Everything Office Supplies

Reviewing the Zebra Z-Grip Gel Pens

2012-01-20T15:31:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite writers over at the OfficeSupplyGeek blog recently reviewed the new Zebra Z Grip sticks pens that were recently recently released to the market. She wrote a great review, which I've posted below with all the links and images intact so you can see the info on her site as well. Take a look at what she wrote and then I'll post my thoughts on this pen below the review:

A little while ago I got a great little package of new pens from the folks at Zebra, which included these nice Z-Grip Gel Stick pens in blue and red. I know many of you prefer to hit up Amazon or Staples for lots of your office supply shopping, however the link there is right to the Zebra Store since it looks like lots of places are not carrying these yet.

Zebra Z-Grip Gel Stick Uncapped

The Z-Grip Gel Stick by Zebra is a very understated pen with minimal branding and a nice clean and simple design. Personally I like when pen manufacturers don’t go overboard on the branding and design elements, so these fit my sometimes simplistic and minimalist needs. They are available in a .7mm or medium tip, and come in blue, red, and black…I didn’t get a sample of the black so you only see the blue and red above. The pen as a very smooth but ribbed grip that is very comfortable, and the cap posts nicely, sliding down a good length over the body of the pen.

Zebra Z-Grip Gel Stick Writing Sample

Writing with these was an absolute pleasure, the .7mm tip glides completely effortlessly across the page, laying down very vivid blue and red gel ink. In my limited time using them, I didn’t experience any skipping or splotching with them. I did have the chance to use these for one extended period of writing and the grip of the pen, as well as the balance were perfect and comfortable for me even with the cap posted. My one minor quibble with the pens were that the blue version had a slight bit of rattle in the tip as I picked it up and put it down on the paper. There wasn’t a huge amount of play in the tip, but I did get a little bit of that “tap” and “click” as I wrote. Overall this is a great performing and inexpensive pen, with the tip rattle being only a very minor annoyance. These would make a great everyday workhorse pen for most, so check out the Z-Grip Gel Stick pens at the Zebra store and give them a try.

View the original article here

It's no secret that I'm very particular about the pens I use, and, once I find a model or models that I like, I tend to stick with them. With that being said, I'm stepping outside that approach to give you an honest opinion. My Zebra rep dropped out a sampler series of this exact same pen in blue and red. I took the time to spend some time writing with them on various papers, surfaces, and situations.

My thoughts: To be quite honest, I wasn't a huge fan initially as I didn't care for the kind of jerky movement that the pen seemed to generate as it wrote. It turns out that these pens need a bit of use to get the ink flowing well, so I was experiencing an issue with the ink flow not being 100%. Once I moved past that issue, I found the pens to be well made, and fairly comfortable (although it will never replace my ergonomical favorite). They were dependable and performed as expected during the testing period. The .7mm tip is a little small for me personally, but it writes quite well.

Let's face it, this pen series is really designed to be disposable, but it's a nice value for the money. While I like the stick version, I'm a much bigger fan of the Zebra Z-Grip Retractable Pen versus the stick models.

Wooden File Cabinets Are Making a Comeback

2011-11-09T21:29:00.000-05:00

Who claimed wooden filing cabinets are not in anymore? Well, they are totally inaccurate. The qualities of these kinds of cabinets can still match the contemporary and current options that come with plastic and metal cabinets. Here are a few issues you might want to know about wooden filing cabinets.

Wooden filing cabinets are traditional and can be very stylish. There can be diverse types of wood cabinets to choose from. They have a selection of types such as classic classic overall look, cozy cottage style or modern office type cabinets. These types of cabinets are sturdily crafted and may boast hand crafted designs that add to its originality. These cabinets can be used both at home and at work. It's essential to select cabinet variations that blend with its surroundings.

Wooden file cabinets are a quality storage framework. They've drawers which help you manage office and home written documents. They also feature security locks to limit access of its subject matter. Wooden cabinets can keep your records protected and organized, versus scattered about your table, bed, or workplace.

These types of wooden filing cabinets may come in different wood units. Based on your taste, it is possible to choose the kind of wooden cabinet according to the wood the are created from. You can choose one that will go with your office or your room. Some examples of wood types you can select from are cherry, oak, maple or walnut wood cabinets. They also are available in different sizes and colors. You can select from colors such as Tuscany brown, onyx black or mahogany finish and much more.

If you are still looking for that perfect cabinet, search no more, wooden file cabinets could just be what you’re interested in. It’s not just another boring filing cabinet, try it out and experience how amazing wood filing cabinets are.

Understanding Guest Chairs

2011-08-18T11:09:00.000-05:00

If you are in a position in which you happen to be frequently having visitors inside your working environment, you'll likely want to consider some kid of guest chairs available in order to accommodate your guests much more easily, avoid having time spent on moving chairs back and forth around the office environment, and generally create a excellent impression. Finding the right workplace chairs can be more than just a matter of finding the first or least expensive thing you find, though. Here are some of the things you might want to think about before starting your search for the right office chairs. Here's one of my favorites:

HON Sled Base Guest Chair

In a sense you could say that any old chair you put in your office with the intention of having it used by guests is an office chair, but those that are actually marketed as such tend to conform to certain basic guidelines. For one thing, office chairs are rarely as elaborate or expensive as even relatively basic office chairs. They certainly aren't comparable to ergonomic office chairs or other specialized chairs.

Most chairs have a basic, simple design, with thin legs and arms so as to minimize the mass of the chair and make for easy lifting and moving; they almost never have a central base or caster-based design. Exact materials can vary; although in more affordable office guest chairs metal or plastic joints are the norm, high-end guest chairs can feature luxury wood frames.

Trading Up to a Wooden File Cabinet

2011-07-21T17:29:00.000-05:00

Even though there are filing cabinets on the market to fit nearly any taste, there are times when a metal filing cabinet just will not go with the decoration. During these circumstances, many buyers turn to wooden file cabinets as a possible alternative. Wood filing cabinets deliver the same operation and storage as their metallic counterparts, and still provide a completely different approach to style and style. As a material, wood provides a attractive and warm feeling that metal simply can’t.

Although there are filing cabinets in existence to fit nearly any taste, there are occassions when a metal filing cabinet just will not complement the furnishings. In these situations, many customers turn to wooden filing cabinets as a possible alternative. Wood filing cabinets give the same features and storage as their metal counterparts, and still provide a completely distinct approach to style and style. As a material, wood offers a warm and inviting feeling that metallic simply can't.

Like most steel cabinets, the wood cabinets can be found in both horizontal and vertical versions. Most wood models also come in the typical 2, 3 and 4 drawer styles as well.

When considering any wood filing cabinets, it is important to use a clear knowledge of the unique types of wood along with an understanding of distinctions between terms like "wood covered", "wood laminate", and "wood veneer". For starters, very few file cabinets are actually produced from real wood from start to finish. There are two factors behind this:

Cost - A filing cabinet manufactured completely from an expensive wood like oak or hickory will be very pricey. For this reason, most office furniture producers use a form of particalboard as the foundation of the cabinet, and then finish it in a wooden veneer of some type like cherry, mahogany, or oak.
Weight - The heavy weight of a number of the denser woods also makes it difficult to use as a cabinet framework.

While not every file cabinet vendor gives a wood version, a number of the well-known brands like HON and Basyx offer a fairly diverse wood line.

While very robust and sturdy, wood filing cabinets also need a bit more care than metallic or steel ones. The wood finish needs a bit ofmoisture so an occasional once over with a commercial wood cleaner will extend the finish for years. Be careful of wood paste wax or paste cleaners as they can actually scratch the veneer finish.

Once you know what you require from wood file cabinets, it can be easy to search for the right one. You just need to take into consideration certain things like your budget, sizes and the type of the cabinet you want. There are plenty of sites on the internet that provide you a lot of products to choose from, most websites offer you the lowest prices and providing you details on the product they sell.

If you're in the market to get a wooden file cabinet for any reason, no matter if you want one to make your business furniture look fashionable or if you simply want to brighten your space with lighter colored wood cabinets as opposed to dark metal cabinets, you can easily find various options at just about any office furniture store. Unless you want to pay a hefty sum for custom wood work, online office supply vendors will most likely have the very best deals.

Is a wood filing cabinet in your future? That actually depends upon your individual style and decoration situation. If you ever decide to go with a wood model, you'll find that they offer an excellent alternative to the more drab steel versions, and can be a great addition to the any office or home office.

For more information on this topic, including discounted prices, please visit: Wooden File Cabinets

The Ins and Outs of Wooden File Cabinets

2011-06-17T12:55:00.000-05:00

Although there are file cabinets out there to fit most any taste, there are times when a metal filing cabinet just doesn't won't match the decor. In these situations, many shoppers turn to wooden file cabinets as a possible alternative. Wooden filing cabinets offer the same functionality and storage as their metal counterparts, but provide a completely different approach to style and taste. A a material, wood offers a warm and inviting feeling that metal simply can't.

Like most metal cabinets, the wood cabinets are also available in both horizontal and vertical models. Most wood models also come in the typical 2,3 and 4 drawer configurations as well.

When considering wooden filing cabinets, it's important to have a clear understanding of the different types of wood along with an understanding of differences between terms like "wood covered", "wood laminate", and "wood veneer". To begin with, very few file cabinets are actually made of real wood from start to finish. There are two reasons for this:

Cost - A file cabinet created completely from an expensive wood like oak or hickory would be very expensive. For this reason, most office furniture manufacturers use a form of particle board as the foundation of the cabinet, and then finish it in a wood veneer of some type like cherry, mahogany, or oak.
Weight - The heavy weight of some of the denser woods also makes it difficult to use as a cabinet foundation.

While not every file cabinet manufacturer offers a wood version, many of the mainstream companies like HON and Basyx offer a fairly diverse wood line.

Shipping Costs Going Up Industry Wide

2011-05-09T04:13:00.000-05:00

If you've been doing any shopping online recently, you probably noticed a growing trend where the shipping or freight costs are going up. While not everyone online merchant is taking this approach, many are simply trying not to lose money on shipping. The truth is, most online office supply companies don't make money on shipping anyway.

What's driving delivery costs up? The rising costs of fuel. The delivery business is paying more for fuel so they are forced to raise their delivery rates. When these rates go up, it creates a trickle down effect for many online merchants as they are forced to either raise their prices, raise shipping rates, or raise both. No one really likes to raise both, so most opt to increase the costs associated with delivery.

Office Supplies Going Up In Cost

2011-04-11T00:36:00.000-05:00

If you've spent anytime recently shopping for office supplies at brick and mortar locations, you have probably noticed that the prices seem to be going up. While this is directly tied to a number of factors including the current economy, the soaring cost of fuel also plays a huge part. Most any office supply store has to pay freight costs on all items that are trucked in or delivered. Since the cost of fuel has gone up, the cost of having those items brought in goes up as well. The increased costs of inbound shipping are then passed onto the retail customer through increased prices. Now, now all the increased delivery costs are passed through, but you will pay more for these supplies.

A good friend of mine is the manager of a very successful Staples store, and he was saying that they have been raising prices about 1% each month since fuel started to climb to offset the higher shipping expenses.

This is an area where online office supply vendors can really shine as they don't have the same expenses costs associated with brick and mortar stores. While they are feeling the fuel crunch as well through shipping costs, it's typically less as they are sing commercial carriers for dropshipping versus freight carriers.

The Ins and Outs of Stackable Chairs

2011-04-05T02:17:00.000-05:00

The mention of stackable chairs may possibly conjure up memories of the school cafeteria, but the truth is that stackable chairs can have a location in a lot more significant work settings as properly - even in the office. Stackables provide a distinctive set of advantages that make them a compelling choice for the house or office.

Stackable chairs: What are they?

Stackables are chairs that are created to be stacked on leading of 1 an additional for the sake of compactness and functionality. The rewards of stackables are severe. For 1 factor, when developed nicely, they can be extremely effortlessly stacked and unstacked, permitting you to make varied and efficient use of the space obtainable to you. They also tend to be a lot more durable than otherwise similar chairs, as they are created with a particular expectation of less than gentle use in mind.

Stackables generally come in sets from about three to five chairs. These sets are also matched in style and color, so they make it effortless to maintain the motif of the room they're going to be employed in constant.

What to look for

There are a couple of issues to look for when picking chairs. Possibly the most obvious factor is value. With chairs, you\'re not very attempting to push the envelope as far as style or comfort are concerned, and these take place to be the two variables that tend to have the most severe impact on furniture costs. You shouldn't have to break the bank even when getting a solid, appealing set of stackable chairs for any purpose.

Stackables want to be able to withstand the wear and tear that comes from becoming stacked and unstacked repeatedly. Frequent frame supplies for stackables contain aluminum, wood, and plastic. Plastic typically isn't proper for an office setting, so we'll remove that for now. Both aluminum and wood can be viable selections, although, for different factors. Aluminum frames tend to stand up much better to even fairly careless use, and won't show obvious signs of harm, so if you expect to be repeatedly loading and unloading the chairs, aluminum may possibly be the way to go. Wood frames, on the other hand, have a a lot more stylish appearance - these are stackable chairs that don\'t extremely look like stackable chairs.

What to steer clear of

The main factor to avoid when selecting chairs is armless upholstered designs. Upholstered stackable chairs look fantastic and supply great comfort, but the armless ones can simply be damaged throughout the stacking or unstacking procedure, so we do not very suggest these.

Resin stackable chairs

Resin stackables are stackable chairs with seats and backs produced of a resin-based material, which has an appearance and feel comparable to plastic, but a bit smoother. Most resin chairs are intended for children, but there are some grownup-sized resin chairs on the marketplace as properly. They tend to have a a lot more informal look, so they may possibly not be suitable for all offices or workplaces, but they fit in nicely at residence, on the patio, or in the physician or dentist's office.

Padded stackable chairs

Stackables may possibly be fitted with numerous sorts of padding, which serves to offer an additional dimension of comfort. This isn't an absolute need to have, as stackable chairs are in no way extremely intended for prolonged use, but padded chairs can be a really excellent alternative for office settings.

Comfortable Classroom Chairs For the Kids

2011-04-04T04:25:00.000-05:00

With children having the least quantity of concentration time, you require to have the most comfy chair to maintain them away from any form of distraction. Keep in mind when you\'re attempting to tell a story to a bunch of youngsters, and you see them focused on what you\'re talking about, and they're just cross sitting in front of you? That's simply because they are comfy with that position. Exact same goes when they're sitting on a table and chair. They'll likely listen and behave when sitting on a comfy chair. Maintaining a great posture whilst in class is also an essential factor, because this is the time when the body's bones are creating.

There are a lot of selections to pick from when it comes to classroom chairs, but a item that is created with excellent top quality is the one that need to be chosen amongst other chairs. There is a huge inventory of classroom chairs that could fit any classroom. The multi-colored stacking chairs are produced specifically to enlighten up any boring room. With a lot of colors to select from, you could surely make a child concentrate simply because he or she would enjoy sitting on this type of chair.

These chairs enable longer periods of sitting in the course of classes without having giving any child any form of boredom. The 11 Child baseline blue chair is produced from durable plastic and rubber material that is non-toxic. It is contoured to permit the child to move around and love any classroom activity with out falling down. The smooth surfaces of the chairs make any dirt effortless to wipe off and they come with rubber sole legs that won't make any marks on your floor. These items are created to make certain safety for your children who will be making use of them. Choose these chairs out, and you'll surely have a one excellent educational class.

For more information on this topic, visit=> Kid's Chairs.

The Ink Toner Refill Process

2011-02-23T07:24:00.001-05:00

Cartridges for the HP 970CXI printer can be refilled in two extremely distinct techniques. Refill the bladder of the black cartridge and the sponge of the colored cartridge in the HP 970CXI printer with assist from an employee of an ink-filling station in this totally free video on HP printer cartridges.

While I can see how this might save some money, the mess and time invested just isn't worth it to me. In my opinion, it's far easier simply to purchase discounted OEM toner cartridges instead.

Keeping Your Inkjet Printer Running Like a Top

2011-02-22T08:02:00.000-05:00

Inkjet printers are excellent inventions and nowadays they are in most houses that have computers. Several smaller companies and home office employees also use them for their business printing needs due to the low price of the printing equipment and the inkjet cartridges.

If you want to make certain that your inkjet prints onto the paper for the very best top quality printed output achievable, there are a couple of points you need to maintain in mind:

Clogged nozzles - First and foremost, ink begins to dry once it makes contact with air. Since there is often a little bit of ink left in the inkjet nozzle, you'll end up with clogged nozzles if you don't print regularly. Depending on the situation, it can take some time to unclog the printer head, and in some cases, it can't be uncloged at all. An easy way to avoid this situation is to use the inkjet printer on a regular basis. If you can't find a need to print on a regualr basis, consider running a test print at least once a week. While this may sound like a waste of ink, it beats out having to replace the entire inkjet cartridge due to a clogged nozzle.

Appropriate paper - To ensure opimal printing results, make sure to use the correct paper for your printer model. While paper may look the same, it's actually can vary quite a bit. Some paper is specifically designed for laser printers, while other paper is made for use in photocopiers. Inkjet printers perform best using multifunction paper or inkjet printer paper.

Routine maintenance - If you notice your inkjet isn't printing as clearly as it has been in the past, you most need to perform routine maintenance by running the software program applications which came with your printer. This includes functions like ink nozzle alignment, color alignment, and test print evaluation. The ink nozzle alignment maintenance ensures that the ink is properly distributed where it ought to be by verifying the nozzle position. If any of the nozzles are misaligned, you'll end up with streaked or fuzzy printing. This is most noticeable when printing photos, but it can result in fuzzy text print as well. The maintenance routine itself is simple to run and will offer you with step-by-step directions to follow.

Inkjet printers are kind of like cars, in that if you take care of the printer, it will take care of your printing when needed.

The Importance of Recycling Electronics

2011-02-21T09:53:00.000-05:00

Electronics is a necessity in our daily lives. Multiple computers, televisions and cellular phones are almost always seen in every home. The fast changing face of our technology leads to a very high return rate for electronic devices. Numerous electronic devices contain materials that are recyclable and materials that comprise of toxic wastes. By recycling electronics properly, health and environmental issues brought about by improper disposals can be prevented.

Below are the KEY reasons why Electronic Recycling is Important:

û Electronics are a Major Source of Toxic Waste

Almost all electronic devices or gadgets release toxic waste when they are not properly disposed. For instance, an old computer monitor contains about 4 to 8 pounds of lead. If this is not recycled, the lead could end up on landfills where it can possibly leak out into the water system and the surrounding soil. Another example is the circuit board which contains both cadmium and lead, which are a known human carcinogen.

û Electronics That Ends Up in Landfills

Approximately 2% of all solid wastes are composed of disposed electronics. The Environmental Protection Agency or EPA had estimated that about 40 million computers become obsolete in a span of one year. In this case, 40% of lead and 70% of heavy metal in landfills are produced by electronics.

ü Recycling Reduces Emissions

In the United States alone, about three billion electronic devices have been compiled. By recycling electronics, the amount of dangerous emissions which are released in manufacturing are greatly reduced. Recycling 1 million desktop computers can stop the release of greenhouse gases which is equivalent to 16,000 passenger cars’ annual emissions.

How to Recycle Electronics

The recycling program labeled “eCycling” was introduced for retailers and manufacturers. The EPA introduced this take-back program to help recycle used electronics gadgets and devices.

It is very important that a recycling center has certification. It should also follow industry standards and guidelines. There are some recycling centers that only recycle a small portion of the device while others recycle up to 90% of the device. Keep in mind that when submitting data storage capable devices; make sure to erase all memory.

It is important to recycle electronic devices since it’s not only advantageous to the environment; it is also good for businesses since they secure better interaction with the consumers. They also help conserve and save the environment. This can also cut down on the production costs. Thus, consumers will gladly pay less on a recycled product that has saved a portion of the earth.

Paper or Plastic CD Cases?

2011-02-18T23:32:00.000-05:00

When purchasing CD storage cases, people tend to be confused about choosing either paper or plastic jewel cases. Both cases are good in their own way. That’s the reason why choosing becomes quite challenging.

The top option these days is the CD jewel. It is made out of plastic, and it is commonly used for easier piling as well as storing. This case also has the capacity to hold one to four CDs depending on the style of the case you bought. One of the sides has a hinge which makes it easier to open. It comes in different colors, which tend to be more costly than the plain ones.

Paper cases, on the other hand, are simple and biodegradable. As compared to the plastic case, this can be made personally. What you have to do is to obtain the resources that you need as well as the allotted time and effort for it.

Both paper and plastic jewel cases have their own advantages and disadvantages. If you are the type of person who is an environmentalist, plastic cases may be an eye sore to you. The sight of damaged jewel cases might bother you because you don’t have any other choice but to throw them in the garbage. Aside from that, these cases may have cost you a serious deal of money.

While plastic cases are non biodegradable, paper cases are environmental friendly. If the case gets damaged, you won’t have any second thoughts about throwing them into the trash as they will decompose. You can even save more money as well as create a new hobby by creating your own. You can do this by using a type of paper, which is firm enough to prevent folding. It is highly customizable thus giving you the opportunity to make your own design.

Paper cases provide extra fun and excitement. However, it can easily get soaked in water (no matter what type of paper is actually used). The CD can become wet and eventually damaged. This makes plastic cases more beneficial.

This case was designed to prevent water from seeping through. They also come in different colors, which allow you to choose the case that fits your taste. Then again, if it breaks, it adds up to the pile of CD cases in the land fill.

Choosing either paper or plastic jewel cases for your CDs or DVDs can be a tough decision. You have to consider all the aspects before you could pick the best choice. Then again, if you weigh all the benefits, you will eventually end up choosing paper cases over plastic ones.

Understanding the Weight of Copy Paper

2011-02-18T16:24:00.000-05:00

Just about everyone who has ever shopped for printer paper or copy paper, has seen the weight listings for the various types of paper. With paper being an important product used in the different fields of socio-industrial lives, you must know the type of paper that you should use in your everyday life.

Weight refers to the thickness of a certain paper. Having a higher number associated with that certain paper means that the sheet is thicker. An example for this is a 24 pound and a 20 pound paper. The 24 pound being heavier means that it is thicker than the 20 lb one.

Copy paper (also commonly called multifunction paper) is the universally used kind of paper for copier machines. The weight of this paper usually comes in 16 pounds, 20 pounds and 24 pounds. Among these weights, the 20 pound bond is more commonly used as copier paper while the 24 pound is well-liked for stationeries and business letters.

The paper you prefer depends on the purpose or on where you will be using it. For brochures or books, you can use the 28 pound or the 32 pound paper type. Being able to see words or images through each sheet is minimal.

The paper also determines the accuracy of color, the sharpness and the brightness of your printed copy. You can choose a paper with a lighter weight in order to save money. However, you’ll be left feeling cheap as well because the quality of your printed work is not as good as it might have been if a higher weight of paper was used.

From the most delicate and thinnest tissue paper to the hardest and thickest paper, you can think of a wide range of options. Using an intellect of the methods which can explain the weight they have are not as simple as it seems. It is important for you to know the basic concepts and their significance.

Papers are classified according to size and weight. They also come in various colors and designs. This only entails you to determine the appropriate paper you must use for a certain reason.

What you should keep in mind about PAPER WEIGHT is that - the paper having the higher number is the thicker paper. The 24 lb. paper gives better output quality as compared to the 20 pound one. So don’t go for cheap ones if they would make your output less presentable.

What's The Shelf Life of Toner?

2011-02-17T11:16:00.000-05:00

You might be wondering about the shelf life of a toner. Since you don’t use several toners at the same time, sometimes you feel the need to store the others so you have stock whenever you run out of ink. This is good if you use a lot of ink, which lets you replace toners every now and then; however, it is also unwise if you don’t know how long you could keep your stocks in the shelf.

Toners, regardless the type or model has the same shelf life. It doesn’t matter if it is an EOM type, re-manufactured or a refilled type. All of these types are shipped with an 18 month to 24 month shelf life. The shelf life of a toner refers to the duration of time given before it is considered to be unsuitable for sale or use. It is the recommended time during which the product is stored and can work in good condition. After reaching its shelf life, the toner becomes useless.

Toners are packed tightly and stocked up in moist proof packages to avoid moisture, heat as well as light from overriding with its performance. However, a shelf life of 18 to 24 months won’t endure if they are exposed to particles for a period of time. While heat causes the toner to combine prematurely, dampness makes the particles wet and excessive light exposure wipes out the toner’s photosensitivity. Any of these three factors might submit the toner powders in poor condition for printing thus shortening the expiration date.

Hard-wearing packaging, however, is not perfect. Even if they’re packed tightly, the toner can still combine prematurely, and they can clump together whenever they are left in a hot environment. Shaking could never loosen the particles once they’re clumped together. In this case, the toner can never be used for printing anymore. However, when the toner is enclosed in a tightly packed container and stocked in a perfect environment, it can outlive the shelf life, and it can be used for 10 years and beyond.

The ideal environment for the toner is a place that fosters a relative humidity of 50% and at a temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit. When the toner is stored there, the powders could last until the cartridge dries up. This proves that the shelf life does not depend on how long it is unused.

Filling up empty cartridges with a type of toner that is compatible to it is a plus factor for every client. The newly refilled toner can be utilized for printing for an indefinite period of time. This is regardless of the expiration date and for as long as its humidity and temperature needs are being followed.

The shelf life of a laser toner can either be lengthened or shortened. It only depends on how serious you are in keeping the necessary measures in mind. If you follow the guidelines, your toner can be stocked for up to 24 months.

Choosing VCR Tapes

2011-02-16T02:22:00.000-05:00

Technology keeps on advancing and it has already affected other devices like Video Cassette Recording (VCR). When consumers started becoming used to it, a fresh and more improved model comes along. Unfortunately, valued times were already stored in a VCR tape, and it doesn’t share the same features with the latest technology.

This recording device became the first ever booming video recording system at home. It can record and squeeze one day of recording into a 30hour tape. However, there are light effects generated when they are played back, which can be intolerable sometimes.

Some Video cassette recordings are rich in features. They provide 168 to 960 hours of recording. These models are much better than those that offer only 24 hours of recording potentials.

Here are various uses for the tape’s basic function, including TV show recording (even though the spotlight has already transferred to digital recordings). The tapes might linger for quite some time but the machines used to play them may run out first.

As of today, VCR tapes started to depreciate. This depreciation happened due to erroneous storage. They can also happen because of repeated recordings, which can wear away the tape.

The greatest factor affecting the depreciation of VCRs is poor management. High value tapes should be handled, stocked properly and replaced daily. Such inadequacies are not the storage system’s fault, but it is in the operation. The tape tends to be over used which results in recordings that are poor. This is unlike digital recorder devices. The maintenance of the VCR systems consumes more time as compared to digital based system recorders.

VCRs became a casualty of the digital innovative generation. VCR tapes, being an analog recording type, will never end, even if it was taken from a video camera. Commercial movies last somewhat longer than home recordings. However, depending on the stocking conditions, these tapes can last for a decade or two.

Moving recordings from an innovation to another would never be pointless. Technology will never be put to rest. Transferring the recordings from the VCR tape to digital form is the only option left if you want to keep the precious memories alive forever.

VCR devices made an impact on video recordings before the digital revolution began. It is a very useful device for anyone. Thus, its popularity decreased due to the constant changes in the world of technology.

You may still be able to find a Video Cassette Recording in the marketplace today. It is also extremely cheap. Even as it was already outlasted by other newer devices, it can still record treasured moments you had with your family.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2010-10-25T05:53:00.002-05:00

As a reminder, October has been recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness month so please consider either donating to this very worthy cause or patronizing businesses who donate a portion of proceeds to the cause.

Chances are, you personally know someone who either has battled, is battling, or has lost the battle with this terrible disease. By banding together, we can each help in our own little way and could be helping fund research that might save a mother, sister, grandmother, or friend.

Thanks.

How Long Will a Compact Disc Last?

2010-09-30T05:23:00.000-05:00

A CD (compact disc) may seem permanent but it does not last forever. The things that we do to them can actually affect their life. Most of them last for thirty years or so if handled with care. However, their life span an also be affected by several factors. There are several suggestions given by computer scientists on how to prolong a CD’s life.

Direct sunlight exposure can do a great amount of damage to CDs due to the sun’s heat and ultraviolet rays. The material can get stressed out with the rapid change in humidity or temperature. Then again, study shows that fingerprints and stains actually do more damage to CDs as compared to scratches. This is why it is advisable to hold the disc at the center hole or via the outer edge.

Using a piece of cotton cloth is very helpful in cleaning discs. For extra cleaning power, isopropyl alcohol can be used in wiping the disc. Discs can last longer when it is stored in plastic cases and kept in a dark, dry and cool environment. Storing a disc upright like with what you do with books on a shelf can also prolong its life since gravity can bend the disc if it’s stored flat.

Here is a Guide to Handling and Caring for CDs:

Do’s:

o Hold the discs by the center or at the outer edge.

o Always remove dirt and foreign objects from the disc.

o Always store your CDs upright in plastic cases.

o You must return the discs to its case instantly after usage.

o Store the CDs in a dark, dry and cool environment.

o Before recording, always check the CD surface.

Don’ts:

o Never touch the disc surface.

o Never bend the disc.

o Avoid using adhesive labels.

o Avoid exposing the discs to high temperatures and humidity.

o Never store the discs flat for a long period of time.

o Never write on the data area.

o Avoid prolonged exposure to heat sources like ultraviolet light or sunlight.

There are many factors that affect a CDs life. If you want to have a CD that can last for years, consider purchasing high quality CDs. Although these are expensive, they can last longer than the ordinary CDs. Plus, taking care of these CDs can make the difference. So if someone asks “How long will a CD last?” it is safe to answer with conviction that a CD’s life can be determined with the way it is handled and its exposure to the factors that will endanger the quality as well as the life of your CD.

For more information on all the different types of compact discs, go here: Compact Discs.

Tips for Buying Office Chairs

2010-06-17T14:53:00.001-05:00

Being in the office business, you should expect to pay around 250 - 350 for a good office chair. Even though top of the line office chairs can cost thousands of dollars, they usually aren't more comfortable than a 300 dollar chair. Instead of paying thousands for the chair, you're normally paying thousands for the brand name instead.

For those on a budget who don't want to spend a lot of money on office chairs, less expensive chairs are available for around 100 dollars per model. Global and Wallace are among the best in low budget office chairs.

Ask about repairs - Whenever repairs are required for your office chairs, you should ask if parts can be replaced. If the parts have to be shipped to your office, you should find out who is responsible for shipping charges, as they can tend be quite expensive. If shipping isn't required, you should find out about delivery.

Discounts - Discounting is very rampant in the channel of dealers. Even if you are only buying one office chair, you can still get up to a 30 percent discount off the suggested price of retail. As you buy more and more office chairs, the discount will keep getting bigger and bigger.

Therefore, it's always a smart decision to buy your office chairs in bulk. If you have a lot of employees, you'll save hundreds and maybe even thousands of dollars. Saving money is something everyone likes to do, especially when it comes to your office.

Trials - If you plan to buy a lot of chairs at a time, you should ask for a few trial chairs to be brought to your office. Then, you can let your employees vote for the chairs they like best. Even though a standard chair will be sufficient for most people, it may be necessary to purchase other chairs as well.

For example, taller people will need special chairs, as well as those with a lot of weight. No one chair will work for everyone, as the human body comes in different shapes and sizes.

Making your decision - You can purchase your chairs either locally, or online if you prefer. Even though they may be cheaper online, you still have to worry about shipping charges. Buying locally is the best way, especially if you are buying many different office chairs.

Those planning on getting the most from their office and employees, should look into the most comfortable office chairs for the money. Your employees will feel and work much better with comfortable chairs, which is reason enough to make the investment and go that extra mile.

Anatomy of the Office Chair

2010-05-21T14:21:00.000-05:00

When dealing with office chairs, some of the most commonly asked questions center around the actual nomenclature of the chair itself.

Contrary to what many may think, the office chair is no longer a piece of furniture. Behind each and every office chair, there are a lot of thought and science being implemented. The reason for this, is because an office chair can be harmful to your health and also your body.

The principles of ergonomics are used with office chairs to give you comfort and safety. Below, you'll find some key points to look for in an office chair.

1. Chair height The height of an office chair should always be easy to adjust. In order to do this, the chair must be equipped with a pneumatic adjustment lever. This lever should be able to move your chair between 16 and 21 inches off the floor.

This is important simply because the person sitting in the chair needs to sit according to the height of the table or desk. The chair shouldn't be too high or too low, so the user doesn't slouch or strain at their desk.

The important thing to remember is that the knees should be at a lower height than your hips. This will encourage the natural "double C" of the spine and help to provide upright support for your body.

2. Chair width and depth An office chair should always be wide enough to support users of all shapes and sizes. Normally, the width will vary between 17 and 20 inches. The chair depth area is the area found from the front of the seat to the back of the chair.

The depth of the office chair should be big enough for you to lean back against the backrest with 2 to 4 inches difference between your knees and the seat of the chair.

3. Armrests Armrests are adjustable and will allow you to rest your elbows, arms, and shoulders in a comfortable manner.

4. Backrest The backrest on an office chair will vary from 12 to 19 inches. Like all other parts of office chairs, the backrest should be adjustable enough to move either forwards of backwards.

5. Swivel Working in an office requires you moving about, from one computer to another or even to a file cabinet. Therefore, an office chair should provide a swivel at the bottom to allow you to move around your area freely.

How To Adjust An Office Chair

2010-05-10T01:33:00.001-05:00

Office chairs are essential to have around an office, yet they offer so many features. For people of all sizes, adjusting an office chair is something we all should know.

You should adjust the height of the chair so that your feet are able to rest comfortably on the floor, with your thighs horizontal. If your feet cannot rest on the floor, you'll need a footrest.

If your office chair has a pneumatic level, height adjustment can be accomplished from a seated position. In order to raise or lower the height of older office chairs, you'll need to stand in front and rotate the seat clockwise or counter clockwise. You'll know the height is right when the height of the seat pan is just below the height of your knee caps.

You should always avoid situations where your feet dangle, as this will compress the tissue on the back of your thighs and behind your knees, also leading to aches and discomfort in the lower legs. There should be a space about the width of a clenched fist between the back of the knees and front of the chair.

If there isn't, lower the chair slightly. If the chair has the ability, tilt the seat pan forward to slightly relieve the pressure. You may need a foot rest. The rounded edge on many office chairs will also help to prevent uncomfortable pressure behind the knees.

At your desk, your office chair should be adjusted to accommodate the working surface. What this means, is that your chair should be raised high enough to keep your sitting comfortably at your desk.

Adjusting the backrest You should adjust the backrest so that it supports the lumbar area of your lower back. As this is the most important contact point, taking care of your lower back is very important.

In most situations, and especially where your job requires you to sit in your chair for an extended period of time, your backrest will need to have an adjustable height so that you can get the maximum amount of support for your back. There are some backrests that can even be moved forward or backwards.

If the seat pan is deep, these features can be even more useful. Whatever you do, never sit in a chair for a long period of time without back support. You should adjust the chair instead, as this will protect your back while you work.

Office Chairs for the Big and Tall

2010-04-29T15:29:00.001-05:00

For larger employees around the office, big and tall office chairs are a must. Sitting all day in a chair that is too small is very uncomfortable, and also unhealthy on your posture - which can lead to muscle strain and all kinds of chronic health problems now and later on down the road.

Even you aren't really a big and tall type of person, you can still find much needed comfort and function in an office chair that will provide you a lot more room. For a smaller frame, these types of office chairs provide quite a bit of room for you to maneuver.

Every day, you work very hard. Therefore, you deserve that extra bit of comfort that a big and tall office chair provides. Several chair vendors and salesmen will pick only the best chairs, then pass the savings on to you. Big and tall chairs are very popular in the office, and for very good reason.

One you try one of these chairs out, they'll quickly become a permanent fixture in your office, conference room, or even your home office. Finding the right chair can be a huge investment, while finding the perfect chair will be a tall order.

When looking for big and tall office chairs, you can shop locally or online. There are many different types of these chairs out there, all you have to do is find the ones you like best. For big and tall office workers, these chairs are simply a must have.

For comfort and style, big and tall chairs are ideal to have around the office. They'll provide the comfort bigger guys need, and also provide extra room for the little guys. If you've been looking for the perfect chairs for your office, big and tall is an excellent investment.

Are Mesh Office Chairs Comfortable?

2010-04-17T11:20:00.001-05:00

Chairs with mesh backs are quickly becoming a must have in the business world. They are catching on quickly in many conference rooms, home offices, and offices around the United States. The reason for their success is the additional comfort that the mesh back provides.

When you sit at your desk all day, it can become quite tedious. Sitting in a cubicle all day for hours and hours can leave you feeling a bit stuffy with a cramped back and legs. A regular office chair can make this worse, as it will cut off the airflow to your back, causing your body temperature to rise.

Mesh back office chairs prevent this by allowing your back room to breathe. The mesh material allows for the exchange of air through the chair, making your day at the office less stuffy. You can spend hours and hours in a mesh chair and your back won't even know it.

Another reason for the popularity of mesh back office chairs is their design. By offering a contemporary design, the mesh back chair lets your clients know that you are up to speed with your office. You can even get your own design and material, customizing your chairs the way you want.

Vendors and retailers give you the chance to customize your mesh back chairs, allowing you to blend them in with your conference room. You can turn your conference room or office into a work of art with mesh back office chairs.

A majority of people are concerned that mesh back chairs don't offer the support that a normal office chair will offer. All mesh chairs have lumbar back support built right in and are designed for support and comfort.

Used Office Chairs: What to Look Out for While Shopping

2010-04-15T18:51:00.001-05:00

Office chairs are one of the most used furniture in the world of marketing business, telecommunications, and basically everything else that requires an office and computers. Almost every company makes use of office chairs. It is not uncommon therefore that even home offices or even computer tables make use of office chairs.

However, these pieces of furniture do cost a lot. Some would go up to $1500 (like some of Herman Miller’s excellent Aeron models), other, lower priced ones, can be found starting at about $50. But many of those lower priced ones actually tend to be of low quality too and very uncomfortable so if you are setting up a humble home office, or a small business, you’ll probably have to deal with budget cuts on your office chairs to furnish or give way for other more important office needs. Buying office chairs, however, need not be very expensive. What is probably very abundant in America is the presence of used products. You’ll find garage sales and flea markets everywhere so you should look for used office chairs in those areas first.

Make flea markets your haunt, and with enough time and patience, you may find a used office chair that you want. But when choosing a used office chair, take note of a few minor details before actually coughing up the cash for buying it.

Look at the used office chair form every angle. See if the seat is tilted in any way or if the seat hangs to one side. This chair is probably already broke and might just cause a backache rather than comfort you’ll just end up spending more rather than saving your bucks. Consequently, look also at the back rest of the chair especially if it is a reclining chair. If the back rest is a bit diagonal or tilted in any way, don’t buy it.

Test the used office chair’s tilt mechanism. Sit on it and try a few different positions. If the seat is hard to manipulate or tilt, you might not want to buy it. Hard to control seats may be the onset of rusting or damage in its inside mechanisms and you wont want your seat to fall apart when you’re on it.

Look at stains and droplets on the used office chair’s cushion. It’s also good thinking to smell the cushion although you might look funny doing it. Some stains or remnants of stains may not be seen but smelled. If the chair reeks, get away from it. You won’t want other people’s liquids transferred to you don’t you?

It’s ok if the used office chair has a few stains though. Those cannot be avoidable. You can even use them as discount reasons.

Look for scratches on the used office chair’s back rests also under the seat and scratches somewhere near the mechanisms for adjustment. You’d want these places to be clean so you’ll know if its been tampered with or damaged.

Test the knobs and levers on the used office chair especially those used to lift the chair. Some office chairs use air to lift or lower the height of the used office chair. Lift the chair to its highest position and then sit on it for a considerable amount of time. If it slowly decreases in height then there might be leak in its air chamber. This doesn’t really matter if you want to use the used office chair in its lowest position but if you want it adjusted periodically, find a chair that stays high when you make it high.

Increase Your Work Productivity With The Right Home Office Chair

2010-04-09T13:25:00.001-05:00

Home offices are growing in large numbers because of the revolutionary business approach that is safely and conveniently provided by the World Wide Web. Approach in business has come to change over time. Thereby advancements in home office design have evolved as more businessmen now choose to have their office right at the space of their home. Moreover, there are already wide selections of highly structured built-in offices, modular components and economical installations. There are lots of fresh ideas for office products where you can make some cost cutting solutions together with the challenge of budget decorating your home office.

As more people are moving their business into their home, the need for space-efficient and lightweight office furniture is in demand. More office furnitures such as home office chair is designed to make the most of the home office space there is available. It is helpful that you understand how to separate your home office with the rest of your house. It is essential that you equip your home office with the right home office chair and office furniture separate from the distinctive designs and style of the rest of house furnitures. A home office chair must be comfortable and flexible to keep you working even with the distractions that home activities may contribute.

If you want a cheaper home office chair and other office furniture, look over bargains at local furniture shops offering consignment arrangements and discounts. Garage sales and thrift furniture stores are offering used home office chair and furniture. Furniture retailers can give you discounts for your bulk purchase of office equipments. More so, if they are on a sale promo then almost any furniture including home office chair is on sale at almost up to fifty percent discount.

Used office chairs and other furniture may be purchased at a low price perfect for your limited home office chair and office designing budget. The nearest most possible solution that you may do is look around your house for furniture that may be used for your office. You might find an old shelf, file cabinet and study table and chairs that are not used anymore and are being kept in your garage. This equipment could be applied with new polish and restore to look new and untouched. You may restore your home office chair into the look that compliments the rest of your office equipment. If you have an outgrown study table and chair, you may trade it for your friend's unused and extra home office chair and desk.

Factors to be considered such as comfort, complimenting style, design and color, and body support is important in picking the right home office chair. Proper back and neck support of your home office chair is important since you spend all day sitting down on it. Look for a home office chair that has a curved lower portion backrest following the natural contours of the spine. There are cheap home office chairs available but most don't provide proper back, neck and lower limb support. With the initial sit, you should immediately feel comfortable and remains at ease after long period of sitting. It helps that your home office chair has enough room for the hips and thighs to move thus allowing you to change sitting positions. You should never underestimate your sitting posture as it may have far reaching health effects after.

With these considerations for acquiring a home office chair whether purchased expensively or obtained inexpensively, it is essential that you have an adequately equipped home office in order for your work to be more productive. It is significant that you carefully select your home office chair together with other office items that are functional and safe for home office environment use. Undeniably, work productivity would be highly improved if your home office chair delivers the best and most comfortable sitting quality possible.

Folding Chairs Are Awesome in a Pinch

2010-04-08T09:33:00.001-05:00

If you are in a business that requires quick seating with little to no notice, folding chairs may be the answer you've been looking for. Folding chairs are inexpensive yet brilliant solutions for a variety of indoor or outdoor events such as meetings, conferences, and even performances.

To use the chairs, you simply open them up and they will lock firmly in place. Folding chairs also make great space savers as well, as you can stack several on top of each other then put them on a chair caddy to transport several at a time the put them away quickly when they aren't in use.

Manufacturers and vendors offer a variety of folding chairs, made from either stainless steel or polypropylene plastic. You'll also have the option to select from different colors as well, or even request padded seats on the backs of the chairs for extra comfort.

Almost all folding chairs are alike in terms of structural features. For durability, the chairs are designed with double riveted 18-gauge steel tubing frames. You chairs are very lightweight so you can move them around easily, and the seats and backs are contoured to accommodate persons of all shapes and sizes.

The chairs will also last a very long time, as the materials they are made from won't rust or fade. Since they are waterproof and stain resistant as well, they won't get damaged when left in the weather or subjected to accidental spills.

You can also find a wide variety of different folding chairs, although here is the most common:

Standard - These chairs are economical and durable, with steel throughout. Plastic - These chairs are made from polypropylene plastic with similar design to steel, although they are very lightweight and neutral to temperature. Padded - Padded folding chairs feature vinyl upholstered seats with backs being different colors. Reinforced - These chairs feature an additional rear leg brace for times they are in frequent use. Desktop - These chairs include foldable tablet arms for classrooms or seminars with a limited amount of space.

Although these chairs aren't the best for being used at a desk, they will serve your office better if you use them during meetings or when you need extra chairs. They aren't that expensive either, so you can store them in a closet or other area until you need them. For outdoor seminars, they are easily the best types of chairs.

Lightweight and durable, folding chairs offer you plenty of features for on the go chairs. You can't beat their prices or designs, especially for outdoor functions. You don't have to worry about them in the weather either, as rain or snow can't damage them in any way.

Choosing The Right Computer Desk For Your Needs

2010-04-02T05:50:00.000-05:00

Your home office should be planned carefully, as the right equipment and office furniture will not only save you time and effort, but money, too. Old or inconvenient office furniture results in a messy workspace, loss of productivity and can eventually lead to back or wrist pain. When you depend on yourself for your income, any time you are not working to your full productivity, you are losing money. That is why most business owners need to pay special attention to their computer furniture, choosing the one that provides top performance.

According to a new review, nearly 75 percent of home business owners do not have a designated home office equipped with the right office furniture. With new space efficient computer desks, any room in an apartment or house can be transformed into a convenient home office.

Office furniture that you will need first consists of a computer desk, storage or shelving and a computer chair. The computer desk is the keystone of your home office, and if it isn’t working for you, it is in your best interest to replace it with one that does.

With the right computer desk, you should have plenty of flat work surfaces providing enough room to use your computer and keyboard comfortably. At your computer desk, you will have to arrange separate areas for using the computer and completing other projects including administrative jobs or paperwork.

The style of computer desk depends on the type of work you do. If you have to work with papers, you will need more flat work space. To add extra flat surfaces consider a computer desk with an additional wing or curve. A corner computer desk suits small home offices and can be easily accommodated in a den or even in a living or a dining room.

If you often use books, binders or thick heavy manuals, you may choose a computer desk with shelving or a closed overhead cabinet space on top for an easy access to printed materials without losing any of the valuable flat surfaces.

Choosing the best room to situate a home office also depends on your type of home business. If your activities require daytime phone calls operating in the same time zone you can easily operate from the living or a dining room which tend to be quiet and empty during the day in most households. If your business needs more space for storage and additional working surfaces for mailing or labeling, you will be more comfortable in the den or basement. If you are working part-time in the evenings, a computer desk can be easily placed in the bedroom where you can work quietly while other family members occupy the living room watching TV or listening to music.

Finding the right place for your computer desk and a small home office does not have to ruin your budget or the style of your home. In fact, having a home office can be of great help to all family members bringing technology to any household.

Ball Chairs Can Be Great For Posture

2010-03-31T11:30:00.000-05:00

If you are tired of the average office chair and find yourself experiencing chronic back pain, an exercise ball chair may be the chair you've been looking for. The standard office chair can be very cramped and hard on the back; which is where ball chairs can really help you out.

Ball chairs are the new and alternative solutions to traditional office chairs. A ball chair is exciting, different, and also provides your back with plenty of support while you sit, almost making you free from any of your back problems. Using an exercise ball as a ball chair is an excellent way to maintain the correct posture when sitting.

When choosing the right ball chair for your needs, here are some tips to help you: - The size of the chair should keep your feet on the floor while you sit, with your arms resting comfortably on the desk. When you sit on the ball chair, you should keep your legs forming a 90 degree angle at the knees. Any more or any less will mean that the ball chair isn't right for you. - Your weight is a very important factor when choosing a ball chair. If your weight compresses the chair and flattens it, you need to get a bigger ball chair. If you happen to be very light in weight, you can under-inflate the ball chair.

Ball chairs will keep your back and abdominal muscles active because of the slight bouncing it provides. Therefore, you can maintain proper posture, which helps to prevent back problems. Even though a ball chair can be a great alternative to a standard office chair, you should consult a doctor before you purchase one. If you've had any back problems or surgeries, you want to get a doctor's advice before you make that final purchase.

How to Choose Office Furniture

2010-03-26T03:21:00.000-05:00

The term office furniture usually conjures up images of desks, cubicles and chairs. Most people rarely think beyond those images. But these days, there is more to it than a single functional unit. Today, your office furniture has to do more for you; it has to multi-task just like you do. Moreover, it has to accommodate your stationary, your rolodex as well as your technology.

Yes, now think of office furniture. Do you see something different? Thought you would! Now you have cubicles, chairs etc. and a desk with your laptop or PC, a printer, fax machine, headphones, phone(s), files, CDs, pictures, maybe even a coffee machine. And it has to do this in style. So whether you are planning to buy office furniture for you home office, or a relatively bigger office where you are in charge of the dÃ©cor, there are a few basic rules which are well kept in mind.

Identify the needs
The first thing to do when thinking of buying office furniture, is to keep work related requirements in mind. Do you use too many gadgets? Do you need a lot of space to store things? Do you doodle as you talk over the phone? These and many such questions will give you a good idea about how functional your furniture needs to be.

All about logistics
Ask yourself logistical questions - How many employees do you have? Do you work from a home office or do you have a separate office space? How many hours do you plan to spend at work? Are you spending too much time sitting down? This will help you decide exactly what you need to spend on and what you can hold back on.

Make a list
Before buying furniture, make a list of what all you plan to buy and compare it with your needs. Further divide the list into "must have" and "nice to have" categories. This will save you a lot of trouble when you are picking things up and will let you stick to your core needs.

Stick to your budget
Identify a ceiling budget for your furniture shopping spree right at the onset. Else you may end up overshooting just because you had to have that overpriced and classy desk chair.

Functionality or style?
It is usually wise to purchase furniture which is more functional rather than just stylish. But this would largely depend on the reason for the purchase, and for what type of business you are purchasing it. If you need chairs for the reception area of your employer, you might want to invest in stylish furniture. However, if it is for your home business, you might reconsider doing that. But if you get both style and function, which is not so rare these days, go for it!

Purchasing the work desk
The work desk is by far the most important piece of furniture you shall purchase. And because you are going to be using it so often, it is well worth investing a little extra so as to purchase a nice, sturdy functional and comfortable work desk. Make sure the surfaces of the work desk are non-staining thought.

Storage areas and wall units
Every office needs storage space. Make sure you purchase storage cabinets and units can be installed nearby the desk and well within reach. Also, make sure that they are sturdy and strong. Storage spaces are usually the first to fall apart from wear and tear caused by frequent opening and closing of the units.

Renting office furniture
Many big and small businesses consider renting furniture for their office space. This may not be the best option if you are planning to stay at the same place for the long haul. However, it is a great option for businesses which need to be mobile as it saves you heavy investments.

Health and safety
Whether you are purchasing furniture for yourself or your employees think about the ergonomics of your investments. Investing in good furniture is always profitable in the long run. You do not want to purchase a bad chair and have your employees stay at home because they developed a backache, do you? And nor do want to expose yourself to fatigue, eye strain, headaches etc. Buy furniture that is people friendly and made especially for work areas.

Furniture too has personality All said and done, the most important thing to remember is to invest in furniture that goes with your personality. Yes, you want something functional, and comfortable, and within budget. But who says you cannot find the perfect style too? The style of the furniture you choose should compliment your personality. This is the furniture you will use day and in day out, 5 days a week more than 8-9 hours a day. You do not want to be stuck with something that is functional but will simply not inspire you to work!

For more information on this topic, please visit: Office furniture.

Reasons to Consider an Ergonomic Chair

2010-03-22T09:41:00.000-05:00

In today's office setting, ergonomically designed office chairs are vitally important. At work, many office employees are remaining in a seated position for more than eight hours per day. During this time, it's important that ergonomic chairs be used, as they will help reduce shoulder, back, and neck strain. Which in turn can reduce missed work and increase productivity. Even though they may cost more than the standard office chair, they are a wise investment simply because they increase productivity and can help prevent serious injury.

When you choose the proper ergonomic office chair, there are a number of factors to take into consideration. You'll want chairs with an adjustable seat, the proper lumbar support, backrest, adequate seat depth and width, arm rests, and the ability to swivel. You should also read the instruction manual as well and ensure that all of the adjustment mechanisms function properly. If you find a chair to be defective in any way, it should be returned immediately.

Keep in mind when selecting an office chair, there is really no "one size fits all" for every body type. What is best for one individual may not be the best choice for another. Before buying a chair you should give it a try and see what you think. If it isn't possible to test out the chair, you should make sure that you can get a refund if something goes wrong.

Before you purchase or use an ergonomic chair it's best to fully understand proper posture and ergonomics while at work or at home. One of the basics to ergonomics is making sure that a chair's seat height will allow the user's feet to stay firmly planted on the floor. It's also good if the chair provides a lumbar support, which will fit the inward curve of the lower back area.

While anyone working in an office would see some benefit, those who sit at their desks for extended periods of time get the most benefit from ergonomic chairs. While sitting at a desk, you put your back and upper torso in a cramped position, making yourself a target for back pain later on in life. With ergonmic chairs, your back gets the support it needs. This way you can sit at your desk all day long and know that your back and the rest of your body is very comfortable.

For more information on ergonomic chairs, visit these links:

How to Choose an Ergonomic Chair

Discounted Ergonomic chairs

10 Things For a Successful Home Business

2010-03-21T21:05:00.000-05:00

On the current economy, a large number of people are turning to home based businesses as a career. Unfortunately, a great number of these businesses will fail for one reason or another.

The failure or success of a business often relies on the most fundamental operations-the ones that often get overlooked as a tipping point process in the daily business cycle. Fortunately, one of the leading business sites, AllBusiness.com, offers advice and solutions that help businesses succeed. These 10 easy-to-follow steps will help your home-based business become a success.

1. Plan ahead - Take the time to make plans for every eventuality that may arise. From natural disasters to unexpected financial problems, you will need a plan that you can readily access to get you through a difficult time.

2. Put money aside- Don't begin your business with delusions of overnight success. You'll need funds to tide you over while your business grows. Put some money aside to tide you over until you do start earning revenue.

3. Organize your time - Being a responsible business owner means managing your time wisely. Initially you will need to spend extra time making your vision a reality.

4. Organize your space - You can't run a business effectively if you are wasting time looking for an important receipt under reams of loose paper. Take time to organize your home office and make sure you can function efficiently.

5. Stay focused - Family responsibilities, chores, TV and the warmth of your own bed can all distract you from the task at hand. Remove as many distractions as you can from your home office and stay focused.

6. Tax Implications - Figure out tax laws now, before it is too late. Do your research now so you will be prepared come tax time.

7. Advertise - You can't afford to wait for your customers to come to you-you need to go out and get them. Advertising is an investment, and spending money now to market your business effectively can pay big dividends.

8. Get the proper equipment - Office equipment is an extra expense, but you need the hardware to run your business correctly. Here's a great source: Business Supply.com.

9. Cover your assets - Don't wait for a natural disaster to destroy your entire inventory-now is the time to purchase the insurance you need.

10. Stay positive - Success does not come overnight. It will require dedication, hard work and a lot of extra effort to make it a reality. This is your dream; do all you can to keep it alive.

Starting The New Year Out Right

2010-01-11T22:05:00.000-05:00

As the new year approaches, it becomes time for the proverbial "New Years resolutions" to start showing up. Resolutions are great, but most people never follow through with them. By the middle of February, most resolutions have fallen by the wayside. Here are a few things that you can do to stay focused on your resolutions no matter what they are:

Define your goals - Without specific reachable goals, most every resolution is doomed for failure. It's vitally important to set very specific goals. The more specific the goal, the better chance of success. It's also important to make your goals realistic. Setting a goal that you can't possible attain will run off the tracks in a few weeks. The trick here is to set a goal that will be a challenge, yet can be attained.

Set time periods or target dates - Open ended goals are another recipe for disaster. Assign realistic time periods or dates to your goals and record those dates in some kind of calendar or record keeping form. For example, saying that you want to lose 10 pounds is a start, but an effective goal will have a time period on it. Using the prior weight loss example, instead of leaving the time period open, set a specific date or time period: I plan to lose 10 lbs by 3/01/2010.

Create a workable plan - Most people make resolutions but never really come up with a plan or method to reach the goal or goals. Along with a reasonable goal, create a reasonable plan that will allow you to possibly reach the goal. Staying with our weight loss example, a plan might be to walk 3 days a week at least 30 or more minutes and stop drinking soft drinks. Both of those actions are certainly doable and will get you on the path to your goals.

Document the plan - Write the plan down and put it a place where you can see it each and every day. I personally spend quite a bit of time on the computer so I attach my plans to my computer monitor. This way, I have to at least move the plan out of the way each and every morning in order to see my monitor. This keeps the plan in front of me and on my radar as to a "to do". Calendars or cell phones with built in calendars are great for this. Mark or enter your 3 day a week walking plan into either and make it a habit to check those devices for your daily needs.

Getting Organized for 2010

2010-01-05T05:35:00.000-05:00

While I can't speak for anyone but me, I always start off the new year with a focus on organization. I usually start with my work space and implement my 3 step rule:

#1 - If I need to keep it, file it away.

#2 - If I don't need it, throw it away.

#3 - If I'm not sure, throw it away.

Many people disagree with the 3rd rule, but if I can't quickly figure out if it's a keeper, then I need to get rid of it. My office space is small so I have to take advatage of space savings when I can.

Once I've cleaned up my office space, I start on my computer. As someone who spends 6 out of every 8 hours in a workday online, I've always been surprised at the number of people who actaully take the time to clean and organize their computer. I have my own method so your mileage may vary:

#1 - Make a complete back-up of the entire system. I use Norton Ghost and ghost the entire image. This way, I have something that I can use if I screw something up during the clean-up.

#2 - Go through the e-mail and apply the 3 step rule. This activity forces me to classify information and discard things I don't need.

#3 - Sort through my storage area and remove any files that I don't need.

#4 - Go through the programs and unistall anything that I'm not using or planning on using.

To be honest, this activity usually takes me at least 1 full day to complete. However, once it's done, I'm ready to deal with the new year.

Why I Should Stick to Shopping Online

2009-12-29T08:30:00.000-05:00

Last week, I went with my mother to help her pick out a desktop system as a gift for my father. Trying to plan ahead to avoid the crowds, we went out to our local Best Buy on a Sunday evening at around 5:00 PM. What a cluster.

Apparently 50 other people had also decided that exact time would be a good time to purchase a desk top as well. All the desk tops are located on a single aisle and we couldn't even walk down the aisle. We had to "check-in" and get on a waiting list so a customer service person would help us. After a 30 minute wait, we were finally assigned a very nice CSR who was actually from the TV section and had little to no computer experience.

It turns out that they were out of stock on about half the desktop models that were currently on sale. We finally found one that would meet his needs and had our CSR retrieve it from the back. Then came the check-out fun. The line to check-out was around 50 feet long, even though Best Buy had 6 registers open.

We finally got to a register only to find that the computer rang up at a higher price than it was advertised. Apparently, the only way to get the advertisied price was to purchase a certain printer as well. I wish someone would have said something to us about that BEFORE we got into line. As luck would have it, the printer attached to the special price was out of stock. We had to get out of line and seek help from a Best Buy manager. He was kind enough to offer us a slightly better printer model as a substitute.

Back to wait in line at the register. Another 30 minutes later, we finally checkout. Total time invested for a desktop computer = 4 hours. To their credit, I thought the staff of this Best Buy did a good job of managing the crowds and inventory issues.

Had my mother planned just a bit better, she could have ordered a Dell or some comparable brand online in about 15 minutes and had it on her doorstep before the holidays. All without ever leaving the house.

This little example is just one of the reasons that I do about 90% of my shopping online these days. It just makes more sense to me.

Happy Holidays

History of Staplers

2009-12-17T00:30:00.000-05:00

Aside from pens and paper, fastening staples are probably the 3rd most commonly used office supply item worldwide. Even though it's such a common item in most every office and many homes, have you ever wondered how staples and staplers came to be? According to my wife, I have lots of time on my hands to sit around and think about things of this nature.

I did a bit of research and found out some interesting facts. Staples were thought to have first been used in Iran around the 6th centry BC. They were used to tighten two stone blocks together and keep them attached. The first staples are actaully an early metal that utilized legs that were bent inward.

The first stapler device was thought to have been made in 1877 and was patented in 1880. Variations of the original design have been patented in the 1950's and 1960's. Today staples are most commonly used to affix paper together, but they are also used in roofing, general construction, fencing, automotive, and commercial manufacturing.

In addition to traditional hand operated staplers, staples themselves are now dispensed through guns (called stapleguns), electronic staplers, and pneumatic staplers.

Tombow Glue Refills

2009-12-09T06:39:00.000-05:00

My wife has really gotten involved in scrapbooking and I happened to watch she and her friends "booking" as she calls a few nights ago. While I know very little about scrapbooking myself, I can't get over how excited my wife gets about a particular type of adhesive made by a company called Tombow. Apparently, in the scrapbooking world, it's the gold standard as far as adhesives go. I was severely chastised for even suggesting that glue was glue in my book.

Her fierce praises really spiked my curiosity so I started doing some research online. It turns out that the Tombow brand of adhesive is the definitive choice for scrapbooking as it's one of the few adhesives that doesn't contain any kind of acid.

I was surprised to find that her friends buy the stuff by the caseload every couple of months.They all buy it here: Tombow Glue.

Hon File Cabinets - Are They a Good Choice?

2009-04-08T13:35:00.005-05:00

Based in Muscatine, Iowa; the Hon Company was originally started in 1944 under the company name of Home-O-Nize Co. In 1955, Home-O-Nize decided to increase it's focus on office supplies and office furniture, so they create a separate department for those products. They also elected to come up with a new name for the new department so this division became known as H-O-N (Home-O-Nize). Since that time, Hon has become an industry leader in the office furniture market.
One of Hon's first office furniture offerings was a combination filing cabinet called the "Unifile". This cabinet was fairly successful so Hon started developing additional filing cabinets that could be brought to market.

Fast forward to today and Hon is the market leader in the filing cabinet industry. They offer over 500 different filing cabinets in various configurations and colors. Here are a few important points to understand before shopping for a cabinet:

Lateral filing cabinets - Lateral filing cabinets are also called horizontal filing cabinets. Most lateral filing cabinets are around 20 inches deep, and generally come in widths of 30, 36, or 42 inches. They also come in 2, 3, 4, or 5 drawer versions. The 2 drawer models work best in small spaces like an office cubicle. Hon makes a number of lateral file models to meet any need. All their lateral models have leveling glides, super quiet ball bearings, and a single drawer lock that secures all the drawers. The Hon model 500, 600, or 800 series are excellent choices in this style.

Vertical filing cabinets - Actually designed in 1898 by Edwin Seibels, the vertical filing cabinet has become the most popular filing cabinet style. This style is especially effective for offices or home offices with limited space as they have a smaller footprint compared to a lateral or horizontal model. The Hon models are extremely well made and will last a lifetime. My parents have a Hon vertical in their basement that is over 40 years old. Even after 40 years, it looks and works just almost as well as the day it was produced. If you are shopping for a vertical model, consider the Hon model 310 or 530 as both are a Hon bestseller.

The Hon file cabinets come in a myriad of different finishes like Columbian walnut laminate, Taupe, Putty, black, light gray, charcoal, shaker cherry laminate, shadow Zephyr, cloud zephyr, desert zephyr, canyon zephyr, morro zephyr, muslin, greige, carob, platinum metallic, and champagne metallic.

Hon has become a market leader in this area for two reasons: price and quality. They aren't the least expensive filing cabinet model, but you get what you pay for.

Finding Cheap Copy Paper

2009-03-25T15:35:00.003-05:00

If your office was taking a company wide quiz about office supplies, what would you think was the most important item that was needed for day to day operations? According to data from American Express Small Business, the answer is office paper. For what it's worth, I missed the answer myself. I guessed file folders. However, when you stop and think about the amount of paper that is used in office across the world, it makes sense.

When you think about the amount of money that the average office spends on paper annually, it makes sense to try to find the best deal that you possibly can.

When shopping for paper, price should always be a factor, but not the only factor. Otherwise, you'll most likely sacrifice quality for price. Your best bet is to find a happy medium between price and quality.

For optimum results when printing or copying, it is important that you choose the correct type of paper for your individual needs and your printer/copier/fax. A short overview of the different types of paper is listed below:

Multifunction - This is probably the most popular type of paper sold as it can be used for just about any application.

Copier - This type of paper is predominately designed for use in a copier of some type. While it will work in a printer, the end results won't be quite as crisp or clear as some other types of paper.

Inkjet Paper - This type of paper is specifically formulated to perform best with the sprayed ink from an inkjet device. Other types of printing can be done on this paper, but the results can vary.

Laser - Specifically made for use in laser printers or copiers for optimum performance.

Once you have a clear understanding on the type of paper that you need, how do you get the best deal? There are a number of ways:

Start with some research so you can have an idea of the typical "street" price of the paper you are interested in.

Buy in bulk - Purchasing paper in bulk is the fastest and simplest method to save some real money on your paper purchases. The more you can afford at one time will play a role in the price you will pay.

Use Coupons or Discounts - Most all office supply companies offer or accept some type of discount or coupon. Use them and you can save some money.

Buying the cheapest copy paper you can find isn't always the best solution. If you follow the tips and tricks in this article, you can most likely find the specific type or brand of paper that you want at a price you can afford.

For more information on this topic, please visit:=>Cheap Copy Paper.

Office Supplys

2009-03-18T12:16:00.002-05:00

One question I get via e-mail or posting is about saving more money on office suppplies or "office supplys" as one reader put it.

If you own or run a business, then you know that are some expenses that are a necessary part of doing business. Office supplys are one of those expenses. However, there are ways to reduce the amount of money that you are spending on office supplies and not impact the business itself.

Here are a few suggestions:

Use house brands of off brands - Instead of buying name brand office products, consider using a house brand or alternative brand. Most all of the house brands are nothing more than the exact same product that has been repackaged. As they don't carry a "name" brand, you can generally save some money on these house brands, especially if you buy in bulk.

Document your spending in this area - While it's important to document your spending, it's also important to break the spending out into sub-categories like paper, pens, office machines, etc. This way you can get a true idea of exactly where you are spending your office supply budget. Within a few months, you will also have established a baseline of spending sorted by type so you can then start to take action to reduce that spending.

Purchase in bulk - Many people have different ideas of what a "bulk" purchase involves. Basically a bulk purchase involves a product that is packaged in a mass quantity. You save money in these purchases as the manufacturer has less money invested in the packaging and advertising. For example, you'll save money buying writing pens in a pack of 1000 over a pack of 12. Opportunities like that really add up over time.

Use coupons or promotions - Many office supply vendors offer coupons or discounts for various products. Some also offer discounts for bulk purchases. Even if coupons or discounts aren't listed or suggested by an office supply vendor, ask about them. The office supply industry is extremely competitive so you can use that to your advantage.

Most people take a shotgun type of approach to an office supply budget and blindly make purchases on an as needed basis. By following the steps listed above and applying a consistent plan, you can make great gains in reducing your office supply spending.

For more information on office supply savings, please visit office supplys.com.

Office Deopt

2009-03-18T09:38:00.002-05:00

I always get a kick out of all of the misspelled office supply words I see in e-mails. I received one last week asking a question about "office deopt" prices. In addition to that one, here are a few that I've received as well:

office maxx
office dept
Stapls
offic max

I know they are just fat fingered misspellings, but you have to wonder how successful they would be using these words in a Google search?

What is an "Ergonomic Office Chair"?

2009-03-06T14:21:00.007-05:00

Webster defines the word "ergonomic" as "an applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely." Basically, this means that ergonomically designed item are specifically designed for comfort and efficiency. Ergonomic chairs are no different.

They differ from standard office chairs as ergonomic chairs are designed for maximum comfort and productivity. Standard office chairs may not have some ergonomic functions like armrests, adjustable height, lower back support, etc. In a nutshell, ergonomic chairs are going to have a higher level of adjustability versus a standard office chair.

Why are ergonomic chairs important? Well, when you sit down and add up how much time you may be seated in the chair, it becomes very important. According to OHSA, the average office based employee, working a 40 hour week, will spend 25-30 hours in a seated position. Over a twelve month period, that's over 1500 hours in a seated position at work. That much time in a seated position puts quite a bit of stress on the lumber area of your spine.

For more information on this topic, please visit: Ergonomic Office Chairs

Office Depot In Trouble?

2009-02-11T15:17:00.002-05:00

In early December of 2008, office supply giant Office Depot announced that it was closing 112 of it's "under performing" stores and 6 of it's distribution centers. At that time, those numbers accounted for about 9% of their overall stores.

Rumblings in the office supply industry indicate that they may be closing more stores that initially anticipated. In light of this development, and an attempt to establish more market share; Staples has announced that it is now accepting Office Depot coupons.

What does this mean for consumers? In this current economy, I suspect that you'll see more and more shoppers looking at online vendors versus brick and mortar suppliers. Online vendors have less overhead and can generally offer products at a slightly lower cost. Today, every dollar saved will help.

Fancy Flash Drives

2009-02-11T15:03:00.003-05:00

As technology continues to evolve, I'm amazed at the changes that have occurred in the flash drive industry. I can recall when flash drives first came out, and they would only store a max of 128 MB. Those early models were fairly expensive as well. The most basic models were priced over $50.00.

Compare that to the flash drives of today, which can store anywhere from 1GB to 8GB. The newer models also have features like data encryption, file sync, and integrated on-screen software. The models of today have become much more affordable compared to their predecessors. A fully loaded 4GB model like the Verbatim pictured can be had for under $50.00.

Don't you just love technology?

Staying Warm At the Office

2009-01-28T15:17:00.004-05:00

In light of the cold weather spell that is impacting most of the US right now, I thought I'd take a minute to talk about staying warm at the office.

If your office happens to be cold, you really only have a few options:

Wear additional layers of clothes
Wear a jacket, coat, or sweater
Get an office heater

Since I don't like to wear lots of layers and don't look good in a sweater, my best option was an office heater. So my search for an office heater began. I needed a heater that was small but powerful, and featured an integrated thermostat so I wouldn't have to constantly adjust it.

I finally settled on a heater called the Honeywell HZ-325 Quickheat.

I went with this one as it does have a built-in thermostat and the ceramic heater basically stays cool no matter how much heat the unit puts out. With 1500 watts, this heater has no problem heating an office space up to 200 sq feet. I don't know about you, but my office is much smaller than 200 sq feet, so I stay nice and toasty now.

New Sharpie Pen

2008-08-04T15:18:00.004-05:00

The New Sharpie Pen is out!

All I can say is WOW what a great idea. We all know and love sharpie
markers, now there is a sharpie pen. This thing writes great and is
packed with style. Get one today!

Here are some of the features.

Will not bleed through paper

Quick drying

Smear resistant when dry

Permanent on paper

Water resistant; acid free

Available in 4 colors

Bic Pen Spinning Championships

2008-07-11T09:39:00.002-05:00

Bic Pens is at it again. Who knew the world of "Pen Spinning" could win you a trip to Japan?
Here is the information on how to participate and your chance to become the Bic Pen Spinning Champion!

How do I become the champion?

Take your nimble fingers along to Penspinningacademy.com to register.
Once registered, upload your videos and vote for the video* of the week!
You may vote every week until 31 July 2008! After this date, you can type all you want, it will be too late!

A jury made up of pen spinning experts will choose the five best pen spinners who will go to the grand final in Paris!
If your fingers are chosen, you will win a weekend in Paris for the grand final (travel and accommodation costs included, with a legal guardian for minors)

Avery Wizard - New. Fast. Easy

2008-06-09T10:29:00.004-05:00

The Avery Wizard for software for Microsoft Office just makes task easier.

Organization - Create customized binder spines, dividers, file folder labels, CD labels and more in minutes.

Mailing - Import data easily from Microsoft Excel, Outlook and other major databases. Or just type in the addresses you need

Meetings and Events - From invitations to name badges and tent cards, you can easily design your own materials.

Marketing - Design business cards, postcards and more. Add your logo or other graphics for more impact.

Avery Wizard is a plug-in to Microsoft Office Word 2003 and provides templates for hundreds of Avery laser and inkjet products. Use the Avery Wizard to print mailing labels, shipping labels, tab titles, Ready Index table of contents sheets, diskette labels, name badges, name tags, business cards, and tent cards. Get it now!

Support The Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation

2008-05-02T09:35:00.004-05:00

What another great chair, and this one has an added benefit. When one is purchased $10 is donated to the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation!

It's a bungee chair and in PINK, how awesome is that? A very comfortable and stylish package. This chair features flat pink bungee bands that provide optimal ergonomic comfort, 4 way adjustable arms, Rocking seat adjustment and an infinite tilt mechanism.

Sit For a Cure in a Carnation Pink Elite Office Chair!

New Office Chair Time!

2008-04-24T11:20:00.006-05:00

I recently picked up a new chair for my office, the Diplomat by Regency Furniture.
What a great office chair at a great bargain price.

It is constructed using black Italian leather with mahogany arms and base. It features plush cushions accented with detailed stitching and a finished hardwood base and armrests. Also equipped with mid-pivot knee tilt, pneumatic seat-height, tilt-lock, and tilt tension adjustments.

Dimensions are as follows:
Overall: 20.5"(W) x 19"(D) x 44.5"-47"(H)
and
Seat Height of: 17.5"-20"

Comes in a high back, low back and a side chair version.

Overall I found this chair to be comfortable, great looking and most importantly a great deal!

Avery Index Maker

2008-04-14T09:33:00.002-05:00

Avery Index Maker White Tab Dividers

Avery has these great "Index Maker" dividers. Download their software wizard and your ready to go. Make custom looking index tab dividers in a flash, no more clumsy write on tabs!

You can organize your materials by section and use templates found in your desktop software or on avery.com to create Index Maker tab dividers. Tabs to organize materials and presentations. Available in 3 hole punched or plain with reinforced binding edge. Clear labels virtually disappear when applied to tabs. Save time with Easy Apply Label Sheet, included with multi-set packs, to all the tabs at one time. Great for larger projects requiring more than one divider set. For use with laser or inkjet printers. 8 1/2 X 11.

Sharpie and David Beckham

2008-03-07T13:59:00.003-05:00

David Beckham partners with Sharpie!

Check out The new Sharpie Retractable Ultra Fine Commercial and see what Sharpie has been up to.

He said: "I have always enjoyed signing autographs for people, especially since I used to love getting my heroes' signatures when I was younger. I love to use Sharpie markers, so it's a natural choice for me to partner with them."

The advertising campaign, which will include adverts in print, online and in stores, will feature in regions globally, including North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific

Fellowes Intellishred Shredder!

2008-02-11T10:30:00.000-05:00

Sleek design and unmatched functionality for tax time and all year round! Protect your identity and destroy those unwanted documents in a safe and efficient manner with the Fellowes PS79 CI Shredder.

The Fellowes PS 79 CI shredder offers a Jam Proof System that eliminates frustrating jams by preventing overloads and powering through misfed paper. Offers a time-saving sheet capacity indicator measures paper as you shred to ensure maximum capacity at every pass. Shreds up to 12 sheets per pass into 5/32” x 1-1/2” secure confetti particles at 11' per minute. Exclusive patent-pending SafeSense Technology features an active sensor that stops shredder immediately when hands are too close to the paper opening. The sleek, modern design includes an easy to empty 6-gallon pull-out bin and casters. Shreds staples, paper clip, credit cards and CDs.

Smead Tuff Pocket File Pockets

2008-02-11T10:24:00.000-05:00

The toughest file pockets around.

If you require years of heavy use from your files and want to maintain a classic appearance, you'll appreciate virtually indestructible redrope file pocket that won't rip out. The Tuff pockets sides and bottom are fully lined with tear-resistant Tyvek, has special rollover reinforcement at the top, and extends into the front and back panels twice as far as standard file pockets. Heavyweight front and back panels provide rigid support and have a hidden reinforcement strip at the point of greatest stress.

1-3/4", 3-1/2", 5-1/4" or 7" expansion
6-1/2" high Tyvek lined sides and bottom
Rollover Tyvek reinforced sides and bottom extend 7/8" into panels
30% recycled content, 30% post-consumer material

Bic ReAction Pen

2008-01-31T10:44:00.000-05:00

The BIC ReAction Retractable Ball Pen, featuring D-Flexion Technology for a smooth writing experience.

“We’ve designed this pen for professionals and style-conscious consumers who want a sophisticated and innovative pen with unique benefits, comfort features and a smooth writing system,” said Tim Koletsos, director of marketing, stationery, BIC Consumer Products USA.

The BIC ReAction Retractable Ball Pen features a 1.0 mm point for smooth writing, a chrome nose cone, and a full length grip for comfortable writing. The pen’s D-Flexion Technology acts as a “shock absorber” for a smooth writing experience and helps control motion and diffuse tension.

Smead FasTab Hanging Folders

2008-01-07T09:30:00.000-05:00

Great New Product From Smead:

FasTab hanging folders have built-in heavy-duty reinforced tabs permanently attached to the folder. No assembly is required. They are easy to label by either handwriting directly on the tab or applying self-adhesive labels.

Handwrite directly on the tab
Permanently attached heavy-duty reinforced tab
Paper is glued around rods on both sides
Tabs are 20% larger than standard 1/3-cut tabs
Tab embossed for label placement
11 pt. colored stock
Coated rod tips
10% recycled content, 10% post-consumer material

Tax Time and Financial Paperwork

2008-01-07T08:51:00.000-05:00

Tax and financial documents frustrate people more than any other kind of paper. It’s hard to know how to handle each piece, how long to keep it, and the best way to store it. Here are some guidelines to follow when dealing with your personal financial paperwork:

Take Inventory-
Look at it before you file it. Even if it isn’t something serious enough to send you to jail, you could be losing money because of clerical errors that you missed when you didn’t read your statements or bills.

Decide on Your filing system
Organize bills and statements by the month or account. It’s generally easiest to stick with either hanging files or an expanding file. If organizing by account, be sure to arrange documents in chronological order within each file so they are easier to find later on.

Checks and Balances-
Receipts for major purchases should be stapled to the warranty or instruction manual and stored in a permanent file.

Keep Investment Papers-
Keep your monthly investment statements until you get the annual summary statement then shred all of the monthlies and file the summary in your investment file.

Bank Documents-
Most banks now have online banking that allows you to review statements and even checks for that matter. If you still receive statements each month keep them for a one year time period, then shred as you start the next years file. All of these documents can easily be reprinted by your bank.

Happy Holidays!

2007-12-27T09:07:00.001-05:00

Happy Holidays from Everything Office Supplies. We wish you and your families a safe and happy holiday season and a prosperous New Year!

Binders 101

2007-12-19T10:08:00.000-05:00

When ordering binders there are some basics that need to be answered:

How many binders do you need?
Do you want vinyl or fabric binders?
What size binder? How large a sheet must your binders accommodate? Include the size of the tabs that extend beyond the trim size of the sheet. How much paper must they hold including tabs. Binder capacity is determined by measuring the inside diameter of round rings or the inside height of "D" rings.
What color do you want?
Do you want the rivets exposed or unexposed? Neither is stronger than the other. However, concealing the rivets may look better if you have artwork on the spine.
Do you want inside pockets? If so, do you want one two or four? How about outside or inside business card pockets or CD holders?
Will you need sheet lifters?
Do you want round rings or "D" rings? "D" rings are mounted on the back cover.

Now that you have the basics answered and you know what you want have fun shopping!

Filing and Filing Systems

2007-12-12T09:34:00.000-05:00

Does your desk look disorganized and cluttered? Are you overwhelmed? Well it’s time to create an effective filing system that works for you. Depending on the amount of disorder in your office, set aside a morning to a couple of mornings to get your filing system in place. The two largest things that stand in your way are lack of planning and procrastination. Follow the below steps and you will move towards a new, organized system in your office.

Step 1 - Organize Your Clutter

The first step is to sort your papers into orderly piles, according to the documents purpose. The piles make up will depend on the kind of work you do. If your main problem is that stack of work orders on the corner of your desk, your task is to setup a logical way of organizing them so that you can locate a document within minutes. Choose between organizing your piles according to purpose or date order.

Step 2: Devise a System

Each of your piles represents an area that must be established in your new filing system. How big are the piles now, and how much bigger are they likely to become over the coming year? The answer to this question will determine how to contain your filing system. You might be able to comfortably fit all your documents into a drawer of a small filing cabinet, with subdivisions for each month of the coming year. If this is the case, you can be organized and ready to get back to work in no time flat.

If your piles of documents are more complicated, you will have to think about your system in more detail. What about lever arch binders, with subdivisions to note different categories? If your piles are immense and large, it might be time to invest in a new filing cabinet, and set aside a drawer to each subject.

Transfer your papers to their new homes, clearly label each section as you go. The object is to be able to find any piece of paper fast and easily. They're time consuming to set up, but they will save you hours of wasted time over the long term.

Step 3: Running Your System

Once your papers are neatly organized it's important to protect yourself from having to go through the same process again in the future. The key to avoiding this is to break old habits of piling paperwork into a corner. Use your new system right away, and get into the habit of putting each piece of paper into the right place as soon as you've finished with it.

This is time consuming, however the time savings and peace of mind that come about from organizing far outweigh the up front time investment!

Filing cabinet

2007-12-04T11:42:00.000-05:00

A filing cabinet is a piece of office furniture that is useful for temporary and permanent storage. It is usually used for the storage of paper in a file folder. The two most common forms of filing cabinets are lateral files and vertical files.

A lateral file is used to store folders in a sideways fashion. They are standard in government and legal offices. They also permit variety in office design.

A Vertical file is a standard filing cabinet. These come in two sizes: Letter sized and Legal sized. These allow the files to be hung in place in file folders for easy access and organization.

Recently while shopping for Vertical Filing Cabinets I found the above information helpful so I thought I would share.

The Golf Pencil

2007-12-04T08:55:00.000-05:00

Golf pencils are not just for golf anymore.

I recently did a search for "golf pencil" and was amazed at all the uses they have. Some people collect them, others advertise on them, you can personalize them for your favorite golfer, libraries use them, restaurants use them and of course they are still used at golf coursed worldwide.

Golf pencils are usually short (a common length is 9cm) and very affordable. They are also known as library pencils, as many libraries offer them as disposable writing instruments. Some have erasers, some do not.

To sum this up - Golf Pencils are not just for golf anymore!

Let's Say Thanks- Xerox

2007-11-27T14:49:00.001-05:00

This is great!

Xerox is sponsoring a program called Let's Say Thanks. If you go here you can choose a Holiday card and insert a message to our troops. Xerox will print it and send it out.

The mission of Let's Say Thanks is to provide a way for individuals across the country to recognize U.S. troops stationed overseas. By submitting a message through this site you have the opportunity to send a free personalized postcard greeting to deployed servicemen and women.

The postcards, depicting patriotic scenes and hometown images, were selected from a pool of entries from children across the country.

All you have to do is click on your favorite design and either select the message that best expresses your sentiment or draft a personal note. The postcards are then printed on the Xerox iGen3^® Digital Production Press and mailed in care packages by military support organization Give2thetroops.

Happy Thanksgiving From Everything Office Supplies

2007-11-21T09:40:00.001-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving From Everything Office Supplies. We wish you and your families a safe and happy holiday.

Quick View Tab Dividers

2007-11-12T14:38:00.000-05:00

Oxford Quick View Tab Dividers

Another great item from Esselte:
Quick view tab dividers offer dual table of contents and titles remain in full view! They provide color coded front and back table of contents pages. Now reinforced with rip-proof plastic and compatible with PC's and Macs. Available in assorted tabs.

Post-it Picture Paper

2007-10-30T09:55:00.000-05:00

I came across these the other day and thought they were a great idea! One of those "why didn't I think of that" moments.

Post-it notes has the picture that sticks!

Available in 4" x 6" and 8.5" x 11" sizes, in High-Gloss, Semi-Gloss or Matte finish and new 4" x 8" Photo Cards. Compatible with most major brands of inkjet printers.

Now you can surround yourself with all the pictures you love. Your best friends' faces, your child's dimples, your silly cat or even your favorite artwork can be printed and stuck all around you.

Nothing freshens up a home like fun, spontaneous shots. So, print out those pics from recent parties, trips or play dates on Picture Paper and show them off all around the house.

Don't let your photos sit on your hard drive collecting virtual dust. Print them out on Picture Paper and share them as often as you like on lockers, folders or any other fun places.

Perform an instant work space makeover with all the photos that inspire you. Picture Paper sticks to glass, wood, plastic or practically any surface. And it can be peeled off and placed somewhere else whenever the mood strikes you.

Because Picture Paper sticks to practically any surface, you can be creative about printing all kinds of photos and messages and taking your memories wherever you go.

Print, Peel, Stick Post it Picture Paper

Innovation at Avery Dennison

2007-10-23T09:00:00.001-05:00

Innovation has been part of the culture at Avery Dennison since the company was founded more than 70 years ago.

Here is one item that I found interesting: Avery Easy Peel mailing labels. They make it easy to peel and apply professional looking labels. Easy Peel Clear and White Mailing Labels Add Special Feature to Make Peeling Labels Easier than Ever.

"Avery has designed a new, innovative way to peel labels off the backing," commented Scott Kerr, Product Manager, Labels Marketing for Avery Dennison. "We listened to consumer comments and have incorporated their suggestions into our products."

The new Avery Easy Peel labels are available in both clear and white for both laser jet and ink jet printing, and are in stores nationwide. The labels will be offered in the most common sizes used, which include 1"x2-5/8", 2"x4", and the 1/2"x1-3/4" labels.

Lexmark to be taken over by Dell?

2007-10-23T08:40:00.000-05:00

The rumor mill is buzzing again while speculation circulates.

Lexmark-Dell rumors have been circulating since June. Neither Lexmark nor Dell had any official comment about the takeover rumors, stating that they do not comment on stories that are based on speculation.

This merger could be a strong possibility, given that Lexmark would be a complementary acquisition for Dell. Dell does not manufacture printers, and having the Lexmark product line as part of its product offering would give Dell better ability to compete against HP and Compaq, which manufacture both PCs and peripherals, including printers.

Never Lose Your Sharpie Again!

2007-10-18T09:17:00.001-05:00

I am always losing my sharpie markers! Now my problem is solved, the sharpie mini with a lanyard, I'll never lose another one again.

Sharpie mini with cap clip and lanyard. No you can take the Sharpie Mini & lanyard with you anywhere for tasks on the go. The Sharpie Mini comes with a lanyard and convenient cap clip allows for easily attaching to lanyards bags and more. With its quick drying nontoxic ink the Sharpie Mini marks permanent

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Sharpie Marker

2007-10-18T09:06:00.000-05:00

Dale Earnhardt Jr Fine Point Permanent Marker
*Limited Edition*

The fine tip black Sharpie is now available with Dale Earnhardt, Jr's signature style. Start your engines soon - this Sharpie is available only for a limited time at select retailers.

The Official Autograph Marker of Dale Earnhardt Jr®

Fade and water resistant ink encourages multiple project uses

Quick drying, AP Certified nontoxic ink formula

Permanent on most surfaces

9 Ways To Leave The Office By Five

2007-10-18T09:03:00.000-05:00

Keep your working area in order. You might be amazed how a messy desk can be so distracting that it can cause you to waste many minutes, perhaps an hour or more each day, looking for stuff.

Write things down at the beginning of your day, or the night before . Regular readers of this newsletter have heard this suggestion from us before. Having a plan of attack for the day can do wonders in keeping you on schedule.

Beware of the talky late-day visitor. You know whom were referring to: the co-worker who shuttles over to your workspace and engages you in a conversation that becomes a 1/2-hour distraction, keeping you away from your work and causing you to stay late so you can finish.

Minimize phone calls at 4:55. Were not suggesting that you do not answer your phone (your boss probably wouldn't appreciate that). But be aware of a conversation that might last well beyond your scheduled departure time, and if possible, ask if you can continue the call in the morning when your mind is fresh

Begin meetings earlier. If you have the authority to schedule meetings, try not to set one up any time after 4 pm because odds are the meeting may go on well past 5 pm.

Speak up. As mentioned above, sometimes working late can be unavoidable. However, that does not imply that you should feel obligated to work late all the time. If you have to be home at a certain time for your family, say so.

Prepare to leave. Things like backing up your computer files for the day are included as part of the job. Theres no reason why you cant perform such tasks at 4:50 rather than at 5:00.

Keep yourself out of the I must catch up trap. Admit it, you never really do catch up fully with all the work you have to do. And staying late probably won't change that. Remind yourself, the work will be there tomorrow.

Be true to yourself. You may often feel the urge to take on more work than any human being can handle, maybe as a way of impressing your boss. Working hard and striving for promotions is great. But think about it, does your boss really expect you to handle more than you can all the time and stay well past 5 pm each and every evening? If so, you might consider speaking with him or her about their

"I Hate Filing Club"

2007-10-18T08:55:00.000-05:00

I ran across this today on the Pendaflex website.
They call it the "I hate filing club" you can register here.

Membership in the I Hate Filing Club is a great way to talk with peers, find helpful organizational ideas and enjoy the support of this community.

I Hate Filing Club members come from all areas of the business world as well as members who enjoy great ideas for home organization and organizing in the classroom.

Membership allows posting of messages on the Community Message Board, interacting with our Club President, Sharon Mann in the "Ask Sharon" forum, and monthly delivery of the "Keeping Tabs" newsletter.

Pretty interesting stuff, check it out!
(What's talked about in the I Hate Filing Club stays in the I Hate Filing Club)

Cardinal SpineVue Binders

2007-10-16T08:04:00.000-05:00

With SpineVue, you can create terrific looking presentation binders in an instant. No fumbling with narrow spine strips. No separate pieces for each of the three sides needed. (SpineVue only requires one.) Even your label inserts can be created in minutes with a ready-to-use layout from our new on-line library.

SpineVue allows you to create custom binders in a third of the time. Exclusive wraparound clear vinyl overlay allow you to insert a single standard letter-size sheet, creating title information on all side of the binder. Vinyl cover material with contrasting black lining adds a professional premium look. Horizontal pockets inside front and back cover. SureLock round rings stay aligned so they won?t accidentally open and spill contents.

Office Products for Other Industries

2007-09-28T14:54:00.000-05:00

My wife ran into an old friend the other night who is a demonstrator for a company calling Stampin up.

Interestingly enough the lady told her that they use an adhesive rolle r and adhesive roller refill made by a company called Tombow. They use these adhesives for attaching just about everything in the scrap-booking world. I found it very interesting when I heard the amount of this adhesive they use, she orders a case a week!

Plantronics Pulsar 590A Bluetooth Headset

2007-09-27T08:19:00.000-05:00

Plantronics Pulsar 590

The Plantronics Pulsar 590 Series Bluetooth Stereo Headsets deliver the ultimate in wireless freedom! Seamlessly switch between your Bluetooth phone and your favorite music or movie so you'll never miss a call. With up to 12 hours of talk time and 10 hours of listen time, you can enjoy wireless stereo listening on laptops, PCs, TVs, DVD and MP3 players.

Esselte Pilesmart Quickview Clear File Jackets

2007-09-27T08:14:00.001-05:00

Esselte Pilesmart Quickview Clear File Jackets with Primary Colored Write On Tabs

PileSmart Quickview Jacket File Organizers with Write-on Tab Keeps your piles of documents organized and your workspace clear enables you to quickly find what you are looking for Clear poly jackets with colored edges and large, colored tabs let you find your documents easily without disturbing your stack of papers! Simply flip through the oversize, write-on tabs to quickly locate paperwork. Thumb cut for easy access and they hold up to 30 sheets of letter size paper, packed as 6 jackets per pack. The primary colors include red, blue and yellow.

America's Ugliest Office Contest

2007-09-18T13:29:00.000-05:00

ACCO Brands is sponsoring the "America's Ugliest Office" Contest.

Enter here:
Americas Ugliest Office

From September 4 to November 30, ACCO Brands is searching for "America's Ugliest Office", an online contest where consumers can enter and vote on the office space that needs the most saving grace. To enter the contest, consumers can upload digital pictures of their ugly office to with a brief commentary stating why their office is such a disgrace.

Upload your photo for a chance to win!

PileSmart Products

2007-09-17T08:17:00.000-05:00

Organize piles of documents on your desktop. Quickly find what you are looking for with the new Pendaflex® PileSmart™ line of products.

PileSmart Desktop Organizer Tray

PileSmart® Desktop Organizer Tray is the perfect solution to help organize the piles on your desk. Clear acrylic, it comes with six colorful dividers with write and erase labels.

PileSmart Binder Label Clips

Binder Label Clips let you pile documents on your desk and find them again at a glance. The clips are designed to clip your documents together and provide a quick and easy way to label them. Primary Colors.

PileSmart Label Clips

Specially designed to organize the piles of documents in your workspace!

PileSmart View Folders with Tabs

Stack large piles on your desk and find them again at a glance!

PileSmart Quickview Jackets

Store papers quickly, finde them again easily and free your destop of clutter!

PileSmart View Folders

The perfect solution for organizing piles using color coding!

PileSmart Project Sorter, 10 sections

The perfect solution to effortlessly sort your projects and organize your piles! 10 sections 1 each

Avery Dennison Office Products

2007-09-17T08:09:00.000-05:00

Avery Dennison Introduces Clean Edge Two-Side Printable Business Cards

Avery Dennison Office Products Company has announced the introduction of new Clean Edge, Two-Side Printable Business Cards for ink-jet, monochrome laser and color laser printers.

Avery Dennison Office Products markets products under the well-known Avery brand name and is one of the world's leading manufacturers of self-adhesive labels for laser and ink jet printers, labeling software, binders, sheet protectors, index and tab dividers and other office-, home- and school-related supplies. Avery Dennison Office Products, a business unit of Avery Dennison Corporation, is based in Brea, California.

Five Star® Sound Binder

2007-08-27T14:08:00.000-05:00

What happens when iPods and notebooks collide? You get 5Star Sound, a notebook with a built in iPod interface and speakers.

There are bookbags and backpacks all over with built-in iPod speaker interfaces, what ever happened to the days where you've just got a single class on the schedule and only need one binder? Mead's latest kit boasts paper-holding ability that binders have had for years, but rather than reinventing the wheel, this speaker-packed Five Star notebook has simply evolved with the times. Featuring those same bright, vivid color schemes, this class organizer features an iPod / DAP connection and a set of built-in speakers, but the RMS rating, battery life, and overall sound quality remains in question. Still, these tune-playing binders should hit your favorite retailers just a hair before your middle-schooler forces you to go "back to school shopping" in the late-summer timeframe.

Breakroom Dilema- Sugar vs. Splenda

2007-08-24T14:59:00.000-05:00

Splenda vs Sweet'N Low Which is Better?

A recent discussion about sweeteners came up. I recieved an education about the merits of Splenda. It seems like I am old school and livinging the past with my preference to goodl old fashioned sugar.

How is SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener made?

SPLENDA® is the brand name for the ingredient sucralose. It is made through a patented, multi-step process that starts with sugar and converts it to a no calorie, non-carbohydrate sweetener. The process selectively replaces three hydrogen-oxygen groups on the sugar molecule with three chlorine atoms. Chlorine is present naturally in many of the foods and beverages that we eat and drink every day ranging from lettuce, mushrooms and table salt. In the case of sucralose, its addition converts sucrose to sucralose, which is essentially inert. The result is an exceptionally stable sweetener that tastes like sugar, but without sugar's calories. After consumption, sucralose passes through the body without being broken down for energy, so it has no calories, and the body does not recognize it as a carbohydrate.

We now keep an ample supply of Splenda in our office breakroom.

The 3M Championship

2007-08-14T08:30:00.000-05:00

2007 3M Championship
D.A. Weibring birdies the last three holes to win.

What a great event!

“The Champions Tour is about giving back to the communities we serve and our players and staff felt the best way to honor and help those affected by this terrible tragedy is to ensure that our players could assist in supporting local efforts by playing this long standing event that has such a strong charitable history in the Twin Cities area,” said Champions Tour President, Rick George. “By playing as scheduled, we allow the tournament’s revenue streams of the pro-am being played today and the official competition over the weekend to continue, which will ensure charitable dollars already earmarked will be available.”

Bob MacDonald, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, 3M added: “Our thoughts today are with all those affected by the tragic bridge collapse. 3M Championship charitable contributions this year are directed at emergency services. In addition, the 3M Foundation and 3M employees will make contributions to the local American Red Cross chapter.”

“The 3M Championship has annually raised millions of dollars for local hospitals since 1993. We will continue to do that this year and in the future,” said the 3M Championship’s Executive Director, Hollis Cavner. “In the wake of the recent tragedy in our community, we will additionally raise money for the Minnesota Red Cross through on-site efforts this weekend with support from the tournament, the players and the Champions Tour.”

BIC DUO, Pen and Highlighter

2007-08-07T13:15:00.000-05:00

What a great idea:
BIC DUO™ Ball Pen and Highlighter in One!

Benefits:
With a twist of the pen’s barrel, the BIC DUO provides an effortless way to capture and bring attention to crucial information without the complications of a separate ball pen and highlighter--providing a hassle-free writing experience!

Features:
- BIC DUO instantly changes from a ballpoint pen to a highlighter with a twist of the pen’s barrel
- Available in blue or black barrel with matching ink
- Yellow highlighter is refillable

Plantronics Voyager 510SL Bluetooth Headset System with Lifter

2007-08-07T07:30:00.000-05:00

Enjoy wireless freedom in the office and on the go with the Plantronics Voyager 510S Bluetooth Headset. With the the Voyager 510S you will enjoy all-day comfort. The Voyager 510S delivers superior sound quality and utilizes "WindSmart" technology for clear voice transmission. At the touch of a button you can seamlessly switch between office phone and voice-enabled Bluetooth mobile device for "Wherever, Whenever, Wireless".

The Voyager 510 S Features:
* One headset for wireless communication in and out of office
* Lightweight headset design for all-day wearing comfort
* Desk phone adapter turns your office phone into a Bluetooth phone
* Versatile headset for both office and Bluetooth mobile phones
* Noise-Canceling microphone for clearer conversations
* WindSmart provides wind-noise reduction technology for optimal sound clarity
* Headset folds for easy storage
* One-touch call control buttons
* Now in silver for a sleek, updated look
* Included lifter automatically lifts handset and returns it to the cradle
* Enables remote or one touch call answer/end with your Plantronics headset

Cardinal XtraLife Binders

2007-07-31T06:37:00.001-05:00

XtraLife ClearVue Non-stick Locking D-Ring Binders from Cardinal

Non-stick cover is guaranteed not to split or tear.
Unique XtraLife material will not stick to cover insert or materials stored inside, including photos, laser prints and photocopies. Much stronger than standard vinyl, it is guaranteed against seam splitting and hinge tearing. Features Slant-D locking ring metals with GelTab™ triggers, horizontal pockets on inside front and back covers. ClearVue style covers have a crystal clear overlay on the front, back, and spine, 5-inch capacity has finger hole providing easier shelf removal. Limited 1-year guarantee provided by manufacturer.

SuperTab™ Oversized-Tab Folders

2007-07-09T12:53:00.000-05:00

New Smead offering includes specialized folders that are designed with 90% larger label area than standard folders for improved labeling. Labels are easier to see using larger text. Economical single-ply tab fit any vertical or lateral filing system.
SPECIFICATIONS:
# 90% larger label area
# Extra-wide 1/3-cut oversized-tabs
# 7/8” high tab
# Same height as standard 1/3-cut
# Attractive color assortment: Lake blue, camel, moss lavender and pink
# 11 pt. colored or manila stock
# Scored for ¾” expansion
# Single-ply tabs
# Contains 10% recycled content, 10% post-consumer material

Sharpie Autographs For Education

2007-06-19T06:16:00.000-05:00

Sharpie- Two new Promotions:

Win $5,000 in school supplies for your school!
Teachers, parents and students: enter the Sharpie Autographs for Education National Signature Series contest by collecting as many signatures as you can on the official Sharpie entry form. The 150 entries with the most signatures collected will win $5,000 in school supplies for their school or educational organization! All signatures also count towards our goal of collecting one million signatures in exchange for $1,000,000 in funds and supplies for education.

Win a $25,000 College Scholarship!
Enter the Autographs for Education National Signature Collection Sweepstakes for a chance to win a $25,000 College Scholarship! Every entry also counts towards our goal of collecting one million signatures for $1,000,000 in funds and supplies for education. Put your autograph on education and win!

Custom Printed Office Products-Part 2

2007-06-15T09:57:00.000-05:00

I had a previous post where I outlined some "Custom Office Products" that relate to specific industries. Here is the second post for further industries:

Manufacturing:
-Binders
-Calendars
-Awards
-Engraved Signs
-Full Color Sales Sheets
-HR Folders
-Multi-part Forms & Invoices
-Name Badges
-Tri-fold Brochures & Rack Cards

Real Estate:
-Calendars
-Full color Brochures
-Full color Name Badges
-Image Labels
-Legal Folders
-Magnetic Business Cards & Signs
-Notary Stamps
-Pens
-Personalized Note Pads
-Photo Business cards
-Post-it Notes
-Presentation Folders
-Stamps

Service Industry: (Plumbing, Construction, Mechanic)
-Calendars
-Cling Labels (oil change)
-Estimate Forms
-Invoices
-Magnetic Business Cards
-Name Badges
-Presentation Folders (estimates)
-Referral Postcards
-Reminder Postcards (service due)
-Sales Order Books

Check back as I will be outlining more industries at later dates.

Office Setup and Scheduling

2007-06-11T14:51:00.001-05:00

Office Setup
Most folks think their office should be setup like your neighbor. Actually setting up your office in your own way is the way to go. Each of us has individual needs and wants and it is your space to develop to suit your work style. Unfortunately we generally do not dedicate enough time to determine what work the best for us. Truth be told, if we take that time to Organize our own way we will be more productive! The key to setting up you office is to determine the materials that you need in order to make your office work for you and then to identify places for your files, workstation and equipment.

Scheduling
When it’s time to think about how you will plan out your workday it is essential to find a good calendar. Make sure the format has specific features that you determine important and give you more control over your time. Now for some scheduling tips:

* Include every activity: phone calls, reports, tasks, etc…
* Plan every day. This can be the most important part of your work day and will help you be more productive
* Think about when you schedule tasks. Get through the hard tasks first! Work on tough projects during your peak time. You will be more productivity and efficient during your peak time.

Direct Connect or Amplified Headsets:

2007-06-11T14:40:00.000-05:00

Direct Connect or Amplified Headsets:
Headsets are an indispensable tool for contact centers and other voice-intensive applications. When it comes to connecting a headset to a phone or ACD terminal, users have two fundamental choices: a direct connect headset or a headset with the addition of an amplifier. This decision has implications on performance, particularly in the contact center. Making the right decision between these two options requires balancing cost and capabilities in the context of where the headset system will be used. For example, will the headset solution be deployed in a contact center or a loud environment? Will you have a variety of incoming call sources, such as cell phones, IP, and conference calls?

Direct Connect:
As the name implies, direct connect headsets plug directly into the headset port of the phone equipment. Professional-grade headsets are designed to provide superior performance and have built in safety features for direct connect applications. Users adjust the headset volumeusing the volume control on the telephone equipment.

Amplifiers
You can also attach a headset to an amplifier, which in turn connects to the telephone equipment and ensures compatibility. While some phones—especially newer IP phones—provide a headset port that allows users to directly plug in a headset, many telephones do not, and consequently require an amplifier.
In this case, “amplifier” can be somewhat of a misnomer, since Plantronics amplifiers
offer many capabilities beyond simply providing volume control and a means to physically attach a headset to a telephone. Plantronics amplifiers provide a number of features to enhance sound quality and thus improve productivity and customer satisfaction.

Bluetooth Technology

2007-06-01T12:49:00.000-05:00

If you anything like me you like to stay current on technology. I recently purchased a Bluetooth headset for my home office and cell phone usage. I purchased a Plantronics Voyager 510. This lightweight, versatile Bluetooth headset delivers all-day wearing comfort and provides a wind-repelling screen for clear voice transmission. Featuring exclusive Plantronics multipoint technology, the Voyager 510 seamlessly transforms into a powerful communication solution for up to two Bluetooth devices.
The best part of this was this great tool Plantronics provides on their website, their "pairing guide". This tool walks you step by step through the setup process!

The Basic Understanding of The Term “Office Supplies”

2007-05-21T07:26:00.000-05:00

Office supplies is the generic term that refers to all supplies regularly used in offices by businesses and other organizations, from private citizens to governments, who works with the collection, refinement, and output of information (colloquially referred to as “paper work”).

This term includes small, expendable, daily use items such as paper clips, staples, hole punches, binders and laminators, writing utensils and paper, but also encompasses higher-cost equipment like computers, printers, fax machines, photocopiers and cash registers, as well as office furniture such as cubicles or armoire desks.

Many businesses in the office supply industry have recently expanded into related markets for businesses like copy centers, which facilitate the creation and printing of business collateral such as business cards and stationery, plus printing and binding of high quality, high volume business and engineering documents. Some businesses also provide services for shipping, including packaging and bulk mailing. In addition, many retail chains sell related supplies beyond businesses and regularly market their stores as a center for school supplies with August and early September being a major retail period for “Back to School” sales.

Custom Printed Office Products

2007-05-17T08:43:00.000-05:00

From time to time every office, no matter the industry will need custom printed office products. One thing we may not know is what is available.

Below I will be outlining "Custom Office Products" that relate to specific industries. I will have subsequent posts but wanted to start with some big ones.

Financial Services:
-Calendars
-Currency Envelopes
-Full Color Brochure and Rack Cards
-Legal and Expandable Folders
-Magnetic Business Cards
-Memo Pads
-Name Plates, Signs and Badges
-Post-it Notes
-Stamps
-Stationery

Law Offices:
-Calendars
-Engraved Will Products
-Legal Document Stamps
-Legal Sized Document Folders
-Notary Public Stamps and Seals
-Presentation Folders
-Report covers
-Stationery
-Pens

Medical:
-Appointment Cards
-Calendars
-Name Plates, Signs and Badges
-Balloons
-Health Tip Flyers
-Label Appointment Cards
-Memo Pads
-Patient Folders
-Pots-it Notes
-Prescription Pads
-Recall Postcards
-Brochures
-Wall Plaques & Wall Signs

Check back as I will be outlining more industries at later dates.

Choosing an Online Office Supply Source

2007-05-14T12:34:00.000-05:00

How many ads do you see both online and offline stating one source is better than the next. Can we really believe this information? Is it reliable? Is it biased?

When it comes time to choose an online supplier for office supplies here are the golden questions to ask yourself:
* Are the customer service reps available?
* Can the customer service reps they answer my questions?
* What's the delivery charge?
* Do they have next day delivery?
* Will they special order items?
* Can I buy online and offline?
* Will they deliver to multiple locations?
* Do they have minimum order requirements?
* Return and warranty policies.
* Overall product quality.

Consider the fact that every year businesses spend billions of dollars on office supplies alone. This is a staggering figure especially if you think about the amount of waste there is on a daily basis. So as you venture out to choose an online supplier think of the above questions also the cost savings of a dealer meeting your needs from a "time is money" cost savings approach. Keep in mind that product cost is only a small part of the equation if you really think about it.

Web Page Printing

2007-05-14T12:15:00.000-05:00

How many times do you print off an entire web page when in reality all you needed was a small bit of information for a project? Well if your anything like me the answer is way too often. In this day in our technology age one would think there is something better, something easier, well there is. I came across this solution from HP, the "HP Smart Web Printing". HP Smart Web Printing enables simple, predictable web printing and provides control over what you want and how you want it printed.

Heres a link to the free download for this product from HP:HP Smart Web Printing

Check it out!

Everything Office Supplies

2007-05-14T07:17:00.000-05:00

Everything Office Supplies is here to provide the public with information on the office supply world. We will be sharing comprehensive product reviews on new supply items as well as general information. Our goal is to keep the Office Supply world as exciting as possible.

Office Supply News and Information in an up to date and fun manner. If you would like more information on any of the topics we cover please let us know and comment often.

Sharpie Markers and Nascar

2007-05-14T07:13:00.000-05:00

It's amazing the relationship between Sharpie Markers and Nascar. Below is some information on the races. Sharpie and Nascar

The Sharpie 500 race is driven at night and drivers have to make specific adjustments to their car and driving style to compete in this race. Besides the race being driven at night, the track is shorter in length than most others on the Nextel Cup series roster. The track is a little over one and a half miles long and makes drivers have to change their style. Since this track is much smaller than most, with 43 cars on such a tiny track, the likelihood of accidents and near death close calls are at a high percentage. Due to the short track, the speed drivers are use to and fans cheer for cannot be achieved.

The Sharpie Mini 300 is a NASCAR Busch Series race that takes place at Bristol Motor Speedway. The first Busch Series race, a 150-lap race, at Bristol was won by Phil Parsons in 1982. The race has increased in length several times since then. It went to 200 laps in 1985, 250 laps in 1990, and 300 laps in 2006.

Remanufactured Inkjet Cartridges

2007-05-11T09:14:00.000-05:00

Have you ever wondered the reliability of remanufactured inkjet cartridges? Well I recently purchased some replacement toner and this time I opted for the "remans" as they are often termed. So far so good.

What is a remanufactured inkjet cartridge you may ask:
Remanufactured inkjet cartridges are recycled cartridges that are remanufactured to meet or exceed OEM specifications. Remanufactured cartridges are inspected, disassembled, cleaned, and refilled. The cartridges are thoroughly tested, they are sealed and sold.

Remanufacturing process:
1- Search for Empties
2- Clean
3- Refill
4- Reseal
5- Test
6- Package
7- Physical Inspection

OfficeMax Buyout?

2007-05-10T09:57:00.000-05:00

The office-supply sector could follow supermarkets and department stores in consolidating as revenue growth slows, analyst Gary Balter said in a research note. Consolidation in the last two sectors has been rampant for the past five years and has had a considerable impact on both industries.

Last week, OfficeMax reported first-quarter profit that trailed analysts' estimates as sales in its stores fell for the fifth-straight quarter. The company's profit margins lag behind those at No. 1 Staples and No. 2 Office Depot.

Buying OfficeMax would boost earnings at Staples or Office Depot even if they paid $100 a share, Balter wrote. A Staples-OfficeMax combination could trim annual expenses by $400 million, while OfficeDepot and OfficeMax could cut $370 million in costs.

"The math suggests it would be a home run for both companies," Balter wrote.

OfficeMax also could be a target for buyout firms because the business is stabilizing and generates positive cash flow and low margins, wrote Balter, who rates OfficeMax shares "outperform."

"Both Staples and Office Depot will be interested in parts of OfficeMax, but don't want to pay for the poor-performing stores," said Arun Daniel, an analyst with ING Investments LLC in New York. OfficeMax spokeswoman Jennifer Rook couldn't be reached for comment.

Credit Suisse's Balter also said Barnes & Noble Inc., the world's largest book retailer, might consider purchasing rival Borders Group Inc. The industry is becoming more competitive, so such a transaction could be approved by regulators, he said.

The Wireless Headset Buzz

2007-05-10T07:46:00.000-05:00

Walk into most any office today and you are sure to see at least one person walking around and talking on a business call at the same time. Innovative designs and the “cool” factor make wireless headsets a must have! I am a big fan of the Plantronics offering, their technology is second to none and they definitely have the “cool” factor down!

The New Plantronics Wireless Headset the CS70N gives you the best of both worlds in one professional wireless headset: premium audio performance and sleek, comfortable styling. Featuring a top-of-the-line, Noise-Canceling microphone for clear speech even in environments with distracting background noise, the CS70N is perfect for a wide variety of users and business environments The Plantronics CS70N enables users to talk hands-free and accomplish simultaneous tasks that fill the work day, such as using a keyboard and mouse, leading a webinar, or reaching for an important file. The headset is built on digitally encrypted, voice-dedicated DECT™ 6.0 technology to provide exceptional audio quality and lower interference with other wireless devices.

Other Plantronics CS70N features include:
•Discreet, behind the ear design and lightweight (0.75 oz) for all-day wearing
comfort,
•One-touch call answer/end, volume and mute headset controls for ease of use,
•Boom swivels for use on either ear for optional wearing preference,
•64-bit digital encryption and up to 6 hours of in-use battery life, and
•Integrated base and charging cradle for easy access and reduced desk clutter.

Ever Wonder How a Mouse Works?

2007-05-09T16:00:00.000-05:00

Who would have thought that there really is a mouse inside your mouse? I've had my suspicions but this proves it. Enjoy-