Archive for April, 2008
April 26, 2008 at 10:22 am · Filed under Home Improvement Parlor
Dupont laminate flooring is exclusively available at Home Depot. Here you will find one of the largest selections of all kinds of Dupont flooring, including the Real Touch Elite brand of laminate flooring. One of the most attractive features of this flooring is that you can install it on just about any type of surface. This means you don’t have to go through the extra work of tearing up the existing floor and laying down a special one suited just for Dupont laminate flooring.
The installation instructions are included in every package of Dupont Real Touch Elite laminate flooring so you can easily install it yourself. Laminate flooring, especially the Dupont laminate flooring, is becoming increasingly popular with homeowners because of its ability to simulate the look of hardwood flooring. It also has the added benefits of having long lasting durability against wear and tear, moisture resistances and color fading. When you combine this with the much lower cost of Dupont Elite flooring, laminate flooring is a more cost-effective alternative for the flooring needs of your home.
When you start to install the Dupont laminate flooring in your home, you might wonder where you should start first. Experts with the installation of Dupont Real Touch Elite laminate flooring say that the best thing to do is to consider the incoming light. When installing the Dupont Elite flooring, laminate planks look their best when they run parallel to the light coming in through a window or door. The wall that you use as the starting point for laminate flooring should also be the longest wall and you do need to make sure that it is straight. If not you will notice the crookedness in the layout of your laminate flooring. For the installation of Dupont Real Touch Elite laminate flooring a diamond blade is the best one to use in your saw.
It is only easy to keep your Dupont laminate flooring looking as good as new. You just have to vacuum it or sweep with a soft broom to remove any dust and dirt. When it comes time to wash up the floor, make sure you only use a damp mop on Dupont Real Touch Elite laminate flooring. This is because excess moisture or water can cause damage to the planks. You should never use a strong cleanser and never use abrasive substances when cleaning Dupont Elite flooring. Laminate floors also respond well to the use of floor mats at the entrances of doorways.
There are many advantages to installing Dupont laminate flooring. The Dupont Real Touch Elite flooring has the look and touch of real hardwood. The bevelled edges of the laminate planks add a sense of depth to the floor and the pattern of the laminate flooring has a realistic texture. The Joint Guard system that Dupont uses in its laminate flooring helps to prolong the life of the floor. Finally, the comfort underlayment that comes with Dupont laminate flooring helps to reduce noise transmission when you walk across it.
To find out more about Wooden Flooring visit Peter’s Website Wood Flooring Explained and find out about Dupont Laminate Flooring and more, including Exotic Hardwood Floors, Wood Laminate Flooring, Refinishing Hardwood Floors and Bruce Hardwood Flooring.
April 26, 2008 at 8:11 am · Filed under University Of Webbing
So you arrive at a wesbsite and start along your merry way, browsing at will. Suddenly, you are confronted by a curious ‘error’ message, denoted by a big red exclamation mark. OK, so I have made a mistake by not including a valid username. But why is the error message in the bottom left of the page when the field for my username is in the top right?
At first, I did not even know what the red exclamation mark was telling me until I scoured the page for direction. Sadly, rather than being the only issue, this example is but one of the many error messages which contrive to frustrate online customers and exacerbate the mistake that should be easily rectified.
On any given website there are usability issues which range from minor to critical. When it comes to proper error messages, what needs to be realized is that they are not just important, they are critical to the user experience.
Whose Job is it Anyway?
In what seems an astoundingly odd move, some sites do not even concern themselves with delivering a proper error message, instead relying on the web or application server to throw up its standard and uninformative messages. At best, this seems nonchalant and at worst, entirely ignorant towards the user. It is up to the company to ensure that error messages are both timely and accurate.
Put simply, and this in no way diminishes the importance of the point, a good error message should tell you three critical things: what went wrong, why it happened, and what, if anything, you can do to fix it.
Unfortunately for web users, these excruciating experiences which exhibit a fundamental lack of awareness by the site designers are all too frequent. From jargon-laden messages which serve only to confuse to others which go no way to actually explaining where you have strayed, proper error messages appear to be conspicuously absent.
The Long and Winding Road
Inconsistent, misleading or just plain bad, this kind of error message can be an infuriating diversion on the road to completing your online goal or arriving at your ultimate online destination. In some worst case scenarios, they are so distracting that they arrest your desire to even complete the transaction if it is not imperative that you buy from that particular ecommerce site. For many users, time is very much of the essence. Time consuming navigation which often seems to lead to an online cul-de-sac is not desirable to anyone.
The sad thing is that, with foresight and an awareness of what your user needs to assist when a genuine error is made, it does not have to be this way. I am sure there are those who consider this to be much ado about nothing but I can assure those doubters, proper error messages matter.
We Can Work It Out
Of course, most online users can always work out what the error messages mean and navigate safely on; the question is, why should they have to? Many of the error messages, like the time-honored classic ‘404′ that we all love so much are clearly written by the technically astute, not for the benefit of the user. When an error occurs, it is imperative to guide the user back to the correct path by the employment of clear instruction, not infuriate them with techno-babble.
When the user has to expend more energy on working out the navigational weaknesses of a site rather than enjoying a seamless experience, you are in grave danger of losing that sale and any subsequent loyalty.
Too many ecommerce websites seem to be forgetting that high quality usability is key to the success of their sales. Considering the immense wealth of online competition in almost every business, seemingly simple things such as continuously irritating error messages can indeed make or break a sale and, ipso facto, lose future sales.
I Can’t Get No Satisfaction
Who among us has not enjoyed the dubious pleasures of error messages with no explanation as to what the mistake even was? All it takes is a clear and concise indication next to the error in question and, preferably, at the top of the page and eureka, the customer is satisfied and the goodwill factor is not eroded by unnecessary frustration. Consistency is a key here. Make sure that each and every conceivable error has an appropriate and easily understood solution.
Consumers do make errors, that is a fact; but it is the speed and accuracy with which these are addressed and corrected which shapes their experience, not the fact that they occurred in the first place. Errors do not mean a disgruntled customer but in many cases, a lack of help from the site most certainly breeds dissatisfaction.
A Hard Days Night
Such imminent frustration can also be found when the customer makes an error but instead of being returned to a form where the correct fields remain full, the entire form is emptied. Constant back and forth form completion and indeed having to click back rather than being directed to the screen where the error can be rectified is something which will test the patience of even the most virtuous and experienced web user.
Working hard to fill in forms is not what online purchasing is supposed to represent. Indeed, the whole idea of online purchasing is the convenience and efficiency it is supposed to deliver.
In Conclusion
When it comes to proper error messages, the conclusion I continue to reach on a regular basis is that not only do they matter, they are crucial. Customer experience is everything and that should never be underestimated.
Ignoring an error message is just like standing in a department store and when confronted with a lost customer, instructing them that you have no intention of directing them appropriately and hoping that a vague, uninformative reply will suffice. Surely, this is not something you would want to encounter in person, so why should you have to meet with such a scenario on the web?
VKI Studios is an Internet marketing and website usability company which has been helping customer experience since 1998.
April 26, 2008 at 7:57 am · Filed under Misc
Adolescence - The Darkness Before the Dawn
Do you remember what it was like to be an adolescent? The anger,
the confusion, the rebellion? The intense need to express
yourself, even in ways that were upsetting to the people around
you?
Or maybe you are the parent of an adolescent. Maybe you long for
the days when he or she was a sweet, compliant child, wanting
nothing more than to be just like you.
Thankfully, adolescence doesn’t last forever. And, in most
cases, if you have truly good, solid values that you’ve
transmitted with love, your adolescent will pass through this
phase of turmoil and breakdown and come out the other side as a
person who makes you really proud.
In fact, interestingly, it often turns out that the more trouble
he gives you, the more likely he is to impress - or even amaze
you - later on.
That’s because, as the child temporarily removes himself from
your guidance, your dominance - your ‘light”, so to speak - he
begins to question, to look inside for answers, to explore his
own feelings and to express himself from the inside out.
In an often chaotic, foolish, even destructive way, he begins to
manifest his innate power to think his own thoughts, come to his
own conclusions, choose his own goals and make his own
decisions.
And in doing so, he slowly begins to experience the sense of
self without which he would always remain a child - someone less
than, and dependent upon you.
Turning a Moon into a Sun
As difficult as it often is, this is a necessary stage in the
evolution of an authentic human being. A young child, as sweet,
precious and adorable as he may be, is largely just a reflection
of his parents. Whatever you think, he thinks. Whatever you
believe, he believes. Like the moon, he may be lovely, but he is
a reflector. You assert, and he believes. You decide, and he
accepts. You give, and he takes.
As human beings, created in the image of the Creator, our
destiny is not, ultimately, to be moons. We were created not
simply to reflect, but to shine. We are destined to become suns,
to offer our own unique “something” to the whole of Creation.
But the transition between reflecting and shining, moon and sun,
is not smooth and linear. There is no logical progression from
one state of being to the other.
For that reason, this transition requires what is often known as
a transformation - a leap from one state of being to another,
completely different one. And when it comes to a transformation,
the rule is this: in order to go up, you must first go down. If
you want to become something new, you must first let go of what
you were before.
Darkness for the Sake of Light
Sometimes this process is easy. Sometimes the darkness of the
transition between the old and the new is almost imperceptible.
And sometimes the darkness is so intense that it feels like
there’s no light at all. When this is the case, it means that
you must go deeper, farther within yourself, to find a level of
light and power that you weren’t in touch with before.
But whatever the case, the important thing is this: the darkness
doesn’t occur for its own sake. It has no intrinsic, permanent
reality. It’s there only on behalf of the transformation - the
different, far greater light - that will come as a result.
Searching Beneath the Lamp
Three years ago I lost a younger brother to a sudden and
terrible illness. My spiritual studies, which had been extremely
important and pleasurable to me, became painful and difficult.
All I could ask myself was: “Where is G-d, and how can He do
this?”
My teacher told me a story that I will never forget. You may
have even heard it before, although probably not in this
context. Here’s the story:
Two men left a party and came upon a third man on his hands and
knees under a streetlight, searching for something.
“What are you looking for?” they asked him.
“My watch,” he replied.
Ready to help him in his search, they asked: “Where exactly did
you drop the watch?”
“Over there”, he answered, pointing off into the distance.
“So why are you looking here?” one of the men asked in
confusion.
“Because it’s dark over there,” the searcher replied.
The Experience of Darkness
Most of us look for our answers in the light - in what we
already know, what we can understand, where we’re comfortable -
i.e. in the tried and familiar. But the real answers, the ones
that really matter, usually aren’t there. Those answers, the
ones that allow us to see or be something that we couldn’t see
or be before, are “over there” - in the place where it’s dark.
Transformational challenges don’t necessarily have to be
particularly intense. They can be minor and trivial as a
frustrating conversation, hurt feelings, a disappointment at
work, or an unexpected bill. These things can certainly be used
as impetus for us to grow and expand, to learn new things and
try new ways of being.
Or the darkness can be, G-d forbid, enormous and
incomprehensible.
But whatever the case may be, if you search for answers only
where it’s light - in the places you know, in the habits that
make you comfortable, in the paradigms you already have - it’s
almost certain that you will never move very far from where you
are right now.
But if you become willing, instead, to be with the discomfort of
the unknown, to reach, even for occasional moments, into the
vast mystery, you may discover there an entirely new potential,
a new understanding, a new level of light. And this light, the
light that comes from the darkness, does not shine from the
outside in. It shines within the depths of your heart, your mind
and your soul - from the inside out.
The Threefold Process: A Template for Creation
This threefold process of transformation - from light, to
darkness, to a much greater and more internal light - is one of
the spiritual poles around which the world spins.
In fact, when our great-great-grandparents, Adam and Eve, ate
from the Tree of Knowledge and were exiled from Paradise, they
were following this template.
In the Garden of Eden before the sin, everything was beautiful.
Everything was holy. There was no chaos, no rebellion, no
darkness at all. Adam and Eve, together with everything in the
Garden, simply reflected the intense Divine light of Creation.
But G-d put a snake in the Garden - a snake that would seduce
our forebears into rebellion and introduce darkness, evil and
exile into Paradise.
The Snake in the Garden
The snake did not get there by accident. G-d intentionally
included the potential for darkness in His plan for Creation.
And, He included it such a way that it would be internalized -
made a very part of who we are.
That’s because, in order for you to have the potential to
transform something, it has to be yours.
When G-d put the snake into Paradise, He ran a great risk. His
choice to do so guaranteed that we would fall, that we would
rebel, that we would sin. He gave us an enormous challenge.
But at the same time, He gave us an unparalleled opportunity -
one not shared by even the loftiest of angels. He gave us the
power to transform all of the darkness of our world into light.
He gave us the power to transform ourselves from passive
recipients of His light to true partners in Creation.
What Goes Down Must Come Up: The Paradigm of Transformation
Kabbalah calls this process “yerida l’tzorech aliyah” - a
descent for the sole purpose of the ascent that will follow. It
is the Divine template through which all true transformation
occurs.
Simple growth does not require this threefold process. It’s
linear, natural, logical and progressive. But transformation, an
essential change from one state of being to another, to one
degree or another always takes this path.
Here’s how it works:
In the first stage of the process, there’s harmony, a sense of
oneness, light. Everything’s working just fine. But this harmony
is superficial and therefore intrinsically unstable. Like the
Garden of Eden before the fall, as long as circumstances are
right everything looks good. But the potential for divisiveness
and destruction is always there; it just hasn’t been actualized
yet. As long as the light shines, darkness will be suppressed.
But it still exists in potential.
In the second stage the unity falls apart and the potential for
darkness is actualized. There is breakdown and chaos. Like the
Garden of Eden after the fall, like our rebellious adolescent
who suddenly rejects the values of his parents and wants to
“find himself”, what was once harmonious turns to chaos. But
this chaos has an intrinsic purpose. It’s there for the sake of
the higher level of oneness that will come in its wake.
The final stage is transformation. Like the phoenix from the
flames, out of the chaos comes a brand new unity and a brilliant
new light. And this time it’s permanent.
That’s because now the light is no longer imposed from the
outside. It has become an authentic expression of what lies
within. Once this happens, there’s simply no darkness left
anymore - not because it’s suppressed, but because it has been
turned to light.
Becoming Partners in Creation
This transformation process takes place at all different levels
in all aspects of life. It’s also the paradigm for Creation as a
whole.
At the end of the process we will no longer obey G-d only
because He knows more than we do, because He’s infinitely
bigger, stronger, and holier than us.
Instead, we will do G-d’s will because it has become ours.
Instead of being simply G-d’s servants, or even His children, we
will be His partners as well, sharing His perspective, shining
side by side.
Going back to our adolescent rebel, once he completes this
process, his values, beliefs and commitments are no longer
merely a reflection of his parents’. They are now his own. At
this stage obedience is simply not an issue. Rather than obeying
his parents, he relates to them, shares their perspective and
their goals, and even better, expresses them in his own personal
and unique way.
Global Adolescence
Our world is approaching the end of its long period of
adolescence. That’s why so many of us are seekers. That’s why so
many of us dream of a peaceful, harmonious, good and G-dly
world, a world of abundance, purpose and meaning. Without
necessarily even realizing it, we have begun to share the vision
of our Creator.
Our struggle is not yet completely over. Obviously, we need to
grow. We are still very much in the process of becoming all that
we are destined to be. But we are getting closer and closer to
the end of that process. And once we find - fully find - our own
inner light, it will be ours forever. There will be no more
struggle, because who we should be and who we genuinely,
passionately want to be will have become one and the same.
That’s what G-d wants from us - and even more important, for us.
Our ultimate destiny is not to simply submit, to bow our heads
and do the right thing. We certainly will do the right thing,
but in a way that is infinitely more powerful and meaningful.
We are destined - were always destined - to fully embrace our
own essence, to experience G-dliness not only from without, but
from within.
In fact, it’s the purpose of Creation.
The Era of Transformation
At this time in history, we are witnessing the breakdown of many
of the things we once took for granted. Whether this breakdown
expresses itself in our leadership, our values, our children,
our communities, our environment, our sense of security, or our
dreams, it can be tremendously painful, frightening and
confusing.
But this darkness, as always, is here for one reason: to push
you to transform, to fulfill your true potential, to become the
person you were truly born to be. These times are intensely
challenging. But there has never, in all of history, been an
opportunity like the one before us today.
And this opportunity, this potential for transformation,
expresses itself not only in a global sense, but in the very
real and tangible details of your personal life.
Next time you feel stuck, frustrated or disappointed, confronted
by an obstacle or challenge - whether in a relationship, work or
any other area of life, be aware that you are being presented
with a Divine opportunity to access your latent power to make
the darkness shine.
You may feel frightened of the darkness - the vulnerability,
uncertainty or discomfort that almost always accompanies real
change. But this time, don’t stop there. Instead, ask yourself
what you would do if you were your fears were not an obstacle.
Maybe you’d communicate more authentically with someone you
love. Maybe you’d try to understand the other person’s point of
view. Maybe you’d make that phone call you’ve been putting off.
Maybe you’d join that class, apply for that job, start that
exercise program, deepen your relationship with G-d, give
someone a hug or a smile, or be the first one to apologize even
if you weren’t the only one who was wrong.
The bottom line is this: At every moment you have a choice. Like
the man with the missing watch, you can confine your search to
the space under the light, remaining limited by your past, by
what’s safe and familiar. Or, you can venture instead into the
unknown and unfamiliar to seek out and reveal the greater light
and potential concealed in the heart of the darkness.
The choice is yours.
(*Since the Torah forbids the erasing of G-d’s name, it’s
customary to avoid writing it out in full)
April 25, 2008 at 10:57 pm · Filed under Universe Of Self Improvement
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness…knowledge…self-control…perseverance… godliness…brotherly kindness [and] love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:5-8).
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was imprisoned and then killed by the Nazis just before the Allies came in, said in his Letters & Papers from Prison, “Nobility arises from and exists by sacrifice, courage, and a clear sense of duty to oneself and society, by expecting due regard for itself as a matter of course; and it shows an equally natural regard for others, whether they are of higher or of lower degree.
“We need all along the line to recover the lost sense of quality and a social order based on quality. Quality is the greatest enemy of any kind of mass-leveling. Socially it means the renunciation of all place-hunting, a break with the cult of the `star’, an open eye both upwards and downwards, especially in the choice of one’s more intimate friends, and pleasure in private life as well as courage to enter public life.
“Culturally it means a return from the newspaper and the radio to the book, from feverish activity to unhurried leisure, from dispersion to concentration, from sensationalism to reflection, from virtuosity to art, from snobbery to modesty, from extravagance to moderation. Quantities are competitive, qualities are complementary.”
Note that Dr. Bonhoeffer said quality, not equality! We are so concerned with equality, i.e., our rights, that we have let slip that virtue of quality that enables us to have real equality. In our effort to make all flowers equal, we tend to chop off the more beautiful blossoms! Sameness has a way of killing off worth. I am convinced that every child allowed to be born in these days of “choice” is equipped with his or her own special qualities, and only he or she can accomplish that certain responsibility for which this child is sent to earth. This is why each child is so precious! This is why we must add to our faith all the virtues that make our life and the lives of others worthy and worthwhile.
April 25, 2008 at 8:22 pm · Filed under Traveling
You can see varying brands of hotel which the capital consists of. Quite a few are of the same standard to their competitors, even so, they could have particular selling points to offer, therefore you might well need to be clear about what it is you’re specifically after. Does one need to be spoilt, sip a nice cup of tea somewhere memorable or perhaps appreciate a handful of limited days off and laze about in extravagance? Check Time Out for all the information on London hotels in their guide.
Younger folk nowadays are pursuing classy places that are rather fresh and contrasting from the basic accommodation. These places are generally called boutique hotels and there are various leading establishments that were acclaimed as some of the best ones to visit in London.
The Pavilion is a super thirty bed establishment located in the centre which is targeted at a discerning, refined clientele. The hotel’s rooms cast a crazy new and ritzy demeanour. One place is purely an appreciation of the 1970s. Casablanca Nights hotel can be located pretty near to Oxford Street, so, if you find yourself seeking simple walks in to the capital’s centre then this place is simply a marvellous pick. The hotel is merely 15 mins away from Paddington Stat., and it’s furthermore conveniently straight forward from Heathrow Airport by using the swift railway service and from Waterloo. Rooms are overflowing with quirky particulars and they benefit from providing all the provisions of up-to-date life, like, at hand features, direct dial telephones & sat. TVs. The Pavilion is renowned among the fashion, the music and the media people. A mixed mishmash of bands, entertainers & artists have stopped over at this establishment.
An additional principal venue nowdays is purely The Beaufort hotel. The establishment is found amid the attractive Knightsbridge district - a counterpoint to the furore of our first-rate metropolis. Upon coming into the hotel, you’re encompassed by delicate, calming colours; one will see pleasing maple wood furnishings and additionally a general decor given to relaxation and also comfort. If one is dropping by the capital, and you are on the prowl for a boutique location that gives you lavishness, together with a desirable location & faultless d©cor then this place is purely your hotel.
The initial feeling is purely one of absolute glee as the scent of colourful flower arrangements permeate the reception. Original English watercolours adorn the walls and the contemporarily styled withdrawing room exhibits both warmth and also serenity. In the hotel’s rooms you will find delicious flooring, bathrooms made out of fine Italian marble, and furthermore all expected amenities. Should you require a discerning venue for such things as business talks, the Lodging affords a business location that is absolutely appropriate for things such as smaller meetings, of up to eight members.
April 25, 2008 at 7:02 pm · Filed under Books And More
Author: Greg Vilk
ISBN: 0977218902
When I picked up Greg Vilk’s debut novel Golem, I immediately had a vivid recollection of my first encounter with the phenomenon of a Golem while as a child attending a Hebrew parochial school. It was here where I first learned of how an animated being was crafted from inanimate material such as clay. Its life was derived from some divine intervention or Cabbalistic magic.
The legend narrated was about Rabbi Loew from Prague, Czechoslovakia, who created a Golem from clay in order help the Jews in their daily tasks and also to protect them from persecution. In order to activate the Golem, it was necessary to place a piece of paper in its mouth that would dictate to the Golem his daily chores. Unfortunately, what eventually resulted was a creature that went out of control and fled the city never to be seen again.
Later on in my life I came across another variation of this same theme that was authored by Nobel Prize winner, Isaac Bashevis Singer, where a certain Rabbi Leib once again had created a Golem in order to protect the Jews. However, in the Bashevis tale greed takes over, in that the Golem’s creator attempts to use it for a less than noble cause. As a result, the Rabbi looses control over the beast causing a great deal of havoc.
Now along comes Greg Vilk’s Golem take of the same theme. His narrative is set in 1942, when a Yale professor is kidnapped by the Germans. According to Section Chief Ramsay from the American War Department, Enemy Weapons Research, the professor’s brilliant mind will be employed by the Germans in helping them create a weapon of mass destruction. Consequently, a team of US Rangers, as well as the professor’s daughter May, are dispatched to Greenland to capture a Nazi base and free the professor, where supposedly he is being held captive. As May is a linguist, her task is to decipher an ancient script that controls the Golem.
Vilk’s version of Golem is cleverly conceived with his nifty balancing of the elements of the supernatural and legend. As the author has worked in the past as director of visual effects on such movies as Lord Of The Rings, Shrek, Day After Tomorrow, and Aeon Flux, his vivid, graphic and sinister scenes powerfully reflect his brilliant talents. Harrowing scenes of what the Rangers discover will indeed keep you awake at night, as they encounter a violent and brainless beast that massacres every human being that dares to enter into its path, including several of the Germans and the American Rangers. Apocalyptic visions will without doubt be evoked when you read how an SS squad was glued to the ceiling with frozen blood, or that “their bodies were twisted, their limbs bent at strange angles, like figurines in a medieval Dance of the Dead.”
As an added bonus, it should be mentioned, that each chapter of the novel begins with a short passage supposedly written in the ancient script. According to the publisher, the decipherment of the message hidden in the passages is left as a challenge to the curious reader, and the author on his web site even offers a prize of one hundred dollars to the first person who is successful in cracking the hidden message.
This is a pretty good action-packed thriller with a great deal of magical imaginative spark as it recycles the age old fable of the golem.
Norm Goldman is editor of the book reviewing and author interviewing site http://www.bookpleasures.com and the travel site http://www.sketchandtravel.com
Bookpleasures is a global Internet book reviewing and author interviewing village. Reviewers come from all over the globe and review all genre. There are over 6500 sites that link to Bookpleasures and many of the reviews are listed within the first 3 pages of the Google Search Engine.
Norm also offers his own personalized express review service where you can have a quick review within 15 business days from the receipt of your book. To learn more about this service go to bookpleasures.com
Norm is ranked among the top 1000 Amazon reviewers and he contributes his reviews to several other Internet sites.
In addition, Norm and his artist wife Lily meld words with art focusing on romantic and wedding destinations, inns, and other hospitality properties. You can read Norm’s travel articles and view Lily’s art work that is always for sale at sketchandtravel.com
April 25, 2008 at 6:42 pm · Filed under Online Nutrition Resources
In recent years carbohydrates have been studied minutely, giving rise to a whole new terminology Glycobiology. This is in fact the study of how carbohydrates affect our health. Scientists used to consider carbohydrates as foods that were not very necessary to the body but now due to Glycobiology they have discovered some surprising facts about carbohydrate saccarides known as Glyconutrients.
There are 8 essential saccarides necessary to our health that are being researched and are known as Glyconutrients. They are:
• Mannose
• Glucose
• Galactose
• Xylose
• Fuctos (not fructose)
• N-acetylglucosamine
• N-acetylneuramic acid
• N-acetylgalactosamine
What has Glycobiology discovered? Through research science has disvovered vital molecules in our bodies that have a critical effect on our health.
Exactly what are glyconutrients?
With the aid of the electron microscope scientists found trillions of tiny fibers sticking to the cell surfaces. They discovered on looking more closely that these little appendages were in fact sugar molecules called glyconutrients.
Scientists found that the function of these glyconutrients is to stimulate activity and produce enzymes which:
1. Act as blocking agents: To stop toxins from entering cells.
2. Suppressing agents: That help stop malignant changes in cells.
3. Glyconutrients help the body’s cells to communicate with each other.
4. They strengthen the immune system
Due to environmental problems like green harvests and processing of foods the natural sources of Glyconutrients has been seriously reduced. This has led to depletion in our diets. If any of these vital Glyconutrients are missing the immune system starts to fail and weaken giving rise to disease and infections attacking the body. This results in our deteriorating health.
The study of Glycobiology has developed important supplements made up of these Glyconutrients, which when taken increase the Glyconutrients in our bodies. With these supplements our bodies can heal and strengthen our immune systems. This helps to reverse the spiral of ill health and restore the body’s natural immunity to disease and infection. They also help our bodies against toxins found in the air and soil by preventing thm from penetrating our cells.
At first the study of Glycobiology was not taken very seriously but now major universities have become involved in Glycobiology studies and research. Also in USA, Canada, Europe and Japan over 30 biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies are now doing research into Glyconutrients. A product of Glycobiology research has been Ambrotose. Now more over 20,000 research papers on Glycobiology have been published in just one year, making Glycobiology a serious and growing area of research.
Note: Glyconutrients are not intended to heal, treat, or cure any disease.
Zach Thompson works internationally as a Glyconutritional Consultant. He lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of rural Virginia. He serves primarily the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, & New Zealand. His clients range from professional & Olympic Athletes to those with auto-immune disease & children with Learning Disabilities. He uses exclusively Pharmaceutical-Grade Glyconutritonals. The consumption of Organic & chemical-free foods along with a low-glycemic diet plan is an integral part of of his client’s path to wellness. You can get more information at: http://www.myglyconutrientstore.com .
April 24, 2008 at 4:48 pm · Filed under Shopping Info
There you are in the gym, just trying to get through your workout. All the while ignoring that jerk that has been trying to pick up the gal in the sexy leotard with his latest pickup line. And then, here he comes, Joey-Doo-Dah-Doo. “Oh, no,” you think to yourself, “What gym science am I going to learn today?” “A! How ya’ doin’? Joey Doo-Dah-Doo here! I see yer trainin’ back and chest today. Remember, make sure you pull all the way down to your chest if you want a fully developed back. And don’t forget, if you wanna’ develop big pecs like me, be sure to bring that bar down to your chest on yer bench press. Just take it from me, Joey Doo-Dah-Doo! Now ’scuse me, I gots to go get my protein shake.” You shake your head, go back to your set, and laugh at how all that protein has gone to Joey’s head.
Now we’re not saying NEVER to bench to your chest or pull down to your chest during your lat pulls, but your risk for injury increases exponentially by doing so. (we’re not going to go into that subject here.) But, maybe you listened to Mr. Doo-Dah-Doo for too many years before you began reading Natural Bodybuilding and Fitness and got the true skinny on sensible exercise by informed and experienced authors.
Maybe that shoulder has just been beat up for way too long. If that’s the case, your injured shoulders (or any other joint) may be holding you back from training at your best. And not training at your best is not going to help you win your next show anytime soon! So we’ve got to fix that injury FAST!
Dr. Castro and I work tirelessly to promote the world of drug free bodybuilding and work with many athletes that are opposed to putting drugs in their body to solve their joint aches and pains. In our practice, Dr. Castro uses a soft tissue application that has been helping to heal injuries without long rest periods. Enter ACTIVE RELEASE TECHNIQUE or ART
ART is a patented, state-of-the-art soft-tissue system that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Headaches, back pain, carpel tunnel syndrome, shin splints, shoulder pain, sciatic, plantar fasciatis, knee problems, and tennis elbow are just a few of the many conditions that can be resolved quickly and permanently with ART. These conditions all have one important thing in common - they often over use injuries.
Every ART session is actually a combination of examination and treatment. Dr. Castro uses his hands to evaluate the texture, tightness and movement of muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. Abnormal tissues are treated by combining precisely directed tension with very specific patient movements that mimic actual function or range of motion. These treatment protocols - over 500 of them - are unique to ART. They allow providers to identify and correct the specific problems that affect each individual patient. ART is not a cookie-cutter approach. Each course of therapy is individually designed to resolve the patient’s problems.
Through my Therapeutic Fitness work or Dr. Castro’s practice as a Soft Tissue Specialist, we treat many bodybuilders and athletes who constantly struggle with injures. Try telling a bodybuilder who is training for a show to stay out of the gym; see how quickly the use of profanity and choice words of ‘where you should go’ comes hurling at you. We understand that ‘never say die’ attitude because we too are athletes. It’s very difficult to tell an athlete to do nothing. That is the beauty of ART, you are expected to go back to your activities and see what degree of pain or discomfort you experience. Depending upon that discomfort, your treatment might continue for several treatments or clear up within a few!
Let’s briefly revisit our shoulder example: The most common shoulder injury is to the subscapularis, one of muscles that comprise the 4 muscles of the rotator cuff. The “subscap” muscle stabilizes the humerus (upper arm bone) in the shoulder joint. If the muscle becomes weak due to adhesions of the muscle fibers (either calcium deposits or scar tissue) then it fails in its job of stabilization, allowing the humerus to move forward during certain exercises. This causes impingement on several structures on the anterior aspect of the deltoid. It is not desirable for the humerus to come forward as this creates degrees of pain in the shoulder most often associated with heavy or over abused bench pressing. A muscular imbalance is created and needs to be rectified.
To alleviate your shoulder pain, the ART practitioner will treat the subscap through the armpit. (This is not the most pleasant experience, we won’t lie to you!) However, it’s referred to as the ‘magic muscle’ for solving shoulder problems. Dr Castro treats more shoulders than anything and through his own shoulder pains, was how he first became acquainted to ART. Now, not only does he administer ART, he teaches it all over the country.
Why is treating the soft tissue a more sensible approach to treating an injury versus that of traditional therapies? Good question! Traditional Physical Therapy and the like concentrates MORE on strengthening and stability. You cannot take a structure that is weak due to adhesions within the muscle fibers and strengthened it. Those fibers are bound together with scar tissue or calcium (binding agents that promote stability but prevent true contraction and function…think of dry paint in a paintbrush.) Those adhered fibers will not contract or stretch until they are manually worked out through ART.
SO, this is the protocol:
Treat the compromised muscle/joint through ART
Start getting the muscle back to normal texture, tension and function
THEN, begin using a specific strengthening program for the injured area.
So if you’re suffering from a nagging injury that has kept you from training at your best, find an ART provider that will help get you back into action FAST! Then you can get back to the gym and start training to be the next WNBF pro. (Just remember your fake mustache, glasses, and nose mask so Joey won’t recognize you!
Phil Sottile has served the fitness industry for 15 years and is a Specialist in the areas of Exercise Science(s). He is recognized by the top organizations of the fitness industry (ACSM, NSCA, ISSA, NASM, and the AAHFRP) and writes constantly to aid the consumer with useful information so that they may make sound decisions when it concernes health and fitness.
Dr. Durlan Castro is a Soft Tissue Specialist and an ART provider and Instructor. He has treated thousands of patients with various forms of therapeutic treatment from young kids to professional athletes.
Together they promote 2 Drug Free Bodybuilding Shows annually, the All Natural Revolution and Long Island Experience Bodybuilding Competitions on Long Island, New York.
For more information on ART, please email phil@intelligentfitness.net or ReleaseDR@aol.com to find a local provider. Or call 631-858-2900.
April 24, 2008 at 12:50 pm · Filed under Universe Of Marketing
Are you just a sales site reselling affiliate products and services?
You have probably seen sites that are selling a product or service and noticed that they also offer an affiliate program you can join. There is often a little link at the top left or at the bottom of the site that says “Affiliate Program”.
Not only can you buy the product or service but you can sell it as well and earn a commission.
Well, how about using the same concept for your affiliate programs. How about setting up your site like this but not
actually developing the product or service yourself.
You can with 2 tier affiliate programs!
Not only can you earn commissions through the sale of products or services at your site directly, you can sign up 2nd tier affiliates to earn commissions for you as well.
Many of the best affiliate programs offer ‘2nd tier opportunities’. You should make sure you join ones that do.
How should you design your site to accommodate sales AND affiliates? There are 2 ways to do this:
1.If you have a number of products or services you are selling at your site then underneath the affiliate link to BUY the product or service have the “join affiliate program” link.
Most likely your affiliate program will provide you with 2 different affiliate links.
Chances are, people you sign up into the 2nd tier via your affiliate program link will end up buying the product
themselves. So not only do you get a direct commission from the sale to this person, you also get 2nd tier commissions from any sales they make in the future.
2. Set up a mini-site for one of your affiliate programs so that you are only reselling this one product or service. This would be a site with just 2 pages. On the first page is the link to the product itself.
On the 2nd page is the description of the affiliate program and the link to the affiliate program sign up page.
Your goal is to actually direct your visitors to the 2nd page where they can sign up to the affiliate program. Why?
You will get more commissions from signing up affiliates into your 2nd tier than by visitors directly buying the product through your affiliate link. This is because more people will
be interested in the affiliate program rather than the product. But when they join the affiliate program, many of them will buy the product or service.
In summary, think about using your site as an affiliate program site as well as a sales site. It gives you 2 bites at the cherry and having 2nd tier affiliates means you can be earning
commissions for many years.
About the Author
David McKenzie is the author of a new e-book titled “The Facts
You Should Know About Affiliate Programs”
Get a Free 5 Day Email Course
http://www.1sthomebasedbusiness.com
April 24, 2008 at 12:08 pm · Filed under Design Tips, Education Portal
The California Council for Interior Design Certification (CCIDC) board is looking to replace the CCRE and the three national examinations with one certification examination. It will be offered online at a number of examination sites across the state, starting in 2009.
For nearly the past eight years, anyone who wanted to become a Certified Interior Designer was required to take and pass one of the three recognized national examinations: namely the CQRID, the NCIDQ, or both parts of the NKBA, plus a supplemental California Codes and Regulations Examination, the CCRE. Eight years ago, there was only one recognized national examination. As prescribed in Section 5800 of the Business & Professions Code, these examinations were in addition to education and experience requirements.
The intention for this change in examinations is to bring the interior design California certification examination in line with Section 139 of the California Business and Professions Code, and to make it obtainable to those who fall under the three categories of education and experience under the law, as well as to those with “experience only”.
To become a Certified Interior Designer, all candidates and students that pass the examination will also need to meet the other requirements. CCIDC will continue to honor those who have taken one of the current national examinations, by providing the current CCRE for an extended time frame for those who wish to take it.
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