General Articles

Dealing with electrical issues is something that most people want to avoid. Unfortunately, this is a problem that virtually everyone will face at some point. However, do you know the tell-tale signs it is time to make this call?

Usually, electrical issues will show up and let you know there is an issue. Keep in mind that you can prevent these problems by investing in regular electrical maintenance Tallahassee. Keep reading to learn some of the top signs you need to call an electrician.

Flickering Lights

Flickering lights usually mean there is a serious wiring problem somewhere. This issue could be located at a specific fixture, which would be the ideal situation. The worst situation would be frayed wiring or that the wattage used has exceeded the outlet’s capabilities, which are both possible fire hazards.

Corrosion or Rust

If you see any indications of corrosion or rust near your breaker box, it is another sign you should call an electrician. These are clues that indicate that moisture is getting too close to the panel. This is a huge concern for your electrical system and for your home’s safety.

Problems with Frequent Tripped Breakers

From time to time, the fuses may blow. However, if you have an outlet or certain lights that trip frequently, it is time to contact an electrician for an assessment. If you are dealing with fuses that blow regularly, there could be an issue with faulty wiring that should be fixed.

Don’t Wait to Call an Electrician

If you notice an electrical issue, you should not wait to call for service. The longer you wait, the worse the issue will get. Being informed will help ensure your electrical issues are handled and that no other problems occur. Keep this in mind to make sure your electrical system continues working properly.…

Real Guitar Players Or Just Gamers

Rock Band 3 Guitar players have something to celebrate, with the forthcoming release of a brand new controller designed especially for the game in association with the company that is responsible for defining what half of the rock and roll guitars have looked like since the 50’s, Fender (the other half probably being designed by Gibson!).

Not only does the new Rock Band 3 Guitar controller do all the usual stuff that the regular controllers do, but now with the addition of real strings and a pickup (a sort of “microphone” for a guitar for want of a better description), means that gamers can take their skills from the virtual stage onto the real world stage by actually learning to play.

The fact that playing the previous versions of the Rock Band games has always had the stigma of being a child’s toy rather than a real instrument attached to it by serious musicians has always kept the game well and truly on the store toy shelf. The gap has been considerably closed with this new controller, the choice is now a clear one, you can keep on playing the game like you always did with the standard controller, or take things to the next level and become a real musician, how cool is that?

While all this sounds fantastic, what is the reality of the situation and how well is this all really going to work?

There are some issues with this new technology, for a start the new Rock Band 3 Guitar controller currently only works in pro mode which means that you can only play roughly 4% of the available games, this is something that most prospective buyers are hoping will be addressed before the launch, because otherwise it means that you will need 2 controllers to actually play all of the songs in the game.

While the available videos and previews make this guitar look like it does everything it promises and more, this is something we have seen recently with another rival product that promised so much in the demos but is getting terrible reviews right now, I am of course referring to the Power Gig guitar.

While I have seen this guitar I have not checked it out thoroughly, the complaints range from things like the game itself and the software in general are not good and look very dated, to complaints that the guitar strings have to be pushed down very hard to make the sensors pick them up. This last point may be something that will affect a lot of beginner guitar players on the new Fender guitar as well, any guitar player knows that you have to build up strength in your fingers to fret correctly and eradicate the buzz, and you will get pain and callouses on your fingertips.

This begs the question, will kids be turned off by this and just go back to the much easier option of using their familiar controller?…

Thanks to advancements in digital technology, it is easier than ever to shoot and edit your own movie, then show it to the world. Not only is moviemaking easier, it is also much less expensive than it was in the days of film and videotape, even when the figures are adjusted for inflation. Here are some tips for making a quality movie on a shoestring budget.

Rent Camera Equipment

This includes not only the recorder but the camera support Jacksonville FL. If you intend to keep the camera forever, and the price is under $600, it may be worthwhile buying it. On the other hand, if you intend to sell the camera after you are done, the relentless pace of technology can cause it to depreciate quickly, and you may lose money on it.

Edit Your Own Film

Not hiring an editor is a good way to keep post-production costs down. It is also an opportunity for you to learn more about filmmaking. Editing software has become so cheap and easy to use that even an amateur can produce a professional-looking final project.

Pay Cast and Crew

Motivate people to do their best work for you by compensating them for their time. Keep both cast and crew small so you can put them on the payroll without breaking the budget.

You may want to hire professional actors but think that it is beyond your means. The Screen Actors Guild offers an Ultra Low Budget Agreement that allows you to hire professional actors for less than $100 a day, well below scale.

Arrange a Short Shooting Schedule

Holding your cast and crew to a reasonable time commitment not only helps you to save money, but it also helps to generate goodwill toward you and your production. Another good technique to maintain a rapport is to show them appreciation by feeding them well. As long as you stick to a short schedule, the budget should allow this.

Insuring your production is a small investment that can pay off significantly, opening up filming locations and allowing you to hire SAG actors.…

Gaming Netbook Review – Asus G51VX-A1 15.6-inch

There is no doubt that the market segment for gaming notebooks is on the rise and Asus is cashing in on this trend by seemingly being one step ahead of the rest. A few years ago, it was unthinkable for a laptop to make a fitting replacement for the desktop as a gaming device. Today, gamers have access to awesome portables due to technology advances.

At the very least, a notebook for gaming should have topnotch processing capabilities, a dedicated graphics chip, and a hefty RAM. The processor should be extremely powerful to handle steep requirements. Arguably, a dedicated graphics chip is what every gamer out there would need for a truly great gaming experience. The RAM has to be big enough for the games to run without apparent glitches.

In this regard, the Asus G51VX-A1 is perfect since it has a GeForce GTX 260M dedicated graphics chip with 1GB of VRAM. With a 14.6″ x 10.3″ x 1.3″-1.6″ measurement and a weight of 7.26 lbs., the Asus G51VX-A1 is far from what would be considered to be very portable.

Even without knowing its specs, a glance at the Asus G51VX-A1 would indicate that it is what is – a gamer’s laptop. Its graphics and the logo in the center that says “Republic of Gamers” should do the trick, if nothing else.

This laptop has a full-sized keyboard with number pads that are independent of each other. Its palmrests are lined with rubber and the trackpad has metal buttons.

The Asus G51VX-A1 is packed with serious features such as a 640GB of hard disk space, a DVD Super Multi drive, and exterior ports that include USB (4), HDMI, FireWire, VGA, Ethernet, eSATA and an ExpressCard. It is also equipped with wireless bgn capability, Bluetooth and a multiple card reader.

Also filling gaming needs to a T is its 15.6-inch display that has a 16:9 aspect-ratio and a 1920×1080 resolution. Preloaded software include Asus’ proprietary software like Data Security manager, Winflash, Splendid Utility and Smart Logon Manager.

Definitely, the Asus G51VX-A1 is capable of supporting office applications. For gaming, some gamers argue that the GeForce GTX 260M doesn’t perform as well as dual 280M graphic chips found in the most expensive models but we think that it does the job well. Battery life lasts for 2.5 hours but with heavy gaming, the power would go out after 1.5 hours.

SPECS – AVAILABLE OPTIONS (From Asus’ website)CPU – Intel Core 2 Quad Q9000 (2GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 6MB Cache)RAM – 4GB DDR2-800 SDRAM (2GB x 2)Screen Size – 15.6 inch WUXGA FHD LCD display 1920x1080Operating System – Windows Vista Home Premium (SP1, 64-bit)Battery Life – Around 2 and a half hoursGraphics – NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M 1GB GDDR3 memory

Pros

We like the Asus G51VX-A1 for its gaming capabilities and its sturdy build. Notable also is the laptop’s 1GB of VRAM. The price paid for the laptop is certainly worth it.

Cons

For a gaming laptop …

Gaming Laptop – Sager NP720 Laptop Review

NP720 is another high performance gaming laptop from Sager. It is a very powerful machine like a desktop computer. However, since it is a notebook computer it gives an added advantage of mobility. The NP720 notebook is powered with Intel Core i7 processor. Even though such kind of processor from Intel is considered to be less powerful but it is able to handle function like a desktop PC. That is the reason this notebook is capable of providing you with unmatched gaming performance.

The Intel powered processors gives you a speed of up to 3.2 GHz on the NP720 laptop. It lets you do multitasking without facing any performance issue. Like on a desktop PC, you can listen, record and play all your favorite games at the same time. Graphics card is what is capable of taking your gaming excitement to the next level. The NP720 comes with two graphics cards which means you will able to experience blazing fast gameplay.

In order to get the best gaming experience on a laptop, you need to have a large display screen. The NP720 does not disappoint you on this aspect and provides you with a magnificent 1080p full high definition 17.3 inch LED display screen. The display is energy efficient and consumes less battery power.

With HDMI connectivity port available on NP720, you can connect this notebook to a HDMI compatible compliant television set. You can then turn your home television into a gaming home theatre by connecting your sound system to the HDMI system. This you can get the best gaming experience on your television screen.

The wireless internet connectivity on NP720 is extremely good because it comes with the Intel WiFi adapter with N technology that has got a data transfer speed of up to 1GB per second. Such a powerful wireless system will let you stay connected to the wireless network by even scaling multiple floors. These days all the games are available on Blu-Ray discs. The NP720 comes with a Blu-Ray drive that will let you enjoy all the latest games and movies with the best possible clarity.

It has got a very comfortable keyboard and comes with full-sized keyboard that facilitates easy typing. Lastly, the 8-cell Smart Li-Ion battery of 78.44 WH will let you play your favorite games on battery for hours without connecting it to the power outlet.…

Strolling down the market aisle, shoppers stop and glance at possible purchases. When examining the items for selection, they may not know if one is superior to the other in functionality; rather, buyers are left to contemplate the object’s design. After all, hopefully each one on the shelf can take care of the issue. Other factors must be considered. Inventors, then, should understand that there is more to selling something then having a good formula. How something looks and performs is also significant. The following are four things to consider when selecting product package.

1. Security

A proper seal protects the merchandise and helps the consumer. Consider using tamper proof caps. Parents gain some comfort in knowing that little ones are less likely to break into the container. Plus, the additional shield visibly shows customers that someone hasn’t messed with the pills or liquid. Unfortunately, in today’s world, that is something to consider. This little choice goes a long way in building trust and reliability.

2. Ease of Use

The form of the bottle or container should make it easy to hold. Distribution of the object should also be simple. Is there a spout to help pour? Can tablets be easily accessed? When this doesn’t happen, users grow frustrated, associating negative emotions with the product.

3. Cost-Effectiveness

Whatever you select should not tip the price point out of reasonable range. People should be able to afford the purchase, and you should be able to make a profit.

4. Attractiveness

Why does someone reach for one thing over another? The eyes play a major role in that decision. Invest in a marketing team that understands customer interest and item aesthetics. The right colors, font and logo could pull in first time users.

Be aware of shopper mentality. It’s not always about the cheapest selection. It’s often about how something looks. Think about convenience, safety and attractiveness.…

PSP – Sony Playstation: Portable Ultra Modern Gaming Machine

Sony PlayStation Portable system having 4.3-inch display which dominates the console body and its whole look is so classy, expensive and very elegant. Apple fans can easily experience this feeling of having PSP console in their hand. It’s for sure PSP device is so handy with Pro Duo Memory stick, battery, inserted UMD and including all it just weighs 10.3 ounces. Revolutionary Sony PSP not just include handheld PlayStation 2 like features but beyond that PSP has other value – added features, namely the video player, the audio player and the photo viewer. PSP has more processing power than other portable console available in the market. Screen of PSP system is simply stunning with simplicity it has vibrant features and exceptionally clear view. If we talk about viewing angle which is again its incredible feature you can have very good image view from any angle with better refresh rate.

Till 2011 Sony releases 4 series of PSP named as PSP-1000, PSP-2000, PSP-3000 and PSP GO (N1000). PSP-3000 and PSP GO are the only 2 portable consoles of Sony which are in production. PSP is the seventh generation of console with its 62 million units sold all around the world. Sony PlayStation Portable latest version having faster loading time, 64MB internal system memory which is twice the memory of previous PSP console and this time PSP is 19% thinner and 33% lighter. Built in microphone enables you to enjoy all those games that employ a microphone and cutting edge communication technology enabled device make connectivity easier with your all online friends.

In the list of portable gaming devices Sony PSP has exceptional gaming power, audio-video quality is superb and when you watch movies on UMD it just look great on the sleek wide screen. Since the launch of Sony PlayStation Portable in December 2004, it is the leading handheld device in the portable gaming industry. Success of PSP console tells whole story about this device. True gamers admire PSP system for all its fully loaded feature, support, accessories, games and add-ons to make this device complete gaming and entertainment satisfaction zone while they are traveling. In true sense Sony PSP is more than a game console.…

How Much Do I Need to Spend on a Gaming PC?

Generally there is no right or wrong answer. Some of your more devoted gamers will spend well into the thousand dollar range. However, to get a well working PC that can handle most of the latest games, you do not need to spend that much. The variance will depend on how frequently you want to upgrade and whether getting top of the line makes a difference to you or not. There are different philosophies on the matter.

#1: Upgrade to the latest model

This is one of the recommended philosophies. I see most of the technology geeks really having this viewpoint. The idea is that if you have the latest model / technology then you are less likely to run into problems later on down the line with upgrades or software changes. While this is true, you are also going to be paying a premium amount for the latest technology inside of a gaming PC.

#2: Buy technology just below the price jump

This is generally my recommended mark. What you will find is that companies are always coming out with new hardware. They know they have a solid base of consumers who are always looking to buy the next up and coming piece of hardware they have come out. So generally, what they try to do is get rid of their older technology quickly. What you will find is that if that slightly older technology (CPU, Hard Drives, Motherboards, etc) is well stocked the companies will lower their prices in order to get rid of it quicker.

The benefit is yours! You get a slightly less efficient PC, but for a considerably less price. The PC in most cases well capable of playing the latest games that are out on the market. The downside to this is that those components are going to become obsolete faster. By the time the latest technology reaches the “price jump” point your hardware will probably be obsolete. So while others might be able to use their computers a little bit longer, you will be forced to go through another upgrade.

Ideally, you should look at the game you are upgrading for and determine your components that way. For games, your hard drive space is less important than your video card. Also, your motherboard is less important than your RAM. Those are some things to keep in mind if you are looking for ways to save money in your budget gaming PC build.…

Many people purchase homeowners insurance because it is required by mortgage companies. You know that the policy protects the building and contents of the home in the event of a covered loss, but you may be unaware of the additional protection afforded by the liability portion of the policy. There are three important things that liability insurance protects you and your resident relatives from.

Property Damage

If you or one of your resident relatives causes property damage, your homeowners insurance may cover that loss. For instance, if your child breaks a neighbor’s window with a backyard home run, your policy may cover it. It also covers damage you do to property while you’re away, meaning your liability insurance Newark DE would cover you at a vacation rental if you accidentally burned it down or damage you cause at a venue where you’re holding an event.

Personal Injury

Accidental injuries to others, such as children colliding while playing a game of pickup basketball, would normally be covered. Both the medical bills and pain and suffering are included, as well as the legal defense costs should the incident land you in court. Many policies also cover personal injury from defamation such as libel and slander. However, keep in mind that intentional acts are typically excluded, so incidents like bar fights or crimes committed by otherwise covered individuals are likely to be denied.

Pet Incidents

Even the most docile dog can bite a guest, and your homeowners insurance may cover resulting damages including injury and death. Even relatively mild dog bites can cause scarring or infections that lead to more serious disfigurements and require complicated medical procedures. Many insurance companies have restrictions on the types of dogs allowed, but if not otherwise excluded, those damages do fall under the liability portion of a homeowners policy.

Homeowners insurance is often something purchased as a requirement. However, now you know that the policy covers much more than just the physical structure you call home.

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Christmas is the only time of the year when we drop everything else to spend a few days with our family and friends. A time that is just for them, so why not make the most out of the time by taking part in some fun family activities this Christmas.

Baking

One of the best things about Christmas is the baked goodies you get to devour! So why not make it extra special this year by running a gingerbread house competition. Divide the group into a team of 2 or 3 based on the number of people you have and get baking! The idea is to ensure your gingerbread home looks spectacular and tastes better than the rest! The winning team not only gets bragging rights but does not have to help clean up later.

Another fun baking task you can enjoy with children is decorating Christmas cookies. These cookies can later be used as ornaments, set out for Santa, or even offered to neighbors for the holiday season. Let them make a mess with sprinkles, frosting, and whatever they can set on their cookies.

Decorating

One of the best things about Christmas is the Christmas tree! It’s time you head out with your family and pick a Christmas tree, you all love. The process is a great way to bond with your family and spend as much time as you can with each other. Once your tree is set up it’s time to organize an ornaments sorting game. Making things fun for kids is easy, set up containers, and label them with the ornament that goes in them. Help your little ones sort through the ornaments that you will later use to decorate your Christmas tree. Setting up a fun-packed day that everyone in the family will love.

Scavenger Hunt

Rather than sitting around the TV, or spend your days laying on the couch, you can plan a Christmas Scavenger Hunt. This can be set indoors or outdoors depending on the weather conditions and space you have. A scavenger hunt can be set using any items, and the one who collects the most gets an additional Christmas gift! To make the activity even more fun, consider getting some prank or funny gag gifts. Here are some Christmas gag gift ideas to consider. Setting up an incentive keeps everyone interested and running around trying to solve the riddles you have set up.

Charity

Christmas is a great time to learn more about the importance of giving back. It’s a time when you are thankful for what you have, and try to help those around you. Teaching your kids about charity is a great Christmas family activity, one that they will develop as they grow. It does not matter how much you give, but the idea is to offer something. You never know what a small gesture can do for someone who has nothing.

Charity is not only about giving money, you can offer your time and volunteer at a …