Bird Watching Tips

Bird watching is a fun and relaxing experience that can take you to different places and allow you to get a glimpse at the survival techniques that different birds utilize for nesting and raising their young, socializing and finding food, or singing to attract friends and mates. Ways to get the most out of your bird watching experience involve knowing what gear to bring, times of day that birds are most active, and knowing tips for identifying the birds and still have a comfortable and enjoyable time.

Beginning Bird Watching:



For beginners, consider teaming up with professional bird watchers. There are groups you can join, such as the Audubon Society or American Birdwatching Association. Not only do they offer magazines, articles and books, but they also have a list of birds you can look for. Sometimes, they have field trips you can go on to get some experience in bird watching.

When and Where To See Birds:

You can see birds at different times of the day, but certain birds have times they are more active. For example, songbirds start singing and eating two to three hours before sunset. Right after the sunrise, eagles and hawks get active because they soar in the warmer, thermal air currents. Owls are more active at night when they are looking for food with their night vision, and shorebirds feed after high tide.

Watching Birds At Feeding Time:

You can offer bird seed, water and shelter for birds in your backyard or garden and attract birds to watch. You can also find them in their natural habitat, eating the foods they would normally eat. Songbirds like seed and many bird types like niger, millet and sunflower seeds. Peanut butter attracts a lot of birds like cardinals, woodpeckers and nuthatches, although they also like suet. Hummingbirds are especially drawn to red and like sugar water in feeders. Some people add a drop of red food coloring. Birdbaths are a place to see many birds, because not only do they use them for a drink, but enjoy splashing on hot days.

Looking For Breeding Birds:

Birds breed at certain seasons and some migrate to nesting grounds. The majority of birds breed in the spring and summer so that the babies are ready for fall migration. They are harder to identify in the fall because some put on duller colors for the migration and some put on heavier feathering.

Spotting and Identifying Birds:

Birds are easily alarmed, so you need to move stealthily. Basic clues to look for and listen for when identifying a bird are: its habitat, plumage and color, behavior, silhouette and the songs or calls it makes. Also, looking at the beaks can give you a clue and watching what they are doing with it. Woodpeckers have rigid beaks for chipping wood, while hawks, eagles and owls have sharply hooked beaks for tearing up prey. Most backyard birds like cardinals, finches and sparrows have conical beaks while shorebirds have long, slender bills for digging in the sand and prying open shells.

Bird Watching Gear To Bring and Wear:

Of course, binoculars, cameras and something for taking notes is something you need. You may want to keep track of the time of day and activity you witnessed particular birds. You may also want to write down characteristics of the birds you are not familiar with so that you can look them up later, or take along a bird identification guidebook.

You will want to dress in dull colors so that you blend into the surroundings. Camouflage is the thing to keep in mind to see the most birds. Also, fabrics that rustle, snag or squeak will scare birds off. You may need rain gear, such as boots and warm clothing. Owls are best seen and heard at night, so a flashlight might come in handy. You might want to consider a hand-held recorder for songs and chirps of birds that you don't recognize to look up later.

After Your Bird Watching Experience:

This is a time to go through your notes and see if you can identify birds you are not familiar with. You may want to get a tape of different bird songs and calls to assist with identification. You may also need to go through your field guide that shows characteristics of certain birds and detailed pictures.

Bird watching is a fun and relaxing hobby that doesn't take much in the way of special equipment or extra expense, but can provide hours of entertainment.

Source :http://www.submityourarticle.com

First Aid For Common Injuries

Source :http://www.maksazone.com


As much as we'd like for it to be otherwise, injuries happen. Whether you suffer from a skinned knee or a broken arm, knowing how to treat common injuries (as well as knowing when to go to the doctor) is always useful.

What follows is a list of common injuries and some of the most common treatments for them. Should the injury have an odd look to it, excess pain or bleeding, or simply doesn't seem right, consult a doctor or local pharmacist. They may be able to offer better treatment options, or discover an underlying problem that could become severe if left untreated.



Bruises:

Bruises are caused by hits or blunt objects breaking small blood vessels in the skin. The larger the area where the injury occurs is then the darker the bruise will be, since there will be more blood vessels broken and more blood will be in the skin. It is also possible to have sub-dermal bruises, or bruises beneath the skin, which are a result of a blow breaking blood vessels in bone or muscle tissue.


The best treatment for bruises is to simply apply heat and massage the area. There are also creams available to deaden any pain associated with the bruise and to speed the bruise in healing. Should the bruise be especially dark or continues to grow, don't hesitate to consult a doctor.


Abrasions:

Scrapes, scuffs, and abrasions happen when the skin comes in contact with a rough material. Skinned knees or palms are the most common types of abrasions. Bleeding is usually minimal, and the pain often fades quickly.


To treat an abrasion, clean the wounded area well with water and either soap or an alcohol pad. Apply antibacterial ointment, alcohol, or iodine and cover with clean gauze. Keep an eye on it until it is healed for any change in color or puffiness that may indicate more serious conditions.


Cuts:

Depending upon the source, cuts can come in a variety of types; deep or shallow, smooth or jagged, thin or wide.


If the cut is a small one, or barely bleeding, clean the area and apply a bandage. If the cut is larger or bleeding heavily, apply pressure to the wound with a clean cloth and seek medical attention immediately. Cuts that bleed heavily or that are large or jagged may have damaged major veins or arteries, and even if they haven't may require stitches in order to heal correctly.


Sprains:

A sprain is caused when a joint twists in a way that it shouldn't and damages the connective tissue, such as a sprained ankle or wrist. Swelling and pain accompany the injury, and use of the affected joint is extremely limited at best.


The best treatment for a sprain is to keep pressure off of the injured area and to alternate heat and ice on the injury. Use of anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen is also recommended. You may also wish to consult a doctor, as he can not only diagnose whether or not there is any further damage beyond just the sprain, but also may prescribe or recommend specific medicines for the pain and the swelling.

Source :http://www.essortment.com

Maintain Your PC

Source : http://www.pc-blog.info

Your PC represents a large investment for you. But hands up, those of you who worry about your PC crashing, the CPU overheating, the hard disk failing or the monitor goes off when you need it most.

Many computer users worry about these and more - so here are ten tips to help your PC hum along trouble-free.

Apply them on a routine basis and I'm sure you'll see a difference in your computing experience!



Source : www.scsplus.co.uk

1. Get Rid of Dust

One of the most common causes of overheating is dust and dirt. So you need to keep your system clean, inside and out. Try to clean it once a year using lint-free wipes. Make sure you use an antistatic wrist strap as well to protect your system when cleaning inside the case.


2. Get Power Protection

One of the saddest things in many PCs is that they are not surge protected. Surge protectors are a good investment - they protect your PC from that unfortunate power outage or lightning strike. Try to get one that has a warning indicator and is UL 1449 certified.


3. Turn Off the Monitor

One tip I always apply at home - turn off the PC monitor when its not in use. I treat the computer monitor like a TV - don't waste your monitor's power if you're not using it. This is especially important in LCD monitors, which may burn out or get bad pixels after long periods of use.


4. Keep the PC Running

Many people don't realize that its harmful to power up your computer from a cold state. This is especially true when done repeatedly within a short timeframe. Try to leave your PC running as long as possible - or use the Microsoft Windows' Power Management settings to put your machine into hibernation rather than completely shutting down.


5. Hard Drive Health Check

If you use Windows XP, you should regularly check your hard disk's health with an error-checking utility. In Windows Explorer, click on the drive's icon, select Properties -> Tools -> Check Now. If the check discovers several hundred errors, your drive could be full of bad sectors - you'd best backup your important data and then try to get it repaired.


6. Get an Anti-Virus Program

I still find it amazing that many home computer users do not have an anti-virus program installed. This piece of software is fundamental to any computer system. You should definitely consider getting a program like Norton Antivirus to protect against harmful attacks.


7. Check the CMOS battery

If you have a very old PC (four or five years old), the CMOS battery on the motherboard may need to be replaced. The first sign of a bad CMOS battery is when your system clock starts losing time.


8. Take Care when Opening the Case

Whenever you open the PC case, turn off the power and unplug your PC. Ground yourself first - by touching anything inside the PC to avoid destroying your circuit boards with a static charge. Another option is to wear a grounding wrist strap. I've destroyed my computer power supply before because I forgot about this point.


9. Maintain the Mouse

What's one of the dirtiest components in a PC that you come in contact with? Yes - it's the modest little mouse. Years of using a mouse will get it filled with dirt and grime.

If you have a mechanical mouse, you'll realize this when the mouse starts to move erratically. To clean it, unscrew the mouse and use a small scraper to scrape the dirt off the two plastic rollers inside. Also remember to clean the scroll wheel if there is one. If you have a optical mouse, you need not worry about any internal rollers but you still need to clean the scroll wheel.


10. Clean Up the Registry

If you always add and remove computer programs in your PC, you can be sure the entries in your Windows Registry are pretty much in a mess. A clogged Windows Registry increases the time your PC boot up time and hogs system resources. Try to get a tool to help clean the registry safely, such as Registry Mechanic. Do not try to clean the registry yourself if you're not sure what you're doing.


Source : http://www.build-your-own-computers.com

5 Ways to Maintain Your Vehicle

By using the easy tips in 5 ways to maintain your vehicle you can prolong the life of your vehicle. Car maintenance a priority.

Whether having your vehicle serviced regularly or attempting to tackle the job on your own, keeping your vehicle in good working condition will maximize its performance and help you to save on costly repairs down the road.



Check your brakes

The brake system in your vehicle is imperative for keeping you and your loved ones safe. Common signs of brake problems include a high-pitched screeching sound when applying the brakes, brakes that are not as responsive as they should be, a pedal that 'sinks' towards the floor, vibration on the brake pedal or a grinding metallicsound. If you experience any of these signs, drop by your local Canadian Tire so an experienced mechanic can take a look.

Top up 'vital fluids'

Keeping your vehicle running well requires constant monitoring of vital fluids. Fluids that should be monitored and topped up on a regular basis include:

• Engine oil

• Transmission fluid

• Engine coolant

• Power steering fluid

• Brake fluid

• Windshield washer fluid

Replace shocks and struts

Ensuring your vehicle has adequate shocks and struts will increase your vehicle's safety and performance. Worn shocks and struts can cause uneven tire wear, damage suspension components, and cause unusual drift and sway to your vehicle.

Change your tires

With the harsh winters we've been experiencing, more Canadians have been relying on winter tires for increased safety in cold, wet weather. It is important that winter tires be replaced with all-season tires in the spring, as the rubber compound is different and performs differently in warmer temperatures. Driving on winter tires throughout the summer is hard on them and will decrease their lifespan.

Oil/ Air Filter Change

Your car's filters have a significant impact on engine life and performance – they also have an effect on fuel consumption and emissions.

While the oil filter's job is to remove oil contaminants, the air filter captures airborne contaminants, like bugs and dirt, preventing them from entering your engine. Left unchanged, dirty air and oil filters can lead to poor acceleration, lower gas mileage, poor engine performance and serious repairs.

Ensure your vehicle runs well this year and for years to come by visiting you local Canadian Tire auto service department for more tips and maintenance products.

Source :http://news.carjunky.com

Green Building Concepts

Source : http://www.finehomebuilding.com

Green building takes sustainable development concepts which can then be applied to a vast array of practices tied to building construction. In doing so they increase the efficiency of resources—water, energy, materials and waste—while reducing the impact the construction project has on humans, health, and the environment.

There are many building life cycles that can be managed with green building concepts in mind, such as design, construction, operation, maintenance, and waste removal/disposal. Green building can reduce operating costs by increasing productivity and using less water and energy, improve health by improving indoor air quality, and reduce environmental impacts. We’ll break down each building concept below.

Design

The design process focuses on taking advantage of renewable resources right from the start. Some techniques include:

• Using sunlight through passive and active solar and photovoltaic options
• Using green roofs and rain gardens to reduce rainwater run-off
• Using packed gravel for parking lots instead of asphalt or concrete to enhance replenishment of ground water
• Use high-efficiency windows and insulation in walls, ceilings, and floors
• Use trees planted in front of windows to produce shade in the summer and maximize solar rays during winter
Green building design keeps a close check on the full life cycle impacts of the resources that make up the structure. Aesthetically, the design of the building doesn’t always take the surrounding environmental features into account.

Construction

Green building projects take building materials into account early in the process as well. Selecting what materials to use is usually part of the designing stage as well to ensure sustainability in the following years. Some materials used include:

• Rapidly renewable plant materials like bamboo and straw
• Lumber from forests certified to be sustainably managed
• Dimension stone, a natural stone or rock that has been selected and fabricated
• Recycled stone and metal and other products that are non-toxic, reusable, renewable, and/or recyclable
• Use building materials from local sources to minimize energy use due to their transportation.
Along with materials, sustainability in the construction process can also include acts such as employing local, so that opportunities and greater well-being are fostered in the local community.

Operation

The low operation costs of an efficiently constructed green building generate many long term benefits aside from sustainability. These include financial and health benefits, which can be incorporated in many ways.

Financial benefits:

Lower energy costs from some of the design processes–mentioned above, and including but not limited to:
• high efficiency windows and insulation
• passive solar building design
• Roofs that create high solar reflectance (thereby reducing heat transfer to the building) and high thermal emittance (when a large percentage of absorbed/non-reflected solar energy is able to be released). These are called “cool roofs”
• These designs/efficient materials reduce costs directly in maximizing natural light, heating and cooling, thereby requiring less electricity usage.
• capitalized natural ventilation from absorption chillers
• Heat recovery ventilation systems to recover heat from used air and transfer it to fresh air.
• Install fluorescent lighting to use 2/3 to 3/4 less energy than incandescent bulbs
• this lowers electricity use directly, as well as indirectly with cooling loads
Installing highly efficiency appliances-some interesting statistics* about appliances to note, from the National Institute of Building Sciences’ “Whole Building Design Guide“:
Older toilets use 3.7-7 gallons per flush
Dishwashers use 8-14 gallons per cycle
Top-loading washers use 45 gallons/load
A dripping faucet waste 15-21 gallons per day
Like fluorescent bulbs, high efficiency appliances will reduce energy use directly by their efficiency and also by producing less waste heat

Health Benefits:

Health benefits from green building are greater than just a better natural feeling. From the National Institute of Building Sciences’ “Whole Building Design Guide”, here are some health statistics to think about (* Notes in footer)
US EPA ranks indoor air pollution among top five environmental risks. Unhealthy air is found in up to 30% of new and renovated buildings
W.H.O. reports that indoor air pollution causes 14 times more deaths than outdoor air pollution (2.8 million lives)
Of hundreds of EPA-regulated chemicals, only ozone and sulfur dioxide are more prevalent outdoor than indoors
20 percent of all housing in the US has too much lead dust or chippings (causes kidney and red blood cell damage, impairs mental and physical development, may increase high blood pressure)
About a quarter of the nation’s largest industrial plants and water treatment facilities are in serious violation of pollution standards at any one time
An estimated 7 million Americans are made sick annually by contaminated tap water; in some rare cases this results in death
These risks can be reduced and conditions improved by following green building concepts in:
Regulating natural air ventilation and quality
Non-toxic, natural and renewable materials
Regulated water and efficient appliances



Source : http://www.archive.poly.edu


Maintenance

Maintaining a building is important to ensuring it remains sustainable and profitable. Like one would do with a car, as the building ages, it is important to check areas of the building to make sure they are still at an acceptable quality level. However, the nice thing about green building is that even though initial costs of implementation are higher, long-term maintenance is often much less of a hassle! Consider the idea of design concepts taking into account the increased usage of natural light and temperature control services–the more natural used, the less maintenance of and dependency on furnaces, air conditioners, and lighting systems you will have to worry about, as they will be used less.

Smaller scale maintenance, such as cleaning the building, can also be chosen and used to improve indoor air quality, reduce water pollution, and maintain environmentally sustainable concepts. Some notions to keep in mind when choosing cleaning products are:

• choose less hazardous products to minimize negative impacts on human health, air quality and reduce water pollution
• avoid products with corrosive, carcinogenic and other irritating or volatile organic chemicals
• this will reduce hazardous waste costs when the time comes to dispose or any leftover product in the appropriate manner
• buy cleaners with returnable or recyclable packaging to reduce waste, or buy them in bulk or concentrates–with refillable/reusable containers if available
• pay careful attention that excess product is disposed of appropriately. Contact the product company or a local institute for information if you are unsure
Reduce Waste
Waste can be reduced on several levels by taking a green approach to building. In terms of construction, using the materials listed above helps divert waste from landfills. With the appropriate green-building measures, waste reduction carries on to the operation of a building as well.
• on site waste management, such as separating garbage, recycling and compost
• centralized wastewater treatment systems reuse wastewater from dishwashing or washing machines
o however these are costly and use a lot of energy–there are many smaller steps to be taken as an alternative, such as low power showerheads, converting wastewater to fertilizer via a biogas plant, and more
• making it easy for occupants to reduce energy waste as a part of their daily routines, such as intelligent building design to allow them enough light that daytime lights are unnecessary, to mention one option
Ultimately, from diverting waste from landfills in the construction process, to designing efficiently to minimize waste during operation, to ensuring on-site maintenance chooses efficient products and processes, keeping green concepts in mind throughout all stages of building life cycle will contribute to waste reduction.

Source: http://www.thegreenrocket.com

Buying a New or Used Car

1.Buying a New or Used Car

Thinking of buying a car? You'll save money, avoid headaches, and get the car you want if you pay attention to buying advice from auto industry insiders and consumer credit experts.

First, decide what kind of vehicle you need. What you choose is entirely up to you, but a little red sports car is probably unwise if you drive clients around or ferry four kids to soccer games. Similarly, think hard before you pay extra for a four-wheel drive sports utility vehicle if it seldom snows where you live and your only off-road driving is in shopping mall parking lots.

Consider, too, whether a late-model used car, costing thousands of dollars less than a new vehicle, would meet your needs. The biggest cost in owning a new car is depreciation, with some new cars dropping in value by as much as 20% in the first year on the road.

You've probably decided that auto leasing is not for you. There can be pluses to leasing, most notably low down payments, convenience, and accounting advantages for businesses. But it is almost impossible, over the long run, to lease a car for less than it costs to buy. By buying, you'll also avoid charges for extra wear or for mileage over the usual 12,000- to 15,000-mile yearly limit.

2.Insurance Considerations

Regardless of where you live, certain types of auto insurance are required. The following is a list of some required and optional coverages.

Bodily Injury Liability -- pays for medical or death expenses resulting from an accident in which you are at fault.

Property Damage Liability -- pays for repair or replacement and legal expenses for property damaged in an accident in which you are at fault.

Personal Injury Protection -- pays for expenses resulting from injury or death to you or your passengers, regardless of who is at fault. This coverage will also pay a death benefit to the deceased's survivors.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Protection -- pays personal injury or death benefits if you are in an accident caused by an uninsured, underinsured, or hit-and-run driver.

Collision -- optional in most states, this pays for damage caused to your car in a collision or rollover, minus a deductible set by the insured. Higher deductibles typically result in lower premiums.

Comprehensive -- pays for damage caused by theft, vandalism, fire, and most natural disasters. Though optional in most states, banks will typically require you to purchase this insurance if the vehicle you are buying is being used as collateral for a loan. Equipping your vehicle with certain antitheft devices can reduce your premium.

3.Vehicle Value

Determine how much money your car of choice -- with the options you want -- is fetching on the local market. When you get to the auto showroom, you'll probably find good deals and, perhaps, rebates on slow sellers. But expect high prices and little bargaining room on fast-sellers like pickups and sport utility vehicles. That means you have to know the real value of the car or truck if you want to get the best deal.

4.Making the Deal

The first step to getting a good deal on a new car is to be informed. New car cost guides are available in bookstores, libraries and on the Web. These will help you find the factory invoice price and the cost of various options.

When you are negotiating price with the dealer, remember the invoice price does not represent the actual cost of the car. The dealer may receive a rebate from the manufacturer for each car he or she sells, usually 2% to 3% of the sticker price. Depending on the time of year and the demand for the car, that rebate may be enough profit for the dealer to sell the car "at invoice."

At other times, the dealer may add additional profit to the price of the car. With some domestic cars, you can expect to pay $200 to $600 over invoice. For more popular models you may pay two to three times that much.

5.Trade-In?

If you want convenience, trade in the car you own now. But you'll usually get more cash if you clean it up and sell it yourself.

Look at newspaper classified and dealer ads and go to used car lots and ask how much they'd offer you to get a firm idea of how much your trade-in is worth. The figure printed in a blue book or black book doesn't matter. You have to know the real street price. If the dealer can match that, or come close, snap it up.

6.The Deal, No-Haggle and Otherwise

There are one-price car dealers who won't haggle over price because they have already put a realistic sticker on their vehicles. This is an attractive way to buy if you are not comfortable negotiating a price or if you find haggling with a salesperson not to your taste. But keep in mind that 90% of the dealers are ready, if pressed, to give a little to get your business. By knowing the real value of the vehicle, you're at a decided advantage.
A good salesperson will attempt to be your friend. It is an effective selling technique. This is a business deal, with you paying a lot of money for a purchase. Courtesy, firmness, and awareness of the target car's real value should be your concerns.

You'll want to visit a few dealers -- once to look and another, separate time, to negotiate. A convenient location should be a consideration. The cost of many adjustments to your car must be absorbed by the dealer who sells you the car, so find one nearby. In those first months of your warranty, another dealer can legally refuse to do the special-adjustment service.

Financing
Most people use financing to pay for a new car. If you are thinking about financing your new car, you may do so through an auto loan or home equity loan.

Be sure to get the shortest payback time you can comfortably handle. A shorter-term loan with larger payment amounts will save money in the long run. A $15,000 loan at 8% for five years, for example, will cost $3,240 in interest. By paying an extra $62 a month for the same loan over four years, your interest cost would drop to $2,568.
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Summary

* Decide on the kind of car you want -- and research the car's current price -- before you negotiate with a dealer.
* The sticker price may not represent the actual price of the car.
* You can get more for a car by selling it than using it as a trade-in.
* One-price car dealers offer realistic sticker prices and no haggling.
* If financing a new car, a shorter-term loan with larger payment amounts will save money in the long run.

Checklist

* Justify your old car's trade-in or resale value by researching its "blue book" value and also its "street" value, which you can estimate by checking local classified ads.
* Find out which dealerships have the best warranties and special offers. Promises aren't good enough -- get written copies.
* Before buying, pay a third-party mechanic to conduct a thorough inspection of the vehicle.

Source :http://www.yahoo.com