Sometimes, before you even hire home improvement contractors ...

For example, if you are interested in remodeling ones kitchen, you could probably do some areas of the project yourself and require the help of kitchen upgrading contractors for other aspects. If you now have a small your kitchen, there may very well be certain upgrading and pattern techniques that enable you to better utilize what space you have.

The serious components to kitchen upgrading are storage, lighting, and appliances. Budget and space limits do not need to hamper ones kitchen redesign. You may transform ones small kitchen into a room that is warm and efficient.

Since you now have a very specific number of available space to cooperate with, you should look into purchasing compact appliances. For example, a refrigerator that is 24 inches deep, in lieu of 30 inches deep, will save you a few space. It?s also possible to be innovative regarding where by you retail store these home appliances, such underneath or above cabinets.

You may ask the home improvement contractors to develop an island in the center of your kitchen and that means you may work with it for storage. Its handy location will make certain you may access the proper cooking and baking equipment from any place in the your kitchen, even when you are in the midst of preparing a meal or the baking a sweet.

To increase counter and cabinet space, you may store your pots and pans by dangling them up. Doing this leaves additional hard drive space usage and gives your your kitchen a homey feel and look. Another upgrading option is to get a galley your kitchen design, which comes with cabinets and appliances that fall into line on several sides on the corridor. This design may give your kitchen another depth.

It?s also possible to create the illusion with more space with clever, creative lighting. Light below the cabinets and counters to give your your kitchen more dimension and also to make the idea appear more substantial. You may also install deep counters and cabinets to increase available work space and provide more home appliances.

Do your research to determine the type and amount of help you might need for ones kitchen upgrading project. You may want the assistance of an architect and designer, or it?s possible you?ll feel comfy simply banking on the recommendations of home improvement contractors. When you select your best course of action, you will be able to effectively change your small to medium sized kitchen into a competent work space.

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Source: http://www.perfectworldproductions.com.au/sometimes-before-you-even-hire-home-improvement-contractors-you-have-to-know-the-type-of-renovation-that-you-want-you-need-ascertain-whether-assembling-your-garden-shed-requires-home-repair-builder

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Do menu 'sweet spots' really exist?

Thursday, February 2, 2012

When you sit down to read a restaurant menu, do you read it like a book? Or do your eyes flit from place to place to find the most enticing dish?

A new study by SF State researcher Sybil Yang, assistant professor of hospitality and tourism management, suggests that on average diners read menus sequentially like a book, and that their gaze doesn't linger noticeably longer over any particular location on the menu. The finding goes against decades of conventional wisdom in the restaurant business that suggests there is a menu "sweet spot" where diners look the longest.

Restaurants place the items they hope to sell the most in this fabled sweet spot, lying just above the midline on the right-hand page. The sweet spot is just one strategy, along with colorful text and highlighted boxes, which menu designers use to catch a diner's wandering eye, said Yang.

It's an idea with surprisingly little data behind it, Yang found out. While researchers have studied how people scan a Web page or textbook, there are very few empirical studies of menu reading. Menu reading might be quite different from reading in other contexts, Yang pointed out, "because in a restaurant you have an audience with the motivation to read the entire thing."

"The restaurant industry has been piggybacking off past research," said Yang, without having the resources to test ideas like the sweet spot. "It's like a bad rumor that just kept perpetuating."

One widely cited study of menu "scanpaths" comes from graphic designer William Doerfler, who published an influential "focal map" of menu reading suggesting that a reader's eyes zigzag across menu pages and focus for the longest time on the right-hand sweet spot.

"I could only go from my own experience," Yang said, recalling the Doerfler study, "so I was thinking, 'am I just weird?' because I don't read it that way."

To learn more, Yang recruited test subjects to wear an infrared retinal eye scanner, read through a mock menu, and then choose a full meal as if they were at a real restaurant. She used video to record and analyze the readers' eye movements, or scanpaths as they perused the menu.

She found that on average, people read the menu sequentially like a book, moving from left to right and down the pages of the two-page menu. They read slowly, suggesting that they were reading for information rather than just scanning the pages. Yang found no evidence of a sweet spot where eyes tended to focus for the longest time, but she did notice a "sour spot" where readers focused for the least amount of time. The sour spot contained information about the restaurant and a list of salads -- which may not have been of interest to the mock diners, Yang suggested.

"The good news [for restaurants] is that people are reading the menus carefully, and that they seem to be choosing an entr?e and then building a meal around it," she said.

Restaurant owners that have seen Yang's data say "that this makes absolute sense," she said, "and that they're glad to have the empirical data."

There are plenty of other tricks of the trade in menu design that deserve closer scrutiny, said Yang. One of her other research projects involves the importance of decoys on menus ? "the items that are never meant to be chosen, but are placed there to affect your other choices," she explained.

The most famous example might be the $199.99 order of 20 buffalo wings and a bottle of Dom Perignon at Hooters restaurants, but many restaurants use decoys.

The details of design are especially important in an era where restaurant chains in particular have been bought by large, diversified corporations "with an interest in squeezing every one to two percent of profit out of them," Yang said. "It makes menus an even more important part of marketing."

###

"A revisitation on gaze motion and consumer scanpaths" will be published online Feb. 2 in the International Journal of Hospitality Management.

San Francisco State University: http://www.sfsu.edu

Thanks to San Francisco State University for this article.

This press release was posted to serve as a topic for discussion. Please comment below. We try our best to only post press releases that are associated with peer reviewed scientific literature. Critical discussions of the research are appreciated. If you need help finding a link to the original article, please contact us on twitter or via e-mail.

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Source: http://www.labspaces.net/117306/Do_menu__sweet_spots__really_exist__

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Motorola Succeeds In Blocking iCloud, iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 in Germany [Apple]

It's been a successful morning for Motorola in Germany. So far they've managed to secure a permanent injunction against Apple's iCloud, as well as seeing the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and first-gen 3G iPad removed from the online store. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/KaquZJ4WZhQ/motorola-succeeds-in-blocking-icloud-iphone-3gs-and-iphone-4-in-germany

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Andrews Law see increase in business sales | shropshirelive.com

Rob Andrews, Managing Director of the practice, believes that the economic climate is a key factor as businesses look at restructuring or joining with others to assist them during difficult times.

With this in mind, Rob advises it is crucial to ensure that businesses are provided with practical legal advice to ensure that any sale or purchase is right for them and that the deal is structured to ensure that the client?s requirements are understood and covered in the agreements. Rob works alongside his business clients from the outset to ensure that they have an agreed strategy, the correct team of advisers and have considered various key factors at an early stage. ?My view is that preparation is key. The process of buying or selling a business is not straightforward but if issues are identified at the outset the process can be managed effectively and efficiently for the benefit of both buyer and seller?.

Rob is happy to offer a free initial meeting to anyone looking to buy or sell a business to assess their needs and provide proactive, positive and practical advice as to how to proceed.

For further information please contact Rob Andrews rob@andrewslaw.co.uk or telephone 01746 769700.

Source: http://www.shropshirelive.com/2012/02/02/andrews-law-see-increase-in-business-sales/

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HBT: Nyjer Morgan trades cleats for skates

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Nyjer Morgan took to the ice to play a little hockey on Wednesday, practicing with the San Jose Sharks for about 30 minutes.

Morgan played junior hockey for the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey before giving up the sport to focus on baseball about a decade ago. He handled himself well, and even scored a goal on Sharks backup Thomas Greiss during a shootout contest.

Sharks star Joe Thornton characterized Morgan?s performance as ?Not bad. It was better than I thought.?

You can read more details in Mike Halford?s post over at PHT, and the always engaging Morgan talks about the experience in an entertaining interview with CSNBayArea below.

Stay cool, Tony Plush.

You can follow Bob on Twitter here, or if Facebook is your thing, be his friend here.

Source: http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/02/nyjer-morgan-returns-to-hockey-roots-appears-to-have-a-blast/related/

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Peyton Manning casts large shadow over Super Bowl (AP)

INDIANAPOLIS ? For a Manning who isn't in the Super Bowl, this one sure is making headlines.

It happened again Tuesday, when Colts quarterback Peyton Manning denied whispers that he was pondering retirement.

"I have no plans on doing that," he said.

It's the strongest indication that, despite having his third neck operation in September, he hopes to play in the NFL when the new season kicks off later this year ? something the league is happy about.

"My plan hasn't changed," he said. "I'm on track with what the doctors have told me to do, and I'm doing that. I'm rehabbing hard."

The NFL would prefer to keep the focus on this week's juiciest story lines -- Giants quarterback Eli Manning trying to outdo his older brother by winning a second Super Bowl; Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick chasing their fourth titles and maybe exacting a little revenge for their loss to New York four years ago.

But as everyone knows, this is Peyton's place, his town, and fans hang on every detail of his recovery.

"It's not the way it should be," he said earlier Tuesday in a taped interview with ESPN.

The Colts ended their most tumultuous month in more than a decade with another flurry of moves.

Team officials confirmed Tuesday that they had hired Bruce Arians, Manning's former quarterbacks coach, as offensive coordinator, and Harold Goodwin as offensive line coach. They also fired tight ends coach Ricky Thomas and assistant offensive line coach Ron Prince.

The whirlwind of changes began Jan. 2, the day after the Colts clinched the No. 1 overall draft pick with a league-worst 2-14 record. Irsay has since fired vice chairman Bill Polian, general manager Chris Polian, and dismissed coach Jim Caldwell and most of his staff -- a series of changes that prompted Peyton Manning to voice his complaints two days after the conference championship games.

Two days later, Irsay called Manning a "politician," fueling a public spat that drew national attention. The two tried to put out that fire before the team's scheduled arrivals, but the fallout has continued into this week.

"I would think he's very uncomfortable, especially with the Giants here and Eli," former Colts coach Tony Dungy said. "When you get to a Super Bowl, even though it's the second (recent) one for the Giants, you want the focus to be on that achievement. He would much rather have the focus on Eli and what they've done to get here, and unfortunately, that's not going to happen."

If there were any doubts, they were answered in a strange 24-hour period that began with the host committee's news conference Monday.

Irsay joined the mayor, governor and two committee officials to discuss game-week preparations, but wound up taking most of the questions, nearly all of which focused on Manning's future. Afterward, Irsay said he didn't plan to discuss the Manning situation again this week.

On Tuesday, Manning piped in.

Shortly after the NFL's annual Super Bowl media day event ended, Peyton Manning met with a small group of reporters with the idea of turning the attention back to Sunday's game.

That didn't work too well, either.

"I'm working hard, I had a really good session today," Manning said after repeatedly being asked about his rehab. "I continue to make progress and work hard. The doctors are encouraged and that's encouraging to me."

The four-time league MVP hasn't played in more than a year because of a damaged nerve that caused weakness in his throwing arm. He had neck surgery in May, then underwent his third and most invasive neck surgery in 19 months in September. Doctors fused two vertebrae together, a procedure that forced him to miss the Colts two-win season.

Since then, there has been rampant speculation about his recovery, the potential risks of a return, whether the Colts will pay Manning a $28 million roster bonus in early March to prevent him from becoming a free agent or whether the soon-to-be 36-year-old might retire.

"My plan hasn't changed," Manning said. "I'm on track with what the doctors have told me to do, and I'm doing that. I'm rehabbing hard."

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120201/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_super_bowl_peyton_s_shadow

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Egypt army fires general to boost image (Reuters)

CAIRO (Reuters) ? Egypt's military leader has sacked the general responsible for media affairs to bolster an image tarnished by killings of protesters and accusations that the men in uniform are undermining Egypt's democratic revolution.

The change is the first in the military council since the generals took power from President Hosni Mubarak during a popular uprising last February.

Although it defused a violent confrontation by ushering Mubarak out, the military has also tried to crush subsequent protests by force, killing dozens. It has only grudgingly agreed to hand over to a civilian president by June, and tried to protect its privileges and avoid civilian oversight.

Major General Ismail Etman, 60, was "exempted from service and replaced by Major General Ahmed Abu El-Dahab, the director of the artillery division," a defense ministry source said. The decision was announced later by state media.

Since the 1973 war against Israel, Egypt's army was seen as a respected institution set above the fray. But its direct involvement in politics has exposed it to closer scrutiny.

The generals are not trusted by many young pro-democracy campaigners, who suspect they want to curtail civilian power by exploiting the fragile security situation.

Dozens died when the army tried to suppress protests on the streets of Cairo in November and December and video of soldiers mistreating injured demonstrators sparked widespread anger. The army said troops were also killed.

It has blamed the violence on "invisible hands" determined to sow chaos among Egyptians and undermine the achievements of the uprising against Mubarak.

"NEW LEADERSHIP"

A source close to the military council said it was concerned about its deteriorating public image.

"The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces concluded that the army's image in the media has suffered over the past year under Etman's leadership," said the source.

"The decision is intended to bring in new leadership to improve the armed forces' performance," and was decreed by Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, who heads the council, the source added.

Etman led the army department which handled a wide range of issues ranging from media relations to dealing with the concerns of military officers.

Little is known about Etman's successor, Abu El-Dahab, and it remains to be seen whether the change will alter the army's public affairs policy.

Tantawi has tried to improve the military's public image, calling on Egyptians to unite with the army and ordering the formation of a committee of generals to ensure positive media coverage, Egyptian media reported last week.

While no longer a member of the 20-member military council, Etman will however remain one of Tantawi's many advisers, positions given to officers closely tied to the army leadership, the source at the defense ministry said.

(Editing by Tom Pfeiffer and Giles Elgood)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/africa/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20120131/wl_nm/us_egypt_army

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