarizer software that lets you summarize any part of your PDF document and set how much of the text you want to keep in the summarized version.

If you’re not happy with the result, you can change the percentage and try again.

The site doesn’t bog you down with adverts like other sites, and you don’t need to register to use it. You get a feature that translates languages and a slider to adjust the percentage of the copied content you want to keep in summary.

Text Compactor also delivers longer and more complex sentences but you can use it for your shorter PDF files instead and get summaries based on the most important sentences.

Interesting Post: QuillBot vs Grammarly

9. SummarizeBot

SummarizeBot helps you save time and focus on what’s more important by summarizing your documents accurately. This way, it’s easier for you to digest big sections of text in compressed formats.

You can analyze the most important, interesting, and relevant information and know more because you’ll read less in the shortest time possible.

The chatbot analyzes your document – but you can also use web links or multimedia files – and extracts the main ideas into a brief, concise summary.

You can also structure unstructured data and get a better version of the text in your summary. The tool delivers the best summaries using native technologies and compresses the text so you can save the time you’d have taken doing research.

Whether it’s a PDF, mp3, DOC, TXT, JPG, or other types of files, you can use the SummarizeBot to deliver well-summarized content in many different languages.

10. SMMRY

SMMRY is an online PDF document summarizer that’s created to condense text and articles into accurate summaries. The main goal is to give you an efficient understanding of the text, which is done by giving you the sentences you need.

It does all this through its core algorithm, which ranks sentences by importance, reorganizes the summary to focus on keyword selection or topics, removes any transition phrase, unnecessary clauses, and excessive examples.

SMMRY gives you what you need to get the perfect summary as it provides a design that’s easy-to-use, has a wide range of features, and also has advanced settings. The web-based tool also summarizes any text you add into it or add from a PDF file or URL.

The tool also comes with a heat map that uses color to group sentences by importance, and you can ignore the questions, exclamations, or quotations.

The core algorithm summarizes the content by associating words with their grammatical counterparts, calculating how each word occurs in the text, and assigning points based on word popularity.

Next, it detects the periods that represent the end of a sentence, splits the text into individual sentences, ranks them by the sum of their words’ points, and then returns the most highly ranked sentences chronologically.

Also Read: Best Free Punctuation Checker Apps

11. Tools4noobs

Tools4noobs is a website that brings together useful widgets and scripts that anyone can use or add to their own sites. The free software allows you to summarize online articles by adding a URL or pasting the text onto the online platform.

You can summarize your PDF document by adding a URL to the document and you’ll get several intricate options that allow you to specify the summary you want.

You can pick a threshold from 1-100, and trim the summary based on the words the software finds or you can adjust how many lines you want it to show.

Alternatively, you can get the software to highlight sentences by their keywords and relevance, and enlarge the most common words in the document.

12. GetDigest

GetDigest is an AI-powered tool that simplifies web content and text documents by summarizing them, saving users time.

It operates akin to a human, skimming and summarizing information while disregarding extraneous details. It’s versatile, handling over 33 languages for multilingual documents.

For businesses, GetDigest offers in-depth document analysis, efficient data extraction, and enhanced information processing capabilities during the workday.

GetDigest’s technology supports various text formats, web environments, archives, and emails. It can summarize a 100-page document in just 5 seconds, providing additional features like revisiting previous documents, creating personal notes, and customizing Digest display settings.

Regarding pricing, GetDigest’s license costs are not explicitly listed on their website, and they encourage users to request a free Proof of Concept.

Also Read: Best Website Spell Checkers

13. ChatGPT

ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, is an advanced AI language model capable of understanding text, generating content, and engaging in dynamic conversations resembling human interaction. It finds application in various tasks, including summarizing lengthy PDFs for better comprehension.

In the context of PDF summarization, it excels in extracting key points from text and crafting tailored summaries.

Nevertheless, ChatGPT lacks direct PDF processing capabilities. To analyze PDF content, you must first convert it to text and then provide the text to ChatGPT for summarization or analysis.

How to Summarize PDFs with ChatGPT:

  1. Convert your PDF into a text file using a PDF to Text converter.
  2. Log in to the official ChatGPT website and paste the extracted text into the message box on the homepage.
  3. Prompt ChatGPT with a request like “Write a concise and comprehensive summary of [insert text here]” or “Summarize the text above,” and await ChatGPT’s summary.

ChatGPT follows a freemium model, offering both free access and a premium subscription for advanced features.

14. TLDR This

This is a free web-based online summarizer tool that also provides a Chrome extension so you can summarize your content or text. You can save so much time in reading long documents and get short bullet points from the content to make it easier for you to read.

TLDR This summarizes any document or article into easy-to-digest and concise content giving you time to focus on what’s important and free yourself from overwhelming information.

You can place a URL link of the document or paste the text in the box provided to start summarizing your content. You can also select the option whether to summarize using the basic type or advanced one and display keywords.

The tool automatically summarizes your document in one click without taking the painfully long time that you would to read the document manually. It then summarizes your text into five key bullet points using natural language processing (NLP).

It’s a simple yet handy tool that will help you spend less time reading counterproductive information and more doing work that’s valuable to you.

To start, just click the TL;DR button in the toolbar (on a Chrome browser) that you want to summarize, and the tool will generate a summary of fewer than five sentences right there.

Check Out: Best Grammar Tools Online

15. Summarizing Tool

Summarizing Tool is powered by AI and sums up long portions of text into shorter ones. You can get summaries of your text with key sentences that are an overview of the general copy.

You can upload your PDF document and the tool will convert paragraphs into one paragraph in one click.

Whether it’s for academic or educational use, the summarizing tool is accurate and efficient to make summaries of your document. The tool is built with advanced algorithms that work to understand your content and generates a summary without changing the meaning of the actual content to give you the best overview.

You can set the summarization percentage, and the tool will display everything in the format you want. This helps when you have a presentation you want converted into a quick bulleted overview for preparation purposes.

The tool also shows the ranking of your content and generates a sequence from the highly scored sentence in the top position. You can also see the best sentence with the highest score based on the tool’s algorithm and get the top sentences to use in your summary.

Once the summarizing tool understands your content, it picks the most appropriate sentences and scores them based on word selection, optimization, accuracy, and structure. It will then understand the importance of the sentences and gather them to make a summary that you can use.

Plus, it proofreads the summary automatically and picks up any errors, which you can remove on your own. The tool is widely used by students, writers, editors, press release writers, journalists, and other professionals.

Best PDF Summarizer Tools – Wrapping Up

Whether you’re working on research papers, reports or presentations for work or leisure, an online PDF summarizer tool is good to have.

You can get a quick and refined summary that contains the important bits of the document to share with others and create more engagement or whet their appetite to want to read it.

Any of these 15 free online PDF summarizer tools can help you start your journey to summarizing long documents, save time, and eliminate the manual hassle of having to read through long documents.

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15 Best Student Blog Examples https://rigorousthemes.com/blog/best-student-blog-examples/ Thu, 19 Oct 2023 01:03:21 +0000 https://rigorousthemes.com/blog/?p=20568 As a student, starting a student’s blog has so many benefits attached to it. A blog can serve as an excellent platform to share your ideas, discuss specific arguments that relate to a student’s life, keep other students informed, and generally influence. Individually, you can grow your writing, communication, analysis, and interpretation skills by steadily ...

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As a student, starting a student’s blog has so many benefits attached to it.

A blog can serve as an excellent platform to share your ideas, discuss specific arguments that relate to a student’s life, keep other students informed, and generally influence.

Individually, you can grow your writing, communication, analysis, and interpretation skills by steadily writing on your blog. 

However, starting a blog isn’t always straightforward. You’ll have to choose topics you want to blog about, pick a blog title, purchase a domain, web hosting, and whatnot.

If you’re considering starting a blog as a student, here are the 15 best student blog examples to draw inspiration from

Best Blog Examples For Students

1. College Info Geek

College Info Geek is a blog started by Thomas Frank to help students become better students.

The blog covers four major subjects which are; studying effectively, becoming more productive, starting a career, and living a better life as a student.

Some of the most read articles on the blog include; the ultimate college packing list, how to stay organized and productive in college, and the best online jobs for students. 

There are two full courses offered on the blog; a productivity masterclass and habit building essentials course.

A new post is published on the College Info Geek blog at least once a week. 

To inspire students, Thomas Frank publishes an “Impossible List” on his blog. This is a list of things that aren’t technically impossible but just somewhat difficult for students to achieve. For every task complete, Thomas rules it out on his list. 

College Info Geek also offers a podcast that is presented every Monday. Students can listen to this podcast on Apple Music, Google Play, YouTube, or Spotify. 

Furthermore, the blog features a music playlist with ideal songs that can help students study. The playlist is featured on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.

You Might Find it Useful: Blogger Vs WordPress

2. School Habits

This is a blog about habits and hacks to help students get through school. This personal blog was started by Kathryn Azevedo, a teacher and private coach.

She has previously taught in private and public school systems and now, she teaches students how to learn via her blog.

The School Habits blog covers time management, study skills, test anxiety, self-advocacy, improving grades, homework management, procrastination, focus, note-taking, and more topics.

Kathryn Azevedo also offers some particular services to her blog readers. This includes Standardized test preparation, Executive function coaching, Study skills coaching, Application essay help, School essay help, and Writing instruction.

This blog features a shop with several helpful materials that students can purchase. This includes homework planners, daily schedule and task list, weekly work planner, weekly homework planner, etc. These materials are sold for as little as $5. 

As a School Habits reader, you can sign up for the newsletter and get a free copy of the 25 School Habits and Hacks ebook.

If you wish to book a special appointment, you can reach the blog owner via phone or email. Furthermore, you can follow School Habits on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc.

3. The International Students Blog

The International Student’s blog is a blog that targets students that intend to or are already studying abroad.

Particularly, it targets international students in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and the Caribbean. International students studying online are not left out.

This student blog is one of the oldest you’ll find as it was started in 2005. It works as a forum too such that students can sign in to drop comments amongst others. 

Registered users get to enjoy Free Amazon Prime for students with Deserve Edu Mastercard approval, a $20 Flight Discount Code with StudentUniverse, 5% Eurail Discount, 50% off an ISIC Discount Card, and Free Sim card with an accompanying mobile plan.

Aside from the informative posts constantly published on the blog, there are lots of resources for students to utilize.

One of these is the School Search that lets you search for ideal schools to study in any of the aforementioned countries. 

Simply select your country of choice, a field of study, school location, degree level, and search.

The International Student’s blog is not one for students alone. Educational professionals can also register as admins to list scholarships amongst others.

4. Save The Student

One important aspect of a student’s life is money management and that’s what the Save The Student blog covers. 

The blog covers topics on how students can make money, save money, find jobs while studying, pay bills, get accommodation, and manage finances in general.

This blog was started in 2007 by Owen Burek who was a University of Manchester student at the time.

It has recorded significant success since its launch as the blog has been featured in top sites like BBC News, The Guardian, The Times, HuffPost, and Independent.

One thing that keeps this blog going is that they accept story submission. Students can send in their stories and experiences about finance in school and see them published for other students to read.

On this blog, a student can find some hot shopping deals that help him/her save money.

There are lots of other resources for students on the Save The Student blog. There’s a student loan repayment calculator to help students keep track of their student loan debt. 

Furthermore, there’s a Parent’s Guide To University to educate parents on all the expenses there are when sending their children to a university.

5. FlashLearners

FlashLearners is an educational blog for students in Nigeria. The blog covers news and updates on university admissions, examinations, scholarships, and more; it’s more a blog for graduating secondary school students than university students. 

FlashLearners was founded by Isaac Inegbenehi and the blog has been around since 2016.

To aid students to prepare for their examinations, this blog features online quizzes. These quizzes feature past questions of the individual examinations and they are presented the same way as the actual examinations.

Furthermore, students can sign up and study for free from an online class. The online class covers all the major subjects taught in secondary schools including Mathematics, English, Physics, Chemistry, Economics, etc. 

To make it easier for students to study with and stay updated with the blog’s information, FlashLearners features a mobile app that can be downloaded for free. From the app, students can access everything there is on the online website.

Other resources students can access on the FlashLearners student blog include scholarship and internship programs, study guides, student jobs, etc.

Furthermore, the blog covers tech updates with reviews to help students get the best gadgets for learning.

6. StudentUniverse

Launched in 2000, StudentUniverse is a unique blog for student travelers. It covers travel destinations in Europe, Asia, South America, Central America, Middle East, Africa, South Pacific, and New Zealand.

It is a US-based blog but has other sites for the UK and AU.

This blog is resourceful for international students that have to travel. Students who wish to travel for adventure, holiday, summer break, etc. will also find this blog’s content worthwhile.

On the StudentUniverse blog, students can find cheap flight deals for domestic US, UK, or AU flights and international flights. Students can get up to a 30 percent discount when they search for flights using this website. 

This is possible as StudentUniverse is a part of the Flight Centre Travel Group – one of the world’s largest travel companies.

Furthermore, the blog partners with more than 200 world airlines including Air China, British Airways, and United Airlines.

Similarly, students can search for and book cheap hotel lodging, tours, and car rides. With the Group Travel service, students can search for and meet with other students traveling to the same destination so they can travel together. 

7. StudentLife Network Blog

StudentLife Network is a Canadian-based website where students can get resources on everything about school. The blog aims to help students find the right school to study, improve their grades, reduce debt, and get their dream job.

Most of the blog’s content is about students’ life but there are more than articles for students to access on this blog. Students can search and apply for scholarships via the StudentLife Network 99 Scholarships platform.

However, the scholarship opportunities are only to Canadian schools and Canadian students.

Nevertheless, as a StudentLife Network member, students get access to several giveaways where they can win cash, gifts, and other deals.

Similarly, students can participate in Canada’s Luckiest Student drawing where there’s up to $150k.

Using the StudentLife Network promo code, registered members can get 10 percent off when they shop for merch from WeGetReal. Also, students can get $150 off their trip on the Contiki website.

The StudentLife Network features a student to student podcast. The podcast is presented on Apple Podcasts.

StudentLife Network is open to comments and suggestions from students as they can send in their opinions via a contact form.

8. Stay Informed Group

This blog is all about motivational content for college students. It’s a very simple blog but with highly valuable content. Initially, the blog was eglobalscholarships.com and just focused on scholarships but was rebranded in 2019. It was founded by Bassey Chimezirim James.

The Stay Informed Group blog features how-to guides, general schooling tips, and tech information. Students can get information on the best schools to study and why they should study there.

Some of the most popular posts on the Stay Informed Group blog include: how to be successful in college, how to write a scholarship essay, best boarding schools, etc.

With the “Motivation For The Week: Achieve Anything” post, students are encouraged to start their week on a good note and give their all every week.

As a reader, you get access to international scholarships. This includes Ph.D. scholarships, Masters’ scholarships, and Undergraduate scholarships. These scholarships can be sorted by school.

Students can follow up the Stay Informed Group blog for updates on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

9. The Student Newspaper

This is one of the oldest student blogs and the oldest student newspaper in Europe.

Started by the University of Edinburgh, the blog was launched in 1887 which makes it over 130 years old. Notably, this student blog is independent of the university. 

The Student Newspaper doesn’t particularly publish posts about student’s life or much about college.

It simply aims to keep students informed by bringing them updates on the latest news from far and near. However, most of the information published is about happenings in the UK.

Nevertheless, it covers not just news but also reviews, lifestyle, opinions. voices, sports, and most importantly science. The opinions category features more articles on schools and studying.

One thing to notice about this blog is that it’s almost like a physical newspaper. The pages don’t load like other blogs, they open at once when clicked.

To follow up on The Student Newspaper blog, you can simply join their Facebook group. Also, you can join the weekly writers’ meeting on Microsoft Teams.

If you happen to be a student of the University of Edinburgh or close, you can get a physical copy of the newspaper.

10. Student Privacy Compass

As a student, it is critical to keep your personal data private. The Student Privacy Compass blog is focused on helping you achieve that.

On this blog, students can learn about student privacy laws, school data, internet privacy, technology privacy, security, etc.

The blog isn’t for students alone but also parents, educators, education agencies, higher institutions, policymakers, and LEA lawyers. Similarly, the blog looks at student laws from different perspectives.

This includes the student perspective, state perspective, lawmakers perspective, legal perspective, LEA perspective, educator perspective, advocate perspective, parent perspective, FPF perspective, etc. These are the various categories of the Student Privacy Compass blog.

The blog is a very consistent one. About two or three new posts are published every week. Student Privacy Compass is a US-based blog and it features the state laws of all US states.

There’s an on-site FAQ with answers that informs readers about the blog and how to use it. Specific questions can be sent in via the contact form.

Other available resources include an FPF resource, student privacy training, and a train-the-trainer program. Consequently, law students will benefit most from following the Student Privacy Compass blog.

11. The Student Blogger

This is a UK-based student blog that discusses daily student experiences in the university. It was started to help students focus more on their education and worry less about other things while in school.

The blog covers various topics including lifestyle, fashion & beauty, recipes, student discounts, money-saving, student jobs, academic competitions, and more. For students just starting a university, there’s so much to learn from the Student Blogger blog.

To make content easy for students to digest, several posts are made featuring infographics.

The Student Blogger blog is open for contributions from any student. Also, you can join the Student Blogger Collection.

The Student Blogger Collection is a group of student bloggers. Posts from these bloggers are featured in the Student Blogger blog, irrespective of the niche.

When you join the collection, you get a Student Blogger Selection badge on your blog.

Furthermore, the blog does PR advertising to help brands introduce their products/services to students. Students who run businesses in school can benefit from it as well.

12. MyUCD Blog

The MyUCD blog is a blog for University College Dublin students. It provides insights on courses offered at the school, campus life, careers, and more. The blog has been around since 2014.

There are so many featured categories in this blog. Popular ones include preparing for college, college life, UCD societies, campus, and veterinary. In 2015, the MyUCD blog was a finalist at the Blog Awards Ireland.

Posts published in the MyUCD blog are all written by UCD students. Although the blog isn’t updated very frequently, each post is lengthy and covers a lot.

Aside from the categories, readers can sort the posts by academic levels, faculties, and departments.

Interestingly, this student blog features the UCD Campus map to help students navigate around the school. There are also transport links and course lists for graduate and undergraduate students.

On the main MyUCD portal, you can find resources for school fees, funding, scholarships, guidance & counseling, etc.

The MyUCD Blog is an ideal student blog example that targets a particular school. You can follow up the blog on top social media sites.

13. Worcester Student Life

Worcester Student Life is a blog launched by students of the University of Worcester to share their university experiences and student life tips.

It is targeted at international students who are interested in living and studying in Worcester. 

Nevertheless, content published on the Worcester Student Life blog doesn’t relate only to the University of Worcester. Students from any university will find them beneficial too.

The blog covers several topics: accommodation, university application, course selection, settling in, money, food and recipes, sports, student jobs, studying abroad, etc.

It also covers graduates with posts on PGCE application, virtual internships, etc.

Posts published on the Worcester Student Life are from multiple authors. Hence, this is an ideal student blog example if you plan on starting up a student blog with partners.

Notably, the blog features a “Random Act of Kindness” publication every week. That way, students are encouraged to show kindness to someone at least once every week.

Readers can follow the Worcester Student Life blog and stay updated on any new post on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

14. Celestelili

Celeste Lili, a UC Davis Managerial Economics graduate, created the student blog “Celeste Lili” with the goal of sharing her undergraduate knowledge, particularly for first-generation college students who may lack familial guidance in navigating college.

This blog addresses a wide array of student life topics, including productivity tips, lifestyle advice, and insights into UC Davis student life. Posts maintain an engaging and conversational tone, making them accessible and relatable. Personal anecdotes and experiences are often woven in to connect with the audience.

What sets Celeste Lili’s blog apart is its emphasis on practical advice drawn from her own experiences. For instance, she offers time management strategies rooted in her journey of balancing coursework, exams, a part-time job, and home responsibilities. This hands-on guidance proves invaluable for students facing similar challenges.

Beyond the blog, Celeste Lili maintains a presence on Pinterest, where she shares additional resources on student life, productivity, content marketing, and personal development.

Celeste Lili’s blog stands as an excellent student blog examples due to its commitment to delivering practical, experience-based advice in an engaging and accessible style.

15. Yearist

The Yearist blog is a recent student’s blog as it was launched in 2020. It was launched by Michael Fray who is an engineering student.

This blog was launched for three main purposes.

The first is to connect students so they can share knowledge and experiences. Secondly, the blog was launched to promote entertainment and information that’s relevant to student’s lives.

The third reason is to provide a sense of connection that doesn’t involve the use of social media.

The Yearist blog focuses on two main categories which are Study and Life. The Study category features content like study motivational videos, tips to get good grades, writing tips, ways to reduce school-related stress, etc. 

The Life category features content like ways to get ahead in life, motivational quotes, and more.

All posts featured on the Yearist blog were written by the blog owner, Michael Fray. In most of them, he’s sharing his personal experiences as a student which makes it easy for other students to relate to the content.

Students can share their own opinions by dropping comments after each post or submitting a contact form.

Best Student Blogs Examples – Conclusion

If you intend to launch a student’s blog, it’ll turn out to be an advantage in the long run. Your readers get to benefit from the insightful stuff you post and you get to share what you know. 

Not to mention, you could even monetize your blog and make some money off it. 

The post 15 Best Student Blog Examples appeared first on Rigorous Themes.

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Is It Bad To Charge Apple Watch For Days? https://rigorousthemes.com/blog/is-it-bad-to-leave-apple-watch-on-charger-for-days/ Tue, 17 Oct 2023 09:42:14 +0000 https://rigorousthemes.com/blog/?p=117367 I love the way my Apple Watch helps me stay connected, track my health, and respond to calls and messages easily. However, like all electronic devices, it needs a good battery to work. An Apple Watch’s battery life varies based on how you use it and which model you have. For example, the Series 6 ...

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I love the way my Apple Watch helps me stay connected, track my health, and respond to calls and messages easily.

However, like all electronic devices, it needs a good battery to work. An Apple Watch’s battery life varies based on how you use it and which model you have.

For example, the Series 6 is built to last up to 18 hours on one charge. You only need to attach it to the magnetic charger to power it up, which is easy and convenient.

But, here’s the question we will be focusing on in this article – Is leaving your Apple Watch on the charger for days safe?

I know that sometimes we might get carried away with our daily tasks and forget to unplug our watch from charging.

The first time it happened to me, I got super worried because I didn’t know if my watch’s battery life would be affected.

To satisfy my curiosity, I researched on the topic, and here are my findings.

Charging Apple Watch

Image from criticalhit.net

Once the red icon appears on the screen of your watch, it’s time to take it off and charge it. The charging process is simple and straightforward.

You can either use the normal Apple Watch magnetic charging cable, fast charging USB-C Cable, or a charging dock plugged into a USB power adapter to charge your watch.

The charger attaches to the back of the watch because it has magnets. This connection ensures that the charger stays securely in place.

Once connected, you’ll see a green charging icon on your watch’s screen. You’ll also see the current battery percentage. Slowly, the watch will keep charging, adding one battery percentage at a time until it reaches 100%.

The charging will stop automatically at this point after which you should disconnect the Apple Watch immediately.

Because I’m using the Apple Watch Series 8, the fast charge works perfectly for me. It’s way faster than the normal magnetic charging. My watch goes from zero battery percentage to 80 in about 45 minutes which is incredible.

If you’re using an Apple Watch Ultra or a later model, your battery can go from zero to 80 percent in just an hour. However, bear in mind that fast charging may not work when it’s very cold or hot.

Also, if your iPhone’s cellular data is connected to your Apple Watch, keep the phone close when you’re fast charging. Now, let’s see what Apple recommends when charging the watch.

Apple’s Recommendations for Charging the Watch

Image by Pixabay via Pexels

As I have mentioned previously, the way you charge your Apple Watch heavily affects the battery’s life. A healthy battery ultimately ensures optimal performance. Here’s what Apple suggests:

1. Charge your Apple Watch in a well-ventilated environment

Image by Alexandr Borecky via Pexels

I have noticed that extreme temperatures generally affect the battery performance of any gadget, an Apple Watch included. In this case, you should never expose your watch to either very hot or cold environments when charging it.

From my research, I discovered that the Apple Watch generally operates optimally in temperatures between 32° to 95°F (0° and 35°C) and the storage should be between -4° and 113°F (-20° and 45°C).

Whenever your watch is overheating, a red thermometer will display on the screen. Don’t hesitate to remove the charger. It will turn off within seconds.

Then, place the watch in a cooler area and allow it to cool down. Once it’s cooled, it will turn back on, and then, you can resume charging it.

You should also make sure that you’re not exposing it to direct sunlight for extended periods as it can cause overheating and could pose a risk of skin irritation or injury when you wear it.

It can also speed up the battery’s aging process, making it last less time before needing a recharge.

Aside from that, ensure that you’re not wearing your Apple Watch during the charging process. It’s normal for the watch, its power adapter, and its charging cable to warm up when plugged in. However, it should never be in prolonged contact with the skin while charging.

2. Turn off your background apps

Image by MART PRODUCTION via Pexels

A lot of us are used to leaving apps open on our smartphones when charging them. We don’t really realize how much time it takes before the phone is fully charged.

The same thing also happens when you’re charging an Apple Watch. If you want your watch to charge effectively, Apple recommends that you close unnecessary background apps so it doesn’t weigh down the processor and also down the charging process.

Having multiple apps running while charging the phone can also cause overheating which can even damage your watch. So, always make sure that you close unnecessary apps, as well as reduce the screen activity of your watch when charging it.

If you don’t know how to do this, just follow the steps below:

  1. Go to the “Settings” area on your Apple Watch
  2. Navigate to General > Background App Refresh
  3. Then turn off the Background App Refresh

Or you can scroll down and selectively disable app refresh for specific apps. It’s as easy as pie. The goal here is to optimize your watch’s battery performance and ensure that apps don’t drain unnecessary power while charging.

3. Charge your Apple Watch regularly

Image by Ingo Joseph via Pexels

Contrary to what you may be thinking, regular charging will not damage your battery. In fact, Apple recommends that you charge your watch as often as you use it.

Someone asked on the Apple Support community page if regular charging affects the watch’s battery capacity and Apple replied in the negative. It went ahead and recommended overnight charging so that you can have a full battery to kick-start your day.

Also, make sure that you’re using the required charger for your Apple Watch.

Leaving Apple Watch on Charger for Days

Image by Torsten Dettlaff via Pexels

I combed the Apple Support Community page and discovered that it’s perfectly fine to leave your Apple Watch on charger for days. The battery will not suffer any harm from regular charging.

Apple even stated that charging will stop immediately when the battery is fully charged and will start again if the battery goes down.

What does that tell you? Leaving your Apple Watch on the charger for days is generally safe and will not damage the battery. So, there’s no need to panic.

A user asked, “Will it hurt to leave an iWatch on the charger overnight?

Here’s the response recommended by Apple, “Not a problem. The watch controls its charging and will trickle or stop charging when the battery is topped up, the power adapter and cable just deliver the power.”

Another user inquired if it’s okay to leave her Apple Watch on the charger for days so that the watch is charged and ready to use whenever she decides to wear it.

A user replied, “Technically, you could leave it on the charger indefinitely, since the device only accepts a charge when needed, but why leave it on that long?”

So go ahead and charge your watch whenever you want. An Apple Watch can never be overcharged just like your iPhone.

Apple Watch Charger Safety and Handling Instructions

Image by Josh Sorenson via Pexels

The Apple Watch’s battery isn’t the only component that should be handled with care. There are also safety and handling instructions you should follow to ensure safe and effective charging.

The first one is that the charger should not be attached to anything but the Apple Watch as it was built specifically for it. That’s why you cannot use an Apple Watch charger to charge your iPhone.

You also can’t use any other charger aside from the Magnetic USB-C cable to charge your Apple Watch. The charger usually comes with the watch. So, be sure to use the original one to avoid damaging your watch.

Aside from that, Apple recommends that your charger should remain in well-ventilated areas when charging your watch. If the charger gets too hot, it might blow up and cause severe damage.

Try not to cover them when they are charging or plugging into power sources. Also, the charger or the charging cable should be placed on a flat surface during the charging process.

Overall, make sure that you handle your charger with care to prevent bending or damaging the cable, connectors, or the charger itself.

Following the above safety and handling instructions will ensure that your charging cables remain in good condition and last you for a long time. At least, you get your money’s worth.

Conclusion

Leaving your Apple Watch on the charger for an extended period is generally safe and won’t harm the battery.

The watch automatically stops charging once it’s full. Make sure to follow Apple’s recommended charging safety guidelines such as charging in a well-ventilated area.

Following these safety and handling instructions will help keep you safe. It will also ensure the longevity of your Apple Watch.

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Keybr: How To Increase Your Typing Speed In Just 30 Days? https://rigorousthemes.com/blog/keybr-increase-typing-speed/ Tue, 17 Oct 2023 09:30:53 +0000 https://rigorousthemes.com/blog/?p=117353 Keybr is a web-based application that helps you learn how to type fast. On the website, you can access tailor-made lessons that help you speed up the rate at which you key in different letters, numbers, and symbols. The site has a variety of lessons with different levels for beginners, advanced students, and experts. You ...

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Keybr is a web-based application that helps you learn how to type fast.

On the website, you can access tailor-made lessons that help you speed up the rate at which you key in different letters, numbers, and symbols.

The site has a variety of lessons with different levels for beginners, advanced students, and experts. You will continuously train yourself to type at every level using muscle memory rather than sight.

Keybr aims to help learners grasp the art of touch typing. It requires you to type out sentences and even paragraphs without looking at the keyboard.

This inevitably ensures that you type faster.

Keybr Features

If you visit the Keybr website, you’ll notice that it has a minimalist design and allows you to start practicing right off the bat. There are different sections on the right-hand side of the screen so you can navigate with relative ease.

The workspace is situated in the center of the homepage so you’ll be able to have a look at the virtual keyboard and the blank page where your words will appear.

If you click on the profile section, you’ll be redirected to your dashboard where you can monitor things like your All-time and Daily statistics.

You also get information about the number of lessons you have taken so far, your top speed, and the average speed you have achieved since you started the lessons.

There is also a section with High Scores so you can click on it to find out about other Keybr users and how they are doing. High Score is determined by the speed of typing, accuracy, number of characters, and the number of words in every session.

Keybr incorporates a Text Tool that allows you to easily determine the number of words you have written and the most common words in every sentence you create.

The tool also lets you know the amount of time it is likely to take a reader to go through a sentence or paragraph.

With Keybr, you are also free to click on the Multiplayer section and go up against others online to determine who among you is the fastest. You’ll be able to gauge your speed against others by looking at the different vehicles that run across the screen.

Customized Lessons

Keybr has achieved a lot of success because of its customized lessons. As soon as you enroll and start taking lessons, there is an algorithm that collects certain data and uses it to identify your skill level.

As a beginner, the system will only present you with a limited set of letters to form words. For instance, all the words you type will consist of the letters E, N, I, T, R, L.

Once you are comfortable with forming words using these letters, the algorithm will promote you to the next level and then come up with lessons that are most suitable for your progress.

In most cases, the algorithm is likely to consider your typing speed and the level of accuracy you achieve in forming each word and sentence.

Once the algorithm has figured out your skill level, it will start presenting you with challenges in terms of words. These words are generated randomly so they may not make sense semantically although in most cases they do.

As soon as you complete a given set of words, the algorithm will do a quick analysis and present you with a new set of words. This is likely to go on for some time as it helps you develop muscle memory when typing.

Keybr also incorporates a system of color coding to help learners know the letters that are getting right and those they are getting wrong. For instance, when you start typing, all letters will appear gray on the screen.

However, as your lessons progress, some letters will turn green while others turn red. Those that turn green are the ones you have entered correctly and within a reasonable amount of time.

Those that turn red are the ones that you are struggling with. In most cases, if a letter turns red it means you are taking too long before you type it.

You will not progress to a new level unless your typing speed and accuracy improve. The system also checks to ensure that you make the least amount of mistakes as you progress through the different learning levels.

It is worth pointing out that Keybr also takes your native language into consideration which is why some people may seem to progress faster than others. Remember that languages have different phonetics and some may, therefore, present more challenges than others.

Real and Fake Words

Simply typing letters into your keyboard is not going to make it easier for you to increase your typing speed in 30 days. That is why Keybr does not just present you with letters.

Instead, the letters are presented in a way that is consistent with your native language. For instance, if you are an English speaker, chances are that there are no words that will have a combination of W followed by a Z.

That is why Keybr always presents you with real words. It also ensures that most of the words have some of the most common combinations of letters.

This helps you grasp how to type some of the most important words in your language. That is why you are likely to find words like “The”, “That”, and “With” among others.

Keybr does not use fake words so you don’t have to worry about running into them. However, your typing may be inaccurate which is why you may notice a few fake words popping up on screen.

The application will let you know when a word is fake by including a red line underneath. Keybr also allows you to add custom text to the system.

This enables you to add and practice words that are traditionally difficult for you to get right when typing.

Progress Tracking

It is highly recommended that you sign up for a free account because that will help you track your progress. It will also allow you to customize the application so you have a more personalized experience.

A free account allows you to store data on the site’s servers. Without an account, your data is automatically stored on your local device which may sometimes offer limited storage space.

A free account makes it possible for you to access your profile from any device and continue practicing without losing your progress details.

You can opt for a premium account which effectively gets rid of any ads that may be causing distractions. With no ads popping up on the different pages, you are likely to experience faster loading speeds.

A premium account ensures that there are no trackers collecting data about your browsing experience. The good news is that the premium account only requires a one-time payment but unlocks lifetime access.

You can sign up for a Keybr account through your e-mail or social media credentials from Facebook, Gmail, or Microsoft.

Consistent Practice

When it comes to increasing your typing speed, one of the most important things to keep in mind is that the more you practice the better you will become.

As you keep typing different letters, your fingers retain the necessary muscle memory and this ensures you improve.

Keep in mind that Keybr will gauge your progress in terms of Words Per Minute (WPM) or Characters Per Minute (CPM). You should also know that the definition of a word is generally considered as five characters.

That means if you type 10 words per minute another can count it as 50 characters per minute. With that in mind, you can set goals for your daily practice.

For instance, if you are not good at typing, you can start by practicing for an hour or half an hour. Try to bring your typing speed to five words per minute and then as you get better, increase the amount of words you type within the given period.

Obviously, as you start practicing you will find that you are falling behind time. You may also realize that your words are not as accurate as you may want but don’t let that discourage you.

Focus on Accuracy

As noted earlier, Keybr does not only gauge your proficiency using your typing speed. It also considers your level of accuracy which is why you need to be keen on this aspect as you progress.

As you already know, the system will get you started on typing using six letters. If you form words quickly and correctly it will keep adding one more letter.

As more letters are added, you will notice that it becomes a bit difficult to get previous letters to turn green. But don’t worry about that, it is only natural for that to happen.

When the system adds new letters to the sequence, focus on creating accurate words and typing in the new letter as fast as possible. In other words, strive to turn the new letter green rather than making all letters in the sequence green.

Another strategy you can use is to strike a balance between speed and accuracy. Remember, there is no need for you to type fast if whatever you are typing is full of errors.

It is better for you to lose some speed but churn out accurate words consistently.

Steps to Increase Typing Speed in 30 Days

Here are some of the things you should keep in mind when trying to improve your typing speed.

1. Find the Right Place

Image by Lisa Fotios

One of the most important things to keep in mind is that you are only going to improve your typing speed if you are comfortable. That is why you need to find a chair that supports your back and helps you keep a healthy posture.

You should also have a desk and start practicing in a quiet place if possible. Remember, if you are trying to type fast in an area where people are trying to have conversations, you may end up getting distracted.

2. Use Proper Hand Placement

The second thing to keep in mind is that proper hand placement is key to getting everything right. Keybr recommends that you start by placing your fingers on the home row.

The home row is the one that contains the Caps Lock. If correctly done, your left-hand fingers should rest on the letters A, S, D, and F keys while the right-hand fingers rest on the J, K, L, and Colon keys.

Your thumbs should be hovering on top of the Space Bar. With this technique, your tiny left finger will be responsible for typing the Caps Lock, Shift, and Tab keys.

Your tiny right pinky finger will also be responsible for typing the Backspace, Enter, and Shift keys. As a beginner, this may seem a bit much but after a few days of practice, you will get the hang of it and will find yourself maneuvering the keyboard easily.

3. Start Slow

Image by Andrea Pacquadio

You are on Keybr to learn how to type fast but don’t go into it hoping to achieve quick results. Instead, follow the curriculum laid down in full. That takes up to 30 days.

Over the first three or four days try and get your hand placement right and then explore the options for typing different keys from your starting point. Don’t focus on speed too much at this stage. Instead, focus on getting your entries right.

The good news is that the Keybr system will present you with some of the most common words and letter combinations so within a few days you will be pretty comfortable with typing some of the most used keys.

4. Prioritize Accuracy Over Speed

Again don’t forget it is better to sacrifice some speed for accuracy. Typing fast without accuracy means you’ll need to go over your work and correct all the mistakes which will only end up eating into your time.

5. Don’t Look Down at the Keyboard

Image by Cottonbro Studio

As a beginner, you will find yourself glancing down at the keyboard in a quest to avoid typing the wrong keys. However, you should make it a point not to fall into temptation.

Instead, only look down at the keyboard when you are placing your hands. After that, keep your eyes on the computer’s screen.

The more you practice using this technique, the better you will get at identifying your typos and avoiding them altogether. You will also notice your accuracy improving over a few days.

6. Don’t Fear Mistakes or Typos

If you are afraid of committing mistakes, you will be less likely to improve your typing speed. Instead, go ahead and make mistakes.

Once you get into the habit of typing, you’ll realize that erasing typos and replacing them with the right letters becomes second nature to you.

7. Take Breaks

Image by Andrea Pacquadio

Another important thing to keep in mind is that even the most proficient typists start making mistakes when they are tired. That is why you need to take breaks between your practice sessions.

Giving your mind time to rest and allowing your fingers and arms to relax are key to getting back to your typing sessions while feeling refreshed and energized.

8. Take the Keybr Typing Test

Keybr allows users to take a typing test just so they can understand their level. The test results include information that can help you sharpen your typing skills and improve both speed and accuracy.

Success Stories

Alex Panagis, one of the reviewers on Product Hunt, notes that he had only used the application for a short while but noticed a huge improvement in his typing speed.

He goes further to state that the tool can be a good way for young children and even advanced typers to sharpen their skills.

Another reviewer on AlternativeTo by the name of Smatt2323 states that Keybr is an extremely easy-to-use application that can help just about anyone learn how to type fast.

Samuel Welch, a reviewer on Trustpilot, gives the application a five-star rating and notes that it is quite fun and helpful for learners of all levels.

Wrapping Up

Keybr offers a simple and straightforward method for just about anyone to improve their typing speed in 30 days. Its lessons are tailor-made so you don’t have to worry about keeping up with others.

Instead, you just need to focus on yourself and how well you can type. The applications include helpful features such as Multiplayer for fun-filled learning, Testing to assess your level, and High Scores to gauge your proficiency against others around the world.

With an improved typing speed, you will not only complete your assignments faster but ultimately become more productive.

Typing fast also tends to improve focus, meaning you will craft more factual and helpful content.

The post Keybr: How To Increase Your Typing Speed In Just 30 Days? appeared first on Rigorous Themes.

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8 Adventure Apps Like Randonautica 2023 https://rigorousthemes.com/blog/adventure-apps-like-randonautica/ Mon, 16 Oct 2023 11:44:42 +0000 https://rigorousthemes.com/blog/?p=117327 Randonautica regards itself as the world’s first and only tool created to enhance the way humans explore the world. The Randonautica app creates coordinates for adventurers to explore places they never thought existed. To explore the world around you, Randonautica requires you to share your location, set an objective, and follow directions to a random ...

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Randonautica regards itself as the world’s first and only tool created to enhance the way humans explore the world. The Randonautica app creates coordinates for adventurers to explore places they never thought existed.

To explore the world around you, Randonautica requires you to share your location, set an objective, and follow directions to a random place that the app will generate for you. Randonautica operates on a theory that you must find something relevant to your intentions.

Adventure walking apps like Randonautica are a new trend. Joshua Lengfelder and Auburn Salcedo founded Randonautica on February 22, 2020. According to its founders, Randonautica evolved beyond its expectations.

The founders wanted to use the app to open people’s minds to the world around them. The app rose to over 10 million downloads on Google PlayStore and AppStore only a few years post-launch.

While Randonautica confidently regards itself as the first-ever quantumly-generated adventure game that takes you on a journey of randomness, it is not the only adventure app to help you explore the world.

People are also talking about apps like Geocaching, Star Walk2, The Walk: Fitness Tracker App, Spec Trek, Ramblr, Ingress Prime, and Komoot. But out of all the above, my best pick is Geocaching.

Geocaching is a user-friendly tool that will get you going immediately after installation. The app welcomes you to a community of creative explorers and helps you understand better an area you are traveling to through trekking to find caches.

Why Look for Randonautica Alternatives?

Adventure apps are like meals, everyone has their favorite. However, sometimes you just want to try something different. Since there are more adventure apps, you may want to diversify your experience or simply try to meet specific needs. There is more.

People started looking for Randonautica alternatives when sources claimed that the tool was fueling unfolded conspiracies.

TikTok is one of the social media platforms that were widely used during quarantine. During this time, multiple theories unfolded on TikTok, claiming that Randonautica had become a hub for human trafficking and porn viewing.

A separate source listed multiple times that the Randonautica tool was found sketchy, especially where its users could be faked, followed, scammed, and even harmed.

But if you are like many users who generally believe that Randonautica did not deliver on its promise of offering adventure, then you may consider any of the following alternatives.

Adventure Apps Like Randonautica

1. Geocaching

First on my list of the best adventure apps like Randonautica is Geocaching. The app brings together a community of creative hiders and outdoor seekers with a mission of finding geocaches.

When Geocaching started in early 2000, there were only 75 hidden geocaches. Today, there are about three million geocaches worth exploring across the world. These geocaches have been created by people like you and come in different shapes, sizes, and difficulties.

They are hidden in urban and rural settings. Like Randonautica, Geocaching offers a fun way to explore your relationship with the world around you. It can be enjoyed by almost everyone, from kids to retirees.

Geocaching is more exciting and rewarding than Randonautica. As you explore geocaches, you may end up discovering hidden locations you never thought existed. Additionally, you could find trade or swag items such as trinkets, keychains, or small toys.

The Geocaching app is available on Google PlayStore and AppStore for free download and use. However, if you wish to enhance your experience, you can upgrade your accounts to Geocaching Premium for $6.99 per month or $39.99 per year.

2. Star Walk 2: Night Sky Map

As the name suggests, Star Walk 2 is a powerful yet easy-to-use and informative star-gazing tool ideal for both adults and kids. Like the Randonautica app, Star Walk 2 can be used for educational and entertainment purposes.

Star Walk 2 is ahead of the Randonautica app in terms of technology. The app combines premium data with astronomical data to help adventurers explore the night sky in real time and witness outstanding celestial moments.

The Star Walk 2 app can help you identify stars, satellites, comets, consolations, asteroids, the Hubble space telescope, and planets, among other celestial bodies.

To use the Star Walk 2 app, you need to point your device to the sky for it to show you the positions of the celestial objects in an interactive map.

Once you identify an object that you wish to learn more about, simply tap on it for extended information in the lower part of the screen. The app gives you a 3D model of constellations, which tell more about their stories when you turn them upside down.

Additionally, the app keeps you updated with the latest astronomical news so that you won’t miss an event. But what will excite you more about this app is the immersive experience it provides through stunning visual effects, mesmerizing music, and elaborate graphics.

The Star Walk 2: Night Sky Map is available on AppStore and Google PlayStore for free download and use. The app is ad-supported with in-app purchases.

If you wish to use the app without ads, you can download its paid version for $0.99 or remove ads through in-app purchases.

3. SpecTrek

If you have been looking for an adventure app to help you find ghosts or superstitious things, then SpecTrek is the app for you. Like Randonautica, SpecTrek is geolocation-based, although SpecTrek was created to help users work out as they play a game.

The SpecTrek game has three default gameplays. The shortest lasts for 15 minutes, the medium one lasts for 30 minutes, while the longest will take you up to an hour.

You can decide the radius to which you want to see spectral beings. Alternatively, you can work with the pre-determined search radius on Google Maps.

To catch the ghosts, tilt your device to the camera position. The camera helps you scan and see ghosts in augmented reality.

If you are unable to catch the ghosts, you blow a horn to cause nearby ghosts to flee their hiding places and probably stop at a location within your reach.

Unlike Randonautica, which is available on Google PlayStore and AppStore, SpecTrek is only available for Android devices. Basically, SpecTrek is an augmented-reality ghost-hunting game with a tagline: protect the world, stay in shape.

SpecTrek helps you walk and run around your locality with the help of GPS. The app allows you to use your device’s camera to hunt and catch virtual ghosts. The game starts as you install the app and switch it on.

SpecTrek starts as a genuine fun game. But at its peak, it transitions into a genuine fitness game. It offers statistics, titles, records, awards, and travels for all the missions you complete.

To use SpecTrek, you must turn on your location. As you continue playing the game, you’ll get to higher levels and even experience your local area in ways you never imagined.

SpecTrek is available for download on Google PlayStore for $2.49.

4. Ingress Prime

Ingress Prime is another augmented reality game for iOS and Android users that can be an excellent replacement for Randonautica. Ingress Prime claims to be the world’s prime agent, bringing the message that the universe’s fate depends on you.

Ingress claims to be among the first mobile games to revolutionize the use of location data in augmented reality. The game teaches you exotic theories of unknown origin that are slowly seeping into our world at all times.

Niantic Labs launched the Ingress Prime game in 2012. Six years later, the app has been downloaded more than 20 million times, with agents in more than 200 countries.

Its exponential growth was highly propelled by the 2018 overhaul of the app, which brought forth a better, revamped version.

The Ingress Prime game is guided by four principles. The first principle states that the world is your game, so you need to collect as many valuable resources as you can using the app’s scanner.

The second principle tasks you to fight for the faction you believe in by harnessing the power of XM to evolve mankind and discover your true destiny.

Thirdly, the Ingress Prime game is a battle of control. Your task is to strive to dominate territories to achieve victory for your faction.

Lastly, Ingress Prime fronts the principle of working together. The principle requires you to develop strategies to help you communicate effectively with fellow agents.

Ingress Prime is available for free download and use on Google PlayStore and AppStore but with in-app purchase options.

5. Ramblr

If you are still unsure of which adventure app to use, I encourage you to try Ramblr. Like Randonautica, the app is big on highlighting your accomplishments, so you can check on your trip’s statistics, such as speed, duration, or distance.

One feature that sets Ramblr apart from Randonautica is its navigation feature. The feature can be helpful, especially if you wish to navigate four-by-four roads or during hiking.

The tracking feature is also helpful if you want to trace your path in places where the cellular network is shaky, as it allows you to record your tracks even when your cellular data is off.

To any adventurer, any new outdoor adventure is always exciting, and having a platform that can help you document all the incredible things that the world around you can offer makes things even more exciting. Ramblr is a great Randonautic alternative that helps you achieve all these and so much more.

You’ll love the app more as it allows you to write short blogs about your experience and pull out statistics, routes, maps, images, and videos. So, whether you are exploring a new route or just traversing a familiar one, the app helps you document your story in full detail.

I am positive that the Ramblr app will meet most of your adventure needs. Its website has all the information on your trips and a chance to build new ones as KML or GPX files. You can then share these trips with friends or other Ramblr users through email or text.

The app also allows you to search for trips through Google Maps, meaning you won’t have to know the area or names of places to explore great trails.

You can either download the Ramblr app from Google PlayStore or AppStore for free. However, Ramblr’s real-time tracking feature requires a subscription. Therefore, you can choose the monthly subscription plan for $2.49 or the yearly package for $24.99.

6. Komoot

If you are looking for an adventure app that will take you to the highest hiking trails or the deepest dirt tracks, Komoot is the app for you. Komoot will literally take you anywhere you want.

Komoot makes exploring the outdoors easy. It is an excellent companion for adventurers planning to explore already-built routes or even those who wish to conduct superior route planning and navigation.

Like Randonautica, Komoot is well equipped with ready-made inspiration where you can browse through personalized adventures tailored to your favorite outdoor activity. But what captured me with Komoot is its intuitive navigation.

Komoot helps you achieve turn-by-turn navigation. Its offline maps keep your adventure on track, while its best-in-world outdoor tech ensures you get a wholesome outdoor experience.

You can log on to your adventure for later sharing with friends and family. As mentioned earlier, it is easy to plan a perfect route for your adventure with Komoot.

Whether you are looking for smooth asphalt for your bike, single tracks for mountain bikes, or peaceful trails for hiking, Komoot generates a sport-specific route for you.

Komoot is your excellent companion for outdoor exercising. Going out for a walk in an area you hardly understand can be daunting, but the app ensures that your route is well-planned.

You can use the offline mode to navigate the route or use voice navigation for a better experience.

But what excites me the most about Komoot is that it gives highlights of the community’s best routes. So, once you decide on your destination, you can see what the route looks like at a glance.

The tool highlights the peaks, points of interest, parks, single tracks, sandwich shops, and more.

Komoot also empowers adventures to become pioneers and local experts. To become one, you need to contribute tips, highlights, or photos to the Komoot community. Every contribution earns you upvotes and brings you closer to becoming a local adventure expert.

Komoot is ahead of Randonautica for its robust syncing capability. Komoot automatically syncs your route details on all devices, including smartphones, tablets, desktops, and wearables.

The Komoot app does not charge you for your first single region. If you wish to expand to other regions where Komoot is helpful, you can unlock the second single region, ideal for regular adventures close to home, for $3.99.

If you wish to unlock more regions, you can opt for the Regional Plan for $8.99 or the World Package for $29.99. You can download the Komoot app from Google PlayStore for Android and AppStore for iOS users.

7. The Walk: Fitness Tracker App

Are you looking for an adventure app like Randonautica to motivate you to walk more and stay healthy, The Walk: Fitness Tracker App is the app to try.

Like Randonautica, the app was created to help users explore the world familiar to them and the world they never thought existed.

The Walk app was created by the NHS and the UK Department of Health. The aim was to help individuals walk more as every step counts.

It is more than just a step counter or a pedometer. It is an excellent platform that helps you turn your waking into a journey, a challenge, or an exciting adventure.

By simply placing your phone in your purse or pocket, the app is able to map and track every walk or run you take throughout the day. The Walk features a captivating story of a walk the length of the UK that you need to take while evading enemy agents or police.

The Walk takes you on an epic adventure of 65 episodes that last for about 800 minutes, characterized by hundreds of miles and captivating audio.

The gameplay is motivating. The more you walk, the more you earn rewards in the form of collecting cues, scanning for information, or unlocking achievements.

What captured my attention with this app was its adaptability. You don’t have to worry about keeping up with its pace, as it automatically adjusts its speed based on your fitness level.

The Walk is available for free download and use on Google PlayStore and AppStore with in-app purchases. However, it’s essential to note that only the first five episodes and challenges come at no charge.

To unlock the remaining 60 episodes, you must subscribe to The Walk’s Abel Runner’s Club for $5.99 per month or $34.99 per year.

8. The Office Quest

From the name, you can already foresee that The Office Quest is packed with adventure.

The Office Quest might be slightly different from Randonautica in terms of functionality, but the two apps know one thing best: they take you on a journey through the world around you.

The Office Quest is a point-and-click adventure game for people who no longer sit in offices. The game is packed with exciting puzzles and riddles to solve. Surprisingly, you only need your sharp mind and handy objects to get past these puzzles and riddles.

The Office Quest storyline highlights how things never change in an office setting. Every day, workers have to put up with boring meetings, non-stop clicking of computer keyboard keys, or wearing the same outfits.

The Office Quest was created to disrupt the “normal” office setup with something strange yet magical. Your mission in the game is to ensure that you sneak out of the office no matter how hard it may seem.

In The Office Quest, your ticket to freedom is the red light. You must use all you have to make it to the grey abyss called the office. You can make your adventure even more interesting by discovering a few sweet hints, including laughing even when you feel stuck.

You will also meet hilarious characters along the way, including annoying coworkers, grumpy bosses, or any character that makes an office as unbearable as it can be. Your task here is to trick them into letting you slip away.

The Office Quest has four chapters. The first chapter covers the Office Escape or escapes to freedom, Chapter two takes you into the woods, Chapter three takes you to the desert, and the last chapter is the sky, which signifies freedom.

The Office Quest is available on Google PlayStore and AppStore for free download and use. The game is also available on Steam for $8.99.

Final Words

While Randonautica takes you on random adventures, most of its alternatives focus on specific themes, like ghost hunting, working out, or treasure hunting.

Randonautica has its own vibe, just like its alternatives. You’ll realize that some apps’ user interface is smooth and sleek, while others might require time to get used to.

Above all, if you are looking for an adventure app that not only takes you on adventure quests but also builds a community where you can share, connect, and explore the world together, I highly recommend Geocaching.

Geocaching features about three million cleverly hidden geocaches to be explored around the world. This allows you to join a clever community of either outdoor seekers or clever hiders to make your journey more fun.

The post 8 Adventure Apps Like Randonautica 2023 appeared first on Rigorous Themes.

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Misskey vs Mastodon – Which Is Better? https://rigorousthemes.com/blog/misskey-vs-mastodon/ Mon, 16 Oct 2023 10:48:36 +0000 https://rigorousthemes.com/blog/?p=117312 Misskey is an open-source and decentralized social media platform. It’s decentralized in the sense that it has many instances hosted by independent servers but each instance communicates seamlessly with the other. Mastodon on the other hand is free and open-source software that allows users to self-host their social networks. This means it is also a ...

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Misskey is an open-source and decentralized social media platform. It’s decentralized in the sense that it has many instances hosted by independent servers but each instance communicates seamlessly with the other.

Mastodon on the other hand is free and open-source software that allows users to self-host their social networks. This means it is also a decentralized platform that allows users on the same network to interact seamlessly.

Both Mastodon and Misskey belong to the fediverse which is a group of social media networks that are hosted independently but can communicate with each other without complications.

Users on the Fediverse can send and receive updates from different social media platforms within the setup.

Decentralized social networks like Misskey and Mastodon have been growing in popularity because they do not impose things like censorship and commercialization of services.

In this article, we’ll do a thorough review of the two and find out which is better.

Let’s go.

Misskey vs Mastodon – Features

Misskey

Misskey Instances

Misskey allows server owners to create their own instances which is why you can expect to find over 700 of them. Before you sign up, you can go through the list of instances and choose the one you want to open an account on.

Regardless of the instance you pick, you will still be able to communicate seamlessly with people who sign up on other instances. In fact, you will even be able to communicate with people on other networks within the fediverse.

Notes

On Misskey, user posts are referred to as Notes. Once you post a note, others can respond by writing a reply in the comment section, adding emojis, or inserting animated texts.

Just like on any other social media platform, you can upload videos, photos, audio clips, and GIFs on your timeline. You also have the option to add a content warning sign so that those who are browsing through the platform are aware of what they are about to watch or read.

Misskey incorporates Threads which is a version of Notes with a slight difference. With Threads, you are free to create posts with up to 3000 characters by default. This makes it possible for you to keep the conversation going for an even longer time.

Decentralization

One of the most important features of Misskey is that it operates on a decentralized infrastructure. There are over 875 independent servers that host the system so no one can really claim control.

Everyone is free to use the network as they deem fit. The community stresses that users should try as much as possible to be respectable and ethical while on the platform.

However, there is no way of enforcing any rules and regulations which is one of the reasons why the platform is gaining popularity. In most instances, it is up to the community to condemn any behavior deemed to be going overboard.

The platform supports ActivityPub which is the open and decentralized social network protocol that facilitates independent hosting.

Ad-Free Experience

Misskey does not support any form of third-party advertising which is why you are not going to find any on-page or pop-up adverts when browsing through the various pages available.

Of course, as a primary user, you can decide to display adverts on your page but these are only going to appear on your page so that only users who visit your page will be able to view them.

Charts

The platform includes charts that allow users and admins to understand what exactly is going on with their timeline. Charts make it easier to understand the number of people that are viewing their posts.

It also gives an overview of the overall engagement of each post and can be ideal in determining the demographics of those who are involved.

Misskey Drive

Misskey incorporates a cloud-based storage drive that allows you to organize and store files safely. As a user, you can upload pictures and post on your timeline but then keep a copy in your cloud-based drive.

This makes it possible for you to easily retrieve the picture and repost it or share it on another platform. The drive lets you organize files according to the type of media they contain.

For instance, you can organize videos in one folder, audio tracks in another, and documents in another. You can even create multiple files just so you make things even simpler.

Plugins and Widgets

Miskkey has a Plugin Store you can visit to find some of the most useful plugins to incorporate into your platform. Plugins can help enhance the way you interact with others.

They can also be key to ensuring that you get the information you need to carry out more successful campaigns especially if you are using the platform for marketing purposes.

Mastodon

Mastodon Instances

Immediately after you land on the Mastodon home page, you’ll notice a section allowing you to create an account. When you click on it, you’ll be redirected to a page with various instances of the software.

Instances are versions of the software hosted on private servers. These instances may be run by individuals or groups.

To help narrow down your search for the right instance, consider using the filter that includes things like region, language, topic, and sign-up speed, among other details.

Some servers will approve your new account automatically as long as you enter the right details. Others may require approval from an Admin so you may have to wait for a while.

Mastodon Posts

Mastodon allows users to post updates on their timelines as frequently as they like. Posts can be in the form of written texts, videos, music tracks, images, and even GIFs.

Other users on Mastodon can reply to your posts by writing in the comment section, adding emojis, or retweeting your post just like it happens on X which was formerly Twitter.

As is the case with Misskey, any posts on Mastodon can be accessed and interacted with by other users on the network regardless of their primary server. Additionally, users on other networks within the fediverse can view and interact with the posts.

Mastodon slightly differs from Misskey because it supports @mentions. That means if you include the @ symbol before any user’s name they will be notified about the post or comment you have made.

Decentralization

Like Misskey, Mastodon is built on a decentralized infrastructure. Because of its open-source policy, anyone can acquire the source code and host their own instance on their server.

This design ensures that users enjoy more freedom when compared to mainstream platforms that often have strict guidelines. The Mastodon community insists that when users upload content that is violent or explicit there should always be a warning sign accompanying it.

The community discourages bullying and any other thing that may make the network unpleasant for other users. Nonetheless, enforcing these rules or guidelines can sometimes be problematic because of the decentralized nature of the infrastructure.

Mastodon also supports ActivityPub which is the same network protocol used in Misskey.

Ad-Free Experience

Similar to Misskey, Mastodon does not support any third-party advertisements. That is why when surfing through the platform you are unlikely to encounter on-page or pop-up ads.

The network is also big on privacy which is why it does not allow third-party trackers to access your data.

Again as an individual user, you can decide to market products on your timeline through videos or written content. That means you can still use the platform for marketing purposes without necessarily becoming a bother to other users.

Security

Mastodon is quite serious about the safety and security of users which is why it includes a two-factor authentication feature. Of course, you are free to activate or deactivate it depending on the level of security you wish to attain.

Misskey does not have two-factor authentication by default. However, you can download and install a plugin to add this feature.

Multiple Account Support

As a member of Mastodon, you are free to create multiple accounts and use them freely on the network. This makes it possible for you to create different profiles for different purposes without having to worry about breaking any rules and regulations.

Mastodon Drive

As opposed to Misskey, Mastodon does not have a cloud storage solution. Instead, you can store your files on the local drive of the server that is hosting the Mastodon instance you are using.

This can be quite an inconvenience if the hard drive has limited space and yet you wish to store a significant amount of data.

Misskey vs Mastodon – Resource Usage

Mastodon comes in a small file size so it installs relatively fast. It also takes up a little space on the user’s device.

Since it is a lightweight software, it uses a fraction of the system’s resources. That is why you’ll notice that it does not have any significant impact when it comes to running multiple programs simultaneously.

Misskey also comes in a relatively small file and takes up little space on the device. However, it utilizes a significantly larger amount of system resources when compared to Mastodon.

If you have an older device with limited space, it may be a good idea to consider signing up for a Mastodon account. However, if you have a modern device with enough space, you are free to choose any of the two options since they both offer exceptional performance.

In general, Mastodon wins when it comes to utilizing a small amount of system resources.

Misskey vs Mastodon – Customization and User Interface

Mastodon

A casual look at the Mastodon user interface reveals that it bears a lot of similarities to the user interface of X.

At the top left side of the home page is the search bar where you can enter keywords or names to find other users or information available on the network.

In the center of the home page is the timeline where you can scroll down to find your own posts or posts by other users. You can browse through general posts or narrow them down to hashtags by clicking on the relevant section.

There is also the option to click on the News section to find out about the latest happenings in your region and around the world.

On the far right side of the home page, you can Explore new things or click on the Live Feeds section to find events that are happening in real time.

Mastodon allows you to change themes and the layout of your account. You can include background images and even change the color scheme of your account.

You also get to switch from dark to light mode with a click of the button. You are free to upload a real picture for your profile or use the avatars that are readily available on the platform.

You also get to set whether to get e-mail notifications or not.

Misskey

Misskey also features a UI that resembles the X interface. However, it has more sections compared to both X and Mastodon.

At the center of the home page, you get the overview section where you can find some of the latest notes from other users. You can sort out your feed by clicking on the Clips, Pages, and Gallery sections.

On the right-hand side of your device’s screen, you’ll notice notifications which basically include things that you are tagged in or those you have been following and participating in.

When it comes to customization, Misskey allows you to do quite a number of things. For starters, you are free to switch up different themes depending on the instance you are hosted on.

You can even change from light mode to dark mode just to increase visibility when you are browsing in poorly lit areas. You have the freedom to change the layout to something that is more intriguing.

You also have the freedom to add widgets in different sections of the interface just to make things more accessible and convenient. Finally, you can add plugins and widgets to extend functionality or simplify certain tasks.

Misskey vs Mastodon – App Support and Compatibility

Mastodon

One of the best things about using Mastodon is that it has official apps for both Android and iOS devices. You can download the official apps from Google Play and the Play Store.

There are also many third-party apps that work just fine. Mastodon includes a well-documented open API that you can access and create your own app to use as you deem fit.

It works fairly smoothly in relation to other fediverse platforms. Of course, there are a few exceptions which you can find in the About section of the Mastodon website.

Misskey

Unlike Mastodon, Misskey does not have any official apps for Android and iOS devices. However, you can find several unofficial apps to download and install on your device.

An example of an Android app for Misskey is Milktea which you can download from Google Play. Another example of an unofficial app you can use on your iOS device is Kimis which you can download from the App Store.

Like Mastodon, Misskey works relatively smoothly with other fediverse platforms so you should not have any difficulty interacting with people or information on other platforms.

Misskey vs Mastodon – Community and User Base

Mastodon

As of March 2023, Mastodon had over ten million registered users worldwide which is quite impressive especially if you consider that it is not a mainstream platform. Most people on the platform use it for social networking purposes.

That means they tend to use it to get information, entertainment, and connect to other people from across the world. Mastodon features a variety of communities that form around given interests.

That means you can find Mastodon communities based on relationship topics, others based on politics, and so forth.

Misskey

Compared to Mastodon, Misskey pales in the number of registered users. As of August 2023, Misskey had slightly over 639,000 users.

Many of the people who are on the platform use it for social networking with contacts regionally and internationally. It is also used for business purposes because it offers some advanced features for collecting data and creating marketing campaigns.

Misskey communities are as diverse as those on Mastodon. As long as you have an interest or a topic of concern, you can always browse through the communities available and join one that meets your expectations.

Conclusion – Misskey vs Mastodon

Mastodon and Misskey bear several similarities including the fact that they are both free and open-source. They are built on decentralized infrastructures which helps enhance freedom of speech and association.

On the other hand, Mastodon has an extremely big user base when compared to Misskey. It takes up a significantly smaller space on your device and uses a fraction of your system’s resources.

If you are looking for a platform that offers more features, Misskey should be your first choice. However, if you care about system resources and need reliable mobile apps, Mastodon is the one to go with.

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Is Unroll.me Safe? https://rigorousthemes.com/blog/is-unroll-me-safe/ Mon, 16 Oct 2023 10:17:00 +0000 https://rigorousthemes.com/blog/?p=117300 Everyone has been in a situation where they signed up for a service or simply opened a website only to be bombarded with unsolicited emails they didn’t ask for. Having to unsubscribe to each email is a lot of work, and that’s what Unroll.me was created for. Unroll.me is an email subscription platform that was ...

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Everyone has been in a situation where they signed up for a service or simply opened a website only to be bombarded with unsolicited emails they didn’t ask for.

Having to unsubscribe to each email is a lot of work, and that’s what Unroll.me was created for.

Unroll.me is an email subscription platform that was made by Rakuten to assist people in managing their email subscriptions.

It allows users to consolidate all subscription emails into one email subscription called The Rollup. With this, you can clear all emails with a single click without dealing with a bloated mail inbox.

However, there are concerns surrounding Unroll.me’s user data safety.

In this article, we will explore Unroll.me’s privacy policies and its connection to selling user data to third parties. We will also look at reasons for avoiding the platform and give you tips on how to better protect yourself.

If you’ve been using Unroll.me for managing email subscriptions, put a pause on that and read this first.

Unroll.me’s Privacy Policy

As of January 2023, Unroll.me’s privacy policy describes a number of issues, including the following.

  • The information the platform collects through the website and the apps
  • How the collected information is used
  • To whom the collected information is disclosed
  • The measures the platform takes to protect the collected information

What Information Does Unroll.me Collect?

Photo by Markus Winkler/Pexels

There are two types of information that Unroll.me collects from users. The first set involves information authorized for collection by the users themselves. The second set is information that the platform automatically collects without consent.

Some of the information that users have to authorize Unroll.me to collect includes basic contact information like email addresses and names. This is collected when you sign up for email alerts, subscribe to receive information, take part in a survey, or seek customer support.

Once in a while, Unroll.me may reach out to request additional information so they can provide specific offers, features, or functions.

The other type of information that Unroll.me collects without needing your permission involves the way in which you interact with the service. The following automated data collection occurs when you access Unroll.me’s services.

Web Browsers – Whenever you open any Unroll.me website, your browser immediately sends them your IP address.

This information is then used to determine how much time you spend on Unroll.me sites, the features you use the most, and the frequency of your visits.

Cookies – Unroll.me claims to collect cookies in order to improve your overall experience when you browse their sites. This lets them know everything you do, how long you take to hover over a webpage, and the exact places you click.

While there’s an option to disable cookies, Unroll.me adds that you won’t be able to take full advantage of the website’s features.

Web Beacons & Log Files – This is probably the most nefarious data collection tool used by Unroll.me. It allows third parties to collect your private information like your exact IP address, the exact time you opened a page, the type of browser used, etc.

The interesting bit is that you won’t even know these are being collected.

What Information Does Unroll.me Disclose and Protect?

Unroll.me discloses the following information to the public.

  • The parent company that funds the platform
  • The affiliated companies and third parties that collect user information through Unroll.me
  • Service providers that work with Unroll.me to develop and sell measurement products

There’s no specific mention of any security technology used to protect user data on Unroll.me. The best I could get from reading their privacy policy was the use of “physical, electronic, and managerial procedures” to protect data integrity, access, and use.

Most secure sites usually use standard encryptions to protect user data, but as far as I could tell, this isn’t available on Unroll.me.

Privacy Concerns

Photo by Miguel Á. Padriñán/Pexels

While Unroll.me offers you the convenience of managing your unsolicited subscription emails, you can see how concerning the amount of data being harvested in exchange is.

This has led many privacy advocates to warn people against using the platform. Here are some of their leading concerns.

Data Harvesting

One of the main privacy issues brought up by privacy activists has to do with how Unroll.me gathers and uses user data.

You unintentionally give Unroll.me permission to scan and examine the content of your emails when you provide the platform access to your email account.

In addition to identifying and classifying your subscriptions efficiently, this scanning provides Unroll.me with access to a wealth of private data.

There’s no telling what Unroll.me does with this data because what’s disclosed may not be the whole truth.

Data Sharing

The fact that Unroll.me has been found to monetize this data by selling it to third parties—mostly marketers and data brokers—is the most concerning issue.

This implies that your emails, which contain private information, may be used without your permission or, worse, for targeted advertising. This level of risk isn’t worth what the platform offers.

The main reason why people hate subscription mail is how invasive it can be. Unroll.me solves one privacy issue while introducing an even more concerning alternative that puts you at a greater risk.

Opaque Privacy Policy

The obscurity of Unroll.me’s privacy policy is another gray area that many privacy advocates don’t like. It’s often criticized for being complicated and hard for the typical user to understand.

Users are left wondering how and to what degree their data is being used and shared due to a lack of openness.

The lack of proper security frameworks like a simple encryption standard doesn’t help make matters any better for Unroll.me

Alternative Apps and Tools Safer Than Unroll.me

It’s almost impossible to find any online platform or service provider that doesn’t take advantage of user data in one way or another.

But there are some better alternatives to Unroll.me that do a better job while respecting the privacy of everyone involved.

Here are the most notable ones.

1. Clean Email

Compared to Unroll.me, Clean Email is a more robust and intuitive email management solution with a number of benefits.

It makes it simple to organize your inbox, unsubscribe from unsolicited emails, and even create custom filters for a more organized email experience.

Furthermore, this premium tool stands out for its dedication to protecting user privacy. It guarantees the confidentiality and security of your email history by never selling or sharing your most sensitive information with outside parties.

2. Spike

Spike is another premium, cutting-edge platform for managing teams that also comes with a very reliable email client.

This turns your disorganized inbox into a chat-style interface and makes it easy to block and get rid of subscription mail.

On top of this, managing emails is simple with features like the innovative Conversational Email strategy that helps you identify the most important mail to deal with.

Spike prioritizes security and privacy by encrypting all of your files and messages end-to-end, something that Unroll.me doesn’t offer.

3. SaneBox

SaneBox is an email management tool that efficiently sorts and filters your emails so that your inbox contains only the most crucial communications.

It is renowned for its strict privacy guidelines and procedures, unlike Unroll.me. SaneBox takes privacy seriously and doesn’t sell your data or jeopardize your security.

However, like the other alternatives on this list, SaneBox is not free, but you can give it a try with a 14-day trial.

4. Mailbird

Mailbird is an email client with a sophisticated design and robust email management functions. It allows you to arrange your mail depending on their priority. This makes it easy to spot annoying subscription emails and delete them in batches.

The tight adherence to privacy regulations and openness regarding data handling of Mailbird makes it a safer option than Unroll.me.

Their top priority is maintaining your privacy, and they only gather the bare minimum of information needed to run their service.

5. Proton Mail

Proton Mail is a great substitute for Unroll.me for people who value increased email security and end-to-end encryption.

With Proton Mail’s encrypted email services, you can be sure that your correspondence is completely hidden from prying eyes.

At the same time, you can get rid of all unwanted mail from advertisers and other trackers with so much ease. If you’re someone who values control over their email data, this is a great option.

How to Protect Your Privacy?

With a clear understanding of how Unroll.me treats user data, how can you keep yourself safe? Try the following quick tips.

  • Understand what Unroll.me’s can access and what you can block. Before you grant them any access, read their policy well to avoid being surprised later on. Once you’ve understood everything, try as much as you can to limit the permissions to only the necessary things.
  • Use alternatives that offer better privacy and security features. One key thing you should be looking out for is anything that offers encryption, as that makes it hard for anyone to track your IP address. Proton Mail is one good alternative that you should pay attention to.
  • If you can manually unsubscribe from annoying emails and avoid using Unroll.me, the better it is for you. If you must use the tool, then revoke all access once you’ve cleaned your mailbox. At the same time, be mindful of the websites you visit and the permissions you grant them before accepting anything.

Verdict – Is Unroll.me Safe?

No. Unroll.me is not safe!

Though it does a good job of decluttering your inbox by getting rid of unwanted mail, but that comes at the expense of your private data.

Its privacy policy is too vague. The fact that the platform doesn’t even hide that it sells user data to third-party entities is enough cause for alarm.

You’d be much safer managing your own mailbox. Or if you have to use a tool, then consider any of the five alternatives we’ve discussed above.

Your private data is important, and you should have full control over it.

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