Dozens of fledgling airlines that have sprung up to serve Indonesia's island-hopping new middle class could jeopardize the archipelago's recently improved safety reputation, aviation experts say.
The trend threatens to erode higher standards established during what one analyst called a "tremendous amount of soul searching" by major carriers and the government after 2007, when frequent crashes prompted the European Union to ban all Indonesian airlines from landing on its runways for two years.
With growth rates of nearly 20 percent per year, Indonesia is one of Asia's most rapidly expanding airline markets, but the country is struggling to provide qualified pilots, mechanics, air traffic controllers and updated airport technology to ensure safety. And with so many new, small carriers, it's hard to monitor all their standards.
"We are not ready for this boom," said Ruth Simatupang, an Indonesian aviation consultant and former safety investigator.
Indonesia's two largest airlines — national carrier Garuda and rapidly expanding boutique airline Lion Air — haven't had a fatal accident in five years and eight years, respectively. But small passenger and cargo carriers plus military aircraft have kept the frequency of crashes to about once every two months, according to statistics compiled by the Aviation Safety Network.
Just how fast Indonesia's airline market is growing came under a spotlight with Wednesday's deadly crash of a Sukhoi Superjet-100 plane during a demonstration flight. While both the plane and the pilot were Russian, the flight was packed with representatives of local airlines that the manufacturer hoped would purchase the jetliner.
The number of air passengers in Indonesia jumped by 10 million in a year to 53 million in 2010, according to the government statistics agency, and the upward trend continued last year.
"Infrastructure hasn't kept pace with the growth of the airlines," said Shukor Yusof, an aviation analyst in Singapore for Standard & Poors.
He said the government needs to "spend a vast amount of money" to expand safety monitoring for the new carriers and invest in airport runways and technology. He added that the relative ease with which new airlines can be established, though tightened in recent years, has been a concern in the aviation community for years.
In the past five years, Indonesia has added 36 new passenger and cargo airlines, bringing the total to 86 — many of them small carriers serving outlying islands where the only travel alternatives are ferries.
Feeding the demand for new air routes are Indonesia's population of 240 million, its geography of 18,000 islands and an economy that grew at a 6.5 percent clip last year, creating a larger middle class eager to travel.
"Indonesia is a natural market for growth," said Brendan Sobie, chief Southeast Asia representative for the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation. "It's one of the world's biggest populations and one of the world's most underserved markets for airlines."
Transportation official Herry Bakti Singayuda insists that Indonesia's rapid airline growth is still compatible with safety.
"We evaluate the operators," said Singayuda, who directs the Air Transport Department under the Ministry of Transportation. "We control that growth based on their capability, their facilities and personnel."
He added that the government has expanded flight schools, hired new inspectors and added 10 regional offices to keep up with the new airlines.
Yusof agrees the government and major carriers have markedly improved safety standards in the five years since the EU blacklist, which followed fatal crashes by Garuda and now-defunct Adam Air in 2007.
The government responded with a raft of new regulations and training schools, while Garuda invested millions of dollars to train staff and upgrade its fleet. Lion Air, which recently placed the largest-ever order for Boeing aircraft — 230 planes listed at some $22 billion — has also sought to improve safety, though it took a blow when several of its pilots were arrested in recent months with illicit drugs.
"Garuda and Lion Air have done a tremendous amount of soul searching in terms of safety and in bringing in experts ... to help them clean up their act," Yusof said. The newer airlines, however, may need more scrutiny.
Smaller airlines serving the domestic market may have less money to invest in training and hiring qualified pilots and mechanics, said Simatupang, the Indonesian aviation consultant.
"There are a lot of new pilots whose flying hours don't meet the minimum standards, but because the operators need them, they use them sometimes," she said.
Like Yusof, Simatupang called on the government to do more to regulate the new airlines.
"I always say to the government, please do the new infrastructure and safety regulations first," she said. "And then allow the airlines to expand."
Source : Thejakartapost
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Safety News : Preventing Oil In The Oil And Gas Environment
The risks associated with fire in the petrochemical industry, whether it be on production platforms at sea or on shore at oil terminals and storage facilities, have been brought into sharp focus by a number of high profile incidents, resulting in tremendous damage to infrastructure and sadly, in some extreme cases, the large-scale loss of life. This has caused the industry to look at new approaches such as Video Smoke Detection (VSD) to protect key elements of their infrastructure and to ensure the safety of workers by providing early fire detection. Jon East, Engineering Consultant at D-Tec, explains the benefits of VSD.
Back in 1988, the devastation wrought by the world's worst offshore oil disaster on the Piper Alpha platform in the North Sea was a major shock and wake-up call to the sector. In this case, a gas leak resulted in blasts on the rig and sparked a major fire, which engulfed the structure - then the largest platform in the North Sea - leading to 167 fatalities. This traumatic event demonstrated all too clearly the hazardous nature of the oil and gas environment, and the serious repercussions that occur when problems are not detected early enough and a fire is allowed to take hold.
More recently - in December 2005 - we were again reminded of the ever-present danger, this time manifested in the biggest blaze seen in the UK since World War II, at Hertfordshire Oil Storage Terminal in Buncefield, near Hemel Hempstead. Prior to the fire, the terminal was handling 2.37 million metric tonnes of oil products annually. The problem at Buncefield resulted from the overflowing of unleaded petrol being pumped into a storage tank. A rich fuel and air vapour rapidly formed and spread across the site and set off a number of major explosions - heard for miles around - and an associated fire. This unprecedented incident took in 20 storage tanks and caused extensive damage to the site and adjacent business premises, and the evacuation of a significant area around the facility.
So what measures can be taken to help minimise the fire hazards in this sort of environment and provide an early warning of fire, to protect key assets against the potential of a problem escalating into a full scale disaster, if left unchecked?
A technology based on the intelligent analysis of CCTV images is being increasingly deployed to protect such valuable assets from fire. This solution is aptly referred to as Video Smoke Detection (VSD) - a technology pioneered by D-Tec - and is a capability that is now operational in a wide range of sites worldwide.
Typical projects, across the petrochemicals industry, include for example using video smoke detection to protect the generator rooms on North Sea rigs. These assets are essential to the smooth and ongoing operation of the multi-million pound platforms and are particularly challenging installations, as they are prone to heavy vibration and atmospheric contamination. Another application is the monitoring of a huge on-shore oil terminal connected to oil-fields.
Benefits of Video Smoke Detection
The beauty of VSD is that it takes detection to the fire rather than waiting for the fire to come to the detector. This approach is ideally suited to the large, extensive nature of oil terminals and platforms where it is just not practical to cost-effectively place conventional detectors close enough to the area of risk to provide the required level of fire detection.
In extensive structures or sites covering a large geographic area, there is a high reliance - as far as traditional fire detection solutions are concerned - of smoke overcoming distance before being detected. This can mean that with conventional detectors, it can be many minutes before a fire alarm is activated - if at all - making it much more problematic to tackle a blaze, as it is likely to have reached a more advanced stage. Given the speed that fires can grow in such a combustible environment, early smoke detection is even more critical for the oil and gas industry.
Thankfully, distance is not a limitation faced by Video Smoke Detection (VSD), as this technology is able to utilise images from standard CCTV cameras and analyse these, by applying sophisticated algorithms to detect smoke. By programming the software to look for anticipated motion patterns of smoke over a specified area within the range of a CCTV camera image, and looking for pixel changes, VSD has the potential to deliver an exceptionally fast response - typically in seconds.
Crucially, once smoke has been detected, the system can alert the operator as well as deliver a visual representation of the smoke on the system's monitor.
Consequently, VSD is not reliant on the proximity of smoke to a detector; whether the camera is 10 or 100 metres away from a risk area, VSD will detect smoke in the same amount of time.
Although it is claimed that other camera-based systems are able to detect smoke, the reality is that these are really motion detectors or obscuration-change detectors which are unable to differentiate between smoke and other sources of movement and hence are prone to false smoke alarms.
In terms of practicality, the CCTV cameras associated with VSD can be fixed in conveniently accessible places, rather than being positioned well out of reach, as is the case with conventional detectors. Additionally, as CCTV can cover a much larger area, fewer cameras would be required, compared to smoke detectors, for a given size of oil platform. It may also be possible to take advantage of already installed security CCTV cameras for some of the monitoring.
IP enhances visual smoke detection capabilities
VSD's capabilities have been further enhanced by the potential for CCTV camera images and alarms to be distributed, for review, over a network to a number of viewing locations. This is being realised through solutions that readily integrate the well-recognised advantages of VSD with IP (Internet Protocol) based functionality.
In practice, this advance means that, for ease of management, it is perfectly possible for a number of geographically dispersed oil rigs to be monitored from the same control room, and more to be added should the need arise. This can also be invaluable for unmanned platforms where, should an alarm be activated; the remote operator actually has a visual indication of what is going on.
As a consequence, an operator can make an informed decision there and then as to whether a firefighting team needs to be sent to the platform. This is in contrast to more conventional smoke alarm systems, which just sound an alarm without the possibility of ascertaining the severity of an incident without automatically paying a visit - a costly process.
There is also the ability, with this flexible approach to VSD, for changes to configuration, testing and diagnosis to be carried out remotely - reducing cost and minimising delay.
Integrating Smoke and Flame Detection
Another big leap forward with VSD is the potential, for the first time, to combine smoke and flame detection. This is ideal for more hazardous situations, such as those thrown up by the petrochemical industry.
A key benefit of the application of an advanced flame detection algorithm - in addition to smoke detection - is that it is now perfectly possible to deliver a layered response, typically alarming on smoke first and then confirming again if fire appears. There is also the potential for the application of this capability in designated areas at night where flame rather than smoke is likely to be the most visible sign of an incident.
Fast Track Detection for effective fire protection
The message to fire and safety professionals concerned with the petrochemical industry is this: Now is the right time to look again at Video Smoke Detection (VSD) for key projects, whether it be an oil refinery on land or a production platform at sea.
Ultimately, the effectiveness and ease of installation of VSD, particularly in the shape of the networkable and dual smoke and flame detection capabilities, makes a compelling case for adopting this technology, where conventional approaches are simply not going to provide the early warning necessary to minimise the very real risks associated with fire.
Source : Jon East - Engineering Consultant - D-Tec (part of AD Group)
Back in 1988, the devastation wrought by the world's worst offshore oil disaster on the Piper Alpha platform in the North Sea was a major shock and wake-up call to the sector. In this case, a gas leak resulted in blasts on the rig and sparked a major fire, which engulfed the structure - then the largest platform in the North Sea - leading to 167 fatalities. This traumatic event demonstrated all too clearly the hazardous nature of the oil and gas environment, and the serious repercussions that occur when problems are not detected early enough and a fire is allowed to take hold.
More recently - in December 2005 - we were again reminded of the ever-present danger, this time manifested in the biggest blaze seen in the UK since World War II, at Hertfordshire Oil Storage Terminal in Buncefield, near Hemel Hempstead. Prior to the fire, the terminal was handling 2.37 million metric tonnes of oil products annually. The problem at Buncefield resulted from the overflowing of unleaded petrol being pumped into a storage tank. A rich fuel and air vapour rapidly formed and spread across the site and set off a number of major explosions - heard for miles around - and an associated fire. This unprecedented incident took in 20 storage tanks and caused extensive damage to the site and adjacent business premises, and the evacuation of a significant area around the facility.
So what measures can be taken to help minimise the fire hazards in this sort of environment and provide an early warning of fire, to protect key assets against the potential of a problem escalating into a full scale disaster, if left unchecked?
A technology based on the intelligent analysis of CCTV images is being increasingly deployed to protect such valuable assets from fire. This solution is aptly referred to as Video Smoke Detection (VSD) - a technology pioneered by D-Tec - and is a capability that is now operational in a wide range of sites worldwide.
Typical projects, across the petrochemicals industry, include for example using video smoke detection to protect the generator rooms on North Sea rigs. These assets are essential to the smooth and ongoing operation of the multi-million pound platforms and are particularly challenging installations, as they are prone to heavy vibration and atmospheric contamination. Another application is the monitoring of a huge on-shore oil terminal connected to oil-fields.
Benefits of Video Smoke Detection
The beauty of VSD is that it takes detection to the fire rather than waiting for the fire to come to the detector. This approach is ideally suited to the large, extensive nature of oil terminals and platforms where it is just not practical to cost-effectively place conventional detectors close enough to the area of risk to provide the required level of fire detection.
In extensive structures or sites covering a large geographic area, there is a high reliance - as far as traditional fire detection solutions are concerned - of smoke overcoming distance before being detected. This can mean that with conventional detectors, it can be many minutes before a fire alarm is activated - if at all - making it much more problematic to tackle a blaze, as it is likely to have reached a more advanced stage. Given the speed that fires can grow in such a combustible environment, early smoke detection is even more critical for the oil and gas industry.
Thankfully, distance is not a limitation faced by Video Smoke Detection (VSD), as this technology is able to utilise images from standard CCTV cameras and analyse these, by applying sophisticated algorithms to detect smoke. By programming the software to look for anticipated motion patterns of smoke over a specified area within the range of a CCTV camera image, and looking for pixel changes, VSD has the potential to deliver an exceptionally fast response - typically in seconds.
Crucially, once smoke has been detected, the system can alert the operator as well as deliver a visual representation of the smoke on the system's monitor.
Consequently, VSD is not reliant on the proximity of smoke to a detector; whether the camera is 10 or 100 metres away from a risk area, VSD will detect smoke in the same amount of time.
Although it is claimed that other camera-based systems are able to detect smoke, the reality is that these are really motion detectors or obscuration-change detectors which are unable to differentiate between smoke and other sources of movement and hence are prone to false smoke alarms.
In terms of practicality, the CCTV cameras associated with VSD can be fixed in conveniently accessible places, rather than being positioned well out of reach, as is the case with conventional detectors. Additionally, as CCTV can cover a much larger area, fewer cameras would be required, compared to smoke detectors, for a given size of oil platform. It may also be possible to take advantage of already installed security CCTV cameras for some of the monitoring.
IP enhances visual smoke detection capabilities
VSD's capabilities have been further enhanced by the potential for CCTV camera images and alarms to be distributed, for review, over a network to a number of viewing locations. This is being realised through solutions that readily integrate the well-recognised advantages of VSD with IP (Internet Protocol) based functionality.
In practice, this advance means that, for ease of management, it is perfectly possible for a number of geographically dispersed oil rigs to be monitored from the same control room, and more to be added should the need arise. This can also be invaluable for unmanned platforms where, should an alarm be activated; the remote operator actually has a visual indication of what is going on.
As a consequence, an operator can make an informed decision there and then as to whether a firefighting team needs to be sent to the platform. This is in contrast to more conventional smoke alarm systems, which just sound an alarm without the possibility of ascertaining the severity of an incident without automatically paying a visit - a costly process.
There is also the ability, with this flexible approach to VSD, for changes to configuration, testing and diagnosis to be carried out remotely - reducing cost and minimising delay.
Integrating Smoke and Flame Detection
Another big leap forward with VSD is the potential, for the first time, to combine smoke and flame detection. This is ideal for more hazardous situations, such as those thrown up by the petrochemical industry.
A key benefit of the application of an advanced flame detection algorithm - in addition to smoke detection - is that it is now perfectly possible to deliver a layered response, typically alarming on smoke first and then confirming again if fire appears. There is also the potential for the application of this capability in designated areas at night where flame rather than smoke is likely to be the most visible sign of an incident.
Fast Track Detection for effective fire protection
The message to fire and safety professionals concerned with the petrochemical industry is this: Now is the right time to look again at Video Smoke Detection (VSD) for key projects, whether it be an oil refinery on land or a production platform at sea.
Ultimately, the effectiveness and ease of installation of VSD, particularly in the shape of the networkable and dual smoke and flame detection capabilities, makes a compelling case for adopting this technology, where conventional approaches are simply not going to provide the early warning necessary to minimise the very real risks associated with fire.
Source : Jon East - Engineering Consultant - D-Tec (part of AD Group)
Safety News : PPE Designs For Marine Fire Fighting
Marine firefighting encompasses activities to extinguish any type of fire in a marine environment. For many years, this meant dealing with fires on seagoing vessels, or more specifically, shipping. In this article, Richard Cranham, International Sales Manager at Bristol Uniforms, sheds light on the various fire hazards at sea and the latest protection outfits designed to meet new regulatory standards.
Nature of marine fire hazards
At one time, marine fire risks were primarily associated with shipping and the vessels or their cargoes. In the 21st century, however, the seas and oceans are increasingly becoming sites for static structures. Many of these are associated with oil, gas and other mineral exploration and harvesting.
Clearly the range of fire hazards associated with these different activities varies widely. In some situations, firefighters will be able to work onboard, depending on the severity of the fire, but, following a blow out or explosion aboard an oil rig or gas production platform, fighting the ensuing fire may only be possible from firefighting vessels.
Also, the characteristics of the fires facing firefighters will reflect the volatility and flammability of the materials involved in the conflagration. Some materials burn much hotter than others. Some will throw off burning shards or molten materials, some can be unpredictable either due to the composition of the flammable materials involved (in particular hydrocarbons and chemicals) or prevailing weather conditions. Wind speed and direction can be particularly variable out at sea and can cause rapid changes in the levels of hazard experienced by firefighters.
Personal protection equipment (PPE) to suit the conditions
As with land-based firefighting, the type of personal protection equipment required is increasingly being designed to protect against the specific nature of the fire hazards most commonly encountered.
New marine firefighting standards introduced for use throughout Europe equate the hazards, if not the conditions, associated with typical shipping fires with those commonly experienced in structural fires. This has led to the new Marine Equipment Directive (MarED) standards, enshrined in EU Commission Directive 2010/68/EU, to adopt EN 469 (2005) as its benchmark for basic protective clothing for firefighting (A.1/3.3). This means that, throughout the EU, local fire & rescue authorities can deal with ship-board fires occurring in rivers, docks and coastal waters wearing their regular structural fire kit.
For parts of the world outside the EU, a new international standard has recently been developed. The new standard, BS ISO 22488:2011 [Ships and marine technology – shipboard firefighters’ outfits (protective clothing, gloves, boots and helmet)], has drawn substantially on the work undertaken for the recently issued European Standard.
Close proximity firefighting involving gas and oil fires requires protection from the intense heat and flames produced in such ‘hot fires’ and call for quite different types of protective clothing. In some circumstances this type of firefighting will require PPE satisfying ISO 15538 (2001) - Protective clothing with a reflective outer surface (A.1/3.3).
New PPE designs to meet new standards
Yellow outerlayer on marine firefighting garments signify its use by emergency incident crews battling different types of fires at sea. Garments meeting EN 469 (2005), as used by European municipal firefighters, can also be deployed by them when dealing with shipping fires on river estuaries, in ports and docks and in coastal waters.
For fighting fires involving shipping at sea, and for other marine fire emergencies, an alternative is the new design fleet suits which are being introduced to coincide with the implementation of the new EU Commission Directive.
As with all PPE, compatibility is important and appropriately matched helmet, boots and gloves should be supplied. In Europe, these should be to MarED approved standards, and include firefighting helmet to EN 443, gloves to EN 659 and firefighter boots to EN 15090 whilst the new international standard, BS ISO 22488:2011, when introduced, may be adopted in other parts of the world.
Nature of marine fire hazards
At one time, marine fire risks were primarily associated with shipping and the vessels or their cargoes. In the 21st century, however, the seas and oceans are increasingly becoming sites for static structures. Many of these are associated with oil, gas and other mineral exploration and harvesting.
Clearly the range of fire hazards associated with these different activities varies widely. In some situations, firefighters will be able to work onboard, depending on the severity of the fire, but, following a blow out or explosion aboard an oil rig or gas production platform, fighting the ensuing fire may only be possible from firefighting vessels.
Also, the characteristics of the fires facing firefighters will reflect the volatility and flammability of the materials involved in the conflagration. Some materials burn much hotter than others. Some will throw off burning shards or molten materials, some can be unpredictable either due to the composition of the flammable materials involved (in particular hydrocarbons and chemicals) or prevailing weather conditions. Wind speed and direction can be particularly variable out at sea and can cause rapid changes in the levels of hazard experienced by firefighters.
Personal protection equipment (PPE) to suit the conditions
As with land-based firefighting, the type of personal protection equipment required is increasingly being designed to protect against the specific nature of the fire hazards most commonly encountered.
New marine firefighting standards introduced for use throughout Europe equate the hazards, if not the conditions, associated with typical shipping fires with those commonly experienced in structural fires. This has led to the new Marine Equipment Directive (MarED) standards, enshrined in EU Commission Directive 2010/68/EU, to adopt EN 469 (2005) as its benchmark for basic protective clothing for firefighting (A.1/3.3). This means that, throughout the EU, local fire & rescue authorities can deal with ship-board fires occurring in rivers, docks and coastal waters wearing their regular structural fire kit.
For parts of the world outside the EU, a new international standard has recently been developed. The new standard, BS ISO 22488:2011 [Ships and marine technology – shipboard firefighters’ outfits (protective clothing, gloves, boots and helmet)], has drawn substantially on the work undertaken for the recently issued European Standard.
Close proximity firefighting involving gas and oil fires requires protection from the intense heat and flames produced in such ‘hot fires’ and call for quite different types of protective clothing. In some circumstances this type of firefighting will require PPE satisfying ISO 15538 (2001) - Protective clothing with a reflective outer surface (A.1/3.3).
New PPE designs to meet new standards
Yellow outerlayer on marine firefighting garments signify its use by emergency incident crews battling different types of fires at sea. Garments meeting EN 469 (2005), as used by European municipal firefighters, can also be deployed by them when dealing with shipping fires on river estuaries, in ports and docks and in coastal waters.
For fighting fires involving shipping at sea, and for other marine fire emergencies, an alternative is the new design fleet suits which are being introduced to coincide with the implementation of the new EU Commission Directive.
As with all PPE, compatibility is important and appropriately matched helmet, boots and gloves should be supplied. In Europe, these should be to MarED approved standards, and include firefighting helmet to EN 443, gloves to EN 659 and firefighter boots to EN 15090 whilst the new international standard, BS ISO 22488:2011, when introduced, may be adopted in other parts of the world.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Safeyt news : Fire Protection
Corrosion-free alternative for onboard safety SAFETY is a key priority for the offshore oil and gas industry, and ensuring safety onboard any production facility is absolutely vital. Critical to delivering onboard safety is the fire deluge system which, designed to protect areas where fire is likely to spread rapidly, is now commonplace on offshore facilities.
However, traditionally used carbon steel-fabricated deluge systems are prone to corrosion when carrying saltwater, which can restrict or even block flow as rust forms, in turn reducing the effectiveness of the system.
Corrosion-free alternatives prevent such issues and give peace of mind to the offshore oil and gas sector. Presented in this white paper is a case study demonstrating the benefits that can be gained by specifying these alternatives.
TRADITIONAL TECHNOLOGY
Active fire protection systems, such as the fire deluge system, are essential for onboard safety and are designed to activate either mechanically or electronically in order to extinguish fires. While relatively simple in design and installation, their operation is essential for the safety of onboard personnel, asset protection and preventing event escalation.
In the offshore oil and gas industry, the risk of rapid fire spread is greater than most and as such, the fire deluge system needs to provide full assurance to the onboard team that it will not fail to deliver on any critical firewater or utility piping installations.
Traditionally, carbon steel-fabricated deluge systems have been installed to ensure onboard safety, however, the continual flow of water may cause potential blockages of small diameter pipe work and discharge nozzles. These are prone to corrosion that can cause vital systems to fail. This has resulted in the industry suffering from costly shutdowns and repairs, and in the worst-case scenario, risk of failure in an emergency. In addition, traditional systems also require constant maintenance, cleaning and testing, meaning additional unnecessary and costly downtime for the facility.
NEXT-GENERATION ALTERNATIVE
The problems encountered with traditional systems have since spurred the development of a new generation of fire-deluge systems that use synthetic rubber instead of traditional materials such as rigid steel, titanium, copper nickel and fiber glass piping.
By utilising synthetic rubber, systems can now be created that are non-corroding and can withstand jet fires with a heat flux of 390kW/m2, temperatures above 2552 deg F/ 1400 deg C and flame speeds that exceed the speed of sound. This makes it an ideal material choice for use in deluge and sprinkler systems on offshore oil and gas installations and ships, as well as other hazardous environments.
Due to its flexible characteristics, this new technology can be used to either partly or completely replace old systems and is also an ideal solution for temporary deluge systems when high safety levels need to be maintained during modification work to existing systems. The flexibility of the system allows it to be moved and reused (if temporary). Compared with rigid pipe systems, it requires fewer construction drawings, and the need for accurate measurements is reduced as the system can be designed and modified on site.
PROVEN SOLUTION
A recent example of how a traditional carbon steel-fabricated deluge system failed and was successfully replaced by a new, synthetic rubber alternative can be seen on Maersk’s FPSO Ngujima-Yin, a floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel located in the Vincent Field off Western Australia. The vessel commenced operation in 2008 and has a daily production capacity of 120,000 barrels of oil and 100 million standard cubic feet of gas. The existing carbon steel seawater deluge system became corroded only two years after installation and required a significant number of man hours to carry out regular maintenance, cleaning and testing. A replacement was therefore required to reduce the long-term cost of ensuring essential fire protection at all times.
The challenge with the installation was to replace the existing fire deluge system throughout the FPSO modules without affecting the safety of the vessel as it continued output. The system required approximately 5,249 ft (1,600 metres) of pipe work, from 1 inch to 8 inches (25 mm to 200 mm) diameters, and associated fittings and accessories.
SYSTEM CONSIDERATION
Several factors had to be considered prior to specifying a replacement system. As the FPSO is a live production vessel, it must operate within a stringent set of safety regulations, requiring complete deluge coverage at all times. A temporary system would have to be rigged up while the existing pipes were removed and installation of the new system was undertaken.
Replacing a conventional deluge system requires hot work such as welding, cutting, brazing, soldering and grinding, which poses a number of issues when carried out on a live hydrocarbon facility. Any activity that generates heat, sparks, flames or other potential sources of ignition in an atmosphere that may be flammable requires a hot work permit. This is only granted after an in-depth risk assessment and also requires ongoing monitoring. To secure a permit, it may be necessary to isolate part of the hydrocarbon systems on a vessel, shut down production modules or use special habitat equipment. As such, hot work is usually only carried out as a last resort.
A number of material options were considered, including rigid copper-nickel and flexible synthetic rubber. Copper nickel has an extensive field-proven record and is cheap to purchase. However, it requires significant pre-fabrication and onboard construction. In contrast, synthetic rubber is easier to install and can be bent to a radius equal to five times its diameter, meaning it can negotiate minor clashes and obstructions as the installation progresses, while maintaining its structural integrity. Compared with rigid pipe systems, fewer detailed isometric construction drawings are required with a synthetic rubber system, and the need for accurate measurements is reduced as it can be designed and modified on site. This means a flexible synthetic rubber FPSO module deluge system can be installed in less than three months, whereas the installation time for an equivalent typical rigid system would be significantly longer. Taking these factors into account, Maersk contracted Trelleborg Offshore as an engineering, procurement, construction and installation (EPCI) supplier to install its synthetic rubber Elastopipe™ corrosion-free fire safety deluge system on the FPSO. CORROSION-FREE PROTECTION The Trelleborg Offshore system was developed as a result of both customer and industry feedback. Its design incorporates three core layers: the fire shield, pressure liner and inner layer. These combine to give the system high tolerance to impact, jet fire (2,552 deg F / 1,400 deg C for one hour), explosion and water hammer. The system is lightweight, durable and easy to cut, fit and install. Compared with a conventional carbon steel-based deluge system, which requires more frequent testing and maintenance and needs replacing at regular intervals over the lifetime of the platform or vessel, rubber deluge systems deliver a very low total life cost. The flexible piping system offers a 30-year minimum maintenance life, and its corrosion-free performance means system testing frequency can be reduced to statutory requirements.
INSTALLATION
The regulatory bodies governing deluge systems for FPSOs and similar structures did not have specific regulations to cover the flexible piping system, so there were early inquiries from independent verification societies into its concept and feasibility. For the project to proceed, approval from a number of national and industry authorities needed to be obtained. As the Maersk Ngujima-Yin is a Danish registered FPSO, the Danish Maritime Organization (DMO) had to approve the use of the flexible piping system onboard the vessel.
National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority (NOPSA) approval was also required as the FPSO was producing oil in Australian waters. Finally, the installation had to be approved by Lloyd’s Register, which classed the ship. All authorities involved approved the solution proposed. The materials for the first module and the temporary deluge system were air freighted to Australia and were onboard the vessel within a week. The system, which comprises approximately 5,249 ft of flexible piping, titanium fittings, nozzles, pipe supports, valves and strainers, was pre-fabricated on board the Maersk Ngujima-Yin. This included cutting pipe runs to the required length and fitting the necessary ancillary components.
The first installation on the M60 module required 912 ft of flexible pipe and was completed in less than two weeks. The synthetic rubber-based flexible piping system was installed without any welding or other hot work, such as high-speed cutting, which could compromise the safety of the vessel. The rubber was cut using a specialised hand-held pipe cutter, while joints were made mechanically using air-operated hand tools and proprietary clips. Without the risk of sparks or naked flames, production and processing could continue unaffected.
A temporary Elastopipe deluge system for each module was installed before the existing steel pipes were removed and the permanent flexible pipe work and fixings were completed. This method ensured that full fire protection was retained throughout the project.
The fast-track project was carried out by 10 expert rope access pipe fitters and two supervisors. No lost time incidents (LTIs) were reported during installation.The installation team worked independently, without disturbing activity onboard or impacting production. The team implemented the full scope of activity in full compliance with both Woodside’s golden safety rules and Maersk’s divisional management system, which includes the Maersk permit to work system. The flexibility and light weight of the deluge system allowed very rapid installation, compared to a rigid pipe system, as it could be swiftly configured to confined spaces. The first two modules were completed in just a month, and all seven modules were completed and full-scale tested within three months, with no disruption to oil and gas production.
CONCLUSION
Safety on offshore oil and gas installations is of paramount importance, and having an effective and reliable deluge system is vital to ensuring onboard safety.In the harsh offshore and onshore oil and gas industry, you need the assurance of a material that delivers proven performance for your critical firewater and utility piping installations, without fail.
Source : Oil & Gas News Online
The New Safety Product Will Be Launched
Mining sector safety equipment manufacturer Mine Safety Appliances (MSA), a division of South Africa MSA Company Africa, says it plans to launch four safety products later this year. The products are the AirXpress, the Advantage 400, the PrimaX Gas and the Sordin left/RIGHT CutOff Pro.
The AirXpress, which is a supplied-air respirator with compact harness, has a pneumatic system that passes inside the respirator to protect the user from hook-up and abrasion, and is directly connected to a demand valve.
“The Advantage 400 series user-friendly air-purifying respirator comprises a single loop head harness. The unit offers high comfort and flexibility. The PrimaX Gas transmitter has an innovative enclosure design, quick site installation and the ability to detect a wide range of gases. The product has a patent pending,” says MSA marketing director Paul Gibbon.
The Sordin left/RIGHT CutOff Pro headset is an electronic level-dependent headset, with two external microphones that detect ambient sounds, while simultaneously blocking out any impulse sound over 82 dB. This means it allows the user to hear warning signs, as well as have face-to-face communication, while protecting against harmful noise concurrently, says the company.
Further, MSA is also in the planning stages of introducing cap lamps with tracking systems to locate miners in the event of an underground accident.
“MSA’s products are designed based on continuous research on safety trends and the company’s experience in the mining and personal protective equipment (PPE) market,” says MSA customer focus programmes and loyalty director Hayley Arnesen.
MSA assists its many clients to choose PPE-related products and facilitates the training required to use the safety products. The company also provides advice to ensure safety is never compromised, Arnesen says. In February, MSA celebrated 70 years of providing safety products to the mining industry in Africa. The company reports it was the first in Africa to develop an electric lamp – the Edison electric cap lamp.
“After 25 years of its existence, the cap lamp has reduced coal-mine-related explosion deaths by 75%. The cap lamp enables the miner to work in any position without the unit interfering with the free motion of the body,” the company states.
Healthy Tips: Eight Tips For Healthy Eating
Eating a healthy, balanced diet is an important part of maintaining good health, and can help you feel your best. It can be simple, too. Just follow these eight tips to get started.
The two keys to a healthy diet are: Eat the right number of calories for how active you are, so that you balance the energy you consume with the energy you use. If you eat or drink too much, you’ll put on weight. If you eat too little you’ll lose weight. The average man needs around 2,500 calories a day. The average woman needs 2,000 calories. Most adults are eating more calories than they need, and should eat fewer calories. Eat a wide range of foods to ensure that you’re getting a balanced diet and that your body is receiving all the nutrients it needs.
Get started
These practical tips cover the basics of healthy eating, and can help you make healthier choices:
Base your meals on starchy foods
Starchy foods include potatoes, cereals, pasta, rice and bread. Choose wholegrain varieties when you can: they contain more fibre, and can make you feel full for longer. Starchy foods should make up around one third of the foods you eat. Most of us should eat more starchy foods: try to include at least one starchy food with each main meal. Some people think starchy foods are fattening, but gram for gram they contain fewer than half the calories of fat. Learn more in Starchy foods.
Eat lots of fruit and veg
It’s recommended that we eat at least five portions of different types of fruit and veg a day. It’s easier than it sounds. A glass of 100% unsweetened fruit juice can count as one portion, and vegetables cooked into dishes also count. Why not chop a banana over your breakfast cereal, or swap your usual mid-morning snack for some dried fruit? Learn more in 5 A DAY.
Eat more fish
Fish is a good source of protein and contains many vitamins and minerals. Aim for at least two portions a week, including at least one portion of oily fish. Oily fish is high in omega-3 fats, which may help to prevent heart disease. You can choose from fresh, frozen and canned; but remember that canned and smoked fish can be high in salt. Oily fish include salmon, mackerel, trout, herring, fresh tuna, sardines and pilchards. Non-oily fish include haddock, plaice, coley, cod, tinned tuna, skate and hake. Anyone who regularly eats a lot of fish should try to choose as wide a variety as possible.
Cut down on saturated fat and sugar
We all need some fat in our diet. But it’s important to pay attention to the amount and type of fat we’re eating. There are two main types of fat: saturated and unsaturated. Too much saturated fat can increase the amount of cholesterol in the blood, which increases your risk of developing heart disease. Saturated fat is found in many foods, such as hard cheese, cakes, biscuits, sausages, cream, butter, lard and pies. Try to cut down, and choose foods that contain unsaturated rather than saturated fats, such as vegetable oils, oily fish and avocados. For a healthier choice, use a just a small amount of vegetable oil or reduced fat spread instead of butter, lard or ghee. When you're having meat, choose lean cuts and cut off any visible fat. Learn more, and get tips on cutting down, in Eat less saturated fat.
Most people in the UK eat and drink too much sugar. Sugary foods and drinks, including alcoholic drinks, are often high in calories, and could contribute to weight gain. They can also cause tooth decay, especially if eaten between meals. Cut down on sugary fizzy drinks, alcoholic drinks, cakes, biscuits and pastries, which contain added sugars: this is the kind of sugar we should be cutting down on rather than sugars that are found naturally in foods such as fruit and milk. Food labels can help: use them to check how much sugar foods contain. More than 15g of sugar per 100g means that the food is high in sugar. Learn more in Sugars.
Eat less salt
Even if you don’t add salt to your food, you may still be eating too much. About three-quarters of the salt we eat is already in the food we buy, such as breakfast cereals, soups, breads and sauces. Eating too much salt can raise your blood pressure. People with high blood pressure are more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke. Use food labels to help you cut down. More than 1.5g of salt per 100g means the food is high in salt. Adults and children over 11 should eat no more than 6g of salt a day. Younger children should have even less. Learn more in Salt: the facts.
Get active and be a healthy weight
Eating a healthy, balanced diet plays an important part in maintaining a healthy weight, which is an important part of overall good health. Being overweight or obese can led to health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, heart disease and stroke. Being underweight could also affect your health. Check whether you’re a healthy weight by using our Healthy weight calculator. Most adults need to lose weight, and need to eat fewer calories in order to do this. If you're trying to lose weight, aim to eat less and be more active. Eating a healthy, balanced diet will help: aim to cut down on foods that are high in fat and sugar, and eat plenty of fruit and vegetables. Don't forget that alcohol is also high in calories, so cutting down can help you to control your weight. You can find information and advice to help in Lose weight. If you’re underweight, see Underweight adults. If you're worried about your weight, ask your GP or a dietitian for advice.
Physical activity can help you to maintain weight loss or be a healthy weight. Being active doesn’t have to mean hours at the gym: you can find ways to fit more activity into your daily life. For example, try getting off the bus one stop early on the way home from work, and walking. Being physically active may help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. For more ideas, see Get active your way. After getting active, remember not to reward yourself with a treat that is high in calories. If you feel hungry after activity choose foods or drinks that are lower in calories but still filling.
Don't get thirsty
We need to drink about 1.2 litres of fluid every day to stop us getting dehydrated. This is in addition to the fluid we get from the food we eat. All non-alcoholic drinks count, but water, milk and fruit juices are the most healthy. Try to avoid sugary soft and fizzy drinks that are high in added sugars and can be high in calories and bad for teeth. When the weather is warm, or when we get active, we may need more. Learn more in Drinks.
Don’t skip breakfast
Some people skip breakfast because they think it will help them lose weight. In fact, research shows that eating breakfast can help people control their weight. A healthy breakfast is an important part of a balanced diet, and provides some of the vitamins and minerals we need for good health. Wholemeal cereal, with fruit sliced over the top is a tasty and nutritious breakfast.
More information
Learn more about healthy eating in A balanced diet, and read about the energy contained in food in Understanding calories.
Source : NHS
The two keys to a healthy diet are: Eat the right number of calories for how active you are, so that you balance the energy you consume with the energy you use. If you eat or drink too much, you’ll put on weight. If you eat too little you’ll lose weight. The average man needs around 2,500 calories a day. The average woman needs 2,000 calories. Most adults are eating more calories than they need, and should eat fewer calories. Eat a wide range of foods to ensure that you’re getting a balanced diet and that your body is receiving all the nutrients it needs.
Get started
These practical tips cover the basics of healthy eating, and can help you make healthier choices:
Base your meals on starchy foods
Starchy foods include potatoes, cereals, pasta, rice and bread. Choose wholegrain varieties when you can: they contain more fibre, and can make you feel full for longer. Starchy foods should make up around one third of the foods you eat. Most of us should eat more starchy foods: try to include at least one starchy food with each main meal. Some people think starchy foods are fattening, but gram for gram they contain fewer than half the calories of fat. Learn more in Starchy foods.
Eat lots of fruit and veg
It’s recommended that we eat at least five portions of different types of fruit and veg a day. It’s easier than it sounds. A glass of 100% unsweetened fruit juice can count as one portion, and vegetables cooked into dishes also count. Why not chop a banana over your breakfast cereal, or swap your usual mid-morning snack for some dried fruit? Learn more in 5 A DAY.
Eat more fish
Fish is a good source of protein and contains many vitamins and minerals. Aim for at least two portions a week, including at least one portion of oily fish. Oily fish is high in omega-3 fats, which may help to prevent heart disease. You can choose from fresh, frozen and canned; but remember that canned and smoked fish can be high in salt. Oily fish include salmon, mackerel, trout, herring, fresh tuna, sardines and pilchards. Non-oily fish include haddock, plaice, coley, cod, tinned tuna, skate and hake. Anyone who regularly eats a lot of fish should try to choose as wide a variety as possible.
Cut down on saturated fat and sugar
We all need some fat in our diet. But it’s important to pay attention to the amount and type of fat we’re eating. There are two main types of fat: saturated and unsaturated. Too much saturated fat can increase the amount of cholesterol in the blood, which increases your risk of developing heart disease. Saturated fat is found in many foods, such as hard cheese, cakes, biscuits, sausages, cream, butter, lard and pies. Try to cut down, and choose foods that contain unsaturated rather than saturated fats, such as vegetable oils, oily fish and avocados. For a healthier choice, use a just a small amount of vegetable oil or reduced fat spread instead of butter, lard or ghee. When you're having meat, choose lean cuts and cut off any visible fat. Learn more, and get tips on cutting down, in Eat less saturated fat.
Most people in the UK eat and drink too much sugar. Sugary foods and drinks, including alcoholic drinks, are often high in calories, and could contribute to weight gain. They can also cause tooth decay, especially if eaten between meals. Cut down on sugary fizzy drinks, alcoholic drinks, cakes, biscuits and pastries, which contain added sugars: this is the kind of sugar we should be cutting down on rather than sugars that are found naturally in foods such as fruit and milk. Food labels can help: use them to check how much sugar foods contain. More than 15g of sugar per 100g means that the food is high in sugar. Learn more in Sugars.
Eat less salt
Even if you don’t add salt to your food, you may still be eating too much. About three-quarters of the salt we eat is already in the food we buy, such as breakfast cereals, soups, breads and sauces. Eating too much salt can raise your blood pressure. People with high blood pressure are more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke. Use food labels to help you cut down. More than 1.5g of salt per 100g means the food is high in salt. Adults and children over 11 should eat no more than 6g of salt a day. Younger children should have even less. Learn more in Salt: the facts.
Get active and be a healthy weight
Eating a healthy, balanced diet plays an important part in maintaining a healthy weight, which is an important part of overall good health. Being overweight or obese can led to health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, heart disease and stroke. Being underweight could also affect your health. Check whether you’re a healthy weight by using our Healthy weight calculator. Most adults need to lose weight, and need to eat fewer calories in order to do this. If you're trying to lose weight, aim to eat less and be more active. Eating a healthy, balanced diet will help: aim to cut down on foods that are high in fat and sugar, and eat plenty of fruit and vegetables. Don't forget that alcohol is also high in calories, so cutting down can help you to control your weight. You can find information and advice to help in Lose weight. If you’re underweight, see Underweight adults. If you're worried about your weight, ask your GP or a dietitian for advice.
Physical activity can help you to maintain weight loss or be a healthy weight. Being active doesn’t have to mean hours at the gym: you can find ways to fit more activity into your daily life. For example, try getting off the bus one stop early on the way home from work, and walking. Being physically active may help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. For more ideas, see Get active your way. After getting active, remember not to reward yourself with a treat that is high in calories. If you feel hungry after activity choose foods or drinks that are lower in calories but still filling.
Don't get thirsty
We need to drink about 1.2 litres of fluid every day to stop us getting dehydrated. This is in addition to the fluid we get from the food we eat. All non-alcoholic drinks count, but water, milk and fruit juices are the most healthy. Try to avoid sugary soft and fizzy drinks that are high in added sugars and can be high in calories and bad for teeth. When the weather is warm, or when we get active, we may need more. Learn more in Drinks.
Don’t skip breakfast
Some people skip breakfast because they think it will help them lose weight. In fact, research shows that eating breakfast can help people control their weight. A healthy breakfast is an important part of a balanced diet, and provides some of the vitamins and minerals we need for good health. Wholemeal cereal, with fruit sliced over the top is a tasty and nutritious breakfast.
More information
Learn more about healthy eating in A balanced diet, and read about the energy contained in food in Understanding calories.
Source : NHS
All Power To You
What makes a strong woman, and is it a quality to aspire to? Absolutely, says Hannah Ebelthite. It’s time to celebrate female strength – both physical and emotional
Let’s get physical
Strength of mind
Source : Healthy-Megazine
When I asked friends and family what female strength meant to them, the responses varied. A few cited prominent politicians such as Hillary Clinton or Margaret Thatcher. Others looked to top athletes like Victoria Pendleton. Some saw it in women who’d battled adversity, such as military widows, while others described motherhood as the ultimate test of, and testament to, strength. There used to be a sense that, to be a strong woman, you had to act ‘like a man’ toughing it out and being emotionally cold. ‘Increasingly, though, strength is being seen as a positive attribute for a woman,’ says psychotherapist Gael Lindenfield, author of The Emotional Healing Strategy (Michael Joseph, £10.99). ‘It means coping well with setbacks, standing up for what you believe in and, importantly, being yourself. And it’s something women are good at.’ As for physical strength, few women have ever aimed to look powerful muscles tend to be seen as unfeminine and undesirable. But with the approach of London 2012, we’ll soon witness some awe-inspiring displays of female strength and not just in the weightlifting (although Team GB’s Zoe Smith is one to watch). Competing at that level requires physical, mental and emotional strength, qualities we can all learn from our athletes. Here, Healthy takes a positive look at what it means to be a strong woman today.
Let’s get physical
In times of recession, it’s the taller, more athletic female body shapes that become fashionable – think Amazonian supermodels rather than fragile waifs. And while we can’t all look like Cindy Crawford circa 1990, her strong, lean look is one we can aspire to through exercise. You can put aside worries of a beefy, bulky physique, as it’s a shape women don’t naturally acquire. ‘You don’t have the testosterone,’ explains personal trainer Nick Mitchell (www.upfitness.co.uk), who works with top female models, focusing on strength-training to sculpt their shape. ‘A lot of women choose cardio aerobics classes, using the cross trainer or treadmill at the gym to stay in shape. But you should work with weights, too it’s the fastest route to a great body.’
And what many women don’t realise is if you focus on strength, you’ll naturally become slimmer and lose weight. ‘The more muscle you have, the faster your metabolism will be,’ says strength and conditioning coach and triathlete, Karen Weir (www.runwithkaren.com). ‘So the faster you’ll burn fat, even at rest. Then there’s the fact that muscle is more space efficient it might weigh more than fat, but it takes up less room.’ So the stronger you are, the better you’ll fit those skinny jeans.
Strength of mind
Emotional strength may not always be obvious on the surface. ‘There’s a distinction between processing your emotions and toughing it out,’ says Lindenfield. ‘Just because someone appears to be coping well, it doesn’t mean they are.’ In fact, an ability to acknowledge your vulnerabilities tends to mean you are a lot more resilient than someone who pushes on through with a stiff upper lip. Nor does ‘strong’ have to mean shouting the loudest and getting your own way. Persistence and gentle assertiveness can be more powerful.
‘Women are better than men at processing their emotions,’ Lindefield explains. ‘We’re more likely to allow ourselves to heal and go through the process to avoid a backlog of sadness and resentment that can hold us back. We seek comfort by talking to friends. We don’t mind being seen to be sad or angry, and then we can move on. A strong woman is able to go through this process and emerge stronger.’ Another word for strength is resilience. ‘It’s a bit of a buzzword in psychology circles,’ says Lindenfield. ‘Resilience is something we all have to varying degrees.’ It doesn’t mean you don’t get down about things; it means you experience your feelings fully, do what you need to do to cope (without relying on unhealthy mechanisms such as drinking to excess), and come out the other side.
Source : Healthy-Megazine
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Tips For Bike In Amsterdam
Biking in Amsterdam is a quintessentially Dutch experience and by far the most popular (and most efficient) form of getting around. But Amsterdam's frenzied flow of traffic and confusing streets can intimidate visitors on two wheels. Before you hop on your cruiser, read these tips for keeping you and your bike safe.
1) Know Where to Ride
Amsterdam's 400 km (249 miles) of bike lanes and paths
(fietspaden) make city cycling safe. Use them. They usually run along the right sides of streets (some two-way lanes are on one side only) and typically feature white lines and bike symbols painted on the road or reddish-colored path.
Amsterdam traffic uses the right side of the road -- this includes bikes. Some streets (many in the historic center and along canals) don't have bike lanes at all. Here, just ride with traffic, or stay to the right to let motorists pass. Large cars and trucks will usually follow behind you.
2) See the Signs
Amsterdam has many signs and signals designed especially for cyclists. Some important ones include:
Bike Traffic Lights: These lights shine red, yellow and green in the shape of a bicycle at most major intersections. Obey them. Trams and other traffic have their own lights that don't always correspond. When a bike light doesn't exist, use the traffic lights meant for cars.
Designated Bike Path/Route: A round sign with a blue background and white bicycle indicates a bike lane or route.
Bikes/Scooters Excepted: A sign with the word uitgezonderd ("except") and bike/scooter symbols means that bikers are the exception to the otherwise posted traffic rule. For example, a round, red sign with a white dash means no entry. Bikers are allowed entry if the white, rectangular uitgezonderd sign is also present.
3) Give Right of Way
Always give right of way to trams, from any direction. Listen for the distinctive clanging of their bells.
The rule for all other vehicles and bikes: give right of way to traffic approaching from the right. So, traffic coming from your left should give you the right of way. Taxis and buses often push the limits on this rule, so err on the side of caution when they approach.
4) Forget the 'When in Rome...' Adage
Local Amsterdam bikers tend to ignore red lights. They tote friends on the backs of their bikes. They ride on the sidewalks. They zip past fellow bikers without warning. They don't use lights at night (which is required by law). They chat on phones while weaving through crowds. They're not to be mimicked!
5) Use Your Hands
Use hand signals when changing course. Just point in the direction you want to go. Doing this will let motorists and other bikers know to yield or not to pass you on that side.
When in doubt at intersections, dismount. There's nothing wrong with getting off the bike and walking it through busy areas (see tip no. 9).
6) Don't Get Stuck in a Rut
Steer clear of tram tracks, which are just the right size to swallow bike tires. If you must cross the tracks (and you will have to at some point), do so at a sharp angle.
Try using suggested bike routes (see tip no. 10), many of which are tram-free.
7) Be a Defensive Biker
You may know the road rules, but that doesn't mean everyone does. The most abundant obstacles you'll encounter on a bike are pedestrian tourists. They unknowingly walk in bike lanes and cross streets without looking. Watch for them and and use your bell to get their attention.
Much to my dismay, scooters are always in and out of the bike lanes. They speed by, scaring the you-know-what out of cyclists. When you hear them coming with their piercingly loud exhaust systems, stay to the right and let them by.
8) Lock it When You Leave It
Never leave a bike unlocked, not even for a minute. Bike theft in Amsterdam is a problem, but it can be avoided.
Lock your bike to a permanent structure (a bike rack, pole or bridge) with a heavy chain or U-lock. Always put the lock through the frame and the front wheel. Also lock the brilliant little device that immobilizes the back wheel (most rental shops provide both).
Look for signs that say Hier geen fietsen plaatsen ("Do not place bicycles here"). If you ignore them, your bike could be confiscated.
9) Keep It Movin' and Clear the Way
Try to keep pace with fellow bikers. You may ride two abreast, as long as your pace doesn't hold up traffic.
Never come to a complete stop in the bike lane or on the street. When walking with your bike, do so on sidewalks or pedestrian areas.
10) Use a Map
Not all Amsterdam streets are meant for cyclists, so "winging it" without a route plan can be inefficient and dangerous. Use a map.
Most rental shops have basic city maps/routes, but these are a bit limited. I highly recommend the € 4 Amsterdam op de fiets ("Amsterdam on the bike") map, available at Amsterdam Tourist Offices. It shows suggested bike routes, areas closed to cyclists, bike repair shops (important for flats), tram lines and even museums and popular attractions. It covers all of Amsterdam, from northern islands to southern suburbs.
1) Know Where to Ride
Amsterdam's 400 km (249 miles) of bike lanes and paths
(fietspaden) make city cycling safe. Use them. They usually run along the right sides of streets (some two-way lanes are on one side only) and typically feature white lines and bike symbols painted on the road or reddish-colored path.
Amsterdam traffic uses the right side of the road -- this includes bikes. Some streets (many in the historic center and along canals) don't have bike lanes at all. Here, just ride with traffic, or stay to the right to let motorists pass. Large cars and trucks will usually follow behind you.
2) See the Signs
Amsterdam has many signs and signals designed especially for cyclists. Some important ones include:
Bike Traffic Lights: These lights shine red, yellow and green in the shape of a bicycle at most major intersections. Obey them. Trams and other traffic have their own lights that don't always correspond. When a bike light doesn't exist, use the traffic lights meant for cars.
Designated Bike Path/Route: A round sign with a blue background and white bicycle indicates a bike lane or route.
Bikes/Scooters Excepted: A sign with the word uitgezonderd ("except") and bike/scooter symbols means that bikers are the exception to the otherwise posted traffic rule. For example, a round, red sign with a white dash means no entry. Bikers are allowed entry if the white, rectangular uitgezonderd sign is also present.
3) Give Right of Way
Always give right of way to trams, from any direction. Listen for the distinctive clanging of their bells.
The rule for all other vehicles and bikes: give right of way to traffic approaching from the right. So, traffic coming from your left should give you the right of way. Taxis and buses often push the limits on this rule, so err on the side of caution when they approach.
4) Forget the 'When in Rome...' Adage
Local Amsterdam bikers tend to ignore red lights. They tote friends on the backs of their bikes. They ride on the sidewalks. They zip past fellow bikers without warning. They don't use lights at night (which is required by law). They chat on phones while weaving through crowds. They're not to be mimicked!
5) Use Your Hands
Use hand signals when changing course. Just point in the direction you want to go. Doing this will let motorists and other bikers know to yield or not to pass you on that side.
When in doubt at intersections, dismount. There's nothing wrong with getting off the bike and walking it through busy areas (see tip no. 9).
6) Don't Get Stuck in a Rut
Steer clear of tram tracks, which are just the right size to swallow bike tires. If you must cross the tracks (and you will have to at some point), do so at a sharp angle.
Try using suggested bike routes (see tip no. 10), many of which are tram-free.
7) Be a Defensive Biker
You may know the road rules, but that doesn't mean everyone does. The most abundant obstacles you'll encounter on a bike are pedestrian tourists. They unknowingly walk in bike lanes and cross streets without looking. Watch for them and and use your bell to get their attention.
Much to my dismay, scooters are always in and out of the bike lanes. They speed by, scaring the you-know-what out of cyclists. When you hear them coming with their piercingly loud exhaust systems, stay to the right and let them by.
8) Lock it When You Leave It
Never leave a bike unlocked, not even for a minute. Bike theft in Amsterdam is a problem, but it can be avoided.
Lock your bike to a permanent structure (a bike rack, pole or bridge) with a heavy chain or U-lock. Always put the lock through the frame and the front wheel. Also lock the brilliant little device that immobilizes the back wheel (most rental shops provide both).
Look for signs that say Hier geen fietsen plaatsen ("Do not place bicycles here"). If you ignore them, your bike could be confiscated.
9) Keep It Movin' and Clear the Way
Try to keep pace with fellow bikers. You may ride two abreast, as long as your pace doesn't hold up traffic.
Never come to a complete stop in the bike lane or on the street. When walking with your bike, do so on sidewalks or pedestrian areas.
10) Use a Map
Not all Amsterdam streets are meant for cyclists, so "winging it" without a route plan can be inefficient and dangerous. Use a map.
Most rental shops have basic city maps/routes, but these are a bit limited. I highly recommend the € 4 Amsterdam op de fiets ("Amsterdam on the bike") map, available at Amsterdam Tourist Offices. It shows suggested bike routes, areas closed to cyclists, bike repair shops (important for flats), tram lines and even museums and popular attractions. It covers all of Amsterdam, from northern islands to southern suburbs.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Special Tips To Proctect Your Computer
What is Computer Hacking?
Computer hacking is a malicious act, so it is important for your computer and data to protect from Hacking. Computer Hacking refers to the process of making malicious modifications to a software or hardware to accomplish an aim outside the original creator's objective. Hackers are usually expert programmers who usually see hacking as a real life application of their skills.
Hacking has become a nuisance in recent times and the protection from hacking has become more complex. Infact, the hackers have become so good that even the software giants are feeling a headache. Nintendo recently reported a loss of $975 million due to privacy and Microsoft has lost an estimated $900 million in five years.
Well, the Giants are not the only targets of these hackers, even common individuals are not safe. The dangers range from little thefts to sponsored terrorism. These include stealing personal information and spying your activities. They can get to your secrets and destroy your credit. The dangers are possibly endless.
How to protect from Hacking
Prevention is Better Than Cure. The problem of computer hacking has become really serious. But there are some basic methods which are usually the best to guarantee a Hacker-free system. Here, I am going to introduce some basic tips to save your computer and data from hackers.
Using Antivirus Software
Antivirus software are one of the basic tools for your data and computer to protect from hacking. Antivirus software act as a protecting net that catches any potential threat before it reaches your system. They can prevent unauthorized access to your computer, protects your system from viruses and cloaks your data ports from intruders searching for any opening.
Nowadays anti virus software are completely automated. Go for the best when choosing anti virus software and make sure that you scan your system for viruses atleast once a week. Norton antivirus from Symantec is one of the leading products in the industry. Avast is another great antivirus tool to protect from hacking.
Using Firewall
What is a Firewall?
A firewall is a set of programs located at the network gateway server which protects a private network from unauthorized access from other networks. The term firewall is originally referred to a wall intended to confine a fire.
A firewall protects your computer from offensive websites and potential hackers. It keeps your data and information safe from unwanted intruders. Firewalls are designed to prevent unauthorized access to your network, much like a locked door.Thus firewall is a vital tool for your strategy against hackers so don't forget to set up one for your system. Microsoft has a built-in firewall software but you can also try the Symantec firewall.
Using Anti Spyware Software
What is a Spyware?
A spyware is a self installing software which secretly gathers information about a person's computing activities such as surfing habits and viewed sites. Spywares are truly a hacker's tool, not only collecting personal information but also interfering with user control by installing additional software and redirecting web browsers.
Anti spyware software are designed to save your computer from hackers. They not only protect your computer by detection and removal of spywares but also preventing automatic installation of these malicious programs. Spysweeper is a great anti spyware software to guarantee a spyware free computer.
Email Security
Email is one of the leading hacker's tools. Hackers use emails to transmit malicious software to your computer. Emails are usually very cheap which gives the hackers loads of opportunities. One of the basic tips to prevent hacking is to be extra careful with emails. The most important tip is that you should never hand out your real email address to a stranger. Never open an email arriving from an unknown source and never try to open an attachment with an email if you don't know the sender. Avira antivirus is a useful tool to filter your emails for potential threats as well as provide premium protection for your computer.
Software updates
Hackers are always searching for security gaps in your system. Anti virus and anti spyware software usually lose their effectiveness with time as new and more advanced malicious programs are created by hackers.
Its important to go for the latest security software in the market to guarantee maximum security from threats. Make sure you frequently check out for software updates or set your software to update automatically.
Internet Security
Being extra careful while surfing is the best way to protect your computer from hackers. Simple precautions can mean the difference between a secure and vulnerable system. A great way to save yourself from hackers is to avoid visiting hacker controlled sites usually committed to porn, free downloads and online gaming. Also be extra careful while downloading something from an unknown source. Never ignore a security warning about a site. Its better to be safe than sorry.
Educate Yourself
When working for an offensive against hackers, the most important step is to educate yourself. Hacking is a dynamic topic with developments arising every moment. Hackers are intelligent and innovative and you should be prepared for it.
Computers are vulnerable. No matter what you do, its impossible to be 100% save. Important data like personal detail and credit card information should never be saved directly on a computer. A password protector is a great way to protect this data.
Another great way to secure your computer is to use a password on your computer. Well, it can't really save you if your computer gets stolen (in case of a laptop) but can save you from unauthorized people who can reach to your computer.
Windows update
Microsoft Windows is the best OS which comes with almost all the tools to protect you and your computer from hacking. To make the most of this, it is important to keep your windows updated. An easy way to do this is by checking for updates at Microsoft Windows Update. You can also set your windows security software to check for updates automatically so you don't miss anything.
Conclusion
Hacking is a developing topic but basics are always the most effective to protect you and your precious resources from hacking. Follow these easy tips to protect from hacking, your data, your computer and your personal information. If you have any questions than feel free to ask by in comments below.
Computer hacking is a malicious act, so it is important for your computer and data to protect from Hacking. Computer Hacking refers to the process of making malicious modifications to a software or hardware to accomplish an aim outside the original creator's objective. Hackers are usually expert programmers who usually see hacking as a real life application of their skills.
Hacking has become a nuisance in recent times and the protection from hacking has become more complex. Infact, the hackers have become so good that even the software giants are feeling a headache. Nintendo recently reported a loss of $975 million due to privacy and Microsoft has lost an estimated $900 million in five years.
Well, the Giants are not the only targets of these hackers, even common individuals are not safe. The dangers range from little thefts to sponsored terrorism. These include stealing personal information and spying your activities. They can get to your secrets and destroy your credit. The dangers are possibly endless.
How to protect from Hacking
Prevention is Better Than Cure. The problem of computer hacking has become really serious. But there are some basic methods which are usually the best to guarantee a Hacker-free system. Here, I am going to introduce some basic tips to save your computer and data from hackers.
Using Antivirus Software
Antivirus software are one of the basic tools for your data and computer to protect from hacking. Antivirus software act as a protecting net that catches any potential threat before it reaches your system. They can prevent unauthorized access to your computer, protects your system from viruses and cloaks your data ports from intruders searching for any opening.
Nowadays anti virus software are completely automated. Go for the best when choosing anti virus software and make sure that you scan your system for viruses atleast once a week. Norton antivirus from Symantec is one of the leading products in the industry. Avast is another great antivirus tool to protect from hacking.
Using Firewall
What is a Firewall?
A firewall is a set of programs located at the network gateway server which protects a private network from unauthorized access from other networks. The term firewall is originally referred to a wall intended to confine a fire.
A firewall protects your computer from offensive websites and potential hackers. It keeps your data and information safe from unwanted intruders. Firewalls are designed to prevent unauthorized access to your network, much like a locked door.Thus firewall is a vital tool for your strategy against hackers so don't forget to set up one for your system. Microsoft has a built-in firewall software but you can also try the Symantec firewall.
Using Anti Spyware Software
What is a Spyware?
A spyware is a self installing software which secretly gathers information about a person's computing activities such as surfing habits and viewed sites. Spywares are truly a hacker's tool, not only collecting personal information but also interfering with user control by installing additional software and redirecting web browsers.
Anti spyware software are designed to save your computer from hackers. They not only protect your computer by detection and removal of spywares but also preventing automatic installation of these malicious programs. Spysweeper is a great anti spyware software to guarantee a spyware free computer.
Email Security
Email is one of the leading hacker's tools. Hackers use emails to transmit malicious software to your computer. Emails are usually very cheap which gives the hackers loads of opportunities. One of the basic tips to prevent hacking is to be extra careful with emails. The most important tip is that you should never hand out your real email address to a stranger. Never open an email arriving from an unknown source and never try to open an attachment with an email if you don't know the sender. Avira antivirus is a useful tool to filter your emails for potential threats as well as provide premium protection for your computer.
Software updates
Hackers are always searching for security gaps in your system. Anti virus and anti spyware software usually lose their effectiveness with time as new and more advanced malicious programs are created by hackers.
Its important to go for the latest security software in the market to guarantee maximum security from threats. Make sure you frequently check out for software updates or set your software to update automatically.
Internet Security
Being extra careful while surfing is the best way to protect your computer from hackers. Simple precautions can mean the difference between a secure and vulnerable system. A great way to save yourself from hackers is to avoid visiting hacker controlled sites usually committed to porn, free downloads and online gaming. Also be extra careful while downloading something from an unknown source. Never ignore a security warning about a site. Its better to be safe than sorry.
Educate Yourself
When working for an offensive against hackers, the most important step is to educate yourself. Hacking is a dynamic topic with developments arising every moment. Hackers are intelligent and innovative and you should be prepared for it.
Computers are vulnerable. No matter what you do, its impossible to be 100% save. Important data like personal detail and credit card information should never be saved directly on a computer. A password protector is a great way to protect this data.
Another great way to secure your computer is to use a password on your computer. Well, it can't really save you if your computer gets stolen (in case of a laptop) but can save you from unauthorized people who can reach to your computer.
Windows update
Microsoft Windows is the best OS which comes with almost all the tools to protect you and your computer from hacking. To make the most of this, it is important to keep your windows updated. An easy way to do this is by checking for updates at Microsoft Windows Update. You can also set your windows security software to check for updates automatically so you don't miss anything.
Conclusion
Hacking is a developing topic but basics are always the most effective to protect you and your precious resources from hacking. Follow these easy tips to protect from hacking, your data, your computer and your personal information. If you have any questions than feel free to ask by in comments below.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
How To Check someone Position
Instructions
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- Look. The first thing you will want to do when trying to trace someone is to start simple and look in the yellow or white pages. Look through last names, married and maiden names, and any aliases that you may have on the person.
- Use the Internet. Try tracing someone by using the Internet. If you have a home phone number of the person you are trying to find, you can do a reverse phone look-up on www.reversephonedirectory.com. Simply type in the phone number you have and you may find an address of the person it is listed to. This can also work for cell phone numbers, as well.
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- Use social networking sites to trace someone, such as MySpace or Facebook. Each website has a way to type in a person's real name and, if they have listed themselves under that name, you can find their page. This is a good method to use because you can usually see pictures of the person and personal information about them. However, if they have chosen to sign up using a different name, you may not find them.
- Use Google or a different search engine to try and trace someone. Simply type in their name and hit search, and you may pull up information on them. This may include any articles they happened to be in, and police reports or accidents, or even simply an address.
- trace the address. If the person you are trying to trace has sent you an email, you can trace the IP address at www.whois.net. This may give you insight as to where they are emailing from.
- Trace someone by going to your local public records office. These are usually located within your city's courthouse. For a fee, you can usually search information on a person including last known address, marriages and divorces, owned property, phone numbers and more.
- Use the website www.abika.com to try and trace a person. This website gives you many options for finding forwarding addresses for people, utility bills, marriages and much more. Many services will require a fee, so be sure to remember that when you need to find someone.
- Read more: How to Trace Someone | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_4425987_trace-someone.html#ixzz1xwN1mgtQ
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Safety Tips: Holiday Shopping / Safety Shopping
Shopping during the holiday season can present unique danger. Taking a few prevention measures can help keep your holiday season joyous.
The holiday season is a time when busy people can become careless and vulnerable to theft and other holiday crime. The following tips from the Los Angeles Police Department Crime Prevention Section can help you be more careful, prepared and aware during the holiday season.
Source: LAPD Crime Prevention Section
The holiday season is a time when busy people can become careless and vulnerable to theft and other holiday crime. The following tips from the Los Angeles Police Department Crime Prevention Section can help you be more careful, prepared and aware during the holiday season.
- Shop during daylight hours whenever possible. If you must shop at night, go with a friend or family member.
- Dress casually and comfortably.
- Avoid wearing expensive jewelry.
- Do not carry a purse or wallet, if possible.
- Always carry your driver's license or identification along with necessary cash, checks and/or a credit card you expect to use.
- Even though you are rushed and thinking about a thousand things, stay alert to your surroundings.
- Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
- Pay for purchases with a check or credit card when possible.
- Keep cash in your front pocket.
- Notify the credit card issuer immediately if your credit card is lost, stolen or misused.
- Keep a record of all of your credit card numbers in a safe place at home.
- Be extra careful if you do carry a wallet or purse. They are the prime targets of criminals in crowded shopping areas, transportation terminals, bus stops, on buses and other rapid transit.
- Avoid overloading yourself with packages. It is important to have clear visibility and freedom of motion to avoid mishaps.
- Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason. At this time of year, con-artists may try various methods of distracting you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.
Source: LAPD Crime Prevention Section
Safety Tips: Car Seat Safety For Baby And Child /Seo Safety
We all know that the roads are a hazardous place for children (and grown ups, for that matter) but how much attention do you pay to what's going on in your car?
In 2004, 24 children aged 0-11 were killed and 372 seriously injured while travelling in a car. The largest group within this were the 0-4's of whom 15 were killed. Another 2,077 were slightly injured in cars, and yet the number of products on the market for in-car safety is mind boggling, as are the strict standards that car seats must meet.
Despite this array of products, a survey conducted by the Transport Research Laboratory in 2004 showed that 5% of 0-4 year olds were not restrained in any way in the rear of cars.
Police Spot Checks As of 2006, it is now illegal for any child under the age of 12, or less than 135cm tall, to travel in a car without a booster seat. Since the new laws came into force, Police have been carrying out spot checks on children in cars and if they are not securely fitted following the legal guidelines, the driver can be given an on the spot fixed penalty fine of £30 with a maximum fine of £500.
Where do they carry out these checks? Outside schools. The morning and afternoon school runs are perhaps unsurprisingly the peak times for injury to children in cars. Often parents are parked illegally for a start so the element of rush and 'just get in, will you' creeps in.
For more details of the new laws regarding child car seats, please check out the article aboutNew Car Seat Laws for 2006 on our sister site www.safekids.co.uk.
You can protect your children by using a properly fitted, purpose made child car seat which meets the current safety standards and is appropriate for your child's weight and height. Try before you buy and get a trained professional to demonstrate how to fit the seat. Most of the large motoring accessory outlets like Halfords have trained fitters. Related on Safe Travel...
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When fitting a child car seat in your car, always follow the manufacturer's instructions thoroughly and allow plenty of time; it isn't always a quick process and you will find yourself climbing all over the car, but it is worth it to have a securely fitted seat. The same applies when it comes to strapping your baby or child into the seat - make sure you check the straps and that the seatbelt locks when you give it a jerk.
Remember to make sure your child car seat is properly fitted every time you use it. Seat belts and straps have a habit of loosening when a child has been wriggling around in it for several journeys. Always keep a copy of the fitting instructions in your car.
Which Seat and When? Child seats are designed for various weights of child. As a general guide:
Baby seats are for babies weighing up to 13kgs (birth to 9-12 months) or until they can support their own head. They face backwards and are fitted into the front or rear of the car with a seat belt. They should never be used in the front where the front seat is protected with a frontal airbag.
Child car seats are for children weighing between 9 and 18 kgs (aged nine months to about four years) and have their own straps. They face forwards and are usually fitted in the back seat of a car with a seat belt.
Booster seats are for children weighing 15 to 25kgs and up to 135cm in height (aged about 4-11). They are designed to raise them so they can use an adult seat belt safely across both their chest and hips.
Booster cushions are for children 22kg (3st 6lb). These are similar to booster seats, in that they raise the child up enough so that they can use an adult seatbelts safely.
Also, try not to get distracted by your children in a car. Many on-road accidents involving women are caused because they were turning round to talk to children who were playing up. If things get out of control in the car, find somewhere safe to pull over and deal with it.
Try and limit toys to non-missiles i.e. things that can't easily be thrown at you and ideally, put them in a bag and if they need distracting, put the radio on.
What if my child is travelling in another car? Then take the seat you use out of your car and fit it into their car - properly. Don't be tempted to rush or not bother, even if it is a short journey.
By law, you have to wear a seat belt if one is fitted. Children under 12 are not allowed to sit in the front seat unless they are properly restrained and using the correct child booster seat. Children over the age of 12 (or taller than 135cm or 4ft 5in) can only do so if wearing an adult seatbelt.
To learn more about the new laws - see our article New Car Seat Laws for 2006 Never place a rear-facing seat near an active frontal airbag. Forward-facing restraints should be as far back from the airbag as possible. Always check the car handbook.
Never modify a child car seat or seat belt to try to make it fit. Check the advice in your car handbook and the advice from the child seat manufacturer. If in doubt call the manufacturer's helpline or speak to your local Road Safety Officer.
Lap and diagonal belts are safer than lap-only belts.
safety: Train Travel /safety google community
A lot of people criticise train travel, and say it's not what it used to be. But it can still be a fast, often inexpensive form of transport, not only between cities, but between countries. Like anything else, though, you need to think a little to keep yourself safe in the station and on the train. However, by putting a few simple rules into practice, you can ensure a pleasant, trouble-free journey.
At The Station
Pay attention to the timetables. They can often change without warning, and trains can be delayed. Stay on the main concourse or in the waiting room until it is close to the time for your train. Not only will it be warmer than a draughty platform, with more people around, it'll be safer. Try never to be alone on a platform, especially at night. These days all stations are equipped with CCTV, but it's better not to take chances. Keep your luggage with you at all times in the station. That might seem obvious, but all too often people walk away to check something, return and find their belongings stolen. All your important papers and cash should be kept on you, and should be secure. A wallet in a back pocket can quickly become a pickpocket's target. Women should make sure their handbags are closed or zipped, and if the strap allows, carry them across your body. Finally, if you see unattended luggage, or anything that might seem suspicious, report it immediately.
On The Train
Most trains these days feature extended coaches. Sit in one where there are other people (likewise, if your train has compartments, don't sit alone). Whenever possible, stow your luggage on the rack above your seat, where you can keep it close. If your case is too big, use the luggage rack at the end of the coach, but first remove anything important or valuable.
Never try and open the outside doors when the train is moving. That's especially true if you're travelling with children. Don't allow them to wander unaccompanied on the train at any time, even to the buffet cart. If you leave your seat for any reason, always take all your valuables with you. Taking every piece of luggage if you need the toilet might be impractical, but at least you can safeguard the really important items. The advice about pickpockets is just as valid on board, too; don't assume you're safe once the train starts moving. Safeguard purses and wallets at all times. That's especially true if you're crossing international borders where you'll have to present your passport. Also, make sure your ticket is readily accessible. There's nothing worse than having to dig through everything when the conductor arrives!
Leaving
Be sure you take everything with you. Be particularly careful when alighting from the train, especially if you have a large piece of luggage; the step down can be awkward and dangerous, especially for the elderly. Outside the station, be aware of your surroundings, especially at night. Walk on busy, well-lit streets. If you're being met, wait in an area with good lighting and plenty of people. Taxi ranks can always be found directly outside the station. Always use one from there, a proper licensed vehicle rather than a minicab, whose fares could turn out be a nasty, expensive surprise.
At The Station
Pay attention to the timetables. They can often change without warning, and trains can be delayed. Stay on the main concourse or in the waiting room until it is close to the time for your train. Not only will it be warmer than a draughty platform, with more people around, it'll be safer. Try never to be alone on a platform, especially at night. These days all stations are equipped with CCTV, but it's better not to take chances. Keep your luggage with you at all times in the station. That might seem obvious, but all too often people walk away to check something, return and find their belongings stolen. All your important papers and cash should be kept on you, and should be secure. A wallet in a back pocket can quickly become a pickpocket's target. Women should make sure their handbags are closed or zipped, and if the strap allows, carry them across your body. Finally, if you see unattended luggage, or anything that might seem suspicious, report it immediately.
On The Train
Most trains these days feature extended coaches. Sit in one where there are other people (likewise, if your train has compartments, don't sit alone). Whenever possible, stow your luggage on the rack above your seat, where you can keep it close. If your case is too big, use the luggage rack at the end of the coach, but first remove anything important or valuable.
Never try and open the outside doors when the train is moving. That's especially true if you're travelling with children. Don't allow them to wander unaccompanied on the train at any time, even to the buffet cart. If you leave your seat for any reason, always take all your valuables with you. Taking every piece of luggage if you need the toilet might be impractical, but at least you can safeguard the really important items. The advice about pickpockets is just as valid on board, too; don't assume you're safe once the train starts moving. Safeguard purses and wallets at all times. That's especially true if you're crossing international borders where you'll have to present your passport. Also, make sure your ticket is readily accessible. There's nothing worse than having to dig through everything when the conductor arrives!
Leaving
Be sure you take everything with you. Be particularly careful when alighting from the train, especially if you have a large piece of luggage; the step down can be awkward and dangerous, especially for the elderly. Outside the station, be aware of your surroundings, especially at night. Walk on busy, well-lit streets. If you're being met, wait in an area with good lighting and plenty of people. Taxi ranks can always be found directly outside the station. Always use one from there, a proper licensed vehicle rather than a minicab, whose fares could turn out be a nasty, expensive surprise.
Air Travel During Pregnancy
Air travel is usually considered safe during a pregnancy up until about the eight month or 32 weeks. This is just a generalisation however, and pregnant women should always speak to their health professionals prior to flying in order to find out if they have any specific restrictions. During the boarding process, take advantage of pre-boarding procedures and during the flight do some basic “exercise” to promote circulation and make sure you stay hydrated.
Speaking With A Health Professional
Take Advantage of Pre-Boarding
Many airlines offer several minutes of “pre-boarding” prior to a flight and invite those travelling with small children or with limited mobility to take advantage of this less hectic time to find their seats. Pregnant women who find their mobility impeded (particularly in the second half of a pregnancy) may want to take advantage of this time. Not only will you feel less rushed, but with fewer people around there is also less risk of being jostled or involved in an accident.
Exercises To Promote Circulation
When flying during pregnancy, take great care to “exercise” and promote circulation. There is a risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) so keeping your feet and hands moving and get up every 30 minutes or so to walk around the cabin (when allowed), flexing the feet, circling the ankles and bending from the knees .
Stay Hydrated
Dehydration often leads to fatigue. Since many pregnant women find themselves fatigued anyway, staying hydrated during a flight is imperative to fight against the dehydrating effects of a low humidity plane cabin. Water is the best option for pregnant women while flying and should be consumed throughout the duration of the flight, not just with meals. Fruit juices and teas may also help hydrate, though sugary soft drinks should be avoided.
Follow General Safety Procedures
Like all other passengers, pregnant women should follow the general airline safety procedures to ensure a safe and comfortable flight. Wearing a seat belt (under the abdomen) at all times and holding onto seat-backs if standing or walking are two very easy ways to stay safe. Ask a member of cabin crew to lift your bag from the overhead luggage compartment.
Speaking With A Health Professional
- Before flying, pregnant women should speak with their GP or midwife and explain their travel plans. Give details of:
- The length of flight (in hours) How many flights will be taken and how close together
Take Advantage of Pre-Boarding
Many airlines offer several minutes of “pre-boarding” prior to a flight and invite those travelling with small children or with limited mobility to take advantage of this less hectic time to find their seats. Pregnant women who find their mobility impeded (particularly in the second half of a pregnancy) may want to take advantage of this time. Not only will you feel less rushed, but with fewer people around there is also less risk of being jostled or involved in an accident.
Exercises To Promote Circulation
When flying during pregnancy, take great care to “exercise” and promote circulation. There is a risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) so keeping your feet and hands moving and get up every 30 minutes or so to walk around the cabin (when allowed), flexing the feet, circling the ankles and bending from the knees .
Stay Hydrated
Dehydration often leads to fatigue. Since many pregnant women find themselves fatigued anyway, staying hydrated during a flight is imperative to fight against the dehydrating effects of a low humidity plane cabin. Water is the best option for pregnant women while flying and should be consumed throughout the duration of the flight, not just with meals. Fruit juices and teas may also help hydrate, though sugary soft drinks should be avoided.
Follow General Safety Procedures
Like all other passengers, pregnant women should follow the general airline safety procedures to ensure a safe and comfortable flight. Wearing a seat belt (under the abdomen) at all times and holding onto seat-backs if standing or walking are two very easy ways to stay safe. Ask a member of cabin crew to lift your bag from the overhead luggage compartment.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
How to Really Make Money on the Internet With an Amazon.com Affiliate Site
You've probably heard before a lot of hype about how much money you can make with affiliate programs. Maybe you've even set up a site yourself, only to find that after buying the domain, a few bucks a month in hosting, software or a web designer to design your site, etc., that the piddly affiliate fees hardly even covered your cost. Well, here's the hype-free way to really make money with an Amazon.com affiliate site. And it'll only take a day to make the site. The secret? Low cost, low effort.
Here's How:
Here's How:
- If you don't already know it, learn some basic HTML. You have to do this to keep your costs down and still get what you want. Even if the site is basically laid out for you, you're going to need to know how to insert images, create hyperlinks, and do some basic text formatting. Our HTML Guide offers a free 10-week HTML class and a great collection of beginning HTML tutorials. Get over any anxiety you have about this. Just do it. You'll thank me for it later.
- Decide on your topic. You're going to be doing product reviews and recommendations, so pick a topic that you enjoy and know something about. If you can't stay passionate about the topic, that will show, and it also won't hold your interest. Choose a narrow enough niche to be distinctive, e.g., bands from your city, left-handed guitarists, music for a certain kind of dancing, authors of a certain religion, books about arts & crafts, etc.
- Choose your domain name. Make it keyword-rich, not clever. Think how people will find your site in the search engines. Here are some ideas (all available when I first wrote this, though a cfew have been snatched up):Music: BandsFromTexas.com, BandOutOfBoston.com, SouthpawGuitarists.com, ClassicPsychedelia.com, Non-Stop-Hip-Hop.com, Merengue-Music.comBooks: Mormon-Authors.com, Arts-and-Crafts-Books.com, Books-by-Stephen-King.com, ClassicBusinessBooks.com Others: Best-Baby-Toys.com, MomsMags.com, FelliniMovies.com
- Register your domain name. If you're not technically inclined at all, register your domain wherever you set up your hosting in step 5. Otherwise, you can save a few bucks by choosing a lower-cost provider. Not a big deal for one or two sites, but it can be for ten or twenty. I use GoDaddy, who have great domain management tools and are less than $10 a year. The least expensive I've found from a reputable source is 1&1, whose price is around $7 a year last I checked.
- Set up your web hosting. This is where most people get burned. For this kind of site, you do not need $10 a month web hosting! Our Online Business Guide has a list of Cheap Web Hosting for Under $10. Some are as little as $4 a month, with unlimited domains, i.e., you can run several sites like this on the same hosting package.
- Install blog software. "Blog, you say?" Yes. It will give your site all the structure you need, plus make it easy to quickly post new content. My pick is WordPress, which is open source (i.e., free), easy to install and use, and yet very powerful. Many hosts have a one-step installation process for it, or you can download it and follow their installation instructions.
- Make it pretty. One of the great things about WordPress is the huge variety of templates available for it -- they can completely change the look-and-feel. Our Weblogs Guide has a list of 5 Sites for Free Wordpress Themes, where you can find hundreds of free WordPress themes.
- Set up categories. Most blog software allows you to create sub-categories to help organize your entries. This will help visitors narrow in even more specifically on their interests. For example, BandsFromTexas.com might have one group of categories for genre — rock, country, blues, etc. — and another for city of origin — Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, etc.
- Sign up as an Amazon Associate. It's simple and free. Just visit Amazon and click on the Join Associates link at the bottom of the page (here's a direct link for your convenience). Your site should already have at least the basic setup done, even if you don't have any content there yet, as they'll review the site manually before approval.
- Create your blog posting bookmarks/links. There are two links that are going to be essential for you to make this easy. First is the blog posting link. In your blog software, on the posting page (see their instructions), at the bottom of the page there should be a "bookmarklet". Click on the link (and hold the mouse) and drag it up to your Links toolbar in your browser (assuming Internet Explorer), or your Favorites menu. This will allow you to blog a product with one mouse click.
- Create your Amazon Build-A-Link bookmark/link. This will make it easy to build the link with your affiliate ID built in. Log in to Associates Central, look in the left navigation sidebar, go to Build-A-Link, and under Static Links, find Individual Items. Click and drag this onto your Links toolbar or Favorites menu.
- Build your first link. Go to Amazon and log in with your Associates account. Find the product you want to review and use the Site Stripe (gray stripe at the top of the screen that you'll see when logged in as an Associate) to get your personalized link to the item. They also offer a variety of other options for creating links and banners.
- Blog your review. Now click on your blog posting link (Press It! by default in WordPress). If you're using WordPress, you should now see two pieces of link code in your posting form, the first one ending with "Associates Build-A-Link >< /a >". Delete through that point. The second part is a link to the product with your Amazon Associate ID built in. Now just write your product review, choose the appropriate categories for it, and hit Publish.
- Build out your site. Before you promote your site, you want to have some substantial content there. Write several product reviews. Have at least 2-3 in each category you've created. You may also want to make a categories for articles, news, and commentary about your topic. The more content your site has, the better. And the great thing is that while you're writing all this, the search engines are getting notified automatically, assuming you turned on the notifications mentioned in step 6.
- Promote your site. The best free way to do this is to communicate with other bloggers writing about similar topics, and to participate in online communities where your topic is discussed. See the Online Business Networking category for ideas, as well as the Internet Marketing category.
- You have to learn some basic HTML and basic concepts about running a web site. It's just not that hard. If you have to rely on purchased software, you won't be able to get exactly what you want, you won't know what to do when things go wrong, and you'll end up spending money you don't need to. Spend the time to learn it. It will be well worth the investment.
- I slightly recommend music over books and other products, mainly because you can listen to the clips of an entire album in about 10 minutes and get a good enough feel for it (without buying it) to do a short review. If you have another topic that you're passionate about, great, but make sure you have a unique angle on the topic. People can get reviews about a lot of those consumer products anywhere. You need to give them a reason to come to your site.
- To pick up some extra pennies, sign up for Google AdSense. It probably won't generate a lot of revenue, but it's free to sign up and completely effortless to maintain.
- Set reasonable expectations for earnings. You've only invested $20. You're going to make 5% on most products. That means that you need to sell $400 worth of stuff to make back your investment. To make $20 an hour, what you write must generate $400 worth of purchases. You get credit for other purchases customers you send make while at Amazon besides just the product you linked to, so it's not as hard as it may sound. It won't make you rich, but it's not hard to be profitable, and it builds over time.
Making the Internet and Ecommerce Work for Your Craft Business
If you’ve ever gotten together with a group of crafters discussing ecommerce, you probably found that the verdict was evenly split on the topic of its worth. In my experience, about half will think it’s the best thing since sliced bread while the other half find it too much of a hassle to coordinate the ordering, payment and shipping procedures. Even if you don’t want to sell your crafts online, a website is a fantastic way to market your crafts by providing potential customers with more information about your company.
1. Is Your Craft Suitable for Ecommerce?
I really don’t see this as being too much of a problem. Live plants, furniture, cut flowers, expensive jewelry, firearms, frozen groceries are all available for purchase via the Internet. From tiny to huge, there seems to be a shipping option for just about any product.
The only way I could anticipate ecommerce being a problem for your craft business is if you have some sort of health or safety issue involved. How likely is this with a craft type business? Well, I can’t think of an example.
Not interested in ecommerce? You still should have an informational website listing dates and locations for craft shows or retail shops that carry your product so your customers can find you.
2. Set up an Internet Presence
It’s very easy to get your company up and running on the internet. Some possibilites I recommend are using What You See is What You Get (WYSIWYG) software such as Microsoft FrontPage or Adobe Dreamweaver, hire a website designer for a truly custom look or signing up for third party marketing through sites such as eBay or Yahoo stores.
3. Etsy
If you’re involved in arts or crafts, you’ve more than likely heard of Etsy.com, an online venue for buying and selling handcrafted products. Like any online presence, maintaining an Etsy shop takes work. Curious about Etsy? Thinking it may be a good compliment to the way you’re marketing your craft business at present? Check out my brief Etsy tutorials.
4. ArtFire.com
Find out about ArtFire.com, a inexpensive way to market your arts / crafts online. ArtFire offers both a free Basic plan and a Verified plan costing $12 per month with no listing fees or commissions.Thinking ArtFire.com may be a good compliment to the way you’re marketing your craft business at present? Check out my brief ArtFire tutorials.
5. Tailor Pages to Your Website
Depending if you have an ecommerce website or an informational only website there are standard pages that you should include. I wasn’t quite sure what pages to include as part of a well-written site and what was fluff when I started out, so I used various websites that I liked as guides.
If you have an ecommerce site don't skip having a Policy page. This page gives your customer the full scoop on your return, shipping and other company policies so there’s no confusion about the terms of the sale. An informed customer is a happy customer, give them a lot of info so there are no surprises regarding the order.
6. Web Images Have to be Perfect
I just can’t emphasize this enough. Your images must look flawless. I mean, really, do you order from a website if the product image doesn’t look good? Well, you may if you’re buying groceries or computer parts. But you’re selling crafts, which is reaching a totally different audience. Your customer is going to need a killer image to give them that final push to click on the ‘Add to Cart’ button.
A stellar product image goes a long way toward reinforcing customer confidence in your product. This translates into sales. If your site is for informational purposes only, you still need great images to attract customers to your craft shows. Good images can save you money too since the website can replace a costly print catalog.
7. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
You can have a fantastic website, with stellar images and killer product descriptions, but it will do you no good unless people can find it. It’s kind of like a needle in a haystack out there in cyberspace. Increase your chances of potential customers finding you through search engine optimization.
8. Selling Online? You Might Need Shopping Cart Software
If you’re only accepting payment through a service like PayPal, you can relax. You won’t need shopping cart software – PayPal takes care of this for you. However, I have a merchant account in addition to PayPal (it comes in handy for my customers at craft shows).
Have the same situation as me? Check with your merchant account provider to see which shopping cart software works with their system. Also, protect your customers by only using shopping cart software that has Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protection.
9. Shipping Your Customer Orders
Congratulations, you’ve made your first sale online! Now, how are you going to get that order from your business to their house? Investigate the various possibilities (USPS, Federal Express, UPS etc) and see which works best for you. Another shipping issue to consider is if you are going to incorporate the cost of shipping into the cost of the product and offer ‘free’ shipping or if the shipping will be an add-on to the cost of the sale.
10. Should You Monetize Your Craft Web Site?
If you’re not sure what this means, an excellent example are websites that use Google Ad Sense. I don’t recommend monetizing a craft business website. Once you've gotten that elusive potential customer to visit your site, you don't want to distract them with ads for other businesses. Keep your website on its main topic – that of promoting your product.
1. Is Your Craft Suitable for Ecommerce?
I really don’t see this as being too much of a problem. Live plants, furniture, cut flowers, expensive jewelry, firearms, frozen groceries are all available for purchase via the Internet. From tiny to huge, there seems to be a shipping option for just about any product.
The only way I could anticipate ecommerce being a problem for your craft business is if you have some sort of health or safety issue involved. How likely is this with a craft type business? Well, I can’t think of an example.
Not interested in ecommerce? You still should have an informational website listing dates and locations for craft shows or retail shops that carry your product so your customers can find you.
2. Set up an Internet Presence
It’s very easy to get your company up and running on the internet. Some possibilites I recommend are using What You See is What You Get (WYSIWYG) software such as Microsoft FrontPage or Adobe Dreamweaver, hire a website designer for a truly custom look or signing up for third party marketing through sites such as eBay or Yahoo stores.
3. Etsy
If you’re involved in arts or crafts, you’ve more than likely heard of Etsy.com, an online venue for buying and selling handcrafted products. Like any online presence, maintaining an Etsy shop takes work. Curious about Etsy? Thinking it may be a good compliment to the way you’re marketing your craft business at present? Check out my brief Etsy tutorials.
4. ArtFire.com
Find out about ArtFire.com, a inexpensive way to market your arts / crafts online. ArtFire offers both a free Basic plan and a Verified plan costing $12 per month with no listing fees or commissions.Thinking ArtFire.com may be a good compliment to the way you’re marketing your craft business at present? Check out my brief ArtFire tutorials.
5. Tailor Pages to Your Website
Depending if you have an ecommerce website or an informational only website there are standard pages that you should include. I wasn’t quite sure what pages to include as part of a well-written site and what was fluff when I started out, so I used various websites that I liked as guides.
If you have an ecommerce site don't skip having a Policy page. This page gives your customer the full scoop on your return, shipping and other company policies so there’s no confusion about the terms of the sale. An informed customer is a happy customer, give them a lot of info so there are no surprises regarding the order.
6. Web Images Have to be Perfect
I just can’t emphasize this enough. Your images must look flawless. I mean, really, do you order from a website if the product image doesn’t look good? Well, you may if you’re buying groceries or computer parts. But you’re selling crafts, which is reaching a totally different audience. Your customer is going to need a killer image to give them that final push to click on the ‘Add to Cart’ button.
A stellar product image goes a long way toward reinforcing customer confidence in your product. This translates into sales. If your site is for informational purposes only, you still need great images to attract customers to your craft shows. Good images can save you money too since the website can replace a costly print catalog.
7. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
You can have a fantastic website, with stellar images and killer product descriptions, but it will do you no good unless people can find it. It’s kind of like a needle in a haystack out there in cyberspace. Increase your chances of potential customers finding you through search engine optimization.
8. Selling Online? You Might Need Shopping Cart Software
If you’re only accepting payment through a service like PayPal, you can relax. You won’t need shopping cart software – PayPal takes care of this for you. However, I have a merchant account in addition to PayPal (it comes in handy for my customers at craft shows).
Have the same situation as me? Check with your merchant account provider to see which shopping cart software works with their system. Also, protect your customers by only using shopping cart software that has Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protection.
9. Shipping Your Customer Orders
Congratulations, you’ve made your first sale online! Now, how are you going to get that order from your business to their house? Investigate the various possibilities (USPS, Federal Express, UPS etc) and see which works best for you. Another shipping issue to consider is if you are going to incorporate the cost of shipping into the cost of the product and offer ‘free’ shipping or if the shipping will be an add-on to the cost of the sale.
10. Should You Monetize Your Craft Web Site?
If you’re not sure what this means, an excellent example are websites that use Google Ad Sense. I don’t recommend monetizing a craft business website. Once you've gotten that elusive potential customer to visit your site, you don't want to distract them with ads for other businesses. Keep your website on its main topic – that of promoting your product.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Profitable Website
I heard the frustration in the voice on the other end of my phone. “My web site costs me money each month, and yet I don’t make any money from it. I don’t know why it’s such a big deal to have a web site anyway”.
Does this sound like your business? Do have a beautiful website describing your products or services, but you’re not sure what to do from there? Do you pay a web designer large sums of money to make changes every month?
Well, put on your happy cap folks because today I’m going to discuss some of the elements of the most successful and profitable websites out there on the Internet. It’s a widespread myth that the only people making money on the internet are the ones selling products about how to make money on the internet. Profitable websites come from all kinds of industries, all kinds of styles, shapes and colors. There are a few simple low or no cost things that any small business entrepreneur can do immediately to increase their web exposure, drive more traffic to their site, and ultimately make more sales.
Know Your Website Purpose
Before you start to create (or re-create) your website, consider what purpose it serves in your business? A website can be used to sell a product or service exclusively, to give information, as a brochure to attract more business or showcase projects, or even a combination of things. Let’s say, for example, that you sell fishing equipment. Your website might include articles for fishing enthusiasts, tips to catch bigger fish as well as a store for fishing equipment and supplies. This would be an example of a combination site selling multiple related products.
If you are an author selling a book, a simple sales site might serve you well. With a simple sales site, you have only one or two pages to the whole site, featuring the product you wish to sell. The only information on the site might be the letter describing the book, and links to “purchase now”. This is a simple and very effective method for using the internet to produce revenue from your site.
Lead Your Visitor to Action
Have you ever been to someone’s web site, looked at the front page, and left because you were confused? While it may be a common practice to put everything about your company’s product or service on the front page, it’s not a good idea, for exactly the reason I described above. You want your visitors to stay on your site and DO something. For each page on your web site, decide what you want your visitor to do. Should they sign up for a newsletter? Buy a product? Look at the pictures of your work? Make it clear and easy to understand and your visitor will happily tour your website.
Know Your Target Market
It is a common misconception with entrepreneurs that the product or service sold in the business is a good idea for “everyone”. While it may be true that everyone needs the product, not everyone will buy it. Therefore, you must know who you are trying to attract with your web site. Ask yourself these questions to get started:
Capture Visitors’ Names
One of the main reasons to even have a website is to capture the names and/or email addresses of your visitors. In this scenario, a prospect or potential customer visits your site and leaves his or her email address and first name with you. This gives you permission to send the person relevant email about your business, updates or special offers you may have. Maybe you have a new tip for using your product that your customers would want to know. Why not send the tip to both your customers and the people who have visited your site?
So how do you get someone to leave their name? You could offer a newsletter or weekly tips, a free e-course, e-book or special report. Offer a coupon or discount. Make your offer appropriate for the content of your site, and your visitors will gladly leave their email addresses and names. Put them at ease by letting them know that you are not collecting their names to sell to an outside source.
By capturing your visitors’ names, growing your list of email addresses and sending relevant, responsible email to your customers and prospects, you are building a relationship with them. In any business, the relationship is the intangible, powerful force that creates loyal, repeat customers.
Stephanie Frank, founder of the Balanced Wealth Network, specializes in helping others build passive income to enrich their lives. Her current project is “NetProfits:The Complete and Simple System for Online Success”, a system to help entrepreneurs use the Internet as a marketing tool.
Does this sound like your business? Do have a beautiful website describing your products or services, but you’re not sure what to do from there? Do you pay a web designer large sums of money to make changes every month?
Well, put on your happy cap folks because today I’m going to discuss some of the elements of the most successful and profitable websites out there on the Internet. It’s a widespread myth that the only people making money on the internet are the ones selling products about how to make money on the internet. Profitable websites come from all kinds of industries, all kinds of styles, shapes and colors. There are a few simple low or no cost things that any small business entrepreneur can do immediately to increase their web exposure, drive more traffic to their site, and ultimately make more sales.
Know Your Website Purpose
Before you start to create (or re-create) your website, consider what purpose it serves in your business? A website can be used to sell a product or service exclusively, to give information, as a brochure to attract more business or showcase projects, or even a combination of things. Let’s say, for example, that you sell fishing equipment. Your website might include articles for fishing enthusiasts, tips to catch bigger fish as well as a store for fishing equipment and supplies. This would be an example of a combination site selling multiple related products.
If you are an author selling a book, a simple sales site might serve you well. With a simple sales site, you have only one or two pages to the whole site, featuring the product you wish to sell. The only information on the site might be the letter describing the book, and links to “purchase now”. This is a simple and very effective method for using the internet to produce revenue from your site.
Lead Your Visitor to Action
Have you ever been to someone’s web site, looked at the front page, and left because you were confused? While it may be a common practice to put everything about your company’s product or service on the front page, it’s not a good idea, for exactly the reason I described above. You want your visitors to stay on your site and DO something. For each page on your web site, decide what you want your visitor to do. Should they sign up for a newsletter? Buy a product? Look at the pictures of your work? Make it clear and easy to understand and your visitor will happily tour your website.
Know Your Target Market
It is a common misconception with entrepreneurs that the product or service sold in the business is a good idea for “everyone”. While it may be true that everyone needs the product, not everyone will buy it. Therefore, you must know who you are trying to attract with your web site. Ask yourself these questions to get started:
- Are my customers male or female?
- What level of education do they have?
- What age group do they fall into?
- What are their hobbies? Interests?
- What do they read?
- Do they have children?
- What is their level of income?
- What are their biggest problems?
Capture Visitors’ Names
One of the main reasons to even have a website is to capture the names and/or email addresses of your visitors. In this scenario, a prospect or potential customer visits your site and leaves his or her email address and first name with you. This gives you permission to send the person relevant email about your business, updates or special offers you may have. Maybe you have a new tip for using your product that your customers would want to know. Why not send the tip to both your customers and the people who have visited your site?
So how do you get someone to leave their name? You could offer a newsletter or weekly tips, a free e-course, e-book or special report. Offer a coupon or discount. Make your offer appropriate for the content of your site, and your visitors will gladly leave their email addresses and names. Put them at ease by letting them know that you are not collecting their names to sell to an outside source.
By capturing your visitors’ names, growing your list of email addresses and sending relevant, responsible email to your customers and prospects, you are building a relationship with them. In any business, the relationship is the intangible, powerful force that creates loyal, repeat customers.
Stephanie Frank, founder of the Balanced Wealth Network, specializes in helping others build passive income to enrich their lives. Her current project is “NetProfits:The Complete and Simple System for Online Success”, a system to help entrepreneurs use the Internet as a marketing tool.
How To Make Money Online
Making money online used to pretty much require you to have your own Web site, products to sell and some marketing savvy. But a new generation of dot-coms have arisen that will pay you for what you know and who you know without you having to be a web designer or a marketing genius.
But it's hard to tell hype from the real deal. I did a search on "make money online" and "making money online", and much of the information out there is just promoting various infoproducts, mostly about Internet marketing. I see why people sometimes ask, "Is anyone making money online besides Internet marketing experts?"
So I put together a list of business opportunities with legitimate companies that:
Help friends find better jobs.
Sites like ReferEarns, Zyoin, Who Do You Know For Dough?, and WiseStepp connect employers with prospective employees, many of whom are already employed and not actively job-hunting, via networking - the people who know these qualified candidates. Rewards for referring a candidate who gets hired range from $50 on up to several thousand dollars - not chump change. If you know a lot of job-seekers (and who doesn't these days?), this is a great way to break into the recruiting business with no overhead.
Connect suppliers with buyers.
Referral fees are a common practice in business, but they haven't been used much in online networking sites because there was no way to track them. Sites like Salesconx, InnerSell and uRefer now provide that. Vendors set the referral fees they're willing to pay (and for what), and when the transaction happens, you get paid. uRefer also allows merchants to set up referral programs for introductions and meetings, as well as transactions.
Write.
A growing number of sites will pay for your articles or blog posts. Associated Content and Helium will "pay for performance" based on page views for just about anything you want to write about. Articles on specific topics they're looking for can earn direct payments up to about $200. The rates are probably low for established writers, but if you're trying to break into the field and have time on your hands, they're a great way to start. Also, a lot of companies are looking for part-time bloggers. They may pay per post or on a steady contract. Our Weblogs Guide posts blogging jobs weekly in the forum.
Start your own blog.
You don't have to have your own Web site, or install blogging software, or even figure out how to set up the advertising. At Blogger you can set up a blog for free in less than five minutes without knowing a thing about web design, and Blogger even automates setting up Google AdSense so you can make money off your blog by displaying ads and getting paid when people click on the ads. To make even more money from it, set up an affiliate program (see below) for books, music, etc., and insert your affiliate links whenever you refer to those items. You'll have to get a lot of traffic to become a six-figure blogger, but pick an interesting topic, write well, tell all your friends, and you're off to a good start.
Related: Monetizing Your Blog
Create topical resource hubs.
Are you an expert on a particular niche topic? Can you put together an overview of the topic and assemble some of the best resources on the topic from around the web? Then you can create topical hubs and get paid through sites like Squidoo, HugPages and Google Knol. Payments are based on a combination of ad revenue and affiliate fees. You'll get higher rates doing it on your own, but these sites have a built-in supply of traffic and tools to make content creation easier.
Advertise other people's products.
If you already have a Web site or a blog, look for vendors that offer related but non-competing products and see if they have an affiliate program. Stick to familiar products and brands - they're easier to sell. To promote those products:
Place simple text or graphical ads in appropriate places on your site
Microstock photography.
You don't have to be a professional photographer to sell your photos for money. People are constantly in need of stock photography for websites, presentations, brochures and so on, and are willing to pay for the right image. People generally search for images on stock photography sites by keywords, not by photographer, so you have the same chance as anyone else of having your image picked. Just be careful that you don't have images of trademarked brands, copyrighted art or people's faces that are readily identifiable (unless you have a model release), but just about anything else is fair game, and I promise - you'd be amazed what people need pictures of, so don't make any assumptions. If it's a decent photo, upload it. Some sites to get you started include Fotolia, ShutterStock, Dreamstime and iStockphoto. The great thing about this is that it's truly "set it and forget it".
The above list is by no means comprehensive, but it highlights some of the new and interesting ways to make money online without investing any money, without having a product of your own, and without having expert sales and marketing skills. Most of all, unlike taking surveys or getting paid to read e-mail, the potential return on your time investment is substantial.
But it's hard to tell hype from the real deal. I did a search on "make money online" and "making money online", and much of the information out there is just promoting various infoproducts, mostly about Internet marketing. I see why people sometimes ask, "Is anyone making money online besides Internet marketing experts?"
So I put together a list of business opportunities with legitimate companies that:
- Pay cash, not just points towards rewards or a chance to win money
- Don't require you to have your own Web domain or your own products
- Don't involve any hard-selling
- Aren't just promoting more Internet marketing
- Give a good return on your time investment
Help friends find better jobs.
Sites like ReferEarns, Zyoin, Who Do You Know For Dough?, and WiseStepp connect employers with prospective employees, many of whom are already employed and not actively job-hunting, via networking - the people who know these qualified candidates. Rewards for referring a candidate who gets hired range from $50 on up to several thousand dollars - not chump change. If you know a lot of job-seekers (and who doesn't these days?), this is a great way to break into the recruiting business with no overhead.
Connect suppliers with buyers.
Referral fees are a common practice in business, but they haven't been used much in online networking sites because there was no way to track them. Sites like Salesconx, InnerSell and uRefer now provide that. Vendors set the referral fees they're willing to pay (and for what), and when the transaction happens, you get paid. uRefer also allows merchants to set up referral programs for introductions and meetings, as well as transactions.
Write.
A growing number of sites will pay for your articles or blog posts. Associated Content and Helium will "pay for performance" based on page views for just about anything you want to write about. Articles on specific topics they're looking for can earn direct payments up to about $200. The rates are probably low for established writers, but if you're trying to break into the field and have time on your hands, they're a great way to start. Also, a lot of companies are looking for part-time bloggers. They may pay per post or on a steady contract. Our Weblogs Guide posts blogging jobs weekly in the forum.
Start your own blog.
You don't have to have your own Web site, or install blogging software, or even figure out how to set up the advertising. At Blogger you can set up a blog for free in less than five minutes without knowing a thing about web design, and Blogger even automates setting up Google AdSense so you can make money off your blog by displaying ads and getting paid when people click on the ads. To make even more money from it, set up an affiliate program (see below) for books, music, etc., and insert your affiliate links whenever you refer to those items. You'll have to get a lot of traffic to become a six-figure blogger, but pick an interesting topic, write well, tell all your friends, and you're off to a good start.
Related: Monetizing Your Blog
Create topical resource hubs.
Are you an expert on a particular niche topic? Can you put together an overview of the topic and assemble some of the best resources on the topic from around the web? Then you can create topical hubs and get paid through sites like Squidoo, HugPages and Google Knol. Payments are based on a combination of ad revenue and affiliate fees. You'll get higher rates doing it on your own, but these sites have a built-in supply of traffic and tools to make content creation easier.
Advertise other people's products.
If you already have a Web site or a blog, look for vendors that offer related but non-competing products and see if they have an affiliate program. Stick to familiar products and brands - they're easier to sell. To promote those products:
Place simple text or graphical ads in appropriate places on your site
- Include links to purchase products you review or recommend in a blog, discussion forum or mailing list you control
- Create a dedicated sales page or Web site to promote a particular product
- They all work - it just depends on how much time you have to spend on it and your level of expertise with Web design and marketing.
Microstock photography.
You don't have to be a professional photographer to sell your photos for money. People are constantly in need of stock photography for websites, presentations, brochures and so on, and are willing to pay for the right image. People generally search for images on stock photography sites by keywords, not by photographer, so you have the same chance as anyone else of having your image picked. Just be careful that you don't have images of trademarked brands, copyrighted art or people's faces that are readily identifiable (unless you have a model release), but just about anything else is fair game, and I promise - you'd be amazed what people need pictures of, so don't make any assumptions. If it's a decent photo, upload it. Some sites to get you started include Fotolia, ShutterStock, Dreamstime and iStockphoto. The great thing about this is that it's truly "set it and forget it".
The above list is by no means comprehensive, but it highlights some of the new and interesting ways to make money online without investing any money, without having a product of your own, and without having expert sales and marketing skills. Most of all, unlike taking surveys or getting paid to read e-mail, the potential return on your time investment is substantial.
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