Gear Leader: The battle is on!

Let's start with…

Backup drives

My trusty backup broke at the worst possible time when I wanted to take my aging MacBook Pro to Apple for a new battery. I needed a new backup device and obviously didn't want to pay for it. I looked on the internet. A one TB device from Lacie was not only half the price of the competition, but also half the size. And twice as robust. And got great reviews.

I ordered it. And now I can highly recommend it. The LaCie is quick and hassle-free. Works with Mac and PC. Sells on Amazon for $79.

Luggage scale

I tested two scales Samsonite manual and the Travel inspiration. They both cost about the same, about ten dollars on Amazon. And both work well; They are easy to use, reasonably compact, and accurate enough to meet airline weight restrictions. But they are very different instruments. The Samsonite is old-fashioned; No battery, no extras, works with springs, not juice. The Inspira is the opposite. It is digital, powered by a lithium battery and displays both temperature and luggage weight. It is smaller and lighter than the Samsonite.

I don't have a strong preference. However, doing so based on their characteristics should help you decide which one you want.

sunglasses

This is the paid exception. Costa I sent me a model to test. I bought one Foster Grant fashion Model in a drugstore. Both were equipped with scratch- and shock-resistant lenses. Both claim 100 percent UVA-UVB lens protection.

As far as looks go, it's a matter of personal preference. I like the Foster Grant better, but then again I'm really old fashioned. In terms of effectiveness, I would rate them as equivalent; Both kept the harsh rays away.

That leaves staying power and price. Despite many months of hard work, the Costas are still the same as they came out of the box. The Foster Grants lasted three (3) weeks.

The Costa cost about $350. The Foster Grant, about $20. You are the judge.

Socks

For my money they are pretty darn sturdy socks compared to the world. And it's not a competition. Darn Tough socks have a lifetime guarantee – that's right, Socks for life – and they’re made in Vermont. Do they cost more than regular socks? Yes. Are they worth it? You can bet on it. End of story.

Cargo shorts

There are two reasons why cargo shorts will replace jeans as a basic pant item:

1. It's getting warmer out there.
2. The ubiquity of cell phones means everyone needs more pockets.

This is the story of a brand – Shallowlulu cargo shorts.

There is hardly a worse name: Shallowlulu? Really? And I'm hard-pressed to imagine a more embarrassing way to find her.

We're having a quiz outside when my wife spots something at the next table. “See that guy’s shorts? They are much nicer than yours. It has zippers instead of those bulky flaps. Ask him about it.”

“Absolutely not!”

Five minutes later: “Hello. My name is Jules. And I promise you that my question will sound at least as ridiculous to me as it does to you.”

Despite the name and despite the awkward question, these are the best cargo shorts I've ever seen. They're quick-drying, water-repellent, breathable, have zippered pockets (!) and even come with a belt. About $33 on Amazon.

Google vs ECOSIA

Full credit goes to Google. When you need information quickly, Google has been the place to go since 1998. It was founded by two Stanford students. It is among the most powerful And most valuable companies in the world.

But.

But Google is also the defendant in the case United States of America vs. Google LLC. The presiding judge found that “Google has unlawfully maintained its monopoly by excluding competitors from the general search engine market. “This exclusionary conduct has stifled competition, raised prices for advertisers, and deprived consumers of potentially higher quality search alternatives.”

If only there was an alternative.

There are.

ECOSIA uses renewable energy to power its servers. It invests its profits in tree planting projects with the aim of absorbing more carbon dioxide than it emits. ECOSIA was launched in 2009, so it is not a night flight.

How effective is it? ECOSIA says it has been planting since its inception more than 200 million trees.

Like Google, it's free, so give ECOSIA a try.

Jules Older's latest children's book is Special Ed and White Power.

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