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the priciest space missions in history. The two aircraft were Boeing 747s altered to transport enormous spacecraft through the sky.

Though the space shuttle resembles an airplane, its flight mechanics are different. They do not possess the turbofan engines characteristic of commercial airliners and serve essentially as conveyances for passengers and freight, utilizing rocket engines for ascent and then gliding down for landing. Thus, the 747 was utilized as the shuttle’s transport between takeoff and landing locations.

In selecting an aircraft for this role, NASA focused on the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy and the Boeing 747. Ultimately, NASA opted for the 747 for two primary reasons. Firstly, its wing design was more favorable for supporting an orbiter. Secondly, the C-5 Galaxy is a military aircraft, meaning NASA would have needed to obtain it from the Air Force. Instead, the agency could easily purchase 747s and possess full ownership, a decision that became more economical due to an economic recession in the 1970s.

**5 Password Misconceptions You Must Discard Immediately**

In today’s digital world, having numerous online accounts is quite standard. Each account features various safeguards aimed at thwarting hackers from obtaining unauthorized entry and pilfering your personal and financial data, subsequently utilizing that data for fraud and various cyber offenses. Among these safeguards, passwords are among the most crucial defenses, often acting as the main line of protection. Despite their significance, myths surrounding passwords have proliferated to the extent that those who subscribe to them become easy targets for persistent hackers.

For instance, you might have heard the claim that you should change your passwords frequently. Many online platforms, particularly those related to financial institutions or workplaces, may even mandate these changes every few months. Some individuals perceive passwords as outdated, while others believe that less critical accounts can safely share the same credentials. You could have also been advised to keep passwords brief and intricate, and to refrain from writing them down.

But what if we informed you that all of these are misconceptions? The sooner you abandon these beliefs, the stronger your online security will be, as a compromised account can result in significant losses that are difficult to recover from, if not impossible in a timely manner, including loss of reputation and potentially thousands of dollars.

**Password Length is More Significant than Complexity**

When creating a password on various websites or applications, you will often be instructed to incorporate a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. The typical minimum character count is usually eight, and many of us adhere to this minimum, thinking that as long as the password is sufficiently complex, length is not a concern. However, it is. Given the advanced tools employed by hackers, these passwords are relatively easier to crack in comparison to longer, simpler variations.

A hacker can generally compromise an eight-character password in just minutes, especially if you incorporate common words and phrases. This is because it requires approximately 200 billion guesses to crack a password of that length, something a contemporary computer can accomplish in seconds. The calculation is straightforward. It would take a maximum of 26 attempts to crack a single-character password (given there are 26 letters in the alphabet), 676 (26 x 26) for two characters, 17,576 (26 x 26 x 26) for three characters, and so forth. Each character added to the length of the password exponentially increases the required number of guesses. Moreover, the total rises if additional characters beyond letters are included, yet this increased weight is negligible against an effective cracking algorithm on a fast machine.

However, increase that to 16 characters, and it will require thousands of years for that same machine, making 100 billion guesses per second, to execute a brute-force attack (assuming you avoid common words in your password). This method entails the computer attempting every conceivable combination until the correct one is located. This is not to imply that complexity is insignificant, but you can realize how length is a formidable factor, even without mixing characters.

**Regular Password Changes are Necessary**

The longer a password is in use, the greater the chance that hackers will decipher it. To keep them guessing, regular changes are essential (e.g., every 90 days). This notion seems smart, considering a brute-force attack may take months or even years to succeed if you’ve devised a robust password. Additionally, if your password has been compromised, it will ultimately become ineffective once you change it. However, security experts recommend against regular password changes, with the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) opposing mandatory changes, stating that users who find this burdensome will likely create passwords very similar to previous ones. This opens the door for hackers to easily crack them, leading to further account breaches if the user has reused that password elsewhere.

Essentially, frequent password resets tend to weaken it as you seek something memorable (to you), which is why the NCSC and various security specialists advise against forcing workers to change passwords regularly. What you should do instead is develop a strong password. As reiterated earlier, both length and complexity are crucial, so create a password that is lengthy, robust, and distinctive for each of your accounts. While this may seem daunting, random password generators are readily available nowadays, and you can conveniently store all of them in a password manager rather than needing to memorize them.

**Two-Factor Authentication is Ineffective if You Have a Strong Password**

While a strong password may withstand brute-force assaults, it may still be coaxed out of you through social engineering tactics such as phishing. You still require two-factor authentication (2FA) to effectively safeguard your account against unauthorized access when your password is compromised. Two-factor authentication presents a formidable barrier because it necessitates completing two steps for successful verification. The first step relies on information you know, with a password being the most common form. The second factor,

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Consumer technology continually advances, making it common for obsolete inputs and outputs to fade away like the pet rock. In today’s smart TVs and mobile gadgets, one nearly forgotten connection is Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL). This HDMI technology enabled users to connect a phone or tablet to an MHL-compatible port on televisions, monitors, and projectors. MHL allowed video and audio data to be transmitted to a display, positioning it among the forerunners of screen mirroring.

Utilizing MHL frequently necessitated an MHL adapter. The process involved connecting a USB cable to one side of the adapter (which occasionally required AC power) and linking an HDMI cable from the adapter to an MHL-certified input on your television. The MHL 3.0 standard (introduced in 2013) incorporated 4K support, device charging, and additional features into MHL’s capabilities, yet nothing could surpass the appeal of “wire-free” solutions.

Apple AirPlay, Google Chromecast, and Miracast brought forth wireless screen mirroring and content casting, a convenience that MHL merely couldn’t match, especially since no extra hardware was required to establish the connection between Device A and Device B. The 2010s also saw the emergence of streaming devices and smart TVs, meaning many applications and services you may have depended on your phone for (like Netflix, YouTube) were now integrated into your television or streaming device.

The ascent and decline of connectivity in the 2010s, or how wireless and USB-C rendered MHL obsolete

Once wireless mirroring and content casting became mainstream, the MHL standard tried to endure. In early 2015, users were introduced to superMHL, an enhancement that improved resolution and frame rate performance (offering up to 8K/120Hz), boosted charging power, and integrated USB-C compatibility — which the MHL Consortium termed “MHL Alt Mode.” However, there wasn’t enough backing for the new standard, and it didn’t take long for brands like Samsung — once heavily involved in MHL’s creation — to withdraw support entirely.

As we moved into the 2020s, MHL was still battling to hold its ground. This coincided with smartphone manufacturers, including Apple, transitioning to USB-C, which opened the door for DisplayPort Alt Mode — a wired link that provided video, audio, and power when your device was connected to a display through USB-C. Smart TV software had also advanced so rapidly that casting applications from your phone were increasingly unnecessary.

Today, MHL in all its iterations stands as a remnant of the past, and the only real chance of encountering an MHL port is on outdated TVs and other display technologies. Wireless device mirroring and USB-C connectivity dominate the landscape, and HDMI technology has also made significant advancements, particularly in gaming optimizations (such as Variable Refresh Rate, Auto Low Latency Mode). The truth is that the world no longer requires MHL extensively, but the creativity behind the adapters was enjoyable while it lasted.

iPhone 17e, which begins at a relatively low price of $599. However, it lacks some significant features that the other models in the range include. Nevertheless, not everyone can afford the latest and most advanced iPhones. Thankfully, this isn’t a huge issue since the company’s older iPhones are still very competent smartphones even after new models are introduced, as Apple provides software updates for five to seven years, and its A-series processors are among the most powerful available. Choosing an older iPhone allows you to save a considerable amount of money while still experiencing much of what a new iPhone offers, as long as you avoid purchasing a vintage iPhone that has reached the end of its life.

This is exactly why iPhones maintain a high resale value, and many users are content purchasing a pre-owned refurbished iPhone. As we approach the release of the iPhone 18 series later this year, it’s an excellent opportunity to assess which older iPhones are still worthwhile investments in 2026. An important aspect to consider when shopping for any older iPhone is to ensure that you’re receiving a significant discount compared to the newer models available. Otherwise, it might be more beneficial to invest a little extra for the latest versions.

affordable television brands available that exceed expectations significantly. Sadly, one of these brands is no longer as impressive as it used to be, at least according to Consumer Reports. Five or six years ago, Vizio was among the most prominent names in the budget television market. However, in 2024, Walmart acquired the LCD and OLED producer, leading to difficulties in locating Vizio TVs outside of the widely available big-box store. More critically, it appears that Vizio has lost the attributes that initially earned its praise: excellent picture quality at an economical price.

Consumer Reports subjected 14 Vizio TVs to extensive lab testing, and not a single model achieved a score higher than “below average.” We ventured beyond expert opinions to gather user feedback, and the official Vizio subreddit provided insightful information. Modern Vizio TVs seem to lack reliability, with many users noticing sluggish interfaces, app crashes, and various persistent glitches. Even Rtings, a reliable consumer technology review platform, stated that most Vizio TVs are plagued with issues, and the smart TV’s operating system “leaves a lot to be desired.”

A Smart TV lacking internet connectivity simply cannot provide the majority of the features it claims to have.

These issues do not render Smart TVs a poor investment. They continue to be outstanding products for the majority of users, but understanding their constraints can significantly impact your purchase decision. Therefore, here are some drawbacks of these devices to think about before integrating them into your household.

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final portrayals of Henry Cavill as Superman, featuring “Man of Steel” and “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.” The films performed well at the box office, accumulating around $1.5 billion in total, yet Cavill has remarked afterward that they weren’t precisely flawless.

It’s widely acknowledged that the launch of the DCEU films aimed to both leverage and rival the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which was in its second phase at that moment with releases like “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” and “Guardians of the Galaxy.” In a 2017 discussion with entertainment publication The Rake, Cavill articulated that although his Superman films generated significant box office revenue, in trying to stand apart from the MCU, they lacked a specific element that truly connects superhero films with viewers.