Author: Blessing Ernest

  • The Best Netflix Series To Stream This Weekend (2023)

    The Best Netflix Series To Stream This Weekend (2023)

    There are several ways to unwind after a hectic weekend and binge-watching Tv shows is one of them. If you’ve exhausted other fun possibilities like yoga, spa, cooking, games, etc, then a Netflix marathon is your best bet. We’ve detailed 16 of the best Netflix series to stream at home this weekend.

    Spending the weekend at home can be a terrific way to chill and have fun, but it can also get boring sometimes. Especially if you live alone or have no inventive fun activity in mind. This weekend doesn’t have to be yet another painfully slow 3 days that come and go without fun. Turn those monotonous weekends into pleasurable moments with action-packed dramas, teen sitcoms, romantic comedies, and adventurous Tv shows.

    What To Stream This Weekend On Netflix

    The Best Netflix Series To Stream This Weekend(2023)

    Take a deep dive into the world of superheroes and villains, fast-paced scenes, slow-burn romance, adventure, fantasy, horror, etc. All in this new compilation of both old and new blockbusters recently added to Netflix’s streaming library. While you’re looking at the best Netflix series to stream at home this weekend, you can also discover Which Series Are On Netflix For Valentine’s Day. Or Check out the next post for a Full List Of The Best Netflix Shows Released In February

    16 Of The Best Netflix Series (Old & New)

    Go ahead and pick your favorite Tv shows from our list of the best Netflix series below.

    Lockwood & Co.

    Based on the young adult supernatural thriller books of the same name. And written by Jonathan Stroud, Lockwood & Co. is an eight-episode, British Tv series shrouded in enigma. It chronicles the life of a young girl with psychic abilities in a twisted adaptation of present-day London.

    The series stars Ruby Stokes who plays the lead role of Lucy Carlyle. Ali Hadji-Heshmati as George Karim, Ivanno Jeremiah as Inspector Barnes, Cameron Chapman as Anthony Lockwood, etc.

    For 50 long years, the city has been haunted by an outbreak of ghosts. Only Lucy and her friends possess the extraordinary powers to see and fight these supernatural invasions.

    That ’90s Show

    A sequel to the cult classic teen sitcom That ’70s Show starring Topher Grace as Eric Foreman. And Laura Prepon as Donna Pinciotti. That ’90s Show centers on a teenager Leia Forma. The daughter of Eric and Donna who spends the whole summer of 1995 visiting her grandparents.

    Enter the grandparents Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith. Who equally reprised their roles as Kitty and Red Foreman in the spinoff. In Red and Kitty’s basement, Leia bonds with other teenagers from the fictional town of Point Place, Wisconsin.

    Kaleidoscope

    The new American heist drama Tv series Kaleidoscope focuses on Leo (Giancarlo Esposito). And the motley crew he unites to execute a robbery. Leo also holds over a decade’s worth of grudge and the recipient of this retribution is Roger (Rufus Sewell). An affluent owner of a gigantic security firm.

    The series also Bob (Jai Courtney), Ava (Paz Vega), Stan (Peter Mark Kendall), and Judy (Rosaline Elbay). Together, Leo and the rest of the crew members must combine their skillset to break into Roger’s high-tech vault.

    Vinland Saga: Season 2

    One of the best anime on Netflix right now is Vinland Saga. A Japanese historical manga series that first debuted in 2019. It revolves around Thorfinn, a vengeful fellow on a quest to annihilate his father’s killer. And restore peace to his land.

    In this second installment, he is captured as a slave whose will to live has diminished. After he fought tirelessly to avenge his father’s death, he is forced to work on a farm. While he slaves away at the farm, another young man from Northern England are taken hostage and brought to join him.

    Be Melodramatic: Season 1

    Also known as Melo Is My Nature. Be Melodramatic is a Korean romantic comedy series that portrays three 30-year-old best friends. Lim Jin-joo (Chun Woo-hee), Lee Eun-jung (Jeon Yeo-been), and Hwang Han-joo (Han Ji-eun). Employing a Tv series within another Tv series as the plot setting, we follow Jin-joo and her friends as they battle midlife crisis, love, death, etc.

    Jin-joo is a writer who gets entangled with the director of the Tv series she’s assigned to write. Jin-joo and the director Son Beom Soo (Ahn Jae-hong) don’t know where to draw the line between personal and professional. And their lives knot together in several unpredictable ways.

    Meanwhile, Eun-Jung is a thriving documentary filmmaker struggling to get over the sudden demise of her fiance. While she fights to overcome her grief, she equally gets a job. Which entails making a documentary about Lee So Min (Lee Joo-bin). A wack actress who is equally featured in Jin-joo and Beom-soo’s show.

    jin-joo’s third friend Han-joo is a single mother working as a marketing exec. She gets promoted for her outstanding performance at her company and lands a job on Jin-joo and Beom-soo’s show.

    Copenhagen Cowboy

    Written and directed by the legendary Nicolas Winding Refn, Copenhagen Cowboy is a Danish supernatural noir-thriller. The series’ controversy has polarized viewers since its release.

    Angela Bundalovic stars as Miu in the series. The plot is about a clairvoyant young woman sold into the sordid world of Copenhagen. Miu has otherworldly powers that bring luck to everyone but herself. She must fight to liberate herself from her captors—Rosella (Dragana Milutinović) and André (Ramadan Huseini). Who jointly run a seedy sex trafficking cartel.

    Gunther’s Millions

    Another show on this list is termed one of the best Netflix series of 2023 and we have doubts. Gunther’s millions is a docuseries that chronicles a stinkingly rich dog’s expedition. The story follows Gunther a German shepherd who became the richest dog in the world. After inheriting $80m assets from his moneyed owner, the late Countess Karlotta Liebenstein. As well as the clew of human leeches flocking around him for you-guessed-it-right, his millions.

    Yet all of it is a facade as the layers are peeled away to reveal the truth of this wealthy dog tale. Maurizio Mian, a pharmaceutical heir, and CEO of the Gunther Corporation. Mian and his family invented the Gunther cover story to shield their finances from the prying eyes of the Italian government. Let’s all pause and have an it-was-all-a-lie moment.

    Mian’s fabrications and the ability to con everyone and evade taxes is quite clever. As well as the rest of the characters’ unsavory reputations will leave you wondering what the heck you just watched.

    Alice in Borderland 2

    Undoubtedly one of the best Netflix anime at the moment. Alice In Borderland is a 2020 Japanese science fiction thriller drama. Think Shawn Levy’s Free Guy movie, but make it anime and deadlier. Then you have Alice in Borderland.

    We navigate this imaginary world with Arisu, an unemployed obsessed young man with an unhealthy fixation on video games. Along with other players and friends, Usagi (Tao Tsuchiya), and Chishiya (Nijiro Murakami), Arisu must defeat and kill more proficient and ruthless players that question everything the players think they know about the game.

    Russian Doll 2

    A comedy flick where someone gets stuck in a time loop? My guess is, you’ve seen it before, but this one’s extra. Russian Doll is an American comedy-drama that revolves around Nadia, a woman who is stuck in a time loop after dying at her 36th birthday party.

    As Nadia dies repeatedly at her party in the same manner, she attempts to figure out what is happening to her. In the course of it, she encounters a man who is undergoing the exact thing, but in a different event. A few days before Nadia turns 40, she’s transported back in time to 1982.

    Where she realizes she’s trapped inside the body of her mother, Lenora, who is pregnant with her. To destroy the loop, Nadia will the bag of gold Krugerrands which her mother stole from Nadia’s grandmother and lost that same year.

    Emily in Paris

    Emily in Paris follows Emily Cooper, an aspiring marketing executive in her late twenties with a Master’s degree. She moves from Chicago to Paris for a job opportunity. Where she is tasked with conveying an American point of view. And social media presence to a respected French marketing firm. Cultures conflict as she acclimatizes to the challenges of life in Paris. While juggling her career, new friendships, and active love life.

    Murderville

    Based on the British sitcom Murder in Successville. Murderville details a senior detective Terry Seattle, who teams up with oblivious celebrity guests to investigate a series of murders.

    Each guest plays the unscripted role of a novice investigator in the six-episode mystery comedy to unravel the puzzles and discover who the real killer is. Two of the suspects in each episode are questioned by Terry and the celebrity guest. While the other suspect is interviewed by the guest under a guise as Terry provides the question through an earpiece.

    Archive 81

    The series is an adaptation of the 2016 fiction podcast of the same name by Dan Powell and Marc Sollinger. And chronicles the horrific journey of an archivist Dan Turner(Mamoudou Athie) who is hired by a creepy billionaire, Virgil Davenport (Martin Donovan). To restore the videotapes from a 1994 documentary project by a student Melody Pendras (Dina Shihabi) which were destroyed in an apartment fire.

    Melody was investigating a dangerous cult at the mysterious Visser apartment building before she went missing. Dan soon finds that Melody didn’t die as everyone presumed. Rather, during the ritual she stumbled on, Melody was transported to an unstable dimension and she’s still alive. Dan sets out to free her with the help of Melody’s psychic mother.

    1899

    Set in 1899, the series follows a group of European emigrants traveling from Southampton, UK on a steamship named Kerberos. To forge new beginnings in New York City. The immigrants come upon another ship that requires help and their pursuit for fresh starts in New York takes a shocking and frightening turn.

    Blood & Water

    Ama Qamata stars in this South African teen crime drama as Puleng, a spirited teenager on a relentless search for her sister Fikile(Khosi Ngema). Who went missing just a few hours after her birth. Puleng’s family has never truly recovered from the loss of their baby girl Phumele, who they truly believe is alive somewhere. And they hold a yearly birthday ritual in her remembrance.

    After sneaking out to a birthday party, on the day her sister’s yearly remembrance was held Puleng meets the celebrant Fikile. Who has an uncanny resemblance to Puleng, she believes Fikile is her long-lost sister. So she gets her parents to enroll her in Fikile’s school where she set to work making connections that will prove Fikile is her sister. The series Blood & Water is indeed a gripping tale and we see Puleng tossed violently into a world of lies, deceit, and murders.

    Wednesday

    A 2022 remake of the 1938 Addams Family fictional story by American cartoonist Charles Addams. The Wednesday Netflix series centers on Wednesday, a very bizarre and gothic child with equally dark psychic powers. American actress Jenna ‎Ortega stars as Wednesday, the daughter of Gomez and Morticia Adams, and critics acclaimed her performance.

    After a bitter altercation with some bullies in her former school(‘normie’ school), Wednesday gets expelulsion for seeking retribution. Disappointed, her parents banish her to Nevermore Academy; a boarding school for outcasts, freaks, and monsters.

    There, she desperately tries to flee but repeatedly fails, courtesy of the shapeshifting Nevermore Academy principal Miss Larissa Weems. Several other factors equally hamper her escape. In the end, Wednesday decides to stay back at Nevermore, after uncovering a mystery about her obliteration of the academy. We follow Wednesday on her journey of spiritual awakening, and self-discovery, even as unknown forces fight to stop her from unveiling the truth.

    Class

    The series is an Indian crime drama thriller that draws inspiration from the Spanish series Elite. The series depicts three under-class youths who begin attending an elite private school in Delhi. Following the incineration of their local school, the friends get scholarships to the prestigious Hampton International School. Unknown to them, the sponsors are responsible for the fire that destroyed their school.

    Upon arrival at Hampton International, some of the wealthy students ostracise the three of them. But as the school year progresses, their lives intertwine in a clash of lifestyles, resentments, envy, and sexual attraction.

    That’s it for The Best Netflix Series stream at home this weekend.

  • How To Find Your Niche In Business And Career

    How To Find Your Niche In Business And Career

    At some point in our lives, we’ve all tried to navigate a business, career, or personal life without a specific direction. It might be pretty challenging, especially when you’ve not narrowed it down to what works best for you. We do not offer business or career coaching, but we can give you valuable suggestions on how to find your niche and own it.

    Before we begin, we’ll provide you with more understanding of what a niche is. Lately, the word ‘niche’ gets thrown around casually. This can be attributed to brands, organizations, and SMEs who have now realized how important the concept of niche is. In this context, a niche is in no way related to the ecological subsets of a habitat.

    Take for instance you run a bakery that bakes only vanilla cupcakes. Or an online store that caters only to short, fat, black women, or even an eatery that makes food for only people with shellfish allergies. these are examples of niched businesses. If you run a bakery that mass produces bread, croissants, cupcakes, cookies, etc, it may be a bit difficult to compete with existing bakeries doing the same thing.

    How To Find Your Niche In Business And Career

    Those who sell products or provide services will find that it’s incredibly hard to meet the demands of large, unspecified customer groups. They’ll however discover that it’s easier to dominate the market when there’s a target audience. This way, the products or services provided addresses a specific customer base, and at the same time, the owner gains control over the market. This is basically what finding a niche is about.

    Identifying the environment that best suits your needs or meets your set goals can be a very complicated process. Either you spend the early stages of your business or career struggling to maneuver the overcrowded markets or labor to find specific audiences. Whatever the case may be, you’re among the thousands of people getting off to a shaky start in their businesses or careers. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.

    How to Find Your Niche Market

    How To Find Your Niche In Business

    A niche market is part of a market that focuses on addressing the needs of a particular demographic or audience. with so many businesses in existence, there’s bound to be competition. A lot of people get intimidated due to the overpopulation of the markets and may find it hard to thrive. Some don’t even have enough resources to compete in such extensive markets.

    Newbies lack a basic understanding of consumer behavior. The tools, methods, and numerous marketing strategies to apply to increase sales and give consumers what they want. They equally have difficulty adapting to the changing market or identifying market trends. This means if they’re not armed with the right information, there’s the likelihood of a rough beginning. Which can eventually be smoothed out, depending on the point where they get help.

    Here’s how to find your niche in business.

    1. Discover the market segment that interests you.
    2. Identify your target customers and their needs.
    3. Research the market competition.
    4. Draft a business plan.
    5. Market your products and services.

    Discover The Market Segment Of Interest

    How To Find Your Niche In Business And Career

    Before you venture into any business at all, the first thing to do is ask yourself if the business interests you. Most people lack clarity on what appeals to them. Hence they run headlong into mass markets. Not having a well-defined idea of what your interests are can potentially sabotage what you’re trying to build. Although you may still be able to build a successful business in the long run, it’s easier to start with what feels comfortable to you.

    Identifying Target Customers & Their Needs

    How To Find Your Niche In Business And Career

    When you’ve discovered a niche, identifying a specific customer base becomes an easy ride. The undifferentiated market is too broad; with a wide variety of consumer goods from popular brands. It’s hard for new brands and businesses to excel quickly if they follow the mass market.

    Find the overlooked subsets of the general market that is profitable and meets a particular need. After that, research the needs of the potential customers. Try to find out what their expectations are, and what factors influence their purchase decisions.

    Research The Market Competition

    How To Find Your Niche In Business And Career

    Study your competitors before you start your business. Try to also know what sets them apart, research their weakness, and target audiences. If you’re starting, you might not have the expertise to effectively pursue the particular segment of the market that interests you. These competitors existed before you, they know the market trends like the back of their hands, and how to go about satisfying their customers. Yet one thing is sure, if you know what they know, you can beat them at their own game.

    If you know what they know, you can beat them at their own game.

    B.E

    Draft A Business Plan

    A good business plan clearly defines the products and services you’re offering the target audience. As well as who these audiences are, the strategies you’ll implement to meet their demands, the price of your products, and the profitability of the business. Overall a business plan is just a blueprint for running your business or brand. Delivering your business plan in a systematic and organized manner improves clarity, so create a slideshow properly and ensure that your idea is well presented.

    Market Your Products And Services

    After identifying the area of business that interests you, and researching target customers and competitors, the next thing is to market the goods. To do this, there are tools and strategies you need to apply. Since you already know the particular demographic you’re catering to, the focus should be on marketing specifically to those audiences.

    Where can you find them?. How will you reach them? What can attract them?. These are questions a niched business owner should ask before putting their products and services out there. A well-outlined marketing plan and niche strategy will not only bring a loyal customer base, but it’ll aid the smooth sailing of your business. And equally, create a steady income stream for you.

    • Now that you’ve received some helpful tips on how to find your niche in business, watch out for the next post on choosing a career niche.
  • Best AI Copywriting Tools For 2023

    Best AI Copywriting Tools For 2023

    In terms of generative AI, tons of artificial intelligence tools for copywriting, programming, visual arts, etc, are becoming more mainstream. Most notably, copywriting tools. Writing can be arduous; it takes a lot of effort and time to develop high-quality written content. And creating persuasive copy, especially for marketing or advertising is even more challenging. This prompts most copywriters to switch to more labor-saving alternatives—utilizing some of the best AI copywriting tools to generate and optimize copy.

    Several disruptive AI tools and frameworks for business, entertainment, or educational purposes have come to light in recent years. In 2022 alone, plenty of startups pushed into the market remarkable AI tools for art generation that made waves, numerical computation, voice generation, and content development. Ever since the emergence of these artificial intelligence tools in the public eye, it’s been a rollercoaster of thoughts and opinions.

    At first, these tools were met with high demands, and positive reviews, but at some point came skepticism. One of the major concerns that stirred controversies was AI taking over jobs. Of course, there were fears of estrangement, which social media is doing a fantastic job at—alienating folks from people around them. There were also predictions of inconsistency as these were, after all, just machines. And machines have limitations.

    Nevertheless, these uncertainties do not deter individuals, companies, investors, and marketers from plugging into some of these groundbreaking technology tools. Such as artificial intelligence copywriting software. In fact, because of how time efficient most of these AI copywriting tools are, their utilization is rather high. Especially among young creators. It saves them time and energy by delivering content faster. Before progressing to the best AI copywriting tools, we’ll examine how AI copywriting tools work.

    What Is AI Copywriting and How Does It Work?

    AI copywriting is the generation of written content using artificial intelligence tools. Machines designed to think like humans and copy human actions use natural language processing and machine learning to develop promotional content. Such as blog posts, articles, ads, social media posts, emails, web pages, etc, that are optimized to reach a target audience. AI copywriting essentially eliminates the hassles Copywriters face while crafting and optimizing content. As such, streamlining the entire process of increasing brand recognition and driving sales.

    How to use AI for copywriting?. Like any other machine out there, if you input a set of precise data into AI copywriting tools, these tools generate the desired content you need. Depending on the tool, the amount of specific background information you provide determines the kind of direct copy you receive.

    Can AI Replace Human Copywriters?

    Best AI Copywriting Tools For 2023

    First, what does a Copywriter do? Brainstorm, develop, analyze and write marketing and advertising copies targeted at convincing specific audiences to take action. Either to increase engagement with the target audience or to boost sales and visibility. It can be difficult to research and develop content that is optimized to rank on search engines regularly. Most human Copywriters aren’t versatile enough to write copious texts consistently for different brands, and this is where AI copywriting comes to play.

    AI copywriting tools are lightning-fast and have been designed to generate extensive content on diverse topics. In a split second, an AI copywriter can produce a full article that ordinarily would have taken days for a human Copywriter to craft. And because these AI copywriting tools are developed with machine learning algorithms, they learn and perform better by using these algorithms to detect patterns. They analyze the data and draw insights from them to make meaningful predictions.

    While AI copywriting cannot entirely replace human Copywriters, it is an efficient tool for crafting clear-cut copy in a short time frame. Copywriting is mostly targeted at compelling people and will always require human Copywriters to deeply understand various subject areas. We cannot equally neglect the fine distinction between human Copywriters and AI copywriting tools based on emotionally connecting with the target audience. To also prevent repetitious content, human Copywriters are still needed to edit and proofread.

    10 Best AI Copywriting Tools

    Let’s check out some of the best AI copywriting tools that have not only become popular but have penetrated the content creation market.

    Rytr

    An easy-to-use, all-in-one writing platform with great SEO content for blogs, emails, ads, landing pages, product descriptions, testimonials, reviews, etc. It employs the two most popular copywriting formulas; AIDA and PAS. The PAS acronym stands for Problem, Agitation, and Solution, while AIDA stands for Attention, Interest, and Desire.

    There are over 40 writing templates available to Copywriters in 30 different languages. What’s more, Rytr is equipped with an interface that offers a rich text editor; that enriches text and allows users to reword or shorten sentences. And possesses an in-built plagiarism checker to nuance your copy. can develop a 1,000-word count in 15 mins tops.

    Also, Rytr AI is available as a browser extension with excellent features to manage SEO, grammar, collaborative projects, etc. The Copywriting AI tool offers 3 plans—Free, Saver, and Unlimited plan. With the free plan, users can generate as many as 10,000 characters a month, in 30 languages, using 20 writing tones. As well as access to Rytr’s built-in plagiarism checker and 40 writing templates. Users can equally create up to 5 images per month with Rytr AI. Accessing more features requires upgrading to the other plans.

    For the Rytr saver plan, users get to develop 100,000 characters every month, in 30 different languages, using 40 writing templates. There’s also a plagiarism checker, 20 writing tones, access to generate 20 images, and free rein to create custom use cases. All for $9 per month with 2 months of free access to the saver plan when users subscribe for a full year.

    The unlimited plan allows Copywriters to generate unlimited content, in 30 different unique languages. It also grants automatic access to 40 writing templates, 20 tones, a plagiarism checker, up to 100 images, and an account manager. Aside from these, Copywriters have access to the premium community, priority emails, support, and free will to make custom use cases. It costs about $29 per month and users get 2 months free when they subscribe to a yearly plan.

    CopyAI

    This powerful copywriting software is considered the best AI writing tool that caters to creators across several niches. Including bloggers, social media managers, and marketers. Copywriters can utilize well over 100 writing templates and 25 languages in CopyAI, to create blog posts, product descriptions, social media content, or ad copy. Along with some excellent features and regular learning resources to aid the navigation of the platform by its users.

    CopyAI offers both freemium and premium plans. The free plan is a 7-day free trial with an auto-renewable monthly limit of 2,000 words. Users can enjoy unlimited word count along with extensive features once they upgrade to the premium plan which costs about $49 per month.

    Neuraltext

    Copywriters who have difficulty optimizing their copy will find Neuraltext AI very handy. It’s a keyword research tool, an SEO content tool, and an AI copywriter that enables users to create effective copy for marketing and advertising. It has over 50 writing templates for Facebook ads, taglines, newsletter emails, landing pages, blog writing, etc.

    This SEO software saves the stress of researching keywords, and competitors and also optimizes content for search engines. As well as an outline builder to organize and analyze SERP(search engine results page). Neuraltext is capable of doing this by using the data from pages ranking on Google. When users input a keyword, the tool automatically displays the top 20 results on the Google Search result page. Going as far as suggesting relevant keywords and topics, questions to answer, and other statistics.

    Although it comes at a price. Neuraltext Starter Plan costs $19 monthly and only 1 user can access it. You can also write and develop 5 articles with a 20,000-word limit per month. Including 2,000 keyword suggestions to optimize your content.

    Jasper

    Another great AI tool to create unique content that ranks on SERPs, write blog articles, craft stories, ramp up ad conversions, and generate copy for marketing products, etc is Jasper AI. social media posts, website copy, 

    Widely recognized as the best copywriting tool, Jasper integrates with Surfer SEO, Grammarly, and Copyscape to detect plagiarism and optimize content for search engines. it comes with a host of impressive features for a free five-day trial that requires credit card information before users can access the free trial.

    Jasper can generate a 1,500-word piece in less than 15 minutes in over 26 languages. Some of Jasper AI’s cool features include 11,000 free fonts, 50 writing templates, 2,500 writing styles, etc.

    The Jasper AI copywriting tool offers a starter plan for beginner Copywriters, boss mode, and business plans. With the starter plan, over 10 users can create a maximum of 320,000 words of short-form content like product descriptions. With $40 every month, users also have access to about 50 writing templates and 20 languages. While the boss mode plan enables users to generate a maximum of 10,000,000 words every month for just $82. Including access to Google docs style editor, support chat, and other customized features

    Wordtune

    Wordtune is an AI copywriting tool designed mostly for editing long-form and short-form content. It’s aimed at assisting content marketers in crafting, rewriting, and shortening their copy. It’s available as a Chrome extension and works well with Google Docs, Gmail, Slack, Facebook, Twitter, Web Outlook, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Whatsapp Web, etc. The tool also comes with lots of other features such as offline functionality; all you need to do is subscribe to the premium plan.

    ClosersCopy

    What differentiates this AI copywriting tool from the rest is that instead of using a third-generation Generative Pre-trained Transformer(GPT-3), it uses a custom-made machine-learning model. ClosersCopy has glowing reviews all over the internet from assisting Copywriters in generating clear-cut sales copy, promotional content, ads, cold emails, blog posts, etc.

    The AI tool has over 700 use case frameworks, 120+ languages, and a built-in text editor that is ideal for extensive collaborative work. Users can also increase organic traffic from search engines to your websites with CloserCopy SEO audits and an SEO planner. It’s not free as users need to pay for any of the 3 plans the tool offers, ranging from $49.99 per month.

    Copysmith

    As far as AI content creation is concerned, Copysmith is one of the best tools available for marketing copy, and eCommerce product descriptions, and to assist organizations in scaling their businesses. It helps to generate, optimize, and organize campaigns, bulk content, blog posts, articles, etc, in over 65 languages.

    The best part is that it comes equipped with an in-built plagiarism checker and translator. It’s easy and quick to translate written content from one language to another and can receive feedback from team members on the copy generated. Copysmith offers about 30 writing templates, that lets users create content around the product-centric topic. Alongside integration with various marketing tools such as HootSuite, Zapier, etc. There’s also a 7-day free trial with a pricing plan that starts at $19 per month.

    Anyword

    Another very popular AI copywriting tool among Copywriters is Anyword. It is targeted at generating short-form promotional content that drives engagement and sales. The Anyword tool offers several advanced functionalities like SMS content writing and predictive copy performance. It also delivers data analytics options for content writers and marketers which is only available for paid users. However, the hiccup in this tool is the inability to generate long-form content.

    Writesonic

    Linkedin folks will take to this powerful AI writing software that offers a host of amazing features for writers, eCommerce stores, marketing teams, and entrepreneurs. Available in 24 languages with over 50 templates to generate content such as emails, Google ads, and landing page copy. Writesonic is one of the popular AI article generators.

    Copywriters can create a minimum of 2,500 compelling copies every month, free of errors. With the aid of Writesonic’s built-in grammar and plagiarism checker. The Writesonic AI equally offers new users a maximum of 6,250 free words monthly, but other features can be accessed with the paid plans. Which starts at $10 per month.

    AI-Writer

    AI-Writer is an efficient writing software for content writers and marketers to boost their content marketing strategy more cost-effectively. From article drafts, rewording, search engine optimization(SEO), and editing, to trending topic suggestions. AI-Writer is one of the best AI content writing tools in the market in 2023. It’s equipped with intelligent algorithms that focus on generating content for specific audiences. To streamline content generation, copywriting, etc.

    Wordsmith

    Those who need a tool that analyzes data to make meaningful predictions and well-informed decisions should consider Wordsmith. Which is the best AI copywriting tool for data experts?.

    Automated Insights is a business intelligence company and the brains behind Wordsmith AI. It works by utilizing AI to process and analyze data input, then returns easy-to-use narratives such as summaries, headlines, and articles for various companies.

    Although it’s not clear if Wordsmith operates a freemium or Premium plan, users need to request a free demo to find out.

    Other copywriting alternatives include Writecream, Frase, Simplified, Article Forge, etc.

  • Start A Podcast In 2023 With These Tech Items & Pointers

    Start A Podcast In 2023 With These Tech Items & Pointers

    Podcasts are now a very popular way for people to consume content and stay informed on a wide range of topics. It’s not hard to fathom why. Similar to radio broadcasts, podcasts are cool digital channels of entertainment. The significant difference is that people can listen to podcasts on various platforms, at any time. Consider some of these great pointers below if you’re a beginner fascinated with podcasting and have no idea how to start a podcast.

    What Is A Podcast And How Does It Work?

    To put it briefly, a podcast is an audio or video file accessible on the web for either streaming or downloading. It is pre-recorded; unlike radio broadcasts, you can listen to or replay podcasts on the go, at work, while cooking, etc. Either on smartphones or computers. Podcasts are episodic and this makes it easy for users to stream them whenever they want. When users also subscribe to podcasts, these episodes can be automatically sent in installments. Immediately a new series is published, they’re distributed to the various platforms the user subscribed to.

    Aside from learning, and entertainment, podcasts are great avenues for organizations and entrepreneurs to promote their businesses, services, or products. Brands utilize podcasts to reach and connect with their target audiences as well as to drive engagement.

    Who Can Start A Podcast?

    Can anyone start a podcast? Yes, anyone can start a podcast. There is no specific group who are assigned the role of podcasting. Neither are there particular layouts, rules, or platforms for podcasting. All that is required is the right physical and digital tools, as well as a platform to host the podcast. You know the old saying ‘go with your guts’? There’s no better place to apply it than podcasting. Those who are interested in starting a podcast don’t require manuals on the kind of topics they wish to talk about. They simply find the topics that fascinate them, choose the podcast equipment, and get weaving.

    With that squared away, let’s move on to the various platforms for podcasting, the necessary equipment, and a guide for beginner podcasters.

    Podcast Platforms

    First, start by knowing the different podcasting platforms for uploading audio or video content. They’re called podcast hosts and allow podcasters to upload and distribute podcast series. Podcast host providers are either freemium or premium. Monetized hosting platforms offer different pricing plans depending on bandwidth, storage, and analytics. And typically provide tools for podcasters to upload, manage, and publish episodes, as well as to generate RSS feeds and statistics on listener engagement. Some of the popular hosting platforms for podcasts include:

    • Buzzsprout
    • PodBean
    • Captivate
    • Transistor
    • Simplecast
    • Castos
    • Resonate
    • Spreaker
    • Libsyn
    • SoundCloud

    Meanwhile, another platform where podcast listeners search or discover these uploaded podcasts is the podcast directory. After searching for information about desired podcasts, users can subscribe and start listening to their favorite podcasts. Here are examples of podcast directories:

    • Apple Podcasts
    • Spotify
    • Google Podcasts
    • Stitcher
    • TuneIn
    • SoundCloud
    • YouTube

    It is imperative to emphasize that some platforms can be podcast hosts as well as podcast directories. Meaning people can upload on the platform and search or listen to their favorite podcasts at the same time. Examples of podcast platforms that are both hosts and directories are YouTube and SoundCloud. A set of people on YouTube for instance are uploading videos, another group is just there to watch them.

    Tech Items You’ll Need To Start A Podcast

    While you don’t need to rob a bank to start a podcast, it’s really important to go for podcast equipment that gives your podcasts good quality. Essentially, there are lots of cool tech items for podcasting, some are physical items, and others are virtual. Depending on your budget, we’ll be reviewing a few of them.

    Microphone

    Start A Podcast With These Tech Items

    A good microphone is the first thing a podcaster will need to start a podcast. There are also a few key factors to consider before purchasing a microphone for podcasting. The audio quality for one; you need a microphone that gives life to your content. People will abandon your podcast if the audio quality is bad.

    Another thing to consider is how cost-effective, and easy to use the microphone is. if you get a gizmo that you’re not quite familiar with or that takes a long time to get acquainted with, it’ll end up stressing you. Most microphones are built into a computer and usually can’t capture sounds, which is why beginner podcasters should steer clear of them.

    Getting a good microphone depends on your budget or what you hope to achieve with it. There are tons of affordable microphones available in the market for podcasting with good audio quality instead. Here are some of them; Audio-Technica AT2020, Blue Yeti USB Microphone, Rode Procaster, etc.

    Headphones

    Start A Podcast With These Tech Items

    You need a good pair of headphones before you start a podcast. Headphones are important for recording and editing content; you can monitor the audio quality of your podcast and make necessary adjustments. Also, a headphone is great when conducting interviews with guests on your podcasts. Some good headphones for podcasting are Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro, Sony WH-1000XM4, Sennheiser HD 660 S, Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, Shure SRH440, etc.

    Boom Arm

    Start A Podcast With These Tech Items

    A boom arm is another cool item you need to start a podcast. It’s an adjustable stand attached to a microphone that swivels in different directions. You can adjust it to the position you want to record your podcast in. The boom arm is also called a boom pole or arm stand.

    Shock Mount

    Start A Podcast With These Tech Items

    A shock mount keeps the microphone steady and prevents external noises, or vibrations when recording. That web-like thing clamped around the microphone in the image above for instance is a shock mount. It comes in different shapes and designs and is designed to hold the mic in place. Some good shock mounts for beginner podcasters include Sabra Som SSM-1, LyxPro MKS1-B Condenser Spider Microphone Shockmount, Rycote 44901 Invision USM, etc.

    Pop Filter

    Start A Podcast With These Tech Items

    Pop filters help to eliminate plosives—the popping sounds you make while recording. They also improve the audio quality of a podcast and are pretty much inexpensive. Most people confuse pop filters with foam balls or foam covers. The difference between a pop filter and a foam ball or cover is that pop filters eliminate harsh popping sounds while a foam ball is a covering that reduces external sounds or vibrations, but it does not remove the plosives. Good pop filters to purchase if you want to start a podcast are Shure PS-6 Popper Stopper, Nady MPF-6, etc.

    Video Camera

    Today, podcasts are not just limited to audio only, there are video podcasts as well. This is where a good video camera comes to play. Depending on your budget and the quality of content you wish to produce, you can use camcorders, webcams, DSLR cameras, or even smartphones. There are varieties of video camera brands to choose from such as Sony FDR-AX43, Nikon COOLPIX B500, Panasonic HC-VX981K, etc.

    Audio Interface

    This device allows you to connect your microphone or other audio equipment to a computer. It has mixing software, a converter, amplifiers, etc that gives your audio better sound quality. Some audio interfaces you can use to start a podcast include Midiplus Smartface II Audio Interface, MOTU 8pre USB, etc.

    Recording Software

    A Digital Audio Workstation or recording software is great for audio podcasts and helps to record and edit your audio. They come with other cool features and impressive effects that provide better audio quality. There is free and paid recording software available for podcasters. Example Adobe Audition, Audacity, GarageBand, etc.

    Lighting

    You need a good lighting setup when you’re starting a podcast and in most cases, natural light won’t cut it. You’ll need ring lights, LED lights, 3-point lights, etc. Here are some of the best lighting for video podcasts. For LED light one good option is the Aputure Amaran HR672 LED lighting kit. For the 3-point you can use the CFL lighting kit. And lastly, for ring lights, you might consider the Joby Beamo 12-inch ring Light.

    Digital Recorder

    Last but not least equipment you’ll need to start an audio podcast is a digital recorder. Some of the affordable ones are ZHKUVE Rechargeable Sound Audio Recorder, DYW Portable Digital Voice Recorder, etc

  • Free Downloader For YouTube Videos & Music In 2023

    Free Downloader For YouTube Videos & Music In 2023

    Those who love surfing the net or streaming tons of videos without restriction will love this compilation of free downloader for YouTube.

    The no 1 video-sharing platform in the world is YouTube and we don’t need geniuses to tell us why. YouTube has everything from podcasts, life hacks, music videos, comedy skits, beauty and fashion, and educational videos for both young and old. YouTube’s popularity stems from the millions of users across the globe, uploading and watching videos every single day. Most of these users receive payment from YouTube when they upload quality content.

    If YouTube is cool and all that, why can’t users download videos on their phones, Macs, or PCs?. There are several reasons people find it difficult to download videos from YouTube. According to YouTube’s terms of service, users are prohibited from downloading videos from YouTube using third-party apps. Also, without a YouTube Premium membership subscription, it’s a colossal problem streaming videos on the platform. Then to top it off, when the download isn’t available to users, they can only watch the videos, but not download them for later. Sad right? But the good news is, there is a way around it and we call it a free downloader for Youtube.

    What Is A Video Downloader?

    What Is A Video Downloader?

    Video downloaders are apps or sites that enable users to download videos from various social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, etc. These videos are downloaded directly into your device for offline viewing. There are two types of video downloaders available; paid and free. Each of these apps has unique features and capabilities. The paid video downloader usually offers advanced features like faster download speed, unlimited video downloads, frequent upgrades of some features, etc.

    Contrary to paid downloaders, free video downloader apps or sites allow users to download videos from the internet for free. Although the drawbacks of using a free downloader for YouTube or any other platform include annoying ads, slow speed, limited downloads, payment for advanced features, or removing irksome ads.

    How Does A Free Downloader For YouTube Work?

    It’s simple, visit the app store(either Google Play store or Apple App store) to download your preferred free downloader app. In most cases, you might not easily download a free downloader on the app stores. This is due to Google and Apple’s policies that prohibit the download of videos illegally, especially from YouTube. In this situation, the best bet is to install the app from an alternative source—by sideloading.

    To sideload a free downloader for YouTube, ensure to perform a background check on the app and its developers and scrutinize it for signs of malicious threats. Proceed to trusted sites that store APKs and install the app. Other options for installing a free downloader app without an app store include rooting(for android) and jailbreaking(for iOS). Note that Google and Apple protect your devices from cybersecurity attacks and choosing to install third-party applications from unknown sources puts your device at risk.

    • Once the download or installation is complete, go to the YouTube web browser and search for the video you want to download.
    • Copy the URL of the video and paste it into your installed free downloader app for YouTube.
    • Choose the quality and resolution of the video, then click the download button.

    Now, to the crux of the matter. Here are our top picks of free downloaders for youtube videos and music on android, PC, and Mac.

    Best Free YouTube Downloader For Mac, PC & Android

    Free Downloader For YouTube Videos & Music

    There are 10 popular free apps and sites on our list for downloading videos and music from YouTube to your devices.

    1. 4K Video Downloader
    2. Any Video Converter Free
    3. Free YouTube Download
    4. YTD Video Downloader
    5. Freemake Video Downloader
    6. YouTube Downloader HD
    7. Fast Video Downloader
    8. YouTube MP3 Downloader
    9. YouTube Song Downloader
    10. Free YouTube to MP3 Converter

    4K Video Downloader

    4K video downloader is one of the most popular free video and music downloaders for YouTube. Users can not only download videos but music playlists and bulk videos. The app is also surprisingly ad-free and allows users to download quality videos or music from YouTube. Aside from downloading entire music playlists or videos, users can equally extract audio from videos.

    One of the best things about the 4K video downloader is the video formats. Which include an MP4, MKV, and 3GP all in a 4K resolution. All you need to do is install the app, and copy the URL of the video you wish to download as shown above. The entire process is very easy. 4K video downloader is the best free youtube downloader and it’s ideal for Windows, Mac, and PCs.

    YTD Video Downloader

    YTD Video Downloader is another popular free YouTube downloader with even cooler features. With YTD, you can watch and download videos from YouTube, Vimeo, etc into your mobile devices for free. Users can equally convert playlists or videos to other formats, such as MP3 and MP4. YTD is very easy to use and allows video downloads in several formats such as 3GP, MP4, FLV, AVI, etc. It supports Mac and Windows platforms.

    Any Video Converter Free

    Another free youtube downloader for windows and mac platforms is Any Video Converter Free. This YouTube downloader not just downloads videos and music to your device, but it can convert videos to audio. How cool is that?. It’s super easy to use and offers various video formats. Including MP4, MPEG, VOB, WMV, H264, H265, 3GP, 3G2, MKV, MOD, M2TS, RMVB, AVI, MOV, FLV, etc. Any Video Converter is popular across the internet and is one of the best video downloaders.

    Free YouTube Download

    For bulk video downloads or conversions, Free YouTube Download is the ideal downloader. It comes with an auto download option which means once you copy and paste the URLs, the downloads begin. There are also several videos and music formats that the Free YouTube Download supports, like AVI MP4, MP3, etc. The resolution is in 4K, although video formats pretty much depend on the quality of the videos or music being downloaded.

    Freemake Video Downloader

    Freemake Video Downloader is a popular YouTube video and audio downloader. It’s also a very handy video and audio converter. Freemake allows you to download videos and music from YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, Vevo, etc in high-quality resolution. The range of formats that Freemake supports includes AVI, MP4, WMV, MKV, FLV, 3GP, MPEG, DVD, Blu-ray, etc.  

    YouTube Downloader HD

    YouTube Downloader HD is a free software for users to download videos in 4K Ultra HD, Quad HD, or Full HD quality from YouTube. It is lightning-fast, super easy to use, and also has very flexible bulk download options. The software is compatible with windows and supports numerous video formats, including MP4, FLV, and AVI.

    Fast Video Downloader

    If you want to download videos from YouTube, Dailymotion, Vimeo, Facebook, Bing, etc, just use Fast Video Downloader. With Fast Video Downloader, you can download videos from websites and platforms directly into your device. The program also supports Windows 7 and 10. Although there are limited features in the free version, it still comes with some features that are more advanced than other downloaders. It can schedule the time of downloads, has HD playback when streaming, etc. Fast Video Downloader is the best free video downloader for pc windows 10.

    YouTube MP3 Downloader

    For audio conversions, YouTube MP3 will do the magic. Short for YtMp3, YouTube MP3 is a web application for downloading both music and videos. Users can even download up to 90 minutes long videos. It’s compatible with desktop, tablet, and mobile devices. YtMp3 is simply the best youtube downloader for audio.

    YouTube Music Downloader

    YouTube Music Downloader is a web application from SaveFrom. It also allows users to download music from YouTube for free. The downloader works well with various browsers on almost all devices. It’s one of the best youtube audio downloaders for PC, tablets, and mobile phones. YouTube music downloader downloads music from a number of popular social media platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. There’s an extension for desktop browsers, as well as an  MP3 downloader app for Android users.

    • Check out our list of best YouTube Adblockers for iPhones and Androids here.
  • Which Gift Card Has The Highest Rate In Nigeria?

    Which Gift Card Has The Highest Rate In Nigeria?

    You’re probably about to receive prepaid cards or vouchers as a gift and you’re wondering which gift card has the highest rate in Nigeria. Don’t fret, we’ve got you covered in this article.

    What Are Gift Cards?

    In simple terms, a gift card is a redeemable voucher card that people use to make payments at specific retail stores. Form a mental picture of this, someone gifts you an MTN recharge card (airtime), because they couldn’t decide which plan to get you. Now, you head to an MTN store to redeem it to your choice airtime or you can sell it at any store that retails MTN cards. That’s just basically what gift cards are. Examples of gift cards include:

    1. Gaming gift cards like Xbox, PlayStation, and Steam.
    2. Service gift cards like salons, spas, and gym memberships.
    3. Retail or chain store gift cards like Amazon, Target, Walmart, Macy’s, Nordstrom, etc.
    4. e-gift cards like Best buy, Etsy, etc.
    5. Entertainment gift cards like Netflix
    6. Restaurant gift cards like Starbucks, McDonald’s, etc.
    7. Beauty and personal care gift cards like Sephora

    There are other examples of gift cards out there, but these are the popular ones. Note that gift cards can be either physical cards or electronic cards(e-gift cards). Before we delve into which gift card has the highest rate, we’ll peek at some uses and examples of gift cards available in Nigeria.

    What Is A Gift Card Used For?

    Which Gift Card Has The Highest Rat

    Originally a convenient way of gift-giving, gift cards have various other uses. Most people are unable to decide what kind of gifts to purchase for friends and those they care about. Or maybe these friends reside in faraway locations. So, they just gift them gift cards which are loaded with certain dollar amounts, equivalent to the gifts they were indecisive about. The recipient uses the gift card to make purchases at stores where the cards are accepted.

    Here are some other uses of gift cards:

    • Organizations give gift cards to customers, employees, etc as rewards or incentives.
    • People use gift cards to make online purchases at gift card retail websites or e-commerce platforms.
    • When it comes to budget spending, gift cards are a very convenient way of ensuring you don’t overspend on personal items.
    • Most organizations use gift cards as a fundraising tool.
    • Some hotels and airlines offer their customers gift cards for room or flight reservations.
    • Many people also use gift cards to purchase tickets or items at movie theaters, theme parks, and various other entertainment venues.
    • Another use of gift cards is the payment for services such as salons, spas, and gyms.

    Examples Of Gift Cards Available In Nigeria

    Can you send gift cards to people in another country?. Yes, you can send gift cards to both people in the same country and international countries. However, it’s important to note that some gift cards are limited to a specific region or country. And are redeemable only at specific retail companies.

    In no particular order, here are some of the popular gift cards in Nigeria available for sale:

    • Steam Gift Card
    • Walmart Gift Card
    • Apple iTunes Gift Card
    • Sephora Gift Card
    • Google Play Gift Card
    • Nordstrom Gift Card
    • Razer Gold Gift Card
    • Macy’s Gift Card
    • Foot Locker Gift Card
    • American Express Gift Card (AMEX)

    Which Gift Card Has The Highest Rate?

    It’s quite hard to say which gift card has the highest rate in Nigeria. Considering that the prices and availability of some of the gift cards might vary. Nonetheless, we have curated all-time gift cards with the highest rates in Nigeria.

    Steam Gift Card

    Steam is one of the largest digital distribution platforms for PC gaming, originally launched in 2003 as a game developer, Steam has grown to incorporate several other features and functionalities. The Steam Gift Card is a digital gift card that users can make use of to purchase games, software, and other items on the Steam platform. As well as to gift friends.

    It’s one of the most acknowledged gift cards with the best rates, due to its cash significance. The physical Steam gift cards are preferable over the digital ones because of their value. Physical Steam cards are available in $20, $30, $50, and $100 denominations. While the digital Steam cards range from  $5, $10, $25, $50, to $100. They can be redeemed at various trading platforms in Nigeria.

    Apple iTunes Gift Card

    An Apple iTunes Gift Card is a digital gift card for purchasing music, movies, TV shows, apps, and other streamable content on the iTunes Store. Apple gift cards are different from Apple iTunes gift cards. You can use them on the App Store or iBooks Store. They’re purchased from the Apple website. People who receive Apple iTunes gift cards as gifts can redeem the funds from the gift card or exchange them at trading platforms.

    Walmart Visa Gift Card

    Another gift card with the best rates in Nigeria is the Walmart visa gift card. Walmart is a popular retail company that operates a chain of stores in the US. Their gift cards are of very high value due to their cash worth. Walmart gift cards and visa cards are either bought from Walmart stores or on the website, but you can’t make use of the gift cards internationally. Only the Walmart visa cards.

    There are lots of items one can purchase with this card. Including groceries, electronics, clothing, home goods, games, books, pets, automotive, and other supplies. The denominations range from $100 to $500.

    Sephora Gift Card

    Users can shop for the Sephora gift card from Sephora stores or on the Sephora website. The card is for making purchases of products like makeup, skincare, haircare, fragrance, etc. It can also pay for services such as makeovers, skincare consultations, hair sessions, etc. They’re redeemable, you can equally exchange them at various trading platforms. Denominations range from $100 – $500.

    Google Play Gift Card

    Google Play gift cards are among the digital gift cards with the best rates in Nigeria. People use them to purchase digital content like apps, books, music, movies, and other subscriptions. With denominations that range from $10-$500.

    Macy’s Gift Card

    Macy’s is an American retail corporation and their gift vouchers are one of the best gift cards with the highest rate. Their denominations range from $10 to $1,000 and are mostly for making purchases such as clothing, shoes, jewelry, handbags, beauty, home goods, and furniture.

    Foot Locker Gift Card

    Popular athletic wear and accessories store Foot Locker is another widely recognized gift card with very good rates in Nigeria. People purchase the cards from Foot Locker stores or the Foot Locker website and giftees redeem the cards to buy items like athletic footwear, clothing, gear, etc.

    Razer Gold Gift Card

    The Razer Gold virtual credit service has one of the best gift cards for purchasing digital products, games, game-related products, etc. Some of the available denominations are  $10, $20, $50, $100, $200, $500, and $1000.

    American Express Gift Card (AMEX)

    Wherever AMEX which is short for American Express is accepted, users or gift card recipients are allowed to make purchases with them. People use AMEX gift cards to shop for items and pay for services such as restaurants, travel, gas, etc.

    Alternative Gift Cards Available Internationally

    • PayPal gift cards for making online purchases or sending money internationally.
    • Amazon gift cards for shopping on Amazon’s website or apps.
    • Netflix gift cards for paying for Netflix subscriptions.
    • Steam gift cards for purchasing games on the Steam platform.
    • Xbox gift cards for purchasing games, DLC, and subscriptions on Xbox.
    • PlayStation gift card for games, DLCs(downloadable content), and subscriptions on PlayStation
    • Master cards
  • Biodegradable Garbage Bags/Compostable Bin Liners

    Biodegradable Garbage Bags/Compostable Bin Liners

    Are biodegradable garbage bags as freakishly cool as people make them out to be?. Between them and compostable trash bags, which is better?. Let’s find out in this post.

    Ever heard of the popular computer science expression ‘garbage in, garbage out?.’ If you haven’t, it means that the poor input of data determines the poor output you receive from a computer. Now, apply this concept to the environment—you get the memo?.

    So, what are biodegradable or compostable garbage bags, and why are they suddenly the buzzwords?.

    Biodegradable garbage bags are plastic trash can liners that bacteria or other living organisms can decompose to prevent pollution. While compostable trash bags are bioplastic trash can liners produced from plant-based resources that easily convert into compost.

    Today, the quests for sustainable and reliable methods of waste disposal is gradually making headway. Eco-activists all around the world are actively championing the sustainability course. And as scientists discover more environmentally safe means of disposing of waste, so do eco-lovers. Two major household waste disposal bags that these users recommend are compostable and biodegradable garbage bags. We’ll delve into their differences and determine which of these trash bag liners is more eco-friendly. First, a brief look at the importance of biodegradable and compostable garbage bags.

    Importance Of Biodegradable Or Compostable Trash Bags

    • Biodegradable or compostable bags are the preferred waste disposal options because they reduce environmental pollution. Unlike most traditional plastic bags, which usually take long periods of time to degrade and will most likely cause environmental hazards.
    • These garbage bags are eco-friendly due to the renewable resources they’re made from. Bioplastic(plant-based) materials like corn starch or cellulose are among the major products used to manufacture eco-friendly bags. Unlike regular plastic trash bags that utilize non-renewable fossil fuels.
    • When biodegradable or compostable trash bags are put in composting facilities, they’re converted to compost by microbial activities. Which is a very useful resource for enriching the soil.
    • Most eco-friendly bags do not emit greenhouse gases like methane which regular plastic trash bags give when they degrade.
    eco-friendly Biodegradable Garbage Bags

    Differences Between Biodegradable Garbage Bags And Compostable Trash Bags

    Biodegradable Garbage BagsCompostable Trash Bags
    Decomposes slowly and naturally over time with the help of microorganisms.Decomposes faster under specific conditions eg compost facility, oxygen, and microorganisms.
    Does not necessarily decompose completely in oceans and landfills, hence causing environmental pollution.Breaks down completely and converts to compost which enriches the soil and plants.
    Less expensiveMore expensive
    Produced from traditional petroleum-based plastics which are easily recycledProduced strictly from specific plant-based materials which turn into compost.
    Mightt break down into microplastics which are hazardous to health and pollutes the environment.It’s not harmful to the environment, but instead, adds nutrients to it(soil).

    Now that we’ve cleared up the contrasting attributes of compostable and biodegradable garbage bags, let’s look at their benefits.

    Trash liners or garbage bags are bags that we use to line trash cans or waste containers. Overall, they act as a barrier between the cans to stop the spillage of waste and prevent bad odors. Trash liners also ensure the easy disposal of waste and keep the containers fresh and clean, but these trash liners are harmful. Especially the ones made from plastic. When plastic trash can liners are disposed of in landfills, they take hundreds of years to break down, posing negative environmental impacts. Reason biodegradable and compostable trash bags are the better alternatives.

    10 Eco-friendly Garbage Bags

    kitchen waste disposal

    There are numerous brands of garbage bag available in the market. Here are some of the top-rated trash bags that meets environmental friendly standards.

    1. BioBag Compostable 3 Gallon Food Waste Bags

    BioBag is a certified Norwegian brand that produces compostable trash bags, caddy liners, bin liners and food storage products. The BioBag 3 Gallon trash liner is one of those products. It is produced from a blend of bioplastic resin called Mater-Bi®, which uses plant-based, non-organic materials like corn starch and a variety of biodegradable or compostable polymers. BioBag contains 100 compostable food scrap bags.

    2. UNNI 100% Compostable Trash Bags

    UNNI 100% compostable trash bags are manufactured by UNNI LLC, an American biodegradable products company. The garbage bags are biodegradable, eco-friendly and easy to use. There are 50 pieces of biodegradable garbage bags inside each pack.

    3. BIOOK 100% Compostable & Biodegradable Trash Bags

    One thing is to purchase a trash bag liner labelled ‘compostable,’ another thing is for it to convert into compost at home. There are compostable bags designed to break down only in compost facilities, while some can breakdown in the home, provided the necessary conditions like moisture, air, etc are present.

    BIOOK is a certified producer of biodegradable garbage bags. And the BIOOK100% trash bags are easy to use home compost bin liners. It’s a 5.3 gallon trash bags that contains roughly 90 pieces of biodegradable garbage bags.

    4. Seventh Generation Trash Bags

    The Seventh Generation trash liners are recyclable biodegradable garbage bags designed for convenient waste disposal. It is a 13 gallon trash can liner that comes with drawstring closures to prevent bad odors.

    5. Reli. Compostable Trash Bags

    Reli. is a company that manufactures trash bags, food containers, masking films and carry-out bags for homes and businesses. Their 13 gallon compostable garbage bags contains 150 tear resistant bags. These bags are environmentally friendly and compostable in compost facilities.

    6. ProGreen 100% Compostable Bags

    This 2.6 gallon compostable trash bags from ProGreen is made purely from biodegradable plants and vegetables. There are a total of 100 bags inside each pack of ProGreen 100% Compostable bag.

    7. Duro Brown Printed Paper Retail Grocery Shopping Bags with Handles

    Duro brown printed trash bags are recyclable paper fiber trash bags from Duro brand. It contains 25 pieces of compostable, printed paper trash bags with handles and they’re entirely reusable.

    8. FULL CIRCLE Fresh Air Biodegradable Compost Bag

    This biodegradable garbage bags from Full Circle are certified by the BPI (biodegradable products institute) for the proper disposal of food waste. Full Circle Fresh Air are 2.5 trash bags containing about 25 bags in each pack.

    9. Green Earth Compostable garbage bags

    A 13 gallon compostable trash bag capable of breaking down in compost facilities and at home. Although, they’re mainly broken down at commercial compost facilities. The Green Earth compostable garbage bags contains 50 bags per roll.

    10. STOUT by Envision EcoSafe-6400 Compostable Bags

    Another biodegradable trash bag with high recommendation is STOUT by Envision’s Ecosafe-6400 trash bags. The 13 gallon capacity trasg bags are compostable and takes about 10 to 45 days to degrade. It comes in a pack of 45 trash bags.

  • The Menu Movie Review: What Does The Ending Mean?

    The Menu Movie Review: What Does The Ending Mean?

    Today on horror, we bring you movie reviews of one of the most chilling thrillers of 2022 or 2023—depending on when you finally throw down the gauntlet to stream it. Either way here’s The Menu Movie review you’ve been dying to read from us.

    The movie was released on 18 November 2022. Fans are asking if the menu movie review will explain the confusing ending. As well as some scenes that just didn’t add up.

    From our standpoint, The Menu movie is more than just a psychological thriller with enough nail-biting tension. As the usual horror movie tropes, there are murders, a killer with a motive, and unexpected twists and turns. Yet, the mother of all surprises is the spine-chilling ending of this movie. It leaves you questioning every scene, move, and character.

    The Menu movie is a satire of upper-class society, directed by Mark Mylod. Written by Seth Reiss and Will Tracy. It chronicles a group of wealthy socialites who attends a food-tasting event held exclusively on a remote island. With each course served, the attendees realize that something sinister is going on, but why?.

    The movie stars Anya Taylor-Joy as Margot Mills, Ralph Fiennes as Chef Slowik, and Nicholas Hoult as Tyler, among others.

    Let’s delve into The Menu movie review.

    What Is The Menu Movie About?

    the menu movie chef slowik

    Visualize this, you pay heavily to take part in a private dining event that will claim your life even before the event comes to an end. Yikes!. Put simply, this is what The Menu movie is about.

    Two young couples Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult are among the group of wealthy guests who travel to a secluded island destination for a luxury dinner prepared by a gourmet chef Ralph Fiennes.

    In the menu movie, the name of the restaurant is Hawthorne, and is as high-end as they come. Even as the guests arrive on the island, the reception and cryptic replies from the tour guide suggest that something is off. The seating arrangement is strategically organized and each elite member is seated in pairs. The dishes are equally painstakingly planned to complement each other astronomically in five courses. Unknown to them, it was all an elaborate plan of Chef Slowik to annihilate them all.

    The movie starts well—as every good horror movie does. The chef and his cooks serve the high-society guests comprising of jaded movie stars, arrogant food critics, corrupt millionaires, etc. With each course, the chef gives a resounding clap that unsettles everyone, which some of the guests quickly dismiss as part of the show. Since Slowik is not just a renowned chef, but a storyteller, his act of storytelling is what adds to the beauty of the event.

    Who dies first in the menu movie?

    The Menu Movie Review

    Everyone seems to be immersed in the dishes. Tyler(Nicholas) gobbles every drop of food while Lilian(a food critic) criticizes nonstop with her partner and editor. The guests are held by Slowik’s haunting gaze and disturbing monologues filled with dramatic flair, except Margot(Taylor-joy). She’s not buying Slowik’s over-the-top acting or culinary skills and immediately calls him out on his bullshit. Unknown to Margot, she’s been on Slowik’s radar since her arrival.

    Things soon take a dark turn when Slowik drowns the owner of his restaurant’s island, who is also a corrupt billionaire and makes the guests watch. Everyone is horrified as they watch this unfold. While everyone scrambles to leave, the chef signals one of his minions to sever the ring finger of another elite guest and this further elicits fear among the guests.

    As they try to make sense of the situation, Chef Slowik then proceeded to serve tortillas with the guests’ private information laser printed on them. The accompanying protein for the tortillas is chicken thighs stabbed with tiny kitchen scissors which upsets everyone. Slowik hauntingly recounts how he stabbed his abusive father in the thigh years before when he wrapped a telephone cord around his mother’s throat. Slowik’s mother was also present at the event but was seated in a corner in a drunken state.

    The plot thickens when Slowik orders Jeremy, one of the sous cooks to serve the fourth course called ‘The Mess.” Jeremy went ahead and pulled out a gun from his apron, then shoots himself in the mouth, blowing his brains out. By then, it is clear to the diners that none of them are making it out alive.

    Why Did Chef Slowik Spare Margot?

    The Menu Movie review margot

    Spoiler alert, everyone dies in the movie except Margot, who is the protagonist and the only one who put up a fight against Slowik’s sick plans. Margot is sent to retrieve a barrel from the smokehouse and wanders off to the Chef’s quarters where she discovers a replica of the restaurant. Along with Slowik’s room containing photographs, awards, newspaper clippings, and Slowik’s previous life. There, she realizes that Slowik is a tortured cook who has lost interest in feeding people. She glimpses at Chef Slowik’s former life through the photographs and concludes that what people genuinely think of his food matters to him more than the price they pay to eat it.

    Armed with this revelation, Margot goes back to the restaurant with the barrel and confronts Slowik. After verbally trashing all of Slowik’s previous fancy dishes, she orders a non-fancy cheeseburger. This, he makes with pure relish—although it was just a tiny smile he wore. He serves Margot the cheeseburger which for the first time since her arrival on the island, she enjoys. After telling him how good it was, she pays and requests for a to-go pack. Surprisingly, Slowik lets her go.

    Then for the final course, we see Slowik and his staff prepare dessert, which was an artful display of s’mores. Slowik’s lineup of cooks dress the guests up in marshmallows and chocolate hats and after emptying the barrel Margot brought, he stands in the center and lights himself, the customers, and all the staff up. We see Margot eating what’s left of her cheeseburger on a coast guard boat that she found after she left the restaurant. An explosion rocks the restaurant and we hear the resounding clap that Chef Slowik usually uses to announce the arrival of a dish.

    The Menu Movie Ending Explained

    The Menu Ending Explained

    One might ask, why does Chef Slowik kill everyone in this movie?. In the movie, Slowik reveals little pieces of information regarding the customers and his disdain for those who eat from his restaurant because they can afford it. What he refers to as ‘takers.’

    His motive for doing this? Slowik was no longer passionate about his craft. Is that enough reason to commit mass murder? Most people villainize Slowik for his distorted mindset, but if you’re able to look past the sicko you get to see how he no longer cooks with relish or passion. He cooks with an obsession to make the perfect dishes for his insatiable customers. Who is never pleased with his dishes? Rather, they choose to condemn dishes they can’t even make.

    We see classism at play from the beginning of the movie till the end. The food critic nitpicks every single detail of the dishes served and it was further revealed that she was the reason several restaurants that didn’t meet her standards were closed down. Slowik mentions how she never allows upcoming chefs to showcase their talent and Slowik was a victim too.

    Save for the fact that Tyler’s date dumped him last minute, Margot wouldn’t be in attendance and this shows how disposable commoners are to members of the upper class. Tyler’s hype of his knowledge about food is excessive and when called on to cook, it was an epic fail that led to Slowik ordering him to hang himself. He presents himself as a cook and foodie, but couldn’t cook to save his life. This portrays the ostentatiousness of the elite.

    If you enjoyed The Menu movie review, click the link here to read the Wednesday Netflix series review.

  • Wednesday: Netflix Series Season 1 Review

    Wednesday: Netflix Series Season 1 Review

    Alright, Addams Family fans, buckle up because the Wednesday Netflix series is not just your average dark comedy. It’s gory. It’s grotesque. It’s delightfully weird in all the right ways! Now, I know we’ve all grown up watching different versions of this quirky family (cue the snap snap), but Netflix has seriously taken things up a notch. If you haven’t watched it yet, what are you waiting for?

    Released on November 23, 2022, Wednesday quickly became a massive hit. We’re talking over 1 billion views in the first few weeks! It’s officially Netflix’s second most popular English-language series ever—and let me tell you, it totally deserves the hype.

    What Is The New Show Wednesday About?

    If you’re wondering what makes this show stand out, well, it’s Wednesday Addams herself. Jenna Ortega absolutely crushes the role. I mean, she brings an edge to the character that’s more twisted and mysterious than anything we’ve seen before. Honestly, Ortega’s portrayal of Wednesday is so good it’ll leave you wondering if the girl sleeps in a coffin IRL.

    Wednesday

    But what really caught my attention? The storyline. It’s like Netflix and Tim Burton decided to throw Edgar Allan Poe into the mix, sprinkle in a little teenage rebellion, and voilà—we’ve got a masterpiece. The show centers around Wednesday, the ever-sarcastic, deadpan daughter of Gomez and Morticia, who’s banished to Nevermore Academy. And let me tell you, this place makes Hogwarts look like a summer camp.

    At Nevermore, we’ve got a creepy cast of misfits, outcasts, and monsters. Wednesday doesn’t exactly fit in—obviously—but that’s what makes her journey so interesting. The whole season is full of twists, turns, and some seriously creepy visions that even made me wonder if Wednesday’s losing her grip on reality.

    Why Wednesday Addams Is Our Favorite Anti-Hero

    Now let’s talk about Wednesday herself. We all knew she had a dark side, but wow, this version takes it to a whole new level. She’s sarcastic, emotionally detached, and absolutely allergic to any form of sentimentality or affection. (Bright colors? Get those out of here!) Yet, you can’t help but love her. She’s fiercely loyal to her family, and as much as she tries to stay detached, her connections with other characters like Enid (her chirpy roommate) and even the ever-watchful Principal Weems, keep her grounded.

    What I loved most was watching her outsmart everyone around her. She’s solving mysteries, battling dark forces, and escaping death all while never breaking a sweat (or a smile). Plus, her psychic abilities? They give the show that extra creepy, supernatural vibe that pulls you in.

    And then there’s the dialogue! It’s full of sharp wit, dark humor, and just the right amount of sarcasm to remind you why Wednesday Addams is such an iconic character. Jenna Ortega owns this role. From the eerie pigtails to her permanently deadpan stare, it’s like the character was written for her.

    Wednesday netflix series

    Tim Burton’s Gothic Wonderland

    If you’re a fan of Tim Burton, you’ll recognize his unmistakable stamp all over this series. The gothic aesthetic is so on point—from the dimly lit halls of Nevermore Academy to the gloomy town of Jericho—it’s like stepping into a Burton dreamscape. The costumes? Perfection. The set design? Gorgeous in its creepiness. The cinematography? Chef’s kiss.

    And can we talk about the soundtrack? It complements the mood flawlessly, blending eerie melodies with upbeat, spooky tunes that keep you hooked throughout the eight-episode season. Everything from the visuals to the music screams dark, twisted, and utterly captivating.

    Will There Be a Season 2?

    Okay, if you’re like me, by the time you finished episode eight, you were left wondering—Will there be more? I sure hope so! While Netflix hasn’t officially announced a second season yet, all signs point to a continuation. The way season one ended left a lot of unanswered questions, and let’s face it, Wednesday’s adventures are far from over. Plus, with the amount of love this series has gotten, I’d be surprised if we don’t get a season two.

    What are your thoughts? Did you get the same vibes from this series? Who’s your favorite character so far? (For me, it’s a tie between Wednesday and Thing. That hand has more personality than some full-bodied characters!)

    Why the Wednesday Series Is More Than Just a Spin-Off

    It’s hard to reboot an iconic franchise and make it feel fresh, but Wednesday does exactly that. It’s not just a spin-off; it’s a full-fledged revival that brings a new layer of depth to characters we thought we knew. Wednesday isn’t just the sassy goth girl who’s good with a crossbow anymore—she’s a fully developed, complex character dealing with her own inner demons and external threats.

    The show dives into themes like identity, belonging, and self-discovery, all while maintaining that deliciously dark humor we expect from the Addams family. Oh, and did I mention the murder mystery aspect? It keeps the stakes high, and trust me, you’ll be guessing till the very end.

    Wednesday netflix series

    Will You Be Watching Wednesday?

    So, if you haven’t seen it yet, go watch it now! Wednesday is one of those rare shows that delivers everything—from jaw-dropping visuals to intriguing plot twists, to some of the best character development I’ve seen in a while.

    Are you hoping for a season two like I am? What did you think of Jenna Ortega’s take on Wednesday Addams? Share your thoughts in the comments—I want to hear your take on this dark, twisted ride!

  • AI Replacing Jobs: What Will Happen In 2023?

    AI Replacing Jobs: What Will Happen In 2023?

    Is AI replacing jobs now? Imagine losing your job to software or robots. What jobs are being replaced by technology and how do we prevent AI from taking over jobs in 2023?.

    Several industries have recently switched or considered switching to AI with the advent of disruptive technologies. Granted, technology is progressively increasing productivity across the board, but to what end? Folks are questioning the future of AI technology. There are concerns, speculations, and predictions.

    Firstly, let’s cover some of the fundamental aspects of AI.

    What Is Artificial Intelligence?

    American Computer Scientist John McCarthy defined Artificial Intelligence as ‘The science and engineering of making intelligent machines.’

    Put simply, Artificial Intelligence is a branch of computer science that designs machines to think like human beings and copy human actions. The acronym AI is short for artificial intelligence.

    There are four types of AI; Reactive AI, Limited memory AI, Theory-of-mind AI, and Self-aware AI.

    When Did AI Become Popular?

    Ever since the 1950s, scientists explored the possibilities of applying artificial intelligence to everyday human activities. From basic physical interactions to making business decisions and solving complex issues. In the 1980s, AI saw a quantum leap with the introduction and adoption of expert systems after several failed attempts by scientists to develop thinking machines.

    Researchers are relentlessly seeking to unearth and implement artificial intelligence solutions to streamline human operations. On the other hand, investors are pumping millions of dollars into these AI projects and research to generate wealth.

    Where Is AI Used Or Applied?

    Where Is AI Used Or Applied?

    Artificial intelligence is applied in a number of industries and sectors—healthcare, agriculture, transportation, IT, etc. AI is applied to design humanoids, self-driving cars, speech recognition, and virtual assistants(like Siri and Alexa).

    In finance, artificial intelligence is used to detect fraudulent activities, loan analysis, and stock trading. Healthcare sectors also utilize AI to streamline medical activities, diagnosis, surgical procedures, and documentation. Other areas of AI application include customer support and engagement, automated content creation, and journalism. As well as art generation which has taken the world by storm, gaming, linguistics, vision systems, etc.

    AI branches include;

    1. Machine Learning
    2. Deep Learning
    3. Natural Language Processing
    4. Robotics
    5. Expert Systems
    6. Fuzzy Logic

    How Is AI Replacing Jobs In The Future?

    How Is AI Replacing Jobs In The Future?

    With the increasing emergence of AI tools or platforms for securing data, identifying security threats, and maximizing all round efficiency—which is human jobs, why then do we need humans?. If AI technologies can conduct surgeries and provide life-changing solutions by simply mimicking human cognitive abilities, it essentially means that AI will take away jobs.

    If we were to hazard a guess about the future of artificial intelligence, it’s not that hard to predict what will happen in 2023 and beyond. Every significant technological advancement in the future poses a threat to human employment. Presently, it already puts millions of people at risk of unemployment.

    What Jobs Will Be Replaced By AI?

    1. Data entry
    2. Market Research  Analyst
    3. Commercial Drivers
    4. Customer Service
    5. Sales Representatives
    6. Copywriting and Proofreading
    7. Industrial Workers
    8. Truck Drivers and Heavy Equipment Operators
    9. Visual Artists
    10. Administrative or Clerical Jobs

    Jobs That AI Cannot Replace

    Is Replacing Jobs

    Most people overlook the positive aspect of AI replacing jobs in the future. Not all jobs will be displaced by technology—if anything, more jobs will be created. The question is, how will AI create jobs?.

    Some of the menial jobs that technology is currently displacing will enable industries to focus on other roles that require expertise and proficiency. Thereby streamlining workflow as well as business processes.

    As human labor gradually phases out with the dawn of disruptive technology, automated jobs will most likely usher us into uncharted territories. There’ll equally be massive job creation as these systems, software and machines will require humans to design and maintain them.

    Also, no matter the levels of technological advancement the world reaches, artificial intelligence cannot completely eradicate humans. The reason is human cognitive functions and physiological responses are required to carry out complex, creative, and emphatic roles. While AI will primarily make jobs more efficient, it cannot take the place of human emotion, intelligence, and interactions.

    What will happen with AI Replacing Jobs
  • How To Get A Job In Tech: Discover The Best Tech Jobs

    How To Get A Job In Tech: Discover The Best Tech Jobs

    If you’re looking for how to get a job in tech, get in here!.

    Our previous article covered the basics for those transitioning to a tech career and are at a crossroads. From the skills needed to excel at the highest paying tech jobs, to the numerous obstacles that plague people, hindering them from advancing their tech careers. So if you want to touch base with the nitty-gritty of tech, see the above-mentioned post. This current article however, affords you the leverage to secure the best tech jobs.

    Most people perceive techies to be a ‘bunch of hoodie-wearing computer geeks tapping away at their computer keyboard.’ Meanwhile, more often than not, people in tech dress professionally. For the purpose of clarity, most tech people work remotely and don’t even have to appear at offices wearing suits.

    In the spirit of clarification, it’s equally important to understand that not all tech jobs require coding or a tech degree. Several tech jobs don’t even require any experiences at all. Although, some basic skills which can be expanded with time are essential to snag these tech roles.

    There are two categories of tech jobs that we’re going to look at. We’ll clear up some of the rudimentary positions in the tech industry, before delving into jobs that require coding or a tech degree. Here are the entry-level tech jobs or job in tech for people with no IT degrees.

    Entry Level Tech Jobs (Job In Tech Industry For Beginners)

    How To Get A Job In Tech: Discover The Best Tech Jobs

    Much like every other entry-level job position, an entry-level tech job does not really demand that you possess satisfactory skill sets. When you land these roles, you learn on the job. For some people, either they make the decision to undergo rigorous training to accelerate their career. Or they network and bolster relevant IT skills.

    These are some of the entry level positions in the technology industry. They’re the easiest jobs in tech and requires little to no tech experience or skills to apply. Does who are looking for how to get a job in tech needn’t go far.

    1. Technical Writer

    Technical Writers are responsible for writing, editing and developing documents that give clarity to products, its features and benefits. You need to have a good writing background. Your social and communication skills need to be up to par. Reason is because you’ll be expected to meet and network with relevant people. You also need to be familiar with basic to relevant IT tools and have strong research skills. Technical writers earn at least an average of $30,000 annually.

    2. Data Entry Officer

    A Data Entry Officer does not necessarily possess much expertise in the tech industry. In most cases, they have no university education. They’re responsible for sorting invoices, statements, reports, personal details, documents, etc. The administrative duties of filling paperwork, creating spreadsheet and storing relevant data is carried out by them. They earn an average sum of $30,000 a year.

    3. Computer Technician

    Computer Technicians maintain computer systems, troubleshooting errors, installs servers, manage security options and repairs equipment. Those who have a knack for computer systems and IT components are fit for this role. Their annual pay usually ranges from $30,000 to $40,000

    4. Help Desk Analyst

    Help Desk Analysts contribute to IT system optimization. As well as communicate with clients to resolve technical issues. They are tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that the systems and software can be utilized. Entry-level Help Desk Analysts earn minimum of $27,000 yearly.

    5. Quality Assurance Analyst

    They are responsible for writing write integration tests to detect irregularities. They team up with developers to conduct testing on software, websites, and other technical products to identify and resolve bugs, defects, and ensure that all components are functional. Aside streamlining potential issues, they also save the organization money. An enty-level QA Analyst salary will be around $36,000.

    6. Graphic Designers

    They’re responsible for the visual transformations such as adverts, product branding, and publicity materials. Graphic designers create illustrations, logos, layouts, media products such as magazines, labels, advertising and signage. They receive minimum of $30,000 a year.

    7. Web Designer

    Web Designers are responsible for creating the design and layout of a website or web pages. They work on a brand new website or updating an already existing site. Their job is to make the internet website aesthetically appealing. They receive $30 to $40k minimum salary.

    8. Technical Sales Representative

     Technical Sales Representatives are the connection between the organization’s sales team and clients. They are armed with the responsibilities of providing information, service, maintenance, and repairs related to the company’s products. Their salary as entry-level staff range from $40 to $60k annually.

    9. UI/UX Designer

    UI UX designers  is short for User Interface and User Experience designers. They create the user-friendly interface for apps, websites, or other interactiv. Their job is to ensure complete user satisfaction. Salary is between $40,000 to $60,000 per year

    10. Search Engine Optimisation Expert

    A Search Engine Optimisation Expert or SEO expert is someone who optimizes websites in order to achieve higher search engine rankings. Simply put, they ensure that a website is visibiles on the results pages. It does not require coding and it’s one of the easiest job in the tech industry. their average entry-level remuneration is $30,000 and above.

    Best Jobs In Tech (Job In Tech For IT Professionals)

    1. Software Developer

    A Software Developer design computer programs, applications or interfaces. They’re in charge of modifying existing programs. And they also write and implement codes that power mobile devices, desktop computers, etc. Their average salary is  $120,000 annually.

    2. Data Scientist

    Data Scientists are hotcakes in the tech industry. They earn an average salary of $108,660 to $250,000 annually. Their jobs entails collecting, interpreting and analyzing data in order to make meaningful predictions that help businesses.

    3. Web Developer

    Web designers also fall in this category. A web developer is responsible for building and designing websites. They work with developers and designers to ensure the technical aspects of a website is streamlined. Salary for web developers annually is $80,000.

    4. Computer Systems Analyst

    Computer systems analysts are responsible for conducting system checks in a company. They update and install new computer systems and also ensure that the necessary system requirements are met. Salary is $90,000 per year.

    5. Information Security Analyst 

    They are responsible for monitoring a company’s network for potential security breaches or threats. Their job is to investigate these breaches. They earn an average sum of $105,000 per year.

    6. Sales Engineer 

    Their role in an organization involves generating top-notch sales leads, presenting proposals, explain products and services, etc. Minimum annual wage is $100,000.

    7. Information Technology Manager 

    Information Technology Manager or Chief Technology Officers oversee the smooth and efficient running of the IT strategies. They equally manage the IT teams and recruit new IT staff. Minimum salary is  $160,000 a year.

    8. Computer And Information Research Scientist

    What they basically do is create algorithms to help businesses analyze data. Computer Research Scientists are responsible for the advancement of machine learning systems and cloud computing. They also team up with engineers and scientists to solve complex IT problems. Their salary in a year is around $130,000.

    9. Network and Systems Administrator

    This role requires a degree in computer science or other relevant IT degrees. The Network and Systems Administrator is in charge of organizing and installing local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), intranets, etc. Their pay annually is a minimum of $80,000

    10. Computer Support Specialists

    They are also known as help desk technicians and their duties involves responding to technical help requests from customers. Much like the Help Desk Analyst, they evaluate internal and external issues, but the major difference is that Computer Support Specialists are more versed with handling technical issues.

  • How To Get A Job In Tech – Skills, Challenges & Mistakes

    How To Get A Job In Tech – Skills, Challenges & Mistakes

    Are you looking to transition to a tech career?. Maybe you wonder after transitioning, about how to get a job in tech?. Perhaps, you’re an undergrad researching career prospects. Or you have certain limitations withholding you from starting your tech journey.

    This post is specifically curated to help guide you on your tech journey. We’ve outlined how to get tech jobs. How to crush limitations and challenges. As well as some common mistakes people make in their tech careers that can be easily avoided.

    Everywhere you turn these days tech is the buzzword. Listen, if you’re not a tech enthusiast, you’re definitely a buzzkill. If you’re in doubt, log in to LinkedIn and get run over with tons of congratulatory posts on successful tech careers. They’re enough to make you slam the lid of your computer down in aggravation. Yet, tech is the new oil regardless of your emotions or career trajectory.

    Before starting your tech journey, you might want to re-examine your decisions to venture into the technology industry. Granted there are promising jobs in tech, but ask yourself, why do you really want to follow this career path?.

    Oftentimes, you hear people say they ventured into tech because a friend did and it paid off. Other times, most persons just wildly stumbled upon tech jobs after series of failed career attempts. Whatever be the case, making the wrong decisions may have far-reaching implications.

    While most people are inspired by close friends, family or even strangers to follow the tech route, it is best to make important life decisions such as careers based solely on individual choices.

    Why Do You Want To Get A Job In Tech? (Common Mistakes)

    Are you starting a job in tech just for the money?. Or are you making this transition because it’s been a lifelong ambition?. Or both?.

    There are individuals who work for money and don’t have any passion for their jobs, yet they still go on to live fulfilled lives. Not that they’ve run out of zeal or anything of the sort. Their source of motivation doesn’t come from their jobs. They’re simply okay just receiving their wage and are very happy with their lives.

    Meanwhile, another set of individuals are very devoted to their jobs—in fact it’s the very air they breathe. These category of people find a sense of contentment in what they do. They love talking about their jobs. They are eager to volunteer helpful tips, share meaningful insights and rope you into loving their jobs enough to want to leave yours. Money is secondary to their career and these set of people are happy and fulfilled.

    The last category of people are passionate about their jobs and also gain satisfaction in doing what they love for the money.

    Now that we’ve narrowed down some of the major reasons people start or switch careers, it’s easier to understand why you’re doing it. So, to the crux of the matter; how to get a job in the tech industry.

    What Do I Need To Get A Job In Tech?

    You can never go wrong with a technology degree in the labour market. The salaries are stupendous and tech degree holders are like hot cakes. An average entry level tech job can pay over $30,000 a year. While a high paying tech job can pull in over $100,000 a year.

    What you need in order to secure a high-paying job in tech industry include;

    • IT skills
    • A computer science degree
    • Numeracy skills
    • Programming skills
    • Familiarity with fast-paced environment
    • Attention to details
    • Problem solving skills
    • Loves challenges
    • Creativity
    • Innovation
    • Network and establish connections with tech enthusiasts
    • Experience from coding bootcamps
    • Certifications, etc

    Challenges In The IT Industry And How To Solve Them

    There are several drawbacks of going into the tech industry. Countless reasons why starting a tech career might be a bad idea. As a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed tech enthusiast, transitioning to a tech career comes with a myriad of challenges. For most people, the idea of switching to technology and securing a nice job may only be wishful thinking. The zeal to venture into the career path is there but certain problems hamper it. Here are some problems or limitations of going into tech. Alongside tips that’ll prove essential in flattening these obstacles.

    Resources

    Eight out of ten young persons in every African society lack the resources to kick-start their IT or tech careers. From computers to tools and resources, a lot of people are limited. Most of the tools are either expensive or not accessible. The good news is, there are platforms where you can take intensive free or paid online courses. Other ways of acquiring resources include virtual or physical connections, bootcamps, etc.

    Self-paced learning

    Just like the name implies, self-paced learning is the kind of learning that requires no supervision. It gives you free reins to study and learn at your own pace. Although it has its benefits, there are disadvantages associated with this method of learning. With self-paced learning, you might get selective with topics, overextend yourself or find it hard to choose learning materials. This will pose a strong challenge because you’re not in the same pace with access to tutors or instructional materials.

    Also, because you’re moving at your own pace, making huge progress or reaching milestones may be difficult. Especially without any form of guidance or motivation. other times, time may be a constraint and it might be difficult to extricate yourself from all the deadlines. While it is advised to learn at your own pace, since everyone is built different. It is equally necessary to push yourself beyond limits and network with people once in a while.

    Impostor syndrome

    Impostor syndrome is when people have doubts about their talents, skills or levels of achievements. Sometimes being talented can be overwhelming and feelings of guilt creep in and rob people of their desires to start or fulfill their tech journeys. You can call it self-deprecation at work. It is often associated with highly talented and intelligent people. To deal with impostor syndrome, don’t strive for perfection, no one is. Accept the good traits or skills and bask in the moment whenever you’re lauded for it.

    High standard companies

    Some employers in renowned IT companies or even startups, have very high employment standards. Reason you have to buff up on your relevant IT and computer skills. For most of these employers at high-end organisations, having basic entry-level skills don’t cut it. They’re looking for A-list employees with epic multi-tasking skills. Back-end developer with exceptional graphic design background and a sprinkle of technical writing skill? You’re hired.

    I’m sure you get the memo. There is no time frame for learning—it’s continuous and never end when you reach a milestone. Also, get yourself a mentor. Not those aesthetic kind. The ones that can help you with relevant insights to navigate the tech industry. Don’t forget that connections and networking is very salient to score a job in tech. Most people who landed solid jobs in tech did so by joining a community with mutual interests—tech.

    I hope you found this article helpful? And if your’re on the lookout for the best tech jobs around the block, we’ve covered that here.

  • BMO e-Transfer Limit: What It Is, How It Works

    BMO e-Transfer Limit: What It Is, How It Works

    BMO e-Transfer is one of the generally accepted methods of payment in Canada. This post will shed light on what BMO e-Transfer limit is and how it works. Before then, let’s look at what e-Transfer is.

    Interac e-transfer or simply e-Transfer is the flagship of Interac Corporation’s banking network, meant to eliminate all the hassle involved in sending and receiving money. Ever since its launch, Interac has been a fundamental part of Canada’s advanced banking system.

    It enables Canadians to conveniently perform regular monetary operations; paying of bills, rent, shopping, as well as invoicing and bulk payments for businesses.

    It is incredibly swift, secure and makes for a completely seamless online transaction. Over 250 financial institutions in Canada partner with this service, cementing its position as an extensively utilized interbank network. The Bank of Montreal (BMO) is one of Interac’s top acquiring banks. Other top banks participating in Interac e-transfer service include:

    • The Bank of Nova Scotia
    • The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
    • The Royal Bank of Canada
    • TD Bank Group

    How Does e-Transfer Work For BMO?

    BMO e-transfer limit, what is it?

    BMO e-transfer also called BMO Interac e-transfer or BMO email money transfer is considered one of the most reliable means of sending funds within Canada. Although the term e-transfer loosely refers to email transfer, it’s nowhere near it.

    Funds transferred via BMO Interac doesn’t go through an email, they instead follow an encrypted, high-level security protocol to reach the receiver. It’s essentially the recipients that receive email notifications of the transfer, which would be deposited in their Canadian bank account once they answer a security question.

    To e-transfer with BMO, first, you need to be a Bank of Montreal client. The transaction is initiated when the client equally has access to BMO online banking. Once the sender logs into their BMO online account, they will then navigate to Interac e-transfer and update their settings. There are reviewable options available such as adding the contacts of your choice which is inclusive of auto deposits.

    Following the account set up, the customer proceeds to transfer after selecting the send money option. Upon confirmation of the amount to be transferred and the particular account you’re transferring it from, a security question is required before the money is sent out. This security question is sent to the recipient through an email depending on the contact mode you selected.

    Once the recipient receives the email, they need to unlock it by answering the question you created before they can access the funds.

    In lieu of an option to create a security question, customers can equally opt to include the recipients in auto deposits. Auto deposits require the sender to disable security blockade from the recipient’s end in the settings. The funds move uninterrupted by an email question into the receiver’s account.

    BMO e-Transfer Fee

    Transaction fee for BMO e-transfer span from $1.00 for personal accounts to $1.50 for business account. A $5 cancellation fee is imposed on the customer in the eventuality that e-Transfers sent and cancelled are done after 12 a.m of the said day.

    BMO e-Transfer Limit

    BMO e-Transfer Limit: What It Is, How It Works

    As one of the largest banks spearheading email money transfer, BMO allows users to make numerous transactions but there are major transfer limitations. Interac e-transfer limits vary among financial institutions participating in the service.

    Why do BMO e-Transfer limit exist?. This tiny hitch is put in place for security reasons. BMO e-Transfer limitis imposed on users to limit their daily, weekly or monthly transactions. While this might present itself as an obvious discomfort, its vital to curb fraudulent interceptions and cybersecurity.

    For The Bank of Montreal, the Interac e-Transfer has been limited to $2,500.00 or $3,000.00 per day, $10,000.00 per week and $20,000.00 for 30 days.

    BMO Business Account e-Transfer

    The bank of Montreal also facilitates the electronic transfers of money not only for individuals, but for businesses as well. BMO business account allows customers to pay bulk bills, vendors, employees, etc with convenience. There are perks of utilizing a BMO business bank account such as no monthly fees and hardly any limits on e-Transfers.

    There are several BMO business account plan alternatives to choose from. They include:

    • eBusiness Plan
    • Business Start
    • Business Builder 1
    • Business Builder 2
    • Business Builder 3
    • Business Builder 4

    BMO Interac e-Transfer Not Working? Here’s Why

    While BMO e-Transfer payment method has significantly improved the way Canadians carry out financial operations online, most times there are slight complications. These issues can be easily fixed granted the parties involved know the root cause.

    In most cases, there are BMO e-Transfer pending error messages and this is just like every normal online transaction. Once they are considered “accepted,”e-Transfer transactions of more than $300 usually take up to 30 minutes before they are processed. This results in the transaction appearing as pending. Once the sender notices this error message, the best option is to cancel the accepted funds request.

    Declining or rejecting an email money transfer will reverse the money back to the sender. Alternatively, if the receiver chooses to ignore the BMO e-Transfer notification email, there’s an automatic reversal of the money after a period of 30 days.

    Prevent e-Transfer Scams And Security Breach

    Regardless of the advanced security systems of email money transfers, phishing scammers still find ways to infiltrate security measures. Hence, precautionary measures need to be taken into account  to safeguard both the sender and receiver.

    The usual security procedures entails ignoring BMO email transfers from unknown persons or businesses. Also to ensure that the sender is aware of the email instructions received by the recipient. Other security threats abound when the answers to the security questions an e-Transfer sender created is predictable. Bank and email details should equally be kept private.

    Email Money Transfer To Someone Outside Canada

    Sending of funds via Bank of Montreal email money transfer is only to specific recipients. Especially those within the confines of the country.

    While BMO Interac e-Transfer to people in international countries is not feasible, there are tons of other payment methods such as wire transfers.

    Is BMO e-Transfer Good?

    Just like every other partner bank utilizing the Interac service, BMO ensures secure and efficient money transfers by both individual users and businesses.

    Bank of Montreal security systems are fortified to mitigate fraudulent activities while streamlining payment solutions.

  • Best Books 2022: What Books Were Your Favorite Read?

    Best Books 2022: What Books Were Your Favorite Read?

    As the year grinds to a halt, we’ll be reviewing some of the best books of 2022 and you can let us know which ones were your favorites. Here’s hoping you enjoy this trip down memory lane.

    One thing is certain, books either as paperback or electronic reading devices, will never become extinct. This is because people of all ages, race and gender love stories. Reading literature provides just the right amount of relief from unpleasant realities. It also transports readers to different worlds, could be the land of mysteries, adventures, horror, or love.

    Books, especially paperbacks are addictive and it’s quite easy to get lost in their pages. Well-crafted stories are equally the ones that stick forever, often engaging the imagination. Let’s delve into the list of best books 2022 that folks around the literary globe enjoyed reading.

    What Books Were The Best Books Of 2022?

    What Books Were The Best Books 2022?
    Credit: pexels.com@pixababy

    You asked, we delivered. These are the best books of 2022 by genre, they came highly recommended from avid readers. We have decided that both the books published recently and prior to 2022 be included in this list. Because books in the ‘best books’ category shouldn’t be limited only to the year it hit the market.

    Fiction Books 2022

    1. To Paradise by Hanya Yanagihara
    2. My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
    3. The Passenger by Cormac McCarthy
    4. Lessons by Ian McEwan
    5. Bournville by Jonathan Coe
    6. The Candy House by Jennifer Egan
    7. Companion Piece by Ali Smith
    8. The Last White Man by Mohsin Hamid
    9. Harrow by Joy Williams
    10. The Trees by Percival Everett
    11. Glory by NoViolet Bulawayo
    12. After Sappho by Selby Wynn Schwartz
    13. Trespasses by Louise Kennedy
    14. The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka
    15. Remote Sympathy by Catherine Chidgey
    16. Trust by Hernan Diaz
    17. The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell
    18. Shrines of Gaiety by Kate Atkinson
    19. Time Shelter by Georgi Gospodinov
    20. The Exhibitionist by Charlotte
    21. I’m Sorry You Feel that Way by Rebecca Wait
    22. Very Cold People by Sarah Manguso
    23. The Furrows by Namwali Serpell
    24. Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart
    25. Amy & Lan by Sadie Jones
    26. An Olive Grove in Ends by Moses
    27. The Whale Tattoo by Jon Ransom
    28. I’m A Fan by Sheena Patel
    29. When I Sing, Mountains Dance by Irene Solà
    30. Delphi by Clare Pollard
    31. Vladimir by Julia May Jonas
    32. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
    33. Send Nudes by Saba Sams
    34. Reward System by Jem Calder
    35. We Move by Gurnaik Johal
    36. Liberation Day by George Saunders
    37. Yoga by Emmanuel Carrère
    38. The Book of Goose by Yiyun Li
    39. Marigold and Rose by Louise Gluck
    40. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

    Crime/Thriller Books 2022

    best books of 2022
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    1. The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman
    2. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
    3. The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
    4. The Cook by Ajay Chowdhury
    5. A World of Curiosities by Louise Penny
    6. The Twyford Code by Janice Hallett
    7. Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister
    8. The Undiscovered Deaths of Grace McGill by C.S. Robertson
    9. Meantime by Frankie Boyle
    10. The Partisan by Patrick Worrall
    11. Hawk Mountain by Conner Habib
    12. WAKE by Shelley Burr
    13. More Than You’ll Ever Know by Katie Gutierrez
    14. The Maid by Nita Prose
    15. A Heart Full of Headstones by Ian Rankin
    16. Give Unto Others by Donna Leon
    17. The Murder Book by Mark Billingham
    18. Bleeding Heart Yard by Elly Griffiths
    19. Maror by Lavie Tidhar
    20. Blue Water by Leonora Nattrass
    21. The Lost Man of Bombay by Vaseem Khan
    22. Queen High by C J Carey
    23. Breaking Point by Olivier Norek
    24. The Moose Paradox by Antti Tuomainen
    25. Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
    26. The Room in the Attic by Louise Douglas
    27. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garci
    28. Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn
    29. Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney
    30. The Maid by Nita Prose 
    31. The Book Of Cold Cases by Simone ST. James
    32. A Flicker In The Dark by Richard Osman
    33. The It Girl by Ruth Ware
    34. All Good People Here by Ashley Flowers
    35. Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney
    36. The House Maid by Frieda McFadden
    37. Billy Summers by Stephen King
    38. The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins
    39. The Guest List by Lucy Foley
    40. The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James

    Romance Novels 2022

    best books of 2022
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    1. Book Lovers by Emily Henry
    2. Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover
    3. Terms and Conditions by Lauren Asher
    4. It Starts with Us (It Ends with Us, #2) by Colleen Hoover 
    5. Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood
    6. Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
    7. Things We Never Got Over (Knockemout, #1) by Lucy Score
    8. Delilah Green Doesn’t Care (Bright Falls, #1) by Ashley Herring Blake
    9. Twisted Hate by Ana Huang
    10. Hook, Line, and Sinker (Bellinger Sisters, #2) by Tessa Bailey
    11. Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez
    12. You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi
    13. Electric Idol (Dark Olympus, #2) by Katee Robert
    14. The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
    15. The American Roommate Experiment (Spanish Love Deception, #2) by Elena Armas
    16. Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman
    17. Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan
    18. The Kiss Curse (The Ex Hex, #2) by Erin Sterling
    19. Dating Dr. Dil (If Shakespeare was an Auntie, #1) by Nisha Sharma
    20. The Wedding Crasher by Mia Sosa
    21. Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center
    22. Confess by Colleen Hoover
    23. By the Book: A Meant to be Novel by Jasmine Guillory
    24. Husband Material by Alexis Hall
    25. Something Wilder by Christina Lauren
    26. After Hours on Milagro Street by Angelina M. Lopez
    27. In a New York Minute by Kate Spencer
    28. Starry-Eyed Love by Helena Hunting
    29. For Butter Or Worse: A Rom Com by Erin La Rosa
    30. Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner
    31. The Hookup Plan by Farrah Rochon
    32. Kiss Her Once for Me: A Novel by Alison Cochrun
    33. A Caribbean Heiress in Paris by Adriana Herrera
    34. Drunk on Love by Jasmine Guillory
    35. Husband Material by Alexis Hall
    36. I’m So (Not) Over You by Kosoko Jackson
    37. How to Fake It in Hollywood: A Novel by Ava Wilder, 2022
    38. A Very Merry Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams
    39. Kamila Knows Best by Farah Heron
    40. Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan

    Memoirs 2022

    best books of 2022
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    1. Finding Me: A Memoir by Viola Davis
    2. Lost & Found: A Memoir by Kathryn Schulz
    3. Managing Expectations: A Memoir in Essays by Minnie Driver, 2022
    4. Left on Tenth: A Second Chance at Life by Delia Ephron
    5. Mean Baby: A Memoir of Growing Up by Selma Blair
    6. Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story by Bono, 2022
    7. In Love: A Memoir of Love and Loss by Amy Bloom
    8. I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
    9. Admissions: Memoir of Surviving Boarding School by Kendra James
    10. Rough Draft: A Memoir by Katy Tur
    11. Hello, Molly! A Memoir by Molly Shannon
    12. The Man Who Could Move Clouds: A Memoir by Ingrid Rojas Contreras
    13. README.txt: A Memoir by Chelsea Manning
    14. South to America: A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation by Imani Perry
    15. Bomb Shelter: Love, Time, and Other Explosives by Mary Laura Philpott
    16. Constructing a Nervous System: A Memoir by Margo Jefferson
    17. Dirtbag, Massachusetts: A Confessional by Isaac Fitzgerald
    18. Foreverland: On the Divine Tedium of Marriage by Heather Havrilesky
    19. The Invisible Kingdom: Reimagining Chronic Illness by Meghan O’Rourke
    20. Also a Poet: Frank O’Hara, My Father, and Me by Ada Calhoun
    21. Black American Refugee: Escaping the Narcissism of the American Dream by Tiffanie Drayton
    22. We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story by Simu Liu
    23. Burn the Page: A True Story of Torching Doubts, Blazing Trails, and Igniting Change by Danica Roem
    24. James Patterson: The Stories of My Life by James Patterson
    25. Year of the Tiger: An Activist’s Life by Alice Wong
    26. Ancestor Trouble: A Reckoning and a Reconciliation by Maud Newton
    27. I Came All This Way to Meet You: Writing Myself Home by Jami Attenberg
    28. Because Our Fathers Lied: A Memoir of Truth and Family, from Vietnam to Today by Craig McNamara
    29. Unmasked: My Life Solving America’s Cold Cases by Robin Gaby Fisher
    30. Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir by Matthew Perry
    31. The Crane Wife: A Memoir in Essays by CJ Hauser
    32. A Pocketful of Happiness by Richard E. Grant
    33. Homelands: The History of a Friendship by Chitra Ramaswamy
    34. The Last Days: A Memoir of Faith, Desire and Freedom by Ali Millar
    35. The Beauty of Dusk: On Vision Lost and Found by Frank Bruni
    36. Agatha Christie: An Elusive Woman by Lucy Worsley
    37. Never Simple: A Memoir by Liz Scheier
    38. Body Work: The Radical Power of Personal Narrative by Melissa Febos
    39. Miss Me with That: Hot Takes, Helpful Tidbits, and a Few Hard Truths by Rachel Lindsay
    40. Control Freak: My Epic Adventure Making Video Games by Cliff Bleszinski

    Poetry Books 2022

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    1. Unexhausted Time by Emily Berry
    2. Time Is a Mother by Ocean Vuong
    3. All the Flowers Kneeling by Paul Tran
    4. The Illustrated Woman by Helen Mort
    5. Bless the Daughter Raised by a Voice in Her Head: Poems by Warsan Shire
    6. Broken Halves of a Milky Sun: Poems by Aaiún Nin
    7. Golden Ax by Rio Cortez
    8. Manorism by Yomi Sode
    9. A Hundred Lovers: Poems by Richie Hofmann
    10. The Hurting Kind by Ada Limón
    11. Bless the Daughter Raised by a Voice in Her Head by Warsan Shire
    12. Alive at the End of the World by Saeed Jones
    13. Unlock Your Storybook Heart by Amanda Lovelace
    14. Duende: Poems, 1966-Now by Quincy Troupe
    15.  Quiet by Victoria Adukwei Bulley
    16. Best Barbarian: Poems by Roger Reeves
    17. The English Summer by Holly Hopkins
    18. Customs: Poems by Solmaz Sharif
    19. A Year & Other Poems by Jos Charles
    20. 100 Queer Poems, edited by Andrew McMillan and Mary Jean Chan
    21. Why the Assembly Disbanded by Roberto Tejada
    22. The True Account of Myself as a Bird by Robert Wrigley
    23. Home Is Not A Place by Johny Pitts, Roger Robinson
    24. Against Heaven: Poems by Kemi Alabi
    25. The Trees Witness Everything by Victoria Chang
    26. Headless John the Baptist Hitchhiking: Poems by C. T. Salazar
    27. All the Blood Involved in Love by Maya Marshall
    28. Mausoleum of Flowers by Daniel Summerhill
    29. Return Flight by Jennifer Huang
    30. Song of My Softening by Omotara James
    31. Please Make Me Pretty, I Don’t Want to Die: Poems by Tawanda Mulalu
    32. Balladz by Sharon Olds
    33. Content Warning: Everything by Akwaeke Emezi
    34. Refractive Africa by Will Alexander
    35. Canopy: Poems by Linda Gregerson
    36. The Slain Birds by Michael Longley
    37. Dream of the Divided Field: Poems
    38. Bluest Nude by Ama Codjoe
    39. Then the War: And Selected Poems, 2007-2020 by Carl Phillips
    40. Weaving Sundown in a Scarlet Light: Fifty Poems for Fifty Years by Joy Harjo

    History Books 2022

    History Books 2022
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    1. River of the Gods: Genius, Courage, and Betrayal in the Search for the Source of the Nile by Candice Millard
    2. The Escape Artist: The Man Who Broke Out of Auschwitz to Warn the World by Jonathan Freedland
    3. The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams by Stacy Schiff
    4. Rule, Nostalgia: A Backwards History of Britain by Hannah Rose Woods
    5. American Midnight: The Great War, a Violent Peace, and Democracy’s Forgotten Crisis by Adam Hochschild
    6. The Story of Russia by Orlando Figes
    7. Russia: Revolution and Civil War, 1917-1921 by Antony Beevor
    8. Legacy of Violence: A History of the British Empire by Caroline Elkins
    9. Colditz: Prisoners of the Castle by Ben Macintyre
    10. The Wrath to Come: Gone with the Wind and the Lies America Tells by Sarah Churchwell
    11. African Founders: How Enslaved People Expanded American Ideals by David Hackett Fischer
    12. Persians: The Age of the Great Kings by Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones
    13. Prisoners of the Castle: An Epic Story of Survival and Escape from Colditz, the Nazis’ Fortress Prison by Ben Macintyre
    14. And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle by Jon Meacham
    15. G-Man: J. Edgar Hoover and the Making of the American Century by Beverly Gage
    16. Femina: A New History of the Middle Ages, Through the Women Written Out of It by Janina Ramirez
    17. Northerners: A History, from the Ice Age to the Present Day byBrian Groom
    18. The House of Dudley: A New History of Tudor England by Joanne Paul
    19. France: An Adventure History by Graham Robb
    20. The Shortest History of the Soviet Union by Sheila Fitzpatrick
    21. The Lion House: The Coming of A King by Christopher de Bellaigue
    22. Rise: A Pop History of Asian America from the Nineties to Now by Jeff Yang
    23. Waging a Good War: A Military History of the Civil Rights Movement, 1954-1968 byThomas E. Ricks
    24. Horizons: The Global Origins of Modern Science by James Poskett
    25. The Mad Emperor: Heliogabalus and the Decadence of Rome by Harry Sidebottom
    26. The Last Colony: A Tale of Exile, Justice and Britain’s Colonial Legacy by Philippe Sands
    27. The Palace Papers: Inside the House of Windsor–the Truth and the Turmoil by Tina Brown
    28. Queens of the Age of Chivalry by Alison Weir
    29. A History of Britain in Just a Minute by Gyles Brandreth
    30. Warrior Queens & Quiet Revolutionaries: How Women (Also) Built the World by Kate Mosse
    31. Maria Theresa: The Habsburg Empress in Her Time by Barbara Stollberg-Rilinger
    32. Straits: Beyond the Myth of Magellan by Felipe Fernández-Armesto
    33. The Restless Republic: Britain Without a Crown by Anna Keay
    34. The Siege of Loyalty House: A New History of the English Civil War by Jessie Childs
    35. Britain’s Plot to Kill Hitler: The True Story of Operation Foxley and SOE by Eric Lee
    36. Personality and Power: Builders and Destroyers of Modern Europe by Ian Kershaw
    37. 1945: Victory in the West by Peter Caddick-Adams
    38. The World by Simon Sebag Montefiore
    39. The Ship Asunder: A Maritime History of Britain in Eleven Vessels by Tom Nancollas
    40. The Last Emperor of Mexico: A Disaster in the New World by Edward Shawcross

    Sports Books 2022

    1. The Beautiful Poetry of Football Commentary by Charlie Eccleshare
    2. Expected Goals: The Story of how Data Conquered Football and Changed the Game Forever by Rory Smith
    3. Always Believe: The Autobiography of Olivier Giroud by Olivier Giroud
    4. A New Formation: How Black Footballers Shaped the Modern Game by Calum Jacobs
    5. England Football: The Biography: 1872 – 2022 by Paul Hayward
    6. 1999: Manchester United, the Treble and All That by Matt Dickinson
    7. A Delicate Game: Brain Injury, Sport and Sacrifice by Hana Walker-Brown
    8. The People’s Game: A View from a Front Seat in Football: THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER by Gary Neville
    9. Being Geoffrey Boycott by Geoffrey Boycott
    10. On Days Like These: My Life in Football by Martin O’Neill
    11. Field of Play: 60 Years of NFL Photography by Joe Montana
    12. Calling the Shots: My Autobiography by Sue Barker
    13. Jan Ullrich: The Best There Never Was by Daniel Friebe
    14. The Last Folk Hero: The Life and Myth of Bo Jackson byJeff Pearlman
    15. How to Be a Football Manager: Enter the Hilarious and Crazy World of the Gaffer by Ian Holloway
    16. How (Not) To Be Strong: The Inspirational Instant Sunday Times Bestseller by Alex Scott
    17. Phil: The Rip-Roaring (and Unauthorized!) Biography of Golf’s Most Colorful Superstar by Alan Shipnuck
    18. Johan Cruyff: Always on the Attack by Auke Kok
    19. Born to Run 2: The Ultimate Training Guide by Christopher McDougall
    20. My Sporting Life: Memories, Moments and Declarations by Michael Parkinson
    21. How to Be an Ex-Footballer by Peter Crouch
    22. Jordan Henderson: The Autobiography: The Must-read Autobiography from Liverpool’s Beloved Captain by Jordan Henderson
    23. How to Win the World Cup: Secrets and Insights from International Football’s Top Managers by Chris Evans
    24. BBC Sports Report: A Celebration of the World’s Longest-Running Sports Radio Programme by Pat Murphy
    25. A Very Tall Story by Martin Bayfield
    26. Football Murals: A Celebration of Soccer’s Greatest Street Art by Andy Brassell
    27. The Rodfather: Inside the Beautiful (Ugly, Ridiculous, Hilarious) Game by Paul Howard
    28. A History of the GAA in 100 Objects by Siobhan Doyle
    29. Scoring Goals in the Dark by Gareth Maher
    30. Swagger: Super Bowls, Brass Balls, and Footballs–A Memoir by Jimmy Johnson
    31. The Mosquito Bowl: A Game of Life and Death in World War II by Buzz Bissinger
    32. Cheers, Geoff! Tales from the Touchline by Geoff Shreeves
    33. Beryl: In Search of Britain’s Greatest Athlete by Jeremy Wilson
    34. A Giant Win: Inside the New York Giants’ Historic Upset Over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII by Tom Coughlin
    35. The Break: Life as a Cycling Maverick by Steve Cummings
    36. Barry Hearn: My Life: Knockouts, Snookers, Bullseyes, Tight Lines and Sweet Deals by Barry Hearn
    37. Chased By Pandas: My Life in the Mysterious World of Cycling by Dan Martin
    38. Head On: A Memoir by Larry Csonka
    39. My Hidden Race: Anyika Onuora by Anyika Onuora
    40. Seventeen and Oh: Miami, 1972, and the NFL’s Only Perfect Season by Marshall Jon Fisher

    To get a full review of all the books above, watch out for the next post. A detailed review will be posted shortly. Book suggestions, recommendations, as well as reviews are welcomed too.

  • Cheap Universities In UK For Masters Degree 2023

    Cheap Universities In UK For Masters Degree 2023

    2023 is heralding a fresh academic calendar and new crop of students — undergraduate and postgraduate will flood various international universities. Hence, aspiring students need to stay ahead of the curve by researching universities, academic courses, tuition fees, application deadlines, etc. If you’re at a crossroads, delve into this list of cheap universities in UK for your masters degree programs. This will give you a head start on your postgraduate journey.

    The thing is, a postgraduate degree enhances employability. It helps to boost the chances of securing employment in continuously evolving or competitive markets. With tons of advanced courses that sharpen both personal and professional skills, one can become experts and dominate their fields.

    Six Cheap Universities In UK Offering Master’s Program

    Let’s explore six of the best, cheap universities in UK for your undergrad and masters programs.

    Teeside University

    Cheap Universities In UK For Masters Degree 2023
    The Teeside University

    The renowned Teeside University Middlesbrough is one of the prestigious universities in the UK providing quality, affordable education and training to international students, especially Nigerians. With over 800 students from the Sub-Saharan Africa region. And in the last three academic years, a huge fraction of this number came from Nigeria. Teeside is great for Nigerian students seeking to extend their studies in a very affordable way.

    This university offer two main types of postgraduate courses — taught courses and research degrees. Complete with over 170 postgraduate degree programs in 28 subject areas.

    The postgraduate tuition fee for international applicants into Teeside university is £14,000 per year. Which is less than the amount charged in most foreign universities, particularly in the UK. No application fee is required for Teesside university postgraduate admissions.

    University of Central Lancashire Preston

    University of Central Lancashire Preston

    Another institution on the list of cheap universities in UK to apply for masters degree in 2023 is University of Central Lancashire Preston. The highly eulogized UCLan or Preston is among the finest universities in the North West of the UK. And the UCLan postgraduate courses are even relatively affordable, considering the institution is first-rate.

    Postgraduate programs seem daunting, but UCLan help aspirants to excel in their respective future careers and gain relevant skills. With a wide range of advanced subjects ranging from accounting, architecture, engineering, art, business, education, forensic, health, sport, etc.

    The current fee for 2022/2023 master’s degree program at UCLan is £14,500, while an indicative cost of £15,500 is expected from all international students seeking postgraduate studies. UCLan tuition fee covers course and course-related activities, access to campus libraries, online resources, virtual learning environment. As well as utilization of technical equipment and other support services for students.

    University of Hertfordshire

    University of Hertfordshire

    Barely 25 minutes north of London, this prominent university is located in the town of Hatfield, the historic county of Hertfordshire. University of Hertfordshire is included in the list of cheap universities in UK for a masters degree. For over seventy decades, the public institution has been elemental in delivering quality education to both home and international students.

    When it comes to providing postgraduate students with flexible study environment, business and job connections, alongside decent education, Hertfordshire is in a league of its own, even for a public institution. It ranks among the top echelon of schools in the UK with exclusive learning and research facilities. And a myriad of professional courses are offered at the University of Hertfordshire. From medical, engineering, artificial intelligence, law, computer and cyber security to arts and management. Little wonder the school has been awarded the best school in the UK for creative media and entertainment three consecutive times.

    The postgraduate standard fee for new international students at the University of Hertfordshire is £14,750, contingent on inflation. This tuition fee does not cover trips or special equipment, neither does it fund field trips and art supplies. but there is a £500 full payment discount that covers postgraduate lab and classroom-based courses.

    University of Brighton

    University of Brighton

    One of the notable universities in Uk championing affordable postgraduate education. And giving students leeway to change the trajectory of their lives and career with professional courses, particularly medicine and engineering. International students are also granted two years post-study work visa upon successful completion of a masters degree program.

    University of Brighton charges full-time International students around £14,300 for 2023/2024 Msc program. Although, the tuition fees vary depending on the courses and is subject to an annual review. But new international students can make tuition fee deposit of £3,000 to the university’s payment portal.

    University of Huddersfield

    Cheap Universities In UK For Masters Degree 2023
    University of Huddersfield

    The University of Huddersfield West Yorkshire offers inexpensive postgraduate courses to MSc applicants all over the world. This institution not only provide affordable tuition fees, it is equally dedicated to enhancing careers. Positioning students for acquisition of relevant skill set.

    The tuition costs at Huddersfield ranges from £4,500 to £18,000 depending on your course. Prospective students pay consistent tuition fee all through their years of study. Meaning, from the first year of studies till the final year, the fee remain unchanged, considering there’s no break or interruption in studies.

    Tuition fees covers lectures, seminars and tutorials, field trips, access to the library, computing facilities and support services. As well as other administrative costs, but does not include cost of books, equipment, printing, living expenses and student visa. Prospective students applying to this university also need to meet the academic and English language entry requirements.

    Birmingham City University

    The Birmingham City University

    Birmingham City University is a prominent university at the heart of UK’s second-largest city Birmingham. This institution is open to international students all over the world, offering students advanced learning. As well as employable skills, industry connections and head start in their respective career paths.

    There are over 120 postgraduate and professional development courses with international accreditation at Birmingham University. Including state-of-the-art facilities to aid learning and research. The university’s on-site virtual theater for health students is the first at a university in England.

    The institution charges a full time fee of £16,870 for 1 year and full time fee of £18,557 for an 18 months professional placement. These tuition fees are equally subject to annual changes.

    And that is the end for this post on list of cheap universities in UK for aspiring masters degree students. Quite a number of Nigerian students lack the wherewithal to foot their academic bills. We took cognizance of this grave limitation and proceeded to remedy it. Check out the next post for a comprehensive list of UK scholarship programs for postgraduate studies.

  • UK Scholarship Programs For Postgraduate Studies 2023

    UK Scholarship Programs For Postgraduate Studies 2023

    Are there UK scholarship programs for postgraduate studies?, Certainly. Is it available to everyone? No, only eligible applicants receive specific funding for their tuition. Before we proceed, this post is strictly for British nationals or home applicants in the UK. International students can refer to this post for UK scholarship schemes.

    Most undergraduate or postgraduate students in the UK cannot afford to pay for their tuition or living expenses. Thus, hampering their academic abilities and career advancement. Luckily a host of funding options exist to mitigate financial difficulties plaguing postgraduate applicants living in the UK. These financial aids include grants, loans, bursaries, scholarships, etc.

    Scholarships not only ease financial burdens off students, it gives room for them to demonstrate their unique talent and improve upon relevant skill sets. Of which money troubles would have severely restricted.

    These funding schemes often have their limitations and only select applicants with impressive academic standing, disabilities or acute financial constraints are eligible. In a previous article, we extensively chronicled a list of cheap universities in UK for master’s degree to aid those not likely to be granted scholarship.

    Now, to the crux of the matter, we’ll look at this list of UK scholarship programs for postgraduate studies. As well as other funding options in some prestigious universities in the UK.

    Institutions Offering UK Citizens Scholarship Programs For Postgraduate Studies

    eligibility for UK Scholarship Programs For Postgraduate Studies 2023
    Credit: pexels.com@arminrimoldi

    The eligibility criteria to obtain academic scholarships in most universities vary. Be it fee a waiver, reduction or living cost stipend, postgraduate student support is largely dependent on academic performance in undergraduate degree. Some universities review transcript of results, research proposals, projects, etc from students who show academic excellence.

    University of Sussex UK Scholarship Programs

    1. Chancellor’s Masters Scholarship (2023)

    University of Sussex is awarding100 First Class UK or Irish graduates a tuition fee reduction and the deadline is 1st of August 2023. As long as the student’s academic performance and career aspirations meets the necessary criteria, the university portal is open. A £5,000 fee reduction is accessible to international students from specific countries like Nigeria who meet the requirements.

    2. Harry Lownds Memorial Scholarship (2023)

    The Harry Lownds Memorial scholarship is a maintenance grant in the name of Harry Lownds, a deceased undergraduate student of Genetics at Sussex University. A £3,000 scholarship is awarded to an MSc applicant in Genetic Manipulation and Molecular Cell Biology.

    Application deadline is 1st of August 2023 and eligibility criteria is completion of the scholarship application form upon securing admission at Sussex.

    3. Aziz Foundation Scholarship (2023)

    For the 2023/24 academic year, the University of Sussex will empower five British Muslims seeking to earn a master’s degree, through the Aziz Foundation. The Aziz Foundation scholarship is a support program offered to remarkable students in the form of a full fee waiver. Meaning, prospective master’s students with functional roles in the Muslim community in UK are eligible.

    Also, those who are applying for a masters in Media & Journalism, Technology, Sustainability/Environment, Law, Policy or Creative Content are eligible. Applicants are expected to equally demonstrate advocacy that strengthens the Muslim community within Britain.

    Although the scholarship isn’t eligible to students studying online, or those with another of the university’s scholarship. Neither is it open to students applying outside the University of Sussex. Application deadline for Aziz Foundation scholarship is 10th of July 2023.

    4. Draper Scholarship (2023)

    This a donor funded scholarship of £2,500 available to postgraduate applicants in the Department of Law. The application commences in September 2023. Applicants will be assessed on their experience, achievement and ambition. Professor Colonel Gerald Draper, Criminal Lawyer and notable figure at the university is championing this cause and there’s only one slot available.

    Teesside University UK Scholarship Programs

    1. Dr Keith Skeoch Postgraduate Scholarships 2023

    Dr Keith Skeoch, the Chief Executive of Standard Life Investments is offering four Msc applicants £2,500 scholarships. Eligibility criteria include a first degree at Teesside University, good academic performance and not a recipient of any Teeside University scholarship. Prospective postgraduate students at the University’s School of Social Sciences, Humanities & Law and Teesside University International Business School are only eligible for this offer. Applications open in January 2023.

    2. 10% Tuition Fee Discount

    A 10% fee reduction for postgraduate studies is obtainable by applicants at Teeside University. This fee reduction aims to demonstrate the value Teeside University places on graduate education. Students with first-class honours in undergraduate degrees from Teesside University or any other institution are qualified to receive this discount. But the discount is indicative and offer is open from January 2023.

    UCLan UK Scholarship Programs

    1. Alumni Loyalty Discount(2023)

    University of Central Lancashire Preston, populary known as UCLan or Preston is offering a 20% reduction in tuition fee scholarship. 2023/24 students applying for postgraduate taught courses or research degrees at the university are expected to. Although the program excludes postgraduate dentistry courses. This tuition fee discount is only available to students from United Kingdom who are in need of financial aids.

    2. Carers Bursary(2023)

    This is a bursary offered to students who care for sick, disabled or elderly people in the UK. A lump sum of £500 is paid to undergraduate or postgraduate carers and expires annually. Application deadline is 9 months after the start of the academic year. To be eligible for this bursary, the student should be a carer who receives no remuneration. With exceptions to parents and volunteer workers.

    University of Hertfordshire Graduate Scholarship

    This scholarship is a 20% tuition fee discount for the University of Hertfordshire Alumni. Hertfordshire automatically awards undergraduate students who return to study for any postgraduate taught course and research degree with a graduate scholarship. It does not require any application, although applicants must pass the criteria.

    The tuition reduction will be eligible to students who are not recipients of educational grants from agencies. Duration of the scholarship spans from the first year of full-time or all years of part-time postgraduate/research degrees at the University.

    University of Hertfordshire also offers Sport Scholarship Scheme aimed at supporting talented athletes studying at the University. Other financial aids include the Aziz Foundation scholarship for British Muslims. The NHS Learning Support Fund for those applying for a pre-registration postgraduate course. As well as the Helen Burchell Scholarship available each year to a School of Education postgraduate student.

  • Postgraduate Scholarships For International Students In UK

    Postgraduate Scholarships For International Students In UK

    If you’re an international student from Africa, particularly Nigeria, with the aspiration to study for your master’s program in the UK, this post is for you. In a previous article, we extensively chronicled a list of cheap universities in UK for master’s degree to aid those not likely to be granted scholarship. Here, we’ll review some of the postgraduate scholarships available for international students in the UK.

    Before we get weaving, there are tons of funding options made available by the UK government for international students to complete their master’s degree. These options include government support schemes like Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA), educational trusts and postgraduate loans. Which recipients repay upon graduation. While the institution-specific scholarships span from academic performance scholarships to alumni discounts and research council funding.

    Universities With Postgraduate Scholarships For International Students In UK

    Postgraduate Scholarships For International Students In UK
    Credit: Antoni Shkraba pexels.com

    A master’s degree not only pave the way for students in the global job market, it distinguishes them in their respective careers. Hence, several institutions in the UK relentlessly offer postgraduate scholarships to international students to further their studies and become professionals in various fields. But to a large extent, universities award scholarships on the basis of academic performance and financial limitations.

    The UK government equally awards eligible Nigerian aspirants scholarships to aid those who are unable to fund their education abroad. These scholarships include Chevening, Common Wealth and Great scholarships. Institutions listed below are partners of the aforementioned scholarship schemes.

    Here are university scholarships for Nigerian applicants.

    1. University of Bradford Postgraduate Scholarships

    For 2023/24 academic year, the University of Bradford will offer Nigerian students over 10 scholarships including Cheving and Great scholarships. These support to international students are contingent on academic excellence, personal challenges or financial constraints.

    • Sub-Saharan Africa Scholarship is geared towards providing African students from specific countries like Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda South Africa or Zimbabwe with quality education. New students applying for full-time master’s degree courses are eligible, with exception to MBA courses and distance learning. A fee discount of £4000 is offered to students from Nigeria, Uganda and South Africa. While students from Kenya and Zimbabwe will receive tuition fee reduction of £5000.
    • Alumni Discount Scheme is a fee reduction scholarship for the university’s alumni applying for master’s degree. Nigerian undergraduate students at the University of Bradford will receive a 10% discount on their tuition fees. 
    • International Academic Excellence Fee Scholarships is obtained by postgraduate students from countries outside the UK. Nigerian aspirants with 2:1 degrees will receive a £2,500 fee scholarship. But applicants with first-class Honours will receive additional £500 to round it up to a £3,000 fee scholarship. 
    • Peace Studies and International Development Scholarship in line with the university’s desire to enhance Peace Studies and International Development, this scholarship provides support to all international masters students in the following courses. Peace, Conflict and Development, Peace, Resilience and Social Justice, Advanced Practice in Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution, International Relations and Security Studies, Economics & Finance for Development, International Development Management, Project Planning and Management and Sustainable Development.

    University of Bradford offers a fee discount of £5000 to eligible applicants from Nigeria.

    • MA Filmmaking Scholarship is offering £5,000 scholarships to three eligible international students studying MA Film making. Application deadline is 31st of May 2023 and eligibility criteria is  2:1 degree.
    • Archaeological and Forensic Sciences Endowed Scholarship is a £10,000 scholarship given to international students applying for Archaeological or Forensic courses. Other scholarship programmes available to Nigerian students in the University of Bradford are Construction and Project Management, Aziz Foundation and Chevening Scholarships.

    2. Sheffield Hallam University Postgraduate Scholarships

    Aside tuition discounts or awards, Sheffield Hallam University offer competitive scholarships to its postgraduate students. These include the Transform Together, Sanctuary and Scholarships.

    • Transform Together Scholarships which is a 50% tuition discount for all international students applying to Sheffield Hallam. The criteria to receive this aid is an official offer of admission into the school, either as an undergraduate or postgraduate student. Obtaining this financial aid is entirely dependent on academic performance. And only applies to a student’s first year of study. If the student commences a postgraduate course before applying, the application is considered null.
    • Sanctuary Scholarship is for international undergraduate and postgraduate students seeking asylum in the UK. In partnership with some of the school’s alumis, Sheffield Hallam helps Nigerian students requesting for sanctuary. It covers tuition fees, travel and study materials. There’s a complete tuition fee waiver for up to 18 months alongside a stipend of £4,000 to cover study costs.
    • Scholarships for alumni is the another scholarship scheme that Sheffield Hallam awards postgraduate students. Being an alumni of the institution, automatically qualifies the student for discount on their postgraduate study. Considering they’re not recipients of any other awards, discounts, or scholarships. It includes a £2,000 alumni discount, £1,000 Postgraduate Taught Scholarship and 10% Postgraduate Research Scholarship.

    3. University of Sussex Postgraduate Scholarships

    • Chancellor’s Masters Scholarship (2023)

    University of Sussex is awarding 100 First Class graduates a tuition fee reduction and the deadline is 1st of August 2023. As long as the student’s academic performance and career aspirations meets the necessary criteria, the university portal is open. A £5,000 fee reduction is accessible to international students from specific countries like Nigeria who meet the requirements.

    • Harry Lownds Memorial Scholarship (2023)

    The Harry Lownds Memorial scholarship is a maintenance grant in the name of Harry Lownds, a deceased undergraduate student of Genetics at Sussex University. The family of Harry awards a lump sum of £3,000 to an MSc applicant in Genetic Manipulation and Molecular Cell Biology.

    Application deadline is 1st of August 2023. And eligibility criteria is completion of the scholarship application form upon securing admission at Sussex.

    4. University of Buckingham Postgraduate Scholarships

    • Postgraduate First-Class Scholarship automatically awards international students applying for their masters with a First Class Bsc degree a 33% tuition fee discount.
    • Buckingham Postgraduate Discount is for alumni of The University of Buckingham with a First Class degree or 2:1. Those with First Class honours will receive 33% tuition discount, while alumni with 2:1 are eligible for a 25% fee discount.
  • Cyber Monday Deals: 10 Christmas Gifts For Tech Lovers

    Cyber Monday Deals: 10 Christmas Gifts For Tech Lovers

    Yoo-hoo! it’s Cyber Monday tech geeks! Time to indulge in last-minute shopping sprees for some swanky gizmos!. In this post, we’ll be looking at ridiculously cool Christmas gifts for tech lovers, men, women and children inclusive.

    Everyone knows that during the holiday shopping season, the chances of getting massive discounts after clearance sales are slim to none. What with online and offline stores throwing open their doors on Black Friday for shoppers to splurge on every single end-of-season sale device, toy and gifts.

    While Black Friday is a long-standing shopping tradition, it’s equally a prelude to Cyber Monday, another exceedingly huge shopping day. Yet most people forestall purchasing discounted items on Black Friday, until Monday when the cyberspace is hit with unbelievably cheap deals. Which is more than enough to make any holiday shopper break into a happy dance.

    The Shopping Season Impact On How People Shop Christmas Gift For Tech Lovers

    Both Black Friday and Cyber Monday simultaneously denote blowout sales and binge shopping. Although lately, the Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals have started to blur together. But one of the disparities between the two largest shopping days is that Cyber Monday is solely online. The day after Thanksgiving which is Friday is Black Friday while three days after Thanksgiving which is Monday is Cyber Monday.

    Shoppers who were unable to score some great deals on Black Friday, can avail themselves of the opportunity to purchase high-end gadgets and other seasonal frills on Monday. Black Friday was initially for retailing top-of-the-line merchandise, but the dawn of Cyber Monday has presented tech-savvy consumers the opportunity to also shop smart devices at closeouts. As well as other quality home electronics and accessories.

    This brings us to the crux of the matter—Christmas gifts for tech lovers. While dispelling the -all-technology-geeks-are-introverts- myths, let’s also hash out those theories about techies hibernating during festive seasons to finesse their way out of receiving gifts. It’s absolutely untrue. Tech people love gifts and acts of benefaction, as well as spending time together with loved ones and families.

    So, what do you buy for a tech savvy person this Christmas season that isn’t too generic?. What gifts do you get a kid who not only loves technology but aspires to be a techie?. How about someone also looking to gift themselves tech gifts, what are the best gift ideas?. If these questions fall anywhere near the category of questions you’ve been seeking answers to, then let’s dive.

    Christmas Gifts For Tech Guys

    Tech bros earn pretty good money working high-paying tech jobs. And with how successful most of them are, it sometimes gets tricky purchasing gifts for them. Altruistic gestures may be met with disappointed glares and while they cannot be entirely faulted for their sometimes unvoiced disapproval, understanding the kind of gift items they’ll love to receive aids gifters in their choice of benefaction.

    Hence, it is only wise to purchase futuristic, high tech devices or accessories for them. From sprucing up their workspace with office essentials, to purchasing really trendy devices that makes life easier for them. The ideal thing is to gift them items they’re well-acquainted with —tech stuff.

    1. Smart Touch Leather Gloves

    Smart gloves Christmas Gifts For Tech Lovers

    This touchscreen enabled leather gloves is among the comfort products designed for cold weather that the iconic Totes Isotoner brand produces. It provides the wearer comfort against harsh elements while equally facilitating access to touchscreen devices. it is truly a very thoughtful gift item for tech geeks.

    2. Nomad Organiser for iPad Pro 12.9″ & MacBook Pro 13″

    organiser Christmas Gifts For Tech Lovers

    Tech bros are inordinately organised individuals, fastidious about every odds and ends they own. This Christmas season, ensure to take your gift game to a different level, more un-conventional than the usual. A tech bro will reward you with a satisfied smile.

    3. Voice + Motion Rectangular Sensor Can

    high tech trash can - Christmas Gifts For Tech Lovers
    Credit: simplehuman.com

    A trash can that listens when someone talks? yes please!. This motion sensitive trash can from Simple Human is the best gift item for any and every tech savvy guy. Complete with voice control, that activates upon the user’s command to “open can,” “stay open” or “close can.”

    4. Roomba i3+ EVO Robot Vacuum

    Vacuum Christmas Gifts For Tech Lovers

    iRobot vacuum is a Wifi-enabled, high-tech device that replaces the traditional vacuum cleaners, disburdening users of the slow and arduous task of regular vacuuming.

    5. Dyson Pure Hot+Cool HP01 Purifying Heater & Fan

    Air purifier Christmas Gifts For Tech Lovers
    Dyson Purifier

    During the winter season when the weather is extremely cold or the air is dry from low-humidity, the tissues that line the nose (sinuses and mucous membranes) tend to dry out as well. This causes nosebleeds in most persons, tech bros inclusive. To avert this situation, purchase them a humidifier ahead of time to increase the moisture in the air, reduce spread of bacteria, as well as relieve dry skin.

    6. PhoneSoap 3 UV Cell Phone Sanitizer and Dual Universal Cell Phone Charger

    phone soap 10 Christmas Gifts For Tech Lovers

    As the name implies, it’s a smartphone sterilizer with charging capabilities. It achieves this by using UV-C light to kill 99% of germs on the phone’s exterior while also charging the phone with its dual USB.

    7. Bang & Olufsen Noise Cancelling Wireless Earphones

    bang and olufsen headphone Christmas Gifts For Tech Lovers
    Bang & Olufsen

    Sometimes, the whole Christmas affair can get monotonous to the point tech geeks make a beeline for their safe haven of solitude. They tune out the world with powerful noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds. This Beoplay EQ Adaptive noise-cancelling wireless earphones from Bang & Olufsen is definitely an important item to include in the list of cool stuff to gift tech guys. Also, if they have flying phobia, consider getting noise-cancelling headphones to help calm them.

    8. DiamondClean Smart 9500 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush

    smart toothbrush Christmas Gifts For Tech Lovers

    Personal hygiene, but make it advanced. This smart toothbrush from Philips Sonicare is a high-tech device that syncs with a smartphone to ensure proper oral hygiene.

    9. iPhone 14 Pro

    Credit: IG @cellcompanycat

    iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus is another next generation smart device to gift a tech guy. It comes with the A15 Bionic chipset, emergency satellite SOS, crash detection, all integrated within an iOS 16. The 6.1″ inch screen and a 6.7” inch larger screen display allows for HDR content. Apple’s iPhone 14 and 14 Plus are available in midnight, blue, starlight, purple and red. Also in 128GB256GB, and 512GB storage capacities.

    10. Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug²

    temperature control mug Christmas Gifts For Tech Lovers
    Credit: Ember

    This season, gift that tech person you know an Ember temperature control mug to maintain the warm temperature of hot beverages. This smart mug is capable of conserving the temperature of hot drinks after users set set an exact drinking temperature.

    Christmas Gifts For Tech Sis

    The technology world has been a men dominated industry for years, but we’re witnessing women break that bias in recent times. More women have and are still transitioning into tech. While the idea of fresh-cut flowers in all their gaudy splendor may seem endearing, most times it’s not. Take a break from the conventional gift ideas for women and embrace newfangled ways of gift-giving.

    Admittedly, finding the perfect gift for women can be a herculean task sometimes, considering women spend several hours just wandering aisles in search of personal items.

    The above mentioned items for tech guys can also be included in the list of items to gift a tech sis. Aside that, women equally love fancy items and luxury fashion brands have some kind of therapeutic effect on them. From a 360-wardrobe overhaul to a collection of designer shoes, bags, jewelries, perfumes, skincare essentials, to all-expense paid vacations, women love the finest things of life.

    1. Canon IVY Wireless Mini Photo Printer

    Wireless photo Christmas Gifts For Tech Lovers
    Canon

    Happy times come and go, but the memories we make stay forever, hence the need to document each moment as we enjoy them. The Canon IVY Wireless Mini Photo Printer allows users to customize and print 2-by-3-inch photos directly from a smartphone.

    2. Hidrate Spark 3 Smart Water Bottle

    hidrate water bottle 10 Christmas Gifts For Tech Lovers
    Hidrate

     This water bottle from Hidrate tracks water intake and glows to remind users that it’s time to drink more water, at specific intervals.

    3. Click and GrowSmart Garden

    Credit: Click and grow

    4. Apple AirTag

    Apple

    5. Meural Canvas II

    Credit: Netgear

    6. The Mirror Workout

    Credit: The Business Insider

    7. ROCKETBOOK Smart Reusable Notebook

    Rocketbook

    8. NEZZOE Touch Screen Vanity Mirror

    Nezzoe

    9. SHARPER IMAGE Jewelry Cleaner

    Sharper Image

    10. Echelon Stride-5s Smart Treadmill

    Echelon

  • Here Are Top Magical Small Town Christmas Destinations

    Here Are Top Magical Small Town Christmas Destinations

    People with foresight understand that now is the best time to plan and shop for the Christmas season, be it gifts, decorations, groceries, travel tickets, etc. Especially, travel tickets — peradventure you make a holiday detour from vibrant cities to small town Christmas.

    If you’re bored of the monotonous Christmas at home, why not experience the spirit and magic of Christmas in a faraway, cozy town this season?. Small town Christmas can be very exciting in the winter, with all the right Christmassy feels, historic sites, exquisite dishes, people, events, majestic mountains, hidden caves, vast lakes, etc. Relax and escape the urban hustle and bustle in small towns full of culture, great food and hospitable locals.

    exquisite food found in Small Town Christmas
    Credit: pexels.com@jedowen

    Before we check out this selection of cozy towns, let’s look at few travel essentials.

    Small Town Christmas Travel Essentials

    Hand Sanitizers And Face Masks

    One of the most important travel essentials is a sanitizer and face mask. For safety measures and because of the prevalence of COVID-19 as well as other strains of diseases, it is therefore very vital to add them to your list.

    Camera

    Happy times come and go, but the memories stay forever. Ensure that a good camera is part of your travel requirements. Document each moment as you enjoy them.

    Protective Clothes

    Pack breathable clothes such as warm, cashmere clothes, cable-knit sweaters, socks, mittens, beanies, etc. Also, include travel size skincare products and sunscreens.

    Magical Small Town Destinations

    Lancaster, Pennsylvania

    Top Magical Small Town Christmas Destinations
    visitlancastercity.com

    Notable for their ever friendly locals, this small town in the north of England is the perfect holiday getaway. It is located in the central part of Pennsylvania. Lancaster boasts a festive atmosphere among Amish families and farming communities in the county. The village is astir with abundant culture, noteworthy historical landmarks, incredible food, malls and events. Sights and attractions include art galleries, entertainment and cultural venues, the famous tree lighting event at Penn Square, among other things.

    Branson, Missouri

    Small Town Christmas Destinations
    Explore Branson

    Another small town Christmas destination offering all the magic of Christmas is Branson, located in Taney County, Missouri. This town famous for its live entertainment, with shows covering just about every genre of music, but there are three other activities that draw millions of visitors, including attractions, shopping malls, outdoor recreation, fishing, etc.

    Rottach-Egern, Bavaria

    GlobalToleranceFaces

    Rottach-Egern is a small historic town located on the shores of Lake Tegernsee in Upper Bavaria, Germany. The town is easily one of the most beautiful small towns in the country. Festivities are at their peak during the winter, with large influx of travelers and tourists indulging in outdoor activities. There are tons of other attractions for kids, adults and couples, which includes nightlife, games, museum, parks, etc. As well as local restaurants, bars, spas and festivities to help turists unwind.

    Santa Fe, New Mexico

    Santa Fe, New Mexico,  Getty Images/iStockphoto.

    Those looking to experience some small town Christmas magic will love this town. Plush with scenic landscapes that evokes deep love for nature, the town is abuzz with stories and legends.

    Tourists get treated to amazing culture, exceptional culinary delights, local arts and crafts, souvenir shops, restaurants, , and museums. The popular event is the Canyon Road Farolito Walk, thousands of farolitos — small paper lanterns — are lit along Canyon Road to light up the streets, gardens and old buildings that line the road.

    Kennebunkport, Maine

    Frommer’s Travel Guides

    Local seafood, unique views, rich cultural heritage, plush riverside parks, lovely inns, sailing and whale watching experiences are what makes this town amazing. Tourists can equally watch Santa Claus arrive by lobster boat, go on seashore holiday trolley rides, and enjoy wine tastings and lobster bakes.

  • Sam Bankman-Fried: FTX Crypto Broker  Resigns Following Bankruptcy

    Sam Bankman-Fried: FTX Crypto Broker Resigns Following Bankruptcy

    The second largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world Futures Exchange popularly known as FTX has come to a screeching halt following liquidity crunch. FTX crypto founder Sam Bankman-Fried has also stepped down from his position as Chief Executive Officer.

    Earlier this week, Bankman-Fried reached out to Binance founder Changpeng Zhao to solicit for help to cover the liquidity crunch. Which Sam also made public in a tweet. But Zhao pulled out and everyone wants to know why.

    For the past three years, the multi-billion dollar company FTX has become widely recognized as a reputable cryptocurrency exchange platform for trading digital currencies. Despite not adhering to U.S. regulation, FTX crypto has developed into one of the world’s largest exchanges.

    FTX Crypto Broker Sam Bankman
    FTX former CEO Sam Bankman-Fried

     Binance CEO purchased 20% stake in FTX barely a year after the crypto firm’s inception. Bankman-Fried acquired Zhao’s stake in FTX crypto last year which he compensated in part with FTT, the company’s native cryptocurrency token.

    Why FTX Crypto Crashed

    Upon discovery of a significant quota of FTT tokens in Alameda Research’s possession via information leakage, Binance bowed out of their deal to help FTX. Alameda is a trading firm jointly run by Alameda CEO Caroline Ellison and Sam Bankman-Fried, who were rumored to have been romantically involved.

    As a result of the disclosure, Binance via a tweet on twitter declared their intentions of selling the FTT tokens, a move that launched FTX crypto into cash crisis. As they struggled to process mass withdrawal requests. The FTT tokens fell in value while investors and traders continuously pulled out of FTX. In the span of three days, over $6 billion withdrawals were made.

    Running to Binance for assistance was FTX’s strategy to protect its customers from the impending credit crisis. But the swift detour by Binance from the supposed deal has left FTX in a lurch. In a statement regarding the development, reports of mishandled funds as well as corporate due diligence appear to be the reasons for backing out.

    Sources with in-depth information and knowledge of the matter disclosed that aside selling unregistered securities, lobbying politicians and investors to establish crypto-friendly regulatory rules , divulged that Alameda Research played a crucial role in FTX’s collapse.

    The price of FTT tokens has since plummeted, continuing a downward spiral that rocked the cryptocurrency market. Now, due to the FTX debacle, Bitcoin and Ethereum prices have dropped below $16,000 and $1,100 respectively.