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Processed Foods: The Pros and Cons – A Balanced View

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In food processing, harvested crops or butchered animals are used as the raw ingredients for making and packaging food products that are attractive, marketable and have long-shelf lives.

Attractive means that the product both tastes and looks good. To be marketable, it must match the kinds of food being demanded by consumers. Food products that have a long-shelf life reduce the costs of wastage for producers, distributors and retailers.

Development of food processing

Food processing dates back to our prehistory — when fire was discovered and cooking invented. The various ways in which food can be cooked are all forms of food processing.

Food preservation also began in prehistory, and the first ‘long shelf-life’ foods were produced by drying food in the sun and by preserving food with salt. Preservation with salt was common with soldiers, sailors and other travelers until canning was invented in the early 19th century.

The ancient Bulgarians invented the first instant food (bulgur) nearly 8.000 years ago, when found a way to parboil and dry whole wheat so that the grain only has to be reheated before it can be eaten.

One of the first ready-to-eat meals was devised by the ancient Celts when they invented the haggis and what is now known as the Cornish pasty.

Another processed food, cheese, was invented by the nomads of Arabia when they noticed how milk curdled as they jogged along all day on their camels and ponies.

The prehistoric methods of cooking and preserving food remained largely unchanged until the industrial revolution.

The development of modern food processing technology began in the early 19th century in response to the needs of the military. In 1809 a vacuum bottling technique was invented so Napoleon could feed his troops. Canning was invented in 1810 and, after the makers of the cans stopped using lead (which is highly poisonous) for the inner lining of the tins, canned goods became common throughout the world. Pasteurisation, discovered in 1862, advanced the micro-biological safety of milk and similar products significantly.

Cooling decreases the reproductive rate of bacteria and thus the rate at which food spoils. Cooling as a storage technique has been in use for hundreds of years. Ice-houses, packed with fresh snow during the winter, were used to preserve food by chilling from the mid-18th century onwards and worked fairly well most of the year round in northern climates.

Commercial refrigeration, using toxic refrigerants which made the technology unsafe in the home, was in use for almost four decades before the first domestic refrigerators were introduced in 1915.

Fridges in the home gained wide acceptance in the 1930s when non-toxic and non-flammable refrigerants such as Freon were invented.

The expansion of the food processing industry in the second half of the 20th century was due to three needs:(a) food to feed the troops efficiently during World War II, (b) food that could be consumed under conditions of zero gravity during forays into outer space, and (c) the pursuit of the convenience demanded by the busy consumer society.

To respond to these needs food scientists invented freeze-drying, spray-drying, and juice concentrates among a host of other processing technologies. They also introduced artificial sweeteners, colouring agents and chemical preservatives. In the closing years of the last century they came up with dried instant soups, reconstituted juices and fruits, and the ‘self-cooking’ meals (MREs) so beloved of military brass but not the grunts.

The ‘pursuit of convenience’ has lead to the expansion of frozen foods from simple bags of frozen peas to juice concentrates and complex TV dinners. Those who process food now use the perceived value of time as the foundation of their market appeal.

Benefits of processed foods

Initially, processed foods helped to alleviate food shortages and improve overall nutrition by making new foods available globally. Modern food processing delivers many additional benefits:

  • De-activating the pathogenic micro-organisms found in fresh vegetables and raw meats (such as salmonella), reduces food-borne diseases and makes food safer.
  • Because processed foods are less susceptible to spoilage than fresh foods, modern processing, storage and transportation can deliver a wide variety of food from around the world, giving us choices in our supermarkets that would have been unimaginable to our ancestors.
  • Processing can often improve the taste of food, though it can also have the opposite effect.
  • The nutritional value of food can be increased by the addition of extra nutrients and vitamins during processing.
  • The nutritional value can also be made more consistent and reliable.
  • Modern processing technologies can also improve the quality of life for people who have allergies by removing the proteins that cause allergic reactions.
  • The mass production of food means that processed foods are much cheaper to produce than the cost of making meals from raw ingredients at home.

Processed foods are also extremely convenient. Households are freed from the time-consuming tasks of preparing and cooking foods that are in their natural state… the food processing industry makes everything from peeled potatoes ready for boiling to prepared-meals that just have to be heated in a micro-wave oven for a few minutes.

Hazards

Processed foods are undoubtedly a great boon. But all is not sweetness and light.

Generally speaking, fresh unprocessed food will contain a higher proportion of naturally occurring fibre, vitamins and minerals than the same food after processing by the food industry. Vitamin C, for example, is destroyed by heat and so fresh fruit will contain more vitamin C than canned fruit.

Indeed, nutrients are often deliberately removed from food during processing in order to improve taste, appearance or shelf-life. Examples include bread, pasta and ready-made meals.

The result is empty calories. Processed foods have a higher ratio of calories to other essential nutrients than fresh, unprocessed foods. They are often energy-dense while being nutritionally poor.

Processing can introduce hazards that are not found in unprocessed foods, due to additives, preservatives, chemically-hardened vegetable oils or trans-fats, and excessive sugar and salt. Indeed, the additives in processed foods… flavourings, sweeteners, stabilisers, texture-enhancing agents and preservatives among other… may have little or no nutritive value, or may actually be unhealthy.

Preservatives used to extend shelf-life, such as nitrites or sulphites, may lead to ill-health. In fact, the addition of many chemicals for flavouring and preservation has been shown to cause human and animal cells to grow rapidly, without dying off, thus increasing the risk of a variety of cancers.

Cheap ingredients that mimic the properties of natural ingredients, such as trans-fats made by chemically-hardening vegetable oils that take the place of more-expensive natural saturated fats or cold-pressed oils, have been shown to cause severe health problems in numerous studies. But they are still widely used because of their low-cost and consumer ignorance.

Sugars, fats and salts are usually added to processed foods to improve flavour and as preservatives. As diabetics, we are all well aware of the effects of excessive sugar, fat and on our already damaged systems. Eating large amounts of processed food means consuming too much sugars, fats and salts, which, even if you a in full health, can lead to a variety of problems such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, ulcers, stomach cancer, obesity, and of course diabetes.

Another problem with processed foods is that, where low-quality ingredients are used, this can be disguised during manufacturing.

In the processing industry, a food product will go through several intermediate steps in independent factories before it is finalised in the factory that finishes it.

This is similar to the use of sub-contractors in car manufacturing, where many independent factories products parts, such as electrical systems, bumpers, and other sub-systems, in accordance with the final manufacturer’s specifications. These parts are then sold to the car plant where the car is finally assembled from the bought-in parts.

Because the ingredients in processed foods are often made in large quantities during the early stages of the manufacturing process, any hygiene problems in the facilities that produce a basic ingredient that is used widely by other factories in the later stages of production can have serious effects on the quality and safety of many final food products.

Despite the hazards, everyone eats processed foods almost exclusively nowadays. As a result, people eat more quickly and no longer seem aware of the way food is grown and how it is a gift of nature.

It seems to me, also, that food has become more of a necessary interruption in our busy lives and less of a social occasion to be enjoyed.

Eating processed foods

You can’t get away from eating some processed foods… the convenience is irresistible.

When you eat processed foods you reduce the likelihood of being poisoned or picking up a food-borne disease. The nutritional value of what you eat may be more consistent and you will probably be ingesting more nutrients and vitamins than you would get by eating only unprocessed food.

On the other hand, by eating processed foods you are exposing yourself to a potential loss of heat-sensitive vitamins and nutrients that are removed to improve shelf-life, taste and appearance. You are also exposing yourself to the potential adverse effects on your health of various additives and preservatives, some of which can be very serious indeed.

The calorie-dense nature of processed foods, due to the large quantities of sugars and fats they contain, makes them extremely problematic for diabetics and those with high cholesterol and blood pressure levels.

The only solution is to choose the processed foods you buy with extreme care — by reading the labels on the packaging — and to focus your diet on fresh or frozen produce as much as possible.

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Source by Paul D Kennedy

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Essence Of Waterfall Model

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Introduction:

SDLC is a process through which a product will get completed or a product get rid from any problem. Software development process is described as a number of phases, procedures and steps that gives the complete software. SDLC follows series of steps which is used for product progress. It is nothing but a ladder for project management in an organized manner. Now-a-days a number of different process models are followed. Some of those are:

(i)Waterfall Model

(ii)Spiral Model

(iii)RAD

(iv)Iterative Model

(v)V-Model

Spiral Model: Spiral model is nothing but the royal combination of Waterfall Model with Risk Analysis factor. It follows four phases like planning, Risk Analysis, Engineering and Evaluation. In large projects this model is preferable.

RAD: RAD or Rapid Application Development explains the model itself. For rapid development of projects in time we prefer this model. In other words we can say RAD is a variation of the Prototyping Model. But it strictly follows time constraint on each phase for quick development of project.

Iterative Model: Iterative Model is the combination some mini-Waterfall Model in each iteration. Though it is looking more effective but the time factor, steps followed and delay in each phase matters here.

V-Model: V model is the classic software development model. It encapsulates the steps in Verification and Validation phases for each step in the SDLC. For each phase, the subsequent phase becomes the verification (QA) phase and the corresponding testing phase in the other arm of the V becomes the validating (Testing) phase.

Waterfall Model:

Apart from these known models there are several other models are used by the software industry depending on the project size, time and budget. Here I put a glance on well known Waterfall model. It is a unique model which is followed by most of the companies. In fact certain features of Waterfall attracts the top executives to adapt it. Some of the unique features are:

1.It can be implemented for all size project.

2.It leads to a concrete and clear approach to software development.

3.In this model testing is inherent in every phase.

4.Documentation is produced at every stage of model which is very helpful for people who are involved.

There are various phases can be maintained in Waterfall model:

(i)Preliminary investigation and feasibility analysis.

(ii)Requirement Analysis

(iii)System design

(iv)Coding

(v)Integration and testing

(vi)Implementation and maintenance

[Preliminary Investigation]

||

[Requirement Analysis]

||

[System Design]

||

[Coding]

||

[Integration & Testing]

||

[Implementation & Maintenance]

(Waterfall Model Diagram)

One important thing of the Waterfall Model is that at each phase a conscious decision is taken whether to continue the project or to stop it.

Phase1–> Preliminary Investigation:

It is the starting phase of project. Actually it is the job of top executives. The aim of this phase is not develop system but to investigate the problem or to take decision for new requirements. When the executives are taking decisions on a project they take various factors in to consideration, like Technology, Time, Budget..

When the agreement has been made to continue with the project the second phase of the SDLC is implemented.

Phase2–> Requirement Analysis:

This phase is concerned about collection of requirement of the system. This phase is otherwise known as Data gathering phase. This process involves to generate document and requirement review. The output of this phase is a formal requirements document i.e software requirement specification.

Phase3–>System Design:

Keeping the requirements in mind the system specifications are translated in to a software representation. In this phase the designer emphasizes on

i)Algorithm

ii)Data structure

iii)Software Architecture

iv)Interface design

In this phase various components always comes first those are input, output, processing and files. Designer is responsible for all these things. The system design is nothing but a platform for how well a programmer code. The design phase leads to an output for the next phase i.e Formal Requirement Statements.

Phase4–>Coding:

In this phase programmer starts his coding in order to give a full sketch of product. In other words system specifications are only converted in to machine readable compute code. But sometimes it is tough for coding people to maintain the design .So for that reason examination and re-examination of the requirement statement is necessary. Whenever any deviations, would always approved either by the PL or by the Client.

Phase5–>Integration & Testing:

In this phase all programs(models) are integrated and tested to ensure that the complete system meet the software requirements. The testing is concerned with verification and validation. Apart from this Unit testing and Integration testing is done in order to test all classes and functions etc. Integration testing is done by including unit together with other unit and testing them whole.

Phase6–>Implementation & Maintenance:

The implementation phase involves the actual coding or programming of the software. The output of this phase is typically the library, executables , user manuals and additional software documentation. The maintenance phase is the longest phase of the SDLC. In this phase the software is updated to:

-fulfill the changing customer need

-adapt to accommodate change in the external environment

-correct errors and oversights previously undetected in the testing phase.

-enhance the efficiency of the software.

Conclusion:

In conclusion i will prefer to say Waterfall Model is a document driven and well organized process model which will lead to a concrete , more secured and reliable software.

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Source by Priyadarshi Parida

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9 Ways Healthy Vending Machines Are Revolutionizing the Vending Business

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Healthy Vending Machines and the Vending Business

Vending machines have been a part of the landscape for decades and they haven’t changed much in appearance. The average junk food vending machine is a brown-colored behemoth full of chocolate, chips, soda, and not much in the way of nutritional value. Thankfully, there are rogue vendors who have a new frame of thought for the vending business: Why not offer a vending machine that provides good, nutritional food to the masses instead of slowly trying to kill them? These companies are poised to revolutionize the vending business.

1. Cutting Fat, Not Contributing to It

The history of vending machines might be a varied one, but one thing that has been consistent is the health value of the product offered. Generally, a vending machine is full of high-calorie, low-nutrition foods and sodas. While renowned for their ability to provide a quick snack, vending machines are partially responsible for the growing obesity epidemic in America, especially due to the unhealthy nature of the vending machines that are placed in schools.

While the thought of our children getting pumped up with fat, sugar and calories while they’re away at school is a terrifying thought, there’s reason to breathe a sigh of relief. There are vending machine providers that care about the health of our children and are intent on providing healthy snacks and beverages with the same convenience the public has grown accustomed to. Not only do these machines provide food that end your hunger, they will give you energy, taste great and make you feel amazing-and not at the expense of your pant size, not to mention your heart. These healthy vending machines will aid in trimming off fat, and not contribute it.

2. Providing Value

My Dad has never been afraid to pay a little extra for something he perceived valuable in the long run. He said it was a better investment to pay more in the beginning for something that will last longer, and be more beneficial, even if there is a cheaper alternative. His reasoning is simple, having to buy several inexpensive items will inevitably be more costly than paying a bit more for something that will last longer and ultimately provide more satisfaction. This same attitude can be applied to the new era of healthy vending machines.

Americans love a bargain, there’s no doubt about that. But Americans also love a well-made, enduring product, and will pay more for it, especially when it combines a great product and great service. Healthy vending machines are offering these things to the public right now. They offer nutritional drinks and snacks that are satisfying immediately and healthy in the long run. Coupled with the right-here, right-now attitude of a vending machine, and it’s easy to see how these machines will revolutionize the industry. Sure, their products might cost a quarter more, but isn’t your health and well-being worth more than a couple of quarters?

3. Getting Organic

The organic foods market is one of the fastest growing sectors in agriculture, so it seems only natural that vending machines would find a way to distribute them. Sadly, there are only a few vending companies that are interested in providing customers access to this billion dollar industry. For the most part, vendors have turned a blind eye to health foods and organic foods in their vending machines. Instead they continue to fill them with junk foods that are quickly becoming known as health hazards to our youth and the population at large.

Organic food is beginning to catch on in America, especially with reports detailing the potentially-harmful side effects pesticides, preservatives and growth hormones provide. Still, most vendors ignore this, in likely an attempt to keep their profit margins up, and this is a shame-and short-sighted-because a higher-priced product doesn’t necessarily mean less profitability. For the vending machines that do provide these healthy, organic options, the future looks bright as many Americans begin to search for convenient, nutritional snacks to tide them over between meals.

4. Not Just Selling-Educating

In order for people to make educated decisions on what they consume, the information they need has to be easily accessible. A few companies market themselves as “healthy vendors,” and while it is true that they are selling a healthier product than traditional machines, they still are providing them the same old way-right next to the junk foods in a big, brown behemoth. Not only do these products not stand out as a healthy alternative, they provide no nutritional education as to why a person should choose this healthy item over their beloved candy bar. They seem to be after the healthy profit, instead of the healthy consumer.

A few companies with a healthy outlook exist, and these companies want to educate you, as well as satisfy your hunger. If they provide you with the reason why you should buy a clif bar instead of the candy bar, you are more likely to do it repeatedly. If they can prove to you that there are more outcomes than just a sugar rush to your decision, they can still make a profit and feel good about what they deliver to the general public. Forward-thinking companies supply their vending machines with LCD screens that educate their consumers with short videos and nutritional facts about what their products contain. You won’t see that on the traditional vending machine — Why? Because if you knew what was in their products you wouldn’t buy them! These LCD screens are educational, entertaining and a great way to teach the youth about health.

5. Going Green

Green is all the rage these days. From automotive manufacturers to dog walkers, everyone is trying to be more environmentally conscious. Everyone except traditional vending machine operators that is. Traditional vending machines not only distribute unhealthy snacks and beverages, they are also incredible energy hogs

While the DOE is intent on imposing new regulations on the energy consumption of vending machines, it seems that only the biggest names in the industry, such as Coke and Pepsi, are taking it seriously, even though the proposed bill would save $250 million over 30 years for vending machine operators. Perhaps it’s a bit too much to say that traditional vendors don’t care about your health or the environment, but with the means to aid both, it seems truer now than ever before.

6. A Soft Touch

We’ve all be there: we are thirsty, find a traditional vending machine, order our favorite soda, watch it free-fall three feet to the dispenser door, and open it only to have it explode all over our shirt. Annoying and wasteful. This is the traditional vending machine experience, but the good news is that certain vending machine companies are taking notice.

The old brown vending machine is quickly becoming a thing of the past. Now some vending companies are bringing high technology to their machines. They are employing soft-drop and conveyor technology that allows them to vend such things as fruit and glass bottles, therefore being more health and environmentally conscious. But not all healthy vending companies employ this technology-some are still using the same outdated machines that our parents bought from-and this could actually do the healthy-vending business a disservice as they continue to offer a damaged or inferior product.

7. A Feel Good Business

The days of the purely for-profit vending business are a thing of the past. With the arrival of healthy vending machines finally here, vending operators can take pride knowing that they are in a business that is growing and making a difference in how people perceive and enjoy vending machines. The vending business has been in decline for years, but is starting to see resurgence, and this is due in part to the introduction of healthier options.

Profitability is an important aspect of any successful business for obvious reasons. Sadly, this used to be the only driving point for a vending machine, and it was at the expense of the customer’s long-term health. Now vending machines are operated with the consumer and the environment in mind, and the owners of these machines can reap the benefits of a successful enterprise and not feel ashamed about what they are contributing to society.

8. Aiding in the Fight Against Fat

The vending machine business has been a faceless one for quite a long time. Healthy vending machines are bringing the owners out of the shadows and into the center of the ring in the fight against obesity by donating a portion of their profits to fight this and other health-related issues.

This is another reason for a healthy vending operator to feel good about himself and his business. Finally, good, nutritional food can be provided to the public, and on top of that, money is funneled to charity to aid in the fight against obesity and diabetes which are two of the greatest health scares affecting ourselves and our children. Not every vending company does this, but you can be assured the ones that do are providing an honest investment in their community’s health.

9. Investing in the Future

Healthy vending machines are set to change the way the general public looks at food. By having their products available for healthy, inexpensive sampling, they are in effect creating a domino effect. Parents will find these machines, purchase something and enjoy it. They will then purchase a larger amount of it at the local grocery store and encourage their children to eat it. The children will have their lives affected in a way that will change their perception of foods forever.

While this is a small step, it can positively influence people in a large way. Children will know that there are tasty, healthy alternatives to junk food that will not only keep them fit, but keep them full and happy, and that is something that they will pass on to their kids. Changing the mentality of food is the first step in truly making a difference in how it is consumed, and healthy vending machines could very well be an important part of a good foundation. Ushering in a healthy era of educated children is important, and healthy vending could be a cornerstone of this.

The new era of healthy vending is here, and it is poised to make a positive impact on generations to come. These healthy machines will revolutionize the vending business as a whole, and in effect, change the way we see snacking. No longer will our hunger be dominated by sweets and sodas, but will be squashed by products that are nutritional and beneficial. Not only will we look and feel better, we will take comfort in knowing we are doing the best for ourselves, and the generations to follow.

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Source by Jonathan T

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Are You A Mandatory Reporter In New South Wales?

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In New South Wales, Australia, the Department of Family and Community Services (the Department) is responsible for statutory child protection, which includes maintaining a system to receive reports about children who have been harmed or who are at risk of being harmed. Under the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 (NSW), a mandatory reporter includes a person who delivers services to children, or who has a management role in relation to the delivery of services to children. The full definition can be seen at section 27(1) of the Act. This is a very wide definition that includes most medical doctors, dentists, child psychologists and psychiatrists, counsellors who work with children, child protection caseworkers, police officers, hospital workers, school teachers and early childhood care workers, and other employees of schools and pre-school institutions. Providers of residential services to children are also in scope. In addition, the managers of institutions that provide any of these kinds of services are likely to be mandatory reporters, as are some non-practitioner employees who come into contact with children when providing support to professional colleagues or services to children directly. If you are uncertain about whether you are a mandatory reporter, you should take steps to find this out. Breaching the Act, by failing to make a required report, can lead to professional misconduct charges being laid against a mandatory reporter. On the positive side, section 29 of the Act provides that making a report is not a breach of ethical standards, even though it involves disclosing confidential client information. Mandatory reporters who make a report to the Department are protected from professional misconduct charges, defamation proceedings, and civil proceedings in relation to the report, and the reporter’s identity is protected in most circumstances. A NSW Court of Appeal decision in 2014 upheld the protection of reporters’ identities, and noted that the purpose of section 29 is to protect good faith reporters’ identities “for the obvious reasons that persons… referred to in such reports may [otherwise] visit consequences on the reporter and the prospect of that occurring may deter or inhibit persons from making reports.” This protection of a reporter’s identity, and the other protections under the Act mean that mandatory reporters can confidently report their suspicions when a report is required, knowing that the source of the report is unlikely to become known to persons named in the report.

When is a report required? A report to the Department (usually made to the Child Protection Helpline, telephone 132-111 in New South Wales) is required if a mandatory reporter, in the course of his or her work, has reasonable grounds to suspect that a child (or a particular grouping of children) is at risk of significant harm. The critical terms here are “reasonable grounds”, “suspect”, and “risk of significant harm.” Risk of significant harm requires more than just risk of harm generally, and might be expected to involve a risk of physical, psychological or developmental harm that could potentially have long-term consequences, including the risk of a child being killed or abducted or requiring hospital treatment. Mandatory reporters should always be alert to the possibility of a child being at risk of harm, and use forensic judgment to determine whether the suspicion is based on reasonable grounds. Important indicators of possible risk may include unexplained injuries, the child having heightened anxiety or fearfulness, domestic violence in the home, or parental misuse of drugs or alcohol. The Department has a comprehensive manual – The “New South Wales Mandatory Reporter Guide” – which includes a structured decision-making system to help mandatory reporters make decisions about their suspicions of risk to children. Risk of significant harm reports are critically important to the Department’s work, and the Department relies on mandatory reporters to be the Department’s eyes and ears in identifying children who may be at this level of risk. Reports from mandatory reporters can be linked with other reports and information held by the Department, to enable risk to be evaluated and addressed appropriately. A single report is rarely the trigger for intervention on its own, unless the report identifies a critical event such as actual harm to a child, but through the aggregation of multiple reports and other information in hand the Department can build up a comprehensive picture of a child’s situation and the risk factors that are present for the child. Some risk factors seen in isolation might not justify any action, but multiple factors can lead to risk being reassessed and the child’s case being given a higher priority. For example, the Department might initially receive reports about a family being transient or homeless, which of itself might not require immediate action by the Department (the parents may just need time to sort out accommodation), but if those initial reports are followed by reports of domestic violence between the parents, drug use by the parents, or the children being unfed or physically mistreated, the matter will be looked at more closely by departmental caseworkers. Where a report alleges physical or sexual abuse of a child, the report is likely to be passed to the Joint Investigation Response Team (J.I.R.T.) covering the area where the child lives, so that an investigation can be carried out quickly to ensure the child is protected from harm and any perpetrator of such abuse is prosecuted if a crime has been committed. J.I.R.T. staff are drawn from Department, NSW Police and NSW Health, to facilitate joint investigations of offences against children.

While it may be uncomfortable for a professional person to disclose patient or client confidences, the law is clear about the obligations of mandatory reporters. This has been the law in NSW since 1978, and most other states of Australia for more than 20 years. There can be a fine line between risk of harm and risk of significant harm, but reporters should not err on one side or the other – for example, reporters should not adopt an “if in doubt report it” attitude – because the obligation to report only arises where risk of “significant” harm is suspected. It is a matter for the mandatory reporter to consider whether his or her suspicions are based on reasonable grounds, and point to the child being at risk of significant harm. The Department receives well over 100,000 relevant reports each year, and reporting other (non-significant) situations to the Department can impact on the Department’s ability to quickly assess and allocate more serious cases for attention. Where the risk of harm does not reach the threshold level, resources are available to guide reporters about how to best deal with these kinds of situations. The Department’s website has a lot of material, and professional associations also issue guidance to members. If this information does not answer a specific question, a lawyer who is experienced in child law cases will be able to provide helpful advice.

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Source by Stephen G Bourne

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The Dangerous World of Regency England

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Although on occasion the Bow Street Runners, the then law enforcers of London, traveled into the country where one of their criminal cases might lead them, the country areas were policed by magistrates. These in turn appointed constables, who jailed and bound criminals over to said magistrates. Justices of the Peace dealt with minor offences at the Petty Sessions. More severe cases were held four times a year at the Quarter Sessions. The most severe cases were referred by the Quarter Sessions to the sitting judges to hear at the Assizes.

The Magistrates were appointed by the Crown and drawn from the landowning aristocracy, the country gentry, and the Anglican clergy, who were often related to noble houses.

According to Roger Swift, who wrote about the Magistracy in Nineteenth century England, (see below for full title of Abstract), the country magistrates wielded considerable power. Many towns were as yet incorporated, so these and the country were the province of the magistrate. “The magistracy exercised a wide range of administrative responsibilities which included the licensing of alehouses, the inspection of prisons and lunatic asylums, the superintendence of roads, public buildings and charitable institutions, and the application of laws against vagrancy…(and they) adjudicated in the settlement of disputes….” (p.75)

These men presumably saw to justice, but the poor suffered greatly and biased magistrates had children transported to Australia for stealing bread for their sick mothers. Poaching, carried on to feed starving families whose land had been enclosed by their wealthy neighbors, was severely punished. Transportation and hanging were common. Although many landowners of the nobility employed the poor on their estates, much of the injustices continued until reforms came in during the Victorian period. 

Returning soldiers from the Peninsular wars, who lacked family, and could afford fares to the country, unable to find employment, were caught up in poaching. Sabbath breaking was frowned upon, so that drinkers and gamblers caught thus were placed in stocks on the public ‘green’ for one and all to see. Abuses occurred in the northern areas of England, for example mining, where workers were paid by food or goods rather than money well into the Victorian period.

Compared to London, the dangers in the country were less. Despite this, some biased magistrates still treated vagrancy with transportation. Usually this punishment was for seven years, but in the case of children, mothers’ hearts were torn apart–for if their children survived the journey by ship, they were never seen again. It was said that the work amongst the gangs of Botany Bay was hard. Only the strong survived, and few made it back to England.

The Regency world of England for the poor, disadvantaged, and trespassers, was truly a dangerous place. My heros and heroines had much to contend with in their fight against oppression.

Abstract: The English Urban Magistracy and the Administration of Justice During the Early Nineteenth Century: Wolverhampton 1815-1860. By Roger Swift, Chester College of Higher Education

From: R. E. Swift. ‘Crime, Law and Order in Two English Towns during the Early Nineteenth Century: the experience of Exeter and Wolverhampton, 1815-56’ (University of Birmingham Ph.D. Thesis. 1981), 322-51.

Published in: Midland History, the principal Journal covering the History of the English Midlands.

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Source by Audrey Moorhouse

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Cost Savings and Benefits Of Using Sliding Doors

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Sliding doors are unique devices that a lot of people love having in their houses, but you might not realise how efficient and cheap they are to use. If you are planning on making any changes to the doors in your house, you might want to consider ones that are easier to maintain over the years.

Here are the benefits of using sliding doors.

1. It takes up little space.

A sliding door can be installed as a front door, deck door, or side door. They simply slide into a slot that was cut into the wall. It does not open into a place that takes up more room as normal doors do so you don’t struggle around the door when trying to get in or out. Sliding doors save space and are ideal for high foot traffic areas. Plus if you have any tables or décor around that area, it won’t obstruct the doorway. You might have thought of getting a door of a different size, but it makes more sense to install a sliding door that does not swing out at all.

2. It is ideal for patio and deck areas.

Install a sliding door by the deck so that you have the easiest way to enter and leave the house from the back yard. You might have a lot of gatherings where people are streaming in and out of your home and this type of door makes it more convenient when having parties or gatherings in your back yard.

3. Less mess and less fuss to install.

A standard door needs the wall to be broken to the size specified whereas a sliding door can be installed along the wall via a slot to replace the current door that used to swing open. It is much simpler to install the sliding door and there is less of a mess.

4. It locks securely.

These kinds of doors usually have two lock functions. One on the handle that locks the door shut as well as a pin at the top of the door to securely lock it. The sliding door has a simple yet effective locking system and it closes much tighter than a normal door. This lock system is also very neat and tidy which does not take away from the aesthetics of the glass panels.

5. You can choose glass, wood or metal.

It can be made of glass, wood or a metal sheet. You could have patterns or designs on it to make it unique to yourself. It could be cut to a specific size if you want. Glass doors can be tinted. Wooden doors can be carved with interesting designs or it could have glass panels. And those glass panels can be custom shapes or different colours. You can choose clear glass, or a stained option. You have the freedom to create your own masterpiece and let your imagination run away with you during the design process.

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Source by Naeema Jada

/ By edd / spiral-freezers/ / 0 Comments

Folding Elliptical Trainer – Space Saving Benefits

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Over the past few years elliptical trainers have been crowned the ideal piece of home fitness equipment. One thing that has helped with this determination is the ability for many newer elliptical models to fold. This combined with the ability to obtain a high quality workout that raises your heart rate have made this the choice for professionals. Almost every major manufacturer produces at least one folding elliptical trainer.

This is ideal because after a workout you can quickly and easily store away your machine.

The most widely known brand of them that fold is the Profrom series of trainers, followed by the Vision Fitness brand, which also uses magnetic resistance.

Who is a folding elliptical trainer ideal for?

First and foremost anyone looking for a piece of sporting equipment that can be used within the home yet not require a room dedicated to fitness equipment. It is also great for people who live in an apartment where space is at a premium, once the workout is complete ease of storage is only minutes away.

Where can it be stored?

After completing the workout the elliptical trainer can be stored in a closet, in the corner of the room or even in the basement.

What are some of the major disadvantages?

Initially it may be a little hard to get used to folding the machine up or lowering it to actually use it. I recommend practicing the process a few times to get the hang of it then you will have no problem doing it in the future.

A second disadvantage is these type of machines are a little more expensive since the design is altered to allow the folding process.

In conclusion you should determine what exactly you need. If you have plenty of open space that you do not need to utilize you may be fine with a normal style model.

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Source by Toby Meyers

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Commercial Solar System Maintenance

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Although solar panels are built to last and require little “everyday” attention, it’s still important to take good care of them. After all, your commercial solar power system was a long-term investment! Regular maintenance every few years helps to keep your panels in great shape, prolonging the already lengthy life of your solar power system.

What’s involved in commercial solar system maintenance? Since there are no moving parts in the solar panels that can malfunction or deteriorate, maintenance largely involves ensuring the panels are kept clean and dirt-free. Although seemingly innocuous, dirt collecting on your panels can compromise the amount of sunlight reaching the panels and minimise their power output.

Commercial Solar Panel Maintenance Quote

As an incentive for choosing their services, solar power companies will often throw in a free maintenance package with every commercial purchase. Within these maintenance packages, solar companies will sometimes include thorough inspections, maintenance plans based on the findings of those inspections, and low-cost replacement parts if necessary.

Commercial Solar Panel Cleaning

Cleaning your panels is rather simple, especially if your panels are easily accessible. If you’re able to access your panels with little problem, rinsing the panels down with a garden hose is all you need to do. If you live in an area with greater instances of inclement weather, it’s likely your solar panels will be exposed to – and collect – larger amounts of dirt and debris. As a result, they may require more regular cleaning to keep them functioning optimally. To combat the increased need for cleaning, there are automated cleaning systems available for use on commercial solar power systems.

If your solar panels reside on your roof, cleaning them takes a little more effort and care. Take extra care when cleaning roof panels to ensure you do not fall or damage yourself – or the panels! For roof solar panels, it may be a better (and less scary) option to hire professional cleaners.

When cleaning your commercial solar power system, be careful not to apply cold water to the solar panels when they’re still hot. Doing so can significantly damage your commercial solar system. To avoid cracking the solar panels, clean them during the early morning or late evening once the panels have had an opportunity to cool down.

If you feel your commercial solar panel system needs a little extra “spritzing”, you can purchase a panel cleaning kit. The kits typically include a squeegee or wiper, a variety of brushes, and soap. To ensure the appropriate soap-to-water ratio and in order to clean your panels in the best possible way, follow the directions for cleaning included in your kit. When using soap to clean your commercial solar panel system, it is vital that you rinse away all of the suds and soapy residue. Similarly to letting dirt collect on the panels, allowing soap to dry on the panels can block the sunlight and consequently minimise their efficiency.

Whichever method you choose to use, keeping your panels in top shape will increase the amount of time for which your system pumps out the greatest amount of power. It will keep your commercial solar system functioning highly and efficiently, maintaining the desired energy production and increasing the return you see on your earth-friendly investment.

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Source by Samuel K. Dziwornu

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3 Great Disadvantages Of Hydrogen Fuel Cells

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Hydrogen fuel cells are the wave of the future. At least that is what many would want you to believe. They have a point because a hydrogen fuel cell is a novel way to power a car. The car would require no gasoline, run on hydrogen and its only waste would be water, a natural and safe emission. However, it is not a perfect science by any means and too many times there is talk about all the great advantages without any discussion of the disadvantages of hydrogen fuel cells.

With anything, there is going to be drawbacks. If it were such a perfect technology, don’t you think every car would have one by now? Besides being expensive, the hydrogen fuel cell creates certain problems that haven’t been completely tackled yet.

Here are the three main disadvantages of hydrogen fuel cells:

1. It’s big and cumbersome. Your gas tank already uses a nice portion of your car, but a hydrogen fuel cell will be three times bigger than a gas tank. But that is not that all. The fuel cell has to be insulated to keep it safe and protected.

2. Safety issues. Liquid hydrogen has the ability to freeze air. There have also been reports of accidents with the fuel cell itself. Sometimes a valve will get plugged up when there is too much pressure in the cell. The only place to go is out, and the cell explodes. There is no way of knowing, yet, if this problem can be fixed, but there are many working on it. In a car accident, the tank might rupture, but the good news is the hydrogen will evaporate quickly. However, it is a more serious condition in a closed area such as a garage.

3. The hydrogen evaporates. Strange, but true. The insulation is not a perfect process and the hydrogen evaporates out of the cell at roughly 1.7 percent a day. This means that eventually cars are going to need a fill up. What? You thought you never had to use a pump again? The other problem with this is gas stations don’t sell hydrogen. You will have to find a customized fueling station or work something out with the manufacturer of the car. Cars that are blends with fuel cells and gasoline will never have to worry about being stranded.

General Motors Co., currently has the Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell, one of the first fuel cell vehicles of its kind. If you are thinking about purchasing a vehicle of this type, speak to the manufacturer of the disadvantages of hydrogen fuel cells. By having the technology, they are aware of the pitfalls of hydrogen fuel cells and have begun work on how to make it better.

The good news is that automobile companies are working at ways to make this a safer environment by creating less emissions and the more we learn about alternative methods, the better the Earth will be for it. Just don’t go blindly in one direction without asking questions. Learn about the disadvantages of hydrogen fuel cells before you agree to use it.

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Source by Abhishek Agarwal

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Buying the Right Table Saw for You

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The table saw is the heart of any workshop. Purchasing the right table saw is critical as it will affect the quality of your work, your productivity and the limits of what you can actually build in your shop.

Table saws come in four categories and I’ll explain each one and outline the pros and cons of each one. The table saw you ultimately purchase will be largely influenced by your budget, this space you have available and in some cases the actual type of floor that you will be working on.

Portable Table Saw ($150 to $300)

Portal table saws are the most popular selections in most home workshops because of their cost, weight and size. These models can be installed directly onto a workbench or a floor stand. They’re easy to handle, transport and move around the shop. Some woodworkers with tight spaces will actually stow them away under their benches, in a corner or even in a closet. Although these table saws offer low cost and portability these saws have several drawbacks. Although adequate for the novice woodworker, cutting accuracy is somewhat limited. Inherent play in the work guides and a small cutting a table may create acceptable cuts for many projects but may be an issue with larger and more sophisticated work. To save cost portal table saws have direct drive motors that operate on 110 volts and are typically limited to one horsepower. Thick heavy cuts are usually beyond the capabilities of this type of table saw. I have found that extensive use of these small saws eventually results in motor burnout, and the motor is not replaceable. Although limited in power, the saws are also quite noisy and usually start with an abrupt jolt of the blade. One last issue with the saws are their blade angle systems. Most use a crude pivot system that is difficult to set and may get rapidly clogged with sawdust making the mechanism stiff. Although these saws that serve a purpose, you will likely want to upgrade as your woodworking skills evolve.

Contractor Saws ($600 to $1,000)

These units resemble larger versions of the portable saw variety but with some significant improvements. Although usually mounted on a stand with wheels, these units are not portable and are limited to rolling around the shop at best. Weighing in most cases over 250 pounds they’re not portable. Most of their weight is in the motor and table surface. Larger motors up to 3 horsepower and larger cast iron tables offer bigger cutting capacities. Well designed cutting guides with low tolerance levels offers much more accurate cutting as well. Most contractor saws operate on 220 volts and use a belt driven motor system. Starts and stops are smoother and quieter and if in the future if you wish to increase the size of the motor or replace a burnt out one, the process is easy and straightforward. Most contractor saws also have worm gear driven blade tilt systems that are more accurate and less prone to jamming due to sawdust buildup. One drawback of contractor saws is their open cabinet design, much like the portable saw. This makes dust collection difficult to control. In spite of this drawback, contractor saws offer many great features for the intermediate woodworker. Even as your skill levels evolve, contractor saws can offer you many years of reliable service.

Hybrid Saws ($1000 to $2000)

These are a relatively new addition to the class of saws available on the market. They’re a cross between contractor saws and larger cabinet saws, and usually offer more of a cabinet structure to the floor over the contractor saw configuration. These saws will usually house the belt driven motor within the cabinet. This makes dust collection more efficient, and the saw runs quieter as well. These saws are heavier, typically in the 350 pound range and feature larger motors starting at 3 horsepower. Like the contractor saw they have worm gear driven blade tilting systems and larger cast iron tables. Many hybrid saws can be fitted with table extensions to make cutting larger sheets easier.

Cabinet Saws ($2000-$10,000)

Cabinet saws are both amazing pieces of equipment and prohibitively expensive for most hobby woodworkers. They’re heavy and require a solid cement floor to rest on. Cabinet saws also take up a lot of space especially when fitted with large table extensions. All run on 240 volt power and motor sizes vary from 3 horsepower to 6 horsepower. Some expensive industrial units even run on three phase power, not available in a home. They offer the maximum in cutting accuracy and capacity and although most of the saws discussed use a 10″ blade, some cabinet saws operate with a larger 12″ blade that even further increases cutting capacity. The cost and size of this woodworker’s dream limits these units to large shops with solid cement floors and big budgets.

Buying Strategy

If you can afford to purchase a new contractor saw outright, consider this one of your best options. A good contractor saw will serve you for many years to come and turn out quality work. If it’s not in your budget consider a portable saw as a temporary measure with the plan to upgrade to a contractor’s saw in the future. Think carefully before you make the leap to a hybrid or cabinet saw. Justify the expense and make sure you have

Forty years ago, I bought my first portable table top saw from an ad in the newspaper (the internet wasn’t invented then!). The kind man sold it to me with a stand for $20 and I was able to get started in woodworking. Over the past four decades I have owned every type of saw outlined in this article depending on what work I was doing and the space I had to work with. I still believe that the best bang for the buck is the contractor saw. A few years ago a fellow was selling one on Kijiji and I was able to buy his hardly used contractor saw for the price of a new portable saw. Obviously the contractor saw was a much better deal, and has served me well since 2012. I have two other contractor saws that I have used for over 25 years. They have proven to be solid and durable saws that enable me to turn out good quality work.

One Last Word on Table Saws

When purchasing a table saw, look at the blade tilt direction. These days, the majority of saws are left tilt however some models are configured for right tilt blades. I will go into more detail in another article on all the advantages and disadvantages of these two different configurations. However in general, right handed woodworkers are more compatible with left tilt models. Also, when it comes to beveled cuts, left tilt saws are safer to use. Although right tilt models have some measurement and production advantages, most woodworkers will find left tilt blade saws easier and safer to operate.

Summary

Always try to buy the best saw type you can afford. Cheap portable saws can create limitations and tend to wear out quickly under constant use. Consider the dust collecting capabilities of the you are considering as well as power requirements (do you need to install a 240 volt outlet?).

There are many lightly used saws out there. Consider buying a better designed used saw over a cheaply made new one.

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Source by Ron Pawlowski