10 Creative Ways to Find the Right Exterior Home Color

Trying to choose the right exterior home color – 10 tips to help.

Whether you know it or not, the exterior of your home is an extension of your home’s personality and what it “says” to the neighborhood. Depending on what exterior amenities, architectural details and color you choose can help your home shine in its best light. If you have been looking at the exterior of your home and thinking it could use a facelift – adding color is one of the most affordable and eye-catching ways to make a big impact. From adding curb appeal to your exterior home, to creating a statement, finding the right exterior color can be made easier with these 10 creative tips.

1. Assess your home’s personality:

Similar to your favorite wardrobe style your home has a personality. It can be shaped by the neighborhood, your family lifestyle or the geographic location you live in. Choosing an exterior color should reflect its personality of being stately – with a refined and subdued color palette or it can be young and hip with trendy colors that are out of the box. Determine how you want your home to feel and look and let it guide’s its color personality.

Use your home’s architectural style to help you decide on colors

2. Take color cues from your home’s architecture:

The beauty of architectural elements are the ability to use character, details, texture and colors to showcase an era of your home that is unique to your home and neighborhood. If your home is an old world Tuscan or Mediterranean inspired villa – weathered whites, terra cotta oranges and sun-kissed brown details are ideal for barrel tile roof and trim details.

Choose exterior colors based on building material options

3. Use nature as backdrop for color selections

The surroundings of your home can impact your exterior color selection in a beautiful way! Beach homes, mountain homes and tropical inspired homes have nature to draw inspiration from. Use colors found around your home – beach homes can take cues from the sand, water and sky with beautiful pale shades of white, tan, blues, and pale green and yellows.

Choose exterior colors that speaks to your home’s history

4. Recreate an exterior from past vacation memories

For many homeowners drawing color inspiration from travel can inspire exterior colors that are creative and unique. If your trip to a tropical getaway was fun, why not use these colors at your native home? Many island homes use bright and whimsical colors such as turquoise, peach, sunny yellow, coral, and lavender for their exterior homes. While you may love them in small amounts, remember ultimately your home should still look great amongst neighboring homes.

5. Use historical character for exterior color ideas

If you live in a historic Victorian home or in a aged Tudor style home, you know that keeping true to the historical character of your home’s original colors is essential. While your home may be hundreds of years old you may not be able to know off-hand what colors where native to your home and surrounding homes. If your city has a Chamber of Commerce or historical architectural organization you may be able to research exterior colors for your neighborhood. Also look to paint manufacturers that feature historical color palettes that are pre-selected. This can take the guesswork out of choosing the right exterior house colors from generations in the past.

Seek inspiration for exterior colors from past vacations memories

6. Let your choice of exterior color help guide your color options

Exterior cladding or the material you use on the exterior of you home can take much of the guesswork out of choosing exterior colors. Brick, siding, stucco/plaster and concrete all have unique qualities for each type of material. Choose a material that represents your style and works well with the climate of your home. You will be surprised that brick can come in colors as light as whitish yellow all the way to the darkest of charcoal gray! Find a material you love and then look at the color options based on the finish you are looking for.

Choose exterior colors that enhance your home’s surroundings

7. Landscape color can enhance your exterior house colors

Similarly to architectural trim and details the landscaping around your home can enhance your home’s color selection. Curb appeal is essential and to make a great impression coordinating bright flowers with a more subdued color palette on your home can be ideal or vice versa. If you have gorgeous vistas and plenty of beautiful foliage decide how you can play up the red brick or hunter green siding on your exterior home. If you’re not sure what colors to choose for landscaping, take pictures of your outdoor home with you to your local nursery and ask a garden expert for advice!

Use landscaping to enhance colors of your exterior home

8. Exterior house colors should use architectural details for impact

While you may only think of the field color or the majority of the exterior walls as the color of choice, remember the smaller details of the home can be the crowing glory when it comes to color selection. Window and door trim, roof and eave colors, gutter and downspouts can be painted or gorgeous copper gutters have a beautiful patina as well. Decide if you want a high-contrast to your home’s trim and accent colors or if you prefer a more unified color approach. Either way, don’t overlook the simplicity yet effectiveness in choosing exterior trim detail colors.

9. Choose exterior colors that are appealing at all times

While you may not realize it, your exterior home is viewed in the daytime but also when the sun is setting and in the evening hours. Therefore, choosing a color that is camouflaged amongst your surrounding landscaping may not be a wise choice. Many mountain homes that lie amongst evergreen trees try to stay away from all-green exterior colors to make their home stand out amongst the background. Natural wood siding that is stained is common amongst mountain homes to give a rustic yet still defined exterior appearance.

Choose a color palette that is inviting in the day and evening

10. Blend in with your neighbors

Your neighborhood most likely has a color scheme influence already set in place. Whether you are a new neighborhood that a developer has created or you have an older home – walk around your neighborhood and assess existing homes. Look to see if your neighbors have coordinating styles or if they are all custom colors that don’t harmonize. The key to choosing exterior house colors is to be unique in your selections but still blend in beautifully with neighboring homes.

10 Creative Ways to Find the Right Exterior Home Color

Trying to choose the right exterior home color – 10 tips to help.

Whether you know it or not, the exterior of your home is an extension of your home’s personality and what it “says” to the neighborhood. Depending on what exterior amenities, architectural details and color you choose can help your home shine in its best light. If you have been looking at the exterior of your home and thinking it could use a facelift – adding color is one of the most affordable and eye-catching ways to make a big impact. From adding curb appeal to your exterior home, to creating a statement, finding the right exterior color can be made easier with these 10 creative tips.

1. Assess your home’s personality:

Similar to your favorite wardrobe style your home has a personality. It can be shaped by the neighborhood, your family lifestyle or the geographic location you live in. Choosing an exterior color should reflect its personality of being stately – with a refined and subdued color palette or it can be young and hip with trendy colors that are out of the box. Determine how you want your home to feel and look and let it guide’s its color personality.

Use your home’s architectural style to help you decide on colors

2. Take color cues from your home’s architecture:

The beauty of architectural elements are the ability to use character, details, texture and colors to showcase an era of your home that is unique to your home and neighborhood. If your home is an old world Tuscan or Mediterranean inspired villa – weathered whites, terra cotta oranges and sun-kissed brown details are ideal for barrel tile roof and trim details.

Choose exterior colors based on building material options

3. Use nature as backdrop for color selections

The surroundings of your home can impact your exterior color selection in a beautiful way! Beach homes, mountain homes and tropical inspired homes have nature to draw inspiration from. Use colors found around your home – beach homes can take cues from the sand, water and sky with beautiful pale shades of white, tan, blues, and pale green and yellows.

Choose exterior colors that speaks to your home’s history

4. Recreate an exterior from past vacation memories

For many homeowners drawing color inspiration from travel can inspire exterior colors that are creative and unique. If your trip to a tropical getaway was fun, why not use these colors at your native home? Many island homes use bright and whimsical colors such as turquoise, peach, sunny yellow, coral, and lavender for their exterior homes. While you may love them in small amounts, remember ultimately your home should still look great amongst neighboring homes.

5. Use historical character for exterior color ideas

If you live in a historic Victorian home or in a aged Tudor style home, you know that keeping true to the historical character of your home’s original colors is essential. While your home may be hundreds of years old you may not be able to know off-hand what colors where native to your home and surrounding homes. If your city has a Chamber of Commerce or historical architectural organization you may be able to research exterior colors for your neighborhood. Also look to paint manufacturers that feature historical color palettes that are pre-selected. This can take the guesswork out of choosing the right exterior house colors from generations in the past.

Seek inspiration for exterior colors from past vacations memories

6. Let your choice of exterior color help guide your color options

Exterior cladding or the material you use on the exterior of you home can take much of the guesswork out of choosing exterior colors. Brick, siding, stucco/plaster and concrete all have unique qualities for each type of material. Choose a material that represents your style and works well with the climate of your home. You will be surprised that brick can come in colors as light as whitish yellow all the way to the darkest of charcoal gray! Find a material you love and then look at the color options based on the finish you are looking for.

Choose exterior colors that enhance your home’s surroundings

7. Landscape color can enhance your exterior house colors

Similarly to architectural trim and details the landscaping around your home can enhance your home’s color selection. Curb appeal is essential and to make a great impression coordinating bright flowers with a more subdued color palette on your home can be ideal or vice versa. If you have gorgeous vistas and plenty of beautiful foliage decide how you can play up the red brick or hunter green siding on your exterior home. If you’re not sure what colors to choose for landscaping, take pictures of your outdoor home with you to your local nursery and ask a garden expert for advice!

Use landscaping to enhance colors of your exterior home

8. Exterior house colors should use architectural details for impact

While you may only think of the field color or the majority of the exterior walls as the color of choice, remember the smaller details of the home can be the crowing glory when it comes to color selection. Window and door trim, roof and eave colors, gutter and downspouts can be painted or gorgeous copper gutters have a beautiful patina as well. Decide if you want a high-contrast to your home’s trim and accent colors or if you prefer a more unified color approach. Either way, don’t overlook the simplicity yet effectiveness in choosing exterior trim detail colors.

9. Choose exterior colors that are appealing at all times

While you may not realize it, your exterior home is viewed in the daytime but also when the sun is setting and in the evening hours. Therefore, choosing a color that is camouflaged amongst your surrounding landscaping may not be a wise choice. Many mountain homes that lie amongst evergreen trees try to stay away from all-green exterior colors to make their home stand out amongst the background. Natural wood siding that is stained is common amongst mountain homes to give a rustic yet still defined exterior appearance.

Choose a color palette that is inviting in the day and evening

10. Blend in with your neighbors

Your neighborhood most likely has a color scheme influence already set in place. Whether you are a new neighborhood that a developer has created or you have an older home – walk around your neighborhood and assess existing homes. Look to see if your neighbors have coordinating styles or if they are all custom colors that don’t harmonize. The key to choosing exterior house colors is to be unique in your selections but still blend in beautifully with neighboring homes.

How to Get Rid of Unpleasant Odors in your Home

 

There’s nothing less inviting than walking into a home with a bad smell. There are many things that can contribute to a home’s less than rosy scent. Pets, smoke, mold and mildew, and cooking can create odors that permeate the air and linger around. These odors will eventually penetrate into the walls, carpeting and furniture. I will share some simple steps to help prevent and remove these potentially offensive odors.

• Open your windows! The best gift you can give your home is the gift of fresh air. Whenever possible open the windows and let the air flow through. Even on a cold day, open your windows for a few minutes. Fresh air quickly and naturally removes airborne odors like those from cigarette smoke and cooking.

• Vacuum. Regular cleaning of floors, carpets and upholstery such as couches and curtains will help keep your room smelling fresh. To carpeting you can add a room deodorizer, or baking soda. Simply sprinkle onto rugs and carpeting and let sit long enough to absorb the oil and dirt before you vacuum.

• Wash. Clean hard surfaces regularly. Glossy paint, hard flooring, countertops, sinks and tables with soap and water or a mild cleaner that is appropriate for the surface being cleaned. Using a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water, you can create your own cleaner that is environmentally friendly, inexpensive and effective for all surfaces. Lemon, substituted for the vinegar, also has antibiotic properties. For those areas where odors can really accumulate, such as bathrooms and kitchens, a cleaning solution may be more effective in removing those really tough odors. Bleach whitens and it is also effective in killing and removing mold spores.

• Bright ideas. Clean light bulbs. Dirt and oils can accumulate on lightbulbs and the heat accentuates these odors. From time to time with a lightly damp cloth, wipe the lightbulb clean. Do be careful to not let the damp cloth touch the metal part of the bulb.

• Filter it. Clean and change your filters in your heating and cooling systems. This will not only improve air quality,but it will make your heating and cooling systems much more efficient. Also be sure to check and replace the filter in your vacuum cleaner.

• Repaint. When it seems that you have tried everything and nothing seems to work, repaint your space. The fresh paint will cover the old paint and get rid of the bad odors associated with it.

What you can do: A Room by room guide

Living areas

Bedroom, family and living rooms are fairly simple and straightforward to keep clean and tidy, and therefore odor-free. Regular vacuuming and dusting should be sufficient. If you are a smoker, someone in your home is a smoker or have entertained a smoker, making sure that the room has plenty of ventilation is key. Open windows when necessary and consider purchasing an air purifier.

Fresh flowers always help to eliminate odors and candles can temporarily mask smells too. Bed linens and upholstery should be washed and laundered on a regular basis. Curtains should be cleaned as well. If an odor persists in your rugs or carpeting, it may be time to replace them. Walls, if painted in a semi or high gloss, or covered with wallpaper, should be wiped down with a lightly soapy, damp sponge from time to time.

Kitchens

Kitchens, with all their traffic and uses, are rooms where odors accumulate and trap. Cooking leaves a film of light grease in the air that clings to walls, light fixtures, floors, countertops… well, everything really. If you have an exhaust fan, use it. Use it regularly when cooking and keep it on for a while after cooking. Keep your countertops clean and wipe them down with a homemade or store bought cleaner at the end of every day. Floors should be vacuumed daily as well, especially in the homes with (messy!) children and pets. Crumbs and pet hair and dander are not only unsightly but will be tracked through the rest of the house.

Wipe down the stove-top after use as well as anything that might be on or near it. It’s inevitable to avoid cooking splatters. At the end of the day wipe down sinks. Natural, or products made with bleach will kill all harmful bacteria. If your dishwasher has an odor place a cupful of vinegar on the top rack and run a cycle. Do keep a container of baking soda in the refrigerator to absorb odors, and change replace every couple of months. Wipe down doors and shelves on a regular basis as well.

Bathrooms

Due to the heavy moisture content in these often small rooms, mold and mildew have a tendency to grow here. Keep bathrooms ventilated when using the shower or bath. Ventilation, in this room, is perhaps the single most important thing one can do to keep this space odor-free. If you don’t have a fan, then do be sure to keep the windows open. Wipe down the sink and bathtub on a regular basis, using bleach to keep the mildew at bay. Wipe down walls with a damp sponge, mop the floors and keep the toilets clean. If you have a bathroom that doesn’t get much use, say in a guest room, do go in and run the water, flush the toilet and open the window from time to time. Avoid using those plug in room fresheners, they tend to be overwhelming and often are worse than the odors they are trying to mask.

Some people keep their kitty litters in the bathroom. Kitty litters have a strong odor, even when clean they emit a strong odor and can permeate the air and affect the rest of the home. If you have a pet, especially at cat, an air purifying system is a must. Room sprays and deodorizers last only a short while. Reeds infused in essential oils are available all over the place in mild and pleasant fragrances. These scents last longer, until the oils are absorbed by the thin reeds.

Laundry Rooms and mud rooms

Dirty socks, sweaty gym clothes and smelly sports equipment can leave these spaces smelling, well, less than rosy! Basements, even finished ones, tend to smell musky. They’re cool and damp and often humid. A dehumidifier will get rid of excess moisture which will help keep the mold and mildew and musky smell at bay. Since dehumidifiers must be emptied place them near the bulkhead doors, sump pump or sink. Washing machines often harbor unpleasant odors. To rid the unpleasant smell place a cup of vinegar or a cup of bleach in the machine and run it one full cycle. Because washing machines tend to be airtight, mildew can form. To prevent this simply leave the machine door open between uses. Lastly, this may seem so basic, but keep on top of your laundry and don’t let those smelly items accumulate for too long. Never toss wet towels into hampers. Let them air dry first before doing so.

If your mudroom and laundry rooms are on the main level, they’re likely highly trafficked areas. Mud and dirt from sneakers, cleats and boots are often tracked in. To prevent the dirt from being tracked through the rest of the house, keep a broom or a small portable vacuum cleaner nearby. If possible ask children and guests to leave their shoes by the front door, and those that get the dirtiest may want to be kept out in the garage.

In short, a clean home is generally a pleasant smelling home. Vinegar and bleach are wonderful cleaning agents that also remove strong odors. If these don’t work, you may want to hire a professional cleaning service to come to your home for a thorough cleaning.

How to save a wet mobile phone - and what not to do

Washing machines, toilets, cups of tea, the British weather... these are a few of our favourite things. That is, until they fill the lungs of our cherished mobile phone, leaving us weeping over a soggy, lifeless metal carcass.

Dropped your handset in the bath? Fumbled your phone and plopped it in the loo? Don't panic -- just follow these steps and you'll have a good chance of breathing life back into your drowned smart phone. And check out the 'What not to do' section for some useful mythbusting.

What to do

While dismantling your phone completely would help it to dry out more effectively, doing so will void your warranty. It usually requires specialist tools and may jeopardise your phone if you're not careful, so I don't recommend it. Instead, follow these steps:

1. Firstly, retrieve your handset from the drink straight away. A prolonged plunge will increase the risk of damage.

2. Resist the urge to check if it still works or press any buttons, since putting pressure on the keys could shift liquid further into the device.

3. In all cases, the best thing to do is immediately pull out the battery, thus minimising power to the device that may cause it to short circuit.

4. If you own a handset with a non-replaceable battery, like an iPhone or Nokia Lumia, then pulling the battery isn't an option. You'll have to risk pressing a few buttons to check if it's still on and to swiftly turn it off if it is. Take care when handling the phone in this case.

5. Remove any peripherals and attachments on your phone, such as cases.

6. Extract the SIM card and any SD cards it carries, leaving ports or covers on your handset open to aid ventilation.

7. Dry off everything with a towel, including the exterior of your handset, being careful not to let any water drain into openings on the phone.

8. Even when everything's dry, it's very likely there's latent moisture within the device that you'll want to get out before turning it on. The most oft-reported fix for a sodden phone is to bury the handset in a bowl of dry rice. Desiccant materials, such as rice, have hygroscopic properties that can attract and absorb moisture. You can also use silica gel packs -- the kind used in shoeboxes -- to greater effect. If you don't have any lying around, uncooked rice will do nicely.

Place your phone in an airtight container and completely cover it with your choice of desiccant. Leave the container for 24-48 hours for the material to draw all the moisture out of your handset. If you feel like splashing out, you can buy silica-lined, hermetically-sealed pouches that are specifically designed for the task.

9. When you're confident it's dried out, replace the battery and try switching it on. Good luck!

What not to do

A purported fast-track method of drying out a wet phone is to use a hairdryer, or applying heat to the device in other ways. While this would successfully evaporate all the moisture still sitting within the handset, it risks becoming too hot and causing damage to the components.

In cases of severe waterlogging, the steam created may not be able to fully ventilate and would simply condense again elsewhere in the phone. You may get away with it, but it seems rather perilous, so my recommendation is to avoid this method.

Another recurring recommendation is to stick your phone in a freezer, wrapped in paper towel to prevent frost damage. Supposedly, the reduced conductivity of water when close to freezing temperatures will stop your phone from short circuiting when in use.

This is definitely not a long-term solution, however, since as soon as the ice begins to thaw, you're left with the same, if not exacerbated, problem. In the process you'll probably mess up your phone's very fragile screen, which hardly seems worth risking for a short-term fix of dubious effectiveness.

For less severe dunkings, you may get away with drying your phone thoroughly on the exterior alone, paying special attention to openings like the headphone jack and USB port. To this end, a few have suggested gently poking into them with a toothpick wrapped in paper towel. While jabbing into your phone with a stick is always a bit iffy, the biggest risk is that rags of sodden paper will get stuck inside your phone and play havoc with its innards.

One suggestion is to overcharge the handset so that the build-up of heat is gradual and not excessive, but this carries all the risks you'd expect with running a current through wet circuitry.

Inevitably, someone reading this will wonder if it's possible to dry out a phone by putting it in the microwave. Please see this for an adept response.

Beware corrosion

If you succeed in reviving your phone, then congratulations, but you may not have yet won the war with the Grim Reaper of gadgetry. The metal within your phone coming into contact with water and oxygen may create rust that will corrode over time.

While a professional phone fixer may be able to clear out any corrosion by swabbing the circuitry with rubbing alcohol -- again, don't try this at home, kids -- in many cases, the eventual demise of your phone is only a matter of time. Sorry.

Is your warranty still valid?

Seek out the liquid contact indicator (LCI). It's a small white sticker that turns red when it comes into contact with water. Manufacturers place LCIs on their products to use as a litmus test when deciding warranty claims. In most cases, they can refuse to fix or replace your handset if the LCI has been triggered.

Their location varies from phone to phone, and increasingly manufacturers have taken to hiding them out of reach of Tipp-Ex-wielding customers.

Irrespective of the LCI's state, you should contact the manufacturer to see if they can help. That's a long-term solution, but if you need a phone (or the data it holds) right away, you'll need to dry out your phone before you try to use it, as outlined above.

CURTOSY CNET.COM

2013, Year of the 4K Display?

It isn’t hard to argue that Ultra HD provides some of the most stunning pictures on an equally stunning size of screen. Boasting sharper images and more detail than the conventional 1080p set, Ultra HD is without a doubt a different type of breed when it comes to high resolution TV.

But…let’s be honest, we all have our questions about this intriguing emerging technology.

From content scarcity to the pricing (think the cost equivalent of a mid-size car), some folks are raising their eyebrow in question to this latest technology and whether the typical consumer will “buy-in.”

As with all new technologies, it goes without saying that the newest and latest always comes with a gut-punching price (remember when plasma TVs first entered the consumer space?) and let’s not forget to mention that early adopters don’t normally fall into the category of your typical run-of-the-mill consumer.

However, outside of a few minor tech complaints (motion blur, black levels that aren’t quite black etc.), there aren’t many issues on the technical side with Ultra HD. The bigger problem lies in the hefty price tag and the much bigger concern of “what the heck am I going to watch on my brand new, super awesome Ultra HD TV?”

curtsey cedia.net

How to Unlock iPhone 5, 4S, 4, 3GS with IMEI Unlock

In this post we will cover the frequently asked questions about iPhone unlock for our readers who are interested in unlocking their iPhones. For who don’t know, the unlock allows you to use your iPhone to any carrier worldwide even if it was locked to specific carrier.

What are the iPhone unlock types?

Well we have three different types of iPhone unlock, below we will show you all specifications of them and which one is best for your case.

Type 1: Software-based iPhone unlock

As it described on the above title, it’s an unlock for iPhone using software, this software was developed by iPhone dev-team called “Ultrasn0w”. This software was good but the main issue on it, that it’s related to baseband version, which means it couldn’t unlock many basebands on iOS 5 and iOS 6. Ultrasn0w has not been upgraded since two years, so it is not good solution for iPhone unlock these days.

here’s the basebands that are compatible with ultrasn0w:

• iPhone 3G and 3GS : 04.26.08, 05.11.07, 05.12.01, 05.13.04, and 06.15.00 (the iPad baseband).
• iPhone 4 :  01.59.00 only.

Type 2: Hardware-based iPhone unlock

You may heard about Gevey SIM, rebel SIM and etc. These are SIM trays which allow iPhone users to unlock their iPhones and work on unofficial carriers. It’s a good solution for unlock but it’s also related to baseband version, which means that your iPhone may stuck on any iOS update and gets locked again.

Type 3: iPhone 5, 4S, 4, 3GS IMEI unlock / iTunes Unlock:

This type of unlock is recommended by iPhone dev-team. Simply iPhone unlock using IMEI will turn your iPhone officially to factory unlocked iPhone, which means that the iPhone’s firmware and baseband are irrelevant. On other words, you will be able to update to any future iOS version as it will not re-lock again.

What is IMEI? This is a 15-digits code which is used by Apple and carriers to identify each iPhone.

How can I get my iPhone IMEI? You can get your iPhone IMEI by dialling *#06# , or by going to Settings > General > About > IMEI

Does iPhone IMEI unlock need jailbreak? No, there is no need for jailbreak, as your iPhone will be unlocked remotely using the IMEI code only.

Does iPhone IMEI unlock permanent? Yes, it’s a lifetime unlock, as your iPhone will not re-lock again.

Advantages of iPhone IMEI unlock :

• If you are traveling, buy a local SIM card and save on roaming fees
• The resell value of the iPhone device will increase significantly as it is available to more carriers.
• Easily switch between SIM card, using the same phone.
• Unlock your phone from the comfort of your own home
• You never send your phone to anybody.
• No complicated software, or jailbreaking, just plug your iPhone into iTunes.
• There is absolutely no risk of damaging your iPhone by unlocking it.
• Very easy, no technical experience necessary.
• The phone is permanently unlocked, even after updates
• Warranty will not be voided
• 100% Guaranteed

iPhone IMEI unlock – supported iOS versions and basebands:

As we told you above that all iOS version and baseband versions are supported.

iOS versions:

iOS 4 / 4.0.1 / 4.0.2 / 4.1 / 4.2.1 / 4.3.1 / 4.3.2 / 4.3.3 / 4.3.4 / 4.3.5)
iOS 5 / 5.0.1 / 5.1 / 5.1.1
iOS 6 / 6.0.1 / 6.0.2 / 6.1 / 6.1.2 / 6.1.3

Baseband version:

iPhone 5 IMEI unlock – basebands
03.04.25
01.01.00
01.00.16

iPhone 4S IMEI Unlock – basebands
03.04.03
03.04.02
03.04.01
03.00.04
02.00.12
02.00.10
01.00.13
01.00.14
01.00.11

iPhone 4 IMEI Unlock – basebands
03.00.04
04.12.05
04.12.02
04.12.01
04.11.08
04.10.01
03.10.01
02.10.04
01.59.00

iPhone 3GS IMEI Unlock – basebands

05.16.07
05.13.04
05.14.02
05.15.04
05.16.00
05.16.01
05.16.02
05.16.05

How to Unlock iPhone 5, 4S, 4, 3GS with IMEI / iTunes unlock:

You can unlock your iPhone using IMEI unlock through a service provider. There are companies that offer iPhone IMEI unlock services for reasonable prices. These companies will ask you for two important things:

• Your iPhone official carrier (the carrier that your iPhone is locked to)
• Your IMEI code

Don’t know the official carrier of your iPhone? Don’t worry, you can check your iPhone official carrier from here, within few minutes you will get a report of your iPhone like the one in the below screenshot.

iPhone IMEI unlock trusted company:

The major issue in such iPhone IMEI unlock method that there are dozen of scammers on the web, but we found trusted company called  My IMEI Unlock which recommended by the well-know iPhone hacker and developer Shrief Hashim and Absinthe Jailbreak team. My IMEI Unlock company has good record of feedback from customers and 5-stars Google ratedcompany.

Steps to unlock your iPhone 5, 4S, 4, 3GS using IMEI:

Step 1: Choose your iPhone official carrier from iPhone IMEI unlock list.

Step 2: Complete the form which includes your iPhone IMEI code.

Step 3: Wait until receiving the confirmation email that your iPhone has been unlocked (take hours to few days – depends on your iPhone official carrier)

Step 4: You will be requested to restore to latest iOS version using iTunes, the you will get congratulation message on iTunes stating that your iPhone has been unlocked. Done!

40 Ways to Fix Your PC Before You Call An Expert

If you know what a USB port looks like, chances are you're regularly called upon as the 'IT expert' by friends and family whenever a computer goes bust or a window mysteriously disappears.

Below are some of the most useful tips I've gathered over many years of troubleshooting PCs and despairing at the number of browser toolbars unsuspecting pensioners install. And no, I'm not going to come around to "take a look". Work your way through all of these first...

General problems

1. Be Google smart
Google can be a huge help when it comes to specific error codes and very detailed problems. It's less useful for "my PC is running slowly" queries. Include as much detail as you can, putting "+" before keywords that must be matched and "-" before keywords to exclude.

2. System Restore
Windows' built-in roll-back feature will undo recent changes to the registry and hardware and software setup of your computer, without affecting your personal files and holiday photos. It's a good place to start if something has very recently gone wrong. You'll find System Restore via Control Panel.

3. Safe Mode
Tap F8 during boot-up to access the boot menu. Choose Safe Mode to launch a special stripped-down version of Windows that keeps drivers and background utilities to a minimum and looks like it's straight out of 1995. Safe Mode can be used to uninstall programs or devices, or run fixes, if you can't get into Windows normally.

4. Overheating
If your PC crashes at seemingly random times -- in other words, there's no particular software program or hardware device that prompts it -- it's possible that your computer or laptop is overheating. Invest in another fan or a laptop cooler if you think this may be the cause.

5. On-demand scans
A whole bundle of problems are caused by viruses and spyware, from slow performance to unexplained reboots. It goes without saying that you should keep your anti-virus and anti-spyware tools right up to date, but you might want to run an on-demand scanner as well to get another opinion -- Spybot Search & Destroy and Microsoft's own Safety Scanner are two good choices that won't interfere with your existing security tools.

6. Background noise
Sluggish performance that degrades over time can be due to more and more programs deciding they'd like to run in the background. Open Task Manager (right-click on the taskbar) to see what's actually using up the RAM and CPU time on your PC -- if any of the entries under Processes and Services don't make much sense, run a quick Google search for details of what they are.

7. Selective startup
If you find any superfluous entries in Task Manager, chances are they're being launched with Windows. Scour the Startup folder on the Start menu to find and remove anything you don't really need all of the time. For more control over the Windows startup process, type "msconfig" into the Start menu search box and hit Enter -- the subsequent dialog lets you make detailed changes to which services and tools can launch automatically at the same time as the operating system.

You might be surprised at how many services start up with Windows.

8. Restoring files
When Windows deletes a file, it doesn't move the 1s and 0s, it simply removes the references to them and marks the disk space as free. Unless you've overwritten the file with something else, you might be able to get it back -- Recuva is one of the best and most straightforward free tools for the task.

9. Windows won't start
Windows comes with various system recovery options (besides Safe Mode) that you can use if the operating system won't boot. Tap F8 when booting and choose 'Last Known Good Configuration' to revert back to the settings in place when Windows last launched. Another trick you can try is to unplug all non-essential peripherals -- sometimes a badly configured device will cause the startup process to hang.

10. Motherboard beeps
If your PC gets so far and no further, and you find it beeps at you and shuts down before Windows even starts loading, the problem is at a lower level. Motherboards will alert you to what's gone wrong by the number of beeps -- check the user manual to find out what they mean, or look for a digital copy on the manufacturer's website.

11. No power
If the PC or laptop doesn't get going at all, either you're in the middle of a power cut, your power cable is faulty, or the power supply unit/battery is bust. See if you can source a cheap spare cable or battery first, as a PSU replacement will cost significantly more.

12. Forums
If you do have to turn to the web, locate the developer or manufacturer's official support forums before you turn to Google. You may find there's a particular fix available or advice from other users. For smaller freeware programs, you may even find posts from the developer.

13. Ask Microsoft
It turns out MIcrosoft does know a thing or two about their own systems -- it offers an automated Fixit tool, which will try and detect what's going wrong and then do something about it.

The Microsoft Fixit site offers a number of simple troubleshooting wizards.

14. Registry cleaning
The labyrinthine settings file that is the Windows registry can cause errors, program crashes and system restarts if something has gone wrong deep within it. There are plenty of third-party tools that will scan it for problems for you, though not all of them are trustworthy -- Glary Registry Repair is one of the ones you can depend on (though as with any advanced tweaking tool, use at your own risk -- you do back up, right?).

15. Re-install Windows
This is the scorched earth policy -- but it's not as drastic as you might think. Many PCs and laptops come with recovery discs or a recovery partition on the hard drive that you can use to return your computer to the state it was in when it arrived from the factory. Of course, it goes without saying that you'll need to install your software again and you'll lose all your personal data, so you'll need copies of your important files (photos, university essays etc). This process is set to be made even easier in Windows 8.

Hardware problems

16. Test on another computer
Use another computer to test your malfunctioning mouse/camera/printer, or just another USB port, to help you work out where the fault lies. If the problem vanishes, it's not the device itself that's to blame.

17. New drivers
Head to the manufacturer's website and hunt down the latest drivers and/or firmware for your device -- installing these updates will replace damaged files, add the latest bug fixes and improve compatibility with other hardware and software.

18. Old drivers
Windows and devices themselves sometimes install new drivers without asking and these occasionally cause problems. To roll back to a previous version, find the hardware in question in Device Manager, right-click and choose Properties and open the Driver tab.

19. Uninstall drivers
Staying in Device Manager -- there's an Uninstall option that will remove all traces of the hardware in question from your system. Reboot and reattach the device to launch the installation process from scratch, which may resolve your issue.

Update, roll back and uninstall drivers from Device Manager.

20. Test the memory
It's not easy to tell when your memory is failing you and it doesn't happen often -- intermittent system instability and software crashes are the usual signs. A decent memory diagnostics tester like MemTest86+ can help by scanning the installed modules and alerting you to any potential issues.

21. Test the hard drive
Modern hard drives have something known as SMART (Self Monitoring And Reporting Technology) built into them. It's a standardised technology the disks use to report their status and general health back to Windows. Plenty of free applications can read and report this SMART data -- HDD Health is one example, which also supports SSD drives -- and they will display warning signs if you need to buy a replacement drive in the near future.

22. Windows disk checking
Windows has its own disk-checking tool that looks for problems on your installed hard drives -- right-click on a drive in Windows Explorer, choose Properties and then the Tools tab to find it.

23. Screen issues
Problems with the display can be caused by the graphics card, the monitor itself or the connecting cable (if you're not using a laptop). Using a spare cable (if available) or switching to on-board graphics (again, if available) can help you work out exactly which link in the chain is the one going wrong. If your monitor or screen is found to be faulty, there's not much you can do except dig out the warranty or pay a visit to the local repair shop.

24. Open her up
You don't have to be a PC-building expert to take a peek under the case -- just make sure you ground yourself to remove any static electricity first, and unplug the computer from the mains. Check for loose connections and screws or an excessive build-up of dust (a can of compressed air can help here). Laptops are less easy to poke around in, but some do allow access to the memory and hard drive, so you can check these connections. You may find more guidance from the manufacturer's website or the supplied documentation.

25. Backup
Unfortunately, there are times when there's just nothing you can do, and you have to accept that your hard drive or power supply unit is kaput. It's vital that you have backups of your important files and folders, and there's no shortage of services willing to help out -- Google Drive,SkyDrive, Dropbox and Backblaze, to name just a few.

Software problems

26. Updates
Has the program you're struggling with made an update available? Perhaps to support new hardware or operating system features? It's worth checking via the developer's website or the built-in update tool that most software has, though the majority of updates now install automatically.

27. Re-install
If problems persist, strip out all traces of the program in question using a third-party uninstaller --Revo Uninstaller will do the job for free -- then start the installation process again from scratch with a fresh download or the original discs. Why? It ensures any corrupt or damaged files are replaced and all of the software's settings are reset.

28. Plug-ins
Bear in mind that the problem may not lie with the software itself but with one of the program's plug-ins or extensions -- try disabling these add-ons one by one to see if the issue is resolved.

Plug-ins and add-ons are at the root of a lot of software problems.

29. Clean up
Many applications will create caches of temporary files that can occasionally interfere with program behaviour -- look for an option that will wipe these files. CCleaner is a handy third-party freeware utility that cleans up temporary files for many different applications.

30. Conflicting programs
Is the troublesome application having problems because of another program on the system? This can be particularly common with security tools that try and do the same thing at the same time. Try temporarily disabling other programs that might be causing interference.

Internet problems

31. Find the fault
First step: find where the problem is. Check if you can connect to the web on other computers and devices. Ideally plug a laptop into the router directly and run the router's built-in testing diagnostics -- your ISP may be experiencing issues. If there's only one PC that can't get online, there's likely to be a problem with its network adaptor or settings.

32. Adaptor problems
If you suspect the adaptor is to blame (a wireless USB dongle, for example), check the hardware tips above. Try updating the adaptor's driver, uninstalling and reinstalling, or simply plugging it in another USB port.

33. Update firmware
It's possible there's a firmware update for the router that you're using, though some ISPs frown on users taking this much control over their network setup. The best place to start looking is the customer forums for your ISP, where you should find details of which free router you've been lumbered with and how you can update its firmware.

34. Reboots all round
The reboot process is something of a troubleshooting cliche, but that's because it often works -- turn the router off for 30-60 seconds to re-establish the connection and reset the router. Reboot your PC for good measure to attempt to connect again.

35. Change channels
Routers typically share the same frequency as other devices, like microwaves and baby monitors, which can slow down your connection -- either move other wireless devices away, or change the channel used by your router (see the router settings for help with doing this).

Switching to a different router channel could fix slow broadband speeds.

36. Is it down?
If you're having issues with a particular site, look it up on www.downforeveryoneorjustme.com -- the problem may not be at your end. Note that if something large scale suffers a failure -- like Amazon's S3 storage -- it can affect many different sites and services at once.

37. Network management
Delve into the Network and Sharing Centre in Windows to make sure there aren't multiple programs trying to manage your wireless connection. Laptop manufacturers will often bundle their own network management software with their machines, which is fine as long as these applications aren't trying to work concurrently with Windows' own utilities.

38. Browser woes
Switching to an alternative browser is a simple way to test if your Internet-related problems are being caused by your favourite browser. If the browser is to blame, try some of the software tips I mentioned earlier, and take a long hard look at the plug-ins and extensions.

39. Firewall settings
Firewalls can be temperamental and might be blocking the site, service or program you're trying to use. Consult the incoming and outgoing settings when you've found them (if you're using the Windows Firewall, head to Control Panel). If you're struggling to get online with a particular game or networking tool, you might find instructions for allowing firewall access in the supplied documentation.

Some networking tools and games will need special firewall permissions.

40. View connections
Head into the Network and Sharing Centre to make sure your PC is trying to connect using the right connection (wireless versus wired, for example). While all of this should configure itself automatically, rogue programs or security tools can make changes they shouldn't. There are also some troubleshooters built into the Network and Sharing Centre, which are surprisingly useful.

Decorating Tricks to Make Your New House Welcoming and Cozy

Moving into a new house usually takes some time to adjust. But with a minimum amount of effort, the transition from one comfort zone to the next can be smooth and pleasant. Today’s post will present some decorating tips and tricks that should convert your new home into an oasis of relaxation for both you and your guests. You will find plenty of similar helpful tips on Start Fresh, a website exploring the benefits of newly built homes.

Think Comfortably- Fashionable

Admit it-there isn’t a single day that goes by without you stumbling across an incredible furniture piece. That fantastic red sofa spotted in a design magazine or the elegant armchair seen in a showroom on your way to work call out to you and slowly determine the need for possession. But a cozy home is not entirely about looks; it is mostly related to how furniture can enhance that sense of sweet familiarity.

When testing a seating item for your new house, can you imagine yourself curled up in it with a good book and feeling all weight lifting off your shoulders? If that is not the case, perhaps you should keep searching. Ideally, furniture should pay tribute to both comfort and style. But if coziness is what you are after, a tiny compromise in aesthetics may prove to be a good idea in the long term.

The Magic of Touch

One of the simplest tricks for a more welcoming home is… texture. Surround yourself with things you would like to touch. Fluffy carpets, wavy wallpapers or smooth wooden furniture- all these can be easily integrated in a modern room, making it feel less rigid and perfectly comfortable. Moreover, when dealing with a large room, the proper use of fabric and texture can reduce the scale and provide the much wanted sense of coziness.

Welcome Furniture Diversity

Buying a large furniture set with everything in it may be the easiest way of filling up a room, but it is not always the most suited. You probably do not want your new home looking like a showroom, and believe it or not this will probably be the output of buying all your items from a single place. Do not be afraid of mixing things up a little, even if this means having different styles lined up. Diversity is the key to a vivid interior, one that stirs you up visually and that will probably appeal to your guests also. If you consider the overall result harmonious and enjoy being a part of it, your friends probably will too.

Make Good Use of Warm Colours

It is no longer a secret that colours have the subtle ability to elicit various emotions and moods, making this design sector particularly interesting. You should know that while cooler colours like blue, purple and dark green can visually enhance a room, warmer tones such as peach-orange, brown and red can make a space feel more compact and therefore, more inviting. Just look how the generously-sized interior in the photo below is significantly “reduced” by adding curtains with an orange and red flower pattern next to the red sofas and yellow wall!

Multiple Sources of Lighting

We often neglect the magical effects lighting can have on a room. It may seem strange, but with just a few fixtures in the right place, a room can easily appear bigger, taller longer, or… cozier. So what is it about lighting that can make a place more inviting than the next? It all breaks down to the simple act of repetition. In order to reduce the scale of a room, consider placing several table lamps around, for an intimate atmosphere. You should only use a ceiling light for larger gatherings or formal events.

Attention to Detail

Small things like candles, funny plush toys or a book in the right place can give you a nice feeling of calm, but attention to detail can do wonders when having people over. A lot of people waste time and energy in making their house spotless and picture-perfect before the arriving of guests. Naturally, cleaning is good, but keep in mind that friends come over to visit you, not to inspect your home. Small things like fresh flowers spread around the house, a glass bedside carafe in their bedroom and the latest number of their favourite magazine on their bedside table are likely to make their stay more welcoming than a super-tidy corner that they are not going to stumble upon anyway.

Ambiance

Soothing background jazz music, dim lighting from various sources, plenty of cushions to choose from and armchairs that allow you to dive in softness- just some ideas to consider when setting up a welcoming atmosphere in your new home for yourself or your friends. Add a glowing fireplace light and your place is ready for a perfect cozy evening.

Surround Yourself with the Things You Love

When planning on moving into a new house, the things you love should take centre stage. Your home must primarily reflect who you are and the rest will slowly fall into place. That old collection of vinyl records, the painting you received during your art camp or those funny hats you love so much-  simple things that come with precious memories. Find a way to integrate them in the design of your new crib and you will see how quickly the space will gain personality and warmth. Know any other tips for making a new home feel cozy and inviting? Feel free to share them in the comments section below and let’s get the conversation started!

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This post was sponsored by BHI. Explore the benefits of a newly built home.

How to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient Without Breaking the Bank

There are many easy, low cost and very effective ways that we can make our current homes more environmentally friendly without breaking the bank. In this article I will talk about the most basic of steps as well as some that are a bit more aggressive, many of which you can start right now. You will be amazed at how much energy you can save by taking the even simplest of steps!

Turn down the heat.

The easiest thing we can all do is monitor our thermostats. In the colder, winter months it is imperative to heat the home only when you are there. For example, if you are out of the home during the workday, then keep it to a minimal setting. Today’s homes heat fairly quickly and a few minutes of discomfort as your house warms up can greatly affect your heating bill and energy consumption. When you and your family are asleep, be sure to turn the thermostat back down. If your thermostat is not currently on a timer, you should look into having one installed.

This will help keep the house cooler when no one is around and warmer for when you are around without you having to remember to change the settings on a continual basis. Every degree of heat below 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius)  during the winter months will save you approximately 3 – 5% in your energy bill. Nearly half of your home’s energy comes from heating and cooling. Clean your furnace’s filter once a month. If your furnace is an older model, and you plan on being in your current home for a while, you may want to invest in a newer furnace. The newer models are about 25% more efficient.

Other ways to keep your home warm during the winter months involve just a few simple and basic steps. Check your windows and doors for drafts and caulk as necessary. Make sure your attic and walls are well insulated. Schedule regular maintenance checks for your furnace to ensure optimal performance.

Keep it cool.

During the summer months it is best to keep the thermostat set to 78 degrees Fahrenheit (25.5 Celsius).   Air conditioners use a ton of energy and electricity and their use should be kept to a minimum whenever possible. Standing fans, window fans and ceiling fans are all much better choices. During the day you can keep the house dramatically cooler by pulling down all shades and curtains.

Whether you are building a new home, or you’ve been in yours for a while, consider adding deciduous trees and shrubs to the outside of your house to provide more shelter from the sun’s blistering rays. If you must use air conditioning, especially if you live in areas that are tropical or where humidity is an issue, consider replacing your older models for those that are more energy efficient. If you have central air, turn it off when you are not at home and set your thermostat to a timer.

Save water.

It may seem so simple and likely you have heard it over and over again, but really you should turn the water off when you are brushing your teeth. For each time you brush and the water is off, you save 4.5 gallons of water. Likewise your morning shower can sabotage your water bill. By simply changing a shower head with a low-flow model you can save 15-25 gallons of water a day.

It would be wise to also install low-flow toilets and add aerators to all your faucets. In the kitchen add a water filtration system (such as Britta) to your faucet and refill your own plastic recyclable water bottles which will reduce your plastic water bottle consumption, hence fewer bottles floating around.

Light up your life.

Replace current incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent ones. Try to replace as many as possible. Just one light bulb swap will save over 400 pounds of greenhouse gasses. In some countries, incandescent light bulbs are no longer permitted. Turn off any unused lights. This may seem obvious but so many people still walk out of a room and leave the light on behind them.

If you are like me and don’t like coming home to a dark house, instead of leaving a light on all day or all night long, place a lamp or two on a timer set to the times you would like the house lit. Not only do I dislike coming home to a cold, dark house at the end of a winter’s day, but I like to keep my house lit when I am not home – I like to give the impression someone is home even if they are not. I feel safer that way. (For more on home safety read my piecehere.)

In this case newer is better.

If your appliances are older you may want to consider replacing them with newer, more energy efficient models. This makes sense, not only if you plan on being in your home for a long time, but also if you plan on selling it in the near future. New appliances are very attractive to home buyers. Either way you will get your money’s worth as well as save on your electric bill.

Do look for appliances with the Energy Star logo on them. If just one in every ten homes, according to the Energy Star website, used an energy efficient appliance, the energy saved would be the equivalent of planting 1.7 million acres of trees. Do unplug any unused appliance. If you have an extra refrigerator in your basement or garage that are not being used, do unplug them. If they are being used check to see what’s inside them. Can these items be brought inside and placed in your kitchen refrigerator?

Renovations.

If you plan on doing any significant work to your home, home improvements or renovations be sure to look into all the possible environmentally friendly options out there. If you are planning on painting use a low VOC (volatile organic compound) paint. In the bathrooms opt for fixtures that save water and energy. In the kitchen choose materials for counters and floors that have been recycled or are organic and earth friendly such as cork and bamboo. Your builder or contractor will be up to date on all the latest, “green” technical advances.

How energy efficient is your home?

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