Home Kitchen

Outdoor Bulletin Board Building – Ten Simple Features to Include on Your Display

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When building outdoor bulletin boards for your school, church, community, or homeowners association, these ten simple features will make your message center more useful, project a professional image, and most importantly, provide easy, long-lasting maintenance. .

Larry Kontny, Secretary of the Magnolia Terrace Homeowners Association in Mont Verde, Florida, made the mistake of buying shoddy bulletin boards last year.

“The back of the first bulletin board we bought rotted,” Kontny said, “and water got in, and of course the water and moisture ruined all the letters.”

Water and humidity are a major concern for people living in this 130-lot community about 20 miles west of Orlando.

“Anyone who has lived in Florida knows about heavy thunderstorms during the rainy season. This new one that I just installed is much better built and the frame is much stronger than the old one we bought.”

1. Use an anodized aluminum frame that has a silicone sealant and moisture barrier backing.

“The first board we bought had a particle board backing that soaked up water like a strainer,” Kotney said. “The card board warped and got spongy.”

2. Shatter resistant door windows prevent injury and liability. Vandalism or stones kicked from a passing truck can break a cheap window.

Do not use glass, safety glass, or acrylic for the door window. Use a polycarbonate brand such as Lexan or Makrolon SL.

3. Make sure door windows and post surfaces have an UV inhibitor that reduces the destructive effects of sunlight. Some auto parts stores sell clear UV glass tinting films that can be applied to windows.

“The sun’s rays made the closed cabinet heat up like an oven. The south-facing dash faded in months and some of the letters melted and became brittle,” Kotney said. “We’re going to have to replace that one too.”

4. Louvered vent caps should be installed on the sides of the cabinet to dissipate any heat build-up or ambient moisture. Vent covers must be protected to prevent insects such as spiders or wasps from entering the bulletin board cabinet and nesting.

A ventilation grill also prevents condensation from fogging up the door window by preventing a temperature differential.

5. Locking doors ensure access to the posting surface so that publications are official.

“One morning I went out and discovered that some children had rearranged the letters to spell a profane message.” said Thomas Keane, former president of the Limestone Acres homeowners association in Wilmington, Delaware. “The neighborhood association was not amused.”

6. The door frame must have full length piano hinges to support the weight of the door when it is opened. Using just a couple of small hinges will quickly wear out and fatigue the aluminum case frame.

7. The door frame must have a rubber seal to prevent vertical rain from seeping through the gap.

A tight door frame is important especially for residents in coastal areas that experience strong vertical winds.

8. Cabinet should be at least 3-1 / 4 “deep. This leaves room for adding additional letter panels, chalk boards, dry erase boards or bulletin boards.

These additional types of panels make your community message center very versatile and allow for creativity for the holidays or different occasions.

9. A name heading may be included in the display case or on the front of the sign. A name header provides identity and recognition for outdoor bulletin boards.

10. Make sure the cabinet has a one-year manufacturer’s warranty. Any problems due to improper materials or assembly will occur within the first year of exposure to the elements.

Kontny says he appreciates his new bulletin board which was provided by a reputable manufacturer free of charge. “I like it, they didn’t have to,” Kontny says of his new bulletin board. “In fact, we’ll soon replace another one, which has been destroyed by the sun’s rays, and I’ll get another one just like it because it’s easy to maintain.”

Auto

Mercedes-Benz, a touch of class

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90 years ago, Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler founded the brand “Mercedes-Benz” in Stuttgart, Germany. After the First World War, the economy was so affected that the idea of ​​merging and building a society was seen as something that overcomes climatic obstacles. DMG and Benz & Cie., The two largest automobile manufacturers in the world, merged successfully in May 1924 and, in 1926, “Mercedes-Benz” was born.

The Mercedes three-star logo represents the company’s dominance over land, sea and air. According to the company, it represents the automaker’s push toward universal motorsports with its engines dominating land, sea and air. The emblem is a symbol of world domination.

Cars that made history

The engines in Mercedes cars are of the highest quality. These high-quality engines evolved with the evolution of different cars in each era from their first production. The Model K was the first automobile produced after the merger of the two companies.

It was incredibly successful and the production of Mercedes-Benz cars increased to 7,000 in 1927. Then came the S series with a variety of cars until 1929. In the 1930s, the largest and most prestigious car ‘Mercedes-Benz W15 made its debut. ‘. which helped them to become one of the leading brands in the automotive industry.

The 260 D was the world’s first diesel-powered passenger car. In the 1940s, the company halted vehicle production due to World War II and then resumed operations in 1946 with the 170 V. During the 1950s, they topped the sales charts in Germany by introducing some of their most attractive cars. , like the 190 and 300 SL.

The 1960s was the decade of muscle cars. In 1967, they introduced the Mercedes AMG as a separate high-performance division of the Mercedes-Benz. The first car introduced by the division was the famous 300SEL 6.3 V8 Saloon, which was given the name “Red Sow”.

During the 70s, they produced some successful cars like the SL and SLC 107 series of cars, the G-Class and S-Class series, which are still in production. In the 1980s, it became the first car manufacturing brand to worry about environmental pollution. They introduced the three-way closed-loop catalytic converter to reduce the overall pollution of the car.

In 1987, Mercedes-Benz introduced the 100 D 631 series and a year later the W201 Series 2 made its debut, which was a compact executive car with a sports sedan body style. In the 1990s, the company introduced the G-Class Wagons and SUVs and numerous new models such as the E-Class, C-Class and S-Class series.

The 2000s ushered in a new era in mechanical top loading technology. The many innovative designs and engineering concepts, such as the BlueTec system, were launched in 2005 and had the ability to reduce CO2 emissions.

Today, Mercedes-Benz, together with its high-performance division AMG, is one of the best and most popular automakers that make luxury cars, trucks, coaches and buses. In addition, the company offers financial services and auto repair.

Quality and Innovation

Since their first production, they have been successful in building quality cars and discovering innovative ways to implement technology that turned out to be the way forward for future-generation cars. Some notable works introduced by them are as follows:

  • Developed the first road car with four-wheel brakes.
  • In 1936, the Mercedes-Benz 260D was the first diesel-operated passenger car.
  • They were the first to offer direct fuel injection in the Mercedes-Benz 300SL.
  • In 1951 they were the first to develop the “safety cage”.
  • Airbags were first introduced to the European market by them in 1981 with the S-Class model.
  • Mercedes-Benz was the first to introduce seat belt claims in the 1981 S-Class.
  • In September 2003, they introduced the world’s first seven-speed automatic transmission.
  • They are the first to develop, test and implement ESP, brake assist and other types of safety equipment in passenger cars.
  • In the 1980s, they developed the world’s first robot car together with Professor Dickmanns’ team.

Mercedes-Benz Arena in sports

Mercedes-Benz is a sports enthusiast brand. In football, Mercedes-Benz sponsors the German national football team. Mercedes-Benz sponsors the Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart and provides the naming rights to its stadium, the Mercedes-Benz Arena. They’ve been racing for a long time. In the 1930s they participated in Grand Prix Motor races. For the past few years, they have dominated the F1 field with drivers like Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.

Identity and cooperation

The Mercedes-Benz logo speaks volumes about the brand, even if the name is not there. Now they are moving forward with the invention and implementation of new technologies that we do not yet know about. They have been a great companion for years. Such success and fame did not make them irresponsible. They haven’t made a big fuss about safety innovations and have even licensed them for use by competitors, in the name of improving car and passenger safety. As a result, crumple zones and antilock brakes are now standard on all modern vehicles.

Digital Marketing

How to use Instagram to market a real estate listing

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Instagram’s simple platform and focus on photos make it the perfect app for realtors to share their listings. However, agents unfamiliar with the platform may not know what kind of images to post. Simply posting a photo of your ad with the address and description will not attract much attention. You need to create a story around the list and share multiple photos to tell that story.

The easiest way to start “Instagraming” your ads is to use Instagram during an open house. Below are 7 different pictures you can take to create and share your open house story.

Start with a selfie

A “selfie” is a photo that you take of yourself. Take a selfie in your car, in front of the sign, or by the front door. Give it a title like “Excited to host an open house at 12345 Main Street.”

Your favorite room

Take a picture of your favorite room in the house. In the legend, have your followers imagine life in that room. For example, if your favorite room is the bathroom with a huge bathtub, say something like, “Can you imagine coming home after a hard day at work and soaking in this bathtub? Glorious!”

Your favorite outdoor feature

Photograph your favorite outdoor space. Again, have your followers imagine living there. “Take a look at this built-in barbecue. Would you love to host summer barbecues in this house?”

Say hello to other agents

A scream is a reference to social media. If a real estate agent you know stops by with clients, take a photo with them and give them a salute in the title (be sure to use their Instagram identifier if they have one). Your headline might read something like this “Look who you stopped by my open house today! Thanks for bringing your buyers @ realestateagent.”

Share your “to do list”.

Write or write down a list of the things you need to do to prepare for the open house, and then post a picture. This gives people an idea of ​​the services you provide when you host an open house. You can also share the homeowners’ to-do list to educate people on how to prepare for an open house.

Tools of the Trade

Do you always bring a specific bottle of water to the open houses? Do you often bake cookies or bring a vase of flowers? Distribute your articles and take a photo. The caption might read something like “Here’s my open door survival kit!”

Make the owners have fun

If the owners are around, take a picture with them. Please tag them and ask them to share the photo on their Instagram and tag it!

Instagram is easy to use and the perfect platform for real estate agents who are not familiar with social media but want to use it to market their listings. With a few clicks of your smartphone camera and some nifty captions, your next buyer could be one of your Instagram followers.

Relationship

Strategies for Answering Calls: 6 Ways to Touch Spell Check

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As the primary answering machine for your company or as a virtual receptionist who answers calls for many companies, you may have the difficult task of checking the spelling of callers’ names. It is not an easy task, especially when the callers are waiting for you to become familiar with them. Skipping verification can help make virtual answering services sound like they’re in-house, but there are certainly times when correct spelling can’t be beat. For example, if you’re following the call with an email, addressing Jon as John will help you get off on the wrong foot. The next time you need to confirm your spelling, try these helpful tips:

1. Do you know the name of the caller? Guess! If you think you know how to spell the name, remove the fieldwork from the question for the caller and try:

“And is ‘Tony’ spelled ‘TONY’?”

If you are correct, all the caller has to do is say yes. And if you are missing a few letters, the caller has easy access to make corrections:

“It’s actually ‘Toni’ with an ‘i'”.

“Wonderful! Thank you very much!”

If you’re not sure how to spell the name, start with a question like “Would you mind spelling that for me?” and follow up by confirming what you’ve heard.

2. Caller ID is your friend. Even if you work in a virtual receptionist service, you probably have access to a caller ID. Take a look at the caller ID to see if the caller’s name can be similar and use it as a starting point. However, remember that the caller ID is not always correct; they may be calling from a relative’s phone or the phone company might have made a typo, so don’t use it as a replacement for verification. However, Caller ID can be a great tool to help get the ball rolling.

3. Have a phonetic alphabet handy. A phonetic alphabet can be a dream when deciphering between similar sounding letters. “Is the ‘P’ as in ‘Paul’ or the ‘B’ as in ‘boy’?” Try using the alphabet used by the police and military, or make your own!

4. Look for duplicate information. Are you making a note of the caller’s email address as part of your message? Many email addresses include the name of the party; do not hesitate to consult it when you are verifying information. If you have already confirmed how the caller spells their name, simplify by asking: “That’s [email protected];” Katy “, as in her first name, period” Smith “, as in her last name, on ABC. Company dot com, correct?”

5. Follow the directions of the caller. If the caller immediately mentions, “I called about 10 minutes ago; is Sheila available to chat now?” there is a chance that you or another virtual receptionist have already confirmed your information. Do a quick search of any logs of your call or messages, and if there are, use that information for your call. As a bonus, if the other party is not available yet, you can refer to your previous message: “It seems Sheila is still in her meeting, however I see her message here from before. It’s 503-445-6900 is still the best number to contact you, Karen? “

6. Have an explanation ready. If you feel any doubt on the part of the caller, try to politely explain why you are checking the spelling and mention that you would hate to pass on incorrect or incomplete information. Then, request the information again:

“John asks me to check the spelling of all his messages, and I wouldn’t want to misrepresent your information. May I ask how you spell your last name?”

If the spelling is absolutely necessary, give callers a break and try to anticipate their responses when you can. A little courtesy goes a long way on the phone!

Gaming

Agrarian reform

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Our current agricultural system has many flaws with inefficiencies and unsustainable practices. Sustainable agriculture is a journey more than a destination; its goal is to maintain ecosystems, support biodiversity and withstand the challenges of our delicate world. This essay presents three serious problems: loss of soil, depletion of water and food supply, and examines possible solutions. For now, there is no fully sustainable agricultural system, but the future shows the potential for many improvements.

Soil is the key to life on earth; Proper soil is the most important factor for growing crops. Therefore, soil erosion is a major obstacle for farmers around the world. Soil must be treated as a non-renewable resource; It takes at least 100 years to create an inch of soil, according to the USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service. The amount of unusable land in our lifetime will not be replaced for many, many generations. Erosion removes top and top soil, which often has the highest biological activity and the highest amount of soil organic matter. This causes a loss of nutrients and often creates a less favorable environment for plant growth. Plants need this soil for root growth, to keep them from being blown away by the wind and the weather, as well as a deeper root depth for water, air, and nutrients. Once nutrients cannot support plant growth on site, soil can accumulate in the water and cause many ecological problems, such as algal blooms and eutrophication of lakes.

This problem is not new and there are many practices to prevent further erosion. The Soil Erosion Act of 1935, the first national soil conservation program, was a response to the greatest soil erosion crisis in history, the Dust Bowl. He established the Soil Conservation Service, now USDA-NRCS, or Natural Resources Conservation Service, to help farmers and ranchers use conservation techniques on their lands. These practices include contour plowing, strip cropping, terraces, no-till farming, buffer belts, crop rotation, and legume or residue cover crops.

Due to unsustainable irrigation, grazing and cultivation practices, surface / rainwater is not enough to meet our agricultural needs. In the 1950s a major water resource problem was created with the introduction of electric pumps, which allowed the use of groundwater for irrigation. A groundwater system prior to development is in long-term equilibrium; the extracted water is balanced by the added water and the stored water volume remains relatively constant.

While dependence on irrigation for agriculture is not likely to go away, there are smarter methods of irrigation and water conservation. Soil moisture meters can be used to irrigate fields only when the soil is dry, preventing waterlogging and reducing water waste. Hourly and morning / evening irrigation methods can be used to reduce water loss through evaporation and use the least amount of water needed. Withdrawals from aquifers can be reduced with these methods, as well as by choosing better crops (growing less corn, wasting less water), re-evaluating which crops need irrigation (corn and other intensive crops are not used for human consumption, but for animals) . feed and ethanol), and eliminate subsidies for crops that use more water (higher costs due to higher water consumption). Also, these crops are grown in areas that are not conducive to their growth naturally. For example, the majority of all irrigated corn acreage in the US is in four states: Nebraska, Kansas, Texas, and Colorado. These four states have different climates and types of soil. A shift towards growing crops in an area where your needs can be better met will naturally reduce irrigation practices dramatically.

Flood irrigation is one of the most popular crop irrigation methods. The water is pumped or carried to the fields and allowed to flow through the soil between the crops. This method is simple and inexpensive, and is widely used by societies in the less developed parts of the world, as well as the United States. However, it is neither effective nor sustainable; approximately half of the water used does not reach the crops.

Wastewater can be minimized by leveling the fields; Flood irrigation uses gravity to transport water, so the water rushes into downhill areas and does not cover the field evenly. By leveling the field, the water will be able to flow evenly across all fields. It can also be reduced by flash floods. It is a less traditional type of flood irrigation; Typically, water is simply released into a field, but loose floodwaters release water at pre-set intervals, effectively reducing unwanted runoff. Finally, the capture and reuse of runoff will increase efficiency. A great deal of flood irrigation water is wasted because it runs off the edges and back of fields. Water runoff can be captured in ponds and pumped back to the field, where it is reused for the next irrigation cycle.

Drip irrigation is known as the most water-efficient irrigation method. Water falls near the root zone of a plant in a dripping motion. This requires a large number of tubes to ensure that irrigation reaches all the plants in a garden, but results in less water waste. The system can be programmed to run on a timer, manually operated, or programmed to respond to current conditions. If the system is installed correctly, it can consistently reduce water loss through evaporation and runoff, as well as reduce weed growth. Drip irrigation also reduces nutrient loss to the soil, decreases leaching to the water table and local waterways, and reduces water loss due to evaporation. Soil damage caused by sprinkling and other types of irrigation is also reduced.

These problems are compounded by our current farming system; many crops are grown in unfavorable regions and require synthetic fertilizers, irrigation, and pesticides. One attempt to grow more efficient and ecologically sound crops is GM crops. These genetically modified crops were questioned in class discussion and favored by a minority of students. While the current system presents many problems, its future potential cannot be ignored. My classmates spoke out against technology for a multitude of reasons, including mental and aesthetic preference for organic / natural foods, lack of knowledge about the toxicological effects of GM foods. They also criticized agribusinesses for seeking profit without worrying about potential dangers, and the government for failing to exercise adequate regulatory oversight.

Tolerance to extreme drought, cold and salinity is perhaps one of the most important modifications for the future of agriculture. As the world’s population grows and the need for new agricultural land increases, crops will have to be grown in places that were previously unsuitable for growing plants. Creating plants that can withstand long periods of freezing, drought, or high salt content in soil and groundwater will help people grow crops in previously inhospitable places. For example, transgenic salmon, infused with genes from other fish species, grow faster than wild salmon and can survive in colder waters, allowing salmon to thrive in new environments. However, it is not currently on the market. Another modification off the market is the antifreeze gene. An unexpected frost can destroy sensitive seedlings and ruin an entire crop. A cold-water fish antifreeze gene has been introduced into plants such as tobacco and potatoes. With this antifreeze gene, these plants can tolerate cold temperatures that would normally kill unmodified seedlings. This technology will allow these plants to grow in cooler temperatures where they would not normally germinate.

Traditionally, American agriculture has been marked by inefficiency and waste. Soil has been massively depleted and fields have become sallow, aquifers have been depleted and water has been wasted or evaporated, and food production is being pressured to meet the demands of a growing world population. Fortunately, the situation is not as dire as it seems; Many conservation techniques have been implemented to help revitalize the soil, new technology will help protect our finite water resources, and human ingenuity is being applied to food production. Clearly, we are on our way to a more modern, sustainable and efficient agricultural system.

Health Fitness

What are the benefits of using Treadclimber?

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The treadclimber is a versatile piece of gym equipment that has the ability to combine the benefits of a stair climbing machine and a treadmill. It is an excellent option if you are looking to introduce some cardiovascular activity into your existing strength training. Here are several benefits of using the treadclimber machine:

Cardiovascular

The treadclimber is an excellent option to increase daily cardiovascular activity. Even a moderately active 30- to 60-minute session per day has the potential to help lower your risk of heart disease, increase your ability to burn calories, improve your good cholesterol (HDL) levels, and lower your blood pressure. In general, the cardiovascular benefits of this machine are considered its main strength.

Muscular tone

The legs perform a constant stair-climbing action while wearing this equipment which can play an important role in toning the leg muscles. The treadclimber provides movement that is quite similar to climbing stairs or uphill. This can benefit major muscle groups, such as the hamstrings, glutes, quads, and calves.

Weightloss

A consistent training plan that makes use of the treadclimber is sure to help you in your quest to lose weight. For example, a 25 to 30 minute workout at a speed of 3 miles per hour has the potential to burn about 315 calories. By losing weight at this rate, it is possible to reduce nearly 1 pound of body fat for every 9 to 10 days of exercise.

The treadclimber is more efficient at burning calories than the stair climber and the treadmill. The treadclimber is believed to burn up to 3-1 / 2 times more calories than a treadmill and almost 35% more than using a stair climber.

Versatile use

Similar to the star climber, elliptical machine and treadmill, the treadclimber allows you to increase the level of intensity or difficulty. This makes it much easier to work out at a comfortable level when starting out and then increase the difficulty level as the body gets used to the training. By increasing the intensity, it is possible to avoid a plateau and ensure that your body gets the most out of each and every workout.

Is there something negative?

In addition to the many positives of using the treadclimber, there are also some issues that may limit its use for some people. For example, it is not designed for running and therefore the pace may be too slow for some. Also, the weight limit on these machines is generally limited to around 300 pounds.

Legal Law

Longevity: Which States Lead Life Expectancy?

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If you want to live the longer life, you would do well to move to the Aloha state. Hawaii residents have a longer life expectancy than any other American state, according to a recent study by the Harvard University Global Health Initiative and the Harvard School of Public Health. At the other end of the scale, you could expect to live eight years shorter if you lived in the District of Columbia.

The study concluded that Hawaii’s number one ranking was due in part to its small size and population. The average Hawaiian resident can expect to live 80 years, and Hawaiian women live even longer “than in any other state, in fact” at an average of 83.2 years.

Mild climate is not a longevity factor

In case you are getting ahead of the statistics and have decided that a temperate climate is the main factor in longevity, you will be surprised to learn that the number two state, in terms of life expectancy, was Minnesota, where a person can expect to live. 78.2 years. In fact, white citizens of the Midwest as a whole, which also includes North Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota, have a life expectancy greater than 98% of the rest of the white population in the United States: 76.2 years for men. and 81.8 for women.

However, the Midwest did not have a longevity lock, because the study found that Utah ranked third, at 78.7 years. Morgan and Summit counties led the way, each averaging 80.8 years.

Southern states

Residents of the south are not doing as well, as the study found that the bottom four states were located below the Mason-Dixon line. Washington, DC ranked 51st, with its citizens averaging just 72 years of life. Next to last on the list was Mississippi, making it the lowest of the fifty states in life expectancy, at 73.6 years. Coahoma County, Mississippi, ranked 11th from the bottom in the entire United States with an average of just 70.1. With an average life expectancy of 74.2 years, Louisiana ranked third from the bottom, followed by Alabama (74.4) and South Carolina (74.8).

In a somewhat surprising conclusion after looking at all fifty US states and the District of Columbia, researchers found that the life expectancy of Americans is less influenced than might be expected by factors such as personal income, a inadequate health insurance or violence and more for factors such as chronic illness or injury.

Lifestyle Fashion

Age Discrimination in Employment Act 1967: Some Highlights of the Important Act

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The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) of 1967 originated from the Civil Rights Act that became law in 1964. The Civil Rights Act, through Title VII, suggests that discrimination in the workplace in terms of color, race, religion, National roots and gender should be prohibited. At that time, age discrimination was not yet included. Later, in 1967, a study completed by the US Department of Labor revealed that age discrimination was prevalent, to which Congress reacted with the 1967 ADEA. This law provided protection to employees aged under between 40 and 65 years. , the law is constantly updated as needed.

The main changes in the 1967 ADEA are reported in this article.

In 1978, the ADEA application was transferred by then-President Jimmy Carter to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). It was also in the same year that Congress further expanded protection to include employees up to 70 years old. Nine years later, the age limit was removed to protect older people against discrimination. The Civil Rights Act of 1991 revised all of the primary civil rights laws that were being implemented in the country, which included the ADEA of 1967. The law reversed some decisions made by the Supreme Court, making it difficult for biased plaintiffs to age will win cases. However, in 1996, the Supreme Court ruled in his favor in O’Connor v. Consolidated Coin Caterers Corp. In this case. The Supreme Court ruled that the ADEA does not require the fired employee to show that his replacement was under 40 years of age. However, four years later, the Supreme Court gave the impression of going against those people who have been victims of age discrimination again. as it claimed that state government agencies were protected by the Constitution from being charged for money-related damages.

In 2002, almost 20,000 complaints of age discrimination were filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which was considered a record. Most of these complaints were the result of the economic downturn and an aging workforce, made up of the Baby Boom generation that was reaching retirement age. The following year, the EEOC reached the largest settlement in an age discrimination case in history. There was a $ 250 million late payment for 1,700 California public safety officers. Over the past 40 years, changes were made to the 1967 ADEA, but not all of them were for the benefit of victims of age discrimination. More changes are expected over time as these changes will be made to accommodate the evolving society.

Pets

How to choose the perfect Wi-Fi router

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The key to a connected home is the connected part. A smart device without the wireless communication functions is just a normal old device! Some smart devices communicate via Bluetooth, but the vast majority connect via Wi-Fi. Therefore, the Wi-Fi router is one of the most important components of a smart home.

Sometimes your Internet service provider offers to rent a router. It is usually a bad deal. You can often save money by buying your own router. Read on to find the right router for your home.

Router speed

There are several different classifications of router speeds, indicated as 802.11 followed by a letter. The Wi-Fi speed ranges are like this: a -> b -> g -> n -> ac, with “a” being the slowest and “ac” the fastest.

If you are looking for a new router, watch out for 802.11a, 802.11b, or 802.11g routers. These routers are out of date for several years and unless you get them for a minimal price they are not worth it.

802.11n routers reach speeds of up to 300 megabits per second, and 802.11ac routers can reach speeds of more than 1,300 megabits per second. Now keep in mind that the maximum speed you will get depends on the internet service you pay for. Most modern homes don’t have access to speeds above 300 megabits, so you would probably be okay with buying an 802.11n router. However, if you want to be future-proof, buying an 802.11ac router should have it set up for years to come.

Dual band vs. Single band

Many routers offer dual band functionality such as 2.4ghz signals and 5ghz signals. Single band routers only offer 2.4 GHz signals. If you have a lot of devices or really need extra speed, choose the dual band router. If your router usage will be modest, you can save some money and stick with the single band.

Extenders and mesh networks

If you have a large home, you may need to buy Wi-Fi extenders. These devices can boost the signal and reach other rooms in the house. I recommend setting up your new router first to see if extenders are needed.

If money is not an issue, you can buy routers with mesh network technology. These routers work together automatically to create a powerful Wi-Fi network. The technology is used primarily in commercial buildings, but is now becoming more accessible to the consumer. That being said, mesh routers can be very expensive.

With these tips in mind, shop around!

Real Estate

What is a retro BPO? (Also known as retroactive BPO or historical BPO)

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The term “retro” makes a lot of people think back to the 70’s. For real estate agents doing BPO, “Retro” has a completely different meaning.

Simply put, a retro BPO is a broker’s price opinion (BPO) that asks the real estate agent to give his opinion on the value of a property on a specific date in the past. It may seem strange, but it is a useful tool that will be explained in this article.

Here’s an example of how a retro BPO works: A bank or lender needs to know how much a property was worth on 7/3/2006. They don’t want to know the value of the property today, they want to know the value as of 3/7/2006. The real estate agent needs to access their MLS program and search for comparable sales from that time period. The real estate agent will state that TODAY is 3/7/2006. For most broker pricing opinions, the lender wants an agent to go back in time, up to 6 months for comparable sales. With a retro BPO, the agent will look back 0 to 6 months from the retroactive date, in this case July 3, 2006. The real estate agent will look at comparable sales from 3/1/2006 to 7 / 3/2006 in this example.

Sales of prior to 3/1/2006 probably needs more explanation as to why the agent had to go back so far to get comparable sales. Also, any comparable sale dated later 03/07/2006 will be rejected because they fall after the given retroactive date.

Super simplicity

Carrying out a Retro BPO is very simple. Photographs are not normally required. The real estate agent will need to physically verify that the property is still standing, in most cases. The actual Retro BPO shape is also less complicated than a standard Interior BPO. This is because there are usually no competitive listings involved like in a normal Indoor BPO. Only 3 comparable sales, no photos. What could be more easy?

What is the reason for a retro BPO? There are several reasons: Reason # 1 is to determine if fraud was committed (mortgage and / or appraisal fraud). Some other reasons include probate, divorce, bankruptcy, and insurance. In some cases, a bank will use it as a “checkpoint” to make sure its processes / procedures were followed.

Whatever the reason, retro BPOs serve an important purpose in today’s unstable real estate environment. For real estate agents looking for additional income, Retro BPO is a good way to go.