A little something about everything

internet marketing and website development made simple..

Windows is unable to install to the selected location. Error: 0x80300001

This error occurs when the installer cannot find the install image, this commonly happens when you install f6 drivers but then forget to put the windows install disk back in the drive. 

  • Verify that you have placed the install disk back in the same drive you had it in to start the install process
  • Verify you are using the correct drivers (windows version, 32/64bit)

Problem should be resolved at this point.

Minnesota Roofing Contractor, Review

The roofing on your home is quite an investment not only of your money, but of your time as well in its care and maintenance.  Finding the right roofing contractor with the proper licensing and reputation is critical. There are some very specific things to look for and its not the lowest bid.

  • It is important to be sure that the roofing contractor you hire has a verifiable business license.  
  • Good credentials can be additional indication of the roofer’s knowledge and experience.
  • They should have a physical business address.
  • Ask the roofing contractor for proof of insurance. A reputable company will carry comprehensive liability insurance as well as worker’s compensation insurance.
  • Another thing to ask for are references. There is nothing wrong with asking for good references of previous customers.
  • Seeing some before and after photos for completed work is also a good idea.
  • Another important thing to look into are warranties. While the materials used on your roof are covered by a manufacturer’s warranty, your roofing contractor will offer a workmanship warranty. Ask for details in writing including a copy of the warranties being provided. Be sure that a list of anything that would void the warranties is also included.  
  • Always get a detailed proposal in writing. This proposal should include the cost, length of the project, materials to be used, times the work will begin and end and procedures for cleaning up after the work has been completed as well as a fixed price along with any potential additional fee's such as roof deck replacement for any bad sections.

When I recently had my roof done I choose Ronningen Roofing Inc.

They have been in Rochester, MN and servicing southern Minnesota roofing needs, since 1998.  They also have a high standard not only in quality products but overall workmanship. When they submitted an estimate to a me, it was easy to read and had no hidden changes. They had the best warranties available on materials and workmanship of the contractors I received estimates from. I had lots of questions on options and Eric went above and beyond to answer them, Eric and his team took the time to give accurate information for everything I required. All in all, Eric has a phenomenal team of professionals that I trust and would recommend to anyone looking for a roofing company in Minnesota.

Amazing Organic Jasmine Rice, right in the rice cooker.

Here is a recipe I have come up with for Jasmine Rice.

Ingredients & Instructions

  • 2 Cups Organic Jasmine rice
  • Add the following then mix well
    • 1 1/2 tsp Tumeric
    • 4 crushed saffron stigmas/threads 
    • 1/4 tsp cumin
    • 3/4 tsp cinnamon
    • 1 tsp cayenne
  • Fill to the line with chicken broth(aprox 3 cups)
  • add 1Tbps Organic Olive Oil
  • add 2Tbps Organic (unsalted butter)
  • add 3/4 Tbsp minced garlic (or 1 tsp garlic powder) 
  • Mix again.
  • Add 1 bay leaf then start the cooker.
  • When done mix 2 well beaten eggs in with the rice and allow the heat of the rice to cook the eggs.
  • Salt to taste then serve!

 Goes great with a side of vegetables and some seared and slow roasted chicken.

How to Claim or Publish your Yahoo local listing,

You would think this would be a simple 3 step process like bing or google however, following the instructions laid out by Yahoo! will bring you to one of several pages.

 

Claim Listing:

Following the claim listing instructions lands you on this page:

https://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/merchantsubmit/claimlisting

Which errors out with a partially rendered error page.

 

Create listing:

Following the create listing instructions lands you on this page:

https://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/dashboard/v2/apps/mylisting?bizid=##########

This page also loads a partially rendered error page in the inner window.

 

Solution:

You can simply go to https://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/dashboard/mybusinesses to manage your business listings without issues.

 

Thoughts:

Why a large company like yahoo has such poor documentation on something so simple is beyond me. If someone from Yahoo! reads this please update your documentation and make use of some 301 redirects for all of these old non functioning business listing management pages.

Safe Garden Aquaponics: without PVC and other carcinogenic materials.

I've been doing some research for an aquaponics system and I see so many videos where people are using PVC over the last few years so I started doing some research a while back and thought I would share my findings on the topic. PVC(polyvinyl chloride or vinyl) and CPVC(chlorinated polyvinyl chloride or vinyl) and the cement used to join it is not safe for food use, not safe for grow beds and not safe for aquaponics. Three years of research on this topic now and I have a significant number of research articles outlining the known human carcinogens in PVCs and how they leach into fish tissue, food and the water when used in this environment. Many of the cheaper imported PVC's also contain lead, mercury and other even more harmful chemicals. PVCs also contain Phthalates, which are endocrine disruptors and cause malformation on male reproductive system. The plastic food grade totes (polyethylene) is fine unless it is heated, for example sunlight can cause polyethylene to leach antimony(a toxic metalloid) into food and water, HDPE Plastics like milk containers LDPE plastics like bread bags and the shiny lining of cardboard food products like milk cartons Both leach estrogenic chemicals which can cause a lot of issues for fetuses and juveniles with respect to hormone imbalances and trigger auto immune disorders. The other options that I've seen is to use bamboo, copper with lead free solder of course(copper is not eco friendly and can react with some things so may not be the best solution either, also somewhat expensive), cast iron(however it will rust, is heavy and expensive to install). I've also seen some info on PP(Polypropylene Pipe) they use it in the EU and have for 30 years now as water supply pipes but I have not done any research on it so cant give good or bad advise on it.

Other thoughts, food grade silicone? In the end I think bamboo for pipe offers the most economical and healthy option as its becoming more and more readily available here in the US. Perhaps whisky barrels for the containers rather then the some of the plastic drums that also contain carcinogens which people are using today.

I've seen it mentioned that bamboo with fiberglass/poly cured joints may be the best option at this time as the bamboo is fitted and only a very small portion of the fiberglasss/poly is in contact with the water flow since its wrapped on the outside of the bamboo joinings. This lead me to thinking why not use natural rubber, you know... from a rubber tree to seal joints with bamboo for pipe and wooden barrels. The issue however is some people have reactions to natural rubber so another solution that may work in the not to distant future is Guayule Latex which is Hypoallergenic and completely safe as well as native to North America but quite expensive to harvest and process.

This article is a work in progress and you should do your own research before choosing a material to use for your garden aquaponics system.