Riverbed Technology (NASDAQ: RVBD), the technology and market leader in WAN Optimization, today announced that the New South Wales Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) has selected and deployed a range of Riverbed(R) Steelhead(R) appliances, and also the Steelhead Mobile client acceleration software, at 101 distributed sites across NSW.

The Steelhead appliances have slashed DECC’s data network traffic and bandwidth usage and improved connectivity to and from the remote sites. This enhanced communication has enabled staff at DECC’s disparate sites – many of which are used as bases for the Rural Fire Service (RFS) – to immediately access the most up-to-date information, such as maps and photos. This instantaneous access to data is critical to fighting bush fires.

Formerly known as the Department of Conservation, DECC comprises four organizations – National Parks and Wildlife, the Environment Protection Authority, the Botanic Gardens Trust and parts of the former Department of Infrastructure Planning and Natural Resources NSW. The Department is responsible for managing the state’s natural resources, regulating activities to protect the environment and responding to the challenges surrounding climate change.

When these four organizations were merged, DECC’s IT department became responsible for four diverse IT environments in many locations across the state. The complexity of integration and management of these prompted DECC to research and build a new IT platform.

Fernando Martinez, Manager, ICT Infrastructure at DECC, says that a vital part of that initiative included WAN optimization to address the poor connectivity at its remote sites.

“A lot of our sites are in extremely remote locations where getting access to a suitable WAN connection is either not possible or extremely expensive,” he explains. “It’s simply not practical to add bandwidth to these remote sites, which is why we started looking at WAN optimization.”

DECC’s new IT architecture centralised both its email and backup applications and servers into the organization’s two data centers in Sydney. This increased the level of traffic traversing the WAN and further demonstrated the need for WAN optimization technology.

Martinez says he was impressed by the speed and simplicity of the Riverbed products, critical factors for a government department struggling with resources.

“The performance of the Riverbed Steelhead appliances during the pre-production trial was impressive,” explains Martinez. “The products scale exceptionally well and are simple to manage with the Central Management Console. This simplicity is paramount to us because we don’t have a dedicated person to look after these products — the less administration and management required, the better.”

As Australia gears up for another bush fire season, DECC will play a critical role in the RFS’ management of any potential disasters by making its remote sites available to fire brigades whenever necessary.

“DECC provides significant infrastructure support to the RFS during bush fire season, so it’s critical our WAN is performing at peak levels, especially around data transfer and email services,” says Martinez. “Already, our email traffic has been reduced by 75 percent, and the throughput we get at one of our remote sites in Mt Tomah is much higher than the physical link speed of the WAN connection. We’re seeing this kind of performance boost (50-55 percent reduction in data) at all the sites where we’ve deployed the Steelhead devices.”

According to Martinez, the increased capacity of DECC’s WAN allows the organization to carry out more business via the web. This means that staff need to travel less and the organization saves money. The Steelhead Mobile PC client acceleration software also provides the same benefits as the Steelhead appliances to those users who are constantly on the move.

“Remote and travelling users are happier because their applications run faster across the WAN,” Martinez says, “and the DECC is happy because we spend less money on bandwidth. Overall, I’m very pleased with the Riverbed deployment, having seen a dramatic reduction in the level of WAN data transmitted across our network. This has ultimately led to better levels of customer service.”

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Work at home jobs is particularly beneficial to moms who need to take care of their children. Thousands of work at home moms‘ find available jobs online, which help stay at home moms to get a suitable job and thereby earn a little extra every month.

If you want to search for a home based job without sacrificing your parental responsibility then you can select any of the online home based jobs like customer service, online surveys, data entry processing, virtual assistants, online tutor etc. You need to have some basic computer experience.

Work at home moms generally select data entry processing jobs since these jobs do not require much effort and time. You need to fill out the forms provided by the company at your own speed. Moms can do the work when you find free time.

Virtual assistants jobs however sometimes require qualifications. These jobs are suitable for moms who have previous experience in administration or clerical work. Virtual assistants can earn an income similar to a personal assistant in real world. However you need to provide regular hours. Moms of older children can try these jobs, which are also a great way to back into the career mode after timeout.

Online tutors are yet another suitable job for stay at home moms. There are some internet based companies that offer help to students of all age groups. If you have adequate knowledge in teaching, you can should look at becoming a tutor online

If you have good command over the English language, then ghost writing is a suitable home based job for you. You can write articles, books, stories or reports on behalf of clients and get paid for your services. Nornally this type of job does have deadlines, so more pressure for completing the job in a specified time period. But if enjoy writing, a job as a freelance writer could be the perfect solution working from home.

Transcription jobs are also suitable for stay at home moms. You need to transcribe the documents and edit records. Transcription jobs do require some special knowledge and so you need to normally do a short course and training.

Work at home moms can enjoy the fun of working at home atmosphere without sacrificing their family routine.

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Want to save some money? Ever wonder if you could do a car stereo installation yourself? Yes, you can do it yourself! Go ahead, spend that money on your hardware! Don’t spend it on labor. Besides, doing a car stereo installation yourself can be a very rewarding experience, not to mention you can learn a lot from it too. Nothing beats the feeling of seeing your “creation” in action, running smoothly and perfectly.

But be very careful, you really won’t want to damage your expensive hardware. Well, most car audio hardware are no-brainers to install, you’d find that most of the time the parts have specially shaped sockets and slots etc. and would only fit where it’s supposed to be installed. Still, it’s best to proceed methodically.

In a car stereo installation, you have to determine what kind of rig you’re going to put into your vehicle. If you’re a beginner, it’s best you do a car stereo installation if it’s just a simple system. You may want to leave the complicated stuff to the professionals, like installing delicate equipment like LCD panels, motorized parts etc. especially if it requires the creation of custom panels and such.

Head units are one of the easiest to do in a car stereo installation. Fortunately, most units follow the same size standards (DIN). In many cars, once the factory radio is removed the aftermarket radio will fit in the hole. In many other cars, a kit is needed if the factory hole is too big, or not deep enough. In some cases the dash has to be cut. Any car stereo store should have kits required for installation.

There are two types of mounting in a car stereo installation. ISO mounting is when the radio can be screwed to existing factory radio brackets, such as in most Japanese cars. Ring mounting is when an aftermarket radio comes with a metal ring that gets mounted to the factory radio hole or aftermarket kit via bendable tabs. In many cars, dash and trim rings have to be filed to enlarge the radio hole. Once the ring is installed, the radio slides in and is held by snaps. In most cases, special tools are required to remove the radio.

Speakers are very critical in a car stereo installation. No matter how expensive your speakers are, if they are not properly installed, the sound will not be up to par.

In a simple car stereo installation, you’ll probably be using speakers that fit into a factory location. Just make sure there are no gaps or holes. Sometimes building a wood or fiberglass baffle helps reduce holes and gives you much better sound. But always be careful when using power tools around speakers. Car stereo installation warranties usually don’t cover holes in speakers.

For unconventional speaker locations, sometimes metal has to be cut. You might want to leave this to the professionals, tools like plasma cutters and pneumatics drills are required. But if you’re going to insist, a pair of metal snips (left and right cut) will do.

A car stereo installation has to put up with vibrations and other noise sources in its environment. Even though it is impossible to eliminate these completely, there are products that will greatly decrease the noise and rattling, particularly on non-luxury cars. Liners, sprays and adhesive strips and even carpeting applied onto the panels can make a world of difference.

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After years of competing, working or just riding with you, the time comes when your horse starts to slow down. Since they age 1 year to our every 3 years, aging occurs in your horse’s life much faster than in your own.

Your horse is counting on you to take care of him in his senior years as you did in the earlier ones. Senior horses have different needs than they did even 5 years earlier. By knowing these needs you can prevent problems and give your horse the retirement he deserves.

Unless there is a medical reason it is good for your horse to stay active. Although he might not be working, exercise is essential to keep limber, make use of their lungs and other body parts as well as having the joy of experiencing the world around them. Turning him out will also keep the weight gain low and his spirits high.

They aren’t able to do as well with extreme temperature changes. It is important to be sensitive to the conditions that your horse is in at this stage of their lives. It’s always a good idea to keep a blanket handy in the colder days especially if you live in a higher elevation or where there are cold seasons. In the same way be sure to provide at least one or two shady spots where your horse can escape from the direct sun.

Your horse’s body will go through various changes as your horse ages. This includes his stomach and digestive system. Feeding your horse accordingly will make him more comfortable and provide what he needs at this stage of his life. There are some great supplements in the market that make up for deficiencies in nutrient absorption of senior horses. A favorite is TAHITIAN NONI® Equine Essentials^TM. One of the things that it does is promotes proper feed digestion and nutrient absorption. Another great feature is it supports the equine immune system with superior antioxidant activity.

Have you ever noticed that many senior horses get moody and stress easier? My favorite feature of TAHITIAN NONI® Equine Essentials^TM is that it contains adaptogens to help relieve stress. They are much calmer and relaxed. TAHITIAN NONI® Equine Essentials Flex^TM was formulated with horses who suffer from joint problems. It supports joint function but also includes MSM, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate as well as the Omega 3 and 6 oils found in the TAHITIAN NONI® Equine Essentials^TM. It has given many a horse a new lease on life. In Australia this product is know as Tahitian Noni™ Equine Formula™.

If you take care of your horse and give it love and support it needs, your horse has the potential of living into his thirties and even forties.

As indicated at the bottom of all our web pages, these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and these products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please visit our website for details.

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Has buying a horse got you confused? If your are looking to compare apples to apples..er, Quarter horses to Quarter horses, I mean..then there are a few things you must consider with each and every horse you look at. Here’s the list:

Temperament.

A horse’s temperament is extremely important to your overall experience. If you are a beginning rider, temperament is probably the most important factor when it comes to choosing a horse. A horse of good temperament is alert and ready to work, but also calm and willing.

Manners.

Manners are extremely important! They can mean the difference between a horse being easy to live with, and a horse being not-so-easy to live with! When looking at horses for sale, make sure you watch their behavior as they are being caught, handled, and ridden. And keep in mind that just like with us humans, bad habits can be hard to break!

Soundness.

If you are planning on riding your horse, working soundness is key. This means that the horse should not have any lamenesses that prevents the horse from moving correctly and therefore succeeding at its intended purpose. Horses who aren’t being ridden need to be checked for soundness depending upon what you are planning on using them for. For example, if you are looking for a broodmare, a breeding unsoundness would prevent the mare from having a foal. However, that same mare may be a great family riding horse!

Movement.

Horses should move smoothly and in balance, without stiffness, crookedness, or interference. When looking at younger horses, keep in mind that some of a horse’s gait is determined by training. If you have questions about a horse’s gait, it always helps to get an experienced horse person to look at the horse and give you his opinion. Is the horse’s way of going inherent, or is it something that can be improved with a little training? Be sure you watch the horse at all three gaits. If you ride the horse, is the horse comfortable? If you are a beginning rider, comfort is very important!

Conformation.

The way a horse is built will determine how a horse moves. It goes without saying that the horse shouldn’t have any glaring conformational faults that affect its way of going. Aside from that, the conformation of the horse should be suitable for the manner in which you intend to use him. If you are not educated when it comes to horse conformation, take someone along who is.

Health.

How healthy is the horse you are looking at? Ask to see the horse’s health records, to determine if their is anything long-standing, recurring, or permanent that would have to be dealt with. Temporary health issues can be easier to deal with and you may even get your horse at a discount price as a result. However, do remember that if you intend to buy a horse and then nurse him back to health, there’s a good chance you’ll have to spend time and money that you wouldn’t have spent on a healthier horse.

Accomplishments.

What has your horse done in the past? This may be a very important consideration if you are looking for a horse to show you the ropes; on the other hand, it may not be a consideration at all if you intend to train the horse yourself.

Size.

In the world of horses, size does matter! It is important that your horse fits you. As a general rule of thumb, bigger horses are more desirable because they can accommodate a wider range of riders. If you are looking at a smaller horse make sure your legs can fall in the right position. In other words, your heel should not be below the horse’s underline. If you are not certain, ask someone else how you look on the horse.

There sure is a lot to consider when looking at horses for sale and selecting the right horse. However, it’s important to know that careful selection will result in years of enjoyment. Take your time!

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There are many different kinds of building materials, such as lumbar, steel, bricks, concrete and the like. One of the largest costs in construction is the purchasing of the building materials. The building materials will cost even more than the hire or purchase of the power tools you will need.

It is very important to analyze the correct amount of building materials you are going to need on your construction project. You do not want to be left with excess building materials after you are finished, which will probably land up going to waste. You may also be able to get a better deal on the building materials if you buy a bulk amount of the quantity that you need.

Building materials should always be purchased for their purpose, rather than their appearance. You will want a sturdy, reliable material. In the case of office buildings, steel and glass are very popular materials. Most homes will be built with bricks and even wood. Wood is very aesthetically pleasing, as well as being a very strong building material. Wood can be cured to prevent water and insect damage, and once compressed, it is very strong and durable. Most good equipment hire companies will provide wood curing services.

In addition to the materials you will need for the structure of your building, you will need other materials for your foundation. These materials range from concrete and limestone to sand and cement. These materials can be sourced either directly or indirectly through your plant hire company.

When you buy your building materials, make sure that you keep quality and durability in mind. Do not fall for seemingly too-good-to-be-true deals where a material of lesser quality is offered for a cheaper price. Another way to save money on your purchase of building materials is to ensure that you are sourcing them locally. Building materials that need to be imported will be more expensive.

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AED’s are expensive.  They can save lives; still, they are expensive.  Fortunately, several organizations award AED grants to help cut your expenses.  This article will teach you how to get an AED grant and how to qualify for one.

The good news part 1 is that qualifying for an AED grant is not hard…if you know what to say. 

You see, most companies will require a(n)

- Organization Name
- Grant Application Contact Name
- Contact Phone Number
- Address
- Contact Email Address

And they’ll want some routine information concerning the number of AEDs you hope to obtain and what protocols your organization currently employs in the event of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA).

But listen to this:  surprisingly, many organizations aren’t concerned with how many defibrillators you want.  If you ask for 5 or 10 defibrillators–or just one–it doesn’t matter to them. 

No organization or need is too little.  Believe it or not, I overheard one donor admit that the most important criterion for him (in approving AED grant applications) is the size and type of the organization.  His number one goal was to put his money where he felt it would be of most use.

In other words AED donors *favor* smaller organizations such as…

- Schools
- Churches
- Fire and Police Departments
- Dental Offices
- Community Centers
- City and County Municipalities
- Volunteer Groups
- Sporting Organizations
- and even Individuals 
    

The good news (part 2), is that AED grants are not hard to come by…if you know where to find them and how to search.

(If you have not already) search the internet using keywords like “AED Grants,” “Defibrillator Grants,” or “AED Sales.”  Many organizations have sites with online applications and the forms take minutes to fill out. 

Best of all, a few grant donors can process your application in as little as one week and reduce prices by 20%.

That said, if you or somebody you know might benefit from an AED grant, don’t wait.  Begin the application process now.  Qualifying may be easier than you think.     

To apply today, visit our site at http://www.aed-grants.org

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Soap dispensers are inherently environmentally friendly because they “dispense” – i.e. This limits the use of detergent and therefore keeps the carbon footprint low as well as helping by putting less chemicals into the grey water treatment systems, again lowering the carbon footprint. Soap dispensers are much easier to use, don’t leave horrible deposits on the soap dish and don’t diminish to repulsive little slivers. All you have to do is drop an empty dispenser in the bin.

Soap dispensers are available to coordinate with any decorating style. No matter how your home is decorated, you’ll be able to find soap dispensers in a colors, sizes, and themes that complement the other accessories in your home. Soap Dispensers are either top filled or tap filled providing easy access at any moment. This makes the dispensers comfortable and easy to use. Soap dispensers are available to coordinate with any decorating style. If the dispenser is mounted to the mirror above the sink, users sitting in a wheelchair cannot reach it easily.

Wall mounted soap dispensers are most often located in the shower where larger amounts of liquid soap are used most often. However, you can install one over the bathroom sink or even over the kitchen sink if you choose. Wall clocks look excellent on any part of the home. You can dangle them up at the kitchen, hallways, children’s room, living room, master’s bedroom and the bathroom. Walls for restrooms should be floor-to-ceiling ceramic tile or epoxy concrete blocks, with ceilings 10 to 12 feet high. Recessed sprinkler heads, hand dryers and soap dispensers are more resistant to vandalism, as are stainless steel mirrors.

Stainless steel soap dispensers provide an easily maintainable finish and a long lasting clean appearance. ABS plastic soap dispensers provide and economical way to dispense soap that can be stylish and appealing. Stainless steel or brushed steel dispensers are very chic and elegant. An inexpensive alternative is the twin soap dispenser which has a separate pump for lotion to keep your hands silky smooth!

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Want to manage your own money? Trying to grow your nest egg as fast as possible to retire early? Considering a strategy that will let you live off your investments now?

Whatever the situation, if you’re interested in managing your own investments, what you need most is good information. Even if all you want to do is keep track of what the professional money managers are doing with the money in your mutual funds, you’ve got to have good information. If you are trying to actively trade stocks, options, mutual funds or other securities on a day trading basis, solid information becomes even more critical.

The best strategy for many people is “buy and hold,” which basically consists of purchasing solid investments, usually mutual funds, on a regular basis without regard to market fluctuations and simply holding them for 20-40 years until retirement. So-called “market timing” is discouraged by most experts because of the difficulty in picking actual bottoms and peaks in market values. But if you want to maximize returns so you don’t have to wait 30 years to enjoy your money, buy and hold just won’t cut it, unless you luck into buying a Microsoft in an IPO.

Fortunately, you don’t need to pick the absolute bottom to add a lot to your bottom line. In the latest economic cycle, the stock market fell over 20% between last year and now. Buying as the downtrend started on a dollar cost averaging plan would have left your portfolio a little less than 20% short now. The market may still fall further, but buying now still beats buying in October of last year by double digits. But following the economic indicators and daily economic news would have given you the information you needed to see that the market was heading into a downtrend so you could hold off your purchases.

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Maltese, with a shoulder height of around 9″ to 10″, are small dogs and weigh only 4 to 7 pounds. They have a characteristic silky white coat that’s long and straight and, if left untrimmed, can reach to the ground. The long hair is parted down the middle, from the nose to the tail.

Maltese thrive on love and attention and value time with their owners, which makes them suitable house pets that are also able to be kept in urban apartments. In addition, because they’re naturally playful and active, they don’t need much organized exercise.

What is specially appealing about Maltese dogs, adding to the cuteness factor of this breed, are the dark brown eyes and black nose that are so prominent against the the white coat.

Although the long hair is typical of Maltese, in hot climates some owners prefer to keep their Maltese clipped and will trim the fur to a length of 1 to 2 inches. This type of clip is known as a “puppy cut” as it makes an adult dog keep its cute Maltese puppy appearance. One can often find very appealing images of dogs with the puppy cut wherever Maltese dog prints are displayed or offered for sale.

While the exact origins of the Maltese breed remain a mystery, they undoubtedly have ancient roots as art objects going back 5,000 or more years show dogs with similar looks. It’s also a historical fact that Maltese were popular with the ancient Greeks and Romans, who kept the animals as lap dogs and carried them around with them – much as owners do today.

Although tiny in size, Maltese dogs are renowned for their courage and show little fear of larger canines. They make very good human companions as they’ve been bred for centuries as companion dogs.

Maltese are known to be affectionate and, as a result, form strong bonds with their owners who likewise become big fans of the breed.

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