Nerdistan

Home clocks range from digital alarm clocks to wall-hanging clocks and yes, they still even sell those wind-up alarm clocks with a faceyou know, the ones with the annoying ring to them that sounds like a fire alarm and that round little button that you slap as you get out of bed.

Round home clocks

You can find a wide variety of home clocks that hang nicely on the walls of your home, adding to the décor and style of the place you live in, whether it be an apartment, a house, a trailer, or whatever! Many people have several wall hanging home clocks set up in different rooms of their homes, apartments, trailers, etc. Round wall hanging clocks are not only defined by their shape, the shape is only part of the overall design. I have seen many clocks with mirrors in the background behind the hands, also clocks with black and burgundy modern designs (which are my personal favorite), but these modern stylistic designs that are available to choose from to match your home décor come in many tones and colors. Sometimes you can find the best hanging clocks in the homes department of your local department store.

Other Home Clocks:

In addition to round clocks are clocks of all shapes and sizes, which include every style you could possibly imagine, abstract, vintage, modern, etc.

These can be found in many different designs, shapes, colors and backgrounds. They can be made of materials ranging from plastics to wood to stainless steel etc. They are not always round in shape, but they are almost never digital. I have seen wall hanging clocks in the kidney shape, in Picasso-like shapes, in the shapes of octagons etc.

Kid’s clocks:

Kids home clocks can come in plain, circular shapes, square shapes or more modern shapes, with popular designs for kids rooms, such as Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck clocks.

Teenager’s clocks:

Clocks for your teen’s room come in many shapes and styles as well, and are designed especially for teenagers with the more in-style designs for that age group, for example: football designs or horses or dancers.

What I recommend for kitchen clocks are round clocks with hands and white backgrounds (or another solid color, if you choose) that are stenciled or painted in the background with a design that matches your kitchen perfectly. Some such clocks you can just find by going out and shopping, others will need to be custom made. My kitchen clock I purchased with a painted design of ivy in a circling the edge of the plain, round, white clock to match my ivy curtains, my ivy plant, and the ivy stencil on the wall.

Digital home clocks:

Most people use digital home clocks as their alarm clocks. Get a digital home clock with a snooze button (I need one), and that is easy to useyou do not want to be late for work because your alarm clock was not set right.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on home clocks and other decor please visit Decorative Clocks.

Established in 1976, Gehring L.P. launched its North American operations in Farmington Hills, Michigan. The 50,000 square foot facility provides a full service machine tool operation, engineering and assembly of custom precision honing machines, comprehensive research and development services, contract honing services, tooling re-work services, a highly skilled team of service technicians, spare parts and in-house manufacturing of super-abrasives by another Gehring Group member, Diato L.P.

After a six-month implementation Gehring L.P. went live on Encompix, the nation’s leading ETO (Engineer-to-Order) ERP system. The implementation or champion team was comprised of eight representatives from each department, including both end-users and managers. As with most successful implementations, the president was heavily involved and committed to the project’s success.

Adrian Mitrea was the project manager for the Encompix implementation. According to Mitrea, “We are seeing a streamlining of our processes with better communication between departments. Our people can see the whole process and not just their piece. They now understand the effect their work has on downstream operations, and we now have the discipline to make things happen the right way. This is a direct result of having a single, integrated system.”

Encompix (www.encompix.com) has filled the manufacturing software requirements of Engineer-to-Order companies since 1992. The company name reflects the commitment to developing business application solutions that encompass the complex areas of project-based and job-based manufacturing. Encompix provides ETO manufacturers with a competitive advantage by improving bottom line results.

According to TR Cutler, spokesperson for the ETO Institute (www.etoinstitute.org), “This Gehring implementation is indicative of the type of efficiency process many ETO manufacturers are completing to stay competitive in a global economy.”

Encompix www.encompix.com Roger Meloy 513-733-0066

# # #

Here are some of the memorable things people have said to me since I started my
business in 1992. And, yes, all of the quotes are true.

“Paying these royalties is a real hassle.”

> Comment: You can’t judge a book publisher by the cover.

“I know that you’re a much better speaker, and that your content is better, your
materials are better, and even your fee is lower, but I decided to use a seminar
company from out of state because my boss will approve it without asking any
questions.”

> Comment: That explains why sometimes you find yourself in a really terrible
seminar.

“I save all the invoices in a drawer and every four months or so I go through the
stack and approve them.”

> Comment: I bet she would go ballistic if her paycheck were ten minutes late.

“Okay, in your case we’ll make an exception and pay you on time.”

> Comment: Here’s another person who fails to understand how business works.

“Instead of hiring a speaker we decided to spend our money on an ice sculpture.”

> Comment: I suppose it’s more important to watch ice melt than learn something.

“I want you to send me a proposal with complete descriptions of all of your
workshops, a resume, your client list for the past five years, a dozen testimonial
letters, and a fee schedule. I’ve got 21 proposals so far and I want to collect 25.”

> Comment: If I were this man’s boss, I’d fire him for being a public nuisance. (And I
did not submit a proposal.)

“If she had wanted to act on your proposal, she would have returned your calls.
Duh!”

> Comment: Every vendor is also a customer, and in this case I responded to their
rudeness by transferring my phone service to another company. Cost to them: over
$1,200 per year.

“What do you charge to speak for 54 minutes?”

> Comment: The same that I charge for 55 minutes. And 53 minutes.

“Now that we have your workbook, we’ll use one of our staff to conduct the
workshop.”

> Comment: Let me know when you start so I can call my attorney.

“You asked too many questions. You’re not supposed to figure out that this is
illegal.”

> Comment: We never ask too many questions. (And I only work with ethical
companies.)

Steve Kaye helps leaders hold effective meetings. He is an IAF Certified
Professional Facilitator, author, and speaker. His meeting facilitation and
leadership workshops create success for everyone. Call 714-528-1300 for
details. Visit http://www.stevekaye.com for a free report.

Spending money - it feels good. If you are honest with yourself, you will agree with me. There is something about walking into a store and buying what your heart desires. I am not talking about high-end fashion items such as Chanel or Gucci. Even going into Home Depot on a nice day and buying plants and mulch to landscape your garden feels great.

Now imagine being a college student with no job and no credit and being offered a credit card. I was issued a credit card when I was 19. I walked into the university book store to buy my $5.99 used philosophy book and walked out with an MBNA credit card with a $500 limit. It felt pretty good. This has been going on for years. I did not even know what a FICO Score was and yet, I was on my way to building my credit file.

Fortunately, I have always been a spend thrift and as such as I did not run into the nearest Saks Fifth Avenue store and blow my credit on a pair of shoes. Fast forward a few years later and my sister is attending my alma mater. She gets the same credit card and runs to the nearest mall before her signature ink is dry. This woman loves to shop. She lives for it.

It is estimated that 80% of college students have at least one credit card. The average undergraduate student with a credit card has about $2700 in credit expenses. Whether or not this factoid comes as a surprise, it is true that Finance 101 does not teach students about the concept of “Credit” and how it will impact their future lives. Like most people, I did not know what a credit report or FICO score was until I embarked on the home buying journey.

Our credit follows us everywhere we go. When college graduates venture into the corporate world, many will be surprised to know that potential employers make inquiries against job applicant’s credit file during the due diligence process. It is a means of determining whether an employee is so desperate for money that they would harm the company by acting inappropriately.

Whether you have poor credit or need to build credit, here are 5 steps to improve your credit score:

Get a credit card with a limit of $500 to $1000.
Do not max out your credit limit when you purchase items. This is a sign that you are spending beyond your means.
Pay off your monthly credit balance on time - always!
Keep a credit card, if you have a strong credit history with them.
Do not open too many lines of credit. This is a red flag that you may be robbing peter to pay paul.

Following these 5 steps will ensure an excellent credit status. For more information on how your FICO Score is calculated, go to www.poorcreditgenie.com.

The author is the owner of the information-rich website http://www.poorcreditgenie.com. The website offers free advice on how to rebuild credit and manage debt. The site also features numerous articles and news stories on credit report, credit cards and bankruptcy.

The cigar wrapper isn’t just one more component to a cigar — it carries the majority of the cigar’s flavor and nearly all of its aesthetic appeal. In fact, publications like The Cigar Encyclopedia and Cigar Aficionado suggest that the wrapper is responsible for 60% or more of the cigar’s flavor and value. With more diverse wrappers being released than ever before, getting a handle on their styles and terminology has never been more important. Fortunately, comprehending these subtleties is easy with a little effort. The following ten points will help you understand, identify and discuss the majority of cigar wrappers available today.

1. The Concept of Veins:

When blind tasting a cigar, aficionados will look at the veins in the wrapper. In the case of shade grown wrappers, the smaller and smoother these veins are, the higher the tobacco leaf quality. The wrapper should be appropriately thick and have an oily feel — suggesting that it is not dried out or brittle. As a rule, cigar wrappers are aged for at least a year or two, and the longer they age the smoother they will smoke.

2. Understanding Shade Grown vs. Sun Grown:

Tobacco plants that are grown specifically for wrappers beneath a shaded tent are called Shade Grown. The reason these leaves are grown in the shade is to keep their surface smoother and prevent the veins from becoming too large. Leaves grown directly in the sun, after all, are forced to become resilient to the heat and grow thick with more veins. In contrast to Shade Grown wrappers, tobacco grown in direct sunlight, called Sun Grown, produces a thick, dark wrapper. If grown correctly, Sun Grown wrappers will have more sweetness.

3. American Market Standard (AMS) Wrappers:

Once popular in the United States, these wrappers are light green and have a sour characteristic. They are sometimes referred to as Candela, Jade and Double Claro. Because of the off-color and sourness, they are out of favor with today’s tastes.

4. English Market Standard (EMS) Wrappers:

The English Market Standard has roots that go back to the 19th century and is the benchmark for most cigar wrappers manufactured today. It includes the term Claro, Colorado and Natural (in ascending order from lighter to darker). Wrappers in this group are grown in Cuba, Cameroon and Connecticut.

5. Why are Two Countries Sometimes Referenced?

As the number of creative cigar makers grow, experimenting with growing different tobacco seeds in different regions is becoming more common. It is not unusual to find a wrapper labeled Dominican Sumatra, or Ecuadorian Connecticut. In the case of Dominican Sumatra, it means that the seeds from Sumatran tobacco have been transplanted to Ecuador and grown there. The first country is always the place in which the wrapper was grown, and the second country is the origin of the seed.

6. Sumatra:

Sumatra wrappers are grown in Indonesia and typically carry a milder, more neutral flavor. They are dark brown with a hint of spice and a sweet aroma.

7. Connecticut Shade Wrappers:

Perhaps the silkiest wrappers around, Connecticut Shade wrappers are recognizable for their light, golden brown color. They are mild and have remarkably unobtrusive veins. For more flavor, look for the seed grown in Honduras or the volcanic soil of Ecuador.

8. Broadleaf Maduro:

This sun grown leaf is grown in Connecticut, Honduras, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Brazil. As to be expected from the Maduro method, it is very dark with rich, sweet flavors and aromas. Though the wrapper will be thick and veiny, a well crafted one will have a texture like velvet.

9. Claro:

These are synonymous with Jade wrappers. They are light in color and can even be a bit green. Becoming harder and harder to find, they are mild with a hint of sourness.

10. Cameroon:

African-raised Cameroon wrappers are becoming increasingly popular among cigar makers, who are developing an appreciation for their spicy flavor and sweet aromas. They are dark brown and can be found in cigars made by Alec Bradley, Arturo Fuente, and La Aurora, among others.

To be sure, you will recognize many of the above terms from your experience with cigars to date. They are commonly used as part of a cigar’s name, and frequently referenced by cigar merchants and magazines. Now that you are equipped with this arsenal, you can more freely explore the wide range of tastes, aromas and visual aesthetics available in cigars, and perhaps more accurately describe your preferences. For those of you that are interested in exploring cigars for the first time, selecting several smokes that each embody one of the concepts above is a fun and educational starting point!

Tynan Szvetecz is an editor for http://www.whatsknottolove.com, an online cigar boutique that is helping bring the feel of your local cigar shop to the internet. It features unique cigars as well as cigar tips, cigar culture advice and cigar accessories.

In an increasingly wireless world, there are lots of places where you can connect your laptop to the internet when you are out and about. These places are called “hotspots,” and if you know where to find them, you may never want to go home again.

How To Find Public Hotspots

The first place to look for hotspots is big public institutions. Libraries are increasingly offering wireless access. And, if you’re a student, chances are that your campus is already wireless-enabled, or will be soon.

Searching Out Private Hotspots

The private sector, though, is the real growth area in wireless hotspots. Businesses are falling over themselves to provide free internet access to their customers. Cafes, hotels and airports are all starting to offer wireless access to anyone nearby. All you need to bring is a wireless ready laptop.

You may wonder how it benefits businesses to offer free wireless internet access. They are willing to pay the minimal cost in exchange for the new customers it brings in, especially in areas where internet access is hard to find. Customers see wireless access as a big added value, and they vote with their feet and wallets for places that provide it.

Tracking Down The Hotspots

Even though there are thousands of hotspots, they don’t advertise this service well. Doing an internet search for hotspots in your town could really surprise you. In a town of any size, it would be surprising if there weren’t lots of hotspots to choose from.

There are plenty of websites you can go to to find hotspots. The most comprehensive, though, is generally thought to be JiWire.com. Or you can type your zip code into Yahoo Maps and choose ‘WiFi Hotspots’ from the menu on the right of the screen.

Can’t be bothered with all this? Then just look for a Starbucks. They are everywhere, and almost all of them offer wireless internet access. Borders and Kinko’s are also good places to try. Failing that, just ask at a place of your choice.

Not All Hotspots Are Free

Some of the larger hotspot networks require a small fee to a wireless Internet Service Provider to use them. You usually buy a prepaid card where the access is offered — it’s easy and affordable. If you want to save your money, just stick to the smaller, independent places.

Get Your Own Free Hotspot Software

If you like visiting hotspots, you might be interested in an easier way to find them. Just download and install hotspot locator software on your computer. This software has a database of known hotspots that you can search at any time, whether you’re online or offline. Just type in a zip code or the name of the town, and the software will give you a list of the nearest hotspots, sorted by distance from you. Each time you make an Internet connection, the software downloads the latest hotspot list, to keep your database current. How cool is that?

This hotspot locator software is available free from hotspot provider sites. T-Mobile Hotspot, for example, at: http://www.tmobile.com/hotspot.

Visit Wireless Internet for more info. Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer. Copyright 2005 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact.

Researches in medical science have been in development since the early existence of mankind. Since ancient times medical treatments have undergone huge advancement in the type of remedial options practiced for the cure of existing ailments in human body. The latest development in medical science is the use of stem cells for restoration of health. Stem cells in general term refers to the fertilized human embryo that has an ability to develop into any other 220 types of cells present in an adult human body. There is also another from of stem cell which is a particular cell found in every adult or even a child. This adult stem cell is supposed to be capable of generating a specific type of new cells that are required for the person suffering from any cell degeneration disease. While the later type of stem cell i.e. cells from adults hardly raise any controversial issues the former cells obtained from fertilized human embryo is a topic for hot debate among people with different mind sets.

Men have been suffering from many forms of diseases since the advent of mankind and this has been a cause of great suffering for many people who are unfortunately attacked by some incurable health hazard. The most common diseases being the Alzheimer’s disorder, the Parkinson’s disorder, cancer or the like. Even such life taking physical problems are being advocated to be possible to be cured by the stem cell theory. Hence people in the field of medical advancements strongly support the researches based on stem cell theory. Stem cell advancement has been a light of hope for people suffering from diseases that were supposed to be incurable until now. Medical scientists have done experiments to almost establish the fact that fertilized embryos of human origin can be used for successful treatment of diseases in which the present damaged cells in any person’s body were incapable of regenerating themselves.

While the possible treatment by stem cells has been good news but its origin from a fertilized human embryo has led to hot debates within people of different opinions. A fertilized embryo is often referred to as a living being and harvesting it for the purpose of medicinal use leads to an end of embryonic life. Hence it raises a question of ethics that should one life be sacrificed for saving another. Many people especially certain religious organizations and the Catholics stand very opposed to this form of medical research and have boycotted it since it’s beginning. But for those who are in favor of rearing stem cells defend saying that such researches were carried on embryos that were never meant to develop into humans. Some couples seeking fertility treatment left many fertilized embryos in the laboratories of which at max only one developed to be fit for transplanting into female body only those unused source of fertilized embryos were used for the purpose of research.

Although there are theories that at present no misuse of human fertility is done for harvesting stem cells. But less can be promised today that once using stem cells for successful treatment of degenerating cells is established there will be no case of producing embryo’s specifically for this purpose.

Mansi aggarwal writes about stem cells. Learn more at http://www.stemcelllowdown.com

When selecting carpet, one must consider many aesthetic as well as technical issues; and with over one hundred thousand styles and colors released by manufacturers every year, selecting the carpet that matches your needs can be a daunting task.

Carpet is available in a myriad of textures, constructions, colors and designs, opening the doors to countless interior design possibilities. The combination of color and texture, will compliment the décor of both casual and formal environments, while bringing continuity to the overall design of the rooms.

The most important factor to consider when shopping for carpet is the amount of foot traffic prevalent in the area in which the carpet is to be installed as well as the areas intended use. Carpet construction and texture are the key aspects when selecting a carpet for a specified area and use.

Polyester, nylon and olefin are the most widely used fibers in the manufacture of carpet, each displaying certain inherent characteristics which lend themselves well to distinct applications. Although the most expensive of the fibers, nylon is the softest and most resilient, making it suitable for all rooms in your home, including high traffic areas.

Polyester is less resilient than nylon, but is more cost effective and offers a higher level of stain resistance, making it an attractive option for areas such as bedrooms and dining rooms that are not subject to high foot traffic.

Olefin fibers are solution dyed, resulting in a highly stain resistant carpet that can be cleaned using a bleach and water solution, without the loss of color. Unlike the other fibers, olefin is fade, mold and mildew resistant, resulting in a carpet that performs well in indoor/outdoor areas. Olefin is however not very resilient and therefore should only be considered in a berber construction.

Carpets are available in either a berber or plush construction. Berber carpets are constructed with a continuous level loop, while a plush carpet is constructed of loops that have been sheered, resulting in the strands standing upright.

Berber carpets do not matt and crush, due to their level loop construction; however they are harder underfoot, uncomfortable to sit or lye on, and can be damaged by pets with long nails. Berbers are very well suited to high traffic areas such as walk ways, living rooms and entrance halls, however their hard texture makes them a less attractive option for bedrooms.

Plush carpets are softer to walk on and offer better sound and thermal insulation, however they tend to matt and crush when subjected to heavy foot traffic. The use of a nylon fiber coupled with a tight low pile construction will limit the matting and crushing, due to the resiliency nature of the nylon fiber and the additional support gained from a tight construction.

Carpet warranties range from 5 to 30 years, and as general rule, do not cover stairs and are not transferable. Most warranties require the installation of new carpet padding at the time of installation in order for the warranty to be valid.

Following the manufacturers maintenance instructions and using only approved cleaning chemicals will ensure that your carpet will perform for years and years.

This flooring article was written by Barry H. Get more tips and techniques at: The Flooring Resource.

Ever wondered how the ponds came about in backyards, or have you
ever wondered how you could get a pond in your backyard, yet
feared the cost? Well, to be honest you can landscape your yard
including a pond for less than a few hundred dollars.

The first thing you should do when considering home improvement
is the plans, budget, tools, materials, et cetera. Even a
backyard pond is worth planning, budgeting and considering for
home improvements. Thus, a kit for a smaller pond costs around
fifteen hundred bucks, but doing it your self can save you some
cash.

You will need garden hose, hammer, spade or trowel, pond liner,
leveler, sand, flagstone copingstones, mortar mix, and a good
eye for landscaping. If you are considering a garden landscape
pond, thus this is the most you will need to finish the job,
besides the seeds if you intend to plant real vegetables,
flowers, et cetera.

After you get your tools and materials together, you will need
to get your plan out. By now, you should know the size of pond
you intend to build. You will need to choose a fiberglass liner
shell and the size will depend on the plan laid out.

Note Wildlife critters tend to enjoy outdoor ponds, thus prepare
to have new friends hanging around you home. You will need bug
repellents, since Mosquitoes tend to hand around ponds also
during the summer hours.

If you intend to have critters living in your pond then you will
need filter systems and pumps to help the critters survive,
otherwise you can get by without the tools.

Get prepared because the first step after your plans are in
place is to call your utility providers to find out if the area
chosen is safe for digging. Once you finish your call and verify
that you are on safe grounds, you can begin the digging process.
If you chose a liner the size of 10×10, you are doing ok, since
many liners will fit smaller ponds. Begun digging yet…if so
you will need to dig a hole about eighteen inches to twenty-four
inches deep, and round the area off to fit the fiberglass liner
shell, which resembles a bathtub…after you finish digging and
have the liner in place you can sit the shell down in the hole.

It is important to find a level area for landscaping ponds.
Thus, level grounds makes easier digging, thus the job gets done
sooner. It is also wise to avoid digging and placing the pond in
wooded areas, since obstacles that fall into the pond only
defile the waters. Therefore, if you want to keep your pond
clean, avoid building the bond beneath trees.

Once your pond is finished you will need to refresh the pond
regularly with the garden hose, also if you intend to keep
critters in your pond, rainwater is preferred over tap water.
Now that you are finished, you can start building your garden.

Landscaping is part of improving your home. At what time you
have visitors at your home the first thing they will notice is
the yard, and how it is kept up. Landscaping the yard also
increases the equity of your home. Lenders base their mortgages
on land and home, thus this is part of home improvement that
increases equity. The overall statement is if you decide to take
out a secondary home loan, you will have additional advantages.

By the way, you could pick up some cheap ceramics at yard sales
to enhance the appeal of your new pond. Ceramics such as ducks,
turtles, and people figures with fishing poles, snails, fish,
and other critters will setoff the scenery. You could also find
cheap artificial plants at sales that will enhance the appeal of
your pond.

Tip If you intend to keep fish in your pond, make sure you keep
floating plant life in the pond to provide shade for the
critters and to put a stop to algae buildup. The fish require
freshness to survive.

Conventional heaters broadly fall into three categories, which are radiant heaters, convective heaters and conductive heaters. Technically speaking these are the only three ways for heat to transfer of move from heat generator to their target area. Most of the household heaters are the third type, that is, convective type of heaters.

A Little More Technical Information
To make things simple, Radiant heaters transfer heat even without a medium, that is, through vacuum or air. This is called heat transfer by radiation. The other two types require some form of media like a liquid medium for convective transfer and a solid conductor for heat transfer through conductance. There is nothing much technical about these hard nut terminologies except for their varying efficiencies. Now we know what type of heaters we use in our homes regardless of their make or construction.

What Type of Heater Suits Your Living Room
The earliest masonry heater can take care of your room heating efficiently. Then there are other things to consider like the space and firewood availability, cost of construction, although a one-time expense, and then the maintenance which needs a mason etc.

On the other hand, condos and studio apartments can suffice with electric heaters of around 2KW power placed in rooms you need them. If cleaning of masonry heaters are not for you, this is the better option. These are very friendly to use, silent in working and heat control is through a simple knob.

Portable gas heaters are approved for indoor usages in USA (Canadians may have to wait as this is approved only for outdoor use). There are various safety features like low-oxygen cutoff, safety grill and ‘porcelainized’ reflectors for long life etc. One clear advantage that gas heaters have over electric cousins is their outdoor utility. You don’t need to worry about sound as the burner is housed in a silenced compartment, sufficient for heating 200sft.

You can’t forget the cost factor too. Cost of purchase and running are the main costs if you forgot the maintenance. Electric resistance heaters and halogen heaters are quite affordable and are also durable for home uses.

Heaters for Commercial Uses
Kerosene and diesel heaters are generally designed with commercial uses in mind. Construction sites, workshops and farm houses where huge areas need to be heated. They are made for heavy duty and rugged in construction.

Alan Ross writes and contribute articles on many topics. Be sure to visit Heaters and his other website Home Security For You