Chrome, Plastic, or Steel: Which Lug Nut Cover is Best for Your Semi?

Trucking can be a job or a way of life for some. It’s not uncommon for truckers to spend most of their time on the road.  As a semi truck driver, you are practically living in your semi-truck. As a job, you’ll need lots of experience and seat time. You’ll have to be mindful to check your tire pressure, fuel, trailer alignment, wheels and find the right chrome lug nut covers for your truck before taking off onto the road.

As you are spending all your time on the road on your semi-truck, why not add a bit more style to him?  The best way to add a bit more character to your bestie without it becoming a costly endeavor is through lug nut covers.

Lug nut covers can serve your truck in several ways. They act as a deterrent against people driving too close to your semi-truck. It can endanger you and the other if they are not mindful to keep a good distance from your truck. Motorists tend to drive more carefully around big rigs with lug nut covers, especially spikes, which look intimidating. The more careful others are around you, the more comfortable and safer your drive becomes.

Lug nut covers can serve another purpose. A lot of semi-truck drivers check their mirrors to ensure the wheels are turning. It can also help make sure the brakes hadn’t frozen up in winter conditions.

When it comes to materials for your lug nut covers, you can choose from chrome, plastic, stainless steel and colored vinyl. The most common ones you’ll see are the chrome plastic ones.  If you are concerned about your lug nut covers rusting, choosing those made of plastic is the best option for you. Chrome steel ones are likely to rust more frequently than stainless steel ones. Higher quality lug nut covers will last longer in rough driving conditions on a daily basis.

Have you decided on what type of lug nut covers you want to get for your truck? Head over to Iowa80.com to choose from a massive collection of lug nut covers from Iowa 80 semi truck chrome plastic to stainless steel lug nut covers that includes hundreds of options like: bullet, spike, spike hex, top hat, reflective, standard dome, razor, twister, v spike, full moon, pointed top hat and so many more!

Computer Myths You Have To Stop Believing

Computers are all around us but most people do not really know much about them. We tend to use gadgets, technology and computers on a daily basis and believe what others tell us about them. Unfortunately, since most people talking about them are not professionals, various myths and misconceptions appeared in the past. We are going to talk about the most common ones so that you can stop thinking that they are correct.

Drives Have To Be Frequently Defragmented

You do not really have to defragment the modern computer. This is because they include defragmentation utilities that will automatically run on a schedule that is pre-defined. That is basically true for both Macs and PCs. We also have different devices that include flash storage or SSDs. These do not have to be defragmented since that can actually ruin them. Solid state drives are more common every day so defragmenting is not something you should worry about.

Spyware And Viruses Will Slow Down The Computer

Most computer users believe that when the PC slows down it is because of malware. The computer may be infected but the modern malware is now profit-driven. Creators are mainly interested in running stealthily without leaving traces. Performance decreases are rarely noticed these days when viruses and spyware appear. However, this does not mean that you do not need to be protected. Having all the software you need is definitely something of necessity.

Proxies Are Used By Hackers

There are many regular users that can take advantages of the numerous advantages associated with proxy use. For instance, the Netflix proxy error fix is a great example of something that gained a lot of popularity in the recent past. Using proxies is highly beneficial because you gain an extra level of security to your computer. That is something many do not actually know about. Hackers nowadays use much more than just a proxy. Basically, using proxies can be highly beneficial.

Cleaner Software Will Improve Computer Performance

Every single computer user out there saw ads for cleaner software that guarantees the fact that cleaning registry errors will make the units work faster. According to Louis Hernandez Jr, who tested numerous such software, many interesting programs are beneficial for the computer but the truth is that such heavily advertised software is not on the list. What you need to do is to basically learn all that you can about the programs that are actually beneficial for the computer and that would bring in speed updates.

Data Is Erased When Deleted From The Hard Drive

When pressing the delete button you tend to think that the data is erased forever. This is not actually the case. Only visible existence traces disappear. All the data remains on the hard drive until it will be overwritten. When you tell your computer to delete a file, it is actually marked as space that is available. In the future, new data will be put over it. That is something that is going to happen in the future but you never actually know when that is the case. It is even possible that data on your computer is still there from the first day you bought it, even years after.

5 Simple Ways You Can Maintain the Value of Your Car

Outside of a house, a vehicle is typically the biggest financial investment a person makes. And as with any investment, you want to be sure that you protect its financial value. But unlike a house, a car depreciates in value (and quite rapidly at that). So you’ll need a plan for helping your vehicle maintain value over time.

5 Ways to Retain Value

Every vehicle is unique in the sense that it requires different investments to keep it going. But for the most part, you don’t have to spend a ton of money to maintain the value of your car. It simply requires a little bit of time and effort.

Not sure where to begin? Here are a few simple, yet effective tips:

 

  • Perform Preventive Maintenance

 

To keep your body functioning in tip-top shape, you know that it’s important to make healthy decisions all of the time (not just after you experience a health crisis). So you try to eat well, exercise, drink plenty of water, and reduce stress. But did you know that preventative maintenance is just as important for your vehicle?

As Sears Auto explains, “Preventive maintenance is without question the most effective and least expensive way to keep your car running for a decade or longer. Regular automotive checks can help prevent costly repairs in the future and keep your car and its passengers safe.”

For best results, regularly inspect your tires, lights, wiper blades, batteries, air filters, belts, hoses, and fluids. If you find something wrong, deal with it right away – rather than letting it get worse. Small issues are usually simple and inexpensive to fix. Left untreated, though, small issues become much more expensive.

 

  • Keep the Vehicle Covered

 

Appearance plays a significant role in the value of a car. Even if the engine is in pristine condition, it’ll be tough to get maximum value for a vehicle with chipping paint, dents, and scratches. And while some basic wear and tear is to be expected, you can do yourself a favor by keeping the vehicle covered as much as possible.

If you don’t have access to a permanent garage, do the next best thing and buy a portable garage or shelter. It’ll cost you a few hundred dollars for a quality shelter, but it’s better than having to drop a few thousand dollars on a new paint job down the road.

 

  • Regularly Change Oil

 

One of the best things you can do for your engine is to change the oil on a regular basis. While a mechanic will tell you to change it every 3,000 miles, you can probably get away with more like 5,000 to 7,000 miles (assuming you aren’t putting a ton of stress on your engine). Regardless, be sure to do it once or twice per year. It’ll cost you $30 or $40 and 30 minutes of your time to have a professional take care of it. You can do it on your own for even less money (though it might take a few minutes longer).

 

  • Swap Out Air Filters

 

Just as important as changing your engine’s oil is swapping out the air filter. And considering that it’s so cheap ($10-$20) and easy (just remove a few screws), there isn’t any excuse for ignoring it.

 

  • Keep the Interior Clean

 

Finally, be sure to care for your vehicle’s interior. Whether leather or cloth, keeping the seats, dashboard, and floor clean will make you feel better about your vehicle and communicate to future buyers that you took care of it. It just takes five minutes every week or two – so do it!

Take Care of Your Car

The way in which you treat your car says a lot about who you are as a person. People who neglect or mistreat their vehicles tend to act similarly in other areas of their lives. People who keep their vehicles clean and proactively care for all of the major systems are generally more focused, appreciative, and attentive.

Don’t neglect your car. Not only is it bad for your vehicle’s value, but it also allows poor habits to take root inside of you. Take the time to invest in your vehicle, and you’ll be rewarded in more ways than one.

Overview of the Best Motorcycle Clothing

Motorcycle clothing is so vital term for all bikers as it plays key role to safe biker from any incident on road. Among the important parts of planning to ride a motorcycle is making sure you have the appropriate motorcycle riding jackets available. These types of items of clothing are something that, every motorcyclist has to invest some time and cash in getting to be able to secure themselves on the highway; despite the things you might have believed, it is not just for looks.

Leather motorbikes apparel is designed to secure riders from injury when they fall into an accident. Real leather is a great deal tougher than other materials and definitely tougher than skin, which could protect “road rash” as well as disfiguring injury in case of an accident.

A jacket is a crucial item of motorcycle leather apparel and offers safety to much of your whole body. Covering the back, the upper body, hands and midriff, a jacket may reduce lots of injury to your skin. Even if this is easily the most costly part of a couple of motorbikes clothing, no motorcyclist are able to be without a great leather-based motorcycle jacket.

After that most crucial is a good pair of leather-based gloves. All these, undoubtedly will keep your own arms protected from injury although also assisting you to get a strong grip on the handlebars of your motorbike (they are going to also hold your arms pleasant and comfortable on your rides). Having your arms and hands covered also protects damage from any debris which can fly up from the street.

Leather chaps are usually a part of an outfit of motorcycle leather clothes. Just like your jacket can defend your chest, chaps guard your ankles in the event of an accident, and offering safety from flying debris. Driving a motorcycle is not the most secure activity on the planet, therefore it is vital that you wear the perfect gear and secure yourself and possible.

Security is the most essential thing to consider regarding riding a motorcycle. You will require a jacket as well as gloves at least and chaps are extremely a sensible purchase as well. While you are in any sort of accident, you won’t care the way you look – hence ensure that you are properly protected with cheap motorcycle jackets before you decide to get out on the open highway and ride.

Your Essential Guide to Smart TVs: What They are, What They Can Do, and More

Most everyone has heard of smart TVs, but if you’re thinking of upgrading your current TV to a smart TV, it does pay to learn as much as you can about it. First of all, are smart televisions really ‘smart’? If you’re planning to get a television upgrade and are seriously considering getting a smart TV, here’s your essential guide to smart TVs: what they are, what they can do, what you can expect from your smart TV, and more.

What is it?

The original term for smart televisions was ‘connected televisions’ but they were later called smart televisions by brands such as LG and Samsung. The term refers to any TV which you can connect to the Internet so that you can access services for streaming as well as apps for entertainment, such as video rental on-demand, web browsers, and Internet music. Today, some models even feature voice-recognition capabilities, such as Alexa, and there are also other models which can now find films and shows across apps and live programmes from satellite or cable using voice-driven search. Many smart TVs today are also compatible with various other devices in the modern household such as door locks, sensors, and lights.

How it connects to the Internet

Smart televisions make use of either built-in WiFi or a wired connection (Ethernet) to connect to a home’s Internet network. Most smart TV models now have built-in WiFi, but you should check the Standard WiFi connection which comes with the TV if you are planning to stream films. Also, if you have a large home, you should check the coverage of your WiFi – for instance, if your router is in the cellar and your smart TV is on the 2nd floor, your unit may not be capable of smoothly streaming video from providers such as Netflix. You need to check that your smart TV gets a strong signal from your wireless connection, although you can remedy a weak signal by getting a good router which can support 802.11ac.

The services you can expect from a smart TV

There isn’t any standard OS (operating system) for smart televisions. Each manufacturer uses various software and different graphics. But most smart televisions can support services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Pandora, and Hulu. Bear in mind, though, that some units can only offer several apps which hardly ever change, while other units can provide different screen offerings. The app arrangement per smart TV can also vary depending on the manufacturer, with some TVs featuring a single row of app icons and others displaying a full-screen app menu.

Other considerations

While smart televisions are becoming more advanced, be aware that they can still hang or crash, much like a computer. Smart TVs use computer chips for processing videos and multiple screens as well as accessing the Internet, and units also make use of memory for buffering music and video. Some apps can freeze or crash the TV, and upgrades have resulted in a loss of power as well. But the units are changing and becoming better, and often, all you have to do is turn it off and turn it back on after a few minutes.

Of course, whether you go for a smart TV or a regular TV, you should also consider its placement and your viewing comfort. For this, you can go for a TV wall mount or a display stand, although most people go for wall mounts since they can be tilted and angled for optimum viewing.

Subcompact Crossover SUVs: A New Family Favourite

The data is in, and it is official: the compact SUV is the king of the domestic automotive market. While car sales in Canada continue to fall, overall automobile sales rose in 2017, fuelled by rising SUV and light-duty truck sales, and analysis of the most popular SUVs in the country shows that drivers have overwhelmingly come to favour the compact SUV over its larger siblings. And within compact SUV sales, perhaps no model is rising as quickly as the subcompact.

Subcompact SUVs are distinguished from their peers by their small frame (the subcompact category includes any SUV less than 165.5 inches long) and fuel efficient engines, and in many ways provide a natural bridge for sedan-drivers who want to enter the SUV market but don’t want to take on the added fuel costs that often comes with upgrading to an SUV. Subcompacts tend to be more sporty and powerful than sedans, and their streamlined profiles and can-do energy have drawn rave reviews from the automotive press and from consumers alike.

The history of the subcompact SUV is an interesting one, and speaks to the wide range of pressures drive automobile design. The first subcompacts were billed as Mini SUVs, and saw much greater popularity outside of North America. In fact, Ford’s new subcompact, the EcoSport, has been in production since 2000 — just not in North America. Instead, the EcoSport was a favourite in Latin America and Europe, where its small size and fuel economy made it more appealing to urban drivers. But with the success of rival subcompact SUVs like the Nissan Juke and Mazda CX-3 in the early 2010s, Ford made the decision in 2017 to start marketing the EcoSport in North America, making it only the most recent automaker to try to cash in on the lucrative subcompact market in Canada and the United States.

Ultimately, this trend is driven by a generation of consumers who grew up with SUVs and who appreciate the versatility and durability they bring to the road, but who want a family-car-sized-vehicle. Instead of going back to sedans, however, they are turning in large numbers to smaller-sized SUVs. These facts are borne out on popular car-shopping websites like KijijiAutos.ca where subcompact crossover SUVs are some of the most sought-after options due to their ability to combine economy, power, size, functionality, and enjoyable driving.

It has long been observed that automotive fashions and trends often correspond directly with fuel prices: the rising cost of oil in the 1970s led to a revolution in small car design, the low fuel costs of the 1990s gave us the SUV, and the shortages of the mid-2000s spurred new innovations in SUV design. The fact that in this time of stubbornly high fuel prices more and more Canadian shoppers are turning to efficient options like the compact SUV, therefore, is no surprise.

Whether or not these trends will continue should prices drop again — or electric cars live up to their promise and come to dominate the market — is anyone’s guess. In the meantime, the surest bet an automotive brand can make in 2018 is on a well-designed subcompact crossover that can carve out a slice of this lucrative market.

So You Won The Lottery… What’s The Next Step?

It’s a normal day like any other, and you’re looking at your Powerball lottery ticket, watching the live draw. Oh, you’ve matched one number – that’s pretty cool, right off the bat. What’s that, you’ve got two in a row now? Three… Four… This can’t be happening! Surely the last couple numbers will come up differently. Oh my gosh, you’ve just hit five in a row – that at least means you’re walking away with a million dollars. Honestly, you’d be more than happy just to take the million dollars!

Then it happens: that Powerball number is announced. You look down at your card in total disbelief as it finally sinks in. You’ve just hit all six numbers. Your mind is racing and your palms are sweaty; just this morning you were thinking to yourself, imagine if you won the Powerball lottery today, and now it’s actually happening. Paralyzed by excitement, flushed with disbelief, you realize that your whole life is about to change. So what are your next steps?

Relax

The first thing you want to do is take a deep breath. You are going to need your composure to deal with the next steps properly, so, as excited as you are, you need to just relax a bit. Don’t phone every relative to tell them the good news, don’t go honking your car horn around the neighbourhood, and certainly don’t post anything on social media… at least not yet.

How Do You Want Your Money?

Once you handed your ticket in and have been confirmed a winner, you have a simple but impactful choice to make: do you want your jackpot as a lump sum of cash or as an annuity, paid to you yearly. You might intuitively, instinctively want to choose the former, because, after all, it’s your money and you want it all now. But according to this Investopedia article by a certified financial planner, the annuity is the better choice, since it’s ultimately subject to less tax, and can help your avoid overspending.

Have A Media Strategy

Should you talk to the media or keep a low profile? Ultimately, the choice is yours and all depends on whether you like the whole fame aspect of winning. Beware, however, that with the media spotlight will come hundreds of people that you know, including relatives, friends and casual acquaintances, all looking for a handout. Keeping a low profile allows you to choose who knows about your recent windfall, which can be a good thing.

Don’t Too Anything Too Rash, Too Quickly

It’s awfully tempting to want to call your boss and quit your job, but you have to wonder if that’s really the best step. For many, work can be a source of fulfillment, and without it they feel like they can’t lead a regular life anymore. Also, don’t go buying that jumbo jet just yet. Sit down with some trusted financial experts (not some opportunistic “finance guy” who contacts you after he’s heard about your winnings) and have a frank discussion about how to proceed with your newfound wealth.

Winning the Powerball is going to change your life forever. That’s for certain. If you find out you’ve won, make sure to take the right steps and make the right decisions so that you can enjoy your jackpot to the fullest extent.

5 Things To Remember When Shopping For A Used CMM

Coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) are one of the most important parts of any production line. Not only do they monitor quality to ensure that all produced parts match blueprint specifications, they can also provide reverse engineered blueprints from existing parts and fulfill a wide range of other important functions, from monitoring the overall wear on a production line to helping create accurate prototypes.

If you are in the market for a CMM, one of the best ways to save money is by buying used, and to make sure you get the best possible deal, here are five things to keep in mind:

  1. Do Your Research

As with any major addition to a production line or change in equipment, it is important to find out what you should be looking for. Metrology is a complex field, and even within the world of tactile probe CMMs there is a huge range of different options. Doing some preliminary research will give you a sense for what is available and what it costs, and when it comes to actually shopping for a used machine, knowing which questions to ask will help you know whether you’re getting a good deal or a bad one.

  1. Consider Your Needs

CMMs are specialized pieces of equipment, so when considering which used CMM to buy, it is important to find out what the needs of your production line are. Is a bridge CMM best, or will you need a cantilever model? Does it need to be a tactile probe, or would a laser scanner suit your needs just as well? Before you start shopping for a used CMM, make sure you understand exactly what you’re looking for.

  1. Only Buy From Experienced Dealers

Buying used equipment is one of the best ways of saving money when setting up a new production line, but purchasing sub-par equipment is never worth it in the long run. This is especially true when it comes to CMMs, because if you buy a used CMM equipment that doesn’t work as it should, you could seriously compromise your quality control.

  1. Have All Machines Professionally Installed

By their very nature, CMMs are sensitive, and changes in temperature and humidity can have a measurable effect on their accuracy. Hiring metrology professionals to install your used CMM once you’ve purchased it is the best way to guarantee that it is positioned for optimal performance.

  1. Calibrate Before Using

Even if you’ve taken care at every step of the way to ensure the machine you are purchasing is in good condition and has been properly installed, it is still extremely important to make sure it is calibrated by metrology professionals before you start using it.

There is no shortage of high quality used CMMs of all kinds on the market today, and with a little research it is possible to find a truly great deal. But it doesn’t pay to take chances with such an important piece of equipment, which is why you should make sure to know what you are buying, purchase it from a trustworthy dealer, and have it professionally installed and calibrated.

Taking And Printing Photos Using HDR Mode

You may have noticed but never used HDR mode on your phone or camera. It stands for High Dynamic Range and has its roots in traditional film photography. It’s a technique or mode that captures a wide range of light and dark – the “dynamic range” – in a photo. Digitally, it’s an easy way to create detailed photos with complex tones by combining multiple exposures in one image. HDR takes a bit longer to process once you’ve clicked the shutter because the program is combining three different images into one. The end result is an effect that goes a long way to replicate what your eyes and brain are processing instead of what your camera normally shows.

Scenes with low light or backlighting benefit greatly from HDR. It brightens the foreground or your focal object without negatively affecting the well-lit areas. Landscapes that are brightly sunlit have a lot of light and shadow to work with, so large outdoor scenes offer great contrast for HDR. Outdoor portraits are often taken in the shade because harsh sunlight creates unattractive shadows and glare on faces. But HDR mode takes care of this by mitigating the unflattering effects.

HDR effects can become too extreme, making an image look surreal and strange under certain circumstances. Photos with too much contrast from the combined exposures and colour details can get overwhelming and create an uncanny feel.Images with movement – people, vehicles, wind effects, etc. – can become blurry due to the time it takes for your camera to take three pictures. You might, however, want to capture the movement of water. It’s good to experiment to see for yourself how it operates.Scenes that already have a nice contrast to them can be weakened by HDR mode because of the middling effect of the other images. It can wash out that nice natural shadow or outline. Same with colours – naturally brilliant and deep colours can be weakened or washed out.

When you’re ready to print your HDR photo, it’s important to find good quality printing services that use high-end materials. A boutique, professional printing shop like Printpartner.ca creates archival quality finished products by using the best techniques and equipment in the industry, combined with skilled handcrafted service. They can help you select the best medium to enhance your image and custom fit everything with ready-to-display mounts.

A range of mediums suit the vivid detail and colours of an HDR image. Professional printing services know how to achieve and present a full, accurate spectrum of colour, dynamic range, and detail with little noise or other disruptive effects. Print Partner hires artists and photographers who know how to translate a digital image to canvas, metal, or acrylicfor maximum quality. Lower quality papers and finishes reduce the character of HDR, making it pointless; so, choosing the best and proper medium is just as important as a great photo.

Metallic and acrylic surfaces allow for bold, complex, and vivid colours. Metal prints have superior HD quality and acrylic refracts light for a beautiful shine. Both mediums look spectacular with no frame or border for a contemporary feel. Glossy, satin, or lustre finishes also heighten the dynamic atmosphere and tone of the images, adding depth and even iridescence with a pearl finish. Gloss intensifies blacks and highlights. Satin or lustre adds a nice texture and durability and harkens back to darkroom printing.

Test out your HDR mode next time you’re shooting photos and discover what works for you.

4 Signs That It’s Time To Call A Plumber

It’s infinitely easier for you to solve a home maintenance problem if you detect it at an early stage, because oftentimes once you realize that you have a plumbing emergency, it has already become a large and costly issue.

All kinds of emergencies occur unexpectedly, including plumbing emergencies, which is why it’s advisable for residents of the GTA to keep in contact with a round-the-clock plumber in Toronto to make sure you’re taking proper preventative measures to avoid an emergency. Failing to promptly address a plumbing emergency might result in additional repair costs and excessive property damage. Here are four signs that should alert you when its time to call for the services of a plumber.

Failure Of A Bathtub To Drain, Or A Clogged Toilet
You might think that using clog-removing products can solve the problem of a slowly draining bathtub, and a good plunging job can cure the problem of a clogged toilet. To some extent, this might help but it isn’t a long lasting solution to the problems. You might still experience the clogging even after trying to work with several home methods. You should therefore assume that there might be a large obstruction in the pipes, thus requiring you to seek the services of an experienced plumber.

Water Running In Your Pipes Or Toilet
If you hear water running in your pipes when you are not using it in your house, there definitely might be a leakage somewhere. Clear evidence of this is the appearance of brown spots on the ceilings, floors and even walls. This can happen at anytime, hence the need for you to have a round-the-clock plumber to service your pipe network at any time of the day. To be sure that there is a leakage somewhere, you should check whether the meter is spinning while no water is in use.

Gurgling
If you hear gurgling noises while either running your laundry machine, flushing your toilet, or when running your dishwasher, it indicates the presence of a clogged drain. If this occurs, you should immediately switch off the appliance in use to avoid backup, then contact a plumber. If gurgling occurs while the toilet is not running, you should definitely know that the system is clogged. This might lead to backup, which could result in extreme damages.

Faucets Continuous Dripping
You can easily ignore a dripping faucet until your utility bill comes, and that’s when you understand the amount of water that goes into waste but you still pay for it. If you are unable to tighten the joints by yourself, call a professional plumber to fix it for you.

If you’re worried about the costly or deleterious effects a plumbing emergency might have on your home and family, contact a round-the-clock plumber in Toronto today. A professional plumber will resolve your plumbing issues in no time, and offer you tips and tricks to help prevent further emergencies from happening in the future. Keep the number of a trusted round-the-clock plumber on your fridge or in your wallet – better safe than sorry!