Life In Car

The Automotive Blog

Archive for April, 2011

April-29-11

Custom Maps Serve Many Purposes

Posted by bill under Geography

Maps are such an integral part of everyday life that most people don’t even stop to think about how many custom maps they encounter. A map is a map, right? Not really. Standardized maps are generally going to stick to a specific purpose and include commonly recognized political entities and geographical features. On the other hand, a custom map can be tailored to cover a specific geographical region and be customized in terms of content.

The most obvious type of custom map is the hand drawn map that people create to illustrate a point. They may be sketching out directions to a home or business for someone who doesn’t have GPS or they could be outlining a sales territory or development plan. If such a map is important to a business or organization, they should consider getting a custom map printed rather than depending on the homemade version.

News agencies, educators, and the sciences, both hard and social, are in constant need of customized maps that chart specific items, locations, or phenomenon They can use special software to create a map of an isolated region or to chart particular locations and features on a world globe . The ability to create maps that combine multiple elements, such as plotting demographics and climate on the same map, is an invaluable tool to scholars that are studying the effects of one thing on the other.

Custom maps make all of this — and so much more — possible in a way that standard maps never could.

April-19-11

Visiting Los Angeles

Posted by bill under Travel

Everyone has a bucket list, though most wouldn’t call it that and some people don’t even realize that they have a list. In the US, many people have NYC, Alaska or Hawaii on their lists of places to go, but perhaps they should consider a trip to Los Angeles as well. The city has so much to offer visitors that are just as exciting and interesting as other destinations.

Los Angeles has an amazing climate that makes visiting there a year round option. The beaches are packed in the spring and summer months, when the waters are the warmest, but surfing and other activities attract visitors even in the winter. Those who aren’t fans of water sports will be drawn to the amazing ocean views offered along the coastline, especially at sunset.

Hollywood is a major attraction in the area — and not just the possibility of sitting in a television audience or seeing film crews on the streets throughout the city. LA is full of attractions that cater to the history and glamor of movie stars, from the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Grauman’s Chinese Theater to a drive by tour of the homes of the stars to shopping, restaurants, and clubs that are frequented by today’s celebrities.

The movie industry attracted large amounts of cash to the area, which led to philanthropy in the form of museums, parks, and other attractions. With a Go Los Angeles Card , visitors can get access to numerous museums at discount rates, as well as other attractions. Griffith Park Observatory, the Los Angeles Museum Village, the Getty Center, and the Museum of Jurassic Technology are all popular sites. The city is also known for its music venues, comedy clubs, and local theater.

April-1-11

Putting Together a Swing Set

Posted by bill under Home

Spring means kids are heading outdoors in droves in order to enjoy the warmer temperatures and extended hours of daylight. If you’re like many parents, you may have given into requests for outdoor play equipment and decided to purchase a swing set for your backyard .

There are some parents, of both genders, who can look at a collection of swing set hardware and parts and intuitively know how to put it all together to make a safe and stable play environment for their kids. Most parents, however, will need some help in this endeavor.

The easiest way to get a swing set installed in your backyard is to hire an experienced person to do it for you. Installation may be offered when you buy the set or you can hire a local handyman to do it. If you have friends who are good at engineering and construction, they may be willing to help you out. Otherwise you’re going to need to pay careful attention to the instruction manual and may even want to watch a few DIY or manufacturer instruction videos online.

Don’t let your ego get in the way. Your kids and their friends are all counting on you to ensure that the swing set is safely installed. Tossing aside instructions and winging it is not the way to go. Keep safety in mind at all times and you’ll be well on your way to a successful swing set installation.