Today I depart from my usual practice of writing about one topic. These are items I came across at the weekend and thought they are worthwhile sharing with you.

This video graphically demonstrates how “unprivate” our lives really are nowadays. It’s a Social Media wake up call, watch it to the end and share it with your friends and particularly your kids. Then learn your lesson from it and endeavour to share as little of your private life on social media as possible.

I reckon that this is an excellent tip from Gary North whose thoughts I get every week. Sometimes I act upon them and sometimes I ignore them. This one makes good sense.

GARY NORTH’S TIP OF THE WEEK

My wife is awaiting the announcement of the iPhone 8 on September 12. She uses an iPhone 4. It’s getting clunky.

I have recommended that she buy an iPhone 7 if she buys an iPhone at all. The “gotta have it” crowd will be buying the iPhone 8. At that point, the iPhone 7 will look good for the price.

That assumes that she won’t buy a Samsung Galaxy 7S. It will look good, too.

Google’s Pixel 2 may also look good. But when?

I knew a man 30 years ago who sold used video equipment. His company’s slogan: “trailing-edge technology.” The equipment was reliable and cheap. It god most jobs done.

Fact: you are the weak link, not the technology.

Before you buy a new smartphone, figure out what you really need. They all have so many bells and whistles that you can barely hear these words: “good enough.”

If you won’t use a feature, don’t pay for it.

Gary "Flip Phone" North

Recent articles posted at www.garynorth.com

As humans we are pretty good at ignoring any signs that customers, clients or patients give us even when we are banged on the head by them. But animals are acutely aware of what’s happening around them and act on anything they sense. For example, we haven’t said a word to our two cats that we may be going away for a day or two… and yet they seem to know!