Best Way To Learn A Foreign Language

I have never quite understood how to learn a foreign language. It is a shame too. Learning a foreign language is pretty necessary in this day and age. If you learn foreign language, it makes you more employable in a variety of areas, as well as enhancing your cultural experience. Say what you want about modern translations, but until you learn foreign languages you never get to experience the beauty of foreign writers. Nevertheless, I have only managed to learn a foreign language once, and it was so difficult for me that I doubt I will ever try it again. It was just too much work!

I managed to get all the way through college without ever successfully completing a learn foreign language program. I took a little bit of French in high school, but I dropped it after a couple of semesters. In general, I was a good student. Most subjects came easy to me, but I couldn't manage to learn foreign language no matter how hard I tried. I loved French culture and French literature, and I desperately wanted to learn how to speak French, but it just wouldn't come. I ended up taking an American sign language class to get rid of my learn foreign language requirement. Even that was difficult!

I struggled with learning a foreign language all through college. I went to a liberal arts university that demanded it, and I knew that I could not graduate with the degree that I wanted unless I managed to learn foreign language. I tried using how to speak French software, hiring a private tutor, and working with conversation partners, but nothing worked. I only successfully managed to learn foreign language when I finally went abroad. I spent a year in France, and it was one of the most difficult years of my life. Ultimately, however, it was also one of the most rewarding. I would never have managed to learn foreign language without it, you see.

To this day, I believe that the only way to really learn foreign languages is to completely immerse yourself in another culture. If you can speak English at all, you will not learn how to speak a foreign language. Instead, you will keep falling back on your English skills. If you need to learn foreign language in order to interact on a daily basis, however, it will come much more quickly. If I learned a foreign language in a year, you can probably do it using the same methods in six months!

Rich Henderson runs his own internet marketing business from home. Linell Blog9001
Louis Blog95834

The Plus Size Clothing Nightmare

I've worn plus size clothing most of my adult life. And let me tell you, clothes shopping has really been an agravating experience to say the least. You go to the mall and visit the one store that carries sizes more than 1X. You browse the racks and find a nice pink blouse you'd really love to buy, and they DO have plus sizes, but YOUR SIZE PINK BLOUSE IS MISSING. ARRGH!

Or, you might find a pretty black bra that you'd love to have, but they are out of the 42DD. Plus size clothing can be Pure Frustration.

At first glance it looks like the big and beautiful store has a lot of items, but when you take into account that each item probably is displayed with 4-6 sizes, there really isn't that much in one store. Even the big chain stores like Target, Walmart and K-Mart really have a limited supply of plus size clothing. And most of it isn't very stylish.

And why do all other stores always put the women's plus size clothing section right next to the Maternity section? I'm offended by that as a large woman, and I'd be offended by that as well if I were a pregnant woman. You have to make sure that you aren't checking out the clothing that belongs in the maternity section.

Speaking of maternity wear, I know from personal experience that finding maternity clothes as a larger woman is murder! I seems that only the skinny girls get pregnant as far as the clothing manufacturers think. You have to find a special store that carries nothing but plus size maternity clothing, and lots of it.

To add to the frustration, they put the Petites section on the other side of the Women's section. Come on...no big woman wants to shop next to all those perky little skinny girls.

It's all so darn frustrating. But there is a solution. Shop online. More items, and more sizes, and total freedom to choose in your own home. An online store doesn't have space restrictions and can display a thousand items with relative ease.

That's easier said than done. Some online plus size women's clothing stores carry a limited line. You have to visit many online shops to find what you want. It's hard to find an online plus size fashion site that offers bigger size shirts, pants, suits, etc., from many designers and retail stores. An online plus size clothing store can pick clothing from many suppliers and designers, and make plus size clothing available at all price ranges. It can offer plus size lingerie, plus size boots, plus size coats and plus size swimwear. And it can stock a limitless selection of products, and sell them all in one place.

Sure, there are one or two large scale (excuse the pun) plus size clothing stores online, if you can find them. Still, online shopping is definitely the way to go for us plus size women!

Amy Hutton is a plus size woman living in Florida writing on subjects that concern plus size women. Her favorite plus size clothing store is http://www.Plus-Size-Heaven.com.Clemence Blog38535
Jessica Blog57506

Dismal Drop-out Rates For Detroit Schools

A 2006 newspaper report and a 2005 Princeton study spell costly problems for the students and residents of Detroit Schools. In 2006 USA Today reported on a study funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. It said that several of the nations largest school districts had less than a 50% graduation rate. Detroit Schools, the 11th largest district in the country, was dead last with an appalling 21.7%.

Of course, the study spurred heated debates regarding its accuracy and impartiality. In 2005 the state and city placed the Detroit Schools graduation rate at about 44-48%, depending on the source. Some of the discrepancy is accounted for by looking at timely graduation rates versus those who graduate in more than the four-year time period. Either way you look at it, no one in Detroit Schools is happy with it.

High School drop-outs cost Detroit Schools, and the citys residents, money. Lots of money. A 2005 Princeton University study found that a high school drop-out, on average, costs the county $260,000. It estimated that Michigan drop-outs stand to lose over $11 billion in total lifetime income by foregoing the diploma. The reasons are clear.

Whether you look at the Detroit Schools, or any other district, the patterns are the same. High School graduates make more money, live longer lives, have healthier and better educated children, are less likely to become teen parents, are less likely to commit crimes, and are less like to rely on government social and medical services. The Detroit Schools feel the impact of these costs on its high welfare rolls and unemployment rates. The unemployment rate in Michigan is the worst in the country, and the high percentage of drop-outs is directly linked.

Over 50% of the inmates in Michigan jails are high school drop-outs. And it costs the state over $29,000 a year just to house them. 40% of parents on public assistance in the state are also drop-outs of Detroit Schools (or other schools).

The problem gets worse when race is included as a factor. In fact, the Princeton study estimated the increase in personal income that could be attained by raising the educational attainment of minority groups to that of white students by 2020. It found that students in Michigan and Detroit Schools would gain over $3 billion in additional total personal income. The question is how to make it happen.

The racial gap has existed for years and it poses a huge problem for the Detroit Schools. Funding for adult education was slashed by over $50 million two years ago. Now the Detroit Schools are struggling to meet mandates for class size and proficiency put in place by the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act.

And in another racially heated move, the US Supreme Court recalled the Brown case that had allowed the use of race as a factor to determine school attendance, and to attempt to integrate schools. This is a touchy subject for Detroit Schools, since the 1974 Milliken v. Bradley decision that said desegregation cannot be enforced across district lines. Many residents of Detroit Schools still view that decision as a factor in the resulting white flight that has left Detroit Schools a divided and failing district.

Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit http://www.schoolsk-12.com/Michigan/Detroit/index.htmlCharles Blog37045
Jeanclaude Blog69121

Kids' Games

Kids love to play, so games are a major part of their lives. Choosing the right games for you kids can be a challenge. It needs to be fun, but you also want them to "get something" from the games. There are new games coming out all the time, but sometimes the classics are still the best.

Outdoor games - Outdoor games are a great way to encourage teamwork and get exercise at the same time. Softball, baseball, wiffleball are always a hit. Badminton and volleyball are inexpensive, and a lot of fun for everyone. There are also games that require no equipment, like Tag and Duck, Duck, Goose, that are always favorites.

Board games - Board games are a great way to spend family time, and encourage taking turns and playing by the rules. There are the classic board games, like Candyland for younger children. Then games like Clue, which encourage logic and puzzle solving and Monopoly, where they can learn about money. There are also many trivia games that help test knowledge and have a little fun, too.

Card games - Card games are always a fun family activity. Simple games like Go Fish and Old Maid help kids learn to match. Other card games, like Cribbage, can help with math skills. There are other specialty card games, like UNO, which are also good for matching and following directions.

Computer/video games - There are an almost unlimited number of computer and video games, with new systems coming out all the time. Not all the games are bad. There are quite a few educational games, as well. The best games encourage creative thinking, puzzle solving and help improve hand eye coordination. The key is checking out games, through reviews and other parents, before buying a new game for your children.

On-line games - There are several websites that provide kid-friendly and educational games. PBS Kids, Nick Jr. and others have games that feature the kids' favorite characters, and help them learn skills while having fun. Parents always need to supervise the sites to make sure they are safe for kids.

If all else fails, give them an empty box, some crayons and see what happens.

Adriana Copaceanu is a busy mom of 2. If you are looking for Tips for Raising Great Kids, or need to De-clutter Your Life make sure you visit http://www.busy-moms-online.comKorella Blog90950
Linnell Blog45777

The Business Of Risk

Today, we see a number of risks associated with businesses of all sizes, ranging from identity theft, embezzlement, natural disasters, personal injury, fraud, vendor failure, taxes, finances, and more. Because of the increasing number and type of business risks, companies have had to make some major adjustments in overall operations, management, and strategy. When you couple risks with competition, you can see that it is imperative every company have a solid plan in place for protection and success.

One of the most important aspects of strategy is ensuring a solid risk management team is in place. These individuals would hold the responsibility of not just identifying potential risk but also creating and implementing sound processes, techniques, or technologies for prevention and/or correction. The risk management team however will not work in isolation but in tandem with other key stakeholders, such as department heads and the Executive team. Having a winning risk strategy is going to give your business the foundation on which to build a strong, competitive company but also a business that employees and clients trust.

What is the key to creating such a risk strategy? For one thing, you want to be productive but not make quick decisions. Unfortunately, we have seen many larger corporations that have put quick fixes into place, only to find they end up with a laundry list of new problems. Yes, it is essential that a good plan be developed as quickly as possible but make sure the plans being considered are not just short term fixes but will be beneficial long-term. While a risk management team can identify potential risk events, the team must work in conjunction with the organization so that strategies are aligned with the business goals. In essence, the best risk strategy is one component of the overall business strategy.

In addition, you need to review your company inside and out, top to bottom, to determine where risks lie. For example, missing payment on taxes can be an extremely costly mistake, sometimes upwards of $10,000 or more. In this instance, there would be a number of things to consider. Is the individual heading up the tax department qualified? What type of tracking system is being used? Is the department short-handed? Is the person in the mailroom delivering mail on time? These and other possibilities exist, which is where a risk management team would help. Once the problem area or potential risk is isolated, then changes could be made accordingly.

Another factor that unfortunately, is sometimes overlooked is the client. Obviously, if you are going to run a profitable business, you need satisfied customers. Perhaps there are areas of service or product where customers are not happy but because no means of communication or input is in place, you have no idea. Therefore, you might think about sending out customer surveys, trying to find any weaknesses that need to be strengthened. It is imperative that you know your customers and that those customers are so satisfied with what you offer so they will not look elsewhere.

Things happen in businesses and sadly, many great companies have gone under because of lack of risk management and/or strategy. Enron, is only one of many examples in which a failure to manage risk or even identify risk ruined a company. Another often cited example is Barings Bank which was one of the most respected merchant banks in the United Kingdom. The company which held $900 million in capital was bankrupted due the actions of one trader. The losses and subsequent bankruptcy could have been avoided if internal controls had been in place. There are countless other global examples of the consequences of not identifying risk events.

While federal regulations such as Sarbanes-Oxley have mandated corporate governance and controls, managing risk is simply good business. Identifying risk events and formulating response strategies enable the organization to successfully execute its objectives.

Richard A. Hall is founder and President/CEO of LexTech, Inc., a legal information consulting company. Mr. Hall has a unique breadth of experience which has enabled him to meld technology and sophisticated statistical analysis to produce a technology driven analytical model of the practice of law. As a busy civil trial attorney, he was responsible for the design and implementation of a LAN based litigation database and fully automated document production system for a mid-sized civil defense firm. He developed a task based billing model built on extensive statistical analysis of hundreds of litigated civil matters. In 1994, Mr. Hall invented linguistic modeling software which automatically reads, applies budget codes, budget codes and analyzes legal bill content. He also served as California Director and lecturer for a nationwide bar review. Mr. Hall continues to practice law and perform pro bono services for several Northern California judicial districts.Marie Blog86250
Fiacre Blog72079

PSP Game Download: How To Play Game Save?

There are places where you can downlod free PSP game save . These save game files can then be transferred to your PSP, and you can play the game from your PSPs memory stick. Assuming you have obtained a game save (either you or your friend had save it earlier or you download free psp game save from somewhere), all you need to do is to follow the simple steps outlined below to start playing the games again.

What You Need To Have :

PSP Console

Memory Stick Duo (enough space to hold your game save file)

Save game archive file

USB Mini cable

PC running Windows with a free USB port

Step 1: Unzip Your Game Save File.

You can get game save for different sources. It can be the game you have saved to emergency purposes.

Make Sure You Have Your Game Save File in your computer already. If the Game Save is in ZIP format, you need to unzip the file.

After unzip, you will see a folder looks like:

"ULJM05006_DATA" (this is just a sample only, the actual name could be different).

Step 2: Connect Your PSP To Your PC.

Once properly connected, you need to use File Explorer to go into the PSP folder of your PSP. Just like exploring any folders in your PC. At the top level, you should see these folders:

MP_ROOT, PSP

You need to go into "PSP" folder. In there, you will see these folders:

GAME, MUSIC, PHOTO, SAVEDATA

Go into "SAVEDATA"

Step 3: Copy The Game Save Into The "SAVEDATA" Folder of Your PSP.

You will have to copy your game save into this folder. Go back to where you have unzipped the game save. In this example, the sub-folder name is ULJM05006_DATA. Highlight the whole sub-folder and copy and paste inside the SAVEDATA folder.

You need to be careful not to over-write any sub-folders inside the SAVEDATA folder. For example, you you already have "ULJS00002" and you game save name is the same, make sure you do not over-write it. Rename the original sub-folder first before you copy over.

Here you are. All Done! Disconnect your USB and you are ready to play the game on you PSP. You should be able to go into your PSP game console and load your game from SAVEDATA.

Ray Summer does reviews on PSP products. You can find information about PSP Game or Movie download from his website (http://www.pspproductreview.com). The full article of how to play PSP gamesave is also found on his resource page, including how to download free PSP Games and how to select good PSP download site.Leilah Blog26651
Fabrice Blog45077

Tenerife, the Canary Islands

Tenerife, in the Canary Islands off the coast of Africa, although belonging to Spain is a popular destination for holidaymakers worldwide. Here we take a look at what makes Tenerife so popular. Tenerife is the largest (2034sq km) and highest(3718m) of the Canary Islands. Mount Teide is Spains highest mountain. The South of Tenerife, particularly Playa de las Americas, is famous for it's nightlife scene. The South has both superb dark and golden beaches attracting many tourists, whilst the North of Tenerife is built around the thriving capital city of Santa Cruz. Tenerife has an estimated population of 655,656.

Tenerife is an island with a real north-south divide in more ways than one.Party animals head south for sizzling beaches and the hottest nightlife in the Canary Islands, whilst in the North of the island even the sun takes it easy! The resorts of Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos have all but merged to form one big tourist destination. Puerto de la Cruz is lusher, quieter and cooler and popular with the older crowd. Golf courses, yacht marinas, conference centres, theme parks, beaches... Tenerife offers a complete range of leisure activities to satisfy all kinds of tastes.

There are lots of beaches in Tenerife. The most popular are along the South coast: 'Los Cristianos' and 'Las Amricas' with grey sand and surrounded by hotels and apartments. Going up along the east coast is 'El Mdano', a long bay beach preferred by windsurfers because of its strong winds; and more to the north, the 'Teresitas' beach with white sand imported from The Sahara.

The Orotava Valley serves as an example of the north's fertility extending to the limits of 'Las Caadas' Park on the west shore of the Island. It's completely covered with banana plantations and orchards. There are also many golf courses on the island such as Golf del Sur, Amarilla Golf and Country Club, Abama Golf Resort .. Mt. Teide is Spain's highest peak and the most visited tourist attraction, you can take a cable car to the top of the dormant volcano. Situated just above The Tropic of Cancer, about 200 miles from the North African coastline; Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands, an archipelago that was formed almost six million years ago when the earth was still being formed from constant volcanic action. Tenerife was itself the result of three land masses being fused together and thrust up from the seabed over eons, and Mount Teide, the highest point in Spain has become the focal point of this island.

There is very little modern history relating to Tenerife, and most that is recorded covers the most recent five hundred years. Tenerife is well documented in naval battles history, and has connections with Christopher Columbus, the Malmsey wines that were once produced on the island and exported throughout Europe during the 15 century, and the Guanche race that lived on Tenerife about this time. The Spanish Crusades brought Christianity to Tenerife, before continuing onto South America, and it was the Italians who first introduced The Carnival to the island. The Carnival that is celebrated each year on Tenerife is now the largest in Europe and only second in size to the one in Rio de Janeiro.

The island of Tenerife has long been known as a holiday retreat, but since the construction of the Reina Sofia airport in the south of the island, and the development of Playa de Las Americas, Tenerife has become the European winter holiday playground for millions of Northern Europeans. With almost 8 million tourists visiting Tenerife each year, it is not surprising that there is a massive self-catering holiday market, and with the majority of tourists choosing the south and west coasts of Tenerife for their holiday, Los Cristianos and Playa de Las Americas are at the top of most peoples list when deciding on a destination. The local Town Councils have ensured that tourist needs are considered when making planning changes, and together with new pedestrian streets and wide roads, several beaches have been formed during the past few years. Making new beaches on Tenerife is no easy operation, and the Los Cristianos "Las Vistas Beach" was formed over a two year period with sand literally hovered off the ocean floor. The Island of Tenerife with 7 championship golf courses has become a winter hot spot for many golfers, who are only too pleased to swap three jumpers and an umbrella, for a summer shirt, plus- fours and a factor 50 sun cream. Within 20 minutes drive of Playa de Las Americas; there are 5 superb championship golf courses, plus a 9-hole course at Palm Mar.

At 3,718 metres high, Mount Teide is without doubt the focal point of Tenerife. It is at the centre of one of Spain's great National Parks, and if you are arriving on the island by air during daylight hours, it is impossible to miss this spectacular volcano. Mount Teide is one of the most popular tourist attractions on the island of Tenerife, and during the winter months, thick snow sometimes covers the mountain, while the beaches on the south coast are crowded with sunbathers.

With more than 3,000 hours of sunshine annually, it is no small wonder that Tenerife has become known as the Fortunate Isle. Tenerife is full of colour nearly all year round, with bougainvillea and hibiscus splashing a variety of reds, yellows, purple and orange, and when coupled with all the aromas that you associate with tropical climates, words like paradise and fortunate are often used to describe Tenerife and the other Canary Islands. For many tourists, lying on a sun bed by the pool or on the beach reading a book is their idea of a perfect relaxing holiday, but for many, the need to stimulate the mind is paramount, and here on Tenerife, there is multitude of interesting things to do to fill your holiday time.

Los Cristianos & Playa de Las Americas; Los Cristianos has matured during the past 40 years, and what was once a small fishing harbour with a few houses that served the local hillside communities, is now a major holiday resort with an international flavour in shops and restaurants. Los Cristianos is some 18 km from the airport and there is a new dual carriageway that connects the town centre with the TF1 motorway. Many of the streets close to the beach have been made pedestrian friendly, and wheelchair access ramps are at most junctions. The Fred Olsen fast ferries that connect Tenerife with the neighbouring islands of La Gomera and La Palma, leave Los Cristianos at regular intervals throughout the day, and on occasions, some cruise liners drop anchor in the bay and arrange excursions for their passengers. There are two very good beaches that serve the residents and tourists, and the promenade is lined with gift shops, restaurants and bars. With safety in mind, there are first-aid posts and regular police patrols, plus toilet and changing facilities. The Los Cristianos harbour is the starting point for many sea excursions, and there are two large beach areas lined with sun beds and parasols. The beach promenade is quite level and where there are steps; ramps have been formed for pushchairs and wheelchairs. In the town centre, there is the usual church square with several tapas bars and other shop units. Playa de Las Americas has risen from a desert waste 40 years ago, into the most popular winter- sun holiday destination in Europe. Playa de Las Americas has something for everyone, be it sandy beaches, luxury shopping malls, 5* golf, all night discos or simply a McDonalds' beef burger. At only 10 minutes drive from the Reina Sofia airport, Playa de Las Americas is to sun and fun seekers, what Las Vegas is to gamblers. There are excellent beaches with safe swimming zones, and from the Puerto Colon Marina, where there are some superb ocean going cruisers, there is a variety of boat excursions and water sports that can be reserved. Faabe is the most recent area of Playa de Las Americas to be developed. Only a few years have passed since the last bananas were harvested, and now multimillion Euro hotels like the Bahia Del Duque and the Sheraton La Caleta hug the Adeje coastline. Hollywood style shopping malls with luxury goods and fine restaurants await the millions of tourists who flock here every year, 5* golf is close by at the Adeje 18-hole championship golf course, or the Las Americas 18-hole course, plus the wide avenues abound with pavement cafes that serve a variety of cafes and liqueurs. So book your flight and join Bill Clinton, Robbie Williams and Jennifer Lopez in holidaying in Tenerife.

Tony Riley has 15 years experience in the Tenerife property market as Managing Director of http://www.tenerifepropertyconsultancy.comImperial Blog46479
Lian Blog90089

Earn Your Diploma With Online High School Classes

You can complete your diploma with online high school classes. Online classes work well for those who left high school early and need to complete their education, those who want to graduate from high school early and homeschoolers who need a recognized high school diploma.

Left School Early

If you left high school early, you have probably already discovered that you really need a high school diploma. Not having one severely limits your employment possibilities. You cannot enter the military or go to college without a high school education. You're really stuck, and completing your education is the only way out.

You can earn your diploma by taking distance learning classes online. That way, you can take the classes when it's convenient to you. You take the classes by computer, and your classroom is wherever you can access a computer with internet service. You take online high school classes at your convenience and at your own pace. You can accelerate through the classes, or take as much time as you need.

Early Graduation

Most people who want to graduate early want to enroll in college. If that is your goal, e-learning will help you get graduation requirements completed on your timeline. You can accelerate through the required classes and graduate one or two years early. Your home school district may even offer free online classes that will help you graduate early.

If you are hoping to enter college after early graduation, online education allows you to explore college classes at the same time you are completing your high school classes. Even before you are formally accepted into a college, you can take classes online from accredited universities. These classes will transfer to your college after you are accepted.

Homeschoolers

The rules for homeschooling vary from state to state, but wherever you are, one of the dilemmas homeschoolers face is high school graduation. Few states recognize homeschool courses, so most states won't grant a diploma to homeschoolers. Some homeschools and homeschool organizations issue their own diplomas, but they usually aren't accepted as valid. The military, colleges and employers may refuse to accept a homeschool diploma.

Some homeschoolers take the GED to validate their education. The GED doesn't have the same acceptance as a high school diploma, though.

Online high school classes are a good option for homeschoolers. They can complete the requirements for a recognized high school diploma while homeschooling by using online learning.

Taking high school classes online is a good option for any non-traditional student. It's a good way to complete high school on your terms, in a way that fits into your lifestyle.

Dean Iggo is the webmaster of http://ContinuingStudy.com where you can find the best distance learning programs and degrees to suit your needs including online college courses.Christine Blog81335
Landry Blog89526

Understanding Digital Cameras

Capturing beautiful moments and making them accessible quickly is no longer a rich man's forte. Most of us have access to our memorable moments in just a click away. Digital cameras save you a lot of time. Once the photo has been taken, you can just download those images in a computer and make them accessible on the net in various ways. Digital cameras record and store photographic images in digital format. Capturing pictures is usually accomplished by use of a photo sensor, using a charged couple device (CCD.) After transferring the pictures to your computer, you can edit and save them in a compact disc or hard drive.

With digital cameras you can instantly seize the picture you would love to keep forever. Delete unwanted pictures easily. No hassle of buying films. You don't have to print every picture; you have complete control of the final print after editing on computer. No worries of negatives getting spoiled or lost. You can store many images without having to change or buy films.

There are many brands of digital cameras available in the market today. These include: Sony, Canon, Olympus, Nikon, Kodak, Minolta and Fuji. These are a few famous brands worldwide. Even basic digital camera models have plenty of features, levels and menus. This makes it difficult for beginners to select the right camera meeting their needs. Digital cameras are available in all price ranges depending on the amount of features they have. Before you start comparing the features you should decide for what purpose you would like to use your digital camera. The best way to start your search is to log on to the net and visit all the sites that offer feature and price comparisons for different types and brands of digital cameras.

Almost all digital cameras today have live-preview functionality, where a screen is provided in the camera to see the preview of the image that you just clicked. The most commonly compared feature in digital cameras is the mega pixel. This means the amount of pixels in millions. Therefore, a four mega pixel camera would have four million pixels. The other important features to compare include optical and digital zoom capacity; connectivity with other devices such as computer, printer, etc.; the internal storage space as well as compatibility with external storage devices; memory cards; batteries; and image file formats.

Many digital cameras offer connectivity through USB port, FireWire port, USB PTP mode, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc. These days, many cameras are offering PictBridge mode that allows direct printing from the digital camera without the mediation of a computer. Though all cameras have some amount of internal memory, external memory cards are required to save more pictures. These include Micro Drives or Compact Flash memory cards that are generally used for high-end professional cameras. Memory Stick by Sony is a proprietary flash memory card. SD/MMC, Mini SD and Micro SD cards are the ones used mostly for commercial digital cameras.

If you are an amateur photographer, then you should select a camera with automatic settings and features. This will help you in getting the right pictures based on the amount of light and scenes without too much effort. But if you are looking for a professional camera then you should pick the one that allows you to select all shooting modes manually. There are many shooting modes available in the latest models of digital cameras including landscape, portrait, panorama, action settings, night mode, beach mode, snow mode, and sunset/sunrise modes.

The common formats in which you can take out the image output include JPEG, TIFF, DNG, etc. For videos, the most common formats are AVI, DV, MPEG, MOV, WMV, ASF, and MP4.

Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for http://www.polomercantil.com.brHarvey Blog57399
Lona Blog27280

Is Your Type 2 Diabetes Really Under Control?

If you are among the growing number of people
suffering from type 2 diabetes,
here is some good news: A plan of basic therapies
including education, a personalized meal plan,
nutritional supplements, and ongoing monitoring
and support can reduce the amount of insulin and
oral medications needed to manage the disease and
decrease the symptoms and complications of
diabetes. When you are empowered by knowledge,
you can learn to effectively manage this
potentially devastating disease.

Many diabetic patients think their symptoms are "
under control" because they are taking insulin
and other oral medications that help keep their
blood sugars within acceptable levels.
Medications are, of course, critical in the
treatment of the disease. However, if the patient
does not commit to an active role in addressing
the causes of problems, then the result may be an
ever-increasing dependence on insulin or other
medications, which have their own negative side
effects over time. For instance, did you know
that insulin is a fat-storing hormone that often
leads to unwanted weight gain among diabetic
patients? That weight gain can then lead to other
problems such as high blood pressure or joint
problems.

In my own work with patients, I stress four
important factors. The first is
education about the disease process. It is
critical to understand what diabetes is and what
the effects can be on your body. Without proper
treatment, problems such as loss of vision, pain
or numbness in the extremities, ulcers on the
feet, and damage to vital organs can occur.
Learning about how the disease affects the body
to cause these problems is the first crucial step
in your treatment plan.

The next factor is developing a personalized meal
plan. "You are what you eat" was never truer than
when talking about diabetes. By understanding how
certain foods affect your body and your blood
sugars, it is possible to enjoy good meals while
still controlling blood sugars and decreasing
your weight. As an example, eating a piece of
fruit alone can cause blood sugars to rise, but
taking a protein such as nuts or cheese with the
fruit will prevent a spike in the blood sugars.

Targeted nutritional supplements or botanical
treatments can also be very helpful. Recent
studies have shown these alternative therapies to
be effective in decreasing blood pressure,
lowering cholesterol, and decreasing blood sugars,
thus reducing potential organ damage.

Perhaps the most important factor in a treatment
plan is an ongoing monitoring and support program.
Working with a healthcare provider who will
spend time discussing your progress and modifying
your treatment plan on a regular basis is
critical to successfully managing the disease.

You don't have to be a "victim" of type 2
diabetes. By being proactive and working with a
knowledgeable physician, you can control your
diabetes without letting it control you.

Dr. Tina Marcantel is a naturopathic physician in Mesa, Arizona. Before entering medical school she was a registered nurse. Dr. Marcantel has over twenty-five years of experience in the health care field including diabetes management, women's health, weight loss, and mental health. She practices holistic, integrative patient care. For more information please visit her site at http://www.drmarcantel.comKaylee Blog88686
Leona Blog75856

Dallas (Season 4) DVD Review

Nominated for 18 Emmys and 15 Golden Globes in its thirteen season run, Dallas is the epitome of the prime-time drama/soap opera genre. Premiering in 1978 as a five part mini-series, the show combines the usual sex and innuendo of classic afternoon soap operas with the freewheeling adventure of Texas wildcats and filthy rich capitalist oil barons. The combination of business dealings and rampant affairs tested well with both the male and female demographic, prompting CBS to make Dallas a regular part of its prime-time lineup. The result was one of the most successful television shows in history. In fact, the so-called Who shot J.R.? episode (A House Divided Air Date: 3-21-1980) still reigns as the second most watched TV show in history (the season finale of MASH is #1). With one of most memorable characters ever created (the man everyone loves to hate), its no surprise that Dallas held the #1 or #2 spot in the Nielsen ratings for most of the 1980s

Dallas spent most of its television life in the Friday night time slot following the successful CBS series, The Dukes Of Hazzard. Creator David Jacobs originally intended to create a series around a poor Texas girl, Pam Barnes (Victoria Principal), who marries into a wealthy family (The Ewings) with whom her family has been feuding for decades. The first five episodes mostly center around the family discord faced by Pam and her husband Bobby Ewing (Patrick Duffy) as they attempt to bring their families to a truce. But it soon became apparent to producers of the show that Bobbys scoundrel of a brother, Ewing Oil President J.R. Ewing (Larry Hagman), would be the true star of the show. Son of Ewing Oil founder Jock Ewing (Jim Davis) and his wife Ellie (Barbara Bel Geddes), J.R. sought to make Ewing Oil the largest independent oil company in the world, and he intended to go to any lengths necessary to get what he wanted. And as youll see, sooner or later, J.R. always gets what he wants Along the way, he butts heads with life-long rival Cliff Barnes (Ken Kercheval), drives his own wife Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) to alcoholism, and even mortgages the beloved Southfork Ranch (Miss Ellies childhood home and current residence for the majority of the Ewing clan). Southfork foreman Ray Krebs (Steve Kanaly) and Ewing grandchild Lucy (Charlene Tilton) add flavorful subplots to a series often dominated by J.R.s nefarious schemes. In short, Dallas offers its viewers everything money, sex, violence, conspiracy, intricate business dealings, etc. If you havent seen it, then immediately start watching from the beginning episodes of the first season. You wont be disappointed!

The Dallas (Season 4) DVD features a number of exciting episodes including the season premiere No More Mister Nice Guy in which the shooting of J.R. forces Bobby to temporarily take over Ewing Oil while his older brother recovers. The promotion slowly changes Bobby into the vindictive brother he always loathed. Meanwhile, Sue Ellen wonders if she shot J.R. herself while mired in the foggy haze of a drinking binge Other notable episodes include Start the Revolution with Me in which J.R. attempts to orchestrate a counter-revolution in order to regain the Ewings Asian oil wells that were nationalized shortly before his shooting, and the season finale Ewing-Gate in which J.R.s underhanded dealings in the Asian oil deals threaten to bring down all of Ewing Oil

Below is a list of episodes included on the Dallas (Season 4) DVD:

Episode 55 (No More Mister Nice Guy: Part 1) Air Date: 11-07-1980
Episode 56 (No More Mister Nice Guy: Part 2) Air Date: 11-09-1980
Episode 57 (Nightmare) Air Date: 11-14-1980
Episode 58 (Who Done It?) Air Date: 11-21-1980
Episode 59 (Taste of Success) Air Date: 11-28-1980
Episode 60 (The Venezuelan Connection) Air Date: 12-05-1980
Episode 61 (The Fourth Son) Air Date: 12-12-1980
Episode 62 (Trouble at Ewing 23) Air Date: 12-19-1980
Episode 63 (The Prodigal Mother) Air Date: 01-02-1981
Episode 64 (Executive Wife) Air Date: 01-09-1981
Episode 65 (End of the Road: Part 1) Air Date: 01-16-1981
Episode 66 (End of the Road: Part 2) Air Date: 01-23-1981
Episode 67 (Making of a President) Air Date: 01-30-1981
Episode 68 (Start the Revolution with Me) Air Date: 02-06-1981
Episode 69 (The Quest) Air Date: 02-13-1981
Episode 70 (Lover, Come Back) Air Date: 02-20-1981
Episode 71 (The New Mrs. Ewing) Air Date: 02-27-1981
Episode 72 (Mark of Cain) Air Date: 03-13-1981
Episode 73 (The Gathering Storm) Air Date: 03-27-1981
Episode 74 (Ewing vs. Ewing) Air Date: 04-03-1981
Episode 75 (New Beginnings) Air Date: 04-10-1981
Episode 76 (Full Circle) Air Date: 04-17-1981
Episode 77 (Ewing-Gate) Air Date: 05-01-1981

Britt Gillette is author of The DVD Report, a blog where you can find where you can find more reviews of movies and TV series. Source: http://thedvdreport.blogspot.com/2006/03/dallas-season-4-dvd.htmlEmeline Blog7035
Kimberli Blog54202

How Will You Learn to Play the Piano?

Is your passion listening to piano music? Would you like to be able to play just like your idols? Are you thinking of taking lessons but you are not sure where to start? It could even be that you have had some lessons but you have given up as it has taken longer than you thought to learn. Lots of other people may well be in your shoes at this moment and only need a push in the right direction.

The Various Ways to Learn the Piano

Before you do anything else, it is essential to know that there are two ways of playing a piano. These are:

1. Chords
2. Note reading

It is a good idea to know what you want to do when playing the piano. If you are happy enough playing music other people have written, all you have to do is learn how to read the notes. However, on the other hand, if you are more creative and you would like to write your own inspiring music, an understanding of chords is a must.

If you want to learn to play the piano fairly fast, it may be a wise choice to take a chord based approach. If you learn the chords on the piano, you can learn the sounds they make and, therefore, make your own music. You can always learn note reading afterwards if you choose.

The Pros and Cons of Learning from a Teacher

Finding a qualified and reliable instructor is the key to having successful lessons while learning to play the piano. You could learn at home or at the instructors studio. There are advantages to both, so it all depends on where you would feel most comfortable. A lot of people try to find an instructor that is local to where they live.

When you are looking for an instructor, you will need to have a goal in mind. It could be that you want to play for fun and want to learn how to play from music sheets. However, if you want to be more creative, it may be a good idea to look for instructors that will give you chord based lessons.

If you hire a piano instructor expecting to make your own music and they teach you nothing but reading notes, you will obviously not be able to reach your goal. Make sure that you know exactly what you will be achieving. Otherwise, you could be wasting a lot of money on something that you, basically, do not want. Also, it can be a huge waste of money to learn something that you could learn online for a cheaper price, and it is just as effective.

Learning online

As mentioned earlier, learning online is a lot cheaper than piano lessons and it is just as good. It can be a great benefit to learn online as you can do it in your own time and at your own pace without someone breathing down your neck. It can also help to save time, too, so the benefits are quite good when learning online.

The only real disadvantage with learning online is that a person may not have enough motivation to learn properly. Also, with an instructor, if there is something that doesnt make sense, they can get help. When you are learning online, it may not make much sense and there is no instructor there to ask for help.

You can also learn how to play the piano with piano learning DVDs and computer software designed to help.

General Guidelines to Learning the Piano

Overall playing the piano should be something that is fun and it should certainly not reduce you to tears all of the time. If you take your time learning and have regular practice you will eventually achieve what you want. You should not give up if it is something that you have wanted to do for a long time. There may be times that you get frustrated, but just keep going and you will be able to play the piano just as good as anyone else can, and even write your own music in time.

Kevin Sinclair is the publisher and editor of http://musicianhome.com. Visit here for more tips on learning to play piano.Hyacinthe Blog28239
Marcel Blog23934

Important Things to Consider Before Buying Contact Lenses

Some people out there wonder why people pay out money on expensive contact lenses or expensive glasses. If youve never worn glasses or contact lenses, then chances are that you have good eyesight. In contrast, those that dont have good vision will need to get either contact lenses or glasses in order to have near perfect vision.

In most cases, contact lenses will considerably improve your vision without having to get glasses, which is reason enough to invest in a pair of contacts. They are very lightweight, and they provide you a full range of sight and mobility.

Cheap contact lenses can be found on the Internet, or at your local opticians office. They wont set you a back a lot of money, yet they will give you the vision you need. Contacts are a great alternative to glasses, particularly for those who need glasses but hate to wear them. In you buy cheap contact lenses, it is an ideal solution to glasses, at a price, anyone can afford.

In several different ways, you can buy contact lenses. You can order them online, which is what the majority people tend to do. Companies such as contacts.com offer hundreds of contact lenses and prescriptions, which they transport right to your door. When you order online you can get a great price, and then have the contact lenses brought right to you - with no travel or waiting in line required to get your contact lenses when you need them.

The best thing about buying contacts online is the fact that there is a lot more to choose from. There are a lot of different brands and manufacturers online, many of which arent offered from your local store. Directly you can buy from a manufacturers website, or choose a third party dealer that offers a wide selection of brands and models.

With several different brands of contact lenses out there, it can be very difficult when you select your pair. Often times, your optician will suggest a brand to you, although sometimes they wont. Different brands are coming out all the time, which can make it very difficult for first time contact lens users to select the best brand for their eyes and their needs. A few examples of some of the best contact lenses manufacturers include Acuvue, Bausch and Lomb, and Progressive. These are all great choices, offering you a variety models to choose from.

Also, you can also purchase your contacts at your opticians office. If you dont have access to the internet, buying this way is a great decision. You can also purchase at a local store that sells contact lenses and glasses, such as Wal-Mart. Since they offer a variety of different contacts for those who need them, the prices are great here as well. You can also buy solution here as well, making it well worth the trip to get your contact lenses.

If you shop around, you can usually find some great deals for your lenses. The prices of the contact lenses will vary depending on the brand and type your optician prescribed. If you are buying the latest and greatest brands of contact lenses, you can obviously count on the price to be a bit higher. This is to be anticipated, as contacts cost the most when they first come out and are available for purchase.

In order to buy contact lenses, youll require a prescription. When you go to an optician for the fitting process, he will observe your eyes and let you know if you can wear contacts. There are a few types, such as soft contact lenses and hard contact lenses. Depending on your eyes, you may have to get a unique type of contact lens. The optician will give you his recommendation, and tell you everything you need to know and do for the contacts that he will give you a prescription for.

Summary:

If your vision is bad, or if you just want to dump the glasses, you should look into a pair of contact lenses. They are very reasonably priced, easy to take care of, and easy to use. Here are some things to consider before buying contact lenses.

Nishanth Reddy is an author and publisher of many health related websites. For more information on contact lenses, types of contact lenses and contact lens care visit his website: http://www.contactlens-guide.info/Lauretta Blog7546
Jean Michel Blog58256

Technology Initiative in Detroit Public Schools

New Technology Partners

The Detroit Board of Education revealed four new key partners in the ongoing technical development of Detroit schools. These partners will work together with Detroit schools for the next five years to improve the quality and access to technology throughout the area. The following companies, three of which are Detroit based, will be part of the program:

VisionIT, which is located in Detroits New Center, has offices in Chicago and Atlanta, and counts Wayne State University, General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Xerox, Dell and Siemens among its many clients. VisionITs services will include management of the data center, network services, application systems, data warehouse, help desk, and field services and technology curriculum. VisionIT will team up with SYNC Technologies, Inc., a minority and woman-owned firm that has been in business for nearly 20 years, and Unisys to execute the contract.

Management Systems Consultants, a Detroit-based firm that has provided e-solution consulting and project management services to various clients for more than a quarter of a century. It will provide web technology services, including the design and maintenance of all websites and web applications.

Universal Sales, a Detroit-based company whose employees collectively have more than 170 years of audio-visual experience.

GVC Networks, a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) that is licensed to provide telecommunications and information technology services in 41 states. GVC Networks maintains a presence in Downtown Detroit.

How the Companies Were Chosen

Detroit schools entertained bids from seventeen companies nationwide before choosing the four technology partners. The competition was fierce and there were some very difficult decisions to be made in the interest of serving the Detroit school population as well as possible. The superintendent, William F. Coleman III, expresses optimism about the new partners, stating: We are pleased with the caliber of the companies that won this contract. Most of these companies are companies that are familiar to us. We know and admire their work. I have no doubt that our students, faculty and staff will benefit enormously from their rich and varied experience.

In addition to their roles as technology providers, the four partner companies will also play another interesting part in Detroit schools. All of the companies will be creating internships for Detroit school students to work and study in the real world. Superintendent Coleman was particularly interested in these internships programs when selecting the companies to win the bid as technology partners. In this way, Detroit school students benefit in more ways than simply having more technology available to them in schools. Students will begin working in internships at the companies and learning important real life skills as well as improving their college applications and professional prospects. These students and many more will therefore see how business and education can work together to provide opportunities for Detroit school students to learn more about the world of technology. The technology partnerships with these four companies are sure to bring new ideas and new products into the Detroit school system and help students compete in the twenty first century.

Stacy Andell is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. Stacy has a nose for research and writes stimulating news and views on school issues. For more information on Detroit schools visit http://www.schoolsk-12.com/Michigan/Detroit/index.htmlKiwi Blog29482
Delphine Blog11026

The Bora Bora Lagoon Resort and Spa

When you hear Bora Bora, you immediately think of wonderful, native huts over a crystal clear lagoon and some of the most beautiful beaches and scenery in the world. Bora Bora has been called the most romantic island in the world, and for good reason. With two black rock peaks that dominate the skyline on one side and some of the most beautiful ocean views on the other, who wouldn't feel like the only two people on Earth while staying in your own private lagoon hut?

But, where do you stay on Bora Bora to find the best possible accommodations for you and your family? The Bora Bora Lagoon Resort and Spa is the place to stay on the beautiful island. No matter what kind of room you want, you'll find it here. From over the water bungalows to beautiful rooms in the resort itself, there are the perfect accommodations for everyone here. There are over 40 bungalows that sit over the warm, tropical waters of the lagoon on Bora Bora, each with a private deck to enjoy the scenery or the sun, and each bungalow comes with a unique back-lit, glass coffee table where you can watch or feed the marine life that live below you. The rooms in the resort are nothing short of relaxing and wonderful either. There are guest rooms and suites that you can choose from when you stay at the Bora Bora Lagoon Resort and Spa, and each room offers guests a private balcony, housekeeping service, telephones, satellite TV, radios, and many other amenities. You can also inquire about the private, two-bedroom villa that sits right on the beach.

The Bora Bora Lagoon Resort and Spa offers guest some of the most beautiful rooms anywhere in the world, and it also offers some of the best activities in the world as well. You can take a swim in the beautiful tropical lagoon right outside your door, or you can take a dip in the freshwater pool that sits in the middle of the lush gardens. The pool is designed to help those who are learning to dive and snorkel before the hit the warm lagoon waters. You will also find diving and snorkeling lessons as well right at the resort. You can also find guided tours of the ocean waters in glass bottom boats, guided deep sea fishing, water skiing, boating, and many other water activities for the whole family to enjoy.

But water sports aren't the only things to do here at the Bora Bora Lagoon Resort and Spa. You can enjoy their fitness center, which has the top of the line fitness and cardio equipment, from 6 am to 11 pm. You can also book a session with one of the personal trainers on staff to help you with their equipment or help you create a workout while you are staying at the resort. The resort also has tennis courts, basketball courts, volleyball, as well as other sports that are offered at different times throughout the year. Be sure to check with the resort to see which sports are available when you book your stay.

Of course, no resort is complete without great food, and the Bora Bora Lagoon Resort and Spa doesn't lack here either. You can enjoy meals from any of the three restaurants while staying here. There is formal dining, deck-side dining, indoor or outdoor dining, and a more laid-back atmosphere at the bar, where you can eat, drink, and dance the night away. There are also wonderful traditional Tahitian shows that you can enjoy with your dining experience each evening, so be sure to enjoy this treat while you are here.

There are also several activities that the resort can help you book with tours and guides around the island, such as circle island tours, rainforest tours, mountain safaris, and many others! Bora Bora has many wonderful cities and villages for you to visit, enjoy, and shop while you are staying here as well, so don't forget to enjoy some of the local flair. Bora Bora has it all, and when you book your stay at the Bora Bora Lagoon Resort and Spa, you will never want to head back home!

WarmIslands.com provides information on all types of tropical vacations and Caribbean cruises. Reviews include Hawaii, the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Southern Pacific, and many more travel destinations. Enroll for a free membership at their cruise forums and participate with other cruise vacation lovers. Whether you want a tropical vacation on a cruise or are looking for a secluded stay in a villa or resort on the island of your choice, we can help you. Just imagine yourself on a warm and sandy beach enjoying your favorite tropical drink.Corinne Blog48857
Glacier Blog27831

Houston Schools New Budget Brings Needed Money for Teachers and Improvements

Houston schools teachers have not had significant pay raise in seven years. The new Houston schools budget plans for an average 8.6 percent pay raise for teachers for the 2006-07 school year, with a total of $49.2 million in funding. The state is providing $31 million for the pay raises, and the Houston schools are providing $18.2 million from their own revenues. An additional $8 million increase also is included for teacher performance pay.

This is all part of the Houston schools proposed $1.4 billion budget for the 2006-07 school year, and the Houston schools will NOT increase school tax property rates by the allotted four cents per $100 of property.

The Houston schools believe the pay raises should make their district more competitive to attract more teaching talent. Newly recruited teachers will start at $40,268, an increase from last years $36,050 starting pay.

The Houston schools proposed budget also includes the following:

$1.9 million for principal and assistant principal pay raises of 5.1 percent. Again, the Houston schools intent is to make their district more competitive. This also includes additional incentives for principals of larger schools and/or those with higher numbers of disadvantaged students and gifted and talented students, which require more oversight and innovation to educate.
$3 million to help academically struggling Houston schools.
$4.8 million more for elementary and middle schools.
$12 million for small-sized Houston schools that do not receive as much per-student funding but need the revenues for instructional improvements.
More than $10 million to help bring school buildings up to standard.
$25.1 million for overall school building maintenance.
$927,300 (nearly $1 million) to maintain the increased police and K-9 presence at the Houston schools.
Four percent raise across the board for school bus drivers, cafeteria workers, custodians and hourly employees.
Four percent raise for Houston schools administrators.

This is all from the proposed budgets General Fund, which increases by 5.7 percent under the Houston schools new plan. The Houston schools additional revenue for the coming school year comes from the increase in local property values and the states newly adopted school finance system, which shifts more of the funding of public education burden to the state. This decreases the cost of education for the local taxpayers from the 87.1 percent last year to only 77.6 percent for school year 2006-07.

Separate from the General Fund is a special appropriation from the state legislature for the Houston schools. It will place $11.8 million more next year into improving high schools, with each receiving an extra $187 in per student funding. The Houston schools intend to add an additional $39 per student to this special appropriation, based upon the types of students and specific needs of each school.

Lastly, the Houston schools put aside extra money this year to cover the cost of fuel for school vehicles and electricity. The Houston schools have a total of 1,000 buses and other vehicles in its fleet. They expect the cost of fuel to increase by $3 million. The cost of electricity for Houston schools is expected to increase by $9.1 million over last years expenditure.

Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, Which provides free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. Patricia has a nose for research and writes stimulating news and views on school issues.Kaylee Blog88686
Lucilia Blog21896

32 BMWs All Arriving This September

How many days are there in the month of September? 30.

How many new BMWs are coming and entering the market for September? 32.

So that would be like having one new BMW vehicle each day of the month and still having two new vehicles extra. This is actually according to an announcement from the company and it is going to be a milestone for the company’s market, sales, and history for the United Kingdom. So it would be important to remember that September for this year would be the month where the largest number of vehicle models would be introduced to the country.

Of the thirty two models which would be entering the European country of the United Kingdom, all of these would be sporting off the kind of design, appeal, and performance that all other previous BMW vehicles have – from the just the right kind of BMW performance parts to the engine type to the wheels to everything else in between.

The list of new BMW models includes the BMW 3 Series coupe and it would be going on sale in the UK come the 23rd of September. The company claims that the introduction of this vehicle to the market would also mark the very first time that a twin-turbo and petrol-powered engine would be used in a BMW vehicle.

Aside from the BMW 3 Series coupe, another new vehicle model entering the market is the BMW X3 and BMW says that this vehicle would be offering the market one of the latest innovations when it comes to technology used in engines. The vehicle’s overall look has also been freshened and improved.

Then, there also is the BMW M6 convertible. If you would remember, this vehicle took the spotlight for BMW’s entrants to the British International Motorshow. This one, when it goes on sale this month, would be offered for 86,400.

BMW would also be releasing new vehicle versions like the BMW 3 Series Saloon and Touring editions. The auto manufacturer would also send out the BMW 7 Series SE Exclusive Editions.

Joe Thompson is the owner of a successful auto body shop in Ferndale, California. This 38 year old is also a prolific writer, contributing automotive related articles to various publications. Honorine Blog87890
Lundi Blog36011

Adults Love Strategy Games

Many young kids and teenagers have developed deep passions for those hugely popular computer games that offer non-stop action and adventure, fantasy and magic, and the chance to assume different personalities and travel to diverse imaginary worlds. On the other hand, adults have developed their own fascination with computer games as well, mostly involving the so-called strategy games.

Unlike action and adventure games that usually require fast reflexes and a quick trigger finger, strategy games call for a cool hand and good analytical or decision-making skills The best strategy game players know how to maximize their time and manage their resources as well as how to apply these resources and when to attack.

Perhaps the first great strategy game was Hammurabi (or Kingdom) which made a big splash in the 1970s. The objective was to seize the throne of a feudal lord and plan out economic and agricultural strategies for the continued survival of his kingdom. Success was measured in terms of positive growth in population and food supply as well as in vanquishing all security threats against your kingdom..

These days, strategy games generally fall into two categories: turn-based games and real-time strategy games. Hammurabi was a turn-based strategy game where competing players take turns making a move and with breaks in between. In real time strategy games, all players were in motion at the same time. Throughout the seventies and eighties, turn-based games were the dominant strategy game, particularly war games and its hybrids.

In 1987, the sophisticated action sequences and character-oriented narrative that were introduced in Defender of the Crown (Cinemaware) brought the genre to an entirely new level. It spawned a slew of similar games, including the hugely popular Pirates (Microprose) in 1988. With the introduction of Populous (Bullfrog) in 1989, the genre took another step further. Populous was the first game that allowed continuous play since it did not pause between turns. It also allowed players to virtually take on the role of gods, wielding total power and control over warring nations.

Today's most popular strategy games still follow the Populous mold but are vastly improved in terms of graphics, sound effects and characterizations.

Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles for http://everythingaboutgames.net/ - In addition, Jonathon also writes articles for http://universeofentertainment.com/ and http://parorbetter.com/.Claire Blog26641
Macintosh Blog63806

Article Marketing & Book Promotion: Promote Your Book To The Top of The NY Times Best Sellers List

Although, Mark Hyman, M.D, the New York Times Best Selling author, and practicing physician, had a strong, multi-faceted marketing and sales plan in place, the addition of an article marketing strategy helped him in his successful quest to push his book, UltraMetabolism The Simple Plan For Automatic Weight Loss to the #2 spot of the NY Times Best Seller List. Dr. Hymans article marketing campaign was only one piece of the puzzle, but an important piece that helped him establish key relationships with website publishers that will result in increased, targeted traffic and stronger sales for many months and years to come.

By including a targeted article marketing program into your marketing and sales plan, you too could achieve book-marketing success. Doing this effectively requires planning and perfect execution from beginning to end:

Step 1: Create An Article That Grabs Readers Interest

One of the most important parts of the article is the title. Remember, the first 3-4 words of your article title have the most weight with Google and other search engines. The point of the title is to intrigue your audience to actually sit down and read the article. You may even want to offer an outrageous proposition that you can fulfill within your article body as we have with the title of this article.

The articles that get the best results are the ones that provide unique, high quality content that solve at least one piece of a problem puzzle. However, to convert readers to buyers, you must not give the reader all of the answers to the HOW to solve a particular problem. Instead you want to tease them with some of the how and top it off with the why its important.

Step 2: Turn Readers Into Prospects With A Strong Call For Action And An Offer They Cant Refuse

You want to encapsulate the essence of what makes you and your offering unique. This is your Unique Selling Proposition. Do this by chiseling away the information that no one cares about from your golden nuggets. Refine them into gleaming insights. Hammer them into logical sequence. Fasten them to reader benefits. Then polish and polish it until your fingers ache, to create a glittering necklace of persuasion that seduces the eye, charms the imagination, and dazzles the reader with so much human interest that it is indeed much easier to click and go to your website than skip.

If you add a free bonus offer, you will make it even easier for readers to click to your website. You can offer a sneak preview of your book, a free ezine subscription, or a free special bonus report that further enhances your credibility as the expert.

Step 3: Maintain Reader Interest & Create a Squeeze Page

Think of your article as a sales funnel. Your article title, content, bio box and the link you send your readers to should all flow right into each other. Including a link to the main page only distract and frustrate readers. You will lose that sale forever.

When you promote your book in your bio box, then take them to a squeeze page within your site that convinces people why they should either buy the book or why they should subscribe.

Step 4: Target Your Audience With Ezines & Websites That Make a Difference

You need to find websites that are highly visited and ezines that are the most read, but more importantly, you want to focus on websites and ezine publishers within your specific niche that have strong emotional connections to their audiences. Through our research for Mark Hyman MD, we found information for a popular About.com editor. About.com is among the top 50 sites on the net today. This submission resulted in over 1,500 opt-in and new sales in one day, not counting the successes from other credible websites.

Step 5: Submit Your Article & Build Your Links and Traffic

Now is the time to perform the tiring, boring and tedious task of submitting your articles. But, as you completing this process, know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. By using these article marketing strategies, you can build a steady stream of warm ready-to-buy visitors and substantially increase your book sales

By including article marketing into your multi-faceted marketing and sales plan, you too can achieve success in marketing your book. You will then only be limited by your imagination and your time. The question is, What is your destination?

Article marketing expert and award-winning public relations practitioner, Eric Gruber helped promote Mark Hyman MDs book to the top of the NY Times Best Seller List. For a free consultation on how to substantially increase your book sales using todays hottest Internet marketing strategies, email Eric@prleads.com or go to http://www.prleads.com/article.htm to have Eric manage your article marketing campaign. Aria Blog24772
Loria Blog17378

Think About The Importance Of Having One Way Links Point To Your Site?

Promoting links as a practice to get your websites position on the search engines is positive thing. The question that many people ask, how much and how many links should I get so this can happen? Is there a cap on the number of links you should get? Link marketing is the use of links to build up traffic to the webpage. This will multiply your position on the search engines. These things go hand in hand. If you want to increase your position on the search engines, you will need to do link marketing because this goes hand in hand.

Quantity or quality?

There is no good set number for links. It's not having ten or twenty or even having a 100. What we are talking about is having the right type of links coming to your website. For instance, consider and understand both reciprocal links and the best type one way links. One way links achieve traffic to your site without letting the visitors click away with additional links on the webpage. Reciprocal links, when grouped correctly and used in the correct way can help as well.

Beyond this, you will want to attempt to get good favorable links. The links should be in the same category or theme that compliments your website. This mean you will need to find webmasters that offer similar content, but not the same content as your site.

If you are thinking about how many links you should get pointing to your internet site, the best denomination to go with is as much as you possibly can do. Be sure that the links are of great, well researched links, try not choose links that are not in the same theme. If you can make sure you get one way links, if you cannot go with the reciprocal link exchange. Use them correctly and you business will take off beyond your wildest dreams. If you use links incorrectly or do not get links your business will suffer.

David Fishman is the owner of http://linknetics.com. The link marketing software that promotes one way links.Inconnue Blog67819
Eric Blog14716

Planning The Perfect Back Yard Wedding

If youre looking for a one-of-a-kind wedding site, your own back yard may be just the place. If you are considering holding a wedding at home, theres a lot to think about. For example, do you need a tent? Are you required to have a special events license? Should you get portable toilets for the back yard? These small touches can make or break a back yard wedding.

According to Elana Lancit, founder and president of Vancouver-based Sweet Beginnings, a full-service wedding consulting and event-planning company, An at-home affair takes a lot of planning. Consider hiring a professional consultant. Although the benefits of a home wedding come with added considerations, if you arrange everything in advance, the day will be wonderful for you and your guests.

Weather or Not: First on Lancits list is weather insurance. Plan on renting a tent no matter what, says Lancit. Weather is just too unpredictable. Tents provide good shade in the heat, and if you are planning a wedding in the fall, heating lamps are good to have on-hand, she says.

Be Neighbourly: To ensure your neighbors dont complain about the noise, invite them along, or at least inform them about the event. If you are not inviting the neighbors, Lancit suggests dropping off a bottle of wine or a gift certificate to a restaurant a few days prior to the event. This shows appreciation and respect for your neighbours, says Lancit.

Menu Planning: Lancit suggests hiring a catering company to handle the food and bar. Before the wedding day, invite the caterers to your house so they can see what kind of space your kitchen offers. They may decide to bring a tent to provide additional space for prep work. Before signing the contract, make sure to discuss what is included in the cost. For example, will they provide plates and utensils? Also, consider the weather you want to choose foods that will not perish.

Parking: Parking can be a cause of distress on the big day. Since most homes cannot accommodate 200 cars, Lancit suggests using a valet service, which most guests appreciate. The valet service will handle all logistics and keep your guests from walking a great distance. If you choose to hire valet, consider having extra staff at the beginning and end of the event, says Lancit.

License: Lancit suggests calling city hall to find out if you are required to have a special license or permit for your event, such as a parking permit or a special event license. Also get information on notice by-laws and inquire about extra insurance.

Bathrooms: Dont forget to think about bathrooms! This is something that people all-too-often forget about. If you dont have enough bathrooms in your house or do not want people trekking through, consider port-o-lets. Have at least two set up not too far from the party. Lancit also suggests hiring someone to clean the bathrooms during the event.

Event Logists: Lancit recommends creating a complete floor plan and to consider the location of the musicians; head table; guest tables; dance floor; dressing room for bride, groom and attendants; and station for hair and makeup.

Power: Check on getting an extra generator. With all the music and lighting, you want to make sure not to blow a fuse during the event.

Flooring: If you are setting up your dance area on grass, consider ordering a dance floor. If the ground is uneven, work may need to be done in order to lay down the flooring.

Lighting: Guests need to be able to see where they are walking so they dont trip over anything. Make sure everything is well-lit. Consider adding candles, lanterns and mini-lights.

Flowers: Make sure to work with a florist who will provide flowers that can hold up in all weather conditions.

Coat Check: Depending on the time of year, make sure you have a place for guests to hang their coats.

Dont Forget The Inside: Make sure your house is presentable just in case guests take a peek.

Elana Lancit is founder and president of Sweet Beginnings. Sweet Beginnings is the worlds only franchised, full-service wedding consulting and dcor provider. Sweet Beginnings currently has 15 locations in Canada. Visit http://www.asweetbeginning.com for additional information.Gaston Blog94797
Lonni Blog21074

A History and Background of Credit Cards

Credit cards work to make tremendous revenues to credit card companies, banks and retail sales. They do not however work the way they used to work for the customers that temporarily possess them. Many years ago when credit cards were invented and I was a young boy they were a means to finance household items considered necessary. These were things like washing machines and clothes dryers. Credit cards today have such a high interest that they are no longer attractive to purchase such items. Credit cards are primarily now seem to be used to hide and avoid indebtedness.

There is nothing really good about debt. Americans have been convinced by retail salesmen and the banks that to have good credit one must have a solid credit history through credit cards or credit accounts. A solid history means more than the fact that you have consistently made payments on time without failure. The credit card companies and the banks evaluate your spending tends, the debt load over time, your savings history, checking deposit history and actual check spending history. This personal information is felt by these institutions to be proprietary, belonging to the institution because of their unique methods of collection, rather than belonging to the individual who creates this activity.

A credit card, if it is the only credit card you possess, could start improving a portion of bad debt only if you liquidate your current debt in a steady, reliable manner. This will only show a history of reliable payment. As I have already stated banks and credit card companies are not interested only in your reliability, they want the "juice" off of the advanced credit you have obtained. This means they only want you if they can get their interest in a regular and steady manner. This is not the same as pay your debt regularly until it vanishes. They want you to remain indebted permanently but repaying them in a timely manner.

If you are debt free you may not be judged to be a good credit risk. This is the state that underage children and young adults find themselves whenever they attempt to secure a credit card. Simply stated, good credit doesn't mean what it did just fourteen years ago. The protections afforded the consumer since the Depression of 1929 no longer exist. The Financial Laws passed through Congress in 1992 allowed banks, insurance companies,especially health insurance companies investment firms to handle banking, insurance and investment operations. Laws passed after 1929 had prevented banks from insurance and direct stock exchange trading, likewise insurance companies could not pursue banking operations or stock exchange nor could stock exchange companies pursue insurance or banking operations. This freedom was granted without the subsequent protections of the consumer included in these new laws. There currently exists no single body of consumer law. The private citizen must fight the triumvirate of bank,insurance and stock exchange through the court system.

Joseph Kenny writes for the Card Guide, a site where visitors can interest free balance transfers and also read the information on the credit card guide. Visit today: http://www.cardguide.co.ukDamien Blog89797
Christine Blog3390

The Cool Thing About Fantasy Football

Everyone loves fantasy football and get very excited for the fantasy drafts. But, have you ever really thought about why? I mean, beyond the obvious.

Fantasy football is really the only place or way for you, an average person, to create a football team that you have control over. You choose which football player starts, and who is on the bench. You get to draft whatever players you want to your team based on their real life performance record. The really cool thing? Well, you don't have to worry about anything else. You don't have to deal with any money issues except for salary cap. That's it. You don't have to worry about how much money the fans are pulling in by purchasing tickets to your stadium, nor do you have to worry about purchasing the football equipment, such as football helmets like these: http://www.sports-collectibles-store.com/Riddell_Deluxe_Football_Helmets-p-1-c-3.html that your team will be using. Now, that my friends...is very cool indeed.

So you basically have free reign of a team of great football players (if you've done your homework), and now can decide who plays when. Obviously, it is not as in depth as Madden Football, but this is more of a player game. Meaning, you choose your players based on their record in the NFL and create your team and score your points that way instead of making plays, you are making a team.

Now, my question is: What about college football? The enormous fan base across the US would make fantasy college football a huge presence in the sports world. Sure, it would be a lot harder to predict what players to pick because although they are way better than I would ever be at football, they are not always as consistent as most NFL players are. Especially when you are drafting your defense. But, just imagine how much more varied and exciting the world of fantasy football would be if you could create your own college team too.

You could go off of the "experts" top college football picks, starting with the team and working your way down. Just think of the huge potential talent that is stuffed away at big 10 colleges because they've already got their star quarterback or wide receiver. This would give little known players a chance to get their name out there before even completing college. You could help them kick start their career!

Chris Hinde is an aspiring sports column writer. If you would like to read more of his articles, please visit: http://www.sports-collectibles-store.com.Louis Blog95834
Jean Baptiste Blog51113

Creative Window Covering Ideas

There is no simpler or dramatic way to totally transform the look of a room than to change the window coverings. You can do this by buying new Venetian blinds or window shades but probably the cheapest way is to simply change the curtains.

One the least expensive window coverings is achieved by simply removing the current curtain rod and replacing it with a new one. You can forget about buying rails and all that jazz. The simplest and most modern looking window coverings are simply swaths of fabric that hang from pinch clips. Pinch clips are hoops, which like clothespins, grip the edge of the fabric and allow you to hang any kind of drape or material (hemmed or unhemmed) from the curtain rods. One very popular look is to simply buy a very fancy wrought iron or aluminum rod and then hang white hemmed sheets from it that have been hemmed. You still get that romantic billowing look without the expense of spending money on prefabricated drapes. You can also sew your own drapes using any fabric that tickles your fancy, including eyelet, cotton, satin, velvet or sheers. Many fabric stores also sell ropes, tassels and ribbons that can be used as tiebacks for the curtains.

There are also curtains and window coverings available that don't require any type of clip. These curtains come with fabric loops that easily slide along the curtain. These curtains, which come in a variety of designs and fabrics, are very inexpensive but you can also make your own by attaching your own loops to fabric. One handy feature is to have each fabric curtain loop fastened with buttons or Velcro to make the curtain easy to remove from the rod for washing.

You can also make your own window coverings out of specialty papers. These are transparent window blinds that are made from rice paper. Some of these papers are absolutely beautiful and feature details such as glitter, leaves or threads pressed right into mesh of the paper fibers. To make the curtain all you have to do is attach it to pinch clips. If you buy these in the store they are usually quite expensive especially if they are decorated with a motif pattern or a design as they are considered to be a bit haute couture.

Another way to personalize your dcor is to paint your Venetian blinds. Simply take a stencil and spray-paint one solid design on the closed Venetian blinds. A stencil of a favorite motif or symbol and a can of spray-paint can also be used to embellish simple roll down blinds as well.

Always remember that your window coverings can help make the style of your room look more casual or more formal depending on what style you use. The more fabric, swags and pleats there are to your curtains, the more formal the room will look. The simpler your window treatment is, as would be the case with rice paper roll blinds or a single sheer hung from a curtain rod, the less formal the entire effect will be.

Rob Buenaventura invites you to http://www.beautifulwindowblinds.com. Here we provide tips on window blinds and window coverings. For tips and ideas on bathroom window coverings check out, http://www.beautifulwindowblinds.com/Decorating-Tips-For-Bathroom-Window-Covering.html.Kyla Blog9603
Invite Blog21023

Why You Need IOVC -Internet, Office, VOIP and CRM Technologies to Succed in Business

If you are looking for success through the use of the internet and the current voice technologies, then as a business owner you owe it to yourself to make yourself profitable with the many readily available, emerging technology tools. Years ago, these tools were only available to large business and in some case were shrunk or made t fit for medium business, but seldom for small business and definitely not for a single person business.

If you work your way through the marketing and industry hype and really focus on the basics, there are four key capabilities or technologies that drive your day to day business operation. They are the internet, office, voice and CRM technologies. f you can get a lock on these four capabilities then you must exploit them for maximum profitability to service your customer better. The goal is that IOVC technologies must not be anti-productive to the way your business works today. IOVC technologies should be complimentary and enhance the business processes you manage daily.

Examining IOVC technologies in a little more depth, we can start to understand the real impact upon your business and personal life.

The Internet - The internet is bigger then a website, it is a community just as large if not larger then your neighborhood or city you live in. Because you can not touch and feel the internet, most small business owners become bewildered because of the sheer size of the internet. We should not fear it because at one time the world seem flat until that thought process was changed. Now with the internet, there are many marketers who believe they can conquer the internet. They now use terms like VRE for virtual real estate and they understand the simple definition of the internet; its a group of people walking down a digital avenue looking for your products ad service. The group that wants your product is the group you need to capture to buy your services. With this definition you can not afford to ignore it anymore.

Office Operations - When it comes to your office operations, your business is driven by your current systems and applications. Regardless of the business size, large business or a small business, your office operations are usually driven by standalone software driven applications. These applications have communications technology that coordinate well with their own vendor and support technologies but rarely, do they communicate across vendor, product lines. This means you the business owner have many office tools assaulting your senses for attention each and every day. This mania for attention spills down into your people who become forced to work in silos, become addicted to working overtime based on the way your standalone applications and computer systems have been installed and evolved over time.

Telephone Services - With voice service, many people are beginning to at least hear a lot about VOIP (Voice over IP), or internet phone service. Some call it Internet Telephony. This is a testament to how fast it is growing. Just a few years ago VOIP was still a very unreliable unknown. It is now a term that has invaded many businesses and households. While it is a better replacement for traditional phone service, most folks are still not fully aware of all the unique qualities that separate it from traditional phone service. We will go into this more in part two but for now, understand it is much more then a service that lets people talk. Voice is a voice to data transformation technology, and this data is very powerful when it follows you around. A small business cannot afford to ignore the benefits of this expense reducing and business enhancing service.

Customer Relationship Management - Finally, most business owners understand that the key to creating an excellent customer relationship is the management of the interface between the customer and their point of contact within the organization. Too often processes which suit the business are not customer-friendly, however much they suit the internal needs of the office operations of years gone by. Your customers want service; your team wants to service your customer in the best way possible. You as the business owner grew the business interacting with your customers, so you know continued business success requires a very flexible and profit producing customer relationship strategy. This is the point where sales and service take place. Your customer relations ship strategy and service alone drives the current business and all future interactions with in your company. This has to become a very organized and a very timely service.

To gain the benefit of these technologies, a business owner needs an integrated solution that takes these capabilities and makes sure they meet your needs. With an integrated IOVC technology solution, your business processes are synchronized from initial point of customer contact all the way through your day to day operations right up to product delivery.

The overall result is your days become easier, your team becomes more productive, your customer becomes happier and your business becomes more profitable

Greg Burrus provides small business solutions as an internet and offce technlogy consultant. Greg helps people succeed through the use of internet, office, voice and CRM (IOVC) solutions. visit http://www.techoss.com.Fini Blog83665
Leon Blog87414

A Review of Bluetooth Enabled Cell Phones

With the rate that technology is evolving nowadays, its quite easy to be left behind in the current market of electronic products. I experienced this myself when I decided to buy a cell phone. My friend told me that I would be better off if I spend more money for a Bluetooth enabled cell phone instead of the generic model that I was planning to buy.

I couldnt decide which model I would purchase because I had no idea how different Bluetooth enabled cell phones are from the generic models. A friendly salesclerk at the mall patiently explained to me why they were so special. I found out that the features on a blue tooth enable cell phones would allow me to do a variety of things that would be impossible with standard mobile phones.

Bluetooth enabled cell phones makes it possible to wirelessly transfer e-mails, contact information, and other basic content to someone who have a similar device. If you have special car kit you, can even make and receive hands-free, wireless calls while driving. Doing these this manually with a standard cell phone would be dangerous. Many recent car models already come with the necessary equipment to accommodate blue tooth enabled cell phones and more automobile companies are planning to follow the trend in the following years.

You might think that with these state of the art features, Bluetooth enabled cell phones would be considerably more expensive than the older generic models. If youre not after very high-end models, you can find that they are actually quite affordable. With the number of cell-phone manufacturer competing for customers, you can be sure that prices of blue tooth enabled cell phones will remain reasonable. Since they are manufactured by world-class companies like Motorola, Sony, and Nokia you also can be sure of getting a high quality product.

Dont be left behind. You dont know what youre missing if you dont avail of the exciting features that affordable and user-friendly blue tooth enabled cell phones can offer.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning Bluetooth Enabled Cell Phones. More information at http://www.newelectronicsinformation.com/electronics/electronics/a-review-of-bluetooth-enabled-cell-phones.html.Kevina Blog71696
Edmond Blog49409