Social Bookmarking & SEO
The concept of social bookmarking grew vastly trendy thanks to portals such as Deli.cio.us and Digg. The concept is that an article or web publication is collected, filed and then labeled to be classified later on by relevancy. The material brought in by social bookmarks is often seen as more germane for many users because the information is supplied by humans. Its value is decided by real people rather than a search engine providing results founded on keywords. A points scheme is also exercised with articles on social bookmarking sites and to bring in a more intimate personal aspect to it.
Social bookmarking, the major ones, and the Digg clones and Delicious clones can add waves of audiences to your site. Marketing your portal through social bookmarking is effortless, as long as you have relevant and practical information. The bookmarking world will recognize its usefulness and vote for it and thus generate greater hits through the bookmarking services. Your portal’s viewership can grow greatly thanks to social bookmarkers.
Aim for the niche market that is closest to your portal. Try to connect to those bases that will have viewers who understand the material, and therefore can push it up and generate excitement around it in the bookmarking community. You can also generate back links to your portal by linking URLs to your content. This may not mean anything in terms of SEO asset as some social bookmarking software implement a ‘no follow’ policy, associating tags to your links. Still visitors could still view your site and bring popularity to the attached links.
These days with dozens of social bookmarking services, it is important to try to get linked into one in some way. The possibilities from there are endless as you increase your viewer base and earn points among the regulars of your site.
Since tens of thousands of webmasters are seeking to get their website indexed very quickly, running your own social bookmarking site has proven to be very profitable by some. However, the days of creating a general social bookmarking site are over and the money is in the niches such as the finance niche, health niche or even local news niche.
Deconstruction Sequences for Safety
Introduction
The definition of the word ‘demolish' is deliberate and controlled collapse of a structure. In the late 1970's Fred Dibnah became the most famous steeplejack in Britain when his work on demolishing tall chimneys without the need for explosives was shown on Television. Fred was an interesting character and became famous as a specialist on repairing tall chimneys, so when it came to taking them down he knew just how to do it. He would cut an alcove at the base of the chimney, and then place wooden props to support the structure. By carefully positioning the props, the chimney would collapse in the right direction when the wood was set alight and burned away. Once he was nearly crushed because he miscalculated somewhat when demonstrating how dangerous demolition work really is.
The actual word to demolish only came into being in 1570, and was used after that to mean the deliberate taking down or destroying of a building or structure. Although in fact the process of demolition, in some form or other, has been occurring for thousands of years. Buildings have been destroyed either by natural disturbances of the Earth's crust or during battles or attacks on villages for as long as there have been structures. The remaining ruins would be removed and rebuilt or used for other buildings nearby and must be early examples of recycling.
Preserving the Past - Preparing the Future.
To preserve Britain's history of agriculture the land between the built up areas of the villages and towns is protected from expansion of urban sprawl. This land is known as Green Belt and is preserved for farming which is vital to the continuing economy of the country. By protecting the Green Belt, urban areas are being squeezed to provide housing, so developers have to be much more creative to find suitable sites.
Britain is a country with a very dense population per square mile. The amount of land available for construction is limited compared to other countries. Therefore there is always a high demand for space on which to build. Taking down old and unused buildings and replacing them with new is one way to counteract this shortage.
Lands that may be disused industrial and commercial sites, but could be contaminated with hazardous waste or pollution, are called Brownfield sites. Once the land has been cleaned up they are potentially valuable for redevelopment. Both Glasgow and South Wales created gardens out of old industrial sites and put in Shopping centres to attract visitors and generate income.
Greyfield sites are distinct from Brownfield sites in that they do not have the environmental concerns of toxic waste. The term greyfield comes from the large areas of asphalt which had once been car parks of commercial urban properties. Their value is in the fact that the infrastructure such as roads, electricity, water, sewage, and gas is already in place. These urban areas which become under-utilised or abandoned and are valuable because require very little remedial work to be developed. Cities such as Leeds and Manchester have had a massive programme of converting the old warehouses or factories into apartments, shops and restaurants, retaining the original shell and refurbishing the interior into valuable accommodation.
The Demolition Process
An experienced demolition contractor will have made a careful plan of the sequence of events.
• The construction type and physical size of the building.
• What items have re-use value?
• What will the cleared site's re-use be for?
• Where are the waste by-products going to be disposed?
• What considerations need to be made with regards electricity, water, sewage and gas mains.
Hydraulic excavators and bulldozers can be used to undermine the walls at the base, so that the structure will topple; at the same time controlling the manner and direction of the fall. Safety issues are paramount, and clean-up strategies are also taken into account when deciding how the building will be demolished.
Traditional Demolition
At one time the traditional way of demolishing a building was very crude. Once all the services were disconnected, the men and machinery would go in and just knock down the walls. Then the whole structure would collapse and the resulting debris would be piled onto lorries and be dumped in landfill sites. Concrete foundation would be broken up by pneumatic drills and the site would be cleared of rubbish ready for the new work to begin. However today demolition practices are subject to strict planning, safety and monitoring regulations and are highly controlled by the local authority. The way a building is constructed means that one section is dependent on another for stability and strength. For instance the roof of a building is not really fastened down other than fixing tiles with nails to stop them slipping. The roof stays in place with its own weight as the beams are laid on the top of the walls rather than fastened into them as they once were for much older houses. The cross beams and purlins then tie the whole thing together to secure the frame of the roof. To this slats are laid as a frame for laying on the tiles or slates. Other sections of a building are also interdependent so when it comes to demolition these factors are taken into account in the sequence of deconstruction. In a sense, like Fred Dibnah you need to be an expert in construction to know how to do the deconstruction.
Deconstruction and Recycling
The new approach to demolishing buildings is known as deconstruction - a green approach. Landfill sites are in short supply so the aim when demolishing a building is to diminish the amount of waste remaining.
Small structures such as two or three storey houses can be dismantled quite easily. The work may be a painstaking task of dismantling by hand - brick by brick - or beam by beam but by going carefully expensive materials are preserved for re-use. The value of deconstruction is that 90% or more of waste is saved from going into landfill sites and reclaimed materials can be re-used and recycled for future buildings. The farmer opposite my house sold his barns in the farm yard for housing; when the builder demolished the barns he cleaned up the bricks and reused them for the wall around the farmhouse thus retaining the character of the farm.
Modern techniques and machinery allows demolition companies to efficiently segregate waste types on or off-site. Construction materials are recycled and re-used whenever possible in the new structure making substantial savings in project costs as well as being good for the environment.
Concrete can now be rapidly broken up with a huge guillotine.
Crushing of the demolished building and stone to 6f2 aggregate is an environmentally friendly option to disposal of the rubble in a landfill site. Crushed material from the demolition can be used as a sub-base for the new building foundations or used on other sites where construction is underway.
Copper pipes, lead, roof tiles or slates, floor tiles, wiring and doors, and wood panelling are valuable artifacts that are saved for recycling to be re-used. Many specialist firms offer reclaimed old or antique building items in most towns and cities.
Tall Buildings
Tower blocks and chimneys are the type of tall buildings that may need to be demolished. The demolition of tall buildings necessitates skilled techniques. The tallest building to be demolished lawfully was in 1967/8 of the Singer Building in New York. The collapse of the World Trade Centre after the 9/11 attack in 2001 demonstrates the terrible devastation that occurs if the demolition is uncontrolled and haphazard.
In the demolishing of tall buildings and large structures a wrecking ball on a crane can be used, but is rarely practiced because the swinging ball is rather uncontrollable. The proximity of other buildings is a determining factor which prevents the use of explosives to implode a tall structure. So ‘High Reach' demolition excavators are used where other methods are not appropriate to demolish the top part of a tall building. Once it is down to a manageable height demolition can continue in the usual way. The various methods of demolishing tall buildings are by implosion using explosives, controlled collapse and piecemeal. To control the dust produced in demolition, water hoses and spray equipment are sometimes used and then it is called a wet demolition.
Explosions
The use of explosives in demolition is very specialist work and getting it wrong would be disastrous. If for instance there is atmospheric pressure from low cloud above the implosion site, the shockwave may spread outwards instead of upwards causing the wave of energy and sound to break windows. If an implosion is not prepared correctly the danger may be damage to surrounding buildings where flying debris may cause injury to spectators.
For many people when they think about demolition they may have in mind the use of explosives in the dramatic collapse of a tall building. This process is actually called implosion using explosives. Implosion is essential for dense urban areas as it brings down a tall building so that the surrounding environment is damaged as little as possible. The collapse takes only seconds for the building to drop into its own footprint.
Because of the hazards of working with explosives they will only be used when other methods are too costly or impractical. Where there is a partial collapse of a building and there are still primed explosives that failed to go off, workers are in great danger because the remaining structure is highly unstable. At the same time the demolition has to continue to secure the safety of the site.
Health and Safety
The work of demolition is a much more technical and complicated process than most people would appreciate. The job is highly dangerous and requires experienced and skilled operators to carry out the work. It is essential that personnel working in the industry are thoroughly trained. Health and safety awareness is crucial in demolition services so it is advisable for operatives to have gained a Certificate of Competence in Demolition to ensure safety for both workers and public alike. All demolition work is regulated by the Construction, Design and Management Regulations.
Any demolition company Nottingham should be able to demonstrate adherence to the following or similar, procedure for gaining demolition works approval from your local council.
Sequence of Demolition
An incorrect sequence of dismantling will result in premature collapse of a building because the stability of any structure is reliant on the interdependence of its component parts. Think of a house of cards and what happens if one of the supporting cards is removed.
There is a strict sequence of events before any demolition can take place. Councils throughout the country will have their own specific list for planning approval in their area, but a typical order would be as follows:-
• Provision of Information
Information must be provided about the construction of the structure to be demolished. Details of its previous use and the appropriate demolition methods to be used, including disposal of hazardous substances, have to be submitted by the demolition company.
• Survey of Demolition
A thorough survey of the site to identify any structural problems, as well as risks associated with hazardous or flammable substances, will need to be discussed in detail with the authorities. (E.g. A disused garage where petrol has been stored is a potential fire hazard so preventative measures will need to be taken).
• Preferred and Safe Method of Work
A reputable demolition company will be able to select the appropriate method of disposal showing the outline dismantling process. Planning is essential for vigilant monitoring. The authorities will require a detailed statement of the safety procedures to used, and all parties involved need to agree the methods before any demolition can take place.
• Preparation and Planning
Issues such as asbestos abatement, rodent baiting, dealing with hazardous substances, disconnecting utilities, and making safe any electric, gas or other services have to be shown in the planning stage. There is a lot of preparation to be done before even starting work on demolishing the building itself.
• Protection of the Public
Safety cannot be compromised so where there are heavily populated areas around the demolition site the protection of the public is paramount. Any health hazards will need to be assessed and temporary services arranged, and peopledisturbed will have to be informed.
Conclusion
The aim in demolition is to eliminate an unwanted building as safely and quickly as possible and in our modern environment efforts are made to recycle or re-use most of the old material. This is not a new idea although the word itself is relatively modern. On the borders between England and Scotland after the Romans left, a large part of Hadrian's Wall was hauled away and use was made of the beautifully dressed stone to construct the new buildings in the towns and villages nearby and some are still standing today.
Demolition work by its nature is a very dangerous business and demolishing any building is a complex and skilled process. Next time you see demolition work occurring on a building give a thought to the people who work in a dangerous situation daily and how much is involved in the meticulous planning, regulations compliance, care and skill that goes on to carrying out the project to clear the way for our future.
How to Best Give Personalized Gifts
Even though school is out and summer upon us, there still doesn't seem to be any shortage of occasions to celebrate. But, who has time to keep the kids occupied in addition to searching for the perfect gift. One sure way to get an appropriate gift in a flash but still look like you put forth a lot of thought and effort is to incorporate your personal photos into the item. Pieces such as photo jewelry or photo dog tags are simple things yet they become something very special and personal. You'll be amazed at how many choices can be found online as well as at many of your local stores.
We all go through those times of the year when one special occasion quickly follows another and every time you turn around, you have a pile of presents for which you suddenly need to shop. But all your gift giving worries are over, because now you can get all the one-of-a-kind mementos in one place. Simply provide some special pictures, chose the item you wish to create, and before you know it, a custom-made wedding gifts will be yours to bestow upon the recipient. You can even sit down at your computer with your child and create masterpieces for the entire family. Even places like grocery stores, drug stores and office supply and copy centers offer these items.
Important events such as a graduation, wedding or first communion can be commemorated with products as keepsake boxes for storing all of life's little treasures and memories. Get holiday gifts for all your loved ones without having to run around all over town. Grandparents can never have enough pictures of the grandchildren, so they would simply love to receive gifts for kids that they can use every day that have pictures of their favorite people on them. There are so many items that can be personalized with your own pictures-magnets, key chains, plates, mouse pads and coasters, just to name a few.
Now when your child is invited to yet another friend's birthday party, you can be confident that the gift from you will not be duplicated by anyone else. Just imagine how thrilled they will be when they open up a t-shirt or sweatshirt with a picture of themselves and your child printed on it. The end of the school year can be a real challenge when it comes to finding a meaningful personalized gifts for that favorite teacher. Items such as picture calendars, coffee mugs and tote bags are sure to be used and appreciated all year long.
If you want to give something special but you just don't have the right picture or you are uncertain of which product to select, then simply purchase a gift certificate that the recipient can use to make something on their own. Gifts as these will certainly be cherished for a very long time. Unique and thoughtful presents from the important people in our lives make us truly treasure all the wonderful moments.
Top 3 Tips for Taking Great Pictures with Digital Cameras
There are many tips for taking great pictures with digital cameras. Many individuals believe that taking pictures digitally requires no specific skill or prior knowledge, but the truth is that digital based cameras integrate a high level of features that makes it challenging to capture pictures in the way that you want, or the way that you expect. By knowing a few tricks, you can capture beauty in every shot that you take. The following represents 3 tips that you can use in order to truly capture the essence of every photo that you take:
1. Many digital cameras come with preset balance settings such as "Beach", "Sunny", "Cloudy", "Night", and similar settings. Prior to taking pictures, it is important to learn how to access these balance settings and to experiment with each one. This way, when you indulge in taking pictures you will know which balance setting will compliment the photograph and can set the camera to that setting.
2. Do you enjoy taking a lot of pictures of the great outdoors or of people and places outside? If so, then it is likely that you will benefit from what is referred to as a "Polarizer". This is a special filter that is often used when photographing landscapes and natural scenes. It works to reduce the amount of glare that is displayed in the image and even eliminates reflections that are not intended to be caught. If you are unable to acquire a polarizer filter, simply place a lens from a pair of old sunglasses over the viewing area of the camera - this will provide the same effect.
3. The next step to taking great pictures with digital cameras is to research the zoom mode on your camera. This is also often referred to as "Macro Mode". This feature will permit you to take pictures of items that are typically hard to capture in close up. For example, you may capture a line of ants, or a flower in your garden.
It is easy to take great pictures with digital cameras. It may seem a bit overwhelming, but it is important to learn all that you can regarding the features of your camera. Once you know what can be done with it, you may incorporate these top 3 tips to capture some fascinating shots!
The author of this post is a big fan of TipDrop, a great place to post tips to help out other users.
Buying a Closet Organizer System: Some Tips before Shelving Out Money
Getting a closet organizer is usually not a priority in one’s first years of living the single or married life. But as years go by, the items in your closet pile up, eliminating the space in your closet where you can keep your clothes and accessories. Giving these away can help, but nothing beats making your closet more organized using one of the best closet organizer systems.
DIY or Customized
You have two general choices when it comes to having closet organization systems. The first option is a Do-It-Yourself or DIY closet organizer, while the other option is to purchase a customized organizer. A DIY may be a better choice for those who are on a budget, but see to it that you have plenty of time to spare on finishing the project. However, if you are a good carpenter and you love making crafts, you will surely have a blast doing your own closet organization system.
On the other hand, a customized closet organizer is the best option if you have the money but hardly any time to finish the project. One closet organizer system could set you back at least $1,000 – especially if you will hire someone to install it for you. As compared to a DIY closet, which you will discover will only cost you anywhere from $10 to $20. There is still a way for you to save up and get a customized closet organizer, though. All you need to do is carefully install the closet organizer by following the manufacturer’s instructions. However, if you do not have enough woodworking skills, it is a smarter decision all the way round to let a professional do the work for you.
Some Reminders
No matter which of the two options you decide to choose, it is important to keep a few things in mind. First of all, consider your budget – but this does not mean that you should sacrifice form over quality. Even if you have a small budget, you can still make sure that you will get the best materials for your closet organizer. For instance, get metal rods over wire closet organizer or opt for real wood instead of laminated ones. You can surely get the best value for your money by having good-quality organizers as an investment.
Finally, make use of every inch of space in the closet well. Eliminate any idle space – otherwise, your purpose of getting a closet organizer will be useless. Get inspired to make the most out of your space by browsing online for some designs for closet organizers. These will give you an idea on how you would like your own closet to be arranged. Whether they are DIY or customized, your purpose should still be the same – to follow a closet organization system. Selecting which outfit to use will be easier and dressing up will be more fun if your personal things are organized.