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document camera
Startup

How to Shop for a Document Camera

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A document camera is not familiar to most people, but its technical abilities and functions are amazing. It is a device that projects and magnifies pictures of objects, transparencies, and paper notes. It is the modern version of the overhead projector used in the past in schools, conferences, offices and many other places. The camera is smaller, with high resolution, and uses only WIFI. We expound on factors to consider when choosing a document camera down below.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Document Camera

Different types of document cameras exist in the market. Depending on the type you select, there are important tips to consider before buying it. They are;

1. Portability

If you need to use the document camera in various settings, a portable one is the best option. Mobile gadgets are suitable for people who travel a lot to work in different spaces. They can easily move with their devices and set them up comfortably. Portable document cameras are also lightweight; hence minimal energy is used to carry them.

2. Lighting

Document cameras have different designs and functions; however, most of them work well in dim lighting. If your sole purpose is to project images of objects or notes, choose one with dim lights. If you aim to use the document camera for extra functions like a video camera or webcam, consider more lighting.

In the case of a webcam, it isn’t easy for someone to see you during a talk or conversation, especially if you use it to connect with other workers during meetings or work-related businesses. People will most likely hear your voice but can’t see you. To use a webcam, go for the type with a light source connected to it to get a lot of light.

3. Flexibility

Before buying a document camera, ensure it fits your purpose. If you aim to capture an object, ensure it is flexible enough, i.e., it can rotate the objects captured in a way that the people can see. When in a meeting, conference, or school, everyone needs to see what has been captured, so buying a document camera that can rotate anything is vital. A flexible document camera is good for use as a video camera or webcam. The adjustable neck will also record items from a 360-degree angle which is ideal for any viewer.

4. Compatibility

Ensure your document camera is compatible with both your computer and whiteboard in case you’re using one. With the growth of the digital space, the computer has so much information stored in it. Having the document camera connect with the laptop makes work easier since you can magnify or project the images or information straight from it. In classrooms, an interactive whiteboard also needs to connect to the device to capture and transfer images from the camera quickly.

Final Words

A document camera is a technological device used by anyone to accomplish a task. Always consider your purpose before purchasing the gadget to ensure you choose the correct type and one that works well for you.

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shipping container restaurant
Startup

Pros and cons of owning a shipping container restaurant

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For most commercial-quality shipping containers, their time of life ends in roughly five years, during which they cease to be viable for shipping purposes. Many are discarded, relegated to abandoned shipyards for many years. A container that has outlived its usefulness for shipping can be redesigned and turned into a shipping container house. Many can be used to enhance the concept of “green housing.” The idea behind most restaurant designs is that each spot should be a place where you feel relaxed, comfortable, and able to enjoy the best meals you can afford.

Restaurant designs showcase the owner’s personality, tastes, and character. Visitors will be impressed and blown away by your shipping container restaurant. There is a new wave of architects who focus solely on shipping container restaurant architecture. In this write-up, we shall focus on the pros and cons of owning a shipping container restaurant.

Benefits of a shipping container restaurant

  • Affordable. Shipping container restaurants are cheap to set up. The cost you will incur in acquiring a used container and converting it into a finished restaurant is far less than the price of getting building materials and putting up a regular eatery. 
  • Shipping container restaurants can withstand any weather extremes, including tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes. In fact, each restaurant crafted from a shipping container can stand against winds blowing at 100 miles per hour. Once anchorage is added, a good container restaurant can withstand winds at 175 miles per hour. 
  • It is relatively easy to move a shipping container restaurant since the container was originally meant for transportation. 
  • Ease of setup and use. Implementing a finished container restaurant design is very easy. All you require is a company that you can procure the container from and some guys to transport it to your desired location. After that, simply implement your designs, and you will have a finished restaurant in no time. 
  • It is easy to add insulation to a shipping container restaurant, making it warm and cozy even during harsh weather.  
  • Environmentally friendly. By acquiring a shipping container restaurant, you will be recycling the used material of the container, thus promoting the green movement to preserve and maintain the earth’s habitats and ecosystems. 
  • Rapid setup. From the moment you book the container for purchase to the architectural designs to the installation of your finished restaurant, it takes a very short time for you to be the proud owner of a shipping container restaurant. 

Disadvantages

  • Many shipping containers are made from Corteen steel or aluminum, making them superb conductors of heat. Temperatures can easily rise fast in a container without insulation.
  • Rust may be a recurrent issue that a shipping container restaurant owner may have to deal with.
  • Cargo containers are usually built to last a very long time and may have been covered in harmful solvents and paints during the manufacturing process. Inhaling these fumes may be a hazard to health.

Conclusion

Shipping container restaurants are fantastic projects that any artistic future restaurant owner should indulge in. The benefits far outweigh the risks, allowing you to own a restaurant that is stable, durable, and long-lasting while also being easily movable. Learn more from container home builders.

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platinum melting furnace
Startup

Reasons to buy the best platinum melting furnace

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Production of platinum has come a long way from traditional methods that used extreme heat, to the smooth and clean one-step procedure. Nevertheless, to increase the output and make the process easier, buying the best platinum melting furnace is essential. However, with the numerous equipment of the same functions in the market, choosing a high-quality platinum melting machine that meets your quality standards can be a challenge. Despite those challenges of getting the right melting machinery, let’s look at the benefits of buying a platinum melting furnace for business or personal use.

  1. They have powerful safety features

For many decades, platinum smelting has been considered as a risky activity. Since the platinum melting point is high, risks of burns and fire hazards are there. When buying a platinum melting machine, the threats are minimal because it has a powerful trigger cautioning system. Due to this, avoidance of potentially hazardous conditions is highlighted, thus letting you maximize production. This means that you will increase the income at minimal risks.

  1. The machine has zero combustion

When it comes to smelting precious metals such as platinum, a huge amount of carbon dioxide pollutions are the byproducts. In most cases, air pollution is attributed to outdated combustion of oxygen with fuels. Buying a modern platinum melting kit minimizes environmental pollution via the prevention of using carbon effluents as a source of heat.

platinum melting furnace

  1. Offers a lower power consumption

Unlike traditional techniques that used coal as a heat source, metal melting machines use electricity as the main source of power. The utilization of electricity allows the smelting of precious metals at high efficiency. This limits the guesswork on if the entire metal has dissolved or not. Furthermore, the use of an induction machine lessens the time required since the process is completed within minutes.

  1. Guarantees reduced wastage of precious metal

With a platinum melting furnace, smelting of the platinum is completed practically and cleanly since there is no open fire source and spillovers. Efficient metal smelting means that the loss of precious metals is minimized. Idyllically, with this metal melting machine, the utilization of cubicles is incorporated into the construction of the furnace system. So, the self-contained construction streamlines the recovery of precious metals. This reduces the waste of platinum during the production process.

  1. It is easy to maintain a platinum melting furnace

The utilization of melting machines for platinum production provides a simple and efficient maintenance option. Since these furnace types come with a removable cubicle, you will have easy access, and for this reason, separation and cleaning are completed within a few minutes. Additionally, it has an in-built water feature for pump connections that plays a role in preventing overheating of the main system. Since the machine can be separated in various elements, replacing any part in case of done can be done fast without replacing the entire melting machine.

platinum melting furnace

Final word

Investing in the best platinum melting furnace guarantees you high-quality production of the metal. Additionally, you won’t need the constant help of technicians since operations of the platinum melting machine are manageable and sleek. With these benefits, you can’t afford to buy an induction machine for business or home use.

 

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How to Make Money Online Through Writing
Startup

How to Make Money by Writing Online?

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Making money has become an essential entity in the current world. Many people are looking for various ways to make money. Business is the key thing for many of you who wish to make more money.

I know many will take this as a joke but for a small group of unique individuals have chosen online writing opportunities to earn money. You may think that writing is only for the selected few but as a matter of fact, you are more than capable of doing it.

How to Make Money Online Through Writing

Writing has become the easiest route for one to make money online. If you are looking for the simplest and faster way of making money I think you should try online writing. Students are the most interested people when it comes to writing but you can also earn through writing for the rest of your life.

There are various ways in which one can make money online through writing. They include:

1: Guest Writing

Guest writing is also known as Guest Blogging. This is where a technique whereby a writer is given permission to write and post a blog on another person’s website. This method of making money online has become popular in the late 2000s.

Many website owners have come to learn that through guest writing the quality of traffic increases hence prefer having various guest writers hence creating jobs for most guest writers. The quality and unique work are the most key things a guest should possess.

Starting as a guest writer is usually a challenging thing. Most of the guest writers do not know where to find legit online jobs. Many end up writing without being paid. I think I can be of help when it comes to finding the legit and well-paying website for guest writing. They include;

These websites have the well-paying guest writing opportunities. If you are a guest writer and looking for an opportunity please visit the above websites.

2: Freelance Writing

A freelancer is a self-employed writer who is not interested in a long-term job by a particular employer. In a report released in 2012, most of the population in North America do freelance writing. Payments in freelance writing vary with the skills a freelance writer have.

Freelance Writing

High quality work and experience is also a factor in freelance writing. Many new freelance writers usually are confused on where to kick-start their career. Others abandon freelance writing after they fail to find opportunities.

If you are a new freelance writer I think you should open accounts on the following websites that provide legit jobs;

This is only but a few but if you are looking forward to making real cash through freelance writing I think you should try with the above websites.

3: Book Publishing

Publishing is the act of generating information and making it accessible to the public. Book publishing has become a new method of making money online through writing. Most of the online book publishers have a hard time to find a legit website where they can publish and sell their books online.

Book publishing is categorized into two;

  • E-Book
  • Physical Books

Book Publishing

To make money through book publishing I think you should consider using Kindle Direct Publishing. This website is great because it gives the ability to do the following:

  • To reach the market quickly – Book publishing on Kindle take less than ten minutes and your book appears in one or two days.
  • Earn more money – Kindle enables you to earn 70% royalty on your book sales to customers in Canada, US, Japan, Mexico, Spain, and many more.
  • You have the control – They let you set the prices of your books and rights.

Hence if you are a book publisher and you need more money you should definitely sign up on Kindle Direct Publishing and start earning through writing.

4: Start Your Own Blog

A large group of writers always dream of owning a blog. This is usually a challenging route for many people. But passion is the only requirement to have a successful blog. Having your own blog enables you to make money online.

blog

To have a successful blog you should outline the following;

  • Have a name for the blog.
  • Make your blog online.
  • Modify your blog.
  • Write and put out your first blog.
  • Sponsor your blog online.

Most blogs fail because the above outlines are not put into consideration. WordPress is the leading website that enables you to create and manage a blog in the simplest way. Having your own blog enables you to make money on your laptop online with no much hustle.

5: Copywriting

Copywriting is the achieved by text writing with a motive of advertisement. People have not mastered this method of making money online. If you need to earn with no stress you should definitely try copywriting.

If you are new to in this category do not be in a rush because it can highly cost you. Hence you should seek free lessons from Frank kern. A top copywriter currently in the United States of America. Some copywriters get jobs in the following areas;

  • Copywriting Organizations
  • Advertising Organizations
  • Public Relation Companies

But for others they prefer working as self-employed contractors, undertaking copywriting jobs for a number of clients. The following are some of the best websites where you can find freelance opportunities;

If you are looking to earn real and more cash you should look for great opportunities in these websites.

6: Ghostwriting

Ghostwriters write articles on behalf of another person but do not get credit for the work done but make good money from it. When a person needs a new copy of his or her website they simply hire a ghostwriter.

If you are thinking of being a ghostwriter I think you are going in the right direction. But you should put into consideration the amount of time and expertise to land more jobs. Also, you should have the passion for it because research plays a key role when ghostwriting.

For those starting to ghostwrite you should use the following websites due to the availability of work and good pay. They include;

  • Upwork
  • Guru

Conclusion

Making money online through writing is not an easy job as you may think. Passion should be the key pillar before you start writing. Proper grammar and fluent English are also key. Before taking the mantle in writing to make money you should consider the above pillars to be successful.

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Startup

How to Write a Business Plan

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Whether you’re looking for business funding or a better way to manage your business, writing a good business plan is a great place to start. A great business plan will not only help with obtaining funds from lenders, it will also give you direction in how to structure and grow your business, be it a new or existing one. Understanding how to write a business plan is the first step.

You’ll use your business plan to convince others to work with you and to possibly invest in your business. A well-written business plan will give potential investors confidence about putting their money into your company. There are usually two types of business plans; lean startup and traditional.

Traditional business plans are the most common and more detailed. Therefore, they tend to take longer to prepare, but they are the type most requested by investors. A traditional type business plan has nine sections. Each section explains a different aspect of your business and your vision of where your business is heading in the future. You can find a business plan tool on the Small Business Association website at https://www.sba.gov/tools/business-plan/1.

Traditional Business Plan

 Business Plan

Executive Summary

Each section asks questions about your plans for your business3. In the executive summary, the most important question is what qualifies your business to succeed? Be sure to include a mission statement, what your company stands for. Include what your service or product is, and information about the makeup of your leadership team and employees. A description of your location should also be included here.

Start with an overview, in one sentence, that explains the core of your business and what you plan to do.

Company Description

Then begin describing your company by providing detailed information about your business and what problem or problems your business is going to solve. Make sure to give specific details about the customers, other businesses, or organizations that you expect to serve. List any experts you may employ, or how your location is perfect for your business to reach the target consumers. This is the section where you should feature your company’s strengths4.

Market Analysis

In this section show that you understand your market by listing information you have gathered through market research. List what you know about your competition and how it serves your market. How do your competitors become successful and are you capable of doing a better job? Show that you know the trends in the industry and that you have the knowledge and expertise to follow those trends to success.

Organization and Management

The section on organization and management should include the type of business you have set up. Is it a sole proprietorship, a partnership, an LLC or a type of corporation4? Show the hierarchy of your company with an organizational chart. Explain the unique qualities of each person and how they will add to your company’s success. You may even add the resumes of the people on your main team.

Service or Product Line

This section explains what your product or service is. Here you list how your product is developed and the benefits to your customers. List any plans to file a copyright or patent, or if your product involves intellectual property. Explain the details of any research and development, if that is the service you provide.

Funding Request

The funding request section is where you will summarize the requirements for your funding. You should explain the amount of funding you will require in the next five years and how you plan to use the funding4. Identify whether you require equity or debt, the terms you are looking for, and the amount of time needed for the request. List details of how the money will be used, such as for equipment, salaries, or for certain bills until more revenue comes in. A description of prospective financial plans, like selling the business or settling debts, should always be included.

Financial Projections

Convincing prospective lenders that your company is secure and will be financially successful in the future is your objective in this section. Including financial projections as a supplement to your funding request will aid in this goal. For an established business you should include your company’s financial documents, like income statements, cash flow and balance sheets for at least three years. You should also list any collateral you have in this section.

Otherwise, give a five-year financial outlook, including prospective income statements, balance, cash flow, and expenditures. Include monthly or quarterly projections for the first year. Be sure to match your funding requests and projections, and to explain them clearly. Financial graphs and charts would be very applicable in this section.

Appendix

The appendix is used to provide resumes, licenses and permits, letters of reference, legal documents, contracts and other supporting documentation. Other items that have been requested specifically, should also be in this section4.

Don’t be intimidated by the process of writing a business plan. Knowing how to write a business plan can help you understand and make the completion of a traditional business plan easier to do.

Lean Startup

You should use a lean startup format if you have a fairly simple business, you’ll make regular changes to the plan, or you want a quick startup.4 The lean startup format consists of charts that use several key components to describe your business. Key components include infrastructure, finances, value, and customers. You can find free templates on the web, including the oldest and best-known template called the Business Model Canvas4.Business Model Canvas

Key Components

Key Partnerships includes other manufacturers, suppliers, and contractors you’ll work with while running your business.

Key Activities to include are listing ways you plan to achieve a competitive edge, like direct selling to customers and using current technology.

Key Resources include your company’s assets. A few of the most important are staff, intellectual property and any capital you have. Include business resources such as being a woman-owned or veteran or Native American business.

Value Proposition is a key component that clearly states the exceptional market value your company.

Customer Relationships should describe the interaction between the customer and your company. Will the customer’s experience be online, automated, or in person?

Customer Segments will explain your targeted customer. No business serves everyone, so knowing your targeted customer is very important.

Channels Segment will list the methods that you intend to use for communication with your customers. The use and optimization of more than one channel is the best option for most companies.

Cost Structure will define the cost strategy of your company. Will your company reduce costs or maximize value? Be sure to list the costs of following your strategy.

Revenue Streams will define the method your company will use to make money. Direct sales, advertising sales, and membership fees are ways your company may use to create revenue. If you have more than one type of revenue be sure to list them all.

Whether you choose a traditional business plan or a lean startup plan, the important part is writing a business plan. Even if you’re not looking for funding, a business plan will help determine if your business has the potential to be successful1.  Just remember not to make your business plan too long, know who you’re writing for, don’t be afraid to take the first step2. Knowing how to write a business plan will help keep your business from failing due to the information you should have known but didn’t.

Sources

  1. The Balance- https://www.thebalance.com/do-i-need-to-write-a-business-plan-2948594
  2. BPlans- https://articles.bplans.com/how-to-write-a-business-plan/
  3. Forbes- https://www.forbes.com/sites/davelavinsky/2014/01/30/how-to-write-a-business-plan/#7591677e7d04
  4. Small Business Administration- https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/plan/write-your-business-plan-template
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Startup

Intending to Start a Business with Your Programming Knowledge? Make Sure You Know What Prototype Is First!

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What is a prototype?

Prototype refers to the initial appearance of a product. “Initial appearance” is not well-defined. Sometimes it is very close to the finished product, sometimes it looks well-developed but has only a few functions, and sometimes the function is complete but the interface has not been optimized. It’s actually case by case and varies by circumstance.

Why we need a prototype?

  • With prototype we would be able to demonstrate more specific things, and favor further internal or external discussions. What is visible always works better than words alone.
  • By showing prototype to users, we can get more real, correct user feedback.
  • The process of making Prototype would get us more information or prove a certain technology to be worthwhile.
  • The cost of making Prototype is lower, thus reducing risk and helping with risk assessment.

For example, let’s suppose you have an idea for developing an app. After the assessment, if you want to complete the product (app), it requires at least five people and more than one year time. In this case, you can do Prototype and have the core functions. The simple picture does not matter; maybe by only one or two people in three months of time this can be done. During the process, you can get more information, such as their own ability or technical difficulty. After making Prototype, you can get the correct market feedback, thus realizing the valuation does not warrant continuing. But also, products can be amended and improved so as to make the chance of success even greater. In addition, it is very important to point out that when there are more specific things to show, there is a chance to find an angel investor for discussion. (In general, investors basically refuse to invest if they can’t see  what they’re being asked to back financially.) Therefore, considering the many advantages of the above, the importance of the Prototype concept is undeniable.

Garage entrepreneurship is a concept of prototype

We often hear of businesses beginning in garages (think: Apple, Google, and Microsoft), but why is this? Because even if the founders of a business are geniuses, they often possess limited funds and must take great risks. With such uncertainty, it can be difficult to find financial support, especially at the concept stage. Venture capital investment is critical but hard to come by. An inventor’s or creator’s faith in his own product is insufficient; market feedback is required from users, consumers, and customers. Still, feedback from customers can be vague or even incorrect, which is why Prototype is so important. It allows would-be users to see something real and tangible, allowing them to formulate more accurate and field-tested impressions.

So too can this kind of input reinforce your decisions and strategies as the creator. You rely on these data to shape your future moves in the marketplace. Relying on actual evidence from consumers can help forge your business plan and situate you to gain the favor of investors.

Finally, from the perspective of risk and cost, market feedback can help you to accurately assess the longterm viability of the product. Realizing early on that an idea is likely to fail can help to minimize losses, allowing those involved to move on to the next idea.

Facebook, for example, was created in a school dormitory by Mark Zuckerberg, in his effort to impress a girl. No one thought it was going to work, but he created a Prototype, got attention for the product from the right demographic, created some buzz, and eventually attracted venture capital support for his software that is now used by more than one billion people.

Is it just fine giving the program to an engineer in the early days of the business?

Some people think the idea is very important and  write the program to the engineer. Such a view is not wrong at all levels. However, taking into account the actual situation and the implementation of the early days of entrepreneurship, you will understand why many technology founders not only have ideas but also their own practice. Most of their time is spent validating Prototype ideas and basing their decisions on feedback received. They may wait until the prototype proves to be feasible—and then only to expand the team, the founder may no longer write a program, but instead write the program to the engineer to do a more detailed division of labor. If you want to start a team to get ideas right from the start, unless you’re experienced and your pocket is deep, people will not be inclined to go along.

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