Shelf Life of Opened Thermal Compound

If you’ve procured some second-hand PC components, you might find it necessary to have a tube of thermal paste to correctly set up your new accessories. Changing the thermal paste in your laptop could be on your agenda if you observe that your device is operating at a higher temperature than normal, resulting in unexpected shutdowns. However, since thermal paste has very particular applications, you are likely to end up with a considerable amount left in the tube after finishing your DIY task.

This raises the question: What is the lifespan of thermal paste after being opened? In general, an opened tube of thermal compound can be utilized for about 2-5 years. Certain brands assert that you can get as much as 8 years of usage, but it’s advisable to play it safe and adhere to the lower end of that range.

You’ll also want to look out for any liquid or dry flakes that may emerge from the tube along with the typically grey paste, as the liquid usually suggests that the thermal compound is beginning to separate. A compromised compound might also emit an unusual odor. Fortunately, thermal paste is relatively affordable: a new tube generally ranges from $10-15, and if stored properly, it should be capable of retaining its full shelf life.

The Significance of Our Solar System Steering Clear of the Galaxy’s Black Hole

comprehend their formation. Black holes possess such intense gravity that they can attract even the light surrounding them, which is why they are referred to as “black.” This has prompted some to speculate whether Earth might eventually become a prey of Sagittarius A*. No need for concern, as that scenario is not imminent.

Despite our galactic black hole being 4.3 million times more massive than the sun, its gravitational effect on us is negligible when compared to the overall density of the galactic core. Take into account that the sun constitutes over 99% of the solar system’s mass and we have been rotating for billions of years without any significant events. In contrast, Sagittarius A* makes up less than 1% of the galaxy’s total mass. That illustrates how trivial its gravitational pull is to us.

Even though Sagittarius A* is currently viewed as an inactive black hole, it has been known to consume matter that strays too near in the past, but given that we’re situated 27,000 light-years away, coming too close is not a concern. However, just because we need not fret about being engulfed by our galactic core, there exists a theory suggesting that Earth (and the universe) might already be within a black hole, and we are simply unaware of it.

Uncover 4 Key Google Search Capabilities for 2025

attempting to eliminate AI clutter from its platform, whereas others like OpenAI seek to introduce more TikTok-like AI video clutter online, discovering exactly what you need on Google can resemble navigating through a sewer. Even though Google’s latest AI features might be rendering your search results more nonsensical than before, there remain methods and tools that can assist you in locating exactly what you need. It’s simply a matter of knowing the proper phrases and tools.

Enhancing your Google searches is an excellent way to swiftly obtain the outcomes you desire. Although the company enjoys incorporating Easter eggs and concealed tricks that are entertaining but irrelevant to searching, we’ve summarized some tools to assist you in addressing math problems, planning your upcoming trip, filtering your search results, and even searching for videos and images more efficiently.

Keep in mind that many of these features will be operators you type into a Google Search bar, while some are simply functions and extensions of Google Search that you might not know about. Sifting through all the clutter nowadays may seem like an overwhelming challenge, but it’s not unachievable. Experiment with these tips and tools the next time you need them and experience a clearer view of Google Search.

Why Glass Cleaner Can Be Detrimental to TV Screens

keep the television screen pristine. While you may feel inclined to utilize the same glass cleaner that you apply to windows and mirrors, this is not advisable.

Glass cleaning solutions can harm a TV screen due to the anti-reflective coating found on most contemporary televisions. The chemicals in conventional glass cleaners can erode this coating, leading to streaks, blemishes, or even fading. This affects not just the visuals when you’re watching something, but also creates an unattractive appearance when the TV is turned off.

So, what steps should you take? The easiest and most effective method is to use distilled water, which does not leave any mineral residue, mixed with a bit of gentle soap. Alternatively, you could opt for specialized screen cleaning solutions, but ensure that the one you select is appropriate for TV screens. Both options should be used directly on a soft microfiber cloth, not on the screen, and the screen should be wiped with a slow, gentle motion.

YouTube Features Remain Intact as Google Enhances Ad Blocker Limitations

Downdetector reported over 1,300 incidents around that time before 9:00 a.m. ET.

While some quickly assumed that YouTube was down, it seems users on Reddit may have identified a different cause (via Windows Central). Rather than a problem with the YouTube site or Google’s servers, it appears the issue could be related to ad blockers within the Opera GX browser, as several users noted the problem continuing in Opera GX but not in other browsers.

There have been, of course, varying reports on which browsers encountered problems with YouTube, as some indicated that any Chromium browsers logged into YouTube with an ad blocker faced similar challenges. Sadly, without any official statements from Google or YouTube, we are left only with conjecture.

Fresh Investigations Indicate ChatGPT Malfunction Resulting in Unintentional Prompt Exposures

A Malfunction Led ChatGPT To Expose Prompts In Surprising Locations, Recent Reports Suggest

This isn’t the first instance where OpenAI has been in the spotlight regarding personal and private interactions with its AI chatbot inadvertently spilling over into unintended areas. However, this may be one of the more captivating reports we’ve encountered, as these allegations indicate that ChatGPT conversations were actually surfacing in Google Search Console (GSC), making individuals’ private inquiries to the AI accessible to anyone utilizing the Google platform.

For those unfamiliar with GSC, it’s primarily a mechanism that enables developers to track search traffic. Therefore, it’s obviously not where one would anticipate their conversations with OpenAI’s chatbot to appear. Fortunately, a report from Ars Technica mentions that this complication has been addressed, and OpenAI states that it was due to a glitch that only impacted a “small number of search queries” being funneled through GSC, where they were visible to others.

This specific problem could be linked to allegations that OpenAI was scraping Google to respond to user prompts. While OpenAI neither confirmed nor denied this theory, Jason Packer, the proprietor of the consulting firm Quantable — which was among the first to highlight the issue in October — noted in the firm’s report that this activity could help clarify why these queries appeared in GSC.

AI chatbots are not entirely private

Although OpenAI claims it has rectified the situation, Packer appears skeptical that it has fully resolved, particularly if OpenAI is indeed scraping Google for responses. Online scraping has emerged as a convenient method for AI companies like Perplexity to assist in uncovering answers to the inquiries made by users, and some have even faced legal repercussions for unlawfully scraping sites that have prohibited such practices.

Like many of the challenges faced by chatbots such as ChatGPT — including demands from the legal system to disclose complete chat histories in certain legal matters — this serves as yet another reminder of the continuously evolving risks associated with online chatbots and their growing role in our lives. Some individuals have started to depend on ChatGPT and other AI chatbots as substitutes for friends or even therapists. While OpenAI has adopted more stringent positions on this, particularly following a lawsuit from parents of a deceased teenager, problems persist.

Engaging with an online chatbot lacks privacy, and you hold little control over the distribution of your data after entering it into the query system. Therefore, if you intend to use ChatGPT or any AI chatbot frequently, exercise caution regarding what you disclose, as those prompts might just find their way to places they should not be.