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‘Modernize’ Williamsport on USPS sorting and deliver center shortlist – Williamsport Sun-Gazette

The City of Williamsport has been eyed as a location for a new United States Postal Service Sorting and Delivery Center, and the impact it will have depends on which side of the coin or stamp one views these new modernized mail and package distribution facilities.

The USPS has been working to modernize its delivery network and one component of this initiative is combining and centralizing carrier operations in new and large S&DCs over the coming years, said Mark Lawrence, a USPS spokesman.

The model is expected to improve the transportation utilization by reducing time and the cost of transportation to facilities, and in cases of co-location, eliminating the need for transportation completely, he said.

Additionally, it will allow postal delivery routes to be revamped to make them more efficient and cost-effective, he said.

Furthermore, he said, this initiative will enable the postal service to utilize more battery electric vehicles, since more routes would be at the optimal length to make such vehicles operational feasible, and since the vehicle would be originating from facilities with enhanced electricity infrastructure to support the necessary charging stations.

For Williamsport, Hughesville, Jersey Shore, Lock Haven, Montgomery, Montoursville, Muncy, Turbotville and Watsontown service areas, a sorting and delivery center may be up and running as early as February or early spring, according to a post office document.

Attempts to find out a more precise time for opening from USPS or the AFL-CIO employee union representatives were not successful.

One of these facilities opened in November in Athens, Ga., as part of a nationwide rollout plan.

It is part of a 10-year Delivering for America plan by the USPS, Lawrence said.

We are currently evaluating more than 100 new locations nationwide driving by operational and financial modeling to best serve our customers, Lawrence said.

These centers will be optimized and configurable based on local market conditions with many sorting and delivery centers to be co-located in existing plants, he said.

The goal of this initiative is to make significant improvements to the delivery network to better service the American public and our business customers more efficiently and effectively, he said.

The creation of the sorting and delivery centers will not change the locations of the USPSs retail offices, including PO Box service (where applicable), and will enable the postal service to maintain reliable and efficient delivery services for all customers, Lawrence said.

This is expected to improve ability to appeal to both small and large shippers because it will enhance the services ability to reach a much broader range of businesses and consumers under the new USPS Connect suite of products, he said.

These larger centers will have better infrastructure and adequate space, docks, conveyors and material handling equipment to enable more efficient operations. These also will modernize and leverage current underutilized and vacant post facilities around the nation, he said.

But the Postal Times noted Congress and the Biden administration have been good to the Postal Service, with $10 billion in emergency pandemic relief, nearly $50 billion to fix issues caused by a retiree healthcare benefit mandate and $3 billion for electric vehicles.

The Postmaster General, meanwhile, has slowed down First Class mail and raised prices across the board, the Postal Times article stated.

The Postal Service will eventually reduce retail hours, close post offices and dispose of historic properties, the publication stated.

The Postmaster General has discussed eliminating 50,000 jobs, according to the article.

The letter carriers will move from the back of post offices to these Sorting & Delivery Centers, the publication said.

When asked about any job losses, the USPS declined to comment.

The Sun-Gazette also reached out to the National Association of Paper Carriers and the American Postal Workers Union and did not receive comment.

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'Modernize' Williamsport on USPS sorting and deliver center shortlist - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

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82-lot subdivision proposed in Slinger | Washington Co. Business … – Greater Milwaukee Today | GMToday.com

SLINGER The Plan Commission will take up the concept for a new subdivision this evening, as a developer has a plan to bring 73 single-family lots and nine duplex lots into the village.

The Slinger Plan Commission will meet at 6 p.m. today, at Village Hall, 300 Slinger Road. One of the items the commission is slated to take up under new business is review, discussion and consultive feedback on a concept for the subdivision. The concept is being presented for a 29.31-acre parcel to the immediate northwest of 1325 Hillside Road.

The developer, according to a staff report from Village Planner Mary Censky, plans to request a Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Plan Map amendment to permit the development.

The 73 single-family lots range in size from 7,200 square feet to 15,109 square feet in area, which is compliant with the minimum required lot size of 7,200 square feet in the R-6 Single-Family Residential zoning district, according to Censkys report. The nine duplex lots in the concept which would each provide two residences would range from 14,040 square feet too 24,854 square feet.

Censkys report listed a number of actions that would need to be taken to permit the development, as well as various standards the development will need to comply with if it moves forward. At this point, however, no action will be taken and many details are not yet known because it is only at the concept level.

Concept plans are generally presented to the Plan Commission for review and feedback; the developer uses the feedback to determine if the development is feasible for the location and to refine plans moving forward.

The commission today will also take up several items related to a multifamily development planned for land on American Eagle Drive. The applicant, Dittmer Realty, is requesting rezoning and a certified survey map to change lot boundaries, as well as a land use plan change to accommodate a development plan.

That development is planned to have 48 residential units constructed in six buildings. The six buildings would be constructed on three lots, which would be configured by the CSM under consideration tonight.

The plan was reviewed in concept by the commission in December. The actions coming up today are some of the necessary steps before the multifamily development will be able to proceed.

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82-lot subdivision proposed in Slinger | Washington Co. Business ... - Greater Milwaukee Today | GMToday.com

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These 8 Delaware restaurants offer healthier dining options – The News Journal

Grandpa Mac dishes on vegan restaurant trend in Delaware

Orion Cameron, co-owner of Grandpa Mac in Rehoboth Beach, discussed the trend of vegan restaurants in Delaware. Grandpa Mac offers both vegan and non-vegan menu items, which allows them to cater to all customers.

Andre Lamar, Wochit

While New Year's resolutions can be hard to keep up with, eating healthy doesnt have to be.

Whether you want to cut back on fast food or be more conscious of what youre putting into your body this year, fueling up on foods that are nutritious doesnt mean you need to sacrifice the delicious.

Lets face it, we all feel too tired to fuss about making dinner in the kitchen every once in a while, and you shouldnt feel bad about treating yourself.

Feel good about whats on your plate when dining out with these local restaurants boasting healthy fixings made with the freshest ingredients.

More:Struggling to keep New Year's resolutions? Here's how to actually set doable ones for 2023.

Plus, we know how hard it is to keep those resolutions going for more than the first few weeks of the year. If you become a regular at one these spots, you can pat yourself on the back for sticking with the habit well into the rest of 2023:

Playa Bowls is a smoothie bowl and juice shop that calls itself a slice of summer.

With a menu bursting with bright flavors and fresh ingredients, we have toagree.

Patrons can enjoy smoothies, fruit bowls,juices, poke bowls and more tasty treats made with a variety of fruits and vegetables.

Smoothie bowls come in a variety of base flavors, including aa, pitaya, chia pudding and oatmeal, and are served with cut fruit, nuts, sauces and other toppings.

Some of their smoothie bowl options are the Almond Joy, a chia pudding base topped with granola, sliced almonds, bananas, coconut flakes, raw cacao and honey; the Pacific, a green base topped with granola, strawberries, bananas, shaved almonds, chia seeds and honey; and the Dragonberry, a pitaya base topped with granola, strawberries, blueberries and honey.

Among their drink options, you can find a Gingerbread smoothie made with bananas, vanilla protein, blueberry flax granola, gingerbread spice, cinnamon and almond milk; the Kowabunga smoothie made with bananas, strawberries, blueberries and coconut milk; and the Beach Break juice made with pineapples, carrots, ginger and lemon.

Newark: 134 E. Main St., Newark, (302) 286-5196; http://www.facebook.com/playabowlsnewarkde. Middletown: 832 Kohl Ave., Middletown, (302) 696-2463; http://www.facebook.com/playabowlsmiddletownde; http://www.playabowls.com

Vegan junk food: From cheesesteaks to doughnuts: Where to get vegan munchies in First State

Eat Clean is a juice bar on Market Street and in DE.CO Food Hall,serving comfort food in a health-conscious way.

They offer cold-pressed juices made with local organic produce along with build-your-own smoothies and aa bowls, breakfast foods and more.

Some of their bestsellers are their homemade oatmeal and the Morning Kick smoothie made with kale, bananas, pineapples, ginger and chia seeds

The smoothie bowls come with either an aa base or a kale base and can be customized with two fruits and two seed toppings. Smoothies can be customized with your choice of fruits, vegetables and liquid base, or you can pick a recipe on the menu.

The Green Dream smoothie is made with spinach, strawberries, mango, honey granola and almond milk. When your sweet tooth gets the best of you, the Smooth Chocolate smoothie made with bananas, peanut butter, cayenne pepper, agave nectar, cocoa powder and almond milk might do the trick.

If youre feeling a bit under weather this winter, stop by Eat Clean and try a ginger or elderberry wellness shot to help ward off the sniffles.

Storefront: 225 N. Market St., Wilmington, (302) 476-8928. DE.CO location: 111 W. 10th Street, Wilmington; eatcleande.com/home

Bountiful Bowls in Lewes serves various vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes, with further dietary modifications available upon request.

Their menu features aa and pitaya bowls, harvest and seasonal bowls, healthy snacks, smoothies, salads, cold-pressed juices and various lunch items.

Highlights include the Midnight Moon Bowl, a superfood blend aa bowl topped with blueberries, blackberries, cacao nibs, granola and honey drizzle; the kale and quinoa Powerhouse Salad made with seasoned quinoa, kale, yellow bell peppers, cucumbers, dried cranberries, feta cheese and your choice of vinaigrette; and the Pump You Up Pumpkin smoothie made with pumpkin, banana, almond milk, sweet potato, dates, cinnamon, agave, almond butter, vanilla and vanilla protein powder.

Bountiful Bowls also has sweet treats for a midday pick-me-up like the PB & chocolate chip energy balls, paleo nut bars and banana-maple walnut overnight oats.

33809 Dreamweaver Lane, Lewes, (302) 490-1287; http://www.bountifulbowlsde.com

NEW in Newark: Second Korean fried chicken restaurant opening in Newark. Here are the deets.

Green Box Kitchen, run by the same people who operate Wilmington Green Box, is a fast-casual vegan restaurant serving plant-based food. Its managed by local teenagers and aims to nourish and educate the community.

The restaurants menu boasts various sandwiches, toasts, aa bowls, smoothies, vegan Belgian waffles and their latest addition of the Buddha bowl.

Buddha bowls are customizable harvest bowls that come with a variety of grains, vegetables, dressings and more. Some popular Buddha bowl ingredients include quinoa, kale, avocado, spinach tomatoes and hemp seeds. Each bowl canbe served as a wrap instead.

Green boxs menu also has a fan-favorite vegan tuna sandwich made from chickpeas, PB&J toast with the basics plus granola, banana and agave drizzle, and tasty smoothies like the bestselling I Need a Vacation which has frozen strawberries, bananas, pineapples, fresh pineapple juice and agave.

Stewart Management Company: 400 N. Market St, Wilmington, (302) 274-2195; http://www.greenboxkitchen.com

PokBros. specializes in diced raw fish bowls known as pok bowls and originally served Columbus, Ohio, before branching out to more of the Midwest ,and the East Coast.

Sushi-lovers can check out this spot to build their own sushi-in-a-bowl or try a signature bowl off the Pok Bros. menu.

The high tide bowl comes with chicken, shrimp, edamame, carrots, pineapple, green onion, avocado, corn, cucumber, sriracha aioli, sweet soy and OG sauce.

Dining hot spots: Here are some Delaware restaurants you must try in 2023

For a traditional raw bowl, check out The Duke. This dish features tuna, salmon, shrimp, seaweed salad, jalapeno, sweet onion, edamame, cucumber, ponzu, OG sauce and gochujang.

Aside from pok bowls, you can find enjoy sides of spicy kani salad and seaweed salad, or indulge in dessert with mochi ice cream flavors like passion fruit, raspberry crunch and salted caramel.

Pok Bros. can be found in Dover, Newark, Middletown, Rehoboth and Wilmington; eatpokebros.com

Bee BowlD is a family-owned business in Camden specializing in smoothies, aa bowls, lattes and cold-pressed juices.

The Delaware Peach bowl features acai topped with granola, bananas, peaches, sliced almonds, hazelnut spread and honey. The Apple Harvest bowl uses an acai base, topped with granola, bananas, Granny Smith apples, sliced almonds, cinnamon, apple butter and honey.

Smoothie flavors include the Key Lime Colada, made with almond milk, coconut, pineapple, Key lime and vegan vanilla protein powder; the Bee Incredible, made with coconut almond milk, pineapple, bananas, vegan vanilla protein powder and plant-based multi-nutrient greens; and the Love Punch, made with almond milk, pitaya, banana, mango and vegan vanilla protein powder.

Each aa bowl and smoothie can be customized with your choice of add-ins, such as cacao nibs, Greek yogurt, goji berries, coconut flakes and more.

For the coffee lovers, Bee BowlD also has a latte station with flavors like salted caramel mocha and peppermint white mocha.

301 E. Camden Wyoming Ave., Camden, (302) 745-4996; http://www.facebook.com/beebowldacai

Located in downtown Rehoboth Beach, Twist Juice Bar & Caf focuses on health-conscious dining options such as grain bowls, wraps, acai bowls, smoothies, cold-pressed juices and more.

Some of their vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options include the buffalo jackfruit bowl made with white rice, romaine lettuce, cucumbers, celery, pickled red onion, matchstick carrots and buffalo jackfruit topped with ranch dressing; the mermaid toast made with cream cheese, blueberry jam, fresh blueberries and mint; and the refresher smoothie made with pineapple, mango and cold-pressed cucumber juice.

If youre feeling adventurous, most of their menu staples can be customized with your choice of add-ins.

Just a block from the beach, Twists nice-creams, a dairy-free ice cream, would make the perfect addition to your beach day once the weather warms up. Nice-cream options include strawberry sorbet and chocolate decadence, both of which can be loaded up with your favorite dessert toppings.

First Street Station, 26 Wilmington Ave., Rehoboth Beach,(302) 212-2605; http://www.twistjuicesrehoboth.com

Bits of Goodness is a juice bar in Glasgow that began when the owners wanted to create food options that were enticing to picky eaters and contained essential nutrients after their daughter was diagnosed with autism.

The shop brands itself as a utopia atmosphere where patrons can relieve daily stresses and find peace of mind while connecting with others. With a tasty menu to go along with those values, Bits of Goodness could be the perfect place to pop in for a midday meal break.

The menu features a variety of cold-pressed juices and smoothies, salads, soups and sandwiches.

Some of their bestselling drinks include the sunshine, which is known for providing energy and can replace your daily coffee, the elderberry hibiscus lemonade intended to boost immunity and the transfusion, a beet and cherry juice intended to improve blood flow.

Other menu highlights include the sweet & sassy garden salad made with apple, cranberries, pecans, goat cheese, spring mix lettuce and honey balsamic vinaigrette dressing; the Odessa stew made with okra, onions, tomatoes, celery, vegetable base and fiber spices; and the plant-based waffle, which can be topped with fresh fruit and other goodies.

2275 Pulaski Hwy., Glasgow; bitsofgoodness.net/home

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The 10 Best WordPress Hosting Providers in 2023 – PakWired

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When youre launching your WordPress website, choosing the right hosting provider is a crucial decision

Web hosting can have a critical impact on your sites speed, uptime, security, and performance when it comes to Search Engine Optimization (SEO).

However, there are several different types of hosting for you to pick from: free, shared, dedicated server, VPS and managed. Plus, there are hundreds of providers out there vying for your attention and your cash.

It can quickly get overwhelming to navigate this flood of information on your own.

In this article, well take a closer look at the ups and downs of different kinds of WordPress hosting, and well give you the run-down on the top 10 WordPress hosting providers in 2023.

Lets get started!

As mentioned above, there are different kinds of WordPress hosting free, shared, dedicated server, VPS, and managed.

The first of this, free web hosting, is basically what it says on the tin. Normally, free WordPress Hosting is offered in small groups or online forums managed by people who are reselling part of their server space.

Free hosting may sound great, but theres usually a catch. Often, you have to include banner ads or text in the footer of your sites. Most importantly, though, free hosting is typically unreliable the providers can leave you hanging at any time.

Shared WordPress Hosting is the most common type of web hosting for people who are just launching their sites. Its affordable and gives you a good technical basis.

Shared hosting means that providers use the same server for multiple sites. This allows them to offer their services at budget-friendly rates. The downside is that you may have to upgrade your hosting plan if your site takes up too much of their server space.

Next up, VPS Hosting stands for web hosting via Virtual Private Servers. In this approach, a physical server is partitioned into multiple servers, which allows individual users a greater amount of freedom. If you have the technical know-how, you can configure it to run specific software and install system upgrades.

Do you have solid technical knowledge and want a maximum of control? Then dedicated server hosting may be the best choice for you. Here, you lease a server from the hosting provider but take care of all other aspects yourself from your choice of hardware to the OS you want to run.

Finally, managed WordPress hosting is the most straightforward option on this list. You open an account with a provider and can get straight to building your WordPress site everything else is managed for you, from security updates to regular backups and performance optimization.

There are a few main aspects you need to consider when youre launching your WordPress site.

First, theres your own technical expertise. If youre completely new to building websites, a beginner-friendly option like managed hosting or shared hosting is the best choice. You can always scale your website later and switch to VPS or dedicated server hosting.

Second, you need to take into account the amount of traffic youre expecting to get. Do you want to set up a personal portfolio page for your CV or a freelancer profile? Or do you want to launch a web shop to attract thousands of customers every day? Depending on the answer to this, youll have different priorities when it comes to comparing providers in terms of reliability, server capacity, and security.

Heres our run-down of the 10 best WordPress Hosting providers in 2023.

Topping the list is Bluehost, which is a fantastic provider for e-commerce stores and small business websites.

It offers a native website builder with a solid WordPress integration that allows for flexible content management, as well as a broad range of marketing and analytics tools.

Bluehost offers shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting. If you run into any problems, its 24/7 customer service is there to help you.

Plus, with plans starting at $2.95 per month, Bluehost is one of the most budget-friendly hosting options out there.

Next up, DreamHost is one of the most reliable and versatile providers out there. Its team can boast 18 years of experience thats the basis of solid in-house assistance.

In addition, you get a free domain, free SSL certificates, and free email hosting. A custom dashboard, automatic updates, and a straightforward 1-click WordPress install are also part of the package.

Plans for shared hosting start at $2.59 a month, though there are also VPS options at $15 a month.

In third place, SiteGround is a fantastic option for managed WordPress hosting in particular. Its one of the providers that WordPress itself recommends to anyone planning to use it as a CMS.

SiteGround impresses with some of the fastest website speeds out there, 24/7 support, and features such as free SSL, free CDN, daily backups, and automatic upgrades. Plus, you can benefit from location-specific hosting, with data centres located in the US, Asia, Europe, and Australia.

SiteGrounds managed WordPress hosting offers start at $2.99 a month.

Another solid hosting option is HostGator, which has a reputation for affordable prices and its 99.9% uptime guarantee.

HostGator offers a free domain name, free SSL certificates, auto-backups, 24/7 support, and one-click WordPress installation. In addition, if you already have a WordPress site, HostGator provides free migration for any plan.

Hosting options start at $5.95 a month.

Next on this list, Hostinger is one of the most versatile and budget-friendly options on the market. It has some of the fastest loading speeds, global data centres, and sophisticated security.

Like other options on this list, Hostinger comes with automated backups and updates, migration tools, 24/7 customer support, and one-click installation. Plus, it provides geolocation-specific hosting services, with data centres scattered across the US, Europe, South America, and Asia.

Hosting packages start at $1.99 a month.

For ecologically-minded WordPress enthusiasts, GreenGeeks is a shared hosting option thats both robust and eco-friendly.

With plans starting at $2.95 per month, GreenGeeks offers free WordPress installs, migrations, and updates, as well as 24/7 live chat support and high-level WordPress security. Their stand-out feature is that they also provide a 300% renewable energy match, making them a carbon-reducing company.

If youre based in Europe, and especially in the EU, World4You is a solid option for bloggers, agencies, and small businesses. With servers based in Central Europe, it provides a maximum of data security and guarantees compliance with EU regulations such as GDPR.

Furthermore, it comes with a free domain, free email hosting, and free SSL, as well as an automatic WordPress install.

Pricing starts at 4.90 (approximately $5.00) per month.

Another great WordPress hosting option is Flywheel, especially if youre a freelancer or an agency building sites for your clients.

Flywheel offers a user-friendly interface, free website migration, custom support, and password-protected demo sites. Plus, you can create your own blueprints, in which you can customize themes and blueprints.

Flywheel also makes it easy to transfer billing to your clients.

Pricing starts at $13 per month.

If youre running a site that experiences intense traffic, inMotion is one of the best hosting options for you. This provider guarantees an exclusive server for your sites and can boast speeds that are up to twelve times faster than other web hosts.

Its plans include automatic updates, advanced malware scans, free SSD storage, and unlimited bandwidth. For advanced users, inMotion also offers a command line interface and associated support.

Plans start at $3.99 per month (on a 2-year contract).

Finally, if youre aiming to host multiple sites, you should put A2 Hosting on your list of candidates. Even though A2 is one of the more expensive options on this list, it comes with a few premium features that make managing multiple sites a breeze.

Hosting plans include free SSL certificates, 24/7 customer support, global server availability, pre-configurations for speed and security, and turbo servers to boost your sites performance.

In addition, you can pay for any services on a monthly basis and easily add or cancel plans depending on how many sites you manage.

Prices start at $11.99 per month for managed WordPress hosting, though A2 also offers cheaper shared hosting plans from $2.99.

Choosing the right web host is a critical decision when youre launching your WordPress site.

Different WordPress providers offer different pricing tiers, additional features, and types of WordPress hosting. Its important to know your priorities, level of skills, and budget to pick the provider that best suits your unique needs.

Take the time to set your criteria and carry out an in-depth comparison of a few candidates that tick your boxes in-depth. Its definitely worth it in the long run to guarantee the success, health, and security of your WordPress site.

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The 10 Best WordPress Hosting Providers in 2023 - PakWired

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How to fix the ‘Unable to Authenticate’ and Failed to Log In’ errors in … – Dot Esports

One of the most common issues Pokmon Go seems to encounter on the technical side seems to revolve around app login issues or dedicated servers experiencing multi-region outages. This results in a number of messages popping up when players try to access the game, which sometimes doesnt have direct fixes.

Two of these prominent messages are the Unable to Authenticate and Failed to Log In pop-ups that occur when a player first tries to access the game. Most of the time this is tied to a wider server issue impacting aspects of Pokmon Go.

Even if this is typically a temporary issue that gets resolved quickly, occasionally it will take much longer for Niantic to pinpoint the problem and fix it. In that case, it can lead to thousands of players being left unable to play Pokmon Go until the servers are back up and running properly.

If you are having issues with the Unable to Authenticate and Failed to Log In messages in Pokmon Go, here are a few ways you can try to fix the problem.

Niantic tends to be quick to share wider, sever-related issues when it comes to Pokmon Goespecially if it is actively keeping players from playing in any capacity. This makes it so your first stop should be the official Pokmon Go Twitter or the Niantic Support Page.

If neither of those locations has acknowledged the issue, head to the Pokmon Go or SilphRoad Reddit, both of which are almost always talking about problems with the game.

Related: Is Pokmon Go down? Heres how to check the server status

While this is normally a server issue and not something Pokmon Go players can resolve on their own, Niantic does have a few recommended methods to try and bypass this problem if it isnt a massive outage.

After checking to make sure you have a good connection to the internet, if you encounter an Unable to authenticate or Failed to log in message you should try restarting the app. Typically this wont require you to force stop your app once you close it out, but if you do need to, here is where you can do that.

If that doesnt fix anything, you can try troubleshooting a bit more before giving up and waiting for Niantic to provide more info. This will mostly involve signing out of your account and signing back in or removing your email account from your device.

It is unlikely that this method will work, but you can check the official Niantic support website for those details based on your device.

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How to fix the 'Unable to Authenticate' and Failed to Log In' errors in ... - Dot Esports

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Can You Trust WhatsApp’s New Proxy Server Feature? – Tech.co

Just recently, WhatsApp announced a new feature: youll now be able to connect to the social media platform via a proxy server set up by a third-party volunteer or organization.

The new feature is designed for people living under oppressive regimes that regularly restrict access to social media sites in order to quell civil unrest, protests, and other forms of anti-government mobilization.

But how does the new feature work, and can you really trust Meta-owned WhatsApp's proxy server feature?

WhatsApps new feature will allow people to reroute their connection through proxy servers stationed around the world and accessible through the app.

The aim is to help people communicate in countries where WhatsApp and social media in general is being blocked, banned, or restricted. The proxy servers will provide a way around these sorts of restrictions that people can use safely and without fear of reprisal.

There are many people who continue to be denied the ability to reach their loved ones because of internet shutdowns, WhatsApp explained in a recent statement. Choosing a proxy enables you to connect to WhatsApp through servers set up by volunteers and organizations around the world dedicated to helping people communicate freely.

WhatsApp says anyone can set up a proxy using a server with ports 80, 443, or 5222 available, as well as a domain name pointing to the servers IP address. More information as well as source code is available on GitHub.

The feature has already been rolled out and can be found within the Storage and Data section of WhatsApps Settings menu, as long as you have the latest version of WhatsApp downloaded.

All in all, the new feature will likely be a great help to a lot of people. But, if your government is surveilling your internet activity and an attempt to access WhatsApp could come back to bite you, then its only natural to seek assurances regarding the reliability and security of a feature like this.

The question isnt necessarily about whether users can trust WhatsApp however, but rather, whether you can trust the owner of the third-party proxy server youre connecting to.

WhatsApp will not be setting these servers up, nor will it maintain or hold any influence over them. In theory, these servers could be set up by absolutely anyone, which is a de facto security risk.

If youre in a country like Iran and youre likely to use this feature, just bear in mind that the owner of the server youre connecting to wherever they're based in the world will be able to see your IP address.

Proxy servers will not encrypt your connection like a VPN does, so ensure the one you're connecting to via WhatsApp is legitimate and genuine before you attempt to connect and use it.

Crucially, however, as WhatsApp is an end-to-end encrypted messaging service, the server owner wont be able to access any conversations you have stored within the app while youre connected to their server.

Theoretically, if you could find a safe way to get your hands on a VPN with support for split tunneling, you could funnel all of your WhatsApp activity through one of its encrypted servers, which wouldnt reveal your IP address, and use the regular internet for the rest of your data.

However, therein lies the problem. Attempting to download a VPN in a country like Iran ruled by a government that surveils its citizens' internet activity in the way this WhatsApp change is supposed to combat comes with its own risks and dangers.

The safest option is to use the proxy server feature, but as weve mentioned, be vigilant when it comes to picking your proxy server. This will be safer than attempting to access technology like VPNs in a place like Iran.

However, in countries where VPNs are widely used and the subsequent legal risks associated with using them are minimal or non-existent then we'd recommend using a VPN in tandem with the proxy if possible, simply just to boost your privacy and hide your IP address from whoever is providing your connection.

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Can You Trust WhatsApp's New Proxy Server Feature? - Tech.co

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Hivelocity Acquires Heficed: Acquisition will expand global footprint … – PR Newswire

TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --Hivelocity, Inc, the leading IaaS and Bare Metal Cloud company announced today their acquisition of UK-based Heficed, an established network infrastructure solutions and cloudprovider.

Under the terms of the deal, Heficed, its customers, select staff, and 9 data center locations will all fold into the Hivelocity brand.

"This acquisition represents a fantastic opportunity for our clients old and new," says Mike Archietto, CEO and co-founder at Hivelocity. "By combining Heficed's impressive list of data center locations and VPS hosting options with our own global network of data centers and premium bare metal hosting, our world-class infrastructure solutions will now reach an even wider audience of users."

Steve Eschweiler, COO and co-founder of Hivelocity echoes Mike's statement, adding, "Heficed is a great company with great people. Hivelocity's acquisition strengthens our team and furthers our goal of building the most geo-diverse bare metal cloud in the industry. With the addition of Brazil, South Africa, and Nigeria data center locations, our customers can now instantly deploy bare metal servers across 6 continents."

About Hivelocity

Founded in 2002, Hivelocity is a privately held company that has been a fixture in the dedicated server hosting industry for 20 years. With 40+ international locations operating in 29 global markets across 6 continents, Hivelocity's Bare Metal Cloud solutions can help you reach 80% of the world's internet population in under 25 milliseconds.

To learn more about Hivelocity, visit https://www.hivelocity.net.

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Hivelocity Acquires Heficed: Acquisition will expand global footprint ... - PR Newswire

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Super Bowl 2023: Where to watch the big game across Las Vegas – News3LV

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What Is Plex and How Does It Work? – Review Geek

Plex, Paket/Shutterstock.com

Plex allows you to build a personal streaming service using your own content. Most people buy dedicated hardware for Plex, but you can test it using your desktop or laptop without spending a dime.

The days of cheap streaming are long gone. Services like Netflix are prohibitively expensive and offer much smaller libraries than they did just a few years ago. A personal collection of DVDs and Blu-Ray discs can alleviate this problem, but if you want to stream the media you own, you need a service like Plex.

At a glance, Plex can seem very complicated and confusing. Its a very unique service, and unlike Netflix or Hulu, it requires a bit of setup and patience.

But the general idea behind Plex is very straightforward; it lets you stream your personal media to any phone, computer, or smart TV. You provide the files, and Plex automatically organizes everything into a clean and easy-to-use interface. Its like building your own streaming service for movies, TV shows, and music. (You can even add unique categories to Plex, like a collection of concert videos, family videos, or sports recordings.)

Plex even offers some advanced features, such as the ability to stream and record antenna TV. And its highly customizable if youre willing to put in the work. Of course, the big selling point is that you can stream Plex from anywhereyou can even share it with friends or family outside your home. (Though some of these features require Plex Pass, which well discuss later.)

I should also mention playlists, which might be my favorite Plex feature. You can throw movies or shows into custom playlists to shuffle them randomly or play them in a specific order. For example, you might make a playlist ofBuffy the Vampire Slayer andAngel, which aired back-to-back and often had overarching plot points or references.

In order to use Plex, you need to set up a Plex Media Server. This is a device that runs the Plex software, handles all your files, and processes video for streaming. You can use the computer that you already own as a Plex Media Server, though I suggest buying a dedicated device that can stay online 24/7, such as an NVIDIA Shield TV Pro, a NAS device, or a small Intel NUC computer.

You dont need to be a rocket scientist to put together a Plex Media Server. The Plex software guides you through this process, and if you follow the instructions correctly, you wont run into any problems. (When people have problems with Plex, its usually a matter ofpoor file organization. Even the most inexperienced computer users can avoid this problem by patiently reading the instructions.)

While Plex is best known for its personal media streaming capabilities, its also an all-in-one platform for your streaming needs. The Plex Discover feature, which was introduced in 2022, allows you to search for content across all streaming service platforms. It can also find specific information about cast and crew, such as the full list of Gene Wilders film credits.

Additionally, Plexprovides a ton of free on-demand content and live TV channels. This ad-supported content is similar to what youll find on Pluto TV or Tubi, but its integrated directly into the Plex app (in a dedicated tab and on your Plex home page.)And yes, you can stream this free content without setting up a Plex Media Server.

Note that these additional features exist tosupplement the Plex experience. Most people treat Plex as a personal streaming service and rarely touch Discover or the free Movies & Shows. If you want to disable these features, you can.

By default, Plex is a free service. The mobile app costs a few dollars, but if you only plan to stream on computers and smart TVs, you can set everything up without spending a dime. This makes it very easy to test Plex. But if you stick with this service, you will eventually sign up for Plex Pass.

A Plex Pass subscription only costs $5 a month, and lifetime memberships regularly go on sale for around $90. That may seem like a lot of money to spend on Plex (after all, youre streaming stuff you already own). But the perks included with Plex Pass are just too goodits absolutely worth the price.

Here are some of my favorite Plex Pass features:

Clearly, Plex Pass is a necessity for anyone who wants to stream Plex outside their home. But it also improves the overall Plex experience. Im not sure how I could live without the ability to skip intros, stream antenna TV, and use the Plexamp music player.

You can learn more about Plex Pass at the Plex website. Note that Ive only listed my favorite Plex Pass featuresthis subscription unlocks plenty more!

Setting up a Plex Media Server can be a daunting task. But as I mentioned earlier, if you follow the instructions, you shouldnt run into any problems. The Plex Media Server software will try to guide you through setup, though you can find a ton of additional resources at the Plex website.

Now, theres no point in rewriting Plexsdetailed installation instructions. But I will give you a gist of what you need (and what you can expect) when setting up a Plex Media Server. Im going to approach this from a beginners perspective, because I want you to test Plex for free before you spend a bunch of money on this stuff.

The above steps will help you test Plex without spending any money on hardware. That said, hardcore Plex users tend to have much more elaborate setups. If you find that you enjoy Plex, I strongly suggest buying an NVIDIA Shield TV Pro or a NAS device for use as your media server. Both options consume very little power and are fairly compact.

And at some point, youll need hard drives to store your growing Plex media library. I suggest buying hard drives that are specifically made for NAS devices, as theyll last a lot longer than typical hard drives. (If youre tempted to use an SSD in your Plex server, dont bother. You wont see any major benefit.)

To be clear, this stuff can get expensive if youre obsessive. But a simple and cheap Plex Media Server might be all you need. Lets say you buy a two-bay NAS device and a 4TB NAS HDDthatll set you back about $250, but youll have enough storage to hold hundreds of movies, TV shows, and albums. Do a bit of math, and $250 is what you might pay for 10 months of Netflix Basic and ad-free Hulu. Plex pays for itself!

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What Is Plex and How Does It Work? - Review Geek

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