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Archive for 2013

Monday, February 11th, 2013

Install Mac OS X on PC

While Macs are extremely expensive, you can actually run the Mac OS X on a PC without the financial burden of buying a Mac. Often referred to as a “Hackintosh,” this process can now be performed without even using a Mac.

Step 1: Checking Your Hardware

Before you even begin to prepare installing Mac OS X onto your machine, you’ll first want to make sure that the computer hardware you have on your PC can run Mac OS X:

You’ll also need a retail DVD of OS X Snow Leopard and an additional blank CD. You should assemble the hardware according to the manufacturer’s specifications and ensure everything is situated correctly.

Step 2: Preparing the Boot Disc

There are two boot disk images which allow for direct OS X installation, iBoot or Empire EFI. You should go ahead and burn those images onto the blank CD. However, you cannot simply copy the file onto the blank CD. You must use a CD program to write the image onto the CD.

Step 3: Configuring the BIOS

There are only a couple of changes necessary.

1. In the Advanced BIOS features, you should set CDROM to be the first boot device, USB-HDD as the second, and the Hard Disk as the third.

2. In the Integrated Peripherals, you should set SATA to run in AHCI mode.

3. In Power Management, HPET Mode should be set to 64-bit mode.

Step 4: Installing Mac OS X

1. Insert the burned disc with iBoot or Empire EFI and eject the disk when a screen shows iBoot-Supported (or Empire EFI equivalent).

2. Insert the Mac OS X DVD and after a couple of seconds, press F5, and then Enter when the CD pops up.

3. You should then set up your partitions accordingly with Mac OS Extended (Journaled) as the format and GUID Partition Table as an option.

4. Install on the partition you just partitioned out.

Step 5: Installing the Boot Loader

When you reboot the computer, you need to first boot the machine with your burned CD and select the partition you created earlier to boot into OS X. You then need to download Multibeast to install the boot loader (alongside all the necessary drivers).

Based on your hardware configuration, your specific hardware options will have different selections in Multibeast. Allow Multibeast to install and then reboot your computer. Your computer should work without needing the iBoot or Empire EFI CD anymore! Congratulations! You did it!

Additional Help

However, this entire process is quite complex, and if you don’t feel comfortable installing Mac OS X by yourself, use TalkLocal to contact a local IT Professional. We will connect you with up to three professionals in your area who will be able to help you out!

Posted in Computer Repair | No Comments »

How to Get Rid of Bulk Trash

Monday, February 11th, 2013

On average, Americans produce about 280 million tons of garbage each year. While most of this is standard kitchen garbage, a significant portion of it is large items. Unlike a simple bag of trash, these bulk items aren’t always so easy or cheap to dispose of. This is evidenced by how much bulk trash is dumped illegally. This creates both an eyesore and a health hazard, so it’s important to dispose of it properly. Fortunately, there are a number of options available that make this easier. Here’s how to get rid of bulk trash.

Curbside

Oftentimes, the easiest way to get rid of big items you don’t want is to leave them on the curbside. Most cities have bulk waste pickup programs that will pick these things up regularly, albeit infrequently. There’s also the possibility that someone in the area may come and collect it for scrap. The country is full of people who make a living doing this, and it provides you with a quick and convenient way to dispose of bulky items.

The Dump

In most places, you can drive your bulk trash to the local landfill and dispose of it there. However, this can be expensive and may only be worth the cost if you have a large haul.

City Drop-Off

Some cities have programs in place that allow you to easily dispose of bulk waste. Such programs maintain several drop-off points in the area for people to leave their trash. Unfortunately, not all cities have these programs, and they still require you to load, transport, and unload things yourself. This can pose an injury risk, use up valuable time, and cost a lot of money in gasoline. Furthermore, the closest drop-off point may still be further away than is practical.

Garbage Removal Services

The best option by far is to hire a garbage removal service. For a fee, these companies will come to your home, load up your unwanted trash into a truck and haul it away. You’ll never have to become physically involved in the process. Use TalkLocal to find a reputable garbage removal service near you. We will connect you with up to three local professionals in just minutes!

Posted in Garbage Removal | 1 Comment »

Happy Birthday, Abe!

Monday, February 11th, 2013

Written by Dallea Caldwell

Here at Seva Call, we’re strengthening the Union one community at a time by making it easier for neighbors to find and talk to their friendly neighborhood pro to get assistance with everyday service needs. It was President Abraham Lincoln who once said that you destroy your enemies by making friends of them. Well, we destroy strangers by building connections- strengthening communities. On Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, we sure hope we would have made him proud.

Here are the 5 Best Ways to Celebrate Abe’s B’day:

Did you ever notice that Abe was the nation’s first bearded president?

It’s surprisingly tough as the average person tells 3 lies within a ten minute conversation!

Abe had one and loved animals.

Abe was a known funny man & once said, “If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?”

Because it is Apple Pie.

We honor and celebrate President Abe Lincoln and marvel that his great union is as strong as ever and more interconnected than he could ever have dreamed.

Posted in Seva Call | No Comments »

Weed Killer for Flower Beds

Sunday, February 10th, 2013

No matter how much care and love you put into maintaining your flower beds, it’s almost inevitable that weeds will eventually start to invade your carefully manicured flower beds. At this point, pulling weeds out by hand may be too impractical or difficult, so you may be looking for a weed killer specifically formulated for flower beds. Unfortunately, while there are many grass-safe weed killers, there are currently no commercial products that specifically act as weed killer for flower beds. However, with enough care and time, you can use weed killer in very small incremental targeted doses to kill off weeds in no time!

Methods for targeting weeds

One easy method is to use a small pint sprayer and just mist the leaves of the weeds. Once again, almost all weed killers are indiscriminate between weeds and flowers, so you’ll want to avoid using it against any weeds that are close to flowers. You may also want to use a sponger and gloves to apply the weed killer directly to the leaves of the weeds as well. This method offers even more control than the spraying method if weeds are located extremely close to flowers.

You may also want to use more natural methods as well, avoiding the harsh chemicals, making it safer for kids and pets. Household vinegar is a great weed killer and works especially well when there hasn’t been any rain for a while. Likewise, you can use salt water to kill off new weeds; keep in mind though that excessive use of salt may irreparably damage your soil, so only use it in areas of your flowerbed in which you do not want any plant growth.

After killing the weeds

After you’ve finished killing off all of the weeds in your garden bed, you may want to consider using Preen to keep the weeds from coming back. You can even get the Preen with plant food mixed in, simultaneously boosting your plant’s health while preventing any additional weeds from appearing. Corn gluten can also be used as a natural alternative to Preen.

Additional Help

If you’re still uncomfortable using any of these methods and want to be sure to protect your flowers, you should talk with a professional landscaper to figure out the best way to de-weed your flowerbeds. TalkLocal can connect you with high quality local landscapers in just minutes so that you can get your flowerbeds as clean and luscious as before!

Posted in Landscapers | No Comments »

How to Prevent Dogs from Getting Fleas

Sunday, February 10th, 2013

Preventing fleas on your dogs is actually a two-step process of killing the adult fleas on the body of your pets (using adulticides) and stopping their eggs from hatching in the environment. Flea eggs are not sticky and therefore drop off the body and fall onto the floor, the carpet, and any area that your dog occupies. Read below to learn how to prevent dogs from getting fleas with the help of a few products you can use to control infestation!

Insect Growth Regulators (IRGs)

Insect Growth Regulators are orally ingestible, flavored tablets or pills that have an active ingredient which kills the eggs and flea larvae. Some of these products are Comfortis/AcuGuard, Trifexis, Capstar, Sentinel (see a veterinarian for prescription), or Program. Check with your veterinarian to figure out which product would work best for your dog, and the appropriate schedules in which to administer them (e.g. monthly, seasonally). Most of these products have an immediate effect and achieve their maximum effect within four hours; certain products will completely kill the flea larvae and eggs. However, these tablets do not kill adult fleas and must be used in combination with spot treatments.

Spot Treatments

Spot Treatments are usually in the form of sprays and should be applied between the shoulder blades of your dogs back. Some of the popular brands you may have heard of are Frontline, Advantage, and Revolution. These sprays will kill the adult fleas and protect your dog for up to 12 hours after application. It might be wise to spray your dog and then proceed to vacuum the area for flea eggs and larvae that dropped off onto the floor and carpet. Using both IRGs and Spot Treatments will ensure that your dog is flea-free.

Tips for Keeping the Environment Flea-Free

When cleaning the area that your dog inhabits the most, throw a flea collar into the vacuum bag and vacuum up the eggs and larvae – this would ensure that they die and it will not infect the vacuum.

Additional Help

TalkLocal is a local service search engine can help you find a quality veterinarian quickly! We will connect you with up to three professionals in your area who will be able to help you when you need them.

Posted in Veterinarians | No Comments »

Form Limited Liability Company

Sunday, February 10th, 2013

A Limited Liability Company is a business structure that allows the members to have a limited personal liability for all the debts and actions of the company. Each state has specific requirements to form Limited Liability Companies, but businesses like banks and insurance companies, for example, cannot be categorized as LLC’s.

Form Limited Liability Company

When trying to form a Limited Liability Company (LLC), a person must file articles of organization with the secretary of state. This is just a short form that asks for the names of the owners/members, the contract and the filing fee. Another document that you should include that is not required is an operating agreement that details out the arrangement, ownership percentages, roles, rights, and responsibilities.

An LLC is usually easy to file for, so you should not need a lawyer. The state requirements to form are usually self explanatory, but you should take the time to clearly read and go over every form and contract you sign.

Advantages of Limited Liability Companies

1) Pass-through taxation

2) Less liability

3) Decreased paperwork

4) Multiple owners

5) Profits/losses pass directly through owners’ personal income tax return

Disadvantages of Limited Liability Companies

1) Earnings subject to self-employment tax

2) Cannot take advantage of incentive stock options/engage in tax free reorganizations

3) Lack of uniformity between different states

Additional Help

If you cannot seem to figure out how to file for a Limited Liability Company you should try to seek professional help. Use TalkLocal to be put in contact with reliable local accountants or attorneys within minutes. Simply input the problem you are having along with your availability and TalkLocal will do the rest of the work. We will connect you with up to three professionals who will be available to help you when you need them.

Posted in Accountants | No Comments »

It’s Another New Year… (in China that is)

Sunday, February 10th, 2013

Written by Dallea Cadlwell

It’s another new year… for the those who recognize the traditional lunar year; and it’s also start of the Spring Festival – a two week celebration which commonly features parades, performers in dragon costumes, fireworks, paper lanterns, and New Year Cake across China, as well as in homes and cultural centers across the Chinese diaspora.

Even if you’re not of Chinese heritage and won’t get a chance to experience the amazing festivities happening across the world, here’s your chance to celebrate another day bursting with hope and the promise of renewal. It’s a New Year in China; but it’s a new day everywhere. So, have some Chinese NYE themed fun today, thank your lucky moon, and take a moment to reflect on the year ahead.

Although you never need an excuse to remember your commitments to yourself and your future, here’s one anyway.

Most of us have forgotten the Mayan Armageddon craze, but if there’s one thing that the Mayan calendar has taught us, it’s that the end of the year does not mean the end of the world. Today is a time of rebirth- especially across China- but we should take it to heart, too. After all, no matter who you are or which calendar you follow, the Lunar, Gregorian, Mayan, and Hebrew calendars all agree that today is a new day, (or at least a few hours from being so depending on your time-zone).

“Happy New Year’s/Day Day!”

– Seva Call Team

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Desktop Monitor is Upside Down

Sunday, February 10th, 2013

The screen on your computer’s monitor may randomly turn upside down. This can be a confusing and frustrating issue when it occurs. Luckily, there is a quick and easy fix for when the screen on your desktop monitor is upside down.

Cause of Upside Down Computer Monitor

A few things can cause an upside down computer display. Viruses, accidental keystroke, and even some downloads can turn your computer screen upside down. However, you can easily rotate your screen so that it is in the proper position.

How to Rotate Computer Monitor Screen

There are two possible solutions to fix a computer screen that is upside down. The first one is put pressing Alt + Control + Up Arrow key until your monitor is right side up. You may also try Alt + Control + Down arrow key. However, this does not always work. You can also try manually resetting the monitor’s display.

To manually reset the monitor’s display:

1) Go to Properties by right-clicking on your screen.

2) Select “Settings.”

3) Click on “Advanced.”

4) Go to “Graphics Driver” or “Intl Extreme Graphics” tab.

5) Select “Graphics Properties.”

6) Depending on your operating system, you will either click on “Rotation” or click on “Display Settings.” If you select “Display Settings,” you will uncheck “Enable Rotation” followed by clicking “Apply.”

After you have fixed you monitor’s display, you should scan your computer for viruses, as an undetected virus may have caused the computer screen to flip in the first place.

Additional Help

If you need further assistance, contact TalkLocal to connect you with the best IT professionals in your area. We will connect you with up to three professionals in just minutes, who will be available when you need them.

Posted in Computer Repair | No Comments »

Can I Recycle Waxy Cardboard?

Saturday, February 9th, 2013

Can I Recycle Waxy Cardboard?

In the modern age of environmental responsibility, many people try to recycle everything they can. Still, a few items remain unable to be recycled because recycling plants can’t process them effectively. People often wonder about waxy or “waxed” cardboard and whether or not they can recycle it. Recycling companies take paper as well as regular cardboard, and they often will also take clean paper food containers, so shouldn’t they take waxy cardboard too?

The short answer: No

Recycling plants can’t recycle waxy or waxed cardboard the way that they can recycle unwaxed cardboard or paper. The wax cannot be removed during the process of recycling. Therefore, when the plant creates the new paper from the recycled cardboard, the raw material contains both wax and paper, not just the paper. The inclusion of the wax creates holes or breaks in the new, recycled paper, and leads to easy tearing of the paper, decreasing its sturdiness and making it unusable.

What Is “Waxy Cardboard,” Anyway?

Waxy cardboard refers to cardboard that has been coated with a layer of wax to prevent things like germ or mold contamination and insect infestation. Wax coating on cardboard also helps to prevent leaks or the seeping of oils. You can tell if you have waxy cardboard by running your fingernail along the coated or shiny surface. If you have waxed cardboard, the wax will peel off where you’ve scratched the surface.

Don’t Confuse Waxy with Glossy

Waxy cardboard is mainly used for things like produce boxes that are delivered to places like grocery stores and restaurants. It is actually not likely that most residential homes will have a lot of waxy cardboard on hand that needs to be disposed of. People often confuse waxy cardboard with glossy cardboard or paper. Glossy material can and should be recycled, and in most cases you can put glossy material out with your regular cardboard and paper curbside recycling.

Additional Help

If you need help with recycling or waste removal, use TalkLocal to find reputable recycling and garbage removal services. We will connect you with up to three garbage removal services in your area who will be available to help you when you need them.

Posted in Garbage Removal | 1 Comment »

Best Time to Seed My Lawn

Saturday, February 9th, 2013

Best Time to Seed My Lawn

The best time of year to seed your lawn depends on what type of grass you are planting, as well as the typical weather conditions of your area of residence. Some types of grass are cool-season grasses that should generally be planted in the early fall, while other types of warm-season grasses should be planted in the late spring or early summer.

Cool-Season Grasses

Cool-season grasses are more common for lawns in the northern portion of the United States. The best time of year to seed cool-season grass lawns is early fall, but you can also plant additional seeds in spring where the grass did not flourish. You should aim to plant the seeds during the daytime.

The ideal outdoor temperature for seeding your lawn is between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, with a soil temperature between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. If you seed your lawn when the temperature is too high, the seeds may dry out; but if you seed your lawn when the temperature is too low, the seeds might not germinate properly.

The most common cool-season grasses are:

– Ryegrass

– Kentucky Bluegrass

– Fine Fescue

– Tall Fescue

Warm-Season Grasses

Warm-season grasses are commonly planted in the southern portion of the United States. The best time to plant the seeds of warm-season grasses is in late spring or early summer, as this is when there will be a large amount of both rain and sun, allowing the the seeds to germinate faster and cover more ground.

You should aim to seed your warm-season grass lawn when the temperature outside is 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and the temperature of the soil is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If you wish, you can plant warm-season grass in the fall, but your chance of success will be lower. If you are planting warm-season grass in the fall, make sure that it is at least 60 days before the first frost or the grass will not be able to grow enough to survive the winter.

The most common warm-season grasses are:

– Bermuda Grass

– Buffalo Grass

– Bahia Grass

– Centipede Grass

Additional Help

If you do not want to seed your lawn yourself, you can hire a landscaper to do it for you. With the help of TalkLocal, you will connected with up to three high quality landscapers in your area, who will be available to help you when you need them.

Posted in Landscapers | No Comments »

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