Loud-Mouthed Megaphones And The People Who Use Them

Just when you thought that powerful megaphones were only being used as crowd control during times of emergency comes the news that Ryan Seacrest used such a megaphone to exhort 10,000 aspiring American Idols to sing in a huge arena. Ryan Seacrest is not alone – Cyndi Lauper and Kristie Alley have also used such megaphones to good effect.

So, why do celebrities use megaphones? This is probably the shortest and simplest answer you will ever get to such a complex question – because they don’t want to blow their dollars on expensive sound systems.

What’s The Big Deal About Such Powerful Announcement Devices?
Powerful bullhorns are lifesavers. They are reliable to work with and affordable as well. They come equipped with a robust warranty and can achieve a return on investment in double quick time. That is why they are used in a variety of institutions such as:

1. U.S. Army – by commanding officers to instruct and control troops that are spread across a rather large area.
2. U.S. Marines and navy – their applications are similar to the U.S. Army’s.
3. NASA – nope, NASA does not use bullhorns on the moon or Mars! But they do use such devices during rocket launches and other events that require coordination across a vast expanse of land.
4. Churches use powerful megaphones to address large crowds, especially at fundraising events.
5. Dictatorial movie directors who love the sound of their own voice can also use them.

Some megaphone companies manufacture ultra loud devices for crowd control applications, which are fondly referred to as “earthquake makers.” These beauties can clear entire streets and smash window glasses in minutes. My advice to you is not to go near one when it is being used. If you are using one, use it with care and sensitivity.

What Are The Key Features Of Loud-Mouthed Bullhorns?

• These devices amplify sound like no other. Don’t believe me? Stand next to one while an announcement is being made and watch how you go stone-deaf in seconds! Or, at least suffer from tinnitus.
• But you may be spared of deafness if the announcer saw you and toned down the volume control, which manufacturers graciously build into each device.
• These devices are tough. You can treat them real rough and they will take it with a smile. Go ahead: your persistent screaming into them won’t matter.
• Powerful bullhorns at the minimum power rating can throw the voice to about 700 yards. As the power ratings inch higher, so does the amplification area.

To Sum Up
When ancient man conceptualized bullhorns, the idea was to make music and perhaps to make the device work as a Paleolithic long distance telephone. Then population increased and the ancient device was deployed to warn people about impending danger. (Dinosaurs ahoy!) One thing led to another, and you already are familiar with what these devices are capable of these days. Technology will continue to keep changing the way these work and who knows, one day we may be working with mega-powerful megaphones that are no more than 12 inches in length.

Robert R. Thomas lives in Marlin, TX, with his family. He is a blogger, entrepreneur and a gadget enthusiast.

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5 Steps To Marketing Your Law Blog

Even if you are not an ardent internet user, you don’t have to be told that blogging is one of the most effective ways to market your law firm today. You may not enjoy blogging as much as some others do, but it is absolutely necessary for you to ensure that you have an active blog if you want to get your firm’s name out there.

A common mistake made by legal professionals is underestimating the whole blogging process. Here are a few tips on how to effectively develop and market your blog:

Decide your approach:

Before you start your law blog, you should decide on what type of approach you’d like to use for your blog. Do you want to write about law in general or would you prefer to write about a specific area of law? If you are a law firm specializing in a particular field of law, then you should concentrate your efforts in providing information in this field. This will establish you as a professional in this area and you will attract a specific niche of readers interested in this area of law.

Professional or do it yourself

Your next task is to determine if you would like to hire a professional to provide you with articles for your law blog or you’d prefer to write the articles yourself. Hiring a professional will mean that you get professionally done articles at regular intervals. Your blog will therefore have fresh content every so often. Writing the articles yourself will mean that you can share your own personal experiences and therefore give the blog an even more personal touch. You can also opt to combine the two. Have some articles done professionally and provide some of your own personal articles for the blog. You’ll therefore always have fresh information on your blog and keep your readers hooked.

Linking your blog:

Link your blog to your law firm’s website and other social networking accounts. Ensure that updates are provided on these accounts whenever you post new information on your blog. Ask your friends and family to connect to your social networking accounts so that they can get updates as well. You can also request them to share any interesting information from your blog on their social networks. This is a great way to get your law firm’s name out there.

Submitting to directories:

Submit your blog to a blog directory. There are countless directories to which you can submit your blog and get it out there. It is best to submit the blog to a law specific directory such as blawg.com. However, even general directories have law specific categories that your blog will be placed under. Simply ensure that you submit to popular directories that have high ratings with internet users.

Connecting with other bloggers:

Connect with other law bloggers and comment on their blogs. This is a great way to get recognition as an expert. Be sure to include a link to your blog in your signature. Those reading your comments may be curious to find out more about you and your law firm and follow the links that you provide. Marketing your blog is equal to marketing your firm. Invest the resources required to get the best out of blogging.

Melissa Trowbridge is marekting professional from Atlanta, Georgia. She specializes in promotions for law firms and legal services companies.

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Car Buying Tips: How Knowledge Of The Auto Industry Could Help You Get The Best Bang For Your Buck In 2014

Buying an auto for the first time is a little overwhelming, but if you know what you want, getting an ideal vehicle is easy shopping. Whether your choice is a convertible or a sedan, finding a good used car is best done from a dealer that sale all kind of cars with a large selection. Buying a car from a dealer offering discount prices on a wide range of models is ideal. as this simply could lead to getting a car at an affordable price.

Looking at the Auto Industry in it's Current State

Used autos aid consumers in stretching budgets, offering cars at big reductions. The market is competitive so dealers are always offering incentives, aiming to entice customers into trying their brands. Foreign and domestic cars are available, with most brands being highly reliable. Car replacement parts are becoming readily available with the recycling of junk vehicles. This is important to people with used cars and creates a means of renewing classic cars.

Experienced car buyers keep a sharp eye out for problems. There are magazines and Web sites that allow a more informed check on a vehicle but it never hurts to have your personal mechanic look at a car. Some used cars are certified and provided with an added warranty. These cars are nearly new and a great savings for a buyer interested in added assurances as to the reliability of the vehicle.

Evolution of Women and Automotives

More women are buying cars than ever and many are becoming more aware of the operation of the inner operations of cars. Some are taking classes and shows are addressing the issue of car care targeted towards the female population. Many women work outside the home or are single and need reliable transportation.

Evolution and Growth within the Auto Industry

Cars are becoming smaller and the hybrids are picking up sales. Retailers are slowly installing places for these energy efficient autos to recharge. These vehicles operate on both electricity and fossil fuel, and are appealing to the environmentally conscious buyer. Cars are available for every lifestyle. Some prefer trucks or SUV transportation. Cargo space is the factor. This causes some to choose vans or vehicles with large carrying space.

Families often need more than one car. Kids grow up and everyone seems to go in a different direction. Dealers selling well-maintained cars, reasonably priced are usually successful. Economy cars are attractive to the public due to the price of fuel but less fuel-efficient cars still hold a market because of their capacity and comfort. However, most styles have some form of vehicle that increases gas efficiency.

Auto Brands, Styles & Finding a Good Deal

Auto brands and styles are everywhere but finding the right price in a reliable used car is not always easy. Car repair is not a cheap expense and sometimes finding the correct part at a reasonable price is time consuming. However, a new car bypasses these problems but a hefty price is paid for the convenience. The best alternative is to find a dealer with everything you need in a car including a reputable service department. Big buyers have huge inventories with practically every make of car any buyer can imagine. The selections are overwhelming. Get an auto way below the original sticker price.

Obtaining both foreign and domestic cars is an easier purchase. Many manufacturing brands have locations in the US and Europe reducing the cost of cars that may have proved financially out of reach for some buyers with added taxes and shipping fees. Buyers may find getting these cars in a used car market more accessible. This adds to the list of automobile choices available to an auto buyer. The auto is an intricate part of a family. It is the right of passage with many young people and a necessity if moving conveniently from one point in a community to another is important to you. It is now possible to find cars in a wide range of ways. Newspapers and flyer's are still a source but Web sites are also a search option that includes lots of information.

Buying an auto can be convenient when searching online. Sit home in your spare time and match colors, interiors and horsepower. Search gas mileage capacity and any other feature you may desire. Contact the dealer so when you step into a dealership you know exactly what you are looking for. If you are a browser, this is fine.

Alexia Journer is a P.R specialist from Long Island, NY who has a passion for writing and is an avid learner when it comes to personal development. Current, she helps a cash for cars service based out of New York, market their brand online through Search Engine Marketing and Social Media.

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Designing Your Ultimate Garage With Planning Software

Every year homeowners spend tens of thousands of dollars in renovating their kitchens, bedrooms, living areas, and washrooms. One area that often gets over-looked is the garage. We don’t think that’s fair! Many people make the mistake of thinking that a garage is nothing but a place to store your vehicle, and whatever other odds and ends you don’t have room for in the house. This doesn’t have to be the case however…after all, that’s what sheds are for, right?

A proper garage, can be a multiple of things whether it be a workshop fit for a master carpenter, to a quiet place of refuge to enjoy a cold beer and your favourite TV show, or an entertaining space to host those summer parties! All it takes is a bit of careful design and planning, which is made easy with designing software.

Now before you go running off screaming “I’m not a computer guy!” allow us to reassure you that there are plenty of options that require little to no experience. Lucky for you, we’re here to tell you about a few:

1.     DIY Garage Designer
One of our top picks is DIY Garage Designer by Big Hammer.
This software’s motto is “You supply the vision. DIY Garage Designer will supply everything else.”

Features include:

• Click & drag drawing method
• Allows you to choose from multiple building methods
• Provides multi-view and 3D rotation to see your future garage from all angles
• Offers detailed printouts to assist you with building permit applications
• Advanced design features for the more experienced builder
• Gives you a list of all building materials required for your design, right down to the last screw

But our favourite part? It’s absolutely free and requires no license. Simply download the software to your Internet Explorer Browser and get planning.

2.     Plan3D
Plan3D designing software isn’t free, but at just $2.95 a month it might as well be. And just like Big Hammer’s DIY Garage Designer, it is great for beginners. As the program’s homepage says “You have better things to do than learn complex architectural software. That's why we made Plan3D the easiest home and interior design toolfor homeowners and others with limited design experience. If you know how to use the Internet you know how to use Plan3D.”

Features include:

• All inclusive software with no additional fees
• Allows you to simply scan floor plans and convert them into 3D renderings
• Realistic diagrams with a variety of textures and building materials
• Design interiors and exteriors, including landscaping
• Access to thousands of 3D models from windows and doors, to furniture to give you an idea of where everything will fit in your garage organization storage.

One thing to keep in mind, is that as useful of a tool as Plan3D may be for designing, it’s not as comprehensive as some other software. For instance although it will offer you with an extremely realistic and scaled vision of your garage, it won’t provide you with a detailed list of required materials like some of the other software on your list.

That said, if you simply want to come up with a design to pass onto a contractor or expert for reference, then Plan3D will be more than enough to get the job done.

3.     SketchUp Pro
A slightly more advanced alternative, is SketchUp Pro.  Advanced doesn’t always mean difficult though. This software brags about its usability and the fact that it’s brand name is “synonymous with friendly and forgiving 3D modeling technology”. Handy contextual tips, a digital instructor, and online resources are there to help you alongside your designing process.

Features include:

• Imports DXF, DWG, 3DS, DAE, KMZ, TIF, JPG, PNG, and others.
• Exports all of these as well as DF, OBJ, FBX, XSI, VRML, MP4, WEBM, and AVI.
• Endless visual effects to modify building features and surroundings so that you know exactly what your final product will look like
• Scalable models of lathes, toolboxes, and anything else you might find in your garage that can be incorporated into your design blueprint to help you plan an appropriate layout
• Prints custom construction plans based on your design with building steps and required tools.

Unlike DIY Garage Designer, SketchUp Pro comes with a price tag but depending on your needs, this might be worth it. Otherwise, sign up for the free trial! If you’re able to work quickly, this might be all that you need.

4.     SoftPlan
If you’re completely new to the world of building, then SoftPlan’s software might be a bit excessive, however it’s one of the most thorough programs out their for all of your designing and architectural needs.

Features include:

• 2D and 3D designs
• Optimized to allow incredibly fast design and revision times
• Specially developed material textures like studs, pitch, and fascia for house and garage design
• Allows you to print detailed construction plans
• Produces comprehensive material lists that account for all kinds of details including the volume of excavation, rolls of landscaping fabric, length of edging, and volume of gravel right down to the number of stones required.  Each with their own pricing and waste factor!

SoftPlan does come with a bit of a pricetag, but what we like about it is that rather than forcing you to hand over a large chunk of cash up front, this software uses a month-to-month payment scheme starting at less than $50.This way,  you don’t have to worry about handing over an arm and a leg for software that you’re only planning on using for one project.

Now it’s time to get started!

Don’t worry about whether or not your design is perfect the first time around. The whole point of planning software is being able to try your ideas out before building a permanent structure! If you complete the digitalized version of your “perfect design” only to find out it’s not so perfect after all, then start over and try again. You’ll have your ultimate garage in no time!

The author is an interior designer, who has more than eight years of experience in the field. His name is Michael Nelson and is living in Toronto with his family. You can contact him at Google or Facebook.

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Use Promotional Memory Sticks To Market Your Brand

New creative marketing ideas are what companies are always looking for, for attracting new customers or for endorsing the loyalty of the existing client base. Thou is not new, the promotional memory sticks are one of most effective marketing tools in usage for today’s computer generation, as it provides the most positive and lasting impact.

As the majority of people use a personal computer or a notebook, they will also use different digital data storing devices as the USB flash drives, to collect information, images, presentations, different multimedia files and so on. Also, the computers are used in all kind of environments, at home or at work, so the promotional memory sticks are the best way to expose your company name or logo to a large segment of people without making an extremely large investment. Custom printed or engraved, the promotional memory sticks will help you make people associate your brand with this high-tech gadget and turn to your products or services in their time of need.

Since the USB flash is a storing device, you can use the branded USB sticks to carry your company’s product and service information to you customers or potential clients, along with different presentations or a link to your website, during a well organised marketing campaign. The promotional memory sticks are becoming one of the most popular marketing platforms and tools to send the desired message to your targeted market segment. This method is more attractive, efficient and useful than the regular catalogues or flyers and even then TV or radio commercials, since everyone uses them. Not to mention a lot cheaper.
The promotional memory sticks come in a large variety of shapes, sizes and colours, and you can even create your custom designs. The best way to promote your company with them is to make a strong association between your brand and the shape and colour of the giveaway. For example, a pharmaceutical company can use a flash drive in the shape of a pill, a steel factory could offer a metal bodied memory drive and for the executive suite, the leather memory sticks work very well. You just have to get your customers’ attention with the right design for them, so your gift would stand out from the crowd and become their favourite storing tool. In return they will reward you with their loyalty towards your company’s products or services.

Every company that chooses to invest in promotional memory sticks will have their value returned in increasing sales of products or services. Depending on their technical or design specifications, the branded USB sticks can be cheaper or more expensive, but without any doubt, they will be used on regular basis, making your company’s contact details, logo, brand or promotional message visible every time. Compared to other promotional items, like notepads, regular pens or pencils, mugs and other products, the promotional memory sticks will have more value to your company and clients since they are more practical, useful and visible.

The promotional memory sticks provide a positive impact in every marketing campaign, in the technological world we live in, and act like an incentive that will be used over and over again by the clients themselves. They are the most practical investment for any long term marketing and branding strategy.

Citations:

• Learn more about memory sticks

Eric, the author of this article works as a marketing consutant at USB Company in UK. He likes to blog about USB technology and the manufacturing process in which branded USB flash drives are involved. Check his contribution on Facebook.

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The Future Of Tracking

GPS Tracking Costs

As the use of GPS tracking gets less expensive the possibilities for its use become too many to even list. But we’re gonna try anyway!  Just imagine a tracking unit on anything expensive, well we have that now actually. But it gets a little difficult to track things that are only slightly expensive. For example liquor bottles at a bar, now if you get down to it they are relatively inexpensive to purchase, especially for a bar.  They buy in such volume that an average bottle of rum like Captain Morgan will probably cost them $13 or $14 (probably even less). But if they are able to pour 40 or 50 shots of rum from one bottle at $4.50 a shot, that $13 bottle is now worth $225!  Now take that across the board, or bar in this case, and you have a lot of money in liquor.

If you are able to track those bottles and the number of times they are turned over to be poured what would the value of that be?  Imagine a bar being able to count the number of time a bottles is poured from, compare that to the night’s receipts and bam, you now know if anyone is skimming off the top!
Staying on the bar and restaurant theme think about the equipment onsite. Large refrigerators and dish washing equipment can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. If you are able to link these machines to a tracking app you can measure the amount of cycles they run through in any given time period. Compare that to the maintenance on these units and owners can see how efficient their equipment really is operating, ort how they can operate more efficiently.

The Pad Lock

I’ve always thought the pad lock was a good idea but if you put that pad lock onto a small object that was easily removed from its location then what was the point?  Imagine a small tracker in a pad lock, not only can it tells you if it’s been moved, but it can tell you if it’s been tampered with or even if and when it was unlocked.  I can think of a lot of applications for a device like this.  A commercial company that has equipment in the field that is locked up well out of the sight of people would love to have a tool like this. What if you went on holiday for a few weeks and left your new grill locked up on the patio.  Will it be there when you get back?  If it is not then just track the lock and see if it’s still with the grill.

GPS feature in phones

We have the ability to find and track our mobile devices now.  They in fact use more than just GPS actually; these devices that are cellular devices can use triangulation from cell towers to find their location.  While it’s not as accurate GPS it does work well.  How about putting this technology into items like watches or your wallet?  Well I’m sure you wouldn’t be surprised to know this is already happening.  There are many different products on the market that can track your wallet or purse for you now.  Technology has come a long way and it’s only going to get better, smaller and less expensive.  We can look forward to saving a lot of time and money in everything we do, simply because of technology!

Citations:

• Learn more about GPS and how it works

Josh Schied, the author of this article and the owner of GPS Tracker App blog, is a passionate technology writer. He likes to blog about everything that is GPS and navigation related. Get in touch with Josh on Facebook.

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Ancient SEO Practices Letting Your Site Down

Despite the number of hugely popular search industry blogs available to read, such as Search Engine Land, Search Engine Watch, and aggregator sites like Alltop.com, there are still many SEO services providers and business owners living by old SEO habits and attitudes. To the informed SEO professional or business owner, the dynamic nature of the industry is something to live with and adapt to if you want to be a success.It is no secret that doing today what you were doing five years ago in most businesses isn’t going to work.

Why Don’t People Change?

One only has to look at the opinion many people have of Matt Cutts, Google’s Head of Webspam, to understand why many stick to old SEO practices. It is probably going too far to suggest that some think SEO is one big conspiracy, but there is definitely a lot of cynicism related to exactly what Google’s motives are and what they’re trying to achieve. The people who see Google as a business purely in it for themselves tend to be the ones who stick to the old-school SEO strategies. Some just dislike Google, period, while others have implemented things like Google authorship and seen their search traffic plummet. Although there are likely to be other factors involved, it is human nature to blame what you’ve done differently on any negative consequences. What are these old-school strategies and attitudes people can’t let go of?

Rank Matters

This problem can be laid exclusively of the door of those SEO providers who still try to rank highly and take out Google advertising for terms such as “Number 1 Ranking in One Month.” Seriously, if every holistic SEO agency or freelance SEO professional could take the money wasted on companies that peddle such messages, the industry would be thriving and the return on investment clients see would skyrocket. SEO is about increasing business revenues and extending your brand reach across the internet, not achieving the highest possible ranking for keywords that might not even be relevant to what you do.

Link Numbers Rule!

How often in life do we hear the words ‘quality over quantity,’ but fall foul to the desire for something we can measure objectively without much effort? The main offender here is inbound links. For years, people obsessed with how many links they could build in the shortest possible time, before Google finally got wise and started focusing on quality links between great content and websites. Still, people continue to build links in bulk believing this is the way, only to then have to spend time getting familiar with the disavow links tool later.

Keyword Density Equations

There are still websites out there that still promote the myth that is keyword density, despite industry giants such as Moz.com reporting as far back as 2008 that keyword density is irrelevant. Content mills like Textbroker and Hotype are still getting writers to write to keyword density and telling their clients it is important, so it is no wonder this myth persists. If you’re thinking of any of these while pursuing SEO, you’re wasting time and in all likelihood, money aswell. Forget them, and instead focus on the things that can make a positive difference.

Danny loves marketing, and although his specialist area is print and radio advertising, he understands the value of digital marketing and that the industry is going to shift more in this direction in the future.

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A Guide To Online Success

Being successful online is sort of a skill in itself. There is so much competition nowadays that it is becoming progressively difficult to separate yourself from the pack. You have got to be proactive and have a grasp of both the market and your own company strengths. If you have this then you will be able to target the correct market and thus make money from what you offer. In addition to the traditional method of creating a website, there are other ways to promote such as social media and emailing. All of these must be explored as well as optimizing your website and securing a strong and memory filled domain in order to ensure that that your site is fully efficient and functional. This article will highlight what it takes to be successful online and how there are many options that need to be covered in order for this to be the case.

A Well Designed Website

This is of pivotal importance, your website has to be well designed, clear for the user and must work efficiently. To many this seems plainly obvious but there are so many companies out there who create websites for the sake of creating one rather than as a credible way of increasing the prominence and success of their company.

We live in a world dominated by the internet and thus it is increasingly important that company infiltrate this market and invest money at the same time. Employing a team of web developers isn't a bad idea, after all this is their job and the can make sure every feature works properly and it is designed in a way that can embrace your company image and ethos. Being successful online is a long term process and you have to have the product and presence to ensure that clients keep coming back. If you are successful in ensuring this, then the likelihood is you will have a fruitful time of it on the web.

A Strong Platform

There are many companies out there that offer domain platforms from which you can create your website, selecting the correct one for the right price is becoming very important. JaguarPC hosting services is one of doing it, the offer large memory and monitoring services for their customers at a good price. The list however is endless, there are so many different companies out there that may suit your needs better so it important to ask around and get what is best for you.

Use of All Available Resources

Facebook and Twitter are both so popular nowadays and using this as a tool to promote your company website can be a great way to increase your profit margin. Setting up your own profile and also paying Facebook to advertise are bother brilliant ways of raising awareness of what you have to offer. If you are credible about making money online then you have got to raise your company profile and show the world what you can do, above are three of the best and most efficient ways of doing this.

Andrew is an author with a love for modern technology, especially the internet. He has a degree in business and writes extensively about both technological developments and business strategy.

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Protect Your Information from a Data Breach

If your company has been the victim of a data breach you know how frustrating and time consuming such an event can be. In addition to having to rebuild your databases and inform customers about the issues, there is also a monetary cost associated with replacing and reinforcing lost or stolen records. There are many commonalities that exist in data breaches that will help you anticipate and prevent any such attacks from occurring in your system. Over half of data breaches compromise the servers in a company’s infrastructure and nearly 80 percent happen when there are low security barriers. Lessons can be learned from some of the more extensive breaches in recent history so that you can protect your valuable information moving forward. For example, a cyber-security attack on Central Hudson Gas & Electric in New York impacted around 110,000 customers. Take a look at the infographic below to learn more about the nature of data breaches.

Written by IT Creations, a company an independent wholesale distributor of high-end servers and components in Los Angeles.

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