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I’m no technological genius. Although I’ve been exposed to all kinds of cutting edge technology, my camera is still the one that uses a 3½ inch floppy disk, rather than any kind of memory card. Granted, I understand that there are newer, fancier models, and we have big plans of getting one of those that can take more than four pictures per memory storage unit. The camera is just one example of my tendency to stick with the old styles of technology (and clothing, but that’s another story for another blog).

For years, I’d used the 3½ inch floppy disks to transfer any and all files, since I missed the era of the big ol’ really-floppy floppy disks. Not too many years ago, I learned about using compact discs for data transfer, although it was much more recently that I actually had access to a computer with a CD writer. With that major step in technological advancement, I graduated from floppy disks to compact discs for any and all file transfers. What larks! We could handle all kinds of data, as long as we started on a computer that had a CD writer and moved to a computer that had a CD drive (not always the case…).

Imagine my delight when first I was introduced to the flash drive. With the USB port now being standard on pretty much all the machines I ever see, the only usability concern is being able to get to a USB port. On some of the older computers, there are only a few USB ports, and they are sometimes in use for the keyboard, the mouse, and other accessories. One of my favorite improvements to the majority of desktop PCs is putting a couple or a few USB ports on the front of the computer tower. Although many people still have that part of the machine on the floor (which can make for some rather un-ladylike acrobatics), it’s still better than having to crawl behind or drag out the computer to get to the ports on the back. Ah! the joys of living in this day and age!

Nowadays, our household flash drive gets plenty of use, and we’re considering getting them for our parents. Since the birth of our daughter, we do a whole lot of sending pictures, and at month end, we give each set of grandparents a compact disc of all of the pictures we took of their granddaughter during the just-ended month. It seems as though it would be a lot cheaper, and a lot easier to just get them flash drives on which to add the new pictures. Cool thing is, now that I’ve discovered CFgear, we might even be able to figure out a customized flash drive and get them for aunts and uncles (biological and adopted, that is), too!

With my limited understanding of computer technology, outside the applications I use on a regular basis or can figure out because of similarities, I’m especially thankful that whoever figured out the flash drive concept decided to make them pretty user friendly. If I can use them, I’m guessing that pretty much anyone can!

There is an ad that appears in the coupon section of the newspaper often for ADT home security systems.  I was curious so I went ahead and tore out the ad to give it some attention.  I wanted to see if this is a good way to go in securing our home and how the cost compares to another security system I’ve heard of.

Wow!  What a difference there is!  This advertisement treats everything as if it’s a really good deal.  Oh yeah, it’s a good deal - paying out $99 just to have someone install a security system that doesn’t look the least bit complicated.  Oh, and I should mention the 36 month monitoring agreement you have to sign at $35.99 per month, or $1295.64 over the 36 months.  I should mention that the parts are at no cost and if I act right away I can get a free wireless Remote Control which is normally a $99 value and a medical & Fire Panic Alert (whatever that is.)

No, that’s not for me.  I have no desire to put out monthly fees when I know there is another option available.  There is also the fact that they will only install their system for homeowners.  We rent our home so that means we’re out.  Of course, now that I think about it, I would want some kind of system we can take with us when we move to our own house and not have to pay another installation fee anyway.

I think you can see why I would want to go with the DS7000 Protector Plus Home Security System put out by the makers of X10 products. The Protector Plus System has no installation fee because you do it yourself.  There is no monthly fees because you monitor it yourself.  How?  With this system you program 4 phone numbers.  When there is a breech in security the system will call those numbers until someone answers and you can listen to see if there is a need to call the police. 

This security system includes two DS10A Security Door Window Sensors, a MS10A Home Security Wireless Motion Detector, a SH624 Security Remote Control, LM465 Lamp Module, and even a KR10A Security Key Chain Remote very much the one offered by the other company.

I’m sure both systems work very well, it just comes down to how much money a person wants to put out and how much they are willing to do themselves.  For me, I’m willing to do more so I can save more.

Landscaping and nurseries have their special place in our world. They participate in the beauty of it in a way that a lot of us can’t or don’t want to. They understand a lot about the ins and outs of God’s wonderful creation. They know that they can’t make plants. They know they can’t grow plants. They know that they can’t begin to understand the mind of the creator. However, they can tell us how to plant the flowers, where to place that oak tree, what kind of damage that elephant ear plant could possibly do to your fragile foundation. They can instruct us on the care of a variety of plant life. How much water does a vinca need or how much sun do geraniums need? Will the Mexican petunia do ok in the full sun or should I plant a crepe myrtle instead? How would a beach buttercup withstand a hurricane? All of these issues are important to the homeowner who wants to landscape his yard or a city planner who needs to fill in a wide median strip on the highway.

But have you ever thought about just how much dirt and dust those folks who work with plants have to deal with? It’s everywhere; underfoot with the ground, overhead in hanging baskets and everywhere in between. Even under their fingernails and trapped in the tread of their shoes. They can’t escape it until they get into the shower. Every time they move a plant from one location to another there’s going to be dirt somewhere. Their wheelbarrows will be crusted with it. How cool would it be for them to have a wheelbarrow that was made of a wire basket? They could put plants in it and the dirt would fall right thru. They have the basic concept with certain types of hanging baskets. They are in essence a loose weave wire basket with a moss layer which holds in the dirt but doesn’t allow excess water to be held in.

We use wire baskets on wheels in other forms such as the grocery carts. We’ve all seen where grocery carts have been used for more than just collecting groceries. In fact, the other day while I was painting in a high rise condo, we used a grocery cart to transport our supplies and equipment from one floor to another.

A landscaper wouldn’t necessarily need a deep basket wheelbarrow. It could be very shallow with just a 3 or 4 inch side. They would certainly be sturdy enough to transport potted trees easily. This concept could be easily created by the Three M Tool Company. Their specialty is wire baskets. Big, small, sturdy, round, square or rectangle, they have all the equipment and will power to make it. Perhaps those wire baskets could be the next “gotta have” piece of equipment on your list. Give Three M Tool a call and see what they can do for you.