What Is a "Student Violin Outfit" and What Are Its Benefits?

By Nathan Weiss

"Outfit" is another word for "set," as in how the three primary components (violin, bow, and case) are sold in a package. Sometimes it's a better buy.

The beginning violin student and even someone with a few years of study might choose to purchase what is called a "violin outfit". This is in contrast to separately purchasing the violin, bow, and the case.

Why would a student (and the funding source, typically parents) go one route over the other? It is basically a matter of having strong preferences for characteristics of each component, versus not knowing why they would prefer one bow, one violin, or one case over another. And some of that has to do with simply how much tolerance the buyer has for shopping or confidence when entering a local violin shop and speaking with a violinmaker.

These same considerations go for students of violas and cellos.

It isn't difficult to find violins for sale at a local shop, online or in one of the large chain music stores. Violas and cellos for sale are similarly easy to find. The challenge isn't finding them as much as knowing which models to buy. For beginning players, it's a good bet that an outfit put together by a local violin shop is going to be a good buy.

Pricing of outfits - pretty much around $299 at the low end up to $2000 - is what makes them attractive as well. But that's not to say individual components will necessarily cost more if purchased separately. All too often the pricing of an outfit might be misleading when, for example, available violins are of acceptable quality but the bow and case are subpar.

To help a violin buyer determine if the outfit components are of reasonable, "beginner level" quality, here are some things to look for:

Bow: For the beginner, a bow made of fiberglass is common and acceptable, although a student might also consider a carbon fiber bow because they are sturdy (sturdier than wood, which tends to be more expensive) and are less affected by temperature and humidity. More expensive are the Brazilwood and Pernambuco bows, although the Pernambuco (considered by many to be "the best") are in short supply due to deforestation of the tree in its native Brazil (Brazilwood is derived from several species of available trees and as such is relatively inexpensive).

Case: A more expensive violin for a dedicated student might have a case with a built-in humidifier, thermometers and hygrometer (to check for humidity). But for students with a first violin, only the following should be a feature of the case: bow placement is secured to avoid contact with the violin, plus an extra compartment to hold rosin and a wiping cloth; interior padding with contours that mold to the shape of the instrument; hard exterior construction, made of wood, compacted foam, or carbon fiber. Soft-sided cloth carrying bags simply do not provide the same degree of protection.

Violin: A student's teacher might be the best guide in determining which beginner violin would work best. At the minimum, the strings need to be set right, neither too high nor too low. The pegs and fine tuners need to be operational. And the spacing of the strings, the "bow clearance," should be such that the bow does not hit the edges of the instrument when the violinist is bowing the outer strings.

The beginning student is also advised to find a luthier (violinmaker) who can determine where the student is at in his or her training. If the commitment is strong and there is some evidence of emerging talent, a smart strategy of investment in a good instrument, bow, and case might be in order. If the student has yet to demonstrate such qualities, a lower-priced violin outfit is perhaps the better choice.

Knowledge for violinmaker and violins for sale click domain for more details.

Airline Traveling Tips for String Players

By Nathan Weiss

Traveling on airplanes with musical instruments of any kind can be a challenge, particularly if we're considering professionals who are carrying fine violins as opposed to a child traveling with an inexpensive student violin. But violins are not double basses, just as piccolos are not sousaphones. Size matters.

As does the particular carrier you are flying with, as well as the interpretation of the rules by each plane's flight crews. The rules on United Airlines might be different from those on Spirit, American, Southwest, Alaska and JetBlue airlines. Even the time you board your flight can make a difference.

But at least there are, since 2015, U.S. Federal Aviation Administration rules that bring a semblance of order and universal rules - and prevent last-minute price gouging that plagued musicians for a long time.

The following provides a quick run-down of the rules and recommendations for violinists, violists, cellists, double bassists, and, of course, musicians who play the viola da gamba:

Small enough to carry on board (no seat) - Violins and violas are usually deemed small enough to carry on board on most flights. Tip: Pay for early boarding, as that makes it more likely you'll get space in the overhead bins near your seat.

Carry on board with a seat - While the rules are left to the discretion of each airline, it is possible to purchase a seat for a larger instrument (cellos and basses). Of course it makes sense to make that purchase in advance to ensure you and your instrument will be on the same flight. There is some judgment that may be left up to the flight crew as to whether your cello needs a seat in coach or first class, further emphasizing the need to work this out in advance.

Must check with baggage - When on-board space does not allow (which might happen with smaller regional carriers), it may be necessary to check your instrument. This is why your local violin shop recommends a sturdy case, even though many violinists would never consider checking their instrument; at such times, particularly in lieu of shorter regional distances, travel by car or train might make more sense.

Humidity issues - Planes as well as destinations might have a very low humidity factor. This is potentially an issue for the instrument if you originate in a humid environment. Humidifiers in the form of sponges in specially constructed containers are available to release moisture in a controlled fashion; ask your violin maker about whether he or she carries these in their violin shop.

TSA screening - Minimize any additional items inserted into your violin's case, as it might prompt the Transportation Safety Authority employee to open and handle the instrument in order to examine it. It is more likely to sail through x-ray screening hands-free if the instrument and bow alone are contained in the case.

Non-stop, direct, connecting and smaller (regional) planes - If you have to change planes on a trip it means repeating the boarding procedures and possibly educating a new flight crew on what you're doing. Or if you have a larger instrument that is checked in baggage, it's one more opportunity to be mishandled or lost. So choose your itinerary to be as direct/non-stop as possible.

So is travel worthwhile, given all these factors? Only you can decide. But the greatest musicians travel the most - follow their lead and learn to adapt.

Knowledge for fine violins and violin maker click domain for more details.

Securing Our Schools: 4Ds Create Safer Environments for Children, Teachers and Faculty

By Mike Johnson

The recent tragedy at the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School has evoked emotions not seen since the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012. One element that has not changed are the varying opinions as to how to best prevent horrors like this from happening again.

Some leaders talk about school-based security measures and their opinions include arming teachers, hiring more "resource officers" or armed security personnel, and reinforcing schools with additional measures that may include high fences and walls and bullet-proof glass. The State of Florida, for example, has proposed a $400 million budget for such measures.

No one argues that we must do everything possible to protect our children, and as part of protecting them, premise protection is critical. However, we should insist on steps that are appropriate for a school environment and maintain a warm, trusted, and connected place of learning where students can thrive while we are working to keep them safer. Moreover, we've seen many examples of environments, such as banks, which are built like fortresses with armed personnel that are frequently are robbed despite the measures taken.

The sad truth is that if someone wants to harm or murder innocent people, they will find a way to do it.

So how can today's school leaders achieve a more holistic and secure environment? They must understand that physical security is just one part of a larger integrated process called the "crisis planning and management cycle." The crisis planning and management cycle consists of prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery, and communication.

While extreme acts of violence may not be preventable, we can mitigate them with the 4Ds: Deny, Deter, Delay or Detect. They incorporate such measures as school access controls with smart card IDs, layered perimeter security, multiple methods of communication within the school and grounds, and locks on classrooms, indoor assembly areas, and office doors. They also rely on policies that include anti-bullying, caring school communities, and comprehensive and tested crisis response plans.

As parents and school boards continue to pressure school leaders to do more to protect our children, let's continue to remember that schools are unique environments. The physical security found with a fortress alone is not the answer. Each school must take a holistic view of the entire crisis planning and management model when addressing school security and safety, while maintaining a welcoming educational environment where children can learn and thrive.

VPSDeploy's Quest For Total Web Application Immersion - How It Works

By Richard Peck

The problem today is that web based services are still operating as form-based applications. Whilst there's nothing wrong with this, it prevents any sort of immersion from being achieved. A much better way is to use object oriented development to craft an experience which both embraces the modern web, but also ensures that consumers are able to indulge in solutions that work for them.

In the programming world, there are two types of format.

The first is what I call "form based" (it has other names) - which essentially means that every time a user interacts with an application, they do so by filling in, or editing, some sort of form. Think of an accounting application, where each invoice you input into the system is done via a form with many boxes.

The second is what's known as "object oriented programming" (OOP for short). This is where "forms" are loaded as objects - which retain state and can be manipulated by way of using "actions" and "methods". Whilst these objects work in exactly the same way to "forms", the core difference is that many of them can be loaded at once, providing the illusion of immersion.

In a nutshell, you'll find the core difference between form-based and OOP design is the experience the developer is hoping to provide the end user.

The majority of games use OOP, which means they work by invoking a single instance of an application, and having the user determine which "objects" (enemies & destructive scenery) show on the screen.

By shooting an enemy or other object, it will trigger the object to react in a particular way. For example, if the enemy is to "die", it will invoke a particular animation ascribed to that change in "state" for the object, making the user think that the enemy has indeed perished.

The key thing to remember is that people think in images, computers in numbers. This means that if you're looking to create any sort of application - you're basically trying to identify the underlying functionality it is meant to have. If you're able to create functionality that works well, you'll be able to use the OOP programming techniques to get the system working as effectively as possible.

This is something that happened in the 90's when PC's moved from 2D to 3D. However, the web is now beginning to experience a similar shift. Faster processors, more memory and higher graphics fidelity for the likes of smartphone screens have pushed users towards an expectation of wanting to be able to engage with truly immersive application experiences.

Whilst they can get these through the "native" deployment methods - including the likes of iOS, Android & Windows apps, people are now looking for "web centric" deployments which allow for a central "web service" to be ported to different systems. This is what VPSDeploy has been working towards with its underlying system.

Without going into too much detail, VPSDeploy basically gives web service developers & users the opportunity to deploy their applications to "cloud" VPS servers. Whilst this may seem relatively mundane, its real claim to fame is its ability to do this within a completely object oriented environment, where you're basically able to visualize your entire server stack without the need to refresh the page etc.

On top of giving users an immersive experience, it does something substantive - it allows for extensibility in the design of the solution. In other words, it means that you're able to integrate a large number of other features into the system which may not be directly related to its core functionality.

In the case of VPSDeploy, this means that you have the ability to add a large number of tools to look at the different features of your servers. Such integrations as a database management application, email manager and performance upgrades give you the ability to completely immerse yourself in the underlying way the system works.

Contract Manufacturing (CM)

By Arjun N

Understanding Contract Manufacturing

A business unit with a proficient design but lacking in key manufacturing skills or bandwidth to handle large consignments might seek to enter into contract with a manufacturer that is skilled at the manufacturing process. A manufacturer may outsource one or more tasks of the production process to a third party. From designing to the end product, any scaled-down process that is outsourced would be bound by Contract Manufacturing. In simple words, production of goods by one firm under the label/brand of other, mutually benefiting each other.

Process of a Contract

The company before getting into the contract sets up its requirement in terms of quality, quantity, delivery and also establishes guidelines or even inspection. They state their requirements and then select a manufacturer based on the price quoted, that meets the requirements. At times, one manufacturer can provide most of the services like a Tooling and Die manufacturer would be well equipped to broach, grind, forge and even doing aluminium die cast which a gear manufacturer requires.

Merits

It is cost effective to a business, enables them to increase their production capacity, also acquire new orders which the business would not be equipped to manufacture.

Decreased labour cost-if the manufacturer belongs to a lower labour cost region, then cost of production reduces drastically.

Operational advantages, when the demand for product increases or if the product has seasonal demand, the business can outsource production only for the specific period resulting in cost saving.

Professional expertisewill amplify in production of flawless components to improve the current product or to enhance quality and also reduce defective products. Like a copacker/contract packager or even CNC machining companies that are mostly used for the processing of complex components and their assembly.

Reduced inventory costs, outsourcing the processes would eliminate inventory space necessity. For example, manufactured parts can be forwarded to a copacker/ contact packager, an expertise in packaging and directly shipped to market.

Reduced material costs, a manufacturer might produce the same or similar products for various companies resulting in economies of scale due to bulk purchase.

Challenges

Shipping, outsourcing the manufacturer from a low labour cost region can involve shipping costs or even damages to products whilst shipping which might not turn out to be economical.

Risks, distant location can cause a barrier in communication, day to day control or quality control. Manufacturers having clients of similar field can cause issues of having competitors as clients which might also result in losing commercial or technical information.

Complexities, having multiple CM's can make a business model inefficient and complex if one of the CM fails to abide the delivery time. This would result in delay of the entire production processes.

Loss of intellectual property, giving away the core formula to a CM can result in duplication of the products affecting the business.

Contract manufacturing comes with its own pros and cons, but many Medium scale companies are increasingly adopting it as it allows them to be more nimble and scale quicker.

We at solution buggy have facilitated industries to search and talk to such experts who have not only been able to implement design contract manufacturing for larger industries but also have a diligent follow up process which has helped industrialists to save costs and in turn improve productivity and efficiency and increase bandwidth to take up new orders.

To learn more about such initiatives, logon to http://www.solutionbuggy.com

SolutionBuggy site

Diet Soda and Aspartame: The Unhealthy Ugly Truth

By Marla D Gates

Soda, diet soda, and other processed diet foods usually contain high fructose sugar or aspartame, artificial and synthetic additives, filled with GMOs that are poison to your body. No nutrients, vitamins, just unhealthy ingredients.

Many people believe that diet soda can help you lose weight but just the opposite is true. Diet soda or any processed diet foods that has aspartame and other toxic ingredients have proven to actually cause you to gain weight.

Need Some Proof:

Researchers from the University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHSC) at San Antonio gathered 10 years of data on 474 participants form a larger group that was an ongoing study called the San Antonio Longitudinal Study of Aging. These participants consumed 2 or more diet sodas a day and their waist sizes increased 6 times greater than those who did not drink diet soda.
According to a study from by researchers conducted in 2010 from the National Institute of diabetes and Digestive and Kidney diseases found that the body's reaction to ingestion of artificial sweetener appears that it confusing the brain on how to process it, which also indicates that it is causing many other negative and unhealthy consequences in your body functions.
At the annual meeting of the american Diabetes Association (ADA) completely debunked the notion that drinking diet beverages is helpful to lost weight. According to their studies diet beverages with artificial sweeteners (aspartame) in causes an increase of 70% in waist size. They believe that using the term DIET is completely misleading. Further research showed that aspartame is actually responsible for raising blood sugar levels.

Studies have shown that soda contributes to many other health issues such as:

Osteoporosis

Diabetes

Heart Disease

Liver Disease

Cancer

Oral Health - can cause cavities

There are many reasons why not to drink diet soda or regular soda. So why not make today the day that you take the step to quit drinking soda completely and start living a healthy lifestyle

If you are trying to lose weight or just want to live a healthier lifestyle my suggestion would be to stop drinking soda, cut out processed foods, refined sugars, and simple carbohydrates.

Why not try eating real food that is organic or local harvest straight from Mother Nature. Clean organic whole foods can help reteach your body how to digest and use nutrients from healthy foods that God put on this earth for us to eat and stay healthy. We have to make a conscious decision on how we want to live and eat and those choices we make will dictate in so many ways how healthy our bodies are. Don't you think it's time to make some changes in your life and remember that your body is your temple!

Live organically, naturally, and be happy!

My name is Marla Gates and my mission is to help your live a healthy and green lifestyle, live naturally, organically.and help make this world be safer place. I believe strongly that most diseases come from what we eat and our toxic environment. Come join me in my venture and I promise you wouldn't be disappointed in the many tips and ideas on my blog to help you live healthier, natural, and longer life! @   https://organic4greenlivings.com/

Here's Why to Consider Natural Weight Loss That Effectively Works Wonders

By James Nussbaumer

For many years, how do you effectively lose weight has been the dilemma of many people not simply in the Americas but spread all over the world.

There are now a lot of diet plan systems and medications available.

There have been so many unfavorable feedbacks about most of these diet systems and medications.

Some are not as effective as they declare to be while some even have bad side effects.

People are today more and more seeking for how to lose weight naturally.

The professionals in diet plan programs are constantly having a hard time to offer customers the finest possible answer to: how do you lose weight?

Since the procedures are natural, this procedure is considered healthy and will really make you feel better and more satisfied.

Unlike the crash diet and "almost magic" ideas, these programs and medications offered today, will teach you ways to reach your goals in a proper manner.

This method will inform you the reverse of exactly what those undependable diet programs tell you; that you will help if you are going to religiously follow a long-term but healthy strategy.

Now, don't you think it is a lot easier to believe to a procedure which does not guarantee making you fit and attractive over night?

Natural Effective Ways Further Explained

What can you really do for answering to your goals even when you were thinking about obesity and surgery options?

- Discover ways to be crucial on what you consume. Prevent too much fried and salty foods.

- Online sites are also offered on the web as your referral.

- It is very important that you understand whether a particular food on your menu can be a prospective harm to your plan.

- Know what to consume

- There are lots of released, both online and prints, about natural fat loss.

- Read about all the different options.

In a previous session I discussed quick tips and joining forums to help support your efforts.

Participate on online forums

Yes, there are online communities and forums on the Internet where members discuss its advantages and the various resources which you can find to find success.

There are different diet sites and you can visit any of them so you can get answers for reaching your goals for being more fit.

You 'd be able to get suggestions and details about programs and tablets on such websites.

Don't believe in magic, because when it comes to dropping pounds, there is no such thing as magic.

Patience and determination are what you need to commit to.

Really, there are lots of ways for being fit the natural way.

You just need to understand the various resources that you have.

And after some time, you will feel the difference between the business diet plan solutions and the natural method.

It is since eventually, you will end up being completely fit while remaining healthy.

Yes, healthy since you are not restricting yourself with exactly what you consume.

I mean that, with natural systems and the knowledge they give you, means you do not deprive yourself.

You simply learn what are the best times and the ideal amount to eat.

And think about this before considering surgery, that irreversible fitness is the promise of reducing weight naturally.

That's right; you do not have to fret about not achieving your goals, after shedding those pounds.

The specialists in many programs are continually having a hard time to provide clients the best possible answers to their issues.

Considering that the procedures are natural, is the healthy way and will really to make you feel satisfied and secure with your body.

Unlike the trendy ideas and "practically magic" programs and medications available today, answer to, in an appropriate choice.

(I also suggest searching the net for reviews on ways to get fit, be healthy with stepping on the scale and smiling.)

To healthy and effective fitness and dieting!

You can find related info on topics like, 'healthy and effective dieting and natural ways to lose weight,' and more. http://jamesnussbaumer.com/quick-diet/

The link above gives you access to further helpful material and for folks who are interested in letting go of the past and moving on in life to attaining Real Abundance, Purpose, and Wellness in their lives.

Hi, I'm James Nussbaumer, I'd like to introduce myself through my thought provoking self-improvement and inspirational books, articles, videos, Podcast, and other content for a better life, where I reflect on the principles of A Course in Miracles. It's about being all you can be and a life of success and happiness. Thank you for visiting.

Type 2 Diabetes - Do High Levels of Magnesium in The Diet Help to Prevent Coronary Heart Disease?

By Beverleigh H Piepers

According to the journal Nutrients taking in a sufficient amount of magnesium in the diet could be one way of reducing the risk of developing coronary heart disease. The coronary arteries lead from the aorta, the most significant artery in the body, to the heart muscle, carrying blood with oxygen and nutrients.

In March of 2018, it was reported the scientists at ZGT Hospital and several other research facilities in the Netherlands and UK, found people who had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and who took in high enough levels of magnesium had a lower risk of having blocked coronary arteries than those who did not take in high enough levels of magnesium.

A total of 450 people with Type 2 diabetes were included in the study...

the participants were aged between 54 to 72 years and had the condition from age 7 to 18. A total of 100, or 22 percent, had coronary artery disease.

the participants who had been taking regular amounts of magnesium compared to the lowest numbers had a 60 percent lower likelihood of having coronary artery disease.

For every 10 mg of magnesium taken in from vegetables, the risk of coronary artery disease was more moderate, although it was not statistically significant.

Typically people with Type 2 diabetes tend to have low magnesium levels because their body does not handle it in the usual way. Insulin helps regulate the loss of magnesium through the kidneys. People diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in its early stages have high amounts of insulin...

high levels of insulin cause more magnesium to be excreted into the urine, removing magnesium in the blood.

low blood levels of magnesium cause higher insulin resistance and higher levels of insulin, setting up a vicious cycle.

Some foods that supply good amounts of magnesium include...

spinach - 1 cup, cooked, 157 mg,

pumpkin seeds - 1 ounce, 74 mg,

chocolate - exercise moderation,

bananas - 1 medium, 32 mg,

beans such as black beans - 1 cup 294,

whole grains such as wheat and rice,

almonds - 1 ounce, 162 mg,

tofu - � cup, 37 mg,

oatmeal - 1 cup, cooked, 57.6 mg.

The Linus Pauling Institute in Oregon, United States, recommends a daily intake of...

310 to 320 mg of magnesium for women, and

400 to 420 mg for men.

Most people do not consume sufficient levels of magnesium each day. If getting enough in the diet is not sufficient, then supplements may be the answer. One 400 mg tablet provides an adequate dose for the day

Although managing your disease can be very challenging, Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. You can make simple changes to your daily routine and lower both your weight and your blood sugar levels. Hang in there, the longer you do it, the easier it gets.

For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body. Go to http://DrugFreeType2Diabetes.com to learn about some of those secrets.

The answer isn't in the endless volumes of    available information but in yourself.

Type 2 Diabetes - Treat Yourself As You Would Your Loved Ones

By Beverleigh H Piepers

Imagine someone close to you has been afflicted with a severe disease. You would feel awful; perhaps you would feel worse than if the disease had affected your health. You may feel their pain; you may pray for their well-being. More importantly, you may be ready to do absolutely anything you can to help ease their pain.

But let us say the disease can be handled, not cured but controlled. By working with a health-care team and with family and friends, you embrace every aspect of their treatment and help your friend live quite successfully with their disease. Let's say the condition is Type 2 diabetes...

you may provide your support and help them learn about Type 2 diabetes and how to better manage its effects.

you may help them put something they have learned into practice.

you may go out of your way to keep them accountable with their physical activity regimen. While you usually may not go to the gym, you may go with them because it will ensure they are getting the physical activity they need to help build their muscles and lower their blood sugar.

If you could treat the disease for them, you likely would.

Now let us take a step backward. Would you put forward the same commitment if the person diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes was you? It is not a trick question, and be careful with your answer. Would you? Often people are not nearly as caring or disciplined with their health as they think. In fact, we are much more likely to care about the health of those close to us. The reasons for this are not simple, but basically, it tends to come down to how we see ourselves. We know we are not perfect as we are perhaps selfish and thoughtless: this can cause us not to hold ourselves in high regard.

Why is it so many people will not take their prescription drugs as advised by their doctor? If they even get the prescription made up: a surprising number of people do not make it that far. This is not the case where our beloved pets are concerned - most of us will do absolutely anything we can for them when their health and life is at risk. Even financial sacrifices are made to ensure their well-being. Why don't we treat ourselves the same way?

No matter how "bad" you think you are, or how undeserving you feel, it is not right to treat your loved ones better than you treat yourself. The best favor you can do for your loved ones is to take care of yourself because you can add to their happiness with the knowledge you are as healthy as you can be. Your family and friends are likely willing to take care of you during any hard times, but more often than not, it is up to you. As hard as it can sometimes be, treat yourself as you would your loved ones.

Although managing your disease can be very challenging, Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. You can make simple changes to your daily routine and lower both your weight and your blood sugar levels. Hang in there, the longer you do it, the easier it gets.

For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body. Go to http://DrugFreeType2Diabetes.com to learn about some of those secrets.

The answer isn't in the endless volumes of    available information but in yourself.

Buying the Right Table Saw for You

By Ron Pawlowski

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

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

Portable Table Saw ($150 to $300)

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

Contractor Saws ($600 to $1,000)

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

Hybrid Saws ($1000 to $2000)

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

Cabinet Saws ($2000-$10,000)

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

Buying Strategy

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

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

One Last Word on Table Saws

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

Summary

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

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

For more articles and over 300 great woodworking plan sets visit http://www.projectplans2000.com

How to Choose a Pair of Headphones That's Perfect for You

By Mia Kulyabina

Headphones come in many shapes and sizes, from small and portable, to huge and clunky. But most people nowadays will probably only own the set of earbuds that came with their cell phones. They may be fine for a while, but they're usually only good for making hands-free calls on your phone. Sound quality is often not their strong point. They will probably not be great for using in the office or while gaming either, so you should probably consider buying something better.

So many choices

For a first-time headphone buyer, the choices can be daunting. If you only need headphones for one specific purpose, the choice is fairly simple. With an unlimited budget, you can even buy a specialist set for each different purpose. But seeing as most people don't have that luxury, it makes more sense to buy something fairly versatile, that works best for the purpose you use it for most.

It can take many pages of writing to explain all the different specifications that headphones may have. To keep this guide simple, we will focus instead on the best types of headphones for some popular uses.

Commuting

Many people like to listen to music on the bus or train to work, usually on their phones. You have two upgrade options here, a better set of in-ear headphones, or a set of closed-back over-the-ear headphones. The in-ear models have the added advantage of being very portable, and often come with a carry case.

Public transport can be a noisy environment, so you will probably want to crank up the volume to drown out other noises. Whatever option you choose, it's very important that no sound spills out. If other people can hear your music, you are sure to get death stares, or even death threats. Noise-canceling headphones can be a great option here. Another useful feature is a built-in microphone, so that you can still use it for hands-free phone calls.

Listening to music at home

If you only want to use your headphones for listening to music at home in a quiet environment, open-back headphones are for you. They have a very transparent, airy, natural sound. The top audiophile models are also very expensive, and will require a headphone amplifier.

Gaming

Gaming headphones are a different breed entirely. They don't always sound great for music, but they can add some jaw-rattling bass to explosions. They also help you pinpoint the exact location of your enemies. They will almost always have a boom microphone for voice communication. Some of them feature surround sound that works through a USB interface, which means that they will only work on your computer.

Work

The ideal work headphones will have many things in common with commuting headphones. The only thing you may not need is a microphone. You will probably plug these into your work computer. Closed-back headphones are a must, so that you don't disturb your colleagues with your music. If your office is very noisy, or you're a freelancer working in a coffee shop, you will be very happy with a noise-canceling model.

Interested to learn more about the various types of headphones? Check out this article:    https://www.reviewsbyhumans.com/best-headphones-under-200-dollars/ It contains a buying guide as well as reviews of the best headphones available on the market today.

The Passive Income Myth

By Gregory Anne Cox

According to the IRS there are three categories of income: Active, passive, and portfolio.

Active is what it sounds like. You do income-producing activities that you get income.

Portfolio is also what it sounds like. You invest money into things like stocks, real estate funds, or other investment vehicles and - in the best of times - your investment yields gains, or income.

Then there is passive income.

The sacred cow of network marketing companies and continuity/membership site experts.

The goal of every over-worked, under-earning, praying-for-a-miracle self-employed type.

Passive intimates no work. You, on the beach, cocktail in hand, checking your PayPal account for the sales every few hours. Or, better yet, you, on your couch, in your jammies, binge watching GOT or House. Again.

I googled a ton of content on passive income and although there are some sound possibilities out there - lend money for interest for instance - many take a sound idea and run it right off the rails, like this one that admits you must frontload the work to get to passive: "first you need to haul ass and do something crazy, e.g. write a quality 20,000-word eBook (insane, not passive hahahah)", but here is where it runs wild -"but then you get to sit back and enjoy seeing PayPal sale messages pop up on your iPhone each morning as sale after sale after sale is made... on an ongoing basis and without any additional work. That's some seriously Pina Colada flavored passive goodness!"

There's some seriously delusional-flavored thinking.

Let's look at digital products. You write or create it once, set it up on a landing page, hook up the cart, drive traffic and you are off to the beach to collect your moolah.

A well done e-book or virtual program takes hours of research, writing, producing, formatting, etc. Those hours cost your time, and during those hours you are not making money. But OK, we can all agree, there has to be work on the front end right?

Right, but it doesn't end there.

Now we have marketing. If your landing page is optimized, your copy is killer, and your ads are spot on - something by the way that takes daily monitoring - and your e-book/product/program is targeted to the right audience, you could see recurring revenue from this evergreen type product.

Phew. We've done quite a bit of work so far and there are lots of "ifs" from a marketing perspective. (If your landing page converts because you've got conversion copy and the page is optimized for SEO, and you are targeting an audience that wants what you've got from you, and on and on.)

And marketing doesn't end if you want to keep the sales coming.

What about managing affiliate partners, returns, customer service? Even outsourced, there is still some active participation.

This type of income, as you see, is far from passive but it is leveraged.

Leveraged is good. It's how businesses grow and in our case, entrepreneurs, how we get out of the income-capping trap in the fee-for-service-only model.

I don't want to be Debbie downer, but part of my commitment to my clients and you, my readers, is to bring the truth; shine a light on traps, false gods, and naked emperors.

Am I suggesting not to do an e-book, a virtual program, or a continuity program? NO! (Well, I might in the case of the membership/continuity program, and I'm getting a few experts together to parse the good and bad and who should and shouldn't and when. I'll have details next week here.)

I am suggesting that you examine your attraction to a marketing idea before jumping in. No one idea will "save" a shaky business - sales is the exception here - and one idea that promises to "change everything" in your business is likely to fall short of its promise. What it really requires will only be found in the mice type - that tiny print at the bottom of webpages and print ads that gives you the disclaimer.

Always read the mice type.

And start researching leveraged income streams. Find out what it will really take to set one up and get started. It may not be passive, but it's income that requires less of you one-on-one or one-to-many. And that means more time to work on your portfolio or pina coladas.

Gregory Anne Cox is a free spirited entrepreneur who offers marketing in a fashion without using tired and boring content but a new fresh approach getting away from "Squishy Language" From becoming a freelance writer in NYC, to opening her own restaurant in San Diego, she is also a world renown author. Her most recent publications are "Everything is Food Journal" &
"Your Genes Do Not Determine The Size of Your Jeans". Gregory now specializes in Online copy assessment, Done-For-You and Speaker and Engagement Services. http://bemoremarketable.com

Which Is The Best British Shopping Destination For Overseas Visitors?

By Shah Karim

We are going to highlight some excellent shopping destination cities whilst you are visiting Britain. From high end designer names, to quirky uniquely British gifts to low cost fashion there are plenty of options when you comes to shopping in Great Britain.

If you have been following the news, you will be aware that the British pound has dropped in value against the dollar and other major currencies, which means overseas visitors will get more value for their money.

Here are our list of top destinations.

1. London, England

London has the world-famous Oxford Street with many of the brand names and landmark department stores including John Lewis, House of Fraser and of course the renowned Selfridges. Whilst in this area visit Regent Street, New Bond Street and Jermyn Street which contain Hamleys the famous toy store, many designer boutiques, upscale jewellers and of course traditional British tailoring. A few minutes' walk away you should visit Covent Garden, for those uniquely London individual market stalls offering more quirky gift ideas. If you are looking for a luxury shopping experience you must visit, Harrods in Knightsbridge is a must-visit and don't forget to treat yourself with the food delights at Fortnum & Mason.

2. Bath, England

The city of Bath is an elegant Georgian city with wonderful architecture from the Royal Crescent, the spectacular Bath Abbey and the historic Theatre Royal. It also has a UNESCO heritage site, which is the Roman Baths in the centre of the city. Bath is also must-visit if you're a Jane Austen fan. Now on the shopping. Firstly, visit the famous Milsom Street has previously been voted Britain's best shopping street. Whilst there you should sample Prince Charles' products at the Highgrove Shop. There are wonderful quirky independents and antiques shops in the London Road and Walcot Village area. This area is known as Bath's Artisan and brings together a lively, eclectic collection of characterful independent. Those looking for antiques should visit the Old Bank Antiques Centre. Treat yourself to delights of fine chocolatier at the Charlotte Brunswick store.

3. Brighton, England

Brighton is often known as 'London-by-sea' less than a hour away from London and frequented by Londoners every weekend. It's a great place to visit taking in the coast and waling along the beach. Brighton is known to have independent shops and if you are after something that is unique and one of kind you most likely will find it in Brighton. The place is visit are the famous North and South Laines where you can find 50's and 60's kitsch all the way to antique furniture to chic boutiques. Designer stores can be found in the Brighton Marina and if you looking for big brand stores visit Churchill Square.

4. Glasgow, Scotland

Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland has myriad of unique options. The key place for latest fashion trends is the Style Mile. Within the city centre around Princes Square and Buchanne Street you will find the big name labels such a Belstaff and Vivienne Westwood. If you're looking for unique jeweller visit Dower & hall, a well-known British jeweller. For those looking for unusual gifts you should visit the Barrowland Market where you can pick kilts, fur coats, bric-a-bric, collectors' items and many more items at bargain prices.

5. Birmingham, England

Birmingham is the UK's second largest city is only 1 hour 25 minutes from London. This city has become a premier regional shopping destination due to expansion of the shopping districts. There is a range of shopping options here. The largest city shopping centre is the Bullring which contain all plenty of major brands. Selfridges is also located here within in a futuristic building, worthy of a look. There is luxury shopping at the Mailbox, which contains Harvey Nichols and high end designer stores. A few minute's walk away is the Birmingham jewellery quarter, which is a must for those seeking high end diamond jewellery at good prices.

When you are planning to visit these shopping destinations, you should find a place to stay, so you can relax and explore these British cities. A great way to enhance your stay is by staying is by booking a holiday home, which can be a cosy apartment, spacious house or even a cottage for you. For approximately the same price as a family room in an average hotel, you and your family can enjoy the luxury and convenience of staying in a fantastic holiday property whilst experiencing Britain's shopping destination cities.

To help visitors plan their next British vacation, there is a new 2018 Discover Great Britain travel guide. This contains new travel ideas for 2018 as well as money saving tips.

About British Vacation Rentals.

We are a family owned and operated business, which initially started off staying in properties in the Britain in various locations and as avid travellers explored all corners of Britain. Our passion for family travelling, the great outdoors and all things vacation-related led is to gain accredited British travel expert certifications and the inevitable move in finding vacation properties for friends, families and couples.

Please visit our website to learn more about Britain, obtain our latest travel guide and browse the quality holiday homes we have available for your British holiday.

Cloud Computing and IT Infrastructure Service

By Sairaj S

What is Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing is an on-demand service that has obtained mass appeal in corporate data centers. The cloud enables the data center to operate like the Internet and computing resources to be accessed and shared as virtual resources in a secure and scalable manner.

The Cloud offers three primary services, which can be matched as per your unique requirements in Cloud Computing:

1- SaaS: Software as a service (SaaS) is a software distribution model in which a third-party provider hosts applications and makes them available to customers over the Internet.

2- PaaS: Platform as a service (PaaS) is a complete development and deployment environment in the cloud, with resources that enable you to deliver everything from simple cloud-based apps to sophisticated, cloud-enabled enterprise applications.

3- IaaS: Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) is an instant computing infrastructure, provisioned and managed over the Internet.

Why cloud computing beneficial for small business?

- Always-on availability - Most cloud providers are extremely reliable in providing their services, with many maintaining 99.99% uptime.

- Improved mobility - Data and applications are available to employees no matter where they are in the world.

- Cloud computing is more cost effective - Because companies don't have to purchase equipment and build out and operate a data center, they don't have to spend significant money on hardware, facilities, utilities and other aspects of operations.

- Expenses can be quickly reduced - During times of recession or business cut-backs (like the energy industry is currently experiencing), cloud computing offers a flexible cost structure, thereby limiting exposure.

- Less environmental impact - With fewer data centers worldwide and more efficient operations, we are collectively having less of an impact on the environment. Companies who use shared resources improve their 'green' credentials.

What is IT infrastructure?

The term IT infrastructure is defined in ITIL v3 as a combined set of hardware, software, networks, facilities, etc. (including all of the information technology related equipment), used to develop, test, deliver, monitor, control or support IT services. Associated people, processes, and documentation are not part of IT Infrastructure.

What makes IT management so important and popular these days are its large numbers of advantages. These services optimize your IT infrastructure in order to meet all your business needs.

This IT infrastructure build service pertains to application-centricity, seller's neutral approach and enterprise architecture methodologies in order to create and build a business aligned, strong and optimized IT environment for the businesses.

Few Companies offer such computing services, hence named as "Cloud Computing Providers/ Companies". They charge its users for utilizing such services and the charges are based on their usage of services. Here are some companies name

- Amazon Web Service

- Microsoft Azure

- Google Cloud Platform

- Adobe

- VMware

- IBM Cloud

More information on Cloud Computing and IT Infrastructure Service could be found on http://www.ironsystems.com.