With each passing week, the field of legitimate Heisman candidates arrives.
more clearly in focus. A high level of consistency becomes increasingly
important when competing at this level. Some of the players we have followed
up to this point in the season are worthy of recognition for their contributions to
success of their teams, but they may be slowly slipping out of contention for the
Heismann. On the list of serious candidates we still find Ohio State’s Troy Smith,
Adrian Peterson from Oklahoma, Garrett Wolfe from Northern Illinois, West Virginia
Steve Slaton and Brady Quinn of Notre Dame. While there are others who
deserve a mention, they will need great personal performances and a bit
lucky now to catch those listed above. These players include Mike Hart of
Michigan, Auburn’s Kenny Irons, Rutgers’ Ray Rice and maybe a second
Michigan player we’re all hearing more about these days, Mario Manningham.

If you watched Ohio State play Bowling Green and closely followed Troy Smith
you will have no doubt why he is currently considered the leader in the race for the
2006 Heisman Trophy. Troy has the rare ability to fight for yards and
to launch millimetric and precise passes. His poise and maturity are on display every
snap of the ball Troy missed a few snaps Saturday due to a minor injury, which
it reminds us once again how fragile success can be at this level. A play can
changes a game, a player’s season, his Heisman potential and, in some cases,
his career. Hopefully each of our Heisman candidates can stay healthy and
continue playing at the level we expect and enjoy.

Oklahoma loss to Texas will impact voter perception of Heisman
Adrian Peterson. Winning records carry weight with Heisman voters. Despite
Adrián’s game has been remarkable at times, there have been some moments of
questionable game too. Those who watched this week’s match will remember Adrian’s
dropped pass that was ruled a lateral that allowed Texas to score a defensive touchdown.
Can a single moment like this take away Adrian’s chances of winning the Heisman?
Probably not, but he’ll need to focus on the next few games to raise his game.
and his chances of being our Heisman winner in New York.

There may not be enough superlatives to describe Garrett Wolfe from Northern Illinois.
He continues to live up to preseason expectations, and maybe a little more. by garrett
The statistics speak for themselves. At the end of this season nothing will surprise us
if in addition to many school records, Garrett enjoys some NCAA Division 1-A records such as
right. Because of his consistency and high performance, Garrett gets my vote as a clear second.
Troy Smith. It’s hard for me not to like Garrett’s performances on the field and to be shooting
for him to score an upset Heisman.

Steve Slaton, West Virginia, rarely disappoints, and his 185 yards against Mississippi
Status was another reason why. As long as Steve continues to rack up big numbers
he will remain a serious contender for this year’s Heisman. Steve is definitely
a big part of the reason why West Virginia is 5-0 and highly ranked in the polls. Steve
has shown week after week that it deserves to be compared to the Troy Smiths,
Garrett Wolfes and Adrian Petersons from the world of college football.

What can be said about Notre Dame’s Brady Quinn? Just when you think he’s done something
to get out of the Heisman race, step up and make big plays or have
the kind of game that will keep you on the run. Play quarterback for Notre Dame
draw a lot of attention on his own, and have over 1,600 passing yards on the season
midpoint will keep that attention focused on you. Of all the players discussed up to this
point, Brady may have the remotest chance of winning the Heisman. His game has been
spotty at times this year but like I said keep making good things happen at the right times
and that will keep him on the Heisman short list.

Michigan currently has two players worth discussing here, Michael Hart and Mario Manningham.
Most college football pundits expected Michael Hart to be a Heisman contender this year, but
his teammate, “Super Mario”, has come something out of nowhere to light up screens with
sensational catch after sensational catch. If Mario continues like this, it is likely that in
several weeks we will be talking only about Mario’s Heisman career and Michael Hart will be a
remote memory. Only time will tell, but for now Michael is still playing well enough to be
considered as having an outside possibility of reaching New York.

The loss of Auburn significantly affected their ranking and Kenny Irons’ lackluster play certainly did.
it didn’t help his chances of winning the Heisman. To recover from this you will need to have
several great performances to get back into contention. If Kenny has a thing
goes for it is that sports fans and writers have short memories. Some killer performances
at the right time of the season can launch a player or team back into the college stratosphere
the soccer elite.

Last week’s article mentioned Ray Rice of Rutger. Rutgers remained in the top 25 of both
AP and USA Today polls this week despite a scheduled week off. We will have to
watch Ray’s next game to find out which way he’ll move in the Heisman race. A
this point, he has played well enough to draw the attention of many sportswriters and
fans. Is the midpoint of the season too late for a player to mount a title run?
of the best college football player? In the coming weeks, Ray will answer this question for us.
everybody.

There’s never a lack of excitement, suspense or annoyance in college football. although anyone
noteworthy player on this or any other list of Heisman hopefuls could make it in New York
this year, any of them could fade into the background just as quickly due to injury, poor play, the
promotion of an unexpected candidate, or a myriad of other reasons. As fans, we are lucky enough to sit
come back and enjoy the athleticism and excitement that make this race worth watching. Personally,
I look forward to another great week of college football.

Have you ever thought about appraising one of your registered domain names, because you were considering selling it and wanted to know what the fair price would be? Maybe you’re just curious about how much your domain is worth? Did the high fees for itemized appraisal services put you off or are you still considering it?

Here’s a simple fact: domain names, like any other product or service, are worth what the market supports.

What that means is that if a domain appraiser tells you that your domain name is worth $2,500, but the most you can fetch at auction is $50, then your domain is really worth $50, not $2,500. It is basic economics. The market works with a supply and demand system. You are providing a certain domain name, and its value is entirely determined by the demand for that name. If only one person in the world is interested in buying it, its value will be pretty low (unless, of course, it’s an invader who jumped on a domain someone let expire and is demanding an obscene price for it). On the other hand, if thousands of people desperately want the domain name you are selling, the price some people are willing to pay can skyrocket, making your domain name worth thousands.

How domains are valued

Domain appraisal is not an exact science. Various factors are considered, ranging from domain length to domain extension. Here are some of the considerations:

The domain extension: A .com domain is always valued higher than .net, .org or another extension for the same name.

The length of the domain name: Domains tend to be valued more if you avoid going from 12 to 15 characters.

Hyphens and Numbers – You will receive a higher rating if you avoid using numbers and hyphens in your domain name.

Domain Prefixes – You will receive a lower rating if your domain name begins with any type of prefix, be it an e, i, the, an, etc.

Name Recognition: If you can register a domain that can be easily recognized, such as a common dictionary word, you will receive a higher rating.

Name Relevance – If your domain specifically indicates what services or products your website might offer, you will receive a higher rating.

Marketability – Could the domain name be easily marketed and promoted? Does it end itself in a simple logo and site campaign? Can it be easily pronounced in a radio campaign without being confusing, like having multiple possible spellings? Does it look attractive in print? If the answer to each question is yes, you will receive a higher grade.

Is it worth the cost?

At the very least, you should understand that domain name appraisals are extremely subjective and that you could receive very different valuations from two different appraisal companies. In a general sense, unless absolutely necessary, a domain name appraisal probably isn’t worth it. When selling a domain name, many buyers require you to provide them with one. Some even tell you which appraisal companies they will and will not accept. If that’s the case, agree to get the appraisal, but let the customer know that if they ask for it, they’ll be responsible for paying the fee up front, or add it to their bill when you process the sale. Other than that, if you want an honest opinion on one of your domain names, there are countless free forums on the Web where experienced domain buying and selling professionals will give you their free opinion, based on what they’ve seen similar domains sell. . for recently. It might be a better use of your time to get various opinions that way, and decide for yourself what you think your domain is worth. And if you considered getting a domain appraisal just out of curiosity, remember this: Your company’s domain name is only as valuable as you think it is. If you couldn’t run your business without it, it’s priceless.

Let’s take a look at some common food prep flow plans you’ll discover inside the kitchen. The most basic and desirable flow plan is the straight line flow plan, also known as assembly line flow. Materials are constantly moving from one procedure to another in a straight line. This type of styling minimizes recoil; saves prep time and confusion about what leaves the kitchen area and what comes back.

The straight line layout works great for small facilities because it can be placed against a wall and accommodated for cooks’ tasks. When there is not enough space to organize food preparation in a straight line, a much appreciated and efficient option is parallel flow. There are four variations of the parallel style:

1. Back to back. The equipment is arranged within a long central counter or island in two straight lines running parallel to each other. Sometimes a four or five foot room divider or low wall is placed between the two lines. It is primarily a safety precaution, minimizing noise and clutter and preventing liquids spilled on one side from spreading to the other. However, putting up a wall here also makes cleaning and sanitation very difficult. The back-to-back arrangement centralizes plumbing and utilities;

You may not need to install as many drains, sinks, or outlets, since both sides of the counter can share the same ones. A back-to-back arrangement in which the walk-through window is parallel to (and behind one of) the production locations is sometimes recognized as a California-style kitchen. When the pass-through window is located perpendicular to the production line, it could be called a European-style kitchen area style. The benefit of the European style is that each cook in line can see the progression of the various dishes that make up the 1 table order.

2. Face to face. In this kitchen area configuration, a central aisle separates two straight lines of equipment on either side of the room. Sometimes the aisle is wide enough to add a straight line of work tables between the two rows of equipment. This configuration works well for high volume power installations such as schools and hospitals, but does not benefit from single source utilities. While it’s a great design for worker control, it forces people to work with their backs to each other, in effect separating the cooking of the food from the rest of the distribution process. Therefore, it is most likely not the best style for a restaurant.

3. L-shape. Wherever space is not enough for a straight or parallel layout, the L-shape kitchen design is well suited to access multiple groups of equipment and is adaptable for catering restaurants. table. It gives you the ability to fit more equipment within a smaller room. You’ll often find an L-shaped layout in dishwashing areas, using the dishwasher located in the center corner of the L.

4. U-shaped. This arrangement is seldom used, but is ideal for a small room with one or two employees, such as a salad preparation area or pantry. An island bar, like those found at TGI Friday’s restaurants, is a further example of the U-shape in performance. There are also circular and square kitchen area designs, but their limited flow patterns make them impractical. Avoid wasting space if you can by making your kitchen area rectangular, with its entrance on one of the longer walls to save steps.

The more foodservice establishments you visit, the more you realize that the back of house is a separate and distinct entity from the rest of the industry, with its own peculiar challenges and unique solutions.

Proper flow planning sometimes means dividing each function of the kitchen area into a department, and then deciding how those departments should interact with each other. They must also interact with the other departments outside the facility: your dining room, bar, cashier, etc. A great way to start the design process, both for the company as a whole and for the kitchen, is to create a bubble diagram. Each region (or workstation) is represented as a circle, or “bubble”, drawn in pencil within the location you have decided may be the most logical for that function. If two different workstations are going to share some equipment, you can let the sides of their circles cross slightly to indicate where the shared equipment will best be located.

The finished diagram will look abstract, but the exercise allows you to visualize each action center and think about your needs in relation to the other centers. You can also design a kitchen using a diamond pattern, placing the cooking area at one point on the diamond shape and other important areas in relation to it at other points. Note that this layout minimizes confusion (and accidents) with a separate kitchen entrance and exit. This allows table cleaners to deliver dirty dishes to the dishwashing area without having to walk all over the kitchen to do so.

An alternative to drawing diagrams is to list each execution center and then list any other work centers that should be placed next to it. Instead, list any venues that shouldn’t be next to them. For example, it’s probably not a great idea to have the ice maker and ice storage bin next to the center for frying and grilling.

For some people on this earth, feeling safe is something that is a normal part of their life. This is not to say that someone like that will never feel insecure; what it means is that this is something that they will rarely experience.

However, even though they probably won’t think about the fact that they usually feel safe, feeling that way will allow them to show themselves fully and live a life worth living. Therefore, your felt sense of security will be the foundation on which almost everything else rests.

another experience

On the other hand, when someone does not have a sense of security, they are unlikely to be able to fully embrace life or have a life worth living. The foundation on which every other part of your life would be built simply won’t be in place.

In other words, since the first element will not be in its place, the rest of the elements will not be in its place. And, even if they have built a life, it is unlikely that everyone will agree with it or that it will be a life that reflects who they really are.

a part

However, as long as one lives in this way, it does not mean that one will realize that one does not feel safe. Instead, what is happening may simply be something they are used to.

As a result of this, it will cause them problems, but there will be no reason for them to do anything about it. As far as they are concerned, you can see what life is like and what they have to put up with.

Step back

For their life to change, they will have to be able to take a step back from what is happening. From here, they will be able to find a way to change their life so that they can develop a sense of security.

However, until this happens, they will continue to live a life that will not bring them much joy. It could be a lonely existence that feels like a curse or it could be an existence where they can experience ‘positive’ feelings from time to time by pleasing others.

groundhog day

When they are around others, they can lose touch with how they feel and end up playing a role. The reason they may lose touch with how they feel is that they won’t feel safe enough to be in their body.

This is likely something that just happens rather than something they consciously choose to do. As for playing a role, this will be a way of trying to gain the approval of others.

outsourced

Being in his body will be seen as too great a risk; while being outside their bodies will be seen as the way to survive. What this boils down to is that if they were to inhabit your body, it would be much harder for them to detect and avoid a threat.

Again, this is unlikely to be something they are aware of or choose to do. Their need to play a role or series of roles that allows them to please others is because they see other people as being in control of their own survival.

the alternative

If you were to settle into your body and allow your life to be an expression of your true self (your feelings, values, and intuition, for example) or your whole being and not just the part of your being that relates to your survival, it is likely that they experience a lot of fear and anxiety, and even terror. Living on the surface of yourselves and doing what you can to please others will be a way of staying together.

Still, while this will allow you to keep your inner world in check, there may be times when this is not the case. Like jam spread on toast, anxiety could spread over your life, making it difficult for you to feel comfortable.

a life of isolation

Another part of this is that they may have a strong need to spend a lot of time away from others. This will prevent them from meeting some of their needs, but it will allow them to settle down.

Because of how strong this need is, they may not even think about most of their other needs when they’re alone. This can also be a way for them to recharge, as being around others could make them feel more unregulated than regulated.

What’s going on?

It may seem strange why someone would not feel safe and would need to spend most of their life in a disembodied state and a lot of time alone. The main problem is that they do not have a sense of security and this can show that they had a deeply traumatic childhood.

During their early years, they may have been abused and/or neglected on a weekly, if not daily basis. A time when they needed love, care and protection to grow and develop would have been a time when they were pushed to their limits and all their resources were used to keep them alive.

Awareness

Another way to get an idea of ​​what it was like for them would be for someone to imagine that one’s initial environment was like a war zone. The difference is that, unlike a soldier, they were helpless, extremely vulnerable and underdeveloped, and therefore totally unarmed to handle what was happening.
​
If one can relate to this and is ready to change their life, they may need to seek outside support. This is something that can be provided with the help of a therapist or healer.

If you’re having trouble achieving a hard erection, you’re not alone. There are over 30 million men of all ages suffering from erectile dysfunction (ED) today in the US alone. Erectile dysfunction often occurs by the time a man reaches the dreaded age of 40, but it can occur earlier in some cases.

With so many men facing the problem today, it’s no wonder erectile dysfunction drugs like Viagra are in high demand. While prescription drugs like the blue pill can give you a break, so to speak, they also have serious and often fatal side effects that you need to be aware of. These negative side effects include:-

1.heart attack

2 times

3. priapism (painful erections due to prolonged and uncontrollable erections)

If prescription drugs are so dangerous, where else can you go for help? This article will give you information on how to achieve that hard erection you used to have (or always wanted) without risking your life with dangerous erectile dysfunction drugs.

Thanks to the research of many health enthusiasts, there are certain sex enhancing exercises that help you get an incredibly hard erection without any medication. These sex enhancing exercises can surely be called a modern wonder as their effects on the male genital organs are very healthy. But it should always be remembered that although these exercises surely help men to get back a rock-hard erection, it is not possible for you to get a hard erection in a day or two. Take the example of bodybuilding. You cannot build your body in a few days. You will have to exercise for a few weeks to get a well-shaped body. Same is the case here.

You will have to stick to this sex enhancement exercise plan in order to get good results. That being said, now below is a highly effective sex enhancement exercise that will help you get a strong erection naturally.

Plank.

The plank is an exercise that strengthens your abs, your core. As your core muscles improve, they become more muscular and toned. As a result, these muscles begin to demand more blood supply. your snout because the arteries that supply your abdomen also lead to your snout.

The plank is a superior exercise for building core strength. It’s better than sit-ups for building a strong core. Naturally, you are doing a plank if you are having sex from the missionary position without resting on your woman.

Do you want to have a rock hard erection without taking any medication? Erectile Dysfunction No More is perfect for you.

Unpaid overtime cases arise under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”), the federal law that generally provides for time-and-a-half overtime pay.

To win an unpaid overtime case, you must prove three (3) basic elements by preponderance of the evidence:

(1) that you were employed by the defendant during the time involved;

(2) that your work was engaged in the trade or production of goods for the trade or the defendant’s business or businesses under a unified operation or common control employed at least two persons and was engaged in the trade or production of goods for the business and had annual gross sales of at least $500,000; Y

(3) that the defendant failed to pay you the overtime hours required by law.

Engaged in Trade

The term “commerce” has a very broad meaning and includes any business, trade, transportation, transmission, or communication between any state and any place outside the state.

Examples of employees who are “engaged in commerce” under the Fair Labor Standards Act include any person who uses a telephone, fax machine, US mail, or electronic mail system to communicate with people in another state. Likewise, it also includes employees who use electronic devices that authorize credit card purchases. As you can see, the definition is very broad and is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Overtime Rate Calculation

The Fair Labor Standards Act generally requires an employer to pay employees at a rate of at least one-half their regular rate for time worked in a workweek over forty hours. This is commonly known as time and a half pay for overtime.

An employee’s “regular rate” for a particular week is the basis for calculating any overtime pay due for that week. A week’s regular rate is determined by dividing the first 40 hours worked by the total wages paid for those 40 hours. The overtime rate, then, would be half that rate and would be due for each hour in excess of 40 hours worked during the workweek.

Exemptions under FLSA

Most employers justify not paying overtime by claiming an “exemption.” Probably the most common exemptions are executive and administrative exemptions, but there are many more.

To receive the benefit of a executive exemption, the defendant must prove that his primary duty was to manage the business or department of the business. For example, a chief executive officer would likely be exempt under the FLSA if he directed the work of at least two or more employees and had the authority to hire or fire other employees, or his suggestions and recommendations regarding the hiring, firing, promotion , promotion or any other change in status of other employees received particular weight.

To receive the benefit of a management waiver, the defendant must prove that your primary duty was the performance of work directly related to the management or general business operation of your employer and that you exercised discretion and independent judgment regarding matters of importance. An office manager may qualify for the administrative exemption.

In determining whether or not you are an exempt employee, it is important to remember that it is the work you actually performed that matters, not your written job description. In other words, if your job description states that you are a manager, but your primary duty is receptionist, chances are you are not exempt and may be due overtime. As you can imagine, these types of cases are very fact-dependent and vary from case to case.

Damages

The measure of damages or money under the FLSA is the difference between what you should have been paid under the Act and the amount you were actually paid. This is called late payment. Damages are not allowed as punishment and cannot be imposed or increased to penalize your employer.

Finally, if you are successful in winning your case under the FLSA, you may be entitled to liquidated damages (double back pay) and reasonable attorney fees.

Are you looking for an effective acne treatment? Millions of people around the world suffer from acne and are looking for the right acne treatment to help them solve their problem. Having pimples on your face is a big problem, especially since it can make you feel embarrassed and humiliated in front of your friends or loved ones. Today’s post helps you on how to treat acne. Below are excellent remedies that will not cause you allergic reactions and skin irritations:

1. Wash your face with salicylic acid before going to bed. This is an acne treatment to depend on. Salicylic acid can dissolve blackheads and dead skin cells. Rub a small amount of white toothpaste on your acne. Let it stay overnight. Wash your face first thing in the morning. Repeat this for a few days until you see results in no time.

2. Drink plenty of water. It’s another acne treatment you can trust. Always have a bottle of water with you when driving or at your desk. It can keep your skin fresh and blemish free. Water is a natural cure for pimples without the harsh irritations.

3. Stay away from processed foods. These foods only irritate your condition because they contain a lot of toxins that can make your acne worse. If you want to know how to treat acne, look for fresh and organic foods. Include more fruits and vegetables in your diet.

4. Exfoliate with cornmeal. Use this natural acne treatment to get rid of those pimples fast. This is your perfect home remedy to combat pimples. It can thoroughly clean blocked pores. Mix cornmeal with your facial cleanser. Massage the solution all over your face twice a week. They can work together to penetrate deep into pores and dissolve dead skin cells and hardened oils.

5. Wear only mineral makeup. This can help you avoid clogging of skin pores that can be caused by most non-mineral makeup. Choose mineral makeup with SPF to protect you from the sun’s harmful rays. Remember that exposure to the sun can make your pimples and your skin more damaged.

6. Use moisturizer. If you have oily skin in particular, use moisturizer. Dehydration of the skin will not help in the treatment of acne. Apply moisturizer twice a day because without it you will have dry skin, which can make you more prone to pimples. Dry skin also has no barrier, so pimple-causing bacteria can easily stick to the skin.

7. Use tea tree oil products. This is another natural yet effective acne treatment that works in your favor. It has antibacterial properties that can help heal acne quickly.

8. Remove hair products from your pimple-prone skin. Your hair should be away from your face to prevent breakouts.

9. Vaporize your face. Steam is another acne treatment to rely on. You can easily get rid of acne and pimples.

These are natural ways on how to treat acne that you can do at home without spending much at a spa or dermatology clinic. Follow these tips if you want to get rid of those annoying and embarrassing pimples on your face. Effective acne treatment doesn’t have to be expensive, but it’s actually within your reach at any time. Have a pimple free face now!

Barbados has much to offer in all its beauty and splendor, but there is also incredible tropical marine life in the depths of the waters to discover. Sure there is no problem if the deep sea is your hobby, if you are trained, qualified and equipped to dive in the deep sea, but this is not an option for most visitors to Barbados. However, these visitors need not miss out on this fascinating deep-sea tropical life if they take a tour on the Atlantis submarine.

The Atlantis Submarine and these tours have been specifically designed to take visitors who are unable to dive deep into the surface waters and see this incredible tropical fish life for themselves. You will take a short scenic boat ride of approximately 10 minutes to the dive site at Freshwater Bay, also known as Clarke’s Reef on the west coast of Barbados, where you will arrive and watch as the 65ft submarine slowly rises out of the water for you to board. . First you see its antennae emerge, then a circular cone, and finally the tubular white steel helmet. You have to go down a ladder of 10 steps and then you are on board the submarine. Once all passengers are on board, the sub slowly emerges into the water and sinks to about 100 to 150 feet, stopping at the coral reef that stretches for about two miles and is about 60 feet high, before go to the bottom of the ocean. where you will find an old shipwreck.

The submarine offers a comfortable and spacious air-conditioned cabin and accommodates up to 24 passengers with seats on each side for you to sit in large circular viewing holes opposite each other so you can see first hand the incredible colors and tropical marine life that surround you. surrounds, including visiting and getting up close to the old shipwreck. The interior of the sub’s cabin is maintained at sea level pressure for your comfort and a large 52-inch porthole is located at the front of the sub for additional viewing opportunities. You will see the pilot here surrounded by all of his controls and he moves the sub at a very slow speed (1.5 knots) so that he can slowly navigate the underwater marine life. You’ll discover that curious exotic fish can peek through the submarine’s portholes, and the 40-minute expedition is narrated by an expert co-pilot who will guide you through your underwater journey and explain what he’s seeing.

The submarine will then rise and your boat will be waiting to take you back to shore. You’ll want to make sure you’ve brought your camera with you and you’ll be advised not to use your flash as taking pictures through the port holes will come out black, but without using the flash you’ll be able to get some good pictures, albeit better. your camera will probably make a difference. You can use the flash indoors to get clear images of yourself on board a submarine. Each porthole has a picture card so you can try to identify which dazzling fish you have seen. You are likely to see a variety of fish including butterfly fish, silversides, parrot fish, as well as possibly a barracuda and a sea turtle. The sea fans give you an amazing view of colorful sponge life bobbing in the waters and they are truly amazing. As the sub moves deeper into the wreck, this incredible coral life and tropical fish are left behind and you can see the bottom of the seabed.

This is a wonderful, easy, safe and comfortable way to explore the incredible marine life in the deep sea without being a qualified deep sea diver. These tours are award winning and highly recommended as a fantastic aquatic experience, something not to be missed.

“How much does a log house cost?” is the most frequently asked question in the industry and also the most difficult to answer. Customers aren’t the only ones who are frustrated; dealers and manufacturers are fully aware that not giving an easy answer could lose a sale. In reality, however, the answer is “That depends,” and the sooner homeowners accept this statement, the sooner they can start looking in the right place.

WHAT DO I MEAN BY THE RIGHT PLACE? Like everyone else, my husband and I began our search with exclamation gasps at the majestic, multi-faceted houses with numerous roof peaks, giant trusses, huge windows, and large logs. What we didn’t realize right away is that each of our favorite log houses was handmade and so far out of our price range, we might as well have been buying a castle.

The first thing you need to do is distinguish between a handmade log house and a milled log house. Hand-built log homes will cost 2-4 times more per square foot than a sawn log home, considering the size of the logs and the labor intensive work required from the first day they are selected. If the logs are not the same size, you will know immediately that you are looking at a handmade house.

MILL LOG HOUSES: If you are selecting a handmade log house, you don’t need to be reading this article! For the rest of us, there are other basic factors to consider if you’re looking at price: log diameter, log species, and log corners. The first two factors speak for themselves. However, the corner system can make a big difference. For example, think about how records are stacked. If you remember your Lincoln Log toy, you had to find the half log to start the first course. This is how a Saddle-Notched corner system is built. The rows are staggered and the logs are notched to fit snugly together, and when you look around the corner you’ll see that each end of the logs sits on top of the one below, creating a continuous, unbroken run from top to bottom. Notches require another pass through the mill and will add to the final cost.

When you look at a Butt-and-Pass log house, you will see a gap between each log beyond the corner. This is because all the logs are placed on the same plane; the first course starts with a full log and hits the other wall log that passes next to it. The following course reverses the process. There is no notch to hold them together, therefore less time in the mill. If you compare a cap and go house to a saddle notched house, dollar for dollar, the cap and go house should be less expensive. This is where aesthetics come into play.

A house with logs that are flat inside and out will likely be joined with a dovetail system, where the logs are notched at an angle and fit together perfectly. Think of the corner of your kitchen drawer. These also require higher precision equipment and are slightly more expensive to build.

There are other corner systems, but these three are the most common. Just keep in mind that the corner creates one of the big differences between one manufacturer’s milled product and another.

PACKAGE REGISTRATION. Once you’ve settled on the corner system, you’ll find that each company prices their records differently. To get a real apples-to-apples comparison, you should request a quote ONLY at registration. And remember that logs make up 1/4 to 1/5 of the cost of the eventual home. I think you’ll find that within the same size, species, and corner system, the basic costs won’t vary much from manufacturer to manufacturer…not including shipping, of course.

Many companies cite a weather-tight casing, which means all the components for a weather-tight house: logs, windows, roof sheathing, doors. It’s tempting to get this type of quote, but remember that you may be paying thousands of dollars extra to ship generic lumber across the country. And when the extra stuff is delivered, it’s up to you to store it safely and dry on site. If your contractor buys the lumber locally, you can get it when you need it, instead of months in advance.

IT IS A CUSTOM HOUSE. Once you get past building log walls, you’ll find that your log home isn’t much different from any other custom home. The roof materials are the same, the heating systems are the same, the windows are basically the same. Most of your decisions are inside the house: standard kitchen vs. custom cabinets, granite vs. Formica, hardwood floors vs. carpeted, tongue and groove vs. plaster, antler chandelier vs. wagon wheel…this is where the big price differences can add up. It’s a custom home, remember, and the choices are up to you. In the Mid-Atlantic states, the price per square foot of a custom frame home and a custom log home will be fairly equivalent. When you look at it from that point of view, the whole pricing equation starts to make more sense.

BOTTOM LINE: This is where we all get into trouble. There is no agreement on a budget price, because local costs vary widely. Four years ago, when I started designing my house, the magazines said to budget $150 per square foot. I thought this was outrageous, but in the end, we spent about $157 per square foot on a saddle notched house with 8″ pine logs and a few upgrades, so I’m glad I paid attention. If you start there, you will see at least being in the ballpark.

The Android tablet promises to give the iPad a tough competition. While the iPad was the first commercially successful tablet, Android-based competitors are currently in development and about to enter the market. It’s up to market forces to determine how successful Android tablets will be.

Archos Internet Tablet

Archos is one of the biggest companies currently working in the Android tablet market. They have several Android Froyo tablet solutions coming to market.

Archos 28 Internet Tablet:

The Archos Android Archos 28 tablet is a small personal media player that can play video, audio, and movies. The device is loaded with the Archos app library due to Google not allowing access to the app market. This little device will retail for $99.99 and will ship with Android froyo.

Archos 32 Internet Tablet:

The Archos 32 is a 3.2-inch display with 8GB of onboard storage. This device adds a composite port to allow images to be displayed on a television. Also, this tablet has a camera on the back that is capable of recording video in 720p. It will be available for $149.99 in mid-September.

Archos 43 Internet Tablet:

The Archos 43 is a device the size of the Dell Streak or the Apple iPhone. It is supported by a 1 GHZ ARM Cortex A8 processor. The Archos 43 is capable of gaming or whatever else you want to do wherever you go. This device will be available in mid-October and will retail for around $199.

Archos 70 Internet Tablet:

The Archos 70 is an updated version of the Archos 7 home tablet. This device is going to be around four-tenths of an inch thick. It will weigh only 11 ounces! The Archos 70 does not have a rear camera, but it will be equipped with a front camera. There will be pre-loaded video chat applications on the device that will allow people to communicate through the device. This tablet will be available for $274.99 and is expected to ship in mid-October.

Archos 101 Internet Tablet:

The Archos 101 is the crown jewel of the Archos line. This device is expected to ship in mid-October and will cost around $300. This device is only half an inch thick and weighs just over nine-tenths of a pound. The built-in 1GHZ processor will make video playback a breeze. It shares some of the features of the Archos 70, including the VGA camera and the USB and HDMI ports. The kickstand that comes with this device will also ensure that you can watch movies or show slideshows wherever you are.

conclusion

Archos will release a large collection of Android froyo tablets in the coming months. These tablets can be had for any price range as well as any features that a user requires. Whether a user wants a simple and easy to use model or wants the full featured model, Archos offers a diverse product line that will please their customers.