Friday, April 22, 2011

Alt Attribute & SEO Optimization

SEO Optimization images is becoming increasingly more important in SEO (Search Engine Optimization) for websites. The ALT attribute is really a critical step that is often overlooked. This can be a lost opportunity for better rankings.


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

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

Why would they ask us to achieve that? The answer is simple, really; search engines have a similar problem as blind users. They cannot begin to see the images.

Many webmasters and inexperienced or unethical SEOs abuse the use of this attribute, attempting to stuff it with keywords, hoping to achieve a certain keyword density, which is not as relevant for rankings now as it once was.

On the other hand, high keyword density can, on some search engines like google, trigger spam filters, which may result in a penalty for your site's ranking. Even without such a penalty, your site's rankings won't benefit from this tactic.
This method also puts persons who use screen readers at a greater disadvantage. Screen readers are software-based tools that actually read aloud the contents of what's displayed on the screen. In browsing the web, the alt attributes of images are read aloud too.

Imagine listening to a paragraph of text that is then repetitions of numerous keywords. The page will be not even close to accessible, and, to put it mildly, will be found quite annoying.
What is an Alt attribute?

An ALT attribute shouldn't be used like a description or a label to have an image, though many people use it in that fashion. Though it might seem natural to assume that alternate text is really a label or perhaps a description, it is not!

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

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

 

Some SEO Optimization Tips

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

If an image is supposed to convey the literal contents of the image, a description is suitable.

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

If it's meant to convey using a function, then your function itself is what ought to be used.

Some Alt Attribute Guidelines:

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

For images that play merely a decorative role within the page, use an empty alt (i.e. alt="") or perhaps a CSS background image so that reading browsers don't bother users by uttering things like "spacer image".

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

Alt text ought to be determined by context. Exactly the same image in a different context may require drastically different alt text.

Attempt to flow alt text with the remainder from the text because that is how it is going to be read with adaptive technologies like screen readers. Someone listening to your page should hardly remember that a graphic image can there be.
Please keep in mind that using an alt attribute for each image is needed to satisfy the minimum WAI requirements, that are used since the benchmark for accessibility laws in UK and also the remainder of Europe. They are also required to meet "Section 508" accessibility requirements in america.

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

Eye-Candy
Mood-Setting
Content and Function

I. Eye-Candy

Eye-Candy are things that serve no purpose apart from to create a site visually appealing/attractive and (oftentimes) satisfy the marketing departments. There isn't any content value (though there may be value to some sighted user).

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

II. Mood-Setting

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

Try to alt-ify the second group as makes sense and it is relevant. There may be times when doing so might be annoying or detrimental to other users. Then try to avoid it.

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

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

III. Content and Function

This is where the look is the actual content. Always alt-ify content and functional images. Title and long description attributes may also be so as.
The reason many authors can't figure out why their alt text isn't working is that they don't know why the images exist. You have to figured out precisely what function a picture serves. Think about what it is about the image that's vital that you the page's intended audience.

Every graphic has a reason for being on that page: because it either improves the theme/ mood/ atmosphere or it is critical to what are the page is trying to describe. Understanding what the image is for makes alt text easier to write. And exercise writing them definitely helps.
A method to look into the usefulness of alternative text would be to imagine reading the page over the telephone to someone. An amount you say when encountering a particular image to make the page understandable towards the listener?

Aside from the alt attribute you've got a couple more tools available for images.
First, in degree of descriptiveness title is in between alt and longdesc. It adds useful information and can add flavor. The title attribute is optionally rendered through the user agent. Remember they're invisible and never shown as a "tooltip" when focus is received through the keyboard. (So much for device independence). So make use of the title attribute only for advisory information.
Second, the longdesc attribute points towards the URL of a complete description of the image. When the information found in a picture is important towards the meaning of the page (i.e. some important content will be lost when the image was removed), an extended description compared to "alt" attribute can reasonably display should be used. It can offer rich, expressive documentation of a visual image.

It ought to be used when alt and title are insufficient to embody the visual qualities of the image. As Clark [1] states, "A longdesc is really a long description of the image...The aim is to use any length of description necessary to impart the details from the graphic.

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

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

In many cases, you are best just choosing your gut instinct -- if it's not necessary to include it, and when you don't possess a strong urge to get it done, don't add that longdesc.

However, if it's essential for the whole page to operate, then you have to add the alt text (or title or longdesc).

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

The same image may need alt text (or title or longdesc) in one spot, but not in another. If an image provides simply no content or functional information alt="" or background CSS images may be appropriate to use. However, if the image provides content or adds functional information an alt will be required and maybe even a long description would be so as. Oftentimes this type of thing is really a judgement call.

Image Seo optimization Tips


Listed below are key steps in optimizing images:

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

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

Ensure that the text nearby the image that's highly relevant to that image.
Again, don't lose an excellent opportunity to help your website with your images searching engines. Begin using these steps to rank better on all of the engines and drive increased traffic for your site TODAY.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Search Engine Optimization


Note the Client companies are based in either the US or Canada and the “percentage of traffic outside key service areas” are based on each client’s target market.


For instance, if a client only services the US only, any traffic outside the US would be traffic outside their service area.


Evaluating Your Own Traffic For Relevance


To use our own web design and Internet marketing business as an example, we service both Canada and the US, but were getting 24% of our traffic from other international countries. Big portions of that traffic were companies looking to sell their services to us.


These international visitors would fill in our web forms and call us to inquire, untimely skewing our website analytics data by not giving us a real understanding of how our website was performing to quality prospects.


A solution had to be implemented to significantly reduce the amount of resources we were dedicating to people outside our service areas.


Ultimately, we didn’t want to be contacted from people we couldn’t help. The four possible solutions we considered were:



  1. Create a custom report in Google Analytics to filter out the unwanted data (reporting related)

  2. Adjust the content of our website (website related)

  3. Block the traffic from specific Countries from viewing our website (server related)

  4. Don’t change anything.


Option #1


When evaluating the first solution, creating a custom report to filter out this data in Google Analytics, this would clear up our analytics data. Implementing a filter would provide a more realistic picture of quality prospects we could service in our geographic area instead of those prospects or solicitors in other counties we don’t service.


This option didn’t run the risk of blocking any traffic or robots that we do want. It’s also a simple filter to add in Google Analytics. We set up another Profile with the country exclusions filters. A new Profile was the preferred approach, rather than going through the extra steps of creating Custom Reports.


However, setting up analytical filters doesn’t fully resolve the issue, since these visitors could still access our site, fill in web forms, and contact us, ultimately wasting resources that we could dedicate elsewhere.


It wouldn’t give us a true picture of what was going on. It also wouldn’t resolve the problem – we didn’t want to be contacted by companies from some outside countries.


Option #2


Updating the website content to say you only service a specific area is another solution that we considered.  This would inject more geo-targeted keywords into your site, which would help in local SEO. Adding a graphical map, drop-down options and/or links that allow the visitor to select their country would help qualify visitors.


Some of the downfalls of this option include spending a much higher amount of time to implement versus the other options. The success of this would also be dependent on how honest the visitor is.


Assuming visitors are reading your website content, adding geo-targeted keywords into your site would set a clearer expectation of service area delivery. However, this option still doesn’t resolve the issue of sharing contact information that allows unsolicited visitors to contact us and invalid web form data.


Option #3


How about blocking or filtering visitors automatically based on their IP address? When considering to block website visitors by IP it’s important to first evaluate the reliability of the IP address(es). The accuracy of an IP list is over 99.5% on a country level and 80% on a city level. The smaller the location, the less reliable the IP address.


Internet Service Providers change IP addresses they designate to customers. Some change them more frequently than others, which is why you want to keep the database of IPs updated. Scheduling a monthly update is typically a good routine if city level IP authentication is required. Country level is much more static.


The benefit of blocking the country via IP address would not only clean up analytical data, but also ensure our sales funnel was more efficient and provide a more accurate picture of real prospects in all systems. We needed to consider other issues in this approach.


One concern was the potential for a search crawler coming from an IP in the location we were planning on blocking. For example, there was a possibility that Google’s search crawler would also be blocked if it came from the same country. The implementation of this option is more technical. One would need to obtain a list of IP addresses for the desired locations and update the websites htaccess file.


In our example, the inquiries from some countries became so frequent that we couldn’t ignore it any longer. After much debate, we decided to ban the countries; however, we would only ban one at a time to evaluate the effects.


For instance, one of the largest traffic sources, accounting for approximately 20% of this, was from India, a market we don’t service. These Indian visitors were companies looking to sell their services to us.


We executed the ban in the polite Canadian way. We also implemented the Google Analytics profile with the country filter to monitor future website statistics versus the past.


Those visitors that came from our blocked list would land on a different page that displayed a nice message. It read: “Thank you for visiting. However, we don’t provide services in your area.”


In sum, the tests have gone over very well. Banning the country from our website has significantly cut down the number of unsolicited calls, emails and web form requests. It also gave us a much more accurate picture of how our website was performing within our own target market and service area.


Considerations For Blocking Traffic By Location


If you’re considering this strategy, some factors to consider when filtering visitors include:



  • Why do you want to filter website traffic?

  • Which locations would you want to filter?

  • How much traffic do you currently get from locations outside your service area?

  • How important is this traffic?

  • How to funnel visitors outside your service areas?

  • The accuracy of the IP addresses locations in mind.

  • Effects of non-human visitors.


A few months after we implemented this, we received a direct mail package that contained pens with our logo on them from a company that wished to sell us branded pens.


Guess what it said under our logo? “Thank you for visiting. However, we don’t provide services in your area.” We had a good laugh. Someone obviously didn’t read what they printed. It was evidence that our website block was working and a nice souvenir.


The key takeaway, as always, is monitor your traffic and conversions. Track where your quality traffic is coming from and decide for yourself if you should block the traffic of certain countries. Make sure to proceed with caution to ensure that you are not missing some opportunities.


Think outside of the box for other ideas of how you can use that traffic. Perhaps referring the traffic to a partner or creating a unique service for specific markets is another option to consider.




Opinions expressed in the article are those of the guest author and not necessarily Search Engine Land.



Related Topics: 100% Organic - Search Engine Optimization Tips | SEO: General



Gather close, dear friends and hear my words of warning. Gird yourself, for my tale would make any enlightened man or woman stagger back in disbelief. I do not share such news with you lightly. It is not my errand to harm or discomfort your mental or psychological wellbeing.


Resist the urge to sever the very Internet connection with which you receive my message. I shall soon relieve your stress with a simple technique that will counter the malevolence that I describe.


I reveal my knowledge only because you may in fact be a person possessing an enterprising mind. If this is true, I know you will see in my tale of woe and tragedy the shadow of immense opportunity.


My Tale


I have, in my professional pursuits been privy to the plans of many a starry-eyed business person. So eager are they to tap the keg of the Web that they have made themselves drunk with anticipation, even before a single sip of the digital elixir has crossed their lips.


They are handy with their search tools, clever in their keywords and pen pay-per-click ads that seem to dance upon the page.


It is all for naught, for the heady traffic pours into vessels so riddled with hole and crack, that from this torrent these businesses can scarcely moisten their lips. The websites to which they deliver their click-through treasure fail in their basic duty of capturing and converting the bounty.


And so, they make changes. They replace the ineffective cup with a bowl and then a pitcher and then a saucer, each equally as impotent; each delivering little sustenance to them.


Take your kerchief now from your pocket, dear friend, for my tale will bring tears to your eyes.


In their quest to find the proper vessel these misguided souls fail to see the true opportunity. It is as if they are blind, and yeah, they truly are.


They stick their inferior containers out into the flood and clinch their eyes tightly closed as if looking upon something abominable. Thus, they see only the result, and not the cause of their famine.


But lift your head now and let the brightness of joy return to your face, for I can tell you now that you need not suffer as they do.


The True Opportunity


The core of the matter is this: the opportunity lies not in the container, but in the holes and cracks.


Yes, each little imperfection offers up a chance to be corrected, each tiny fault a hope of repair. And when enough of these imperfections are discovered our cups will fill with abundance on which our businesses will become sated.


Do not dismiss me now expecting tales of split tests and multivariate monstrosities, for I offer a much simpler way of stripping the blindfold from your eyes.


I offer you: the Serial Test.


Behold, The Serial Test


I chuckle now as I think of the simplicity and power of this trick. It begins with the ability to measure traffic and track the very leads and sales that sustain you.


You may choose Google Analytics or Clicky for its simplicity. Enterprises may prefer Omniture or Webtrends. It is of little consequence to me.


It is only important that you be able to gauge the level in your cup as compared to the visits flowing into it.


Seek not absolute accuracy, but seek instead consistency of measure and no more.


Tread lightly! You must bring change in small steps, patiently and purposefully. Seek to join a crack or fill a hole.


Change a headline, reduce the number of fields in your form or add trust-building symbols to the page. Change but one thing at a time.


Accompany each change with a hypothesis, a thesis for what you expect the change to do for you. Most of the time, your hypothesis will simply be this:


“This change will increase the percentage of visitors who take action; who convert to a lead or a sale as measured by ___________.”

You must fill the blank, my friend.


Will you measure calls you receive from the Web? Will you measure completed forms? Will you measure revenue per click? It is up to you.


All I ask is that you choose a measure for which you know the current value and that will reliably rise or fall as your fortunes change.


Test Duration


Hold fast! Do not rush off to ogle your analytics, for we must first discuss statistical significance. Do not be disheartened. This term, though bulging with syllables simply means that you must let enough time pass before you review the results of your change.


There are ebbs and flows within even a calendar week that must be considered. I say you shall let no less than a week pass before you evaluate any change. This assumes a heady stream of traffic.


To ensure validity, you should let enough time pass for 100 conversions to occur or for thousands of eyes fall upon your change before you harvest your learnings.


Measure your current page, which we call the control for an appropriate amount of time. Then measure the changed page, which we call the treatment for such a time as well. Then will you be ready to glean insights that will fill your cup.


In many cases you will find a difference between the two. The treatment will offer an increase or decrease over the performance of its brother. But, don’t rush to the conclusion, for if the change is small, it is wholly invalid.


Only Big Differences Count


Do not think me foul that I must reveal that a serial test does not control for natural changes in the marketplace. Just as the temperature fluctuates from season to season, so too will your conversion rates and independently of changes to your site.


Therefore stake your decisions on large changes. If your treatment causes a drop of 20% or more, you can be comforted that it is an inferior vessel. Cast it aside and restore the control. This is truly an honorable result!


If your treatment brings a bounty of 20% or more in increased conversions, rejoice. You have found a new control.


Otherwise, retain your control and try something anew.


Repeat & Grow


Tarry but a moment, dear reader, as you must prepare for the next test. Choose another change. Create your hypothesis. Select a measuring stick. Launch your treatment at the appointed time and wait patiently for statistical significance.


And as God is my witness, I say that you will have prepared yourself to ease into a more profitable and fruitful pursuit: the split test.


Your new-found skills at selecting what to change, at choosing metrics and knowing how long to test will serve you well. The split test will control for seasonal and competitive fluctuations that plague even the most stalwart of serial tests. Riches will be yours for the taking.


Hark! I offer gifts with my glad tidings. For your pleasure, I offer my very own test planning document to guide you through your most pressing serial test.


Use it in good health and growing prosperity as it guides you to online success. With it, you will rise above the blind rabble who would dare to compete with you.


You will have questions, no doubt. Please share them in the comments for a rousing response from me and other smart readers like yourself.




Opinions expressed in the article are those of the guest author and not necessarily Search Engine Land.



Related Topics: Conversion Science


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Search Engine Optimization - An OverviewSlide9 by doggy00123

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Bench Craft Company on the subject of cars

"Getting data privacy 'right' is an economic and social imperative. Trust and confidence in the security and privacy of the critical systems of our planet - especially the digital version of its central nervous system, the Internet - is foundational to individuals' continued engagement and reliance on such things as online commerce, e-health and smart grids. If individual consumers don't feel that their privacy and security are protected, they will not support modernization efforts, even though the capabilities of technology advancements are proven and the potential benefits to society are extensive.



"Here's an example of the tensions we face: The ability of smart grids to conserve resources relies on the ability of, and commitment from, consumers to monitor and modify their individual usage. An individual using a smart meter understands the difference in the cost of using electricity at peak versus non-peak hours and could opt to lower their usage during more costly time periods. At the same time, data from the meters can reveal sensitive information such as work habits, shower schedules, use of medical devices such as dialysis, and whether or not a house is occupied."



"I don't worry that the technology will have a negative impact on consumer privacy," wrote Mark Roberti, founder of RFID Journal in a June overview of the state of the RFID market where privacy is concerned. "Instead, I worry that ignorant legislators trying to score points with uninformed voters will pass laws that limit the many benefits RFID can deliver--and that is a much bigger threat to consumers."



Today's agreement in Europe appears not to be the kind of legislation Roberti feared. As a framework focused on self-reporting it may be too little, ultimately, but it's a start.











Here is a roundup of important small business tips to start out your week on the right track. We’ve tried to collect some of the best resources to get you started but we’d love to hear from readers as well, so if you’ve got some tips or advice to add, please, as always, leave them in the comment section below. Enjoy!


Legal

Legal tips for your small business. From Jeffrey Fabian of Fabian LLC, serving small business and legal professionals, here are a collection of legal issues every small business must look out for. Consulting on legal matters with an attorney can be another important step, but remember that legal issues of all kinds come with the territory in small business, so be prepared. 365 Days of Startups


Ideas for maintaining your professional image. As a small business owner or entrepreneur, your online reputation is becoming more important every day. So what does a Google search say about you? If you don’t know yet, you should find out. Reputation has always been an important commodity in the business world. The Internet has made it more important than ever. Beware! Startup Professionals Musings


Customer Service

Tips for creating a more appealing product or service. You may think you’re giving your customers choices, but, in reality, you’re only handing them indecision. And perhaps an invitation to do nothing? Here’s an alternative. Give them a step-by-step on how to use your product. Tell them what to do and how to do it. And don’t worry if it doesn’t fit every customer’s needs. They’ll create the fit that’s right for them. Chris Brogan


Marketing

How to set yourself apart from competitors. Saying you’re better than your competitors just isn’t good enough (even if it’s true.) The question is what you can offer customers that is different from any one else in the market. Create a service no one else provides in exactly the same way, and you’ll have a marketing strategy that can work in the long run. Duct Tape Marketing


How to use “help marketing” to strengthen your business and brand. You can call this PR instead of marketing if you like, but no matter what you call it, it may be the best thing for your brand and business, if you do it right. Helping others including your customers is really what your business should be about anyway. So don’t be afraid to show your willingness to extend a helping hand. TechLunatic


Startup

How to seek help from business accelerators. Efforts to get new businesses up and running have increased in recent years and business accelerators in various forms are spreading across the country, according to this piece on the trend. Often these organizations offer “more help than funding” but can still be an important resource depending upon the nature of your startup. Bloomberg Businessweek


Taxes

How to prepare for tax compliance expenses in your small business. Ballooning tax regulations are a huge source of expense for small businesses, especially here in the U.S. It’s important for small business owners to consider the expenses related to tax compliance, since this is likely to be an ongoing burden for small business owners into the foreseeable future. WSJ


Last minute tips for last minute tax filers. If you’re doing your small business tax filings on your own, here are some last minute tips you may want to consider ranging from how to file an extension to how long to keep your tax records and more. If you want some last minute advice as the tax deadline closes in, why not take a few minutes and watch the video? BostoneHerald.com


Self-development

A new persription for stress and overwork: relax! Small business owners and entrepreneurs, like everyone else, experience burnout at times and can easily become overwhelmed with work. After all, when the final responsibility for everything falls upon you, there’s no one else to turn to. But experts now suggest that taking those breaks when necessary can be absolutely essential. Here’s more. The Globe And Mail


Tech

Tips for keeping your business technology up and running. Keeping your business technology alive and kicking is not just a luxury in today’s small business world. It is an absolute and vital necessity! So tips on keeping the critical tools you use to operate your business and serve your customers should always be a priority. Here are some tips you won’t want to forget. Jackrabbit.com Blog


From Small Business TrendsSmall Business News: Best Small Biz Tips Today






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Deron Williams likes New Jersey Nets, open to extension


Deron Williams reportedly said that he likes the Nets and would be open to an extension.


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Big Media Falls for GE <b>News</b> Hoax (Cont&#39;d) - Giovanni Rodriguez <b>...</b>

The Week takes a short look at what yesterday's GE news hoax may have actually accomplished: --"It was a glimpse of an ideal world." Idea here is that the fake storyline might have helped people imagine a world where businesses "biggest ...


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Courteney Cox Does Letterman and Other <b>News</b> - The Superficial <b>...</b>

Gwyneth Paltrow makes bulimia fancy again. - Robert Pattinson is spreading disease. - Emily Browning stars in a movie about high-end date rape and,


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We’ve been hearing all kinds of Chatter that the next version of Final Cut Pro will debut in Vegas at NAB next week.  Thing is, we hear this every year and Apple hasn’t really done a NAB properly in awhile.  That’s OK, we’ll take that we can get.

Rumors are flying that Apple will be using the Vegas Supermeet to announce the next version of Final Cut Pro. Supposedly, Apple will be taking over the entire event for their announcement, cancelling all other sponsors, including AJA, Avid, Canon, BlackMagic, Autodesk and others, who were set to give presentations.

Philip Bloom just confirmed with me that Canon has canceled his appearance at the Supermeet. Canon was told last night that Apple has demanded ALL “lecturn” or stage time exclusively. Some sponsors who were not using presenters may continue to sponsor the Vegas event, but none of them will be presenting on the stage. I can’t imagine any news that would warrant this kind of “take-over” other than to announce and demonstrate the next full version of Final Cut Pro and possibly an entirely newly designed FCS4.

(UPDATE: Avid confirmed that Supermeet (Michael Horton) told them last night that their sponsorship had been cancelled. According to Avid, “Apple doesn’t want anyone to have stage time but them.”)

Who’s up for Vegas?

We heard the first concrete details about Apple’s all new Final Cut Pro coming during Spring this year, and recently some new information has come to light. Final Cut Studio expert Larry Jordan was one of the people at Apple’s meeting, demonstrating the upcoming upgrade to the professional film-making software.

Jordan can’t say much about the upgrade, due to an NDA with Apple, but he did say it is a “jaw-dropper.” Besides the “jaw-dropper” part, the thing we are taking most from his blog post is the fact that Apple allowed him to write it up. It appears that Apple already considers the software public knowledge. Afterall, Apple CEO Steve Jobs did tell a 9to5mac reader to buckle up for it.

Thanks to Charlie Sanchez

  • Next Final Cut Pro is a “jawdropper,” Apple considers it public knowledge, and will it drop at NAB? (9to5mac.com)
  • Apple says last Xserve orders shipping in April, here’s what’s next for XSAN (9to5mac.com)
  • Nasdaq to cut Apple’s weighting in rebalancing (9to5mac.com)
  • Feeling the heat, HP and Dell execs lash out at Apple, pray iPad will fail (9to5mac.com)
  • Certain MacBook Pro models ‘unavailable’ for reservation at many Apple Stores (9to5mac.com)
  • Apple asks Toyota to remove the Scion theme from Cydia (9to5mac.com)
  • New Final Cut Pro hits Spring ’11 and it’s the “biggest overhaul yet” (9to5mac.com)
  • iOS 5 pushed to the fall: major revamp, cloud-based, WWDC preview? (9to5mac.com)
As rumors of a later-than-usual iPhone launch for 2011 persist, a new report reveals that the notoriously secretive Apple is being even more careful than usual when dealing with overseas suppliers.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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




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bench craft company


It’s not such a wonderful time to be a doctor, patient, hospital, health plan or pharma company, but judging by the quality and quantity of entries received for this edition of the HWR, it’s a wonderful time to be a wonk.


A couple weeks ago CMS released draft rules for Accountable Care Organizations. Several bloggers weighed in on that development:



  • Mark McClellan and Elliott Fisher at Health Affairs provide some historical context and argue that “those who care deeply about health care reform all have a common interest in the success of ACOs as a way of avoiding more classic fee-for-service payment cuts to providers.”

  • On a more downbeat note, The Road to Health concludes, “Dr. Berwick and his colleagues at CMS appear to have taken the ACO concept and made it into a financial program that only delusional practice administrators, or physician organizations bent on financial self-destruction, could love.”

  • The Healthcare IT Guy expects ACOs to be “far more lucrative and disruptive than Meaningful Use and likely to yield more patient quality improvements.”

  • GE Healthcare puts the emphasis on ACO change management challenges: “Healthcare executives and management teams are left to focus on preparing their organizations for a cultural shift of seismic proportions.”

  • HealthBlawg reviews the proposed rules and produces 8 takeaways. #2: “This is the Frankenstein regulation: A Medicare beneficiary must sit on the board of the ACO, CMS must approve all marketing materials before they are used.”


In the midst of the battle over funding the 2011 budget, House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan came out with a plan to radically restructure Medicare and Medicaid starting in 2012:



  • The Apothecary likes much of what he sees and thinks the proposal may force Democrats to devise a credible plan of their own

  • John C. Goodman’s Health Policy Blog contrasts PPACA and the Ryan plan. “Obviously, the path we are on leads to an impossible place. So the only question is whether we are going to get off the current path in a planned, orderly way or whether we are going to let unplanned chaos do the trick.”

  • Wright on Health is less impressed and wonders, “if Rep. Ryan is so adamant about reducing the deficit, why is he cutting taxes for the wealthy and cutting programs for the poor and the elderly?”

  • Managed Care Matters is decidedly unswayed. “If you were looking for real solutions to the health cost problem, you’re going to be sorely disappointed… Unfortunately, he’s fallen into the same trap his Democratic colleagues did with their version of health reform – the Ryan plan does little to address costs.”

  • The Incidental Economist takes issue with Ryan’s plan to convert Medicaid to block grants and cut spending. “Should Medicaid be cut back, more people will be uninsured. Contrary to what some wish you to believe, those who become uninsured will suffer worse health outcomes”


As if the ACO rules and Ryan plan weren’t enough, there’s more on Medicare in the blogosphere:



  • The Covert Rationing Blog –always good for a lighthearted pick me up– “asserts that we are one giant step closer to the day when it will become illegal for all Americans to spend their own money on their own healthcare.”

  • Dr. Liberty discusses CMS’s deliberations on whether to pay for Provenge, a pricey prostate drug. “Decisions are made on the basis of politics, and the drive is to cover everything, leading to higher costs.”


Amid all the federal policy blogging, there’s still some room for technology talk:



  • Healthcare Talent Transformation has had it with Health Net’s repeated goof up’s leading to loss of confidential data. Although it may seem like there’s not much the average person can do, the blog argues, “You can make an impact on the security of your sensitive data by conducting due diligence when it comes to your insurance provider.”

  • The Healthcare Blog offers a video collage of the new Kaiser Permanente Center for Total Health. “The Center is  a pretty fascinating place–part tech and idea showcase and part meeting room. Certainly no other health care organization that I’m aware of has spent so much on a place designed to stimulate the imagination and enhance conversation–under the nose of the folks on Capitol Hill.”

  • Meaningful HIT News features a podcast with mHealth Initiative’s Peter Waegemann, who’s shifted over from EMRs to ride the mobile wave

  • Healthcare Economist delves into new papers that, “examined how to develop accurate algorithms to account for cancer stage in studies using claims data.”


It was encouraging to receive a couple submissions about  journalism:



  • Disease Care Management Blog asks, “Is the kerfuffle over National Public Radio (NPR) the long delayed comeuppance for liberal bias run amok, or a narrow-minded attack on the inconvenient truths from journalistic excellence?” The blog reaches into the world of medicine and discusses of “framing” and its impact on patient decision making to provide an answer

  • HealthNews ReviewBlog cites, “daily evidence of the need for improvement in health care journalism – especially when we see examples like hype of a tiny, preliminary study of strawberries for esophageal cancer.”


We always have room in the Health Wonk Review for some posts on medical ethics:



  • Nuts for Healthcare looks at the pharma industry and concludes, “Doctors need to take a more definitive stand against the specter of industry influence. A good target? Industry sponsorship of continuing medical education.”

  • Health Care Renewal is concerned that so-called government run programs are more private than we think. “The majority of Medicaid has been out-sourced to private health care insurance companies… We need to have some real discussions about the rise of corporatism in US health care, in other aspects of US society and around the world.”


And finally, a few odds and ends



  • Workers’ Comp Insider provides resources for employers concerned about radiation exposure

  • Colorado Health Insurance Insider chronicles the decline of bipartisanship in the creation of a health insurance exchange for that state. “Healthcare reform has become such a polarized topic that it’s difficult for lawmakers to have any stance other than for it or against it.  Even though the health insurance exchanges would be marketplaces that sell private health insurance, the word ‘exchange’ has been thrown around so much during the reform debates that many opponents of the PPACA see it as synonymous with ‘ObamaCare.’”

  • Last week I went to a health care direct to consumer marketing conference to see former TimeWarner CEO Jerry Levin interviewed by OrganizedWisdom CEO Steve Krein. I also shared my thoughts in the video clip below



Thanks for reading the Health Wonk Review! The Incidental Economist hosts the next edition.



class="dropcap">Bill Thomas used to be a climate change skeptic, not believing that humans could have influenced the dramatic atmospheric shift, but two weeks in the woods — and chats with scientists — changed his mind.

“I remember vividly that first day with Dr. Jess Parker; he showed us a chart of CO2 levels increasing about the time of the industrial revolution,” says Thomas, who works for HSBC bank and participated in a 2007 Climate Champions training program. There, a personal epiphany led to a job title change — the former relationship manager for HSBC Technical Services is now group head of HSBC Technology and Services Sustainability.

Teaching employees the science behind green corporate values and how to make their workplaces sustainable isn’t just for “green” show — done right, it’s good business strategy.

“There seems to be a huge growth of interest among companies to not just keep the environmental initiatives within a subset of employees, but to make it a pervasive part of the corporate culture,” says Krista Badiane, who manages the business and environment program at the National Environmental Education Foundation.  And unlike broad, mandated rules — such as carbon caps — companies that create their own initiatives take ownership and credit for sustainable changes, which may well go beyond what laws would have dictated.

By cultivating current workers’ energy-saving ideas and environmental passions, companies can save resources, energy and money as well as boost their eco-friendly reputation. The key is to help employees learn why sustainability matters — for instance, unless it’s slowed, climate change could alter global landscapes and increase natural disasters in our lifetimes. And if employees realize what’s at stake, they’ll find ways to save resources at work — as well as at home.

Worker to Citizen Scientist/> In a patch of woods in Edgewater, Md., bordering Smithsonian Environmental Research Center campus buildings, HSBC technology managers are intently straightening a measuring tape wrapped around a mature oak. Phil Clarke, from Portland, Ore., leans in and meticulously gets a reading of its diameter: 94.8 inches. During this weeklong Sustainability Leader training, he’s learning what scientists do and what shape the planet is in. He knows that the measurements taken today — even though what they reveal won’t be known for awhile — will help guide decisions that will keep our world sound for future generations.

His employer, HSBC bank — a global financial services company with 300,000 employees working in 8,000 offices and pre-tax profits topping $11 billion — decided to go carbon neutral in 2005. For the past three years, HSBC bank has partnered with EarthWatch Institute for an international study on climate change’s effects on tree growth, as well as a program that trains employees around the world in sustainability. When workers return to the office after their forest immersion, they find ways to integrate newly learned sustainability lessons in their spheres of influence.

Clarke and the other HSBC technology services managers from around North America — key decision-makers hand picked for the training — earn the title of Sustainability Leader. A larger two-week program trains HSBC employees from all levels — from cashier to marketing staffer — to become Climate Champions.

Such citizen science training helps corporate employees understand the mechanics of science — that systems are complex, and that there are no easy answers. “You learn what a critical state the world is actually in,” says Annette Fasolino of HSBC’s payment operations division in Buffalo, N.Y.

Having that up-close experience with scientists and ecosystems helps employees better grasp how climate change is impacting, and may impact, the world. “Many of these people go back and question their decisions, and make sure they’re making the most sustainable decisions,” says Thomas.

Cultivating the Grassroots/> Though the partnership between HSBC and EarthWatch is unique, other companies are also looking to their staff for sustainable solutions. “There’s no one best program for a company to educate their employees,” Badiane says.

Some companies or groups of motivated employees organize green teams, which promote eco-friendly changes and teach colleagues sustainable alternatives. Initiatives range from banning disposable utensils in the lunchroom to redesigning an operating system to save raw materials. “Ideally, you’re getting some new ideas out of your employees,” says Deborah Fleischer, president of Green Impact, a sustainability consulting service.

Businesses also use social media sites such as Yammer — a private social network for companies — or online training to generate sustainable ideas.

Other companies dangle a carrot — awards and incentives — to get workers to make sustainable choices. Yogurt maker Stonyfield tied facility energy savings (based on energy use per ton of product) to employee bonuses. In this way, the company reduced energy use by more than 22 percent, according to a NEEF report.

To engage workers of all levels, eBay employed competition: a Big Green Idea Contest. To enter, employees identified ways the company could meet greenhouse gas reduction goals; then, employees voted on the top ideas. One idea, the eBay Box — simple, eco-friendly packaging that’s meant to be reused for eBay shipments — has become a useful tool that saves money and resources.

Unfortunately, some companies’ efforts are no more than greenwashing stunts to appear eco-friendly and keep up with their competition. Producing disposable trinkets with “green” logos or launching environmental-focused public relations initiatives while pushing pollution limits does not jive with true sustainability. The companies mentioned here, however, offer genuine solutions that leave a lighter footprint.

Two Kinds of Green/> Such engagement can yield significant savings: One North American HSBC Climate Champion noticed that co-workers weren’t shutting down their PCs every night, wasting energy. Now, NightWatchman software automatically shuts down more than 6 million computers left on. During fiscal year 2010 in North America, the software coupled with an awareness program saved 4 million kilowatts per year of electricity and about 900 metric tons of carbon dioxide, which shaved $332,000 on energy bills.

At defense contractor Lockheed Martin, a Camden, Ark., building uses a software system to control lighting and air conditioning, leading to more than $200,000 in reduced costs and savings of 2,332 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, according to the NEEF report. And at drugmaker Genetech,  green teams slashed the use of bottled water, saving the company $200,000 a year by using filtered water machines paired with reusable bottles, according to a white paper by Fleischer, “Green Teams: Engaging Employees in Sustainability.”

But benefits to a company can’t always be calculated in dollars.

“By creating an engaged employee base, we’re really putting it into hearts and minds of employees, and that’s going to be much more powerful and long-term than saying ‘you must turn off your PC,’” says Sharon Walck, senior vice president of sustainability at HSBC North America.

Investing in and teaching sustainable values to workers also boosts retention, according to NEEF, which is extremely important to large corporations. The foundation says losing and replacing a good employee can cost a company between 70 percent and 200 percent of that employee’s annual salary.

And, Badiane says, “employees who are motivated want to work for a company that has the same values.”

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Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Roofing Contractors Vancouver - 5 Inquiries to Consider

Roofing Vancouver - Faq's


1. Repair or Replace?

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


2. Beauty versus Practicality?

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


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

Think about this cautiously before making a choice. With respect to the roofing material you choose, a new roof can last between twenty, fifty, to one-hundred years! This means you have to check the year from the roof that's currently over your head first. Are you at year 18 of a 20-year warranted roof or year 30 of the 50-year warranted roof? Obviously, the standard is what makes the roof last longer, but when you're not planning to stay in your present home throughout your life, the higher expense might not be worth neglect the. Although a brand new roof can enhance the value of your selling price, the rise may not be enough to pay for neglect the and that's bound to hurt your wallet.


4. Could it be a good idea that i can repair the roof myself?

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


5. Just when was a great time to find the roof replaced?

Weather can cause delays from days to weeks. Most people prepare yourself to have their roof replaced in the summertime when they know someone is going to be home during the day for any solid fourteen days. Once you have this era in mind, make a call to a trusted contractor months ahead of time to obtain a quote. Some companies get booked up fast and chances are, they're probably the most reputable. Preparing in advance from the summer also gives you time to discuss with more and compare costs...especially if you need to have the roof done by a specified date.

 

The Top Roofing Company In Vancouver!

Is there a leak in your home's roof? Perhaps you have lost shingles or tiles inside a storm? Have overhanging branches caused damage? Is your roof more than 20 years old and showing wear and tear? Are your gutters overwhelmed and draining poorly?

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

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

YOUR Vancouver ROOF DESERVES Believe it or not!

The roof of the Vancouver home is the very first line of defence against wind, rain, snow, ice and other weather elements. Make sure it is up to the job. Among Vancouver Roofing companies, only Crown Roofing has the depth of experience and successful history to ensure your roofing system will be properly designed and installed.

NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS.

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

GET A FREE INSPECTION AND EVALUATION OF YOUR Vancouver ROOF.

Go to the Roofers Vancouver for any FREE inspection and evaluation of the roof. Give you the best roof for the Vancouver home, at the best value. We build roofs to last!

 

Monday, April 11, 2011

Tacoma Roofing contractor: Help your house be Beautiful

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

The local Tacoma Roofer is well aware how important a financial investment your property is for you, especially since it is a long term one. Your home may have been damaged slowly through the years and you need to take steps to reduce this damage. For a number of people, keeping their property beautiful is also a matter of pride. You will find those too who'd prefer to turn their house into a economical and efficient living place. Your homes roof is a valuable part of your property and contributes to each of the aspects mentioned above. Because of this, you need to employ the services of qualified a Tacoma Roofing company.

Kinds of Roofs installed with a Tacoma Roofing contractor


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

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

A Tacoma Roofing company Helps to Build Strong Homes


The exteriors of any house, primarily the roof and gutters, face the onslaught of bitter and varying climate conditions, day after day. Painting, repairing, and cleaning gutters might be necessary. In some instances you may have to replace them completely. Usually, whenever your gutters show signs and symptoms of trouble, your roof must also be inspected for problems. Whatever issues there might be, an experienced Tacoma Roofing contractor can examine them at length and suggest the remedy.

In case your gutters tend to clog all too often, or you will find leaks along the walls of your home, it may mean that there is debris piled up on the roof. Loose branches, piles of leaves, and other light objects that are swept on your roof during a storm can all contribute towards damaging your roof, which damages can be lasting. A knowledgeable Tacoma Roofing company will explain that birds, mice, along with other kinds of rodents often build nest within the debris that collects on the roof. While these nests may look rather innocent, they're great at collecting moisture, be responsible for loose shingles, mold, and indoor leaks in your home. In addition, this may also cause vermin infestation. After a storm, your Tacoma Roofing company will claim that you inspect your homes roof for just about any signs of debris or damage.

Reverse Damages by using a Tacoma Roofer


However high quality the rooftop might be, it is going to wear down over time. There are shingles which are referred to as "25 year" or "30 year" shingles, but those numbers are just associated with warranty produced by the manufacturers. They hardly ever require that long. Realistically speaking, "25 year" shingles will not last more than fifteen to twenty years. In an area that is vulnerable to storms, shingles or the entire roof may need to be replaced every 10 years. With a Tacoma Roofer, the price is going to be less than what you believe.

If there you lose any shingles, or there is some harm to them, a Tacoma Roofing company will be able to help you. Damaged shingles can result in indoor leaks, since the substrate of the roof becomes exposed to the elements. Shingles that are loose or broken can slip off and pose a potential hazard to people standing below. Missing shingles produce a gap which allows rain, wind, ice, and debris to develop underneath the adjoining shingles, which results in a "domino effect" that affects other shingles plus they become loose or broken. A comprehensive investigation is going to be produced by your local Tacoma Roofing contractor, if you give them a call track of your suspicions of loose or missing shingles.


Your Tacoma Roofing contractor come in a situation to inform you what the best option is for your homes roof. In case your roof is not in a good shape, it's advised that you have it replaced completely. The Tacoma Roofing company may take you through the various roofing possibilities for you which will fit your requirements and your budget.

Tacoma Roofing company: Improving your Home's Efficiency


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

First of all, inspect your roof thoroughly for any and all sorts of type of damage, before the beginning of the year. The gutters ought to be clear, debris shouldn't be piled on or trapped under shingles, there should be no homes of squirrels or birds within the eaves or attic, and also the roof ought to be structurally sound. For your last part, you'll need the help of the local Tacoma Roofing company. It may be quite dangerous to climb onto the roof of your house. This is where the contractor from Tacoma Roofing company is available in. He will read the strength and security of your roof and shingles, and do a general inspection from the entire roof structure, to make sure that it is in proper working order. They will be able to point towards issues that you need to keep an eye on and problems you may not have spotted.

You will need all the help you could possibly get from the Tacoma Roofing company. You can help your homes roof by installing a gutter guard or leaf cover to assist prevent debris from forming inside your gutters. The additional weight of debris prevents the gutters from draining and can even tear them down. Look into the fasteners in your gutters and if they're loose, tighten them. Do something to alter worn screws and brackets. For those who have a chimney in your house, inspect the bricks and mortar signs and symptoms of wear. A reliable mason can be recommended because of your Tacoma Roofing company, if you will find any repairs to be done.

Tacoma Roofing contractor: Someone You are able to Rely on
When you realize or suspect that there is a problem, your Tacoma Roofing contractor ought to be contacted. They can use their knowledge and expertise to get your home back in ace condition simply by working on the rooftop. Your homes roof deserves attention. So call them today, so that they can conclude caring for your roof.

 

Sunday, April 10, 2011

What is Difference Between Commercial Roofing Companies From Residential Roofing Companies

If you are considering getting a roofing company to re roof your house or building then you may be wondering what are the differences are between residential roofing companies and commercial roofing companies. To begin with, the one big difference is that often times a commercial roofing company might have signed a contract with and be obligated to some roofing union in able to focus on union commercial jobs.

If this sounds like the situation then their labor costs will prohibit them from working on non union residential jobs. Beyond that, if your commercial roofing company hasn't signed an agreement with a union they may be outfitted simply for commercial jobs and that means that their workers and equipment might not be in line with smaller residential jobs.

Residential roofing contractors generally often run smaller companies and therefore, tend to be more capable of bid competitively on residential jobs, which are usually small compared to comercial jobs. In fact, often times residential roofing contractors will run one man operations, in which the contractor that you simply talk to may be the one that actually does the job about the building.


residential Saratoga12 by jpignanello

Also, liability insurance for commercial roofing is more epensive and a larger bond is required for any commercial roofing work which will make it not cost effective for a commercial roofing contractor to complete residential roofing jobs.

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

 

Distinction between Commercial Roofing and Residential Roofing

Are you aware that the roof of a building has a huge impact on the whole structure itself? Damage caused to roofs due to natural or other disasters causes a considerable loss of property everywhere. The type of materials accustomed to construct the rooftop that ought to be sturdy and long lasting, the manner where the roof has been installed as well as its timely maintenance are very crucial. There's two types of roofs which are used on all of the buildings that people see around us: commercial and residential. Although it may seem that commercial roofing is done just for businesses or offices and residential roofing is done for apartments and houses, in reality the differences are much more complex than that.


residential Saratoga12 by jpignanello

Residential roofing is usually completed by just one hired contractor but commercial roofing typically takes an entire team to accomplish the task. This is because an industrial roof tends to be larger in terms of square feet than the usual residential roof.
Commercial roofs need to be made carefully keeping the nature and purpose of the building in your mind. For instance, if there is a cafe or restaurant in the building then external components like ventilation systems, smoke stacks and pipes will be required. Residential roofs usually do not have such components apart from a chimney or two at the most.
Commercial roofs tends to be flat in design to accommodate further changes at a later period, whereas most residential roofs have peaks along with other architectural features like roof gardens.
Commercial roofing is much more expensive than residential roofing due to the special tools, materials and safety equipment that are needed onsite. Usually the patching or maintenance jobs are done in segments unlike for a residential roof where the repair or replacement work could be carried out a short time. This really is another reason why the gear used for residential roofs is often smaller and less costly as well.
Commercial roof installations have a longer time to complete compared to residential roof installations and are usually constructed in large sections. In this phase however, you should ensure that there aren't any leakages, cracks or any other visible deterioration signs as it can certainly cause considerable harm to the whole building.
You should install the right roof for any building depending on its purpose. Ensure that you hire a construction company that utilizes top notch materials and it has the best equipment for the job or neglect the risk turning to be a huge loss later.