JV Wood Knot Puzzle (ltd. edition)

maple wood 16''x16''x16'' [shown unfinished]
2 out of 3 remain
contact us for more information
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Popular Industries for Computer Rentals

Popular Industries for Computer RentalsThere are several industries that take advantage of technology rentals like computers, laptops, projectors, temporary office equipment and audio visual rentals. Many business industries can benefit from them in a wide variety of ways.

For instance, Small to Medium Business Industry Computer Rentals occur on a regular basis. They are perfect for when a computer or laptop malfunctions or breaks down. A small to medium business usually needs a replacement rental so that business continues smoothly, even while their own equipment is damaged. It can give a business time to repair their equipment or get new equipment.

Small and medium businesses are not the only type of industry to commonly rent computers or audio visual equipment. Fortune 500 Industry Computer Rentals are also popular when one of these businesses needs to accommodate a growing staff or is expanding. Technology rentals are also convenient when gearing up for presentations, conferences, trade shows or an event for product launching.

Computer rentals are becoming more of a trend as more companies and businesses are seeing the many benefits they can provide for their specific industry. Find out more Computer Rental Industries
READ MORE » Popular Industries for Computer Rentals

Ridge


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Pretty.

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Why propolis.



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Mozilla Debating a 5-Week Release Schedule for Firefox

Mozilla FirefoxI think it is safe to say that the new six week rapid release cycle for Mozilla's Firefox internet browser has drawn a lot of controversy since it was announced and put into effect. However, it seems as if Mozilla likes the negative press because it seems as if there could be more to come from this rapid release cycle.

In a recent thread noticed on a developer mailing list, anybody and everybody involved in the effort has been debating the possibility of shortening the cycle even more. These developers are considering shortening the already short six week cycle to a five week cycle or even shorter than that.

According to Mozilla Software Engineer Josh Aas, "Our transition to releasing every six weeks went really well. We're getting fixes to users much more quickly than we used to, but can we get fixes to users even faster? Moving to a five week cycle would mean a fix going into mozilla-central would get to users three weeks faster."

So shortening the short cycle that people are already complaining about sounds like a good idea? To Aas it does. "That's a big deal," Aas added. "It's an upgrade in responsiveness that we can't afford not to pass on if we can pull it off. I suspect the only way to know if we can do it is to try - we can always back off if it doesn't work out."

However, not everybody is objecting to the idea of shortening the cycle. Firefox Release Manager Christian Legnitto stated, "Yes, I absolutely think in the future we will shorten the cycle--but it won't be soon. We have some work to do to make six weeks smooth from a process, tool and product side. When we get six weeks down to a science, we can shorten as needed."

Source: PC World - Mozilla Mulls a 5-Week Firefox Release Cycle

SMBnow.com is news of, for and by SMBs!
SMBnow.com... The Small & Medium Business Magazine!
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A Walk in the Clouds to Unlimited Storage


Do you get tired of constantly having to upgrade to a bigger hard drive? Wouldn’t it be awesome if you could have unlimited disk space? What if you could access your files from anywhere and any device? As a photographer I can’t tell you how invaluable this would be! Photos take up lots and lots of space. To get a good quality print just one photo can take 5mb of space and when you are dumping 150 photos onto your hard drive after every shoot, it doesn’t take long to fill it up.
A new beta software just might be the solution. It’s from a startup called Bitcasa; when you install it, the capacity of your computer's hard drive becomes, essentially, infinite! It is currently only available for Apple computers but a Windows version is in development; and plans of apps for mobile devices are in the works as well.

Bitcasa creates the illusion of unlimited hard drive space but the files are kept on a cloud server. Your computer will respond to opening any file as if it is local and there would be no wait for downloads, even videos!

Using a storage service is not a new concept. Dropbox, SkyDrive, Google Docs, Amazon and countless others have been offering online storage for some time. But Bitcasa is not like any of those services. It doesn’t move files around or sync. Bitcasa doesn’t know what the file is, what the name is, what the contents are or anything about the file itself. It only deals in bits and bytes, the 1′s and 0′s of digital data. Data is encrypted on the client side. This is kind of like contemplating the universe for me because I am amazed that my photos can go from a picture to zeros and ones and back again.

Bitcasa is only $10.00 a month! Ten dollars for unlimited space? How can that be? Bitcasa CEO Tony Gauda says $10/month still gives the company large margins. The fact is, 60% of data is duplicate. For example, if I have an MP3 of the Foo Fighters new single and someone else has it too, those would be made up of the same zeros and ones. I think that’s amazing! Also times are hard so if $10.00 a month is hard to squeeze from your budget, a less than unlimited free version is on its way. Bitcasa will be free while in limited beta trials. You can sign up for access here.


Computers, Desktops, Laptops, Servers and the latest in Portable Tablet PCs are available from your computer rental company, Rentacomputer.com.

Talk to a Rentacomputer.com Tech Travel Agent Today!
Call Toll free 800-736-8772.
READ MORE » A Walk in the Clouds to Unlimited Storage

Collage

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The Creative Soul

Expression of the creative soul ...
Views into intimate moments of a persons life.
Thumbtacks & magazine clippings, a cup, the stove ...
these are the moments that poetically describe the inherent
depth that exists within the relationship someone has with
their environment.

What does the routine of our lives say about us?
How do we facilitate it & what does it look like?

Design in this context has greater significance than
simple questions of style or taste. Inspirational places
have an interconnectedness, a depth of character that goes
beyond their surface value. Homes become a very close,
personal result of this experience ... whether we allow people to
look in or not, they tell a whole, unique story about who we are &
what is important to us.

Below are the rest of the photographs we took when visiting the
property of the late Raoul Hague whose house & workshop inspired this post.







READ MORE » The Creative Soul

BCM&T Co. Website


Welcome to Blackcreek Mercantile & Trading Co's Website

We worked with our good friend Steven Wilverding to create
our site. Steven's background is in print, however he ended up
having to change careers (not by choice) & is now in web design.
We absolutely wanted to support Steven in his new career and are
happy to be working with him.

Our turnings catalogue & ltd. edition pages will be up in the very
near future. [We are all very picky & want these to be completely perfect!]

We appreciate your support & patience & hope you like the site. We opted
for simplicity...


READ MORE » BCM&T Co. Website

Have a colour filled weekend!

Here is my beautiful Humphrey - wishing you a colour filled weekend!

My Humphrey - the sunshine in my days!  Photo taken this morning by me :o)
READ MORE » Have a colour filled weekend!

Raoul Hague

we were very lucky to have the opportunity
to visit the property of raoul hague , an artist/sculptor
who settled in woodstock, ny. very interesting & inspiring.
we will do a proper post in a few days...

[photo of a poem by robert frost hanging at the property]

READ MORE » Raoul Hague

Guest Post: Arcadian Lighting - A Pop of Colour!

Today's guest post is from Susi, a writer for Arcadian Lighting. Founded in 2002, Arcadian Lighting started selling decorative home light fixtures and lamps online, and has become one of the top Internet retailers for home lighting products. Visit their website and cool blog for more information. Enjoy.

Color adds so much to a room's design. Not only does a pop of color break up a neutral palette, bursts of contrasting (or complementary) colors create a dynamic tension that adds interest. Adding just a pop of color in an accessory, accent wall, textiles or area rug will change the look and feel of the room. Check out these chic examples of pops of color throughout the house.
Orange Headboard
Sandra Espinet via
Just a pop of color really brings this bedroom to life. Using the orange headboard as the jumping off point, orange trim adds a pop of color to the white linens.
Orange & Turquoise Bedroom
DecorPad via
Another bedroom that uses pops of orange to liven up the space. This orange chair, with aqua painted legs, adds a burst of warm color in this cream and aqua bedroom.
Colorful Living Room Furniture
Traditional Home via
A neutral palette of cream and pale green gets a pop of contrasting color in the form of red pillows. The red is even more striking against the green and white chevron stripe wingback chairs.
Home Accessories
Real Simple via
Accessories are the perfect place for a pop of color. These Fu dogs pop in rich turquoise against the grey, black and white decor. The brilliant color catches the eye even with the stunning lamps and Venetian mirror vying for attention in the space.
Blue and Yellow Living Room
Pinterest via
White and light neutrals in wall color and the sofa let the blue accent rug and occasional chairs pop in this room. The complementary yellow pillow really pops against the blue.
White Kitchen
Pawley's Island Posh via
The trend in white kitchens sets the stage for colorful kitchen accessories to add pops of color. Tea towels, counter-top appliances and other accessories can add easy pops of color to a neutral kitchen.
Red Vanity
Better Homes and Gardens via
A single piece of brightly painted furniture really pops in a neutral room. Painting a vanity red in the bathroom is unexpected but very stylish.
Chandelier in Kitchen
That's Chic via
Fresh flowers are a wonderful way to add a temporary pop of color to a room. Flowers are inexpensive and colorful and a great addition to any room. Love that unexpected light fixture of an ornate chandelier in the kitchen beyond. Even so, the flowers still hold the center of attention.

Content provided by Arcadian Lighting, a site that specializes in top quality lighting fixtures at extremely affordable prices. If you like this post, be sure to stop by the Arcadian Lighting blog and say hello!
READ MORE » Guest Post: Arcadian Lighting - A Pop of Colour!

Windows 8 Developer Preview


Windows 8

Windows 8, the highly anticipated followup to the hugely successful Windows 7 operating system from Microsoft, was displayed, albeit briefly, way back at D9. However, Anaheim is where the new OS is really going to kick off. Microsoft is starting its Build conference with a full-on developer preview of the new OS, code-named Windows 8 at the moment.

According to Microsoft's President of Windows and Windows Live Division Steven Sinofsky, Microsoft has been completely re-imagining the Windows operating system. In doing so the company has brought a lot of new capabilities that coders will be able to dive into sooner rather than later.

The new "Metro-styled" user interface is right up front and brings new graphical elements of the Windows Phone 7 to your desktop, laptop or tablet. In addition to that, Windows 8 will also come with Internet Explorer 10 pre-installed as well as a more intense focus on apps that have the ability to communicate with each other.

If you have been using Windows 7 for a while now and you are used to it, you should have no problem making the switch to Windows 8. Windows 8 is built primarily on the same foundation as Windows 7 though the retooled Task Manager and Windows Explorer should tease your interests a little more.

The new Windows Store will allow developers to present their apps to any country that has availability to Windows 8, and support for ARM-based chipsets is also proudly included along with x86 compatibility. What this basically means is that every device from a small tablet to a large custom PC will be able to easily handle everything Windows 8 has to offer.

Microsoft has also confirmed backwards compatibility with "devices and programs" that support Windows 7. In addition to that it has also been said that developers will be able to download the Windows Developer Preview from the new Windows Dev Center later on in this week, though no official date has been specified.

I don't know about you but I am thoroughly excited for Windows 8. I can't wait to get my hands on this new operating system and start exploring all the new features it has to offer!

Source: Engadget - Microsoft launches Windows 8 developer preview, downloads coming 'later this week'


Find out what is going on in the Tech Army World.



What are the Top 10 Money Making Missions?

What other companies have joined and what do they do?

How do I join the
Tech Army Organization ?

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The Scout - Episode 4 - The Craftsmanship Series

Josh Vogel from The Scout on Vimeo.

We feel so lucky to have met the amazing, talented, and fun people at
The Scout - Tom Ran , Brennan Stasiewicz , Ed David , Mindy Best & Adam Uhl .
It has been really exciting to have been part of the process behind the shoot, and
quite a humbling experience to be the subject. The video captures very essential parts
of the work we do in a completely unique, and accessible way.
Our many, many thanks go to The Scout for this wonderful gift of perspective.
READ MORE » The Scout - Episode 4 - The Craftsmanship Series

Buried deep within...


josh discovered a metal hook in a chunk of maple
that he was turning last week. it may be there to have held some
old electrical wire at one point it time.

you never know what lies beneath the bark of a tree...unless
of course, you are a wood tuner :-)

READ MORE » Buried deep within...

Microsoft Patch Tuesday Bringing 15 Patches

Microsoft PatchAccording to a recent report from Microsoft, the company is planning on releasing a total of five security updates next week in order to fix 15 vulnerabilities located in Windows, Excel, SharePoint Server and Groove. All five of the updates will be rated as "important" which is the second highest ranking in the four-step security system set up by Microsoft.

Typically, Microsoft ships a smaller number of updates in months labeled as an "odd number month" and is keeping to that plan. The volume of September is down compared to August when Microsoft patched 22 problems with 13 bulletins or individual security updates. According to Director of Security Operations at nCircle Security Andrew Storms, "Not a lot there, but we didn't expect much. It is the light month, the down month."

Microsoft laid out all the details about the coming patches in an advanced notice of next week's patch day which is Tuesday. Two of the updates affect Windows with one of them only impacting Server 2003, 2008 and 2008 R2. The second patch fixes a few more bugs found in all supported versions of the operating system which include XP and Windows 7.

"There are a number of server-only components that have been present through the whole lifecycle of Windows Server," Storms added about the server-only update. "SMB is an example. And they patched SMB often in the last several months."

SMB, or server message block, is a network and file-sharing protocol designed by Microsoft that has already been patched multiple times this year including an update that took place in April that stopped up a critical hole that some analysts believe could be used by criminals to construct a dangerous worm.

An additional two updates also coming out next week will patch up problems located in Excel 2010 and Excel 2011 for the Mac and in the Office software altogether. The fifth patch will fix a plethora of server-side software including SharePoint, Groove and Office Web Apps, which is the cloud-based version of Microsoft's suite.

Source: Computer World - Microsoft plans 15 patches for Windows, Office next week

READ MORE » Microsoft Patch Tuesday Bringing 15 Patches

Anthology Magazine - Issue 4 Feature


We are very happy to be featured in Anthology Magazine - Issue 4 "The Great Outdoors"
"We spend some time in the Hudson Valley with the couple behind
Blackcreek Mercantile in Going with the Grain"
READ MORE » Anthology Magazine - Issue 4 Feature

HP Releases Seven All-in-One PCs

Even though Hewlett-Packard might stop selling WebOS devices and move its PSG (Personal Systems Group) into a separate company, they haven't been stopped from unveiling seven new PC's today. They updated their Omni, TouchSmart and HP Pro lineups. These PC's all have starting prices ranging from $400 to $900. So even though they might not be keeping their PSG division around (which is responsible for desktops and laptop PCs), they are making it clear they still plan to be a leader in the PC market. HP plans on all-in-one PCs becoming a huge seller next year and even cited that they expect interest to grow from 9.9 percent to 15.7 percent in the next 12 months.

The first two PCs they are rolling out are the Omni 120 and the Omni 220. The Omni 120 has a 20-inch screen and will offer up to 750 GB of hard drive space and your choice of an AMD or Intel processor. The 21.5-inch Omni 220 will have a unique cantilever design and will have Intel's 'Sandy Bridge' core processors. The Omni 220 will be available September 11 starting at $800 dollars, followed by the Omni 120 becoming available September 21 with a starting price tag of $400.

HP also plans to release four new TouchSmart PCs around the same time. The TouchSmart 320 has a 20-inch screen and won't be in stores until October 2 with a starting price of $600. The 21.5-inch Touchsmart 420 and 23-inch Touchsmart 520 will be available September 11 with starting prices of $700 and $900. All of the PCs come with touchscreen displays and include Beats Audio technology.

The fourth TouchSmart being launched is the Touchsmart Elite 7320 Business PC. This all-in-one computer comes with a 21.5-inch HD LED back-lite display. You will be able to choose a Core i3, i5, or i7 processor and HP plans to launch this model September 21, starting at only $850.

The last all-in-one PC, which has no confirmed launch date but should hit stores sometime in October, is the HP Pro 3420. This computer features a 20-inch display, Core i3 processor, up to 8GB of RAM, and up to 2TB of hard drive space. The starting price of this PC is set to be $600.

Source: PC World - HP Announces Seven New All-in-One PCs


Put your eye on the problem with Camera Security Now, installing security cameras since 1999. We install in the US and we can help you do it yourself.



Call us toll free 877-422-1907 between 8am EST and 5pm PST M-F. Talk to an expert about your serious security camera needs.

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I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree...


We recently wrapped up a project with the Cook Alumni Association, part of
Rutgers University, in which we began the process of dividing up & cataloguing
the very last of the Rutgers Kilmer Oak tree.

The Rutgers Kilmer Oak was an enormous white oak tree that was made famous
by the poem "Trees" by Alfred Joyce Kilmer. (click for more on Kilmer) For years,
the lumber had been lovingly saved.

The finished pieces will be used to promote undergraduate scholarships at Rutgers.

We are very happy to be able to post about our involvement in the long and notable
history of such a famous tree, and we are excited to have had the opportunity to help the
Cook Alumni Association develop their scholarship program.
Education is a commitment that we all must make, not only to ourselves, but to our future.


READ MORE » I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree...

Website update


getting there...

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Raine & Sage Giveaway!

The gorgeous Sonia from Raine & Sage is having a little giveaway to celebrate her 1 year blog-a-ver-sary!

Luna Turquoise Cushion - image by Raine & Sage

Head on over to her beautiful blog and go in the draw to win one of our stunning Luna Turquoise cushions.  If you win you will be one of the first in Australia to have your hands on this little pretty - they are only hitting stores this week.

Sonia is moving to Darwin soon, I shall miss her, she lives not far from our warehouse but I've made her promise that she has to open a beautiful homewares store up there in the north end and take some Brisbane style with her!
READ MORE » Raine & Sage Giveaway!