Good Reputation For Stainedglass Lamps

Images of the natural world were popular on stained-glass lamps.

The early 20th century was considered a golden age for the manufacture of fine stained-glass lamps for the home. The premier artisan of the time was Louis Comfort Tiffany, a painter and creator of stained-glass windows, who decided to solder bits of leftover glass together to create mini versions of his famed windows. Tiffany's impact on the design society was so great that today stained-glass lamps in general are referred to as Tiffany-style lamps.

Origins

Stained glass had been used in churches since A.D. 1000, but it wasn't until about 1885 that Louis Comfort Tiffany, a painter and stained-glass window designer, began producing stained-glass lamps. Tiffany made the lampshades by fitting hundreds of hand-cut glass shapes, mostly discarded pieces from his stained-glass panels, into lead enclosures at first, then later into enclosures made of copper foil, according the Association of Stained Glass Lamp Artists.

Most early stained-glass lamps were oil or kerosene and had urn-type bases and uncapped shades. Some early Tiffany lamps were gas, but when a chance collaboration with Thomas Edison--the two met while designing the electric lighting for the first movie theater in New York City--inspired Tiffany to create the first stained-glass lamps using the new filament light bulb, many gas models were converted.

Historians estimate the majority of the 100,000-plus Tiffany stained-glass lamps ever made were produced between 1895 and 1920. By 1904, other companies, such as Duffner & Kimberly, Bradley and Hubbard, Handel, Pairpoint and Chicago Mosaic, as well as American Arts and Crafts designers Frank Lloyd Wright and Gustav Stickley, jumped on the stained-glass lamp bandwagon.

With the onset of WWII, the popularity of stained-glass lamps waned, only to experience a revival in the 1960s and '70s that continues to this day.

Styles

Most original stained-glass lamps were created in the French Art Nouveau style of the late 1800s and early 1900s. The Art Nouveau style commonly integrates images of the natural world with bold colors. Some Art Nouveau-style lamp bases were made to look like vines, tree roots or lily pads. Stained-glass lamps created in the Arts and Crafts style, which arose as a counterpoint to Art Nouveau, featured stained-glass shades in geometric patterns, muted colors and squared-off bases made of wood or ceramic.

Composition

Stained glass is made by melding colored enamels to pieces of glass and firing them at high temperatures. Historically, translucent and opalescent stained glass were the two types of glass used to create the original stained-glass lamps. Translucent glass was used to interpret a single image and/or a specific color. Opalescent glass, which was developed and patented by a contemporary of Tiffany, John LaFarge, also a stained-glass artist, was used to produce a multicolor effect.

Designers

Louis Comfort Tiffany is credited with being the first artisan to produce stained-glass lamps. It is said the inspiration for the lamps came when Tiffany realized the immense impact of daylight streaming through colored glass--as with his stained-glass windows--could be re-created using artificial light. Moreover, experts believe Tiffany regarded the lamps as a way to expand his reach beyond churches and public buildings into the homes of average, albeit wealthy, Americans.

Besides Tiffany, American architect Frank Lloyd Wright and furniture designer Gustav Stickley also created stained-glass lamps during the early 1900s. Other makers, such as Duffner and Kimberly, Handel and Bradley and Hubbard, concentrated on making lamps that mimicked the Art Nouveau styles that were wildly popular at the time.

Colors and Patterns

Over a span of 20 years, Tiffany invented four patented types of glass that allowed him to create bolder colors and a wider range of textures. At the height of his popularity, Tiffany had more than 5,000 colors at his disposal.

By 1906, Tiffany Studios offered 125 different patterns of stained-glass lamps. Favorites included the Geometric group, which featured triangles, squares, rectangles and ovals; the Irregular Upper and Lower Border lamps, which had an edge that simulated a branch, tree or shrub; and the Transition to Flowers group, which featured the most recognizable Tiffany patterns: flowers, dragonflies, spiders with webs, butterflies and peacock feathers.

Many of Frank Lloyd Wright's so-called Prairie lamps boasted patterns inspired by the sumac plant, which grew wild near Wright's home in Illinois. Gustav Stickley's Mission-style stained-glass lamps featured colorful geometric patterns and minimalist floral patterns in muted tones of tan, yellow and white.

How Can Appeal Bonds Work

How Do Appeal Bonds Work?

What is an appeal bond?

An appeal bond is a process within the legal system in which the decision of a financial judgment is appealed. Before the case can be appealed, the party that has been deemed to owe the judgment must put up a bond to cover both the cost of the appeal and the original full cost of the judgment.

The purpose of an appeal bond

An appeal bond guarantees that, if the appeal of the original judgment fails, the money to pay that judgment is guaranteed. This process discourages any parties involved from filing for an appeal to stall the court proceedings or waste the court's time.

How satisfy an appeal bond

A bond can be satisfied in two ways. The first is showing proof that you (or someone who will speak for you) has the necessary assets to pay the bond. The second way is for the party to put down a cash deposit equal to the cost of the bond.

Whatever method is used to satisfy the bond, the party, whether it be the principal or a third party, becomes liable for the bond if the appeal process fails.

Purchase A Hungry Howie'S Pizza Franchise

Deciding to buy a Hungry Howie's pizza franchise is a major decision, and one that you shouldn't take lightly. You must have a large amount of capital available and the willingness to do whatever it takes to see your small business make a profit.

Instructions

1. Have the funds. Buying a Hungry Howie's franchise isn't cheap. You must be able to come up with a lump sum of money in the beginning to get your store, and then you must be able to give up a 5 percent royalty fee and a 3 percent advertising fee every year after that. Typically, you can expect to spend $100,000 to $300,000 to get your store opened. On top of that, the company asks that you have a minimum net worth of $150,000 with liquid assets of $50,000.

2. Fill out an application. Before you can buy a franchise, you first have to apply. This application is where you provide information about your past restaurant experience, and your financial statements of net worth.

3. Choose a site. A major part of buying a pizza franchise is finding the right location. You want to find a place that's large enough, and that would draw in a good client base. You need to then customize your site to fit the look of Hungry Howie's.

4. Attend training. When you buy a Hungry Howie's pizza franchise, you also undergo a great deal of training to get you ready for business. You'll learn about management and the product as well as marketing and business basics.

Government Tax Advantages Of Wind & Photo voltaic Energy

Wind energy is one of the most cost effective energy sources.

Investing in alternative energy for your home is an effective way to lower your energy costs and receive government tax benefits. While the incentives are reason enough to consider it, it makes sense to find ways to save money. According to a 2008 report from the Center for American Progress, energy costs make up a significant portion of Americans' monthly expenses, with low-income families paying up to 20 percent for heating oil in fiscal year 2006. The continued dependence on fossil fuels for energy will mean persistent increases in home energy costs. Wind and solar power offer reasonable alternatives.

Federal Tax Credits for Consumer Energy Efficiency

Under the Federal Tax Credits for Consumer Energy Efficiency program, individuals can qualify for tax credits for up to 30 percent of the cost of installing residential small wind turbines or a solar energy system. The latter includes solar panels or solar water heaters. There is no upper limit to the tax benefit. Therefore, consumers can invest in the most efficient equipment for their energy needs. The credit applies to units placed into service in 2009. Consumers should keep all their receipts and obtain a Manufacturer's Certification Statement. This certification is available from the manufacturer of your equipment. It is a testament to the fact that your purchase qualifies for the tax credit.

Production Tax Credit

The Production Tax Credit is available for consumers using wind energy as a source of electricity, with an income tax credit of 2.1 cents/kilowatt-hour. For the average home, energy consumption averages 10,000 kilowatt-hours per year. A 10-kW wind turbine could fulfill the annual energy needs for a typical household. The Production Tax Credit then, provides significant tax savings for the consumer.

State Production Tax Credits

Following the lead of the federal government, a few states such as Iowa have their own Production Tax Credit program in place. The Iowa Wind Energy Production Tax Credit provides 1 cent per kilowatt-hour of electricity of state income tax credit. There is no minimum size required for the wind turbine; however, approval by the county board of supervisors is required. The incentive program has an upper limit on monies allocated for funding.

Modified Accelerated Cost- Recovery System

The Modified Accelerated Cost-Recovery System depreciation method is a federal tax program which allows businesses to declare the depreciation of equipment for wind projects. Some states have similar programs. If you are a business which uses wind power for business purposes, consult your tax professional to see which tax incentives you may qualify for.

So How Exactly Does The Stock Market Modify The Economy

The stock exchange helps businesses raise money to fuel growth.

The stock exchange is a financial marketplace whose role in the economy is primarily to help businesses finance their operations. Economic growth and development depend in part on securing the necessary financing to fund growth. As a result, businesses secure investor financing through the stock exchange. Among its most important effects, the stock exchange contributes to economic efficiency by encouraging productive money use by mediating the transfer of capital between investors and businesses, fueling business activity and financing growth.

Long-term

Business may have long-term financing needs that might be funded by issuing stock or bonds through the stock exchange. Long-term financing is similar to a long-term loan used to make a large purchase. For a business, a large purchase may include large assets such as machinery or a building. Long-term financing might be necessary to secure the future success and continued operation of the business.

Short-term

Unlike long-term financing, businesses may have short-term financing needs. Raising money for short-term needs can also occur through the stock exchange, where a business may issue short-term debt investments like commercial paper, money markets and short-term bonds. Short-term financing is commonly used to fund salaries and keep the business operating.

Growth

Growth fueled by investor money and confidence helps a business expand into new markets, create new jobs and contribute to the growth of GDP. In turn, the derivative benefits of business growth like employment creation help fuel consumption once people are employed and enjoy a stable financial outlook. This employment and consumption cycle encourages sustained economic activity and stability.

Accountability

The stock exchange promotes good corporate governance through investor scrutiny. When investors buy stocks or bonds in a particular company, the company becomes accountable to the investor, who is now a shareholder in the company. Investors put their money into a particular company's stock because they believe the company is well managed, will be profitable, and therefore may likely make money off the investment. If investors believes the company is no longer likely to be profitable, they may always sell their stock and put the money into another company with a more favorable outlook. This accountability encourages good corporate practices such as financial reporting and bookkeeping, which helps keep the economy stable.

Downturns

Stock exchange activity may indicate the level of business activity in the economy. During an economic downturn, such as a recession, investors might decide that the financial outlook for a particular company is not likely to be profitable. As a result, investors either sell their stock to get their money back to invest in other companies or simply hold on to it until the recession passes. A loss of investor confidence during downturns may limit the amount of money that companies can access for their growth. Without financing, company growth and operations slow or stop altogether. To counter the slowing of financing, companies sometimes cut expenses such as jobs or benefits, or they may close. As a result, the companies' employees may be unemployed and with little or no income for the short or medium term.

Create A Payroll Check

Payroll checks consist of two sections: the check and a payroll stub. Most businesses use payroll software to make a payroll check. Very small businesses that have only a few employees sometimes find writing payroll checks by hand is more cost effective. Either way, if you run a business, you need to know make a payroll check as part of properly managing your labor costs.

Instructions

1. Total the employee's gross pay for the pay period. Total the employee's hours and multiply by his pay rate. Any overtime hours (in excess of 40) must be paid at 1 1/2 times the regular pay rate. Enter regular and overtime hours and pay in the appropriate spaces on the pay stub. Total any other compensation (excluding nontaxable items such as mileage reimbursements) and enter on the pay stub. Add up the regular pay, overtime and additional compensation. This is the gross pay.

2. Use the employee's W-4 information to figure federal income tax withholding allowances. To calculate federal taxes to be withheld, you will need the instructions and tax tables for the current year. These are provided in IRS Publication 15 (Circular E).

3. Calculate other taxes to be withheld from the employee's gross pay. In addition to income tax, you must withhold Social Security and Medicare taxes. Publication 15 tells you calculate these taxes. In 41 states as of 2009, you also must deduct a state income tax. And some cities have a local income tax. Use the state (or local) instructions to compute these deductions. You can get instructions from your state Department of Taxation or Revenue.

4. Compute any other payroll deductions. These come in a variety of forms. If you have a health insurance plan and the employee pays part of the cost, this normally is deducted from payroll checks. There also might be contributions to a savings or profit-sharing plan.

5. Make a payroll check by filling out the check and payroll stub. The paycheck is completed like any other check. Enter the employee's name, the date, amount of the check in long form (words) and figures in the appropriate spaces. Include the dates of the pay period and sign the check. Payroll stub forms vary in their format. In most cases, all of the above information must be entered. Complete any "Year-to-Date" (YTD) sections by adding amounts from the current pay period to the previous pay period's YTD figures. This stub remains with the paycheck and is given to the employee for his records.

So How Exactly Does The Federal Government Hand Out Grants or loans

When to Apply

Since most government grants are not available year round, a grant seeker must apply when a particular grant program is announced by a government agency. When funds are made available, the agency places an announcement in the Federal Register, which is published each weekday. Federal grant announcements are also published on agency websites, many of which now allow grant seekers to submit grant applications electronically. In addition, those in search of grant funds can check out the government's Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance for more information on specific grants.

Funding for Businesses and Special Projects or Programs

While the Federal government gives out more than $150 billion in grants each year, in many cases, the money is distributed to individual states, which then redistribute the funds to businesses and programs, which will in some way benefit the public. Seeking a government grant requires a lot of time with no guarantee that the organization or individual applying will receive the grant. If grant monies are awarded, all grant funds must be spent exactly as described in the grant application.

Submitting an Application

Grant projects approved by the government begin to be announced once the Federal budget has been approved. At that time, eligible individuals or organizations may then apply for a specific grant that has been announced to the public. The grant announcement will specify how applicants can apply, where to get an application packet and the deadline date on which the application is due. In order to qualify to apply for a particular grant, the applicant must meet the grant's eligibility requirements. Instructions on apply will include how funds received from the grant may be used, specific information to be included on the application and the reporting methods expected from grant recipients. When submitting an application, those seeking funds must develop goals for use of the funds to be detailed in the application, along with a time frame for the steps of a proposed project or program to be completed. Failure to complete a project or program on time and in the manner specified in the grant proposal can result in serious penalties.

Grant Recipients

Even though the Federal government traditionally awards grant monies to government agencies and other community organizations that help those in need, a good deal of funding is provided to the nation's states, counties or cities to distribute as block grants to other charities and social service agencies planning projects, which will benefit communities at large. In these cases, the governmental body redistributing the grant money is responsible for conducting annual audits and may set its own guidelines and regulations for use of the funds. But no matter how grant funds are allocated, grant recipients must follow strict requirements throughout the duration of the program or project, clearly accounting for all expenses.

So How Exactly Does The Gdp Affect A Country'S Economy

The GDP can affect the decisions business owners make.

Gross domestic product (GDP) measures the value of a country's overall goods and services at market prices, without including income from abroad. In the U.S., for example, GDP figures are released quarterly. Although the GDP gauges the economy's health, it can also have either a positive or negative effect on the economy. Because of its importance, financial analysts and government officials pay close attention to the GDP.

Business Planning

Businesses use the GDP as a planning tool to decide whether they will expand or contract in the coming year. If the GDP has grown since the last year, a company may take the growth as a positive sign and hire more employees, build a new factory or purchase more raw materials for production. Conversely, when the GDP shrinks, firms may not focus on expanding their operations. Instead, many will concentrate on survival.

Changes in Currency Values

When a country releases its GDP data, its currency can appreciate or depreciate as a result. Let's say that the U.S. releases its GDP for the past year, and the GDP has risen since the last time the data was published. It will likely take more of a foreign currency--for example, the British pound--to buy fewer U.S. dollars. If the U.S. GDP shrinks in comparison to the previous year, it will generally cost fewer British pounds to buy more U.S. dollars.

Government Policies

As the GDP measures economic performance, governments watch it closely. A low GDP will cause a government to embark on a different economic policy, one which will boost economic performance. If, on the other hand, the GDP rises from the previous year, the government will propose policies to maintain economic growth, but will also seek to prevent inflation.

Interest Rate Changes

Rising or shrinking GDP also affects interest rates. The interest rate refers to the amount of money charged for loans. In the U.S., the Federal Reserve sets the basic interest rates. If the GDP rises, it means the economy has grown. GDP growth also means that people are spending more money to purchase goods on the market. To prevent inflation, the Federal Reserve will raise the prime interest rate, making the supply of money scarcer. When the GDP shrinks, the Federal Reserve often lowers the interest rate, making it easier to borrow money and encouraging expenditures.

So How Exactly Does Our Planet Receive Warmth In The Sun

How Does the Earth Receive Heat From the Sun?

How the Sun Produces Heat

The sun is a giant ball of gas floating in outer space. As you've probably learned from science class, the planets in our solar system revolve around the sun.

Not only does Earth have the sun to thank for keeping it on the right course, the sun also warms the Earth. Without its heat, we wouldn't be able to live on our planet. The cold of outer space would be too much for our bodies to survive.

The sun makes this heat from nuclear reactions that give off energy, or heat. It turns hydrogen into helium, and light is created. The temperature of the sun is in the millions, and we would burn up before we even got close to it.

How the Earth Receives the Sun's Heat

The heat comes to the Earth in the form of UV rays the sun gives off. The reactions in the sun create light and heat, filtering through the Earth's atmosphere to us.

The distance the Earth is from the sun and the protection of its atmosphere are what keep the sun's rays from burning us alive. This is the reason so many people are afraid of global warming. They believe that the ozone layer, which blocks much of the sun's harmful rays, is slowly thinning and letting more heat in. Thus temperatures around the world are rising, and if our ozone layer became too thin, we wouldn't be able to survive.

The delicate balance between heat and cold that the sun and Earth work together to create are what sustain such a fragile life form as the human race.

Benefits and Dangers of the Sun to the Earth

The sun's heat benefits us with the warmth to stay alive, and it also gives us light during the day to see by. Did you know the sun also gives us light at night as well? The moon has no light of its own; it simply reflects the sun's light off it to reach us. So its light never truly disappears.

But there are dangers from the sun as well. Sunburn is a common problem that is caused by too much exposure to the sun's harmful rays. It can lead to skin cancer as well as premature aging. The possible thinning of the ozone layer, as previously mentioned, is also a real danger if it gets so thin that we cannot survive the Earth's rising temperatures.

But for now the sun is our greatest ally, keeping us warm and comfortable even though it's around 93 million miles away.

So How Exactly Does Self Storage Work

The Need

Sometimes people have too much stuff and not enough storage, or they just need to move some stuff out of their house for a short period of time. That's where self-storage comes in. These facilities are usually relatively large and fenced. You can generally come and go as you like, as long as it's during business hours.

The Process

When you sign up for self-storage, you get assigned a space based on the size of your need. These can be anywhere from a small walk-in sized closet to something large enough to store an RV. You sign a lease, much like renting an apartment, and you are given the codes necessary to enter the building or facility. Usually you are told to bring your own lock; that way not even the self-storage management can get in.

Loose Pieces of Information

Self-storage facilities have to carry large insurance policies that cover everyone's stuff in case the place burns down or is robbed. The lease you sign for your space usually waives a lot of your rights to sue, but it is up to the facility to ensure the security of your stuff from both fire and theft. The management will cut your lock off if they HAVE to get in to your locker (if they believe there's something dangerous in there like a bomb or something catches fire).

Accept All Foreign currencies & Inspections

Accepting all currencies and checks can help you expand your business.

As a merchant, selling products in multiple currencies can help open your business to the global market. Vendors who sell online may wish to accept different currencies. However, vendors who work in major international cities, such as New York, may also find it worth their while to accept foreign checks and currencies in person. By exploring several processes, you can make your business profitable around the globe.

Instructions

1. Set up a PayPal account. If you primarily do business online, a PayPal account can help you accept multiple currencies and convert them to your home currency for easy transfer to your bank. Therefore, your customers pay in one currency and you get paid in another. Options include currencies from the dollar (U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore), the Euro and the pound to more exotic currencies, such as Philippine pesos and Taiwan New Dollars.

2. Talk to your bank. By setting up a merchant account with a major international bank such as HSBC or Chase, you increase your chances of being allowed to deposit checks in foreign currency on a regular basis. If you choose to accept foreign checks, make sure that you always request at least two forms of identification, as well as contact information, should there be any problem with the check later on.

3. Set up a credit card merchant-services account. By working with a company like Merchant Express, your customers can pay in their native currency using their credit card, but you will charge them (and thus be paid) in dollars, allowing you to transfer money to your account without paying heavy conversion fees.

Begin A Hotel Business In India

Starting a Hotel Business in India

India is a great tourist destination as well as commercial hub; this makes it a most lucrative nation for a hotel business. The cultural-regional diversity and abundance of natural as well as man-made resources along with cities, towns, and hill stations well connected with transportation attracts multinational visitors from across the globe, providing opportunities for new hotels throughout India.

Instructions

1. Determine the type of business your want to attract: tourists or corporate. Determine the location where your hotel might best succeed. If you want a hotel that caters to vacationers then consider popular tourist destinations such as hill stations (high altitude resorts); Delhi, the nation's capital; in a desert area like Rajasthan, or south India, Maharashtra, Goa, Daman or Diu. A hotel can flourish very well in Mumbai which is both a commercial hub as well as a tourist location.

2. When selecting the location consider logistics. For better customer service, the hotel should be near a railway station, bus stand or airport and shopping. If you would like to have a location that is away from the city center then make sure it is well connected to a major city through convenient transportation.

3. Evaluate the space you'll need. A hotel with 70- to 120-rooms would require an area of approximately 10,000 to 60,000 square feet. This area also depends on if you are constructing a 3-star or 4-star hotel. For a 100 room 5-star hotel, you should have a land of up to 100,000 square feet with the room size averaging 220-280 square feet. For more details see Reference 1.

4. Hire an architect and engineer who would plan the layout of the hotel. You should have an interior designer or consultant who could guide you through the most intricate aspects of the business and attract clients. You can hire a local builder or a company that can provide all the services of planning layout, designing and interior decoration. There are various sources to find these experts through media advertisements, online websites etc.

5. Arrange the loans from the banks. Both the private as well as nationalized banks are ready to give loans. Keep in mind that 30 per cent of the capital you are investing should be your money while rest you can borrow from the bank. [See Reference 1 for details]

6. Hire an agency to get the market survey conducted regarding the business prospects within a 2-10 km radius. An agent could make an analysis of the average market share within the prescribed area and the trends and social life of the prospective clients.

7. Conduct a market survey to compute the rates existing in the hotel industry in the area. Fix rates of the rooms less than your competitors' yet provide quality rooms and services. Market survey can be conducted on your own or through an agent.

8. Obtain licenses. Most of these require renewal process every year. The most important licenses are for lodging, water and sewage, liquor, food, etc. You'll need a license from the Pollution Control Board and one for live performances, if you have entertainment. Check with local officials to make sure you have all your licenses in order, from elevator operation to fire codes. [For more details see Reference 1]

9. Get the necessary equipment for the day to day operation from hotel supply companies that can be found throughout India. There's a list of hotel supply companies that you can find at the India Mart website. [For more details see Reference 2]

10. Hire the staff which includes customer care executive, manager, housekeeper, waiters, sweepers, cleaners and washers. There are many hotel management schools throughout India. The website www.Indiaedu.com provides a list of the top management schools in the country. Most of the senior staff such as hotel managers, senior chefs, and even customer care executives are products of hotel management schools. Junior staff like housekeepers, waiters or sweepers, can be obtained through job placement agencies or by placing an advertisement in newspapers or other local media.

11. Rate your hotel through the Indian Tourism Board, according to the 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, or 5 deluxe star system. For more information see Reference 1.

12. Market your hotel by adopting various promotional means. You can either advertise through all forms of local, national or international media, or eventually through word of mouth.

So How Exactly Does Recycling Aluminum Cans Assist The Atmosphere

Why Recycle Aluminum Cans?

What makes aluminum so different from other metals is that it is a 100 percent recyclable material. Aluminum cans are the most common form of processed aluminum available for recycling, which makes them the focus of the aluminum recycling program. For people who do not recycle aluminum cans on their own, several states have passed laws applying deposits to their aluminum can purchases as incentives for people to recycle. By returning aluminum cans for deposit, the market can count on a certain supply of recycled aluminum for further aluminum production demands. Aluminum can manufacturers want to use recycled aluminum because it takes 95 percent less energy to transform into another aluminum can than it takes to mine the aluminum ore and make a can from scratch.

The Environmental Impact

Because of the 95 percent less energy it takes to transform a recycled can, manufacturers also emit 95 percent fewer production emissions, which has a significant effect on reduced carbon emissions and global warming contributions. This reduces the demand on energy and natural resources needed to manufacture new aluminum cans. Because the cans are recycled, there is a reduced cost in waste disposal from the consumer and industry. The use of deposits also discourages consumers from simply discarding their aluminum cans, so it cuts down on litter and trash along the highways and the streets. If all aluminum cans were recycled, there would be no need for destructive aluminum ore mining because supply would always meet demand. Recycling just 40 aluminum cans has the effect of reducing gasoline consumption by a single gallon.

Recycle Aluminum Cans

Recycling aluminum cans is easy. When they are empty, rinse them out so they are clean and either return them to the store for deposit or recycle them with the rest of your recyclable household materials. If your state has an aluminum can deposit, it is marked on the can and the store charges you that extra deposit amount at the time of purchase. Most facilities that pay deposits do not take crushed aluminum cans. If there is no deposit, crushing the cans saves on storage space until recycled. Most disposal services pick up recycling with the rest of the garbage but may have specific requirements such as certain pickup days and no co-mingling with other recyclables. Other cities have recycling facilities at designated areas, at community transfer stations, or even offer recycling services through the school. Regardless of how aluminum cans are recycled, within 60 days they are back on the shelf as new aluminum cans and ready to repeat the cycle for the next 400 years.

Produce A Multipage Sales brochure

Brochures provide a great deal of information in a small space. Like flyers, they're easy to distribute either through the mail or at designated locations. However, it's possible to include more pertinent information on a brochure with all of its different folded panels. When designing a brochure, it's important to make sure that all of the relevant information makes its way onto the document without it becoming overcrowded. The amount of folds and panels that your brochure has is as much a design consideration as the content of the copy and photographs.

Instructions

Instructions

1. Decide on the copy (written text) that you want to appear in your brochure. The copy doesn't need to be composed essay style or even using full sentences throughout. Fragmented bullet points allow you to present more information within the given space without sacrificing content.

2. Select the style of brochure. There are several different folding techniques that can be used in brochure production, each one resulting in a different design style of the brochure's content. The size of the paper being used (letter, 16- by 9-inch, legal) combined with a specific folding style sometimes results in the need for a larger size envelope when mailing.

3. Sketch a rough design of the brochure's layout. Once you've decided on the copy and the folding style, fold a piece of paper (preferably the same size the brochure will be) into the correct pattern. Map out the different locations of the copy and where images will be inserted. It doesn't have to be an exact rendering of what you want for the finished product, but will give you something to work from later.

4. Find images to use within your brochure. Company logos, location maps and staff photographs are all images that sometimes appear in brochures. Select the most appropriate pictures to be included in your brochure.

5. Select the colors and typefaces for the brochure. The type of font that's used and the color the brochures are printed in shouldn't be an arbitrary decision. The most commonly used typefaces are Arial and Helvetica, so it's best to avoid those. Stick to no more than three different fonts that are aligned the same way throughout all of the panels. Choose colors that complement one another as well as the images that will be used.

6. Draft the brochure onto a computer. As you design the separate panels, save them all together within a single PDF or TIFF file for later printing. The content copy of the brochure should be kept under a 12-point size. Keep the fonts and images within a defined margin on each panel.

7. Present a commercial printer with a PDF copy of the brochure or a finished proof. It's often more cost effective to have brochures printed commercially rather than trying to do it all in-house.

Write An Optimistic Message

Writing a positive message entails understanding your audience and working to convey information clearly.

The primary purpose of a positive message is to give information or good news to the reader or to reassure the reader of something. You always want the reader to understand your message clearly and concisely, and you want to deemphasize any problems or negative elements.

Positive message writing is also about building goodwill between the reader and writer, and about reducing future coorespondence. The more thorough your message, the less back-and-forth that has to occur once the message is delivered. The steps below will help you frame your positive message for the business setting.

Instructions

Steps to Writing a Positive Message

1. Give any good news and summarizes the main ideas in the introduction of the letter.

Deliver positive news immediately to hook the reader. Include details such as the date policies begin and the percent of a discount if writing about a business change that benefits a customer or client. If the reader has already raised the issue, make it clear you are responding to their message by mentioning it up front.

2. Give concrete details, clarification, and background. Avoid repeating information from the first paragraph; instead, go deeper into the issue by outlining the specifics of the change or the news. Answer all the questions your reader is likely to have in your initial message. This involves anticipating what questions a responder might ask. Present these specifics in the order of importance to the reader.

3. Present any negative elements as positively as possible, and try to do so in the same paragraph as the positive elements. Presenting negative facts on their own in a separate paragraph causes them to become a feature of the letter, so couple them with positive facts if possible. A policy or new benefit may have limits, or information about the change may be incomplete at this time. Likewise, there may be a catch or some action the reader must take. Make these negatives clear and thorough, but present them as positively as you can.

4. Establish a goodwill ending. The conclusion of the message should be positive, personal, and forward-looking. Make sure to highlight the benefits the reader is gaining and the positive nature of the situation. Make it clear that serving the reader is your number one priority.

5. Proofread thoroughly by printing and reading aloud. You can use the dictionary to look up any words that are misspelled, and use the thesaurus to revise repetition or vague terms. Finally, go back to the computer and make the necessary changes before printing and sending or emailing the message.

So How Exactly Does Offset Printing Work

How Does Offset Printing Work?

Brief History of Offset Lithography

Offset printing provides sharper, cleaner reproductions than the letterpress (because the process reproduces at higher resolutions) and is less expensive than rotogravure printing (an even higher resolution but a much more costly printing process).

A German named Alois Senefelder first demonstrated lithographic printing on a smooth-faced, flat and porous rock in the late 1700s. Aware that oil and water do not mix, he sketched a design on polished stone with a greasy substance the rock absorbed. When he dampened the stone's surface, the design area repelled the water and when he rolled ink over the entire surface of the stone, the ink stuck to his design, but not to the dampened blank area. Pressing a sheet of paper to the stone created a clean image of the design.

Fifty years later, the French-developed the steam lithographic press and by the 1950s, lithographic offset printing had become the printer's process of choice for both high-volume web and lower-volume sheet-fed printing.

Offset Printing Plates

Modern lithography combines photography with Senefelder's original use of oil to repel water. Various manufacturers offer printers offset printing plates made of "photo sensitive" thin paper, plastic (photo polymer) or thin metal. They sensitize their plates by coating them with photo polymer or a diazo compound, making them ready for the printer to expose to light--like photographic film. Most printers use pre-sensitized aluminum sheets with a grain or granular finish that imparts water-carrying properties to the aluminum.

The Pre-Press Process

The pre-press process begins with the preparation of camera-ready copy. Camera-ready copy can consist of "paste ups" (also called "mechanicals"), created in-house or provided by the client or as digital data (files created in a graphic design program), and again created by the printer or the client.

The printer creates film negatives (or positives) of the mechanicals or data file. The printer then makes the printing plate by exposing it to light filtered by the film. Light passes through the clear areas of the negative, where it hits the polymer, which hardens as a result, and bounces off the negative's dark areas, leaving the underlying polymer unhardened. That unhardened polymer washes away during processing, an automated process not unlike developing a photograph, to expose the water-receptive aluminum plate. After processing, the printing plate is ready for the printing press.

Implementing the Offset in "Offset" Printing

The pressman mounts the printing plate on a cylinder. As the press runs, the mounted plate first rolls under a water roller, which wets it. The damp plate then moves under the ink rollers where the image area accepts the ink. Still rotating, the inked plate leaves its image on the "offset" blanket and heads back to the water to repeat the process. The "offset" blanket, in turn, transfers its image to the paper, completing the offset portion of the process. After the paper leaves the rollers the printer lets--or forces via a "heat" section built into the press--the ink dry. The printer cuts, trims and binds, if required, before packaging and delivering the finished job to the client.

So How Exactly Does Researching The Market Help Smaller Businesses

Market research is an extremely important part of a company's activity even before the company comes into existence. When attempting to create a new startup company, market research is imperative to determine whether there is a need for the services or products the entrepreneur plans to provide, and if so, how large the need is. All small businesses need to be aware of their market niche, and the strengths they bring to their market; research helps a startup hone in on their niche and tailor their operations toward the market segment that is the most likely to buy their products and services. Even if a startup creates a superb product, they can easily fail if the market in their area does not care for the type of product offered.

After the startup phase, ongoing market research helps small businesses by continually providing feedback that can be used to improve product and service offerings. Existing customers can often provide valuable information with little cost simply by asking them to fill out a survey, or even asking them questions in person. Oftentimes customers will reveal improvements that can be made with simple adjustments, such as an increase or decrease in the size of a product. Whenever a company plans on introducing a new product, surveys and focus groups can help the company tailor the product to fit the desires of potential customers. A product should never go up on a shelf without the knowledge that some people like the product and would be willing to pay money for it.

Apart from the utility research data provides to a company to improve its products and services, market research is also a form of advertisement. Small companies often have low market penetration and visibility, so it is important for them to use any means possible to make potential clients aware of their company. Handing out free samples or running other public promotions is a way for a small company to conduct research while cementing their product in the minds of customers. Successful small businesses thrive on word-of-mouth advertising; conducting highly visible market research is a way to create buzz while gathering useful information.

So How Exactly Does Marine Insurance Work

Coverage

Marine insurance is a lot like any other kind of insurance: It guards against damage to or loss of something of value. It can cover ships, cargo, terminals or ports. It can even cover pipelines and oil platforms.

Protection and Indemnity

This kind of insurance covers any damage to cargo the ship is carrying; it protects the ship's owners from liability resulting from the injury or death of anyone on board the ship; and it covers infrastructure, like piers and bridges, damaged by the ship.

Vessels

The ships themselves are insured with hull insurance. The common clauses in policies cover damage related to fire, collision, sinking and stranding. In collision clauses, the insurance extends to both ships involved.

Cargo

Companies shipping goods internationally have a few options. They can select an open cargo policy, which covers the goods from their departure to their destination, even during land transportation. They can also choose to cover only specific risks (fire, etc.), or all risks. The company may also choose to have the insurance cover only a specific transaction.

Figure Cash Loan Costs

Cash advance fees can vary from bank to bank. There has been a steady increase in bank fees as a result of the new regulation that will take place in 2010. This is one method banks are using to help increase their profitability. You can calculate cash advance fees using an easy technique. Make sure you know exactly how much you are being charged before you get a cash advance. Also the interest rate, for cash advances, is much higher than your rate for purchases.

Instructions

1. Find out what percent you are being charged for a cash advance fee. Banks will typically charge between 3 percent and 5 percent of the transaction amount. When you do a cash advance, there is no maximum fee or cap in place. Therefore your fee will be based on the entire amount calculated. You could incur a minimum fee, such as $10, as well. No matter what amount you receive in cash you will pay at least $10.

2. Get a cash advance from a bank teller. Assume that the fee is 5 percent and you want $2,500. Take the $2,500 and multiply it by 5 percent or .05 to get the answer, ($2,500 x .05 = $125). Your fee will be $125 for this particular transaction. This same transaction can be done in your calculator. Input or key in $2,500 so that it shows in the display. Hit the multiplication key and then hit the 5 key and the percent key. Your answer should show up in your calculator display.

3. Go to an ATM to get a cash advance and you may be charged an additional $1.50 to $2.50 if you use another bank's credit card. You will need your four-digit PIN for this transaction. The fee you receive will depend on the other bank, which is arbitrarily assigned.

4. Review your terms and agreements. The fees you are charged could change but banks are required to give you adequate written notice prior to the change. If your fees increase, you will pay more for your cash advance. When the interest rates on cash advances increase, the amount of finance charges you pay will also increase. Watch out for credit card information that you receive in the mail. Many people think they are receiving junk mail and toss the new information in the trash. If the cash advance percentage does increase, you can perform the same transaction, to find your cash advance using the higher percentage.

So How Exactly Does Getting A Lien On My Small House Affect Me

When you have an outstanding debt, one of the ways that a creditor might try to get the money is by placing a lien on your property. When this happens, it could affect you in a number of ways. Your credit could be damaged and it could cost you more money in the long run.

Encumbrance

When a lien is placed on your home, it is a form of encumbrance you will have to deal with. If you do not repay your creditor within a certain amount of time, the creditor could potentially foreclose on your home. If you sell your home, you will have to repay the lien holder before you can keep any of the money for yourself. You could eventually lose your house over the debt.

Credit Considerations

When a creditor places a lien on your property, it can also affect your credit. Most liens are noted on your credit reports with all three of the major credit bureaus. This means that when you try to obtain additional credit or financing, the lender will see the liens on your credit report. It will be very difficult to obtain additional financing during this time.

Extra Cost

When a creditor places a lien on your property, it could eventually cost you more money. Often, the creditor will charge you interest on the amount of money that you owe until the lien is paid back. This extra interest could add up to a substantial amount of money over the life of the debt. Paying off the debt immediately could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Limits Your Options

When a lien is placed on your property, it also has the potential to limit your options. Since the lien represents an encumbrance on the title to your property, it will have to be repaid with the proceeds from the sale of your house. This means that you may not be able to sell your house or move until after the lien is removed. If you need the equity in your house for a down payment on another house, take care of the lien before selling.

So How Exactly Does Adsense Track Fake Clicks

Advertisers depend heavily on Google's click-based Web advertising programs to grow their businesses, with many spending thousands of dollars annually to attract Web surfers to click on advertisements in Google. As a result, fake clicks, also known in the industry as "click fraud," are a major problem for advertisers who stand to lose significant amounts of money if the invalid clicks aren't detected. Google employs multiple techniques to identify click fraud through its AdSense program.

Background

Google's AdSense program is a pay-per-click advertising models through which advertisers pay a certain amount of money each time a person clicks on an advertisement. The amount paid per click is based on the popularity of the keyword and how frequently the ad is clicked compared to competitors. With Google AdSense, the ads appear on specific Web pages relevant to the ad content. Businesses who advertise through Google depend on the fact that a certain percentage of those people who click on their advertisement will make a purchase.

Click Fraud

Click fraud occurs when someone clicks on an advertisement -- often a large number of times -- without any intention of making a purchase. The intention of this is to make an ad campaign appear more effective than it actually is. Websites that host ads through Google's AdSense program earn a commission each time an ad is clicked, which means that publishers of such websites can repeatedly click on an ad appearing on their website to keep increasing its commission. According to PC Magazine, some websites have paid workers in third-world countries a few cents per hour to sit at a computer and click ads on their websites.

Monitoring

Google monitors clicks on Google AdSense ads to detect unusual activity. The company uses a proprietary technology to detect whether there is any unusual activity intended to drive up an advertiser's clicks. Numerous data points are analyzed on each click, including the IP address of the person who clicked on the ad, the time of the click, duplicate clicks, and other click patterns. If there are "excessively repetitive" clicks, those are filtered out by Google's system. If there are known sources of invalid activity, such as an IP address, those are automatically discarded, according to Google's advertising guide. Advertisers are not charged for clicks that Google determines to be invalid.

Legal Issues

Click fraud is a multi-million dollar annual problem for advertisers. In March 2006, Google agreed to pay a $90 million settlement to a group of its advertisers, including Lane's Gifts & Collectibles, which advertised through Google and headed a class-action lawsuit claiming it was being improperly charged by Google for fraudulent clicks. The lawsuit claimed that Google's technology to detect invalid clicks was not effective. Google has repeatedly said that it's not possible for its automatic filters to catch 100 percent of the invalid clicks, but that a very small number of clicks are fraudulent.

Be Considered A Vendor For Dean & Deluca

Dean & DeLuca specializes in fine food and wines.

Dean & DeLuca was founded by Joel Dean and Giorgio DeLuca in 1977 in New York City. Today it has expanded to include stores in Washington, D.C.; Charlotte, North Carolina; Tokyo; Napa Valley, California; and Kansas City, Missouri. It specializes in specialty food, wine and kitchenware. If you want your product to be sold at Dean & DeLuca, you must begin by applying to become a vendor.

Instructions

1. Call Dean & DeLuca at 800-221-7714. Tell the operator that you wish to talk to someone regarding becoming a vendor. The operator will connect you with a business affairs representative.

2. Ask the business affairs representative to send you a vendor application. Provide him with an e-mail address.

3. Print the vendor application once you have received it. Fill it out completely. Pay close attention to your penmanship and grammar.

4. Ship a sample of your product to Dean & DeLuca with your completed vendor application. The address is provided on the vendor application.

5. Wait to hear back from a Dean & DeLuca representative. She will review your application and sample and determine whether your product is appropriate for the store.

Suggestions For Online Dating User Names & Screen Names

The Internet has opened a new world for social life, whether you are looking for a date or a new friend. To begin this adventure into cyber social space, you need to create an alias. Like your appearance in real life, your screen name makes your first impression. You want it to be positive, but picking an alias isn't always as easy as it sounds.

What is it for?

Think about the Internet setting. People use different screen names for different social environments. The screen name you choose for a work-related site may not be suitable for a social chat room.

Interests and Hobbies

Think about screen names appropriate to the venue and words that reflect your particular interests. For recreational venues, if you like to dance, your screen name might be FoxTrotBob. If you are a motorcycle enthusiast, your alias might be ChopperSue. Along with hobbies and interests, consider your favorites--be it color, style of music or food. Any of these things can be combined into a screen name that will identify you.

Name Generators

If you're still stuck coming up with a screen name, try an online name generator like the one at www.makewords.com. By plugging in a few keywords, the generator will create screen names for you to consider. Don't be discouraged if you pick one and end up not liking it. Chances are, it won't be the only one you'll have.

So How Exactly Does Personal Debt Affect Our Economy

Credit card debt makes up a large percentage of U.S. consumer debt.

The term "consumer debt" refers to debt that is obtained for the purpose of consumption or possession rather than investment. Debt instruments such as credit cards and personal loans can be used for profit-generating purposes, but generally they are used to make unnecessary consumption-related purchases. An increase or decrease in consumer debt in the country can have both negative and positive effects on the economy.

Money Multiplier Effect

One advantage of consumer debt is what is termed the money multiplier effect. The philosophy behind this concept is that increasing consumer spending boosts income for a string of businesses and individuals. Each additional consumption purchase funded by debt generates more money for the business selling the product, the business's employees, its suppliers and its suppliers' employees, not to mention the income for the lending organization and its employees.

Interest Rates

In the United States, the Federal Reserve loosely controls interest rates in the economy by setting the Federal Funds Target Rate. The target rate affects the prime interest rate---the rate at which banks extend short-term loans to each other---which in turn affects rates for retail and institutional borrowers.

A decrease in consumer debt can alert the Federal Reserve that people are spending less on products and services in the economy, to which they often react by lowering the Federal Funds Target Rate to encourage more borrowing, which is thought to encourage spending and investment. This can have spillover effects throughout the rest of the economy, as interest rates can influence home buying, business startups, higher education and investing.

Savings and Investment

Consumer debt is completely unproductive by definition, meaning it does not generate a profit, or even revenue, for the borrower. Higher levels of consumer debt can translate into lower levels of debt used for investments. If a person is mired in expensive credit card payments each month, for example, he is less likely to save money to invest in real estate or a 401(k). This can shift demand in the economy from industries like financial services and real estate to consumption-driven industries like fast food and entertainment.

Loan Defaults

If consumer debt grows too large in the economy, with a large number of households owing many times their annual income levels, loan defaults can cause ripple effects throughout the economy. One of the first domino to fall during the economic crises of 2008 was a higher-than-expected mortgage default rate. Rampant defaults in the credit markets can cripple banks, which can reduce the supply of debt funding in the system and possibly cause banks to tap into federal insurance to fund customers' withdrawals. This in turn can cause people to withdraw their money and close their accounts, leaving even less money in the lending pool, which, as mentioned above, can slow spending and investment trends.

What Comprises A Charity

The IRS defines a charitable organization as an association that operates in a not-for-profit capacity. A qualified charity must operate as exempt from federal taxation. Charities may be run by religious, scientific or educational groups, or by organizations that foster the arts or international cooperation.

Tax-Exempt Status

A tax-exempt charitable organization must file a federal informational tax return if its receipts are in excess of $25,000 in a given year (see Resources below).

Distress Relief

Charitable organizations like the American Red Cross focus on providing relief to distressed populations, such as those in poverty-stricken locations or disaster areas.

Education and Science

Qualified charities exist to further educational opportunities for underprivileged populations and provide enhancements to scientific and medical research. Individuals or stockholders may not realize earnings from such organizations.

Civil Rights

Charitable organizations such as The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) defend civil rights and combat discrimination.

Non-Qualified Organizations

Action groups that attempt to influence voters to register and support a particular candidate are not qualified charitable organizations.

Snack Machine Operate

The Basics

A vending machine uses digital and mechanical energy to release food and other goods to a customer who has paid a specified amount of money for them. Vending machines can essentially "read" dollar bills and coins, which enables them to deposit the money and release the desired item in a process lasting as few as 10 seconds. Many machines can even scan credit and debit cards, as well as return money to the customer when there is a machine malfunction.

Recognizing Money

During a vending transaction, a person first views the items on display and chooses the item he wants. He puts in the money listed for that item, such as $1, and slides the dollar bill into a slot that uses "feeddogs" to accept it. After taking the dollar, the machine uses a laser to scan the dollar. It sends the information to a central computer inside the machine, which reads the dollar as the correct value for the item. The computer confirms it is the correct value (and also that the money is genuine) because it has been programmed to search for certain marks on dollar bills. Moreover, the computer can also distinguish between various coins by an electromagnetic field in the coin slot that reads the metal elements from the coins, which all differ by thickness. These differences prompt the computer to distinguish one coin from another.

Delivering Items

Once the machine accepts the customer's money as valid, it deposits the money into a cash box. It lists the total amount in a digital readout at the front of the machine. The customer selects the item he wants by pushing a button corresponding to that item. Once he does this, the button prompts the computer to retract the metal spirals that hold back the item. The spiral retracts, and the item drops down into the holding box at the bottom of the machine, whereby the customer retrieves it. On the way down, the item passes through a laser beam that notifies the central computer that the customer has his item and the transaction is over.

Small Company Owner Hire An Worker

Where Exactly to Hire Someone

Hiring an employee for your small business is crucial for your success. The first step to finding an employee is understanding your options. There are temp and employment agencies that can provide you with the most experienced personnel. While these agencies do all the work for you, you pay for the service. Another option is through advertisements. Advertising your need for fulfilling the position can be done through any media outlet, from newspaper to the Internet. In order to put an advertisement through the media, some charge for the advertising space, and others may post ads for free. Depending on the specific position in need of being fulfilled, some options may be more suitable than others. For example, Internet advertising are typically suited for telecommuting, or "work at home" positions. However, it is best to use as many possible resources in order to ensure the success in finding the right candidate. As for your advertisements, you must put the position needed to be fulfilled, the wage you will pay, your business name, your contact information, and state any requirements that you are looking for with your potential employee.

Contacting Prospects and Narrowing Your Selection

Once you have received a sufficient amount of responses, contact and review the potential candidates. You will have to read and assess the resumes, portfolios and references. During this process, you want to use your best judgement in that this person has the knowledge, experience and qualities that will make your business successful and profitable. Once you have assessed the prospects, narrow the list down to at least 1/4 of all the potential employees. So, if you received 20 responses, narrow it down to five.

Making the Final Selection

From the narrowed list, interview the selected candidates. You can do an interview through the phone or in person. However, it is highly recommended to do an in-person interview. These allow you to not only see the person face-to-face, but actually get to see the person's facial expressions and overall personality. After interviewing everyone, decide on which person exemplifies the qualities that your business has.

As you have chosen your new employee, create a contract for him or her to agree to and sign. The contract will state the position the employee is fulfilling, wage, basic terms and agreements, and length of the contract. It is highly recommended to hire a lawyer to help you write out the contract, so that you are safe from any liability charges that the employee could make against you.

Determine Which Kind Of Technique Is Most Suitable For The Organization

Start with a SWOT statement to build a business strategy.

Creating a SWOT statement---Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats---is one of the most effective ways to determine which type of strategy is most appropriate for your organization. A SWOT statement, sometimes called SWOT analysis, forces management to take an in-depth, honest look at how the organization is presently performing. As a result, the SWOT statement can be a realistic, personalized springboard for appropriately focused strategies in marketing, sales, expansion and other business areas.

Instructions

Determine Which Type of Strategy is Most Appropriate for Your Organization

1. Strengths: When determining the organization's strengths, list the attributes and offerings that differentiate the organization from its competitors. Ask questions such as: What is the strongest asset of the organization? Why do our long-term customers stay loyal to us? Which products capture the greatest market share, and why? Also, list any recognitions or awards by industry analysts and associations.

2. Weaknesses: Next, consider areas where the organization is weaker than its competitors. Do you have a shrinking customer base? Is your product or service losing market share in some geographic or demographic areas? Is your workforce lacking in expertise or number of resources? Also, list any financial problems, such as cash flow, that are perceived as weaknesses by industry analysts.

3. Opportunities:Here, investigate emerging industry trends that are likely to spur increased demand for your products or services. What are your customers asking for in terms of new products or product enhancements? Are there new generations of customers "coming of age" who can use your products or services? Also, consider any financial opportunities, such as a merger or acquisition that, would increase opportunities for business growth.

4. Threats: Last, list any obstacles to the success of your organization's proposed strategy, such as a weak economy, or emerging technology that makes your products seem obsolete. Also ask: What is the competition doing in terms of reaching customers that your organization is not? What are customers asking for that you currently cannot deliver? Are you planning a reduction in force or other employee-related changes that will generate bad publicity? Once again, consider financial-related threats, such as rising costs of materials.

Rotating Hydraulic Motor Work

Gear Motor Courtesy of: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gear_pump.png

Hydraulic Basics

Hydraulic motors use a fluid--usually oil--to create motion. Hydraulic fluid is first pumped from a reservoir into pressurized tubes by a hydraulic pump, which is driven by an internal combustion engine. Those tubes take the fluid to the hydraulic motor or motors. The pressure turns the motors by flowing through them, then flows back into the reservoir where the whole process begins again.

Axial Plunger Motors

Axial plunger motors use a hydraulic piston to spin a rotor. Hydraulic fluid is pumped into a hydraulic cylinder, where it pushes a plunger out. That plunger turns the rotor. Once the plunger reaches the end of its motion, the fluid flows back out of the cylinder and the plunger retracts as the rotor turns the rest of the way around.

Other Hydraulic Motors

Other types of hydraulic motors use the hydraulic fluid to directly turn the motor. The hydraulic fluid flows into a sealed casing, spins the motor assembly and flows back out. For example, in a gear motor, there are two meshed gears in the middle. The hydraulic fluid pushes against the gear teeth, turning them around, before flowing out through an outlet valve. In a vane motor, the hydraulic fluid pushes on a rotating vane, spinning it around a sealed case. These motors are typically designed to rotate at a set speed. They are often attached to gear boxes, which allow them to drive machinery at different speeds.

Purchase Order Work

What is a Purchase Order?

A purchase order is a way for businesses and companies to order goods and services. Some times a purchase order is referred to as a purchase requisition, or simply a P.O. The purchase order is a written document between the purchaser and seller detailing items, services and other necessary information regarding the goods and services that the purchaser intends to buy from the seller.

Who Issues a Purchase Order?

Purchase orders are initiated by the purchaser and typically are on uniquely numbered, pre-printed forms. Depending on the size of the company, one person may be responsible for initiating purchase orders, such as a Purchasing Agent. Or several people within a purchasing department may share the task of ordering goods and services.

What Information is on a Purchase Order?

The information provided on a purchase order may differ between companies, depending on the type of goods or services required. However, most purchase orders contain details of the goods and/or services being ordered. This information may be as detailed as so desired by the purchaser. The most important item regarding a purchase order, is the unique number of the purchase order. This number will be used to track purchases, outstanding orders, shipments received and accounts payables. Some of the other details included on a purchase order are: the description of parts or labor, part numbers, quantity purchased, unit cost, total cost, payment terms, delivery methods, delivery dates, shipping terms, ship to addresses, discounts offered and may include contact information should a question arise about the order.

What Happens When a Purchase Order is Received?

Today's technology allows for purchase orders to be sent via the postal service, email, fax and telephone. Once a distributor of goods or services receives a purchase order, necessary steps are taken to fill the order. When the order ships, a packing form is generally included with the shipment, referencing the purchase order so that when the goods are received, the order can be marked complete. After the order has been filled and shipped (or performed, if labor is involved), an invoice requesting payment will be sent from the seller to the purchaser. The invoice will also reference the purchase order number. Upon receipt of the invoice, accounts payable can verify and cross-reference the invoice to the purchase order. The final step is the payment of the invoice by the purchaser for the goods and services received.

Get Spice For "Coffee shop World"

Spices in "Cafe World" can add more servings and reduce cooking times.

One of the most popular games on Facebook, "Cafe World" offers players the opportunity to create their own virtual restaurant. Completing challenges, goals, sending gifts, and cooking various meals allows the player to level up and unlock many items that would turn their restaurant into a franchise. An item called "Spices" improves and adds different effects to your dishes. To obtain "Spices," you must build a spice rack by asking or sending parts to friends.

Instructions

Building the Spice Rack

1. Log into Facebook and type "Cafe World" in the search box. Click on the first tab and wait for the page to load. A box will appear asking you to allow "Cafe World" notifications on your Facebook page. Click on the "Allow" button to continue. First time users may be directed to its official Facebook page. If so, press the "Like" tab then the "Go to App" tab to continue.

2. Click on the "Free Gifts" tab. Look for parts such as lids, large jars, medium jars, small jars, or shelves. Click on any part and press "Proceed to Send Gift/Invite Request." You need to send 15 lids, 5 large jars, 5 medium jars, 5 small jars and 5 shelves.

3. Choose one or more friends to send the part to and press "Send Cafe Gift/Invite Request." Only two of the 35 parts for the Spice Rack are available, so sending parts to friends will unlock more parts as well as speed up the process to complete the Spice Rack. You can only send one part per day.

4. Wait for your friends to send you the parts you need for the Spice Rack. When you send your friends parts, a note will appear asking them to supply you with pieces for your own spice rack.

Collecting the Spices

5. Open the "Cafe World" application with all parts collected. A congratulatory message will pop up and a reward is given for collecting all Spice Rack parts. Place the Spice Rack in your kitchen then click on the Spice icon on the left or right side of the screen.

6. Locate the Spice Crate and press "Ask a Friend for Help." One or more friends are needed to activate the spices.

7. Start using the spices when one or more friends have helped.

Obtain A Towing Hire Aaa

Get a Towing Contract With AAA

AAA offers a wide variety of member services and products, which include travel discounts, household and automobile discounts, gift cards and shopping and entertainment discounts. It is best-known for the 24-hour emergency road service. AAA Automotive provides towing, battery jump or replacement and tire change, along with other services. Individual AAA clubs make their own decisions regarding management and selecting road service contractors. Emergency road service contractors must live up to the AAA's reliable and courteous service standard.

Instructions

1. Ensure the towing company contractor holds the proper insurance coverage written by a company with a "B+" rating or higher as per the latest edition of Best's Key Rating Guide.

2. Verify the vehicles, staff and facilities meet with AAA appearance standards. As a AAA road service contractor, reliable and courteous service is expected. The towing company must be able to provide 24-hour road service seven days per week. Be willing to display the AAA logo and colors.

3. Be prepared to submit evidence of proper licensing and inspection according to the state's requirements.

4. Navigate to the AAA website and enter the ZIP code to be directed to the closest regional AAA club office. Call the phone number provided and ask for the automotive management representative in charge of ERS contract decisions.

What Exactly Are Payroll Services

The term "payroll services" can refer to either companies that offer services dealing with calculating, distributing and handling taxes for a business payroll, or to those business services themselves. Payroll services and payroll services companies can be attractive options for small businesses that lack the expertise of computing and taxing payroll, and to large companies that hope to realize operational efficiencies by outsourcing. Here are a few of the business services offered as part of payroll services.

Payroll Processing

The first component of payroll services is actually creating paychecks for employees. Payroll services include calculating compensation for all employees, withholding deductions, and printing actual checks or deposit statements.

Tax Computation

Payroll services also encompass the calculation and deduction of the various payroll taxes, including federal income, state income, medicare, social security and other taxes.

Tax Filing

A payroll services partner will also file and pay those taxes for a business, as well as complete all monthly, quarterly and annual payroll tax reports due.

Check Distribution and Direct Deposit

Some payroll services also offer direct deposit for employees, depositing funds directly to employees' banks, and can mail checks to employees or the business itself.

Companies

ADP and Paychex are two of the largest payroll services in the United States, while software packages like Quickbooks and Peachtree offer payroll services as part of their applications.

The Ecu Patent Act

According to the European Patent Office (EPO) the act governing the granting and administering of European patents is called the European Patent Convention (EPC) and the Munich Convention.

History

The EPC was signed into European law in Munich on Oct. 5, 1973, and has been enforced from Oct. 7, 1977. In 2010, all member states of the European Union have accepted the legality of the EPC and recognize European patents, according to Europa.

Office

The EPC established the European Patent Office, which is headquartered in Munich to grant patents over a geographical area consisting of more than 540 million people. The EPC established branches of the EPO at The Hague and in Berlin and Vienna.

Patents

When granting a patent for a unique invention, the EPO can stipulate the patent to be legal in certain states of the European Union or across the entire territory. Europa reports patents granted by the EPO become liable to each nation's patent law.

Coffee Filter Work

How Does a Coffee Filter Work?

Filtering

Brewed coffee is, very simply, hot water that has soaked in crushed or ground coffee beans long enough to absorb their properties (taste, color and aroma). There is no problem with soaking coffee beans in water, but most of us don't want to chew when we drink our morning coffee. So we have figured out many ways to remove the solids, or leftover coffee grounds, from the liquid coffee, which is the end product that we actually want.

A coffee filter can be either disposable or reusable. Disposable coffee filters are made out of paper, which may or may not have been recycled previously. Reusable coffee filters are usually made out of a hard plastic frame and a fine metal mesh. There are different sizes and shapes of coffee filters, which are identified by number. Keep in mind that numbers two and four are very commonly used in the U.S. The filter sits in the basket of the coffee maker, which is usually above the pot or carafe which holds the brewed coffee.

Holds Solids

Once the coffee is ground, or ready to be used for brewing, it is scooped into the prepared filter which is sitting in the basket of the coffee maker. The filters are semi-permeable, and they work like very fine strainers would. When you make pasta, you might use a strainer to drain all the water from the cooked pasta. A kitchen strainer for uses, such as draining pasta will have much larger holes than a coffee filter does. In fact, in a paper filter you won't see holes at all. The paper is very fine, yet thick. It is permeable by liquids but will not disintegrate when it is wet, so it holds the solids (the coffee grounds) in and does not allow them to pass through into the coffee pot.

Releases Liquids

Because a coffee filter is permeable by liquids, it releases the liquid into the carafe below. The hot water is usually dripped or poured slowly on top of the coffee grounds in the filter. As the water drains down through the grounds, it takes on the properties of the grounds and becomes brewed liquid coffee. Once it gets to the bottom layer of grounds and reaches the filter, it has the dark brown color and strong aroma we associate with coffee. The openings of the filter, whether visible (as in a metal mesh filter) or not visible to the naked eye (as in a paper filter) allow the water molecules to pass through into the coffee pot below, resulting in fresh, hot brewed coffee free from any solids.

Write An Business Resume

An organizational resume lists your company's past history and record of achievements. You can display this resume on your company website, add it to your portfolio or include it with your brochures. A well-done organizational resume will give readers a clear picture of your company's past experiences and future goals, which may help draw in more clients. The company's resume should consist of an objective statement and a history of achievements. You add more details about the company if desired.

Instructions

1. Add the name of your company or an official logo to the top of your organizational resume. Include the company's address or phone number, if desired.

2. Create a purpose or objective statement. The statement should explain what the company does and what services it provides, while highlighting some of the company's highest achievements. Keep the objective statement to one paragraph or shorter in length. Add the statement directly below the company name or logo.

3. Create a history section directly below the objective. Add the year the company started on the first line in the history section. Write an important fact or achievement for that year next to the date line. Continue this process for every year the company has been open for business, adding a relevant fact or special achievement for each year.

4. Include a resources section, if desired. Calculate your number of employees, volunteers or board members and include them in the resources section.

5. Add a revenue section, if desired. List your income and expenses in separate columns in the revenue section.

6. Add a contact section. Include the full name, phone number, email address and mailing address of a point of contact for your company.

So How Exactly Does An Oil Refinery Work

How Does an Oil Refinery Work?

Crude Oil

Crude oil is delivered to the refinery and pumped from the oil tankers into storage container. The crude is broken down by a heater. The broken down gases and liquids are pumped into the large atmospheric distillation chambers of the refinery--the large distinctive towers of the refinery.

Extraction

Gas is released from the heated crude and condenses into liquids of varying viscosity. The lighter of the fluids form from vapor condensation at the top of the tower--these liquid are converted to high grade fuels like gasoline and propane. The mid-range condensation can be converted to fuels like diesel and kerosene. The residual matter at the bottom of the tower is converted to petroleum coke.

Processing

Each of the liquid grades are pumped over to more chambers to have sulfurous matter and other residue removed. Several processes may be used in the processing of the liquids. The heavy fluids are pumped into catalytic converts and the resulting material is used as an additive to things like gas, asphalt, flooring and seals. The lighter fluids are sent to reactors and boilers for hydrocarbon cracking via chemical or thermal pressure.

The various types of gases are fortified with additives for optimum performance in their area of use. Alkylation reactors enriches gas to create jet fuels--the alkyl molecules attach to the gas molecule to create a higher octane fuel. Polymerization chambers create gasoline by joining monomer to form polymers. The treated products are stored and await shipment.

Acquire E-mail Lists For Art Enthusiasts

Direct mail is a low-cost, per-person way to reach thousands of people.

Direct mail is a traditional way of marketing services and products. A key element to having a successful campaign is ensuring the people you're mailing to have the potential need or desire for what the offer entails. Brokers advertise various lists on the Internet that are available for rent. The broker's job is to work with your company to develop a selection of lists that have the best possible return for your marketing expenses.

Instructions

1. Contact a broker and give him the parameters of what you are looking for. He will need to see a sample of the marketing material to help gauge the best lists. The more information you can provide him, the better. It is acceptable to work with several brokers at the same time, since the lists they manage are exclusive to their company and do not overlap with another broker.

2. Consider all the possible avenues of your marketing and lists that would contain potential sales. For instance, to reach art collectors, you might mail to those who have given donations to art museums or are on their membership rolls. Inquire about renting the subscription lists to magazines such as Antiques and Fine Art, Fine Art Magazine or Artes Magazine. If these organizations rent their lists, they will direct you to their broker who handles the business for them.

3. Work with local art galleries to obtain their lists. This often entails allowing the galleries to send out the information under their own name and envelopes, with you paying for the mailing costs. This works best if the offer is something that the gallery sees as a real benefit to their customers.

A Success Counter To Craig's list

In this eHow you will learn add a hit counter to Craigslist. This simple JavaScript will help track potential buyers. Sell your items on Craigslist and avoid the fees associated with eBay, half.com, and Amazon.

Instructions

1. I wish I could just give you one line of JavaScript that you could copy and paste into your Craigslist ad, but JavaScript can't be posted in eHow. Instead you will have to copy the contents of STEP 2 to the bottom of your Craigslist ad. Next follow STEPS 3 and STEPS 4 to turn it into a JavaScript. I know you can do it!

2. img src="http://not.a.ladydeals.com/HitCounter/counter.php"

3. Add a after the paste. (No space)

5. If done correctly the JavaScript that you have just created will count the number of visitors that view your ad. It will basically look like this: "0 0 0 0 0 1". That would mean that one person has viewed your ad.

6. Try it out. Then monitor your Craigslist hits. If it works please rate this eHow article.

How Extract Gold From Ore Securely

Separate gold from ore without losing too much precious metal.

Gold is usually found in substances like calcite, pyrite and mineral quartz, but in some cases, hobbyists with metal detectors can find gold deposits in ore. Separating the gold from the ore can be a tricky process because of the potential to damage valuable material; however, knowing the right process can help you retain as much of the gold as possible, and get the most from your efforts.

Instructions

1. Break down the larger pieces of ore. Before you can extract gold, you have to crush the ore to know what sizes of gold are embedded inside. Wear goggles and use a hammer for larger pieces; as they get smaller, use a chisel to help you control where you're splitting the ore. If you have a large amount of ore to process, using a jaw crusher can save you a lot of work. This is a hand-cranked machine that crushes materials fed in to a chute.

2. Screen your ore pieces. Whether you hand screen or use an actual piece of mesh, this process yields much more product if you periodically screen between crushing. As you find pieces of free gold, separate them out from the ore pieces with your fingers, and continue crushing the ore. A 16 to 30 mesh screen is good for catching materials -- any larger, and you risk losing gold deposits.

3. Leach the remaining pieces. You should have smaller ore pieces with small bits of gold and gold pieces with very little ore around them, if any. You can choose to stop there, or place a sheet of strong plastic over a leach pad outdoors and pour remaining ore materials on top. Now a diluted cyanide/water solution is poured over the top and left to sit for three to four weeks. The resulting mixture is then drained off.

4. Mix the solution with zinc powder. Mixing your remaining solution with zinc powder causes the gold to fleck up, making it easier to skim off with a mesh skimmer, and process they way you want.

Block A Telephone Number From Calling You

Block A Phone Number From Calling You

It can be an unfortunate circumstance, but sometimes people call you that you don't want to hear from. And they keep calling you, even after you tell them not to call. So what do you do in that situation?

If they are calling you on a landline phone, you can easily block their phone number. Here is Block A Phone Number From Calling You.

Instructions

1. The following procedure should work with the majority of phone companies.

Go to your landline phone and dial *60.

2. When the call connects, you will hear a list of options. Select the option to turn on your Call Blocking Service. With many phone companies, you will select Option 3.

3. Next, press the "#" key. Then dial the telephone number that you want to block.

4. Press the "#" key again to block the number.

5. This works for landline phone numbers. Cell phone providers don't make it as easy to block phone numbers. Your own individual cell phone or smartphone may provide a way to block individual phone numbers from within the phone.

If not, you may at least be able to set a specific phone number to be a "No Ring" number, so that your phone won't ring when that number calls you.

If you are being harassed by someone, you can call your cell phone provider with the details of your situation and they will often block it for you. You may be required to provide a police report to your cell phone provider before they will apply the block.

In the worst case scenario, you may need to change your cell phone number, which cell phone companies will normally do for free in a harassment situation.

Just How Can A Job Website Assist In Prospecting

According to the Wall Street Journal Online, only referrals outrank company career websites in success at finding new employees. The Internet has evolved into an efficient resource for job seekers, offering a wealth of information about prospective employers and careers. As international research firm Potential Park notes, corporate career websites serve as a "flagship tool" for recruitment.

Branding

A career website can be tailored to market the company as an employer of choice. While nine out of ten job seekers conduct online searches, two-thirds of them trust company websites, according to a 2010 Potential Park study. Features of sites that connect with qualified talent and lead to a good cultural fit with the organization include those adding a personal feel that speaks to Generation X and Y graduates: stories, names, videos, live chats, podcasts and interactive blogs. Boilerplate statements and PR lingo cannot contribute to employer branding and should be avoided, according to Potential Park research.

Savings

Cost is a major advantage of career websites. They eliminate the need to pay fees to job boards and reduce outlays to search firms, recruiters and employment agencies each time a position opens. Through web-feed technology, companies can distribute jobs posted on their career site to free job boards automatically. The Newspaper Advertising Association reported that recruitment newspaper advertising dropped 64 percent in 2009, continuing a downward trend begun in 2006 in favor of online job advertising.

Efficiency

The average contact-to-hire time for Internet recruitment takes 12 days, compared with 25 agency contact-to-hire days. according to "Human Resource Management, 12th Edition." Online assessments built into the site's application section narrow the pool of qualified applicants, enabling hiring managers to focus on setting appointments and interviewing. Automatic email capability of career sites also saves HR time.

Exposure

According to "Human Resource Management," career websites expand the applicant pool by reaching "passive" prospects---people currently employed who would consider a change if the right opportunity arose. Other advantages include tapping a broader audience of applicants interested in a particular field. Not to be overlooked: a career website's use for internal recruiting and associated benefits of promotion-from-within. Buck Consulting views career websites as a means of keeping in touch with applicants who might be interested in future openings.

Concerns

Compliance concerns emerging from career websites include "digital divide"---a situation where limited online access could lead to a less-diverse applicant pool or exclude "protected classes," according to "Human Resource Management." Restricting access to information obtained through the site for anti-discrimination and privacy regulations as well as ensuring that rejections are based on job qualifications merit attention from a compliance perspective.

Considerations

Companies must invest in their career websites to keep them current and user-friendly. As Buck Consultants notes, applicants will desert the site if the application process frustrates them.

The Way A Sheriff Purchase Works

Property To Be Auctioned

A sheriff's sale is an auction that is the result of foreclosure. When the original owner of a piece of personal property used as collateral fails to make their payments as required the property is sold to repay the loan. The original owner generally has several options to bring the loan current before the property is repossessed and slated for sheriff's sale.

Minimum Bid

Oftentimes, there is a minimum bid which insures that the court costs, taxes, costs of the sale, etc. are met. The minimum bid is often referred to as a "reserve." If the minimum bid is not met, the property will not be sold.

Deposit

Usually, a percentage of the highest bid is required to be deposited immediately to serve as a deposit. The remainder of the payment is due within a short time of the sale, usually within 30 days. Many sales require that the deposit be paid in cash, or with a money order or certified check, so it is important to come prepared to make a deposit if you plan on bidding on any of the property offered at the sale.

Second Place

If the highest bidder fails to settle on the property within the period allotted, the second highest bidder is often given an opportunity to purchase the property before it is auctioned off again. If you were the second highest bidder, you may want to keep track of the property so that you can make an offer in the event that the highest bidder fails to satisfy the terms of the sale.