Ten Reasons to Choose Laptop Rental

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For many, the day inevitably begins with a laptop and ends with one, even though it is meant for personal use. It is needless to say that businesses thrive on laptops; many schools and colleges have made the use of laptops mandatory for the students. While it is a universally accepted fact that the laptops are indispensable, it is also true that the technology keeps changing making, adopting the newer technology difficult for those who own the laptops. In situations like this when the latest technology plays an important role essentially for students and the key decision makers in the organizations; laptop rental offers the latitude to make the most using the best available resources. While staying on the top with the newest devices present us with one reason, there are quite a few scenarios where renting a laptop provides a quick and more reasonable solution than any.

  1. Business Start-ups: When the cash flow is limited,
    • It can be directed to unavoidable things at hand like setting up the infrastructure, paying employees’ salaries; leasing laptops is a creative approach towards cutting down the expenses.
    • It also helps in identifying the exact quantity of laptops that are required for the employees.
    • It makes the disposal of the equipment easier when not in use.
    • Investment capital is intact by taking up this approach.
    • Service and maintenance of the laptops become easier as the rental company takes the responsibility.
  2. Temporary Offices: Renting laptops is ideal when temporary offices need to be set up especially when the companies are into hiring, or while undertaking training sessions at different locations.
  3. Travel: As a part of increased security, many airlines require the travelers to check-in the laptops as well making them more vulnerable to thefts. It could be for stealing the confidential data residing on your laptop or for lifting the details like your bank account passwords; the reason could be any, but laptops are safe when hired at the destination during travel.
  4. Short-term projects: Hiring laptops for off shore assignments is the right way to go about it as it will relieve the companies from bearing the expenses of buying the equipment for interim use.
  5. Students: This category of people has a niche use but only meant for a limited time period. It makes more sense to hire laptops for one, because it saves investment costs basically when they have to spend money towards paying tuition fee, buying reference material and making arrangements for lodging facilities etc. Depending on the university specifications, the laptops need to be acquired, which could be for art/designing or CAD, and they might not be of any use once the course is completed making renting the laptops ideal for students.
  6. Summer Camps: These are the instances when playing games is a key exercise and engaging the kids in various activities is a part of the program, but only for a narrow period. This is when hiring makes more sense.
  7. Events/Town halls/Meetings/Trade Shows/Exhibitions: Delegates from across the world might arrive to attend such occasions; where apart from the demand of the best use of technology, such meet-ups can be the place where you can project your brand image as well. Kiosks, for attendees’ registration purposes, presentations, there is an ample need of modern equipment in such occurrences.
  8. Schools/Colleges: Many online schools/colleges offer the laptops to students for enabling quality education. It makes more sense to take laptops on lease to meet the needs by rotating the laptops among the students after their use.
  9. Laptop Malfunctions: Whenever there is a system breakdown, it is difficult to sit still until it is fixed. The necessity does not wait even if you choose to halt for a while. Bringing laptops for rent is the best way to deal with the conditions.
  10. To Try Before You Buy: Any newly introduced product does not become an instant hit unless there is some feedback/reviews on it. In case you are looking to check it out before anyone else does, renting that item for immediate use can be a feasible arrangement.

If you are stuck in any of the mentioned fixes, laptop rental proposes to be a great way to address the situation at hand.

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Source by Sadanand Kasukurthi

Specialized Handyman Home Services – What You Should Know

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Handyman home services come with many different types of home maintenance services. While a generalized search to find what you need is simple to do by a phone book or the internet, it would be beneficial for the business owner to specialize in one of the many different fields needed for most major repair jobs. Specializing reduces advertising costs and keeping to a specific field means that more consumers will find your company much easier.

One of the more common handyman home services involves plumbing. Plumbers are always required, especially now that piping has become more sophisticated. The remodeling of house bathrooms and kitchens has grown in popularity and while homeowners may be comfortable painting and even doing a variety of installation work, dealing with the plumbing of a room tends to be best left to professionals. Therefore a focus on this area can be a smart move for a handyman business.

Other common house services center on painting needs. Whether it is an indoor or outdoor job, a handyman company can focus their energies on mastering this field of home repairs and improvement. While it is true that many individuals will paint rooms themselves, others will not have the time or the confidence to do so on their own, and will seek out a professional. This is especially true when commercial businesses require painting services.

Landscaping is another one of the more important home handyman services. The value of a property can be greatly increased by a well designed and maintained yard. Someone with his own business in this field might focus on the repairs of yards and outdoor buildings to create a niche in the industry. Specializing with patios, pools and other common structures found in yards is another way to gain a particular clientele.

With so much competition in the handyman home services, it is important to research what services you want to provide in order to remain competitive and have an edge on the market. It costs money to start up a small business, and if you want to provide a reliable handyman service, it may be necessary to specialize in one particular field. Become known in your community as the best person to call for major or minor repair work, which also equates to getting important referrals from previously satisfied customers. And with a specialty, whether it is plumbing, landscaping or painting, your business will thrive and grow.

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Source by Mike Ramidden

J K Rowling Bio

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J.K.Rowling was born in Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire 1965. She spent part of her childhood in Gloucestershire and then in South Wales. At school she did well in English, arts and poetry, but did not excel in sports. At the strong encouragement of her parents she took a degree in English at the University of Essex. This enabled her to spend a year in Paris, although she later regretted not having studied English. On finishing university she worked for several years in London. This included a job with Amnesty International.

J K Rowling and Harry Potter

The inspiration for writing Harry Potter came on a delayed train journey from London to Manchester. It was on this unremarkable train journey that she became flooded with the inspiration of; magicians, Hogwarts, Harry Potter and magic trains. J.K.Rowling tells how on the journey she didn’t have a pen; also she was too shy to ask a passenger to borrow one. However on arriving in Manchester she began immediately on writing the first draft of Harry Potter. These early writings got redrafted several times over the course of the next few years, but the characters and basic plot had already taken shape.

A significant feature in the main character of Harry Potter, is the fact that an early age he gets orphaned. He misses his mother and father a lot and this becomes an important theme throughout the Harry Potter series. By coincidence shortly after beginning the writing of Harry Potter J.K.Rowling lost her own mother from multiple sclerosis. This was a heavy blow to J.K.Rowling. It also gave her additional empathy with her main character, Harry Potter.

It took several years for J.K.Rowling to finish the first book in the series “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone ” During this time she spent a couple of years in Portugal were she briefly married before divorcing after being thrown out of the house by her husband. Through this first marriage J.K.Rowling had her first child, which she had to bring up by herself on returning to the UK.

However despite having a full time teaching job and being a single mother J.K.Rowling eventually finished her first book and sent it off to book agents. After several refusals by big company’s (how they must be ruing their decision now!) the book was taken on by Bloomsbury, who at the time were quite small in the publishing world.

The book was released and immediately became a big bestseller. It sold well not just amongst children but adults as well. In fact the first book was later brought out with a special adults cover so readers would not be embarrassed with reading a “children’s book” As the Harry Potter series progressed the books became increasingly wide ranging in their appeal. J.K.Rowling has received numerous awards for her Harry Potter series.

J.K.Rowling finished the final and 7th book in the Harry Potter series in Dec 2006. The book titled “The Deathly Hallows” will be released in July 2007.

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Source by R J A Pettinger

5 Reasons to Visit London, England

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Are you an American who is interested in traveling overseas? If so, have you decided on a destination yet? Although you have a number of great destinations to choose from, one that you should closely examine is that of London, England.

As nice as it is to hear that London, England is the perfect destination for your next overseas trip, you may be wondering why. What it is that sets London apart from the rest? Continue reading on to find out.

1 – It Is Perfect for Individuals of All Ages

Many people automatically make the mistake of believing that overseas vacations are best left for the adults. Yes, this can be true in some instances, but not in London. In London, you will find that individuals of all ages are welcomed and will have a memorable trip.

So, even if you are the parent of a pre-schooler or a teenager, or perhaps you’re a senior citizen enjoying your retirement, a trip to London is not out of your reach.

2 – It Is Perfect for All Types of Travel

Not only is London perfect for individuals of all ages, but it is also perfect for all types of travel. Popular reasons for travel to London include romantic getaways, family vacations, solo explorations, honeymoons, anniversaries, and business trips. Regardless of why you are traveling to London or what you hope to get out of your trip, you will have the time of your life!

3 – Its Attractions

As for why London is perfect for individuals of all ages and all types of travel, it has to do with attractions. In London, you have hundreds of noteworthy attractions to choose from. There are must-visits that all are encouraged to see, including Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, the London Eye and St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Then there are attractions that appeal to those with special interests and specific age groups. Families are encouraged to visit the Imperial War Museum and the London Aquarium and perhaps one of the many Royal Parks (such as Hyde Park, Regent’s Park and Green Park) or maybe if you’re seeking adventure with a touch of horror you should visit the London Dudgeon. Adults, meanwhile, can indulge themselves with a trip to one of London’s many theaters or perhaps a visit to a pub.

It cannot be stressed enough that there is something for everyone in London.

4 – Its Activities

In addition to visiting the attractions already mentioned, there are many activities that you can participate in while visiting London. These activities include dining, shopping (all budgets and tastes are catered for) and sightseeing. In terms of sightseeing, a guided tour is recommended. Double-decker buses make the experience exciting and memorable. Due to the beautiful atmosphere and friendly residents, something as simple as an afternoon relaxing in Hyde Park can be a moment to remember and treasure forever.

5 – Affordability

Yes, overseas vacations can be costly. The biggest cost of traveling to London will be your airline tickets. As for your hotel, there are hundreds of hotels near and in London. Price-compare to find the best rates. If traveling on a budget, you do not have to stay at a high-end hotel. As with restaurants and shopping in London, the city provides accommodation to suit all budgets and tastes.

As for attractions, you may be surprised how many offer free admission. For example, you can visit the Houses of Parliament and watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace free of charge. Also, the superb museums in London, such as the Victoria & Albert, the Natural History museum and the Science Museum are also free to get in.

As highlighted above, there are a number of reasons why London should be your next overseas destination. If you opt to travel to England, it will not be a decision you regret. Before you make your travel arrangements, however, make sure you have a valid passport. A passport is required for admittance into the United Kingdom from the United States. Also, if you’re reading this and you do not live in the US, you’ll need to check to see if you need to apply for a visa.

For more information about applying for a visa in order to visit London, England (including just finding out if you need one at all) and for London tips, hints and suggestions you won’t find anywhere else on the internet, please click on the link below and sign up for our free newsletter to keep you informed without you even having to lift a finger.

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Source by Paul Parry

No-Cost Energy Saving Tips

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About 100 years ago, when our great-grand parents were alive, there were no modern conveniences. Back then, homes were “winterized” before the cold weather, and “summerized” in preparation for the hot weather. During the winter, heavy draperies were hung on the windows, carpets were laid down on the floors, plush upholstery was uncovered on the furniture, and layers of warm wool linens were added to the bedding. And, hot food and warm beverages were available when you came in from the cold.

In the summer, windows were opened to take advantage of the breeze, light weight curtains hung on the windows to catch that breeze, carpets were rolled up for storage and light cotton slip covers applied to the furniture. Cooking was done in the ‘summer kitchen’, and sleeping was easier on a ‘sleeping porch’. And, cold drinks were served on the front porch where people socialized with their neighbors and caught up on the local gossip.

Those old fashioned ways of coping with the extremes of weather were mostly ‘free’ and most of them are still practical in today’s modern world.

Practice one of the following no-cost energy saving tips today, add one tomorrow, and so on… and so on… and so on. Soon you will be saving a substantial amount of money that you can spend on other things, like home improvements!

Everyday No-Cost Energy Saving Tips

  • If you have an old refrigerator or freezer in the garage, get rid of it, it is costing you about $10 per month.
  • Use the microwave instead of the oven. A microwave costs about $.03 per 10 minute use, an electric oven costs about $.28 per hour.
  • Use your dishwasher only when it is full, and don’t use the drying cycle.
  • Do your laundry efficiently, only when you have a full load. Line dry whenever possible, it costs nothing. An electric clothes dryer costs about $.42 per load. And, front loading washing machines use 25% less energy then top loading models.
  • Turn off lights, appliances, electronic equipment and fans whenever you leave the room for more than a few minutes.
  • Take advantage of natural light and task lighting whenever possible.
  • Arrange furniture away from exterior walls so that you are not eating or relaxing next to a hot or cold draft.
  • Shut your fireplace damper when not in use, don’t let your conditioned air go up the chimney.
  • Keep refrigerator door closed whenever possible. A 22 c.f. refrigerator costs about $.70 per day while a 16 c.f. refrigerator costs about $.45 per day to operate.
  • Take short showers and wash clothing in cold water whenever possible. A 52-gallon, quick recovery water heater costs about $2.00 per day to operate, the less hot water you use, the smaller the cost.

Hot Weather No-Cost Energy Saving Tips

  • Keep the cool early morning air inside your home by shutting your house up. Close all of the doors and windows, and close the window coverings before the sun hits the windows.
  • Use ceiling fans or portable fans in whatever room you are in. A ceiling fan only costs about $.02 per hour to operate.
  • Turn your air conditioner thermostat up at least five degrees, more if you are not going to be home. For every degree you raise your thermostat, you’ll lower your cooling costs by 3%.
  • Move outside, take advantage of the breezes and shade.
  • Change the filters for your air conditioner.
  • Serve cold meals and beverages; salads, sandwiches, antipasto, cheese and fruit.
  • Dress in light weight, natural fabrics that hang away from the body.
  • Decorate with cool colors; blues, greens, whites, and light neutrals.

Cold Weather No-Cost Energy Saving Tips

  • Dress in warm layers of clothing.
  • Add warm layers of linen to your bed, an electric blanket costs only about $.12 per night to operate.
  • Eat warm comfort food and drink hot beverages. A coffee maker only costs about $.04 per use.
  • Take advantage of the sun’s heat, leave your blinds and draperies open on the southern and eastern sides of your home, close these window coverings when the sun goes down.
  • Turn your thermostat down at least five degrees, and when you are gone from your home or at night turn your thermostat down even more. A central heat pump for an average size home costs about $.65 per hour to operate.
  • Decorate with warm colors; golds, reds, oranges, browns, and darker neutrals. Add warm and fuzzy accessories to your living areas; soft pillows, warm throws or afghans.

Today, we have a few modern conveniences that our great-grandparents didn’t have, so we use lots more energy. If you incorporate these no-cost energy saving tips into your lifestyle, you will save money, reduce your energy consumption and enrich your life style.

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Source by Lynn Albro

How to Achieve Truly Sanitised Carpets

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There has never been a time where we are more aware of cleanliness in our homes. We have all spent a couple of years being anxious about dirt, bacteria and viruses within our homes. Furthermore, we have all developed new routines in order to keep our homes as clean as possible in the fight against the Coronavirus Pandemic. In what have been the most uncertain times, it has been even more important to achieve deeply cleaned and sanitised carpets.

Carpets in any home offer a softer and more homely feel. Some have them throughout their homes and others use them more sporadically. Either way, it is vital that you create a routine cleaning and maintenance plan that helps you get the most from your carpets. We are all aware that carpet fibres act as filter for bacteria, virus particles and other dirt. This capacity is not infinite and therefore carpet cleaning is needed. Clean carpets improve the indoor air quality, reduce harmful bacteria and promote healthy lifestyles. Furthermore, you will inevitably get more from your carpets, and they will last longer with the correct care.

Professional and specialist carpet cleaning systems work to deliver truly clean and sanitised carpets. How is this managed? This is managed through powerful truck mounted systems, specifically formulated to deep clean carpets and upholstery. The steam cleaning unit heats to a high temperature. This then works to dissolve dirt and grease. It further removes all harmful pollen, pollutants, particles and bacteria.

The unit is sited outside of the property which means that all contaminants are taken away and removed. This is incredibly important when considering the harmful nature of Coronavirus and the way in which it spreads. All particles are safely transferred into our waste tank and removed. More traditional carpet cleaning machinery would not work in this way. They would omit particles into the air. Making these airborne is extremely harmful and should be avoided at every cost. The spread of any disease, virus or harmful particles is not in the interest of anyone. Containment is the key.

The truck mounted extraction system works to deep clean and rinse your carpets and upholstery. Furthermore, its high-power means that your carpets are left with very little moisture. Therefore, drying time is reduced and therefore disruption is kept to a minimum. Some carpet warranties state that regular carpet cleaning should be completed in order to stay within their warranty requirements.

There is another system offered by professional carpet cleaning companies that can work to further offer a solution for achieving true sanitisation. This system is called fogging and fights against bacteria and viruses. The machinery works by creating a very find mist of protective product. This is what sanitises the surface to which it comes into contact with. A professional is able to offer the deepest clean to the very highest of standards.

Furthermore, it is an area which is tested and proven to offer efficacy against bacteria, fungi, mould and viruses. European standards regulate this which should offer anyone considering this process real assurance. This information works to offer advice and guidance of how best to achieve truly sanitised carpets. The provision is competitively priced and widely available.

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Source by Mark Weedon

Ever See a Fat Cheetah?

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To be fast you must be lean. Cheetahs, the fastest animals on earth, can reach speeds of 70 M.P.H. But only because they are very lean. The same principle applies to humans. It’s easy to observe that the athletes winning the races are very lean.

In general, for given muscle power and leg speed, the lighter the load, the faster the speed. Athletes with a higher percentage of body fat will run slower than they could run if they were leaner. But how does one become leaner?

There are many different opinions on this subject, some not helpful, some even dangerous. The following review of a few food facts and new research reveals sensible, safe ways for an athlete to become leaner and stronger.

First, some basic food facts:

There are three basic food groups:

1) Proteins build muscles, organs, bones, enzymes, immune cells and many hormones.

2) Carbohydrates are fuel for immediate use.

3) Fats provide insulation, cushioning and calorie storage and help build cell membranes and some hormones.

All foods can be converted to fat if you eat too much of them. Excess carbohydrates, proteins and fats will make you fat. A little known fact is that most of the proteins that we eat are turned into carbohydrates and used for fuel or stored as fat. For example, 83% of any whey and soy proteins that are eaten are not used to build body protein, but as carbohydrates.

Here’s why:

The protein in food is made up of amino acids strung together like beads on a chain. When a protein food source is digested, the amino acids are released and absorbed in the small intestine. Some of these amino acids can then be used as building blocks that are recombined to build the required proteins for the body. Only amino acids that are available in the correct proportions can be used to build body protein.

How much of the protein that is digested and absorbed is used to build body proteins?

That depends on the source of the protein. Most people think that if they eat 30 grams of protein that all of those 30 grams will be used by their body to form new proteins or to replace the proteins that are naturally lost each day. This isn’t actually what happens.

Each protein source is made up of different amounts of individual amino acids. Each protein source has a different percentage of its amino acids that can be used to build body protein.

A chicken breast (raw, boneless and skinless) is about 23 percent protein. Therefore 3 oz (85 g) of chicken breast would contain about 19.5 grams of protein. (In a healthy individual, about 2-8% of the protein is indigestible, leaving at least 18 grams of digestible protein.) What is important to realize is that of this 18 grams, only about 30% of it (about 5 grams) is actually “used” by our body to make or synthesize new proteins. The rest (about 13 grams) is broken down and becomes a source of calories.

If you examine whey protein, only 16% of the amino acids are used to build proteins in the body. Therefore 84% of the amino acids are not used to build protein and just become a source of extra calories!

Also it is important to understand that if the amino acids in a protein source or an amino acid formula are not used, in addition to releasing calories, harmful nitrogen waste is released which must be eliminated by the body. (Excess nitrogen waste can stress the liver and kidneys, especially as we age.)

Although all of the food groups (fat, protein and carbohydrates) can be used as an energy source, only protein can provide the essential amino acids required to build body protein. (Carbohydrates are the preferred source of energy for the body.)

So how do you get a lean body?

First. Use carbohydrates prudently. Except during heavy training, avoid products containing high fructose corn syrup. Instead of consuming sports bars and drinks with high fructose corn syrup, eat natural and unprocessed foods, including fruits and starchy vegetables.

Second. Avoid all refined grains (white flour, white rice and most baked goods). They are poor food sources for everyone.

Third. A void most processed foods and “fast” foods. Read food labels. If additives, preservatives, colorants, chemicals, flavorings, seasonings, etc., are listed, pass them by.

Fourth. A void all foods with trans fats, deep fried foods and margarine.

In general, eat mostly healthy, natural, unprocessed foods: fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, non-processed meats, beans, and eggs. Eat like our cave man ancestors. (Eliminate sugar and processed foods.)

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Source by Dr. David Minkoff

What is a Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO)?

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Voltage controlled oscillators are commonly abbreviated as VCO. The VCO’s are electrical circuits that yield an oscillatory output voltage. A VCO is an oscillator whose output frequency is proportional to the applied input voltage. The parts of a VCO circuit has a LC tank circuit with an inductor(L) and a capacitor(C) along with one or two transistors accompanied by a buffer amplifier. A VCO gives a periodic output signal where the output signal parameter is directly related to level of input control voltage. The center frequency of a VCO is the frequency of the periodic output signal formed by the VCO when the input control voltage is set to a nominal level. The voltage-controlled oscillator has a characteristic gain, which often is expressed as a ratio of the VCO output frequency to the VCO input voltage.

VCO’s often utilize a variable control voltage input to produce a frequency output. The control voltage input typically may be tuned so that the VCO produces a desired, operational frequency output. The input control voltage is then adjusted up or down to control the frequency of the periodic output signal. A voltage controlled oscillator is capable of changing an oscillating frequency in response to a change in control voltages. A VCO typically employs one or more variable capacitors commonly called as varactors to allow for adjustment of the frequency of oscillation for the VCO. The tuning range of the VCO refers to the range of oscillation frequencies attained by varying the varactors.

Two important parameters in VCO design are sweep range and linearity. Linearity correlates the change in frequency or the VCO output to the change in the control voltage. The sweep range is the range of possible frequencies produced by VCO control voltage. Various types of VCO’s have been discovered so far. VCO’s comprised of bipolar junction transistors have been used to generate output ranging from 5 to 10MHz.

Voltage controlled oscillators are basic building blocks of many electronic systems especially phase-locked loops(PLL) and may be found in computer disk drives, wireless electronic equipment such as cellular telephones, and other systems in which oscillation frequency is controlled by an applied tuning voltage. The voltage oscillator components are almost an inevitable part of all digital communication equipments. VCO’s are used for producing local oscillator signals (LO) which are in turn received by the transmitter and the receiver systems for the frequency up conversion and the down conversion respectively. Wireless subscriber communication units such as the GSM use voltage oscillator circuits for generating radio frequency signals. The VCO’s are also employed in many synthesizer and tuner circuits and one best example for that is Television. A high frequency VCO is used in applications like processor clock distribution and generation, system synchronization and frequency synthesis.

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Source by Wayne S Holt

Commercial Truck Tires For a Variety of Tasks

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Commercial truck tires are not just for ordinary vehicles. They are designed especially for class 6 – 8 trucks, based on the GVWR or gross vehicle weight rating in excess of 26,000 pounds or 13 tons. Usually this means at least three axles as well. Such vehicles are used in the public sector, construction, mining, and other forms of industry. Not only are these the biggest tires made, with diameters 25 inches or larger, but they are differentiated in their design according to their placement on the vehicle.

Slightly different specialty tires may be used for steerage, driving, and trailer hauling. The normal driving conditions for the truck will also determine the type of tire chosen. Long distance hauling will be different than regional traffic with stops and starts and lots of turning. Construction sites and off-road hauling present another set of requirements for properly working tires. Truck owners can today have a variety of choices in the quality and specificity of the tires they choose to use on their trucks. Companies such as Continental, Cooper, Firestone, Toya, and Bridgestone, just to name a few, all offer these custom designed commercial truck tires.

In spite of the high quality available in his tires, it remains the responsibility of the truck driver to check them daily. A huge majority of the accidents on the road today involve commercial vehicles and tire blow-outs can often be avoided by regular maintenance. Before driving the truck more than a mile, at the start of every new day, each tire should be checked for inflation and air pressure. By using a properly calibrated tire gauge, an accurate reading can be taken. Of course, if the gauge is dropped, it needs to be reset or replaced for correct measurement. Thumping the tire doesn’t work and is not a true reflection of air pressure within the tire. A brief but thorough hands-on inspection across the treads for chips and chunks completes the daily maintenance routine. Everyone would agree that a few minutes of precaution out-weighs the danger of accident and injury.

Commercial truck tires are rolling constantly on the more than 14 million miles of roads in the world. Whether they are making the long hauls across country, bussing residents around their city, transporting local goods, or lugging ore and boulders across construction sites, the longevity and safety of the tire has much to do with how it is chosen for a specific job and how it is maintained. Fortunately, it may well have a second life as a retread and have years more of service yet to offer.

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Source by Sanno Zaye

Bike Riding for Weight Loss – Tips for Beginning A Bicycling Plan

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If you are one of those people who leisurely pedal around the block or over a flat stretch of scenic road, you’ve probably been riding for sheer pleasure. Riding bikes for pleasure is a good form of aerobic exercise. But unless you map out a plan to “push yourself,” you probably won’t lose much weight.

I really get sick of hearing people say, “No pain, no gain!” But the old adage is true when it comes to riding bikes to lose weight. By pushing your cycling distance or speed, you are sure to feel some pain in your leg muscles, your hands, wrists, and your derriere– even some pain in your throat and lungs as your body tries to accommodate your increased demand for oxygen.

HEALTH TIP: Stretching exercises prior to exercising are helpful in preventing injury!

GETTING YOUR BICYCLE READY…TO ROLL OFF THE WEIGHT

Your first concern will be outfitting your bicycle. If you need an excuse to purchase a new bike, this is an excellent opportunity! I went from a 3-speed bicycle for leisure riding, to a 24-speed bicycle for more committed exercising. Once I learned how the different gears worked, I was very thankful for the extra speeds. They make my ride faster and the hills a lot easier to handle.

We’ve found the guys at the bicycle shop to be very helpful, and concerned for our unique cycling needs. Rather than simply steering us toward the most expensive bicycle available (as I had expected), they asked how much riding we would be doing, whether we were trying for speed or leisure, and whether we would be riding on paved roads or dirt trails. When you honestly share your goals and level of experience, the sales clerks can match you with exactly what you need. They want you to be successful in your biking venture!

Some state laws require bicycle lights. But if you will be riding anytime from dusk to dawn, common sense demands that you have lights on your bicycle. These little accessories are battery-operated and last a long time. There are a variety of lights to choose from. My tail light has different blinking speeds, and is designed to make my bike visible to cars approaching from both the rear and the sides. Check for brightness before you buy one. Install the light where it makes the most sense.

We held off on buying a speedometer and odometer unit for our bikes, but once we got serious about losing weight and getting in shape, this feature became a “must have.” You simply cannot track your progress without knowing how far and how fast you’re riding.

If you already have a bicycle, take it to the bike shop for a safety inspection each season. They should check the gears, tires and brakes to make sure everything is working properly. They can adjust your seat to fit your height and adjust the handlebars to fit your reach, making your ride more comfortable. If you’re lucky, they might even clean and polish your bike!

If you want to save money in the long run, you can find books and videos that teach you how to care for your own bicycle. It’s always a great idea to know how to change your own flat tire and adjust a loose chain.

Another must have is a bicycle pump. Ask your bike dealer how many pounds of air pressure to put in your bicycle tires. Check the tires each time you get ready to ride! We guessed at the air pressure one summer day, and lived to regret it. We rode the bikes to the swimming pool, not realizing that one tire was too full. While we were cooling off in the water, the hot sun was rapidly expanding the air in the tires-one tire blew as it sat in the parking lot. The day in the sun was not so fun, once the pool closed and we had to wait for a truck to haul us home!

HEALTH TIP: Talk with your doctor first, and get his or her blessing before you increase your rate of physical activity!

STAYING COMFORTABLE ON YOUR BIKE

Sitting for long periods of time on a bicycle seat can cause pain, discomfort, and even serious blood circulation problems in avid bicyclists. At your local bike shop, you’ll find a variety of bicycle seats made specifically for your comfort and health. The salespeople at our local bike shop encouraged us to try out new seats on our bikes for a few days. My husband found the split seat to be more comfortable for himself, while I opted to keep my old gel seat. Someone has even invented seats that look more like a bird perch than a bicycle seat!

HEALTH TIP: Get off your bicycle seat and walk around every 25 minutes or so to get the blood flow to important unmentionable parts of your body.

Think about your clothing…you don’t have to have padded biker shorts and special clothing to start riding bikes. There are actually scientifically engineered fabrics designed to pull sweat away from your body in the summer and to keep you from getting hypothermia in the winter. But for now, just wear layers of comfortable sports clothes.

Make sure your clothes aren’t so tight that you are miserable trying to pedal. But they shouldn’t be loose enough to become entangled in the bicycle chain, either! If you become overheated, strip off a layer. If you get cold, add a layer. Wear light or bright colors to allow drivers to see you easily.

It really helps to have a small cargo rack on the back of your bike. Mine looks like a little shelf over the back tire. It has two bungee cords to keep any cargo securely fastened to the bike. I’ve used it to tote a small picnic cooler, a shopping bag or extra clothes.

I had the bike shop attach a water bottle holder to the bike under my seat. I can grab a quick swig as I ride or pour some water over my pulse points to cool off a bit. Take small sips of water when needed during your bike ride, rather than chugging huge gulps.

A helmet is almost a must. Life is filled with hazards-and biking has its share. Be smart. Wear a helmet. You can buy a cool rear-view mirror for your helmet. The mirror helps you see when it’s safe to turn and lets you observe traffic coming up from behind.

I recommend wearing sunglasses-both for the sun and for bugs! At certain times of the year, the air is thick with flying insects. Getting a tiny bug in your eye is a painful event. For contact wearers, carry a contact case and lens cleaner on bike rides for just that reason. Some day you’ll be glad you did!

HEALTH TIP: Shake your hands downward frequently to get the blood flowing and to prevent pain or numbness in your arms and hands.

MAPPING OUT A WEIGHT LOSS PLAN

You will want to keep a record of your daily diet and food intake, your weekly body measurements and weight, as well as your bicycling miles and time.

The web site http://www.OpenFitness.net is an excellent way to track your progress. It is very easy to use-simply type in your information you wish to track. As the only community fitness web site of its kind, you’ll find it to be a fantastic motivation tool that will print out charts and graphs to show how much progress you’ve made in a few days, a week, or a month!

It keeps track of your food, vitamin, and supplement intake. Thousands of foods have already been analyzed by experts for number of calories, fat, carbs, and protein. You simply select the foods you ate from a pull down feature, and the daily total is tallied for you. Make sure you don’t exercise when you’ve just eaten, or when it’s almost meal time. Both times will slow you down.

No matter how humiliating it is, measure your arms, legs, chest, waist, neck, hips and thighs once a week. The software keeps track of your weight and body measurements. The thrill of seeing those same inches melt away in the coming weeks will be worth the effort. It’s especially impressive seen as a graph!

Consider investing in an instrument that actually measures body fat-there are inexpensive pincer-type instruments that measure fat by pinching you, or buy a set of bathroom scales that cost more but calculate body fat quite painlessly.

Try to ride 4-6 days per week. When you map out your weight loss plan, your short-term goals will change as you change. You’ll quickly develop stamina for longer distance. As fat turns to muscle, your speed will increase. Each week, try to increase either your mileage or your speed.

You know how far you’ve been able to ride, thus far. Start keeping track of the exact route you are taking, the total mileage, and the length of time it took you. Make notes in your records for special circumstances. Did it get dark outside so you were forced to cut your ride short? Did the road crews dump a layer of gravel on your normally paved road?

What was the weather like? Was it dangerously hot? Was it windy? The wind can be your friend or your enemy. When the wind is behind you, your ride is a breeze…but coming from any other direction, be prepared to huff and puff. Accept any length of time as a job well done and simply get the ride accomplished!

Finally, add an upper body workout three times per week. Bicycling works your legs, but to get the rest of your body firm and trim, you’ll need to exercise your upper body, as well. The http://www.openfitness.net web site, created by a certified personal fitness trainer, has excellent features which allow you to design and track this portion of your fitness program, as well.

Bicycle riding is a fun, inexpensive form of aerobic exercise-it’s good for every part of you. But be warned-you will need to buy a whole new wardrobe for the thinner, more beautifully fit body that emerges!

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Source by Sharyl Calhoun