Home Office Setups I Would Like to Have (part 1)

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I’ve been working as a home-based writer, SEO, webmaster, and project manager for more than six years now. I love my job so much but there’s something missing – I don’t have an organized home-office setup. I have the gadgets and desk. But I’m lacking a cable organizer, wire labellers, proper lighting, and an office chair (mine broke last year).

Here are some of the things I already have that I would like to incorporate to my home-office, and yes I want to include my sportsbike to the design.

Sony Bravia LCD TV home office design

Sony Bravia LCD TV (20 inches widescreen HD). Can be used as an HDMI external monitor for my Macbook Air.

ps3 slim home office design

PS3 Slim (120GB)

Macbook Air home office design

Macbook Air (2011 model with Intel dual core i5 processor)

iPhone home office design

iPhone

toshiba satellite a305 laptop home office design

Toshiba Satellite a305 Laptop (my old buddy for more than two years)

Kawasaki Ninja 250r

Kawasaki Ninja 250r

Stay tuned for the home office designs I’ve researched over the web that I would like to have in my pad. I’ll be posting it within this week (part 2).

Choosing a Fountain – Electric vs. Solar

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Electric and Solar Fountains

When purchasing an outdoor fountain, there are a lot of things to consider. Today, there are so many styles, sizes, shapes, and materials on the market that it can be hard to find that perfect one for you. One of the most important things to consider when you do your shopping is how you want to power your fountain. Electricity has been the traditional choice, but there are more and more solar fountains coming onto the market every day. Today, we’re going to look at the pros and cons of both electric and solar fountains.

Let’s start with electric. Ease of use is one reason these fountains have always been so popular. You just plug them in and that’s it – nothing more to it. And that’s another plus to them. Unlike solar fountains, electric fountains will run all the time, no matter if it’s day or night. Of course, it might stop if your power goes out, but then you’ve got bigger issues than just your fountain not running. Finally, electric fountains tend to come in all sorts of designs. With solar fountains, they need to be made in a way that lets the solar panel be well positioned to catch the sun. With an electric fountain, you can have much more intricate designs, like stacks of pots, statues, and geometric shapes that you don’t find in solar fountains.

But electric fountains aren’t without their drawbacks. One is the fact that you’re limited in where you can place it by the electrical cord. Most models have only a 6 or 8 foot cord, so you’ve got to keep it fairly close to the electrical outlet. Sure, you could run an extension cord, but do you really want an unsightly extension cord running across your lawn and patio? Probably not. There’s also the issue of electricity costs. Keeping your fountain plugged in all the time, whether running or not, costs money, and though it doesn’t seem like a lot, it can add up over the course of a year.

With solar fountains, the benefits are numerous. One of the biggest is that once you buy your fountain, there are no more costs with it. You never have to pay for power to run it, and since most are made from fiberglass or resin, there’s very little maintenance. Another benefit to them is that they’re environmentally friendly. Being green is so important nowadays, as we all need to do what we can to help the planet and conserve resources. By using the sun’s power to run your fountain, you’re helping to conserve electricity, something we could all be doing a bit more of.

Of course, there are some things you may not like with solar fountains. If the sun’s not out, many models won’t work. You can always get one with a backup battery that stores the sun’s power to keep it going at night or when it’s cloudy, but if you don’t then you’re out of luck. Another issue is the styles available. While you can get electric ones in all sorts of looks, solar fountains most often come in birdbath designs with 1 or 2 tiers. Not that they don’t look good, because they do, but some people prefer a design other than that for their yard.

When you’re searching for your next water feature, keep these things in mind. The choice between electric and solar is an important yet often overlooked one!

 

About The Author – Alicia Walker is a writer with OutdoorLiving.com/learning-center/ and just loves outdoor fountains. For more on garden fountains, electric fountains, solar fountains, and fountain accessories, visit OutdoorLiving.com.

7 Great Reasons Why You Should Work in France

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Eiffel Tower Paris France at night (Eiffel Tower at night – click to view large photo)

Are you looking for a job? You don’t have to limit your choices to your state or country. You may want to take a look at the opportunities available in other places, such as France.

There are several reasons why France may just be today’s ultimate jobseekers’ haven. Here are some of them:

  1. Majority of the benefits are mandated by law.
    Regardless of whether you are working for a large or small company, you can expect to receive your benefits — and there are tons of them. These include your insurance and savings plan, vacation and sick leaves, and even your travel. Moreover, a lot of these benefits are applicable to all types of employees.

  2. Social relationships are given more importance.
    Isn’t it awful when you are trapped in an office with colleagues who do not speak to you? In France, it is considered normal and professional if you go around tables, talking and shaking hands with your fellow employees. You can even approach your boss without making an appointment and talk just about anything.

  3. They have better working schedules.
    While you need to be up before 8 a.m. in the United States, you have an extra hour of sleep in France. In the Hexagone Country, most employees report to work between 9 and 10 in the morning. Furthermore, everyone is entitled to enjoy their one-hour lunch break, which could mean getting some fresh sandwiches and black coffee in the al fresco cafes. All throughout the week, you are required to work for just 35 hours. If the company decides to extend your working schedule, the management is compelled to give you extra paid leaves.

    In France, you are also not required to work on Sundays. The law mandates that businesses (except for those offering essential products and services such as food centers, hospitals, and the armed forces) should be closed on that weekend. There are also some companies that take time off during weekdays, such as Monday.

  4. Your health insurance is covered.
    True, you get deducted for “taxes,” but the exchange is worth it. In France, your health insurance is fully covered. It does not matter if you are opting for a major surgery or not. Everything is being paid for by the government.

  5. There are plenty of jobs available.
    As long as you have a working permit, you can take different types of jobs while in France. There are casual or seasonal employments. You can ask help from the Centre d’Information et de Documentation Jeunesse if you need assistance finding a job. This agency provides both work and education, especially to the younger applicants.

  6. There are so many things to love about France.
    This is one of the most visited countries in the world. They have the finest set of food and wine, they have a truly majestic countryside, and their economy is stable. They are also geographically and culturally diverse.

  7. French prefer a more laid-back atmosphere.
    It seems like time moves so slowly in France. They love to chat, dine, and go out with friends. As much as possible, they want to take their jobs easy. You can deal with your work a lot better if the world around you is more stress-free.

The Origins of Clothing (from Loin Cloth to T-shirt)

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Egyptian Loin Cloth

Yesterday, I set the premise of how clothes originated from the Neanderthals. Today, I will continue to talk about the development of clothing from the early human civilization to the modern times – from the basic loin cloth to the branded Port Authority shirts.

The Ancient Loin Clothes
The Egyptians, Israelites, Mesopotamians, and the Persians were the first people to wear loincloths. It is the most appropriate type of clothing for them because of the region’s hot and humid weather.

In Egypt, the wearing of loincloths soon fell out of fashion. Middle and upper class people started wearing draped clothes. Pharaohs, members of the royal family, high priests, government officials, and other aristocrats crafted their clothes using Muslin (a kind of cotton fabric). Hard to find animal skins, furs, and leathers were also exploited. In particular, skins of leopards, lions, and crocodiles were used.

In 14th Century BC, the Egyptians fashioned the wearing of robes, skirts, and short-sleeved shirts. During this time, only the lower class citizens still wore loincloths.

The Byzantines’ Fashion
Around 300 AD in Rome, the Byzantines designed their clothes with patterns and different colors. Just like in Egypt, social status dictates the type of clothing a person must wear. The nobles and rich wore clothes made of Byzantine silk, while the poor were dressed with resist-dyed textiles. The Roman toga and tunica became the most popular types of clothing during this era.

The Period of T-shirts
Fast-forward to 20th Century, a different kind of dress entered the mainstream clothing market, the T-shirt. The t-shirt was popularized by American soldiers during World War I as an undergarment. They named the dress T-shirt because of its design and outline, which is shaped like the letter “T”.

After World War I, t-shirt was fashioned by many Americans as a standard underwear. In the early 1950s, it evolved to something else – and not just an undergarment. It was James Dean, John Wayne, and Marlon Brando that popularized the wearing of t-shirts as a casual wear.

At present, many brands and types of t-shirts are available for men, women, teens, children, and babies. There are camisole, V-neck, crop top, muscle shirt, ringer t-shirt, tank top, half shirt, scoop neck, and A-shirt. Some of the most famous brands include The Gap, Ralph Lauren, Armani Exchange, DKNY, Calvin Klein, Guess, Hanes, Nike, and Port Authority shirts.

The Origin of Clothes (Part 1)

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ancient Egyptian clothes

Aside from food and shelter, clothing is one of the most essential basic human needs. It is integral to our survival. Many parts of the world have different standard, function, and cultural significance when it comes to clothing and clothes.

There are several studies made all about clothes. Many scientists still debate about when and where it first appeared. However, almost all scholars agree that clothing came into existence even before Homosapiens (or the first modern humans) first walked Earth.

According to the study conducted by Andrew Kitchen of Pennsylvania State University, the origin of clothing dates back to 190,000 years ago. The first makers of clothes were the Neanderthals, the modern human’s ancestors. The study revealed that the Neanderthals were forced to make clothes to protect themselves from extreme cold. As part of evolution, the Neanderthals lost most of their hair parts, thus, giving them little protection from Europe’s intense blizzards and snowstorms. The earliest clothes were made of grass, fur, and animal skins. At that time, primitive tools were used to stitch the dress. These include fish bones and pointed stones.

Soon after, the modern humans realize the importance of clothing and begun adopting it into their daily lives.

All about Clothes: Clothing in the Ancient Civilizations
In Egypt, the first clothes were believed to be created around 5500 BC. Because of the country’s hot weather, their clothes were made of plant fibers. Egyptian men wore loincloths, while the women put on dresses.

In 5th century BC, the Indians crafted cottons into their dresses. The Greeks and Turks, on the other hand, use fabric. Some anthropologists hypothesized that they were the first modern humans to clothe themselves. Although it is highly controversial, some scientists estimate that the primitive clothes dug in Anatolia are more than 8,000 years old.

In the Far East, Japan and China dominated the scene of ancient clothing. The Japanese made their clothes from bark and hemp fibers. In China, silk were cultivated and made into textiles around 5000 BC.

How to Get an Employment as a Travel Nurse

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travel-nurse 

Why should you become a travel nurse? This type of nursing work gives you more freedom, especially on the places you want to work. Some travel nurses are onboard cruise ships, while others are assigned to other countries. Most travel nurses have the opportunity to work in different health care facilities, making their working experiences more comprehensive. Most of all, you can earn as much as 15 percent more than in-house nurses.

But how do you become one? There are certain requirements you should fulfill, like the following:

  1. You need to have proper education.
    You need to have a thorough background in clinical practice before you can become a travel nurse. Make sure you are a nursing graduate (of course) and duly licensed to practice.

  2. Get a certification.
    You should also be a certified nurse. Nurses do take their state examinations. You can ask the steps on how to take the exam and even pass it from your state board committee. There are also plenty of reviewing materials available in the World Wide Web to help you out.

  3. Practice in-house nursing.
    You will have greater chances of being accepted as a travel nurse if you already have some experience in nursing. At the very least, spend 12 to 18 months in a health care facility.

  4. Look for an agency.
    Some travel nurses work freelance. This means they scour for opportunities in different states, especially in California and Florida, as well as in other countries like Canada. However, it is much safer and more stable for you if you apply through an agency.

    The agency will be the one to take care of all your needs. They have a database of companies, hospitals, and clinics that may be in need of your services. They will also arrange for your transportation, accommodation, and even food. Moreover, some of them pay high. You can earn more than 10 percent compared to working as an in-house nurse. The agency can also take care of legal requirements such as your license to practice in the state or country.

  5. Talk to your agency.
    You may have some preferences as to the job and location of your assignment. A lot of them are understanding enough to meet your needs. All you have to do is to talk to them.

  6. Be ready for the job.
    Being a travel nurse is fun, but it can also be very challenging. You have to tackle different demands from various workplaces. Traveling may sometimes be tiresome. Usually, a travel nurse gets to work for approximately 4 to 20 weeks, depending on the requirements of the facility. When your contract expires, you have to move to another workplace (unless the management still wants your services and extends your contract).

The Hazards of Changing Domains and URLS

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 domain name and URL
You can cite plenty of reasons why you want to change the domain name of your website. It could be that the domain name contains a more generic keyword, and you hope to make it more personal by using the business name. It is also possible you want to institute a total makeover, and you begin by doing something into your URLs. Another plausible reason is you simply do not appreciate the domain anymore.

Changing URLs and domains is actually easier said than done. In fact, it carries several issues that you need to seriously consider before you try to do something about them.

The Downsides
Search engines, most especially Google, prefer aged domains. The fact that they have been around for years only means that the owner is a serious online businessman, is real, and has proven himself relevant to the keywords he has chosen. Old domain names also signify that the website is helpful and / or is applicable to several Internet users.

Old domains find it much easier to penetrate search engines, especially if there are new URLs created. They also tend to appear at the first, second, and third SERPs (search engine result page).

When you change your domain, there is a huge possibility you will no longer enjoy this privilege. Search engines are very blunt. If your domain is new, your website will be treated as a beginner entrant to the World Wide Web. It will take some time to have newer pages indexed. Most of the time, you may not even find your business URL in the top five page-search results.

If you are trying to increase your global reach, you know that this is going to be bad for you.

Another potential problem will be the links. Considering your old domain has been around for years, there could be multitudes of inbound links, which, unfortunately, you cannot carry over to your new URL. This can have a profound effect to your search engine rankings as links going to your website are significant to getting a good page rank.

Creating redirects is also not easy. You may have to rely on the expertise of people who are into HTML coding and PHP programming. The most common remedial steps when applying redirects include the following:

  • First, you need to send special instructions to the search engines, which are called 301. This means when someone clicks on your old URL, he or she will be redirected to the new one.
  • Second, you have to manually inform your visitors to delete the old URLs in their bookmarks and use the newer ones.

These processes can be such a hassle. If the redirects are not done right, this can result to search engine and user issues. The latter may find themselves opening a page that reads “Content Not Found.” They may be forced to look for the information they need elsewhere, such as to your competitors. Dead links can also pull down the value of your webpages in search engines. Unless you can correct these inactive links, it will be difficult for you to gain a better page rank for your new domain.

If branding is your main reason of why you are changing your domain, you are better off with creating a blog and have it included among your webpages.