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Everything we expect Apple to announce at its big March event (AAPL)

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Apple will hold a press event at its Cupertino, California headquarters on Monday, March 21. The company issued the above invitations to media members on Thursday.

Here's what we expect to see unveiled that day.

A smaller, 4-inch iPhone

The marquee new product that's expected to take the stage at Apple's March event is a smaller, 4-inch iPhone, allegedly called "iPhone SE." The SE moniker will apparently stand for "Special Edition," according to outlets like 9to5Mac and Bloomberg.

Beyond a smaller display, the iPhone SE is rumored to look like a mash-up of the iPhone 5 and iPhone 6 with a metallic body. According to 9to5Mac, it will be just as powerful as the existing iPhone 6s with an A9 processor. 

The iPhone SE will likely replace the older iPhone 5c in Apple's lineup and cost between $400 and $500.



A smaller iPad Pro

9to5Mac's Mark Gurman says Apple will make the 9.7-inch iPad Air more powerful and call it the iPad Pro, which currently exists in a 12.9-inch form factor.

That means the smaller display size that belongs to the iPad Air now will get support for Apple's Pencil stylus, stereo speakers, and faster specs. It could also have an upgraded 12-megapixel camera that can record 4K video, according to 9to5Mac.



New Apple Watch bands

While a new Apple Watch model isn't expected this month, 9to5Mac reports that there will be new color and band options announced. 

New looks for the Apple Watch will likely be in partnership with luxury fashion brands, similar to how Apple partnered with Hermès for ultra-expensive bands last year.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 12 dumbest things you can do with your money in your 30s — and how to avoid them

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Time is still on your side in your 30s. If you manage your money well, it can mean huge financial gains in the future.

That's easier said than done. And many of us tend to assume that we'll have more money in our 40s and have plenty of time to tune up our finances, which can lead to some poor money decisions.

Here are 12 of the worst money decisions — and how to avoid making them.

SEE ALSO: 12 things everyone should know before investing

1. Not taking advantage of work benefits.

If you're not taking full advantage of your employee benefits, you're leaving money on the table. Some of the more overlooked, yet incredibly advantageous, benefits include:

Healthcare flexible-spending account: This type of account is a pretax benefit account you can use to cover a variety of healthcare products and services, from acupuncture and physical therapy to vaccines and over-the-counter medicine (note that OTC medicines are only eligible when prescribed by a physician). You can put up to $2,550 of tax-free money into this account in 2015, and save about 30% on healthcare expenses with the tax break, WageWorks reports.

Dependent-care flexible-spending account: If you have young children, dependent-care FSAs are worth considering. This account works similarly to the healthcare FSA, in that you can contribute pretax money, but is specific for dependent-care services, such as preschool, summer camp, daycare, or before- and after-school programs.

Commuter benefits: These are often overlooked, but they can save you over $600 each year, WageWorks tells The Wall Street Journal. The concept is simple: Employees can use pretax money from their paychecks to cover mass-transit passes — including the train, subway, bus, ferry, and parking.

It's worth it to research and talk to your human-resources department to understand the scope of what's available to you, as these benefits could save you thousands of dollars each year.



2. Not increasing your 401(k) contributions.

In your 30s, one of the greatest things you have going for you is time, and the more money you can save at an early age, the greater the dividends will be down the road. You should already be contributing to your employer's 401(k) retirement account and be taking full advantage of any available company match program, but if you get a pay raise or bonus, increase that contribution.

Also, get in the habit of upping your contribution at the end of each year, even if it's just 1%. Check online to see if you can set up "auto-increase," which will automatically increase your contributions every year.



3. Only putting money toward a 401(k).

By the time you're in your 30s, you should be considering other investment vehicles beyond your 401(k) plan. A good next step is to put money toward a Roth IRA, another retirement-savings vehicle that offers tax benefits and is particularly well suited to younger people who earn less than the income cap — $116,000 a year or less for individuals, $183,000 or less for married couples filing jointly.

Contributions to this type of fund are taxed when they're made, so you can withdraw the contributions and earnings tax-free once you reach 59 1/2.

If you still have money left over, you can research low-cost index funds, which legendary investors Warren Buffett and Jack Bogle recommend, and look into the online investment platforms known as "robo-advisers."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

7 surprising things you can get for free at tourism offices

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Backpackers

From free Uber rides to wedding planning, a tourism office should be the first stop for savings on your next vacation.

Here are just some examples of perks you can get for free at tourism offices around the world.

Cultural Concierge

The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County initiated a "cultural concierge" service to provide recommendations and exclusive access to travelers for cultural activities in the area. For example, when booking tickets for a show through the cultural concierge, travelers have the opportunity to be upgraded or arrange meet-and- greets with casts at no extra charge.

San Francisco Travel also offered a similar service during Super Bowl 50, putting together extensive itineraries, explorer maps, and recommendations for travelers as well as having open office hours to help with trip planning. These concierges wore custom created capes and LED-light top hats, making them easy to find around the city.

RELATED:10 Authentic Ways to Travel Like a Local



Transportation

You can get one free ride with Uber in Dubai using code DTCM tourist through Dubai Tourism. Free trip to the airport anyone? Park for free overnight through Visit Philly's Overnight Hotel Package. When you book the one- or two-night hotel package, your hotel parking is free.



Trip Planning

Many tourism boards offer brochures and trip planning services, so it's always worth checking in with the information center during your travels. Here are some of the best tourism boards for trip planning.

Tourism Victoria offers vacation guides, will book accommodation, make reservations, arrange transportation, and assist with tickets for attractions and tours.

Meet Minneapolis, Convention & Visitors Association has a visitor services staff available through email, in person, and over the phone. They also have an online request form for visitor guides and maps.

NYC Go has city specialists on hand as well as touch-screen kiosks for information on attractions, dining, and nightlife across the five boroughs.

Calistoga Visitors Center in Napa Valley offer services to make reservations for restaurants and wine tastings, personalized itineraries, and lodging reservations.

RELATED:How to Plan an Insanely Cheap Trip That Feels Expensive



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 20 colleges with the best dining halls

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UMass Amherst dining

When starting college, dining-hall food is rarely something students look forward to.

But at some schools, it has become a gourmet experience.

To determine which schools are stepping up their food game, we looked at noteworthy rankings from outlets with expertise in colleges and food: The Daily Meal, The Princeton Review, and Niche.

Each school earned a numerical rating based on how many of the lists it appeared on and how high it appeared on those lists. Colleges that appeared on multiple rankings scored higher on ours, while those that ranked on only one of these lists ended up closer to the bottom.

From lobster bakes to waffle bars to steak dinners, these schools serve up dishes so good they make students forget they're in a dining hall.

SEE ALSO: The 30 colleges with the best dorms

DON'T MISS: The 50 best colleges in America

20. Saint Anselm College

With fewer than 2,000 students, Saint Anselm may be a small college, but it provides big flavor. The Manchester, New Hampshire-based school's main dining hall features an "action station" where chefs prepare paninis, Asian noodle bowls, burritos, and sautéed pasta on the spot. There's also a deli, grill, and salad bar, so students can always find something to suit their cravings.

Students can also satisfy their sweet tooth with a trip to the bulk candy bar, a self-serve milkshake made from real Hershey's ice cream, or a slice of apple pie from the in-house bake shop.



19. High Point University

The multitude of options at High Point University in North Carolina make food the last thing busy students have to worry about. A single meal plan swipe gets students access to all-you-can-eat buffets at three locations, which feature amenities such as a trail-mix bar, omelet station, and baked-potato bar.

Students can also class things up at 1924 Prime, an on-campus steakhouse that takes meal swipes. Menu options include cast-iron seared duck breast and filet mignon.



18. University of Scranton

In addition to a wide selection of enticing dishes— think grilled barbecue pork chops, cod bruschetta, and creamy parmesan penne — the University of Scranton's food services focus on health as well. In the all-you-can-eat dining hall, students can choose options that are low in fat or sodium, under 500 calories, vegetarian, baked instead of fried, or high in calcium.

The Scranton, Pennsylvania-based school also has a food court full of favorite spots like Chick-fil-a and Starbucks.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

7 online certifications that can lead to a major salary bump

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young man on laptopA certification can strengthen your degree, and maybe even improve your income.

Better still? It can do all this without you ever having to set foot inside a classroom, as all of the seven certifications listed below are offered online.

Take a look, and start moving ahead today.

SEE ALSO: 25 college majors with the highest starting salaries

1. Project management

Aside from IT, project managers work in engineering, healthcare, and construction. They are responsible for overseeing the completion of a project — on budget, and on time. It's a high-pressure career, but the salary is great (average $89,000 for entry-level). Fortunately, you don't have to quit your day job to earn your certification. The average cost varies widely, but reputable UC Berkeley lists it as around $5,600. Here is a list of online project management programs where you can study.

 



2. Microsoft certified IT professional

My friend Chad, who has a degree in IT, obtained this Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) certification on his own, reasoning that "I thought it might be helpful." Upon completion, he showed it to his manager...and was immediately promoted and reimbursed for the cost of obtaining the certification. The cost? A very affordable $150 for the first level (Microsoft Certified); then you can take more courses and build into Professional (MCITP), Architect (MCA), Professional Developer, etc.

How much can you expect to earn from certifications? From Microsoft:

"In high-growth industries, entry-level employees who hold a Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) certification or Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification can earn up to $16,000 more, annually, than their peers."



3. CPA

An accountant with a Bachelor's degree can expect annual earnings of $63,550 per year. But what if that accountant passes the licensure exam and becomes a Certified Public Accountant? Here is an interesting breakdown from the folks at Becker Professional Education:

"Over the course of a 40-year career, a CPA can earn as much as $1 million more than a non-certified accountant. Here's an example:

• Two non-Certified Public Accountants with Bachelor's degrees begin working at the same time at the same large public accounting firm in Audit/Assurance Services at the same annual salary of $68,000.

• One earns the CPA credential, creating a 10% salary differential of about $7,000 more than the other (CPA's can earn between 5% and 15% more than their non-credentialed counterparts).

• Over time, more frequent and higher-level promotions can widen the salary gap to as much as $50,000.

• Over a full career that can mean an additional $1 million or more in lifetime earnings."

The licensure exam is very rigorous, but what a difference in income obtaining that license makes.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

16 things we just learned about 'Batman v Superman'

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batman v superman

"Batman v Superman" will be in theaters later this month.

Recently, both Entertainment Weekly and Empire Magazine released huge cover stories on the upcoming movie which reveal a lot about the upcoming showdown between the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel.

While both articles are worth a read for fans, they're only available in print. If you're unable to get a hold of them, we've gone through the lengthy reads, and, surprisingly, there are a lot of spoilers out in the open about the new film.

Keep reading to see what we know about "Batman v Superman."

Warning: there are some spoilers ahead for the film.

Bruce Wayne won't be living in Wayne mansion.

According to Empire, Wayne and his butler Alfred Pennyworth will be spending their days at a "sleek lakeside residence." Wayne manor? It burnt a while back.



Alfred sounds like more of a former James Bond than a butler.

Don't expect Jeremy Iron's version of Bruce Wayne's right-hand man to be a mere medicine man and butler. 

He's described as someone with a "particular set of special-ops skills." We're imagining Liam Neeson in "Taken" meets the more rugged and brash Alfred from Fox's "Gotham." 

"He's a man who can actually do anything if he has to," Irons tells Empire.

 

 



Batman's voice will be digitally altered.

It sounds like Ben Affleck won't have to worry about making any gnarled, growling sounds as the Bat. Instead, his voice will be masked in a way similar to the Green Arrow's on the popular CW series.

"Batman's voice is digitally altered by the cowl," says producer Deborah Snyder.

 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

15 polarizing food debates that might never be resolved

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Hidden Valley

Have you ever gone to a new place and discovered that the locals do things completely differently from you? 

For instance, some people might not be used to others folding pizza slices, and some people debate if soda is called "pop" or not. It often can result in debates — people usually feel strongly about food.

These debates are usually a matter of preference, location, or how someone was raised.

We highlighted some popular debates about food.

 

SEE ALSO: 18 'healthy' beverages that surprisingly contain a ton of sugar

NOW WATCH: We tried the new value menus at McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's — and the winner is clear

Do you fold the pizza slice or not?

The debate about folding pizza isn't just about preference, it's about convenience. In New York, folding the pizza slice is common because slices are huge and people usually eat them on the go. There's even a proper technique for folding.

However, there have been many cases against folding your pizza, such as how it makes the joyous act of eating pizza shorter than necessary.



Do you call this sandwich a "hero," a "sub," or a "hoagie?"

What's the proper name for a long sandwich packed with meat, cheese, and condiments?

This answer depends on where you live.

The term "hoagie" originated in Philadelphia. "Hero" is apparently native to New York. There's speculation that "sub" originated in New London, Connecticut. It's all the same thing, right?



Do you put ketchup on hot dogs?

Apparently, not putting ketchup on hot dogs is an East Coast thing. Or is it a Chicago thing? Or does it depend on how old you are? Either way, the debate is out there.  



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The websites of candidates running for president 20 years ago are unbelievably bad

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These days, presidential campaigns are all about Snapchat as a way to reach voters. Before that, politicians embraced social media like Facebook and Twitter.

But one consistent aspect of political campaigns over the past 20 years has been the humble candidate website. As a place to sign up new volunteers, solicit donations, and lay out a policy platform, an old-fashioned website can't be beat.

And through the years, candidate websites have come a long way, from basic HTML and GIF affairs to fully featured web applications. They've also picked up some of the most annoying things about the web, like full-page takeovers asking you to sign up for a newsletter.

Here's what campaign sites looked like in the web's early days:

SEE ALSO: What 25 popular websites used to look like

1996: Republican candidate Bob Dole, famous for saying "the internet is a great way to get on the net," had a high-tech — for the time — website with regular updates, although the last time it was updated was November 5, 1996.

Amazingly, it's still online — and it's not a mirror, either. Visit it here.



This is his platform on tech issues. He addresses strong device encryption — claiming that his opponent, Bill Clinton, wants to put "big brother" in your computer — which is still a hot topic today given the battle between the FBI and Apple.



1996: The Bill Clinton campaign had an advanced website for the time, too. Yes, that modem next to Bill is a GIF that flashes, and yes, you can listen to a message from "inventor of the internet" and then Vice President Al Gore if you had the right plug-in.

The page is still accessible today through a mirror.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

These are the 17 London locations where the Elizabeth Line has sent property prices soaring

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London can often feel like a high-interest bank account for anyone who owns property in the city.

But home-owners lucky enough to live near stations on the Elizabeth Line – the new name for the Crossrail project which will open in 2018 – have seen the value of their properties soar even more than most.

Convenient transport links have always been a key factor in an area's house prices, but homes near Elizabeth Line stations have been given a particularly big bump. Homes near the line are up an average of £187,727 since work began on Crossrail in 2009, according to a report from property website Zoopla.

There will be 36 stations on the new line, so here are the top 17 locations which have seen property values increase the most in the last seven year, according to Zoopla's research.

17. Hayes and Harlington — Starting way out west, this quiet suburb is home to the London Motor Museum. But residents may prefer trains when they find out the Elizabeth Line has increased property value 51.3%, with the average home priced at £327,965.



16. Abbey Wood — This South East London area is just down the road from the magnificent Greenwich Park. But even more magnificent is the increase in property prices created by Crossrail: 54.86% for an average price of £274,952.



15. Farringdon — This arty, media-friendly part of London has seen a 54.87% rise in property values since May 2009. The average is price of a property is now £788,887.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? The players from Peyton Manning's legendary 1998 NFL draft

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nfl draft 1998

Peyton Manning retired on Monday, officially leaving the NFL without any members of the 1998 draft class.

While Manning, the No. 1 pick in '98, was clearly the standout player, there were several others with long, successful careers.

Since their careers have ended, many players have gone on to do charity work and some stayed in football, but one player turned to music and another turned to comedy.

See where the first-round picks of the 1998 draft are today.

Ari Gilberg contributed to this post.

Peyton Manning was picked No. 1 overall by the Indianapolis Colts.



After 18 seasons and one last Super Bowl victory, Peyton decided to hang up his cleats.



Ryan Leaf was picked No. 2 overall by the San Diego Chargers.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Guys, these are the only 5 watches you need in your collection

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we may get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

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Men's watches are as much for telling time as they are for making a statement, and they're the only accessory that a man can truly wear every day. It's no wonder that many men enjoy collecting them — picking out different styles to go with different outfits, changing straps to suit specific occasions, and so on.

There are some general rules of thumb to consider when choosing which type of watch to wear for a lunch meeting with an important client, a night out at your local watering hole with friends, or an early-morning jog outside.

Ones with stainless-steel bands are great everyday timepieces that look especially sharp with suits. Ones with brown leather straps and colored faces work well with business-casual dress codes. And ones with rubber or canvas straps and features like LED illumination are highly practical for weekends, running errands, and working out.

If you had to narrow down — or build out — your selection to just five watches, these are the styles you'll end up wearing over and over.

SEE ALSO: 14 essentials every guy needs for winter

DON'T MISS: We tried this leather wallet that doubles as a portable charger, and it will surely save you in a pinch

The dress watch with the black leather strap

Classic and understated is always best for formal events, be they weddings or important work engagements. A watch with a black leather strap is traditional and uncomplicated — just make sure its face isn't too boldly colored and that you've matched your leather shoes and belt to it.

Daniel Wellington Classic Sheffield Watch, 40mm, $97.33.



Tissot T-Classic Carson Chrono Automatic Watch (T0684271605100), $526.99.



Junghans Max Bill Automatic Stainless Steel and Leather Watch, $1,095.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

These GIFs show the rise and fall of the world's empires

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The world has always been in a state of conflict and change. 

Throughout all of human history, empires have risen only to be overtaken and then to fall because of some combination of internal pressures and external assaults. Such broad sweeps of history are generally hard to picture — especially contextually with the rest of the world. 

Fortunately, Ollie Bye has created a YouTube video that shows the entire history of the world's empires rising and falling. We have GIFed some of the pivotal moments of human history below. 

SEE ALSO: Here's the massive scope of World War I in a single GIF

The Persian Achaemenid Empire is overthrown by Alexander the Great, who marches from Macedonia to the borders of India. Alexander's Macedonian Empire splinters apart upon his death.

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In large part due to the generalship of Julius Caesar, the Romans conquer modern France, helping to set up Rome as the predominant power in the west.

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China is split among competing dynasties and Rome splits into its eastern and western branches. The Western Roman Empire steadily loses ground, and the Huns take much of Eastern Europe, foreshadowing the theme of invaders from Central Asia terrorizing the west.

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Justin Trudeau and Barack Obama is everyone's favorite new bromance

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Washington, DC, this week

He appears to have made a best friend in US President Barack Obama. 

And the internet is loving it. 

SEE ALSO: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has surprisingly good style for a politician — here's what you can learn from him

Trudeau came to town for a little state dinner for Canada and the US.



It was Trudeau's first official visit to the White House.



You could see how much it meant to him by the look in his eyes.



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This chair turns your fidgets into energy that can charge a cell phone

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Like many people, I sometimes bob my legs or squirm in my desk chair without noticing.

Belgium-based designer Nathalie Teugels designed a chair, called Moov, that turns that nervous energy into actual electric energy, PSFK reports. There's a USB port in the chair's arm, so those who sit in it can charge their phones.

"I want to change the negativity around ADHD and people who can’t sit still or have more energy into a positive story about getting something done with the energy we have," Teugels tells Tech Insider.

Keep scrolling to see how it works.

Teugels covered the handmade chair with 288 pressure sensors that convert human vibrations into electricity.

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When someone sits down, fidgets, or gets up, the sensors capture and stores the energy.

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The chair's steel structure features a curved bottom, so it naturally rocks back and forth.



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The insanely popular ‘damn Daniel’ meme is now an insanely popular game in the App Store

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Damn Daniel

If you thought the "Damn Daniel" craze had died down, think again. 

The hilarious viral video of a teenage boy named Daniel wearing his white Vans took over the internet at the end of February and inspired everything from Vines to footwear trends. And now, Daniel is back at it again ...in the app store. 

If you search the Apple app store for "damn daniel," you'll find over a dozen apps devoted to the meme. In fact, one of the games, simply called Damn Daniel, is currently ranked tenth in Apple's top free app chart. The game is so new it doesn't have ratings or reviews yet, but the app's rapid rise in chart popularity seems to be a good sign. Or a bad sign. We can't say for sure. We're just really sick of hearing "damn, Daniel."

But if you aren't sick of it, here's how to play. 

 

Head to the Apple app store and download the game. It's only been live since March 7, but the game is already number ten on the top free apps chart. 



Here's what the app looks like on my home screen.



When you open the app, you'll be prompted about push notifications. 



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10 business-etiquette rules you're probably breaking

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LinkedIn Influencer Ilya Pozin published this post originally on LinkedIn.

When you think of the word etiquette, you might be imagining a "Miss Manners" book from the 1950s.

Proper business etiquette, however, is about much more than using the right salad fork.

Etiquette might seem old-fashioned, but it's also an essential business tool.

If you're ignoring proper business etiquette, you're doing so at your own peril.

With more employers hiring based on company culture fit and communication skills, you can't really afford to display ill manners.

Whether you're trying to nab a great job or finally nail that promotion, your manners matter much more than you might think.

Here are 10 business etiquette rules you might not have ever considered, which can help you climb higher on your career ladder without stepping on any toes:

SEE ALSO: 35 etiquette tips for doing business around the world

1. Introduce yourself with your full name

When meeting someone, whether in a boardroom or a networking event, always introduce yourself with your full name. No matter the situation, the name of the game is to be as memorable as possible.

If you only use your first name, your new contact might later struggle to remember which Kevin or Rachel you were. This is another reason why having business cards to hand are always a good idea, no matter the circumstance. Unless you're Madonna, always include your last name in introductions.



2. Uncross your legs

Crossing your legs can be distracting, and even just a little bit too sexy. More important, however, is the health concerns. Crossing your legs can be very bad for your circulation.



3. Limit your thank-yous

It's great to be grateful, but you don't want to be overly thankful. Saying too many thank-yous in a single conversation can actually work in reverse to your meaning, diluting the impact of your initial thanks. It can also work to make you come off as needy and unsure of yourself.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

7 things you should know before buying Samsung's affordable virtual reality headset

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If you're the least bit interested in virtual reality, you've probably read a bunch of articles raving about how amazing it is.

I've been using Samsung's $99 Gear VR with a Galaxy S6 and S7 for a few days and I'm hooked.

That said, all that raving coverage might set high expectations for people who haven't tried it out yet. I'm here to set the record straight so you don't feel underwhelmed if and when you try Gear VR.

Here are a few things to expect:

The Gear VR is WELL worth its $99 price tag...

... That is, if you like Samsung's phones, including the Galaxy S6, S6 Edge, Note 5, S7, or S7 Edge. The Gear VR doesn't work with any other smartphones. Still, everyone who's tried Gear VR here at Tech Insider thinks it's delightful and amazing.



There isn't that much content yet.

There's actually a ton of content in the Oculus store, but a lot of it is more like demos and proofs of concept, which are designed to showcase the possibilities of VR rather than full games or "experiences."

Most of the games and experiences I've tried on the Gear VR so far have been short and/or very simple, so don't expect long and complex games or experiences just yet.



The graphics aren't mind-blowing.

It's easy to expect mind-blowing graphics from new gaming platforms. After all, smartphone games have only been getting better graphics as phones have been getting more and more powerful, right? 

Not so much with games for the Gear VR.

Some games like Gunjack and Land's End look great and remind me of my PlayStation 3 days, but most other games look more like they came from the original PlayStation. That's because games for the Gear VR need a lot more processing power than most games from the regular Google Play store. Your Galaxy smartphone constantly needs to render the game's 360-degrees around you so you can smoothly look around you without experiencing any stutters.



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Solar sails, powered only by light, could help us explore the furthest corners of our galaxy

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nasa solar sails concept

Imagine a spacecraft propelled by nothing but light.

A massive aluminum-coated sail stretches wide, capturing the momentum from photons when they reflect off the surface. The photons' energy is transferred to the sail, slowly but surely propelling it forward. The continuous momentum allows it to soar through space, no rocket required.

Novelists, poets, and scientists have envisioned spacecraft powered by solar sails since the 1600s.

But now this fanciful concept is actually entering into reality.

NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and The Planetary Society have all either deployed solar sail-powered spacecraft or are looking into it.

Here's how they could revolutionize space exploration.

Solar sails use light to move just like sailboats use wind.



Eliminating the need for rocket thrusters to position the satellite or spacecraft, solar sails can be much smaller and lighter. The Planetary Society's LightSail is about the size of a loaf of bread.



But its sail, which deploys once it's in space, stretches 344 square feet.

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Source: The Planetary Society



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The world in photos this week

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A selection of photos from some of this week's biggest news that you might have missed.

An honor guard stands over the casket of former first lady Nancy Reagan, wife of former US President Ronald Reagan, at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California, March 9, 2016.



A Syrian woman carries her daughter after arriving on the beach, crossing the sea from Turkey to Lesbos, some 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) south of the capital of the island, Mytelene, on March 9, 2016, in Mytelene, Greece.



A squirrel walks along the colonnade outside the Oval Office as US President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hold a joint press conference in the Rose Garden of the White House, March 10, 2016 in Washington, DC.



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A coder used machine learning to filter 'Alice in Wonderland' through classic works of art — and the results are stunning

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alice in wonderland neural net waves

As if "Alice in Wonderland" wasn't trippy enough, with its magical mushrooms and hookah-smoking caterpillar, there's now a video floating around Twitter that remixes one of the movie's most iconic scenes with famous works of art.

Artist and programmer Gene Kogan uses a technique called "style transfer," to apply characteristics from paintings by Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo, Georgie O'Keeffee, Vincent van Gogh, and others onto "Alice in Wonderland" images.

Basically, a computer-learning model called a neural network learns everything it can about the colors, shapes, and textures of an input image. When a new image gets passed through the neural network, it adopts the defining characteristics of the first image.

The results are stunning. Check out some of our favorite images below.

Pablo Picasso



Georgia O'Keeffe



S.H. Raza



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