How Patrick ‘Hot Money’ Osei is making his mark in the UK music industry

Samantha Rigby
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How Patrick ‘Hot Money’ Osei is making his mark in the UK music industry

We always here about the rising music stars or those artists who have blown up recently in the industry, however it is less often that we hear about the music producers behind the instrumentals and beats of these famous hits.

This is changing now, with many producers becoming more and more recognized and famous for their work. This is no different when it comes to Patrick ‘Hot Money’ Osei, who has been in the UK music industry now for over 20 years. His instrumentals and beats have been used in various hit songs, and he has had the pleasure of working alongside big artists such as Stefflon Don, Krept and Konan and Stormzy.

Finding a passion for music at the age of 7, Patrick began his musical journey with a piano, which helped him fall in love with the art. From there, he moved into audio engineering, mixing music with computers and technology to create incredible instrumentals and beats which would be played throughout the UK music industry and utilized by many big name artists.

Patrick ‘Hot Money’ Osei

His work has been critically acclaimed, and Patrick has won awards for his talent. His plans for his career are vast, and he aims to open Hot Money Recordings, a record label to unite artists in the UK to create music using his instrumentals and beats and utilizing his knowledge and expertise of the industry.

For many producers, fortune and fame are just pipe dreams, however for Patrick ‘Hot Money’ Osei, he is well on his way to the recognition he deserves and he plans to help others around him achieve this too through Hot Money Recordings. It is important to look out for Patrick ‘Hot Money’ Osei and Hot Money

Recordings, as they will be making landmarks in the UK music industry, and abroad in due time. His music and following is available on a variety of platforms, from Spotify (which features his latest album of instrumentals and beats) to social media platforms such as Instagram.

Definitely worth checking out.

Music producer TEMPO confronts the challenge of writer’s block

Samantha Rigby
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Music producer TEMPO confronts the challenge of writer’s block

Anyone who is a serial creator of any kind, whether that be writing books or music, will have dealt with the issue of writer’s block at one point or another. Music artist TEMPO (real name Horace Wangnin Saizonou) has admitted on his social media that he is currently dealing with this issue and has even reached out to his fans and other artists to get some ideas on how to break the deadlock.

When it comes to overcoming writer’s block, there’s no shortage of different solutions and methods that people have come up with. Ultimately, there is no concrete method that is going to work for everyone, and you need to experiment until you find whatever works for you.

TEMPO
TEMPO working on his new album

TEMPO has been working hard on his new album lately and trying to produce so many songs at once can be a very challenging creative process. Indeed, TEMPO admits that trying to keep the sound cohesive while ensuring every track feel unique is one of the most significant challenges.

However, TEMPO has assured his fans that this creative slump is not going to last long. With that said, the artist does not seem to want to rush things for fear of compromising his integrity as a music producer.

Fortunately for TEMPO, there is nothing strange about the problem he is dealing with since it has plagued every music artist in history. He is also lucky in the fact that the considerable following of fans he has accumulated across Spotify and Instagram are so patient and understanding, wishing him well and telling him to take his time with the new album.

Ultimately, only time will tell how TEMPO deals with this creative obstacle. Hopefully, the artist will be able to climb over this hurdle and create some fantastic new music for his fans.

How to accessorize: Tips for choosing stylish accessories

Maggie Holmes
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How to accessorize: Tips for choosing stylish accessories

Accessories are an essential part of anyone’s wardrobe. They have the power to turn the most mundane outfit into something extraordinary – but only if you use them right. Therefore, if you are looking to spice up your looks a bit, it’s worth learning about the art of accessorizing. Accessories range from footwear through jewellery, bags, belts, scarves all the way to hair accessories. For a beginner, mixing and matching such a huge selection might pose a challenge. If you want to know more about how to choose stylish accessories and make your outfits more interesting, read on.

Have less accessories

The first and most important “rule” of accessorizing is simply not overdoing it. You might want to start with smaller, more subdued pieces that will go with any outfit. When you feel like you want to add something eye-catching, go for one or two statement pieces. Let the rest of your accessories blend in. For instance, if you wear a pair of large statement earrings, consider skipping wearing a necklace. Too many accessories will simply look messy.

When it comes to sets, it might be tempting to wear all the pieces together. However, whether that’s a good idea depends on the set to a great degree. If you pick up a set that has large pieces, you should steer clear of wearing it all together. As we just mentioned earlier, statement pieces should not be stacked. Otherwise, it will look too busy and overwhelming. However, if we’re talking about smaller pieces, wearing them together will give cohesion to your ensemble.

It’s also important to consider what looks good on you. For example, those large, chunky rings might look great on your friend, but they are not for every hand. If you have shorter fingers, try going for small rings instead that will create an optical illusion. Your face shape also plays a role in which earrings will look good on you. If you have a round face, slim drop earrings are a better choice than large hoops.

Consider colour theory

When shopping around for accessories, you might be tempted to pick all matching pieces. After all, they always say that we should match our shoes with our bag, our gloves with our belt. This is not always true, though. Take, for example, a bright-coloured bag. Not only is it difficult to match to any footwear, but the bright colour can also easily become overwhelming in your outfit. If you pick up an orange or red bag, try combining it with a muted colour in the footwear section.

Matching your accessories too much is not considered fashionable today, rather the opposite. Therefore, it’s a good idea to look into colour theory and try out bolder combinations. Start with neutral colours you can’t go wrong with and gradually introduce more colour as you get more comfortable. You can also still find details in your outfit and highlight those for colour cohesion. For instance, pick a colour from the floral details on your scarf and add a bracelet that will emphasize it.

As for your gloves, try to match them to an element in your outfit. It can be your scarf, your belt, or even a headwear item. If you have a pair of red gloves, try matching it with red lipstick!

Focus on quality

Just like when it comes to your wardrobe, quality is of crucial importance here too. It shows if your accessories are cheap and low-quality, so choose quality over quantity and invest in timeless pieces. You can do that by not falling for any trend that is popular but only getting pieces you truly like.

If you want to develop a unique style, go after one-of-a-kind pieces instead of buying off the shelf. Unique pieces have their own benefits besides being fashionable, so they can be considered an investment in your style. Artisan pieces have an innate value that will not expire like that of fleeting trends. The same is true for precious metals. A gold necklace or a pair of silver earrings adds a dose of elegance to any outfit. Your go-to piece can also become something like a trademark of yours.

Of course, when you invest in expensive jewellery pieces, you will want to take good care of them. This way, they will serve you well for a long time. It’s important to be informed about how to clean and maintain different metals. You can also invest in a handy ultra sonic cleaner that will ensure the longevity of your precious metal accessories.

Know your style

Finally, it doesn’t matter how amazing your accessories are if they simply do not go well with your outfit. Therefore, in picking the right accessories for you, knowing your wardrobe and your style well is paramount.

For instance, if you have an affinity towards a colour family, it can be of great help when choosing accessories. Choose pieces in a complementing colour and you will be able to mix and match your clothes and accessories freely. If you usually wear neutral colours, you can bring a lot of interest to your outfits with bolder accessory choices! For instance, if you want to appear more casual and playful in a black dress, add bright-coloured accessories. If you want to bring a little life into khaki clothes, add something orange or yellow! On the other hand, if you wear a lot of beige and pastels, don’t contrast your shoes too much. Steer clear of black shoes if you’re a fan of light-coloured outfits!

Besides the colours, you should also think about the shape of your clothes. If you’re looking for a classy necklace for your evening dress, it’s the neckline that you should keep in mind. Make sure your necklace is either shorter or longer than the neckline for the best result.

Picking the right accessories might look overwhelming, consider just what a huge selection there is today. However, if you keep the aforementioned tips in mind, you shouldn’t make any mistakes. Don’t forget, experimentation is the key when it comes to learning how to accessorize!

 

7 Best things to do in Nepal for travellers

Hawrry
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7 Best things to do in Nepal for travellers

Nepal is a fantastic place for travellers tucked beautifully between Tibet and India. Within this small area lies one of the most diverse cultures, geography, and history. Travelers can never go wrong while exploring this nation. The overwhelming sensation of being in a new place and experiencing new things is magical. This is the reason travellers are ready to take that extra mile. Similar is the value offered by Nepal. Even in a brief visit here, your travel fantasies will come true.

Nepal is for every kind of traveller. From young to elderly, solo to a couple or group explorers, this country embraces you all. Different enchanting cultural monuments open up to some spiritual locus here. The warm hospitality by locals prepares for the journey to the Himalayas. From peace-lovers to adventure-seekers, there is something uniquely special for you here. A vacation here opens a window for so many activities for you to select from. Your time here can go by in a blink. The sublime moments and memories follow soon after traveling to Nepal.

With so much to offer, you are bound to miss something in your visits here. We have prepared here a list of things one shouldn’t miss in Nepal for a delightful tour. Let us look at some of the Best things to do for a traveller in Nepal.

1. Trekking in the Himalayas

The term Trekking and the Himalayas are often seen together. And why not too, with the mountains here treating some of the best walking trails. Nepal boasts a large variety of fantastic trails. For a trekking lover, there is no bigger feat than here. The Nepalese Himalayas is known for some extreme experiences. Similarly, the sceneries here are something straight out of Shangri La. The beauty of the Himalayas is such intense that you can enjoy so many different shades of it even in a short trek.

For trekking in the Himalayas, the best time will be from March to May. Similarly, September to November is also the prime time to trek here. Don’t worry if you are in Nepal at other times though, as there are plenty of alternatives for you. Trekking in the Himalayas is of many different kinds. Depending on your preference you can choose the best one. Different types of treks are: –

Short treks

These are less than a week. For beginner and not very fit people short treks are best. Our best picks here are Ghorepani Poonhill trek and Mardi Himal Trek.

 Base Camp Treks

As the name suggest these treks include the Base camps of the major mountain. Nepal is home to eight of the world’s ten tallest peaks. Each of them is fantastic for trekking. Everest Base Camp Trek and Annapurna Base Camp Trek are our top picks.

 Teahouse Treks

Trekkers go local here. Teahouse treks are best for experiencing the local beauty of someplace. Our top picks for teahouse trek are Manaslu Circuit Trek and Annapurna Circuit Trek

 Cultural trek

These treks have some beautiful traditional settlements and different rich culture as their main attraction. Upper Mustang trek and Tsum Valley trek are our top picks.

 Off-the-beaten-path trek

These are some of the best-underrated treks in the Himalayas. Kanchenjunga round trek and Khopra Danda trek are our top picks

Camping Trek

These are the trekking type that includes expedition in the most rural parts of the Himalayas. Makalu Base camp trek and Simikot Limi valley treks are our best picks.

As we mentioned there are many amazing trails in the Himalayas. You have to try completing a trail that is bound to complete your journey here with amazing stories and memories.

2. Cultural Tours discovering the diverse heritage of Nepal

Nepal is a melting pot of several different cultures, religions, and ethnicity. So, it is not a surprise that travelers can enjoy some of the best cultural tours here. Knowing a new culture, traditional art and lifestyle are always interesting. These include the unique architecture to the stories passed down from generation to next. Get in this loop while you are in Nepal as it is truly underrated among so many other things. Here are some exemplary cultural tours in Nepal that you can’t miss.

Kathmandu Valley

You are very likely to be in Kathmandu Valley to start or end your journey in Nepal. The city of temples is a wonderful place to explore culture and heritage tours. The Durbar Squares (palaces), art and sculptures, monuments, and local way of life here is something else. The city of Kathmandu Bhaktapur and Lalitpur is fantastic for Cultural tours taking you back to Ancient Nepal.

 Dhulikhel-Panauti Village

Just on the outskirts of Kathmandu valley, these wonderful cities resemble the ancient Kingdoms of Nepal. These small pockets of concentrated temples, locals, traditional streets, and houses make your cultural tour worth it. One can combine these and many other places a short drive from Kathmandu valley like Khokana, Bungamati, and Kritipur as well.

 Helambu Region

Helambu region is a region of highland villages in Nepal. One has to be here for experiencing the hilly lifestyle and Tanamg Culture. Reachable by a scenic ride, the Helambu area is best explored by short hikes around.

 Khaptad

Khaptad area enclosed in a National park showcases the unique culture, lifestyle, and dialect of Far-western Nepal. It is a beautiful place to be and will be perfect for your revisit to Nepal.

 Lumbini

Lumbini, as the birthplace of Lord Buddha, is an integral part of many cultural tours in Nepal. For a spiritual time surrounded by wonderful monasteries and learning the teachings of Buddha is a serene feeling.

 Janakpur

Janakpur is an important cultural town in the Terai region of Nepal. Centering the magnificent Janaki Mandir (Temple) travelers love to explore and wander in the vibrant streets and monuments of Janakpur.

This list is just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many underrated destinations for cultural tours in Nepal that the best way will be to get tips from the locals themselves here. Include a Cultural tour for witnessing the Nepalese hospitality and love for everyone.

3. Indulge in some Adventure Activities

Nepal might unofficially be the Adventure capital of South Asia. Adventure in Nepal is not only a pass-time activity. It is a way of expressing freedom while doing what you love to do. Travelers have been coming here for this very reason for many years now. It is time to include some of these on your bucket list and cross it in your Nepal visit. There are some fantastic adventures to make your blood pump with excitement here. Some of our best-suggested activities are: –

Bungee jumping

There are some amazing Bungee jump sites in Nepal. Imagine the feel of free diving towards a mountain river from a high bridge with the wind hitting your senses. The bungee jump is a must-do if you have never done it before. You can also try different variations like Tandem/Swing here with the Bungee.

White River Rafting

Rafting is an Exhilarating experience taking most of your day. It is better with the white water rapids of the Mountain Rivers. Rafting is something that you will do it again once you have tried it. Trishuli, Bhotkoshi, and Karnali rivers are the most popular and thrilling white rafting rivers in Nepal.

Paragliding

The feel of flying is something which brings joy to everyone. Paragliding is an experience unlike any others, especially in Nepal. Soaring high in the sky you can admire the beautiful landscape and views like never before.

Mountain Flight

There are different versions of Mountain flights and all of those take you close to the Himalayas in Nepal. The Heli tours make you land in close proximity to the mountains and it is exceptional. The plane flights offer you a slideshow view o the major mountains in a single flight. Similarly, ultra Flights gives you the best views from comparatively further from the mountains. It is not something one should miss in Nepal.

Zip Lines

Making your entrance like that of a James bond movie. Zip lines in Nepal are faster, longer, and more scenic than you will expect. Often connecting two individual destinations, these are our personal recommendations to you.

Adventure sometimes helps to feed the travel-loving soul. It is something you’ll remember for a long time. And, what better place than Nepal to get some.

4. Embrace Nature with some fantastic wildlife Safari

If you are a nature-lover there are few places better to travel to than Nepal. You can truly admire the diverse nature and ecosystem while you are here. With 12 beautiful national parks and one Wildlife reserve, you can expect to have a pristine adventure here. Rare wildlife, birds, and vegetation are what attract travelers to these areas. Wildlife safari is an ideal way of getting close to nature and its components. Here are some of our top recommendations for a wonderful wildlife safari in Nepal.

Chitwan National Park

The safaris to Chitwan National Park is often regarded as a top-level Jungle safari in Asia. It is talked-about by photographers and zoologists alike. This national park is home to many different species of mammals, reptiles, and birds. You can spot the rare One-horned Rhinocerous as well as the mighty Bengal tiger in this safari. Visitors can select to do a Jeep or elephant safari here. The Tharu culture of the locals is also interesting for travelers.

Bardiya National Park

Located in the western plains of Nepal, Bardiya National Park is home to some very rare and exotic species. It provides visitors with a pleasant tour of jungles and many other activities as well. Bardiya is the area with one of the most concentrated populations of Bengal Tigers. Jungle walks, Jeep and Elephant safari with a knowledgeable local guide is fantastic here.

 Koshi Tapu wildlife reserve

This wildlife reserve surrounds the largest river system in Nepal, Koshi. It is a popular destination for bird-watchers especially with over 400 different species of birds residing here. This number also increases during migration season. Wildlife rafting and Jeep Safari is highly recommended in this reserve.

5. Mountaineering and peak Climbing

If you are up for an ultimate challenge, Mountaineering and Peak Climbing are the ones to go for in Nepal. These are not for the likes of faint-hearted. Peak Climbing includes some wonderful peaks that can be climbed within a day from Base Camp. These are combined with trekking too. The mountains average around 6000 meters in elevation. Our top picks for Peak Climbing in Nepal are: –

  • Mera Peak (6476 m)
  • Pisang/Jong Ri (6091 m)
  • Lobuche East (6145 m)
  • Imja Tse (6189 m)

Mountaineering in Nepal is one of the most rewarding adventures in Nepal. The home to Mount Everest (8848 m) and other highest peaks in the world, Nepal is a country for Mountaineers. Home of the Sherpas, you can’t miss climbing one of the eight thousand meters peaks here. With Mount Everest being Obvious here are other peaks you can attempt to reach the Summit: –

  • Mt Lhotse (8, 516 m) 4th Highest
  • Cho Oyu (8188 m) 6th Highest
  • Manaslu (8163 m) 8th Highest
  • Makalu (8485 m) 5th highest

6. Sightseeing and exploring rural Nepal

Nepal is a developing country. Travelers can explore and experience much more outside the city areas too. From the Medieval villages to hill settlements rural Nepal is a gem yet to be discovered. Eco-tourism is growing in some of these places but still overlooked while in Nepal. A key for any traveler is to point to a primary sightseeing destination. From here use local trails and explore the surrounding. Some of these areas are accessible through drive while others can need trekking from your part. Here, are our picks that you can look at and research further: –

  • Dolpo region
  • Sailung hillocks
  • Mugu Rara exploration
  • Nar Phu Valley

Dhorpatan valley These are only a few for you. To be honest you can explore so much more slightly deviating from the city areas. Spare some days while you are here to witness rural Nepal.

7. Bonding with the Locals

A simple ‘Namaste’ helps you to connect with locals in Nepal. Don’t be shy to socialize here. You will be fascinated with the simplicity and pure-hearted conversations here. This is the case once you are out from the hassle of the city. Join the locals with their daily chores. Try some of the food here. Witness the traditional techniques of doing things. During all these and more the smiles remain and you’re welcomed here too. Once you are a guest in someone’s house, you are no longer a stranger in Nepal. The attachment and appreciation after Knowing the Nepalese culture and lifestyle will be something worth to treasure for visitors in Nepal.

If you have some time in hand you can also try some of these things that you won’t regret.

 Handicraft shops and factories tour

Nepalese handicrafts go back to a different era in history. You can enjoy the art coming to life with different raw materials here. If you are in Kathmandu do a handicraft/painting tour in some of many home factories/workshops.

Shopping in the local markets, Souvenir and more

Stroll in the local markets and do some shopping. There are many things available only in this country. Some of these might be a souvenir of your journey as well. This will be a different experience for you. You will also help the local economy here.

 Food Tours

Food Tours are highly recommended in Nepal. You can taste different cuisine and delicacies from the different cultures here. Also, try some popular snacks while you are here. Dal Bhat, Thakali Set, Momos, Newari Khaja, and Dhindo are some of the dishes you should probably give a try.

 Festival Travel

Nepal has a lot and a lot of festivals. Every major and minor festival here has its own flare. Join community celebrations and be a part of the festival. With so many cultures and ethnicities, you can plan your Nepal visit to include some of these amazing festivals.

Nepal is a country with a different range and varieties of experience. Be here to witness some of these yourself. You will be back for some more. Travelers here can find their special place and activity that will remain with them for a long time.

 

5 Things to know about ceramic coating for new car owners

Derek Lotts
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5 Things to know about ceramic coating for new car owners

People often fall into the trap of thinking that new cars are easier to maintain. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. The only reason why older vehicles require more time and effort is that their owners haven’t taken good care of them since day one. That brings us to the paintwork and how to keep it intact for as long as possible.

You see, although new vehicles look like they don’t need too much body protection, the only way to preserve the factory shine is to seal the paintwork with some sort of protective layer. Currently, ceramic coating is the best option on the market.

Let us quickly get you through all the important things you need to know about this popular paint sealant.

What is the ceramic coating?

Let us start this short discussion by explaining what ceramic coating is in the first place. To put it simply, ceramic coating covers the body of your vehicle with another hydrophobic layer that enhances its look and provides additional paintwork protection. You can think of it as a wax job, but far more efficient.

The formula of these products is mostly based on a chemical polymer formula that, when applied to paint, creates a semi-permanent solution that is able to last a couple of years. We call it “ceramic” due to the strong physical protection and ceramic-like visual effect you get at the end.

What is the ceramic coating

 

What are the benefits of a ceramic coating?

Although the world of ceramic coating is full of myths and common exaggerations, this protective paint treatment does provide some more than tangible benefits. Let’s take a look at a couple of most notable mentions.

  • Protection from dirt and debris – Unlike car wax or thin paint sealants, ceramic coating creates a durable and semi-permanent protective layer that creates a 9H hard surface that has no problem dealing with common threats like pollen, tree saps, mud, rain, dirt, and smaller debris.
  • Protection from oxidation and rust – The physical damage is not the only danger to your first car. The paintwork can be just as easily damaged by rain (it causes oxidation and rust) and even sunlight that degrades the colour. The hydrophobic ceramic formula provides efficient protection from both dangers.
  • Improved shine and colour depth – Last but not least, we have to mention that, when applied, ceramic coating improves the paintwork’s colour depth and covers the vehicle with a pleasant-looking shine. Not glossy how some people like to describe it but rich enough and reflective.

What are the types of ceramic coating

What are the types of ceramic coating?

Much like any other car-care products, ceramic coating comes in a couple of distinct types aimed at the needs of different car owners. Although there are a lot of subcategories, we can divide them all into three major groups.

Spray-on wax

Sure, this may sound a bit like cheating but being able to marry the ease of use and lucrative price of car wax and some of the properties of ceramic coating, spray-on ceramic waxes are very popular in the entry-level price segments. These solutions are infused with a healthy dose of the polymer so they do feature hydrophobic properties but they are not as hard as nano formulas. Their life expectancy is up to six months.

Nano coating

This is by far the most popular and widely accessible ceramic treatment you can find in the stores. The great thing about DIY nano ceramic coating is that this type of sealant is very easy to apply even by novice drivers while the level of physical and element protection sits at the very top of the market. The longevity is not bad either – if you do everything right, you can get two good years of use before having to perform another treatment.

Professional ceramic coating

This solution is highly concentrated so it’s only logical to assume that it provides the best results. Still, you have to factor in some trade-offs. First, these products are often very expensive. Second, they need to be applied by certified professionals. If you are ready for this, you will get well above two years of protection.

Are there any requirements for applying the ceramic coating

What can’t ceramic coating do?

In one of the previous paragraphs, we have briefly mentioned that the ceramic coating market is filled with false claims and misconceptions. Here, we are going to try to shut down some of these myths because as efficient as it is, this treatment can’t perform miracles. So, here are a couple of things ceramic coating can’t do:

  • Protect against physical damage – Ceramic sealant covers your car with one additional layer of protection but you need to be aware of the limits of this defence. Even if you have it on, hard scratches and swirl marks will still be the issue you have to keep an eye on.
  • Eliminates the need for washing – The ceramic car surface is incredibly smooth and polished so it doesn’t pick up as many dirt particles. You do need, however, to wash your car every 2-4 weeks, as usual.

Are there any requirements for applying the ceramic coating?

Ceramic coating is a treatment designed to work on all types of larger vehicles (cars, trucks, vans, etc.), so in this regard, there are no limitations in using the products. However, if you want to apply the sealant, the surface of your ride needs to be properly prepared. Fortunately, this process is not too complicated.

First of all, you need to thoroughly degrease the surface. Wash the car with a gloss-free, wax-free soap and when you are sure the surface is clean, remove the small particles stuck into the paintwork with car clay. Leaving the dirt underneath the ceramic coating can cause permanent damage. Then, it’s time to polish the surface. Even if your car is brand new, the chances are the surface packs some small scratches and swirls that need to be addressed. Only when you go through these steps can you clean swipe the surface and start applying the sealant.

So there you have it – five things you wanted to know about ceramic coating but didn’t know where to ask. We hope that now you have everything you need to make your pick and protect your new ride with this popular treatment. The sooner you start investing in the protection of your vehicle, the fewer problems you will have along the way.

Dangerous home problems you must never ignore

Nina Simons
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Dangerous home problems you must never ignore

A tiny leak in the bathroom or a barely visible crack in a supporting column up in the attic may seem benign at first. However, these defects, regardless of how minuscule they appear, grow over time into really dangerous problems. It’s useful to make a list of such problems that shouldn’t be ignored for a minute, let alone months, as some unconscientious Australian homeowners do.

Sensing a draft

When the weather turns cold at the end of autumn, it’s never a good thing to sense a draft in the house. This most likely means that your doors and windows are improperly sealed. The breeze you are feeling is an air leak that should be located and fixed, as it will only get worse over time.

Luckily, this is an easy fix, as you just need to replace the rubber gasket underneath the door and re-caulk the door, which is a 10-dollar repair. Otherwise, you’ll waste heating and/or air conditioning, unnecessarily increasing the utility bill.

How to deal with pests

Pest infestation is among the worst household upkeep challenges you’ll ever face. The longer you ignore the problem, the more critters will appear, so call an exterminator right away. From chewing on power cables to contaminating food and water, rats, termites, and other pests can make your life miserable. Just imagine what would happen if a mouse chewed through the main power line or termites (common in Australia) made a nest inside a supporting column!

pests at home

Getting rid of mold and mildew

It is well-known that mold and mildew have a negative effect on human health. The usual spot where mold forms are in the basement, in the attic, and in the bathroom. The reason why the walls and ceiling inside your home get covered in mildew is poor air ventilation.

There is more than one-way water can penetrate your household, but unless it can dry up quickly, it is there to stay. Bathrooms without windows and clogged-up vents often have this problem, as all that steam after the shower has nowhere to go.

Scrubbing the tiles hard removes mold and mildew only temporarily, as you need to improve air ventilation/circulation to get rid of these pesky fungi once and for all. The last thing you want is for your children to breathe in mold spores and develop an allergy.

Small tiles, huge risks

When it comes to the attic, mold and mildew form because there is a leak in an otherwise well-maintained roof. The reason can be poor caulking but more often it’s a missing shingle that’s the root of the problem. A passing storm can easily rip off a shingle or two without you even noticing.

The problem is seemingly not serious enough to call a professional roofer but every time it rains, you’re roof’s understructure weakens. Namely, wooden beams and columns are constantly exposed to water, causing them to rot over time, jeopardizing the structural integrity of the roof.

A simple inspection of the roof can help a lot. Just pull up a ladder to the side of the house and inspect if any tiles are missing. If one or two tiles blew away, you can replace them on your own but more extensive damage should be repaired by a professional roofer.

Ominous cracks

You don’t have to be an engineer to figure out that cracks in walls, ceilings, and floor are not a good thing, mildly put. If cracks appear everywhere and they keep expanding, then there is probably something wrong with the structure’s foundation.

Unlike most of the repairs listed here, repairing the foundation doesn’t come cheap, as it’s definitely not a DIY job. Nevertheless, you should react as soon as the cracks become noticeable because they will expand to the point that the house will be deemed unsuitable for living and it will have to be demolished.

Ignoring a leak

Ignoring a leak

When it comes to the bathroom, the worst mistake Aussie homeowners can make is to make a difference between a small and a big leak. These terms are provisionary, as every leak is equally dangerous and should be addressed immediately.

Apart from potential extensive water damage if a pipe burst, your water bill will increase (in Canberra, for example, just the fixed rate is 101 dollars). The minute you spot a leak and realize you cannot fix it on your own, call a local plumber who is on duty 24/7 to come right away and repair the leaky pipe.

What if a leaky pipe is outside the house?

Spotting a leak in the bathroom is easy, as you can see most of the plumbing or at least notice mold forming around the problem area. On the other side, you’ve probably never looked under your house and you certainly cannot see through walls as Superman can.

In these places, there is a whole network of various pipes, such as water pipes, gas lines, sewer pipes, hot water pipes, etc. When the temperature outside drops below zero, these pipes can easily freeze without proper insulation, causing them to burst.

Faulty caulking

We’ve mentioned earlier that a single missing roof tile can spell disaster over time. However, it takes a lot of force to rip a tile off the roof, while other openings degrade over time. Air vent ducts, skylights, and chimneys are the most vulnerable spots on the roof, i.e. the caulking around them.

Over the years, poor-quality sealant loosens up, allowing water to penetrate inside the roof. On the upside, you just need a caulk gun to repair the damage after you remove the problematic section of the old caulk.

Can Santa pass through the chimney?

Santa Claus might be a fictional character but your chimney should be clean as if we were really going to climb down it. An excessively dirty chimney causes problems down below in the fireplace, sending back parts of toxic fumes inside the living room. The chimney should be cleaned once a year to remove any flue buildup.

Highly dangerous gas leaks

A gas leak is perilous in every environment, whether industrial or residential. Even odorless gases (e.g. natural gas) are added additives to make them easy to detect. If you can smell gas, regardless of how weak the smell might be, immediately call a plumber or a gas fitter.

Water damage is dangerous but a gas leak can injury people as well as property if unaddressed. Also, the longer you ignore the stinky smell of gas, the costlier the repair will be.

Repairing a damaged gutter

We’ve explained how a missing roof tile or faulty caulking can cause water damage. However, the gutters are equally important but often overlooked by homeowners.

Gutters with holes in them can damage the façade so you’ll to render the house or even worse, water can seep through directly inside the house.

Repairing a damaged gutter

Use the time before winter sets in to clean the gutters from any debris that might be blocking them, such as leaves, branches, and even a stray football.

A fully-operational thermostat

Programmable thermostats have been around for a long time in Australia and homeowners have become so reliant on them that they no longer check if the thermostat is fully operational. Ignoring thermostat problems for years will result in thousands of dollars wasted. The cost of having the system checked and recalibrated is far less than the cost of ignoring a faulty thermostat.

Check the boiler

You’ve probably seen news reports of people getting injured or killed in a boiler explosion. Boilers used in residential structures are pretty safe to use but that doesn’t mean that you are 100% safe.

If the pressure dial skyrockets, this can indicate a serious malfunction so you need to turn off the boiler immediately and have someone inspect it.

Likewise, low pressure is an indicator of a leak in one of the pipes.

Utility bills as indicators of trouble

Finally, you can use the water bills as excellent indicators of home problems listed above. For instance, if a pipe is leaking underground, it will hard to spot the leak but if the water bills increase unexplainably, you will suspect an underground leak.

Likewise, higher power bills indicate that your home is no longer energy-efficient. Upon closer inspection, you may discover that several appliances are nearing the end of their lifespan, so you can replace them before they fail catastrophically.

Modern homes in Australia are quite safe to live in but the pipes, appliances, and installation deteriorate over time, so they need regular checkups. Prevention is the best way to protect your home against the various dangers we have listed above. Therefore, never ignore an issue, regardless of how small it may seem at first.

5 commonly overlooked local SEO elements

Adrian Cruce
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5 commonly overlooked local SEO elements

Although it is often mentioned as being vital for businesses, local SEO is still entirely overlooked by small businesses. This is a shame since we are talking about a marketing practice that has a very high return on investment. Once you climb in local rankings, it is easier to maintain your top positions and get a steady influx of traffic to your local business.

Local SEO is now vital for businesses that sell products or services in a defined geographic area. It is enough to highlight that 46% of online searches are right now all about local products. You simply cannot afford not to launch a local search engine optimisation campaign.

The problem is local optimisation is rather new in the industry. Because of this, numerous vital elements are overlooked. This is what I want to focus on in the following paragraphs.

The following elements should always be included in your strategy.

Claim the GMB (Google My Business) listing

Even if Google My Business is not that new, it is still not used by most small businesses around the country. This is a clear mistake because we are talking about the most powerful citation you can obtain for free when you want to increase local rankings.

The very first thing you should do is claim your GMB listing. It will tell Google that your business is on the map, and searchers receive a straightforward way to get information about the business. This is possible through reviews, ratings, and even clicking through and reaching your site.

Fortunately, GMB is free. This is why you have zero possible excuses why you are not using it.

As an extra tip, you might also want to consider Bing Places for Business. Although it only caters to users of the Bing search engine, the extra exposure you get is valuable in local SEO. There are several other renowned general directories you can consider, like Yelp, or even Apple.

Take full advantage of Google maps

One thing you might not know is that Google Maps use SEO to return results. You will have a Google Maps ranking, which is determined by 2 main things: rank and proximity.

Obviously, proximity is not something that can be controlled. It practically means that search results on Google Maps appear based on the physical location of the user. For instance, if you look for restaurants in Sydney and yours is 5 km away, it will not appear first.

Rank is far more important, and you can influence it. Google analyzes different things, like reviews, star ratings, local keywords, and the optimization of the GMB listing. Due to this, you must fill out all the information required. Include store hours and photographs.

Remember that when you do things right, even the factors that cannot be controlled, like proximity, will be improved. As an example, let’s say you run a restaurant and there are 2 other restaurants 50 meters away from you. If a person is in the area looking for a restaurant, he/she can use Google Maps. The recommendations are ordered based on rank because of the really close proximity.

Citation audit

Citation audits are very simple. They involve checking your business NAP (name, address, and phone number). The goal is to make sure that the NAP is always the same in all locations. Incomplete citations or discrepancies confuse Google. As a result, you rank lower than you could in local searches.

One thing that should be mentioned is that with a citation audit, consistency is vital, not necessarily being correct. For instance, the business might have several phone numbers. However, to have consistency, a single one can be chosen to display inside the NAP.

When local SEO work is done, several local citations are created in reputable general directories and industry-specific directories. As long as there is a connection between the directory and the business, the citation is useful. However, if the NAP is not consistent, it can do more harm than good.

Take advantage of local schema markup

Local schema markup stands out as a highly effective local SEO tool that is incredibly underused right now. To put it as simple as possible, schema can be defined as a unique code that is capable of displaying rich information when users look for something on the search engine.

Schema is fairly important because search engines use it to understand the content better. When you include local schema, it is easier to fare better in the local results. Simply put, search engines can easily understand what area is served, together with services, and products offered.

Optimise the business website for mobile users

Unfortunately, most business owners are fixated on using strategies that improve SEO results fast. As a result, they do not realize they miss out on much more important things. A clear example of this is not optimizing the website for mobile users.

Keep in mind that most local searches these days are performed with the use of a mobile device. That is why the site needs to be fully responsive, which means that it will appear perfect on any possible screen size.

The good news is that it is very easy to create responsive websites right now. If yours is not, you have to hire a developer, and the needed changes will be simple to implement. When you use a content management system, like WordPress, all modern themes are responsive.

Conclusions

Local SEO is vital for the business and will be even more important in 2021. If your business depends on local customers or foot traffic, ranging from electricians to hotels, having a powerful local footprint in search engines is very beneficial.

Keep in mind that over half of retailers do not have a GMB listing. This automatically implies that they did not do much local SEO work or launched many online marketing campaigns targeting the area of service. This is why you need to act now and improve your local SEO efforts.

How is artificial intelligence changing the face of web design and development?

Chirag Mudsa
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How is artificial intelligence changing the face of web design and development?

It was not very long ago when the web developers used to build websites using HTML and they could shape a website with just a few code lines as the web pages were simply made of text content and few images. That was really the early years of web as a tool for businesses.

Thereafter, websites continued to incorporate graphics and animation and then complex software features became the new normal of standard web experience. Thus the web evolved over all these years and finally we now have a web that looks and feels like a piece of software application rather than just a space for publishing content.

Following this evolutionary path, we now have more intelligent web where the artificial intelligence has started to facilitate automation of web design tasks to deliver great user experience. In more than one way artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the face of web design and development. For any web development services company, understanding these ways of change brought by AI is extremely important. Here we are going to explain a few of them.

Predicting user responses in chatbot interactions 

The principal utilisation of artificial intelligence (AI) in the world of web can be found when chatbots can answer to users based on precise predictions of user responses and user expectations.

Intelligent Chatbots by accurately predicting the user feedback can respond more appropriately to satisfy user intents. This obviously results in improved user experience.

Thanks to this capability of intelligent chatbots businesses can get hold of human feelings and expectations to make the communication more satisfactory and audience centric. Thanks to chatbots businesses can create better psychological and emotional impact on the audience and can influence their purchasing decisions.

Machine learning to help learn user behaviour

Machine Learning, as a subset of Artificial Intelligence technology, is continuously adding value to the web by learning from user behaviour and accordingly tweaking the user experience attributes.

This is why when you buy something on Amazon, the store remembers your choice and accordingly makes recommendations as per your budget and preference that are more likely to be preferred by customers.

Machine learning technology helps the web to suggest content or recommend products or services to the users or customers by analysing the past online choices, purchases, browsing history and online behaviour.

Sending personalised messages 

The success of marketing largely depends on sending the right messages to the right audience at the right context and right moment. This is another area where artificial intelligence (AI) is playing a really important role.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered algorithms can analyse the business data, competitors data and target user data to decipher the right contexts, conditions, timing and type of marketing messages that can be useful for driving sales for different customer groups.

Facilitating a highly personalized web experience

One of the most important outcomes of AI based innovations for the web is the personalised web user experience. As artificial Intelligence (AI) technology plays a critical role in understanding the user intent and customer behaviour more precisely, this allows businesses to shape their offerings, communication and user experience in a personalised manner.

Thanks to AI, websites and online stores can make more accurate predictions on demands and accordingly marketers can take measures to boost sales.

The increasing role of intelligent voice search

In recent years, AI technology has become the part and parcel of online search functions along with the popularity of voice search. The combination of intelligent search function and voice search offered us a new dimension called intelligent voice search.

An increasing number of people these days prefer searching Google and other search engines by using the voice commands. The AI technology is helping this voice search more intelligently with user specific recommendations based on unfinished search terms or the user intent perceived from the previous searches.

While voice search has already become a key feature for all major content platforms and ecommerce stores to facilitate maximum ease and flexibility, the AI technology with its capability to make user centric recommendations is improving this voice search further.

The role of AI in improving web design output 

AI based tools are also playing a vital role in optimising the web design output. Since most web design experts are not great developers and vice versa, bringing their mutual gap is important for optimised web experience and this is where AI tools play an important role. Before you hire dedicated developers for your web project, understand how some AI tools can help you alongside developers.

Now web projects can use sophisticated AI tools like virtual assistants to ensure a streamlined and smooth web design and web development process. The AI powered virtual assistants by making different queries from diverse user perspectives can fetch people’s answers and the designers can use these verified insights as the basis of their design exercises.

AI for improving the SEO quotient of a website 

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) remains the backbone of all exercises that focus on improving visibility, enhancing web traffic and boosting business conversion through the web. This is another area where AI based tools can play an important role in getting better results in search ranks.

AI based SEO tools can help in easier data mining and using the data driven insights to detect issues and problems in the website structure and content. These intelligent tools can easily help you understand the shortcomings of your content in relation to the requirements for achieving consistent search engine rank.

AI powered recommendation engines 

The biggest impact of AI has been in gaining insights from user behaviour and actions that can be utilised to make precise recommendations of products and services for the customers.

Most of the leading e-commerce stores and subscription based content services grab help of these recommendation engines and intelligent referral solutions to recommend products and services that the audience is more likely to find appropriate. From Amazon to Netflix, every online platform is now utilising AI based recommendations.

Conclusion

The rising importance of the web in shaping the web needs to be emphasised more than what we explained so far. Still now, the use of AI based tools and solutions is at their nascent stage and with the passing of time they are likely to be more rigorous and era defining to shape the future of the web beyond recognition.

The revolutionary impact of metal 3D printing in the dental industry

Kiran Hurkadli
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The revolutionary impact of metal 3D printing in the dental industry

Additive manufacturing has been transforming the dental industry for years now, and the advanced applications have proved its mettle in several use cases. 3d printing has not only improved the scope of dental operations but also thrived the volume. Apart from generic 3d printing in the dental industry, metal 3d printing is creating a whole new paradigm shift.

Today, dental 3d printing is not only limited to prototyping purposes, but the industry is leveraging this technology in a full-fledged manner. Earlier, one fits all solution was the only conventional approach in the dental care domain. However, with metal additive manufacturing, patients are now getting custom solutions which are more feasible and comfortable.

Impact of metal 3d printing in the dental industry

Accuracy, quality and precision are the three critical significant impacts that the dental industry is embracing metal additive manufacturing. Earlier, manufacturers used to prepare dental pieces like braces, retainers, and crowns with ceramics and health-grade plastics. But, with the advancement of metal filaments, the industry is now capable of delivering custom-sized metal implants. 

These metal implants are of high resistance, cohesive and easy on daily-care as compared to the conventional replacements. With metal printers, dentists can print high-quality partial dentures, bridges and custom-fit crowns with dental-specialized filaments.  

This modern technology is making the custom parts manufacturing process possible on a scale which is helping in cost optimization. Manufacturers can now match the implants and prosthetics perfectly with the patient’s morphology, earlier, which was a challenge in the traditional approach.  

Metal and another custom filament-based 3d printing are helping the industry to grow at scale in a time-saving manner. The most significant positive impact is in the re-do of designs of implants. For a perspective — when dental parts don’t fit perfectly, dentists can make quick changes in the CAD file rather than performing the entire process again. On this note, let’s have a look at prominent applications of additive manufacturing technology:

3d printing of dental retainers

Dental retainers made from metal and other filaments are the most significant advancements for the dental industry. The conventional vacuum-based retainers bring in the least level of deviation from the initially proposed model. 3d-printed dental retainers are playing an instrumental role to overcome the quality gap. 

The orthodontic retainers made up from the combination of metal, and plastic filaments offer a longer life-span and fit perfectly. As the manufacturers can leverage the CAD software to build custom retainers, the overall turnaround time is reduced significantly. The printers are capable of producing exact size, less expensive and highly durable retainers.

Efficient dental implants

A wide range of dental 3d printing materials is available to the manufacturers that help in producing efficient and top-notch quality dental implants. One significant advantage of metal printed dental implants is custom design parts. 

Many surgical scenarios arise where traditional implants are hard to use due to their rigid and unchangeable design. To overcome this, the dentist can print a bespoke part that offers the highest level of accuracy when it comes to fitting. This approach is quite helpful in case of partially broken dental parts and crowns. With 3D CAD, engineers can easily map the patient’s x-ray and the custom CAD file to ensure it fits naturally. 

With metal printers, companies can produce implants in an error-free manner which help the patient to get back to their regular activity faster. In the traditional process, the patient has to visit multiple times for post-surgical maintenance, but this is not the case with additive manufacturing.

Dental 3d printing software

Manufacturers and dentists have access to dedicated dental 3d printing software which makes the entire process much easier and faster. Unlike the traditional process, 3d printed implants are easy on designing even if the patient needs a bespoke fit. 

The feedback loop with such software is relatively short, and engineers can fix any possible errors by making minor changes in the existing file. The complete digital workflow makes the scanning, designing and 3d printing process quick and accurate. 

Once the designing is done using the 3d printing software, it’s sent for manufacturing. The best part is that the post-production work is very minimal and the product gets ready to deliver within a few hours or days.

Depending on the complexity, manufacturers can pick suitable metal or plastic filament and begin the production process. Many hubs provide professional 3d printing services in Melbourne, Brisbane and other cities to boost this industry.

Future of metal 3d printing in the dental industry

With all these modern advancements, we are still scratching the surface, and this technology has massive potential for the dental domain. Be it replacing the braces, crowns, or performing custom implant scanning, additive manufacturing is here to stay. 

As of now, the metal 3d printing is growing with a rapid speed & there are a lot of things to explore and make this technology the next big thing. 3d printing technology is significantly cost-effective than traditional techniques, and it will become more affordable in the future. 

Many companies are already working closely with this industry and are providing bespoke metal 3d printing in Melbourne and other cities to fulfil the demands. Like other medical advancements, the dental industry is catching a rapid pace to provide better treatment to the patients. With the availability of various metal 3d printing filaments, the future scope of this technology is substantial.  

As the metal 3d printers are also evolving in technology and their sizes, it’s bringing more opportunities for the dental treatment centres to have their in-house machine. It will not only speed up the complete treatment cycle but also save patients from hefty implant charges.

8 Warning Signs of Insolvency

Alona Curtis
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8 Warning Signs of Insolvency

With all businesses experiencing some degree of adversity, it can be difficult to realise if you are heading down the path towards insolvency. The problem often becomes more substantial when business owners choose to deal with the situation on their own and often end up nose-diving as a result. In order to take the appropriate steps to avoid disaster or know specifically when to ask for assistance, it’s important to know some of the common warning signs of insolvency. 

If you are currently going through financial hardships, these are some of the signs to look out for. Taking action at an early stage is essential and you should always enlist the help of professional commercial lawyers to receive actionable advice.

What exactly is insolvency? 

People use the term insolvency to describe a business that can longer pay its debts and are past their due date. Some individuals use the term interchangeably with bankruptcy, but insolvency is typically used in the context of business, whereas bankruptcy is used more often for a single person. 

A more formal definition of insolvency can be found under Section 95A of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth): 

  1. “A person is solvent if, and only if, the person is able to pay all the persons’ debts, as and when they become due and payable” and
  2. “A person who is not solvent, is insolvent”

Although the legislation is clearly in place, the Courts have come to the conclusion that even when a company is unable to pay their debts by the time they are due, they are not necessarily classified as insolvent. In many cases, they could simply be temporarily lacking the funds to pay these debts, as a company may have little cash on hand to use. 

Common warning signs 

Now that we have an idea of what insolvency is, understanding the common warning signs of insolvency can help business owners to take the necessary steps to avoid liquidation. Here are a handful of these common warning signs to look out for: 

  • Your business is making consistent losses 

Every business has its ups and downs, so making a loss for one quarter of the year is nothing at all to panic about. Despite this, you should be carefully analysing whether you are making consistent losses over time, with no real signs of improvement. This is usually the first warning sign that you’re heading towards insolvency. 

  • Your business has failed at least two ATO payment arrangements in a small amount of time 

Acquiring a payment arrangement with the ATO can seem like quite a beneficial way to reduce some of the financial stresses on your business. However, if you fail to meet the agreed arrangement, then you may have to face the fact that your business has already entered into a state of insolvency.

  • You aren’t able to meet upcoming BAS or superannuation payments 

PAYG Tax and superannuation payments are an essential part of running your business in Australia. If you are unable to meet the requirements for these payments, you may receive a Director Penalty Notice from the ATO that has the potential to make you personally liable to these payment debts. If you don’t lodge BAS or superannuation guarantee charge statements within 3 months of the due date, you automatically become personally liable for the PAYG Tax and the superannuation payments. 

  • Changes in relationship with the bank 

Keep an eye on the relationship that your business has with the bank. If you see that they are monitoring your progress a little closer, check on the overall relationship that you have with them and if it seems to be degrading over time. 

  • Staff Turnover

Businesses that need to make significant reductions in their employees in order to cover some of the costs of the business indicate that the organisation may be heading towards insolvency. 

  • Formal payment plans

In order to safely secure an ongoing supply or to reduce the likelihood of legal enforcement, you may have to negotiate more formal payment plans. 

  • Lending your business funds

If you’re noticing that you’re lending your company funds on a regular basis just to stay afloat, this could be an indicator that substantial financial issues are present in the business. It’s important to note here that if your company does not succeed, you may not be able to regain the money that you have lent it. In the event that you want to make a loan to the business, consult a professional business lawyer before making a decision. 

  • Business records are unorganised 

Aside from being a general pain point for your business, another common sign of insolvency is when your business records are all over the place. If you noticed that you are unable to produce accurate financial statements, this is the time to reorganise these records with your accountant.

Why do people ignore these signs?

Despite experiencing some of these common warning signs, many businesses choose to ignore the fact that they may indeed be heading towards insolvency. Many people may not think there is a problem or are being too optimistic about things getting better down the track. For some business owners, their pride may get in the way and even if they know that there’s an issue, they’ll refuse to face up to it or take action against it. 

These are all dangerous paths to follow, so you should always make the first move as soon as you see some of these warning signs start to pop up in your business.

Taking the appropriate steps

The warning signs outlined in this article are by no means a definitive list, and you may experience a number of different factors. This is why we always recommend speaking to an experienced professional for the benefit of your business. Having a discussion with an insolvency lawyer when you are experiencing financial difficulties could be the difference between your business existing or liquidating down the line. 

DISCLAIMER: 

The contents of this blog are not intended to be sound substitutes for legal advice. You should not rely on this information as legal advice and instead should always speak to an accredited lawyer for professional advice on your situation. 

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