6 things to consider before starting a decking project

Julian Thumm
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6 things to consider before starting a decking project

Aussies love an outdoor deck. Whether it’s firing up the barbecue with friends and family, relaxing by the pool or having a quiet moment and taking in the views, a deck is a great addition to any backyard. However, adding a timber or composite deck is a major project. There’s a lot to consider to ensure you end up with a deck that looks great and will last. If designed and installed properly, a quality deck will enhance your outdoor area and add value to your home. If done poorly, you could be looking at costly ongoing repairs and maybe even a full decking replacement in a few years. 

So, let’s have a look at 6 important things to consider before starting a decking project. 

1. What’s the purpose of the deck?

The first thing you should think about is what the deck will be used for. How you plan to use it will affect your choice of materials, method of construction and the ease of maintenance. 

Some different decking uses include: 

  • Home verandah or balcony
  • Outdoor entertaining area
  • Outdoor kitchen/barbecue area
  • Surrounding a swimming pool or spa
  • Commercial decking for a restaurant or cafe
  • Outdoor area for an entertainment venue 

Depending on the deck’s intended purpose you may have different priorities or requirements. For example, for a deck around a swimming pool or spa you will need to prioritise water resistance. That means you’ll want to look at dense hardwoods, like ironbark, or a quality composite decking material.   

A commercial decking area for a restaurant, cafe or entertainment venue will have to cope with much more foot traffic than a home deck. That means durability will be a priority. It may also be impractical to have to clear off a commercial decking area for several days at a stretch for maintenance (like sanding, oiling and staining). In this case, composite decking might be the better option given its durability and minimal maintenance requirements. 

If you’re building a home deck for an outdoor entertaining area, then aesthetics might be the most important consideration. Chances are you want a deck that looks great, suits your home design and decor, and creates a seamless transition from your indoor to outdoor areas. In this case, you may want to consider premium decking hardwoods like jarrah, teak or merbau. 

2. Do you need a permit?

Before you start building your deck (or even start planning), it’s important to look into whether you will require a building permit. Different states and council areas have different regulations, so you should contact your council directly before getting started. Permit requirements can also change depending on whether you’re replacing an old deck or building a new one, and regulations may set out rules regarding the size, height, material and method of construction. 

In Victoria, you require a permit for building or replacing an attached or detached deck, regardless of size. In New South Wales, on the other hand, you may not require permit approval provided that the deck is smaller than 25m² and meets the relevant building standards.     

A professional builder can tell you if you require a permit for your decking project and will also be able to organise the permit on your behalf. If you’re planning a DIY project, then the best thing to do is talk to your local council directly. There’s no point wasting time applying for a permit you don’t need. On the other hand, you could face fines and potential lawsuits if you go ahead and build without the necessary approvals.  

3. What’s your budget?

Like any building project, budgetary constraints will have a significant effect on the scope of your decking project. 

Some major cost considerations include: 

  • Deck size

    Obviously, a larger deck is going to cost more. You will require more decking material, installation will take longer and the design will likely be more complex.

     

  • Decking material

    Your choice of decking material will obviously have an effect on your immediate budget, with more durable and higher quality decking boards generally costing more. However, over the life of the deck any savings you make on cheaper materials will likely be spent on repairs and ongoing maintenance.While cheaper materials, such as treated pine, may be attractive when budgeting for your decking project, more costly materials, such as premium hardwoods or composite decking, will be more durable and require less maintenance and fewer repairs, saving you money over the life of the deck.

  • Complexity of design

    The complexity of design will affect the cost of materials and installation. Some factors that will increase the design complexity include elevation, stairs, levels, irregular shape, lighting, balustrades and attached canopies, shades or shelters.

  • Installation and labour costs

    If you’re having your deck professionally built, then labour and installation costs can vary between tradespeople. It’s important to get detailed quotes in writing from a number of different builders and tradies for comparison.    

  • Site complexities

    The condition of the building site can have a significant effect on construction and installation costs. For example, on a sloping site a more complex elevated support structure may need to be built. Uneven or soft ground may need to be levelled or stabilised. Obstructions like trees or water tanks may need to be moved or built around. And site access should also be considered. Any site complexities can end up significantly adding to the cost of construction.

If budget is a factor, you should also consider the expected lifespan of the materials, as well as the ongoing costs associated with maintenance. For example, treated pine will be among the cheapest options. However, it will require a high level of maintenance and have a shorter lifespan than higher quality hardwoods or composite decking materials, so it may end up costing more in the long run.  

4. Consider the decking materials

The most common decking materials include treated pine, various hardwoods and composite decking. Your choice of decking material can be influenced by a range of factors including maintenance, durability, lifespan, aesthetics, environmental considerations and cost.  

Depending on your priorities, different materials may be more or less suitable. For example, if you want to minimise the maintenance requirements, then composite decking might be the best choice. If you’re thinking about aesthetics, then nothing beats premium hardwoods like jarrah or merbau. Whereas if cost is your primary concern, then you might go for treated pine. 

If you’re worried about the environmental impact of different decking materials, it’s worth doing a little more research. Both timber decking and composite decking have their environmental pros and cons.  

5. Who’s building it?

Building your own deck is not beyond the capabilities of an experienced home DIY enthusiast. However, there are a few things you should consider before tackling the job yourself. 

It’s important to be aware of the different tools required and installation methods for different decking materials. For example, for composite decking installation you may require specific saw blades designed to cut composite boards. 

Additionally, building the deck yourself will save you money on installation, but it will be a greater time investment. Plus you will need to source the materials and calculate the quantities yourself. 

Professional decking installation carried out by a registered builder or qualified carpenter will cost you more, but the job will get done quicker and in most cases the builder will source the materials and handle the building permits. And, of course, with professional installation you can expect the best quality workmanship. 

6. What about maintenance? 

No matter what type of deck you decide on, or who builds it, it’s worth thinking about the ongoing maintenance requirements. Timber decking will require regular oiling or sealing to protect it from the elements and to revitalise and replenish the wood. It will also require regular cleaning, which can mean using specialist timber decking cleaning solutions. Over its lifetime, a timber deck will require a significant and costly input of chemical cleaning and sealing products. 

Composite decking, on the other hand, never requires oiling, staining or sealing and can be cleaned with soapy water. If you don’t have the time, money or inclination to deal with ongoing seasonal maintenance, then you might want to avoid timber decking, especially the cheaper options, like treated pine. 

Seriously thinking about each of these factors will help to ensure that you end up with an outdoor deck that perfectly suits your home or business, your lifestyle and your pocket. 

9 Garden makeover trends to embrace in 2020

Pedro
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9 Garden makeover trends to embrace in 2020

Say goodbye to winter and say hello to some of the most breathtaking garden trends of 2020.

For the most part, 2020 has been one heck of a year. But let’s not write it off just yet.

With most of us finding ourselves confined to our homes during quarantine, we’ve managed to find time to do things we’d normally never have time to do. What was once considered the impossible — finishing the bathroom reno to binge watching 5 seasons of Money Heist — can finally be ticked off the bucket list. But what’s next? It’s time to embrace nature in your own backyard.

For all the aspiring green thumbs who have been hibernating throughout an agonising winter, the time has come to take advantage of Perth’s beautiful sunny weather and spend some quality time creating the ultimate garden.

In this article we explore the latest garden trends of 2020 that are taking gardening in Australia to whole new levels of zen.

1. Low maintenance gardens

If you’re looking for an alternative garden that requires minimal maintenance but still looks astonishing, then an Australian native garden might be what you’re looking for. 

Australian native gardens are low maintenance and require minimal watering, making them an excellent water wise choice for the upcoming summer. They comprise a wide variety of hardy Australian native fauna which are very tolerant to our harsh climate, including kangaroo paw, frangipani, daintree pine, and lemon-scented willow myrtle.

Whether you’re a certified green thumb, garden enthusiast, or someone who’s lazy but wants all the benefits of a beautiful lush garden, an Australian native garden lets you explore the wonders of having an authentic landscape.

2. Zen gardens

Also known as ‘stone gardens’, has seen a steady rise into the garden scene, with many homeowners looking to add a little zen into their life. Zen gardens are a pleasant addition to many homes where you are able to take a moment to relax, breath and calm your soul. 

It is possible to create a zen garden in almost any landscape, large or small, using only some pebbles or stones, concrete lanterns, a tiny bridge, and some greenery. 

Traditionally, the ground would be covered in sand and raked into ripples to represent water, however, modern zen gardens now use pebbles or stones. 

Larger stepping stones can be placed amongst the pebbles to represent ‘islands’, as well as plating small green shrubs and trees to create an alluring garden path.

Don’t forget to include a small garden bench from where you take a moment to sit back, relax and unwind from your busy lives.

3. Edible gardens

There’s nothing more rewarding than being able to eat your own organic food produced in your own backyard. Edible gardens have become increasingly popular amongst health conscious people who are looking for an eco-friendly, self-sustainable garden. 

Whether you’re in suburbia or in the middle of a concrete jungle, edible gardens can be setup in all spaces, large or small, vertically or horizontally, and can include a wide range of delicious vegetables. The best part about this is that you do not need to cut and remove your concrete slabs or make any changes to your current outdoor space to make it work. 

Consider garden containers, potters and vertical gardens for those living in apartments with minimal outdoor space. If you have plenty of yard space, you may want to think about garden beds, above or below ground, vertical gardens, and watering systems using a rainwater tank.

Easy to grow vegetables include salad leaves, snow peas, beans, green spring onions and silverbeets. 

4. Vertical gardens

Vertical gardens are all the craze right now and are suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments. One of the major reasons why Companies worldwide have begun to create ‘green walls’ within office spaces is for all the health benefits it can provide. 

Vertical gardens have been shown to reduce stress, improve indoor air quality, regulate indoor temperatures, reduce noise and boost productivity. Plant walls can also add value to a company’s brand image and overall value and encourage social interaction amongst employees. 

For homeowners, it’s the perfect opportunity to make use of your limited garden space and transform it into a thriving plant ecosystem. Some plants to consider include succulents, various species of ferns (rabbit foot, staghorn, bird’s nest), lipstick plants, english ivy, or baby’s tears.

You can opt for an edible vertical garden and look to include spinach, chinese cabbage, chilli plants, lettuce, spring onion or radish.

5. Fire pits

This garden trend comes with an undying Australian passion to be outside and enjoy the great outdoors. Entertaining outdoors has become increasingly popular with most modern homes now incorporating outdoor entertainment areas including outdoor kitchens, alfresco areas, and swimming pools.

Fire pits is the recent garden trend making its debut and integrating itself into Australian outdoor living. Not only are they excellent as standout features, they also provide warmth and comfort throughout the colder months, giving you the option to entertain outside in winter.

What you’ll need to consider for a firepit:

  • Will the smoke from your outdoor fire pit disturb or harm your neighbours
  • The distance between your fire pit and the nearest vegetation, residential or commercial structure
  • The type of fuel needed to light your fire pit

If in doubt, contact your local council.

6. Water features

There’s nothing quite like the soothing sound of rain just as you’re about to fall asleep. Now you can recreate this moment of serenity with the blissful addition of a water feature. The gentle trickle of water help creates a relaxing atmosphere and helps passively cool down the outdoor area. This makes it a perfect feature for gardens in Australia, where summers reach blistering hot temperatures.

7. Urban gardens

When it comes to living standards in Australia, we’re pretty lucky in terms of space. That said, it’s also the bane of our existence. You’re either opting for a larger block 80kms out from city central with plenty of outdoor space, or fork out extra cash for a tiny urban apartment or townhouse closer to the CBD. Those who have chosen city life know too well that space is a scarcity, that means you’ve only got rooftops, balconies and small courtyards to work with.

This isn’t to say you can’t have a garden. In fact, these spaces provide plenty of opportunities to create an intimate space that’s both relaxing and entertaining, and is relatively easy to do. Consider adding pieces of outdoor furniture to define the space. Pot plants are a brilliant way to add a touch of nature, are low-maintenance and do not require a garden bed. Vertical planters, as mentioned above, are also an excellent way to make use of the space.

8. Outdoor kitchens

Entertaining outdoors is an Australian tradition involving a couple of coldies, a BBQ loaded with snags and kicking the footy around. These days, you’ll find more Aussie homeowners taking outdoor entertainment to a whole level and transforming parts of their garden into an outdoor kitchen. And we’re not just talking about a picnic table with a portable gas stove. 

We mean complete outdoor kitchen makeovers with beer fridges, cooktops, pizzas ovens, couches, dining tables — the works. But where’s the garden elements you say? From pot planters hanging off the patio and meticulously inserted into gaps, vertical gardens and edibles, outdoor kitchens provide the perfect place for entertaining guests infused with elements of nature.

9. Sustainable, wildlife-friendly gardens

Are you a nature lover at heart? Why not transform your garden into a sustainable ecosystem that is abundant in wildlife. Consider installing bird houses, ponds and bird baths, to a colourful meadow of native Australian plants for a biodiverse garden that’s packed full of life. Of course, if you’re allergic to bees, you may want to limit the amount of fauna you plant, as they will attract more bees especially in spring. 

Do you need a smart door lock?

Jess Authelet
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Do you need a smart door lock?

Many homes have at least one smart device. In fact, the Telsyte Australian IoT@Home Market Study 2019, has concluded that more than five million Australian households have started the smart home journey. That’s roughly 50 per cent of all households that have at least one smart device installed. Whether it is a smart speaker or a smart hub. With smart devices on the rise, have you considered adding a smart security device such as a smart door lock to your home?

Smart door locks do more than allow you and your family in and out of the home without a key. Essentially, by having a smart door lock it gives you control, flexibility and convenience. It is checking that your door is locked from the comfort of your couch or providing access to your home to your cleaner at the touch of a button from anywhere in the world. It means you can receive notifications and never have to worry about losing keys again. With so many in the market to choose from, we’re here to help you narrow down those choices to what will work best for you with some key features that you’ll find in smart door locks.

Interoperability

One of the best features about having a smart door lock is in its interoperability. Depending upon the protocol you choose, your smart door lock can connect with your entire smart home setup or it can be isolated with access solely via your smartphone or tablet. Below is a small snapshot of the most popular protocols that are available to you. Please note that not all smart locks can be integrated into all of these protocols.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is by far the most common protocol found in the majority of smart door locks available in the market. It’s a case of pairing your smart lock to your Bluetooth enabled smartphone or tablet. Access is granted via your smart device. The downside to having Bluetooth smart locks is in its limited range. This means that you won’t be able to unlock the door from the other side of the country or check the activity log either, but if you don’t want this extent of access, then that is not an issue either. Choosing to have your smart lock run off solely Bluetooth is great if you don’t have wifi or you want to create access quickly and with no fuss.

Z-Wave & Zigbee

Looking to grow your collection of smart home devices? Using a Z-Wave or Zigbee protocol will allow your smart home devices to ‘talk’ to each other. Both Z-Wave and Zigbee are considered mesh networks. This means that signals hop from one device to another in order to complete a command. They will usually have a central hub which is then connected to the internet. The most important feature with these protocols is that you can control your devices from anywhere in the world. And yep, that means ensuring that the front door is locked from your weekend getaway.

Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa

These types of AI (Artificial Intelligence) form more of an ecosystem rather than a smart home protocol, as they all use wifi to connect. By using a hub or speaker, you can make all your smart home compatible devices work together. These types of smart home ecosystems also use voice control to respond to your commands and answer all your questions. Accessing any of your smart home device features can also be done via voice commands or through an app on your smart device.

Ways to unlock

There are many different ways that you can access your door. From Bluetooth, PIN, biometrics and fob cards. Some smart door locks may offer you all these access methods, whilst others only offer a one or two ways to enter. So think about what works well for you. For example, a fob card is convenient for those with mobility issues. Whilst young children might be better off with a PIN as it’s harder to lose than a fob or smartphone. Lastly, all smart door locks will come with a backup option should the lock run out of battery or you simply forget your phone or PIN. This backup is a mechanical key, so store this somewhere safe and somewhere you can easily retrieve it should you need to do so.  As such, do not throw this key away, you never know when you will need it. Whilst we’re on this subject, it also pays to know if your chosen smart lock can be jumpstarted with a battery. This bit of information will certainly come in handy if it runs out of juice.

On a side note, there are some smart door locks that retrofit onto the inside of your door. This means that the back of the deadbolt is replaced, whilst keeping the face or front of the original lock. This leaves the front of the door to look like any other traditional door on your street. With this style, you definitely don’t want to throw away your existing key. Because if the battery goes flat on this type of smart lock, it will be impossible to jumpstart it with a battery.

In summary

There is no right or wrong way to go about purchasing a smart door lock. What your friend has may not be the right one for you. Remember, the aim of having a smart lock is to create the ease and flexibility of access to your front door in a way that you are comfortable with.

To sum up, these are some of the questions you should ask yourself:

  • Do you want your smart lock to be a part of an ecosystem or protocol or to be kept separate?
  • Will there be plenty of one-time access users, such as for a holiday property or do you want this to provide primarily permanent and regular access?
  • How do you want authorised people to access your door?
  • Most importantly, Will this door lock make life easier for access? In particular, is it going to be used by the elderly or young children?

How shoppable content is redefing social media marketing for brands

Anne Griffin
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How shoppable content is redefing social media marketing for brands

In this digital age, content is considered to be an essential factor in eCommerce, before making any purchasing decision. Shoppable content is gaining much importance and becoming a trendy expression as brands make an offer to profit on engagement. Its main aim is to lessen the path to purchase and take on board flawless user journeys that motivate sales. 

The time has gone when you require to circle your favorite products by looking through various catalogs. The landscape is significantly changed with the introduction of shoppable content for eCommerce brands and advertisers. If your brand doesn’t keep up with the pace then it will end up off the track. 

What is Shoppable Content?

In simple terms, shoppable content is any sort of content such as images, videos, articles, and so forth that offers an immediate purchasing opportunity to the consumer. How?

Well! The best way to turn content into conversions is by using a social commerce platform, you can collect and curate content from social media networks that feature your brand products. This can be your branded content or even user-generated content. 

Once you have gathered the visual content then the platform will help you to tag products to the social content posts. As you successfully tag products to content, it becomes shoppable. 

Finally, you can embed this Shoppable content on your website, eCommerce store, email campaigns, social media bio, etc. 

With the use of shoppable social media content the users can continue to shop the product from the product page or can either add directly to the cart from where they are viewing it.

Shoppable content creates an immediate desire in the heart of the audiences to make the purchase. Thus satisfaction is not the only factor. Shoppable content helps to bridge the gap between the product you are looking for and being able to purchase it. Thus we can say that conversion rates can be improved through shoppable content. With the help of shoppable content, the brands can easily measure conversions. 

Benefits of Shoppable Content for eCommerce Brands

Upliftment in Conversion

Conversion is the definitive and obvious objective of digital marketing. eCommerce brands lift brand awareness so the individual makes purchases from them. The main motive to advertise your product and services is to fascinate the buyer about the brand so that they buy it immediately.

Using shoppable content, eCommerce brands can simplify the buying process and by making it easier for your brand to earn those conversions. This is a smoothed out methodology that diminishes the time required between thinking about a product and following up on that motivation.  

Purchase Readiness

You may not promptly consider someone ready to make a purchase, who is just browsing social media. 75% of the people act upon advertisements they see on social media platforms. 

By generating shoppable posts, your business or eCommerce brand can acquire the benefit of this purchase readiness. While creating these posts, you give your shoppers a place to go to discover and buy the products and services they require.

Storytelling for Selling

In the digital era, stories are a solid and substantial marketing tool for every eCommerce brand. You can tell a story to your customers with the support of shoppable content. This helps the customers in remembering your product up to 22% with respect to that you would have presented it with facts.

eCommerce brands can link their product or services with a storyline taking the help of these story-based environments. With storytelling, they can superficially set their product or services in the environment. Using shoppable content they can easily engage and fascinate their audiences. 

More Data Gathering

Acquiring more and more data can influence digital marketing decisions. You can make better and sound marketing choices for your business if you have more data. 

You can assemble the information and utilize it for creating a far away superior social media post. By using the father data you can either advise your digital marketing endeavors.

Undisputed Marketing

These days, shoppers will in general trust validness and depend on the user-generated content for marketing their products online over other content. To do so as such, you can construct a more dependable shopping environment by incorporating all applicable user-generated content posts with shoppable tags to set up shoppable content. 

This will help you in acquiring a realistic picture of the products, how people are using it, and its delightful details and reviews. This, in turn, can help in building brand promotion along with sales.  

Bridge the Gap Between Brand and Consumers

This content makes an immediate transaction between your eCommerce brand and consumers. The days are gone when retailers appeared as though they would never be reached or were excessively high up for the clients to reach. 

You get a chance to know your customers better by using the shoppable content. You get to know about them in a better way such as their likes, dislikes, what makes them keep looking over, and what they are obsessed with.

24×7 Shoppable Content Availability

When the content turns out to be shoppable, it becomes the new mall. The mall can be adequately obtained by everyone and anywhere. There are millions of products in stock in the mall and also it is open 24×7. 

With the advancement in shoppable technologies, retail desires are resetting. Therefore making the revolution of “See it, Click it, Buy it” in full swing. 

The Takeaway

eCommerce was simply used to be online in the past. However, in the present, it has completely become a competitive field where brands are using this platform for beneficial content marketing.

The eCommerce scene is rapidly transformed with shoppable content. Consumers always wish for superior and easy online experiences. With the shoppable content, your brand can leverage the power of social media in enhancing brand awareness and engagement.

What makes Australia an educational hub for international students?

Cristina Silva
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What makes Australia an educational hub for international students?

Education in Australia

Australia has always been the preferred choice of international students for higher studies. It is well known for its education centers and nature’s beauty, though there are other reasons as well that make Australia a perfect destination for studies. Planning your higher education in Australia? Still confused about the course, university, or city which you should choose? Don’t be afraid! Here is the complete guide which will help you in optimizing the list of best colleges in Australia.

Why Australia is becoming a hot-spot for international students?

Some of you must have thought why international students choose Australia for their higher education? Being an international student, you are grabbing additional benefits from the Australian government. The country offers diversified culture, numerous growth, and work opportunities while studying. Colleges in Australia offer plentiful of graduation, post-graduation, and vocational training programs to choose the most appropriate one.
The country is boon for students who want to work and study at the same time. Here you can also get the opportunities to work and earn some extra Australian dollars.

Visa eligibility criteria

The eligibility criteria vary depending upon the course and the college you choose to pursue your higher education. However, there are some basic requirements that every international student needs to fulfill before applying for a student visa. Few, out of them are as follows:

  1. A student must have applied and admitted to a full-time educational or vocational course in Australia.
  2. A student must have Health Insurance Coverage.
  3. Identity proof.
  4. Other mandatory documents.
  5. Should meet minimum educational requirements.
  6. Must have qualified IELTS.

What makes Australian colleges different?

Australia is renowned well for its world-class education and universities. Studying at an Australian University gives you an enriching experience. Colleges in Australia offer a great environment, qualitative life, and friendly lifestyle. Australia has been continuously meeting expectations and has been offering opportunities to international students.
There are different colleges and courses for international students in Australia according to the skill-set and requirement. Choosing the right course and college will certainly help you in acquiring the growth opportunities in your career. Choose the course best suited for you according to your interest and skill set. Here the education system is quite simplified and offers various graduation, post-graduation, and vocational courses for which you can easily apply.

Choose & enrol for the course based on your skill set

Under VET Australia facilities, international students are capable of acquiring or learning the skills which every employer seeks. There are numerous vocational courses which are available or are offered by the colleges in Australia. After the completion of vocational courses, the diploma degree or the certificate is rewarded to the student.
There are various number of schools, universities, and colleges which offer vocational courses for international students. The curriculum for these courses is designed with the combination of both theory and practical classes. Also at the end of the course, the assessment is conducted, and the final result is given based on your attendance, assignment, exams, & practical skill testing.

After the completion of the vocational course, the student may choose to continue studies and can further join the college or university. In case the student does not opt for studying further, then the student directly can start with the job in his or her field.

Top three fastest growing industries in Australia for international students

There are many industries where employment opportunities have strongly grown in recent year but fastest industries are:

  • Business and management:

    This industry always in demand as thousands of new businesses open every day. So the thousands of employment opportunities emerge every day as Executive officer, Program Consultant, Program Coordinator, Senior Administrator, and Senior Executive, and many more. That’s why the business and management industry always in demand and fastest-growing industry.

  • Hospitality Industry:

    in the recent report hospitality industry considered one of the fastest-growing industries who want to start their career in this industry. There are numerous job roles that the hospitality industry provides like Food and Beverage Attendant, Function Attendant, Function Host, Restaurant Host, Cafe Owner or Manager, Club Secretary, or Manage, etc. this industry gives you the global recognition that helps you in your further growth.

  • Health care industry:

    As per the research number of aging Australian increasing fast over the next decades. So this industry brings many career opportunities for students. Employees needed in this industry to support the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Some of the jobs that are likely to fall in this course are childcare educators, aged-care workers, and home-care based services.

Choose the Right Program

“You will reap, what you will sow.”

People generally use this proverb, and it simply means that result depends upon your hard-work or efforts. The same comes with your career. Choosing the appropriate program according to your skill-set will help you in improvising your skills and will offer you the best opportunities in the field. Choose wisely and smartly! Either it’s your vocational program or a post-graduation program.

If you are still confused about the program you want to choose, you can opt for the ESL program. It is the course in which international students improvise their English meanwhile, students can choose the best-suited program according to their skill-set and interests.

Life in Australia is an add-on!

Moving-in to the new country is completely exciting and full of new forthcoming experiences. Australia being an educational hub caters to students from all around the world, because of which the country has become culturally diverse. The climate of Australia is varied, depending upon the location you chose for your education, work, or stay.

Either preparing or planning to go to Australia for higher education, to decide the place for your stay is one of the most concerning elements. Generally, students prefer home-stays or rental properties for their stay in Australia as you can easily divide the rent and other expenses with your room-mate. Also, it becomes easier for international students to socialize with the local students and to get around.

Conclusion

“Opportunity is at your door, choose and set your own floor.”

Nowadays, students prefer Australia to their education. The country offers world-class education and a friendly environment which attracts and hosts students from all around the globe. Australia is becoming an educational hub for international students. If you are planning to take admission or preparing yourself to get enrolled for one of the vocational courses and grab the best one.

 

Outdoor cat safety: keeping your cat safe in nature

Maggie Holmes
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Outdoor cat safety: keeping your cat safe in nature

If you’re a cat owner, you know that keeping them within the boundaries of your home can sometimes be beyond challenging. Cats are very curious, and they’re born explorers. That’s why you’ll need to make an effort to keep them safe if they ever go outside without your supervision. You shouldn’t worry too much about them being hurt because cats have excellent survival skills. However, to prevent them from being lost and keep them safe as you go out and about with them sometimes, you can do the following.

Neuter the cat

Sterilizing the cat is one of the first steps in keeping an indoor cat safe if it ever wanders outside. Their natural instincts will force them to go outside and look for a mate, which is a hazard announced. Therefore, be sure to neuter or spay your furry friend, so they don’t get frisky and seek for fun outdoors. Furthermore, sterilization will prevent your female cat from getting pregnant and overcrowding the household with unwanted kittens.

Vaccinate your feline

Vaccination is imperative for keeping a cat safe and healthy. If your kitten tends to spend a lot of time outside, vaccination is that more essential for them. You never know where the cat may wander off and what type of disease it may catch. Cats are exposed to various threats outdoors, so you’ll want to offer them top protection. Don’t risk your pet getting infected with fleas and ticks or catching a disease from rodents. Cats will sniff through garbage too and easily be infected by diseases that can make them very sick. Visit the vet regularly and stay up to date with all the necessary vaccinations.

Put a collar on the pet

No matter how unique your cat is, you’ll run into a very similar one in the streets as you look for your wandering feline. Therefore, it would be a good idea to put a collar on your cat and be able to spot it quickly if it gets lost. What’s more, if you opt for some of the very convenient cat ID tags, you’ll get the option of personalizing the tag and recognizing your little furry fella immediately if it ever wanders off. Get a tag in a shape of heart, kitten, bird, or maybe fish. Choose from gold to silver to zirconia embellished ones to make your cat more recognizable.

Introduce a harness

While you may think dogs are more of harness-prone pets, a feline can also handle them. Introducing a harness to your feline at a very early age will make them get accustomed to it much quicker. However, you’ll have to be prepared for some resistance, as cats love to be independent. Exploring the unknown on their own is in their nature, so there may be a little bit of fuss. To make the transition from roaming free and being attached to a harness easier, make sure you introduce it gradually and encourage positive association. You can use their favorite treats and food to teach them to handle the harness.

Consider getting a chip for the cat

Keeping your cat safe while outdoors can also be done with a microchip. Whether you decide to allow it to spend time outdoors, or the cat does it on its own, anyway, you must provide the feline with proper identification. Having the cat microchipped will ensure it’s always safe no matter where it is. In case your cat gets lost, you can have it safely returned if someone finds the cat before you do.

Try training them

Have you ever tried training your cat? If you think that only works for dogs, you’re partially right. Namely, cats tend to be very self-governing, which means they won’t be able to be trained that easily. However, you should try and spend some time teaching them what they are and what they aren’t allowed to do. With some extra effort, you’ll successfully condition them to respond to various rewards and triggers. For example, if you decide to feed your pet at the same time every day, they’ll always be home at that exact time. Because of their exceptional internal clock, their body will urge them to go home when it’s feeding time. Food is the greatest reward for cats, so if you treat them every time that they obey your command for coming back inside – you’ll have them eating out of your hand. Literally.

Antiparasitic drugs for cats

Gastrointestinal (GI) parasitism is a common problem in cats that can be transmitted to humans. Regular antiparasitic treatment for cats that regularly go outside, is recommended every 3 to 6 months, depending on where the cat is kept. In the clinical examinations performed by the veterinarian, the presence of internal and external parasites (skin) can be detected and in case of infection, treatment measures are taken.

Grooming when coming home

Bathing cats and tidying up their bodies is an essential part of a cat’s life especially after being in nature. Short-haired cats are able to take care of their hair on their own, however brushing helps to remove dead and dirty hair.  While your kittens are in nature, they will dirty themselves by playing with soil. To clean themselves, they tend to lick and swallow their hair which may lead to accumulation in the gastrointestinal tract. So the best solution is cleaning them after taking them home.

 

Final thoughts

The natural exploring instinct of cats will always push them outside and have them yearning for the outdoors. If you decide to allow them to spend time in nature, you should do everything to keep them safe from any dangers. Sterilizing them will prevent various disease and unwanted pregnancies, while also lowering their desire to look for a mate. Vaccinate them to keep them healthy and get a collar with an ID tag to have them back home safely and quickly. Train them, microchip them and use a harness if needed, to make sure your feline is always safe while it’s outdoors.

 

7 fresh ways to display photos at home

lucychappell
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7 fresh ways to display photos at home

Stylishly showing off your favourite photos is a great way to bring warmth and personality to your home.

The memories are being made and the photos are being taken, so why aren’t you displaying any photos in your home? Thanks to rapid advances in smartphone technology, the quality of your photos on your phone are excellent, and when carefully curated and framed, can bring a beautiful and personal touch to your home.

Looking beyond objects, what does your home say about you? Filling your home with beautifully framed photos and art is a fast way to make your house feel like a home. Not only will the wall space be more visually appealing, but photos and art are an expression of your identity telling your visitors who you are and what you love. Studies have also shown that displaying photos of the family unit is crucial for childhood development, leaving children feeling a sense of being love and belonging.

Displaying photos in your home is not about loading every available flat surface with as many frames you can. This not only creates undesirable clutter and dust, too many standing in rows is too hard to see and enjoy. But by using a variety of approaches, layouts and frame designs, you can create a cool statement that fits more organically with your home.

Create an impact in your entryway

First impressions count, so styling your entryway with a statement photo or artwork is a must. Seeing some candid family photos or travel snapshots can will make you, and your guests, feel at home as soon as they step through your door. As the foyer or entry way space is usually confined and needs to function practically, try opting for an oversized photo frame hung above a bench seat or shoe rack to maximise impact and efficiency.

Take a trip with a memory wall

A long space like a hallway or stairwell is an ideal space for a memory wall, which is a collection of photos to represent all the good times you’ve had over the years. When creating a memory wall, it’s a good idea to choose at least one cohesive element to tie everything together such as the frame colour, frame size or the actual content of the photos. For example travel photos, the or your growing family. Start small with your memory wall and enjoy the prospect of making new memories to add to your wall over time. You might even find yourself looking for the perfect ‘memory wall photo’ on your next trip or family get together.

Embrace the mini grid

If you’re not quite ready to hang a full blown gallery wall, for ease and manageability, a mini grid is an excellent option. Four neatly aligned photo frames stacked in two rows of two frames, can create quite an impact if hung on the right wall. An entryway, above a desk or sidewall in a dining room are excellent spaces. Whilst there your grid is comprised of four separate frames, you should treat it as a single vignette. For example, if you want to hang a family photo, instead of hanging just one, why not bring some lightness and fun to the moment by including some of the fun outtakes? It will scream personality and your guests will love it.

Mix it up with a gallery shelf

Be sure to think outside your walls when looking for places to display your photos. Traditional spots like bedside tables are great places to surround yourself with your most loved ones. But if you’re looking for something a little different, and a place more flexible than a traditional gallery wall, try a gallery shelf. By overlapping a collection of 10-15 picture frames on a picture ledge, you create a look that is organised yet relaxed. Gallery shelves are also extremely flexible as you can easily swap photos in and out as things change in your life (hello children!) and mix and match photos with art prints and collected objects.

Turn photos into artworks

When you have a photo that is extra special like a wedding photo or a brilliant sunset, a photo canvas is a great way to turn the precious memory into a beautiful work of art. Instead of being printed onto traditional photo paper, with a framed photo canvas, your photo is printed onto luxurious cotton canvas then stretched onto a stretcher bar and placed inside a sleek floating frame. The result is an elevated look for your photos reminiscent of an original painting hanging in an art gallery.

Up the elegance with black and white prints

Creating a black and white colour scheme with your photos, or a portion of them, can really tie everything together. Applying a crisp monochrome filter to your wedding photos or family photos creates a highly sophisticated look, especially when paired with a classic and clean black and white gallery frame. Black and white photos are chic and timeless and work with any interior style.

Create a statement with a triptych

A triptych is an artwork that is divided into three sections or panels but hung as one piece with a small gap between each frame. When it comes to your photos, a triptych is a fun way to tell the story of the photo you’ve captured. By splitting up a large photo like a landscape or crowd shot, into individual viewpoints you can appreciate different moments and viewpoints within the scene. Triptychs can also be used to display images of an identical moment over tome. For example, a child holding their favourite toy through the years.

 

So, there you have it, seven fresh ways to display photos in your home. It’s time to get those photos off your devices and into your life. Ready to get started? Print and frame your photos using an online framing service to save time and money, and then choose the display option that is best suited to your needs and preferred interior style.

Coronavirus pandemic has reshaped entertainment industry

Shaun Smith
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Coronavirus pandemic has reshaped entertainment industry

Entertainment is a necessity that drives us to do something better and productive while giving us a much-required break from our day-to-day stressful life. We need that window to get the fresh whiff of air and get ready to face the world once again. But this productive cycle received a major halt due to coronavirus pandemic.

A few months ago, no one even dreamt to have such a deadly virus living among us that would drive our life and will leave an impact on us drastically. But this is the harsh reality, where we all are impacted badly by this virus, where it’s not just our daily lives, but the global economy has also left crippled.

In such a tumultuous condition, when everything around us is facing the heat of this virus, how is it possible to get entertainment dosage served to us?

Hmm, it is a very valid question, that needs to be answered, as the entertainment industry has received the backlash of the virus as well. But you don’t need to lose hope, as technology interwoven within the mobile apps, has redefined this industry for something better. If you are wondering that how can that be possible to relish entertainment amid this disturbing condition, and what are the factors that are even helping this industry to thrive? Then this post is definitely a MUST-READ for you.

This post uncovers some of the most innovative ways in which the entertainment industry is bringing a revolutionary change in the entertainment industry. Let’s read ahead…

Streaming is IN

Thinking to catch a movie with friends and family over a weekend in a movie hall, is out of the question due to the virus, and there is no confirmation, till when this situation will go on. But this does not mean that we need to shut our doors completely to the entertainment, as it is an integral part of our lives, and living without it can only dump us into unknown sorrow and depression. Henceforth to come out of this stress-bubble, the dosage of entertainment is MUST.

With the on-going issues, it is not a feasible approach to get entertained out of the home, but this is where technology has paved a way for us, and let the streaming services to bring the entertainment home. This has not just helped the users to watch their favorite movie, new release, new series just right through their mobile phones, but also has helped different people associated with the filming industry to retain their jobs.

Music Industry is creating a difference 

Music is the soul for food and brings serenity and calmness to our already stressed-out mind. And when it comes to addressing the stress in the current pandemic time, then nothing soothes the soul and mind than music. No doubt the live-concerts and music shows or Coachella had their own funk and taste to be relished, but as COVID-19 is spreading widely across the world, it is very necessary to get entertained by the musical notes, through music streaming apps.

Music brings us relaxation and gives us a reason to forget the stress caused due to the virus outbreak, and think of that uncertain future. And gives us a new strength to deal with the uncertainty with a positive mindset and inspire and ease the pain. This ensures music companies to invest more on the streaming music apps and create generating the revenue out of it.

Video gaming popularity is growing HIGHER

Indeed, video gaming is one of the most benefited industries amid COVID-19 as well, and it goes without saying but the market for the video-game has tripled the size of the Hollywood box office worldwide. As people are more inclined towards finding the engaging resources to keep them engaged, and games meet those demands. This GEN-X craving for entertainment through gaming is going to stay flourishing even after the pandemic ends, as new technologies integration in the gaming environment is creating a much immersive experience to be created.

TV industry is turning digital

The pandemic pulled the plugs around the world and completely put a HALT on live sporting, music, or other events, and sadly the TV industry is also not immune to it. It has been reported that actors and other staff have suffered a lot due to the pandemic, where their regular shootings were stopped and the revenue generation cycle had to take a back seat. Well in this run, the integration of technology, letting actors shoot from their homes, and use other channels to showcase her talents or engage the audience has seen a sudden spike. As the coronavirus pandemic has forced people around the world to stay inside, and streaming through the major service providers. Now producers and major studios are considering to chuck away the traditional release windows, and making their films get released on the steaming channels to earn the revenue, which is indeed a hard thing to earn amid this virus outbreak. This enables the actors also to act under the safety measures and get paid and let the function of the TV industry to run smoothly once again without facing the brunt of the virus.

The Bottom Line

As the world is trying to get a hold back onto its lost charm of revenue, the entertainment industry is also finding its niche to pull back the audience to its different platforms. However, there is a report suggesting that it would turn worse for the entertainment market, but this where the digital approach has brought a silver lining as well. Bringing a new ray of hope for the broadcasters to try their hands on different sources and mediums to win back the interests of their audience. 

Remember, every possible industry in the world today has received the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, and sooner you would be embracing the changes, you would get stronger chances to thrive during and after the pandemic as well. 

5 rules for your first tattoo

Samantha Rigby
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5 rules for your first tattoo

Tattoos have been around for thousands of years and have been present in many cultures around the world. For many cultures, this kind of permanent body art has a spiritual significance, but for many in modern society, they are a cosmetic choice that also carries some personal meaning to them.

Tattoos have been taboo in Western society for a long time and were typically associated with criminals and sailors. While tattoos have become much more mainstream and accepted since the turn of the century, there are still some occasions where they are seen as inappropriate or in poor taste.

Sometimes people need to attend weddings where they’ve been asked to conceal their tattoo, sometimes they might have a job interview and be nervous about how an employer will react, and sometimes people genuinely regret their tattoos and want to hide/remove them. This is why products like tattoo makeup concealers and dermatological tattoo removal treatments are able to find a market.

If you are interested in getting a tattoo for the first time, it’s both an exciting and scary decision. Tattoos are a big commitment, and removal is both expensive and imperfect – so it’s worth taking your time so you can be really sure about it.

The following will list 5 rules for getting your very first tattoo so that you don’t regret it.

1. Never tattoo a boyfriend or girlfriend’s name

Never tattoo a boyfriend or girlfriend’s name

This is somewhat of a golden rule amongst tattoo enthusiasts, and some artists will outright refuse to do these kinds of tattoos. Why? Because if the relationship doesn’t work out, you’ll be stuck with the name of your ex on you.

This does not mean getting the name of someone is off-limits, as many people get tattoos of their mother’s name or of the name’s of their children. It’s simply not very wise to tattoo the name of a lover, especially if you have not been together very long.

2. Get something that has personal meaning to who you are

tattoo artists making a tattoo

The best tattoos are those that have a significant meaning to you. It could be something from a movie you grew up with or some lyrics from a song that you really resonate with. These are tattoos of something that, regardless of where you end up in life, will always be relevant to who you are as a person.

You don’t always need to be able to explain the significance of the tattoo in words, it just needs to make sense to you personally. What a tattoo means to one person can have a totally different meaning to another, and this is the same for any other kind of artwork.

3. Start with something small

choosing a small tattoo

Like most things, starting small is a good idea, and this is true for tattoos. There are several reasons for this.

First of all, getting a tattoo is a painful process. While the pain of getting a tattoo is often exaggerated, it does hurt. The huge tattoos you see that cover someone’s whole back or thigh take many hours over multiple sessions as doing them in one go would be too painful for the recipient and too labour intensive for the artist. If you are someone who has a low tolerance for pain, it’s a good idea to start with a small tattoo.

Secondly, the larger and more complex a tattoo is, the more difficult it is to cover up and/or remove if you regret it. It’s much smarter to do a ‘test run’ with something small and easily concealed.

Thirdly, small tattoos are the cheapest and won’t represent a huge loss of money if you end up having regrets.

4. Don’t tattoo your face

tattoo your face

The reasons why you should not tattoo your face for your first time are pretty obvious – these tattoos are not concealed easily, and they hurt more than working on other areas of the body.

A facial tattoo is also generally less accepted than other kinds. While an employer might tolerate tattoos that can be concealed with clothing, they might not look favourably on a tattoo that is always present on your face.

Because of these issues, many tattoo artists will refuse to do face tattoos, or if they do, only with those who already have a lot of ink.

5. Don’t get anything political

Getting a new tattoo

Political beliefs change like the wind for many people, and people who start their adult life with one political viewpoint can change it as they grow and experience the world. Also, political tattoos really aren’t very fun and can be awkward for an artist to do if they don’t agree with them.

Conclusion

Ultimately tattoos are a personal choice and, despite some trends being taboo, there are artists who will tattoo whatever you are willing to pay for. However, considering how many people end up regretting certain tattoos, it’s a good idea for you to take heed of the points above when you go to a tattoo parlour for the first time.

 

Reasons why your SEO isn’t working… and the fixes needed

Samantha Rigby
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Reasons why your SEO isn’t working… and the fixes needed

There are plenty of reasons why your SEO efforts aren’t working. Whatever they are, you need to know why so you can make effective changes and start garnering some online visibility for your business. Whether you have an SEO team or do things yourself, you need to make sure you’re fixing the things that aren’t working. Let’s take a look at what could be going wrong for your business.

Previous SEO Efforts Have Been Low In Quality

Older SEO efforts were different from what brands need to follow today. Consider the following:

  • Blogs in previous years were stuffed with keywords to get the pages ranked. But today, Google looks for high-quality content and organic use of keywords, so your previous efforts may be bringing down your current SEO tactics.
  • No insights into what SEO practices have been undertaken in the past for your website could hurt your current efforts because of what may have been done for rankings.
  • Your web pages were linked to others that have since been removed and don’t exist anymore – resulting in an array of broken links from your website.

SEO isn’t always as complicated as you think. Some common sense strategies can help you improve the quality of your website and overall rankings in time.

SEO Efforts Are Not Well Directed

Many businesses make the mistake of directing their SEO efforts at the wrong audience, which is probably why they are failing to rank in the first place. Consider the following:

  • Is your audience local, national or international? Many brands end up going too broad or too narrow with their digital marketing and end up reaching the wrong people.
  • What kind of products and services are you selling? Is your SEO efforts directed towards getting the call to action you desire? For example, are you focused on building links instead of getting people to walk into your local store?
  • Are you sharing too many sales pitches without any meaningful information to go with it? Your SEO efforts must be a mix of visuals, sales and information so people start to see real value from your business.

Before you start any SEO plans, take the time to define your target audience carefully. Find out what they like, where they visit and what actions they take online. Then plan your SEO efforts to get maximum traction for your website and business. Once you’re able to do this, you will start to see results.

Website Is Over SEO Optimised

Older SEO efforts meant keywords were used regularly to optimise the website. Their website says that a website could be suffering from over optimisation. Consider the following:

  • Is your text not reading well? Are important prepositions and connecting words missing?
  • Are you finding keywords in almost every second line of your content?
  • Are your internal and external links and anchors optimised for keywords?
  • Are keywords inserted in sidebars and footers?

If your answer is yes to the above, you’re definitely going through the issue of over optimisation. Google now considers this poor quality content and will penalise you for this. You may need to review your entire website and refresh the content with more naturally flowing information to start seeing some improvements in your SEO rankings.

Website Has Technical Issues

Search engines crawl through websites to categorise content. If your content is high in quality and unique, you’ll be rewarded. But if your site has technical issues, then you could end up with lower SEO rankings. This could be for a few pages on your site, or the entire website. Here are some technical issues you may have:

  • Search engines are unable to crawl through your content and evaluate it.
  • Sites indexed on too many domains may result in poor SEO
  • You have too many pages with duplicate content because Google will not view them as unique.
  • Your website is not responsive enough for all devices, especially mobile. Decreased visibility with mobile users can impact usability and ultimately your rankings.

SEO meta description

  • Your pages are missing meta descriptions and page titles which means they are unable to optimise.

Basic technical issues must be fixed before your website can be optimised. If you cannot do this on your own, get a reputed SEO expert to do it for you.

SEO is an important part of running your business in a world where many shoppers start their research online. Take the time to consider whether your SEO is good enough, or if you need help.

Google Ranking Factors You Can’t Forget

Google ranking factors do change a little bit, but the core factors tend to remain the same. You need to ensure your SEO covers off any of the Google ranking factors if you want to get your website a high ranking. There are so many different ranking factors out there, that people tend to forget some of them.

While there is no way of knowing every single one of Google’s ranking factors, there are still a few important ones that probably have the biggest influence on how your website is ranked. These tend to be the ones where you should focus most of your time.

In SEO, ranking in the first page and couple of listings is really important. Without that visibility your website probably won’t get the traffic it deserves. If you don’t have the resources to conduct proper SEO, then it is probably a good idea to see if an SEO company can assist you.

Have a read on below at some pretty important Google ranking factors that you just cannot afford to forget:

Searcher Intent

Intent is probably the latest big thing to hit SEO and Google is putting a heap of emphasis on this. Google is looking what the user means and what their intent is behind their search. This is all to provide users with more accurate results.

So, it is important that when you are developing content for new pages on your website, that you think of what intent you are looking to target. Are you trying to get a user to make a purchase or sign up? Are you just looking to provide quality information to the user? These are all things that need to be considered.

Mobile Friendly Website

This shouldn’t come to news to you, but your website needs to be responsive and friendly to mobile. This means that you need to check all your pages on a mobile device to see if the user experience is the same as it is on a larger screen.

The good news here is that Google has it’s own Mobile Friendly Test to help give you guidance on if your page is mobile friendly. Google has also started indexing mobile versions of sites before the desktop version, truly showcasing just how important your mobile site is.

Backlinks

Backlinks always have and always will be one of the most important ranking factors for Google. The way Google takes backlinks into consideration has certainly changed over time. Before all you really needed was a lot of backlinks in order to rank.

This has now changed; Google is favouring quality and relevance over quantity. Your backlinks need to be from quality websites (preferably with a high domain authority) and actually have some sort of relevance to your own website.

Content

Just like with backlinks, high quality content always has and always will be important for ranking in Google. But, the type of content that is required to rank has certainly changed over the years.

You need to ensure your content has the right intent (one of the points listed above). As well as this, your content needs to have depth. Gone are the days with thin, fluff pieces of content! Your content needs to have meat on the bone and actually provide users with the information they are looking for.

Page Speed

Page speed is an important factor worth noting. The longer your page takes to load, the more chance the user will bounce off your page. This will increase your bounce rate, which is something Google looks for when ranking sites.

You need to be careful with your site speed, especially your mobile speed. There are a number of free tools you can use to check your site speed and many also offer good insights into how you can improve your speed.

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