January is National Clean Up Your Computer Month

January is National Clean Up Your Computer month. With the flu bug raging,  it's a good time to clean up your computer on the inside and out. There are several tasks I do to keep my computer humming along, so I thought I'd share those with you. I use a small vacuum cleaner for my keyboard, canned air for the inside of the case and microfiber cloths with a touch of soap and water to clean plastic parts and keyboards.

Some additional things you can do:
* For a Microsoft Windows based system, run a registry cleaner
* Install an anti-virus software
* Organize your documents; delete ones you no longer need.
* Install the latest updates for your software or drivers.
* Delete old log files.

Studies have shown that computer keyboards are 400X dirtier than average public toilets. This is easily explained by the fact that public toilets seat are generally cleaned once a day, and you probably only clean your keyboard once a year. Moreover, how many times do you clean your hands before using a keyboard ? How many people use your keyboard ? Regularly disinfecting and cleaning your office equipment helps prevent viruses from spreading and improves your equipment’s performance.

LED Signs Benefit Retailers

Traditional zip-change reader boards are being replaced with modern programmable LED display signs. The old reader boards are a maintenace nightmare. Burnt out light bulbs must be replaced, letters aren't visible at night or from a distance. Letters have to be manually changed everytime you want to display a new message, thats if the letters needed are even available and haven't fallen off or blown away. In the twenty-first century zip-change boards are going the way of the black and white TV.

Savy retailers wanting to ensure they present a professional image are turning to electronic LED display signs for their high visability, energy efficenty, carefree service and ease of use. LED signs provide great visibility from a varity of distances. Lettering can be resized, to provide optimal viewing based on traffiic speed and viewing time. Signs can be programmed to automatically adjust light intensity so that the best visibility of images is presented day or night.

Not only do LED signs help to make retailors more visible to the public, but they are also energy efficient, saving retailers money. Low maintenace costs and energy bills make for a win win situation. It’s easy to convince retailers that an LED sign can provide increased visibility with limited  operating expenses, but they start to get suspicious about its benefits when it come to its operation and programming. Fortunately, todays LED sign use intuitive and easy to use software that can have most people able to update content in minutes with little or no training.

Historic District Approves LED Sign

Kent county News reports that the Chestertown Historic District Commission has approved a new LED sign for the Garfield Center for the Arts. If properly managed, which we think it will be, the sign will be a nice addition to the downtown theater.

The proposed LED display was supported Cherilyn Widdell, a historic preservation expert with the National Park Service. The benefit of the LED display is that it is easily programmable to appear just as an old letter board sign that a staff member would have to climb a ladder to reach. It is not uncommon to drive by one of those old-fashioned signs and see mismatched or broken letters, which do not look good.

Some citizens do have valid concerns about the sign being utilized in a proper manner, respectful of the Historic District's nature.Proponents testified that it would be used only for static images, rather than exploding and zooming colored images.

The matter next goes to the town's planning commission to review the outdated sign ordinance. This will be an opportunity for the town and the Garfield to work together to ensure questionable aesthetics are not allowed and the Garfield's marquee mirrors the old-fashioned letter boards.

Electronic LED Message Signs Boost Business

Watch a short video on the value of adding an onsite LED sign to a business. Sponsored by the US Sign Council this video shows how one company found value in an monochrome LED message sign. 

Window vs Indoor Scrolling LED Signs

Window LED signs are 10 times brighter than standard indoor LED sign. Also known as a "semi-outdoor" LED display, these brilliant window LED sign can be viewed through tinted windows and in bright sunlight. Despite the "semi-outdoor" classification, this does not mean they should be used outdoors. These signs are not weather proof. The "semi-outdoor" classification refers only to the brightness of the LED's used on the sign.
Semi-outdoor LED's are bright enough to be highly visible, even in bright sunlight, and therefore suitable for storefront windows. If you intend to use your LED sign or display in a window, be certain the model you select is clearly rated as "semi-outdoor" or suitable for "window display". Unless your business operates after dusk, ordinary indoor LED signs will not be visible, even in moderate sunlight.

Scrolling window LED displays communicate far more than the words upon them, they present a professional image. It has been said you never get a second chance to make a first impression. The manner in which you present your business to the public can be crucial to its success. Attractive, quality, legible semi-outdoor LED window signs say come in and do business - we're ready to serve you. You are making an investment in your storefront signage. Make sure that sign will be visible at all hours of the day. 

Federal Grant Money for LED Signs and Trailers

AdsUp Trailer

Did you know that Federal Grant money is once again available for the purchase of a LED Sign, if it is used by a Fire Department? This includes the purchase of our Fire Edition AdsUp LED Trailer. Grants are available yearly to help Fire Departments meet their emergency response equipment needs. In 2010, FEMA awarded $380 million for new vehicle aquisitions and training. Other agencies offering grants for Fire Departments include the US Forest Service, Rural Housing Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, as well as private groups like the First Responder Institute. 
Fire Departments can and should apply for grants. Grant money is a great way to recoup some dollars you are spending that you don’t need to. If you would like more information on our AdsUp LED trailer, please contact an LED Sign Authority associate.

Small Town Business Owners Find Value in EMCs

A recent pilot study conducted by Professor Van Bulck of the University of South Carolina-Sumter found Outdoor LED Message Centers to be cost effective, easy to use and increased business regardless of the size of the sign or type of business.

Generally we think of EMCs being located in large metropolitan areas, but even the small town business owner can benefit from the installation of an EMC. More than 86% of small town business owners said the LED signs "help bring in more customers" and 83% said the signs "increased sales".
LED message signs are an effective outdoor advertising tool and 86% of small town business owners found "LED signs made people more aware of the location of their store" The more exposure your business receives through your sign, the more you can increase traffic and sales.  Not surprisingly double sided signs where found to be more effective than single sided signs.
Part of surving in a small town is competing with the world. Small business owners don't have deep pockets to develop big advertising campaigns. Their advertising dollar must work hard and achieve top results. EMCs have been proven time and again to be an cost effective method of advertising no matter what your business or where it is located.