Tips to Window Cleaning (Part 2)
The excellent results achieved by professional window cleaners comes as a result of many hours of intensive work where one learners the tricks of the trade, whether it be through a schooled professional or more commonly trial and error. I previously listed the equipment commonly used by professionals when cleaning windows and will now explain the technique I use to employ this equipment. Follow this guide and you too can have windows that glisten with that much wanted professional touch.
The first step is to fill the bucket with water and add your detergent; my personal choice is Morning Fresh , this will assist in lubricating your squeegee to glide over the surface of the glass. Next add methylated spirits to your water, I do this so as to aid evaporation which helps prevent streaks.
We'll assume the windows we are to clean are free of debris; we'll look at tips on cleaning windows after a builders clean in a later article. First I would apply the detergent to the glass using my washer. In the event the glass has not been cleaned for quite some time and is covered in grime the doodle bug with its scouring pad will be useful in scrubbing the window. Ensure the pad and the glass are free of any debris that may scratch the window pane. You will ever develop a feel of the doodle bug and notice that it glides so much easier as it frees the window of its grime.
With the glass now covered in your cleaning solution we take a hold of our squeegee and look to the top of the window. Apply the rubber corner of the squeegee along the edge of the glass or you could use a cloth, make sure the cloth is free of lint, like a microfibre. The purpose of wiping the top edge is to prevent solution running down your glass when you squeezeee the solution off the glass.
For the novice let's begin with the easiest technique. Place the squeegee horizontally at the top left of the window. Now run the squeegee straight down the window in a vertical direction. Keep constant pressure on the window all the way down to the bottom, with practice you will develop a feel as to how much pressure on the squeegee you will require, too little or too much will leave streaks. Wipe your rubber with a cloth then return to the top and repeat this action to the right side of the area just cleaned, have the squeegee overlap the cleaned area by about 3 cm, repeat this until you reach the right side of the window.
The window is now clean so let's dry the side and top edges with a dry cloth, using your finger to run along the edges. At the bottom of the window you will need to mop up the excess water on the sill then use your dry cloth to dry the bottom edge.
Step back and inspect your work. Look from different directions to try to detect any streaks or marks left on the pane. Marks can appear from different angles. Should you detect any streaks use your dry lint free cloth . If there are too many cracks then it's easier to start the process again by applying the solution to the window. For stubborn marks I tend to use grade 0000 steel wool, designed for polishing glass. Of course the window is not really cleaned until both sides are done.
A couple of warnings, on hot days your solution can evaporate quickly, this can cause friction with your squeegee on the glass resulting in streaks. Also, your worst enemy is the sun. A window that looks perfectly clean in the morning may show horrible streaks once the sun shines through so the key is to develop a keen eye for spotting those marks on your window.
For the next technique, again for novices, run your dry cloth down the left edge of the pane. Now hold the squeegee vertically and place it along the left edge of the window at the top. Run the squeegee straight across the window in a horizontal direction. Keep constant pressure on the window all the way across to the right side of the window. Wipe your rubber with a cloth then return to the left and repeat this action to the bottom of the area just cleaned, have the squeegee overlap the cleaned area by about 3 cm, repeat this until you reach the bottom of the window.
The technique most professionals use is to glide the squeegee across the window in one fluid motion, without lifting the rubber blade, to prevent stopping and starting. This speeds up the process. I start at the bottom left side of the window, move upwards to the top of the window, with the squeegee slopped towards the center of the glass to allow for run off. Then without lifting the blade, move across the top then down the right side, all the way pushing the detergent to the center of the glass. Again, without lifting the blade, move to the top of the window, overlapping the cleaned area by a few centimetres and always pushing the solution to the center. Now snake your squeegee down the glass to the bottom. Mop up the sill, dry the stairs, step back and inspect. Correct any blemishes then you're done.
So there you have it, gleaming clean windows, just like the professionals.
Four Types of Entrance Doors That Will Give Your House a Facelift
Home owners are always trying to find a way to make their homes look more modern or classic. There is a much more affordable way to change the look of your house and that is simply by changing the entrance door, believe it or not.
An entrance door is the mouth of the house. It says everything there is to say about who lives inside the house and how they live their daily lives. Besides the quality of the door, the size and style also has a story to tell.
Often when people think about replacing doors it’s usually after they have their house renovated. You will often see people replace a single door with a double door to give their houses extra character.
A door that has sidelights works well for single story homes. The sidelights act like open arms to any visitors. Because they have windows on either side of a solid door the house is basically welcoming you in. If you don’t have many windows facing the pavement then this will be a great way to let neighbours know that you are friendly.
Purchasing a door with a transom can make your house look classy yet modern. The overhead window-like feature allows a decent amount of natural light into the house without having too many people looking into your house and barging in on your privacy. You will often find a transom on both double and single doors. The bigger the door the more light will emit inside and give you a higher status than what you had with a plain solid door.
As we are in the postmodern era, more of the mechanical working doors are being made. Pivot doors don’t need much to look good because they already larger in size and work in a different way to many other doors. Panels are usually used to complete the modern look and give a completely new look to the house.
Double doors are the most common kind of doors found in most houses, that is, after the single door. The solidity of the door keeps the house looking stable while at the same time keeping warmth in, just like a family.
Custom door manufacturers will pride themselves on the gorgeous appearance they can give to many houses. You want your home to look good outside and inside. It should be inviting and practical. Give your home the appearance you dream of.
The Convergence of Home Technology
How many ‘set top boxes’ do you have? Are you the proud owner of just one box that caters for your every whim, or do you have a precipitous and ‘threatening to topple at any moment’ pile of hardware that makes your living room look like a discount tech warehouse? The convergence of home technology is the subject of much debate – how integrated is our home, what could we do without, what couldn’t we even think of living without?
But home technology convergence isn’t just about home entertainment systems talking to your PC, your Xbox streaming films and programmes from your computer to your television or even switching to VoIP for your telephony. Home technology convergence covers a multitude of applications throughout the house – from automated garage doors and light switches activated from your iPhone right through to a fridge that lets you know when you need more milk.
Home media servers allow you to integrate your entire system into a DLNA network, allowing you to use your PC as your home ‘hub’ for everything technological. The very latest televisions are not only HD and 3D ready – they’re also ready to talk back to your computer too, negating the need for cables and linking up via your Wi-Fi network or Bluetooth technology. The computer is taking its rightful place at the very heart of the technological home. Now it’s not just the focal point for downloading data from the Internet or for the kids to do their homework on. It’s literally become ‘one of the family’.
The ‘black box’ fallacy
However, despite the leaps and bounds made in home technology we are still a long way from a ‘black box’ situation where the home’s entire tech is controlled through one central point or ‘black box’. Although many have tried to develop this, and despite the importance of the home PC as a control panel from which to conduct an orchestra of home technology, the closest we’ve probably come to any kind of multi-tasking central control system is the ‘universal remote control’. These are handy little gadgets that negate the need for a collection of remotes for your television/Sky box/surround sound system/DVD player (delete as applicable) and give you all the couch-control you need in one, handy remote. Although just having one remote means that it’s easier to lose down the back of the sofa, that seems to be its only real disadvantage.
Slowly but surely, we are starting to find out how all of this modern technology fits together to form the ultimate ‘smart house’. Whilst voice activated light switches are still a bit of a novelty, it does show that we are beginning to understand how a convergence of home technology on all levels could make our lives very much easier. It is possible to build a ‘smart house’ where everything works from a central computer (from the heating to the sub-woofer levels on your hi-fi). But for the majority of people, developing a smart house based on technological convergence is a case of piecing together a jigsaw of available and affordable technology over time.
The real world
The reality is far more organic. Slowly, piece by piece our homes are becoming more integrated. The advent of smart technology and in particular WiFi has given those who want to ultimately see a true convergence situation the building blocks to achieve their goal. WiFi is probably one of the most important developments in years, allowing an entire home to become one big transmitter for the movement of digital data from various sources to various outlets.
The providers are catching up too. Whereas once utilities companies provided one service such as your telephone landline, they are now embracing the concept of Multi-play marketing. Multi-play describes the provision of different telecommunication services such as telephone, mobile phone services, Broadband Internet access and television into one bundled package. It may seem like convenience to the customer, but it really does represent an aspect of home convergence technology. DLNA communications between PCs and digital media outlets such as televisions or games consoles is another aspect, all linking in and interconnecting with the WiFi foundations to be found in most modern homes.
Eventually, the convenience of one ‘black box’ system is going to be too tempting to resist for a society that is becoming obsessed with tech. Some bright spark will develop a clever algorithm that will draw all your home tech into one, easy to manage and aesthetically pleasing ‘home hub’. Indeed, the term is already being used by some providers of telephony, broadband and digital media packages, and it is certain that as we develop ever more complex binary networks in our homes, more of our everyday home technology will slot into its allotted place. The convergence home of the future is closer than we think…
Painting Company – Marketing One
No matter what the economic turmoil, there seems to always be a demand for professional paint services. Painting companies are hired on by homeowners, construction companies, property management outfits, and a slew of other businesses. Those who currently own their own painting business, or are looking to get into the field should know that the key to success lies not only in the skill and knowledge provided, but also in your abilities as a marketing professional. In this article, we will provide tips to help you make your business known.
Step 1 – Take some time to brainstorm and come up with a marketing strategy that is able to exemplify your strengths and at the same time, define what the business is expecting to accomplish. What do your specialize it? What are the costs? What aspects of the business do you want to showcase? Do you have a list of referrals? Do you handle larger jobs?
Review each topic and consider them carefully. Once you have a clearly defined plan, do a little research in regard to your local competition's rates and services. By obtaining a basic understanding of what your competitors provide and charge, you will better be able to understand what price points and services you should be offering. This is also helpful in determining which services will help you stand out from the flock.
Step 2 – Network. Start building connections with owners in the construction, property, and housing industries. A big part of managing a successful business is the ability to generate work quickly. Although it makes take a little while to get going, the best way to get ahead is by establishing these relationships. Once your partners see what a good job you're doing, they will not hesitate to recommend you to additional companies.
Step 3 – Advertisements. Print advertising is not only effective, but it's rather cheap as well. This method provides evidence to potential clients that your business is established and on solid ground. Options include ads in local newspapers, grocery stores, hospitals and restaurants.
Step 4 – Use your referrals. This is generally one of the best ways to gain new work. Potential clients want to know that are hiring a name they can trust, and of course it simply sounds better coming from someone outside of the company.
Step 5 – Be sure to network with others in your area in hopes of developing new leads. Networking is one of the best ways to get your name out there and exchange tips and services. Make a point to network with interior designers, painters, contracting companies, real estate agents, and apartment managers. If you are unable to handle a particular job, refer the task to another company. The favor just might come back to you down the road.
Hotel Santa Isabel, a Firstborn Hotel in Havana
The attractions of the Historic Center of Havana, with a legend that is about five centuries old, are a true complement to the many options that make up the offer of the leisure industry in the largest of the Antilles.
Tens of thousands of colonial buildings that each meet countless stories grouped by several centuries of existence, makes the area a wonderful place for visitors who like to know specific aspects of the past.
The wide range of facilities is the property of Santa Isabel. This property with palatial and elegant dimensions enjoys what is the best location of all hotels in the area as it is positioned opposite the lovely Plaza de Armas, possibly the oldest in the city.
The building, three stories high, is located in the heart of Old Havana, near the main sights, a few feet from where the first mass and the first chapter were held, all tied to the founding of the then town of San Cristobal de La Habana. From the balcony you can observe the Palace of the Captains General and the magnificence of the thick walls that make up the Castillo de la Real Fuerza, the oldest of the forts built by the Spanish in the days of domination. This visual panorama appears today as one of the main factors in attracting visitors to the Hotel Santa Isabel.
The splendor of the facade blends well with the huge air-conditioned lobby, where crystal chandeliers, epoque furniture and a lavish collection of photographs of the nineteenth century allow the visitor to travel back in time, to the time in which the property was owned by the Count of Santovenia. Don Nicolas Gonzalez Martinez de Campos and Gonzalez del Alamo, was a Cuban whose family origins date back to the Seville town of Villa de Coria and to what, for his many services to the Spanish crown, was awarded, by royal office in 1824, the title of Count of Santovenia. The building was in the hands of the noble family in Havana until the late 60's of the nineteenth century when it passed into the hands of a clever American who used the property to expand its facilities making it the first of Havana hotels.
Until that time the city was using small hotels to accommodate visitors but still had no facility that would provide a real hotel service. It was the mentioned American, known at the time as "Colonel Lay, who saw the need of the colonial city, took the advantage and opened the Hotel Santa Isabel in the very distant 1867. The hotel operated as such only for 20 years after its foundation, but at the time was considered the best in town for its large and airy rooms. The hotel also provided food service and staff spoke the English language well. Other innovative services were introduced: Ladies who were staying there were attended by persons of their same sex, which is the same as saying that it began implementing, for the first time in the island, the maid service.
Well into the twenty century its facilities were used for other purposes; it is still remembered by many habaneros that for many years the ground floor served as the restaurant-bar known as "El Mesón de la flota" (The Inn of the fleet). In the 90's of the last century, the Office of the Historian of the city wanted to highlight the importance of the property in the Cuban hotel industry and the hotel was remodeled once again to be the Santa Isabel Hotel that it is today, a luxury inn operated by the Habaguanex SA group and offering the comforts of a five-star accommodation, and a hotel environment consistent with the colonial environment where it is located.
If we discuss some of its current attractions it is a must to refer to the Restaurante El Condado. Located near the lobby of the hotel is a posh restaurant with antique furniture that accentuates the elegant atmosphere that permeates the entire facility.
The rooms of the establishment, 27 in total, of which 10 are junior suites, have the additional attraction of their colonial-style furnishings, while trying to maintain the facilities currently required by a 5 star hotel.
A less formal and more relaxed ambience is the one found under the shadow of the Spanish courtyard near the lobby, where you can enjoy a cocktail or read quietly in one of the tables surrounding the central fountain.
Of course, like its college hotels, the hotel Seville, the Plaza Hotel and the Hotel Inglaterra, among others, the Hotel Santa Isabel has the support of celebrities who have opted for its comfortable rooms and excellent service. The hotel suite has received a number of famous guests, including former US President Jimmy Carter, the world famous American actors Jack Nicholson and Bruce Willis, and icons of the music world like Sting.
With all these merits, the Santa Isabel is proudly displayed as one of the jewels in the old part of Havana, able to bring that touch of home and distinction that many visitors expect.
Forklift Safety Checklist
As one of the lifting equipment in plant site, forklift should receive adequate attention especially about its safety. Various potential hazards are associated with forklift operation. Complete check before forklift operation will ensure not only forklift driver safety, but also other employees and company assets.
A forklift safety checklist will help ensuring its safety condition. It will help you identify any problem and potential problem with forklift. Having forklift safety checklist is essential and it will be provided within your plant site.
Questions in the safety checklist should be answered with Yes or No and complete with a comment or comment if the answer is No.
General information
- Name of workplace
- Division / Department / Section
- Running location
- Identification of forklift
- Work description (brief)
Workplace conditions
- Is the operating area completely separated from walkers?
- Are there clear and sufficient safety signs which warn walkers against forklift?
- Are walker pathway and zebra crossings granted?
- Are workers completely prohibited to cross forklift pathway?
- Are mirrors presented at the entire blind spots?
- Are modifications to the operating area and any other workplace design informed to related related workers?
Forklift part check
- Does the forklift specification meet the operating requirement?
- Is clear forklift load chart provided?
- Is seat belt provided?
- Does the maximum speed controlled?
- Do horn, reversing beeper, proxy indicator and flashing light function properly?
- Is falling object protective structure of FOPS provided on the forklift?
- Are the maintenance performed regularly?
- Are forklift maintenance and repair records maintained?
- Is there enough fuel inside forklift?
- Is forklift battery charged?
- Are the forklift tires fully inflated?
- Are the tires pressure sufficient and safe?
- Are the tires in good conditions?
- Do the forklift brakes work?
- Is the steering work well?
- Does the gear control work?
- Are the left and right mirrors available and clear?
- Do all indicators and gauges function properly?
- Are there any liquid leaks from the forklift?
- Are fuel, oil, hydraulic fluid and coolant levels enough?
- Is portable fire extinguisher fitted on the forklift?
- Is wearing hard hat a must for forklift operators?
- Have other personal protective equipment such as eye goggles, ear plugs and safety shoes to be worn?
Forklift Operators / Drivers
- Do forklift operators or drivers have forklift driving license or forklift certificate?
- Does the driver understand the load chart?
- Are appropriate training provided?
- Have forklift drivers been given related training?
- Do the drivers know exactly the work layout in the plant site?
- Do forklift drivers follow the pathways correctly?
- Are forklift drivers or operators in good health?
- Does the forklift driver know the maximum speed?
Working system
- Are there speed limits for powered equipment on site?
- Are there appropriate traffic management plans at the plant site to prevent collision of forklifts with people and other mobile equipment by separating them in time or space?
- Are all safety procedures related to forklift inspection, operation, clean up and maintenance established, maintained and communicated to related workers?
- Does monitoring and supervision system for ensuring all safety procedures implementation work?
- Do work schedules remove completely the necessity for extreme forklift speed?
- Are uncertified drivers allowed to operate forklift?
- Is loads checkinging always performed for stability to guarantee they are not dislocated from the forklift during loading, traveling and unloading?
- Is load weight always checked before loading to avoid overloaded?
- Is load always lowered prior to the forklift being in motion?
- Is safe distance from the edge of ramps, docks, drains, gutters, floor openings and any other opening and obstacles established to prevent forklift accident?
- Are every ramp or dock edges guarded and visibly marked?
- Is it allowed to lift workers using forklift to do certain job?
- Is it allowed to use forklift for doing other jobs instead of lifting?
- Is the procedure for the safe battery charging or fuel filling established?
Countermeasures and follow up are required before the forklift can be used; if there is at least one answer 'NO' to any of these questions in the safety checklist. They have to be completed to ensure forklift safety.
Explore the Striking City of Toronto For Striking Attractions & Hotels
Toronto is one of the most populated and largest cities of Canada. It is provincial capital of Ontario and is known for its cultural diversity, entertainment, financial and business areas with an array of sightseeing. The city of Toronto is located in Southern Ontario along the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. It is a densely populated part of Southern Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe and estimated that around 8. 1 million people are staying here.
The meaning of the word 'Toronto' is 'place where trees stand in the water'. French were the first who settled in the area during the year 1750 at Fort Rouille. Initially it was used as the naval base by the British. It was then named as York by Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe when the Upper capital of Canada was shifted from Newark to Toronto. The city was very small but after the war of 1813, the city grew rapidly and continued to grow through nineteen century and became main destination for the immigrants of Canada. It resulted in making Toronto as one of the most popular cities of Canada surpassing Montreal.
While your stay in Toronto, you will never find yourself short of things to do or to see. It offers a range of numerous attractions which will make your trip worthy and memorable. Popular attraction such as CN Tower is one of the major attractions and the most recognizable and celebrated icon. The height of the tower is about 550 meters around 1800 feet, is the tallest buildings in the world. Visitors from all round the globe come to see this exciting monument and it is estimated that around 2 million people take the elevator ride to the top of the tower every year.
Another must visit attraction is Toronto Island which is not far away; it is just a ferry ride away from the city. It is parkland which covers around 600 acres inviting you to discover. It is an island of 150 year old, offering very panoramic views of the lakeside charm since centuries.
One can also go for several other attractions such as the Ontario Place Toronto. This is an internationally recognized place known for its cultural, leisure and entertainment parkland. This is a place full of fun for entire family members of all ages and offers a variety of exciting rides and attractions such as Soak City Water Park, Bumper Boats, Free Fall and many more. This would turn into a perfect destination for you to entertain your self along with your family.
If you are in Toronto you are not short of hotels, you will find a range of hotels that vary from budget to luxury accommodation. These hotels are known for their comfortable and convenient stay and hospitality.
Luxury Hotels -hotels such as the Toronto Marriott Bloor York, Sheraton Center, The Sutton Place Hotel are some of the luxury hotels which are known for their elegant and stylish accommodation. The Sutton Place Hotel is one of the most favored luxury hotels exhibiting the European elegance and charm. It features around 230 elegant rooms which are tastefully decorated with original work of art and antiques.
Cheap Hotels – it also offers some of the most comfortable and convenient cheap hotels which are meant to provide the best accommodation at the most affordable price. These hotels are generally concentrated around the downtown area of the city providing quality accommodation at the most affordable price.
Purpose of Tensile Testing and Its Use in the Plastic Industry
One of the most elementary tests that can be performed on a product is the tensile test to check the breaking resistance of a product. A test specimen is kept under tension to practice opposing forces acting upon opposition faces both located on the same axis that attempted to pull the specimen apart. These tests are simple to set and complete and reveal many characteristics of the products that are tested. These tests are measured to be fundamentally the reverse of a compression test.
Purpose of this test
Typically, this test is designed to run until the specimen breaks or fails under the specific load. The values that are calculated from this type of test can vary but are not limited to tensile strength, elongation, ultimate strength, modulus of electricity, yield strength, and strain hardening. The measurements taken during the test reveal the characteristics of a material while it is under a tensile load.
Tensile Testing for Plastics
Composites and Plastic are polymers with substances added to improve the performance or reduce costs. Plastic may be pressed or cast or extruded into sheet, film, or fiber reinforced plate, glass, tubes, fiber, bottles and boxes. Thermohardening or thermosetting plastics can be brittle or hard and temperature resistant. Thermosets include polyester resins, epoxy resins, polyurethane, phenolic resins, non-meltable, non-deformable and polyurethane. Polymers and plastics can be tested to measure product quality. The tests measure the weight required to split or break a plastic test material and sample elongation or stretch to that breaking load. The resulting data help to identify product quality and quality control checks for materials.
Plastic testing instruments, universal test machines provide a constant rate of extension because plastic tensile test behavior is dependent on the speed of the test machine. The specimens loaded on the machines are set as per ASTM, DIN, ISO tensile test specimen dimensions. The Plastic tester machine should always rely on standard terms and conditions. As per ASTM D638, Plastic tensile test standards help to measure strain below 20 percent extension values. High strain can be measured by the machine, digital reader. Thin sheet sample testing is done as per the standard ASTM D882.
A high-quality testing machine is designed to measure the strength of a specific product, test method and product type. A good instrument can be the only solution required for your quality assurance and a worse choice can make you go in the loss too. So choose the instrument smartly.
How to Select the Most Efficient Deck Builders for Crafting an Outstanding Deck
A deck is an expansion of your home which can enhance space along with the beauty of the house. It acts as an outdoor area of comfort that allows you to admire the natural beauty of your surroundings. It is usually made up of wooden planks and can be crafted into various shapes and designs. The structure must also be designed to support adequate weight. Deck building is an excellent idea for adding luxury to your home and spending quality time with friends and family.
To get started with a deck project you should hire the best professional deck builders. They are expert in design and building a great variety of decks that perfectly match the architecture of your home and extremely bring a stylish and comfortable look to your home.
If you do a little research, you will find a lot of deck companies offering great services for crafting decks. However, we suggest you start by searching the major search engines on the internet to find the best deck contractor. Searching on the internet will save you valuable time and while putting efforts to search for the best deck builders, you must follow some important point below:
Before hiring any deck company you must ensure first that the company is legally registered and has a business license. Along with this you must be well acquainted with the terms and conditions of the company and the company should provide you with proof of business liability insurance. This will help you in case any damage to your home was to occur. Meeting the skillful staff of the deck company will allow you to discuss the deck design in detail and finalize an agreement.
Building a deck may take some time but before finalizing any agreement you should first confirm how long it will take to complete the project. The contractor must have the building permit for the project which can be finalized by the local building inspector. The inspector will check the quality of the deck before passing the inspection. You can also find out about the quality and service of the deck builders from previous customers. This will give you more information about their experience and the level of satisfaction they had before you make a decision.
Finally, make sure that the deck builder selected can execute your requirements efficiently and produce a quality deck. While browsing the internet in search for the best professional deck builders you can also browse through their past projects. This will allow you to see the type of work they have done in the past but it will also give you ideas for your own deck.
What You Need To Know About Medicare Supplement Plan J
Should you keep your Medicare supplement Plan J or compare other plans?
Oftentimes referred to as Medigap Supplement Plan J, Medicare Supplement Plan J covers certain costs that are not covered in basic Medicare benefits coverage. Unfortunately, Plan J is no longer available (effective May 31, 2010). However, the plan will remain in effect for those individuals who were enrolled in it by the 1st of June, 2010. In addition, there is a separate $ 250 annual deductible.
What Does Plan J Cover?
As with any Medicare Advantage or Medigap Insurance plans, Plan J covered certain gaps in Medicare Part A and B coverages. This includes:
• at-home recovery
• care provided by skilled nursing facilities
• emergency care when traveling overseas
• excess Part B charges / expenses
• Medicare co-insurance (Part B)
• Part A and B deductibles
• up to $ 120 of preventative care that Medicare does not cover
What The Plan Does Not Cover
Unfortunately, there are certain health care issues that are not covered by Plan J (according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) including the following:
• dental care
• Eyeglasses
• hearing aids
• long-term nursing home care
• private-duty nursing
• vision care
The bottom line is that the elimination of Plan J resolved from the need to modernize the entire Medicare Insurance infrastructure.
Elimination By Default
It has oftentimes been said that Plan J was simply eliminated by default because there were two benefits covered that were similar to the ones covered by Plan F. Plan F has oftentimes been considered the most comprehensive of all the MA / Medigap plans. The two specific benefits that set Plan J apart from Plan F are at-home recovery and preventative care. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have eliminated these two coverage due to a lack of use. Therefore, Plan J was eliminated because of this duplication.
Additional Considerations
It is important to note that existing Plan J policy holders who are not affected by the above will be subject to what is referred to as a "closed block of business", meaning that no new policies will be offered after the June 1st eligibility date. There is a reasonable speculation that the rates for Plan J coverage are going to increase as a result of the above. Although this does make sense to some, the impact on current policy holders remains to be seen. It is a good idea for anyone who has Plan J to evaluate the current Medigap Plans available and compare the benefits and promotions to what they are currently paying. They may be surprised to learn they can save money and get comparable benefits to Plan J.
Making the Switch From Glasses to Contact Lenses
It is generally agreed that contact lenses are the best form of corrective lenses and certainly preferable and superior to glasses as among all the obvious benefits they allow for better vision and are affordable. If you are currently wearing glasses and are considering changing to contact lenses it is beneficial to have some idea of how contact lenses work and what you should do to go about procuring some or yourself.
Contact lenses require a prescription and to obtain one you will need to schedule an appointment with your optician who will carry out the necessary tests and examinations to determine the health of your eyes and based on his findings will be able to prescribe the correct contact lenses for your specific needs. Advice will also be given as to those lenses that are affordable and within your budget.
There are plenty of styles, types and brands to choose from. Because of the uniqueness of an individual's eye you may find that your choice becomes narrower as not all contact lenses will be appropriate for your particular eyes. The best person to consult about prescription contact lenses is your optician who has access to all the relevant information and will help you to decide.
Initially, you should restrict the periods of time that you wear your new lenses. Because of the nature of contact lenses a period of adjustment is required and your eyes need to become accustomed to them. Weaving contact lenses for extended period of time could damage your eyes. Take advice from your optician and follow his recommendations. Normally, just a few hours each day is advised. You can gradually increase the time you wear your contact lenses and your eyes will be allowed to slowly adapt to the new lenses without incurring any problems.
Unlike glasses contact lenses require a certain amount of sensitive care. Always ensure that your hands are scrupulously clean and dry before touching your contact lenses so that any damage to the contacts can be avoided. Every time you insert or remove your contact lenses you will have to follow this principle of hygiene.
A common condition among contact lens users is dry eyes. This situation is perfectly normal and forearmed with that knowledge you will be able to deal with this problem should it occur. The best way to lubricate your eyes when they are dry is to use a little saline solution or eye drops that are specifically created to increase the moisture in your eyes. By using re-wetting eye drops you will provide moisture to your eyes and immediate reply.
Contact lenses require daily care which should always include cleaning and disinfecting. It is also important to remove the protein that has accumulated on the lens which can easily be done with either a multipurpose solution of a disinfecting one. The recommended way to remove protein build up from your contact lenses is to place them in solution overnight. This is a convenient method as you will have completely clean, debris free contacts to wear the next day.
Although conventional glasses do require less care the benefits of contact lenses make them the preferred choice for your optical needs. As long as you follow the recommended care guidelines and exchange them for a new pair as necessary your eyes will remain healthy and free from infections. Contact lenses are certainly beneficial to everyone and are feel quite liberating after wearing glasses. They are easy to use, comfortable and unrestrictive.
Affordable Solar Power Systems – Do-it-Yourself Solar Power
Trying to find affordable solar power systems is not easy but it's becoming ever more necessary, as time goes by. More and more people are looking into the option of solar power as an efficient, renewable energy source for their homes. It's safe for the environment and will, over time, pay for itself several times over.
Solar power does not add pollutants to the earth's already overburdened environment and it is renewed every time the sun comes up. The only hard part is getting it installed, but by following a few simple steps and putting in a little hard work, you can do it yourself and save a lot of money.
Getting guidance. Search the Internet for a guide with instructions on how to build a solar panel. The guide you choose should be illustrated and have clear instructions. If you do not understand what a guide is trying to tell you, then it's probably not a very good guide.
Buying parts. New parts for solar panels can be very expensive. Try finding used parts, which will be much less expensive. You could also opt for solar cells that are poorly damaged but still absolutely serviceable. Materials such as glass, plywood, copper wire, wood screws, solder and UV protector can be bought elsewhere.
Start building. Once you have all of the necessary parts, start by soldering the solar cells together. Next, apply the UV protector to a sheet of plywood and place the soldered cells on top. Place a piece of glass on top of the solar cells and seal everything in place with some silicone caulk.
Up on the roof. The most sensible place for your solar panels is on the roof of your house, since that is the best place to catch the rays of the sun. Once your pieces have been put together, it's time to get them up to the roof and placed so that there is nothing blocking them from gathering direct sunlight.
Finishing touches. Finally, the solar panel will need to be connected to a battery, which is used for storing collected energy, and the battery will need to be connected to your home's electrical system.
When you're done with your research, hard work and perseverance, you will be able to reap the benefits for years to come. Your energy bills will be greatly reduced or even eradicated, and you will contribute to warming your home, but not to global warming.
Overhead Projector Rentals
Overhead projectors are used to project transparencies. One contains a glass plate with a light source from below that reflects the image in the transparency through a lens on an arm to a screen. Transparencies are polyester films of a standard A4 paper size that allows light to pass through.
Overhead projectors are simple to use and they were the first ones to be used for business and classroom presentations. This was before the arrival of data and video projectors. The projector can be set up in 10 seconds, the arm can be bent for easy portability and weighs approximately 14 lbs. The resolution can be in the range of 4000 lumens. The OHP comes with accessories such as a portable stand so that projector can be placed in the middle of the classroom, a collapsible screen, extension cords with different lengths, and sockets.
The rental rates usually vary from $ 30 to $ 50 daily, $ 100 for a week and $ 200 for a month. Most of the university classrooms have OHPs installed. The advances in data projection for CD, DVD and laptops have reduced the demand for OHP.
Use of overhead projectors has declined with the flashy presentations of PowerPoint. Still they are often used in universities, in classrooms for lectures, and job training. They are preferred over data projectors as they are simple and do not require computers for input. The transparencies can be modified during the lecture itself, which makes it versatile. The disadvantage is that OHP is fragile and bulky. Also, care should be taken to ensure that the transparencies are clear. For instance, photocopied text book pages will look bad on the screen.
Some of the important branded overhead projectors are 3M, Bell & Howell, Dukane, and High Lumens. Specific features such as built-in lamps and image magnifiers add to the higher rental rates.
Nortel Certification – Opening A New Horizon For IT
Nortel certification is a widely accepted certification in the field of internet industry. Nortel is basically a wireless communication industry and is gaining a lot of popularity with every passing day. Nortel certifications are of international level and they are like a gateway to progression in the field of information technology. Nortel industry has occupied the government as well as the private sector and this is verification for the authenticity of this communication company. Wireless communication and worldwide ecommerce marketing are the two main aspects of attention for the Nortel Company.
Nortel Company, after achieving such a higher level of reputation, decided to introduce some certifications of its own. These certifications transform the professionals into Nortel Certified experts. The certifications that are offered by this company have many benefits for the professionals. The most important benefit is the assurance of success in the career within the field of information technology or IT.
Training facilities and helping materials are also accessible for these certifications, so that the candidates can have a thorough understanding of the certifications. Nortel Company itself offers a Nortel certification course package that contains all the useful material for the testing purpose. Even if you follow only this package, you are sure to have success. Always take your training as serious as possible. Moreover, also have complete knowledge about the certifications because this is the way through which you can obtain success.
In addition to the training programs and packages, you can also have certain other equipments that will lead to success. These equipments include Self Exam Engine, Premium Nortel Braindumps, Nortel Sample Questions, Study Guides and Training Tools. All these materials will help the candidates to pass the exam and obtain the certifications. One additional advantage that comes from the online training facilities is the round-the-clock technological aid that is available to the candidates for the whole training session. Whether you are an employer or employee, whether you are working for the Networking operation or the Security operation, Nortel exam has the answer for all your questions. Passing this one exam is likely to make your career a brightest one and is also likely to transform your career into a much smoother pathway.