Sunday 29 January 2012

Safety Tips for Mature and Senior Online Dating Site Users

There are a lot of resources around that discuss internet safety, however this article is aimed at the more -œmature- internet user who may not have much experience with computers or the internet. I’ll be writing from my perspective as Community Manager of an online dating and networking site designed for baby boomers and seniors – www.50and.com – as well as an avid user of social media and former dating site user (yes that’s right – I met my partner online!) 1. Join a reputable online dating site. In the past few years there has been an explosion in the number of online dating and social networking sites and unfortunately some operators of these sites are not particularly scrupulous. Do an internet search on the site name to see if you can find any additional information about them – or any user stories which may give you the confidence to join or sound the alarm bells!

2. Don’t reveal personal details. Keep your real name, phone number and email address to yourself. Taking communications away from the dating site can put you in a vulnerable position – reputable dating sites can monitor suspicious member behaviour and alert you to this – if you are communicating via email away from the site this can be more difficult 3. Choose your payment method. Reputable dating sites use an encrypted payment processing service – this information should appear on the payment pages. If you are hesitant to offer your credit card details check to see if a prepaid Visa or Mastercard gift card may be used as these are prepaid and not drawn from your bank account. Most postal outlets offer these gift cards for sale. 4. Scrutinise member profiles and received messages. Despite the checks and balances that are in place, non-genuine members may still find their way on to some sites. There are some tell tale signs to look out for if a member is not genuine, such as: Very verbose profile descriptions or messages which are excessively flattering and use common words/phrases such as -œDear-, -œGod-fearing-, -œdistance is no barrier- Messages that declare strong feelings for you early on in you communications Poor spelling/grammar especially for supposed native English speakers Incorrect capitalization, no spaces when commas are used (eg -œim patient,kind,caring,considerate- The photo doesn’t match the description, or the member looks like a professional model (not to say there aren’t good looking members out there, this is just another warning sign) Location does not match the profile description – they may be listed in one country but -œworking- in another (often for an aid agency or similar) Messages are usually quite lengthy and almost always include an email address to continue communications away from the site – as outlined above, this is to be avoided 5. Keep financial details private. Never, ever give credit card or bank details to another member. Never agree to cash a cheque or money transfer – this will more than likely result in you being out of pocket. 6. Safety in numbers. If you agree to meet, it should only be after you have exchanged several messages and have begun to get a -œfeel- for the other person. Meet in a busy place; never meet at your house the first time. Even if you feel like you really know the person well, it is imperative that you treat your first meeting with caution. If things don’t work out the way you expected you can leave a public place with more ease than a private home. Ensure that friends and family know where you are going, with whom (your new friend’s username, if not his/her real name) and what time you should be expected home. Ensure you have your mobile phone with you so you can communicate with others if required. 7. Trust your instincts. If something seems too good to be true, then it often isn’t. Connecting with someone you have met online can be a wonderful and exciting time, especially if it has been a while since you have felt close to someone romantically. As difficult as it may seem, try to take the emotion out of it and read received messages with a critical eye: analyse their tone, consistency, use of language. Does everything add up? A final word. There are many wonderful people just like you looking for someone special joining online dating sites, so don’t be afraid to join in – you never know what opportunities may arise! Just keep these tips handy, your eyes open and your wallet closed.

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Saturday 28 January 2012

South India Hotels- Best Accommodations to Stay

South state of India comprises with numbers of mesmerizing hotels which have offered the best hospitality services at the lower charges. Tourists can find varied renowned hotels in South India such as Deccan Plaza, Mamalla Beach Resort, Sinclair, Hotel Sparsa, Breeze Residency and many more. All these mesmerizing hotels can be found in diverse states or cities of South India with ease. Most of the tourists love to stay in the elegantly designed hotels (five or three Star) of India with great zeal. Tourists who are keen about touring to the South state of India, they never forget to take rest in the mesmerizing hotels of the state. Yes, the compelling hotels of South state are the best accommodations to stay and experience the royal hospitability services at the minimal charges. South India’s hotels have designed very elegant and also have offered the best accommodation services under the budget. Most of the ambiences in the South state have designed in the tradition style and their accommodation services are also mind blowing. South India’s hotels comprise with traditionally designed rooms which are rich all modern amenities and comforts. Few of the best known hotels of the state can be found in varied state or cities which are mentioned as follows:Chennai HotelsIn Chennai, you can find varied outlandish hotels such as Ambasssdor Pallava, Benzz Park, Deccan Plaza, GRT Grand and may more. All these Chennai hotels are the best accommodations for the global tourists who love to visit in Chennai on the regular basis. Chennai’s accommodations have designed in a modern style and their hospitality services are also mind blowing. Chennai’s hotels are renowned for their round clock services, delicious foods, amazing look and many more lures. They charge less but offer the quality hospitality services to the tourists. MahabaliPuram HotelsTourists can also take rest in the elegantly designed rooms of Mahabalipuram Hotels. Few of the well known hotels of Mahabalipuram are Ideal Beach Resort, Mamalla Beach Resort, Mamalla Heritage, See Breez, Indeco Mahabalipuram many more. These are the few amazing accommodations of Mahabailipuram in South India. Tourists never forget to stay in the mesmerizing hotels of the place and experience the best accommodation services at the lower costs. Ooty HotelsOoty hotels are also very good options to stay and delight the best hospitality services at the reasonable charges. Ooty comprises with number of outlandish hotels like Deccan Park, Kings Cliff, Sinclairs, Holiday Inn Gem Park, Black Thunder Resort and many more. Ooty hotels have designed very elegantly and also have offered the round the clock accommodation services for the global tourists. Charges of Ooty’s hotels are also under the budget of a common tourist. Rooms in the Ooty’s hotels have designed in a traditional style and also have made furnished with all modern amenities as well. Thus, the above described South India Hotels have designed very elegantly and also have offered the best accommodation services under the budget.

Sad love quotes and friendship

Sad love quotes are the best way to help you feel better when you are in a situation of an end of friendship. We all lost a friend in some point of our life. Some of them might be close to us some might very important to us but the sad true is that it over. So what you can do about it? Of course you can drown in sorrow and disturbed your daily life, but this is not the right solution for you. A better solution is to move on with your life, I know it might be hard for you at first, but there is something that might help you to get over it – sad love quotes and friendship quotes.

The written words hold secrets inside them. This is the secret of changing your mood to a positive one. It is like music, when you feel down and can really lift you up. And if it doesn’t works than you need to go further and even dance! Yes I never saw a dancing person that is sad. The same thing is with quotes. When you are reading sad quotes you might think that you will be sadder after it. But the true is really surprising – it help you to get over the end of the relationship. Those sad love quotes will help you to remember the good time with your friend; figure out what went wrong so you will be able to fix it in this relationship or the next one. And above all it will give you the strength to move on with your life to new adventures. -œReal loss only occurs when you lose something you love more than yourself- As the quote above state, yes it can happen again some day, and you will find again a special person to care about but only if you will love yourself first. And in order to do it you have to move on and hope for better days. Friendship Quotes read all about Sad Love Quotes

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Retail Stores Dying a Slow Death as More People Shop Online

When most potential business owners think of opening a retail store they are most likely considering an online store rather than a bricks and mortar store. The main reasons for that are cost and more people are shopping online. Everyone know that it is a lot less risky to open an online store. You don’t need to sign a long lease, deal with utilities, or employees. That cuts costs down a lot. Most e-commerce websites start as one and two man shows and grow over time. A retail store cannot start small like that.

Another thing that entices people to sell goods online rather than in a traditional retail store is the fact that they can reach a worldwide audience. With a brick and mortar store you can only sell goods locally. Shopping on the internet is growing every year as the internet becomes more secure and more convenient. A majority of people would much rather shop online because they don’t have to deal with the crowds and parking, and in most cases they can save a lot of money. If you plan to open a bricks and mortar store please keep in mind that people love to shop online, and that love is only going to grow. Andre Bias is the owner of http://www.kidfriendlyentertainment.com, and online source for top notch DVD’s for children 10 years old and younger.

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Friday 27 January 2012

Rustic Outdoor Patio Furniture Imbibe the Natural Spirit

Rustic furniture has long been a historical artwork for some artist since it will entail a lot of bending and steaming to make it perfect and suited for the artwork that they have in mind. Today, some rustic woods have been made to bridges, porch, stairs and even chandeliers. That is some of the many features of using rustic wood. One of the emerging business in making furniture’s and providing the demands of those artistic people are the rustic outdoor patio furniture where benches, table set and chairs are some of their common products. They also have swing set, pergolas and even wishing wells. This furniture sets are not only made from natural materials buy they are also built to last. They are perfect for outdoor setting to promote a more natural look. Rustic furniture are good buys since they are easily assembled and maintained rather than buying steel that is prone to rusting for long years ahead. Would you like to have a simple aura provide inside and outside your home? Then choosing rustic outdoor patio furniture are good buys not only because they come in a friendlier price but they can also be personalized to meet your preference and style. For a more comfortable use, you can add cushion in time that you need but mostly you don’t need that at all since the wood from which these furniture’s are made mimics the natural arching of our body to ensure that we are comfortable. Rustic furniture is have a variety of structures and shapes mostly because they are made from sticks or twigs. You may have your own set today such as bench, chairs or table set perfect for this summer season.

Summer season is a fun time to do all the outdoor activities that you may have in mind. Swimming n the pool, lounging in your garden or just having a party with friends and family gathered together, this furniture are perfect for your patio and garden. Also, the swing set they have are durable for more than two people to use it. this is one of the innovations that we have no however it have the natural setting that most us want to imbibe in our home. Learn more about Rustic Outdoor Patio Furniture

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Song Copyright – What Is and Isn’t Protected

Copyright law has been in existence for many years to assist and safeguard the creators of such things as artwork, literary works, photographs/images and songs. Being a songwriter you will need to know exactly how music copyright law works and ways in which you are able to make use of it to safeguard your music. This article will let you know exactly what is and isn’t protected underneath music copyright law.Before we begin I just need to emphasize to you that I ‘m definitely not a music attorney! The tips I provide come from my own personal knowledge, experience and info I’ve obtained throughout my songwriting years. And for that reason it is always wise to consult with a specialist music attorney with regard to serious issues!Music Copyright laws — What On Earth Is Protected?So what is protected under music copyright law In the event you possess the copyright. This is what can be done with your songs.Reproduction Privileges: The copyright owner has the right to reproduce lyrics or music.The Distribution Rights: The legal right to distribute the music or lyrics possibly for free of charge, for virtually no profit, or for profit.Performance: The legal right to perform the songs in public areas.Play In Public Areas: You are able to play your music in public places by means of Compact Disc, Mp3 and so on.Derivative: The legal right to produce a by-product by using the original piece of music for us in public areas in all forms, i.e. employ a different arrangement, using different musicians etc.Music Copyright laws — What Exactly Is Not Protected?This is a list of things that are not protected under copyright law so you will never have to worry about copyright infringement under these areas.Titles or Short Sentences: Imagine if somebody might have copyrighted the words “Happy Christmas”, “I Love You” or even “Home” as a song title?Chord Progressions: There exists only so many chords, therefore only a multitude of chord combos which can be created from all of them, hence, in the event you could possibly copyright a chord progression then we would certainly run out of progressions for brand new songs extremely fast.Concepts/Ideas: ‘Girl falls for boy’, ‘boy misses girl’, ‘sexual attraction’, ‘no money’ just how frequently have you noticed all these ideas being made use of in songs?Rhythmic Patterns: Even though you can certainly copyright specific recordings of rhythms you are most definitely unable to copyright the particular rhythmic patterns.

Some Important Facts About Commercial Loans

Commercial loans are a loan type that includes those loans needed to fund a business and also loans to purchase or finance the construction of a property for a commercial business. Therefore, commercial loans are not personal loans and it is the business or the business project that needs to qualify and prove reliability and feasibility in order to be eligible for commercial financing.

Following are some facts about Commercial loans that need to be taken into account and that though they should be common knowledge, people usually ignore them. In order to clarify these issues, we are going to contrast common and erroneous beliefs with the actual facts about commercial loans:

Commercial Loan Approval Can Take Six Months Or More?

This is not necessary true. You may take six months or more to meet the requirements for applying but within less than two weeks, banks or financial institutions can approve commercial loans without further hassles. There is some documentation required that does not vary that much between lenders. Therefore, you should act wisely and find out what you will be asked for prior to actually applying. That way, you will save yourself a lot of time.

Do I Need Business Counseling Before Applying? Is It Costly?

Business counseling is not a prerequisite for a commercial loan approval and even if it were, most lenders provide that service for free. Therefore, you should not worry about this issue. You need to have in hand as much information about your business as possible so when you contact the lenders, they can analyze your situation and come up with a financial solution that suits your commercial needs.

Can I Get Cheaper Rates If My Business Is Small?

There are really no differences or promotions for small businesses as opposed to big ones. Actually, interest rates are negotiable and therefore, chances are that big companies have more negotiating power and skills to get reduced rates. However, since rates are the result of an agreement between the lender and the borrower, other loan terms can be negotiated so as to obtain a lower rate (shorter repayment schedule, co-signing, security, etc. )

Is It Harder To Get Small Amount Commercial Loans?

No. Moreover, the opposite is true: by spreading the overall money lent by a lending institution into many borrowers, the risks are reduced. It is harder for 100 borrowers owing $50,000 to default all at the same time than for a single borrower owing $5,000,000 to default. The overall amount is the same, but the risk is significantly smaller. Therefore, it is a lot easier to get approved for small amount loans because lenders are eager to do business with this kind of commercial loans.

There Are Not Many Commercial Loans Out There. Are They?

Indeed, there are all kinds of commercial loans available like guaranteed loans, loans for veterans, handicapped and all kind of assistance loans for those in need or underprivileged. There are also loans and Lines of Credit for Importing and Exporting, small business loans, constructor loans, etc. There is surely a commercial loan suit for your needs.

Amanda Hash is an expert financial consultant who specializes in helping people to recover their credit and get approved for home loans, car loans, personal unsecured loans, unsecured credit cards, refinance home loans, consolidation loans, student loans and other financial products. If you want to learn more on how to get approved for Personal Loans for Bad Credit People and Credit Card Consolidation just visit http://www.yourloanservices.com/ and you’ll find all the information you need.

Wednesday 25 January 2012

The Mixed Emotions of Divorce

We all know that divorce is painful, but what most people are not ready for is the assault of mixed emotions that come with it. The moment you and your spouse agree that there is nothing left to be done but officially separate, you are likely to be hit with at least a few of the following emotions. Rejection

Feeling as if you weren’t good enough for your spouse or somehow have been rejected is very common, and not only when the divorce was the other person’s idea. If you were the one to initiate the split, don’t be surprised if you still feel rejected on some level. When you really dig deep and analyze those feelings of rejection you will find that they are really a mix of other emotions. It might be a tingle of regret mixed with guilt or some other combination. Figuring out why you feel rejected and what other emotions may be wrapped up with it will help you overcome the feeling and move on with your life. Disappointment You had so many big dreams and hopes for your future when you were first married. If you didn’t have that you would have never gotten married in most situations, so it is completely natural to feel disappointed that your dreams and hopes didn’t see the light of day. It may help to make a list of the things that you will miss or that you thought would happen but will never be possible now. Analyze these things and see how many can only happen with your ex spouse. Chances are you can still live out those dreams either by yourself, with your children, or with a new love interest. All is not lost when you get a divorce, even if it feels as if your dreams have been crushed. Loneliness Many people feel completely alone and on their own after a divorce. You grow used to having someone there at all times during a marriage, so it can be scary to stand on your own two feet again. If you have never lived alone as an adult or made financial decisions for yourself, it can be even more scary. When you start feeling alone and craving the companionship of others it may be time to call up your friends. If you’ve been separated for at least a year, it may be time to start dating again. Yes, that is a scary thought, but it may be time. Anger If you were hurt by events toward the end of your marriage, you may be left with bitterness and anger that is very difficult to control. It is best to stay away from your ex as much as possible and distract yourself with new goals and hobbies. The goal is to take your focus off of the divorce and your spouse and start putting the pieces in place for your new life as a single. Now this may not be possible if you have children. You will have to swallow your anger and your pride, and be civil, and respectful to your ex for the sake of you children. Don’t display outbursts of anger in front of them. Anger is one of the most difficult emotions to handle after a divorce and it can completely override all other emotions for awhile. The Missing Self It is common for some women to leave a marriage with uncertainty as to who they really are. It’s as if you formed into a completely different person while married and now are struggling to see yourself on your own. Who are you without that title of “wife?” There are many other emotions that can hit you while going through a divorce. Be prepared for them. Embrace them. More importantly, analyze them and move beyond them either with the help of your friends, or a counselor or coach. About the Author Vanaja Ghose (http://www.divorcedtodazzling.com/about-2/) is a Professional Life Coach helping divorced women and those who chose to leave their long term relationship, and now want to powerfully create a dazzling life.Download your FREE mp3 audio on “Nine Steps to Building a New Life After Divorce” and contact Vanaja for a free 30-minute strategy session at http://www.divorcedtodazzling.com/

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Friday 20 January 2012

Raised Bed Gardening – A Great Way to Grow

Perhaps as you drive around you have noticed beautifully laid out gardens. The ones that are neatly contained in raised planting areas with tidy paths between. These raised bed gardens are not only a joy to look at. They are a very productive way to grow plants.Raised bed gardening is also called square foot gardening. The original concept was to help gardens grow better and produce a higher yield. This type of planting also cuts down on water consumption, and is a great way to grow a garden in areas that have poor soil.You begin by constructing a simple raised bed that is four feet by four feet square. A bed this size makes it easy to reach toward the middle from any side. Use wood that is eight to twelve inches wide, this will be how tall your raised bed is. Fill the bed with fresh soil. You will want to mix in some slow release fertilizer. This will feed your plants all summer long and will help increase your crop yield.There are several different ways to plant your raised bed. You can section the bed off in one foot by one foot sections using string. This will give you nine equal growing spaces. This type of sectioning is perfect for small crops like peppers, herbs, etc. If you plant crops that have larger plants like tomatoes, you will only want to put one or two plants per section.Another option for sectioning the bed is to just divide it equally in two. This is a great way to grow crops like corn, beans, and potatoes. Large spreading crops like squash, pumpkins, and watermelons will each need their own bed so they have ample space to spread.As you plant your beds, keep in mind how large each plant will ultimately get. You don’t want large plants like corn shading smaller plants. Always keep your plants organized large to small and plant north to south.This type of planting encourages the plants to grow closer together and so that reduces the room that weeds would have to grow. Close planting also helps to shade the soil so it retains moisture longer and helps you to conserve water. The plants are well fertilized from the slow release fertilizer you mixed into the soil at the start and they have adequate water. They also get plenty of light because you paid attention to their size when planting.As a result of careful planning, the crops in your raised beds will produce a great yield of fresh produce. You will find that raised bed gardening is easier and more efficient than traditional gardens. The fruits of your labor will be worth it!

Quoizel Lighting Brand Home Light Fixtures

Quoizel Lighting manufactures decorative home lighting and tiffany style lamps. They have a complete line of lighting for both interior and outdoor lighting. For the 2010 model year the following fixtures are available:

Chandeliers, Pendants, Mini-pendants, Kitchen Lighting, Ceiling Fixtures, Table Lamps, Floor Lamps, Wall Sconces, Bathroom Lighting, Outdoor Lighting. For the 2010 model year the following family collections are available: Abanico, Abigail Adams, Acanthus Leaf, Adano, Addison, Adriana, African Elephant, Alameda, Alcott, Aldridge, Alhambre, Allas, Allure, Almafi, Almendra, Alpharetta, Amalfi, Amber, Amberly, Amelia, Amherst, Andalusia, Anfora, Antoinette, Apple, Arabian Nights, Arcadia, Arianne, Aristide, Aristocrat, Arvore, Aspen Leaf, Asti, Astoria, Athena, Athenian, Athens, Atomo, Aurora, Autumn Morning, Autumn Ridge, Ava, Avalon, Axis, Azina, Bamboo, Bantam, Barcelona, Baroque, Barrett, Barrington, Baymont, Beaked Butterflyfish, Beauvoir, Belhaven, Belle Epoque, Belle Fleur, Bellissimo, Bennett, Berenger, Berkeley, Bethany, Bianca, Bicycle, Billiards, Biscayne, Bistro, Blake, Blossom, Blue Dragonfly, Bostwick, Botanical Garden, Bradford, Braxton, Brighton, Brisbane, Bristol Manor, Brocade, Brunswick, Bryson, Buffet Twist, Bungalow, Butler’s Pantry, Butlers pantry, Butlers Party, Butterflies, Butterscotch, Caballero, Cadence, Calabaza, Calabria, Calais, Callaway, Calma, Calvin, Calypso, Cameron, Campania, Carleton, Carolyn, Carved, Carvella I, Casablanca, Cascade, Castellon, Castillos, Casual Elegance, Cat Tail, Cerise, Chalmers, Chamberlain, Chambord, Chamonix, Chancellor, Chandler, Chantilly, Chaparral, Charleston, Charlotte, Charmaine, Chastain, Chateau, Chauncey, Cherokee, Chestnut, Cheval, Chloe, Cholula, Christina, Chrysanthemum, Citrine, Clair De Lune, Clara, Clarion, Classic Craftsman, Classica, Club Havana, Coastal Vineyard, Cobalt Waterfall, Corinne, Courtesan, Coventry, Cozy Cottage , Craftsman, Crestwood, Cuadros, Culver, Curled Feather, Dane, Darby, Daydream, Delacroix, Delphi, Delray, Deluxe, Demitri, Denmark, Desert Sand, Desert Sky, Desert Sunrise, Devereaux, Devon, Diamante, Diamond, Dimension, Dominique, Donovan, Dorado, Dorian, Douglas, Downtown, Dragonfly, Dragonfly Garden, Drayton, Duchess, Dunhill, East Lake, Eastwood, Electra, Elegant Drape, Elegant Vine, Elephant, Elerbee, Elite, Elizabeth, Ellis, Embossed Leaf, Emerald City, Emily, Emma, Empire, Empress, Encanto, Englewood, English Library, Eos, Espina, Estacado, Eugenie, Europa, Evelyn, Everett, Fabrice, Fairchild, Fairmont, Fall Foliage, Felice, Felina, Filigree globe, Fiona, First Bloom, Fleming, Flirt, Flora, Floral Vine, Floreado, Florentina, Florentine, Florette, Flourish, Forged Leaf, Forsythe, Fort Bent, Fossil Stone, Foster, Frank Lloyd Wright, French Angel Fish, French Market, French Quarter, French Tulip, Frog, Frogs, Fruit, Fruit Harvest, Gabrielle, Garland, Garret, Gatehouse, Gemlique, Geneva, Genevieve, Genova, Geometric, Georgetown, Gingko Leaf, Gitana, Glenhaven, Gloria, Golden Wheat, Gotham, Gourd Ceramic, Grace, Graciela, Granada, Green Dragonfly, Grove Park, Grovewood, Guinevere, Halifax, Hand forged Iron, Hannah, Hanover, Harbor Gate, Harmony, Harrington, Harrison, Hartford, Hartwell, Harvest, Hathaway, Hawthorne, Heartland, Helen, Helena, Hemingway, Henley, Heritage, Highland, Hillcrest, Hollyhock, Homestead, Horizon, Hudson, Huntington, Hurnado, Hurricane, Hyacinth, Idlewild, Illusion, Imperial, Indian Summer, Indus, Inglenook, Interlude, Iridescent Wave, Iris, Ironstone, Irs, Isabella, Isis, Jabot, Jackson, Jamison, Japanese Maple, Jarvis, Jenise, Jensen, Jewel Egg, Jonquil, Juliet, Juno, Kade, Karenna, Katherine, Kendall, Kenilworth, Kensington, Kentwood, Kessler, Kimball, Kingsbury, Kingsbury Collection, Kingston, Kirsten , Kismet, Kozmic, La Belle Epoque, La Crysta, La Parra, La Rosa, La Vie En Rose, Laburnum, Lady Jane, Lafayette, Lake Eden, Lakewood, Lancaster, Las Cruces, Lattice, Laurel, Lawson, Lead Crystal, Leaf, Leaf Border, Leawood, Legacy, Lenox, Lenox Aria, Lenox Athenian, Lenox Athenian Gold, Lenox Butlers Pantry, Lenox Garden, Lenox Matelasse, Lenox Portico, Lenox Richmond Swirl, Lenox Tracery, Lenox Versailles, Libby, Light Carved Foliage, Light Urn I, Light Urn II, Light Wood Floral, Lily, Linea, Lisette, Loft, Logan, Lombard, Longfin Bannerfish, Luna, Luxor, Macintosh Rose, Mackenzie, Maddox, Madeline, Majestic, Manchester, Manderfield, Mantilla, Maple Leaf, Marcel, Marcey, Maribel, Marquette, Marston, Marvella, Matelasse, Matlock, Maxwell, Meadowlark, Mediterrano, Melbury, Melon, Melrose, Meritage, Metropolitan, Mica Leaf, Minuet, Mira, Mirabeau, Mirabella, Mirage, Miranda, Mission, Mitchell, Monaco, Montebell, Monteleone, Monterey Mosaic, Monterrey Mosaic, Monteserrat, Montreal, Montserrat, Moonstone, Mosaic, Mosaic jewel, Mountain Lodge, Multi Media, Mya, Nature, Nautical, Navarra, Nepal, New Albany, New Castle, New Haven, New Wave, Newbury, Newport, Nicoletta, Nicotiana, Nouveau Dragonfly, Novela, Nublado, Oak Leaf, Oakland, Oakmont, Oasis, Oceano, October Pastoral, Odessa, Olga, Olivia, Omni, Opalique, Ophelia, Optic Glass I, Optic Glass II, Optic Glass III, Optic Glass IV, Optic Glass V, Optic Glass VI, Oriental Poppy, Orion, Oro, Otono, Ouantum, Ovation, Oxford, Pacifica, Painted Blossoms, Painted Grapevine, Pajaro, Palace Brass, Palazzio, Palmera, Paloma, Paramount, Parasol, Parisian, Parkside, Parlour, Pasadena, Pastoral, Patalo, Pavillion, Paxton, Peacock, Pepper, Petalo, Petunia, Pier Mount, Pineapple, Pinecone, Pink Blossom, Pink Wisteria, Pinot, Plafonnier, Plaza, Pomez, Poppy, Porcelain, Portables, Portrait, Portsmounth Onion, Post, Post or pier mount, Posy Baskets, Prairie, Prairie Dragonfly, Prescott, Priscilla, Promenade, Provence, Providence, Pueblo, Pyramid, Queensgate, Quinn, Quinton, Raina, Rambling Rose, Raval, Red Lily, Reflection, Regency, Restoration, Reverse Paint, Rhapsody, Ribbed Floral, Richelieu, Ridgemont, River Birch, Riverbend, Roma, Rosa, Rosalind, Rose, Rose Bush, Rose Garden, Rose Jubilee, Rosemont, Rossi, Rotondo, Rousseau, Rowan, Roxy, Ruby Vine, Rue De Royal, Russo, Rustic Rose, Rutherford, Rylan, Sailboat, Salado, Samoa, Sand Dune, Santa Fe, Santiago, Santo, Santolina, Saracen, Satin Lace, Savona, Scallop, Scarborough, Scarlet, Scarlet Mosaic, Scarlet Sage, Sea Turtle, Seahorse, Sebastian, Selina, Seneca, Serafina, Shell, Shonnard, Sierra, Soft Modern, Sombra, Sonata, Sonnet, Sonoma, Sonoran, Sorbonne, Southbrook, Southern Belle, Spanish Lace, Sparrow, Spindle, Spiral, Splendor, Standard Globe, Starry Night, Stonebriar, Stonehaven , Strauss, Structure, Stylus, Sultana, Summerhill, Sutton Place, Tahoe, Talaveera, Tapestry, Tiffany Butterfly, Tiger Lily, Tikal, Timeless, Torcello, Torreon, Tortoise Mosaic, Toulouse, Town Park, Townsend, Tracery, Tradewinds, Treviso, Tribeca, Trieste, Trinidad, Tritan, Triviata, Tropical Fish, Tulip, Tulipan, Tuscan Summer, Tuscany, Uptown, Urban Classics, Urbana, Urn, Valeria, Valley Forge, Vanderbilt, Vanderhorst, Vaughn, Vease, Venture, Veranda, Vero, Versailles, Victorian Rose, Vienna, Vine Leaves, Vineyard, Vintage Embroidery, Violeta, Walden, Weave, Wedgewood, Wellington Place, Wellinton Place, West End, West Port, Westlake, Westwind, Wickliffe, Williamsburg, Wilmington, Windham, Winding Vine, Windsor, Wine Country, Winslet, Winter Park, Winter Pinecone, Wispy Leaf, Wisteria, Wood Floral I, Wood Floral III, Woodland, Yardley, Yasmina, Yuma, Zoe For the 2010 model year the following finishes are available: 24 K Gold plated, Adagio, Aged Brass, Aged Bronze, Aged Copper, Aged Gold Patina, Aged Ivory, Aged Stone, Aged Wood/Metal, Aged Wood/Metal Base, Almeria, Amber Crackled Glass, Antique, Antique Black, Antique Brass, Antique Brown, Antique Copper, Antique Finish, Antique Gold , Antique Iron, Antique Look Base, Antique Nickel, Antique solid brass, Architectural Bronze, Authentic Bronze, Bambarra, Bergamo, Black, Black Copper, Black Iron , Blondelle, Bolivian Bronze, Bombay Gold, Bosque, Brandywine, Brass, Brimstone, Brocade Bronze, Bronze, Bronze Patina, Bronzed Copper , Brown Leather, Brushed Bass, Brushed Brass, Brushed Bullion, Brushed Chrome, Brushed Nickel, Brushed Oiled Bronze, Burnished Brass, Burnished Brass, Burnished Copper, Burnt Cinnamon, Burnt Umber, Cafe Bronze, Canyon Black, Caoba, Capital Bronze, Cappucino, Carved Floral Motif, Casablanca, Celedon, Celtic Bronze, Ceramic Base, Chalice, Cherry Wood, Cheyenne, Chinese Mountain, Cinnamon, Classic Brass, Copper Bronze, Copper Bronze Finish, Copper Canyon, Copper gold, Copper Look, Copper Look Resin, Copper Patina, Copper Verdi, Corinthian Bronze, Cornavia, Dark Bronze, Dark Bronze Patina, Dark Brown, Dark Silver, Decorated finish, Desert Rose, Designer Bronze, Dolce Gold, Dynasty, El Dorado, Empire Brass, Empire Bronze, Empire Silver, English Bronze, Espresso, Estate Gold, French Bronze, French Gold Flemish, Fresco, Fresco Finish, Galena, Gallery gold, Georgian Bronze, Gilded Bronze, Gilded Spanish quary, Glossy Black, Gold Coast, Gold Finch, Gold/Silver, Golden Umber , Grand Satin Brass, Greco Bronze, Grey Bronze, Heiloom, Heirloom, Heritage Brass, Imperial Bronze, Imperial Gold, Imperial Silver, Iron Base, Iron Grill Style , Ivory Fine China, Kingsley, Legacy Brass, Lighted Mica Pyramid, London Bronze, Majestic Bronze, Malaga, Marcado Black, Masterpiece, Matte Silver Leaf, Medici, Medici Bronce, Medici Bronze, Mediterranean Patina, Metalsmith, Metropolitan Black, Millennia, Mirada, Mission Oak, Misson Oak, Monarch , Moresque, Moss finish, Moss Green Crackle, Mottled Brass, Mottled Bronze, Mottled Gold, Mottled Ochre, Multi, Multi Colored, Multi finish, Muted Bronze, Mystic Black, Native Bronze, Natural Gold, Natural Gold, Natural Iron, Natural Rust Patina, Neo Bronze, Neo Silver, Noble Bronze, Oiled Bronze, Old Gold, Olde English, Olde Penny, Organic gold, Oriental Bronze, Painted Porcelain, Palladian Bronze, Parliament Gold, Pewter, Placido, Plata, Plata oro, Polished Brass, Polished Chrome, Polished flemish, Polished solid Brass, Poolished Chrome, Prelude , Pueblo, Renaissance, Renaissance Copper, Rich Gold, Rich Green , Rococo, Rodin Bronze, Rodin Bronze, Royal Bronze, Royal Ebony, Russet, Rustica, Saddle Crackle , Safari Bronze, Sandia, Satin Antiqued Brass, Satin Brass, Sepia, Shadow Mist, Sierra, Silverado, Silverado finish, Silverlake, Solid Polished Brass, Sorrella, Sorrento Gold, Statuary Silver, Staturay Silver, Sterling Black, Stonehedge, Teca Verde, Teco Marrone, Teco Rossa, Teco Verde, Terra Bronze, Textured Bronze, Tierra, Torazzo, Trinidad , Tuscany, Valiant Bronze, Valiant Bronze, Vatican Gold, Venetian Bronze, Veneto, Verbena, Verona , Vintage Black, Vintage Bordeaux, Vintage Brass, Vintage Bronze, Vintage Nickel, Visage, Weathered Brass, Weathered Bronze, Wellington, Welsh Gold, White, White Lustre, Windsor Bronze, Wood Like Base, Wood Look Base, Wood-Look Base, Wrought Iron Black For the 2010 model year the following styles are available: Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Asian, Casual, Childrens, Contemporary, Country, Craftsman, Crystal, Nautical, Old World, Rustic, Tiffany, Traditional, Transitional, Tropical, Victorian, Williamsburg, Wrought Iron Quoizel Lighting is available from Lamps-Lighting.com at discount prices.

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Springtime’s Return of the Birds

It’s April and spring and love is in the air. This month all birds, including Bluebirds, Robins, Cardinals, and Finches, are singing to find a mate. Birds nest and raise young all spring and summer; in fact, some early birds may have already had one batch and are looking to raise a second brood. So it’s not too late to put out nesting boxes and bird houses.April is also when Buntings begin returning from Central America to the U.S. to nest. You’ll see them at your bird bath and tube seed feeder filled with a birdseed mix containing millet. A terrific nesting blend of suet nuggets, dried fruit and dried meal-worms along with sunflower and white millet will be irresistible to migrating Buntings. Buntings will eat seeds and insects year-round so be sure to keep your feeders filled.Like all of us, birds need water every day. Migrating songbirds won’t pass up the chance to take a drink, rest, and maybe even bathe a while in your bird bath. Did you know that by simply by adding a bird bath to your backyard you could double the variety of birds that visit? There are all sorts of bird baths available, but a solar powered bird bath fountain or a bird bath with a water wiggler will turn the bath into an irresistible bird magnet and prevent mosquitoes from laying there eggs.April and May are also when Orioles and Hummingbirds make their return. They will be looking for high-energy sweets to eat, but because flowers containing the nectar they need may be scarce, nectar feeders will be very helpful and attractive to them. Orioles also will feed on fresh oranges. Spear some fresh orange halves, fruit side up, on a pronged feeder or a sharp branch. You’ll even tempt Tanagers, Grosbeaks and House Finches.A suet feeder is a terrific winter treat for woodpeckers, but it’s also a wonderful way to attract springtime migrants like Warblers, Tanagers, and Kinglets. Use a fatty suet loaded with nuts, berries and calcium. Be sure to secure the suet feeder flush against a tree so birds like Warblers can comfortably eat. The tree will also provide protection should any threats be lurking.Yes, spring is here and all of us are again returning to our gardens to begin this year’s new crop of tomatoes, herbs and beautiful flowers. Why not enjoy the other rites of spring at the same time, the return of the many songbirds and hummingbirds to our yards.

Thursday 19 January 2012

PVC and Vinyl Banner Advertising

Banners have been a very important promotional form for many companies over the years and still continue to do so. They are used for outdoor promotions and indoor usage. Outdoor promotions are really important from a company’s marketing point of view and outdoor play a vital role in outdoor promotions. PVC and vinyl are the two most commonly used banner materials that provide a cost effective way of making outdoor banners. Both PVC and vinyl material have the ability to display content and the images in a bright manner so that it is clear and visible for people to see it from a great distance. Nowadays, most are designed using attractive images and photos printed on the banner material. The banner material should be capable of retaining the images and the photos for a long period of time, so that the business entity gets the return on their investment. There are many providers who offer PVC banner printing services. These providers will have with them high quality PVC banners of different sizes. The company has to choose the right size that meets their requirements and then inform the provider regarding the size of the banner they want to be used. After this, the banner company will start the work of printing the text or material on these banners. The text description, images and photos usually have to be provided by the business or a graphic designer. Many printing companies now also have an online portal to service their customers. Through these online portals, the users are given the option of choosing the color of the text, position of the image and the size of the text and the image. This ensures that the business people participate in the banner design activities and provide the required input. These banner printing service providers will also install the banner at the required location. They will tie the banners using rope or similar material. Banner frames can also be used to hold the banner. This is another way of installing the banner which can give them a more professional look. Most banner printing service providers use 550gsn coated high quality coated PVC. They use the best OEM inks to print the text and images on these banners. OEM inks are strong and durable ensuring that the banner content remains intact for a longer period of time and does not get washed away by rain water.

Selecting The Right Nexgen Console

If you are looking for a NextGen Console, then the three main choices are the PS3, the XBOX 360, and the Nintendo Wii. Each have their own characteristics, advantages, game catalog and selection, so it pays to review the best of each before you make your decision, if it is time for an upgrade or new purchase. The Playstation 3 or PS3 is from Sony. This game box is set up for online multiplayer gaming with three Ethernet networking ports for broadband internet connections or linking up with your computer. The PS3 has next-gen storage capabilities, at 80, 60, 40 or 20 GB. The system also has WIFI and USB ports. Some of these systems also accept flash cards and have Blue-Ray capabilities, as well as DVD. You should be able to keep your old Playstation games with an upgrade.

For most gamers, the PS3 was a big snooze. Compared to the XBOX 360 or Wii, something seemed to be lacking. The Playstation 3 did not seem so much different than the previous version, nor the games. So, a big question is, can the PS3 really bounce back, through better development of games for this platform or for new services and capabilities in the PS4? What will it take to bring the spice back to the Playstation platform? For the most part it is the distraction of much better competition than existed in the early days of the Playstation line. Another is simply the boredom and burnout that many gamers may have experienced after years of the same Playstation games. For them, a change to a new xbox system or wii is like a whole different experience. For the casual user, or for those who play mostly popular games that are found on all systems as well as PCs, it won’t make much difference. The PS3 offers as much bang for the buck as any other gaming system. So it is mostly a question that if you have been using the Playstation for many years and playing the same games, the new look and feel of the xbox and wii will be more interesting. But do they really have better games, graphics, sounds, and extra features? Probably. The PS3 is a bit light when it comes to comparing to the others. But if you are willing to spend enough money, it is possible to customize the new PS3 completely. The other set ups seem to give a more interesting variety for similar investment. The PS3 does have the advantage of the sleek consumer design and tradition of Sony. But much like the last generation of Vaio laptops, it seemed to be an off year for the company. Nevertheless, there are some hardcore gamers who will never leave the platform. For them, the PS4 is sure to be as popular, if not more than, the PS3. Otherwise, the rest will be switching to the XBOX as a gaming platform of choice. You can go to Best Buy or Circuit City and test each one out for yourself before you buy and see which games are most interesting. But the big factor is price. At a standard cost of two to three times the XBOX or Wii, does the PS3 really have that much more to offer? Sales figures suggest that cost will determine the popularity of one similar product over another. But if the other has more features and is half the price, which would you choose? For this reason the XBOX is recommended over the PS3 for most. The XBOX 360 is a mash up from Microsoft, IBM, ATI, and other companies. It is said to be part of Microsoft’s strategy to compete actively in the gaming market. This set up comes with a nice, custom gaming console that is sure to make playing all the games easy and fun. It also has a remote control and head set. There is a lot of hard disc space and a Microsoft operating system, so that and the many, many excellent games for the XBOX systems make it the top choice. Compared to this is the Nintendo Wii, the new release following the Game Cube series from Nintendo. The operating system is also quite good on this system, with lots of memory and storage space. This comes with a remote control and a nunchuck, but it is no comparison to the XBOX set up. The real hope is the Wii may generate some new concepts in gaming and gaming possibilities. There is still the excellent round up of games for the system One of the interesting, new developments with the Nintendo Wii system is the Mii Channel. The Mii system allows you to create 3-D avatars on your Wii system. Nintendo is launching an online Mii Channel that will allow users to share these avatars and vote on them. Wii users love the ability to create avatar models of themselves, their friends, and families to take part in traditional video game roles. The increase in video games allowing users to manifest as their own Mii is also sure to increase. As users can save their Mii on their Wii system and use the same avatar to play different games, it is also hoped that this system will advance to allow the avatars to enter into other online virtual worlds. The future for this system has a lot of possibilities for video game players. An advanced Mii system will first have to incorporate better design tools and graphics for the avatars. Users will want to spend their time to create avatars with all of the characteristics they need to enter and play the video games. These avatars should also be able to incorporate their own tools or gadgets from game to game, or platform to platform. Having the avatars able to be customized in this manner, different avatars with various configurations of features, accessories, spells, and so forth can be saved on the game box like the Wii. If the Mii avatar can be made to apply in a wider variety of game applications, including online MMORG environments, then it will be an interesting success. The worry is that allowing avatars to carry gadgets from other systems in games that were not designed for them could completely change the game itself. But the advantages of having an avatar with all of the attributes, accessories, and additions one wants ready, before entering the game’s environment to participate is clear. The ability to carry acquisitions found in one game by the avatar into another game is also interesting. A lot of new possibilities for video game development exist in the further expansion of the Mii avatar on the Nintendo Wii gaming system, and into other platforms. In summary, the recommendation is to go with the XBOX 360 for its great all around package of console, operating system, ports, and game catalog. The Nintendo Wii will come on strong if game developers expand some of the new possibilities inherent in the system. Otherwise, we’ll be waiting for Wiii. Information on baby blocked nose can be found at the Facts About Babies site.

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Solar Panel Systems, Energy Efficiency and Your Home

Reducing your Electric Bill with a Solar Panel System & Renewable Energy

Using a solar panel, wind turbine or other renewable energy system to produce electricity and reduce your electric bill can be a sound long-term investment. Depending on the type of technology, you can expect a full return on your investment within 3 to 18 years. With financial or tax rebates from your utility company or state and national government, the payback period on your investment can be cut in half.

However, the very first step to considering any renewable energy system must be how to make your home or business more energy efficient. Generally, the basic rule is that for every $1 you spend on making your location more energy efficient, you save $3 to $5 on the cost of the solar panel or wind turbine energy system. Let’s go over some basic ways you can make your home more energy efficient.

Making Your Home Energy Efficient

One of the easiest things that you can do to reduce your electrical consumption is change out your regular incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). CFLs use 65 to 75% less energy than a normal light bulb that produces the same amount of light. By replacing a normal 100 watt incandescent light bulb with a 32 watt CFL, you will save $60 to $80 in electricity costs over the lifetime of that bulb (10,000 hours). Now imagine how much you would save if you changed out all of your light bulbs to CFLs!

The technology for these bulbs has quickly evolved and improved in the last few years, while the cost has come down dramatically. You’ll find that there are CFLs that will now fit most light fixtures and lighting needs-there are even dimmable CFLs!. Head out to your local department or hardware store and buy CFLs for as many of your light fixtures as possible. The investment is well worth it.

Another alternative to traditional lights are tubular skylights . Tubular skylights look a little like shiny stove pipes that start with a transparent dome on top of the roof and come down into some room for day lighting. We frequently see customers using tubular skylights to bring daylight into hallways and closets. The light is, of course, entirely natural and in some installations can provide as much illumination as a 100-Watt incandescent light bulb.

Energy Star and EnergyGuide

One of the biggest consumers of electricity in most households is the refrigerator. In most households, refrigeration is the number one electricity consumer after any electricity-based heating or cooling systems. If your refrigerator is over 10 years old, chances are it’s electrically very inefficient. Consider replacing your current refrigerator with one that has a high Energy Star rating. Remember that just because a refrigerator may have earned the Energy Star label doesn’t mean it’s the most efficient model available-it only means that its efficiency exceeds the federally mandated efficiency standard by at least 15%. You can even do much of your investigation online at the Energy Star website. There you can search for the brand, type and size of refrigerator you want and sort by energy efficiency. When you shop in stores, consult the yellow EnergyGuide tags that are attached to all new refrigerators (and many other appliances). EnergyGuide is a different government program from Energy Star that offers information about annual energy consumption and shows you where each model lands in a comparison with similar models. For maximum energy savings, select the model that’s a leader in efficiency in its class.

Ghost Loads

Also known as “phantom loads”, ghost loads are the sneaky devices that constantly consume small amounts of electricity 24 hours a day-even when they’re not actually doing anything useful. While each device by itself may not consume much electricity, the combination of all of them within your household may easily consume the equivalent of two or three 60-Watt incandescent light bulbs left on all day and all night. Over the course of a single year this adds up to over 1 Megawatt-hour-in other words, enough electricity to power an entire energy-efficient house for 2 to 3 months!

What are these mysterious ghost loads? The most common examples are the “power brick” adapters, or power supplies, that charge or operate cell phones, laptop computers, cordless drills, answering machines, radios, inkjet printers, and many other household devices. They’re actually small transformers, turning AC electricity from the wall outlet into DC electricity for use by the device. While any one of these devices may only consume a small amount of power (e.g., 3-20 watts), a dozen or so of them, running simultaneously and continuously, consume a significant amount of electricity. What’s worse is that even when you’re not charging your cell phone or the battery for your cordless drill, that AC adapter may continue to consume power just because it’s plugged into the wall. Other well-disguised ghost loads are those devices which have the “instant on” feature, such as most modern television sets, VCRs, DVD players, many radios and even many computers. While all of these devices are supposedly turned off, they are actually consuming anywhere from 3 to 20 watts continuously-just to stay ready for you to use them.

How can you decrease the consumption of energy by these parasitic loads? One of the simplest solutions is to simply plug these devices into a power strip which has an off/on switch. When you are done using the devices and shut them off normally, then just hit the off switch on the power strip. Many people make it part of their nightly routine to shut off these power strips just before they go to bed. For AC power adapters that you use at night, like for charging a cell phone, put those on a separate power strip that you turn off during the day when you take your phone with you. Simple solutions like these could reduce your ghost electric loads by as much as 80%. In real-dollars terms, this means saving upwards of $120 per year in electricity costs, depending on your local electric utility rates and how dedicated you are to reducing your ghost loads.

A Special Note for People Who are Planning to Live Off-grid

If you’re planning to use an off-grid solar panel, wind turbine or hydro electric system and plan to have a 12 or 24 volt battery bank, you will often be able to find devices and appliances that work directly with these DC voltages. The benefit to using the devices is that they will not need an AC power adapter which needlessly consumes electricity whether or not the device in use. After all, what an AC adapter plug does is convert normal AC household electricity to DC type of electricity to power the device, and it rarely does that conversion efficiently.

Energy Efficient Cooling

During the summer (and in warmer climates) air conditioning is frequently the largest consumer of electricity. An inexpensive way to reduce the demand on your air conditioner is to keep your attic cooler with a solar attic fan. Powered by a built-in solar panel, solar attic fans turn on when your attic warms up during the day. By venting the hot air out of your attic all day long, the floors below stay cooler and as a result your air conditioner runs significantly less.

Solar attic fans can be installed by good do-it-yourselfers or carpenters. They require no wiring. A hole needs to be cut in the roof, the attic fan is slipped in and the edges are sealed up well with roof caulking. The solar panel built into the fan unit is designed to last at least 25 years. A solar attic fan is another wise investment that pays for itself very quickly.

For people who live in zones that are relatively dry but hot, evaporative coolers (also known as swamp coolers) are a cost effective and energy efficient alternative to traditional air conditioners. Evaporative coolers use about 25% the energy an air conditioner would need. Unfortunately, most people live in climates that when it’s hot it is also relatively humid. In these conditions evaporative coolers won’t work effectively.

Another simple and green method for reducing your home’s air conditioning costs is to plant deciduous trees whose leaves will shade your home in the summer time and shed its leaves for more sunlight in the winter time. By shading your home it heats up less, and therefore requires less cooling by an air conditioner. Planting a tree in this scenario has double the environmental impact, you’re reducing greenhouse gases by both using less electricity and because the tree itself absorbs carbon dioxide.

Energy Efficiency and Household Appliances

Many other appliances throughout your household will have a newer and significantly more energy efficient version available. Here is a short list of other appliances you should consider replacing with higher efficiency versions: water heating tanks, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, dishwashers, telephones, VCRs and DVDs, ceiling fans, fax machines, computers and copiers. To see which brands and models have Energy Star certification and to figure which ones of those are the most efficient, visit Energy Star’s website: www.EnergyStar.gov. To find out how much power your appliances are really consuming, invest in an inexpensive power meter like the Kill-A-Watt meter.

For many households the biggest bill is the heating bill. Probably the quickest, least expensive and easiest way to reduce your heating bill is to buy a programmable thermostat. You can set these thermostats to turn off the heat automatically when you’re not home and turn it on just before you arrive. You will easily recoup your small investment in the new thermostat within one winter by running your heating system less. See your local hardware store or HVAC company for pricing and availability of different models.

Another basic step to reducing your home heating bill is sealing air leaks and adding insulation. According to Energy Star sealing air leaks and adding insulation can reduce your heating bill by as much as 10%. For homes with attics, one of the easiest and most effective places to put down insulation is in the attic. Visit your local home improvement store to find out how much insulation in different areas of the home is recommended for your region.

In the last few years, the use of solar air heating systems has become more popular. Mounted on an exterior, southern-facing wall or on the roof, solar air heating collectors can reduce a home’s or business’ annual heating costs by as much as 30%. Costing far less than a new conventional heating system, solar air heating systems usually pay for themselves in 3-6 years. They’ll typically last for 18 to 35 years and require minimal maintenance. Working in conjunction with your existing heating system, the solar air heating system simply reduces your heating demand whenever you have even partial sunlight.

There are two basic flavors of solar air heating systems. There are ones that heat up fresh outdoor air and blow it into your home or business. The there are ones that take the air from inside your building boosts up the temperature by another 50 to 90 degrees fahrenheit and blows it back in (known as recirculating air solar heating systems). Newer homes and buildings which tend to be tightly sealed and have stale winter air will benefit doubly from the fresh air solar heaters. Older homes tend to be inherently draftier and experience full air exchanges with the outdoors a few times a day. These homes will benefit more from the solar air heating systems that recirculate the indoor air and boost it up in temperature. Typically, one 4×8 foot solar air collector is recommended per 750 to 1000 square feet of home space.

Water Heating Efficiency

More efficient models of domestic hot water heaters have also become available in the last several years. If you have an old hot water heater, chances are that it was not designed with efficiency in mind. Again, check out Energy Star’s website  to find out which boilers are the most efficient.

Another good alternative to the traditional hot water heating tanks are instantaneous hot water heaters. These systems heat the water only when its being used. Normal water heating systems used in much of North America maintain a large tank of hot water to be used only a few times a day. To keep the water hot and ready at a moment’s notice these traditional hot water heating tanks consume energy throughout the entire day, whether you need it or not. Instantaneous water heaters only consume energy the moment you need the hot water, saving the typical household 30 to 50% of the cost of hot water heating. You can find instantaneous water heaters that use natural gas, propane and electricity from a variety of manufacturers.

Solar Water Heating Provides You the Best Return on Your Investment

The energy (natural gas, propane, electricity, etc) needed for hot water heating can be reduced by 60 to 90% by using a solar water heating system to pre-heat water before it enters your existing traditional water heater. Remarkably effective and efficient, even in northern climates, solar water heating technologies have matured significantly in the past 30 years. Designed to easily last 30 years or more with minimum maintenance, typically solar water heating system will pay for itself in its first 3-7 years of use. Solar water heating systems heat your home’s water with collectors that are usually placed on the roof of the home. The hot water produced is stored in an insulated tank until your home is ready to use it. Your traditional hot water will only kick on to heat up the water when the water temperature is not quite high enough. Solar water heating systems can be installed by advanced do-it-yourselfers, but it is recommended that a licensed plumber or installer review or do the more complicated plumbing.

Energy Efficiency – Your First Step Towards Clean Energy and Energy Independence

The first step before purchasing a solar electric or wind power system to meet your electricity needs is to intelligently reduce those needs. Most homes can inexpensively reduce their electricity demands by 20 to 30% without ever having to make any adjustments in the lifestyles of the occupants. We provided you with many energy saving tips in this article, such as:

  • Replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent ones.
  • Upgrading your older appliances with EnergyStar star ones that have a very low annual energy consumption rating.
  • Minimize the many hidden phantom (ghost) loads in your house.
  • Insulate your home well for colder seasons.
  • Creatively use vegetation to keep your home cool in the summer and maximize sunshine entering the house in the winter.
  • Use solar heating technologies (not to be confused with solar electric technologies) to cost effectively reduce how much your traditional air or water heating systems have to work.

There are literally hundreds of other little tricks and smart tweaks you can make to your home that will further reduce your electrical demands. Consider picking up a copy of the book ’10-Minute Energy-Saving Secrets – 250 Easy Ways to Save Big Bucks Year Round’ by Jerri Farris to learn of many of the other quick and easy ways to reduce your home’s consumption of energy.

© 2009 altE Store, Inc – ‘Making Renewable Do-able’â„¢

Scene Hairstyles For Scene Kids and Teens

If you have seen kids out in the street with different types of hair styles and colors, there is a good chance that you are looking at a scene kid or teen. In this article, we will look at the hairstyle choices that many youngsters, especially scene kids, are choosing.My friend Laura phoned me the other day in hysterics. Her daughter, Sarah, had just walked in the door with her hair heavily teased and streaked in different shades of purple and pink.Laura, knowing that I keep up with the youth movement, asked: “What is going on with these kids. Why would Sarah do this with her hair? She was such a pretty girl and now look!”"Laura,” I said, “You must calm down. This look is becoming more and more common with kids and teens these days. It is part of what is called being a scene kid.”"Well,” Laura declared, “I simply do not like it!”Laura is not alone as many parents are shocked when their child embraces the scene movement and begins to style their hair differently than before. The reason that a scene hairstyle can shock parents is that it often looks very different than a traditional haircut.Let’s look at what defines a scene haircut.The first thing that must be mentioned with this style of haircut is the colors. It would be fair to say that it is not a true scene haircut if it does not have some form of color. This type of hairstyle started out with the kids and teens dying their hair black and then adding some form of blonde streaks to it. However, it is much more than that now, as scene kids have branched out with many colors. The current in style scene hair colors are purple, red, and strawberry.The second thing that we would look at to identify scene hair is the way that it is done. Scene hair cannot be defined by the length of the hair but rather by what has been done to the hair. One thing that clearly identifies scene hair is that it is puffy and teased. Thus, it will not at all be matted to the head. Layers have also become quite common with scene girls as well as bangs-bangs are always a part of scene girl hair.The third thing that you will notice is not the hair itself but what is in it. Kids that want to be scene nearly always are putting something in their hair, like a bow. Or, they will wear a headband to highlight and accentuate their look.The reason that parents get so startled when they see that their child has a scene haircut is because it looks so different. In fact, the scene movement is all about being different and the hairstyle reflects this.

Putting on Gold, Silver or perhaps Pearl Could Better Your Visual appeal

Considering the beginning of jewellery existence, jewellery was a thing thatwas typical for wealthier people.On top of that, a great investment is to buy white gold diamond earrings and since they will be very costly, you can even add an extra pair or two. Nevertheless, women and men wear jewellery to primarily enhance their general look. What is great, when looking for white gold of mens diamond earrings, is that they usually come as a set with necklaces and earrings together.It doesn’t matter who wears white gold diamond earrings because they are timeless, exquisite and heart-felt to the wearer.Small accessories such as earrings can create a bold statement when included with your attire. Silver and gold jewellery are both well-liked by women. This statement can be confirmed while comparing it to pearl jewellery whose reputation among the masses decreased since the 80s.When wearing gold or silver earrings, it will be an added bonusif it’s really a diamond stud earrings. Diamond studs included with traditional clothing like a sari or formal trousers can be complementary.

As easy as diamond stud earrings look from afar, finding the right colour, weight, and cut are essential in identifying might be just like complex. Be warned of the size, otherwise it might be too too much to handle for the ears. Also it should not be very small but of medium size and should suit the face cut. If you take such points into account, finding the most effective design for you personally will help in concluding the best selection for you. And although you may wear it daily, this particular form of jewellery won’t fade as a result of the peculiarity of the metal. The form of the earrings is in fact a serious component in determining the perfect earrings. In particular, drop earrings or danglers can be bought. On the contrary the distinction isn’t all too futile given that drop earrings just stay beneath the earlobes contrary to danglers which too hang beneath the earlobes but also move with the body.Nevertheless, for these 2 styles it is very important choose the lightest weight achievable because not only does weight play a role, but gravity is a component as well.

Find the greatest pair with supportive backings and try not to prolong the time period of having your ear-rings dangle from your ear.Ultimately also your hair plays a part in how nicely earrings fit along with your style.

The Advantages of Selling Domain Names

Have you heard that you can make money by selling domain names?  You can.  This process is referred to as flipping.

As nice as it is to hear that you can make money with domain name flipping, you may be looking for proof.  Why it is a good idea and what are the advantages to opting for this moneymaking opportunity?  Please continue reading on to find out.

Domain name flipping is easy to do.  In short, domain name flipping can be done in two simple steps.  Those steps involve buying and selling.  You buy a domain name.  If you opt for an unregistered name, you can pay as little as $10 for a year.  If you opt for a registered name, you need to pay more.  In this case, you are buying from another flipper who is hoping to turn a profit.

Domain name flipping gives you options.  With domain name flipping, you buy a name and then resell it.  Your options come in your reselling approach.  Did you hear that a new business is opening in your town?  Did you buy a domain name that contains that business’s name?  If so, the business owner may use the internet to find and approach you with a purchase offer.  If not, pitch the sale yourself.

In keeping with reselling options, domain names can be flipped on third party websites.  There are websites that specialize in the buying and selling of domain names, established websites, and turnkey websites.  They are easy to find with a standard internet search.  Those who make a profit from reselling domain names and running established websites are your buyers.  You place a for sale listing and buyers respond with an offer.  Listing websites that use an online bidding format are nice, but set a good minimum bid to prevent losses.

Domain name flipping has low startup costs.  As previously stated, you can expect to pay around $10 for an unregistered domain name.  When you consider some of the other popular moneymaking opportunities online, this is a great deal.  Domain name flipping does not require you to be rich or invest a lot of money.  That is why just about anyone can and should give it a try.

Domain name flipping is an easy way to work from home.  Millions of Americans want to work from home.  Some of these individuals just want to make a little bit of extra money and others want to work from home full-time.  However you want to work from home, you can.  What is better than making money and spending more time with your family?

Domain name flipping gives you flexibility and freedom.  If the ability to work from home wasn’t enough, you may enjoy the freedom you get.  Do you want to test drive domain name flipping?  If so, do it.  You can buy and sell domains after work.  If you see success, consider turning it into a work-at-home opportunity or keep doing it part-time. With domain name flipping, you have the ability to decide how many names you want to flip and how much you want to make.

As you can see, domain name flipping is an easy moneymaking opportunity that has many advantages.  So, what are you waiting for?  Get started today and see how much money you can earn.

Satellite communications by laser

Satellites currently use radio waves to exchange data. Now the data rate has been increased a hundredfold by using lasers instead of radio signals. Two test satellites each carried a diode laser pump module developed with the help of Fraunhofer researchers. The data whizzed back and forth at the speed of light between German satellite TerraSAR-X and US satellite NFIRE, covering more than 5000 kilometers in space without any errors. What was special about this space test recently performed by Tesat-Spacecom was that the data was transmitted by laser.

The bandwidth achieved in the test was a hundred times greater than during conventional communication by radio waves, enabling a data rate equivalent to roughly 400 DVDs per hour. This could make it possible to transmit large data packets between several satellites in the future, for instance to send image data from Earth observation satellites to a ground station. That has not been possible until now, as the bandwidth of radio waves is not large enough. Another advantage of this new form of communication is that lasers are easier to focus than radio waves, which means that data transmissions can be directed more accurately. The communication lasers on board the satellite are actuated by pump modules, which were developed to a large extent by researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT in Aachen on behalf of Tesat GmbH & Co. KG as part of a program financed by the German Aerospace Center (DLR). -œThe modules have to withstand the vibrations and forces of acceleration on board the satellites during the launch and must then survive the inhospitable conditions in space – such as extreme radiation and strong temperature differences,- says Martin Traub, who led the developments at the ILT. -œWe therefore tested the pump modules under extreme conditions in advance, subjecting them to temperatures of -35°C to 60°C, acceleration forces 1300 times as strong as those of the Earth, and gamma rays.- The modules mustn’t be too big or too heavy for use in space: Measuring 5 x 5 x 2 centimeters, they are barely larger than a matchbox, and weigh little more than a bar of chocolate at 130 grams. -œWe achieved this minimal weight by selecting the right materials and a sophisticated housing: Any material that wasn’t absolutely essential was milled away,- says Traub. The major challenge is that, despite the reduced weight, the heat generated by the laser’s several-watt output still has to be dissipated.

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Wednesday 18 January 2012

RHEUMATIC FEVER AND RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE

Rheumatic heart disease is now uncommon in westernEurope and North America, but is an important historicalcause of what was once the bulk of valvular heart disease.It is still important in the developing world as a disease ofchildhood and a major cause of heart disease. Its declinein western countries started before the widespread use ofantibiotics, and probably reflects increased standards ofnutrition and hygiene and, possibly, a decline in the virulence and prevalence of Lancefield group A haemolyticstreptococci.

Rheumatic fever and chorea are the exclusive causes ofchronic rheumatic heart disease, in which there is interstitialmuscle fibrosis as well as the heart valve disease.However, some 50% of patients with chronic rheumaticheart disease give no history of either condition.Rheumatic fever develops in about 3% of young peopleexposed to an epidemic strain of (3-haemolytic Lancefieldgroup A streptococcus. These patients usually have pharyngitis,but may have scarlet fever.

After an apparentrecovery they develop fever, sweats, skin rashes, arthritisand, sometimes, cardiac involvement from what appearsto be an autoimmune disease starting 2-4 weeks after theinitial sore throat and lasting 6-8 weeks, but occasionallyas long as 26 weeks. Some patients give no definite historyof an antecedent sore throat.

Following the attack of rheumatic fever, some 70% ofpatients will eventually have evidence of rheumatic valvularheart disease, although the time interval can be as longas 50 years. On the other hand, the valve disease maybecome manifest during the attack of rheumatic fever,especially where regurgitation develops. Rheumatic fevermay be recurrent, and the chances of valve disease increasewith the number of attacks.

Pathology

Although rheumatic fever follows a streptococcal infection,no bacteria are found in the lesions; however, they may still be present in the pharynx. There is an acute inflammatory reaction, with oedema in the affected tissues, and then granulomatous lesions develop in the myocardium(Aschoff nodules). Oedema of the valve cusps isfollowed by verrucous fibrin deposits developing along thelines of apposition of the valve cusps, which eventuallyadhere at the commissures. In the acute illness there is anacute non-bacterial synovitis in the joints, and granulomatamay develop subcutaneously on extensor surfaces of thelimbs and over the Achilles tendons (rheumatic nodules).There is usually a high antistreptolysin O titre, and other antistreptococcal titres may also be high. It is thought thatcross-reactivity between the streptococcal antigens andhost tissue antigens leads to an autoimmune inflammatory process.

Clinical features and diagnosis

The diagnosis of rheumatic fever depends on criteria proposedby Duckett-Jones, two major criteria,or one major and two minor criteria, establish a high probabilityfor the diagnosis.The patient is almost always between the ages of 3 and30 years (usually 5-15); drenching sweats and a prolongedfeverish illness occur, with extremely painful arthritis thatmoves from joint to joint (usually involving large jointssuch as the knee and elbow), which become hot, red,swollen and extremely painful for a few days and thenrecover fully. The flitting arthritis is characteristic, as is theclassic skin rash, erythema marginatum. Subcutaneousnodules may develop after several weeks, usually over theelbows.

Carditis may be pericarditis, myocarditis or, more importantlyfor the eventual appearance of valve disease,endocarditis. All may occur at once as pancarditis. Thepericarditis is similar to any acute pericarditis, withprecordial pain, ECG changes (raised ST segments) andoften an increase in cardiac silhouette on chest X-ray.Myocarditis is manifest by a tachycardia disproportionatefor the degree of pyrexia, gallop rhythm and heart failure;there are also ECG changes, such as prolonged PR intervalor greater degrees of AV block and T-wave flatteningor inversion, and raised serum creatine phosphokinase AV.Death occasionally occurs from myocarditis.

Endocarditis is indicated by transient or changingmurmurs. The classic murmur, which is specific for thecondition, is the Carey Coombs murmur; this is a shortrumbling diastolic murmur indicating mitral valvulitis.

Sydenham’s chorea

Sydenham’s chorea (St Vitus’ dance) is usually a separatedisease entity but, like rheumatic fever, appears to berelated to recent p-haemolytic streptococcal infection andan autoimmune process; occasionally it accompanies therheumatic fever, although it may follow some weeks later.It is characterized by sudden, jerky, purposeless movementsof the face and limbs, such that the child is thoughtto be clumsy and grimacing. Pure chorea, even whenunaccompanied by other evidence of rheumatic fever,is followed by a high incidence of rheumatic valve disease,indistinguishable from that following conventionalrheumatic fever.

Investigation

Laboratory investigations show a raised ESR, C-reactiveprotein and antistreptolysin O titre. Blood cultures arenegative. Throat swab may be positive for p-haemolyticstreptococcus, if the preceding pharyngitis has not beentreated with antibiotic.

Differential diagnosis

As there is no absolute diagnostic test it is extremely common to find patients who have been diagnosed ashaving rheumatic fever on weak evidence, such as a childhoodfever with a few aches and pains and the presenceof a systolic murmur. In one study some 50% of patients with mild congenital heart disease claimed to have had rheumatic fever, suggesting that a child with a heart murmur alone is very likely to be diagnosed as having rheumatic fever during the course of a febrile illness.

Management

Aspirin is traditionally used to control the arthritis andfever; it is used in maximum doses. Where the patient isextremely ill, corticosteroids are commonly used, but thereis no evidence that these reduce the incidence of endocarditisor subsequent development of rheumatic valvular disease.

Prophylaxis

Anyone who has had acute rheumatic fever is at risk ofrecurrence and is usually maintained on phenoxymethylpenicillin(250 mg orally daily, or an i.m. depot preparationof benzathine penicillin) or, if allergic to penicillin, oralsulphonamide, either until the age of 21 or for 5 yearsafter the last attack of rheumatic fever, whichever comeslater.

Promote Green Living with Garment Hang Tag Designs

Different Hang Tag Design Ideas to Build Awareness on Eco-Friendliness Hang tags for garments are tools that are printed regularly for in the clothing business; new items arrive almost every season. When having your tags printed through online services, purchasing green hang tags for your garments make you, as a business, become a supporter for eco-friendly living.

Showing your concern on the environment can influence more people such as your customers to do the same, and one effective way to promote and create awareness is through the garment hang tags since customers use these tools all the time when picking out a clothing item. And through designing your green hang tags, you can help spread the word in building a better, healthier community. 1. Shades of green: Building a design with shades of green can represent that you are a supporter of this cause. Also, building a design around leaves and tress can also better project that you are for protecting the environment. Plus, a green-on-green design is also a good concept for clothing items. 2. Using eco-friendly logos: By using the recycled sign or other eco-friendly signs with a little basic information on your cause will give your customers an idea about what your cause is all about. Also, by spreading the word to others, you will gain more supporters and more regularized customers as well. 3. Promoting your printer’s support: Helping from one company to another makes your statement stronger. Since you are supporting a printing company that prints green hang tags, including their own announcement can be a stronger influence on your customers. To let people know about a good cause you are into is one way of showing that you care about the community, which is a good public relations strategy also. With more people sharing a cause on the environment, the effectiveness grows bigger and faster also.

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Should You Shop For Equestrian Supplies At An Online Or A Physical Tack Shop

It comes as no great surprise that the shopping behaviours of horse owners have changed rapidly over the years. This shift has mainly been brought about by the internet. Increasing numbers of online tack shops have popped up, in response to a rising demand from people who appreciate being able to purchase the items they want without even having to set foot outside of their front door. That is not to say the traditional tack shop is dead. There are still a large number of shoppers who prefer to see and feel products in person before handing their hard earned money over. Each purchasing option has its own unique pros and cons and these should be considered and understood before shopping.As has been mentioned, one of the reasons people go to a tack shop is because they can see the items with their own eyes before buying. Most tack shops will also allow the customer to return an item if it does not fit the horse or rider, as long as it is returned in a clean, resalable condition. Online stores do offer this as well but it can often be more complicated to return something when postage costs and packaging and sending time is taken into consideration. Some physical tack shops also offer additional services such as ‘bit banks’ and saddle trials which allow people to try equipment out for a number of days, to ensure the fit and design works for their horse. These extra services can be a real boon, especially for customers that aren’t sure of which style of size will be most suitable for their equine.Another benefit of visiting a local tack shop is the human contact, the personal touch. If a customer is unsure about which product would work best for them and their horse, the sales staff in a physical shop can often provide a useful input, often backed up by their own experiences. Regular customers often build up quite a friendly, close relationship with the employees at the tack shop in their area and visiting the store can become an enjoyable occasion. Bumping into other friends and horse lovers from the same area is also quite common which adds to the social aspect. Local tack shops are also usually a good source of regional information. There is often a notice board where people can post sales and wanted notices, competition schedules and other announcements. The same level of interaction and socialising simply isn’t possible when surfing the World Wide Web.Much has been said about the benefits of physical tack shops but there are plenty of benefits to using online stores as well. As a rule, online tack shops have fewer overheads as they are not paying for rent and can usually survive with a smaller staff base. This means that they can afford to offer products at more competitive prices than a lot of physical outlets.With online tack shops there is also the bonus of having a significantly broader choice. There is no need to restrict purchases to just what is offered at the store down the road. This means that customers can be a lot more discerning about their purchases and can be very selective when it comes to budget, style and quality. With many overseas companies offering international shipping it is now even possible to buy goods from online tack shops across the world- such as the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States and Australia.There is also the time aspect with online shopping. Many people, especially if they are balancing work, a family and horses, are time poor and don’t have an awful lot of time to be running around tack shops. An online tack shop can provide the perfect solution, taking just a few minutes to complete a transaction, instead of the hours that can be eaten up by driving, parking and browsing.Despite the positives and negatives of both buying online and in person, there are clear benefits to both options, depending on the shopper’s circumstances. There are times when it pays to visit the store in person, if you have no prior experience with the product in question for example. However, if you are sure of the size and type of item you want, online shopping can certainly offer excellent value and choice.