GOLDEN STAR

2009-04-05T20:19:00.001+07:00

Go Green with Rainwater Recovery

Traditionally, rainwater was collected, or harvested, in large below ground tanks, or cisterns. These tanks have a reputation for being difficult to store and maintain as well as not realistic in residential applications. Today, however, many companies are developing a wider variety of options, including tanks sized for residential homes. A few companies have even developed harvesting tanks appropriate for vacation and part-time homes. Many of these options include smaller sized tanks that can be easily placed under decks or joists, alongside walkways or vertically against a wall. These features, coupled with the lack of space in many urban settings, make these modern rainwater harvesting tanks very appealing to earth-conscience homeowners. By contrast, rainwater harvesting tanks are also a good option for homeowners in rural settings where obtaining a supply of water from municipal sources is difficult.There are a number of advantages to rainwater harvesting, including conservation of resources and utilities and reduction of flooding and erosion. It also provides a healthy alternative to chemical treated water for plants and vegetation. The water quality is typically classified as between groundwater and surface water, making it useful in a number of applications. Generally, collected (or harvested) rainwater is suitable for all non-potable uses such as watering the lawn, washing the car, running a power washer, air conditioner make-up water, and even cold water toilet flushing and clothes washing. A rainwater harvesting can be simple or complex depending upon the intended use for the product. In a simple harvesting system, the collected water is used immediately. At its most basic level, routing the gutter downspouts to a specific landscaping area can be considered a form of rainwater harvesting. On a more complex level, however, systems can incorporate elements of roof catchment, gutter and downspout routing, tank storage and irrigation or distribution systems. The more complex systems often require professional assistance and sometimes a permit depending upon local ordinances. It is best to contact your local green building industry expert.An example of a modern rainwater harvesting is the Rainwater H2OG, which is available in two distinct designs. The company offers a potable water tank made from virgin food-grade polyethylene and a non-food-grade tank made with 15% recycled content. Both styles of tank hold approximately 50 gallons of water and even offer potable water options (with the food-grade tank and after proper filtration). This particular tank has been recognized by Environmental Building News as one of the Top-10 Green Building Products in 2008, a reward largely based upon the tank's functional, efficient and visually discreet characteristics. The Rainwater H2OG also represents the move towards accommodation of harvesting systems to residential applications.In the long run, the overall return on investment for rainwater retention systems is very positive. From both a financial and environmental stewardship perspective, going "green" through rainwater retention is a first-class initiative for homeowners.

2009-03-26T08:19:00.001+07:00

How To Care for your skin if you have Psoriasis

As far as caring for one's skin against psoriasis is concerned, there is no magic formula. By carefully taking a look at the ingredients listed on the label of skin care products, someone with psoriasis can make better choices. To keep the symptoms of psoriasis under control, several factors should be considered. First, when choosing a cleanser, those with psoriasis need to look for a product that gently removes dirt and makeup without leaving an oily feel. It ought to be able to remove some of the oil from the skin without any kind of harsh chemicals. It should also be free of perfumes, alcohol, or other ingredients that dry the skin. These only exasperate scaling. Most skin care regimens have an exfoliating product. For psoriasis patients, most of these products are too harsh and irritating to their inflamed skin. Two ingredients that might work well to exfoliate the skin of people with psoriasis are oatmeal and Epsom salts. These are both gentle enough not to cause a worsening of the condition but strong enough to lightly remove flaking skin. All sufferers of psoriasis should follow their cleansing routine with an excellent moisturizer. A good moisturizer will help psoriasis sufferers keep their skin supple and soft. It will lubricate the dry patches, lessening the chance of cracks or sores developing. Natural emollients such as cocoa butter, mineral or plant oil, and petrolatum work well in products used as moisturizers. In a good moisturizer for psoriasis, these ingredients should be combined with the perfect balance of agents that attract and hold water against the skin. The moisturizer should not contain alcohol or perfumes as these tend to dry the skin of psoriasis victims. Thick creams usually work best to keep moisture against the skin. Although sunlight is sometimes helpful to those with psoriasis, too much sun can be drying. Sunburn is especially hard on skin damaged by psoriasis. Sometimes a moisturizer will include a sunscreen to protect tender skin. If a moisturizer is chosen that does not have an added sunscreen, people with psoriasis need to add a good sunscreen to their skincare regimen. This product ought to also be gentle, non-drying, and even perfume free. All those products in a skin care regimen of those with psoriasis may not improve the condition, but they should certainly not add to the problems. If, after going through the labels and trying the most likely products, a psoriasis skin care regimen is not working, it is best to consult a dermatologist.

2009-03-21T18:00:00.001+07:00

How to Detect Breast Cancer

The most common cancer experienced by females is breast cancer. This has led to various searches for solutions and treatment methods. Although breast cancer is said to be responsive to some herbs, it is advised that orthodox medications are still the best available treatment for it. Noticing changes in your breast contour? It could be nothing and at the same time it could be breast cancer, God forbid! But the only way to say is prompt medical check, if the doctor thinks it is cancer then early treatments will do you some good.Excessive consumption of fat and alcohol can enhance the development of breast cancer. You should watch your food and drinks even though it has not been proven that these two culprits cause cancer, we know it contributes to it.Although the symptoms of breast cancer metastasizing such as headaches and changes in the size and shape of the breast can be a sign of other physiological occurrence such as menstrual cycles, it is advised not to over look them. A spreading breast cancer is highly dangerous and can be deadly. Breast cancer is a major killer of women all over the world in general. The actual cause of breast cancer has not been agreed upon but body size, age, level of alcohol and fat content in the body are known associates of breast cancer. Therefore don’t get overweight, reduce alcohol consumption, exercise a lot and avoid fatty foods for protection against breast cancer. Metastases are growth of cancerous tissues or cells from an organ to another within the human body. One major characteristic of breast cancer is its metastases characteristics. Quick detection and prompt treatment of breast cancer can prevent this occurrence.Breast cancer is usually characterized with changes in the size of the breast. However a drastic change in your breast size does not necessarily confirm the presence of cancer cells. If you notice differences in your breast size, it is advised that you seek medical attention to determine the cause.Breast cancer is an ailment caused by the formation of malignant cells within the breast tissues. Although the ailment is common in women, it is almost non existence in men although few diagnoses have been made. The cancer is known to be heterogeneous as it shows variation in different women.Breast cancer is better treated if the ailment is timely noticed. It is advised that women examine their breast regularly for lumps and skin discoloration. If this is noticed, it should not be overlooked but reported to medical professionals immediately.A lot of women want to know the effect of our diet on the development of breast cancer. I'll say since our body can be physically and genetically modified by the kind of food we eat, it is logical to believe that food plays an important role in the development of breast cancer. With this being said, you should remember that one man's meat is another's poison so have your doctor review your diet for it is only him/her that can say if the kind of food you eat can encourage the development of breast cancer or not.A bad side effect of breast cancer treatment is the experiencing of a premature menopause. This makes the virginal dry, and sex more painful than fun. If you are experiencing this after your breast cancer treatment, you should see your doctor immediately and have him/her refer you to a sex related defect professional.There are a lot of other ailments that share some of the symptoms of breast cancer. These ailments include cysts, fibro adenomas, injuries and other infections. These ailments are non cancerous and may not be as severe as the breast cancer. When you notice variation in your breast, you shouldn't wave it off thinking it is one of these diseases, you should receive medical help immediately. Breast cancer is usually associated with lumpy feel within the breast. But not all breast cancer is characterized by lumps. An example of non-lumpy breast cancer is the inflammatory breast cancer. However inflammatory breast cancer is not common thus a lot of people are not familiar with the disease, last year it only recorded about 3% of the total diagnosed breast cancer.There are high possibilities for breast cancer to spread around to other part of the body before it is detected. This makes the breast cancer difficult to treat and increases the chances of reoccurrence. This is why regular self examination and occasional clinical examination is suggested, to reveal breast cancer timely while the damage is minimal.Meat and dairy products are known to increase estrogen content of the human system. Estrogen is a known risk increasing factor of breast cancer. You cannot be asked to stay away from these food materials as they are good sources of protein which is essential for the body, but limiting the consumption of these products may help you prevent breast cancer.The general state of your body is a factor in the determination of the risk you face regarding breast cancer. Maintaining a state of good health will help lower the risk you stand of developing breast cancer. You should involve in activities like exercise, yoga, walking or Tai-Chi to help keep your health in good shape.

2009-01-22T10:29:00.000+07:00

Towards A United Planetary Nation From A United Nations' Organization

“That time has come when discrimination with reference to communities, social status, gender and nations, will come to an end. Entire world humanity will live like brothers and sisters.”- ARTHUR CHARLES CLARK“If in a particular country, if one or two court cases are fought, people will be amazed as to whether there is any individual who is full of hatred, cunningness and enmity. At that time there will be no racial difference or gender discrimination. A human religion will be established in the entire world. Today all nations have joined hands to establish the United Nations Organization in America. A time will come in the future when a United Planetary Nation will come into existence. Its capital could be any of the planets like Earth, Jupiter, Mercury etc. or another region outside our solar system. After having said this, definitely human values will gain a firm foothold in future. That day is very near when all planets, galaxies etc. of the cosmos will unite as one nation. It is akin to what we see today wherein our earth has more than 100 nations. All these planets, galaxies etc. will live like cooperative, friendly neighbours.”The above quotation is not some imaginary story of Panchtantra or an imaginary incident of the journey of Ashwamedha horses. In fact this prophecy was made by a great prophesizer of America called Arthur Charles Clark, when he received the international award called Kaling Prize. Previously too he had given many prophecies and majority of the time, they were proved cent percent true.The prophecies of Arthur Clark are slightly different from prophecies made by other seers. Clark was a scientist and a writer. Thus his prophecies had a scientific tinge which touched the hearts of his readers. His prophecies were proved so true that later on scientists based their research studies on the prophecies made by Clark.Once in 1959 while attending a dinner party, Clark told his friend – “30th June 1969 A.D. will be the greatest day in world history. I can clearly see an inhabitant of earth landing on Moon.”Uptil the day when Clark made this prophecy, not even one space craft had been sent into interstellar space. It was only 2 years later in 1961 A.D. that Russia sent one of its astronaut, Yuri Gagarin, in a spacecraft so as to circumbulate our planet Earth. Hence in 1959 A.D. when Clark made the above prophecy, none of his friends believed it. Despite this, world humanity witnessed Clark’s prophecy come true, even if it had a difference of 20 days as far as the timing of the prophecy was concerned. In fact if in 1966 A.D. an Apollo spacecraft had not been burnt to ashes in Kennedy Space Centre, there would not have been this 20 day delay in the prophecy being proved correct.Even as a small boy, Arthur Clark possessed this strange Extra Sensory Power (ESP) and power to predict future events. He always said – “Man is not merely this physical body. He is that Power which has divine light full of brilliance. All Divine Powers of God are present in each individual albeit in a latent state. At present these Divine Powers are “sleeping” in the human psyche.“I am seeing that in a short time span an intense thought revolution will rise in a country of Asia (India). Uptil 1971 in this country and within 10 years in the entire world, this revolution will be so intense, that the harsh psyche of human beings will have to awaken. That energy will be searched for and experienced by all of world humanity, which today they are virtually ignorant about. Science will take a new turn wherein spiritual principles will predominate. These spiritual attainments and potentials will be the basis on which the world will be united as one family.People argue that life exists on Earth only. Even scientists say that other planets are lifeless. At that time Clark said – “I had said in 1945 A.D. that there is no need to lay down electrical cables /wires in either the ocean or the entire world. If an artificial satellite of the speed of 17000 miles is sent into interstellar space, which revolves around our Earth, it will fulfill all requirements of sending telegraphic messages. At that time people mocked at me. I was proved right when in 1962 A.D., Bell Telephone Company sent a satellite called “Telstar” in interstellar space. Today other satellites like “Early Bird” and “Tolras” too have been invented which can send messages from one place on Earth to another place. In 1 minute these messages of the measure of 17 pages can be sent.Once I had said that man is capable of producing so much energy from a very tiny atom that can destroy the world in a matter of a few minutes. Again no one believed what I said. It was only when Hiroshima and Nagasaki were destroyed that people realized I was absolutely right. I have made all these prophecies with steadfastness and confidence. With this same confidence I say that this world has not come into existence without a Creator. There eternally exists a mysterious force which is beyond the ken of human intelligence and prowess. This gigantic world was created as per the wish of this mysterious force. If this force created life on Earth, why would it not create life on other planets? If one day life is discovered on other planets, it is doubtless that populations of various planets will come closer and will design cosmic laws which will solve their problems.”Just as Arthur Clark’s previous prophecies have come true, so too that day is very near when his above prophecy will also come true cent per cent. Via the mediums of Pulsar and Quasar rays, certain radio messages have been noted which force scientists to believe that life exists on other planets too. Scientists say that civilizations on other planets could be more advanced than those on Earth and that they wish to contact Earth inhabitants. The truth of Clark’s prophecies can be witnessed in the existence of clouds that exist billion of light years away and red coloured planets. Thus even the most conservative scientists have started accepting that life could exist on other planets.A long time back Arthur Clark had said – “For a few days I will land on Moon to spend my holidays.” Obviously people mocked at him. But today it is clear that, that day is not far away when people will book tickets to travel from one planet to another. Dr. Fernand Gabiz, director of France’s “Institute of Higher Defence Studies” says that henceforth when a hydrogen bomb will be invented it will function with the help of lasers. It will be called a Mini-H-Laser Bomb. Its power will be infinitely more than an electric bomb and its price will be not more than a few dollars. This technology will be of great help in minimizing the cost of travel from one planet to another i.e. in interstellar space. Thus readers of this book will definitely travel in space in the near future.Arthur Clark while residing in Colombo (Sri Lanka) with his wife Dod made some prophecies regarding India’s progress. It matches with prophecies given by Jean Dixon, Cheiro, Anderson et al. They all said – “In ancient times India was famous not only spiritually but also as a great scientific nation. I have heard that in the past, India had invented fire and water based weapons and also aircrafts. In future too, India will advance further in these areas and will be topmost in the world. Despite this, India will be predominantly recognized as a great spiritual nation. Indian spirituality and culture will become a World Religion.”Clark had great faith in human progress. He had also made films. His movie “Zool Space Odyssey” gained international recognition. In it Clark tries to say that today’s man is much more advanced than that man of the past, who lived like an ignorant animal in the forest. Today man has intellectually progressed a great deal and with its help, he will not only travel in the entire cosmos but will also dive deep into the recesses of his infinite soul. Man will in future campaign for a life of world brotherhood, oneness of soul and love for one another. This goal will be definitely achieved in the near future.Clark’s prophecies of India’s freedom, China and Pakistan’s friendship, war between China and Russia have come true, although the timing of events may have been a few days in advance or a few days later. Hence none should doubt his prophecy of a thought revolution and Era Transformation taking place in future in the world. This is because today all signs of this prophecy being proved true in future are witnessed in all corners of the world.

2009-01-08T15:43:00.000+07:00

What is Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a medical treatment that combines estrogen and progestin to restore the premenopausal levels of estrogen. Hormone replacement therapy is prescribed for protection against osteoporosis and heart disease, and relief of menopausal symptoms. Benefits It has been well documented for several decades that Hormone replacement therapy is the most effective remedy for the hot flashes and sleep disturbances that often accompany menopause Hormone replacement therapy has also consistently been shown to decrease vaginal discomfort by increasing the thickness, elasticity, and lubricating ability of vaginal tissue. Urinary tract tissue also becomes thicker and more elastic, reducing the incidence of stress incontinence and urinary tract infections. Some women and their doctors report that Hormone replacement therapy can be helpful in relieving the depression and mood swings that may occur during menopause and can produce a general sense of well-being and increased energy. Also, some find that Hormone replacement therapy increases skin thickness and elasticity, decreasing the appearance of wrinkles. While Hormone replacement therapy was used initially to reduce the discomfort from short-term menopausal symptoms, recent studies provide evidence that it may also reduce some of the negative long-term health effects of menopause. Scientists are continuing to gather information to define the potential benefits from Hormone replacement therapy and to identify the women for whom it may be most useful. Further research will also be needed to show when Hormone replacement therapy should be started and how long it should be continued to achieve the greatest benefits. Drawbacks: While Hormone replacement therapy has potential benefits, it also can have drawbacks. Some of the side-effects of Hormone replacement therapy are: vaginal bleeding, breast pain, nausea, cramping, headaches, fluid retention, vaginal discharge, depression, irritability, weight gain and bloating. A few months adjustment period is often necessary for women beginning this therapy. Every woman entering menopause should have a physical examination and then talk with her doctor about her overall health, her family history and her physical and psychological concerns. Working with your doctor to assess your risk factors accurately should help you determine whether the benefits of this therapy outweigh the risks for you personally. If you are concerned about Hormone replacement therapy, consider other effective non-medical therapies for addressing your needs, and seek a second opinion before initiating a course of treatment.

2008-12-29T19:37:00.000+07:00

An Overview of Heart Disease
By: Simone Butler
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in most developed countries around the world, and the number of cases is rising constantly as a result of both modern lifestyles and increased overall longevity. While developing the condition can have a devastating impact on the sufferer's life, modern medicine has developed several effective treatments for heart disease, ranging from drugs and lifestyle improvements right through to surgery.Of course, prevention is always better than cure, so before we look at some of the symptoms of cardiac disease we'll look at some of the ways you can help your body ward off the risks.Living a healthy lifestyle can go a long way to reducing the chances of developing cardiac problems, but there is unfortunately an element of inherited risk, so even those with excellent overall health may find that they're genetically programmed towards heart disease in later life. Thankfully, the greatest influence genetics has on heart disease is that of making us more susceptible to certain causes, and with careful adjustments of our lifestyles we can greatly improve our prospects of avoiding it.The two most deadly contributors to cardiac problems are smoking and obesity. Both of these can raise blood pressure to dangerous levels, putting extra strain on the heart. Smoking causes the build up of fatty deposits within the arteries, also causing circulation problems. Being overweight also tends to mean that a healthy diet is not being followed, and so the body may well be short of essential minerals and nutriments that the heart needs to keep on functioning healthily.Stopping smoking and other unhealthy practices such as excessive drinking, along with improving diet and taking up exercise to reduce weight can go a long way towards averting problems.The symptoms of a developing heart problem can be both subtle and dramatic. Unfortunately, many of the symptoms can also signify other less dangerous conditions, and so a diagnosis of heart disease is often made later than it could have been. If you come across more than one of the symptoms below, then a trip to your doctor is highly advisable.Breathlessness when engaged in physical exercise is normal to some extent for almost everyone, but if you find you're becoming breathless more and more easily then this is a clear sign that your general fitness levels aren't all they could be, and that your heart may be struggling under the pressure.Palpitations, that is a heavily or unevenly beating heart, can be a sign of anxiety or can come on after extreme exercise, but if neither of these situations apply then heart problems could well be the culprit.A tingling feeling in bodily extremities such as fingers, toes or lips is often a sign that your cirulation system isn't delivering enough oxygen, again a sign of possible heart problems. Should your extremeities go on to develop a blueish colour then this is certainly not a good sign, and medical attention should be sought at once.The final and most obvious sign of cardiac problems is a feeling of tightness or pain in the chest, a condition known as angina. If you feel chest pain with any regularity, even if not particularly severely, a medical check up is advisable to make sure you catch any problems as early as possible. Angina can be controlled very well by medication in many cases, and doesn't necessarily have to develop into full-blown heart disease.In summary, living a healthy lifestyle while keeping an eye out for the symptoms will greatly reduce the risk of your life being devastated by heart disease.

2008-12-22T06:09:00.001+07:00

Our Carbon Footprint by STEVE MERILLAT
Environment

It's been economically challenging for a lot of us this year. Some of us lost our jobs, saw the worth of our 401K's get cut almost in half. We saw food and fuel prices skyrocket and saw the world financial system tumble to its knees. It has been called as close to the 1929 depression as we can get without actually being there. Well there are a lot of differences between then and now, but we have nothing of this magnitude to compare with other than then.
We are at a time where we need to conserve. Even the wealthy are cutting back on extra spending. All of us are staying home more now and choosing not to eat out as much. My family and I have cut back and limited ourselves to eating out only once a week now. I have the ability to work at home so I have chosen to work 3-days a week at home to conserve time and fuel. I have felt this recession crunch more than any of the other ones through the last 20 years. I think this is because I am older now and more in tune with my surroundings. I pay more attention to world news and events than I use too. I think we need to start conserving and doing our part from now moving forward, financial/world crisis or not. This has been a wake-up call for me.
One thing my family and I are doing this year is to for go our family vacation and spend the extra time using our swimming pool. I am going to plan some extra curricular activities including volleyball and basketball tournaments in the pool. I am just going to center some extra fun activities so our kids, their friends and us can have loads of fun.
Reducing our carbon footprint is another way of saying "conservation". Most of our energy needs are directly related to fossil fuel consumption, which is a carbon-based product. It's going to be the way that we have to live for many more years. We have build and live in a world, creating an infrastructure with oil that we can't unravel easily. We use it for all of our transportation needs. Its how we drive to work, how we transport all of our consumables. We heat our houses, lubricate all of our machinery, and manufacture all of our plastic products. This list can go on and on. We are a carbon-based society and cannot get away from that fact….
So this is why we need to conserve, to reduce our carbon emissions. Things that we can do that can make a direct difference.
Replace all of your incandescent bulbs with compact florescent bulbs. Start
with replacing one or two every week. They use a 1/3rd the energy of incandescent bulbs, so imagine the saving throughout your whole house. I have them inside and out.
Make sure you get a programmable thermostat. I turn down my thermostat 5 degrees during the days when I am not at home, and at night when I am sleeping. 1 degree of temperature reduction equals 5% cost of heating your house according to the "Alliance for Energy".( http://www.ase.org )
Make sure all your storm windows are closed. I live in an older home, so when Halloween comes around, mine are checked and buttoned down.
Most of our appliances run on low voltage and require step-down transformers to run. You notice this when you plug in the appliance with the plug end being square and bulky. When you are not using that appliance, unplug it. Obviously we can to that with everything (ie alarm clocks), but I bet many of us can unplug a many of them.
Insulate your water heater if it is older than 2004. The newer ones have a sufficient amount of the stuff.
Cover your hot tub when not in use. We all have those hard covers that we purchased or came with when we bought. But those floatable plastic solar covers we use on our pool work great on hot tubs underneath the hard cover. You can cut your energy used to heat that by a 1/3rd if you do this.
Make sure your furnace is serviced every two years will cut down helping you save up to 1250 pounds of carbon emissions per year. WOW
Set your clothes washer to cold and leave it. A 50% energy savings can be seen if you use only cold water to wash.
Dim the lights when you don't need the brightness. Cuts electricity by thesame percent of the lower light.
Fell for any drafts around your windows and doors. Install weatherstrip where needed. On a few of my windows I install that clear plastic film which is transparent and comes off easy for spring and summer.
Lower you hot water heater, 120 degrees is ideal.
Insulate all of your exposed hot water pipes. Keep all of that heat generated to stay there until it comes our your faucets.
Use timers on lighted areas that you only use occasionally including exterior lights.
These are a few things that I do that save a lot of money and help to conserve and contribute to our great world. It's not hard at all, it just take a little conscience effort on our parts.
Steve Merillat has been in the Pool industry for 35 years. He started early on working for various Swimming Pool supply companies before ventured out in his own business. He pioneered many processes with the installation of pools that are used as industry standards today. He regularly holds seminars and classes on how to properly maintain your Swimming Pool. For more information visit 1800Pools.com

2008-12-20T07:04:00.001+07:00

Getting the Best Deal for Your Car by DANIEL COLLINS
Automotive

So, you’ve decided to part ways with your old banger and have already spotted a new, sleeker model that tickles your fancy. First things first though, you need to go about selling your exisiting car. But, with the different options available, it can be confusing deciding upon the best course of action. Indeed, what is the best way to find a new owner for your auto? According to the experts, there are two ways to sell your car: the quick way, i.e. via a dealer; and the intelligent way, i.e. advertising it privately. Although there are advantages to approaching a dealer – simplicity and efficiency – there are also drawbacks. In fact, due to the dealer having to carry out all the work for you, it’s common to find that you won’t end up getting the best deal for your money. That’s why it makes sense, say the professionals, to approach the issue yourself through the placement of car ads. In fact, there is a huge range of print and online media available, which has been specifically designed to make the process of selling your car as straightforward as possible. However, before you jump straight into advertising, it pays to conduct some market research. In doing so, you will not only be informed about the price range you should be aiming for, but you’ll also be able to compare different car ads to see which ones are more effective. This will serve to save you both time and money in the long run. When you come to composing your advert, you need to think clearly about the type of information that should be included. For example, it’s essential to list the make, model and style of the car first. The next step is to add in such details as the car’s colour, engine size and mileage. Only after this information has been detailed, can you think about adding in additional description. You should think carefully though about putting too much information in. For instance, it’s a good idea to list the car’s best features, but don’t go overboard by bombarding potential buyers with too much; this will only put them off. The next step is to think about where you want to place your car ad. Advertising online is a great way to reach a huge number of people quickly and cost-efficiently; and due to the fact you have so much space in comparison to print media, you can include more information, as well as pictures. Print advertising can be equally effective, especially since many of the relevant publications are distributed in the area where you’re selling, therefore reaching a more concentrated market of potential buyers. However, the best way to achieve effective results is to combine both print and online advertising; helping to reach a wide, yet highly targeted audience by placing car ads in this way has proven to be very successful. And of course, attempting to gain the initial interest in your car is often the most difficult part of selling your car. Daniel Collins writes on a number of topics on behalf of a digital marketing agency and a variety of clients. As such, this article is to be considered a professional piece with business interests in mind.

2008-12-15T03:22:00.001+07:00

Night Driving with RSX Projector Headlights by LOUIE LIU

Automotive

Driving at night is awesome especially if the night is infinitely starry. Overhead, the sky is littered with a hundred and one jewels, all shining and sparkling with their own little light. On beautiful nights such as this, only a few people are able to resist the enticement of night driving. With wind in their hair and the aroma of the night lingering around them, this is the perfect time for them to chase the moon. Night driving is best enjoyed with beautiful weather and a properly functioning vehicle. A properly functioning vehicle intended for nighttime navigation includes having properly functioning automotive headlights for its use. Automotive headlights that shine with the right amount of light and are tilted at the right angle are the best contraptions for such a vehicle. These contraptions are the ones that serve as proficient guides as the vehicle in question cruises through darkened roads and highways for whatever reason imaginable.
Night driving is best experienced using RSX projector headlights. RSX projector headlights are one of the many types of automotive headlights that are made to deck RSX vehicles. Projector headlights, specifically RSX projector headlights, are considered superior compared to headlight systems such as lens and reflector headlights. This is because the projector optics that make up the system of RSX projector headlights have fine control inherent in the system, making them capable of accurate light dispersion. Like other types of headlight systems, RSX projector headlights are made up of both reflectors and light bulbs. Instead, however, of parabolic and multiple mirror reflectors, these contraptions employ elliptical reflectors. Solenoids also take the place of high beam filaments. The major difference these contraptions have compared to other headlight types is that they employ condenser lenses capable of reducing cutoff sharpness. The advantage of using RSX projector headlights compared to using other headlight types is diverse and manifold. These advantages, however, suggest only one thing. When one has headlights that are viable enough to be trusted, worries should be casted away. This is because contraptions like RSX projector headlights make driving highways and byways during infinitely starry nights ultimately safe and enjoyable.
At Ilovebodykits.com, you can find many projector headlights with different options to choose, there is black housing projector headlights, chrome housing projector headlights, dual halo projector headlights, single halo projector headlights, blue lens projector head lights, clear lens projector headlights. Black housing projector headlights have became more popular in the market because the factory headlights are usually made with chrome housing and you can see immediately see the difference in the appearance after the installation.
Due to the safety regulation from Department Of Transportations (DOT), all head lights, and projector headlights are required to have amber corner lens and the ones are without it will not be street legal and it should only be equipped as "off road use only". At ilovebodykits.com, they understand their customer's need and they are here to help you to enjoy fixing up your everyday ride and remind their customers that safety condition of their vehicle should always be the number 1 consideration. Louie Liu has been in the car aftermarket products industry for 5years. He has specialized in body kits, headlights, cold air intakes and other aftermarket products. You can learn about a wide range of RSX Headlights and other projector headlights at his site www.ilovebodykits.com.

2008-12-13T07:22:00.001+07:00

Top 10 Tips to Improve Car Engine Performance by CARAZOO INDIA

Automotive

Car engine plays an integral role in overall performance and functioning of a car. It is known to be the heart of a car which needs good maintenance and service at regular intervals of time. If periodical service is not provided to the engine it can have a direct impact on the performance levels.
Here are top 10 tips to improve car engine performance:
1. First thing to do is to increase car engine displacement as enhanced displacement will draw higher volume of air-fuel mixture and generate more power. This can be done by increasing capacity of engine cylinders.
2. You can even try and increase engine compression ratio. Higher compression ratio may lead to spontaneous bursting of the mixture to flame but it can be solved by using high octane gasoline.
3. You can use high exhaust system or add another exhaust valve to the cylinders to ease the exit of gases.
4. Make sure that the air entering the cylinder is cool so that it can expand more during combustion. It’s always good to use an intercooler that cools the compressed air before it enters the cylinder.
5. The process of fuel injection should be accurate and the fuel injected to be up to the mark. This not only improves engine efficiency but also improves fuel efficiency.
6. You can even use turbo chargers and superchargers to pressurize the air entering the cylinder, which in turn helps to improve the performance of the engine.
7. Reduce the resistance of the air that is mainly caused by downward movement of the pistons in the engine. 8. Use of air filters help reduce air resistance, which in turn improves the performance of the engine.
9. Reduce the weight of the piston as light-weight pistons consume less amount of energy for their movement and ensure smooth performance of the car engine.
10. Porting engine also helps to improve engine efficiency. This is a process that is used to modify the intake and exhaust ports of an internal combustion engine to support increase air flow, thereby improving engine performance.

2008-12-11T00:30:00.001+07:00

Should I buy an LCD or Plama TV? by GARY BUNN

Electronics,Advice,Online Shopping

The television market has many competitors these days and there are two main platforms that are being used. Plasma and LCD offer some of the most amazing picture qualities ever seen on a television before. Each has its benefits and detractors. They are competing technologies and there are supporters on both sides. They are so close in performance; it’s really difficult to pick a clear winner. Let’s look at some of the things that separate plasma and LCD.
One of the neat things about plasma is that the picture is created by rare gases behind glass. These gases are manipulated to create bright colours on each individual pixel in the TV. What this does is that it creates some of the brightest and clearest images you’ve ever seen. LCD makes its colours a little bit differently. They actually just take white light and subtract whatever colours they need to, in order to make the colour on the screen. It’s a little bit different process, but you’re really splitting hairs when it comes to what it looks like on the screen. Both televisions present unbelievable colour quality compared to old TV’s.
One distinct advantage that plasma has over LCD is in the area of viewing angles. Plasma actually boasts a 160 degree viewing angle which is pretty close to horizontal. This means that if you have a big room with furniture on all sides of the TV, plasma will give your guests on the side a clear picture. With most LCD models, their viewing angle is only about 90 degrees by comparison. If your couch is in front of the television, this most likely won’t ever be an issue.
Another common complaint about plasma televisions is the “burn-in” that you can experience by an image that’s on the screen for awhile. Back with the original plasmas, this was a bigger issue than it is today. Plasmas have become so advanced that you probably wouldn’t burn something into the screen permanently unless you left it on for 10 hours or more. Claims of extreme “burn-in” cases have been greatly exaggerated in some cases. If you’re a hardcore gamer and you sometimes leave your game on pause all night, you might need to be concerned. However, you can still do this and just shut the TV off if you have to. In most cases, it’s really a non-issue at this point.
Although Plasma TVs generally are available in a much larger size than LCD, with the recent development in LCD technology, LCD Televisions can easily match the size, picture quality and offer much better value for your money. You can now get great deals on LCD TVs as the prices have begun to drop rapidly over the last few months. If you're looking for a great model with high definition image quality and the latest Bravia 2 Engine technology, you should take a look at the newest addition to the Sony Bravia range, the Sony KDL 40W4500.
If you're looking for a new LCD Television, check out our reviews of the latest Sony LCD TVs including the full range of new Sony Bravia LCD Televisions today.

2008-12-08T09:22:00.001+07:00

Important Wi-Fi Notebook Safety Tips by ROBERTO SEDYCIAS
Computers

Wi-Fi or Wireless Fidelity features started appearing on notebooks around late 1998. Today Wi-Fi notebooks are a popular choice among the tech-savvy generation. The standard of the Wi-Fi notebooks have been certified by the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance. The IEEE 802.11b is the latest wireless networking specification standard for them. As per this standard, Internet at speeds of up to 11 megabits per second or Ethernet networks such as corporate LAN can be accessed with Wi-Fi notebooks.
Wi-Fi is a popular and high-end feature on notebooks. However many of us are still confused about how to get the best out of our devices. Security of them is a major concern these days. This article talks all about Wi-Fi notebooks, what to do and what not to do with your them. Following are a few safety tips for Wi-Fi notebooks.
Be careful of your sensitive online transactions when using open Wi-Fi networks:
Do not let your Wi-Fi notebook connect just anywhere. Well it`s a good idea to access internet while sipping your favorite coffee at a Wi-Fi enabled environment, but important online transactions might be tampered. Hence its best to disable the automatic connect feature of your Windows network. You can simply uncheck the box labeled "Connect when this network is in range" when you feel like getting connected.
Turn off the Wi-Fi ad hoc connections option:
A simplest way to prevent penetration attacks to Wi-Fi notebooks is to turn off the Wi-Fi client adapter when it`s not used. Remember, Microsoft Windows default Configuration allows anonymous ad hoc connections. But when disabled, it won`t allow anonymous connections anymore. The turning off of the Wi-Fi client adapter also serves another purpose; it conserves battery life of notebooks.
Disable Window`s file and printer sharing feature:
Many users especially those who work in corporate sectors often use window`s file and printer sharing feature to share printers or files while on a work or home network. But while outside, this could be dangerous as anyone who is on that particular Wi-Fi network can access the important files. But it can be easily prevented. For additional security, you just need to disable the file and printer sharing feature of your notebooks.
Firewall software is a must for Wi-Fi notebooks:
Don`t rely on the basic inbuilt firewall of your operating system. Opt for a good freeware firewall applications which provide additional protection for your notebooks.
Secure any personal, banking, or credit card details:
Don`t let the Web browser to remember personal information. You might think it`s an easier option since no one but you are using your Wi-Fi notebook. But sensitive info regarding bank transactions or credit card details can be easily retrieved if the notebook is lost or stolen. Hence, it is a good idea to use password protected software especially those that requires you to remember only one access password which doesn`t allow unauthorized access.
Keep your Wi-Fi notebook`s operating system up to date:
Just by installing the required firewall, password-protected software or any other software won`t give optimum result of protecting your Wi-Fi notebooks. You need to update your antivirus, Web browser, firewall, and other software including the Wi-Fi client applications of your notebooks on regular interval to get the best benefits.
Verify that the SSID actually represents the provider`s Wi-Fi network:
Often the user gets associated with lots of fake networks who usually falsely represent the Wi-Fi network`s related facility. Hackers use these fake networks to get access to all important info of your device. Verifying the SSID will help prevent associating with unauthorized network especially when you access the Wi-Fi network outside.
You can have access to portuguese articles about notebooks from page

2008-12-06T09:14:00.001+07:00

Computer Security: Computer Security Ethics and Privacy by NICHOLAS TAN

Computers

Today, many people rely on computers to do homework, work, and create or store useful information. Therefore, it is important for the information on the computer to be stored and kept properly. It is also extremely important for people on computers to protect their computer from data loss, misuse, and abuse. For example, it is crucial for businesses to keep information they have secure so that hackers can’t access the information. Home users also need to take means to make sure that their credit card numbers are secure when they are participating in online transactions.
A computer security risk is any action that could cause lost of information, software, data, processing incompatibilities, or cause damage to computer hardware, a lot of these are planned to do damage. An intentional breach in computer security is known as a computer crime which is slightly different from a cypercrime. A cybercrime is known as illegal acts based on the internet and is one of the FBI’s top priorities. There are several distinct categories for people that cause cybercrimes, and they are refereed as hacker, cracker, cyberterrorist, cyberextortionist, unethical employee, script kiddie and corporate spy. The term hacker was actually known as a good word but now it has a very negative view. A hacker is defined as someone who accesses a computer or computer network unlawfully. They often claim that they do this to find leaks in the security of a network. The term cracker has never been associated with something positive this refers to someone how intentionally access a computer or computer network for evil reasons. It’s basically an evil hacker.
They access it with the intent of destroying, or stealing information. Both crackers and hackers are very advanced with network skills. A cyberterrorist is someone who uses a computer network or the internet to destroy computers for political reasons. It’s just like a regular terrorist attack because it requires highly skilled individuals, millions of dollars to implement, and years of planning. The term cyperextortionist is someone who uses emails as an offensive force. They would usually send a company a very threatening email stating that they will release some confidential information, exploit a security leak, or launch an attack that will harm a company’s network. They will request a paid amount to not proceed sort of like black mailing in a since. An unethical employee is an employee that illegally accesses their company’s network for numerous reasons. One could be the money they can get from selling top secret information, or some may be bitter and want revenge. A script kiddie is someone who is like a cracker because they may have the intentions of doing harm, but they usually lack the technical skills. They are usually silly teenagers that use prewritten hacking and cracking programs. A corporate spy has extremely high computer and network skills and is hired to break into a specific computer or computer network to steal or delete data and information.
Shady companies hire these type people in a practice known as corporate espionage. They do this to gain an advantage over their competition an illegal practice. Business and home users must do their best to protect or safeguard their computers from security risks. The next part of this article will give some pointers to help protect your computer. However, one must remember that there is no one hundred percent guarantee way to protect your computer so becoming more knowledgeable about them is a must during these days. When you transfer information over a network it has a high security risk compared to information transmitted in a business network because the administrators usually take some extreme measures to help protect against security risks. Over the internet there is no powerful administrator which makes the risk a lot higher. If your not sure if your computer is vulnerable to a computer risk than you can always use some-type of online security service which is a website that checks your computer for email and Internet vulnerabilities. The company will then give some pointers on how to correct these vulnerabilities.
The Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Center is a place that can do this. The typical network attacks that puts computers at risk includes viruses, worms, spoofing, Trojan horses, and denial of service attacks. Every unprotected computer is vulnerable to a computer virus which is a potentially harming computer program that infects a computer negatively and altering the way the computer operates without the user’s consent. Once the virus is in the computer it can spread throughout infecting other files and potentially damaging the operating system itself. It’s similar to a bacteria virus that infects humans because it gets into the body through small openings and can spread to other parts of the body and can cause some damage. The similarity is, the best way to avoid is preparation. A computer worm is a program that repeatedly copies itself and is very similar to a computer virus. However the difference is that a virus needs o attach itself to an executable file and become a part of it. A computer worm doesn’t need to do that I seems copies to itself and to other networks and eats up a lot of bandwidth. A Trojan Horse named after the famous Greek myth and is used to describe a program that secretly hides and actually looks like a legitimate program but is a fake. A certain action usually triggers the Trojan horse, and unlike viruses and worms they don’t replicate itself. Computer viruses, worms, and Trojan horses are all classifies as malicious-logic programs which are just programs that deliberately harms a computer.
Although these are the common three there are many more variations and it would be almost impossible to list them. You know when a computer is infected by a virus, worm, or Trojan horse if one or more of these acts happen:
- Screen shots of weird messages or pictures appear. - You have less available memory then you expected - Music or sounds plays randomly. - Files get corrupted - Programs are files don’t work properly - Unknown files or programs randomly appear - System properties fluctuate
Computer viruses, worms, and Trojan horses deliver their payload or instructions through four common ways. One, when an individual runs an infected program so if you download a lot of things you should always scan the files before executing, especially executable files. Second, is when an individual runs an infected program. Third, is when an individual bots a computer with an infected drive, so that’s why it’s important to not leave media files in your computer when you shut it down. Fourth is when it connects an unprotected computer to a network. Today, a very common way that people get a computer virus, worm, or Trojan horse is when they open up an infected file through an email attachment. There are literally thousands of computer malicious logic programs and new one comes out by the numbers so that’s why it’s important to keep up to date with new ones that come out each day. Many websites keep track of this.
There is no known method for completely protecting a computer or computer network from computer viruses, worms, and Trojan horses, but people can take several precautions to significantly reduce their chances of being infected by one of those malicious programs. Whenever you start a computer you should have no removable media in he drives. This goes for CD, DVD, and floppy disks. When the computer starts up it tries to execute a bot sector on the drives and even if it’s unsuccessful any given various on the bot sector can infect the computer’s hard disk. If you must start the computer for a particular reason, such as the hard disk fails and you are trying to reformat the drive make sure that the disk is not infected.

2008-12-03T18:07:00.001+07:00

Start Protecting your Data using Free Online Backup Space by DAVE FRASER

Computers,Software

Almost everyone owns a computer these days, but did you know very few business or personal computer users backup their data? With one crash, natural disaster, or software failure you could wipe out all of your personal photos, videos, music and financial data. If you're a small business owner this could be even more catastrophic.
Over the new few paragraphs I want to illustrate just how easy it is for your to create a backup of your important data online, and even how you can create that online backup for free.
Let's Get Started
The first step is getting a free backup account from Mozy. Their service offers 2GB free storage as a trial offer to new customers to test out their services. This is an excellent way to:
A.) Start getting some of your files backed up off site in a secure storage environment. b.) Try your hand at using an online backup service.
Once you visit the Mozy backup home page you'll see that you can sign up for the free 2GB of storage and it won't cost you a penny. There is some basic info they'll want you to provide, but they won't charge you a cent. After you're done signing up they'll prompt you to download their free backup software. This is the program that groups your files together and transfers them to the Mozy servers for backup.
Selecting your Files and Folders to Backup
Of any step in this process choosing your files is probably the most cumbersome. You have to choose which files and folders you want included in your backup set. You want to ensure you take your time at this point because there's nothing worse then realizing something wasn't backed up if you do have a crash.
Usually if you choose to backup a single folder then all the other sub folders and files will be included. Be sure to double check that and not just assume that all the files within a single folder have been selected.
I'd suggest you create a backup of your MS outlook or other email client software for the address book and any archived mail you have.
It's possible that you may end up with more then 2 GB of data for your initial backup. If this is the case you have a couple of options. For a bout five bucks a month you can upgrade your account with Mozy and get access to more space, or you can reduce the files you're backing up for now to test out the system.
Uploading your Backed up Files
Once you've chosen the files to backup the last step is to begin your initial upload of the files to the secure online backup server. This process will take a while but you don't need to sit there and watch it happen. It's rather like watching paint dry so allowing it to upload on it's own is best.
After you've selected the files you want backed up the final step is to upload all the data online. This isn't as time consuming for you as it might seem. The Mozy backup software, and backup servers all work together and you don't need to sit there and upload one file at a time. Instead the software will handle the whole process on its own. All you need to do is push a button.
Once the backup has started you'll probably want to leave your computer for a while. It can take several hours to transfer 2 GB of information. The good news is this only has to happen once and then the process is done.

2008-11-29T20:43:00.001+07:00

How To Choose Best Antivirus Solutions by MIKE SELVON
Computers

These days there are a number of choices that people have when they need to purchase internet security software packages to protect their computers from online threats. People can choose to visit some websites and get trial versions of security downloads before purchasing a full program, or they can simply go into a retail store and buy the software installation disk. Regardless of which method of acquiring the software is preferred, the question still remains for most people, "What is the best antivirus software available and which should they choose?"
In most cases, the antivirus internet security protection software that is published today comes with good warranties, guarantees and a strong level of customer support to help the computer user deal with any serious issues that might arise because of the various internet threats that are posed to their systems. Because of this level of support, many PC owners are most comfortable with an antivirus internet security suite from a highly reputable company.
But, there is a strong contingent of people who are convinced that the best antivirus software packages are the ones that are freely available to computer users. Indeed, there are many different, free internet security systems available that can be found at any of the numerous software download websites or through various software discussion forums. Often, software publishers will have free versions of their software available on the sites as well.
In some cases, the software publishers offer a limited time trial in order to allow the PC user to try out the software. This is a great benefit for computer users who are often overwhelmed by the sheer number of options they have to choose from.
Typically, the company will allow you to use a full version of their software for a limited time, such as two weeks or 30 days. At the end of that period, you must purchase a license in order to continue using their security software.
The biggest advantage to these trials periods is that the user has the opportunity to get a "feel" for the software and to see if they are able to run it easily. They can test the user interface and see if it is intuitive or if it was designed more for computer geeks and engineers than for the average computer user.
In most cases, these companies also offer at least a minimum level of support while the user is testing their software. This is done with the hope that the user will be pleased with both the software and the customer support so that they will decide to make the purchase of the internet safety antivirus package.
Another way that some of the software companies allow people to test out their computer internet security software is to allow them to use a limited or "lite" version. Typically, the limited version will provide some functions that the full software features, but will have many of the advanced features disabled. In most cases, these limited versions have no time limitation on them, but simply do not provide the full level of protection that computer users should have.
Once the PC owner has had the chance to test drive the security suite software in one of these ways, they will be able to determine for themselves which is the best antivirus package for them. While testing the software to see how it handles threats, it is also a good idea to research the software publisher to know if they are reliable and if they have a good track record for providing good customer service.
Mike Selvon has some informative articles for the creative mind. Find out more about the best antivirus solutions at his resourceful site. We appreciate your feedback at our internet safety rules blog.

2008-11-24T20:28:00.000+07:00

Why Cleanup Registry Issues? by JONATHAN BLOCKER

Computers

During the normal course of operation, most people do not give much thought to their pc’s registry, let alone any of the inner workings of the computer. That everything works and works rapidly is significantly more important.
Normal operation, though, has an effect on pc performance. Over time, performance degrades and a pc optimizer is needed to provide a tune up of sorts to speed up pc operation.
What is the registry anyway?
The registry is part of a pc’s operating system. It is a directory that contains system settings and options.
When functioning properly, directions from the registry are rapidly conveyed to the CPU as part of normal operation. When issues arise in the registry, however, pc performance degrades significantly, causing it too slow down noticeably. In order to reverse the problem and optimize pc performance when this happens, it is necessary to cleanup registry issues thoroughly.
How do registry issues start in the first place?
Normal wear and tear on any machine takes a toll, and computers are no exception. Every time new hardware is added to your system, the registry is updated. Every time software is installed or uploaded, the registry is updated. Files downloaded from the Internet, configuration changes to software applications or hardware have the same effect. These changes are not always compatible and not always cleanly done.
The only way to clear out incompatibilities, file corruption or extraneous data and optimize pc performance is to cleanup registry contents.
When is it time to cleanup registry issues?
There are a few common symptoms that indicate it’s time to cleanup registry problems. Some common issues are:
• Software freezing up • Software that doesn’t load • Significantly slowed operation • System crash • Frequent system errors
How can a registry get cleaned out?
It’s not necessary to be a computer expert to fix registry issues. On the contrary, registry cleaning software automates and greatly simplifies the process. In fact, the best registry cleaner actually act as a pc optimizer. Most programs back up your system settings, scan for problems and then repair them. The best registry cleaners, though, offer even more functionalities that help speed up pc performance. These features can include disc defragmentation and selectively removing applications from system startup, both of which result in noticeable improvements in performance.

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