Monday, 31 August 2015

How to Throw a Great First Birthday Party?

Your baby turning one is a major milestone in your life. It is a time for celebrating accomplishments-he may have started taking solid food, learnt to sleep undisturbed in the night, achieved some teething and may have graduated from crawling to walking.

So you might want to hold a great first birthday party to celebrate your little miss sunshine.  A first birthday party may be a bit overwhelming for the little birthday boy or girl. But with proper planning, you can host a memorable first birthday party for your tiny tot.

Planning the Event:

  • Timing: You must plan the event in such a way that the guests have a good time. For this, first thing is timing; you don’t want a cake cutting ceremony with the birthday baby screaming away. Plan the event around the napping time of the baby, when she is in a good mood. Host a small party before she falls asleep or bring in the cake when she wakes up.

You must also decide guest list: usually close friends and family associated with your baby need only to be invited. You may also invite other new mothers and their babies.

  • Venue: The best place for a baby is your home where she is secure and familiar. But for a big party, consider a local hall, restaurant with play area, a relatives’ home or the outdoors (park or zoo).

  • Theme: Babies cannot appreciate any themes of their party. So, it is up to you to choose something you like- a colour coordinated or a cartoon theme- it is only for photos and videos for memory’s sake.
  • Food: Keep food simple. Most of it will be spread all over with a bunch of tiny tots in action. Finger foods are ideal for the newly teething baby. These include tiny sandwiches, cup cakes, cut-up fruit, mini yogurt or Graham crackers served in broken bits. Avoid popcorn, hard candy, nuts, marshmallows, and raisins-anything that can potentially choke your young ones.

Keep water, milk and juice handy for the little ones.

  • Decorations: You can hang up cute photos of your baby, hanging from streamers. Avoid balloons and other plastic materials that are dangerous for babies lest they choke on them. Babies appreciate colour, so go colourful with your decorations.

  • Activities and games: Bursting balloons and party poppers may frighten your little baby. Instead, organize some dancing with nursery rhymes playing in the background.
  • Birthday presents: Babies will love opening up gifts and may love playing with the wrapping paper rather than the gifts. If some gifts are too complicated for a one year old, stow them away for use in future. Babies love lights, sounds and colours. Touching toys are ideal for a baby with growing tactile skills. Bath toys and push along toys are also likely to be a great hit.

  • The cake: The first birthday cake provides unlimited photo opportunities. Every toddler has the right to a ‘smash cake’. Those concerned with nutrition can opt for healthy cakes like banana muffins or low fat ice cream cake. You can order cakes by post in UK if you are unable to go to local bakery. Buying online would be better as online stores have more variety than local bakeries.

These are some tips on how to organize a first birthday party for your toddler.



from http://monalisaofblogging.com/how-to-throw-a-great-first-birthday-party

Thursday, 27 August 2015

The Best And Latest Notebooks On The Market For 2015

The notebook market has a number of new entries that are definitely worth serious consideration. If you need to add power to your office, functionality to your portable device, and durability to those long and hectic business trips abroad, then start researching the country’s top providers for models for 2015 (and beyond).

New notebooks (or workstation laptops) offer thin, lightweight profiles (averaging between 3 to 4 pounds),but boast the secure reinforcement of a strong magnesium frame and honeycombed ribbed structures. New models are durable and sturdy professional laptops in the competitive “tough book” notebook market. With one-click docking, full-sized ports, accu point mouse scroll systems, LED backlit displays, and spill resistant keyboards, the notebook is making it easier than ever for the mobile professional to work productively on the go.

You can now enjoy Ultra notebook portability while maintaining the power and memory of a heavier (or even desktop) computer.Of course, today’s range of laptops come equipped with standard ports such as VGA, ethernet, USB ports and even a “SmartCard” reader, but depending on the unit, you can expect to find “solid state” storage, the luxury of a 7,200 RPM HDD, a range of 320GB to 750GB of memory, in addition to a hybrid drive. Furthermore, some SSDs max out at 512GB and not the usual 256GB found in earlier notebook designs. Additionally, graphics options can include the NVIDIA’s 730M for savvy notebook users, designers, artists, and engineers who need to see things with perfect clarity. For those users who need a large screen, you’ll be pleased to see that upgrades are available for sharp (1,600 x 900) display panel screens. Eight to ten hours on a battery charge gives unprecedented remote life to the mobile workstation, letting you work while thousands of feet in the air, at home, in the office, or underground with equal ease.

With a host of new and innovative security features—including alarm-sounding protections, fingerprint readers, dense encryption layers, and even security measures to help against physical damages (like spills, drops, and bumps)—lugging around your notebook or workstation will be safer than ever. It’s time for any serious professional to start investigating what some of the better providers, like Toshiba, are offering. The latest notebook computers by Toshiba are the most powerful laptops on the market and are suitable for just about any endeavour, no matter how complicated, demanding, or time-intensive. Forget chaining yourself to an immovable desktop, and start imagining the freedom of a spectacular new laptop!



from http://monalisaofblogging.com/the-best-and-latest-notebooks-on-the-market-for-2015

Understanding Costs and Quotes given by Conveyancers

If you are looking for a conveyancer online, the best way to go about it is to collect quotes from a number of conveyancers and then compare them with each other. There are different parts of a quote which you will need to compare, and these are described in detail in the following paragraphs.

  1. The basic Solicitor’s fee

This is the payment made to the solicitor in exchange for their time in processing your transaction. It varies between firs, depending on the level of expertise, the experience of the lawyer etc., with a spread of more than £500 between the lowest and highest. In the UK, conveyancers charge for their services in the following ways.

  • On a fixed rate basis, though very rarely
  • On a percentage scale basis linked to the value of the property being bought or sold – most common
  • On an hourly basis – relatively common

You want to avoid the third option at all costs.

  1. Disbursements

Apart from the conveyancing fees charged by the solicitor for their services, there are payments that will be made by the solicitor to other parties in the course of conveyancing, which are called disbursements. These payments should not be significantly different from one conveyancer to the next, since they are administrative/fixed charges.

At this point, it’s important to mention that there are some conveyancers who may try to earn more buy inventing disbursements you should not be typically paying for if you’re acquiring business or commercial property. Our site does its best to ensure your interests are safeguarded, but you also need to carefully assess your quotes.

First, be careful about quotes that don’t itemize your disbursements, and therefore seem ultra-cheap. Ask for a detailed list with all disbursements being itemized before instructing a conveyancer. Look through every item on the list and in the fine print to ensure you have the full picture before signing up.

In order to know what charges are considered fake, you should know the real charges which qualify as disbursements, and these are given below for sellers. VAT is applicable to all charges.

  • Basic solicitors fee – (£300 – 1200) Leasehold properties will cost more since they are more involving
  • Land Registry Office Checks – (£4 – 8) to confirm the registered titleholder
  • Telegraphic Transfer Charges – (£20 – 30) only applicable to clients redeeming more than £60,000 in mortgage(s).

The quote/cost breakdown for a buyer includes the above charges with the following extras.

  • Bankruptcy search – (£2 – 4) particularly if buying with a mortgage
  • Local authority search – (£100 – 200) should include an exact figure depending on the Borough. You’ll need to give the postal code for the commercial property you’re buying to determine the exact cost
  • Drainage search – (£30 – 40) to check whether the property is properly connected to fresh water supply and drainage sewers
  • Chancel repair liability check – (£10) to check whether you are supposed to pay for the upkeep of your local church parish
  • Environmental search – (£30 – 35) looking for evidence of contamination in your immediate surroundings
  • Local search (location-specific) – (£40 – 250) these may not be included at the time of your online comparison search since they depend on the exact location of the property you’re going to buy e.g. limestone, coal, China Clay and Cheshire bring mining.
  • Land registration fee – (£40 – 700) set on a percentage scale according to the price of the property being bought
  • Telegraphic transfer fee – (£20 – 30) will be charged by your bank to cover the cost of sending money to the seller’s conveyancer
  • Stamp duty – percentage of the value of the property paid to the Inland Revenue

Anything above these costs should be covered in the solicitor’s basic fee, or it should be completely itemized so that you can look it up.



from http://monalisaofblogging.com/understanding-costs-and-quotes-given-by-conveyancers

Tuesday, 25 August 2015

Odisha beaches to visit!

 

Goa is not the only place where you can enjoy the sun, sand and water, but you will find many stunning offbeat beaches at Odisha too! This is India’s least explored place and you cannot miss out on it. So, if you have a travel list then do add this state in your list. Check out our lowdown to know how incredibly beautiful Odisha beaches are…

  • Astarang Beach: – This is the perfect place to see a splendid sunset. This beach is well-known for the beautiful ducks gracing the beach. This place is a delight for photographers and those who love sunsets, coffee and ducks of course!
  • Rushikulya Beach: – Take a break from your hectic schedule and explore the serene Rushikulya Beach. The blue water, seashores and peace will make you want to come here again and again. This is a hub for nature lovers, and you will also enjoy the stunning landscape views while you are relaxing at this beach.

  • Chandipur Beach: – If you want to play hide and seek with the sea, then head over to Chandipur Beach right away! This is a unique speciality of this place. Enjoy the mystical beauty of the spellbinding shores.

  • Ramchandi Beach: – Situated in between the Kushabhadra River and Bay of Bengal, this beach is the right stop for those who love calm and quiet beaches. You can also get adventurous with sea surfing at this mind-blasting coast.

  • Bhitarkanika Beach: – If you want to go to an extreme offbeat beach, then Bhitarkanika tops the list. This unreal and gorgeous beach is filled with lush greenery and serene views. The music of the waves will keep you accompanied while you are at the beach. Also, you will spot a lot of turtles walking at the beach.

  • Gopalpur Beach: – You can either sail or surf at Gopalpur Beach. This stunning place is filled with the beauty of nature and is one of the most appealing beaches in India. We are sure this will soon become a tourist spot in Odisha.

  • Paradeep Beach: – Sooth your eyes with blue waters, enjoy the soft sand touching your feet and the sun kissing your cheeks at Paradeep Beach. This hypnotic beach is a great vacation destination with friends and family.

  • Puri Beach: – This beach is a famous destination in Odisha where a lot of people come to pay respect to Lord Jagannath. Apart from the spiritual feel, this beach has tons of tourists every November.

  • Balighai Beach: – Experience majestic sunrise and soothing sunsets at the shores of Balighai Beach. This is Odisha’s calmest delight that attracts not only locals but foreign travellers too. Make sure you have your camera ready to capture the awe-inspiring moments you have at this beach.

If you are already in awe reading about the beaches, go and visit Odisha to experience it with your own eyes. Book your train tickets right away! And do not forget to book good quality food for train journey online.



from http://monalisaofblogging.com/odisha-beaches-to-visit

Monday, 24 August 2015

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Convert Your Android Phone into a Wi-Fi Hotspot

All this fast paced technology is bliss, without any hint of doubt, as our modern day lives have gone unprecedentedly dependant over it, especially the internet. There seems almost nothing that we won’t need internet for, so much so that we literally live by it nowadays. In fact, our lives seem to be put on halt if for some reason we lose internet connectivity; one of the most irritating moments of our lives, for majority of us I mean.

When you are frustrated to experience internet connectivity issues

One such irritating moment that most of us have to face in our daily lives one way or the other, is to lose internet connectivity in places like a hotel room, an airport lounge or while travelling across long distances where it’s nearly impossible to wind a Wi-Fi. The worst of all is perhaps your local ISP serving internet connection to your home getting down for some Godforsaken reason. Not do we feel totally isolated and damned, cut out from the world, but there are so many things that we are unable to do; for example, preparing PowerPoint presentation for an immediate meeting, getting access to an important email, and so forth.

The Good News

This all sounds so gloomy and frustrating, but the good news is that having a smartphone handy can turn your sorrows into joys under such circumstances, as I will guide you on turning your handset into a portable Wi-Fi hotspot with the help of your device’s 3G/4G internet connection.

Tethering

The process is commonly referred to as “tethering”, where you can access internet on any computer using the Wi-Fi connectivity of your handset, which can relay the computer/laptop its own network signals to get connected to the internet.

Here, I will guide you on how to turn your Google Android handset into a portable Wi-Fi hotspot. Google Android handsets were bestowed with this feature in Froyo version 2.2 Android OS. While doing so, you should not forget to consider the terms and conditions that are set in place by your network on tethering, in addition to being watchful of your data allowance, because tethering can result in very quick consumption of your allocated mobile data cap. Exceeding your predefined data limit might result in unwanted charges on you.

Step by Step Guide

  1. Go to the Home Screen of your Android device from where you would need to select the “Settings” menu.
  2. Now move on to the option “Select Wireless & Networks” where you would need to select “Tethering and portable hotspot”.
  3. Check on to the “Portable Wi-Fi hotspot” option.
  4. Tapping on the “Portable Wi-Fi hotspot” settings would enable you to edit the name of the Wi-Fi network and choose a password for it.
  5. The next step involves your PC or laptop, from where you need to select and click/tap your handsets network from the list of Wi-Fi connections being displayed before you.
  6. Now you can click connect, which will prompt you to enter the password for the Wi-Fi hotspot. This will grant you the connectivity to internet and freedom to surf through the content of your liking.  

Step: 1

 

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Step: 5



from http://monalisaofblogging.com/step-by-step-guide-on-how-to-convert-your-android-phone-into-a-wi-fi-hotspot

Sunday, 23 August 2015

Where to find best slow cooker?

Slow cooker recipes are very popular nowadays particularly among people that work and, to discover them, you should do nothing more than search down the name of the brand you want to buy  or you can find some delicious recipes all along. However, there are a couple of simple tips that will help you to choose the best one that suits your needs. Here are six tips for making delightful home-cooked dinners in your slow cooker and we are presenting them to you right now.

First, use a recipe particularly made for crock pots and slow cookers. If you use ordinary recipe for your slow cooker, things will not be as smooth as you think. For instance, unless you’re making soup, you’ll ordinarily need to know exact measure of how many water you must include. Since a crock pot or a slow cooker holds 3 or 6 quint capacity, you can once in a while end up with more water toward the end of the crock pot or a slow cooker than you had when you begun to prepare this meal, and this can weaken the taste of your dish.

Second, caramelize onions and meat previously. Numerous recipes call for you to put the majority of the vegetables and meat into the stewing pot. This is fine thing to do. Truth to be told, that will be the most productive approach to go with slow cooker recipe, if there is a chance that you are utilizing your crock pot or a slow cooker as it is. In any case, you can significantly improve the taste by searing your meat or chicken with onions before you add them to the crock pot. Third, slow cooker will make your meat soft and tender.

When you use slow cooking appliance, you can pick the less expensive cuts, for example, toss steak. Since the meat is cooked gradually after some time, this steak will soften in your mouth when they are done. Also, cut your vegetables into little pieces. Unless you like your vegetables crunchy, cut them into littler pieces. Put potatoes, carrots and other root vegetables on the base or against the sides of the pot. Also, add herbs to make dish more spicy and more healthy.

The best programmable slow cooker quality recipes have a great amount of websites which use them on the web. Most loved tried recipes incorporate things like pepper steak, prepared chicken, easy mushy chicken, grill, hamburgers or sandwiches. It is conceivable to use this no matter if you are chicken, pasta, pork, soups, and veggie lover. The main veggies and meat are used to prepare beans, taco soup, bean stew, pot dish, meat stew, grilled hamburger, and meatballs. You can discover so many various components which you can do if you own a slow cooker and it is a miracle that all men and ladies can do with crock pots. The flavors are so tasty, you will be amazed. If you want to read most popular slow cooker reviews, there are many websites specialized only for that.



from http://monalisaofblogging.com/where-to-find-best-slow-cooker

Friday, 21 August 2015

A Detailed Salesforce Trigger Tutorial

This article is a tutorial on how to create a trigger in Salesforce. It is a rather involved process that requires getting your feet wet with programming logic.

Just like in traditional programming, this tutorial will help you learn the process by creating a “Hello World” project. Please note that while this Salesforce trigger tutorial will discuss the process of creating a custom object partially, you need to familiarize yourself in detail.

Salesforce Trigger Tutorial – Steps For Creating A Custom Object

Step 1- Log into your developer/sandbox organization

Step 2- Click on Your Name then Setup Then Create Then Objects Then ‘New Custom Object’

Step 3 – For the label enter ‘Book’ and for the plural label ‘Books’

Step 4 – Click on ‘Save’

Step 5 – In the ‘Custom Fields & Relationships’ section of the Book detail page click on ‘New’

Step 6 – Choose ‘Number’ as the data type then click on ‘Next’

Step 7 – For the field label enter ‘Price’ and enter 16 in the length text box

Step 8 – In the decimal places text box enter 2 and click on ‘Next’

Step 9 – To accept all other default values click on ‘Next’

Step 10 – Click on ‘Save’

Before proceeding further with this Salesforce trigger tutorial you need to be familiar with some programing conventions. You can consult C programming conventions tutorials before you proceed since Apex is based on C#, which is in turn based on C.

1 – Private, public, and static declarations

2 – Variables

3 – Float, integer, and string variable types

4 – Functions and classes

5 – Flow logic (else, if, switch, while, for, and then)

6 – Voids

7 – Returns

8 – Semicolon terminations

9 – Algebraic/parenthetical expressions

10 – Brackets for encapsulation of the code block

11 – Line comments

Moving on to writing your first Apex class

1 – Click on Your Name Then Setup Then Develop then Apex Classes then ‘New’

2 – Assign the class definition in the class editor as such:

Public class MyhelloWorld {

}

This is the class name and it will encapsulate the code for the class itself.

3 – Inside the class encapsulation, insert the following code:

Public stat void applyDiscount(Book_c[] books) {

for (Book_c b :Books){

b.Price_c *=0.9;

{

}

If you find this code’s functionality mystifying in some way you need to stop and consult some C and C# documentation before you proceed.

4 – Click on ‘Save’

Now you are ready to add the trigger itself

Step 1 – Click on your Name then Setup then Create then objects and click on the object you created earlier

Step 2 – Click on ‘New’ in the triggers section

Step 3 – Delete the default code in the trigger editor and enter the following:

Trigger HelloWorldTrigger on Book_c  {

Book_c[] books = Trigger.new;

My HelloWorld.applyDiscount(books);

}

The first line defines the trigger, gives it a name, and links it to an object. It provides an event for the trigger.

The second line creates a list of records named ‘Books’ instancing the trigger. If unfamiliar with instancing then refer to general programming documentation. The final line invokes the applyDiscount method you wrote in the class above.

Conclusion

If you have been following the instructions in this Salesforce trigger tutorial then you have successfully learned how to create a trigger in Salesforce. However, to deploy and test this class you must have advanced Apex knowledge not covered in this tutorial.



from http://monalisaofblogging.com/a-detailed-salesforce-trigger-tutorial

Thursday, 20 August 2015

Effective Tricks to Reduce Merchant Service Costs

Most retailers are generally under the impression that the exorbitant cost of credit card processing and merchant accounts are unavoidable. However, one needs to realize that merchant account/service costs could be reduced provided you possess the perfect market intelligence.

When you begin using a merchant account service, it becomes essential for you to pay multiple service fees or charges. You may have to pay the charges as per the services you are availing and that may include Monthly Minimum, Address Verification Fee, Gateway Fee, Transaction Fee, Statement Fee, Chargeback Fee, and also, Cancellation Fee. However, you could reduce these merchant account costs effectively if you are market savvy.

Ways of Reducing Merchant Account Costs in a Nutshell

You can effectively reduce merchant service costs by:

  • Recommending efficiencies and auditing internal processes
  • Assessing present pricing programs as well as by negotiating enhanced rates based on volume, industry and also, the processing methods.
  • Tweaking the current set-up for achieving the unparalleled industry rates
  • Recommending POS (Point of Sale) system upgrades
  • Reevaluating credit card transactional ways and approaches
  • Boosting transactional efficiency
  • Minimizing and eliminating processing risk for reducing the potential

Hiring Experts

You may hire experts to reduce merchant service costs and negotiate merchant account contracts. The professionals make it a point to ensure that your merchant account contracts are written with a bias toward you. The credit card processes are usually aligned by experts with your firm’s requirements for ensuring transactional expenses are precise.

You could contact a fully-conversant team of merchant account processing as well as sourcing professionals. These thorough professionals are well versed in interpretation of merchant account contracts and agreements and also, carrying on renegotiation especially relating to the precise structures of your credit card transactions. This may include:

  • Bill Backs
  • Card Association Fees
  • Card Category analyses
  • Chargeback fees
  • Customer Service fees
  • Early Termination fees
  • Interchange Plus pricing
  • Monthly minimum fees
  • Nuisance fees
  • PCI Compliance processes and charges/fees
  • Tier pricing

Research is Useful

You must do ample research and find out the existing best price in the market. This could be pretty useful in reducing your card fees. You must find out what the top rates are before you begin negotiating. You could contact your colleagues and find out the amount they are paying.

Go Through Customer Reviews

Quick and thorough Google searches are a great idea as they help you build a shortlist of companies you would like to sign with. There should be ample number of reviews available on personal blogs or public forums too which would help you make the decision.

Keep Tabs on the Interchange Rates

Interchange rates are charged by the original credit card companies like Visa and MasterCard to the credit card processors. It is important for you to check that the differential passed to you is the same as the differential specified in these rates. Some card processors may try to impose more on some rates, but you should set the record straight. Between MasterCard and Visa, the interchange differential is 1%. You may consult your salesperson if you are unable to locate the interchange rate online.

Study the Charges made to Your Account

Pull out statements issued for your account over the last six months and sift through them for any irregularities. If any do jump out at you, confront your processor. While some fees like charge-back fees or downgrade fees may be intentional hidden fees, some may have genuine reasons, so you should always consult the concerned authority to understand what is afoot. To avoid downgrade fees, you could also switch over to an auto-settle facility.

Delay Payments

A strategy which has been adopted by several e-commerce giants as well as independent agencies is to take the payment only after the item has been shipped and received. This allows the firm’s card processor to be exempt from any liabilities, should the company experience a sudden fall or legal issues in the period between order and delivery.

Segregate Terminal Costs

You could always hire credit terminals somewhere else at less cost. What matters when hiring third parties is that you can sync these new renewal dates with the actual processing renewal date for your card. There are several sites which would be happy to give you a quote.



from http://monalisaofblogging.com/effective-tricks-to-reduce-merchant-service-costs

Lenovo Vibe S1 Will Feature Dual Selfie Camera

You might be aware of the Selfie trend these days, people are shifting to selfies rather that rear shots. Keeping this scenario in mind, mobile companies are now planning to work on some new strategies which will be more focused on Selfie camera’s. Lenovo is the first company to launch this idea. It was expected that Lenovo Vibe S1 smartphone will be the first to have a dual selfie camera. The smartphone was set to launch at Mobile World Congress 2015, but that didn’t happen. Lenovo also hasn’t said anything about this smartphone, but a leak from China suggest that this smartphone is real.

A word from @upleak claims that Lenovo Vibe S1 is equipped with dual selfie camera and it is in progress. This would be the world’s first smartphone to feature Dual Selfie camera  which will become the major selling point of this device.

Other features of Lenovo Vibe S1 includes an octacore Snapdragon 615 processor with 2GB RAM and 16 GB expandable memory. A 13MP rear camera, 5 inch HD display powered by latest Android Lollipop OS. There no official word yet from Lenovo when this smartphone will launch.


from http://monalisaofblogging.com/lenovo-vibe-s1-will-feature-dual-selfie-camera

3 Awesome Web Design Tips to Help Your Small Business

A solid website that isn’t only attractive but also functional and responsive will ensure that those who find your site will want to stick around and learn more about what your business is all about and the products and services that you have to offer. So when it comes to small business web design, you shouldn’t have a lax attitude; instead, you need to take it very seriously and follow tips that will ensure you create the best website possible that will increase conversions and profits.

Here are a few helpful web design tips that can help you when it comes to building the ideal site for your small business.

1. Keep It Uncluttered and Responsive

Add elements to your website in a manner that will still provide plenty of space so that it doesn’t end up looking cluttered and disorganized. If your visitors feel like they’re overwhelmed by cluttered information, ads, and images when they visit your site, they’ll surely leave.

Enhance user experience by providing an appropriate amount of space amongst the various elements on the page. You also want your site to have responsive design elements so it will display beautifully on all devices.

A streamlined site will also look more professional, and it won’t confuse visitors because you’ll only be providing the information that they need to get interested in what you can do for them.

2. Make It Easy to Navigate

Your site’s navigation is also super important when it comes to design, in fact, utilizing elements like color and good typography can really make all the difference. The are a number of great online resources to find web fonts, including free ones so definitely check those out.

Also, I can’t tell you how often I’ve had to scour some company’s site just to find a phone number. It is super critical that you put all the most important information on your home page.

Another thing you will want to be careful about is having too many web pages on your site. While you may think you are providing good information, sometimes too much information is well, too much and could make it really difficult for users to navigate the site and find the content that they need.

If you don’t plan to build and design your site yourself, it’s incredibly important that you work closely with any web design company you hire, such as WordPressDesignServices, in order to ensure that you end up with a site meets potential customers needs but also is something you are happy with.

3. Finally, Optimize Your Website’s Content with Keywords

In addition to how your site will actually look, you also need to consider the content that will drive visitors to it. With SEO, your site will rank higher in search engine results against competitors, and this will translate to more visitors going to your website before anyone else’s.

Use the handy Google Adwords Keyword Finder tool to locate keywords that are popular and relevant to your content, and begin incorporating those keywords throughout your webpages in a natural way.

You should also create a keyword-rich title tag that’s specific and descriptive, as this is what will show up when people search for your website. The meta description that goes along with it should also be keyword-rich while clearly and succinctly (most search engines don’t read more than 150 characters in a meta description) explaining what you have to offer.

Once you’ve taken all of these design tips into consideration, you should be able to more easily build an effective, optimized website that users will be able to find and navigate with ease. And this will ultimately help your company succeed as you increase traffic, conversions, and revenue.



from http://monalisaofblogging.com/3-awesome-web-design-tips-to-help-your-small-business

Sunday, 16 August 2015

An Insight into the Strengths of Salesforce

Experts believe that often CRM projects do not succeed due to inadequate user adoption. One of the inherent features of Salesforce CRM is intuitive user experience and it has certain in-built features that help a sales rep immensely in his work. These fantastic features make Salesforce CRM truly a sales effective tool for sales reps. Humans are, by nature reluctant if not averse to any kind of change.

No Risks Involved

There is absolutely no risk involved while using Salesforce. Salesforce is known for its low-risk management and pretty low acquiring expenses so as an organization tool it poses no risk and you have nothing to lose but a lot to gain from it.

Effective database

The database used by Salesforce is immensely useful in organizing and digitizing an organization’s sales records. This helps to bring about a tremendous improvement in the company’s overall organization. Salesforce is hugely acknowledged for good customer service. Salesforce facilitates organized and quick access to individual data and records and helps in customization of individual customer profiles.

Easy Access to Customer Information

Salesforce helps sales reps with much improved visibility into client info. They are able to have access to all their accounts, opportunities, contacts, events and tasks in one single place. It helps being fully organized at all times and having a complete knowledge of customer details and behavior. Now sales reps do not need to maintain paper folders, notes or Excel spreadsheets. Any information regarding the customer is very much there in the Salesforce CRM.

Account Planning Made Easier

Now sales reps are able to enjoy easier account planning thanks to Salesforce. Now reps are able to carry on with their own planning. As they have access to customer history they are now well-equipped to come up with an account strategy that would be really effective. They can now be ready with a complete action plan with precise to do tasks.

Reps are now able to set reminders for follow-up tasks on specific dates. Most importantly they are now able to get a clear idea about the exact amount of time devoted to each customer account and the fruits of their efforts.

Great User Interaction

Salesforce.com encourages and welcomes truly stimulating user community. The organization comes up with its own ideas for seeking community inputs. The firm is said to actively keep track of social networks and presents online platforms so that the customers can come up with their views and share their feedback. Salesforce.com focuses a great deal on Customer Relationship Management.

No Need for Capital Investment

Salesforce unlike most other software does not need any kind of capital investment as you do not require to buy hardware and software systems for maintaining or helping the application to go on running. Salesforce requires no software or constant updates, it is known to update automatically. Moreover, Salesforce’s reporting function and analytics provide its users with the opportunity to widen their campaign capacity.



from http://monalisaofblogging.com/an-insight-into-the-strengths-of-salesforce

The Human Solution to Your Building Site’s Pigeon Population

If you find slippery splotches of white goo, it can only mean one thing: pigeons. The pigeon droppings aren’t the only clues that you’ve got a kit living in your building. Unattractive and destructive roosts have popped up throughout your property, including areas full of very important equipment, machinery, and wiring. If you want to keep your building clean (without having to waste time and money constantly cleaning up after pigeons), you need to find humane pigeon solutions stop the birds from interfering with your building.

One such solution is to put up netting. The thick, heavy netting that has been knotted (and not knitted) has a much longer lifespan than knitted plastic netting. Thicker netting has a breaking strength of over forty pounds, which is more than enough resistance for the average pigeon. The most important part of the netting, however, is that it prevents pigeons entering the property. This, in turn, prevents them from believing that the building is their home, as there’s nowhere to build their nests; and no nests means you won’t be digging out debris caught in eavestroughs, drains, or air vents.

Bird spikes are another popular option among the humane pigeon solutions. A plastic base and a row of well-installed steel spikes on a ledge can help deter pigeons from resting there. Don’t worry; these spikes are meant to slightly poke the birds, not impale them. They’re not sharp enough to hurt pigeons or other creatures; the spikes just make it inconvenient to climb or sit on ledges.

The reason why humane solutions are stressed is twofold. For one thing, no company should be in the business of hurting the animals we share our planet with, especially not animals as harmless as pigeons. Secondly, the inhumane, lethal alternatives are downright ineffective. Killing the pigeons calling your property home will only stop those particular pigeons from causing damage. Once that family of pigeons leave, there’s nothing stopping a new one from moving in, and you’ll be left starting the process all over again.

The humane bird solutions from Pigeon Busters provide a permanent solution because it removes any pigeon’s ability from roosting on your property – not just one the ones that are there today. When their expert technicians assess your building, they can pinpoint the exact areas that are so attractive to pigeons so they can install spikes (and any other product) where they need to go. Once you have a full arsenal of products protecting your property, you’ll never have to watch out for those gross droppings or messy nests ever again. What you’re left with is a clean building free of pigeons.



from http://monalisaofblogging.com/the-human-solution-to-your-building-sites-pigeon-population

Wednesday, 12 August 2015

Formula One in Mexico

The Mexico City is all set with the upcoming Grand Prix. The auto race will be a feast to the Formula One lovers in Mexico as it is being held after twenty-three years. The last visit of the Formula One was in the year 1993 and since then the fans of Mexico have been waiting eagerly for the Championship. The Mexico City circuit is getting triggered to host the auto race in the best possible way. The live events company confirms about signing the five-year deal for conducting the race events in the Mexico City.

The Grand Prix Track of the Mexico City has its own significance. The Grands Prix that were held during 1963 to 1970 and 1986 to 1992 were held in the Track of the Mexico City. The last winner in the tracks of the Mexico City circuit was Nigel Mansell, who was the Champion of the year 1992. This time, Lewis Hamilton is expected to secure a good position in the race and hence retaining his Drivers’ Championship. He was able to manage seven pole positions in the last season, although German Nico Rosberg has managed up to eleven pole positions. Felipe Massa was the only pole position winner other than Rosberg or Hamilton.

The race was originally proposed to be held in 2014. The track needed some upgrades by the organizers and hence the event was delayed to 2015. The circuit is expected to undergo reconfigurations from the previous layout of 1992. The surface will be modified such that it is free from any bumps or ruggedness. The spectator stands are renovated to comply with the regulations of FIA. The pit garages are also subjected to renovations.

The Formula One will have up to twenty races though more than twenty is also possible based on the agreements of the teams. The race is also expected to run in the Grand Prix of Texas owing to the gap in the Formula One calendar. The debut of Sergio Perez in the year 2011 has kindled interest in the Formula One in Mexico. He is driving for Force India this time. The Mexican driver Esteban Gutierrez is expected to be driving for the 2015 Formula One although there are not official confirmations on this.

The Mexico City is all excited about the Formula race and the organizers are quite confident about the events. Nearly, 180,000 fans are expected to witness the Formula One according to the organizers. The tickets are available in various sources for the Formula One fans. Ticketbis is at its full pace in selling the tickets for the fans worldwide. The tickets are being sold at a faster rate at Ticketbis. The fans can check here to know about every event of the Championship and book the tickets for their favorite race. The Ticketbis also offers tickets based on the personal requests of the fans or a particular company. Check here at Ticketbis for the VIP or Golden Tickets, Hospitality Packages, Groups, etc. Ticketbis also helps the fans to meet their favorite sportsman of the Formula One in the backstage based on special requests. The international tickets selection will allow the fans to enjoy the events of the Formula One held throughout the world. The fans can check here for more details about the price and availability of the tickets.



from http://monalisaofblogging.com/formula-one-in-mexico

Tuesday, 11 August 2015

WalkCar Is a Portable Ride Just the Size of a Laptop

We don’t need Lexus Hoverboard teasers anymore, because we will have something similar to that soon enough. More like a mechanical skateboard, WalkCar is equally effective like a Hoverboard that you can step on to travel from one block to another. It’s about the size of a thick laptop, like the old IBMs but still, it’s portable enough to be carried around in a backpack or a briefcase.

Manufactured by an inventor in Japan, WalkCar looks like a more practical portable ride. It’s made of aluminum and works on lithium batteries.

Kuniako Saito, the developer of this device has done masters in electric car motor controls engineering. His motivation behind WalkCar was a device portable enough to be carried around in our bags.

The device is powerful enough to carry a person on a steep hill. It also has a tendency to navigate through tight courses. Apart from a lot of practice that you require to balance on a tiny surface, its only other drawback is the loud sound while working.

WalkCar is priced at $800 dollars, which is something really cheaper than a $10000 Hoverboard. It’s going to be available for the public in 2016. The developer is also going to start Kickstarter funding soon.



from http://monalisaofblogging.com/walkcar-is-a-portable-ride-just-the-size-of-a-laptop

Sunday, 9 August 2015

Don’t Sign Another Gym Membership

You won’t find many people in the city who are locked into a long-term contract with their cell phone provider. But you will notice that the average person is stuck in an unfavourable contract with their local gym downtown. Luckily for you, there is a new breed of gyms growing across Toronto. Pay-as-you-go facilities are rapidly out-performing traditional gyms in terms of customer service and facilitating actual physical results. For anyone in the 6 who’s interested in getting in shape, there’s no reason to ever sign another gym membership again.

One of the biggest disadvantages of traditional gym memberships doesn’t come at a cost to the gym itself. Their strict, long-termcontracts come at a considerable price to the consumer. Many gyms take advantage of consumers because they realize people who want to get healthy are vulnerable to predatory contract terms and conditions. Should you move from the Beaches to Bloor West Village, staying with the same gym can mean you’re commuting for far too long on the TTC; yet, cancelling your contract that’s good for three years results in even worse penalties from the gym in question. Fortunately, not all gym organizations engage in unethical business practices. There are some gym organizations that actually care about helping people get fit and increase their overall health without forcing them into inflexible contracts.

These types of gyms have an alternative business model that eliminates contracts and gives patrons the option of paying for each individual visit. This business model gives gym members the ability to maximize their workout experience without being stuck in an unfavorable contract. Gym members can still take advantage of all of the benefits that they’ve come to expect from a traditional gym. Group classes, modern equipment, and friendly staff are mainstays of the pay-per-use facility. Its visitors can also know that should they be unable to visit the facility for any length of time – be it due to transit issues resulting from the Pan Am Games, a family holiday abroad, or a busy work schedule – they can do so without penalty, returning whenever they can to resume their physical activity.

The leading gym to offer these innovative policies is Striation 6 in Toronto. They realized that scrapping the need for contracts has untold benefits to your health. And that’s why they’re in the business. They want to motivate and inspire as many people in the city to reach their goals and get healthy. With the help of their expert staff of fitness coaches, personal trainers, and class instructors, they can set you on the path towards physical fitness and a healthy life faster and cheaper than any other traditional gym.

So many Torontonians have been turned-off to the idea of joining a gym because they have heard of unfavourable, binding contracts. Now there’s an alternative within everyone’s reach – including yours! Gyms that offer pay-as-you-go options are changing the landscape of the gym business because it gives anyone with the desire to get fit instant access to the facilities and resources they need to accomplish their goals.



from http://monalisaofblogging.com/dont-sign-another-gym-membership

Lose Weight And Feel Great

Individuals who are choosing to try and lose weight for the first time can be intimidated of the road that lies before them. Following a weight loss program is essential for the beginner who’s looking for results, but it’s the hardest thing to do. According to Scientific American Frontiers, 8 out of 10 people who start dieting in order to lose weight end up failing within a short period of time.

The main culprit behind failed dieting is its lack-lustre results. With so many fad diets available, you can very easily be on one that doesn’t encourage the pounds to drop. One of the most reliable diets that can guarantee to help you lose between 3 and 7 pounds per week is a diet that’s high in plant-based proteins. When a client switches to a vegetarian diet, their immune system, digestive system, and overall sense of well-being soars through the roof. The catalyst behind this weight loss is the nutritious fiber that can be found in the plant based diet which helps facilitate digestion.

Astrict approach to dieting is in order to further the reduction of fat, cellulite, and hunger cravings. The diet starts out with the consumption of plant-based proteins in the morning to jump start your metabolism, with healthy snacks planned over the course of the day to sustain you.In the evening,(when unhealthy snacking and binging are at their highest) only one fresh, home-cooked meal should end the day.  This helps the metabolism run at optimum efficiency in order to burn additional calories throughout the day.

Making sure you stay on this diet is incredibly important, so it’s essential to have weight loss experts you can trust to motivate you through every step of your weight loss journey. At Hairfree Laser Skin Clinics, their weight loss experts are an inspiring group of people who can keep you on track. They are intimately knowledgeable about each phase of your diet, and can give you tips and pointers to avoid temptations that will hamper you success. Just check out their process at Hairfreeclinics.com/weightloss-program/, and you’ll see how their dedication gets results.

With the help of experts on your side, losing weight doesn’t have to be as devastating as you think. Instead, by sticking to a healthful and sustainable diet, you can easily shed the pounds, looking and feeling better than ever. And since this diet is so easy to follow, you’ll keep those pounds off for years to come.



from http://monalisaofblogging.com/lose-weight-and-feel-great

Friday, 7 August 2015

Axe Throwing Parties Are The City’s Newest Hottest Trend

Old people and young people in Kitchener are flocking to axe throwing leagues and axe throwing parties in droves. You might ask, why axe throwing and why axe throwing parties? If you’re asking that, you probably have never been to an axe throwing party, because after you’ve been to one, the appeal is undeniable and you will without doubt want to go back for more.

For starters, there’s the novelty factor. People who live in cities such as Kitchener have all sorts of entertainment options at their fingertips, but until the rise of axe throwing leagues and axe throwing parties in the last few years, one of the things that is denied the city-dweller, and is coveted because of its lack, is the direct experience of living in the past, when fewer people lived in cities, and things were quieter, and simpler.

In these quieter and simpler times, entertainment was often tied to modes of subsistence, hence why axe throwing was and is a popular recreational past time in rural areas. Put simply, the axe is an ever-present tool in rural life. It’s used to chop wood for fires and clear brush, among other things. It stands to reason that, 1) rural life makes people quite handy with an axe and 2) that people like to show off their skills with whatever is at hand.

Because fewer people live in rural populations and cities like Kitchener continue to grow, we’ve seen a number of popular trends appear that are tied to a simpler way of life; things such as craft beer making, smoking your own meat, and knitting, among other activities. However, axe throwing is the first of these trends to become so widely and undeniably popular, and this has to do with how fun it is to do in a group. Imagine dart throwing but with cooler playing pieces.

Check out Batlgrounds.com/axe-throwing-kitchener. BATL (Backyard Axe Throwing League) is the best and most popular axe throwing league in Kitchener and a great place to hold axe throwing parties. You’re allowed to consume alcohol at BATL’s axe throwing parties, as long as it’s not in glass bottles. Imagine how fun it would be to host a party with your friends at an axe throwing league, have a few drinks, and experience what it was like to live in a simpler, more rural environment. It’s all waiting for you at an axe throwing league.



from http://monalisaofblogging.com/axe-throwing-parties-are-the-citys-newest-hottest-trend

Wednesday, 5 August 2015

Hootsuite Can Now help you Sort of Schedule your Instagram Posts

Unlike what we see on other social media sites, Instagram has a limitation where it doesn’t allow scheduling of posts on its site. This could be inconvenient for a brand using the platform since they have to manually post their content. Hootsuite has found a way around this pertinent problem.

Hootsuite, an app that is used for managing social media accounts on a dashboard, has released a number of YouTube videos that highlight how you can sort of schedule posts on Instagram with the tool.

As I highlighted before, you cannot use apps to schedule & post automatically your posts on Instagram. However, Hootsuite has decided to employ notifications where they remind you when to post your content.

First of all you need to connect your Instagram account with Hootsuite where afterwards, a pop up will request you if you want to setup Instagram publishing. Instagram publishing on Hootsuite involves composing & scheduling your posts, getting push notifications to your phone via the Hootsuite app to remind you when to post then login in to the app to complete publishing your content. To set up these push notifications, you need to go to settings in the app and navigate to the notifications menu and turn on these push notifications. A point to note is that you can only post your content only via the mobile Instagram apps.

This new feature by Hootsuite is suitable for those marketers or brands who would want to sort of automate content on their Instagram pages, but still Instagram should make this scheduling posts functionality easy for users & marketers in the future by baking it right in the app.



from http://monalisaofblogging.com/hootsuite-can-now-help-you-sort-of-schedule-your-instagram-posts

Honda Mobilio – All AutoPortal knows about the MPV from Honda

Honda Mobilio MPV is one of the most popular multi-purpose vehicles in the market today. Designed on the platform of Honda Brio, this feature-rich MPV comes from the world famous Japanese auto maker Honda. HCIL, the Indian subsidiary of the auto-major introduced this stylish seven-seater in 2014. Earlier, the MPV was unveiled at the Honda stands at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo.

The competition comes from the likes of the Maruti Ertiga, the Chevrolet Enjoy and the Nissan Evalia.

The top variants of the MPV gets projector type head lamps and uniquely designed alloy wheels are provided. The chrome grille, a tail gate spoiler, window sill garnish, daytime running lights and chrome handles make the top variant sportier. A roof antenna, a rear wiper and front fog lamps are also featured in top variants. The Mobilio is available in colours of Majestic Blue, Crystal Black Pearl, Urban Titanium, Carnelian Red, Alabaster Silver, Brilliant Gold and Taffeta White.

With regard to the cabin and interior space, the MPV looks fresher inside and has more creative storage options, though the quality of plastics used inside and the feature could have been better.

The Mobilio gets faux leather on the top-spec model. The mid-specs get fabric upholstery. The basic variants feature a manual AC system, central and child lock facilities, power windows and internally adjustable ORVMs. The top variants have electrically adjustable body coloured ORVMs, rear parking sensors with camera, a 2 DIN integrated music system, a touch screen and GPS navigation system and Bluetooth connectivity.

The Honda launched the MPV in a petrol and diesel engine. The Mobilo comes with its proven 1.5 litre i-VTEC petrol mill that is powerful and refined with 117 BHP at 145 Nm of torque. The MPV delivers an impressive 17.3 kmpl. The i-DTEC diesel unit generates a power of 93.7 BHP at 130 Nm and delivers a whopping 24.2 kmpl. Both are paired with a 5 speed manual gearbox.

The specifications are 4386 mm length, 1683 mm width and 1603 height for the Mobilio

The turning radius is at 5.4 m. It weighs slightly higher at 1245 kg.

The MPV sports MacPherson Strut suspension in the front and Torsion beam at the rear while the braking technology employed isdisc brakes at the front and drum brakes at the rear. But this seven seater has limited boot space with the third row used. The last row is best suited for children and adults might not appreciate the cramped space there. The boot space of 223 litres can be increased to 540 litres by folding the rear seat.

Prices start from Rs 6.49 lakhs for the base petrol variant to Rs 11.55 lakhs for the top end diesel variant.

For more information on new cars & bikes log on to Cars expert & Bikeportal.in



from http://monalisaofblogging.com/honda-mobilio-all-autoportal-knows-about-the-mpv-from-honda

Tuesday, 4 August 2015

Review: Razer DeathAdder Chroma

Known to both casual and hardcore gamers alike, Razer’s tri-snake logo is as iconic as it distinct. You’d have to slither a thousand miles before you come across someone in the gaming scene who isn’t aware of who Razer is, something which gives the brand an edge. Constricting its competitors and rattling its way in to every market of PC gaming peripherals, Razer is usually the first manufacturer that comes to consumers minds when looking for a new piece of kit. Mice, keyboards, headsets, and most recently audio equipment. Razer is clearly looking to dominate.

Today we will be looking at the Razer Death AdderChroma. A refresh to the original DeathAdder from 2007. An ergonomic gaming mouse with 16.8 million customizable lighting colours, geared towards gamers and eSports players.



from http://monalisaofblogging.com/review-razer-deathadder-chroma

Monday, 3 August 2015

The Evolution of the iPad From iOS 3 to iOS 9

The popularity of the iPad is undeniable. MacRumors reports that Apple sold 12.3 million iPads in the fourth quarter of 2014 and more than 237 million iPads total. Apple has continued to impress its users since it unveiled the original iPad in 2010 with the tremendous growth and development of its technology and software. Now, with the release of the iOS 9 beta this month, the power of the iPad looks like it will keep growing. To keep these advancements in perspective, here’s a look at the evolution of the iPad:

The Beginning

Apple’s operating system began with the introduction of the iPhone in 2007. When the iPad came along in 2010, Apple released iOS 3.2 with the purpose of adding customization options for the iPad’s screen resolution. While many core Apple apps, such as Safari, required iPad-specific changes, for the most part, the original iPad was simply a very large iPhone in terms of its design specs.

In July of 2010, iOS 3.2.1 helped correct some display issues, specifically regarding the display of signal strength. However, the next big iOS update for the iPad didn’t occur until iOS 5. This update included Siri, a virtual assistant, and iMessage, an app that allowed users to send multimedia messages and see delivery receipts. But the most important development in iOS at the time was the removal of required desktop tethering to activate devices. This shift meant that an iPad could be someone’s primary computing device.

Modern Systems

The arrival of iOS 6 radically altered the way Apple interacted with third-party technology, which was most notable in the end of Apple’s license of “Google Maps.” iOS 6’s “Maps” app featured the first step-by-step navigation for an iOS app. Facebook’s app also reached a new level with integration into the Siri app. The new OS also featured Passbook, which stood to become a competitor to Google’s powerful Wallet app.

The next two updates (iOS 7 and iOS 8) brought about the largest visual and design changes to the platform since iOS 3. One of the biggest changes was the concept of “Continuity,” in which Apple hoped to achieve a seamless stream of data between all of its devices. Featured on the iPad Air 2, iOS 8 was built to allow users to integrate data across devices so they could take calls and receive texts from their computer, iPad or iPhone.

Next Steps

iOS 9 is set to launch this fall with enhancements that will give users a richer experience on the iPad. Some of the biggest innovations include the Slide Over, Split View and Picture in Picture features that will allow users to interact with multiple apps and information streams simultaneously. These multitasking features may very well cement the iPad’s place as an alternate to desktop computing and change the way people use them for business and leisure. Users also can look forward to more shortcuts, easier text selection and a more defined keyboard in iOS 9. All of these features are needed to help the tablet grow and evolve.



from http://monalisaofblogging.com/the-evolution-of-the-ipad-from-ios-3-to-ios-9

Outdoor Evolution: How Technology Has Changed Hunting, Fishing & Camping

Technological advances have streamlined and simplified many popular outdoor activities over the past couple decades. Many old school outdoorsmen argue that some innovations have taken the sport out of both the game and participants, but we believe advances in technology have created and expanded opportunities that were previously difficult for beginners to grasp. Let’s take a look at three popular outdoor activities:

Hunting

The number of people over the age of 16 who hunt at least once a year has hovered around 14 million since 1996, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. But the number of female hunters increased by 25 percent from 2006 and 2011. Part of this is due to programs like Becoming an Outdoors-Woman, now can now be found in 39 states. Technology has also expanded the demographic makeup of the typical hunter.

The first rangefinders, called telemeters, were invented by James Watt of Scotland in the late 1700s. The distance between two objects was determined manually by aligning two parallel reticles with an upright one through an eyepiece. Bushnell introduced the first laser rangefinders for golf in 1955. The company also pioneered the first hunting and shooting-specific laser rangefinders in the 1990s. Nikon, Leupold and Leica are also popular brands among hunters.

So-called “smart gun” technology instantly transforms beginning shooters into supreme marksmen. Tracking Point introduced its $20,000 smart gun in 2013. The video game-like scope on the rifle locks onto targets 500 yards away, ensuring a perfect shot every time, even for first-timers. This technology is out of the price range of most Americans, however. NPR reported in 2013 that Remington was in the process of making a more affordable version, but the venture ended before it got started.

Fishing

Randy Howell, the 2014 Bassmaster Classic champion, called his final round at Lake Guntersville the best day of fishing in his life. The humble 11-time competitor in the Classic said his feat was “effortless,” and gave most of the credit to his high-tech Livingston Lures.

Electronic Baitfish Sound (EBS) technology is emitted from smart chips inside the lures. It creates sounds very similar to those small baitfish make to attract more bass, pike and other predatory species. Livingston’s Howeller, named after the aforementioned Classic champ, can now be had for under $20 each at select retailers.

Camping

The world is more connected than it’s ever been because of smartphones and Wi-Fi. Electronic devices have become extensions of the human body for many, which makes camping off the beaten path an unappealing option.

Portable solar chargers started gaining popularity in the mid-2000s when the smartphone explosion was happening. Goal Zero makes a variety of portable solar chargers that make staying connected out in the wilderness a reality. Apps such as Open Signal and Connection Stabilizer Booster not only help your phone locate the strongest Wi-Fi and phone signals, but automatically connect you while in remote areas.

Technology has made the outdoors more accessible and enjoyable to the masses. Traditionalists may balk at some innovations, but they cannot deny the impact.



from http://monalisaofblogging.com/outdoor-evolution-how-technology-has-changed-hunting-fishing-camping

Factors to Consider when Leasing a Vehicle

Customers who lease vehicles range from students to professionals. They get opportunities to drive vehicles at a lower cost than what they would need to purchase a car. People who want to lease cars should always go through the terms of the agreement and understand them. When you understand what type of transaction you are making, you can save a lot of money.

Down Payments and Monthly Payments

Car leases allow you to drive vehicles without going beyond budget or depending on loans. Leasing a car typically involves making a down payment and monthly payments that are made for as long as the lease is valid. The amount that goes towards the down payment will determine how high or low your monthly payments will be.

An Affordable Way to Acquire a Vehicle

  • A lease is a worthwhile consideration for people who do not have funds available for buying a new car. If you are interested in driving a car whose price is inhibiting, you can lease it. Although miles are allotted, they are usually substantial and you are unlikely to go over them.
  • When you lease a vehicle, you should be willing to keep it in good condition and avoid causing damage. After the lease expires, you have the option of leasing another one. Leasing is a simpler process than purchasing a car.
  • Getting the best deal on the car of your dreams begins with choosing the kind of car you want and need.
  • Compile a list of the cars that you are interested in according to your budget. Visit http://leasequit.com/ to find out more.
  • After you determine the models that are ideal for your needs, go for a test drive. A test drive will enable you to determine how comfortable the vehicle is as well as other aspects such as safety, steering and brakes.
  • Comparing the lease deals that are available makes it easier for you to estimate what you can afford to pay each month. When you are ready to negotiate a deal, contact the dealer and work out a price.

Open or Closed End Leases

Leases may be open or closed end with majority of consumers having closed end leases. When a closed end lease expires, the car is returned and any penalties or fees attributing to factors such as damage or excessive mileage are paid. Open end leases are cheaper initially, but the customer bears the cost of the car losing its value and is required to make up for the difference.

Contract and Obligations

Spare some time to go through your contract before you sign it. If you require clarification or notice any errors, make sure you address them before you sign the lease. Reviewing your lease will enable you to know what you are financially liable for.

You can choose between leasing new or used cars depending on what you prefer and what makes economic sense to you. If you do not make payments on time, you risk being penalized. Avoid returning your car before the lease expires unless you want a trade in. Make sure that your payments are made when they are due, observe your mileage and take good care of your car.



from http://monalisaofblogging.com/factors-to-consider-when-leasing-a-vehicle

Apple Inc, BMW in courtship with an eye on car collaboration

BMW and Apple may rekindle a courtship put on hold after an exploratory visit by executives of the world’s top maker of electronic gadgets to the headquarters of the word’s biggest seller of premium cars.

Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook went to BMW’s headquarters last year and senior Apple executives toured the carmaker’s Leipzig factory to learn how it manufactures the i3 electric car, two sources familiar with the talks told Reuters.

The dialogue ended without conclusion because Apple appears to want to explore developing a passenger car on its own, one of the sources said.

Also, BMW is being cautious about sharing its manufacturing know-how because it wants to avoid becoming a mere supplier to a software or internet giant.

During the visit, Apple executives asked BMW board members detailed questions about tooling and production and BMW executives signalled readiness to license parts, one of the sources said. News of the Leipzig visit first emerged in Germany’s Manager-Magazin last week.

“Apple executives were impressed with the fact that we abandoned traditional approaches to car making and started afresh. It chimed with the way they do things too,” a senior BMW source said.

The carmaker says there are currently no talks with Apple about jointly developing a passenger car and Apple declined to comment. However, one of the sources said exploratory talks beteen senior managers may be revived at a later stage.

It is too early to say whether this will be a replay of Silicon Valley’s Prometheus moment: The day in 1979 when Apple co-founder Steve Jobs visited Xerox’s Palo Alto Research Center where the first mouse-driven graphical user interface and bit-mapped graphics were created, and walked out with crucial ideas to launch the Macintosh computer five years later.

BMW has realised next-generation vehicles cannot be built without more input from telecoms and software experts, and Apple has been studying how to make a self-driving electric car as it seeks new market opportunities beyond phones.

STAFF CHANGES

Since the visit, there has been a reshuffle at the top of BMW, with Harald Krueger, appointed BMW Chief Executive in May, in favour of establishing his own team and his plans for BMW by year end, before engaging in new projects, a person familiar with his thinking told Reuters.

A further complication was the departure of BMW’s board member for development Herbert Diess, who played a leading role in initial discussions with Apple. He defected to Volkswagen  in December.

Diess, who declined to comment for this piece, oversaw the development of BMW’s “i” vehicles which are built using light weight carbon fibre, using a radical approach to design and manufacturing.

Car technology has become a prime area of interest for Silicon Valley companies ranging from Google Inc, which has built a prototype self-driving car, to electric car-maker Tesla Motors Inc.

Diess has said the German auto industry needs to undergo radical change because consumers are demanding more intelligent cars and anti-pollution rules mean the next generation vehicles will increasingly be low emission electric and hybrid variants.

In 2030, only two generations of new cars away in auto manufacturing time scales, only a third of vehicles will be powered by a conventional combustion engine alone, experts predict.

“It means that in two cycles we will shut down two thirds of our engine manufacturing,” Diess told a panel discussion in July last year, adding that the value chain for new electric cars is already shifting, with vehicle batteries made mainly in Asia.

“The second part is that the car will become intelligent, part of the Internet,” Diess continued. “And the strong players in this area are in the United States, in the software development area. We will surely need to find alliances in this field.”

Germany has two years to prove that it can hold its own against new entrants when it comes to shaping the future of luxury vehicles, Diess said.

THEM AND US

Carmakers including BMW have already developed next generation self-driving cars, vehicles which need permanent software updates in the form of high-definition maps allowing a car to recalculate a route if it learns about an accident ahead. The technology is moving ahead faster than the legal and regulatory rules which would allow large-scale commercial availability.

Earlier this year, BMW’s new R&D chief Klaus Froehlich said his company and Apple had much in common, including a focus on premium branding, an emphasis on evolving products and a sense of aesthetically pleasing design.

Asked, in general terms, whether a deeper collaboration beyond integration of products like the iPhone would make sense, Froehlich initially said BMW would not consider any deal that forces it to open up its core know-how to outsiders.

“We do not collaborate to open our eco systems but we find ways, because we respect each other,” Froehlich told Reuters.

BMW will keep in mind the needs of the customer, and what the company’s core strengths are, when it considers the merits of entering any strategic collaboration, Froehlich added.

Peter Schwarzenbauer, BMW’s management board member in charge of the Mini brand as well as digital services declined to comment on possible talks with Apple in an interview earlier this year.

But he said: “Two worlds are colliding here. Our world, focused on hardware and our experience in making complex products, and the world of information technology which is intruding more and more into our life.”

The winners will be those companies that understand how to build intelligent hardware, he said, adding it made sense for carmakers and tech firms to cooperate more closely.

“We need to get away from the idea that it will be either us or them … We cannot offer clients the perfect experience without help from one of these technology companies,” Schwarzenbauer said. That dialogue is well underway, he stressed.

With $202.8 billion in cash, Apple has the resources to enter the automotive market on its own, said Eric Noble, president of the Car Lab, a consulting firm in Orange, Calif.

The tech giant would have an edge on the dashboard, its CarPlay infotainment system connecting iPhones to cars, but would be at square one with the rest of the car, Noble said.

If Apple decided to sell a car it could make sense to find a partner to help with industrial scale production, retail and repair, since demand for such a vehicle could be high.

There are no estimates for potential Apple car sales but the brand and its products command a loyal following. So if only 1 percent of  Apple’s annual iPhone customers decided to order a car, it would need to make 1.69 million vehicles.

That’s more than the 434,311 vehicles Jaguar and Land Rover produced last year. Even BMW Group, which made just over 2 million cars last year, would struggle to free up capacity.

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from http://monalisaofblogging.com/apple-inc-bmw-in-courtship-with-an-eye-on-car-collaboration

Images on Empire State Building Bring Light to Endangered Species

When the sun sets over New York City, the colorful lights atop the Empire State Building are usually one of the most striking displays across Manhattan’s dark skies. But on Saturday night, that light show was upstaged by another kind of display: projections of images of endangered species lower down on the iconic midtown office tower.

This video captured excerpts of the work of Louie Psihoyos and Travis Threlkel, the artists who cast digital images of a variety of threatened animal species across the Empire State Building’s south face on Saturday. Mr. Psihoyos explained that they had set out to do “the most dramatic thing we could do to get the world to know about what we’re losing.”

To make their statement, the artists used 40 projectors on the roof of another building a few blocks south. And whether the project succeeded in expanding awareness of threats to the planet’s biodiversity, it made an impression on some of the people who gazed upon it firsthand.

“Witnessed some spectacular Big [Apple] magic last night,” wrote Becca Zoler, an Instagram user, with a photo she posted of the display.\

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from http://monalisaofblogging.com/images-on-empire-state-building-bring-light-to-endangered-species