Use ethernet on MacBook with regular USB port

If you have an older MacBook with no USB C ports but only a regular USB A port, you can use a USB to Ethernet adapter like the one below.

TECKNET Aluminum 3-Port USB 3.0 Hub with RJ45 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet Adapter Converter LAN Wired USB Network Adapter for Ultrabooks, Notebooks, Tablets and More
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0178HOTOU/

 

If you have USB C, there are lots of options for USB C hubs. Example below:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07X8ZLYLR/

Download from Google Drive using wget in Linux

By default, Google Drive does not allow plain wget commands (e.g. wget google-drive-link) in Linux. The workaround is to use the following syntax:

For example, to download the example.zip file from the Google Drive link below:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1vzHBVXvpF0dFKaDamJ6THg-0Gc-cSDoR

You can use the following wget command in Linux. Note that you have to enter the google drive file id twice and also enter the file name.
wget --load-cookies /tmp/cookies.txt "https://docs.google.com/uc?export=download&confirm=$(wget --quiet --save-cookies /tmp/cookies.txt --keep-session-cookies --no-check-certificate 'https://docs.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1vzHBVXvpF0dFKaDamJ6THg-0Gc-cSDoR' -O- | sed -rn 's/.*confirm=([0-9A-Za-z_]+).*/\1\n/p')&id=1vzHBVXvpF0dFKaDamJ6THg-0Gc-cSDoR" -O example.zip && rm -rf /tmp/cookies.txt

Thanks to this website below for the idea:
https:// pc-mind.com/how-to-download-google-drive-files-with-wget-linux-tiny-and-big-file-size/

Amazon Prime Day Deals

AmazonPrimeDay2015Amazon Prime Day (July 15, 2015) starts in about 4 hours (12 midnight Pacific time). Bookmark these links because they have the best information regarding the deals.

Key links:

  1. *** Slickdeals Master thread: http://slickdeals.net/f/7948697-heads-up-amazon-20th-anniversary-sale-on-july-15
  2. Official press release (with preview of deals): http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=176060&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=2067573
  3. Official page: http://www.amazon.com/PrimeDay
  4. Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1639606549630094

Other notes:

Deals Preview (from the official press release):

The following are examples of some of the deals that will be available at various times throughout Prime Day.

  • Fire TV Stick, fastest selling Amazon device of all time, $15 off
  • Kindle, $30 off
  • Fire HD 7, $60 off
  • Fire HD 7 Kids Edition, $60 off
  • 32-inch LED TV, $75
  • 40-inch 1080p LED TV, $115
  • Brand-name 32-inch Smart HDTV, under $200
  • 50-inch 4K TV bundle, under $1000
  • Bose headphones at the lowest price ever on Amazon
  • Chromebook laptop, only $199
  • Over 50% off two Nikon COOLPIX cameras
  • Highly rated binoculars, under $120
  • Two security camera-kits, $279.99
  • K’NEX 2-in-1 Ferris Wheel Building Set (Amazon Exclusive), $35.99
  • K’NEX Crossfire Chaos Roller Coaster Building Set (Amazon Exclusive), $23.99
  • Playskool Heroes Transformers Rescue Bots Optimus Prime Figure (Amazon Exclusive), $9.99
  • iRobot Roomba Pet Vacuum Cleaning Robot, under $300
  • Husqvarna mower, under $300
  • 40 lightning deals on DVDs up to 75% off
  • Up to 50% off any of the Harry Potter books
  • Save more than 70% on the Divergent Series Complete Box Set of books
  • Save up to 70% on select kitchen products from top brands like Cuisinart, KitchenAid, Foodsaver and Thermos
  • Save up to 50% on select tools for the DIY auto enthusiast
  • Connected Car and Scan Tool products starting at 60% off
  • Road-trip-ready automotive products starting at 50% off
  • Save more than 50% on Drinkwell Platinum Pet Fountain
  • 30% off select clothing, shoes, jewelry, watches & more
  • 60% off Amazon Elements Baby Wipes with code ELEMENTS60
  • Free luxury beauty sample box with $50 purchase of luxury beauty products, with promo code LUXSAMPLES
  • Buy an Amazon.com Gift Card multipack, get $10 in Amazon.com promotional credit
  • Get 25% bonus Amazon Coins when you buy 5,000 or 10,000 Amazon Coins
  • Prime Now will also offer deals in the six cities where the service is offered

100 GB Microsoft OneDrive Storage – Free for 2 Years (Ends Feb 28)

Microsoft-OneDrive-logo-large

Just came across this offer today. It is pretty neat: 100 GB of Microsoft OneDrive Storage – free for 2 years!

Here are the detailed steps (courtesy slickdeals):

1) If you already have a Microsoft account (i.e. hotmail.com, outlook.com etc), proceed to step 2. If you do not already have a Microsoft account, sign up for one at https://signup.live.com/signup.aspx?lic=1
2) Navigate to your Bing Rewards dashboard https://www.bing.com/rewards/dashboard
3) You will see a page that states, “You are not signed in to Bing Rewards.” Go to the bottom of the page and locate the text, “Not a Bing Rewards member? Join now.” Click the “Join now” link and then click on the “Try if now, FREE!” button
4) You will see a page that states, “Welcome to Bing Rewards.” Locate the “Earn and explore” section, then click on “Free storage. Claim your free 100GB of OneDrive storage for two years. Ends 2/28.”
5) You will see a page that states, “100GB of free OneDrive storage for 2 years.” Click the “Get my storage” button, and you should be set.

100 GB Microsoft OneDrive Storage - Free for 2 Years (Ends Feb 28)
100 GB Microsoft OneDrive Storage – Free for 2 Years (Ends Feb 28)

GoDaddy Web Hosting Renewal – best rates with 3 year renewals

I just figured out by chance that GoDaddy Web Hosting Renewal rates are best with 3-year renewals and not with 4 or 5-year renewals. This is a bit weird because I would expect the rates to go down with longer renewals.
From the list below, you can see that the $4.99 per month Economy web hosting plan drops to $2.99 per month with a 3 year renewal, but only drops to $3.74 per month with a 5 year renewal. Go figure!!
Note: for current GoDaddy coupons, visit: www.retailmenot.com/view/godaddy.com
Original: $4.99 plan (Economy plan)
Coupon: gda1132bp (25% off $60)
2 year renewal
Base rate: $119.76 ($4.99 per month)
– Coupon: -$29.94 (25% off)
Final rate: =$89.82 ($3.74 per month)
3 year renewal
Base rate: $143.64 ($3.99 per month)
– Coupon: -$35.91 (25% off)
Final rate: =$107.73 ($2.99 per month) (BEST RATE)
4 year renewal
Base rate: $239.52 ($4.99 per month)
– Coupon: -$59.88 (25% off)
Final rate: =$179.64 ($3.74 per month)
5 year renewal
Base rate: $299.40 ($4.99 per month)
– Coupon: -$74.85 (25% off)
Final rate: =$224.55 ($3.74 per month)