The Antispyware Dilemma.

Staying clear of spurious antispyware can keep your pc protected. Hordes of products out there do not keep their promise of cleaning up your pc of spyware. Worse still, you might buy an antispyware product that does just the opposite - install new adware and spyware.

Spyware is something we cannot escape from if we use the Internet. But if we stay abreast of how some antispyware vendors can take advantage of us with useless products, fake product reviews and advertisements that mislead us on sites we trust, we can make an informed choice in eliminating these hoaxes.

How can you keep from being cheated?

Fake and useless antispyware software can crawl into your system. If you suspect that your system has spyware, you will invest in reliable adware removal and antispyware packages to prevent future problems for your computer. But you have to be very cautious about which antispyware you choose. There are hordes of products out there that do not keep their promise of cleaning up your pc of spyware. Worse still, you might buy an antispyware product that does just the opposite - install new adware and spyware.

Another hassle is that fake antispyware programs might be able to find and eliminate only certain spyware and tracking cookies that don't pose a serious threat. The actual problem may continue to reside on your pc. Most adware programs continue download adware, so you just have a constant scare about what might happen to your pc.

The thing about adware and spyware is that they are changing all the time, so while you might think you've eliminated one lot, a totally different set might have landed on your computer that you cannot detect easily. The people who produce adware, spyware and Trojans are shrewd, providing a challenge to the most effective antispyware in the market. You might be thinking that you are buying reliable antispyware tools, when you might actually be paying for bundled adware, viruses, browser hijacker and all the things you want to remove from your system.

What About Antispyware Reviews

Sites that claim to provide authentic antispyware product reviews abound on the Internet. These may be of questionable credibility and may not give you an unbiased review of the antispyware's abilities. There are shady companies that pretend to rank high on Google, leading you to think that the reviews are believable.

The worst of the lot is those fake companies that use those disgusting banner advertisements, which offer to scan your pc. They use graphics to show a progress bar just like the one you see when you actually scan your pc. They show results that are obviously not the real thing but a demonstration of how the software may work. Beware of these cheats. They link you to sites that are supposed to fix the spyware problem. These also land up in your email inbox as part of the email message.

Armed with the above information, you can research and select an antispyware package from a reliable source.

Arvind Singh is admin and technical expert associated with development of computer security and performance enhancing software like Registry Cleaner, Window Cleaner, Anti Spam Filter etc. More information can be found at http://www.pcmantra.comAkihiko Blog12731
Angelis Daniela Blog4588

Why Is Drug Rehab Insurance Coverage Part of Mental Health Bill?

Alcohol or drug abuse affects 25 million Americans; only four million get treatment

The need in this country for increased insurance coverage for alcohol and drug addiction treatment is indisputable. Drug rehab and drug detox have little or no recognition among health insurers, yet drug addiction is a major cause of ruined lives, family violence, emergency room visits, and death. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, alcohol and drug addiction also cost America $77 billion each year in lost productivity. Clearly something needs to be done to make it easier for addicts to get alcohol and drug rehab.

But the question that leaps out when one reads the Paul Wellstone Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act, H.R. 1402, is this: is substance abuse and addiction mental illness?

The proposed Wellstone bill, H.R. 1402, would require insurance companies to treat addiction and other mental health disorders on an equal basis with other chronic diseases, such as diabetes or hypertension.

The Wellstone bill is being sponsored by U.S. Reps. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) and Jim Ramstad (R-Minn). Kennedy has said that we should . . . end the discrimination against those with mental health and substance abuse disorders. And Ramstad said Congress should . . . end the discrimination against people with mental illness and chemical dependency.

Where is this idea coming from that people with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder are in the same category as alcohol or drug abuse, including those inadvertently got hooked on addictive prescription drugs. Is it possible that they are not mentally ill that they simply need drug detox and drug rehab?

For example, was Justice William H. Rhenquist of the Supreme Court mentally ill because he was hooked on powerful painkillers for a decade before he entered drug rehab? Youd have a tough time convincing college law professors or anyone on the Supreme Court that we should go back and cancel 10 years of brilliant and insightful decisions and opinions the ones that later got Rhenquist appointed Chief Justice because he was mentally ill.

Or what about one of Americas most famous, prolific and successful writers who for decades was either drunk or wired on cocaine, Xanax, Valium, NyQuil, cough medicines, or marijuana? Was Stephen King mentally ill when he wrote several intricately plotted, best-seller blockbuster novels? We never heard anything about mental illness when King went into drug rehab in the 1980s. And hes been sober ever since.

And lets not forget that Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, was a habitual cocaine abuser who sang the drugs praises for years to anyone who would listen. After a friend died of an overdose, he abruptly gave it up and quit promoting it not the action one expects from someone who is mentally ill.

The so-called mental health parity bills such as the Wellstone bill have always failed to pass and theres been a lot of attempts over the decades. Aside from the huge lobbying efforts against it by the insurance industry, perhaps people also feel deep down that substance abuse and mental illness are not the same thing at all and do not belong together in a such a bill.

The mental health industry, as its known today, receives billions of tax dollars every year in grants and other forms of support. In comparison, appropriations for alcohol and drug rehab are a drop in the bucket. Yet untreated dependency and addiction are costing us $77billion in lost productivity - more than heart disease, diabetes and cancer combined, and far more than mental illness.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, nearly 25 million Americans suffer from a substance abuse problem. And less than four million of these victims receive the drug rehab they need.

If we really want to do something about this situation, we need to separate these two issues and get each of them into their own proposed legislation. That way we may have a better chance to get the insurance industry up to speed on helping the millions of Americans who are not mentally ill, and who too often need financial help getting into and through a successfuldrug rehab program.

http://www.drugrehabreferral.com

Rod MacTaggart is a Florida based freelance writer who contributes articles on health.Andrea Pennington Blog2340
Anastasia Blog34323

What Are The Secrets That Can Help You Build A Successful Business?

Are you one of the many who are struggling building your home based business? If you are then you are part of a 95 percentile who deserve better results. It's a tough industry out there with all of the options and if you don't know what you're doing, you will get eaten alive and run out of money very quickly.

I can tell you from experience that the reason the 5 percentile have success is because they received exceptional training/support and they also had the mindset for success. Sadly, there are a lot of companies out there that promise a lot but when the rubber hits the road they just don't deliver. Promises of a fully automated system, a 6-figure income with very little work or even no work involved, a support team that will be there 100% of the way, you name it and the company has probably claimed it. If this were all true there wouldn't be a 95% drop out rate with home based businesses. So how do you know you've picked the right company and are headed for success instead of failure?

Imagine for a moment how nice it would be to move into the 5 percentile category who are generating a 6-figure income working from the comfort of their own home. The freedom, the ability to pretty much do whatever you want whenever you want. Nice life, wouldn't you agree? Now what do you think the difference is between the 5% and the 95%?

Well, if you're like I was 15 months ago, tired, broke, struggling, and ready to do whatever anyone would show me to do to actually start making some serious money, youre probably ready for a big change in your life. Now that youve made the decision that youre better than the measly salary your boss throws at you every year and that youre ready to leap from mediocrity to excellence, its time to find the company that can get you there.

I hope youve looked at all of the options out there and done your due diligence. You will only find one that fits the mold for success. One where there are live training calls from the top income earners, people already making 6-and7-figure incomes using the exact same system you will be using, taking you step-by-step and showing you exactly how they run their business so you can follow suit to get the same results. Also, a 24-hr support stream of recorded calls so they can fit your busy schedule as you initially build your business and slowly get out of your J-O-B. Along with a lead generation system that anyone can follow to generate so many leads that you cant even get back to. Couple this support/training with the right mindset training, a company who's core product is to develop your mindset for success, to train you how millionaires think and how they attract success into their lives so you can do the same and you have a powerful, unique system that will allow you to SUCCEED in business.

Lets face it, without the right training/support or the mindset it takes to have success, you're dead in the water. If you're ready for a turnkey business model that will produce for you the results you desire, then you deserve to hear what this company has to offer. I look forward to assisting you in building massive wealth and results in your life.

http://www.millionairemindsets.com

Brian Fanale is the apprentice to self-made millionaires and internet marketing gurus. Within his 6th month he generated in 1 wk what the avg. American makes in 1 yr. Now Brian wants to assist you!Alden Blog69921
Amelia Blog31808

Anti-Spyware and Registry Cleaner in Conjunction.

Spyware may dump a lot of irrelevant data in the registry. This may also be links of sites secretly being added to your favorite folder list not to mention the number of cookies it creates in the temp folder. Cleaning the registry and running anti-Spyware will help.

Before we understand the need for spyware removal software, let us have an overview of what spyware is. Spyware can be described as software that intentionally transmits information about the user's web surfing habits to a website built into the software or Spyware. This malicious software often referred to as 'adware' usually installs itself on a user computer without the permission or knowledge of the user. Spyware usually accompanied a free download as a hidden component and begins to gather information about the user then delivers this information to the person who put the Spyware on the web. Spyware can be categorized into a number of classes. It may be software that is intentionally installed by the user to monitor the system security, Software that can be created with benign intent to collect marketing data or software that is malicious and installed to collect information such as usernames and passwords for criminal intent. Whatever the reason for the Spyware, it must be removed by using the appropriate software such as many of the free Microsoft Spyware removal tools and then cleaning the system registry with a good registry cleaner.

How Does Spyware Affect The Registry?

The windows registry is a very big file containing information that is required the all the modules of windows to operate the system efficiently. When the system starts the registry is referred to for the permissions that are allowed to the specific user. Accordingly the operating system advances with the boot up process. Each time a new program or hardware is installed in the system a lot of information is added the system registry. However, when programs are uninstalled the registry remains intact. These links and references need to be removed manually or with special software such as free Adware Spyware removal tools or Windows XP cleaner software. It is not advisable to mess with the registry manually as this can wreck havoc with the system. Get a good reliable free Spyware and Virus removal utility if you have to, to do an efficient job for you. Spyware installs itself on the system and makes its entries in the registry as well. These entries are made in many places in the registry. So, uninstalling the Spyware from the programs folder is not enough, the ware must also be removed from the registry and there is no better way to do this than with a Microsoft Spyware removal tools.

Clean The Registry Once A Month

After some time the registry will become slow and erratic because of the useless entries that are not really needed and are just cluttering up the system. The system may even shut down without warning. This is because the registry has become unstable and needs to be cleaned with PC registry cleaner software. It is not necessary that the registry will become because of Spyware or viruses. It may just be too large for the processor or the system resources to handle. Cleaning the registry will make the system more dependable, fast and comfortable to work with.

Arvind Singh is admin and technical expert associated with development of computer security and performance enhancing software like Registry Cleaner, Window Cleaner, Anti Spam Filter etc. More information can be found at http://www.pcmantra.comAndrea Pennington Blog86108
Alylia Blog50705

Columbus Schools Wont See Vote In 2007

Voters in the Columbus Schools area who were hoping to see a ballot initiative in November will be disappointed. The Campaign for Ohios Future, a group made up of 12 separate educational groups, simply ran out of time to collect all the signatures needed to put their proposal on the 2007 November ballot. Supporters in the Columbus Schools had hoped that the proposal would shift financial obligations from the local community to the state, and improve the quality of public education.

Over 400,000 signatures were required; the group managed to collect 150,000 before deciding to put the program on the back burner. They say they will try again in 2008. But not everyone in Columbus Schools, or in Ohio, supports the proposal. One of the most notable opponents is Ohio Governor Ted Strickland. The Governor is seeking legislative methods to fix the problems of Ohio and Columbus Schools. Still, the disappointment felt by many in the Columbus Schools, and its surrounding communities, is apparent.

Bob Greenwood, superintendent of the East Guernsey district, about 80 miles east of Columbus Schools, has said, It is very disappointing. We just had $8 million of cuts to balance our budget and are to the point where we cant cut anymore. This is concerning as Ohio and Columbus Schools strive to meet national mandates and stretch state funds. Ohio is currently 9th in the nation for graduation rates, and 15th in terms of teacher pay. Columbus Schools benefit from the $8,963 per pupil expenditure that places the state 16th highest in student spending.

Educators in Columbus Schools realize that in terms of national standards they are at the better end of the continuum, in terms of available funds. But administrators in Columbus Schools are well aware that that doesnt mean the funds are enough, or even that money alone can address all of the issues.

Governor Strickland, the Ohio Business Roundtable, and the Ohio Education Association are trying to create different legislative initiatives to fix Ohio and Columbus Schools. Local districts like Columbus Schools are hopeful that their input will be sought before final decisions are made. The issue of transferring the major burden of funding from local taxpayers in Columbus Schools to the state has numerous ramifications. It pits Columbus Schools and other Ohio districts against each in competition for the funds. But this is not unusual in the world of public education funding.

One of the biggest trends nationally is for large corporations to fund public school systems. So its not surprising that part of the Governors team includes an Ohio business organization. Columbus Schools and the other districts in Ohio will wait for both the Governors proposal, and to see if the Campaign for Ohios Future will present their proposal in 2008.

Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit http://www.schoolsk-12.com/Ohio/Columbus/index.htmlAleksandr Blog88167
Amerigo Blog9648

Spam Problem Of Vital Importance On The Internet

Almost everyone who accesses the Internet and uses e-mail knows about spam. The common definition of spam is e-mail that is unsolicited, undesired by the recipient. Spam is sent out by automated programs to thousands or millions email addresses at a time. In most cases spam emails offer you different services, products (medicines, goods, software programs etc.), and get rich quickly plans. You can simply delete them if you receive several unsolicited emails per day. But if you get tens or hundreds spam messages every day, it is a real problem. In order to understand how to deal with spam in your inbox, lets examine some core questions concerning spam:

Why send spam?

The right answer is to make money. If you have never opened a spam message, you should not think that others dont do it either. Among thousands or millions people who receive spam you can always find one or several persons who actually purchase services or products the spammers advertise, or join the get rich schemes the spammers offer. Of course, they lose and the spammer wins.

How do spammers obtain email addresses?

Spammers use special software programs that search websites, forums, newsgroups and harvest posted email addresses. They can use computer viruses and spyware to steal the email addresses from personal address books. Spammers often purchase lists of email addresses from other spammers, or from some dishonest companies, which do not care about the privacy of their customers information.

What danger lies behind spam?

Never buy pharmaceutical drugs such as Valium, Viagra, Cialis, Anatrim, etc. advertised in spam emails. These medications are counterfeited for 99% and can be dangerous.

Viruses - one of the most common computer security threats - can also be spread in spam emails. The worst thing is that viruses slip onto your computer without being noticed. You may think that you will download new free software when you click on a link within a spam message but actually you will get at least one virus infection - most probably a trojan virus. This type of virus can destroy data, steal your personal information such a user name, password, or just download other nasty software onto your computer that will cause more harm. A virus can hide itself in a picture, video or audio file. Certain anti-spam programs such as G-Lock SpamCombat let you preview the messages in a safe mode, i.e. they dont allow any suspicious pictures to be downloaded nor malicious codes to be executed.

A virus is a nuisance but phishing is a real danger. This type of spam is becoming very popular now. This is a method of tricking consumers with the purpose to worm them out of their personal information such as bank account numbers, passwords, user names, and credit card details. The spammers send a fraudulent email that usually appears to come from financial institutions like Ebay or Paypal saying that there is some trouble with your account and that you need to update it. There is a link within the message that you should follow to update the account details. The web site usually looks like a real companys web site. But as soon as you start filling the presented form in, the program starts recording your keystrokes and your private details are now disclosed to the spammer.

How to fight spam?

It is prudent to use an anti-spam filter to block annoying, time consuming, and sometimes dangerous spam emails. Anti-spam software checks your incoming emails and immediately moves spam messages into a special trash folder. If you want a good internet security suite that includes a spam blocker, consider BitDefender Professional Plus, Kaspersky Internet Security, F-Secure Internet Security or eTrust Internet Security. For a standalone spam filtering program, look at McAfee Spam Killer, G-Lock SpamCombat, Spam Assassin, Mail Washer Pro or ZapASpam.

Julia Gulevich is a technical expert associated with development of computer software like AATools, Advanced Email Verifier, G-Lock EasyMail, Spam Email http://www.glocksoft.com/sc/ Filter. More information can be found at Anti Spam Filter Resources http://www.glocksoft.net/sc/Alisa Blog97695
Amanda Blog10200

A Buyers Guide to Flatbed Scanners

A Buyer's Guide to Flatbed Scanners

Flatbed scanners generally deliver the best combination of quality, flexibility, and usability in scanning. They can be used to scan different kinds of media, including photos and film (with the additional use of a transparency adapter); they can be used to scan text for OCR and document archiving; and they can be used to scan material of varying sizes and thicknesses - from small postage stamps to large mechanical blueprints and 3D objects. To determine the flatbed scanner for your needs, this buying guide covers some of the more important flatbed scanner specifications that you will need to know.

Bit depth and color pass

Practically all scanners today are single-pass types with 48-bit color. Gone are the scanners of yore that required three passes to capture the full RGB (red, green, blue) color information from an image in individual, painstakingly slow takes. Gone too are 24-bit and 36-bit scanners that proved sufficient in the past for delivering up to 68.7 billions of color.

Today's single-pass, 48-bit scanners are fast and can theoretically capture up to 250 trillion colors - clearly more color than the human eye can distinguish or what monitors and printers can reproduce - but impressive nonetheless for the promise of yielding hues as close to life as possible and delivering smoother color gradations. Ignore all but single-pass scanners when shopping for a flatbed, and aim for 48-bit color as well. Consider lower-bit models (such as 42-bits) only if your scanner of choice has other specs that a higher-bit counterpart may not have - such as patented technologies and special features - that more than compensate for the lower bit depth of your selected model.

Resolution

The resolution of a scanner determines the level of detail that can be captured; the higher the resolution, the sharper the scan will be. There are two types of resolution: optical and interpolated, with optical resolution being the more important spec, as it relates to the scanner's actual optics and amount of information that it can sample. The interpolated resolution of a scanner is helpful only in specific applications - such as scanning line art, where higher resolutions can even out jaggedness and produce smoother contours.

Most flatbeds today feature respectable specs for optical resolution, ranging from 2400 dpi to 4800 dpi. Any scanner with such resolution figures would prove a respectable choice, since these specs are more than capable of delivering sharp detail or enlarging images for most print applications. Remember, too, that scanning your images in the full resolution of the scanner is likely to yield file sizes of unmanageable proportions - without delivery any discernible benefit towards increasing image clarity or quality. So forget the resolution wars of the past when manufacturers trotted out their resolution specs to trump their closest rival. Instead, look for other features today in flatbeds that may be more important for your needs, or consider the resolution spec TOGETHER with these other features when choosing your choice of flatbed.

CCD vs. CIS Sensor Technology

Image sensors in flatbed scanners can be of two types - CCD or CIS. Scanners with CCD (charge-coupled device) sensors use a system of mirrors and lenses for redirecting light reflected from the original document to the CCD array. Because of the required optics, CCD scanners are more expensive to produce and result in bulkier scanners, compared to their CIS counterparts. The image quality produced by CCD scanners, however, is far superior to that produced by CIS scanners.

CIS, or Contact Image Sensor technology, is a more recent development in which the sensor array lies just under the scanner bed, so that the sensors catch reflected light directly. Since CIS scanners do not need a complex optical system, they are cheaper to produce and are smaller in size, resulting in portable, lightweight models that may be prove ideal for cramped desktops. CIS sensors also contain on-board logic that consumes less power than CCD. But because the on-board logic utilizes space that would normally be used for the mirrors and lenses in a CCD to sense light, scans from a CIS scanner are lower in quality. As a result, most people tend to forego the slight savings that can be obtained from a CIS scanner in favor of getting higher-quality CCD models instead.

Connectivity & Interface

Most consumer-level scanners today will feature USB ports - either Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) on more recent models, or the earlier USB 1.1 standard. Hi-Speed USB is backwards compatible with the USB 1.1 and has a data transfer rate of 480 megabits per second (Mbps). Higher-end scanner models are likely to include the FireWire interface as well, allowing scanners to be used in advanced, professional such as audio/video transfer and data storage. Scanners with either USB or FireWire interface are hot swappable - which means the scanners can be plugged or unplugged from other devices to which they are connected without having to turn the scanners off and on. Older scanners will include SCSI or parallel ports, but you shouldn't have to consider these legacy-type models - unless you are using the scanner to connect to older computers. When shopping for a flatbed, any scanner with a Hi-Speed USB port should be purchase-worthy, but consider getting a model with dual Hi-Speed USB and FireWire interfaces to expand your range of possible connections to many other devices and peripherals.

Scan Speed

Speed specifications in flatbeds are hard to determine - unless the scanner manufacturer provides the specs or the exact conditions in which material is scanned. Scan speeds can run from seconds to several minutes, depending on a wide variety of factors. For instance, to compare scan speed between two comparable models, one will need to know the size of the material being scanned, the resolution setting, the interface being used, and the processing speed and power of the computer to which the scanner is connected. Check speed claims carefully if these are made at all; it may help to do an actual or sample scan with the model of your choice, and see if you are satisfied with the speeds of the preview and actual scans. You could also check to see if your flatbed model has been reviewed in computer magazines or sites and rated for speed, as benchmark tests may give a more comprehensive picture on how fast the scanner runs.

Size of Scan Bed

Most flatbeds today will start out with a standard scan bed size of 8.5" x 11.7", approximating the dimensions of a letter-size image or document. From there, various bed-size configurations could come into play, including 8.5" x 14" to accommodate legal-size material, and 12" x 17" for large, tabloid-size scanning. It's usually a good idea to consider a flatbed with a bed size that's beyond the bare minimum - in this case, larger than the barebones 8.5" x 11.7". Not only can you fit larger-sized material onto the scan bed, you can also group several smaller pieces on the scan bed and perform batch scans (scanning in groups) to save time and effort. Dynamic Range

The dynamic range of a scanner measures how well it can capture the tonal range of an image, ranging from the brightest highlights to the darkest shadows. Dynamic range is measured on a scale from 0.0 (perfect white) to 4.0 (perfect black), and the single number associated with a scanner indicates how much of that range it can tell apart. The minimum and maximum density values that can be captured by a scanner are called Dmin and Dmax, respectively. If a scanner's Dmin was 0.2 and its Dmax was 3.0, then its dynamic range would be 2.8.

While dynamic range is a term often bandied about, in truth the spec is more important for film scanners used to scan slides, negatives, and transparencies - as these types of media have a broader range of tones compared to photos, and for which a scanner's higher dynamic range can make a difference. Most flatbed scanners will have a dynamic range of 2.8 to 3.0, but don't be surprised if you can't find it in the specs, as this is not critical information needed by the average user looking to scan photos or prints.

Software

In selecting the scanner of your choice, consider the software that comes with it. Software will always include the scanner's own driver or scanning software, as well as a host of complementary programs such as image-editing software like Adobe Photoshop to which the scanned image is delivered; optical character recognition software like ABBYY FineReader Sprint for text scanning and OCR; color calibration software for higher-end scanner models; and even photo-repair software like DIGITAL ICE. Check for extras as well, such as proprietary or exclusive technologies.

Microtek Lab Inc. is a consumer electronics company focused on scanners, plasma and lcd televisions, digital projectors, lcd monitors, digital cameras, home theatre equipment, and accessories. You can view their online store at http://www.store.microtek.com Use of this article is permitted provided that the article is used in its entirety.Amelia Blog31808
Angelina Blog72060

Clean The Computer Of Spyware Entries With Reliable Software

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.

Arvind Singh is admin and technical expert associated with development of computer security and performance enhancing software like Registry Cleaner, Window Cleaner, Anti Spam Filter etc. More information can be found at http://www.pcmantra.comAlain Blog37055
Angela Blog51275

Ten Small Things That Can Add Big Years to Your Life

People have a will to survive, a desire to live a long and meaningful life. While there are certain things we can't control, there are many that we can. From little things like wearing a seatbelt to eating a piece of fruit, many of us have the keys to our own survival in our hands. And, most of the time, engaging in a few of these life preserving acts is sure to keep us afloat for a little bit longer than usual.

Daily Workouts

You don't have to be a fitness expert to know that regular exercise can increase physical health. But, as it adds weight to muscle mass and adds strength to the cardiovascular system, it also makes one of the most important additions of all: years to life.

A recent study at the Erasmus M.C. University Medical Center surveyed and tested over 5,000 men and women, finding that those who engaged in exercise - running, aerobics, yoga - almost daily added up to 3.7 years to their life. This was largely due to the fact that exercising decreased stress and interrupted the development of heart disease, the leading killer of Americans.

Not Smoking

We all know that smoking is bad, with "No Smoking" signs recently evolving into more of a life saving plea than a simple suggestion. However, for those who have routinely engaged in use of tobacco, quitting can still sustain life, allowing longevity to butt in.

US and Canadian Researchers recently found that even after the onset of tobacco induced lung diseases, quitting smoking can still increase lifespan, adding up to five years. This was based on the findings that the mortality rate of middle-aged heavy smokers was cut in half once they decided to extinguish their cigarettes, and their habit.

Yoga, because it produces many of the calming affects of nicotine, while teaching you discipline, perseverance, self-awareness, and allowing your body to be a conveyor of positive emotions, has actually helped smokers quit.

Owning Pets

Dogs may truly be man's best friend. They are loyal, happy, and rarely borrow things without returning them. And, going beyond the call of a "true friend," they also increase a person's life.

Several studies have shown that owning a pet lowers a person's blood pressure, increases self-esteem in children, decreases the mortality rates of heart attack victims, decreases cholesterol, decreases depression, relieves stress, and increases family happiness. Pets also make people, particularly younger people, more likely to participate in extracurricular activities. On a whole, research predicts that those who own pets will outlive those who don't by an average of seven years.

Eating Wisely

Eating wisely may seem like an improbable goal, with eating poorly often cheaper and more convenient. But, eating wisely doesn't have to be that hard. All it takes is a little planning, a little discipline, and little portions when the food is unhealthy.

Because most things are good in moderation, eating healthy doesn't mean you can never indulge in a piece of pie or a fast food hamburger; all it involves is eating fruits, vegetables, fish, and fiber most of the time, and making lapses in food judgment only occasionally.

Eating dark chocolate and drinking red wine in moderation, as recent studies have shown, may even increase your lifespan. This is because both contain ingredients that have a positive affect on the heart and the arteries.

Having Good Friends

Human beings have an innate desire to be needed and be wanted. Because of this, having friends and close confidants can increase a person's well being, and their life. The reasons for this lie in the fact that friends and partners are people we can use to reduce stress, boredom, and sadness.

This seems to be particularly true for older people. An Australian study involved researching 1400 elderly men and women for a period of ten years. The findings concluded that those who had the most close friends ended up living the longest.

Laughing

The phrase "Laughter is the best medicine" may seem like little more than an old saying. But, like many old sayings, this one seems to have a bit of truth.

Studies indicate that laughter is a natural medicine, with the ability to decrease stress-related hormones. Laughing also possesses many of the physical and mental benefits of yoga, making it seem like yogic training for your funny bone. The benefits laughter offers include boosting the immune system, regulating blood pressure, increasing the flow of blood and oxygen to muscles and organs, and internal massaging.

Being Nice and Positive

Oftentimes, situations are merely what we think that are. If we think they are dire, then that thinking makes them so. Because of this, being positive and cheerful, and maintaining an optimistic outlook, can add years to life and life to years. Being nice, when it comes to life, does make you finish last, lasting longer than those who aren't.

Recently, two studies were conducted that found older men with angry and hostile personalities more likely to die before those who engaged in an unhealthy lifestyle of smoking and drinking. Along these lines, the second study revealed that those who were giving, helpful, and cooperative with others had a 60 percent chance of outliving those who were selfish and antisocial.

Meditating

Meditation, an activity practiced often in yoga, has been indicated as a factor that can prolong life, health, and happiness. While disregarded as an important aspect in the early years, over the past few decades, meditation has gained ground in the healthcare profession as an activity that can greatly reduce both stress and pain.

Among the things meditation is thought to do is lower biochemical components of stress, lower blood pressure, decrease heart rate, and facilitate positive emotions to the brain. Along these lines, meditation also helps stabilize the immune system, keeping it from being susceptible to illnesses and infections.

From an emotional standpoint, meditation allows people to focus on their minds and their inner beings, arming them with the self-awareness and the mental clarity that is needed to keep us all healthy.

Taking Time to Relax

It can be hard on the hectic road of life to pull over and relax. But, making a point to do so just might make your journey a little longer. Relaxation, because it relieves stress, and tension - two things that take both a physical and emotional toll - is a great way to keep yourself healthy in mind, body, and spirit.

Relaxation, because it is a calming activity, decreases blood pressure and a person's susceptibility to heart disease. By implementing certain ways of thinking and perceiving things, it helps people to use positive powers and life forces to deal with stress and the roadblocks life may put in place.

Doing Yoga

The majority of above mentioned ways to increase life have a common theme: reducing stress adds years to life. The reasons for this range from stress impacting the strain on the heart to stress making people less likely to engage in positive, life affirming activities. Because of this yoga, a practice that can greatly influence stress levels, can be a major partner in increasing the length of your life.

Yoga isn't simply exercise; it's not a practice that is solely fitness based. Instead, yoga encapsulates activities such as breathing, meditation, self-reflection, and mindfulness, a program that helps you train your brain to focus on the present moment. It also improves the flow of blood and oxygen to organs and muscles, allowing them to function properly and allowing your mind to be enriched with clarity. All of these work together to make you more relaxed, freeing your body of physical tension and emotional stress.

Yoga, additionally, because it is so focused on self awareness, empowers those who take it to not only take charge of their exercise routine, but take charge of their life, leaving them more likely to partake in activities filled with health. Taking yoga may be the first step in making a point to laugh, meditate, take time to relax, and engage in all of the activities that can add years to your life and life to your years.

About us: TWISTED is a medical yoga studio at the Center for Osteopathic Medicine in Boulder, Colorado. Twisted integrates osteopathic medicine, Hatha yoga and mindfulness practices to teach optimal balance between physical, mental, and emotional health. It aims to educate and help people to live a healthy life from the inside out. Rehabilitation programs offer a comprehensive treatment regime for the whole being, empowering each person one breath at a time to stimulate the bodys natural healing potential.

Jennifer Jordan is senior editor of http://www.yogatwisted.com. Specializing in articles that not only teach yoga techniques, but also teach techniques on fulfillment and enrichment, she aims to educate students proudly enrolled in the school of life.Alexandre Blog49825
Angela Blog51275

Myspace And Online Safety

The safety of children on Myspace and other social networks is of growing concern in todays online society. The press continually talks to issues regarding child stalkers and perverts waiting around every corner of Myspace. But how much truth and risk is really involved with Myspace or its social network counter parts, and what can you do to reduce any risk that might be involved with your children using Myspace?

In reality there is a concern for younger children who use Myspace, if they have no been properly warned. Children can easily stumble upon people posing as other children. Its very simple for someone to create a false Myspace profile, from a false email address and connect from an anonymous or false IP address. This means theyre essentially untraceable even by the FBI, despite what they may claim.

Myspace has had a lot of bad publicity recently over sexual assaults that may have originated from connections on myspaces network. But can you blame http://myspace.com for these actions of others? I lean away from thinking you can. The blame should lie more with parents then the connecting network. Myspace is only one of hundreds or thousands of networks and chat tools kids can use and sexual predators can take advantage of Myspace is simply the largest and the best news story for media outlets to cover.

Parents should play an active role in monitoring their childs internet usage, not just Myspace usage. There are monitoring tools to help keep an eye on what your kids are doing even while youre away. Some of these programs will keep logs of every website your child visits and every chat session he or she has with friends. If your child is old enough to tell though you may want to warn him before hand as it can be a very sensitive subject for a parent to be monitoring a teenager who feels they can take care of themselves. Also these programs claim to be undetectable but keep in mind many teenagers today know more about computers than you could imagine and may be able to remove this software.

Keep an eye out on your kids and keep them safe!

Todd Dickerson is a full-time Web Developer and an authority in social networks. He has a large number of myspace resource sites such as http://www.everylayout.com.Alun Blog59688
Alexandre Blog49825

Computerization The Most Powerful Tool for Businesses Today

While the computer is a "tool" rather than a discipline, it is such an important, time saving tool that its proper and strategic use in modern business is critical to maximize information access and profitable decision making.

Small businesses today face growing inventory requirements, increased customer expectations, rising costs and intense competition. Moreover, if you plan to do business with the federal government you will need electronic commerce capability.

Computers can provide information that leads to better returns on investment. At the same time, they help you cope with the many other pressures of your business. Computers are not cure-alls, however, and considerable care should be given to: (1) deciding if you need one, (2) selecting the best system (or personal computer) for your business, (3) selecting the most relevant software for your needs, and (4) ensuring that you can easily operate the system.

It has been said that to err is human, but to really foul things up requires a computer. No matter how many or what type computers your business may have, they are machines and subject to failure. Make sure you back up your computer files!

Use a tape drive or a Zip drive to back up all the data and programs on your computers or on your network computer. There are many brands available so the four things you need to compare are price, features, compatibility and ease of installation.

Here are a couple more backup tips:

1) It is great to backup your system, but if you leave the disk lying next to the computer, and then have it destroyed, it will not do you much good. Store your backup disk away from your computer and even outside the office if concerned about fire.

2) Back up your system regularly. Can you afford to lose a months data since your last backup? A weeks data?

3) Remember that backups are machines also, and if your data is so important that you could not do without it, consider the old fashion way, printing.

It pays to be cautious when it comes to the lifeblood of your business--information. There is NOTHING worse then trying to install new software and having your computer has turned into a creature from hell on you. Here are a few tips to help limit your chances of business interruptions or data loss disasters AND help you keep on a friendly basis with your computer.

Make sure you back everything up first. Before installing any software program, operating system or upgrade, perform a complete backup of your current system. This step is extremely important when the software you're installing affects or replaces your operating system. Include everything, especially software you may not wish to install separately should the need arise. Be sure to include all system files and any work files that could become lost or damaged.

If in doubt--use a professional. Don't try to "go it alone." It's far better to seek assistance than to risk damaging or destroying equipment or files or crashing your system.

You may be tempted to put off upgrading or buying new equipment-after all, every year, the machines get more powerful, and the options more plentiful. But if you wait, you trade the dollars you save for the price of slower performance and possibly fewer software choices. So when should you upgrade your equipment? Here are some guidelines:

The basic rule of thumb is this: Start with what you want to accomplish. If your computer doesn't do it well, it's time to look at new solutions.

If obsolescence is a concern, be comforted by the fact that you don't have to upgrade every time a manufacturer makes an improvement. Assess key improvements-such as faster modems, improved processors, and better monitors-that truly impact performance and go from there. And if you dont want to invest in a whole new system, upgrading individual components such as your computer's memory, processor, and hard disk can be an affordable way to boost your PC's performance-and your productivity.

Dr. James A. McCain is a Management Consultant in Rexford, New York and may be reached at Business Works, 518-383-3337, or through his web site at http://www.bizdrsolution.com.Adella Blog5338
Amanda Blog24049

Small Business CRM: How To Select The Right Crm Software For Your Company

You've decided that you need a better customer relationship management system ("CRM") for your small business. You need a good place to store and access your customer information just like bigger companies. You want to be able to generate meaningful reports and manage your marketing campaigns. But there are so many options in all price ranges.

So how do you choose the best CRM software for your company?

What is CRM, exactly?

In its simplest form, CRM is a database where sales and marketing teams store criticalaccount data such as contact & account information, lead source, sales activity history,purchase history, and marketing campaign data and projections.CRM can also be an important reporting tool. For example, you can use it to

* Generate revenue projections for a product, a sales rep, and your company as a whole
* Tie revenue to the original marketing campaign
* Pull up lists of leads and activities by sales rep
* View the number of leads you have at each step in your sales process
* Track your progress against your goals
* Manage marketing campaigns
* Capture leads from your website
* Minimize the time your team spends creating manual sales & activity reports

Choosing the right CRM

When you choose the right CRM software, you gain knowledge and power to keep your team on track and measure progress against goals.

Best case: Your CRM matches your marketing, sales, customer service and retention strategies. Its easy to use and provides reports that eliminate the need to generate tedious manual reports. It may integrate with other software like accounting and inventory,enabling your entire team to view important data and reports in real time.

Worst case: You dont have a solid system for managing customer information; its kept in various files or databases that arent linked. Its difficult and time-consuming to create revenue projections, sales reports and marketing campaign reports. The result: lost revenue, productivity and opportunity. Even worse: you use paper files.

How to compare CRM software

The key to selecting the right CRM is to analyze your needs.

* Decide what information your team should be able to access and how theyll use it.
* Identify who needs to use the system and where theyre located (i.e. in differentoffices).
* Determine what reports youll want to generate, particularly your revenue and pipeline reports.
* Identify the marketing programs youd like to be able to run and how that information can help you better manage your accounts.

If youve outgrown your current system, you may be able to purchase add-ins to give your existing system more power. You may also decide to evaluate new systems to give you the true functionality you need.

Select a CRM vendor

Once youve defined your requirements, look for a CRM package that meets your needs. Remember that many systems come in several versions; you can start with a basic version and upgrade as you grow, but make sure the upgrade process is seamless.

Manage CRM implementation

When youre nearing the end of your selection process, get ready for implementation.

* Create an implementation team.
* Develop a schedule for key tasks: configuring fields, migrating data, creating reports,training users.
* Create a solid training plan.
* Launch the software.

Do followup training to ensure that your team uses the software as planned. Most implementations fail because employees dont use the software properly. Gather feedback and modify the software configuration as needed; make it as intuitive and powerful as possible.

There are plenty of consultants who can help you through this process. But you can save a lot of time and money by educating yourself. We've created a free CRM selector tool to help you define your needs and narrow your vendor list -- contact us at http://www.marketingmo.com/marketingmo/contactus.aspx and we'll send it to you.

# # #

James Sagar is one of the creators of the Marketing M.O., http://www.marketingmo.com, web-based software that delivers marketing strategy, guided best practices and interactive tools in 29 business marketing subjects. Entrepreneurs, consultants, executives and marketers use the Marketing M.O. to solve the hundreds of marketing challenges they face throughout the year. James also contributes to the "Marketing Tips from the Trenches" blog at http://www.marketingmo.com/blog.Aloysius Blog78728
Achille Blog83570

Malware, Spyware, Adware Or Trojan- What's the fuss?

Introduction:

Very often, malware is spoken of as viruses, trojans, dialers, adware and sypware. Being knowledgeable about how to diagnose a service running as a malware is an important part of fighting this nuisance. The probblem of Malware is getting worse by the day, and it is not just for funny any more. Fighting malware is a daunting task. This is because rootkit-shielded malware is installed in the system. This makes it difficult for traditional antivirus scanning applications to see the malicious program. Also, many new malware codes are being written everyday. As a result, the only good solution to malware sometimes, is a complete Operating Systems reinstall.

Malware

Malware is usually installed on your computer without your knowledge. Frequently, malware is designed to send itself from your contacts e-mail account to your computer and vice versa. Until now, most malware is limited to Windows systems. This is however changing as more and more malware are being written for the Linux system. One of the first signs of malware is the speed of your computer. Indications of the presence of malware can also be found in the temporary decompression folders. If the only signs are in the temporary decompression folders it is unlikely that the malware has been activated. The usual way of detecting malware is through heuristics. Most malware is easy to remove. Once the presence of a malicious code is confirmed, it could be removed with a scan and remove software. Files that contain the known codes are quarantined and scheduled for deletion.

Trojans

Trojans take their name from the term 'Trojan Horse'. They are typically malware with a payload. It spreads itself by posing as legitimate software. The term Trojan has usually been used to refer to malware that performes unexpected or unauthorized actions. For instance, a Dialer Trojan is malware coded to secretly dial phone numbers. This leaves the infected victim with a large phone bill. The trojan can also install spamming malware. It can present itself as a legitimate Windows Live Messenger advertisement from Microsoft. Unlike Viruses or Worms, Trojan Horses do not replicate themselves. Their danger is in causing damage to networks by delivering other types of Malware. The trojan malware can hijack web browser form data to capture online banking credentials and send the stolen data to the owner party. Catching the threats of a Trojan Horse would require the use of a Trojan scanner.

spyware

Spyware has become a generic term that also includes adware, malware and many trojans. For the most part, these have inter-related behavior and features and are commonly referred to as Spyware. Most spyware can be broken up into two major groups- adware and malware. All spyware are rogue software programs that typically install themselves without a user's knowledge. You can get infected with spyware, malware and other malicious programs just by visiting a website. You can also get infected by installing a software which seems genuine but is bundled with malicious codes. Getting rid of spyware is not instant, and certainly not a one time event. It is a process. It requires the use of detection and removal tools that scan explicitly for spyware. However, many spyware experts have noted that no one anti-spyware product catches all malware and spyware. That's why some spyware appears so invincible.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we have seen that malware is short for malicious software and a catch all phrase for viruses, worms, adware, spyware, trojans, etc. Malware we also learned is getting more resistant due to the fact that rootkit-shielded malware is installed in the system. This makes it difficult for traditional antivirus scanning applications to see the malicious program. As a result, the only good solution to malware sometimes, is a complete Operating Systems reinstall. Malware we noted can be distributed through email and other file sharing. Some of the early signs we observed is a system slow down. Fortunately, most malware can be easily removed by a simple scan and remove application. The difficulty and reason why some seem invincible is because no one application can take care of all the threats.

This article is brought to you free by http://www.allspywarefree.com

Austin Akalanze is an Educator, a Freelance writer and webmaster at http://www.allspywarefree.comAlgernon Blog15316
Ambrose Blog85682

What You Need to Know about iPod Movies

iPod devices that are equipped with video players must have the movies from their original format converted to one that can be read and played by the iPod movie player system. This means that the movie can either be downloaded from an iPod-friendly site such as the Apple iPod Store or another website dedicated to iPod music and movies, or the user must purchase the appropriate conversion software. Most of the iPod movie conversion systems can convert most types of movie files such as AVI, MPEG, WMV, MOV, MP4, RM, RMVB, H.264, VOB or DivX formats into the MPEG-4 video format that the iPod uses.

In addition to just converting the format, the system must also match the resolution of the iPod movie player. The typical resolution for the iPod display screen is 640 by 480 for optimum viewing and clarity of picture. Without the appropriate software conversion, the picture would be highly distorted. Other resolutions are possible and the software application will usually optimize the file for viewing, selecting the appropriate resolution.

There is also a great program offered by Apple, called QuickTime 7 Pro, that allows you to use home videos and videos that are not professionally made and convert them to play on your iPod, just like an iPod movie that you can download. This is a great way to personalize your iPod video, or send a home movie to a friend or family member.

The process is simple: start by downloading the QuickTime 7 Pro from the Apple website. If you have a Mac computer, simply upload your movie to your computer and click on the title of the movie in the drop down box found on the QuickTime program menu. If you have a PC, upload the movie from the device as per the manuals and then save it in the QuickTime file. Once the movie is selected you will again need to use the drop down box and select the export feature, then click on Movie to iPod and let the computer do the rest.

A scrolling bar will keep you informed of the transfer process and will allow you to see how much more time is required for the transfer to occur. You will then need to synch the iPod with the computer to play the movie the first time, then it will be stored on both your computer and the iPod for future use.

The vast number of iPod movies and the ease of using the conversion software means that more people, even those that are not experts on the computer, can easily keep their favorite movies as well as their favorite songs close at hand on their iPod.

Terry Roberts is a professional translator and linguist, with a wide range of interests. To read more about ipods and ipod accessories, please visit his website: http://www.ipodsforyou.com.Angelo Blog64686
Angelo Blog90850

Drinking From The Fire Hose

Recently, I attended a seminar on Internet business presented by Tim Knox (author and entrepreneur) and Jim Cockrum (author of The Silent Sales Machine Hiding on eBay). During the seminar, Jim Cockrum said, learning about the Internet is like drinking from the fire hose. I was taken back with such an accurate saying since I have been researching the Internet for a couple of years and that is exactly what happened to me.

As is the case with most things I hear, I searched Google for more information on the saying and for the name of the person who coined it. However, I could not find any credit given for it. On Google, it was used quite often by graduate students at MIT to describe their experience in the graduate program.

The saying is so fitting for those of us who have undertaken the quest to learn all we can about what business opportunities are available on the Internet. Before the Internet, most of the research was done in the stacks of the library. There it was easy to keep focused since we were usually working on a single train of thought. With the Internet, one search generates another search and soon we do not know which one to follow in detail. I am speaking from experience, and I know that I am not alone when I say that I have been drinking from the fire hose.

The other saying I recently read described the situation when you have been drinking from the fire hose too long and you have gathered a voluminous data base of all that you have found on the Net. You start to analyze the data to chart your course for your Internet career and you cannot get started because of analysis paralysis. You just keep on researching rather than decide that you have enough information and take action. I can claim to have suffered from this too for a few weeks when it all just would not fit together.

Just remember drinking from a fire hose and analysis paralysis are common problems that we all face when we start researching the Internet. Just drink as fast as you can, and when you think you have drunk deeply enough of Internet wisdom, dont forget that the reason for all that research was to take action.

TAKE IT NOW!

John V. W. Howe is an entrepreneur, author, inventor, patent holder, husband, father, and grandfather. He has been involved in entrepreneurial activities for over 40 years. He founded http://www.boomer-ezine.com, www.boomer-entrepreneur.com and http://www.retirement-jobs-online.com to help Boomers (baby boomers) become entrepreneurs when they retire.Amin Blog51107
Allistair Blog5928

5 Easy Steps to an Automated and Lucrative Online Business

Wed all like to have an online business thats not only financially successful but can run itself and consistently pull in multiple streams of income. But how do you go about this and where do you start? Well here are 5 easy steps.

1. Get It Going. Theres no step more important than this. Plenty of businesses are fully automated and can run themselves, but they cant start themselves. You need to take action and start your business, and the time to take action is right now.

But first, remove the 2 negative thoughts that might hold you back. The first negative thought that people worry about the most when starting an online business, is about not being perfect. So put that thought straight out of your head. No ones perfect and no one expects you to be. You dont have to get it right, you just have to get it going.

The other thing is criticism. Sure youll get it, you just have to learn to deal with it and not worry about it. So what if people criticise you? Youre getting it going and thats the only thing that will drive your business forward to success.

2. Do a 12-product survey. You need to get 12 different products to sell to see what people are mostly buying. These products dont have to be great or expensive, they just have to be diverse enough in content to see what most people want and then you can get more similar products to the more popular ones.

3. The Killer Sales Page It doesnt matter how good or bad your product is, if you dont have a killer sales page, then no one will be interested enough to buy it. Your sales page needs to include as much information as possible to arouse prospective customers interest.

Your headlines need to be intriguing and your first few paragraphs need to present your readers with a potential problem they may have. The middle part of your sales page should show how other possible solutions are not adequate enough or should elaborate more on the readers problem. The end of your sales page should offer your product as the solution, include as many bonuses as possible and repeatedly state what value-for-money your product is.

Make sure you get excited when you write your killer sales page.

4. Quickie Products. Make sure your products are quickie products that take the minimal amount of time to produce. Information products (eBooks) are the easiest, or if you want to sell a software product, get someone else to make it for you.

Then sell your products quickly and easily by signing up to a company like ClickBank.com. They have a low start-up cost and thousands of affiliates to help sell your products world-wide without you having to lift another finger.

Then automate your website so that visitors can buy directly from you or can sign up as an affiliate from your site. Capture the email address of anyone who buys your product and set up an auto responder with dozens of ready-made emails full of details about your other products to send out to your ever-growing email list.

5. Traffic. Next you have to drive as much traffic as possible to your website. One of the best ways to do this is by writing keyword-rich articles, submitting them to as many article directories as possible (I use Article Submitter software for this) and include a link back to your website in your resource box.

Once youve done all this youll have 12 products being sold for you all over the world and this is only the beginning

Ruth Barringham is a freelance writer and runs successful websites at http://www.writeaholic.co.uk and http://www.workathomeaholic.com. Submit articles quickly and easily using Article Submitter from http://www.workathomeaholic.com/articlesubmitter/index.html.Anahid Blog49968
Adelaide Blog50959

Intellectual Property Protection In China

If imitation is indeed the sincerest form of flattery, then the Chinese can be very sincere flatterers indeed. But if you prefer prosperity over flattery it would be wise to take precautions against losing your shirt (or at least the rights to it) in one of the worlds most dangerous IP jungles. It isnt that the legal regime is deficient its enforcement thats lacking. For the present at least, China is a net importer of intellectual property. A relatively lawless IP environment is advantageous to Chinas short-term interests, just as a strictly enforced IP environment suits the interests of net IP exporters such as the United States. This issue has been constant irritant in relations between China and Western nations, as well as Japan. Nevertheless, Chinas enforcement of intellectual property has steadily improved in recent years.

Protecting intellectual property (IP) in China requires a multi-pronged strategy including registration, workplace security, employee contracts, commercial contracts and enforcement.

Registrations

Chinas IP registration regimes are more or less consistent with international standards.

Trademarks - are protected on a first-to-file basis, with an exception for well-known trademarks. Do not rely on the well-known exception, however (unless you are Coca-Cola), because whether a particular trademark is well-known or not is a time-consuming argument that keeps IP lawyers in business all over the world. If a trademark uses words, the Chinese language equivalent should also be registered.

China has adopted the international Classification of Goods and Services under the Nice Agreement, and has also adopted the international registration regime under the Madrid system.

FIE Business Names must be in Chinese and registered with the local Administration of Industry and Commerce before an application to set up a Foreign Invested Enterprise can be submitted (see this sites Company Startup Guide for details on company name registration). Since China does not have a national register of business names, registrations are valid only within a particular locality (and an FIE business name cannot be registered in any location except its location of establishment). Trademark registrations offer better protection in this respect.

Patents & Designs - are protected on a first-to-file basis. China is a member of the Paris Convention, so filings in a member country within applicable time limits can also gain priority in China. More ominously, compulsory licenses may be granted (i) to qualified enterprises if the owner of the patent fails to license the patent on reasonable terms, and (ii) in the event of a national emergency. Because of this, many foreign companies do not register patents for sensitive technology in China. See Technology Transfers and Licensing for related information.

Copyrights - Copyrighted material may be registered with the China National Copyright Administration. As in the United States, copyrights are not granted on a first-to-file basis. Registration does serves as useful evidence of ownership of a copyrighted work, but it is not a legal precondition to enforcement.

Software is considered copyrighted material and may be registered with the China National Copyright Administration. Registration requires the filing of source code (with some code blacked out). As a consequence, many foreign companies refuse to register their software in China.

Domain Names - are protected on a first-to-file basis. A foreign company must have an FIE or Representative Office in order to register a .cn domain name in China.

Workplace Security

It is strongly advised to create a plumbing system to control IP leakage in the workplace.

IT systems and any hard copies of IP should be kept in an access-restricted, secure location.

Confidential information should be distributed on a strict need to know basis.

Confidential material should be marked Confidential Information in Chinese in anticipation of possible litigation in Chinese courts.

Employees

Independently investigate the reputation and trustworthiness of applicants for sensitive positions during the recruitment process.

Labor contracts should be prepared carefully. You should consider including the following in all labor contracts:

Confidentiality obligations

Non-compete clauses - Post-termination non-competition clauses should be limited to a reasonable geographic area and time limit. Compensation is also required to be paid during the period of non-competition.

Assignment Although China recognizes the work-for-hire principle, the labor contract should clearly assign ownership of intellectual property created in the course of employment; otherwise IP rights may prove practically impossible to enforce against an employee who creates an IP-related work for hire.

Product Selection

Despite the additional tax breaks and incentives available, think carefully before manufacturing products that require new and sensitive technology in China. Components requiring new and sensitive technology may be imported into China in a secure manner for integration with the rest of the product.

Commercial Contracts

Since many commercial arrangements, even sourcing materials and components, can necessitate an exchange of intellectual property, adequate protections should be included in the contracts and associated documentation.

Administrative Enforcement Action

Various government organs have the power to take administrative action against IP infringers:

National Copyright Administration - The NCA is the big gun of the Chinese IP enforcement arsenal and is endowed with broad enforcement powers. They may order cessation of the infringing activities, confiscate illegal income, confiscate and destroy illegal copies, and impose fines.

State Administration of Industry and Commerce - The SAIC and its local AICs have a reputation for efficient trademark enforcement action, including investigations and raids. The SAIC also handles disputes regarding business names, registered trademarks, trade secrets, and passing off activities.

Customs - may confiscate products that infringe trademarks, copyrights and patents.

China Patent Office - may help with patent enforcement through investigation, mediation and raids.

General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine - may get involved if product quality and health issues are at issue.

Administrative enforcement is a relatively inexpensive and efficient alternative to litigation, and it is easier to win a conviction.

Litigation

If administrative action fails to bring the desired result, litigation may have to be resorted to. Chinese courts can issue injunctions and award damages, although in practice their enforcement powers are typically weaker than in Western nations.

Criminal Prosecution

Criminal liability, including imprisonment, can be imposed for IP violations, although successful prosecutions are rare. Financial thresholds that must be met before criminal liability can be assessed can be difficult to prove. These thresholds include:

RMB50,000 turnover for knowingly selling goods with counterfeit registered trademarks

RMB50,000 turnover or RMB30,000 profits if trademarks are applied to goods without authorization

International Enforcement

Products that infringe intellectual property rights can be interdicted by customs at the destination port. It is also possible to seize the overseas assets of infringers located in China.

Technology Transfers and Licensing

Foreign investors often license technology and intellectual property such as trademarks, patents, copyrighted material and trademarks to the FIEs they invest in. A foreign party may also license technology to unaffiliated Chinese companies, such as in manufacturing or management contracts. Unlike joint venture contracts, licensing contracts can be governed by foreign law.

Proper licensing will help the foreign party control its technology and secure the payment of royalties (registration is required for the latter). Only the brave, however, will dare to license sensitive technology to an entity which the foreign party does not control.

Technology transfers are understandably less common than licensing and are usually used as part of the foreign investors contribution of technology to a Foreign Invested Enterprise as Registered Capital.

Technology Restrictions

Chinese foreign trade law recognizes three categories of technology: Permitted, Restricted, and Prohibited. These are contained in a catalogue that lists specific technologies.

Permitted technology is simply technology which has not been classified as Restricted or Prohibited.

Restricted technology may not be imported without a license, and is generally related to the chemical, petrochemical, biochemical, biological, and petroleum refining industries.

Prohibited Technology is technology that is considered to endanger national security, the public interest, or public morals by placing peoples lives or health at risk or destroying the environment.

Paperwork

A license for restricted technology must be approved by and registered with the Commission of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (COFTEC). COFTEC will adjudicate a license application within 30 days. Licensing contracts for Restricted technology are effective only after COFTEC issues the corresponding Technology Import License.

Prohibited technology may not be brought into China.

Certain types of Permitted technology, while not subject to licensing requirements, are still subject to filing with COFTEC.

Technology transfers relating to certain major projects must be registered with and approved by the Ministry of Commerce. Trademark licenses must be filed with the China Trademark Office within three months of execution in order to remit royalties out of China. Foreign trademarks must be recorded at the China Trademark Office in order to remit royalties out of China. Trademark recordation takes about a year and a half.

Improvements

A foreign company may not prohibit a licensee from improving the licensed Technology, and these improvements become the property of the improver.

Technology as FIE Capital Contributions

Technology may be contributed as part of an FIEs Registered Capital; however, the FIE will then become the owner of the technology and the foreign contributor will have to license the technology from the FIE if it wants to use it.

Technology contributed as capital is required to be appraised upon importation and should also be appraised by the Ministry of Commerce or the relevant local COFTEC as soon as the FIE is approved.

Since the Company Law requires 30% of the Registered Capital of an FIE to be contributed in currency (20% of the initial installment of Registered Capital), it follows that alternative forms of contribution, including technology, cannot total more than 70% and 80%, respectively.

David Carnes is licensed to practice law in California. He speaks and reads Mandarin Chinese and has several years experience working with Chinese law firms and Sino-American joint ventures. His website, China Legal Bulletin, is at http://www.lunaticwisdom.com/blog1.Alighiero Blog87103
Amerigo Blog61709

Do You Know The Answer To These 4 Questions?

Internet businesses encounter a variety of business situations every day. For example, you have to know how to use your software, how to promote your business, and how to save on taxes. You will make hundreds of decisions each day. You will also encounter problems and questions no matter how efficient your business is. Knowing the answer to problems and questions can mean the difference between a profit and a loss.

Following are a wide variety of common questions many Internet businesses face. These questions are all over the board, which is a great representation of the questions you will have to deal with in your business.

Question #1: I use an Autoresponder. For some reason, my Autoresponder is sending duplicate messages causing me to lose subscribers. Why is the Autoresponder sending duplicate messages?

Answer: You may be putting your email messages in both the text side and the HTML side of the Autoresponder. If you have email in both places then it will send out duplicate content.

You can check this by opening up your Autoresponder and looking under the Properties feature. Check to see if you have the email set to text. Remember, you want to send your emails as text. Click save to save this setting.

Next go back in to where you place your email messages. Make sure that you have placed your email messages in the text area only.

Question #2: On my Internet business website should I post articles in full rich HTML text as opposed to PDF format?

Answer: Post your articles in full rich HTML format. Avoid the PDF format because search engines cant read PDF content. The search engines recognize that its a PDF, but they cant actually read it. You can offer a link to download an HTML article in PDF format if you want, but it is not necessary.

Question #3: Should you post articles on your branding site or on your squeeze page?

Answer: You can put one article on your branding site. You can also put an article on your squeeze page. Think about it. When traffic is driven to your website they are driven to your squeeze page. The article on your squeeze page is more of a benefit to your subscribers than it is to being picked up by search engines. It will help build a relationship with your subscribers from the get-go.

Question #4: What equipment should I use for burning CDs, DVDs, and making labels?

Answer: A great program is BravoPro which burns DVDs and CDs. It also creates the labels for you. Make sure to purchase the add-on that lets you burn more CDs and DVDs at one time.

For packaging you can buy items at Office Depot to begin with. This helps you determine which size packaging, etc, works for you. Once you have figured out what packaging is best then you can order in bulk. You can then find a supplier that is cheaper than Office Depot and order in bulk.

Matt Bacak began investing his first earnings at the tender age of 12, a young businessman in the making. Now, 15 years later, Bacak survived failed businesses, botched partnerships, heavy credit card debt and bankruptcy - all in preparation for the accomplishments he has achieved today as a well-established Internet millionaire and best-selling author.Algernon Blog74137
Angeliki Blog16903

Joomla, Easy Open Source CMS

Joomla - An Open Source CMS worth looking at.

Joomla is an open source CMS system (CMS stands for Content Management System). I'm currently using Joomla to develop a number of themed web sites. There is a Christmas site, a recipe site and a travel site. Joomla has adapted nicely to each of these themes.

Generally CMS systems are extremely pricey and somewhat complex to use. I've found Joomla to be quite easy to use and now a month into using it I am really starting to appreciate it. If you don't feel like using a simple page development tool and binding pages together by hand, then you should look at a CMS system. From what I've found, Joomla seems to be moving forward the quickest. I am currently using version 1.0.11 which is the latest of the 1.0 line.

Never use 1.0 software, that's what people will tell you and for the most part, that's true. However in the case of Joomla we must remember (or perhaps it's my job to educate you) that Joomla's roots (at least the 1.0 version) are in another CMS system Mambo. In fact, if you are familiar with Mambo, Joomla will be second nature (and the other way around).

Joomla is organized in menus, sections, catagories and items. It fits together kind of like this (general, remember this isn't a book, it's an article). A menu can link to a section, category or item in a number of ways (table, list, etc). A section can link to a category. A category can link to a number of items. So, if you need to organize your website by menu's or tabs, this is ideal. Of course there is much more to joomla than that, but that is the first thing you'll end up doing...just like I did.

Joomla extensions, templates, plug-ins, components One of the things I love about Joomla is the wide assortment of plugins and templates available for it, both commercial and free. I found a site, joomlahacks.com which has a ton of these things (over 200 freely downloadable templates). I found one that was appropriate for each of my sites and with a little modification (you are allowed to modify most templates as they're part of the GPL) GNU Public License, or LGPL (lesser GNU public license).

Components that I am using are the metataggenerator component (downloaded) and the SEO component (allowing more google readable url's for my web site. Also, like I said I'm using a differently downloaded (and personally modified) template for each of my sites. My sites are Christmas, Recipes and Travel. There are a couple more, but why go into those details.

If you go to joomla.org, you can actually test drive the software. I did this before setting up the christmas site. I wanted to be sure that joomla was right for me.

They've set up a joomla based server and give you a demo account to play with. This is great to get a feel for the software. I think the site gets reset every 30 minutes or something, so don't expect your content to stay there. Also, please please refrain from spamming on this website! The joomla folks have been good enough to give us a great product and let us try it out live, please don't take advantage of their good nature by putting spam up there.

Which technologies does Joomla use You could also call this section "what does my webserver/hosting package need to run joomla"?

- PHP, joomla is a PHP based system. If you don't know what PHP is, you should search around a bit. It's a language for web development (I believe loosly based on perl) which can have html embedded in it. I personally compare it to Java jsp's. I needed to do a bit of PHP modification on the travel and recipe sites to make things fit properly, but this is not the fault of the original templates or Joomla, I just wanted a bit of a different look.

- MySQL, joomla needs access to a mysql database. It's installs will create it's own tables, but of course you need to have the appropriate permissions to do this.

That's it...although, if it is running on an apache web server it also makes the SEO stuff work better as you can (possible depending on your hosting) change the .htaccess file to rewrite urls appropriately.

Linux makes a nice joomla platform, but there's no reason why it can't run on any platform which has the above capabilities.

On my host (godaddy) it was dead easy. I just downloaded joomla to my pc, uncompressed the zip file, then uploaded the joomla stuff to the appropriate directory on my server. From there, I tried to acess that directory via the web browser and voila! Up comes the installation screen. I simply followed the instructions and there it was. Perhaps I'll write another article on installing joomla on godaddy (a more current one than the old ones I found which scared me away from doing this at first).

Performance I don't have much of a frame of reference for this. Also my templates are a little heavy on the glitter. I'd say it's reasonable for what it's doing and obviously the faster the cpu and the more bandwidth your provider gives you the better joomla will perform.

Future Joomla 1.5 is now in beta, when it's considered production ready you can be sure I'll be installing it (on a test site) and seeing what's new!

Here are some websites that I've done with Joomla, feel free to kick the tires (from an end user perspective).

Try Joomla out for yourself. Keep checking back here for future reviews on the other free products I used to put gocurious travel, gocurious christmas, gocurious recipes and gocurious books on the net.

Johnny

John Childs is a software engineer with 30 years experience. He has seen the landscape of computing change from the days of no personal computers and mainframes which took up entire rooms to the ipod shuffle (the clip on one)...amazing stuff. He's spent the last 10 years working on the Java platform and is a strong advocate of Java technologies.Andrey Blog94046
Angeles Blog30702

Distinct Services Available In Orlando Schools

Any school district, whether it serves the tiniest of rural communities, or the students of a huge city, must effectively communicate with its parents. Individual schools stay in touch with families most commonly through newsletters, web pages, and sometimes via e-mail. Teachers in Orlando Schools conduct parent-teacher conferences a minimum of once a year, make phone calls as needed, and send home comments about their students progress on report cards and mid-term reports.

Orlando Schools do all of this, and even more. The district has implemented a mass telephone service so that it can communicate any pertinent information to Orlando Schools parents almost immediately. Ronald Blocker, Orlando Schools Superintendent, describes the program: Since March 2006, the school districts Connect-ED system has dialed more than 3.8 million phone numbers with community outreach and emergency notifications. The system supports multi-language communications that are specific to school communities. Notification of school closures, hurricane makeup days, updates on incidents at Orlando Schools, test dates and reminders of important meetings are just some of the topics that have been covered. Many of you (parents and community members) have already raved about our use of Connect-ED. It is an effective tool that allows district officials and Orlando Schools principals to prepare messages that are dispatched within minutes to people who need to hear them.

A second service available in Orlando Schools is an anti-bullying program. The program aims to prevent students from being bullied or bullying others. In academic classes at Arbor Ridge High School, for example, students are given bullying lessons that may include reading assignments or questionnaires on their personal experiences with bullies. 46% of Orlando Schools students have said they had been bullied. Students are learning how to prevent situations where they or others may be bullied. A key lesson is that bullies escalate their actions the more they get away with it.

A third, and very exciting program just launched this summer (2007) is The Big Red Bus. Orlando Schools students who reside in Seminole County can now take advantage of a summer reading program that is truly ingenious. All students in Orlando Schools can board the bus and check out as many as three books a week. They can return them to the bus the following week, or they can keep them! The bus seats have been removed and replaced with wooden shelves to hold the 4,000 brand-spanking new books that officials have purchased. Orlando Schools will be using $40,000 in donations from CFE (Central Florida Educators) Credit Union, and the Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools. Anna Marie Cote, director of instruction in Orlando Schools says the program will especially benefit students who may not be able to get out to the library on a regular basis to get books. We are trying to get it into places where it might be a bit harder for kids to get out and get books, she says. When Orlando Schools students have finished reading books picked up from the Bus, they can log them on the Lets Read website and have a chance to win prizes. The site also offers reading list and access to online books, including some that the computer will read aloud.

Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit http://www.schoolsk-12.com/Florida/Orlando/index.htmlAlwyn Blog63673
Andrea Blog83424

Online Instructor - Is it for You?

The computer and internet age has pushed the envelope of traditional educational formats. Just a few years ago, Online education was a second thought, maybe not a thought at all, in the minds of traditional brick and mortar schools. Today, if an educational institution does not have online programs they are missing thousands of opportunities and dollars from traditional and non-traditional students.

With some extra time on my hands, I thought I would explore the world of online educators some easy extra money Right?

Wrong! Boy, did I have a lot to learn.

Let me share my journey to becoming an Online Instructor.

To begin the journey, I set criteria for selection 1. Must be an accredited school, regionally and national accreditation no diploma mills! 2. Offer degrees that match my skill and experience areas. 3. User friendly online education format. 4. Good record of accomplishment in online education good reviews from students/peers. 5. A quality training and/or orientation program for new instructors.

From these starting points, I performed web searches and identified six potential schools. By visiting their web sites, I discovered a wealth of information regarding the schools, accreditation and online degrees offered. Next, searches included using the schools name and various criteria e.g. satisfaction, alumni, etc. These queries revealed web sites and blogs dedicated to specific topics on the subject of the school. Some were positive sites; others were dissatisfied students with an axe to grind.

The next step involved telephone contacts. Making contact with the schools online experts was a challenge most referrals were to a website or email account. At two schools, I actually spoke to a live person! (This added some points to their score!)

With information assembled I was now ready to move forward to the application process. The information packages requested were very similar in nature for each school. They included, a detailed educational history, including submission of college and graduate school transcripts, detailed work history resume and any experiences in teaching/training of adult learners. Three references, preferably from academics were the expected norm. (Its been so long for me, most of my professors are retired or no longer with us!)

Two schools rejected me off-hand. Their criteria for online instructors included an earned doctorate. My MBA did not fit with their instructional criteria, for graduate or undergrad instruction. Two schools requested that I develop a course prior to any reimbursement. They required their instructors to select a textbook from their lists, develop a curriculum and all instructional supports for an online course. These schools failed my selection criteria both in terms of instructor support and remuneration. The final two schools both had good records of accomplishment in online instruction, user-friendly learning environments and good matches for my skill areas.

The final decision key- training and orientation for new instructors. School 1 presented an online manual for instructors preparation. Study the manual, take an online test, pass, and you were ready to go. School 2 presented a different approach one that set it apart from all the others.

For School 2 , I was enrolled in an online instructors training course. A month long course in which I became the student/learner. All of the requirements expected of students applied to the potential instructors. Weekly assignments were graded, participation and discussion expectations were set, and methods of instruction were tested. The course was facilitated by an experienced online faculty member one who was dedicated to quality education and setting the bar for future expectations.

A few of the class members washed out after a week they did not realize the instructor commitments of 16-20 hours per week were the norm not the exception.

After passing the instructors training course, I was offered the opportunity to team teach a course. This process involved working with a mentor an experienced online facilitator. The facilitator provided a systematic process for setting up the class. The then reviewed each instructional component prior to my posting in the classroom environment. Constructive feedback on work products was frequent and appreciated. The mentor monitored all components of instruction; feedback to students, individual and team work assignments, grading of assignments and instructor online interactions.

Weekly performance evaluations were provided by the mentor. These documents provided feedback for needed improvement areas or kudos for a job well done. The students provided formal evaluations of the instructor/mentee at week three and the conclusion of the course during week six. These anonymous evaluations shared some excellent insight into my performance as an instructor. Since the majority of the students are practicing professionals they are experienced in providing feedback for performance appraisals.

The final step included an evaluation by the Universities online faculty committee. This evaluation included all the steps in preparation for the course work, mentor evaluations and student feedback. Having successfully passed all the requirements, I was promptly offered a position to provide instruction for future classes.

The Online instruction format is not for everyone. Students must be dedicated to a level of professionalism that has not been expected in the typical classroom. Time management is crucial for success in the online environment. Both individual and teamwork skills are tested the experience is not just an individual effort. Working in teams to solve challenges in todays work world is critical for the success of the organization.

For instructors, the same criteria hold true. To approach this instructional methodology is not an easy task. It requires dedication to the model and a true enthusiasm for sharing your acquired skills and experience. Personally, I have found my online instructional experience both rewarding and challenging. A vocation I look forward to enjoying for many years to come.

Online Instruction Is It For You?

Mark Stricklett, MBAAngeles Blog30702
Amarnath Blog65939