A few more days and the nightmare created by the twisted, perverted hackers will be over. Our site is back up (a few links do not work) and that is good. But, what this did do is let us seriously evaluate the entire site, and what we thought about doing in the future, we are now doing.
Since we are working on the revisions, we decided that we'll let things stand for now as they are online. A few more days and everything will work and will have the site as we wanted.
Since we are very close on finishing the "new" site, we'll take a little time off tomorrow and continue our posts on "Your Energy Diet" so we can keep you aware of what is best to go green and save some green.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Monday, February 4, 2008
A Long 4 Day Weekend Has Rewards
The Lord Be Praised!!!
We have had, what many would say, an unbelievable 4 day weekend. After being "hacked" last week, we were faced with (1) repairing our sites, (2) a big Mardi Gras weekend, and (3) the Super Bowl. Now put all of that in a "container", shake it up, and pour it out and see what happens. You won't believe the results.
Thursday, Jan. 31st, we began a marathon "repair party". By Friday, Feb. 1st, at 2 A.M., we had removed all the damage, laid out the replacement items, finished the monthly newsletter, and set up our "plan of attack". At this point, we "old" people had to stop and get some rest.
Friday morning, we began setting up our sites to at least get back online. After a few hours and many cups of coffee, we were back on line and the sites were functioning. Not all the links worked, but we were "up". We decided to let things be, and get ready for our weekend guests and the Mardi Gras parades and parties beginning Friday evening and running through Sunday.
Well, the final result was a very successful Mardi Gras weekend. Since Our Guests decided to leave early Sunday to make it home before the Super bowl started, we decided to skip the Sunday parades and rest since we had had 3 very busy days. We kicked back, took a nap, took a little time to prepare some of our final web site plans, and watched the Super Bowl. We were split about the game's outcome.
This week, we will have every thing repaired on our sites and some of our changes will be up. We hope the firewalls and other new security patches that our web host is applying will keep us from going through this mess again. Our best to you and, hopefully, your weekend was a happy one.
We have had, what many would say, an unbelievable 4 day weekend. After being "hacked" last week, we were faced with (1) repairing our sites, (2) a big Mardi Gras weekend, and (3) the Super Bowl. Now put all of that in a "container", shake it up, and pour it out and see what happens. You won't believe the results.
Thursday, Jan. 31st, we began a marathon "repair party". By Friday, Feb. 1st, at 2 A.M., we had removed all the damage, laid out the replacement items, finished the monthly newsletter, and set up our "plan of attack". At this point, we "old" people had to stop and get some rest.
Friday morning, we began setting up our sites to at least get back online. After a few hours and many cups of coffee, we were back on line and the sites were functioning. Not all the links worked, but we were "up". We decided to let things be, and get ready for our weekend guests and the Mardi Gras parades and parties beginning Friday evening and running through Sunday.
Well, the final result was a very successful Mardi Gras weekend. Since Our Guests decided to leave early Sunday to make it home before the Super bowl started, we decided to skip the Sunday parades and rest since we had had 3 very busy days. We kicked back, took a nap, took a little time to prepare some of our final web site plans, and watched the Super Bowl. We were split about the game's outcome.
This week, we will have every thing repaired on our sites and some of our changes will be up. We hope the firewalls and other new security patches that our web host is applying will keep us from going through this mess again. Our best to you and, hopefully, your weekend was a happy one.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Stop The Insanity - We Were Hacked!
A couple of days ago, we mentioned that best laid plans don't always go as you wish. Well, that's what happened again. We were hacked on our web site. When it rains, it pours!
Yesterday, our host for our site was hacked. According to our host, hundreds of sites were "messed up". In addition, some of the c panels were "damaged". If we could get into our c panel, we were instructed to go in and delete our index pages and upload new index pages. Well guess who cannot get into their c panel.
Since we do not use a normal index page on our site but rather a php/html mix, and we can not get to our c panel, our rework is a little more complex than just to replace a few pages. So, we are in the process of preparing our replacement and have decided to make a few changes as well.
This is going to take a little time; and we will not be able to continue our posts on "Your Energy Diet" for a few days. Also, until we get it all done, the links that we have listed to the left will not work. Please bare with us. We'll be back up as soon as possible.
Yesterday, our host for our site was hacked. According to our host, hundreds of sites were "messed up". In addition, some of the c panels were "damaged". If we could get into our c panel, we were instructed to go in and delete our index pages and upload new index pages. Well guess who cannot get into their c panel.
Since we do not use a normal index page on our site but rather a php/html mix, and we can not get to our c panel, our rework is a little more complex than just to replace a few pages. So, we are in the process of preparing our replacement and have decided to make a few changes as well.
This is going to take a little time; and we will not be able to continue our posts on "Your Energy Diet" for a few days. Also, until we get it all done, the links that we have listed to the left will not work. Please bare with us. We'll be back up as soon as possible.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Your Energy Diet - More Tips For Your Home
Since we have looked at simple tips you can address quickly in lowering energy comsumption, there are a few advanced tips that will help make your home better prepared to lower your energy use and cost. Here a couple that really work.
1. Are your window and doors properly sealed or are you losing heat or air?
Many homes are not sealed as they should be to eliminate the passage of air in or out. The main contributors are windows and doors. Use a lighted insense stick and move it slowly around the edges of your windows and doors. If you see movement of the smoke from an outside source, you have an air leak. If you have molding around the doors or windows, move the insense along the edge of the molding where it meets the wall. Again, movement of the smoke indicates an air leak.
To remedy this air leak, you will need to caulk the windows and doors with a good silicon sealer. If the air leak is severe around the doors, you may need to remove the molding and reinsulate with a foam insulation. Once done, your drafts will be gone. (While checking for air leaks, check the bottom of the doors for drafts. If you detect any, replace the threshold insert or felt door sweep.)
2. Are your switches and recepticles allowing air movement?
Until just a few years ago, most builders were not even aware that insulating switches and recepticles was a good backup to insure the house was properly sealed. In fact, many builders dismiss the idea feeling they did a good job of insulation. Not so. Builders go by minimum code which is usually years behind in technology.
You can get foam switch and recepticle sealers at any hardware or home repair store. Just remove the covers and fit in the sealers. Make sure you check how many you need and the size (single or double) and style (switch or recepticle).
3. How's the insulation in your attic?
There is no hard and fast rule about how much insulation you need except that where you live is the main determination. Northern zones need about an R38, temperate zones need about R30, and southern zones need an R26. To determine R value for a quick evaluation, 1 inch of insulation equals about R value of 3. So, Chicago attics need 13 inches, Tulsa attics need about 10 inches, and Houston attics need 9 inches.
Check the temperature in your rooms. If a room is cooler in the winter than another when standing by an interior wall and you have sealed the windows and doors, then you could have an insulation problem or a heating problem. Check the amount of insulation in inches in your attic. If your measurement is below what we suggest above, you may need to add insulation. If the amount of insulation is adequate, you may have a heating (or cooling) problem.
We have given you some of the steps you can take to improve your home's energy usage. If you are not a "handy person", most power companies will provide some sort of help either by a kit or an energy audit. If you don't know how to do what we suggest, get qualified help. Start with your power company.
In our next post, we'll give some more tips about improving your home's energy usage. We will then move on to other areas which can improve your environment and reduce energy consumption as well as save you money. Also, your health in the long run will benefit.
1. Are your window and doors properly sealed or are you losing heat or air?
Many homes are not sealed as they should be to eliminate the passage of air in or out. The main contributors are windows and doors. Use a lighted insense stick and move it slowly around the edges of your windows and doors. If you see movement of the smoke from an outside source, you have an air leak. If you have molding around the doors or windows, move the insense along the edge of the molding where it meets the wall. Again, movement of the smoke indicates an air leak.
To remedy this air leak, you will need to caulk the windows and doors with a good silicon sealer. If the air leak is severe around the doors, you may need to remove the molding and reinsulate with a foam insulation. Once done, your drafts will be gone. (While checking for air leaks, check the bottom of the doors for drafts. If you detect any, replace the threshold insert or felt door sweep.)
2. Are your switches and recepticles allowing air movement?
Until just a few years ago, most builders were not even aware that insulating switches and recepticles was a good backup to insure the house was properly sealed. In fact, many builders dismiss the idea feeling they did a good job of insulation. Not so. Builders go by minimum code which is usually years behind in technology.
You can get foam switch and recepticle sealers at any hardware or home repair store. Just remove the covers and fit in the sealers. Make sure you check how many you need and the size (single or double) and style (switch or recepticle).
3. How's the insulation in your attic?
There is no hard and fast rule about how much insulation you need except that where you live is the main determination. Northern zones need about an R38, temperate zones need about R30, and southern zones need an R26. To determine R value for a quick evaluation, 1 inch of insulation equals about R value of 3. So, Chicago attics need 13 inches, Tulsa attics need about 10 inches, and Houston attics need 9 inches.
Check the temperature in your rooms. If a room is cooler in the winter than another when standing by an interior wall and you have sealed the windows and doors, then you could have an insulation problem or a heating problem. Check the amount of insulation in inches in your attic. If your measurement is below what we suggest above, you may need to add insulation. If the amount of insulation is adequate, you may have a heating (or cooling) problem.
We have given you some of the steps you can take to improve your home's energy usage. If you are not a "handy person", most power companies will provide some sort of help either by a kit or an energy audit. If you don't know how to do what we suggest, get qualified help. Start with your power company.
In our next post, we'll give some more tips about improving your home's energy usage. We will then move on to other areas which can improve your environment and reduce energy consumption as well as save you money. Also, your health in the long run will benefit.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Best Laid Plans Don't Always Work
We had every intention to continue are posts about "Your Energy Diet" on Friday and then skip it on Saturday and be back today. Well, the plans went out the window when our guests for Mardi Gras arrived early Friday evening instead of Saturday. Needless to say, back to square one.
Not only that, but today we are exhausted having "barely" survived multple parades, hosting the party on Saturday, and of course the traffic after the parades. Therefore, we are taking today off and will get back on posting tomorrow.
By the way, the first parades of our Mardi Gras were great and there is more to come next weekend and on Fat Tuesday. All of this will be shared with you in the future. Stay tuned.
Not only that, but today we are exhausted having "barely" survived multple parades, hosting the party on Saturday, and of course the traffic after the parades. Therefore, we are taking today off and will get back on posting tomorrow.
By the way, the first parades of our Mardi Gras were great and there is more to come next weekend and on Fat Tuesday. All of this will be shared with you in the future. Stay tuned.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Your Energy Diet - Simple Steps To Begin At Home
Well now it"s time to to look at your home and we've got some simple steps that will pay rewards immediately. What rewards? Your electric bill. Start these now and you will see some reduction on your next bill. BUT, the following month will definately be lower. Let's begin.
1. Change your light bulbs. EVERY ONE OF THEM! That's right. Change ALL of your bulbs to the money saving flourescent bulbs that you can find just about everywhere now. The energy usage on flourescent bulbs is from 60 to 75 % less than incondescent bulbs.
For us, we found that our electric consumption was an immediate 10% reduction. Not much you say considering flourescent bulbs cost more. Well, 20 bucks is 20 bucks. After 2 full months of flourescent usage, what we saved on our electric bill paid for the new bulbs plus we were ahead a few cents. Also, the new bulbs last 10 times longer.
2. Turn your "on stand by" electric items off. What are these? It's any electrical item that you believe is off but it's not - your coffee maker, your microwave, your computer. Look around. You turned your computer off but you can see a small light on the speakers or on the monitor. There's a clock on the microwave and on the coffee maker. Each of these is drawing electric ALL THE TIME!
But, how can you since they don't have on and off switches? Simple. Put power strips with on/off switches on your outlets and then plug your electric items into the strips. You can get a pack of 2 simple strips for under $7.00. You could go a little higher in price and get strips with surge protectors which will provide protection for your items especially your computer and microwave. Another benefit of strips is that they expand the number of outlets you have (but don't get carried away in plugging in to much to one strip as this will blow a circuit breaker.)
3. The last simple step we wish to mention is to keep your thermostat at a temperature that will be cost effective and what you can bare. In the winter, about 70 degrees in the day time and 66 at night. In the summer, no lower than 78 degrees but better at 80 (day and night).
Using these steps as outlined above will save you money. We know they work because we use them ALL THE TIME religiously! We started these ideas last summer and have reduced our electric usage (and our bill) substantually. We can't give you an exact figure because we have applied a few more advanced steps which we will cover in the next post.
We might also add that a cooler house in the winter is better for your health since germs don't do well in the cool areas. That's why hospitals and your doctor's office seems cooler. They keep the temperature lower to prevent the spread of germs. Now, go start saving on electric.
1. Change your light bulbs. EVERY ONE OF THEM! That's right. Change ALL of your bulbs to the money saving flourescent bulbs that you can find just about everywhere now. The energy usage on flourescent bulbs is from 60 to 75 % less than incondescent bulbs.
For us, we found that our electric consumption was an immediate 10% reduction. Not much you say considering flourescent bulbs cost more. Well, 20 bucks is 20 bucks. After 2 full months of flourescent usage, what we saved on our electric bill paid for the new bulbs plus we were ahead a few cents. Also, the new bulbs last 10 times longer.
2. Turn your "on stand by" electric items off. What are these? It's any electrical item that you believe is off but it's not - your coffee maker, your microwave, your computer. Look around. You turned your computer off but you can see a small light on the speakers or on the monitor. There's a clock on the microwave and on the coffee maker. Each of these is drawing electric ALL THE TIME!
But, how can you since they don't have on and off switches? Simple. Put power strips with on/off switches on your outlets and then plug your electric items into the strips. You can get a pack of 2 simple strips for under $7.00. You could go a little higher in price and get strips with surge protectors which will provide protection for your items especially your computer and microwave. Another benefit of strips is that they expand the number of outlets you have (but don't get carried away in plugging in to much to one strip as this will blow a circuit breaker.)
3. The last simple step we wish to mention is to keep your thermostat at a temperature that will be cost effective and what you can bare. In the winter, about 70 degrees in the day time and 66 at night. In the summer, no lower than 78 degrees but better at 80 (day and night).
Using these steps as outlined above will save you money. We know they work because we use them ALL THE TIME religiously! We started these ideas last summer and have reduced our electric usage (and our bill) substantually. We can't give you an exact figure because we have applied a few more advanced steps which we will cover in the next post.
We might also add that a cooler house in the winter is better for your health since germs don't do well in the cool areas. That's why hospitals and your doctor's office seems cooler. They keep the temperature lower to prevent the spread of germs. Now, go start saving on electric.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Your Energy Diet - Driving Habits That Work
We're on a role. The car has been checked and now it's time to drive. Let's begin with a little exaggeration (but not much) on how "a real Texan" drives. If you are from Texas, you can relate to this. If you're not from Texas, you can laugh along with us.
The young (less than 60), macho Texan swaggers out to his fully loaded, gas guzzling, chrome plated, mega-big, exceptionally clean (never used bed), very expensive pick up truck. Without a thought, he starts the engine and reves it up a couple of times (usually less than 10), jerks it into reverse, and peels out of the driveway. Then slams on the brakes (laying rubber), shifts to drive, peels out again, and slams on the brakes to stop at the stop sign just 10 feet away. Then, of course, he peels out again. (Bet his tire dealer loves him.)
OK, the humor is over, but the lessons are there for all of us to see. Yup, we have had a laugh at the expense of "our Texan"; and, if you think about it, we've just hit the mark on some very poor driving habits. We won't go into why some men need the "maximum" pick up truck which is never used as it should be; or why, after a couple of years of high gas prices, he still drives it; or...
No, let's just look at driving habits.
First, when you start the engine, let it idle for a few seconds. Warming it up for a few moments helps performance.
Second, put it in gear and begin in a slow speed. Probably, you are in reverse to back out of your driveway and will need to stop shortly to change gears, so keep the speeed low.
Now, after changing gears, start out at a reasonable speed. Excessive speed to begin your forward motion eats gas. Sudden stops eats rubber (tires). Both will eat up your pocketbook. We won't talk about gravity, or physics, etc. Just remember, there are natural forces working against you, so take it easy.
From the moment you got into the car, you must be alert. There are more cars and trucks on the roads now and not everyone is paying attention. The worst distraction when driving is the cell phone. It takes your mind away from alert driving. DON'T USE IT WHILE DRIVING!
An important reminder -do not shave, apply makeup, or anything else while driving. Just drive!
The following tips will save you money:
1. Never accelerate quickly from a dead stop.
2. Pay attention to traffic & don't follow too close to avoid sudden stops.
3. Start any trip, short or long, with plenty of time to complete it with out speeding.
4. Use the best speed for long trips. We found that the best speed for our car was 59 mph. Try different speeds and check your mpg. We are sure you will find that 75 mph is not fuel efficient.
5. Cut your speed and up your alertness in bad weather.
6. Do nothing risky while driving. Make sure you know what is in front of you, beside you (both sides), and behind you.
We have only hit the basics in this post. But, if you apply what we have presented, you will reap the rewards by saving money AND injury. A word to the wise is sufficient.
The young (less than 60), macho Texan swaggers out to his fully loaded, gas guzzling, chrome plated, mega-big, exceptionally clean (never used bed), very expensive pick up truck. Without a thought, he starts the engine and reves it up a couple of times (usually less than 10), jerks it into reverse, and peels out of the driveway. Then slams on the brakes (laying rubber), shifts to drive, peels out again, and slams on the brakes to stop at the stop sign just 10 feet away. Then, of course, he peels out again. (Bet his tire dealer loves him.)
OK, the humor is over, but the lessons are there for all of us to see. Yup, we have had a laugh at the expense of "our Texan"; and, if you think about it, we've just hit the mark on some very poor driving habits. We won't go into why some men need the "maximum" pick up truck which is never used as it should be; or why, after a couple of years of high gas prices, he still drives it; or...
No, let's just look at driving habits.
First, when you start the engine, let it idle for a few seconds. Warming it up for a few moments helps performance.
Second, put it in gear and begin in a slow speed. Probably, you are in reverse to back out of your driveway and will need to stop shortly to change gears, so keep the speeed low.
Now, after changing gears, start out at a reasonable speed. Excessive speed to begin your forward motion eats gas. Sudden stops eats rubber (tires). Both will eat up your pocketbook. We won't talk about gravity, or physics, etc. Just remember, there are natural forces working against you, so take it easy.
From the moment you got into the car, you must be alert. There are more cars and trucks on the roads now and not everyone is paying attention. The worst distraction when driving is the cell phone. It takes your mind away from alert driving. DON'T USE IT WHILE DRIVING!
An important reminder -do not shave, apply makeup, or anything else while driving. Just drive!
The following tips will save you money:
1. Never accelerate quickly from a dead stop.
2. Pay attention to traffic & don't follow too close to avoid sudden stops.
3. Start any trip, short or long, with plenty of time to complete it with out speeding.
4. Use the best speed for long trips. We found that the best speed for our car was 59 mph. Try different speeds and check your mpg. We are sure you will find that 75 mph is not fuel efficient.
5. Cut your speed and up your alertness in bad weather.
6. Do nothing risky while driving. Make sure you know what is in front of you, beside you (both sides), and behind you.
We have only hit the basics in this post. But, if you apply what we have presented, you will reap the rewards by saving money AND injury. A word to the wise is sufficient.
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