After years of being an Android user, I finally gave Apple a shot. In this video, I share my experience switching to the iPhone – what I was looking for in a phone, what worked, and what didn’t. There were a few things that frustrated me, but I also found some surprising benefits.

I also touch on the Apple Watch Series 10 and how it fits into the Apple ecosystem.

If you’re on the fence about switching, I’ll walk you through some real-life scenarios that might help you decide.

1 of THE Best features of the Apple Watch!

This in my opinion is one of the best and most convenience features on the apple watch series 10. It helps so much when filming yourself, being able to check what is in the shot and adjusting if necessary on the iPhone.

You can control the camera (though somewhat limited) from the watch, it makes it easy take photos or start and stop recording using the watch. It can really be a great accessory to your film making kit.

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The post Switching to iPhone After Years on Android – What I Loved & Hated! appeared first on FitNish.com.

Entelect offers end-to-end technology services and solutions, collaborating with their customers to help them go from good to great.

“Our philosophy and our culture continue to allow us to help forward-thinking businesses around the world achieve their objectives through the delivery of end-to-end technology solutions.”

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The post A Day in the Life as a Software Engineer @ Entelect’s Offices | South Africa appeared first on FitNish.com.

Step into the digital realm, where vibrant screens and endless scrolling beckon us with promises of connection and entertainment. Social media platforms have become a ubiquitous part of our lives, shaping how we communicate, share, and interact with the world.

Have you ever paused to consider the lurking dangers concealed beneath the captivating screens? It’s time to delve into the untold side of social media, one that often goes unnoticed amidst the rising numbers. According to the latest article by Forbes, the global count of social media users has surged to an astonishing 4.9 billion people. And brace yourself because this number is projected to skyrocket to approximately 5.85 billion users by 2027.

Here, we will explore the untold health risks associated with social media, shedding light on the alarming consequences that seem to have slipped through the cracks.

How Excessive Screen Time Takes a Toll on Physical Well-Being

Excessive screen time not only affects your physical health but also has specific impacts on various aspects of your well-being. Let’s explore some of these effects in detail, shedding light on the hidden perils of prolonged screen use.

Reduced Cholesterol

Prolonged screen time often leads to a sedentary lifestyle, which can contribute to reduced levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. When your bodies remain inactive for extended periods, such as during excessive screen use, the levels of HDL cholesterol can decline, increasing the risk of heart disease.

According to a recent study published in the National Library of Medicine, extended screen usage of more than three hours is associated with a significant decrease in HDL cholesterol. The study suggests that several factors contribute to this correlation, including the influence of extensive food advertisements, impaired regulation of food intake while engaged with screens, and a sedentary lifestyle resulting in reduced movement and physical activity.

Decreased Cortisol

The constant exposure to screens and the digital world can disrupt your stress hormone levels, particularly cortisol. Excessive screen time can lead to reduced cortisol levels in the body, which may seem beneficial at first glance. However, chronically low cortisol levels can impair your body’s stress response system, potentially leading to a weakened immune system, fatigue, and difficulty managing stress effectively.

Based on research findings, cortisol, a stress hormone produced by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, is considered a biomarker for stress in pediatric studies. Both low and high cortisol levels have been associated with poor performance. 

Normally, cortisol levels are lowest during nighttime and gradually increase as waking hours approach, experiencing a sharp spike upon waking up. However, the study reveals that school-aged children who spend up to three hours per day using media exhibit a diminished cortisol surge one hour after waking up, which can have negative consequences.

Disrupted Insulin Balance and Diabetes

Sedentary behavior, one that includes excessive screen time, often associated with excessive screen use, can lead to weight gain and obesity. This weight gain, combined with the lack of physical activity, can disrupt insulin balance and impair the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels. Over time, this can contribute to the development of insulin resistance and increase the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes.

Recent studies have discovered that insulin, a hormone crucial for regulating metabolism and fat storage, is secreted by the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. Insulin resistance, a condition where cells are unable to utilize insulin effectively, plays a significant role in the development of diabetes and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Higher screen time, such as watching television, playing video games, or using the computer for an additional hour each day, can lead to a 5% decrease in insulin sensitivity. What’s more, other studies have linked as little as two hours of daily screen time to abnormal insulin levels.

However, when you understand these specific impacts of excessive screen time on your physical health, you can make informed decisions about your screen usage and adopt healthier habits to mitigate these risks.

How Social Media Undermines Mental Health

The prevalence of social media in your lives has brought forth a range of detrimental effects on your mental well-being, often overlooked and underestimated. You need to recognize these hidden perils that social media poses to your mental health and shed light on the specific consequences that tend to go unnoticed.

Depression and Suicidal Behavior

The constant exposure to carefully curated, idealized versions of others’ lives can lead to feelings of inadequacy, social comparison, and a decline in self-esteem. The negative impact of cyberbullying and online harassment further exacerbates these mental health concerns, pushing individuals towards depressive states and potentially harmful behaviors.

Recent studies have highlighted the concerning rise of social media-induced depression, especially among the younger generation. Unawareness of effective social media usage can lead to feelings of jealousy, self-doubt, and low self-esteem. Sleep disturbance, resulting from excessive screen use at night, is identified as a mediating factor connecting social media to depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts in adolescents. Smartphone dependence, messaging frequency, and pre-bedtime anxiety about message replies are linked to mood swings, suicidal thoughts, and self-injury.

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

Excessive engagement with social media platforms has been associated with attention difficulties and symptoms resembling ADHD. The constant scrolling, multitasking, and exposure to an overwhelming amount of information can impair concentration, focus, and impulse control. This can have long-term implications on cognitive function and academic performance, especially among young individuals who are more susceptible to these challenges.

Studies have shown that children in contemporary society may display varying symptoms of ADHD, including inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. This kind of behavior, often associated with ADHD, is linked to the amount of time spent on screens. Excessive use of digital devices is commonly observed among younger children and teenagers, both among those who have been diagnosed with ADHD and those who are believed to be dealing with attention-related challenges or impulsivity.

Neuropsychological Effects

Excessive social media usage can lead to altered brain structure and function. The constant need for instant gratification, excessive dopamine release from notifications and likes, and the addictive nature of social media can impact the reward circuitry in the brain. This can result in decreased attention span, reduced empathy, impaired decision-making, and increased susceptibility to addictive behaviors.

Research indicates that internet addiction in any form leads to structural changes in the brain, particularly in the frontal lobe. These changes affect the brain’s ability to filter out irrelevant information and cope with demanding tasks. Multitasking across various media devices has been studied, revealing that continuous attention to screens can replace real-world engagement. 

College students who demonstrate high scores in multitasking have been observed to display diminished grey matter in the anterior cingulate cortex, an area linked to cognitive control and the regulation of socioemotional functions. Recent allegations and studies, including those referenced by TorHoerman Law, have raised concerns about the impact of Instagram on all social media platforms. Studies indicate that how individuals engage with Instagram can significantly affect their mental well-being, particularly among young girls and women. 

While the duration of Instagram usage alone may not directly lead to negative outcomes, it has been observed that individuals who seek social validation on the platform are more prone to experiencing mental health issues. Individuals who have experienced adverse effects on their mental health are taking action by pursuing legal recourse through an Instagram lawsuit. These individuals are seeking legal remedies for the negative consequences they have encountered as a result of using the platform.

The lawsuit highlights the growing recognition of the impact that social media, particularly Instagram, can have on individuals’ well-being. By filing a lawsuit, these individuals are aiming to hold Instagram accountable for its alleged role in exacerbating mental health issues, especially among vulnerable populations such as young girls and women.

Social Media and Poor Sleep Quality

Social media’s impact on your sleep quality is a significant yet often overlooked peril to your overall well-being. The constant need for validation, fear of missing out, and endless scrolling can keep you engaged with your devices well into the night, stealing precious hours of restorative sleep.

A recent study published in Wiley Online Library shed light on the connection between social media usage and poor sleep quality. The findings revealed that a significant majority of students, approximately 82.1%, accessed social media within two hours before going to sleep, indicating a notable nocturnal engagement with these platforms.

Plus, the study found that a substantial proportion of students, around 62.1%, utilized social media while in bed, blurring the boundaries between screen time and rest. Disturbingly, nearly 29.7% of students reported engaging with social media while attempting to fall asleep, further highlighting the detrimental impact of these activities on the quality of sleep.

Interestingly, the study also found that a significant percentage of students, approximately 18.3%, experienced delays in falling asleep as a direct result of their nighttime social media use. These findings suggest that the stimulating and addictive nature of social media can disrupt the natural sleep onset process, leading to extended periods of wakefulness before finally succumbing to slumber.

The Rise of Social Media Addiction

Today, an increasing number of individuals are succumbing to the allure of constant online connection and struggling to break free from the grip of social media platforms. Shockingly, social media addiction shares similarities with other forms of behavioral addiction, such as gambling or substance abuse. The compulsive need to check notifications, obsessively scroll through feeds, and the fear of missing out (FOMO) contribute to a cycle of craving and seeking validation.

The design of social media platforms is intentionally crafted to foster addiction, employing various techniques to keep users engaged for longer periods. Features like endless scrolling, personalized notifications, and dopamine-driven reward systems tap into your psychological vulnerabilities, making it challenging to resist the allure and pull away from the screens.

Extensive research has consistently demonstrated that frequent social media usage can give rise to addiction, subsequently exerting adverse effects on various aspects of adolescents’ lives. Multiple studies have highlighted the detrimental impact of social media addiction on academic performance, social interactions, and interpersonal relationships among young individuals.

Empirical evidence suggests that addictive tendencies towards social media can lead to a decline in school performance, as excessive time spent on these platforms detracts from academic focus and engagement. Moreover, addictive behaviors associated with social media usage can hinder adolescents’ ability to develop healthy social skills and maintain meaningful face-to-face interactions.

As adolescents become increasingly consumed by the allure of social media, it becomes essential to recognize the potential determinants it poses to their school performance, social behavior, and interpersonal relationships. 

Summing Up

The pervasive influence of social media on your health is a topic that deserves greater attention. From the impact on mental health to physical well-being, social media poses significant risks that often go unnoticed. The detrimental effects of poor physical and mental health, poor sleep quality, and addiction are just a few of the consequences you must confront. It is imperative to strike a balance between the advantages of social media and your overall well-being. It is time to take control of your online experiences and prioritize your health above the addictive allure of social media.

Let us step out from behind the screens, embrace real-life connections, and create a healthier relationship with technology. By doing so, you can mitigate the unnoticed perils of social media on your health and strive for a more balanced and fulfilling existence.

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The post Behind the Screens: Unnoticed Perils of Social Media on Health appeared first on FitNish.com.

The video below showcases and reviews the Arteck Microsoft Surface Pro 8 & Pro X Type Cover, which is an Ultra-Slim Portable Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard with Touchpad and has a Built-in Rechargeable Battery. I use it on the Surface Pro 8 and really love it.

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The post Arteck Bluetooth Keyboard & Touchpad Review For Microsoft Surface Pro 8 appeared first on FitNish.com.

You’re not the only one. So many people in the world struggle to make the time to get exercise on a daily basis, and quickly fall out of habits like going for a run or working out at the gym. They’re just not convenient!

Well, good news. There are tons of streaming services out there, so you can get an at home full body workout from the privacy of your own bedroom. Let’s take a look at 8 of the best options now!

1. Nike Run Club

If you’re a runner, you’ve probably heard of Nike Run Club. Nike Run Club allows you to track your steps, figure out your routine, and get advice on becoming a better runner from the best of the best. You can also compete in challenges to drive yourself even further, or join a club in your area.

And, best of all, Nike Run Club is free, so you don’t have to worry about free trials or any of that! Nike Run Club is definitely the number one choice of app for all of the serious runners out there.

2. Peloton

You don’t need a bike to enjoy the Peloton experience, despite what that one infamous commercial may have implied. The Peloton app offers tons of different workout classes that may work for you, most of which do not require the dedicated Peloton treadmill or bike.

The app offers both indoor and outdoor classes, and you can download your classes to your phone in advance. There are plenty of options for you to get a great at home cardio workout. Peloton also offers training programs, so if you’re planning on prepping for a marathon in the near future you may want to check it out! 

3. Aaptiv

Are you looking for an at-home workout aid, but aren’t interested in the video aspect?

Well, Aaptiv is probably what you’re looking for. Aaptiv is a solely audio-based streaming service, so you can do your workouts without looking at a screen. For $15 each month, Aaptiv offers tons of audio-only workouts along with their dedicated app. It’s a low-cost option that may be useful for people without a lot of equipment.

4. BeachBody on Demand

Are you looking to get back into exercise after a long break, or even for the first time?

You may want to try out BeachBody on Demand. BeachBody on Demand offers classes for people of all different levels of exercise, in ways that really help all people get a great workout from home.

There are dozens of different workouts, and many of them offer different videos so that you’re not repeating the same routine every day. If you’re not sure exactly what you are looking for in your exercise routine, or if you’re coming off a period of being more sedentary, BeachBody on Demand may help you get on track.

5. Daily Burn

For a wider-range of different exercise classes, Daily Burn might be a good option for your needs. Daily Burn gives you a new workout for your program each day, which can be a great motivating factor for people who need to follow a specific plan to get their exercise. Anyone who needs more structure for their daily exercise routine should definitely head over and give Daily Burn a shot.

6. Fitness Blender

Fitness Blender offers both paid and free programs, so it’s a great option if you’re looking to try before you buy when picking a way to work out from your home. Fitness Blender has videos that focus on tons and tons of different exercises, for different types of difficulty and different equipment levels.

They also rate the difficulty levels of their videos, so you’ll know what you’re getting into before you try things out!

7. Glo

If you’re really just looking for a yoga-only workout experience, you may want to seek out a yoga dedicated streaming service. Glo is just one of the options out there for you, but it’s a good one.

Glo provides yoga videos for lots of different yoga disciplines, including Vinyasa, Hatha, and Kundalini. And, like Instagram, Glo offers a discover function, just in case you haven’t decided exactly what workout you’re looking for just yet.

8. Barre3

For those who are interested in doing barre classes, Barre3 is a fitness streaking service that may appeal to you.

However, you may need some equipment in order to do barre classes from home, which is important to keep in mind when choosing a streaming service that works for your exercise purposes. And, if you haven’t tried barre classes before, you may want to start with something a little more elementary before jumping into the deep end. Barre is a particularly difficult workout, so you’ll definitely want to be sure that you’re up for it first!

You can check out other options, including free offerings, on this list of streaming services!

Bonus: JEFF Fitness

JEFF Fitness has taken a bit of a different approach. At the start of lockdown, they launched their live daily workouts to help people connect and stay fit and healthy in the face of the global pandemic. Within a few short weeks, the JEFF Together Facebook group membership has grown to over 40 000 people from over 99 countries.

Founder, Johno Meintjes explains what he believes to be the secret to their success: “We have managed to build a virtual gym, based on the power of true, authentic connection. We exercise in order to get fitter, stronger and healthier, in order to see results. But everything associated with those results comes down to connection.” 

The community provides constant support to each other, sharing their progress and cheering each other on.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-2eXX7JYE-/

“This is unique in the fitness industry and something I’ve never seen before. It’s incredible,” adds Johno. 

Live classes on offer include daily HIIT classes, Yoga, Kids classes, guided runs and even cooking sessions. Members can take part live or complete any workout whenever it suits them, from their homes at a monthly subscription of R200. All classes are streamed from the JEFF Together Facebook group and are free to take part in to try before subscribing.

“What makes this all worthwhile are the heartwarming and vulnerable stories that our community share with us, be it a weight, fitness or mental issue that they have overcome. The messages of positivity, hope and strength have overwhelmed us and this is what keeps us going.” says Johno. 

The company hosted South Africa’s Biggest Online Workout on 13 April date where over 17 000 people from around the country tuned in live, to sweat it out from the comfort of their own homes. With over 300 000 workout views later, JEFF Fitness is redefining the ‘new normal’ of the fitness industry. 

“The results our community has shared with us are unbelievable” says Johno. “Not only are they telling us about how they are reaching their health and fitness goals, but how we are helping them place routine, structure and connection at the centre of their lives.”

Discovery Vitality has partnered with JEFF Fitness to host special workouts where all Vitality members can register to earn 300 points for their workout. The next Vitality workout, #HeartCoreWorkout, in support of World Heart Rhythm Week, is taking place on 6 June. All are welcome to join!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-h4a-vpBfo/

Getting an At Home Full Body Workout is Easier Than Ever

With any of the online streaming services above, it’s pretty simple to get a great at home full body workout at your convenience. And, these are just a sampling of the amazing options that are out there for you to try. The world is your oyster when it comes to options for working out at home!

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The post No Gym Required: 8 of the Best Home Workout Streaming Services And Apps appeared first on FitNish.com.

Because of their similarities, it’s easy to think of Charge 2 and Charge 3 as interchangeable devices. However, remember that the Charge 3 is the newer and better model. Below is a basic comparison on the Fitbit Charge 2 vs the Fitbit Charge 3.

Keep reading to find out some of the key differences between the two.

1. Design

Let’s start with the biggest elements of the Fitbit Charge series. At first glance, you can see that both fitness trackers have the same general design. They both sport a band that’s as wide as the body and a rectangular screen.

At a closer look, you’ll notice that Fitbit Charge 3 has a slimmer and lighter design. Fitbit uses aluminum to construct Charge 3, resulting in a lighter watch. It also has a more refined look, compared to the Charge 2, and is swim-proof.

Instead of keeping the protruding button of Charge 2, Charge 3 has a recessed button. This doesn’t only give it a more streamlined look. It also has interchangeable straps so you can still wear your Charge 3 for more formal occasions.

2. Charging and Battery Life

Next, on this guide on the Fitbit Charge 2 vs Fitbit Charge 3, let’s talk about battery life and charging. First, we have a question to ask. Which Fitbit Charge model has a better battery life? Let’s get a look at the Charge 2 and Charge 3’s battery lives.

Charge 2’s battery life can last up to 5 days, according to Fitbit. Meanwhile, Charge 3 has a battery life that can last up to 7 days. So, which one is the better Fitbit Charge device?

For their charger, both Fitbit Charge models use a proprietary charging cable. If you already have a Fitbit Charge 2, you don’t need to worry about losing the Fitbit charger. You can use the same charger of your Fitbit Charge 3 to bring your Fitbit tracker back to life.

3. Tracker Screen

Giving a closer look at the Fitbit Charge 3 specs will give you an idea about its improvements from the Charge 2. One of these improvements on the fitness tracker includes the OLED touch screen. If you compare them side to side, you’ll see that the Charge 3 has a touchscreen that’s 40% larger the Charge 2.

Also, Charge 3 uses Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for its display. This means, as an OLED touchscreen and display, it’s extra durable. Plus, the glass material means you cut the risk of getting scratches on your fitness tracker.

Also, as a note, the touch sensitivity of the Charge 3’s screen may be too sensitive or not at all. This is a problem we also see with the Garmin Vivosmart 4.

4. Features

We can’t miss discussing the features of Charge 2 and Charge 3. Many of the features of Fitbit Charge 3 are also available in Charge 2. Some got improved while others remain as they are in the Charge 2.

For example, Charge 3 comes with a Fitbit companion app for socializing with other Fitbit users. It lets you meet and add friends and compete in a leader board. It also lets you join or create fitness challenges.

If you want to find a community with like-minded people, get on Fitbit Groups. The Fitbit app also offers Fitbit’s Adventures. Here, you can still do daily physical activity with the fun of joining immersive adventures.

Some of Charge 3’s improved features include wellness features. Guided Breathing Sessions and Reminders to Move are available on both trackers. They also have the Hourly Activity history on the Fitbit app, giving you a calorie counter watch.

However, Charge 3 makes the deal sweeter for women. Now, you can track periods, record symptoms, and see predictions for your ovulation. That’s not all the Charge 3 can do.

Its Smart Features give you more access to various Android phone apps and commands. Also, Charge 3 has an enhanced heart rate tracking technology now. Fitbit claims this can take more accurate measurements of fitness statistics.

If you’re a Charge 2 owner, you know the device is one of the best sleep trackers in the market. Charge 3 comes with the experimental Sleep Score beta program. This is a more in-depth sleep tracker that gives you new information like advanced heart rate tracking.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B68vTAhItLL/

Final Thoughts

If we look at the devices as a whole, the better wristband health monitor is Charge 3. Its newer features have more versatility and functionality. If you have trouble with it, you can always look up Fitbit Charge 3 instructions online or go to the Fitbit site.

It’s a true upgrade in all the best ways. One of its biggest pluses is that it’s waterproof, too. On sites like Mobile Mob, you can get even Fitbit Charge 3 bands and straps.

If you want to know more about Fitbit Charge 3 from customers, look up Fitbit customer service reviews. Depending on where you get your Charge 2 and Charge 3, the prices will vary. The typical market price of Charge 3 is $149.95 or $169.95 if you want the Charge 3 Special Edition.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7WabG1FaZf/

Upgrading Your Fitbit Charge Fitness Tracker

Indeed, there aren’t huge changes in the general design of the Fitbit Charge 3 compared to its predecessor. However, these changes are enough to make the Fitbit Charge 3 feel like a true upgrade. Plus, these little tweaks make it one of the best fitness trackers for daily use.

Don’t hesitate to keep this comparison guide on the latest Fitbit Charge models always on hand. I hope this helped you decide on whether you should upgrade your Fitbit fitness tracker.

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The post Fitbit Charge 2 Vs Fitbit Charge 3: Is It Worth The Upgrade? appeared first on FitNish.com.

There’s a lot of work to do, so you’re probably wondering how to prepare quickly and efficiently. This article provides 5 easy steps to pass the CompTIA Network+ Practice Test evaluation at the first attempt. Let’s see them below:

Step 1: Understand the exam details and general requirements

The first step for any serious exam is to examine the test details. Therefore, the CompTIA N10-007 is a core exam that consists of 90 questions of multiple-choice, multiple-response, drag and drops, and performance-based types. You will have only 90 minutes to complete them all, no more. And to succeed in this test candidates are expected to score 720 out of 900 points to be awarded the Network+ certification. It’s important to note that CompTIA recommends candidates to have the Certbolt A+ certification and about 1 year of experience before sitting for the N10-007 exam.

Step 2: Get acquainted with the exam content

The next significant step you need to make is the following one. The CompTIA website provides a list of exam topics that will be tested on the final exam. In other words, candidates should get themselves well acquainted with the following topics before registering for N10-007.

• Fundamentals of Networking – 23%
• Concepts of Networking Infrastructure – 18%
• Network Operations – 17%
• Network Security – 20%
• Network Diagnostics and Tools – 22%

Step 3: Create an individual study plan

Planning is key in passing any certification exam. Therefore, candidates should create in advance a study plan and allocate a minimum of two hours every day for training. Moreover, this study plan must be created honoring all personal and work commitments, as overzealousness can leave you without energy and time for your job and personal life.

Step 4: Utilize Certbolt CompTIA resources effectively

At the start of preparation, candidates should identify their knowledge gaps and aim to bridge them. For this purpose, multiple training resources are available on the CompTIA website for self-preparation, including virtual labs, study guides, and video training. Moreover, the CertMaster Learn Training solution that comprises various options for you to train from flashcards, games, and videos to performance-based questions will help candidates learn and prepare for the final test more comprehensively, click here for more.  

Step 5: Practice with exam dumps

As you know, practice makes perfect, and this is one of the most important steps on the way to your success. During this training you find gaps in your knowledge, gain skills to complete various types of questions, and develop time management skills. What’s more, the Network+ candidates require further practice to increase exposure and develop confidence. And CompTIA offers a practice test for test-takers to practice and gain firsthand experience. Meanwhile, exam dumps on reliable external websites are a great resource that students can utilize for practicing.

Conclusion

Rest assured that the CompTIA Network+ exam ensures you are industry-ready and possess the required technical skills. That’s because CompTIA maintains its stellar industry reputation by certifying individuals that are passionate and willing to work hard. At the same time, the five steps outlined in this article will help any candidate to pass the N10-007 exam and gain this CompTIA certification that will be a great addition to your resume and will provide you many growth opportunities.

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The post 5 Easy Steps To Excel At Certbolt CompTIA Network+ Certification Exam appeared first on FitNish.com.

• Tracks your steps
• Measures your heart rate
• Tracks your heart rate and duration of your workout
• Vibrating alarm
• Weather updates
• Phone notifications and find my band/device
• Gps tracking of cycling/walking/running

One cool new feature of the band, is that it’s waterproof! This is one of the main reasons I went for Mi band 3 as I can now swim with it and not worry about always having to take it off if I have to shower or go swimming.

I put together a short video below, just showing some of the features of the Mi band 3 and to give you an idea of the look and feel of it. 

A look at the Xiaomi Mi 8 and specifically its Camera:

I also got my hands on the Xiaomi Mi8 smartphone, which is powerful smartphone. I specifically bought it for its camera and to be able to video in higher frame rates than I was able to previously (on my dslr I can only go up to 60 frames per second).

If you’re interested to see what it can do check out the video below, which shows a few sample pictures and videos I took with it as well as what sort of video settings you can expect and use on it.

To use these images or get more checkout unsplash!

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The post A Look At The Xiaomi Mi Band 3 Smart Watch & Activity Tracker appeared first on FitNish.com.

• Bought in 2014
• Samsung ativ notebook 
• Intel I5 2.60 GHz processor
• 8 Gigs Ram
• 1 TB HDD (Hard disk drive)

Takealot.com had a special on the western digital Blue 500 gig drive, so after much research and many youtube reviews, I decided to go for it and give it a try, and WOW it made such a huge difference. A great buy indeed and well worth it.

I made a short video showing the time comparison between boot up on the 2 hard drives. First I show the 1 TB existing hard drive, which takes a few minutes, and then the SSD, which is super fast and hardly any lag.

The last part of the video is a small tip to solve an error, which says

“Unable to recover your PC. The system drive is too small.”

when installing windows on your ssd from your recovery drive. It’s quite a simple fix and worked for me.

Swapping drives:

Swapping drives is easy, just unscrew the back of your laptop and unscrew the HDD and connect the new SSD. Some of the screws connecting the HDD to the casing were quite tight and I needed to use a wrench with a screwdriver to loosen them.

Installing windows 10

I used the recovery option on the laptop with the existing HDD and created a recovery windows installation on a 32 gig flash drive. After putting the SSD into the laptop I booted from the flash drive. Initially I got an error when trying to install: “Unable to recover your PC. The system drive is too small.” This was caused by the HDD being bigger than the SSD, but can be easily fixed by changing a value in an XML file on the windows USB flash drive (shown fully in the above video). Once fixed I installed windows, it was version 8.1 though.

I then downloaded the windows media creation tool from the Microsoft website to upgrade to windows 10.

Partitions:

I decided to partition my SSD. I found a simple video that shows quickly and easily how to do it if you are new to partitioning drives.

Casing:

The last thing to do is to get a new case for your original hard drive so you can use it as an external drive to store all your stuff. You can find one of these online ranging between 100 and 200 Rand/10 – 20 USD.

Photos by:

• Nathan Dumlao
• JC Gellidon on Unsplash

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The post Tech Blog: Upgrading An Old Laptop From A HDD To A SSD For Speed – Worth It? appeared first on FitNish.com.

Machine learning is a buzz word, mention it and maybe you can sound cool, though don’t get me wrong, it is pretty cool, but what’s even cooler is actually understanding what it means and how it works. Often times it is over complicated with deep explanations leaving you more confused than you were before.

I recently came across an article by YK Sugi titled:

• What exactly can you do with Python? Here are Python’s 3 main applications.

In that article he gives a great explanation to what machine learning is, and provides a really nice and straight forward example to illustrate it, clearing up any confusion you may have. That bit of the article is below; to read the full article click on the link above

First of all, let’s review what machine learning is.

I think the best way to explain what machine learning is would be to give you a simple example.

Let’s say you want to develop a program that automatically detects what’s in a picture. So, given this picture below (Picture 1), you want your program to recognize that it’s a dog.

Given this other one below (Picture 2), you want your program to recognize that it’s a table.

You might say, well, I can just write some code to do that. For example, maybe if there are a lot of light brown pixels in the picture, then we can say that it’s a dog.

Or maybe, you can figure out how to detect edges in a picture. Then, you might say, if there are many straight edges, then it’s a table.

However, this kind of approach gets tricky pretty quickly. What if there’s a white dog in the picture with no brown hair? What if the picture shows only the round parts of the table?

This is where machine learning comes in. Machine learning typically implements an algorithm that automatically detects a pattern in the given input.

You can give, say, 1,000 pictures of a dog and 1,000 pictures of a table to a machine learning algorithm. Then, it will learn the difference between a dog and a table. When you give it a new picture of either a dog or a table, it will be able to recognize which one it is.

I think this is somewhat similar to how a baby learns new things. How does a baby learn that one thing looks like a dog and another a table? Probably from a bunch of examples.

You probably don’t explicitly tell a baby, “If something is furry and has light brown hair, then it’s probably a dog.” You would probably just say, “That’s a dog. This is also a dog. And this one is a table. That one is also a table.”

Machine learning algorithms work much the same way.

You can apply the same idea to:

• Recommendation systems (think YouTube, Amazon, and Netflix)
• Face recognition
• Voice recognition
• Among other applications.

Popular machine learning algorithms you might have heard about include:

• Neural networks
• Deep learning
• Support vector machines
• Random forest
• You can use any of the above algorithms to solve the picture-labeling problem I explained earlier.

I hope that clears up any confusion you may have had before. Now when you mention that cool term ‘Machine learning’, you can back it up with a great and simple explanation!

Photos by:

• Sarandy westfall 
• Luca Bravo 
• Lukas
• Ali Yahya on Unsplash

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