As tempting as it can be to surf on unprotected public networks, doing so makes you incredibly vulnerable to other users on that network. Stick to your private home network or other protected networks when out and about. Most public places like coffee shops and airports offer protected networks. Firefox, for example, has built-in security settings that prevent tracking and other security issues that you'll find in most other browsers. If you want to use a more dedicated browser, try Tor. Another option is Opera, which includes a built-in VPN that you can enable to hide your browsing traffic. Deleting cookies that track your activity will cut down on the number of targeted ads and emails you see in your browsers. The linked article also provides instructions for sending Do Not Track requests, which are messages your browser sends to sites to prevent them from using your information. Aside from social media, keep your email address and other personal information off of the sites you visit. If a site you want to access requires an email address, create a spam email address that doesn't use any of your real personal information and use it to log in.

Summary: Use only secure networks when possible. Use a secure browser. Delete tracker cookies. Don't enter your email address on sites you visit.


Mason jars are always a popular choice for DIY glass dyeing. This method also works well on flat glass surfaces, like serving trays. Keep in mind that glass dyed with food coloring is not waterproof, so don’t use glass that you’re planning to drink from or keep flowers in. Wash the glass object by hand or run it through a dishwasher cycle to make sure it’s clean. If you’re dyeing a vase, check its packaging to make sure it’s dishwasher safe. Also make sure that it's oven-safe, since you'll be setting the glass's color in the oven. Allow it to rest for 30 minutes, or until paint stops dripping down to the bottom of the glass. Excess dye will accumulate at the mouth of a jar. When you lift the glass up after the 30 minutes have passed, wipe excess paint off of the jar’s lip with a clean cloth. If you are not dyeing a jar or glass but are working with a flat glass surface, simply lay it face up. You shouldn’t need to worry about paint dripping off. Set your oven to 200 °F (93 °C) and slide a cookie tray onto 1 of the middle shelves. Set the dyed glass on the cookie tray with their openings facing downward. Shut the door and let the glasses dry for 10 minutes. After the time has passed, turn the glasses right side-up and let them dry in the oven for another 20–30 minutes.  Use a hot pad when handling the glasses so you don’t burn your hand. When you remove the glasses from the oven, set them on a coaster or stone section of your countertop so they don’t damage the counter. Since the dyed glass will not be waterproof, you won’t be able to wash the dyed glass at any point in the future. For this reason, it’s best to use the Mod Podge method on glass materials that are purely decorative.

Summary: Select a clear glass and clean it thoroughly. Place your jar upside down on a piece of wax paper. Bake the glasses in the oven for 30 minutes to dry them.


Use a large, rimmed baking sheet to catch the grease. Lining the bottom and sides of the sheet with aluminum foil will make clean up easier. Place the bacon in an airtight container. You can use the bacon while it's cold, keeping in mind that the bacon will lose its crispiness as it's stored. To reheat the bacon, heat the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until the bacon is heated through. You can also reheat the bacon in the microwave. Set the bacon on a microwave-safe plate and heat the bacon in 20-second increments until it's heated through.

Summary: Preheat the oven to 400 °F (204 °C) and line a sheet with foil. Store leftover bacon for 4 to 5 days in the refrigerator.


Comments are text which does not appear or affect the program in any way. These are used by programmers to leave notes or information for themselves or future programmers. Generally, one or a series of characters will tell the computer that text is a comment and not part of the program, though what those characters are will depend on the programming language being used. For example, using the Python language the hash or number sign indicates a comment. In C++, it’s //. Variables make up a large portion of any program code. These are how the program stores information. Essentially, you will create a tag for the information you are storing and then tell the program what the information is. This can look something like: spam = ‘wikiHow rocks’. Now whenever the program later searches for spam, it will know that that is wikiHow rocks. This type of code can be used, for example, to let a program learn someone’s name, by recording it from an earlier input and attaching it to a variable. Basically, control structures tell your program how to navigate or what to do. If you’ve ever done a choose-your-own-adventure book, this is pretty much what control structures are. In programming, this usually takes the shape of statements that use “if”, “while” or “for” statements, for example. You will need to use these statements and use them correctly if you want to program correctly. Data structures are a program’s shorthand for accessing a lot of information at once. This will keep you from having to type in lots of variables, as you can instead just type in any new information and attach it properly to the list using code. Examples of data structures you might use include lists or key/value pairs (sometimes called HashMaps). Programming languages really are just like other languages in many ways. And just like other languages, there are rules that make programming ‘sentences’ either work or not work. Syntax refers to the specific order or layout of words, symbols, and numbers that make a programming language function. It is important that you learn the proper syntax for the programming language you are learning, since (unlike in spoken language) the computer will not automatically understand when you make a mistake and compensate for it. There are a number of tools that can be used to help you write your code, such as IDEs. Programs like IDEs can allow you to better visualize your code. Make sure you research and know some of the tools that are available to you, as this can make programming much simpler. While most IDEs are specific to a particular programming language, others are more multipurpose, like Microsoft’s Visual Studio.
Summary: Understand comments. Use variables. Use control structures. Use data structures. Use proper syntax. Utilize tools.