Quiting smoking - facts, ways to start, risks involved

Some people say that if one will quite smoking before 30 the body can fully recover afterwards, others say that it is impossible to quit, but what are the facts? I have summarized some medical facts presented by medicians from NorthPoint Domain... among them: basic facts, how to start, nicotine replacements.

Basic facts about smoking:
Smokers can greatly improve their health and prevent illness and disease by quitting smoking at any age. More than 5 methods have been proven to help smokers quit. Quitting may require a combination of methods.

Getting started:
Quitting requires planning. The first and most important step that a person can take to quit smoking is to decide to stop. The person should also set a deadline to quit smoking. Finally, he or she should contact his or her physician to get support and recommendations for quitting programs.
Before the quit date, the smoker should plan activities to occupy the time when he or she usually smokes. Some examples of replacement activities may include:

• Taking a short walk after meals;
• Snacking on fruits and vegetables;
• Chewing gum (preferably sugarless); and
• Practicing breathing exercises (inhaling and exhaling slowly and deeply).

Just prior to the quit date, the smoker should throw out all smoking-related items, such as cigarettes, ashtrays, matches, and lighters.

Are there any risks?
The benefits of quitting smoking strongly outweigh the few risks. The risks include:

• Weight gain;
• Increased stress; and
• Side effects to smoking cessation medications.

Most studies show that smokers do not gain a large amount of weight after quitting. The average weight gain in most cases is only 5 pounds.

Nicotine replacements:

• Gum;
• Lozenges;
• Patches;
• Inhalers; and
• Nasal sprays.

And remember the benefits of quitting smoking begin as soon as 20 minutes after the last cigarette.

6 odd facts about Amsterdam

Amsterdam can be a pretty odd place. There are all sorts of little facts and things that locals know about but strangers would never expect. I bet you didn’t know any of these things about Amsterdam.

The name Amsterdam comes from the combination of the river Amstel and the dam that was built on it in order to found the original village there. You might have heard of Amstel as the name of a beer that was named after the river, because that’s where it was brewed.

Amsterdam has the most museums of any city in the world, measured per square metre. There’s a museum around almost every corner, covering all sorts of weird and wonderful topics, from famous painters to (inevitably) the history of marijuana.

If global warming causes the sea levels to rise, Amsterdam will be one of the first world cities to get flooded, because it’s so close to sea level and is almost entirely flat. Better see it while you can!

You can’t visit Amsterdam’s parliament building, because there isn’t one. Although Amsterdam is the largest town in the Netherlands and is the official capital, all of the government functions take place at the Hague.

When it comes to transport, Amsterdam boasts over 600,000 bicycles, almost 250 trams, over 150 canals – and around 1,200 bridges. Hardly anyone drives in the city centre, and it’s almost impossible to find anywhere to park there.

Finally, you almost certainly won’t know that one of the canal boats in Amsterdam, known as the Poezenboot, acts as a home for stray cats. A woman who had been re-housing stray cats had the idea of getting them a houseboat – after all, if people can live in them, why not cats? Forty years later, the volunteers at the shelter look after seventy cats at a time.

Amsterdam can be a pretty odd place. There are all sorts of little facts and things that locals know about but strangers would never expect. I bet you didn’t know any of these things about Amsterdam.

By John Gibb, Source

5 + 7 Inspirational quotes

There were the dsys when each of us have mentioned, that life was becoming better after one single word or sentence pronounced by someone near by. Here you can find 5 + 7 quotes from famous people, which might inspire you!

Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric. – Bertrand Russell, 1872-1970, British Philosopher/Mathematician/Essayist

Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face. – Victor Hugo, 1802-1885, French Poet/Dramatist/Novelist

There is no odor so bad as that which arises from goodness tainted. – Henry David Thoreau, 1817-1862, American Essayist/Poet/Naturalist

The will to win is important, but the will to prepare is vital. – Joe Paterno, American Football Coach

Love cures people -- both the ones who give it and the ones who receive it. – Karl A. Menninger, 1893-1990, American Psychiatrist

And now get think about it and contibue with the second portion:


No trumpets sound when the important decisions of our life are made.
Destiny is made known silently. – Agnes De Mille, 1905-1993, American Dancer and Choreographer

You can pretend to be serious; you can't pretend to be witty. – Sacha Guitry, 1885-1957, French Film Actor/Director/Playwright

Victory belongs to the most persevering. – Napoleon Bonaparte, 1769-1821, French General and Politician

Every great film should seem new every time you see it. – Roger Ebert, American Film Critic and Pulitzer Prize Winner

The way you overcome shyness is to become so wrapped up in something that you forget to be afraid. – Lady Bird Johnson, Former First Lady of the United States

I think and think for months and years. Ninety-nine times, the conclusion is false. The hundredth time I am right. – Albert Einstein, 1879-1955, German-born American Physicist

When all else is lost, the future still remains. – Christian Nevell Bovee, 1820-1904, American Author and Lawyer

Poland and Ukraine host Euro 2012

It was interesting to see the debates of the cometee regarding the country, which is going to host EURO 2012. The UEFA voting in Cardiff have finally finished and the winners are Ukraine & Poland.

Poland and Ukraine host Euro 2012

Uefa president Michael Platini reveals the surprise hosts of Euro 2012

Poland and Ukraine have been chosen to host the 2012 European Championships.

Italy was widely expected to win the Uefa vote in Cardiff, with another joint bid from Croatia and Hungary also in the running.

However, Italy's bid was overshadowed by last season's referee corruption scandal and on-going problems with football-related crowd trouble.

It will be the first time that either Poland or Ukraine has hosted a major football championship.

Poland and Ukraine will host Euro 2012

Uefa president Michel Platini said: "Poland and Ukraine have been chosen by the Uefa executive committee to host Euro 2012 and they are surely a worthy winner.

"However, there are no losers today, rather only bids that have not won this time round.

"I cannot speak highly enough of the effort that has been made, and the passion for football we have seen in all three bids."

606: DEBATE Poland and Ukraine hosting will improve the infrastructure in theses nations SM

Platini's announcement prompted scenes of jubilation in the host countries.

Polish Football Association chairman Michal Listkiewicz said: "There are 85 million people now waiting for this big football event.

"The friendship between our nations has a very long history. This big tournament will be an important milestone in the history of our two Slavic nations."

His comments were echoed by Ukrainian football federation president Hryhory Surkis.

"This is a decisive day for our country. It will provide new opportunities for our country as it strives to integrate with Europe," he said.

Poland and Ukraine's bid team staged an impressive presentation on Tuesday, featuring Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko, Liverpool keeper Jerzy Dudek as well as boxer Vitali Klitschko, former Olympic champion Sergei Bubka and Ukraine president Victor Yushchenko.

It's not a catastrophe, but at this point we need to take stock and start reorganising Italian football league president

Nonetheless, the bid was still considered the outsider of the three.

Poland is still recovering from a match-fixing scandal and its government has been warned by Uefa and Fifa about political interference in the country's football governing body.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has been hit by a political crisis, with the president trying to dissolve parliament.

Nigel Adderley, BBC Five Live's reporter in Cardiff, said: "It's a massive slap in the face to Italian football.

"Only last night, members of the Uefa executive committee seemed to be saying they would go for a safe pair of hands.

"They were hinting that although Italy has had problems, they still felt it is place that can develop a tournament and has the experience."

But the Italian football league's president said he was not surprised by the decision.

"We are coming out of one of the most terrible tragedies in the history of Italian football," said Antonio Matarrese, referring to the death of police inspector Filippo Raciti outside Catania's Massimino stadium.

"The fact we've lost this bid is not a catastrophe, but at this point we need to take stock and start reorganising."

Uefa chief executive Platini is keen to redress the balance of power in football throughout Europe and he appears to be supported by Uefa's 14-man executive committee.

According to Uefa sources, Poland and Ukraine won in the first round of voting with eight of the 12 votes while four went to Italy and none to Croatia and Hungary.

The governments and football federations are now obliged to make improvements Poland coach Leo Beenhakker

It will be first time the former eastern bloc has hosted the tournament since Yugoslavia in 1976.

Poland's Dutch head coach Leo Beenhakker said the decision was hugely important for the game in the winning countries.

Beenhakker said: "Eastern Europe has a great history in sport and in football and they still have great players but what they have been missing has been good infrastructure, stadiums and training facilities.

"Now the governments and the football federations are obliged to realise all their promises within the next five years and make these improvements.

"This is fundamental for football in Poland and Ukraine."

Games will be played in four Ukrainian cities (Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kiev and Lviv) and six Polish venues (Gdansk, Krakow, Poznan, Warsaw, Wroclaw and Chorzow).

Kiev's Olympic Stadium, used to host football at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, is the proposed venue for the final.

The tournament will feature 16 teams, although Uefa is looking into increasing that to 24 from 2016 onwards.

Source

Monaco Realtors Say No To Millionaires

2006 buyers are already paying nearly US $1,000,000 for studio apartments but Monaco property prices could still rise steeply in the next couple of years, and Europe's favourite tax haven could be out of reach for some millionaires according to a local travel guide.

Different recent surveys have all been good indicators for Monaco, showing more people likely to apply for residency and buy property in Monaco. Buyers from the UK in particular are expected to rise in number.

Commenting on the findings, one Monte Carlo and Monaco destination guide says 'While we would like perhaps to imagine that it's the fine cuisine and good weather in Monte Carlo that is attracting the British to Monaco, we know realistically that it is because residency entitles them to a zero rated income tax.

One survey says that the number of millionaires in the UK will increase four fold in the coming years, and the UK has become a very important market for Monaco real estate recently - that will boost prices as the demand feeds through. Another survey coming out of the UK predicts that house prices will rise by 70 per cent over the same period. Inheritance tax in the UK is quite a big issue at the moment as many more people are above the government threshold due to their house price, and in Monaco there is no inheritance tax, which gives an added incentive for some to move to a tax haven. People choose to leave their money to their children, cutting out the government that would take a large share.'

A CBRE report on world property also noted that Monaco real estate prices match those of London and New York's Manhattan.

'Apart from the very obvious financial advantages that can be had by moving to Monaco', conclude YourMonaco.com, 'Perhaps the most telling survey for us was the one by Laura McKenzie, a US travel expert. She rates Monaco as the number one destination for safety. For people with money preserving and optimising what you have in the bank is important, but so is the ability to walk down the street without fear. Monaco provides both the financial and personal security the wealthy seek, and it should come as no surprise when they decide Monaco is the best place for them and their families to live.'

Weather In Monte Carlo

Apart from being a tax haven, the principality is perhaps best known for the Monaco Grand Prix.

In addition to the race that takes place each May, the world's premier yacht show is held in September, attracting millionaires and billionaires to view what the yachting world has to offer.

Monte Carlo real estate specialists Tribune properties say that the yacht show in September is symptomatic of the way Monaco has progressed in recent years in attracting high profile events to the principality.

'Apart from the Monaco Grand Prix and the yacht show, there is the tennis in April and this year for the first time a flower show. If it goes the same way as the other events it will be a success in its own right before too long. Having different events throughout the year benefits the Monaco hotels and the tourist sector generally'.

The European tax haven is the second smallest country in the world, but the Monaco map was re-drawn twenty years ago when land was reclaimed from the sea. Earlier this year bids were invited for an island to be built off Monte Carlo.

'When complete the island will add to the Monaco housing stock', say Tribune Properties, 'And this might help dampen the property prices a little. But we anticipate that the apartment blocks will be low rise as Prince Albert is very keen to promote Monte Carlo as an environmentally sound place to live. We expect some of the properties will be reserved for key workers while the rest will be available for general sale. But overall we doubt if the new apartments will keep up with increased demand, and property prices in Monte Carlo will stay as high as London and Manhattan'.

It is also possible that when the island is complete that the Monaco Grand Prix circuit will change. Monaco has long been notorious for a lack of overtaking places, and this might help alleviate the situation. Included in the plans will be new Monte Carlo hotels.

'Overall all the key elements are in place to see a significant rise in Monaco property prices in the near and medium term', claim Tribune Properties. 'Quite ordinary one bedroom apartments are changing hands at a touch under a million Euros at the moment - over a million US $'s. Give it two or three years and it's possible that you won't be able to buy even a studio apartment suitable for under a million Euros.'

By: Monte Carlo

10 Amazing FACTS about your brain

Have you already thought about the mystery of your mind? What are the real limits for the human being? Can we do more, than we are doing now, and is it true, that only 7% of the brain power used by the average human being, during daily activitites? If you are curions about all that it might be interesting to know 10 scientificly proved FACTS about our brain.

- Your brain needs a continuous supply of oxygen. A 10 minute loss of oxygen will usually cause significant neural damage. Cold can lengthen this time, which is why cold-water drowning victims have been revived after as much as 40 minutes - without brain damage.

- Your brain uses a fifth of all your blood. It needs it to keep up with the heavy metabolic demands of its neurons. It needs not only the glucose that is delivered, but of course, the oxygen.

- Your brain feels no pain. There are no nerves that register pain within the brain itself. Because of this, neurosurgeons can probe the brain while a patient is conscious (what fun!). By doing this, they can use feedback from the patient to identify important regions, such as those used for speech, or visualization.

- The cerebellum is sometimes called the "little brain," and weighs about 150 grams (a little over five ounces). Found at the lower back side of your brain, you need your cerebellum to maintain posture, to walk, and to perform any coordinated movements. It may also play a role in your sense of smell.

- The human brain weighs an average of a little over three pounds, or 1.4 kilograms. Albert Einstein's brain may have been smaller than yours, because he was smaller than average. There is a general correlation between body size and the size of our brains.

- An elephant's brain is huge - about six times as large as a human brain. However, in relation to body size, humans have the largest brain of all the animals, averaging about 2% of body weight. A cat's brain? It weighs about one ounce, a little over 1% of body weight.

- There are about 100,000 miles of blood vessels in the brain. If they were stretched out (there's a nice thought!) they would circle the earth more than four times.

- If you have an average sized brain, you have about 100 billion neurons up there. You'll be happy about that after reading the next item.

- Approximately 85,000 neocortical neurons are lost each day in your brain. Fortunately, his goes unnoticed due to the built-in redundancies and the fact that even after three years this loss adds up to less than 1% of the total.

- Recent research proves that your brain continues to produce new neurons throughout your life. It also proves that it does so in response to stimulation (do those brainpower exercises). Scientists refer to this as brain plasticity or neuro-plasticity. You may find this one the most encouraging of these brain facts.

These amazing facts were found in the article of Steve Gillman.

3 stories, 3 stupid deathes - Darwin Award

May be you already heard before about darwin award. It sounds cruel, but nevertheless people are awarded for doing something so wrong, that no one can help them afterwards. Please find here 3 stories, which seem to be the most interesting

Death by Chocolate (Must not have been Hershey's)

You could say Yoni Cordon happened to fall into a sweet job working for a candy company. Until this week, that is, when his Kargher Corp. co-workers found the 19-year-old Philadelphian had drowned in a 1,200-gallon vat of liquified chocolate. Police said Cordon, who worked at the company's Hatfield, Penn., plant, had been standing on a platform near the vat's opening when he fell in, apparently by accident.

A Shot And A Beer

On Wednesday, three friends, Dewayne Atkins, 29, Gary Walker, 43, and Robert Bordeaux, were partying together at the Terri Jean Mobile Home Park in Thomasville, North Carolina. Around 8:30 in the evening -- after they had been drinking for awhile -- Dewayne Atkins suggested a friendly game of Russian Roulette.

His friend Gary Walker sat next to him on the couch and watched as Dewayne pointed a 357 Magnum to his head and pulled the trigger. With a loud bang the bullet went through Dewayne's head and directly into Gary's -- killing Dewayne instantly leaving Gary seriously injured.

Rescue workers arrived around 10 p.m. and found the two men. Robert Bordeaux, who witnessed the incident, said that his friends talked about playing the game in the past, but he usually managed to talked them out of it.

This Job Sucks

On Friday, Archie Tyler, 43, a city worker in New York, worked to clear a clog in the drain of a New York City reservoir basin. Tyler, standing on the drain in about two or three feet of water, was oblivious to the consequences of his cleaning efforts. When he finally cleared the debris, the water rushed down the drain creating an enormous vortex which sucked Tyler down 200 hundred feet through a 20-inch wide drainage pipe, drowning him. "It's very similar to what happens when you drain the bathtub," said Joel Miele, Environmental Protection Commissioner.

The stories were raken from dailydarwin.com
which is already closed for several years

30 percent of middle-aged couples give up on sex

With constant pressure from families and careers, a staggering 30 percent of middle-aged couples give up on sex, according to a new survey.

The survey, the first of its kind to measure intimacy between middle-aged couples in China, was conducted by American pharmaceutical manufacturer Eli Lilly Company and the Beijing-based China Population Communication Center.

Interviewing 32,906 people in 10 big cities including Beijing and Guangzhou, the poll found that middle-aged couples in the Chinese mainland seldom communicate in their daily life, and often rate their sex lives poorly.

The survey suggests that the major problems affecting marriages are lack of communication, arguments and unsatisfactory sex.

While 46 percent of respondents said they believe a satisfactory sex life promotes intimacy between couples, most couples admitted that their sex life has deteriorated since their wedding.

Around 45 percent of couples said that the husband has sexual dysfunction. Of those, 76 percent said they feel frustrated and complain about it.

Specifically, 30 percent of middle-aged couples and 25 percent of couples younger than 30 have given up sex altogether as a result of physical or psychological problems related to stress.

Many couples also said they were frustrated at the lack of day-to-day intimacy in their lives.

According to the survey, 41 percent of middle-aged couples only kiss and cuddle at home when their children are not around.

About 25 percent only want to mind their own business when they are left alone, either just talking or not communicating at all.

The older the couples are, the less likely they are to communicate or act intimately, found the survey.

Another notable finding was that family responsibilities often lead to a decrease in communication - 37 percent of respondents said pressure from concerns over their children's education, caring for parents or finances had led to less communication with their spouse.

According to Qiu Xiaolan, an expert with the China Sexology Association, a healthy sex life and frequent day-to-day communication are the foundations for maintaining an intimate relationship between husband and wife.

A decline in sex will lead to a decrease in communication and adversely affect the relationship, said Qiu.

"Due to the heavy burden having a family and a career puts on middle aged people today, sexual dysfunction is affecting more and more middle-aged men, overshadowing their relationship with their wives and undermining the stability of the family," said Qiu.

by Wu Jiao (China Daily), Source

Betting on... EUROvision!?

Most us have already made bets on smth, or at least heard about how it is usually done. However, with the progress of civilization the betting techniques are changing as well, and if yesterday people were betting on football, hockey and other sports, today the paradigm has changed.

Today you can bet on such unexpected things like: UK General Election Most Seats, US Democratic Candidate, Irish General Election, BBC Sports Personality and even on EUROvision results. Of course everything mentioned above is just a top of the iceberg, but it is already impressing.

Without any further preparation - the odds on EUROvision 2007:

Switzerland 7.5
Sweden 8
Serbia 11
Belarus 12
Bulgaria 12
Russia 13
Greece 15
Ukraine 15
Cyprus 17
Romania 21
Slovenia 26
Israel 29
Denmark 34
France 34
Great Britain 34
Latvia 34
Malta 34
Spain 41
Turkey 41
Andorra 51

For those who have never made bets before, it has to be explained, that the number in front of each country represents the sum in $, which you will get for every 1$ of your bet.

So, in case you have the "feeling" - go on and make your bets! But remember, that in most cases betters lose.

Has Fashion Imprisoned Us?

Fashion is all encompassing. Do you make fashion, or fashion makes you? How much are you affected by the latest trends? Let us look at this issue impersonally. Please view some old photographs dating about hundred years old. You will see men and women wearing different types of clothes then now. Today, the trend is different.

The word trend, latest and in fashion take away our originality. We have stopped thinking about what kind of clothes we want to wear, so that we look good and feel comfortable. Instead we find out what the celebrities are wearing. We look at the latest collections of fashion designers. We make our choice from these. We do not make our own fashion.

This does not apply to our thinking, our motions and our value systems. In these, we have our own standards. But when it comes to fashion, we fall in queue. Why? The designers are persuading us that if we do not follow the latest fashion, we are backward and not up to date. Friends may laugh at us. Many of us display the latest acquisitions of designer clothes that we but at exorbitant prices. We do not question the prices of top designers. Why?

It has to do with some amount of brainwash all of us have undergone by the marketing companies. If everyone becomes independent and makes his/her own fashion, how will they survive? Many of us buy the latest clothing, wear it once or twice and then never wear it again, because it has gone out of fashion. We spend money again and buy the latest. Fashion has affected us to such an extent that we do not question about these issues. We simply follow the herd.

Source

Smoking

Are you smoking? Or may be your relatives do? May be you are just starting, and thinking, that you are just playing, and you will be able to stop when-ever you want? A peace of advice: "Do not cheat on yourself", after your first round with smoking you will understand how difficult it is to stop. Hope this information will help you to see the problem from the other prospect.

• At least 70% of smokers in the United States have made at least one attempt to quit smoking. Smoking involves inhaling and absorbing nicotine into the body. Nicotine is a poisonous, addictive chemical found in tobacco. The nicotine in tobacco is as addictive as cocaine. It is because of this addiction that smoking cessation can be so difficult.
• Smoking is known to cause one-third of all cancer deaths in the United States
• Because smoking narrows blood vessels, smoking negatively affects a person's sex and reproductive health, causing erectile dysfunction and infertility.
• Nicotine Addiction Symptoms. Nicotine has both stimulant and depressant effects on the central nervous system. It can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including the following: alertness or relaxation; changes in mood and behavior; diarrhea; increased pulse and blood pressure; nausea and vomiting; tremors.
• What are the long-term effects of the condition. The health risks from the chemicals found in tobacco are enormous. Tobacco use can cause the following diseases: chronic bronchitis; coronary artery disease and other forms of heart disease; emphysema; gastroesophageal reflux disease; lung cancer.Tobacco also is a factor in causing the following conditions: decreased life expectancy; erectile dysfunction, or impotence gray hair and baldness; high blood pressure and circulation problems; infertility in men and women; osteoporosis and increased risk for bone fractures; premature wrinkles; weakened immune system
• Good Reasons for Quitting: * Quitting smoking is one of the most important things you will ever do. * You will live longer and live better. * Quitting will lower your chance of having a heart attack, stroke, or cancer. * The people you live with, especially your children, will be healthier. * You will have extra money to spend on things other than cigarettes.

Some information in this article was taken from here, but these guys are selling smth...

The If In Life

Life is full of IF’s.

Usually it’s “If only I could/would have…” or “If only it/I wasn’t…” Have you felt those “If’s”?
What if you could play with the IF in Life?

What if you could make a game of the IF in Life?

IF can be a possibility thing of looking forward, if you choose it to be.

One of my favorite ways to do this is to play the “What If Game”.

It’s a perfect way to begin thinking of possibilities before you believe in the possibilities.

Did you know you can begin making shifts before you believe? It’s true!
Many Gurus teach that Belief is an important component of creating the life of your dreams.
They are right, AND you can move towards your dreams and intentions before you believe.
How? One way is to play the “What If Game”.

How to Play the What If Game
You will be using your intentions and desires for this game. It’s also a great way to get clear on what your intentions and desires are.

Simply add “What if” to the front of your intentions when you write them down or speak. For example, “What if I was a successful business owner?” or “What if I had an active and healthy lifestyle?”

When and Where to Play
The best place to play your game is in your Journal. Your Journal is the most powerful Abundance Tool in your toolkit.

This gives your intentions their first physical form. It begins the creation process. You also have a record of your intentions that you can go back on. This will give added focus to your intentions, and also allow you to celebrate as you notice how many of your intentions come into reality.

The next best place to play your game is verbally. Many times we have tasks that occupy us physically, but we can still play mentally and verbally. These tasks can include things like walking, driving, or washing the dishes.

How often to Play
Add the “What If Game” to your daily routine, and you will notice changes quickly.
You will notice how your thinking begins to shift. You will notice more possibilities in your daily life.

Why is this valuable?
Possibility thinking shifts your vibration further up the scale, and the higher your vibration, the more magnetic you are to your desires.
Simply put, when you think of possibilities, you feel better. When you feel better, more good things happen.
What if your life was full of possibilities?
It is—if you want it to be.

Rules, helping to enjoy your gaming without misgivings

Decide your monthly gaming stake in advanceBefore you start playing, decide winning amount at which you will end the game.

By observing the following rules, you will be able to enjoy your gaming without misgivings:

• Take regular breaks from your games.
• Do not increase the maximum limit which you have decided for yourself later on.
• Decide beforehand how high your losses can be.
• Never play under the influence of alcohol or medication.
• Never play if you are in a depressive mood.
• Play only when you are fully rested and concentrated.

Follow the rules and enjoy the game!

Do you know how to check whether you addicted

The popularity of sports betting, casino and other games is growing steadily; they have become an integral part of people’s daily lives, and an expression of their happiness and wellbeing. Some behaviour that is absolutely harmless when practised in moderation may entail a risk of addiction for small groups of the population. For example, shopping may become addictive, as can playing sports, eating or consuming alcohol.

In the case of gaming addiction, a person’s life may be dominated by games of chance. He or she may use gaming as a means of escaping possibly unresolved problems or inner conflicts. A person addicted to gaming may have many unconscious motives, and though winning money is a strong incentive, it is only one of many.

Answer this question to yourself:
1. Was there a time in the last 12 months when your betting or gambling often interfered with your work or responsibilities at school, on a job, or at home?

2. Was there a time in the last 12 months when your betting or gambling caused repeated arguments or other serious problems with your family, friends, neighbours, or co-workers?

3. Was there a time in the last 12 months when you often tried to keep your family or friends from knowing how much you gambled?

4. Did you sometimes claim to be winning when you were actually losing?

5. In the last 12 months did you ever have periods when you would spend lots of time thinking about your gambling when you should have been thinking about other things?

6. In the last 12 months did you ever have periods when you would spend lots of time planning your bets or studying the odds when you should have been doing other things?

7. Over time, did you have to increase the amount you bet or gambled in order to keep it exciting?

8. Did you ever have a time in the last 12 months when you would often use betting or gambling as a way to get out of a bad mood or to improve your mood?

9. In the last 12 months did you often gamble in order to escape or stop thinking from personal problems?

10. In the last 12 months after losing money gambling, did you often return another day soon after to win back your losses?

11. In the last 12 months when you had a big gambling debt, did you gamble more and more in the hope of winning back the losses?

12. In the last 12 months did you try to raise gambling money by writing a bad check, stealing, or doing something else that was illegal?

13. In the last 12 months did you repeatedly borrow money from your family or friends to support your gambling or to pay gambling debts?

14. Was there a time in the last 12 months when you often had such a strong desire to bet or gamble that you couldn't resist it or couldn't think or anything else?

15. In the last 12 months did you ever have times when you gambled even though you promised yourself you wouldn't, or when you bet a lot more or for a longer period of time than you intended?

If you have answered yes even to some of this questions, than you are already addicted to the game, and you should try either to control yourself better or ask for a professional help, otherwise the consequences might be horrible. The stories when people were selling their houses are not that rare in this field!

In the following article you find the information about the responsible gaming, take care and good luck

Foods For Optimum Health

One of the important things we need to do to ensure a good balance in our lives, is to be aware of what we eat , so that we can have optimum health.

There are certain foods that contain high amounts of beneficial substances – antioxidant vitamins and minerals and beta-carotene that can help eliminate toxins, boost the immune system and help protect against cancer.

Apples & Pears – yes, the good old apple. These are full of vitamins and minerals and are great for cleansing, good for the skin and the immune system. Pears are high in iodine which can help thyroid function. Apples are good for reducing cholesterol and inflammation.

Bananas – has got to be one of the best all round foods. A great snack to boost your energy and easily digested. A good source of protein and fibre, high in potassium, a natural antibiotic and mildly sedative so good for helping you sleep and with PMS.

Beans & Lentils – a good source of protein for veggies and non-veggies alike. They provide a steady source of energy and contain plant oestrogens which can help stabilize PMS and are even used as an alternative to HRT. They are high in minerals and good for cleansing, lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Red(dish) things – Berries: strawberries, raspberries, blackberries etc.. – high in antioxidants so good for the immune system. Beetroot: cleanses and boosts the immune system, high in antioxidants. Carrots: great for cleansing, high in Vitamin A, good for the skin, best eaten raw. Peppers: high in vitamin C and other antioxidant vitamins, good source of zinc, good for the immune system, magnesium – good for energy. Tomatoes: high in water so good for hydration, lower heart disease, high in antioxidants good for the immune system, lycopene found in cooked tomatoes is good for cancer prevention.

Green stuff – Broccoli: high in vitamins (esp. B and folic acid), minerals and antioxidants, good for cleansing the liver and contains substances that help fight cancer. Cabbage: good for the digestive system, rich in minerals esp. potassium and phosphorus. Spinach: a powerful cleanser, good for the immune system, high in calcium – good for bones, teeth and gums, iron – good for the blood, potassium – regulates high blood pressure.

Garlic – good for infections such as colds, antiviral, antiseptic and antibiotic. Reduces cholesterol and is great for boosting the immune system, cleansing the liver and improving the circulation.

Nuts & Seeds – although nuts can be high in calories, they’re also high in protein and antioxidant vitamin E, zinc and selenium. Good for an energy snack – best raw not roasted. Seeds – rich in Omega-3 and 6 and a variety of vitamins and minerals, good for the skin, heart disease, cleansing and the immune system.

Oats – highly nutritious, easily digested and a good source of slow-release energy. Try porridge for breakfast with berry fruits. Good for bones and teeth with high levels of calcium and phosphorus. Good for the nervous system and have a relaxing effect, also help to stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce cholesterol.

Oily Fish – such as salmon, tuna, mackerel and sardines. High in Omega-3 fatty acids. Good for memory and general brain function, heart disease and inflammatory skin conditions as improving dry skin. High in selenium which detoxifies and protects against cancer.

Soya – like other beans a good source of protein. Reduces blood pressure and cholesterol and good for fighting cancer. Contains plant oestrogens good for hormone related problems in women such as PMS and the menopause. Tofu is high in calcium and iron good for bone health and the circulation.

Yams & Sweet potatoes – good for slow energy release. Contain plant oestrogens so good for those hormone related problems again. High in antioxidant vitamins and minerals good for eliminating heavy metals. Protect against heart disease, cancer and good for the circulation. High in vitamin E which is good for the skin. Minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium good for bones, teeth and gums.

Yoghurt – buy only the live, natural version, not the ones full of sugar! Good source of protein and calcium. Easily digested and good for the digestive system, boosts the levels of friendly bacteria especially after antibiotics. Protects the immune system and good for urinary and yeast infection.

Buy fresh, local organic food whenever possible. Organic fruit and vegetables have a higher level of minerals and no residual insecticides or pesticides. I’m off for a healthy breakfast of muesli or possibly porridge and a topping of all the above – well, maybe just the berries!

Wanna play in online Casino? TIps for choosing

Choosing an online casino can seem like a tedious job. Most casinos will give you game previews on their sites to give you an idea of what they offer. Obviously, you want a casino that has a large array of options including slots, video poker, poker, keno, scratch cards and some sites also offer sports books and more.

It is important to carefully read each site’s terms and conditions. You may find that some sites have rules that you are not comfortable with. You also want to look at each sites deposit options and methods of withdrawal, time of transfer for each method and whether you can use credit cards, bank account transfers, wire transfers and e-checks. There are a number of options but you want to choose one that suits you best for your needs. Ensure you go to each payment methods site to view their terms and conditions.

Another important concern is the time it takes for deposits to make it to the casino and how long it will take for your withdrawal to come back to you. Some sites are instant and some may take up to three weeks. And you want to know what their minimum and maximum limits are for depositing and withdrawing. Don’t forget to look at their play through requirements if you are going to accept their bonuses, most casinos require from ten to thirty times your deposit plus bonus.

Pay attention to the casinos methods of support contact. You want to choose a casino that has live, phone and email support. Ensure that their live support is active while you are visiting the site. There are some rogues out there that appear to have live support but there isn’t anyone actually sitting there waiting to assist you.

Finally, one of the most important factors is the casino’s accreditation. You want to see that they have a valid seal of approval such as eCOGRA. The seal is awarded to those casinos that have achieved compliance with eCOGRA'S high standards and demonstrated that:

• The games are fair
• The casino operates honestly and behaves responsibly
• Monetary deposits are safe and winning bets are paid in a timely manner

So, find the best casino, check it, and let the luck be with you.

P.s. if you can site some unfair casinos - do not hesitate to do so in comments

Source: http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Choosing-an-Online-Casino/141688

Ukraine braced for more protests

Thousands are set to hold further protests on Wednesday

Thousands of protesters are preparing to stage further demonstrations in Ukraine over the political crisis which is dividing the country.

PM Viktor Yanukovych has told the cabinet not to prepare for a snap poll called by the president until a ruling by the constitutional court.

Mr Yanukovych's supporters are due to stage protests in the capital Kiev and in his eastern power base of Donetsk.

President Viktor Yushchenko's office says poll preparations are going ahead.

Parliament, where the prime minister has a majority, has continued to sit in defiance of Mr Yushchenko's decree on Monday to dissolve the assembly.

The prime minister's supporters have urged the constitutional court to rule on whether or not the president had the right to dissolve parliament.

The pro-Western Mr Yushchenko accuses his pro-Russia rival of trying to usurp power by increasing his parliamentary majority in an unconstitutional manner.

Failed meeting

The pair met on Tuesday in Mr Yanukovych's office, but Mr Yushchenko failed to gain his agreement to implement the decree, which orders an early poll on 27 May.

Ukraine reaction to the snap election called by the president In pictures

The political stand-off has echoes of the 2004 Orange Revolution which swept Mr Yushchenko to power, although so far fewer protesters have taken to the streets.

On Tuesday, Mr Yanukovych told supporters massed outside parliament that he would try to force a presidential election if Mr Yushchenko persisted with plans for a snap parliamentary poll.

"He should understand that the only way out is looking for a compromise at the negotiating table," he said.

MPs' switch

Mr Yushchenko accuses Mr Yanukovych of trying to usurp his power by illegally luring pro-Western lawmakers over to his coalition to increase his parliamentary majority.

Under the constitution, only factions - not individuals - can change sides. But last month 11 lawmakers allied with Mr Yushchenko switched sides.

HAVE YOUR SAY Yushchenko should have resigned than follow the path he has taken CC, Kiev Send us your comments

If Mr Yanukovych gains 300 deputies in the 450-seat house, he will have the power to overturn presidential vetoes and oversee new constitutional change.

Mr Yushchenko became president in January 2005, following the pro-democracy Orange Revolution which overturned a rigged victory for Mr Yanukovych.

But Mr Yushchenko was forced to accept his rival as prime minister after his allies failed to win a majority in the March 2006 parliamentary election, and the two men have repeatedly clashed.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6525143.stm

Iran 'to release British sailors'

Iranian media said the British crew 'shouted for joy' at the news

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says 15 British naval personnel captured in the Gulf will be freed.

He repeated allegations that the British sailors and marines "invaded" Iranian waters, but said they would be freed as a "gift" to Britain.

He made the announcement at a news conference, in which he also awarded medals to the commanders who captured the British personnel in the Gulf.

He said the Britons would be released immediately and taken to an airport.

"They are free after this meeting and can go back to their families," Mr Ahmadinejad said.

The British government was not even brave enough to tell their people the truth Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

"I'm asking Mr Blair to not put these 15 personnel on trial because they admitted they came to Iranian territorial water," he said, referring to taped "confessions" made by the British sailors and marines.

"I ask Mr Blair: Instead of occupying the other countries, I ask Mr Blair to think about the justice, to think about the truth and work for the British people not for himself."

Britain says the 15 were in Iraqi waters under a UN mandate when they were captured nearly two weeks ago. It says the confessions were extracted under duress.

"Unfortunately the British government was not even brave enough to tell their people the truth, that it made a mistake," Mr Ahmadinejad said.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad awarded medals to Iranian commanders

We have every right to put these people on trial," he asserted.

"But I want to give them as a present to the British people to say they are all free."

A spokesman for Prime Minister Tony Blair said: "We welcome what the president has said about the release of our 15 personnel. We are now establishing exactly what this means in terms of the method and timing of their release."

'Causing misery'

Mr Ahmadinejad also criticised the US-led invasion of Iraq and Israel's war in Lebanon.

He used a news conference marking the Persian New Year to condemn the countries he said were behind "misery" and "destruction" in the world.

He said there did not appear to be anyone "to stand up and defend the rights of those oppressed".

He opened the news conference with references to the Islamic holy book, the Koran, then made a wide-ranging speech about the modern history of the Middle East, while attacking the West.

The invasion of Iraq was based on the false premise that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, he said, but even now "the occupation forces continue to stay there and people are still being killed".

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6525905.stm

Poverty to Riches: Myth or Reality?

You CAN start with empty pockets and piles of bills and build a steady income, even wealth, via the internet. It's a long, hard road though, so it's best to prepare and take along a good map.

First, a comparison to building an offline, bricks-and-mortar business, just for perspective. If you're young, you might educate yourself in your field, go to work for someone else, and build your experience, reputation and equity. Then you could take out a business start-up loan, rent a storefront, buy all the necessary equipment, tools, furniture and merchandise, buy advertising -- and wait years to work your way out of debt and make a profit.

If you aren't young, have a family and all the expenses and debts that go with that,and are not making enough money working for someone else to get ahead, you don't have the same options. Night school, years of part-time education and training, with your creditors hounding you every step of the way...sound familiar?

So you turn on your computer and wonder...wish...that one of those promises of quick riches could be true for you. I wouldn't go there if I were you.

Here are some first steps to getting started as an internet entrepreneur:

1. Honest self-assessment: There are certain qualities necessary to being self-employed. If you can honestly say that you are self-disciplined, self-motivated, determined, self-confident, patient, persevering and maybe even a bit stubborn, you have what it takes.

2. Research: You need to spend some time researching the company, the products, and the people already working the business. Is the company solid and dependable, are the company executives accessible and responsive, are the products of high desirability and quality, and maybe most importantly, is there experienced, successful, and friendly team support?

3. Support: Surround yourself with cheerleaders, mentors, knowledge, and inspiration, both on- and offline. Your family, the company, and others who have succeeded where you are treading for the first time, should all be available to you. You should never feel that you're all alone.

4. Infrastructure: Decide what you need: computer,printer, fax, phone; whatever your chosen business requires. Create an office space that suits your lifestyle and work needs. A corner of the living room can function well if you can work while the kids are at school or if their noise doesn't bother you, but evening work may require a separate room. Don't put your office in the bedroom if you work evenings and your spouse goes to bed early. You need your family's support, not their animosity!

5. Realism: It's tempting to try a business that makes promises it can't keep. Many tell you that one person or a few make thousands of dollars a week and so can you. None of them will point out that maybe you will be one of thousands who quit before they make a cent. "Put money in your pocket today!" Yes, but will any go in tomorrow?

Accept the fact that any business worth its salt can take time. Maybe you can begin making money in a couple months, or maybe a year. You have to be able to maintain life as you know it for however long it takes. Understand that it won't be a steady climb to the top from where you are today; the path will go up and down.

6. Selling someone else's product or your own: Obviously, the big money is in selling your own product. Selling for another company is a great way to get your feet wet in internet commerce, however. At first you may feel like you're floundering in an unfathomable sea of information, but at some point will come the knowledge that you're "getting it." Working for a good company will leave you knowing that you have what it takes to do it on your own, if you choose.

7. Business plan: This keeps you focused, helps you develop goals, strategies and work plans; and aids in evaluating your results. It can include contingency plans, and is never written in stone. As you learn and your business develops, the plan will evolve too.

Now that you've got the road map...take that first step! Your future begins today!

Top 10 Online Dating Tips

In the prvious post the motivation of the people, using the sex online dating services was described. And here you will find some tips, which might be usefull if you have decied to try your luck

10 tips helping in your quest for love online:

1. Create an introduction of yourself designed to attract the opposite sex. Don’t overdo it, put just the necessary information about yourself, and keep from revealing too much personal information. This is for your protection.
2. Avoid using too many adjectives in your profile. Keep descriptions basic and simple. Remember you are as much a stranger to others as they are to you.
3. List your interests and include specific details. If you write about a hobby, hiking for example, list specific places where you’ve hiked, or the hiking clubs you’ve joined.
4. Create a unique identity on the web. The online dating system is full of profiles that say almost the exact same thing. If you imitate this, you’ll be lost in the crowd. Always maintain your individuality to create an effective online dating presence.
5. Leave the clichés to everyone else. Be creative enough so that you get attention and are able to experience what online dating is all about. But try to be as original, and sincere as you can.
6. Try not to brag, or brag too much. You won’t impress anyone with a rude attitude. Self-confidence is fine, but excessive bragging is definitely a TURN-OFF. If you’re good looking that will show in your photo, you have no need to use these words in your profile. If you claim intelligence, then be sure that your grammar is impeccable and your diction flawless.
7. Nobody responds to negativity. It’s not a good idea for depressed, lonely, frustrated or those just out of an unhappy relationship to plunge right into dating online since the negative emotions are likely to surface. People will shy away from reading your melodramatic profile. Online dating is supposed to be fun, not depressing.
8. Keep from defining yourself by people you DON’T want to meet. It is enough that your profile says you don’t want to meet somebody who is a liar, who is overweight or who is chronically unemployed. It is not necessary to over emphasize the matter by using this to introduce yourself to others.
9. Never forget to spell-check. You can do this by writing your profile in a word document, spell-checking it, then cutting and pasting the text into the profile area of the dating website.
10. Tell the truth as much as possible. However, reveal only information that won’t harm you in any way. Tell people about who you really are, the type of work you do, your family background, etc. But, for your safety avoid mentioning information regarding how much money you make, or how many businesses you own, as well as any information of this nature that could be used to harm or defraud you.

Source:http://www.articledashboard.com

Why people enjoy sex online dating?

Sex online dating services are by far the most popular dating services on the internet at the moment. Hundreds of thousands of singles go out every weekend to hopefully find a partner to take home for a one night stand. A sex online dating service is a central hub for all these singles to meet without the need to go out looking for their catch.

More singles are realizing the benefits of meeting someone online first. They want the safety of chatting to someone online first while they’re sober, and in full control of their senses. Meeting someone online first after viewing their profile gives you an idea of what the person is like before you have to chat to them. Questions are answered for you before a word is spoken so you don’t wonder why you started talking to them in the first place.

The cost of meeting singles for sex online is a lot more value as well. A months subscription is less than one night out, and you have the chance of searching through thousands of profiles. That’s more singles than you could meet in a whole year going down the club route. And you have the advantage of knowing all of the profiles are of singles that are already looking for sex. This can save a lot of time talking to someone all night only to find out they just want to be friends.

The only disadvantage of meeting someone on the internet for sex is you can’t just leave and go off somewhere. You have to make arrangements first. This is where you’re safety is a lot better with meeting online for sex instead of a club or bar. A club or bar meeting can put you in a position that you can’t get out of, and may regret later.

There are plenty of reviews online for sex dating services. These services are so popular anyway that they must be doing something right. You will find thousands of singles looking for sex in your area if you live in or near a major city or state. Creating your profile will take you about 5 to 10 minutes. Then you have the chance of being contacted by the thousands of singles in your area. It could open up a whole new chapter in your life. It will be a big change from having the choice of a few singles at a club on a Saturday night.

If you have a web cam you will be able to use it in the adult chat rooms at the sex dating web sites. These are the most popular chat rooms on the internet as well. The more imagination you have the more popular you will become.

And then it is only you, who decides whether it is a good option for you or not.

by Jason King, Source

Benefiting from sex

Quick quiz: Would you rather run 75 miles or have sex three times per week for a year? Research shows that both activities burn the same number of calories. (7,500, to be exact.)
We often think that something that feels good can’t possibly be good for us. Now it’s time to think again.

Sex in a loving, intimate relationship has numerous health benefits. In women, for example, the sexual act triggers the release of oxytocin. Oxytocin promotes feelings of affection and triggers that nurturing instinct. In men, sex encourages the flow of testosterone, which strengthens bones and muscles and helps transport DHEA, a hormone that may be important in the function of the body’s immune system.

Paul Pearsall, Ph.D., author of Superimmunity, also maintains that sex in a loving relationship helps the immune system by increasing the flow of certain chemicals in the body.
Hugh O’Neill, editor of Men’s Health magazine, recently listed some health benefits of sex, as well. Regular sex is regular exercise and has similar benefits, including improved cholesterol levels and increased circulation. Men’s Health also reported that men who have sex at least three times each week may have a decreased risk of developing prostate problems.
Sex, like exercise, releases endorphins. Endorphins contribute to the runner’s high and diminishes pain levels.

An active sex life may help us live longer, too. Dr. David Weeks, a clinical neuropsychologist at Scotland’s Royal Edinburgh Hospital, conducted a study of 3,500 people ranging in age from 18 to 102. Weeks concluded that sex actually slows the aging process.

Sexual therapists remind us that frequent sex is a form of exercise. And feeling secure in a relationship leads to feeling happier, which could lead to greater health--and a younger look.
In fact, these studies indicate that intimacy plays a key role in the health benefits of sex. A promiscuous sexual relationship may actually produce an opposite effect by introducing a sense of anxiety and fear.

In spite of all these health benefits and the sheer pleasure of the act, Americans may still need a boost. At least one-third of American couples report "inhibited sexual desire," according to The Masters and Johnson Institute.

Sex therapists say sex acts on the principal of "use it or lose it." So, for your heart, mind, and soul, the best advice may be to "Just do it!"

Source

Conference calling Good or Evil?

The biggest advantage, for many companies, in choosing audio or web conferencing over video conferencing is the cost. Audio conferencing tends to be the cheapest. Virtually the only costs involved when choosing audio conferencing is the cost of a telephone and then the charge of a long distance call. Many companies already have phones with a built-in speakerphone and if not they can be purchased for as little as $100.

However there are disadvantages in choosing audio conferencing as well. The first distinct disadvantage is that businesses lose personal relations when all they hear is a colleague's voice. Jokes and remarks can be taken the wrong way or be offending when those involved can not see a caller's smile of facial expression. Another disadvantage to audio conferencing is that the quality of the call declines as additional locations are added. When several parties are involved the chance of two of them talking at the same time are great and neither of them will have their thoughts heard.

Web conferencing offers its rewards and shortcomings as well. While web conferencing can be free, it is usually in the companies best interest to choose to pay a little more to avoid annoying ads and pop ups. Web conferencing is especially useful for business calls that involve viewing digital files

Like any type of conference calling though, web conferencing also has its disadvantages. One of these down sides is that, again, it is difficult to gauge a person's seriousness or humor in a comment. There is no personality in a typed sentence. It is also difficult for those who are uncomfortable with technology to use web conferencing efficiently.

Finally the biggest advantage to video conferencing is that it offers a visual connection with the other attendees. When using video conferencing callers are able to view each other on a TV screen and hear each other through the speaker system. Associates are able to hear each other's voices, put a voice to a face, and understand each other's joke and comments. Financially, the cost of video conferencing is quite a bit higher due to the equipment that is involved. If equipment is not high quality it can also be limiting because the video feed can be jerky or delayed. Whatever type a business chooses, every type of conference call has it ups and downs.

Source: http://www.articlewheel.com

Tips On Finding The Best Deals On Conference Calling Services

When one is looking for inexpensive conferencing calling services, there are certain points that you should take into consideration. Price should not be the main consideration when looking for web conference calling services. Although they may seem attractive on the surface, you do have to look deeper into the services to make sure you can get exactly what you need. If cost is a major factor in getting the cheapest conference calling rates, the best thing you can do is a search of all the providers to find which one can offer you the best plan for the least expensive rates.

Big companies, such as WebEx, do offer cheap rates for conference calling services. It is best to use a well-known provider to make sure all that you have reliable service and that you can access it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is especially important if you want to relate with thing partners and clients from all over the world so that you dont have to anxiety about time zone evils. Though slighter and minor known companies may offer you cheap conferencing calls, they are also known to have more evils, such as a require of skin and minor attribute cassette.

When you search for cheap conference call supplyers, you do have to look at whether or not they supply such skin as sand and application allotment. With the better known companies, such as WebEx, these are pattern skin and the group has been in thing long enough to have worked out all of the bugs. Conference tape and polls are other skin you should look for because they improve the conferencing position and make it an enjoyable one for all participants.

With conference calling services will drastically condense the cost of guidance inside your group. You no longer have to organize and pay for reunion quarters or pay trek outlay for your employees. Though you can collect money in the early cost when you select a group with cheap rates for web conferencing, you may meet more evils than you grasp. You need good connections at all time in order for this practice of reunion to thrive and slighter companies regularly do have this difficult.

Keep reading further to learn how this topic can benefit you, as the rest of this article will supply you will the needed information.

The number of people that you need to conference with at one time is also an important factor to consider when you are looking to condense the outlay of conference calling services. The best cheap conferencing via the web should allow you to have a large number of participants. If you need to involve people from distant locations, you need to guarantee that your rates apply to all locations. The rates are also a determining factor. Some companies charge per session, while others charge a monthly or yearly totally fee. You also have to be careful to look for hidden fees, that show up on your statement for conference calling services fees.

It is little things, such as this, that may aid you in your search. So, sit down and decide which avenue would be best for you to take.

Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

Myspace Precautions

MySpace is an online community where members can create personal websites and meet new friends or reconnect with old friends. It can be a lot of fun and can also provide excellent networking opportunities but there are some precautions which should be taken by all users of MySpace. These precautions include being aware of the ability for individuals to misrepresent themselves online, knowing how to avoid being harmed or scammed and understanding the terms of service on MySpace. This article will discuss these three key concepts which are minimum precautions MySpace members should take to ensure their MySpace experience is pleasurable.

Beware of Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing
The Internet provides an excellent opportunity for unscrupulous individuals to deliberately misrepresent themselves. This misrepresentation may be somewhat innocent such as lying about interest or activities for the purpose of being more attractive to someone you have a crush on or it can be more series. Those with criminal intent may lie about a number of factors such as their age, sex and location in order to lure another member into a harmful situation. There have been numerous stories which made national headlines about young users of MySpace being abducted by individuals they met online. Although these cases are considered to be somewhat rare, they do exist and members of MySpace should be aware of the potential for this type of activity.

Those who want to do physical harm to another may deliberately misrepresent themselves but there are other potentially harmful reasons why an individual on MySpace might pretend to be someone else. This can be done to gain the trust of other members before conducting a financial scam which will result in a significant loss of money for the MySpace members who are duped in such a scam.

MySpace members can avoid both physical and financial danger by exercising caution in their interactions with other members of the community. This includes emails and instant messages but care should also be taken to avoid posting sensitive information on MySpace pages as this information can be viewed by the general public unless the profile is made private.
Know How Much Information is Too Much
One important precaution MySpace members should take is safeguarding their personal information. This information includes, but is not limited to, the following pieces of information:

* Full name* Social security number* Credit card numbers* Bank account numbers* Physical address* Phone number* Place of birth* High school attended and year of graduation* Names of children and location and date of their births

Some of the items on the above list such as social security number and bank account numbers are pieces of information most people are aware they should not divulge to the general public. However, other pieces of information such as high school attended and year of graduation or names of children and location and date of their births may seem harmless. Unfortunately this is not true. These seemingly harmless pieces of information can be used to research an individual and it might be possible to deduce where a person lives from this type of information.
Understand the Terms of Service

Finally, members of MySpace should familiarize themselves with the terms of service provided by MySpace. This information is important for a couple of reasons. First it will help MySpace members to understand their rights as well as the security features which exist in the community. Members who are aware of these facts know their course of action if they are harassed by other members of MySpace. Additionally, being familiar with the terms of service on MySpace is important because it helps members to understand which actions are permissible and which actions are prohibited. This is important because it can prevent a member from inadvertently breaking the community rules and running the risk of being banned from the community. If after reviewing the terms of service you have questions, contact MySpace directly for clarification.

Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

Blogging - The New Home Business Model

Blogging, a form of online journaling, has become one of the most common activities for internet users in the 21st century. In fact, more people publish or read a blog each day than read a newspaper. It's only natural that there would be an increase in the number of people using blogging to make an income. With companies like Blogger and BlogToolKit, almost anyone can publish their own blog in minutes and start making money online.

But how does a blogger go from making 10 or 20 cents a month in ad clicks to over 6 figures a year? Is there something special that millionaire bloggers have that most people do not?
Simply put, the answer is yes. Profitable Bloggers have something that most other people do not.

In order for a blogger to make any money at all they need:

1. to get noticed.
2. provide something interesting to read
3. provide an incentive for the reader to come back

Aa successful blog has the same qualities as a successful website. The only difference is that a website usually has a product that they are trying to sell, whereas a blog provides something interesting to read.

Let's take a look at each of the requirements for a successful blog.
Standing out among millions:Getting a blog noticed is not all that difficult. There are hundreds of ways to spread the word about your blog and attract readers, the simplest of which is telling friends and families about it.
Think back to a recent email that a friend or family member sent you that had a funny story or link to a popular short video. The person that sent it to you found it interesting enough to forward it to you. Chances are that you found it interesting and shared it with your friends as well. We all get emails like this and we all share them. It's called virtual marketing and if you can master it, you will be rich!
The first step is to share your blog. Send an email to all of your friends and family with a link to your blog imbedded in the email. Ask them to check it out, add it to their favorite's folder or homepage, and share it with their friends and family.

But, don't bore your readers:Much like the uncle or grandfather that goes on and on about something only they are interested in, no one else wants to read you going on and on about irrelevant things in your life. No one wants to hear what you ate for breakfast or that your imbedded toenail infection is starting to clear up. Write about something specific and something interesting.
There are literally millions of topics that you can choose from. The more unique and on-topic your blog is, the more popular it will become. Let's look at a blog on pets as an example. You can easily start a blog on your favorite type of pet. Anyone could do it and it's easy to include links or news stories about pets that would attract readers. But, ask yourself this; is anyone passionate about pets? More often than not, a reader will be passionate and interested about a specific topic and if your blog is generic you will never make a dime. Now, what if the same blog was about German Shepherd dogs. It's much more targeted and interesting to the reader that likes that breed of dog. The more interested that your reader is, the better chance you have that they will come back and share your blog with others.

Keep them hanging:Attracting readers and providing something interesting to read is all well and good. But, the big bucks will not happen unless you get your readers to come back again and again. Writing a cliffhanger or some subtle foreshadowing will ensure that your readers bookmark your blog and come back. If you make sure that you update your blog daily and give an incentive for the reader to come back you cannot fail. As your repeat readers increase, so does the likelihood that they will click on an ad, thus increasing your profits.

Source: http://www.articlewheel.com

New Gadgets - Four Ideas

It is possible that some of these new gadgets already exist in an inventor's basement or garage somewhere. One or two may even be patented, but then again, maybe not. Probably most things are dreamt up ten or ten thousand times before someone actually does something with the idea. The dreaming is more fun for some of us, so feel free to do something with the following.

Magnets For Windows
These signs would be a new advertising gadget. Already, thousands of businesses use large flexible magnetic signs for their vehicles, with the company name and logo on them. However, these can only be used on metallic surfaces. To to stick to car or building windows, they need to have a similar magnet or steel mesh material that is placed on the other side of the glass, to hold them in place magnetically. This may not be a patentable product, but the first to trademark a catchy name and market them widely might do well.

Barking Dog Alarm
There are already all sorts of new home security gadgets out there, but there is room for many more. One not-so-new idea is the motion-sensors that set off an alarm. The problem with these is that a criminal may still enter the home, either intending to be in and out quickly, or to turn off the alarm. On the other hand, if the sensor triggers a realistic recording of several large dogs barking, he may hesitate to go further.

Helium Balloon Cell Phone Antenna
Often a cell phone won't work simply for the lack of elevation to get it above interfering hills and other obstacles to the signal. This new gadget would be a simple wire antenna that could be attached to any helium balloon. With light wire, the balloon might lift the antenna 50 or a 100 feet into the air to pick up that signal. A mylar balloon and a tiny canister of helium could be marketed with it too.

Kitchen Towel Gadget
My Kitchen towel gets in the way when I hang it on the refrigerator handle. However, if it had a small but strong magnet sewn into one corner, I could "hang" it anywhere on the refrigerator, or on any other steel surface.