Misconceptions About VPNs, the Virtues of Glasses of Wine, the Inevitability of Summer Ticks, and More in This Week’s Highlights
We’ve taken a close look at VPNs this week to see if they’re the ultimate privacy lifesaver (which they aren’t), learned meticulous pencil sharpening techniques, and thought outside the box while enjoying high-quality wine in a box. Here’s a look back.
The biggest VPN misconceptions
You heard? ISPs want to sell your data, and a virtual private network (VPN) is the best way to tell them to leave . But there’s a problem. VPNs are notoriously unreliable, harder than they look, unregulated, and can pose more security risks than they are worth if you don’t configure them correctly.
The countries that are actually the most dangerous for tourists
The world can be a dangerous place, especially for careless travelers. The US State Department does its best to warn tourists of the risks , but these warnings don’t always paint a clear picture. It turns out that the countries with the most travel warnings are not always the most dangerous.
You are likely to catch a tick this summer. Good luck.
When you find this tick on yourself – or worse, on your child or a hard-to-reach part of the body of a loved one – don’t reach for matches. Check out these six myths about ticks for what not to do.
Why you should drink wine in a box
Boxed wine has a bad reputation. People look down on him because he doesn’t fit in a fancy bottle and think the contents are vile and cheap. While this may be true for some brands, a lot of wine in boxes is as good or even better than what you drink over a good dinner. Plus, it’s easy to transport, stays fresh longer, costs less and is better for the environment.
This weird trick can save you tinnitus for a short time.
If you suffer from tinnitus or persistent tinnitus, this odd hand trick might give you a little respite.
Thinking about solar panels? See how much sun your roof gets with this map.
To use solar panels, you need a solar roof, but your roof may be sunnier than you think. Google Project Sunroof gives detailed construction information and now contains data for (parts of) all 50 states .
How to cleanse very quickly after exercising with sweating
If you’re pressed for time, hitting the gym right before work or during lunch may be your only option. Which probably means you can’t squeeze in the shower. Here’s how you can get back to work quickly without feeling sweaty and smelly.
Five types of birth control in men we probably can never use
A new form of male birth control, Vasalgel, is strikingly close to human trials, but we’ve heard this story before. Let’s take a look at some of the contraceptives for guys who are languishing for lack of funding.
How to really sharpen a pencil
David Rees believes he can sharpen pencils . He says that people have entrusted 1,500 pencils to his sharpening business. I know a thing or two about working with sharp pencils, and let me tell you that if you ship your pencils for sharpening, you are a fucking hobbyist.
It is more difficult for women to negotiate. You have to do it anyway.
This was my first meeting with a new potential client, and they called his number. It was a good number, but recently I promised to continue negotiations. So I threw out the higher number and then held my breath in the awkward silence. I hate the hectic, nerve-wracking negotiation process, but that’s why I’ve learned to accept it in spite of it.
How to organize your recipe set with the Paprika app
Paprika ($ 4.99) is our favorite recipe manager on both Android and iPhone , but its huge feature set makes it a little overwhelming at first. Let’s take a look at some tips on how to organize these recipes without losing your mind.
Why you need to start drinking in the shower
Drinking in the shower is a pastime that many Lifehacker employees consider to be their loved ones. What’s a popular drink for an event like this? Beer. Also coffee and maybe a trendy cocktail. Here’s how you, too, can enjoy one of the greatest and simplest pleasures of your adult life.