If you're working with databases, you're working with SQL. Even in the changing world of the web, there are some classics that endure, and SQL (along with its database management system MySQL) is one of them. Millions of websites and databases have been built using SQL code as their foundation, and they're still being built today.
Needless to say, it's a must for any serious coder. And there's no better way to get your feet wet than with this MySQL & SQL for Beginners course.
The lessons in the course let you get hands-on with SQL, letting you create your own database from the ground up. You'll then learn how to update it with new info and retrieve old data from it, then set up communications between your database and others.
Along the way, you'll move quickly from your first queries to the complex operations and transactions that power the networks of leading companies. By the final lesson, you'll also have learned how to keep that data safe while still accessible by those who need it on the fly.
Right now, lifetime access to the full course is on sale for 93% off the original cost. Read the rest
Still recovering after all that holiday shopping? That doesn't mean you can't ring in the new year with a new computer. These Mac minis are all refurbished, which means they're available for sometimes hundreds off the retail price. Here are of our favorite deals still out there.
Apple Mac Mini Intel Core i5 2.3GHz 8GB RAM 500GB - White (Refurbished)
Hook this 7.7" unit up to a keyboard and monitor, and you can take advantage of 2.3GHz Intel Core i5 processing. The 8GB RAM of memory is everyday browsing, streaming, and multi-tasking as well.
MSRP: $399
Sale Price: $249.99
Apple Mac Mini Intel Core i5 2.5GHz 500GB HDD - White (Refurbished)
Here's another compact computer that's fully ready for household use. Its Intel HD Graphics 4000 will keep gamers happy while the 4 USB ports let you hook up an array of peripherals.
MSRP: $399
Sale Price: $259.99
Apple Mac Mini Intel Core 2 Duo 320GB - Silver (Certified Refurbished)
The 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor on this 2010 model is still great for work use, and the DVD writer makes it easy to burn movies for your home library. Watching them on the NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256GB video card is pretty satisfying, too.
MSRP: $479
Sale Price: $349
Apple Mac Mini 1.4GHz Intel Core i5 Dual-Core 500GB HDD - Silver (Certified Refurbished)
Need a bit more speed? This 2014 Mac Mini comes with Turbo Boost 2.0, not to mention Hyper-Threading capability for those who need to multitask. The 500 GB HDD storage is mighty generous as well. Read the rest
Do you know Python? If you're interested in any aspect of web development, data analytics or the Internet of Things, you should. Python is the computer language used to drive everything from that voice recognition software on your phone to the gaming apps you use to kill time.
So yes, there's a market for those who know it. There are a lot of worse places for beginning programmers to start than by learning Python. And the Python Programming Bootcamp 2.0 is just the place to start.
This online course package is suitable for anyone, even if they've never written a single line of code. But in more than 35 hours of training, users will dive into almost every marketplace application for this ubiquitous tool.
A "fast track" intro gets you going right away with some simple programming, and even gamifies the process so these foundational lessons stick. From there, you get deep dives into Python's uses in the world of finance, data analytics, IoT and more. You'll learn not just how to comb websites for data with Python, but how to present it effectively. You'll even be able to create your own, functioning smart camera for home security.
The full course pack is now available for $19, a price drop over the previous sale price of $39. That makes the package more than 98% off for Boing Boing readers. Read the rest
Eating pancakes and omelets? Super fun. Cleaning up afterward? Almost more trouble than its worth. Nothing makes us appreciate our mothers more than having to scrape the batter off those well-worn skillets and griddles, just like we never had to do after those magical Saturday morning breakfasts.
Now, making those breakfast treats might just be as fun as eating them thanks to the Gotham Steel Pancake Bonanza.
Be assured this company does not use the word "bonanza" lightly. Their stainless steel, specially coated twin skillet has a "double-dome" design that's particularly great at making pancakes, omelets or any number of fluffy cookie treats. Simply pour in the batter or eggs, wait a bit, then flip it over. The extra dose of radiant heat cooks your dish faster, and you've saved yourself the use of a spatula.
And possibly the use of a scrub brush, too. Thanks to the non-stick coating, you can just slide dishes right off onto your plate.
Right now, you can pick up the Gotham™ Steel Pancake Bonanza for more than 35% off the MSRP. While you're at it, get your mom one, too. Read the rest
When it comes to safes, there's typically not a lot of features beyond extra security. Keypads, fingerprint or retina IDs are all in the service of keeping things under lock and key (even if there's no physical key).
Of course, that's the main concern. But what about those times you might need to open it for a guest or family member and you're not around?
The Motorola Smart Safe solves that problem elegantly, and it certainly doesn't sacrifice security to do it.
This rock-solid safe is perfect for holding passports, money, important documents, pills and more. It's equipped with a water-resistant keypad and an odor-controlled interior and comes with a mounting kit if you need to install it inside a wall or on one.
But what really sets it apart is the wireless connection to your smartphone. With the included app, you'll be able to tell if your safe has been opened or give yourself reminders about what to do with the contents. And most importantly, you'll be able to open it remotely in case of family emergencies while you're away.
The Motorola Smart Safe is now on sale for almost 10% off the original price. Read the rest
There's a reason why most people do their jogging in the morning. Even though it might be muggy, foggy or warmer, there's a certain amount of safety that comes with daylight. I mean, it's not like you can just take a flashlight on your run.
Or can you? With a simple but innovative design tweak, the H2 Belt Light might have just changed the game for night runners, hikers or anyone who needs to move around in the dark.
After seeing it once, you kind of wonder why miners weren't wearing these instead of helmet lamps decades ago. Instead of a single, thin beam, the H2 casts a broad spectrum of light in front of you, right where you need it most: A 180-degree halo that lets you use your peripheral vision, even on the run.
The belt and lamp are light, with an IPX7 waterproof rating that keeps it safe even in heavy rain. There's high and low-intensity brightness modes or even a flash mode for extra safety. Even on the highest setting, you'll get three hours of life from the rechargeable battery.
Get your H2 Belt Light now from the Boing Boing shop for a full 25% off the retail price. Read the rest
Drones are fairly ubiquitous these days. It doesn't take much to get a piece of plastic off the ground — and, as our smartphones have proven, decent cameras don't have to take up space. Attach one, and voila! You've got some fun, if shaky, footage.
The DJI Mavic 2 Pro Drone is a whole other ballgame. This piece of technology shows that the line between consumer tech and professional-grade movie-making equipment is growing thinner every day.
If you ever wanted to know what's available at the high end of the drone market, the Mavic 2 hits all the marks. Where to start?
First and foremost, there's the camera. It's Hasselblad L12-20c with an adjustable-aperture lens, capable of taking 20 MP photos. The range is impressive, thanks to the 10-bit Dlog-M color profile that begs to be used for sweeping, panoramic vistas. But even on foggy nights or in low light, the CMOS sensor compensates to deliver crisp images back to the viewer.
Those viewing options are just as impressive. You can watch the footage from your smartphone or fly along virtually in DJI goggles. With low latency transmission, it'll be just like you're in the very tiny cockpit.
Speaking of portability, the unit is 8.4" H x 3.6" L x 3.3" W when fully deployed, but it folds up to a fraction of that when dormant. The low-noise propellers make it fly like a whisper, and sensors on all sides of the drone can actively scan for obstacles and compensate in flight for remarkable maneuverability. Read the rest
There's no shortage of turn-based strategy games on the market. But few of them have the scope of Sid Meier's Civilization, whose title says it all. Your goal is nothing less than the shepherding of an entire nation from its first village to global dominance — and beyond.
The Civ series is now on its sixth iteration, and the latest is a literal world-beater. It's also one of the most expandable, and all those expansions have finally been collected in Sid Meier's Civilization VI: Platinum Edition.
If you're looking for a late Christmas gift for a sim fan, this one is hard to beat. The pack includes the core game Sid Meier's Civilization VI, with new tweaks that include a branching cultural improvement path and enhanced AI for computer opponents — a definite improvement over previous editions.
It also comes with six DLC packs that introduce new scenarios and allows you to play as entirely new civilizations. As the cherry on top, you get the major expansions "Rise and Fall" and "Gathering Storm" which introduce game-changing Global Eras and devastating natural disasters.
The entire set is now available for 58% off the original retail price. Read the rest
Thousands of businesses use Cisco as the platform for their network, and there's a good reason for that. As data and security needs evolve, Cisco evolves to keep up with them — but that means the administrators and IT professionals that implement it have to evolve, too.
That's not just a figure of speech. As of 2020, those with a Cisco Certified Network Associate title are going to have to update that certification. Luckily, there's a Complete 2020 Cisco CCNA Certification Prep Course to walk you through everything you need to know.
The whole course packs in more than 30 hours of lectures and exercises, all geared to allow you to set up and manage Cisco networks. It covers the latest changes in wireless connectivity, Software Defined Networking, automation and a host of other topics from the perspective of the experienced CCNA worker who needs to get up to speed.
By the end of it, you'll be able to breeze through the CCNA 200-301 exam, get your updated certification, then move on to any number of specialized fields.
Lifetime access to the course is now more than 85% off the list price. Read the rest
"Surfing the web," is one of those casual terms that actually says a lot about the way we use the internet. "Surfing," after all, sounds fun, almost passive. Just let the wave of information carry you, it seems to say.
But what if we actually need to stay put for a while? Sadly, the layout of the modern internet page isn't designed for sustained, focused reading. Luckily, there's a fairly cheap hack for Chrome users in their Reader Mode Pro extension.
The primary use of Reader Mode is going to be a boon to just about anyone, whether they're serious readers or not: It removes ads. It also removes unnecessary photos or icons, letting you focus on the text.
Students can highlight that text, annotate it or even change the font to suit their needs. There's a handful of specific fonts that are designed to help dyslexic readers focus, as well as a "Dyslexia Ruler" that guides the eye at a customizable pace.
Built-in text-to-speech and Google Translate capabilities are just a couple of the other bells and whistles that make this a game-changer for just about anyone who reads for information and not a distraction.
You can get the Reader Mode Pro: Chrome Reading Extension for 60% off the retail price now. Read the rest
Commercials for grills, jeeps and hiking boots make the great outdoors seem like a magical place, and it is — until you have to clean all that grimy gear afterward.
There's no getting around it, but there is a better way than that hand towel or worn-out brush you've been using. The Brush Hero is a gadget that attaches to your garden hose and adds strong scrubbing power to the water pressure.
There's a lot of thought put into this deceptively simple cleaner. Clip it on to the end of your standard garden hose, and the force of the water is amplified into a surprising amount of torque. The spinning brush is tough enough to clean even caked-on outdoor grills, but gentle enough to use on your car and other painted surfaces.
The head is small enough to get in between tight crevices, and the deluxe Brush Hero set includes a Navigator attachment that lets you reach storm drains or other problem spots.
Get the Brush Hero®: Deluxe Set with two replacement brushes for more than 90% off the MSRP. Read the rest
There's art software for beginners, and there's art software that packs in all the bells and whistles. Usually, the two are mutually exclusive, but Clip Studio Paint DEBUT is one of the rare exceptions: A platform for budding artists that don't put a ceiling on their options once they've outgrown the fundamentals.
Even if you've never tried digital art before, Clip Studio's new bundle makes it remarkably cheap to hop in. The Creativity Bundle Ft. Clip Studio DEBUT not only gives you the core software but oodles of compatible models and assets - and a webinar with one of the best artists in the biz to get you inspired.
The software at the heart of this package already has a ton built-in. The interface is easy to learn, and features like line stabilization and intuitive color fill options take the drudgery out of getting the image you want. You can also import 3D models and backgrounds, or even .psd files if you'd like to draw on paper and tweak your images later.
In other words, it's a full toybox already. The Creativity Bundle adds in:
Clip Studio Paint Speech Bubbles Pack - Over 200 professionally-designed speech bubbles that you can customize for use in your own comics or manga epic.
Clip Studio Paint 3D Poses Pack - An expansion of DEBUT's already vast library of poses, giving you a framework for almost any pose from any perspective.
Clip Studio Paint Storyboard Assets Pack - Hundreds of .psd files that are ideal for use in storyboards or idea sketches, from food items to household items and decorations.
All this is more than enough to not only get you started but creating for years. Read the rest
The mind is a powerful tool — and, like any great tool, it can be easily misused. Mindfulness is a great buzzword to throw around, but how do we actually achieve it? Anyone can find a personal trainer for their body, but it's not like there are brain trainers out there for hire.
Or are there? FOCI is a tiny wearable device that aims to do exactly that; train your mind to focus sharper and focus more.
The wearable is a thin stainless steel widget the size of a money clip. It clips onto your belt and measures your breathing as you go about your day. It then feeds that information into a paired app on your smartphone, which is where the real work begins.
The FOCI app uses Cognitive Biometrics to track your state of mind during different times of the day to tell you exactly when you became stressed, distracted or fatigued. You then get practical coaching from the app that will allow you to control those situations the next day, letting you stay focused through that midday slog or calmer on that important phone call. You'll get gentle reminders about your progress by a slight buzz from the FOCI wearable.
The unit is now on the market for more than 40% off the MSRP. Read the rest
It's hard to find a web-based profession — or any profession, for that matter — that doesn't require you to deal with PDFs. They're universally recognized, they're used for tons of official documents, and they're stubbornly resistant to editing.
That's by design, of course. But technology always finds a workaround. And if you've got a Mac, your best hack, in this case, is PDF Expert.
With this award-winning software, PDFs become as malleable as a Word doc. You can easily edit any line of text, insert links or add signatures with a simple click or two. There's no longer the need to print out a file, sign your name, scan it and return it. This makes it invaluable for invoices, taxes and a host of other everyday documents.
it can even make longer PDFs infinitely more manageable by merging multiple pages into a single file that you can send across a range of devices. Even if the recipient doesn't own the software, they'll thank you for the time saver.
You can pick up a copy of PDF Expert for 62% off the original price today. Read the rest
When real athletes train, they clearly don't go into it blindly. Balance is important, and the recovery is just as important as the workout itself.
As for the rest of us, we barely have time for the workout, much less a professional massage afterward. That's why a professional-grade hand-held massage gun like the DEEP4s might end up being the best piece of exercise equipment you own.
Power isn't everything when it comes to these tools, but the DEEP4s has it in spades. There are 4 speeds of intensity, ratcheting up to percussive strokes at 3,200 RPMs. The driver goes 4.7" deep, and there are 5 interchangeable heads that allows that pressure to reach any muscle group that needs it. (The 3-angle arm adjustment doesn't hurt either.)
It's got all that and a durable battery that will last up to 8 hours, making it a week-long workout companion.
Pick up your DEEP4s Percussive Therapy Massage Gun for Athletes right now for 23% off the retail price. Read the rest
Digital marketing in the coming decade will be a battle fought on multiple fronts. Companies are finding their customers on more web outlets than ever, and they're not getting any less fickle.
It can all be pretty confusing for anyone looking to make their brand breakthrough, but the 2020 Full Stack Digital Marketing Certification Bundle is one of the best resources for anyone looking to cut through the noise.
The package has 12 courses that serve as instructions for all the best tools in the marketer's belt. No "rah-rah" pep talks here, just raw info about how you can use today's biggest platforms to elevate your brand.
There are specific looks at what draws face time on YouTube, Google Ads and Facebook. You'll learn how to use Google Analytics to track and act upon shifts in incoming traffic. And of course, you'll get expert, up to date advice on how to use SEO effectively across the board.
The bundle is already over 90% off the cost of the individual courses. Read the rest
Looking for a more durable alternative to the AirPods? Expand your horizons. Bluetooth 5.0 technology is getting a lot more common these days, and there are tons of alternatives on the market that are just as high-quality (and even boast some features the big name brands are missing.)
Case in point: These PaMu Slide Mini Bluetooth 5.0 Headphones.
A lot goes into the external design of these buds, which can stay put even through some of your hardest workouts. The IPX6 water resistance can withstand rain and splashes of pool water, not to mention any amount of sweat you manage to work up during your gym sessions.
They've got plenty of stamina with a standalone playtime of about 10 hours. That bumps up to 40 when you include the portable charging case, making them more than capable of taking on a week's worth of commutes.
The Qualcomm QCC3020 chip provides a clear sound across the board, with a little extra oomph in the bass. And needless to say, there's the 5.0 Bluetooth connectivity, which makes sure that signal stays clear and constant.
Pick up your pair of the PaMu Slide Mini Bluetooth 5.0 Headphones for a full 59% off the MSRP. Read the rest
