An Alternative To A Kitchen TV

I had fun installing a computer as a tv in the kitchen. Its time to think differently and have a go yourself.

A LCD or plasma television in the kitchen is the 'in thing' nowadays. It is fast becoming common place to find a television set that has been permanently installed into the kitchen as a feature. The reason why is simple. They look great with their slim features and they can be mounted anywhere where there is a little space, whether it is on the wall, in a cabinet or on the ceiling. The tv in the kitchen is no longer located there for entertainment, but with a combined DVD player it is possible to run cooking demonstrations while the cook follows the instructions. Rewinding is optional. Why does it always look easier when someone else does it - go Jamie.

It obviously has Internet access to the world wide web. Your emails or MSN alerts are received and displayed in real time while you are cooking. You can stream countless radio stations from anywhere in the world. The tv tuner can be connected to satellite and I understand that some ISP providers can stream cable tv via the internet. Endless amounts of music stored on the computer in MP3 format. It has all the functionality of a computer (because it is one) with all the MS Office programs accessible through the touch of the screen. The computer sound outputs connect to a high quality 5.1 sound surround system.

For all its worth, that's about it with a kitchen tv. It plays whatever channels it can receive or what ever DVD you put into the player. But what if the kitchen tv was more than just that. What if the kitchen tv was more interactive. Wouldn't it be a grate idea to install a LCD touch screen connected through a computer into your kitchen? I did and it works brilliantly.

So what are the advantages of using a computer and touch screen monitor to a standard kitchen tv? Where do I begin?

My first attempt was about 10 years ago when the early LCD screens hit the general market. I installed one into a friend's house who was remodelling their kitchen at the time and wanted to be able to access their email and check stuff on the internet. Touch screens were not readily available then, so we installed a standard LCD screen so that it was visible all the time and put the keyboard and mouse into a draw below. Because we had a good quality 5 metre monitor lead we were able to put the computer into an adjacent cupboard. We included a tv tuner module in the computer for local tv reception. The system worked very well and I also included MP3 player software which became a great source of continuous music.

Just recently we have replaced the old dated computer and monitor with newer equipment. The monitor is a new 19 inch LCD TFT touch screen and is connected to a new Pentium 4, dual processing computer. The monitor is the same type that they use for point of sales in retail stores. We still used the draw to put the keyboard and mouse into but we hardly use it and if we were installing this from scratch I would have done away with it. The great thing is that most of the programs we use are windows based and menu driven.

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Tips on Shopping for a Mattress at a Mattress Warehouse

If you are unable to get a good nights sleep, you wake up the next morning feeling tired and bad-tempered. All your days activities suffer due to this condition and you end up feeling frustrated and way behind time.

There can be many reasons behind an uncomfortable and sleepless night. One of the important factors that contribute to a peaceful sleep is the kind of mattress that suits your needs. The body needs to be properly aligned and in a totally comfortable position in order to relax. Otherwise, something or the other keeps disturbing you throughout the night and as a result your sleep suffers.

If you are having problems sleeping at night then perhaps its time you changed your mattress. Many people think that they can get away with an inexpensive and low-quality mattress because when you are tired from a long days work nothing gets in the way of a peaceful sleep. However, its a totally wrong perception. Similarly, many people buy mattresses from retailers and other stores of the same kind just to buy an inexpensive piece. A good advice is to visit a mattress warehouse store and save hundreds of dollars down the road by enjoying a peaceful and comfortable sleep night after night.

When Do You Need a New Mattress?

Like everything else, there are indications to tell that your mattress needs to be replaced. These signs let you decide that you need a new mattress and a visit to a mattress warehouse becomes a must. Some of these indications are given below.

* When a mattress becomes old, it starts to lose its elasticity. You can tell this by feeling it all over. If its uneven and saggy, it's time to spend some money on a new one.

* A dying mattress often makes unusual and unpleasant sounds when you move on it. Furthermore, if you have a partner sleeping right next to you, a good mattress doesnt let him or her feel a thing when you leave the bed. If the mattress moves and makes sounds with each and every move you make, it will make it too difficult for the other person to sleep.

* Another sign of a mattress getting old is losing its firmness. You feel comfortable lying at one side of the mattress because it hasnt been used in a long time. On the other hand, the side where you used to sleep is no longer firm and you have a feeling as if somebody is moving the bed when you lie there.

Everything is made with a time frame in mind and after that period it expires. The same is the case with mattresses. Normally, good quality mattresses are made to last for a period of ten years or even longer. But after this duration, they become totally useless and ready to be thrown out. If you think your mattress has lived a longer life than expected, it's time to pay a mattress warehouse a visit.

What Advantages Does a Mattress Warehouse Offer?

At a mattress warehouse, you have more variety to choose from and can get a fairly good mattress at a very reasonable price. People who run warehouse businesses often buy items from the manufacturers in bulk and therefore get them at a lower than normal cost. This saving in turn is offered to the customers.

Another advantage of shopping at a mattress warehouse is that you can have specialists to give you advice on what you really need. You can even return your old mattresses and box springs to these warehouses and have them recycled.

Points to Consider While Buying a New Mattress

In order to buy a mattress that is comfortable, lasts longer and comes at a reasonable price, keep in mind the following tips while you are at a mattress warehouse.

* Test the mattress by lying over it and see if its even and does not make sounds when you move. Many inexpensive mattresses are the ones that have been recycled to be used again, and therefore you need to be very careful before buying a mattress for yourself.

* Investigate the whole store and have a look at all kinds of mattresses available. Dont judge them by their price; always test their support, firmness and quality.

* Make full use of the services and help offered by the warehouse employees and managers. Ask them the pros and cons of a particular kind of a mattress and whether you should buy it or not. Also make sure you are not missing out on any discount deals or other attractive offers.

* As a final step, ask them to let you have a test nap on one of the mattresses you have chosen. Place it on a box spring and see if its comfortable in all positions. Always prioritize your needs when you go shopping for a mattress at a mattress warehouse. Comfort, correct dimensions, quality and price are some of the factors to consider while choosing a mattress.

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