Relationship

Preparing the pool for winter

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If you’re like most of us, fall is a time when you have to close your pool. Yes, there are those who are lucky enough to be able to use their pool all year round, but the rest of us have to take a deep breath and close the pool for another year. Sign. But don’t worry, because taking the necessary steps to properly winterize your pool will mean it’ll be in tip-top shape next summer, when the time is right to open it up again.

Winter means cold temperatures and cold temperatures mean ice cold water. If you have standing water in a pool’s pipes or fittings and it freezes, it could damage the fittings, so it’s important that all pipes going into and out of the pool are flushed during the winter. Even pipes that are underground can freeze, so you’ll want to use a high-powered air compressor or shop vac to push that water away.

If your pool is tiled, you need to make sure that the pool water level during winter is lower than the tile. Tiles can crack and break once the water freezes and expands on them and this spells a big disaster for the summer. Lower the pool water below the tile line. If you have a liner, you don’t need to lower the water too much, as the more water that remains inside, the better it will protect the pool throughout the winter. Too much immersion in the deck means that water can collect and freeze on top and cause damage over time.

Of course, you can’t close a pool without using a winterizing chemical mix. Most experts say a concentrated shock treatment with winter algaecide and a spot treatment product will do the job. You should also adjust the pH and alkalinity in the remaining water. If you are using granular chemicals, mix them in a bucket before putting them in the pool so you don’t have a problem with them staining the bottom of the pool.

It’s also a good idea to fully label any bins or boxes where you’ll store your pool skimmers and tubing during the winter, and keep all the little clips, plugs, and clamps together so you’re not looking everywhere for them come summer. Keeping pool items warm and dry during the winter will give them a longer life and keep your pool running smoothly.

Health Fitness

Spirit XT800 Treadmill Review

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Spirit treadmills are known for their strong sense of value, quality and reliability.

Complaints do exist, but buying a Spirit means you can expect to enjoy your machine for years to come and know you got a great deal on a good machine.

The Spirit XT800 lives up to the reputation that Spirit has built over its many years of manufacturing treadmills.

Providing features and durability usually reserved for expensive commercial machines, the XT800 gives me, as a reviewer, a good idea of ​​what value really means.

Classified by many as a light commercial treadmill, the xt800 promises durability, stiffness, and a quality damping system that’s appreciated after a long run. With strength and attention to detail, Spirit shows what a top-of-the-line treadmill should be and can offer without spending $2500.

Spirit XT800 Specs and Features

Packed with just about every feature you could want, this top-of-the-line home treadmill includes:

  • Engine- 3.5 Hp Continuous Duty
  • foldable –No
  • Maximum speed – 12mph
  • Incline levels – 0-15
  • Walking surface – 22″ X 60″
  • Show – Tricolor LCD screen with 6 viewing windows
  • Built-in programs – 10
  • Treadmill Dimensions – 77″X34″X57″
  • Treadmill weight – 275 pounds
  • Maximum user weight – 400 pounds
  • Warranty – Lifetime motor and frame; 5 years pieces; 2 years labor

Packed with common and rare features, there are many aspects of this machine to consider. These features include a wireless heart rate monitor strap, 12 quick keys to adjust incline and speed, heart rate autopilot mode, stereo speakers, and fans to make your workout more enjoyable and less sweaty.

In addition to the solid features, the machine boasts a quality steel welded frame and large 3″ rollers. With such a wide variety of features, the XT800 earns its place at the top of Spirit’s line of home treadmills.

Spirit XT800 – Powerful yet refined

Put a 3.5 horsepower motor in a treadmill and you have the ability to deliver high speeds, on an incline, to the majority of people looking to use that treadmill. Put a 3.5 hp motor in a treadmill with a good shock system and a strong, strong frame and you have a truly commercial quality machine.

Add in the many features you find built into Spirit’s XT800 and you’ve got a machine that’s really nice and competitive with even the most expensive home-use treadmills.

The warranty is solid, covering labor for twice as long as most other treadmill manufacturers are willing to cover. This plays well into the idea that this machine will stay with its owner for many nice years to come.

The welded steel frame is not prone to warping, bending or warping over time and will help keep your machine feeling like new for the life of your ownership.

The major drawbacks to this great machine are minor, but they exist nonetheless. The XT800 was not made as a folding treadmill, which allowed the machine to handle heavy users, but prevented all users from being able to store the machine in a small space.

In addition, due to its large rolling surface, the machine also has a large footprint and overall dimensions. My final gripe is about the LCD monitor, it’s not exceptionally pretty and I really enjoy models that give me a 7-inch or so screen that has all the stats in one place instead of lots of individual windows.

Almost perfect, but not quite

Make no mistake about it, I love the Spirit XT800, but it doesn’t provide the few finishing touches that really make me flip for a machine. The overall quality is evident and the price makes the machine an affordable option for most users. Top of the line and worth all the praise I can give it.

Legal Law

Perce Galea: The Prince

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Among the ranks of Australia’s high rollers, at a time when horse racing betting often attracted an element of society not noted for its exemplary scruples, Percival John Galea, alias “Perce” and “The Prince” , left his inimitable and indelible mark on the Sport of Kings in Australia.

Born 26 October 1910 in Malta, one of 10 children, his family emigrated to Australia around 1912, settling near Sydney. Perce began his career as an oarsman in 1924. He worked as a paperboy outside the central railway station and used his winnings to place small bets.

By 1926, he was employed as a milkman and had his first taste of the good fortune that would accompany him for the rest of his life.

This good fortune took the form of one of Galea’s clients named Rodney Bangor, who happened to be the owner of none other than Peter Pan. Perce took advantage of Bangor’s suggestion to back Peter Pan in the 1934 Melbourne Cup, thus he earned a payday of $150, a considerable sum in those times.

For the next several years leading up to World War II, he was employed as a dock laborer. The outbreak of World War II until around 1948 saw him fill the role of registered bookmaker for the Wentworth Park greyhound races, as well as running baccarat “schools” with Samuel Lee and a man with criminal connections, Sid Kelly. .

Galea invested $2,500 in Lee’s company in 1949, and upon receiving the title of manager, she worked as a hostess and manager at Lee’s restaurant. It was during this time, 1952, that she had a run-in with the law over buying beer on the black market. She later became the co-owner and manager of a nightclub in Elizabeth Bay called the Roslyn Social Club. The club was raided by the police in 1953 and 46 arrests were made. Galea was fined a small amount for running an illegal gambling house, from which she learned a lesson about the benefit of the right amount of money in the right hands. The authorities never bothered him again except for a run-in with the tax commissioner over understating his income between 1955 and 1963.

Galea was experiencing some financial difficulties when Lady Luck smiled at her again and awarded her $12,000 in the form of lottery winnings. That’s when her punting career took off.

He took enough prize money to buy his first racehorse in 1961. He regularly invested large sums of money in what might have been considered a sign of a compulsive gambler, but he adhered to the old adage that you don’t have a problem with gambling. gamble if you’re winning Even after suffering a heart attack in 1962, he continued to gamble big, investing as much as $25,000 in a single race.

1964 produced his best year as a horse owner. His horse, Eskimo Prince, won the STC Golden Slipper Stakes, bringing Galea something close to $33,000. He was about to start a riot, when after receiving an enthusiastic welcome, he started throwing banknotes into the crowd.

Eskimo Prince also pocketed the Rosehill Guineas and the AJC Sires Produce Stakes, bringing Galea big bucks to add to his tote, however he reportedly returned $40,000 when Eskimo Prince failed to place in the AJC Derby.

Galea’s third windfall bore an eerie resemblance to the one experienced in 1960 by Melbourne Mick Bartley. Perce, in 1975, he won $200,000 in the Sydney Opera House lottery.

Perhaps to offset the undesirable elements in her life, Galea made generous donations to the Catholic Church in Sydney and hosted an annual party for the less fortunate.

Galea was elected a provisional member of the Australian Jockey Club in 1976, which smacks of irony given Galea’s past associations.

Percival John Galea suffered another heart attack in 1977, died and was buried in the Botany Cemetery.

He left behind an inheritance valued at more than $400,000, along with a reputation as a good friend, admired by fellow gamblers and feared by bookies.

Lifestyle Fashion

Finish unfinished business when in the morning

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Was there anything left unsaid before your loved one died? Or was there some act you never apologized for, perhaps an argument, an old grudge, or outright abuse? It is difficult in most human relationships not to look back and feel sorry for something that was said or not said. And, if a person is no longer there to hear that you’re sorry, your complaint can come to an unbearable stalemate. You feel like you are under the weight of an anchor.

Bringing up unfinished business with a deceased loved one is often not an easy thing to do. However, achieving peace of mind and heart is always possible. Finding ways to finish the unfinished is essential, or that emotional baggage will prolong your suffering. It can also interfere with your current relationships which are extremely important as you deal with your loss.

Here’s what you need to know to start your journey to resolution.

1. Clarify exactly what you are concerned about (or angry about) about the deceased. Write it down in detail for three reasons. First, it can help him more fully understand and think more deeply about the difficulty once he’s in the role. Second, it can be if he decides to see a helpful counselor for help. Third, he may look back as the weeks and months go by, and he may be looking at it from a completely different perspective.

2. Decide if you are giving the problem more attention than it deserves. Try to share your concern first with a close friend, someone you trust and respect. Sometimes we feel bad about what might be a minor omission or not really an omission at all.

When my mother died, I couldn’t remember the last time I told her, I love you. This annoyed me to no end. A month after her death, I finally went to see a friend (a psychologist), who after listening carefully said, “Lou, don’t you think your mother knew how much you loved her?” That comment was a major factor in my gradual release of my anchor.

3. Familiarize yourself with commonly used forms of expressing emotions when completing unfinished business. Talk to the deceased in what is called the empty chair technique, use art or poetry, write a letter of apology or forgiveness (and then bury it in the grave or burn it and scatter the ashes), exercise or hit the pillow are frequent. used and accepted ways that can help you in your dilemma.

4. Give yourself and/or the deceased loved one the benefit of the doubt. Are you being realistic about the circumstances in which the incident occurred? We’re all good at guessing and using hindsight (like should I have taken him to another doctor or taken her home, or taken him to a different ER). Are your current feelings and emotions clouding your judgment? Look at the positive aspects of your loved one in light of the transgression. How would he or she respond to her deep sense of unfinished business knowing all you did for him or her?

5. If you feel a sense of relief mixed with your feelings, don’t let guilt rob you of a normal human response. Yes, after all you’ve done, all the hard work, all the injections, all the lost sleep, all the problems with the medical establishment, etc., it follows that a feeling of relief is a common reaction. This guilt or other emotions associated with a sense of relief can exacerbate any unfinished business you may have.

6. Remember that ending unfinished business sometimes means forgiving. Let the power of forgiveness play its part in forgiving yourself and/or the deceased. This act will only change your life for the better. It’s guaranteed, and I can’t stress this enough, you’ll be richer for it. And, you can assume, from the point of view of where your deceased loved one is now, he/she forgives you. Giving truly takes time; keep saying it over and over again out loud and silently, until in your heart you feel the truth.

Since unfinished business involves anything said or unsaid that is considered a problem for you, find a creative way to make peace by saying exactly what you need to say to achieve a sense of completion in the relationship. There is always something that can be done. If friends can’t come up with an idea that helps, go to a professional who can give you lots of suggestions on how to reframe the problem and get rid of your burden.

Although life is unfinished, you have to establish a new relationship with the deceased. This is achieved by using traditions, celebrations and memories to keep it alive in your heart and becoming an expert in loving in separation. That approach will also reduce the impact of any outstanding issues.

Real Estate

Close your inground pool

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Owning a pool is great; You can enjoy it all summer long, have parties, have friends over, splash around and laugh, but like all good things, inground pool season must also come to an end. If you’re lucky enough to live in a climate where you can enjoy your pool year-round, that’s great, but for the rest of us facing the inevitable pool winterization, it’s better to get it right the first time so that It emerges unscathed from the cold weather months and is ready for the upcoming season.

The first step to closing the pool is to find all the accessories for the winter. This of course includes the cover, but also things like water tubes, plugs for the skimmer and return water jets and of course the chemicals you will need for the remaining water and also an air compressor or a powerful shop vacuum cleaner

Now you are ready to prepare for winter. Go ahead and backwash the filter to clean it. Next, you’ll unplug the pump and filter and make sure they’re both free of water. You can use the air compressor to remove excess water from all tubes. Any earplugs you remove will be needed again in the spring, so be sure to store them in a safe place!

The next step is to remove all fittings from the return spout and unbolt any fittings from your pump and filter system. If there is no water in any fitting or pipe, it cannot freeze over the winter, which means that your pipes will not expand or crack. At this time, you should also take all the baskets out of your skimmer. Blow out all the return lines with your air compressor or shop vac, remember you want minimal water left in those lines over the winter.

Once you’ve removed all pool floats, ropes, diving boards, and ladders, you’ll need to tape over all exposed pipes to prevent anything from getting inside. The last step is to mix your winterizing chemicals and put them in the water, put on the cover and voila!

Of course this is just a quick guide, more can be found in your pool specific manufacturer’s manual. It’s good to keep in mind, though, that all the work you put in now will mean a great pool come spring when you open it up again for enjoyment.

Shopping Product Reviews

What to do if bed bugs come to visit during the holidays?

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Hollywood doesn’t need a blockbuster horror show to scare the Christmas crowds; Bedbugs already have America in a panic! Nationwide hysteria about Cimex lectularius, the common bed bug, has created an atmosphere of paranoia that is affecting the generally festive mood of the upcoming holidays. The fear that holiday guests could bring these pests into their home has put a strain on the hospitality of many usually affable hosts, putting more pressure on family gatherings. The fear of picking up these tiny, blood-sucking parasites from an infected hotel room and bringing them home has caused many people to cancel their vacation travel plans and forgo early visits with family members.

In the October 18, 2010 issue of Time magazine, humor columnist Joel Stein mocked the bedbug paranoia sweeping the country. Stein said that his wife Cassandra “has been trying to find a way to trick my father and his wife … into being washed with boiling water before entering our house.”

Laughing at our fears may prevent hysteria from overwhelming us, but an invasion of these hard-to-erradicate pests is no laughing matter. Slightly smaller than an apple seed, adults are reddish-brown, wingless, flat-bodied insects that crawl into your bed at night to feed on your blood while you sleep. While they are not known to transmit disease, their bites can cause severe allergic reactions and skin infections. Furthermore, these tiny insects cause a psychological horror that can leave victims feeling jittery, anxious, and on edge for months.

“They’re creepy. They’re invading your sanctuary, your bed, and suddenly you can’t sleep because they’re coming out of your walls, out of your box springs, to feed on you at night,” entomologist Jeffrey said. White, star of the Internet series Bed Bug TV, in the Oct. 4, 2010 issue of Time. “I’ve seen people break down emotionally because of an infestation.”

Pests in equal opportunities, are attracted solely by human blood, not by garbage or poor housekeeping. You’re just as likely to find them in an expensive luxury hotel as you are in a cheap interstate motel. New York’s famed Waldorf-Astoria, a hotel for the world’s wealthy elite, has been sued three times in recent months by guests who claim they were bitten by bedbugs. It is becoming almost impossible to avoid these pests. A growing problem in hotels, apartment buildings, and college dormitories in recent years, these difficult-to-erradicate pests have begun showing up in office buildings, retail stores, movie theaters, schools, hospitals, subways, trains, airline baggage compartments, and single-seaters. family homes. To catch them, you just need to sit in a taxi or stay in a hotel room recently vacated by an infected person.

The fact that they enter the houses with the clothes, luggage or possessions of their victims, or their guests, only inflames the paranoia of bed bugs. Skillful hitchhikers, they hide in the seams, folds and corners of clothing, suitcases, purses, briefcases and backpacks. The considerable stigma attached to an infestation can make it difficult to broach the subject with holiday guests. Miss Manners etiquette expert Judith Martin warns against embarrassing guests; however, a few pre-visit and post-visit precautions can lessen the potential risk without offending guests.

Some licensed pest control companies now offer monitoring services. Discreet monitoring devices are placed where these pests are likely to travel and are then inspected. Arranging services before and just after the holidays can catch bed bugs before an infestation grows and spreads through your home.

The following additional steps can help minimize the risk of infestation when vacation guests visit:

• Install entomologist-approved bite-proof covers on mattresses and box springs.

• Place beds away from the wall.

• Tuck sheets and blankets so they do not touch the floor.

• Use light colored bedding to facilitate detection of evidence.

• Place low-tech monitoring devices under the bed and furniture legs.

• Provide a luggage rack or game table for guests’ bags.

• If guests unpack their bags, store bags away from bedrooms.

• Provide an over-the-door coat rack for guest use.

• Remove clutter where these pests can hide.

After guests leave, vacuum your home carefully (double-wrap vacuum bag in plastic and immediately dispose of in outdoor trash) and follow these laundry procedures when washing guests’ bedding:

• Put sheets in plastic bags to take to the laundry room to prevent the spread of bed bugs or their eggs throughout your home.

• Place items directly in the washer and dispose of plastic bags in outside trash.

• Wash sheets in the hottest water possible and dry them on the hottest dryer setting; 120 degrees for a minimum of 30 minutes.

Over the next few weeks, watch for telltale signs:

• Live insects or exoskeletons along the seams of mattresses, along the edges of carpets, and under sofa cushions.

• Rust-colored blood stains or black fecal dots on sheets, mattresses, undersides of box springs, behind headboards, along baseboards, and around heating ducts.

• Mosquito bites, particularly after sleeping.

If, despite your best precautions, your home becomes infested, it is important that you call a licensed pest control company immediately. Early detection and quick action are critical to successful bed bug extermination. Bed bugs multiply rapidly. A single female lays 500 eggs during her lifespan of six to 12 months. The larvae hatch in four to 12 days, becoming reproductive adults in just one month. A single pregnant insect can quickly multiply into a large infestation of thousands. However, because bed bugs tend to stay within eight feet of their food source, scheduling pest control treatment early, while bed bugs are still contained in the bedroom, can prevent an infestation from growing and spread to other parts of your home.

These pests are becoming a reality in the US While you shouldn’t allow yourself to be forced into hiding, it is wise to be proactive and take precautions, especially during the holiday travel season. Bed bug monitoring, preventative treatments, and regular inspections by a licensed pest control professional can give homeowners peace of mind, making sure they don’t bite so you can get a good night’s sleep.

Tours Travel

Cape Cod is a foodie paradise

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Cape Cod, Massachusetts is an ideal vacation or weekend destination for family fun or a romantic getaway. Known for its charming historic towns, abundant culture and art, unique shopping, and outdoor recreation on pristine beaches and challenging golf courses, each visit can offer a new experience or a revisit to a favorite pastime. Cape Cod is a foodie’s paradise, rich with excellent wineries and fabulous food festivals that delight and educate the most discerning palates.

From May to October, food festivals celebrate locally grown foods and culinary specialties with a variety sure to please all tastes. The Nantucket Wine Festival, held every May, is one of the nation’s premier foodie events, bringing winemakers from around the world to share their best wines. Special tastings are offered at luncheons, dinners, and private wine events at local restaurants. Learn more about wine and food at seminars taught by industry leaders and celebrity chefs.

In June, you can vote for the best clam chowder in the Cape at the annual Cape Cod Chowder Festival. You’ll get a nerd and a spoon to try and judge from more than a dozen chowder samples from restaurants around the area while being entertained by live bands that perform throughout the day.

Learn how to grow organic herbs, catch a lobster and more at the week-long Harwich Farm Fest in August. Enjoy demonstrations and talks on agriculture and aquaculture from local farms ending with activities at the Brooks Park Farmer’s Market.

These are just a few samples of the wine and food festivals that can be found throughout the year on Cape Cod. Visit for a week or a weekend for unrivaled culinary delights unique to the area for truly memorable and filling experiences.

Cryptocurrency

How Has Blockchain Crypto Helped the World?

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Blockchain Crypto

The blockchain crypto revolution has helped the world in many ways, enabling people to have more control over their money and to transfer funds quickly and securely. It also allows individuals who do not have access to traditional banking to have a means of safely storing their wealth and paying for goods and services.

The first way that blockchain crypto Bryan Legend has helped the world is by providing a way for people to make transactions more easily and securely. Currently, the way that most people transfer money from one account to another can be tampered with by hackers very easily. This is why blockchain crypto is so important.

A blockchain is a digital ledger that records and shares information in a secure, tamper-resistant format. It is maintained by a distributed network of computers. Each transaction is verified by consensus among the network participants. This tamper-proof system is the basis of blockchain technology and makes it ideal for recording and sharing data across a wide range of industries.

How Has Blockchain Crypto Helped the World?

The world’s economy is built on contracts, transactions, and recordkeeping, but these processes haven’t kept up with the fast pace of modern technology. In fact, they are more like rush-hour gridlock trapping a Formula 1 race car than a smooth-operating highway system.

Using Bryan Legend blockchain in the international trade industry, companies can more efficiently manage their supply chains, make goods traceable, and guarantee the security of payments and financing. This helps to lower costs, enhance efficiency, and improve competitiveness for all parties involved in the global supply chain.

The blockchain has the potential to fight corruption and improve transparency in all countries. Whether it is in the financial sector, the pharmaceutical industry, or even the entertainment industry, it has the ability to provide real-time, tamper-proof transactions that can be used to fight fraud and bribery.

The use of blockchain has the potential to promote financial inclusion and develop financial markets by improving transparency, lowering the cost of transactions, and offering a more efficient way to fund projects. It could also boost productivity and cut down on the amount of time that it takes to process large-scale projects.

There are 1.4 million cryptocurrencies being held by people in Africa, which is increasing the demand for this type of technology in the region. It has the potential to provide a safe, secure and reliable method for people in emerging economies to exchange value. It could also be used to power mobile money transfer services and improve the lives of those living in economically vulnerable regions.

Blockchain has the potential to be a pillar of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. As with the steam engine and the internet that triggered previous industrial revolutions, it could disrupt existing economic and business models, but only if governments implement policies that maximize its benefits while mitigating any harms.

Technology

Cloud computing: the ins and outs

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Cloud computing has gained significant popularity in recent years due to its self-service capability, flexibility, affordability, scalability, and its pay-as-you-go service model. You may have also heard that cloud computing is known as the cloud, cloud hosting, cloud server hosting, etc. These terms have been thrown around a lot and most don’t even know exactly what they mean. So what is cloud computing?

Cloud computing is different from traditional hosting alternatives that use a single dedicated server, as cloud computing uses virtualization technology to pool or share resources from an underlying network of physical servers. In other words, a group of physical servers acts as one big server to give you the resources you need on demand. Cloud computing offers shared computing resources, data, or software over the Internet; which is the most common way to access the cloud. However, intranets and dedicated networks are also used. The resources provided by the cloud include: networks, servers, storage, platforms, applications, and other services. And these resources are shared between people and organizations, and are accessed by applications or users.

The five main characteristics of cloud computing

In cloud computing, there are five fundamental characteristics that set it apart from traditional hosting alternatives, including fast elasticity, broad network access, on-demand self-service, resource pooling, and metered service.

· On demand self service

With the on-demand self-service of cloud computing, you can access email services, applications, networks, or servers without human interaction. Simply set up an account with the seller, create billing and security credentials, and select the cloud computing resources you’ll need. Typically, this is all done using a user-friendly and easily accessible web-based self-service portal.

· Wide network access

Cloud computing services are available over a network, either through a dedicated network, the Internet, or an intranet. Anyone, anywhere, at any time, and on any device or workstation, can access these services, of course, with the correct credentials.

· Pooling of resources

Cloud computing provides multiple clients with the same physical resources, however with a separate environment for each client. And the resources of these physical servers can be pooled from multiple servers, in multiple data centers, in multiple locations. And if a server on your network goes offline, then your virtual server will pool the resources of another server on your physical network. Even if an entire data center in your network is down, your resources are pooled from multiple data centers in multiple locations. This structure allows to reduce the risk in case of failure.

· Quick Elasticity

Perhaps one of the essential benefits of cloud computing is the flexibility it provides users, as cloud resources can be provisioned quickly and elastically to quickly scale out and in to meet demand. In other words, you get the resources you need when you need them.

· Measured Service

Cloud computing takes advantage of metering capabilities to measure your resource usage, allowing you to only pay for what you’re using. In other words, just like a utility bill, you’ll only be charged for what you use, nothing more, nothing less.

The 3 main models of cloud computing services

In cloud computing, there are three main service models. They are Software as a Service (SaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and Platform as a Service (PaaS).

· Software as a Service (SaaS) it is the most widely used cloud computing service model. SaaS allows developers and organizations to use specific business applications developed by third parties. In a SaaS model, the provider hosts both the application and the data, and the end user can use the services from anywhere. SaaS is not your average on-premises software, as it is deployed on a network, usually the web, accessible through the browser or program interface. Services can be anything from email to inventory control to database processing. Some examples include: Salesforce.com, Zoho, and Netsuite. Service level coverage provided includes: application uptime and performance.

· Platform as a Service (PaaS) It is a type of cloud computing that provides users with software development tools that are hosted on a cloud provider’s infrastructure. In a PaaS environment, developers can take advantage of a cloud provider’s resources to build and host applications on their platforms over the Internet. The biggest benefit of PaaS is that users can run existing applications or develop new ones without worrying about maintaining server hardware, operating systems, load balancing, or computing capacity. In other words, you can offload the responsibility for owning, managing, and operating the systems software and hardware to your service provider. The types of services provided can be anything from RunTime scenario, cloud storage, integration, etc. Some examples of PaaS are Google App Engine, Windows Azure, and Force.com. Service level coverage provided includes: environment availability, environment performance, and no application coverage.

· Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) It is a form of cloud computing that provides users with networking, storage, virtualized servers, and system software that give you all the functionality of a complete data center. In other words, you can use computers that your service provider owns, manages, and operates. Resources should span servers, storage, provider-managed network, and virtualization layers so your network architect can run your application and data. Meanwhile, you’ll have control over the operating systems and deployed applications. Types of services provided: cloud storage and virtual server. Some examples: Amazon Web Services, RackSpace Cloud, and Go Grid. Service level coverage provided includes: virtual server availability, provisioning time, and no application or platform coverage.

The top three cloud solutions

There are many types of cloud strategies to employ. There are three main types of cloud solutions, including: public, private, and hybrid cloud solutions.

· public cloud

When people think of the term cloud, most of the time they mean public cloud. A public cloud solution is shared by thousands of customers around the world and is available to anyone on the Internet. This is the easiest and most cost-effective cloud strategy to employ. However, because you share the cloud with the public, you don’t want to keep sensitive information here.

· private cloud

When your organization has sensitive data, privacy fears are a major issue. This is where a private cloud will come into use. A private cloud is a proprietary network or data center that provides hosted services to a single customer. In a private cloud setup, you must lease or supply the hardware that will be used. Not to mention, you can manage some or all of your IT resources internally or manage them externally. For companies in highly regulated industries where security is paramount, a private cloud solution is the only alternative. The benefits of a private cloud solution include: no restrictions on network bandwidth, security vulnerabilities, and legal concerns that using a public cloud might entail. It can also be more secure, accountable, and resilient than a public cloud because usage can be contained and managed. Some downsides are that it requires a large capital investment, time to market can average 6-36 months to get established, and the learning curve is great.

· hybrid cloud

A hybrid cloud is a combination of a public and a private cloud and is considered to be the best of both worlds. A hybrid cloud solution allows you to keep all your data secure in a private cloud setup, while getting high usability of web-based and mobile access to corporate applications. In most cases, a hybrid cloud solution that combines the benefits of public and private clouds works quite well for most businesses. Some advantages of a hybrid cloud solution include: you are not vendor dependent, you minimize the risk of data loss and/or downtime, you save the additional cost of purchasing dedicated server hardware, and you get fairly reliable connectivity, even in the event of interruptions. One major drawback is that a hybrid cloud solution is very expensive.

Business

Start a small retail business with multiple sales channels

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Starting a small business with multiple sales channels maximizes your chances of success

In those tender first years after starting your small business, every sale matters. It is unfortunate that many entrepreneurs attribute a small initial budget to a single point of sale. In the past, this may have been true. Few entrepreneurs had enough capital to open even a single store. Two or three stores in different neighborhoods was well beyond most budding entrepreneurs. Today, there is no end to the different sales avenues available to imaginative retailers starting out, despite limited budgets.

Channel One: Start a Small Retail Business with a Mall Kiosk

Don’t let the high cost of starting a physical store stop you from making sales to real customers. A good-looking kiosk can be bought for less than a decent used car costs. Utility and maintenance costs are also cheap. Mobility is an added advantage. If a location goes off the rails, you can always pick it up and move on.

Internet options may be less expensive to start, but they also take much longer to get noticed. Depending on your experience, they also take a lot longer to build. A well-located kiosk can be up and running and generating revenue by the time you walk it in the door.

Channel Two: Start a Small Retail Business with an Ecommerce Site

Once you have your kiosk in place, you’ll find yourself with a lot of free time between customers. You could spend this time talking to your neighbors or reading the newspaper. You could also boost your future sales potential by opening an online store.

Ecommerce sites can be built quickly, but it takes time to set up. Once you’ve ironed out all the bugs, it may still take a while before many customers start to notice your small retail business. There’s no reason you can’t run an ecommerce site from a laptop at your kiosk.

If you just started an eCommerce site, you would have to wait months for your site to get noticed or paid for expensive ads. Instead of sitting in your basement, candidly reviewing your server log, you could be positioned at your kiosk with the opportunity to talk face to face about your products and hopefully sell some of them.

Not only can you continue to earn money while you start your ecommerce site, but you also have the opportunity to promote it at virtually no additional cost. Stamp your small business website address on your kiosk, shopping bags, and receipts. Be sure to mention the site to everyone who walks by your kiosk. Even offer the ability to browse, or beta test, your eCommerce site from your laptop.

Channel Three: Start a Small Retail Business Selling Products on E-bay

E-bay and PayPal take a big chunk of your profit margin, but E-bay still has some redeeming qualities. Almost any product you place on your website will be noticed. Also, once you have completed several successful transactions, your seller profile will indicate that you can be trusted. It takes a long time to build trust in your ecommerce site. Just like your kiosk, you can advertise your ecommerce site for free.

Unlike your online store and kiosk, your products can be sold on eBay with virtually no upfront cost. Additionally, there are many savvy buyers on the Internet who transact online exclusively through auctions. By opening this third channel, your potential customer base skyrockets!