Freedom of Speech

Alexander Djerassi believes that freedom of speech is a valuable principle that supports an individual’s or a group’s right to articulate their views and beliefs without fear of legal sanction, censorship, or reprisal. Freedom of speech encourages debate and controversy and is necessary for a healthy democracy. Freedom of speech allows people to defend their interests and position of view with the help of the press, and this helps to ensure that social change happens peacefully, and with the backing of the majority of the population.

Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right that protects a nation’s or an individual’s freedom to express their opinions and values without fear of censorship, retaliation, or law enforcement. It is a promise of a stable and progressive society in which people can and should express their different views without fear of legal repercussions.

In recent years, freedom of expression in the United States has come under attack by several outside parties, ranging from conventional republican organizations struggling to protect our nation’s Constitutional liberties to foreign human rights and liberal protestors protesting what they consider as unequal cultures and freedoms.

Freedom of speech in the United States was once considered to be a gift from both nations to a free country. The Continental Congress attached the First Amendment to the US Constitution as a promise of free expression. Today, however, many Americans feel that these protections are no longer protected and are subject to intimidation and aggression from both inside and outside the government.

According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, “everyone has the freedom to express views or critique, as well as to pursue, obtain, and impart knowledge and ideas across the media and borders.” This ensures that the legislation protects everyone’s right to criticize the government, businesses, religion, ethnicity, color, sex, national origin, or status. Equality of expression is also known as freedom of the press. Alexander Djerassi believes it is a fundamental human right as well as a universal right.

Djerassi also believes for a nation to have freedom of speech law, it must be able to exclude foreign propaganda and protect its domestic freedom of speech. Many nations have been working on providing more diverse sources of information and entertainment. In fact, many countries have laws that limit free speech, press, and media activities.

The First Amendment in the United States, as well as several other free-speech nations around the world, as well as the numerous social media sites themselves, will argue that everyone has the freedom to talk openly, but a line must be drawn. Freedom of speech legislation is difficult to understand because it has the power to shield almost all speech. While many people would compare restricting hate speech to censorship, it would be much more harmful on a social media site when speech is not always moderated.

If you are a regular on a social media platform, it is probably a wise idea to refrain from using abusive language or making threats. You are legally permitted to criticize others via free-speech laws as long as your criticism does not go beyond normalcy. Those who legitimately share hate speech or violence are taking a risk of prosecution.

What is Vector Art and How is it Used?

In case you’re befuddled regarding why vector craftsmanship matters and why you should think about it, at that point you’re in the opportune spot. Information is force, and we ensure you’ll feel amazingly enabled in the wake of perusing this guide and realizing precisely what vector craftsmanship is, the reason it’s so significant, and how it identifies with visual depiction, organization logos, and special items. 

Vector workmanship, laid out plainly, is any picture that is made in Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop. These pictures are anything but difficult to resize and rescale without getting fluffy or rough. 

What’s that you state? You’d want to find out about vector craftsmanship by viewing a video all things considered? We have you secured. 

What is Vector Art? 

Vector illustrations are here and there additionally alluded to as “embroidery digitizing,” however they mean something very similar. The specialized meaning of vector illustrations is confounded, yet more or less vector records are a sort of realistic that utilizes numerical calculations, permitting the picture to be scaled or changed without loss of picture quality or goal. These pictures are anything but difficult to resize or rescale and bring about a superior quality realistic! 

At the point when you make a picture in Adobe Illustrator (or in Freehand or CorelDRAW), you are making a vector realistic. In any case, when you make a picture in a program like Adobe Photoshop, you are making a bitmap realistic, which isn’t a vectored design. A vector realistic holds its freshness at any amplification, yet a bitmap realistic seems spiked when it’s developed. 

For what reason is Vector Art Required for Promotional Items? 

You’re presumably asking why we’re making such a serious deal about vector craftsmanship. To lay it out plainly, it’s the beautiful option in contrast to other printing methods. At the point when your work of art is in a vectored design (either .AI or .EPS), it permits you to increment or abatement the size of the realistic without trading off the honesty of the first picture. This means we’ll have the option to effortlessly resize your picture without it looking mutilated and hazy on your limited time items. 

Making a vector realistic, regardless of whether it’s through Adobe Illustrator, Freehand, or CorelDRAW, offers your logo the chance to be shown at its best quality. The outcome is a fresh, clear, and discernible picture regardless of what the last yield or size! Also, when your picture looks great, it makes your limited time items look far superior! 

I Don’t Have Vector Art. Could I Just Use Bitmap Or JPEG? 

For your special items, you can attempt to utilize a low-goal document containing a bitmap picture (which implies any sort a record with the expansion .BMP, .GIF, .PDF, .JPG, or .JPEG). Nonetheless, on the grounds that we give it a second thought, we’ll give you same admonition that we gave above: in the event that you attempt to scale or extend the size of a non-vector design like a bitmap record, at that point the picture will become pixelated and have rugged edges when printed, similar to the Quality Logo Products logo here. 

The highlighted JPEG picture is foggy and twisted, and that is clearly not adequate print quality! At the point when you make your logo or fine art in a vectored design, it very well may be resized from business card measurements to bulletin measurements without losing any of its sharpness! That sort of resizing is just outlandish with any of the bitmap records recorded previously. 

What’s The Difference Between Vector And Raster? 

Dissimilar to vector pictures, which are made utilizing numerical recipes, raster pictures are comprised of pixels. At the point when raster pictures are resized, there is lost goal and freshness. That is the reason pictures spared as document designs like .JPEG and .GIF may must be redrawn by our specialists before they can be imprinted on your items. Just high-goal raster pictures (300 dpi at full size) can be utilized “with no guarantees.” Raster pictures turn out best for printing with four-shading handling (otherwise called computerized printing, CMYK printing, and full shading printing). 

Essentially contrast these vector and raster pictures with see why we lean toward vectored work of art for your engraving. The vectored variant of your logo is where the picture is fresh and clear at any size or amplification. 

How Might I Tell If My Art is Vectored Already? 

You can tell your fine art is vectored in two different ways: 

Your fine art will be in an .AI, .EPS, .FH, or .CDR design. 

At the point when your fine art is resized in your plan program of decision, it won’t become rough or twisted regardless of how enormous you make it. 

In case you don’t know whether your fine art is vectored, you can either check with your own visual architect, or one of our agreeable specialists will be glad to help! 

Can I Just Save My File as an Adobe Illustrator (.AI) File and Make it Vectored? 

Shockingly, there is no “simple fix” to change over your current work of art into a vectored design – just sparing your record with an .AI expansion won’t make your fine art vectored. Keep in mind, all together for a picture to be vectored, it should be worked without any preparation in a program like Adobe Illustrator (liked). 

Remember that expertly planned craftsmanship ordinarily has a vectored form some place, however few out of every odd PC can open vectored records in light of the fact that a particular program like Adobe Illustrator is required. Once in a while you can discover a vectored record on your PC that you didn’t have any acquaintance with you had, in light of the fact that you’ve always been unable to open it or view the symbol! You can take a stab at scanning your PC for craftsmanship records by squeezing the Windows key + “E,” and afterward composing “Workmanship” in the inquiry bar. In the event that you have the proper plan program on your PC, you will see symbols, yet in the event that not, the symbols will show up as plain paper symbols. 

How Do I Convert My Artwork into a Vector? 

To change your picture or logo into vector workmanship, it’s occasionally important to talk with the first visual fashioner of the fine art or the individual who planned it for you. Ordinarily, your craftsman will have the option to change over a jpeg (.jpg) or bitmap record (.bmp) to a vectored design for you. On the off chance that you don’t have a visual planner or your visual creator can’t make a vectored adaptation of your craftsmanship, your agent will be glad to support you. 

What Does “Convert Font to Outlines” Mean, How Do I Do that to My Fonts? 

“Changing textual style over to plots” implies that you should change the textual style in your record from text to an item so as to keep up that textual style when it’s printed. 

Still confounded? Permit us to separate it further! In the event that a specific text style isn’t introduced on a PC attempting to open your record, at that point the PC will substitute a nonexclusive textual style for your unique textual style. This totally changes the manner in which the textual style will show up and print! Nonetheless, on the off chance that your textual style is changed over to diagrams, at that point it permits the PC to peruse it as a picture object instead of as text. 

So in the event that you have explicit text styles in your plan that you need to use on your things, at that point you have to change the textual styles over to diagrams!

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The Benefits of Deep Cleaning Your Home

Keeping your home clean can actually benefit your health and the health of the ones you love.

1. Benefits of Cleanliness

Here are just a few ways in which you and your entire household will benefit from a clean home.

Mental benefits

Cleaning and house chores actually reduce anxiety.  A clean and clutter-free space can improve your mental health. Many psychology studies have been performed that show an uncluttered, clean space can help us focus and feel calmer, less depressed and less anxious in general.  

On the other hand, clutter can be overwhelming and can actually contribute to stress, anxiety, and depression. When all that your brain sees is the untidy mess, a part of it ticks is as unfinished business. A Princeton University study found that clutter can actually overwhelm the visual cortex, making it more difficult to process the task at hand.

A consistently tidy home saves money

By cleaning and up keeping your appliances regularly, they last longer and run more efficiently and therefore consume last energy, helping to lower your Reliant Energy bill. When you keep your home clean, you will have less of a need for more expensive and extra-strength cleaning products, as the dirt and grime won’t be build up.

Healthier food choices

It’s been well established that cluttered, dirty and even off-smelling spaces make us feel anxious and stressed and we tend to make poor food choices under pressure. Studies showed that people in a clean environment made smarter, healthier snacking choices than those attempting to work in messy spaces. A messy kitchen is not inspiring to cook or eat in, so those who have neater kitchens may be more likely to make healthier food at home as opposed to ordering a pizza or eating out.

A clean home can ease allergy symptoms whereas a cluttered home is a haven for viruses and bacteria

Whether you suffer primarily from seasonal outdoor allergies such as polen or “indoor” allergies like dust, keeping a clean home can greatly reduce your symptoms. Outdoor allergens like pollen can be brought in to your household if you don’t wash your clothes and just keep your home clean. If left to accumulate, dust, animal hair, and other allergens can wreak havoc on your nose, eyes, and sinuses, leaving you feeling miserables, with an itchy nose being the least of your worries.

Even if you are free of allergies, the more dirt accumulates in your home, the more likely it is that your household will harbor viruses and unwanted bacteria.

2. Deep Cleaning Tips

The key to deep cleaning your house is setting a schedule. This isn’t a chore you can conquer in one afternoon, so plan accordingly. Make a list of each room and the things you need to do. Work from the top of the room to the bottom so you can vacuum any dirt that falls as you make your way.

Cleaning surfaces and mirrors is a weekly cleaning job. But cleaning corners as well as every single object head to toe are a job for Cinderella as this is what  ‘deep cleaning’ is all about. Go through your kitchen cabinet and deep clean your oven.

Move every object so you can clean below and behind it. This is also a great opportunity to clean your closet and organize it while also getting rid of things you no longer need. This is the time when both indoor and outdoor decorations and furniture should be cleaned and vacuumed with a special attachment.

The first stage is decluttering, the second is cleaning and then there is deep cleaning where you get to move all your furniture and maybe even reorganize the space entirely.

Tossing unused or expired items takes time we never seem to have so this is the perfect occasion. The deep cleaning goes as deep as washing your trash can for every inch of your home to be spotlessly clean. A deep clean is the time when you clean windows and windowsills along with waxing floors. It is the time for your castle to shine in all its splendor. The better you do your job, the easier it will be to maintain the magic.

Takeaway

There is no single way to maintain a healthy home. But, one of the proven ways is to keep it clean. Having a consistently clean house brings many benefits, from protecting residents from germs to making them happier. Moreover, deep cleaning your home will last longer than a simple weekly clean-up, requiring little maintenance to keep the house impeccable throughout the year.

How Are You Doing with Your New Year’s Resolutions?

Common New Year’s Resolutions 

  • Travel the world: There’s a lot of amazing landmarks to see and food to try all around the world, it’s no wonder why travelling is one of the most common new year’s resolutions for people to make.
  • Losing weight or better mental well being: They say that your mental well being and physical health goes hand in hand. Taking care of both of these factors simultaneously will ensure you have will have both the internal motivation to get through your goals and the physical health to execute the tasks.
  • Learning a new language: There are roughly 6,500 languages spoken all around the world. All these languages make the world a very beautiful place, so wanting to learn 1 or 2 languages this new year will help connect you with even more interesting and diverse people.
  • Be more sustainable: With more and more studies shedding light on the fragility of the environment, living a more sustainable lifestyle is a popular new year’s resolution. You can be more sustainable by incorporating these simple energy efficiency tips into your routine, such as upgrading to a nest thermostat, switching to energy efficient light bulbs, and using blackout curtains. All these tips can help the environment and lower your Vectren Energy bill as well.

 Tips on Making Your Resolutions Stick 

Did you know that less than 10% of resolutions are kept by the end of the year and 25% fail before mid January?  Wanting to better yourself is never a bad thing but what’s just as important is making sure your resolutions stick as part of your lifestyle. Make sure to look at these tips if you want to increase the chances of following through with your New Year’s resolutions:

  • Break up a big goal into smaller manageable ones: With resolutions like wanting to travel the world or a new city, break up the bigger picture into smaller goals. For example, you can break countries or cities you want to travel to by months. If you’re dedicated to exploring a certain city or country, break up landmarks or activities you want to do within the time frame you’re on holiday for. Add a few lists, a bit of prioritization, and allocating resources, you’ll be conquering the world in no time.
  • Remember these resolutions are your own and not anyone else’s: Have you ever noticed why gyms are packed at the beginning of the year and by the time spring comes, it’s only a few handful of people who return regularly? Going to the gym to take care of your health is one thing but losing weight to feel good for other people will minimize the chances of you sticking to this resolution. Make sure to set a goal that motivates your own needs and not for your friends, spouse, or family.
  • Thinking manageable doesn’t mean you’re not thinking big: A common problem when setting your new year’s resolution is that you’re spreading yourself too thin. You can’t cut out every bad habit you’ve built into your lifestyle since you were a kid and you definitely can’t learn 10 languages at a time. Wanting to better yourself by learning new skills and developing your hobbies are commendable, so make sure to break the skill down to manageable steps to achieve your goals.
  • If you fall, dust yourself off: They say it takes at least 3 months to build a habit. Just make sure to keep in mind that skipping the occasional day to prioritise other important responsibilities, finishing a New Year’s resolution late, or even if you miss a goal by 10%, does not equate to your failure.
 Conclusion 

New Year’s resolutions should be seen as changes to your lifestyle if you want to maximise the likelihood of its success.

Appliance Maintenance Tips

Homeowners often don’t think about their appliances until something goes wrong, and they are no longer able to use them. Repairs usually end up costing you more money. Avoiding appliance problems is not always possible, but there are ways to help prolong the situation as much as possible. This is why performing regular maintenance on your appliances is vital.

 Benefits of Maintaining Your Appliances 

Think of regular maintenance as the best way to protect your investment. Good maintenance habits will not only decrease the risk of negative surprises and safety hazards, but they will also:

  • Prolong the Life of Your Appliance

The better you maintain your appliances, the longer they will last. Maintenance involves cleaning appliances regularly, inside and out.

  • Lower Your Utility Bill

Maintenance will prevent any filters or pumps from messing up. When these get clogged, the devices have to work twice as hard and end up using draining much more electricity. While you’re at it, track your usage so you can identify ways to reduce your bill. It’s always a good idea to browse through the many energy companies in Dallas, as choosing the right deal can save you several hundreds of dollars from your annual bill.

 Maintenance Tips 

Believe it or not, some straightforward tips can make a big difference in how your appliances perform and the length of their lifecycle.

  • Place Your Fridge Away From the Wall

Your fridge runs more efficiently when it has airflow behind it.

  • Clean the Fridge and Prevent Ice Buildup in the Freezer

Doing this every once in a while will keep your fridge running more efficiently. Moreover, it will also work better if you fill your freezer.

  • Clean Your Kitchen Appliances With Lemon and Vinegar

Just by microwaving it for a few minutes, you will loosen the stains that you can easily wipe afterward and keep your microwave running optimally. As for the oven, it’s best to make a paste with baking soda and leave it overnight to work its magic. You can use the same ingredients to clean your kitchen elements, kitchen sink, etc. You don’t have to worry about any toxic cleaning agents.

  • Change the AC Filter Once a Year

A clogged AC will not only run less efficiently but also consume twice as much electricity. However, most importantly, you do not want to inhale the polluted air.

 Other Ways to Practice Energy Efficiency 

  • Eliminate Leaks

Check your faucets and caulk leaky windows. If you live in an older building, you likely have single-paned windows that are much less effective in insulating your home from exterior temperatures than their double-pane counterparts. If replacing your windows is not an option, at least get dark and thick drapes, which will help a bit.

  • Insulate the Water Heater

If you cannot afford to insulate the entire place, you can at least get a water heater jacket and install it yourself. It will reduce the time and energy it needs to heat the water.

  • Wash Your Laundry in Eco-Mode

Don’t worry; your laundry will be just as clean in cold water as eco-mode goes up to 30 degrees Celsius max. Today’s detergents do all the work.

Consider Replacing Your Old Appliances  

Energy Star certified appliances have been created to help consumers save money on operating costs by reducing energy use, yet without sacrificing performance. For example, an ENERGY STAR certified clothes washer could cut your energy costs by about a third and your water costs by more than half. So, it is a no-brainer as these investments practically pay for themselves.

 Takeaway 

The more love you show to your device, the longer it will last and the better it will perform. Just like changing the oil is essential to maintain your car’s engine, appliances need to be maintained to function optimally. It’s always better to prevent than cure. Bad habits will cost you, and good habits can save you thousands of dollars.

6 Common Appliance Problems You Should Know About

Are you having appliance issues but you’re not sure if you should call a repair service? Some problems are more common than others and require a simple fix such as checking your cords or outlets. Filter or cleaning problems are also commonplace, so read on to find out what you can expect to handle on your own, and when you might need to call in extra help. 

Microwave Complications

Components inside a microwave (such as the turntables) can also break. You can try resetting the outlet on your own, but if this does not help, the unit might have blown a fuse. Disconnect the plug from the wall. Ensure the circuit breaker is off before attempting any work on the fuse or the microwave.

Washing Machine Issues

Sometimes, washing machines have issues turning on, draining, cleaning, or agitating the clothes. The owner’s manual can offer specific guidance on the reset process for your model.

If the water doesn’t fill inside, check to ensure nothing is obstructing the door or receiving hole. If the machine doesn’t drain, look at the pump. It’s possible that something is clogging it such as torn clothing or debris. Other times, problems getting clothes all the way clean can occur if the machine is overloaded. Try putting fewer items inside and be sure you’re not adding too much laundry soap.

Dryer Problems

Since dryers use a great deal of electricity, it’s essential to be cautious if you decide to attempt to diagnose or fix one. Turn the circuit breaker off before an attempt at any repairs. 

Dryers sometimes can’t heat enough as much as they should be able to and might not start. Be sure that the lint filter or vent tube is both clear and are not clogged. 

Refrigerator Complications

It can be frustrating to have a refrigerator that leaks water or is noisy but be aware that the issue might be more than that. “If the unit leaks underneath to the subflooring or kitchen floors, these both can get permanently damaged. The door seal that keeps the cold air inside is also an important part of your fridge that should be replaced if it gets broken,” remarked John Stahfest, owner of Top Shelf Appliance.

Dishwasher Difficulties

The typical household utilizes these units often, so it shouldn’t be a surprise if an issue takes place now and then. Ensuring that the dishwasher filter is kept clean can help to prevent water from seeping through the door. 

If the issue is just a leak, you might need to check to see that there isn’t anything in the way of the seal or that could be blocking the door from shutting. A clogged filter or dirty door gasket can also result in dishwasher troubles.

Air Conditioner Problems

Occasionally, an air conditioning unit can have a misaligned slope, especially if it’s the kind that gets placed in a window. These types of coolers can break down because they deal with high quantities of air they deal with and water that gets removed from the air. A simple fix can be to realign the machine so that the slope faces down outside.  

In summary, don’t hesitate to call in a repair service if the complication is more severe than a clogged filter or just some necessary cleaning. Some issues might seem minor, but if there are underlying problems, it could be more trouble than it’s worth without a trained professional.

5 Hacks to Help You Afford Car Repairs

If you’ve ever had a car break down, you know how much financial stress it can cause. Car problems can occur randomly, but routine maintenance is also something that also needs to be considered. While mechanic costs can add up fast, the following guidelines can help you keep maintenance and repair expenses low.

Do Your Research

Those who don’t have the best idea of how to estimate a car repair can benefit greatly from doing a little research before they send their car to the mechanic. One study found that people can end up with a better cost for the repairs if they make an effort to look into the problem beforehand. Knowing what the fix should be priced at can work in your favor. Websites like Driverside and AutoMD can help you determine where the problem might lie and how much it should cost to have fixed.

Even those who don’t have in-depth knowledge about their vehicle can have better luck at the mechanic’s shop. “Look into the problem beforehand, ask as many questions as you want, and if you feel unsure about anything, move on to a different mechanic. If you haven’t signed anything, you’re not obligated to work with them,” explained Jason Chalik, car accident lawyer in Plantation. The peace of mind will assure you that you’re on the right track.

Look for Discounts and See What Your Warranty Covers

Sometimes, Pep Boys and Meineke put coupons online, and even these can save you some cash. Warranties on new cars usually last until 36,000 miles or three years. Repairs will likely be taken care of if your car is still within those time restrictions. Used cars can also be covered if you purchase an aftermarket warranty.

Look for a Reliable Mechanic that You Trust

An honest mechanic can save you a great deal of money. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence endorses mechanics after they have demonstrated proficiency in every aspect of car maintenance and repair, and their website is the best place to locate a mechanic if you haven’t found one yet. AAA also recommends mechanics. Or, see which repair shop your family and friends take their cars to. Reviews can also prove useful as a last resort, and get a second opinion if you’re in doubt.

Stay on Top of Recommended Maintenance

Some services might not be absolutely necessary, but prioritizing certain maintenance tasks can save you a lot of grief later. Check your owner’s manual to see what your car needs, and avoid spending money on work that doesn’t need to be done until you reach a certain mileage. Certain checks can be done yourself, such as looking at the fluid level or changing the oil. Many instructional repair videos are available on AutoZone and other reputable websites that can help get you started.

In summary, being proactive can save you a great deal of expense and frustration when it comes to your vehicle. Do you have any other tips for finding a good mechanic fast? What do you look for when taking your car in for a tune-up?

Pros and Cons of Tankless Hot Water Heaters

One day, you wake up to shower and discover that you have no hot water. The repairman comes and says that your hot water heater needs to be replaced. You now have a decision to make: do you want to continue using a tank system or do you want to go tankless?

“A tankless hot water heater does have a surprising number of benefits, and almost the same number of drawbacks,” says Steve Lewis, president and CEO of Plumbing By Jake.

Take a look below and decide if a tankless hot water heater might be right for you.

Pro #1

A tankless water heater uses 30-50% less energy than their tank counterparts, leading to a savings of up to $100 per year.

Con #1

Because of their small design, many tankless hot water heaters require special installation and also cost a bit more initially to purchase. If you factor in the installation costs as well as purchasing the unit, a tank water heater is much cheaper and easier to install.

Pro #2

Instant hot water. No waiting for the tap at the bathroom sink to warm to shave or wash your face. No waiting for the water to get warm in the shower. A tankless water heater provides hot water almost instantly.

Con #2

The hot water provided by a tankless hot water heater may be “limitless,” but only to one faucet or appliance at a time. If you want to take a shower while washing clothes or dishes, you might get inconsistent temperatures or need to wait until one is finished.

Pro #3

A tankless water heater also tends to have a longer lifespan than your typical tank water heater. Warranties typically cover 12 to 15 years, versus an average of 6 years for their tank counterparts.

Pro #4

Tankless water heaters are mounted on the wall, freeing up space in your garage or basement for other things. If you’re concerned with space issues, a tankless water heater may be the way to go.

Con #4

A tankless hot water heater may require additional equipment, like a water softener if you have hard water. A water softener plus the necessary bags of salt may negate any space savings of the wall mounted water heater.

Pro #5

Tankless water heaters are more energy efficient, and the federal government likes energy efficiency. A household can qualify for a 10% tax credit on the purchase and installation costs of a tankless water heater.

Con #5

It can take a long time to make up for the up-front costs of purchase and installation. At an average savings of $75 per month according to Consumer Reports, it could take 6-12 years before the savings add up to more than the initial costs.

While the benefits to a tankless water heater may be appealing, there are important considerations to be made. It could be that your individual household would do better just sticking with an energy efficient tank water heater. Weigh the pros and cons carefully before deciding.