April 2013 Archives - 9/17 - Talk Local Blog

Archive for April, 2013

Monday, April 15th, 2013

LCD monitors are very fragile. If your desktop LCD monitor has a cracked screen, you will need to replace it. However, if your laptop’s LCD screen is cracked, then you can fix it yourself, which saves you money and time.

How to Fix A Cracked LCD Monitor

You will need to purchase a new LCD monitor according to your manufacturers requirements.

1) Turn off the laptop and remove the screws (located under the screw covers) in your LCD monitor.

2) Carefully remove the plastic frame around the LCD monitor. Disconnect any wires and cables attached to the screen and note where they attach. Remove the LCD screen.

3) Put the new LCD screen in place, ensuring that it is the correct size and type. Connect the appropriate wires and cables to your new screen.

4) Screw the plastic frame back on your monitor securely and replace the screw covers over the screws. Turn on your monitor to ensure that it is working properly.

Need Professional Help?

If the damage is more serious, take your LCD monitor to a technician. TalkLocal can help connect you to the best IT professionals in your area when you need them most. We will connect you with up to three, high-quality professionals in just minutes, for free!

Posted in Computer Repair | 1 Comment »

For the Victims of the Boston Marathon Explosion

Monday, April 15th, 2013

The staff here at Seva Call has been deeply affected by the explosions that occurred today at the Boston Marathon. Like everyone else, many of us have been contacting our friends and family in and around the city of Boston to ensure that they are safe.

You can follow the details of the Boston Marathon Explosion on any news outlet’s website:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/04/15/177349725/apparent-explosions-rocks-boston-marathon-finish-line.

We hope that you are safe at home with your loved ones in this time of confusion and fear. Our sincerest thoughts and prayers go out to the victims, their friends and family, and the entire city of Boston in the wake of this tragedy.

This week, when you create a service request and enter #4Boston next to your name, Seva Call will donate $1 to the One Fund Boston.

– The Seva Call Team

Posted in Seva Call | No Comments »

Best Conditions For Growing Sunflowers

Monday, April 15th, 2013

Whether you are interested in a home-grown snack or an eye-catching addition to your garden, you may be wondering about the best conditions for growing sunflowers. The good news is that these plants are fairly hardy and do not need extensive care to ensure their success. There are some tips to keep in mind, however, if you decide to grow sunflowers.

Best Conditions For Growing Sunflowers

– Unlike many common perennials that will come back yearly, most sunflowers are annual and will need to be planted every year to reap their benefits.

– Sunflowers can flourish in many types of soil as they are very adaptable. The main thing they require is a fair amount of nitrogen.

– They are not very drought-resistant. Because of their large size, they do not use water efficiently. It is best to provide sunflowers thorough watering, particularly in the month before and the month after flowering. Commercially, sunflowers resist drought better than other crops due to their six-foot long taproot, but they flourish best with frequent water.

– Sunflowers do best in well-drained soil, so don’t plant them in marshlands or pots that don’t have enough drainage holes.

– The seeds need to be at around 50 degrees to germinate, but once established, sunflowers can withstand temperatures as low at 28 degrees. They grow best in environments that maintain a temperature between 70 and 78 degrees.

– To prevent weeds and pests, put some mulch around the base and watch for damage caused by insects. Many organic, all-natural, or chemical pest repellants are available on the market to help with these problems. If you are interested in harvesting seeds, place a mesh netting over the flower to prevent birds from eating the developing seeds.

Find A Landscaper To Help With Your Needs In The Yard

If you are an inexperienced gardener, it might be best to contact a professional landscaper to determine if your property provides the best conditions for growing sunflowers. TalkLocal can help you find a professional landscaper in your area that is qualified for the job. Our cutting-edge service helps you save time searching for one. Try it out!

Posted in Landscapers | No Comments »

What Does A Butler Do?

Monday, April 15th, 2013

When your busy life leaves you little time to keep up with household affairs, perhaps consider enlisting the help of a butler. But, what does a butler do?

The answer to that question is not as simple as you might think, and it is important to understand some distinctions before hiring someone for the job.

The Leading Servant Of An Estate

In large estates, the butler is generally considered the head, highest-ranking servant. Often he (as women are not the norm in butler positions) will be called the estate manager or chief of staff. This position will require him to manage other house staff, such as maids or kitchen staff. However, the butler may still preform duties such as dinner service and valet.

Not Just For The Rich And Famous

As demand increases in homes of the middle class, the job description of a butler may change. Generally, this person will execute the tasks of a house keeper (cleaning, laundry, etc.) as well as personal assistant duties. It is becoming more common for the duties of a butler to be determined by the home owner’s needs.

Butlers Are Not Necessary For Everyone

If you are looking into hiring someone for general house upkeep, hiring a butler may not be a financially sound move for you. When determining what type of job position will fit your needs (and wallet) it is important consider the question, “What does a butler do?” If the answer is more than will fit your needs, you may consider hiring a maid, house keeper, cleaner, or nanny. Each of these professionals may better suit your budget.

Find A Butler Through Talk Local

Getting in touch with any of these professionals is fast and easy when you use TalkLocal. We will find you a qualified professional in your area for free. You can trust that our search results are based on your specific qualifications and needs. The end result is a professional that specializes in the services you need.

Posted in Maid Services | No Comments »

Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis

Monday, April 15th, 2013

Plantar fasciitis occurs when the thick tissues (the plantar fascia) on the bottom of your foot become inflamed. The tissue connecting the bone in the heel to the toes creates the arch and is what causes the pain. The place your foot will hurt the most is your heel. Here are some of the most common causes and symptoms of plantar fasciitis.

Causes of Plantar Fasciitis

– Your feet roll inward when you walk. Uneven pressure on your feet as you walk often causes foot pain.

– Your arches are too high or nonexistent, decreasing the amount of support you receive as you walk.

– You spend a lot of time on your feet, putting extra pressure on the muscles and bones.

– You are overweight. This puts extra stress on your the muscles and joints in your legs and feet.

Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis

– Pain in the heel or sole of your foot.

– Stiffness, particularly in the softer tissues of your instep.

– Throbbing in your heel or instep.

– The pain or discomfort only occurs in one foot.

– A stabbing feeling in the foot.

– The pain or discomfort develops gradually and worsens over time.

Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis

If you think you feel any of the above symptoms you should check to see if you have plantar fasciitis. The pain could get increasingly worse if you ignore it for too long. If you cannot ease the pain with heat and cold packs or exercise and stretching than you should see a doctor. Possible medical treatments of plantar fasciitis include stretching, surgery, or medication.

Find A Chiropractor

If you have more questions about plantar fasciitis, speak with a chiropractor in your area. TalkLocal will connect you with up to three chiropractors in just minutes, for free!

Posted in Chiropractors | No Comments »

How Does Trigger Point Therapy Work?

Sunday, April 14th, 2013

If you have that knot in your back sending shockwaves of pain up your neck and into your head, you may be considering different types of massage therapy. Many find relief from their knots (or “trigger points”) through trigger point therapy. So how does trigger point therapy work? Read more to discover how this method could relieve your pain.

What Are Trigger Points?

Trigger points are areas of tissue in the muscle that become inflamed and tight. Often, these nuisances become painful when they are at the center of nerve bundles. They can cause radiating pain to other areas or between multiple trigger points.

For example, a trigger point in your back may radiate pain to your neck, which results in a headache. Many experts even associate them with the pain of fibromyalgia. There are two types of trigger points:

It is important to note that trigger points are not the same as acupressure points, which are thought to be bundles of energy blocked within muscles.

How Does Trigger Point Therapy Work?

A professional trigger point therapist will relieve pain caused by trigger points by either pressing on them or pinching them. This will tire out the taught muscle bands and they will eventually relax. It may take several massage sessions to relief trigger points, and some people, like those with fibromyalgia, may need ongoing therapy to relieve their symptoms.

How Do I Find A Trusted Professional?

It can be difficult to know where to start when searching for a massage therapist that specializes in trigger point therapy. Let us do the work for you! TalkLocal is the best place to find quality professional massage therapists in your area. We can have you setting up an appointment with a licensed trigger point therapist near you within 90 seconds. The best part is, our services are completely free!

Posted in Massage Therapy | No Comments »

Dog Breath Smells Bad

Sunday, April 14th, 2013

You may love your dog more than anything else in the world, but even that won’t always make your dog’s breath bearable when it is. While a clean and healthy dog’s breath isn’t the sweetest smelling odor in the world, persistent bad breath (or halitosis) in dogs may indicate health problems in the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, or even kidneys. When dog breath smells bad, you should have it checked out as soon as possible.

What Causes Bad Breath?

The cause of bad breath in dogs is very similar to the cause of bad breath in humans; most often, it will be the result of dental or gum diseases, creating a build up of plaque and tartar that creates bad breath. However, if your dog has persistent bad breath, it may also indicate more severe health problems in its digestive or respiratory system.

How Should I Treat Bad Breath?

You should go to a veterinarian to get a full diagnosis for your dog since there can be a multitude of underlying problems. If you are still looking for a veterinarian, TalkLocal can help make that process simple by automatically connecting you to the highest quality local veterinarians in the area in just minutes!

If it’s just plaque and tartar build-up, your dog is going to need a professional dental cleaning. You may also need to change your dogs diet to prevent halitosis. Always consult your vet to find out what needs to happen if there are more serious underlying health problems.

How can I prevent bad breath in the future?

Dental hygiene is the easiest way to prevent halitosis; for the best results, your dog needs to have his or her teeth brushed daily with a dog-formulated toothpaste. Certain dental treats containing a special formulation to mask the bad odor can also improve your dog’s breath. Lastly, provide your dog with hard and safe chew toys, as the natural chewing action will automatically clean his or her teeth. As always, consistent check-ups with the veterinarian can help monitor and track your dog’s health and teeth, making sure that your dog is always as healthy as can be!

Posted in Veterinarians | No Comments »

My Desktop is Slow and Unresponsive

Sunday, April 14th, 2013

“My desktop is slow and unresponsive!” In this age of instant information, a slow computer can have you banging your head against your desk, repeatedly. A slow and unresponsive desktop typically results from a buildup of junk files and/or malware. Regularly clearing your desktop of malicious files will help maintain your computer’s speed and performance. Free tools are available to help clean up your desktop.

Free Tools to Clean Up Your Desktop

CCleaner will clean out junk and temp files from your PC. Once it is installed on your desktop, click on “Run Cleaner” to eliminate harmful junk files.

Antivirus software such as Malwarebytes and Windows Defender will protect your desktop against viruses and spyware that slows down your PC.

You can also increase your PC’s speed by installing more RAM. You can purchase RAM memory modules from online sites like Amazon and Newegg or from your local computer electronics store.

Need Help Cleaning Up Your Desktop?

A computer technician will be able to help you clean out your computer of unwanted files, and could even give you some tips to keep your computer clean in the future. TalkLocal will connect you with up to three, high-quality computer technicians in your area. Just tell us what you need, where you are, and your availability, and we’ll find the right professional for you in just minutes, for free!

Posted in Computer Repair | No Comments »

Common Exotic Flowers For A Garden

Sunday, April 14th, 2013

Gardens are an effective way to beautify your home, but when your garden looks the same as everyone else’s, you might get bored with it. An easy way to prevent that boredom or disappointment is to get some common exotic flowers for a garden to achieve a unique look. You don’t have to always settle for traditional flowers, like roses.

There are certain exotic flowers that do flourish in most American climates:

These are just a few of the common exotic flowers for a garden that can flourish in America. Don’t forget that other plants can also brighten up your garden if you use them strategically. For example, roses come in many different colors and might provide the extra pizzazz you’re looking for.

When You Need To Consult A Florist…

If you need help finding more information about these, or other flowers, TalkLocal can help connect you to professionals in your area. Our process is quick and hassle-free, and we’ll have you speaking with quality florists in your area in just minutes.

Posted in Florists | No Comments »

Macbook Case Melted

Sunday, April 14th, 2013

The case prevents your Macbook’s hardware from getting damaged. However, a dysfunctional Macbook case can prevent air from circulation, which leads to overheating. In the worst case, your laptop overheated, and the Macbook case melted. It may be a small bit of damage that does not affect your Macbook’s performance, but laptop overheating is an issue that must be dealt with to prevent further damage.

Overheating and Macbook Cases

When your Macbook melts like butter, overheating is the problem. Overheating can be caused by fan failure, dust accumulation, and setting your laptop on soft surfaces with poor ventilation.

Some Macbook cases block air vents, turning your Macbook into an oven that cooks itself. They insulate the heat so that the heat cannot disperse through the thick, strong case material. Consider getting a more appropriate case if your Macbook is overheating; plastic case is better than foam. Also, try removing your Macbook from its case if the Macbook is getting too hot.

You may also have to use fans underneath or behind your laptop as you use it, to try to cool it down. However, this is really just a temporary fix.

Get Your Computer Repaired

For further assistance, go to the Apple store or contact TalkLocal to be connected with computer repair professionals in your area. Just tell us what you need, where you are, and when you’re available, and we will connect you directly with up to three local professionals. You will be able to get the help you need, when you need it, in just minutes — for free!

Posted in Computer Repair | No Comments »

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