Daniel Saltman: 2011

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Basic Automotive Repair: Checking Fluids

Article By: Daniel Saltman
Keeping your car ready for anything is all part and parcel of car ownership. There are some who ignore such things and those who keep an eye on them. Ideally, we

would like you to be one of the latter. Checking engine fluids is the most basic automotive repair tasks there is, and the easiest. We shall discuss it further here.

Much like our bodies, a car runs on fluids. It uses gas, water, oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid and screen wash. We are all used to checking the gas, but not everyone is familiar with checking the others. That’s a shame because it only takes ten minutes and is a simple, but important part of auto maintenance.

First up, we should check the engine oil. This fluid is essential to allows the engine to run freely, stay cool and keep the motor free from dirt and particulates. If there isn’t enough oil, all these things are compromised, shortening the life of the engine and making it run inefficiently.

Fluids should only be checked when the engine is switched off and cold. This is for safety and accuracy. When heated, some of these fluids expand and circulate around the engine, meaning any readings you take won’t be accurate.

Look to the front of it for a small loop, often colored yellow, which should be the dipstick. Pull it out, wipe it down and put it back. Remove it once more and check the oil level. There should be two marks near the bottom called Min and Max. The point at which the oil stops should ideally be between the two.

If the level is nearer Min than Max, add some oil through the filler cap on the engine. Take care to use the right type of oil for your engine and pour carefully. Your manual will tell you which type of oil is best.

Next check the water. It isn’t just water, it is a mixture of coolant and water to keep the engine cool and to prevent it freezing when the weather turns cold. Most cars have a water overflow bottle, which saves you having to open the radiator. This too will have Min and Max markings on the side. Ensure the level is somewhere between the two.

Transmission fluid is present in both kinds of gearbox, but only checkable in an auto. There should be a dipstick similar to engine oil near the back of the engine on the passenger side. It should be labeled transmission fluid. If it isn’t check the manual. This too should have Min and Max.

Checking the brake fluid is exactly the same. You don’t have to open the bottle, you can just look on the side. You should also be able to see if the fluid is dirty through the bottle. If it looks cloudy or dark, it’s time for a change. Unless you know how to do it, take it to your auto repair shop.
Screen wash is exactly the same. Use the overflow bottle to ensure you have enough screen wash for when the road gets dirty.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Corporate Furnished Housing Spells Home Away from Home

There is nothing more hectic than corporate life. The corporate jungle doesn’t take any prisoners. You have to be on your toes to stay ahead of the game at all times. Your livelihood depends on it as well as your worth as a working individual. However, there are times when a person has to stop and take a breather every once and a while. Your employers do not expect you to work without giving you some reprieve from the daily grind. There are ways through which you can take your family for a well-earned vacation and work at the same time.

Corporate housing rentals are what you should be looking out for. Properties such as these are mostly meant for business people and can be rented out for a short term. These can include condos, houses and apartments. What you choose depends on your company’s budget as well as your own preferences.

Business travelers usually choose these types of accommodations because on the amount of money they save. An expensive hotel room does not have the same luxuries as a rented house. Another thing furnished housing rentals provide to patrons is a level of comfort that is unparalleled by any other hospitality industry.

Moreover, they also provide you with quieter areas to work as compared to the noisy office buzz. Renting out furnished apartments to employees is also an ideal choice for companies especially if they plan on setting up a temporary office somewhere other than where they are currently located. Visiting executive managers or business partners are also accommodated within fully furnished housing accommodations in order to make their stay as comfortable as possible.

Corporate housing companies usually have a wide range of units to choose from. They include big houses, luxurious town homes and even lavish condos with many rooms and bathrooms. You would do well to choose one that suits you and your company’s tastes the most. Your aim should also be to choose a dwelling that won’t interfere with your work.

There are also separate furnished apartment Denver companies that only cater to businesspersons. This means that the units they rent out will have all the office equipment you might need. In other words, you won’t need to go to a store in an unfamiliar area to buy any equipment and supplies. Such services also throw in LCD screens or projectors for business meetings. Other perks such as housecleaning and chauffeur services might also be included in the rental fee. The corporate housing industry is booming so you will be sure to find plenty that will vie for your undivided attention. In other words, there will be a lot of promising prospects for you and your company to choose from. The important thing is for you to get away from your work routine, take advantage of your newfound privacyand surroundings. You will get twice as much work done and relax at the same time. After all, you deserve it.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Selling Your Home as a Lifestyle

While some people are more interested in the way a home looks or how it will fit their family, other people buy homes with an entire lifestyle in mind. As such, be sure to note the unique aspects of your home and the surrounding area that may draw people in. If you are able to watch the sunset each night from your backyard, tell people about that. Perhaps there is a beautiful botanical garden walking distance from your home or a great little coffee shop and bookstore around the corner. All of these things are potential hooks for buyers.

By giving your home more of an appeal by describing the lifestyle that people can have if they live there, you are opening up the minds of the potential buyers. Even if they don't love certain things about the home, they may be drawn in by the features in the surrounding neighborhood. Sometimes these same tactics are used when renting out furnished homes. When speaking with potential buyers, get to know their interests and a little bit about their family. If they have kids, let them know about any activities that are available in the area. If they are a young couple, clue them in to the nightlife or great places for Saturday night dates.

Getting to know your buyer and what they're looking for doesn't stop at your front door. To increase your chance of selling your home, do a little people research and really sell your entire neighborhood or community instead of just your little lot. People are often just as concerned about where their new home will be as they are with how their home looks or feels. Take advantage of this knowledge and do your best to give a holistic view of the type of life a potential buyer could have if they choose your property.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Congratulations, Arizona

By a vote of 28 to 0 in the Senate yesterday (2 not voting) and 55 to 4 (one not voting) in the House today, the Arizona legislature has passed the Conference Committee’s version of SB 1291 (originally, the Get Zillow Bill). And they did everything right.

The Conference version of the bill differs markedly from the amended version that the House returned to the Senate. A committee comprised of three members of the House and three members of the Senate rewrote the legislation to deal with more than the Zillow issue.

First, they eliminated the original bill’s amendment to the definition of appraisal. Thus, that definition remains as it was: clearly descriptive of a real appraisal, rather than the proposed broader definition that would have encompassed any estimate of value by any person using any means.

The Committee also adopted the Reagan amendment to the Bill that rejected an effort to change the composition of the Appraisal Board by creating an absolute majority of appraiser members.

Most importantly, perhaps, the Committee broadened the Reagan “exception” to appraisal-activity-for-which-a-license-is-required. The new language reads that the law shall not apply to:

A PERSON WHO PRODUCES A STATEMENT THAT IS PROVIDED TO ANY OTHER PERSON CONCERNING THE ESTIMATED VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY THROUGH AN INTERNET WEBSITE, AUTOMATED VALUATION OR OTHER SOFTWARE PROGRAM OR OTHER MEANS OF COMPARATIVE MARKET ANALYSIS AND WHO DISCLOSES THAT THE ESTIMATE IS NOT AN APPRAISAL.

The exception applies, therefor, not only to Internet sites providing free AVM’s, but also to real estate licensees performing comparative market analyses and broker price opinions.

Why is this important? On the eve of its anticipated victory in getting the original SB1291 passed before anyone understood what was in it, the Arizona Appraisal Board sent at least one shot across the bow of the Real Estate Commission signalling that it intended to go after real estate agents who were preparing BPO’s (probably for beverly hills corporate housing). The amended definition of appraisal (that could have been read to encompass BPO’s) would have given them the ammunition for a sustained volley.

Why is the ability of real estate licensees to provide estimates of value (with the appropriate disclosures) to consumers and to banks important to the people of Arizona? Because CMA’s and BPO’s provide more cost effective alternatives to appraisals that are more than adequate for many uses. Where, after all, do many appraisers go to get market comps and local market information? Real estate agents.

Not to mention that a Federal banking law specifically permits banks to use “evaluations” (such as BPO’s) in lieue of appraisals in many real estate related loan transactions. Other state appraisal boards have sought state legislation or made their own rules in defiance of this Federal mandate - and ultimately failed because the Federal law in this area expressly overrules state regulation to the contrary. But it can result in costly, taxpayer-funded litigation to get to the inevitable result.

We applaud the Arizona legislature for taking a careful look at the Bill that almost got by them, giving it due consideration and then acting in the interests of its many consumers rather than its few appraisers.

Do any of you have friends in Tennessee?

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Wikileaks leaked Moammar Gadhafi

Wikileaks hit again on Wednesday with cables but now surprise Moammar Gadhafi for his in multi-billion dollar wealth and millions of dollar spending on private concert by pop singer diva Beyonce.

According to recent leaks by WikiLeaks website US diplomats revealed that Gadhafi was very much hopeful to curb the protest till his “Last Drop of Blood” and will not let down his 42 year rule on Libya. Not to forget 300 civilian died during protest due to crack down by government.

The continuous anger against Gadhafi’s children especially when his son Hannibal beat the servant in Switzerland hotel and latter was arrested for that matter .Current uprising among people most probably sparked due to this incident alone and decline of Gadhafi rule was predicted by Wikileaks a year ago in their cables.

US diplomats in Libyan capital Tripoli have described the treatment by Gadhafi’s family and treating the country like their personal property.

Following is the minor detail about favors given by Gadhafi to his family:

Mohammad (Son) Dominate Telecommunication
Muatassim(Son) serving National Security Adviser.
Hannibal (Son) in maritime Shipping
Khamis(Son) command top military unit
Saadi(Son) job was to establish Export free Trade zone
Aisha (Daughter) was running Qasi-Governmental organization.

What is your opinion about Moammar Gadhafi rule and departure ?

Godhra Train burning verdict by Gujrat court today

Violence on minorities in India is not new, from very first day of creation to till date attacks on minorities are worse even after claimed to be democratic country.

Apart from Kashmir India’s Vishwa Hindu Parishad AKA terrorist of India never miss a chance to suppress Muslims especially in Gujarat. In 2002 there was incident occurs with Godhra Train burning killed almost 59 passengers on board. I am mot defending this act but feel like anger become lethal weapon when there is no limit of brutality.

In order to sort out the case as special fast-track court was established to resolve the case and the verdict by Gujrat special court under supervision of Additional session judge PR Patel expected today. Fast-track court postponed the verdict last September and much awaited decision till now.

Currently there were 95 people accused and going under trial .Among these 80 put in Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad. Fifteen of them are on bail and five accused are juvenile.

William Hague Claimed that Muammar Gaddafi flee Venezuela
Posted by admin On February - 21 - 2011ADD COMMENTS

Reuters reported on information linked to British Foreign Secretary William Hague that Muammar Gaddafi likely to going Venezuela. This news came up on Monday but noting is clear yet.

During the meeting in Brussels of European Union Foreign Ministers he told reporters that I don’t whether he is in Venezuela right now but some information suggested that he will be fled to Venezuela any time soon.

Well this rumor still not verified, on the other hand protest in Libya cost many lives of innocent people due to crackdown by Libyan government.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Cheap Land for Sale!!! Slightly contaminated but you’ll live, maybe.

Posted By: Corporate Housing Denver

Finding that perfect rural parcel can be such an exciting event that it almost feels like falling in love. The trees! The terrain! Perhaps it has a lake or a view; rural-land-dump.jpgperhaps it’s full of deer or it has a vineyard slope; but whatever it has, it is all that you’d hoped for. And the price is even right!

Before you fall too completely in love, though, make sure that you know everything that there is to know about your great rural parcel. Is the zoning perfect? Power in? Great road access? No problem building the house of your dreams? So far, so good! But before you sign the purchase and sale agreement – or at least before you go to the closing – there is one more thing that you’ve got to do: the all-important pollution inspection. You will want to test surface and subsurface water, and if at all possible you should walk the land yourself.

Most rural land has had some use, and some of it has been so badly abused that it is literally poisonous; and if you buy such land, not only will you be out most of what you paid for it, but you may even be required by law to clean up whatever mess you find. Prior use may not be obvious! Amazingly quickly, materials break down and vegetation grows, so unless you are looking for specific signs, on a casual walk you might not see a thing. So before you sign on the dotted line, spend a day or two really walking your land almost literally yard-by-yard, just to make sure there won’t be future surprises. Here is what to look for:

• Old foundations. Finding an old fallen-in stone cottage can be a lovely land-buyer’s moment. Look around for a garden now grown up and wild, and see if you can find a woodshed or privy. But if you should find a newer-looking cement foundation that seems to be bigger than house-size, then you have found a warning that something industrial or military likely happened there at some point.
• Old household dumps. Most larger pieces of rural land have some sort of household dump on them somewhere. Look for little hillocks, look for broken glass and rusty bits of old tin cans; and if you find them, pace around and try to figure out how big the dump site is. If it isn’t more than a few yards across, and if it is obviously associated with an old house or an old house foundation, then you and your family can look forward to some cheery digging for antique bottles. But if it seems to be enormous, or if it shows the warning signs of industrial dumping given below, then beware! At the least, it poses a threat to livestock; but at worst, it might be a source of big pollution.
• Old industrial or chemical dumps. Look for sickly or dead vegetation, especially when growth nearby is green. When you find water, look for unnatural colors or oil spots or any evidence that the water won’t support normal life. Look for barrels, look for motors, look for wooden pallets and pieces of old vehicles or machinery. Anything like this indicates that pollution has been seeping into the ground, so it should be taken as a big warning sign! Just one old Model-T won’t be a problem, but if you find even one spot of what seems to be significant pollution, then take soil samples and water samples and investigate the rest of the land much more carefully. You might even want to just walk away.
• Old firing ranges. Even a single artillery shell found on the land is a guaranteed red flag. Not only are old shells dangerous since some of them might still be live, but they are the source of some especially nasty carcinogens and other forms of pollution. Don’t worry about old shotgun shells or other incidental evidence of hunting. But if you find any evidence that your land has been used as an artillery firing range, then the soil and the water must be tested extensively. Again, you might want to just walk away.
• Old agricultural land. Land that has been farmed for years might have accumulated chemicals, so it makes sense to do some soil and water testing. Chances are, though, that if it has lain fallow, the land has largely cleansed itself.
• Old grazing land. Of all the former intensive uses, hunting and grazing are the ones you hope to find. Try to figure out where the fences were, and make sure that you locate any dumps; you can test the soil and water, too, but grazing land is likely to be fine.
• Old roads. As you make your way through the trackless forest, if you find an old overgrown road, beware. It might be just a wide animal trail, but it also might be a public road that has fallen to disuse; and sometimes abutters will have the right to use your old abandoned road for access. Finding any evidence that people ever have crossed your land habitually should send you to the local planning office for more information.
• Illicit agriculture. Before you start your walk, you should learn the distinctive color and leaf-shape of marijuana plants. In some states, owning land that is being used for illegal activities can mean that you literally might forfeit your property, even if you yourself are innocent; and if you do find pot, of course, you must report it.

Checking out your chosen parcel is essential, and sometimes it also pays to check out the neighbors. If all the surrounding land is also rural, then you might take a walk through some of the nearby woods and fields to see if you can spot any of the worst pollution warning signs. Remember that their water also is your water!

Doing a pollution inspection can be fun. It can feel like archaeology, and by the end of it you will know your land thoroughly. Most pollution inspections find little more than a homesteader’s cabin or a kitchen midden, so look forward to this necessary chore as a chance to really come to know the land that you already love.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

What is A Solar Laptop Charger?

A solar laptop charger can take care of all your power needs and more. They are ideal for people who are on the go, need to stay connected, but are not always somewhere they can just plug into electricity. They use the power of the sun through the use of flexible photovoltaic cells. This means that they can be used in backpacks and carry cases, so you can keep your laptop's battery charged while you are walking or riding around.

Some of these Solar laptop charger systems have panels that are large enough to keep your laptop, iPhone, and other small electronics charged, all at the same time. With some of these systems, they have individual pockets, all that can be plugged into the solar panel. Most of these are 6 watt panels, with voltage adjustments up to 20 volts of output.

Let's face it, there are times when you are out and about that you want to use your laptop. If you are out on a camping trip, you can watch your favorite movie while sitting by the campfire. If you are close to WiFi, you can check your email, god's forbid, work, or and number of things. Keeping electronics like GPS and cell phones charged can save your life in an emergency, but those that stay out for long periods of time can't plug their cell phone in a nearby tree.

There are also other reasons to buy a solar laptop charger. One of them is that these systems utilize the energy from the sun. This energy is free, clean, completely renewable, and consistent. This means you will save money on batteries, you will save on your electric bill, and you can use it wherever you go.

Now if you want a good solar laptop charger, don't go into one of your local retailers. For good, high quality products you need to go online. They are also going to be cheaper to buy, since you eliminate the middle man and can buy directly from the company, or a discount retailer.

One of these solar laptop charger products is the Solar Laptop Bag. It has a solar panels embedded into the outside of the bag, they are durable, lightweight, and completely waterproof. This product can power a number of different small electronics, laptops, MP3 players, Iphone and Ipads, just to name a few. It also include six different adaptor plugs, with variable voltage levels. This product comes in dark colors, and has a number of different pockets so everything is safe. It measures 5.9"x16.9"x12.6," so it is just about the same size as a normal laptop carrying case. This product sells for $275.50.

there is also the Solar Black Backpack. This durable solar laptop charger is made from Nylon, with a mesh backing. It is large enough to carry a laptop up to 17" and has waterproof panels embedded in it, with a 6 watt, 19 volt variable output. It also includes its own internal rechargeable battery pack, so even on cloudy day it can still be used. This back pack also includes several adapters, all that can be held in a convenient carry bag. This product sells for just $312.50.

Now while you may feel these prices are a little more than you want to spend, if you consider the benefits, mentioned above, that these products pay for themselves in a short amount of time. Certainly, the first time you are out in the wilderness and need your cell phone or GPS, you will be glad you bought one of these solar laptop charger products.

http://austinfurnishedapartments.net/

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Internet Marketing and Optimization - $85 / hour

After we’ve completed your website’s initial evaluation, we’ll begin to optimize your site to improve its performance. Based on the results of the evaluation and our follow discussions, AMV will work to implement your internet marketing plan. This can include many of the items listed below, again tailored to your specific needs:

Keyword Development. AMV Internet Marketing will determine the best search engine and directory keyword phrases and apply them to your website. This will dramatically increase the chance of your website being one of the first sites users find when they enter those specific keywords in the search engines and directories.
Search Engine Copywriting. AMV Internet Marketing's Search Engine Copywriting Service enhances your website's content so that it takes advantage of the nuances inherent in the major search engines. AMV Internet Marketing will advise you on modifications that will improve your website's ranking performance in search engines, thereby increasing the amount of qualified traffic that flows to your site each day.
Website Redesign. If your website is being overlooked by the search engines, you might be having problems with your sites architecture or link popularity. AMV will make changes to graphics, text, title tags, links, and website architecture to improve visibility with the search engines.
Information Page Development. Information pages are designed and written primarily for site visitors. They also can help dramatically improve your businesses relevancy in the search engines, thereby ultimately increasing website traffic.
Site Submission and Monitoring. AMV will submit your site to the search engines that tend to deliver the most effective results. We can also assist you with directory submissions (Yahoo, Open Directory, etc.)
Pay Per Click (PPC) Set Up and Management. Pay per click advertising (PPC) requires you to pay a fee every time someone navigates to your website from an ad you've placed in a search engine's results. Every campaign starts with extensive keyword research to determine not only which keywords are cost effective and profitable, but also which keywords convert the best. Our PPC management services can help your business drive customers quickly and cost effectively to your website.
Link Popularity Enhancement. Increase and improve the quantity and quality of external websites that link to pages on your site in order to enhance your site's visibility within search engines.

Links for July 13

Initial Website Evaluation - $995

No two websites look or perform in the same way. A wide range of factors contribute to the visibility and success of a website, including content, features, hosting and navigation, to name a few. Our initial evaluation will include:

A thorough review of the site for content, ensuring your website communicates your products and services clearly and concisely.
Establishing a list of keyword search terms clients seeking your products might use, and evaluating your websites performance in the search engines with those keywords.
Checking all links for functionality
Evaluating hosting company traffic reporting metrics
Reviewing your websites “hidden” content to verify it’s indexed correctly for optimum search engine results

Once we’ve completed the evaluation, we’ll provide you with the results as well as a detailed plan to improve your website’s performance.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Web design with Lone Star Media

How do we choose designs?

Every web site is designed to accomplish wholly different purposes. Visitors to your site may have common expectations, or distinctly separate ones, which all lead to one simple decision: whether or not to utilize your services. Appealing to a common market’s similar tastes may not mean simpler designs. It could entail elaborate graphic experiences prepared for well-known customer desires. For example, we offer a simple design here to satiate numerous tastes and preferences. Lone Star Media’s market ranges from solo proprietors to international companies in diverse industries seeking web development services, so Lone Star Media provides an informative layout with minimal graphics to communicate professionalism and personal service. In dealing with business owners and decision-makers, our dialogue takes center stage, highlighting the importance of web presence in today’s business and the quality of our team.

Those seeking elaborate designs will be serious about acquiring web services from personalized artists, and we invite that audience to personally request to review our design portfolio as it matches their business goals and objectives. We follow three simple rules to ensure the perfect design for your web site.

1) Empathize with your target audience.

2) Provide them what they need.

3) Keep them returning to fresh content.

Once you place yourself in potential customers’ shoes, every effort to provide them with a viable solution to their problems becomes easier, and more efficient. Further, a commitment to your own future success results in developing content to match your market’s changing needs. With each Web package Lone Star Media, as an on-going personal service to our customers, provides the ability to refresh text and static images on your Web site 24/7 from any computer with an Internet connection. That means that by working with Lone Star Media, you can always provide your market with fresh Web content, without the burden of regular Web maintenance fees to you.

Branding and Logo Design

Your company brand is the single most important marketing tool you can muster, because if you are not distinct from your competitors, nor memorable, every marketing effort you make remains largely futile. To completely maximize every invitation you make in the market to acquire your services, Lone Star Media helps you establish a distinctive brand, from logos to web experiences, to stay ingrained in your customers’ minds. For example, Apex Properties needed to immediately identify with parents of college students, and further remind them the importance of teaching their children not only academia, but also the real life experience of purchasing and owning a home. Please see our portfolio to see how we distinctly created the essence of Apex Properties. Contact us today to see how we can help build a lasting image for your company!

Flash Design

Flash is the newest web design technology and is gaining more exposure each and every day! Flash is, however, commonly used when it should not be. Above all, your site should be user friendly and fast. Let us show you how you can use flash to create a more enjoyable, and above all, a more productive user experience! Click here to contact us today!

Website Redesign

While we specialize in designing a site from the ground up, we also pride ourselves in working to make an existing design even better. Utilize our experience to determine how to better serve your users! Click here to contact us today!

Web Design Strategies

Is the total experience of your web site optimized to capture leads, and furthermore sales? It’s a rhetorical strategy, a science, in which you utilize images and language to connect with your web site’s visitors immediately upon entering, and guide them to a positive decision about your company. We have over five years experience designing, developing and maintaining websites to achieve these goals. Would you like to benefit from our experience? We have the strategies and tools that enable you to succeed and take your online business to the next level! Click here to contact us today!

Design Consulting

Which search engines should you target? How do you determine what keywords to use so that potential clients or customers will be able to find you? How much should all of this cost? Let our consultants show you what does and does not work on the web. Click here to contact us today!

Real Estate Design Services

Lone Star Media has, for a long time, specialized in bringing better service to real estate companies’ clients. Unlike some of our competitors, we do not develop from a template, but from an idea! And even better, we still have managed, through our diversely talented team, to provide you with template prices. We create a unique design and interface, utilizing real estate specific searches and forms, which will enable you to stand apart from your competitors.

Web Design Process

Lone Star Media has been creating and developing interactive web applications and enabling companies to reach a broader market on the web for over three years. We have seen several technologies come and go. These changes have also affected the design process. Lone Star Media has worked hard to develop a process that will enable us to efficiently target your needs and develop around those needs. Please visit our portfolio section to see some results of our process.

If you would like more information, please email us and let us know!