Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Why Choose Delaware as Your Corporate Home?

By: Jay B Stockman

What state Incorporates more than a half-million business entities, including more than half of the Fortune 500 companies? New York? California? Illinois? No. No. No. That state is Delaware. With a population smaller than 88% of all states, this business-friendly state attracts more corporations than any of the major cities. Businesses choose Delaware simply because of their flexible corporate laws, highly respected Court of Chancery, a business-friendly State Government, and a customer service oriented Staff of the Delaware Division of Corporations.

Among the many business-friendly laws, Delaware does not require corporations to operate in the state, only to maintain a registered agent, who may be an individual resident, or an existing domestic corporation. Additionally, incorporations typically take 24 hours to process, however there are services that allow same day, and 2 hour filing. There is no corporate income tax for corporations incorporated in Delaware, but not transacting business in the state. Further, the cost to incorporate is one of the lowest in the country, and one person can hold all officer positions of the corporation. Officer names are not required to be listed in the articles of incorporation. Shares of stock owned by persons outside of Delaware are not subject to Delaware taxes.

Delaware maintains a separate corporate court system, called the Delaware Court of Chancery, that does not use juries, but only uses judges appointed for their expertise in corporate law. The Delaware Court of Chancery is a 210-year-old business court that has written most of the modern U.S. corporation case law. It is widely recognized as the nation's most distinguished agency for dispute resolution involving corporate litigation. The state legislature takes seriously its role in keeping the corporation statute, and other business laws current. Their unique expertise in, and exposure to issues of business law are supreme. Currently the Court of Chancery has made docket information, and pleadings available over the Internet for civil actions filed in the Court.

Delaware's State Government is business-friendly and accessible. The Division of Corporation is in the forefront of efficiency, and their professional staff provides prompt, friendly services to clients, attorneys, registered agents and others. The office of the Secretary of State operates more like a business rather than a government bureaucracy with its leading edge technology, and customer-service oriented staff.

Delaware may make sense for large corporations, however it may not be worth the effort for small, privately held corporation who do business in their home state. Although Delaware does not tax out of state businesses, taxes must be paid in the state the business is operating. While incorporating fees are lowest in Delaware, appointing a corporate agent to receive official notices in Delaware may negate any realized costs savings. All factors considered, Delaware is a premiere legal home to companies all around the world.

About the Author

Jay B Stockman is a contributing editor for Online Small Business Consulting Visit http://small-business-usa.com/ for more information.

Monday, January 30, 2006

Home Security Systems Provide a Safe Environment for Family Members

By: Dr. Jay B Stockman O.D.

There were 4 million household burglaries in the United States, nearly 500,000 resulted in bodily injury, and 20,000 resulted in homicides, frightening statistics. Additional statistics reveal that a home without a security system is three times as likely to be burglarized as compared to one which is equipped with a security system. These facts make it obvious that a home security system will reduce your chances of intrusion, and can protect your life and property. It is therefore necessary to conduct an extensive home security review, to determine the appropriate systems necessary to secure the safety of yourself, and home.

Several points should be kept in mind while conducting a home security review. Security needs should be a first consideration. While it may be obvious that you should be the best judge of security requirements, a security expert has the experience to evaluate your home for vulnerabilities that are not obvious to a layperson. After a full examination of your home, a security specialist will be able to make note of all soft spots, and suggest the kind of equipment necessary to strengthen these soft spots.

The next consideration is security monitoring. Security monitoring can be a sophisticated central monitoring service, or a simple home security system, cost and needs are the determining factors. The central monitoring services are ideal because they ensure that appropriate measures are taken whenever an intrusion is detected. A monitoring team that works from a central station verifies every suspicious activity the moment it receives an alert. While an ideal deterrent, this type of monitoring is relatively expensive, and subject to the experience and professionalism of the company. You must find out if the central monitoring station is certified by Underwriters Laboratory; that it has a power back up system that can run for 10 to 15 hours; that it is run by trained staff; that it alerts local authorities within seconds of receiving a security alert.

Less costly is a simple home security system consisting of a control panel, a couple of magnetic switches, a motion sensor or two, and an alarm device. This can be hard wired or wireless. The more advanced systems feature a video camera that can be monitored by family members. The biggest advantage of this system is that it scares away potential intruders. This may happen when an intruder sees a yard sign, a decal sign or any of the installed sensors or video cameras. There is a one-time installation charge, with no recurring expenses.

While there are no guarantees, any home security system could scare away potential intruders. Any type of prevention will go along way to reduce the likelihood of a break in, or home assault by a stranger. Remember, the main objective of any home security system is to provide a safe environment for family members, and to limit the loss of property.

About the Author

Jay B Stockman is a contributing editor for Best Home Security Companies. Visit http://home-security-usa.com/ for more information.

Sunday, January 29, 2006

The Dish on Satellite TV

By: Jay B Stockman

The evolution of television has seen dramatic acceleration recently. Satellite TV has truly revolutionized the global viewing experience. You no longer have to rely on awkward rabbit ear antennae to bring viewing pleasure. Satellite dishes have become as ubiquitous as the roof antenna was in the early years. The world can now be accessed through numerous, and diverse channels, and programming. The number of options available with satellite television is overwhelming. Since the broadcast signals used in satellite television are digital, as compared with old analog, the results are crystal clear audio and visual transmissions.

Broadcasts can be done in HDTV, or high definition television, which is the latest television technology. Digital transmissions allow a greater degree of flexibility for broadcasters. In addition to picture and sound excellence, there is a virtual library of movies, sporting events, and news programs to choose from. More than the basic channels of yesteryear. Satellite receivers, when put together with the properly built and positioned satellite dish, hook up with access to more than 225 digital-quality channels. The receiver can also provide an on-screen program guide that can be customized to suit viewers needs. The receiver also has a built-in "Locks and Limits" feature, which gives control to limit channels or programs. More recently, a spectacular Digital Video Recording feature, DVR, has emerged. This gives the viewer the ability to record, replay, and splice programming scenes as many times, and in as many ways, as desired. That's what the combination of HDTV and DVR will give: complete control. Unlike commercial television, which broadcasts free programming, satellite television is not without cost. To get satellite TV, you need a dish antenna, and a receiver designed to work with the chosen service. You can buy the hardware from the satellite company, an electronics store, or a satellite-system dealer/installer for about $100 and up. There is a monthly subscription fee, in addition to the cost of the hardware; this varies according to the level of service. In the past, bad weather could adversely effect the signals, however new technology and improvements have made this a rare issue. All considered, satellite television is an investment well worth it. Satellite service can include you in a world revolution that is changing the face of how information and entertainment is done in this world. The sky is the limit with satellite services, literally, when it comes to speed, features, and innovation.
About the Author
Jay B Stockman is a contributing editor for Direct Satellite TV Network Visit http://satellite-tv-usa.net/ for more information.