Verbatim search results
If you're finding that using quotation marks no longer returns exact phrase matches on Google, here's a workaround: After conducting your search, click on "Tools" under the search bar, then click on “All Results” and choose “Verbatim”. This will display search results that match the exact phrase you entered. — CD
Home battery
The next big step after installing solar panels on your roof is to install big batteries in your garage. That way you can manage your power better and have plenty on hand during power outages. The slickest off-the-shelf solution is a Tesla Powerwall. The non-Tesla alternative we went with is about the same price ($12,000 per 13 kwh) and capacity, but with a slightly longer warranty. We installed two Franklin lithium iron phosphate batteries, the standard composition for homes. Instead of feeding our electrons back into the grid at a low price, we get to use all the energy we produce during evenings and nights, and for charging our electric car. And during storms, we keep the lights and refrigerators on. Franklin is a complicated system installed by pros. For the true do-it-yourselfer who wants the cheapest possible home battery system, go to BigBattery.com to get your gear. — KK
Boing Boing goes ad-free
In 1987, my wife Carla and I launched Boing Boing, a zine exploring cyberpunk sci-fi, indie comics, and fascinating oddballs. It evolved into a blog with contributions from our journalist friends, covering technology, culture, politics, and wonderfully weird discoveries. After 20 years of increasing ad dependence, we're excited to offer an ad-free premium version that's so much cleaner. Recomendo readers get 25% off their first year – I hope you'll check it out! — MF
Worldwide package tracking
This all-in-one package tracking page will be particularly useful during the holiday season. It allows you to track up to 40 packages from over 2,500 different carriers worldwide. — CD
Animation art
An artist I follow on Instagram is Andy Thomas. He creates these very whimsical, hard to explain animations of fantasy shapes. He says he does not use AI. They appear to be half biological, half algorithmic creations and are unlike anything I’ve seen. I like their energy. — KK
Mini quick-release that actually works
This titanium quick-release keychain is built like a tiny tank with a clever ball-bearing collar mechanism. I use it to separate my house key from a carabiner that's clipped to my shoulder bag. It takes deliberate action to detach (no accidental separations), yet disconnects smoothly when you want it to. Here's a photo so you can see how small it is. — MF
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That Boing Boing title is very misleading. It isn’t going ad-free — you are offering a (paid) ad-free option. Very disappointing and much less interesting than the title would suggest.
Given the quality of Google searches going down over the past decade, like two years ago I found Kagi. The search results are too good. You do have to pay to use it but, man, I can't go back. Not sponsored or anything, just my anecdotal take.