Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Read books about the profession and art of blacksmithing. Take classes. Take more advanced metal work classes. Start building your own blacksmithing setup.

Answer: Blacksmithing is a skill that requires a good deal knowledge to be able to perform, even to get started, and reading about it is the quickest and easiest way to start. Some books to start with include: The (new) Edge of the Anvil by Jack Andrews and The Art of Blacksmithing by Alex Bealer. Attend a community college or vocational school that specializes in blacksmithing to learn basic blacksmithing skills. Start by locating community colleges and vocational schools near you. Then take a look at what kind of classes they have that deal with metalworking. Begin with a class that teaches oxy-acetylene (gas) welding to learn how to light the torch, safely handle hot metal, handle the tanks and what safety equipment to use while welding. Try to find classes that will teach you how to control heat in the forge, whether it is coal or gas fired. Become familiar with the blacksmithing tools, such as an anvil, hammer, tongs and punch. If you can't find any classes near you that deal with blacksmithing tools, look for online classes, and purchase your own equipment. Experiment with using these tools. In these classes you'll learn essential skills such as drawing out, brazing, cutting, riveting and upsetting. Learn more modern metal-working skills that are needed to become a well-rounded blacksmith. Do this by completing the beginner metalworking classes offered either at your local community college, a vocational school, or online, and then move on to whatever intermediate and advanced classes are offered. Learn about plasma cutting, such as the distance the electrode needs to be from the metal, the angle at which the electrode should be held and what amperage should be used to cut various thicknesses of metal. Become skilled as a MIG (metal inert gas) and TIG (tungsten inert gas) welder. MIG welding requires a spool that is continuously fed and is useful for long pieces of metal. TIG welding requires a rod and is effective for welding aluminum. Arc Welding might not be a part of classical blacksmithing, but being well-rounded in your metal working skills is important if you want to make it a career. Whether you're looking to become a hobbyist or you want to eventually make blacksmithing a career, you're going to eventually need your own equipment. To get starting practicing blacksmithing on your own, you'll need, at minimum, the following equipment: A forge: A forge allows you to heat your metal so that it can be manipulated. You can either make your own forge or buy one online. Tongs, clamps, and a vice: These allow you to hold your heated metal so that it can be worked with securely and safely. An Anvil: This is what you'll rest your metal on when you hit into shape. Hammers: These are what you'll hit the metal with. They come in manner shapes in sizes, all for different purposes. Safety equipment. Strong leather gloves, a heavy-duty apron, and a blacksmith mask will keep you safe when dealing with dangerously hot temperatures. Most of this equipment can be bought online. Just do some research first before making a purchase.

Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Determine your ecological impact. Identify practices that require improvement. Set goals for improvement.

Answer:
The first step in becoming a green business is understanding your business's current carbon and ecological footprint. Just as you can calculate your personal carbon footprint (for example, at http://www.nature.org/greenliving/carboncalculator/), you can also calculate how your company is impacting the environment. In order to estimate the carbon footprint of your company (and to see how it compares to other companies within your sector), you will be required to provide information about your business, including information about your facilities, employees, travel, and procurement to an online website. By knowing your carbon footprint, you can set goals for becoming carbon neutral. In order to become a green business, you will need to identify which of your business practices are in need of "greening." For example, airline flights are one of the biggest causes of carbon emissions in the world. Is it possible for you to implement more efficient travel into your company's business plan? Decide what parts of your business you can reasonably make more "green", and set out a strategy for improvement. You should set goals in regular increments; for example, where do you want your business to be in one year? Two years? Five years? Ten years? You should look to improve more and more with each passing year. Some of the practices that will make your company more green may conflict with your previous business practices. For example, you may be able to source a raw material for a product from a cheap overseas producer; however, in order to be green, you should look to see if you could source the material locally, even if it is more expensive. Realize that you may have to adjust your business strategy and/or budget when becoming a green business.