Unpaid Work #2

by Alex
in Uncategorized
posted September 29, 2014

Hey all,

The following articles were written by me and are not authorized for use elsewhere. If they are found on another site, consider them stolen intellectual property. They were done for a client who disappeared without payment (after a considerable amount of work was done).

If any of these articles are work that you or someone you work with contracted out, please contact me and we can make arrangements regarding its use.

See the full story: http://www.alex-maness.com/unpaid-work-scams-perils-of-freelance/

Corporate Identity

What is Corporate Identity?

The corporate identity of a company encompasses the overarching image that the corporation or firm presents to the public, including its customers, employees, and investors. The establishment of a corporate identity is usually visualized through company branding or trademarks. This identity and brand helps the organization determine both “who” it is and what direction it is going in.

Why Establish a Corporate Identity?

The establishment of an identity is an important first step in determining the direction a company is taking. Many companies who fail to establish an identity are blown whichever way the winds of the market take them. The companies who establish a strong identity are able to weather changes in the market and maintain a steady amount of growth in both their business revenue and corporate culture.

Here are just a few of the benefits of a strong corporate identity:

Brand equity – Having a well-known brand and identity can generate increased revenue from products and services bearing that information. A quality brand can be one of the most valuable assets a company owns. Think about some of the most common brands: Apple, Coca-Cola, and Disney. Their brand equates to the vast majority of their revenue.
Visual continuity – When a company has a well-established brand and identity, they have unified themes across all of their messages. This bolters their appearance of professionalism and can maximize the effect of their marketing budget.
Public perception – A company exhibiting a strong theme and identity will have a better perception in the mind of the public which can sway their opinion when making purchasing decisions.
Media influence – The brand identity of a business also determines how that business is treated by the media. Having a good reputation can mean free publicity in the form of favorable articles or press releases about the company.

How OnDemand Can Serve You

Through the services we provide at OnDemand, we strive to establish a unified theme across the marketing and corporate materials of our clients. This, in effect, builds upon work our clients have already undertaken and strengthens the message that they are sending to the public and to their own employees. We strive to help our clients determine a direction and a strong message for their business and to innovate ideas which will help them reach the goals that they have set for themselves. Public perception of a company in the market can change both customer engagement and help determine overall market share.

Corporate Identity Services at OnDemand

OnDemand provides a myriad of services for the establishment of an effective corporate identity which will help cement your brand in the minds of consumers and clients.

Our services include the following:

Unification of message through social media, web design, and marketing materials.
Thorough and full review of current public relations materials.
Development of both new goals for public relations and a marketing plan which can accomplish those goals.
Customer feedback surveys which track customer perception of the company, product perception, and reasons for account or contract closures.
Establishment of branding and trademarks.

To start establishing your corporate identity, contact us today.

Custom Hot Rod Service in Lubbock

Hot Rods

Hot rods have, traditionally, been classic American cars that sport large engines that are modified primarily for their high linear speed. Roadsters are typically the car type of choice for these types of vehicles simply because they can be purchased at a relatively low price, are lightweight, and are easy to apply modifications to. Many hot rod enthusiasts tend to opt for original equipment parts that are found in wrecking yards and they try to follow the original style of the vehicles while adding unique stylized artistic touches.

Why Opt for Custom Hot Rod Services?

There are a few reasons to opt for custom hot rod services rather than doing all of the work yourself:

Quality work – Seeing a professional is going to guarantee quality work. This extends, at the very least, to the fact that if something goes wrong their insurance will reimburse you for it.
Unique style – Hot rod service centers will often have mechanics and technicians that blur the line between functionality and art. They will often have unique views that they can provide for your project that may not have been otherwise considered.
Fine tuning – Even the best home enthusiasts can have issues fine tuning their engine and modifying their vehicles. Having a wide range of experiences with many different cars allows hot rod service businesses to alleviate those issues.
Versatility – Businesses specializing in hot rod modification and custom hot rod services will have a both a large array of tools at their disposal and a versatile group of technicians. It makes the process of fabrication, engine work, and fine tuning with regard to paint and styling much easier because it can all be done in the same location with the same group of people.

Finding Custom Hot Rod Services in the Lubbock Area

The area of Lubbock, Texas is huge. Finding a service in an area like this one can become a difficult task to undertake. With that being said, there are a few ways to ensure you are able to find a good company to work with:

Ask for references – Asking friends and family for references with regard to the companies that they may have used in the past is a great way to find a quality company. If you are a member of any car clubs or hot rod clubs, they will prove to be a great resource in this regard.
Look online for reviews – With the popularity and prominence of the Internet has come the ability to find reviews for every company in existence with a simple Google search. Try to narrow search terms down to the Lubbock area and make sure you check their website in addition to other review sites such as Yelp!.
Ask your mechanic – Everybody has a preferred mechanic. Ask them if they know anyone who does this kind of work. They will be able to offer a professional recommendation.

Finding a company to build a custom hot rod is not difficult, but it can be time consuming. The Lubbock area has a rich car culture which can be a great resource to utilize during this search.

Laser Light Shows – Dallas, Texas

Our company is responsible for setting up some of the best Dallas laser light shows that have ever been seen. The Dallas, Texas area is ripe for events and entertainment and laser light shows are the perfect addition to any venue. Working with you from the beginning of your project to the end, we help to create unique light shows that will be perfect regardless of the type of event you are throwing. With no event being too large or too small, we can provide tailored shows for both indoor and outdoor events. These can include business and private events, clubs, concerts and entertainment events, and festivals. We have you covered from start to finish.

We try to provide events that are always special to our clients and the light shows that we provide are able to enhance the quality and image of any event. Not only are these shows great for the attendees of the event, but (if done outdoors) they can attract new clients, customers, or patrons to the event from the surrounding areas. Our experts work diligently to provide shows using the best technology currently available in the industry regardless of whether your venue is small or large. The operators we have on staff set the event up, operate it, and remove it once finished with no hassle to you.

Our light shows have been performed across the entire country in every type of venue you could imagine. Take your Dallas, Texas event to the next level with the addition of a stunning laser light show!

You can begin getting started with setting up your event’s laser light show today by contacting us for a free estimate!

We strive to satisfy the needs of our clients through the unique customization of all laser light shows and according to a given them or concept. This will include everything from technicians to operate the equipment, set-up, rehearsal, performances, and smoke machines all the way to filings and notifications with the government and insurance. Our service is hassle free and easy!

There are some considerations that must be kept in mind when looking for a company to do laser light shows:

Is the concert outdoor or indoor? Where is the laser show going to be held? If it is going to be outside then you will need government clearance and, beyond that, you will also have to have stronger lasers.

Are you planning to use graphics or beams? Both are fairly impressive. Beams are simply rays of light shooting around but laser graphics are capable of projecting complex images to the audience in a unique way.

What color laser do you need? Will it be a single color laser or do you need to have a full variety of colors available?

How powerful does the laser need to be? There are minimums that can be specified for each type of laser but the brighter the laser the more impact it will have in the end. This also means that the laser strength will have to be higher in general.

Everything You Need to Know About Rowing Machines

Rowing Machine Basics

Rowing machines are exercise machines which are meant to give you the same workout that you would receive if you were out rowing on a body of water. They are great for both cardiovascular exercise and for resistance workouts. Primarily working the core muscles of the body and the back, utilizing a rowing machine is one of the best ways to increase endurance and to build some muscle.

With that being said, it can be difficult choosing the right rowing machine for your specific needs. There are four primary types of rowing machines, all of them different depending on the type of resistance that their use. The four types are magnetic, air, water, or piston induced. All of them are useful, but some are better than others at presenting the user with options for a workout. The most common rowing machines that one would find at a gym are air resistance, followed by piston resistance. All for types have unique reasons why they would be used over the others. The first three types are referred to as braked flywheel resistance models, whereas the last is its own category.

Braked flywheel models will utilize magnetism, air, or water to help with the resistance of the machine. They are very similar and typically have a handle which is then connected using a rope, strap, or a chain to a flywheel. They really only have different mechanisms of braking that flywheel. They usually have a sliding seat like real rowing boats on the water would. They also feature the ability to change the trajectory of the hands.

In addition to the type of resistance, it also pays to be aware of the three options for the design of the machine itself. The first has a fixed seat in which a stretcher for the foot slides backwards and away from the individual doing the rowing. The second option is typically the most common and it has both a fixed foot stretcher and a flywheel. The seat is the only part of this one that slides. It is similar to the seat moving on the rail in a boat. The third option has both the seat and the foot stretcher sliding on the rail. This is similar to boat design as well. It is often called a floating head ergometer.

Magnetic Resistance

These types of models control resistance through the use of electromagnets which engage a brake (usually mechanical) in the flywheel itself. This type of system is the most quiet of all of the systems, much more quiet than the other two types of braked flywheel machines (air and water, respectively). The brake resistance can be changed depending on the needs of the user. One of the downsides of this type is that the resistance in the mechanism itself is constant, so it is not as realistic when compared to actual rowing. This is especially true in the other two braked flywheel types. Air and water machines tend to increase resistance depending on how hard the handle of the machine is being pulled.

Air Resistance

Air resistance rowing machines utilize a large fan blade to help produce the resistance that they use. The fan is moved primarily by the movement of the user who is pulling on the handle of the rower. This both creates a cooling breeze for the user to experience during the workout in addition to resistance by the wind itself. Vents can usually be used to help adjust the amount of air coming into the fins and to change the amount of resistance being experienced by the user. The energy that is being used by this type can be calculated fairly easily. These are used by sport rowers when they cannot row outside due to weather or off-season concerns.

Water Resistance

This type of rower uses an enclosed tank of water with a paddle inside which is meant to simulate real rowing in a more realistic way. Proponents of this type of rower often claim that it yields a better action than the other two types of braked flywheel rowing machines do. With that being said, there are some concerns here. The resistance cannot be modified as it can with the air resistance type. It also provides the extra fear that the unit could break and create a mess. Water leaking everywhere could pose a serious issue for most homeowners.

The idea of these is that the rower will pull the handle and the paddles will move the water and create a more natural feeling resistance level. That same fact is what makes these less popular: they are extremely heavy and are not nearly as portable as the other types of machines (particularly piston based machines).

Piston Resistance

This is the only type of resistance on a rowing machine that does not come from the action of a braked flywheel. These come primarily from the hydraulic cylinders which are attached to the rowing machine at the handles. The length of the handles is usually capable of being adjusted but the handle length is usually fixed during the course of the rowing motion. A lot of models utilizing piston resistance will have a fixed seat position which takes away the leg drive that competitive water rowing techniques often utilize. The compact size and less complex machinery of this type of rower usually results in a lower price than some of the other types of machines that are available.

Recommendations

Choosing a rowing machine can be somewhat difficult. If you have the money, spring for a magnetic or an air resistance rowing machine. They are two of the best. Piston resistance is probably the best for people who are on a budget. Nothing is inherently wrong with the water based resistance machines, but there are some concerns that are not present with others. That, combined with the inability to change the resistance levels of the machine itself makes them a last choice.

Fantasy Premier League Tips: Midfielder for Gameweek 5

REJECT

Raheem Sterling – In the 0-1 defeat of Liverpool by Aston Villa, Raheem Sterling made a substitute appearance. The team was still not able to overcome Aston Villa. This could mean one of two things: he is off his game right now or he is being played in the wrong way. With that being said, he could prove to be one of the main players attacking the West Ham team this weekend since Daniel Sturridge is out with an injury. Sterling might be best to reject this time around, though, because it is a bit too much of a coin flip to risk.

PUNT

Angel Di Maria – Di Maria has been doing well when Manchester United played the Queens Park Rangers, but so have many teams this season. He is not a sure bet, but the performances that have been put in so far have been against weaker opponents. It may be good to gamble on Angel Di Maria when facing weaker opponents and to wait and see based on his performances in the future.

HOT

Jack Wilshere – His contributions last season were not consistent, but they were continuously being helped along by his high stats with regard to assists and goals. In the game against Manchester City, Wilshere was able to get a goal and an assist. These are some of the reasons to pay close attention to Jack Wilshere this week.

STAR PICKS

These players are sure things that could bolster any fantasy team:

Alexis Sanchez – This should be a clear choice. The amount of goals Sanchez puts into the game is akin to the amount a striker would be putting in. He is a clear choice for any team at midfielder.

Nathan Dyer – After convincing performances in the games they have played this season (particularly on the part of Dyer, among the midfielders that Swansea City are putting on the pitch), he is a good bet to rely on if you are not sure which way you should place your faith this week.

Kevin Mirallas – Scoring in consecutive games and forming a powerful front three for Everton with Steven Naismith and Romelu Lukaku, look for Mirallas to have a standout performance. Mirallas provides a good value and could bolster an already good fantasy team.

Nacer Chadli – Having done so much this season already, Chadli is rapidly becoming one of the best players to rely on in clutch situations. He is something of a standout on his team and, with the assists he is receiving from teammate Christian Eriksen, could be on the road to scoring more goals in the upcoming game.

Hatem Ben Arfa – After his performance at West Ham, look for a dominant performance in St. James’ Park this week when his team faces the Magpies. He is a hidden gem that is only in the position that he is in due to his falling out of favor in Newcastle with Alan Pardew. He is a worthy addition to any fantasy team.

Jacksonville at Washington

The Washington Redskins crushed the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, September 14, at 1pm at the FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. During the first half of the game, Desean Jackson sprained his shoulder and was removed from the game and Robert Griffin III injured his ankle. Regardless, Kirk Cousins stepped into the game and threw two touchdowns resulting in a rout of the Jaguars with a final score of 41-10 in favor of the Washington Redskins. Cousins ended with two hundred and fifty yards in the game.

The stats in this game tell nearly the whole story. Washington had a higher rate of third down conversions (double that of the Jaguars). On fourth down conversions, Washington had one and Jacksonville was unable to convert on their single attempt. With regard to passing first downs, Washington managed to pull off sixteen compared to only four for the Jaguars. Rushing first downs tell a similar story.

The Jaguars were not able to get a first down conversion at all until the last two minutes of the first half of the game which showed off their ineptitude on the field. This was due to a combination of the inability of Chad Henne to convert via passing for the Jaguars and the strength of the Redskins’ defensive units. Overall, the Redskins came out of the gate hot and didn’t let up throughout the entire game. The Jaguars never had a chance to catch up and were stopped at every possible turn by the Redskins.

Dallas at Tennessee

The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, September 14, at 1pm at LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee. They won the game with a final score of 26-10, but it was far from a totally dominating performance.

The Dallas Cowboys, America’s Team, have been having trouble in recent years. They nearly started this season out with a 0-2 game deficit. The entire upper management of the team would likely face some serious changes if they had lost this game and, potentially, not made it into the playoffs for another year. The Cowboys were able to beat the Titans based on a strong defensive show (which is somewhat rare) and a standout performance by DeMarco Murray. He took control of the game in a big way. Two sacks and two interceptions led the defense of the Cowboys to score 10 defensive points. Tony Romo, as always, came back from throwing three interceptions in the season opener against the 49rs and scored one touchdown and threw for 176 yards in this game.

The Titans failed on both offense and defense. Offensive errors led to defensive points being scored by the Cowboys. The missed tackles by the defense of the Titans caused problems in stopping the massive offense of the Cowboys as well. For the first thirty or so minutes of the game, it is hard to imagine the Titans looking much worse. They were falling behind in every aspect. After halftime they were able to pull it together but not enough to pull out a win.

How HGH Can Help You Keep Fit

What is HGH?

HGH is a substance called human growth hormone (also called somatropin or somatotropin). It is a hormone produced in the human body which stimulates growth through interactions with cells in the body. It is typically stimulated by environmental factors and things that are affecting the body. As people age, their natural production of HGH begins to decline. This is a typical progression of the human body but has the unfortunate side effects of lowering lean body mass, decreasing bone density, and worsening the cardiovascular profile of people affected by it.

How HGH Helps You Stay Fit

HGH plays a number of extremely important roles in the maintenance of a healthy body and in prolonged levels of fitness including the following:

Helping to add and keep lean muscle mass on the body
Helping to improve the circulation of blood
Adjusting cholesterol levels to favor HDL (the good kind) rather than LDL
Protecting the body against aging
Promotion of hair and nail growth
Strengthening of bones and muscles
Aids in recovery after workouts and the prevention of stress related injury

These are just a few of the myriad of benefits of HGH. Even more information can be found here

Recommendations

There are a few common recommendations with regard to HGH and human health and fitness. The best thing to do initially is to attempt to raise natural HGH levels in the body through normal means.

Here are some natural methods of increasing HGH levels in the body:

Employ high intensity interval training – This engages some fast twice muscle fibers which can help release HGH/
Sleep – Getting the proper amount of sleep increases HGH levels.
Supplement GABA – GABA is a precursor to the production of HGH.
Eat enough protein – .75 grams of protein per pound bodyweight per day is ideal.
Avoid sugar when possible – Sugar, particularly after workouts, promotes insulin (a fat storage hormone) rather than growth hormones.
Lift weights – Lifting weights promotes HGH production. Working out large muscle groups at once through large exercises such as squats, deadlifts, or the bench press are the best for hormone stimulation.

If all else fails, consult a doctor. They can review your blood tests and hormone levels and determine whether or not you need to have HGH supplementation. If that turns out to be the case, it is likely a result of a problem in the pituitary gland, which is a pea-sized endocrine gland located at the base of the skull.

HGH can help you add more muscle, stay lean, and recover from workouts faster. Having low levels is something that can be fixed either through natural means or through prescription medication from a qualified medical professional. Regardless of your current levels, it is nearly always a boon to your fitness and health to increase levels of HGH naturally. This will help you lead a healthier and more fit life overall which will increase the quality of life for both you and the people that you associate with.

How to Clear Your iPhone Memory

iPhone Memory

Everyone who uses an iPhone frequently has probably seen that dreaded message pop up at one time or another: “Out of memory”. This could be caused by a number of things, but it is usually being caused by the phone running out of storage space that it uses for the programs on it. This is a type of memory that should be distinguished as something separate from the RAM that the phone uses to actually complete tasks.

Memory can build up in a number of ways. Simply using the phone to do day to day tasks will build up a lot of files which are no longer needed but remain on the phone until being deleted. This is especially true of programs that you use. Social media is a big one. Beyond social media, consider how many maps you look at, all the websites you visit, and all the games that you play on your phone every day. This isn’t even counting the images you take with the camera, videos you may be recording, or the hundreds (or thousands) of text messages that you get every day.

Clearing the Memory of the iPhone

So what do you do to clear the memory on your phone? Here are some options:

First, follow this direction: Go to Settings > General > Usage. This will show all of your documents and apps based on space usage, with the highest being at the top.

Delete any applications that you have not used in the last six months. Chances are you will find a lot of them. All they are doing it taking up space and using your RAM, in case they automatically start when your phone is cut on.

Delete videos you have downloaded through the Videos app. This includes anything you have downloaded when you were watching them on a website. Make sure you transfer anything you want to save to a computer prior to deleting.

Manage your pictures. Same as above. Transfer anything you don’t want to lose to your computer before you delete them. These area huge space-waster that most people overlook. A lot of people don’t believe that pictures take up a lot of space but, with the high resolutions now being taken on phone cameras, they can be megabytes in size.

Clear your browser history. This is a huge one. It could be gigabytes or more in size.

The Nuclear Option

If all else fails, you can do a factory reset on your phone and wipe all of the data. It should be noted that this method will also delete all your login information and contacts, so it should only be used as a last resort. This is useful if the impaired memory of your phone is making it so you are not able to clear the memory any other way.

REMEMBER: THERE IS NO GOING BACK

Tap Settings and navigate to General. Scroll down until you find Reset. Tap it and select “Erase All Content and Settings”. You will be asked to confirm. Do so and you are all finished.

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