Article: Store games in cases when they are not in use. Preferably, keep them in their original packaging along with anything that came with them. Scratches are one of the easiest ways to lose value on your trade-ins. Preserve your games to keep them looking like they did on the day you bought them. For example, keep game discs inside a case. Save the original case, instruction booklet, or anything else you received with the game when purchasing it. Wipe them clean before trading them in. For consoles and other items, keep them in the original packaging along with any accessories that came with them. Clean them off before attempting to trade them in. Gamestop accepts video games, consoles, accessories, and even devices like iPods, iPads, and smartphones. These products have to be in working order. Store employees test trade-in items before accepting them. Just like how you wouldn't want to pay for something that doesn't work, you won't get credit for broken things. If you wish to get the full value for your items, they must be in working condition. Gamestop stores have machines they use to test things like controllers. Expect store associates to even plug in consoles and controllers for a test. The exception is retro games and consoles. Most stores don't have the proper equipment to plug in something like a Sega Genesis and may just accept it for trade-in if it looks like it's in working order. If your games or devices aren't in full working condition, they may still be eligible for some credit. This is because Gamestop refurbishes some products for resale. You won't be able to trade in something that is completely broken, however. The most valuable products are ones that are either rare or popular. Many modern games are most valuable when they are new because more people are buying them. Unless games belong to a popular series, they will decrease in value the longer you wait to trade them in. If you're trading devices like smartphones, expect them to go down in value as well due to people transitioning to newer, more efficient models. Movie tie-in and sports games lose value quickly over time. For example, few people want Madden 16 for the PS3 when Madden 20 for the PS4 is available. Some franchises are always popular. Anything related to Mario, Pokemon, or Zelda, for example, usually has decent trade-in value. Some games become more valuable as they reach "retro" status. Gamestop accepts trade-ins for old games and systems, including the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), Nintendo 64 (N64), and many other classics. These items are no longer in production, so working copies become more valuable over time. If you happen to have something relatively uncommon, then it will be worth even more. Be sure to check Gamestop's website to see if any older games are eligible for special trade-in details. It's possible that more recent items can reach retro status in the future. For example, the Playstation 2 (PS2) and its games are no longer in production, so they may become more valuable over time. If you have a game or device that can be fixed, you may still be able to trade it in. Gamestop may offer to refurbish the game for you. However, they take a small fee, usually $1 to $5, off of the trade-in value. It reduces the amount of credit you get, so determine if the trade is worth completing. If an item isn't too damaged, Gamestop can fix it and sell it as refurbished. Game discs, for instance, can often be refinished to eliminate scratches. Don't expect to walk in with a couple of broken discs and get a few new releases in return. Even with extra promotions, damaged discs may barely give you enough credit to get a single used game.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Protect games from damage so they are worth more. Trade in games and devices that are still useable. Select in-demand games to earn more credit. Hold onto older games until they increase in value. Pay a fee to recondition damaged games you wish to trade.
Article: Once you have nailed the basics, venture into advanced territory. Knowing how to code separates the computer geniuses from casual users. Research what different programming languages do and select one to study. Get a book on the language. Starting with a beginner's book will build a great foundation for your advanced study Look into classes that provide hands-on coding experience. You will have to pay for some of the more prestigious courses available through coding academies, but you'll find the occasional free class through Coursera and Khan Academy. Getting one computer on the Internet is simple, but what about configuring an entire network of computers? Challenge yourself to learn different ways to connect computers to the Internet, share files across systems, and set up firewalls. Knowing how to set things up is a great start, but protecting your handiwork from security threats is a whole new world. Research things like Denial of Service attacks, code vulnerabilities, database hacks, and worm viruses to prepare yourself for what's possible. Having a community of computer geniuses (or those who are still in the aspirational stage) will allow you to ask and answer questions, as well as learn about new technology that might interest you. Research local meetup groups in your area. Discover chatrooms and forums full of computer users that are accessible 24/7. Becoming a computer genius will not happen overnight. It takes hard work, dedication, sharp problem-solving skills, and a genuine passion for information. Technology is always evolving, so you will need to stay current. The information you know now may be obsolete next year. Read computer magazines, follow popular computing blogs, and stay familiar with the latest in software technology. Upgrade to the newest operating systems when they are released. Join beta-testing groups for various operating systems and apps so you can be among the first to get hands-on experience.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Study programming languages such as Java, SQL, Ruby on Rails, or PHP. Set up a network. Learn about (and protect yourself from) threats to your computers, code, and networks. Network with other computer enthusiasts. Commit to a lifetime of learning.