Alt Attribute & Search engine optimization

SEO Optimization images is becoming increasingly more important in SEO (Seo optimization) for websites. The ALT attribute is a critical step that is sometimes forgotten. This can be a lost opportunity for better rankings.

In Google's webmaster guidelines, they advise the use of alternative text for the images on your site:

Images:. Use the alt attribute to supply descriptive text. In addition, we recommend using a human-readable caption and descriptive text around the image.

Why would they ask us to achieve that? The answer is simple, really; search engines like google have the same problem as blind users. They can't begin to see the images.

Many webmasters and inexperienced or unethical SEOs abuse using this attribute, attempting to stuff it with keywords, looking to achieve a certain keyword density, which isn't as relevant for rankings now as it once was.

On the other hand, high keyword density can, on some search engines like google, trigger spam filters, which may result in a penalty for the site's ranking. Even without this type of penalty, your site's rankings will not take advantage of this plan.
This method also puts persons who use screen readers in a greater disadvantage. Screen readers are software-based tools that really read aloud the contents of what's shown on the screen. In browsing the web, the alt attributes of images are read aloud as well.

Imagine listening to a paragraph of text which is followed by repetitions of numerous keywords. The page will be far from accessible, and, to put it bluntly, would be found quite annoying.
What is an Alt attribute?

An ALT attribute shouldn't be used as a description or a label to have an image, though many people utilize it in that fashion. Though it may appear natural to assume that alternate text is a label or perhaps a description, it is not!

What used inside an image's alt attribute ought to be its text equivalent and convey the same information or serve the same purpose that the image would.

The thing is to supply the same functional information that the visual user would see. The alt attribute text should function as a "stand in" in the event that the look itself is not available. Think about this: If you were to replace the image using the text, would most users receive the same basic information, and wouldn't it generate the same response?
A few examples:

 

Some SEO Optimization Tips

If your search button is really a magnifier or binoculars its alt text should be 'search' or 'find' not 'magnifying glass' or 'binoculars'.

If the image is meant to convey the literal items in the image, a description is suitable.

If it's designed to convey data, then that data is what's appropriate.

If it's meant to convey the use of a function, then the function itself is what ought to be used.

Some Alt Attribute Guidelines:

Always add alt attributes to images. Alt is mandatory for accessibility and for valid XHTML.

For images that play only a decorative role in the page, make use of an empty alt (i.e. alt="") or a CSS background image to ensure that reading browsers do not bother users by uttering things like "spacer image".

Keep in mind that it's the function of the image we're attempting to convey. For instance; any button images should not include the word "button" within the alt text. They ought to emphasize the action performed through the button.

Alt text should be determined by context. The same image in a different context may require drastically different alt text.

Try to flow alt text with the remainder from the text because that's how it will be read with adaptive technologies like screen readers. Someone hearing your page should hardly be aware that a graphic image can there be.
Please keep in mind that using an alt attribute for every image is needed to meet the minimum WAI requirements, that are used since the benchmark for accessibility laws in UK and the rest of Europe. Also, they are required to meet "Section 508" accessibility requirements in america.

It is important to categorize non-text content into three levels:

Eye-Candy
Mood-Setting
Content and Function

I. Eye-Candy

Eye-Candy are things that serve no purpose other than to make a site visually appealing/attractive and (in many cases) satisfy the marketing departments. There is no content value (though there might be value to some sighted user).

Never alt-ify eye-candy unless there's something there that will boost the usability of the site for somebody using a non-visual user agent. Make use of a null alt attribute or background images in CSS for eye-candy.

II. Mood-Setting

This is the middle layer of graphics which may actually set the mood or set happens as it were. These graphics aren't direct content and may not be considered essential, but they are essential in that they help frame what's going on.

Attempt to alt-ify the 2nd group as makes sense and is relevant. There may be instances when doing this might be annoying or detrimental to other users. Then avoid it.

For instance; Alt text that is just like adjacent text is unnecessary, and an irritant to screen reader users. I suggest alt="" or background CSS images in such instances. But sometimes, it's vital that you get this content inside for those users.

Usually it depends on context. The same image inside a different context may require drastically different alt text. Obviously, content should always be fully available. How you use this example is really a judgment call.

III. Content and Function

This is when the look is the actual content. Always alt-ify content and functional images. Title and long description attributes may also be in order.
The reason many authors can't understand why their alt text isn't working is they don't know why the images are there. You have to determined exactly what function an image serves. Think about what it is about the image that's vital that you the page's intended audience.

Every graphic has a reason for standing on that page: since it either improves the theme/ mood/ atmosphere or it is advisable to what are the page is trying to describe. Understanding what the look is for makes alt text easier to write. And practice writing them definitely helps.
A method to look into the usefulness of alternative text would be to imagine reading the page on the phone to someone. What would you say when encountering a specific image to make the page understandable towards the listener?

Besides the alt attribute you've got a couple more tools at your disposal for images.
First, in level of descriptiveness title is in between alt and longdesc. It adds useful information and may add flavor. The title attribute is optionally rendered through the user agent. Remember they're invisible and not shown like a "tooltip" when focus is received through the keyboard. (A lot for device independence). So use the title attribute only for advisory information.
Second, the longdesc attribute points towards the Link to a full description of the image. If the information contained in an image is essential to the meaning of the page (i.e. some important content would be lost when the image was removed), a longer description compared to "alt" attribute can reasonably display should be used. It can offer rich, expressive documentation of a visual image.

It should be used when alt and title are insufficient to embody the visual qualities of the image. As Clark [1] states, "A longdesc is a long description of an image...The goal is to use any period of description essential to impart the details from the graphic.

It wouldn't be remiss to hope that a long description conjures a picture - the image - within the mind's eye, an analogy that is true even for the totally blind."

Although the alt attribute is mandatory for web accessibility and for valid (X)HTML, not every images need alternative text, long descriptions, or titles.

Oftentimes, you are better off just going with your gut instinct -- if it's not necessary to include it, and if you don't possess a strong urge to get it done, don't include that longdesc.

However, if it's necessary for the whole page to work, then you've to add the alt text (or title or longdesc).

What's necessary and what's not depends a great deal about the function of your image and its context on the page.

Exactly the same image may need alt text (or title or longdesc) in one spot, although not in another. If the image provides simply no content or functional information alt="" or background CSS images may be appropriate to use. But if the image provides content or adds functional information an alt will be required and perhaps a long description would be so as. In many cases this kind of thing is a judgement call.

Image Search Engine Optimization Tips

Listed here are key steps in optimizing images:

Choose a logical file name that reinforces the keywords. You can use hyphens in the file name to isolate the keyword, but avoid to exceeding two hyphens. Avoid using underscores as a word separator, such as "brilliant-diamonds.jpg";

Label the file extension. For instance, when the image search engine sees a ".jpg" (JPEG) file extension, it's going to assume the file is really a photo, and when it sees a ".gif" (GIF) file extension, it's likely to assume that it is a graphic;

Make sure that the text nearby the image that is relevant to that image.
Again, do not lose an excellent chance to help your website together with your images in search engines. Use these steps to rank better on all the engines and drive increased traffic to your site TODAY.

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Part of my work as a social media manager is to consistently seek out new folks to engage across various social media platforms.. As a full time B2B social media analyst, it stands to reason that most of the tweeps I’m going to seek out are other businesses. In my searching I’ve noticed a curious trend.

Most of us are familiar with the big three icons, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, as they are everywhere these days – television, print, business cards, and yes, company websites. Adding these icons to your site, in a prominent location, helps to drive traffic to your social media pages which ultimately keep your site visitors engaged with fresh content. After users like your page, or follow you, or subscribe to your YouTube channel they’ll receive a constant stream of posts, which will include your messages. This helps enhance your web presence, has tremendous SEO benefit, and encourages brand loyalty.

So why are so many prominent companies hiding their social media pages?

I often find I have to dig through a company website to find the icons, sometimes displayed on the “about us” or the “contact us” page. Sometimes they aren’t displayed at all, yet after doing a Google search I find that they do, indeed, have a Twitter or Facebook account. What’s up with that?

B.L. Ochman at AdAge pointed out recently that only 44% of the Fortune 50 display their Twitter icon on the homepage, and a sad 4% link to their blog. While I hate to speculate on why they withhold their accounts from this prominent real estate, their homepage, I have to admit that it appears as if they’re, well, above it. My experience, although anecdotal, reveals a trend which I’m coming to recognize. Often it is the Mom and Pops that get it, while the big corporate sites tend to, more often, omit their sharing features. Don’t get me wrong,  many, like my company, have them front and center. But some, hide, or worse, omit them altogether.

Maybe this is because Mom and Pops are used to talking with their customers on a day-to-day basis. They aren’t so far removed that they’re afraid to put themselves out there, and they aren’t afraid of what their customers will talk about. I wonder if sometimes corporations become fearful of the very thing that makes them great, their customers, and social media can amplify that. The thing to remember is, people are talking about your brand anyway, and offering social media spaces where you can engage in those conversations gives you more control, not less.

So if you’ve started social media pages for your company but have not cross connected them you are missing out on several benefits. Use these ideas to get started:

• Include your social media accounts in your email signature and on your business cards


• Add all your accounts with the icons to your homepage


• If you have a blog, add your Twitter and Facebook accounts there as well as a link back to your website


• Include your Twitter account on your Facebook Info page


• Include your website in your Twitter bio

By doing these simple things, you’ll reap the benefits of the social media presence you’re working hard to establish. If you don’t have a social media presence yet, well, that’s another post.

There is definitely an upward trend at the moment, in the area of proximity-based social networking and for many businesses, large and small, it’s a new concept to learn.

Many new apps are growing in popularity, such as newly launched Color, while other apps such as LoKast (which offers local file sharing from mobile to mobile) are developing to become even more accurate and efficient. While many organisations are now comfortable using social media purely online, combining this with physical location presents a new challenge altogether. The benefits are great, but only if you get it right.

Train your staff on the ground

One of the biggest challenges for many businesses now is to coordinate a social media strategy with staff across different business premises. I’ve heard quite a few stories where people have tried to redeem an offer on Facebook Deals or Foursquare, to find that the person behind the till has no clue what they’re talking about. Your staff out on the shop floor are now one of your biggest assets when it comes to online communication and for larger businesses particularly this presents a challenge.

They need to be trained on your company’s local social networking strategy, as well as being able to spot potential business and monitor online for questions or complaints they may be able to deal with. This training should start right away, even if you’re not yet implementing a local social media strategy.

Build a mobile team

I think that one of the most exciting things about proximity-based social networking is the possibility for local ‘crack-teams’ to identify and monitor customers in real-time and be in a position to offer a service, such as replacing a faulty product. This is particularly true for companies that may not have a physical location in stores.

As people raise their expectations of how companies approach them online, this will carry through to location-based networking as well. If you’re able to identify where your customers are and what problems they’re having, you should be in a position to be able to deal with them real-time. This will have a hugely beneficial effect on your reputation online and your actual customer experience.

Adapt the tools to suit you

It’s true that not every new location-based app or service will suit your business, but people will respond to those companies that find a way to use new tools to adapt and improve their existing business services. Think of Lokast for example, which allows people to create public profiles through a mobile app for the content they want to share, such as photos, music, links and contacts. You might not think that file sharing can really be used in a b2c context, but imagine that a company representative in your store has created a branded profile on Lokast. This can be used to share value-added content either with people already in your premises, or those nearby, enticing them in. A list of the best music to enjoy a relaxing cup of coffee with, or a selection of photos of your freshly baked cakes to bring people in. The potential to turn social networking completely on its head and truly integrate it with the physical is fascinating.

Claim the right listings

While it’s important to claim your online listings through tools such as Namechck, claiming your physical business presence is even more important.

With many consumers engaging with companies through Facebook Places etc.. the last thing you want is not to be owning that relationship! Your business should be registered on the main location apps such as Foursquare, Gowalla and Yelp, Facebook Places and Google Places. This is also important in terms of SEO, if you’re building out the profiles properly and encouraging interaction. You should focus on only claiming the profiles that are right for you, and that you will build out by actively engaging on. I believe it leaves a very bad reaction for people if they find a profile that has been set up just to claim a name and where they can’t get any response. If you claim it, use it!

Use data to do better business

A distinct benefit of proximity-based networks is being able to access real data that can benefit your business. This data can be incredibly useful if you take the time to analyse it and improve your business practice as a result. While the numbers offered alone can be useful can be insightful, such as looking at how often people check in to your business, make sure you look a little bit deeper such as what deals were popular on a particular day, was there a higher number of check-ins than deal redemptions for certain offers?

You should be continually optimising based on the real, reliable data you can now access and this is very exciting for businesses of all sizes. This should also be the job of the people in the sales/marketing department, as well as working with people on the ground. Here you should combine the expertise of people who meet customers every day, with the knowledge and expertise behind the marketing/promotional strategy.

Don’t forget physical promotion

One thing that I think many businesses are over-looking is promoting their online presence in stores. Many people will be checking in of their own accord, but there is still an incentive for businesses to work on physical promotion of their local social profiles.

The benefit of a social interaction extends way beyond the one person that you engage with at that particular time. It means that you’re instantly creating a connection with their online community and this is very important for businesses now, particularly as people are building out communities based on location. Instead of it being seen simply as an endorsement of your business, it’s a notification to someone in the area that they should check you out.

Don’t undersestimate the importance of a simple sign, provided you’re giving people a reason to do something and explain it clearly. There’s nothing worse than a simple ‘find us on Facebook’ without any information on your page url or why people should look for you. This can also be used to educate people about new services they might not know about, that are in line with your brand.

seo optimization services

Bench Craft Company on the specialty of ebay

Fewer than 1 percent of website visits come directly from a social media URL according to research just released by customer satisfaction analytics experts ForeSee Results.

The company surveyed 300,000 consumers on more than 180 websites across a dozen private and public sector industries. The referring social media sites covered were not just the usual suspects like Facebook and Twitter, but over 40 sites including Flickr, Foursquare, Scribd, Stumbleupon, Meetup and Youtube.

It’s not all bad news for social media marketeers. 18 percent of site visitors (averaged across surveyed websites) report being influenced by social media to visit a website. However, there was considerable variation in the results for different companies.

The social media budgets of marketers is constantly increasing as the survey data to the right shows. Forsee Results’ research showed that the resources companies put into social media and the results they receive vary wildly. Spending more money does not automatically lead to higher numbers of visits to websites, brand awareness or sales.

Promotional emails are also sometimes neglected in favor of the more glamorous social media, in spite of the fact that such emails influence 32 percent of purchases.

Companies themselves seem a bit confused about their objectives when it comes to social media. Internet Retailer Magazine surveyed 400 U.S. companies (19 percent of them retailers) in December 2009 and January 2010. It found that 74 percent of companies wanted social media to drive traffic to their websites, while only 56 percent wanted it to increase sales. Shouldn’t it be the other way around?

Next Story: Why mobile app success is more than just download numbers Previous Story: Battle brewing at Microsoft over retail store expansion

Fewer than 1 percent of website visits come directly from a social media URL according to research just released by customer satisfaction analytics experts ForeSee Results.

The company surveyed 300,000 consumers on more than 180 websites across a dozen private and public sector industries. The referring social media sites covered were not just the usual suspects like Facebook and Twitter, but over 40 sites including Flickr, Foursquare, Scribd, Stumbleupon, Meetup and Youtube.

It’s not all bad news for social media marketeers. 18 percent of site visitors (averaged across surveyed websites) report being influenced by social media to visit a website. However, there was considerable variation in the results for different companies.

The social media budgets of marketers is constantly increasing as the survey data to the right shows. Forsee Results’ research showed that the resources companies put into social media and the results they receive vary wildly. Spending more money does not automatically lead to higher numbers of visits to websites, brand awareness or sales.

Promotional emails are also sometimes neglected in favor of the more glamorous social media, in spite of the fact that such emails influence 32 percent of purchases.

Companies themselves seem a bit confused about their objectives when it comes to social media. Internet Retailer Magazine surveyed 400 U.S. companies (19 percent of them retailers) in December 2009 and January 2010. It found that 74 percent of companies wanted social media to drive traffic to their websites, while only 56 percent wanted it to increase sales. Shouldn’t it be the other way around?

Next Story: Why mobile app success is more than just download numbers Previous Story: Battle brewing at Microsoft over retail store expansion

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Federal prosecutors deciding whether to try Bonds again

Federal prosecutors are deciding whether Barry Bonds should stand trial again.

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Daily Kos: Fox <b>News</b> ties suicide to Obama speech

But with the other option being to talk about the Republican plan to abolish Medicare, apparently politicizing this young man's death looked a whole lot better to Fox News. Pathetic. (h/t Balloon Juice) ...

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Mario &amp; Sonic at London Olympics sighted? <b>News</b> - Wii - Page 1 <b>...</b>

Read our Wii news of Mario & Sonic at London Olympics sighted?.

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As rumors of a later-than-usual iPhone launch for 2011 persist, a new report reveals that the notoriously secretive Apple is being even more careful than usual when dealing with overseas suppliers.



"Apple is keeping its iPhone 5 cards extra close to the vest on this launch to avoid a falloff in iPhone 4 demand ahead of a refresh, especially given the February launch of the CDMA iPhone 4 with Verizon," Analyst Brian White with Ticonderoga Securities said in a note to investors on Friday. He believes that the iPhone 5 could still launch in June or July, as previous models have.



White noted that various rumors have pointed toward a launch later than June this year for the fifth-generation iPhone. One report from March alleged that Apple has not even begun ordering components for the anticipated "iPhone 5," and the device is slated to arrive in the company's 2012 fiscal year, which begins in late September.



And a third report alleged that Apple is working on a major revamp of iOS, its mobile operating system, for version 5.0. New features like cloud-based storage of music, photos and video are rumored to arrive in the update this fall, likely alongside new iPhone hardware.



But despite all of those reports, White isn't yet convinced that the iPhone 5 will be introduced later than its typical June or July timeframe.



"Although we do not have a smoking gun that definitively rules out a delayed autumn unveiling or one that supports a launch this summer, there is a pattern of activity in motion with the supply chain that makes us question a delayed launch," he said.



White also cited sources who indicated that iPad sales could reach up to 40 million units in calendar year 2011. And supply chain sources also indicated that disruption from the earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan will actually end up benefitting Apple, as suppliers will "rush to support Apple at the expense of competitors."



The analyst already revealed earlier this week that Apple has been offering upfront cash payments to component suppliers in order to secure components in the wake of the disaster in Japan. Apple has apparently also been using a "three cover guarantee," referring to capacity, stock and price, to block out competitors and prevent them from building ample supply of devices.

Given the current cost of components, a prepaid contract-free iPhone with less internal storage would likely earn Apple only about 16 percent gross margin if it were priced at $300, a new analysis has estimated.



Analyst Charlie Wolf with Needham & Company took a closer look at the prospect of a hypothetical "iPhone lite," to see if it would be in Apple's best interest to build such a product. A cheaper iPhone has been viewed as a strategy that would work to Apple's advantage in emerging markets like China.



In February, both Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal reported that Apple is working on a smaller and cheaper iPhone that it could sell contract-free. Soon after, The New York Times chimed in, and claimed that while Apple is not working on a smaller iPhone, it has explored opportunities in developing a cheaper handset.



Wolf largely agrees with the Times, and doesn't see a smaller iPhone with a new form factor as something that would be in Apple's best interest, even though it would be the easiest way to cut costs and created a cheaper handset.



"In our view, the iPhone would not be an iPhone if the display were, say, cut in half," he said. "Such a move would (dramatically) reduce the value of the iPod module for video viewing as well as the size of web sites accessed through the Safari browser. A smaller screen would also degrade the experience in using some applications, not to mention the possibility that some applications would probably have to be rewritten to accommodate a smaller screen."



iSuppli estimated that the 16GB iPhone 4, when it launched last June, carried a bill of materials of $188. The iPhone has an average selling price of $625 with a carrier subsidy, while gross margin is usually around 50 percent, suggesting that additional costs like assembly, software, testing, licenses and warrantees add up to $100 or more.



Ruling out the possibility of a smaller iPhone, Wolf said Apple could reduce internal storage from 16GB to about 4GB, but that would only reduce the bill of materials by $30 to about $157. By his estimation, such a handset would still have a total cost of $270.



"Apple would at best break even if it priced an iPhone Light at $250; and it would earn a modest 16% gross margin if it priced it at $300, which we regard as the high end of the range for a prepaid phone," Wolf wrote.



Gross margins of just 16 percent would be a number uncharacteristically low for Apple. For example, in its last quarterly results for the 2010 holiday buying season, Apple reported margins of 38.5 percent, or more than twice Wolf's estimate for a low-cost, no-contract iPhone.



"We suspect that the iPhone's designers and engineers have thought about this a lot more than we have so that the cost savings would be somewhat greater than we've estimated," Wolf said. "If, for example, the expenses incurred beyond the cost of components could be materially reduced, Apple might be able to earn a gross margin of 20% pricing the phone at $250 and 33% gross margin pricing it at $300."



The possibility of a cheaper iPhone with fewer features was hinted at by Apple Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook earlier this year. Cook, in an interview with Bernstein Research analyst Toni Sacconaghi, said Apple doesn't want its products to be "just for the rich."



Cook reportedly said that Apple is planning "clever things" to compete in the prepaid handset market. He also stated that Apple is "not ceding any market." He also referenced China, where Apple has found great success of late, and noted that it is a "classic prepaid market."

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Over the years, entrepreneurs and corporate executives have devised any number of clever ways for getting rich off the working poor, but you'd have to look long and hard to find one more diabolically inventive than the RAL. Say you have a $2,000 tax refund due and you don't want to wait a week or two for the IRS to deposit that money in your bank account. Your tax preparer would be delighted to act as the middleman for a very short-term bank loan—the RAL. You get your check that day or the next, minus various fees and interest charges, and in return sign your pending refund over to the bank. Within 15 days, the IRS wires your refund straight to the lender. It's a safe bet for the banks, but that hasn't stopped them from charging astronomical interest rates. Until this tax year, the IRS was even kind enough to let lenders know when potential borrowers were likely to have their refund garnished because they owed back taxes, say, or were behind on child support.

Hewitt didn't invent the refund anticipation loan. That distinction belongs to Ross Longfield, who dreamed up the idea in 1987 and took it to H&R Block CEO Thomas Bloch. "I'm explaining it," Longfield recalls, "but Tom is sitting there going, 'I don't know; I don't know if people are going to want to do that.'"

Tax-prep shops are as common as fast-food joints in many low-income neighborhoods—there are at least half a dozen on one three-block stretch of South Broadway in Yonkers, N.Y., where these photographs were taken. A few offer reasonably priced accounting, while others charge hundreds of dollars for 20 minutes of work. But Longfield knew. He worked for Beneficial Corp., a subprime lender specializing in small, high-interest loans for customers who needed to finance a new refrigerator or dining-room set. His instincts told him the RAL would be a big hit—as did the polling and focus groups he organized. "Everything we did suggested people would love it—love it to death," he says.

He also knew Beneficial would make a killing if he could convince tax preparers—in exchange for a cut of the proceeds—to peddle this new breed of loan on his employer's behalf. Ultimately, Longfield persuaded H&R Block to sign up. But no one was as smitten as John Hewitt—who understood that people earning $15,000 or $20,000 or $25,000 a year live in a perpetual state of financial turmoil. Hewitt began opening outposts in the inner cities, Rust Belt towns, depressed rural areas—anywhere the misery index was high. "That was the low-hanging fruit," he says. "Going into lower-income areas and delivering refunds quicker was where the opportunity was."

Customers wanting a RAL paid Jackson Hewitt a $24 application fee, a $25 processing fee, and a $2 electronic-filing fee, plus 4 percent of the loan amount. On a $2,000 refund, that meant $131 in charges—equivalent to an annual interest rate of about 170 percent—not to mention the few hundred bucks you might spend for tax preparation. "Essentially, they're charging people triple-digit interest rates to borrow their own money," says Chi Chi Wu, a staff attorney at the National Consumer Law Center.

In 1988, the first year he began offering the loans, Hewitt owned 49 stores in three states. Five years later, he had 878 stores in 37 states. And five years after that, when Cendant Corp.—the conglomerate that owned Avis, Century 21, and Days Inn—bought Jackson Hewitt for $483 million, his earliest backers received a $2 million payout on every $5,000 they'd invested. Today, with 6,000 offices scattered across the country, Jackson Hewitt is more ubiquitous than KFC, and has about as many imitators.

 

THERE WOULD BE NO refund anticipation loans, of course, without tax refunds. And by extension there would be no RALs without the Earned Income Tax Credit, the federal anti-poverty initiative that served as the mother's milk nourishing the instant-refund boom. Welfare reform was the catalyst for the EITC, which was aimed at putting extra cash in the pockets of low-income parents who worked. What motive does a single mother have to get a job, conservative thinkers asked, if there was scant difference between her monthly take-home pay and a welfare check? It was Richard Nixon who first floated the idea that led to the Earned Income Tax Credit; Ronald Reagan dubbed it "the best pro-family, the best job creation measure to come out of Congress." In 2007, the US Treasury paid out $49 billion to 25 million taxpayers.

During today’s Google earnings call, one analyst asked for some color on Google’s mobile business. CFO Patrick Pichette didn’t give much more in terms of specifics, but he did offer up some color. “Without any radical effort, we already announced at end of Q3 this is a $1 billion run-rate business,” says Pichette. Mobile is “growing at an amazing blazingly pace,” he says. “We tripped into $1 billion.”

Mobile search is definitely something Google is keenly focussed on. Senior VP of Local Jeff Huber noted on the call: ” In terms of where it trends over time, the smartphone is becoming an extension of the person, and how they do everything.”

Google is tackling that opportunity with mobile search obviously, but also with Android, which comes with Google search built-in as the default. Google is seeing 350,000 Android devices being activated a day.

Asked whether Google would have to build out a local salesforce with feet on the ground to take advantage of the new mobile and local advertising opportunities, sales chief Nikesh Arora didn’t rule out any possibilities. “we will use a combination of existing sales teams and methods and others that might be required,” he responded. Sounds like Google is picking itself up and going after the next billion dollars or two in mobile search.

Photo credit: Flickr/ Jeffrey Beall

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Breaking tech <b>news</b>? Get email notifications as it happens. - TNW Voice

We're in the technology news business. To that end, if it's old, it isn't news. Given that you're reading this, chances are that you live, eat, sleep and breathe the tech lifestyle and want to get the news as soon as it happens. ...

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GWU Suicide Tragically Coincides with Obama Speech - FoxNews.com

George Washington University students in Washington, D.C. learned of a tragic coincidence of timing on their campus Wednesday. As President Obama delivered a speech on deficit reduction in the Jack Morton Auditorium, ...

Roofing Companies Vancouver - 5 Questions to Wonder

Roofing Vancouver - Frequently Asked Questions

1. Repair or Replace?

There's no opinion as an expert opinion. Most contractors provides you with a free estimate. Get a summary of a few trusted contractors and phone them well ahead of time of when you wish to get your homes roof fixed to help you compare costs and opinions.

2. Beauty versus Practicality?

Discuss this together with your spouse or partner. (The kids could care less...at least the young ones.) Truth is, nobody wants an ugly roof just like nobody wants to be seen with bed hair. If you've got a good quality roof and you just have to repair it, it's worth it to pay for the cost of the original shingle rather than doing patchwork. A roof replacement doesn't happen very often (we hope!) and so make a choice that suits you and your family well or it'll stick out just like a sore thumb everyday you go home.

3. Should I replace the rooftop in order to sell the house for additional?

Consider this very carefully prior to making a decision. Depending on the roofing material you choose, a brand new roof can last between twenty, fifty, to one-hundred years! This means you have to look into the year of the roof that's currently over your head first. Are you at year 18 of a 20-year warranted roof or year 30 of a 50-year warranted roof? Obviously, the quality is the reason why the roof last longer, but when you're not likely to stay in your present home throughout your lifetime, the larger expense may not be worth neglect the. Although a new roof can improve the worth of your value, the rise might not be enough to cover your investment and that's definitely going to hurt your wallet.

4. Could it be advisable that i can repair the roof myself?

Sure it is. Before you need to do, consult a specialist first. You can perform it yourself, however, you shouldn't be considered a complete ‘lone ranger.' With respect to the extent of your repair, you may or might not change your mind. In either case, it will help to get a professional eye on the problem first and maybe even a free quote so you can do the math later and find out if it's truly worth your time and effort, sweat, and money to become mister or miss fix-it.

5. When is a great time to get the roof replaced?

Weather can cause delays from days to weeks. Most people prepare yourself to have their roof replaced in the summertime once they know someone will be home throughout the day for any solid fourteen days. Once you've this era in your mind, make a call to some trusted contractor months in advance to get a quote. Some companies get booked up fast and odds are, they're the most reputable. Preparing in advance of the summer also gives you time for you to ask around more and compare costs...especially if you need to possess the roof done by a specified date.

 

The Top Roofing Company In Vancouver!

Is there a leak in your home's roof? Perhaps you have lost shingles or tiles inside a storm? Have overhanging branches caused damage? Is the roof more than Two decades old and showing wear and tear? Are your gutters overwhelmed and draining poorly?

When the answer to any of these questions is "Yes" it is time to call the very best roofing company Vancouver - Crown Roofing & Drainage.

For over a century Crown Roofing continues to be the roofer of choice among our Vancouver neighbors. We offer complete roofing services, from emergency repairs and roof restoration, to complete roof replacement. All using the finest quality materials, installed with precision and also the highest level of customer support.

YOUR Vancouver ROOF DESERVES Believe it or not!

The rooftop of the Vancouver home is the first type of defence against wind, rain, snow, ice along with other weather elements. Be sure it's up to the task. Among Vancouver Roofing companies, only Crown Roofing has got the depth of experience and successful history to make sure your roofing system will be properly designed and installed.

NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS.

One reason Crown Roofing has been probably the most successful roofing contractor in Vancouver is our commitment to our neighbors. We treat your house as though it were our own and that we were building a roof to protect our very own family. That's what neighbors do, and you can count on Crown Roofing being here to support you and also back our work. After all, we've been repairing and replacing roofs in Vancouver since 1902!

Obtain a FREE INSPECTION AND EVALUATION Of the Vancouver ROOF.

Visit the Roofers Vancouver for a FREE inspection and evaluation of the roof. Make sure you get the best roof for your Vancouver home, at the cost effective. We build roofs to last!

 

Tacoma Roofer: Make your Home Beautiful

Very few people understand the worth of a solid roof, your knowledgeable Tacoma Roofing contractor does. From first hand experience, they will be able to tell you the reason why you require a strong, secure, and leak-free roof in your home.

Your local Tacoma Roofing contractor is knowledgeable how important an economic investment your house is for you personally, especially since it is a lasting one. Your home might have been damaged slowly over the years and you have to take steps to reduce this damage. For a number of people, keeping their property beautiful is another matter of pride. There are those too who'd like to turn their house into a economical and efficient living place. Your roof is an integral part of your property and contributes to each of the aspects mentioned previously. Because of this, you should employ the expertise of qualified a Tacoma Roofing company.

Kinds of Roofs installed with a Tacoma Roofer

Among the more prevalent types of roofs are asphalt shingles, steel or metal sheeting, fiberglass, slate and terra cotta tiles.

Each kind of roof invites distinct problems, however they can all be easily taken care of with a trusted Tacoma Roofing company. It's vital that you nip roof problems in the bud before they become too costly or dangerous. You are able to schedule a scheduled appointment with the Tacoma Roofing contractor to consider a look at your homes roof to determine if there are any issues or potential issues with it. If you will find, they might be able to tell you how to approach them.

A Tacoma Roofer Helps you to Build Strong Homes

The exteriors associated with a house, primarily the rooftop and gutters, face the onslaught of bitter and varying weather conditions, every single day. Painting, repairing, and cleaning gutters might be necessary. In some instances you may have to replace them completely. Usually, when your gutters show signs of trouble, your homes roof must also be inspected for problems. Whatever issues there might be, a skilled Tacoma Roofer can examine them at length and suggest the remedy.

If your gutters often clog too often, or there are leaks along the walls of your home, it might mean that there's debris piled up on the roof. Loose branches, piles of leaves, and other light objects that are swept on your roof during a storm can all contribute towards damaging your homes roof, which damages can be lasting. An educated Tacoma Roofer will tell you that birds, mice, along with other kinds of rodents often build nest within the debris that collects on the top. While these nests may look rather innocent, they are great at collecting moisture, be responsible for loose shingles, mold, and indoor leaks in your house. In addition, it may also cause vermin infestation. After a storm, your Tacoma Roofing contractor will claim that you inspect your roof for any signs and symptoms of debris or damage.

Reverse Damages by using a Tacoma Roofer

However top quality the roof might be, it is going to wear out with time. There are shingles which are referred to as "25 year" or "30 year" shingles, but those numbers are just related to warranty produced by the makers. They hardly ever last that long. Realistically speaking, "25 year" shingles won't last a lot more than fifteen to twenty years. Within an area that is prone to storms, shingles or even the entire roof may need to get replaced every ten years. With a Tacoma Roofing contractor, the price will be less than what you think.

If there you lose any shingles, or there is some harm to them, a Tacoma Roofing company can assist you to. Damaged shingles can result in indoor leaks, since the substrate from the roof becomes subjected to the elements. Shingles that are loose or broken can slip off and pose a potential hazard to individuals standing below. Missing shingles produce a gap that allows rain, wind, ice, and debris to build up underneath the adjoining shingles, which results in a "domino effect" that affects other shingles plus they become loose or broken. A thorough investigation is going to be made by the local Tacoma Roofing company, if you call them up with your suspicions of loose or missing shingles.

Your Tacoma Roofing contractor will be in a position to tell you what the smartest choice is for your roof. In case your roof isn't in a good shape, it's advised that you have it replaced completely. The Tacoma Roofing company may take you thru the different roofing options available for you that will suit your requirements and your budget.

Tacoma Roofer: Improving your Home's Efficiency

Your homes roof shelters you from storms, sleet, and hail. By giving adequate ventilation, your homes roof protects your house from overheating, by holding in the heat, it keeps your house warm. That's why you ought to ready your roof from indoors as well as outdoors for just about any sort of weather emergency. A Qualified Tacoma Roofer can offer help in this situation.

First of all, inspect your homes roof thoroughly for just about any and all type of damage, before the beginning of the new season. The gutters should be clear, debris shouldn't be piled on or trapped under shingles, tthere shouldn't be homes of squirrels or birds in the eaves or attic, and the roof should be structurally sound. For that last part, you will need the help of the local Tacoma Roofer. It may be quite dangerous to climb to the roof of your house. This is where the contractor from Tacoma Roofing contractor is available in. He will check out the strength and security of your roof and shingles, and do a general inspection of the entire roof structure, to make certain that it is in proper working order. They will be in a position to point to problems that you need to keep close track of and problems you may not have spotted.

You'll need all the help you can get from the Tacoma Roofing company. You are able to help your homes roof by installing a gutter guard or leaf cover to help prevent debris from forming in your gutters. The extra weight of debris prevents the gutters from draining and may even tear them down. Look into the fasteners in your gutters and if they're loose, tighten them. Take steps to change worn screws and brackets. For those who have a chimney in your house, inspect the bricks and mortar signs of wear. A reliable mason can be recommended because of your Tacoma Roofer, if there are any repairs to become done.

Tacoma Roofer: Someone You are able to Count On
When you realize or suspect that there is a problem, your Tacoma Roofer should be contacted. They can use their knowledge and expertise to obtain your house in ace condition simply by focusing on the roof. Your roof deserves attention. So give them a call today, to enable them to conclude caring for your roof.

 

What is Difference Between Commercial Roofing Companies From Residential Roofing Companies

If you are hiring a roofing company to re roof your home or building then you can be wondering what the differences are between residential roofing companies and commercial roofing companies. To start with, the one big difference is that often times an industrial roofing company may have signed a contract with and be obligated to a roofing union in able to focus on union commercial jobs.

If this is the situation then their labor costs will prohibit them from focusing on non union residential jobs. Beyond that, if your commercial roofing company has not signed an agreement with a union they might be outfitted just for commercial jobs which of course means their workers and equipment may not be in line with smaller residential jobs.

Residential roofing contractors in general often run smaller companies and hence, are more capable of bid competitively on residential jobs, which tend to be small compared to comercial jobs. Actually, often times residential roofing contractors will run one man operations, in which the contractor that you simply speak with may be the one that actually does the work about the building.

Also, liability insurance for commercial roofing is more epensive along with a larger bond is needed for any commercial roofing work which will make it not economical for any commercial roofing contractor to complete residential roofing jobs.

Still an additional factor is the fact that commercial jobs can run on a tighter time frame for just about any quantity of reasons, requiring an industrial contractor to train on a larger crew or crews which again makes smaller jobs not as profitable for them.

 

Difference Between Commercial Roofing and Residential Roofing

Did you know that the roof of a building has a huge effect on the entire structure itself? Damage caused to roofs because of natural or another disasters causes a considerable loss of property everywhere. The type of materials used to construct the roof which should be sturdy and long-lasting, the way in which the roof has been installed as well as its timely maintenance are extremely crucial. There's two types of roofs that are used on all the buildings that people see around us: commercial and residential. Although it might seem that commercial roofing is done just for businesses or offices and residential roofing is done for apartments and houses, the truth is the differences tend to be more complicated than that.

Residential roofing is usually completed by just one hired contractor but commercial roofing usually takes an entire team to accomplish the job. This is because a commercial roof is commonly larger in terms of square feet than the usual residential roof.
Commercial roofs need to be made carefully keeping the nature and reason for the building in mind. For example, when there is a restaurant in the building then external components like ventilation systems, smoke stacks and pipes is going to be required. Residential roofs tend not to have such components other than a chimney or two at most.
Commercial roofs is commonly flat in design to support further changes in a later period, whereas most residential roofs have peaks and other architectural features like roof gardens.
Commercial roofing is much more expensive than residential roofing because of the special tools, materials and safety equipment that are needed onsite. Often the patching or maintenance jobs are completed in segments unlike for a residential roof where the repair or replacement work could be carried out a short while. This really is one more reason why the gear used for residential roofs is usually smaller and less expensive as well.
Commercial roof installations have a longer time to accomplish compared to residential roof installations and therefore are usually constructed in large sections. During this phase however, it is important to ensure that there are no leakages, cracks or other visible deterioration signs as it can certainly cause considerable harm to the whole building.
It is important to install the best roof for a building depending on its purpose. Ensure that you hire a construction company that uses first class materials and has the best equipment for the job or your investment risk turning to be a huge loss later.

 

Commercial Roofing Contractors: How to Find a Qualified Commercial Roofing Company

If a business is seeking to have work done on its roof, you should work with commercial roofing contractors which have an enthusiastic understanding of any special needs that a business may have. As an example, a roofing job can often be disruptive for the operation of economic as usual. Because of this, it might be essential for the company to be temporarily turn off, or for the roofing to take place after business hours have ended. A roofer that understands these needs can function plus a business to make sure that these types of issues are minimized.

First of all , a business should do when it is trying to find commercial roofing contractors is to find out who other businesses in the region are working through. Obviously, this article 't be helpful whether it comes as an indicator from competitors, but you will find circumstances by which it's not too difficult to find these details from suppliers or retailers. Since roofing is not an industry-specific service, this information is readily available.

It is a wise decision for any business to obtain touching at least three commercial roofing contractors to make bids about the price. In this way, the business could get a better price. It's also important to ensure that each one of the roofing contractors is licensed and bonded. These details are available by getting touching their state contractor's board. This assists you to determine whether there have been any claims filed from the company previously.

When looking at bids, it is just as vital to look at what services are being offered and which products will be used as it is to check out the overall cost. The prices can vary quite drastically, but as tempting as it can be to go for the cheapest bid, this is not always the best option. In many cases, more costs now means fewer costs in the long run as a result of an undesirable roofing job. To help investigate the quality of the job, it is a wise decision to check with the Bbb to be able to find out if the business continues to be accredited, and when it has not, to a minimum of see what its rating is.

 

Picking out a Commercial Roofer

When you are searching for a roofer for your commercial roofing project you have to look for a contractor who understands the special needs of a commercial roofing project. For instance it may be harder to operate on the business during business hours so either the business has to be shut down for that repair or replacement or even the job needs to be done after conventional business hours. Is the roofer you are considering for the job willing and able to operate around your schedule constrictions which might involve working weekends or evenings?

When you begin your search for any roofer you don't only need to answer those questions however, you also want to find someone that will do a top quality job without a great deal of time delays. Going about finding someone can seem as an obstacle by itself but there are several ways to result in the search easier.

Ask friends and family for referrals and try to find at least three contractors to give you written bids in your job. Before you go any further you need to make sure that the contractors you are thinking about are fully licensed and bonded. A simple search with the state contractor's board will verify in case your roofer is licensed and if you will find any past judgments or claims against their license.

When you select three or four roofers to place bids, you should get ready for the bids to be widely varied. Roofers will have brand preferences that will vary and may element in more or less compared to next guy for a labor estimate. The greater detailed a written bid is the more helpful it will be to focus on where the cost are going to be incurred. Don't, however, select a roofer based solely about the bid price. Any low ball bids may be tempting to consider, but when they are low due to poor quality workman ship it might not be worthwhile in the end.

As they say, you generally get what you purchase, so if you can afford a mid-priced bid it's always smart to go up in your price range instead of down. Additionally you ought to decide your roofer depending on how professional these were and just how comfortable you anticipate you will be working with them.

Finally your cost will vary depending on what type of roofing material you choose along with the cost to haul your old roof towards the landfill. Should you be looking for places to chop corners on your roof, instead of cutting labor set you back might want to ask about a metal roof option. Metal roofs can be cost effective and efficient which makes them overall money savers for the long term, and on commercial buildings they may be very low maintenance. Plus given that they can be put on top of an existing roof, you don't need to have the old one removed and hauled away, which can make a big effect on your cost.

Selecting a comerical roofing company nearer your home, doesn't have to be a difficult task. For more information, visit http://www.vancouverroofers.net

 

Seattle Roofing Companies - How To Find The Best

In the home of rain and sleet, commercial coffee and grunge, and also the famous space needle, you'll find a house that will suit you. Seattle, Washington could be a good place to construct a house, but you need Seattle roofing contractors to help you out. Your homes roof is, after all, the crowning glory of your home, and your strongest type of defense from the elements. You need to have something that isn't just created to last, but built to attract making your home more beautiful

Harsh Weather

How come roofing contractors so important within this part of the country? Because Seattle is often bombarded by rain and other harsh weather conditions, you need a roof that can withstand all the forces of nature. With this thought, you'll need people who be aware of Seattle weather best, and who understand what materials can best go into your roof in order for it to last far longer in the region. In addition to all this, you need to blend with the rest from the houses inside your living space, so you cannot simply get whatever roof you please.

In most these aspects, a Seattle roofing contractors will be able to assist you. All you need to do is search for Seattle roofing contractors online to be able to get the best value for your money without wondering if the contractor will suddenly run away by using it and then leave you roof-less.

Why the Contractor Model Works

If you wish to put up your roof by yourself, you will have to purchase a good deal of materials, secure permits and licenses, and get materials which are suited to help you stay safe against harsh extremes of Seattle weather. Which means that if you're a DIY kind of guy or gal, you will have to go through a good deal of legwork to get the job done.

On the other hand, a Seattle roofer can do all of the jobs for you personally and provide a package that may help you save money and time. Because contractors operate under licenses and buy materials in large quantities, they can get discounts on building materials that you would not otherwise get if you were buying merely for your own personel home.

Roofing Associations

Most roofing contractors also belong to roofing organizations which are bound by strict guidelines and standards. When they do well on the roofing job, they can showcase their roofing contractors association; when they do poorly, they can ruin the trustworthiness of their roofing contractors association and keep other contractors inside the association from getting good roofing jobs. There is lots of pressure to do well, to help you be reassured that if you need a roofing job done in Seattle, you can get a contractor from a roofing association to help you out.

For instance, Seattle Roof Brokers operates with over five hundred roofing contractors in the Puget Sound. This group has over half a century of roofing experience and experience working with Seattle roofing contractors, so it will know what kind of roofing you want. The Roof Brokers group can put you in contact with the contractor that you need so you don't have to search for contractors individually.

What In the event you Demand from Your Contractor?

When you finally get a contractor within the Seattle area, you must do a lot of research about the roofing contractors themselves. Request a summary of previous companies or persons the contractor worked with to get a definite look at the roofing contractor's work ethics and roof quality. Your roofer must also possess the appropriate working licenses and city licenses needed by the Seattle city government.

Pick a Seattle roofing contractors that insures its employees, and that has courteous workers who will respect your thinking and ensure that your needs are met. Ensure that you obtain the best bang for your buck: if you're not satisfied with the job, you have to be guaranteed either money-back, or perhaps a free, new roof. Moreover, additionally you need the workers to find the job done promptly, so be strict with your deadlines - and find a contractor that's as strict as you are.

You need guarantees and warranties in your roof, so look for a contractor that can meet your financial allowance and roofing needs. If you achieve touching good Seattle roofing contractors, you can be guaranteed a great roof and a better house in this fantastic city.

Selecting the Right Roofing Contractor Company for Replacing Your Roof

The shingles in your roof need replacing and you are minded to find a roofing contractor to change the them. Maybe you have already called a few and therefore are evaluating which contractor to use for your upcoming roof repair. How can you select the best contractor for working on your roof? Listed here are a number of things you should look at when looking for the best roofer.

Where is the roofer located? You should hire a roofing contractor that's local. Chances are you will receive the next step and services information when the roofing company is located near your home or has an office near your residence.
References. To look for the toughness for the contractor, references should be provided of their previous customers who are prepared to vouch that excellent service was received. This should 't be the only factor in choosing your future roofing contractor as some may claim they value the privacy of their clients and do not wish to bother them. If this is the case, request business related references. The places that supply the contractor with supplies can reveal the quantity of materials and regularity of supplying the contractor to assist determine their stability.
How does the roofing contractor company handle complaints? There's a large number of issues that can arise throughout the progress of a roofing replacement. Ask what their process is perfect for handling complaints if they arise. It is also a great idea to receive a past client reference who were built with a complaint which was resolved towards the satisfaction of the client.
Terms of payment. Do you know the terms of payment for the job? What's the deposit and amount due upon completion? Even though it is certainly reasonable that the substantial payment be produced before a contractor begins work on a project, it is highly recommended that full payment isn't made until after the entire job is completed.
Written contract. All terms of the roofing replacement ought to be put in a written contract. No part of the contracting job should depend on verbal assurances.
Bonding. You will find stuff that will go wrong with roofing installations that wind up costing a substantial amount of money to repair. If this happens in your roofing replacement, you will feel a great deal better knowing that your roofing contractor is bonded. This will supply the funds to fix whatever mistakes were made. Find a roofer that's bonded.
Manufacturer Warranty. Quality materials for roofing typically have a warranty. You should verify that there is actually a warranty on the materials being installed. Request a copy of the warranty.
Length of Time running a business Just how long has the company you are interviewing experienced business? A short amount of time in business may reflect instability. If the contractor has been around business less than three years, verify how long they've been in the market. A brand new contractor might have many years experience working on roofs before they form their very own business. Seek a business that's been around for three years, or where the contractor has had a lot more years performing roofing replacements. This again shouldn't be the only real factor, all of us have to begin sometime. Balance this with referrals and also the other points raised in the following paragraphs.
Appropriate Permits. A Seattle roofing contractor ought to know what permits are needed for repairing your roof. They should be conscious of how to obtain these permits on your behalf. Ask the contractor whether or not they will have the permits essential to repair the rooftop.
Liability. If a worker becomes injured, who's responsible for the worker's compensation? When the contractor's equipment damages your house, who is responsible for the repairs? A good contractor will give you certificates of insurance for liability and workers comp before they start fixing your roof.
Subcontractors. Verify if the contractor will be using subcontractors. If so, it is highly recommended that everything contained within this article for verifying whether the contractor is credible also needs to be applied to subcontractors. You should get the names and license amounts of all subcontractors. You should verify whether each subcontractor can also be insured which means you aren't held responsible for their accidents.
Pending Legal Actions. It is important to verify whether you will find any legal actions against the contractor. This is not only essential for verifying whether the roofing company is legitimate (credible roofing companies shouldn't have to defend themselves in court), it's also important because a lost lawsuit might lead to the contractor to visit bankrupt. If you have made a substantial deposit for services immediately before the company goes bankrupt, you can lose thousands of dollars and not have your roofing completed.
Material Disposal. Who is responsible for disposing of the waste generated from the roof being replaced? Will your contractor handle every aspect of the? Is there one more cost for getting rid of this waste?
NRCA Membership. Membership in local or national roofing associations, like the NRCA, shows commitment to staying current with the most effective methods for roof replacement and maintenance. Find a roofing contractor with a high standard of education regarding their trade.
Replacing your roof is really a significant investment. Celebrate good sense to ask serious questions before working with a roofer. Here are a few more tips that you should consider when selecting the best roofing contractor for your upcoming roofing replacement.

Payment. Don't make a full payment for services unless all jobs are finished.
Inspection. Do not create a full payment without having done your final inspection of services rendered.
Workers liens. Do not fully purchase the roofing replacement job until worker's lien releases happen to be obtained.
Oral Agreements. No agreement should be made verbally without backing it up on paper. Every point that are vital that you you should be produced in writing.

 

To your SEO needs, you can examine out Vancouver web site design and Vancouver Search engine optimization company

It cannot be denied the internet is just about the biggest financial market nowadays. Practically everything is anchored on the net. Currently, there are many than 182 million internet sites in the internet whilst still being counting. If each of these websites offers opportunities to generate income, just think of the limitless opportunities that can be based in the internet. Moreover, with the emergence of sites, the need for web hosting and Search| Engine Optimization is significantly defined.

Search engine marketing is actually the process of increasing the visibility of your site. As a result, if you'd like your web site to become visible to visitors, you need to look for SEO Company. The optimization strategy considers how search spiders work and what people usually and what keywords they use. The main objective of SEO is making web sites visible searching sites with the natural or organic way.

Organic search optimization or natural search engine optimization can be a expression used in describing unpaid, algorithm-driven connection between any particular engine. In other words, organic SEO uses natural strategies in achieving serp's ranking. While there are 2 camps that search optimization companies may fall to, and these would be the 'White Hat' as well as the 'Black Hat', organic SEO could not come under the 'Black Hat' camp.

Organic search engine optimization is a highly specialized and complex practice which could literally dictate the failure or success of the online business. Since search sites often modify their algorithms, organic SEO just isn't very easy whatsoever. When search bots modify their algorithms, factors that permit your internet site to appear in front of prospects are drastically changed as well. Thus, in order to cope with one of these changes, SEO tactics and strategies has to be employed.

It will always be ethical to utilize search engines engine optimization since search sites nowadays are becoming extremely advanced they can easily determine whether an internet site is wanting to control their search indexes. Thus it's empirical to make use of search engine optimization practices which can be carried out a way that appear natural.

The approaches employed by organic search engine optimization and artificial SEO are actually significantly different. Basically, organic SEO uses content compared to artificial SEO's technical loopholes. Moreover, natural search engine marketing provides attracting links rather than linking schemes used by artificial SEO. Natural SEO also creates valuable resource contrary to artificial SEO's algorithm chasing. Effortlessly these, it's possible to clearly realise why search engines engine optimization is preferable over artificial search engine optimization. Even though latter may be more challenging and complicated, it makes favorable results which can be beneficial for any web site. Fortunately, there are plenty of Vancouver SEO companies today that offer the organic method in affordable rates and packages.

Search engine marketing Appears in this area

At one time when seo was actually not necessary.

Whilst late as a decade ago, should you created a Web page anywhere, Google indexed it and you also gained visibility in the search results. Your page might have been in one of the free "estates" where anybody could add a page and Google didn't mind. It could also provide been a pure affiliate page without original content and Google still indexed it.

Things are unrecognizably different now.

Affiliate pages with "cookie-cutter" content duplicated everywhere might never reach the Google index; the same fate is probable for all those pages you throw in on the free-for-all website. And also "proper" websites with your personal url of your website did not achieve visibility among the proliferating sites in millions.

These would not have mattered, with the exception of a very important factor. It had been Google that provided the bread and butter for that countless small enterprises that could not afford expensive marketing campaigns. If your site was on the list of top few sites the appeared before a searcher's eyes when see your face looked for your product or service, you got hundreds as well as 1000s of visitors, a lot of whom even bought your products or services.

Search engine marketing (SEO) entered the scene. Search engine specialists "reverse-engineered" to spot the factors that Google consider for showing websites towards the top of its search engine results pages. These factors were then consciously included in your internet pages with the aspiration that Google can have your internet site among the first ten results it showed about the first page.

As more of one's competitors adopted search engine marketing practices, things became difficult again. Your role started to slip in case your competitors did the SEO better. SEO battles became serious fights with every dirty trick working.

There have been "black hat" SEO practitioners who showed one page to search engines and another to human visitors. As search engines like google were not bothered with readability, you might fill the "search engine" page with pure gibberish, but gibberish written in wherein the engine dutifully indexed high.

A war of wits followed between unscrupulous SEO practitioners and search engines. Google changed its ranking algorithms regularly to operate around practices that allowed low value content to look at the top of its search engine results. All things considered, Google's success been dependent on providing value to searchers, not merchants. And SEO practitioners came up with new tricks.

We'll examine seo in the series of articles, starting by having an overall look at on-line or Online marketing.

 

For the SEO needs, you should check out vancouver website design and Vancouver Seo agency.

 

Cedar Roofing: Benefits

Cedar shakes are only concerning the most eye appealing shakes on the market today. Frequently designed from red-colored cedar on the coniferous forests of northwestern United States, they're exactly the best roofs materials for proprietors preferring supplying his or her roofs an organic look.

Unique cedar shingles are naturally resistance against sun and rain, that's the key answer why cedar shingles are widely-used generally around various climatic conditions. They're generally obtainable in a few specific qualities. A minumum of one may be the shingle made from red cedar even though the other is produced out of the vibrant variety. Red cedar shakes are designed from tight-grained particles that will be previously saturated with tannic acidity that experts say is definitely an all-natural additive. Red cedar shingles which might be drizzled with creosote to avoid corrosion and therefore are desirable to homeowners given that they give a rich and unique check out one's property or home.

It's important to observe that red cedars usually change dark-colored if exposed continuously to seaside weather. Consequently, sea side homes need to have white cedar shakes. Red cedar shingles are usually a lot more expensive when compared with white cedar types, although cost factor doesn't diminish its reputation in anyhow. They might be preferably well suited for classic Colonial houses while white cedar shingles are image suitable for bungalows and bungalows which were integrated Nantucket design.

In recent times, classic cedar shakes have forfeit in a place to synthetic shingles that emulate the cedar appear. Superior systems are employed to make these kind of shingles use a for a longer period life-span in comparison with unique cedar shingles. Most include advanced UV inhibitors and possess about 5 decades of steady guarantee. These shingles are often great insulators and several superior ones offer a chilly inside during summer season plus a warmer inside during harsh winters.

Cedar shakes, mostly accessible in honey, cinnamon, and silvery gray colors, need several level of repairs and maintenance. They might require initial treatment method ahead of installation. White cedar shakes for instance, could be given bleaching oil which ought to be done almost every six to seven years to boost their durability.

Cedar shakes and cedar shingles are either CCA treated or otherwise not CCA treated. CCA means chromated copper arsenate. CCA is a chemical that stops the increase of mold, mold and fungus so it helps maintain insects from eating away your own wonderful cedar roof. CCA cedar could make your homes roof stay longer, but CCA isn't A FIRE TREAMENT. Cedar that has been fire treated can be obtained, your roofing company have to special order it. CCA treated cedar shingles cost 15 - 20% greater than non-CCA cedar. Most cedar roofs are often not CCA treated.

Cedar shakes and cedar shingles are excellent, and they are also a good purchase. Information of terms such as CCA, advanced quality, # 1, blue label and black label will assist you to pick the right cedar roof for your personal home.

Elite Roofing & Home Improvements, LLC provides detailed information about shingles, cedar shakes, fiberglass shakes plus more. Elite Roofing & Home Improvements, LLC is connected to the nation's Roofers Association.

Uncover more about cedar shingles, and obtain more articles and resources about cedar shakes at cedar roofing materials and shakes website.

 

Cedar Shingle Roof Vs Asphalt Shingle Roof

A cedar shingle roof remains highly coveted by homeowners. It really is one of many oldest roofing products which has continued to be constantly in use within the centuries. Around new roofing materials carry on being developed, cedar shakes still endear themselves to numerous. Below can be a comparison research into the cedar roof versus an asphalt roof.

Pros of Cedar Roofing shingles

Cedar shakes give rise to much better air circulation inside the whole home. The shingles let the where you can breathe well without trapping moisture around. This assists to keep the dwelling of the property in good shape longer. Cedar Shakes are durable and strong. They like a greater resistance to bugs. A cedar shingle roof will operate well on the various weather onslaughts. Storms, hurricanes, powerful winds and flying debris will barely damage the surface of one's cedar roof. The color matures beautifully using the passing years, which makes it much more desirable. A cedar roof adds a definite charm to your dwelling. Cedar is instantly accessible in lumber yards and doesn't need a large amount of expertise or specialized tools to put in.

Cons of Cedar Shakes

If rot takes hold, you'd be compelled to change the whole lot. It's not easy extracting only the affected pieces. They could happen to be nailed down in a way that each elimination proves difficult. Cedar Shingles don't hold up well to constant wetting. If you live in a area where rainfall is heavy or frequent, cedar shingles aren't an ideal choice. Frequent wetting causes mold or mildew to set in. Replacement and repair could be a costly business. Your very best self protection against constant wetting is always to use wide overhangs. Also, should your property is shaded by many trees or nearby buildings, cedar shingles often develop mold. You'll be compelled to replace them sooner than you planned. Cedar Shingles tend to be flammable than asphalt shingles. Many areas have a very building code set up that restricts cedar shingles to lessen the risk of fire. To set up a cedar shake roof, you'll want your budget about the higher side. Frequent maintenance can also be necessary to keep the roof who is fit. Mildew and rot are ever-constant threats for some cedar roof.

Pros of Asphalt Shingle Roof

An asphalt roof is probably the least expensive to get and install. They are available in various designs and colours, including a regular, flat use a 3-dimensional look. Asphalt shingles have a high potential to deal with fires unlike cedar roofing. An asphalt roof can certainly reduce the risk of fires caused by flying embers. Asphalt roofs are easier and cheaper to install than cedar. They are also low maintenance roofs.

Cons of Asphalt Shingle Roof

Algae is much more vulnerable to grow on asphalt roofing than cedar shingles. It causes the rooftop to build up somewhat of the stain which spoils the look. You will get an anti-algae coating done in your asphalt shingles but this adds to the cost. With regards to stability, an asphalt roof is a lot more likely to be blown off by strong winds compared to a cedar roof.

You can learn more about cedar roof shingles, and get more articles and resources about cedar roofing shakes at cedar roof shingles and shakes website.

 

How to find Great Vancouver SEO Services

The amount of online businesses as well as e-commerce websites is continuously increasing because everybody knows that it may generate lots of earnings. It's additionally caused another kind of providers that assist businesses in attaining their set goals and making them grow. Amongst these are the Vancouver Search engine optimization; since the SEO market is pretty youthful you will notice that any kind of SEO Vancouver organization will not be more than a decade aged. But you may rest assured that they certainly know what they have to caused by get your company growing.

In case your business relies heavily on the web to get visitors to your website and to obtain conversion rates, you certainly need assistance in search engine optimization or SEO because it is more commonly known. When individuals place searching within their preferred search engine, the most most likely matches arrive at the very top. If you wish to pull traffic to your site or internet business, you have to go ahead and take assistance of the Vancouver Search engine optimization company to obtain up of these search results. The SEO Vancouver providers provided is going to be worth the cash spent and you will be viewing the actual returns not long following.

Nevertheless, attaining a top position on the internet may not always be always easy and more so if yours is a very aggressive industry that they frequently refer to as a market. It's no surprise then that you need all of the help that you can get. If you don't have the response to "What is actually SEO?" you will want in order to very first educate yourself on the subject. Your best option is to leave the task to people who realize it greatest; the actual Search engine optimization Vancouver experts in the Vancouver Search engine optimization company. You will have to spend some money but you will enjoy the actual rewards as time pass.

The actual SEO Vancouver experts will start on keyword research that is usually the actual starting place associated with Search engine optimization. You should know the kind of phrases or even phrases that potential prospects will be typing into Google to get to your site. The Vancouver Search engine optimization company is going to do this particular tiresome job for you because they possess a better concept about how exactly individuals go about their own searches. You, from you need to provide them with a much better understanding about your company and some basic keywords which they'd do their own study.

If your SEO campaign begins with key phrases choice, then its link building that feeds search engine optimization; any good Vancouver Search engine optimization company will tell you this. The perfect method for your website to position high for a given keyword is to possess a excellent backlink building strategy created for it. The trick would be to leave your own hyperlink upon higher rated web sites. The actual SEO Vancouver experts will tell you the most typical method of doing this is to submit articles containing the desired keywords within the correct proportion to article directories with backlinks to your website within the authors resource box.

What exactly have you been waiting for? Go ahead and take assistance of the actual Vancouver SEO company the following; the Search engine optimization Vancouver experts can make your company grow so that you can reap higher profits.

 

Dependable Search engine optimization For Your Business in Vancouver

Professional sophisticated Vancouver Search engine optimization help you to come in the very best list of the actual organic search results to attract traffic. Furthermore, the site visitors of natural outcomes will be keen to purchase items and these providers may end up being helpful in your company.

You need Search engine optimization Vancouver to profit your organization through allowing you to get the most presence from a internet search engine as well as thereby getting more traffic to your internet site. With the help of search engine rankings, these services may immensely help your internet website reach out to the field of people being able to access web and thus, drawing more and more visitors to your internet site. Once the web site has begun generating visitors to it, your business will enjoy benefits as your website will end up the most searchable on top search engines.

A business requirements these kinds of providers as the Search engine optimization experts have the fundamental understanding and knowledge of how to do it. You as the website owner can spend time on the internet dealing with weblogs, discussion boards, along with other supplies. However, you have to focus on other aspects of your web site and SEO experts concentrate all their efforts upon SEO because this is what they do best.

The actual Search engine optimization businesses promise to increase increased traffic to your site regularly giving an assurance that when people search for services or products, your internet site comes on the top of the majority of desired search engines such as Google, Search engines, MSN and America online.

In other words, to improve web site traffic as well as visibility, it is crucial that a web site ought to obtain up-to-date continually. The entire process of seo is not a one-time try. A successful SEO support consists of advertising, position, site marketing, link exchanges and much more. In order to contain the modifications in order to Search engine optimization techniques and techniques every day, professional SEO services preserve skilled as well as technically skilled SEO experts, web site designers, copywriters, Search engine optimization publishers, marketing professionals and project managers.

A professional as well as result-oriented search engine optimization service consists of the next:
. Study and report pre-optimization position
. Search phrase choice and optimization
. Competitors evaluation report
. Description associated with labels
. Themed hyperlink page creation
. Optimization associated with images
. Keyword-rich content creating
. Search engine optimization copywriting
. Hyperlink strategies
. HTML coding
. Internet search engine submissions

Search engine optimization organizations also provide the support of market and keyword research. These types of businesses will appear in the clients' internet sites and their competitors and can search for suitable key phrases. These people follow the most appropriate methodology which will make sure on the internet presence and exposure.

Right now, let's point out the advantages that will assist an company's web site get to the top of a search engine.
• Personalized SEO answer
• Long term best ratings searching engines
• Greater web visitors an internet-based sales
• Worldwide business protection
• Business company identity
• Suggestions for business improvement
• Follow-up support
• Optimum results

 

'Counter-Terror' Policy Targets Uyghurs

2011-04-07
A new report says China uses the threat of terrorism to crack down on Uyghurs in Xinjiang.

AFP
Uyghur men and women chat outside a mosque in Urumqi, July 17, 2009.

China's anti-terrorism policy deliberately targets ethnic minority communities such as Uyghurs and Tibetans struggling for greater autonomy, according to a white paper by a rights group.

The policy equates terrorism with groups pushing for more self-governing rights, is too broad in scope, and shirks international human rights commitments, said the Hong Kong and New York-based Human Rights in China (HRIC).

The paper looked into human rights concerns within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a regional intergovernmental organization which includes China and five other member states-Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan-with a total population of 1.5 billion people.

It said the SCO approach to counter-terrorism, modeled on China'sThree Evils doctrine, and highlighting principles of territorial integrity, noninterference in internal affairs, and social stability, contributes to supporting repressive regimes at the expense of human rights.

A failure to demand accountability from the SCO undermines the effectiveness and integrity of the international system in countering terrorism and advancing rule of law, peace, and security, HRIC said.

"China's approach to counter-terrorism is the Three Evils doctrine, and it links terrorism with separatism and extremism," HRIC director Sharon Hom said in an interview.

"This Three Evils approach is overbroad, highly politicized, and while not exclusively applied only to ethnic minority groups, it is regularly applied to Uyghurs and Tibetans in its practice."

Hom said other SCO member states follow China's lead by recognizing Xinjiang and Tibet as inalienable territories of China and repatriating its ethnic minorities who seek asylum within their borders.

"China has enormous clout in the SCO, and you can also see it in the ways in which the other SCO member states and the SCO will completely parrot China's line and China's policy on these two so-called autonomous regions."

Treatment of Uyghurs

The HRIC white paper said it found "serious issues" concerning China's treatment of Uyghurs, including the principle of non-refoulement and potential use of torture during interrogations.

Regulations specific to Xinjiang became part of China's domestic counter-terrorism legal framework in December 2009 when provincial-level lawmakers revised the region's Comprehensive Management of Social Order.

Through the revisions, Chinese authorities were ordered to specifically crack down on the three threats of "terrorism, separatism, and extremism" in the aftermath of the July 2009 ethnic violence in Urumqi which left hundreds dead, according to official media reports.

HRIC called the amendments "unique" to Xinjiang, adding that "such singular focus by the Chinese government ... suggests that the concept of terrorism has been applied in a biased fashion, with the Uyghur community the subject of intense scrutiny and suspicion."

It noted that while China does face real threats of terrorism, "the limited involvement of Uyghurs in terrorist acts cannot serve as justification of widespread repression throughout [Xinjiang] or the labeling of peaceful Uyghur activists under the rubric of the Three Evils."

Adherence to rules

But despite its reliance on the Three Evils doctrine, HRIC wrote, China continues to claim that it is acting to "firmly uphold and fulfill the resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council," according to a statement by the Chinese Ministry of Public Security (MPS).

Under U.N. rules, China pledged to oppose the "arbitrary widening" of the scope of fighting terrorism and identifying terrorism with any specific ethnic group or religion.

"The Three Evils doctrine undermines this principled approach and, in doing so, compromises human rights guaranteed under international law, and international counter-terrorism efforts as a whole," HRIC said.

HRIC recommended that Beijing narrow its "Three Evils"-based approach to national security and reformulate its definition of terrorism.

On June 24 last year, Chinese authorities announced they had broken up a "terrorist" ring of a Uyghur separatist group, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), after arresting more than ten of its members involved in an alleged major plot against China.

The announcement said that information leading to the arrest had been obtained through the investigation of 20 "individuals of Chinese citizenship" who had been deported to China on December 20, 2009-the exact date that Cambodia deported 20 Uyghurs seeking asylum following the July 5 ethnic unrest in Urumqi.

The statement also indicated that several of the alleged ETIM members had confessed to participating in a wide array of terrorist activities during interrogation.

Human Rights Watch said in February that the Cambodian government has a "dismal track record" of deporting refugees granted asylum status by the UNHCR, particularly those from neighboring countries such as China and Vietnam.

Ethnic tensions

Millions of Uyghurs-a distinct, Turkic minority who are predominantly Muslim-populate Central Asia and the Xinjiang region.

Ethnic tensions between Uyghurs and majority Han Chinese settlers have simmered for years, and erupted in riots in July 2009 that left some 200 people dead, according to the Chinese government's tally.

Uyghurs say they have long suffered ethnic discrimination, oppressive religious controls, and continued poverty and joblessness despite China's ambitious plans to develop its vast northwestern frontier.

Chinese authorities blame Uyghur separatists for a series of deadly attacks in recent years and accuse one group in particular of maintaining links to the al-Qaeda terrorist network.

Reported by Mamatjan Juma for RFA Uyghur service. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
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