The Benefits of Container Homes

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Container homes, also called shipping container homes or cargo container homes, are a very awesome idea and have many benefits, including:

 

• Affordability – Shipping container homes are way cheaper than your standard house, making home ownership a possibility to more people.
• Durability – Cargo containers have been built to withstand the elements of sea travel, such as strong winds, harsh rain, etc. This means that container homes are not going to leak, they’ll stand up to extreme weather conditions and, some even claim, are earthquake proof and hurricane proof.  
• Sustainability – You won’t be using up new resources when you purchase a container home, you’ll be purchasing a home made from recycled material.
• Room to Grow – You can stack shipping container homes on top of each other to create a larger living space.
• Speedy – Container homes can be put together very quickly, making them a great shelter solution in emergency situations (for example, when towns have been wiped out by floods, earthquakes, or hurricanes).
• Easy Relocation – If you decide to pack up and move across country, you can bring your home with you. After all, a shipping container home was originally designed to … well … ship!

 

Read more about shipping container houses on www.shipping-container-housing.com

Top 7 DVD Recorder - VHS VCR Combinations

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DVD recorder/VCR combos - For those that are replacing a VCR and want a DVD recorder, this option gives you the best of the old and the new. You can use these units to play DVDs and VHS tapes, as well as record or copy homemade recordings (such as camcorder tapes, TV recordings, etc...). However, keep in mind that DVD recorder/VCR combos cannot be used to copy commercially made DVD movies to VHS or commercially made VHS movies to DVD, due to copy-protection.

NOTE: Many manufacturers have stopped making new DVD recorders and DVD Recorder/VCR Combos. Some that still do have kept the same models for two or more years.

 1. Panasonic DMR-EZ48VK DVD recorder/VCR Combo with HDMI

The Panasonic DMR-EZ48VK DVD recorder/VCR combo has the ability to record most DVD formats and play back most DVD and CD formats, including MP3 and Divx files. In addition using the VCR section, the consumer can both record directly to VHS or dub non-copyprotected video content from VHS to DVD or DVD to VHS. With Panasonic's enhanced 4-hour recording mode, you can record sporting events and longer movies onto DVD with the same video quality as the 2-hour recording mode. The incorporation of HDMI and video upscaling makes the EZ48VK a good match for an HDTV. The DMR-EZ48VK has both an SD card slot and USB input for digital image and music file playback, as well as an ATSC tuner.

2. Panasonic DMR-EA38VK DVD Recorder/VCR Combo

The Panasonic DMR-EA38VK has the ability to record most DVD formats, and play back most DVD and CD formats. In addition using the VCR section, the consumer can both record directly to VHS or dub non-copyprotected video content from VHS to DVD or DVD to VHS. Also, with Panasonic's enhanced 4-hour recording mode, you can record sporting events and longer movies onto DVD with the same video quality as the 2-hour recording mode. The incorporation of HDMI and video upscaling makes the EA38VK a good partner for use with an HDTV. NOTE: The EA38VK requires an external DTV Converter, Cable, or Satellite Box to receive and record television programming. 

3. LG RC897T DVD Recorder/VCR Combination

The RC897T DVD recorder/VCR combo has the ability to record most DVD formats and play back most DVD and CD formats. Using the VCR section, the consumer can both record directly to VHS or dub non-copyprotected video content from VHS to DVD or DVD to VHS. The incorporation of an HDMI output and video upscaling function is a nice touch that makes the RC897T a good match for an HDTV. The RC897T has both analog and DV video inputs, as well as a USB input for digital image and music file playback. This unit also complies with the upcoming DTV transition requirements, with its built-in ATSC tuner, which allows reception of digital tv signals.

 

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Atkins diet – What is Dr.

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Atkins’ diet?

The Atkins diet is a high protein low carb diet which was introduced in the 1960’s by Dr. Robert Atkins. Atkins diet system claims weight loss and has noted several success stories. Dr Atkin resolved his own overweight condition and successfully treated thousands of patients on his diet plan. He popularized his diet in a book series called Dr. Atkins Diet Revolution in 1972. Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution, is his revised copy with updated ideas but basic concepts remained same.

The majority will sequentially pass through this as they successfully shed their excess weight.

Supplementary diets are provided for those who cannot follow the majority route, like those with a high metabolic resistance and those with food intolerances.

Atkins’ diet menu - What can you eat on the Atkins’ diet

The Atkins’ diet menu lets you eat foods that many dieters only dream about. The Atkins’ diet plan is said to work even if other diets have left you feeling depressed and deprived.

About Dr. Atkins diet:

• Atkins diet menu sets few limits on the amount of food you eat. Instead, it severely restricts the kinds of food permitted on your plate: no processed and refined sugar, milk, white bread, starchy vegetables, white rice and white flour. This includes cereals and pasta made from white flour.
• The Atkins diet lets you eat foods traditionally regarded as "rich": meat, eggs, cheese, and more.
• Atkins diet plan claims to cut down your appetite in the process.
• On Dr Atkins’ diet, you eat almost pure protein and fat.

You can liberally eat nutrient-rich unprocessed foods like animal flesh (meat, fish and poultry). You can have red meat, fish (including shellfish), fowl, and regular cheese (not "diet" cheese, cheese spreads, or whey cheeses). You can also cook with butter, have mayo with your tuna, and add olive oil on your salads. 

Then again, carbs are restricted (about 20 grams of net carbs per day, meaning total carbs minus fiber) in the first two weeks. That translates to three cups of loosely packed salad or two cups of salad with two-thirds cup of certain cooked vegetables each day.

The Atkins’ diet menu does allow for adding fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain foods after the two-week induction period.

How Atkins’ diet works?

Dr. Atkins diet is predominantly based on the theory that overweight people eat too many carbohydrates. Our bodies tend to burn both fat and carbohydrates for energy, but carbs are used first. However, our bodies naturally lose weight by burning stored body fat more efficiently by drastically reducing carbs and eating more protein and fat.

Researchers claim that, fewer the carbohydrates present in a diet, the more sustained the blood sugar level remains throughout the day. This is because sugar is always metabolized first.  Craving is caused by blood sugar fluctuations aggravated by carbohydrate consumption. However, by cutting down carbohydrates, a person’s blood sugar can retain a more even level throughout the day. As a result, he or she will have no cravings and refrain from in-between meal snacks.

Also, diets high in sugar and refined carbohydrates tend to increase the body’s production of insulin.  When insulin levels are high, the food is more quickly turned into body fat in the form of triglycerides. High triglyceride levels appear to be one of the greatest risk factors for heart disease. You are able to cleanse the burned stored fat out of their cells, by using the fat cells for energy thus causing the dramatic drop in weight.

 

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Shelter

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Documenting a personal quest for non-toxic housing.

Superbox

As the advocates of the brief High Tech design movement of the 1980s -and the Eameses 40 years before them- well demonstrated, there is much practical potential in the creative reuse of industrial products in the application of housing. This was a natural area of exploration for me because industrial structures have always tended to be made with far more robust materials than is typical of housing and, as a result, make extensive use of non-toxic steel, aluminum, and concrete. And contemporary industry tends to generate a very steady stream of cast-offs with potental for reuse given a little ingenuity. Nowhere is this more obvious than with the ISO standard marine shipping container which, in communities where trade deficits are the norm, often accumulate in great numbers and thus have inspired much invention.

As a structural system, the shipping container has many virtues. Containers interlock using a variety of connectors which fit into their socketed corner blocks and allow them to be linked in three dimensions with stacks up to ten containers high. Containers are clear-span steel box frames at the 20' length size and are structurally sound with or without their wall and roof skins, thus allowing the sides of the box to be modified in any fashion without presenting any loss of structural integrity. The dimensions are a little odd in that non-parallel interconnections work only in combinations of 2:5 for 20' containers or 1:5 for 40' ones. In other words, if you want to rigidly connect containers side-to-end one must have five ends side-by-side to connect to one 40' container or two 20' containers linked end-to-end. Many types of fixtures designed to plug-into the container corner blocks are commonly available. Clamps used to mount antennas for telecom shelters and access ladders can accommodate innumerable other attachments. Bulkhead king-pin blocks normally welded to ship deck plates to let them carry containers can be attached to a great variety of foundation systems. A variety of lift devices and dollies -some with integral motors- can be attached to the sides of containers to make them self-mobile.

 

Read more about shipping container housing plans on www.shipping-container-housing.com

Luxury Hotels Near Walt Disney World

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With numerous shops and restaurants situated along International Drive, several famous theme parks in the area, acres of parkland and championship golf courses, Orlando offers plenty of activities for the entire family. In addition to easy access to the theme park, luxury hotels near Walt Disney World offer a sophisticated setting, fine dining experiences, restorative spa services and exclusive amenities.

 

• The Villas of Grand Cypress Resort

  Conveniently located adjacent to Walt Disney World, this AAA Four Diamond luxury resort sits on 1,500 acres. Each of the 146 elegant villas provide flat-screen cable televisions, high-speed Internet access, large baths, in-room spa services and private terraces with scenic views of the waterways or the fairways of the North Course. In addition to 45 holes on a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses, the Golf Club and the Grand Cypress Academy of Golf, the resort includes a racquet club, a health club, a rock climbing wall, jogging paths, bike trails, nine-hole mini golf and an walking tours on a boardwalk Audubon Society Nature Preserve. Both of the two resort pools feature cascading waterfalls and one of the pools also provides two water slides. Babysitting services are available upon request or children may be enrolled in one of the resort's kids' camps. The property also features several dining options, including seven full-service restaurants, three lounges and two poolside snack bars. Take advantage of complimentary on-call shuttles 24-hours a day to transport you from your Villa to anywhere on the resort property. Complimentary transportation is also available to drop you off at the front gate of all Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and Sea World theme parks, though the schedules vary by season. The Villas of Grand Cypress Resort One North Jacaranda Orlando, FL 32836 877-330-7377 grandcypress.com

• The Peabody Orlando Hotel

  Located less than 20 minutes from Walt Disney World, the AAA Four Diamond luxury hotel is committed to conserving natural resources and is a member of the Florida Green Lodging program. All of the 891 guest rooms and suites are decorated with a soothing decor of warm, natural colors and include cable television with premium channels, high-speed Internet access, a mini television in the bathroom and fully-stocked minibars. The bi-level pool deck features lounge chairs, palm trees and raised flower gardens alongside a lap pool, a children's pool and a whirlpool. Relax in one of the poolside cabanas stocked with fresh towels and sunblock or get in a workout in the Athletic Club equipped with a Nautilus training center and four hard court tennis courts. Rejuvenate your system with an exfoliation or aromatherapy massage in the Shala Salon and Spa. Dining options include the B-Line Express cafe, the 24-hour 1950s-style B-Line Diner and the Italian steakhouse, Capriccio Grill. The upscale property may be best known for its daily March of The Peabody Ducks. At 11 a.m. five North American mallard ducks, four hens and one drake, descend from the Royal Duck Palace to the hotel's atrium lobby. The ducks are escorted by the Duck Master across a red carpet until entering an ornate fountain in the Atrium Lobby where they then spend the day until 5 p.m. when the march is reversed. The Peabody Orlando Hotel 9801 International Drive Orlando, FL 32819 407-352-4000 peabodyorlando.com

 

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Shipping Container Construction: One Solution to Affordable Housing

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The problem of affordable housing has been a problem in many areas of the world for a long time, even before our current economic turn for the worse happened along. To combat this problem and also to address the issue of sustainability, some architects started looking at alternative building materials.

One of the building materials that they discovered was used shipping containers; in many parts of the world makeshift dwellings had been made out of these large metal boxes previously but no one had really played with the idea of using them to design a house with all the amenities of home before.

Shipping containers come from anywhere that ships large quantities of goods; the containers are pre-packed then put on boats and/or trains and the goods are delivered all over the world. Due to the expense of shipping the used empty containers to locations that need them from locations that don't, sometimes they end up just sitting around empty. It is reported that it can cost more to ship a used empty container than to just buy a new one!

Due to the materials used to make shipping containers, they can be easily recycled into new containers and other steel items, but using them "as is" to build homes can save energy as well as recycle the materials. There are a number of concerns that some people have about these container homes but there are also many advantages as well.

 

 

Read more about shipping container construction on www.shipping-container-housing.com

Calling All Business Plan Competitions

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For the first time, a comprehensive and searchable online directory of business-plan competitions is being made available to the public for free. The directory can be accessed at bizplancompetitions.com. 

The goal of the new site is to display the details of every business-plan competition in the United States and Canada that awards significant cash and in-kind prizes to its winners based on the decision of independent judges. A competition held outside the U.S. is also eligible provided it accepts U.S. entrants.

Included are campus-based competitions, social-entrepreneurship contests, and competitions organized by local and regional economic development groups.

According to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, in the United States alone, more than 50 universities conduct business-plan competitions annually, awarding a total of $10 million in prizes and in-kind services. Even richer competitions are held outside the academic setting: Michigan's recently-announced contest called Accelerate Michigan, for example, is offering $1 million in prize money, with $500,000 in cash to the winner.

"We're excited to be able to offer this resource to the entrepreneur community," says Co-founder Joe Hurley, who previously created and ran the well-known college-savings website Savingforcollege.com. "We list business-plan competitions, we blog about them, we tweet them, and we promote them as a great way to assist budding entrepreneurs."

Bizplancompetitions.com also solicits sponsors interested in offering additional prizes through an innovative online prize platform. A company that makes products or provides services for the small-business market can offer a cash or in-kind award to any or all of the competitions listed on the site. The winners of those competitions become eligible to collect the additional prizes.

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Shipping Container Drawings

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This page presents a set of reverse engineered drawings of a 'typical' 40 foot, HiCap (9 foot high) shipping container. I prepared these drawing in February 2008 using measurements taken from my shipping container. The only represent drawings of a 'typical' shipping container because there are small variations in the implementation of shipping container from various manufacturer's or times. None-the-less, these drawings are close enough for use in design projects.

The drawings are presented as .jpg images for viewing and as .CAD  and .dwg drawings. Drawings in .CAD format can be viewed or edited using AutoDesk's QuickCAD program, which is quite economical to purchase. The .dwg format can be read by numerous programs including AutoCAD.

While I have done my best to accurately reverse engineer the shipping container design, I make no assertion as to the accuracy or completeness of the drawings.

 

 

Read more about shipping container drawing on www.shipping-container-housing.com

How to Choose a Las Vegas Hotel and Casino

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Overview

Millions of people plan vacations to Las Vegas every year and millions of people have no idea how to find the right hotel and casino for their trip. Before you book a room, don’t assume that all Las Vegas hotels are created equal. A little bit of thought and research before your trip can make the difference between a perfect vacation and a perfect disaster.

With most of the world, the hotel is where you stay after seeing the sites. In Las Vegas, the hotels are the sites. In a city with more than 135,000 hotel rooms available, the selections are bound to vary widely. By asking yourself some simple questions, you can narrow down your choices to a select few and find the best casino fit for you.

What are you going for?

Visitors flock to Las Vegas for every reason from business to gambling to weddings and beyond.

If you’re one of the millions of business travelers, your priorities will probably include the location of the conference you’re attending and whether a hotel has fax machines and high-speed wireless internet in the room.

Narrowing down the search to the reason why you’re going is the best step in determining what type of hotel you’re looking for.

If you’re planning, like many Vegas-goers, to get married during your stay you should think about what type of honeymoon you would like to have. Are you going to want a quiet, relaxing time at the spa or party all day and night? Find a hotel that fits your idea of the perfect time.

With the amount of options available, you’re sure to find a great match.

Are you going for a specific game?

If the main goal behind your trip is to play poker 24-7, you’ll want to find a casino that’s got an always-active poker room. Almost all of the major casino websites contain a listing of which types of games they have. If you’re looking for a specialty game, make sure the casinos you’re checking out have the game.

People who want to play slots and video poker will have an easier time finding a casino than those searching for a non-traditional poker game or European Roulette. If you don’t want to stay at the place where your game is, you can always find a hotel more suited to your preferences in the surrounding area.

What part of town do you want to stay in?

Do you want to be in the middle of the action or far away from it? Las Vegas, for the most part, can be separated into three different areas. Directly on Las Vegas Boulevard, commonly known as the Strip, the Downtown area, and off the strip.

The Strip is where most people stay, almost all of the major casinos are within walking distance, which makes transportation much easier. The Strip is where you’ll find the massive, mega-resorts like Bellagio, the Venetian, and the Luxor. Downtown is the older, more classic-style casinos. Most of the Las Vegas landmarks are in this area.

Don’t know where you want to stay? You can determine an area of town by also basing your choice on why you’re going to Vegas. If you’re out to have a shopping extravaganza, you’ll want to be in the hub of the strip, where the majority of the malls are.

A related question you need to ask yourself is whether you’d like to stay at hotel with or without a casino. Believe it or not, there are actually hotels to stay at in Las Vegas that don’t have casinos. Don’t make the mistake of thinking the hotels without casinos are less-expensive, though. To make up for lack of gambling revenue, many of the non-casino hotels charge higher rates per night than their comparable hotel-casino counterparts.

 

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Shipping Container Architecture

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Ship-shape design

In the years I’ve lived in San Francisco I have seen more than my fair share of cargo shipping containers—sometimes being hoisted by cranes in the busy Port of Oakland, other times filling the decks of gigantic freighters passing through the Golden Gate. They have become so ubiquitous that I almost don’t see them at all; they are just one part of the Bay area landscape. When I have noticed them, it has only been to ponder the immense scale of the global economy, and to imagine the variety of goods they may be carrying. Although I may view them only as vehicles of commerce, there are some who have re-imagined these behemoths in an exciting new way. They have looked at shipping containers and said, “I could live in one of those.”

While the mention of people living in shipping containers may bring to mind horrible images of would-be immigrants forced into appalling living conditions by leaders of smuggling rings, I am not talking about that kind of living arrangement. Instead, I am referring to savvy architects and planners who have seen the benefits of incorporating shipping containers into their designs for homes, schools, youth centers and live/work complexes.

 

Read more about shipping container design on www.shipping-container-housing.com

Office Made of Shipping Containers a Cheap Green Building Solution

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The three-story complex is divided into two sets of offices with a canopy made from the sides of containers covering an exposed central hallway.  

"Our mantra was let the container be a container whenever possible. So we don't hide the dings," [owner Peter] Case says.

Dings and all, the building cost $1.8 million -- half the cost of his original plans for a conventional building, which Case scrapped when the economy tanked. There was no precedent in the U.S., so he had to convince Providence officials, who were a little hesitant at first.

Then he bought shipping containers for $2,000 each and welded two or three of them together, cutting out the sides to create an open floor plan.

Inside, it feels like any other office space. It took Case and his team six months to design and figure out the basics like installing windows, electric and plumbing. It took just four days to truck in the containers and plunk them down on-site.

 

This is of course not the first building made with shipping containers -- I wrote about New Zealand's container-based Rimutaka Prison earlier this year (on block of cells from the prison is pictured at right), and as far back as 2008 Travelodge opened a hotel in London made of shipping containers.

 

Read more about shipping container costs on www.shipping-container-housing.com

Five Ways to Build Public Speaking into Your Marketing Plan

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Sometimes companies face publicity droughts. Without a new product launch, an earnings announcement, a change in leadership or a relatable current event, companies can go through periods without the opportunity to generate positive public exposure.

Ubiquity is the key to remaining foremost in the minds of target audiences. But what are companies to do when there's nothing newsworthy to promote? Luckily, speaking opportunities at industry conferences abound throughout the year.

Here are five tips for targeting -- and capitalizing on -- speaking opportunities:

1. Identify relevant conferences in advance: Most conferences have long lead times for speaker submission deadlines, so it's crucial to begin the process of identifying relevant conferences early. There are subscription services that search for relevant conferences based on any number of variables such as industry, geographic location, size and date.

If you don't want to pay for a subscription service, a simple web search will return numerous sites that list conferences for various industries. A few recommended sites include:

• CurrentPartnering.com lists upcoming partnering events
• ConferenceAlerts.com
• AllConferences.com has thorough listings from A to Z

Additionally, many media outlets host conferences, so it's worthwhile to browse the websites of the top trade publications in your industry to identify opportunities.

A little digging is often needed to find speaker submission guidelines and deadlines as this information is not always posted on the conference website. Also, some conferences change dates from year to year, so you can't depend on the schedule from years past.

2. Keep track with a database: Whether you use a spreadsheet or a document table, it's critical to create some kind of database to keep track of conferences each year. Include the name of the conference, when it's taking place, when the speaker submission deadline is, guidelines and protocols for speaking submissions, contact information, conference URL and a bit of background information about each conference.

Sometimes conference dates are listed before any speaking submission information is made available. That's why it's also crucial to check the conference website often and update your database accordingly.

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Metal Shipping Containers Recycled Into Office Building

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Gong green is often as much about saving money as it is about saving the earth. Building designers in Providence, R.I., have managed to do both by creating an office space from used shipping containers. The building not only reuses, it was also done for half the cost of the conventional building plans.

 The giant office building, a three-story work of art, was made from used shipping containers that were purchased for $2,000 each. The containers were welded together, creating a Lego-like look, that certainly catches the eye of anyone who happens by. The builders did not attempt to hide what the containers were, letting them retain their boxy look for an unusual shape and design.

Peter Case, the owner of the building, helped design it and piece it together from used cargo shipping containers found on trains and trucks. Case and his team spent six months designing and planning how to arrange the containers, as well as working on how to install windows and doors. Electric and plumbing also had to be figured out, as traditional methods would not work.

From the inside, Case says the offices look like any other building. It is only on the outside that you can get a feel for the unique style.

 

Read more about shipping container house on www.shipping-container-housing.com

Installation of satellite television dishes: householder's planning guide

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Introduction

This Planning Guide is the Government's statement of good practice on the siting of satellite television dish antennas in England and Wales. It has been prepared with, and agreed by, representatives of the satellite television industry and local planning authorities.

The purpose of this guide is:

• First to protect our environment from unnecessarily large, unsympathetic or poorly sited satellite dishes.
• Second to make you, as a householder, aware of the need for the appropriate siting of satellite dishes.
• Third to help retailers and installers provide improved advice and service to householders on the siting of satellite dishes.

Before you buy or rent a dish, check whether you need planning permission, listed building consent or owner's/ landlord's consent.

Remember, you are responsible for the appropriate siting of satellite dishes; if you have any doubt, contact the planning department of your local council or seek independent professional advice.

Checklist for Selection, Purchase, and Installation

1. Check if you need the landlord's, or owner's consent.
2. Don't allow a dish to be installed without first finding out whether or not you need planning permission or listed building consent.
3. Use reputable and authorised suppliers and installers.
4. Select a dish no larger than the minimum required for good reception.
5. Site the dish in an inconspicuous place, preferably where your neighbours and the public cannot see it.
6. Avoid breaking the skyline with the dish and, whenever possible don't site it in front of the house.
7. Select a dish that blends in with its chosen background.

Respect the environment. The cheapest option may not be the most environmentally friendly.

Don't forget that you are responsible for having it installed; poor siting may lead the council to require you to re-site the dish at your own expense.

Satellite TV technology continues to evolve: you should be aware of the different kinds of system so that you can make an informed choice.

Is a planning application required?

A general permission exists under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995, as amended by the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) Order 1998 for satellite dishes in certain circumstances. These are explained below according to different house types and areas.

If you are a tenant or a leaseholder (i.e. you do not own the house you live in), then the landlord's or owner's consent to install a dish is usually required, unless it has already been given, as well as any other necessary permissions.

1 Do you live in a house that is not in a conservation area, a National park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or the Norfolk Boards?

Then you do not need to apply for planning permission to install a dish on that house, provided that:

• there will not be more than one dish on the building or in the garden;
• the dish does not exceed 90cm in size;
• if the dish is installed on the roof, it does not protrude above the highest part of the roof;
• in the case of an installation on a chimney stack, the dish does not exceed 45cm in size and is not higher than the highest part of the stack.

2 Do you live in a larger block of flats (of or over 15m in height - approximately over five storeys)?

Then you do not need to apply for planning permission to install a dish, provided that:

• the building is not in a conservation area, a National Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or the Broads;
• the number of dishes (including terrestrial dish antennas) on the building as a whole does not exceed two;
• the dish does not exceed 1.3m in size.

3 Do you live in a flat in a small block of flats or commercial premises (below 15m in height) or plan to install a dish on a commercial property (e.g. shop, pub, club, etc)? Or do you live in a dwelling house in a conservation area, a National Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or the Broads?

Then you do not need to apply for planning permission to install a dish, provided that:

• the dish does not exceed the limits on size, number and siting that are set out in paragraph 1 above, and the installation is not on a chimney stack, nor on the wall or roofslope fronting the road or public footpath (or, in the case of the Broads, fronting the waterway).

In the case of flats, these limits refer to the building as a whole and not to each separate flat. If, therefore, one flat dweller has already installed a dish, planning permission is required for further installations. However, in such a case, the flat dweller may wish to examine the possibility of a shared dish.

Your supplier or installer may generally be able to advise whether an application for planning permission is required for installing a dish in a particular place. If there is any doubt you should contact the planning department of your local council; the department provides application forms if planning permission is required.

It is your responsibility for seeking, or not seeking, planning permission. If required, planning permission should be granted before installation.

Size means the measurement across any dimension of the antenna (excluding any projecting feed element, the reinforcing rim and supporting brackets).

Some buildings are 'listed' because of their special historic or architectural interest. If you live in a 'listed building', you will need to consult your local planning department. The department can advise if the building is 'listed'. If it is, you will generally need to apply for 'listed building consent', if you wish to install a dish on that building. This consent is different from planning permission and must not be confused with it.

Listed building consent is required for any dish that affects the character or appearance of a listed building or its setting.

 

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Dietitian and Nutritionist: Career Information

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Dietitian and Nutritionist Job Description:

Dietitians and nutritionists plan food and nutrition programs, and supervise the preparation and serving of meals. They help prevent and treat illnesses by promoting healthy eating habits and suggesting diet modifications.

Dietitians run food service systems for institutions such as hospitals and schools, promote sound eating habits through education, and conduct research. Major areas of practice include clinical, community, management, and consultant dietetics.

Employment Facts for Dietitians and Nutritionists:

Dietitians and nutritionists held about 57,000 jobs in 2006. More than half of all dietitians and nutritionists worked in hospitals, nursing homes, and physician's offices and clinics.

Educational Requirements for Dietitians and Nutritionists:

Dietitians and nutritionists need at least a bachelor's degree in dietetics, foods and nutrition, food service systems management, or a related area. College students in these majors take courses in foods, nutrition, institution management, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, and physiology. Other suggested courses include business, mathematics, statistics, computer science, psychology, sociology, and economics.

Other Requirements for Dietitians and Nutritionists:

Thirty-five of the 46 States with laws governing the field of dietetics require licensure, 12 require certification, and one requires registration. The Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association (ADA) awards the Registered Dietitian credential to those who pass a certification exam after completing their academic coursework and supervised experience. This designation isn't required and is unrelated to the certification required by some states.

Advancement Opportunities for Dietitians and Nutritionists:

Experienced dietitians may advance to assistant, associate, or director of a dietetic department, or become self-employed. Some dietitians specialize in areas such as renal or pediatric dietetics. Others may leave the occupation to become sales representatives for equipment, pharmaceutical, or food manufacturers.

Job Outlook for Dietitians and Nutritionists:

Employment of dietitians is expected to grow as fast as the average for all occupations through 2016. A growing and aging population will increase the demand for meals and nutritional counseling in nursing homes, schools, prisons, community health programs, and home health care agencies. The number of dietitian positions in nursing care facilities is expected to decline slightly, as they contract out food service operations. However, these food service operations will need dietitians.

How Much Do Dietitians and Nutritionists Earn?:

Median annual earnings of dietitians and nutritionists were $46,980 (U.S., 2006).

Median annual earnings of those working in the industries employing the largest number of dietitians and nutritionists:

 

Outpatient care centers: $49,950

General medical and surgical hospitals: $47,320

State government: $46,690

Nursing care facilities: $46,660

Local government: $43,250

 

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How Good or Bad Are International Container Shipping Rates

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International container shipping rates are one of the key concerns that can seriously affect shipping household goods overseas. The rates can affect the import and export companies not just marginally but massively, and in many ways. Two most important regulating factors in shipping household goods overseas include the freight charges and the port fee. Freight charges and port fee together brings real sum of money, but it also takes away good amount of money from import and export companies.
It is quite significant to note here why do international container shipping rates are high? Are there any strong reasons to support the rise in the international shipping rates? Here are few considerations to go with. Cost of shipping always varies with the ways of shipping. In fact shipping costs are directly related to types of shipping. For example, in case of liner vessel shipping, the import and export companies will often get standard international container shipping rates. In addition, if an individual who is looking forward to shipping household goods overseas will get good low international container shipping rates. Liner vessel shipping operates on fixed routes and with fixed schedules. International container shipping rates in case of charter vessel shipping can fluctuate, as this type of shipping facility works on the prevailing market trends. If you are lucky, you might get as low as 50% slash when shipping household goods overseas. A lot depends on how the market is flowing.

 

Read more about shipping container on www.shipping-container-housing.com

Interior Design Classes

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Craft your future by enrolling in interior design courses in Las Vegas

In this talent-driven field, interior designers utilize their training to create spaces that are both inviting and practical. Many interior designers apply techniques learned from interior design classes into their designs. The Interior Design courses at IADT – Las Vegas can teach students to plan, sketch and implement residential and commercial designs while focusing on space, lighting, regulations and acoustics. Interior design classes can also provide students with business, communication and presentation skills, which are important in the interior design industry.

Just a few of the Interior Design classes offered at IADT – Las Vegas:

Acoustics for Interior Design

This Interior Design course examines the properties and behavior of sound within interior spaces. Principles of noise reduction and enhancement, ambient sound, structure-borne and impact sound, and reverberation will be discussed. Students are introduced to building materials, envelope elements, and spatial design principles that are used to control sound in interior spaces.

Model Design

This Interior Design class is an introduction to the use of three-dimensional models in design projects and presentations. Volumetric studies, scale, proportion, and spatial relationships are also explored.

Contract Interiors

This Interior Design course focuses on the planning, construction, and management of contracted interior design projects. Students have the opportunity to research and design interiors based on client needs, building codes, ADA requirements, and state and local regulations. Business plans, floor plans, and specification sheets that satisfy regulatory and contract requirements are presented as part of the project proposal.

Project Management for Interior Design

Business practices in interior design are examined through the development of an independent design project. Management issues, client and contractor relations, proposal writing and bidding, resources and pricing, and the design process are discussed in this Interior Design class.

 

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Refrigerated Containers Blow Hot And Cold

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Reefers are perhaps one of the most versatile shipping containers you can buy. In their original form they are generally built for the marine market. The standard specification here is aluminium or stainless steel exterior panels with a mild steel or aluminium frame. The interior is usually insulated with polyurethane foam and clad with either aluminium or stainless steel. Some very early units may have mild steel exterior panels and G.R.P (fibre glass) interior panels however they have mostly been phased out. The machinery will be to a marine specification and needs a 3 phase supply.

The U.K domestic market for refrigerated containers has grown considerably. In years gone by when a marine reefer was no longer fit for shipping it would be consigned to domestic use and companies would buy them and lease them to supermarkets, food producers and pharmaceutical companies. With competition growing between suppliers the end user has benefitted greatly. These days purpose built domestic units are built with low noise machinery, coldroom type butchers doors, panic alarms, remote monitoring and interior lighting as standard.

 

Read more about refrigerated containers on www.shipping-container-housing.com

How does forex trading work?

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Forex trading is the act of trading currencies from different countries against each other. Forex is acronym for foreign exchange.

For example, in Europe the currency in circulation is called the Euro (EUR) and in the United States, the currency in circulation is called the US Dollar (USD).

An example of a forex trade is to buy the Euro while simultaneously selling the US Dollar. This is called going long on the EUR/USD.

Forex trading is typically done through a broker or market maker. As a forex trader you can choose a currency pair that you feel is going to change in value and place a trade accordingly.

Orders can be placed with just a few clicks and the broker then passes the order along to a partner in the Interbank Market to fill your position.

When you close your trade, the broker closes the position on the Interbank Market and credits your account with the loss or gain. This can all happen in seconds.

The main enticements of currency dealing for private investors and attraction for short-term forex trading are:

• 24-hour trading, 5 days a week with non-stop access to global forex dealers.
• An enormous liquid market making it easy to trade most currencies.
• Volatile markets offering profit opportunities.
• Standard instruments for controlling risk exposure.
• The ability to profit in rising or falling markets.
• Leveraged trading with low margin requirements.
• Many options for zero commission trading.

To know if you made a good investment in forex trading, one needs to compare this investment option to alternative investments.

At the very minimum, the return on investment (ROI) should be compared to the return on a 'risk-free' investment. One example of a risk-free investment is long-term US government bonds since there is practically no chance for a default, i.e. the US government going bankrupt or being unable or unwilling to pay its debt obligation.

When trading currencies, trade only when you expect the currency you are buying to increase in value relative to the currency you are selling.

 

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Open-top containers

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Description

The walls of open-top containers are generally made of corrugated steel. The floor is made of wood.

It has the following typical distinguishing structural features. The roof consists of removable bows and a removable tarpaulin. The door header may be swivelled out.

These two structural features greatly simplify the process of packing and unpacking the container. In particular, it is very easy to pack and unpack the container from above or through the doors by crane or crab when the roof is open and the door header is swivelled out.

It should be noted, however, that the purpose of the roof bows of an open-top container is not solely to support the tarpaulin but also to contribute to container stability. Flatracks are therefore more suitable for overheight cargoes.

Lashing rings, to which the cargo may be secured, are installed in the upper and lower side rails and the corner posts. The lashing rings may take loads of up to 1,000 kg.

Usual open-top container dimensions are 20' and 40'.

Dimensions/weights

The following are some of the most important details relating to open-top container types. The data was taken from Hapag-Lloyd, Hamburg.

Open-top container of steel: 20' long and 8'6" high with corrugated walls, removable tarpaulin and wooden floor
Internal dimensions				Weights			Volume [m³]
Length [mm]	Width [mm]	Height (middle) [mm]	Height (side) [mm]	Max. gross wt. [kg]	Tare weight [kg]	Max. payload [kg]
5888	2345	2365	2315	30480	2250	28230	32.0
5897	2350	2377	2347	30480	2350	28130	32.5

Open-top container of steel: 40' long and 8'6" high with corrugated walls, removable tarpaulin and wooden floor
Internal dimensions				Weights			Volume [m³]
Length [mm]	Width [mm]	Height (middle) [mm]	Height (side) [mm]	Max. gross wt. [kg]	Tare weight [kg]	Max. payload [kg]
12029	2342	2376	2326	30480	3810	26670	65.5
12022	2345	2365	2315	30480	3740	26740	65.3
12030	2350	2377	2347	30480	3850	26630	66.4

 

Read more about open top containers on www.shipping-container-housing.com

Handheld Satellite Phones

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Handheld satellite phones are handheld communications equipment. They are more convenient than other satellite phones, because they work even while the person is on the move. With handheld satellite phones, the user need not remain stationary and check for the satellite signal.

There are a lot of brands available in the market such as Motorola, Qualcomm, Thrane & Thrane, and Nera, which provide good quality handheld satellite phone systems. Handheld satellite phones are easy to use like mobile phones and have a lot of useful features.

For instance, Motorola 9505 weighs 14 ounces and measures 6.25 x 2.5 x 2.4 inches. These phones have features like call waiting, voice mails, and memory storage.

There are phones that can also be used as normal cell phones. These phones switch from satellite networks to cellular networks according to the network coverage available.

There is a wide range of satellite products to choose from. Global service providers Iridium, and Globalstar offer portable satellite phones at very affordable prices. These phones are getting better and better every year. They have become smaller, lighter, and cheaper than their previous models and are incorporated with additional features. The handheld phones are more wear-resistant and hence are suitable for rugged outdoor conditions. You need not always purchase a handset when you need one, as there are handheld satellite phones available for rental on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.

 

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Ocean container carriers chop Asia-EC capacity

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Ocean container carriers pulled around 100,000 20-foot equivalent units of capacity from the Asia to North Europe route during the Chinese vacation week as freight rates decline rapidly on weaker-than-expected cargo demand, according to the Journal of Commerce citing Alphaliner.

The cuts, which will take effect from Oct. 1 during China’s National Day Golden Week vacation, is equivalent to 40% of average weekly capacity on the trade  according to the report.

At least 11 of the 29 Far East-North Europe carriers will skip one sailing during the week-long vacation from Oct 1 to Oct 6.

Some carriers have simply postponed their sailings with double sailings planned for subsequent weeks, according to Alphaliner.

Some of the sailing cancellations appear to have been made at short notice in reaction to a decline in cargo volume and are aimed at stemming the drop in ocean freight rates.

But spot market rates from China to North Europe have fallen further from the latest SCFI (Shanghai Containerised Trade Index)  level of USD$1,690 (NZD$2,296) per TEU reported on Sept 17 with shippers saying rates of $1,500 or less are being offered, the lowest level since December 2009.

But carriers have not yet withdrawn services, likely to putting further downward pressure on freight rates in the run up to the winter slack season, Alphaliner said.

 

Read more about ocean container carriers on www.shipping-container-housing.com

Viking Outdoor Gas Grills - A Name You Trust

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Grilling season is upon us. In fact the modern grill offers up so many great features that the length of the grill season has grown. And Viking outdoor gas grills are a name you can trust!

Viking offers commercial cooking power with 25,000 BTU of power. The stainless grill burners give you intense heat across the entire grill surface and the deep burner box that's completely sealed allows for easier maintenance of the grill temperature.

The infrared rotisserie burner is standard on all the Viking models and it gives you a whopping 15,000 BTU. You get " rotisserie rod, rotisserie forks, and the rotisserie motor is a rigid mount for hassle free use.

Heck you even get a hinged smoker tray complete with wood chips offering you 12,500 BTU that's completely adjustable. The stainless stele flavor generator will catch all the drips and ensure flare ups are minimal. Push button start keeps things simple.

The warming racks are chrome reinforced with stainless supports and the built in thermometer shows you the right temps for warming, grilling, and smoking.

Viking is also known for their solid construction. These grills are rugged and designed to last. Built from heavy duty stainless steel they have a double wall construction that keeps the heat trapped inside. It also means the sides are cooler on the exterior. The slanted hood prevents water from accumulating on the grill and it also looks great!

You can choose the cart that's right for you and your Viking grill no mater which one you pick will fit snugly on board. There are a full line of stainless steel Viking carts to choose from that require no assembly.

Grill maintenance and cleanup is a piece of cake. The new improved grease management system means clean up has never been easier. The porcelain coated grids mean food won't stick so the surface is easy to clean. And the burners all have stainless steel drip guards that make grease management very simple and reduce the risk of flare ups.

These other features are available on some of the models. The 41 inch and 53 inch models are available with an additional side burner. The heavy duty coating and removable stainless steel grate is an option as is the stainless steel covers. The TruSear infrared burner is available on the VGIQ models and it gives you 30,000 BTU of cooking power on high and 17,500 BTU on low.

The intense searing heat will caramelize the outside of your food making sure the flavor is locked in. The TruSear burner means food drips will vaporize and you won't have to worry about flare ups.

 

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About ISO Containers

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ISO containers are used for the intermodal transport of freight. They are manufactured according to specifications from the International Standards Organization (ISO) and are suitable for multiple transportation methods such as truck and rail, or rail and ship. ISO containers are manufactured in many sizes. The standard width is 8 ft. The most common lengths are 20 and 40 ft. Other lengths include 24, 28, 44, 45, 46, 53 and 56 ft. All ISO containers include a container safety certificate (CSC) issued by the manufacturer that must be renewed every 30 months by a certified inspector. If necessary, an approved continuous examination program (ACEP) can be used in place of this procedure.

There are several basic types of ISO containers. Dry or cube containers are front loaded, completely enclosed and suitable for general-purpose transportation. Standard containers are 8 ft., 6 in. tall. By contrast, extended height or high cube containers are 9 ft., 6 in. tall. Insulated or thermal containers are suitable for transporting chilled and frozen goods, as well as temperature-sensitive materials and products. They have insulated walls, but are not refrigerated like electrically-powered reefer containers. Flat racks and platforms are ISO containers that are used to transport heavy machinery. They do not have side walls, but may have end bulkheads and are often collapsible. Open-top containers are shaped like a box and loaded from either the top or end. They are designed to carry heavy, tall or hard to load materials such as coal or grain. Tank containers are built to the same standard dimensions as other ISO containers, but are cylindrical vessels mounted in a rectangular steel framework. Typically, these containers are used to transport liquid or bulk materials.

 

Read more about iso containers on www.shipping-container-housing.com

I want to be . . . a police officer

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We take a look at how you can become a police officer and what exactly the role involves.

What does the job entail?

As a police officer, you will be on the frontline of crime initiatives, however, your exact role will depend on your force and whether you choose to specialise after training. You will learn to protect the public from violence, provide a reassuring presence in the community, support victims of crime and offer help to those who have witnessed crimes, investigate complex crimes using a mixture of cutting-edge technology and time-proven traditional methods

What hours will I work?

A full-time working week is 37 hours, with an average of two rest days. Police officers provide a 24-hour public service so this is not a 'nine-to-five' job. Unsocial hours, shift work, and emergency call-out are required. Overtime is available and is paid at a higher rate.

What qualifications do I need?

There is no formal educational requirement, but you will have to pass written tests

The minimum age to apply is 18, and there is no upper age limit, though the normal retirement age for police constables and sergeants is 60.

New recruits, whatever their age, are required to undertake a two-year probationary period.

Locate a police force that is looking to recruit in the area of the UK.

Request an application pack from them and fill it out according to the directions contained within. They will check your eligibility and mark your responses to competency questions. If your application is successful, you will be invited to attend an assessment centre. If you pass your assessment, you will then take a fitness test, eyesight test and a medical examination. Next, your references will be checked and you'll undergo a background and security check. When you receive your offer of appointment, you need only accept it to be hired into the UK police force as a new police officer.

Everyone who wants to become a police officer has to complete a two-year probationary period working on the beat as a patrol constable. Many officers prefer to spend the majority of their careers on patrol - but others opt to transfer to more specialist areas of work.

What skills will I need?

Initiative and willingness to learn new skills and methods for combating crime and violence.

Ability to think quickly and act accordingly

Physical and mental ability to undertake police duties

You must be either a British Citizen, a citizen of the EU or other states in the EEA, or a Commonwealth citizen or foreign national with indefinite leave to remain in the UK

Although you may still be eligible to join the police service if you have minor convictions/cautions, there are certain offences and conditions that will make you ineligible.

 

Read more about how to become a cop

About intermodal container

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An intermodal container or freight container (commonly shipping container) is a reusable transport and storage unit for moving products and raw materials between locations or countries; the terms container or box may be used on their own within the context of shipping. Containers manufactured to ISO specifications may be referred to as ISO containers and the term high-cube container is used for units that are taller than normal. There are approximately seventeen million intermodal containers in the world and a large proportion of the world's long distance freight generated by international trade is transported inside shipping containers.

The containerization system developed from a design of an 8 ft m 3 adj=on cube (2.44 m×2.44 m×2.44 m) units used by the United States' military and later standardised by extension to 10 ft m 2 adj=on, 20 ft m 2 adj=on, and 40 ft m 2 adj=on lengths. Longer, higher and wider variants are now in general use around in various places.

Container variants are available for many different cargo types. Non-container methods of transport include bulk cargo, break bulk cargo and tankers/oil tankers used for liquids. For air freight the alternative and lighter IATA defined Unit Load Device is used.

Description

A typical container has doors fitted at one end and is constructed of corrugated weathering steel and were originally 8 ft mm 0 wide by 8 ft mm 0 high and either a nominal 20 ft mm 0 or a nominal 40 ft mm 0 long and can be stacked up to seven units high.

Taller units have been introduced including 'Hi-cube' or 'high-cube' units at 9 ft 6 in mm 0 and 10 ft 6 in mm 0 highdate=May 2009.

The United States often uses longer units at 48 ft m 2 abbr=on and 53 ft m 2 abbr=on. Some, rare, European containers are often about 2 inches wider at 2.5 m ftin 1 abbr=on to accommodate Euro-pallets. Australian RACE (container) are also slightly wider to accommodate Australia Standard Pallets.

Lighter Swap body units use the same mounting fixings as Intermodal containers but have folding legs under their frame so that they can be moved between trucks without using a crane.

Each container is allocated standarized ISO 6346 reporting mark (ownership code) four characters long ending in the letter U, followed by 6 numbers and a check digit.

Read more about intermodal containers on www.shipping-container-housing.com

Insulated Shipping Containers

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Shipping temperature sensitive products, including foods, pharmaceuticals and chemicals, requires insulated shipping boxes and containers that keep the products fresh and safe even during long transports. Insulated shipping containers are specially designed to carry and insulate many different products, keeping them either cold or warm, depending on their needs.

Packing and Shipping

Products can be shipped with blocked or cube ice, dry ice or gel packs in order to keep the container cold during shipments. Products such as frozen meat are cold enough to contribute to temperature control on their own. Many shipments and packages often include a time temperature indicator that monitors the temperature inside the shipping box. When shipping temperature sensitive products, it is important to use the appropriate labels and have both internal and external documentation.

Materials and Construction

There are various materials that can be used for insulated shipping containers. Molded and expanded polystyrene foam is a type of plastic, better known for its use in Styrofoam, which acts as a cooler. Reflective materials such as metallised film can be used for insulation, as well as bubble wrap or other gas filled panels. Thermal blankets or liners, sheets of foamed plastic and vacuum flasks are all materials that can be used for insulation.

 

Read more about insulated shipping containers on www.shipping-container-hosing.com

East of England Housing Statement

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The East of England Housing Statement - People, Places, Homes: Priorities for Housing and Regeneration in the East of England 2010-2014 - sets out the priorities for housing and regeneration over the next four years.

The Vision is "to ensure that new housing, existing homes and regeneration play an integral part in the creation and enhancement of sustainable, successful places where people want to live, work and visit".

It has been developed in three stages to give stakeholders maximum opportunity to engage with the process and help to shape the document.  Regional partners have helped steer development of the document supported by the Regional Housing Advisory Group.  It was endorsed by EERA's Housing &  Sustainable Communities Panel in February 2010.

The Regional Housing Strategy for the East of England 2005-2010 set out the strategic direction for the delivery of housing in the East of England - helping to meet the challenges of growth and regeneration in the Region, and more specifically to inform the recommendations for public investment in affordable housing.

 

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Building An Office Of Shipping Containers

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In the beginning of the recession, shipping containers began stacking up on American shores. Architects saw an opportunity to recycle these relatively cheap building materials into homes and other living spaces.

In Providence, R.I., designers have constructed what may be the first permanent, multistory office building in the United States made entirely from shipping containers.

Several times every day, passenger trains travel through Providence, passing a Smurf-blue building with a shock of yellow and green. The structure looks like it's made from Legos and often grabs the attention of riders zipping past.

"When Amtrak goes by, it's a little event. And they look up from their computer and watch it go by," says Peter Case, who owns and helped design the building made entirely from cargo shipping containers — steel, rectangular boxes carried on trucks and trains.

'Let The Container Be A Container'

The three-story complex is divided into two sets of offices with a canopy made from the sides of containers covering an exposed central hallway.

"Our mantra was let the container be a container whenever possible. So we don't hide the dings," Case says.

Dings and all, the building cost $1.8 million — half the cost of his original plans for a conventional building, which Case scrapped when the economy tanked. There was no precedent in the U.S., so he had to convince Providence officials, who were a little hesitant at first.

 

Then he bought shipping containers for $2,000 each and welded two or three of them together, cutting out the sides to create an open floor plan.

Inside, it feels like any other office space. It took Case and his team six months to design and figure out the basics like installing windows, electric and plumbing. It took just four days to truck in the containers and plunk them down on-site.

 

Read more about housing solutions on www.shipping-container-housing.com

Shipping containers converted into homes

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With the housing market down and foreclosures way up, building a new home might not be the first thing on people's mind, but a Salt Lake City-based company has a new kind of home in mind.

Gorilla designs is working to turn idle shipping containers into affordable, high quality homes to last a lifetime.

The company was founded in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, said Roi Maufus of Gorilla Designs.

"After Katrina, we realized that normal houses and traditional materials can't stand up to global warming and the new storms that will come with it," said Maufus. "We wanted to make something that could stand the test of time."

Gorilla also wanted to be environmentally-friendly.

"This is definitely a case of one man's trash being another man's treasure," said Maifus.

There are thousands of shipping containers no longer being used but still in excellent shape lying around ports and railroads yards all over the country that could be turned into quality housing.

Shipping containers can withstand a lot of force. The average shipping container is rated to carry 67,000 pounds, and can withstand eight other fully-loaded shipping containers resting on top of it. That's about 376 tons per square inch.

"We certainly don't have to worry about snow load issues," said Maufus.

The floor of many shipping container is made out of exotic hardwoods that when sanded and polishe produced a rich, beautiful color that could typically cost thousands of dollars and weigh on your conscious, since the wood is often from tropical rain forests.

 

Read more about converted shipping containers on www.shipping-container-housing.com

What Is Container Leasing?

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Containers are large shipping devices that can be utilized on land and on sea with equal ease. The uniform shape and dimensions of containers makes it very easy to secure the devices to a flatbed trailer or rail car and move goods across highway or rail systems. Containers can also be stacked and secured in place on barges, making them ideal for water transport. While some companies choose to purchase containers, others find that container leasing is more practical and cost-effective.

Container leasing involves entering into a working agreement with a container supplier. The supplier agrees to deliver a minimum number of containers to the client, with the understanding that the containers will be used for a specified time and at a rate documented within the terms of the lease agreement. Both the supplier and the customer will also agree to other terms and conditions required by applicable laws, and any other negotiations made between the two entities.

One of the main benefits to container leasing is the flexibility that is often built into the lease agreement. Often, suppliers and clients agree upon a minimum number of containers to be in the possession of the client for the duration of the lease. However, additional containers can be requested and delivered for use when and as the customer needs them. It is not unusual for discount leasing fees to be applied to those extra containers. As a result, the customer only keeps what is needed on hand, but has immediate access to additional containers with only minimal expense involved.

 

Read more about container leasing on www.shipping-container-housing.com

International Moving - Shipping Cargo Overseas

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Here's how to organize an overseas household move with an international moving (removal) company or international shipping company.  

Although moving abroad requires more advance planning and cost than a domestic move, the logistics of shipping household items from one country to another can be broken down into several simple steps. Following the guidelines below can help ensure a smooth household move.

Learn Regulations and Restrictions

Each destination country has its own rules and regulations regarding household moves and shipping automobiles. Taxes on importing automobiles, for example, can vary dramatically. Consult the consulate or embassy to learn:

• what documents are required
• if items brought into the country for personal use are tax-free
• maximum quantity of items to avoid commercial import taxes
• regulations on importing a car.

Decide What to Bring

Overseas moves can be simplified by bringing along enough furniture and household items to set up house upon arrival. This helps minimize shopping trips for basic necessities in a new country, and might save money as well. Also decide if shipping a car or buying one abroad is more practical or affordable.

In addition to basic household items, consider bringing:

• seasonal clothing
• kids’ toys
• books
• home décor items
• toiletries and dry shelf food items that are unavailable or more expensive overseas.

Read more about container overseas shipping on www.shipping-container-housing.com

Tank containers to increase wealth offshore

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For individuals who wish to expand their offshore portfolios above and beyond government’s R4-million allowance, tank containers still remain the only viable, sure, unlimited and legal means to increase their wealth offshore, with the endorsement of the South African Reserve Bank, reports Port Elizabeth-based tank container investment management company Premier Tank Solutions’ (PTS’s) James Paynter.

“The company has continued to adapt to change in market conditions and legislation, despite the resulting challenges and the vastly changed environment in which PTS first entered tank investment management, in 1993. Today, the company is still positioned as the only manager to offer a distinctively structured product with exclusive benefits,” he says. PTS provides investors with a means of supplementing their foreign investment 
allowance and externalising their rand wealth over five to seven years.

Further, it is a structure that has few 
unknowns and variables, with a known capital cost, a dollar income stream and costs providing a known return over a known 
period, with known end-of-lease terms, adds Paynter.

“When PTS entered the market 17 years ago, tank containers were the only legal means South African residents had to invest offshore, as it was fully endorsed by government, owing to the benefits that it provided the South African economy,” he explains.

Government foresaw the advantages of tank container investment as the establishment of manufacturers of the highest-quality high-spec product in compliance with international standards to attract investors, the provision of valuable skilled and semiskilled employment, the ultimate beneficiation of raw materials (stainless steel, high-grade carbon steel, aluminium, paint), valuable foreign-earned income for the country and a legal means for South Africans to invest offshore and earn foreign income without the authorities losing control of the asset.

 

Read more about container manufacturer on www.shipping-container-housing.com

Container Living: This Ain’t Your Grandma’s Mobile Home

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Once confined to scrap metal yards or landfills, shipping containers are quickly becoming the darlings of the modern architectural world.  Easily transportable, widely available and practically indestructible, these metal boxes just may be an answer to the worldwide housing crisis.

Oh, and they’re cheeeaaaap.  A used container can be bought for around $2,000.  Not bad, considering the average price of a house in California has just surpassed $400k. With such affordable pricing, architects and designers have had ample room to experiment, resulting in much nicer and more forward-thinking designs than the dissected mobile homes once traveling the US highways.

Architect Adam Kalkin has received much notoriety for the high design of his Quick Houses. Based around the construction of five shipping containers and coming in at a cost of just $100 per square foot, multiple floor plans are available for customization boasting many of today’s modern appetencies; stainless steel kitchens, wood floors, and walk-in closets.

Even big business is jumping on the bandwagon. Hospitality giant Travel Lodge has recently finished construction on a 100 room hotel made by cleverly fitting 88 recycled shipping containers together. The Uxbridge, England building cost much less and was finished more quickly than new construction.

 

Read more about container living on www.shipping-container-housing.com

Container Leasing Seeking out the Opportunities

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It offers a unique insight into the organisation, financial workings and business dynamics of the container leasing industry.

This Report offers a unique insight into the organisation, financial workings and business dynamics of the container leasing industry. Topics include: World trade and equipment demand, The role of lessors, Development and future prospects, Lease contracts, Cost components, Revenue and profitability, Individual lessor profiles

Key information :

• Growth in world containerised trade

• Equipment demand

• Direct ownership versus leasing

• Trends in lease contracts

• Cost components: equipment procurement, sales and administration, operations (M&R, refurbishment, depot/storage, repositioning)

• Revenue and profitability: relationship with newbuild prices, use of surcharges, role of the secondary market, industry consolidation

Lessor profiles :

• Future prospects: purchasing patterns, manufacturing trends, value-added services

• The container leasing industry is facing some of its greatest challenges. The recent volatility in trade, ongoing structural changes in the liner shipping sector, continuing pressure on rental rates and uncertainty in the all-important secondary market have combined to depress revenues and raise costs. Nonetheless, Shipping Consultants latest report, Container Leasing - Seeking out the Opportunities, reveals that it is not all doom and gloom.

• Container Leasing - Seeking out the Opportunities explores all supply, demand, pricing and structural issues shaping the container rental business. It also takes a look at prospects for the next five years

 

Read more about container leasing company on www.shipping-container-housing.com

Container Leasing

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There are a total of 20 container leasing companies in 3 areas including 18 in Denmark, one in England and one in Sweden. Container leasing can be done through container leasing depots such as these, or through individuals whom sell you the merchandise. Container leasing depots that are the most popular in Denmark include the ALPHA Containers, Condane Cargo Service and Container Providers International. There are many others to choose from, and by no means should you use a container leasing agent you are not comfortable with. If you are searching with no results for container leasing companies, checking with the trade association for container and chassis leasing industry’s Institute of International Container Lessors will help you find reputable companies.

The IICL has many member companies, and these companies offer container leasing to all companies across the world for marine cargo containers. These members are known to own or manage almost 90 percent of the leased container fleet as well as almost half of the world’s container fleet. The IICL is involved in regulations, taxes, customs as well as governmental matters on behalf of all the member companies. The IICL offers its members courses on inspector certification, repair courses on all types of containers and publications for the industry. Their website can be a good tool to use in order to find container leasing companies.

 

Read more about container leasing companies on www.shipping-container-housing.com

Container Heads Rejoice A New Container Baby | The Cordell Shipping Container House

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Container Heads around the world, start rejoicing. Yes, a new container house has been born and it’s a Texan. The developers and family are calling it the Cordell House and here is what they have to say about their new baby.

Developer -The Cordell House is the result of a 2-year design discussion between the builders and the designers. It was conceived as an exercise in efficient building, with the most expensive aspects of the house – the structural elements and mechanical core – being partially prefabricated in a shop environment. The roof and infill floor areas are a panelized system that, in conjunction with the modular steel structure, allowed a very rapid dry-in time for the building, reducing on-site time and susceptibility to weather-related delays. This approach to construction also resulted in a home that can be substantially dismantled into component parts for reuse or recycling at the end of its useful life.

Before I the let developer babble on with traditional boring speak about this new container baby, I would just like to say, this thing is sexy. Really think about it, we are looking at a few very used shipping containers. Something a drunken homeless guy might piss on before living in. Right? The developers here really did an amazing job on the design side. The space is bright, happy, and very functional. Look how they used the yellow plastic or glass in the living room to bring in light and mimic the steel container walls. Also, breaking the space up with the open air deck and guest container, allows for some adventure. You don’t see everything instantly. You have to work for it. Okay back to developer speak..

 

Read more about container housing on www.shipping-container-housing.com