Benefits To Owning A Car

Benefits To Owning A Car

Mar 19, 2018

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By Nigel Hilton

The process that leads up to you having your own car is a very exciting one. It’s the beginning of having your independence and freedom without having to worry about relying on anyone or anything else other than yourself and your car. Having said that though, it’s very important that you think long and hard about everything that goes into it, as although you may already have an idea, there are a lot of hidden costs and rules that are very easy to overlook if you’ve never done this before. But as long as you keep your head on your shoulders and think responsibly, as well as listening to the right advice for you and your circumstances, then there’s no reason you should have any problems.

There are so many different benefits to having a car, that will essentially have a huge impact on your life for the better. Here are a few examples of what those things are.

It can fit in perfectly with your lifestyle.

When deciding on what car you want, it’s important to think about all the things that you do every day. While the kind of vehicle you have will greatly alter from whether you’re a single young adult, to a married one with a family. So think about that kind of lifestyle you live and what you’ll be using it for. If you do have kids, then it will need to be big enough to fit the family in for those school runs. If you work rather far from home, then you’ll want to consider getting something that is more fuel efficient to suit longer drives. You’ll also want the best comfort to make your journeys as pleasant as possible. Once you know what you need, then you can start thinking about what you want, like the colour, and any added features to customise the appearance.

You can go your own way.

If you’ve always had to rely on public transport, then you’ll know what a bore it can be. You have to make sure you’re ready and waiting for a set time in order to get to your destination, and even then, you may not end up at the exact location. You might have to walk another ten or fifteen minutes because the train isn’t close enough, or the bus only sticks to its assigned route, and this can be really frustrating. Whereas when you have your own car, you can leave at whatever time you want, and get to exactly where you need to be without having to work out where all the public transport drops are. This can end up saving you so much time, and you’re not having to rely on anybody, and that’s always a very nice feeling to have.

It’s catered to what you need.

There are plenty of different deals out there that will make your life a lot easier, depending on what exactly you need. Take having a Nissan for example, you can save more on Nissan extended warranties by taking out the right kind of deal for you. So if you know that you’ll be using your car a lot, driving long distances regularly, then you will of course benefit from taking out a longer warranty, as a pose to if you only use your car for running errands, then you wont need one. So it’s important to evaluate your situation so you know in advance what kind of features you will need.

It doesn’t have to be bad for the environment.

A lot of people will tell you to opt for public transport as much as possible as this cuts down on gas emissions. And while this is still a valid point, with the likes of technology getting more and more advanced, we now have vehicles that are electric, which means they let out zero emissions while driving, as well as being a lot cheaper to run. So you can protect the planet while living a sustainable life all by the vehicle you choose to drive. So when searching, have a look at things you may have never thought about before. You may find something that you absolutely adore the look of, and it’s environmentally friendly too. That’s a win-win situation right there.

You can become an explorer.

For argument’s sake, this can still be done if you didn’t own your own car – but it would be far more difficult. Have you ever dreamed of just being able to take off somewhere and go on a road trip around the country? Exploring new areas, seeing new things, and tasting new food. It’s such an exciting idea, and yet when you have your own car, you could be doing this every weekend, or whenever you have time off from work. All you need to do is pack a bag and head on out. There is no booking required because you are your own form of transport, leaving you in complete control of your adventure. You could even invite a few of your friends to come along for the ride with you so you can all create fun memories together.

So as you can see, there are plenty of amazing reasons as to why you should get a car. Sure, it can be pricey, but it’s one of those investments that you choose to make after knowing the ins and outs, because it’s a good investment that your life will greatly benefit from. It opens so many doors for you that make life easier, as well as a lot more fun. You won’t ever have to second guess going somewhere ever again, because you know that you can just drive there yourself. Having a car will give you a new lease of life, and you won’t believe you ever managed without one. So do all the necessary research and get all the advice that you need from people that know what they’re talking about, and then enjoy the process of finding your brand new baby who will introduce you to a life of freedom.

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3 Excellent Reasons Why You Need To Get Your (Business) Head In The Cloud

3 Excellent Reasons Why You Need To Get Your (Business) Head In The Cloud

Mar 19, 2018

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By Lina Martinez

It has been said that over 90% of businesses now use the power of the cloud in one way or another. Whether it’s to speed up the efficiency of working practices or to cut costs, the advantages of the cloud now outweigh the alternatives in any pros and cons list. In this article, we will consider 3 of the many benefits that cloud computing can offer your business.

Cloud computing promotes improved collaboration

Many business leaders are seeking to improve the work-life balance of their employees, and cloud computing has allowed them to take steps to make this achievable. Teams can now work on the same project, regardless of location, and can make changes and updates in real time. From cloud-based software such as Google Docs to any number of tablet and smartphone apps, documents and information can be shared across the board. As an example of the options available to your business, check out the way BCI Worldwide have fully explored the advantages of being in the cloud – for both team and customer collaboration. Could your business offer the same? It makes life so much easier, and it cuts out the need for time-wasting business meetings, phone calls, and those daily trips to and from the office.

Cloud computing offers added security

In 2008, the British Home Office came under fire when one of their employees lost confidential data on over 40,000 criminal cases. The reason? All of that information was stored on a humble memory stick that subsequently went missing. Imagine being the person responsible! However, this was in the days before cloud computing became popular. The days when you were forced to make paper copies of everything or risk the loss of a memory stick by using these portable hard drives. By living in the cloud, you don’t need to store sensitive data in what is now an archaic tradition. With data stored in the cloud, you have much greater security. If your computer malfunctions, you can access the information you need on another device. If you accidentally delete something, you no longer have the panic in thinking it’s gone forever. In short, the cloud is a lifesaver, and you won’t face the indignity and loss of respect that the British Home Office did a decade ago.

Cloud computing is environmentally friendly

We are living in an age when businesses are coming under fire for their lack of eco-friendliness. In 2017, Amazon came under fire from Greenpeace, who slammed the multi-billion dollar company’s poor environmental practices. Smaller businesses are guilty too, whether they add to the landfill with paper waste, or add to pollution with the amount of traffic they put on the road. Cloud computing reduces the carbon footprint, with less need for a paper-based office and road traffic, and due to data being stored on cloud servers, less energy is used through power-intensive hardware. Saving the world should be something close to all of our hearts, but when your business reputation lives or dies through customer and media opinion, showing respect to the earth will stand you in better stead against your competition.

Final word

Improved collaboration, added security, and eco-friendliness. Three excellent reasons why your business head needs to get in the cloud. So, if your business practices are stuck firmly on terra firma, perhaps now is the time to make the move. You know it makes sense!

STD MYTHS THAT YOU MAY STILL BELIEVE TODAY

STD MYTHS THAT YOU MAY STILL BELIEVE TODAY

Mar 19, 2018

By Angela Hall

With the continuous development of science and technology particularly evident in the medical field, it is a surprise that many of us are still uneducated or ignorant of the truth behind some myths about Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). As implied by the name, an STD is acquired through sexual intercourse; however, that is not the only way to get it and spread it. The diseases that fall under this category include genital warts, genital herpes, HIV, gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and some types of Hepatitis.

If you still think like your neighbor who believes that a person with HIV is one step away from death or who advocates that oral sex is a safe practice to avoid STD, then you’re on the wrong page. Let’s clear up some myths and misconceptions that many still believe even in this modern age.

Anal and Oral Sex Are Safe Practices to Prevent STDs

Anal and oral sex are indeed safe practices… if what you want to avoid is pregnancy and not STD. Although there is a lower risk of contracting STD through oral sex, the greatest risk is attributed to anal intercourse, as the skin in that region is most prone to tears. STDs that can be transmitted orally include gonorrhea and chlamydia. If you have any sores or cuts in your mouth, it is also possible to transmit HIV.

Birth Control Pills Protect Me from Acquiring STDs

The name of the pill itself tells you its only purpose. This is a myth, as birth control pills prevent you from getting pregnant, not STD. Condoms, on the other hand, can lower the risk of acquiring the disease during vaginal intercourse.

Two Condoms in Use at Once Will Protect Me

This is another myth. Given that condoms lower your chance of getting STD, using two at a time will not help. Instead, it will only aggravate the situation. The friction between the two protective sheaths can increase the possibility of them tearing, breaking, and leaking. So much for being so sure that it backfires on you!

HIV Is Only an Issue for Gays and Drug Users

This is an absolute myth! Thanks to the power of media, HIV was portrayed as a disease only gays and drug users acquire. The truth is that regardless of your race, nationality, socioeconomic background, gender, or sexuality, you can contract the disease if you’ve been exposed to the virus through any blood or sexual means, even childbirth. Therefore, anybody, especially those who perform sex professionally on websites such as tube v, can contract HIV.

I Can’t Have an STD if I Only Sleep with One Partner

This is as mythical as the existence of unicorns. Sure, you can be confident that you’re sleeping with one partner, but the question lies in your lover’s history. Acquiring STD is a two-way risk; if your partner is involved in sexual contact with more than one person, or has been in the past, and the other person has or had a disease, the virus can be transmitted from them to your partner and then to you.

I Can Acquire the Disease from a Toilet Seat

This myth has been going around since the invention of the toilet seat, and even now, when we have automatic toilet flushers, there is still no scientific evidence that proves this true. Again, STDs are contracted primarily via sexual intercourse and possibly through oral and anal sex. Typically, bacteria and viruses causing STDs don’t live outside the body for an extended period. There is also no evidence supporting the claim that feces and urine on the toilet seat can cause STD.

Once I Had an STD, I Can Never Have It Again

This is a myth even if we’re talking about chicken pox. Yes, it’s possible to contract STD again even after getting treated for it the other time. In fact, many people find themselves acquiring chlamydia and gonorrheal infection multiple times because they keep having sex with the infected person. If the doctor says to abstain from sex, he or she means to abstain from sex. Period.

Herpes Cannot Be Transmitted If There Is No Outbreak

This is a myth. Even if there are no visible signs of the disease, herpes can still be spread. The best way to prevent it from spreading is to take immunosuppressant drugs. If not, the risk of getting herpes is always high.

HIV Means You Are One Step Away from Death

With the advancement and development of technology, it has become possible to treat HIV infection. HIV can’t be cured, but therapies to treat it make it possible for people with the infection to live longer, healthier lives. They can even have kids who are negative of the virus.

STD Is Obvious in a Person Who Has Been Infected

This is a total myth. People with infections mostly can’t tell they have it. Even doctors who specialize in reproductive health can’t tell at a glance if a person has an STD or not. It is because STDs don’t always have apparent signs, and they don’t always cause symptoms. Even if one feels and looks healthy, it is still possible to carry the bacteria or virus that causes the infection.

Most of the time, we brush off correct information and stick with these myths that we know, but more often than not, it leads us astray. With these myths busted and the facts set out in plain sight, we hope to help you practice safer sex and live a safer life. You can click here to research more on the health implications of getting infected with STDs.

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Angela Hall

Angie is a health enthusiast who specializes in spreading STDeducation across the country. She enjoys what she does and loves to travel to different areas. She loves to write for websites and is a family girl at heart.

Are We Living In A World With No Democracy?

Are We Living In A World With No Democracy?

Mar 14, 2018

By Nigel Hilton

The world economic forum published an article in late 2017 that stated that democracy is on the decline. Countries around the world are seeing the democratic values decline sharply, but we can’t blame that will all the issues the world is facing at the minute. But a world without democracy is not one that we want to live in. Democracy covers a wide range of categories. It is measured by the function of a government, the state of civil liberties, and political culture to name but a few. There are still some countries leading the way that have a strong democracy, Norway and Iceland are to name but a few. So considering that democracy is on the decline, we’re going to explore what a world with no democracy is, and what is being done to try and strengthen it around the world.

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Economic Growth

Democracy actually effects economic growth more than you would realise, but there have been many studies carried out that have tried to prove this different. It is in fact common belief that it has no influence over economic growth at all, but you can’t ignore the statistics. The lower the level of democracy goes in a country, the lower the level of economic growth. This is because political regimes aren’t being carried out to protect the economic growth of a country. The effects of which can be catastrophic for the economy and cost of living within that country.

Government Power

The government holds a lot of power, that’s always been the case. But the power the government has often causes so many issues in the world. There is only so much the public can do with regards to this, but the state of civil liberties does protect us somewhat. It means to government can’t change civil rights such as the ‘free exercise’ which allows people to practice their religion. What it doesn’t protect us from is the decisions being made about wars and the things that are really damaging our countries. The National Endowment for Democracy is funding non-profit organisations that are trying to change the level of government power in countries that might have a lower level of democracy, and in turn bring countries closer together. Because it isn’t just government power that democracy determines, it is just so much more than that. Countries such as North Korea have zero levels of democracy, and their ruler does in fact have full power of the decisions that will affect his nation.

Public Political Influences

The public can only have so much say in what the government does, as we’ve already said. But, the higher the influence of the public, the higher the level of democracy. It is giving the public the right to decide smaller decisions that happen within the country. Take the recent brexit of Britain. 72% of the population turned out to vote, which saw a rise in the level of democracy within a country. The less influence the public has, the more decisions that the government could make that would not go in favor of the public.

KEY THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW LEGALLY ABOUT FIREARM/ WEAPON CHARGES

KEY THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW LEGALLY ABOUT FIREARM/ WEAPON CHARGES

Mar 13, 2018

Gun violence has been a major controversy lately and that’s mainly because of the recent school shootings in the country. People, especially students, are now calling for the ban of firearms but just how much of a risk does gun ownership bring to the table?  According to The Guardian, American civilians have at least 265 million firearms, which when distributed, makes it equivalent to having one firearm per American. If that is the case, you could assume that most people by now would know about the legal factors to consider when owning a firearm and the charges it involves. To shed light on that topic, we have rounded up the key things you need to know legally about firearm/weapon charges:

Who can own a firearm?

With over 52,026 federally licensed firearms dealer nationwide and Walmart still as the nation’s largest dealer, it becomes obvious that anyone can look into guns anytime and anywhere they wanted to. With the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Actimplementing a background check before any purchase, it requires a certain standard before you can get your hands on a firearm. Now let us dig up what exactly the main requirements are for an individual to be eligible for gun ownership:

Legal age

By federal gun laws, an individual should be of legal age, meaning at least 18 years of age, in order to be eligible for gun ownership.

The permit and license to carry firearms

Most of the states require an individual to possess a permit to carry firearms. However, some do not. In fact here is a list of some of the states where one can easily purchase a gun without a gun registration, permit, and license required to purchase firearms:

  • Alaska
  • Arkansas
  • Colorado
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Idaho
  • Indiana
  • Kansas
  • Maine
  • Wyoming

YOU WILL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM GUN OWNERSHIP IF:

  • You have renounced your US citizenship
  • You reside in the US illegally
  • You have been discharged dishonorably from the military
  • You are a certified drug addict
  • You have been convicted of domestic violence against a parent, guardian, and spouse
  • You have been issued a restraining order from someone by being found guilty of stalking, harassing, and threatening the individual
  • You have been diagnosed as mentally ill
  • You are a fugitive

WHAT ARE THE RIGHTS TO CARRY?

Federal laws have allowed multiple states to regulate their own laws when it comes to legally-owned firearms carried by individuals in a public setting by implementing a “Right to Carry” which falls into the following four categories:

  • Anomalous Open Carry States – the local government is allowed to implement restrictive open-carry laws among its people who choose to carry their guns in public.
  • Permissive Open Carry States –  gun owners are allowed to carry their guns in public.
  • Non-Permissive Open Carry States – the government will only allow the carrying of firearms in public for the main purpose of self-defense, hunting, and target practice.
  • Licensed Open Carry States – gun owners with a permit and license are the only ones legally allowed to do openly carry their firearms in public.

WHO CAN BE CONVICTED OF FIREARM/WEAPON CHARGES?

Minors

Anyone under the age of 18 years old, and yet has a possession of a firearm, is considered as illegal. As given by different federal laws in each state, penalties for the convicted minor will also differ as he/she can face jail time from 90 days up to 3 years, and will also be eligible to bail out for $1000 up to $100,000.

The only exception for a minor to possess a firearm is when he/she is with parents and is carrying the gun with their permission for it to be used for hunting or target practice, otherwise, it would be considered illegal.

Illegal possession of firearms

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A lack of valid ID, a lack of or expired Firearm Owner’s Identification Card, and inability to present a safety certificate upon purchase can subject you to penalties. You can pay from $1,000 up to $25,000 and can face up six months of jail time and up to five years of imprisonment.

Convicted Felons

Nearly all of the federal state laws prohibit convicted felons from possessing any weapons/firearms for the safety of the public. It may even take up to 10 years before a convicted felon can gain the right to possess any firearm, and he/she will also be facing 10 years of imprisonment if found with illegal possession of firearms.

Should a convicted felon wish to restore his/her rights to possess firearms, he/she may do so by involving executive actions such as a pardon from the governor and judicial actions such as expunging of records.

What can you do to be free of charges?

In order to fully avoid the charge with regards to possession of firearms, it is best that you follow the federal state laws and to always carry with you the certificates, permits, and IDs that will prove to any authority that you are indeed eligible to carry around firearms. Should anything be charged against you that you think it was violating your right, you may consult a lawyer who can help you sort through the legal procedure.

Many times, employees who are facing firearm/weapon charges are more likely discriminated in the workplace. Thus if you have legal concerns on workplace employment discrimination, you may click here to get more information.  

Anne McGee

Anne McGee has over 20 years of experience writing about law subjects where she hopes her knowledge can help the common reader understand law topics that may be of relevance to their daily lives. If she’s not reading a good book, then chances are Anne is jogging during her free time.

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