Cables matter. Despite the name Universal in USB, USB cables are not universal, especially the emerging new USB-C style. Ones with the same plug can charge at different rates, and transfer data (or not) differently. Cheap generic ones are not always compatible, which I have learned the hard way. Wirecutter has researched recommended USB-C cables with clarity. — KK

My friend Gareth Branwyn has been writing books and articles for top-tier publishers for decades. He recently wrote an article called “How to Be a Better Writer: Tips, tricks, and hard-won lessons: from creating drafts to working with editors,” and is a gold mine of treasure for anyone interested in improving their writing. — MF

A few years ago I recommended using Frownies at night to prevent the forehead wrinkles that happen when you furrow your brow, which I tend to do a lot while I sleep. I’ve now switched over to Facial Smoothies because they are easier to apply, less noticeable, and they cost less — one pack is $16 and lasts almost four months. — CD

Scan almost any textbook math problem with your phone’s camera and Photomath will generate a step-by-step solution instantly. The app works for iOS and Android and it’s free. — MF

I started listening to Sleepwalkers a couple of weeks ago. The hosts talk to software developers, ethicists, artists, doctors, military professionals, and other people who are creating, using, regulating, and thinking about AI and how it’s affecting every aspect of life on Earth. Instead of inviting guests into the studio, the hosts go into the field and talk to their guests where they live and work, which makes all the difference. — MF

I like reading the Houston newsletter. Once a week, the top 5 problems posted on the Houston forum are shared as an email, and by then people have either commiserated over having the same problem or in some instances shared a website/app as a solution. Like this problem of counting calories when you eat out. I am not interested in finding ideas for a startup, but it’s interesting finding problems I didn’t know I had. — CD

Latcho Drom is a 25-year old French documentary that explores the historical migration of (and connection between) music from the nomads of western India to the Roma deep in the heart of Europe. It has no narration, and essentially no speaking at all. The film just follows music being played and sung by genuine local musicians in their authentic homes as it travels westward. The film itself is a long song and quite unlike anything else I’ve seen. You can watch it in full on YouTube. — KK

The best way to learn how to tie a knot: visit Animated Knots. Choose left- or right-handed, any direction. — KK

This set of three plastic trays comes with 30 soil pods for foolproof germinating of vegetable seeds. I used it to start bean, basil, tomato, and catnip plants in my kitchen windowsill. Transplanting is easy — just place the pod with the sprout into your garden soil or planting container. — MF

Instagram encourages envy. I am totally envious of the photography of Jordan Hammond on Instagram. He travels to the kind of remote places I go, but he gets stunning images on a regular basis. Each one is a classic, requiring a lot of work, and captures the spirit of a place. — KK

I like this graphic shared by DailyInfographic which lists seven tips for better writing. Some advice for mastering them is to just focus on one or two at a time until they become habits. I am working on parallel construction, by taking out words I’ve listed and confirming the sentence still makes sense. — CD

I wasn’t sure if I would like the Philips Wake-Up Light Alarm Clock, but in one month it’s trained me to wake up earlier, naturally. I set the alarm for the time I want to wake up and the light gradually increases beginning about 20 minutes before the alarm is set to go off. During that time is when I usually wake up. When the wake-up light doesn’t work, I get woken up by the sounds of birds chirping. Either way, I’m never startled or grumpy. — CD

I bought this Sortkwik fingertip moisturizer so I could do card tricks better, but it turns out to be excellent for separating sheets of paper and turning book pages, too. If you have dry fingers, give this stuff a try. It’s not greasy or sticky, it just adds a little extra grip. — MF

This made a huge difference to our family when we discovered them: you can get swim goggles and snorkeling masks with corrective lenses. Same price, see better! — KK

My daughter is funding her next trip to Japan by selling a wide variety of stuff on eBay. She’s been doing well and is committed to the project, so I did my part by getting her this $20 digital postal scale. It weighs packages up to 11lbs. — MF

Sunshine.fyi is a simple webpage that tells you how many hours, minutes and seconds of sunlight are left in your day. I keep it in my bookmark bar, but it’s now available as a chrome extension, so that every new tab serves as a reminder to go outside and make the most of your day. — CD

Lately, I’ve been listening to cassette tapes from the 1980s and 1990s on archive.org. I was able to download the entire collection of tapes by using a Google Chrome extension called Archive Downloader. Once it was installed, I went to the page at archive.org and clicked the Archive Downloader extension icon on my browser. Then I selected the mp3 files from a pop-up list and downloaded them. — MF

A good Reddit thread I learned a lot from, and one I hope will keep going: “What are some recent scientific breakthroughs/discoveries that aren’t getting enough attention?” — KK

My cat is a side pee-er so the best litter box for her is the Modkat Litter Box with top entry. There’s less litter on the floor, it’s easier to clean and it looks great. My favorite litter to use is the Fresh Step Clumping Litter with Febreeze. I often forget to clean out the litter box because it rarely smells. — CD

I use superglue (cyanoacrylate) to close small cuts and stop them bleeding. Dab it dry, apply glue, hold together. You can use any kind of “krazy glue” occasionally for first aid; it’s really handy in a workshop. Sometimes instead of stitches doctors use an expensive variant of cyanoacrylate called Dermabond, which is medical grade glue. Second best is cheaper vet-grade glue, Vetbond, which some also use to heal skin cracks. — KK