Square Business Cards - Good Idea Or Bad?

Each and every day, entrepreneurs, job seekers, freelancers, employees, and executives hand out business cards. It happens in offices and on the street ... during chance meetings and networking events ... in between friends, new associates, or newly united strangers.

With all of these cards being replaced, it's very important to have a business card that stands out from the pack - one that grabs attention the instant it's placed in the palm of someone's hand. After all, there's nothing worse than making a first impression with a dull and drab card.

Perhaps the easiest way to stand out is to have a business card that does not look or feel like all of the others.

Enter the square business card.

Square business cards instantly stand out due to their shape. It's almost impossible, in fact, to be handed a square business card and NOT look at it before you put it in your pocket. That alone can make it a better marketing tool than other, more typical cards.

Another benefit of square business cards is that they offer extra space for content. Considering more content equals a greater opportunity for selling yourself to prospects, employers, or referral sources, that can be a big advantage.

So are square business cards all good? Are they an automatic brilliant idea that anyone and everyone should be using?

Of course not.

The thing is, standing out visually can be accomplished in so many ways. There are 3D, plastic, translucent, metal ,ible, die-cut, embossed cards ... and countless other eye catching attention-grabbing possibilities. Square business cards are but one way to do it, and what's right for one person is certainly not right for everyone.

When you consider that the atypical shape may make your square business card more difficult (in a stack of others, or in a business card book, for example) it may not need to be the most convenient. And as for the benefit of added space to tell your story ... well, fold over cards offer that benefit as well, but they can retain a typical shape as well.

The bottom line is that square business cards will be a great way to stand out for some - and not right for others. It really does depends on what you do, where and to who you distribute your cards to, and the concept you have in mind. If a square design sees right - go with it. It's certain to stop your recipients in their tracks, giving you ample time to make that big and lasting impression!

Automotive Load Managers For Emergency Vehicles

Automotive load managers for emergency vehicles are designed to monitor and control the transfer of electrical energy in an automated system. The most advanced load managers will incorporate load sequencing and load shedding functions. These two functions will help maintain the vehicles optimal electrical state, which is paramount for any emergency vehicle.

The load sequencing function is used to turn all selected loads ON or OFF from on central switch. Loads can be anything from, emergency lights, sirens, A / C, radios, etc. When electrical loads of the type encountered in an automotive application are switched on or OFF they create large current and voltage fluctuations in the electrical system in which they are connected. The larger the current consumption of a load, the greater the impact the load has in the generation of electrical transients or line noise when the load is energized or deenergized (Turned ON or OFF).

These current fluctuations, in turn, contribute to the generation of voltage spikes of a magnitude that is high enough to damage sensitive electronic devices connected to the electrical system. This would be the last thing you want while riding in an emergency vehicle. The load sequencing function of a good load manager will allow you to turn all the selected loads ON or OFF from one location to minimize electrical disturbances and the effect this action may have upon the rest of the electrical system. The load shedding function is used to monitor the voltage level of the vehicles battery. If a decrease in the battery voltage is sensed, the load manager will start shedding loads. A good load manager will allow you to program what loads and in what sequence they will be shed. One the loads battery voltage returns to its normal value, the loads that were previously shed are switched on.

The examples in the previous paragraphs were for when a vehicle is in motion. If the vehicles alternator is not supplying enough power when the vehicle is idling, the load manager should have a high idle function which will send a signal the vehicles engine speed control to set the idle speed to a higher level. An action equivalent to pressing the accelerator while in park. The higher engine speed is maintained until the battery voltage returns to normal or until the engine is no long idling.

To learn more about load managers and their function in emergency vehicles visit www.ecxelectronics.com

Best Ideas For Getting a Mother's Day Gift

Our mas do so much for us. It is pleasant to have a day set aside just to recognize them for their love and efforts to help us. As we prepare to celebrate the goodness of our mothers it is vital to remember that no dollar value we spend can even begin to compare to the countless hours and the unending efforts our mummies spend making our life more comfy. Therefore, it's not necessary to spend a large amount of money on a present to make her Mother's day a tiny bit brighter.

Here are one or two ideas for suggestive Mother's Day gifts.

First, give her your time. When I was a kid we would go often to visit my granny in the retirement home where she stayed due to her many medical needs. I will always remember the faces of the white haired women there. They would gather into the visiting room whether or not an affiliate of their family was predicted. And every time the door would open their eyes would light up in anticipation of seeing a well-known face. There were two tiny women who waited everyday for a member of the family to come and visit them, only to be disappointed time and again. From that experience, I learned that frequently the best gift is simply to be there.

Flowers are always a thoughtful way to celebrate your mother. They fill the room with color and bring a sweet smelling message of love. However, if your mum is like mine, then watching cut flowers slowly wilt and die is a sad reminder of the temporary nature of life. While many mummies enjoy a gorgeous arrangement of cut flowers, my mum preferred a living plant. Every year for Mother's day we might give her flats of flowers that she could plant in her garden and enjoy all season long.

Give your mum a nice meal, with your company naturally. Think of how many meals your mother prepared for your benefit. Mother's Day is the ideal time to return the favor. Have the family get together at home, and then prepare a special meal for your guest of honor. If cooking is not your forte there are options for you also. Many restaurants serve a sweet Mother's Day brunch. Round the family up and meet together to enclose your mother with love and a meal.

Share memories on Mother's Day. Remember the laughter and even the tears, but do it in a way that lets your mum know she probably did a good job raising you. A photo album stuffed with pictures and handwritten memories from years gone by is a fab present idea. For people who are far more creative, turn it into a scrapbook full of brightly colored paper and trinkets to accessorize the photographs and journaling. For people that are far more technically talented, make a slide show or DVD full of memories of fun times and friends. This is an especially nice gift for those that are separated from their mothers by miles, because even after you have returned home, she will enjoy the memories repeatedly.

But who said Mother's day needed to be limited to a single day? What about celebrating your fantastic mother by doing a 12 days of Mother's Day gift. This would take some forethought, but it could be plenty of fun. For instance, on the 1st day you could give her one poem that tells her how much you care. On the second day you might give her two cans of her favorite soda. On the 3rd day give her three songs that remind you about her. And so on until Mother's Day which may be the 12th day. Then you can give her a spray of 12 beautiful flowers.

You know your mummy best. Take ten minutes to think about what makes her grin. I am sure you'll get it right.

How to Pass the Road Tests For Both Motorcycles and Cars

If you are among those new drivers who is getting ready to take the road test in order to secure your license, than this program is the ultimate comprehensive guide for you and it would help you learn how to pass your road test with flying colors. After you study from this comprehensive guide, you are sure to overcome all your nervousness and would indeed become one of those successful drivers to whatever driving on road is a passion rather than just a profession.

As the death toll on the highways is already on a high, passing the road test has become a major fear to anyone and everyone who wishes to clear the test. But the videos provided in the site not only become an interactive driving instructor but also covers within full scope as to what will happen during your road test. The knowledge of the safe practice lessons provided in here will impart training on how to stay safe on roads. It is not just a mere guide which will show you how to drive and ride around but it will teach you exactly what your examiner expects out of you. Learning how to deal with high risk situations by following this guide would be another major feature provided to you by this guide. It would also take you through major dangerous spots and teach you how to avoid common mistakes. This video also teaches you all about road ethics. So if you intend to have the best driver around than make sure you purchase this best driving guide [http://roadtest.wordpress.com] of the planet as soon as possible.

Jewelry Making Materials You Can Get Cheaply or Even Free

Jewelry making materials usually come from jewelry supply companies, do not they? Well, not necessarily - especially as offbeat components for creating jewelry are becoming more popular.

As the prices of silver, gold, and other traditional jewelry metals have risen, jewelry artists have begun using unusual and totally non-traditional jewelry making materials for their creations. Although this trend started because of the soaring cost of metal, its popularity has grown quickly as jewelry artists and their customers have discovered the fabulous possibilities of jewelry created from odds and ends.

When money is tight, jewelry customers want colorful, cheery ways to perk up their wardrobe without breaking the bank. So some of the most popular new bracelet, necklace, and earring designs are made from jewelry making materials such as:

* Cloth, fiber, cord, or rope - especially in bracelets that wrap, knot, tie, or cinch.
* Paper products / ephemera - often in tiny frames, mixed media, or collage.
* Wood jewelry components - either natural or colored.
* Buttons - of every size, shape, and vintage.
* Parts from older jewelry, combined with other elements and remade into new pieces.
* Seashells of all types, colors, and sizes - especially in earrings and necklaces.
* Colorful metals - especially colored or patinaed brass and copper.
* Repurposed items of all sorts - cut down, stripped, cleaned up, and turned into jewelry components.

How to Find Unusual Jewelry Making Materials

Instead of going out in search of a specific item, go with an open mind and be ready for serendipity to show you some crafty possibilities. Look at things with your creative eye, see past any accumulated dust and grime, and imagine what you can do with various items you come across.

Be prepared to sort through things. Bags, boxes, and drawers of miscellaneous objects are often where you'll find some of the best jewelry making materials.

Go through the clearance aisles and bins of craft stores, hardware stores, and home improvement stores.

Tell your friends and family about the types of "junk" you're looking to use for making jewelry. They'll think it's fun to keep an out for these things for you. Our loved ones often enjoy participating in the treasure hunt, and they may come across some fantastic finds we've never see otherwise!

Bring a flashlight and magnifying glass on your treasure hunts. Look closely at the condition of older or secondhand items before you buy them.

While you're hunting for jewelry making materials, also keep an eye out for things you can use to display your jewelry. Boxes, trunks, baskets, fabrics, gloves, dolls, racks, wig stands, picture frames, etc. can be cleaned up, repainted or refurbished into interesting jewelry displays.

Look at everything in yard sales, tag sales, estate sales, etc. The "merchandise" at these events is not always organized, so you never know where a stash of potential jewelry making materials may turn up. The best deals are when the event is winding down, when the owners just want to quickly unload their remaining stuff.

Visit antique, resale, and thrift shops and ask wherever they have a newsletter or an announcements mailing list for their events, sales, and new arrivals. If they do, have them add your name and address (or email) to the list. It's a good way to be one of the first people to see their new inventory - and any possible jewelry making materials. Owners of these shops are usually helpful, and will likely keep an eye out for anything in particular if you let them know about your interests.