How to Choose the Right LED Lights

One application where LEDs (light emitting diodes) shine is in flashlights. Because LEDs have high brightness, low power consumption, long life, small size and other characteristics, they're ideal for portable lighting. You can choose a good LED flashlight if you look for some key features.

Here are things you should consider before buying led lights:

Efficiency

Manufacturer’s claims vary wildly about the efficiency of LEDs and can often be quite misleading. The simplest way to ensure that you are comparing “like with like” is to look at the efficiency in Lumens per Watt. That is, how much light do you get for each Watt of electricity used. Today (early 2010), LEDs that are in production range in efficiency from about 20 to 60 Lumens per Watt. New developments should increase this to around 80 or 100 Lumens per Watt over the next few years. This compares with around 10-15 Lumens per Watt for old-fashioned incandescent lamps and 50-100 Lumens per Watt for fluorescent tubes.

Colour Temperature

Early LEDs were mostly a very much higher colour temperature (ie a bluish light) than the typical 2700K colour temperature of a warm white incandescent lamp. This has led many people to think that LEDs gave a “cold” light. LED technology has however advanced a great deal in the last couple of years and some types of LED are available in a range of colour temperatures from warm white (2700 or 3000K) up to daylight (6000K and beyond). LEDs with a higher colour temperature do however tend to be slightly more efficient than those with a lower colour temperature so some companies offer these as a way of making their products seem brighter. To replace standard incandescent or halogen lamps, a colour temperature of around 2700K to 3300K is preferred. Some companies use non-standard terms when describing the colour of LEDs such as “natural white” or “office white” which cannot be readily compared with other products. To ensure that you are comparing like with like always check the colour temperature.

Colour rendering

The colour rendering of LEDs varies quite markedly between brands. For some applications this is not particularly important but for ambient lighting it is important to check the quality of light emitted. The LEDs that we offer for ambient lighting all have good colour rendering, comparable to that of a good quality fluorescent tube. Many manufacturers do not however quote a colour rendering index for their LEDs so we are rarely able to quote specific figures.

Heat output

LEDs give off relatively little heat but do run reasonably warm and often incorporate a heat sink to dissipate any excess heat and maintain the LEDs at optimum operating temperature. Compact lamps such as miniature spot lights can thus still get reasonably warm whereas larger bulbs and candles certainly cool enough to touch when operating.

Rated Life

The one area where LEDs really score highly is in their rated operating life which typically ranges from 20,000 to 50,000 hours. This is 20 to 50 times longer than a typical incandescent lamp so LEDs are ideal for use in areas where maintenance is difficult or long life is important.

Watts

Watts is how people think about power usage and how bright a light will be. However when working with LED lights, we all have to change our thinking from watts to “lumens”.  Why?

The simple answer is that a 10 watt LED bulb manufactured by 5 different manufacturers will likely have 5 different light outputs. In fact some LED bulbs can be twice as bright at the same wattage. The reasons for this are numerous, but we will mention 3 here:

1. The brand of LED chip contained in the light will directly affect brightness
2. The colour of an LED (even with the same brand chip) will significantly affect light output
3. The quality and type of materials used to make the light housing will greatly affect brightness

Below is a basic guide on how to choose the correct wattage you'll need for different uses and circumstances: Notice the large variance in light output.

Some LED chips will give 50 lm/w while others can give in excess of 100 lm/w. The figures below are conservative.

Watt Power(w)	Lumens range (lm)	Used for:
3w	150 to 240	Candle bulbs and spotlights. Used in lamp shades, garden fittings, under benches. Where the light source is located close to the object being illuminated.
4w	200 to 310	Used for the same as 3w when a little more light is desired
5w	250 to 380	This is used a lot in led downlight fittings, led bulbs for bedside lamps and wall fittings. Colour changing bulbs often come in this wattage.
6w	300 to 480	Good middle of the range wattage used for general lighting in domestic homes for hallways & bedrooms. Can also be used for accent lighting of paintings. Also commonly used in LED bulbs for lamp shades.
7w	310 to 500	7w is used for the same reason as 6w when more light is desired. A very common wattage for MR16 and GU10 LED spotlights to replace 20w or 35w halogen downlights.
9w	320 to 600	This is the most popular wattage for downlights and spotlights where general lighting is used. Can be equivalent to or greater than a 35w halogen.
10w	350 to 760	A 10w LED spotlight such as an MR16 or GU10 will produce light output equivalent to 35w to 50w. This makes it a popular choice for retro-fitting.
12w	550 to 1000	Used mostly in downlights for higher ceilings or in kitchens where more light is desired & floodlights.
15w	680 to 1300	Many brands use this wattage as a 50w halogen replacement. Although a better quality fitting with a lower wattage can also do the job.

Lumens

Lumens are the measurement of the total amount of light emitted from a light source. You may hear the term ‘lux’ thrown around as well. Lux is simply the amount of lumens in a specified area.           1 lux = 1 lumen/m² 

Beam Angles

LED strip lighting and LED bulbs commonly use 120° beam angles. However, if you are purchasing LED spotlights and downlights, you will want to consider which beam angle to use. Below is an easy guide on how to choose your beam angle when choosing lights:

Sources:http://www.abcsources.com/How-to-Choose-the-Right-LED-Lights-p26382/

How to Choose the Right Paint Color for Your Home

When it comes to decorating, choosing paint color can really be a challenge. Paint color can have the most dramatic effect on your space, and it is the least expensive way to update your home.Color can change our perception of the space around us, turning it cool and energetic, spacious or cozy. There are three key steps that can help you with the process of color selection:

1. Find Inspiration

You can come up with ideas by creating a portfolio of what appeals to you: a favorite painting, the color of your baby's eyes, an unforgettable vacation in Mexico or that great hike in the Grand Canyon.

First, take into consideration your inspirational image's common denominators in terms of color. Do you like a variety of colors or particular shades and tints of a specific color? Do you like them bold or muted? Digging deep in the well of inspiration plays an important role in selecting and whittling down your choices.

2. Define the Mood

Secondly, is there a mood or theme that you would like to achieve in a particular space? Do you want a restful feel in the bedroom, or an energizing feel to the family room? The mood will lay the groundwork on the desired visual impact of a chosen paint color palette.

3. Use Key Elements in Your Home

Last but not least, take stock of all the key elements in your house. Do you have carpeting, hardwood floors, modern or antique furniture? The color of the flooring is an important consideration when you choose colors because it anchors the room and can impact the color on the wall due to reflections.

Furnishings also play an important role in determining the perfect color scheme for your house. Since these are usually the most expensive and not easily replaced items in the house, they tend to suggest a coordinating color scheme that ties everything together. An invaluable heirloom dining table, for example, will never be discarded because it doesn't match the wall color of the dining room.

The tips here will really help you if you feel stumped by this important choice. After all, the paint color will set the tone for the room.

Be Patient
It's great to collect paint chips when planning a room, but hold off making final choices until you've developed an overall room scheme. Paint is available in literally an infinite array of colors and is the most versatile element of your room decor, the easiest to change, and the least expensive. Get ideas but make the final decision after rugs, wallpaper, and fabrics are finalized.

Coordinate Decorating Samples
When you go shopping, you'll need to refer to your fabric, carpet, tile, wallpaper, and trim samples constantly. Be sure to take everything with you wherever you go. No tellng where you might see something wonderful.

Really Study the Colors
You'll find clues about the underlying tones of different shades of a color on a full sample strip of coordinated colors. Even if you're not even considering using a darker tone, look at all the colors carefully. Decide if the family of colors is the direction you're headed with your color selection.

Custom Color Matching
If you want to achieve a perfect match or find a truly unique color, your paint store or home center offers custom color mixing. This makes it possible to bring in a fabric swatch, painting, or other color reference, and have a paint color created to be a perfect match. Visit Home Depot or Lowe's or call a local hardware store to inquire.

Look Up to the Ceiling
Light colors are usualy most pleasing for a ceiling, because ceilings are seen in shadow. If you'd like the ceiling to match the wall color, buy ceiling paint one or two shades lighter than the wall color (on its color chip). Or, dilute your wall color with white paint in a ratio of 25% color to 75% white.

In the end, trust your eyes, says Minchew. “Judging color isn’t something you need to be highly trained for. Just look at the swatch or sample on the wall throughout the day and evening. If it’s working for you, then that’s all there is to it. If you see it and you like it, you should be fine.”
Sources:http://www.abcsources.com/How-to-Choose-the-Right-Paint-Color-p29437/

How to Choose the Right Wig for You

How many times have you seen an attractive woman whose hairstyle looked a little "off" for her face? Many women make the mistake of selecting gorgeous wigs that simply do not compliment their looks. Some wigs which look simply beautiful on the mannequin, suddenly look "silly" and artificial when placed on the head of a willing human.

Wigs are becoming all the rage amongst women who wish to instantly change their looks. They are the perfect accessory for the woman who is thinking of trying out a new haircut, or weaved hairstyle. But no matter where you purchase your wig, if you want to achieve the most natural look, it's imperative that you really understand the look you're going for, and shop accordingly. Thus, here's a little guide to choosing the best, most natural-looking wig for you.

THE HAIR UNDERNEATH...

First and foremost, before covering your head with any wig, make sure that your own tresses are clean and pulled neatly (and comfortably) away from the face, as close to the head as possible. Many women choose to wear a wig cap underneath their wigs for this just purpose. Wearing a cap underneath is really a personal decision. But they are traditionally used to help keep your own hair from breaking due to friction between the wig and your hair (especially if worn daily.) Additionally, if your natural hair is fairly long, you will want to keep it easily away from your artificial style. In essence, once applied, your wig should be free of the lumps and bumps of natural hair which has not been smoothed down.

YOUR FACE...

You should pay particular attention to the shape of your face, as well as your skin tone, when shopping for wigs. As with natural hair, some styles and haircuts do not work well with certain facial shapes. For instance, those with round or wide faces should opt for styles which elongate the face. A huge "bouiffant" of a hairdo may cause the wig to look more artificial than it already is. Try more lengthy styles which gently frame the face. People with heavy jawlines, should opt for styles which draw the eye upward, providing volume. The lucky ones are those with naturally oval-shaped faces, as this shape is complimented by a variety of styles.

TEXTURE...

The beauty of wearing wigs is that one can experiment with a variety of hair textures much unlike her own natural texture. This is especially important for African American women, who are known for their extreme variations in hair texture. One popular faux pas committed by lots of African American women is wearing a wig unit with hair that looks too brassy. These are the wigs that are so shiny, you feel as if you can see your reflection in them. Black women who are typically seen wearing relaxed hairstyles should take note of the texture of their natural hair after the relaxing process. Try to locate a grade of [wig] hair that most closely matches your own texture. That way, when you transition from a relaxed do, to a wig---the difference will appear minimal. If you've happened to find a style that you love, but looks a little too shiny, then just dust a little baby powder in the style and shake (until the powder is gone). This will take away some of that gleam, making the hair appear more natural.

Lace front wigs are excellent choices for those who are looking to find a really seamless style, as the hairlines of these wigs are virtually invisible. Be mindful though, of curlier textures. Curls which look a little too perfect will certainly give off an artificial look. When shopping for wigs, practice finger-combing the curls for a naturally tousled look; your overall style will appear much more like your own.

STYLES...

Now this is where things get a little hairy (pun intended). While the point of wearing a wig may be to achieve a look completely opposite of your natural 'do, you may find that the style you choose can fool even the most discerning observers. Many black women transitioning from a braided style to a relaxer, may opt to wear a wig in between. Try finding wigs whose colors match your braided style. It's less "shocking" if you happen to work in a conservative environment. Also wearing wigs with similar textures, colors, and lengths, but varying styles, will give the appearance that you are simply changing the style of your natural hair. Case in point, check out former Victoria's Secret model,Tyra Banks. She is most frequently seen wearing very long, honey-colored lace-front wigs. In fact, you'll notice that many of the styles Tyra wears are fairly similar in color, and length. By wearing many different styles of the same texture and color, Tyra has created her very own look, without compromising the health of her hair underneath.

The bottom line in choosing a wig, is that you want people seeing you to think that the hair they're seeing could have grown out of your scalp. Part of that involves not only finding a style that works, but also the right fit. Make sure that the wig's adhesive combs, straps, or ties are securely tucked away and out of sight. Do the head-shake test (shaking your head quickly from side to side, backwards and forwards) once you've applied your favorite style---to determine whether the fit is secure. The last thing you'd want, is to have your prized 'do blowing off your head, and into the wind!

Golf Tips - Choosing the Right Golf Balls

Not all golf balls are the same, instead, the type of ball used greatly affects the most important elements of a golf game: distance and control. For golfers, choosing the right golf ball is a critical decision; however, with so many kinds to consider, the choice can seem overwhelming. Finding the right ball depends on the golfer's ability and goals.

A Short History of Golf Balls

When golf originated in the 15th century in Scotland, the golf balls were made from wood, goose feathers, or a type of rubber called gutta. These original balls could not travel far, nor could they fly straight or in predictable patterns. By 1900, the golf ball had come a long way and consisted of a solid rubber core wrapped in rubber thread that was contained in a hard, outer sphere-shaped shell. This remains the basic composition for golf balls today, but recent advancements in technology have allowed the development of balls that consist of two, three, or four layers. Each ball has unique performance characteristics.

Types of Balls

There are three types of golf balls that are each designed to do different things when struck. Choosing the right one can greatly impact the game being played.

Distance

This type of ball is designed to react quickly as soon as it is struck to produce the maximum speed. Thus, the result is more distance overall. Although these balls can add many yards off the initial tee, they do not stop as quickly on the greens.

Control

Control balls are designed to reduce excessive spin when struck into the air. Additionally, they help golfers reduce hooking and slicing tendencies. For a right handed golfer, a hook is hitting the ball hard to the left, and a slice is hitting the ball hard to the right. This is reversed for left handed golfers.

Spin

Spin balls create more side and backspin, which allows the ball to have a higher trajectory even though it goes a shorter distance. Spin balls also have a better stopping control around the greens.

Construction

Golf balls are constructed in three ways. Each one is developed to help accomplish specific golfing goals. Buyers should choose their golf balls depending on what their needs or handicaps are during a golf game. For example, if a golfer has a powerful stroke that can go far, yet he or she lacks control, the four piece ball might be a good fit. In contrast, if the golfer has excellent control but needs help with distance, the two-piece ball might be a smart choice.

Two Piece

Also known as traditional golf balls, two piece balls are made of a large solid core and have a thermoplastic resin cover made from Surlyn. These balls are made with a heavy jacket and are very durable. They are designed to allow the golfer the most distance from a shot, but they do not offer a lot of spin. Most distance balls are two-piece. Two piece balls are a good choice for beginners and high handicappers who wish to gain more distance but reduce spin when hitting a golf ball. Two piece balls are the least expensive golf balls.

Three Piece Balata

Three piece balls are made from a soft, plastic rubber called Balata. The solid, thin core of a three piece ball, called the mantle, can either increase distance or enhance spin, depending on how it is hit. Thus, these balls offer good control. Three piece balls are also called professional balls because they are preferred by pro golfers who want better control over the direction and distance of their shots. 

Four Piece

New to the golfing scene is the four-piece golf ball. Although it is similar to the three piece golf ball, it has an extra layer in the middle. This layer takes the force from the impact of the club head and transfers it to the center core, which allows the ball to fly straighter with less spin. Players attest that these balls offer a longer distance from the tee, more spin on approach shots, and greater control around the green. Because these balls are so effective, they are referred to as "total performance" balls. These balls are the most expensive.

A Word About Dimples

On all golf balls, buyers will notice dimples covering the sphere. This dimpling affects the aerodynamics of a golf ball, giving it more or less trajectory. On a typical golf ball, the number of dimples varies between 300 and 500. Larger dimples lead to a higher trajectory, while smaller dimples promote a lower trajectory. Golfers should choose those that best meet their needs while on the golf course.

Buying Golf Balls

After becoming familiar with the types of balls as well as the construction of golf balls, buyers should be able to determine which combination is best for them. Additionally, buyers may want to try out several golf balls to physically see which fits their playing style the best. When doing this, buyers should pay close attention to how far the ball travels, how well it handles the greens, and how it rolls on the various surfaces. When testing golf balls, users should also consider the following before the final purchases are made:

Swing Speed

Perhaps the biggest factor is choosing which ball is best is the swing speed of the golfer. Golfers with lower swing speeds should use a harder distance golf ball, whereas golfers with higher swing speeds should use a softer golf ball since it offers more control.

To determine personal swing speed, golfers can go to to a golf retailer and purchase a swing speed monitor or have a retailer with a launch monitor determine swing speed for them. If looking to save some money, golfers can perform a series of calculations to determine swing speed:

1. First, hit several distance golf balls using the driver. Then, take the top ten distances and add them together.
2. Divide this number by ten to find the average carry distance for the drives.
3. Next, divide the average carry number by 1.75, which is the number used to estimate ball speed.
4. Finally, divide the ball speed calculation by something called the smash factor, which is another "set in stone" number determined by experts. The smash factor is 1.5. Once the golfer has calculated this final equation, the estimated swing speed is found.

Handicaps

Although not used among professional golfers, some players admit handicaps in their golf game. This is a numerical measure of a golfer’s playing ability based on the tees played for a specific course. Handicaps exist to allow golfers of different abilities to compete with one another on a more level playing field. The higher the handicap of a player, the poorer the players is. In contrast, the lower the handicap of a player, the better the player is. For those who have high handicaps, it is probable they will lose many golf balls, so those balls that are less expensive are a wise choice. Furthermore, those with high handicaps also tend to need golf balls that offer the most distance when hit.

To find out personal handicaps, golfers can be evaluated at a golf club or a mathematical calculation can be performed:

1. First, take the scores from the last five rounds of golf played.
2. Next, look up the rating and slope for the course that was played for each score. This information can be found on the scorecard, by calling the course, or by searching for the course online.
3. Subtract the course rating from the score earned on that course.
4. Multiply that number by 113.
5. Divide that number by the slope of the course. This number is the differential.
6. Take the lowest of the five differentials and multiply it by 0.96, which gives the handicap.

Top Three Reasons Why Choose USB 3.0 Flash Drives

As USB flash driver, computer, smart phone have been more and more important in our daily life, USB 3.0 has been familiar with us. All the gadgets support USB port and USB 3.0 has gained great reputation because of its steady, speedy and smooth performance. USB flash driver, as one of the most necessary memory storage, has played an important role in our life. And USB 3.0 will be the top priority. Share top three reasons why choose USB 3.0 flash drive. 

Speedy-70MB/s

Although not all USB 3.0 flash drivers are able to reach as 200MB/s at transfer speed, usual ones at least reach 70MB/s which is far more better than 20MB/s at USB 2.0. There are many people store HD movies with USB flash drivers, and it will go crazy if spend hours in waiting for copying 10 GB movie from computer to flash driver at speed of 20MB/s. It will be faster to use latest USB 3.0 flash driver to help with you.

More Application

Apart from store memory, it will be better if is able to be applied to our daily life, such as backup data, create startup disk. It just takes 2 minute and 40 second to finish creating startup disk at the speed of 24.29MB/s with USB 3.0 flash driver. But it takes 6 minute and 29 second at the speed of 10MB/s. It will faster to create startup disk with USB3.0.

Price

It is believed that whether buy a product is dependent on the price. Although it is obvious that USB 3.0 work well than USB 2.0 flash drive, it is strange that they are sold at the similar price. That is the main reason why there are so many people prefer to the first one than the latter one.

All in all, needless to say, USB 3.0 flash driver is better than USB 2.0 in speed, function and price. You are suggested to have best and latest USB 3.0 flash driver, if you are looking for a flash drive to store movies and so on.

Choosing the Right Fishing Rod

You have a friend who caught his first large mouth bass last month He hasn't quit talking about it since - and he's bugged you to death until you agreed to take him fishing. Although you offer to let him borrow one of your good bass sticks, he insists on bringing his own rod and reel.

He shows up with a cheap discount store combo. It has a tiny, plastic ultra-light reel mounted on a rod that resembles a willow switch with guides on it. The rod and reel would struggle to land the minnows you planned to use for bait.

His fishing experience would have been much better had he known what to look for in a rod and reel before buying an outfit.

Beginning (and sometimes experienced) anglers often don't know how to select a rod appropriate for the type of fishing they plan to do. A rod designed for panfish won't work for hauling in big bass.

Before deciding which rod is best, anglers should know the power and action of a rod. These two components often get intertwined and confused, even by experienced anglers.

Rod Action

The action refers to how much a rod bends when you're casting or have a fish at the end of the line. An extra fast action rod bends just at the tip. A fast action bends in the last quarter of the rod. A moderate-fast action rod bends over the last third. A moderate action rod bends over the last half. A slow action rod bends all the way into the handle. Fast action rods put more force into your throw and give you longer casts. Softer action rods are more forgiving and have less tendency to throw live bait from your hook.

Rod Power

The lure weights and line sizes that a rod can handle determine its power. Ultra-light rods are designed for 2-6 pound line and lures weighing from 1/32-ounce to 1/4-ounce. Rods can handle progressively heavier lures and line as their power increases from light to heavy.

All Around Rod Choice

A great choice for all-around fishing in Kentucky is a medium-light power, fast action rod for use with a spinning reel. These reels have an open spool in the front and mount on the bottom of the rod. They are the best choice for fishing situations where the line being used is 10 pounds or less in strength.

This kind of rod is supple enough to enjoy catching small farm pond bass and panfish, while beefy enough to land a large channel catfish or a four-pound bass. Spinning gear is easy to use and allows you to cast light lures a long way. Spinning rods help protect light lines, allowing beginners to make mistakes while landing a decent sized fish without breaking off.

The fast action gives the rod enough heft to set the hook when fishing a plastic worm or jig for bass, or setting the hook on a catfish.

Light Power, Fast Action

For bluegill, crappie and small trout, a light power, fast action spinning rod is a good choice. A quality ultra-light rod also works for these fish, but many ultra-lights are too short and too wimpy. A 4½-foot ultra-light rod with the backbone of a boiled noodle isn't worth the packaging it came in for any species.

Medium Power, Medium Action

For larger black bass, walleye and channel catfish, a medium power, moderate fast or fast action baitcasting rod works well. Baitcasting reels have an enclosed spool and mount on top of the rod. They are the best choice for lines of 10 pound test or higher. They require much greater practice than spinning gear to use effectively.

Moderate Fast Action

Choose the moderate fast action if you plan to fish leeches or minnows for walleye, or chicken livers for channel cats. The slightly softer action usually helps prevent you from throwing off the bait while casting. If you plan to jig and worm fish for largemouth bass and occasionally fish for the other species, choose a fast action, medium power rod.

Hfeavy Action

Get a medium heavy or heavy power baitcasting rod with a fast action for striped bass, muskellunge, flathead catfish and blue catfish. This set-up is also good for flipping or pitching jigs for largemouth bass. Choose a moderate or slow action rod with a medium-heavy or heavy power rating if you plan to use live bait. Again, the softer action protects against throwing the bait off the hook on the cast. These rods possess enough strength to land these fish, but they can also handle the heavy lures and strong line needed.

The Definitive Guide to Choosing an Office Chair

If the average business person or desk bound fellow were to determine how much time they spend in their office chair, they would be surprised. At 40 hours per week, they’d rack up approximately 1900 hours over the course of a year. Multiply that by the average number of years a person works, and it’s easy to see that a large portion of one’s life is spent in an office chair.

In spite of this calculation, more money is often spent purchasing a desk than is spent on the chair. The same can be said for home office setups. Some people are spending more time in front of a computer than they spend sleeping. It only makes sense to have an office chair for both the office and the home that is comfortable and supportive.

Hit the jump for our my tips on making yourself chair-wise.

There have been many ergonomics studies done and it has been shown that a supportive office chair increases productivity and maximizes the efficiency of the person sitting in it. A bad office chair, on the other hand, can lead to back strain, leg problems, and carpal tunnel, all of which cause lost time at work and send turn send productivity spiraling.

So, instead of losing money due to employee absences, it is important to spend money on good office chairs that promote back health and keep employee from missing work due to injuries. The cost of the chair is more than made up by fewer absences.

What to Look For in an Office Chair

Office chairs are a part of the décor of any office and so many people try to make sure they look good without worrying about the health influences the chair will have on the person who uses it. The design or ergonomics of the chair should be considered above everything else.

Lumbar Support: A good office chair will have support for the lower back. Some of the better ones will even have an adjustable lumbar support that allows the user to fit the chair to their lower back. This is important in preventing back strain that can worsen and become sciatica, a condition which can be debilitating.

Adjustability: Almost all office chairs have a height and arm adjustment; however, these are not the most important adjustments to look for when shopping for an office chair. The best office chairs have at least five adjustments with some having up to 14 different adjustments.

Important features that should be adjustable include lumbar support, arm width and height, seat back width and height, seat and back angle, and tension control. Many of the supports are dial controlled while a few are controlled with a hand-held bulb pump, similar to a blood pressure cuff pump.

Wheel Base: Nearly all office chairs have a wheel base; however, if the office is carpeted it may be necessary to get a chair with wheels specifically made for carpet. Rolling is important in preventing strain due to reaching across a desk to retrieve items that are out of reach.

Swivel Base: All office chairs should swivel freely to allow for easy access to various parts of the desk. If the chair doesn’t swivel freely, arm fatigue can result from over extending to reach various items.

Fabric: The fabric should be breathable to keep the chair from becoming hot and uncomfortable after hours of sitting in it. In addition, it should have enough cushion to support the person sitting in it without feeling the base of the chair through the cushion.

Why Is a Good Chair Important?

There are many benefits to having a good office chair in addition to having less back strain. A good, supportive office chair prevents fatigue and discomfort that can come from siting in the same chair for hours on end.

Studies have shown that comfortable employees are more productive and contribute to a more positive work environment than uncomfortable employees. Finally, having the correct, comfortable office chair reduces the number of breaks the employee will need to take due to being uncomfortable.

Trying on a Chair

Office managers should attempt to have their employees try on the chair they plan to purchase before buying it to insure that it fits the employee well. It is important to know how the chair should feel in order to make a wise purchase. Many office supply companies will bring a variety of chairs to the office so employees can sit in them and decide which one fits them best. Chair owners should look for these things when purchasing new chairs:

• The backrest should be adjustable and follow the shape of the spine. It should also support the curve in the lower back.
• Feet should rest flat on the floor comfortably. If not, adjust the chair height or add a footrest.
• Arm rests should be close the body and allow the shoulder to relax.
• Arm height should be adjustable and match the height of the desk. This will prevent strain to the shoulders.
• In a sitting position looking forward, the center of the computer screen is what should be seen.
• The back of the chair should come to the middle of the shoulder blades in order to provide adequate support, above the shoulders is even better.
• The seat of the chair should be long enough to put two or three finger lengths between it and the knee.
• If possible, the cushion should be memory foam. Other cushions wear out quickly and make the chair uncomfortable.

Finding the right chair that is comfortable and keeps strain and injury from occurring is important to having happy, healthy, productive employees who aren’t out sick with back injuries.

Make sure the chairs in the office are doing their part to increase productivity by having employees try on various chair types before purchasing them.

Marketing Plan for a New Small Business

A marketing plan is an essential planning element for a new small business. The marketing plan describes the products and services of the business, identifies the customers and creates a strategy by which to market the business. A marketing plan generally covers the business one year at a time, though it is an ever-evolving document that changes as industry circumstances merit. In order to write a marketing plan for a new business, the writer must first have an in-depth understanding of the business as well as the business budget.

Identify the Market Situation

The market situation for a business includes analysis of the industry as a whole. In order to write an effective marketing plan, the business must be able to identify its competitors. The business should be able to point out the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of each of the main competitors. Identifying this will help the business recognize its own competitive advantage. This is an area where it is stronger or better able to serve the market than the competition. It is what will set it apart in the market.

Identify the Target Market

An important element of the marketing plan is to identify the target market of the business. Many businesses make the mistake of identifying a market that is too broad, such as all residents within a 100 mile radius. The target market must be broken down; the marketing plan should identify potential customers based on certain parameters. For instance, if the business is marketing foreign language software, the primary target market may be college-educated men and women aged 25 to 54 who are required to travel internationally for business or travel internationally for pleasure on a regular basis.

Identify the Four Promotion of Marketing

The four promotion of marketing are product, place, price and promotion. The product is what the business is selling and may be a tangible product or a service. The place describes how the product will be distributed to the customers. An example would be selling to retail boutiques through direct salesmen and merchandise marts. The price of the products is based on the attributes of the product, and what is needed to make a profit as well as what the market will bear. This will be largely based on prices of similar products in the market. If your company&promotion;s prices will be different from similar products, the business should be prepared to distinguish why in product promotions. Promotion is how the products and services will be promoted to the target markets. This could include a combination of publicity, traditional advertising and newer methods such as social media.

Create the Marketing Strategy

In the next section of the marketing plan, the strategy for how to promote the products and services of the business will be outlined. It will specify exactly how the products will be marketed. Instead of just identifying magazine advertising, this section of the plan will state the name of the magazine, demographic information, pricing, issues when ads will appear and mock-ups of advertisements. The marketing strategy should be detailed enough to be able to be turned over to an agency and be executed without further input if necessary. Though businesses rarely operate in this manner, this is how specific the strategy should be.

Formulate the Marketing Budget and Timeline

The final section of the marketing plan should provide an overview of the marketing budget. This should include any direct or indirect expenses that will be charged to the marketing department. This part of the plan should also include methods of measurement and timelines. For instance, it may state that within 30 days of a magazine ad, the company should sell a certain number of products through that specific channel. This section may also include a weekly or monthly calendar that shows the promotions the business will implement.

How to Write a Business Marketing Plan

A marketing plan for your business defines and directs the marketing activities you can use to build the customer base and increase revenue. A marketing plan encourages an organization to look inwardly and outwardly to understand the impact of the marketing decisions the business owner or managers make and to discover the target market for the company’s products or services. A marketing plan helps you to set goals for the business to grow and expand.

Step 1

Create a summary and an introduction. The summary quickly lays out the main points of the marketing plan. The summary includes the marketing activities of the past, present and future while introducing the purpose of the company.
Step 2

Determine your marketing objectives. Your overall marketing objectives should state the goals you intend to achieve with your marketing strategies. These objectives act as a guide for your marketing activities and help you determine the direction of the business. The objectives should be measurable and a deadline or time period should also be included as a time line to achieve the objectives.
Step 3

Write out the situation analysis. The SWOT analysis is an evaluation of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in your business. Your goal in conducting the analysis is to discover marketing avenues you can use to leverage the company strengths and embrace opportunities. You also need to develop a plan of action to combat the potential threats to your business and create a plan for overcoming the weaknesses.
Step 4

Identify your target markets. Every business attracts a certain set of customers. As much as you desire to have a product or service that everyone would purchase, it is an unrealistic dream. Your target market is determined by the demographics, residence, social group, activities, motives and past experiences of the people who are current or prospective customers for your business. Once you define this market, you can develop future marketing action plans based on reaching this group.
Step 5

Create the strategies that detail the marketing activities. These strategies help your business achieve its objectives. Looking at what your customers want, what you can provide and what kind of competition you are battling, develop the strategies that allow you to gain the advantage. This includes The Four P's of marketing, which are the product, price, place and promotion.
Step 6

Determine a procedure for tracking the marketing activities. This procedure determines the effectiveness of each activity. Measuring the success or failure of marketing activities allows you to modify or eliminate unsuccessful activities and mimic successful activities.

How to Get into the Equipment Rental Business

According to the Equipment Leasing Association of America, 80 percent of businesses in the United States use equipment leasing on a regular basis. With such a large demand for equipment rentals, starting a rental business helps you get involved in a potentially lucrative business venture. Equipment rental plays a large role in the success of many companies; starting an equipment rental business makes it possible to create long-term partnerships with local businesses.



Step 1

Make a business plan for your rental business. At this time, decide what type of equipment you will rent. For example, rent heavy equipment like bulldozers and backhoes or smaller items like forklifts and trucks. In the business plan, include information about what you plan on doing differently than your competitors. Make some financial projections as well in the form of an income statement, a balance sheet and a cash flow statement.
Step 2

Set up the legal aspects of your business. This may involve incorporating your business or setting up a limited liability company. Buy a business license from your local government. Purchase a business owner's insurance policy that covers your property and general liability. Make sure that the insurance you buy covers all of the equipment that you will be renting.
Step 3

Find a location for your rental equipment business. Many rental equipment businesses need properties with office space and warehouse space. Consider the needs of your business and choose a property that fits into your business plan.
Step 4

Buy the equipment that you will be renting to your customers. If you do not have enough money, borrow some through a commercial loan. If this is the case, use your business plan to show the lender what your business has to offer. When buying equipment, look for quality items that can withstand the wear and tear that your customers will put on it. You want the equipment to last so that it is rented to multiple customers over its useful life.
Step 5

Market your rental business. Call on businesses that have need for your equipment. Advertise on the radio, in the paper and on TV. In the beginning, offer a promotion or other introductory rate so that you gain a customer base.

How to Choose the Right Gift for a Man

When it comes to buying gifts for men, I must say, I've always had a knack for it. Even when I was growing up, my father never received the standard, ho-hum gifts like a shirt, tie or a bottle of after shave from me. Not that these gifts aren't fine for some men, but they were items my father simply didn't need, or want, for that matter. If you have trouble shopping for those special men in your life, or, you're looking for some new ideas, then you'll need to find out
how to choose the right gift for a man.

It takes some thought to gift shop for anyone. But men can be even harder to shop for. If you're a woman, you have to remember that "sentiment" is high on your vocabulary list. However, "emotion" isn't an ordinary word to a man. A man usually likes gifts he can use. Don't take it personally, but he'll probably prefer a new pair of comfortable slippers to a framed picture of you. Men are usually practical creatures who appreciate gifts they can put to use rather than knick knacks or other items that sit on a shelf.

One of the biggest mistakes many people make when they try to choose the right gift for anyone, but especially a man, is to buy what they like. You really have to put your own tastes aside and think of what the man likes instead. I helped my pal Jean shop for her hubby one time since she always had a terrible time finding gifts for him. He is the proverbial "man who has everything." That, and Jean has a tendency to choose gifts she likes instead of thinking of her hubby's likes and dislikes. Jean's hubby loves to watch TV all sprawled out in his recliner. Anyone who spends any time with him at home knows this, but Jean didn't give it any thought. He also gets cold alot. So, I found a sheep wool recliner cover for him. Jean thought I was off my rocker, but she bought the item anyway, wrapped it up and gave it to him for Christmas. He loved it. Not only was the cover comfortable to sit on, but it helped protect the fabric of his chair (another practical feature), and, the fleece was warm and cozy.

The moral of the story is- pay attention to gifts the man can use. Men don't always mention gifts they want or need, so it's up to us to figure it out.

I mentioned having a father, but did I also mention that I have another special man in my life along with brothers and a son? I've had plenty of experience shopping for men, believe me! Another bit of wisdom I can pass on is to focus on a man's interest if you want to choose the right gift. Does he love football, baseball, fishing, gardening, hunting, painting, watching movies, listening to music, cars or motorcycles? I "hit a home run" one year by buying my son a watch for his birthday. A watch, you say, big deal! This was a specially-designed wristwatch that had his favorite basketball player and his autograph on the face. It didn't cost a fortune, either. My son loved it so much that he never wore it. Instead, he put it away with his special things.

Which leads me to my next tip: to choose the right gift for a man, think outside the box. Look at specialty stores for gifts he can use that are out of the ordinary. Let's take the example of the wristwatch. There are watches, then there are watches. You can buy a theme watch like I did, or you can buy a watch that has a radio built into it. There are also Military Pilot's wristwatches, fancy pocket watches and many others to choose from. If you can't find anything locally, search the Internet to find a unique gift for a man. I have found that men are usually pleased with a gift that can't just be bought off a shelf anywhere. They seem to like it that you have spent time and effort to find just the right gift especially for them.

Tips on Choosing Electronic Cigarettes

More and more smokers are joining the electronic cigarette bandwagon because of one distinct advantage – ecigs let you smoke virtually anywhere without offending nonsmokers with those nasty cigarette ashes, butts, and odor.

With so many startup companies saturating the market, it can be difficult for first-time vapers to choose the best electronic cigarette. Here are a few tips on how to select a good e-cig brand.

High-quality batteries

The rechargeable battery is the lifeblood of any electronic cigarette. Make sure that your battery is powerful enough to get you through a full day of smoking on a single charge – at least 300 puffs if you are a pack-a-day smoker. Don’t settle for cheap ecigs that fall apart easily. You want a well-built battery that can withstand the slips and bumps of a hectic day.

Ease of use

Back in the day, electronic cigarettes were made up of three small parts – battery, atomizer, and cartridge. This design required smokers to manually refill their tanks with e-juice and clean the atomizer regularly to avoid clogs. The new 2-piece construction eliminates those hassles by combining the atomizer and cartridge into one disposable unit. With a cartridge that’s been pre-filled with liquid nicotine and built with a brand new atomizer, you can enjoy maximum satisfaction with every puff. If you are a novice vaper, you should choose the 2-piece mini ecig for ease of use before upgrading to more complicated mods.

Multiple charging options

Mini ecigs are shipped with a specially designed USB charger that attaches one end to the battery and the other to any standard USB port. Basic starter kits usually contain only one USB charger, leaving you with no other charging option but your computer. If you spend a lot of time away from your desk, you might want to get a kit that includes wall/car adapters or even a portable charging case. These accessories will enable you to charge your ecig batteries through an electric outlet, car cigarette lighter, and a mobile charging pack.

USB cigarettes

Even if you have multiple chargers and adapters, sometimes you just forget to charge your batteries. If you can’t resist that strong craving and you have to wait for your battery to fully recharge, a USB cigarette could come in handy. Many standard kits already include USB cigarettes. If your kit doesn’t have one, you can buy them separately as an accessory. USB cigarettes do not rely on batteries so they don’t run out of power. You can vape continuously as long as the USB ecig is connected to a USB power source.

Cartomizer performance

One major issue I had with older ecigs is that their cartridges only lasted a few hours. It’s really annoying to change your cartomizer after every 50 puffs – even if you paid a cheaper price for it. Thanks to modern technology, cartridges today can last for several days.The more puffs per cartomizer, the longer you’ll go between changing cartridges, the more you’ll save even if it is a little more expensive than weaker brands. Make sure you buy cartomizers that last at least 300 puffs – the equivalent of a pack of cigarettes.

Flavor

Taste is important when choosing a particular brand of cigarettes, and it’s no different with ecigs. The liquid inside electronic cigarette cartridges comes in a special formula that may not be familiar to smokers so you might have to experiment with a number of flavors until you find the ones that suit you. There are many varieties of tobacco, menthol, coffee, chocolate, and fruit flavors out there, in four to six different levels of nicotine concentrations. Look for more flavor options if you are not satisfied with what your brand is currently offering.

Vapor volume

One of the reasons why e-cigs have become a viable alternative to smoking is the realistic vapor they produce. Watch the smoke escape your lips or blow rings of cloud when you exhale. When choosing an electronic cigarette, make sure that the battery is able to produce vapor that closely resembles cigarette smoke. Watch video demos online so you can actually see the vapor volume from a particular brand.

Customer service

One aspect that many ecig companies have been remiss is customer service. Stay away from brand reps who are only interested in making a sale. The last thing you want is to spend a lot of money on an electronic cigarette kit, find out that the battery doesn’t work, waste hours trying to reach an actual person on the phone to help you, and then realize they are not replacing your defective product. Look for e-cigarette companies that offer live chat support that you can contact 24/7. If their product comes with a warranty, make sure to read the fine print so there is no confusion on the coverage.

There are so many electronic cigarette companies out there – all promising to give you the best e-smoking experience. Use these tips to make an informed decision when buying e-cigarettes.

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E-Cigarette Batteries: How to Choose

When it comes to picking a battery for your e-cigarette, it can be damn hard work. Once you have already established that you will be buying e-liquid, it’s a case of finding the right e-cig and this, unfortunately, means picking the right battery for you.

V2 Cigs, for example, offer the Long V2 Battery for $22.95 and with an approximate 300+ puffs per battery charge, it is okay to be impressed. When we tried the battery, we did indeed find that it lasted us from 8am in the morning when we woke up, through our working 9/10am-6pm day, puffing approximately a few times per hour when we took a cheeky break in the office, through our chain-puffing lunch break, and right through until we went to bed that night at around midnight. We put it on charge overnight so we aren’t sure if it would have lasted right through until the next morning, but it’s still a pretty impressive battery. It does take a whopping 4 hours to charge, and occasionally found that it was even longer than that, so an overnight job is definitely necessary.

See, the V2 Long battery is great for constant usage throughout the day but it’s a really long battery. Measuring in at a whopping 11cm, 14cm if you include the cartridge, it is very much like smoking a magic wand. We often found that we sacrificed the long battery for the medium sized ones during the day to make it easier to get away with a few sneaky puffs so it might be worth considering getting this one for home use.

That’s the thing about the batteries with your e-cigarettes; it is all very good and well looking for the longest lasting battery you can find but you need to remember that this will mean that the battery is often longer in length too. Do you want to be smoking a small magic wand?

There are a few important things that you do need to remember when choosing the right battery or brand of battery for your e-cigarette usage:

• Quality – the battery is going to be the thing that keeps your e-cig going. It will provide you with the vapor, the taste, the throat hit and the experience so the wrong battery is going to mean a poor e-smoking experience. If the battery feels cheaply made, there is a good chance that you will have a bad experience with it.
• 2 or 3 piece design – there are pros and cons for both sides of the debate but it would appear that the 2 piece designs are a lot easier to deal with in everyday life.
• Manual or automatic – the ones with the button (manual) generally help to ensure that you don’t waste battery life. It only turns on and becomes active when you press the button. Some of us found that we kept forgetting to press the button as we were smoking, therefore getting nothing from the inhale. Others within our team preferred the button. This is a personal preference thing.
• Charging options – there are a lot of ways that you can charge your e-cig battery and you should make sure that the brand you are using is going to give you the best option. There are USB chargers, mains chargers, car chargers, charging cases, straight USB chargers, squid USB chargers… the list is almost endless. The squid charger offered by White Cloud gave you the option to charge more than one battery at a time, and also meant that it wasn’t sticking right out of the USB port on the computer or laptop. There has been plenty of times that I have personally been sat at my desk, tapping away and I move my chair slightly, hit the USB charger that was in the front of the computer tower in the bottom half of the desk, and broken the charger. It’s a very frustrating experience. Thankfully, the new squid style charger ensures that the battery falls down vertically, rather than sticking out horizontally. Especially with longer length batteries such as those offered by V2 Cigs.
• USB cigarettes – these are worth getting if you spend a lot of time at a computer and you find yourself chain-puffing as you are tapping away and working hard. I like to puff away on the e-cigarette that I am reviewing; it helps me to remember everything I loved and loathed about each e-cig. The e-cig means that I can be charging my other e-cigs that I will need to use when I am out and about, but I can still have the USB e-cig plugged in, ready for me to puff away on it as and when I need to.
• Compatibility – it is very wise to remember that not all chargers work with all batteries, and not all cartridges are compatible with all batteries also. Recently we have reviewed Green Smoke, V2 Cigs, Vapor Couture and Blu Cigs and not one of them were compatible with the others. There is always something different about each and every one that makes them incompatible with each other. Always make sure that your cartridges will be compatible with your battery.
• Warranty – always make sure that you read the warranty of the company that you are buying your e-cigarette batteries from. Some companies offer a very odd version of a “Lifetime Warranty” and when you look at the prices of the batteries to buy, you will find that replacing them can be costly if the warranty should fall through. It is also wise to remember that using e-liquid with some companies will void the warranty. The terms and conditions, although boring, are always helpful to read to make sure that you get the bigger picture.
• Maintenance – you should remember that all electronics will require some sort of maintenance and with the e-cig, there is no exception. Failing to preserve the battery you have purchased will just make it a total waste of money. You should always ensure that you let the battery cool down for a few moments when you have puffed hard on it for around 8-10 puffs. Also, you should be sure to keep it away from anything magnetic as this could cause the internal components of the e-cig to malfunction. These are the basics to maintain your e-cig but there are some companies that require you to do more with theirs. Again, always read the small print.

Hopefully this will have made life easier for you when it comes to buying new e-cigarette batteries. Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions, and always shop around and read our reviews before you buy. We do the hard work so you don’t have to be disappointed.

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