Social Media Marketing and Online Shopping: October 2020

Saturday, 31 October 2020

Sean Connery Has Died. Friends, Fans, and the Other James Bonds Are Saluting Him on Social Media

“He will always be Indy’s dad to us,” wrote Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade producers Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall.

from Slate Magazine https://ift.tt/3jFJRN2

Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Human cost of two nations fighting for 'Motherland'

The stories of families who have lost sons in the latest territorial war over Nagorno-Karabakh.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2HLV813

How the controversial Nile dam might fix Sudan's floods

Egypt and Ethiopia are at loggerheads over the mega dam, with Sudan literally stuck in the middle.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/3oJEvnJ

India couple bullied for intimate wedding photoshoot

Indian couple trolled for intimate post-wedding photoshoot refuses to give in to bullies.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/3mFd24H

'My parents had hearts of gold, they didn't deserve it'

How people are dealing with the effects of coronavirus in one New York neighbourhood.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2TJaVR8

The Miraculous Love Kids: Street kids changing their lives with guitars

The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson is just one star who's recorded with a group of girls from Afghanistan.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/320t7u0

Belarus protests: The turtle 'anthem' protesters sing in Belarus

How music has featured prominently in the protests calling for President Lukashenko to step down.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/3jLTFFd

Got Worries? Make Newspaper Dolls to Catch Them

By BY CHRISTY HARMON from NYT At Home https://ift.tt/3mSQFZV

Kids’ Graphic Novels That Turn the Superhero Genre on Its Head

By BY GENE LUEN YANG from NYT Books https://ift.tt/2GhcX7V

Texas: All of a sudden, a two-party election in the Lone Star State.

By BY MANNY FERNANDEZ from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/2HVQrC4

‘They’re coming after our state,’ McSally warns Arizona Republicans.

By BY JENNIFER MEDINA from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/34IEQ1S

Oleksandr Usyk beats Derek Chisora on points in stylish display

Oleksandr Usyk earns a unanimous points win over Derek Chisora at Wembley Arena to underline his credentials at heavyweight.

from BBC Sport - Sport https://ift.tt/3jKXs5U

Watch Obama Casually Nail a 3-Pointer in Michigan Campaign Stop

The former president mocked Trump's obsession with crowd sizes and wondered if it was because no one went "to his birthday party when he was a kid."

from Slate Magazine https://ift.tt/3oV7vJo

US Election 2020: Biden and Trump in last weekend dash round swing states

Joe Biden is in Michigan while Donald Trump arrives in Pennsylvania, both key to the White House race.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/3ecV4U6

The Battlegrounds Within Battlegrounds

By BY KEITH COLLINS, TRIP GABRIEL AND STEPHANIE SAUL from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/2TJBvJP

Celebrities lend Biden a hand in turning out the vote in Philadelphia.

By BY NICK CORASANITI from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/3jPB3US

Stanford Study Seeks to Quantify Infections Stemming From Trump Rallies

By BY SHERYL GAY STOLBERG from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/35Pg9QV

Unhinged Trump supporters harass the Biden campaign bus in viral clip

When people say Donald Trump is doing his level best to foment violence and unrest, this is what they're talking about.

The costume-heavy revelry of Halloween Twitter was disrupted on Saturday when an alarming clip surfaced showing what appears to be a caravan of Trump supporters chasing the Biden campaign bus on a highway in Texas. It's a frightening scene.

In a series of incidents that apparently unfolded on Friday throughout the day, Trump supporters made a dangerous public nuisance of themselves as the Biden campaign progressed through central Texas. At least one event was canceled as a result. Read more...

More about Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Culture, Politics, and Web Culture

from Mashable https://ift.tt/320oj7W

Covid-19: Austria and Portugal announce restrictions

A number of European countries are enforcing new measures as cases continue to rise.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2TId7bu

US election: The big issue that could hurt Trump

Just ahead of the election, the US is seeing what could be the largest outbreak of the pandemic so far.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/3kQx63C

US election 2020: 'It just makes me feel like a nobody'

Former prisoner Davion Hampton from Florida wants to vote in this US election. But he can't.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/320sWi5

US election: 'All Republicans should marry Democrats'

Chenren and Cathy Shao haven't let political differences get in the way of their eight-year marriage.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2HVJXmN

US election 2020: The great dividing line of this campaign

For some Americans, civil unrest after police shootings is driving their support for Donald Trump.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2TJaHte

Friday, 30 October 2020

Terrapin Topper

By BY CAITLIN LOVINGER from NYT Crosswords & Games https://ift.tt/2HSo4UZ

Easy-SDR Gets Updates

Back in 2018, we covered [Igor’s] Easy-SDR project that aimed to provide open hardware extensions for the chap RTL-SDR receivers. If you haven’t been there for a while, it’s worth a look as there have been many recent updates. According to the author’s Reddit post:

Most of the devices are now prepared for installation in a metal case measuring 80 x 50 x 20 millimeters.
There’s a completely redesigned LNA design. Now, Bias Tee powered amplifiers are housed in a 50 x 25 x 25mm metal case and have N-type connectors.
There’s an added amplifier based on the PGA-103 microcircuit.
Added is the ability to install filters in final amplifiers (a separate printed circuit board, depending on the filter used).
A new device – SPDT antenna switch for receiving antennas.
The upconverter has been redesigned. Added intermediate buffer stage between the crystal generator and mixer.
RF lines in all devices were recalculated to correspond to the characteristic wave impedance of 50 Ohm.
Reduced size of PI attenuator PCB.

There is an emphasis on ease of assembly, so the projects generally have a gerber file and can use through hole or surface mount parts. They are also available live on EasyEDA if you want to make changes. Some of the designs, like the new upconverter, are SMD only, but for some devices these days that’s your only choice.

We were impressed with the instructions included with some of the projects. It should be very possible to duplicate these projects with just a little effort. If you missed our first pass at [Igor’s] great repo, you can still catch up. Since he uses EasyEDA, you might want to read our experience with that, too.

from Hackaday https://ift.tt/3kEUAZo

Scared but socially distant in a Tokyo 'haunted house'

Could this zombie-inspired experience be for people who want to be frightened but be Covid-19 safe?

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/3jNEv29

US election 2020: Trump is in the fight of his political life

In the throes of an epoch-defining election, those looking for a healing process will be disappointed.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/31Z2ohl

US election 2020: Fact-checking Trump and Biden's final week

The presidential campaigns are coming to an end. We've fact-checked the candidates' latest claims.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/3mvHTke

The puzzle isn’t complete. Pennsylvania is the last piece for Biden.

By BY NATE COHN from NYT The Upshot https://ift.tt/35S0yjh

What Keeps Facebook’s Election Security Chief Up at Night?

By BY CHARLIE WARZEL from NYT Opinion https://ift.tt/3mQljTJ

Do Dunkin’ and Arby’s Go Together? Private Equity Group Bets $11 Billion They Do

By BY LAUREN HIRSCH from NYT Business https://ift.tt/2HL6XEK

Brett Favre Endorses Donald Trump Because He Believes in Separating Sports and Politics

The retired quarterback tweeted some enthusiastic praise on Friday.

from Slate Magazine https://ift.tt/2HFPdLt

Broadband Is Not A Luxury

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush on improving the nation’s digital infrastructure.

from Slate Magazine https://ift.tt/3oISGte

Coronavirus: Slovakia holds national test but president calls for delay

Everyone in Slovakia over the age of 10 is to be tested for Covid - but the president is sceptical.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2HL5z50

Covid: Belgium announces return to national lockdown

Non-essential shops will close until mid-December to help curb the highest infection rate in Europe.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2TKYvYF

US election: What Latino first-time voters want

Every 30 seconds, a Latino in the US turns 18 and becomes eligible to vote.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/364Khbd

Berlin airport opens... 10 years late

Berlin's new airport is finally opening to the public, 10 years behind schedule and billions over budget.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/3ecZ4UF

How to Take On the Tech Barons

By BY THE EDITORIAL BOARD from NYT Opinion https://ift.tt/3ednnlm

A judge orders the Postal Service to take ‘extraordinary measures’ to deliver ballots on time in 22 districts.

By BY LUKE BROADWATER AND HAILEY FUCHS from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/2HQCHbo

N.E.H. Funds Restoration of Statues Toppled During Protests

By Unknown Author from NYT Arts https://ift.tt/3eaLEIK

Trump, in Minnesota, lashes out at Democrats for limiting crowd sizes.

By BY ANNIE KARNI from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/3mEgxIy

Nursing Homes, Racked by the Virus, Face a New Crisis: Isolation

By BY JACK HEALY, DANIELLE IVORY AND SERGE F. KOVALESKI from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/2TCEnIb

Voters suing Minnesota over a mask mandate are asking the Supreme Court to intervene.

By BY JACEY FORTIN from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/2JeAC9Y

Don’t Panic

Joe Biden is in a much better position than Hillary Clinton was.

from Slate Magazine https://ift.tt/31XRrMR

How Tesla super fans get the add-ons they can't get from Elon Musk

As soon as Arizona fitness coach Torrey Penn bought his new Tesla Model Y online this September he knew what extras he would need for his new ride — and it didn't involve an extra $10,000 Full Self-Driving advanced driving package with automatic steering, braking, and turning while on any road.

Instead Penn, 43, left Tesla.com and headed to Amazon and eBay, where he quickly found what he wanted: a Tesla key card ring to open and start his new electric vehicle. He bought it on eBay for $99 as a replacement for an ill-fitting wedding band. The ring arrived last weekend and he immediately programmed it. Now he can put his hand near the front door and the car unlocks and starts, even if he doesn't have his connected smartphone or key card on him. (Instead of traditional car keys, Teslas have key cards, like a hotel.) Read more...

More about Tesla, Tech, Elon Musk, and Transportation

from Mashable https://ift.tt/3oKU2U8

Facebook temporarily pauses awful feature it will reinstate post election

Don't worry, militia members will have to wait until after Election Day to be algorithmically pointed to Facebook groups of like-minded individuals.

At Wednesday's Senate hearing on (at least in theory) Section 230, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg let slip a slight behind-the-scenes change his company has taken in the lead up to Nov. 3. Specifically, Zuckerberg offhandedly mentioned that Facebook has temporarily stopped recommending political issue Facebook groups to its users.

Of course, Facebook intends to spin this presumably dangerous — or, at the very least, worrisome — recommendation feature right back up again after the election. So reports BuzzFeed News, which was able to confirm that the new policy is only temporary. Read more...

More about Facebook, Election 2020, Tech, and Social Media Companies

from Mashable https://ift.tt/35KEJlQ

Thursday, 29 October 2020

Indian brands reckon with a new challenge: hate

It's an unusual moment for India's corporate culture, which has shied away from political activism.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/3jE00Ti

Oil firm whistleblower trapped in Croatian holiday hell

A British lawyer exposed huge oil industry corruption - and now Monaco wants him extradited.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/3e7nkrg

The Original Nachos Were Crunchy, Cheesy and Truly Mexican

By BY PATI JINICH from NYT Food https://ift.tt/34D7EZE

A focus on Florida, and waiting for Pennsylvania.

By BY NATE COHN from NYT The Upshot https://ift.tt/3oHFIvA

Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence Tests Positive for the Coronavirus

By BY ALAN BLINDER from NYT Sports https://ift.tt/3kFanHO

A vote-counting official in Florida who gave money to Trump’s campaign resigns.

By BY NEIL VIGDOR from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/37QwWpi

Swinging In Iowa

A look at Iowa with journalist Erin Murphy

from Slate Magazine https://ift.tt/3e9SRJl

US Election 2020: Trump and Biden duel in critical state of Florida

Democrat Biden's lead over the US president is narrower in must-win states, with Florida a key prize.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2HM9uyS

Armenians on the front line in Nagorno-Karabakh

Armenian mothers fear for sons on the front line in Nagorno-Karabakh as both sides suffer heavy casualties.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/3mD7jMC

Coronavirus hardship in Mexico, Nigeria and Bangladesh

Three people from around the world who lost their jobs during the pandemic explain how it has affected their lives.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/3oMNWD5

Five Great Things Biden Has Already Done

By BY DAVID BROOKS from NYT Opinion https://ift.tt/34CtOLD

Trump’s Hard-Line Immigration Policies Go Before Voters

By BY ZOLAN KANNO-YOUNGS from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/34COUcW

Trump and Biden Converge in Florida, an Elusive Prize Still Up for Grabs

By BY KATIE GLUECK AND PATRICIA MAZZEI from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/3jOnh57

A Californian is battling both influenza and Covid-19 in an early case of ‘co-infection.’

By BY JOHN ISMAY from NYT World https://ift.tt/3e7alFW

Appeals court rules Minnesota must segregate ballots received after 8 p.m. on Election Day.

By BY NICK CORASANITI from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/31TWhed

Jose Mourinho: Tottenham boss says he wanted to make 11 changes at half-time

Jose Mourinho makes four half-time changes as Spurs are beaten by Royal Antwerp and then shows his displeasure with his squad players.

from BBC Sport - Sport https://ift.tt/37UTAwW

Maradona at 60: In search of the real Diego - Guillem Balague column

As Diego Maradona turns 60, his biographer Guillem Balague reflects on the rise and fall of a maverick who became one of football's greats.

from BBC Sport - Sport https://ift.tt/34D0KUe

Alexander Zverev denies allegation of domestic violence by former girlfriend

US Open finalist Alexander Zverev denies his ex-girlfriend's allegation he was violent towards her.

from BBC Sport - Sport https://ift.tt/34K24Fb

Germany’s Smart, Simple Formula for Fighting Its Coronavirus Spike

The rational thing to do is to shut down—and bail out—the restaurants and bars.

from Slate Magazine https://ift.tt/3kGgtHR

YouTube guided meditation video views skyrocket during pandemic

We're all trying to cope with this year.

During Google parent company Alphabet's earnings call Thursday, CEO Sundar Pichai noted that YouTube views for guided meditation videos went up 40 percent on the streaming platform since mid-March.

We all know what triggered that. As social distancing and new work-from-home routines settled into place throughout the U.S. this year, many apparently turned to YouTube as a relaxation source. There were also more than 1 billion views for Do-It-Yourself face mask tutorials on the site.

signs of the COVID era, according to $GOOG earnings call: guided meditation video views on YouTube are up 40% and DIY face mask tutorials have been viewed more than 1bn times

— Kari Paul (@kari_paul) October 29, 2020 Read more...

More about Youtube, Guided Meditation, Tech, Big Tech Companies, and Health

from Mashable https://ift.tt/3mwTrne

Amazon warns holiday shoppers to 'order early this year'

Amazon has been raking in the dough during the pandemic (with sales surpassing $96 billion in Q3 this year), but that doesn't mean its holiday shopping season will be smooth sailing for customers.

During its Q3 2020 earnings call Thursday with investors, Amazon CFO Brian Olsavsky dropped the hot tip that holiday shoppers should "order early this year." Gulp!

The advice came in response to a question about how Amazon and its third party shipping partners have been handling the increased demand for online orders, at the same time that they've had to take COVID-related safety measures, in some instances reducing capacity. Even though Amazon and its partners are ramping up for the holiday season, speedy Prime deliveries might still be difficult. Which means people planning to do holiday shopping on Amazon might not want to leave things to the last minute. Read more...

More about Amazon, Holiday Shopping, Tech, and Big Tech Companies

from Mashable https://ift.tt/34CSX96

United Airlines to trial airport Covid testing

The airline's boss Scott Kirby tells the BBC passenger testing is "key to reopening the world economy".

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/35N3iPa

'We asked Trump to stop playing YMCA' - Village People singer Victor Willis

Village People's lead singer says he doesn't endorse the US president, who regularly plays the classic at rallies.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2TDO09O