Tear the paper into strips, and layer it around your plants. This will help prevent weed growth and will keep the soil moist. The paper will eventually decompose and help give nutrients to the soil.  Corrugated cardboard can be effective as well. Do not use glossy paper or colored ink. Newspaper will add carbon to a well-balanced compost pile, and is classed as “brown.” Check out our guide  here on how to build a balanced compost. Use old newspaper as a spill guard when performing auto repair or when painting and staining furniture. Use it as a covering for all of your craft projects.
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One-sentence summary -- Turn newspaper and office paper into mulch. Add newspaper to the compost. Protect against spills.


The key to a successful mobile game is one that’s easy to understand and play, yet interesting and challenging enough to keep the user coming back. Outline a basic idea or story, then brainstorm how to make it “never-ending,” like by adding different levels, challenges, and goals.  For example, if your game is going to be shooting down stray meteorites, incorporate harder levels where the meteorites start falling faster, or set a goal for the player where they can unlock a new launcher if they shoot 15 meteorites in 5 seconds. Think about the games that are most popular or that you like the most when you’re brainstorming. What do you like about them? How can you use the best aspects in your own game? The 2 primary platforms are either iOS (which is what iPhones use) or Android. While similar in some ways, each platform differs in how much freedom you have as a developer along with how much money you’ll spend or make. For instance, Android allows you more flexibility with custom functions and features because it’s an open-source platform.  iOS tends to be easier to develop apps on since its programming language (Swift) is less involved than Android’s (Java). You’ll have a better chance of making more money if you use iOS. The App Store generates almost double the revenue of Android’s equivalent, which is Google Play.  You can build for both iOS and Android, but it will be more expensive since each one has its own coding structure and requirements. If you want to use both platforms, it’s best to start with just one since you have limited time and resources. Once you develop the game for that platform, you can convert it to be compatible with the other. Once you have your concept, figure out how you want it to look and run. Vibrant, bold graphics tend to look best on small smartphone or tablet screens. You’ll also want to take advantage of all the fun functions of mobile devices, like tilting the phone to steer a car or swiping with your finger to swing a sword.  Add sound effects to enhance the experience for the user. You can include anything from fun background music to the sound of a cheering crowd whenever the player scores a goal, for instance. You can design your graphics with software like Photoshop, or hire a graphic designer if you want more professional-looking images. Check your platform’s design requirements first. You can find the list on either Google Play or the App Store. Beginners can use a “drag and drop” program to create your game without actually having to code anything. And if you do know how to code, use open-source framework, like Phaser, which can provide support, plugins, and blueprints for building your game.  One of the most popular game development programs is GameSalad, which lets you build fully functioning 2D games without writing a single line of code. While “drag and drop” programs are easy and convenient, they’ll also limit how much customization and control you have. Consider outsourcing the development step to make your life easier if you’re not an experienced coder or developer. It’s worth the extra cost to have a professionally-designed product. The top way to make money from your app is by charging a fee to download it or a monthly subscription rate. But if you want to offer a free game, you can still monetize it by adding things like in-app purchases, premium content, or ads.  You can try offering what’s known as a “freemium” app. People can download your gaming app for free, but then pay for more advanced features or a better experience. In-app purchases might include buying coins so your character can have new clothes, for example, or paying to play the game without ads. There are different ad services you can choose from. For instance, a popular option for Android apps is Google AdMob. Be careful not to overdo it with ads. You don’t want to frustrate players or disrupt their gaming experience. If you developed your game for iOS, you’ll use the App Store. If you used Android, you’ll upload to Google Play. The companies will review your game and determine if it’s acceptable to be included in their app stores.  Getting your game approved by Google is much easier than by Apple. Once you submit to Google Play, your game could be live in just a few hours. To upload an app on Google Play, you have to sign up for a Google Play Developer account which costs $25. To submit an app to Apple, you need to enroll in the iOS Developer Program, which is $99 a year. If your game isn’t accepted, make any necessary changes based on the feedback you receive, then re-submit as many times as you’d like. You can appeal a rejection to Apple’s App Review Board if you feel it was unfair.
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One-sentence summary --
Come up with a concept for your game that’s simple yet addicting. Decide which platform you want to use based on features and budget. Design your game using colorful graphics and mobile-specific features. Build your app with a development program or open-source framework. Monetize your game if you want to generate revenue. Submit your finished game to the platform’s reviewing body.