Written by: Tristan Williams
Published by: Self-published 
Released: November 16, 2019
Price: $5.99 Kindle, $13.99 paperback
(Amazon Affiliate Link)

Thank you, Tristan Williams, for submitting a copy of this book to the site for review!

*Advertising disclosure* - Before this review was posted, Tristan Williams became an advertising partner. This review is not influenced by this relationship.

The Crimson King is the first book in a series titled the Butterfly Chronicles, written by Tristan Williams. This is the first book by the author from Louisiana, and was inspired in part by the tabletop games that he plays.

The majority of the novel focuses on a young man named Oslo Orlov, who has a devilish appearance and starts the novel trying to hide from his criminal past. He is soon joined by Anna, a green-skinned sylph-like creature who works as a bounty hunter and also is one of his oldest and most trusted friends. They travel together to explore his future and his role in a prophesy presented by the deity of fate, Othren, also known as the Great Butterfly. Along the way, they meet up with other people who also are trying to learn their place in the world, as run by a king driven insane by the loss of his sons.

The novel progresses at a rapid pace, and alternates between the present and flashes of Oslo's past behavior as a bandit, as well as the leader of a vicious tribe of bandits. The dialogue is solid and many of the characters well-developed. The book reads quite well, and serves as quite the page-turner, with enough action and drama to prevent the book from getting dull. The narrative focuses a lot on Oslo's depression and eventual desire to atone for his past and try to make the world better. The setting is very well-done, too, and made me want to learn more of the world these characters find themselves in.

The book is a great read, but it does have a few flaws. There are a smattering of grammatical errors, but not glaring mistakes. And while some of the characters are well-developed, others come off as a bit shallow. For example, even though the character of Anne starts out interesting enough, she quickly pales into a somewhat static, predictable sort. Speaking of predictable, some of the scenes and actions of the characters can easily be anticipated well before they occur.

From a moral perspective, the book has a few things to consider. As is typical for a fantasy novel, there is a theology that consists of a pantheon of deities. However, aside from the Great Butterfly, none of the other gods even seem to make a difference, let alone appear. There are a few instances of the word b****rd, but they are used in the proper context in the book. The biggest moral concern I found was the gratuitous, sometimes gruesome violence. Although I have certainly read worse, this aspect alone would give me pause before suggesting it to my younger kids. However, these are the only things I've seen that may be potential issues to Christian readers, so many will find this book to be quite entertaining.

When it comes to reading the works of independent authors, sometimes it can really be hit-or-miss to find a quality one – and sadly, the results tend to be a miss. It's easy to see why many of these authors don't get published by a larger house. However, Tristan Williams' book is a pleasant deviation from the usual dreck of self-published titles. The Crimson King is an entertaining read from start to finish, and promises to be a great introduction to what could be a quite memorable series. Authors tend to improve as they refine their craft, and with the way Williams starts here, he may turn into an author to watch closely.

Here’s our 2019 Christmas buying guide!  Below are our favorite gadgets and family appropriate titles we have played throughout the year.  More reviews can be found on ChristCenteredGamer.com! Each game is given a gameplay score for the overall gaming experience and a moral score for how suitable it is for younger gamers.   The Amazon and Humble Store links will benefit Christ Centered Gamer by giving us a small % of the sale.

Thank you 4DX for providing us five tickets to see this film!

Frozen II begins with a flashback of Elsa and Anna as children hearing a story about an enchanted forest where a war between Arendelle and the natives began. Nobody knows who started the war, but as strange events are currently happening in Arendelle, the townsfolk are forced to evacuate, and Elsa must discover the truth before things get any worse. To make matters worse, Elsa is hearing a singing voice that nobody else can and it's interfering with her day-to-day activities. She needs to discover the source for her kingdom and her sanity!

Meanwhile, Kristoff has an engagement ring ready for Anna but is having a difficult time finding the right opportunity and words to successfully propose to her. His blundering attempts usually upset Anna instead of winning her over. His reindeer, Sven, tries to assist in the process any way he can. Olaf is trying to grasp the concepts of aging and maturity as he defies the typical lifespan of a snowman.

The five begin their journey to the enchanted forest, which is surrounded by a thick mist. With Elsa leading the way, they are able to make it past the protective barrier. Once there, they must tame the spirits of wind, fire, water, and earth. The fire spirit is my favorite character, he’s adorable!

The 4DX enhancements are all present in this film. 3D makes the magical scenes come to life as they expand beyond the movie screen. The unidentifiable fragrance is used multiple times as well. As the characters burst out into song, the seats will sway along. You can also expect to get spritzed in the face with water and have the back of your legs blasted with air for an added surprise.

Overall, this is a great sequel that even managed to win over my skeptical teenage daughter. I daresay that it’s better than the original film. Any Frozen fan should definitely check this film out, especially in 4DX if it’s available near you.

Projection is one of the best inventions in the technology era and short throw projector the most exciting breakthrough in projection technology. With more advanced lenses and lighting sources, they are not only useful in movies and office presentations but also good for gaming.

Due to more improvement in technology, today's models are highly-advanced and provide high-quality resolution and brightness. And most importantly, they are affordable. However, people facing difficulty when planning to buy the best short throw projector as so many options are available in the market. To assist you in making the right decision and selection, we have compiled a detailed guide that will lead you to get the best possible short-throw projector to enhance your gaming experience.

Benefits of Using Short Throw Projector

• Easy to install: Installation and integration are usually affordable and flexible when using a short throw projector. They are designed in such a way that you can either mount the projection unit on a wall or install it onto the ceiling.
• Great for small spaces: You can enjoy a home cinema experience in the smallest of space with short throw projectors. They are capable to eliminate the clutters such as people walking in front of the projection image, and focus on optimizing the overall watching experience during movies or presentations.
• Advance technology: Nowadays, most of the projectors are equipped with advanced features in terms of picture quality, contrast ratio, and lamp life. With these features, you can drastically improve the way you conduct your presentations.
• Better gaming experience: Previously, projectors were rarely used in gaming because they were too long in size and had fewer features. But the latest model of short-throw projectors come with a clear LCD or DLP technology with a variety of modes, such as gaming mode.

Buying Guide for the Perfect Short Throw Projector for Gaming

Once you've decided to buy a short throw projector, it's important to understand some of the important factors to get the best value for your money. 

Brightness

One of the important factors that you need to look for the best short throw projector is brightness. It is measured in lumens that define the level of brightness a projector can produce or how bright the image will be on the projection screen. If your aim to use the projector is in a dark environment, the low lumens may be sufficient. However, if you plan to use it brightly-lit rooms, then you should not go for anything below 3000 lumens.

Throw Ratio

Throw ratio is defined as the distance of the projector from the screen divided by the width of the projected image. Smaller is the throw ratio, wider will be the screen image from a projector. A short throw projector has the throw ratio between 0.38 to 1. This means the projector can fill an 8-foot screen from the distance of 3.5 feet. Because of the small throw ratio, many people use these projectors for gaming as not much space is required to get a stunning large image.

Lighting Source

The lighting source is the most important part of projection technology. Therefore, it's necessary to understand the difference between the types of light sources before buying a projector. The DLP "digital light processing" projector uses a fancy light bulb or mirrors to project images that can burn out easily and need to be replaced. On the other hand, the LCD projector uses laser and LEDs to create an image on the screen. They are usually last long with little or no maintenance compared to DLP projectors.

Resolution

Another important key factor while looking for a projector is the resolution. We recommend a high-resolution projector with at least a native resolution of 1280x768 which is good for projecting image with a 16:9 aspect ratio. If you have a good budget and want to run high-definition applications such as Blu-rays and gaming systems, then the projector with 1920x1080p resolution will be the best option for you.

Connectivity

Last but not least, connectivity is another important aspect you should look for. Today, most of the projectors available in the market have multiple connectivity ports such as USB, HDMI, DVI, and AV ports. Some projectors are also available with wireless connectivity such as WiFi and Bluetooth. These features eliminate the need for wires to connect your laptop or smartphones.

Final Words

When choosing a short throw projector, you'll need to know where you'll be using it and your budget accordingly. We hope this buying guide will help you to find a suitable projector for your needs. If you have any concerns about this article, let us know in the comment section below.

Thank you 4DX for sending us five movie tickets to see this film!

As a proud owner of a Ford Mustang, I felt obligated to see this film. It’s the first 4DX movie we’ve seen that’s not kid-focused. Ford v Ferrari is rated PG-13 for language (including the f-bomb) and mention of sex. There is some kissing, but nothing beyond that is shown. Unfortunately, God's name is taken in vain a few times. It’s also worth noting that one of the characters dies, but the details are left to the viewer’s imagination. If you don’t mind these issues, this movie could be enjoyed with older children.

The film begins with Carroll Shelby (played by Matt Damon) winning the 24-hour Le Mans race and having to retire shortly thereafter due to a heart condition. He still focuses on designing cars and works closely with a fellow car enthusiast and racer, Ken Miles (played by Christian Bale). Meanwhile, Ford is in a funk and wants to expand its market and get their name out there in the race and sports car circles. Ferrari was going bankrupt and while offering to partner with them, the Ford businessmen were insulted instead. Henry Ford II wanted to retaliate by having a Ford racecar dethrone the multi-year winning Ferraris.

Lee Iacocca (played by Jon Bernthal) asks for Shelby’s help in making the GT40 racecar Le Mans worthy. They only have ninety days to improve upon the car’s design. Ken Miles is the most familiar with the car and its flaws, but due to his short temper, Ford does not want him representing their brand. There are many hurdles to cross in order to for these two parties to work together peacefully. I won’t spoil any details, but this movie can even be enjoyed by people who are not car enthusiasts.

Ford v Ferrari is the first 4DX movie that we’ve seen that did not require 3D glasses. With the movement and rumbling of seats during all of the car scenes, this film was very immersive and I didn’t miss the lack of 3D whatsoever. One of the scenes has some fragrance to it but it wasn’t too recognizable. During some rough driving scenes, the air blasts behind our ankles was startling. The timing for all of the 4DX effects is spot on and I’m grateful to have seen this film with these enhancements. I highly recommend seeing this film in any format, but if you have an opportunity to see it in 4DX, take it!

Thank you Lionsgate for sending us a Blu-ray, 2 t-shirts, and some peanut butter!

The Peanut Butter Falcon tells the story of Zak, a twenty-two year old young man with down syndrome who lives in a nursing home. He doesn’t like it there since he can’t relate to people who are generations older than him. However, he doesn’t have any other family to take care of him. Zak dreams of becoming a professional wrestler and tries to escape from the nursing home to live his life and make his dream a reality.

Eventually, Zak does break out from the nursing home with nothing on him but underwear. Zak stows himself away in a boat owned by Tyler (played by Shia LaBeouf). Tyler is a fisherman who doesn’t think twice about fishing in areas without being properly licensed. After destroying equipment from a competitor, he flees the scene of the crime in the boat that Zak is hiding in. Needless to say, it wasn’t a warm welcome when Zak was discovered.

Although their relationship was tense at first, the two men bond and help each other out. Since they are both being pursued, they’re constantly on the run. Tyler helps Zak follow his dream and teaches him important skills like swimming and how to shoot a rifle. Though Tyler is rough around the edges he’s got a good heart and tries to look out for Zak. With that said, he still manages to expose Zak to undesirable things like alcohol.

Zak doesn’t like to swear, but people around him will do so freely with almost every word used including the f-bomb. God’s name is taken in vain a couple of times as well. Wrestling is a violent sport and there is some blood shown and during one of the matches where a wrestler appears to lose at least one tooth. I think the PG-13 rating is fair and my tween/teenage kids enjoyed watching this film with us.

In the end, The Peanut Butter Falcon delivers a heart-warming story that’s bound to especially resonate with those who know someone with disabilities. While it’s unethical in execution at times, the overall theme of helping people achieve their dreams is admirable.

(Amazon Affiliate Link)

Thank you GeekStore.com for sending us review samples of the Sonic The Hedgehog Christmas Sweater and Star Wars ornaments!

Christmas shopping season is almost upon us! Chances are that you have at least one geek in your family that you need to buy some presents for. If you live in the UK, www.GeekStore.com has free delivery. If you live elsewhere, they do ship worldwide. The US priced version is us.GeekStore.com and offers free shipping on orders over $100.

Ugly Sweaters are pretty popular and to be honest, I find the selection offered on this site more attractive than ugly. You can find officially licensed Pokemon, Nintendo, Marvel, Star Wars, and many other movie franchise themed sweaters available for $29 - $45. If you buy one sweater, you can get the second for half price!

The Sonic The Hedgehog Christmas sweater is very high quality and comfortable to wear. It’s not itchy and is very warm. I like how it says “Merry Christmas” on it instead of “Happy Holidays.” I hope to wear this for many years to come!

The Star Wars ornaments are $15 for 3 TIE fighter and 3 X-Wings. The packaging is really durable and nice though the ornaments feel rather cheap and fragile in contrast. They are only silver in color as they are made out of plastic and have a chrome-like finish on them. I won’t deny that these ornaments look cool and they are bound to please any Star Wars fan. They just don’t seem very durable and would not likely survive any mishaps. If you prefer (fake) gold coloring, there’s a similarly priced set available in that finish as well.

Along with sweaters and ornaments, GeekStore.com has keychains, mugs, t-shirts, rubber ducks, action figures, coasters, hats, magnets, pins, bottle openers, and more. Be sure to check out the latest offers and 3 for 10 or 3 for 20 deals too. The only thing I couldn’t find are gift cards. Fortunately, returns and exchanges are hassle free if any issues arise.

Smartphones have long ceased to be just toys for entertainment. They are actively used for educational purposes today. All necessary information is on the students’ fingertips. Young people can read online encyclopedias and textbooks, watch documental videos, contact essay and dissertation writing services and also install helpful mobile apps. This article is about the latter trend. The experts from Pro-Papers will consider the most popular mobile programs for learning and explain how they simplify students’ life.

Lecture capture apps

Most people do not like lectures because it is necessary to write a lot and listen to monotonous explanations of a professor. Have you ever felt a pain in a hand after such classes? This unpleasant feeling causes dislike for learning. Sometimes, professors dictate material way too quickly and repeat unclear points with irritation on students’ requests. As a result, some information can be missed. In addition, young people focus on writing instead of comprehending a topic, pay attention to routine, technical issues instead of gaining knowledge.

Thanks to rapid technological development, there are many lecture capture programs today. Yes, some people used dictaphones yet several decades ago. But today, it is not necessary to buy additional equipment. It is enough to download a free app to your smartphone. Also, it is much convenient to listen back, speed up and slow down tracks, cut out the most important fragments.

If you are an iPad user, we recommend trying SoundNote which creates video and audio versions of lectures. Office Lens allows photographing a whiteboard, converting an image into various formats, storing all materials captured in OneDrive or OneNote.

Revising apps

The programs from this group make learning vivid and fun. Considering theoretical material will no longer be perceived as something boring and tedious. For example, StudyBlue helps to create thematic cards based on course information. They will be of great use for checking your knowledge after learning each new topic, finding weak sides and rereading points that were absorbed poorly.

One more effective tool is GoConqr designed for creating mind maps, charts, cards, quizzes, managing notes, studying in a team. Exam Countdown will count days until exams so that you will not relax and study contentiously along the whole course.

Exam preparing apps

Examinations are the most important event of each semester, that is why it is necessary to use the best digital innovations to prepare effectively and pass this stage with dignity. Special apps will become your faithful assistants.

BenchPrep is an app for collective work. You can contact people preparing for the same exams, share quizzes, electronic lectures, notes, and other learning materials. If passing some standardized tests, you can enter its name in a search box of your application store and find programs exactly for this exam.

Time management apps

Students always lack time. Apart from educational responsibilities, many of them have a full-time job, a family, some hobbies. It is impossible to be equally good at all spheres if one does not manage time wisely. Proper organization helps to avoid worries, missed deadlines, sacrificing some life areas for the sake of satisfactory marks, allows learning productively but, at the same time, having enough free time.

Prudent students always used organizers, but with the advent of technology, it became much easier to compile a schedule and control one’s actions. In addition, a traditional organizer will not send you reminders. It is necessary to open it several times a day not to forget anything.

Planner apps will help you understand how much time you need to perform certain tasks. It often happens that students overestimate their abilities and miss deadlines or work in a hurry.

There is a lot of such programs, so it will not be difficult to find the one with a convenient and pleasant interface.

Bibliography apps

It is rather annoying to think whether you have indicated all sources and made it correctly. If you do not like compiling a work cited page for term papers and dissertations, programs from this category will simplify your work. Take advantage of EasyBib. It is only necessary to scan a barcode and indicate a book’s title to receive a duly formatted reference. You can choose among several formatting styles depending on instructions of your professor.

Video call apps

The most common and simple example is Skype. Having a good camera, you can communicate with a tutor from anywhere in the world, which is especially beneficial if you want to learn a foreign language from a native speaker. Also, your groupmates may not only explain but also show something to you, for example, how to make a drawing or conduct an experiment.

Wake-up apps

Is it difficult for you to leave a bed in the morning and go to university? Or did it happen that you turned off an alarm clock, slept through lectures and had problems? Then you need a special app that will require you to perform small tasks before it stops ringing, for example, Alarmy: Sleep If You Can. This program will also provide information on weather so that you can choose appropriate clothes.

Sleep Cycle wakes its users up when they have the lightest sleeping phase, monitors movements and time when a person went to bed. Thanks to it, you will feel better in the morning, have more energy and time for physical exercises and breakfast.

Gamers who play on FIFA, and more specifically, career mode, are always on the lookout for players that will soar in ratings through training and game time. These players can be affordable very early on but could be more expensive, the more seasons that pass.

One of the best clubs to find the best talent is at Tottenham Hotspur. They have enjoyed success over the past couple of seasons with the evolution of Harry Kane and Oliver Skipp also making his mark last season in the first team. There are a few players in the FIFA 20 that gamers can buy for long-term success. Here are a few of those.

Troy Parrott

Striker

Initial Rating: 64

Potential Rating: 85

There is a clear gateway to the first team for young strikers in the Tottenham academy, and that has been shown by Kane. However, one player that could be on the verge of making that transition is 17-year-old Troy Parrott. He has already played on one occasion for the first team this season, although that ended in disappointing fashion in the League Cup against Colchester United.

He is a speedy striker with a knack of being in the right place at the right time and can be brought for virtually nothing very early in the game. However, he never reaches the same rating as Kane according to Spursforlife.com, but he can present a good long-term purchase. Fans will be seeing a lot more of him this season, and his rating is only sure to increase the more that we see him on the pitch.

Tanguy Ndombele

Midfielder

Initial Rating: 81

Potential Rating: 89

It shouldn’t come as much surprise that one of the biggest growers for Tottenham comes in the form of their record-signing that they made in the summer. Spurs moved heaven and earth to bring in Ndombele from Lyon in the transfer window, and while he may have struggled to adapt to the Premier League so far, it would seem only a matter of time before he does.

That is certainly the case if FIFA is to be believed. Unless you start a career mode with Tottenham, you won’t be able to tempt them to sell the Frenchman until at least the next summer window, and he won’t come cheap. However, he is a perfect all-round midfielder that is talented on the ball and can also win possession back at ease. His strength is also astounding and would improve any team’s midfield.

Oliver Skipp

Midfielder

Initial Rating: 67

Potential Rating: 84

We briefly mentioned Skipp at the beginning of this article, but he is also one of the fastest growers in this edition of FIFA. He began to make his mark in the Premier League last season as he was needed to fill in following a build-up of injuries. He works tirelessly for his side and has a high stamina rating. His main skill-set lies in winning the ball back and passing. However, he will need to work on his shooting if he is going to add goals to his game.

VPNs are great resources for data security while accessing sites and information online. A fact about VPNs that is not so well-known is that they can be effective at providing online gaming experiences if they are high-quality enough.

Here are five important ways that VPNs can heighten anyone’s video game experiences while online.

1. VPNs Overcome Geo-Blocking Obstacles

Many video game developers restrict where their games will properly function through geo-

blocking activation keys and obstructive technology. Geo-blocking was created in part due to gamers purchasing games from countries where the games are less expensive. VPNs can beat geo-

blocking because the technology relies on location-detecting technology that uses an IP address. As VPNs replace a user’s IP address with a different one that represents a location of the user’s choice, the VPN can overcome any geo-blocking. ExpressVPN notes that as VPNs can get around this geo-blocking obstacle, gamers can play even console exclusives from anywhere in the world.

2. No Penalization for Bandwidth Use

Online games nowadays require massive amounts of bandwidth. Having access to high volumes of bandwidth should mean that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) should not limit the bandwidth of these online game players. However, there have been stories of ISPs throttling bandwidth, regardless of whether its users have or have not reached their monthly bandwidth limits. This is due to the ISP’s reasoning that a given user is taking up too much bandwidth in a relatively short time-frame, such as the bandwidth that would be used up by an online gamer.

VPNs can provide a solution for online gamers who feel that their ISPs are unfairly penalizing them. A VPN can encrypt online traffic even during online gaming sessions. VPN users are untrackable by ISPs. Due to this, ISPs will not be able to punish gamers for their online gaming sessions.

3. Low Ping Times

For serious online gamers, ping is king. According to Player.One, ping is a kind of digital signal sent from a user’s computer to a given server and then sent back to the original computer; this process is done repeatedly throughout an online session to measure latency. Latency is a way of measuring the overall quality of a given internet connection.

High ping means long latency, and it will mean that it takes a long time to move data between a gamer’s computer or console and the host server being used to play the game. Long latency rates will equate to poor, lagging gaming sessions and frustrated gamers. Low ping means that a gamer’s inputs will lead to fast responses from the host server. It will also mean smooth and crisp gaming experiences.

VPNs such as this one can improve latency issues. If a gaming device and the host server are very far away physically, then the latency will get worse. With a VPN, the gamer can digitally locate themselves closer to the host server, which reduces the distance that the signal has to travel in turn. This means more consistent low latency periods and improved gaming experiences.

4. Out-maneuvering IP Bans

Emotions can sometimes ruin gaming experiences for others. Emotions can run so high that gamers may complain to the game gatekeepers and administrators, resulting in bans from a video game. Usually, a gamer is banned from a game through their IP address.

With a VPN, a gamer’s IP address is changed to a different one. This permits a gamer to continue playing their favorite games, even when other gamers attempt to prevent them from doing so.

5. Evade DDoS Attacks

Cyber attackers sometimes target gamers through a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack. These attacks can shut down a website by overloading its system with more requests than the system can deal with.

When used on individuals, DDoS attacks typically target a user’s IP address. The attacker can flood a gamer’s network connection with extremely high levels of traffic, causing the gamer’s connection to be cut off. VPNs can evade these sorts of attacks due to the IP address being encrypted and completely invisible to DDoS attackers.

To answer such an interesting question, what is the difference between Xbox 360 and Xbox One? First, you should check the history.

The first console was launched by Microsoft, and about ten years have passed since its creation. The appearance of the console for so long has undergone many changes. The Kinect sensor was added and the hard drive became faster and with more memory.

Xbox one arrived in the Russian Federation in 2014. These two console models came in completely different configurations and the number of pre-installed games with licenses.

It is quite difficult to compare these two consoles xbox one vs xbox 360, since the latter belongs to a completely new generation and, by definition, should be much better. But despite this, it is worth comparing them.

What arguments can be distinguished for the previous generation console - Xbox 360?

First, this console is perfect for those who are going to buy a console for the first time. And no matter what player the age will be, it will bring joy to everyone! It is very good to play alone or in the company. In the ten years of existence of this console, the games have come out a lot and for a variety of tastes. You can hack arcades, realistic simulators, and colorful shooters. You can even play retro games: dandy or sega games by installing emulators.

And what is worth only a Kinect for Xbox 360! It is an exciting way to have a good time with your family, as well as invite friends. Kinect: the sensor is created so that the character in the game moves with the help of the body. The camera can track the player's movements and transfer them to the screen with amazing precision. With the help of Kinect, you can play both games of the sports and children's genre, and you can even find horror movies...

·        Kinect

There are several multimedia applications in the console software that are completely free. With your help, you can watch videos, such as your favorite cartoons or TV shows, and without connecting additional devices. He did not spare this radio and television prefix.

A strong argument in favor of the 360 is its price. After all, it's almost three times less than the price of the Xbox One. The games also cost much less. Above this, of course, it is worth reflecting.

How can you summarize all this?

The Xbox 360 is an excellent purchase almost perfect for novice players. And if the Kinect sensor is also included in the kit, it will bring a lot of joy and pleasure to both children and adults.

For sufficiently experienced and enthusiastic players, it is advisable to buy a model that has increased the capacity of the hard disk, up to five hundred gigabytes. This will allow you to write a complete library of games, significantly accelerate your loading and also save the drive.

Advantages and disadvantages of Xbox One

The console is perfect for fairly active players who love and await the launch of the new generation of games. Some of them have already been released, and for some, there is only one announcement.

·        Xbox One

This console can play the role of an additional console if the Xbox 360 is already available. After all, it is possible to transfer an existing profile. Also, Microsoft has announced that shortly the compatibility function with previous versions will be presented on the console, that is, it will be able to play games from 360a. It is possible to display the image from the console on a personal computer if Windows 10 is installed on it.

As a result, Xbox One is still too early to advise a fairly wide range of players, but for those whose age have reached eighteen and are familiar with Microsoft products, the new generation console will allow them to be at the forefront of the modern gaming industry while maintaining their achievements.

Conclusion

Someone will remain loyal to the old and good Xbox 360. After all, many games have been made, which you will not be able to overcome for a long time, not to mention that you passed them completely. Yes, and the price is not limited, almost everyone can pay for this console, especially if you buy it with this hand. Also, there are still games that are very popular to this day. Take, for example, the fifth GTA, who does not like to participate in the network, or simply drive, through a virtual city with friends. For many, this console is enough for the eyes, because the new one simply does not have enough money.

Gaming is the act of playing video games. And in today's world, technology has given children this present. From generation to generation, gaming is widely practised. But it was not so long that this thing is discovered. Just to our previous generation, computer games have been introduced. And the video gaming zone is created on the verge of that generation and ours.

Nowadays, children have a craze on video games and day-by-day the quality and type of games are increasing. Well, recently a new video game was launched in the market. The name of the game is Fortnite, developed by epic games and released in the year 2017.

This game has marked a remarkable success in just one year. The game has high resolutions and graphics which create a ravishing craze among gamers. The best configurations which you need to experience yourself in the world of Fortnite are:

1)         RAM:

RAM means random access memory. For this game, RAM is not a big issue. People recommend 8GB, but 4GB memory can sustain the requirement of this game. Now most players use PCs having 4GB RAM as 8GB RAM is overkill. It can make your computer take overload. For further details, you can continue reading this article.

2)         GPU:

GPU means graphics processing unit. It is highly recommended to use NVIDIA GTX 600 or AMD Radeon HD 7870 graphics cards. Minimum Intel HD 400 is to be used; otherwise, this game will not support.

The function of a graphics card is to make hassle-free visualisation of the game on your monitor. The better the graphics card is, the better it will work. So you have to keep in mind about the graphics while playing Fortnite.

3)         Processor:

While playing games a processor enhances the 3D resolution of the game. For this game, the best processor is Intel core i5 2.8 GHz. The game can also be run with a minimum processor of Intel Core i3 2.5 GHz. A gamer knows the experience of playing a 3D resolution game.

So if you want to play Fortnite, you have to run it on the highly recommended processor to experience the heights of the game.

4)         Storage:

Storage is not an important issue which is tough to fulfil. The size of this game is 19.76 GB, and so, you require a free space of 19.76 GB to get the game on your PC. Hence, there are no otherwise references of storage. You have to fulfil this demand for the game to play it.

5)         Operating system:

OS is also an important point to notice. A game does not support every OS. There are specific operating systems for every game. For Fortnite, you need windows 7/8/10 64-bit. 32-bit can not support it. Least you can use Mac OSX Sierra.

Versions:

The game has three variants namely,

• Fortnite: Save the World
• Fortnite Battle Royale
• Fortnite Creative

These versions have the same gameplay and same game engine. In the Fortnite: Save the World version, you have to fight and kill zombie-like creatures and defend their invasion on earth. This is a four-player game.

The Fortnite Battle Royale is the free-to-play version where about 100 players can participate. In this version, these 100 fighters fight with each other and ultimately one fighter stands, who is the winner.

The Fortnite Creative is the third version, where players have the freedom of creating their virtual world and fighting scenery. The first two versions were launched in 2017 and the third one in 2018.

Conclusion:

The Fortnite series is a huge blast in the gaming world. If you are a true gamer, you should definitely let your hands on it.

As a student, you will find that a big part of your day is spent online doing some or another form of research. But we all know that the internet is not a friendly place and we need to be vigilant and do everything in our power to stay safe. 

Here you will find some of the internet safety tips that will help you to keep your information safe. Internet safety rules are pretty logical and without too much effort, you can be sure that you won’t be the target of online fraudsters and thieves. 

Use reliable sources

Online safety students will always user reputable sources for their research. If you want to search for essay topics, it should not come from a dodgy site. 

Getting dissertation help from an expert is worth the money. You can be certain that your details will be kept safe and provided with quality writing work in thesis, college essays and term papers. 

Don’t pirate

Being a student is tough. Internet safety for teens is even tougher seeing that you often don’t have money to buy what you want. Don’t be tempted in downloading pirated software as these are often loaded with spyware and other bugs that are aimed at stealing your stuff. 

Change your passwords

We are often very lazy when it comes to our passwords. Don’t opt for one password for every site. Rather change things up and use different passwords that are not easy to figure out. You don’t want to wake up one day with a notification saying that an unknown device has logged into your account. 

Browse safely

You wouldn’t go and wander down a road that you know is dangerous, so you should also not wonder on to sites that you know are not kosher. One wring click can expose your system and your personal information could go with it. 

Use a VPN

You have no say in security when you use public internet. For this reason, you should consider using a secure VPN to hide your browsing and keep the info that you send over the network private. You don’t know who is monitoring your use. 

Conclusion

If you look at any internet safety definition, you will see that they all have one thing in common, to protect yourself and your information. There are so many pitfalls and techniques with which online criminals try and get you to disclose your information. 

If you employ these safety tips, you can browse the internet and be confident that you are safe. Never share your personal info over an unsecured network and if you are in doubt of anything, wait until you can verify the information. It is better to miss a deal than to lose your life savings.  

Author Bio:

Elizabeth Skinner is an academic writing expert working with online writing services where she trains young writers to create perfect academic assignments. Her superior-level writing skill has helped her gain a name and massive fan-following in a quick time. In her free time, she loves learning gardening, playing tennis and reading romantic novels.

Thank you Sony Pictures for sending us this 4K Blu-Ray to review!

If you haven’t seen Avengers: Endgame you’ll want to hold off on seeing this film. Spider-Man: Far From Home opens up with a touching tribute to the Avengers that gave their lives in the showdown with Thanos. The world is still reeling from the aftereffects of those who have re-appeared at the same age they were after “the blip” happened. Those who have survived Thanos' judgement have aged five years. As you can imagine, this really messes with high schoolers who are not too keen on re-taking a year of school and suddenly being surrounded by kids that used to be way younger than them.

Although Peter Parker likes being a neighborhood hero, he does enjoy his teenage life and has plans to express his feelings for MJ during their European school trip. Unfortunately, the world needs saving and the bad guys just so happen to be where the high schoolers are touring.

Though Peter Parker is young and naive, he really made an impression on Tony Stark who gave him some powerful eyewear and put in a good word with Nick Fury. Given that Nick Fury is one of those who has blipped back, he’s not as familiar with his surroundings as he needs to be. He needs intel from Peter, wants him to commit to either being a student or an Avenger, and most importantly, he wants Peter to answer his phone when calling.

With the attacks from huge elemental monsters happening in Europe, Spider-Man needs to assist. Can Peter keep his alter-ego a secret with all of his classmates nearby? Will he win over MJ? To answer those questions, you'll have to see the film for yourself.

Spider-Man: Far From Home does earn its PG-13 rating for blood, violence, language (b*tch), and sexual references. There are some “caught with your pants down” scenes that are innocent but taken in the wrong way. Blackmail and revenge are also referenced.

Overall, I enjoyed this entry and am warming up to Tom Holland’s rendition of Spider-Man. I’m still partial to the Tobey Maguire movies though.

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Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) has created the best practice tools for the candidates in the medical sector. PTCB practice test is one of such tools that is designed to familiarize the candidates with the concepts covered in Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE).

Description

PTCB practice test is intended to simplify the knowledge domains of the main PTCE exam. Pharmacy Technician Certification Board provides two different exam versions, but both of them based on the content specifications of PTCE. PTCB practice tests are unique because they have the same look, format, and approach as the real PTCE test, which has 90 multiple-choice questions (80 scored and 10 unscored).

https://www.prepaway.biz/test-prep.html

The cost of the practice exam is $29. If a candidate decides to purchase two practice exams, then he/she can take both tests for a relatively affordable price of $49. Pearson VUE is the body that is responsible for administering the exam. When the candidates are preparing to take PTCB, it is very important for them to know the exact domains that form the basis of the exam. These domains are:

• Pharmacy for Technicians
• Sterile and Non-Sterile Compounding
• Pharmacy Law and Regulations
• Medication Safety
• Medication Order Entry and Fill Process
• Pharmacy Quality Assurance
• Pharmacy Inventory Management
• Pharmacy Information Systems Usage and Application
• Pharmacy Billing and Reimbursement

Apart from Pearson VUE, there are other organizations which are also responsible for supervision of PTCB exam. However, individual states have the right to change their rules and regulations to guide pharmacy technicians within their state. Additionally, if a candidate passes PTCB test, he/she is authorized to use a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) certification. Consequently, a pharmacy technician must maintain the credential by completing 20 hours of education courses every two years.

Preparation Options: Official PTCB Calculations App

The application is available for both IOS and Android devices. It is designed to help the pharmacy technicians to solve the calculation questions. It features ninety calculation questions that are regularly asked in the actual PTCE exam. Additionally, the app focuses on the daily calculations utilized by the pharmacy technicians. This application provides the best preparation experience by selecting questions from the past PTCE tests.

It is important to note that the practice questions that were included in the training PTCE material will no longer be featured in the actual PTCE exam. This application is only meant to help the users to build their math skills as they are going to encounter the similar situations in the real-world scenarios. PTCE app just gives you a greater understanding of the concepts related to the exam. Some of the skills acquired by using this application might be useful when answering questions in the main exam.

Opportunities

Like in any other career, there are advantages of receiving PTCE certification. Let’s have a look at the outstanding advantages that the certified pharmacy technicians can get in their career.

1. Quicker career launch

The healthcare degrees that we earn at the institutions often take a long time to bring some results. Pharmacy Technician certification takes a very short time and has only one prerequisite (a high school degree). It will only take you ten months to complete a certification program and another 24 months to complete the associate program. Within this short period, you will be able to successfully launch your career and showcase your talent.

2. Flexible job opportunities

Upon receiving the pharmacy credential, you will not be limited to the medical field. There are opportunities in sectors like retail pharmacy, hospitals, grocery stores, and nursing homes. Besides, most of the pharmacy technicians work at their convenient time depending on the rules and regulations of the organization concerned. Some can work during night or day while others may prefer working during the weekends. Therefore, pharmacy technicians truly have flexible job opportunities, unlike the other specialists which are restricted to a full-time job only.

3. Social interaction

One of the skills tested during the certification process is the ability to communicate with people eloquently and politely. As a pharmacy technician, you will interact with people from different religious, economic, and social background. You will also help the people to recover from their illness.

4. Growing number of jobs

The pharmacy technician jobs are expected to increase by 11.8% from 2016-2026. The statistics were generated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The results were based on the factors such as the aging population, increased number of individuals getting their health insurance, and the rise of chronic diseases.

5. Salary and benefits

The wage of the pharmacy technicians is tending to be pretty high. Some jobs which do not require prior experience pay up to $10 per hour. After receiving an associate credential, one can earn up to $40,000 annually. Besides, the pharmacy technicians are also offered several benefits like health insurance, overtime payment, and reimbursement for becoming certified. It is clear that the salaries and benefits that are associated with the PTCE certification are great.

6. Scope of career advancements

Pharmacy technician career can be a stepping stone to become a professional pharmacist because the learning and experience you will get are very useful. It is also an opener for many opportunities in the medical field. Some of these options that will become available after getting the certification and having the experience as a pharmacy technician are:

• Nuclear pharmacy
• Medical equipment technology
• Inventory management

Conclusion

It is very easy to start with the pharmacy technician credential because the period that you will take to get certified is very short. Besides, the advantages are very compelling and hence we should start the plans of acquiring the pharmacy tech credentials. We wish you good luck with your PTCEexam!

As I noted in my review, Kingdom Hearts III is a fantastic game. But it's certainly not without its weird moments...

Let’s be honest here. It is not a safe world out there. There’s bad people and violence and identity theft… oh we’re sorry, did you think we were talking about the real world? No, our focus is on the digital one. It’s an equally dangerous place for people who aren’t savvy, and many parents and guardians ignore it. 

It’s a fact of life that your kids will be going online eventually. So you need to help keep them safe and make sure that they understand how to be responsible. Let’s look at a few strategies you can take into consideration. 

Know What Sites They Use

The first step in protecting your kids is to know where they go online. There’s a lot of perfectly safe places that they can spend their time. And then there are those sites which are the opposite of that. There’s a lot of areas that your kids should probably avoid if they are smart. If your little ones want to play online kids games on gamesgames.com, that’s absolutely fine, so long as they understand that there are some places they should not go.

Explain the Internet to Them  

If you have kids and you’re worried about them, it can be a good idea to explain the internet to them before you let them loose on it. Sometimes locking down the internet abilities of kids isn’t the way to make them feel trusted and grown-up. In these instances, what you need to do is sit down with them and explain how the internet works. They need to know that they can’t give out personal information, that there’s no instance where talking to strangers intimately is a safe thing to do, and stuff like that. If they’ll be online regardless, at least help them to be safe. 

Lock Down Sites

Even if you explain how the web works, it can still be a good idea to lock down certain websites to protect your kids. Gambling sites, websites with explicit content - these are all good to restrict access to. They have no need to visit places like these, and you don’t need to give them the chance. These are websites that they are too young to interact with, and sometimes the most sensible thing you can do is block them off. 

Overall, these are just a handful of the things you can do to keep your kids safe online. It’s not always the easiest thing on the planet to do, but it does get easier with time. If you remember that your kids are going to find their way online eventually, you can start to figure out how you can protect them. It is often just a case of restricting access but explaining why. You need to treat your kids like grown ups if you want them to behave as such. No one likes to be told the internet isn’t a safe place all the time, but it’s a conversation which just needs to be had. 

For all of the many charms that exist in our world, and regardless of everything that we’ve created, people still get bored. Boredom is an absolute nightmare because you just have nothing to do, so people usually tend to pass the time by doing things which are potentially not wise.

However, if you have access to the Internet, then you have a whole selection of different things to entertain yourself. But we thought we would do is take a look at a few of them here and now.

Okay Some Games

Let’s be honest for a minute. The most likely thing that you’re going to do when you’re bored on the Internet is playing games. And that’s okay. There is a lot of good options out there. Just make sure that you don’t go on any websites which look a bit dodgy, or are listed by Google as being not secure. If you want to play crash games online, then you should be able to do so.

Learn Something New

The Internet is a pretty incredible resource when you think about it. You have access to so many different opportunities to learn something new. You could go and find out local history about your town, you could learn some basic phrases in another language, and those are just two of thousands of options.

Connect With People on Social Media

Something else that you can do when you’re looking for something to do blind is to connect with people on social media. You might have old friends or people you know currently, and they are bound to have a social media account that you can connect with. It might take a little while to track them down, but it’s easy enough to do. 

Build a Website

If you’ve got the time, and the inclination, then you could build a really good website. You might wonder why, and what the point is, but the truth is you can make a site about just about anything these days. Unlimited control is at your fingertips, and that’s definitely a desirable thing. We think that people who want to make a website should try making a small basic one to begin with, just to get an understanding of what needs to happen.

To summarize, these are just a few of the different things that you can do when it comes to being on the internet and being bored. It is not an easy thing to deal with by any means, but if you take your time it can be incredibly rewarding. We encourage as many people as possible to try and experiment with the different options available, so that they can find the option that works best for them. Looking for things to do on the Internet can be difficult sometimes. Because there is so much to choose from, and so many different potential ways to pass the time, a lot of people feel like they will get overwhelmed. A good trick to avoid this is to just stay on one website and explore all that it has to offer before moving on.

If you like playing alone, there are many games where it is just facing the mobs, mini-bosses, side quests, and main bosses. It is a lot of fun, and when you play a game well, or you really enjoy the gameplay, it is hard to imagine a day when you didn’t love the game. As you play more, you learn more about how to play online securely, the details that you shouldn’t share, and how to remain anonymous. And eventually, you might find yourself safely ensconced in a guild, team or just enjoying playing the same game with the same people regularly. 

Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash

Co-ops and multiple players bring a more social aspect to any game. And it is pretty cool chilling with your friends, catching up and then, of course, destroying either each other or the opposition in a game. 

There are some games that are hailed as the best two-player board games, console, and PC games. 

So let’s take a look!

Payday 2 

You can’t, shouldn’t and won’t rob a bank in real life. But Payday 2 will let you and a friend do just that. You can pay with up to 4 people which is pretty good. You will be playing with alarms, case the joints and try to steal as much from the banks as you can before the police arrive. This game is tension-filled, and you have to stick to the plan. Unlike the movies where one person always goes rogue, you’ll be making a clean getaway… maybe. 

PC, Switch, Xbox One, PS4

Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2

This is for both local and online. Lego games are highly rated because they are a lot of fun. You can play with anyone of any age too. Most Lego games are co-op, but Marvel Super Heroes has a little bit of an edge. You can play as pretty much any character, which is a nice touch. The gameplay is well done, and the cutscenes are carefully prepared. 

PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One

Call of Duty WW2 Zombies

This is a stark contrast in comparison to the last game on the list. The CoD games are a lot of fun, and pretty intense, but with this one, you and up to four friends can play against some brain-eating enemies. Each wave gets more powerful, with more bodies running your way. But of course, you can only get hold of more powerful weapons by powering forward and opening up new areas of the map. Coordination and communication will see you clear it thoroughly. But you’re going to die, a lot. 

PS4, PC, Xbox One

Legendary

Doesn’t take too long to play the game from start to finish. It is a deck-building board game. So, in essence, you will draw 6 cards and use the power they provide to battle opponents. Be they villains, new heroes, henchmen and beyond. Legendary is a Marvel-themed game, so it makes a neat collector's item for people who are big Marvel fans, or people who enjoy a deck-building game. The mastermind and the plot are selected by the players at the start of the game, and you can set the difficulty too. The game changes and remains something you can play multiple times because the luck of the draw is a big deal here. There are expansions to this board game too. 

Monster Hunter World

An online co-op that has a rep for not being super friendly when you first start playing. However, after you have been around awhile it you’ll be taking out the bigger monsters with teams of players. It can feel like the online system is a bit disjointed and takes too long. But once you get over the fact you need to go through a few steps before you can even get online, and that you have to watch/clean the cutscenes… Well, there is a lot to get used to, but in general, it is a really great game. 

PC, Xbox One, PS4

Photo by Mateo Vrbnjak on Unsplash

Bananagrams

People have loved Scrabble for years. It works well for two players and up. Games can last for ages too. But if you want to break out of the box that Scrabble puts you in the Bananagrams is the way to go. It is more competitive because rather than be a turned-based game, you are looking to race to be the first to use all of your letters in a grid. And if you are a fan of the kitch, it comes in a banana-shaped bag, and you have to yell Bananagrams when you complete your crossword grid. 

Snipperclips

This is a two-person puzzle game. It’s super smart, and you will waste plenty of time with your buddy messing about with the main gimmick - before you even get into the meat of the game. You will both have control of a 2D toon, and you can cut pieces out of each other. Sounds gruesome but looks cute. You cut the pieces out that overlap. Due to the cutesy feel, this can be played by younger kids too. You take one Joy-Con each from the switch, and away you go. 

Switch

A Way Out

Most games at least give you the option to play alone, but A Way Out throws that rule into the sea. It is designed with two players in mind, and you can feel that when you play it. You are two criminals trying to find a way out of prison. You’ll be squeezing and shimmying up tiny wall gaps, finding exit routes by passing tools to each other, playing basketball and Connect Four. 

There is a lot to do, just you two. 

PC, Xbox One, PS4

Rivals For Catan

You probably already have this in your board game stash, or perhaps Settlers of Catan. If not, don’t worry. Where Settlers isn’t great for two players, Rivals works really well. This card game lets you start out with your own principality, with 6 different regions - which are already arranged. Two settlements are connected by a road, each settlement needs to gain extra resources and expand as they go. Each settlement and city are worth different points, and so it goes. It is a lot of fun and works really well for game nights. 

Borderlands: The Handsome Collection

This is a game for casual gamers. You can drop in and drop out, and just spend some time shooting some grunts and trading goods. If you are really into the game, you can head for some mega bosses and start coordinating to clear more content. There are mega-rare loot drops, and who doesn’t love some epics? 

PS Vita, Xbox 260, PS3, PS4, Xbox One, PC

Don’t Starve Together

Never has a more heartwarming title been created. Sharing the imminence of death is comforting in many ways. You’re both going to die, but at least you can do it together, right? This game is about resource gathering and creating bases for you both. You can split up the tasks between you and your co-op buddy and get everything done nice and quickly. Ideally, you just want to survive. The cartoon style day of the dead animation keeps the game light enough, and the tasks are enjoyable. 

Ps4, PC, Xbox One

Gaming has always been a great way to spend time. And the more social the game, the more immersive it can be. Fortnite, WoW, WoW Classic, HoTS, and LoL are all a testament to the power of playing in groups. So if you aren’t always keen on branching out and sharing the load, it might be time to grab one of the games above and get started.