A Look at Slogans

Let's take a look at slogans and how just a few words can say volumes. A slogan is a memorable phrase used in conjunction with a political, commercial, or religious advertisement. Slogans are used to convey a deeper meaning. Slogans can be used to elicit emotions, or the slogan might paint a visual image that implies something more.

When considering a slogan or a tagline, keep in mind your objectives. What image do you wish to portray? Slogans should be short, but not to the point of being pithy. Slogans should conjure positive images and distinguish the value your company or product provides.

The best way to analyze slogans is to look at a few.

Slogan: "The toughest job you will ever love" (Peace Corps)

Message behind slogan: This is much more than just a job; it takes heart to be in the Peace Corps; join the Peace Corps and you will be a better person. This job is not about money it is about helping people.

Slogan: "Be Seen, Be Sold" (Shareware Promotions)

Message behind slogan: Being found on the Internet is not easy. Use us to be found on the Internet."

Slogan: "You could learn a lot from a dummy. Buckle up" (National Highway Traffic Safety Admin)

Message behind slogan: Learn from test dummies, be safe and buckle up.

Slogan: "Parents who use drugs have kids who use drugs" (The Partnership for a Drug-free America)

Message behind slogan: Model what you preach, do you want your children to do drugs? It is your responsibility to model appropriate behavior for your children.

Slogan: "This is your brain on drugs" (The Partnership for a Drug-free America)

Message behind slogan: Do you know what this stuff does to you? Taking drugs is stupid.

Slogan: "A diamond is forever" (DeBeers '1948)

Message behind slogan: Diamonds represent marriage, marriage should be forever. If you really want your marriage to last it should be sealed with a diamond.

Slogan: "It takes a licking and keeps on ticking" (Timex Corp)

Message behind slogan: It does not get any more durable than this, other watches can not stand up, but Timex will endure regardless of the treatment.

Slogan: "For all you do, this Bud's for you" (Budweiser)

Message behind slogan: After a long hard day, drink beer to relax.

Slogan: "Where's the beef ? "(Wendys)

Message behind slogan: Our competitors use small patties, but our burgers are big.

Slogan: "I love New York" (NYC)

Message behind slogan: New York is a special place, everyone loves NY, you should come and visit, you will love it too.

Slogan: "See what brown can do for you" (UPS)

Message behind slogan: We do more than just ship packages, we have additional offerings and can do more than just ship.

Slogan: "The few, the proud, the Marines" (US Marines)

Message behind slogan: We are a select group of very special individuals. Do you want to be elite? Take pride in representing the US.

Slogan: "Friends don't let friends drive drunk"

Message behind slogan: You will die if you drive drunk. It is your responsibility to protect your friends. Be responsible, don't let people drive drunk.

Effective slogans leave impressions in the minds of people who see or hear the slogans. Often slogans will have hidden meanings, or be a play on words. The goal of the slogan creator should be to create a memorable tagline that conveys a key benefit or differentiates the brand. Slogans will often help position the product or service in the marketplace. Slogans with just a few words can indicate superior value, excellence, or inspiration.

A business identity and image conveyed through a short statement will affect the way that consumers, competitors and others in the industry perceive your business. Slogans will distinguish your company in a unique way. Words are powerful, and if used properly, they can be an important sales tool.

Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for NotePage http://www.notepage.net a wireless text messaging software company.Crysta Blog66663
Debera Blog97316

MySpace Codes Part 1

There are many ways to customize your MySpace.com profile and the pages that are included in it. In addition to being able to add files, music, video, and graphics, it is also possible to customize how people are able to view your site. Here, you can change the way borders look, choose a wide variety of colors, and change the fonts of each page.

Because there are many tools available to you on the MySpace.com site, and also many others you can download and use from other locations, like www.mypsace.org or www.popdarts.com, it is not necessary for you to know the actual HTML code and other languages involved in creating a site. In fact, a MySpace.com profile is actually a combination of HTML, (hyper text markup language), and cascading style sheet, (CSS) rules. Because these codes have already been incorporated into the templates and layouts provided for you, you do not have to know or understand how these languages work. This makes creating a profile and subsequent pages quick and easy.

Color is one of the most important elements of a web page. Eye-catching colors and themes will often attract the attention of those browsing various profiles, and can make a difference on how many times your site is actually viewed. It is easy to change the color of your background and tables, and then to change the color of the text in them.

Before proceeding, however, you should have a backup copy of any text you will alter, just in case something goes wrong and you lose it. There is a code file used when making color changes to your site. You will create this file and name it MySpaceCodeColor.html. This is done in a text editor such as Notepad, Wordpad, or the text editor of your choice. You can give the file a different file name, but make sure it is one you will recognize as your color file. There are various color codes you will type into this file. These are HTML and CSS codes that you can download off the Internet, or acquire from other MySpace.com users who know them. These codes will designate how your page looks.

There are specific codes for changing the background color, the color of your tables, and the color of the text in the tables and on the page. You can also change the color of the graphics that appear on the page, but this requires a different set of codes specific to graphics.

In order to change the color of an entire table, it is necessary to specify code for each row in the table. Again, it is necessary to either know the code or to obtain it from someone who does.

It is also possible to change the colors, fonts, and borders on the MySpace.com site, but using the above described method will give you complete control over what happens to the information on your site and how it is presented to viewers. This is because you are not limited to already existing layouts and options, and are able design the site you want.

Magalie Noel Dresse is the Webmaster of http://www.mypsace.org which offers myspace layouts for free.Cordelie Blog32046
Cristen Blog455

Using Biscuit Joiner Power Tools

These power tools are mainly used to plunge-cut the slots for wooden biscuits that strengthen and align joints. Whether youre at the wood working shop or the job site, biscuit joiners are one of the most indispensable for mitered window casings, face frames, cabinet carcasses and more.

Nine biscuit joiners were tested in a recent product review. All of the plate joiners were more than capable of creating tight, durable joints. However, the most vital features were proven to be comfort, dust collection, slot sizes, blade changes and of course, fences.

The fence is the most significant part of biscuit joiners. To cut a slot in an edge thats angled or to center the biscuit in any size of board, a fence is a necessity. The basic styles of fence, two of them are those that incorporate the height adjustment and angle into one mechanism, and those with two mechanisms of adjustment. Fences normally have an adjustment of angle on the left side and a height adjustment directly on the right-hand side. The height adjustments range from approximately 11 3/8 inches to 2 3/8 inches.

The best overall choice for biscuit joiners is the Lamello Top 2053 for $800. Lamellos fence does everything one asks from a biscuit joiner. Lamellos height stop is versatile as it can reach 2 3/8 inches to center biscuits in 4 -inch boards. The Top 2053 has a unique micro adjustment knob that affords you to slide the blade up or down 2mm for placement of precision. Although the Top 20 53 doesnt contain any accessories, at $800, it is better constructed for a woodworking shop than any job site. This Appliance has a wooden case.

As for the best value, the Porter-Cable 557 is big, full of features and versatile for $200. This power tool comes with an extra blade for the cutting of mini-biscuit slots. The fence makes it simple to manage large angles as it reaches 135 degrees and easy to adjust to 90 degree angles. The tool is a tad heavier and larger than most biscuit joiners, but the handles are very comfortable for usage.

The internet great offers on the Porter-Cable. You may also shop around for online book stores that has a bit less for $199 and its suggested to go with the Bessey KBK2440 Cabinet Door Clamp Kit for a total price at $318.99. The biscuit joiner delivers quality performance with accurate, smooth cuts.

Leon Groom writes about http://www.powertoolsmall.com, Electric Reels and Home Depot.Clemence Blog7286
Dallas Blog12680

Proper Tire Care for Safe Driving

Tires are one of the most important parts of your car for safe travel. Here are some tips on how to keep them in good condition so they last a long time.

Check your tires once a month for wear. One of the easiest ways to do this is to place a penny into the most shallow tread groove with Lincoln's head down. If the whole head remains visible the tread is worn down to 1/16th of an inch and needs to be replaced.

Never have tires repaired if they have a puncture larger than 1/4 inch or have sidewall punctures.

Keep tires properly inflated. Use a tire gauge to measure inflation. A tire can lose up to half of its air pressure and not appear to be flat!

Check air pressure on cold tires. Wait at least three hours after stopping vehicle even after just a one mile drive.

Purchase a good pressure gauge and have it checked for accuracy at your favorite dealer.

Keep your car in alignment. Just sudden stopping against a curb or driving through a pothole can throw the front end out of alignment and damage tires.

Have the tires rotated regularly. Check the owners manual of your vehicle. If no time limit is listed then have it done every 6,000 to 8,000 miles.

Avoid fast starts, stops and turns.

Avoid speeding as that heats the tires excessively and wears down the tires faster.

Avoid driving on the edge of the pavement or other sharp edges and obstructions.

Avoid overloading the vehicle. Check the owner's manual for the maximum weight load for your car.

When buying new tires know what size and what kind of tires your car requires. Know the difference between all-season tires, winter tires, radial tires, etc. Tell the dealer what type of driving you will be doing such as winter driving, mountain driving, desert driving, etc. It will be much easier to help the dealership to get you the proper tires if they know what you need.

It is best to replace all four tires at the same time. But if you need to purchase only one or two tires have them installed on the rear axle.

When washing your car clean the tires with soap and water and a soft bristle brush or a shop cloth.

When properly cared for tires can last up to 40,000, and even up to 80,000 miles depending on driving habits and road conditions.

For more information on tire care visit: http://www.apluswriting.net/autocare/tirecare.htm

Marilyn PokorneyDeerdre Blog15544
Deloris Blog40111

German Vacation Destinations Hamburg

Hamburg is Germanys second largest city and remains to be one of the countrys most prized metropolitan areas for the economic importance of its ports. Hamburg is located on the river Elbe in the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein and has direct access to the Baltic Sea and the North Sea. Since the Elbe is traditionally the lifeblood of the city, many of its attractions, festivals, and much of its history revolves around the great river.

Hamburg hosts several large events annually. Hafengeburtstag celebrates the anniversary of Hamburg becoming a free port. Hafengeburtstag takes place in early May and is a large draw for Germans across the country. Alsterverggen, an international festival that takes place in August, presents fireworks displays, sailing, and watercraft events. The single largest fair in north Germany is Hamburger Dom, which takes place three times a year; from March to April, July to August, and November to December. The festival allows Germans to enjoy their fair weather with rides such as roller coasters and Ferris wheels and other attractions.

Hamburg is a popular destination for its stage productions, particularly large musicals and plays. Ballets, variety shows, cabarets, concerts, and circus-like performances are also plentiful in Hamburg, cementing the city as a strong player in the stage arts worldwide.

Hamburg Port is a large tourist attraction as well as being the economic backbone of the city. There are tours available all year long. A site that no visitor to the city will want to miss is the Elbe Tunnel, which runs underneath the river all the way across. Museums, shops, and cafs line the harbor, making it a fantastic spot to spend the day or even multiple days.

Families will enjoy Carl Hagenbecks Tierport; one of Europes most respected and respected zoos. It houses over 2,000 animals and has a variety of elephant, dolphin, and other wildlife exhibits and shows.

Visitors to Hamburg interested in more risqu affairs will possibly be drawn to the citys red light district of St. Pauli. The city has made advances to capitalize on the notoriety of the area and it is now a viable and mostly respectable place for legitimate night life. The area is well-policed and is considered exceptionally safe. St. Pauli now boasts upscale bars, taverns, nightclubs, and restaurants in addition to the seedier offerings for which it has become famous. Reeperbahn is the name of a famous street here. The name is derived from the term rope street, which it was called because it used to be a major manufacturer of strong hemp rope.

Hamburg is a shoppers paradise, with upscale malls and shopping arcades almost everywhere. Mudsberger Centre is a very popular point for shopping as well as another located Rathausmarkt and Jungferstieg. Credit cards are not always as accepted in Germany as in other countries, such as the United States, so it is probably best to plan ahead. It is little surprise that Hamburg offers shops and distributors of fine items, as it is called home by more millionaires than any other city in Germany.

Puripong Koomsin is the owner of http://www.europepathway.com http://www.europepathway.com/germany-travel-guide/german-vacation-destinations-%e2%80%93-hamburg.html is one useful article.Clemence Blog18017
Delinda Blog24356

Reduce Your Cholesterol With Natural Vitamins

Because of the great efforts of the American Heart Association and other similar organizations, we have gained a lot of knowledge on cholesterol and its effects on our health. We know that high cholesterol levels increase our risk for heart attacks and strokes. We also know that lowering our cholesterol levels will reduce this risk and keep our hearts and blood vessels healthy. Additionally, we know that diet, weight loss, and exercise can help us lower our cholesterol levels. Prescription drugs that lower cholesterol have recently become available and advertised by pharmaceutical companies. However, these medications have some serious side effects including myopathy, reduction in CoQ10 levels, which can lead to heart disease, and rhabdomyaolysis, a rare, but fatal condition. Fortunately, there is a safe alternative to these prescription medications, pantethine and plant sterols, which are also known as phytosterols, are natures solution to high cholesterol levels.

Cholesterol, a soft, waxy, fat-like substance, is found in every cell of the body. It is needed to help digest fats, strengthen cell membranes, insulate nerves, and make hormones. Made primarily by the liver, our body makes all the cholesterol that we actually need, but we also get additional cholesterol from the foods that we eat. The highest sources of cholesterol are egg yolks and organ meats including liver and kidney. Peanut butter, avocado, and all other plant-derived foods contain no cholesterol. However, all foods from animal sources do contain cholesterol. Even though cholesterol is responsible for many important functions in the body, too much cholesterol in the bloodstream can be very dangerous. Once blood cholesterol has reached high levels, it builds up on artery walls, and therefore increases the risk of blood clots, heart attack, and stroke. Because the heart is a muscle, it needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients. The bloodstream, which transports these nutrients to the heart through coronary arteries, cannot transport the oxygen if the arteries become narrowed or clogged by cholesterol and fat deposits. Depending on the severity, this can result in coronary heart disease, angina, or heart attack.

Because cholesterol and other fats cant dissolve in the blood, they cant travel on their own. Instead, they are transported to and from cells by special carriers called lipoproteins. There are two major lipoproteins: low density lipoproteins (LDL) or bad cholesterol, and high density lipoproteins (HDL) or good cholesterol. LDLs cause atherosclerosis because they clog up our arteries with the continual buildup of fat. On the other hand, HDL prevents fat buildup by carrying it away from the arteries to the liver, where it can be processed and eliminated.

Triglycerides, which are fats used as fuel by the body, can make the blood more sluggish and less capable of transporting oxygen when in high amounts. There are many medications prescribed by physicians for people with elevated triglyceride levels. Some of the most effective, and most harmful, are the statins. The all-natural combination of pantethine and plant sterols can safely lower triglycerides and LDL cholesterol levels, while increasing HDL cholesterol.

Pantethine, which is a form of pantothenic acid that is found in liver, salmon, and yeast, is known for its ability to lower cholesterol by blocking its production. The production of cholesterol in the human body is a very complex process, involving many biochemical reactions and enzyme activity. Pantethine inhibits several of these enzymes, blocking the activity of those coenzymes involved in cholesterol synthesis by about 50%. To compensate for the lowered cholesterol production, the liver pulls LDL out of the bloodstream, resulting in a lower total cholesterol level.

Plant sterols, which are the fats of plants, are found in nuts, vegetable oils, corn, and rice. They are structurally very similar to cholesterol and are therefore able to act as a stand in for cholesterol and block its absorption, causing it to be eventually excreted. If we eat enough plant sterols, the amount of cholesterol transported from the intestinal tract to the liver is greatly reduced. And, just like pantethines effect on the liver, this cholesterol reduction causes the liver to pull LDL cholesterol out of the blood, which reduces both total and LDL cholesterol levels.

Because the plant sterol and pantethine found in food just arent enough to have much of an effect on our health, we need to take a concentrated combination of pantethine and plant sterols in just the right ratio. Plant sterols, which are bound in fibers in the plants, can not be adequately consumed even if we ate lots of raw fruits and vegetables. There are also several forms of plant sterols, with some ratios of these plant sterols being more beneficial than others. While pantethine is found in several food sources, it is hard to get beneficial amounts from our food. Manufacturers of high quality nutritional supplements offer pantethine and plant sterols in the most beneficial ratio, proven by research. The best results are found when taking a combination of 400 mg of plant sterols and 200 mg of pantethine three times a day. Recent studies have shown that lowering cholesterol in people without heart disease can greatly reduce their risk for ever developing CHD, along with heart attacks and atherosclerosis. This is also true for those with high cholesterol levels and for those with average cholesterol levels. Most physicians would never consider prescribing statin drugs to people without actual heart disease or high cholesterol levels because of the many health risks of the drugs. However, the combination of pantethine and plant sterols are very effective in helping those people with heart disease, high cholesterol levels, high triglyceride levels, as well as those just wanting the extra health insurance for their hearts. Pantethine and plant sterols are both very safe. Although some people may experience a mild upset stomach when first taking pantethine, taking the combination of pantethine and plant sterols with meals can usually solve this problem. Pantethine and plant sterols are available at your local or internet vitamin store.

Darrell MillerCherri Blog87257
Dalila Blog55305

Bingo Online - a Social Catalyst

Online bingo provides one of the many catalysts for social networking via the internet. Bingo has always been a very sociable game and now that it is played online, the chat room element provides a great way of meeting and talking to people all over the world from the comfort of your home.

Players log on to bingo games for hours on end, but they are not always depositing money. Of the average daily 3-4 hour sessions playing bingo a big proportion of that time is spent chatting. It is the chat room element that attracts players to stay online for ages simply talking to people and gossiping about the latest current affairs. Certainly chat is beginning to compete with the telephone for a method of social interaction, with around 200 million people already using MSN messenger (Microsoft survey).

It is clear that bingo gaming and chat rooms go hand in hand. They draw many parallels, with both being a way of attaining social interaction, fun online and a feeling of togetherness. The chat rooms that accompany bingo games are an ideal way of communicating with each other and the outside world. The social element of bingo is a perfect match for the social element of chat.

Who loves to chat?

Stereotypes suggest that it is women who love to chat the most. It is also said that bingo online fills the gap in the market for women who want to use a computer and play virtual games online. In fact, a recent survey commissioned by St Minver, who operate Juega Bingo Ya, claims that 85% of its UK players are female and they stay online fives times longer than men. However, that figure changes drastically in the Spanish market, whereby around 60% of online bingo players are male, each gambling around 125 per month online and spending much longer online than women. Spain itself has a high propensity of people wishing to gamble, and with only 24% current broadband penetration the future growth potential is there for all to see. So the stereotype that women are prone to chatting online more than men, does not ring true for online bingo and their associated chat rooms.

While the chat element is big in Spain, according to the operators of http://www.juegabingoya.com, Spanish players offer a different kind of reception to those winning the jackpot. Recent complaints to the customer services department of St Minver have been somewhat ironic. St Minver had recently launched a Swedish language chat room for its Swedish partner. However, Swedish players were said to have been very fond of the previously Spanish integrated chat room as they were fond of the light-hearted abuse received online when any other player called bingo. Many Swedish players made requests to re-integrate the Spanish chat with the new Swedish bingo product.

It is said that the chat element of bingo is popular due to the community feeling it gives players who play online. The feeling of becoming known amongst other chat room players, together with the gaining of an identity, draws people to the chat rooms. On average, players return to bingo chat rooms around 20 times per month and, in a typical day, over 7000 lines of chat per hour go through the chat room of the St Minver network.

Chat rooms also provide a good way of providing customer support. Juega Bingos 24 hour customer service is proving popular amongst its players as a way of discussing the game and enabling players with a question to be able to obtain a speedy response, in a language they can understand.

There is also an element of trust that a chat room brings to online bingo. Players can build up a rapport with the Chat Managers, and this can help build loyalty and fuel player retention as there is always someone at hand to greet players, answer any questions, or spark off a conversation.

A lot of sites offer chat rooms games as an added element to a bingo site. Offering prizes, promotions and rewards for answering questions is a great way to attract players to a chat room. Recently Chit Chat bingo brought in some TV celebrities from Big Brother to act as Chat Room Managers and this brought a fun and even more familiar social element to the chat rooms.

Essentially, chat rooms are about building a community. By offering quality Chat Managers, who build up a good rapport with players, and by offering chat room games and prizes with the chance for players to meet and identify with each other, it is no wonder why Chat Rooms are such an important element in online bingo games.

Written by Morgan Collins for http://www.juegabingoya.com, a Spanish language online bingo site.Chrystal Blog42288
Cindie Blog79937

Netting Women Meeting the Perfect Girl Online

Lots of men often ask me if meeting women on the street and in public isnt gradually becoming obsolete in todays modern society with the growing popularity of the internet. My answer to that is: Have vehicles become obsolete since the growing popularity of aviation?

The truth is that the internet serves it purpose. Is there really any method to which you can compare which can have you meeting women from as close as the girl next door on your street as far as all four corners of the globe, all with a single click? Probably not.

But just like everything else the internet as a method for meeting women has its advantages and disadvantages. Firstly, there is no comparison to seeing a woman in the flesh who you admire and plotting the course to meeting her and ultimately becoming a part of her life. Of course this too can be done on the internet; but one big difference on the internet, the woman is virtual.

Over the past few months I have taken a look at a few of the sites out there which have crept up to fill this void which introduce men and women to each other and all the ones which I have seen all seem to serve their purpose to some effect. As a matter of fact, I have known people who have met their perfect matches on some of these sites and have even gone on to do the ultimate. But on the other hand I am all to familiar with people who have come away from the internet experience so beaten, broke, frustrated and battered because they have been disappointed, disillusioned and let down, by such things as the photo collectors those e-women who only collect photographs of people they meet on the net or those women who supply fake photographs that bear no resemblance to who they actually look like. Then they are those who like Miss Haversham from the old novel Great Expectations having been spurned and burned by relationships in the past they set out to trawl the net causing as much pain as possible to every man whom she happens to come across - and the internet is full of these women.

In this age of political correctness and womens liberation these women are more than likely wreaking vengeance on the spineless men of the net as vengeance for the absence of men approaching them off of it.

I have come to verify that experiences on the internet arent too different for the women either. However, theres one caveat for the fairer sex: the men that these ladies hope to and do attract are so desperate for attention and anything else on offer that they are willing to jump through every hoop which the women put in front of them so that they can have the chance to be with these women - and these hoops are in no short supply!!! These men are willing to pander (virtually and really) to these womens every need, and numerous net-women have to practically fight these characters off with a stick.

Some examples of this are like telling them such things as the kind of things they should do in the photographs and the style of photo that they should supply in order to obtain special consideration. Even though the ones that they themselves have on show are often generic. As well as cross-examining these men akin to a prosecutor to an accused all to eventually declare a mistrial.

For this, special consideration, these men are rewarded by the women in due course neither showing up for meetings, nor returning email and calls and similar things, and maybe some verbal abuse, if they are lucky.

Some of the women seem like the perfect women who you really would want to meet and introduce to mother but then you realise that you have been more or less automatically eliminated as soon you read the profile. Now thats honesty, but what are you then supposed to do run away with your tail between your legs or stick around, call the bluff, face the challenge and try to convince her otherwise? And suppose you do in the most unlikely event convince her, what about the fundamental point that never would have worked in the first place.

Then they are the ones that you never hear from and those are the high-quality ones. I know a single friend of mine whose phone was always ringing off the hook with calls from these women but he meets few of them and has never got past first base as he would wish with any of them. We figured out it was because he was giving these women too much special consideration on his web space and profile. After he ceased that desperate practice all this has started to change.

Look, the internet can be and is a fun place to meet women, and it seems like this will remain so for quite some time, however it is helpful not to take the women who you meet on the there too seriously, that is until you get personally to know them. Additionally the odds are and can be - stacked in your favour away from the modem.

One thing that men must remember: is that on the internet it is easy for any man to approach any woman and tell her anything. But it takes a special man to actually approach a woman on in person.

A lot of the skills that will be prove very helpful if you really want to get into this thing you can find in the book, The Lazy Mans Guide to Seduction: How To Meet & Seduce Todays Modern Women. Its an information packed guide about approaching, meeting and seducing women in the modern world and puts you at a definite advantage when it comes to building proper relationships with women. It will save men loads of time in their online as well as offline pursuits with women.

Mark Rosmar is the owner of http://www.lazy-seduction.info. His website is geared for men who are interested in meeting and seducing women along with the landmark book, "The Lazy Mans Guide To Seduction."Constanta Blog20021
Chrystal Blog42288

Image Processing & Bar Codes - Selecting The Right Bar Code With Image Binarization

Documents that are scanned for image processing or storage are often captured at 8 bits per pixel. These are referred to as grayscale images in that 256 levels of gray are able to be represented in the image. The capability to represent shades of gray is required to faithfully capture photographs and graphics but is not normally needed for text. Consequently, scanned images are often binarized. This process involves the selection of a threshold value and then changing all pixel values below that threshold to black and all pixel values above the threshold to white. This compresses the image by only requiring 1 bit per pixel instead of 8 bits per pixel. For example, an 8.5 inch by 11 inch document scanned at 200 samples per inch, has its storage requirement drop from 3.6 megabytes to 450 kilobytes. Binarization also occurs when documents are transmitted by fax as images are created that are represented with 1 bit per pixel as well.

Given a proper threshold, binarized images that contain text can normally still be read by either human eye or OCR algorithms. Indeed, some OCR algorithms begin the OCR process by binarizing the image as the text is typically dark against a lighter background. However, if bar codes are present within the binarized image, they can by altered enough by the binarization process to cause difficulty for a decode algorithm. The image to the left (http://www.omniplanar.com/_upload/CodePics/Code39-GreyscaleWeb.gif) shows part of the start pattern of a Code 39 linear bar code. The top portion shows the image represented as 8 bits per pixel, while the lower portion shows a binarized version using a threshold of 100. Note that the smooth transitions from white to black in the grayscale image have been transformed into ragged edges that have plus or minus one pixel variability. As a result, the width of each bar or space can vary by plus or minus 2 pixels. Given that the information in linear bar codes is contained in the widths of the bars and spaces, decode problems can result depending on the size and type of the original bar code symbol. The remainder of this article will focus on two issues that should be considered to improve the read rate of binarized bar codes: sample density and symbology type.

Sample Density

Sample density is the number of samples per unit area that an image is captured. Typical sample densities used for document processing range from 200 to 300 samples per inch (dots per inch or DPI). Fax transmission can vary from 100 up to 400 DPI. In bar code decoding, a more important parameter to consider is the samples per module, where the module size is the size of the smallest feature of the bar code. This distance is also referred to as the X dimension. This parameter includes both the sample density of the image capture device along with the size of the bar code being scanned. If a bar code decoding software toolkit requires a minimum of 1.6 pixels per module for linear bar codes in a grayscale image. From above, if the width of a bar or space can vary by 2 pixels after binarization, one can see that problems can exist in the short widths at this low sample density. Consequently, it is recommended that a typical value of 4 pixels per module for bar codes that will be binarized. For a document scanned at 200 DPI, this requires a minimum module size in the printed bar code of .020 inchs or 20 mils. Increasing the samples per module beyond 4 is also recommended for images that will go through multiple binarization processes such as documents that will be faxed multiple times.

Symbology Type

The choice of symbology used to encode data should also be considered carefully. Linear (or 1D) bar codes can be broadly classified into two distinct groups: wide/narrow codes and multiple width codes. In a wide/narrow code, each bar or space can only be either narrow or wide. The wide to narrow ratio, which gives the size ratio between the two widths, typically ranges from 2 to 3. Popular symbologies that use only 2 widths include Code 39 and Interleaved 2 of 5. Multiple width codes have more than 2 possible choices for the widths of bars and spaces. Popular symbologies that employ more than two possible widths include UPC and Code 128, both of which allow a bar or space to be either 1, 2, 3, or 4 modules. Given the same samples per module, wide/narrow symbologies typically survive the binarization process with higher read rate performance than their multiple width counterparts. This is simply due to the fact that in the presence of edge variation due to binarization, it is easier to determine if a run is X or 3X wide (where X is the length of a module and an assumed wide to narrow ratio of 3) or if it is 1X, 2X, 3X or 4X as is the case with multiple width symbologies. The table below classifies some popular linear symbologies into the two classes mentioned above.

Wide/Narrow

Codabar
Code 39
Interleaved 2 of 5
Patch Code

Multiple Width

Code 128
Code 93
RSS
UPC

While wide/narrow symbologies are preferred in applications where binarization will occur, they do not normally have as high a data density (data stored per unit width) compared to multiple width symbologies with the same X dimension. This can be an issue where limited space on the document is provided for the bar code symbol.

2D Symbologies

2D (or two-dimensional) matrix symbologies are typically presence/absence codes. They use a regular grid of possible cell positions, and the presence or absence of a cell in a grid location encodes the data. Two-dimensional symbols have much higher data density than 1D codes as information is stored in both dimensions of the symbol. In addition, they normally provide error correction to provide redundancy in case some cell data values can not be determined. When a 2D symbol is binarized with sufficient samples per module (the size of a grid position), they tend to do better than linear codes as the edge information is not as critical: it is the position of the center of the cell that is more important. Decoding software may require a minimum of 2.75 pixels per module in a grayscale image for reliable operation. If additional samples per module beyond 2.75 is provided, performance continues to improve and is a good choice for images that will undergo multiple binarizations. A sample density of 5 pixels or more for 2D matrix symbologies gives good read performance after binarization. Popular 2D Matrix codes include Data Matrix, QR Code, and Aztec Code.

PDF417 is often referred to as a 2D symbology. However, it is not a true matrix code. It is a stacked linear code, consisting of multiple rows of short linear codewords. It allows bars and spaces to have up to 6 different widths and as such it can be adversely affected by binarization at lower samples per module.

Summary

In applications where scanned documents containing bar codes are to be binarized, read rate performance can be improved by using linear symbologies that employ only wide/narrow choices for bars and spaces along with at least 4 or more pixels per module. Two-dimensional matrix codes are a good choice when binarization is used with a minimumof 5 pixels per module, and they provide the added benefit of increasing data density of the bar code symbol.

With over 17 years of experience in the bar code industry, Bob Dunphy has been Principal Engineer at Omniplanar, Inc (http://www.omniplanar.com) since its inception. He has designed numerous CCD camera systems as well as high speed processing platforms.Cinda Blog50703
Davina Blog74422

Safety First with Tools

Humans have been using hand tools since prehistoric times. The evolution from the primitive Stone Age tools to sophisticatedly engineered tools has changed the way we perform work today. Hand and power tools are used daily to help perform tasks that otherwise would be difficult or impossible. However, the advances in tools have also created new challenges for their users. Even simple tools pose great hazards, and can cause severe injuries if not used or maintained properly. In order to reduce or eliminate these hazards, OSHA recommends that special attention should be paid toward hand and power tool safety. In this article, some basic precautions are discussed that can prevent common injuries caused by hand and power tools.

Hand Tool Hazards and Protection

Usually, hand and power tool hazards are caused through misuse and improper maintenance. You should remember the following when handling such tools:

Do not use wrenches when their jaws are sprung;

Never use impact tools, such as chisels and wedges, when their heads have mushroomed;

Tools with loose, cracked or splintered handles should never be used

You must never use a screwdriver as a chisel;

Tools with taped handles should be checked first for any hidden cracks;

Use Personal Protective Equipment, such as safety goggles and gloves;

Keep floor surface where working free from debris and tripping or slipping hazards;

Keep cutting tools sharp.

Power Tool Hazards and Precautions

Power tools could be extremely hazardous when used improperly. They must always be fitted with guards and safety switches. Here are some precautions you should take while handling such tools:

Remember to disconnect all tools when they are not in use and also when their accessories are changed;

Before servicing and cleaning all tools must be disconnected from the power source;

People that are not involved with the work must be kept away from the work;

Never hold the switch button while carrying a plugged-in tool;

Before starting to work, make sure both your hands are free to operate the tool. You can do this by securing your work with clamps or a vice;

Do not wear loose clothing and jewelry that can get caught in moving parts;

Damaged electric tools must be removed and tagged with the words: Do Not Use;

Portable tools should never be carried by their cord;

Electric cords must not be used to hoist or lower tools;

All cords and hoses must be kept away from oil, heat and sharp edges at all times.

Remember, it can only take one mistake! So be sensible and stay safe.

For more Tips and information about tools visit http://www.toolios.com

Guy Scott is a Photographer and is currently some were in this great country driving a Big Truck. Check out my Ramblin-Guy blog http://ramblin-guy.blogspot.com.Cherie Blog20267
Cris Blog57452

Relive Your Home at Vacation Home Rental

What do you wish for while holidaying? You want to enjoy those days to the fullest. Rejuvenation, refreshment, making lots of funs and many more are included in your vacation program. But, have you ever thought that you would savour your vacation with a home away from home feeling? Now, you can relive your home during holiday. Yes! With vacation home rental, you can relish your holiday in a homely atmosphere.

Generally, while planning a holiday trip, the first question that comes in our mind is about accommodation. Its true that every tourist place has lots of hotels. But, when it comes to making holiday with privacy, then vacation rental homes are the best option.

As an alternative of hotels, many furnished apartments, bungalows, rooms, villas are rented by tourist as vacation rentals. Now in every famous tourist places, vacation rental homes are offered to tourists. These condos are quite famous in Europe, North America, Hawaii Islands, and London nowadays.

Mainly, vacation rentals condos are situated on sea beaches, golf courses, in towns or surrounding the famous tourist destinations. These dwellings are available in various sizes. Some are perfect for romantic couple; some are meant for family outings. Based on the travelers and their team members, vacation condos are chosen.

How can I relive my home at these condos- a big question! The exclusive facilities of vacation rental residences will make you feel home, staying far away from home. Vacation rental abodes are adorned with all ultra modern amenities. If you prefer home-made food, you can cook it at the kitchen of these rentals. Besides, you will get living room(s), dining room, washer and dryer, television, telephone and all other facilities. Furthermore, some rental homes are also facilitated with swimming pool, hot water bath system, internet facility etc. And to get all these, you will have to spend same amount that you would have spent for hotel fees.

Looks lucrative- isnt it? But do remember, to get a vacation abode within your budget, taking some initiatives is required. Many real estate agents, touring companies etc. assist travelers to get vacation home rentals. You also can contact with local property owners as well. Always keep in your mind that a bit of research regarding vacation rental homes will provide you extra edge in getting an abode within your budget. So, select the location for your next holiday and start finding a perfect vacation home rental over there.

Sylvestor Johnson is offering loan and rental advice for quite some time. He is working as financial consultant for ThinkRentals. To find Apartment rentals, vacation rental homes , Condo rentals, Rental homes, Vacation rentals, Beach house vacation rentals at cheap rates that best suits your needs visit http://www.thinkrentals.comCharissa Blog21838
Corrine Blog17410

Women CAN Be In Control

Are we responsible for how our partners treat us? Can we help them learn how to open up and talk to us or do they come to us hard wired from the factory? I think we are the deciding factor in how it all turns out.

This is NOT about abuse. There is no way we can solve someone elses anger or need for control problem. The only solution for this is to get out. What Im talking about is warm, open communication about everything from what to do this weekend to how we like being pleasured.

So whats up with the change that takes place soon after the dating faze is over? Seemingly all of a sudden we start complaining about the things we thought were cute before or just overlooked. So ladies, if we are the thermometers of our relationships, its possible to turn up the heat and get things rocking again. Look at these 7 steps and see how many you can incorporate into your life:

The Wow Factor. Looking your best is very important to men. Men are Visual beings and they notice the little things their women do for them like painting your toe nails, dressing up for dinner some nights and how about fixing your hair the way he likes it. It all adds the WOW, When you walk into a room and you turn his head, you dont have to be model perfect, he loves you the way you are. He does love it when you snazz yourself up a bit just for him.

Be a Good Conversationalist. Read a good book, newspaper or watch the news, study a new topic, so you have something other than the same old topics to discuss together like work, bills or family drama.

Plan a Date. When was the last time you went on a date? I mean a real date no kids, no phones, no friends and no in-laws. Take an interest in him and what he likes to do. This is why a lot of men seek out their friends for fun. Its easy to make yourself more interesting and fun than the guys.

Pillow Talk. Here is a fun topic! Let your Sensuality go wild once in a while. I know you dont have much time, what with the job, the house, the kids, the community events, etc., but you dont have to give this important area up just because youre busy. Start with sexy underwear. Youll always feel in the mood if you know that underneath it all youre a woman ready to be taken. Once you start this, your mind will go on overtime and youll come up with lots of ideas that suit just the two of you.

Mystery. Every man likes a little mystery. Do you remember when you kept a little back and was a bit of a tease? Well lets go there again flirt, play and remember he doesnt need to know everything. Shock him a bit!

Pamper your Man. This may be hard at first if you are angry or resentful that he doesnt do this for you, but there is no better way to soften the heart of a man than to make him feel loved and pampered. He will want to reciprocate just to get more of it. Cook him his favorite meal or go to his favorite restaurat and wear one of his favorite outfits. All during the meal come across with some sexy innuendos and remember that youre setting the temperature on this and he WILL take the bait.

Laugh it off. Laughter makes everyone feel better. Laugh at the silly things he does while reminding him what a man he is. If you look at everything for the humor in it youll be far less angry and frustrated and much happier overall.

Get started heating things up!

Maureen Shaw is the author of the book how to win the dating game, Do you know how to get lucky online? She does. She didn't always know. It took her several years of watching how other people got lucky and now you can learn it for yourself. Dael Blog23902
Crystal Blog26706

The Importance Of An IT Degree

The explosion of the information technology world has created a need for highly skilled workers able to handle heavy programming and tight network security. Every end of the spectrum in the computer world now requires in depth training and knowledge to be able to meet the demands of a computerized civilization. Communications, databases and the number of computer networks mean that anyone breaking into the job market with the hopes of working with technology needs certified qualifications and solid skills to be a contender. Competition for employment is stiff and only those with proper knowledge will get into massive corporations or important jobs. Of course, basic training in PC repair will solidify a long term job for you in a computer store, but with the opportunity to expand your skills into something far more valuable, why limit yourself rather than specializing in programming, video game design or software development?

Working in the technological industry can be very good, as employment conditions are favourable. Most working hours are set at 40 hours per week, geared to when the maximum number of employees are using the networking system or tapping into the administrative database. Also, thanks to that same technology you would be studying, someone with an IT degree can easily work from home and provide the same service to their employer as they would on site. There are, however, some drawbacks to working in an IT environment: emergency situations such as viruses, massive backups or network repairs, or meeting a certain deadline can mean longer hours in the evening or on weekends, though usually not on a regular basis.

Technology changes rapidly and pressure to excel at skills does mean that those who work in the industry must always be continually updating their skills or learning new ones as developments occur. Of course, a secure, long term job position can mean that recycling skills may not be necessary, but should your IT employment with one company come to an end, you may find that you no longer have the qualifications to be competitive in the job market when searching for a new employer. For sure, businesses today nearly always only hire people with IT degrees and anyone lacking that certification won't be able to find a job, no matter how skilled or talented they are.

There's more reason to invest in achieving an IT degree. The job prospectus for someone with high skills and abilities is very good, and the public's desire for bigger, better, and more will continue to push companies to develop new software and find solutions to make individual's lives easier or more productive. Computer scientists and database administrators are predicted to be the fastest growing market for those with an IT degree, so specialization in those areas will ensure that you'll be quickly employed at a good salary. However, even without specialization, most people with an IT degree will land jobs, as companies are also looking for people with a wide range of knowledge, including interpersonal and business skills. Spreading out can make you just as valuable as specialization.

An IT degree provides you with the training so that you'll become a valuable asset to any company. Indeed, most businesses today seek out top students and professionals with certification from the best educational institutions to help them protect their valuable data and keep their computer network functioning at its optimal potential. The starting salary for someone with solid skills and certification begins somewhere around $60,000 and only goes upwards from there. Your investment in an IT degree will certainly pay itself back many times, and you'll be able to break into a rising area of employment opportunities that will have you set for life.

Andy West is a freelance writer for Virginia College. Virginia College offers many Information Technology Degree programs. Please visit Virginia College at http://www.vc.edu/site/department.cfm?deptID=2 to select the IT program that is right for you.Crystal Blog72349
Christian Blog89201

World Bowls A History

Bowls is a sport that is played and followed by millions throughout the world. It is a game of skill and precision rather than physical fitness and has therefore often been associated as a game for the older generation. However, many of the upcoming champions are becoming increasingly younger and the sport has spent recent years making its competitions quicker and more colourful to encourage followers.

Bowls can be played indoors or outdoors, and the rules are the same for both. Put simply, the aim of the game is to get your bowls as close as possible to a small white ball called the 'jack'.

In the singles competition, one of the two opponents flips a coin and begins a segment of the competition by placing the mat and rolling the jack to the other end of the green to serve as a target. Once it has come to rest, the jack is aligned to the canter of the rink and the players take turns to roll their bowls from the mat towards the jack.

When all the bowls have been played, a competitor or team gets one point for each of their bowls that is closer to the jack than the opponent's closest bowl.

After all the bowls have been played, the direction is reversed which signals the end of an end.

In group games, the team captain always plays last and has a key role in directing the team's shots and tactics.

Although it sounds easy, the fact that the bowls are not completely round and do not therefore travel in a straight line, means there is a great level of skill and tactics involved to win a match.

The game of Bowls has a distinctive history, dating all the way back to the Egyptians. Based on artefacts found in tombs dating circa 5,000 B.C, it appears that the Egyptians used to enjoy playing a version of skittles using round stones.

Different versions of this form of game then spread throughout the world and can be seen in the many types of bowls games played today. In Italy the game Bocce developed, which is a precision sport closely related to bowls with a common ancestry from ancient games played in the Roman Empire. In France the famous game of Boules arose from Bowls. This is a game that is played using metal balls, often on unusual and challenging terrain such as sand. The aim of the game is to get your large, heavy balls as close as possible to the small, white 'jack'.

The traditional game of bowls, also known as lawn bowls or lawn bowling, has particularly developed popularity throughout England, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and more recently, Denmark. The oldest recorded bowls green is in Southampton, England, which dates back to 1299.

There are also many famous bowling fans throughout English history. Perhaps one of the most infamous in bowls folklore is Sir Francis Drake who, according to legend, insisted on completing his game of bowls in Plymouth before setting sail to confront the Spanish Armada in 1588.

King Henry VIII and King James I were also said to be keen lawn bowlers and even introduced bowling legislation for their subjects!

In 1903, the English Bowling Association was officially founded and began to organise and direct clubs and competitions. Previously competitions had always taken place but for the first time an extensive league and organised contests sprang up.

Indoor variations of the bowls game also appeared, largely due to the problem of the English winter stopping outdoor play. Indoor Bowls is simply the indoor version of Lawn Bowls, which is played on strips of artificial green a similar length to Lawn Bowls rinks.

All versions of the sport have now grown enormously and there is a wealth of leagues, clubs, amateur and professional bowling leagues and competitions throughout the world.

World Bowls grew out of the Commonwealth Games when it was first held 70 years ago (then known as the Empire Games). It was originally intended that only athletics would form part of the games but bowlers successfully convinced the organisers to have bowling included and it has been played at the games ever since. Top stars from both indoor and outdoor formats now come together to play lawn bowls at the Commonwealth Games.

One of the largest bowling event organisers today, is the World Bowls Tour (WBT) - a limited company formed in September 1996 by the Professional Bowls Association, and the two major governing bodies for world flat green bowls, World Bowls Ltd and the World Indoor Bowls Council (WIBC).

The primary object of WBT is to set up a series of premier bowls events at which the top players in the world can play.

One of the most exciting competitions in the UK World Bowls Tour calendar is the World Indoor Bowls Championships that take place at Potters Leisure Resort in Hopton, Norfolk. The event has been hosted at Potters for the last eight years (since 1999) and 2007 will see the event take place there once again for the ninth year running.

As on other previous years, 2007 will see professional players come together from throughout the world, to take part in televised matches including singles, pairs and mixed pairs.

The World Indoor Bowls championships take place at Potters Leisure Resort (more details can be found at pottersholidays.com)

Peter Joyner who regularly writes for http://www.pottersholidays.com.Corrianne Blog61554
Clerissa Blog81010

Get Financial Peace at Low Cost with Unsecured Loans

Money is a very important element of a stress free smooth life. But there have been situations in your life when you feel outraged and disappointed just because of your dwindling financial state. To overcome situations like this one helping hand can prevent you from disappointment and can help your life run as smooth as ever. Low cost unsecured loans are one such opportunity that can provide you money to fulfill all your wishes.

Low cost unsecured loans are as the name itself suggests cheap loans that are available without any security. There may be various reasons why you cannot put a security against the loan. An unsecured loan thus is available to you if you are a tenant, non-homeowner, a student etc. you want a loan. Low rate unsecured loans are also available if you own a property but still you do not wish to put it at risk.

With low cost unsecured loans, you can seek an amount ranging from 1000 to 25,000, for a period of 6months to 10 years. The interest rate will depend upon the amount you borrow and the repayment you choose. Since lenders offer low cost loans, you need not worry about interest rate. Even if you have a bad credit history, you do not need to get upset as low rate unsecured loans are available to individuals having poor credit score, arrears, defaults, bankruptcy, or any County Court Judgment. These loans can help you borrow money in a very reasonable rate which you can repay easily. Easy repayment will both make your bad credit turn good and increase your chances of getting a cheap loan in future.

You can use low cost unsecured loans for your numerous purposes. These are multipurpose loans and can be used for debt consolidation, paying off medical or educational bills, to meet wedding or holiday expenses and many more.

With a low cost unsecured loan, you will save a huge amount of money and time as well. In order to avail these loans you do not have to find lenders and contact them personally. Now you can get in touch with the kind of lender you want while just sitting at home! Yes, online lenders offer you this convenient and cost effective mode of lending the money through internet. They will simply ask you to fill an online application form where you will have to give details about your credit history and some important details. After submitting the form, your loan will be approved in a very short time and the money will also reach you soon. This is a very cost effective and fast mode of availing low cost unsecured loans.

Getting money when you need it is not an easy task. You have to apply effort and time in order to get your wishes fulfilled. Low cost unsecured loans offer you one such opportunity where you can do away with all these efforts and get easy and fast financial support.

Elizabeth Swann is currently working as an expert author for Instant Decision Unsecured Loan. She writes for loans and finance and provides advices on such issues. For more details including low cost unsecured loans, Unsecured Loans for UK Tenants, unsecured loans with poor credit, online personal unsecured loans, Unsecured Loans Tenants, Small Personal Unsecured Loans visit http://www.instantdecisionunsecuredloan.co.uk Deane Blog49048
Channa Blog93566

Everything You Need To Know About Bulk Cat5e Cable

Cat5 cable is the original Ethernet cable, and includes four twisted pairs in a single jacket. The twisted pair design helps reduce interference from external sources and other pairs (also known as crosstalk). Its performance specifications were designed for use with up to 100Mbit/s networks in fact, the most common usage for Cat5 cable is 100BASE-TX Ethernet.

In 2001, Cat5e (or enhanced Cat5) was designed, with stricter specifications for performance and speed. The biggest difference between Cat5 and Cat5e is that Cat5e can be used with Gigabit networks, networks like 1000BASE-T that boast transfer speeds of up to 1000Mbit/s. Cat5e also has slightly modified wiring for even greater protection from far end crosstalk.

In general, Cat5 has been almost completely replaced by Cat5e. While you can still find Cat5 cable out there, you can often find Cat5e at almost the exact same price. You may not notice a difference in performance for a home network, but virtually all business settings will benefit from exclusively using Cat5e.

UTP or STP?

The "TP" in both STP and UTP stands for "Twisted Pair." As mentioned previously, Cat5 cables include 8 total wires, each twisted with another to create four twisted pairs. This balanced pairing is crucial in avoiding crosstalk and establishing a high signal-to-noise ratio even in interference-rich environments.

STP is Shielded Twisted Pair. Each pair in the cable is covered in a metal sheath, which provides protection against EMI (Electromagnetic Interference). The drawbacks to shielding are a heavier cable without the same level of flexibility as UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair). STP is also a slightly more expensive cable and all of its jacks and terminators are shielded to be effective, which can add up over long distances.

UTP has no additional shielding around its individual twisted pairs, and thus does not require that its terminators and jacks also be shielded. Additionally, it is a light, thin, and flexible cable. This means that it is easy to wire between walls and won't take up the space that you may need for additional wiring.

Conclusion

Unless you have specific needs, UTP Cat5e cable is the best solution for most of your networking needs. Not only is it reliable, fast, and easy to work with, it's also the cheapest LAN cable on the market.

For additional shielding, go ahead and pay the extra for STP but remember that the cable will have less flexibility and needs shielded counterparts when planning your networking.

Jimmy Dunn is a technogeek with http://SewellDirect.com. Check out Sewell Direct's complete line of bulk Cat5e cable.Charin Blog18113
Dedra Blog71957

Finding Profitable Keywords For Your Google Adsense Campaign

No doubt that Google Adsense has become the number one player in making money on the internet. The latest claim that I saw advertised was an internet marketer that made over $19,000 in one month. What is their secret? It is simply writing articles and building adsense webpages that use high traffic, or even some traffic, that use profitable keywords. Not just any keywords, profitable keywords. You have to find keywords that your customers use and that your competitors do not use. Their are many tools available and this article will cover just a few of them.

WordTracker is the leading keyword research tool. SEO professionals worldwide use this tool to find profitable keywords. Wordtracker's suggestions are based on over 300 million keywords and phrases that people have used over the previous 90 days. (In other words, there is no "guessing" when you use Wordtracker. Everything is based on the keywords millions of people have actually typed into search engines.)

KeywordDiscovery is also a very popular keyword research tool and is a major competitor to Wordtracker. KeywordDiscovery compiles keyword search statistics from over 180 search engines world wide, to create what they call "the most powerful keyword research tool". It has been noted in a number of reviews that Keyword Discovery returns more words that are relevant than Wordtracker, Yahoo's or Google's suggestion tools.

There are many other tools on the internet that are worth mentioning. They can be used to supplement and verify the profitable keywords that you find using the major keyword tools. They include, the Google search tool, Yahoo Overture, SEO20/20, webconfs website keyword suggestions (you put your competitor's website URL in this one to determine the profitable keywords they are using), and many more.

The SEO20/20 search tool is the most valuable for determining monthly traffic for profitable keywords by search engine. It includes information on the Overture bid prices, total monthly search volume, estimated search volume for Google, Yahoo, MSN, Digital Point (WordTracker), and Nichebot, Google trends, Google Traffic Estimator, Google Suggest, Google Sysnonyms, and Adwords Keyword Tool. It also provides you with links to news searches, directories, blog searches, tag searches, thesaurus, dictionary

Leonard Bartholomew, Is An Authority On Developing Home Based Internet Businesses Part Time. Find out more about how to make more money with Google Adsense by finding profitable keywords at http://www.ideas-from.us/advertising/profitable-keywords.html.Celine Blog6615
Courtenay Blog62076

Things To-Be Remembered On A Cruise

First time cruisers usually have loads of questions creeping in their mind about what to expect. Since it is the first time they are going to take a luxury cruise, we have given vital tips which a novice cruiser is bound to know.

-Check with your cruise line in advance of what features were included in your ticket and what amount is to be given extra. Usually, it depends upon the package which you may purchase before traveling. Generally, the base cost includes your accommodations, activities, meals, entertainment and the use of the facilities available inside the ship.

-Selection of a good cabin should be done based upon the personal choice of the cruiser and its location. The most popular ones are the midship cabins which are less noisy and tend to revert less motion sensations. While booking a cabin just ensure that it is not placed near the kitchen or any noisy area. Most cruisers look out for cabins outside which includes windows and relatively inexpensive upgrade that would help to extend your time in the cabin.

-Usually the things which you need to bring with you depend upon your personal preference. It may vary depending on the cruise line and also the ports you will visit.

In general the important things to be brought are:

a) Documents: Identification Proof of citizenship and tickets.

b) Apparel: Bring your clothing according to the weather conditions of the destination of your travel and also comfortable shipboard clothes to relax.

c) Miscellaneous: Search the Internet for all the vital items to be bought while boarding and also ask your cruise line for a checklist.

d) Medications: Always ensure that when you travel you are having a first aid kit with you in case of any emergency.

When you arrive at the ship you will have to undergo the following check process

a) Luggage: will be given to porters to place it in your cabin.

b) Documents will be verified for entry

c) The ID cards of the shipboard and the cabin keys will be given to the cruisers.

d) Finally, there will be a security screening done.

Once you are inside the ship you will be given a map to follow the directions to your cabin or in some ships there will helpers to lead them to your cabin. Cruise lines will give you and introduction about the scheduled activities and shore excursions. These introductions will have all your doubts cleared.

Cathy Peterson writes about http://www.traveldealsdiscounts.com/ ,http://www.traveldealsdiscounts.com/discount-travel-deals/Site59.com/ and http://www.traveldealsdiscounts.com/discount-travel-deals/Hotels.com/Daune Blog93956
Cindee Blog97448

Seven Summertime Solutions for Sustaining Your Music the Easy Way

Here in the Northeast, when summer finally arrives, you want to spend as much time as possible savoring every moment of the longer days filled with warm temperatures and beautiful weather.

It's been a long year filled with too many commitments, schedules, requirements and far too much rushing around. All you want to do is relax, bask in the sun, have fun and relish the opportunity to slow down your hectic pace.

So you ask yourself several questions like:
How can I keep my music alive?
How can I stay motivated?
How can I put playing the piano on hold for three months?
How can I have a good time without suffering the consequences?
How can I choose outdoor recreation without feeling guilty?
How can I afford to jeopardize the musical level that I have worked so hard to achieve?

Here Are Seven Summertime Solutions for Sustaining Your Music the Easy Way:

1. Listen to songs or pieces of music (on CDs or an IPod) that you play or would like to play.

2. Look at the sheet music while you listen to songs or pieces of music (on CDs or an IPod) that you would like to learn.

3. Organize all of your favorite songs and / or classical pieces into a loose leaf book or folder and play one or more of these every day before bed or first thing in the morning.

4. Read books and articles about music such as:

a. biographies of performers and / or composers

b. motivational material: heres a partial list:
The Inner Game of Music by Barry Green
Effortless Mastery by Kenny Werner
Piano Lessons by Noah Adams
The Art of Possibility by Benjamin & Rosamund Zander
A Soprano on Her Head: Right-Side-Up Reflections on Life and Other Performances by Eloise Ristad

5. Practice outdoors on a portable keyboard.
(Many work with batteries).
You can certainly play some songs, experiment with ideas, and even learn how to use the instrument's rhythmic capabilities.

6. Set a realistic musical goal for the fall.
Here are some examples of goals:
a. I will memorize one song
b. I will be able to play five songs well
c. I will learn one new song or classical piece
d. I will select 10 songs to learn during the year

7. Take some piano lessons during the summer months. Many children and adults benefit from receiving the guidance, encouragement and support that a good teacher can provide. Having some accountability without the normal school year mind-set can actually pave the way for a healthy measure of musical growth during the summer months.

Copyright © 2007 by Ed Mascari
http://www.edmascaripianostudio.com
ed@edmascari.com
508-651-2590 (Natick Studio)
Mail: 57 Hunter Ave, Hudson MA 01749-3043

Ed Mascari has been teaching piano privately to children and adults for nearly three decades. He is a seasoned performer (pianist/ jazz organist) of show tunes, jazz and popular music as well as a published classical composer and church musician. Ed combines his extensive experience to guide students in a variety of styles as he helps them achieve their unique potential.Delcina Blog18411
Charline Blog6186

Are No-Deposit Home Loans Your Choice?

I guess you have heard of a 'no deposit home loan?' If you told me, a couple of years ago, that you could get money for a loan with nothing but a guarantee of solid future earnings, I would have thought you were completely insane. However, nowadays this is a common occurrence. While the major banks hesitate to take risks like that, many newer and more adventurous lenders are taking this chance. Thus, many new homeowners with no deposit loans are really happy

Usually, the kind of people who will benefit from this type of loan are those with high incomes in careers with good job security. The idea behind such a loan is that the costs of renting are less than the benefits of owning the home now and going into debt. However, this isn't always the way it's done. Sometimes, because of the high risk to the lender, there will be a premium interest rate of about 2% or even more than the current market rate.

Now, it might be a good idea to consider all of this. You might want to find your old mortgage calculator and look at the long-term finances, or talk with a financial consultant and see if this might be a good idea for you. For lots of people, this is a great way to go.

As most of us know, nothing in life is free, and you will have to pay some initial expenses like for example stamp duty, mortgage insurance and loan fees. If you are lucky enough to get a first-time buyers' government grant, you can get around paying these expenses too.

An important thing to keep in mind is that you must show that your income will be increasing over the term of the loan, whether it's a va loan or another offline or online loan. If your income will be increasing over the course of the loan, you can put that income back into it and build equity.

The state of the market has an influence on the availability of these loans. For example, in Australia, these no-deposit loans are getting rare because of the market. Lenders are choosier and stricter with their loan policies, and may raise interest rates, putting those with no-deposit loans in greater risk. You should also check and make sure the lender does not have exit fees that are too harsh. You have to really search the fine print.

Lenders will often offer no-deposit loans on only certain types of properties, or properties in certain areas, depending on risk or resale value.

Below are a few things you can do when considering your future finances:

- Work out a budget for the next few years. Allow for a possible rise in interest rates. doing it This way, you won't be caught unawares.

- Make sure that you have all your other debts are under control before you commit to another. This is of huge importance!

- Whenever you are able to it, pay some extra on your loans. Doing so will safeguard you against falling prices and rising interest rates.
Hugh Thorpe is a writer and internet publisher who runs the website http://www.1st-in-loan.net He gives advice and helps people with personal financial issues.Crin Blog49677
Cristin Blog41965

The Top 5 Secrets Every Full-Figured Woman Needs to Know About Lingerie

Size does matter! According to a recent article in the Washington Post, the sale of plus-sized apparel rose by more than 13% last year. The average American woman now wears a size 14, and companies such as Dove and Nike have taken notice. They are among the first national brands to recently launch major ad campaigns designed to embrace the beauty that comes from having ample cleavage and generous thighs.

At long last, full-figured women have finally come into their own. They can celebrate their shape with more clothing options now than ever before, and lingerie has become one of the hottest trends on the fashion map. Youve seen it on Desperate Housewives, with the female executive who wears nothing but lacy camisoles underneath her blazer. Would you be able to pull off the same look? Although every body style is different, the basic rules are the same. There is an art to choosing (and wearing) lingerie well. Knowing the secrets to a great fit will enable you to look spectacular and feel great about yourself!

1. All Curves are Not Created Equal

No body is perfect. Supermodel Elle MacPherson has said, The breasts go first, and then the waist and then the butt. Nobody ever tells you that you get a butt when you get pregnant. We all have our flaws, but part of playing up your assets will involve downplaying the parts of your body you are least comfortable with.

If you like, take a good look in the mirror and identify what you love and dont love about your body. If you dislike your hips or waistline, you will want to draw attention to the upper part of your body. Indulge in bras designed to produce cleavage and accentuate your curves.

If you feel like your breasts are too full but youve got shapely legs, then they should become your focal point. A babydoll nightie with an empire-waist will provide support for your top while letting you flaunt whats below.

If you havent yet found a comfort zone, indulge in a full-length satin chemise with an a-line cut and perhaps a flirty slit on the side. If you do not like your upper arms, look for a sheer or color-coordinated short robe.

The key is to draw attention away from what you do not like about your body, and place it where you feel like being noticed.

2. Everyone Needs a Little Support

The best-kept secret among celebrities and those in the know has to do with the latest lingerie weapons, which can keep even the most problematic physiques in check. Modern-day support garments minimize stomach bulge, lift and separate, and produce a smooth contour under your clothes. Best of all, innovations in fabric and design mean that the painful confinement of girdles (and other instruments of torture) are a thing of the past. Look for camisoles with built-in bra support and high-cut briefs that offer hidden tummy panels. Women with fuller, heavier breasts should make sure to look for bras that feature wide shoulder straps. If you are unsure of your bra size, the best gift you could give yourself would be to get professionally sized by someone who works in the lingerie section of a department store. Making sure that you wear the correct bra size serves not only to make you more comfortable, but it can instantly change your silhouette and may even cause you to drop a d!

ress size!

Spanx is one particular company that specializes in producing comfortable, head-to-toe support to keep your curves looking their best. Sarah Blakely, who founded the company out of her apartment, said I bought clothes that looked amazing in a magazine or on the hanger, but in reality magnified every panty line and imperfection. Her brand of footless pantyhose offers maximum control, and even boasts the tagline, "Don't worry, we've got your butt covered!"

Seamlessbody.com is another company that specializes in supportive shape-wear designed for looks and comfort. They feature unique bodysuits that can be worn under your clothes and provide all-in-one support for your breasts, stomach and derriere. Both companies feature plus-sized versions of their products and are conveniently available online.

If you have a belly, choose high-waited briefs over bikini cuts. Not only will they fit more comfortably, but they are great at covering any stretch marks or other flaws and will flatter your shape.

3. Less is More

When it comes to color, keep it simple. A monochromatic look will do wonders to help elongate the bodyline and slim your proportions. In other words, keep the pieces that you wear at any one time as close to the same color as possible. Which shades work best? Dark tones such as navy, burgundy, brown or black will give you a more slender appearance. Another great rule of thumb is to choose colors that flatter your complexion.

It is wise to be cautious of patterns. Some smaller, more discreet prints may add to an outfit, but larger designs have a tendency to clutter or look different when they drape over problem areas you may be want to conceal. This has the unfortunate result of drawing the eye directly where you do not want it to go! If you have a personality that must express yourself with multiple colors or styles, a great way to spice up your wardrobe can come from adding on a couple of flashy, attention-getting accessories.

4. Bigger isnt Always Better

One of the biggest misconceptions that many full-figured women have is the notion that choosing larger sizes will hide unsightly bulges and ultimately make them look slimmer. In reality, a shapeless, ill-fitting piece will not define anything, either good or bad, and will make your body appear much less attractive than you would look in clothes more suited to your accurate size. Its fine to shy away from body conscious items. Lingerie pieces should be a natural reflection of your personality. If you have a conservative personality, wearing longer gowns or adding layers to your look will enhance your beauty and allow you to feel sexy without having to bare all. Should you have a more playful, flirty nature, the sky is the limit! Plus-sized lingerie includes stunning camisoles with delicate embroidery, frilly boyshorts that provide excellent coverage while exuding a youthful, sexy vibe, and buttery soft satin chemises that feel utterly luxurious against the skin. It is alway!

s best to try on lingerie before you buy, in order to make sure you will have the best fit possible. But if you are in a time-crunch or browsing over the internet, the best bet is to stick to your true clothing size.

5. Stores are Just the Tip of the Iceberg

Did you know that many retailers who do not display clothing over size 12 or 14 often have the exact same styles in larger sizes on their websites? If you spot a piece of lingerie that you just like but it isnt in stock, try to find it online. The internet is such a good resource for plus-sized women that countless businesses have opened their virtual stores and specialize in nothing but full-figured lingerie. With a click of the mouse, you can delight in finding an elegant slip or searching anonymously for something more risqu. Many of these websites offer a multitude of styles for every mood or occasion, and most provide detailed size charts so that you can feel confident in ordering the correct sized garment. Not only do you not have to cope with impossibly thin sales associates, but you can have the freedom to shop from your home, purchase in privacy and even, in many cases, have your items shipped in generic brown boxes so the postman will be none the wiser.

What you wear closest to your skin should delight and comfort you, and deliver a knockout punch to those worthy enough to witness such unmentionables. The secrets to looking great in lingerie serve to enhance not only your outer curves, but allow your inner beauty to filter through as well. According to Wilhela Cushman, beloved fashion writer, Just around the corner in every woman's mind - is a lovely dress, a wonderful suit, or entire costume which will make an enchanting new creature of her.

Jacquie Barry is a professional writer and contributor to http://Sexy-n-Sheer-Lingerie.com which offers advise, opinions and helpful hints on choosing and buying sexy lingerie from plus-size-lingerie to mens lingerieDavita Blog18434
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Step by Step Guide On How To Order A Gorgeous Customized Lace Front Wig

A custom-made lace wig is your best bet to looking great. You can choose to have any style, colour and hair type that you prefer. It is almost like choosing your clothes and accessories for a grand event.

However, there are a few essential points you have to know to order that perfect front lace unit.

Know your head shape

Different wigs suit different head shapes. Check yours. Is your head pear-shaped, round, square, heart-shaped, oblong or oval? If you are not sure, stand in front of the mirror and take a good look at your face. Sketch what you see to help you decide. Try on dummy wigs to see what suits you best. Don't go by the modeled wigs, it may not be the best ones for you.

Measure your head

You can choose to do this on your own or get help. Get the measurement of the circumference of your head, ear to ear across the head, ear to ear across the forehead, front to nape, temple to temple round back, and the nape of neck.

Choose your hair type

Custom wigs are available in human hair, synthetic and blend of both human and synthetic. You have to decide what you prefer. This depends on your original hair texture as well. Keep it as close to the original so that it does not look like a fake. Remember, a wig can be stylish and in keeping with trends without looking unnatural.

Choose your hair style

Do you want it straight, curly, wavy, in ringlets? You can have any style you want. Go ahead and experiment.

Choose your hair colour

What's your preference? Is it blonde or black? Or do you think a hint of red will look great? You decide on this one as well.

Decide on hair densit.

This would depend on your hair length, colour and type. Normal density is between 80-100 % for a full lace wig. Especially for those suffering with hair loss you can get a wig with thick hair instead.

Choose a base for your wig

You can decide on Swiss lace or French lace with the former being more delicate and the latter more durable.

Decide on the adhesive.

This is used to attach the unit to your scalp. Choices range from glues and tapes depending on your preference.

Now that you have done all this, go ahead order your lace front unit.

The best part of custom-made wigs is that you can order multiple wigs at one go. You have the choice of creating different looks to suit different occasions. Can it get any better than that?

Tabitha Mwendo is a recognized authority on the subject of Hairdressing, currently focused on Front Lace Wigs. Her website, http://www.wighair-pieces.com , provides a wealth of informative articles and resources on everything youll ever need to know about front lace units.Cristie Blog84341
Delcina Blog18411

4 Crucial Ingredients Every Event Planner Needs To Know Before Hiring Live Music For Any Corporate Event

Written by Dan Gillogly. President of Glo Glee Music, Inc.

Guaranteed! You'll Look Good B'cuz We Sound Good! Involving live music into any corporate event is not as easy as it seems. Besides deciding on the band, there are 4 aspects you must consider in order to have a hope of having a successful event. They are, in the order of importance:

1) Venue
2) Agents
3) Technical Set Up
4) Band Character

In a moment I'll tell you the details of the crucial issues that can aggravate and potentially ruin an otherwise beautifully accomplished occasion. It will just take a few minutes, but as you read this page, more and more, you will start to feel better and better about hiring live music for your next corporate or social event. Most importantly is . . . . .

Venue Selection

As an event planner, your ability to keep numerous things in mind when hiring musicians. Selection of the perfect venue is the first ingredient you will need. This ability alone may distinguish you as a professionals in an industry filled with amateurs.

When choosing the venue, be certain the room size is in proportion with the number of guests who will be attending. I got into this business as a singing piano player. When I am performing I need to connect with the audience. If the room size is proportionate to the crowd size, I can do my job successfully. If the room is too big and there are not enough warm bodies in attendance, the audience will feel too intimidated to approach the band. When you keep the band close enough to your guests will feel comfortable enough to interact with the musicians and vice versa.

Have you noticed yet that keeping the venue small so the band can be close to your guests will increase your chances of having a successful event? Depending on the act, you can leave a little dance floor in front of the band. But all in all, keep the crowd near the band and allow the band to be an integral part of your event.

I have frequently worked with party planners who are clueless when it comes to what size stage is needed for a band.

"If you fail to plan ahead, then you are planning ahead to fail."

Here are the stage specs for various sized bands:

3 Piece - 8 feet by 16 feet
5 Piece - 16 feet by 24 feet
12 Piece - 16 feet by 32 feet

With the is newly acquired information, experienced event planners will always prefer to go with a room with a stage rather than just placing the band on the same level as attendees. Proper planning for stage requirements avoids major headaches the day of the show. Also, having the band on a stage allows them to be seen by everyone even by the people in back. When selecting the venue, you will also need to keep in mind the acoustics of the room. High ceilings and flat walls with lots of windows and no curtains to muffle the sound are not optimal environments for bands. Work with an experienced sound person to mix the band and equalize the room and eliminate feedback.

Agents

There are only a handful of very few good professional bands anymore. If you don't know a good booking agent, you will be hard pressed to find them. A good agent will be the one to help you thru the minefield of mediocre, amateurs with amps that have no volume control knobs. As an event planner you need to figure out your event theme and then contact a talent booking agency to see if there are bands that fit.

The most popular bands play a wide variety of styles. A good group of musicians knows songs from the '60s, '70s, '80s and '90s. Frank Sinatra has never gone out of style. So make sure the band plays what we call "Jazz Standards". Depending on your event and your geographical location, it is either "Country Music is King!" or "Classic Rock Rules!". Know your demographics before hiring a band.

As with any vendor, you get what you pay for. Let's talk about budget. I wonder, even as you continue to read this report, if you realize the amount of time a band puts in before receiving a paycheck to practicing their instruments, learning and memorizing repertoire and coordinating lights and choreography. Most bands require anywhere from $1,200 to $45,000 per gig. Experienced booking agents will be able to place the right band for the party. With any event, experience wins every time. Ask for references and testimonials.

Technical Set Up

Once your musicians are booked, you now need to cover logistics. Tech setup includes the movement and placement of equipment and sound checks. Bands usually bring their own equipment.

Amplifiers, instruments, a PA system for vocals, lighting towers all the way down to carpet for the drums need to be set up and placed and checked and moved and double checked again. Allow enough time for all of these details to be adequately addressed well before show time. Because it is not IF something goes wrong, it's WHEN something goes wrong. And it always does with a band. Give them enough time to fix it.

Sound check must take place no later than 3 hours before the performance start time. Load in should occur 1 or 2 hours before that. The sound check should take no more than an hour, and after that, let the band go back to their rooms, freshen up, take a nap, grab a meal. They should return NO LATER than 30 minutes before their performance.

Band Character

Musicians have traditionally had a reputation for being evil practitioners of any number of very colorful vices. It has been my experience, however, that we are no different than any other industry be it stock brokers, medical personnel or city workers.

Use these simple rules and you will notice you can keep any group of performers in line.

- Band members should not eat any food in buffet lines or inside the ballroom area. They should have a separate area or a "Greenroom" where they can eat, drink, warm up their vocal cords, stretch out and generally prepare for the gig.

- During a performance, bands should not consume alcohol or smoke. If they can't wait a few hours to partake of their favorite libation, fire them on the spot. You will avoid headaches and embarrassment down the road. In addition, you will get the reputation you will not tolerate any such behavior. Trust me. Word will get out you are a professional party planner.

Finally, remember: Treating musicians with dignity and respect translates into a happy band which brings you happy clients and guests who enjoy the entire event no matter what the occasion.

You are now armed with the 4 seriously critical ingredients for success that you did not have before. If you have learned this information through the school of hard knocks, you can feel assured that you are a true professional.

Now picture the night of the event. Following dinner (if it is served), lights should be dimmed, the band is introduced, they hit the first chords and the excitement ripples through the room. People move towards the dance floor and the smiles appear on everyone in the room. Why? Because you did your job and provided an exquisite ingredient that every corporate party needs: Live Music.

Dan Gillogly will Guarantee you Will Look Good B'cuz he Sounds Good! He is the author of nemerous articles that will help you make your next corporate party or social event a success available at http://www.glogleemusic.com.Corella Blog20548
Cristi Blog65249

Carry This Cell Phone For Your Safety

Chances are, you are in one of two groups when it comes to where you stand on cell phone use. You're either the person that never leaves home without it, loves the ability to stay in touch with everyone from your lawn guy to your spouse at the touch of a button, and just can't imagine how you lived before the invention of these nifty little gadgets. Or, you're on the other side of the equation. You're the person that got along fine for years without such a thing, are quite happy to not have someone call you just to say hi when you're enjoying a peaceful walk in the woods, and the one fuming in the Starbucks line while the person ahead of you tells the server to hang on while they continue chatting inanely away.

Regardless of your particular view of the cell phone, they have a function that you may never have thought of. They can be a deterrent to a potential mugger or attacker! You may be thinking, well that's just not true... someone will see you on your phone and think you're distracted and that you're a perfect target. Well, think about it. If a potential attacker is sizing you up, and you appear to be on the phone, it's unlikely you'll be chosen. The person on the other end of that phone can hang up and call 911. That person is likely to know exactly where you are, and you could be giving them a description of every person you see. That potential predator is most likely going to move on to someone who is more alone.

Do you know there is a perfect item out there for people on both sides of the cell phone fence? It's a fake cell phone, loaded with 180,000 volts and a 130 decibal alarm. The sheer ear-piercing volume is usually enough to get that attacker hauling some serious ass in the other direction. But, if they're foolish enough to think you're still a viable target? Zap 'em with that voltage and run for help while he writhes helplessly on the ground in a puddle of his own urine!

So, if you carry a cell phone, keep this extra one handy, particularly if you are alone. And for those of you who have managed to avoid this little bit of technology? Loosen up a little and carry one that lets you keep your peace and quiet without an annoying phonecall, but can save you from a potentially deadly situation.

Kelly MoranCherianne Blog92659
Celine Blog74908