Online Business in South Africa - Why it is Failing!

Online Business in South Africa - Why it is Failing! by Robert Thomson

Consider the last 10 years of online business in South Africa. Literally, not one successful online business has reached the top and made a global impact. E-commerce growth in commercial websites sites has been dismal, and we are yet to see a Cape Town-style Google or a Jo’burg based Amazon.

E-commerce success depends on many factors if it wants to be an online sensation and generate any profit. Why do most South African developed websites struggle to generate a profit? Over 90% of them fail in the first year. What are their shortcomings and where can you implement changes in order to see a healthy profit? Read further to discover how you can affect change in your website with these modern principles for online success.

Perhaps you have heard of the 5 P’s. No, it’s not some obscure Jazz band, but an acronym for Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance. This is a key factor to keep in mind. When it comes to online business your product can change in the blink of an eye as demand is governed by the daily search patterns and needs of the customer. Unlike a physical business that must be rebuilt and altered, a websites image and product changes on the fly to reflect the diverse needs of the consumer.

Always consider the competition. When you first started your website and the initial planning stages started, were you surprised to see how many websites offered the same product? No matter how unique and original an idea is, there is another business performing the same service-so keep an eye on the competition. Know your ‘enemy’ and garner valuable information on their shortcomings and successes so you can further improve your areas that need development. Rather focus on the elements of the business that the competition is less interested in or does not focus on at all. For instance, you sell pots online and they sell pots as well but at a cheaper rate. Instead of just selling pots, you could offer custom designed pots for consumers looking for unique kitchenware.

Perhaps you would rather sell the pots at a cheaper rate then the competing websites. Drawing customers in with very low prices is an excellent way to attract a large client base, as customers who mostly shop on the web will always use price comparison websites to find the most attractive deal. However, don’t let your guard down. Lower your rates enough to be competitive in regards to the other websites and make sure you can still generate enough profit to maintain your expenses and of course, the costs of marketing. Make sure that you offer what few businesses do not, that is the USP – the Unique Selling Point. A unique and interesting product usually guarantees returns on your investment.

How does one generate traffic though, how does your website become number one in the top search engines? By using both SEO and PPC. SEO is search engine optimization, a process that search engines use to identify keywords in websites, and then rank them according to keywords usage. Pay Per click only works when a user actually clicks on an ad to visit your website. Advertisers bid on keywords that predict target markets. When a user types a keyword query matching the websites keyword list, or views a page with relevant content, the website may be listed.

The final helpful hint for today is Conversion ratio. Your websites effectiveness is directly linked to how many unique users are accessing said website and purchasing your product. There is a formula for working this out but a simple example would be for every 100 unique users, you would need two users purchasing your product. This gives a desired conversion rate of 2%. The average rate is less than 1%; this is well below the global standard of 2.4%. However, as the market for online shopping grows in SA, so will eventually our conversion rate. So refine your sites conversion rate and you will increase your revenue in leaps and bounds. If you follow these steps we have outlined, then there should be no limit to the success of your online business.



Allen heads up R.O.I. Media's seo
and pay per click departments. He has over 10 years experience in building and managing successful online businesses.

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Fitness For Self Confidence

Fitness For Self Confidence by Gina Cool

Before we start talking workouts and confidence, let's ask ourselves this question:

Why do we workout? Knowing the why and getting to the heart of the matter really has so much more staying power and stickeness than not having a good reason why.

One excellent reason to start a workout program and to stick with it is to do it for more confidence. I mean you really don't just hop on the train to "fitness land" merely to look good and that's it. You really want the things that come with it. The good health, the feeling great, the playing with your kids, the keeping up with the friend you walk with, etc......That stuff builds confidence and confidence plays a major part in all aspects of life. It often times can be really under rated.

You see, confidence can make the difference between so many things in life.

For instance, it can make the difference between staying in a bad relationship and leaving to totally improve your life, your kids, and people around you. It can give you the freedom to make your own decisions to grow and make the right choices for you and those you are responsible for.

It can make the difference between being ok with the house you are living in and going out and getting a great job to be able to get that home and environment you were meant to live in.

It can also, and this is a really important one....make your children and other family members more confident. Heck, even your friends can benefit by your confidence if only by you supplying that energy and paying it forward.

And you should by the way. It is our duty to serve and help those who don't yet have an attributes that you posses and those they are trying to achieve.

Basically, it can change your life. You see again, we do not work out merely to get in shape. Even if you think that is the only reason, it's not. We do it to get the gifts from getting in shape. We do it because we are searching. And we are searching for a particular way of life. An idea in our head of what it could be like if we get in that shape. We do it for growth plain and simple.

Also, be happy you are searching to grow because the minute you stop you decline. There is no neutral state. By the way if you do currently workout, congratulations on the intention for growth. You are in the 5% of the population that wants to grow by getting fit. Smaller number than you thought right? Bet you didn't know that. With all of my years of training and working out myself, teaching everything from Aqua fit, Cycling, and Yoga, to private Training and Meditation, I have learned a thing or two about how to get someone to raise their confidence and their life.

That said here are seven principals to gain a lot more confidence by using your workout program. You can start right here, right now. And if you apply these techniqes, simple as they are, you can really ramp up your life.

I will be going into more detail about these princables in my next seven articles. For now, here is the list.

Receive: Number one is to receive the benefits. Getting the benefits merely from the workouts are great. The benefits may be fitting into your size six pants, being able to play longer and harder with your kids, doing better at work, etc...But we need to receive and take in those benefits in the way on gratefulness. I will go into more detail in the next article. For now be grateful and thankful for your healthy body and mind.

Affirm: Make positive affirmations during and after the workout. I don't really believe in self affirmations by themselves, but I love affirming taken with action. It works. While you are working out, tell yourself everyday that you are stronger than the day before and you are getting in the best shape of your life. I believe that your body is listening to you. Sound crazy? Don't discard. There have been countless studies on the power of the mind and how it relates to an individuals body. I will go into more detail in the third article.

Visualize: Visualize your successes and visualize your successes putting you in a great place. Visualize your workout successes putting you in a strong place. You can do this by meditation, vision boards and visualization. The sub consceince loves pictures. You need to go into detail with this and you will be better served visualizing something to exageration and perfection. Another words over shoot your intention. If you can't see it, you can't be it. I will go in more detail in the fourth article.

Develop Your Workout Habit: Keeping to your workout schedule. We are creatures of habit and this is a really important thing to allow for when setting up your schedule. Ok here is the deal....the first 3 months is critical to developing a habit to the point that you never again have to "think" about if you're going to workout or eat right. I will go into more detail on habits in the fifth article. Just know that right now you need to stick with your workout schedule for the next three months as best you can.

Challenge yourself: Putting yourself out there and doing something harder than you think like entering a 10k or something you have always wanted or intended to do is a great way to hike up your confidence. In the six article I will give you ideas on what kinds of challenges could best serve you.

Acting "as if", after the workout. With the serotonin levels up after a great workout, you can really set the stage for acting as if you have confidence. Simply do and say things (authentically like yourself) that you would do and say "if" you were the most confident person you know. That in itself is great for confidence. Make an effort to look good. Looking great in the weight room or studio really helps. Whoever said you can't put a little makeup on or guys wear a fitted Nike shirt while you are working out. It is just more positive energy and it can't but help you feel better than you would if you came in to work out in some baggy pants, stained sneakers and an oversized mens t- shirt. Jeez, I get depressed just thinkin' about that.

Start applying these princibles now. Right now. Don't wait, you don't need an invitation. Then read the next seven articles in this series in the following weeks.


Copyright (c) 2008 Gina Cool



Gina Cool is the owner of http://www.CoolfitnessYOGA.com . She considers it an honor to help people get fit in mind, body, and spirit. She has been in the fitness industry for over 15 years. She has a BA in kinisiology.


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London Calling The Best 7 Museums

London Calling The Best 7 Museums by dchseo

When you have a history to bank on, then these museums give the true picture of the past. London museums are the best in the world. If you are planning to visit London make sure to catch up with the prominent ones, if not all. Most of them have free entry and kids enjoy going to museums like The Natural History and Science Museum. It is quite a difficult thing to name all of them as the list is long but few prominent ones are as follows.

The British Museum
This is one of the best museums of the world with over 200,000 objects under its belt. It is situated on Russell Street which is north of the Covent Garden. Here you can look at the 4000yrs old Pharaoh and also about Karl Marx. Make sure to come here otherwise your visit to London will be incomplete.

Sir John Soane’s Museum
Go for the Hogarth prints here. This is a miniature British museum and has all its wall and ceiling full with object. Admission is free and you will enjoy watching different things. It is as it was when its owner Sir John Soane died in 1837.

The Natural History and Science Museum
You will find many museums in South Kensington, these two are also there. Machines which have changed the human course are kept here which is quite interesting to watch and read about. This museum has a collection of over 300,000 items. Apart from these all the building itself is marvelous. Kids enjoy and love to come here so make sure to bring your kids as well. Science Museum has many interesting things going on and it is a must visit.

The Victoria and Albert Museum
Often called as V&A this is an awesome museum located near to The Natural and Science Museum. This museum specializes in applied and decorative arts. The collection is huge so it’s better to come here two times rather than wandering for long. Kids love dressing in old costumes and also making furniture.

Imperial War Museum
This museum indeed goes with its name but it shows more of the prosecution rather than the ways of killing. "The Blitz" and "The Holocaust" is quit touchy. The museum has other branches in U.K also. This is by far the most impressive war museum in London.

Madame Tussaud’s
Set by Marie Tussaud this is a very famous wax museum. Here you will find wax statute of many great of present and past. It is located on Marylebone Road, London. It has branches in many other cities like New York, Hong Kong etc.

Geffrye museum
This is an East London museum which gives an insight view of how Londoners have lived over the years. It has very well furnished and decorated living rooms with original period pieces. You will find this museum quite interesting.

It won’t be wrong to say London as the land of Museums. If you are planning to visit London make sure to visit as many museums as you can. Every museum ought there is different from each other and that gives everyone a uniqueness.



The Author is a contributing writer to the website http://www.discountcityhotels.net that provides discount hotels in London, Paris and other European cities.

For more information, please visit: http://www.discountcityhotels.net

Phone: +44 20 8680 3001
E-mail: admin@discountcityhotels.net


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Tips And Advice For Choosing A Dating Service

Tips And Advice For Choosing A Dating Service by Margarita Dalian

Like almost everything else these days, love has gone digital. Instead of hitting the singles scene, now people looking for love turn to their computers and go shopping for a mate online the same way they show for their books and plane tickets.

Online dating can be a wonderful thing for a lot of people. It has the convenience of letting your check out potential suitors at a distance without having to get all dolled up and it lets you meet a much wider variety of people than you ever could by simply going out.

You also get the benefit of chatting with people in a non-threatening environment as in, not face-to-face so you break the ice and get to know each other with a little more ease.

Of course, with all of the benefits of online dating, and the ever-increasing popularity of looking for love online, the number of Internet dating websites and services has literally exploded.

There are way more dating website out there than you could ever find time to browse, so you need to prioritize your online dating to up the chances of you getting to people you want to meet as quickly and painlessly as possible. How do you narrow down all of your options to find the perfect dating site for you? These tips should help you.

First of all, ask yourself whom you want to date. If you have a set of criteria, chances are there is at least one website that caters to your deal breaker set of partner must haves. For instance, if you are looking to date someone with money, you can try sites that cater to matching millionaires with the, ahem, ladies who love them.

If you can't walk past a soldier without getting weak in the knees, try dating sites that cater to military people. Whether you want to meet an older man, a younger woman, a truck driver, a gamer, a musician, or you name it, there is more than likely a website out there just waiting to match people with your interests to the people who meet them.

Getting too narrow in your search can work against you, however. Sure, you might have your heart set on a millionaire milkman who is exactly 6 feet tall and eats meatloaf every Wednesday night, but you might be surprised what you can find if you branch out a little.

So, after you locate your special interest dating site, cast your net a bit wider. Check out some sites that don't have any niche following and that just match people with people.

Ask around and see which sites other people have had success with. Dipping your toe in a nice set of five to ten proverbial pools is a good way to find the best dating service for you. This might sound like a lot of work, and it might sound expensive. Although not everyone has the patience for filling out profile after profile, expensive this process is not. You can join just about any dating site for free. You only start paying when you start contacting people.

It's like shopping in this way. If you don't see anything, you leave the store. If you like, you buy. Taking advantage of this risk free way to try out different sites is a great way to find the best one. Give a site a few weeks to come through with someone that catches your interest.

After that, cast the pole back out and try out some new sites. Your perfect matchmaker is out there somewhere. A little trial and error and you'll find it in no time.



Sokot Publishing is the author of "Online Dating Pros and Cons" guiding people interested in finding love online, but not sure what is the best way to start.
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The Dreaded Google Penalty

The Dreaded Google Penalty by Jennifer Horowitz

There is always a lot of talk on SEO Forums about penalties. Recently there was some discussion about 3 specific Google penalties:

- The "-30 penalty"

- The "-950 penalty"

- Index Exclusion

There has been a lot of debate about whether the drop of a website's rank by 30 or 950 spots in Google is really a penalty for unethical SEO tactics, or is it simply a result of an agorithm shift (and the particular site just didn't measure up against the new algorithm so it dropped).

Many people insist there is no penalty (except Exclusion for really blatant "Black Hat" techniques), and rather it is all about Filters. If you do something that triggers a filter your site won't rank as highly. Whether you call it a filter or a penalty, the results are the same. If you don't follow best practices, sooner or later your site will be penalized or filtered out of the top rankings.

It is widely accepted that the -30 penalty affects the whole domain, however the -950 penalty only affects specific URLs for specific keywords.

Rather than actually moving your site back by precisely 950 spots, I think it is more likely that you are just going to be banished to the end of the results. It also appears to be specific to certain search queries. A site may go from first page to last page in the SERPs (search engine results page) on one keyword, and still hold a top ranking on another keyword.

Both of these penalties are associated with shady optimization practices. Some say these penalties happen when there is keyword stuffing, while some others say that these penalties are because of shady link building practices.

It is widely believed that getting too many links within a short time span and with similar anchors can raise red flags with Google. I personally believe this to be true and always tell people to be careful with their link acquisitions. Acquire links at a consistent, natural pace.

Google doesn't believe that sites will naturally gain large numbers of links quickly, unless a software is being used and the system is being gamed. Google looks for what would naturally occur. Most people gain links over time as content spreads and it is rare to gain large numbers of links naturally in a short time period.

Another penalty is the Index Exclusion penalty or a complete ban. When a site gets hit with this Google throws the entire site and all their pages out of the Index.

This is reserved for sites that severely violate the quality guidelines and adopt black hat methods such as cloaking and doorway pages.

How Do You Avoid These Penalties?

- Build your website keeping the users in mind instead of the search engines.

- Do not stuff keywords in the page title, description, alt tags and in the content.

- Do not link out to link farms and sites engaged in link manipulation practices.

- Be consistent in building links and vary your link anchors as much as possible.

- Avoid cloaking & doorway pages

With proper on-page optimization and by following the tips above, your site should fare well in the engines and you should have nothing to worry about.



Jennifer Horowitz is the Director of Marketing for EcomBuffet.com. Since 1998 Jennifer's expertise in marketing and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has helped clients increase revenue. Jennifer has written a downloadable book on SEO and has been published in many SEO and marketing publications. Jennifer is the editor of the popular Spotlight on Success: SEO and Marketing newsletter. Follow Jennifer and stay current on SEO, marketing, social media and more. http://twitter.com/EcomBuffet

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How to Extend the Life of Your Vehicle

How to Extend the Life of Your Vehicle by Kenny Jones

When most people purchase a vehicle, they do so with the intention of keeping it for many years. While there are some people that will routinely purchase a new car every few years, the majority of the population cannot afford to do so, and instead hopes their car will last them for a long time.

Unfortunately, it seems like a lot of people want their car to last for many years, but do not realize that it takes routine and proper maintenance to make this happen. Without proper maintenance of the vehicle, and with poor driving habits, a car will quickly start to break down and start to suffer from mechanical issues.

Fortunately, it does not take much to properly maintain your car and practice good driving habits that will keep your vehicle running for a long time. This is not only extremely important when you purchase a new vehicle, but also good practice when you purchase a used vehicle as well. Even if you purchase a used vehicle that until this time has not been properly maintained, you can still extend the life of your car by starting to provide routine maintenance.

Many people seem to want to wait to take their car to a mechanic until something is wrong with it. They'll wait until it's not driving right, or making a funny sound, because they do not want to put out the expense of going to a mechanic. This however often ends up costing them a great deal more money than they actually would have spent by taking their car to a mechanic for routine maintenance.

Taking your car to a qualified mechanic for routine maintenance and tune ups will greatly help to extend the life of your vehicle. A mechanic has more knowledge and skill about what needs to be checked on a vehicle, and is better at checking the car for potential problems than the average car owner is. A mechanic is able to run diagnostic checks on a car that can help to catch problems your car may be having before things get really bad.

Practicing good driving habits will also help to extend the life of your car. There is no need to drive your car aggressively, which can quickly have negative affects on your cars performance. Driving at high speeds, waiting until the last minute to brake and other aggressive driving tactics will all drain the life from your vehicle. Drive less aggressively and more responsibly and you will help to extend the life of your car.

Providing proper and routine maintenance to your car from a qualified mechanic and practicing good driving habits are not that difficult to do and will dramatically increase the length of life your vehicle has. When your car is operating at peak performance, it puts less wear and tear on your vehicle, which will help to keep your car from breaking down. If you want your car to last for many years, practice these two habits and you'll have your car for a long time.



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Are Anti Aging Skin Care Products Useful?

Are Anti Aging Skin Care Products Useful? by Jean helmet

There are many types of anti aging skin care products available on the market. Most of them consist of ingredients that help in slowing down the process of aging so that premature wrinkles and other aging signs don't show on our face ahead of time. Some of the products contain natural substances, while others contain synthetic materials.

The effectiveness of an anti aging skin care product largely depends on its ingredients. It has been found that natural or organic substances are by far the most effective of all. So, anti aging products that contain 100% pure ingredients obtained from all natural sources are the best ones out there.

So, a simple answer to the question whether anti aging skin care products are useful, is yes. But, you should be very careful in choosing your skin care cream or lotion for the treatment of premature wrinkles. Also keep in mind your skin type (oily, dry or normal) in order to find the best treatment out there.

Before buying a skin care product, you may want to do a little research on the effectiveness of all the ingredients it contains. There are some creams that contain useful substances but at the same time they also contain some damaging materials as well. These harmful substances could be alcohols, preservatives and coloring.

Why are alcohols bad for our skin?

Alcohol not only makes our skin extremely dry but also destroys our blood vessels internally. It should be avoided as a drink if you want to have a radiant and youthful complexion. Similarly, topical creams and other anti aging skin care products that contain alcohol as an ingredient should be avoided at all costs.

Likewise, preservatives such as parabens are not good for long-term skin health. Parabens are known to cause abnormal hormonal changes if applied to the skin. In fact, these substances have estrogenic properties. Skin specialists and doctors recommend staying away from such materials.

Fragrances are also hazardous to our health. It is a known fact and everybody is aware that fragrances that are not natural contain several alcohols. Although it's ok to have a slight fragrance in any skin care product, too much fragrance should be avoided.

So, you see - anti aging skin care products are useful but they should be chosen after careful consideration. Watch out for the above mentioned ingredients in all your skin care products in order to avoid complications in the long run.



Jean Helmet is a dedicated researcher of skin care products. She shares her research on her website - Natural Skincare. If you have unwanted wrinkles, fine lines and damaged skin, visit -How to achieve the best looking skin

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An Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away

An Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away by Mary Anne Durkee

"An apple a day keeps the doctor away", this is what my sis and I grew up with. My mom made all possible efforts to drill this into us. She felt it was the best way to get us to eat an apple without a fuss (a really fussy eater I was till I started cooking. Only when I started cooking on my own did I actually realize how much of effort my dear mom would have put into making each of the yummy dishes).

My mom was definitely successful in her efforts and so "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" became a part of us in no time. It was the rule until we grew up, however, while in university somebody added a new twist to it? An apple a day keeps the doctor away, however, if the doctor is handsome keep the apple away. No doctor seemed so interesting that he was worth keeping the apple away for. However today with in-laws being doctors this is something that we all have a good laugh over.

Coming back to apples, this is truly a wonder fruit. Available in so many varieties and sizes red, green, big and small you would be able to find just the one to suit your preferences. It has several properties that goes to make it a wonderful source of nutrition.

Apples are known to work wonders preventing several types of cancers namely the prostrate cancer, lung cancer and colon cancer. A native of the Central Asian region, the apple is high in fiber and is effective in regulating the bowel movements. Apples are also good for the heart, a symbol of romance apples help in controlling cholesterol levels and are also helpful in weight loss. With high antioxidant properties, apples must definitely be a part of our diet to stay healthy and fit.

With fruits and vegetables making a major difference to our overall health and well-being it is advisable to include a generous helping of a variety of fruits in the daily diet. Apples are definitely a must have whether raw or in some other delicious form.

When eating them raw, do ensure that you wash your apple well before consuming it. This is very important considering the harmful insecticides and pesticides that form a layer on the surface of such fruits. Organic apples - a great choice as you eliminate all the harmful effects.

There is scope for a lot of experimentation with this wonder fruit. From apple shakes that tastes great with honey to apple pies and tarts they are truly heavenly. Apple pies with crisp pie crusts and delicious soft apples on the inside can be absolutely divine. Baking an apple pie can be a lot of fun too. I remember once trying an apple crumble recipe. The recipe was simply superb as a dessert. Served with a dollop of ice cream it was indeed an instant hit.

I liked this video by Scott too, wherein he has shown how to go about making caramel apples. I like caramel strawberries or the chocolate dipped strawberries but doing them with apples did add a good twist. There's definitely a lot you can do with apples.

So, the next time you meet a handsome and interesting doctor - you definitely know what to do. Don't put the apple aside, treat the doctor to a delicious apple pie and you can be sure of what to expect. Remember the way to a man's heart is definitely through his stomach:).



Mary-Anne is a featured member and regular contributor at ifood.tv, a global food network, featuring recipes from all over the world. Other popular healthy recipes videos on ifood.tv include apple recipes, asian recipes and asparagus recipes.

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5 Things to Consider When Choosing Motorcycle Boots

5 Things to Consider When Choosing Motorcycle Boots by Justin Stewart

Though many people don't realize it, choosing the right motorcycle boot can not only be quite difficult, but also extremely important ensuring comfort, safety and function to your motorcycle ride. Motorcycle boots not only have to be practical for riding, but for walking as well. Here are the top five things to consider when choosing the right motorcycle boot.

5. Material

Motorcycle boots need to be made from a material that can handle the elements well. While many people feel leather is the ideal material choice, once exposed to the elements leather can stiffen and become uncomfortable, as well as rot. If you must have leather boots, make sure they are made with thick, quality leather and treated with a water proofing agent. You may also choose a synthetic material such as Gore-Tex which is excellent for almost any weather condition.

4. Sole

Choosing motorcycle boots with thick rubber soles will help absorb vibration from the motorcycle that can cause foot and leg pain. A deep tread pattern is essential for traction and stability. Choose a sole that is oil-resistant to help prevent slippage. And most importantly, choose a sole that has been sewn on, rather than glued with a bonding agent, as these are much more durable.

3. Flexibility

Boots should be stiff enough that they offer reinforcement to the foot, but should also be flexible in key areas to help with comfort. Many brands of motorcycle boots offer a flexible ankle panel, that is excellent for braking and shifting. You can also bind boots with additional reinforcements in the front of the boot for the ankle for extra support, but will also still allow you to have the flexibility you need.

2. Style

By style, we don't mean the fashion statement your motorcycle boots are going to make. The style of the boot refers to how it's made. When purchasing motorcycle boots, it's best to avoid slip on style boots, as these can easily slip off in the event of a crash or even minor spill. Instead, you should choose boots that lace or zipper to close. There are even hook and loop closure boots that you can choose from, as well as boots made with a combination of these closures. Any of these three options will provide a boot that is securely attached to your foot, and prevent the risk of having your boot come off while riding or in the event of an accident.

1. Price

When it comes to motorcycle boots, the old adage, "You get what you pay for" definitely holds true. While it may not seem that important to you to pay a great deal of money for you boots, it is definitely worth your while to do so. Purchasing cheaply made, poor quality boots can lead to foot pain, difficulties in braking and shifting or even having your boots fall apart if you get caught in a rain storm. Even if you can't afford a top of the line pair of motorcycle boots, you should still avoid purchasing low quality boots and instead try and find something in between.



Click here to learn more about motorcycle boots at The MotorcyclePedia.

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An Efficient and Affordable Way to Relax

An Efficient and Affordable Way to Relax by Art Gib

There are many different ways to release stress and promote health. For some people, exercise is the best way to burn off some steam and generate feel-good endorphins. For others, a day at the spa under the hands of a masseuse is the best ways to loosen tense muscles. And for people with extremely high levels of anxiety, a doctor might even prescribe medication to help them deal with the stress.

Although effective, all of these remedies require time, special skills, or money though. If you are looking for an affordable and universal treatment for stress, maybe you should give relaxation music a try. Relaxation music works because everything in the environment leaves an impact on our emotional, mental and physical state. In the same way that lively music gets your feet tapping, peaceful music can lull your muscles and your mind into soothing relaxation.

And, unlike spa treatments, exercise and doctors visits, it doesn't cost very much time or money to listen to the right music. After all, once you have a CD player, an ipod, or a computer, you can listen to soft music while you putter around the house, drive in the car, or fall asleep in your bed. And, unlike a massage or a prescription that eventually run out, a CD can be played over and over again for as long as you need it.

A few skeptics believe that relaxation music seems too simple and easy to really be a viable solution, but its benefits have been scientifically tested and proved on several occasions. For example, doctors have been exploring its benefits for several years now and, in many studies, they have found that relaxation music accelerates healing and growth in their patients. It can also help people with insomnia or high levels of energy relax enough to fall asleep.

Relaxation music also has the ability to impact emotional moods. This means that the right kind of music can dispel melancholy and replace it with contentment and happiness. Consequently, relaxation music can be a wonderful tool for lonely or depressed individuals.

Any kind of soft, smooth, and peaceful music will probably be able to help consumers relax, but certain kinds are better suited for certain activities. That's why there are companies who have developed unique products for every need in the market. This enables consumers to hone in on the service they need and save money.



Nuphonics is the company you need if you want relaxation music products. They also have a lot of information on the medical studies that have been conducted with music. For more information on their products and research visit http://nuphonics.com/. The author, Art Gib, is a freelance writer.

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Make Good Money Selling E-Books From Home

Make Good Money Selling E-Books From Home by Victor Epand

Plenty of choice is available to decide on the ways and means of getting into the business of selling books from home. It is a lucrative business for anyone who has the ambition and inclination to make money on their own terms. This is an ideal option for housewives and entrepreneurs who wish to make extra money from the comfort of their homes.

An advantage of selling books from home is that there is no capital investment to be made, which makes the risk factor nil. Anyone with the need and wish to make extra money can get into the business without having to worry about losing money. Depending on the line of marketing you choose, the advantage varies. Selling e-books is easy and affordable. If you choose online selling, you can relax further as the time consuming inventory of stock need not be kept. In addition, there is no shipping of products to customers as they get instant access to the books ordered by them. Considering this and the low overhead costs, it is a great opportunity to start your own online business.

You could also make more if you decide to write a few e-books yourself and advertise your business along with the new books written by you. Different online sites are there, from where you can sell your books eg: Amazon, e-Bay etc. You could even sell them to libraries or to clients directly online or just use your garage / basement to sell all the unused books.

Another marketing technique that has caught on very well is the MLM method. This mainly focuses on children's educational books and targets parents and educational institutes. It is important to have a passion and be convinced of what you are selling. This not only gives an impact on your sales pitch but your convincing becomes easier as well. To start, you need to join a book distribution company who will educate you on the value of the books and their terms and conditions. You can then start selling them to your friends, libraries, at book fairs, schools etc. Investment is very low as the distribution company charges only for a start up kit which you would require.

The commission offered is usually very attractive, along with a lot of incentives thrown in. The more people you get to market your books, the more money you can make as MLM gives you a commission for every recruit and on everything that they sell. Marketing these books is easy as parents are very enthusiastic when it comes to improving the knowledge of their children. It is also a great way to meet different people from different fields and share your passion for books with them. Depending on your time constraint, you could either opt for part time or get into it full time and watch your business grow while you put in your best efforts.



Victor Epand is an expert consultant about books. When shopping for books, we recommend you shop only at the best bookstores for used books, autographed books, and vedic books.

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Old Dog, New Trick: Teaching Your Older Dog Not to Bark

Old Dog, New Trick: Teaching Your Older Dog Not to Bark by Amy Nutt

Many people believe the old saying "You can`t teach an old dog new tricks." Fortunately, when it comes to old dogs that bark, you CAN teach them new tricks. Obviously, it is easier to train a puppy not to bark than it is an elderly dog, but this doesn't mean it`s impossible.

Whether you have raised your dog from a puppy and missed teaching him to be quiet along the way or are getting an older dog from a friend or even the local pound, it`s important to teach your canine friend not to bark needlessly.

Why Dogs Bark

There are several reasons why your dog is barking and not all of them are bad. While you don`t want the steady barking of a nervous animal, you certainly will want your pet to let you know if there is an intruder or if someone needs help. Understanding the method behind the madness will give you a far better chance of training your dog the right way.

Fear: Is your dog afraid of thunder? Perhaps he barks only around strange men, like the mail carrier. This is quite common, but it doesn't need to be permanent. Letting dogs have a safe place to retreat to can really help with this type of barking issue. A safe spot to curl up with a favorite toy and a treat will help your dog relax and keep busy for a bit.

Lack of attention: Dogs are social creatures and they often live to please their humans. If you are out of the house for long periods of time, you dog is probably suffering from separation anxiety. To help him get over this, be sure to take him with you sometimes and to take it slowly. For example, just go outside the door for five or ten minutes while leaving some treats and new toys for your dog.

Boredom: Your dog could be barking simply for something to do. If you notice that your canine pal is extra active, scratching at the door or chasing silly things, chances are he needs something better to do. Giving your dog a chore will help him feel happy and useful and will get rid of that bark. Teach him a new trick or play fetch in order to keep him busy. New toys can also be used.

Change: Some dogs are more sensitive to change than others and if there has been a recent move, death in the family or other drastic change, your older dog may be barking for this reason. In this case, it is often a matter of letting your pet become accustomed to the new situation. If there is someone missing, it can be helpful to give your dog a piece of their clothing.

Teaching an Older Dog Not to Bark

Dogs that are over five years may be a little more difficult to train not to bark, especially if this is not a recent development. Many pet owners have unintentionally taught their dogs to bark by responding to them when they make noise, often from the time they are puppies. This just lets the dog know that if he wants attention, he only needs to start barking.

Patience will go a long way in teaching your older dog not to bark. Since this is an ingrained response, the longer your dog has been barking, the longer it will take for him to unlearn the behavior. Rewarding good behavior and teaching the command, 'Quiet' will help you get your dog to understand that barking isn't a good thing to do. Most dogs are happy to please their humans and once they realize that you want the behavior to stop, they will usually attempt to comply. Again, patience is key.



Bark Busters is one of the leading providers of dog training and puppy training in Canada. With personalized trainers all across the country, Bark Busters's professional trainers can help you train your dog effectively.

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Addiction: A Holistic Approach To Recovery

Addiction: A Holistic Approach To Recovery by Patti Desert

Those suffering from addictions habitually engage in compulsive behaviors to avoid feelings of depression, anxiety, and other distressing mood states. Holistic Therapy offers opportunities to safely experience painful emotions while learning ways to manage destructive thoughts and behaviors.

Many addictions recovery treatment programs focus on the distorted thinking and destructive behavior of the addict with less attention to the underlying depression and anxiety that drive negative thoughts and behavior. At best addicts in treatment might attend lectures and participate in groups where speakers and participants talk about and share these feelings, but they seldom offer sufficient opportunities for addicts to directly and safely experience what they are feeling and to creatively manage their feelings.

Holistic Therapy incorporates methods that do just this. Through a skillful blending of eastern methods of healing with western methods of psychotherapy Holistic Therapy teaches recovering folks how to use their senses to assess what their emotions are telling them and how to effectively manage the associated distress.

We have at least seven senses--touch, taste, smell, hearing, sight, balance, and internal sensations. Every second of every day our senses are picking up information, sending it to our brain, with our body consequently responding depending on how the brain interprets the data. Short of some kind of brain damage our responses will always include feelings.

Surprising to many recovering addicts is the idea that we cannot feel a thought. They are additionally surprised to learn that depression and anxiety and other uncomfortable feelings are always physical sensation in some form. However, a thought can elicit a great deal of physical distress in the body if the brain interprets that thought as some kind of threat to the body.

For example, a worry of any kind usually has some kind of thought attached to it. But it is not the thought that a person is feeling but the body's response to that thought.

Through a complex process the brain interprets the "worry" thought as a threat to the body and immediately begins preparing it to defend itself by pouring adrenalin, cortisol, and a host of other chemicals into the body to prepare it to fight, flee, freeze, or hide. That is how the brain responds to any stress. And the felt sensation of those changes and many others is tension, tightness, pressure, heaviness or a host of other physical feelings. These changes are commonly although not always consciously experienced as depression and/or anxiety. At their most powerful, these changes can elicit the excruciating pain associated to a heart attack. With no means to slow this process down it is not surprising that recovery fails.

Holistic Therapy teaches us how to effectively and consistently ease those distressing physical sensations by noticing what each of the senses is picking up. By helping to identify what thoughts are occurring and how the body is feeling Holistic Therapy gives recovering folks the power to manage the depression and anxiety that fuels addictive behavior.

As human beings we think, feel, sense, and do. We also have a mind-body-spirit that needs careful tending if we are to live peacefully and productively. Recovering from addiction, healing from the destructive consequences of addiction requires a treatment program to engage all these parts of Self. Otherwise, what results is a temporary respite with relapse following on its heels.



Ms Desert is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Baltimore, MD with a holistic private practice and specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety, trauma, and associated addictions. Read more at http://www.singular-pathways.com


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5 Tips to Earn Your Nursing Degree Online

5 Tips to Earn Your Nursing Degree Online by Amelia Turner

Nursing careers are very rewarding and challenging nowadays with the conjunction of the high demand of nurses in various fields outside the hospital settings. For those who are interested to join the field, you are required to have the nursing qualification to start your nursing career. As more and more nursing degrees are offered online, earning a degree in nursing never been easier with those online degree programs. But, there are a few factors that you need to take into consideration when selecting an online nursing degree program to enroll with. Here are the 5 tips to help you:

Tip #1: Determine Your State Requirement

Although you can earn a nursing degree online, every state has it own requirement for nurses. So, when you search for a nursing degree that fit your needs, you also need to take into account the requirement for nurse of your state or the state that you plan to start your nursing career with. Before you enroll into the online nursing degree program, be sure that the school you choose is an acceptable institution for your state requirements. This is particularly important for preparing for the NCLEX examination, which is required for state certification before you can start your nursing career after graduation.

Tip #2: Find Out How Clinical Experience Is Arranged

Most online nursing degrees require clinical experience which needs to be conducted at a health care facility. Hence, before you enroll into the nursing program, find out from the school on the arrangement of your clinical experience if this is necessary for your degree. Some schools require you to complete your clinical experience at the school, while other schools may have special arrangement with other health care facilities close to your home or workplace. You may want to consider the school that allows you to complete your clinical experience at your convenient distance if long distance travel is a concern to you.

Tip #3: Decide Your Degree Requirement

There are many nursing degree programs available online, each degree program may contain difference courses or it may comes with different specialization. Depending on your nursing career goal, you may need a specific type of nursing program. Hence, before you start to search for online nursing degree programs, decide your degree requirement first. Then, find the schools that offer the nursing degree that meet your degree requirement. After that, you should request the program details from those schools.

Tip #4: Compare Schools

Once you receive the details information from your selected schools that offer you preference nursing degree, compare those schools in term of support system, online learning system, faculty, class size, courses and the program costs. Then, select the one the best suits your needs.

Tip #5: Be Ready To Be A Successful Online Student

Once you decide to earn your nursing degree online, you should prepare yourself to adapt to online learning environment so that you can complete the degree program successfully. Be aware that online nursing program provides you with a convenient and flexible learning environment, but it does not mean that you can earn the degree easier than the traditional classroom-based program. Hence, you must set you mindset correctly and be ready to be a successful online student.



Amelia Turner, an author from http://www.your-online-degree.info - You can find more details information and free resources about online nursing degree programs and other information on online education from this site.

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Saving Money From Income - Are You a Saver Or Spender?

Saving Money From Income - Are You a Saver Or Spender? by Ray Prince

It certainly looks all doom and gloom at the moment doesn't it?

Open any newspaper or tune into the news on TV and if you are anything like me, you get punch drunk with all the articles on how bad the stock market or property market is etc etc.

It may seem perverse then to write an article on savings!

However, as ever, this is an immensely important subject that affects our clients' future security. As we view a Doctor or Dentist's financial affairs over at least 15/20 years, we can clearly see the effect this has on their overall position.

Quite often the savings and investments they made in the early years were fairly modest, but have now built up very nicely thank you over time. This helps massively towards their 'Financial Independence Day'- the time they can choose to stop working.

Because the service we offer to our clients includes being able to look ahead at how their lives will look in, say, 15 years time (by using cash flow forecasts), we can show how much they need to save/invest NOW so that they do not run out of money in the future.

So, looking at the big picture, are we Brits serious savers?

Well, we certainly used to be. It took some time to recover from the war, but by the mid 1950s, we started to make real progress.

Here is the average UK savings ratio for 1960-1989:

60s - 5.65%

70s - 7.95%

80s - 8.65%

The peak came in the difficult winter of 1979, when the savings ratio hit an all-time high of 14.1%, or to put it another way, one in seven pounds.

Now let's look at how well we saved in the Nineties:

1990 - 1994 - 10%

1995 - 1999 - 8.28%

Yes, we saved hard during the recession of the early Nineties, but our savings habit started to slip when the housing market took off from the mid 90s onwards. However, things have certainly taken a turn for the worse recently, as the final table shows:

The UK average savings ratio, 2000-2008:

2000 - 2003 - 5.35%

2004 - 2008 - 4.30%

So, a declining trend, and the situation gets even worse.

In the first quarter of this year, the savings ratio collapsed to 1.1%. This is £1 for every £90 earned after tax, and takes us to a 49 year low.

In the past, a squeeze on our disposable incomes would have made us look to cut back and save more. Sadly, after a twelve-year housing and credit boom, it appears that we've almost forgotten how to save.

Of course, the purpose of having a bit of a financial cushion was to help when the bad times came. Well, the bad times are here, and for some people it looks like the cushion that has been there in the past is no longer available.

Perhaps the more you earn the more leeway you will have. However it is our experience that the more you earn the more you spend! (It's important to focus on how much income you're left with at the end of the month, not necessarily how large the income is).

So, ask yourself - are YOU saving enough?

Key Considerations:

It does pay to save. If you are serious about optimising your finances to secure your future, do look at what you can afford to save and invest.

Once this is decided make sure that this money is targeted at fulfilling your goals in life.

ACTION POINT

Ensure you have an up to date expenditure template to identify where your money is spent, and compare this to your income now and in the future by analysing your cash flow forecast (CFF).

This is VITAL.

If you do not have a CFF, ask your adviser to build you one, and if they cannot do this find a planner who can.

Do you have the scope to save/save more? If you have - do it!

It will bring Financial Independence Day nearer!



Ray Prince is an Independent Financial Planner with Rutherford Wilkinson plc, and helps UK Resident Doctors and Dentists get the best deals on mortgages, protection and investments, as well as helping them achieve their financial objectives. Click here for Financial Advice for UK Doctors and Dentists and to get your free retirement guide, How To Avoid The 7 Most Common Retirement Planning Mistakes. Rutherford Wilkinson plc is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

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Namibia's Enigmatic Skeleton Coast

Namibia's Enigmatic Skeleton Coast by Gary Terrazas

The Wilderness Safaris Skeleton Coast Camp is located on the dry Khumib River and offers an excellent base for explorations into this remote area. Alternatively visitors can access this area with the renowned Schoemans family who offer a range of fly-in itineraries which traverse this region. Travellers can visit Rocky Point, Cape Fria seal colony, the Himba village at Puros, the wreck of the Dunedin Star and the clay castles of the Hoarusib River. This once in a lifetime experience will inspire awe in the most seasoned traveller.

In December 2006 I was lucky enough to visit the Wilderness Safaris Skeleton Coast Camp in northern Namibia. I knew that this was an area I would love, and I was anticipating the usual mix of spectacular scenery, desert wildlife and interesting history. However, nothing could have prepared me for the sheer remoteness of this pristine area, and the haunting beauty of the ancient landscape. It was a true step backwards in time, and it was easy to imagine that any minute now we would see a hulking, wooden ship crashing to shore out of the perpetual mist when we looked out towards the Atlantic on our first morning.

The weather in this area is notoriously unpredictable. The coast is subjected to nine months of morning fog each year which stretches for up to 30km inland, and these damp and grey conditions often result in cool temperatures which persist for the whole day. This band of mist does however have its ecological benefits, providing water and thus life to the desert flora and fauna which includes 80 species of lichen and the ancient Welwitschia plants.

During our three full days of excursions in the area we visited Cape Fria with its huge colony of barking Cape Fur Seals diving playfully through the crashing waves. We learned about the wreck of the Dunedin Star and the amazing rescue mission that involved a plane (which subsequently crashed), a small boat (which was grounded) and s fleet of 4x4 vehicles (which eventually reached the stranded passengers)! We drove over spectacular dune belts and through vast gravel plains populated with a plethora of lichens resplendent in colour and size. We visited the Himba people near Puros and learnt something of their fascinating traditional lifestyle, and we meandered up the Hoarusib River bed in search of desert elephant, giraffe and oryx.

After absorbing so much of this unique environment it was difficult to decide on my favourite aspects, but in the end it was the small things which were the most memorable. Walking along an immaculate, white sand beach littered with whale bones, watching a family of Suricates (Meerkats) playing on the gravel plains near sunset, exploring and photographing a hillside covered with bright lichens, watching two desert elephant slide gracefully down a sand dune before ambling off into the lush vegetation of the river valley. It is not many parts of the world which remain as inaccessible and as wild as the Skeleton Coast, my visit was a real privilege and a truly unforgettable experience!

Africa Tourist Info (ATI Holidays) can organise fly-in safaris to this remote area as stand-alone itineraries or as part of a longer safari.



For Namibia self-drive tours go to www.infotour-africa.com or email infotour@iafrica.com.na Tel. ++264 61 228 717

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Presentation Planning Tips: Planning a Dynamic Presentation

Presentation Planning Tips: Planning a Dynamic Presentation by Sharon Mann

Getting ready for your next presentation? This article is designed to provide you with presentation planning tips that will help you make a great impression on co-workers, supervisors or prospective clients. Specifics may vary from person to person; however, the following information includes helpful and important guidelines from which everyone can benefit.

The ability to present yourself and your ideas well is fundamental to success in the business world. After all, having good ideas is only part of the equation. You must also be able to get your ideas across to others logically, clearly and persuasively.

However, good presentation skills are not only limited to business situations. Teachers, students, coaches, people involved in civic duties or charitable organizations as well as countless other examples all have the need at one time or another to deliver an effective presentation.

One of the keys to making any presentation as dynamic as possible is proper planning.
To follow are five presentation planning tips to keep in mind as you prepare a presentation:

Presentation Planning Tip #1: Define your intentions. It's simple; just ask yourself, why am I creating this presentation? In other words, what is its purpose? Is it to sell my ideas? Is it to motivate people? To inform? Defining a specific goal will help you create a blueprint in your mind of how to organize your presentation in order to reach your goal.

Presentation Planning Tip #2: Know your audience. Just as if you were crafting a letter to be read by a specific person, you will want to craft your presentation messages for the particular audience you are presenting to. Is it a group of your peers? Are they at job levels above yours? Are they customers? Are they already knowledgeable about the topic you are presenting? Are they in need of detailed explanations, or will broad-stroke overviews be sufficient? Instead of concentrating solely on how you might benefit from what your presentation says, consider what your audience wants.

Presentation Planning Tip #3: Collect as much information as possible. Even if you are not planning on an intricately detailed presentation, you will still need plenty of background about the topic you are presenting. Gather whatever you think is applicable, then sort it out. Remember though that you do not want to overwhelm your audience with too much information because you may run the risk of confusing them. On the other hand, too little information may not do an adequate job of supporting the intentions of your presentation.

Presentation Planning Tip #4: Build structure into your presentation. Much like a good book or movie, your presentation should have a logical beginning, middle and end...with a flow that makes sense instead of jumping around all over the place. The last thing you want is for your audience to get lost and not be able to keep up with your train of thought as the presentation moves along.

Presentation Planning Tip #5: Practice, practice, practice. Make certain that you are thoroughly familiar with the material you will be presenting before you present it. Practice delivering the presentation out loud. Concentrate on such things as the need to make eye contact and avoid the temptation to bury your head in your notes. Also rehearse the projection of your voice, speaking clearly in relaxed, conversational tones.



Sharon Mann is President of the I Hate Filing Club, a group of nearly 100,000 office professionals who hate filing but love finding new ways to become more organized. For information about presentation planning and products that can help, visit our website.

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A Brief History of Mahjong

A Brief History of Mahjong by Mariam Ma

The game of mahjong is almost uniquely identifiable with the Chinese culture. The cliches run amok with chatty housewives playing the game, triad members gambling in mahjong houses, or senior citizens chasing away the hours with a game that stimulates their mind. But the stereotypes have one thing right. It's a game that is enjoyed by all walks of life and amongst different age groups. Moreover, it has also been able to spread worldwide. So when exactly did this iconic Chinese game come about and how did it travel half way around the globe to reach the living rooms of the Western world?

There are many myths regarding when and how the mahjong game was invented. Stories say that the game dates back more than 2000 years ago when a princess invented the game in the royal courtyard. She invited three of her maids to play and that's why the game consists of four players. Others say that it was the philosopher Confucius who invented the tiled game. For sure, folklore has glorified the origin of mahjong but the fact remains that no records of mahjong existed until the mid 19th century. The truth is that a great debate still rages on for who to attribute this stimulating past time. Perhaps mahjong was derived from a card game, or soldiers dreamt up the diversion to occupy their time, or the game was invented by ivory carvers. Whatever the origin, merchants saw fit to talk up its history to increase mahjong sales.

Mahjong was introduced to the United States in the 1920s by an American living in China, Joseph Park Babcock. He wrote a book which simplified the intricate rules of mahjong and the game became wildly popular. Mahjong sets were flying off the shelves during this craze with mahjong sales outstripping imports of silk, lace, tea, and other goods from China.

The mahjong game met with the same success in Britain and Japan with each country adopting new rules and adding other nuances to the game. And with the spread of mahjong to other countries, more changes were incorporated. That's why today, there are lots of variants of mahjong play.

No matter the variation, players agree that mahjong is the perfect game of skill and chance. It is also a mental battle with your opponents but probably over light banter with a few dollars wagered. It is therefore no wonder that mahjong has gained such a worldwide appeal.



Mariam Ma is a freelance writer for buymahjongsets.com. Here, you will get great deals on American mahjong sets and find antique vintage mahjong sets online.

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Four of the Greatest Modern Classical Pianists of All Times

Four of the Greatest Modern Classical Pianists of All Times by Duane Shinn

Every serious piano student eventually learns to play some of the most well-known classical pieces during his or her studies. Nary a pianist didn't learn Palchabel's Canon in D or Beethoven's Fur Elise. Even non-musicians recognize names like Bach and Mozart.

But what about modern classical pianists who have also made notable contributions to cultural history? Here are four the most well-known modern classical pianists and their contributions:

* Glen Gould: The eccentric Canadian-born classical pianist spent more of his prolific career in the recording studio than on stage. Gould covered many of the original classical greats, such as Bach and Beethoven. Gould may be best remembered though for his recordings of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach.

Gould was widely acclaimed for his unusual technique and eclectic renditions of famous classical works. Though he spent many years on the road, touring several countries, he gave up concert performances in 1964 at the age of 32. Though he could have spent decades longer on the road, he preferred to live out the remainder of his career in the studio.

Gould's career was cut short by an untimely stroke at the age of 50, which ultimately took his life. Still, his recordings live on today and have been released and re-released numerous times.

* Arthur Rubinstein: He has been referred to as one of the greatest piano virtuosi of the 20th century. Born in Poland in 1887, Rubinstein's family recognized a depth of unique talent in him, despite the fact he didn't speak until age three. A childhood filled with unusual behavior and outbursts fuel speculation that Rubinstein may have suffered from a learning disorder or autism.

Eventually, Rubinstein's temperament gave way to the talent for playing the piano that he eventually became known for. Rubinstein made his concert debut in New York in 1906 and toured until 1976. He reluctantly retired from public performance at the age of 89 when his hearing and eyesight began to fail. Though he passed away in 1982, Rubinstein is still highly acclaimed among modern musicians.

* Sergei Rachmaninoff: This Russian classical pianist was also a composer and conductor. Perhaps it was his unusual 12-inch hand span that helped him become a legend for his technical proficiency. Rachmaninoff not only commanded the stage, but at a height of 6 feet, 6 inches, commanded a room as well. Though he began piano study casually under the tutelage of his own mother, his extraordinary talent quickly emerged.

Rachmaninoff was mediocre in academics, even failing many of his subjects for lack of motivation. However, his piano instructor, who recognized his potential, insisted on a strict and disciplined practice regimen. If not for him, Rachmaninoff may have given up on his musical studies as well. A later meeting with Peter Tchaikovsky also served as inspiration for him to continue his musical career.

He managed to overcome several setbacks in his career, including scathing public reviews and a long period of writer's block. After several years of performance and changes in location, Rachmaninoff moved to the United States in 1918. He continued performing until February of 1943, just a month before his death from cancer.

* Myra Hess: This British pianist stands out in a genre typically dominated by men, especially during her years of public performance. Even as a young child Hess exhibited extraordinary talent. She was admitted to the Guildhall School of Music just two years after beginning lessons at age five. She gave her first public performance at the tender age of 17 in 1907, when she toured throughout Europe for several years. Eventually Hess debuted in the United States, where she realized almost instant acclaim. In an effort to boost morale during World War II, Hess organized a series of free public concerts in London. Her efforts during a time that saw the closure of concert halls and art galleries due to the war was deeply appreciated and received by the public. Hess herself performed at many of these lunch hour concerts. It may have been these efforts that endeared her to the public and stirred lasting interest in her music and career.



Duane Shinn is the author of the popular online newsletter on piano chords, available free at "Exciting Piano Chords & Chord Progressions!"

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How Inhaled Anesthetics Work on the Body

How Inhaled Anesthetics Work on the Body by Tr Stephanie Larkin

The miracles of modern medicine allow doctors to fix problems in the human body that their predecessors couldn’t even diagnose. The rapidly growing field of medical technology continues to eradicate threats to human life at every turn, but one of the most important leaps forward in medicine has been anesthesia’s ability to keep patients comfortable during difficult procedures.

Today, there are many different types of anesthetics available to doctors. They can be injected, applied topically, or even inhaled by the patient. How inhaled anesthetics do their job stays the same, but which chemicals are used and what procedures they are used for change frequently.

A Brief History of Inhaled Anesthetics

As little as one hundred years ago, reliable anesthetics were hard to come by. Many different ancient cultures experimented with powerful narcotics in order to relieve human suffering, but early attempts at administering these remedies often went awry. Laughing gas, an anesthetic regularly used in dentistry, was not discovered until 1775 and was not put into regular medical use until the 1840s. Other medical professionals would experiment with other inhalants like chloroform and ether throughout the nineteenth century.

Common Inhaled Anesthetics

Nitrous oxide, diethyl ether, and chloroform were among the first and most commonly used anesthetics. The latter two eventually fell out of use because of adverse side effects. Laughing gas is still in regular use as an anesthetic for dentists because it sufficiently numbs without causing one to lose consciousness. This is important in dentistry because the dentist often needs to speak to his or her patient.

Most other inhaled anesthetics used today render the patient unconscious. This is called general anesthesia and considered the best option to long or intricate surgeries. Fluorochemicals are uniquely suited to being general anesthetics because they can easily be turned into vapor and are nonflammable. Many of these fluorochemicals are used in conjunction with each other in order to create effective anesthesia:

• Sevoflurane


• Desflurane


• Isoflurane


• Enflurane


• Halothane

Most patients going into surgery today receive a cocktail of sevoflurane, desflurane, and nitrous oxide. Though many anesthesiologists use these substances skillfully, none of them are ideal. Some irritate the airways while others have a shorter potency. Some can even affect the organs adversely, so they are used sparingly. Professional anesthesiologists learn how to mix the gasses so that the patient experiences no adverse side effects and stay asleep for the entire procedure.

How Inhaled Anesthetics Work

Inhaled anesthetics is general anesthesia because of the way they are administered. Since the gas is taken into the lungs, it travels indiscriminately through the blood stream. General anesthesia is defined as a state where the patient is unconscious, immobile, and free of pain. Nitrous oxide only has the power to keep a patient from feeling pain.

Once the patient is anesthetized, the gas enters the blood in the same way as oxygen. The chemical moves through the circulatory system to the brain. Though it is still unclear exactly what effect general anesthetics have on the body, it is likely that immobility is caused when the chemical reaches the spinal cord. When the anesthetics find their way into the nervous system, pain is blocked. Lastly, the patient is rendered unconscious by the fluorochemicals’ effect on the brain.

The anesthesiologist will continue to administer the gas as needed by the patient. The rest of the anesthetic will be removed from the body with other wastes and be expelled with carbon dioxide. In time, the patient will wake up with a few minor side-effects. These are generally caused by a build-up of the chemicals in the body, but serious problems are rare.

General Anesthesia and Inhalants

Inhaled anesthetics are not the only way to induce general anesthesia. Some procedures use intravenous application of other chemicals in order to achieve the same effect. Even though these general anesthetics have been in use for some time, they can be harmful if they are not administered properly. This is why anesthesiologists are a pivotal part of the surgical team.

The aim of all medical procedures is safety, so because general anesthesia can cause problems, it is avoided whenever possible. However, there are some situations, such as serious and extensive surgery, in which it is the best course of action. In these cases, inhaled anesthetics allow doctors to gently put the patient to sleep and help doctors make difficult procedures less taxing. Their use makes many remarkable feats performed by surgeons possible.



About Author:

Stephanie Larkin is a freelance writer who writes about issues and topics pertaining to the use of chemicals such as Anesthetics

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Make An Absolute Fortune Teaching Ecommerce To Local Businesses

Make An Absolute Fortune Teaching Ecommerce To Local Businesses by Willie Crawford

I've been marketing goods and services online since late-1996, and I have never seen a better time to start your own Internet marketing business. Current economic conditions around the world are driving millions to the Internet looking for additional income and a better lifestyle.

Sadly, thousands of people coming online every month enter the WRONG niche. They enter the most challenging niche that I can imagine. They enter the niche of people earning a living by teaching people how to earn a living online, teaching people how to earn a living online.

No, I didn't make a mistake. That's how I'd describe the "Internet marketing niche" that I'm most familiar with.

However, anyone who has studied ecommerce for more than six month probably knows enough about leveraging the power of the Internet to easily earn a six-figure income serving an entirely different market.

Many "Internet marketers" with YEARS of experience are foolishly ignoring this market.

This market is local businesses who need to learn how to use the Internet to drive more leads, and more buying customers through their doors.

Local business owners understand that they MUST spend money to grow their business or they'll quickly be out of business. Those that have been in business for more than a few years understand that even during an economic downturn, they MUST invest in advertising or lose market share.

That's where you can enter the picture, help them, and earn a nice six-figure income for yourself.

You contact local businesses and explain how to use the Internet for direct response marketing that's infinitely more powerful than advertising in the yellow pages or local newspapers. You explain to them how to leverage the power of things that you already understand such as:

- Autoresponders - Building and following up with an email list - Search engine optimization... especially for longtail keyword - Testing and tracking - Linking campaigns - Direct response copywriting

Yes - all of those things that we Internet marketers consider common knowledge are totally foreign to most local business owners.

All you really have to do is find a place, schedule a local workshop, and spend a day or two teaching ecommerce to local businesses. Local business owners will see the value in what you teach and many of them will want to tap into it immediately.

Many local business owners will also understand what you are teaching but also "gloss over" and ask if you can simply do it for them. At that point, you simply smile and tell them that your website ecommerce packages cost $3000, $5000, even $10,000.

Then you simply outsource the work - pocketing 50% or more.

Can it really be that easy?

Yes, that's EXACTLY what I'm doing.

"But, I don't know enough to actually teach a class or workshop," you argue!

Not a problem - enterprising individuals who have already blazed this trail will make their material available to you. You can find complete seminar packages that include:

- Newspaper ads to run to find outside sales people to sell the seminar seats for you

- Newspaper ads to run to get attendees

- PowerPoint Presentations for 1 or 2 day seminars ready-to-use

- Complete scripts to go along with the PowerPoint Presentations

- Handouts to give your attendees

- Supplement materials to give or sell to attendees

In other words, others who are already doing this will provide the material for you. If you're really lazy, you could just hand the materials to an assistant, and let him/her run the events for you!

My friend Rachel Rofe created the very presentation package that I use. That's right, I didn't create the presentation that I use, I got it here: http://TeachingEcommerceToLocalBusinesses.com

If you don't feel comfortable contacting local businesses and getting them into your events, my friend David Preston taught me a technique where you get the local governmental agencies to promote you and fill the room for you.

David wrote an ebook that tells how the U.S. government actually advertises for you on radio, television, in newspaper, etc. They actually send you the business owners who come to them for guidance!

When David showed me his system, I so fell in love with it that I invited David and his wife out to dinner so that I could really pick him mind. You can see a photo of the David and I on his website :-)

I'm telling you, if you're marketing to "Internet marketers" and ignoring local businesses that have money already budgeted for building their businesses, "you're barking up the wrong tree!"

You can read more about what David does at: http://HelpingOfflineBusinesses.com

After reading David's and Rachel's material, I serious considered getting out of the "Internet marketing niche" altogether. I'm someone who's built a solid reputation, and lots of name recognition in the niche. Yet, when I saw how serving local "brick and mortal" businesses was so much easier, the sift made a lot of sense.

Let me close with one example of how easy it is to make $50k when you use what I've just shared with you.

In most cities, during certain times of the year, you'll notice civic and fraternal organizations, such as The Knights of Columbus, or the Kiwanis, holding fundraisers. All you need to do is get THEM to promote your event, you teach the workshop, and split the proceeds with them.

If they get 100 local businesses owners to pay $1000 each for a 2-day workshop, and you split it 50/50 with the sponsors, you walk away with $50k, plus you'll have 100 business owners wanting you to continue teaching them.

Can it really be that simple? Yes, you can get an organization that also has facilities and lots of business owners as members to sponsor an event for you. They'd actually prefer doing that to holding dozens of car washes, or collecting donations on street corners.

Think about it!




Willie Crawford has been teaching others how to build their own
home-based Internet businesses since late-1996. He teaches easy,
proven methods that he and other leading Internet marketers
actually use. Discover more of Willie's hype-free teachings at
The Internet Marketing Inner Circle: http://TIMIC.ORG

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How to Eliminate JavaScript Errors

How to Eliminate JavaScript Errors by Brian Williams

Javascript errors, with their yellow triangle popping up, can be a nuisance, but there are some steps that you can take which will help eliminate and prevent JavaScript errors once and for all. Sometimes the error is because there is an error in the javascript which is included in the page, and other times the cause may be the software program script. Whatever the cause of these Javascript errors are, you can make them go away for good usually, with very little effort or time needed.

If you get a JavaScript error, use another web browser to verify that the error resides with the web page and not your system. If the other browser has the same error, the problem is with the page and not your system. Make sure that your settings will allow Active Scripting, JavaScript applets, and ActiveX controls, and you may need to reset to the default settings. Verify that your anti virus program is not scanning temporary or downloaded files, or this may cause these errors. Delete all the cookies and any temporary files stored on your computer, because sometimes these can contribute to JavaScript errors.

It is always a good idea to remove any programs you do not use, and to turn off any features on your system that you do not need, such as Smooth Scrolling. Some of these features may interfere with the scripting and result in errors. It is also recommended that you make sure you have the most current version of DirectX available. This will not only get rid of the JavaScript errors, it will also greatly improve the performance, graphics, and security of your system. Make sure that you have the most current updates for the scripting engine, and these are normally available at Microsoft's website.

What Causes Javascript Errors?

JavaScript errors can be caused by a number of things, including viruses and other harmful software programs. Always make sure that your virus and spyware definitions are updated as soon as possible, if an update is available. Otherwise you could end up with an electronic infection that is not recognized as such by your anti virus program, allowing it to run unchecked and cause damage to your computer. It is important to run scans at least once a day, especially if your computer stays connected, like with Broadband or Cable Internet. These preventative programs can prevent a lot of problems when used correctly.

A registry cleaner can provide invaluable assistance in getting rid of JavaScript errors once and for all. This software is easy to use, cleans your registry very quickly, and eliminates the risks associated with manually cleaning the registry. Unlike with manual editing, a registry cleaner will only erase and delete a key or entry that is harmless, making sure your operating system stays functioning as intended. Instead of taking days or weeks, the registry cleaner will clean out your registry in no time, usually less than an hour, depending on how packed with junk entries and keys your registry is. This will eliminate Javascript errors for good.



Brian Williams is a self-confessed PC fiddler dedicated to 'spreading the word' when it comes to fixing PC errors and helping people make the most use of their PCs. For FREE ACCESS to more PC tips n' tricks, just visit his PC Optimization blog.

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Japanese Candlesticks And Foreign Exchange Trading

Japanese Candlesticks And Foreign Exchange Trading by Ian Armstrong

Do you think of anything when I say the phrase, "Japanese candlesticks?" In fact, this has a lot to do with trading in foreign exchange.

Candle charts (also called "Japanese candlesticks") were originally created in Japan several centuries ago so that rice could be traded. Today, thousands of traders use the same charting "system" to track price movement.

Many people find that candle charts are easier to read than standard bar charts are, and therefore, they have become very popular. In fact, most Forex charts you see are in the format of Japanese candlesticks.

Candle charts are made up from the opening and closing prices, as well as high and low prices.

If a price opens lower than it closes (in other words rises during trading), a hollow candle is drawn on the chart (usually in white or green).

If a price opens higher than it closes (in other words falls during trading) a filled candle is drawn, usually in red or black in color.

Many online brokers today used the red and green color scheme rather than the white and black color scheme. Trends can be easily seen even by newcomers this way, because green candles signify price increases while red candles indicate that price has decreased.

It's not just designed this way for "newbies", either. Any trader, regardless of experience or skill, needs to be able to have a clear visual system of evaluating data. It's essential to his or her decision making process.

However, moving on from the "history" of Japanese Candlesticks and how they relate to Forex trading - let's evaluate why they're significant.

It's simple: The significance is that they represent our ability to bring simplicity to complex transactions without losing accuracy.

Whether the context is trading rice in the 14th century or trading the Euro/USD currency pair in 2008 from your high-speed connection, the fact remains that you don't have to be an expert to understand and profit from complex markets.

The tools you need to succeed have already been developed. All you have to do is practice using them, and you'll quickly be able to see how what would normally be complex can - through practice and experience - become as simple as any other basic task.

The only question is this: Are you willing to put in the time until it becomes simple?

Ancient rice traders depended on tools like this for their livelihood.

There's no reason why you can't either. And it could end up being a whole lot more valuable than, say, rice.



Ian Armstrong is an avid Forex enthusiast.

He strongly urges beginners to download the free "Forex For Beginners" guide, at Forex Shortcuts

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