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"Looks like my connection is breaking up, gotta go!" you can now say with the help of Zoom Escaper.

Tired of the endless parade of Zoom meetings, and the anxiety they can cause? EnterZoom Escaper, a tool that allows you to sabotage your own audio call with the urgent sounds of a barking dog, crying baby, construction noise or wind, giving you the perfect excuse to drop off a call.

Zoom Escaper is a piece of free software created by artist and educator Sam Lavigne. It works through another piece of software called VB-Audio, which operates under a donation system.

We don't necessarily recommend downloading free software that doesn't come from an app store, so please make sure to fully vet the software before you do so. Nor do we necessarily recommend misdirecting your coworkers (although at least one CNET producer has tried it), but we do get how exhausting Zoom can be.

Read more: How to use Zoom like a pro: 15 video chat tips and tricks to try today

Lavigne offers a step-by-step tutorial video on how to download and use Zoom Escaper on his website. Here's how to do it:

1. Go to the Zoom Escaper website.

2. Enable microphone access on the site by clicking the Enable Microphone button underneath the first instruction box.

3. Download and install VB-Cable. Then refresh the Zoom Escaper website.

4. Hit the Start button. You'll see eight different audio effects you can try out: echo, upset baby, wind, construction, bad connection, dogs, man weeping and urination (why you'd want the latter two I'm not quite sure). You can change the volume and some other features like feedback on some of the options.

5. Under Output on this page, find VB-Cable on the drop down. Select it and hit Start.

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6. Open Zoom, and go to Settings > Audio. Set your Microphone to VB-Cable. Under Suppress background noise, select Low. Under Music and professional audio, select Show in-meeting option..., and make sure all of the boxes under that are unchecked.

7. Start or join a Zoom call. Go back to the Zoom Escaper site, and check the box or boxes for the audio effects you want to add.

8. When you've successfully escaped your meeting (or are done playing around with this), hit the Stop button on the Zoom Escaper site. Go back to your Zoom Audio settings and switch your microphone back to the one you typically use.

Remember: When you apply an audio effect to your call, you won't be able to hear it applied to your own voice, so be careful.

Looking for more ways to have some fun with Zoom? We've got guides for how to change your Zoom background, and how to use other fun Zoom filters (including how to become a cat like that lawyer accidentally did). Plus, here are all the tips you need to use Zoom like a pro.

Discover the latest apps: Be the first to know about the hottest new apps with the CNET Apps Today newsletter.

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Need an excuse to end your Zoom meeting early? This app delivers a barking dog, crying baby, other tricks - CNET

Free Music-making Software Market Size, Status and Forecast 2020-2025

Global Free Music-making Software market 2019-2025 in-depth study accumulated to supply latest insights concerning acute options. The report contains different predictions associated with Free Music-making Software market size, revenue, production, CAGR, consumption, profit margin, price, and different substantial factors. Whereas accentuation the key driving and Free Music-making Software restraining forces for this market, the report offers trends and developments. It additionally examines the role of the leading Free Music-making Software market players concerned within the business together with their company summary, monetary outline and SWOT analysis.

Some of the key players Analysis in Free Music-making Software Market:Ableton, Adobe, Apple, Avid, MAGIX

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https://www.reportsandmarkets.com/sample-request/global-free-music-making-software-market-size-status-and-forecast-2019-2025?utm_source=soccernurds&utm_medium=40

One of the crucial parts of this report comprises Free Music-making Software industry key vendors discussion about the brands summary, profiles, market revenue, and financial analysis. The report will help market players build future business strategies and discover worldwide competition. A detailed segmentation analysis of the market is done on producers, regions, type and applications in the report.

On the basis of geographically, the market report covers data points for multiple geographies such as United States, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, India, and Central& South America

Analysis of the market:

Other important factors studied in this report include demand and supply dynamics, industry processes, import & export scenario, R&D development activities, and cost structures. Besides, consumption demand and supply figures, cost of production, gross profit margins, and selling price of products are also estimated in this report.

Predominant Questions Answered in This Report Are:

The conclusion part of their report focuses on the existing competitive analysis of the market. We have added some useful insights for both industries and clients. All leading manufacturers included in this report take care of expanding operations in regions. Here, we express our acknowledgment for the support and assistance from the Free Music-making Software industry experts and publicizing engineers as well as the examination groups survey and conventions. Market rate, volume, income, demand and supply data are also examined.

Table of contents:

Free Music-making Software Global Market Research Report 2020

1 Market Overview

2 Manufacturers Profiles

3 Global Free Music-making Software Sales, Revenue, Market Share and Competition by Manufacturer

4 Global Free Music-making Software Market Analysis by Regions

5 North America Free Music-making Software by Country

6 Europe Free Music-making Software by Country

7 Asia-Pacific Free Music-making Software by Country

8 South America Free Music-making Software by Country

9 Middle East and Africa Free Music-making Software by Countries

10 Global Free Music-making Software Market Segment by Type

11 Global Free Music-making Software Market Segment by Application

12 Free Music-making Software Market Forecast (2020-2024)

13 Sales Channel, Distributors, Traders and Dealers

14 Research Findings and Conclusion

15 Appendix

Customization of the Report:

This report can be customized to meet the clients requirements. Please connect with our sales team, who will ensure that you get a report that suits your needs.

About Us:

reportsandmarkets.com is the most comprehensive collection of market research products and services on the Web. We offer reports from almost all top publishers and update our collection on daily basis to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and recent database of expert insights on Global industries, organizations, products, and trends.

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Sanjay Jain

Manager Partner Relations & International Marketing

http://www.reportsandmarkets.com

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Growing Popularity of Free Music-making Software Market Projected to Discern Stable Expansion During 2017-2027 | Ableton, Adobe, Apple, Avid, MAGIX ...

Americans who received unemployment benefits last year can claim a special new tax break included in the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act recently signed by President Biden: Up to $10,200 of unemployment benefits received in 2020 is exempt from federal income tax for households with an adjusted gross income under $150,000. If you're married, you and your spouse can each exclude up to $10,200 of unemployment compensation. Normally, Uncle Sam fully taxes unemployment compensation (just like wages), so this is a big break for many people who lost their job last year and were facing a big and possibly unexpected federal tax bill on the tax returns their filing this year.

But there's still one big question surrounding this new tax exemption: How do you claim it? The IRS doesn't have an answer for everyone yet but it's working on it. How to handle the new tax break will also depend on whether or not you already filed your 2020 tax return. If you haven't filed yet, the IRS has updated the Schedule 1 (Form 1040) instructions and provided an Unemployment Compensation Exclusion Worksheet for paper filers. It's also working with tax software companies to update their products so that users will be able to claim the exemption on their 2020 tax returns. So, if you received unemployment compensation last year, you might want to wait a little bit longer before using one of these software products to complete your 2020 return. That will give the software provider time to make the necessary adjustments.

It's a little more complicated if you already filed your 2020 tax return. The knee-jerk reaction for many people is to file an amended return to claim the unemployment tax exemption. However, the IRS expressly stated that you "should not file an amended return at this time, until the IRS issues additional guidance." So, again, you should wait before taking any action to claim the new $10,200 tax break for unemployment benefits.

What might that "additional guidance" be? On March 18, IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig told Congress he believes the tax agency will be able to "automatically issue refunds associated with the $10,200" exemption. If that's the case, people who filed their 2020 return before the exemption was enacted won't have to file an amended return at all to get the new tax break.

[Stay on top of all the new stimulus bill developments Sign up for the Kiplinger Today E-Newsletter. It's FREE!]

If you qualify for the 2020 unemployment compensation exemption, you may end up getting additional tax breaks, too. That's because your adjusted gross income (AGI) will be reduced by up to $10,200 (up to $20,400 for married couples filing a joint return). That means you could suddenly be allowed to claim other tax breaks with an AGI-based eligibility cut-off, or claim a larger amount for a tax break with an AGI-based phase-out, such as the earned income tax credit, child tax credit, retirement saver's credit, American Opportunity credit, Lifetime Learning credit, or student loan interest deduction. A reduced AGI could also mean a larger third stimulus check, since the eligibility for and amount of these payments is tied to your 2020 AGI.

The new tax exemption only applies to unemployment benefits received in 2020. So, if you receive unemployment compensation in 2021 or beyond, expect to pay federal tax on the amount you get.

To avoid big tax bill when you file your 2021 return next year, consider having taxes withheld from any unemployment payments you receive this year. Contact your state unemployment office to have federal income taxes withheld from your unemployment benefits. You may be able to use Form W-4V to voluntarily have federal income taxes withheld from your payments. However, check with your state to see if it has its own form. If so, use the state form instead.

You can also make estimated tax payments as an alternative. You can pay all your estimated tax by April 15, 2021, or in four equal amounts by the following dates:

You don't have to make the final payment if you file your 2021 tax return by January 31, 2022, and pay the entire balance due with your return.(Note that, even though this year's general federal income tax return filing deadline was pushed back from April 15 to May 17, the due date for the first estimated tax payment is still April 15, 2021.)

Just because the federal government is waiving taxes on the first $10,200 of your 2020 unemployment benefits, that doesn't mean your state will too. Although some states don't tax, or don't fully tax, unemployment compensation, most states do. However, a handful of states exempt unemployment compensation just for 2020 and/or 2021 to help residents impacted by the pandemic. To see how your state treats unemployment benefits, see Taxes on Unemployment Benefits: A State-by-State Guide.

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Unemployment Tax Break: Don't Amend Your 2020 Tax Return to Claim the New Exemption - Kiplinger's Personal Finance

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Leaky pipes are abig problem that can go unnoticed and lead to expensive repairs.

Hidden leaks can cause costly damage before a homeowner even realizes there's a problem, according to American City Plumbing and Heating.

To help homeowners reduce water waste and raise awareness about leaky pipes, theMichigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) is highlighting successful community leak repairs and water conservation projects in disadvantaged communities, as part of itsFix-a-Leak Week initiative, which runs through Saturday.

Priscilla Harris, from Michigan Welfare Rights Organization, walks up to a home on March 18, 2021, in Highland Park. Michigan recently announced a new program where 200 homes in Benton Harbor and Highland Park will receive free in-door plumbing to fix leaky pipes.(Photo: Antranik Tavitian, Detroit Free Press)

One of those projects is a pilot program that will provide 200 homes in Highland Park and Benton Harbor free in-home plumbing repairs and new water-saving fixtures. The state chose these two cities due to their water quality problems.

Plumbing repair can be really expensive in older homes, and difficulty finding a qualified plumber often means plumbing problems are put off, said Gracie Wooten,a Highland Park resident who actively supportsthe pilot program. This program will really help the eligible seniors who struggle with those costs.

Adrienne Bennett is the first Black female master plumber in the U.S. and CEO ofDetroit-based plumbing firm Benkari. Bennett's firm will be completing the plumbing repairs in Highland Park for the Water Leak Pilot program.

The state hasn't given a set date on when homeowners should expect repairs, said Linda Wheeler,project coordinator for theWater Leak Pilot program. But the data collection process kicked off Thursday for Highland Parkhomes that haveunusually high water usage. The group will focus on helping senior citizens, residents with disabilities and homes with children.

Gracie Wooten, left, a data coordinator with The Highland Park Human Rights Coalition, speaks with attendees before they head out to knock on doors on March 18, 2021, in Highland Park. Wooten lives in a house that is more than 100 years old in Highland Park. Michigan recently announced a new program where 200 homes in Benton Harbor and Highland Park will receive free in-door plumbing to fix leaky pipes.(Photo: Antranik Tavitian, Detroit Free Press)

The Highland Park Human Rights Coalition and local students went around the city Thursday, bringing awareness to homeowners about leaky pipes. The city's water department has software that shows which homes have unusually high water usage. The group used these findings to figure out which houses to canvassformore data, Wheeler said.

The coalition and the students will canvass around the city for the whole summer, she said.

TheFix-a-Leak Week campaign is aimed at educating consumers and water providers on the importance of fixing plumbing leaks to save money on water and energy bills, according to a news release from the state.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's Clean Water Plan includes investing $500 million in federal dollars, state bonding authority and existing state revenues to create a comprehensive and statewide water infrastructure program, the release said.

Zion Britton places a pamphlet with directions to sign up for a state-funded pipe fixing program at a Highland Park home on March 18, 2021, in Highland Park. Michigan recently announced a new program where 200 homes in Benton Harbor and Highland Park will receive free in-door plumbing to fix leaky pipes.(Photo: Antranik Tavitian, Detroit Free Press)

"Water leaks in the home can significantly increase consumer water bills and contribute to water quality concerns," EGLE's Clean Water Public AdvocateNinah Sasysaid. "Investments in water conservation efforts in the home and our water distribution systems are key to reducing energy consumption and cost while ensuring environmental sustainability."

More:Invasive quagga mussels dominate the Great Lakes

More:This dog is tops in Detroit

Priscilla Harris, right, from Michigan Welfare Rights Organization, helps Sharon Glotta, left, sign-up for a state-funded pipe fixing program on March 18, 2021, in Highland Park. Sharon pays upwards of $100 a month for water in her one-person house. Michigan recently announced a new program where 200 homes in Benton Harbor and Highland Park will receive free in-door plumbing to fix leaky pipes.(Photo: Antranik Tavitian, Detroit Free Press)

For a detailed schedule of online and social media events forFix-a-Leak Week, visit Michigan.gov/FixaLeakWeek.

Contact Slone Terranella at STerranella@freepress.com and follow her on Twitter @SloneTerranella.

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200 Benton Harbor, Highland Park homes will receive free in-home plumbing - Detroit Free Press

Progressive jackpot slots open the door for a life-changing win, like the Mega Moolah jackpot that fetched 13.2 million to a British soldier Jon Heywood from the UK in October 2015.

If you wondered how the best slot casino sites cover such a big amount of money, the answer is they dont.

Its managed by software providers. When you play a slot game, developers take a small percentage of your bet to form the progressive jackpot. Depending upon the popularity and number of players in the game, it grows. Whether you play live or on an online casino, the prize pool rises with time until someone gets lucky and hits it.

So, all you have to do is try your luck at some of the best UK slot sites if you want to win big.

Microgamings Mega Moolah is also widely known by the name Millionaire-Maker.

Many games contribute to its accumulated pools of the jackpot like Mega Moolah, Mega Moolah Isis, Mega Moolah 5-Reel Drive, and Mega Moolah Summertime. It has 5-reels and a total of 25 adjustable paylines. You benefit from 15 free spins with 3x multipliers, wild, and scatter symbols.

Software developer Playtech manages it. It has 50 paylines spread across 5-reels, and you benefit from stacked wild cards, scatters, and jackpot giant bonus offers.

It is a part of the Marvel Mystery Jackpot series developed by Playtech. It employs 5-reels and has 25 adjustable paylines. You benefit from a range of special features, including the Smash Bonus game and up to 10 free spins. Its jackpot is linked to four different progressive prizes the Power, Extra Power, Super Power, and Ultimate Power jackpots.

Leading software developer NetEnt developed the game Arabian Nights the first-rate progressive slots. It takes you to an exotic Arabian world full of hidden treasures and offers slots in 10 adjustable paylines, spread across 5-reels. You benefit from scatter symbols that unlock up to 15 free spins and a wild symbol that lands you either the progressive prize or a consolation prize of up to 10,000 coins.

Developed by IGT, the game offers you a chance to walk away with a life-changing progressive jackpot. It has standard 5-reels with 20 adjustable payline, but the game allows re-triggering of free spins that let you win up to 180 spins. The jackpot gets triggered when five Mega Jackpots symbols positions on the centre payline.

Its a luxury theme slot game developed by BetSoft that aims at preparing players for three progressive prizes the Big, the Huge, and the Mega jackpots. It has 20 adjustable paylines across 5-reels, and you benefit from 16 free spins, bonus symbols, and a wild triggering a re-spin.

Software providers like Microgaming, Playtech, NetEnt, BetSoft, and IGT are some of the most respected developers to create the biggest progressive slots rewards in the gambling world.

Remember, its all luck, and you have an equal chance of winning the jackpot by playing at 25p per spin, as you do at maximum stakes!

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WANT TO WIN BIG? TRY THESE PROGRESSIVE JACKPOT SLOTS GAMES - Island Echo