General Motors and Electric Utility Industry Launch Major Collaboration to Commercialize Plug-in Vehicles

· Paves way for customers to realize the benefits of plug-in electric vehicles such as the Chevrolet Volt and Saturn Vue Plug-in Hybrid

· Further progress on road to electrification of the automobile

San Jose, CALIF - General Motors announced today that it will collaborate with the nonprofit Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) - more than 30 of the top electric utilities in the United States and Canada -- to accelerate the introduction of plug-in electric vehicles.

General Motors will work with EPRI and the utility companies on everything from codes and standards to grid capability to ensure that when the Volt goes to market, the infrastructure is ready - and customers can realize the full potential of these revolutionary vehicles as soon as they leave the showroom.

Details of the alliance, which is by far the largest and most-comprehensive between an automaker and the electric utility industry, were announced today in San Jose during the Plug-In 2008 Conference.

Among the many things the coalition will address include ensuring safe and convenient vehicle charging, raising the public awareness and understanding of plug-in electric vehicles, and working with public policy leaders to enable a transition from petroleum to electricity as a fuel source.

"Together with EPRI and the utility companies, we can transform automotive transportation as we know it, and get our nation and the world past oil dependence - and heading toward a future that is electric," said Jon Lauckner, GM VP of Global Program Management. "This group is taking significant steps toward making electric vehicles a reality and in helping our customers enjoy the tremendous benefits these vehicles will provide."

Using electricity to power vehicles such as the Volt and the Vue Plug-in is attractive to GM because it can simultaneously reduce the industry's dependence on petroleum and vehicle greenhouse gas emissions. Consumers will also see a tremendous benefit as the cost per equivalent mile of a vehicle powered by electricity is roughly one-fifth of the cost per mile when powered by gasoline.

The coalition of utility companies plays a critical role in developing universal technical standards that will facilitate ease of use and commercial feasibility of electric vehicles.

"EPRI is pleased to collaborate with GM and utility leaders in electric transportation to work together in advancing plug-in hybrid electric vehicle transportation," said Arshad Mansoor, Vice President of EPRI's Power Delivery & Utilization sector. "This collaboration is critical in the development of standards that will lead to the widespread use of electricity as a transportation fuel."

Last month, GM, along with EPRI, received a conditional award from the U.S. Department of Energy to create a plug-in demo program using the Saturn Vue.

In June, GM's Board of Directors committed to production of the Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle -- due in showrooms in late 2010. And, at the 2008 North American International Auto Show, GM announced its intention to produce a plug-in hybrid electric version of the Saturn Vue. Given the huge potential vehicles such as the Chevrolet Volt and Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid offers for fuel economy improvement, these programs have emerged as top priorities at GM.

"This coalition shares a vision of bringing plug in vehicles to market so we can accelerate the use of electricity as a substitute for gasoline," said Lauckner. "We are focused on creating affordable, highly desired vehicles that will take advantage of the grid - and providing accessible, reliable, convenient low cost electricity to plug-in customers. Collectively, we can realize all of the benefits of the plug-in revolution."

Project Eagle has landed. Here is the first official picture of the long-awaited replacement for the Lotus Esprit. The car will be unveiled on July 22 at the British Motor Show...the official marketing name to replace the project name "Eagle" will be released at that time.

The car will be powered by a 3.5-liter V6 mounted midships. Since it will be available in two seater and 2+2 forms, Eagle will be the only midengine 2+2 on the market.

Lotus claims the Eagle lapped the Nurburgring faster than the Elise and with much more high-speed stability than the Exige. Performance doesn't come at the expense of comfort, as the Eagle will offer sat nav, high-end audio and other luxury features.

Eagle will be available to customers starting in Spring of 2009. Production is planned to hover around 2000 units annually.

When purchasing your condo, along with your Property Inspection, it's important to get the Condo Documents professionally reviewed.

The review of the Condo Documents is actually an automatic condition of sale when purchasing a condo in Alberta.   This provides the buyer an opportunity to review the following documents:

(The seller needs to provide the following documents to the buyer before conditions can be waived.  If you are thinking of selling, make sure you have the following documents, or request them from your Property Management Co.)

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1. Copy of bylaws of the corporation

2. Copy of the most recent financial statements of the corporation

3. Copy of the budget of the corporation

4. Statement setting out amount of monthly contributions and basis on which that amount is determined

5. Copy of minutes of a general meeting of the corporation or board for past 12 months

6. Copy of the insurance certificate

7. Copy of any lease agreement/exclusive use agreement with respect to the possession of a portion of common property, including parking stall or storage unit

8. Particulars of, or copy of, any subsisting management agreement

9. Particulars of, or copy of, any subsisting recreational agreement

10. Statement setting out structural deficiencies that the corporation has knowledge of

11. Statement setting out the amount of the capital replacement reserve fund

12. Copy of the most recent reserve fund report

13. Copy of the most recent reserve fund plan

14. Particulars of any post tensioned cables located anywhere on/within the

15. Statement setting out amount of any contributions due and payable in respect

16. Particulars of any action commenced against and served on the corporation

17. Particulars of any unsatisfied judgment or order for which the corporation is liable

18. Particulars of any written demand made on the corporation for an amount in excess

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It is very important to review these documents carefully.  It is strongly recommended that you use a professional condo document review company.

The following two links are Calgary Herald articles regarding the Edgecliff Estates condominiums and their $10M repair bill (which was passed onto the condo unit owners as a Special Assessment)

• Calgary Herald article 1
• Calgary Herald article 2

I think it's important to highlight the following excerpt from the articles above:

"Problems at the northwest complex were detected at least 17 months ago." Bernie Winter, who owns Condo-Check, which looks over documents and reports for prospective condo buyers, said her company found damage at the complex in September 2006. "All of these things were clear way back then," she said.

All the recent buyers in that building had the opportunity to review the documents and it's obvious they missed some very important facts presented in those reports.    Granted, some problem may arise afterwards that were not present at the time of purchase.    But by availing yourself to a professional document review service, you'll avoid any trouble that has already surfaced.

Below are two professional Condo Document Review service providers, and more can be found in the Yellow Pages. 

• Condo-check
• Condo Document Inspection Centre (CDIC)

Last night, there was a rerun of the CBC News Marketplace episode: Condo Crunch  If you're thinking of buying a new condo, watch the video first!

Remember, protect yourself and don't take anything on word alone. If you have any questions about buying or selling a condo, please feel free to contact me.

Mike Fotiou
First Place Realty
Realtor®, & Certified Condominium Specialist
www.FindCalgary.ca

Danny is actually easy to sum up: the favorite cars he has owned have been his Karmann Ghias, Maserati Biturbo sedan and his current Checker Marathon wagon. Danny has a degree from Harvard and served for many years as a telecommunications consultant. One might say that he’s smart, but just a tad eccentric.

Danny is a strong advocate of electric cars. He has bent my ear regarding this topic for years. Unfortunately, Danny just doesn’t “get it” when it comes to the reasons why electric cars haven’t yet caught on.

Every single time we discuss the acceptance of electric transport he questions why people don’t buy current electric-only cars. His rationale -- since the average 40-mile range is fine for almost 90-percent of the average urban worker’s travel, everyone should own one.

My standard line is that people often purchase new vehicles to accommodate their perception of how they intend to use them, rather than the reality of how they indeed will. This explains why so many people bought SUVs and trucks despite using the cargo, hauling or 4WD capabilities.

The scary reality with the current electric cars is that if one needs to exceed 40 miles just once, then another car is needed. Unlike the move away from SUVs with an average consumer needing the capabilities less than once per year, a transition to electric-only is faced with an average user target that actually needs to exceed 40 miles in a day several times per month.

Danny’s follow-up is: when you need to do that, switch with your spouse or significant other. He doesn’t seem to understand that many people either aren’t married, don’t allow their spouses to drive their car (my wife can’t drive a stick), or have a spouse who also routinely drives beyond the range of a traditional electric vehicle.

So that leaves the option of owning two cars for one driver. Despite the low sub-$15,000 price point of many current electric car options, maintaining two cars can be quite expensive. Insurance is nasty and cars require maintenance even if they sit. Furthermore, for those in apartments and condos, additional parking can be a significant hurdle.

There is also no way around the fact that current electric cars are made to the standards of low-volume producers. Think Lotus in the 1950s, Lamborghini in the 1950s or De Lorean in the 1980s. This means inferior quality control, lack of available service and sub-standard safety. I’d hate to see what the pedal boxes and b-pillars look like after these little pieces of tin are subjected to front, offset and side impact testing.

I told Danny about my discussion with GM’s Bob Lutz about the future of plug-in hybrids that starts with the Chevy Volt in about 16 months. The Volt does the 40 miles on electric power, while providing the flexibility of running for another few-hundred miles on gas or E85. It also will meet federal crash standards and be built to the level of quality of a high-volume producer. (Chevy’s quality looks like Rolls Royce’s when compared to most boutique automakers.)

But Danny can’t see the justification for the $30,000-plus it will take to buy a Chevy Volt, when there are electric-only cars available for less than half. Chalk it up to heart over mind, because he still doesn’t see why anyone would view any of the aforementioned issues as non-starters for owning a pure electric vehicle.

This is case and point to the lack of traction current electric car manufacturers have in the contemporary market. Even though gas prices are high and interest is rising, the target is still made up of small vocal group whose members are quick to talk about how everyone should be driving electric cars by small volume producers, but slow to spend their own money following their own advice.

Maybe Danny will understand what it takes to succeed with an automotive product when the big automakers start selling millions of long-range plug-in electric/gas hybrids like the Volt, and the little oddities he loves so dearly (but still hasn’t purchased an example of) wind up as footnotes in automotive history books.

Let’s briefly rewind to the early 2000s when investors were feverishly purchasing homes to sell back at twice the price they paid and Florida real estate became the new San Francisco gold rush.  Unless a buyer had hundreds of thousands to throw around, it was tricky to buy a home, to put it mildly.

Market conditions seemed to favor investors then and they still do to a lesser degree today but the tough market times have slashed property prices to the point where first time buyers can find numerous deals on homes and condos which under normal circumstances would be well beyond their budgets.  Consequently, Florida has seen the most substantial drops in price, offering unheard of deals like four bedroom homes for less than $140,000.

Home foreclosures have also become a popular method for a real estate agent to generate income and are also an excellent way of finding high priced Sunny Isles Beach property for half the price in satisfactory condition.  Some properties may have more wear and tear than another but first time buyers who employ the necessary precautions can find homes that require very little restoration.

Even as the real estate market rises and falls the government remains steadfast in assisting home buyers and moving them into a new home of their own by offering grants to those who qualify, removing several roadblocks that tend to dissuade many home buyers from making a home purchase.

Renting a Bal Harbour condo home can cost just a little less than a home these days.  Thus, the market offers copious options for those seeking to start new lives in a place of their own.

I’m not one to turn down a meal at a fine restaurant, especially when it’s on the dime of a corporation trying to spin its latest message or show new products. When I received an invitation to have dinner with General Motors Vice-Chairman Bob Lutz at Seattle’s famous Edgewater Hotel, I couldn’t confirm my attendance quickly enough.

If Lutz isn’t the most powerful and important person in the auto industry, then he’s a close second. Even though he is below GM CEO Rick Wagoner on the corporate org chart, Lutz has more influence over product direction. And because of his extensive experience in the automotive industry, journalists often look his way for answers before turning to Ghosn, Mulally or Zetsche.

And let’s face it – anyone who can take credit for green-lighting cars such as the BMW 2002 Turbo, Dodge Viper and upcoming Corvette ZR1 is someone I need to meet with over dinner.

Lutz has been in the Northwest selling the media on the future of GM. In a world that has been critical of GM’s financial woes and reliance on sales of trucks and SUVs going into an era of costly fuel, it hasn’t been an easy task. Passage of the 35-mpg CAFE standard in Congress has just made his job even harder.

Joining me for the dinner discussion are five other selected journalists. Three are from Cardomain.com, while the other two are environmental bloggers from the Northwest. Also in attendance are other GM heavyweights -- who even without the presence of Lutz would make for a great evening of car-related banter. On my left is Dee Allen, the good-humored Staff Director Global Product & Brand Communications Integration. Across from me is technical/engineering guru Mark Labaere. Sitting beside me on the right is Dave Barthmuss, GM's impressive Group Manager for the Western Region, Environment & Energy Communications. Dave is best known for being painted as a villain in his role overseeing the EV1 project in “Who Killed The Electric Car”, a film that I liken to “Tucker: A Man and His Dream” in ratio of facts to creative license for the sake of storyline.

The tall, commanding Lutz walks into the room. He overhears my comment to Dee Allen about declining the opportunity to drive a 1964 Lotus Elan to the meeting for fear that the few ominous clouds would require me to spend too much time fumbling with the Erector-Set top in the middle of a sudden downpour. He comes back with a story about the miserable tops on the pre-production Viper RT/10, as well as how one blew off at 175 mph during media testing on the Autobahn. You have to love any top executive who is as at home doing car small talk as when standing at a podium.

As we sit down, Lutz dives right into the major topic of his West Coast swing: GM’s commitment to making its Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid the standard of the world. Unlike Toyota’s Prius, the Volt will have the capacity to run on battery-only mode for around 40 miles. Considering the typical commuting pattern, Lutz believes that this can translate into real-world 100 to 200 mpg fuel consumption.

Driving the decision are federal regulations. In Lutz’s opinion (as well as mine and any other sane person in the world), combining 35-mpg CAFE standards with the added weight that comes with airbags, electronics and sheet-metal required to meet federal crash and safety requirements translates to a limited future of traditional gas and diesel-powered vehicles.

Like many journalists, I was outright skeptical when the Volt concept was first unveiled. It required lithium ion battery technology that didn’t exist at the moment. It also sounded more like somewhere between a marketing gimmick and a test of concept play (ala the EV1) rather than a technology on which many GM products would soon be based. The need to hit 35-mpg CAFE standards and fuel hitting near five dollars per gallon have changed opinions.

On the important topic of battery technology, Lutz immediately exhibits his indispensible value to GM. For those who forgot what he did after leaving Chrysler, Lutz was the CEO of Exide Battery. Yes folks, this is one of the few executives in the auto world who actually understands the production of batteries cradle-to-grave, as well as the business side of storing and delivering power – such as that it takes four minutes of man-hours to make a modern battery unit.

While Lutz believes that cellulosic ethanol provides a great potential for being a part of energy independence in the future, there’s no doubt that Chevy – and soon GM as a whole will be relying on the Volt’s next-gen hybrid technology. When I ask if and when the technology might make it into a Cadillac (to fight the Lexus hybrids and BMW 7-Series hydrogen cell vehicle), Lutz is quick not to say “no” or “yes”. Instead, like a good salesman, Lutz questions if I think a hybrid Cadillac should be in the works. I respond that as a former marketing guy, I’d want to see the segment research statistics.

“If you’re a marketing guy, you should know that you should make decisions with your gut, not statistics.” Lutz replies.

“With all due respect, even the best guts can lead them towards a bad decision” I say with a smile, eluding to a few of Lutz’s past plays that didn’t work out as planned – such as the recent Holden/Pontiac GTO disappointment.

Lutz comes back with a zinger -- asking me how many baseball Hall of Famers have 1.000 batting averages…and then again asks what my gut tells me.

Obviously, I think it’s “a no-brainer”. Applying the Volt technology to an upscale, luxurious Cadillac (or Buick, for that matter) would have minimal cost, yet pay huge dividends in expanding into a segment where additional people would be willing to spend money for both the value and image of owning a green car. Being green is fashionable, and those with money are willing to spend more on fashion. From Lutz's facial expression to my answer, I would guess that GM is already hard at work preparing to produce hybrid front-wheel-drive Caddies.

Lutz is a realist, though, and knows that the transition to electrical cars will not be without challenges. When I question about the trouble Chevy has traditionally shown servicing Corvettes (especially since the gizmo-laden 1984 model) in relation to the more high-tech Volt, Lutz admits that training and reducing the role of traditional dealer service for the non-standard technology are hurdles.

There is absolutely no doubt that the whole GM contingent strongly opposes the 35-mpg CAFE standard, which is the driving force to the Volt. (They cite the $6,000 of extra cost it will apply to cars – similar to the figures when the federal government has mandated safety and emissions requirements in the past.) GM and the other auto manufacturers have a history of predicting doom and gloom with each large federal and state regulatory step – and historically these regulations have actually helped, not hurt GM. The list of foreign manufacturers that left the market in 1968, 1975 and other years of tightening emissions and safety standards is long.

This increased 35-mpg standard has forced their hands to taking what looks like GM’s first leadership position in years. When the Volt comes out in 2010 -- Lutz projects cars will start hitting dealerships in November, it will certainly have beaten all of the other next-gen hybrids to market. In other words -- what is seen by everyone in the auto industry as a great pain might actually be a true gift to GM.

Lutz talks about his decades-long support of increasing the federal gas tax as the fairest way of reducing gas consumption. He feels this can funds the renewal of dilapidated interstates and state highways, (as well as possibly helping to cover better national health insurance, another large cost on GM’s shoulders). Yet while a gas tax is better policy, substituting a large tax for the 35-mpg CAFE legislation could have never forced the hands of the major automakers to produce discontinuous innovations.

The question comes up if the American automotive manufacturers are currently selling gas guzzlers, because that is what makes the most money. Lutz is quick to point out that GM has been selling what customers have wanted.

“All the marketing and advertising in the world won’t make someone buy something they don’t want. People have wanted big SUVs and trucks.”

With high gas prices this has all changed. Thanks to Congress, even if people want big rigs in America, no manufacturer will be able to sell them in great numbers without offsetting it with the sale of ultra-efficient cars. The GM crew is obviously not happy about this part!

Maybe Lutz should see the federal regulations like I do: a vote of confidence that when pushed into a corner, that the brilliant engineering minds working for the automotive manufacturers can create a solution.

And if what Lutz says is true, the future of GM and auto consumers worldwide is quite sunny. By as early as 2010, cars will be available that will deliver 200-mpg averages, will be serviceable at any local dealership, and carry the quality and style of GM brands. Even better, these front-wheel-drive cars will enable small-volume rear-wheel-drive performance cars like the Corvette and Sky to continue.

So for the first time in a long time – GM seems to be taking the lemons of high gas prices, slumping sales and stringent regulation and using very strong and bold leadership to make some pretty sweet lemonade for auto consumers around the globe.

Registered Size: is the size of the condominium unit as registered through Alberta Land Titles and must be verified from the Registered Condominium Plan. This size may include areas such as parking stalls, garages, below grade areas, balconies and storage areas.

Total Living Area: only includes the above grade developed heated living area.

Have you ever walked into a condo and asked, "This is 1100 square feet? It sure doesn't feel like it." You may have been right. If you subtract a couple dozen square feet here and there for the balcony & storage room, and several dozen more sq ft for the space making up any parking stalls - it gobbles up your square footage fast.

I've noticed listings on MLS® where the Total Living Area measurement is the same as the Registered Size. You know, it might well be. Perhaps the parking, balcony, and any titled stalls were not used to calculate the Registered Size (This is all outlined on the Condominium Plan your Buyer Agent will (should!) get to double-check for you)

For my listings, I hire a professional measuring company to come and and take accurate measurements so the condo is properly represented. (Not once has the total living area actually matched the registered size)

Guidelines: "When measuring the Total Living Area for a Conventional Condominium Unit, measurements are to be taken to the inside surface of the interior finishing material (wall-to-wall)...Garages, parking stalls, storage areas, balconies or below grade areas shall not be included in this size..."

When purchasing a condo, if the total living area square footage is important/needs to be verified, make sure your agent includes this in the Offer to Purchase, or have it measured beforehand - don't rely just on the Registered Size.

I'm hoping to do this every Friday. This week, suits under $500.  The look, the link, it's all here.

1.) IndoChino - $395 - Piccadilly Purple Pinstripe 3pc Gray Suit

2. Jones, NY - $299 - Two-Button Flat Front Suit (Gray Windowpane, Navy Stripe, Taupe)

3. Merona - $130 - Charcoal/Blue Pinstripe 2 Button Premium Suit (how could I not?)

4. H&M Slimboy (i made that up) - $150 off eBay, lots of people selling legit ones there now (I wish H&M had an online shop.. oh well, hate to throw them under the bus with the link, so.. here.)

There you go, guys. Manshion's first .F.S.L. (the period starts it off because grammar goes out the window for styleblogs... FCUK IT! right? (booo, me) )

The Ferrari California is the company's first front-engine V8-powered car...and one of the most visually-pleasing designs in years (photos courtesy of Ferrari S.p.A.)

You would be hard-pressed to find anyone here at The Four Wheel Drift organization who isn’t a self-proclaimed Ferrari fan. Consequently, the recently officially announced Ferrari California has us all giddy -- like the first time we got to second base with pretty girls.

"First time" is actually a good theme for the upcoming Ferrari California. The model will be Ferrari’s first front-engine V8 -- ever. It will also be the company's first series production front-engine 2+2 convertible.

Despite being Tifosi (the name given to Ferrari fanatics), we’ve also been quite outspoken over the years concerning the lack of really pretty cars coming from the house that Enzo built. Sure, we have liked the 360/430 series, but we've gone on record calling the 612 "ugly", the 599 "questionable", and the Enzo "without soul". We’ve even referenced the lack of passion and risk-taking in the lines of cars of the 550 and 456 GT series. A couple of us went so far as to discuss our opinions at great length with the project manager at Pininfarina responsible for producing Jim Glickenhaus’ wild and alluring Enzo-based P4/5 custom…

…So we’d like to think our words got back to Ferrari and the Pininfarina groups that worked on the California, because this car is gorgeous! It's not perfect, like a 246GT Dino, but it has the attitude, sex appeal and presence of a summer blockbuster’s leading lady without the shock-value or polarizing weirdness of a runway model.

The last time Ferrari delivered a 2+2 convertible was the Mondia of the 1980s and early ‘90s. With all due respect to my friend who just bought a 1989 Mondial T convertible, these were not the prettiest cars. Furthermore, heavy bodies and bulky luxury equipment made the Mondials a little too slow and ungainly in corners to excite purists.

This time around, the Ferrari California will certainly deliver performance with its style and extra seats. The 4.3-liter V8 utilizing direct injection will likely deliver 460 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. This will probably put the 0-60 time at 3.6 seconds – over twice as fast as the Mondial convertibles with the 3.0-liter quattrovalve V8. Helping acceleration will be an all-new dual-clutch paddle-shift gearbox, which was developed largely by reverse-engineering the hardware and software of the industry-leading Audi unit.

Acceleration is helped by a weight-saving all-aluminum body. The California also utilizes an automatic folding hardtop -- a Pininfarina specialty. Ferrari has yet to release to us the photos of the car with the top up, but we can already see the tight lines with the top down. Speaking of tight, the rear seats will be best used for gym bags and briefcases. And to ensure that no Mondial-esque complaints are made about fat-guy-on-rollerskates-like handling, the new suspension and front-midship placement of the V8 engine will pay dividends in apex carving duties.

Original leaks had this pegged as an entry-level Ferrari called Dino. Using the California name was a smarter move, evoking the original 250 GT California Spyder, which first appeared in 1957. California Spyders were built by Scaglietti, initially on the long-wheelbase 250 GT platform using the standard three-liter V12 developing 240 hp. (Later cars switched to the shorter wheelbase chassis and some were fitted with higher-power engines.) Thanks to a recent $10M-plus auction sale for one example, the 250 GT California Spyder is now the most valuable car model in the world, and hence on of the most coveted classics on the planet.

Ferrari is choosing to cash-in on the model name’s always-strong-but-still-rising stock. Unlike the Ford GT, Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger, or Chevy Camaro, which were little more than old looks on modern technology, the new Ferrari California uses only subtle cues to remind of its ancestor. It is retro in spirit, but not in design or lines, an obvious key to success in the supercar market. The most important homage to the great 250 GT California is that this new Ferrari will be just like its dual-purpose grandfather: just as capable of being driven during the week to work as on the track during weekends.

Alas, we probably won’t be able to afford one, since it likely will be priced similarly to the current 430. The current 430 will get a modest price increase, holding true to initial reports that the California will indeed be the “entry-level Ferrari”.

Hopefully we’ll be able to steal a ride when one comes stateside. And we promise that there will be no “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”-like calamities when we take out the new Ferrari California for a first date.

]]> http://findcalgary.wordpress.com/?p=60 Sat, 24 May 2008 20:19:43 +0000 Mike Fotiou http://findcalgary.wordpress.com/?p=60

The Property Tax adjustment at closing can catch some buyers off-guard, so this article will help buyers calculate how much they need to have in order to complete the transaction.

• (NOTE: The following information is based on the criteria: 1) A June 30th date for collecting Property Taxes as is the case for most of Alberta. 2) The mortgage is not PIT (Principal, Interest & Taxes) 3) The mortgage was not being assumed)

Property taxes for the full calendar year are to be paid by June 30th. They are payable 6 months in arrears, and 6 months in advance. An adjustment has to be made at closing in every case in favor of either the buyer or the seller (unless the transaction closes on December 31st)

There are 2 guidelines that you can remember:

1) If the sales closes BEFORE June 30th, the BUYER will receive a CREDIT for the amount of the year's taxes which are owed, but haven't been paid by the seller. This means the buyer doesn't need as much money to complete the purchase. HOWEVER, the buyer will then be responsible for paying the taxes for the ENTIRE YEAR by June 30th.

2) If the sale closes AFTER June 30th, the SELLER will receive a CREDIT for the portion of the year's taxes which are owed by the buyers. This is because the seller has prepaid them already. This means the buyer will need more money upfront in order to complete the purchase. However, the buyer will then not need to pay any more for that year's property taxes.

Here are two Calgary based examples, one in favor of the seller and the other in favor of the buyer.

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Example 1.

Closing Date: April 1st
Property Tax amount (current year) $1,500

Since the closing date is BEFORE June 30th, the BUYER will receive a CREDIT.

Calculation: 91/365 X $1,500 = $373.97

The '91' in the above example represents the number of days in the year that the seller owned the property and is therefore responsible for paying the taxes on it, out of the total 365 days of the year.

Jan (31 days) +Feb (29 days) +March (31 days) = 91 days

So the BUYER gets a $373.97 credit to complete their purchase, but must pay the entire year's tax bill by June 30th.

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Example 2.

Closing date: September 15th
Property Tax amount: $1200 (already paid by seller)

Since the closing date is AFTER June 30th, the SELLER will receive a CREDIT.

Jan(31) + Feb(29) + Mar(31) + Apr(30) + May(31) + Jun(30) + July(31) + Aug(31) + Sep(14 days only) = 258

Calculation: 107/365 X $1200 = $848.22
$1200 - $848.22 = $351.78 CREDIT to the SELLER since they paid in advance.

The BUYER will need another $351.78 to complete their purchase, representing the 107 days remaining in the year that is their responsibility to pay property taxes on, which have already been paid in advance by the seller. However, the buyer does not need to pay any more towards that year's property taxes.

NOTE: The above scenarios and examples may not reflect your exact circumstances.   Your lawyer will have the firm amount of your taxes owing when they receive the Statement of Adjustments from the sellers lawyer.    To be 100% safe, have taxes set aside for the entire year.

TIPP (Tax Installment Payment Plan)

Calgary residents have the option of paying their property taxes monthly on a Tax Installment Payment Plan, or TIPP for short. Many homeowners choose this option rather than having to face one large bill every June 30th.

If the SELLER is on the TIPP program, it simplifies any property tax adjustment that needs to be made at closing. There will still be a slight adjustment because the amount paid under TIPP will not usually equal the true tax adjustment. However, since taxes under TIPP are paid "as you go" rather than the aforementioned "6 months in advance, 6 months in arrears", the impact on the buyer's closing costs / net sale proceeds to the seller, are quite minimal.

NOTE: If the new BUYER chooses NOT to go on the TIPP program and,

1) Sale closes BEFORE June 30th, they will have to pay balance of the years taxes by June 30th
2) Sale closes AFTER June 30th, they will have to pay balance of the years taxes when they become owner of the property.

Fore more information on the TIPP, please visit the City of Calgary website: click here

• TIPP Application Request
• TIPP Brochure (City of Calgary .pdf)

• Mould growth is evident within the premises. Excess heat and humidity produced during the plant growing activities are suitable conditions for mould growth. Mould growth was noticed along several rafters in the basement ceiling as well as in the corner beneath one of the circuit breaker panels.

• Combustion gases from furnace and hot water tank are being discharged into the premises.

• Electrical system has been tampered with to bypass the meter.

• Surfaces throughout the growing and mixing areas are contaminated from the use of chemical/fertilizer solutions.

• Structural and interior damages are evident in the premises. The entire house is very badly water damaged. Ceilings and walls are condensation-stained, water stained, collapsing and water logged on all levels of the house.

• Mould in corners where the walls and ceilings meet.

• Signs of roof vents

•  Painted concrete floors in the basement, with circular marks of where pots once were

• Evidence of tampering with the electric meter (damaged or broken seals) or the ground around it.

• Unusual or modified wiring on the exterior of the house.

• Brownish stains around the soffit that bleeds down along the siding.

• Concrete masonry patches, or alterations on the inside of the garage.

• Alteration of fire places.

• They unload unrecognizable equipment and very few household furnishings.

• They unload copper and/or PVC pipe, soil, halogen lamps, large amounts of black plastic aluminum ducting, and fans.

• Come and go at unusual hours but never seem to stay overnight.

• Little or no garbage is brought to the curb each week.

• Mail is rarely delivered to the house; mailbox may be taped shut.

• Windows are always dark and may be secured with metal bars, blacked out or heavily draped.

• A strong odor similar to skunk cabbage (bulk marijuana) comes from the house

• Power meter spins at a very high speed (unlikely, as most try to bypass this to avoid being caught by the utility company) or signs of electrical tampering.

• Heavy condensation on the inside of the windows.

• Humming sound of fans or generators.

• Condensation or discoloring on the roof.

• Unusual amounts of steam coming from vents in the house in cold weather.

• Rooftop with no snow on it when the surrounding houses are covered in snow.

• People entering and exiting the residence only through the garage keeping the garage door closed.

What are the legal consequences of selling a home without disclosing that it was once used as a grow op?

There is always an obligation to disclose material latent defects that are known or should be known by the seller. The seller (if they knew or ought to have known) could be liable for damages to the buyer for the costs of any necessary repairs to make the property fit for habitation. (Please consult with a real estate lawyer regarding any legal questions, or issues you may have)

 Sources: 
May 20, 2008 Calgary Herald
August 16, 2007 Calgary Herald
Grow Ops - Canadian Real Estate Association 2004

I hope you found the above informative. If you have any subjects you’d like me to do a topic on, please email me.

Alphanumeric model designations are as old as dirt…or John McCain, for that matter. Actually, they’re older -- think 1922 Citroen 5CV or the famous Alfa Romeo 8C 2300. Back in the old days, naming a car model after a combination of number of cylinders, displacement and/or horsepower was standard practice.

For those like me who grew up before the era of Japanese and European automobile dominance, alphanumeric names were the exception, not the rule. Model names showed the creative prowess of domestic product marketing. My family had relationships with LeSabre, LeBaron, Special, New Yorker, LTD, and the neighbors had Corvette, Duster, and even a Beetle and Rabbit.

My parents still live in the same house, but now the carport is home to a Lexus ES300 and BWM 335ic. One neighbor put his ’63 Corvette in storage, and instead drives his Mercedes Lexus LS430.

As an automotive guy holding a Bachelor’s Business Marketing (who whooped-ass in every competition against MBA candidates taking the same courses from the same professors), I certainly understand the perceived benefits of alphanumeric designations.

Among the upsides:

Most importantly – AN designations often lead to customers linking a model with the wrong manufacturer.

The market has a right to be confused. In some cases, the letters represent the product line, while the numbers indicate a displacement or other option category. This is true for Mercedes, which offers the S, SL, C, E, CL, CLK, GL, SLK, ML, as well as other product lines with a bunch of engine options, which gets you something like a S550 or S430. Lexus (LS, LX, GL, GS, GX, IS) and Infiniti (Q, G, M, QX) follow Mercedes lead with first the letters, then the engine displacement.

Acura once relied on AN model names -- flipping the Mercedes/Lexus/Infinity convention by listing the engine size then the model line, as in 3.2TL. Now, however, they also just offer the RL (which used to be the 3.5RL), MDX, RDX, TSX.

BMW uses a different methodology. Its product lines are numeric or alphanumeric – 7, 6, 5, 3, 1, Z4, X3, X5, and M (in 3,5 and 7 guises, as well as "M Roadster" and "M Coupe" forms of the Z4s). BMW used to also attach a number indicating the total displacement of the car’s engine and a letter for the body configuration, so a 740iL was a 7-series sedan with four-liter fuel injected V8 and a long wheelbase. Now the numbers no longer always identify the displacement, as the 3.0L sixes in the 328 and 335 prove. (For the record, the 335 has the twin-turbo engine, while the 328 has the normally aspirated engine.)

Audi uses yet another letter-number methodology. They have the 8, 6, 5, 4, and now 3 series lines. Most can be had in A (standard) or S (sport). One can have a four-cylinder engine, six-cylinder or eight-cylinder in the 4 and 6 lines. Oh, then there’s the Q7 and R8…which has a V8 now, but will have a V10 next year.

Since seemingly all the foreign luxury brands went away from real names, so are Caddy (DTS, STS, CTS) and Lincoln (MKZ, MKX). If I were an executive for Ford, the brain surgeons who decided to rename the Zephyr to MKZ just a year after the product launch would all be blackballed from holding any marketing or product management positions anywhere. In fact, I'd ensure the only things out of their cornholes was "Welcome to M-C-D's, would you like fries with that?"

The FTC needs to mandate some type of naming convention, so car shopping (or in my case – helping people car shop) is less like trying to pick up a girl in a bar who doesn’t speak English.

So this is what I suggest: When using alphanumeric model designations, the letter must identify a series (product line) and the number following it must either represent the number of cylinders or engine displacement. Displacement can represent the total, or in traditional Ferrari-style, of a single cylinder. A letter can follow either the number or initial letter to designate a body style.

While we’re at it, companies should be banned from using an “I” to indicate fuel injection anywhere in the model name. BMW – when was the last time someone thought your cars might be equipped with a carburetor?

I’m not a guy who likes to yearn for “the good old days”, because as Billy Joel once said “the good old days weren’t always good and tomorrow ain’t as bad as it seems”. My kingdom, however, for a model line of clever names like Studebaker’s President, Dictator and Commander.

]]> http://manshion.wordpress.com/?p=65 Fri, 09 May 2008 19:09:35 +0000 manshion http://manshion.wordpress.com/?p=65 I hate baggy suits. I used to wear baggy jeans and shirts. I can still appreciate people that don this look in a casual setting, sure. But I refuse to tolerate a baggy suit. It's an oxymoron.

This entry hearkens back to the man-blouse episode in its complete and utter disgust for excess cloth.

1.) When your jacket is buttoned, your sleeves and the torso of the jacket should not touch the whole way down. (Yes, like the man blouse.. no torso/sleeve friction when jacket is buttoned)

2.) Try taking your jacket size down one or two. The first suit I bought was a 42 Long. I was in high school. The last suit I bought was a 38 Regular, I have gained 10 pounds and since graduated college. I wear this suit to work, and no, work isn't as the frontman of an indie rock band wearing a mini-suit.

3.) These numbers make no sense as far as ordering information... It's just easier to break things up.

4.) If you take your jacket size down 1 or 2 and the jackets is "pulling" when you button it, go back up a size, do the torso/sleeve test and tailor (taper) away any excess.

5.) Get the right waist size.. no excuse if buying suit seperates. If you're a 34 in jeans, try a 33 in suit pants. You'd like to get a pant that can fit well without a belt. That way when your belt is on, you don't look like an orphan child sinching your knickers with a shoestring.

6.) Avoid cuffed trousers. Nothing wrong with it in theory, actually, despite fashionista's shunning the idea in recent years. However, they usually signify a baggier pant. Be careful on these and maybe even bring back the cuffed dress pant by have the pant legs tapered in a bit (assuming they're normal-wider sized off the rack).

7.) Look young, strong, smart in your suit-- don't let it wear you. Don't look like an old man being overtaken by his suit as he shrinks in his glory days.

ps. askmen.com and just about every other men's fashion website has much of the same to say

]]> http://howgoodisthat.wordpress.com/?p=382 Fri, 02 May 2008 09:21:14 +0000 Jim Gardner http://howgoodisthat.wordpress.com/?p=382 Every time anyone finds out I use computers for music, photography and video, they assume I can fix their ageing Dell PC, simply by telling me what error message is always popping up when they're trying to surf for smut.

In fact many of you reading this, by showing even the slightest outward signs of being computer literate, have - I am sure - heard all of the usual lines from friends, neighbours and family, on what is wrong this week with the ubiquitous machine sitting on 90% of the world's home office desktops.

They range from the sublime, "When it was new it didn't do it, but now I have to wait 10 minutes for it to start", to the ridiculous claims, which only people who, to be fair, don't really know what they're talking about could possibly allow themselves to come out with; like "Every time I use Firefox I get a virus", or "I need to use Windows because it came with my Internet cable box thingy".

I have, literally, heard them all - to the point that for the most part I've actually stopped trying to help people who come to me with these problems, because there's only so many times you can say, "Buy a Mac", only to be completely ignored and a few weeks later have the same person with a different problem, coming back for more of the same advice - which they clearly just don't heed.

I have had my share of successful switcher stories, however, and one in particular stands out more than others. Mark, a friend of mine who runs a "male vocal harmony group" (boy band with backing tracks), has a PA system rig, which also houses all the controllers for the lights and the power amplifiers for the speakers. Somewhere amidst the web of neatly cable-tied wires and leads, is a trusty Mac Mini running OS X Tiger, which he uses to trigger all the MIDI and audio which effectively runs the entire gig.

A few years ago now, he was having strife with the Windows based system he had been using and my simple advice of "Buy a Mac", chimed with him to such a degree of success, he has now ditched Windows entirely on all of his home and business machines.

Going all Mac in the creative industry isn't as much of a chore as it might be in, say, accounting and finance. I wouldn't know where to start giving someone who works in banking, advice on non-Windows reliant systems which calculate taxes and wage slips, for example, across a large workforce - but aside from that (and simply because I've never seen such a system not be Windows based) Mac is streets ahead of anything Windows can muster.

All too often, unfortunately, when it comes to explaining the many compelling reasons to ditch Windows altogether, people are seduced at the last minute, by seemingly seductive deals at the local stack-'em-high PC retailer. That "free" scanner and printer and a years free subscription to a photo printing service or a legal MP3 downloading site, which in reality you'll simply never use, all add up to the vast majority of sales which customers who originally entered the store intending to ask about Mac, end up being distracted by.

Know what you want.
Buying a PC is easy. Pick any random box from any random manufacturer, hand over your money, go home, set it up and wait 6 months for the warrantee to run out, before repeating the whole process again.

Buying a Mac, however, is a bit more of a challenge. You'll be immediately put on your guard by the nice salesperson, who will ask all the usual questions they have been told to ask, which are designed to steer you towards the system their company makes the most money on and which they stand to make the most from in sales commission.

Of course, if at all possible, this can be avoided by going to an Apple retail store, but since they're not as common in the UK as they are in the US, we'll assume you are buying from a bricks and mortar store; most likely PC World or any one of the Dixon's group owned electrical stores, found on every out of town retail park from Glasgow to Gwynedd.

Buying on-line is just as strewn with sales tactics, designed to steer you away from Mac - so always shop at Apple.com - even though the prices on the surface appear to be higher than many of the third party resellers tout on their flashy web sites. The reality of these lower prices is that they are selling older systems - and since you're paying a premium for the Apple brand in any case, you want to be sure you're getting the most up-to-date system, covered by all the benefits from a warrantee point of view which come with buying direct from Apple.

In that context, I'll mention here why, unlike just about any other area of major (over £500) purchases, taking out an extended warrantee is a good idea, when it comes to Mac computers. In fact, I'd go as far as to say, that the extra £150 for Apple Care which I spent on my iMac, is the best £150 I've ever spent. Why? Because when something went wrong with my old machine, Apple gave me a brand new machine. No questions asked, simple as that.

The fault in my case wasn't anything to do with the machine itself. A repair tech from a third party company came round to replace the hard drive (even though I don't think there was anything wrong with the old one) and accidentally damaged the screen when he was taking the case apart. So Apple, with just two or three phone calls to head office, replaced the entire unit with the latest model, AND I still have another year and half left on my original warrantee.

What's the best Mac for me?
In 99.9% of cases, where someone wants to simply ditch the home office PC for a machine that will actually work, instead of need baby-sitting every five minutes, my advice would be to buy the entry level iMac.

Most people look at the £799 price tag and say, "what am I getting for that which I couldn't get for half as much from a Windows PC?"

Apart from the vastly superior balanced system performance, which comes from having all components in the machine, designed to be used together, the biggest selling point for Mac is the operating system itself and the applications, known as the iLife suite, which come out of the box, fully working with every new Machine.

A big highlight of the iLife suite is iMovie. Plug your video camera into your Mac, click around in the easy to read application window and, without having to know anything at all about what you're doing, you can edit together slick, properly compressed home movies and one-click upload them to YouTube or your own web site.

You don't even need an existing video camera to get started on your epic video blog, because all new Macs apart from the Mac Mini have built in web cam (called an iSight) and a high dynamic range microphone - both of which are accessible as a recording device from within all of the applications in the iLife suite.

GarageBand: Music creation software anyone can use. If you're a budding DJ and you want to drag and drop MP3s of your favourite music into a new remix, or if you're a song writer who needs some easy to use but extremely powerful arrangement and composition tools, GarageBand is everything people previously had to learn how to use Cubase or Logic to do, all in one application you can get very professional results from in less than a few hours.

A feature of GarageBand which I use every day, is the built-in library of studio loops and samples - because setting up a 'jam' between yourself and the computer is a great way to practise playing over chord progressions in a variety of different musical styles; such as Latin, rock, blues and the many permutations of jazz standard arrangements, which you can one-click customise GarageBand to play while you work on your chops in any key, any tempo.

iPhoto: Anyone who's ever had to fumble through gigabytes of pictures, just to find that one shot taken at a party will know how frustrating it can be to do this using Windows Explorer. iPhoto, on the other hand, automatically dates and categorises your entire library and instantly makes your collection available to all the other applications in the iLife suite - so you can browse your photos from inside iMovie, for example, without having to open iPhoto first.

Front Row: All new Macs ship with a remote control unit which can browse your Movies, Music, Photos and DVD folders in a slick full screen application. Many people buy the Mac Mini machine, for example, simply to use as a media centre in their home theatre set-up.

Again, it's worth underlining, none of these features are optional extras; they're all default with every new machine. Bear that in mind and, purely using Front Row as a comparison, go have a quick look around at the prices many of the Windows PC retailers are asking for a Media Centre capable of hooking into your TV set, out of the box, with no extra costs associated with getting the right cables, or the right software to control the unit once it's actually installed (not including Windows built-in media centre software because it just doesn't work).

Connectivity.
All new Macs have 802.11n wireless networking built in. So if you already have a router all you should need to do, to connect to the internet once you've taken your new Mac out of the box and plugged it in, is to select the wireless router from the "Do you want to use this wireless base station" windows which pops up and the job, as they say, is a good 'un.

You should also find it just as easy to connect to your Bluetooth phone, since all new Macs have Bluetooth built in too. There's also a full complement of USB, Firewire 800 and Ethernet around the back of all machines, with the exception of the ultra-portable Macbook Air.

Again, let's stop and look at the hidden extras you're charged by the Windows PC resellers for a full complement of connections and interfaces.

Overall user experience.
When Bill Gates and Steve Jobs sat down for a conversation interview at the D conference, hosted by the Wall Street Journal's Walt Mossberg, the Microsoft founder wasn't over exaggerating when he said that the thing he admired the most about Jobs was his sense of style. It's that style which governs the Mac experience. Friends of mine who I've converted to Mac, immediately notice the sheer elegance of being able to do the simplest of things, exactly the way you would intuitively want to do them.

Compare the loops you have to jump through to install or remove an application under Windows, to the simple act of moving an icon from one place to another under Mac OS X. This simplicity belies some super clever software under the hood and all of it based around the rock solid reliability of UNIX.

You will never again have to open esoteric registry editors, just to remove something you didn't want installing on your system in the first place. The Mac OS X system control panel, shock horror, actually controls the system - unlike Windows, where many of the underlying system settings you need to edit to really get anything done, are hidden away behind 6 or seven mouse clicks; right click on that, choose properties on that, click 'Apply' on this and then, you guessed it, restart. Repeat ad nauseam.

Gaming and productivity.
Read my lips. All the major gaming titles for Windows are also available for Mac. Microsoft wrote the XBox system software on Mac, because back when it was being developed, Microsoft chose to base the system around the PPC microprocessor from IBM which at the time was the chip used in all Apple machines.

Apple now use the Intel microprocessor, which makes it extremely easy for software developers to bring Mac versions of their applications to market at the same time as Windows.

As part of the bail-out package, which Apple drew up in the late 1990s when Steve Jobs came back to the company, Microsoft agreed to develop Office on the Mac before Windows. Simply put, to this day, Microsoft Office is a Mac application which also happens to be available for Windows. So if you're worried about sharing documents written on a PC, worry no more.

"I've just bought a printer and there are no Mac drivers on the CD ROM"
Walk into any print shop or commercial press and see if you can spot the PC. There might be an old Windows 98 thing in the corner, which the stuck in her ways secretary refuses to let go of, but without exception printing is the domain of the Mac.

Indeed there would be no such thing as desktop printing were it not for the original Mac, back in 1984. Increasingly, however, printer manufacturers are bringing cheep printers to market, which are cheep for a number of reasons - the biggest being that they make their money back on ink and by removing all of the system software from the device itself, and seeding it to the operating system, which is invariably Windows based.

Happily Mac can bypass this Windows bias at the cheeper end of the printer market by falling back on a number of generic printer drivers which are built into the Mac OS X operating system itself. I have yet to come across a printer which Mac couldn't use without having to install any third party software.

As a rule of thumb, if in doubt, plug it in and try it anyway. Chances are Mac will "just work". All manner of USB devices available in retail stores around the world, very rarely have a "Works with Mac OS" sticker on them, but the simple fact is, I've never come across any device, from video cameras to wireless routers, which don't work with zero configuration on Mac OS X.

]]> http://manshion.wordpress.com/?p=34 Tue, 29 Apr 2008 17:21:09 +0000 manshion http://manshion.wordpress.com/?p=34 Manshion goes casual (for once).

The trench coat, in general, is very in these days. Sherlock Holmes is smiling in his grave (for unrelated reasons thus rendering this sentence pointless). As spring turns into summer, though, its the perfect time to invest in a lightweight alternative to the all weather exterior + zip-in-liner trench you've been (or should have been) wearing this winter.

Excellent Choices.. ranging from $60-$215.  Click them to inspect further.

Gap $60.00 (ps. the Gap really has made a comeback recently, great place to get your staple pieces)

Armani Exchange - only $125 currently on Amazon.

Modern Amusement- $212.50 on Zappos (don't worry, I didn't know they sold clothing either.. I like a few of this (unknown?) brand's other items too)

Cheap Monday - $169.40 on Amazon (looking at their other products was surprised at how not-cheap their typical hipster (not knocking it) wear was going for)

]]> http://highdefguy.wordpress.com/?p=16 Tue, 29 Apr 2008 03:09:26 +0000 hdguy http://highdefguy.wordpress.com/?p=16 Getting ready to release another version of www.highdefguy.com that will include some definitions and more interactive features for the room.

Has any body used this? What did you think?

]]> http://wearsthetrousers.wordpress.com/?p=268 Sat, 26 Apr 2008 15:22:24 +0000 Wears The Trousers magazine http://wearsthetrousers.wordpress.com/?p=268 a buyer's guide to... nanci griffith
Trevor Raggatt puts her albums under the microscope.

DOWNLOAD PDF: this article | the whole issue

]]> http://wearsthetrousers.wordpress.com/?p=184 Sat, 26 Apr 2008 14:09:56 +0000 Wears The Trousers magazine http://wearsthetrousers.wordpress.com/?p=184 a buyer's guide to... rickie lee jones
Alan Pedder puts her albums under the microscope.

DOWNLOAD PDF: this article | the whole issue

]]> http://wearsthetrousers.wordpress.com/?p=167 Sat, 26 Apr 2008 07:06:18 +0000 Wears The Trousers magazine http://wearsthetrousers.wordpress.com/?p=167 a buyer's guide to... kd lang
Shelley Ali puts her albums under the microscope.

DOWNLOAD PDF: this article | the whole issue

]]> http://wearsthetrousers.wordpress.com/?p=114 Sat, 26 Apr 2008 06:39:34 +0000 Wears The Trousers magazine http://wearsthetrousers.wordpress.com/?p=114 a buyer's guide to... aimee mann
Trevor Raggatt puts her albums under the microscope.

DOWNLOAD PDF: this article | the whole issue

]]> http://lieblingartcrafts.wordpress.com/?p=41 Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:18:58 +0000 lieblingartcrafts http://lieblingartcrafts.wordpress.com/?p=41 Confused about what you find online? Does "silver" mean sterling silver or silver tone? Does "gold" mean gold or gold tone? Here's a little 101 on metals and common jewelry terms for buyer, that I hope will go a long way in helping you shop online.

If it doesn't say "sterling silver" or "10K, 14K, 24K etc Gold" - it's probably something else. What do I mean by "something else?" Sellers use some common terms in their descriptions that will help you navigate the multitudes of merchandise online. Here are a few of them:

FINDINGS - Findings is a generic term we use for metal jewelry components — clasps, posts, chain, beads, etc.

BASE METAL - This one can even be confusing for some makers. Base metal is a term that is really a catch-all for any metal (primarily used in costume jewelry) that is not a precious metal like sterling silver, gold, platinum, etc. Some examples of a base metal are iron, copper, steel, brass, tin, nickel, you get the picture.

PLATED - In costume jewelry, you'll often find base metals that have been plated with gold or silver. Many plated items are first plated with copper, and then plated again with a final precious metal.

FILLED - Filled jewelry is anywhere from 50,000-100,000 times thicker than plated jewelry. Unlike plated silver or gold , filled pieces can be buffed and cleaned with care.

So, when we say "silver" or "gold" we probably mean the color. Otherwise, you'll see it listed as "sterling silver" or "14K gold", etc. It's always a good idea of course to check descriptions, materials used and whatnot when browsing, but knowing these few simple rules can save you a lot of time shopping online, and will help you know what you're looking at without having to do excessive digging and clicking.

Happy shopping!

Jess

 

 

]]> http://fourwheeldrift.wordpress.com/?p=148 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 22:17:49 +0000 fourwheeldrift http://fourwheeldrift.wordpress.com/?p=148

While journalists have been throwing praise at Chevy for the 2009 Camaro, Cadillac for the upcoming CTS Coupe, and Dodge for the now-arriving Challenger, the sweetest looking two-door to hit the “coming soon” pages is actually from Hyundai. The Genesis coupe is simply a work of art.

GM, Ford and Chrysler: beware! The 2010 Genesis (due out in 2009) is not destined to be another rice rocket in the mold of the Acura Integra. Hyundai has instead designed it to be an American-like pony car to do battle against the Mustang. Don’t laugh – when it hits dealerships, the rear-wheel-drive Genesis will be available with either a turbo 2.0-liter 212hp four or a high-output 306-hp six-cylinder engine. And no doubt that the V8 Hyundai has in development will be there sooner than you think!

Hyundai has delivered nicely styled cars in the past. Indeed the current Hyundai Tiburon coupe obviously stole lines from the Ferrari 550 Maranello. Unfortunately, the front-wheel-drive Tiburon (as well as other cars from the Korean automaker) has always been a let down in the driving department. The new Genesis, however, has earned praise from the few journalists who have had the chance to do preview drives. Rumors are that power, handling, braking, and refinement are all top-notch for the general price and segment.

What seems most important is that from a style perspective, the Genesis doesn’t seem to steal from any other car. It is fresh and devoid of all the foolish, tacky add-ons all too familiar on American so-called performance cars. There are no non-functional fake air intakes, nor are there creases or edges that are there just to maintain a corporate look or theme. In fact, the Genesis shows no evidence that the designers were out to make a unique-appearing Hyundai, rather one that would point to the future, not the past.

So as GM goes to 1969 for the design of its 2009 Camaro, Dodge’s Challenger steals entirely from its 1970 version, and Ford’s Mustang soldiers on with a pastiche of 1965, 1967 and 1969 Fastback ‘Stang cues, the Hyundai Genesis proves that being new can be done without looking old. Furthermore, the Genesis will remain fresh for years to come.

With better pricing and all the power of American pony cars, it’s possible that the Genesis’ show and go will translate to stealing sales not only from Mustang, Challenger and Camaro, but also from Infiniti G, Acura TL, Pontiac G8, Subaru WRX, Mitsubishi Evo, and Cadillac CTS. Who knows, maybe even a few Bimmer or Audi drivers will wonder why they’ve spent $10K-$20K more than they had to?

]]> http://fortuneapple20.wordpress.com/?p=464 Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:19:23 +0000 Philip Elmer-DeWitt http://fortuneapple20.wordpress.com/?p=464 MacRumors has issued an update of its immensely useful Buyer's Guide -- a consumer-oriented cheat sheet that tracks the update cycle of Apple's product line and offers informed opinions about whether you should go ahead buy that MacBook Pro you've been lusting after or wait for the next model. As MacRumors put it:

Apple updates their products in a very consistent manner. A Mac comes out at a certain price with certain features. The price and features of that particular Mac stay exactly the same throughout the lifespan of the product. So, if a customer buys on Day #1, they are getting the fastest/newest technology for the dollar. The problem, however, is that 8 months later, on the day prior to its refresh, that Mac costs the exact same money, but contains 8 month old technology. (link)

Although based on rumors and second-hand reports, the Guide is pretty dependable, especially since Apple (AAPL) switched to Intel chips. Intel (INTC) is quite open about its product plans, and Apple tends to switch to their newest processors in a fairly predictable timeframe. (Although as MacRumors notes, Intel's switch to the Nehalem microarchitecture, due late this year, could stretch out some Apple product cycles.)

To see the full 2008-2009 Buyer's Guide, click here. This is a summary of their recommendations:

• iPod classic: Buy only if you need it - Approaching the end of a cycle
• iPod touch: Neutral - Mid product cycle
• iPod nano: Buy only if you need it - Approaching the end of a cycle
• iPod shuffle: Buy - Product recently updated
• Mac mini: Don't Buy - Updates soon
• Mac Pro: Neutral - Mid product cycle
• MacBook: Buy - Product recently updated
• MacBook Pro: Buy - Product recently updated
• iPhone: Buy only if you need it - Approaching the end of a cycle
• LCDs: Don't Buy - Updates soon
• Xserve: Buy - Product recently updated

There's lots more information in the full Buyer's Guide, including historical release dates, days since update and links to recent news.

One caveat: you take a risk when you buy a computer on Day #1, as MacRumors suggests. You might want to monitor Apple's discussion boards for few weeks to see what problems emerge. Let the company and the users who like to live on the bleeding edge work out the kinks before you buy.

]]> http://mountcenter.wordpress.com/?p=4 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:15:05 +0000 randomapps http://mountcenter.wordpress.com/?p=4 Here at Mount Center we love that moment when you’ve finally purchased that projector you’ve been looking for, you’re excited and ready to start enjoying the benefits of your new projector. But wait, where do you put it? Using a projector mount to install the projector to the ceiling is our recommended method.

Our joy in life is to guide customers through that decision process. Here is why a projector mount is better than placing your projector on a table out of the way. You want a new home theater projector positioned perfectly to view on your projection screen without obstructing the view of the watching audience. You could always place the projector on the coffee table in front of the couch. However, the projector might stand out a little too much among the other home furnishings. Also, placing the projector on the coffee table means people will place their drinks and snacks near it.  There are certain cable management concerns as well.

Keeping the projector out of harm's way is not only good for your projector, but also good for your family and friends. The ideal way of doing this is by mounting your projector to the ceiling. Using a mount to install a projector on the ceiling is quick and easy. Here are some tips to consider when purchasing a projector ceiling mount.

• Select a projector mount with sufficient weight capacity.
• Mount your projector mount to a stud, or between two studs depending on the manufacturer's recommendations.
• Choose the right installation hardware (drywall screws, extension columns, drop ceiling kit, etc).
• Know your projector will work in the orientation (inverted vs. right side up) that you plan to use to mount it.
• Choose between a Universal and a Dedicated mount. Universal: versatile/wide selection/time consuming install. Dedicated: unique/quick install.
• Measure twice. Drill the holes into your ceiling once!

Where to Install the Mount - The Perfect Spot

You will need to determine the location on your ceiling to mount the projector. To do this simply grab your projector and adjust the zoom to the middle position. Size the projector image up on your screen. One way to size up a projector image is to point the image at the screen and move the projector forward or backward. Stop when the projector image fits the screen. Now you have a starting location for mounting your projector. You will want to position the location even with the center of your projector screen. Based on this location, you will want to find your nearest stud in the ceiling. Once you have established a stud to mount onto, grab your projector once again and double check your positioning.

Special Note on Ceiling Type - Accessories and Finishing Touches

Ideally you will want to keep your projector even with the top of the screen. This can be manipulated +/- 20 degrees depending on the mount you purchase. If your ceiling is much higher than the top of your screen there are many lengths of extension pipes and ceiling adapters to overcome that issue. If your ceiling is slanted you would need to buy a cathedral ceiling adapter and the appropriate extension pipe.

Most ceiling mount kits include the necessary hardware to mount to drywall and related ceiling materials. For special installations, screws and anchors for mounting to other materials such as brick and metal are available. In offices and classrooms with drop ceilings, a combination of metal fasteners, extension column and a panel to mask where the projector comes through the drop ceiling contribute toward a professionally finished look. Drop ceiling kits are completely optional though. Don't worry about having a hole in the ceiling, you can always buy an escotchen ring to go around your extension pipe. Giving your installation a clean look!

Thankfully, most ceilings are made to be strong enough to hold heavy objects hanging from them such as fans and light fixtures. Therefore a projector and mount should not pose a problem.

How to Install the Mount - Orientation

One thing you will notice about mounting a projector is that the projector has to be inverted (upside down). Why inverted you’re wondering? Projectors when sitting upright project upward at a 45 degree angle, so in order to ceiling mount the projector you have to invert it. Plus, if the projector was right side up in the ceiling, and you lose the remote for your projector or the remote breaks, you would not be able to access the controls on the projector. By inverting the projector and mounting it by its underside, you’re still able to easily access the power button and other key function buttons of the projector. If an inverted orientation is not going to work for your projector, wall bracket mounts are available. . . or perhaps there is space on the coffee table.

Which Mount Type - Universal or Dedicated

When purchasing a mount you’ll come across universal and dedicated mounts. Essentially the functionality is the same. Both Dedicated and Universal mounts safely hold a projector to the ceiling. Dedicated mounts are made with a pattern of screw holes drilled into the mount that line up directly with specific projector model's pattern of screw holes. Universal mounts are designed so that users can move the screw holes to match the unique mounting pattern on each projector. With the universal mounts you have to line up the arm extensions to the screw hole. The arm extensions make the universal projector mount look like a spider. The benefit of the universal projector mount is that if you ever purchase another projector down the road you will not have to replace the mount. When purchasing a ceiling mount for your projector, be sure that you research the way each particular mount attaches to the ceiling, and the projector itself, to be sure you have the right one to fit your application.

Now that you’ve reviewed the basics for mounting your projector to the ceiling follow your projector mount instructions and always double check your measurements before drilling into your ceiling.

Good luck with your project!

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