Some of us have the good fortune of taking a research paper class in high school?preparing us for the inevitable assignment in college. But if you are not so fortunate, here are a few suggestions and guidelines to use for writing your first research paper:

UNDERSTAND THE ASSIGNMENT

Read it through a couple of times. Highlight key words?any main prompting words and any action words.

CHOOSE a WORKABLE PROMPT/TOPIC

Most instructors offer more than one option for a research paper. If you have a choice, decide which prompt you will do according to which you want to do, that which you have interest in. You must do what interests you--otherwise you will be miserable through the researching and writing phases and your reader(s) will be miserable reading it.

What if you don’t care for any of the options? Force one choice to work for you: one man I worked with years ago could not see writing a 30-paged paper on women in California history, but he kept at it until he came up with a most original approach: writing on women as whores/prostitutes during the Gold Rush. He loved the work and his readers were riveted.

As often happens in college courses (especially the larger lecture courses), you get no prompt or only a vague one (to write forty pages on any relevant topic, say).

Ask yourself questions?pursue the answers.Follow your curiosity?one concern you have will lead to many areas, and subsequently to many focused ideas.Ask friends/other teachers their opinions.Look into the Library of Congress Subject Headings, a huge book with a zillion subjects and their related subcategories, or go online to a subject index such as www.interconnected.com, a site that gives you 100’s of possibly related topics when you type in one word. DECIDE ON A MODE?Many instructors will tell you to “compare and contrast” or to “prepare a statistical analysis,” for example, but for those assignments that are more general, you must decide yourself how to set up the paper, how to format it. Depending on the class and your angle of approach, you may use an argumentative, problem/ solution, compare/contrast, analysis, narrative summary and interpretation, or combination of two or more of the above, for instance. If you are not given a mode, you need to decide upon/establish a format. Break your paper into organized segments, setting up a format for your paper with, for example, the assets and liabilities…, or the spiritual/emotional/physical/intellectual changes…, or x number of decades…, etc..

NARROW YOUR FOCUS/TOPIC--Make sure your topic is manageable. Writing about Nazism in ten pages will not be sufficient space to cover everything needing coverage; the five most heinous medical atrocities practiced on men at Auschwitz will.

DEVELOP A WORKING THESIS--While you search for topics/themes that interest you, and later, as you narrow the topic, you will have to come up with a point, a main point, so the paper doesn’t just hang there with a bunch of facts/ideas stacked on it.

Ask yourself those curious questions?then answer them. The answer(s)?written down in complete sentence(s)?will be your thesis statement(s).

Consider what if scenarios. Your guesses?a.k.a. your hypothesis/es?will become your thesis statement(s).

Consider what your colleagues/peers/friends/family members experts think about the topic at hand. Do you agree? Go with their opinion as your thesis statement. Do you disagree? Go with your position, then, turning it into a thesis statement.

Consider the assignment. Does it ask you, specifically, to answer a question? Your answer, once you add up all of your research/ideas/ observations, should equal a complete statement.

WRITE and/or SUBMIT AN OUTLINE

I promise it helps to have a set of sub-topics you can write down and post next to your desk or pc, referring to the outline as you go so you stay focused…anchored.

COLLECT RESOURCES

Use a combination of books, periodicals, professional/academic journals, surveys or polls, the Net, interviews; the World Wide Web (being careful to use reliable sources), media materials?audio/video/ newspapers/microfiche/microfilm. (Ask for help using and citing all of these.)

DO A BIBLIOGRAPHY-immediately! Before you read any thing or person thoroughly, write down the source’s information. This is vital, as if you forget and write the paper and do the bibliography last?after your human sources have gone or you have returned written materials or left Internet links long ago?you will be missing dates, names, titles, and page numbers you need for accuracy.

READING and TAKING NOTES for a RESEARCH PAPER

When reading a piece for a paper, you are reading “to take” away something you need. Do not read whole books. No time for that.

1. Read the table of contents (in front)-find key words, ideas, people, related to your paper, and read just that /those chapter/s.

2. Use the index (in back), seeking out only key themes/phrases/words that apply to your research.

3. Look at each book’s bibliography/works cited page/s [at very end of book/article] for suggested sources.

Cite your source every time you use direct (word-for-word) quotes. Cite your source every time you do not use direct wording but do use any fact/theory/date you did not come up with yourself (indirect quotes).

DRAFT THE PAPER

Use the same components in a research paper that you would in an English assignment (using headers in the scientific/psych. experiment papers):

Use clear appropriate diction, and a scholarly/mature toneUse an engaging opener/ introduction. Use a complete, thoughtful, fresh and original thesis.

PROOFREAD/REVISE THE PAPER-

Follow a revising/editing checklist, or craft one of your own to follow: make sure you have an introduction, ample support, and a satisfying conclusion.

Make sure your paragraphs are well-ordered, your syntax (sentences) are orderly, varied, and well-punctuated.

And make sure your spelling and punctuation is clean!

You are on your way to your first research paper. Make it a great one!

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APA Writing Style Reference

When you write papers--sometimes for high school and almost always for college, you will be concerned with writing according to a particular documentation style?APA writing style included. The rationale for using a documentation style is so you?the writer?can credit your sources where the ideas, findings, or exact wording are not yours and so your readers can if they wish research further using your source citations?which point to the original authors and titles.

First, here is a brief description and purpose for each of the major styles:

MLA (Modern Language Association) documentation style is used most often, for language, arts, philosophy, composition, and communications/media works. Bibliography, end notes, embedded citation, and more are the hallmarks of this traditional documentation style.

CBE (Council of Biology Editors) style is more for science and net citing, and is used for scientific, technological, and other empirical works. Bibliographies, in-text citations, and other documentation efforts are included, though formatted differently than MLA.

APA (American Psychological Association) writing style was originally primarily for psychology and some science documenting, but is now used for many disciplines?medicine, education, and more. Documentation is most rigorous here, and differs from MLA, for instance, in in-text citation, which requires all authors and dates be named in the parenthetical, etc..

Chicago/Turabian Manual of Style is least often used in academia, though some instructors require it?especially for news, magazine, and other reporting, and occasionally for history and humanities papers.

So next, while this page will not cover all of the specifics of the APA writing style, as they would (and do) fill a book, here are a few of the most commonly used APA writing style conventions:

IN-TEXT CITATION for APA WRITING STYLE

IN-TEXT CITATION?Whenever a writer quotes language not his/her own, he/she must acknowledge the original writer. This is done, in this case, by putting the citation information in parentheses…in the body of the paper.

In the same respect, there are numerous ways to use in-text citation. For APA writing style, for example, this can be done in various ways:

If you mention the author in your statement, use the date of publication in the parentheses:
Sanger introduced the concept of community online by displaying bulletin board, moo, and mud replicas (2003).

If you mention the author’s name in your statement and there is no date, use the author’s name in the parentheses, followed by n.d.?which means no date:

In five studies, researchers found that students were more likely to test well after a liver omelet breakfast (Bederby, n.d.).

If you are writing a technical piece that defines or denotes something, a process, a concept, a test, that would be interrupted by the he said/she said, you put the information in parentheses:
APA style, for instance, would look something like this:

Created in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environmental Programme, IPCC's purpose is to evaluate the state of climate science as a basis for informed policy action, primarily on the basis of peer-reviewed and published scientific literature (www.ipcc.ch.com).

NOTE how, for example, the period is after the parenthetical in APA style, whereas in MLA it is after the statement and before the parenthetical. (Such are the slight differences in documentation I mentioned above.)

In a larger sense, in-text citation is also done in additional two ways, depending on word count/length:

If the quoted material is no more than two lines of typed text, it is embedded in your body:
Studies also reveal that writers who incorporate famous quotations will reflect a more serious approach toward language and words. One writer who loves words includes a different quote in her email every day. On Thursday, she used Beckett’s brilliant comment, “I only know what the words know” (Beckett, Blowser, 2006).

But if the quoted material is longer than two lines of your typed text, it is what we call offset?or blocked text--(indented 10 spaces on each side, no quotation marks, and single spaced, with your text double-spaced still):

On Friday, she decided the zany and passionate comment was in order:
Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits.
The rebels. The ones who see things
differently. They have no respect for
the status-quo. You can glorify or
vilify them, but the only thing you
can't do is ignore them. Because they
push the human race forward. The people
who are crazy enough to think they can
change the world, are the ones who do.
(Apple)

Her quoting methods were, though, consistent. She never failed to provide a fresh comment each day of the week!

FOOTNOTES?

Though the singular way to cite sources fifty years ago, footnotes are used less often today. Still, it’s good to know what they are (or were), and to use them when assigned to or when asides are too intrusive in your main text.

When a writer wants to add comments, cite the source, or explore/re-define terms?wants to add a passage that would be otherwise obtrusive in the text, he/she puts a superscript (raised) number (in order) next to the text and then, at the bottom of the page, completes the message/info next to the corresponding number.

While we used to type (with a typewriter!) these footnotes, at the foot of the page, according to exact specifications (margins, inches, abbreviations such as Ibid., for repeated info, for example), modern word processing programs do it for us: we just use the insert footnote function and type in the information necessary.

END NOTES?Like footnotes, end notes explain further, cite valuable sources (so the reader can do his/her own research if he/she wishes, using your great paper as a start). But unlike with the page-by-page 1, 2, 3, format, with end notes you can put all notes on one page?at the end of the paper.

Both footnotes and endnotes are formatted (with a name and a date reference, too) to look like this:

1 See Boccacio (1815) for a definition of duplicitous interventions.2 For interview transcripts, refer to Stern and Canada (2006) and CNN (2006).

REFERENCES LIST for APA WRITING STYLE

Also known as the works cited page (in MLA style) or the bibliography, the references page thoroughly records/identifies each and every source you used/quoted in your text (in in-text citations). It is specifically telling, in that every entry includes author, title, place and date of publication; and it is meticulously developed, in that the order of the entries must be alphabetical, and they must be punctuated, indented, and styled according to specific rules.

When the references page is completed, your readers can then read your text, note the parenthetical in-text citation, and go to the last page of your paper, and find all the information on that quoted source, so they can consult the source themselves!

That’s scholarship, and that’s the rationale for using in-text citations and a references page.

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HDTV LCD TV Story

It was the day of the big game, and we were trying to decide who's house to watch it at. Of course, Mark's house has the advantage that it is central to everybody ? 5 miles from me, 6 miles from Joe, 12 miles from Sam and Renee. But then again, Mark is a new father, and if we are there, we'll always be being interrupted by the baby crying, every few minutes, or being shown photos, or changing diapers. We thought about having it at Sam and Renee's house, but although they have a hdtv lcd tv, they are way on the outskirts ? far from everyone except for Mark. And anyway, they are horrible house cleaners and a few of us are allergic to mold. Finally, we decided to have it at my house. I have a hdtv lcd tv, although not quite as brand new and spiffy as Sam and Renee's hdtv lcd tv. Besides that, I always serve the best snacks and there is plenty of rome for everyone.

The day of the big game was at hand. I had bought new speakers for my hdtv lcd tv, which added High definition surround sound to the high resolution image. They all came over about 11:15 which left time for a beer run and some shmoozing and small talk. Finally, the hour of the big game was at hand. From the kickoff onward, the home team was winning, at least for the first quarter, and watching the big image on the hdtv lcd tv, we felt like we were all part of the action. However, things can change pretty quickly in professional football. Soon, it was the opponents, the Minnesota Vikings who were on offense, and by the second quarters end, they had a two touchdown lead. This could not stand. We all cheered pretty loudly as we watched the big image on the hdtv lcd tv, but we were glad for the halftime break so we could run out and grab some more munchies.

By the time I got back, they were about to kick off again. It was a short kick, and the team recovered. We were all hooting and hollering, watching the high definition image in gloriously many colors saturate the television. It was down to the line, but in the end, the home team win. We were a bunch of very grateful fans, I can tell you right now.

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This is a Great Flat LCD TV

A flat lcd tv is a great purchase because of the low profile and spacial efficiency, but not that alone. A flat lcd tv is also great because it offers the highest resolution of any tvs, and also because it has low glare, almost no glare at all. This is because the flat profile of a flat lcd tv means that, unlike a normal curved tv screen, which catches light from any direction and sends it to you in the form of glare, a flat lcd tv is only vulnerable to light ddisturbances from a particular direction, kind of like a mirror, and unless there is a powerful light source there right in that specific spot, the flat lcd tv will not reflect it back at you.

The reason it can have a flat screen is because a flat lcd tv does not have a cathode ray tube like a normal tv. A cathode ray tube, or crt, is basically a gun that shoots out electrons at high speed at the surface of a normal tv. These electrons strike a surface that flouresces, or glows, giving you a pixel on the screen. This means that a crt tv has to have a curved screen and enough depth to position an electron gun behind it to shoot the image out of the tv. A flat lcd tv, however, because it doesn't have a crt tube, but instead a light source with polarizing filters and a thin layer of liquid crystals between, it can be very thin and efficient.

It also uses up less power by far than a normal tv so, although initially, a flat lcd tv will cost more than a normal tv, eventually, that flat lcd tv will actually save you money by cutting down on your electricity bill. But the best thing about a flat lcd tv is the clarity of the image. Because there is no distortion from the curved screen that normal tvs have, you will simply never see a clearer image than on a flat lcd tv. Additionally, flat lcd tvs have better resolution than most normal tvs and clearer defined boundaries. This will make some difference in watching normal tv programs, but is most noticeable when you look at dvd movies, which are at a higher resolution than normal tv programs. If you are a movie fan like I am, flat lcd televison is the way to go without a doubt!

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What is HDTV Ready LCD?

A hdtv ready lcd is important if you want to take full advantage of your hdtv, or high definition tv. HDTV is in higher resolution than normal tv, so your old box just won't cut it. You might as well be watching public access or just using the antennae. Really, hdtv ready lcd is almost becoming a complete essential nowadays according to many popular studies. You just cant get too good of a resolution, and hdtv ready lcd is the best on the market at the current time.

Of course, there is always a new thing. Before hdtv ready lcd, there was a time when flat panel itself was new and very chic. Before that, just having a high resolution CRT was enough and before that ? well, no reason to keep going back ad infinitem. The important thing is, to keep up with the joneses, you must have a hdtv ready lcd, or else you cant even get high definition tv.
And whats so great about high definition tv? For one thing, many many channels ? more than your basic cable deffinitely. But all in all, it's not that great. It really is hard to see which is better, high definition tv, or standard satellite tv, or even the new special cable with hundreds of channels. I mean, we keep having this push for bigger and better, but who has the time to watch hundreds of channels. You can only make so much use of your hdtv ready lcd. But then again, having an lcd television is useful in itself.

I mean, it will last longer than your crt system that you have now, and besides that, it will produce a better image. It also uses much less power than a standard cathode ray tube, and because of this, it is much nicer to use and preserve your electricity bill at some kind of a reasonable rate. Who wants to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars just to use their big screen tv. I know that I don't, and I'm sure that you don't too. And besides that, many scientists think that the flat panel of a hdtv ready lcd is easier on the eyes than the rounded panel popular on other kinds of tvs. Its really a good deal all around, so you can hardly go wrong if you think about it. I bought a hdtv ready lcd just the other week, and I'm sure happy that I did!

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Video Rental Lovers at Stake

If you’re anything like me and hate the outside world?or at least hate being out there with the noise, grumps, ratty drivers, and greedy and freaky ones, you probably stick with video rental rather than fight the forces of an indoor theatre crowd. Or, if you have Asperger’s, agoraphobia, ADD, ADHD, or any other affliction that forces you to opt for the safe confines of your own home, you likely indulge in video rental.

I am a huge devotee of video rental shops…well, at least the local one, where I used to get videos at a discount or for free when I used them to teach related materials; where I still get videos to catch up on the latest releases; and where I go whenever my friends and I are doing a moviethon (movie marathon, wherein we rent a bunch of videos or DVDS that are related in topic, genre, or actor).

Now, of course, I live in a remote area. When I say remote, I mean the town is so out there and secluded that there is no human postal delivery to the individual homes: we have to use a p.o. box at the p.o. down the street. When I say remote, I mean the electrical system and the phone wires are still above ground, in the Eucalyptus trees and Pines, so when it rains for more than a few hours, when the wind blows, or whenever, really, the power goes out. These two factors make it difficult to watch video rentals we have gotten from the video rental store, and make it impossible to subscribe to that video rental delivery service that is advertised on TV (NetFlix, for example) quite a bit these days.

But living in the woods, in a rural area that is quiet, crazy-free, and inundated with natural flora, fauna, and animals (raccoons, deer, possum, and more), makes any inconvenience worth it. Besides, it doesn’t matter that we lose power one season every year: the rest of the year is ripe for video rentals, DVD rentals, and pizza we pick up ourselves. In fact, tonight my friend wants to see that movie where Bette Davis and Joan Crawford go at it, which I am thrilled to rent for him and watch with him. I can just hear her now, as we gripe if only we didn’t live so far out… “But ya arrrre, Blanche, ya arrrre living out there in the boondocks.”

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What is Good about a TV DVD combo?

Electronics are becoming more compact as time continues to push forward. While we may have began with black and whites, that is certainly no longer the case. TVs not only upgraded to color, but the screen size increased as well. This is still common, but bigger doesn't necessarily mean better. Sure you want high resolution and a good sized screen, but no one wants the bulk. Entertainment centers thrive on being compact.

Whether you prefer them separate or enjoy a TV DVD combo, you have many to choose from. There are definite advantages to purchasing a TV DVD combo. One being the space they save. You no longer have to bother with two separate units. The DVD option is built right into the television. This feature is rather ideal for those trying to preserve space. You don't have to worry about size, because TV DVD combos come in a range of screen sizes. You can even get those nice widescreens with a DVD feature added to the set. Talk about your complete packages.

I first encountered the TV DVD combo when browsing through Sears. I wanted a TV for our bedroom, but my wife didn't want it to be too overbearing. In addition, we both wanted to be able to watch DVDs. The result was a 13 inch TV DVD combo. These are not expensive anymore. They, like everything else, have dropped in price since time has passed. Now we enjoy DVDs without the hassle of the DVD player. You get the two-in-one remote control, which does it all. It's a perfect collaboration.

When I first tossed out the idea of the TV DVD combo to my father, he said, "But what if one breaks? That means they both don't work. Then what?" I had to roll my eyes. Come on, what if anything breaks? You end up fixing it or buying a new one. The fact is we've had ours for years and never had a problem with it. The sound and picture are great and the DVDs never skip. What else can one ask for? If you're interested in purchasing a TV DVD combo, the best place to do some comparing and browsing is online. You can get an idea of price and size. Best Buy is also a great place to check when in the market for electronics such as TV DVD combos. This way you can get a look in person.

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How to Find a Good but Cheap TV

Trying to find a good yet cheap TV today can be tricky. With all the new technologies available, it seems like most new TVs out there you have to put a down payment on, take out a loan, and possible put a mortgage or two on any property you own just to take the thing home. Does anyone even sell cheap TVs anymore, or are they all technological marvels destined to drive you into the poor home?

Fortunately, the older CRT technology is still available and still popular. Actually, the advent of the newer technologies makes this a good time to get a cheap TV that actually is quite decent. If you are looking for a cheap TV you’ll be pretty much limited to the CRT type, but the prices on these have dropped significantly in response to the newer types, like plasma screens and LCD TVs. For what you would pay for a LCD or plasma TV you can get a much bigger CRT TV. And CRT TV’s aren’t bad at all, they represent a technology that has been mastered, even if it is obsolete.

Even if you already own or are going to buy a plasma screen or LCD TV, it’s always nice to have a cheap TV or two on hand as well. You can lug them around, put them in high risk areas (such as on your work bench), and generally treat them like crap without worrying too much about it. As great as it would be to have a state of the art 70 inch plasma beast, I think I’d be terrified of damaging it somehow, and would almost be afraid to turn the thing on.

So as of 2006, the best cheap TVs you’re going to find are going to be CRTs. They’re bulky and a pain in the ass to move around, but there’s tons of different types to choose from and they’re generally extremely reliable. Keep your eyes on the price of LCD TVs however. It’s been dropping steadily recently, and pretty soon will be in line with their CRT counterparts. Then you’ll be able to have a cheap TV that is also state of the art.

The question you have to ask yourself is how important is television to you? If you find yourself watching a lot of TV, love sports games, video games, videos, and or all of the above, it may be worth splurging a little for a bigger or higher quality TV. If you spend an hour or less a day watching television, you probably will be fine with a cheap TV.

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Why Do I Like This 17 Monitor?

I’ve been using 17” computer monitors for years now. I think they’re the perfect combination of affordability and functionality. 17” is large enough to provide a large graphical interface, big enough for playing games or movies, but still falling in a reasonable price range. The price between smaller monitors, such as 15” monitors, and 17” monitors is usually not very much, yet I’ve often found that it shoots up a lot going from 17” monitors to 19” or larger ones.

17” monitors are also good for saving space, especially if you are using the older CRT type technology. CRT monitors of any size are pretty darn big, and once you get into the 19” and beyond level you really need a lot of desk space to fit them. Personally, the extra two inches of monitor size in a 19” monitor just isn’t worth the overall lack of room on my desk and the extra hassle in moving it around.

Of course, desk space is less of a problem with LCD monitors. 17” LCD monitors are extremely space effiecient, as well as 19” ones. I’ve noticed that LCD monitor screens tend to look bigger as well. I realize it’s a kind of optical illusion and they aren’t really bigger, but the 17” inches in an LCD seems to go a long way. The 17” inches is measured across the diagonal surface of the monitor, so any 17” monitors has the same screen size as any other, but LCD’s seem to use it more effectively. Since the price on 19” LCDs is still pretty high, and the 17” monitors have become almost in line with their CRT counterparts, I think 17” LCDs are the way to go.

I don’t think I’m the only one that feels this way either. I’ve noticed that 17” monitors seem to be a sort of standard for a lot of businesses. For a long time it was 15”, but I really don’t see as many 15” inch monitors these days. It seems like everyone is using a 17” monitor. Affordable and yet still fairly big, it’s the right combination of luxury and practicality.
If you have the money to spend, and plenty of desk space, you may want to consider an even larger monitor. Of course, if you’re not really using any graphical programs, don’t play computer games, or ever watch movies on your computer, you have to ask yourself; do I really need it? 17” monitors are more than big enough.

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How to Choose a Right Flat Panel TV

I was so excited. I had been waiting for months to have enough money, and find a deep enough discount to purchase my flat panel lcd tv, and finally the moment had come. I went to the flat panel lcd tv store, and looked around at all of the mamoth displays of impressive electronics and performance. The 42” model flat panel lcd tv was playing the matrix 3, one of my favorite movies. I just can't get enough of the way that the special effects are seemlessly integrated into the well worked and intricate plot ? visually impressive, and yet not showy at all. The way movies should be. But it looked so good on the 42” flat panel lcd tv that it was as if I had never seen it before even though, in fact, I had already watched it six or 7 times on my vintage black and white 8 inch standby at home that very day already. Nonetheless, something about this flat panel lcd tv showed me things I had never seen about the movie before. It made it look new. I just had to hav e it.

They had an excellent financing plan. For only 500 down and 130 a month, it was mine that very afternoon. It didn't leave me much money for spending, eating out, or buying basic food for the next few months, but with the amount of time I was going to spend watching my brand new flat panel lcd tv, who needs any of that stuff. I would live off of ramen and still consider myself king of the entire world.

One thing you really don't know until you see it in person is the brilliant clarity of a flat panel lcd tv. I watched the brilliant film adaptation of Shakespeares importal Titus Andronicus, my favorite heart warming story of all time, and was amazed at the brilliance and clarity of the image. I would actually flinch when the characters attacked eachother, and hacked eachother with their swords. Every time a new injury was occurred, I was afraid the blood would ruin the carpet in my living room. The picture on a flat panel lcd tv is so good that it makes it hard to tell where the screen stops and the room starts. It really is that good. Even for warmer, fuzier pictures than Titus Andronicus, the picture quality of a flat screen television is, nonetheless, an asset. Every kiss in a romance, every shot in an adventure, every swash which buckles in an errol flynn vintage, is right before your eyes.

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The Importance of Music Licensing You've Never Realized

Music licensing is very important for almost any musician. Its especially important for a serious musician, whether he play jazz, rock and roll, folk, or even classical or some other genre. It is crucial for a musician to keep his rights, and that means licensing and copyrighting his work properly.

If you right a particularly successful song, some one else might want to license your music from you, and that means big bucks for you. I had a friend once, a classically trained violinist. Even though he rarely composed songs, one day he decided to enter a contest to compose a hit new piece of music for a commercial for a popular fast food chain which shall remain nameless. He though he had made out like a bandit when he won a $500 award for his song and heard it played on the television, but soon he realized that he had been robbed.

He hadn't used music licensing, and so when the company sold the rights to another fast food company, and then to a movie for a soundtrack, he realized that he wouldn't even get a penny of the rights. The license now belonged to the business which had held the contest.

If you are a consumer of music, music licensing can be bad for you. Many common practices of music listeners are actually illegal. For example, making a mix tape for a friend, if you are caught doing it, can actually, at least in theory, cost you thousands of dollars in legal fees. If you trade music, either in person or on the internet, the penalties can be much worse. It is important not to let yourself be lured in by the promise of free music. Many of the songs put up on file sharing websites are actually nothing but noise, but there by the companies that own the music licensing, to fool you into downloading them and wasting your time. This way, you can't find the music you want. You will probably, they hope, give up and go buy the cd.

There are, however, unlicensed songs on the internet, put there so that you can listen to them, and maybe discover the bands that made them. Among musicians, this is a popular way to get discovered by new fans. It's so easy to log onto a band's website and listen to their music, and if the band isn't already on a big label with lots of fans, they have everything to gain by you listening to, and trading their songs and giving you their music licensing.

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What is The Best TV for You?

It’s really hard to say what the best TV is these days. With plasma and LCD TVs coming out left and right, capable of HDTV and EDTV, its dizzying trying to keep up with the advances. Every company claims that they have the best TV, and I’m finding it pretty hard to tell the difference. Since I’m in the market for a new television, I’ve been looking into it, and here’s what I think so far.

Plasma technology is in my opinion the most advanced technology on the market as of today. However, I’m not really sure plasma TVs are the best TVs. First of all, they are riddled with all sorts of technical issues from what I’ve been able to determine. Of course, the people who make them don’t really want you to know that, but from everything I’ve been reading and hearing, they have a maximum life expectancy of maybe 5 years tops. Sure, they are probably the best TVs out there when it comes to picture quality, but you have to weigh it against their still exuberant price tag, and low lifespan. They are pretty sweet though, and when I see one in a store I can’t help but drool just a little!

LCD screen televisions are almost as good with respect to quality, in my opinion. Maybe not the best TVs available, but they may just be the best combination of luxury and affordability. Of course, they are still fairly expensive, especially when you start getting into the 30+ inch sizes, but their price tags are dropping. It looks to me that LCD technology in general is going to be a sort of standard in the near future, both with televisions and monitors. For this reason, I suspect that many of the best TVs will in fact be made with LCD technology, even if its not the most state of the art concept we have available to us.

Then of course there’s the good old CRT TV. These are clearly not the best TVs with respect to the quality of the image, but they work great, are tried and tested, and always very affordable compared to their more advanced cousins. The money you save on going with CRT TV may allow you to get a much larger TV. Sure, it’ll be clunky and a pain in the ass to move, but bigger is better, right?

After all is said and done, it’s impossible to say what the best TV is. The best TV is the one that meets yours needs better than any other, so it really depends on what your needs are.

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How to Select a Right Flat Panel Monitor

A flat panel monitor are really not essential for most computer applications, because, well frankly, any old monitor will do. All your really need from your computer monitor is the resolution to word process, honestly, unless you are some kind of super gamer, or perhaps an artist or graphics engineer. However, a flat panel monitor can be nice and make your computering experience more pleasant by far. First of all, it takes up much less power than a normal monitor, (also known as a crt monitor) so a flat panel monitor can greatly improve your computering experience by decreasing your electric power consumption. Second of all, there is a subtle distortion provided by normal crt monitors which you don't get with flat panel monitors. Your normal old standby crt monitor has a curved scree, and although your mind has been carefully trained to edit it out through hours and hours of fixedly staring at the computer screen, nonetheless, it does cause eyestrain which can be avoided with a flat panel monitor.

You won't really understand the difference until you try a flat panel monitor, so I suggest just trying it ? your eyes will thank you, and then you will have to track me down and thank me. A flat panel monitor just has a clearer image, and that is that. It doesn't distort, and besides that, the colors are more even and there isn't the flicker of a normal monitor. You are trained to edit out the flicker too, but believe me. It is there, and you will notice the absence of it when looking at your beautiful new monitor.

Also, since so many people look at movies on their computer, if you are one of them, (and I know I am), it absolutely makes sense to buy a flat panel monitor. It just makes the image prettier, and the experience more enjoyable. Especially with the lights out, any distortion can cause vertigo and discomfort, so for your own viewing enjoyment, how can you go without a flat panel monitor.

Another reason for a flat panel monitor, although probably not the biggest reason for most of us, is that it saves space. It lacks the size of a normal monitor ? not only the screen, but also the body of a flat panel monitor are flat. This means you can fit it in a smaller space, or can have more room on your desk for other things such as books or amusing office executive toys such as wheels that spin up and down ramps indefinitely.

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How to Make Kelly Clarkson

My friend only wants one thing for Christmas. Well, one person. He wants Kelly Clarkson, first-year winner of the screamingly popular American Idol. He wrote me an email the other night extolling?as always?Kelly Clarkson’s virtues and begging that I figure out a way to satisfy this one wish.

Granted, the girl has got gifts. Consider such songs as those my pal plays incessantly, songs such as “Since U Been Gone” and “Before Your Love/A Moment Like This” (both of which have some mildly decent metaphors). She sings them with a moderately skilled range, appeals to a great number of listeners (and viewers) in a semi-sexy semi-cutesy fashion, and has a clarity and familiarity of song lyrics that even this old lady can appreciate at some level.

But my young friend is serious about having Kelly Clarkson as a friend. He just wants to hang out with her, drink coffee, go on hikes…and you know, I can see them as hitting it off quite well in this respect. Kelly seems active, engaged, dynamic, willing to go on those mountain treks one day or cut out Christmas decorations another or futz about in the orchid garden another.

But I can’t be cliche and give him Kelly Clarkson CDs; and besides, he belongs to one of those MP3 download clubs. I could do the next obvious thing and give him a Kelly Clarkson poster, or better, a life-sized Kelly Clarkson stand-up cardboard cutout. Or a Kelly Clarkson mug or potholder or keychain.

And I have heard about the stars who are accessible for such odd requests?along the lines of the baseball star who promises to hit a homer for the kid in the hospital?as making a quick video greeting or phone message, but my friend doesn’t have any debilitating illness or disturbing brain damage, really, so Kelly might likely ignore my letters and requests.
And a one-time private concert won’t do, for my spoiled friend says, no, he wants her singing here every day, delighting in her laughs, sharing her soul.

I understand his obsession (which is, don’t worry, quite tongue-in-cheek innocuous); I have obsessions of my own?some of which involve, marginally, the most recent American Idol finalist, Beau Bice. But my friend’s rejection of the gardening tools, Anne Rice books, and pounds of chocolate as inferior gifts, along with his adamancy about getting Kelly Clarkson here in all their stead is driving me bonkers!

Any ideas?

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What Should You Do for Your Wedding Video?

A huge number of decisions go into planning a wedding. Where will the ceremony be held? What should the cake look like? Does this dress look too poofy? How many guests should we invite? What should we serve them? How are we going to pay for all of this? Who should we hire for photography? What about flowers? One of the items on most couples to-do lists is to look into hiring someone to do a wedding video for them. Though it’s been standard for years for couples to hire professional photographers to shoot their wedding photographs, the idea of a wedding video only really cropped up with the popularity of the home video camera. What started small has eventually blossomed into a huge industry.

Of course, the first question should be, do we really need a wedding video? The decision will depend both on personal preferences and budget, but a handful of things need to be considered in addition to these two criteria. How long do you want the wedding video to be? Who’s going to watch it? How much can you afford to spend on hiring a professional to shoot the video? Though many couples still opt for having a wedding video done to capture their special day, other couples content themselves with the photographs and the memories of the wedding.

If you do decide to get a wedding video done, who are you going to hire to shoot the video? Professional videographers are good bets, especially since most will have samples of their work for you to view to decide if you like their styles or not. Unfortunately, professional videographers are expensive, and you can easily end up paying as much for your video as you do for your photos. However, hiring a student from a local university or community college film class can be a great option, since many of these students are quite talented but haven’t had a chance to flex their creative muscles. Fortunately for you, this muscle-flexing comes cheap, especially if they can use the video to fulfill a class requirement. If you do opt for a student-produced video, make sure to go over exactly what you want with the student beforehand, and make sure that the student knows what he or she is doing.

In the end, your wedding video is more for you than anyone else. How it looks and what it captures should be up to you and your fiancee, since it will allow you to finally sit back, relax, and watch your own wedding unfold.

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Irresisible Laptop Notebook Computer

These days we simply can't live without our computers. I don't care what your occupation may be, you probably have a computer of some sort sitting in your home or office, or both. The more modern technology now being, the laptop notebook computer. If you have not conformed to the laptop notebook computer, you will soon enough. I wouldn't be surprised if it's all that is available soon. How much handier can you get than carrying your computer system around with you. Anywhere you choose to do some work is now available.

It wasn't long ago that we all had the desktops. Now, don't get me wrong, the massive desktop computers were great. They got the job done. However, now it's hard to praise the old dinosaurs when we have the option of laptop notebook computers. These small wonders get all of the same tasks done, but without the hassle of being restricted to one specific area, or room in the house. We have achieved Internet freedom. I love the ability of being wireless and venturing to any part of my home with my laptop notebook computer in hand. After all, what's the point of having wireless access when your computer is stuck on a desktop. It kind of defeats the purpose.

It's funny that so many businesses are offering Internet access. This is a great way to get more business. Simply tell people that they don't have to remain home to work online, or to research for that big term paper. The convenience of the laptop notebook computer is incredible. People tote them around now days in their school bags and brief cases. Our work and fun are no longer connected to wires.

One of the many advantages is the DVD option. I didn't think about this much at first when I purchased my Mac Ibook, but the first time my family and I went on a road trip, the advantage became clear. We could actually watch movies in the car. It's so easy with such a small computer. That's what makes these notebooks so great. They are always getting smaller, but doing more. The laptop notebook computer is a clear example of where our future is headed. While we love having computer and Internet access, we crave more freedom. This is why the laptop notebook computer is so prevalent in our current society. If you haven't conformed to a simpler way of life yet, then just hop online and you will see a number of possibilities in order to purchase your first laptop notebook computer. You won't be sorry!

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You've Still Not Watched TV Shows Online?

Most people who have been using the Internet for a while have already heard of different file-sharing venues and peer-to-peer (P2P) downloading sites where you can get virtually any MP3 or audio file that you want. The fact that these music downloads are available is pretty common knowledge. What is perhaps less commonly known, however, is the fact that you can also find a significant number of TV shows online as well.

Downloading television programs is basically the same as downloading other kinds of files. You first need to find a website that contains links to TV shows online, and then you have to make sure that you have some kind of file-sharing client that will allow you to access the files (often called "torrents" after the name of one of the most popular clients out there). Television program files contain both audio and video components, so they are much larger than music files. As a result, it can often take several hours to download a single file.

There are a couple of different ways you can watch the files you've downloaded. First, the most common way to watch TV shows online is to simply view the downloaded file in a media player. You probably already have a media player on your computer; if you don't, there are several different ones that are available for free. You just have to run a search and choose the one that you think will suit you the best. You'll also have to download the appropriate codecs so that you can both see the video and hear the audio of the television program files. Again, a few minutes spent with your favorite search engine can point you in the right direction as far as codecs go.
If you're a bit more comfortable around your computer and know what you're doing, there's another way to watch TV shows online. You can actually burn the MPEG file to a CD-ROM (thus creating a VCD), which you can then watch on your regular DVD player. You should be aware that this extra step takes much longer and that not all DVD players are capable of handling VCDs. But the end result is definitely worth it, so give VCDs a shot.

Even though most television programs are available for free to anyone who owns a TV set, it's also helpful to know where you can find TV shows online. That way, you'll know exactly where to go if you happen to miss an episode of your favorite program or if you suddenly find yourself in a position where you don't have access to regular television options.

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Behind New Video Releases

Some of us are such fanatics about new video releases that we practically stand in line at 5 a.m., our fingers and noses pressed against the glass of the shop, praying like the Mervyn’s shopper for the place to “open, open, open….” Some of us, myself included are adamant about keeping up with the freshest of new video releases that we always make sure to have a copy of that new video releases guide they give away at the counter, so we can circle and highlight and X out the ones we must see, the ones we have already seen, and the ones we consider, unfortunately, as belonging in the must-miss category.

I go even further. As much as I dislike television advertising, when a new video release shoots across the screen, I perk up, snatch my special book, and list the new titles. Then I can’t sleep, waiting for the “coming soon to video” to actually come to video.

I guess this compulsion to make lists of coming attractions came about because it used to be that I would have to wait too long: I was an English teacher at a community college, and would get so ensconced in the prepping, teaching, and paper-reading processes and activities that I would have to wait until the semester’s close to watch anything, save new video releases. So when the grades were finally in, I would hit the video rental store (pre DVD days) and rent a stack of pictures I would then watch, movie marathon or moviethon style.

What’s really pitiful is that although I am liberated from the commitments of working outside the home, I now work more than I would by leaving the house, so the new video releases list has gotten longer than I would like and the ritual of racing to the video rental store has happened far too infrequently. What this means is that my favorite actors have made numerous films I have yet to see, and/or I have no clue what is hot right now.

This is really tough on Academy Awards week. While my friends and I used to dress up, make appropriate dinner foods, and vote and hype and holler and scream on Academy Awards night, I now am saying, “What movie is that now? Which film did she star in?” Absolutely appalling.
So I have to update my list, including such movies as Mr. and Mrs. Smith, with Brad and Angelina Jolie; Willa Wonka…(with the versatile Johnny Depp); and movies my absolute fav, Nic Cage, has done over the last two years that I have not had a chance to swoon over: after National Treasure, I am disgustingly at a loss for the brilliant Nic in Lords of War, National Treasure 2, The Weather Man, Electric God, Amarillo Slim, World Trade Center, Ant Bully, The Wicker Man, and Ghost Rider. Oh, wait, those last five titles go on the new video releases list. Guess I’ll be standing in line again real soon.

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Who Said Video Games are Evil?

The word is that video games are more than just addicting toys that keep people from being responsible, productive members of society, have them cutting school, see them skipping work (or playing video games AT work), or turn them into violent war-mongers within weeks of playing the latest Doom or Laura Tomb Raider or Black and White or Myst.

I watched a show the other night that covered the shootings by two eleven year-olds of students and teachers at a remote grade school in Arkansas, I think it was. (The shootings at schools, by the way, have reportedly occurred only in small towns where guns were not an issue but a tool for sport and subsistence hunting.) The theory of too much influence on the part of video games was included in this hour-long documentary, as were the theories that pointed to music, the parents, and the social construct at large. But the emphasis on video games as culprit was focused on the violent games that reward violence. Not once did any “expert” speak to the middle eastern countries where for centuries they had no video games, didn’t have TV, computers, didn’t even have electricity, if you will…yet have slaughtered each other in decade- and century-long battles over whose god says whose land it is.

I digress. The benefits of video games are addressed. Games that require dexterity, linear thinking, and that make other complex demands on coordination, eyes, and the brain have been considered positive in the staving off of such progressive illnesses as Alzheimer’s.
Kids today get video games in the classroom, as auxiliary materials, or in learning environments after school that are designed based on the rationale that video games can help with skills such as the following:

Memorizing and remembering (intake and recall of information)

Inducing and deducing (critical thinking)

Recognizing patterns, solving problems, and mapping (organization and reasoning)

Video games also contribute to perseverance skills; socialization skills (simulating, as many games do, leadership, rule-following, and hierarchical ordering); motor skills; and assist in assuaging the difficulties and challenges of such disorders as ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and helping elevate esteem and increase motivation and drive.

So I don’t know about you, but as a child of the decade when the first video game appeared, Pong, I never finished playing and went out into the world with the desire to whack someone ups side the head with a ping pong paddle. They say smart people play video games all the time and don’t, of course, use the activity as an excuse to kill. In fact, these people don’t kill. They are more likely busy competing online or too engrossed in the challenge of reaching their personal best…

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High Speed Cable Saves Family Ties?

I recently babysat my niece. My sister was nice enough to let me use her computer while I watched her daughter. I was glad to have an opportunity to work while babysitting. I have a high speed cable connection to my computer and my sister has a dial up connection. I never realized how important a high speed cable connection to the Internet was until I did not have it. I did not realize how much slower a dial up connection in comparison.

I quickly became very frustrated with the slow connection. At first, I thought that there was something wrong with my sister’s computer and I was worried that I had unwittingly caused the problem. After checking and rechecking the computer, I found that there was nothing wrong with it aside from the computer not having a high speed cable connection.

Even though I was relieved that her computer was fine, I was still worried that I couldn’t get everything done that I had set out to do with the slower connection. There was a lot of research involved in my assignment and I just could not bear to think of waiting and waiting for websites to download just to find that I couldn’t use the information. I didn’t realize how spoiled I was with my high speed cable connection to the Internet but I soon found out.

I have no patience. This is why I opted to choose a high speed cable connection for my computer. I find myself clicking and clicking as sites are downloaded. This only makes things worse. The slower Internet connection is simply maddening for me. I am too busy thinking about my next step and I haven’t even taken the first step. By the time the site downloads, my mind is on to other things. I need a high speed cable connection just to maintain my sanity.
The other obstacle I came across with the slower dial up connection was that I could not use the telephone while I was using the Internet. This is just unthinkable. I can think of dozens of times that I was on the phone while I was using my computer. My high speed Internet connection does not interfere with my phone service.

My sister uses call wave. Call wave alerts you when you have a phone call. It also takes messages. It also costs money. I figure that for the price of the answering service, my sister can afford a high speed cable connection for her computer. She works from home three days each week and her work requires her to be available to answer the phone. With a high speed cable connection, she could use her computer while she is working.

I still haven’t talked my sister into getting a high speed cable connection, but I’m going to keep trying to persuade her. I do have a stake in this. I can save a lot of time and I can save myself a lot of frustration if she has a high speed Internet connection while I’m babysitting. Otherwise, my niece will just have to come to my house.

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Do You Know These Mistakes about Choosing a Big TV?

Big TV

About twelve years ago we bought a 29" television. We were newly married and wanted to outfit our apartment with a decent home theater system, along with a few other gadgets and toys. Our TV was our pride and joy and served us very well over the years and to this day. However, recently we've come to realize just how outdated our television has become, in functionality, features and especially size!

A couple of months ago, my sister's boyfriend when out and bought a 42" plasma television. If you want to talk about a big TV - this mammoth dwarfed our modest television in size! He planned to keep the TV at my sister's new place, since they do most of their movie watching there anyway. However, somehow my sister wasn't overly impressed. When she heard how much he paid, and had a chance to watch a couple of movies on this monster, she found that the difference in picture quality and sheer size, made little difference to her enjoyment. After much discussion, that big TV was sent back to the store in favor of a much smaller, economical model. My sister is completely happy with her reasonably sized television and with the surround sound system that they opted for instead.

My parents also recently purchased a very big TV. They went for the 42" Sony with plasma screen. The reason for this purchase is quite hilarious. My parents previously had a late model, 32" television in their living room. It drove my mother crazy to have that big TV sitting out plain view for all to see. She has some strange 1950's mentality, that it's somehow inappropriate for one to show off their TV set. She insisted that my father purchase a new model that would sit flush with the edge of their wall unit, and that could be enclosed behind doors of some fashion, when not in use.

My father (of course) jumped at the opportunity and went out and blew a wad of cash in the blink of an eye. Then he came home to make plans for some type of doors. This is where the story goes completely of the tracks: My dad somehow thought that using a bamboo blind to conceal this big TV would make a great fashion statement. And he spent three days rigging up this oddity. Now when people come to visit they can be driven to distraction trying to figure out what on earth is hidden behind that blind - AND exchange worried glances as to why my mother would allow a makeshift blind contraption to be the focal point of her living room.
In any case, my father is happy. This is one time when he actually benefitted by one of my mother's whims, wacky bamboo blind or not.

As for our household, while we do long for a sleek, flat screen, up-to-the-minute, brand new big TV, we have decided for the technology to become more stable and the prices to level out. While it is much more excited to jump on the bandwagon and purchase the latest and greatest television system, we've learned to be more practical and put first things first. And hey, we can always visit my parents and watch the big TV at their house!

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The Secret of Fine Art Posters

I have to admit that I'm not very big on interior design or home decorating. I mean, I don't have the most expensive furniture, my fabrics and colors aren't coordinated, and I don't make the best use of space. I think it's safe to say you won't be seeing any pictures of my place in a "Better Homes & Garden" photo shoot anytime soon! Nevertheless, I believe that I do one thing well: my walls. To me, there's nothing more depressing than a home with bare walls, so I go out of my way to make sure that mine are covered with interesting things to look at. Some of my favorite wall hangings are the framed fine art posters that I've purchased over the years.
Sure, we would all love to be able to fill our homes with original artwork, but how many of us actually have the money to do that? I've found that fine art posters are an excellent way to add a touch of beauty to my home at a reasonable price. There are literally thousands of fine art posters available, and you can get everything from famous masterpieces by Da Vinci, Van Gogh, and Picasso, to lesser-known works by relatively obscure artists.

The easiest way to purchase fine art posters is from websites that specialize in them. You'll get a better selection and better prices than if you tried to buy your fine art posters from a museum gift shop or from a regular store. In addition, these websites often have special sales promotions going on that can save you even more money.

Of course, you'll also need frames for your fine art posters or they simply won't look as good when they're up on your walls. Fortunately, you have several framing options at your disposal. For instance, most websites that sell fine art posters offer frames as well. The advantage of buying a pre-framed fine art poster is the convenience. Once the package arrives at your home, you'll be able to put the framed piece on the wall in just a few minutes.

A second framing option that you have for your fine art posters is to buy a frame separately. While this option is usually less expensive than buying pre-framed prints, you'll have to take precise measurements and then search high and low for a frame that not only is the perfect size, but also complements the piece that you plan to showcase. This is not as easy as it sounds, so unless you have tons of time on your hands and like shopping, I would recommend buying pre-framed fine art posters.

Another thing you can do, if you are so inclined, is have your fine art posters custom-framed. There are many framing houses that will undertake this task for you. But obviously this will cost significantly more than the other two options I mentioned. Only you can decide if you're willing to part with that much money to frame reproductions.

You don't have to be a millionaire in order to incorporate nice artwork in your interior design scheme. Framed fine arts posters are an affordable way to spruce up your walls. So order some today and surround yourself with beauty!

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Why is Music Sharing Program Always Unwelcome?

Music Sharing Program

We use a Macintosh computer for music sharing. The application we have come to rely on is called Acquisition. It's a great, user-friendly music sharing program exclusive to the Macintosh platform. It allows you to download and upload concurrently, and provides helpful ratings to ensure that you are sharing with a reliable peer.

Acquisition is highly compatible with ITunes. We have been able to organize and play hours of music for parties by collaborating between Acquisition and ITunes. The combined technology of these two programs is incredible and so easy to use, that even our kids have learned how to search and locate music of their choice.

If we are trying to locate a particularly elusive music file, we also have come to depend on a bit torrent client called Azureus. Azureus is more than a music sharing program however, you can share all sorts of files. However, while Azureus can often allow us to access more obscure titles, Acquisition is still our first choice as a music sharing program due to its ease of use, quicker upload and download times and minimal steps required to acquire music files.
One of the best things about Acquisition is that it can be used free of charge got an extended period of time. You do have to tolerate occasional pesky nag messages, however, this does little to interfere with the overall process, and is a small annoyance when you consider how great a program Acquisition really is.

The other great thing is that almost all files have been pre-verified. That means that most times you will be able to acquire the actual title you have selected. Nasty surprises are very rare. Also, the benefit of working on a Macintosh computer is that the chances of getting an infected file are much lower, since most viruses are created to attack PC computers. Since macs aren't as mainstream, they aren't as plagued with viruses. Just another benefit that we've found with use.
In the past, we have tried a few other music sharing programs including Napster, Limewire and Kazaa, however since switching our file sharing usage to our Macintosh we have come to rely on Acquisition, as well as, Azureus from time to time. We've found that in order to maximize our download times and access to files, the best thing to do is to enable or allow file sharing amongst peers. Of course, this is not an absolute requirement, but you may be viewed as a 'freeloader' if you only take from other users, but never allow sharing of your files with others.

Another thing to keep in mind, depending on where you live, is that sharing of music files is a grey area. Meaning that there is a lot of controversy over where to draw the line when it comes to copyright infringements. If you want to err on the side of caution, your best bet is to only download music files that you actually own the rights to - in other words, you need to own the album. The only purpose this serves is to give you an MP3 version of a song, rather than only a CD version. Whether this holds value to you or not, is up to you to decide.

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Here is Something You Don't Know about Satellite Photos

Have you ever had the opportunity of seeing real life satellite photos? Well, in the past few weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of seeing real life satellite photos, not once, but twice. And believe me when I say that on both occasions, I was blown away. The first time I got to see satellite photos was at a recent exhibition titled ‘Earth from above’, which was organized by a renowned French photographer, who specialized in aerial photography. While they were technically not satellite photos, some of them had in fact been taken from very high above and resembled satellite photos. The second occasion was a direct outcome of the first as I scoured the local library for more information on Satellite photos. I finally found a book that was able to give me the lowdown on real satellite photos. The book opened my eyes.

Till I had a chance to get interested in the subject, I ha always believed that satellite photos were photos taken by satellites or from satellites. And quite frankly, that is a definition that seems to hold good even now, after I have learnt more about the subject. Originally, satellite photos were taken by man made satellites that orbited the earth. The purpose was also pretty straightforward. These images wee used for research and study of various weather phenomena. Being based on earth, there is no way that even the best of photographers can track weather. Hence, satellite photos that serve this need are a unique service. Since the first satellite was launched, a wide range of information in the form of satellite photos has been streaming back to earth. And our meteorologists and weather scientists have been able to better understand climate and weather phenomena.

But the hey day of satellite photos can be considered to have come about with advances in espionage. Most countries with satellites used their eye in the sky to take satellite photos of enemy installations, terrain information and weather conditions in order that they could better plan their attack or defense strategy. This too was information that could not be obtained in any other way and helped those countries with superior technology, better economies and access to millions of dollars for research and development to obtain, study and implement their strategies based on the information present in satellite photos. The latest example of how satellite photos have been able to help America was witnessed in the capture of Iran and the subsequent raiding of Afghanistan. Without the information provided by satellite photos, both of these would not have been the successes that they are being touted to be.

In the present day, satellite photos serve a more humanitarian need. People like environmentalists and even agriculturists use the information provided by satellite photos to better understand the global changes occurring all over the plant. The information provided by satellite photos also helps them quickly and efficiently identify regions that are threatened and act accordingly to save them. Such activities have given satellite photos less nefarious significance and have made them popular among academicians and wildlife enthusiasts alike.

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Television Stations are so disgusting!

Thank God and anyone else responsible for the multiple television stations and the choices they afford today. When I was a kid, at least a hundred years ago, it seems, considering the lack of technological options, we had three television stations. You know the ones: ABC, NBC, and CBS. We had only a few channels to click on the dial—no, no remote, no buttons, we had a dial that we spun like a coveted safe dial, waiting for just the right click to tune us into a clear enough picture to watch. We had the television stations that you could click on, sure, but you would get a big black line about a third of the width of the screen (which was limited to 6, 8, or 10 inches, by the way…no plasma, no HD)…a line that went down the center of the picture like a censor’s marker might. We were told this was the mountain in the way. (We lived in the wooded and semi-mountainous terrain where it was better for skiers than it was for TV addicts.)
And skiers got only a bit more “snow” than we who wanted to stay inside with cocoa and “Batman” or fudge and Friday night “Brady Bunch” or “Partridge Family” fun. The grainy quality of the television stations we did get, was typically enough to force a weakening of eyesight and a subsequent trip to the optometrist for glasses we didn’t otherwise need, save to watch TV.

If I am done complaining, you might be saying, I could get on with the television stations of today and the godsent offerings each makes. Ohhh, where does a TV lover begin? Yes, ABC, CBS, and NBC are still kicking ass, only changing to their logos slightly and their focus slightly more. They still have way too many news hours for my sensitive approach. But click a silent click down to Fox and you have Seinfeld re-runs and American Idol and all those fascinating trading spouses and other reality shows. Speaking of reality TV shows, I suggest for the real TV fan that you move to the television stations that at first were riding on others’ coattails but have made a slot for themselves: The WB, a Warner Brothers conglomeration, seems to target and provide a place for the black population—often neglected on other major television stations save the occasional Cosby or Bernie Mac if you are lucky. The WB features a fantastic reality TV show hosted by Tara Banks called “America’s Next Top Model.”

CBS has the long standing “Big Brother,” the award-winning “Survivor,” and the top reality TV show, “Amazing Race;” NBC has the great new “Beauty and the Geek,” and ABC has “The Bachelor” (this season , in Paris). But now that we have hundreds more than three television stations from which to plan our days and nights, though we pay more, we have access to Reality TV stations, Soap Opera stations, and of course, hundreds of sports stations and channels.
So if you’ll excuse me, I need to get my TV-viewing clothes on, food prepped, and remote re-charged, for tonight…the skating stars and bad skaters will be paired in competition on one channel, the biggest loser will be a couple on another channel, and on yet another of my 700+ television stations, the “American Idol” auditions are kicking into second gear with their second day of auditions and our second night of long-awaited airing!

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A never told secret of the wholesale computer parts

If you have been shopping in the market for a new computer system, you might have noticed that most branded computers today have become highly unaffordable. Sure, prices have fallen in certain sectors that contribute to the making of computers. The prices of memory have hit an all time low due to the enhancements in manufacturing volumes of memory manufacturers. The prices of mother boards and other assorted computer innards have also fallen steeply. But the fact remains that the branded computer manufacturers are in the business to make their own profits. Therefore, despite the all around falling in prices that we have been witnessing, the prices of good computers have remained more or less constant!

Does this mean that a good computer system will always remain unaffordable? Not really! If you consider sourcing your computer from dealers who specialize in wholesale computer parts. Wholesale computer parts are an excellent way to source out and build your own computer. Most people are of the opinion that wholesale computer parts are in some way inferior to the parts available in branded computers. The same was the case with me. I always believed that wholesale computer parts were a means for cheap and inefficient computer parts manufacturers to offload their inferior stock on unsuspecting customers. Until my computer broke down recently that is. When I took it to the authorized dealer, I got a quote that was very high. Being unable to spare that much cash, and being desperately in need of having my computer restored, I grudgingly made my way to a nearby wholesale computer parts dealer.

What I saw there amazed and astounded me. This wholesale computer parts dealer has his own repair service. And when they opened up my computer and diagnosed the problem, the repair quote I got was a fraction of what the authorized dealer had given me. I was naturally curious as to what had created the difference and suspiciously eyed the wholesale computer parts on display. But the dealer opened up my computer to show me that the replacement parts would be the very same that my existing computer had. As installed by the original manufacturer. When I asked him how this was possible, he explained the wholesale computer parts business to me.

Apparently, most computer parts manufactures manufacture more parts than required by an order from a branded computer manufacturer. This is an in-built quality control feature in order to ensure that a sudden spurt in demand or a quality crisis can be handled quickly and efficiently. When the order is processed without incident, the excess parts are offloaded to wholesale computer parts dealers for a huge discount. These wholesale computer parts dealers then sell these equally good computer parts for a discount to users like you and me, who know better and are willing to invest the time and effort that it takes to build our own computers. Which means, that by buying the parts directly from wholesale computer parts dealers, we stand to make great savings!

The next time you want to go in for a computer purchase, do consider new source apart from the regular computer manufacturers. Consider sourcing out your computer from the wholesale computer parts dealers. And you’ll never regret your decision.

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How to Choose a Right Plasma Television for You

If you’ve been shopping around for a television set in the recent past, chances are that you’ve been astounded by the wide array of television sets available. I’m not referring to the number of manufacturers. Apart from the brand names most of us have grown up with, most state of the art television sets today come from the Asian region, from companies in China, Korea and Japan. What I am referring to however, is the new technologies that are available. If on the one hand there are still cathode ray tube conventional televisions, on the other hand, there are innovative display systems like liquid crystal display televisions and even what is known as plasma televisions.

In the tried and tested conventional televisions that most of us have grown up with, the technology used is known as the cathode ray tube technology. A cathode gun fires electrons, which, when charged and excited, tend to form an image on a glass screen. These images form as pixels in the three basic colors, which when combined can produce millions of colors. While the technology itself has been fine tuned and developed through the ages to give us great television monitors, there are certain limitations to what the conventional cathode ray tube television can do.

For one thing, being built of glass, the screen of the cathode ray tube or conventional television has a size limitation. Most conventional televisions which use the cathode ray tube technology are less than 42 inches in size. This size is not the height or width of the television, but the diagonal distance between one end and the other. So, the biggest conventional television you can have is around 42 inches. Conventional televisions are bulky, restricted in image size and confined to the limitations of the box they are built in. This makes them big, and in some cases impossible to fit into your living room.

This is where newer display technologies have resulted in better, modern televisions like the plasma television. In a plasma television, the older cathode ray tube technology is left behind in favor of an atomic technology. Our ability to manipulate and control the behavior of atomic particles has also enables us to enhance our viewing experience. This is the technology that a plasma television uses. A plasma, is a gas that contains freely flowing ions and electrons. When an electric charge is passed through this plasma, photons are released, which then provide illumination. The rest of the technology in plasma televisions is concentrated on using this illumination to create the three primary colors and to display them as images. Just as the cathode ray tube televisions use different intensities of particles to produce differing colors, the plasma television also varies the intensity of the illumination to produce color changes. Which is why, while using a plasma television, more numbers of colors can be seen.

The plasma television removes or negates most of the drawbacks of the conventional television. For one thing, size is no longer a restriction, as the bulky cathode ray tube has been done away with. For another, bulky boxes are not required and the plasma television can be as thin as you could have imagined it. Most plasma televisions nowadays appear more or less like works of art hanging in your living room. So adopt the plasma television today and see how innovations in display have enhanced the quality of our entertainment!

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