There are a number of ways guaranteed to turn-off visitors to your web site. These are worth considering as you either design a site, or revise a site. Turn-offs generally can be defined as anything that impedes the user from quick and easy (intuitive) use of your site. Turn-offs also are often the result of gratuitous use of technical 'bells and whistles'.
One of the major turn-offs is a sloooow loading site. There can be a number of contributing factors to this:
* Large graphics files (meaning the file size in bytes). Graphics files need to be optimised to reduce the file size to a minimum to enable them to travel through the Internet in minimum time.
* Splash Screens. These are often Flash graphics and can take a long time to 'load', especially where there is limited bandwidth. Bandwidth is the carry capacity of the Internet, the bigger the faster - a bit like comparing a fire hose and a garden hose. Unfortunately in Australia bandwidth tends to be at the smaller end of the scale. Splash screens also annoy repeat visitors, as they revisit the site and have to wait for the screen to load (not everyone knows how to properly Bookmark).
* Excessively long pages. Pages should generally be no longer than three screen-fulls (scrolls). Also, bear in mind that most people scan web pages rather that read in detail (until they find the specific page they seek).
Other turn-offs include:
* Background music that automatically starts as the page loads. As well as slooowing the page loading down, your choice of music is unlikely to please everyone.
* Set a screen resolution too wide for the majority of computers in use. You would be surprised how many computers with 640 pixel x 480 pixel screens are still in use. So, set Table widths as a percentage of screen width, otherwise many of your visitors will be annoyed by needing to utilise the horizontal scroll bar.
* Requiring obscure 'Plug-Ins' as essentials to effectively use your site. A Plug-In is a piece of software that works in conjunction with a browser to display specific material, e.g. a movie clip, sound, etc. As your visitor probably won't have them, they then need to download the Plug-In and install it before they can continue using your site. Often people do not know how to do this.
* Endless little 'Pop-Up' screens that appear on top of the web page, particularly if they contain advertisements. Incidentally, if you are annoyed by these as a user of the Internet there are a number of pieces of software that can eliminate these, as well as banner advertisements when pages are viewed.
* On subscription and order forms ask for excessive information. Research indicates that response drops off almost proportionally to the amount of information required.
Friday, September 7, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
Marketing you music...........
I am using piano in this blog, but keep in mind this can be used for any type of music, especially yours. Music is music no matter what format you use.
Many people have argued that there are no great piano composers in the modern world. They say that this art died fifty to one hundred years ago. Here are the facts – there are still many unbelievable piano composers in the modern world today. However, whilst one cannot argue with their creative skills, they lack basic modern marketing skills. And the world is missing out on this distinguished talent.
The most affordable and convenient way to market your music today is through the internet. It is used by billions every single year. So why do many piano players fail to market their music online? Why do they go down the traditional route of taking it to a publisher?
Marketing Method Number One – Creating Your Own Website with A List
If you make the decision to market your music online, it is almost criminal to do so without a website. Your website must be where you send all of your prospective customers. Your website must contain details on how to purchase your music, both online and offline. I would also recommend having a ‘sample’ piece of music for clientele to listen to for free and to be able to download the score.
When you are building your website, you must include a list. What is a list? A list is a collection of email addresses of potential customers. Your list should be kept abreast on new pieces of music that you are creating. Also they should receive occasional incentives to remain on your list, eg. a free song or a discount.
It is much easier to sell to people that know and trust you then to sell to a complete stranger. But so many people in all facets of marketing spend more time on getting more customers than selling to previous customers. Do not make this same mistake. By investing no more than $US200 per year, you could and should have a major increase in sales.
Marketing Method Number Two – Piano Radio Stations
Piano radio stations are a great way to market your music online. There are numerous radio stations on the World Wide Web that specialize in all sorts of areas, and piano is no exception. Whilst I could only speculate costs, you might be able to get your music played for free, or even better, you might be entitled to royalties from that particular radio station.
The main difference between radio piano stations and normal piano stations is that online users are able to click on a link that will take them directly to your site. So make sure that the music that you submit to radio stations are some of your best pieces of work and fit the mould of the station.
Marketing Method Number Three – Submitting Your Scores To Directories
There are numerous cases where piano composers only market their actual music and neglect to market their sheet music. This is such a silly thing to do. If a piano player likes listening to your music, then naturally they would want to learn to play it. Web sites like Free Piano Sheet Music would be more than willing to put your compositions onto their web site for free. Also you would get valuable links from your sheet music to your website.
Marketing Method Number Four – You Tube
This is the new way to market your music online. You Tube has simply taken the world by storm, not only from a viewers perspective but from a marketing perspective also. Similar to video clips that you see on MTV you are able to create your own video of your music. It does not have to be a complicated task. The easiest way to do it is to record yourself at the piano playing the score and this would be enough. However if you have a theme to your music i.e. the ocean, then you would cut to shot of the beach, i.e. waves crashing on the rocks. Whatever you decide your video clip to be, make sure you put a visible URL at the end of your video as credits, so the viewer can take action to buy your music.
Marketing Method Number Five – Piano Forums
Forums are an old and popular way to marketing your music, and it still works today. Not only can you specifically market your music in the forum, you can also market your music by just posting messages about anything related to the piano. For example, if there is a discussion about what is the best brand of piano, and you post your comments, you can put a link at the bottom of your post to your website. So not only do you market your music, you also marketing to the right group of people, piano players!
In conclusion these are much more effective methods of marketing your music then taking it to a publisher. Not only do you have much more control of your music, it is also much cheaper.
The world deserves to hear your music.
Many people have argued that there are no great piano composers in the modern world. They say that this art died fifty to one hundred years ago. Here are the facts – there are still many unbelievable piano composers in the modern world today. However, whilst one cannot argue with their creative skills, they lack basic modern marketing skills. And the world is missing out on this distinguished talent.
The most affordable and convenient way to market your music today is through the internet. It is used by billions every single year. So why do many piano players fail to market their music online? Why do they go down the traditional route of taking it to a publisher?
Marketing Method Number One – Creating Your Own Website with A List
If you make the decision to market your music online, it is almost criminal to do so without a website. Your website must be where you send all of your prospective customers. Your website must contain details on how to purchase your music, both online and offline. I would also recommend having a ‘sample’ piece of music for clientele to listen to for free and to be able to download the score.
When you are building your website, you must include a list. What is a list? A list is a collection of email addresses of potential customers. Your list should be kept abreast on new pieces of music that you are creating. Also they should receive occasional incentives to remain on your list, eg. a free song or a discount.
It is much easier to sell to people that know and trust you then to sell to a complete stranger. But so many people in all facets of marketing spend more time on getting more customers than selling to previous customers. Do not make this same mistake. By investing no more than $US200 per year, you could and should have a major increase in sales.
Marketing Method Number Two – Piano Radio Stations
Piano radio stations are a great way to market your music online. There are numerous radio stations on the World Wide Web that specialize in all sorts of areas, and piano is no exception. Whilst I could only speculate costs, you might be able to get your music played for free, or even better, you might be entitled to royalties from that particular radio station.
The main difference between radio piano stations and normal piano stations is that online users are able to click on a link that will take them directly to your site. So make sure that the music that you submit to radio stations are some of your best pieces of work and fit the mould of the station.
Marketing Method Number Three – Submitting Your Scores To Directories
There are numerous cases where piano composers only market their actual music and neglect to market their sheet music. This is such a silly thing to do. If a piano player likes listening to your music, then naturally they would want to learn to play it. Web sites like Free Piano Sheet Music would be more than willing to put your compositions onto their web site for free. Also you would get valuable links from your sheet music to your website.
Marketing Method Number Four – You Tube
This is the new way to market your music online. You Tube has simply taken the world by storm, not only from a viewers perspective but from a marketing perspective also. Similar to video clips that you see on MTV you are able to create your own video of your music. It does not have to be a complicated task. The easiest way to do it is to record yourself at the piano playing the score and this would be enough. However if you have a theme to your music i.e. the ocean, then you would cut to shot of the beach, i.e. waves crashing on the rocks. Whatever you decide your video clip to be, make sure you put a visible URL at the end of your video as credits, so the viewer can take action to buy your music.
Marketing Method Number Five – Piano Forums
Forums are an old and popular way to marketing your music, and it still works today. Not only can you specifically market your music in the forum, you can also market your music by just posting messages about anything related to the piano. For example, if there is a discussion about what is the best brand of piano, and you post your comments, you can put a link at the bottom of your post to your website. So not only do you market your music, you also marketing to the right group of people, piano players!
In conclusion these are much more effective methods of marketing your music then taking it to a publisher. Not only do you have much more control of your music, it is also much cheaper.
The world deserves to hear your music.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Pay as you go phones
The other name for prepaid cellular phones is pay as you go phones. Their main advantage is that you can enjoy using a wireless phone without signing a long term mobile phone contract. Having one of those pay as you go phones allows you to not worry about your monthly bill and you will be able to enjoy the freedom to pay for only what you use.
There are many people that should have pay as you go phones in order to save money. Parents should give their children such phones so that the first won't have to worry how much their children have spoken on the phone for the last month. But still they will be able to get in touch with their children with a cell phone. There are also people who don't need many minutes to talk on the cellular phone for a month. For them a long term cellular phone plan will be expensive and inappropriate. Thus, such people should get pay as you go phones as they will have a cell phone which they will use when they need to.
There is a difference between the work of prepaid cellular phones and traditional cell phones. You don't need a contract for the first. And you surely won't receive a bill at the end of the month. You only have to pay in advance for the minutes you use - it is as simple as that. While talking, money is being deducted from your prepaid credit. Of course, you can always recharge the account when you don't have many minutes left. You can recharge your account by purchasing prepaid cards for your phone. Within the pone card you will find recharging instructions enclosed.
There are many carriers offering pay as you go phone service. Some of the most popular ones are T-Mobile, Cingular and TracFone. When buying a pay as you go phone you will receive activation instructions with the phone. Activating the phone is easy and once it is done you can also charge prepaid cellular minutes.
Don’t get the wrong impression that you should buy some old cheap phone in order to use pay as you go phone service. Motorola and Nokia have taken care of offering many phones for their pay as you go clients. The choices you have include flip phones, camera phones and much more.
Currently, you can find some carriers offering prices for pay as you go phone service at about 1000 minutes for the amount of $100. Generally these minutes have no restrictions which means that you are free to use them for nationwide long distance calls, while others include no roaming. In case you are one of the many people who don't feel like making a long term commitment with a particular cell phone provider, then it is best if you consider taking advantage of the pay as you go phone services.
There are many people that should have pay as you go phones in order to save money. Parents should give their children such phones so that the first won't have to worry how much their children have spoken on the phone for the last month. But still they will be able to get in touch with their children with a cell phone. There are also people who don't need many minutes to talk on the cellular phone for a month. For them a long term cellular phone plan will be expensive and inappropriate. Thus, such people should get pay as you go phones as they will have a cell phone which they will use when they need to.
There is a difference between the work of prepaid cellular phones and traditional cell phones. You don't need a contract for the first. And you surely won't receive a bill at the end of the month. You only have to pay in advance for the minutes you use - it is as simple as that. While talking, money is being deducted from your prepaid credit. Of course, you can always recharge the account when you don't have many minutes left. You can recharge your account by purchasing prepaid cards for your phone. Within the pone card you will find recharging instructions enclosed.
There are many carriers offering pay as you go phone service. Some of the most popular ones are T-Mobile, Cingular and TracFone. When buying a pay as you go phone you will receive activation instructions with the phone. Activating the phone is easy and once it is done you can also charge prepaid cellular minutes.
Don’t get the wrong impression that you should buy some old cheap phone in order to use pay as you go phone service. Motorola and Nokia have taken care of offering many phones for their pay as you go clients. The choices you have include flip phones, camera phones and much more.
Currently, you can find some carriers offering prices for pay as you go phone service at about 1000 minutes for the amount of $100. Generally these minutes have no restrictions which means that you are free to use them for nationwide long distance calls, while others include no roaming. In case you are one of the many people who don't feel like making a long term commitment with a particular cell phone provider, then it is best if you consider taking advantage of the pay as you go phone services.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
GPS Tracking and Its Benefits
With the speed by which technology evolves, it is not a surprise that the world has become ‘smaller’, in the sense that communicating with another person from the other side of the world has become instantaneous. Nowadays, almost everything is possible with the latest that technology has to offer, which brings numerous advantages to users around the world. One of the products of the continuous and advancing developments in technology is the GPS or Global Positioning System. GPS is global satellite navigational system which enables a GPS receiver to determine its specific location, direction and speed by measuring the distance between the receiver and three or more (out of the 24) medium Earth satellites. The GPS technology is currently being used for a multitude of military applications. Aside from its important application in the military, there is a wide array of civilian applications for the GPS technology, and numerous advantages to worldwide users. A GPS tracking device can be incorporated in mobile phones, vehicles, even a person – or any type of object – that you would like to locate. GPPS tracking devices are a definite must for people who are always on the go and those who are fond of updating themselves with the latest technological gizmos.
You can appreciate the value of the GPS technology by taking a look at the numerous advantages of a GPS tracking device. One of the most popular advantages of a GPS tracking device is when it is used as a vehicle navigator. If you are new to a place, you do not have to worry about getting lost and asking for directions if your car has a GPS tracking device. Here, you will be able to determine the exact location, calculate the distance and verify the direction that you need to take in order to arrive at a particular place. The same goes for boats which have a GPS tracking device, to make it easier to find your direction as you sail.
Another popular advantage of a GPS tracking device is when it is embedded as a feature of your mobile phones, palmtops or personal digital assistants. You can use this feature for direction-finding purposes, distance calculation and a lot more. Additionally, GPS tracking devices are used by sports enthusiasts to calculate the range that they traveled as they work out. Lastly, and this is probably one of the most important uses of a GPS tracking device – is just what the name implies – ‘to track’ or determine the location of something. Whether it is a stolen vehicle, a lost pet, monitoring the location of wild or endangered species, or for surveillance purposes – a GPS tracking device definitely provides a multitude of applications, benefits and uses to suit most of your individual needs.
Now can you can keep track of your car or cell phone using GPS. Accutracking software turns your Motorola iDEN cell phones or RIM BlackBerry phones carried by Nextel, Boost Mobile, SouthernLINC or Telus MIKE (Canada) into a GPS tracking device. Online GPS cell phone tracking service lets you see real-time locations, speed, and headings of your children/family members or cars/vehicles, and receive email or SMS alerts when they move across the designated areas or exceeds speed limit.
Click here for more info.
You can appreciate the value of the GPS technology by taking a look at the numerous advantages of a GPS tracking device. One of the most popular advantages of a GPS tracking device is when it is used as a vehicle navigator. If you are new to a place, you do not have to worry about getting lost and asking for directions if your car has a GPS tracking device. Here, you will be able to determine the exact location, calculate the distance and verify the direction that you need to take in order to arrive at a particular place. The same goes for boats which have a GPS tracking device, to make it easier to find your direction as you sail.
Another popular advantage of a GPS tracking device is when it is embedded as a feature of your mobile phones, palmtops or personal digital assistants. You can use this feature for direction-finding purposes, distance calculation and a lot more. Additionally, GPS tracking devices are used by sports enthusiasts to calculate the range that they traveled as they work out. Lastly, and this is probably one of the most important uses of a GPS tracking device – is just what the name implies – ‘to track’ or determine the location of something. Whether it is a stolen vehicle, a lost pet, monitoring the location of wild or endangered species, or for surveillance purposes – a GPS tracking device definitely provides a multitude of applications, benefits and uses to suit most of your individual needs.
Now can you can keep track of your car or cell phone using GPS. Accutracking software turns your Motorola iDEN cell phones or RIM BlackBerry phones carried by Nextel, Boost Mobile, SouthernLINC or Telus MIKE (Canada) into a GPS tracking device. Online GPS cell phone tracking service lets you see real-time locations, speed, and headings of your children/family members or cars/vehicles, and receive email or SMS alerts when they move across the designated areas or exceeds speed limit.
Click here for more info.
Your Trash = Someone Elses Treasure
You've probably never thought about recycled furniture as home decor. In fact, you might be disgusted by the thought of someone picking up your old furniture when you set it out on the curb for trash pickup. However, if you think about it, furniture is recycled all the time, with pieces being sold in garage sales or sent to Goodwill and other charity services for those who are less fortunate. If you are working with a small budget, a garage sale or a second hand store can actually be a great place to find your newest bedroom furniture item or decorative piece for the foyer.
Actually, if you think about it, all antiques are technically recycled, but because they often have a ridiculously high value attached to them, people don't see them as used. The same can be said of some second hand furniture, which you can even update yourself if you want to make it "like new", still costing much less than a new wrought iron bed or wood dresser. If you spend a Saturday or Sunday shopping garage sales and yard sales in your area, you could probably furnish an entire house for the cost of one or two new pieces, and just because the units you buy don't match doesn't mean you can't work with them.
For example, maybe you buy a TV armoire that is in nearly perfect condition at one yard sale, but it is a shade of brown that doesn't match your living room at all. At the next garage sale, you find a great storage ottoman, but it is olive green, which not only clashes with your current living room décor but also with the couch you just bought. You can go to a fabric store and purchase enough fabric in the color of your choice to recover both items or to even create simple slip covers that can be removed and washed for both items. Overall, with the cost of the two pieces used and the material, you've probably spent less than you would have on just the ottoman had you bought it brand new.
The same is true of wood furnishings. Perhaps you need to get an additional nightstand for your bedroom, and everything you have so far is cherrywood. Yet, at a second hand store, you find a piece that is the same style as your current shelving for a very low price that has an oak finish. It is quite easy to buy some sandpaper and apply a coat or two of cherrywood finish to a sanded unit, and the cost difference from buying a new unit is definitely worth the time.
So, next time you start thinking about how crazy some people are for buying used bedoom furniture, think twice about how crazy you may be for turning down the opportunity to purchase something that you can update yourself and save an outrageous amount of money. As the old adage says, one man's trash really is another man's treasure.
Actually, if you think about it, all antiques are technically recycled, but because they often have a ridiculously high value attached to them, people don't see them as used. The same can be said of some second hand furniture, which you can even update yourself if you want to make it "like new", still costing much less than a new wrought iron bed or wood dresser. If you spend a Saturday or Sunday shopping garage sales and yard sales in your area, you could probably furnish an entire house for the cost of one or two new pieces, and just because the units you buy don't match doesn't mean you can't work with them.
For example, maybe you buy a TV armoire that is in nearly perfect condition at one yard sale, but it is a shade of brown that doesn't match your living room at all. At the next garage sale, you find a great storage ottoman, but it is olive green, which not only clashes with your current living room décor but also with the couch you just bought. You can go to a fabric store and purchase enough fabric in the color of your choice to recover both items or to even create simple slip covers that can be removed and washed for both items. Overall, with the cost of the two pieces used and the material, you've probably spent less than you would have on just the ottoman had you bought it brand new.
The same is true of wood furnishings. Perhaps you need to get an additional nightstand for your bedroom, and everything you have so far is cherrywood. Yet, at a second hand store, you find a piece that is the same style as your current shelving for a very low price that has an oak finish. It is quite easy to buy some sandpaper and apply a coat or two of cherrywood finish to a sanded unit, and the cost difference from buying a new unit is definitely worth the time.
So, next time you start thinking about how crazy some people are for buying used bedoom furniture, think twice about how crazy you may be for turning down the opportunity to purchase something that you can update yourself and save an outrageous amount of money. As the old adage says, one man's trash really is another man's treasure.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Online Shopping - Tips and Stuff
Shopping online is something that is becoming increasingly popular. Every day more people are coming online from around the world to complete purchases. With such an increase in overall online spend, it is important that you know exactly what you should be looking out for when shopping online. Although the costs of online goods can be much less, especially as a result of fewer overheads for retailers, it is important that you are a savvy online shopper if you want to ensure you remain safe and get a good deal.
1. Credit Card v Debit Card When shopping online it is much safer to use your credit card than your debit card for online purchases. The reason for this is that when you use a credit card you can charge-back the merchant if you are not happy with the goods or service that you purchased. It is also important to use a credit card because of online fraud. If you are subject to fraud with your credit card then the credit card company will give you a refund whilst your bank will not in the case of your debit card.
2. Shop Around When you are online it is surprising to find that only one company is selling the good or service that you are looking to buy. Because this is very rare it is a good idea to look in many online shops before finally making a purchase. When you are shopping around and looking at the different prices offered it is also important to consider any shipping costs that are associated with a transaction. It is often the case that these are over-looked according to published research.
3. Secure Payment Gateway When shopping online it is important that you only enter your payment details via a secure payment gateway. In order to identify a secure payment gateway you should look in the address bar on the page where you are going to enter your payment details. If it reads https:// rather than http:// then it means that your data is being encrypted and as such will likely get to where it is supposed to. Please note that this does not apply throughout every page of the site, it only applies on the actual page that is being used to process payments.
4. Read the T and C This may come as a shock to you, but you should always read the terms and conditions! Failing to read the terms and conditions may not seem too important at the time, but it certainly will retrospectively should anything go wrong. A savvy shopper will always recognize the importance of ensuring they know exactly what they are agreeing to.
5. Check for Contact Details Should a website not have contact details such as address and telephone number then dealing with them is not a good choice. When you deal with a company and pay them money it is reasonable to assume you should be able to easily contact them when something goes wrong. If you cannot find anything other than an email address then don't give them your money!
One safe and secure place to shop is Tonesbargains.com
It offers over 25,000 low priced name brand products, some as much as 75% off retail prices. All the items are guaranteed with money back and registering with a credit card is best. Also I found that using discount code 3771 gives you an additional 10% off on all purchases. Check it out and see for yourself what the internet mall is about and decide for yourself, you will not be disappointed.
1. Credit Card v Debit Card When shopping online it is much safer to use your credit card than your debit card for online purchases. The reason for this is that when you use a credit card you can charge-back the merchant if you are not happy with the goods or service that you purchased. It is also important to use a credit card because of online fraud. If you are subject to fraud with your credit card then the credit card company will give you a refund whilst your bank will not in the case of your debit card.
2. Shop Around When you are online it is surprising to find that only one company is selling the good or service that you are looking to buy. Because this is very rare it is a good idea to look in many online shops before finally making a purchase. When you are shopping around and looking at the different prices offered it is also important to consider any shipping costs that are associated with a transaction. It is often the case that these are over-looked according to published research.
3. Secure Payment Gateway When shopping online it is important that you only enter your payment details via a secure payment gateway. In order to identify a secure payment gateway you should look in the address bar on the page where you are going to enter your payment details. If it reads https:// rather than http:// then it means that your data is being encrypted and as such will likely get to where it is supposed to. Please note that this does not apply throughout every page of the site, it only applies on the actual page that is being used to process payments.
4. Read the T and C This may come as a shock to you, but you should always read the terms and conditions! Failing to read the terms and conditions may not seem too important at the time, but it certainly will retrospectively should anything go wrong. A savvy shopper will always recognize the importance of ensuring they know exactly what they are agreeing to.
5. Check for Contact Details Should a website not have contact details such as address and telephone number then dealing with them is not a good choice. When you deal with a company and pay them money it is reasonable to assume you should be able to easily contact them when something goes wrong. If you cannot find anything other than an email address then don't give them your money!
One safe and secure place to shop is Tonesbargains.com
It offers over 25,000 low priced name brand products, some as much as 75% off retail prices. All the items are guaranteed with money back and registering with a credit card is best. Also I found that using discount code 3771 gives you an additional 10% off on all purchases. Check it out and see for yourself what the internet mall is about and decide for yourself, you will not be disappointed.
Buying Satellite TV Equipment
If you’re planning on subscribing to a satellite TV provider, you need to understand that most companies will offer you packages that include important satellite TV equipment, such as the dish and receiver that are compatible with your television set.
Although many people will receive installation of this essential satellite TV equipment without charge or additional costs when they subscribe to a satellite provider, keep in mind that these deals state that you cannot cancel your satellite TV subscription any time you feel like it. At the end of your required one-year contract, you can pretty much count on the fact that you have already paid for this so-called “free” satellite TV equipment.
The Economical Way of Buying Satellite TV Equipment
If you’re not sure that the bundled packaged that a satellite TV provider offers is a practical choice, then your next best option is to look for cheaper satellite TV equipment and install it yourself or hire an affordable installation service provider.
The good thing about buying your own satellite TV equipment is that you can choose from a complete system that is compatible with your television and subscription, or you can purchase mix and match equipment and build your system yourself. However, choosing between these two options will depend on your budget as well as your expertise in installing hardware.
Regardless of which option you choose, the most important thing you should remember is to ensure that all satellite TV equipment that you buy should be compatible with each other, with your television and with your satellite TV subscription provider. This means that if you have found an affordable 5-year old model of a satellite dish that can still work well with your receiver and television, then the only reason not to buy this item would be the age of the equipment in question.
Be aware that the most difficult satellite TV equipment to buy at a bargain price is the satellite dish. Although there are some dishes with an affordable tag price, you should also consider that not all low-priced dishes could work effectively. For this reason, it is best to find at least six to ten-foot dishes to ensure you will not experience disruptions from your reception.
If you’re on a budget but you still wish to enjoy watching hundreds of worldwide channels daily, then looking for affordable satellite TV equipment should be your task. Since it can be hard for first-timers to negotiate with sellers of satellite equipment, it is best for you to understand how each piece of equipment works to prevent becoming scammed by equipment distributors and satellite TV enthusiasts.
Although many people will receive installation of this essential satellite TV equipment without charge or additional costs when they subscribe to a satellite provider, keep in mind that these deals state that you cannot cancel your satellite TV subscription any time you feel like it. At the end of your required one-year contract, you can pretty much count on the fact that you have already paid for this so-called “free” satellite TV equipment.
The Economical Way of Buying Satellite TV Equipment
If you’re not sure that the bundled packaged that a satellite TV provider offers is a practical choice, then your next best option is to look for cheaper satellite TV equipment and install it yourself or hire an affordable installation service provider.
The good thing about buying your own satellite TV equipment is that you can choose from a complete system that is compatible with your television and subscription, or you can purchase mix and match equipment and build your system yourself. However, choosing between these two options will depend on your budget as well as your expertise in installing hardware.
Regardless of which option you choose, the most important thing you should remember is to ensure that all satellite TV equipment that you buy should be compatible with each other, with your television and with your satellite TV subscription provider. This means that if you have found an affordable 5-year old model of a satellite dish that can still work well with your receiver and television, then the only reason not to buy this item would be the age of the equipment in question.
Be aware that the most difficult satellite TV equipment to buy at a bargain price is the satellite dish. Although there are some dishes with an affordable tag price, you should also consider that not all low-priced dishes could work effectively. For this reason, it is best to find at least six to ten-foot dishes to ensure you will not experience disruptions from your reception.
If you’re on a budget but you still wish to enjoy watching hundreds of worldwide channels daily, then looking for affordable satellite TV equipment should be your task. Since it can be hard for first-timers to negotiate with sellers of satellite equipment, it is best for you to understand how each piece of equipment works to prevent becoming scammed by equipment distributors and satellite TV enthusiasts.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Making Your Home Pet Safe
It’s safe to say, my dog has me well trained. My “best friend” since she was six weeks old, my precious pup is now a fourteen year old peke-a-poo, missing teeth, missing vision, and missing manners. She growls at me whenever she wants MY dinner, she awakes me at three a.m. so I can give her a drink from my glass and free her from having to walk the ten steps to her water bowl, and she bites me whenever I accidentally touch her as she sleeps in our bed (90 percent of the bed, she has decided, belongs to her ten pound frame). Yes, it’s fair to say, when it comes to my dog, I am nothing if not obedient.
I’d like to say it hasn’t always been like this; I’d like to claim that I once had the upper hand and behaved like, well, the superior species. But, the truth is, I never did. Even before I brought her home, I found myself running around and getting things ready for her arrival. I bought her everything she needed, stopping just short of getting her a diamond studded collar from Tiffany’s, and I puppy proofed my house; I puppy proofed my house like a maniac: there was no way my dog was going to get hurt in my, oh I’m sorry, her, home.
This brings me to the topic of puppy proofing. As essential as it is, it’s not that hard to overlook; new dog owners might find themselves forgetting to make a safe environment as they become so wrapped up simply in loving their puppy. Still, puppy proofing your house helps you assure that you will have a puppy to love. So, before you bring home your new bundle of joy, try to engage in the following:
Secure your cords: Like moths to flames, puppies have been known to flock towards electrical cords, placing them in their mouths, and chewing away. Not only does this ruin your cord, but it can give your puppy quite a shock. To avoid this, keep cords out of the area where your puppy will be. If it’s impossible to keep cords out completely – if your puppy is in the TV room, it might be hard to not have a cord for your plasma television – place them out of your puppy’s reach: hang them from something high, tape them to the wall, or purchase a wire cover.
Guard your Balcony: All puppies have some Christopher Columbus in them: they like to explore. While this is often harmless, when a puppy starts to explore high areas, such as a deck or upstairs balcony, they run the risk of falling. Since you probably won’t be able to keep an eye on your puppy twenty four hours a day, buying a balcony guard is your best bet. A balcony guard allows your puppy to explore higher areas all while assuring that he or she won’t suddenly be thrown off course.
Latch Your Cabinets: If there’s one thing puppies know how to do, it’s get into things they shouldn’t. Cabinets, particularly ones that house kitchen or bathroom trash, are prime goals for puppy pursuing. If successful in their venture, puppies can find things in cabinets that could harm them: household cleaners, chicken bones, mouse traps, bleach. Simply putting latches on your cabinets can assure your puppy won’t be able to open the door on this danger.
Hang Your Plants: I remember my dog, as a puppy, had an affinity for getting into plants. Sometimes she would dig them up, sometimes she would pee on them, and sometimes – mistaking them for a salad bar – she would eat them. This, turns out, wasn't a good idea: some plants are edible, but others can be poisonous. Your veterinarian can provide you with a list of plants that are harmful to pets, including Aloe Vera, tomato plants, rhododendron, English Ivy, and mistletoe. Instead of leaving these, or any plants, on ground level, hang them from the ceiling. Chances are your puppy won’t figure out how to use a ladder.
Puppy proofing your home can take time and money. But, it’s worth it all in the end. It helps us keep our best friend safe, which speaks to those of us who know that there is no such thing as “just a dog.”
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Free Songs and Movies For iPod--Where to find them
You just shelled out around $300 for your new iPod Video, and now Apple wants you to pay $1.99 per music video, and even more for TV Shows and Movies! So you’re searching for an alternative that will give you great quality and quantity, but won’t break the bank. With all the different websites out there that are claiming to have the best of the best, you might be wondering “who can I trust, and who should I chose?” Well, as an avid iPod owner I can say that I’ve used my fair share of downloading services. If you don’t want to be taken advantage of, read on, because I’ve sorted through, and tried them all, and have got your source for the best sites around that give you access to unlimited iPod video and music downloads, and much much more.
The first download service I tried was Feed My iPod. There are 95 million files via Feed My iPod. that you can download however many times you want, and however often you’d like. There is a small one time fee, but with the cost per download with other services (Like iTunes), Feed My iPod is a great investment. I found that the interface was user friendly, and the different movie tittles I wanted for my iPod were readily available for download. There are also sports, and music files that are on hand for you to download. As a bonus, you get free software that can convert your personal DVD’s to a format compatible with your iPod.
The second download website I came across was Unlimited iPod Movies. This extensive library of music, game, and video files is updated frequently with some of the most popular titles available. What I liked most was the DVD quality of the movies and videos available. Like the other services there was a minimal one time membership fee. As an added incentive, there was software for a DVD to iPod converter, spyware and adware protection, and a PC diagnostic test, all of which are handy dandy tools for budding multimedia moguls, such as you.
Here is one place you can find iPod downloads and more. This site has over 20,000 digital downloads available. Most have a low one-time fee for a lifetime of downloads. Just type in the product you are looking for in the search button and you will find what you need. Click here to see what it is all about.
Last is My iPod Downloads, which, in my opinion was the best by far. I was granted instant access to millions of music, game, movie, and sporting event files after my small one time lifetime membership fee. The amount of users in the network made for easy and fast downloading and that gave it some degree of credibility. The different music and video files were categorized by genre for easy searching, and there were also video tutorials available when I ran into trouble. Included with your membership fee is software that enables you to rip from your iPod or CD and transfer the data to either your computer or a mix CD. In my opinion, this is the brand you should trust; I felt it was the most reliable, and it had files I wanted to download that I could not find with other services.
There you have it! The top services I recommend for your everyday iPod download needs. You too will soon be on your way to becoming an avid iPod owner, so happy downloading!
The first download service I tried was Feed My iPod. There are 95 million files via Feed My iPod. that you can download however many times you want, and however often you’d like. There is a small one time fee, but with the cost per download with other services (Like iTunes), Feed My iPod is a great investment. I found that the interface was user friendly, and the different movie tittles I wanted for my iPod were readily available for download. There are also sports, and music files that are on hand for you to download. As a bonus, you get free software that can convert your personal DVD’s to a format compatible with your iPod.
The second download website I came across was Unlimited iPod Movies. This extensive library of music, game, and video files is updated frequently with some of the most popular titles available. What I liked most was the DVD quality of the movies and videos available. Like the other services there was a minimal one time membership fee. As an added incentive, there was software for a DVD to iPod converter, spyware and adware protection, and a PC diagnostic test, all of which are handy dandy tools for budding multimedia moguls, such as you.
Here is one place you can find iPod downloads and more. This site has over 20,000 digital downloads available. Most have a low one-time fee for a lifetime of downloads. Just type in the product you are looking for in the search button and you will find what you need. Click here to see what it is all about.
Last is My iPod Downloads, which, in my opinion was the best by far. I was granted instant access to millions of music, game, movie, and sporting event files after my small one time lifetime membership fee. The amount of users in the network made for easy and fast downloading and that gave it some degree of credibility. The different music and video files were categorized by genre for easy searching, and there were also video tutorials available when I ran into trouble. Included with your membership fee is software that enables you to rip from your iPod or CD and transfer the data to either your computer or a mix CD. In my opinion, this is the brand you should trust; I felt it was the most reliable, and it had files I wanted to download that I could not find with other services.
There you have it! The top services I recommend for your everyday iPod download needs. You too will soon be on your way to becoming an avid iPod owner, so happy downloading!
Funishing Your Home--The Low Cost Method
Let’s face it – you need furniture. Sure, you can cut corners by going Japanese and using your coffee table as the dining table, or by transforming your living room into a Middle Eastern pillow lounge. But in the end, you’ll need at least a few basic pieces of furniture, even for the most spartan of living conditions. Don’t worry – saving money on your furniture is easy and doesn't mean sacrificing the quality of the product. Just follow some of these easy guidelines.
Look for furniture on sale
This might seem a little obvious, but if you really put the effort into sniffing out the best sales, you could save a bundle on furniture. More often than not, the best deals on furniture come every January and July. And if you’re looking for outdoor furniture, August is best.
Also check back at the end of every month. The majority of the furniture companies function on monthly basis – computing their sales, releasing their promotions and introducing new furniture. There may be certain items that won't be offered the following month, so these lines of products may be offered at a very low price. And since most of the furniture companies pay sales people on commission, they’ll be a little more desperate to make the sale when the month is running out.
Apply for the credit card being offered by the furniture shop
This is a tricky one. You can get a great deal on your furniture purchase with the retailer’s in-store credit cards. Depending on the store and the sale, you may be able to reduce or eliminate your interest payments and sales tax, or you may be offered a special discount available only to cardholders. All you have to do is apply for this credit card and you can get discounts on anything you want.
But be careful when using this strategy. The temptation is to spend beyond your means just because you have the available credit. Read the fine print of the terms and conditions carefully. If you’re confident you can pay off your bill in the allotted time, then you’ll be fine. If not, be careful – interest rates after your introductory period may jump as high as $25%!
Search online
If you’ve seen a certain piece of furniture you like in a store near you or in your favorite magazine, check the internet for a better price. Get as much information about the manufacturer and the piece name and Google it – you may be able to find some deep discounts. But don’t forget to check the shipping rates and taxes that may be applied to your purchase or you might not be saving as much as you think.
Buy used furniture
Buying second-hand is great because it saves you money and reuses materials that might otherwise wind up in the landfill. Check your telephone book for local thrift shops, reuse centers or charity shops. Be creative! If you find a nice sturdy couch you love, but the fabric’s worn thin, you can have it reupholstered or covered in new slipcovers.
If you live near a college town (especially a wealthy college town), you’re in luck. Watch the thrift stores extra closely each spring around move-out time – you’ll be amazed at the things students will leave behind. Better yet, if you know someone who will be moving soon, offer to take that old piece of furniture off their hands. They may be so excited not to have to deal with moving it themselves that you’ll get a great price, or even a free piece of furniture. Before you know it, you’ll be on your way to your very own, fully furnished home.
Look for furniture on sale
This might seem a little obvious, but if you really put the effort into sniffing out the best sales, you could save a bundle on furniture. More often than not, the best deals on furniture come every January and July. And if you’re looking for outdoor furniture, August is best.
Also check back at the end of every month. The majority of the furniture companies function on monthly basis – computing their sales, releasing their promotions and introducing new furniture. There may be certain items that won't be offered the following month, so these lines of products may be offered at a very low price. And since most of the furniture companies pay sales people on commission, they’ll be a little more desperate to make the sale when the month is running out.
Apply for the credit card being offered by the furniture shop
This is a tricky one. You can get a great deal on your furniture purchase with the retailer’s in-store credit cards. Depending on the store and the sale, you may be able to reduce or eliminate your interest payments and sales tax, or you may be offered a special discount available only to cardholders. All you have to do is apply for this credit card and you can get discounts on anything you want.
But be careful when using this strategy. The temptation is to spend beyond your means just because you have the available credit. Read the fine print of the terms and conditions carefully. If you’re confident you can pay off your bill in the allotted time, then you’ll be fine. If not, be careful – interest rates after your introductory period may jump as high as $25%!
Search online
If you’ve seen a certain piece of furniture you like in a store near you or in your favorite magazine, check the internet for a better price. Get as much information about the manufacturer and the piece name and Google it – you may be able to find some deep discounts. But don’t forget to check the shipping rates and taxes that may be applied to your purchase or you might not be saving as much as you think.
Buy used furniture
Buying second-hand is great because it saves you money and reuses materials that might otherwise wind up in the landfill. Check your telephone book for local thrift shops, reuse centers or charity shops. Be creative! If you find a nice sturdy couch you love, but the fabric’s worn thin, you can have it reupholstered or covered in new slipcovers.
If you live near a college town (especially a wealthy college town), you’re in luck. Watch the thrift stores extra closely each spring around move-out time – you’ll be amazed at the things students will leave behind. Better yet, if you know someone who will be moving soon, offer to take that old piece of furniture off their hands. They may be so excited not to have to deal with moving it themselves that you’ll get a great price, or even a free piece of furniture. Before you know it, you’ll be on your way to your very own, fully furnished home.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Keep Your Dogs Coat Clean and Healthy
Your dog wears a coat of insulation, helping him stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. His coat holds essential oils close to his skin, and protects it from scrapes and scratches. Its hollow hairs help him stay afloat so he can concentrate on swimming rather than treading.
Without daily maintenance, however, your dog can quickly become cheap transportation for burrs and other plant seeds. Parasites love to burrow in the warm, moist areas next to his skin, presenting a health hazard for you and your dog. With a few simple steps, though, you can maintain the health of your dog’s coat without resorting to an expensive groomer.
As a natural part of their lives, dogs are skilled at self-grooming. They are taught by their mothers that grooming limits skin-borne diseases and parasites. Young muscles and bones benefit from the increased blood flow their massaging mothers stimulate. As they grow and become self-sufficient, they begin to groom themselves and become very successful at it. When a dog is living in a home environment, however, they need some human help to maintain a healthy coat.
Brush your dog frequently using a brush with soft bristles and a flea comb. Use light pressure and always stroke with the coat’s grain. This collects shedding hair before it gets all over your furniture and clothes and eliminates matting before it becomes too snarled.
Long and thick coats fight a constant battle against snarls. Don’t use brute force to clear them; nobody likes to have their hair pulled. Use water to soften caked fecal matter or mud and scissors or clippers if necessary on nasty tangles and burrs.
Many dogs get very anxious around brushes and scissors. Their fears can result in snarling and nipping, which is why many groomers resort to using sedatives. This does nothing to quell the unnatural fear for the next grooming session, however. A much better way is to take him for a long exercise session to remove all his nervous energy, and then put him in a calm state lying down. Introduce him to the grooming instruments while he is in this calm state. Once he is through investigating them, you can begin to use them while keeping him calm and submissive.
Inspect your dog’s skin while you are brushing. Be alert for skin irritations, dry skin, fleas, ticks and any sign of infection. While you will probably need professional help for fungal or bacterial infections, other problems can be handled on your own.
The two major causes of dry, irritated skin are too much bathing and a lack of lipids in your dog’s diet. Bathe your dog with shampoo as infrequently as possible. Also, mix in a teaspoon full of vegetable oil with his food. His coat will take on a healthy glow, and the oil will moisturize his skin. Chlorine-filled swimming pools often contribute to dry skin, however, swimming is great exercise and a lot of fun for your dog, so don’t cut it out entirely.
Regular application of flea and tick powder will help prevent you from having to deal with fleas and ticks. If you still find a tick, however, use tweezers to grasp the tick by the head. Jerk straight out so the jaws come with the rest of the tick. Don’t squeeze the tick’s body or touch it with bare fingers. Wash your hands after handling the tick.
Excessive scratching and hair loss are two signs of flea infestation. Fleas don’t just stay on your dog however; they jump off and infest your house. Check the floors and baseboards for granules that resemble salt and pepper grains.
Toss the dog in the bath with plenty of dog shampoo. Follow up with a breed-appropriate flea dip. Now comes the hard part – cleaning the house.
To clean the house you need to first get rid of the eggs and larvae. Vacuum all the carpets, including the baseboards, and all the upholstered furniture. Take the vacuum bag outside immediately and place it in a trash bin. Treat all carpeted and upholstered surfaces with specifically formulated insecticide to kill the adult fleas. Since the insecticides are toxic, you’ll want to keep your children and animals away from treated surfaces until it dries.
With regular grooming and attention, your dog’s coat will stay healthy and clean. That protects your dog, your family, your wallet, and your home.
Newbie Drivers Insurance
Young drivers are prime targets for high insurance, this is generally because they have had very little experience on the road and are deemed as a higher risk to be in an accident. Due to this, insurance for the younger driver is often very expensive. However there are ways that even young motorists can make savings on their car insurance.
The biggest mistake that the majority of younger drivers make when choosing their first car is to choose one which suits their image and not their pocket. While they visualise themselves running around in the latest model of sports car, this type of car is in the high insurance bracket. One of the factors which are taken into account when it comes to insurance is the model and engine size of the car. By choosing something less flashy a younger motorist can shave pounds off their already high insurance premiums.
Another way in which the younger driver can help themselves is by taking advanced driving lessons. There are special courses that be taken which can go a long way to prove that you are able to handle a car and that your safety record is excellent. This can make up for the fact that you have very little experience and lack of the necessary no claims bonus, which can only be gotten by time spent driving sensibly and safely.
Installing the latest security features on your car can also help you to reduce the amount you are quoted for your premium. Simply installing an immobiliser or keeping your car in a garage instead of by the side of the road can help to reduce your premium.
Finally the biggest savings can be found online as buying online can attract around 10-15% in discounts. Shopping online for your insurance gives you the ability to search through many insurers and to get instant online quotes for the exact type of insurance you are looking for. There are also many companies that will deal with the younger driver in particular and very often this is the best bet for new motorists to make great savings on their car insurance.
The savings the younger driver can make will of course depend on the type of insurance that they choose to go for. Third party, fire and theft is by far the cheapest and depending on the age of the car this could be the best choice for the younger driver when it comes to getting cheaper car insurance.
While fully comprehensive will cover you for most eventualities, it is the most expensive type of insurance, so thought should be given to the level of cover you require before conducting an online search to determine how much you could save.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Creating a webpage - What not to do
There are a number of ways guaranteed to turn-off visitors to your web site. These are worth considering as you either design a site, or revise a site. Turn-offs generally can be defined as anything that impedes the user from quick and easy (intuitive) use of your site. Turn-offs also are often the result of gratuitous use of technical 'bells and whistles'.
One of the major turn-offs is a sloooow loading site. There can be a number of contributing factors to this:
* Large graphics files (meaning the file size in bytes). Graphics files need to be optimised to reduce the file size to a minimum to enable them to travel through the Internet in minimum time.
* Splash Screens. These are often Flash graphics and can take a long time to 'load', especially where there is limited bandwidth. Bandwidth is the carry capacity of the Internet, the bigger the faster - a bit like comparing a fire hose and a garden hose. Unfortunately in Australia bandwidth tends to be at the smaller end of the scale. Splash screens also annoy repeat visitors, as they revisit the site and have to wait for the screen to load (not everyone knows how to properly Bookmark).
* Excessively long pages. Pages should generally be no longer than three screen-fulls (scrolls). Also, bear in mind that most people scan web pages rather that read in detail (until they find the specific page they seek).
Other turn-offs include:
* Background music that automatically starts as the page loads. As well as slooowing the page loading down, your choice of music is unlikely to please everyone.
* Set a screen resolution too wide for the majority of computers in use. You would be surprised how many computers with 640 pixel x 480 pixel screens are still in use. So, set Table widths as a percentage of screen width, otherwise many of your visitors will be annoyed by needing to utilise the horizontal scroll bar.
* Requiring obscure 'Plug-Ins' as essentials to effectively use your site. A Plug-In is a piece of software that works in conjunction with a browser to display specific material, e.g. a movie clip, sound, etc. As your visitor probably won't have them, they then need to download the Plug-In and install it before they can continue using your site. Often people do not know how to do this.
* Endless little 'Pop-Up' screens that appear on top of the web page, particularly if they contain advertisements. Incidentally, if you are annoyed by these as a user of the Internet there are a number of pieces of software that can eliminate these, as well as banner advertisements when pages are viewed.
* On subscription and order forms ask for excessive information. Research indicates that response drops off almost proportionally to the amount of information required.
Filing A Car Insurance Claim For First Timers
If you have never been involved in a car accident, consider yourslef lucky. However, you still should know the timing and details on how and when to file a claim.
The very first thing that you should do when you are involved in a car accident is exchange driver information. That is assuming you are not seriously injured. If you are seriously injured, make sure that the following information is collected by someone at the scene of the accident.
Get the other driver's name, address, telephone number, driver's license number, insurance carrier, policy number, insurance carriers telephone number, and the license plate number of the vehicle or vehicles involved in the accident.
Make sure that you get the name, address, and telephone numbers of any witnesses to the accident. They may be needed to substantiate how the accident occurred.
Local law enforcement should be contacted to report the accident. If you can not reach them, you can go to your local police department, sheriff's office, or Department Of Motor Vehicles and obtain the necessary form to complete and submit it while there. Check the Department Of Motor Vehicles website to see if you can submit your report there.
In the majority of cases, you should report the accident to your insurance company. Before calling them, make sure that you understand your policy.
Sit down and carefully read your car insurance policy. If there is any part of it that you do not understand, call your insurance agent or company, have a list of questions prepared, and get the answers.
If you still are not sure as to what to ask, you may quote car insurance with another insurance company and while you are getting your quote, ask them.
When yoiu are comfortable with what your policy covers, contact your insurance company as soon as possible. An insurance adjuster may be sent to record the damages to your vehicle and take your report and determine who was at fault in the accident. Be prepared for this. If necessary have a written description of what happened including any diagrams that will explain the accident.
And, having a depostion from any of the witnesses at the scene would be helpful.
If the accident was not your fault, you can either contact the other driver's insurance company or have your insurance company contact them to handle the repairs to your vehicle, or if necessary replace your vehicle.
If you use the other driver's insurance company, you will not have to file a claim on your policy and pay any of your deductible to have your vehicle repaired.
Do not relieve the responsible insurance company of its responsibility until all of the damages are settled to your satisfaction. If necessary have your insurance company handle your claim if the other party's insurance company questions who was at fault or offers an unacceptable settlement.
Be sure to consider all of the settlement factors:
Bodily Injury – You may be entitled to financial compensation for any injuries caused by the other driver. It may take several days for your injuries to become apparent.
Property Damage – The insurance company is responsible for paying the reasonable cost to repair the other drivers vehicle or property if you are at fault. If you are not at fault, the other insurance company is responsible for the repairs to your vehicle. The damages to the vehicle will be determined by the adjuster. In most cases the insurance company and the repair shop negotiate any disagreements about what should be repaired. If you don't agree with their conclusion, you have the right to go to another repair shop.
Being involved in a auto accident is never fun, but do understand that you have certain basic rights, and if you are not satisfied with the way your claim is being handled, you can contact the state Department Of Insurance regarding your claim.
Car Loans - Alot Easier Than One Might Think
In the past decades, purchasing a car of own was like building castles in the air, but not today. In present period, the emerging loan schemes have transformed it into reality to drive a car of own. Car purchase loans are now easily available and can be obtained by persons from every financial category. To obtain the loan more easily, it is designed in a lucrative manner and classified into secured and unsecured forms. The forms are like the two sides of the same coin, which concentrates to aid financially the individuals to purchase cars.
Car purchase loans can be obtained by pledging property as collateral (this option is a secured form of loan); without pledging any sort of collateral (for persons who do not have property to pledge) which makes it easier to borrow amount according to ones ability to borrow. But pledging of collateral empowers borrowers to obtain more loan amount as lenders becomes ascertain of borrowers repayments. With the coming up of numerous lenders, car purchase loans are now available at reasonable and low rate of interest. The interest rates vary from one lender to another due to the cutthroat competition among them and individuals should take the advantage of this fierce competition. While carrying out such a job, taking the assistance of online is a wise decision because the sophisticated technology makes it possible to reach numerous lenders in less time saving individual efforts.
The main advantage of car purchase loans is that persons can finance expensive and branded cars. But if individuals cannot afford to have the expensive car, they can least finance for the used car and carry out the purposes or make the daily commute easy. The car purchase loans can also be regarded as a good option to finance commercial vehicles and add boost to expand the business empire. To reach the lenders or to gather information about car loans, individuals need not have to visit lenders individually and click for the high-end application process.
All the advantages and proposals of car purchase loans are also offered to persons having bad credit score like default, arrears, late-payments, bankruptcy and such. The bad credit while applying for car loans should produce precise data concerning to [personal and credit score in order to avoid delay and for a smooth approval.
Car purchase loans can be obtained by pledging property as collateral (this option is a secured form of loan); without pledging any sort of collateral (for persons who do not have property to pledge) which makes it easier to borrow amount according to ones ability to borrow. But pledging of collateral empowers borrowers to obtain more loan amount as lenders becomes ascertain of borrowers repayments. With the coming up of numerous lenders, car purchase loans are now available at reasonable and low rate of interest. The interest rates vary from one lender to another due to the cutthroat competition among them and individuals should take the advantage of this fierce competition. While carrying out such a job, taking the assistance of online is a wise decision because the sophisticated technology makes it possible to reach numerous lenders in less time saving individual efforts.
The main advantage of car purchase loans is that persons can finance expensive and branded cars. But if individuals cannot afford to have the expensive car, they can least finance for the used car and carry out the purposes or make the daily commute easy. The car purchase loans can also be regarded as a good option to finance commercial vehicles and add boost to expand the business empire. To reach the lenders or to gather information about car loans, individuals need not have to visit lenders individually and click for the high-end application process.
All the advantages and proposals of car purchase loans are also offered to persons having bad credit score like default, arrears, late-payments, bankruptcy and such. The bad credit while applying for car loans should produce precise data concerning to [personal and credit score in order to avoid delay and for a smooth approval.
Wood Flooring and Wood Furniture Care
Wood furniture care is important to keep furniture and wooden flooring looking good for as long as possible. If you do not look after it properly, permanent damage could occur.
A lot of people love to decorate their homes but a lot of people also struggle on what to choose in order to help to improve the home. It could be that you have spent a fortune decorating your house and other time things such as wooden flooring are starting to wear down or look extremely tatty. This is when wooden furniture care should come in because by knowing how to care for your wooden flooring and how to protect it, you will be ensuring that it looks as good as possible for many years to come.
If the flooring is done properly and cared for the right way, there is no reason why it should need to be replaced for many years. It is very simple to look after wooden flooring but a lot of people are either naive or they genuinely do not think that they need to look after it.
Why Is Wood Furniture Care Important?
The thing with some wooden flooring is that it can be easily scratched or it can even become water damaged. These are just a couple of the problems that can arise when it comes to wooden flooring. By knowing how to look after the flooring you can stop anything bad from happening to it. It can be extremely frustrating having damaged wooden flooring, especially if you have spent a lot of money doing it up.
Things can easily happen such as spillages and although they may not seem too serious, if they are left or if it keeps happening over time, this can lead to the flooring expanding and looking out of place and damaged. Also dirt, grime and other things that drop onto the floor can also be a big problem because if it is dragged around it can cause scratching or even dents in the floor. Another thing that can cause serious damage to the wooden floor is any furniture that you may have. It needs to be lifted correctly instead of simply dragging across the floor otherwise it could seriously scratch and damage the wooden floor.
Cleaning Wooden Flooring
When it comes to cleaning wooden flooring you should take note on what cleaning products you are going to use to do this task. The reason is that some cleaning products may be too harsh for the type of flooring that you have and they could even cause a discoloration of the flooring or some other damage.
As you can see there are quite a few different hazards that can cause damage to the flooring and that is why wood furniture care is important for wooden flooring around the home.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Keeping Your Car Insurance Premiums Low
When it comes to reducing your car insurance premiums you can do a lot to help yourself. However one of the biggest ways in which you can make savings is by choosing to look around for your car insurance. Not only should you shop around, but the best place to look for your car insurance is by doing so online.
Reducing your car insurance premiums isn’t really all that hard just type in the words “car insurance” on any popular search engine and it will give you a huge range to choose from. Of course while this is the best place to look when it comes to purchasing your car insurance, there are some factors that you should have given some thought to beforehand.
To begin with when it comes to reducing your car insurance some thought should be given as to the type of car that you should get. The smaller the car, the less your car insurance will cost you, if you choose a car with a bigger engine then your premiums will be a lot higher. Another factor to take into consideration when it comes to choosing your car is to avoid buying one which is imported, this is usually because the cost to repair them is more expensive.
The more security features that you install on your car, then the safer it is classed, and as such this can help to bring down your premiums. Many insurers will have listings giving you information on the brands and types of security features that they class as being better than others, simply by installing these you can reduce your car insurance premiums.
One of the biggest ways you can make savings is by having a clean driving record; if you have points on your record then this will boost up the amount that you are quoted for your premium, however when applying for your insurance online it is essential that you be totally honest if you do have points.
Always make sure that you don’t include people on your insurance that aren’t going to be driving your car on a regular basis, the more people that you have on your insurance then the higher the premium will be, so if you have family members listed then consider removing them to save on your premium.
Other ways in which you can reduce your car insurance premium is to take advanced driving lessons to boost your safety record and if you are a young driver, an older driver or a woman driver then check out the many specialist sites which cater specifically for age and gender.
Reducing your car insurance premiums isn’t really all that hard just type in the words “car insurance” on any popular search engine and it will give you a huge range to choose from. Of course while this is the best place to look when it comes to purchasing your car insurance, there are some factors that you should have given some thought to beforehand.
To begin with when it comes to reducing your car insurance some thought should be given as to the type of car that you should get. The smaller the car, the less your car insurance will cost you, if you choose a car with a bigger engine then your premiums will be a lot higher. Another factor to take into consideration when it comes to choosing your car is to avoid buying one which is imported, this is usually because the cost to repair them is more expensive.
The more security features that you install on your car, then the safer it is classed, and as such this can help to bring down your premiums. Many insurers will have listings giving you information on the brands and types of security features that they class as being better than others, simply by installing these you can reduce your car insurance premiums.
One of the biggest ways you can make savings is by having a clean driving record; if you have points on your record then this will boost up the amount that you are quoted for your premium, however when applying for your insurance online it is essential that you be totally honest if you do have points.
Always make sure that you don’t include people on your insurance that aren’t going to be driving your car on a regular basis, the more people that you have on your insurance then the higher the premium will be, so if you have family members listed then consider removing them to save on your premium.
Other ways in which you can reduce your car insurance premium is to take advanced driving lessons to boost your safety record and if you are a young driver, an older driver or a woman driver then check out the many specialist sites which cater specifically for age and gender.
Budgeting For The Newborn
Bringing a baby into the world brings many responsibilities, one of which is the management of your finances. A baby and child will create many changes to your income and expenditures. By getting your finances in order early you can look forward to a bright future through parenthood where finances aren't a cause of stress or worry.
Consolidate & reduce existing debts - It's easy to accrue debts on credit cards, store cards and personal loans. Why not consolidate your existing debts into one place to reduce your monthly interest payments. You can consolidate debt from credit cards using a balance transfer offer such as 0% on balance transfers for 6 months. During these 6 months you should focus on reducing the debt as much as possible.
Make extra home loan repayments - If you have a home loan and are both currently employed you should use your dual incomes to make as many extra repayments on your home loan as you can manage before dropping to one income. Make sure your home loan has a free redraw facility so that you can pull any extra repayments back out at a later date should you need it. Even if you pull most of the money back out after you have the baby you will still of reduced your interest payments in the meantime and further reduced the principle balance.
Check your Health Insurance cover - Having a baby can rack up some big healthcare bills especially is there are any complications. If you don't have private health cover you should consider taking it out in advance of getting pregnant as many funds have a 12 month wait before they pay out for maternity expenses. If you already have health cover, check the policy and ensure maternity cover is included. If not, you may need to upgrade or shop around for another policy.
Protect your income - While an additional expense, it is seriously worth considering income and life insurance should the worse happen. The upbringing of a child create a large financial repsonsibility. You need to be confident that your home loan could be paid off and essential costs such as education and living costs covered in the event that an income is lost or something happens to one of you.
Save for your future - Think about saving for education and other future costs by starting a high interest savings account. Online only savings accounts often have higher interest rates and lower fees than tradtional banks. If you looking for bigger returns with a long term investment then you could look into managed funds or shares.
Think ahead - is your retirement plan working for you - Make sure you have your entire retirement plan in one place to avoid paying multiple account fees. Look for retirement plans with low fees and strong performance results. The thought of your children growing up may seem a long way ahead but you need to get your money working for you now to ensure a good financial position for yourself when they eventually flee the nest.
Try out living on just one income - It can be a shock moving from a dual income household to a single income household when you have a baby. To make things easier why not try and live off one income for a while before the baby is born. The other income can be put towards extra home loan repayments or reducing debt as suggested in the other tips.
Don't spend money when you don't have to - The great thing about having a baby is that friends and family are keen to help out. If you've have friends who have had babies before you why not see if they have toys, clothes or equipment that they don't need anymore. Ebay, online classifieds and your local newspaper are also excellent places to find baby goods second hand. To save money of expensive toys that your baby will soon grow bored of you can use local toy libraries for a small cost.
Babies can save you money as well! - While there may be no shortage of costs around bringing up a child, you'll probably notice you spend less money on entertainment such as going out to restaurants and bars, especially in the first years after having a child. They will provide you with plenty of 'entertainment' and keep you occupied day and night.
Consolidate & reduce existing debts - It's easy to accrue debts on credit cards, store cards and personal loans. Why not consolidate your existing debts into one place to reduce your monthly interest payments. You can consolidate debt from credit cards using a balance transfer offer such as 0% on balance transfers for 6 months. During these 6 months you should focus on reducing the debt as much as possible.
Make extra home loan repayments - If you have a home loan and are both currently employed you should use your dual incomes to make as many extra repayments on your home loan as you can manage before dropping to one income. Make sure your home loan has a free redraw facility so that you can pull any extra repayments back out at a later date should you need it. Even if you pull most of the money back out after you have the baby you will still of reduced your interest payments in the meantime and further reduced the principle balance.
Check your Health Insurance cover - Having a baby can rack up some big healthcare bills especially is there are any complications. If you don't have private health cover you should consider taking it out in advance of getting pregnant as many funds have a 12 month wait before they pay out for maternity expenses. If you already have health cover, check the policy and ensure maternity cover is included. If not, you may need to upgrade or shop around for another policy.
Protect your income - While an additional expense, it is seriously worth considering income and life insurance should the worse happen. The upbringing of a child create a large financial repsonsibility. You need to be confident that your home loan could be paid off and essential costs such as education and living costs covered in the event that an income is lost or something happens to one of you.
Save for your future - Think about saving for education and other future costs by starting a high interest savings account. Online only savings accounts often have higher interest rates and lower fees than tradtional banks. If you looking for bigger returns with a long term investment then you could look into managed funds or shares.
Think ahead - is your retirement plan working for you - Make sure you have your entire retirement plan in one place to avoid paying multiple account fees. Look for retirement plans with low fees and strong performance results. The thought of your children growing up may seem a long way ahead but you need to get your money working for you now to ensure a good financial position for yourself when they eventually flee the nest.
Try out living on just one income - It can be a shock moving from a dual income household to a single income household when you have a baby. To make things easier why not try and live off one income for a while before the baby is born. The other income can be put towards extra home loan repayments or reducing debt as suggested in the other tips.
Don't spend money when you don't have to - The great thing about having a baby is that friends and family are keen to help out. If you've have friends who have had babies before you why not see if they have toys, clothes or equipment that they don't need anymore. Ebay, online classifieds and your local newspaper are also excellent places to find baby goods second hand. To save money of expensive toys that your baby will soon grow bored of you can use local toy libraries for a small cost.
Babies can save you money as well! - While there may be no shortage of costs around bringing up a child, you'll probably notice you spend less money on entertainment such as going out to restaurants and bars, especially in the first years after having a child. They will provide you with plenty of 'entertainment' and keep you occupied day and night.
Car Insurance For Lady Drivers
Unfortunately your sex can make a huge difference to the amount of car insurance that you pay. Women drivers while having been the brunt of many jokes, particularity from male drivers, can in fact get cheaper car insurance than men.
Statistics have shown that women are indeed safer drivers than men, this is because women have been proven to make less claims than men do on their insurance. They also usually go for much less flashier cars than men choose, instead going for the more reserved and what is classed as the safer car.
There are many online companies now taking advantage of this fact and as such are offering deals specifically aimed at the women driver. Lady drivers can now search online for companies aimed at them and by doing so they can make huge savings on the amount of premiums they pay for car insurance.
However, there are other factors that determine how cheap you get your car insurance, regardless of your sex. The best, cheapest and quickest way to look for your car insurance is by doing so online. By looking online for your car insurance you are able to get instant quotes from many companies which ensures that you choose the cheapest deal possible.
Policy features and benefits and the cost of car insurance does vary from company to company and all policies have exclusions hidden within them so it is essential that you understand just what is included in the quote.
Other factors which are taken into account include the area in which you live. Depending on your postcode you can be charged a higher premium for your car insurance. While there isn't much you can do to change this you can make sure you have the best security features installed on your car, by doing so you can help to reduce the premium.
Statistics have shown that women are indeed safer drivers than men, this is because women have been proven to make less claims than men do on their insurance. They also usually go for much less flashier cars than men choose, instead going for the more reserved and what is classed as the safer car.
There are many online companies now taking advantage of this fact and as such are offering deals specifically aimed at the women driver. Lady drivers can now search online for companies aimed at them and by doing so they can make huge savings on the amount of premiums they pay for car insurance.
However, there are other factors that determine how cheap you get your car insurance, regardless of your sex. The best, cheapest and quickest way to look for your car insurance is by doing so online. By looking online for your car insurance you are able to get instant quotes from many companies which ensures that you choose the cheapest deal possible.
Policy features and benefits and the cost of car insurance does vary from company to company and all policies have exclusions hidden within them so it is essential that you understand just what is included in the quote.
Other factors which are taken into account include the area in which you live. Depending on your postcode you can be charged a higher premium for your car insurance. While there isn't much you can do to change this you can make sure you have the best security features installed on your car, by doing so you can help to reduce the premium.
What Is Normal?
When you think about it, it's pretty funny, the things that we'll do to be what our society considers normal. Just look at any band of teenagers in a shopping mall or outside a high school, and you'll see the lengths to which we humans will go to fit in with the group's definition of normal.
As adults, we continue relying on those conformity skills to fit in with our chosen crowd. Almost every group has its normal behaviors clearly defined: we can all identify computer geeks, soccer moms, aging hippies, golfers, and many other groups simply based on their behavioral attributes. I'm sure you belong to a number of groups whose characteristics you've adopted almost unconsciously.
Fitting in with a group is a good thing. It gives us a sense of belonging, identity, and security, and it establishes group-specific expectations of how each individual will act and respond to others in the group. In this way, it reduces misunderstandings and the social gyrations otherwise necessary to establish who you are and how you will behave. So members of a networking group have a mutual understanding that they will provide business opportunities to each other – and those in the group who violate this defined normal behavior will find themselves outcast or ostracized.
But at the same time, the pressure to be normal can be distressingly, painfully limiting due to our natural desire to retain that group identity, security, and safety. It squelches personal expression and creativity and smothers the urge to accomplish the extraordinary.
When was the last time you pointed to someone and said, "Wow, that person is so normal – I'd like to be just like that!" Instead, consider the heroes you admire and respect, whether they be political, religious, athletic, or in some other walk of life. Nelson Mandela; Mother Theresa; Gandhi; Tiger Woods – to name a very few – are these people normal!?
We all have the ability and opportunity to act in ways that are not normal, ways that expand our horizons and enhance our lives and the lives of others. It's usually fear that stops us: fear of stepping outside the defined normal conduct of our group, of being thought "weird" or – well, yes, abnormal. But it's by doing the unusual and the extraordinary that we can surprise ourselves by being more of who we are instead of less.
I invite you, therefore, to do something wonderfully not normal. Take a small step, even a baby step, outside your comfortable boundaries and explore the possibilities. Then think about how it felt, and how you plan to keep extending yourself into the abnormality of excellence.
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." Mark Twain, 19th Century US author
As adults, we continue relying on those conformity skills to fit in with our chosen crowd. Almost every group has its normal behaviors clearly defined: we can all identify computer geeks, soccer moms, aging hippies, golfers, and many other groups simply based on their behavioral attributes. I'm sure you belong to a number of groups whose characteristics you've adopted almost unconsciously.
Fitting in with a group is a good thing. It gives us a sense of belonging, identity, and security, and it establishes group-specific expectations of how each individual will act and respond to others in the group. In this way, it reduces misunderstandings and the social gyrations otherwise necessary to establish who you are and how you will behave. So members of a networking group have a mutual understanding that they will provide business opportunities to each other – and those in the group who violate this defined normal behavior will find themselves outcast or ostracized.
But at the same time, the pressure to be normal can be distressingly, painfully limiting due to our natural desire to retain that group identity, security, and safety. It squelches personal expression and creativity and smothers the urge to accomplish the extraordinary.
When was the last time you pointed to someone and said, "Wow, that person is so normal – I'd like to be just like that!" Instead, consider the heroes you admire and respect, whether they be political, religious, athletic, or in some other walk of life. Nelson Mandela; Mother Theresa; Gandhi; Tiger Woods – to name a very few – are these people normal!?
We all have the ability and opportunity to act in ways that are not normal, ways that expand our horizons and enhance our lives and the lives of others. It's usually fear that stops us: fear of stepping outside the defined normal conduct of our group, of being thought "weird" or – well, yes, abnormal. But it's by doing the unusual and the extraordinary that we can surprise ourselves by being more of who we are instead of less.
I invite you, therefore, to do something wonderfully not normal. Take a small step, even a baby step, outside your comfortable boundaries and explore the possibilities. Then think about how it felt, and how you plan to keep extending yourself into the abnormality of excellence.
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." Mark Twain, 19th Century US author
Friday, July 27, 2007
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Satellite TV-More Channels Yet Cheaper Than Cable
Many people have satellite TV and there’s a very good reason for it: you get almost unlimited channels and it’s a price that most anyone can afford. When you compare satellite TV to its cable counterpart, you will automatically notice a difference in the amount of channels you get to choose from. With a cable package, you get to choose from different packages, and you have to pay more for premium channels, such as HBO or Cinemax.
More Channels Than You Can Handle With satellite TV, you get all the channels in one package.
That’s because the satellite dish that you have installed on or near your home is able to pick up many channels that your cable TV provider can’t offer you.
Free Installation With Some Carriers!
The best part about satellite TV is that most carriers will offer free installation. You simply pay a small monthly fee, such as ten dollars a month, and you get a technician to come out to your house to install your satellite dish. You can have all those channels at your fingertips in the same day as you pick up the phone and call the satellite TV carrier of your choice.
A Few Drawbacks There are some drawbacks to satellite TV that should be noted before a person commits to a contract.
For one, satellite, unlike cable, can be affected by the weather. If the conditions are hostile, such as a bad thunderstorm, your satellite TV may not work as well or the picture won’t come in as clear. Another drawback is that you may have to adjust your dish, depending on which channels you want.
Most satellite TV carriers offer a remote that allows you to change the position of your dish, but many see this as a hassle. With cable, you simply choose a channel and you don’t have to worry that your cable box is pointed a certain way. Satellite TV owners obviously don’t mind the drawbacks, as they are quite minute, and there are many satellite TV owners today.
So, if you’re looking for an almost unlimited choice of channels at a price you can easily afford, call your local satellite TV provider today. A technician will soon visit your house and, in minutes, you’ll be able to surf the many channels that you wouldn’t be able to see if you had chosen cable TV.
Here is one you can check out.
More Channels Than You Can Handle With satellite TV, you get all the channels in one package.
That’s because the satellite dish that you have installed on or near your home is able to pick up many channels that your cable TV provider can’t offer you.
Free Installation With Some Carriers!
The best part about satellite TV is that most carriers will offer free installation. You simply pay a small monthly fee, such as ten dollars a month, and you get a technician to come out to your house to install your satellite dish. You can have all those channels at your fingertips in the same day as you pick up the phone and call the satellite TV carrier of your choice.
A Few Drawbacks There are some drawbacks to satellite TV that should be noted before a person commits to a contract.
For one, satellite, unlike cable, can be affected by the weather. If the conditions are hostile, such as a bad thunderstorm, your satellite TV may not work as well or the picture won’t come in as clear. Another drawback is that you may have to adjust your dish, depending on which channels you want.
Most satellite TV carriers offer a remote that allows you to change the position of your dish, but many see this as a hassle. With cable, you simply choose a channel and you don’t have to worry that your cable box is pointed a certain way. Satellite TV owners obviously don’t mind the drawbacks, as they are quite minute, and there are many satellite TV owners today.
So, if you’re looking for an almost unlimited choice of channels at a price you can easily afford, call your local satellite TV provider today. A technician will soon visit your house and, in minutes, you’ll be able to surf the many channels that you wouldn’t be able to see if you had chosen cable TV.
Here is one you can check out.
Hepa Filters For Your Home
Recommended by many doctors, HEPA purifiers are the most effective and widely used of all air purifiers in America today. The HEPA purifier employs a filtration system that is ideal for patient suffering from asthma or severe cases of allergies. HEPA purifiers usually consume a lot of energy and therefore are not generally used for the whole house. It is best to have two units of this — one for the living room and the other for the bedroom. This also ensures that it has to work on limited space, which would result in better cleansing.
HEPA which stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air filter are the most effective when it comes to remove the suspended particulates in the air compared to other purifiers. These filters can be used alone as a purifier or may be used in conjunction with other methods of air purifying. Like the ionic air purifying technique.
That HEPA purifiers are highly effective cannot be questioned. A HEPA filter is good enough to catch any particulate above the size of 0.3 microns. Microns is the unit to measure the particulates floating in air. Since they are extremely small we use a separate unit to measure them. To give you an idea, a normal human hair is about 100 microns thick. Now we know how effective HEPA purifiers can be. In fact a HEPA purifier working in its prime condition can purify the air up to a level of 99.97%.
However, HEPA can be ineffective in some special cases. For example HEPA filters wouldn’t be able to deal with gases and odors. It will also not be able to deal with anything smaller than 0.3 microns. That means a large portion of microorganisms, including harmful bacteria and viruses will go free. You need to deal with them separately.
Another issue with HEPA purifiers is that it is generally noisy. Since a fan is used to draw in the air from the room a motor needs to work constantly. The sound of the motor is what creates the noise. The solution to this is to go for a higher capacity purifier than you actually need so that you can use it at medium to low speed.
If you are going for the basic versions of air purifier it is always advisable to opt for HEPA. If you plan to buy a more advanced device then HEPA filter will come along with other methods of purifying air, together in a single package.
HEPA which stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air filter are the most effective when it comes to remove the suspended particulates in the air compared to other purifiers. These filters can be used alone as a purifier or may be used in conjunction with other methods of air purifying. Like the ionic air purifying technique.
That HEPA purifiers are highly effective cannot be questioned. A HEPA filter is good enough to catch any particulate above the size of 0.3 microns. Microns is the unit to measure the particulates floating in air. Since they are extremely small we use a separate unit to measure them. To give you an idea, a normal human hair is about 100 microns thick. Now we know how effective HEPA purifiers can be. In fact a HEPA purifier working in its prime condition can purify the air up to a level of 99.97%.
However, HEPA can be ineffective in some special cases. For example HEPA filters wouldn’t be able to deal with gases and odors. It will also not be able to deal with anything smaller than 0.3 microns. That means a large portion of microorganisms, including harmful bacteria and viruses will go free. You need to deal with them separately.
Another issue with HEPA purifiers is that it is generally noisy. Since a fan is used to draw in the air from the room a motor needs to work constantly. The sound of the motor is what creates the noise. The solution to this is to go for a higher capacity purifier than you actually need so that you can use it at medium to low speed.
If you are going for the basic versions of air purifier it is always advisable to opt for HEPA. If you plan to buy a more advanced device then HEPA filter will come along with other methods of purifying air, together in a single package.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Home Security 101 - The Basics
First things first, the problem of home burglaries and home invasions is an ever increasing threat to all American homeowners.
In the latest year that statistics were released, 2004, the Bureau of Justice reported that:
* Nearly one out of six homes was violated by a burglar.
* Three fourths of all crime was property related.
* In nearly 90% of all burglaries, the burglar gained entry into the house or other building.
This is something to remember: property crime occurs every 3 seconds, a home burglary every 15 seconds.
That's the bad news. The enormously good news is that almost any expert in the field will tell you that 90%-that's right 90% of all burglaries can be prevented.
So if the odds are so good that it will happen to you and it is such a preventable event-what is it you have to do to stop the burglars?
Let's start with the basics. There are several simple things that can be done to make your home more secure in the face of almost certain intrusion from a burglar. TIME, LIGHT, NOISE-they are the biggest enemies of burglars.
As a matter of fact, homes with a security system have far fewer break-ins than those that don't. This is not an all inclusive list but one that if followed will certainly go a long way toward making your home more secure.
1. Take a critical look at your house from the outside. Look at your home as a burglar would. Is your house well lit maybe with motion activated spotlights? Are there hiding places near doors and windows? If you can spot a potential weakness in your home’s “look” you can bet a professional burglar can exploit it. Remember that LIGHT is a burglars’ enemy-darkness a friend.
2. What could slow down a burglar from entering your home? Simple home security devices such as locks on doors (deadbolts are best) and windows, bars, grates-items that are visible from the exterior of the house will not only act as a deterrent but slow down an intruder should he decide to try to enter. The more time it takes to break into a home, the more discouraged a burglar will become. TIME is the enemy of the burglar.
3. How noisy can you make it if someone gains entry? NOISE is also the enemy of the burglar. There are many home security alarms activated by doors or windows opening or by motion. The sound of a barking dog, real or recorded, are very effective and will scare most burglars away.
LIGHTS, NOISE AND TIME-they are the three biggest enemies of an intruder. If you implement these home security tips to fortify your house you may well avoid a lot of potential break-ins. Implement these home security tips and you will be able to sleep better in a more secure home.
In the latest year that statistics were released, 2004, the Bureau of Justice reported that:
* Nearly one out of six homes was violated by a burglar.
* Three fourths of all crime was property related.
* In nearly 90% of all burglaries, the burglar gained entry into the house or other building.
This is something to remember: property crime occurs every 3 seconds, a home burglary every 15 seconds.
That's the bad news. The enormously good news is that almost any expert in the field will tell you that 90%-that's right 90% of all burglaries can be prevented.
So if the odds are so good that it will happen to you and it is such a preventable event-what is it you have to do to stop the burglars?
Let's start with the basics. There are several simple things that can be done to make your home more secure in the face of almost certain intrusion from a burglar. TIME, LIGHT, NOISE-they are the biggest enemies of burglars.
As a matter of fact, homes with a security system have far fewer break-ins than those that don't. This is not an all inclusive list but one that if followed will certainly go a long way toward making your home more secure.
1. Take a critical look at your house from the outside. Look at your home as a burglar would. Is your house well lit maybe with motion activated spotlights? Are there hiding places near doors and windows? If you can spot a potential weakness in your home’s “look” you can bet a professional burglar can exploit it. Remember that LIGHT is a burglars’ enemy-darkness a friend.
2. What could slow down a burglar from entering your home? Simple home security devices such as locks on doors (deadbolts are best) and windows, bars, grates-items that are visible from the exterior of the house will not only act as a deterrent but slow down an intruder should he decide to try to enter. The more time it takes to break into a home, the more discouraged a burglar will become. TIME is the enemy of the burglar.
3. How noisy can you make it if someone gains entry? NOISE is also the enemy of the burglar. There are many home security alarms activated by doors or windows opening or by motion. The sound of a barking dog, real or recorded, are very effective and will scare most burglars away.
LIGHTS, NOISE AND TIME-they are the three biggest enemies of an intruder. If you implement these home security tips to fortify your house you may well avoid a lot of potential break-ins. Implement these home security tips and you will be able to sleep better in a more secure home.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Help Save Bristol Bay Fish and Wildlife
Born and raised in Bristol Bay, in southwest Alaska. I learned how to live off the land. Fishing commercially during the summer to provide income for the coming winter months. Subsistence fishing during the late part of the summer and early fall, to store fish, whether it be smoked fish, filleted fish, or dried, for the long winter ahead. This is a lifestyle I was raised in, and wouldn't change it for all the gold in the world. During the winter months, the land also provided us with plenty of caribou and moose for food. Other animals such as beaver, wolf, wolverine, and mink to provide for fur for warm clothing. Please keep in mind that we only took what we needed and nothing went to waste. Our ancestors have lived this way for 1000's of years and the traditions have been handed down for generations and I hope to keep this tradition going for generations to come.
Northern Dynasty Mines, a Jr Canadien mining company, announced their plans to obtain mining permits in the Bristol Bay region. They propose the largest open pit gold/copper/molybdenum mine in North America. With that, a 20 sq. mile tailings pond to hold toxic chemicals such as cyanide and sulfuric acid to hold mining waste. An earthen dam, once completed will be the largest dam in the world, bigger than the Three Gorges Dam in China, bigger than Hoover Dam, Grand Coulee Dam combined, all this to hold the toxic mine tailings. The tailings pond lays right over the Upper and Lower Talarik Creeks, the most prized trophy trout area in Alaska. Water rights were applied for, for the Koktuli River, where the largest Chinook(King) Salmon return in the world goes to spawn. Bristol Bay is the single largest wild Sockeye Salmon fishery in the world, not to mention the single largest wild Chinook Salmon sport fisheries in the world. Copper is proven to be the single most destructive element in destroying wild salmon and many other fresh water fish stocks. Many other toxic chemicals, arsenic, zinc, and many others are most likely found in mine sites through out the world. Zortman-Landusky Mine in Montana, Summitville Mine in Colorado, just to name a couple have provided nothing but trouble for local streams and rivers, and taxpayers are footing the bill for clean up and reclaiming efforts for those regions. The list goes on and on for the destructive elements for gold and copper mining.
Some other sites to check out http://renewableresourcescoalition.org and http://bristolbayalliance.com are just a couple. This one site is a petition site being sent to Bureau of Land Management http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/387663692?z00m=9406201&z00m=9406201 I ask that you check them out, and if you want to help the efffort to stop the destruction, please sign the petition and Thank You for hearing me out.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Happiness: The Quest
Happiness is something many of us strive for. Why is it so hard to achieve, especially at times when you need it the most? How do we change a gloomy mood into a lighter or happier one? There are some things within our power that will help us accomplish these goals. What are some benefits of happiness that could encourage you to work towards it even more? • Health • Self Confidence • A sense of Purpose • More Productivity • Achieve Your Goals • Weight Loss Funny thing is that the above list also works in reverse. If you are healthy, self confident and all the rest listed, than you will most likely be happier. Sometimes happiness is staring us right in the face. Here are some ways that you can create happiness in your life. Exercise: It appears that exercising comes up a lot when we are speaking about improving various things in our lives. It has been shown to improve mood by making us healthier and increasing endorphins. Foods & Diet: Eating chocolate is probably more of a pleasure than sustained happiness, even though it can provide us with a short-lived boost. A healthy diet though is vital for our health and happiness. Too much sugar and junk foods are provisional emotional boosters. In the long run these problem foods will degrade us physically as well as emotionally. Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, including raw veggies. Cut back on unhealthy foods and don't "Super Size" it. Supplements: If you are not receiving all of your nutrients in your diet then you may want to supplement by taking vitamins. There are some specific supplements that target your mood. You could discuss these with your health practitioner. Music: Music can bring miracles to your mood. Go ahead and listen to something upbeat and happy. Rewards: Happiness comes from rewards as well. They can be simple things. You find a great bargain on something you been wanting. Maybe someone offers you a simple item of interest. You do a task and are complimented on it by someone else or yourself. Even finding a coin on the sidewalk can give you a "Reward" feeling that can bring happiness to you. The greatest reward can come from giving a compliment to someone or saying a kind word. Gratitude: Be grateful for what you have. This simple statement can make a giant difference in your life! Everyday think of everything you have. The enormous things, and the little things. Are you living in a cardboard box? No. Then be very grateful. Yes? Be grateful for the cardboard box. Have gratitude for friends and family, the home you live in, the food you eat. Isn't it great having air to breath, freedom to go where you want. Don't take these for granted but have gratitude and give thanks. Love: Well Love can clearly bring happiness. Love for your spouse, friends, neighbors and strangers. Give Love and you will receive Love. Learn to Love Yourself. Let's all remember that when we interact with others. Enjoyment: Do what you enjoy. This could be a hobby or going for a walk in the park. If you do things that you like it's bound to bring happiness. Forgiveness: Try a bit harder to say kind words to others. Place yourself in the other's person place for a moment. Sure there are some people that act so mean and hateful. Remember you only hurt yourself when you return meanness or hold resentment and anger inside. Help Others: Find ways to make others happy. You may be surprised that by willingly helping others to find joy can have a positive impact on you as well. Help others to find meaning in life. Keep them company. Build Self Confidence: Do your work the best you can. Learn new skills. Find meaning in your career and life. Enjoy a new hobby or game. You can boost your self-confidence by learning new and enjoyable things. Raise your self-confidence and you raise your happiness. Happiness can make you smarter! Is it really surprising that positive attracts positive? If you do these things you will increase your happiness. What is the most important thing to you? Is it money, a fancy car or a mansion, maybe your health? What about happiness? Well let's think a moment…. If you have happiness, all the happiness you want or need, would that be the most important thing to you? What good is money or the rest without happiness? If you are truly happy you won't need to worry about the rest. If you require money to be happy then you will have it. Maybe the saying, "Money Can't Buy Happiness", should be "Happiness Can Produce Money". Try to release all anger and negative emotions. You can accomplish this easier once you realize you are only hurting yourself and other loved ones around you. Sure it will take regular practice. You may struggle with this, but it can become second nature after awhile. It's up to you. Do you want to be negative and unhappy or positive and learn to be happier? You can start now by adding positive attributes to your life. Be good, smile and put on a happy face!
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
How To Avoid Plasma TV Burn In
If you're familiar with the technology behind plasma televisions, you know that the gas contained in each individual pixel receives a charge from a set of electrodes and produces ultraviolet light photons. These light particles hit a phosphor coating on the pixel's walls. If the same picture remains on the screen long enough the phosphors will age prematurely and they will produce a less intense light and color. The phosphor's continuous light will also burn the screen itself, leaving a ghost of an image. This burning of the screen, and the residual image it creates, is called burn-in. Older CRT monitors, as well as ATM machines, are prone to burn-in. This was the reason behind the invention of screen savers; having a randomly shifting image displayed whenever the picture was constant for a certain period of time helps prevent burn-in.
Burn-in occurs in 2 steps: premature phosphor aging and screen searing. A still image will create an unchanging electrical current in each plasma pixel. The resulting continuous flow of photons forces the television's phosphors to release the same hue of light and this, when maintained for a long enough period of time, will damage the phosphors' ability to produce this color light. They will become conditioned, and will never stop producing a weak shade of that same color light, even when no charge is being sent through the pixel. This affects other images that require a change in the pixel's color. Screen searing is the dim, ghost-like image that literally gets burned into the glass of your screen. During a still image, the screen is bombarded with a specific spectrum of light from the phosphors. Since it's given no time to rest, the screen develops a shadowy copy of the image which was frozen on the screen. We most often see this at the ATM, when remnants of the main menu remain on the screen throughout your transaction.
Now that you have an idea what burn-in is, you should know some ways to prevent it from occurring. The root cause of burn-in is a static image. Most newer model plasma televisions have added functions to automatically prevent burn-in. However, owners of older model plasma televisions should be aware of the danger of burn-in and should follow a few simply tips to extend the life of their television. You can avoid static images by turning off your plasma television when you're not watching it. Also, you should steer clear of pausing a movie or a video game for an extended period of time and leaving the television on.
Burn-in is no longer a serious concern with newer plasma televisions thanks to a technology called pixel orbiter. The pixel orbiter subtly shifts static pictures to continuously keep the plasma screen's phosphors working. By never resting, there is little chance of burn-in. Creating more work for the display may seem like a poor decision with regard to the lifespan of the unit, but keeping the phosphors fresh and changing actually helps the plasma screen last longer.
Burn-in occurs in 2 steps: premature phosphor aging and screen searing. A still image will create an unchanging electrical current in each plasma pixel. The resulting continuous flow of photons forces the television's phosphors to release the same hue of light and this, when maintained for a long enough period of time, will damage the phosphors' ability to produce this color light. They will become conditioned, and will never stop producing a weak shade of that same color light, even when no charge is being sent through the pixel. This affects other images that require a change in the pixel's color. Screen searing is the dim, ghost-like image that literally gets burned into the glass of your screen. During a still image, the screen is bombarded with a specific spectrum of light from the phosphors. Since it's given no time to rest, the screen develops a shadowy copy of the image which was frozen on the screen. We most often see this at the ATM, when remnants of the main menu remain on the screen throughout your transaction.
Now that you have an idea what burn-in is, you should know some ways to prevent it from occurring. The root cause of burn-in is a static image. Most newer model plasma televisions have added functions to automatically prevent burn-in. However, owners of older model plasma televisions should be aware of the danger of burn-in and should follow a few simply tips to extend the life of their television. You can avoid static images by turning off your plasma television when you're not watching it. Also, you should steer clear of pausing a movie or a video game for an extended period of time and leaving the television on.
Burn-in is no longer a serious concern with newer plasma televisions thanks to a technology called pixel orbiter. The pixel orbiter subtly shifts static pictures to continuously keep the plasma screen's phosphors working. By never resting, there is little chance of burn-in. Creating more work for the display may seem like a poor decision with regard to the lifespan of the unit, but keeping the phosphors fresh and changing actually helps the plasma screen last longer.
Bristol Bay Watershed
Bristol Bay watershed and headwaters include Nushagak River, Kvichak River, Mulchatna River(flows into Nushagak River), Alagnak River, Stuyahok River(flows into Mulchatna River), Koktuli River(flows into Mulchatna River), Upper and Lower Tularik Creeks(flows into Kvichak River), Lake Clark, Lake Iliamna(Alaskas largest freshwater lake).These rivers and lakes provide for the world famous Bristol Bay commercial salmon and sport fishing. All five species of Pacific wild salmon spawn in these rivers and lakes. The Kvichak has the largest sockeye salmon return in the world, and the Nushagak has Alaskas, and possible the worlds largest chinook(king salmon) return. Upper and Lower Talarik creeks is the only designated trophy trout area for the region. Other fish species such as Arctic Char, Northern Pike, Artic Grayling, Dolly Varden, world class trophy Rainbow, and many types of White Fish. Along with the wild salmon and trout and many different types of freshwater fish, there is moose, caribou(Mulchatna Caribou Herd numbers over 100,000 and is Alaskas 3rd largest), brown bear, fox, mink, bald eagles, migrating geese and ducks, freshwater seals(1 of only 2 populations in the world), river otter, porcupine, wolverine, and beaver. The wildlife habitat have provided a subsistence lifestyle for the local Alaska native tribes for 1000's of years, and provided billions of dollars for the commercial and sport fishing/hunting industries. Northern Dynasty Mines, a Canadian mining company, announced plans to obtain permits to open the largest open pit gold/copper/molybdenum mine in North America, and to build one of the largest earthen dam to hold toxic waste right at the headwaters of the Upper and Lower Talarik Creeks, and applied for water rights to the Koktuli River. They claim they have been doing studies for years and spent upwards of $70 million on those studies. The open pit mine itself is predicted to be at least 4 miles long and 2.5 miles wide with a depth of 1300 feet. Chemicals, mainly cyanide to seperate gold from ore is proposed, and a tailings dam, roughly 20 square miles would be built to hold these toxic chemicals, right next to the holding area for the mine rock, active rock, which can release sulfuric acid once in contact with air and water will be stored under water. With all these, they claim no net loss for any fish and wildlife in the proposed area. Bureau of Land Management is watching closely on this project, if and when it is permitted, they propose the Bristol Bay mining district, opening more gold and copper mines throughout the region. In my opinion, this is like mixing clorox with ammonia, the two simply cannot co-exist. It is hard for me to believe that some local communities fail to look at the big picture, and endorse this project simply because it can provide jobs for the next 50-60 years. I guess money talks when it comes to wildlife management.
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