Because networking is a relatively young science, it borrows language from other disciplines. Many networking terms come from the realm of physical transportation-terms such as bridge, hub, port, routing, and switching. That borrowing is apt. Just as the transportation revolution, and especially the advent of the railroad, was an economic catalyst of the Industrial Age, networks are the economic catalysts of the information age. And just as railroads need a solid infrastructure, so do networks. The foundation technologies of networks are routing and switching.

The Basics

In its most basic form, a network consists of two pieces of electronic equipment that communicate data back and forth, connected by a third piece of equipment that enables that communication. A printer attached directly to a computer via a parallel or USB cable does not comprise a network; it becomes a network if the printer and computer are both attached to a switch or router. The Internet provided the impetus for most companies to adopt a network infrastructure. Even the smallest businesses need network-enabled Internet connections to send and receive e-mail, advertise and sell products and services online, interact with customers, and connect with suppliers. Moving to a networked environment opens new possibilities, including online business applications and collaboration opportunities. Data security also becomes a central consideration with a network. While switches and routers have evolved and the lines between them may seem blurred, one simple distinction remains: Switches reside within a local-area network (LAN), while routers are needed in a wide-area network (WAN) environment. It’s analogous to an old-fashioned office phone: Switching is like dialing a four digit extension to reach someone in your building, while routing is like dialing 9 to get an outside line, and then dialing a seven- or ten-digit phone number.

Systems-Based Solutions

Growing companies, especially those opening new offices, can opt for integrated foundation solutions that are secure, solid, and compatible with future technologies. Rather than purchasing separate products for individual functions such as routing, switching, security, and Internet gateways, companies can choose a “systems-based” solution that provides everything a business unit needs to fully and securely connect to the Internet and the company as a whole. A systems-based approach to routing and switching lets all workers, even those at different sites, have the same access to business applications, Internet Protocol (IP) Communications, and videoconferencing as their colleagues at headquarters. Networking solutions for satellite offices tend to be modular in nature, allowing you to install just the features you need for a particular office. Modularity also enables you to upgrade equipment (rather than replace it altogether) when needs change or an office expands. An added benefit of this systems-based approach is that technical staff at headquarters can centrally manage the network, which keeps staffing counts low while providing reliable service to employees in all locations.

What to Watch For

Several trends in routing and switching are of particular interest to SMBs:

. Increasing need for Internet connections: Fully 70 percent of North American SMBs were planning to increase Internet connectivity and bandwidth during the next year, according to an April 2004 Forrester report.

. Improvements in routing and switching gear: For example, switches with in-line power, which allow placement of wireless LAN access points and IP phones anywhere there’s a network jack, without external power.

. Managed networking technologies (especially switches): A managed switch allows the user or administrator can access it, usually via the network itself, to adjust or monitor its operation.

Bottom-Line Benefits

Routing and switching technologies can have a positive impact on your company’s financial outlook. The Net Impact Study 2003, sponsored by Cisco Systems and conducted by Momentum Research Group found that companies that combined sophisticated network infrastructures with network-based business applications, and were willing to reengineer their business practices to take best advantage of the technology and actively measure the results, reduced their annual operating costs by more than 20 percent. What’s more, they measured a 20 to 25 percent increase in customer satisfaction. Making informed purchase decisions about networking technologies can also save money in the long term. For example having a network that can support advanced technologies such as IP communications can deliver savings to SMBs in several areas:

. You can install a single network for both voice and data.

. You need to purchase and maintain only one set of equipment.

. You can reduce or eliminate toll charges between network sites

What To Do Next

Chances are good that you already have some networking technologies in place. The next step, then is to determine whether you have the right foundation for your company’s needs, both today and in the future. What you plan to do with the your network should drive your equipment purchase decisions. For example if you intend to run IP telephony, you need to buy routing and switching equipment that can support it.

bio = Alex Lakatos is an expert on computer networking hardware, starting Warwick Data Systems in 1983 to buy/sell used networking equipment. He can be reached at (973)998-4918 and at http://www.warwickdata.com

Popularity: 4% [?]

There are times when the perfect answer is, “I don’t know.” At those times, say precisely that, with confidence or authority.

People ask questions for all different reasons. Sometimes it’s helpful to know the statement behind the question; other times, it would be insensitive to ask why someone is asking. The key is to find ways to respond that keep you feeling as empowered as possible. It’s also a really good policy to respond in such a way that the person who is asking feels empowered, or at least not disempowered.

Sometimes it’s unwise to say, “I don’t know.” At those times, you may want to avoid the question or answer another question. Most politicians do this very well. Not all questions are appropriate, but, even so, it’s also not always appropriate for you to highlight the inappropriateness of the one asking the question.

Here are some euphemisms for saying “I don’t know” when you’re asked for information and you don’t have the answer. Some of these are also useful when you’re being asked for your point of view, rather than for factual information. And a few of them might be appropriate when you really want to say, “it’s none of your business.”

In one-on-one situations…

1. I’ve been wondering the same thing.

2. I’ll be happy to get the answer for you.

3. That’s a really good question. I wish I had a really good answer. I think [name of person] will know the answer or have some ideas.

4. That’s something we’ve been working to discover. Let me tell you my thoughts so far.

5. Let’s think this out together.

6. That’s not my area of expertise. I’ll ask the appropriate expert to get back to you. (Or, I suggest you call [name of person] and say that I thought he or she can help you.)

7. I’ll check that out. (Or, I’ll have to check that out.)

8. I’ve got an idea about that, but I want to double check something first.

9. I can think of several possibilities (approaches, considerations). What do you have in mind? (Or, What have you tried so far?)

10. I’m hearing several questions in your question. Maybe we can get clear about what information you’re really looking for and then I can be more helpful.

11. I think that’s a really good question to ask someone else (or a specific person).

In group situations…

1. Has anyone in the group had a similar experience?

2. Can anyone in the group answer that question or at least shed some light on it?

3. I think that’s a wonderful question for us to explore together.

What are some of your euphemisms for saying “I don’t know”?

bio = Jeanie Marshall, Empowerment Consultant and Coach with Marshall House, produces Guided Meditations on CD albums and MP3 downloads and writes extensively on subjects related to personal development and empowerment.
Voice of Jeanie Marshall, http://www.jmvoice.com

Popularity: 5% [?]

Our life, relationships, and our planet would work so much better if all choices were conscious.

What does it mean to be ‘Conscious?’

To illustrate, consider these three levels of consciousness:

1. Unconscious (awake but unaware)

This is when you forget where you put your keys, leave the headlights on and are surprised by a dead battery, drive past your freeway exit, etc. You’re simply not paying attention.

If life is like an iceberg, when we’re unconscious we crash and sink before we see it.

2. Semi-conscious (aware of what’s in front of you)

This is when you’re sure you know what’s what. We believe that our stories (beliefs, interpretations, etc) and sensory perceptions (see, hear, feel, etc) are true and correct.

If life is like an iceberg, when we’re semi-conscious we’re aware of the iceberg and truly believe we know how to avoid it, then crash and sink because it’s larger than we thought.

3. Conscious (aware of the big picture)

This is when we humbly understand that ‘you don’t know what you don’t know,’ and realize that there may be more to a situation than we can see or understand at the time. We are aware of our goal and do our best to learn more about the situation and examine our options to make the best possible choice.

If life is like an iceberg, when we’re conscious we realize that we need to know more about what’s under the surface before making our choices about how to proceed.

Three Keys to Making Conscious Choices

Key # 1: Be clear about who you are and what you want

What’s the purpose of your life? What is your Vision for your life, work, and relationships? What are your requirements, needs, and wants in any situation?

Strive to lower the waterline on the iceberg that is your Self to achieve the clarity you need to be motivated and empowered.

Key # 2: Stay focused on what’s important to you- don’t settle for less

Most people ‘lead lives of quiet desperation.’ They want to be happy, but don’t know how and don’t think it’s possible. However, the Law of Attraction can work for you or against you, and if you expect less, you’ll get less.

Go after what you really want in your life and assume you can find the choices needed to be successful if you’re looking for them.

Key #3: Be supportable- with enough help you can do anything!

We’re human, and no-one is successful alone. We need to be conscious of our support needs and proactively seek to get them met.

Continually ask yourself what help you need and who can help you.

Wishing you a healthy, happy, conscious life.

bio = David Steele, MA, LMFT is founder of Relationship Coaching Institute and author of the ground-breaking new book for singles Conscious Dating: Finding the Love of Your Life in Today’s World. http://www.consciousdating.com
Visit http://www.ConsciousRelationshipResources.com for FREE live tele-seminars, recorded audio programs, podcasts, e-programs and newsletters for singles and couples packed with cutting-edge relationship information that will help you have the life and relationships you really want.

Popularity: 4% [?]

All About Abs - 6 Months of Ab Workouts

Exercises for Variety and Development 24 Weeks of Abs Routines That Won’t Be Routine

I’d like to tell you more about abdominals at this point but we’ve come to the end of the 4 part series and now it’s simply time to get onto the workouts.

In short, you’ve learn about the two key concepts that are required to show off your abs in the first place. You’ve also discovered why nutrition is the most important part of any ab quest. And you are about to learn the final segment of 6-pack abs by utilizing some of the most important abdominal exercises. Moreover…

You won’t be spending countless hours doing the same old boring ab work. This 6 month plan was molded to give you a well rounded routine and keep it interesting and challenging.

Not only will you be able to see your abs, you’ll make your entire core stronger and that will translate into a stronger body overall.

So let me ask you…

Why would you ever spend another dime on a program or book when you’ve got the entire arsenal you need in this series to have professional bodybuilding abdominals? My strong hunch is…

After doing this 6 month program, eating right and lowering your body fat levels, you should be able to send me a personal success story.

Without further noise, let’s get to the workouts!

Additional Tips for a Six Pack

Before you begin, it’s recommended you understand how each exercise is performed to achieve the maximum results.

http://www.beginning-bodybuilding.com/6monthsofabs.htm

Note: * A1 & A2, and following letter pairs reference joined exercises (supersets) One exercise A1 followed immediately without rest by A2.

Note: 4-point tempo explained:
2010 tempo =
2 = negative/eccentric action
0 = pause in stretch position
1 = positive/concentric action
0 = pause in contracted position

* You can substitute a crunch for a double crunch if you want the overall exercise to be more difficult.

* By doing a variety of movements, you are targeting all the areas of the midsection. Using bodyweight is usually preferred over heavy weights that tend to build up and thicken the midsection.

* Rep ranges in this program are suggested. Go for ‘perceived’ exertion. If you can do more, do more. Judge a set by how you feel not how many reps you do.

* Keep the tension on the abdominals at all times.

The Ripped Abdominal Workout Series

Week 1-2

Exercise: A1 - Decline Reverse Crunch & A2 - Crunches
Sets: 3
Reps: 15
Tempo: 2010
Rest Period: 30 seconds

Exercise B1 - Oblique Crunch
Sets: 2
Reps: 15
Tempo: l & r 2010
Rest Period: 60 seconds

Week 3-4

Exercise: A1 - Alternate Heel Touches
Sets: 3
Reps: 15-20
Tempo: 2010
Rest Period: 30 seconds

Exercise B1 - Ab Wheel
Sets: 3
Reps: 10
Tempo: 3010
Rest Period: 60 seconds

Exercise: C1 - Seated Plate Twists
Sets: 3
Reps: 12
Tempo: 2020
Rest Period: 30 seconds

Exercise D1 - Cable Crunch
Sets: 2
Reps: 15
Tempo: l & r 2110
Rest Period: 60 seconds

bio = If you want to see Weeks 5-24, please use the following location. The series is continued here:
http://www.beginning-bodybuilding.com/6monthsofabs.htm

Popularity: 5% [?]

The at-your-fingertips availability for almost anything afforded by computers, even “meeting” new people, can be both a blessing and a curse at the same time. With computers fast becoming a staple business machine in the home and school office, millions upon millions of people the world over “cross each other’s path” while surfing the net, every day.

Busy legitimate singles with limited time can readily meet other singles with similar interests for friendship, dating, or commitment purposes while online. By the same token, insincere people, both male and female, easily prey on others who allow naivety to overrule common sense.

Online dating can be fun. Mr. or Ms. Right really can be found online via web site dating services, chat rooms, and other sites that help “connect” people one to another. That’s how I met my husband and best friend of eight years. So my intent is not to discredit the plausibility of Internet romance. It can be found!

I would, however like to offer sound advice on ways to keep you safe from the fraudulent few who surf the net looking for whom they can devour!

First and foremost, protect yourself by guarding personal information: your telephone number, address, the city in which you live, whether or not you live alone, where you work, where you bank, your income, etc.

As in the real world, be prudent about who you trust with private information. Common sense screams that protecting your privacy in the virtual world of the net is even more important, since you have no way of knowing who the person on the other end really is.

When you seek online dating from an Internet web site source, follow the guidelines about which type of things not to share with others about yourself while at that site. These sites have such guidelines for your safety.

In particular, things such as your name, telephone number, address, and where you work should be offered only to those individuals you are sure you can trust. Make that person earn your trust over a period of time. But even then, exercise caution and good judgment.

Stop communications with anyone who pressures you for personal information, tries to trick information out of you, or who mocks or makes fun of you for being so cautious. They are only attempting to manipulate you into disclosing the information they want. Reputable contacts will understand and appreciate your caution - especially if you are female dealing with a male.

Share with other family members and friends those Internet contacts you are involved in for extended friendship or for future dating or relationship purposes. Also let the person with whom you are corresponding know that your friends and family are aware of them. Not only will this help weed out the “insinceres,” but it could help insure your safety, as well.

Be responsible about romance; don’t fall in love at the click of the mouse or the drop of a few flattering phrases. True intimacy and romance develop over time. Avoid the slick romantic types who whisk you away to a private chat room after just “meeting” you, to try and involve you in sexy suggestive exchanges. You can be sure you are but one of many “loves” picked for a quick, cheap thrill and that nothing long term serious will ever develop. Drop the rat before they have a chance to rattle your cage.

Be suspicious of photos offered by someone you just met, especially if they make the sender look like he or she just stepped out of a GQ or Cosmopolitan magazine, or if they are sitting behind the wheel of a brand new fireball red Lamborghini. If you fall in love, make sure it’s with that person - not a pretty face that might not belong to them, or the non existent bank account they’re always bragging about.

For all you know, in real life “Tom” is twice your age, has a rash on his beer gut, and was gumming his way through a bag of bargain-brand cheese puffs when he sent you the photo! Be smart; don’t let cupid’s arrow pierce your brain instead of your heart.

If you are a female, when you do get to the point of sharing phone numbers, request that he share his first, and you call him. Be sure and use local telephone blocking techniques to prevent your telephone number from showing up on Caller ID when you make your call.

You can learn a lot about a person by the tone of their voice and voice inflections while talking. How are their communication and social skills? How readily do they respond to questions you ask on the spot: did they answer quickly and casually, or hem and haw, and stutter? Do they seem overly nervous?

Do they repeatedly try and switch the conversation back to you whenever you ask questions about them? Do they only want to provide you with their cellular number and not their home telephone number (which could suggest they are either married or already involved in a relationship)?

Pay close attention to any possible “red flags” that might signal your budding relationship is with a bozo, or worse. More than one nightmare stalking situation has resulted from “quickie” online romances.

Make use of all the features on the online dating web site that aid in critiquing contacts; nearly all have bio pages on all members. Many have live video chat rooms. If you’ve any specific questions, suggestions, or concerns you can contact the site’s host or moderator.

When and if you are ready to move past the messaging, chat room, personal e-mailing, and talking on the phone stages in the relationship, continue to use caution. Meet in a public place as opposed to giving out your address or having them pick you up. If you are a female, be sure and have a cellular phone in your purse in case you need it.

Let close friends and family members know your date’s name, telephone number, exactly where you will be that night, and when you expect to be home. Better yet if you are a female, have a few friends “just happen by” the same place the two of you meet. This warns him that your personal acquaintances have seen him, and could deter any planned funky business.

Common sense and slow and easy is the name of the game when it comes to Online dating. This recipe will help insure sweet smelling - not rotten - romancing. Now, go and have fun!

bio = For more resources visit http://www.21onlinedating.com

Popularity: 8% [?]

If you are an acne sufferer then you need to read this article. There have been some new developments in the acneresearch field that will blow your mind. For those of us who have delt with acne our whole lives it is something that can affect our total well being.Acne can lead to depression and certainly low self-esteem.

Before you run out to your doctor to get these new wonder drugs that are available to treat acne you had better do your homework. There are a number of products on the market available over the counter but if you have cronic acne these products probably won’t help you.

If you have decided to try antibiotics to treat your acne you should know that these antibiotics do not come without risks. A recent study has shown that people who use antibiotics to help treat acne are twice as likely to develop upper respiratory infections and common colds. Researchers believe that antibiotics, even topical ones have the ability to increase the infection causing bacteria in and around the nose and mouth. Keep in mind that even over the counter medications can have this effect.

These antibiotics can also be harmful if overused because they have the ability to knock out protective bacteria inthe intestine tract. Be careful when using these drugs and ask questions when you visit a dermatologist.

There are a few very on the market that have even bigger health risks. If you are a user of drugs like Accutane or Claravis you should know that these drugs are now being heavily regulated by the FDA because they can cause severe birth defects. Beginning in March 2006 the FDA has implemented a new program that will require regular pregnancy testing for women who are taking these drugs.

The new program is called IPLEDGE and it is designed to help doctors monitor the use of thee potent drugs. You will only be able to get a one month supply of these drugs and you will be required to register with the program. You will also be required to take two kinds of birth control and in the case of new mothers you must absolutely not take these medications if you are breastfeeding.

My advice before trying some of the more potent drugs is to seek doctors advice and do plenty of research. These drugs are fairly new to the market and long-term research is not going to be available for some time. If over the counter medication doesn’t work for you then make sure you get all the facts before you start taking a drug that will only end up harming you even more in the long run.

bio = For more free information about acne medications please visit our website at
http://www.myacneproduct.com

Popularity: 4% [?]

Minnesota is known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, but there is so much more to discover in the North Star State. The golfing community is alive and well in Minnesota. Outside of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area is where the majority of Minnesota’s golf courses are located and every region of the state has unique geographical characteristics that will make your experience a memorable one.

Northern Minnesota: The area that once was known for iron ore mining and timber harvesting has become one of the premier vacation destinations in the nation. Camping and fishing have for years attracted guest from far and wide, but over the past quarter century the vision of a few individuals has brought to the masses some absolute gems of golf resorts. The Brainerd Golf Trail is a very popular destination for golfers of all skill levels. Farther north and east is the Iron Range and there are some very beautiful golf resorts and courses carved out of the tall pine wilderness. The North Shore of Lake Superior is the backdrop of fantastic golf courses from Duluth north to Grand Marais.

Central Minnesota: Although central Minnesota is geographically closer to the Twin Cities, there are many differences such as the size of the towns. As you travel farther to the west the landscape becomes more prairie like. Farming is still a dominant industry in much of central Minnesota, with its rich soil. There have been some very challenging golf courses that have emerged from the converted cropland of central Minnesota. Perhaps one of the favorite vacation and golf destinations is the Alexandria area of central Minnesota. The Alexandria Golf Club is not only the place PGA Tour Professional and USA Ryder Cup Captain Tom Lehman learned the game of golf, but it has also hosted the Resorters Golf Tournament for the past 85 years. Some other favorite destinations in central Minnesota are St. Cloud, Willmar, as well as Annandale.

Southern Minnesota: This area of the state is very diverse, from the bluff country of the Mississippi River Valley in southeastern Minnesota to the rolling prairie of the southwestern part of the state. You can visit Rochester and stay for a week and never play the same golf course twice or get a variety of elevation changes in the bluff country around Winona. As you travel farther to the west in search of more variety in Minnesota golf you can find it on the prairie at such stops as Mankato, Morton, or Marshall.

As you can see there are many choices in Minnesota golf that include but are not limited to geographic location, terrain, resort golf courses or staying at a hotel or bed and breakfast for a week and traveling to a different golf course every day. Variety and great value are just two reasons to visit Minnesota golf courses this summer.

For the beginning golfer or the family with little golfers who may be looking for smaller and less crowded placed to perfect their craft Minnesota has many fine 9-hole golf courses that are either run as municipal facilities or by owner operators who would love you to be their guests. Many of these golf courses were built in the 1920’s or 1930’s and have an abundance of character and charm. Finding fun, variety, value and making lasting memories with a Minnesota golf vacation will have you realize once you experience Minnesota golf you’ll be coming back again and again. .

bio = Dana Buttenhoff is an avid golfer and a native Minnesotan.
After 20 years of golf and traveling around the USA, Dana would like to share the golf gems rural Minnesota has to offer. http://www.minnesotaruralgolf.com

Popularity: 4% [?]

A debt consolidation loan is used to take all of the separate debt a person may have and combine that debt into one, lower combined payment. A debt consolidation loan will generally be used to reduce debt to a more manageable level. The new payment will be lower than the sum of the previous payments and is also tax deductible where those previous balances may not have been.

For example if a person had three credit cards with balances of $2000 each and monthly payments totaling $200, a car payment with a balance of $18000 and a payment of $450 and a second mortgage with a balance of $32000 and a payment of $550. That person could combine the total debt of $56000 and turn that into a payment of $469 for 20 years at 8%. This would show a monthly savings of $731 on a monthly basis. In addition the interest paid would be tax deductible for even more savings.

Debt consolidation is very popular as people tend to over extend. Last year the average amount of credit card debt held by Americans was over $8000. In addition the interest rate on a debt consolidation loan will usually be much less than that on those debts that are being paid off.

Many different items can be paid off by a debt consolidation loan: Credit cards, auto loans, other mortgage loans, furniture financing, student loan and other personal loans. The list is endless. The beneficial part of the equation is that combined sum of payments will be much more manageable.

A debt consolidation loan also gives a home owner a “fresh start.” As bills add up, it becomes difficult to manage all the different debts at the same time. It is easy to write one check at the end of the month, and much more difficult to write 30 checks. By consolidating, it reduces the chance of delinquent payments, and allows a better scope of cash flow.

The biggest negative of debt consolidation is the opening up of the previous debt. Many consumers consolidate their debt and then use their now available credit for more purchases. This new debt, in addition to the debt consolidated, becomes too much to bear. One must be careful when consolidating, and make a personal pledge, not to obtain new debt once the consolidation loan is in place.

The moral to this story, is that debt consolidation can reap amazing benefits when utilized properly. When utilized to add additional debt load, it can be very detrimental.

bio = Jason Bertrand is the President of JPB Financial Services, Inc., a Connecticut Corporation and member of the Better Business Bureau. He has over a decade of experience in the financial services industry and is a Notary Public in the State of Connecticut. Please visit the following sites: http://www.emortgageloanstore.com http://www.businessloansandleasing.com http://www.jpbfin.com Feel free to contact Mr. Bertrand with any questions or concerns through jbertrand@emortgageloanstore.com, or mail to: JPB Financial Services, Inc Attn: Jason P Bertrand PO Box 552 Vernon, CT 06066 860-982-533

Popularity: 4% [?]

So you get online, set up a Google Adsense website and watch the dollars roll in? Wrong! The top earners in the Google Adsense field are earning the big, big money by duplicating the process over and over.

A friend of mine saw the Google Adsense ads on my site a few days ago and was querying if that was how I made my money. He couldn’t understand how these small ads could amount to a full-time online income and the fact is that they DO NOT, well not in isolation anyway.

Before we get into the nitty gritty, the truth is that at this point in time I am not making a great amount with Google Adsense but that is about to change because I am absolutely aware of and convinced in the power of DUPLICATION.

I am an affiliate marketer, I promote numerous affiliate programs throughout the Internet Marketing Niche. Some make me a few dollars per month and some a few hundred in residual income. I also sell affiliate products through Google Adwords and am duplicating this process across multiple markets. I’ll not mention some of the niches here for obvious reasons:-). The point is that if I didn’t duplicate what I know to work across many different programs and service I would still be pen pushing in my former offline 9-5 job.

Even this article is one of countless others. The power comes from consistently doing the things that work over and over and over again.

Getting back to Adsense, what I realise is that everyone I speak to about it ARE NOT setting up unique sites and then settling for this income. They are setting up 100s, sometimes even 1000s of sites. Then when certain markets prove more profitable than others, as they most certainly will, the smart people are building great networks of smaller sites around these niches AND linking them all together.

Can you see the power of duplication at work here?

The point of building many sites is that sooner or later you are going to hit the mark. It doesn’t cost much to set up a domain and have it hosted. Plus there is software available that will literally create 100s of blogs in minutes from your top keywords.

The “clued in” inernet marketers making the moola are those that have taken action in the above way. I myself am guilty at times of looking at a plan and just not having the power to take it through to the end. This I believe is what happens to many when they even comtemplate creating 100s of sites.

The sad fact is that if you don’t get of your backside and at least create one site then you are NEVER going to make Internet Marketing your full-time career.

Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither will your Google Adsense Empire.

bio = Mal Keenan is editor and publisher of Home Business Tips newsletter:
http://www.home-business-tips-newsletter.com/
Let him set up your blog with custom header for free:
http://www.mynicheblog.com

Popularity: 11% [?]

The New York Times Company (NYT) isn’t just reporting the news - it’s making the news. At yesterday’s annual meeting, shareholders withheld 28% of their votes for the four directors elected by holders of the company’s common stock. Nine other directors are elected by holders of the Class B shares, effectively granting control of the company to a group holding less than a 1% economic interest in the business.

Most of the large newspaper companies have not done a great job of earning the best returns for their shareholders. Some of these companies overdid acquisitions. The New York Times Company illustrates the danger of adding to the empire - you dilute the crown jewel.

In 1993, the company bought The Boston Globe. Unfortunately, this is exactly the kind of paper that will be hurt by online news sources. Second-tier major city dailies are not in a strong position, because they try to be all things to all people.

A newspaper can thrive by dominating a specific niche. That niche can be geographical or topical. Community newspapers can thrive, because they still have no real competition. The news they report is unique. It is very important to a very small group of people.

A company that owns clusters of these papers in wealthy suburbs will do fine. By reporting on local schools, sports, and events these publications set themselves apart from all other news sources. They have a mini-monopoly both on the news they provide and on the ads they run.

There are places in states like New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvannia where advertisers benefit from targeting specific communities, because the demographics of the next town over are not nearly as attractive. A lot of this has to do with public schools. I don’t see that system changing anytime soon. So, I imagine these properties will fare much better than big city newspapers.

The New York Times Company has one great asset - its brand. The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal each have a very valuable national brand. People all over the country have been exposed to them through other media outlets. The value isn’t really in the size of the circulation. If you think of the entire country as their potential market, their circulations are tiny (the news business is very fragmented).

A few years ago, it would have been crazy to think of the entire country as a potential market for these publications. But, I don’t think that’s the case today. These papers could earn a lot of money online. Of course, they have to figure out how to earn money online.

Long-term, I don’t like the idea of expensive online subscriptions. It looks like a great idea now, but it could limit future ad revenue. Becoming a dominant online news destination would prove extraordinarily profitable. Unfortunately, no one is going to capture more than a tiny sliver of the online news market by charging a lot of money for their content.

It isn’t just an issue of people not wanting to pay. It’s also an issue of exclusivity. The less exclusive an online news source is the more often it will be cited. People who don’t visit your site are far less likely to reference it. Just as importantly, no writer wants to exclude any part of his own readership. So, many writers simply won’t cite a subscription service.

Some online writers do reference subscription services. Knowing how strongly people react to being excluded, I think writers who cite paid services are absolutely nuts. Even if it isn’t consciously acknowledged, readers will enjoy your site less if it points out something they can’t have.

Both The New York Times Company and Dow Jones (DJ) went the route of buying an established online destination. I’m always skeptical of these kind of me too acquisitions. These businesses did need to go online, but they needed to do it in their own way. The acquisitions will probably work out better than I thought they would. But, I still think the real value is in the brand.

Is the New York Times Company cheap? It’s close. If you agree with me about the potential for a real national news brand, the stock looks cheap. Otherwise, it looks about fairly priced.

Newspapers have been beaten down a lot recently, but they were so well-loved to begin with that they aren’t at the kind of levels that guarantee market beating returns regardless of how well they’re run. That’s happened in other businesses. You could extract more cash from a dying business than the stock was selling for. That isn’t the case here. The stock is currently priced as if it were a continuing (albeit mature) business.

If the New York Times is truly a dying business, it isn’t worth the current price. But, if there is real value in the brand, it’s a bargain right now.

I’m not confident in the decision making at this company, because I’ve seen how capital was misallocated in the past. Many of these questionable investments were small relative to the value of the core franchise. But, that doesn’t excuse the lack of focus and the lack of a true owner oriented culture.

The favorable economics inherent to the business are no excuse either. There are very profitable companies out there that aren’t nearly as profitable as they could be. For instance, Campbell Soup (CPB) consistently earns good returns on capital; but, I haven’t seen any evidence that those returns were the result of skillful capital allocation. I think much the same is true at the New York Times Company. A great franchise helps cover-up less than optimal uses of capital - and the Times’ management has benefited from inheriting a great franchise.

If I were confident about the way this company will be run and the way capital will be allocated, I’d be buying shares right now. There’s real value and real opportunity in this franchise. But, I’m not sure there’s the will to do what needs to be done.

bio = Geoff Gannon writes a daily value investing blog and produces a twice weekly (half hour) value investing podcast at:
http://www.gannononinvesting.com

Popularity: 4% [?]

I recently read James Patterson’s novel, Sam’s Letters to Jennifer. Part of the premise of the book is that the main character, Jennifer, learns about the life of her grandmother (Sam) through the letters Sam has left for Jennifer to read. These letters chronicle what Sam’s life had really been like in her 70 some-odd years of living.

Jennifer discovers these letters as Sam lies in the hospital in a coma, and the letters cause Jennifer to reflect both on her life growing up around her grandmother as well as the current state of her life. In one of her letters, Sam fondly recounts Jennifer’s need to bring part of her grandmother home with her as each summer ended, so Sam would give Jennifer a Mason jar to put in sand, stones, rocks and water for Jennifer to take home with her.

The scene in this novel reminded me of a great time management story that I’ve heard about how to put your own needs first.

One day an expert in time management was speaking to a group of business students and, to drive home a point, used an illustration those students will never forget. As he stood in front of the group of high-powered overachievers he said, “Okay, time for a quiz.”

Then he pulled out a one-gallon, wide-mouthed Mason jar and set it on the table in front of him. He then produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them, one at a time, into the jar. When the jar was filled to the top and no more rocks would fit inside, he asked, “Is this jar full?”

Everyone in the class said, ‘Yes.”

Then he said, “Really?” He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. Then he dumped some gravel in and shook the jar causing pieces of gravel to work themselves down into the space between the big rocks. Then he asked the group once more, “Is the jar full?”

By this time the class was on to him. “Probably not,” one of them answered.

“Good!” he replied. He reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand in the jar and it went into all of the spaces left between the rocks and the gravel. Once more he asked the question, “Is this jar full?”

“No!” the class shouted.

Once again he said, “Good.” Then he grabbed a pitcher of water and began to pour it in until the jar was filled to the brim. Then he looked at the class and asked, “What is the point of this illustration?”

One eager beaver raised his hand and said, “The point is, no matter how full your schedule is, if you try really hard you can always fit some more things in it!”

“No,” the speaker replied, “that’s not the point. The truth this illustration teaches us is: If you don’t put the big rocks in first, you’ll never get them in at all.”

What are the “big rocks” in your life–your children, your loved ones, your education, your dreams, a worthy cause, teaching or mentoring others, doing things that you love, time for yourself, your health, your significant other? Remember to put these BIG ROCKS in first or you’ll never get them in at all.

If you sweat the little stuff (the gravel, the sand) then you’ll fill your life with little things you worry about that don’t really matter, and you’ll never have the real quality time you need to spend on the big, important stuff (the big rocks). So, tonight, or in the morning, when you are reflecting on this short story, ask yourself this question: What are the ‘big rocks’ in my life? Then, put those in your jar first. It’s a practice from which you’ll always benefit.

bio = Online Business Resource Queen (TM) and Business Coach Donna Gunter helps self-employed service professionals learn how to get more clients online at http://www.OnlineBizCoachingCompany.com . To sign up for more FREE tips like these and claim your FREE gift, TurboCharge Your Online Marketing Toolkit, visit her site at http://www.GetMoreClientsOnline.com . Read about running an online biz at our blog,
http://onlinebizcoachingcompany.typepad.com/online_business_coaching_/

Popularity: 3% [?]

What happened to that mosquito snarl that always seemed to accompany the sight of model airplanes? The answer is they’re going electric and silent. Li-Po (Lithium Polymer or Li-Poly) batteries are rapidly becoming the standard power source for electric model airplanes. Li-Po batteries are smaller, lighter and hold more power than their predecessors (Nickel Cadmium and Nickel Metal Hydride). There are three specifications that need to be taken into consideration when making a Li-Po battery purchase for your electric model airplane.

The voltage of the battery will tell you how powerful it is, the amperage rating will give you an idea how long it will last, and the burst/constant power rating will tell you how quickly the power will discharge. A major difference between Li-Po batteries and others available for RC model airplane use is that it is much easier to mistreat the battery thereby creating unsafe situations the consequences oc which can be dramatic. Li-Po batteries can be very dangerous if you don’t follow all of the safe handling procedures set out by the battery manufacturers.

In most cases, Li-Pos used for model airplanes come in two voltage ratings ratings; 11.1v and 7.4v. The rating dictates how many volts the battery will discharge to your brushless RC motor. Electric RC model aircraft motors themselves have ratings that relate to this voltage discharge specification. The voltage of a Li-Po battery is directly tied to the RPM output of a brushless motor in that a motor rated for 1000kvm will rotate 1000 times per minute for every volt it receives from the battery. In other words, a 1000kvm motor is capable of 7400 RPM when using a 7.4v Li-Po, and 11,100 RPM when using an 11.1v Li-Po. This information, combined with the prop type and weight of the plane gives you all the data needed to calculate the final thrust output of a given motor.

The amperage rating of Li-Po batteries is rated in milliamp hours (mAh). This technical term describes how long the Li-Po will provide electrical power in much the same way that the size of the fuel tank on a glow powered airplane will dictate how long the engine can keep running. Typical electric RC model airplane flights can last 20%-50% longer when using Li-Po compared to other batteries. The larger the mAh rating, the bigger and heavier the battery will be. This is a major factor to take into consideration when putting together any electric RC model aircraft.

Li-Po battery burst rates describe the output characteristics of the battery. Burst rates tell you how much power the battery is safely capable of discharging in one big burst. This number is often higher than the constant power rating. Once the burst of energy has been discharged, the constant power rating tells you where the power output will settle down to.

Li-Pos come with very strict safety guidelines that tell you how to care for them. Charging rates, charging times, and damaged battery disposal procedures just to name a few. Damage to your RC electric model airplane can be avoided by following these guidelines. Properly matched brushless motors and Li-Po batteries can provide hours of clean and quiet flying enjoyment. Take the time to understand everything that’s involved with a Li-Po setup and you will have more fun and more time in the sky with your electric model airplane.

bio = Bruce Bird makes it easy for the beginner to quickly get a grasp of the broad range of exciting activities that make up airplane modeling. To receive his free 5 part mini-series visit http://www.modelairplanesecrets.com/adtrackz/go.php?c=li_po

Popularity: 10% [?]

The beauty of keeping reptiles is that once you’ve set up their caging requirements and learned a few basic skills, there are many species that can be safely and efficiently kept within the home and should live out a full, healthy life.

Fortunately the vast majority of the suitable snakes one might choose to keep, such as corn snakes, king snakes or milk snakes, require very little special treatment and soon become very low maintenace captives.

Quiet, well-behaved, not requiring regular walks and virtually scent-free whilst being unusual and fascinating, snakes can be an ideal pet for today’s ever-busy lifestyle.

At it’s simplest, a glass fish tank with a specially-sold reptile hood or one of the specially made reptile cages (such as those available from http://www.petsmart.com) may be used, and these are often available for sale second hand in local papers.

Wooden cages should be avoided unless they are treated so as to avoid any spillage from the water bowl (many snakes like to bathe) and ventilation should be good as moist cages often lead to skin complaints or respiratory problems.

A length of around 30-45 cm is suitable for a hatchling snake whilst an adult will require a length of 60-90 cm so it can stretch out.

The cage should be furnished with one of the reptile-safe substrates such as beech chippings or corn cob granules and should be placed 1/3 - 1/2 over a safe, specially-sold, low-wattage heat mat to gently warm the substrate for the snake.

These cost just pennies to run each day and generate a gentle background warmth for your pet.

In particularly cold situations such as bad weather, during night-time or in a room which doesn’t warm up appreciably during the day an additional form of heat is recommended, such as a gauze-encased lightbulb, to warm the warmer end of the cage (the “hot spot”) to around 24-26′C.

This temperature should be maintained at one end of the cage throughout the day though this may drop by a few degrees at night without worry of danger to your pet. If using a bulb a thermostat is recommended to enable you to accurately control the temperature and prevent the cage overheating.

A hide should be included as snakes are often quite reclusive and like to hide away for much of the day, showing themselves early in the morning and later in the evening.

This could be a specially-sold reptile hide but I often simply use a box - like an old cereal box - as they’re free and easily replaced when they get dirty.

A solid waterbowl - ideally a terracotta dog bowl - large enough for the snake to submerge itself in (bathing is good for the skin) but difficult to tip over should be filled with fresh water and changed daily as in a warm environment plenty of water is likely to evaporate, and in addition many snakes like to deficate in their water bowl.

And apart from some food you’re now all set up!

As you can see keeping the smaller, more docile snakes *doesn’t* have the break the bank, nor do you these days need to “make do” with substandard products. Companies like ZooMed make high quality, specialist hardware for just this purpose, and make it available for a very reasonable cost.

Now all you need to do is to convince your girlfriend/wife/mother to let you have the snake itself
bio = Richard Adams is the owner and founder of http://www.aboutsnakes.com . About Snakes is one of the most popular sources of free reptile information online.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Have you heard of omega-3s? Probably. Today you see them everywhere on all kinds of food products advertising ‘rich in omega-3s’. What are omega-3s anyway, and do you really need them? The answer to the second part of that question is, ABOLUTELY. But why do we hear about omega-3s all the time? The answer to that is because most people today don’t get enough. Before I get into why that is, let’s look at what they do.

Omega-3s are one type of polyunsaturated fat that are called ‘essential fatty acids’ that you must get from your diet or supplements because your body can not make them. Another type of essential fats are the omega-6s. What is very important is the ratio that you get between omega-3s and omega-6s. You really need to be eating these in about the same amounts for your body to function optimally.

This is because these two types of fats have opposing functions and compete with each other in many physiological processes. For example omega-6s lead to inflammatory reactions, needed to turn your immune system into high gear when it detects and infection and omega-3s are anti-inflammatory, needed to turn the immune response off when it’s done. So these are kind of like the yin and yang of your physiology and must be kept in balance.

Unfortunately, today’s western diet has about 15 to 30 times more omega-6s in it than omega-3s. This means that inflammatory processes can get out of check and this can aid the development of many different chronic degenerative diseases, like cardiovascular heart disease and some types of cancer. Many studies have also found that a deficiency in omega-3s can contribute to depression.

So why are our diets so out of whack when it comes to the omega-3 to omega-6 balance? It’s really only been over the past 50 years or so that this has become a serious problem. We have simply stopped eating many of the foods that are high in omega-3s, like fatty fish and some nuts and started eating more foods high in omega-6s like corn oil. In fact many of the processed foods that we eat are extremely high in omega-6s and lacking omega-3s.

Many researchers, including me, believe that this is an underlying factor in the increased rates of several chronic degenerative diseases that we see so prevalent today. This is why foods that are high in omega-3s advertise it. The manufacturers know that we are lacking in them and that we need to eat more omega-3 rich foods.

There are really two kinds of omega-3s that are useful to the body. One kind you can get from plants, especially flaxseed oil and walnuts, and the other kind you can get from animals, especially fish (mackerel is the highest). You can also get either of these from supplements, usually a fish oil extract capsule.

The one thing that you need to monitor when getting your omega-3s from fish or fish oil capsules is the amount of heavy metal contamination (like mercury) that you are also ingesting. Various studies have shown different safe levels of fish and some types of fish are higher in mercury than others. There are many good articles out there that you can read on this subject. When it comes to fish oil capsules you need to make sure that the manufacturer uses a purification process that guarantees removal of heavy metals. Don’t just take cheap fish oil capsules without doing some homework on this.

So that’s the bottom line on omega-3s. Yes, they are extremely important and you should be proactive at trying to get more of them. If you just go with the flow in western society you will likely get way too much of the inflammatory omega-6s and not enough anti-inflammatory omega-3s and that can cause problems if left unchecked for long periods of time.

bio = Dr. Simon Evans is an academic research scientist with an interest in helping people improve their physical, mental and social health. To get FREE information from Dr. Evans health website and information on safe omega-3s visit:
http://www.genesan3.com

Popularity: 3% [?]

I’m sure you’ve experience this parenting dilemma. The sun is shining and it’s a beautiful, hot day. Your daughter or son is begging you to take him or her to the park but there is a pile of washing in the laundry basket, a stack of dishes in the sink and countless other chores. On the one hand you want to spend quality time with your child but on the other hand the housework has to be tackled. What is a parent to do after all play is just play or is it? In this article I will explain, that children learn through play, different types of play and their value, how play helps the development of a person from babies into adulthood and finally, how playing with your child is an opportunity for bonding, learning and fun.

What do children learn through play?

Why is play vital and why should it be encouraged? Children it is the main way that children learn, in fact for children play is work. Play helps children to communicate ideas, it allows them to develop important skills and also it excites children. Through play our children learn skills and habits that will help them develop into happy, healthy well-balanced adults. For play to be meaningful your child needs your participation sometimes. Twenty minutes a day or more will increase your children’s development. Playing with parents and carers is wonderful but playing with friends of their own age and older children is enriching and will help them learn social skills.

What are the benefits of play?

There are many ways in which children benefit from play. It has been proven by psychologists that children who do not play fail to thrive. For play to be meaningful, children need someone to play with, choice, variety and enthusiasm. The benefits of play can be seen in five areas, they are:

Physical - Developing co-ordination, physical fitness and health Social - learning about friendships, personality and emotions Emotional - practicing adult roles through role play Language - communication skills, problem solving Cognitive - through play children develop an understanding of concepts, group objects and explore different materials Children need a range of toys and materials to develop in all of the five areas.

Different types of play and their value

Play can take many different shapes and forms however your child needs a balance of all forms in order to develop into a well-rounded adult. Play type can be divided into four main areas, imaginative play, construction, creative play, physical play and board games. Through imaginative play or pretend play children dress up and act out different aspects of daily life. Children learn to tell stories and make sense of daily life experiences.

Construction play uses a variety of toys including, duplo, bricks, and magnetic blocks and also re-cycled materials such as boxes. Children love to create things out of ‘junk’; I know my two-year-old granddaughter can play for hours with large boxes. They become houses, ships, washing machines the list is endless! Construction toys help children learn about shape, colour and size, improve fine motor skills, problem solve and concentration.

Creative play covers a wide range of activities such as painting, drawing, collage (cutting, gluing and sticking), play dough and sewing. Creative play provides opportunities for children to develop manipulative skills experiment and make choices for themselves. I find that in the summer most creative activities can be relocated outside but during the winter a cheap shower curtain can protect surfaces from damage.

Imaginative play such as dressing up, playing with farms, train sets, dolls’ houses enable children to develop their imaginations. They learn how the world works as well as making up stories and re-enacting favourite tales. When Ella plays with her baby doll Amy, we have to rock Amy to sleep, feed her and bathe her. A client, Carmen learnt that playing hospitals prepared her son for a visit to the hospital. She was amazed by Sam’s confidence. Sam a quiet 6 year old talked to the Doctor as if they were old friends. Old clothes make fantastic dressing up outfits.

Physical play covers many activities, which can be indoors or outdoors. It can involve large play equipment like bikes, climbing frames, tunnels, smaller toys like bats, balls and hoops or no equipment at all. My niece loves to play hide and seek or chasing games. Physical play is not only healthy but develops large and small motor skills (necessary for muscle control), self-confidence, spatial awareness and co-operation.

Board games and playing cards such as ludo, snap, snakes and ladders provide hours of endless fun and also provide children with an opportunity to develop language skills, turn taking, sharing and how to be a good sport.

Playing with children from birth onwards

Babies respond on a very instinctive level. Play with babies from birth onwards by talking, making faces, tickling and playing peek-a-boo games.

The best way to ensure a child plays with a toy is to make it fun. If you play together with the toy he will enjoy it much more and you will increase the learning potential. Playing with your child makes him or her feel loved and special. It is important to follow your child’s lead when you are playing together and don’t worry if your child plays with the same toys over and over again because its quite normal.

How does play help children develop into well-balanced adults?

I am sure you have met and worked with people who you find difficult to get along with? It could be they lack confidence, poor communication skills or an inability to work as part of a team. Through play children learn to share and develop their sense of self. Play as I have explained offers opportunities to develop language, physical, social, emotional, creative and intellectual development which are all vital skills necessary for a productive and happy adult life.

Play is essential to a child’s develops and grows.

Playing with a wide range of toys helps children learn a wide variety her of skills that will prepare her for adulthood. Choosing the most appropriate toys for your child is quite simple. Think about safety, take into account her preferences, is it suitable for her age and will it develop a skill? Next time you are faced with the decision of whether to play with your child or complete a chore you can choose to play knowing that you are enhancing his or her development. Your enthusiastic participation will establish a special closeness that will resonate throughout both your lives.

bio = Henri Joyce is an experienced teacher and coaches effective parenting and parenting through divorce. She teaches a Pro-Active parenting techniques at the University Of Masters. To claim some valuable downloads and newsletters on effective parenting, you can subscribe to her popular newsletter at: http://www.effectiveparenting.co.uk or join her class at http://www.universityofmasters.com

Popularity: 6% [?]

Hairstyle and beauty has become quite a fashion statement lately. We have seen prices for a good cut or style skyrocket with no end in sight. Some cuts are going in and out of style every day it seems. As some beauty experts say - your hair can make you or break you. What will be the hot styles and beauty cuts for 2006? Some of these will surprise you.

1) The classic up-do. It has been one of the longest trends but seems to be a temporary style - something to do for a social party or event, but not every day. The hollywood stars like Jessica Simpson and many others sport the updo for Awards banquets and such, but they have personal hair stylists that can have their hair back in whatever style they want the following day. This style is best suited for medium or longer length hair.

2) Hair stenciling for uniqueness - this has been hot overseas in Japan, Milan, Paris, and London and is starting to make its way into the U.S. This is where you or a stylist create a stencil which you then attach to your hair and you use glitter and paint to make a bold, brazen fashion statement. Everything from animal prints (like tiger stripes) to symbols have been used. This works on any length hair, but is more predominantly displayed on shorter hair. Stencils have been used frequently lately on Runway models in shows by Gucci, Calvin Klein, etc…

3) The wedge. This was popular in the 1970’s and is once again becoming popular. This was the cutesy do that made the likes of Dorothy Hammil America’s sweetheart of that era. This style is gaining popularity amongst 30-40 year olds in search of a short and easily maintained style. The wedge tends to draw attention to your face, not your hair and looks natural. So, if you already have a beautiful face and skin this is a real winner, as it will draw people in to your good looks. We recommend natural, mild makeup with this do.

4) The mullet. Yes, I know we thought it died off in the early 90’s, but it is making a surge again. No one knows why, except that is is a very low maintanence style - or basically no style. It is basically a mop of hair for head banging music. “Business in the front and party in the back.” It has been popping up all over the south and has been seen on the rise even in New York, Chicago, etc… This is a bad style that just won’t go away.

5) The Fullet. The female version of the mullet. Just as bad if not worse, but, once again it is making a comeback. Maybe that means the Bangles will make a comeback also? Heavy makeup is common with this do.

6) The flip. The style from the roaring 20’s is back as can be seen at the recent awards shows. This style has always been equated with glitz and glamour. It is another easy style and is easy to maintain. The flip goes with almost any makeup regimen. All the stars have worn this do at one time or another - from Jodie Foster to Rita Garbo.

Most of the hairstyles trends for 2006 are comebacks and are easy dos. Basically, people want something that is easy to manage and want variety - a cut that can be easily transformed from one style to another for different events or just for that different look. Women also want a style with easy, light makeup. According to numerous fashion sources these hairstyle and light makeup trends trends will be the big styles of 2006.

bio = David Maillie is a chemist with over 12 years experience in biochemical research and clynical analysis. He is an alumni of Cornell University and specializes in biochemical synthesis for public, private, and governmental interests and manufactures various skin peels for plastic surgeons, medispas, and in home use. He can be reached at M.D. Wholesale: http://www.bestskinpeel.com

Popularity: 6% [?]

When turtles are in the wild they receive an abundance of UV light. The benefits of lengthy ultraviolet exposure cannot be underestimated. In captivity you must also supply them with UV light as it is essential to proper growth and their overall health. Furthermore, UV light is vital for your turtle to produce Vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is required to help your turtle absorb calcium. If they are unable to absorb enough calcium their bone and shell development will be stunted significantly. Many turtle owners, especially beginning turtle caregivers do not truly understand the importance of proper ultraviolet exposure.

Ultraviolet light is composed of both UVA and UVB rays. UVB is the primary light that your turtle requires. UVA light will assist your turtle in staying active and help it to digest its food. On the other hand, UVB light is required for the Vitamin D3 production which is why it is particularly important.

Since not all turtles and tortoises are the same, they may have different requirements for UV light to ensure proper Vitamin D3 production. This depends largely on whether they primarily eat plants or meat. Furthermore, its location in the world can also have an impact on their ultraviolet requirements. Its always best to check the individual requirements for your turtle, however the information contained in this article will give you a good general idea.

Many turtle caregivers make the mistake of having the UVB light travel through a sheet of glass before it touches the turtle. This will essentially render the UVB light useless. It is not even able to properly penetrate a screen. Some times it will be necessary for you to have a screen on the top of the cage to prevent your turtle from escaping. In this case use a screen with the largest possible openings. Basically, an unobstructed path will be necessary from the ultraviolet light source to your turtle. The light source should usually be placed within a foot of your turtle, however some high quality bulbs may be able to be placed further back. High quality bulbs will also have a better chance of penetrating
screen or glass, although this is not usually recommended.

It is not sufficient to purchase a UV bulb and expect that it will last for the life of your turtle. You will certainly need to replace it, usually this will be every six to twelve months. The length of time between replacements will depend largely on the quality of the bulb. The bulbs will not always completely stop working immediately, however their output will be reduced significantly over time. Therefore, you cannot rely on a visual inspection of the bulb to verify its output, you will merely have to replace it at regular intervals.

As mentioned earlier you will certainly have to research the needs of your particular turtle before purchasing a bulb. Different species may have different requirements for intensity and length of exposure.
bio = The Turtles Zone contains information about turtles care. Check out the turtles library for more specific care information.

View their website at: http://www.turtles-zone.com

Popularity: 7% [?]

DIY driftwood takes time, but it will save you tons of money. Some small pieces cost well over $20. Also, the soak method (minus salt) will work for store bought driftwood. Store bought driftwood is cleaned and has not been soaked. This may lead to tannin’s being leaked into your tank

What you’ll need:
Driftwood, which can be found anywhere. It doesn’t necessarily have to come from the water. You could find it in the woods, as long as it is weathered down and looks unique. Also make sure the wood is not rotting.

BIG soaking container, I use a 15 gal rubber maid container.

Aquarium Salt, I use Doc Wellfish brand. This is used as a natural way of killing bacteria and parasites.

First step, clean off your wood! Make sure all debris and bark are removed from the wood (or it’ll fall off in your tank!). Once complete, boil the water in the BIG pot and add aquarium salt. I use about a tablespoon per gallon. Boil the entire piece for about 2-4 hours depending on your size. If you can only fit half the wood in the pot then you will need to boil the other half.

Once the boil is complete you can transfer your wood into the rubber maid container. Add water until the whole piece of wood is under water (you can also add salt if you want). If the wood does not sink place something on top of it until it does. It’ll sink after a week or two. You’ll notice the water turn into tea-ish color. It is the result of the tannins that are released into the water. If you didn’t soak the wood, the water in your tank would be this color. Tannins are natural and some fishes actually like it because it’ll make them feel more at home. It’ll also affect your PH, I’m not sure about GH or KH. You’ll need to do water changes every other day to clean the water. This may take weeks or months.

When the color of the soak water suffices, you will need to soak your wood for another week without any salt. This will make sure that the wood does not hold any salt that may leak into your tank.

Once soaking is complete wash the wood well and transfers the wood into your tank. Do not keep the wood out of water for a long time or it will float.

For more information and pictures about this project, please visit www.CarolinaFishTalk.com and check the DIY section.

Article written by krayzievanh@yahoo.com, member of CFT Community
Proof read by Brandan Njagu b.njagu@gmail.com
bio = site owner of www.CarolinaFishTalk.com

View their website at: www.CarolinaFishTalk.com

Popularity: 8% [?]

To have a strong and healthy horse it is important for you to feed them properly. Feeding them quality hay will give them the important nutrients and minerals they need. The amount of proteins needed by a horse are dependent on their metabolism, age, and rate of work. An adult horse will eat about 2f its body weight every day, and experts recommend that half of the food eaten daily should be hay.

If your horse ways a thousand pounds, they should be eating at least ten pounds of hay each day. All hay is basically divided into two categories which are grass and legumes. Legume hay is much more nutritious than grass hay, and has more calcium and protein. While hay will not give horses all the vitamins and nutrients they need to stay healthy, it is essential for all horses whether they are used for competitions or not.

Once you have decided which type of hay is best for your horse it is important to study it. Find out if you like the smell or feel of the hay. Check inside the bales of hay to get a better look at it. Though some of the hay may be discolored, this is not a cause for concern. Choose hay which is green and soft. The stems on the hay should be fine. Don’t buy hay which smells moldy and looks fermented.

Purchase hay which has been harvested while the plants were still in bloom. Study it to determine how mature it is. Don’t purchase hay which has lots of dirt, weeds, or other materials which are not healthy for your horse. Make sure the hay doesn’t have diseases or insects which could harm your horse. Ask the the person who grows the hay about any problems they’ve had with harvest in their area. Avoid purchasing hay from bales which are heavy or seem like they are wet. These are likely to have mold in them.

Once you have purchased the hay you want to place it in a dry place which is not in the sun, rain, or snow. If this is not possible, cover it with something than can protect it from these weather conditions. You may also want to have the hay checked by a specialist to make sure it is rich in content. The health of your horse is important, and you want to make sure you buy the best food you can afford.

bio = Michael Colucci is an experienced horse competitor and writes articles for http://www.horsegathering.com - A free site that includes horse articles, horse and tack marketplace, event calendar and a horse discussion forum.

Popularity: 7% [?]

After selecting the best ingredients you can get your hands on, marinating your meat, seafood or poultry is the next important step anyone could take to guarantee a sumptuous barbecue dish. Marinades are seasoned liquids made from a variety of ingredients used to add flavor and tenderize meat, seafood or poultry by soaking them into it prior cooking. It’s typically made of herbs, spices, sweeteners, which all contribute to the flavor, acids that help break down the meat, and oils to keep the meat from drying out while grilling.

Using Marinades the Right Way

Using marinades properly is the key for great-tasting barbecues. Having said that, here are a few marinating tips to remember.

Acids and other tenderizers, though important in the marinating process may cause the meat to become overly soft. As such, don’t leave your meat soaked for too long in marinades especially if it uses a lot of acids. A good timeframe is anywhere between 30 minutes to overnight, depending on the desired effect. Chicken, compared to pork or beef does not require lengthy soaking as it easily absorbs flavors.

Refrigerate marinated meats, seafood or poultry and leftover marinades until you’re ready to barbecue as a marinade, no matter how great it may be, has a short shelf life. If the meat, seafood or poultry is not entirely soaked, be sure to turn them several times to ensure that all sides are properly coated or covered with the marinade.

Do not use aluminum pans for marinating or for storing leftover marinades. The acids on the marinade may react with the aluminum. Good examples of non-reactive containers include glass, ceramics, plastic ware and even re-sealable plastic bags.

Lastly, and most importantly - NEVER REUSE YOUR MARINADE. Whatever it is that you marinated, there could be bacteria left on the marinade that can cause severe sickness. In addition, reusing marinades may also cause undesirable tastes and flavors. If you wish to use your marinade for basting while grilling, set aside a portion of the marinade before putting in the raw meat, seafood or poultry on the barbecue grill. But after that, throw away any left-over marinade.

BBQ Tips from InsaneChicken for an Enjoyable Feast

A genuine American favorite, the roots of barbecuing can be traced to the southern part of the country. Throughout the years, Americans have continued to take pleasure in barbecuing while enjoying the outdoors. But in the midst of it all certain barbecuing tips can help make it a more memorable and delectable experience for everyone. Aside from their mouth-watering array of bbq sauce products, InsanceChicken offers food safety barbecuing tips from the grill to the table.

. Before cooking, be sure that meat to be barbecued is completely defrosted to facilitate even cooking. Be sure to cook food thoroughly to avoid bacterial contamination. As much as possible use a meat thermometer to ensure that food is cooked at the appropriate temperature.
. Take off any visible fat in order to avoid burning and also prevent flare-ups due to oils. Avoid serving cooked food in the same container where the raw meats were placed in order to avoid contamination.
. Planning an outdoor bbq party? Prevent bugs from landing on your bbq sauce and biting guests by lighting up some citrus candles. You can even buy some bamboo outdoor torches and light them using citronella oil to keep ‘unwanted bugs’ at bay.

Lastly, do not forget that a barbecue party is supposed to be casual and fun! So what if some bbq sauce landed on the tablecloth?
bio = Chris McCarthy is the owner of InsaneChicken’s Hot Sauce and BBQ Sauce Catalog and a hot sauce enthusiast. InsaneChicken sells hot sauces, bbq sauces, bbq rubs and salsa’s from around the world. The site also has a Recipe of the Day section. Visit thier website www.insanechicken.com

View their website at: http://www.insanechicken.com

Popularity: 7% [?]

As with other health related practices, some people can go overboard and subject their body to “too much of a good thing”. The current trend for body cleansing is no different. Body cleansing is beneficial in so many ways, but by following the tips in this article you can avoid subjecting your body to potentially harmful side-effects.

Find a balance when doing body cleansing

Body cleansing has been shown to be quite healing, but it is important to remember that this practice is not the only thing you need to do for your overall health. You should balance body cleansing techniques with other practices - like healthy diet, regular dietary supplements, exercise, and peer support. Just doing body cleansing alone can still lead to the weakening of the body, including the weakening of the immune system. Rebuilding and strengthening the body between body cleansings will rejuvenate and invigorate all the systems.

It is recommended that body cleansings be limited to three per year. This number, of course, should be determined by your doctor or health care professional. After your body has begun its healing process and the majority of the chemicals and toxins which have built up are eliminated, this number can be reduced. Spacing out your body cleansings, allowing at least three months of rebuilding, will strengthen your body’s ability to digest, assimilate and eliminate chemicals and toxins that are introduced.

Keep in mind your body’s sensitivities

When doing body cleansing, there are many different ingredients and substances used in the process. Make sure to research what is used in your particular body cleansing regimen. You will obviously have to stay away from items which you have had allergic reactions to in the past.

Anyone with immune system disorders should be very careful before doing a body cleansing. Many times it is recommended that someone with these disorders begin taking tiny amounts of the supplements used in the cleanse before the procedure takes place. This will help determine if there is a sensitivity to the ingredients before it is started.
Almost all body cleansing techniques allow for adjustment. Talk to your healthcare practitioner about adjusting anything related to your body cleansing experience to fit your particular needs.

Watch the environment during a body cleanse

When performing a body cleansing, it is recommended that you find a comfortable spot, keep your body warm, relaxed and as nurtured as possible. Therefore, performing cleanses in the warmer seasons of the year and when you are on vacation from work are the best opportunities. In warmer weather, it is easier to keep you body temperature up. While on vacation, you won’t have to worry about work related stresses to affect the cleansing results.

Expect some body cleansing symptom

A “cleansing crisis”, as professionals call it, may be experienced during a body cleansing. Some symptoms you may experience during a cleansing are:

1 Fever
2 Headache or other body aches
3 Irritability
4 Yawning
5 Fatigue
6 Acne
7 Gas and bloating
8 Constipation or diahhrea
9 Tight muscles
10 Skipped menstrual cycles

It is important to try not to use over-the-counter or prescription drugs to stop these symptoms. They are actually helping the body to release built up toxins. Your health care practitioner should monitor the symptoms you are experiencing at all times. They will determine if they are symptoms are more than your body can handle.

Don’t expect body cleansing to solve your health problems overnight
Results from a body cleansing may not be noticeable immediately after the procedure has been done, so don’t expect it. Cleansing is a long term process, which should be done regularly as determined by your health care provider.

You owe it to yourself to learn more about this exciting and new common sense approach to healthy weight loss. If you are tired of all the bologna flying around these days on weight loss and diets and have tried many things without much or any success, I invite you to visit my website for more information on this awesome concept that is literally transforming thousands of lives. I wish you all the best of success and health in your life.

Sincerely,
Stace Zimmerman

bio = Stace Zimmerman is an Independent Isagenix Associate http://freeinfo.isagenix.comIsagenix who owns & maintains his health & wellness website http://www.burnfatbycleansing.com . He is the author of numerous articles on health, nutrition & weight loss. Check out his site for lots more information on healthy weight loss through natural body cleansing.

Popularity: 4% [?]

There is a lot of talk these days about working at home. Home businesses are cropping up everywhere and internet marketing is becoming very popular. Today more and more people are discovering it is the most convenient way to source goods and services and are making purchases online. This therefore has opened up a whole new market that was not available in the past.

Like many people it may be your dream to work at home, but you may be reluctant to get started because you are not sure if it is the right thing for you. There are several things to keep in mind as you decide if you should take the plunge and begin working at home. First of all, it is important to determine what you will do at home. What product or service will you provide? Make sure that it is something that is marketable and that people are interested in purchasing. Think about how much time you will have to devote to your home business especially in the early stages, if this is something which is completely new to you there will be many challenges and some frustrations too, especially as you are educating yourself with the necessary tools of the trade. You must also make sure that you will be able to make enough per hour to justify your business.

Secondly, how will you promote your product or service? Internet marketing is a popular way to find customers and may be a good option for you. This is a way to reach millions of people with just the click of a mouse. There are a number of great resources available that can teach you how to promote a website. Make sure that you look into internet marketing and see if it will work for you. There are also many ways of promoting your business off-line too such as through flyers, leaflet distribution and local advertising. You should be prepared to spend a small amount of money on advertising.

Finally, are you motivated to do what it takes to make your home business work? Starting a home business takes a lot of dedication and stamina. Most people will not be successful overnight. Instead, it is a gradual process. Make sure that you are willing to put your time, energy and finances into creating and maintaining a successful home business.

Working at home can be a great option and many people have found success with this type of entrepreneurship. However, it is important to consider your options and to properly prepare before you begin your home business. Once you have taken the time to consider the idea of working at home, researched the market potential for your product or service and drawn up a business plan, then you are ready to take the plunge. Armed with information and a product that people want, you can be successful with your home business.

bio = Tansy Heathfield former catalogue editor now offering the best home based business ideas and opportunities so you can work at home Free subscription to Internet home business tips and website marketing secrets newsletter.
http://www.Home-Biz-Workz.com

Popularity: 11% [?]

Do you want to grow your subscriber list to your ezine or newsletter? Then it makes sense to invest some time to make sure your website effectively promotes it. There are a number of ways you can make it easier for your site visitors to sign up.

First, take a look at your website right now. When visitors arrive at your site, would they be able to sign up for your newsletter immediately? Or do they have to go through several layers of pages and content in order to subscribe? Your goal is to make it as simple and straightforward as possible to become a subscriber.

Here are six strategies to implement on your website that will help you build up your list by making it easy for people to subscribe:

1. A Prominent Subscriber Box: Ideally, you should have your sign-up box on your home page in the top third of your website. Make sure it will catch people’s attention immediately. Consider using a bright color and bold text. If you are really committed to building your list, then you might want to have a sign-up box on every page. At the very least, include a link on every page that takes visitors to a sign-up page. Only ask for a person’s first name and e-mail address so it take them almost no time to sign up.

2. Entice With Compelling Copy: There are many so many options on the Internet for information, why should someone choose to receive your ezine? “Sign up for our newsletter” is not enough. Here is what I include on my site under my ezine sign-up box “Sign up now to get instant access to proven, effective small business marketing ideas and tips. Learn the best small business marketing tactics to boost sales and skyrocket your profits!” This has been a very effective paragraph to convert my site visitors to subscribers.

3. Include More Information: Some people want to learn more about you and what you are offering BEFORE they sign up. Write a website page that visitors can read. On this page, list the benefits of signing up for your ezine. I include items such as “Fill your pipeline with dream clients, become known as the expert in your field, and generate new streams of income.”

4. Create a Compelling Name: Does your publication have a name? If not, then create a catchy name that mentions your key business focus. Use the name in your sign-up box, on your promotion page, and at top of your masthead.

5. Offer a Freebie: Your prospects are giving you something valuable - their information. Offer them something of value in return. Once they sign up, create an autoresponder to send them a welcome e-mail and free report, white paper, or e-course featuring information that will help your target audience solve a challenge. Feature this in your sign up box and on your promotion page.

6. Try Pop-Up or Pop-Under Ads: Studies have found that these are very effective at increasing your conversion rates from visitors to subscribers. There are new versions of pop-up and pop-under ads that are fun to look at and non-annoying to site visitors. For an example of this type of program, visit: http://tinyurl.com/gru78

By incorporating these steps into your website marketing strategy, you will find your weekly numbers of subscribers will increase. Work on driving more traffic to your site, and it will continue to grow. Over time, these strategies will lead to a sizable list.

ACTION ITEM: Analyze your website. Is it easy for subscribers to sign up? Is your sign-up box obvious? Does it have compelling copy? Do you offer a freebie? Begin by making a list of things to improve; then make an appointment with your webmaster to start implementing these items.

bio = Wendy Maynard, the Marketing Maven, publishes REMARKABLE MARKETING, a weekly ezine for business owners, freelancers, and entrepreneurs. If you’re ready to skyrocket your sales, easily attract customers, and have more fun, get your FREE TIPS now at http://www.gomarketingmaven.com

Popularity: 5% [?]

So you have short hair. What the heck are you going to do with it this summer? Wouldn’t it be nice if your hair cooperated for you this summer? Here are some useful tips to help you start your summer off right with the right hairstyle.

First, it’s always a good idea to get a haircut, even if it’s just a trim. Get rid of those dead ends before summer starts. You’ll feel better about yourself and you’ll look stunning.

If you have short straight hair you can texturize the front of it just by adding some volumizer and teasing. You can then pull it back off your forehead and secure it with a nice hair accessory. If you have bangs you can pin them to one side but you may have to add some gel to help hold it in place. If you wanna flirt, try applying some gel and letting your bangs fall in pieces over your forehead.

You can also try a short ponytail. They are very sporty and sexy. Make sure you use a covered elastic or some kind of clip. You can also use baby clips to hold your hair up on the sides for a cute look.

If you really want to spice it up, I suggest getting some highlights. This will look killer if it is layered or messy. You should also go for a varity of colors when getting highlights. two or three shades of the same color can make all the difference in the world. Blending in these colors will make your hair brighter and it will also make your roots less noticable.

No matter what you decide to do, Make sure you take care of your hair this summer. Don’t wait till the day before you hit the beach to get the look you desire. If you need good quick ideas, it’s always a good idea to search for pictures on the Internet. You can print them out and take them to your hair stylist. She should be able to create the style you are looking for. Keep it simple, don’t ask your styling to create miracles. You know your own hair better than anyone but being bold and being smart are two different things.

I always tell people to try new ideas that are within the realm of possibility. Don’t go crazy because you may end up mad at yourself and your hair stylist. Keep it simple and you will have one sexy summer!

bio = For more free hairstyling tips visit http://www.linkbrander.com/go/13655

Popularity: 5% [?]

Use these simple and effective tips to boost your prospecting performance.

1. Always use a conversational tone…don’t come from a script. People hate to hear scripted sales pitches. Ditch the script and come from your heart. Even if you find yourself saying the same things over and over to different people, say it as if you are talking with them, not at them. Once you get a groove going, this gets easier. Your confidence and ability to assist others grows with each consecutive call.

2. Don’t chase anybody. Chasing just defeats you and angers them. You’ve got no chance to help someone if all they want to do is get you off the line. Repeatedly trying to contact those who are not returning your call only wastes your time. Use the rule of thumb “Second call, or not at all!”.

3. Make the objective of your conversation to find out what they are specifically looking for. Is your product or service something that they really need? Something that will benefit them in some way? Can you help the person? Ask them. Don’t just launch in on a list of why your product or service is better than others out there. You’re not trying to sell them, your helping them sell themselves.

4. Never assume that you know what the person wants or needs. Get to the truth of their objections by asking pertinent questions. If they “can’t afford it” then ask “If you knew that ___could absolutely help you change your life for the better, what would it take for you to be able to afford it?” Make them think about why they are parroting out a response.

5. Give them questions that they really need to think about, rather than questions with cut and dried answers. Questions like “What do you mean when you say…” or “Can you elaborate on that a little?” assist the person in expanding their own reasons why they feel a certain way about something. Sometimes this is enough for them to see that they really don’t know WHY they think this way, and that it is no longer serving them to do so.<