All posts tagged: cleaner

I thought VLC was peak until I found this cleaner alternative

I thought VLC was peak until I found this cleaner alternative

Published by skeptic

I have been using VLC for so long that I forgot it was even a choice. A few weeks ago, though, I was watching a film late at night and, for whatever reason, I looked at the screen a bit more critically, and all I could see were buttons everywhere. Playback controls, equalizer icons, and a menu bar stretching across the top. Even though you can customize the look and layout of VLC Media Player to hide parts of it, none of it helped me watch the movie; it was just there, demanding attention. That small, slightly irrational irritation sent me down a bit of a rabbit hole. I’d found MPV earlier and stuck with it for its minimalism, but along the way, I stumbled upon Glucose Media Player. I wasn’t expecting much, but after a few minutes, it became obvious this wasn’t just another VLC alternative. It felt noticeably cleaner. OS Windows Developer(s) Vincent L Price model Free (open-source) Glucose Media Player is a lightweight Windows video player with a clean interface and support …

My inbox got much cleaner after I set up these 4 Gmail automations

My inbox got much cleaner after I set up these 4 Gmail automations

Published by skeptic

Digital housekeeping has never been one of my strong points, and this was no more apparent than when I looked at my Gmail inbox. To say it was cluttered would be an understatement, with newsletters, notifications, and low-priority messages making it difficult to find the emails that actually matter. Eventually, I decided enough was enough and took advantage of Gmail’s built-in automation tools, including filters, labels, and automated responses, to reduce clutter, improve organization, and save myself valuable time each week. By automatically categorizing and prioritizing messages, I have streamlined my inbox, reduced distractions, and made email management much more efficient. OS Android Price model Free/subscription Platform Android/iOS Understanding the basics Getting started with Gmail inbox automation So why is inbox automation so useful? Instead of spending a lot of time sorting repetitive messages, labeling conversations, or archiving newsletters, Gmail can be configured to handle many of these tasks automatically. One of the biggest benefits of automation is reduced email overload. When your inbox is filled with unread notifications, promotional emails, and ongoing conversation threads, …

Report shows progress towards even cleaner EV supply chains, Tesla leads

Report shows progress towards even cleaner EV supply chains, Tesla leads

Published by skeptic

A new report produced by a coalition of environmental and social advocacy groups details forward progress being made across the industry towards more sustainable supply chains, with Tesla leading the pack and Chinese brands standing out as making the quickest progress in the last year. There’s been a persistent myth among EV haters that despite electric cars having no tailpipe emissions, this is somehow offset by higher production emissions. Nevermind that this isn’t true – the vast majority of a car’s emissions come from the use phase, namely from burning oil, and manufacturing emissions are a relatively tiny percentage of total emissions – but even those relatively low impacts from production are getting better, according to a new report. The report is called Lead the Charge, and it’s produced by a coalition of advocacy groups surrounding the EV industry that you’ve probably read us report on before (Transport & Environment, Sierra Club, Public Citizen, etc.). Advertisement – scroll for more content It covers two umbrella areas – “Fossil Free and Environmentally Sustainable Supply Chains” and …

Cleaner fish display intelligence and self-awareness — just like mammals

Cleaner fish display intelligence and self-awareness — just like mammals

Published by Jenni Sidey

A shrimp scrap drifted down the face of a mirror, and a small reef fish tracked it like it was watching a slow-motion experiment. The fish, a blue-streak cleaner wrasse, had carried the shrimp upward, released it near the glass, and then followed its fall while repeatedly touching the mirror with its mouth. That sequence showed up days after the wrasse first met its own reflection. To the researchers watching from outside the tank, it looked less like feeding and more like curiosity aimed at the mirror itself. A team from Osaka Metropolitan University says this is a new, higher-order kind of mirror probing in cleaner wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus), a fish already known for passing the classic “mark test” that is often used in debates about animal self-recognition. The group, led by Specially Appointed Researcher Shumpei Sogawa and Specially Appointed Professor Masanori Kohda at the Graduate School of Science, argues the shrimp-dropping behavior fits “contingency testing,” where an animal checks how movements in the real world line up with movements in mirror space. Cleaner fish …

Mitigating the impact of PFAS: Innovative solutions for cleaner UK water

Mitigating the impact of PFAS: Innovative solutions for cleaner UK water

Published by skeptic

As PFAS levels raise concern in UK water, new monitoring tools and advanced treatments offer hope. The question is whether regulators will act fast enough PFAS “forever chemicals” are widespread in UK surface and groundwater, entering rivers and aquifers via industrial discharges, firefighting foams, and wastewater plants that cannot fully remove them. Because PFAS persist and build up in catchments, utilities increasingly rely on proven treatments such as granular activated carbon, ion exchange for low-level targets, and reverse osmosis for complex mixtures. Risk-based monitoring led by the DWI is expanding, with clearer reporting and hotspot prioritisation. What are PFAS, and why does UK water matter? PFAS—per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances— is a vast family of thousands of synthetic “forever chemicals” that resist environmental breakdown and can remain in the human body over time. Their durability makes them a long-term concern for public health and environmental management, especially when they reach drinking water systems intended to supply drinking water safely. UK regulators are moving toward clearer oversight, including guidance from the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) to improve …

Google Slides Animations and Transitions Guide for Cleaner Decks

Google Slides Animations and Transitions Guide for Cleaner Decks

Published by skeptic

Have you ever wondered how some presentations seem to effortlessly captivate an audience while others fall flat? The secret often lies in mastering the advanced features of Google Slides, a platform that has grown far beyond basic slide creation. Below, Learn Skills Daily breaks down how to unlock the full potential of this versatile software, showcasing techniques that transform ordinary slides into polished, professional presentations. Whether you’re an educator aiming to inspire students, a business leader crafting a pitch, or a public speaker delivering a keynote, the insights shared in this guide will help you elevate your presentation game to the next level. From seamless collaboration to visually stunning customizations, the possibilities are endless, and surprisingly accessible. In this tutorial, you’ll discover how to harness features like custom themes, animations, and real-time collaboration to create presentations that leave a lasting impression. Learn how to balance creativity with clarity, making sure your slides are both engaging and professional. Curious about how to work offline, embed interactive elements, or streamline approvals with your team? This guide has …

Best Vacuum Cleaner (2026): Cordless Vacuums, Robot Vacuums, Dysons

Best Vacuum Cleaner (2026): Cordless Vacuums, Robot Vacuums, Dysons

Published by skeptic

Comparing Our Favorite Vacuum Cleaners Honorable Mentions Bissell PowerClean FurFinder for $210: This was our previous top pick for cordless vacuums, and it’s still a great affordable stick vacuum. But if you’re looking for a cheap option, the regular Bissell PowerClean ($200) is a touch cheaper since it doesn’t come with the FurFinder upholstery attachment, while Dyson and Ryobi’s vacuums have more powerful suction for pet hair. Black and Decker Dustbuster Flex for $95: This is another cool handheld vacuum that’s great for cars, or even indoor areas like staircases. It has a 4-foot hose, longer than most compact vacuums, and has a handy little charging mount that the accessories clip into. And thank goodness for the charging mount, since the battery only lasts 15 minutes. Dyson Car+Boat Handheld Vacuum for $290: Dyson’s latest handheld vacuum was designed specifically for cars (and boats!) in mind, so if you have a vehicle to clean, this is made for it. It’s got a fantastic battery life compared to other handheld vacuums. Dyson Gen5 Detect Cordless Vacuum for …

Action vs Information : Build a Cleaner Task System

Action vs Information : Build a Cleaner Task System

Published by skeptic

Have you ever felt like you’re constantly putting out fires, scrambling to keep up with tasks scattered across emails, sticky notes, and multiple apps? It’s a chaotic way to work, and it’s more common than you might think. In this walkthrough, Tom from ICOR shows how consolidating all your tasks into a single, unified system can transform the way you manage your responsibilities. Instead of reacting to urgent issues and juggling fragmented information, you’ll learn how to take back control, reduce stress, and focus on what truly matters. The result? A clearer mind and a more productive day. This guide offers a step-by-step approach to creating a centralized task management system that works for you. You’ll discover how to streamline prioritization, eliminate distractions, and even use automation to handle repetitive processes. Whether you’re overwhelmed by scattered to-dos or just looking to refine your workflow, this breakdown will help you unlock the power of a unified task view. Imagine the freedom of knowing exactly what needs to be done and when, without the mental clutter of …

This open-source Android cleaner gets rid of all the excess junk I don’t need

This open-source Android cleaner gets rid of all the excess junk I don’t need

Published by skeptic

I remember back in 2008, I was lucky enough to save up my money to get an iPod Touch. I felt unstoppable with 8GB of internal storage, loading that bad boy up with music, games, and everything in between. Now, in 2026, it feels like we can throw about four apps on a phone with 128GB of internal storage before it starts to warn us that we’re running out of space. Ever since I can remember, especially on Android devices, there have always been claims of miracle apps that could clean, optimize, and boost your phone’s performance. Remember Clean Master? There’s a reason they went under. But even now, some apps genuinely do work wonders at clearing out excess junk from your phone. Open-source apps have come a long way, and SD Maid SE has become one of my new favorites. What does SD Maid SE do to phones? It checks and scrubs all of those hard-to-reach places Credit: Shaun Cichacki/MUO Before writing about tech, I worked for a cellular company as a sales associate. I …

EVs promised cleaner air. Satellites say it’s finally happening.

EVs promised cleaner air. Satellites say it’s finally happening.

Published by skeptic

Photo by Allie on Pexels.com EVs are supposed to clean up the air, but finding real-world proof has been surprisingly hard. A new study from the University of Southern California (USC) says the satellite evidence is finally strong enough to measure. Researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of USC found that as more zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) hit California roads, air pollution dropped in nearby neighborhoods. Using high-resolution satellite data, the team linked EV adoption to the first statistically significant real-world drop in nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a harmful traffic-related pollutant. The headline number is modest but measurable: for every 200 ZEVs added in a neighborhood, NO2 levels fell by about 1.1% between 2019 and 2023. The study, just published in The Lancet Planetary Health and partly funded by the National Institutes of Health, adds rare real-world evidence to a claim that’s often taken for granted – that EVs don’t just cut carbon over time, they also improve local air quality right now. Advertisement – scroll for more content Why this matters EVs are usually framed …