[techtalk] Internet - Turn Off the Browser Distractions (Discover Feed)

[HANNING Darci * SLO]

Welcome to the latest issue of Tech-Talk!

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Webinars for You



NOTE: Webinars begin at 3 pm ET / 2 pm CT / 1 pm MT / 12 Noon PT and are one hour long.



November 19: [INTERNET] Internet Search Techniques: Search Smarter, Save Time. Why Attend: You want faster and more efficient search results.



December 3: [EXCEL] Spreadsheet Storytelling: Interactive Features You Need. Why Attend: You want tips on bringing out your messages.



December 17: [GRAPHICS] GIF Animations for Images, Websites and Social Media. Why Attend? You want your graphics to grab attention.



January 14: [CYBERSECURITY] Say Goodbye to Password Hassles with Passkeys! Why Attend? You want safer logins for your online accounts.

View Webinars and Register Here<https://opiayfbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001LSQ3BF_nUTwAsqZvo45e4Nr_8OvcNcQ7efbbPKGFxjq9351S751v3FKfcR4J9o6bz4Wch29gSu-ndHiu2aBb2WIOMBqOEOzN-M9_RhcIlWixVrqL02KMHII83ITMHBfcjGp0KJ0cNh2dZCTmvQJOMgY3PhUDATIEC_3FaIxE_ck=&c=lJH5F3gte0eQP1_UfCvbfWd4yuDtWIC_0_UBM5h5S_rLSZROdmYt7Q==&ch=4ifZ1VlKWaLGP6ttV_GuRH0xjNabNbY0HfBF-JGqwvPFXMF7bAr03g==>



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TECH-TALK User Survey - RESULTS!
Plus Two Winners ($50 Gift Card)!



Thanks to everyone who participated in our biennial Tech-Talk Survey!



Drawing Winners: Kimberly Hinman, St. Johns County School District (FL) and Rebecca Verhayden, Clifton Park-Halfmoon (NY).



Executive Summary of Results: Download <https://opiayfbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001LSQ3BF_nUTwAsqZvo45e4Nr_8OvcNcQ7efbbPKGFxjq9351S751v3FMVLOUtNp_FFt91vcCbrde__DsbpSYjq64rybJbrMvgqkav_9KknRjpWItdwdflm18m9ryWpCLTj4FSCTCF_n2smGgD2hZdotibyRn2ei_Vo9BFQg6oL3d4wqsKi6UYXmvrmEdmjZCuLo3eOPito28oaUkXg7yiSgTtA6SxFKbuDBZwlS2Sht1-4VRDsjfnhPFKsWbVwgIX&c=lJH5F3gte0eQP1_UfCvbfWd4yuDtWIC_0_UBM5h5S_rLSZROdmYt7Q==&ch=4ifZ1VlKWaLGP6ttV_GuRH0xjNabNbY0HfBF-JGqwvPFXMF7bAr03g==> this two-page summary of what the Users of Tech-Talk have reported. Organization-specific results available upon request. (support at tech-talk.com<mailto:support at tech-talk.com>)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF SURVEY RESULTS<https://opiayfbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001LSQ3BF_nUTwAsqZvo45e4Nr_8OvcNcQ7efbbPKGFxjq9351S751v3FMVLOUtNp_FsLqX9Xdzlnva9OW04Fhm8bQVVnn2B6Pg0YFFMFzsTeG9EjXgsC9C1yuZrLnKi_L3nGTwdA51f2BwfzUQ42f9_ilasjJzk9dhPDqBRaTahXQ=&c=lJH5F3gte0eQP1_UfCvbfWd4yuDtWIC_0_UBM5h5S_rLSZROdmYt7Q==&ch=4ifZ1VlKWaLGP6ttV_GuRH0xjNabNbY0HfBF-JGqwvPFXMF7bAr03g==>



Internet -Turn Off Browser Distractions (Discover Feed)

Intermediate


[A computer monitor displays a webpage filled with colorful advertisement blocks including buttons labeled AD SALE BUY and CLICK along with image and video icons and text boxes.]

You open your web browser to look something up. But before you can even do your search, there it is…a flood of headlines, celebrity photos, and trending stories all trying to steal your attention! You just want to check one thing, but twenty minutes later, you’ve fallen down a rabbit hole.



The panel of news stories, trending topics, and suggested articles that appear when you open a new tab or start page in your web browser is the Discover feed (no relation to the credit card). It is designed to show you things you might find interesting, based on your browser history. While that can be fun, it’s also distracting.

[A computer screen displays the Microsoft homepage with a red arrow and DISCOVER FEED label pointing to the MSN Discover section showing a banner for Best Empire Builder in 2025 and news headlines.]


It’s like sitting down to work at a desk piled high with papers, sticky notes, and snack wrappers. You can’t find what you came for. The clutter pulls your focus in every direction.



The good news is you can clear off that digital desk. Each browser lets you turn off the Discover feed and start with a clean, calm homepage. This way, you won’t be distracted by flashy media. You can focus on what you want to.



A Caveat!



Each of the browsers is a little different, and the solutions may vary by which type you have and what versions you're using. Remember, we're talking about browsers (Firefox, Chrome, and Edge), not search engines (Google, Bing, Yahoo). So, with this new understanding you may have to adjust the specific directions.



Also, if you have "start up" sites to always show when you open that browser (such as having www.Tech-Talk.com<http://www.tech-talk.com/> appear), you won't see the Discover feed. You can set this up as another way to eliminate the distraction.




[A settings menu displays toggle switches for Show content Show widgets and Show feed all set to Off. Below are three view options Full page Partial view and Headings with Full page selected.]
How to Turn the Discover Feed Off in Edge



If you use Edge, it is simple to make the change. To get rid of those tempting headlines:
1.  Open Edge or a new tab in this browser.
2.  Click the Settings (gear) icon on the top right of the page.
3.  Where it says Show content, make sure it is turned off.




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Turn It Off In Firefox



To have a homepage on Firefox that is clean and uncluttered:
1.  Open Firefox or a new tab.
2.  Click the Settings and quick links icon (three horizontal lines) on the top right of the page.
3.  In Settings on the left, click Home.
4.  Under Firefox Home Content, uncheck Recommended Stories and Support Firefox.



Under some conditions, you may see a section called Customize Your Home Page instead of Firefox Home Content. In that case, turn OFF: Show news and interests and Show Trending on Bing.

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Turn It Off In Chrome MOBILE



The desktop version of Chrome doesn’t have a Discover feed (as of now) ... which is great! However, the mobile version does.



Here’s how you turn it off on the mobile app ... on the iPhone:
1.  Open the Chrome app.
2.  Click on the Settings (three dots) on the lower right.
3.  Choose the settings gear from the menu that appears.
4.  Then scroll down and turn off Discover by toggling the switch.



How you turn it off on an Android:
1.  Open the Chrome app.
2.  Click on the Settings (three dots) on the upper right.
3.  Select Customize new Web Page, then Discover Feed.
4.  Toggle the switch to turn if OFF. (Blue indicates it is ON.)

[A toggle switch labeled Discover with a flame icon on an orange background to the left the switch is turned on indicated by the blue color.]



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Communications: Power Words - #1

"What makes you say that?"



If you are new to the communications tip, you're in for a treat! And if you're avid reader of these, you'll be delighted with, and benefit from, being reminded of this set of 12 Power Words! One each week.



These words and phrases "move mountains". OK, not literally, but persuasively, cooperatively, insightfully. I use all twelve of these repeatedly to help shape my world for the better. So, we may run this series every year because the more frequently you're reminded of these "magical" phrases, the more likely you are to incorporate them in your daily interactions. They work!!!



"What Makes You Say That"



When someone says something to you, very often replying with, “What makes you say that?” … before you start to give an answer or make a comment … it can result in a whole new understanding of what your colleague had in mind.



If it’s a contentious situation, asking, “What makes you say that?” can add some clarity or it can bring to the surface the underlying issue.



If it’s a suggestion made in a project discussion, asking, “What makes you say that?” may reveal a concern or an alternative perspective.



If it’s a situation where you’ve just received a compliment, asking, “What makes you say that?” will result in your hearing something you did not expect … and which will make the nice comment even more meaningful



The Secret to Getting a Great Response



OK, just rebounding with, “What makes you say that?” has a certain art to it so that you don’t come across as challenging or difficult.



The secret is to acknowledge the person’s statement first in a non-committal way. That way they know you heard them and are ready to listen.



For example, when someone says something, you reply with…


·     “OK … what makes you say that?”
·     “Yes … what makes you say that?”
·     “Interesting … what makes you say that?”
·     “Hmm … what makes you say that?”



And second, say in a light-hearted, oh-by-the-way-manner, “What makes you say that?”



Try using this technique just for fun to see what happens. Maybe challenge yourself to use it three times in one day. That ought to plant the idea firmly in your communications resource bucket!



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www.Tech-Talk.com<https://opiayfbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001LSQ3BF_nUTwAsqZvo45e4Nr_8OvcNcQ7efbbPKGFxjq9351S751v3HBcHdqLu5EJKwZ3auziEbl0u5IsorpvqeIBbog2I-giCT7dgspjmsjUDmib3r1ToulwPcw8gfqvmTvSiekzZeV38voGdTAp0X6wXudLLE-D&c=lJH5F3gte0eQP1_UfCvbfWd4yuDtWIC_0_UBM5h5S_rLSZROdmYt7Q==&ch=4ifZ1VlKWaLGP6ttV_GuRH0xjNabNbY0HfBF-JGqwvPFXMF7bAr03g==>



When was the last time you visited the Tech-Talk online resource? It has all kinds of fun ways to solve issues, discover new ideas, and hone your skills!




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We're here to help!



Tell us what you are unclear about ... a new technique you'd like to learn ... or some fun tool you've heard about. Use this form!<https://opiayfbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001LSQ3BF_nUTwAsqZvo45e4Nr_8OvcNcQ7efbbPKGFxjq9351S751v3PshsFm-BTvqoLWzOfv9wLr-w-l41WaYc74pR5cCDIDNIMTZHc2ou-qbsVIW3P9muKhl7fvoUTXnZcqn3ymV1cyBWuIhqAO5uw3J76MzwKYc3UaY9cseyZ4=&c=lJH5F3gte0eQP1_UfCvbfWd4yuDtWIC_0_UBM5h5S_rLSZROdmYt7Q==&ch=4ifZ1VlKWaLGP6ttV_GuRH0xjNabNbY0HfBF-JGqwvPFXMF7bAr03g==>


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Cheers,
Darci Hanning, MLIS (she/her/hers)
Public Library Consultant / CE Coordinator
Continuing Education Resources: https://slo.oregon.gov/conted/
State Library of Oregon | Library Support and Development Services
971-375-3491 | darci.hanning at slo.oregon.gov<mailto:darci.hanning at slo.oregon.gov> | www.oregon.gov/library<http://www.oregon.gov/library>

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