If you’ve been on the hunt for a new grocery delivery service, a new partnership between Instacart and Peacock is worth checking out. Under the promotion, Instacart+ members can get a free Peacock Premium subscription for as long as their Instacart membership is active.

How do Instacart and Peacock work?

Instacart is a phone app that lets you shop for groceries from home. A shopper will receive your order and go to the grocery store, buy your list, and deliver it to your door. You get unlimited free delivery on orders over $35, a 5% credit back on eligible pickup orders, and you can share your account with family members to split the cost. It costs $9.99 per month or $99 per year.

Peacock is a streaming platform owned by NBCUniversal. This deal gets you Peacock Premium, which is the version with ads that costs $5.99 per month or $59.99 a year. You can watch many movies and shows, including Peacock Originals, and live sports and events.

How to get Instacart for free

You can try Instacart for two weeks for free by going to their homepage and signing up for a free trial. Those who have the following credit cards also get Instacart as one of the included perks:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve

• Chase Sapphire

• Chase Sapphire Preferred

• Chase Freedom

• Chase Freedom Flex

• Chase Freedom Unlimited

• Chase Freedom Rise

• Chase Freedom Student

• Chase Slate

• Chase Slate Edge

• J.P. Morgan Reserve

• Instacart Mastercard

How to get Peacock with an Instacart subscription

Unlike a lot of these promotional signup deals, both new and returning Instacart members can still get this deal. Unfortunately, current Peacock subscribers are not eligible. To sign up, all you have to do is head to the Instacart website and do the following:

• Log in to your Instacart account.

• Select the 3 horizontal lines in the upper left corner.

• If you don’t see the 3 horizontal lines in the app, tap Account at the bottom of your screen.

• Select Your Instacart+ Membership.

• Under Unlock special offers, select Activate under the Peacock offer.

• Select Activate Peacock now.

• You’ll then be redirected to Peacock’s website, where you can sign in or create an account to activate your benefit.

Source: LifeHacker – Use Your Instacart+ Membership to Get Peacock Premium for Free

Whether this will be your first winter living somewhere cold or you’ve been driving in the snow since you were a teenager, black ice can sneak up on you. Unlike snow and regular ice—which is visible when it’s covering the road—black ice is thin, transparent, and typically hard to see from any kind of distance. It’s also especially slippery, and therefore dangerous.

For these reasons, a driver might only realize that they’ve hit a patch of black ice after they start losing control of their vehicle. But, knowing what to do—or in this case, what not to do—next can help you navigate it safely. To help us get ready for winter, Lifehacker spoke with Lucas Waldenback, a driver education expert and the co-founder of Zutobi, an online driver’s ed platform. Below, he breaks down three of the most common mistakes people make while driving on black ice, and what we should do instead.

Mistakes to avoid when driving on black ice

Always take black ice—and weather reports that predict the possibility of it forming on roads—seriously, says Waldenback, who also advises “be[ing] ready to adjust your plans if necessary.” Unfortunately, that’s not always possible. So, if you end up coming across a patch of black ice, do your best to avoid making these mistakes:

1. Hitting the brakes

When you realize that you’ve come across a patch of black ice, your first instinct may be to hit the brakes, but according to Waldenback, that’s a bad idea. “It can make your wheels lock up,” he tells Lifehacker. “When the wheels lock, your tires can’t grip the road, and your vehicle starts sliding on the ice.” Once you lose control of your car, it’s tough to steer or get back on track. “Instead, take your foot off the gas and gently steer [in the direction] you want to go, without sudden moves,” he says. “Smooth, gradual actions are vital to regaining control.”

2. Accelerating

Accelerating on black ice is dangerous because the lack of traction can cause your wheels to spin in place. “When your tires spin on ice, it worsens things and can lead to a skid or loss of control,” Waldenback explains. “So, let off the gas to let your vehicle slow down until you regain traction. If needed, use the brakes very gently, but be cautious.”

3. Tailgating

This should really go without saying—because tailgating is never safe—but don’t do it on black ice. “Stay [a] safe [distance] from the vehicle ahead [of you] to avoid rear-end collisions if the [other car] lose[s] control,” Waldenback says.

4. Panicking

Losing control of your car is unnerving, but Waldenback says that panicking is a mistake , as it might cause you to overreact in the moment. “Jerking the steering wheel suddenly can worsen the skid, or make you overcorrect—which is hard to recover from” he notes. “Instead, stay calm, lift off the gas, and steer gently in the direction you want to go. Keep your eyes on your desired path.”

Tips for driving on black ice

Along with avoiding the mistakes above, here’s how Waldenback recommends staying safe when driving on black ice:

• Be prepared for winter weather: Be sure to have the right tires, maintain your vehicle, and carry emergency supplies in case you get stuck.

• Slow down and keep your distance: Leaving more space between cars gives you more time to react, and avoid accidents on icy roads.

• Give yourself extra time: Your commute and other car journeys will likely take longer than usual in winter weather, so plan ahead. This will “reduce the urge to rush and make snap decisions on the road,” he explains.

The bottom line: Exercise caution on car trips in winter weather, even if you’re a seasoned winter driver. “Respect black ice,” Waldenback says. “Understand it’s a severe and hidden danger, so adjust your driving accordingly.”

Source: LifeHacker – Avoid These Four Common Mistakes When Driving on Black Ice

With so many retailers to choose from, it can be hard to know if you’re getting the best deal possible on a video game console—especially if you just want to give a nice gift and don’t know much about video games. If you’ve been on the hunt for a console, whether for yourself or someone else, this might be the time to strike, because GameStop’s newest promotion is pretty dang good.

At GameStop, you’ll save $25 when you buy more than $250 online or in-store and pick up your items in person. All you have to do is select “Pick up today & save $25 on your order” before you click the “proceed to checkout” button. This current promotion means that if you don’t mind going to the store physically, you’ll be getting the best prices currently available for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, or the latest Xbox.

The best Nintendo Switch deals right now

The Nintendo Switch OLED is the higher-end model with a nicer OLED screen, which great for players on the go, but there’s difference once you hook it up to the TV. The latest bundle is the Nintendo Switch OLED Model Bundle: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, which comes with the game and three months of the Nintendo online membership for $349.99. But you can get it for $324.99 if you choose to pick it up in person. This is the best deal you will find from any reliable retailer right now, and it’s cheaper than the deal that was available on Black Friday.

If you’re looking for the regular Nintendo Switch, you can get the Nintendo Switch Console – Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Bundle for $274.99 by picking it up yourself. This bundle costs the same as the console by itself, so you might as well get it with Mario Kart 8. It’s also the best price available and cheaper than it was on Black Friday.

The best PlayStation 5 deals right now

If you’re shopping for a PlayStation 5, you have the option of getting the original console with no bundle for $424.99 (if you pick it up in person) or the newer slim model with the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III bundle for $474.99 (with the $25 discount). If you can afford it, the bundle is a much better value than the regular console with no game, and who doesn’t like Call of Duty?. These are the best deals available for either option, and the bundle is cheaper than their Black Friday deal.

The best Xbox console deals right now

There’s two Xbox models to choose from: the all-digital (that means no slot for discs), slimmer and cheaper Series S; and the more powerful, more expensive Series X. GameStop has the best deal right now for the Series S for $274.99 after the $25 discount. If you want the Series X without a bundle, the best deal is actually from Amazon for $429. If you’re looking for a bundle deal, your best bet is the Series X Console – Diablo IV Bundle for $474.99. This is the best current deal for that bundle, though it was slightly cheaper on Black Friday at $449.

Source: LifeHacker – GameStop Has a Great Deal on Gaming Consoles Right Now

Finding a smartphone that’s both full-featured and affordable isn’t nearly as impossible as it used to be. In fact, many of the more budget-friendly and mid-range devices on the market today are leaps and bounds better than flagship models released only a few years ago. But with all those improvements come a ton of different options—so how do you know which affordable smartphone is the best for you?

Here are some of the best “budget” smartphones to buy in 2023, ranging from cheaper devices under $200, to more expensive, but still affordable mid-range options.

Recommended products:

My three most recommended budget-friendly smartphones:

• Samsung Galaxy A14 5G $200

• Google Pixel 6a $350

• iPhone SE $429

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G, $200

A half-decade ago, I would have told you to stay away from the budget offerings from Samsung and other big-name companies. While those devices were budget-friendly, they weren’t designed to give you great performance along with that affordable price tag. That’s all changed in recent years, though. Certainly the budget-friendly Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is an amazing smartphone, considering it retails for less than $200.

The Galaxy A14 5G is more than powerful enough to handle mobile gaming, take care of basic smartphone tasks , and even connect to 5G. It has a vibrant 6.6-inch Infinity-V display, which can stand alongside some of the higher-end smartphone displays out there. It’s also equipped with a triple-lens camera, which is exactly three times the cameras most “cheap” phones used to ship with.

Budget phones used to sacrifice battery life to help cut down on price, but the Galaxy A14 5G is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery that will last a day with moderate use. Best of all: While the Galaxy A14 5G lists for $199.99, you can often find it on sale for as little as $99.99, making it an exceptional value.

Google Pixel 6a, $350

The A-series has always been Google’s attempt to provide more affordable devices without too many compromises. While it’s more than a year old at this point, the Google Pixel 6a continues to be one of the best midrange devices on the market. It’s powered by Google’s Tensor chip, and showcases the capability of a phone built entirely by Google for use on its version of Android. This device typically lists for $349.99, though you can often find it on sale for much cheaper. (The newer Pixel 7a, which offers a better Tensor 2 chip, wireless charging, and upgraded cameras, is also an exceptional value; it usually retails for $499, though, which is edging out of the “affordable” price range.)

Equipped with a 6.1-inch OLED display, Google’s midrange Pixel 6a uses machine learning to help deliver fantastic performance and improved image capture. It includes 128GB of internal storage, as well as 6GB of RAM, so it can stand up to your everyday needs, including light mobile gaming. The included 4,306mAh battery means you can expect all-day battery life with average use.

iPhone SE, $429

If you prefer Apple’s iOS ecosystem over that of Android, then you can also find some more affordable options from the iPhone maker. (No, really.) Perhaps the best choice is the iPhone SE, a new model of which was released in 2022 and typically retails for $429 in the lowest storage option. It doesn’t have as large of a display as many of the more affordable Android devices; its 4.7-inch retina screen is more akin with the iPhones of old (as are those bezels and that physical button).

It’s made of aluminum and glass, giving it that premium Apple feel, and the included A15 Bionic chip is the same one found in the iPhone 13. It’s a solid device, and lets you take advantage of Apple’s ecosystem without breaking the bank. (Alternatively, if you are willing to by a refurbished device, you can pick up the slightly older (but still excellent) iPhone 12 for closer to $300.)

Source: LifeHacker – These Are the Best Affordable Smartphones of 2023

There’s a scene in Trolls Band Together where Poppy and Branch visit Vacay Island. Water around the island is represented by what looks like mounds of undulating, sparkling water beads. They are so enchanting, of course you want to dive into the glittering, soothing, squishy marbles. Then you remember that, in real life, those water beads would be covered in sand and feel more like gritty snot than a refreshing spa sensation. I am personally grossed out by water beads—the tiny pellets of super absorbent polymer that swell into squishy balls when soaked in liquid—after a bad experience with scooping a spilled bin of sloshy orbs off the driveway. 

You don’t need a reason to ban an irritating toy from your household, but there are actual health and safety reasons to skip the water beads when shopping for your child’s sensory play.

Water beads are actually dangerous

The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has warned parents to keep water beads out of any environment with a child 3 years old or younger. The commission reports that water beads have caused emergency room visits (thousands per year), serious injury requiring surgery, and death.

Why so serious? The tiny colorful beads come in bright colors and packaging that make them look exactly like cupcake sprinkles or candy. If swallowed, inhaled, or stuck in any orifice of the body, the beads will slowly swell to hundreds of times their original size, causing intestinal obstruction, airway obstruction, or ear damage. Water beads are not always visible on X-ray or examination, so a child could suffer serious injury without doctors detecting the cause.

The CPSC gives these tips for water bead safety:

• Never let children play with water beads unsupervised.

• If you do have them in your home, store them in a secure container and location where young children cannot access them.

• Because water beads can easily scatter, roll, and become lost in the home, the only way to mitigate the hazard is to remove them from the home.​​

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, these are signs that a child has swallowed water beads:

• Not eating

• Lethargy

• Drooling

• Vomiting

• Wheezing

• Complaints that something is stuck in the throat or chest

• Abdominal pain

• Constipation

• Abdominal swelling and soreness.

Because dehydrated water beads can be lost in the cracks of floor boards, in carpet, or among toys, children could encounter and ingest them even if they haven’t been played with lately.

A final concern: Though water beads are often labeled “non-toxic,” Consumer Reports has declared that labeling “meaningless.” They tested 14 brands of water beads and found two of them released concerning levels of acrylamide.

Better options for sensory play

Sensory stimulation through play is important for kids (and adults), but there are safer alternatives to water beads. Try these options for sensory play instead (some of them are even less messy):

• Putty (like Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty)

• A mud kitchen outside

• Colored shaving cream in the bathtub

• Dried beans or pasta

• Shredded paper

• Birdseed (make your own if allergies are a concern)

• Homemade play dough

• Paint popsicles

• A pouring station

• A DIY multi-section sensory bin

• Air-dry clay

• Bubble wrap

• Small toys or nature items frozen in ice cubes

• Jell-O

• Melon balls

• Cooked pasta (with a little oil to keep it from sticking)

Remember, sensory play is any activity that engages a child’s senses. We’ve focused on activities that require manipulating items of different textures, sizes, and temperatures with their hands or other tools. Sensory play can also include activities like listening to music, watching a sunset, following a line of ants across the yard, or sniffing foods and spices.

Source: LifeHacker – Why Water Beads Are Actually Dangerous for Kids

Back in May, we learned that Disney was planning to merge Hulu and Disney+ into one, humungous app. The plan was to allow customers to choose each service individually if they wanted to, but for those who subscribed to both, their experience would be more convenient. I guess there are perks to monopolies.

Just over half a year later, it seems the process is kicking off. Starting today, Dec. 6, the “vast majority” of Hulu’s library will be available to stream in the Disney+ app, so long as you subscribe to both platforms, of course. It’s not overly clear at this point how much of the Hulu library will be available during this initial transition, but we do know certain titles won’t be available due to licensing agreements, including Modern Family and Love Island.

You also miss out on live TV access if you subscribe to that: You’ll still need the standalone Hulu app if you want to tune into those channels. In addition, watching Hulu content won’t track across apps. If you want Hulu shows in the Hulu app, for example, it won’t show those episodes as being watched in Disney+. The same goes the other way around.

Of course, many of these limitations are simply the result of this beta test. Hopefully, Disney irons out the larger issues before its larger rollout in March, which aims to make watching Hulu in Disney+ feel more natural.

What’s interesting is this beta test is happening in the standard Disney+ app. When the merger was first announced, it was sold as a brand new app that users could try in beta in December. Now, it appears that “beta” is simply watching Hulu content in the same Disney+ app you already have.

How to watch Hulu content on Disney+

In order to access Hulu content in the Disney+ app, you need to be subscribed to both platforms. That can be either through a Disney+/Hulu bundle, or by subscribing to both services individually, but you need to be using the same email on both so Disney knows you’re subscribed.

It sounds too good to be true, but it only kind of is: Amazon is offering students $25 flights home this holiday season. Of course, not every student gets the deal—but if you’re a Prime Student member, you could be one of the lucky ones. Dec. 7 is your last day to try for the promotion. Here’s how to enter.

Who is eligible for the $25 flights?

Amazon is collaborating with StudentUniverse on the deal, and offering it to its Prime Student members—so, of course, you have to have Prime Student. Prime Student is a half-off Amazon Prime membership only for college students. Members get all the stuff that regular Prime users get, like speedier delivery, access to Prime Video and Amazon Music, free food delivery via Grubhub, and a month of free AI-powered study help from Course Hero. After your six-month trial, it costs $69 per year. It’s not a bad deal, provided you’re part of the Amazon ecosystem (aren’t we all?).

Products to consider:

Consider picking up these items for a smoother flight.

• A portable foot hammock so you can stretch out $12.95

• An inflatable travel pillow with an eye mask, ear plugs, and a travel bag $20.99

• A compact blanket in a case $21.77

• A flexible stand for your tablet or phone $11.99

How do you book the $25 holiday flights?

Prime Student members can go to this link tomorrow, Dec. 7, for a chance to secure one of 1,000 $25 flight tickets available that day. Qualifying travel includes domestic flights that leave some time between Dec. 8 and 25, with a return flight (if applicable) between Dec. 8 and Jan. 14, 2024. 

Amazon and StudentUniverse’s goal, per a press release, is “to make holiday travel more affordable for students.” (Actually, their goal is to get you to sign up for a Prime Student membership and/or to harvest your data, but I’ll let them pat themselves on the back a little.)

The 1,000 tickets will become available at 12 a.m. PST/3 a.m. EST, so set an alarm and be ready to click in early to try to get yours. If you don’t land the $25 ticket, StudentUniverse will show you cheap flights for your preferred travel days, while Amazon Student can provide additional discounts, provided you have an account with both and are logged in when you try for your cheap flight.

Source: LifeHacker – How Amazon Prime Student Members Can Get a Flight Home for the Holidays

If you have someone on your list who likes to get their hands dirty in the yard with building and landscaping projects, you might be wondering what they would want for Christmas that they might not splurge on themselves: Here’s some of my favorite tools for weekend warriors from beginners to master-level.

Battery-powered lawn tools

For those who want to enter the battery-powered lawn equipment age, there are a few tool sets that can be very useful.

• The Ryobi Trimmer 3 tool kit comes with a trimmer/edger, hedge trimmer, leaf blower, two 18 volt batteries, and a charger. This kit can tackle trimming tasks with ease and the blower can help you clean up. The two batteries make it more functional because you can charge one while you’re using the other. These batteries are also compatible with other tools in the Ryobi One system, making them a great gift for someone who already has some compatible tools.

• A mower and maintenance kit from Greenworks comes with a 20-inch mower, a string trimmer, a hedge trimmer, a leaf blower, a 10-inch chainsaw, two regular 24-volt batteries, one rapid-charging 24-volt battery, and two chargers with room for all three batteries. This is the ultimate lawn care package, and it’s a deal at $699.99. The drawback to this battery system is that it isn’t compatible with other types of tools you might want for shop use, so if you’re building a dual collection, this might not work out.

• For more precise cuts and sculpting shrubs, the Makita grass shearing and hedge trimming tool makes a great gift. It’s compact and more affordable than the big kits at $89.99.

Hand-operated landscaping tools

Some DIY landscapers tend to be more traditional in their approach—they might want hand-operated tools for trimming and planting. Here are some of the coolest tools you can gift that don’t need a power source.

• The Fiskars Billhook/Machete saw is a versatile trimming tool that will help you get through any job from a battling thicket down to a small pruning job. Its curved design allows for trimming without as much splintering, and the tool’s double edge with one serrated side will adapt for multiple cutting projects. Anyone who loves to prune or is just a saw enthusiast in general will want this tool.

• Grandpa’s Garden Hook is a versatile tool that can be used for weeding, planting, edging, and all kinds of small digging you might need to do. The shape of the handle gives you extra leverage and can save your wrists when doing garden chores.

• For fencing, your favorite weekend warrior might already have a post hole digger, but do they have a post level? Irwin makes a level that you can read on two sides. It’s magnetic and it will tell you if your fence posts or any other post you want to put in, are straight up and down.

Tools for weeding

Making weeding easier is a gift that’s sure to be appreciated:

• The Zimchado sickle and hollow hoe kit comes with a pair of heavy-duty gloves as well. These sharp weeding tools will cut through some pretty serious weeds quickly and efficiently.

• To get stubborn weeds out of crevices, any gardener who likes a neat pathway will be glad to have a crevice weed cutting tool from Grebstk. This tool has a right-angle shape with a smooth blade on the inside edge and a serrated blade on the outer edge for larger, tougher weeds.

• For weeding and edging between garden beds and grass, this long-handled edging tool can save you time and effort. The long handle allows you to stand up while you work and apply more leverage to the blade, and the shape of the cutting edge makes it good for shaping grass borders.

Safety gear

Safety gear in for outdoor projects is just as important as it is for shop projects, so if you buy your favorite outdoors craftsperson some new tools for the holidays, you can include some safety gear as stocking stuffers

• For using chainsaws and other tools that can fling material at you at high velocity, you need to protect your eyes, ears, and face. The face protection equipment kit from Forester has you covered.

• A good, heavy duty pair of cut-resistant gloves is a must for battling brush and wielding bladed tools. These chainsaw work gloves from VGO are designed to help minimize the damage from blade strikes—even from a chainsaw.

• If you’re doing any major brush clearing where debris from trimmers will be flung toward your legs, you should have some protection at shin height. Brush Gaiters from Forester will protect you from thorns and debris, all while helping to keep clippings out of your boots.

Source: LifeHacker – The Best Tool Gifts for Landscaping and Garden Enthusiasts

Whether you want to handle your own home renovation, or maybe just spruce up a room with a new coat of paint, you’ve probably heard that any project should be approached with a “safety first” mindset, but do you really know how to avoid the leading causes of serious injuries DIYers experience while they’re working on projects?

Here’s a breakdown of the most common ways people hurt themselves while conducting home maintenance or carrying out their own renovations—and how to prevent them.

Good safety practices, explained

In Occupational Safety and Health Administration workplace safety (training known as OSHA 10-30), it’s taught that “hazard elimination” is the best rule of thumb for avoid injury. That is to say, anything dangerous that doesn’t need to be there should be removed, and any potentially dangerous steps you don’t need to take should be avoided.

Although OSHA training is aimed at workplace safety, a lot can be gleaned from this approach, even by the average home improvement DIY enthusiast. The tiered approach progresses as follows:

1. Hazard elimination

2. Hazard mitigation

3. Personal Protective Equipment

The basic line of reasoning is that first and foremost, hazards should be avoided. If they can’t be avoided, they should be mitigated with injury prevention methods. Finally, personal protective equipment should be used at all times, and to serve as a last line of defense. Taken together, these tips constitute the most solid advice anyone considering their own home improvement projects will get about carrying out that work safety. Taking the time to think through possible dangers and plan to eliminate, mitigate, and protect against them will save you from most trips to the emergency room.

Falls

Falls are the second leading cause of accidental death for people in the community, after poisoning and overdoses. While a significant number of these injuries are to adults over the age of 65, of the rest, slippery or obstructed floors are mostly to blame. Keeping your extension cords wrangled and wiping up spills as you go, to avoid creating slippery conditions, can help to prevent many trip and fall injuries in your home shop.

Ladder accidents

An addendum to the earlier item, falls from ladders account for 81% of fall injuries, so ladder safety is of crucial importance. To avoid being injured when using a ladder, the first step is to not get on one unless you absolutely need to. In some cases, using an extension pole or other device might work better than climbing a ladder to complete your task.

If you do need to climb, make a plan to get your tools and materials safely where you need them to be, rather than risking making too many trips up and down the ladder or carrying too much at once; this will reduce your risk of falling immensely. Make sure you’re using a ladder that’s the right size for what you’re doing—i.e., not standing on the top two steps of a ladder, not leaning too far to either side of a ladder, and not setting up an extension ladder with less than a 75 degree angle (or one foot out from the wall for every four feet up your ladder goes). These safety considerations will all help reduce your risk of a fall.

Saws and blades

Injuries from cutting tools like saws and knives result in thousands of emergency room visits every year. Table saws are responsible for a high percentage of these, injuring around 33,000 people annually. Dull knives, dull saws, and unprotected blades are also major contributors to “contact with blade” injuries. If you use a table saw, you might consider investing in a SawStop that, when used correctly, cuts the risk of these injuries to almost zero (yes, I said “cuts). While these machines are pricey, starting at around $3,600, they’re far cheaper than finger reattachment.

As with other causes of injury, good planning and a heavy dose of common sense can also help you mitigate risk of blade injuries. Set up saws on stable work surfaces, use manufacturer provided guards, and sharpen your tools regularly to help reduce your risk of injuring yourself. Also, wearing work gloves and other personal protective equipment while operating tools with blades is a must.

Eye injuries

DIY-related eye injuries are a big cause of visits to the ER. The majority of eye injuries result from falls, so see above regarding ladder and fall safety to avoid them. Other eye injuries connected to DIY projects include getting objects in the eye like splinters, dust, or other debris. This can be mostly avoided by wearing appropriate safety glasses, but sweeping up as you go, using a shop vac to keep dust to a minimum, and choosing tools with guards and bags to mitigate debris are also good ways to reduce your risk.

Burn injuries

While injuries from burns cause only about .4% of hospital visits, that’s still thousands of people a year being treated for mostly preventable injuries. Burns can be caused by accidental fires in the home, and that can include the home shop. Flammable liquids like spray paint, adhesives, and oils should be kept in proper storage containers, and heat sources should always be closely monitored. Also, unexpected chemical reactions like those from oil based stains or cement can cause burns as well. Always dry rags from staining in a well-ventilated area, and never leave them unattended until they’re totally dry. Avoid direct skin contact with uncured cement, using gloves and long sleeves to protect your skin.

Source: LifeHacker – The Most Common DIY Injuries and How to Prevent Them

Awards aren’t everything, true, but keeping an eye on the big film prizes of the year can open our eyes to movies that we might have missed out on—while we’re debating which of the big box office blockbusters actually deserve to win awards. This year’s Gotham Independent Film Awards were held at the end of November, and they’re typically seen as the kick-off to an awards season that ends with the big finale that is the Academy Awards ceremony, to be held on Mar. 10 of 2024.

If you’re the type of movie dork who likes to have seen as many Oscar nominees as possible by the time those ceremonies come around (don’t worry: You’re among friends here), consider this list an early set of predictions. If you’re just looking for reminders of some of the year’s best, or at least most interesting, movies, look no further.

Barbie

As do all AI chatbots, ChatGPT has a character limit that can be rather tricky to work around. If you want to make the most of ChatGPT and its various resources, you’ll need to learn to bypass that character limit as much as necessary. Here are four ways to do it.

What is ChatGPT’s character limit?

ChatGPT has a hidden character limit that the developers haven’t outright revealed just yet. However, user error and research suggest the limit appears to be around 4,096 characters.

There’s more to that threshold than just hitting 4,096 characters though. It also seems to be based on the complexity of the scenario that you’re asking ChatGPT to manage, and thus some queries may require you to work with (and around) the system a bit to get the response that you want without exceeding the limit.

How to bypass ChatGPT’s character limit

Unfortunately, there isn’t one tried and tested method that you can use to completely bypass ChatGPT’s character limit every time. You can’t simply trick the system into allowing you unlimited characters, and for a good reason: Each query that ChatGPT generates costs some amount of resources to bring to life. As such, OpenAI has to limit the generate of those queries in order to spread the usage of the AI chatbot around.

But there are some things you can do to take advantage of those limits and still get everything that you need out of the chatbot.

Continue or regenerate responses

One of the simplest ways to bypass the character limit is to follow up on an incomplete response. If ChatGPT cuts off in the middle of responding to you, you can often type “continue” and the bot pick up where it left off. This will allow it to continue beyond the original limit and give you what you asked for in more detail.

You can also ask ChatGPT to regenerate a response. This is really handy if the bot freezes, or if you’re struggling to get the precise answer that you want. It’s also useful if the query you’re putting forth comes close to breaking the ChatGPT content policy, as it can help you stay within those bounds while also giving you content that is useable for your purposes.

Craft more descriptive prompts

Another way to make the most of the character limit is to focus on creating a descriptive prompt. Try to be as specific as possible. This will help cut down on unneeded characters, allowing the bot to generate better answers that are more accurate and likely to contain the information that you need. You can be incredibly specific with prompts—for example, you can add something like “write a 500-word essay about” to your standard command.

Break your prompt down into multiple parts

Another great way to bypass the character limit in ChatGPT is to break up your project into multiple parts, and craft a prompt for each. This can allow you to piece together different parts of a detailed answer. With practice, you might find it one the best way to get around ChatGPT’s character limit.

Ask ChatGPT to make an outline

Building off the last tip, if you’re struggling to break things down into chunks, you can always ask ChatGPT to create an outline for you first; you can then tweak it as needed to craft your prompts into bite-sized chunks that are easier for the bot to respond to and query.

The tips above will typically help you avoid bumping up against ChatGPT’s character limits—and you can try these same tricks with Claude and other AI services to help bypass their character limits, too. Since you aren’t actively trying to change the system or how it works, you’re not technically breaking any rules, and so shouldn’t have to worry about OpenAI (or anyone else) taking umbrage.

Source: LifeHacker – Four Tricks to Get Around ChatGPT’s Character Limit

Buying tools for someone who is a DIY or woodworking enthusiast can be tricky. Since these crafty people in our lives often already have a bunch of tools—not to mention that some battery systems won’t work concurrently and not all tools are the same quality—it can be a challenge to choose the right gift. Here’s a handy guide to help you choose some of the best gifts for that special DIY-er in your life.

Battery powered tool sets

For new DIYers or aspiring woodworkers, building out a battery-operated tool kit is a must. Having all the basics will set them up for success when tackling new projects, and will give them more range of what builds they can try out. There are a few excellent starter kits to choose from, so here are the best ones:

• The DeWalt 10 piece 20v combo kit comes with a drill, impact driver, circular saw, sawzall, oscillating tool, blower, vacuum, flashlight, a job site radio, two batteries, and a charger. It’s a good deal right now at $549, almost 50% off.

• The Milwaukee 18 volts 6 tool combo set comes with a drill, impact driver, circular saw, grinder, flashlight, saw guide, two batteries, and a charger. It’s a good deal at $599, but is definitely more expensive than some other alternatives. For someone who either already has some Milwaukee tools, or someone looking to build a quality collection, the price for this set is a good deal.

• The DeWalt 18 volt, 6 tool kit is the best bang for your buck at $288. It includes a drill and impact driver, a circular saw, sawzall, oscillating tool, two batteries, and a charger. Ryobi tools are decent quality for regular home repair, making them a good buy for a new DIYer. Since their batteries will work with such a broad variety of tools, it’s a good battery set to start exploring with.

Nailers and staplers

Nailers and staplers are basic tools for anyone doing any building these days. There are now more options than ever for these tools, as they can work on compressors and sometimes even cordless systems. Here are the best ones to gift to a DIY enthusiast:

• The Craftsman pancake compressor kit that comes with a 6 gallon compressor, and brad nailer, a finish nailer, and a stapler is a good beginner set for anyone looking to start working with air tools. At $249 for all three tools and the compressor, plus the hose and fittings to hook it up, this will be a great start for an air tool collection.

• Makita makes both a pneumatic pin nailer as well as a battery powered pin nailer that will run off of Makita’s 18 volt battery system. Pin nailers are great for projects where finer finish or more fragile pieces are involved. The smaller gauge of the nails and their headless construction will keep their profile low and help avoid splitting in more delicate wooden parts.

Hand tools

Hand tools are a big component in woodworking and can be useful for other DIY applications. To delight almost any DIYer on your list, a good quality hand tool will do the trick. Here are some of the best:

• A  fine-toothed pull saw for dealing with precise cuts and hard-to-reach places is an excellent choice for a woodworker. They’re good for molding as well as other finish carpentry projects.

• Having a sharp and reliable set of chisels is a good addition to any wood shop. Grebstk makes a four chisel set that’s decent quality and it’s a great deal at $18.99. Chisels can be used to cut notches for hinges as well as for carving and some types of joining.

• A good quality bench hand planer from Woodriver will make most woodworkers drool. These tools are more expensive than the average hand tool, but a good quality one will last a lifetime.

Measuring and marking

You can give your favorite woodworker an upgrade to their measuring and marking setup. Make measuring twice and cutting once a snap with these tool gifts:

• A magnetic angle gauge and level from Klein will make setting the angle on a table saw or miter saw blade quick and simple. You can also use this $30 tool to find level on a variety of surfaces.

• A contour gauge from Varsk can help you find the shape of almost any object. This one is connectable, so you can add it up to make a 15-inch tool. It’s great for tracing the shape of doorways and molding to cut flooring, for transferring marks, and for checking for uniformity with multiple parts.

• For marking angles more precisely, an upgrade to the standard combination square from P.I.T. is a good innovation. The protractor combination tool will measure the angle you’re marking as well as the length of your line, and it locks in place to make a precise mark.

Source: LifeHacker – The Best Gifts for DIYers and Woodworkers

If you’re looking for the Wordle answer for December 6, 2023 read on. We’ll share some clues, tips, and strategies, and finally the solution. Today’s puzzle is slightly tricky; I got it in 3, but mainly out of luck. Beware, there are spoilers below for December 6, Wordle #900! Keep scrolling if you want some hints (and then the answer) to today’s Wordle game.

How to play Wordle

Wordle lives here on the New York Times website. A new puzzle goes live every day at midnight, your local time.

Start by guessing a five-letter word. The letters of the word will turn green if they’re correct, yellow if you have the right letter in the wrong place, or gray if the letter isn’t in the day’s secret word at all. For more, check out our guide to playing Wordle here, and my strategy guide here for more advanced tips. (We also have more information at the bottom of this post, after the hints and answers.)

Ready for the hints? Let’s go!

Does today’s Wordle have any unusual letters?

We’ll define common letters as those that appear in the old typesetters’ phrase ETAOIN SHRDLU. (Memorize this! Pronounce it “Edwin Shirdloo,” like a name, and pretend he’s a friend of yours.)

Three of the letters are common. Of the other two, both are middlingly common but one lives near the end of the alphabet. 

Can you give me a hint for today’s Wordle?

It’s feminine. If you would like a musical hint, Raquel Welch and Miss Piggy will literally spell it out for you here.

Does today’s Wordle have any double or repeated letters?

Nope! No doubles today.

How many vowels are in today’s Wordle?

There are two (different) vowels in today’s word.

What letter does today’s Wordle start with?

Today’s word starts with W.

What letter does today’s Wordle end with?

Today’s word ends with N.

What is the solution to today’s Wordle?

Ready? Today’s word is WOMAN.

How I solved today’s Wordle

I got a yellow A on ARISE and a green O on TOUCH. After briefly considering OA (couldn’t think of anything good that I could make with available letters) I wondered what might fit into O_A_. All those grays in the first two guesses mean I didn’t have much to work with, but M and N were available, and I realized WOMAN would fit. Luck would have it, that was the answer.

Wordle 900 3/6

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A primer on Wordle basics

The idea of Wordle is to guess the day’s secret word. When you first open the Wordle game, you’ll see an empty grid of letters. It’s up to you to make the first move: type in any five-letter word. 

Now, you can use the colors that are revealed to get clues about the word: 

• Green means you correctly guessed a letter, and it’s in the correct position. (For example, if you guess PARTY, and the word is actually PURSE, the P and R will be green.)

• Yellow means the letter is somewhere in the word, but not in the position you guessed it. (For example, if you guessed PARTY, but the word is actually ROAST, the R, A and T will all be yellow.)

• Gray means the letter is not in the solution word at all. (If you guessed PARTY and everything is gray, then the solution cannot be PURSE or ROAST.)

With all that in mind, guess another word, and then another, trying to land on the correct word before you run out of chances. You get six guesses, and then it’s game over.

The best starter words for Wordle

What should you play for that first guess? The best starters tend to contain common letters, to increase the chances of getting yellow and green squares to guide your guessing. (And if you get all grays when guessing common letters, that’s still excellent information to help you rule out possibilities.) There isn’t a single “best” starting word, but the New York Times’s Wordle analysis bot has suggested starting with one of these:

• CRANE

• TRACE

• SLANT

• CRATE

• CARTE

Meanwhile, an MIT analysis found that you’ll eliminate the most possibilities in the first round by starting with one of these:

• SALET

• REAST

• TRACE

• CRATE

• SLATE

Other good picks might be ARISE or ROUND. Words like ADIEU and AUDIO get more vowels in play, but you could argue that it’s better to start with an emphasis on consonants, using a starter like RENTS or CLAMP. Choose your strategy, and see how it plays out.

How to win at Wordle

We have a few guides to Wordle strategy, which you might like to read over if you’re a serious student of the game. This one covers how to use consonants to your advantage, while this one focuses on a strategy that uses the most common letters. In this advanced guide, we detail a three-pronged approach for fishing for hints while maximizing your chances of winning quickly.

The biggest thing that separates Wordle winners from Wordle losers is that winners use their guesses to gather information about what letters are in the word. If you know that the word must end in -OUND, don’t waste four guesses on MOUND, ROUND, SOUND, and HOUND; combine those consonants and guess MARSH. If the H lights up in yellow, you know the solution.

One more note on strategy: the original Wordle used a list of about 2,300 solution words, but after the game was bought by the NYT, the game now has an editor who hand-picks the solutions. Sometimes they are slightly tricky words that wouldn’t have made the original list, and sometimes they are topical. For example, FEAST was the solution one Thanksgiving. So keep in mind that there may be a theme.

Wordle alternatives

If you can’t get enough of five-letter guessing games and their kin, the best Wordle alternatives, ranked by difficulty, include:

• Wheeldle, which lets you play one puzzle after another

• Dordle and Quordle, which ask you to play two (Dordle) or four (Quordle) puzzles at the same time, with the same guesses. There is also Octordle, with eight puzzles, and Sedecordle, with 16.

• Waffle, which shows you several five-letter words, scrambled in a grid; you play by swapping the letters around until you solve.

• Absurdle, which changes the solution after each guess, but needs to stay consistent with its previous feedback. You have to strategically back it into a corner until there is only one possible word left; then you guess it, and win.

• Squabble, in which you play Wordle against other people with a timer running. You take damage if you spend too much time between guesses; winner is the last one standing.

• Antiwordle, in which you are trying not to guess the day’s solution. You’re required to reuse any letters that you (oops) guessed correctly, so the longer it takes you, the better you are at the game.

Source: LifeHacker – Today’s Wordle Hints (and Answer) for Wednesday, December 6, 2023