Showing posts with label How To. Show all posts
Showing posts with label How To. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Fight Stress with These 3 Simple Ways

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We encounter stress everyday of our lives. We encounter it in our work, students encounter it in school and some encounter it at home. Stress is part of our everyday lives and that is why it is important to learn how to fight and overcome it. If we do not learn how to fight it or how to deal it, it can cause serious health problems and can make us less productive.

How do you fight stress? How do you make sure that you deal with it rather than let it run over your life? Those are important questions that we need to ask ourselves especially those who do not know how to handle stress and it effects. To help you out, here are simple ways on how to do it:

1. Write What You Feel

One of the best ways that you can fight stress is to write about your feelings and emotions. Writing about how you feel can help you express your emotions and not keep it bottles up inside you. When you keep your emotions inside, it is like a dormant volcano that is building up it lava and is waiting for it to blow. When that happens, the emotions will be unstoppable and cause serious damage. When you bottled up your emotions, it can cause serious damage to your health.

2. Meditate and Relax

Meditation can help you ease your tired mind. It can help you gain your inner balance and find your core. Meditation can help you keep yourself calm amidst the worries of your everyday life. It can provide you with the energy that you need to face your fears and live your dreams.  It is important from time to time to take a vacation and relax. You need to recharge your mind and body especially if you have been working too hard.

3. Exercise And Get Moving  

Working out can help you fight stress and help you get healthy which is very important. When you exercise you release your pent up energy and helps you strengthen your body. Jogging and even brisk walking for a few minutes can do wonders to your health. It can keep you in shape and help you feel better. You need to keep moving and go out so that you can have a new perspective on things. When your are active it helps your mind become sharp and help your bodies fight stress.

Those are some simple tips on how to fight stress and overcome. According to an academic dissertation paper, people need to learn how to deal with their everyday stress and not let it take control of their lives. It is important that you take action today so that you can lead the life that you wanted and be able to live your dreams.




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Wednesday, January 29, 2014

How To Use A Website To Achieve Perfect Lifestyle Design

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Lifestyle design is a concept that has been made popular by lifestyle guru and entrepreneur Tim Ferriss. Tim Ferriss is the author of the best-selling book 'The Four Hour Workweek' which is pretty much about what you would expect from the title: it's a book that explains the merits of working less and the mistake of working insane hours just because you're expected to, and that then shares some of the tips you can use to make more money even though you complete less work.

Tim Ferriss' book is aimed at people from all walks of life and should appeal to anyone, but undoubtedly the best way to achieve the goals outlined in the book is to work for yourself online and to do this by running a website. Here's how to succeed in lifestyle design by creating a website…

Passive Income


If you really want to be able to work for just four hours a week and still make an impressively large salary, then you will want to set up a form of 'passive income'. Passive income is income that generates itself while you sleep, and it's income that only requires a small amount of management on your part in order to keep going.

If you want to earn money passively then you need to essentially create a business model that can take care of itself. How do you do that? By creating a website that converts traffic into sales and then finding a way to bring yourself that targeted traffic.

The most common way that webmasters generate income from a website that they hope to earn passive income from is by adding AdSense to the pages. AdSense is a form of advertising that pays you every time it gets clicked on – but unfortunately it doesn't generate enough cash on its own to really change your life or pay the rent.

More effective then is to sell a product: either one of your own, or an affiliate product that you will keep a percentage of the profit from.

The best option here is probably to create an eBook that offers readers a clear and obvious benefit, to create a page on your website that will make that book sound amazing, and then to pay a small amount for advertising to bring visitors to that page where they can make a purchase.

There are other methods too of course – from selling an app to creating a social network – but getting yourself a dedicated server is a good place to start.

What to Do Next
Source: Pixabay


So now you have passive income, you can set up your lifestyle to be precisely what you want it to be. That means working from abroad, it means working on projects that are more interesting to you, and it means spending more time with your loved ones. Life doesn't have to be a constant slog in an office – try creating a website and generating some automated income and you can live like a millionaire and enjoy the freedom that very few people do.

Today’s contributor, Bob Whitaker, is a freelance blogger, currently working for NetDepot, well-known providers of managed server services. When Bob is not working, he prefers to spend time with his family.
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Tuesday, January 28, 2014

How To Tell If Your Tires Are Completely Worn Out - Inspect Your Tires

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Among all the various components that make up a car, the tires are the only part of the vehicle that is in direct contact with the road. This then makes tires the most important part of the car. Tires bear the hugest burden when it comes to driving as they are tasked with the responsibility of resisting considerable load shifts when a car accelerates or breaks.

Good quality tires must be able to steer a car in a straight path and only veer off when commanded to by the steering wheel of the vehicle. To ensure that a car travels in a straight line, tires have inbuilt features that enables them to absorb transverse forces without forcefully deviating from the car’s trajectory. It is important to ensure that your car tires are in good shape before driving off.

Driving with tires that are seriously worn out can result in fatal accidents. Driving on worn out tires may cause you to part with a hefty fine or land in prison as driving with unroadworthy tires is considered illegal. The following are ways to tell if your tires are completely worn out and must be replaced immediately.

Inspect Your Tires

Thoroughly inspect your car tires for any major damage or abnormal wear patterns. Regular inspections of your tires will help in proper maintenance of your tire. While inspecting your tires be on the lookout for bubbles and intensely deep cracks. If your tires have these deformities then you must replace them. Tire inspection must be done when you get into a car accident regardless of how minor it is. The accident may have caused serious damage to the tires thus making them unsafe.

Regular tire inspection will help you to detect car problems that lead to accelerated tire wear. For instance if your tires are completely worn out on one side, then you should replace them and have the alignment of your car re-adjusted.

Measure The Tread Depth

Measuring the tread depth of a tire enables you to know how much life is left in the tire. The legally permitted minimum tread depth in most states is 2/32 of an inch. If the tread depth of your tire fall below 2/32 of an inch then you should have the tires replaced. Driving with a car that has very little tread depth is dangerous especially when the road is wet. While measuring the tread depth of your tires, make sure you measure all round the tire. Sometimes the tread depth may be very thin on side of the tire.

Prolonged Usage

The lifespan of good quality tires is ten years. If you have driven in your tires for over ten years without replacing them, you should seriously consider having them replaced. Continually using your tires for a period more than the given lifespan leads to over exposure. Overexposed tires are very unstable and are unable to maintain good road grip.  

After determining that your car tires are completely worn off and must be replaced, you can purchase good quality used tires from several retail shops and online sites.

Mylie Mackenzie, a contributor writer for The Tread Shop, wrote this article. Mylie is s car enthusiast who love writing article related to cars.  
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Solving The Mystery Behind Tyre Sizes - Typical Tyre Size Notations

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Buying tyres online is easy and affordable. However, finding the right tyre size is downright difficult. Tyre sizing is indicated by a specific formula that is emblazoned onto the sidewall of the tyre. Tyre manufacturers and dealers know the formula and what it indicates and they can pick the right tyre for your car. However, it is necessary for you to understand tyre sizing as well, so that you buy the right tyres for your car.

Read on to resolve the mystery behind the seemingly ‘confusing’ markings on the tyre sidewall, which indicate tyre size.

Source: Outreachpanel
Typical Tyre Size Notations
The tyre size notation is prominently visible on the tyre sidewall in the form of a numerical formula. The formula contains information about size, dimensions, composition and capabilities of the tyre. For example, a typical tyre size notation is given like this: 205/65 R 15 95H. In this particular notation, the numbers and their location signify the following information –
  • 205 - The first numeral in the notation indicates the width or section width (diameter) of the tyre in millimetres
  • 65 – The second number indicates the sidewall profile. This number actually represents a ratio called the aspect ratio. This ratio indicates a comparison of actual tyre section height with its section width. As a result, if the number is 65, it is actually indicates that the height of the tyre is 65% of its width.
  • R – This alphabetic notation indicates the construction of the tyre. R indicates a radial ply construction and almost all tyres have this notation as almost 90% of all tyres have radial construction.
  •  15 – This number indicates the nominal diameter of the wheel rim. This number is represented in inches (and not millimetres).
  • 95 – This is the last numeral in the formula and it indicates the load index. The load index offers information about the amount of weight the tyre can carry. For example, some vehicles have to carry a higher load and hence need tyres with greater load index.
The optimal load index of the tyres for a particular vehicle is indicated in the manufacturer’s manual and this number will be often combined with additional markings like RF that means reinforced and XL that indicates extra load capability.
  • H – This last alphabet indicates the car tyre speed rating. For example, in this case, the numeral ‘H’ indicates that the tyre can support speed in the 210km/h or 130mph range. Essentially this parameter indicates the maximum speed of your car, which the tyre will support.
Each tyre manufacturer may have slightly different car tyre speed ratings. Obviously high performance cars demand tyres with higher speed rating as compared to regular day to day city driven cars.
Your local tyre specialist can offer you guidance on the best tyre size for your car, depending on various factors including what kind of car you drive (obviously), your driving style, whether you carry high load and other important factors.

Additional Notations on the Tyre Sidewall

The above-mentioned formula is standard in the tyre industry but manufacturers may and often do add extra notations depending on country and tyre quality.

For example, the letters DSST / RFT / ROF or RunFL indicate a version of run-flat tyres.
The notations TL and TT indicate a tubeless tyre and TL/TTv indicates a tubeless tyre that can be also used as tube tyre.

The world of tyre sizes is vast and can be confusing. But once you are armed with the basic information, reading tyre sizes is no longer a mystery.

About Author:
This article has been written by Azzam Sheikh, expert tyre size reader and consultant – Tyre-Shopper UK.
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Sunday, January 26, 2014

The Science Behind Scissor Lifts - How Scissor Lifts are Made

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Scissor lifts are mobile working platforms that rise. Their elevating mechanism consists of arms that are connected at the middle like scissors, hence the name. Scissor lifts are commonly used at warehouses and construction sites. They are also used in buildings where workers need a safe working platform to carry out maintenance and repairs at heights.

These robust and reliable machines make working at heights much more convenient and safer than using ladders or stepladders. Use of simple and straightforward technology and high grade materials make scissor lifts highly dependable, provided you are using the right weight and height specification for your job.

How Scissor Lifts are Made

The science behind scissor lifts might remind you of your elementary school, as you might have studied these principles in your 5th grade. Here, you can see them practically at work. Scissor lifts work on the principle of hydraulics.

The number of arms in a scissor lift varies depending upon the height of the lift. These are manufactured by cutting square steel pipes of appropriate thickness and length. A hole is cut out in the center of each length of pipe (each scissor-arm) for the central pivot to pass through.

When raising the lift, hydraulic fluid from a sump is pumped into the pressure hoses, which are screwed into a piston-cylinder mechanism. As the cylinder is filled with pressurized hydraulic fluid, the piston moves to raise the scissor arms. As the arms are hinged at their centers and connected to another pair of arms on top, and then another, the movement of the lower-most pair of scissor-arms translates into the movement of all the arms, raising the scissor lift. When lowering, the excess hydraulic pressure is bled out through a bleed hose leading back to the main sump.

The pivots or the joints bear maximum loads and face the stress from the rotation each time the lift is raised or lowered. Therefore, most of the engineering goes into the connections between the scissor arms. There's one connection in the middle, and two connections on the upper and lower end of each arm. Advanced welding techniques including robotic welding are deployed to manufacture the hinged joints at each end of the arms, while the connection at the center is reinforced by welding a small cylinder into the hole that was cut earlier through each arm's center.

Reinforced steel rods are inserted and secured into place using locking pins. When the scissor-arms are ready, primer and rust proof paint is applied to them. As the paint dries up, the other two parts of the scissor lift are getting ready. These are the top platform and the base assembly.

The base assembly contains a set of steerable front wheels. The front wheel assembly is connected to a second hydraulic cylinder, which just controls the left and right movement of the wheels. A hydraulic tray is also stacked into the base assembly on one side, and a battery pack is installed on the other side. Hoses connecting the hydraulic pump to the cylinders are screwed firmly in place.

The top platform is just a steel platform with safety railing. When the three components of the scissor lift are ready, it's time to join them to each other. The scissor-arms are attached to the base and the hydraulic cylinder is attached to the bottom pair of scissors. The steering cylinder is connected to the control panel on the top platform via an electrical interface. The batteries are connected to the hydraulic pump and the controls installed on the platform. Everything is tested and the safety decals are applied before the scissor lift is moved into the warehouse for sale.

Author: Dr Garry McClean is a staff writer at The Workplace Depot - a leading UK supplier of industrial and workplace products
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Friday, January 24, 2014

Graphic Design Tips for Mobiles | Graphic Designing Career

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The role of graphic designers entails designing solutions with a high visual impact. Graphic design jobs demand a flair for creativity, a professional approach to deadlines and costs, and an up-to-date awareness of industry software. The work not only involves designing for the web. The focus is gradually moving on to designing effective and attractive graphics for digital devices like smartphones. And since graphics on phones are different that on desktop devices, graphic designers must address the challenges of working with mobile technology. 



The following are six important ways to help make your graphics perform well on mobile phones.

1. Always Design the Graphics for Multiple Resolutions

When you are designing graphics for phones, take note that their screens are much smaller than the huge desktop monitors you have been designing on and for. The large monitors display graphics at a resolution of 1920 x 1200 and above. Mobile devices are a different ballgame altogether. You will also have to realize that different mobile sets will have different sizes and resolution. You can’t design for just a single resolution and size. You will now need to design multiple graphics to demonstrate how they will appear on various devices.

2. Make Use of a Fluid Format 

Smartphones usually consist of G-sensor. The G-sensor recognizes how a mobile is oriented and accordingly displays the data correctly, which means that the images and other graphics will be presented in landscape or portrait setting based on how the user holds his phone. Keeping this in mind, a graphic designer must apply a fluid layout for the designs on phones. To use background images in an app, you should tile or stretch them. Also, you should create both landscape and portrait layouts so that your graphics will fit both orientations of the screen.

3. Keep the Size of the Files Small

Designing for mobiles doesn’t necessarily mean designing apps, it also entails designing websites for mobiles. While doing so, you will need to pay more attention to the internet connection of the user. Try to optimize images for a quicker load time as not all users will have 4G speed. In certain locations, coverage remains and issue and then there are those who may not have unlimited data plans. So keep such users in mind and reduce the code to take away unwanted tags and comments. Images and files must be compressed to reduce time for download. If you wish to design an app that will be downloaded using the data plan (and not Wi-Fi,) keep the size less than 50 MB.

4. PNG Format Should be Used for Images

The format of images will make or break your design so choose wisely. The correct format will take you a long way if you wish to design usable graphics for smartphones. Use .png as your format rather than using .gif as it will give you more depth in color. It is also lossless with variable transparency. The .gif format will either have opaque pixels or will be fully transparent. The .png format will have up to 254 levels of partially transparent pixels, allowing you to benefit from alpha transparency.

5. Optimize the Colors

Smartphones tend to differ when it comes to color support, so make your graphics accordingly adaptable. Handsets like HTC and Blackberry support 65,000 different colors. But iPhone and smartphones by Nokia support up to 16 million colors! This implies that these mobiles will show better graphics with brighter and sharper images.

6. Proceed with Relative Pixel Sizes

While designing for small screens, do not define dimensions in absolute pixels. If you set the width to 200 pixels, it can take up a majority of screen space on some phones. Thus, it is wiser to opt for relative sizes. Use ems and percentages to ensure that the size adjusts to fit all screens.

For graphic designers, moving beyond the web and designing a mobile app is a great way to boost their graphic designing career and open a plethora of avenues. Professionals who seek to prosper in this industry must remain acquainted with the latest innovations and practices of designing and development. 

Author bio: A writer by profession, Devika Arora is currently focusing her writing on the extensive domain of career building. She has written various articles and blog posts related to job search and career development. The above article is a compilation of facts and discusses about a career in graphic designing.

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Tuesday, January 21, 2014

3 Simple Ways to Write Your Stress Away - Just Do It

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Stress is one thing that a lot of people shy away from. Some go to great lengths to be able to deal with stress. There are many ways for people to fight off stress and be able to overcome it. Some people prefer to exercise and go to the gym, some people prefer to eat their way out of it which is not good while some people prefer to do yoga and do some breathing exercises. Those may be useful to help fight stress but there is another way for people to deal with it and make sure that they can overcome it, and that is through writing.

Writing is a good way to release your negative feelings and to let go of the stress in your life especially for moms out there who are tired and stressed out in their duties. Here are some tips you can use to help you write your stress away:

1. Find an Ideal Place to Write

It is important to find a place when you can find solace and be able to write your thoughts and feelings. You can go to the park or a quiet place when you can connect to yourself and be able to let go of some stream through your writing. It is important to find a good place where you can think and not have to worry about what people will think about you. Moms often are too busy doing a number of things, it is important to have time for yourself and simple relax so that you can fight stress.

2. Do Not Correct Yourself

When you are writing articles or posting on your journal, it is important not to correct yourself. You should not worry about your grammar, punctuation, spelling, or any other technical aspects of writing. You have to simply let it all out even if you make mistakes on your grammar and spelling,it does not matter, what matters is that you are able to let go off your worries . The essential thing is to put your thoughts and feelings into a piece of paper and let it go.

3. Just Do It

You do not need to be a professional writer to do this. Any person who knows how to write a sentence can do it. Do not doubt yourself especially moms out there who think that they are not good writers, it does not matter. When I started writing, I thought I was not good enough but then I started writing I became pretty good at it. Just do it as they say and you will realize how it can help relieve you of your stress in life.

Make the choice to not let stress control you. By writing your stress away you can have more peace of mind and be able to enjoy your life that way you want.

If you have other tips on how to beat stress, feel free to comment below and share your thoughts.

About the Author:

Jean Sykes is an experienced writer at uk.bestessays.com who likes to provide useful tips and advice to people. When she is not busy writing articles, she helps out in various charities especially in her community.
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Worst Mistakes To Make When Pulled Over For Suspicion Of Drunk Driving

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Dont Drive Drunk
Source: sxc.hu, cc-by-3.0
You can’t fix stupid. –Ron White 
When it comes to drinking and driving, there is nothing dumber or more selfish that a person can possibly do. Many people will even drive drunk on a monthly or worse yet, weekly basis. You’ll hear the common “I have a high tolerance” or “I’m a good drunk driver.” But people forget that alcohol causes your judgment to be reduced dramatically, meanwhile your confidence level will never be higher. That is why they call it “liquid courage”, it’s not that you’ve actually become braver but you really believe yourself to be more capable than you really are.  

People genuinely believe they are ok to drive and since history has not proven them wrong yet, they’ll continue to get behind the wheel drunk until their luck runs out. Just because something has never happened does not mean it will never occur. Sadly that is the basis for “I’m a good drunk driver.” But conversely, there are times when you may have had a few happy hour cocktails with coworkers, or a few glasses of wine with dinner and do not feel intoxicated. However, when pulled over for suspicion of drunk driving the police don’t care how you “feel”, the only thing they care about is your Blood Alcohol Content.

Again, if you feel drunk or tipsy, you’re stupid for driving. Period. Nothing will change that, since you can’t fix stupid. But for those who really don’t feel intoxicated but are worried they’ll blow over .05 (which constitutes a DWAI in most states) or .08 BAC (DUI in all states), here is a quick list of things you can do when pulled over to help avoid being suspect of drunk driving.

Never Admit To Drinking Alcohol

When it comes down to it, police expect people to lie to them and especially if they’re guilty. So if you offer the “I only had a drink with dinner”, they will immediately tack on two drinks to that which would put you over the legal limit. Keep in mind a single pint of beer with a high alcoholic content is enough to put everyone over the .05 BAC legal limits, which constitutes a DWAI. And for smaller folks with less weight on them, it could easily tip you into the .08 BAC bracket, which constitutes a DUI. This is especially true if little time has elapsed since your last drink. That said; never admit to drinking any amount of alcohol, not even a single glass of wine. Because police will assume you’re lying anyhow, and you may well be over the legal limit due to that single beverage.

Be Courteous, Respectful, and Patient When Pulled Over

It may seem wrong that police always assume you’re lying, but to be fair they have to. Few people will admit to breaking the law, even when found utterly guilty. So try to remember that they are simply doing their job and be respectful of that. An officer may be more persuaded by someone who treats them kindly with respect than those who are unruly and rude. 

Never Take a Roadside Test… Even If You Know You Can Pass It

Roadside tests are not legally allowed to be used in a court of law because they are simply flawed by nature. The ground may be uneven, wind may be blowing, oncoming traffic may frighten you, and so on. As such, they cannot be used to prove guilt since so many variables can throw the test results off.
But police officers still use it and even though the outcome can’t be used in court as evidence, a roadside test does give an officer an idea of whether you are sober or not. Due to this you should always decline taking a roadside test. Even if you do pass it with flying colors, the police officer can simply say you’ve failed as they are not only the test giver, but the judge as well. By declining to take the test though, you will be giving them yet another reason to be suspicious. However, suspicion in their eyes is still better than failing the test as it's still uncertain. 

Never Take a Breathalyzer Test… Even If You Think You Can Pass it

As mentioned before, you could have had a single drink before getting behind the wheel to drive, and that single drink may put you over the legal limit. The problem is that no two drinks are the same, and neither is the same drink going to affect two different people the same. There are different alcoholic contents for similar beers, cocktails, and wines, while the size of the drink matters as well. Were you eating a meal with the drink (more as a longer lapse in time than the food masking the alcohol)? How much do you weigh? Are you male or female? Again a single drink can affect people differently, so you shouldn’t use that as the measurement of whether you’re legally safe to drive. You may well believe there is no way you’ll blow a high BAC, but a .05 is enough to give you a DWAI, and most people can reach that level by only drinking half a beer.

Note: upon declining a breathalyzer test you will have your licensed revoked for up to a year but you will not be charged with a DWAI or DUI.

If you’ve just finished a drink, been driving, and are pulled over soon after, there is a good chance you will blow over .05. In these instances, you can request to have a blood test taken which is far more accurate, but more importantly, gives you more time for the alcohol to work its way out of your system. Blood tests can only be taken at medical facilities and usually the amount of time that will elapse before arriving there is enough to put you into the clear.

Don’t Act Suspicious

When an officer pulls you over, their first thought is usually not that you are drunk. This is unless of course you’re driving seems as though you’re intoxicated; swerving, being erratic, not staying within your lane, driving without head lights, etc. An officer only begins to suspect you are drunk upon seeing you and how you answer whatever questions they ask you. But what usually has more weight is how you appear to the officer. If your eyes are half opened, glazed over, or if you are slurring your speech you may tip the officer into giving you a DUI test. But you also shouldn't attempt to aviod speaking or looking directly at them, in fact that makes them even more suspicious.

What you have to do, and will certainly not seem like an "aha moment," is act normal and remain confident. Look them in the eyes when you speak and don’t divert your gaze when answering a question. Have all of your information ready to give them as they approach your vehicle. Roll down your window as your speaking to them and overall, genuinely act as though you have nothing to hide. If an officer suspects you are hiding something, you can anticipate them to ask you more questions than may be deemed necessary. 

Hopefully this article will help a few people avoid the trouble of receiving a DUI when it is undeserved. The law can often be a tricky and difficult course to navigate, and sometimes you simply have to be shown the right direction. In instances like being suspected of drunk driving, and sadly, honesty isn't always the best policy which is exactly what police anticiapte. This should go without saying, but if you know you are too drunk to drive or are over the legal limit... don't drive. It is dangerous and a rather selfish act. So drink responsibly and there is little doubt you'll ever have to deal with a being charged with a DUI. 

The author of this piece is Damien S. Wilhelmi. If you enjoyed this article you can follow me on Twitter @CustParadigm. When I’m not writing about how to avoid being suspected of drunk driving, I am doing research for one of the best DUI Defense Lawyers in Colorado, always honing and furthering my understanding of DUI law. 
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5 Steps To Expand Your Business Overseas | Take Your Website Global

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Business
Source: thetaxhaven, cc-by-3.0, flickr
Not too long ago, the only businesses that could go "global" were the big -players. Now, thanks to the age of the internet, every business has the opportunity to reach out across the oceans and expand their customer base into all corners of the globe. The question then becomes, are you doing all you can to expand your business overseas? Consider these helpful steps to take your company global.

Step 1: Pack Your Bags

Before setting up your expansion, you need to identify those markets where your products will do the best business. While there are plenty of online resources to tap into, nothing beats hopping on a plane to see these markets for yourself. This doesn't mean you need to take off six months to tour the world. Instead, start with a focused trip to those specific emerging markets where you think you'll have the greatest success. As you reach out and build personal networks from those other countries, you'll find many more opportunities opening up for your company. An international trade show in your field is a terrific place to start. 

Step 2: Hire A Logistics Agent

When it comes to shipping your products overseas, there are a lot of moving parts. Every country has their own import regulations to follow. While you're working on contracts and product development, you don't want to get caught up in the minutia of customs, port labour, and changes in transportation costs. A qualified logistics agent will be on top of all of those items. That will free you up to concentrate on the rest of your business. Essentially, you'll land the contract and then turn them over to this indispensable partner. A good place to start the hiring process is getting to know the UK Border Agency. They set the standard for logistics agents in this area. 

Step 3: Take Your Website Global

Those trips you're taking in "step 1" should provide you with crash course of cultural differences. Those concepts need to be applied to your website. The basic option is to offer translations of your site for various regions. Beyond the translations, you'll also want to adapt your pages to fit in with those cultures. This holds true for your Twitter and Facebook accounts as well. Set up each language region with its own account. It might help to hire a local contractor to maintain your social media outlets. 

Step 4: Make Sure You Get Paid

All this hard work of taking your company global won't matter if you can't get paid for your services. You need to find a payment system that allows you to utilise multiple payment options. Going through a bank might take time. However, a website like PayPal is already up and open for business all around the world.

There you go. Take the time to do your research into emerging markets abroad and how they can benefit your company. Then personally check it out, make sure you're going in with your eyes open. Then go for it and start your company's international success!

Abi is a financial advisor and stresses the importance of carefully monitoring finances and taxes for your business, especially when expanding. Abi uses Francis Clark Tax Consultancy and recommends them for their tax expertise and helping businesses expand overseas They can offer you step by step support on what's involved in this process. 
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Protecting Your Assets From Different Types Of Personal Injury Suits

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Accident
Source: Phillip Pessar, cc-by-3.0, flickr
In the event that an incident occurs or an unfortunate event unfolds, someone might fall victim to an injury and be owed compensation.  With so many different types of claims and personal injury cases, your assets and savings could be at risk from a number of different rulings.. There are many different types of personal injury claims that can be found and you should talk to your attorney to discuss what type of personal injury pertains to your case and how you should proceed. Here is some information that you need in order to fully understand a personal injury claim.

Defective and Dangerous Products

In these types of cases, someone is injured while using a product that turned out to be dangerous and defective due to the way that is marketed or manufactured. There are federal laws that require manufacturers to compensate those who have been harmed due to damaged or defective goods. In order for the product to be considered defective, it must be proved that the manufacturer did not take the right measures ahead of time to ensure that the product would be able to be used for the intended purposes safely.

Animal Attacks

Another type of personal injury claim that you may be faced with is animal attacks. Many people just think about dog bites for these types of claims, but it can also include attacks by domesticated animals, birds, cats, and ferrets. There are different laws that are in place in each state in terms of how the owner is liable for the injuries that are caused by their pets so it is best for you to discuss your rights with a personal injury lawyer to make sure that you are following all the laws in your state and getting compensated accordingly.

Premises Liability

For premises liability claims, the person who was injured will have suffered the injury while on the other person’s property. Some examples of these types of injuries include falls and slips, slippery floors, and even loose stairways. These injuries can occur at a business or at someone’s own home depending on the state that you live in and the laws that are applicable there. Often it will depend on the laws concerning owner liability in the area.

Wrongful Death

Wrongful death is something that no one wants to deal with and the person who caused this kind of death should be held responsible for what they have done. If someone has died and it is believed to be due to the negligence of another party, those who are related to the deceased will sometimes have the option of getting monetary damages. Each state will have different laws that pertain to claims of wrongful death. A personal injury lawyer is your best resource if you believe someone has suffered a wrongful death. They will be able to explain the laws of your state and help you to determine if a wrongful death claim holds any weight in your case.

Jennifer is a blogger for The Loewy Law Firm, a personal injury attorney out of Austin, Texas.  She has been thankful enough to not need a personal injury lawyer herself.  
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Questions To Ask Before Hiring A Personal Injury Attorney - Attorney’s Qualifications

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Claim Compensation
Source: San Luis Obispo, cc-by-3.0, flickr
One of the things that makes up a huge portion of the decisions in your personal injury case is hiring the best lawyer for your needs. Before you get started on a case with a lawyer, it is important that you take the time to sit down and determine exactly what your claim requires and how a personal injury lawyer can meet those needs. There are some important questions that you should make sure to ask in order to assure yourself that you are hiring the right attorney to meet your needs. Here are some of the best questions that you can ask to get started right away.

What are the Attorney’s Qualifications?

The first question that you should be asking is about the attorney’s qualifications. Not all of the lawyers that you can work with will have the same education or experience to back them up. You do not want to get to the case and find out that the lawyer that you have hired is just out of school, has never dealt with a personal injury case, or has not worked with your particular type of case. Some of the things that you should find out about include how many cases your attorney has dealt with and how many of these they have won. In addition, figure out which side of the case the attorney has been on, such as the defendants or the injured party and what area of personal injury they have worked on in the past.

What Process Will Be Gone Through?

Your attorney should be able to answer what the process will be like in order to get through your personal injury case. You can ask your attorney what issues they expect may come up, how they would handle certain situations that may come up, and approximately how long the case may take.

How Much are the Services?

Every attorney will charge a different amount for handling your case and it is a good idea to find out how much you will be charged along with the terms of the agreement. Ask about a retainer and if you will be able to get any of it refunded if the firm does not use all of the money. Ask if the attorney will use witnesses and if you will be expected to pay for these witnesses. See if you can get a bill that is itemized from your attorney so that you are able to keep good track of how much it is all costing you.
One option that some attorneys may offer is to work on contingencies. During this, the attorney agrees to represent you for free during the case with the understanding that they will make a percentage of the money you receive at the end of the case. This can save you a lot of out of pocket expenses during the case.

Will the Attorney Handle the Case?

Another thing that you should check on is who exactly will handle the case. There are some firms that will send in an experienced lawyer to answer your questions and then your case will be handed down to a different, junior lawyer. If the case is going to go to another lawyer, then you should take the time to meet with them as well to discuss the case.

Jennnifer is an up and coming legal blogger for The Loewy Law Firm from Austin, Texas.  Her understanding of Personal Injury Law is growing rapidly.  
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Monday, January 20, 2014

Useful Tips For Filing a Lemon Law Claim | Notify the Dealer in Writing

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Lemon Law
Source: Axion, cc-by-3.0, flickr

If you have recently purchased a car or other vehicle that started breaking down or showing all sorts of problems just days or weeks after the purchase was made, you may be eligible to file a lemon law claim. There are federal and state laws that allow you to file a claim against the manufacturer of the “lemon” vehicle you purchased. If you win your claim, you should get a replacement for the defective vehicle or be refunded the original purchase price. Below we've listed some useful tips that can help guide you through the process of filing a lemon law claim.

Hire an Attorney

It is advisable to hire an attorney to help you file your claim. You should be able to find an attorney who specializes in lemon law claims in your state. Experience with lemon law claims is very important, so talk to a few attorneys and ask them about the claims they've handled and the outcomes they achieved.

Go Back to the Dealership

Before filing a claim, take your car back to the dealership to see if they can repair it. There may be just minor problems with the vehicle that are easy to fix. In most states lemon laws state that the buyer has to give the dealer the opportunity to repair the vehicle before the vehicle can be deemed a lemon.

Notify the Dealer in Writing

Most state laws say that you have to notify a dealer in writing that you intend to declare the vehicle you bought a lemon and are filing a claim. This notice should contain your contact information, information about the car (such as the VIN, make, model and year) and a description of what is wrong with the vehicle.

Go to the Arbitration Board

In many states you need to go to the arbitration board before you can actually file a claim in court. The arbitration board will help you seek a solution for your problem so you don't have to go to court. If no resolution can be found, you may file a lemon law claim in court. In some states you can file a claim in court without needing to go before an arbitration board first, though it is advisable that you do try to resolve your case through an arbitration board.
If no arbitration boards exist in your state, you can use a third party arbitrator, such as Better Business Bureau's Autoline.

Get the Proper Paperwork

If arbitration is unsuccessful you need to get the right paperwork to file your lemon law claim. An attorney can help you retrieve the paperwork you need and fill it out correctly. Otherwise just go to your local clerk to get the paperwork.

Once your claim is filed, there will be a number of hearings you need to attend and you will have to state your lemon case before a judge. Eventually there will be a hopefully favorable verdict and you'll get a new vehicle or be compensated for the purchase price. In most states you'll also be able to recover the money you spent on an attorney if you win your case.

Zane Schwarzlose is a writer at the Law Offices of WT Johnson, a personal injury law firm in Dallas, Texas. Zane is glad he's never had to file a lemon law claim.
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Volunteering Benefits to High School Students | Lesson in Important Life Skills

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Volunteering is one of the best characteristics for students to carry along as they grow up to become responsible adults. Being able to help others and improve your community is a valuable skill to learn. Here is how volunteering benefits high school students:

Lesson in important life skills

Volunteer work is one of the best activities to give a student and the best head start in the outside world. Volunteer teaches important skills such as hard work, responsibility and giving back appreciation to the parents and teachers. Volunteer helps students to channel their misguided energy and ideas into something worthwhile.

Great preparation for a future career

After graduation party, volunteering is one of the best ways to start gathering your ideas as you grow your career at the college level. Students get to learn about the world of work how to build great work-related values and mature socially through volunteering. Being a volunteer allows students to learn important skills to be used in future careers   like the common time management skill. When writing resume volunteer work is also included and that will give you a boost to getting a job.

Giving back to society

Volunteering enhances the value of compassion for others and how one can be a productive member of their community. High school students can work to improve shelters, food pantries or health clinics. Learn how to care for others and provide a service for someone who is needy.

Learn important values as the grow to become adults

Being able to take care of other people less fortunate, serving to meet the needs of others and sacrificing their own time goes a lot further than one would think. As adults they will have developed the skills to become more mature and responsible and as a result successful.

New experiences

Volunteering is a brilliant way to get life experience. Students can volunteer to do a lot of activities and from them each new experience is learnt and will forever be remembered regardless of the whole outcome to the society.

Meeting a diverse range of people

Volunteering brings together a diverse range of people from all backgrounds and students from various regions. Both the recipients of the volunteer efforts and the co-workers is a rich source of inspiration and an excellent way for students to develop their interpersonal skills. Volunteering also offers an incredible network opportunity .not only d students get to develop their personal and professional relationships but also a great way to learn about people from all walks of life, different environments and new industries. Networking is an exciting benefit of volunteering and you can never tell what new information you will learn and of what impact it will be to you.

Motivation and sense of achievement

Fundamentally volunteering is about giving your time, energy and skills freely. Volunteers express a sense of achievement and motivation when they contribute to the community. Students as volunteers help  to make a small corner Of the world better by giving their services to people in need and at the end of the day you tend to achieve a lot by just giving back to the society.

Be part of the community

Currently many communities have built a gap between themselves as they continue to suffer. Volunteering is ultimately about helping others and having an impact on people’s wellbeing. Volunteer students thus help to connect the communities by raising awareness on the importance of family and how unity is the core pillar for every successful community.

Author's Bio

The article was written by Mary Miller. She is an article writing expert on social media and blogging. You can follow her on Twitter @MaryAdvisor

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Sunday, January 19, 2014

We Have Blast Off! | Wet Abrasive blasting | Wheel Blasting | Hydro-blasting

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Have you ever wondered about those intricate processes that go on behind the scenes when we hear about abrasive blasting techniques that are required in heavy industry? Essentially, they are the most effective way to approach cleaning various surfaces and removing harmful build ups such as rust.  But were you aware that there are many different types of abrasive blasting and they each have a special place in their respective industry sectors. This article isn’t going to try and blind you with science, but will hopefully make these rather complicated activities a little easier to understand.


Wet abrasive blasting

This method of abrasive blasting has been around since the 1950’s and we need to say thanks to Norman Ashworth for his key part in its development. Wet abrasive blasting is extremely important in the building industry and can be used effectively to remove dangerous substances such as asbestos and radioactive material. As a result, the decontamination business are heavy users of this abrasive blasting method. The cleaning activity can take place by using portable units, cabinets and walk-in booths. A coarse media such as small steel particles can be utilised with water being the lubricating ingredient. The results are very impressive and because the remnants are never left on the surface, this method ticks all the safety boxes rather nicely.

Wheel blasting

This method of abrasive blasting uses the centrifugal force of a wheel to force the abrasive agent against an object in a way that displaces any loose or uneven particles on the surface. It is a popular choice when deflashing rubber and plastic structures and the preferred medium for this particular activity is plastic particles. The wheels in question can range from a few inches to industrial sized monsters in industrial buildings.

Bead blasting

This method of abrasive blasting is aimed at getting the finest possible finish and is heavily relied upon within the automotive industry. Fine glass beads are blasted onto the target surface in a way that cleans without damaging the areas whatsoever. It is also used to remove pain and smooth an uneven surface with the minimum fuss. You will see this method being heavily used in companies that refurbish wheels for car enthusiasts. Glass Bead blasting is also a very effective way to remove fungus and freshen up stale grout in the bathroom or kitchen.

Hydro-blasting

As the name suggests, hydro-blasting uses a high pressure stream of water to effectively remove old paint, chemicals or any type of removable build up from the target object’s surface. This method is favoured for three key reasons:
  • The water can be reused up to 30 times for similar waste removal activities.
  • There is no need to add any abrasive medium to this process.
  • Because water is the only requirement for the hydro-blasting process, it can be used to access those more difficult to reach target areas.
Micro-abrasive blasting

This form of abrasive blasting is used for writing and engraving delicate surfaces such as glass. The process uses very fine nozzles to deliver a stream of abrasive material accurately in a way that does not damage the surface in any way. The abrasive material media are usually around 10-150 micrometres and the nozzles are typically between 0.25mm and 1.5mm in diameter. These setups usually take the shape of a bench mounted unit that includes the work area and the power/water supply. This form of glass decoration is favoured across the board and the skillset required to process this method is considerable.

About Author:

John Hinds writes for Lojix. His interests include blogging, reading, playing tennis, listening to music and traveling.
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Money - Saving Tips For Recent Graduates | Figure Out How to Cut Costs

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According to Payscale.com, the average recent college graduate makes around $30,000. Unfortunately, this can quickly disappear in the midst of expensive living costs. Here are five ways that recent graduates can save money.

1.) Make a Budget

As a recent college graduate myself, I understand that the word “budget” is about as desirable as going to the dentist. In my own personal life, however, I’ve realized how much unnecessary money I spend when I’m not living by a budget. Dining out here, daily Starbucks runs there, and other expenses can quickly add up to several hundred extra dollars a month. If you’re trying to save money, the best thing to do is sit down and make a budget of how much you think you’ll need to spend on your fixed costs (housing, insurance, loan payments), as well as your fluctuating costs (such as entertainment and travel). If you don't have a budget yet, hop on over to TIME magazine to check out this link on things grads can do to get hired. Once you do have a steady paycheck coming in, you can use a service like Mint.com, which accesses your bank account and shows you how much you’ve spent on various items for a particular month. Although it takes time to figure out exactly how much you need to budget for various items each month, being conscious about making a budget and sticking to it saves lots of money in the long run.

2.) Start a Savings Account

Experts recommend putting at least 3-12 months of living expenses in savings for emergencies (such as being laid-off or repairing your car.) You should put at least 10% of your paycheck into a savings account each month. If you can afford to save more, then do so! But 10% is a good starting point. This will prevent you from finding yourself in a financial pinch down the road.

3.) Pay Back Those Pesky Loans

While it may be tempting to defer payments, doing so will rack up exorbitant interest rates. Make sure that you always pay the minimum each month so that you avoid incurring extra fees. And whenever you have some extra money, put it toward your note’s interest. And make sure to avoid credit card debt.
4.) Avoid Frivolous and Unnecessary Expenses

The quickest way to blow a budget is through buying “wants” instead of needs. You may want designer clothes and handbags, restaurant meals each night of the week, and fancy haircuts, but you don’t really need them. Avoid impulse purchases by not buying anything over $50 without spending a couple days thinking about the purchase and doing some research to make sure that it’s a solid investment.

5.) Figure Out How to Cut Costs

If you live near family, consider living at home for the first year or two. This allows you to funnel the money you would be spending on rent into chipping away at loans or adding to your savings account. If you already have an apartment, consider finding a roommate so that you can share costs for rent. Clip coupons and buy groceries on sale to save money. Get a subscription to a library so that you can check out movies and books from them instead of buying them. Take your own lunches to work instead of dining out each day. Learn to cook so you can make meals at home. Invest in a coffeemaker so you can avoid spending $5 a day on Starbucks lattes. Figure out other simple ways to save on expenses so that you can live within your means.

About Author:

Rebekah Ann writes about issues related to millennials.
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Saturday, January 18, 2014

Best Website Builders In 2013 | MotoCMS | Webydo | Zoho Sites

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Though the market of website builders is immensely saturated, new Do-It-Yourself services continue appearing like mushrooms after the rain. This is partly due to the fact that having a website isn’t a whim, but a must these days. On the one hand, the abundance of website builders results in higher quality and lower prices (because of the competition), but on the other, it makes potential users scratch their heads about which website builder to choose. So, I’ve decided to make a list of web building platforms that bought my heart and trust in 2013. Enjoy my modest compilation and feel free to add your favorites in comments.

MotoCMS

MotoCMS website builder gets high scores mainly for its flexibility. You get full control over all site elements, starting from fonts, image properties, layout and finishing with complex widgets and URL configuration. Because it hits the sweet spot of ease-of-use and effectiveness, MotoCMS is popular equally with professionals and rookies.

MotoCMS Themes

Unique features: rich collection of templates; support for multiple languages; custom fonts; SEO-friendly Flash-based themes; one-time payment (no recurring fees); professional assistance; lifetime updates.

Best for building eye-catching websites with a focus on design. Perfect for online portfolios, small businesses, real estate firms as well as mall and medium eCommerce websites (there are templates built exclusively for eCommerce).

Webydo

Webydo can be rightfully called the breakthrough of the year. This website builder is advertised as a new B2B solution in the web design and publishing market. Its target audience are professional designers looking for a code-free platform to create and publish websites for their clients independently, without having to involve coders.

Webydo

Unique features: possibility to re-brand the platform (upload your own logos); inbuilt billing system (you can send payment requests via your Dashboard); ability to add multiple contributors (both Editors and Designers).
Best for creating online portfolios, ‘virtual business cards’, websites for small businesses offering online shopping capabilities (Ecwid widget).

Zoho Sites

Zoho Sites is another brilliant discovery of the last year. Many compare this platform with Google Sites for its rich feature-set and ease-of-use. Zoho Sites will perfectly fit the needs of a small/medium business owner looking to build a solid web representation of his/her firm. There’s a free, never-expiring package and a Pro subscription ($39/year).



Unique features: easy Google apps integration (AdSense, Google Analytics, Webmaster Tools etc.); drag-and-drop CRM form builder; included mobile version of a website; custom 404 Error pages.
Best for business-oriented websites and blogs.

Summary

The core advantage of online website builders is that they are completely code-free and operate like one-stop-shops: everything you need to design, publish and update your site is integrated into a single web service (templates, hosting, domain names, widgets and even third-party extensions). As a rule, website builders are very affordable, some even cost less than the average hosting plan for a standard website. The three aforementioned web services offer either free trial or free package, so you can check them out risk-free right after finishing this post. Feel free to share your experience with website builders in comments. Your feedback does matter :)!

Malcolm Thomas enjoys discovering new gadgets and DIY website builders. He runs http://mmthomasblog.com/ to help others build excellent websites with maximum ease. 
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Friday, January 17, 2014

Managing Diabetes At Work - 6 Tips | Try to Snack Smart

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Diabetes
Source: tgolf_69, cc-by-3.0, flickr

Living with diabetes isn’t exactly fun, but it does not have to be something that gets in the way of a full and happy life, either. If you learn about how to manage this chronic disease, it can be possible to still live healthfully.

One place where it can be challenging to keep the disease under control is at work. We are expected to put our professional tasks first and foremost, which can be a bit difficult when living with something like diabetes. Luckily, there are ways to manage this in an office environment.

Here are six simple tips for keeping your diabetes in check while at work.

1) Try to Snack Smart.

One of the easiest and most natural ways of caring for your body while at the office is to bring a snack or two along each day. Having a healthy, nutritionally balanced treat when your sugars dip can be a good way to keep things copasetic throughout your shift.

2) Consult With Your Doctor Regularly.

It is recommended that those living with diabetes visit their physicians at least four times annually. One thing you can discuss with your doctor during one of these visits is how best to control this medical condition. He or she should have some good advice in terms of what you can do in different scenarios, including while working.

3) Notify Supervisors of Your Condition.

Although you may not want to make a big deal about this disease, it is best to let bosses know what you’re dealing with. This is because, if they know, they can let you take a break when you need to check your sugars or munch on a snack to keep your levels consistent. It is also important for people to know what is going on ahead of time, so in the event of an emergency, you can get help quickly.

4) Medicate Strategically, When You Do.

It can be a smart move to take your medication when you eat meals, even at work. This will help prevent any huge spikes or dips in blood sugar, which aren’t good for your body. If you are experiencing this despite eating in conjunction with medicating, consult your physician as soon as possible.

5) Always Wear Your Glucose Monitor to the Office.

It’s a good idea to own one of these devices, and they can be extremely useful when it comes to checking your sugars while at work or away from home. Since a continuous glucose monitor is just that – continuous – a glucose monitoring device makes it easy to keep track of your levels while on the go, without the ordinary hassle of frequent fingersticks.

6) Keep a Record of Your Bodily Trends.

One thing that can be helpful is to keep track of when your blood sugar seems to spike and drop throughout the day. Also record variables such as how it differs during exercise, when you sleep, etc. Many meters will track and store this information for you, which is useful for planning in the future and adjusting your habits accordingly.

Lori is a busy professional, and doesn’t like to let her diabetes get in the way of her success in her field. She has found that things like continuous glucose meters help her keep tabs on her disease while allowing her to live as unencumbered a life as possible. She recommends these devices, as well as the other tips, to people in her situation.
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