| How to Simulate a Hangout Posted: 29 May 2020 01:00 AM PDT It can be really hard to be apart from your friends and family, especially if you're used to seeing each other often. Luckily, technology has made it possible to get together with your loved ones without ever having to leave your home. Just organize a virtual hangout and get everyone to join at the same time! [Edit]Choosing a Platform - Try Zoom to video chat with a larger group. Zoom is a platform that allows you to video chat with up to 100 people for up to 40 minutes for free. If you're not sure that will be long enough, you can get up to 24 hours per session if you upgrade your account to a paid membership, which starts at $14.99 USD a month.[1]
- Zoom is available for computers and Android devices, and it's become a popular option for hangouts like happy hours and watch parties.
- To start a group chat on Zoom, open the app and click 'Launch Meeting.' From there, click 'Invite Participants,' and either email the group members or add them from your Zoom contacts.[2]
- Check out Skype for smaller groups. Skype is another platform that allows free video calls, and it's available for computers, tablets, and mobile devices. You can invite up to 10 people to a hangout session, as long as they all have Skype as well.[3]
- Open Skype and click the 'New Chat' button, then select 'New Group Chat.' Enter a name for your group, and if you'd like, upload a photo as well. Then, select the right arrow icon to create your group. Add your contacts, then hit the 'Done' button to start the chat.[4]
- Skype is a great option for small gatherings, like family dinner hangouts.
- Use Google Hangouts if everyone has a Gmail account. Google Hangouts is a free instant messaging platform that supports video chat, and all you have to have is a Google account. If you're hanging out in a video chat, you can have up to 25 people join. If you're doing voice-only, you can have up to 150 people.[5]
- Open the Hangouts app (or go to https://hangouts.google.com), and click the green plus button that says 'New conversation.' Tap 'New group,' then add your group members by entering their names, email addresses, or phone numbers. Finally, click 'Video Call' to start your hangout![6]
- Use FaceTime if you all have Apple devices. FaceTime is a video chat service that comes preinstalled on any Apple device. If you have a newer iOS device, you can set up a Group FaceTime with up to 32 people, as long as they all have the FaceTime app on an Apple device as well.[7]
- To get your hangout started, open FaceTime, then tap the plus sign in the top right corner of the page. Use your friends' names, phone numbers, or emails to add them to the group, then tap the 'Video' button to start the chat.[8]
[Edit]Organizing the Hangout - Opt for a smaller group if you want a more intimate feel. Just like when you're planning a party or a happy hour, it's usually best to choose a handful of people who all get along with each other, rather than inviting everyone you know. For instance, you might plan a video chat with a certain friend group or your immediate family.[9]
- It's okay if you invite people who don't already know each other—part of the fun can be introducing the group to new friends!
- If you want a bigger hangout, that's totally fine! Just keep in mind that the more people you have, the harder it can be for everyone to participate.
- Let the participants know when you're planning the hangout. Reach out to the people you want to invite and let them know when you're thinking about meeting. Try to pick a time that will work for everyone, like in the evening after everyone's kids have gone to bed, or in the early afternoon if you want older and younger family members to be included. In addition, be sure to let everyone know what platform to use ahead of time.[10]
- Also, let them know about any special instructions you have in mind. For instance, if you're hosting a cooking demo, you might share a list of ingredients and supplies for anyone who wants to cook along with you!
- Familiarize yourself with the software you'll be using. If you've never been on a group video chat, spend a little time clicking around the software or reading tutorials on all the different features. That way, you won't have to worry about trying to learn on the fly once your hangout is already underway![11]
- As a bonus, this will make it easier to help any of your guests who might have technical difficulties during the hangout.
- Set up your webcam in a quiet, well-lit place. To make sure everyone can see you, have a light nearby so you won't be hidden in shadows. However, avoid super-bright lights, which can make you look washed out. Also, try to avoid setting up next to anything noisy that could drown you out.[12]
- For instance, if you're chatting at your kitchen counter, make sure your dishwasher is turned off, since the noise could make it hard to hear what you're saying.
- Log into your platform and add your guests. When it's time to start your hangout, open the platform you're planning to use, then start adding guests. If you're using Zoom, you'll likely need to send a meeting link to each of your guests. However, if you're using another platform like Skype or FaceTime, you can just start calling people from the app to invite them to the chat.[13]
- Since some platforms limit the time of your group chat, don't start inviting people too early, or it could cut your call short!
- Ask everyone to say something to open the hangout. Video chatting can feel a little weird at first if you're not used to it. To help everyone get comfortable, go around and have each person introduce themselves. If everyone already knows each other, open by having everyone say a little something about what they've been up to lately.[14]
- For instance, you might say something like, "Ok, first we're going to all go around and say hi. When it's your turn, share something funny that happened to you this week!"
- Plan questions in advice to keep the conversation going. Whether you have any structured activities planned or not, your group chat will go more smoothly if someone is helping guide the conversation. For instance, you might prepare a list of questions ahead of time in case there's a lull in the conversation, like "What's something you're grateful for right now?" or "What shows or movies have you guys seen this week?"[15]
- It's perfectly fine to ask someone else to moderate if you don't want to do it!
- Do your best to keep the hangout lighthearted. Avoid subjects like finances, politics, health, or religion, which tend to be somewhat stressful.
- Roll through any software glitches. When you're hangout out on any virtual platform, there's always a chance that something could go wrong. For instance, someone's computer might freeze, the sound might go out, or people might unexpectedly drop out of the chat. If something like that happens, just keep going, and don't be afraid to laugh about it.[16]
- If someone's sound goes out and they don't know it, wait a moment to see if it clears up, then speak up and let them know! For instance, you might say, "Hey Kyle, we can't hear you right now. Does anybody else want to jump in for a minute?"
[Edit]Coming up with Fun Ideas - Plan a dinner party to enjoy a meal with your loved ones. If you love having people over for dinner, try hosting a virtual dinner party. Set up your webcam at your dinner table, then ask everyone to prepare or order a meal to have at their homes. Have everyone agree on a time for the meal, then start the call just as everyone sits down to eat.[17]
- When the call starts, have everyone go around and talk about what they're eating. Then, just try to keep the conversation going, the same as you would if you were hosting an in-person dinner party.
- If your friends love to cook, you could even have one person do a cooking demonstration while everyone tries to follow along at home.
- Enjoy drinks with friends at a virtual happy hour. If you love meeting your friends for drinks after work you don't have to give it up just because you can't meet in person! Stock up on your favorite mixers, beer, or wine ahead of time, and enjoy the fun with your friends as the drinks flow.[18]
- Try sharing a cocktail recipe with your friends ahead of time so everyone can enjoy the same drink!
- Virtual happy hours are a great way to hang out and share drinks without having to worry about how everyone's going to get home! However, keep in mind that it's still important to drink responsibly.
- Play games for a fun way to pass the time. There's no limit to the different games you can play during a virtual hangout, so get creative! For instance, you might host a virtual weekly trivia game, play board games or cards, or try online games like Words with Friends or Draw Something.[19]
- You could also try tabletop games designed for multiple players, like Dungeons & Dragons.[20]
- If you have an online account on a video game console, you could arrange to play group-friendly games like Mario Kart, Rocket League, or Super Monkey Ball.[21]
- Host a watch party so everyone can tune into the same show or movie. If you and your friends love the same TV show, start your virtual hangout just as your show is starting. However, even if you don't all have a show in common, you can still have watch parties—just pick a fun movie on your favorite streaming platform and get everyone to tune in at the same time![22]
- If everyone has Netflix, you can install the Netflix Party extension for Chrome, which will allow everyone to stream the same movie together. There's even a group chat feature so you can talk about what's going on![23]
- Start a virtual book club for your lit-minded friends. The only thing better than getting lost in a good book is having someone to share it with. Pick a book that you think everyone will enjoy and ask everyone to read it. Then, have everyone share their thoughts about the book during your virtual meeting![24]
- Try having your book club meetings once a month to ensure everyone has plenty of time to read the selection.
- For a fun way to find new books to read, allow a different member to choose a book each month!
[Edit]Warnings - Using video-conferencing software could potentially open a security flaw on your device that could enable hackers to join your call. If you'll be discussing anything sensitive, use an extra layer of caution, like requiring guests to enter a password to join the call.[25]
[Edit]References |
| How to Store Boiled Eggs Posted: 28 May 2020 05:00 PM PDT Hard-boiled eggs are quick, tasty, and nutritious treats. Eggs are a great source of protein and other nutrients, and hard-boiled eggs can be a convenient snack or light meal. It is important to correctly store eggs to ensure they are fresh and safe to eat. Refrigerating, freezing, and pickling are all methods that will help you to safely store your hard-boiled eggs while maintaining their delicious flavor. [Edit]Refrigerating Hard-Boiled Eggs - Place eggs in cold water immediately after boiling. After they have cooled, dry the eggs with a paper towel and refrigerate immediately. This will help to prevent bacteria and other contagions from growing on the eggs.[1]
- Refrigerate all eggs within 2 hours of boiling. If possible, place the eggs in the refrigerator as soon as they have cooled.[2]
- If the eggs are not refrigerated immediately, they can become dangerous to eat. Warmer temperatures make the egg more vulnerable to bacteria such as salmonella. Discard any eggs that have sat out for two or more hours.
- Keep the eggs refrigerated until you are ready to serve them. If the eggs remain out of the refrigerator for over 2 hours, you should discard them.
- Refrigerate unpeeled hard-boiled eggs. Keeping eggs in their shells will help to prevent the egg from deteriorating; place hard-boiled eggs that still have their shells back in the egg carton, or in a sealed container. Store the hard-boiled eggs on a refrigerator shelf.[3]
- Don't store hard-boiled eggs in the refrigerator door. The repeated opening and closing of the door can cause temperature changes, causing the eggs to rot more quickly.
- Keep hard-boiled eggs away from foods with strong odors. Eggs will absorb the flavors and aromas of nearby items. Keep foods such as garlic or cheese away from the hard-boiled eggs to prevent a change in flavor.[4]
- Refrigerate peeled hard-boiled eggs in a bowl of cold water. Peeled hard-boiled eggs may dry out. Placing them in a bowl of cold water in the refrigerator will help to keep them moisturized, and also help to ensure they stay at a constant, cool temperature.[5]
- Change the water daily. Replacing the water every day will keep the eggs fresh as well as help to keep contaminants out of the water and the eggs.
- Alternately, place peeled eggs in a sealed container. Do not add water to this container, but place damp paper towels over the eggs. This will help them to stay fresh and not dry out. Change the damp paper towels daily.
- Use the hard-boiled eggs within one week. Whether they have been peeled or not, hard-boiled eggs will stay fresh for a maximum of 5-7 days. If they are kept longer, they may begin to rot and be dangerous to eat.[6]
- Boiled eggs go bad much quicker than raw eggs; the most obvious sign that a hard-boiled egg has gone bad is a sulfurous, rotten odor. If it is still in its shell, you may have to crack it open in order to detect any bad smell.[7]
- A gray or green yolk does not necessarily indicate that the egg has rotted. The color of the yolk is usually the result of how long the egg was boiled. If eggs are boiled too long, the yolk may turn green or gray.
[Edit]Freezing Hard-Boiled Eggs - Freeze only the cooked yolks of hard-boiled eggs. These can be used as garnishes or toppings for salads and other dishes. Freezing the entire hard-boiled egg is not recommended as the egg whites will become rubbery and tough. The thawing process might also cause the egg to become discolored.[8]
- Write the date on the container or freezer bag; this will make it easy to track how long the egg yolks have been in the freezer, ensuring that you use the eggs within the 3-month time frame.
- Place the hard-boiled egg yolks in a sealed container or freezer bag. After boiling, peel the eggs, remove the yolks, and package.
- The yolks should be frozen immediately after the eggs have been boiled. This will help lower the risk of the yolks becoming contaminated.
- Consider separating the yolks before boiling. Many people find it easier to separate the yolks and the whites before boiling.That way the yolks can later be frozen,and the whites can be used in other dishes, such as chocolate mousse.[9]
- If boiling the yolks only, place the yolks in a saucepan, then cover with enough water to cover the yolks. Quickly bring the water to boiling. Remove the pan from the heat, cover it, and let it stand for 11-12 minutes. Remove the yolks with a slotted spoon and drain them well before placing them in the freezer bag or container.[10]
- Use the frozen egg yolks within 3 months for best quality. If the egg yolk has an unpleasant aroma, discard it as it has probably gone bad.[11]
[Edit]Pickling Hard-Boiled Eggs - Sterilize the jars in the oven. Canning jars are the easiest containers for pickling eggs. They can be ordered online or bought at kitchen-supply stores. They are designed to seal tightly, preventing any contaminants from entering the jar. It is important that the canning jars are sterile to prevent the risk of disease.[12]
- Wash the jar in hot, soapy water and rinse well. Then place the jars on a cookie sheet in the oven at for 20-40 minutes.
- The eggs and pickling brine should be added as soon as the jars are removed from the oven.
- Boil and peel the eggs. Place the eggs in a pan and add cool water. There should be about of water over the eggs. Bring the water to a boil, then remove the pan from the heat and cover. Let the eggs simmer in the water for 14 minutes. If you are using extra-large eggs, let them simmer for 17 minutes. [13]
- When they are done simmering, rinse the eggs with water to cool them down. Then remove the shells to prepare the eggs to be pickled.
- Prepare the brine. For ideal results, add the brine as quickly as possible.[14]
- A basic pickling recipe uses water, distilled white vinegar, 1 crushed garlic clove, pickling spice, and 1 bay leaf.[15]
- To prepare the brine, mix the water, vinegar, and pickling spice in a medium saucepan and bring them to a boil. Mix in the bay leaf and the garlic. Turn down the heat and let the brine simmer for 10 minutes.
- Place the eggs and the brine in the sterilized jar and seal tightly. Immediately place the jars into the refrigerator. The eggs will need to be refrigerated in the brine for 1-2 weeks before they are ready to be eaten.[16]
- A jar will hold about 12 medium-sized hard-boiled eggs.[17]
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Canning jar
- Distilled white vinegar
- Bay Leaf
- 1 garlic clove
- Pickling spice
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Care for a Fig Tree Posted: 28 May 2020 09:00 AM PDT The fig tree, also known as Ficus carica, is a hardy tree that produces sweet fruit, called figs. Fig trees aren't difficult to grow, but they can pose a challenge if you don't plant them in the right conditions or give them enough water. By following a few simple rules, you can keep your fig tree looking healthy and green. [Edit]Planting Your Fig Tree - Choose a sunny spot to plant your fig tree. Fig trees need a lot of direct sunlight to thrive. Pick any spot in your yard that gets year-round sunlight. Make sure there aren't any nearby trees or structures that will block the sun from reaching your fig tree.[1]
- Plant your fig tree in a large plastic container if you live in a cold climate. If temperatures drop below , fig trees buried in the ground may struggle to survive. Planting your fig tree in a plastic container will help shelter it from the cold. Use a large plastic patio container relative to the size of your fig tree.[2]
- If you do plant your fig tree in a plastic container, make sure you have somewhere sunny to put it.
- Plant your fig tree in a hole the size of the container it came in. Dig the hole so it's as round and deep as the container.[3] After you dig the hole, remove the fig tree from the container and set the roots into the hole. Then, fill the hole in with soil. Pack the soil down with your hands.[4]
- Plant your fig tree in well-draining soil. Figs are hardy trees that can grow in most kinds of soil, as long as the soil has good drainage.[5] Look for soil that contains sand, and avoid soil with a lot of clay in it.[6]
- Mulch the soil around your fig tree with of compost. The compost will help the soil around your fig tree retain water. Do this whether your fig tree is planted in the ground or planted in a container.[7]
- Repot your fig tree every 3-5 years if it's planted in a container. Repot your fig tree during the winter. To repot your tree, remove about one-quarter of the soil in the pot. Then, pull your fig tree up out of the pot and cut away the large roots on the outside of the clump of roots. Place your fig tree back in the same pot and fill it in with soil. Pack the soil down with your hands.[8]
[Edit]Watering Your Fig Tree - Water your fig tree when the top of soil is dry. Fig tree roots grow close to the surface of the soil, so it's important that you water the soil around your fig tree whenever it looks dry. Check the soil at least once a week to see if your fig tree needs more water.[9]
- Give your fig tree about of water with each watering. Completely soak the soil around your fig tree. If you're not sure what of water looks like, get a bucket and fill it up with water. Then, pour the bucket of water over the soil around your fig tree.[10]
- Water your fig tree more if it's wilting or turning yellow. These are signs that your fig tree isn't getting enough water. If your fig tree exhibits these symptoms, increase the number of times you water it each week and see if that stops the wilting and discoloration.[11]
[Edit]Fertilizing Your Fig Tree - Fertilize your tree weekly with liquid fertilizer while fruit is growing on it. When you notice the fruit, apply a liquid fertilizer to the soil surrounding your fig tree. Use a liquid fertilizer that's high in potassium. Once you've harvested all the fruit on your fig tree, stop fertilizing it weekly.[12]
- You can use tomato plant fertilizer to fertilize your fig tree.
- Fertilize your tree weekly during spring and summer if it's in a container. Container-grown fig trees need more fertilizer to keep the limited supply of soil healthy. Rotate each week between a liquid fertilizer that's high in potassium and a general fertilizer. Add the fertilizer directly to the soil in the container.[13]
- Avoid fertilizing your fig tree more than necessary. Giving your fig tree too much fertilizer can cause excessive leaf growth. The extra growth will take energy away from the fruit on the tree, which can negatively impact your harvest. Only fertilize your fig tree once you notice fruit growing on it, or throughout the spring and summer if it's planted in a container. [14]
[Edit]Harvesting Your Fig Tree - Wait until the figs on your fig tree are ripe before you harvest them. You'll know they're ripe when they're drooping down from the branches they're growing off of. If a fig is still perpendicular to the branch it's growing off of, it's not ripe. Keep in mind that not all of the figs on your fig tree will ripen at the same time.[15]
- The figs on your fig tree should be ripe around late summer or early fall.[16]
- Use your hands to pick the ripened figs off your fig tree. Search the branches of your fig tree for a ripened fig. When you find one, grab it by the thin stem connecting the fig to the branch. Then, gently pull the stem away from the branch until it breaks off.[17]
- Carry a basket with you as you're harvesting your fig tree so you have something to put the figs in as you pick them off the tree.
- Put bird netting over your fig tree if birds are eating your figs. Wrap the netting over the branches of your fig tree and tie it off around the trunk. When you're ready to harvest some of your figs, untie the netting and lift it off the tree. When you're finished harvesting, put the netting back over your fig tree.[18]
- You can find bird netting online or at your local gardening center.
[Edit]Preventing and Treating Common Diseases - Spray your fig tree with neem oil to get rid of fig rust. Fig rust is a fungus that causes the leaves on fig trees to turn yellow and fall off. If you see signs of fig rust on your tree, spray neem oil over the roots and leaves once a week until the leaves stop yellowing and dropping.[19]
- Remove any leaves that show signs of having leaf blight. Leaf blight is a fungus that affects fig trees. Symptoms of the fungus include moist yellow spots, small holes in the leaves, and webs of fungus underneath the leaves. If you see signs of leaf blight, remove the infected leaves and dispose of them in the trash so the fungus doesn't spread.[20]
- Cut off branches that have a pink and white coating on them. This could be a sign that your fig tree is infected with a fungus called pink blight. It's important that you cut off infected branches so the fungus doesn't spread and kill your fig tree.[21]
- You can help prevent pink blight by removing a third of the smaller branches on your tree so it gets better air circulation.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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