The Art of Allen

Parks Associates says 61% of livestreaming viewers watch sports, the most popular type of content. The post Fact of the Day – 5/31/2022 appeared first on Connected World . from Connected World https://connectedworld.com/fact-of-the-day-5-31-2022/ via IFTTT

Consider making some relatively inexpensive changes if you're looking to boost your home's value or want to make your kitchen more enjoyable. The post 5 Inexpensive Ways to Elevate Your Kitchen Design appeared first on At Home in the Future . from At Home in the Future https://athomeinthefuture.com/2022/05/5-inexpensive-ways-elevate-kitchen-design/ via IFTTT

Today on The Peggy Smedley Show , I am sitting down with Peggy to discuss my new book, Becoming Resilient Parents , How to Thrive as a Caregiver with a Disabled Child. I have been thinking a lot about some of the principles in the book and how some might apply in construction. The book is divided into two halves: take care of you and take care of your child. While the second half of the book is about the basics of caring for a disabled child (i.e. – IEPs, (individualized educational plan) long-term planning, etc.), the first half is all about how to care for yourself, how to nurture your personal relationships, how to continue to take care of your passion, which could include a full-time job, and how to take care of your life. A big part of this is effective planning and time-management strategies. I share five of them in the book and will share each of them here in a short blog series. Before we get started, I recognize different construction professionals have different levels of ...

There are many boiler types available on the market, and it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you. The post The Different Types Of Boilers And How To Choose One appeared first on At Home in the Future . from At Home in the Future https://athomeinthefuture.com/2022/05/different-types-boilers-choose-one/ via IFTTT

Is the housing market still heating up or is it slowing down? Will it continue picking up speed? Or will it grind to a halt? The most recent NAHB (National Assn. of Home Builders) / Wells Fargo HMI (housing market index) points to some interesting trends. The HMI is based on a monthly survey of NAHB members, and it is designed to take the pulse of the single-family housing market into account. The survey asks respondents to rate market conditions for various components. Here is a more in-depth look at how it works. The index is a weighted average of three separate component indices: present single-family sales, single-family sales for the next six months, and traffic of prospective buyers. Each month, a panel of builders rates the first two on a scale of “good,” “fair,” or “poor,” and the last on a scale of “high to very high,” “average,” or “low to very low.” An index is calculated for each series by applying the formula “(good – poor + 100)/2” or, for Traffic, “(high/very high – l...

Ah, spring. When the ice melts and the mud flourishes in many parts of the country. Jobsites get even dirtier, and equipment gets unwanted mud baths. Whether on the job or once the equipment comes home, it can be cleaned faster and easier with the right tools. Pressure or power washers are popular gear for this activity and cordless washers are handy when power isn’t close at hand. WORX has you covered with a comprehensive lineup of efficient and user-friendly power cleaning options to get the jobs done. The WORX 40V Hydroshot MAX Portable Power Cleaner (450 rated psi) is a lightweight, cordless power cleaner that develops up to seven times the water pressure of a regular garden hose. Hydroshot features two operating speeds, which can be switched at the touch of a top-mounted button. On Hi-speed, water pressure is 450 PSI; on Lo, it’s 290 PSI. A four-pattern, spray nozzle rotates to adjust from 0º to 15º, 25º, and 40º settings.  When attached to a standard garden hos...

ABI Research says the metaverse and immersive collaboration and related services will reach $22 billion by 2030. The post Fact of the Day – 5/30/2022 appeared first on Connected World . from Connected World https://connectedworld.com/fact-of-the-day-5-30-2022/ via IFTTT

Do you want to get into the jewelry business at a low cost? Read on for tips on how to start a business designing and crafting silver jewelry. The post Start a Business Designing and Crafting Silver Jewelry appeared first on At Home in the Future . from At Home in the Future https://athomeinthefuture.com/2022/05/start-business-designing-crafting-silver-jewelry/ via IFTTT

Summer is here in the states! As the summer temperatures heat up, people want to stay cool—and there are several ways to do that sustainably in our homes. Air conditioning is one of the clearest ways to cool your home—but it uses a large amount of electricity, and with the price of utilities rising, so too are the costs associated with running the AC. Home air conditioning costs homeowners more than $29 billion annually, according to the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions . In warmer climates, as much as 20-50% of your annual energy use can go to cooling your house. This is impacting our pocketbooks and our environment. Some reports suggest AC use in the U.S. creates an annual average of about 100 million tons of CO 2 power plant emissions. While many of us likely won’t do away with the AC altogether, there are many small changes we can make that will lessen our impact. The U.S. Dept. of Energy points to many, such as fans, evaporative coolers, and heat pumps. We may also con...

“One of the most critical parts of your Smyrna garage door’s operation is the pulley mechanisms on it. They help distribute the garage door weight evenly as it goes up and down on those systems that have them. Needless to say, that is not a part that you want to have in a state of disrepair.” Article source here: Critical Parts of Your Garage Door’s Operation source http://smyrnagaragedoorrepair.blogspot.com/2022/05/critical-parts-of-your-garage-doors.html

“From single bay doors to large, custom sized luxury doors; our selection is truly what you have in mind! Smyrna Garage Door Repair LLC also installs these garage doors completely at your convenience .” Article source here: New Custom Garage Door Installation source http://smyrnagaragedoorrepair.blogspot.com/2022/05/new-custom-garage-door-installation.html

Berg Insight says the installed base of fleet management systems in South Africa to reach 3.6 million units by 2026. The post Fact of the Day – 5/27/2022 appeared first on Connected World . from Connected World https://connectedworld.com/fact-of-the-day-5-27-2022/ via IFTTT

Autonomous vehicles, like electric ones, are in the news lately. But while new, ground-up designs are the favorite topic, retrofitting a standard vehicle for autonomy is a growing segment of the market. To accelerate development of autonomous transit shuttles, last-mile delivery, and other R&D programs, Hexagon division AutonomouStuff’s new by-wire platform easily integrates autonomy software with by-wire and sensors to fast-track safe navigation on Ford Transit vehicles. The ability to quickly implement autonomous and automated capabilities has never been closer for Ford Transit platforms than by using positioning and perception sensors and a by-wire system to control the vehicle. Designed to integrate seamlessly, the system accelerates autonomous programs and shortens the time to market for commercial transit shuttle programs, last-mile delivery, and universities. The autonomy suite is flexible to be tailored across specific environmental needs and operated on set routes. A...

The kitchen is the heart of the home, and mothers everywhere have dreams of the ideal kitchen. The post A Quick Look At What Every Mom’s Ideal Kitchen Looks Like appeared first on At Home in the Future . from At Home in the Future https://athomeinthefuture.com/2022/05/quick-look-every-moms-ideal-kitchen-looks-like/ via IFTTT

Juniper Research says 5G voice users to reach 2.5 billion globally by 2024. The post Fact of the Day – 5/26/2022 appeared first on Connected World . from Connected World https://connectedworld.com/fact-of-the-day-5-26-2022/ via IFTTT

Extreme weather conditions seem to increase annually.  Climate experts predict  more extreme temperatures, heavier precipitation in the winter, and drier conditions in the summer will become more prevalent. Intense storms, with strong winds and flooding rain, are expected to become more common as well. Welcome to the world of climate change. These changes put more pressure on designers, contractors and, most importantly, the building envelope. To prevent failures and premature aging, materials must be carefully selected to withstand the specific extreme weather conditions of the region where the building is located. Material science is working to develop more sustainable construction materials while keeping an eye on how creating those new materials has an impact on the climate as well. Recent studies revealed that energy is top of mind for construction stakeholders. For owners and occupants, it’s all about costs: Gasoline and diesel prices are  expected to rise even ...

There is no question that AI (artificial intelligence) pops up in the news at regular intervals, usually with breathless claims for its value in a business or personal application. People worry AI will take over their lives; people worry AI won’t live up to the claims made for it. Users want more AI, critics want less. But what is AI in the real world? Research companies try to define the terms they research to be sure they are asking the right questions and their data are valid. One of the largest firms tracking AI is IDC, (Intl. Data Corp.) Seeing a breakdown of what constitutes an AI application in their research can give us a better understanding of what is going on in that arena. IDC starts by breaking down AI research into: Three technology groups with 10 technology categories:  Hardware (server and storage), software AI-apps, AI lifecycle, AI software services, intelligent knowledge discovery software, AI application development and deployment, and AI system-in...

As we approach the halfway point of 2022, the cybersecurity outlook for the year could be better. In April, there were at least 11 cyberattacks in the U.S. targeting several different sectors—public administration, healthcare, universities/education, telecommunication, and food. For instance, Austin Peay State University was the victim of a ransomware attack at the end of last month, as was the ADA (American Dental Assn.) . Thanks in part to the spike in cybersecurity incidents in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, more organizations are investing in proactive measures to keep themselves as safe as possible. One example of a proactive measure is adopting risk management software, which not only helps organizations prepare for potential cyberattacks but also helps them monitor and control various other risks, including those related to compliance. According to Allied Market Research , the global market for risk management (including both software and services) will reach $28.87 billi...

As we move forward into greater digital transformation and leveraging AI (artificial intelligence), companies are trying to decipher what works well and simply, what doesn’t. This is precisely what Intel has uncovered in a survey and shared in its presentation: Harvesting Value from AI Investments. Here is what I have gleaned learned from its research. Roughly 72% are actively engaging with AI today, but few are systematically building a solid foundation for AI value. Roughly a quarter have a company-wide vision and strategy around AI in their organization. Less than that are experimenting around where AI adds value; have data and privacy governance in place as guardrails for smart projects; reliably do risk assessments around AI initiatives and projects; execute smart vision and strategy; and have a solid foundation of infrastructure and tools to build AI solutions. The big takeaway here is that we are moving away from the very early adopter phase of AI, but now companies are at th...

IDC says software sales through North American distributors saw a compound annual growth rate of 5% from 2018 to 2021. The post Fact of the Day – 5/25/2022 appeared first on Connected World . from Connected World https://connectedworld.com/fact-of-the-day-5-25-2022/ via IFTTT

“Having proper garage door insulation saves both money and energy efficiency and that’s why more Smyrna locals are choosing to have this specialized service done for them. Our insulated garage doors are for all seasons ; not just the cold ones.” Article source here: Proper Residential Garage Door Insulation source http://smyrnagaragedoorrepair.blogspot.com/2022/05/proper-residential-garage-door.html

With the volatile and bearish state of cryptocurrency and stocks, many investors are turning to property as a more opportune investment. The post 5 Things to Consider When Investing in Property appeared first on At Home in the Future . from At Home in the Future https://athomeinthefuture.com/2022/05/5-things-consider-investing-property/ via IFTTT

Looking for some fun and easy DIY projects you can make at home? You're in luck! The post 6 DIY Project Ideas You Can Make At Home appeared first on At Home in the Future . from At Home in the Future https://athomeinthefuture.com/2022/05/6-diy-project-ideas-can-make-home/ via IFTTT

With the signing of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and a significant portion of our infrastructure reaching the end of its expected life, the demand for infrastructure renewal and asset management is higher than ever. As funds are allocated to begin the work on U.S. infrastructure, companies around the country are preparing to enter the bidding wars to get a part of the action. Those that are already on the leading edge of digitalization will, no doubt, have a leg up. And developers and vendors of the products to make a difference in digitalization are ready, too. Trimble and Infotech, a SaaS solutions provider for the infrastructure construction industry, for example, have entered into an enhanced collaboration to improve the inspection process for civil infrastructure projects. Through the connection of Trimble Access field software and Infotech’s Appia service, the software integration streamlines the workflow from survey to construction to provide high-accuracy measurement wo...

While many areas of construction continue to surge, one is beginning to show some signs of weakness. Certainly, higher interest rates, rising inflation, and the looming recession are factors for all sectors of construction, but so far, they have not impacted all sectors of construction to a high degree. Ultimately, construction companies will need to adjust business processes and technology adoption, as we move further into 2022. The numbers tell an interesting story. Total construction starts rose 3% in April to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $945.8 billion. Breaking it out by segment, nonresidential building starts rose 6% and residential starts increased by 4%. Meanwhile nonbuilding starts—infrastructure—fell 4%. Looking closer it’s clear what is happening with infrastructure. Starts in the environmental public works category rose 8%, while utility/gas plant starts moved 10% higher. Starts for highway and bridge projects fell 14% and miscellaneous nonbuilding starts dropped ...

Inflation is on the rise, and that leaves many businesses with a big decision to make—including those in the construction industry. In order to deal with the steep rise in inflation, is your company increasing prices or investing in the analytics that will ultimately increase productivity and lower labor costs? One analyst has weighed in, with results from a recent survey. In December 2021, Gartner surveyed 400 finance executives. Here’s what it found. The most selected combination of value and technology was self-service data and analytics as a driver of employee productivity. Roughly 49% of respondents indicate this perception of the technology. What’s more at least one in four respondents also saw it as being a driver of increased organizational speed and agility. Let’s dig in a bit deeper to the specific technologies that are helping. Self-service data analytics refers to technologies and processes users leverage with minimal involvement from IT departments. The technology is en...

Gartner predicts 65% of B2B sales organizations will transition from intuition-based to data-driven decision making by 2026. The post Fact of the Day – 5/24/2022 appeared first on Connected World . from Connected World https://connectedworld.com/fact-of-the-day-5-24-2022/ via IFTTT

In 1971, John Denver sang, “Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy.” In 2022, energy companies are singing, quietly, “Sunshine on our panels makes us happy.” The environmental movement is also happy with the sun shining on solar panels as that is one step closer to lowering emissions to battle climate change. As Research and Markets reports show, climate change has spurred a flurry of investments in renewable sources and decarbonization efforts. More than 100 countries pledged to cut methane emissions by 30.0% from 2020 levels at the recent COP26 and this is likely to have a direct impact on the energy sector, further boosting transition to other renewable sources like solar PV (photovoltaic). Unlike wind power which requires significant investment in equipment and land, solar PV offers several advantages: low investment, low maintenance, an abundant source of power all through the year, and ease of accessibility. The result is that the United States solar energy market is expected...

Parks Associates says two-thirds of prospective MDU residents report pre-installation of smart home devices is an important factor when selecting a new home. The post Fact of the Day – 5/23/2022 appeared first on Connected World . from Connected World https://connectedworld.com/fact-of-the-day-5-23-2022/ via IFTTT

Solar panels are a great option to help reduce emissions as homes are expected to become the single largest consumer of electricity, surpassing industry, and therefore the largest contributor of carbon dioxide emissions by 2050—but there is still one big hurdle to overcome. On this blog, we have explained in-depth what solar is and how it can help reduce emissions, but this technology—like much else in the smart and sustainable home—comes with a cost. Cost is perhaps one of the biggest disadvantages of solar energy to this day, next to the fact that it can be dependent on weather in the region. Naturally, the cost of solar panels is going to depend on the type of system, roof type, and the location of the home or building, with the average cost ranging anywhere from $3,000 to $35,000. Yes, that is a wide range to consider. While prices have dropped in the past decade, I am not sure they are dropping fast enough for the average consumer, although there are some really big players jus...

If you're booking a trip anyway, go open a Chase Sapphire Preferred card to protect your trip and get up to $2600 in free credits for your next trip. The post DEAL ALERT: Get TWO Vacations for the Price of One with Chase appeared first on At Home in the Future . from At Home in the Future https://athomeinthefuture.com/2022/05/deal-alert-get-two-vacations-price-one-chase/ via IFTTT

“We offer safety conscious and very affordable installation service that is done at your convenience and that ensures that your garage door is connected properly to your cables, tracks, pulleys, springs and to your home’s garage door opener unit . If you need a new garage door for us to install, we can help there, too.” Article source here: Garage Door Pulley Replacement and Repair source http://smyrnagaragedoorrepair.blogspot.com/2022/05/garage-door-pulley-replacement-and.html

Berg Insight says the number of smart homes in Europe and North America will reach 105 million in 2021. The post Fact of the Day – 5/20/2022 appeared first on Connected World . from Connected World https://connectedworld.com/fact-of-the-day-5-20-2022/ via IFTTT

Napoleon had serious trouble at Waterloo in 1815 when he met the British-led army arrayed against him. Unfortunately, Bonaparte’s Retreat (the real one, not the folk song) was so long ago, there was no Internet to stream the action to computers and TV set everywhere. A newer action at Waterloo, this time in Iowa, will result in many more opportunities for streaming—and better quality streaming at that. Metronet will bring gigabit-speed, 100% fiber optic Internet service directly to homes and businesses of the City of Waterloo. The fully funded multimillion-dollar investment will provide residents and businesses with access to a reliable, ultra-high-speed Internet that will make Waterloo a Gigabit City with Metronet’s future-proof network. The two-year construction project will begin in summer 2022, with the first customers receiving service before the end of the year. Once completed, Waterloo will join Ames, Bettendorf, Davenport, Ankeny, and nearly two dozen other Iowa cities in be...

Are you looking to quickly and easily upgrade your kitchen and bathroom without spending a lot of money? The post Home Maintenance Tips: Wow to Quickly Upgrade Your Bathroom & Kitchen appeared first on At Home in the Future . from At Home in the Future https://athomeinthefuture.com/2022/05/home-maintenance-tips-wow-quickly-upgrade-bathroom-kitchen/ via IFTTT

Juniper Research says hearables shipments will exceed 200 million globally by 2024. The post Fact of the Day – 5/19/2022 appeared first on Connected World . from Connected World https://connectedworld.com/fact-of-the-day-5-19-2022/ via IFTTT

“If you can’t define it, you can’t manage it.” Increasingly, terms are created without adequate definition and people use them without knowing how others will see what they say. Nowhere is this truer than in high tech. Often common, everyday words are appropriated by technology companies to be used in totally different ways than originally used. In construction and architecture, the technology of CAD—computer aided design/drafting—and BIM—building information modeling—have become commonplace. Each depends on a commonly accepted database of terms, so interoperability and data value are maintained. With the growing demands for connected devices, the IoT (Internet of Things) is fast becoming the next arena for defining terms for everyone’s benefit. As building owners become increasingly interested in advanced tools to better manage their properties, Buildings IOT released the  OAP (Ontology Alignment Project) . This open-source ontology includes a data model for a growing...