When you think about the log home industry in general, or if you are contemplating buying or building a log or timber frame home, the notion of hi-tech is probably not foremost in your mind. A log home is more commonly associated with a laid back approach to modern living; an escape or a refuge from the big city rat race.
However, if you are in the business of building, manufacturing, selling or maintaining log homes, the ways in which our customers are searching for our services are morphing at warp-speed. This new video explains how an incredible shift in communications is unfolding… literally as I type this article.
We are aware of these changes and many of us have websites, blogs and use Twitter, Facebook and other social networking sites, but do we really comprehend the impact these digital applications are having on our lives? As the video stated, “More video was uploaded to YouTube in the last 2 months than if ABC, NBC and CBS had been airing 24/7/365 since 1948“!
Unbelievable as all this sounds, it should be a wake-up call for anyone in (any) business. We may not see the value in many of these online applications today or feel the need to swap our cell phone for a Blackberry, but our customers are not looking for us anymore in the phone book or newspapers. They’re online, they’re involved, they’re plugged-in and they want to communicate with the companies they discover in these spaces.
Note: This video is the official update to the original “Shift Happens” video. This completely new Fall 2009 version includes facts and stats focusing on the changing media landscape, including convergence and technology.
Have you ever had anyone ask you why you live in a log home? You know the type, they look at you with no comprehension and can’t believe that anyone would actually choose to live in a log home. The next time that happens, tell them it was a toss-up between a pumpkin home or a log home and you decided on log. BTW, that’s a real house, see it here…
Speaking of pumpkins… and Halloween
When your children have grown, and the days of trick-or-treating have passed, the importance of Halloween fades. And, if you live out in the boonies where no sensible trick-or-treater would venture at night, that ‘Hallowed Eve’ becomes even less significant. However, if your birthday happens to fall on Halloween, it never loses its charm.
No, this is not a thinly veiled request for cards, candy, presents or even birthday wishes. I’m approaching the age where I want to begin counting backwards or at least ignore the fact that another year has slipped by.
To me, Halloween always seemed to mark the end of Fall and the start of Winter. It doesn’t matter if it is 70 degrees outside, Winter officially starts on November first… at least that’s what my calendar shows.
I will confess that a carved pumpkin is one of my favorite things. There’s something about a snaggletooth pumpkin with big eyes and a candle burning inside casting off warm colors and eerie shadows on the wall. In the spirit of Halloween, here’s a couple of pumpkin links that you’ll enjoy.
Between now (Oct. 17th.) and next April, there are 13 major log home shows scheduled across the United States and Canada. I expect that a few more will be added for 1st. quarter 2010, but as of now, you can see the complete schedule here for Log Home Shows for 2009 & 2010.
PrecisionCraft Log Homes
If you have never been to a large log home or timber frame expo, you’re in for a treat. It is one thing to drool over photos in a magazine or online, and still another to see log shells erected, talk to log home manufacturers and builders in person. Be sure to read, “What to expect at a log and timber home show“.
Manufacturers & Builders
Regardless of when you plan to build your dream home, you just can’t do too much research before you break ground. You will surprise yourself with the innovative ideas you will get with every new conversation or online project search. Assisting you with your research is the inspiration behind our Log Home Directory, and helping you understand all those strange terms is where LogHomeology will be of assistance.
Planning Tip:
After you have met with dozens of log home manufacturers and builders and looked at hundreds of log home floor plans, don’t be surprised if all this information starts to puddle in your brain… it can get overwhelming. With thousands of log home floor plans available, our approach was to show you the top 10 Log Home Floor Plans from major manufacturers and handcrafters. Browse floor plans from:
Our Canadian friends build spectacular log homes. There may be only one Canadian export that is not appreciated by inhabitants of the lower 48. That would be a Canadian cold front traveling south months before anyone is ready to welcome it.
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Got logs yet?
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