=============================================================

Welcome to the January, 1999 issue of BRAINWAVE MAGAZINE, which goes out FREE to over 12,000 subscribers throughout the world. We hope you get a lot of usable information out of this issue! If you prefer to read this and previous Brainwaves online, then CLICK HERE!

IN THIS ISSUE:

~ Thanks to YOU! A message from the Brainman.
~ Are Your Window Coverings Safe? (guest article)
~ White? (Should your window coverings be white?)
~ A message from our sponsor
~ How to Sponsor Brainwave
~ Special Pricing Deal only for Brainwave Subscribers
~ Contract Volume Discounts Now Available
~ Recommend No Brainer.....Automatically
~ Subscribe Info

---------------------------------------------------
THANKS TO YOU! (From the Brainman, Jay Steinfeld)

Please accept my sincere thanks for making 1998 a huge success. No Brainer is the world's undisputed #1 online source for blinds and shades. Your faith and confidence in us is gratifying. Thank you.

We have won numerous, prestigious awards since our inception in 1996; last month we were awarded one of particular note: THE WEBAWARDS STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE. It was given to those sites representing "the standard of excellence for which all corporate web sites should strive." For more, go to: http://www.webaward.org/stand.asp

Another nice testimonial was written in the newly released book, HyperWars, written by Internet expert, Bruce Judson. The book received rave reviews, and is the #1 Internet- related book sold on the Barnes and Noble website. The first three pages in chapter 6 were written about No Brainer. Mr. Judson wrote that No Brainer is "The *Total Solution* for (its) customers? involving low prices, fast delivery, high-quality information and design ideas, and a wide selection of products." (p.135-137) Hey, I couldn't have said it better myself, Bruce.

You can purchase HyperWars from all the usual Net sources, as well as from the author's own HyperWars site at: http://www.hyperwars.com

A final note. We now accept guest articles from noted industry experts. The first deals with the important topic of home safety, and was written by Jeff Mitchell, Regional Sales Manager of the giant window coverings manufacturer Levolor. I think you'll learn a lot about how to keep your family and pets safer. Thanks Jeff!

---------------------------------------
ARE YOUR WINDOW COVERINGS SAFE?
Jeff Mitchell-Regional Sales Manager, Levolor Home Fashions

Much has been said recently about the safety issue of window coverings, particularly regarding potential illness and injury to children. Obviously this is an important concern for consumers who are parents and new homebuyers. Let me go into a little history, and what to look for when making a decision about what are the best and safest window covering products to put into your home.

In 1996, a tragic situation that occurred in Arizona. A child died of lead poisoning. When local officials investigated the home of the child, the only material found to contain even trace amounts of lead were the low priced, imported vinyl miniblinds. Prior to 1996, on low priced miniblinds like these, lead was used as a stabilizer, to make the slats of the blind more rigid. It was found that the sun's UV rays actually caused a breakdown of the vinyl, creating dust on the surface of the blinds. This dust, as it turns out, contained trace amounts of lead. The speculation was that the child in Arizona either chewed on, or somehow ingested the dust on the blind. While it is still debated whether the amounts of lead present were sufficient to cause illness or death, the situation was serious enough for the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) of the US Government to become involved. The CPSC's decision was to rule that any vinyl miniblind sold in the US must be re-formulated to use something other than lead to stabilize the vinyl. Most retailers at that time removed these products from their shelves, until a suitable replacement could be obtained. Since that time other materials, primarily tin, have been utilized in low cost, low price vinyl blinds.

This was never an issue with custom made, high quality, aluminum miniblinds, like those available through No Brainer Blinds. Because the surface of aluminum miniblinds is painted, you should feel comfortable with any aluminum miniblinds you have, or are considering, for your home.

Another important concern is miniblind lift cords. These are the strings that you use to raise and lower your blinds. A rare, but no less tragic situation has occurred where children have been strangled by blind cords. In the past, these cords, as many as four to five, have been knotted together at the end, to allow for easier control in raising and lowering the blinds. The concern was that children could potentially get caught in this "loop" created by the knotting.

We window covering manufacturers decided that we had to do something to make the products as safe as possible for our consumers. Two basic solutions became the norm in the mid- 1990's. One solution, which Levolor Home Fashions has implemented, is to no longer knot the lift cords, thereby eliminating any loops that could cause injury. This multiple cord/tassel situation means that you have a number of cords that have to be grabbed and pulled simultaneously. The other method, used by Hunter Douglas for example, is a tassel that separates when force is applied in the loop created by knotting the cords. While both systems work well in situations where a child may get caught in the loop created by knotting the cords, they do not address a situation that is more prevalent. In most cases where a child is injured by a window covering, it is because the child places the cord in his/her mouth, and the cord gets wrapped around the neck. No number of tassels, or breakaway design can prevent this situation.

There are some easy, common sense rules to apply to window coverings that are in close proximity to where small children or small pets play.

KEEP THE BLIND CORD AWAY FROM THE CHILD, AND THE CHILD AWAY FROM THE BLIND CORD!

This means, DO NOT place cribs, playpens, etc., near windows. If there is no way around placement near a window, then do one of two things. One, when the blind is lowered all the way, cut the cords as close to the top of the blind as possible. Then, re-install the tassels. This will allow Mom and Dad to reach the cords, but keep the cords away from the children. The second suggestion would be to use an old fashion "cord cleat" available at most any window covering retailer, to tie the cord out of reach of the child.

Now, common sense tells us that the safest thing to do would be to eliminate the cords altogether. It was not an easy task to accomplish, but Levolor Home Fashions has perfected the "Cordless" blind. Available from No Brainer Blinds, these products use a patented spring system to eliminate the traditional lift cord. You simply grasp the rail at the bottom of the blind, and lift or lower with your hand!!! We introduced this system in April of 1998 at the "World of Window Coverings" convention to rave reviews. Levolor Home Fashions received four awards for innovation and safety for the Cordless Mark I miniblind. We have also just introduced the first Cordless Cellular Shade, the Cordless Designer Textures.

Regardless of what product you choose to personalize your windows, if there are small children nearby be sure to take the proper steps to insure their safety.

----------------------------------------
WHITE? (Should your window coverings be white?)
By Jay Steinfeld (The Brainman)

Should you choose white as your window covering color? Most do. For the last 14 years I have consulted with people in their homes, helping them choose the right window coverings. Choosing the right color is a topic that comes up almost every time.

There are so many color options, but white and off-white remain the clear leaders, just like vanilla is the most popular ice cream flavor. White is such a tasty choice for several reasons. First, most people have off-white walls and want to blend the product with the wall. This is especially desired when you are adding a valance above it. When the blind or shade blends in with the wall, the valance becomes more of a focal point.

When your trim is white, wood blinds should match the trim just like a wood shutter might. That way your blind will more closely emulate a shutter. Of course there are many exceptions. For instance, some kitchens have stained cabinets, so you might consider a stained blind or shutter to match the cabinets. It's usually a warmer, richer look with stains. If your trim is stained, usually a stained window covering is better.

Another reason people choose white is for better resale. Neutral window coverings are generally more universally appealing. The front of your home should be considered, too. White products are less noticeable than those that are colored, and seem to blend better with draperies (with white lining). If you must have a black blind for your teenager, consider getting a Duotone blind, that has white on the back of the slat. Most honeycomb shades have white to the street side, even when they are colored to the inside.

Do not get too crazy about matching everything. Add color as you like. It's YOUR home, and you know what you like more than your neighbor (and better than I).

<><><><><><><>< A note from our sponsor <><><><><><><><

Shhhhh... don't tell anyone, but for home owners there's a really cool web site to help you with repair and remodeling tips at http://HomeDoctor.net

<>><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><

SPONSORSHIP OF BRAINWAVE MAGAZINE

If you want to sponsor Brainwave, here's what to do.

Brainwave is sent FREE to over 12,000 people interested in their homes, safety, and who treasure useful, credible home-related advice. For sponsorship information, contact Jay Steinfeld at jay@NoBrainerBlinds.com.

-------------------------

BRAINWAVE SPECIAL OFFER

As a Brainwave subscriber, you're entitled to a special offer not available to non-subscribers. Last issue's offer was so popular that we're running it again. You may take 6% off your purchase no matter how small, as long as you use our safe Secure Online Order Form. This offer is valid beginning today, and expires on March 31, 1999. You must also mention Code BW0399.

If you'd like to subscribe to BRAINWAVE, or know someone who should, then CLICK HERE to subscribe FREE. Your Privacy Protected

-----------------------------------------------------
CONTRACT VOLUME DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE TO HOMEOWNERS

We want to remind you again that homeowners can now qualify for the same incredible savings previously offered only to our large volume customers, such as hospitals, schools, etc. Qualifications are listed on our contract page, and there are positively no exceptions made to those qualifications. To see if you qualify, or if you are already a Contract customer CLICK HERE

-------------------------------------------------------
RECOMMEND NO BRAINER TO A FRIEND..... SIMPLY

Do you know someone buying a new home, or remodeling? Could they use the decorating advice and useful articles found on the No Brainer Site, or need blinds at a substantial discount? Then we've got a handy little form for you to recommend us. Just enter their email address, press SEND, and they'll get a short message about No Brainer, telling them how to find us. And of course all the addresses are kept strictly private and confidential, in accordance with our stated Privacy Policy.

Recommend No Brainer now at: http://www.NoBrainerBlinds.com/recommend.asp

Warm regards, Jay Steinfeld, President/Founder (The Brainman) No Brainer Blinds and Shades The world's most popular and trusted on-line source for blinds and shades.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

To subscribe to BRAINWAVE, Click HERE to subscribe FREE. Your Privacy Protected

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

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

BRAINWAVE MAGAZINE- (c)COPYRIGHT 1999, 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 1-888-4N0-Brainer (1-888-466-2724)
http://www.NoBrainerBlinds.com

*We are constantly updating our mailing lists, and believe all subscribers' addresses are correct. We are very sensitive to spamming, abhor it, and would _never_ purposely do so. If you were sent Brainwave by mistake, or if you were sent multiple copies, please advise us and we will promptly remove the incorrect address.