Pages

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Why Does it say "Do Not Shake" on Sharpie Permanent Markers

3 Sharpies in hand
Why do Sharpies say: Do Not Shake?

Why Do Sharpies Say, "Do Not Shake"?


Almost every home in the U.S. contains a Sharpie in its junk drawer. If you have an artist in your home, then you may even have a large colorful assortment of Sharpie permanent markers on-hand. 

Have you ever looked at a Sharpie real closely?

If so, you may notice that on some Sharpie markers, it says: "Do not shake." There is a perfectly good reason for this, and it may be simpler than you think.

The Real Reason Why it says "Do Not Shake" on a Sharpie


Question: Why do Sharpie permanent markers say do not shake?
Similar Question: Why do Sharpies say: do not shake?

You may be wondering why some Sharpie permanent markers say: "Do not shake" on the body of the marker. It's a great question.

The Answer: Why Does a Sharpie say "Do Not Shake"


Sharpie markers are filled with permanent ink. If that ink was dripping from a Sharpie, it would splatter if you flick or shake the Sharpie permanent marker. Permanent ink stains the surfaces that it bleeds onto. This is the main reason not to shake a Sharpie. The marker ink splatters are permanent and can ruin clothes, and stain walls, and other things.

Even if the ink does not splatter, if the marker falls out of a your hand, it could fall onto and mark your pants, or even a permanent ink spot on your carpet. You will have to deal with an ink splatter or an ink bleed if you are careless with an open Sharpie permanent marker.

Do you really want your favorite jeans or shirt stained with permanent ink?

No. Nobody wants this.

More Reasons for the "Do Not Shake" Warning


A Sharpie marker says "do not shake" on the label because shaking the marker can cause the ink to become aerated or mixed with the solvent in the pen. This can affect the quality of the ink and cause the marker to write unevenly or not at all.

The ink in a Sharpie marker is made up of several chemicals, including a solvent, a resin, and a colorant. When you shake the marker, the ink and the solvent mix together, creating air bubbles in the ink. These air bubbles can cause the ink to write unevenly or not at all, and can also cause the ink to dry out more quickly.

In general, it's best to store Sharpie markers with the cap on, in a horizontal position, and at room temperature to ensure the ink remains fresh and the marker writes smoothly.


Another unlikely reason for the "Do not shake" warning on a Sharpie, is that the cap of the Sharpie could fill up with ink when you flick or shake the marker. Then, when opened, the ink cap could spill permanent ink everywhere, creating quite a mess. The resulting clean-up will not be fun.

Real Story about a Co-Worker Shaking a Highlighter


One time a co-worker was holding a yellow highlighter in her hand. She was flicking the marker between her thumb and forefinger very rapidly. She did this for a few minutes. Minutes later, she looked down and noticed yellow highlighter ink was splattered all over the papers on her desk. Oops!

They should have put "Do not shake" on the highlighter because the ink can splatter. Since almost all Sharpies are permanent ink, this would stain clothes and be tough to wash out of a shirt or pants. This is another good reason why a Sharpie says, "Do not shake."

Fact: Some U.S. Cities and States Ban Permanent Markers


Fun Fact: Did you know that some U.S. cities and states ban having Sharpie permanent markers in public?

This is because of vandalism.

According to Wikipedia, California, Florida, New York City, and Berwyn, IL, all have laws against possessing permanent markers and even go as far as banning the sale of them to minors.


Monday, September 15, 2014

Kanye West Maintains he is a 'Victim' after Demanding Disabled People Stand at his Concert

Kanye West singing in a hoodie

Kanye West Concert Wheelchair Controversy in Sydney, Australia


Kanye West stops during his concert to say that he will not sing if everybody doesn't stand. He singles out two individuals in the crowd in particular, saying he will not continue if everybody doesn't stand. They happened to be handicapped. One was in a wheelchair, and the other with a prosthetic limb.

His exact words: "I can't do this show unless everybody stand up...unless you got a handicap pass and you get special parking and s**t, Imma see you if you ain't standing up, believe me, I'm very good at that." [sic]

The fan then held up a prosthetic limb, and Kanye we said the person was "fine."

Later in the concert, he stopped again, waiting for another individual to stand up. Kanye West then sent his bodyguard to verify that this person was also in a wheelchair. The body guard confirmed this, and Kanye looked like a jerk once again.

Kanye West Does Not Apologize for his Behavior at the Concert

After the show, Kanye West was sure to say that he was the victim, and not the concert goers that were disabled. He went on a rant "to his fans" about various things, and referenced Ben Affleck and even Michael Brown. Kanye then tried to put everything in perspective, by saying that unarmed people are getting killed by police officers (reference to Michael Brown).

He then pointed out mid-rant that he is a married, Christian man, and that he should get a pass because he is a rock star that travels the globe, but chose to be faithful to one woman and have a child. That is why he is a victim, here.

Editor note: Give me a break! This guy has lost touch with reality. He wants people to worship him like a god. Fame has gone to his head.

The video here shows Kanye West being ridiculous. He should realize that he is a role model. The news here isn't "sensationalized." When Kanye West curses and talks about his artistry, he makes it clear that he isn't acting like the Christian married man should act. Stop demanding that everyone worship you. If a person in a wheelchair can't stand up at your show, then you shouldn't cry like a baby about it.

Image credit: Flickr CC; by Jason Persse

Friday, September 12, 2014

Apple Pay and iPhone 6 Utilizes Near Field Communication (NFC)

iPhone 6 Plus NFC
iPhone 6 has near field communication feature

Apple CEO Tim Cook made the iPhone 6 announcement on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014


The Apple iPhone 6 uses near field communication, or NFC, allowing iPhone users to use the proprietary Apple Pay to buy things with their phone, rather than have to pull out a real wallet. The actual NFC sensor is located at the top of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. However, if you keep reading, it is suggested that the Apple Watch may also contain a near field communication sensor, which allows all versions of the iPhone 5 to be NFC capable. So don't throw out your iPhone 5 just yet. Just do the smart thing, and read a review on the iPhone 6.

Major Credit Card Companies are on Board with Apple Pay NFC


The four biggest American credit cards are all on board to work with Apple Pay for near field communication payments. These are: Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. These credit cards can be added to one's iPhone Passbook app, as easily as taking a picture of the front. After you do this, your iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus is NFC ready.

Review: If the iPhone 6 Plus is Lost or Stolen...


If you lose your iPhone, there is no need for concern. By using the Find My iPhone service, you can easily deactivate your NFC payments feature. A good iPhone 6 review pointed this out.

How does Apple Pay on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus work?

When you check out with Apple Pay, your iPhone sends a one-time payment authorization number, plus a security code.

Is Apple Pay a secure form of near field communication payment?

Yes. With Apple Pay, the user must press their finger onto the iPhone 6 or Apple Watch fingerprint sensor to authorize a transaction.

Apple Users with Previous iPhone Models Concerned about Apple Pay 


Are you worried that your iPhone won't be able to do Apple Pay?

Apple says that the iPhone 5, iPhone 5S, and iPhone 5C will be able to use Apple Pay, with one caveat - you must first buy an Apple Watch. (Source: 9TO5Mac review article)

So, either way, Apple is going to get you to buy a product if you want to pay with NFC. You can buy an iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, or an Apple Watch. It's your choice.

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

How to Save Money with the Walmart Savings Catcher App

Save money with Walmart
How to Save Money with Walmart Savings Catcher


The Walmart Savings Catcher app is the latest way to save money with your smartphone. Walmart  compares the price on your receipt to local competitors. If there is a lower advertised price, you are refunded the money to your account. Fortunately for you, this post shows you how to save money with the Walmart Savings Catcher app.

Here's how it works on an iPhone:
1. After you shop, scan your receipt into the Walmart Savings Catcher app. You do this by pressing the green logo labeled "Savings Catcher" with an arrow pointing to the right. (See picture to the right)
2. The Savings Catcher screen opens and there are green circular arrows that orbit around the dollar sign. Look below this, and in an orange-red color, it says, "Scan a Receipt." Press this button.
3. The app then switch over to photo mode. There is a rectangular area that gets larger and smaller in the lower middle of your screen. Point this rectangular box over the QR code at the bottom of your receipt, or scan the barcode above the QR code. If the receipt printed poorly, then you may have to enter it manually. It asks you to enter the series of numbers at the bottom of the receipt, then the receipt date, which is not much.
4. The app takes the receipt information and then compares it to the local circulars of stores in your area. If it finds a lower advertised price, the Savings Catcher app will credit your account for the difference in price.

Keep in mind that your receipt must be from the past seven days to qualify for potential savings.  How much money will you save?

Some Issues with the Walmart Savings Catcher App

I had one receipt that didn't print right, and I had to key in the serial numbers manually. My next two receipts did not want to scan right away, which may have more to do with the iPhone's processor, than with the app itself. They eventually did scan after holding the camera over the barcodes for about 30 seconds apiece.

The barcode and QC codes are not picking up immediately when the view screen guide rectangle is up on the screen.

Thoughts on How to Save Money with the Walmart Savings Catcher App


After thinking about this new app, I had a few revelations on what is really going on. While I do like the idea of savings via local advertisements, I think that Walmart is getting something far more valuable from customers, and that is information.

But, Walmart already has this information about what people buy in their database. What added-value could Walmart possibly get from this app?

I think Walmart is using this app to lure away customers that shop at multiple stores to get the best deal elsewhere, and this app is saying: "Why go over there, when you can still get the best deal here?"

See the idea of getting the best deal has always existed at Walmart. They have always said, if you find a lower price anywhere else, bring the ad and your receipt back to the store, and we'll refund you the difference. But that is such a hassle. This Walmart Savings Catcher app eliminates the need to come back to the store and wait in the long line at customer service to get some change back.

An example of inside the Walmart Savings Catcher app

In reality, you may actually save a few cents using this app, but it is more likely to happen if you buy more items at Walmart, than if you are a "get-a-few-things-from-Walmart" shopper. I can show you how to save, but that doesn't mean you will save money with this app.

Overall, the Walmart Saving Catcher app is very useful in theory, but I have yet to save a penny with it in my four trips so far.

This blog recommends that you get the app on your smartphone, and try it out for yourself.  Please share in the comments below how much money you have saved with the Walmart Savings Catcher app.


Sunday, September 07, 2014

Make Money Online Posting Pictures with Redgage

RedGage is the way to make money online posting pictures

If you are looking for a way to make money online posting pictures, there is a way. There is one social media site that pays you pennies per so many page views on your online content posted.

The website is Redgage.

Here's how it works:

1. You post pictures, blog posts, links on Redgage.
2. People view the pictures. You get paid $0.60 per 1,000 views.
3. Your account grows each time so many people view each piece of content.
4. A Visa Redgage card is mailed to you after your account reaches $50.

So to answer your question: Is there a way to make money online posting pictures?

The answer is: Yes!
Redgage logo

Redgage is a Social Media Website Where Users Make Money Online Posting Pictures


Redgage is the only social network that has been around and pays people for uploading content to their social media account. It has been around for years and doesn't just disappear when it is time to pay the members.

Redgage is an awesome way to log into social media and earn money at the same time. It is the only way to make money online posting pictures.

If you would like to make money online posting pictures, use my personal referral link: http://www.redgage.com/?refby=Zach3000