Each year we all reach for our telephones to book in our annual boiler services with companies like Cheltenham Boiler Service business http://www.blu-fish.co.uk to ensure that our heating systems are in full working order for the colder weather. But over the centuries human beings have developed some extraordinary ways in which to keep their homes warm. We have the most sophisticated systems now and they only appear to get more and more sophisticated over time. Here is a look back over the ways in which humans have heated their homes in the past.

Fire – fire was one of the first ways in which early humans created warmth. Initially this would have been in a camp fire type setting outside of the dwelling areas. Over time early humans learnt how better to control the fire and this was then utilised inside buildings such as black houses and buildings made from waddle and daub, with a thatched roof. The smoke levels would have been immense but at least they were kept warm during the cold winter months.

Hot Air – the Romans are to be credited with one of the first established ways in which to heat a room from underneath the floor. The Hypocaust was a number of stone columns built into the floor underneath a room, usually the bath house or dining room. To one side of these columns would a tunnel that would directly to an outlet that would be connected to the furnace located in the kitchen area. The furnace would be on all day long and the heat from this would travel along the tunnel into the open floor space. Then, as we all know, hot air rises up through the floor space and heats the room above.

Hot Water – in more recent times we established a way in which to utilise hot water that was passed through pipework in our homes and would collect in the radiators that were placed at strategic points throughout the rooms. These radiators would heat up and the warmth would then radiate out into the room. It is this system that boiler service companies check each year to ensure that they are running smoothly and that no harmful gases are escaping into the home. We now have the ability to be able to heat our homes to our desired temperature and can even switch our heating on from a distance via mobile apps.

From Roman hypocausts to Victorian boiler rooms

In Neolithic homes, a fire in the middle of the room was the only heat, used for cooking and warmth, with animal furs and skins as clothing and blankets on cold nights. The Romans brought a cleverer idea in the hypocaust, an early form of underfloor heating. A stove was lit and hot air circulated through spaces under the floor and between the walls. It was heavy and expensive, so only the richest could fuel one, and everyone else warmed up at the public baths.

Medieval castles relied on small fires in vast stone rooms with unglazed windows, which is why large tapestries hung over walls and windows. By the Elizabethan era, big ornate fireplaces had become a fashion statement, and chimneys improved ventilation and reduced fire risk. The Victorians turned to coal, with a boiler room under the house feeding hot water to many fireplaces.

IT forensics is a fast-growing branch of digital forensic science. Essentially it is a way of analysing systems to see what actions have been taken, what functions have been executed, and by whom. The data and reports that are extracted can be used as legally admissible evidence in court.

Image Credit

Every digital device is a forensic evidence generator, producing mountains of data every time it is used. Forensic analysis can prove very important in tracking fraudulent transactions, inappropriate use, and even the origins of malware.

Several providers offer VoIP telephony systems that come with auditing software and reporting systems that allow you to trace who took what calls, listen to call recordings and see who took what actions. This can be very useful for resolving customer disputes.  Off course if you are confused or are a first time user it might be best to contact an IT Support Cheltenham company to get the best advice possible at sites like reformit.co.uk.

Many providers, also offer wholesale AZ VoIP termination services.

Image Credit

There are a significant number of forensic tools available for beginners as well as experts. Each incident might have a different tool that best suits the investigation.

There are two very useful places you can find recommended forensic tools. The first is the US National Institute of Standards portal, and Technology (NIST), and the second is the Digital Forensics and Incident Response (DFIR) community database.

NIST catalogue of IT forensic tools

This catalogue was developed jointly by several US agencies. It has a user-friendly portal that you can use to search for different forensic tools – it can be filtered by functionality or technical parameters. There are analysis tools for Cloud Services, as well as for categories such as Data Analytics, Email Parsing, Memory Capture/Analysis, VoIP Forensics etc. This compendium also gives a good overview of digital forensic analysis tools, and also reveals where the gaps are.

DFIR Training catalogue of IT forensic tools

The DFIR community has established its own very comprehensive portal, which includes several resources for those needing to respond to forensic incidents. The search facility has a user-friendly graphical interface and enables users to write reviews of the tools it recommends. Additionally, it provides facilities for testing tools, in addition to basic guides and infographics.

In many cases, the tools needed to carry out the forensic analysis are already configured. Before using them, you should read the basic instructions and learn about best practices.

Whether you have just moved into your new home with the help of an Estate Agents Cheltenham business found at links like meandyouestateagents.co.uk or a company, solid wood floors are attractive and hardwearing. In order to protect your floor at the entrance you need a mat to trap dirt, but this presents a problem. On wood floors, mats – even ones with a non-slip backing – seldom stay put.

Image Credit

Not only is a loose mat inconvenient it can be positively dangerous. Falls are the most common form of accident in the home and they can be caused by a poorly secured mat.

Recessing Mats

So what can you do to ensure the mat stays in place? You could fix it with double-sided tape but that risks damaging your solid wood flooring, so a better option is to have a recess in which the mat can sit snugly and not move around.

The traditional way of recessing a mat is to frame it using moulding, but over time this can become scuffed and chipped and end up looking scruffy. A neater, tidier way which offers a clean, modern look is to recess the mat into the floor itself.

Fitting Technique

The best time to fit a recessed mat is when laying the floor. Many people ask is it easy to lay solid wood floors? The answer is yes if you approach the job in a methodical manner and prepare well beforehand, and adding a mat is no different.

The idea is to have the mat held in place so it can’t slide around, but so that it can still be lifted out for cleaning. The best way to do this is using coir matting which can be bought from the roll. By undercutting the edges of the floor around the mat slightly, the edges of it can be tucked under to hold it securely in place.

Coir mats compress over time, so it’s best to start with the surface of the mat a few millimetres above the wood floor. If you need to adjust the height of the mat later you can always place a piece of plywood underneath. Once the mat is worked out it can be used as a template to cut a new one which will fit in the same recess.

Recessed in this way a mat provides a safe entry to your home and will help protect your wood floor.

People often assume bricks are a recent invention. We always think of ancient constructions being made of timber or stone. Indeed, a lot of early human buildings were built using mud and straw.

You might be surprised to learn though, that bricks have been around for a long time.

The first brick that we know is being made in Jericho since 8000 BC. The people there found that they could make simple bricks by leaving the mud to dry in the sun.

Mesopotamia developed stronger bricks by mixing mud with straw and then baking the results in a furnace. This process also makes bricks more resistant to water.

Bricks baked in kilns are also lighter and easier to transport than rocks. Because they are also stronger, they can be stacked, loaded, and brought from where they are made to where they will be used more easily and without damage.

Bricks in England

Britain never invented bricks. Brick making technology was brought to the British Isles by the Ancient Romans. Pre-Roman residents of the country had dwellings constructed of stone, wood and straw.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, brick building technology was forgotten, and it was common practice to reuse ancient Roman bricks from damaged villas, waterways and so on. Only in the 12th century brick making was rediscovered.

It wasn’t until 1825 that the first brick-making machine was introduced. This facilitates not only better brick quality but also a much faster and more efficient production method. There was, in addition to greater industrialization, a large increase in building using brick and mortar during this period.

Buildings Before Bricks

In a time before we had the benefit of hardy, light, cheap and portable bricks, the most common building material for permanent projects was stone.

Stones are collected and stacked together to form walls as far as prehistory. The art of stone and ‘dressing stone’ dates back to around 2500 BC and originated in Ancient Egypt.

Sticking Bricks Together: Mud and Mortar

Before the invention of modern mortar, the most common material used to make bricks to stick together was clay, mud, or simple bitumen.

The Egyptians were the first to discover mortars using gypsum as a base.

The Romans then developed the concept further, using a combination water, sand and lime. This is a process that is still used today.

Concrete is most often associated with buildings that are quite modern and are still widely used throughout the world. It’s not so widely known that the Romans discovered it and used it extensively in their conquests across the Roman Empire.

The invention of concrete-making processes also led to the development of the method of building with mortar and bricks. The Romans tried many things, including adding pieces of stone, brick, and gravel to the initial mix of mortar. What they discovered was that the substances produced could be moulded and shaped and resulted in very durable building materials.

The Future of Brick

We have come a long way from the early days of mud huts. Modern bricks come in all types of colours, weights, sizes and absorbency scales. You can even get brick cladding now, that looks like brick but has different benefits. Get more information on Brick Cladding from www.telling.co.uk/architecture/brick-cladding/

Brick making has been made very cost-effective and efficient with the introduction of new machine technology, equipment for the extraction of basic materials, modern kilns and the addition of electricity to the brick-making process.

Bricks remain the most commonly used material in the world of construction. Architecture with bricks is an ever-expanding field, both in terms of brick-making technology and building design art.

Many people enjoy a trip to the bowling alley for a few games, but not many will realise that ten-pin bowling is played as a competitive sport and that it is never too late to get started. There are very few, if any, boundaries to getting involved.

Image Credit

There are many different forms of bowling. As well as bowling outdoors on a green, as opposed to indoors in an alley, there are also variations of bowling in a bowling alley. By far the most popular, however, is ten-pin bowling. In a government survey conducted in 2008/09 on participation in sport, ten-pin bowling appeared in the top ten sports that people did most regularly, and its popularity has not waned, as now approximately 100 million people in 90 countries enjoy the sport.

Competitive Ten-Pin Bowling

Competitive ten-pin bowling is played mainly in Canada and North America, although Great Britain is getting in on the act. So popular is competitive ten-pin bowling in Britain that the British Tenpin Bowling Association (BTBA) was recently invited to send competitors and an official to the Bowling World Open in Tokyo to showcase the sport, which is aiming for inclusion in the 2020 Olympics.

The BTBA offers coaching as well as the opportunity for teams to participate in a national league which is divided into teams based in either the north or south of the UK. Additionally, men and women can be ranked as individuals and given the opportunity to compete in a UK championship. The BTBA also offers youth development aimed at getting more young people into the sport. This can ultimately lead to the possibility of playing for England in competitions around the world.

Accessibility of the Sport

Ten-pin bowling is an incredibly accessible sport, and there are opportunities for the visually impaired as well as wheelchair users to participate fully. There are a few differences with visually impaired ten-pin bowling to make it accessible. These include a sighted assistant, a handicap system and lane barriers. They have very clever racking that holds the balls nicely and storage that holds the shoes like the garage shelving you find qat sites including https://www.garage-shelving.co.uk.  There are leagues for visually impaired players, and players can play in their local bowling alley and register the results by post for their league, meaning there is no need to travel. For those who are confined to a wheelchair, an invention called IKAN bowler has revolutionised accessibility to ten-pin bowling. It is a ramp that attaches to the leg rests on the wheelchair and has technology which enables the bowling balls to be completely under the control of the user. Using a parabolic bowling arm as well as moving the wheelchair will enable the ball to go down the lane, and the wheelchair brakes can be used to control the direction. Whether you are disabled or able-bodied, if you are participating in ten-pin bowling competitively, then having the right kit is vital.

It is very easy to get involved in ten-pin bowling at a competitive level. You never know – you could be playing at a future Olympic Games.

Workplace fires cause severe damage to property, as well as injuries and even death. More than 22,000 non-residential fires occurred between 2013 and 2014, with the majority occurring in the workplace. All workplaces are different and whatever the reason for this fire, there are steps that each employer can take to reduce the risk. Here are some common hazards that must be considered:

Stacking of flammable material

Especially in an office environment, a buildup of used paper, cardboard, and other fuels is a common problem. In the event of a fire, these materials will make it much worse because they are easily ignited, so disposing of them in the right way is recommended. Storing such waste is best done offsite but if this is not possible then make sure it is as far away from the main building as possible and safe from ignition sources.

Blocked Fire Exit

If you find a fire escape route that has been blocked by waste, furniture, or other equipment, then this should be cleaned up immediately. Fire exits must be easily accessible to all and any blockage will make escape difficult, if not impossible, in the event of a fire. Any restrictions for being able to escape quickly and safely from a building must be corrected.

Electrical equipment

Electricity faults are one of the main causes of fires at work in the UK. Periodic checks for any broken plugs or loose cables are very important. All electrical equipment must be tested by experts and any items that are damaged or faulty must be turned off and replaced. Stay safe by having regular fire assessments and ensuring the best fire safety components are utilised. For more information on fire safety components like Industrial Valves, visit https://www.orseal.com/

Fire alarm

You might be surprised to realize that the last time an alarm at your workplace was tested was a very long time ago! What is the point of having a system if no one knows if it will function when it is needed most? A maintenance schedule must be made and batteries regularly replaced at smaller alarms throughout the location. Does everyone in your building know where their closest fire exit is and where the meeting point is after evacuation? If not, get this sorted before it’s too late.

Smoke

Staff members must have designated smoking areas away from combustible materials nearby. Cigarettes that are disposed of improperly can easily ignite a fire and this is very dangerous if it occurs next to a combustible material. Provide a special cigarette bin and encourage staff to properly dispose of the tip of the cigarette. The smoking area must also be quite far from the main building.

Open Fire Door

The purpose of the fire door is to prevent further spread of the fire after it has broken out. Along the hallway or corridor, it is tempting to open these doors to make them more accessible. The problem is if the fire really ignites, the fire door will be useless, and the fire will spread far faster than it should. If you see that the fire door remains open, you must close it immediately.

Bucket lists are very popular today. There are countless websites dedicated to bucket lists, and thousands of people have uploaded their own bucket lists for the world to see.

Image Credit

But is a bucket list actually worth having? Many people want to fill their lives with hedonistic, life-changing experiences before they die, from skydiving to swimming with dolphins to meeting their favourite celebrity, but other people question if a bucket list can actually add value to your life.

Is a bucket list a good idea?

There are lots of benefits to creating a bucket list, and one of the main ones is that it can help people to define their goals. Many people dream of travelling when they retire, but if they don’t actually sit down and decide where they want to go it is unlikely that their dream will ever become a reality. A bucket list makes it much easier for people to set concrete goals that they are likely to achieve, so it is possible that creating a bucket list will help you to live a more enjoyable life. It also means that people can plan for how they are going to finance these trips such as long term savings or whether they are going to contact a Gloucestershire Equity Release company like www.palmermortgages.co.uk/financial-services/equity-release-gloucestershire/ to release some of the equity in their property. The possibilities are endless once you plan your bucket list.

However, other people argue that a bucket list is just an easy attempt to find joy, as many people create a list and then don’t make an effort to actually tick things off the list. This is a fair point, but it doesn’t mean that bucket lists are bad – just that they are not as useful for some people as they are for other people. It is also possible that simply creating the list will help people to achieve their goals. According to Positive Psychology Program, a bucket list can give you focus, help you to take action and even improve your self-confidence. These are all excellent benefits that can enhance anyone’s life!

Image Credit

What would you put on your bucket list?

There are lots of awesome things that you could consider putting on your bucket list, from travelling the world to riding a tank! You can even put smaller things on the list like learning to bake or taking a yoga class.

There are lots of different things that you can consider putting on your bucket list, so take the time to sit down and think about what you really want to achieve.

There is a lot of discussion on what it takes to reach the top in Formula 1, with raw talent, grit, and a great car all suggested as contributors. Drivers have been described as fearless (Jim Clark), phenomenally talented (Jackie Stewart) and ruthless (Niki Lauda). It is highly likely that these drivers had some traits in common.

Image Credit

Commitment

To succeed in Formula 1, as in any sport, a driver has to be hungry for success. He must be prepared to work to turn that hunger into commitment. Competition is tough, and the highly motivated will triumph. Niki Lauda suffered severe burns after an accident at the infamous Nurburgring but was back in action six weeks later. There is no room for the half-hearted.

Fitness

Fitness covers nutrition, cardiovascular fitness and stamina. Physically, a potential champion needs to be at the top of his game. The temperature in the cockpits can be searing, and the strength needed to control their cars at speeds of over 200mph is considerable. A driver who wants to become a champion looks after his health, watches his diet, and does a mixture of endurance and strength training. He also makes sure he picks the right people when he starts learning to drive as building a strong foundation is very important.  Somewhere you could possibly look to try is a Driving Instructor Market Harborough company found at links including demarcodriving.uk.

Image Credit

Adaptability

A successful Formula 1 driver is adaptable. He is flexible enough to cope with the predictable stress of travel, along with the stress of problems in the sport, such as crashes, burst tyres and damaged equipment. Fitness can help with this.

Focus

Anyone who watches Formula 1 knows what great focus an F1 champion has. A visit to any Formula 1 event will demonstrate this. Nothing distracts him. All his concentration is on the job at hand.

Professionalism

Professionalism is a major requirement nowadays. Raw talent is not quite enough. A driver who wants to be at the top of his game will be able to talk to everyone in his team, from the engineers to the corporate sponsors. He must be as much at home talking to members as he is talking to the technical support staff.

Recovery

Like any sport, Formula 1 is a high-energy occupation. Even in the absence of injury, downtime is necessary. A driver who wants to compete at the top level must know how to switch off and recover from any physical damage or mental stress.

While hairiness is still an acceptable and often desirable trait of manhood, there is no excuse for letting your body fuzz get out of control. If you are planning to get the lads together for your special Stag do outing and you want to make yourself look a little more civilised, manscaping is the best way to regain control of your follicular aesthetics. Maybe tell your best man to book a Stag Party Bus Cheltenham company at options including cocktail-tours.co.uk/ to provide you with the transport and let everyone know the theme is moustaches and beards. Continue reading Essential Methods for Manscaping →

A company’s branding is key to its recognition and reputation and in this article we take a look at the benefits effective branding can bring to your business.

Image Credit

Face it

A brand is the face of a business and this includes a company’s name, logo and the colours it uses. Whether you are using a branding agency Gloucestershire or Lincolnshire, bear in mind that good advice about what branding actually is will also incorporate non-visual elements too such as a company’s personality and tone of voice. It’s a big job!

It’s not just about image

How customers perceive a company is vital – its brand image. Making sure a brand is perceived as a reflection of what a company does is the best outcome. However, if the reflection isn’t what customers actually receive, there is work to be done!

Reach out

Of course, people interpret brands very differently and in order to mean something to a wide audience, experienced designers will research the customer base and associations. This article in Forbes discusses what successful brands have in common for you to consider. It’s a useful exercise to test a brand design – companies such as reallyhelpfulmarketing.co.uk/brand-development/ employ such an approach as it helps to understand how it is being perceived and whether it is doing what a company wants it to do. Too much scope for interpretation is not a good thing when it comes to brand identity.

Image Credit

In the eye of the beholder

How people see a brand is based on a number of elements including images, colours and fonts as well as the tone behind the text. People have associations with all of the above and come to a conclusion based on their own experience. So, for example, a dark, linear and strong logo might make some people think of a financial institution; a colourful cartoon style one may have associations with a children’s charity or pre-school.

Keep your champions on your side

Employees are the backbone of any organisation and can, as such, champion your organisation to the outside world and, importantly, your brand. It, therefore, goes without saying that an organisation’s culture and how it treats its staff is all part of the process.

Get it right and your brand will help your company grow and develop into a successful one.