Customize Home Plans for Personalized Living

Many people have a good idea of what they are looking for in home plans, but until they actually see the elevation drawings, it is just an idea. One of the advantages of choosing home plans already completed is there is a good chance there are a set of plans that resemble what they are looking for.

There are usually subtle differences between what they thought they wanted and what they decide on once they see the designs put together by a professional architect. Odds are there will be some things in the home plans that the potential buyer did not think about, such as a patio door leading to a deck from the master bedroom, or space on the back porch for a hot tub.

Several people may be able to sketch out their thoughts on a napkin or notebook paper and visit a builder who will have their architect draw plans for them. This can be expensive, not to mention time consuming while they wait for completed home plans. Visiting a company such as http://www.thehousedesigners.com can lead them to plans that will be close to their napkin drawing and customizable to get even closer.

These types of plans will also meet the construction code requirements in every state as the architects responsible for the plans have extensive experience in home plans and insuring they meet all construction standards, regardless of the state in which the home will be built. Simply letting them know where you plan to build, and the plans are checked and checked again to ensure compliance with any state and local codes.

The size of your lot and how the home plans will fit on your lot is another consideration that professional designers and architects can help you with. Perhaps a simple reduction in your home plan is all that is needed to fit the house on the lot, or maybe a new design is needed, but these are things for which you will want professional help.

Christine Sears writes articles about architectural home plans, new home construction, floor plans, house plans, new construction financing, and more for The House Designers. Browse thousands of Americas most popular plans at http://www.thehousedesigners.com. home plans & blueprints, with free shipping and even a printed catalog available.Alfreda Blog64530
Barbi Blog18052

Health, Fitness And Potassium Supplements

Should someone supplement Potassium? Potassium can be a key component to maintaining a healthy nerve network, heart, kidney function, muscles and the digestive system. Much of the time certain diets naturally will provide the potassium levels most men and women need, there are select individuals who need more than what can be processed from eating like those without potassium issues. A potassium supplement is needed for those who have temporary or permanent ailments that rid their body of potassium, included, but not limited to: vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, diuretic use, kidney disease, and GI disease (gastrointestinal disease) and from having fluids depleted (heat stroke, sweat, dehydration, diarrhea, etc.), from vomiting (the twenty-four hour hour flu, self-induced bulimia, as a result of another condition), or because of having a disease, like kidney disease, etc. Potassium supplements (http://www.eatpotassiumrichfoods.com/potassiumsupplements.html) can be prescribed to restore or thwart potassium deficiency problems.

Is there a proper time to take potassium supplements? That depends on the type of supplement you are currently taking, as the quantity consumed and how often you take it varies greatly. That said, however, potassium supplements often are prescribed 2 to 4 times per day, and often with food. Your preferred pharmacist can help you if you should have any question or concern regarding your supplements.

How should someone best take potassium supplements? You should always read the label of your prescription bottles for specific to that supplement, instructions. Both tablets and capsules should be taken in original form; avoid breaking, if at all possible. Of course, that won't be possible for everybody. Some people who have trouble swallowing pills may have an added hurdle, that is alright. Do what you normally would do. If your potassium is in the form of a powder, liquid, granule, or fizzing tablet be certain to mix your potassium (http://www.eatpotassiumrichfoods.com/) in water, before you drink it. Using cold water can aid in covering up unfriendly flavors, or including your favorite fruit juice can help make your potassium much easier on your taste buds. Whatever form your potassium supplement (http://www.eatpotassiumrichfoods.com/potassiumsupplements.html) is in, taking them with a full glass of water or a combination with juice is what is most recommended.

Once deathly sick, now healthy, Janet Quaren found she was researching a mountain of information for her own health. What was revealed through select readings and off the beaten path resources led Janet to publish the findings on a website for a local, number of friends and family. Due to grassroots momentum and perhaps just good karma, that little, ugly web site has since grown by leaps and bounds to an authority site about potassium (http://www.eatpotassiumrichfoods.com/potassiumsitemap.html) and your health. And seriously, she knows potassium.Cathryn Blog94711
Antoinette Blog98066

Buying A Used Van? You Need A Budget

Dont spend your hard-earned money on a van unless youve sat down and worked out how much you can afford. Spending more money than youve got could get you and your business into financial difficulty, and your capital could be better spent on stock or additional employees.

How do I put a budget together?

Your budget for a commercial vehicle doesnt have to be complicated. You dont need an in-depth spreadsheet or help from an accountant. Instead, just write down the costs and expenses associated with owning a van. Once youve broken those costs down, you can see what the initial cost will be and how much the running costs are going to add up to over time.

Price The cost of your van, including taxes, is your single biggest outlay. Before you decide how much you need to spend, take a look at the types of vans on the market and how much they cost. You could find that you can buy a smaller, less expensive van than you thought, or that the fitted panel van you need will cost more than you have. A little bit of research enables you to put a realistic figure on this major expense.

Insurance you must be insured to drive your van or truck. Insurance costs will vary depending on the type of work you do, the type of vehicle you buy and the number of people who will be driving. To get an idea of cost, get some quotes online, using the type of van you think you might be buying. Dont forget that this is an annual cost.

Running costs fuel is an ongoing running cost. Whether your van is petrol, diesel or powered by another fuel, there will be cost implications. Again, these are dependent on the type of vehicle you have and the number of miles you do: the more you travel, the more fuel you need. As prices continue to rise, this is an important financial consideration.

Servicing you will need to ensure that your van is running smoothly and that its not likely to breakdown when you least expect it. A 12 month service will have a fixed cost, but expect to pay extra for parts if anything goes wrong.

Take the time to get your budget right and you could be on the road with your new van and a healthy bank balance.

VanMart is a dedicated website offering listings of used vans for sale or lease across the UK. Visit our site now by clicking on http://www.vanmart.netCandice Blog5827
Beatrisa Blog50509

The Creation of Global Domains International

Global Domains International is rated #37 of the top 500 fastest growing privately held companies in the USA. What this means is that this company is successful. For the customer it means they can trust in this company and ensure their website is secure. Global Domains International sells domain names and hosts websites. They have capitalized on a unique idea that has moved this company quickly into the forefront of the world wide web.

A domain name is a websites address. The domain name extension is the part at the end, dot come, for example. Website addresses are used instead of IP address which are a long series of numbers that would be difficult to remember. A typical website address looks something like this: www.websitename.com or in the case of Global Domains International the website address would look something like this: www.websitename.ws.

When the internet first became largely popular everyone was using domain names ending in dot com. The founders of Global Domains International, Michael Reed and Alan Ezeir realized that finding a domain name extension other than dot com would become something valuable. They looked at the country codes assigned to each country. For example, the United States has dot us and the United Kingdom has dot uk. They focused on a small country that had yet to capitalize on their domain name extension - Samoa. Samoa is a small country in the South Pacific with a population of less than 200,000.

There domain name extension is dot ws. Mike and Alan immediately recognized the marketing potential of ws' when used as an abbreviation for website.

The reason a good alternative to dot com was needed is that as more people began publishing websites the available names with the dot com extension were dwindling. That made it difficult for a business or person to register the domain name they really wanted. Eventually all the good, easy to remember and logical dot com domain names would be taken. The extension ws' was perfect because it is easy to associate with the word website'. This is what Michael and Alan recognized and why they set out to convince the country of Samoa that they could profit from their country code.

Michael and Alan met with leaders in Samoa and with the local technology company who had the rights to the code. They told them how they could make a profit off the dot ws and how beneficial it could be to their country. They also explained how they would sell the dot ws domain names. The leaders agreed and allowed Michael and Alan to use the dot ws extension.

Global Domains International quickly took off. The Samoa government told Michael and Alan that they would need to sell 15,000 domain names in the first three years in order for them to continue using the domain extension. This task was completed in the first month. Today Global Domains International has sold domain name registration to large companies like Yahoo! And Intel. The Samoans receive a percentage of sales and is pleased with the partnership with GDI.

GDI has been so successful because it fills a need. The dot com websites soon did become obsolete and other domain name extensions were needed. Mike and Alan have created a user friendly product and offer templates and hosting to help customers build their website. Global Domains International is at the top of its industry because of the hard work and dedication of Michael and Alan.

David O'Connor Researches the best online opportunities so he can help people get started in online marketing. http://www.relaxwithmoney.com.Arlette Blog76454
Brianne Blog47397

Holmes Harmony Tower Air Purifier Hepa 99%

As the demand for purifiers increase by the day, new models are being launched regularly to woo the customers. This makes the choice for the customer difficult as he has to choose one from so many. The Holmes Harmony HEPA Tower HAP422-U Air Purifier has been a new addition to the long list of air purifiers and it seems it has gone down well with most industry experts and customers.

There are quite a few things going for the Holmes Harmony HEPA Tower HAP422-U Air Purifier. First of all it is efficient. Not only is it good in cleaning the air of the particulates suspended, but it also works great in deodorizing the air. It doesn't produce much noise also as most other HEPA air purifiers do. Designed stylishly it goes with the decor of any room. And the design has its own functionality. Being like a tower, it occupies little space keeping the floor space free. It can be placed wherever you want it to, in whichever position you feel like - horizontal or vertical or even flush against the wall.

The filter is designed to clean air over an area of 180 sq. ft. and with superior HEPA filters (HEPA-type Filters HAPF30) the level of cleanliness achieved is around 99%. So the purifier is ideal for your living room which is generally of the same size.

The pre-filter (HAP422) that comes with it is washable so you save on your money and also you don't have to go through the hassle of getting a new one every time it gets saturated.

The purifier has a three motor function which helps keep the noise levels down. This also helps installing the purifier in your living room. You wouldn't want your family or friends to be disturbed continuously by a white noise. Though some might actually like the noise, but the preference is not universal.

The looks also are suited to have it in your living room. Not only is it sleek and contemporary but since it occupies little space, you can always place it beyond the normal line of vision of everyone.

Installing the air purifier is also pretty easy. All you got to do is just follow the instructions on the manual. All are explained step by step and there is no hassle in getting the think set to start operating.

Priced reasonably the Holmes Harmony HEPA Tower HAP422-U Air Purifier is a good investment if you are planning to buy an air purifier.

Jason Uvios writes about on Holmes Harmony Tower Air Purifier HEPA 99% to visit :- http://www.airpurifiers-europe.info, http://www.airpurifiers-today.info and http://www.crispairpurity.info.Arabele Blog4020
Ailee Blog45226

Changing Trends Lead To Popularity Of Online Education

A 2005 research report states that enrollment in postsecondary distance learning courses has increased from 1.98 million in 2003 to 2.35 million in 2004. Why are so many Americans choosing to earn all or part of their college degrees online? Hectic schedules and time crunches may be part of the reason, but changes in social and work trends also contribute to career changes, and prompt many people to turn to online education.

Layoffs, Downsizing, and Displacement: A Springboard for Distance Learning

With rare exception, we no longer graduate college, go to work, and retire from the same company we originally went to work for. Downsizing, rightsizing, voluntary severance packages, and early retirement all add up to the same thing: Displaced workers who want to return to work, whether in the same or a new line of work. Homemakers displaced due to divorce must often join the workforce, and need to learn or update career skills. In an effort to recover, and sometimes restructure their professional lives, greater numbers of people are turning to distance education.

Quality Education Programs Available Online

If you want to take online college courses, but are concerned about the quality of distance education as compared to traditional classroom instruction, don't worry. A 2005 survey found that 63% of academic institutions offering traditional undergraduate degrees also offer distance learning. In addition 65% of institutions report using primarily core faculty to teach online compared with 62% of core faculty assigned to teach classroom courses. If you want to enhance your t career potential, or train for an entirely new profession, online education programs offer everything from individual courses to graduate degree and certification programs. Make sure the online education program you choose is properly accredited and offers academic and technical support, and then get started on your first online college course.

Karen Lawson is a freelance writer whose professional interests include postsecondary education and academic ethics. She earned her BA and MA degrees in English from the University of Nevada, Reno. Karen is a writer for http://www.onlinedegrees.com.Ame Blog66611
Albina Blog46917

Satellite Q&A: Things To Know Before You Buy A Satellite Dish

* What is a satellite dish?

A satellite dish is a piece of equipment that transmits data signals from the ground to the satellite that orbits the planet. It is basically an antenna that is designed to receive signals from a satellite.

* How does a satellite dish work?

A satellite dish works by pointing it toward the sky at a specific azimuth or coordinates. It works as a receiver of a signal from the satellite and those signals are sent to the feed horn, then transmitted to your satellite receiver.

* Is the placement of the dish important?

Yes. For maximum quality, you should place your satellite dish in an unobstructed area. It should have no trees, buildings or other things that can restrict or obstruct the signals that the satellite is transmitting to your satellite dish.

* Can I place the satellite dish anywhere on my property?

Yes. As long as there is no obstruction to where your satellite dish is pointing, you can place it anywhere in your property. A very good example is installing the satellite dish in your roof.

* Do you need to ground a satellite dish?

Yes. There are local laws that require you to ground your satellite dish. In some places, there are no laws regarding grounding a satellite dish. However, grounding is still a must because of the build-up of static electricity. Static electricity can mean disruption of the signals or, in some cases, damage to your receiver.

* What is entailed in installing a satellite dish?

When installing a satellite dish, you will need a lot of things. First, you have to determine the location where you want to install your satellite dish. It should be in an area where there are no obstructions between the signal and the dish.

Satellite dish providers usually include all the equipment necessary to install the dish. They will also include a manual on how you should install the dish and where should you point it.

* Who is responsible for maintenance and upkeep on the satellite dish and connections?

It depends on your agreement with the provider. Usually, if you buy the satellite dish you will be responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the satellite dish. If you rent it, the service provider is usually responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the satellite dish. However, the connection or signal is usually the sole responsibility of the satellite signal provider.

* What do I do if I lose a signal and cant get it back?

If you lose your signal from your satellite dish, it is best that you call your provider's customer care service. They will instruct you on what to do. You can also check your satellite dish owner's manual.

Sybill Taite is editor of http://www.satellitetip.com/, the online satellite guide. She also writes Satellite FAQ's for http://www.prettygreatanswers.com/articles/SatelliteQuestions/.Auguste Blog76863
Ameline Blog98653

Garden Dcor: Ideas To Infuse Your Garden With Charm And Character

There is no limit to the prettifying and relaxing powers of avid garden decor. A terrace hived away in fieldstone that borders a cultivated garden; a footpath created of old brick that meanders between beds of flowers emphasized by elegant garden statuary; a summerhouse that anchors the center of a number of conventional flowerbeds - all these and several more decorative refinements can and will upgrade your garden from average to breathtaking!

You want an example? Well, strategically based garden lighting for example can bring your landscaping to life and make your evenings last longer. Consider applying tiny, bright chains of lights woven through the branches of trees to create a phantasy world feel or pathway solar lights shaped like lanterns to lend an Asian affect.

Garden furniture can be an immense component in garden decor design. Consider the different directions in which the silverish, raw tones of weather-beaten teakwood benches or the crimson of a span of Adirondack chairs would affect your garden composition. Accessories are crucial, too: integrating stone or alloy statuary, wind bells, birdbaths and bird feeders into your garden design will give it a extremely personalized spirit.

Although terraces and other seating areas support congregating and socializing, support structures such as trellises and lattices, gates, benches and stone walls provide definition for your garden. And although there are no strict rules for selecting and employing the components of your garden�s decor, these are a few hints for trying out different scenarios:

A place for everything and everything in its best place: When ranging your beds of flowers and borders, keep garden supplements in mind. Will your stone bench work better in the middle of your beds of roses or under a aging tree? Will your bronze armillary overwhelm the plants next to it? Should you buy an antique watering can to accent your wildflower garden? By decently placing an object, you can avoid having it look as it if was placed randomly in the garden.

Create focal points by placing decorative elements or functional pieces where garden paths naturally conjoin or in areas where they are a good fit: A frog statue looks great by a pond. Not on the edge of a patio. Birdbaths can fit into several different arenas, but benches and other garden seating work best when placed in a comfortable, shady area with a wonderful view.

Avoid making your garden appear 'junky' and rather 'cheap'. Remember that it's probably a better idea to use just a couple of large and themed decor objects (such as a statue, fountain, sundial, armillary, stone benches) rather than a large number of smaller garden objects spread all over the place. And one more hint: keep both the size of your garden and plants in proportion with the chosen objects.

Upgrading your garden from average to breathtaking is a matter of trying and (probably) re-trying. It's probably fair to say some re-arranging will be involved. Think and plan, but don't waste too many hours on it. There comes a point when you just have to get out there and get your hands dirty.

Esmee McCornall is a 'Gardoholic' publisher and writer. She recently published a guide called "Tips and Tricks to Create the Garden You Always Wanted". You can download a FREE copy at http://www.gardensandflowers.netAnnabelle Blog89673
Carena Blog67532

5 Honeymoon Travel Tips For The Poor

1. Set a budget, go to a travel agent and find the best and cheapest travel packages available. After all this is your honeymoon you want it to be special but you also dont want to come back from your honeymoon, and then realize that you are broke and have to live off bread and peanut butter for three months.

2. Arrange all you honeymoon plans before hand, you dont want to run around and make travel arrangements on the day of your wedding. Make your reservations at least 4 to 6 months ahead of time, to get the most suitable rooms and the best flight times.

3. Dont go to a particular destination, at the wrong season. Your time their will be boring, uninteresting and u will wish that your honeymoon was over. Plan ahead and find out which season is suitable for a great honeymoon.

4. Dont check in your wedding dress at the airport, take it with you on the plane. You dont want to arrive at your destination and find that your dress has disappeared. This will only upset u and u will start thinking about funny little things, like this is a sign that u shouldnt get married. Please take your dress with you on the plane we dont want you to leave your husband to be, high and dry at the altar.(the same goes for the groom)

5. Take all your documents with you in your handbag. Dont leave it in the hands of airport officials. When your luggage disappears, all you will get from them will be a look of confusion.

Goffe Holt is a travelholic. http://www.african-honeymoon.com.Alleen Blog54292
Almira Blog54766

A Mother's Day

This Sunday marks one of the busiest days for our nation's telephone system. Sunday is Mothers Day and we are told that moms like flowers, jewelry, appliances, family gathered around the table and phone calls from those unable to present themselves in person. Whether or not your mom fits with the traditional marketing profile it makes sense that those who bore or adopted us would want to be remembered and appreciated for the effort.

But also know as you lay your head down on your pillow tonight that 28,000 mothers around the world will remember this Sunday as the day they buried their child.

Shocking as this may feel to us, it is a simple, horrifying truth. Ten million children under the age of five die each year, mostly in developing countries, mostly from treatable infections, waterborne illness and malnutrition. That number averages out to 28,000 small children never seeing their first day of school, let alone the joy of a long, productive life that celebrates their mother's love and commitment to them.

Before hopelessness settles in and you feel you can't do anything that really makes a difference, stop and realize that everything we do does make a difference. Jesus started his public ministry out by stating, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor (Luke 4:18)." Being God's agent in the world meant Jesus was empowered to make a difference. Jesus also empowered his disciples to do the same. We as followers of Jesus Christ are therefore uniquely and ably equipped to carry this legacy of hope, faith and lovingkindness into the world to today's poor. What Jesus saw most clearly is that he could change lives by preaching good news to the poor. We too can change lives by preaching good news to the poor.

We preach good news to the poor when we accept the reality that we are all the same and we are all connected to one another. It is time we stop isolating ourselves from he rest of the world. It is time to educate ourselves about how other cultures live and what we can do to make the world safer and healthier for all of us. CARE, Save the Children, UNICEF, World Vision and the ONE Campaign all have web sites that are easy to access, easy to maneuver and eager to share important information about the daily lives of people like us in developing countries around the world. It is harder to blame or objectify people in their poverty if we have a better understanding of their circumstances. Jesus taught this lesson each day of his ministry.

One such example is the children of Iraq. We sometimes see them on television, playing amid the rubble of blown up streets and buildings or lying on hospital beds connected to tubes to sustain their lives. Andrew Buncombe, reporting for The Independent, a UK publication, addressed the issue of the dramatic increase in infant mortality in Iraq. Although the country has suffered two wars since 1990, it has also endured U.S. supported sanctions against the Saddam Hussein regime after his invasion of Kuwait. From 1990 to the coalition invasion of 2003 some of the most wide-ranging sanctions ever imposed affected Iraqi health care and infrastructure. The number of children who died during this time is unknown, but the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) suggests an additional 500,000 children died between 1991 and 1998. Dennis Halliday resigned as UN humanitarian coordinator in protest at the sanctions, saying, "We are in the process of destroying an entire society. It is as simple and terrifying as that. It is illegal and immoral."

We preach good news to the poor when we align ourselves with them as fellow human beings and take action to support them in any way we can. Some of us can give financially at the above mentioned web sites or other organizations doing similar work. Others of us can volunteer our time directly to service that improves the lives of people living in poverty here in the United States and around the world. Yesterday morning Congress introduced the U.S. Commitment to Global Child Survival Act. If passed, this act would provide resources for simple, cost-effective tools to save lives. You can go to the ONE Campaign web site to email your Congressional representatives to support this bill. You can also participate in the Standing Women Project. Based on the book The Great Silent Grandmother Gathering, this Sunday, May 13, women around the world will join each other to save the world. To stand with other women, children and men to save the world go online to the Standing Women Project.

We preach good news to the poor when we remember that Jesus did not separate himself from the people who needed him the most. We preach good news to the poor when we align ourselves with those who need us to know them, help them renew their hope and feed their children. We preach good news to the poor when we act to make a difference in someone else's life simply because our faith compels us to do so in the name of the One who sent Jesus as our leader and example. We also honor our mothers and all women who have nurtured us to wholeness when we carry on their good work to hep others on to wholeness in their own lives.

Helping other people may not keep Hallmark in business, but it may keep some of today's 28,000 children from dying. Helping someone else may make this Mothers Day memorable to the moms of those children for all the right reasons.

As an ordained minister, Rev. Kemp has worked in both pastoral and educational ministries in several congregations. Her ministerial background and love of writing have combined to develop Creating Women Ministries, a website dedicated to encouraging theological dialogue, particularly among women, through workshops, journaling and personal spiritual development. Her book, You Don't see Many Chickens in Clearance: Essays on Faith and Living, is available for perusal or purchase at http://www.chickensinclearance.com. Visit Creating Women Ministries at: http://www.creatingwomenministries.com for the e-book edition. Questions? Thoughts? Musings? She can be reached by email at: creatingwomen@irun.com.Ashleigh Blog78402
Carri Blog71868

Nutritional Supplements as Gifts Exercise Some Caution

Youve discovered the benefits of nutritional supplements and vitamins, and you want to share your newfound discovery with everyone. As a result, you decide that the perfect present for your best friend is a supply of some of your favorite nutritional supplements(http://www.mitamins.com).

But wait!

Before you place your order, its imperative that you keep a few things in mind when considering purchasing vitamins or nutritional supplements for someone who has not specifically requested them of you:

1. Nutritional Supplements are a Form of Holistic Medicine

Would you go out and purchase a bottle of a certain brand of aspirin for your colleague just because you happen to like it? Probably not. The same holds true for nutritional supplements. Though they can be purchased over-the-counter and without prescriptions, they still have the potential to affect one individual differently than they affect another. Therefore, whats right for you isnt necessarily going to be right for (or welcomed by) your neighbor.

2. Nutritional Supplements Are Well Personal

Imagine someone handing you a roll of toilet paper and a tube of athletes footcream for your birthday. Ouch! Such items are meant to be personal, and many people feel the same way about nutritional supplements and vitamins(http://www.mitamins.com). They are as uncomfortable receiving vitamin C tablets as they would be if you unceremoniously handed them a beribboned bottle of dandruff shampoo. Unless you know the intended recipient very, very, very well, purchasing vitamins or nutritional supplements may seem an odd, awkward, embarrassing, undesirable, or even rude gesture.

3. Nutritional Supplements Can Interfere with Medications

You just know it your best friend would love the vitamins and herbs(http://conditionsinfo.mitamins.com) youre taking. So you buy her a big bottle and present it to her during your next gabfest luncheon. Unfortunately, what neither of you realise is that one of the key ingredients actually interferes with another medication shes been prescribed by her family physician (and that you knew nothing about.) Just because you think you know whats best for someone, dont assume that you know it all. Some people can encounter severe complications from taking pharmaceutical drugs and nutritional supplements simultaneously.

4. Nutritional Supplements Are Not, Alas, for Everyone

You may be totally, 100%, undeniable to nutritional supplements after realising their powers and abilities. But that optimism doesnt hold true for everyone, even those with whom youre closest. Many individuals are fearful of products with which they are unfamiliar, even the most basic multi-vitamins! Therefore, youll simply be wasting your money and time if you buy nutritional supplements for someone with the expectation that everyone is as open-minded to natural health as you.

ONE FINAL NOTE: Still determined to give certain nutritional supplements to a buddy? Then please ask him or her first for permission. That way, you can be on the same page, and although the gift wont be a total surprise, youll at least know that it will be used as intended and not discarded or allowed to disintegrate in the back of a drawer.

Mitamins teamAlisa Blog22877
Calida Blog24619

College Students Get a Jump on College Funding Strategy with NextStudent

College students all over the United States probably have just gotten into the swing of summer, whether that means finally perfecting their golf swing, getting that deep tan, or acing the most recent quiz in summer school. In the midst of these activities and especially at this time of year, it is important to regroup and begin planning financially for the new school year, according to NextStudent, a leading Phoenix-based education funding company.

NextStudent EFAs Help Students Understand Awards

The best place to start is to review all the correspondence students have received, especially their award letters. This is the document that lists such important information as the actual cost to attend school (includes tuition, fees, room and board), available need-based federal aid such as subsidized Stafford Student Loans (http://www.nextstudent.com/student-loans/student-loans.asp) , non-need-based aid such as unsubsidized Stafford Student Loans and Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS Loans), and the remaining out-of-pocket funds required.

Unfortunately, many times the award letters from colleges are somewhat difficult to understand, which may lead to confusion when students attempt to put together a strategic plan for funding their college dream. However, when students or their parents contact NextStudent, they will receive personal attention from their Education Finance Advisor. EFAs help students understand the types and amounts of fnancial aid for which they qualify, answer any questions, and then work with students to develop a strategy that best fits students needs.

Students Qualify for a Variety of Federal Funds

Students and their parents have an array of federal financial aid options to consider, depending on the type of aid for which they qualify. Some students may qualify for need-based subsidized Stafford Student Loans, whereby the government covers any interest on the student loan while a student is in school, the grace period following graduation, and any period of deferment. Other students may qualify for a non-need-based unsubsidized Stafford Student Loan, where interest is charged to the borrower during this same time period.

Another common type of federal aid is Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students, known as PLUS Loans (http://www.nextstudent.com/plus_loans/plus_loans.asp). These credit-based options allow parents to borrow funds to cover the education costs of their dependent children who attend college at least half-time as undergraduate students. Parents may borrow up to the cost of attendance, minus any other financial aid.

Frequently, parents find that they pay more for their childs education than they anticipated. NextStudent offers Private Student Loans (http://www.nextstudent.com/private_loans/private_loans.asp) to supplement federal student loan sources. Many parents prefer these unsecured credit-based student loans to borrowing against the equity in their homes or other options to cover the remaining out-of-pocket college costs. NextStudent offers generous borrowing limits, quick preapproval, deferred principal and interest on most student loans, and no prepayment penalties. Funds may be used for study abroad and distance-learning programs in addition to traditional schooling.

Financial Aid Myths Dispelled

One fairly common misconception is the belief that a student does not qualify for ANY federal aid. In fact, even a student who does not qualify for any SUBSIDIZED federal aid will almost certainly qualify for an UNSUBSIDIZED student loan. NextStudent Education Finance Advisors are equipped to help students and their parents understand just these types of issues so that they can put together a plan that best fits the needs of the borrower.

NextStudent believes that getting an education is the best investment you can make, and it is dedicated to helping you pursue your education dreams by making college funding simple. Learn more about Student Loans, Private Student Loans and Student Loan Consolidation (http://www.nextstudent.com/) at NextStudent.com.

Jeff Mictabor is an enthusiast on the topic of student loan issues in the news. He has been writing for the past 10 years for a variety of education publications. He now offers his writing services on a freelance basis.Alberta Blog9606
Bellanca Blog52355

When Buying Hunting Equipment Get Something For Your Dog Too!

One of the most fun experiences while hunting is spending time with your hunting dog. Hunting dogs aren't all about business. They are also a great companion with you when you are out stalking your prey. If you like to go hunting a lot, you should always bring a hunting dog with you so that you don't get lonely. Unfortunately, it can sometimes be hard to transport hunting dogs to the locations you plan to hunt at. The best way to do it is with hunting dog boxes. These are dog carrier units that can fit in the bed of a truck or can be towed behind a car. This is especially helpful for bigger dogs that take up too much space in the car. This can be a seeing hazard otherwise. In these situations, you should use a dog box to transport your dog in. There are even dog boxes that can be affixed to ATVs. If you are planning on getting a dog box to help with transportation, there are some hunting dog box supplies that you can get to help you along the way.

One of the best hunting dog box supplies is a blanket. Most dog boxes are very hard and angular. This can be very uncomfortable for the dog. If you put a blanket on the bottom of the box before the dog gets in, it will likely have a much better time. Although it's a very simple idea, these hunting dog box supplies are super important to the well-being of the dog. It can be fairly stressful to ride around in a box, so their comfort is important.

Other good hunting dog box supplies to get are those that help affix the dog box to the bed of a truck. If you are driving to the location in a truck, there probably won't be any room for the dog in the cabin. Instead, you should strap the dog box into the bed of the truck. This will ensure that it doesn't slide around or fly out. Again, this protects the well-being of your dog. You can also get hunting dog box supplies that hook it to a trailer that tails along behind your car. Not every hunter has the benefit of owning a truck. For those that use a car instead, a trailer hitch for the dog box is best. This is a much bumpier ride for the dog, so try to use this method only for short trips. This way the dog will still be up for hunting once you get there.

Peter Curtis is a keen hunter and loves writing about it too.Arlene Blog12923
Astrix Blog9691

Designing a Superstar Team

We've all been part of teams in one form or another. You've probably had "team" experiences since you were very young, whether on a sports-field, the debate team , with a Girl or Boy Scout troupe, or with some volunteer organization. You most likely enjoyed study or project groups in college. In your professional life, you quickly learned that despite your best solo efforts to change the world-or at least your industry-doing the best job and building a successful business meant surrounding yourself with the best individuals.

You might consider it a given that as a business owner or entrepreneur you want to surround yourself with the ideal team. On the other hand, you may be a solo entrepreneur who considers your helpers-accountant, webmaster, etc.-to be merely a part of the peripheral landscape. Either way, intentionally communicating your purpose, aligning your team around it, and communicating your expectations and your passion, can help you attract the people who want to go there with you. Before you can do that, though, you have be able to define what makes not just a teambut a Super Star Team.

First of all, a group is not necessarily a team, especially in today's virtual world, where people with varied skills are dispersed and may be asked to collaborate from around the globe. Second, teams rarely come together simply for the sake of being a team; they come together united for a common purposeone built on shared objectives. Super Star teams are comprised of incredibly bright and talented people who already have individual track records of success. They come together with their collective talents to achieve new, fresh and exciting thingsto achieve Super Star objectives. The team creates a competitive advantage and works together to achieve superior levels of performance.

Before you conclude that this team building process sounds like a walk in the park with everyone stepping in sync, think again. By its very nature, the dynamics of working with a group of brilliant, talented, focused people will stretch every member and require them to tread on uncharted territory. But what an exciting trek! In such an environment, the work remains challenging and new.

How do you build a Super Star Team? Ask yourself these questions:

1. Who is on your team?

It is important to realize and appreciate that beyond the people you hire and the partners with whom you interact-people who are actively engaged in maintaining and growing your business on a daily basis-your team is really anyone who is supportive of your accomplishments. Don't overlook the sphere of influence that your family and friends are part of. Ultimately, it is your responsibility to monitor who provides positive support and who extends negative expectations. Surround yourself with people who know you are shooting for the moon and who wholeheartedly support and reflect your core values.

2. Where are you going and does your team know the itinerary?

You probably realize the importance of keeping your employees and your executive team up to speed on your vision. But what about your family, friends, or the other people whose influence you feel most in your daily life? Have you clearly articulated to them where you are going and how you plan to get there? If you don't share your business plan and your passion with the people who are closest to you, how will they know how to best support you? Don't assume that comments you make in passing will drive home the gravity of your message. Be specific. Sharing your vision can create a dynamic whereby your core values become more clearly defined in the give and take of conversation. Make specific time with people to discuss where you are going and how they can help you get there. Express your passion respectfully and individually with the people who matter most to you, and it will spread like wildfire.

3. What qualities are most important in your team members?

Integrity? Passion? Tenacity? Knowing the qualities you value most is only the half of the equation. It's also up to you to create the environments that allow and, in fact, challenge your team to grow and nurture those qualities. Creating such a platform will also encourage people to admit when they fall short, take constructive criticism, and make adjustments in their performance because they are working within a supportive network of well defined boundaries.

4. Are you tolerating people who don't embody your key values or qualities? If so, why?

Are you afraid of conflict? Do you like to play the martyr? Do you want everyone to like you? Are you afraid of being "wrong"? While any one or all of these may be true at different times, the key to addressing this question goes back to defining and adhering to your must-haves, your core values. When you begin each day with a commitment to them, you won't have time or energy to waste on anyone or anything that does not remain in alignment with what matters most to you and your business.

Essentially, to build a Super Star Team, you must first be a Super Star yourself. There are several keys to being the kind of leader that attracts the best of the best.

1. Think big! Visionary thinkers create visionary businesses.

2. Think fast! Stay on your toes and expect the same from others. A Harvard degree doesn't necessarily equate to best and brightest. Whether a potential team member is book smart or street smart, be sure the person is a quick study with the intellectual and emotional capacity to navigate your growing business.

3. Think now! Change is good. Be cutting edge and ride the tides and you'll attract people who feel empowered by that kind of exciting energy.

4. Think fun! When you are having fun and doing what you love, quality people with similar values will find you and your business attractive. Once you have a Super Star Team in place, fun is one of the things that will keep them there.

A Super Star Team evolves out of the synergistic energy that you put in motion. It begins and grows from being absolutely intentional about your values and your vision. When you have those two things defined, you'll find yourself working with people who constantly inspire and challenge youand not by accident. You will have created a purposeful dynamic in which you and the people who matter most in your life will accomplish great things and touch many lives.

Copyright (c) 2007 Bea Fields and Corey Blake

Bea Fields and Corey Blake with Eva Silva are the co-authors of Edge!:A Leadership Story (http://Edge-Book.com). Fields is an Executive Coach and the President of Five Star Leader Coaching and Training. Blake is an author, screenplay writer and the President of Writers of the Round Table Inc. (Http://Writersoftheroundtable.com).Cecily Blog45072
Amie Blog45914

Outdoor Wood Furniture-discover Why Its Superior

Some people balk at the idea of purchasing outdoor wood furniture due to the fact they believe the furniture is hard to maintain and doesnt stand up well against the outdoor elements. This couldnt be further from the truth. Outdoor wood furniture is assuredly durable and not nearly as high maintenance as some would have you believe. Before you rule out outdoor wood furniture, make sure you know your facts.

As far as durability goes, outdoor wood furniture can be some of the most durable outdoor furniture available if you know what type of wood to look for. Teak, Redwood and Cedar are all popular woods that outdoor wood furniture is made from. These woods are not only strong and resilient, but the furniture made from them is often rich and beautiful.

If youre worried about the maintenance of outdoor wood furniture, you need to rethink that as well. How much maintenance your outdoor wood furniture needs depends on what type of wood the furniture is made from as well as how you want that furniture to look. If you like the weathered look, occasionally hosing your wood furniture down and scrubbing off dirt and debris is all it will take. However, if you prefer the varnished look, youll need to keep your outdoor wood furniture clean and youll have to re-treat it regularly to maintain the woods appearance.

Cost is another issue that causes many people to lean towards non-wood furniture options. What these people dont realize is that theyre going to pay more money for quality furniture, no matter what material its made from. Why does a cheap plastic lawn chair go for less than twenty bucks when a nice, wood rocking chair goes for hundreds? Because of the quality and craftsmanship that goes into making the furniture. However, that doesnt mean wood furniture is the most expensive outdoor furniture on the market. When you do a side-by-side comparison, it is easy to see that outdoor wood furniture is competitively priced against quality outdoor furniture made from other materials.

The next time you find yourself in need of outdoor furniture, check and see what outdoor wood furniture is available. You may be surprised at what you find.

Jesse Akre, owner of numerous home and patio decor websites, makes it easy to find quality Outdoor Wood Furniture and Adirondack All Weather Furniture . Learn how to decorate your patio and garden in style - click the following link: http://www.eAdirondackStyle.com.Cary Blog63902
Carissa Blog19929

Manage Stress by Twelve Golden Habits

Above are twelve best and tested habits that one should develop for oneself to keep stress, depression and anxiety out of life. Please not that develop these habits and change oneself is not immediate process but ongoing process even one can develop some of these habits in life can make deference with life

Develop a habit of prioritize things in order and work everything as per priorities. Do one thing at a time it will manage your stress

Best habit one should develop to live stress free life is make every thing planed and it will decrease no of surprises in life. Surprises are one of major factor for stress less surprises are best factor to manage stress

Live like a bird and wakeup early in the morning and sleep early at night and stay relieved from stress

Limit our expectations from others because over expectation from others or life are major source of stress. This habit will reduce your stress at great level

Try to live life as simple as possible and stay away from addiction like cigarettes, alcohol or drugs or at least control it. Keep in mind that these addictions are part of the problem not solutions.

Develop a habit of meet new people and develop a new relationships and kick out every bit of shyness or fear of meeting people

Try to help other who are in need if possible. This will help you to manage stress

Develop a habit of daily 45 minutes of exercises and yoga. If not possible then at least walk for 45 minutes everyday. It is best habit and remedy for almost every stress related diseases. Breath as deep as possible.

Try to be financially as secure as possible. In modern world financial insecurity is one of major or only cause of stress. Develop a habit of savings at least 20% of income and manage stress by feeling financially secure

If you are victim of anxiety disorder or panic attacks then always keep in mind that Fear of anxiety is always bigger then fear itself. Always hope for best and ready for worst

Kick out habit of compare someone or wealth of someone with yourself. In modern world this is one of the major source of stress

Relieve your self from every bit of jealousy or grudge you feel for anyone. Try to make your line bigger instead of erase line of other. This habit will even destroy every bit stress from your life

Sedrik Pet have developed exlusive techniques to coping with stress and more of his work can be found on http://www.copingstress.orgBelita Blog29303
Celestyn Blog97559

Network Marketing, MLM Lead Generation and Filtering Importance

As marketers, we all have one constraint in common and that is time. It becomes apparent that, as marketers, we should maximize on our action time by effectively communicating with more qualified prospects. The bottom line is if we do that consistently, well produce and recruit more. Theres a common philosophy within network marketing and sales in general that leaders live by: Professionals Sort, Amateurs Convince. So what helps in this process? Automation. That is a system that answers the question of whats in it for me? for your prospects and gets them to raise their hand and request further information from you personally. This totally changes the dynamics to the marketer as he/she is now dealing with a warm lead instead of a cold lead.

Sadly, few marketers employ such a system in their marketing efforts and experience frustration in their business which far too often leads to them quitting. Many components are essential in ones long term success in network marketing and a strong support to bridge the gap comes through the use of a web form. Web forms are an essential way to filter through prospects and plug automated follow up tools into ones overall system.

Tip #1- Just because your company may provide a web form, doesnt necessarily mean it is effective. You want to be sure to provide something of value to your prospect. Consider this from your prospects perspective. Would you want to give up your information just to receive stuff about how great someones company is? You can separate yourself from the vast majority of marketers and create a sustainable competitive advantage by providing up-front value (in addition to your company material) that the prospect can use in his/her overall decision making process.

Tip #2- Be sure that what you are using can be duplicated through out your organization. Theres nothing worse than attributing an increase in your business success to something that another leader in your organization cannot use as well.

Successful Marketing!

Dan Hatfield is the co-founder of Power Filter Page and author of the Free Newsletter, MLM Promoting Tips. Power Filter Page is a prospect filtering tool for network marketers allowing them to increase profits, leverage time, and see success in their businesses. To subscribe for Free to the MLM Promoting Tips Newsletter and claim your Free Report, "Secrets of Effective Network Marketing," go here now http://www.mlmLeadProfits.com.Carleen Blog93779
Candis Blog48432

Credit Card Application, The First Step To The Credit System!

A credit card is a very valuable asset for almost anyone. The credit card system provides a numerous number of benefits that the cardholder can enjoy. And although it can be an instrument to revolve your credit and budget your finances, it can also cause complicated troubles on multiple debts.

The ambivalent character of the credit card causes a tough competition among credit card providers. Its popularity nowadays, enkindles these providers to promote different modus in order to outstand in the market. Different incentives are offered to attract consumers to avail of a credit card in their company.

All the incentive programs, as a marketing tool seem equally beneficial. So it is up to the customer to weigh what incentives are more valuable to him. For instance, the common program is the cash back incentive which functions by giving the card user a portion of their payment back to them. Usually, it occurs annually. Another program usually promoted by creditors is the discount programs. This provides discounts on certain items upon membership. Other programs include free services like automotive assistance and more.

Because of the myriad offers, these benefits should be cautiously considered when choosing your credit card provider. And the primary thing that you should do is to know what exactly you need. This will determine what features will apply to you. And then compare the offers of the different companies and assess the terms before filing your application.

And when you have sorted out these things, its time to fill out an application form. This is a prerequisite in order to enjoy the benefits of the credit card. This application can be made through the internet or through personally visiting the company. Nevertheless, online application is suited for people who are too busy and whose free time is very rare. In both ways, the application however is just similar. The details required and the processing has no significant differences in the technical aspect.

Because of the fast pace of living, online application is more popular presently. This saves the applicant on time and effort. But when applying online, some people don't trust that their personal information to be kept confidential. One tip to check if the website is secured is when the website address starts with HTTPS.

For most credit card providers, they offer a no interest rate for the first year of application. This will be a help for those who had not fully decided on what type of terms they wanted for the rest of their lives. And also, this will serve as a determinant or trial year for you to know how well the present credit card works for you. If you find the terms friendly, then you may want to make it your partner in managing your lifestyle.

The credit cardholder then is issued the card after completion of an application form and after the approval of the credit card provider. Upon activation of the card, the cardholder can then use the card to purchase goods or pay for services with companies accredit by the provider.

And after all these, expect that every month, the cardholder receives the statements of goods and services which he had purchased. This bill should be paid on time to avoid charges. And make sure you use your credit card wisely.

Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has written over 200 articles on various subjects. For more information checkout http://www.supercreditcardoffers.com and http://credit-card-offersonline.info.Brynna Blog5461
Annabal Blog83633

ERP Implementation: typical problems and how to avoid them

The fact, that midsize business ERP system implementation should be planned and thought through what-ifs and rollbacks. This is not a recent management science discovery. Plus it also known from the managerial theory that key people and the whole company team involvement is highly recommended, and even required. In this small article we will concentrate on the generic technology pitfalls as well as the coordination with several high-tech contractors and you internal IT team. We will assume that you are on Microsoft Windows platform and implementing Microsoft Dynamics GP Great Plains, however similar advises are applicable to Navision, Solomon, Axapta and Microsoft CRM implementation scenarios

Computer network factor. When you implement ERP, you have to use your Windows Domain or Workgroup as a platform with multiple tunings and connectors to make your ERP hosted and implemented in this environment: shared network folders, network printers (preferred printers with their driver for specific GP documents printing), Reporting access and security (in the case of GP you restring access you your FRx sysdata, where reports are stored in metadata, for example)

Contractors management. If you deploy different companies to build your IT network and implement ERP both companies may be pretty confident in their core expertise, however if they do not work out shared vision of implementation it may fail in the interoperability area. This is especially possible when IT contractor moves ERP system to new hardware (new more scalable server) without MRP consultants being involved. General advise consider having one of your employees or insiders playing project management role to coordinate your contractors

Documentation and Control. When you are small, you probably just have business owner or your trusted employee to keep in her/his mind the system and support it as needed. However, when you are in the midsize business category, when your IT department has several people, and you dont have documentation and business processes MRP automation workflow there is the risk of losing control, especially when you decide to change ERP consulting contractor, or if you have to replace your IT internal workforce. Specific GP case would be keeping Dexterity source code of your custom piece DYNAMICS.DIC with your scripts

Traditional ERP Implementation Wisdom. In this article we dont repeat it in detail, however, we recognize its importance and encourage you to familiarize yourself with traditional ERP implementation success factors. It may orient you and prevent you from repeating common errors. If you need quick directions, in google enter ERP Implementation and read few articles on the top

Andrew Karasev, Alba Spectrum Group, http://www.albaspectrum.com help@albaspectrum.com 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918, serving Microsoft Dynamics GP USA and Canada nationwide: Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Windsor, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, Pittsburg, Toledo, Indianapolis, Detroit, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington, Seattle, San Diego, Phoenix, Austin. Local service is available in Chicago and Houston metros: Rosenberg, Katy, Richmond, Dallas, Galveston, Sugar Land, Naperville, Wheaton, Plainfield, Aurora, Wheaton, Downers Grove, Lisle, Oakbrook, Morris, Marseilles, Joliet, Montgomery, Oswego, DeKalb. With reasonable travel we serve Springfield, Bloomington, Normal, Peoria, LaSalle, Ottawa, DixonAllsun Blog92753
Beth Blog23055

Backpacking Europe in the Winter

Europe is undoubtedly a top destination for many travelers that like to back around regions. You do not need to mark Europe off your list just because it is winter.

Backpacking Europe in the Winter

Europe is a truly amazing place. The smallest continent on the planet, it manages to pack in a ton of history and so many different cultures it is simply amazing. Jump on a train in Paris and you can be in an entirely different culture in a few hours. For backpackers that like to get out and see different places, this makes Europe a golden destination.

Traditionally, most people head off to Europe during the summer months to take advantage of the beaches of Spain, France and Greece. That does not mean that winter is off limits. There are plenty of opportunities to have a great time during the winter and there are less people to deal with. This, of course, means prices are significantly cheaper for those on a budget. Although there is plenty to see, here are a few highlights.

An immediate event that comes to mind is the winter carnival in Venice, Italy. The affair is like something out of the movie Amadeus. The people of Venice gather in the various town squares dressed to the hilt in operatic dress complete with masks. Think of the lead character in V for Vendetta and you have the idea. In truth, the event has become very tourist-oriented, so you might want to consider other opportunities.

Since it is winter, skiing should probably be on your menu. France and the Nordic countries all have much to offer. Still, you really cant pass up Switzerland. There are plenty of places to go, but the town of Interlaken is a highlight. The name of the town refers to its location on a double lake system that is surrounded by majestic mountain peaks. The skiing is simply tremendous and the people are very friendly. This is one of those things you have to do once in your life.

Perhaps the best thing about Europe in the winter is the lack of tourist. The local people are in less of a sell, sell, sell mode. The pace of life is much more relaxing. The best thing to do in my opinion is just hang out in little shops and talk with people. Since it is off season, they are more than happy to chat away the day and night. If you get the tourist urge to visit something, you can get into museums and other cultural sights without having to wait in lines.

Is it going to be cold? In a word yes. You should pack accordingly. That being said, you have never really experienced Europe until you have seen it blanketed in snow. This is particularly true for the northern countries. If you need a quick warm up, you can head to the south of Spain and Portugal where things tend to stay pretty warm.

John Grimes is with http://www.allterrainco.com - makers of natural products for the outdoors including insect repellant, soap, sun protection and more.Caritta Blog26493
Berrie Blog60896

Road Runner Has A Fast Internet Connection

Road Runner is a division of Time Warner Inc providing internet service through cable most notably through the Time Warner Cable. It is an Internet Service Provider providing the service over DOCSIS compatible cable modems. Road Runner provides service across the United States. The companies which are offering Road Runner are Time Warner Cable, Insight Communications, Urban Cable Works, Bright House Networks and America Online.

Offer: Road Runner offers a super fast Internet connection through cable.

Road Runner provides a constant online connection, hence there is no need for dialing or any question of disconnecting from the internet. Also a great flexibility is available to the customer in the choice of the connection as there are no long term contracts or obligations to be signed.

Availability: Road Runner is available in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Texas, West Virginia and Wisconsin. However to confirm whether it is available in your street, you have to visit the website and enter your address. The website informs about the availability.

Features: Road Runner provides the modem, installation, tools and a good customer support. The extras include multiple email accounts, personal home page space, instant messaging, dial access/web mail etc. The speed is up to 8 Mbps (Mega bits per second). At this speed you can easily share or download movies, songs etc from the internet. Road Runner is also giving a 30 day money back guarantee in case you are not satisfied with their service.

Hardware: Hardware consists of a splitter to split the coaxial cable cord and one output goes to your TV and the other goes to the modem. From the modem the output goes to your computer. Your computer should have a USB port or an Ethernet card for connection. The modem also needs a power point.

Obtaining Road Runner: This is fairly simple. First go to the website and check availability at your place. The website will return various services available. Next choose the service of your liking. The modem and installation will be done by the company. If you want to save some money, you can obtain the installation kit from the Road Runner local representative and install the modem yourself.

Price: The average offer is around $45 a month with installation charges extra. Presently Road Runner is offering a $30 per month offer till September 06.

Keith George always writes about valuable news & reviews.Albertine Blog23276
Carine Blog1233

Weddings Rings Shapes and Insurance

What you need to know for wedding rings.

Diamonds: A Guide to Diamond Shapes

EMERALD - This rectangular shaped stone is a very elegant and sophisticated look for a bride.

HEART - A truly romantic statement on any brides finger this stones shape resembles a heart.

MARQUISE - Beautiful as a solitaire, this diamond too is elongated diamond but has pointed ends.

OVAL - This perfectly symmetrical elongated shaped diamond adds length to fingers and is very popular among three stone rings.

PEAR - This shape is derived from combining both the marquise and the oval shaped diamonds. One end is beautifully rounded while the other leads to a point.

PRINCESS - This is a perfectly square shaped stone which has become increasingly more popular among brides today.

ROUND - A circular shaped diamond which has always been a popular and traditional choice for many brides.

TRILLIANT - Shaped like a triangle, the trilliant may have rounded corners or pointed ones and provides a perfect accent to a princess or round shaped diamond.

Appraisals and Insurance

Once the question has been popped, the marriage proposal accepted and the stunning diamond ring is on the finger, now is the time to think about taking care of the engagement ring.

Diamond rings are an investment. It shows the love and commitment to the relationship. It is an investment that will be a reminder years later, of how much time, energy and love was poured into the marriage. Like a relationship, a diamond ring needs care too. According to Colin Nash of Nash Jewellers in London, Ontario, the first step is to get the diamond ring checked and cleaned every three to six months. In doing so, this is a small part of the insurance that the ring is in tip-top shape. The claws are holding the stone properly, which will prevent the loss of the diamond. The mounting secure and the band is not thinning, which could cause breakage and at worst, loss of the ring itself. If weight loss has occurred and the ring is loose, make sure to have the ring sized, this is one way to guarantee against the loss of a valuable piece of jewellery, not only in monetary value but sentiment too.

The second step according to Colin Nash is to get the ring insured. Again, the investment of months of hard saving for the ring, the purchase and the memories would all be lost if the ring were to go missing or worse, stolen. Break-ins in Canada do happen and the targets besides small appliances and technological items are - jewellery! Jewellery is small and easy to hide on the burglars body and in pockets of clothing.

When the decision has been made to insure the ring, the next step is to have the ring appraised. Get in touch with a Jeweler, who has a Certified Gemologist Appraiser on staff. There are only 14 Certified Gemologist Appraisers in Canada. A Certified Gemologist Appraiser will give an accurate description of the diamonds quality. They will look for stone damage, chips or marks or if claw damage has occurred and will disclose all information to the customer. The piece of jewellery is job-tagged with contact information and cleaned. Once the cleaning is done, they will record the 4 Cs, which are colour, clarity, cut and carat-weight. Measurements are taken and the gold is tested, to record what kind of gold it is, along with the price per carat of the diamond at the time because diamond markets do fluctuate. The Appraiser compiles all this information into a report for the customer. Nash Jewellers also takes a digital photo of the ring up to 10X for a clear and concise image, which they keep on file in their computer system along with a copy for the customers file. This is all done in order to give the insurance company a proper and modern retail replacement value, whether it was lost, stolen or damaged. It also is proof of what the actual piece looks like for insurance and police purposes.

The cost of an appraisal varies from company to company. It could start from $50.00 for the first piece and $40.00 for any additional pieces brought in at the time or could cost more or less.

Most Canadians purchase higher quality diamonds and spends approximately $2500.00 to $3500.00 on an engagement ring, which is a ring with a (0.50) carat diamond to a 1.0-carat depending on wage and financial situation. Insure a ring that is over a thousand dollars. If the ring is less in value, make sure it is listed in the home insurance under Special Items or Personal. Even better, take a digital photo with a optical zoom of the ring and keep this photo and any other information (receipt of purchase) about the engagement ring in a safety deposit box at the bank.

If an appraisal file has been done, call an insurance agent and make sure to insure it for the full amount paid at the time of purchase or the amount appraised. Once insurance on the ring has been put into place, keep all these important papers in a safety deposit box. Any unworn and expensive jewellery would be best kept in the safety deposit box too. Safety deposit boxes are not expensive to keep. They are tax deductible and an investment towards piece of mind, same as the insurance on the ring itself.

The engagement ring is an investment towards a future life together, take care of that investment by following a few simple, precautionary steps towards guaranteeing that the ring will last for years to come and will be passed down to offspring and future generations.

For more information on planning your wedding visit my website http://www.getmarriedcanada.com

Leah Bacon Arlene Blog12923
Adina Blog34267

How To Avoid Spyware

Spyware can install itself into your system when you clicked some link to a program, opened spam email, clicked on certain popup windows or if you were downloading some free utilities, toolbars or games. Protect yourself with antispyware software. And check to see if your security settings are too low, change the settings to default level or higher, and keep a check on what you download.

Spyware is so invasive that Antispyware programs rank high on everyone's list of favorites when it comes to keeping the computer healthy and running. While no one's safe from spyware, there are some things you can do to avoid spyware, in addition to having antispyware solutions installed.

The most irritating thing about spyware is how it got into your system in the first place, not to mention how long it's been there or what it is doing. What could have triggered its existence in your system? What is even more annoying is the fact that you probably got tricked into clicking a link to some program for it to get installed in your system! Maybe you opened spam email - sometimes that's all it takes.

If you click on certain popup windows or if you were downloading some free utilities, toolbars or games, there's a pretty good chance it sneaked in that way, unless you had antispyware solutions installed in your system. The most likely source are those file sharing programs that are rife with spyware. And if you happened to browse through a corrupt website, it is no mystery at all as to how the spyware came in. Some legitimate software applications come bundled with the spyware.

Be Careful About Those Freebies

The Internet is full of free software that tempts you and when you succumb to it, comes integrated with spyware. If you are not protected by antispyware software, this spyware will relay all your browsing habits to spurious advertisers. Even your sensitive personal data can be revealed. How do you prevent this from happening? The first step is obviously to install antispyware software.

Exercising Caution

Beware when you surf the Internet. Check to see if your security settings are too low. If your system is not protected with antispyware software, this low security setting is a fine entry point for tracking cookies and spyware programs so that they can lodge themselves in your system. So, first change the settings to default level or higher, preferably, and keep a track of what you download. Update your operating system regularly. And keep your antispyware application also up to date with new definitions. Your antispyware solution will detect, then quarantine and delete spyware that happens to enter your system by chance.

Watch your email! If you don't recognize the sender, don't open the email or click anything in it. Only open email or download programs from sites you trust. Nothing comes free. Check around the online forums about which software comes bundled with spyware. It is easy to get feedback off the Internet about spyware and which antispyware is best to combat it.

Arvind Singh is admin and technical expert associated with development of computer security and performance enhancing software like Registry Cleaner, Window Cleaner, Anti Spam Filter etc. More information can be found at http://www.pcmantra.comCarena Blog49839
Ceil Blog67760

Korean Wedding Gowns: Hanbok

New Fashion Trend?

Nicolas Cage has one. So does Britney Spears and Usher. What's the latest fashion craze that's a must-have for the Hollywood crowd? It's the Korean hanbok!

A han-what you say? Literally meaning "Korean clothing", a hanbok is the traditional ceremonial attire worn by women and men on weddings and other special occasions. The concept is similar to the Japanese kimono, although you would be unwise to call it the "Korean kimono", as Elle magazine discovered. The magazine received an irate letter from a Korean American after it mistakenly labeled a hanbok "kimono" and ran a correction shortly thereafter.
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200601/200601200009.html

Cultural sensitivities aside, few will argue the bold beauty of the richly constructed hanbok. Although modern Korean women favor the western white wedding dress for the ceremony today, many will change into the hanbok for the reception to participate in traditional Korean wedding customs.

Hanbok Deconstructed
The hanbok for women is made of two basic pieces: the wrap-around skirt (chima) and the jacket (jeogori). Together they are often referred to as the chima-jeogori. For ceremonial wedding attire, the bride would wear a lime-green wonsam or hwarrot (also known as the flower robe) over the hanbok.

The skirt has a high pleated waistband wrapped with long sashes that ties around the chest. That's right, the chest. The result is an extremely voluminous effect, so if you're looking for something to enhance your figure and give you a slim waistline, this would probably not be the right choice of attire for you.

The jacket is short and bolero-style, with wide, slightly curved butterfly sleeves. An important part of the jacket is the ribbon that ties the front together. There's an art to tying this ribbon--only half of the bow should show, it should stay in a horizontal line on your left side and it should never stick up.

The beauty of the hanbok lies in the melding of the simple, clean lines of the skirt and jacket with the overall bold, harmonious colors and patterns. And short women rejoice--since the proportion of the skirt is so much larger than the jacket, sometimes up to four times larger, the hanbok will make even the shortest women look like she's got legs for miles.

The Korean Vera Wang

There are many designers today who are putting a modern spin on the historic costume. Acclaimed hanbok designer Lee Young-hee (http://www.lyhkm.org), sometimes known as the Korean Vera Wang, (http://fopsanddandies.blogspot.com/2007/03/couple-of-years-ago-i-went-to-fashion.html ) is known for combining elements of tradition and infusing modern color for her couture wedding line. The comparison comes from Ms. Lees attention to detail, flowing layers, and undoubtedly, the cost of one of her gowns. Her work is featured as part of the new permanent collection, The Korea Gallery at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2007/07/148_4417.html). She was also the first Korean designer who participated in the Paris Pret-a-Porter show and introduced the hanbok to Westerners in 1993.

More Designers, More Choices

Other hanbok designers include Kim Hee-soo, who introduced a modernized sexy version of the hanbok at a charity fashion show at the Grand Hyatt Seoul Hotel, and Lie Sang Bong (http://www.liesangbong.com/index.php) who combines traditional hanbok trademarks such as ultra high waists and one loop bows in his pieces.

The hanbok, while steeped in tradition and history, has evolved in style to feature modern layers of flowing silk organza. The choice is yours if you are a bride in the market for a hanbok for your wedding. Theres beauty to be found in both traditional and modern styles.

Sadie Ballens is the founder of http://www.smashingbride.com, a place where you can find discount designer wedding dresses and accessories up to 80% below retail.Agretha Blog99576
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George Lindemann Sr

One of the most distinguished residents of Palm Beach, Florida, is gas and media tycoon George Lindemann Sr., one of the richest men in the world according to Forbes. With a net worth estimated at $1.5 billion, George Lindemann and his family are currently ranked 512th in Forbes' list of The World's Richest People 2006.

George Lindemann, however, is more than just your usual wealthy man. On top of being a smart and able business executive and a consummate family man, he also happens to be wealthy in a lot of other aspects. A patron of the arts, an influential philantrophist, a defender of civil rights and an avid sportsman are just some of the adjectives that best describe George Lindemann, the billionaire.

Born in 1936 in New York City, Lindemann went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. This education was put to good use, which shows in the resounding success of the many diverse enterprises he has entered into through the course of his life.

In 1958, he joined the cosmetics and hair care products company of his father, which eventually diversified into pharmaceutical products. Dabbling in eye, ear, nose and throat product research, as well as early research on intraocular lenses, Lindemann is primarily responsible for the development and marketing of the first permanent-wear soft contact lens, Permalens. This is where his fortunes began to rise and eventually make him one of the wealthiest men in the world

After selling his contact lens business to Cooper Labs for $60 million in 1971, Lindemann went on to become president of Vision Cable Communications, a pioneer in the cable television industry with New Jersey, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Louisiana operations. From there, he became the president and CEO of Metro Mobile Communications, Inc., the second largest SMR (specialized mobile radio) dispatch company in the United States. Eventually, he sold the Metro Mobile cell service to Bell Atlantic for $2.6 billion in 1992.

At present, George Lindemann is the chairman of the board, president and CEO of Southern Union Company, which ranks as the second largest natural gas pipeline company in the United States. He has been the chairman and CEO of the company since 1990, while his position as president didn't come until his appointment in November 2005. Lindemann and his family own about 10% of Southern Union. His family also currently holds a large stake in Verizon Communications. In addition to all this, he owns 19 Spanish-language radio stations.

An active supporter of the arts, George Lindemann sits on the board of the New Orleans Museum of Art, as well as that of the Metropolitan Club in New York City. He is also on the board of directors of the International Class A Yacht Association, Perto Cervo, Sardinia, Italy. Ever the avid sportsman, Lindemann also happens to be the proud owner of the 180-foot schooner named Adela that took the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2005 at Porto Cervo, Sardinia, Italy.

For more info on George Lindemann Sr., visit author Neil Crespi at http://www.myspace.com/neil_crespi. Frequently updated, his site contains more important details about billionaire George Lindemann Sr.Berri Blog8145
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Where To Find Best Arcade Games

Arcade games, historically, emerged as early as the late 1920's where you could find theme parks which combined mechanical form of gaming machines and a great fun atmosphere. This was the beginning of modern gaming. The first video game machines appeared in the and were mainly coin-operated. To play the game, you sloted in your coin or token and when that run out the game ended. You then had to purchase further tokens if so desired. Now, most video game machines use solid state electronics to operate. Scores and bonuses are all electronically controlled.

Atari, which started in 1972, was now dominating the market with popular arcade games such as Pong (electronic version Ping Pong), Pacman, Space Invaders, Battlezone, Donkey Kong and the Galaxian. Video arcade games started appearing everywhere including shopping centers, public houses such as bars, supermarkets, college dormitories, bowling alleys and dedicated amusement parks. However, with video arcade games located in seedy places like casinos and gambling houses, their reputation waned. The sales of arcade games further took a hit with the advent of home video game consoles in the early nineties. People rather preferred to buy or rent out the exact games they used to play in these amusement parks and enjoy it from the comfort of their own homes.

With this decline in fortunes, dedicated arcade games businesses started to suffer and many had to close down or diversify. Diversification involved offering other attractions such as rides with arcade games being only a small part of the business and at least offering arcade lovers to still indulge in their passion. Most of these centers are so different, they are no longer what they used to be.

Playing arcade games is now even easier. With most dedicated venues closed due to advances in the gaming console technology and the internet, you do not need to uproot yourself and find a physical venue. If you are into gaming consoles, all you need is to buy or rent your game and enjoy it in the comfort of your own home. On the other hand, if you wish to play free arcade games with a bit of social interaction, you can choose from many internet gaming platforms where you can play as well as chat or interact with other game lovers in the forums.

In spite of the many milestones arcade games have come, the basic essence of the "arcade" is still present in most modern games. Most arcade games offer the game lover different levels of play, starting with the easiest. Once that level has been mastered or maximum points have been scored, you are allowed to move to the next level. Each higher level is progressively more difficult. You stay in the game if you stay "alive" or your "virtual" tokens get finished. Obviously, physical tokens are not needed for online arcade games but the general theme is always present. Newer games such as Street Fighter I and King Fighters offer a two player game mode which futher enhances the gamers experience.

Arcade games have survived, mainly because they are so addictive and they offer a good recreation time for kid, teens and adults alike and they are likely to be with us for a long time to come.

By Jake JenkinsArlena Blog23163
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4 Steps Away From Your Own Website

In the last decade, the Internet has become one of the most important and effective platforms in which to promote yourself and your products. But if youre not an experienced webmaster, getting such a project underway can seem a bit overwhelming. However, this article will show you how such a project can become both a fun and an enriching experience for anybody who wants to create his or hers own website. You will learn how to built and maintain a practical and efficient website for all your visitors to enjoy.

The Plan:

The first and undoubtedly most important, but often forgotten, step is drawing up a plan. In this stage of the process, it is the time to lay out the details of your website project. Of course your website is a work in progress, and you will most likely change many things along the way, but if you do not have a clear idea of the direction you want your project to go in, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the magnitude of such an ambitious project and give it up all together. Here are a few things I strongly suggest you do not overlook when planning for you Internet project:

Give yourself a deadline:

Of course this is not set in stone and there are no consequences for not finishing in time. But it is a good idea to set deadlines in order to maintain some sort of order in your project.

Make a list of people who can help:

We all have that friend or relative who is good with computers or even an old college buddy who has a knack for writing articles. You can ask them if they can help you in any of the aspects of your project.

Make a budget:

How much are you I willing to invest is an important question you must ask yourself at this stage. You will have to do a bit of research at this point. Again, none of the decisions you take on are set in stone, but having a good idea of how much designing your website, registering you domain name or hosting you website will cost is an important part of the first step.

Define your website:

A few questions you should ask yourself at this point are what will the overall theme of the website be and who is your intended public. A good idea for a first website would be to build it around a passion of yours.

Plan the overall look of your website:

Without getting into specific detail, such as logos, pictures or color scheme, it is a good idea at this stage to have a clear idea of what you want your website to look like. Depending on the overall theme and nature of you website, you will have to decide on the look you will want to achieve. For example, a site talking about your favorite sport or television series will not have the same look as a website promoting business related books.


Decide how much time you want to put in:

Finally, in this step you will have to take some time and think about how much of the work you would like to do yourself and how much of it is going to be done by professionals. There are certain aspects of a website that are more time consuming than others, so you will want to spend your time on the things you deem most important.

If youre having problems with this stage, dont get discouraged. Like I said earlier, it is without a doubt the most difficult stage in the process. While you can have professional do things for you in subsequent stages, deciding the overall look and theme of your website is a decision you have to take all on your own.

The content:

The next step in creating a popular website your visitors will consistently come back to is to offer them the information they need through useful and up-to-date content. If you have already defined a clear picture of what your website is about in the first step of the process, you can now easily understand what your potential visitors are looking for. You should also decide at this point, in what way you would like communicate this information. Articles and tutorials are a great way of offering free and compelling information to your visitors.

There are numerous website that offer articles you could use on your website. You can browse through an extensive collection of articles and add them to your website. As long as you follow the guidelines set by the website and the respective authors, you may use these articles on your site as a way to offer compelling content for you readers. There are several of these article directory websites out, such as goarticles.com, easyarticles.com and articledashboard.com just to name a few. It may also be a good idea to write your own articles. This isnt as difficult as it may seem, especially if your sites theme is based on a subject youre particularly passionate about. You may even share your articles on these article directory sites. In return, your article may be published on other websites with an active hyperlink to yours.

You may also have a product to sell or to promote. Even though this part of your website is indented to get you a profit, this does not mean you cant offer any relevant free information to your user. In fact, offering the reader a good and honest review of both the pros and cons of purchasing such a product can be a great way of concluding sales.

Another great way of helping your visitors in their search for answers is by redirecting them to other websites that offer complementary information. You should however note that asking for permission to link to these websites is highly recommended and is the ethical and acceptable way of doing things.

The Design:

Graphic design:

As important as the content is in getting your readers to come back to your site, the graphics and overall appearance of the website is just as important in creating a great first impression. Everything, from the color scheme, the graphics used, such as your logo, to your picture selection all work together toward achieving the look you ultimately want your website to have. The important thing is not to get carried away with the graphics on your website. If you take a look at any corporate website on the Internet, you will notice they have a nice clean look, relying on nicely positioned photos and carefully selected graphics. You should also try to remain fairly consistent in your overall layout. Essentially, every page on you website should look the same. This will maximize your sites usability, allowing visitors to navigate with ease throughout your website.

One option can be to use templates that can be either found for free on the net, or that come with software you may purchase. It should be noted that this will require some form of coding skill to add the content you need for your website. You must also realize that finding a template that perfectly matches your needs may be hard to find, but remains a viable solution for your first website. Now for those of us who want to create a customized website that will suit our requirements, hiring a professional designer is another possibility. Of course, this can cost a considerable amount of money in the long run, especially if you plan on creating more than one website. Therefore, learning how to create simple graphics for your website is a great way of saving money that could eventually be spent more wisely on a good hosting company for example.

Mastering a photo editing program such as Photoshop may take several years, but creating simple graphics such as a logo, a banner or a content box is possible with a little help and practice. A great way of learning to design graphics for websites is with the help of tutorials. You can find loads of free tutorials on sites like tutorialoutpoust.com, pixel2life.com, good-tutrorials.com and many more. With a step by step visual approach, youll be creating beautiful graphics in no time.

Coding:

With your content and graphics now ready, you can now move on to the next step of creating the actual website. You must code everything into a language called HTML (HyperText Markup Language) that Internet browsers can recognize. Now any experienced programmer can manually code HTML using a text editor such as Notepad. You may try your hand at manually coding a website if youre up for a challenge. You may be able to code a simple website using free online courses such as the ones we find at w3schools.com.

Of course, these days theyre exists a multitude of software such as Dreamweaver that can help you program entire websites quicker and more efficiently. Like Photoshop, it may take a while before you get the hang of this program, but you may easily create a simple and appealing website that fits your immediate needs with the help of free online tutorials on websites such as pixel2life.com and many more.


Another option would be to have a professional programmer create a website to your specifications, but again this can be quite costly in the long run. It all depends on your budget and the nature of your intended website. If its a commercial website, you may feel that investing in a designer and programmer may be worth it because there is a possibility you may make the money back fairly quickly.

Get up and running:

At this stage of the process, you are just one step away of realizing your dream of having our very own website. Once your website is ready, it is time to get your pet project out there to the World Wide Web, for the whole world to see.

Web Hosting:
This is the time for you to choose where you are going to put your site. There are multitudes of hosting services available for you to choose from, but it is important to do so according to your requirements. There are many places on the web where you can host your website for free. Of course, there will be some conditions imposed on you in return, such as adding an advertising banner.
If you have an Internet connection, your Internet Service Provider will most likely have a space where you could place your website for free. Although limited in space, this can be a viable second option for your very first personal website. You could also use this space to test out your website. If you plan on operating a commercial and professional looking website, you will have to purchase space from a hosting service. Depending on your needs, there are an endless amount of hosting packages that will be offered to you. The size of your website and the amount of visitors you expect are some of the factors you must consider before signing-up with any hosting service. I recommend using Godaddy.coms hosting service. They offer several packages to choose from, all of which are relatively cheap and reliable.

Domain Name:

This is also the stage where you must register a domain name. Your domain name will be unique name (address) that will best represent your website. A good tip is to keep the name relatively short, so that your viewers will remember it the name next time they want to visit your website. For personal websites, a good idea would be to use your name. As for business related websites, this stage may be a bit trickier because a lot of the best domain names have already been taken. This is where your creativity comes into play. Once youve done your research and have come up with a good name, I once again recommend visiting Godaddy.com and learn more about their offers.

Maintaining you website:

After all that hard work, you finally have your website up and running. At this point in the project, you can take a breather and be proud of what you have accomplished, but you also have to keep in mind that it is crucial to your websites success that you maintain your website. In fact, maintaining your website is perhaps the most important aspects of running a website. Some of the steps you will have to take are: making sure your links remain functional and keeping your content up-to-date. Aside from the fact that frequently updating your websites content will help you with your ranking in search engines; it will also benefit the lifeblood of your website, your users. Offering useful and up-to-date information to your visitors will inevitably keep them coming back for more.

Josh Green is a senior editor for http://associateinsider.com. Visit http://associateinsider.com/buildwebsite.html today for this and many more informative articles, stunning web design tutorials and reviews of the best tools available.Allianora Blog42810
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