Welcome to the May 1998 issue of BRAINWAVE MAGAZINE, which goes out FREE to almost 7,000 subscribers throughout the world. We hope you get a lot of usable information out of this issue!

IN THIS ISSUE:

~ Making your home safer ~ Sneak peek from Baltimore World of Window Coverings Show ~ Education is Essential- Tell the World ~ Preventing Home Improvement Headaches ~ Useful Links for Homeowners ~ Special Pricing Deals for Brainwave Subscribers ~ Win $1000 and a new Pilot organizer

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MAKING YOUR HOME SAFER
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For the last two years, we have been warning our customers about the risk of strangulation from some blind, shade, and drapery cords. In June 1997, The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) documented the danger. If you haven't yet read about how to protect your family and pets, then read our article and take advantage of our free safety offer (if you haven't already).

CLICK HERE for FREE Safety Offer

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SNEAK PEEK FROM THE BALTIMORE WORLD OF WINDOW COVERINGS SHOW
The future of blinds...
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Our founder and Brainer-in-Chief, Jay Steinfeld, just got back from Baltimore's World of Window Coverings Show, where he inspected and evaluated many of the new products which will be unveiled in the coming year. He reported that the crab cakes were as good as ever, but while there were some interesting new products, he was not too keen on many. Read his article, which follows:

All the major vendors were there - for a change. In recent shows I've been disappointed that the two largest vendors, Levolor and Hunter Douglas, were absent. It seems the competition is heating up, which is good news for consumers as everyone tries to one-up the others. Along with the two mentioned above, in attendance were Graber, Kirsch, Comfortex, and scores of regional and local suppliers vying for their fair share. All are increasing the variety of available products, and showed a commitment to convenience and safety. There were some unique products, which I'll share with you below, and point out some of the apparent flaws of others.

Soon you'll be seeing honeycomb shades with no pull cords - you just grab the bottom of the shade and pull it down, like a roller shade. This will be safer without a cord and theoretically more convenient, and with fewer mechanical parts will decrease the likelihood of a malfunction of the cord lock (for most vendors there is minimal incidence of failure, anyway). One flaw I saw, however, is one's ability to reach the shade if the window is high or if the person is short. Another potential problem is making the shade easy to grab near the sill without soiling the fabric due to a dirty hand. If a large handle is mounted at the bottom to mitigate the chance of soiling the shade, then it will have to be inconspicuous. I'll wait and see, then report back to you in future Brainwaves.

Hunter Douglas showed a remote-controlled wood blind. Nice, but there are size restraints that will minimize its usefulness. Pricing was not available, but we'll see if this option is cost effective.

Levolor and Comfortex showed a sheer-like blind/shade-in-one. In essence it's a blind made out of sheer fabric- can be adjusted like a blind, and rolled up like a shade. The Comfortex product is called Shangra-La and is available now- it's versatile, has an attractive fabric wrapped headrail, but reports we've heard find the headrail mechanism a but finicky, and the fabric on the headrail seems to get soiled easily. I'd wait on this one, and see if they work out some of the initial bugs. Levolor's version shows great promise, but until their headrail is available to inspect, we'll wait on recommending it.

The Verta-Sheer was one of the most promising products, and we think will be quite popular. It is a vertical blind made out of sheer fabric. That allows you to have all the practical advantages of a vertical blind, with the look of a soft drapery, instead of the usual commercial look of a vertical. The Verta-Sheer allows you to darken the room when you close the vanes, but also allows you to adjust the amount of light in the room by tilting the vanes. You can see out during the day, but people can't see in. One of our customers said, "I can snoop, but can't be snooped upon!"

I'll be reporting on other products in future issues of Brainwave.

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EDUCATION IS ESSENTIAL
How you can show the world you care about education
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We believe in the future of the Internet (by now doesn't just about everyone?). We have essentially based No Brainer's future on the Net. We encourage people to learn about the Internet, computers, and promote education whenever possible. To encourage people to show their interest in education, we have sponsored a site called 4 Point 0.

Learn about how you can put an animated and colorful effective icon on your business' or personal web site to show the world how much YOU care about education. There's no strings attached; no mandatory reciprocal link, just a way for you to promote the importance of education. We encourage you to tell others about the icon and make it universally known. Go to:

http://www.4point0.org

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PREVENTING HOME IMPROVEMENT HEADACHES
Reprinted from the Better Business Bureau
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No Brainer Blinds and Shades is a member of the Better Business Bureau, and will share with you those articles from the BBB we feel will benefit homeowners. If you have any information you think would be useful to homeowners, please write me at jay@NoBrainerBlinds.com.

Reprinted from the March/April 1998 "Better Business" publication:

-The name contractor is derived form the term contractor - the most important part of the process. Study the contract line by line. Never sign a contract containing blanks. Make sure the contract includes a full description of materials, work to be completed, time frame, and costs. It should also contain a clause stating that the contractor assumes responsibility for paying all subcontractors and suppliers, meeting building codes, and all laws and requirements set forth by the lender.

-Ask to speak to satisfied customers. Ideally, you will be able to view similar completed projects like the improvements you are considering. Ask friends and neighbors for recommendations. Call the BBB for a company report and free brochure.

-A contractor will require a reasonable minimum down payment with periodic payments. When the job is completed, you will be required to make a final payment for a large portion of the total cost. Only sign a completion certificate after the entire job has been completed, inspected and you are satisfied.

-Inquire if the contractor is affiliated with any professional or industry specific organizations. Since government licenses are not available for home improvement contractors, participation in industry programs may provide continued education.

-How long has the contractor been in business in your area? There are many hard working new companies, but stability can be a positive sign.

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USEFUL LINKS FOR HOMEOWNERS
Help us help you!
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We have started a new section especially useful to new or existing homeowners, at: http://www.NoBrainerBlinds.com/info/links.asp

It has useful links, and we would be grateful if you would tell us about any sites you feel would be helpful. Please let us know by sending the information to link@NoBrainerBlinds.com

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WIN A 3COM PALM PILOT AND $1000!
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Enter our contest and try to win a Palm Pilot electronic organizer and $1000 cash. Details are available at:

http://www.NoBrainerBlinds.com/about/contest.asp

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SPECIAL OFFERS FOR BRAINWAVE SUBSCRIBERS
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Each issue we give you a special offer available only to Brainwave subscribers. This month we have 2 offers:

1) Order a PowerRise Honeycomb Duette shade, and get the remote control for FREE (one per household). It's normally $25. This offer is only good for new orders through July 31, 1998. You must mention Brainwave in order to get the FREE remote. For more information about the Power Rise, go to:

http://www.NoBrainerBlinds.com/products/new.asp

2) Order a Hunter Douglas Country Wood blind, then get the De-Light feature for only a 10% surcharge. It's normally a 14% surcharge, and worth it at that. Please be sure to mention Brainwave to take advantage of this special offer, which is valid for new orders through July 31, 1998. For more information about the De-light feature, go to:

http://www.NoBrainerBlinds.com/products/new.asp

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SPONSORSHIP OF BRAINWAVE MAGAZINE
If you want to sponsor Brainwave, here's what to do.
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Brainwave is sent FREE to people interested in their homes, safety, and who treasure useful, credible sources on the Web. In the next issue we will accept only two sponsors on a first-come, first-served basis. For sponsorship information, contact Jay Steinfeld at jay@NoBrainerBlinds.com.

Warm regards, Jay Steinfeld, President No Brainer Blinds and Shades The most popular and trusted on-line source for blinds and shades.

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To subscribe to BRAINWAVE, go to: http://www.NoBrainerBlinds.com/info/index.asp

To make comments/suggestions about future issues of Brainwave, send them to: jay@NoBrainerBlinds.com

Visit the No Brainer site at: http://www.NoBrainerBlinds.com

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BRAINWAVE MAGAZINE- (c)COPYRIGHT 1998, by No Brainer, Inc. All rights reserved. Please do not reprint or host on your Web Site without explicit permission, which we grant under proper conditions. However, if you found Brainwave useful, we grant you permission, and strongly encourage you to email it to a business associate or a friend. Thank you.

No Brainer Blinds and Shades Three Brainer Tower 4660 Beechnut Houston, TX 77096 Toll-free 1-888-4No-Brainer(1-888-466-2724) http://www.NoBrainerBlinds.com