Tag Installation & Maintenance

Flat roofs, like all other roofs, require regular maintenance. Minor damage on the surface of an asphalt or bitumen felt roof, e.g. splits and blisters can be easily repaired with a repair kit. Repairing a flat roof is not difficult even for complete beginners.

To deal with splits, first remove any chippings. Use a blow torch or hot air paint stripper to soften the roof covering so that you can scrape the chippings away. Then, before embarking on the actual repair work, clean the area and kill any moss and lichen with a fungicide or bleach. Take care when cleaning because the effectiveness of any repair work will depend on the adhesiveness of the surface when you apply any patches.

Use self-adhesive tape to repair the split. Most of them are suitable for use on all types of roof coverings. Fill a wide split with a mastic compound before taping. Apply the primer supplied over the area to be covered and leave for one hour. Peel off the protective backing of the tape and apply it to the primed surface. Where a short split has occurred along a joint, cover the whole line of the joint with tape. Press the tape down firmly and make sure that the edges are sealed.

Blisters in asphalt or felt roofs only need to be treated if they contain water or have caused the roof covering to leak. Press the blister to check if moisture is expelled. If so, it must be sealed with a patch.

To repair a blister in an asphalt roof, heat the area with a blow torch or hot air paint stripper. When it is soft, try to flatten the blister. If the blister is filled with moisture, cut the blister open and let the moisture dry out. Gently heat the asphalt again before pressing it back into place. Apply mastic into the opening before closing it. Finally cover the area with a patch of repair tape.

To treat a blister on a felt roof make two intersecting cuts across the blister and peel back the felt. You can heat the felt gently to make this easier. Clean the opening and let it dry. Then apply bitumen adhesive and when it has set a little, nail the covering back into place with galvanised clout nails. Finally, cover the repair with a patch of roofing felt glued on with bitumen adhesive or use repair tape. Cut the patch generously so that it laps all round.

A patched roof can be spruced up by applying a finishing coat of bitumen and chippings to create a more uniform surface area. If the surface covering has decayed you may have to re-cover the roof. However, a roof showing signs of general wear and tear can be brought back to life with a liquid waterproofing treatment. This consists of the cold application of a bitumen-based water proofer which is reinforced with a glass-fibre membrane. This should be done during warm and dry weather.

First clean the roof and kill any moss and lichen. Apply the first coat of water proofer with a broom and then lay the membrane into the wet material and stipple it with a soaked brush. Make sure the edges overlap by 5 cm or more and bed them down with water proofer. Apply three coats altogether. Let each coat dry before applying the next. Clean the brush with soapy water before each coating. When the last coat starts to set, cover it with fine chippings to provide a protective layer.

Repairing a flat roof is not difficult and within the capability of most people. By following the steps outlined above you can successfully repair a flat roof in very little time.

Source by Monika Ruthe

Cooking has become a joyful experience with the advent of modular kitchens. These kitchens have transformed the complete decor of a home with its amazing designs and styles. Now a days these become so popular that most of the people prefer to install them in their homes regardless of their prices. The dual advantages of both style and convenience have escalated their demands.

Reasons Why These Kitchens are So Popular

The modular kitchens are far better in comparison to the ordinary ones. These kitchens appear modern and chic and can be fitted even when there is space constraint. There are many advantages of using these fitted kitchens and some of them are:

• Trendy and chic: these appear quite chic and stylish with a variety of contemporary designs and colors. A huge variety of colors can be obtained including blue, green, red, orange, birch and hues of gold and cedar.
• Maximum utilization of space: the modular kitchens are ideal for even small spaces as with a proper design and plan, you can obtain maximum storage facilities.
• Easy to clean: these kitchens are quite easy to clean and maintain.
• Variety of designs and colors: You can choose from a variety of designs and attractive colors. Kitchens with simple designs are also in vogue these days.
• Quick installation: it takes very little time to install them kitchens as most of the fittings are ready made. The experts needs little time to install them and it’s quite handy for homeowners as well if the gets a short session of installation guide training.
• Maintenance: it is also easy to repair individual components of the kitchen separately.
• Durable: the kitchen accessories and components last for a longer period of time if all the materials installed are authentic and of superior quality.

Accessories in Modular Kitchens

A well equipped kitchen requires a number of accessories but the modular kitchens are inclusive of some of the best accessories which make cooking a fun activity. Some of the essential accessories include:

Cooking range or hob: electric stoves and gas stoves have been transformed into a new compact unit which can be engraved into the granite countertops. Such hobs are clutter free and leave ample space for cooking. It is a single unit which has multiple burners for quicker cooking.

Units or pull out drawers: the units are the best features of modular kitchens as it helps in storing many items like utensils, food items and so forth. There are different storing capacities for different units. You can choose them according to your requirements.

Cooker hoods: cooker hoods are essential in eliminating smoke from the kitchen. Electric cooker hoods are efficient and used in many modular kitchens.

Adjustable shelves: these shelves have handles for sliding drawers which can be used for storage facilities.

Shutters: Shutters are widely used in modular kitchens as it is best way to store crockery like plate and bowls safe and clean.

A variety of modular kitchen designs are available online where you can select the best among them according to the space available in the kitchen and the estimated budget. These fitted kitchens prove to be a style statement with its contemporary designs and functions.

Source by Vaiv Jais

There are numerous computer repair services, hence before choosing a right one it is important to know if the provider will provide you the required service; otherwise all the research work will be wasted. In order to give a better judgment, you should be aware of all the types of repair services.

Mentioned below are the computer repair services that are commonly offered:

• Virus removal: In this type of service, the providers ensure that the virus will be removed without risking the data or the information. There are independent service providers that only remove viruses. You can also get this service online, besides a complete service includes everything that is required to bring the computer into a safe condition.

• Hardware repairs: This is related to many physical damages that are incurred by the computer, or its accessories. This includes any dents, paint jobs or other structural issues that might be faced by the computers.

• Accessories repair: There are numerous accessories with a computer, like scanners, and printers, etc. which might need a repair due to damage. A person specialized in computer hardware would not necessarily be aware of the techniques and methods required, as both have different components. They might also provide advisory services regarding this or any other matter.

• Data recovery: Sometimes due to certain issues, your data might get lost. This might be irrecoverable for you; but a professional can easily recover the data by tracking the information. This is an extremely sensitive matter, hence a high quality service should be chosen. A low quality work might result in permanent loss of data; making it impossible for an experienced professional to recover it.

• Troubleshooting and networking errors: These are the two most common types of services which can get complicated. They include network installation, and the related problems.

• Maintenance services: A computer requires constant updating and tune ups, as it not only enhances the working speed of the computer, but also increases its lifetime. It includes rebooting, updating, and installing the new windows or general inspections.

• Customization: This service has become less common in the current period, but you can ask a computer repair provider to build a customized computer for you with specific features. One important factor is the stability, so you should ask the provider about its stability.

• Tutoring: With the current fame of this business, many people show interest in learning about computer repair. That’s why many institutions offer tutoring services to people about different techniques and types of repair services. You can specialize in any type, or get an entire course, as it will be good for starting your own business or to save future repair costs.

Now that you are aware of the different types, you can easily choose what you require.

Source by Pinky Ahmad

Like all homeowners, you may want to keep your valuables secure. However, you may end up paying less attention to the locks of your doors until things go wrong. But if you want to avoid accidental lockouts and other issues, we suggest that you perform proper maintenance of the locks. In this article, we are going to talk about some of the most common problems with door locks. Read on to find out more.

1. Broken or Stuck Key

This is a common problem. You may have a misaligned door latch, which may cause the key to get stuck. Usually, this may happen if you don’t lubricate the lock properly. When the key is stuck, you shouldn’t use force or you may break it inside the lock.

Even if you don’t have much time, you should avoid using force. Instead, you should look for a good professional to prevent the problem from getting worse.

2. Slow Door Locks

Stiff door locks are due to the accumulation of grime and dirt. So, if you notice that the handle is slow or you find it harder to insert the key in the lock, we suggest that you try a DIY method. For instance, you can put a cotton swab in the lock to get rid of the dirt.

Also, if you don’t lubricate the door enough, you should use a silicon or graphite spray instead. It’s not a good idea to use grease or oil as it may block the hole in cold season.

3. Misaligned Latch

If the latch of the door won’t hold the strike plate, it may be harder for you to shut or lock the door. You may have to face this problem from time to time. Generally, it happens due to improperly screwed or installed hinges.

If you want to resolve this issue, we suggest that you check the misalignment and opt for the right tools for making the required adjustments. If you think that the thing is beyond repairs or you have no access to the best tools, you can call a professional.

4. The Key won’t Lock the Lock

If the parts of the lock are fallen or worn, you may feel that the key turns even when you don’t push the knobs. Since this is a mechanical problem, it should be left to a professional that knows how the door mechanism functions.

If the door key doesn’t turn when you put it in the lock, you should try to lubricate the keyhole.

5. The Door Mechanism is Faulty

Usually, most problems with doors are mechanical. As time goes by, your door may have different mechanical issues. Generally, old locks may have more problems due to excessive use and lack of maintenance.

So, if you have mechanical issues with your lock, we suggest that you look for a good professional to get them fixed. In this case, it’s not a good idea to go for a DIY approach, especially if you are a novice.

Long story short, if you have any of these problems with your lock, you can follow the given tips. But if the problem is beyond your abilities, you should call a professional locksmith.

Source by Shalini M

A master clock is a hardware device that obtains accurate time from a hardware reference and synchronizes slave clocks and time displays. The slave clocks rely on the master clock to display the correct time.

Once set, traditional, unsynchronized clocks drift away from the correct time at differing rates. After a relatively short amount of time, they can all display very different times. Correcting individual clocks can be a very time-consuming process which needs to be carried out at regular intervals.

GPS Master Clocks

Master clocks can use hardware time references, such as the GPS system to obtain very precise time. GPS is accurate to one-second in three hundred million years. Therefore, all time displays and slave clocks can refer to a highly accurate, legally traceable source of time. GPS systems require an antenna that is typically located with a clear view of the sky. Alternatively, where antenna installation is difficult, public internet Network Time Protocol (NTP) servers can be used.

Everyone Works To The Same Time

Many organizations can benefit from synchronized clocks. Staff all work to the same time, therefore meetings can start promptly, classes in schools start and finish as scheduled and shifts start and end consistently. Hospitals, manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries can accurately log events.

Low Maintenance

Once installed and correctly configured, slave clocks are virtually maintenance free in contrast to high-maintenance stand-alone clocks.

Automatic Adjustment

In many countries, clocks need to be adjusted twice a year to correct for daylight saving time. If a large number of clocks need correcting, it can be very time-consuming. Often clocks are located at height or in inaccessible positions that makes the task even more time-consuming. Additionally, adjustment often takes place well after the event, clocks will therefore be incorrect for an extended period.

Master clocks adjust for daylight saving time automatically, requiring no manual user intervention. Additionally, all clocks adjust at the correct moment so that a continuously accurate time is displayed.

An added advantage is that slave clocks can often be configured to display time in different time-zones, ideal for trading floors and meeting rooms.

Automatic Recovery

Power outages or failures can cause unsynchronized clocks to become inaccurate. Each clock must then be corrected individually. Master clock systems automatically obtain accurate time from hardware references such as GPS. Within minutes of the power being restored, slave clocks will be back up and running. Often no operator intervention is required.

Source by Iain Diccox

Whether it’s a residential garage door, massive dock door for a big box store or a roll-up door for a mall retail shop, one thing is certain: Without proper maintenance and repairs, overhead doors can be literal death traps. With reports peppering the nation about injuries from faulty sensors or outdated garage doors catching feet, children and pets, a subpar garage door is a huge liability. However, the actual injury statistics may surprise you.

According to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance Survey (NEISS), the most common type of garage door injury is “pinch/crush section joints” which happens to about 7,550 Americans each year. This includes “fingers caught between section joints, (and) includes amputations, avulsions, etc.” It’s no surprise that this is the most common, but what’s astounding is just how serious these injuries can be. All it takes is a few skipped maintenance inspections or a bad spring to bring a lawsuit to your family or business.

“Crushing” Reports

The second most common injury occurs from “falling doors,” with over 2,100 Americans falling victim to this each year. According to NEISS, this happens when a “door falls for any reason” and includes reasons like a bad installation, outdated and un-maintained doors, or any other number of things. However, a quality garage door with solid installation won’t fall “for any reason”, which is why it’s paramount to demand both top notch doors and installation.

“Sharp edges” account for over 800 injuries every year, with NEISS defining it as “lacerations from garage door window glass.” Today’s garage doors-when they do feature glass-are shatter-resistant. Should they break, which is rare, it’s similar to when a car window breaks. The result is gummy and messy, but there aren’t any sharp edges. Unfortunately, that’s not true of older overhead doors.

Rounding Out the Top Offenses

“Other entrapment” happens to nearly 200 Americans every year. “Half of these were fingers caught between rollers and tracks” according to the research, and could also fall into the pinch/crush category. Tracks and rollers are some of the most common parts that need maintenance, but it’s always best to have a professional handle it.

“Race to beat the door” leads to around 135 injuries every year in the US. “People trying to get through the opening before the door closes” is a dangerous game, but a fruitless one if you have a good overhead door with sensors. When this is the case, the sensor will stop the door from closing (and perhaps re-open it) when there’s any movement detected.

Playing it Safe

Finally, “riding the door” can (not surprisingly) cause about 90 injuries per year in the US. This should be avoided with a little common sense, but of course that’s something children and teens don’t have in abundance. However, an overhead door that’s current and undergoes regular inspections should be able to hold the weight of a child-of course, that should never be put to the test.

The vast majority of these injuries are avoidable with common sense, maintenance and upgrades. Going without these three is a gamble no homeowner, landlord or business owner should take since the house (or in this case garage door) always wins.

Source by Jill Smith

Working with Air Conditioning Contractors

When dealing with a breakdown of you central heating and air equipment, you don’t want to struggle finding honest, reliable help when you’re pressed to find relief from the sweltering heat or bitter cold. Right off the bat you should know you’re getting help from a qualified and skilled professional able to handle any repair or situation that is put before them. You might wonder who you can trust, and what you can expect them to do for you, or if its worth it to call a local service provider? These questions can be easily answered and give you the desired results for any service need you have.

When Should You Call a Local Service Provider?

Some homeowners may attempt to fix their air conditioning system on their own without having a good understanding of how to deal with bigger issues. If you are attempting to work on your own furnace, air conditioning system or heat pump, look for these noticeable signs that may indicate a bigger problem that would be best handled by a professional.

Furnace

• If your furnace is older, 15 years or more, it may need to be replaced. normally the first 4 digits of the serial number will give you the year and week of manufacturing.
• If it is making strange, abnormal noises.
• If cold air is coming out.
• If a carbon monoxide detector alarm is going off in your house. It is recommended that homeowners with natural gas appliances have several of these in bedrooms and other locations around the house.

Air Conditioning System

• If your air conditioning system is 15 years or older, it may be more cost effective to replaced it versus repair
• If your system uses R22. The EPA has mandated that all manufacturing of R22 be stopped, driving up the cost and price per pound in your area.
• Continued breakdowns year after year may indicate a bigger problem that a contractor is better equipped to handle.

Heat Pump

• If either unit, indoor, or outdoor is not performing well
• If temperatures are staying even throughout the house.

Finding a Qualified Contractor

In this internet driven age, most homeowners will pull out their smart phone and research local contractors in their area. Many search engines like Google will provide all the information in a concise format, providing reviews, website info, and contact information. Yelp is also a great resource for homeowners to peruse reviews and read feedback provided by the owner, or management of the company. Even companies with several bad reviews help homeowners see how the company handles conflict resolution, and helps you know what to expect. The number of reviews is not always the best representation of that companies customer service. Look at the quality of each review that describes the experience of the consumer.

A quick search at https://www.tdlr.texas.gov will also provide you with information about a potential contractor. This is the governing and licensing agency for all contractors in Texas. All advertising material and websites should list the contractor’s license number. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation will provide information about the licensee and their current status. The following guidelines below will also help you find a qualified, trustworthy contractor.

Knowing Who to Trust

Most Homeowners want to find someone trustworthy, who is reliable and who they’re able to call in the future should the need arise. Here are a few tips to ensure you get quality workmanship from a contractor. Make sure they are qualified! A contractor that is licensed and insured will have no problems producing proof of such to a prospective customer. Don’t be afraid to ask if they are licensed and insured. Insurance is required by the state to protect both the contractor and the consumer. Knowing this information prior works out for both parties involved. If you can’t find this information readily available on their website (usually in the footer or bottom of the homepage near their contact info) don’t hesitate to ask.

If a air conditioning contractor has additional certifications, that information will usually be present on their website. NATE technicians are the industry’s gold standard in technical proficiency. NATE stands for North American Technician Excellence. Testing and certification for NATE is rigorous and comprehensive, ensuring you’re dealing with someone who is able to proficient in troubleshooting and air conditioning system knowledge.

The price of the contractor is important!

One of the greatest determinants for most homeowners when it comes to repairs, or replacement options for central heating and air conditioning is price. Neither the highest price or the lowest is an indication of quality, or value. Most contractors work very hard to minimize the cost or find a cost effective solutions that works for their customers needs. Smaller companies or family owned and operated outfits will typically provide high quality work, and be more competitive than larger companies that rely on a certain sales volume to cover the cost of their high overhead.

Equally as important as price though is the warranty. You want the assurance of knowing your air conditioning repair is backed by the company that performed the work. This also shows that the contractor has faith in their own work as well. A good contractor will also have a contingency built into most repair estimates, or may choose to offer you good, better, best options for repairs or replacement. Not every customer wants the same thing, or level of service on every call. A good contractor also will not typically discuss pricing over the phone until they have had a chance to survey the situation, or diagnose the issue

Size is Important

If system replacement is what you are looking for a contractor should provide a size assessment of your home. Ensuring your home’s air conditioning system is sized correctly is important for your comfort when it comes to single stage systems and base line models of air conditioning systems. Higher SEER rated equipment or multistage or variable speed equipment will provide superior comfort than most of the base line models, and also result in savings on your utility bill. A good contractor will provide several options and be able to explain the difference and benefits of each system. Ask about what methods the contractor used to determine the size requirement of the air conditioning system for your home. Manual J software, blower door tests, HERs raters(for new construction, required in certain areas) and other technologies are used by quality contractors to determine this.

What Does a Contractor Do?

After you have found a contractor you can work with you may wonder what to expect next while they are working at your house. A contractor will typically carry out these tasks during installation, repairs or maintenance.

• Equipment should always be installed according to the manufacturer’s specifications, using the industry best practices.
• Connecting systems to different fuel and water lines.
• Connecting air conditioning ducts and sealing to prevent air loss.
• Installing electrical controls and wiring according to code
• Performing tests on the equipment, and controls during and after startup
• Inspect and asses any type of HVAC system.
• Test individual parts of the system to isolate and diagnose what needs fixing.
• Replace or repair whatever is broken or defective.
• Performing routine maintenance to ensure the HVAC system is running efficiently throughout the year.
• Replacement of filters and clearing of drain lines to maintain the efficiency of your system.
• Cleaning of condenser coils yearly or quarterly
• Cleaning of evaporator coils periodically or as needed.
• Tightening electrical connections or lugs, or periodically replacing components that are worn and may cause greater issues down the road for components connected to the electrical supply.

Quality Contractors will typically employ sophisticated tools that are essential to your systems function, performance, and reliability. They will also typically discuss best industry practices they employ to ensure the reliability of your system. Vacuum pumps, recovery machines, acetylene torches and combustion analyzers are tools typically employed by good contractors.

Source by Jon Riddle

Stainless steel fasteners are one of the best options to use in any application. They are known for their strength, corrosion resistance and durability. However, like any other component, knowledge of the correct custom stainless steel fasteners, their application and maintenance, will assure flawless performance. Personnel should be educated as to the correct expectations for stainless fasteners. All employees would benefit from a basic understanding of these stainless components. We provide valuable information in this post.

Important Points about Custom Stainless Fasteners

Your employees will have a better understanding about stainless steel fasteners after reading the information given below:

1. Make sure you get the Right Stainless Steel Grade: The best stainless steel grade to look for in fasteners is 303 SS. This is the most common grade for screw machining. Grade 316 has a higher corrosion resistance level than 304. However, this also means that 316 will be more expensive and the maintenance requirements will be higher than Grade 304. Grade 304 has properties best suited for welding. Hence, make sure you get the right grade of stainless steel for your application.

2. Use the Right Tools for Installation: Drilling is a process where holes are created in the equipment to install fasteners. If you wish to enhance the performance of a custom stainless fastener, ensure that the tool settings and the holes are adjusted and created to the specifications of the fasteners. If the setting is too small the fastener may not get installed properly. If the slotted hole is too big the fastener can become loose causing the equipment to rattle.

3. Lubricate the Thread before Installing: Sometimes during installation the threads of the fastener can get stuck and may suffer from galling. This refers to threading wear due to excess force applied on them which can affect the fastener’s performance. The easiest way to avoid this is to lubricate the threads with oil to prevent any interference during installation.

4. Maintain a Proper Cleaning Schedule: Contamination can have a negative effect on stainless steel fasteners. When stainless steel is exposed to other materials, moisture, dirt and vapor, their performance and durability diminish. If left unchecked this can lead to frequent fastener replacement. The best way to avoid this is to maintain a proper cleaning schedule. Use cleaning fluids that dry quickly and will not leave moisture on the fasteners. Keep the fasteners dry and protect them from vapors emanating from equipment or from outside the facility.

5. Perform Electrochemical Polishing on the Fasteners: Another reason behind the durability of custom steel fasteners is that they have a protective layer of chromium oxide on their bodies. However, if the fasteners are exposed to water or moisture a lot, this protective layer can wear off leading to physical deterioration. If you notice that the custom stainless fasteners have become dull it would be a good idea to get them electro-polished. This process is performed to help fasteners that have lost their chromium oxide layers.

6. Monitor the Fasteners: If the fasteners undergo any kind of wear, chances are they can become loose which can affect their performance. Create a monitoring schedule that has employees inspecting the fasteners from time to time. If you find a loose fastener you can address the issue or replace the fastener altogether.

These various solutions can help you with the upkeep of custom stainless steel fasteners and in turn the end results. You can always feel free to discuss these individual points with us as needed.

Source by Gary Prchal

Server maintenance is the process of keeping the server updated and running to ensure that the organization’s computer network is operating smoothly. The network administrator usually does this, and it is crucial to the performance of the business. Without a proper IT service plan, the application software will never run as it is expected. In severe cases, the network can even experience partial or total failure leading to severe losses to your business.

Server is the term used to describe a box that holds the computer’s processor, memory and hard drive. It is built to provide maximum computing power while utilizing minimum space. Organizations install multiple servers together to increase the processing power available to support several databases, systems and applications.

Proper server maintenance requires the network administrator to conduct regular preventive maintenance. This involves a review of the server’s performance and any potential security risks as well as backup protocols on a regular basis. As part of preventive maintenance, the administrator should ensure that the inbuilt system monitoring utilities are appropriately installed and configured.

So, why is server maintenance important?

In order to keep the business’ computer network in optimal and reliable condition, you need to have regular server updates, installation of patches and diagnostics; in other words, you need a sound server maintenance plan. With this, your business’ precious hardware and software will have a greater chance of serving you for a long time. While you may have an idea of what should go into the plan, you are better off getting server experts to perform the required maintenance.

While server maintenance plans vary from one business to the other, it is universally essential to have a plan that is specifically designed to ensure continued optimization of your server and computer network. Through regular data backup, patch installation for updates and bugs, and running the diagnostics, your business’ server will be kept at peak performance, hence minimizing any risks for errors and system failures. With a maintenance plan that takes into consideration the unique objectives and demands of your business, your server will continue to be reliable and efficient enabling you to run an effective and secure business.

The most important part of a successful and effective maintenance plan is to design one that is right for you and your business since every organization has its unique goals and server needs. Alongside creating a specified plan; it is also important to consider how often you want to perform server maintenance. With a solid plan, you will also have a sensible timetable for implementation thus avoiding prolonged downtimes to your business.

The importance of server maintenance cannot be overemphasized, as without it your business cannot reach the zenith of success. But, server maintenance can be very costly if you want to keep a system administrator within your business premises. However, you can cut down on this cost by contracting a network support company to do the job for you. Through outsourced IT support, you can have experts monitoring your servers round the clock thus keeping your business operations at its peak throughout the year.

Source by Mark Kandinov

Thinking of starting a business? Kudos to you. Hold on tight, it can be a wild and woolly ride.

You can take some of the scary out it by understanding the huge philosophical distinction between being an entrepreneur and being a business owner.

It’s a commonly held belief that by simply taking a risk in business one has achieved the status of entrepreneur. While that may be true from a strictly etymological perspective, the culture of modern business and entrepreneurship might suggest otherwise.

To better understand the distinction, let’s take the case of two men in business. One imaginary plumber we’ll call Joe and one, very real, Bill Gates. On some level, both of their businesses are similar.

On a philosophical level, however, the two approaches to business couldn’t be more different. Those differences can be tracked all to the way to the “back of a napkin” stage of business development.

Bill Gates saw that personal computing would become the central focus of our business and personal lives, and set out to control the operating system that forms the very foundation in over 90% of the world’s computers. To ensure full market penetration and adoption, he also took control of the markets and the means of delivery.

Gates didn’t invent the technique of controlling both the product and the market. In fact, the entrepreneurs who did invent that technique were the same luminaries that are the pillars of American business. Names like John D Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie and even Thomas Edison are all associated with total market domination. Love him or hate him, Gates is in good company.

Joe the Plumber’s vision, on the other hand, while no less worthy, was somewhat smaller in scope. Recognizing a demand for installation and maintenance of plumbing systems, Joe set about creating an organization that provided a high paying and sustainable job for himself.

Joe makes a decent and respectable living. But he can’t take time away for a vacation with his family or the business will suffer, and revenue will fall precipitously.

Joe certainly can’t afford to get sick.

So he toils away, no matter the conditions, content to be his own boss. But Joe has scores of bosses. Customers, lenders, contractors, suppliers, Joe is answerable to them all. His dream of personal freedom has given him an eighty hour workweek with no exit plan or escape route.

Which business would you rather run?

It deserves to be said that Bill Gates is the product of one of the richest families in the Northwest US. He’s not what we might call a “self-made man”. But the track record for lottery winners suggests that having money isn’t enough to guarantee financial success.

In fact, it’s a useful exercise to answer the question, “If I had an unlimited amount of money, what type of business would I start?” From there, determine how to, as Theodore Roosevelt said, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are”.

Spend some time to determine what type of business person you are and you’ll have a stronger and better supported organization, no matter the form you choose.

Source by Carl Donovan