Maps: Common and Custom
The art of mapmaking is a time-honored craft that combines scientific knowledge with artistic sensibilities. A good map is going to be both chock full of information and pleasing to the eye of the beholder. Many ancient maps are truly beautiful, the hand-drawn lines, symbols, and features can compete with the works of fine artists.
Contemporary maps are almost universally created by machine. They exist as digital data that is manipulated by computer to create a map that is then printed or otherwise displayed. The standard map of us doesn’t change that often, so map makers are forced to rely on aesthetic design choices to distinguish their map from that of other publishers. There are certain conventions associated with making road maps, city maps, geological maps, and all other common types of maps — the ones that everyone is familiar with and uses on a regular basis.
The making of a custom map allows map makers — or the person ordering the map — to be more creative. A custom map may use a different color scheme or legend. It may be hand drawn instead of computer generated. Even if a custom map is being ordered from a map company, it will be one-of-a-kind. It may include branch offices of a company, highlight locations in the life of a person, or designate city’s with more descriptive names rather than legal ones.
05.24.11A Better Way to Buy Tires
If you have a blowout or realize that your tires have been patched too many times, you will find yourself having to spend the time getting new ones. You may be tempted to go to your nearest tire dealer and buy whatever tires they tell you you need. This is a bad idea. You may get an honest sales person to help you, but more often than not you’ll get someone who has to meet a quota or is trying to get rid of overstocked inventory.
You need to do some research before buying tires. That is the only way that you can make sure that you aren’t getting taken for a ride and that you are getting good value for your money.
The most important thing to understand before you head to a tire dealer is what you actually need for your car. The only way you’re going to avoid buying the cooper tires that are on sale is is you know that they don’t suit your needs. Search online for what type of tires are best for your car, driving habits, climate, and use. If you commute on highways you need different tires than if you haul cargo over country roads.
The other thing you need to know is where and when to shop. There are certain times of the year that are better for buying tires. If you can wait for those times, you’ll get better sales offers and can likely bargain the dealer to an even better price. Most large dealers list their sales and prices online, so you can comparison shop from the comfort of your laptop. You can even buy tires online to either be picked up at your local dealer or shipped to your home.
05.16.11Relocating an Office
The decision to relocate an office is a very difficult one. Many companies will find that their current location is no longer serving their needs. This does not, however, mean that relocating is the right choice. The costs involved with relocation are high and companies need to carefully project the impact of the move on their future revenues versus staying in their current space in order to determine if a move is really the right choice.
Sometimes the impetus for relocation is due to a temporary change. If, for instance, there is a sudden jump in sales that requires a larger staff to support, the inclination may be to relocate to a larger office suite. If that increase in sales is only temporary, the company may later regret moving into a larger and more expensive location. Considering how expensive office space New York can be, there’s a more than good chance that moving prematurely can quickly cripple a company’s finances once sales fall back to previous levels.
If relocation is a sustainable and profitable option, companies still need to be prepared for the costs associated with moving. There are one time costs associated with purchasing property, acquiring new furnishings and equipment, as well as the costs of hiring movers and setting up utilities. They should also anticipate how many worker hours will be diverted to relocation that could have been spent on generating sales or production. These expenses shouldn’t deter the move, but they need to be allowed for in any budget projections for the project.
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