Wooden Bench Making in 6 Easy Steps

Although you may think it is really more difficult than it really is, bench making can be done in 6 simple steps. After we have gathered the needed materials and tools we can do bench making in no time. We can make ourselves a nice, simple and safe wooden bench; one that will be both functional and beautiful and something you will be sure to get compliments on and a great conversation piece. After all, what's better than saying, Yeah, I made that!"

Bench making is easier with these six steps.

1. First, we start off by measuring the frame of the bench seat to our desired dimensions, cut them, and then tack-nail them together. Bench making includes drawing a curve line on the side pieces lengthways and cutting them using a jigsaw before attaching them together. This forms the seat shape. We may also form it as we see fit.

Then cut and sand the seat slats and mark their face boards. Screw the seat frame tightly together. Glue and nail the slats to the frame, beginning from the back. A ¾ inch vertical spacer will help. A good bench making design is providing a slight slat overhang on the front.

2. Second, we come to the screwing portion of bench making. Glue and screw front legs to our seat frame by first pre-drilling and applying countersink holes for screws to fit in. Do the same with the hind legs.

3. Third is sanding. Bench making is also about safety so we round sharp corners and sand the seat face and legs to smoothen all surfaces. This avoids board grains or fibers from sticking out and hurting the user. Sanding also creates better-looking seat surfaces.

4. Fourth, we deal with the back rest in bench making. Get the top rail measurement and add a space 5/8 inch from the rail top to the back part of the hind leg. This should give a 1/8 inch space at the bottom of the rail between the back part of the leg and the rail.

Then place the router tenons or tongues and vertical back slats on one end. There should be a fitting groove at the top rail. The tongues should easily fit into the groove. Glue the slats and nail them.

5. Fifth, bench making with armrests requires putting wood cleats 3 1/2 by 3/4 by 3'4 inches to support the front legs. Make a 3/16 inch hole with a drill at the midpoint of the cleat and have it attached through the bracing at the corner.

The armrest should measure from the back of the hind leg to some inches off the front leg. An armrest notch should receive the leg support of the back rest. Drill a hole and countersink atop the front cleat piercing the armrest then glue and screw.

6. Then, sixth is final sanding. Bench making should end with all surfaces, ends, and corners smoothen before painting. There we have our nice, simple, and sturdy bench.

How to Change the Appearance of You Car in Few Minutes - Vinyl Car Sticker

You will find that using a vinyl car sticker is great fun. With this sticker you can in few minutes change the appearance of your car. You will also find that these stickers are capable of lasting for a long time. Many manufacturers state their vinyl made stickers will last for about 5 years. While this is true you will need to take some care when you are applying on these stickers. Since there are many manufacturers of these items you will be able to find many varieties to suit every palette. The best way for you to find these vinyl stickers and information about them is to start your search online.

Here you will find many online shops which can provide you with a good idea of what is available on the market. You will also find companies who should be able to provide you with instructions on the application process as well as how these stickers have been manufactured. There will even be sites where you will have the option of choosing to have a vinyl car sticker which has been customised to your preferences. These personalised car stickers are one of the best ways you can send a message which suits your idea, feelings or just shows your particular brand of humour.

As you search through the internet you will be amazed at the sheer number of designs which are available for you to choose from. These car sticker designs will range from fantasy figures and motifs, to mythical landscapes, images of country flags, sports logos, musical symbols, and stick figures resembling what a child has drawn, to cartoon figures giving a wacky message. You will also be able to see numerous colours which give these stickers life. At first you may think that choosing a vinyl car sticker from these will be quite difficult.

To help you with this choosing process you can list down certain parameters. These parameters which should include the size of the sticker, the colours, the shape of the sticker, whether you are planning on using the sticker on the inside or the outside, and whether you are looking for a vinyl car sticker which can be used more than once or just the one time can be of great help. From these questions and the answers that you arrive at you will be able to narrow your field of choices down to ones which are more manageable.

After you have finished answering these questions you will also need to decide on if you are looking for a vinyl car sticker which will be placed on the car windows or if you are looking for one which can be placed on the body of the car to give it more definition. To help make these body stickers more dramatic you will find there are vinyl stickers which have been given a three dimensional effect. By looking at all of these different car stickers made from vinyl you will be able to provide your car with a look which is both stunning and different from all of the other cars that you see on the road.

Turn Your Fridge into a Beer Kegerator

Before you start your DIY kegerator project, watch this video to see a fridge to kegerator conversion firsthand! Robert Hess builds a kegerator with step-by-step instructions and tons of valuable tips for installing a draft beer system at home.

T-Shirt Cutting Tutorial: How To Turn Your T-Shirt Into A Racerback Tank

Bathroom Vanity Cabinets Installation - DIY Remodeling Ideas

Changing the look of your bathroom from dated to timeless involves a little bit of planning and effort, but it will increase the resale value of your home. New bathroom vanities make a big difference, and you will enjoy your new bathroom every day. Here are a few tips and ideas to help you revamp your bathroom.

Bathroom sink vanities are a key part of the overall look of your bathroom. Choose a modern and elegant design, but don't get too trendy. Otherwise the vanity will look outdated and garish in a few short years. Pick a style that complements your personal tastes. For instance, an antique vanity would look fabulous in a French country-inspired house. If your taste is more simple and refined, a glass vanity with clean lines and sleek design or dark wood cabinetry with marble will match the décor in the rest of your house.

Just because you have a light wood in your kitchen does not mean you must have the same color wood in your bathroom. Experiment with different color combinations at a local home improvement store or browse different websites for ideas. You can often find great deals online on the same remodeling supplies you find in retail stores, and the online prices are almost always much lower.

If you are planning on going the DIY route, be sure to shut off the water and disconnect the supply lines before you get started. Place a bucket under your pipes to ensure you catch any dripping water. Then, loosen the caulk on your old vanity with a putty knife or screwdriver. Carefully remove the old vanity, being extra careful not to damage the wall.

If you can find a helper to assist you with the removal of your old vanity, the task is much easier. Be patient, work slowly, and be sure to loosen all the caulk and remove any screws holding the vanity in place before you attempt to move it.

Once the old vanity is out of the way, bring the new vanity into the bathroom. Locate the studs in the wall, using a stud finder. Using shims and a level, position the vanity so it is flush with the wall. Then attach it to the wall with wallboard screws. It is very important to make sure the vanity is flush before screwing it to the wall.

Installing the new faucet before installing the vanity makes the whole process easier. Then, you avoid having to get up and under your new vanity during the installation process.

Secure the vanity top to the base with caulk, reconnect the plumbing, and caulk the countertop to the wall as neatly as possible. Wipe off any excess caulk or fingerprints and enjoy your beautiful new bathroom sink.

Bathroom sink vanities are a great way to change the whole look of your house. If you have had the same bathroom décor for 5 years or more, it is time to consider some new bathroom remodeling ideas. Whether you prefer a traditional look or a modern, contemporary design, a new vanity makes the room look clean and new. When you sell your house, you are sure to make back the money you invest on a bathroom remodel and then some, especially if you DIY.

DIY: Nailing Down the Choices in Wood Flooring Installation

There are four methods for installing a wood floor: nail down, staple down, glue down, and free-float. If cement is the base of your floor, then you can only use glue down and free-float. If you have plywood, then you can use any of the four choices. This article explains how to go about the installation of free-floating floors.

The four methods from easiest to hardest are:

Free-float: requires little to no experience, and will help you save money on the cost of installation. If you have no experience, this is the one recommended.

Glue down: recommended for people with some experience. This method is not that difficult if your sub-floor is flat or requires only a minimal amount of preparation.

Staple down: this method requires skill with power tools. You may be able to rent the stapler that is needed for this job.

Nail down: if you need to read this article to find out how to install a floor, this method is not for you. It requires experience and specific tools.

Free-Float Installations

Floating floors are installed as a panel system, rather than as individual strips of wood. Most panels come in 8" by 96" lengths, and fit together with a tongue-in-groove method. Follow the manufacturer's instructions during the entire installation or your warranty will not be eligible. The recommended adhesive is aliphatic resin glue as it is white, dries within an hour, and is
cured in 24 hours. Ensure that all excess glue is wiped away with a damp sponge as you proceed.

1. Allow the boards to sit in your house for 3 days before installing them so that they acclimatize to the moisture in your house and don't expand or contract too much once installed.

2. Lay down the manufacturer recommended underlayment on your sub-floor. Cut it with a utility knife to fit the room exactly. Products are usually made of foam or plastic or a combination.

3. Fit the first board into the corner. Leave a gap between the wall and flooring for the wood to expand. Use a wood spacer.

4. Fit the next board into the first - they should fit well with their special grooves.

5. Ensure they are fitted tightly and place a spacer near the joint.

6. Apply adhesive on the edge of the next board, but not in the groove unless specified by the manufacturer's instructions. Most floors only require adhesive on the edges and not on the ends.

7. Position the new board in place and hammer it together with the adjacent board to secure. To protect the flooring, place a scrap piece of wood in between the flooring and hammer. Alternatively, you could use a tapping block.

8. Repeat until you reach the last board. The last one may require cutting in order to fit.

9. To fit the last board in place, use scrap wood to protect the wall, and a pry bar to lower the last board into place.

This method of installing wood floors has several advantages.

oSave time: minimal sub-floor preparation is required

oFloating floors are stable and forgiving since the foam placed on the sub-floor hides imperfections

oIn comparison to other installation methods, floating floors allow for the natural expansion of wood without leaving gaps - the panels are glued together so the floor expands as a whole. This is particularly important in areas where temperature changes vary significantly between seasons

oBecause the hardwood flooring is not fastened directly on the sub-floor, creaking sounds will not be heard.

UNCUT: DANCING LIKE A FOOL!!!!

What do you think of my dancing? Yeah, nearly professional.. Please subscribe if you like my videos :) WATCH THE VIDEO THIS CAME FROM: www.youtube.com ** MORE OF MY VIDEOS!! youtube.com youtube.com youtube.com GET AN IJUSTINE T-SHIRT!!! ijustine.spreadshirt.com TWITTER twitter.com DAILYBOOTH: dailybooth.com FACEBOOK: facebook.com MYSPACE: myspace.com ** Thanks for watching :)

DIY Portable Power for Strobes Monolights Vegabond II Alien Bees Build your own

Alien Bees Vegabond II too expensive? or out of stock? Just piece together your own for $170.00 around half the price. I wanted to to have a battery for each light stand so as to keep cords out of the way AND to act as its own weight to keep the stand from tipping over so it serves many useful purposes. Also if one power supply goes out you will at least have more than one on location so worst case scenario you can still power all your alien bee strobes. Here is the shopping list: The Install Bay ATFH10C-10 10 GA ATC Fuse Holder With Cover (10 Pieces) - $9.99 ($2.00 for each homemade build ) www.sonicelectronix.com 2 x Polarized 2 Conductor 10 AWG Connector Set - $5.00 each ($10.00 per set ) skycraftsurplus.com Powersonic PS-12180NB - 12 Volt/18 Amp Hour Sealed Lead Acid Battery with Nut-Bolt Connector - $30.00 each www.portablepower.com Samlex 150W Pure Sine Wave Inverter - $99 www.donrowe.com Alien Bee Vegabond II Carrying Bag = $19.95 www.alienbees.com GFCI cord $10.45 www.lowes.com ------------------------------------------------------------------- also if you want a good 12 volt charger go with: SUPER SMART BATTERY TENDER JR. - $19.98 www.derbycycles.net

Do-It-Yourself Pendant Lighting - Install Like the Pros Do

There is nothing more gratifying than a home improvement project that goes well, and nothing more frustrating than one that goes wrong. The key to successfully installing pendant lighting in your home is being prepared before taking on the project.

Go into the room where you have decided to install the pendant lighting. It's time to look around and make sure this is an appropriate lighting option for the space. First take note of how much light you really need in the room. Will one pendant light do the trick? Or will you need a series of lights to offer the illumination you want.

Next, consider headroom. If you have very high ceilings, this is not a problem. But if you have lower ceilings, you should make sure that the area where you put pendant lighting is not a high-traffic area, or those lights could become a battering ram when you have a tall friend to your house. Take measurements so you know how long the lights can be to do the job, but not be a head-bumping hazard.

Now it's time to make some style decisions. Look at the décor style you have chosen for this room. What type of pendant lights will fit in? Thanks to the advent of online catalogs, this part of the process is much easier. In many cases you can take your computer in to the room where the lights are to go and click through the pendant lighting options on the market. This allows you to picture the light with the room's décor. You want pendant lighting that goes with the room, not stands out as something that doesn't fit the rest of the space.

If you are having a tough time finding good pendant lighting to go with your space, you should contact a lighting store to find out of there are any custom options available to create a light that will better suit your needs.

Once you have selected your pendant lighting, it's time to install. This is a pretty easy process and you can usually do this with a set of insulated wire cutters, insulated pliers, a screwdriver and a ladder. The first thing to always remember when putting up a new light is to make sure the power is shut off to the area you will be working on. It's best to do this from the circuit breaker.

Next take your pendant lighting out of its box. Look at the wires coming out of the light. They should have at least ½ inch of wire sticking out from under the colored plastic insulation. If not, you should remove that amount, so the light wires can be attached to the house wires.

If you already have a light in the space where your pendant lighting is to go, it needs to be removed. As you take it apart, you will see there are wires from the light and from the house twisted together inside the ceiling. These need to be untwisted so you can remove the old light and put in the new.

Now you need to take your pendant lighting bracket and screw it in place in the ceiling. You now will attach the wires from the light to your house wires. Match the wires by color. There should have been wire screw tops on the house wires before you started, put these back on to the newly attached pieces of wire.

Push all the wiring up into the ceiling and attach the rest of the pendant lighting to the ceiling. Make sure you have put a light bulb in the light, and then turn the power to the room back on, and test it to make sure it works.

DIY Hem Your Jeans

Learn how to hem your favorite jeans.

How to Boost Your Bedroom Pleasures?

How can one make the most out of the sex life? How does one re-ignite the passions of younger days? Here are some tips to make your sex life raging again.

1. Pretend as though you have just met: Why not act as though you have just met each other and are strangers? Put yourself in a stranger's shoes and look at your partner - you will find that your partner is still appealing.

2. Tease your partner: Nothing turns on a man or a woman more than a tease. Get playfully flirtatious and sneak in little kisses or flirt with your partner before he or she leaves to the office or do it in public! This gets you in the mood for bigger things later on.

3. Are you in the mood? If you are in the mood for sex then do not suppress it. Go for gold! Why not surprise your partner and steal him or her from work for an hour's quickie? This is a major turn-on and leaves your partner wishing that you'd do it more often!

4. Make use of technology: Technology has brought people together. Why not use the mobile phone or email to send some flirty and sexy SMS or mails? Do not get vulgar, plain sexy will do. What happens is that your partner will be thinking of this text or mail the whole day and will not be able to wait till he or she gets to see you in the evening.

5. Take a break: With the pressures of real life bedroom priorities are always taking a backstage. Forget real life for a weekend, go away on a pleasure trip and have a wild time. When you get back you can get into the daily chores again.

6. Surprise your partner: If you have never tried anything naughty with your partner why not give it a try? Like some sexy suggestive lingerie or an impromptu dance? Your partner will not be able to resist the surprise.

7. Surrender: One way to boost your bedroom pleasure is to shed all inhibitions and surrender to your partner. Let him or her take complete control over you but without causing any harm. Once you shed all inhibitions your relationship will actually improve.

How Plans Can Help to Build a DIY Shed

Having a shed can be very useful. Apart from a place to escape to when the noise and energy in your home starts to fray your nerves it is also an excellent place to store household items that you do not use to often, for example old children's toys and clothes. Of course it can even be used as a workshop for lots of home projects that you are thinking of carrying out. Whatever the reason for wanting a new shed you can save yourself a few thousand dollars by locating plans to build a DIY shed.

If you have recently visited your local hardware store you may have been put off by the expense of buying an already made shed. As long as you have some basic DIY experience and access to a few basic tools you should be able to build yourself a shed that is more than adequate for your requirements.

The question is where to get a good quality plan from. There are various books and journals that contain such information but for convenience sake the best place to look is on the internet.

The net is a wonderful resource when it comes to DIY Shed plans. You can find very affordable plans for almost every type of project imaginable. There are a wide variety of shed plans available, you will need to decide which best suits the idea you have in mind. It is important to consider its size, number of windows, and distance from your house.

Remember that any plan you find can be altered to better suit it to your requirements. Always think about your future needs as well as those that you currently have. In five years time will you be wishing you made a bigger shed? It often helps to provide extra space for future needs in any shed design.

Do it Yourself Appliance Paint

You didn't plan to use the bottle of Appliance Paint so soon but you had to get the new Island into the kitchen some way and it being so heavy you decided to use the dolly. Well how could you know that the axel stuck out and was in the wrong place at the wrong time and scratch! A big unsightly dig in the paint. Now you got to repair it and you're just glad that you have the paint to do it with. Most new appliances come with a bottle of touch up appliance paint. So here you go.

Most of us have had similar situations that have been cause for panic. Fortunately someone had the background to know that things like that happen and you're on the road again.

Now what if you didn't have the bottle of touch up paint? What would you do then? Well you could go to your appliance store where you got the unit and you might be able to find just the right thing. One of the other places to look is good old Amazon or Nextag.com. Both have spray or brush bottles and the prices range from below $5.00 to over $20.00.

If it's just a little scratch or chip the bottle with the brush will fit the bill just right. A bigger scrap may need to be taken care of with a spray can. Because the mark is probably on the front cover you may be able to take that part off if you can find the screws that attach it. If it has electrical connections, such as switches and gauges you may need to unplug them. If that is the case MAKE SURE YOU UNPLUG THE UNIT FROM THE WALL PLUG! A little 110 volts and a little water and a bare finger could make the next meal unnecessary. Please Safety first!

After you unplug and remove the panel you can take it in the garage and do the prep work, such as remove handles and chrome trim and start to mask off areas that you don't want painted. Then you can clean the surface and start to put a light coat of paint on. Several (3 or 4) light coats are a lot better than one heavy coat. Just make sure you let the paint dry between coats.

As soon as the last coat is dry pull the masking tape off at a right angle to the surface so it doesn't pull the paint of with it. If you let the paint set up for a day or two you may want to use a razor blade to cut the paint at the edge of the tape. Just be careful! It's sharp.

Now take your time and re-assemble the panel to the appliance and install the handles and gauges and whatever you took off. Remember, you don't get points for extra parts left in the garage.

Now stand back and look. If everything went well you won't be able to tell where the old paint stops and the new begins. Also remember, you know where all the marks were and even if you can see them just a little bit nobody else will be able to. I'll bet that you won't be able to see the difference because the new appliance paint is very good and blending.

Gelila's All Natural DIY Skincare

Gelila brings viewers into her kitchen for a look at three different methods of caring for the skin using all natural ingredients from the pantry. Become a member of www.fordmodels.tv by clicking here!

DIY Solar Power System For Your Home - Some Considerations

Are you considering building and installing a solar power system for your home? If you are, it is almost a guarantee that you will be able to find in your favorite hardware store a do-it-yourself kit that will instruct you on how to build a solar power system. However, there is more to deciding to build and install a solar power system than looking for a helpful kit or manual. Here are some considerations you should think about:

1. Payback period. A standard home solar power system costs between $10,000 and $40,000. Since this is a considerable amount for an initial investment, it would be wise to determine the payback period or the time when your solar power system starts to pay itself off. In order to do this, you need to take into consideration aspects such cost of the system itself, how much electricity it will produce, average cost of your household's current monthly electrical usage, etc. Armed with this important information, you will be able to arrive at crucial decisions pertaining to you solar power system, such as, if you're renting your home, when it is s good idea to move out.

2. Selecting the site. One of the most important concerns is determining determine where the solar panels will be laid out. To be able to do this, you must have and extensive knowledge of the climate in the area you are in living in, as well as the manner in which the sun travels across the sky during the different seasons in a year.

3. Roof concerns. Since access to a consistently adequate direct sunlight is necessary for a solar power system to deliver optimum results the best place to install solar panels is usually on the roof. Before you lay down the panels, however, find out whether or not there is enough room on your roof. Make it a point to lay the panels on the part of the roof that receives at least six hours of sunlight everyday.

4. Installation concerns. Also try to consider your capabilities since you will be installing the system yourself. For example, if the solar panels will go on your roof, will you be at ease walking on your roof for a considerable amount of time? If there is anything relating to the installation of solar power systems that you are not confident doing on your own, it would definitely be best to call in the professionals. At least you will be sure that your system is properly installed and you can have your peace of mind, as well.

5. Landscape concerns. It will also be a great idea to get out of the house and survey the surrounding landscape. For instance, trees can be a bane or boon to your efforts on building and installing a solar power system, so try to evaluate the kind of trees around your home and how they are positioned relative to your house. Strategically located trees offer benefits such as windbreak and shading.

As soon as you've considered all these things, and resolved all the issues that may have arose, there probably is no reason anymore for you not to go ahead and install a solar power system for your home. Soon, you will be enjoying the benefits of an vital structure that you created with your own hand.

diy fender rolling

a how to guide to diy fender rolling to clear larger or wider wheels and tires

DIY Vacuum molding machine

A really easy to build vacuum forming machine. Used a regular bagless cyclone vacuum cleaner, and your oven.

How to Make a Do It Yourself (DIY) Outdoor Kitchen

Making an outdoor kitchen all by you can be fun. Though it can be time consuming and requires some physical effort it’s a great way to jump start your creativity and have a good time with your family. The most important tip while building an outdoor kitchen all by yourself is : Take it slowly. You don’t want to exhaust yourself.

A typical outdoor kitchen DIY project usually takes about 50 hours of time. This is when you all the plans and materials in place. Add a few hours extra for going to the market and ordering all items. The construction can be done either on weekends or you can take it in one go.

Such a project would cost you around less than $3000 and would include a grill, sinks fixtures, cabinets, framing (made from wood /concrete /backer board) and tiling.

Though you will find information on how to build outdoor kitchens on the internet, try looking for a book which gives practical advice on how to begin and avoid the pitfalls. This way you would save a lot of time and material wastage. Sunset barbecues and outdoor kitchens is a very popular book which you could consider.

A typical outdoor kitchen (with concrete sub structures)would require the following materials to get you started.

1. Sink with faucet and tap

2. Outdoor cabinet doors

3. Gas pipe, shutoff valve, and connections

4. Plumbing supplies: drain lines, supply lines, stop valves

5. Electrical supplies: cable or conduit with wire, boxes, GFCI receptacles

6. Concrete block

7. Mortar mix

8. Pressure-treated 2 × 4s

9. 4 × 4s

10. Nails and screws for building framing and attaching boards to the house

11. concrete backer board

12. Stucco mix

13. Waterproof tile backing

14. Fortified thin set mortar

15. Tiles

16. Fortified grout

17. Grout sealer

18. Paint

So what are you waiting for? Get the concrete, Get the backer board, It’s action time!

5 Common Do-It-Yourself Mistakes and How to Avoid Them!

Would you be surprised to hear that your home improvement jobs will bring mistakes? I didn't think so, well here are a few tips to help you minimize those mistakes.

1. Don't slack on prep work - Every project has an element of prep work. New doors, painting, replacing a faucet, installing door knobs, whatever the project, neglecting to do it will undoubtedly result in lengthened project time and frustration. Having forethought will guarantee a professional-looking result. Knowing what you are in for will enable you to maintain your sanity when the going gets tough.

2. Biting off more than you can chew - You hate your bathroom and can't take it anymore? Want to take a sledge hammer to it right now? Hold on...while it might make you feel better, tackling too much at once is a common mistake with major consequences. Be realistic, you can't have a new bathroom in one day (no matter what you see on HGTV!). Assess what you really need or want done first and start there. Take things one step at a time and surrender the process. Ask yourself if you need a friend to help, need a pro for the trickier things or if you actually have the time? Don't set yourself up for failure by not allocating enough time and resources.

3. Improvisation - This can be useful in many situations and it shows you have creativity but there is a difference between improvisation and carelessness. If you find yourself in a potentially dangerous situation, always err on the side of caution. It might take longer to finish the task but better to do it correctly the first time then doing it again later.

4. Refusing to ask for help - Okay this might be more for the men out there but don't be fooled into thinking you have to complete a job by yourself. While certain projects only require one person, working with someone else is more fun and sometimes educating! It's less embarrassing to ask a friend to help than to have to call a professional later to fix your mishap.

5. Letting bad attitudes take root - Knowing what lies ahead and being prepared is 95% of the battle and if you have followed the first four steps, you are ready to go. Hit a road block? Take a break, sleep on it, or call a friend. Don't let your dissatisfaction ruin all of your planning or your negativity stop you from completing your project.

Home improvements can either be the most frustrating or the most exhilarating. Plan ahead and make your project the envy of the neighborhood or if you haven't been happy with your past improvements, rethink your old ways or habits. Being prepared, informed and holding fast to a sunny disposition are crucial to getting that job done right the first time!

Do-It-Yourself Cleaning Tips For Marble Floors And Vanity Units

Marble flooring and tiling is seen as an effective way of adding an elegant and wonderful design element to your home. For those who are thinking of replacing then existing floors for example, then marble floor tiles would be an option worth considering.

These natural stone materials are truly stylish, easy to maintain and clean, and come in a wide array of designs and color patterns. For instance, these tiles can either be rough or smooth, or will have a pattern on them which may include hand-painted designs and patterns. The more complex the designs and patterns would be, the pricier and more expensive will they get.

The patterns you choose will depend upon the room that you are placing them in. if you are intent on installing these types of tiles on the floor, or in the kitchen or bathroom walls or furnishings, then you will probably select a pattern such as leaves or perhaps simple, plain tiles. In your living or activity room, a nice swirl pattern on the tiles could do just fine.

Restoring Marble Vanities By Yourself

While there are professionals to call whenever you need to do some cleaning for your marble flooring or vanity, sometimes you still ask yourself, is it possible to restore marble and various stone vanity units by yourself?

The answer is yes, and it could be done to some extent; however if the surface is etched or dulled by using some bathroom and washroom cleaning products, you may need to call in the cleaning e professionals to hone the top and polish it back to its previous glorious shine, because a new factory -finished marble top is shined or glossed up by around seven to 11 grades of diamonds on a machine, and attaining the same finish would almost be impossible if you're simply using hand tools.

However, what the professional does to your marble top would be more than acceptable in any case. To reinstate the vanity unit's tiptop condition, or other piece of stone furniture, it would be worthy buying stone soap to clean, maintain and impregnate the surface. You may do this on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, depending on the cleaning regimen you would like to implement.

Maintaining Marble Floor Tiles The Simple Way

In making sure your marble flooring will stay in good shape, and retain its shiny glow for years, you simple need to follow the following cleaning guidelines. First, ensure that you keep your surfaces as dust free as possible, by dust mopping it regularly with soft, clean, lint free mop. You should also clean them carefully with water and a mild neutral-ph cleanser, which was especially manufactures for use in stone surfaces.

You need to remember that acidity/alkalinity or even abrasives present in standard cleansers may cause dulling, etching or scratching. You could also utilize a separate mop or cloth, specifically reserved for stone, and remember to change mop water frequently. Lastly, you need to quickly tend to spills, and not let them leave there to dry and smudge your surface, and it would also be good t use mats at entrances to trap dirt, sand, gravel, and other grime.

As discussed above, there are different methods in cleaning marble floors and tops, however there are methods that are applicable to those types of surfaces. As obviously you will not be doing a major restoration program, but will only be implementing a simple cleaning guideline. If your floors require more than this we really need to see them to give you an idea of what they need to bring them back to life.

How to Hack a NES controller

We got the USB controller + wire at: tinyurl.com Premade one for noobs at: tinyurl.com Today we'll show you how to convert your old Nintendo controller into a retro gaming icon on your computer desk! You will need a few parts for this: NES Controller USB controller chip and cable Soldering iron Phillips Screwdriver Have fun! These controllers are a blast to play with.

DIY Projects Are Not Guaranteed to Save You Money

Do it yourself projects are always expected to save you money, although this is not always the case. However, not every one considers whether such action will increase the value of the home at the same time. If your do it yourself skills are not up to a reasonable standard, you could end up reducing your home's value. We'll take a look at some projects that are virtually guaranteed to increase the value of your home, and build your self esteem too!

We have all probably heard those tales of do it yourself repair men or women who try to save themselves some money by doing the job themselves, only to have to call in the experts when things go horribly wrong. Of course this ends up costing a lot more, as the job is now a much bigger task. Not only does this result in more expense, but a lot of wasted time too. If you are not a handy man or woman, take a little advice, and leave the repairs to the experts. It will save you a lot of time and worries, and you can be confident that the job is done properly - provided you chose the serviceman carefully!

Now, it isn't just a case of doing a decent looking job, you need to make sure that all repair jobs are solid and do not reduce the value of your home. For example, if you decide to replace all the windows in your home, and to do the job yourself, then the work that you do will have no guarantee. If you then sell your home, the new owners have no one to help them should there be a problem with the installation after a year or two. However, if you go with a professional company, then their work will be covered by maybe a ten year warranty, so that if there is a problem within that time period, they will complete repairs as necessary without charge. This guarantee is very worthwhile for a new owner, and gives them a great deal of assurance, rather than being told that the windows are all new, but there is no guarantee on that work!

Now obviously there are plenty of jobs that diy experts can tackle themselves that should not reduce the home's value, but it is something to keep in mind in the future. DIY jobs like installing shelving units or cabinets in the garage should work out well, and provided the doors close as they should, then it should present a tidier garage, and perhaps add a little bit to the home's value.

There is one project that is getting a lot of attention in England right now, and that is the installation of diy conservatories. In years gone by, conservatories were glass buildings used to grow exotic plants and flowers, but over the years, their use has changed, and many family homes have now added these to their existing home. This addition has then added value to their home, because it has given the home an extra room, and we all know how important extra rooms or spaces are.

The neat thing about these do it yourself conservatories is that they are pre-built in the factory, to specific sizes, and with the building materials that you choose. They are then shipped to your home, and you can put the conservatory together yourself, or get a local builder to do this for you. This is at a much reduced price that would be charged if you had the builder start from scratch and build an addition to your home, and the results are quite amazing.

This is one project that does almost certainly increase the value of the home, by providing an extra room. Obviously, there needs to be a check into whether you need a building permit where you live - these are not required in the UK at the moment, but there are various restrictions on the dimensions and so on! - before you order your pre-built conservatory. The design of the room is up to you, but the manufacturing companies give you a lot of choice, so that you can blend the additional room into the style of the existing home. You can choose the type of window frames and windows you want, single glazed, double glazed, a tiled roof or a glass one, the options are many and varied.

Once you have chosen your diy conservatory, then you an arrange for delivery, and with your local builder, unless you are skilled at building and are going to put the pieces together yourself. In this case, you need to make sure that you are capable of doing this, and that the instructions are detailed about how you even start this.

Obviously, choosing a reputable company is important before you commit to purchasing your diy conservatory, and check that they have a service department too, just in case you need some questions answered in a hurry. But you should be able to increase the value of your home nicely by adding a diy conservatory to your existing home, without having to spend a fortune on building it or having it built for you. Once it is completed, you will enjoy having that extra space available, because we always need more space, right?

A DIY bathroom shuffle on the other hand may not add more value to your home, and if you are doing things like moving water pipes around, there is a lot of risk that something could go wrong. Unless you are a very competent plumber, then you should leave this to the experts, but even though you might love the idea of moving the wash basin and perhaps the shower, do be aware that this is unlikely to add to the value of the home. As long as all necessary parts of the bathroom are present, then moving them around probably will not add to the value of your home. Your bathroom might work more efficiently, but to someone interested in buying your house, it is how it is now that is important, not how much you spent to get it that way that is important.

You can add a little value to your home by improving your garage, so that it is more appealing and not just a catch-all for everything! There are some great floor coverings now that will improve the look of your garage, and make it feel a little warmer on the feet. Some of the coverings have channels to collect vehicle fluids so that you don't slip on them, and by covering the concrete base, the garage will seem that much warmer. Putting shelves or cabinets can present a much more organized space, and a much nicer garage to look at than one that is cluttered with all sorts of different things lying around. But do be aware that these upgrades to your garage may not add greatly to the value of your home, not like a DIY conservatory would.

So, before you plan your next do it yourself project, decide whether it really is something that you can tackle yourself to save a little money, and whether it is something that will add value to your home, or perhaps it is just for your enjoyment.

Do it Yourself Log Home Maintenance

For many, staying in a complete wooden home is like a dream come true - it's stylish as well as elegant. Log homes are also kept by few people as a long term investment. Therefore, as a homeowner, it becomes important that a routine maintenance is followed so as to keep the place sparking and clear of insects for many years to come. If you see maintenance as a responsibility easier said than done, you are invited to go through this article which is written to make the whole process of maintenance an easier one. Here we compile a list of steps that you can take to make sure that the health of your home remains in high quality.

· Take a walk around the perimeter of the log home whenever you get time to check for any visible change in the logs. Look out for differences or bubbles or any fading/discolouring in the wood (can happen due to extreme weather). Also see if there is any big gap developing in the outer walls that need to be filled with caulking material.

· As with any regular house, protection is required from the environmental elements like sun, wind and rain. Logs that get exposed to these elements are vulnerable. If the design of your log home is such that it exposes a large part of your home to sun, consider adding roof overhangs to protect them. You can also extend the porch portion for this.

· Check for any sign of dampness around the walls and floor. Of all the natural danger to wood, moisture can be the most destructive. Humidity, in combination with sunlight can accelerate wood decay, thus causing cracks to form on the surface. Also any leaky gutters or drainage problem around the area should be checked for. In case the rot in wood is seen, use a wood restoration product to correct the problem immediately.

· Once in a year take out time to carefully examine your log home for any evidence of chinking deterioration, termites, fungi, mold, mildew or any other maintenance concerns that you may have or should have. Get the problems treated as fast as you can with chemicals or natural products.

· Trees and shrubs around the house should be trimmed regularly. They have the ability to hold water and can create moisture retention problems.

· To keep logs adequately protected around the year, opt for a water and weather resistant coating on them. It acts as a barrier and will shield wood against the harmful outdoor elements and organisms that cause decay.

If you look after your log home with this kind of maintenance schedule, it would become very easy and cost effective for you to protect it. Also remember that sometimes homeowners get carried away by the looks of the walls around, thinking that if logs appear solid, they are strong from inside as well. Don't forget that logs are just large blocks of wood, and wood is always susceptible to decay if it remains exposed to the elements without protection.

Never Surrender- Skillet (lyrics) - Awake

Another song off of Skillets new album "Awake." I do not own this song. Copyright: Skillet and Lava/INO Records Lyrics- V1 Do you know what its like when Youre scared to see yourself Do you know what its like when You wish you were someone else Who didnt need your help to get by Do you know what its like To wanna surrender Chorus I dont wanna feel like this tomorrow I dont wanna live like this today Make me feel better I wanna feel better Stay with me here And never surrender V2 Do you now what its like when Youre not who you wanna be Do you know what its like to Be your own worst enemy Who sees the things in me I cant hide Do you know what its like to wanna surrender Bridge Make me feel better You make me feel better You make me feel better Put me back together

The 3.3 PvE Demonology Warlock Guide

This is my guide to how to play as an endgame Demonology warlock using the metamorphosis spec. This spec is not the top DPS warlock spec but it gives 10% of your spell power as a buff to the raid. This will be greater than 400 SP for a toc25 geared warlock. Enjoy, thank you to my subscribers :) Talent Spec: www.wowhead.com The macro below is mentioned in the video. It pops demonic empowerment and any use trinkets you have. Replace 'Shadow Bolt' with any spell you want to cast. You can also choose whether or not you want the metamorphosis transformation in it as well. The rest of the macro removes error messages and sounds. #showtooltip Shadow Bolt /console sound_enablesfx 0 /petattack /use 13 /use 14 /cast [pet:Felguard] [pet:imp] Demonic Empowerment /cast Metamorphosis /script uierrorsframe:Clear() /console sound_enablesfx 1 /cast Shadow Bolt

best break dance ever.........

this guy really needs to go to hospital...how can he bend like that........

Your Commitment to Just Do It - Tips From a Life Coach

Life coaches love to use Nike's slogan: Just Do It. But is it Just That Easy?

You have decided you want to live a healthier lifestyle and make positive advances in your health so you can fully enjoy life. You joined the gym; you've gone a few times, so you are familiar with all the facilities, equipment and the classes. Yet everyday you look at that gym bag beside your desk and ask yourself, "Do I really want to go to the gym today?"

Where is your (ok, I do this too...my) commitment?

It does not yet exist. If I had made a real commitment to living healthier I would not question if I wanted to exercise today or not...and either would you. We would follow up on our commitments, because we are people of integrity. We keep our word to others AND OURSELVES.

We would block the time on our calendar and just as we leave for any other meeting we would leave prepared for this meeting with our healthy future. Oh Wait! "our healthy future". Is this a part of it...it is in the future so we can do it later? Let me try again.

We would block the time on our calendar and just as we leave for any other meeting we would leave prepared for this meeting which will allow us to play while rejuvenating us physically, mentally and emotionally. We will take extremely good care of ourselves which allows us to take extremely good care of our business and others.

Commitment! You can not create the life you most desire without commitment. I can not create the life I most desire without commitment. It is time to commit and start living TODAY the life you and I most desire for us.

Now I am ready and committed to "Just Do It"...are you?

Pestilencia - "Sonar Despierto" Pestilencia Music

Like this video? Come see thousands more at the Net's biggest, uncensored, completely diy punk, hardcore, indie and alternative music video site, blanktv.com! We've got News, Games, Contests and the stuff that we can't show on youtube! Free! Uncensored! Retarded! blanktv.com! Director:

Installing Wall Mounted Water Fountains - Is This A DIY Project?

Once you have found the perfect wall mounted water fountain to match your home's décor, there is one question you will need to ask yourself. Can I install the wall fountain myself or do I need to hire a professional? The answer to this question really depends upon three major factors: your fountain's weight, size and placement.

Fountain Weight

Some of the wall hanging fountains are very heavy simply because they are made of materials such as slate, stone, marble or glass; therefore, even if you are able to install the fountain yourself, you may need some assistance in hanging it. If you purchase you water fountain online, be sure to check the manufacturer's specifications so that you are prepared in advance of your fountains arrival. In most cases, indoor wall fountains are made to be homeowner friendly so that they can be installed easily by most do-it-yourselfers. Detailed instructions and/or an installation DVDs can go a long way to making you more comfortable with self-installation. Once your water fountain arrives, be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions thoroughly before you decide on self-installation. After you have thoroughly read over the installation details provided by the manufacturer, you should be able to make a well-informed decision as to whether or not you feel comfortable hanging the wall mounted fountain yourself.

Fountain Size

If your wall fountain is really large or if you are not comfortable hanging it yourself, then you may simply hire any number of professionals to perform the installation for you. This may increase your overall price, but it may be well worth the cost to eliminate your own anxiety over installation. Your hanging water fountain may represent a large financial investment, so it is important that you have the fountain installed correctly and safely.

Fountain Placement

Placement of your fountain is also probably one of the considerations in the installation process. Whether you are buying your water fountain for your foyer, or for a large great room wall, the placement of the fountain will need to be considered. Whether you choose a horizontal hanging wall fountain, or a massive vertical wall fountain, be sure that you have performed the needed research to make sure you are buying the correct size for your needs.

DIY?

If you decide to hang your water fountain yourself, be sure that you read the directions completely before you begin the process of installation. This enables you to ensure that you have all of the tools that you need. It is almost certain that you will have to locate the studs in your wall to hang your indoor wall fountain. Finding the studs is important because they support the frame of the wall, and are ideal for use of hanging a heavy water fountain. Otherwise, the sheer weight of the fountain could potentially pull the fasteners through the sheetrock and damage the wall and also possibly the fountain as well.

You need to make sure that once you have made the significant financial investment in a wall fountain that you are properly prepared to mount the fountain so that you can benefit from its peaceful and magnificent mood enhancing benefits.

Self Help Do-It-Yourself Techniques and the Psychological Dilemma

If you ever ask a psychologist if everyone needs to have a psychological check-up they will most likely agree and say something like; "Well, it's certainly not a bad idea, everyone should get a psychological evaluation every five years at least." As folks get older it is even more important to do this, as old age sets in many folks have issues with dementia, memory lapses and other serious psychological issues.

Of course, we all know that the chances of signing up for a psychologist visit are probably not going to make it onto your to do list unless perhaps you suffer from some sort of depression or have a known psychological problem. I'll let you in on a little secret, most psychologists are psychologists because they are a little crazy in and of themselves and they decided to study psychology to figure themselves out. No kidding.

So, if you are worried about confiding in a psychologist you probably shouldn't be, even if you think you might be a little messed up in the head, because chances are you are more sane than they are. Indeed, maybe it's good psychologists are nuts, because we all know that saying; "It takes one to know one!"

There are many things you can do on your own rather than going to a psychologist, you know things like counting to ten when you are angry or waiting a day or two to talk to someone who you are pissed off at. And after you conquer those minor issues, why not buy a self help book and apply some of those techniques because many of these books were written by psychologists like the one you may be putting off seeing, even though you know it is for your own good. Think on this strategy to overcome your procrastination on your psychological check-up and evaluation.

DIY: Build Your Own Projector Part1

Build Your Own Projector Presentation, March 1, by Dan Mikesell at Pratt Institute.

Do it Yourself Roofing - Yes You Can

No one is claiming that the job of replacing a roof is simple. But for someone who is handy around the house, can tolerate heights, and has the both agility and muscles to get the stacks of shingles up to the roof and move them around, it is certainly doable. But you should stick with asphalt shingles, which are the easiest to install.

Before you run out and start looking for your shingles, however, you need to perform a roof inspection and determine if you simply need to install a second layer of new shingles over an existing old one, or if you will have to completely tear off the existing roof. What is not a good idea in do it yourself roofing is to add a third layer of shingles, because your roof's structure may not be up to handling the additional weight.

Disposing Of Your Old Roof

If your do it yourself-roofing job requires the removal of old shingles, you should arrange for a dumpster to be set up on your property before you begin. once torn off with a flat shovel or a pitchfork, those old shingles have to go somewhere, and wherever they go will end up a mess. If you don't like the idea of a dumpster, make arrangements for someone to clean up the old shingles as you go.

Putting Down Roofing Felt

The next step of your do it yourself roofing project, once the old shingles re removed, is to inspect the roof for any old roofing nails and used a nail puller or claw hammer to pull them out. Then give the roof a thorough sweeping, and you'll be ready to start putting down a layer of thirty-pound roofing felt. The roofing felt will serve as a guide when you begin to lay your shingles, because it will have printed lines to assist you in your do it yourself-roofing effort. All you have to do is make sure you line up the roofing felt accurately with the edge of the roof!

Putting Down The Shingles

Next you'll install (if there isn't one already) some metal roof edging around the entire perimeter of your roof, not only to make it look professionally finished, but to keep water from accumulating beneath the first low of shingles. In a do it yourself roofing project, that first row of shingles, unlike the rest, should be placed in an inverted position with its solid edge directly against the metal roofing strip.

You'll attach the asphalt singles with adhesive backing and Roofing nails, and once the first row is secured, simply add each succeeding row of shingles with their cut edges positioned properly. Before you know it, your do it yourself roofing project will be finished!

Michael Bublé - Haven't Met You Yet [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

Michael Bublé - "Haven't Met You Yet" official music video. Michael's new album, Crazy Love is out now! Directed by Rich Lee. www.michaelbuble.com

Solar Evacuated Tube Vacuum Tubes DIY Test in the Sun

This is part 2 of the Solar Tubes with a control bottle and sun exposure.

Building Stonehenge - This Man can Move Anything

Wally Wallington has demonstrated that he can lift a Stonehenge-sized pillar weighing 22000 lbs and moved a barn over 300 ft. What makes this so special is that he does it using only himself, gravity, and his incredible ingenuity. www.theforgottentechnology.com

How To Cure Jock Itch

Jock itch is called tinea cruris in the medical lingo. It is a type of ringworm that infects the skin's outer layers. Ringworm isn't a worm; instead, it is a form of fungi that causes rashes and patches on the skin, nails, or hair. To know more about how to cure jock itch, read the tips below:

1. Use anti-fungal creams. Most anti-fungal creams can be bought over-the-counter. As such, no prescription is required. This step is always the first thing advised as far as how to cure jock itch is concerned. However, some infections don't go away with the mere applying of such creams. Therefore, you need to consult with a doctor so they can prescribe you with a stronger and better medicine.

2. Always clean the area with soap and water. The affected part would always have dried skin in and around it. This is common with jock itches. Gently wash the dried skin out using mild anti-bacterial soap and clean water. After which, liberally apply the anti-fungal cream up and beyond the edges. This is the proper way on how to cure jock itch.

3. Pay attention to blisters. Not every jock itch case has blisters. But it may occur. Should you have it, make sure that you use the right medicine. Compresses, like Burrow's Compress, can help soothe them out. After several applications, the blisters would dry out, allowing you to conveniently apply anti-fungal creams.

Do It Yourself Wedding Favors

Do it yourself wedding favors are probably the easiest wedding craft project there is. Your favors will be special and treasured by guests because they'll be unique. Plus, doing them yourself will save you money, and in wedding budgeting there isn't anything better!

Here are five great and simple do it yourself wedding favor project ideas:

DIY Seed Packet Wedding Favors - Yes, you can buy these favors from
a variety of wedding suppliers, but it is much cheaper and will look better if you do
them yourself. Purchase a bulk quantity of seeds (many gardening stores sell
wildflower seeds by gallon buckets for under $10) and simply divide them up. You
can tie them up in squares of fabric such as tulle, organza or silk and then tie with a
personalized ribbon. Decorative favor tins, jars or boxes would also look great.




DIY Bookmark Wedding Favors - The perfect choice for a literary
couple! Print your bookmark on cardstock and use an image of the two of you, a
favorite quote, the date of the wedding or anything else that would fit your wedding
theme. Punch out a hole in the top of the bookmark with a circle hole puncher and
add a colorful ribbon tassel that coordinates with your wedding colors!




DIY Candy Wedding Favors - While the idea of a candy wedding favor
is nothing new, by doing it yourself you can choose unique types of candy and make
it more personal. No more Jordan Almonds! Why not choose red hots, lemonheads
or some other fun candy from your childhood? Purchase the candy in bulk and then
separate into fabric squares, tins or boxes.




DIY Tea Wedding Favors - Another great edible choice that won't be
left on the tables. Purchase bulk flavored herbal tea and separate out just like the
candy favors. What a relaxing wedding favor! Great for those next day hangovers
too.




DIY Magnet Wedding Favors - Everybody loves magnets and
functional favors get two thumbs up! Blank magnets can be purchased at your local
craft supplies store. They can be decorated with stones, buttons, photos of the two
of you and a dozen other things. Flat wooden bases in a variety of shapes and
designs can also be purchased and painted or decorated to match your wedding
theme.

An excellent way to personalize do it yourself favors is to create custom stamps and
decorate tags and boxes with them! Go to http://www.do-it-yourself-weddings.com/custom-stamps.html for detailed instructions on how to create
custom favor stamps.

Have fun creating your do it yourself wedding favors!

Do it Yourself Windmill - How to Get Started Right

From one DIY person to another, you can build your own windmill today. Whether you buy a do it yourself windmill kit or a DIY windmill guide, you can build your own windmill. When you take the right steps, everything falls into place.

One reason to build a windmill is to harness the free power of the Earth, so that you can reduce or eliminate those high, overpriced power bills.

The crucial step you need to do now is to figure out your energy usuage. While crucial, this step is simple. Review your last month's bills from your utility companies to see what energy you're using. Don't skip this step. Once you do this, you'll know how much power you're using and therefore must create. This will determine what size and type of windmill you need to build.

Now for a green tip. Sit back and look at all the things sucking up energy in your life. Is there any way to reduce some energy? Are there lights left on in rooms where no one is using? Another highly common thing is the power strip that's left on 24/7.

Let me ask you, how's the wind in your area? How many days of the year have wind flow (any)? Do you know the wind speeds for your area? Maybe your city/town/etc experiences daily wind flow of 3-7mph.

Of course, another big step is figuring out the windmill location. The eventual size will be capped by your location.

While you could just run out and buy windmill parts, it's wiser to think about buying a guide even if you're learning toward picking up a windmill kit. I'd be beside myself if I didn't tell you to get a how to build a windmill guide to make your life easier. Take the right measures before starting your DIY windmill project and you'll be in great shape. I hope you really enjoy building your own windmill.

Dan Ariely: Why we think it's OK to cheat and steal (sometimes)

www.ted.com Behavioral economist Dan Ariely studies the bugs in our moral code the hidden reasons we think it's OK to cheat or steal (sometimes). Clever studies help make his point that we're predictably irrational -- and can be influenced in ways we can't grasp.tedtalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Featured speakers have included Al Gore on climate change, Philippe Starck on design, Jill Bolte Taylor on observing her own stroke, Nicholas Negroponte on One Laptop per Child, Jane Goodall on chimpanzees, Bill Gates on malaria and mosquitoes and "Lost" producer JJ Abrams on the allure of mystery. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and tedtalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts. Watch the Top 10 tedtalks on TED.com, at www.ted.com

How to Measure IVR KPI

Managers will always attempt to measure every single technology and application there is in the company. It is in this light that even phone systems should be measured for effectiveness and efficiency because this also has something to do with customer satisfaction. With this, many may be baffled why IVR KPI or Interactive Voice Response Key Performance Indicators are necessary in the scorecard for every technology used in a company.

Well, simply put, IVR is the real front liners of the call center industry. Customers who call in for their concerns do not get to customer service representatives right away. They have to map out the IVR first. Many IVR systems do not address the customers' concerns right away because the way they are designed is not fit for what the customers need. What normally happens is that the customers need to overcome a maze of choices and they get irritated before even having their issues resolved. So what does one need to measure in an IVR? What are the metrics that need to be involved to ensure customer satisfaction?

First, analyze your purpose. Ask yourself why the IVR was placed or used. It is in this essence that you will find the reason for measuring IVR effectiveness. If the purpose is customer satisfaction, then you have to measure customer satisfaction. Customer satisfaction or CSAT is measured through surveys that are randomly sent. This means that a company should not send out surveys to selected customers who appear to be satisfied with the service. This may be done in an IVR system if the company has a database of their customers' email addresses. Once a customer calls in and presses his identification numbers, then the machine or computers may start rolling out the surveys.

Second, one must also measure the timeliness of response of the IVR. There are some IVR systems that are delayed in responses. When this happens, customers do not get what they want. Part of this is the accuracy of the transfer. Many IVR systems misroute calls. For example, a customer may be looking for a specialist in the account balance department but she gets transferred to the billing department.

Another issue that should be part of the metric is the ease of use. It is unfortunate that many people drop the calls even prior to selecting an option because the IVR system is deemed difficult to use. Ideally, IVR systems should only have five or six general menus. These menus may be broken down in another four or five sub-menus and so on.

Lastly, data availability should be measured. This has something to do with the resolution rate. There is no point giving the customers an option to find their balances if the account IVR systems are always down. This metric may be broken down into resolution rate and IVR system availability rate. Resolution rate is of course equivalent to the number of resolved calls divided by the number of total calls.

To measure the IVR KPI effectively, metrics should be well defined. Also, the metrics should have a financial impact, or else it is practically useless in measuring something that does not impact the financial status of the business.

Do It Yourself Or Hire A Professional?

Mix some oatmeal and honey, put it on your face and wear it as a mask for 20 minutes before rinsing off. Or perhaps you would prefer the scrub on your drugstore shelf that includes oatmeal or some kind of oatmeal derivative?

The same can be said for honey. When it comes right down to it, what is better for you? Should you simply reach for the lemons and cucumbers in your refrigerator or do you want to use a moisturizer that has lemon and cucumber extracts?

The age old question of whether you should do it yourself when it comes to skin care, or if you should simply go out and buy products that offer you organic ingredients has been in debate for some time. After all, why would it matter if a product uses something you already have in your kitchen?

While each side is going to fight for why their decision is the best, it is important to remember one thing; the company making the product has experienced scientists working for them. These specialists understand better than we do what is contained in organic items such as green tea or beeswax. They are better able to isolate the components in organic plants and such in order to make the most out of them or find ways of making them more potent.

Just recently the claim has been made that shiitake mushrooms have many benefits for your skin, but would you have ever thought to go out and make a pulp out of shiitake mushrooms and plaster it all over your face? Do you even think that would work?

The point is that companies have people who know how to get the best benefits from organic materials. They have methods of obtaining extracts from things that might not help us otherwise. Sure, you could cut open a cucumber and pop a few slices on your eyes to get the fresh feeling they provide, but a scientist working with a cucumber can find the correct liquid that will help even out your skin tone.

Once they find the specific benefits that materials have to offer, they can combine them with other ingredients in order to enhance them or simply give you more advantages within a single bottle. A moisturizer may contain shea butter, cucumber extract, sweet almond oil, and grape seed extract all at once in order for you to reap the benefits of moister skin, antioxidants, moisture retention, and even skin tone. You would have to do a great deal of work to get the same ingredients, and it is doubtful you could find everyday average plants and materials to get the same results that single moisturizer could bring you.

There are times when there are exceptions to this concept. For example, jojoba oil on its own can be extremely effective as there are no important things to be extracted from it, and rather it is better off in its entirety. Companies that use jojoba oil usually use the oil as it is and simply add it as an ingredient to enhance their products, so you could get away with using straight jojoba oil if you did not want to bother with any extra manufactured ingredients. However, overall you would be better off finding good organic products to use.

You can always use both home remedies as well as manufactured products, especially if you have found a routine that works very well for you and your skin. There is no reason for you to choose one side; your focus should be on your skin and the best way you can keep your skin healthy, whether you do it yourself or get a little professional help from the shelf.

Do-It-Yourself Background Checks

Background checks are an important aspect if you will be engaging with a serious professional relationship with someone. When you first meet the person, it's just typical that he will put his best foot forward. There's no telling if that person is actually okay to work with. You might get overwhelmed with a person's resume with all of the credentials placed there, but that's not enough to get you through. Nowadays, considering background checks have become easier because you can already get it for free.

Gone are the days when you have to go through the grueling task of obtaining these important records. Background checks can be done by virtually anybody because of the internet. Even the government and legal jurisdictions have recognized how displaying public records online are very beneficial.

Keep in mind that criminal records and legal proceedings are considered as public property. This is important because it helps keep such cases and crimes from happening again. Aside from background checks, these public records are also being displayed in detail for other legal and referential purposes.

Aside from these methods, you can also conduct background checks through the old way. You are always going to be welcomed in court houses within the jurisdiction of the person's address. You will be given access to their records section so you can do your own research. However, this method needs a sufficient amount of time because you'll go through the search process by yourself. The positive side to this is that you can gain more leads than necessary since you'll be visiting the person's very address.

DIY Plumbing Repair - Down the Drain

One common plumbing problem that often occurs at the most inconvenient of times is a clogged drain. Many home owners are tempted to reach for a bottle of their favorite drain cleaner - they are easy to use, supposed to be quick, and you don't have to get your hands dirty. The problem with quick fixes - as with many things in life - is that the quick fix may not be the best.

Most drain cleaners these days will not damage your plumbing when properly used. The key is to make sure that you use them properly. If your home has a septic system, make sure that any cleaner specifies it is safe for use in septic systems. Different types of drain clog removers may target different types of problems and have different instructions, make sure you follow them to get the maximum effectiveness.

Sometimes a liquid cleaner will not be enough to take care of the problem. A number of years ago we received a lesson in what not to put down your food disposal - cantaloupe rinds. The disposal had no problem grinding them up, but a few feet down the drain they re-assembled into am impassable clog.

The first attempt was the faithful old plunger. A plunger works on the concept of hydraulic pressure (simply put, you cannot compress a liquid) to move the blockage. The problem with this approach in a kitchen or bathroom sink is that the drain may not be the only outlet - there are often multiple drains and/or overflow connections which make a plunger useless in these cases

The next step was to try and remove the sink trap. Once you get to this phase, you need to make sure you have a bucket and a few towels handy. If you had previously attempted to clear the clog using a chemical drain cleaner you need to be careful here as there may still be residue in the sink, pipes, or trap. Before removing the trap, make sure to drain as much of the sink water as you can.

Place the bucket under the trap and loosen the connection to the portion of the pipe leading down from the sink to the trap. By opening the down facing segment of the pipe first you should be able to confine the draining water to the bucket - if you remove the horizontal portion first you are likely to make quite a mess as the water drains in that direction. If the remainder of the water drains from the sink, you know your clog if further down the line. If the water does not drain, then you need to check the segment between the trap and the sink for obstruction. Usually a screwdriver or length of bent clothes hanger is sufficient to check and clear any blockages found.

Next check to see if there are any obstructions in the removed trap. Either take it to another sink and see if water flows through it unobstructed or use a length of clothes hanger to probe for (and remove) any blockage. If you found something blocking the trap, you should be all set. Re-install the trap and run the water. If you found no obstruction, it is time to search further.

So the sink and the trap are clear, what next?

This is where you may need tools that you might not have handy but it is definitely a job for the correct tool. Don't try to explore the pipe with anything that might potentially be dropped, break, or otherwise become lodged in your plumbing - the idea is to correct the problem, not cause bigger problems. The correct tool for the job at this time is usually a plumbers auger (also called a snake). This is a long, flexible, spring like contraption that is "snaked" down into the pipe. You can purchase a small, basic plumbers snake at any home superstore or plumbing supply store and they are fairly inexpensive (another example of a tool that pays for itself the first time you can use it instead of calling a plumber).

Push the auger into the pipe until you encounter a blockage. If you are using a manual auger, you may need to twist it (they usually have set screw and handle to help) to get around turns in the pipe. Once it reaches the clog, you twist it to "auger into" the blocking substance. If you have a fibrous clog, you will pull the auger back along with a portion of the clog - repeating as many times as necessary to remove it. For softer clogs (like grease) you may just force the auger through the clog and rely on water pressure later to help continue to remove the loosened clog.

If you are unsure that you have cleared the clog completely and you want to check before you re-assemble everything use a hose to run some water down the pipe. Run the water SLOWLY - you don't want to find out the hard way that the clog is still there. Keep your bucket underneath the pipe while testing. If it is cleared, re-assemble your sink/trap and run your water for a while - make sure that your drain is working normally - if it is slow, you may still have a partial blockage.

One other potential solution is the "as seen on tv" water blaster variety of drain cleaners. These gadgets are usually very inexpensive and typically consist of a small rubber nozzle with a hose fitting on one end. The concept is simple, you stick the nozzle into the drain, hook it up to a hose, and turn on the water. The water pressure first makes the nozzle swell to fill the drain or pipe opening and seal/hold it in place. Then the nozzle forces water into the pipe hopefully clearing the block by building up pressure behind it. If you listen, you will hear the clog clear and water flow rapidly down the pipes.

A couple problems to be aware of with these systems: If you have PVC drain fittings (as many sinks do), you better make sure you connections are good - if there are any minor leaks or loose fittings you are likely to end up with a sprinkler system under your sink. From personal experience there is one other problem you may run into. When you turn off the hose, the pressure that previously swelled the nozzle to hold it in place is gone - however there is still water and pressure in both the line and the nozzle. The results similar to shaking up a soda bottle and removing the cap - it makes a great funny story to tell you friends in hindsight, but it's not quite so funny when you are mopping up the kitchen.

Finally, if none of the above have worked, it is time to call in the professionals. As I have noted in previous articles, a good contractor is worth every penny they charge you. Most will not only help you out with your problem but will also suggest how you can prevent it in the future and if necessary point out problems that need to be addressed.

Head Tracking for Desktop VR Displays using the WiiRemote

Using the infrared camera in the Wii remote and a head mounted sensor bar (two IR leds), you can accurately track the location of your head and render view dependent images on the screen. This effectively transforms your display into a portal to a virtual environment. The display properly reacts to head and body movement as if it were a real window creating a realistic illusion of depth and space. By Johnny Chung Lee, Carnegie Mellon University. For more information and software visit johnnylee.net

Concrete Projects – Do It Yourself

Mixing, pouring and finishing concrete can be a challenge, but it can be done without hiring a professional concrete contractor. However, there are three points to consider before creating a concrete mix. You have to decide how you are going to mix your concrete, by hand or machine. You also have to prepare or "form up" your site, and then, you also need to know how to pour the liquid concrete into the forms.

The summary of how to plan a concrete project is outlined below:

Decide how you will mix your concrete

Mixing concrete is not the hardest job in the world, but it does require some dedication. You will need to decide if it is worth it for you to save about 10-20% over hiring a professional. Some advantages of doing it yourself are the satisfaction of creating something on your own. Also, you can create your own outdoor concrete sidewalk art if you want to. The best part of mixing concrete can be molding and shaping the concrete from its powder form, into a usable form. Also, mixing concrete can remind you of times when you were a child, and you played in wet sand or mud.

The right mix

If you really are up to mixing your own concrete, you are going to need to know how to make it. It consists of 1 part Portland cement, sand, and crushed stone, to 24 parts water. The combination of which should be completely combined to create a "peanut butter" texture.

Prepare the site

If you live in a frost-prone area you will find this information most useful. Start preparing your site by replacing the soil directly under the area with a compacted layer of crushed stone. This improves drainage, and eliminates the frost heaving hazard. You should go about 6 to 12 inches under the work. This does not replace all the soil under the frost line, but it will remove the most active soil. The reason you have to do this is because soil freezes. Frozen soil causes concrete flaking. Therefore it is wise to following these instructions if you live in a frost inducing area. Then, use a gas powered compactor to compact the stone. This will help prevent any settling which causes cracking. Next you will have to build concrete forms. Two by six (2x6) concrete forms are ideal for most patio and sidewalk applications. Please look up concrete forming at your local library for further instruction on how to build a concrete form.

Pour the concrete

Once your concrete form is built, you will then be able to pour your mixed concrete into it. Work the concrete into the corners with a garden rake. Then, halfway up the sides of the form. Then, lay some mesh down. After the steel mesh is laid, lay more concrete over it. For further mixing and pouring instructions, please search your local library or the Internet for complete concrete planning.

This is not a complete list of what to think about before beginning a concrete project. However, this article will help you decide how to plan for your concrete project. There is a lot involved in this, and you have to know what you are doing. Another option to preparing concrete slabs is to either buy ready mix concrete and pour it yourself or to buy precast slabs. Also, you can hire cement drivers, and have someone build the form for you.

However, if you enjoy playing with mud-like substances this concrete job is definitely for you. Even if you only save 10-20% of what it would cost to buy ready mix concrete, at least you are saving money. It can cost thousands of dollars to hire contractors to do this for you. 10-20% saved would be at least a few hundred dollars. This is more money that can be used elsewhere on your home improvement project. Not only that, but doing it yourself is more fun!

Light Switch Wiring

Light switch wiring can be a do-it-yourself project with this instruction from AsktheBuilder.com host Tim Carter. You'll have no trouble wiring a light switch with his simple tips, and doing light switch wiring yourself will save you lots of money.

Fiberglass Canoe Repair - A Do-It-Yourself Step

Several of the canoe enthusiasts can't live a weekend with the absence of the activity. As much as possible they will be spending a month with fun-filled canoeing adventures with family or friends. Such an addictive adventure, right? There is no point of wondering about why several people are really turned on by canoeing. But then of course, canoeing in rough waters may leave your boats damaged.

Scratches, dents, and cracks may become unavoidable for that matter. It is in fact part of the canoe maintenance-that of checking the boat for possible damages. And whenever the simplest damages are spotted, an automatic action is called for. You should never use a canoe if it is not properly conditioned.

But then how would you further enjoy the activity if all that is left to you is a defective canoe? No need to worry about these things because there are several tips on how to easily do canoe repair by yourself! In the absence of someone who is skilled in canoe repair, you can rely on your own skills provided that you are properly guided with what to do. Bear in mind that your safety should come first when canoeing. When focused on, the canoe repair by yourself may not even exceed a week!

The fiberglass canoe is the easiest to handle when it comes to the repair needs. The hulls of the fiberglass canoe are made up of numerous layers of the hand-woven glass fiber cloth that has been stuck together by the use of epoxy resin or polyester. The color of which is owed from the gelcoat although both the interior and exterior parts can also be painted with an enamel.

The paint of the canoe can be maintained by an automotive paste wax that can be applied yearly. As the fiberglass canoe is exposed to sunlight, the paint of which also starts to fade. In due time, the repaired part may also tend to become invisible.

If there are cavernous scratches on the hull, they must be filled in with resin. When there are severe damages done to the hull, they also weaken the fibers making it up. What is best to do is to cut out the whole area which is affected and then replace it with a new resin and glass fiber. These are obviously widely available and sold in kits.

When what you have there are holes that do not exceed 2 inches of the diameter, they can be mended with the use of auto patch kits. Do cut away the damaged area and make sure to apply a patch which is larger than the hole itself inside of the hull. When the patch done inside the hull has healed, start working on the exterior part. Allow each of your applied cures to dry up before adding another layer.

In order to smoothen the already hard patches applied, the number 80 sandpaper must be used. After you have worked on the surface with the sandpaper, you may now add the auto filler and then the gelcoat or enamel comes next.

One good tip for lessening the risks of the makeup of the holes in your fiberglass canoes is to be sure that you clean the exterior of the hull after use. There must be no saltwater left in it before it is kept in its storage place. Always cover it too.