Category: Guide

May 27

Diy: How To Install Basement Insulation

If you are thinking of attempting basement insulation, then getting the right information on the most suitable kind of insulating product to use and the right way to install it is very important. The basement is an area of the home wherein cold locations can cause significant heat loss if not insulated. Because basements are generally below ground level they may be prone to water seepage, poor drainage, cold air, and other problems. The right insulation can help to control many of these problems especially if the initial installation is done in the correct way. Interior installation of an insulating product is generally a fairly straightforward process, but if you are unsure it may be wise to find someone else who has attempted it so you will know if there are any pitfalls, otherwise you can have a contractor do it for you. Find out if there are any building requirements that cover interior insulation in your area, as batt and foam insulation is required to be covered with a drywall type product because of fire codes, and the installation will need to pass an inspection.

Before purchasing any basement insulation you will need to ascertain what R-Value rating (or heat resistance loss) you may require in your basement. The ratings fall between R-5 and R-10, and you will need to purchase insulation within this range for your project. You will generally need the following tools: safety glasses, protective clothing, a respirator or dust mask, 3/8″ or ½” staples, and a stapler, either standard, electric, or hammer variety. You will also need a light to work by, an extension cord, a tape measure, a step ladder and something to cut the insulation such as a utility knife plus spare blades. Next, you may require, but this could depend on what type of insulation you are using: caulking gun and caulk, expanding foam sealant, ½” gypsum drywall, chalk line, duct tape, white vinyl tape, 2 x 2 timber, extruded polystyrene foam and construction adhesive. You may also require a power activated gun plus fasteners, noise protection for your ears, wire insulation hangers, asphalt roofing cement, drill and a carbide drill bit, and masonry screws that you can easily found as you click on best deals on impact drivers.

Once you know what basement insulation you will be using you will then be able to purchase this from your supplier. Installing the insulation will depend on what kind you have decided to purchase as different types of insulation will require different methods of attachment. Some methods apply an adhesive to attach the insulation to the walls and ceiling but the adhesive used will depend on the amount of moisture occurring on the walls. Other types of insulation require a covering of fire-resistant drywall or another similar product over the insulation. Batts often require blanket insulation to cover the joins because of problems with cold seeping through the areas where the batts meet on the walls and ceiling. So once you know what kind of insulation you are putting into your basement, get the proper instructions on the correct method of applying them so your project will be a success.
By : Lucille
Category: DIY, Guide, Home Improvement
May 22

Review of Aptana Studio for PHP Development

Many web developers have trouble finding the right tools for the job. Limited budgets can knock expensive tools like Adobe Dreamweaver out of the boat. Free alternatives exist but with limited functionality and features. Where is a developer to turn?

If you’re looking for a flexible, powerful IDE for PHP development without spending any money, Aptana Studio is a good place to start. It’s got a boat load of tools to get any project off the ground. Although it is primarily focused on development of AJAX applications, its plugins allow its users to expand its cababilites.

AJAX is quite an adept application that is quite essential for PHP development and is quite popular among web experts, who view it as an interesting asset that has changed web designing completely and because the costo sito web is quite adequate, it is all the more welcome step as it can include various substitutes.

Aptana Studio is based off of Eclipse, a well known open-source IDE popular among Java developers. Eclipse also supports C/C++ and PHP with the proper packages. Some of the basic features Aptana inherited from Eclipse include syntax highlighting, code assist, custom code formatting, and automatic updates. Furthermore, since Apatana is basically a laser-targeted version of Eclipse, almost any Eclipse plugin will also work with Aptana.

So why not simply use Eclipse? Although PHP is supported in Eclipse through add-ons, Aptana is spearheading the focus on web development while Eclipse focuses on Java and C/C++. However, if you already have Eclipse installed, you can essentially turn it into Aptana through their Eclipse plugin.

The free Aptana Studio, by default, comes with a whole host of features to get you going. First and foremost, it has Ajax and javascript tools all over, including a built-in Ajax server (Not to mention the full Apache web server). When you want to preview your pages, you can do so through the built in browser previews for whatever browser you have installed. It supports languages such as PHP, Perl, Ruby on Rails, and more. Don’t worry if you’re a Windows, Mac, or Linux user — you can download Aptana for all three.

If you prefer more control over your preview server, you can install your own and configure Aptana to work with it. On my development machine, for example, I installed xampp to act as my test server. Aptana also makes it easy to connect to external servers to upload and download code. If you’re into version control like SVN, you can enable it with other plugins.

Although its a good start, there are a few weaknesses. Aptana is not a WYSIWYG editor like FrontPage or Dreamweaver. Also, if you’re planning on doing heavy testing of multi-page PHP applications, you might have to resort to your traditional browser. The built-in one is not as nimble as your standalone. Also, the native SQL server configuration is difficult to understand and configuration could be a pain.

I’ve found that I get the best results after installing my own web server configuring Aptana to work with it. The built-in browser preview works just as well after slight modification and is great when I just need to look at changes to stylesheets and html. To preview PHP functionality, I tend to resort to my standalone browsers (Firefox and IE).

Despite some of Aptana’s weaknesses, it’s a satisfactory IDE for most developers who are looking for something better than notepad to write their websites. Its Eclipse foundation makes it stable with the wonderful benefits that come with open-source software. With Apatana, you’ll be well on your way to developing highly interactive websites with Ajax and PHP, and your wallet will thank you.
By : Lucille
Category: Guide
May 09

You Can Quit Smoking

I smoked for 25 years and I can tell you, it’s not easy to quit, either cold turkey or with major help like nicotine patches.

I should know. I quit over a dozen times, sometimes for a day, sometimes for a week, a couple of times for several weeks. People told me that it was easier after the first three weeks. I found out they were wrong.

I did quit though, after I figured out just how to do it, and I’ll guarantee that this method will work for you.

The big secret?

You have to have a reason to make you really, truly determined to quit. I don’t mean wishing you could run and breathe at the same time again, or some faint worry about the high cost of tobacco. Neither of those things will deter the true addict. I mean something that gets under your skin. Something that convinces you, once and for all, that you want to quit.

Mine was fear. My father died of a heart attack in his forties and my mother had high blood pressure. An aunt had a stroke in her thirties. I had rheumatic fever when I was a child which led to a heart murmur. I was a prime candidate for heart problems and I was fast approaching menopause.

Women have natural protection before menopause, but after that, they are just as susceptible as men to heart problems. I was entering that phase, and I knew, without doubt, that I had to do something. I still had a family to care for and things to do and see and enjoy and work toward in this world.

The time had come. I was prepared; I was ready; I was scared.

In this frame of mind, I went to a doctor and asked for nicotine patches. He wrote a prescription without asking any questions and I filled it before I went home.

On the first day, I found that if I smoked a cigarette while wearing a patch I would get dizzy. I discovered, also, that if I waited until a patch had run out, I could smoke a cigarette before I put on another one without it affecting me.

Talk about a diehard smoker! I used every trick I could think of to get just one more cigarette.

Then I read that it was dangerous to smoke while using the patches, so I went a couple of days without them! I knew I needed to quit. I had to quit. I was ready to quit… but I struggled so much with the addiction that I fought even the patch that gave me relief. Eventually the fear of a heart attack or stroke won out.

I began to use the patches all the time, the way I was supposed to. I quit complaining and began to make an effort to stay away from nicotine in any other form but the nicotine patch I was wearing.

The time came when I realized that I hadn’t had a cigarette for a whole week. It wasn’t until then that I really began to believe that I could win the battle.

With that discovery, determination set in and that, coupled with fear and now embarrassment at having fought it so long, compelled me to make it another week… and another one.

I was afraid when I took off the last patch. I felt as if I were standing insecure and alone in a strange land – the land of nonsmokers.

I also considered vaping or e-cigarette smoking. This kind of smoking is far different from the traditional smoking. The good thing about vaping is that is is considered to be way safer. Vapers can also choose wide variety of flavor. For more information, you can visit https://greyhaze.co.uk

In reality, that was the day I quit. I quit thinking of myself as a smoker and began thinking of myself as one of that great throng of people who can smell and breathe and taste the food they eat. And who don’t worry about heart attacks with every breath of smoke.

That’s why I say that you, too, can do this. You can become a nonsmoker. When you’re ready, you’ll know it and you’ll do it.
By : Lucille
Category: Guide, Health
May 07

Versace The Dreamer: Cologne Fragrance Review

Hi, my names Shane and I’ve had many colognes in my days, I’m only 24 though. Somehow I was able to collect and enjoy many colognes this world has to offer. I found that alot of people are misinformed when it comes to using a fragrance or how to apply it. This will be my first written review on one of my favorite colognes, The Dreamer by Gianni Versace. I will explain it wonderful characteristics and tell you what I like or might not like about this fragrance. I’ll also give advice on how to apply it, how much is enough and when or where is the best to wear it.

The Dreamer was released in 1996 by World famous fashion icon Gianni Versace. Jean-Pierre Bethouart is the perfumery behind it. This was the last fragrance Gianni Versace took part in before he was shot to death in cold blood. A very horrible and tragic end to such a great person. I do believe he is proud of this fragrance though, he should be. The Dreamer is very elegant and beautiful, which are not words to describe a man’s cologne. If you shy away from compliment and don’t want any attention from the ladies then this isn’t for you.

The Dreamer by Gianni Versace is sweet but, by no means a gourmand, gourmand is a typical men’s fragrance that is made to smell sweet like candy or food. This is one of the most unique perfumes I’ve ever wore, and yes guys, cologne and perfume are the same thing. The names derive from the three classifications of concentration, Eau De Cologne(3-5%), Eau De Toilette(5-8%) and Eau De Parfume(8-15%) of natural perfume oils. So there is perfume for guys and cologne for women, it just how strong the designer would like their fragrance to project. Back to this cologne though, there are classification to categorize a fragrance like citrusy, woodsy, gourmand, fresh or even leather/tobacco. This would fall under leather/tobacco which might not sound too nice but, I can explain why it is.

The notes of a fragrance are the individual scents that make up the anatomy of the perfume. Top notes of this cologne, which are what you sense when you first spray it, include: Juniper, Lilly and Wildflowers. The middle notes which last throughout most of the scent’s life are iris and linen. Then after the fragrance dies down you are left with the base notes: Tobacco, Amber and Tarragon. Juniper is actually an original favoring for Gin and through the Dutch word for Juniper is how Gin got it’s name. Juniper is a piney scent and is why people would classify The Dreamer as a woodsy fragrance but, I don’t think it is with wildflowers, amber and tobacco. Tarragon is a very pungent and sweet spice used in soda within Russia giving this fragrance it’s originality.

Formal events or social gatherings are perfect for wearing this cologne. I believe it can be used year round because some perfumes are too heavy for the summer. I don’t want to say only certain people should wear this but, I does seem to fall into a mature crowd. I want to be clear that when I say mature I do mean as in sophistication and not age. Wearing a particular fragrance should reflect how you feel and not what you look like. On my skin The Dreamer lasted about 8-10 hours without reapplying or using the bodywash. Guys and gals layer their fragrance by using bodywash, aftershave and lotion(aftershave balm for the guys) so to make the scent last longer on the skin, not stronger.

The skin is the only place a cologne should be applied because the oils collaborate with your oilsin your skin creating your own unique smell. The pulse points are the best places where the fragrance will project the most. Pulse points are the areas on your body that generate the most heat, usually because that’s where main arteries and blood vesiles are closest to the skin. They include both wrist, both sides of the neck and your declite(base of your neck). So four to five sprays should do it, any more is too much. Women like to spray it in their hair too and that’s a big NO. Because there are oils in your hair and alcohol in the perfume, your hair gets fried from the alcohol and the oils don’t react the same for the scent. In addition, makes sure to have a nice container for your cologne. This should come very handy. You should be able to put it in women or mens travel wallet so you can bring them wherever you want.

The Dreamer is just that, a dream to your nose. This stuff really puts a smile on my face and to people around me. I can’t think of any other fragrance I would recommend more than Versace The Dreamer, coming from me that says alot! I can’t think of a negative about it but, some people say it’s too strong at first. To me it smells like pure spearmint at first, then it drys down to remind me of fresh laundry when you go by a laundry mat. If you feel this might be your style, try it on your skin first. A fragrance can be very different on your skin than that on paper. I do have the feeling most if not all will love it!
By : Lucille
Category: Guide, Shopping and Product Reviews
May 03

Super Smash Bros. Brawl Character Guide: Luigi

Luigi seems very similar to Mario, but he plays quite differently. Sure, many of his moves look almost the same, but they have different uses and functionality. Luigi is a very vertical character; that is to say, much of his game involves upward attacks and movement. Luigi’s movement is also rather strange (in fact, everything about Luigi is strange…). He has low traction and falls slowly in the air, giving him a floaty and slippery feel. However, he is a solid character, you just need to put some practice behind him to get really good

Standard Attacks

Luigi’s standard combo is similar to Mario’s except that he follows up his two jabs with a very quick butt thrust. This move is great for racking up the small damage, and the first two jabs can be use to harass and lead into combos, just like with Mario. Luigi’s forward tilt is also just like Mario’s: a quick forward kick with decent range to keep opponents at bay. Luigi’s down tilt is fast and can be used rapidly, but it’s weak and not that useful. His up tilt is fast and hits in an arc above him, so it’s great for sending enemies up into the air, since Luigi has great air attacks to follow up with.

These are some of the best moves that you can see a character perform that does seem to eclipse even Mario and would remind you of something like Pokemon go where most pokemons tackle their opponents with ease.

You should probably avoid Luigi’s hilarious running attack unless you are fighting someone who is pretty slow, since the move takes up a lot of time and will leave you wide open if you miss. It doesn’t do much damage either, and has pretty bad recovery time. Luigi’s smash attacks are pretty good. His up smash is like Mario’s and is great for sending opponents upwards. His down smash is also similar to Mario’s and is a great sweeper for clearing out crowds. It’s quickness combined with it’s decent strength make it a great move in many situations. Luigi’s forward smash is a very good attack that can be unpredictable since it hits so quickly. It doesn’t do a lot of damage for a forward smash but it has good knockback. All of Luigi’s smash attacks send opponents upwards at varying angles, which is a key part of playing Luigi.

Special Attacks

Luigi’s specials aren’t that great. His fireball has pathetic range, but doesn’t bounce like Mario’s so it can’t be used as effectively for short jumped approaches. It doesn’t really work into his playstyle in any useful way, but it is only projectile so you should use it if you need to. It’s best used in the air as a harassment device. Luigi’s forward special is also pretty useless. It has a 1/8 chance of exploding out at full force without charging, but that doesn’t serve any useful purpose since you never know it’s coming. In fact, it will often mess up whatever you were trying to do and you probably won’t use the move much in fear of killing yourself. However, the move does have its purpose, since it may sometimes be your best shot at recovering, due to it’s horizontal trajectory.

Which brings us to Luigi’s up special, which has almost no horizontal trajectory. This attack goes straight up, and while you can push it sideways it won’t go very far. It’s much better than it was in Melee though. This move will usually do 1% damage with no knockback, but if you hit it just right (you have to be pushing into your opponent) it does huge damage and knockback. Try to set yourself up and surprise your opponent with it.

Luigi’s down special is a very interesting move. On the ground it can cover lots of horizontal distance, making it an effecting clearing move. In the air, if you rapidly continue to tap the special move button, Luigi will rise upwards, often as much as a full blown recovery move. Even better, you can then use your real recovery move (up special)! However, you need to learn the physics of the move if you want to use it consistently, since you could kill yourself if you screw it up. Basically, if you had upward moment when you initiated the cyclone, you will rise upwards a great distance. Basically, you want to jump and then do the move as you are still going up. However, if you do the move as you are falling or at the apex of your jump, you will either rise a very short distance or hover in place, which just leaves you open for attack and might screw up your plans.

Throws

Luigi’s throws are very similar to Mario’s. The back throw is the most powerful, but the up and down throws are both very useful for sending opponents upwards, where you can use your air attacks.

Aerial Attacks

Luigi’s aerial attacks are some of the best in the game. His forward air is completely different than Mario’s, it’s a quick chop that hicks surprisingly hard and has excellent recovery time, meaning you can use it several times before landing. You can get many kills through proper use of this attack. Luigi’s back air is very similar to Mario’s, so use it in the same way. You can use the same running reversal technique to short jump this move into an enemy. For details, see my Mario guide.

Luigi’s up air is also very similar to Mario’s, and just as good. His neutral air looks similar to Mario’s, but functions quick differently. It has a sudden hit and sends opponents straight up, making it an effective surprise move. Luigi’s down air is a downward drill kick, but unlike most characters, it only has a single hit. It’s probably his worse aerial, but you can still use it every once in a while.

Final Smash

Luigi’s final smash is very odd. It creates a circle around Luigi and invokes psychedelic Indian music. Then Luigi dances and all the colors inside the circle are inverted. The effects of this sinister ritual are strange and numerous, but all you really need to know is that you must make sure to trap your enemies inside the circle. This can be difficult on large stages. One good strategy is to trap everyone in one side of the stage and use near the edge. Either way, after some dancing you will eventually regain control of Luigi, but the circle will stay for a while longer. Use this to your advantage: hit people into the circle, and attack people that are in the circle (they may be dazed, sleeping, or fallen, for example).

Overall, Luigi is a great character. Just make sure to learn the ins and outs of his strange moves you’ll have an excellent fighter.
By : Lucille
Category: Games, Gaming, Guide
Apr 30

Your Computer And The Law Of Attraction

The Law of Attraction can be such a wonderful and fulfilling thing. You can try making a vision board and try a manifestation magic system. I figure it is the year 2010, that we all turn on our computers every day, probably more than one time throughout the day. So why not make a virtual vision board! The law of attraction is all about envisioning yourself already having the things that you want. This is why a vision board is suggested, so that you can look at it every day and imagine that you already have all of those things.

Personally, I have a Law of Attraction folder on my desktop. In it are multiple virtual vision boards that I have made and I plan on adding more. Here are a few suggestions that I have for you.

Look at your online bank statement, and click the print screen button on your keyboard. Then open a paint document and copy it. Then cut out your balance and replace it with the balance that you want to be in your bank account. Save it and look at it daily. Tell yourself that you’re going to check your bank statement and open the document. Believe and feel that it is your current bank statement and be grateful for it.

Want a new house? Google images of beautiful houses, or even the particular house that you want. Google images of floor plans that meet the standards of the house that you want. Copy and paste the images to a print document and save it as MY HOUSE. Look at it daily, it is your house! I love it and be thankful for it.

Want a better body? Do the same thing you did above but Google images of healthy bodies. Bodies of people that you admire. Copy and paste them into a paint document. Look at it every day and tell yourself that it is your body. You have a perfect body. You can eat whatever you want and you will always be at your ideal body weight. Love your body and be grateful for it!

You can make the vision paint documents for anything that you desire! Get creative! Open a paint document and fill it with affirmations. Read them, feel them, believe them, and think them every day.

It’s your life. Make the best of it. Manifest what you want into it. That is what the Law of Attraction is about. Being able to visualize these things every day will help you feel and believe them which will help them manifest into your life faster. I save my folder on my desktop so that I remember to look at it every time I sit down at my computer.

Good Luck!
By : Lucille
Category: Computer, Guide
Apr 29

How to Keep Your Air Conditioning Bill Down and Still Stay Cool

Here in Rochester, NY the weather varies a lot. The winter can bring negative temperatures, and the summer heat sometimes nears 100 degrees. Because of this, we’re always conscience of the weather’s effect on our gas and electric bill.

With temperatures already hitting the low 90’s, I thought I’d share with you ways to keep the gas and electric bill down while still staying cool. After all, who wants to suffer, physically or financilly, during a hot summer. It’s not hard to do, as long as you follow some simple guidelines.

The first thing is to be aware of the weather. Don’t just set your air conditioning in May and leave it there. You’ll find that some days you actually don’t need it at all.

April and may are the months when you won’t require ACs and it is not until late June that the heat starts getting up on you so use this time to get your machine repaired and remove the dust particles inside it from air conditioning San Diego so that it is perfect when you need it the most.

The second way to save money is to invest in a programmable thermostat. They cost around $70 at the big box home improvement stores, but oftentimes there are coupons and/or mail-in rebates that can bring the cost down to $20. Look around on the internet, too, before you buy. They are very easy to install. Anyone can do it, even if you’ve never done it before, by simply following the directions.

The best way to keep the house cool is to open all the windows early in the morning. I know, it’s too hot to keep the windows open all day, but hear me out. Open all the windows wide as soon as you get up. (The earlier, the better.) Then around 8:30 in the morning close them all. It’ll still be cool outside, and you’ll think you can keep them open longer, but close them now. Keep the cool air in the house!

Close all your window treatments as well. Remember the “windshield effect” from science class? The glass windows will intensify the sun’s heat, so block that heat from your house by covering the windows. If you have blinds make sure that the slats are pointed up toward the ceiling, not down toward the floor.

By noon any visitor thinks that the air conditioning is on. Make sure that you keep the doors closed when you go in and out. A lot of heat can come in that way.

On really hot days my house will start heating up around 5:00 pm. Those are the days that we need the air conditioning. I’ll set the thermostat to come on at 3:00. It won’t kick in until around 4:00. It’s more cost effective to have it come on a little early, before the house gets too hot, than to try to cool your house by ten degrees or more. I have it go off at 9:00 pm, because by then it’s cool enough outside to open the windows again.

You may find that you have late afternoon shade, and your house is hot earlier in the day. If so, use the same technique, but in reverse. The key to this method is to pay attention to the weather, and don’t let your house get so hot that it costs a fortune to cool it down.
By : Lucille
Category: Guide
Apr 28

DIY Series: Floating Storage Unit

Are you a do it yourself kind of person? Is HGTV or DIY network something you can always get into? Do you need an on wall floating storage shelf? If you answered yes to any of these questions then this DIY project is for you!

So what do you need to get started? Here’s the rundown.

The Plan:

First off you need a plan. Dimensions, location, style, color, and cost are all part of this. You are also going to need a sketch of the project so you know what you want the final outcome to look like. Below is a sample plan for a floating self. Use it as a jumping-off point. Here’s a hint! Look at the other pieces of furniture near the location for the new piece. What style and color are they? Choose a complementing color and a similar style to really bring the room together.

The items listed below are what you will need to build the plan example above. Though the tools required will not change from project to project, the materials are based on the plan. Spend some time and measure twice before you make the first cut. It’s an important motto for any woodworker to follow, but it’s especially important when constructing furniture with the help of ra9.

The Tools:

  • Finishing Nail Gun – (An old fashioned hammer and box of finishing nails will work just as well.)
  • Hand Drill
  • Screw Driver Bit
  • Table Saw (Circular Saw may be substituted in a pinch.)
  • Random Orbit Hand Sander
  • Laser Level
  • Hand Level
  • Stud Finder
  • Pencil
  • Triangle
  • Shop Rag
  • The Materials:
  • 4×8 Foot Sheet of ½ in cabinet quality wood. Oak, Birch, or High-Quality Plywood will all work.
  • Wood Glue
  • 1 Inch Wood Screws
  • 2 Inch Wood Screws

Stain or Paint (spray paint, when used correctly, or a roller will create a smooth even coat if your selected color scheme involves paint. For the application of any Stain, make sure you have two rags available to use the wipe on wipe off method.)

The Time:

This project requires more planning and drying time than anything else. From conception to completion the entire project should take no more than a single day, with only about an hour being spent on construction. The important thing to remember is that the glue and paint/stain need to dry overnight before hanging.

Let’s get started!

So you think you are ready to get this whole thing underway? First off, before we start going through the steps required for building our bookshelf, let’s make sure you have everything listed above. Check it twice and then read on.

Step 1: Mark it out.

With your plan in hand layout your 4×8 sheet and draw out your cuts efficiently as possible. Make sure to use as much of the wood as you can to cut down on scrap and extra purchase requirements.

The finished product should show all cut lines clearly and be laid out so that the grain on corresponding pieces travels in the same direction. (Hint; Put the longest cut lines in the middle of the sheet so that a single cut will break the board down to a more manageable size.) Once you have everything marked out label each piece according to the plan.

Step 2: Make the cut.

So, if you are sure you measured twice, turn on the table saw and start making your cuts. As the hint above let on, make the bigger cuts first. Trust me this will help with cut control. Cut out all of your pieces and make sure they are separated by the labels you added in Step 1.

Step 3: Frame it out.

To start putting this whole thing together you need to think of it as a puzzle. Start on the outside and work your way in. That said, you need to frame out the main box for your shelves. Take the top, bottom, left, and right boards and lay them on your work area.

Frame the box by applying a bead of wood glue along the top edge of the left upright. Square the edges and use the triangle to insure a 90-degree angle with the top board. Then use the finishing nail gun to secure the joint. Then apply a bead of wood glue along the end of your bottom shelf. Secure this shelf with a 90-degree angle to the left upright two inches above the base using the triangle. Secure the joint with the finishing nail gun. Lastly, apply a bead of wood glue to the opposite end of the lower shelf and the top of the right upright. Secure the upright in the same fashion as above, using the triangle and nail gun. At this point, you should have a completely framed bookshelf.

Step 4: Fill it in.

Now take the center shelf and apply a bead of wood glue to each end. Slide the center shelf into the frame by placing it at an angle and slowly moving it to a 90-degree angle with the uprights, using the triangle to insure the joints. Secure the joints with three nails on each side and wipe up any extra wood glue before it sets.

For the last bit, we need to add the cross supports that will allow this unit to firmly attach to the wall. Dry fit the top support under the top shelf and drill two guide holes on each side along with four along the top. Remove the cross support and run a bead of wood glue along the three sides in which you drilled and then refit the support. Attach the support with the 1-inch wood screws and countersink each screw a small amount. Repeat this process with the center and lower cross supports.

At this point, the basics should be handled. You should see in front of you an exact replica of the plan.

Step 5: Finish it out.

Now it’s time to get your storage unit painted or stained. First, you need to use the random orbit sander to quickly even out the entire project. Any missed glue that is now dry should be sanded down as well as any rough spots. Once you have completed this process wipe down (dust) the entire project and prepare your selected paint. Make sure that once you’ve painted the entire project you let it dry completely before hanging or adding a second coat.

Step 6: Hanging

To hang your new floating storage unit use your stud finder and pencil to mark the location of at minimum three studs within the area you wish to hang the unit. Once the studs are marked, use the hand level to draw a light vertical pencil line along each studs center path. Place the laser level at an appropriate height and have a friend hold the unit in place on the wall. Pre drill a guide hole through each cross support into the studs behind. Remove the unit from the wall and apply a bead of wood glue along each support and along the edges of the unit.

Refit the unit to the wall and then use the 2 inch woodscrews to affix the unit firmly to the wall. Make sure the entire unit is level after placing each of the first few screws and after all are attached. Lastly make sure you wipe up any excess wood glue which has been forced out from the edges of the unit.

The Finished Product!

Now you should have a complete and functional storage shelf produced at a cost lower than many prefab units you can buy in the store. Enjoy!
By : Lucille
Category: Guide
Apr 28

Can Shipping Containers Be Used to Provide Emergency Shelters in Haiti?

In viewing all of the news about the recent Haiti hurricane tragedy, my mind began to wonder about what could be done to help the survivors of last weeks 7.0 earthquake the devastated Port-au-Prince and surrounding communities. With the US Navy delivering food and supplies, as well as other countries doing their best to supply for the needy, I could find some peace that they were being taken care of in their time of need. Seeing the flattened homes and buildings however, I had to wonder what was being done about shelter for the Haiti earthquake refugees.

With no means of shelter except for tied together sheets on poles, how would the people of Haiti Survive the heat and elements? If we were to use the methods from the New Orleans Floods, we would be busing the refugees to other parts of the country. The problem is Port-au-Prince was probably the most desirable place to live in Haiti. Other cities and locations will not be able to accommodate any refugees from the earthquake.

So what are the other options to house the Haitian earthquake refugees? New Orleans also handed out RV trailers to anyone who wanted who wanted to stay in the city and rebuild their homes. This short term shelter system had its own myriad of issues from toxicity from Formaldehyde in the trailers to people needing to use them for far longer periods than expected.

While the people of Haiti would probably be ecstatic to receive the old FEMA trailers, I don’t think passing on our failures to suffering people is a good idea. There is however, another option that would solve problems for both us, and the people of Haiti… shipping containers.

America has the issue of a glut of containers sitting in our ports because we input far more goods than we export. Shipping back empty containers is too costly, so they just sit. Due to the ever increasing number of these shipping containers, builders and architects began to look at them as materials to be recycled into homes. The most simple recycling project for these shipping containers is emergency shelter. But building a shelter from container is not easy. Perhaps, it could be as hard as making an actual house. a house made out of a cargo container has its own unique set of construction requirements. The process is quite different from traditional house construction. Both accuracy and creativity are needed in order to create possible results.

We have too many shipping containers on your hands. Haiti needs shelter for its people immediately. As of right now, we are sending shipping containers full of food and goods. I can only hope the containers themselves are being utilized as well. I can only hope that the powers that be sees the simple solution that will provide temporary housing that can be converted to other building materials in years to come.

It’s not as ugly and uncomfortable as it sounds. Shipping containers have been used as housing for the better part of the last decade. Shipping containers have been as materials to help build homes. They have been used as a whole in making dorm room complexes where containers are stacked Lego-style to create a large series of attractive looking one room apartments.

Storage containers have been used throughout the Caribbean as temporary shelters after hurricanes. They are used for military shelters, and office spaces. It would be very wise indeed to convert the 10X40 foot containers into container cities for temporary shelters for the people of Haiti. I only home someone who has the money and the means makes the connection.
By : Lucille
Category: Guide
Apr 23

Cryptocurrency- Future Prospects To Determine Its Standing

What is the most important thing in the world? What is it that anyone, whether it is rich or poor, wants to have more than anything in life?

The answer is that everyone wants to lead a healthy and peaceful life where the rich and elite want to succeed in their private endeavors while the less privileged do the same with a well paid job by slogging it out in office day and night in order to provide a better lifestyle for their family.

Fortunately, things started to change in the late 2000s when the cryptocurrency phenomenon hit the digital spectrum like a thunderbolt and provided the perfect platform for job deprived youngsters, who were tired of giving job interviews with little success and reduced to doing menial jobs with meager income.

Digital Currency Watershed

The most popular among various types of crypto money was Bitcoin, which quickly became a roaring success by changing the fortune of one and all right from unemployed youth to reputed businessmen and investors.

The watershed cannot be described in words as nearly half the nations of the world took to it like fish to water and there was a time when there was news articles published with many stories of rags to riches that only went from strength to strength with the passage of time.

Bitcoin was first launched way back in 2009 and proved to be the perfect platform for beginners who wanted to try out this spectacle with all the help they could get from the experienced lot.

In 2010, within a year of its launch, the cost of one Bitcoin was nearly $13.69, which was seen as better given the aspects and quickly went up within a few months as the number of users increased.

Cryptocurrency, by definition, is defined as decentralized or unauthorized currency that does not have a central bank to regulate it and keep a record of its financial transactions in the market.

Decline

There is an old saying that good things do not last long and crypto money was no different as Bitcoin too underwent a sharp decline within a few years and its prospects declined as soon as it began to rise up, only the fall was worse with the silent thud being the loudest.

In 2012-13, the numbers were ranging from $4112 to $4550, which was nothing compared to the initial statistics in 2011 and 2012 and its nosedive was quite bewildering to its founders.

While a number of reasons were discussed, there was no conclusive feedback as they feared that if this news got out, the number of Bitcoin users will become few and far between for fear of loss.

One big reason was that after the initial burst of success, things started to fall apart as many users started losing big time and any currency’s strength depends on its country’s economy but crypto money was different as it did not have any central bank.

The numbers’ decline was attributed to the sensex, which keeps on truncating and the market price of many currencies started falling as a result of which Bitcoin prices too started fluctuating.

Resurgence

Just as good times give way to bad ones, the vice versa is true as well as in 2017 crypto money skyrocketed to a whole new spectrum where it quickly attained unprecedented numbers and they were much more than the initial ones during their launch.

Bitcoin once again consolidated itself as the undisputed king of cryptocurrency as it recorded the highest number of users, thereby leaving other currencies far behind in the rat race.

The resurgence was welcomed with open arms by experts and even old time users rejuvenated their faith in their old guard as they started buying more Bitcoins than ever.

However, the future prospects have met with mixed reactions as some people predict that it will again go down in the near future while others are of the view that it will soon overtake all the legal currencies of the world and become the single currency of all nations, which sounds too far fetch.

The crypto signal group has high hopes given the successful comeback and is in talks with crypto experts about its standing due to the Artificial Intelligence revolution that is to take over the coming decade.
By : Lucille
Category: Bitcoin, Computers and Technology, Cryptocurrency, Guide, Money, Tech & Innovation