by Alejandra | Apr 28, 2022 | Entertainment
Whether you are a particularly hardcore gamer or just a casual player, it’s good to know what you can do in order to make your gaming experience as positive and enthralling as possible. As it happens, there are many approaches you should be able to take here, and it’s something that you can always work on if you are keen to try and make the most of your gaming time. Let’s take a look at some of the best ways to improve your gaming experience right now. All of these are worth looking into at some point or another.
Get A Comfortable Chair
Having a good, comfortable chair will work wonders for you when you are gaming, especially if you intend to be playing for many hours at a time. This is actually important for a number of reasons. Partly it is because you will find you are much more likely to look after your back and spine if you are comfortable, and less likely to have any particular pain at all. And of course, the more comfortable you are, the more readily and easily you can lose yourself in the experience of gaming. So invest in a really good gamer’s chair if you want to game more easily and comfortably.
Upgrade Your Machine
Whatever you happen to be playing on, you will of course have a better experience if you make sure to keep it as up to date as possible. The more powerful the computer in question is, the more that you are going to be able to play on it – and the better gameplay and graphics will be. The best approach here is to simply get Custom Gaming PCs from UK Gaming Computers, as that way you are bound to find you have a machine that can deal with any game you might want to play.
Add An Extra Screen
You might be amazed at what an incredible difference it can make when you just have one extra screen too. This is something that you can easily work on and which is going to really improve your experience profoundly. Add an extra monitor to your setup, and you can see so much more, enabling you to feel much more immersed in the game, whatever it is you may be playing. This even makes a difference for low-graphic and simple games, so it’s something to think about regardless of what your preferred genre is.
Play With Others
There is certainly nothing wrong with playing alone, but you will often find that it is an altogether more enjoyable experience if you do play with other people. Playing with others is easier than ever thanks to the internet and the huge number of ways in which you can connect online, so you should make sure that you are at least considering this if you want to really make the most of it. This is something to bear in mind if you want to make sure your gaming experience is a lot more enjoyable all round.
by Alejandra | Apr 8, 2022 | Entertainment
If you’ve always wanted a sneak peek behind the scenes in Buckingham Palace, you’ve come to the right place. In honour of International Women’s Day 2022, this article will celebrate the lives and accomplishments of five female figures in the British royal family.
1. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor (Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II)
First and foremost, the many accomplishments of Queen Elizabeth II deserve to be commemorated this International Women’s Day. Her Majesty is adored throughout the nation, often thought of as a national treasure. Her majesty supports over 600 charities and organisations, from Bernardo’s to Cancer Research UK. There is no doubt that our Queen’s patronage has benefitted all corners of society. This is the responsibility of the monarch, after all, and one that Britain has grown to expect.
In addition to her philanthropic endeavours, Queen Elizabeth II is a public figure in parliament. While the Queen upholds a neutral stance on British politics, Her Majesty performs many ceremonial responsibilities, including opening new sessions, granting legislation, and approving orders.
Behind the scenes, Queen Elizabeth enjoys a seemingly peaceful life. In the evenings, she is able to relax and unwind by eating dinner and watching television in her private rooms. Considering Her Majesty has ruled the nation for almost 70 years, we believe she deserves all the home comforts fit for a Queen. In 2022, the nation will come together and celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. This is one of the most highly anticipated royal events of the year, and we hope to see Queen Elizabeth II making a public appearance in her characteristically colourful attire.
2. Kate Middleton (Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge)
Kate Middleton is another notable female figure in the royal family. Born outside the Windsor lineage, Kate married Prince William, the first grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II and subsequently second in line for the British throne. This means that Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge may one day be referred to as the Queen Consort.
The Duchess of Cambridge is a remarkable woman, and she deserves to be celebrated in more ways than one. If we had to start somewhere, Kate Middleton is centre stage in royal philanthropy. Whether she is delivering a speech at the Victoria and Albert Museum or visiting East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice, Her Royal Highness is guaranteed to offer patronage with elegance and grace. Kate launched the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood in 2021.
The centre campaigns research to better understand the science of early childhood. This includes research into brain development, social sciences, and mental health concerns in childhood. We can’t think of a better way for the Duchess of Cambridge to better support the future of Britain. In more recent events, Kate has officially become the royal patron for the Rugby Football Union and Rugby Football League. This comes after Harry chose to forgo his public royal duties to pursue a quieter life with his family – Meghan Markle and their children Archie and Lilibet.
The Duchess is also a contender to become the new Grenadier Guards Colonel, which belonged to the former Prince Andrew. A fashion icon, Kate is often photographed modelling anything from designer heels to ladies umbrellas. Outside the public eye, Her Royal Highness enjoys painting and being a caring mother to George, Charlotte, and Louis. Kate continues to be an inspiration to the nation, masterfully juggling the responsibilities of both regal and motherly life.
3. Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise (Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal)
The only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II, Anne is recognised as being one of the most hardworking royals. After understanding the nature of her responsibilities, you will definitely agree.
In addition to performing duties as the chancellor at the University of London, Anne is the president of UK Fashion and Textile Association. The Princess was even nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 1990 after working with Kenneth Kaunda, the previous president of Zambia.
The Princess Royal began participating in equestrian competitions from a young age. An impressive feat, Anne was actually the first member of the royal family to compete in the Olympics. Proceeding this, the Princess Royal became an accomplished equestrian and esteemed member of the royal family.
4. Zara Anne Elizabeth Tindall
If you think highly of Princess Anne, you will definitely fall head-over-heels for her daughter. Zara Tindall is an accomplished and admired member of the royal family, although she has no official royal title. In fact, she won a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics for the equestrian skills she shares with her mother.
Prior to this, Zara won the Equestrian Athlete of the Year Award in 2005 and Sports Personality of the year in 2006. In 2021, she competed in the Barbury Castle International Horse Trials and the Cross Country SAP, all while caring for her three young children named Mia, Lucas, and Lena.
5. Katharine Lucy Mary Worsley (Duchess of Kent)
Last (but certainly not least) is Katharine Worsley. The Duchess of Kent married Prince Edward in 1961, the first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. She may lead a life a little further away from the limelight than the other royals on our list, but this hasn’t stopped the Duchess of Kent from taking part in charitable work.
The Duchess of Kent is the patron of a multitude of charities and organisations. To name a few, in 2014 Katherine co-founded the Future Talent organisation. This enables children from low economic backgrounds to nurture their love for music. Additionally, as of 2016, the Duchess has become an ambassador for Samaritans, a charity that specialises in suicide awareness.
The British royal family is full of inspiring women. These are a select few, and we hope you will join us in celebrating their achievements this International Women’s Day. Which female figure do you look up to the most?
Source: Fulton Umbrellas
by Alejandra | Mar 31, 2022 | Entertainment
There is no denying the popularity of Minecraft. Developed by Mojang Studios, a Swedish game developer, this sandbox video game enables you to build, battle mobs, mine, and explore the Minecraft landscape, which is changing all the time. The possibilities are endless, and that is why people enjoy the game so much.
Suitable for all ages, if you are yet to give Minecraft a go, we do highly recommend it, especially on a big screen set-up such as those from Clarke Infinity! However, make sure you download a VPN for Minecraft before you go ahead and start exploring this spectacular world.
What is a VPN on Minecraft?
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. This is a service that will encrypt your Internet connection while you are playing Minecraft or enjoying any other type of activity on the web. It will prevent third-party roadblocks, such as an employer or school restrictions, so no one will be able to know that you are playing Minecraft. At the same time, a VPN makes it possible for you to appear as if you are situated in another part of the world, which means you will be able to access Minecraft no matter where you are.
Why should you use a VPN while playing Minecraft?
You may be wondering whether or not you really need to use a VPN while playing Minecraft. However, it is not only advised, but I would say that it is pretty essential! Here are some of the different perks you will experience if you use one of the best VPNs for Minecraft.
Access all of the Minecraft streaming content that is available
Recently, Minecraft started to pitch content directly to gamers as a new market. The aim here is to expose new gamers to all the fun Minecraft provides, including any new rollouts and information on future perks. Sadly, some locations will not be able to access these networks.
However, if you install a VPN, you will be able to access any streaming content that is not available in your area at present.
Navigate through any content restrictions
It is not unusual for gaming publishers to only operate in one location, implementing content restrictions for other parts of the world.
Not only this but there are some countries that ban games altogether. In order to bypass these restrictions, all you need is a quality VPN.
Enjoy early access to downloadable content
As a Minecraft fan, we are sure you already know that Minecraft releases downloadable content every year, with plenty of updates throughout. The issue is that there are some countries that will get these updates months before other parts of the world do. It can be incredibly frustrating to log into gaming forums and see people raving about the latest update, which you are not able to access yet.
However, you do not need to be frustrated anymore, as a VPN means you can switch your server to one of these locations so that you can get the updates as soon as they are released. So, if you are based in the UK and Minecraft has launched a new product in the US, all you need to do is change your VPN to a server located in the United States and you will be able to download it.
by Alejandra | Feb 20, 2022 | Entertainment
Lisbon, Portugal, is a city with a rich history. It was founded by the Phoenicians in 1200 BC and has been ruled by many empires since then.
In 1755, Lisbon suffered a devastating earthquake that killed tens of thousands of people.
In Ressurrecta, Vic Echegoyen tells the story of how a group of real historical characters survived, coped and helped others, making sacrifices and real time decisions impacted on this disaster. This is an important story for anyone interested in archaeology, history, or how humanity still has a chance.
Presentation at Fnac Chiado
Ressurrecta by Vic Echegoyen
Vic Echegoyen, a dearest friend of more than 20 years, a writer of many historical books, brings us, once more, an excellent book, this time about Lisbon’s 1755 earthquake. The book, launched in Spain by Edhasa and in Portugal by Penguin Livros, brings us the story of several real characters and tells us the story over 6 hours while the earthquake happen.
Written minute by minute, each minute tells us in mini-stories, a little of which characters are going through, with the most impressive detail. Echegoyen’s research was thorough and precise, opening to a wonderful mindset of how this earthquake facts are not known to the public.
How 1755 Lisbon earthquake impacted Portugal
I dare to say that impacted worldwide. The earthquake was felt from the US to North Africa.
On the morning of 1st of November 1755, a Saturday and a festivity’s day, Portuguese celebrate their dead with Saints Day, a catholic holiday, visiting them on their graves, buying flowers, meeting with family members, so many people were on the street, making their normal daily lives when where struct by this incredible earthquake.
The great Lisbon earthquake did not only bring an earthquake that ruined the city, it was followed by tsunami waves, a 20 meter wave that washed down the city downtown, and subsequent fire, which killed thousands of people. Whilst Lisbon was the only city affected in Portugal, many of Lisbon’s buildings were affected when the earthquake struck. Terreiro do Paco, the main city plaza where the royal family lived, was majorly affected by the Lisbon disaster, the Royal family escaped unharmed since they were in their Belém palace (a 15km place from Terreiro do Paco).
King Joseph made some commitments and trusted his most faithful minister, Sebastião de Melo, later nominated Marquis of Pombal, and together they worked the chaotic aftermath with major developments and some rules that were considered harsh.
Not only lives were lost in 1755 Lisbon earthquake
Whilst the Royal family escaped unharmed, King Joseph was known in Portuguese history for his lack of courage, the kind has his own private Zoo with lions and many African animals that were offered to him by other chiefs of state. He decided to kill every animal in his Zoo, even if the zoo remained intact.
Meanwhile, in the middle of the ruined city, the prime minister’s response, Sebastião de Melo, considered by historians a mix of national hero to a ruthless villain, decided many rules towards Lisbon’s population, creating rules and certainly the beginnings of a new and bright Lisbon… even if with that many heads had to roll. (pun intended).
Sebastião de Melo and his family, decided to stay and help the people. Some of his known orders were the following:
- Close Lisbon’s doors. Lisbon contained doors (they still exist) so people would stay inside of Lisbon and help to reconstruct the city and its buildings. He was afraid that if people would leave Lisbon, they wouldn’t return and wouldn’t help in the reconstruction of the city – such as happened with Pompeii. This led to contain the city and its inhabitants.
- Closing of the Port: back in 1755, pirates, especially the North African pirates, would ransack the European ports. He thought that this would happen once the news arrived there. What he didn’t know is that North Africa was also struck by the same earthquake.
- The biggest jail, called Galé, released the prisoners. He decided to kill every prisoner without any mercy. Many of these prisoners died drowned in the huge subterranean caverns filled by Tagus river water, and jails were in these subterranean caverns.
- To maintain a perfectly ordained city, Sebastião de Melo had zero tolerance for robbers. It was ordained that any person that robbed or killed, their head was in a stake all around the city, to send the idea to the whole population that he has zero tolerance.
How was life in 1755 in Lisbon
Lisbon in 1755 was a flourishing and metropolitan city. Full of life, this city contained a modern square (Terreiro do Paco – still the city Square), an Opera House – that was 8 months old when the Lisbon earthquake happen and unfortunately was lost, the city contained famous palaces, such as the Royal Ribeira Palace, and it was the richest of the Portuguese cities. The royal archives disappeared, as well as Rossio’s hospital (and everyone inside), monasteries, and churches. Lisbon was a city filled with many nationalities and religions, being catholic the predominant one, Lisbon was a metropolis in which you could hear many languages.
With Lisbon’s earthquake, the city’s famed attractions disappeared, and the southern coast and the west coast affected, the Portuguese had to learn to survive in what was previously a glorious city to a destroyed. The earthquake damage was such a phenomenon that the earthquake’s consequences extended into an accentuated political tension between countries, as for example, the consul of Spain died during the earthquake, not to mention religious ideology.
What was a major flourish and modern city, with great architecture and modern design, turned into one of the biggest modern disaster.
But even in the middle of the dark, we can find light, the great Lisbon earthquake led to the very first event in world history: It was the first time that countries united with humanitarian aid. Many countries send boats filled with food and medicine, people to help in the reconstruction.
Fun fact: There are still buildings in Lisbon’s downtown with signs of the Lisbon earthquake.
The author signing books
Ressurrecta
Vic Echegoyen decided to call the book Ressurrecta as, in her own words, “The city rose again, is resurrected from the rubble and ashes. Instead of flight, Portuguese decided to reconstruct and not abandon their home, to help the poor and those that lost everything, to feed and water, and they rose again.”
Ressurrecta is the real tale, about real people, a book with detailed historical records that inspired major developments and shared how the city affected many lives. It’s the tale of how an earthquake and tsunami brought down the eighteenth century theology and previous old ideas, and a new city and country was brought back to life.
Thank you to:
Thank you to the author, for the wonderful opportunity of being one of the first people to read Ressurrecta, for sharing something I didn’t know and that I learned so much about the Lisbon earthquake, this nugget of Portuguese historical wisdom, such a fact as an earthquake strongly influenced how the modern Lisbon architecture and engineering changed for better.
The 1755 Lisbon earthquakes lead also to one of the biggest historical figures becoming the prime minister, Sebastião de Melo, Marquis of Pombal to be a huge influence in the country.
Thank you to Fnac and Penguin Livros for inviting me to be presenter and interviewer of Ressurrecta at Fnac Chiado along with my dearest Javier from Todo Literatura.
You can buy Ressurecta in any good bookshop or online. What are you waiting for? I highly recommend this book.
by Alejandra | Dec 1, 2021 | Entertainment
To any newbie, online gaming can be quite intimidating and even sometimes confusing. Many first-time gamers end up abandoning their entire gaming experience after a few unsuccessful and frustrating attempts. Contrary to what many people may think, online gaming isn’t difficult to master, no matter what type of game you’re interested in or your previous level of playing experience. With the proper setup and gaming environment, any newbie gamer can take their gaming experience to the next level by mastering the art, tricks, and hacks they need in no time.
The number of online games that have shot up in the past couple of years is a good indicator that more and more people are taking up online gaming, and you don’t want to be left out of this ever-growing online family. So, no matter how long you’ve struggled with your gaming experience, here are some tips you can use to take your gaming to the next level.
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Set up a great gaming platform
Believe it or not, the gaming platform you pick can affect your gaming experience. It is no secret that online gamers demand a lot regarding the servers they choose in terms of performance, features, and extra support. As a gamer, you want to ‘work’ with a server you can rely on, one that will not frustrate your gaming experience with lags or force you to fight for resources with other online gamers. For example, if you want to enjoy playing Ark Survival Evolved, you should choose a reliable Ark server hosting platform that’ll enhance your gaming experience.
Thankfully, the global gaming hosting market has been growing steadily over the past couple of years, providing a comprehensive option of host servers to choose from. But to identify the right option for you, there are a few things you need to consider. These include customer support, hardware, backups, sub-domains available, DDOS protection, easy-to-use control panels, no overselling issues, and so on.
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Play with the right mindset
Online gaming should always be about having fun. Although it is possible to carve a career out of online gaming (and many gamers are currently doing this), your first and foremost intention should be to have fun with it. Even if you want to make online gaming your career, that’ll be difficult if you can’t have fun with each experience.
The last thing you want to do is to make your online gaming experience an intimidating one. Regardless of how impressive the graphics are or how complicated the gameplay is, you need to remember that it is still a game, and you’re supposed to have fun with it.
One way to make your gaming experience less intimidating is to practice and learn the moves as often as you can. Practice, as they say, makes perfect. And this leads to the next point.
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Learn from more experienced players
It can be difficult to enjoy playing a game when you’re struggling to get through the gameplay. If you want to take your gaming experience to the next level, you can learn from the more experienced players. Watch how they play, observe their techniques, and try to master them.
Fortunately, you don’t have to look too far to find some of the best gamers to learn from. Various online streaming platforms like Youtube allow some of the best gamers to share their gameplay with others. You can watch some of these guys play and learn from them.
To become a better gamer, you also need to play with people better than you. It’s hard to improve your skills if you only keep playing with or against players you can easily beat or share the same skill level as you. Playing with the best gives you the chance to pick up useful tips and pointers to better your techniques and take your gaming experience to a new level. Of course, it will hurt to lose against them all the time, but you’ll only get better with time.
Sometimes the best way to enjoy your game is to socialize or play with friends. If you’re a first-timer, you can have some real friends backing you and guiding you through the gameplay. If you’re playing against others online, try to be friendly and polite as much as possible. Online bullying exists in online gaming, and you don’t want to be the one dishing it; neither do you want to be at the receiving end. Again, your sole purpose should be to have fun with it.
by Alejandra | Jul 21, 2021 | Entertainment
There are so many electronic gadgets available today! It is mind-blowing. Let’s assess some of the best.
DSLR Cameras
DSLR cameras are a type of digital camera, with DSLR standing for Digital Single Lens Reflex. This type of camera directs light by using mirrors – the light from lens is directed to the viewfinder, which is a hole on the back of the camera, the one that you look through when you are taking a picture.
Now you know the basics regarding how DSLR cameras operate, but what are the benefits associated with using them? The main advantages are their responsiveness and speed. There is nothing worse than missing a great photograph because the camera is too slow. Luckily you don’t need to worry about this when using a DSLR camera.
Why are digital SLRs faster than compact cameras? It comes down to mechanics vs electronics. When using a compact camera the sensor is electronically activated every time you want to take a photo and this can lead to sluggish performance. However, when you use a DSLR camera there is a shutter mechanism that is made up of two curtains. This opens and closes instantaneously when you go to take a photo. It blocks the sensor from the light and allows for a much faster and more responsive devise. Another advantage is that you will experience high quality even in low light.
It is not hard to see why a DSLR is the obvious choice when buying a digital camera.
Options For Those Buying Printers
Printers have advanced incredibly over the years, and they have led to many services, such as those provided by virtualoffice.sydney. Nowadays you have the ability to print, scan, fax and copy from the same device. You can also benefit from wireless printing, which means you don’t have to connect your printer to your computer or laptop via a cable. Because of this, there is a lot to consider when assessing the various printers on the market.
It is always a good idea to read reviews that have been left by previous customers to see what they have to say about the printer you are considering. If the machine in question has a bad reputation then you will know to look elsewhere.
Aside from this, speed is an important consideration, especially if you plan on doing a lot of printing. Cheap printers may only print about three to six pages per minute and this may not be efficient for businesses and individuals that have large printing requirements.
Another important factor to take a look at is the printer resolution. This determines the sharpness of images and text on paper and is typically measured in dots per inch, dpi. There are many different types of printers available today as well. This includes 3D, inkjet, laser, and all in one.
Cost is of course an essential consideration when buying any type of product. But, when you are buying a printer, you do not only need to think about the price of buying the machine itself but the running costs as well. Inks can be expensive and thus it is advisable to research this beforehand.
More Incredible Electronic Gadgets
From digital cameras to televisions, we have already touched upon some of the most popular and essential electronics that are used today. So, now let’s take a look at some other useful electronic gadgets that make our lives easier and more enjoyable.
There is only one place to begin, and this is with the iPhone. Apple’s smartphone is a market leader. It offers many innovative features for users to take advantage of, including apps, iMessenger and an excellent camera. Aside from this, Google Chromecast is a cheap yet effective product. It is an HDMI dongle/media hub for your TV. It gives you the ability to stream Google Play videos, YouTube and Netflix by simply plugging it into any port in your TV.
Other electronic gadgets that have had a big impact include tablets and portable Bluetooth speakers.
What about smartphone battery packs? There is nothing worse than when you are out with your friends and your smartphone dies. These battery packs make it possible for you to power your phone and give it the extra battery it needs so you can remain connected.
There have also been many advances in the gaming industry, with gaming headsets giving you an experience that is close to surround sound, with strong bass and amazing sound quality. That is without even mentioning the impact electronic consumables have had on the fitness industry, giving you the ability to measure your progress, count calories burned, and even monitor your sleeping patterns.
