blog.regalhomesource.com

Now that fall is upon us and the weather is changing the house may seem to be a little more cluttered. Our sweaters and coats a spilling out of closets and dressers. Our boots and book bags seem to have taken up permanent residence on our floors in the hall and around doorways. These seemingly minute issues do have a tenancy to pile up into one nasty mess by mid December. Before the weather takes a serious turn for the colder it’s pretty smart to get things organized, stowed and put into place now.

Winter coats and jackets are much more bulky and intrusive than those lighter jackets we use in the spring and summer. So in order to preserve your sanity in searching for the correct coat for the correct person consider utilizing coat hangers. These can be installed in closets or in the open of an entryway. By installing coat hangers and shelves in an entry or hallway, a little more character can be added to a space. This also helps keep the coats aired out and easily accessible. Shelving units can be utilized with racks and hangers to help keep our book bags, gloves and hats off the floors and organized. This can also contribute to a cleaner household by not remaining in a smelly sodden heap on the floor.

Another issue that comes up during the colder months is boot and shoe storage. While it may be fine to walk on into the house with your shoes on your feet during a dry, clear spring day, but the opposite is true for a blustering winter snow storm. Shoe racks and cubbyhole shelves can help keep footwear stored, organized and can also serve as a way to keep the wet grime from sitting on your floors and destroying them. These racks can be utilized in closets, entries and mud rooms effectively all year round. It keeps things tidy, organized, cleaner and contributes to a more efficient layout of home spaces.

Winter also brings with it gusty, low temperature winds. Doors can be blown in suddenly while the family is getting ready to go out. Checking and replacing doorstops can hep to prevent damage. Old and worn out door hardware can also let in drafts and contribute to higher heating costs. Check and repair or replace any door hinges or handles that may not work properly.

Weather stripping is particularly important in preventing drafts. Be sure to check that your doors have a good seal to prevent serious drafts. Inspect all your windows to ensure they close, seal and secure properly. Some repairs or replacements may be very helpful in keeping your house warmer and cleaner during the colder months.

Remember that winter is a time when we close our doors and windows effectively sealing ourselves off from the outside. The best way to retain heat is to ensure that those seals are effective and in good condition. As a side effect of closing ourselves in, we tend to collect both moisture and clutter from extra necessities. To prevent this from turning into a serious issue by spring, organization and proper space management can go a long way.

Ever walk into a room and trip over something on the floor while tracing the wall with you fingertips looking for the switch? If your like most people today, this has happened to you more than once. Not only do we all struggle with those illusive light switches, but out of reach ceiling fans can be a pain to switch settings or turn on and off as well. There are many different solutions to these problems and a few handy household electrical gadgets that can make life so much easier.

Lighted or glowing switch plates and switches can make the locating those troublesome switches much less of a bother. Plates can glow by utilization of phosphorescent coatings that absorb light during the day and glow with a pale light in the dark that is easily seen. The switches themselves can be treated with the same phosphorescent coating. Although in many cases the switch itself is equipped with a bulb that automatically turns on when the switch is turned to the off position. This light stands out distinctly in the dark and makes finding the light switch more convenient.

For less obvious solutions to the run away light-switch problem, many people have turned to the use of remotes. These remotes can come in many forms and perform many handy functions. The simplest is a key fob remote, which can turn on your lights inside from a distance of up to 50 ft away and around corners in many cases. This gives a little added security by being able to actually turn on the lights inside the house from the outside. Other types of remotes can be set for more than one light or set of lights. These tend to take on the more traditional appearance of a remote and can vary in size. For example, a universal lighting and component remote can change the settings of your fan, turn on specific lights, and turn down the volume on your home electronics.

Before considering a particular remote for your home consider first, your particular needs. It can be frustrating to have a highly technical remote that would be able to control lighting, home entertainment components, open garage doors, and engage security systems if all that was needed as a simple remote to turn on the lights inside the house while carrying an armload of groceries to the kitchen. Likewise it can be discouraging to have a remote that performs only part of what you may need it to do.

Once you have an idea of what you may be in need of, consider your current lighting and component arrangement. While many lights will work wonderfully with a remote, many may not. Consult your electrician about any additional equipment that may be needed for the best suited remote set up. It may be necessary too, for you to invest in more than one remote. If there are multiple family members or more than one major entry point of your house, a second remote could be a very good idea.

In times of tightened economies, such as we are now experiencing, our budgets get smaller and our projects get put on hold or downsized. Sometimes, however, we are faced with a situation that demands our attention and become full fledged remodeling projects. But how to afford them becomes a real trouble for many of us. There are ways of keeping a project within budget and of controlling cost over runs.

Be sure to have more than one estimate done on your project before moving forward. No one person or company will be the end all, be all of remodeling projects. Besides, you must be comfortable and confident in their skills if this is going to be a successful working relationship. Write your questions down and be sure to ask all of them. There is no silly question and having all your concerns addressed up front and honestly is the best way to proceed. It will also be noted by the builder that you will be involved in this project and honesty begets honesty.

Once you have decided on who is going to be doing the work, consider how much you will want to be involved in the actual labor and installation. You may have quite a few skills to draw upon. Any work you are able and willing to do yourself will help drive the costs down on your project. Keep in mind though, that this may affect the schedule of your project. Be sure that if you are providing some of your own labor in the project that you will be working within the projected time frame set up with your builder. This will help to avoid problems that may arise in the future.

The materials used in your remodeling project are a large part of the overall cost. Be sure to research your final selections carefully. Speak with your suppliers and your builder about options for economical and ecological options available to you. Your order may be placed in tandem with others in order to make use of bulk rates or reduced shipping costs. On line dealers are often very cost effective, but careful attention must be paid to the dimensions. Local dealers too, are an effective way of keeping costs down and quality up. They also help support the local economy in your area.

Plan out your floor plans carefully and make the most efficient use of all areas and surfaces. Often a less expensive answer can be found in modifying a floor plan or product selection. You may find that you like the look of one brand of cabinets, but they wont’ work with your floor plan without expensive modifications and extra time. By looking at alternatives you may be surprised to find a simpler, more cost effective way of accomplishing the very effect you were looking for through another manufacturer.

Above all, take the time to carefully reflect upon the parameters of the projects and your needs. A well planned decision rarely leads to expensive alterations or repairs in the future. Speak often with your builder about the project as it moves forward. This way you will be sure to be informed of potential issues before they become real problems. Above all else, do not commit yourself to physically working on the project unless you are able to work within the time constrains and posses the skills necessary to complete the task you have set yourself to. Taking on to much can lead to higher costs and many headaches. Careful planning can head much of this off and keep your project well within your original budget.

Home security is more than surveillance and expensive security systems. Home security starts with a safe home. And just what is a safe home you may ask. A safe home is one that is well prepared in case of an emergency and has adequate preventative measures taken. These include escape routes, emergency back ups, proper exterior and storage area lighting, door and window locks where appropriate. This can also mean integrated systems for programmed lights, water and home systems. It is a matter of the needs and desires of the household.

In determining what your home may need to become safer take the time to access your current escape routes. The front door may not be enough. Basement window can be utilized for egress windows and escape ladders can be installed. Ladders are also a good idea for bedrooms above the first floor. Check your windows, if they are large enough for a person to fit through and can be opened functional locks should be installed. Inspect your doors as well. Check for ease of opening and closing. Be sure the locks are in good and working order. Look over the jambs to spot any potential weakened areas that may not hold up to an attempted forced entry. These are the basic home safety practices.

If your home has met all your expectations for the recommendations above, consider the next level of home security. Fire, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are very important especially when small children are around. Be sure you have fire extinguishers in the kitchen and furnace room. Teach everyone in your home how to use one. Emergency lighting in case of a power outage is always a good idea. These could be lamps, candles, flashlights or small press lights. So long as you can see, it doesn’t matter what the form is. A land line or cell phone is also important in the event of an emergency during a power outage. Cordless phones can be rendered useless without a constant power source. Land lines and cell phone work interdependently of plugged in power and will remain relatively unaffected.

The next level of home security moves into a more integrated home security. This includes in home monitors, monitored security systems, alarms the notify the authorities in the case of a larger emergency like break ins, and automated home systems.

Home monitors can include a set or cameras installed in and around the home and wired into a monitoring station within the home. This works well for seeing who is coming up to the house or watching your children play in the yard while you are inside. Some monitoring systems are completely independent and others can be set to work with and be displayed on your computer. It is best to speak with your provider about options and what would be most effective for you and your family.

Monitored security systems are install in much the same way a home monitor is installed. It also come with a service that is paid for, where a security agency is hired to monitor your system and call you in case of an emergency or notify the authorities. A security agency may or may not be employed to watch over your fire and burglar alarms. These may also be set to simply sound off in the home, or hooked directly into your phone lines to ring into the local emergency system 911 line.

The last and oftentimes most advanced option for home security are automated home systems. This can be as simple as putting a time on your lights when you are away, or as elaborate as a computer controlling everything from lights to furnace functions. Manifold and monitoring stations can be installed in your home. Your water for both the lawn and your home can be adjusted as well. The automated systems can be linked in with your paid security service for an all inclusive monitoring system. It is just a matter of how mush your household needs in the way of protection and security. There are many options available to you, speak with your provider and installer for what options may be most effective for you and your needs.

With everyone furiously googling for information on today’s hot topic, I figured I would put together a few places people can look to get the best information possible about the Swine Flu outbreak that has hit Mexico and parts of the United States. This information isn’t from me, as I am not a doctor, but it is information that I have gathered from reputable sites. I have also included the links to the information so the sources can be checked out.

What is it?

From the Centers For Disease Control: Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Swine flu viruses cause high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in humans. The classical swine flu virus (an influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first isolated from a pig in 1930.

Why do Humans Get it?

Since the flu is a virus, it can be spread from pigs to humans. Obviously, this starts out with those people in direct contact with effected pigs, but since it is very contageous, it can spread quickly from person to person. It cannot be spread through eating pork products, even if the source pig was infected. Usually it is spread from an infected person sneezing or coughing, or touching a surface that someone else touches and then touches their own nose or mouth.

Where has it been found?

So far, in the United States, cases have been confirmed in California, Texas, Ohio, Kansas, and New York. In NYC alone, there have been 28 cases confirmed. There have been no deaths attributed to the virus in the United States, but nearly 150 deaths in Mexico have been blamed on the virus.

Getting more information:

From the World Health Organization

Bloomberg.com

Wall Street Journal

A few days ago, I was presented with a task: Download and try the application Artisteer to see how well it can be used to create a unique Wordpress template. When you go to the site Artisteer.com (http://www.artisteer.com) you can watch a demo video about the application and what it can do. You can read about it in the forums and find out what the marketing team wants you to know, but the only way to truly get experience with a product is to download it and try it.
It didn’t take long to download the trial version, so I had it installed and ready to go in no time. The process is simple and it even allows you to try out the different versions on a single download. The Home Edition allows you to create Wordpress and HTML templates, while the Standard Edition have several other CMS and code base options to setup and export to. The Standard Edition also has a larger image library, and more color and font schemes already set up for you. Both editions allow you to add your own images and schemes.
I tried out the Standard Edition and in just a few minutes of pointing and clicking was able to generate a pretty basic Wordpress theme. It has some very nice features as a part of the layout potions (transparent layers, rounded corners, and other advanced CSS techniques) but you can only do so much with it. I’ll get to that more in a bit.
The interface has been made to look and feel like Microsoft Word 2007, complete with ribbons and buttons. If you know the latest version of Word, it should be very easy for you to figure out how to set the various options and make the selections you need to make your template. It also has a feature where you can have the application randomize your layout or any specific layout aspect. So, if you get stuck trying to figure out how many columns and where you want them, just click the Suggest button and have it show you what you could do.
I would have really liked it if Artisteer had the ability for you to click and drag elements or resize columns and headers by dragging sizing bars. It seems that you can only set things manually, having to figure out the math yourself for size and aspect ratio.
I suggest that you play with Artisteer as much as possible during your 30-day evaluation. During that time, any output will have a watermark all over the template, making it unusable, but you certainly will get a great idea of what your template will look like based on the UI version. If you decide to buy it, Artisteer runs $49.95 for the Home Edition and $129.95 for the Standard.

Written by Ben Hirsch

I am always surprised when people are surprised by a product not living up to their expectations. For years, we have had sites on the web to give us reviews on everything from books to roofing companies. These sites get tons of traffic, and even online stores have tried to capture some of the magic of customer reviews by placing them right next to their online offerings. Go to any online mega store and you will see a link to view and submit consumer ratings, right near the link to buy. On one hand this makes the company seem like they care about their customers and what they have to say, and on the other, they could just be tired of having to give refunds on expensive pieces of trash. If Bob from Idaho can warn Jim from California about the loud noise coming from his fridge, maybe Jim won’t have to waste Sears’ time in having them come back to pick up the heavy thing.

I find it funny that some of my friends, who are well versed in how to use the Internet, still don’t know about or use the sites out there when they go make their purchases. Maybe they don’t know about the sites, or maybe they don’t trust what other people have to say. Maybe they just think they know better and trust that the product description written by the company will always be truthful and not leave anything out. Yeah, right.

As a general rule, before I go out and buy anything that I would consider to be an investment, or spend any amount of money that would impact my family budget, I jump online and see what others are saying. Here is a list of some of my favorite sites and what types of info you’ll find there.

Kudzu.com – This site is the best place to get reviews on services and businesses in your area. I don’t hire anyone for anything until checking it out.

CNet.com – If you are looking for the latest gadget, TV, or other electronic device, CNet is my top choice in review sites. You get expert reviews from their editors, along with really detailed user reviews. Be careful not to get too lost in the many comments made on some of the more popular types of device, such as digital cameras.

ZDNet.com – Similar to CNet, but they also pull in reviews from across the web. This helps for items that have limited distribution or only sold in a certain chain.

Epinions.com – What you lack in expert reviews is more than made up for in the passion of the user base. You can get reviews here on just about anything you can think of.

ConsumerReports.com – The old guy on the block still has some juice when it comes to reviewing products and services. A good idea to see if what you are buying has a review here.

Written by Ben Hirsch

One of the best reasons for an orthodox Jewish home to invest in a Home Automation System is the Yom Tov (Jewish Holidays) problems that it can solve flawlessly.
For example if you have two days of Passover on Thursday and Friday followed by Shabbos (the Jewish Sabbath), a regular time clock will not help out much. The night meals, or Sedorim, of the first two nights ends very late; it can even end past 1:00 or 2:00 AM, whereas the Shabbos meal my end at 10:00 to 11:00 PM. Therefore when one programs the computer you can have different off times for Wednesday and Thursday nights as opposed to Friday night. Also our electric oven is set go go on and off at different times for Pesach and Shabbos. This is quite easy with the computer controlled switches. The crock pot, for our cholent can go on on Friday afternoon automatically even though we wouldn’t be able to turn it on on our own. For our crock pot we use the Simply Automated Receptacle URD-30.

The same problem can be solved with the second days of the Jewish Holiday Succoth. The seventh day we eat in the Succah whereas the eighth day we don’t. Therefore I program the computer to have the lights go on for the seventh day of Succoth and the lights in our dining room would go on on the eighth day of Succoth. For our Succah we use the Simply Automated Plug-In Module UML-20-W.
All of our various Yom Tov meals are set with our home automation system. Before Pesach (Passover) we eat in the basement so I automatically switch the program to Pre-Pesach. This disables the upstairs dining and dinette lights and automates the basement lights as well as the crock pot and hot plate that we use to cook there. I feel that the home Automation Systems benefit Orthodox Jews more than anyone else because of their restrictions on Shabbos and Yom Tov! Though www.regalhomesource.com carries various home automation systems, I found that the UPB systems by Simply Automated to be by far the most reliable home automation technology out there.

Altronix, a leading designer and manufacturer of low voltage electronic components, will be attending the Sands Expo Center for ISC West in April 2009.

ISC West brings together everyone from manufacturers, dealers/installers, system integrators, to corporate end-users of security products to learn, evaluate, and competitively source in a highly productive environment.  Members of these communities come from around the world to reap the benefits of learning about new products, gain significant networking time and to be educated.

This announcement comes on the heels of Altronix’s  recent news of having different video power supplies now UL listed in both the U.S. and Canada.

UL, which stands for Underwriters Laboratories, is a trusted source around the world for product compliance.

The announcement of their newly UL listed VertiLine(TM) series of rack mount power supplies for video surveillance systems came in November, with several of their products featured on www.regalhomesource.com., a premiere home remodeling source for home-automation, electrical decor and decorative hardware.

One of the items listed is the Module/Controller AL400ULADA, which features a 4 Amp Fire Alarm Power Supply.
Some of its other features include short circuit and thermal overload protection, a built in charger for sealed lead acid or gel type battery backup, a lifetime warranty, and is compatible with 12VDC or 24VDC fire panels.
It is also MEA – NYC Department of Buildings Approved.

Another product, The Module/Controller AL624E, converts a low voltage AC input to a 1.2 amp of continuous supply current at 6VDC or 12VDC or .75 amp of continuous supply current at 24VDC. This product, also listed at www.regalhomesource.com, also has short circuit and thermal overload protection, 1.2 amp of continuous supply current at 6VDC or 12VDC or .75 amp of continuous supply current at 24VDC along with a lifetime warranty.

There is also the the Scheduler/Timer 6062, a multi-purpose programmable timer is suitable for different functions that  may require a timed operation, Access Control Applications, Siren/Bell Cut Off Module, Dialer Delay, or Guard Tour Supervisory Timer. It also  has a quick and accurate time range adjustment from 1 sec. to 60 minutes.A new feature has also been added that will provide a momentary relay activation at the end of a desired timing cycle.

According to the Altronix Company, the company serves both domestic and international markets through a worldwide network of distributors. Founded in 1983, their headquarters based in Brooklyn, New York.