p e r t h f a v o u r i t e s

If you’re not careful, you could be the victim of a home burglary, and a clown might wind up with your valuables.

That is what happened to late Apple founder Steve Jobs’ family. After their Palo Alto, California, residence was burglarized, among Jobs’ own iPads was used by a performer who goes by the title Kenny the Clown. He had been using it to play music at children’s parties when police tracked him down. (In the time of the burglary, the home was being renovated and no one had been there.)

Kenny was innocent. Police say his buddy redeemed Jobs and gave the clown the iPad without divulging where he got it. The majority of the stolen property was returned to the Jobs, as a result of Apple engineering and good police work. (Stolen items included computers, iPads, iPhones, iPods, an Apple TV apparatus, jewelry, kitchen appliances and Steve Jobs’ California driver’s license.)

A special police unit functioned with Apple and AT&T U-verse to match the suspect’s use of the stolen computers together with his Apple iTunes account, resulting in his speech. Police found among the stolen computers around the suspect’s kitchen table. In addition they discovered a Google search on that computer asking about how to market stolen jewelry.

Home safety systems tend to concentrate on keeping burglars from getting into the house undetected. Some safety systems set an alarm off; others automatically call for help — both of which can be wonderful. However, the Jobs burglary highlights two aspects of home security often failed. Yes, you would like to prevent burglary. However, if it does occur, you want to catch the crook and get back your stuff. Home technology can help.

HD Pro Webcam C920 – $99.99

To Catch a Thief

Suspected thieves are often never caught and continue to burglarize homes. Police say that thieves are among the toughest crooks to catch because they leave little if any evidence behind.

But there’s no greater evidence of a burglary than a video or photographs of the actual offense. And these are simpler and less costly to get than you may think. All you need is a camera built into or attached to a computer, touch tablet or smartphone, and special security software.

The cost of this arrangement can be very low — actually, it may be free if you have already got the hardware. You may download free software to perform the motion-capture and upload components.

Other solutions are inexpensive; better software prices a couple of bucks. Some companies even offer the service of allowing you to browse the video and pictures online.

Gadgets Watch While You Are Away

Another possibility is using older and otherwise discarded smart phones or tablets. These may be placed to permanent usage recording anything which moves on your home when you’re away.

However you go about it, the goal is motion detection, which begins a camera, then uploads the proof to “the cloud”: a data-storage place on the Internet. This gives you access to this evidence, even when crook steals the pc and erases the hard disk.

Most laptops have a built-in camera. However, for both desktop computers and laptops, I recommend a webcam known as the Logitech HD Guru Webcam C920. The benefits of this camera are twofold: It has got a wider-angle lens than built-in notebook cameras, covering more of this room. And it is super high-definition for shooting high quality details that may help police identify the crook.

Note that a few solutions take video whilst motion is detected, then upload it stops. However, there’s a possibility a crook can sever the online connection or remove power from the computer prior to the upload can happen.

Software for both Mac and iOS

Mac and iOS customers have some excellent possibilities, even though the applications for these platforms is generally more costly compared to Windows. One good product for Mac is named iPeekCam. You set it and forget it, then if a burglar comes in your property, the motion will get the camera to begin recording. It then uploads the video into the business’s website.

Another fantastic alternative for Mac is the $39 Witness application, which plays two very neat tricks. The first is the fact that it activates and deactivates automatically as you go and come. It knows when you proceed by tracking the location of your iPhone. Second, Witness can comprehend when a human face looks on camera, so that you can put it to ignore “motion” if it is only your dog walking in the front of the camera.

Software for Windows

Windows computer users have several alternatives for applications that detects motion and uploads evidence, including a great deal of free applications. Two popular choices are iSpy and YawCam. These can be downloaded, and both will work with whatever camera you’ve connected to your computer. They’ll capture motion and upload photos to your own email account.

ISpy has more features, but the more features you use, the longer you’ll pay. YawCam is free.

iPad – $499

Apple Gadgets Have Built-In Antitheft Technology

A typical burglary entails crooks coming into a house, then looking around for valuables which are easily movable. They’ll often grab portable electronics, like tablets or laptops, because they’re portable and costly, and they may be easily sold.

That is the Fantastic news. Why? Because these devices are trackable. You will find ways to get cellular gadgets report back to you personally about their locations, and even send you pictures of the crooks as they use your computer. If you catch the guy who stole your trackable gadget, you also may get everything back, as was the situation with the Jobs family.

It had been Apple’s iPad and iTunes Store technology that enabled detectives to find the thief who stole from Steve Jobs. This capacity comes automatically with all cellular Apple products.

If you’re an Apple user and would love to watch it for yourself, simply go to iCloud.com, log in with your Apple ID and select “Find My iPhone.” Though the service specifies iPhones, it’ll actually show you all your mobile devices, including laptops, on a map. By clicking the “I” on the apparatus, you are able to remotely lock or perhaps wipe your device. If your devices aren’t there, you can add them by following these simple directions.

To wipe means to permanently erase all of the files and software on your system. (Another reason to maintain a fantastic backup.) This may keep your private and business documents from getting into the wrong hands.

GadgetTrak App to get iOS – $3.99

Other goods let Mac users perform more than Apple’s own built-in solutions. For example, Tattletale for Mac will permit you to track your Mac notebook, and will take a picture of whoever’s sitting in front of it each time it is booted up or brought back from sleep mode and send you the image.

Solutions for Windows, Android, Linux and Blackberry

The Apple-device solutions above are excellent, unless you have a non-Apple gadget. If that is the case, you might want to try the cross-platform solutions, which do all the same things.

However, before you consider paying, you should know one little secret about Apple’s “Locate My iPhone” feature: It works with Windows PCs, too!

For acute power and flexibility on many non-Apple devices, but you will most likely have to pay a bit to protect your stuff. Two of the best applications applications are GadgetTrack and Prey. These work on Macs and iOS devices; Windows laptops, tablets and phones; Android tablets and phones; and Linux devices, too. GadgetTrack also works on BlackBerry devices.

Preventing burglary is a fantastic idea. However, it’s also a fantastic idea to prepare yourself in case you are burglarized. Easy, inexpensive technology will improve the chances that police can catch the crook and return your premises.

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Bathrooms are so often neglected when it comes to accessorizing — typically because it’s this type of practical area. However, given the amount of time a lot of us prefer to invest inside them, accessories should really be given a greater priority.

The Victorians loved accessories in their baths — from decorated porcelain soap dishes into lace-covered tissue boxes, from shaving racks into gilded wall sconces. Nowadays it’s important to be practical, too. The toilet is among the most heavily used rooms in the house and has to be kept tidy, so don’t clutter floors and shelves along with your own workplace will be a nightmare.

Garrison Hullinger Interior Design Inc..

Traditional free-standing baths are magnificent, but you’ll need someplace to rest your toiletries. A stool is so flexible — just pop a tray on top for your own bits and bobs.

Crisp Architects

The free-standing bath, which is very popular at this time, also frequently lacks easy access into the towel rail. How did the Victorians cope? Having a towel rack, of course. A lovely mahogany stand gives a real nod to classic style, and you’ll be able to grab a fantastic bargain online (or at a car-boot sale if you reside, just like I do, in the U.K.).

Crisp Architects

There are no guidelines to say that towels have to be white. Use coloured ones to finish your scheme. The red introduced here, and carried through the flower arrangement, really brings the room to life.

Kasey Buick

Mirrors are toilet essentials which allow to get just a little imagination. Here’s a lovely and practical approach to show off a collection of vintage-style mirrors — it adds real character and reflects the area’s natural light.

COOK ARCHITECTURAL Design Studio

I’m quite envious of all of the space and natural lighting in this toilet. There are tons of surfaces for pretty accessories without making matters looking cluttered. Rather than lots of small bits, continue to scale and proceed for furniture and accessories which are little larger where you’ve got the room.

Glass apothecary jars are lovely accessories and keep everything neat and clean while still in view. They also looking fantastic using a collection of guest soaps, which your customers will love.

Crisp Architects

A dab of greenery is lovely in a toilet, especially if you can use it to bring the outdoors in — such as in this gorgeous bathroom with a view. An aspidistra rack is a traditional accessory put to great use here, where there’s enough room for it not to feel cluttered. You can easily get a cheap wooden one and simply paint it whatever color suits your toilet.

Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly, Inc. (CKD, CBD, CR)

I say no toilet is complete without candles. I really like to change in my songs, light my candles, then turn off the lights and wallow in heavenly scents. However, (listen to the voice of experience here) be sure to acquire high quality Steak or soy candles so as not to destroy your decor with smoke.

Peter S. Balsam Associates

This room feels quite Victorian with the traditional sink and tiles, the use of dark wood and loads of accessories. In reality, it’s very cleverly organized to be practical and simple to wash. I love the toilet-paper holder — it’s a lovely method of injecting humor into the room.

More clever areas for stashing the T.P.

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Where do good ideas come from? More important, where do they move? People have good home design ideas all of the time. But most of the most newest ideas can not be bought at the store.

Perhaps you have had a brilliant idea and thought, “I wish somebody would sell this”? Here is another thought: “Why don’t you promote it?”

The problem is, in order to sell something, you have to make it. You need billing, online shopping cart software, and a site. You have to know how to build it and examine it. And for that, you need money.

If you had the money, you could start a new business, employ the experience you need, prepare the infrastructure for selling and move into business for yourself sharing your thought with the world. If you had the money.

I have good news for you: If you’ve got a really good idea, you can get the money.

Etsy

Here Comes Kickstarter

Kickstarter is a web site that can help you raise money for creative small business ideas through audience sourcing. This way of fundraising enables would-be entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas to the public on the Kickstarter site. And the people can “invest.”

Those seeking support generally provide various levels of contribution and list what contributors get in return. For example, if someone is writing a novel, a $5 donation might have them mentioned in the publication, a $20 donation could get them a free publication, and a $50 donation might earn them a free book signed by the author.

As part of this pitch, entrepreneurs set a fundraising target and a deadline for accomplishing it. If they fail to get to the goal, all of the donors get their money back.

Some reach the goal, some don’t. Some who successfully reach their fundraising target fail to launch a successful item. But a few succeed brilliantly.

For example, a graduating design pupil has come up with new suggestions for using computer design tools and laser beams to make computer-designed ceramics. He also set a goal to raise $3,200 and surpassed that target. Now he’s in business.

Spheres Tray – $40

Wide-Open Opportunity for Product Designers

“Less a tech website, more a sociocultural movement, Kickstarter is changing how we make things, how we turn dreams into reality and make ideas come to life,” says tech guru Om Malik.

The home design community has been slow to embrace Kickstarter. The jobs have a tendency to prefer media-based notions like documentary movies, novels and comic books in addition to good old-fashioned useful inventions. This presents an opportunity for home product designers.

Why? Because Kickstarter proposals have to be approved by the owners of the website, then funded by the public. Some kinds of notions have reached a saturation point, reducing the likelihood of new jobs in precisely the exact same category getting approved or funded. But the home design ideas are likely to have a higher prospect of success because there are relatively few proposed.

A Chance to Be First

Kickstarter is a fantastic resource for fresh ideas for your home and also a supply for one-of-a-kind home design elements. The main reason is that a project is unlikely to even be approved by owners of this website unless it is really a new idea.

One of the advantages of funding design jobs is that you frequently get first crack at owning the goods — often months in advance. Sometimes creative entrepreneurs even provide donors with exceptional versions of the product.

You also get the satisfaction of helping bring new works into existence. Your cosmetic piece or fresh design component comes with a story, because you’ve followed the creators through the practice of raising money, making their operation and transport the item.

One recently posted Kickstarter project has been proposed by a guy who makes furniture in Maine. His idea is to draw whimsical items with crayons or sidewalk chalk, then assemble the items with reclaimed lumber and nontoxic finishes while retaining a childlike, hand-drawn look. This child’s writing desk is the reward for a pledge of $475.

You can not (yet) purchase these in any store.

South Island Horses Print – $25

Funding Your Dream

Sometimes the only way to make your fantasy a reality is to talk about it with others — for a price. For example, one photographer’s fantasy was to spend a month travel through New Zealand and photographing landscapes. So he quit his job, left his loved ones and friends and left it happen.

He would really like to turn his very best pictures into large, ultra-high-quality prints to hang in his property. So to finance that portion of this fantasy, he turned to Kickstarter. By selling his prints to others (and giving them to supporters that vow), he’s able to finance his dream.

This is a perfect model for a huge number of potential jobs that would otherwise never happen for lack of funding.

What’s your fantasy? All you need is an excellent idea and the will to make it happen.

Day Maker Alarm Clock – $100

Following is a fantastic thought: an alarm clock that works just like a toaster (your own iPhone resembles the toast). You set the alarm clock on the phone as you normally would, insert the phone into the “toaster,” and press. When it is time to get up, the phone pops up and the alarm clock goes off. It is not rocket science, only an attractive and totally original thought.

Following is a wonderful thought: a coat rack with a round minicubby for placing keys, sunglasses or anything. It keeps a individual’s random stuff with the coat. You might have seen this successful project here on , however it began as a Kickstarter project.

And following is a timely thought: a cheap, environmentally friendly wall clock made of recycled chipboard.

Each of the ideas is a person’s fantasy made real by crowd-sourced investment. And each of these is seeking to make new new products that you can purchase for your own home.

Kickstarter is an underappreciated source for creating home design dreams a reality. It is a great place to find really innovative, original and beautiful items for your property. And it is an even better spot to turn your home design ideas into a small business.

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