Winterize Raspberry Plants

Raspberry plants are a common choice for colder climates because they tolerate cold winters. Most raspberries do not need special winter protection, but extra shelter might be necessary for areas with very harsh winter weather. Once your berries are harvested and your raspberry plants are pruned you should be left with bare, woody canes. If you live in a moderate climate you can leave your canes as they are. However, if your winters are severe or your area is home to a lot of rabbits, you can add insulation and wire to keep the ice and critters away.

Instructions

1. Slowly bend each cane towards the ground to form low arches, being careful not to snap the canes. Shovel dirt on top of the cane to keep it bent towards the ground. The arches will catch snow throughout the winter, and the snow and dirt will keep your raspberries insulated.

2. Create a chicken wire fence around your raspberries to keep rabbits away. Rabbits chew on raspberry canes in the winter, which prevents them from producing fruit the next summer. Push the wire a few inches into the ground around your plants and secure the ends with twist ties to close the fence. You can either create one large fence, or several smaller fences depending on the spacing of your raspberries.

3. Remove the chicken wire and uncover your raspberries in the early spring, after the last frost. Be sure to uncover the canes before the weather warms up, or new leaves will be covered with dirt and hidden from the sunlight. Brush the dirt away and allow the canes to stand upright again (it may take several days for the canes to straighten out).

Verify Someone'S Business License

In the modern age of digital information, verifying a business license has become fairly easy. These licenses are granted by individual states, so you'll have to check with the state(s) where a business might be licensed. The procedure can vary by state as well, but the general process is the same.

Instructions

1. Choose a state. A person is most likely to be licensed in the state in which she is doing business, but this might not always be the case, especially if the business activity crosses state lines. When in doubt, check states of previous or current residence as well.

2. Identify the licensing body. The name of the licensing body is different in each state. Sometimes it's the Department of Professional Regulation, the Division of Corporations, or the Department of Consumer Affairs. Usually a search for "business license" on the state's Secretary of State website will yield the appropriate link.

3. Search by name. Once you reach the licensing body, most states have an online search function that will go through their database and yield results on particular parameters. The easiest way to search, of course, is simply by the person's name. If he has a common name, though, this could yield a lot of search results that you'll have to wade through to verify against some other kind of information.

4. Search by license type. Another common parameter is the type of business license, often presented as a dropdown menu. Choose the best option based on the kinds of business in which a person engages. Sometimes this will be a discrete search option, while in other states it might be one of a series of options designed to narrow a search.

5. Search by license number. A less common but no less important search parameter is a search by license number. It's not unusual for a professional contractor to include her license number on vehicles or other advertisements. A search by number can verify that the number is valid, current and assigned to that individual.

Pros & Cons Of Ad banners

Banner website advertising saves you the time of seeking out advertising on your own and then doing the ad testing to see what works. This is all done for you by the CPM company you choose. The revenue sharing means less profit for you, but you get one monthly check instead of waiting for all the separate ones to come in.

Saves Time

A pro of banner advertising is that it saves you the time of having to find advertisers on a continuous basis. It also saves you from having to manage and bill for the space. It is simple and takes little time to enter a line code into your URL after choosing the CPM you decide to use. As long as your site continues to generate traffic, you will be served with advertisers.

Less Profit

A con is the lower pay in banner advertising. You get a smaller cut because you are not selling the space directly. The shares that the CPM advertising companies are paying out to their partner websites are on a 60/40 or 70/30 revenue split. This is a big cut from what you could make if you sold the space on your own.

One Monthly Check

A pro for this type of advertising is the one monthly check you receive. You do not have to wait for the multiple advertising checks to come in on time. You get paid all at once, which is a plus when you count on the money for a specific purpose.

No Choice Of Ad

A con for this type of advertising is not knowing what type of ad is going to be put in your space. Although you can usually count on it not being of an adult only nature, occasionally you might get one that can be a problem. It might be a product that is competitive with your business or an ad that is irritating from its constant flashing.

No Ad Testing

A pro for banner advertising is that you do not have to weed out what is not working on your site. As much as you want to make money, so does the CPM company, and it will quickly pull off an ad that is not generating income. Not having to do ad testing takes the stress out of figuring out what works and what does not.

Overshadows

A con for the banner ad is that it sometimes overshadows the content of your web page. Depending on the server that your customer is using, the banner can float on top of your material, blocking the customer's view. This floating banner phenomenon seems to happen more when using older servers to access the page.

Utilize Cpm Advertising

CPM, or cost per thousand impression, is a method of calculating how much it costs to display your ads on an advertising network and how much money you can make if you are the publisher that displays those ads on your website. So how do you efficiently calculate CPM and find out how much you can make by offering advertising on your web site? Follow the steps below to understand this analysis and start benefiting today from CPM advertising.

Instructions

1. Determine the number of page views (not visitors) that your website attracts for a 30-day period, or a specific month, using an online analysis service such as Google analytics or your own website logs. This is important because the CPM rates are based on the number of page views sites attract as well as popular keywords attributed to the site and quality of relevant content.

2. Determine a schedule of rates to charge advertisers to utilize space on your site to advertise their services or products. Assume, for example, you would like to charge $10 a month ($120 annually) for a specific size advertising section on the main page of your website. You then calculate CPM by first dividing $10 by the number of page views your site receives in a 30-day period. Assume your site attracts 2,500 visits per month: 10 / 2500 = 0.004. That means you will have to find an advertiser that is willing to pay $0.004 per page view. Advertisers understand their costs in terms of CPM, or cost per thousand impressions, so you must multiply 0.004 by 1,000 to get a CPM rate of $4.00.

3. Research average CPM rates for advertisers that have services and products related to the topics and content on your site. You may research CPM rates on Google AdSense and Google AdWords, as well as Yahoo! and Bing advertising services. You may market your own advertising rates by CPM to see if you can attract potential advertisers. Finding the sweet spot is key. By matching or slightly undercutting CPM offered by the largest web advertisers, you should be able to attract quality advertisers and recurring monthly income from advertisements.

Be A Class 3 Guns Dealer

A Glock handgun with a Class 3 silencer

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive (ATF) controls who can sell Class 3 firearms. These include machine guns, short barrel shotguns and rifles, suppressors and "any other weapons," such as pen guns and cane guns. Often referred to as NFA firearms, they are regulated and taxed under the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA), as amended in 1968 by Title 2 of the Gun Control Act.

With the proper paperwork and taxes filled out with the ATF, most states allow citizens to own these specialty weapons. Gun stores that sell Class 3 firearms must also have a special license with the federal agency.

Instructions

1. Send the NFA branch of the ATF an email at eps@atf.gov and ask for the Special (Occupational) Tax form.

2. Fill out the form, including your Federal Firearms License information, and send it into the ATF along with the required $500 fee.

3. Wait approximately 30 to 90 days for the license to arrive.

Search On The Internet To Ship Packages Using The Publish Office

If you ever have to ship packages through the post office, one of the easiest ways to accomplish it is to use the Internet. You can take care of the entire process without ever having to leave your home or place of business. It is the most convenient method to ship packages, and certainly one of the simplest ways. If you want to know use the internet to ship packages via the post office, read the steps provided here.

Instructions

1. Ready the package for shipment and weigh it. Be certain the package is properly wrapped according to United States Postal Service (USPS) standards. Weigh the package on the postal scale and make note of the weight.

2. Access your online post office account Go to www.USPS.com and open your online account. Select “Click-N-Ship (Print a Shipping Label)” on your Options page.

3. Select the destination of your package from the available drop-down box, or leave the default “United States.” (This example is for using domestic shipping services.) Then click on “Go."

4. Fill out the details for the shipping label. If you have used this service before, your shipping information should already be provided in the return address area. If this is your first time, you will have to fill in all of the required information (marked with an asterisk) in both the “return” and “delivery” areas. Once you have completed the Address section, fill in both the pounds and ounces of the package you are shipping and select a shipping date from the drop-down box provided. The next section lists your insurance options; fill in this section if so desired. If you want to create multiple labels, you can place a check in the “Start a Batch Order” box. When all areas of the label are complete, select the “Continue” button on the bottom right of the page.

5. Choose your shipping preferences. The next page displays the existing service options. Depending on your package, you will see various shipping services listed. Each delivery service will have an approximate delivery date, price and other options to choose from. Select the one you would like to use and then select the “Continue” button.

6. Verify, pay and print your shipping label. Review all of the information for the label and click on the “Continue” button. You have the option to use a saved credit card or a new one for payment. When you have finished paying for the item, click the “Continue” button. The next page allows you to print the label from your printer, so be sure to have it filled with paper. Print the label and recheck it for accuracy. You will have the option to reprint it if there were any problems.

7. Place the label on your package and request package pickup. Cut the label as shown, and use tape to secure it to the package. If you are not asked about package pickup once you have printed the label, return to www.USPS.com and select ”Schedule a Pickup” from the options available atop the page. You have the free option of “Carrier Pickup” or the fee-based “Pickup On Demand Service” to choose from. Select the service you prefer and fill in the necessary information concerning your package pickup.

Compare Copier Machines

Copier machines are office staples, and many business people use copiers in their daily work. Since copier machines do not come in a one-size-fits-all option, be sure to compare the various machines that are out there to determine which one is best for your office.

Features

Compare copier machine features. Look specifically at how fast the copiers copy, what types of automated options they have (such as stapling and hole-punching) and if they do other things in addition to copying. Multifunction copiers also serve as printers and scanners, which saves businesses from having to purchase multiple machines. According to Buyer Zone, it is also important to study the feeder features on copiers, because machines with automatic document feeders are more efficient, as they do not require manual lifting and lowering of the copy lid.

Size

Commercial copier machines take up large areas in a room. These types of copiers are beneficial for large companies, with staff who do massive amounts of copy volume. Large copiers can take on multiple jobs at a time, and complete copy jobs timely. Smaller copiers are more conducive for personal use, or for departments with only a few employees. The reason is because smaller copiers cannot take on the larger print jobs that commercial-sized copiers can.

Price

The cost of a copier may be a determinant when comparing which copy machine to purchase. Consider the features that are built into the price of the machine and whether or not they would be used at the office. It is not worth paying for features that an office can do without.

Buy Eco-friendly Stocks

"Green" stocks are investments in companies that are environmentally friendly and energy conscious. Thanks to an increased interest in preserving, maintaining and saving the planet from pollution, reducing dependence on energy sources like oil, gas and coal, and preventing the depletion of natural resources, investing in green stocks is popular and easy. You can buy green stocks on all major exchanges, through several mutual fund companies that have such specialized funds, and from the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board through a broker/dealer.

Identification

Identifying green stocks is sometimes difficult and other times obvious. Some green stocks invest in alternative energy such as solar and wind. One of the most familiar is First Solar. Several large companies such as BP, Exxon and Mitsubishi Electronics have divisions in alternative energy. Waste management companies that provide disposal and recycling services are another venue for green investing. Waste Management is one of the largest. Companies that help clean up oil spills, such as Ecospehere Technologies, are another type of investment.

Research

Research individual stocks on web giants like Yahoo Finance, Google Finance and specialty websites such as Green Chip Stocks. In addition, several ETFs (exchange traded funds) are dedicated to alternative investments such as the Claymore Solar Index, which trades under the symbol TAN. ETFs are listed on many financial websites.

Considerations

Investing in green companies can be volatile and risky, especially in newer and smaller companies. Be wary of penny stocks that tout new and unproven products. Check a company's financials and be wary of unsolicited emails that sound like sure things.

Calculate The Price Of An Internet Site

A website is a marketing machine that never sleeps.

Independent contractors and businesses see the advantages that a website offers. A website is a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week marketing machine for your business or services. While a website can be a little pricey to establish, it should be less expensive to maintain, and if done correctly, will easily cover the cost of the creation and ongoing maintenance and hosting. The largest variable in calculating the cost of a website is whether you design the website yourself or use a web designer.

Instructions

Designing the Website

1. Select a website design service (if you do not intend to build the site yourself) and discuss your website needs and a price for the design. The more customization you desire, the higher the price will be. Make a note of the total cost of the site creation and ensure that the designer includes in the price a couple of weeks or months for tweaking and correction. If you want to design your own website, skip this step.

2. Select website design software, and make a note of the price. Website design software ranges in price from hundreds of dollars for software used mainly by skilled designers to very low-cost software, used mainly by amateurs or beginners. You might be able to find free website design software that suits your purposes if you want a basic, information-only website.

3. Determine whether you will use a pre-built template for your website or design your site from scratch. Some website building software comes with free templates. Other software offers more elaborate templates for a fee. Once you select your design software, check the availability of templates and determine a price for a template, if you want to use one.

4. Select royalty-free art for your website, if you want custom artwork. If you're designing your website from scratch, you need artwork to make it more attractive. Because most business people are not graphic artists, purchasing royalty-free artwork is the best option for a custom website look. Record the price of all the art you want for your website.

Website Hosting and Maintenance

5. Choose a name for your website and determine the price of registering the name. Many online services offer domain names for sale and have query systems that allow you to select a name that is not currently in use and offer you pricing for the name. Many domain name registry services offer discounts for registration longer than one year.

6. Determine the cost of website hosting. Many companies offer website hosting at varying prices and services included in the price. Choose a company that is reliable and meets the needs regarding the size of your website. Do not choose a company that barely can handle your business needs now, because if you continue to grow, you will have to move your site. Hosting can be purchased monthly or sometimes paid in advance at a discounted rate.

7. Determine the cost of maintenance. If you designed your own website, then maintenance might include the purchase of additional artwork as your business grows. If you hired a web designer who makes all updates and changes to your website, then add the yearly fee for maintenance to your list, if the designer charges a one-time fee. If your web designer charges by the update, estimate the number of updates or changes you will require during a year and add that cost to your list.

8. Add all of the individual costs to determine a total estimated cost for the building, launch and maintenance of your website.

The Stock Exchange Exactly What Is A Pip

PIP is a currency trading term.

The term PIP is associated primarily with the foreign currency exchange -- Forex -- market. Forex and the stock market are different types of investing or trading and novice investors should not confuse the two. There is one circumstance where PIP has a meaning for stock market investors.

Stock Symbol

PIP is the stock symbol for PharmAthene, Inc., a New York Stock Exchange-traded company. PharmAthene is a biotechnology company specializing in developing defenses against bio-weapon attacks. In February 2011, PIP was trading for about $3.00 per share. The U.S. stock market uses one to four letter identifiers as unique stock symbols for companies trading on the stock exchanges.

Percentage in Point

In Forex trading, PIP stands for percentage in point. A PIP is the smallest amount a currency value can change in relation to another currency. For most currencies, a PIP is one unit of the fourth decimal point. For currency pairs that are calculated in terms of the U.S. dollar, one PIP is 1/100th of a cent. For example, if the euro/U.S. dollar currency pair is trading at $1.3701, the 1 is the PIP level. If the euro gains a PIP, the new exchange rate is $1.3702.

Forex Traders and PIPs

Forex traders determine the gain or loss on a trade in PIPs. Trading software list the trades results in positive or negative PIPs. The dollar value of a PIP is determined by the size of the trading unit. If the trades are in $100,000 units, each PIP is worth $10. If the trading unit is $10,000; PIPs are worth $1.00 each. The daily price change in currencies is often less than one cent or 100 PIPs per day.

Making Money with Pips

To put up $100,000 to make $10 per PIP would not make sense for a trader. Forex traders use leverage to boost returns on the money invested. In the U.S., the maximum leverage for Forex is 50 to 1. To trade a $100,000 unit, a trader must have on deposit a margin amount of $2,000. If the trader gains 50 PIP s during the day, the $500 profit is a nice return on the $2,000 deposit. It is also possible for a trader to lose a similar amount or more if he guesses wrong on the direction of exchange rates.

Discover If Your Chapel Is Incorporated

Although there are various means by which to determine if your church is a corporation, the best option is to check with your state's division of corporations. While churches may be organized as various types of business entities, filing as a non-profit is the most common and advantageous.

Instructions

Determine Filing Status

1. Under state law, churches may organize under various statuses; however, most file as non-profit corporations. Churches are not required to file for non-profit status although many do for the sake of their members and contributors who are more likely to donate when assured the church has received that recognition. Besides tax exemptions, officials of not-for-profit incorporated churches are free of any personal debt liability that the church may incur.

2. A comprehensive list of all organizations that are able to receive tax-deductible contributions, known as Publication 78, is available from the Internal Revenue Service. A searchable version of Publication 78 is available from the IRS at http://www.irs.gov/app/pub-78/. (See Resource 1.)

3. Most states offer an online searchable database of corporations through their department or bureau of corporations. Accompanying the business listing, the state should also provide the church's filing status, i.e., non-profit, for-profit, etc. Many state databases allow you to use the company name or uniform commercial code as search criteria.

4. The U.S. Government offers the Securities and Exchange Commission's EDGAR database for all publicly-traded corporations. (See Reference 2.) The Securities and Exchange Commission allows the general public to search its EDGAR database of filings for all publicly-traded corporations. EDGAR allows users to search corporate listings from the most recent to a host of those contained in their archives. Filings may also be searched using other user-friendly options such as a full-text search and file number searches. Hard copies of individual filings are also available via link from the SEC's EDGAR search.

5. There are also private means to determine if your church is a corporation. Sites such as AmericanChurchlists.com allow you to find churches that are listed as businesses for a fee. (See Resource 3.) An online resource that is free but a bit daunting is Hoovers.com. (See Resource 2.) Hoovers will be able to inform you as to whether your church is a for-profit or non-profit corporation.

Use Bebo To Produce Your Portfolio

Many artists use MySpace to create personal portfolios of their work. MySpace is an attractive option for artists, because it allows a wide segment of the Internet community to get a glimpse of their artwork for free. MySpace also works as a networking tool to allow artists to contact people, businesses and groups they might never reach using conventional means. With a little time and effort, you can use MySpace to create your portfolio.

Instructions

1. Create a user account at the MySpace home page. You will need to have a valid email account to use as your "Sign In" name, as well as a password to access your account. Setting up an account only takes a few minutes.

2. Customize the look and feel of your site to set it apart from others, especially if you are using it to display your art portfolio. There are many free tools online to help you customize your site.

3. Prepare digital scans or photos of your work in .jpg or .gif format. Keep the size at medium so they won't take too long to download.

4. Create a moving, interactive or flash-based portfolio to use on MySpace. There are many free tools online to help you. These programs take your digital images and turn them into a slideshow portfolio that you can have on your MySpace site.

5. Upload 12 to 16 digital images for free on your "Pics" page. These help complement your main homepage featuring your artwork.

6. Use a third-party Web server to host additional images and link to them on your MySpace personal page, if you want more artwork on your site than MySpace will host. A free MySpace page editor will allow you to do the simple HTML needed for this task.

7. Get your name and portfolio public recognition by joining a MySpace group related to art. In addition, as you meet new people on MySpace, request to add them as a friend to your site.

Use Mind Mapping Software To Evaluate A Company Process

Mind mapping software helps its users push past the limitations of thinking. It allows for processing information more efficiently than the pattern of thinking from the left to right and top to bottom only. This is especially useful to analyze a business process so that shared information is easily portable and helps to extract the essential points for a proper analysis.

Instructions

1. Begin with the topic of the business process to be mapped. This should be a general word or few words at the highest level.

2. Branch off a series of supporting topics of processes around your topic. Each needs to directly support the key business process. They can be related to each other or unrelated and you can have as many as needed.

3. Identify additional branches off each of the first level of branches as many times as needed until every branch has been expanded to its smallest piece. Work with one branch at a time to help organize thoughts in the beginning.

4. Review each branch to add anything missed as you analyze the entire process as one large map. Copy and paste any branches from other business processes that use any of the same pieces.

5. Include notes to further detail each node within the branches. Analyze the process as a whole and also make note of any questions or where questions need to be answered to better complete your business process.

6. Move any nodes that may have not been originally placed in the right order. Add any files that support the topics. Then, print out your map and analyze the process further for brainstorming and improvement of your process.

7. Revisit regularly to be sure the map still works best for your business needs.

Use Magicjack For Worldwide Calls

Use MagicJack to make international phone calls.

The MagicJack device allows you to make phone calls over the Internet using a regular household telephone. Plug any land-line telephone into the MagicJack, then plug the MagicJack into a USB port on a computer that has broadband Internet access. Use your phone and the MagicJack to dial local and long distance calls for free after paying a yearly free to MagicJack.

Instructions

Free International Calls to Canada

1. Connect your land-line phone to the MagicJack.

2. Plug the MagicJack into a USB port on your computer that has broadband Internet access.

3. Dial a number in Canada from the United States, or from Canada to the United States, and the call is free. To call Canada, dial "1" plus the area code, plus the local number.

Prepaid Calls to Other International Numbers

4. Go to the My MagicJack website and log in with your email address and password.

5. Click "Add Credit" under "International Dialing." Click "Rates" to see how much it costs to call different countries with MagicJack.

6. Click "Add to Your International Prepaid Balance," then click on an amount you want to add, such as $10 or $40.

7. Enter your credit card and billing information, then click "Next," then confirm your order for prepaid international minutes at the prompt. You can now dial international calls with MagicJack.

8. Dial "011" plus the country code, the city code and the local number when calling an international number located anywhere besides Canada.

Use Life Insurance Coverage For Any Business Succession

Business succession planning can be accomplished with life insurance.

In an article on succession planning, Bloomberg Businessweek reiterated a well known fact that "few family businesses survive into a third generation." One of the primary causes of small business failures is improper or nonexistent succession planning. Life insurance is one of the most powerful tools available to small business owners to protect the integrity and foundation of their organization and to ensure that operations will continue even after the death of an important employee or owner.

Instructions

Buy-sell insurance

1. Determine the value of each owner's share of the business. Enlist the services of an independent business valuation company and have your organization analyzed. The valuation report will detail the criteria used in determining how much your company is worth. Divide the total business value between the owners to determine how much each person's portion is worth.

2. Buy permanent life insurance. Each owner must buy a life insurance policy with a death benefit equal to the value of their portion of the business. Permanent life insurance products are usually more appropriate for family businesses in which none of the owners has intentions of leaving.

3. Make the business the owner of the policy. Since the life insurance policies are purchased for business purposes and are designed to benefit the business, the company should be listed as the owner and payer. This arrangement ensures that the policies cannot be modified without the proper consent and involvement of all owners. Additionally, if the business pays the insurance premiums, additional tax deductions may exist that will further benefit the company.

4. Make the business the beneficiary. List the company as the primary beneficiary of the life insurance policy. If an owner dies, the proceeds of the policy will be given to the company.

5. Buy out the deceased owner's interest. Upon the death of one of the company's owners, his or her interest in the business may pass to the spouse or other heirs, who would then gain the same rights and entitlements that the owner had. This may create a situation for the company and the remaining owners that is less than ideal. Proceeds from the buy-sell policy can effectively be used to buy the deceased owner's portion of the business from his or her heirs, allowing the remaining owners to continue operations without the involvement of unfamiliar partners.

Key person insurance

6. Determine the monetary value of a key business owner or partner. Consider his or her involvement in the daily operations and contributions to the continued success of the company. Imagine how the business would suffer financially without the presence of that key person and determine how much money would be necessary to offset decreases in sales and production until a new employee can be hired and trained to replace the decedent.

7. Buy life insurance. Investigate the price of life insurance policies with death benefits equal to your company's determination of value for the key employee. In most instances, the key person life insurance concept can effectively be enabled using term insurance products. Unless the key person is an owner of the company, term insurance should suffice to protect the interests of an executive or salesperson.

8. Make the company the owner of the policy. To prevent unauthorized or unintentional manipulation of the policy provisions that could negatively affect the organization, the business should be listed as the policy owner. With this arrangement, changes could not be made without the written authorization of the company.

9. Make the company the beneficiary of the policy. The intention of key person life insurance is to protect the business from failing after the death of an essential employee. If such an event occurs, the proceeds of the policy will be directed to the company and used to maintain adequate financial solvency until a resolution can be found.

Use Journals To Gather Data

Do not think of a journal as a diary. Instead, think of it as a field work journal. Personal journals essentially are blank books that are ideal for collecting notes, data and other important information that you want to remember in the future. The best attributes of a personal journal are that it is fairly inexpensive, it often has many pages for recording data and it fits easily into a work bag or purse.

Instructions

1. Divide your journal into sections by using durable page tabs. Stick a tab on the first page of the beginning of each section. You also can use a permanent marker or pen to write the name of the section on the tab. Perhaps the first 25 pages will be reserved for notes, the second 25 can be for interviews and the last 50 can be for data and number crunching. Your journal does not have to have a set order. The beauty of a journal is that it is there for you when you spontaneously need to jot down an important bit of information or some critical data.

2. Use paper sticky notes to jot down critical information on the fly. Stick them directly onto the page. Later, you can go back and organize the information in a more understandable and easily accessible way.

3. Write down information with a pencil. This will make it easier to correct mistakes or to switch around the order of data later.

4. Draw a data collection chart directly onto the journal pages. Data collection charts can be very simple. See the References Section for an example from NASA about dirt observations. Use a ruler to make straight lines for a chart or draw the chart free form. Make sure your column headings are clear and that you date each page.

Use Japanese Toto

Use Japanese Toto

Toto is a Japanese company that manufactures high-technology bathroom fixtures such as remote-controlled toilets, hand-free-operating faucets and self-cleaning bathtubs. Although Toto actually sells a great variety of bathroom fixtures, when people say "Japanese Toto," they usually refer to a Toto "washlet" or a special toilet seat with an integrated bidet, operated by a remote control. This high-quality bidet will wash you with a gentle stream of warm water after you finish your bathroom business. Plus, it dries you, too. With this amazing Toto washlet, toilet paper is not necessary at all.

Instructions

1. Open the toilet lid. If you have the Toto washlet S400, the lid will automatically open as you approach the toilet.

2. Sit down on the comfortable heated seat and do your bathroom business. Once you are done, flush the toilet. If you have the Toto washlet S400, the toilet will flush automatically.

3. Press the "FRONT CLEANSING" button on the wall-mounted remote control in order to wash the genital area, or press "REAR CLEANSING" to wash the buttocks area. A small wand beneath the seat will extend and clean you exactly where you want. During this process, nothing will touch you but a soothing stream of warm water. You may choose from three washing modes including soft cleanse, oscillating and pulsating modes. With Toto's high technology, the water wand automatically rinses itself before and after being used.

4. Press "DRY." Adjust the temperature by pressing the arrow buttons. Use the up arrow if you want higher temperature. Use the down arrow if you prefer cooler air.

5. Press "STOP" when you are done.

Use Ironon Paper

If you want to customize your own t-shirts, tote bags or any kind of apparel, iron-ons make it incredibly simple. If you have a color printer and a blank t-shirt, you have all you need to make your own custom garments that can be used for marketing promotions. This is a very cost-effective means of creating a memorable advertising and marketing campaign.

Instructions

Transferring Your Image to Apparel Using Iron-On Paper

1. Purchase the right kind of iron-paper. This is vital and will affect how your finished design turns out. For example, if you have an inkjet printer, the type of iron-on paper for this will be different than the type that is made for laser printers. It is best to go with paper that is sized at 8 ½ by 11, since this is the standard paper size for most printers. Iron-on paper is also classified by the color of the apparel you will be printing on. Light-colored apparel will require special iron-on paper. Darker colors will need a specific type of iron-on paper as well.

2. Prepare your image. Once you have the image you want to use on your computer, it is time to prepare it. Open your image in your photo-editing software. If necessary, resize the image until it will fit on the paper you have decided to use. Don’t worry if the image is small; you can always trim the paper to fit it once you have printed the image.

3. Flip the image. This step is required for most iron-on papers but not all. Make sure that you read the included instructions with your paper to determine whether or not this step is needed. If it is, you can flip the image in your photo-editing software and then save it.

4. Print the image. Load the iron-on paper into your printer with the correct side facing up. Once again, you may need to refer to the instructions to make certain which side should be fed into the printer. Print the image and then make sure you allow it enough time to dry properly before proceeding.

5. Prepare the iron-on transfer. Once the paper is dry, you will be able to get it ready for transfer. If necessary, trim the paper to fit your image. Make sure that you leave enough space around the edge of the image to prevent bleeding.

6. Prepare the ironing surface and the iron. An ironing board is typically not recommending for most iron-on transfers, since it will absorb heat instead of conducting it. You can place a board on your ironing board or use a flat surface that conducts heat. Your iron will need to be placed on the highest setting, and no steam should be used. If your iron has water inside, make sure to drain it before following the next step.

7. Begin the transfer process. After your iron is heated properly, place the garment on your ironing surface and smooth it out. Center the iron-on paper onto the garment with the printed side facing down. Once again, you may need to refer to the paper’s instructions for the length of time needed for the transfer.

8. Place the iron onto to the transfer paper and begin ironing it smoothly. Most paper will require that you go in one direction for 20 seconds, using up to three passes for a standard size sheet of paper, and then go in the other direction for another 20 seconds.

9. Remove the garment from the ironing surface and turn off your iron. Allow the garment to cool before carefully peeling the transfer paper away. That’s it–you’re done!

Use Air conditioning Combustion Tools

Knowing use HVAC combustion tools is important for any person doing HVAC work, but knowing use these tools is especially important for a person who is not a professional and is trying to do some work himself. While using these tools is fairly simple, they can easily be altered and start to work improperly if they are not maintained. Therefore maintenance of these tools is just as important as their proper use.

Instructions

1. Understand the readings on the combustion tools. Some HVAC combustion tools will include an oxygen (O2) and a carbon dioxide (CO2) reading on them. They may also include an excess air reading. The important thing to remember is that all three readings mean the exact same thing.

2. Be aware of surrounding equipment. Although it is rare, it is possible that some HVAC combustion tools could be sensitive to other substances. For example, sometimes the presence of hydrogen can cause some HVAC tools to falsely detect carbon monoxide.

3. Be sure that the probe is in the proper place during calibration. In most instances, the probe should not be placed in the stack until the start-up calibration has concluded. This calibration typically lasts about one minute. Although placing the HVAC combustion tools in the wrong place likely will not damage the tools, it likely will provide an inaccurate oxygen reading. To get an average oxygen reading, test for oxygen levels five times and divide the sum total by five to find the average.

4. Disconnect the hose after use. By doing this, the instrument is more easily able to remove any condensation that may have settled within the device. Doing this will help ensure that the sensors within the HVAC combustion tools continue to work properly. Some instruments include yarn in the moisture trap, which can be replaced. The yarn should be replaced by pulling it out if it becomes damp. One way to keep condensation from accumulating is by leaving the moisture trap open when the device is not in use.

5. Remember to maintain the tools. Makers of HVAC combustion tools and testers recommend that CO sensors are calibrated twice a year. If an instrument is sent away to be calibrated, this is also a good time to check the flow rate, temperature and pressure features of the device to make sure they are working properly. When not using this equipment, be sure that it is stored properly. If the outdoor thermometer reads that the temperature is less than 30 degrees, the device should be stored indoors.

Use Humor Running A Business Presentations

Use humor to create a positive impression of your business.

Using humor in business presentations can put audience members at ease, keep their attention and illustrate points pertinent to your presentation goals. Selecting and incorporating humor into business presentations can be risky; it's possible to inadvertently offend your audience or have a joke fall flat.

Instructions

1. Consider how all members of your audience are likely to respond when selecting humor for a presentation.

Connect humor to your presentation topic. Consider your business and the products and services it provides. Evaluate the audience for your presentation and potential cultural and moral issues impacting how an audience interprets humor in a business presentation. Identify consequences of offending your audience with an inappropriate joke. When giving a presentation on improving profits, slip in a quote such as Ambrose Bierce's definition of a corporation as "an ingenious device for obtaining profit without individual responsibility." Following up with a comment about the undesirable fate of recent corporate scammers confirms that you're not recommending cooking the books for increasing profits.

2. Humor should not confuse the audience or distract the audience from your topic.

Research your audience members, and their reasons for attending your presentation. Design your presentation with your goals of motivating, selling or converting an audience to your point of view in mind. Humor can soften a hard sell, and provide breaks between complex or difficult topics. Position key points immediately after a humorous interlude to control audience attention.

3. Don't make assumptions about how an audience may respond to humor.

Design a simple presentation, and avoid adding humor if you are worried about presenting the topic. Speaking to a group is difficult. Nervousness, insecurity, and anxiety are common feelings when giving a presentation. Humor that seems clever may backfire if you are stressed about your presentation.

4. Joking at the expense of business competitors is not professional.

Select humor that is not derogatory or negative; keeping the tone light and positive is a safe choice. Avoid using humor critical of or insulting to race, gender, religion, ability, age and ethnicity. Humor involving stereotypes, adult topics and profanity are inappropriate for business presentations. Humorous topics might offend audience members for reasons not evident to you.

5. Humor in business presentations assists with engaging your audience.

Gauge potential reception to humor by observing your audience. Consider your audience when deciding if or what types of humor to use in your presentation. Disrespecting business competitors can come back to haunt you and does nothing to emphasize your company's strong points. Continue with your presentation if a joke falls flat. Audience members may become restless, tired and distracted toward the end of a business presentation. Signs of boredom and checking watches are cues to skip the last bit of humor.

Use Etiquette Performing Business In Japan

As with business ventures in the United States, making a good impression on your customer, or potential customer, is essential in Japan. Business etiquette is a bit different in Japan than in America, so it is important to know the basics before your next Japanese business meeting.

Instructions

1. Dress well and understated, as casual dress is not acceptable when doing business in Japan. Both men and women should dress in simple and tasteful suits, as conformity is very important in Japanese corporate culture. Anything that might make you "stand out" should be avoided.

2. Bow equally with your host. After your Japanese hosts bows to you, be sure to bow an equal height, as how low you bow indicates where you stand socially with your host. Your Japanese hosts may shake your hand, but if a handshake is weak it is not meant to be offensive or imply that you are dealing with a weak individual, it's often just because they're not comfortable with the custom.

3. Bring business cards. At the beginning of a business meeting it is customary to exchange business cards, and many times, business will not be conducted until this is done. The Japanese use two hands when they give out a business card, and you should do the same. It is also offensive to damage or alter the card that has been given to you in any way. This includes placing it in your pocket or wallet, or writing on it.

4. Know the pecking order. Where you sit at the meeting table, when you are served a beverage or food during the meeting and so on, is determined by your status in the meeting. Allow your host to direct you to your seat, don't just sit anywhere, as this can be offensive. Wait until it is your turn to sit and for your hosts to drink or eat, before you do.

5. Mind your manners. The Japanese may display what some Americans might consider too much courtesy, but when you're looking to impress a Japanese client, graciousness and politeness are expected at all times. This is true even when you are asked questions that would seem inappropriate in the U.S., such as age or marital status.

6. Bring a gift. It is customary to exchange gifts at the end of a business meeting. Gift ideas include souvenirs from your home town, gifts from high-end retailers, and expensive wines and liquors. If you're not sure what to get, your hotel gift shop may be able to give you appropriate suggestions.

Use Worker Relationship Management

Employee relationship management is directing relations between the employee and employer to increase employee satisfaction--which is directly related to employee productivity. Employee relationship management can improve the overall business culture and includes such things as communication, conflict management, employee growth, company growth and increased productivity.

Instructions

1. Communication

Establishing effective communication between employee and employer is the first step in employee relationship management. A work environment in which employees feel heard and respected greatly enhances morale. Communication can be in the form of an open door policy, an anonymous suggestion or complaint box, e-mail and instant messaging, for example.

2. Conflict Management

Employee issues can be handled efficiently and effectively by anticipating possible conflicts and creating a procedure for resolving them. This procedure could include a hierarchy for airing grievances and a formal process to do so. Conflict management is directly related to communication and the current methods in place can be used to control conflict.

3. Employee Growth

Employee relationship management offers incentives for employees to become greater assets to the company. Incentives can include employee work reviews, goals and rewards for met goals. Employees that feel valued and rewarded will be better workers.

4. Company Growth

Company growth is directly related to employee growth: When employees are given the opportunity to grow, the company as a whole can grow. Effective employee relationship management can create better employees and draw in a higher caliber applicant. Happy employees increase company moral, which in turn create a better product or service.

5. Increased Productivity

Coupled with company growth is increased productivity. The incentives for employees to grow are typically coupled with goals that are higher than the current standard. The standard productivity for one employee will increase, possibly resulting in fewer employees doing the same amount of work.

Use Coupons As Incentives

Coupons save people money on goods and services. Businesses also benefit greatly from coupons. If you own a business, consider a coupon program to serve as an incentive for customers to use your business.

Instructions

1. Decide where to print your coupons. You can have coupons in publications or you can offer your coupons online. If you have your own publications, you can simply include your coupons in every issue. If you use another publication, you need to negotiate a deal for printing and distributing your coupons.

2. Choose an angle. Coupons can come with many incentives. Popular options include free shipping, buy 1 get 1 free, ten dollars off, or any other incentive you wish to give. Use whichever program will give you the most profit. Set a coupon expiration date if you wish.

3. Honor the coupons. When customers present the coupons, be sure to honor the promise of the coupon. This will increase customer loyalty and maximize the chances of repeat business.

Begin A Renovator Service Advertising & Signs

handyman

This free step by step guide will give you tips on start a handyman service - advertising & signs ideas.

Instructions

1. You need business cards and one page fliers. You will fold the fliers into 1/3 so have your company name and logo displayed in the center.- For ideas on information to include, refer to the links below.

2. There are many ways to advertise but word of mouth is always the best way to land jobs. The more people you know, that will attest to your superior handyman skills the more work you will acquire. Start spreading the word. Even offer finders fees if you feel it would help motivate others. The great part is once you get a customer it is easy to keep them for life by following the golden rule - do WHAT you say you will do WHEN you say you will do it.

3. Get your truck or van lettered with your business name, phone number and logo. Some companies will give you a discount on lettering if you allow them to place their own company name boldly on your vehicle as well or if you are handy, which you are, you can buy the decals at an auto parts store. Better yet order online and save money. Shipping should be virtually free based on the small size and weight of the package.

4. Order some simple lawn signs to place at each job you land. You may be able to get away with placing your little signs around town too, depending on city codes, but no telling how long they will last.

If your friends will let you place a sign on their lawn near the road and code allows it, great DO it! There are a couple exceptions, for instance if your friend's house looks like it hasn't seen a handyman in 10 years, or if folks stop by there on Saturdays thinking they are having a yard sale, you might want to reconsider placing your sign there. Otherwise, have nice signs made with business name and phone # for high traffic areas.

5. Wait a minute, your a handyman - make your own signs!! Browse online for great ideas that will help spark the creative genius in you. House shaped signs? Saw Shaped? with a screwdriver shaped post? The possibilities are endless. Do what it takes to get attention. If nothing else, signs will get your business name out there and recognizable.

6. "Start a Handyman Service- Advertising & Signs" is part 3 in this series, please click the link below for part 4.

Use Chopsticks

Use Chopsticks

Practice makes perfect when it comes to using chopsticks. It may look complicated but the key is that the bottom chopstick remains still while the upper chopstick moves to grasp the food. Here are a few steps to eating with chopsticks in no time.

Instructions

1. Hold one chopstick between your thumb and middle finger. Position the chopstick so that it lies at the base of your thumb (on the joint) and at the lower joint of the middle finger. This chopstick shouldn't touch the forefinger.

2. Place the other chopstick between your thumb and forefinger. The side of the chopstick should rest against the tip of your thumb; the top of the chopstick should rest against the pad of your forefinger.

3. Be sure the tips of the chopsticks are parallel.

4. Keep the first chopstick stationary as you practice moving the second chopstick toward the stationary one.

5. Use this technique to position the chopsticks around a piece of food.

6. Hold the food firmly as you lift it toward your mouth.

Better Suit Your Clients

Better Satisfy Your Customers

It's inevitable that everyone in business wants to make sure their customers are happy. As career leaders, we strive to make sure our products are great and our services are top-notch. But what else can you do to really identify with your customers' needs? Ask them!

Here are some great prompts to get you talking with your clients.

Instructions

1. Ask them how the service is. This is an easy one, though it may lead to a one-word answer. Nevertheless, it's a useful way to start the conversation--just ask the customer how they found everything. "Is there anything else that I can do to better serve you?" is a statement that will do the trick.

2. Ask why they like you. Instead of just coming out and asking why they keep coming back for your service, tell them first that you're looking to get some honest, constructive feedback. Then tell them to draw upon the positives and negatives. Let them know that even if they give you a negative, it's OK and you welcome the feedback.

3. Find deficiencies. This goes along with the negatives they may bring up. Instead of saying, "The wait was too long," you can ask the customer to further expand. Ask them what specifically will help improve things from the customer standpoint. Remember that's the person you want to please, so they'll likely have a different view of things. That's good--that's how you satisfy them--by identifying their needs and implementing tactics that greatly improve business.

Win Buddies And Influence Opponents In Warcraft

Win Friends and Influence Enemies in Warcraft

When starting a Death Knight in World of Warcraft, one of the quests assigned to you is "Win Friends and Influence Enemies." This quest is important as it introduces your knight to the concept of dual-wielding, as well as furthering the death knight storyline. Although the quest itself can be repetitive, perseverance will get you through it.

Instructions

1. Click on the "Character" screen, then click the bag holding the "Persuaders" given to you when you started the quest.

2. Click and drag the Persuaders into your Death Knight's two weapon slots.

3. Exit the crypt and head to the New Avalon area.

4. Right-click on any Scarlet mob to begin attacking. Do not use any attack other than your auto-attack. As you fight, you attempt to force your opponent to tell you about the "Crimson Dawn." If the mob refuses to tell, find another Scarlet mob and repeat the step until someone tells you the truth.

5. Return to the crypt once you have the truth about the Crimson Dawn and turn in the quest to the quest-giver.

Make Use Of A Walmart Product Alternative Plan

Walmart offers product replacement plans.

Walmart offers the option of purchasing an extended warranty or replacement plan when you purchase qualifying items. You may buy a plan after you have made your qualifying purchase, but you must obtain it within 90 days of the date you bought your item, and you must have your original receipt. This extended warranty is provided by a third party company named N.E.W. Customer Service Companies, LLC. To take advantage of your plan, you will need your purchase receipt as well as the email confirmation receipt for your replacement plan.

Instructions

Request a Claim By Phone

1. Gather your reciepts for your Walmart Replacement Plan and your purchased item.

2. Call Product Care Plan Customer service at 1-877-968-6391.

3. Request to file a claim.

4. Work with the representative to obtain a replacement for your item.

Request a Claim Online

5. Verify that you have your Walmart Product Replacement Plan receipt and your item's purchase receipt.

6. Register your plan and product with Productassist.com/Walmart.

7. Log in to the Productassist.com/Walmart website.

8. Click "Care Plan Management or File a Claim."

9. Provide the requested information to file your claim and obtain a replacement product.

Make Use Of A Ti86

The TI-86 is a graphing calculator created by Texas Instruments for college-level math, engineering and science students. The screen is large and allows 8 lines of display, which can hold up to 21 characters each. In addition to the graphing functions of the TI-86, the calculator includes many calculus functions. Users have the ability to connect the calculator to other TI-86 and TI-85 calculators to share information and computers to back up their files.

Instructions

Power On, Adjust Contrast, Power Off

1. Press "On" at the bottom left corner of the keypad to turn on the calculator.

2. Push the yellow "2nd" button to control the screen's contrast adjustment.

3. Press and hold the up or down arrow button to change the contrast. The up arrow button will darken the contrast; the down arrow button will lighten the contrast. Once you let go of the up or down arrow button, the calculator will keep the contrast setting.

4. Push the "2nd" button and "On" to turn off the calculator.

Entering Numbers

5. Press the number on the keypad to enter the number.

6. Push the "-" button to make a number negative.

7. Use the "(" and ")" buttons to place an expression in parentheses. The calculator will first compute any part of the expression that is in parentheses.

Entering 2nd Key Characters

8. Look at the keypad. The yellow characters and symbols that appear over the buttons can be entered into an expression. Those characters and symbols are controlled by the "2nd" button.

9. Press the "2nd" button.

10. Push the button that has the yellow character over it to enter the character in the expression.

Adding ALPHA Characters

11. Look at the keypad. The TI-86 allows you to enter uppercase and lowercase letters into an expression. The letters are in blue above the buttons and controlled by the "Alpha" button.

12. Press the "Alpha" button. If you want to enter several letters, press the "Alpha" button twice to set "Alpha-lock."

13. Push the button of the letter you want in the expression. The letter will appear capitalized on the screen. Push the "2nd" button and then the "Alpha" button if you want to create lowercase letters.

Make Use Of A Cruz Corona Typewriter

A Smith Corona typewriter can be either a manual or electric model. Whichever model you have, the typewriter works in basically the same way. If you are familiar with a computer keyboard, you can type on a typewriter as the keys are laid out exactly the same. Unlike a computer, typing mistakes are harder to correct and, unless you use carbon paper, you will only have one copy of any document you type.

Instructions

1. Determine which model of Smith Corona typewriter you have. This can be found by turning the typewriter upside down and looking at the information plate riveted to the underside of the typewriter base.

2. Thread the proper ribbon for your model onto the typewriter. Older Smith Coronas have a two-reel ribbon system, while many of the newer models may use a cartridge system.

3. Place a piece of paper behind the roller of the typewriter carriage. Use the small wheel on the left or right side of the roller to advance the paper forward in the machine.

4. Lift the paper holder away from the roller and continue to advance the paper until you are at the desired starting place on the paper. Press the paper holder back in place to hold the paper.

5. Use the slider bars on the carriage to set the margins and tabs. Margins are generally set 1 inch from the edges of the paper. The first tab is generally set 5 spaces from the margin setting for an indented paragraph.

6. Begin typing your document. Be aware that if you are using a manual typewriter, you will have to press the keys much harder than if using an electric model or a computer keyboard.

7. Use white out or typewriter correction film to correct any mistakes. Backspace to the misspelled word or letter, apply the white out or film, and retype.

Make Use Of A Reverse Address To Locate A Telephone Number

Use a Reverse Address to Find a Phone Number

So you want to locate the phone number of a friend, but you only have his residential address to go by? Well, there are reverse phone lookup directories that can help you reach your goal. Reverse lookup directories are readily available at the local bookshop or online. These directories list phone numbers according to names and addresses. With the help of a reverse phone directory, you can easily locate a phone number from an address.

Instructions

1. Log on to the Internet and search for reverse phone directory lookup services (see Resource). Browse these websites and look for section that tells you to enter the address.

2. Enter the name and full residential address for the phone number you're trying to locate. Entering the person's name will help you verify the information if there are several different listings. The more details you provide to the search directory, the more valid your results will be.

3. Press the lookup button and let the directory process your information in its database. You will be directed to the result page that will show you different listings close to the information you provided.

4. Find the phone number under the person's name on the listing.

Do You Know The Benefits Of Utilizing A Staffing Agency

Staffing agencies are also called recruitment firms, employment agencies or head hunters.

Also known as a recruitment firm, employment agency or head hunter, a staffing agency provides clients with pre-screened and pre-qualified manpower. As with any type of outsourcing, organizations that use staffing agencies are investing in the agency’s expertise. What staffing agencies charge their clients for providing qualified employees often saves those clients time and money otherwise wasted on recruiting, screening and training the wrong person for the job.

Candidates with Proven Skills

If a prospective employee claims to have a certain word per minute (wpm) typing speed, a staffing agency can put it and other claims to the test through a series of skill evaluations. Staffing agencies typically test candidates on their word processing skills, particularly candidates for administrative positions. Staffing agencies sometimes also administer personality tests and other evaluations that can help determine how well the candidate would fit into the culture of the organization.

Pre-Screened Job Candidates

Staffing agencies can perform background checks for positions that require bonding. They also verify the references on a candidate’s r sum and may even confirm past employment directly with the organizations listed on the candidate’s r sum .

Opportunity to "Try Before You Buy"

Most staffing agencies offer clients the opportunity to turn a temporary employee into a permanent, direct employee of their organizations. If the client isn’t satisfied with the employee, he can simply not re-hire after the term is up or request that the agency replace the employee with a different one.

Quick Solution to Short-Term Vacancies

Organizations don’t usually have the time and coordination it takes to hire an employee for a short period of time, such as to cover for another staff member who is on vacation for a few weeks. The time it takes to place the job ad, interview applicants, verify references and train the employee usually takes an organization at least a month. Staffing agencies, however, specialize in the ability to provide organizations with a qualified job candidate on very short notice.

Wider Pool of Qualified Candidates

Staffing agencies are able to draw from their own database of qualified job seekers in addition to placing a help wanted ad, whereas most organizations only have the option of placing an ad.

Legal Expertise

Staffing agencies are knowledgeable in the area of labor laws, including which questions you can and can't legally ask a job candidate during an interview.

The United States Patent Process

Authority

Article 1, Section 8 of the US Constitution authorizes the federal government to grant patents on inventions in order to encourage scientific and technical progress. The US Patent and Trademark Office defines a patent as "the right to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale or selling" a patented item. Under U.S. law, patent protection lasts for 20 years, provided the inventor pays maintenance fees periodically to keep it in force. The U.S. patent process is complicated, so an inventor should retain the services of a qualified patent attorney or agent who has the technical knowledge and legal expertise needed to file a patent. The attorney acts as an advisor and assistant throughout the patent process.

Preliminaries

The inventor and attorney first determine if an invention or innovation qualifies as a patentable item. Some items, like scientific discoveries or things that occur naturally, cannot be patented. A person may patent inventions or new combinations of existing technology that perform a novel function. Inventors can also patent improvements to existing devices or designs as well as some computer software and genetically engineered organisms.

Application Process

Applicants normally file a provisional patent to start. The provisional patent protects the priority of a claim for 12 months so the applicant has time to complete the patent process.

Next the inventor and patent attorney conduct a patent search. First they make a preliminary search just to determine if an invention is already covered by a patent. The inventor can do the preliminary search online or at the USPTO archives in Arlington, Virginia. The patent attorney or agent usually performs the second stage of the search. He reviews the technical details of the invention and then searches related patents to ascertain which features of the invention are really novel and which are already patented. The USPTO awards patents only for the genuinely novel features of an innovation.

A patent application consists of four parts. It begins with a discussion of "prior art" or patented devices that relate to the current application. A summary description of the invention or innovation comes next. The third section states the "preferred embodiment," or proposed design for the invention.

"Claims" is the last and most important part. The claims section presents a detailed explanation of what the invention does and how it functions. The inventor includes technical specifications, drawings and schematics. Upon submission, a patent examiner reviews the application. Most of the time, the patent examiner will identify some problems and turn down the initial application. The inventor and patent agent or attorney then revise the application and resubmit it for final approval.

Square An Area For Hardwood Flooring

Measure carefully to ensure clean, professional-looking edges to your hardwood flooring installation.

Hardwood flooring is installed starting along one edge of the floor and working over to the oppose edge in courses. Within that simple concept are a few complexities. You don't want to end up with a sliver of a board for the last course, so you have to split the difference between the first and last courses. Also, older rooms usually aren't square, but the flooring layout has to be. You also have to leave a space between the edges of the floor and the walls for floor expansion (trim covers the spaces).

Instructions

1. Measure ½ inch out from the wall at one end of the floor where you want to start the flooring courses, generally the longest edge of the floor. Make a second mark ½ inch out from the wall at the other end of the same edge of the floor.

2. Hold one end of your chalk snapline on one of the marks, and have your assistant hold the other end on the other mark. Stretch the string tightly. Lift the string in the middle, with the two ends still pulled tightly across the floor, and let it snap back down, leaving a chalk line ½ inch out from the starting point.

3. Repeat the process on the other side of the room so you have two lines, each ½ inch from the starting and ending walls.

4. Measure the distance between the two lines at one end of the room, then at the other. If they aren't the same distance at the ends, re-snap the lines in adjusted positions so that they are. Make the adjustments to both the narrow and wide sides, moving the positions as little as possible. For example, if the lines are ½ inch closer to each other at one end than the other, move both lines 1/8 inch back at the narrow end, and 1/8 inch forward at the wide end.

5. Set a row of floorboards loosely across the floor, side by side along their width sides, from the starting line to the ending line. Tuck the tongue-and-groove edges together. Measure the extra space between the last board and the ending line. This is the gap that would be left if you started the first course with a full board.

6. Calculate the necessary width of the starting and ending courses by adding the extra space at the end to the width of a full floorboard, then dividing by two. So if your boards are 4 inches wide, and there was 2-inch of space left at that the end, that means your starting and ending courses should cut to 3 inches wide (4 plus 2 is 6, divided by 2 is 3). When you lay the floor, you'll length-cut the boards of the first and last courses to that width.

Unwanted Effects From The Fair Trade Movement

Farmers from the southern hemisphere benefit from the fair trade movement.

The fair trade movement is a response to the capitalist principles of free trade. The fair trade movement provides the disadvantaged producers with regulations that help them connect and conduct business with ethically-conscious consumers who agree to spend more on a product to alleviate the cost of production and let the producers make a bigger profit and pay higher wages. In spite of its obvious benefits, the fair trade movement can have some negative effects on both producers and the society itself.

Exclusivity

The fair trade movement has been criticized for being exclusionary from both the producers' and the consumers' perspective. Due to stringent compliance rules, many producers are unable to reach and maintain the standards, which puts them in a disadvantaged position in comparison with those that are able to comply. As a result, the producers are often divided into fair-trade ones and non-fair trade ones. Also, since the goods produced by fair-trade producers are priced higher that the non-free trade ones, not every customer is able to afford them.

Dependency on the Richer

Fair trade producers are largely dependent on richer consumers. The requirements of the fair trade production necessitates higher prices that are only affordable to the consumers who are able and willing to pay more for a given product. That is against the fairness premise of the free trade policy, as it does not reduce social inequality.

Cost

The compliance with the fair trade movement's standards and requirements is costly due to necessary additional labor costs, pest control problems and reduction in the size of land that can be used for fair trade farming. Many farmers complain that the requirements do not account for traditional methods of farming, which imposes additional costs on them. The increased costs often do not make up for the benefits of belonging to fair trade production community.

Demand

Critics of the fair trade movement believe that it stifles demand. By offering an ethically-produced product at higher price, fair trade producers put consumers in an uncomfortable situation in which they need to choose between a product that they enjoy and an ethically-produced but expensive product. This makes consumers self-conscious about the choices they make and may stifle their urge to make purchases.

Day Trade Etfs

Candlestick

Day trading is one of the most risky approaches to trading, but can also be very rewarding. The vast majority of day traders are eventually wiped out and lose everything, though this is less likely when day trading ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds). Day trading is strictly defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), who puts specific restrictions and requirements on so-called "pattern day traders" who commit four or more round trips (buys and sells) in a 5-day period. If the day trades are more than 6 percent of their total number of trades during that period, then the trader must maintain an equity (cash and stock) value of at least $25,000.

Instructions

1. Choose an ETF. It might sound obvious, but before blindly jumping into a trade, it's a good idea to take the time to understand the components of the ETF and its past performance. Many ETFs consist of stocks and, while relatively diversified, might be skewed to one or more stocks in particular. Many also do not necessarily perform according to the marketed specifications. The time to become aware of these possibilities is before entering a trade.

2. Study entry strategies. When a position is sold, whether or not it's profitable depends on the price at which the position was entered. Day traders use three main approaches to choosing entry points. Candlestick patterns are used on both daily and intraday time frames to signal technical reversals. Analysis of trendlines and chart patterns, such as Elliott-wave counting, also give traders confidence to enter a trade. Finally, real-world catalysts such as breaking news, often with confirmation of trading volume, inspire day traders to pull the trigger.

3. Use stop-loss. No trader is perfect, and everyone experiences some losing trades eventually. The question a day trader must ask themselves is how much they're willing to lose. Either by entering a stop-loss order, or by acting on a mental stop-loss level, day traders will set a level at which they will admit defeat and exit a trade to prevent further loss.

4. Use targets. The opposite of the stop-loss is the profit target. A winning trade can become a loser if the profits aren't taken when they're there to be had. Therefore, day traders will set target levels at which they will exit a position, even if the trade continues moving in their direction, to lock in profits. Some traders prefer to scale out of positions by setting multiple target points at which a portion of a position is sold, which can help reduce risk and increase potential profits.

Make Use Of A File Shredder

Destroy personal documents with a file shredder.

Using a file shredder to dispose of sensitive documents helps prevent identity theft. In the United States, incidents of identity theft rank as the fastest growing crime, according to the National Crime Prevention Council. Cross-cut shredding with the use of a file shredder makes it difficult--if not impossible--for thieves to retrieve bank account numbers, social security numbers and other details from discarded personal documents. While office environments may opt for industrial shredding services, everyone can use a trash-can sized file shredder for personal office or home use.

Instructions

1. Gather all outdated or unwanted personal documents. Select paperwork that includes your full name, address, maiden name (if applicable), birth date, account numbers, social security number or personal identification numbers (PIN).

2. Remove all paper closure devices including staples, paper clips and tape. These items can jam or damage the paper shredder.

3. Feed loose paper and envelopes into the paper retrieval area. Push the paper items in a few inches. The shredder will grab the paper and self-feed it into the shredder. Check the shredder operations manual for guidelines on the number of sheets of paper the shredder can accept during each batch.

4. Slide plastic credit cards, savers club cards or other heavy-weight cards into the appropriate smaller slot, near the paper retrieval area. Depending on the manufacturer's specification, the machine may handle one or more plastic cards at a time.

5. Unplug the shredder after each use. Open the machine and dump the shredded paper into a trash can. Visually check the cutting heads for a build-up of paper. Use the end of a wooden ruler to push jammed paper off the shredding head. Use scissors to finish destroying the partially shredded documents and deposit them into the trash can.

6. Spray shredder lubricant on the shredding head once a month or more often as needed, depending on frequency of use. Re-assemble the shredder, plug in the machine and turn it on in the Reverse mode to evenly distribute the lubricant.

7. Turn the machine back to the On mode so it accepts new paper for shredding. Insert a few sheets of clean, white paper to absorb the excess lubricant. Repeat the paper shredding process until the paper comes out clean and dry.

Make Use Of A Cow Rope Halter

Rope halters are simple tools for controlling cattle.

Rope halters are designed to easily slip onto cattle to lead or tie them. The halters are inexpensive and can be handmade or purchased at a farm supply store. Rope halters for cattle are adjustable, so the same halter can be used for many animals within a herd. They are durable and will keep for years if not stored wet. Rope halters slide onto cattle faster than a buckle halter, and are therefore practical for farm use.

Instructions

1. Loosen the head stall and chin strap of the rope halter. The head stall is the large loop and the nose piece is the small loop. The chin strap is the bottom of the nose piece when the lead rope knot is facing the cow's left.

2. Hold the head stall in your right hand while holding the nose piece open with your left hand. Hold the lead rope with your left hand to keep it from dragging or becoming tangled in the cow's legs.

3. Approach the cow's left side.

4. Slide the nose piece over the nose of the cow, positioning the chin strap under the jaw.

5. Pull the head stall over the cow's head and rest the rope behind both ears.

6. Hold the halter in place and pull the lead to tighten the head stall and chin strap to fit.

7. Stand on the cow's left side. Using your right hand, grasp the lead rope 18 inches from the cow's chin.

8. Tug on the halter as you walk to signal the cow to follow. If this is the cow's first time leading, walk toward something the cow likes, such as a water trough or food bin.

Make Use Of A Mobile Phone In Thailand

Thailand is known as "The Land of Smiles." While you're snorkeling around Turtle Island and shopping for coconut-wood souvenirs, you want to make sure that you are able to use your cell phone in the case of an emergency. Using a cell phone in Thailand is easy if you follow the correct procedures.

Instructions

1. Purchase the correct plug adaptors from an electronics store before you leave home so that you can charge your cell phone while in Thailand. Thailand uses plug types "A" and "C."

2. Use a transformer that can handle 220 volts, which is the voltage used in Thailand, when charging your cell phone. Your cell phone will likely fry if you do not use the correct transformer.

3. Call your cell phone provider to make sure that they offer phone coverage in Thailand. Ask to be upgraded to international roaming.

4. Consider renting a cell phone or SIM card to use with your personal cell phone if your cellular company does not offer coverage in Thailand.

5. Know dial locally within Thailand. If you are dialing a place in Thailand with the same area code as which you are calling, just dial the number. If the number has a different area code, dial "0," plus the area code, plus the phone number.

6. Know call the United States from Thailand. First dial "001" (this is the international prefix to dial outside of Thailand). Then dial "1" (this is the international code used to dial to the U.S.). Follow that by the area code and phone number.

Make Use Of A Mobile Phone Within An Electrical Storm

Your cell phone is safe even if lightning strikes a cell phone tower.

The American Red Cross, the National Weather Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and others agree that cell phones do not present a hazard when used during an electrical storm. To the contrary, they recommend that you use a cell phone in lieu of a standard land line phone during thunderstorms because it is less hazardous. And if severe weather forces you to seek shelter, take a cell phone with you--ideally one that can send and receive text messages. It may be your best form of emergency communication.

Instructions

1. You can get weather warnings by radio, television and cell phone.

Plan ahead. Check with your local government to find out how storm warnings are issued locally. You can usually find information on the city or county website. Many weather websites and local news websites let you sign up to have weather-alert text messages sent to your phone.

Identify a safe shelter in your home--away from doors, windows and skylights--and be sure that every member of the family knows where it is and when to take shelter.

2. Learn first aid before you have to use it.

Prepare an emergency kit. Your kit should include fresh water in sealed containers--one gallon per person per day. Keep a supply of easy-to-prepare food, ideally something you can eat without cooking, in case power is out for an extended period. If you have canned goods, make sure you have a manual can opener. Include a battery-powered flashlight, with extra batteries, and a commercial first-aid kit. If severe weather is in the forecast, keep your cell phone well-charged. For extra safety, keep fully charged spare batteries on hand as well.

3. Heavy rains that accompany thunderstorms can quickly cause flooding in low-lying areas.

Learn weather terminology so you know what you're dealing with. A "severe thunderstom watch" is issued when the conditions are right for a storm to develop. Think of it as your early warning. A "severe thunderstorm warning" means the storm has formed and is in the area. Take cover. A thunderstorm is considered "severe" if it produces hail the size of a quarter or larger, or if winds exceed 58 mph. All thunderstorms produce lightning--they are all "electrical storms."

4. Electricity can follow the cables and cords on your land-line telephone.

Understand and avoid risks. If you hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be hit by lightning. Get inside as quickly as possible. Close outside doors and keep away from windows. Do not take a shower, bathe or use the plumbing until the storm passes. Do not use electrical items with cords--television, radio, computers, land-line telephones. Use battery-powered items instead, including cell phones. If someone is struck by lightning or if lightning starts a fire, use your cell phone, not your land line, to call for assistance. Lightning will not follow the radio waves back to your phone.

5. The risks continue for about 30 minutes after the thunder and lightning have passed.

Be patient. Wait until 30 minutes have passed after you last hear thunder before resuming normal activity.

Create A Grand Opening Chapel Flyer

The opening of a new church is always a time for celebration. Spread the word to all members of the community by distributing flyers announcing the good news. This small budget item will pay off in big ways for your church, your community and potential new members. Follow these simple steps for best results.

Instructions

1. Open a new Word document. Create your church flyer by choosing a font and typing in the date, day, time and location of the grand opening. Remember to keep your font legible. If you want to include a picture of your church be sure to leave space at the bottom of the page for it.

2. The pastor should add a few words of encouragement or scripture as well. Also include a brief history of the church or a short story on how it came to be. To entice people to come to the grand opening of the church, plan to serve light refreshments or hold a meet-and-greet session after the opening service. Note that on the flyer. People often choose which church they will attend by how much they like both the preaching and the congregation.

3. Add your picture. Go to the "Insert" menu and choose the photo or picture from the "My Pictures" file. Move the picture by clicking and dragging it with the mouse until it is in the right location on the page.

4. Save the file, and then choose print one copy in color.

5. Call several local copy centers for price quotes on 500 copies. Ask about both white and colored paper and black and white and color copies. Decide which one will best fit your church budget. Colored paper is more likely to catch someone's eye. If you can afford it, this will be your best option.

6. Most churches already have established congregations who have been meeting in schools or homes before raising the funds for a church of their own. Start by passing out the flyers to them. You also can leave the flyers with shops and restaurants in the area around your church. Inform them of the grand opening. Many businesses will be happy to post community notices, but be sure to ask first before posting your flyer.

Use Auctiva

The Auctiva website provides users with free software to manage and showcase products for sale on eBay. Auctiva offers a variety of easy ways to list items, organize postings and transactions and encourage the growth of a customer base. Learn to use Auctiva as a resource to build your business on eBay.

Instructions

1. Register on the Auctiva website and create a unique user name and password. Choose a password that's easy to remember but complex enough to ensure security.

2. Create an eBay token. Auctiva uses the token to identify you on the eBay website. The token is made automatically after you click the "Generate an EBay Token" box. Auctiva automatically imports all of your listings to your newly created personal space.

3. Name your free Auctiva-hosted eBay store. Pay a fee to create a personalized store name or use the free name generated by Auctiva.

4. View your personal Auctiva page and customize your settings. There are tabs at the top of the page for listings, images, profiles, sales, reports and store. Click each tab to view your personalized information and edit it as directed.

5. Learn about specific actions or receive help customizing your Auctiva pages. Watch tutorials offered by Auctiva to learn specific ways to personalize and organize your information. Read the Frequently Asked Questions section to find additional tips.

Quote Commercial Tenants Insurance Costs

Business insurance is important to have to protect your business from damage, theft, fire and other disasters. Commercial renters insurance should be considered if you rent or lease a commercial property or office. This can be done as an add-on to your current policy or as a separate policy altogether.

Instructions

1. Gather your business, business insurance and commercial renters information. This should include the worth of your business, projected monthly profits, major business equipment that is kept on-site, the policy information for your business insurance, who you lease from, the size of the property you are leasing and the cost you are paying to lease the commercial property.

2. Contact the insurance agent for your current policy and inquire as to whether they offer a commercial renters plan. You can also often save money by keeping all of your business with one company. The insurance agent will be able to give you various rates for their company.

3. Diversify your options by visiting an insurance company that compares commercial insurance rates, like Insurance.com, who'll find multiple quotes and services from a variety of insurance companies. Keep in mind the lowest rate may not be the best deal as actual coverage may be cut to offer lower rates. Make sure you are getting the coverage you need before deciding on the best coverage for the money.

4. Consider sharing the cost of commercial renters insurance with other occupants of the building or property. Call a meeting and see if the other business owners are interested. If so, talk to an agent about a combined insurance policy and splitting the rate to get all of you the best deal.

Upload Music To Some Small Sdcard On The Computer

Many cell phones now come equipped with a slot for a Mini SD card. These cards are usually sold separately from the phone, and can come in many different capacities, from megabytes to gigs. The best use for these cards is turning your phone into a mini-MP3 player. The cards help expand the space available on your phone; but before you can listen to the music, you must put it on the card first.

Instructions

1. Purchase a ,ini SD card. The size of the card depends on how much music you want to hold. For example, a 2-gig card can hold over 400 songs.

2. Make sure the Mini SD card comes with an SD adapter. If it does not, it will be nearly impossible to get music from your computer onto the card. Most of these cards come with an adapter, but if the one you bought did not (or you lost it), you can purchase another one at any online retailer.

3. Place the mini SD card inside the SD adapter. Make sure you are inserting it the correct way, so you do not damage the card. In most cases, there will be a picture showing which way the card should go in.

4. Purchase an SD card reader. Newer computers automatically have them built in, but some models still do not, making a separate unit necessary. Card readers plug directly into a USB drive for easy access.

5. Watch for a pop-up window to load automatically. If it does not, open My Computer and look for the device. It will have a drive name like “SD CARD (:E)” or something similar. Double-click on this device and an empty window should load. This means that the mini SD card currently has no data.

6. Open the folder that contains all of your music files. Highlight the files you want to put on the mini SD card, then drag them directly to the mini SD explorer folder. Your computer will automatically begin the copying process; it may take a few minutes to complete.

7. Unhook the SD card from the computer once the copying is finished. Place the card in the device and listen to the music to make sure the operation worked.

Conference Marketing Ideas

Nearly every industry on Earth holds conferences.

Putting on a conference requires more than just stellar event-planning skills. Promotion--that is, marketing the conference to inspire people to attend--is a vital part of the event plan and the budget. Whether your conference is big or small, geared toward outdoor retailers or preschool teachers, shape your promotional efforts by zeroing in on the needs and wants of your target market.

Top 10 Reasons

Put out print advertisements (and online promotions too) headlined "Top 10 Reasons to Attend Conference Name 2011." Below the headline, list 10 solid reasons people should consider attending. Use humor if appropriate. If you get stuck thinking of 10 reasons to attend the conference, brainstorm a list of tangible and intangible benefits that attendees will receive, such as networking opportunities, continuing education credits and entertainment and insights from a top-rated speaker. Work with a professional copywriter to make sure that the ad copy is as tight and engaging as possible. Look at other conferences' promotional materials for inspiration.

Desk Calendar

A planner or wall calendar would work too.

Target people who are highly likely to attend the conference, such as those who have attended similar conferences, for this costly but innovative promotion. Produce custom desk calendars with all the features of regular calendars--listing holidays and full moons--as well as bonus features suitable for people in your industry. These bonus features can include the dates that new issues of a trade magazine are released, reminders about renewing membership in an industry association and, of course, prominent reminders to register for the conference.

Water Bottle

Avoid cheap plastic bottles, as they leave a poor impression.

For a useful, planet-friendly promotion, have stainless-steel water bottles made with a visually pleasing logo and the name and date of the conference stamped on them. People will carry and use them often, which will keep the conference in their minds and also serve as an advertisement for anyone who sees the bottle. This would make a thoughtful (and strategic) thank-you gift for people who attended the conference in past years.