I Love French Wine and Food - An Alsace Pinot Blanc
by Levi Reiss
If you are looking for fine French wine and food, consider the Alsace region of northeastern France. You may find a bargain, and I hope that you'll have fun on this fact-filled wine education tour in which we review a local white Pinot Blanc wine.
Alsace ranks tenth out of the eleven French winemaking regions in terms of vineyard area. Don't be fooled by the numbers; Alsace is a major producer of quality French wine. Its wine growing area is only about 60 miles (100 kilometers) long, and at the most a mere 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) wide nestled between the Vosges Mountains to the east and the Rhine River and Germany to the west. But this relatively tiny area is known for distinctive wines. Their wine bottles are also distinctive; tall and thin with labels that feature the grape variety, not the usual practice in France. Chaptalization (adding sugar to the fermenting grape mixture) is allowed for many wine categories.
About 95% of Alsace wine is white. The major white grape varieties are Gewurztraminer, Muscat, Pinot Gris, and Riesling. Secondary white grape varieties include Pinot Blanc, reviewed below, Sylvaner, and Muscat. The major red grape variety is Pinot Noir, reviewed in a companion article in this series.
Colmar is an Alsatian town pretty well in the middle of the Alsatian wine villages. Go there if you don't like rain; given its proximity to the Vosges Mountains, Colmar is the driest town in all of France. This city of about sixty-five thousand was founded in the Ninth Century. In spite of the fact that Colmar was largely destroyed in both World Wars, its old town (Vieille Ville) remains worthy of a visit. Some say that it's more interesting than Strasbourg. You really should visit both and decide for yourself. Among Colmar's sights are the St-Martin church constructed from the Thirteenth to the Sixteenth Centuries, the Ancienne Douane (Old Customs House), and the Maison aux Arcades (Arcades House).
Ribeauville is the home of Trimbach wines and has been since 1626. In spite of its size, under five thousand, it has a bit of everything: ancient town walls, Gothic churches, storybook medieval houses, ,a town hall peppered with antiques, and a spring. Nearby are the ruins of three castles. And the first Sunday in September, Ribeauville hosts a major Minstrel Show.
Before reviewing the Alsatian wine and imported cheeses that we were lucky enough to purchase at a local wine store and a local Italian food store, here are a few suggestions of what to eat with indigenous wines when touring this beautiful region. Start with Foie Gras (Goose or Duck Liver). For your second course savor Baeckeoffe (Meat and Potato Casserole). And as dessert indulge yourself with Gateau Chasseur (Almond Cake with Raspberries and Meringue).
OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.
Wine Reviewed Trimbach Pinot Blanc 2004 12.5% alcohol about $13.50
Let's start by quoting the marketing materials. Tasting Note Straw colour; apple, pear fruit aromas with light biscuit and citrus tones; medium- to full-bodied with ripe peachy flavours and a clean, zesty finish. Serving Suggestion Smoked salmon, shellfish or asparagus in hollandaise sauce. Alsatian Pinot Gris is becoming increasingly fashionable, and this example illustrates why. Honeyed fruit aromas, such as peach and pear, plus a texture of smoke and mineral seduce in this just off-dry white that's, round, soft and quite rich. The producer recommends this as a good substitute for red wine with meat dishes such as cold cuts, roast beef or game. They also suggest pairing it with smoked chicken, fish or lobster. And now for the review.
My first meal consisted of a commercially prepared chicken breast with the skin on (more calories, more flavor), potato salad, and a spicy salad based on tomatoes, red pepper and garlic. The wine was refreshingly acidic and somewhat fruity. I finished with fresh pineapple. This combination was quite good; the pineapple's fruit flavors and the wine's fruit flavors melded well, and seemed to intensify each other.
I then paired the Pinot Blanc with a reheated home-cooked chicken leg in a tomato-based sauce with beets and more of the above potato salad. The wine scored as in the first round, but was more assertively fruity including the taste of pears. I am not used to a Pinot Blanc wine being so present, and I like this change.
My last meal consisted of a cheeseless broccoli, mushroom, and zucchini quiche and mashed potatoes. While the wine was powerful and quite fruity, it did come up short.
The first cheese was a French goat's milk cheese that really seemed more like a Camembert. At the first sips the cheese sort of cut off the wine. Later the results were somewhat better; the wine was moderately acidic and somewhat fruity. Then I went for a Swiss Gruyere with a lightly sharp, nutty flavor. This combination was even better; the Pinot Blanc came out nice and fruity.
I usually don't go with a non-imported cheese when tasting wines. However, I am making an exception for a Canadian Asiago cheese that our local supermarket almost never carries. I think that this is the best cheese I have tasted in quite a while; in my opinion it clearly surpasses its Italian Asiago cousin. When I like a cheese that good, I really want to try it with wine. The result wasn't disappointing; this gem intensified the wine's fruit and acidity.
Final verdict. There is no doubt in my mind, this wine is a winner. And the price is reasonable to boot.
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Bratislava Stag Weekends
Bratislava Stag Weekends
by John Tarr
You friend is tying the knot. Well, whatever he might think about it, its time you gave him a royal send off. The best way you can do this is by planning a stag weekend. If this has been, your thought all along, then why not go to a whole new city to have a wild and exciting weekend. Try, Bratislava!
Slovakia has always been a tourist paradise, but Bratislava has added another feather in its illustrious cap. Bratislava provides enthusiasts a wide range of stag weekend activities to choose from. All geared towards providing an unforgettable experience and weekend of some undiluted fun.
For starters, you can go for a skiing expedition in The Tatra National Park. It will be something that your to-be-married friend will never forget. You can also take your pals for a weekend of snowboarding. It will make for a breathtaking weekend full of chills, spills, and thrills. If you are looking for some beautiful fun then you can go in for the various parties organized for clubs specially keeping in mind stage. Enjoy with some of the most beautiful women, dancing the night way.
For action freaks, a stag weekend in Bratislava is filled with armored cars, army combat, and some good old paintball. Bratislava offers one big gastronomic adventure for food freaks. It has some of the best restaurants in Eastern Europe and you can gorge on some of the most delectable food, to your hearts content.
Bratislava is also a gambling heaven, and even if you aren�t a born gambler, you can try a hand at the casinos. When you are done, you can partake of the vibrant nightlife of this city and spend the night gyrating to some great music at the famous nightclubs of the city. This is city of fun and frolic has a largely cosmopolitan crowd, which makes it the number one city to party, the whole weekend away. The people are friendly and many a time will join in the celebrations taking the entertainment to a completely new level altogether.
Another attraction for stags is the famed lap-dancing clubs of Bratislava. Go for something risqu� and treat the groom-to-be to a lap dance. Of course, be sure not to mention it to his wife-to-be. White water rafting is at the other end of the spectrum, but makes for an adrenaline pumping experience.
As the organizer of the stag weekend you would have make your plans and have a clear idea of what you want. Well, in Bratislava you can get all that and then some more. Bratislava also has an indoor go-karting track that has that replicates the thrill of high speed racing albeit at a much safer level. For speed enthusiasts, a day spent here will be a day that will be forever written in the annals of your life and experiences.
About The Author
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Being a Parent... Opportunities to Turn A Bad Experience Into a Good Experience
Being a Parent... Opportunities to Turn A Bad Experience Into a Good Experience
by Bill Platt
The biggest challenge I have had to face in my own life is that of being a good parent. My kids make it hard for me to stay true to the rules of good parenting... They break everything I own... Repeatedly...
Fortunately, I do have the presence of mind to realize that as toddlers and young children, they really do not intend to break things... Instead, they are trying to get a grasp on how the world around them works.
Yep, the lego floats. I wonder what it will do if I flush it??
"Daddy! The toilet is stopped up."
So, Daddy pulls the toilet up, tries to backfeed a snake, and finally gives up. Daddy had to buy a new toilet, because he could not loose the lego stuck in its plumbing.
Of course, the kiddies never told me what they flushed. All I knew is that I could not get it out.
So, I turned it into a learning experience for my boys.
I carried the toilet to the street, and took the boys with me. I took my trusty hammer and broke the plumbing portion of the toilet to see what kind of blockage I had tried to overcome. Upon finding a lego in the plumbing, I instructed the boys that the reason they could not use their toilet is because their lego got stuck.
We have been working with the kids to teach them an understanding of the value of money. The six year old is starting to get it, but the boy who just turned four is still a bit unconcerned about such things.
I explained to the boys that we would have to spend money to buy a new toilet. And, because that requires money to be spent, I would not be able to afford to take them bowling as promised. I could have afforded to do so, but they needed to learn a lesson.
Once they calmed from losing their bowling privileges, we took a bad and made it fun.
Each boy got the opportunity to use the hammer on the remains of our toilet. The trash guys would not have picked up the toilet, because it was a big object. So, I killed two birds with one stone, so to speak.
Each boy got to take turns breaking the toilet into smaller pieces. They had a blast.
Then, we took the chance to teach them the basics of basketball. We needed the small chunks of porcelain in the trash barrel, so we set the barrel nearby and tossed bits of the remains of the toilet into the trash can, as if we were playing basketball.
It was an awesome experience overall, and my kids got to learn a few things, and try a few new things along the way.
And yes, we did wash our hands after our game of basketball.
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Clean The Computer Of Spyware Entries With Reliable Software
Clean The Computer Of Spyware Entries With Reliable Software
by Arvind Singh
Spyware is malicious software that downloads onto a computer clandestinely. It makes entries in the registry and must be removed with Anti Spyware utilities.
'Spyware' is a term that refers to a very wide category of malicious software that has been intentionally designed to intercept or take partial control of a computer's operation without the consent of that computer's owner or lawful user. When the term 'Spyware' is taken in a literal sense, it suggests that the software clandestinely monitors the activities of the user operating the computer, however, it has over the years, come to be known as software that hampers the operating systems efficient functioning for the benefit of a third party, usually the person who created the Spyware. By downloading onto a system the Spyware will also make entries in the system registry. While it is imperative to remove the Spyware from the computer it is as imperative to remove all traces from the registry as well. This can be achieved with the help of Adware Spyware removal tool.
How Does It Affect The Computer?
'Spyware' is candid software that downloads itself onto a person's computer and constantly operates in the background and collects personal information of the user. For instance, it will record the entry from the keyboard every time the user enters a username and password or credit card details. The Spyware will monitor and record the information as well as which site the username and password was entered into. It will then mail this information to the host computer that the Spyware came from. In order to do this the Spyware must take over some processor time. It does this by delaying the operation of other programs or applications running on the system. This slows the system down drastically. The system can be revamped with free Adware Spyware removal utilities such as Quake removal Spyware tool.
Are Spyware Removal Utilities Not Enough?
Many Spyware removal utilities do remove the Spyware from the system but many of them cannot delve into the registry and remove all the entries therein. The registry will have to be scrubbed clean with special Spyware removal utility such as Quake removal Spyware utility software. Many of the Spyware entries will be associated with critical system files and so the anti-Spyware program will not delete them from the registry. Only a good Spyware removal utility such as Yahoo Spyware removal tool will scan the registry and detect the broken links and determine it they will hamper the efficient operating of the system if they are removed. If the Yahoo Spyware removal decides that they can be safely removed the entries will be deleted. If the entries are left in the registry they may link up to the site where they came from initially and download the Spyware again. This is why it is imperative to clean the registry with a reliable registry cleaner such as the free Microsoft Spyware Adware removal tool.
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To know about the Registry Cleaner visit at: http://www.pcmantra.com/registry-cleaner.htm
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Extending The Capabilities Of Performance Testing Tools
Extending The Capabilities Of Performance Testing Tools
by RTG Marketing
Introduction:
Performance testing has become an integral part of Client/Server and Web environments today. With performance engineering comprising performance testing tools, the testing cycle time can be reduced significantly. The capacity of existing performance testing tools has limitations in supporting various protocols. This white paper indicates that Performance testing tools offering wider coverage without much investment are the need of the hour.
The SituationA performance testing tool can simulate internet user behavior only on http protocol and can be enabled for multi protocols as well by plugging-in an ActiveX Component or a Java Class programming language code establishing a TCP/IP Connection within the script of the tool.
Common Protocol Support:
http
https
Telnet
FTP
While with licenses for the http protocol, the compact version of existing performance testing tools can only support the http/https; additional licenses are required to be purchased for supporting other protocol(s).
Enabling tool to support other protocols:
A particular performance testing tool can be made to support a group of desired protocols by setting up a server / application specific development process. This performance engineering is a complex process involving the following steps
Steps involved:
1. Deciding the transactions.
2. Setting up a packet sniffer for capturing the packets traveling between the user machine and the Server.
3. Executing the transactions manually.
4. Saving the details of the captured packets.
5. Analyzing the flow of packets starting from packet
6. Determining the user input in the packets.
7. Parameterizing the user inputs in the packets.
8. Creating functions to simulate the packet flow.
9. Creating an instance for that component inside the script of the tool for plugging-in the component within the tool.
10. Calling functions from the script.
Analyzing Packets:
Analyzing packets is the major part in the process requiring tedious coding and decoding.
Phases in Analyzing:
Six phases in the process of analyzing packets -
Separating Headers and Data portions in the packet.
Analyzing the Header packet.
Analyzing the Data packet.
Determining the constant and variable bytes in the data specific packet, both are usually in HEX String.
Repeating the process with various user inputs getting accustomed with the bytes transferred.
Checking if any data for the previous response is transmitted with the next request.
Ethereal - Network Protocol Analyzer is very helpful sniffing tool to see new variable bytes by simulating traffic from code detecting several protocols, such as:
H323 / Q931 VOIP Protocol.
ICQ Protocol.
Java RMI.
Remote Procedure Call.
IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN.
Ethereal has a rich display filter language and can view reconstructed stream of a TCP session.
Creating the PSEUDO Client:
While designing the client, the transaction is divided into stages with separate functions for every user interaction and server reply.
Separate functions are required for:
Sending the first request and receiving the first response.
Extracting data from the response to append in the second request.
Sending second request and receiving second response.
Similar process must be followed for the remaining traffic. Maximum number of variables must be created for keeping track, with the possible constant fields stored as variables. Following is the screen-shot of an ethereal record of a simple http transaction.
Integration:
Finally, the client component is integrated in the tool, which requires creating an instance of the component and calling the function with different parameters i.e., user inputs, which allow the desired protocol to be supported by the tool.
Process Pros:
1. Perfect simulation with perfect packet analysis.
2. Frequent update for new plug-ins for the new protocols.
3. Cost effective.
Process Cons:
1. Difficulty in decoding.
2. For encrypted applications the process cannot be implemented.
3. For Oracle NCA protocol the process can be implemented only if plug-in is readily available.
Conclusion:
Performance testing can demonstrate the system meeting performance criteria. The later a performance defect is detected, the higher the cost of remediation. This is true in the case of functional testing, but even more so with performance testing, due to the end-to-end nature of its scope. It is always helpful to have a statement of the maximum number of users likely to use the system at peak times. Performance testing almost invariably concludes that it is the software rather than hardware that contributes most to bottlenecks in processing data.
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Content Sites - What Are They?
Content Sites - What Are They?
by Gray Rollins
So just what the heck is a content site?
Glad you asked. A content site is a site that contains content. This literal definition of a content site, however, doesn�t convey the sheer effectiveness of utilizing a content site for affiliate programs. There are several distinct advantages of using a full content site as opposed to a single-page sales format.
Using a sales page or a mini site is one way to sell a product, but even then the sales page is usually accessed from a content site. These larger sites, which can be 20, 30, 40 pages or more, have the advantage of many pages of keyword optimized content that just can�t be reached by a single page. With pages and pages of keyword articles, the content site has the potential for a much higher rank in the search engine line.
In addition to the SEO action, a content site is much more likely to be referenced again and again. People interested in the content will bookmark it and come back to read more about it. Multiple views can only increase the chance of sales, as well as word of mouth about the content that is provided. There probably aren�t that many people that bookmark a sales page, but when a content site has lots of practical information that a reader can use, it has a better chance of being read. Using a content site is like having a catalog, and the sales page is the order form.
Having pages of content also allows you to go more into depth about the items you are selling. A sales page is an obvious sales pitch. Readers come in, mill around, and they�re told why the product is a good thing to buy. A content site is seen more as information about the items- and look! They just happen to sell them here.
And, unlike a smaller site, a content site has room for plenty of products. If one of the products is failing, it can always be squashed and replaced with something that can perform better. Content sites usually are concerned with a specific topic, and within that topic there is room for any number of different products to be promoted. This creates a better chance of revenue instead of relying on only one item for the entire bulk of sales. In addition to changing around the products if they become ineffective, there is also room to change the keywords for the same reason.
A content site is also easier to promote than separate pages that each have to be promoted. An informational site can be branded to create a name for the site and its products. Creating a brand is something that can�t be done with just one product that is probably being sold elsewhere on countless other pages. A brand is the collection of pages, which will be unique to your site. A brand is a powerful thing in cyberspace, and can be wielded for good or evil. Or, just to make the highest number of conversions possible.
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Saturday, March 29, 2008
Sauerkraut Adds Surprising Flavor to Holiday Parties
Sauerkraut Adds Surprising Flavor to Holiday Parties
by Femi Cole
Bear Creek, Wis. � Wow your party guests� taste buds this holiday season by adding Sauerkraut to the festivities.
�Sauerkraut is definitely the food to eat now,� said Great Lakes Kraut Co. co-owner Ryan Downs. �Chefs at some of the nation�s best restaurants have added it to their menus. Sauerkraut-Stuffed Mushroom Caps, Mini Reuben Sandwiches, and Cream Cheese & Sauerkraut Spread will definitely impress guests at any holiday party.� Visit www.sauerkrautnews.com to find recipes for these and other appealing appetizers.
Sauerkraut � traditionally a staple of German cuisine � gained recent national exposure thanks to health studies spotlighting its cancer-preventing properties.
One such study, led by Michigan State University and University of New Mexico researcher Dorothy Pathak, observed that Polish women accustomed to a lifelong Sauerkraut-heavy diet were 74 percent less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than their American counterparts. The study was presented during the November 2005 American Association for Cancer Research�s �Annual Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research� meeting.
A report by the Cincinnati Post�s Food Network highlighted the fact that people want more unique, easy-to-make, ethnic food combinations like Mexican-Chinese food or Celtic chutney.
�Sauerkraut lends itself very well to the demand for such inventive, tasty dishes,� Downs said. In addition, Sauerkraut�s versatility opens the door to a host of other entertaining ideas, he added.
�Make it a part of your holiday drinks,� Downs said. �Explore your adventurous side and use Sauerkraut juice to mix a great-tasting dirty martini or a Bloody Mary.�
Silver Floss and Krrrrisp Kraut, the leading brands of Sauerkraut in the United States, are manufactured by Great Lakes Kraut Co. LLC, the world�s largest Sauerkraut manufacturer. Great Lakes Kraut has manufacturing plants in Bear Creek, Wis., and Shortsville, N.Y., which are located in the best cabbage growing regions in the world. By combining modern technology with three generations that have been committed to perfecting the art of Sauerkraut-making, Great Lakes Kraut produces the finest quality Sauerkraut in the U.S. Silver Floss canned and jarred Sauerkraut can be found in the canned vegetable section of grocery stores in the eastern and southern United States as well as some Midwestern states. Krrrrisp Kraut refrigerated Sauerkraut is located in the meat department at leading grocery stores nationwide. For more information about Sauerkraut, visit http://www.sauerkrautnews.com.
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The Newest Work Hazard For Computer Users: CVS
The Newest Work Hazard For Computer Users: CVS
by Amy Thomas
Millions of Americans go to work every day to sit at a computer for 8 or more hours, seven days a week. While office work is hardly considered to be a "dangerous" job, several years ago, doctors began to notice that certain afflictions are becoming increasingly common among those who use computers all day long.
First, the medical community became aware of CTS (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome), a painful and sometimes debilitating inflammation in the wrist, arms, and hands. In response to the increased number of office workers being diagnosed with CTS, computer furniture manufacturers began to develop ergonomically correct keyboards and keyboard trays, as well as computer chairs that offer more comfortable seating for computer use. Now, many employers provide ergonomically correct workstations for their office staff and CTS is on the decline.
Unfortunately, a new hazard has now taken the place of CTS. It's called CVS (Computer Vision Syndrome), and is caused by prolonged visual exposure to a computer screen. CVS has, in the past two years, become the number one health complaint of office employees.
Like CTS, Computer Vision Syndrome is also preventable. There are a few things you can do to reduce the sensitivity and eye strain associated with computer work. According to optometrist Dr. Larry K. Wan, there are five key ways to reduce the effects of CVS.
Dr. Wan suggests getting regular eye exams, which means (according to NIOSH�the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health) once a year. While many contact-lens wearers are required to get eye exams each year to renew their lens prescription, it's important for those who don't wear contacts as well. Tracking the health of your eyes will allow your optometrist to identify whether or not you're experiencing a deterioration of vision due to CVS.
Dr. Wan also contends that proper lighting is important, citing that eyestrain can be caused by excessive lighting either coming in through a window, or from interior lighting itself. Dim your lights when using a computer.
Glare is another factor that Dr. Wan claims can cause CVS. In addition to adding an anti-reflective coating to your eyeglasses, glare can be prevented by anti-glare screens attached to your monitor, or by using an LCD monitor arm. LCD monitor arms actually allow you to tilt or slide your monitor at the touch of a finger, eliminating strain as the light in the room changes. We found affordable, high-quality LCD monitors online at Versa Products, Inc.
Adjusting the brightness of your computer screen can also help. Optimize for comfort which may mean either reducing or increasing the brightness. Find one that feels comfortable to your eyes.
Interestingly, Dr. Wan also tells his patients to blink more often. When staring at a computer screen, we tend to blink less than we normally do�a process which keeps the eyes lubricated and comfortable. Make a point of blinking more often and every half hour, blink about ten times in a row, slowly. This will help reduce the effects of CVS as well.
About The Author
VersaTables specializes in http://www.versatables.com/ computer lab furniture and other office furniture at the lowest prices possible. Visit our website today and save thousands on your computer furniture and lab tables. VersaTables.com
Internet Paid Surveys � How To Really Make Money With Paid Surveys
Internet Paid Surveys � How To Really Make Money With Paid Surveys
by Davion Wong
Internet paid surveys or rather making money from them can be elusive for the income opportunity seekers. You may have come across many commercial advertisements online or even websites through search engines like Yahoo, MSN, Google that talks about internet paid surveys. One question you probably may have is whether do such paid surveys exist and do they really pay that well. Truth is you must take what you see and read with a pinch of salt. It is definitely untrue that anyone have grown rich out of taking online surveys. No one has and no one will. But people are quietly stashing away good cash to supplement their main income with surveys. So let us study their moves and copy them to really make money with internet paid surveys.
Never re-invent the wheel. Since others have tread the path and paved the way. Follow them and it is safe. Same goes for making money with internet paid surveys. There are some positive thinking and good habits survey takers keep to ensure that they have a constant stream of online paid surveys to do and earn a decent monthly income. One of them is to be realistic and focused on your income goals. Knowing that taking surveys cannot make you rich, you need to set targets like making $500 a month or even making $2000. With proper goal setting, work backwards to calculate the number of internet surveys you need to do in order to achieve your goals. On average, you can earn $5 - $15 out of a simple 15 minute survey. So it should give you a gauge on how much time you should set aside and how many internet paid surveys to take weekly.
Once the goal is set, it is time to duplicate what others are doing to get the internet paid surveys coming consistently. Taking surveys is a numbers game. Top survey income earners are members of hundreds to thousands of survey sites. Not every survey site has a survey for you to do everyday so you need to be signed up with that many market survey companies in order to have a fresh influx of internet paid surveys every single day. Use a free email account to do so because it can be overwhelming when the surveys start flooding your inbox.
Professional survey takers watch their email inboxes like hawks. Your quick response to notification emails is very important. It determines if you are accepted into the survey taking since they only need that many survey takers for their internet paid surveys. So the moral of the story is be fast in responding. After a while, you would get a hang of it and become familiar with the different timings the notification emails are sent out so that you can be right on time. It is a good habit to cultivate.
There are many other tips to make real money out of internet paid surveys. Read up my survey blog for more useful tips and find out how people find good paying survey companies to increase their income.
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Friday, March 28, 2008
Tips to Transform your Scrabble Game
Tips to Transform your Scrabble Game
by Emma Snow
Alright, so your mother-in-law, a PhD in English Literature, has challenged you, a lowly salesclerk at the local bookstore, to a �friendly� game of Scrabble. Sound like a hopeless case? Certainly not! More than just a rivalry of vocabularies, Scrabble is a game of strategy. Equipped with the right tricks, even a child could give your mother-in-law a run for her money!
This article will give you five proven tips guaranteed to transform your Scrabble game. Whether you are a novice to the game, or looking to increase your skill in order to compete in clubs or tournaments, a little practice with these techniques will bring instant results!
Tip #1: Two-by-Twos
Experienced Scrabble players agree that the first key to success is memorizing the list of acceptable two-letter word combinations. This sounds harder than it really is. There are only 96 two letter words, and you undoubtedly know 23 of them. (Some lists include 120 two-letter words, depending on which dictionary you refer to. The 1998 Chambers Dictionary, as well as the Chambers Official Scrabble Words qualifies 120 words, while the Merriam Webster Official Scrabble Players Dictionary includes only 96. A good word of thumb would be to decide at the outset of a game which dictionary you will be using. I�d focus on the list of 96 words, as they are universally accepted in almost all dictionaries.)
Why is this word list so valuable, considering you only use two tiles? Knowing the two letter words helps you to build parallel words, enabling you to count your letters twice for each word you form. This dramatically increases your score! This skill is absolutely essential when the board is �closed,� (meaning that there are no wide open spaces to build new words in), as well as at the end of the game, when you must empty out your rack.
Memorizing this list only takes minutes if you associate each letter with the number of words it forms, (for example, there are 16 �A� words, 5 �B� words, etc.). Going through the lists and becoming familiar with the lesser known words is usually all it takes to commit the list to memory. It�s nice to know there are a few words that don�t require vowels!
The 96 words are: aa, ab, ad, ae, ag, ah, ai, al, am, an, ar, as, at, aw, ax, ay, ba, be, bi, bo, by, de, do, ed, ef, eh, el, em, en, er, es, et, ex, fa, go, ha, he hi, ho, id, if, in, is, it, jo, ka, la, li, lo, ma, me, mi, mm, mo, mu, my, na, ne, no, nu, od, oe, of, oh, om, on, op, or, os, ow, ox, oy, pa, pe, pi, re, sh, si, so, ta, ti, to, uh, um, un, up, us, ut, we, wo, xi, xu, ya, ye, yo.
Tip #2: �Racking� up Points by Anagramming
The difference between an average and an advanced Scrabble player has to do with the number of options a player can find in a given rack. Don�t just find one word and give up�keep moving those tiles around. There may very well be a better option than the one you find initially. Even if you end up using the same tiles, one word may score a higher value than another based on the location of the bonus squares. In addition, you may opt for one word over another because it is harder for your opponent to build on. For instance, if you have a hunch that your opponent has an S you should avoid laying down a noun, as this would allow him/her to �hook� on, scoring points for both words!
Tip #3: Keep it Hot
This hint may seem obvious at first, although there�s a bit more to it than first meets the eye. As you formulate your options on the board, focus on the �hot spots,� or the squares which award you double and triple the value of your tile and/or word. Use these squares to even better advantage by building parallel words, allowing you to use the bonus square two times (once for the horizontal word, and again for the vertical.) This is where that list of two-letter words comes in handy, particularly the words that contain high-scoring letters like J, Q, X, and Z. For example, the word �ex� used in a parallel position where the X lands on a triple would score at least 26 points.
The other side of this equation is that you must be careful not to make these hot spots available for your opponent! However, if you have a great word that opens up a triple, don�t throw it out the window. Weigh up your score against what your opponent may likely get. You may still come out ahead. Who knows? Your opponent may even pass up the triple, giving you a shot!
Tip #4: The Q�boon or bane?
No doubt about it, the Q is one of the most difficult tiles to play; therefore, it demands attention. There are a few tricks that can help you turn the Q to your advantage.
First of all, it�s advisable to commit to memory a few Q words that don�t require a U. Yes, they exist, and they are worth a lot of points, besides! So, here is your second (and final, for now) list of words to memorize: qaid, qanat, qat, qindar, qintar, sheqel, tranq, qoph, qwerty, faqir.
The words �aid� and �at� are particularly helpful for those looking to dump a Q, and this goes for your opponent too! Take care not to lay down either word if you suspect your opponent of having the Q on his/her rack, particularly at the end of the game! (I know this from sad experience; this oversight cost me an important match!)
Whatever you do, don�t hold on to Qs for more than a turn or two, hoping to draw a U. (This also goes for holding onto Us in case of drawing a Q.) Try to get it off your rack as soon as possible, as you lessen your chance of playing a good move when you�re only using six of your tiles. And if the game is close to the end you may want to consider trading it if there aren�t any options on the board. You certainly DO NOT want to get stuck with an unplayed Q at the end of the game, as it automatically adds 20 points to your opponent�s score.
Tip #5: Plan for BINGOs
Our last tip can be quite satisfying once it is mastered. It has to do with creating BINGO words (words which use all seven tiles) and is remarkably easy, once you know how to do it. Start by sorting your rack according to common word endings and save these letter combinations. One of the most valuable sets is �ING.� This takes care of three of your letters, and it�s much easier to form a four or five letter verb that works with �ING.� Voila! You have a BINGO! Some other common endings you want to watch for are -ed, -er, -ier, -iest, and -ies. I�ve even used -ation to good advantage. Un- and re- are good letters to set aside for word beginnings. Laying down your first BINGO is almost a rite of passage in the Scrabble world.
Now you are prepared to take on that grandiloquent mother-in-law; put that palaverous brother in his place. With practice, you may soon be able to join the ranks of the real Scrabble champions.
About The Author
I Love Italian Wine and Food - The Veneto Region
I Love Italian Wine and Food - The Veneto Region
by Levi Reiss
If you are looking for fine Italian wine and food, consider the Veneto region of northern Italy. You may find a bargain, and I hope that you�ll have fun on this fact-filled wine education tour.
Veneto is located in northeastern Italy on the Gulf of Venice. The region is mountainous with all kinds of water; rivers, lakes, lagoons, and of course, canals. In its heyday, during the Renaissance (Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries), the Venetian Republic ruled a large part of northern Italy, and was a major player in the world of commerce and culture. Veneto�s present population is about 4.5 million.
Veneto�s capital, Venice, is one of the world�s top tourist destinations, claiming 60 million visitors a year. Its attractions are too numerous to list here. Venice�s neighbor, Padua, is the oldest city in northern Italy. Padua was the home of the famous astronomer Gallileo Gallilei. The metropolitan region encompassing these two cities has over 1.6 million people. Another city of interest is Verona with its numerous Roman and medieval monuments.
Agricultural products include cattle, corn, wheat, sugar beets, and of course grapes. With all the water you can be sure that fish and seafood abound. Rice is more important than pasta, and lovers of sweets will not be disappointed. Industries include textiles, silk, shipbuilding, and sugar refining, but the major industry remains tourism.
Veneto devotes almost 250 thousand acres to grapevines, it ranks 3rd among the 20 Italian regions. Its total annual wine production is almost 180 million gallons, also giving it a 3rd place. About 45% of the wine production is red or ros�, leaving 55% for white. The region produces 24 DOC wines and 3 DOCG wines, Recioto di Soave, Soave Superiore, and Bardolino Superiore. DOC stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, which may be translated as Denomination of Controlled Origin, presumably a high-quality wine. The G in DOCG stands for Garantita, but there is in fact no guarantee that such wines are truly superior. Almost 30% of Venetian wine carries the DOC or DOCG designation. Veneto is home to about four dozen major and secondary grape varieties, approximately half white and half red.
Widely grown international white grape varieties include Trebbiano, Chardonnay, and Pinot Bianco, known as Pinot Blanc outside of Italy. The best-known strictly Italian white varieties are Garganega and Prosecco.
Widely grown international red grape varieties include Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. The best-known strictly Italian red varieties are Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara.
Before we reviewing the Veneto wine and cheese that we were lucky enough to purchase at a local wine store and a local Italian food store, here are a few suggestions of what to eat with indigenous wine when touring this beautiful region.
Start with Pasta e Fasioli; Pasta and Bean Soup.
Then try Risotto de Scampi; Scampi Risotto.
For dessert indulge yourself with Torta de Paparele; Lemon Tagliatelle Cake.
OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY While we have communicated with well over a thousand Italian wine producers and merchants to help prepare these articles, our policy is clear. All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.
Wine Reviewed
Corte Gardoni Bianco di Custoza DOC 2004 12.5% alcohol about $8
I�ll start with the marketing materials. �Floral notes mixed with sweet red Delicious apple and Bosc pear aromatics form the inviting and lifted nose. The flavors are quite different with citrus and green apples coming to the fore. It is light to medium-bodied, providing a tangy finish that would pair well with grilled, firm (tuna or sword) fish.� And now for my thoughts.
This wine was first paired to a commercial chicken pot pie with a bit of chili-lime hot sauce. I tasted some apple. It was quite weak at first, but did pick up some strength from sip to sip.
The next meal was more in line with the marketing suggestions, namely grilled salmon filet with oven-baked potato patties and French fries. While there was some apple taste, essentially the wine didn�t add anything to the meal. However, it went well with dessert, thin biscuits containing almonds and pistachios.
My next trial included chicken legs in a soy and onion sauce with rice and green beans. The wine was not unpleasant but was light and fleeting.
Montasio cheese is a specialty of the Veneto region. It is made from cow�s milk and can have a sharp flavor when it ages. I was happy when the wine was able to handle this strong cheese. It didn�t do as well with an Asiago cheese, also from the Veneto area.
Final verdict, I won�t be buying this wine again, even at its relatively low price.
About The Author
A Little Advice for Those Considering Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
A Little Advice for Those Considering Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
by Matt Murren
If you are in a tough financial situation, you may be considering Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. Before you move forward, consider several alternatives first. If your financial pressures are due to Credit Card or other debt, consider debt consolidation or working with a financial counselor. You may have already taken those steps and find no other options than bankruptcy.
Chapter 7 bankruptcy may help you in eliminated most kinds of unsecured debt. Examples of these debts are credit cards; personal loans, judgments, and medical bills.
Most of the time, you can keep your property. You must be current on your car and mortgage payment. In addition, the courts will assess the amount of equity you have in your current property. If you have significant equity, you may be asked to leverage your equity to pay your debts first. The goal with Chapter 7 is to eliminate your debt while keeping your personal belongings.
There are some key facts that you need to know before you commit to Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Here are a few answers to common questions for those filing for Chapter 7. Please read further.
Will creditors continue to harass me?
You will want to retain a Chapter 7 Attorney immediately. By working with a specialized attorney, they will immediately give you record number. When the creditors call, you can give them your record number and refer them to your attorney.
Will I lost everything if I file for Chapter 7?
Typically, you will retain all your personal belongings, including your house. A good Chapter 7 lawyer will insure that your personal effects are safe. Most often your car will be safe as well. Your attorney will leverage state bankruptcy exemptions to protect these items.
More often than not you will be more at risk in losing your personal property if you do not file for Chapter 7 to protect them. Make sure you file before you get so far behind that you cannot do anything and get out of the rut you find yourself in.
Will everyone know I have filed for bankruptcy?
The short answer is no. The only parties that will know are the IRS, creditors, and the bankruptcy court. Your employer will not be notified when you file for bankruptcy either unless they are also a creditor of yours. Your bankruptcy is public record but no notifications will be made.
How do I know if I should file for Bankruptcy?
If you are currently facing the repossession of your car or home, you will be better off considering Chapter 7. This will be a better alternative and you should move now before it is too late.
How do I choose a good Chapter 7 Attorney?
If you are considering Chapter 7, you must find a specialized Chapter 7 attorney that understands the laws and is current on any changes that my impact your situation.
When you call a bankruptcy attorney ask them how many bankruptcies they have handled in your state. Make sure you educate yourself on all your alternatives. You can easily do a quick search on the internet and do some quick research before you hire and commit to an attorney.
Most legitimate bankruptcy attorney�s will be able to give you a fair assessment over the phone. Make sure you share the facts with your situation. Many times people are embarrassed of their situation and they hide the facts. This will only prevent an attorney from helping you fast and getting the process underway.
We cannot stress enough the need to get several assessments of your situation. This is key in not only getting the right advice, but also to make sure you get an attorney that is sincerely in the business of helping you.
Will I ever get credit again?
Bankruptcy will be reported on your credit report for up to 10 years. That said you can start right away in establishing your credit. Lenders typically consider your debt to income ratio as well your credit history.
Filing for Chapter 7 helps you eliminate your debts, but also helps in reducing your debt to income ratio as well. This does help in establishing good credit for you in the future. Creditors are in the business to make money by lending you money. Remember this and you will be able to find a lender that will sell you money in your situation.
There are lenders in the business of helping people in your exact situation. You may not get the best interest rate, but you have to start somewhere.
Remember, you can only file for bankruptcy every six (6) years. Don�t find yourself in the same situation again! If you need financial counseling, don�t be embarrassed. Learn how to manage your income, and your debt after your bankruptcy and you will be on your way to a clean financial bill of health.
About The Author
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Dollar Store Coaching VS. Millionaire Mentoring
Dollar Store Coaching VS. Millionaire Mentoring
by John Di Lemme
I'm writing this article sitting in front of a dollar store in West Palm Beach, Florida. As you know our corporate headquarters is located here in the beautiful Palm Beaches of South Florida.
There is also a very large retirement community here and because of the retirement, most people age 65 or older are dead broke. So, what has flourished down here over the last many years are the infamous dollar store deals, dollar store products.
You go in and get something for $1 or under $1. Well, let me expose you to the reality of dollar store deals - just like dollar store coaching.
People may say...
'It's only $100 for a coaching session!' 'It's 3 coaching sessions for ONLY $400!' 'It's 3 coaching sessions for this or that.'
Here is what occurs at the dollar stores in South Florida.
You go in and say...
'Wow, this is really good; I'll buy this dollar store deal. Then you know, as you are walking out, you say to yourself, 'Who am I kidding? This really isn't going to work as well as if I invested in highly valuable and proven product.'
Within a week or two of using the product at your home, it breaks, and you say to yourself...
'Well, I have to break down now, and I have to step up to the plate and go to the real store to get the real product so I can receive the real value and most importantly, the real benefits, of what I'm searching for within this product line - whatever product it is.
This parallels coaching - 1000%
This gets me absolutely totally frustrated and gets my blood pressure rising is when I see these so-called life coaches and so-called coaches.....
Let me tell you... -It is a Complete Joke-
The only way someone can coach you is if they have achieved what you want to do, or are doing what you want to achieve.
That is why there is a big difference between waste of time dollar store coaching and Millionaire Mentoring.
How many of you have had coaching sessions with so-called coaches and gotten nothing out of it because the coach can not guide you, will not make you feel uncomfortable, can not mentor you to where you want to go because they never did it.
When you are ready for *EXPLOSIVE GROWTH* take a deep breath and invest in Million Dollar Mentoring, invest in the correct coaching.
As you know, we have hundreds of testimonials worldwide about our Million Dollar Mentoring one-on-one coaching programs.
Is it one of the most expensive coaching programs in the world?
Absolutely - Bar None - No Questions Asked. Irrefutably Yes.
Because it ain't no dollar store coaching.
It is the real deal.
It is the real Million Dollar Mentoring Coaching.
The next time you go to the dollar store and buy something real cheap and it breaks down, think about what you are doing with your dream and your goal....
Are you willing to invest in the real Million Dollar Mentoring and finally take control of your life?
I believe you are...
I believe the reason you are reading this is because you are searching for the right way.
You are searching for it!
About The Author
Advanced Uses For Myspace
Advanced Uses For Myspace
by David Riewe
MySpace members can generate a website quickly through templates. These templates enable users to create a generic website in very little time. For those who are just interested in making new friends or keeping in touch with old friends, this may be all the member needs. However, those who want to offer more on their website or those who simply want to create a more detailed website may require some more advanced knowledge to achieve the desired effects.
Adding Background Music in MySpace
The majority of websites on the Internet do not have background music. This may lead many novice MySpace members to believe adding music to the background is a difficult process but it really isn�t. In fact MySpace makes it incredibly simple for members to add music to their profiles. The steps to add music to a MySpace profile are as follows:
* Log into your MySpace account
* While logged in visit this web address: http://music.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=music
* Listen to the music available and select a suitable song for your profile
* Click on the link that says �Add� below the song title
* The music is then automatically added to your profile
It is important to note that users can only add one song at a time to their profile. Clicking the �Add� link on a second song will result in the original song being replaced on the profile by the new song. Songs can be removed from a profile at any time by going to the �Edit profile� section of your account and entering the �Profile songs� subcategory. Here you have the option to remove your chosen song.
Adding Videos to MySpace
Adding videos to MySpace is also not as difficult as it seems. Even those with no HTML skills can add videos produced by other members or even their own videos to their MySpace profile. The steps to add a video to your MySpace profile are as follows:
* Log into your MySpace Account
* From your MySpace homepage, click on the �Add/Change Videos� link
* You are then taken to another webpage where you can either search through a database of previously uploaded videos or upload your own video
* To search the database, click on the search videos button and browse through the available videos
* After watching a video you can add the video to your profile in a couple of ways. First you can click on the �Add to my profile� button or you can copy the source code provided and paste this code into the desired location on your profile.
Alternately you can add your own videos to your MySpace profile by first uploading them to MySpace and then adding them to your profile. When uploading a video care should be taken to ensure the video does not violate the terms of service.
Creating Interactive Features on MySpace
Creating interactive features on MySpace is a bit more involved. Members can create features which allow visitor interaction but these features require more extensive HTML knowledge. The best way to acquire the information necessary to design these types of features is to research the subject of HTML code in books or on the Internet. However, if you find a feature on another MySpace website you would like to include in your own profile you can contact the member and ask them how to add this feature.
About The Author
A Family Christmas Sleigh Ride
A Family Christmas Sleigh Ride
by Stacey Leigh
You see pictures of it in magazines, commercials, flyers, paintings. But do people still really do it? Yes they do. A sleigh ride at Christmas time. It still does exist.
A few years ago a good friend of mine called me up and asked if I would like to bring my family to her family Christmas party. Of course I said yes. She then told me that we would be meeting at a farm to go on a horse drawn sleigh ride. What a great idea! It was one of the best Christmas get togethers we had gone to.
So this year I thought. Hmmmm what could I do for my family Christmas. As most of you know, as the years go by families go their separate ways. Sometimes even at Christmas. So, what we try to do is get all the brothers, sisters, Aunts, Uncles, cousins etc.. together a week or two before Christmas day. What better way to get everyone together, than to go on an old fashion Christmas sleigh ride.
I thought first I will call the oldest person in the family to see how she felt about it. Well let me tell you my 86 year old Grandmother is almost as excited as my 6 year old daughter. She told me that she had always wanted to go on one but had never gotten the chance in all her years. What a great memory this will be for her. Seeing her great grandchildren, grandchildren and daughters all together on something she had always wanted to do. Merry Christmas Gramma!
Now the planning begins. I choose a date, then called a local farmer to book the sleigh ride. You may want to book early so that you can get the date and time you want. I made a list of all my guests. And as Santa would do, I check it twice. I then called everyone. Told them about the family Christmas party and what we would be doing. By the way...Everyone loves the idea. While one the phone with my guests I ask them what they would like to bring. It's a potluck all the way. This way it's makes it a little easier on the host for when we get back to the house. Everything is prepared, (you may have to warm a few things) but you are able to serve the food as soon as everyone gets back from the Christmas sleigh ride.
Once you know what everyone is bringing, make a list of it so that you can make sure you have enough for the amount of people you are having. For instance, I'll be having around 30 people back. So my menu is: Brie-warmed and served with crackers, cheese and kielbasa platter, vegetable tray with dip, cabbage rolls, lasagna, sweet and sour meatballs, cheesy mashed potatoes, fresh rolls, Cesar Salad and some yummy Christmas baking. I will also serve hot apple cyder, have some beer and wine and juice for the kiddies.
Try to do all your shopping a few days before the event. That way everything is fresh, and you still have time to prepare what you're making. Make sure you have all the glasses, plates, cutlery, napkins, bowls etc. that you need. I use paper or plastic so that I'm not spending all my time in the kitchen while everyone his here. It's a quick and easy clean up and I can enjoy some Christmas cheer with my family and friends.
I am really looking forward to my family Christmas sleigh ride this year. And if you decide to try this wonder festive event, I'm sure it will become one of your family favorite traditions as it has ours.
Merry Christmas!
About The Author
http://recipes.gocurious.com/
http://christmas.gocurious.com/
and
http://www.gocurious.com/
Quantity Surveyor Jobs Are Up For Grabs
Quantity Surveyor Jobs Are Up For Grabs
by Brad Smith
The recruitment companies across the UK are bustling with activity these days. The reason? They are busy recruiting candidates for many positions such as site engineers, site managers, site foremans and quantity surveyors in some of the most reputable rail and constructions companies. These engineering recruitment agencies are on the look out for high-calibre candidates for both permanent and contractual arrangements. Hence, if you are an engineering graduate and willing to have a long-term career as a quantity surveyors, site engineer or site manager for leading rail and construction conglomerates in the UK, a bright and promising future awaits you.
As a candidate, it is up to you which recruitment agency you want to choose. However, we recommend you choose an agency with a renowned recruitment history and substantial experience in recruiting candidates for a wide-range of rail, construction and engineering jobs site engineers, site managers, site foremans and quantity surveyors.
When selecting a recruitment firm, as a candidate, you need to be sure that it takes care of its candidates even after their placement. Typically, the recruitment agency should be looking after your career, not just a job placement. As an efficient and responsible recruitment firm, Keyman nurtures the careers of site engineers, site managers, site foremans and quantity surveyors in some of the most reputable rail, construction and engineering companies across and outside the UK
Keyman has remained a major destination from the employers� standpoint as well. Specialising in the provision of experienced, high-calibre professionals to the rail, construction and engineering sectors, Keyman is leading the way for many engineering job aspirants in the UK. Having 30 years of formidable experience in construction recruitment and engineering recruitment, and being a well respected, established presence in the rail recruitment market place, Keyman is one of the most sough-after recruitment agencies in the UK.
Keyman offers a lasting and efficient recruitment solution for both employers and candidates alike. Log on to www.keyman.uk.com to view some of our most promising opportunities online.
About The Author
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Almeza MultiSet * Leader in Unattended Installation Windows and Software!
Almeza MultiSet * Leader in Unattended Installation Windows and Software!
by Abramovsky Ivan
Interview for the Krasny Software computer magazine:
The Almeza Company has developed several quite interesting programs. Its flagship product is the automatic Windows and software installer * Almeza MultiSet. That's what we will talk about. Ivan Abramovsky, the CEO of the Almeza Company, answers the questions.
Q: What tasks does your program solve?
A: First of all, Almeza MultiSet has been developed to solve the task of the automatic installation of Windows together with a set of necessary software. MultiSet can create a bootable installation disk that automatically installs Windows, service packs, necessary drivers and any other software (video codecs, file managers, players... anything) plus it can configure all software and tune Windows (all custom settings in the operating system)
Q: What are the main features of the program?
A: 1) Automatic Windows installation
2) Automatic installation of any software
3) Creating a bootable disk for automatic Windows and software installation
4) Automatically restoring software settings and tuning Windows
5) Remote automatic installation. For example, it is possible to automatically install software via the local area network.
We should also mention the features of the program that won it users' admiration:
* Convenient Wizards. Automatic installation disks are created with the help of convenient wizards.
* Ease of use. The program does not require any special knowledge (i.e. it has no special script language, complicated settings), everything is as easy as possible.
* Processing all installation procedures correctly: restarting the computer during automatic installation, entering registration keys, entering usernames and other parameters; processing nonstandard exception situations in an adequate manner.
Q: And what unique features does the program have?
A: * Ease of creating an automatic installation disk. Minimum time is required to get the disk ready.
* Unique algorithm. The unique algorithm makes automatic installation as fast as possible.
* Creating the automatic Windows installation disk and installing service packs, drivers, registry keys and any other software right after that. It is also possible to enable automatic configuration for software and Windows.
Q: What benefits do your users get?
A: First of all, some statistics. Let's calculate: Windows installation + driver installation + service packs + necessary software + restoring old software settings + general OS configuration * on average, an experienced system administrator spends more than 200 hours a year on all that (25 8-hour business days); a regular user spends more than 90 hours a year (11 8-hour business days). Almeza MultiSet needs not more than 45 minutes to install Windows and necessary software. At the same time, human attendance is not required because installation is fully automatic. All in all, Almeza MultiSet will save more than 20 business days a year for a system administrator and more than 11 days a year for a regular user.
Second, Almeza MultiSet creates bootable disks for the automatic installation of Windows and a set of necessary software, drivers, service packs. This disk can be used to reanimate the computer. MultiSet is a turnkey solution = insert the disk and the new operating system, drivers, service packs and any other necessary software will be installed on the computer and you can configure the operating system and the software at once.
And third, Almeza MultiSet restores the system without losing the current data! Unlike in case of cloning image disks.
Q: Who are your customers, what is the target group of your product?
A: Our users are people who value and save their time, people who are used to giving routine work to computers. By automating the process of restoring and configuring the computer, MultiSet helps our customers save time. Mostly, our customers are:
* administrators (system administrator, network administrators)
* computer first aid services
* customer technical support services
* individual users
* educational institutions (schools, colleges, universities)
* companies possessing a large number of computers.
Q: How is the product doing at the moment?
A: Currently, thousands of people use Almeza MultiSet in more than 60 countries: the USA, Canada, Russia, the Netherlands, Austria, Argentine, Belgium, Turkey, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Germany, Switzerland, Jordan... The product is being constantly developed and improved, we extensively cooperate with our users and it allows us to know their needs. At the moment we are working on the next version of the program where we will implement new features and fix existing drawbacks.
Web:
http://www.almeza.com/
Download:
http://www.almeza.com/download/multiset.exe
About The Author
Online Tailoring Information
Online Tailoring Information
by Jolly Timberlake
We all face this problem, and you are probably not an exception. Just five years back this sky-blue suit was your most favorite formal wear, a must in all your business meetings. But of late you have developed some extra flab, especially at your tummy. And that has made the suit a bit uncomfortable for you.
Well, apparently it is not an insurmountable problem. Just a tailoring can solve your problem. But here comes the problem. Will it be a good tailoring? Or will it simply spoil your favorite suit?
This is a dilemma that more-or-less we all face. We all need to tailor our clothes, generally to make them suitable for our new body shape. But it often happens that a faulty tailoring leaves the cloth either partially or fully defective.
Unfortunately it is very difficult to spot the right tailor. You are certainly a busy person and do not have the time to hunt for the one that is ideal for you, both expertise wise and location wise.
However, the problem can be solved (or avoided) by ready tips on clothing alteration. Suppose you have easy access to adequate information about reliable companies into cloth alterations. Then it is an easy matter to choose one and get your work done.
The accessibility is undoubtedly at its peak if the relevant information is online. Today you can find websites offering you online information about reliable alterations companies that you may contact for tailoring your clothes. You will just need to surf the net to spot a suitable alterations company close to your home.
You can also get to know about companies into sewing supplies, and contact them for solving your need. You can even arrange collection of necessary sewing supplies online.
About The Author
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Use EASY Registry Cleaner
Use EASY Registry Cleaner
by Walter Scholler
The main benefit of each registry cleaner is its simpleness or not. But not all of them can be called easy in use. These terms are often dismissed. Only that software can guarantee users simple usage which was created special for Internet majority population who often has no time to lean much about software. And this is the fact. All what a user should know about a "cleaner" is that how to scan and fix a PC and the Windows registry. Simple idea: pro soft - for professionals, intro - for home users. All is fair. Some characteristics below prove it.
Easy registry cleaner advantages and disadvantages
From home users:
* Good-looking interface
* Different gratifying to the eye "skins"
* Easy navigation
* Not numerous options
* Easy Help support
* Thoughtful FAQ (frequently asked questions) list
* Easily added plugins for additional scan operations
From professionals:
* Too much colors making program like for children
* Not a lot of functions
* Spoon-fed FAQ and Help support
* Needless "skins"
We can think out much more advantages and disadvantages but the final result - easy registry cleaner will be always better for home users only. I'm sure professionals will like them when they will have a hand in such "cleaner" construction. One way or the other such software should be created in future.
So, we can say that the features of easy registry cleaner allow users to fix and clean safely and easily. These two factors are the most important in case of home user's security and convenience. Professional registry cleaner, in its turn, does the same work but in different performance. But the final choice is user's who have to choose between convinience of easy registry cleaner and multifunctionality of pro registry which is just hidden in easy registry software in order do not make inconveniences for a user.
About The Author
Company Official Site:
http://www.fixiter.com
The Organic and Healthy Food Market
The Organic and Healthy Food Market
by Davinos Greeno
Organic produce is one of the fastest growing food retail sectors in the country. Health scares such as BSE and foot-and-mouth, plus fears of GM crops/food and synthetic dyes and ingredients such as Sudan1 have led to considerable growth in the organic and the healthy food market as worried consumers seek out more healthy and natural products.
Recent research by market analysts nVision suggests four in ten adults now choose organic options on a regular basis. Organic supermarkets in England are booming and Europes biggest organic event, the Biofach exhibition in Germany in getting bigger every year.
Unfortunately, at the moment retailers are charging artificially high prices. I was in Tesco last week which is a rare occurrence as I shop locally where possible, and I nearly died when I saw the prices being charged for organic yogurt and eggs compared to the non-organic brands. Its about time that the government started to investigate these organic suppliers and supermarkets to see who is ripping us off! Encouraging competition is not always a good idea as this can drives down prices (good for the consumer) which can put organic suppliers out of business if they have small profit margins. I understand that we have to pay more for organic produce because there are more crop failures due to the fact that the farmers cannot use pesticides, but what is an acceptable percentage and does this vary from product to product. Should organic fish be 10 percent more expensive than non organic fish and vegetables 20 per cent etc?
Once only available in small health shops or farmers markets, organic foods are becoming much more widely available. In the past 10 years sales of organic food in the UK have increased over 10-fold from �100m in 1993/94 to nearly �1.4bn in 2004/05. This large growth is predicted to continue, and many companies are jumping into the market. Sales through farmers markets and farm shops have grown faster than any other retail outlet. Organic food and drink now accounts for 1.2 per cent of the total retail market (Source Soil Association).
There are two types of organic foods.
Fresh food
Fresh food is seasonal and perishable. Vegetables and fruits are the most available type of organic, fresh food, and are closely associated with organic farming. They are often purchased directly from growers, at farmers markets, supermarkets or through speciality food stores. Organic meat, eggs, dairy are also available.
Processed food
Processed food accounts for most of the items in a supermarket. Often, within the same store, both organic and conventional versions of products are available, and the price of the organic version is usually higher as already mentioned. Most processed organic food comes from larger companies producing and marketing products like organic baby food, organic beer, organic pasta or other convenience foods.
How do I know its organic?
The term organic is defined by law - all organic food production and processing is governed by a strict set of rules. Look for symbols such as the Soil Association symbol for your guarantee of the highest organic standards. The Soil Association organic symbol is the UK's largest and most recognisable trademark for organic produce. Wherever you see it you can be sure that the food you have purchased has been produced and processed to strict and rigorous animal welfare and environmental standards. Other symbols to look out for include the Organic Food Federation and Certified Organic Ingredients.
Most people dont have enough time to read the labels of all the different food products that they buy to check for organic ingredients. So look for the various symbols, you can then be sure that the product complies with minimum government standards.
The use of such symbols is entirely optional and a product can still be organic even though if it doesnt carry the symbol of a certifying body. That means if you want to be 100% satisfied that what you are eating or using is organic always read the label or speak to the vendor.
Where you will find the symbol? - Look out for organic symbols on almost any kind of food and drink you can think of from fresh produce like fruit, vegetables and meat to processed foods such as bread or baby food. You can even buy organic pet food!
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Monday, March 24, 2008
Selling Your House? Simple Gardening Tasks Can Help
Selling Your House? Simple Gardening Tasks Can Help
by Jonni Good
When we think about getting a house ready to sell, we often focus on the structure itself. We ask ourselves if the walls need painting, should the carpets be cleaned or replaced, do any of the plumbing fixtures need to be repaired, etc. However, the item that is seen first, by every potential buyer that drives by your house, is your front lawn and garden. Spending some extra time on your landscaping before you list your house with a real estate agent can make a big difference in how long it takes a house to sell.
Think of it this way - would you feel comfortable with the idea of seeing a doctor if all the plants in his waiting room were dead? It sets up some negative emotions, doesn't it? The same thing happens when people drive by a house that is surrounded by dying, weedy grass, overgrown bushes, and cracked sidewalks. Since the impression is on a purely emotional level, it may be difficult for your buyers to overcome.
There's a good example of this problem right now, in my neighborhood. Although houses in my city are selling ast this summer, and they don't stay on the multiple listing service for very long, a 'For Sale by Owner' sign has been in the window of a house down the street for months. The owner lives out of town, and probably purchased the house as a rental. Now that home prices are higher, he's ready to sell, but he can't take care of the yard himself because he lives too far away. He did recently hire someone to cut down the overgrown grass, but I suspect he did so only in response to a complaint from the city authorities.
This attitude on the part of the seller reminds me of that ancient saying "penny-wise, pound foolish".
Fortunately, it doesn't take a whole lot of money to get most yards looking good, and it can make a huge difference in the curb appeal of your house. It does, however, take time - especially if the grass has been neglected for too long. Some regular watering might revive it, but if things have gone too far, you may need to reseed the grass and start over. This might also be true in the back yard, if a large puppy or a team of budding football stars has worn ruts in the grass. The most important thing for the grass is to get it green again, and keep it mowed. If dandelions have taken over, a neighborhood kid might be willing to pull them out, if the price is right.
If bushes along your fence are badly overgrown, they may need a hard pruning. Some ornamental shrubs and small trees can be pruned at almost any time, but others must be approached with more caution. To see exactly how and when your shrubbery can be pruned, do a Google search for the particular type of plant, or find a good book on pruning at your local library. Overgrown Arborvitae growing near the house may need to be removed, as would any other fast-growing shrub that refuses to stay within its allotted space, and which would be nothing but bare sticks if it you cut it back.
If you do need to remove overgrown or dying foundation plantings, they can be replaced with fast-growing annuals or perennials. First dig the soil as deep as you can and add compost and plant food to improve the soil's fertility. Then ask your local nursery for suggestions - they'll be able to show you which plants will grow the fastest and fill in the empty space. If you put out a drip hose and attach a timer, you won't need to do much more than pull an occasional weed to keep it looking nice.
A friend of mine recently sold her house, which was surrounded by a beautiful cottage garden that took her years to build. She knew that most people don't have time to care for so many different plants, and would prefer to simply water and mow the grass - so she made sure to list her house when her garden was at its peak. Even if her buyer has to remove all those flowers because he can't take proper care of them, they still helped to create a positive impression with all that color. Her home, surrounded by masses of color, was on the market for only a few weeks.
You can easily add a few spots of color to your yard without planting a perennial border of creating a cottage garden. One exceptionally easy trick is to buy a large planter that matches the color of your house, fill it with one small shrub from the nursery surrounded by fast-growing annuals, and place it just beside your front door. It doesn't take much time, but it can add that little touch of life that makes your house feel more like "home" to your potential buyers.
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Child Care The Pluses And Minuses
Child Care The Pluses And Minuses
by Melissa Fishman
Having a baby at home is a wonderful experience. Looking after the baby and caring for it is an even more fulfilling experience. When calculating how much to feed a baby, on average a baby needs two and a half ounces of formula for each pound of his weight. A baby does not distinguish night from day. If it's your first, your baby is going to make a big difference in your life. Of course babies cannot understand what you are saying because they don't have a grasp of the English language but they do understand sounds and tones, and if you talk quietly and make happy noises the baby know this.
If both parents are working and you need to balance the care of your child between day care centers there are many things you can do to accomplish this, even if you are single parent many day care centers will work with you to help out. If both parents work a day job maybe you can arrange to have one of the parents working either at night or a staggered shift, say starting at noon and working to 8 or 9. And usually the best time to do this is in the summer when both parents might be off work.
As you look at the child care alternatives of day care center, day care at someone else�s home, or a dedicated child care worker in your home, there are two other factors you should take into consideration: it may be best to consider only state licensed day care providers; and your friend or co-worker�s considered choice might not be the best one for your family.
In a childcare center you will need at least one certified trained person that should oversee everything, this is very important if something should happen during operational hours. How can a parent be sure they have made the right decision? A parent wants the best possible care for their child. Today child care centers are very expensive, sometimes parents wonder if it is cost effective for both parents to work, because it is so expensive many think that the day care centers are money magnets.
The most important parts of providing daycare for your child and that's your child's nutritional needs. Certainly the daycare center is not going to let the child starve and the food the child is given to eat will certainly be good food. Trying to find good quality daycare is very hard.
When the child care deductions came about many parents were very happy about this because it put more money in their pockets. Many laws have changed since 2001, this was around when all the tax cuts were happening and in fact increased the tax deductions for the number for children. Children who are under the age 12 the parents are eligible to receive a tax break for them and this is a life saver for many. If you didn't know about this tax advantage there are many accountants or professional tax planners that can help with this, and show you how you can claim this deduction on your taxes.
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Mozilla Download
Mozilla Download
by Jay Moncliff
The official name of the Mozilla Application Suite developed by the Mozilla Foundation. It is also the public and original name but got changed recently to SeaMonkey suite. In informal terms, the name found usage in combination with other phrases related to the now-defunct Netscape Communications Corporation and the various application software that were related to it.
The code base for Netscape Communicator Internet suite was given the Netscape Public License, which is a free software or open source license in 1998. The application developed from this was named Mozilla, as per the codename of the original Netscape Navigator, and was released finally on June 5, 2002.
The suite was well known as the free/open source base of the Netscape versions 6 and 7; its underlying code base became the base of many standalone applications. The Gecko layout engine requires a special mention here, since it contributed the most, even in the Mozilla Foundation's flagship products Firefox and Thunderbird. To distinguish the suite from the standalone products, the suite is marketed as "Mozilla Suite or Mozilla Application Suite.
Though the Mozilla Foundation maintains the suite no longer, it has been unofficially replaced by SeaMonkey, developed by the Mozilla community and based on the Mozilla source code.
The award-winning Web browser from Mozilla is now even faster, more secure, and totally customizable to one online needs. This is primarily because Mozilla download is now available in a total of forty-two languages ranging from Afrikaans to Turkish.
Mozilla download is available from a number of websites but it is always better to stick to a few; that includes CNet and the official Mozilla download site. The latter, however, also offers exclusive membership benefits for free to the Mozilla download user, allowing:
* Free access to Tips & Tricks for the Firefox Browser.
* Free Installation Guide & Videos.
* Free Technical Support.
* Free Downloadable Mozilla compliant software.
* Software news and other important information.
* An access to Members Only News and Help Forums.
Why should one go for a Mozilla download?
* Mozilla Firefox is guaranteed to provide faster and more secure browsing.
* Mozilla download brings forth an enhanced, automatic popup-blocking feature.
* Firefox and Google collaboration provides a smarter searching technology with a built in Google search toolbar with every Mozilla download.
* The probable security threat in the Firefox extension feature can be tackled very quickly and without any hassle after a Mozilla download.
* Mozilla download installs Firefox, the most secure web browser; it is because patches for security threats are available within no time at all.
* Any Mozilla download is customizable to an extent formerly unknown.
- Additional Benefits
* Free Firefox users guide
Mozilla download makes available a free copy of the FireFox users guide; an easy to read electronic book with step-by-step instructions on how to download, install and set-up the FireFox web browser as well as easy instructions on how to use tabs, download extensions and even make the browser perform faster.
* Free Firefox How To Video
Mozilla download provides an on-screen, step-by-step set of instructions for downloading and using Firefox. Narrations by the Firefox experts also explain the work-procedure and the consecutive steps in this Mozilla-download video.
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