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<title>Latest Articles by iwhcvd</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/</link>
<description>Articles at Populate.NET</description>
<language>en-us</language>
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<title>How To Get Rid Of Roaches</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Home/how-to-get-rid-of-roaches.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Home/how-to-get-rid-of-roaches.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Roaches vs. humans, it's either you or them. This battle has gone on for centuries. They may have won a few battles, but you need to win the war. Your best arsenal is a great offense and a better defense.

Your first weapon is Prevention. Keep your home as clean as possible. Never leave crumbs of food, sticky messes, or open containers in your kitchen. You must stay vigilant! Don't let them ever think that your home will be a constant source of food and treats. Your home is not The Holiday Inn. You have to starve them! Take you trash out daily and only eat in the kitchen. Pet food should be never be left in the dish. And don't forget about water! They can only live for a week without water, but can go for a month without food. Fix all leaky faucets, radiators, dishwashers, and washing machines. Wipe water off counters when you see it. Lastly, check all bags and boxes that you bring into your home, they love to hide in things. They could be getting a free ride into your home. Get rid of stacks of newspaper, old paper bags, and cardboard boxes. Make your home inhospitable to them and they will choose to nest in your neighbors home instead.

Now that you have a solid offense you need to perfect your defense. What do you do if they are already there? How do you get rid of them?

There are many companies that you can call to eliminate a colony. Some companies even use a "green" approach and kid/pet friendly pesticides. A few companies still rely on the embarrassing fumigating tent. Kids might think the circus is in town, but your neighbors will know better. There are several home remedies that can be tried before calling in the professionals.

One tried and true remedy is boric acid. You can purchase it anywhere and you only need to sprinkle it in the cracks and crevices in your home once a year to be roach/pest free.

Another common remedy is bay leaves. Tear them up and line the inside of your cabinets with them. It really bothers them. Lastly, an little known remedy is sliced raw cucumbers. They seem to hate it.

You can also find a large assortment of sprays and baits that kill them temporarily but if you don't change the way you live, they will come back to wage war again! ]]></description>
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<title>Garage Floor Covering:  Tips For Choosing The Perfect Garage Floor</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Home/Home_Improvement/garage-floor-covering--tips-for-choosing-the-perfect-garage-floor.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Home/Home_Improvement/garage-floor-covering--tips-for-choosing-the-perfect-garage-floor.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ While some families choose to leave their garage floors as uncovered bare cement some opt to cover the cement. Using a type of cover for a garage floor can drastically increase the functionality, durability, effectiveness, and the overall appearance of the garage. Some of the most popular and cost effective way to cover a garage floor include paints, mats or tiles.

The overall most cost effective way to cover a garage floor would be to use either epoxy of latex paints. These come in a wide variety of options making it easy for a family to coordinate the colors to go along with the decor of the inside of their home. While this option increases protection and the overall look, the process may need to be repeated as frequently as once every year. Epoxy paint would be a more durable route, because it increases the floors ability to protect itself from harsh chemical and oil spills, heavy car traffic, and scrapping. When choosing to use epoxy paint proper clean up of spills is necessary due to the decreased protection against slipping.

Mats are another good candidate to use to cover a garage floor. They are easy to install and equally durable. The mats are textured and provide friction reducing the chances of accidental spills or falls. There are several options when it comes to choosing the right fit for your garage. A family would have the option to cover the entire garage floor or cover only the parts they feel need to be covered. There also come it a variety of colors, textures, and designs making it easy for a family to decide which option they want.

The next best option would be to use a type of tile to cover a garage floor. This option also comes with a wide variety of colors, textures, and patterns. This option allows for beautiful look to your garage, as well as giving you durability and waterproof coverage; tiling your garage also will often outlast painting or mats. These tiles can range from a peel and stick, interlocking, or professionally installed tiles. Choosing to add tile to your garage floor will show the most return on adding value to your home.

While there are a variety or types, colors, textures, and patterns to choose from, choosing to cover your garage floor can benefit a family in many ways. Covering the garage floor can increase a homes value and ability to sell, decrease the chances of slipping, increase durability and the ability to protect against water, chemicals, and oils spills. A family's budget should be highly considered when determining the type of floor covering for their garage because while some of the types can be completed by the homeowner some may need to be installed by a professional. Covering a garage floor can also increase the ability to use the space for multiple things other than storing a car. ]]></description>
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<title>Choosing a Laptop for College: 5 Keys to Choosing the Right Machine</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Computers/Hardware/Laptops/choosing-a-laptop-for-college-5-keys-to-choosing-the-right-machine.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Computers/Hardware/Laptops/choosing-a-laptop-for-college-5-keys-to-choosing-the-right-machine.html</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ If you're a student planning on going off to college, you're almost certainly considering purchasing a laptop.  This is a great idea.  As a college student myself, I realize how incredibly useful having a laptop computer rather than a desktop can be.  With a laptop, you're not tethered to any one location for doing your work.  You can be in the library, at a friends house, or in lab, and have all your work with you!  

In fact, a laptop is probably one of the most important items any student can own.  Your laptop will become a much valued accessory during your college years.  However, you need to make sure that you get the right laptop for your needs, and thats where this article intends to help.  Below are five tips to help you select the right laptop for college, quickly and easily.  

1. Know Your Price Range

This is important.  Since you're about to spend a ton of money on tuition, you don't exactly have a lot of extra cash to blow on a laptop.  Fortunately, you can get very usable laptops for very low prices these days, making them more accessible than ever.  You may even find that you can buy used to save even more money.

2. Get the Right Size

Size matters.  Getting the wrong size of laptop will lead to frustration.  To large, and you won't be able to carry it around easily.  Too small, and you won't be able to get anything done with such a small screen and keyboard.  Be sure to try out different sizes to see which ones work well for you.

3. Watch Out For Battery Life

Battery life is a very important factor for the student user.  Since you'll likely be spending a lot of time using the laptop unplugged, you'll want enough battery life to keep things going.  Be sure to check into extended life battery packs that will greatly enhance your battery life at the cost of a little extra weight.

4. Mac vs. PC

This is a huge debate.  Don't buy a Mac just because you think they are cool, be sure that they are in line with your needs.  Certain popular software packages do not run on Macs, so if you need these for your course work, be sure to look elsewhere.  However, if you like the convenience and ease of owning a Mac, than by all means do so.  This article was written on a Mac.

5. Don't Forget the Software!

Don't forget to get the software you need!  Things like Microsoft Office are pretty essential for every student, so don't forget to include these in your budget.

So, I hope this helps you see how you can select the right laptop for college.  It's not rocket science (though that could be what you are studying!), but keeping these basic factors in mind can really help out.  Thanks for reading. ]]></description>
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<title>Article Marketing:  5 Tips for Achieving Success</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Internet_Marketing/Article_Marketing/article-marketing--5-tips-for-achieving-success.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Internet_Marketing/Article_Marketing/article-marketing--5-tips-for-achieving-success.html</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ If you've been involved with internet marketing, you know that article marketing is an extremely powerful technique that can get you a lot of extra traffic if used properly.  Success in internet marketing is really driven by two things: content and traffic.  So, it is only natural that one of the best traffic generation techniques comes from creating content for others to use by means of article marketing.  Article marketing can really help kick start a new site, or bring traffic to an established one.

Traffic from article marketing comes from two sources:  click throughs from the author resource box, and indirectly via better rankings from Google.  Both methods are a valid way of boosting your site through article marketing.  Here are five tips that will help you achieve these goals:

1. Use Great Titles

If you're trying to get people to read and possibly distribute your article, you need to make sure you have a nice, catchy title.  For this article, I've used the classic number list approach, which still works quite well (you're reading this, aren't you?).  Experiment with different title styles, but the lists have always worked well for me.

2. Submit to Multiple Directories

This is all about getting more links and increasing your exposure.  By submitting to multiple sites, you get more chances for people to see your articles, as well as more links back to your site.  It's a win-win for better traffic

3. Use Proper Anchor Text in Your Resource Box

This is a mistake many make.  You need to make sure you link back to your site using some good, relevant anchor text that will help boost your sites ranking.  Don't link to a site with your name or some random phrase, use some valuable keywords that you would like to rank high in Google for!

4. Get the Right Tools

Submitting to multiple directories can be extremely tedious.  If you're serious about article marketing, be sure to check out some of the many tools available to help make distributing your articles much, much easier.

5. Make Your Resource Box Compelling

This is key to getting click-throughs to your site.  In your resource box, invite your reader to find out more about the subject by visiting your site.  Do you best to make it worth their while, and you will see your clicks go up.

So, I hope this helps you understand some of the basics of successful article marketing.  I wish you the best of luck in your online endeavors. ]]></description>
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<title>About Electric Radiant Floor Heating</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Home/Home_Improvement/about-electric-radiant-floor-heating.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Home/Home_Improvement/about-electric-radiant-floor-heating.html</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The best and most efficient heating system your house could have would be one you don't even know is there. No noise, and no mite-filled ductwork spewing out allergens, dander and dust on your family. And an electric radiant floor heat system fits that description exactly.

In addition, these systems have even more than mere aesthetics going for them. They are also an extremely efficient way to heat your home, increase your comfort, and lower your heating costs all at the same time. Electric systems can be installed in just the rooms where comfort and enjoyment are necessary, such as kitchens, living rooms, nurseries or bathrooms. Electric radiant systems are perfect for bringing soothing and warmth to cold, unevenly heated rooms. Imagine being able to shed those thick socks and slippers, and allowing your children to crawl and play on the floor in complete comfort! And what a luxury to step barefoot from a bath or shower and not feel the shock of freezing cold tile.

Electric systems are also more efficient than other heating methods, such as hydronic floors, which are heated by warm water running through plastic tubing under your floors. This makes the electric systems a more viable option for homeowners looking to save money and energy. Forced-air systems typically lose heat through heating ducts and also by the heat rising into the ceiling, cooling, and then dropping back down. 

Subfloor heating presents neither of these problems, as the heat rises gently through the floor to warm your family from the ground up, leaving the cooler air at the ceiling. Because of this, the thermostat can be set to a much lower temperature, and you can enjoy the luxury of efficiently heated floors anywhere in your home while reducing energy costs up to as much as 40%, depending on the insulation in your home.

Most Electric Radiant Systems are available for installation by the do-it-yourselfer. You can use your own tools, labor and simple installation packages available from any Electric Radiant Floor System company, and raise the value of your home for about half the cost of hiring someone to install the system for you.

An electric radiant system is made up of thin cables, somewhat like the wiring in an electric blanket. These are installed beneath ceramic floor tiles. The cables are thin enough that they don't noticeably raise the level of the flooring; this makes them a good choice for remodeling. While you certainly can look into hiring a professional to retrofit a radiant-floor, it's not a difficult job to do yourself if you're comfortable setting floor tiles. Although, our advice is to have a licensed electrician come out to hook up the new electrical circuit.

All in all, these systems can be the perfect, low cost solution to your home heating needs. With a little research and some do-it-yourself know-how, you can significantly raise the value of your home while providing a warm, inviting, comfortable environment for your family to enjoy, all while saving a considerable amount in your energy bills! ]]></description>
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<title>Bad Credit Mortgage:  Get Out of Your Bind</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Finance/Mortgage/bad-credit-mortgage--get-out-of-your-bind.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Finance/Mortgage/bad-credit-mortgage--get-out-of-your-bind.html</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ In the world of finance, few words seem as incongruous as "bad credit mortgage," but in reality, there are many opportunities for a borrower to acquire a mortgage even with a poor credit history.

First and foremost, a bad credit mortgage is usually referred to as a subprime, non-prime, second chance, near-prime, or B-paper lending situation. In fact, subprime lending practices are involved in many types of credit, including credit cards and car loans. The types of individuals who would be considered for a subprime mortgage are those with credit scores of less than 600 or 620. Other individuals to whom a subprime mortgage would be appropriate are those who have filled bankruptcy within the last 7 years, have a history of late payments, or have been subject to foreclosure/repossession/judgment. 

Overall a bad credit mortgage is very similar to that of a prime or standard mortgage. They follow similar rate models such as a fixed, adjustable, or interest rate loan. Other models used in the subprime and prime mortgage industries are the hybrid mortgage, which is a combination of a fixed and adjustable rate formats, and pay option loan. A pay option mortgage is one that allows the participant to select the monthly payment type, which can be an interest-only payment, a minimum payment, 30 year complete amortization, or 15 year complete amortization. 

The main difference between a prime credit and bad credit mortgage is the rate involved. Due to the higher risk posed to the lender, a special pricing model is used to determine the rate by incorporating such factors as the borrower's payment history, loan to value ratio (LTV) and credit score. The rates will be higher, and there are usually other fees and conditions that follow the loan. Some examples of these conditions are the balloon payment and prepayment penalty. The balloon payment is where the borrower is required to pay a lump sum after a certain time frame, sometimes as short as five years. A prepayment penalty is a fee assessed against the borrower for an early payoff of the mortgage, such as when the borrower decides to refinance or sell the home. In certain cases, these penalties and payments can be waived by paying higher fees/points up front. 

When looking for a bad credit mortgage, be careful of predatory lenders. It is a common misconception that predatory practices and individuals with bad credit go hand-in-hand, but no one should have to settle for an unethical lender. Some common examples of predatory lending practices include superlative or otherwise large fees, persuading borrowers to falsify their income in order to qualify for a larger loan, and loan flipping. Loan flipping is particularly harmful, as the lender encourages the homeowner into refinancing for little or no gain. The lender, on the other hand, benefits from all of the fees, penalties, and higher interest rate. ]]></description>
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<title>Denver Mortgage Rates:  How to Get An Awesome Deal</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Finance/Mortgage/denver-mortgage-rates--how-to-get-an-awesome-deal.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Finance/Mortgage/denver-mortgage-rates--how-to-get-an-awesome-deal.html</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Denver mortgage rates are some of the best in the country, so why haven't you moved yet? Getting the best mortgage rate no matter where you choose to move is an important step in the financing process. Whether you are selecting your rate with the intent of selling in the next five years, or want to stay awhile, your mortgage rate can equal tens of thousands of dollars in savings. 

When shopping for the best rate, the first step is to investigate the different lending opportunities. In the Denver area and around the country, there are many sources by which you can acquire a mortgage. Some examples of these sources are mortgage brokers, mortgage companies, savings and loan associations, commercial banks and credit unions. 

A mortgage broker is a separate category apart from the other four, as brokers seek out several lenders and coordinate the financing. Due to the wide selection, you'll have a better selection of loans and rates to choose from. However, this does not mean that one broker will solve all of your problems. Just like the lending institutions themselves, different brokers can yield different results. In fact, it is only mandatory for a broker to find the best deal for you once a contract has been setup stating that the broker is your agent. In the end, everyone just wants a piece of the pie, and for the mortgage broker that comes in the form of extra fees tacked on to the closing, or extra points paid during the financing. 

Besides a mortgage broker, the other factor in getting a low interest rate is to discuss with your lender and carefully consider all of the charges involved. When it comes to the rate itself, this can vary from bank to bank but is referenced by the prime lending rate across the country. It is for this very reason that the term "right time to buy" is tossed around by potential home buyers, as proper planning can capitalize on beneficial prime rate fluctuations, decisions that translate into thousands of dollars in savings. 

Another way to lower your interest rate is with points. Points are a percentage (usually 1%) of the loan value such that the more points you pay, the lower your rate. The third factor to be aware of are the fees linked to the mortgage. Mortgage fees cover services associated with the lending process, such as the underwriting and closing costs. Usually borrowers are able to negotiate with the lender to adjust fees in exchange for interest rate adjustments. An example of this situation is a "no cost" loan, which lowers fees in exchange for higher interest rates. ]]></description>
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<title>The Advantages of Radiant Floor Heating</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Home/Home_Improvement/the-advantages-of-radiant-floor-heating.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Home/Home_Improvement/the-advantages-of-radiant-floor-heating.html</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Radiant floor heating offers many advantages over other forms of heat for business or home.

Radiant floor heating is a series of pipes coiled in a room under the subflooring. Heated water is forced through the pipes, and heat naturally rises through the room from these pipes. With radiant floor heating, there are no cold tile or hardwood floors. People with poor circulation in their feet, such as the elderly and diabetics, will appreciate always getting out of bed to a warm floor beneath their cold feet. Parents too like a warm floor when babies are learning to crawl or toddling around in their bare feet.

While radiant floor heating works on the same principal as steam or forced water radiators, radiant floor heating offers several advantages over a wall-mounted radiator. Wall-mounted radiators can cause hot and cool spots in a room, depending on your distance from the radiator. However, a radiant floor heating system covers the entire room under the floor, creating even heat distribution. Radiators are hot to the touch, which can cause burns. Because the radiant floor system is under the flooring, though, there are no hot pipes to touch, and the floor underfoot is never more than pleasantly warm.

Radiators also take up precious wall space, as furniture cannot be pushed up against them, and because they create hot spots, furniture has to be arranged so that no one sleeps or sits too close to the radiator. However, as the radiant floor system is buried under the flooring, it takes up no space and does not cause hot spots.

Radiant floor heating systems are usually cheaper to operate than wall-mounted radiators as well. Wall-mounted radiators have to have very hot water and get well-heated in order to cause convection, the movement of cooler air towards the radiator and the movement of warmer air away from it to heat the entire room. Because the radiant floor heating system distributes its heat evenly over the entire room, convection is not necessary. This means that the radiant floor system does not have to have such hot water in order to work effectively, lessening energy costs.

The primary advantage of the radiant floor heating system over a forced air system is air quality. Furnaces and heat pumps cause the air in a building to dry out rapidly. This can cause a lot of problems for people with sinus or lung issues. Also, coming in from cold and damp to hot and dry can be hard on people with poor health. People with allergies suffer under forced air systems as well because such systems stir up allergens and the dryness causes them to linger in the air longer than usual. Duct work can also harbor allergens, such as mold, compounding the problem.

In most cases, radiant floor heating, when properly installed and insulated, is cheaper to operate than any other system on the market today, and is considered by most to be the most comfortable home heating system as well. ]]></description>
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<title>Radiant Floor Heating Systems</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Home/Home_Improvement/radiant-floor-heating-systems.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Home/Home_Improvement/radiant-floor-heating-systems.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Fall is here, soon the leaves will start turning, the wind will start blowing and the extra blanket will be added to the bed. I am getting a chill just thinking about getting out of bed onto that cold wood or maybe tile floor. If you are like me that feeling is not how I want to start my already hectic day.

Lets consider another scenario, you wake up at 6 am on a chilly yet beautiful fall morning. lets say it is Monday morning (yes I said the dreaded Monday word), you peel off your warm covers and prepare to step onto your cold floor on your way to the shower. You step down bracing for the shock but wait you just remembered your friendly installer for your new radiant floor heating system set the timer to turn on at 5:30.

You step down and feel the warmth beneath your feet, you pause for a minute take a look through your window at the tree outside and marvel at the beautiful fall colors. The first thing that comes to mind is this is going to be a great day! Doesn't that sound so much better than the shock of the cold floor as you run to the safety of the small bath towel in front of the shower?

Now lets talk about economy. You will probably be spending a significant amount of your hard earned money this year just to heat your home. What would you rather do, run your conventional heater for hours each day only to heat the air in your home or start heating your home from where you need it most, where the cold is lingering, the floor. 

With radiant floor heating the heat starts where you need it most and comfortably heats the whole space with no blowing air to dry out your nose and throat just gentle warmth rising from the floor. Your new radiant floor heating system can be installed beneath almost any type of flooring including hardwood, tile and even carpet so the choice is yours. 

Don't forget your heating bills will be significantly lower as you will not need to heat up the room to 85 degrees before you are comfortable. In todays economy it feels good knowing that you are conserving energy and therefor conserving money.

Call your friendly installer today and you will be saving comfortably before you know it. Have a great Monday, a great year and thanks for taking time out of your busy life to read this! ]]></description>
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<title>Garage Floor Coating Tips</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Home/Home_Improvement/garage-floor-coating-tips.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Home/Home_Improvement/garage-floor-coating-tips.html</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ If you're like many people, you've got a garage. That garage, if you're like most people, has an ugly, stained concrete floor. There's no shame in this, of course (you're just like most people). However, many are starting to question whether having a rough, ugly concrete garage floor is the way to go. Many are asking themselves if there is a better way.

As it turns out, there is. There are many types of garage floor coverings available, but I'd like to focus on the coating options in this article. While installing some tile or a mat might be the way to go for many, sometimes its easier just to paint on a durable garage floor coating and be done with it. 

So, what kind of coating should you buy? It might seem tempting to buy some tough exterior paint, clean up the floor, and paint it on, but there is a better way. Epoxy based floor coatings will prove much more durable and robust in the long run than other types of paints.

Epoxy, as many of you might be familiar with, is a resinous chemical that cures hard when combined with another chemical. This provides a thick, sturdy, moisture resistant coating for your garage floor. No longer will spills and leaks seep into your concrete floor. Instead, they will pool up on top of the epoxy coating, making it easy to clean up. 

It's worth noting that you can get this epoxy in many different colors.  You can get many differen shades and tints, making your epoxy garage floor uniquely yours.  It's not exactly something Martha Stewart would get excited about, but it's still nice to have options.

Installing an epoxy floor yourself is quite easy. Simply buy a kit, clean up your existing floor (this is most often the hardest step), mix up the epoxy, and begin to apply it to your floor. Typically, you will only need one coat, as the paint is really very think. After the painting, you'll need to wait about 24 hours before you can use your garage again. 

Once the epoxy is cured, you'll have a garage floor that is both better looking and more durable than the original concrete. Of course, epoxy isn't full proof. Some brands of epoxy will be susceptible to damage from the heat of hot tires, while other may have same bad reactions with certain chemicals. On the whole, though, epoxy flooring is a great option for sprucing up your old garage floor. i ]]></description>
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