10 tips to spot a fake Rolex

10 tips to spot a fake Rolex

http://rolex.com/

International expert on used Rolex watches, Avi Dayan offers 10 tips for telling a real Rolex from a fake.

10 tips that tell a real Rolex from a fake:

1. They have never manufactured a watch with a see-through case. If you see a glass-back case on a watch, move on. You’re not looking at a Rolex.

2. Rolex has never fabricated a case or a band with even the smallest amount of rubber. You know it’s a fake if you feel rubber.

3. Skeleton dials display the moving parts of a timepiece. They have never made a skeleton dial.

4. Oyster Perpetual watches always have a screwed-back case - never a pop-up.

5. Oysters are fabricated of steel, gold or platinum. Chrome or chrome-plate is never used.

6. Only men’s full-size watches have day and date features.

7. The case of a President is platinum, 18-karat yellow or white gold - never steel or two-tone stainless and gold.

8. Rolex watches are not gold-plated - ever. When it comes to gold, a Rolex is either 14 or 18-karat gold.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Bsodmike

9. Surprise, surprise. Rolex does indeed, make a quartz movement watch - the perpetual Oyster. But, be careful before you buy. Quartz movement comprise fewer than 10% of all Perpetual Oysters. The other 90% are conventional automatic Rolex movements.

10. They are a Swiss company that has in years past manufactured watches in various other countries including the U.S, Mexico, Italy and Venezuela - but never China. A “Chinese-made Rolex” is a genuine fake.

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TOP 10 ANTI-AGING DON’TS

TOP 10 ANTI-AGING DON’TS

  1. Don’t rely on food alone for all your nutritional needs.
  2. Don’t let free radicals run wild in your body.
  3. Don’t think that medical prescription drugs are your only answer.
  4. Don’t neglect powerful phytonutrients.
  5. Don’t eat white bread or junk food.
  6. Don’t eat the same food everyday.
  7. Don’t lead a sedentary lifestyle.
  8. Don’t be negative in your attitude towards life.
  9. Don’t procrastinate in seeing a doctor.
  10. Don’t let life pass you by.

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10 Golden Rules to Stay Young Forever

10 Golden Rules to Stay Young Forever

Weight management is on everyone's mind. Every time you turn on the television, you are bombarded with stories about the growing obesity rate. You have seen the commercials and you may own one or more of the widely marketed ab roll thinners, butt tuckers, tummy suckers and electronic fat removers. You may have also tried an Assortment of firming cream and burning pills. People are on a relentless search for the answers to weight loss, physical fitness and to look younger and beautiful. Often people go to any extent to look younger on the outside. They buy the best clothes and cosmetics that money can buy but looking young is not only about what you wear and how you apply make-up.  What you put inside your body by maintaining a high quality natural food diet, has the best effect on how we look and feel. There are some basic facts which can be helpful in achieving your goals faster than you have ever thought.
Here is the list of some of the things that can help you own an enviable toned body and stay in top shape for years to come.

1) Eat “Fit Foods”- your choice in a high quality natural diet plays a significant role in the way to look and feel.  A diet containing balanced amount of complex  carbohydrates, protein and fats  is the key.  Complex carbohydrates intake through brown rice, whole wheat pasta, salads, potatoes, unprocessed cereals etc. have proved to be very effective in losing weight because complex carbohydrates not only control hunger but also provide energy as our body  burns them more efficiently as compared to unprocessed food.

Similarly,  fiber (contained in fruits, vegetables and whole grains) helps get rid of unwanted and toxic substances present in your intestine and colon, accelerates weight loss and keeps the skin glowing. High quality, easily digestible protein can be derived by consuming chicken, turkey, egg whites, fish, low-fat dairy and certain lean cuts of red meat. Protein present in these food sources is easy to digest and helps increase the muscle tissue rather than fat tissues.

2) Eat at least three meals per day - Our body needs to have 3 balanced meals per day which includes a heavy breakfast in the morning containing fruits, cereals, grain bread, eggs,  along with a healthy drink. Research has shown that people who skip breakfast,  find it harder to lose weight. Your body needs energy to get you through the day and that energy is supplied only through a proper breakfast, so if you are not a “breakfast person” start by eating  at least a piece of fruit on your way to work.

3) Drink plenty of water- Water plays a key role in the prevention of diseases, reduction of weight, toxins and chances of cancer; absorption and digestion of food, regulation of body temperature, removal of waste and toxins from the body and maintaining glow of the skin. Water helps the body to metabolize stored fat and acts as appetite suppressant, and thus, leads to weight loss. Whenever you feel hungry, drink a pint of water, it will curb your appetite.

4) Eliminate soft drinks, fruit juices and processed foods - Avoid carbonated beverages and fruit juices even if they are naturally sweetened.  Processed food, refined food and pre-packaged food are loaded with sugars and preservatives. You can replace soft drinks and juices with natural water, herbal tea and caffeine free coffee.

5) Fast once a week- I strongly recommend fasting for everyone. It is something which everyone needs to do and please bear in mind that this has nothing to do with religious beliefs. If you abstain from meals, you are giving your body a chance to rest. In USA, we incessantly eat endless calories with every meal. The body never gets a chance to get rest, repair and restore itself. Our digestive system works round the clock even when we are sleeping. When we eat, it takes that meal three to four hours to travel through the stomach, another five hours for the food to be processed in the small intestine and an additional 12 to 36 hours for the food to go through the large intestine. If you fast one day in a week, you are giving your body a chance to rid itself of abnormal  cells, toxins, heavy metals and chemicals that you have ingested.

6) Don't eat 2 hours before you go for sleep: People generally make the mistake of not eating much during the day and then eating a big dinner before they go to bed. It becomes difficult for the body to burn the extra calories while you are sleeping because your energy levels plummet while sleeping. Therefore, try to eat earlier in the day and keep dinners as simple and light as possible.

7) Exercise to stay fit and young- We all have excuses and explanations for not exercising, like, lack of time, odd working hours, home, kids etc. Good eating and drinking habits and exercise keep you fit for your entire life. Exercise and workout will not only keep you healthy, increase longevity but will also give you mental peace because “A healthy body has a healthy mind”. Any anaerobic exercise like stationary cycling, walking, jogging, swimming, yoga etc. four times a week yields good results. If possible, go for a brisk walk of 10 to 15 minute at lunch or in the evening to boost your metabolism even more. Don't forget to tone your muscles with weight training three days per week.

8) Mediation and deep breathing- Meditation helps develop a stronger body and mind connection. This connection is vital for feeling younger and healthier. Breathing is one of the important and the oldest weapon to fight toxicity in the body. Breathing is an effective way to remove toxins as well as to cleanse and purify the body. When we exhale, we take out carbon dioxide and the toxins which are deadly poisonous for the body. The body has a great tendency and capacity for oxygen. If our body lacks oxygen, we feel tired and have headaches. A few deep breaths not only relieves us from the anxiety and ease digestion but also helps with waking up and going to sleep.

9) Stop smoking and drinking alcohol- Smoking and alcohol consumption have negative effects on your body. Alcohol depresses your metabolism and stimulates your appetite and thus affects your eating habits.

10) Live with a positive attitude- The way to a healthy life begins with a healthy mind. How we think determines everything in our life. We should choose the habits that make us feel younger and live longer with a healthy body and mind. 

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10 Amazing Facts About Brain Part I

10 Amazing Facts About Brain Part I

1.  You have a finite amount of willpower each day because to exercise your willpower  you need energy in the form of oxygen and glucose. That’s why it’s harder to say ‘no’ when you are tired or not feeling yourself.
You can artificially boost your willpower by drinking an energy drink packed with sugar and caffeine, but a good night’s rest is a much more useful and healthy option. Well, that and also having enough awareness not to put yourself into situation where you will need lots of willpower when you know your resources will be low.In other words if you’re trying to quit drinking, avoid bars. If you are wanting to lose weight, don’t drive down fast food alley every day and if you want to stop smoking, avoid people (wherever reasonably possible) who do smoke.

2. A thought is a physical pathway in the brain. The more you have that thought, the more you groove and strengthen that path and the easier it is to have it again and again. That’s why having the thought “Why do I suck?” is never a great idea because you start to create a self fulfilling prophecy as it becomes harder and harder to shake the belief that you suck.
Your brain hates holding two contradictory opinions at once because it creates cognitive dissonance, so when you tell yourself you suck, your brain seeks out information to back up what you are saying. And trust me, it will find it and ignore contrary evidence.
And by the way, you don’t suck.

3. Speaking of which, you have approximately 70,000 thoughts per day, although many will be the same ones looping round and round on your grooved cranial superhighway. And that is why we know that the quality of your thoughts is highly correlated to the quality of your life.

Think great thoughts and you’re way more likely to lead a great life; it really is that simple if sometimes difficult to actually implement. As the great William James once said, “The greatest breakthrough in my life time is the realization that man can alter his life by altering his thinking.”

4. Even if you consider yourself a creative right-brained person, your brain will increase blood circulation to the left of your brain side every 90 to 120 minutes, giving you a greater ability during those times to think linearly. That’s why even left-brained people can have times of the day when they are more creative and right-brained people can sometimes get their taxes in order.If you want a fascinating tip on how you can tell which side is in control at any one time do this (unless you have a cold, in which case it probably won’t work):Close your mouth and take a deep breath through your nose.

Did you notice how your breath flowed up the nasal cavity more easily on one side than the other? If not, do it again, only this time hold down one nostril and breathe in and then do the same with the other. One flows in easily and unencumbered, but the other probably feels like you have a bit of a cold. That is due to vascular constriction and the side where the blood vessels are more constricted will allow air to pass through it much more easily. Vascular constriction is controlled by the autonomic nervous system, which is one of the few parts of the brain that doesn’t cross over. In other words, if your right nasal passage has constricted blood vessels, then so has the right side of your brain. Which means you that you are predominantly using the opposite hemisphere of your brain.
Cool eh?

5. Reading out loud to kids under the age of 5 accelerates their brain development and helps build neural connections. Those connections can then help with further learning as they grow older. So don’t throw your kids in front of the TV and turn on Sponge Bob Square Pants. Read them stories if you want them to grow intellectually and provide for you in your old age.

6. Scientists have proven beyond any reasonable doubt using fMRI’s, that reframing negative situations literally rewires your brain by creating new neural pathways and can make you a happier, more easygoing person.
Very briefly and in case you are unaware, a reframe is where you decide to look at a negative situation in a more empowering light. It doesn’t involve changing the actual event (that would be delusional) just adjusting
your view of it. If you want to get good at reframing, simply ask yourself the following two questions (or whichever is most pertinent at the time) when things aren’t going to plan.
What else can this mean?
What can I learn from this?

7. Your brain is approximately 75% water, but you should never drink it, even if you’re really thirsty, and anyway it probably wouldn’t taste very nice.

8. Your brain only weighs about 3lbs, yet the greedy bastard uses between 20% and 25% of your energy supplies each day, so make sure you stay hydrated and eat high quality food.

9. There are approximately 10 to the power of 60 atoms in the universe. Your brain laughs in the face of that figure however, as it has 10 to the power of 1,000,000 different ways it can wire itself up.
That’s the number 10 followed up with 1 million zeroes, which is to all intents and purposes (for anybody not called Stephen Hawking), is an infinite amount of ways.

10. Speaking of large numbers, there are approximately 1.1 trillion cells and 100 billion neurons in the average human brain.

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Top 10 Health Tips for Men

Top 10 Health Tips for Men

When it comes to health care, we men are like ostriches. We bury our heads in the sand. We are much less likely than women to visit our doctors regularly, take symptoms seriously and live a healthful lifestyle. Maybe that’s one reason why women have a seven-year average survival advantage on us!  Yet it’s obviously important that men of all ages become more proactive about their health. And an easy way to start is to follow these 10 basic steps to maintaining health and vitality.

1. Eliminate "White Foods" from Your Diet.
White flour, white sugar and other processed foods are not only devoid of vitamins and minerals, but they’ve also been stripped of their natural fibre. As a result, they rapidly drive up blood sugar levels, which contributes to weight gain, diabetes and a host of other health problems. Avoid breads and baked goods made with white flour, sugar-laden sodas and snack foods. Instead, focus on eating fibre-rich fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains.

2. Stay Away from Dangerous Trans Fats.
While it’s important to reduce your overall fat intake, it’s even more important to watch the types of fat you eat. Deep-fried foods and anything made with hydrogenated oils (margarine, peanut butter, shortening, store-bought pastries and cookies) contain trans fats that raise your risk of heart disease. Eat only healthful fats, such as olive oil and the omega-3 oils found in salmon and other cold-water fish, which actually protect against heart disease.

3. Take a Potent Daily Multivitamin and Mineral Supplement.
Although there is no substitute for a good diet, I am convinced that for optimal nutrition, you need to take a high-potency multivitamin and mineral supplement. Even if you are eating right, it’s unlikely that your food contains all the nutrients you need. Poor soil quality, storage, processing and cooking deplete our food of vitamins and minerals. Taking a high quality daily supplement is "health insurance" against possible deficiencies.

4. Include Weight Training in Your Exercise Routine.
Aerobic exercise is great for cardiovascular conditioning, but it’s vastly inferior to weight training in attacking the "flab factor." Recent research has shown that as little as once-weekly resistance exercise can improve muscle strength. Even the busiest or laziest among us can find the time and energy for that. Join a gym, consult a personal trainer or ask an experienced friend to show you the ropes.

5. Maintain Your Optimal Weight.
Current statistics suggest that half of us are losing the battle of the bulge, but maintaining a healthy weight is one of the best things you can do for yourself. You’ll look better, feel better and reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and other major killers. I know this is easier said than done, but if you just follow the four steps above, you’ll be well on your way.

6. Drink Alcohol Only in Moderation. 
You’ve probably heard of the "French Paradox," and that drinking wine protects against heart disease. Repeated studies have shown that drinking moderate amounts of alcohol (all kinds) protects not only against heart disease, but also lowers risk of death from all causes. Remember that moderation is key. While one to two drinks a day are protective, excess alcohol consumption is devastating to health. And for some, one drink is too many.

7. Protect Your Prostate.
Around the age of 40, the prostate gland begins a growth spurt that results in symptoms such as frequent nighttime urination. The good news is that this condition, known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, can be prevented or reversed by taking extracts of two herbs: saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) and pygeum (Pygeum africanum). Dozens of studies have shown that these herbs work in improving urinary flow without adverse side-effects. Suggested doses are 160 to 320 milligrams of saw palmetto and 40 to 80 mg of pygeum daily.

8. Reduce .
Your Risk of Prostate Cancer. Experts estimate that 80 per cent of all cancers can be prevented by making healthy lifestyle choices. Avoid saturated and trans fats, which may fuel prostate cancer growth, and incorporate protective foods, such as soy, green tea and tomatoes, into your diet. Soy contains isoflavones with specific anti-cancer activity. Green tea is rich in polyphenols that inhibit the formation of cancer-causing compounds and block the growth of prostate cancer cells. And tomatoes, particularly cooked tomato products, are an excellent source of lycopene, which is linked to a reduced risk of prostate cancer. In addition, make sure your daily nutritional supplement contains high doses of the antioxidant selenium (200 micrograms) and vitamin E (800 IU), which have been shown to dramatically lower the risk of prostate cancer.

9. Maintain Vigorous Sexual Function.
Most cases of erectile dysfunction (impotence) have a physical cause: You’re just not getting enough blood to the area in question. To improve overall circulation, follow the diet, exercise and supplement recommendations above. If you’re taking drugs, review them with your doctor, as many can worsen erectile function and impair libido. Smoking also significantly impairs erectile function. Several herbs have been shown to improve sexual function. Ginkgo biloba increases blood flow to the penis, and Panax ginseng, oats, horny goat weed, maca and seroctin improve libido.

10. Maintain Close Relationships.
Another thing women seem to do better than men is maintain close relationships. Make a point to strengthen ties with your family and friends. Volunteer work, religious ties, even pets–anything that keeps you involved with others–reduces stress and enhances health.

Take charge of your health by incorporating these 10 steps into your life. The rewards of optimal health and well-being will be well worth your efforts.

Men’s Longevity "To Do" List

1.  Eliminate "white foods" from your diet.
2.  Stay away from dangerous trans fats.
3.  Take a daily vitamin-mineral supplement.
4.  Incorporate weight training in your exercise routine.
5.  Maintain your optimal weight.
6.  Drink alcohol only in moderation.
7.  Protect your prostate.
8.  Reduce your risk of prostate cancer.
9.  Maintain vigorous sexual function.
10. Maintain close relationships.

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Top 10 Ways to Promote Your Blog

Top 10 Ways to Promote Your Blog

Blogs are a very popular outlet for Internet marketing? they are easy to start up and easy to keep up, they’re also a free medium to advertise products and ideas with content. Blogs are popular because readers get to participate in the conversation about niche markets and aren’t as formal as sales pages and website pages. Once you have a blog up and running, you need to promote it to get traffic to your blog? we won’t go into what you should have in your blog (compelling, interesting and informative articles/copy that engages the reader and creates a dialogue), but we will look at the top 10 ways to promote your blog and get the traffic that you need.

1. Social Bookmarking Sites
Sites such as Digg and Delicious grab traffic and have it head right for your blog. These are quite easy to use (so long as you don’t vote for yourself)?. Create a free account, write a description, add tags and the address to your blog, and voila! - With compelling headlines and descriptions, you can quickly gain traffic to your blog.

2. Visiting Forums
Visiting forums in your niche market is nearly as old as the Internet itself?.But this works and it’s free. Participate in the forums with relevant (and compelling) information that leads to what your blog is all about. Having a great signature line with a link to your blog is the key.

3. Free eBooks
Writing and offering free eBooks will also bring traffic to your website. Your eBook should be compelling, well written and chock full of useful information (otherwise, no one will visit your blog, thinking you’re nothing real to say anyway).

4. Join Groups
Look at MSN, Yahoo and Google groups and find some that are relevant to your niche. Don’t spam them ? Enjoy the conversation and ease into it.

5. Video it
Create a video (or hire someone to do it) then submit it to one of the many popular video sites (such as YouTube) and find more traffic being directed to your site. It’s not a secret that video sites are incredibly popular and that this popularity is only growing each and every day ?so get in on the action, create a compelling video and get more traffic to your blog.

6. Update Regularly
Updating your blog regularly is very important. You have to continue updating with relevant information that is interesting and leads to more information yet to come. This will bring people back to your blog time and time again.

7. Blog Directories
This is very simple ?submit your blog to blog directories for backlinks and new potential readers. Although most blog directories will require a link back from your blog, it may not have to be permanent. Here are a few of the most popular blog directories you should submit to:
BlogCatalog
Blog Flux Directory
BlogHub

8. Really Simple Syndication (RSS)
RSS feeds are also incredibly popular and this allows your loyal readers to know when you’re updated your blog (which should be often and regularly). It’s quite easy to RSS your blog and this allows your readers to know when you’re posted more information that they want to read.

9. RSS Directories
Don’t forget, now that you’re syndicated your blog, to submit to RSS directories as well.

10. SEO your Blog
The most importnat, SEOing your blog will lead to receiving completely free traffic from search engines. The main things you need to do is make sure your markup is error-free, and you’re using headings, such as,and’s, the most important three. You should also link to your homepage with the appropriate anchor text. You should try and get as many quality backlinks as you can to help this along.

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ANOTHER 10 TIPS THAT CAN HELP PREVENT ACNE

ANOTHER 10 TIPS THAT CAN HELP PREVENT ACNE

1, Wash your face twice a day with warm water and a gentle pH balanced facial wash or cleanser. Afterwards apply a moisturizer suitable for skin with acne.

2. Avoid touching your face with your fingers as this spreads bacteria and infection that causes the pores to become inflamed .

3. Eat a healthy, well balanced diet that contains fresh fruit and vegetables and avoid fatty or refined foods, junk food, peanuts, and cake which is high in sugar.

4. Drink at least eight glasses of water daily to eliminate unwanted toxins from the body 

5. Keep your hair clean by shampooing regularly and make sure that it is out of your face to prevent oil and dirt from clogging the pores 

6. If acne develops on your body, wear loose, cotton clothing that will allow the skin to breathe 

7. Never pop pimples as this will only lead to swelling and infection 

8. Always remove make-up before going to bed and choose noncomedogenic or nonacnegenic brands 

9. Stay out of the sun and when you go outside, wear a sunscreen 

10. Stop smoking as it can increase the signs of aging on the skin and worsens acne.

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10 tips to stay slim

10 tips to stay slim

Making food choices for a healthy lifestyle can be as simple as using these 10 Tips.  Use the ideas in this list to balance your calories, to choose foods to eat more often, and to cut back on foods to eat less often.

1. Balance calories
Find out how many calories YOU need for a day as a first step in managing your weight. Go to www.ChooseMyPlate.gov to find your calorie level. Being physically active also helps you balance calories.

2. Enjoy your food, but eat less
Take the time to fully enjoy your food as you eat it. Eating too fast or when your attention is elsewhere may lead to eating too many calories. Pay attention to hunger and fullness cues before, during, and after meals. Use them to recognize when to eat and when you’ve had enough.

3. Void oversized portions
Use a smaller plate, bowl, and glass. Portion out foods before you eat. When eating out, choose a smaller size option, share a dish, or take home part of your meal.

4. Foods to eat more often
Eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fat-free or 1% milk and dairy products. These foods have the nutrients you need for health including potassium, calcium, vitamin D, and fiber. Make them the basis for meals and snacks.

5. Make half your plate fruits and vegetables
Choose red, orange, and dark-green vegetables like  tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and broccoli, along with other vegetables for your meals. Add fruit to meals as part of main or side dishes or as dessert.

6. Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk 
They have the same amount of calcium and other essential nutrients as whole milk, but fewer calories and less saturated fat

7. Make half your grains whole grains
To eat more whole grains, substitute a whole-grain product for a refined product-such as eating whole wheat bread instead of white bread or brown rice instead of white rice.

8. Foods to eat less often
Cut back on foods high in solid fats, added sugars, and salt. They include cakes, cookies, ice cream, candies, sweetened drinks, pizza, and fatty meats like ribs, sausages, bacon, and hot dogs. Use these foods as occasional treats, not everyday foods

9. Compare sodium in foods
Use the Nutrition Facts label to choose lower sodium versions of foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals. Select canned foods labeled “low sodium,” ”reduced sodium,” or “no salt added".

10. Drink water instead of sugary drinks
Cut calories by drinking water or unsweetened beverages. Soda, energy drinks, and sports drinks are a major source of added sugar, and calories, in American diets.

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10 things to keep your voice beautiful!

10 things to keep your voice beautiful!

1. Limit intake of dehydrating fluids – coffee, tea, alcohol; up water intake.
2. Avoid whispering if you “lose” your voice. Speak quietly instead with support.
3. If you must shout,use support muscles!...
4. Match your phonation to your breath length.
5. Excessive throat clearing is too harsh for the vocal folds. Try to avoid this.
6. Improve your posture, so muscles can work effectively.
7. See if you can have voice naps during the day.
8. Use giggle technique to help blowaway any constriction in larynx.
9. Articulate well at front of mouth .
10. When you have a cold, avoid decongestants; steam instead.

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Top 10 camera phone tips

Top 10 camera phone tips

Image Source: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

#1. Use the rule of thirds
When composing a picture, imagine two horizontal lines and two vertical lines crossing like a tic-tac-toe grid on top of it. Place strong lines and divisions like the horizon in your image on the gridlines and let elements of interest fall on the intersections. A few camera phones let you activate a grid display on the image-preview screen. You can also make your own grid display on a transparent LCD skin with a felt-tip pen. Another option is software that creates a composition overlay in an image-editing program so you can crop your image to conform to various compositional principles.

#2. Stabilize your camera phone
Image-stabilizing functions are now common in compact digital cameras. If your camera phone has a stabilizing feature for video or photos, use it. Camera phones are so lightweight it's nearly impossible to keep them steady and avoid blurred images.This problem gets worse in low light, since the camera phone slows the shutter speed to let in more light and has a longer opportunity to capture movement. To ameliorate this problem, hold the camera phone with both hands and brace your upper arms against your body when you shoot. Bracing your hand against an immobile object such as a telephone pole or a tree can also help, as can a tripod or other support. For posed shots, the self-timer will help keep you from tilting the phone when you push the shutter-release button.

#3. Use the highest resolution setting
Unless you're sure the only thing you want to do with your images is send them to another mobile device or post them online, use the highest resolution setting available. If later you want to print a shot, you'll be glad you did. When shooting video, a higher resolution shows more detail and allows a larger image display when
playing the video on a computer screen. If your camera phone has a memory-card slot, use a high-capacity card so you won't have to drop the resolution to save space. If the phone is compatible with software that lets you upload your images to a gallery or blog at full resolution, use that to make room on your memory card instead of sacrificing image quality.

#4. Use the highest quality setting
Most camera phones allow you to select a quality level for your images. This determines the level of compression used when the images are saved. The higher the quality setting, the lower the compression level. Choose the highest quality setting available so you lose less detail and don't get a muddy photo. If you have to choose between resolution and a quality setting to save space-and it's unlikely you'll make prints reduce the resolution. Even VGA or QVGA resolution will look fine on a screen, but using heavy compression will make the image look worse in any form of display.

#5. Shoot videos at the right frame rate
If your camera phone gives you a choice, use the highest frame rate available for videos, unless you want a slower rate for effect. The most advanced devices can shoot at 30 frames per second-the same rate used by most digital camcorders. Some shoot at a rate closer to 24 frames per second, the rate used to shoot most movies on film. Dropping down to about 15 frames per second gives choppier footage with a look similar to that of an old, silent movie. Higher frame rates produce a smoother look but take up more memory; so if your camera phone has a memory card slot and you're going to shoot a lot of video, get a high-capacity card.

#6. Use a low ISO setting if you can
Many camera phones don't let you control the ISO setting, but if you have one that does, make use of it. In good light, set the ISO to a low number, like 100. The lower the number, the less visual noise will appear in your images. As the light level drops, increase the light sensitivity of the sensor by using a higher ISO setting or switch to auto ISO. You'll get noisier photos at higher ISO levels, but sometimes that's better than no photos at all.

#7. Get the right color tone
Most camera phones provide a handful of white-balance settings, along with some color effects like black-and-white and sepia. In general, it's a good idea to notice what kind of light you're shooting in and select color settings accordingly. Using a white-balance setting designated for the type of light in your scene often produces more natural-looking results than automatic white balance, especially with fluorescent lighting. If the lighting is mixed-maybe incandescent bulbs and natural light from a window-you're better off using automatic white balance. Take a few test shots to see what works. If the light is very dim and there's a lot of visual noise in your shots, try a monochrome shooting mode or convert your shots to black-and-white or sepia with an editing tool. The speckles that look ugly in color can give an image an atmospheric, grainy look in shades of gray or sepia. Shooting in black-and-white in any light can help develop your photographer's eye by letting you concentrate on the relationship between light and shadow without the distraction of color.

#8. Use digital zoom judiciously
A limited number of camera phones offer optical zoom, giving you more flexibility in composing your shot. There's no reason not to use it. Almost all camera phones are equipped with digital zoom, which it's usually not a good idea to use. A digital zoom is basically a cropping function that cuts out and saves a portion of the image that is optically available to the sensor-and ultimately degrades its quality. Whenever possible, opt for sneaker zoom: Take a few steps back or forward to change the framing instead of using a digital zoom or having subjects move.

There may be times when composition is more important than quality-maybe if you're shooting video of a speaker and want the speaker's head and upper body to fill most of the frame. In any case, you won't see the person's face very clearly, but if you use the digital zoom, the image will be composed well. Just remember that digital zoom will negatively affect the quality of both photos and videos, and use it only when the alternative is worse.

#9. Anticipate shutter lag
If you've ever used a compact digital camera, you're familiar with shutter lag. It's the delay between the moment you press the shutter-release button and the moment the image is captured. In very simple camera phones, there's a negligible delay. More sophisticated devices, however, are prone to noticeable shutter lags, especially with auto focus. Get used to your camera phone's timing so when something interesting happens, you'll have a good feel for the point when you need to press the shutter release to capture the most interesting moment.

#10. Decide what your photograph is before you take it
If you're taking a picture or shooting a video, think about the story your photo or video will tell before you take it.
What is the main subject of the photo? 
What are you trying to convey about it? 
Which elements of the scene help you tell the story, and which are footnotes and tangents better left out?
Ask yourself what it is about what you see that makes you want to take a picture of it, and think about the best way to show that to someone who sees the picture.

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10 Sex Tips For Women

10 Sex Tips For Women

1. “Why does he want sex so much more often than I do?”

Basically, because he's awash with the hormone testosterone and you're not. Women have it, but not nearly as much as men. Testosterone is largely responsible for lust, anger and increased physical strength. Ceren Altin, of online science magazine Kingdom Robertea, explains: “As you get older, the level of testosterone decreases in both sexes and causes a decrease in libido.”

On the upside, what women lack in testosterone they make up for in sensitivity. Women respond better to touch than men, whose testosterone levels mean their skin is thicker and thus less responsive.

Researchers are currently investigating the possibility of producing a testosterone-based pill for women, because women with greater levels of testosterone have a higher sex drive. Currently there are no female equivalents of Viagra that have been medically approved, although various sensitising creams that draw blood to the genitals do exist. Alternatively, some herbal pharmacists suggest small doses of damiana, which stimulates the urinary tract and thus feelings of sexual excitement,  or herbal supplements such as ArginMax, which helps the body develop nitric oxide and leads to arousal.

2. “Why do women orgasm?”

This is a hot topic in sex circles because, unlike men, women don't need to orgasm to ensure conception. US anthropologist Donald Symons suggest women share men's basic neurological mechanisms, which is nature's way of simplifying the genetic human blueprint, In this way, the clitoris is simply an undeveloped version of the penis, serving no biological purpose - just as men have nipples but can't breastfeed.

Undeveloped it may be, but the clitoris is extremely sensitive. And although many women don't orgasm through intercourse, clitoral orgasms are much simpler to achieve (and many hours of fretting could be avoided if most women - and men - realised that). If he can rub your clitoris while inside you - the best position for this is you on top - you, too can come during intercourse, without worrying about where your
G-spot is.

According to Dr Glen wilson, co-author of The Science of Love, “Impressive confirmation of Symons theory of female orgasm comes from the discovery that male hormones increase a woman's sexual responsiveness.”

If you are still pursuing the big O, Wilson's advice is not to give up. “Fingers haven't yet evolved for playing the piano,” he explains. “However, many of us have learned to do so, thereby giving ourselves - and other people - a great deal of pleasure. Likewise, many women who have not experienced an orgasm can learn the skill and their partners can be taught to assist.”

3. “What actually happens during an orgasm?”

Sex research pioneers Masters and Johnson tabulated 10,000 episodes of sexual activity in more than 600 women (and men). They found that the human sexual response cycle consists of four stages: excitement, plateau, orgasm and resolution. During orgasm men and women report very similar feelings. For men, direct genital stimulation usually causes an erection in seconds. Also, the testicles are pulled closer to the body, the scrotum tenses, muscles clench and blood pressure increases. For women, the excitement stage is characterised by the onset of vaginal lubrication, clitoral erection, changes in the size and shape of the labia, nipple erection and swelling of the breasts. At this stage, symptoms increase in intensity. Orgasm, for men, involves emission (when semen gathers in the upper part of the urethra, leading to a three-second sensation of “ejaculatory inevitability”, according to Masters and Johnson) and expulsion (four to five rhythmic contractions at the base of the penis, forcing semen out).

Orgasm in women involves rhythmic contractions of the uterus and the muscles round the vagina. Women normally experience three to 10 very strong contractions, also at 0.8 second intervals. In both sexes, oxytocin is released, which strengthens contractions.

Best of all, while he only gets one orgasm per session, you are ready to go again  from standing start.

4. “Yes, OK, but how do I get one?”

If you've never experienced an orgasm you're not alone: it's a sad fact that three quarters of women don't orgasm through intercourse - but you can change your fortunes.

Firstly, you have to prepare your body for sex. The vaginal lubrication, clitoral erection, changes in the size and shape of the labia, nipple erection and swelling of the breasts are all the basic ingredients to get you to the finishing line. Unless all these changes happen, you're unlikely to come - so if he's bashing away and you're getting nowhere, he needs to pay more attention to your clitoris and breasts until you reach the plateau stage. Then, he needs to take a bit more time out from his side of things to make sure he's reaching all the right places.

Dr Barbara Keesling, author of The Good Girls Guide To Bad Girl Sex, says “Some intercourse positions are more likely to offer the stimulation a woman needs to have an orgasm.

“The one I recommend is the position in which the woman lies on her back with her legs in the air and knees bent and her partner kneels between her legs. This stimulates the pubococcygus (PC) muscle (also known as the pelvic floor muscle, which you use to hold back urine), the cervix and the G-spot and allows her partner to easily withdraw his penis to stimulate the clitoris.

“Some orgasms may include only PC muscle spasms and a mild, good feeling - others maybe strong they cause your body to arch of the bed,” Now you know the theory behind it, it's a case of practice.

5. “Can he tell if I fake an orgasm?”

Not necessarily, but some signs can be harder to emulate than others. As well as the flushing and screaming, real orgasm cause your toes to clench, so it you are faking it, don't forget to get your tootsies involved. Internally, the only certain physical changes are the contractions of your vagina - and they can easily be faked, as women have strong muscles in that area. In fact, doing so may be very worth while as it can
encourage a real orgasm.

But instead of faking it, why not try to get into it. Make sure you allow yourself to relax; stress lowers your libido by inducing the hormone prolactin, which reduces sexual arousal. Pour yourself a glass of wine, have a massage and let your mind wander into the play zone.

6. “What's the most pleasurable time of the month to have the best sex?

Women become more sexually promiscuous during the middle of their cycle, which is your body's way of encouraging you to get pregnant. The female fertility hormone, oestrogen, is released in greater quantities mid-cycle to prepare you for pregnancy. Also women who have regular sex have higher levels of oestrogen, making them more fertile (and more keen!).

As well as this oestrogen surge, there's another factor contributing to your increased sex drive mid-cycle - your sense of smell.

Scientists of the Research Group for Sexology at the University of Cantania, Italy, studied 60 women, aged 18 to 40, none of whom were taking the pill. Each was exposed to a range of common smells - aniseed, musk, clove, citrus and ammonia - at various times during a single reproductive cycle. The researchers found that a woman's sense of smell is strongly linked to sex drive and may give women the ability to detect
pheromones in a man (sex chemicals that send subliminal messages to those around you), thus helping them find a sexual partner.

Backing this up, a University of Northumbria study conducted this year asked women to rate men's attractiveness from photos. When the experiment was repeated with the volunteers secretly exposed to male pheromones, all rated the men as more attractive.

7. “Why are some areas of my body more erogenous than others?”

Erogenous zones tend to be areas with the thinnest skin and the greatest concentration of nerve endings. They include the sides of the neck, breasts, inner arms and thighs and obviously genitals. The thinnest skin on the body, however, is on the eyelids.

Women may be more interested in having their erogenous zones explored than men are, as guys are already blessed with the ultimate in thin-skinned erogeny in the form of a penis. As for where's best, well, if it feels good, do it.The ancient Greeks believed that the most erogenous part of the body was the philtrum - the indentation above the lip. Whatever area flips your switch, it's worth paying attention to it - stroking and licking erotic zones sends signals straight to the penis or clitoris.

Focusing on the erogenous zones is the essence of foreplay, but sex counsellor and author Susan Quilliam issues a word of caution. “Penetrative acts are the way men most easily get aroused and climax.” she states. So whereas 34 per cent of women think foreplay is more important than intercourse, only 14 per cent of men agree. Men value foreplay simply because it gives pleasure to women.” Make sure he knows how vital it is for your pleasure.

8. “Is 'not tonight, I've got a headache' a valid excuse for not having sex?”

No. In fact, sex can cure a headache faster than Nurofen. This is because of the dopamine produced by the body during sex. Christophe Maquestiaux, a neuroscience expert based at the California Institute of Technology, explains, “Scientists have determined that, at its maximum, the pain relief offered by dopamine release is as potent as a high dose of morphine, making you feel better and letting you forget your worries as long as the stimulus is present.” Dopamine is the chemical that floods the brain when cocaine is taken, deadening pain. So if you've got a headache, you know what to do...

9. “When I fell in love with my partner, I wanted sex all the time. Four years on, I can't be bothered more than once a fortnight - why is this?”

When you're first attracted to someone, the hormone phenyulethylamine (PEA, which is also found in tiny quantities of chocolate) increases feelings of infatuation. And it's joined by a cocktail of equally strong chemicals, including norephinephrine, which makes you energetic and attentive, and dopamine, which floods you with happiness and desire.

The bad news is that after four years of neurotransmitter bombardment, your responses dull. You lose your sensitivity to chemicals responsible for that furious sex drive that you had when you first fell in love. Instead, other endorphins - including the “mothering” oxytocin - prevail, keeping you together but not necessarily desperate to spend all your time in bed.

So, what can you do about it? Research shows that dangerous situations increase production of adrenalin and in turn boost sex drive, because the body, having just averted death, wants to procreate. In an experiment in 1974, US psychologists found that when volunteers crossed a rickety rope-bridge, they were far more likely than volunteers who'd done nothing dangerous to rate pictures of the opposite sex as “very
attractive”. So, to rejuvenate your flagging sex life, take up dangerous sports together. Or failing that, just watch a scary movie.

10. “Is monogamy a realistic hope - or are we genetically hard-wired to sleep around?” 

There may be little scientific truth in the old ditty, “Hogamous higamous, man is polygamous, women is monogamous.” In fact, it's a far more equal world.

Sexual attraction is activated in the brain by a variety of endorphins, including phenyulethylamine (Pea). This in turn releases a chemical called vasopressin, also known as the monogamy hormone, as it urges a man to make sure his mate doesn't go off with anyone else. One plus is that it means he has to stick around, too.

Women also have a monogamy drug. During physical intimacy - touching, stroking and sex - women produe the hormone oxytocin. As well as engaging the mothering instinct, it also helps you bond with your partner. (Men respond less hormonally to touch, which is why cuddling is often less important to them).

However, this doesn't mean it's monogamy all the way. While men may have a biological urge to “spread their seed”, women are just as likely to keep their options open. Dr Robin Baker, author of Sperm Wars, claims that during ovulation women are programmed to seek out the best sperm to impregnate them, even if that means having sex with two men in the same day during their monthly window of fertility. But, girls, if you do take advantage of your naturally sexy times of the month, remember: that handsome stranger might not seem quite so appealing in a few days time.

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Top 10 Tips for Camera Phone

Top 10 Tips for Camera Phone

Whether you're a novice or a pro with your camera phone, we've got some tips that will help you get more camera out of your camera phone. So grab your camera phone and get started!

1. Take lots of pictures
Since your camera phone is always with you, take advantage of capturing those spontaneous moments. Take lots of pictures to increase your chance of capturing just the right shot. Use pictures to communicate - it may be faster and easier for both you and the recipient.

2. Move in close
Many camera phones lack a zoom lens, so make sure you move in close to capture your subject Fill your phone's display screen with your subject to create pictures with greater impact.
Up close you can reveal telling details - a wrinkled nose or an arched eyebrow. Don't get too close or your pictures will be blurry and distorted. As a general rule, stand about one to two feet from your subject.

3. Shoot at eye level
Direct eye contact can be as engaging in a picture as it is in real life. When taking a picture of someone, hold the camera at the person's eye level to unleash the power of those magnetic gazes and mesmerizing smiles. For children and pets, that means stooping to their level. Your subject doesn't have to stare at the camera - all by itself that eye level angle will create a personal and inviting feeling that pulls you into the picture.

4. Watch the light
To create impactful pictures, move in close and fill your viewfinder or LCD with the subject. Unless your camera phone has a built-in flash, low light - bad picture. Try to take pictures in bright light. Without adequate lighting, your camera phone pictures will look dark and grainy. In sunlight, move around where the sun beams onto your subject. Indoors, turn on extra lights to brighten your subject.

5. Use a plain background
A plain background shows off the subject you are photographing. When you're ready to take your picture, force yourself to study the area surrounding your subject. Make sure a tree isn't growing from the head of your subject and that no cars seem to dangle from their ears. Check your picture in the your phone's display screen and retake it if necessary.

6. Try different angles
Start by shooting at eye level. CLICK Capturing many angles will add variety and  interest to your photos. Keep the ones you like, delete the ones you don't.

7. Set resolution to high
Many camera phones include a low, medium, and high resolution setting (picture quality).
Setting your camera phone to the highest setting gives you the best quality pictures.
The quality difference might not be apparent on your phone's display screen, but you'll see it on a computer screen.

8. Discover your phone's capabilities
Flip through your phone manual and see if your phone has any of these features: Picture messaging - send pictures from your phone to others.
Picture effects - snap black & white or sepia pics or add different frames.
Photo caller ID - set a picture for people in your address book so it appears when they call.
Wallpaper - save your favorite picture as the background for your phone.
BLUETOOTH - wirelessly send pictures to Bluetooth Wireless Technology enabled devices.

9. Stay still
Jittery hands cause blurring. Keep your hand still a second or two after shooting, since the shot is still processing. When you hear the click sound, it doesn't mean you captured the photo, it just indicates that you pressed the shutter.

10. Be courteous, be legal
Cell phone etiquette includes being mindful of its camera. Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind.
Ask permission before taking people's picture.
Don't use your camera phone in places like health clubs or theaters.
Places like airplanes, courthouses, concert venues, and military bases, don't allow
cameras or phones. Abide by their rules.
Phones have limited storage space. Send pictures to online photo sites, Photobucket Gallery, instead.

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Top 10 Health Tips for Men

Top 10 Health Tips for Men

When it comes to health care, we men are like ostriches. We bury our heads in the sand. We are much less likely than women to visit our doctors regularly, take symptoms seriously and live a healthful lifestyle. Maybe that’s one reason why women have a seven-year average survival advantage on us!
Yet it’s obviously important that men of all ages become more proactive about their health. And an easy way to start is to follow these 10 basic steps to maintaining health and vitality.

1. Eliminate "White Foods" from Your Diet. White flour, white sugar and other processed foods are not only devoid of vitamins and minerals, but they’ve also been stripped of their natural fibre. As a result, they rapidly drive up blood sugar levels, which contributes to weight gain, diabetes and a host of other health problems. Avoid breads and baked goods made with white flour, sugar-laden sodas and snack foods. Instead, focus on eating fibre-rich fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains.

2. Stay Away from Dangerous Trans Fats. While it’s important to reduce your overall fat intake, it’s even more important to watch the types of fat you eat. Deep-fried foods and anything made with hydrogenated oils (margarine, peanut butter, shortening, store-bought pastries and cookies) contain trans fats that raise your risk of heart disease. Eat only healthful fats, such as olive oil and the omega-3 oils found in salmon and other cold-water fish, which actually protect against heart disease.

3. Take a Potent Daily Multivitamin and Mineral Supplement. Although there is no substitute for a good diet, I am convinced that for optimal nutrition, you need to take a high-potency multivitamin and mineral supplement. Even if you are eating right, it’s unlikely that your food contains all the nutrients you need. Poor soil quality, storage, processing and cooking deplete our food of vitamins and minerals. Taking a high quality daily supplement is "health insurance" against possible deficiencies.

4. Include Weight Training in Your Exercise Routine. Aerobic exercise is great for cardiovascular conditioning, but it’s vastly inferior to weight training in attacking the "flab factor." Recent research has shown that as little as once-weekly resistance exercise can improve muscle strength. Even the busiest or laziest among us can find the time and energy for that. Join a gym, consult a personal trainer or ask an experienced friend to show you the ropes.

5. Maintain Your Optimal Weight. Current statistics suggest that half of us are losing the battle of the bulge, but maintaining a healthy weight is one of the best things you can do for yourself. You’ll look better, feel better and reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and other major killers. I know this is easier said than done, but if you just follow the four steps above, you’ll be well on your way.

6. Drink Alcohol Only in Moderation. You’ve probably heard of the "French Paradox," and that drinking wine protects against heart disease. Repeated studies have shown that drinking moderate amounts of alcohol (all kinds) protects not only against heart disease, but also lowers risk of death from all causes. Remember that moderation is key. While one to two drinks a day are protective, excess alcohol consumption is devastating to health. And for some, one drink is too many.

7. Protect Your Prostate. Around the age of 40, the prostate gland begins a growth spurt that results in symptoms such as frequent nighttime urination. The good news is that this condition, known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, can be prevented or reversed by taking extracts of two herbs: saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) and pygeum (Pygeum africanum). Dozens of studies have shown that these herbs work in improving urinary flow without adverse side-effects. Suggested doses are 160 to 320 milligrams of saw palmetto and 40 to 80 mg of pygeum daily.

8. Reduce .Your Risk of Prostate Cancer. Experts estimate that 80 per cent of all cancers can be prevented by making healthy lifestyle choices. Avoid saturated and trans fats, which may fuel prostate cancer growth, and incorporate protective foods, such as soy, green tea and tomatoes, into your diet. Soy contains isoflavones with specific anti-cancer activity. Green tea is rich in polyphenols that inhibit the formation of cancer-causing compounds and block the growth of prostate cancer cells. And tomatoes, particularly cooked tomato products, are an excellent source of lycopene, which is linked to a reduced risk of prostate cancer. In addition, make sure your daily nutritional supplement contains high doses of the antioxidant selenium (200 micrograms) and vitamin E (800 IU), which have been shown to dramatically lower the risk of prostate cancer.

9. Maintain Vigorous Sexual Function. Most cases of erectile dysfunction (impotence) have a physical cause: You’re just not getting enough blood to the area in question. To improve overall circulation, follow the diet, exercise and supplement recommendations above. If you’re taking drugs, review them with your doctor, as many can worsen erectile function and impair libido. Smoking also significantly impairs erectile function. Several herbs have been shown to improve sexual function. Ginkgo biloba increases blood flow to the penis, and Panax ginseng, oats, horny goat weed, maca and seroctin improve libido.

10. Maintain Close Relationships. Another thing women seem to do better than men is maintain close relationships. Make a point to strengthen ties with your family and friends. Volunteer work, religious ties, even pets–anything that keeps you involved with others–reduces stress and enhances health.

Take charge of your health by incorporating these 10 steps into your life. The rewards of optimal health and well-being will be well worth your efforts.

Men’s Longevity "To Do" List

1.  Eliminate "white foods" from your diet.
2.  Stay away from dangerous trans fats.
3.  Take a daily vitamin-mineral supplement.
4.  Incorporate weight training in your exercise routine.
5.  Maintain your optimal weight.
6.  Drink alcohol only in moderation.
7.  Protect your prostate.
8.  Reduce your risk of prostate cancer.
9.  Maintain vigorous sexual function.
10. Maintain close relationships.

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10 Reasons to switch to Windows 7

10 Reasons to switch to Windows 7

Some people still use Windows XP - even if it's 10 years old now. The support will end in April 2014 but there are 7 main reasons why not to use it these days.

#1. Security
Windows 7 is way more secure than Windows XP; it has two completely different user profiles; normal user and admin. In Windows XP you have this as well but as a normal user you will have a lot of trouble running your system without any problems. Another thing that is missing in WinXP is Data Execution Prevention and the Address Layout Randomization.

#2. Speed
Windows XP and Windows Vista need a lot of time to start up. Windows 7 does this in a faster way plus gives you a lot of abbreviations while using it, like running a program through the search box in the startmenu.

#3. Hardware Support
Latest hardware needs the latest operating system. Some people think it was this way back in the 90s when you had to buy Windows 98 to get USB support (didn't really work in Win95C) just as an example. Nowadays it's the same situation: If you want to use SSD's, HDD's >2TB or 'just' a lot of RAM, then you need Windows 7. Windows XP can't handle all of this at all.

#4. Software Support
Sure, most programs still work with Windows XP, but some features require Windows 7. Even Microsoft stopped shipping their Internet Explorer or Media Player for it. Same will happen with other software developers as well.

#5. Stability
How many bluescreens did we have with WinXP? Maybe 10? Maybe 100? Did you ever see one running Windows 7? No? It's because Windows 7 uses a newer kernel than Windows XP; this one can handle driver crashes and other stuff.

#6. Comfort
Aero. It doesn't just look nice; no, it even makes EVERYTHING easier like handling window management with Aero Snap. The Superbar brings a ton of new features that make the OS feel the round way.

#7. Configuration
Did you notice that no-one defrags his HDD anymore? No? It's because Windows 7 does this job in the background so that you don't need to care for that anymore. Now you might say: Ouuh, defragging, so outdated. Ok, now take a search on your Windows XP machine and see how long it takes to find some files or programs.

#8. Greater stability
Unlike Windows Vista, most hardware and software is readily compatible with Windows 7 and will work right out of the box, with no need to download and install additional drivers. Happily, in instances where necessary, locating and adding these updates to your PC proves a relatively painless procedure.

#9. Upgrading from XP is easy
If you are one of those who switched back to XP after your terrible encounter with Vista, and aren’t sure about upgrading to Win 7, then here’s the good news - it has been built in a way that it supports most of the apps supported by XP and so upgrading isn’t that difficult.

#10. XP Mode and Virtualization.
All of your applications should run fine on Windows 7 if they run on XP. 7 also has built-in virtualization with Virtual PC if you purchase the Ultimate or the Enterprise version.

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Top 10 Reasons Not to Diet

Top 10 Reasons Not to Diet

Are you carrying a little extra weight around the middle?  Maybe you’ve got more than just a little weight problem maybe it’s a rather large one and you need to get rid of the fat for health reasons.  Rest assured that you’re not alone! 
When you are overweight, it’s a serious issue.  Carrying extra weight can make you more susceptible to heart problems, diabetes, stroke, and various types of cancer.  It can also affect your body image as well thus causing problems with your self-esteem. 

1.  Diets don’t work. Dieters don’t lose weight in a lasting way. 
Dieting causes short-term weight loss, continuing no more than six months, followed by weight regain. Often more weight is gained than was lost. (Studies show people who diet are more likely to become overweight than those who eat normally.)

2.  Dieting can cause lasting injury and death. 
Sudden death from heart arrhythmia or electrolyte imbalance is a real risk. Each year dieting is related to severe health damage and deaths in the United States.

3.  Dieting disrupts normal body processes.
Rapid weight loss puts the body into a stressful, defensive state. The body tries to protect itself against weight loss by lowering metabolism, heart rate, temperature and sexual function. In addition, there is a drop in intellectual, emotional and social activity.

4.  Dieting causes weight cycling (yo-yoing up and down). 
Research shows higher death rates are associated with weight cycling.

5.  Dieters often feel tired, lightheaded, and have difficulty concentrating. 
They may lack essential nutrients, including high quality iron, zinc, protein and sufficient calories.

6.  Dieting leads to binge eating, disordered and chaotic eating. 
Dieting disrupts normal eating. Dieters override inner signals of hunger and satiety, so they may no longer know when they are hungry or when they are full, and eat accordingly.

7.  Dieting is the primary precursor to eating disorders. 
Many experts believe the increasingly high rate of eating disorders in the U.S. is due, at least in part, to the high percentage of people who are dieting and restricting food.

8.  Dieting causes food preoccupation. 
People who diet spend more time thinking about food and eating. This “drive to eat” when food is limited is believed to be a natural survival trait defending against starvation.

9.  Dieting diminishes women, and increasingly men and children. 
Dieting focuses attention on appearance, rather than self-worth, talent and personal fulfillment. And unfortunately, dieting mothers become role models for dieting children.

10. Dieters put their lives on hold, “waiting to be thin.” 
Instead of playing the anticipation game, accept yourself and others. You’re okay, just as you are. Move on to healthy living live actively, eat well, feel good about yourself  and let weight come off as a result, or not. You deserve the best, right now.

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10 things to keep your voice beautiful!

10 things to keep your voice beautiful!

1. Limit intake of dehydrating fluids – coffee, tea, alcohol; up water intake
2. Avoid whispering if you “lose” your voice. Speak quietly instead with support
3. If you must shout,use support muscles!
4. Match your phonation to your breath length
5. Excessive throat clearing is too harsh for the vocal folds. Try to avoid this
6. Improve your posture, so muscles can work effectively
7. See if you can have voice naps during the day
8. Use giggle technique to help blowaway any constriction in larynx
9. Articulate well at front of mouth 
10. When you have a cold, avoid decongestants; steam instead.

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10 Tips for a Healthier Back

10 Tips for a Healthier Back

Sitting in an office chair all day, or spending hours in a vehicle on the road, can make your back hurt. And jobs that require a lot of physical activity can also lead to back pain. If you’ve ever uttered the words, “Oh, my aching back,” you’re not alone.

Half of all working Americans have back pain each year. It’s the most common reason people miss work. And it’s the second-most common reason people visit the doctor, topped only by coughs and colds. Fortunately, most back pain isn’t caused by serious conditions. That means you can take action to get relief.

1. When you sit, make sure your feet are flat on the floor, either by adjusting the seat or using a footrest.

2. Place a rolled towel or small cushion behind you, if your chair doesn’t offer enough lower back support .

3. Take regular breaks to stand up, stretch, and move around.

4. Wear comfortable low heeled shoes.

5. Ask for help when moving heavy boxes or equipment.

6. When you do lift things, lift with your knees, pull in your stomach muscles, and keep your head down and in line with your straight back. Keep the object close to your body. Do not twist when lifting.

7. Sleep on your side to reduce any curve in your spine. Always sleep on a firm surface.

8. Eat nutritious foods. And lose weight if you need to. Excess weight around the waistline can strain lower back muscles.

9. If you smoke, quit. Smoking reduces blood flow to the lower spine and causes the spinal discs to degenerate.

10. Try yoga or stretching. This can help strengthen your back muscles and improve your posture.

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10 COMMANDMENTS OF HINDUISM

10 COMMANDMENTS OF HINDUISM

The essential features of the inner core of Hinduism can be grouped into 10 directive principles:

1.  The purpose of life is to realize the omnipresent divinity intuitively.
2.  Purification of mind is the purpose of all religious disciplines.
3.  The divinity inherent in each one of us has a dharma of its own.  We should strive to go back to God, our source.  Every action of ours must be concordant with this natural order of things.   These three are the fundamental axioms.
The other seven follow from these three. 
4.  Act in the living present, in total detachment and dedication, by avoiding all egocentric desires, fears and anxieties.  If such an action serves another fellow being, it becomes service to God.
5.  Freely search for a personal God and seek His grace for the purification of the mind.
6.  The  avataras  emphasise on one’s duties to one’s mother, father, guru and truth and love as the basic core of dharma and unity of all faith.
7.  Remember God’s names, chant them.  Be aware continuously of His presence.
8.  Surrender to God in heart, soul and will.  Then our future is His concern.
9.  Discover the Ultimate in yourself.  Allow intuition and mystical experiences to take you beyond reason and intellect.
10.   All faiths are valid.  It is the attitude that matters, not the rituals.

5 PRINCIPLES
1. God Exists: One Absolute OM.
    One Trinity: Brahma, Vishnu, Maheshwara (Shiva) Several divine forms.
2. All human beings are divine
3. Unity of existence through love
4. Religious harmony
5. Knowledge of 3 Gs: Ganga (sacred river), Gita (sacred script), Gayatri (sacred mantra) 

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The 10 Commandments of the Mafia

The 10 Commandments of the Mafia

The Italian mafia was founded in Italy in the 1800's, originally as a group of resistance fighters. Their power grew and evolved over time into the idea of organized crime that it is today. The Italian mafia, as it operates in Italy is still very powerful. The traditional organized crime syndicate relied on muscle, direct threat, fear, ignorance and overt acts of violence to achieve its goals. People are not as ignorant today and are more aware of organized crime. Has organized crime declined, or is it just hiding behind the Armani and a well-paid team of lawyers? Today's organized crime has become more "respectable" in that it is more subtle and works the system to its advantage. They are also taking advantage of technology. 

Hierarchy of a Cosa Nostra clan.

1. No one can present himself directly to another of our friends. There must be a third person to do it.
Don't go around telling you're in the organization, idiot. If you have a "friend" who knows another "friend" then it's ok; secrecy.

2. Never look at the wives of friends.
Business is business, don't mess personal life with it, hmkay?

3. Never be seen with cops.
It's not fashionable for a gentleman of our kind, you see.

4. Don't go to pubs and clubs.
Don't complain about your job when you're drunk. At least don't do it in public, moron.

5. Always being available for Cosa Nostra is a duty - even if your wife is about to give birth.
We support your family by giving you a job. You're on duty, whenever we want.

6. Appointments must be absolutely respected.
And you won't have another interview, understood?

7. Wives must be treated with respect.
Business is men's stuff. You are free to "complain" to your business counterpart but don't touch his family. Actually this has changed since bosses wifes started to take control of the "family business" while husbands are in prison.

8. When asked for any information, the answer must be the truth.
If we are asking, that is.

9. Money cannot be appropriated if it belongs to others or to other families.
Our "friends" and affiliated groups (families). We don't want to mess with each other, right? It's more profitable to mess with others.

10. People Who Can't Be Part of Cosa Nostra:
- Anyone who has a close relative in the police.
- Anyone with a two-timing relative in the family.
(two-timing as traitor, giving information to the authorities etc)
- Anyone who behaves badly and doesn't hold to moral values
(respect to the organization and its values)
Check the army/police requirements; pretty much the same applies to any organized armed group.

(Note: When the word "family" is referenced, it means the Mafia family.)

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10 TIPS FOR EYE CONTACT

10 TIPS FOR EYE CONTACT

What Is Eye Contact?

When we talk to others, we use more than just our words to communicate! We alsocommunicate through our body language, gestures, and such facial expressions as eye contact. Eye contact is when we look directly at a person’s eyes as we talk to him/her. Asking and answering questions, sharing stories, and greeting others as we pass by are examples of everyday situations in which we make eye contact with others.

#1:  GREET YOUR LISTENERS AS THEY GATHER.
Before the meeting or event even begins, an initial greeting with direct eye contact helps build rapport, turning strangers into friends.

#2:  START AND END WITH DIRECT EYE CONTACT.
Once you’re introduced but before you say a word stop, look out at your audience directly, and smile. End your remarks by looking out, scanning the audience, and smiling.

#3:   DIVIDE THE ROOM INTO SECTIONS.
Make sure to give each section of the room equal time and energy. Look to the left side for a few seconds, then the middle, then to the right. Don't neglect the people in the back!
Hint:  When looking at the back of a large room, it makes more sense to focus on a section or a head in the distance rather than trying to make direct eye contact with someone far away.

#4:  LOOK FOR FRIENDLY FACES.
To build confidence, initially make eye contact with people who are smiling, nodding, and showing support for you and your message.

#5:  USE THE 3-SECOND RULE.
Hold eye contact with a person for 3 seconds at a time. Have direct eye contact with a number of people in the audience, and every now and then glance at the whole audience while speaking.

#6:  MAINTAIN DIRECT, ROVING, CONTINUOUS EYE CONTACT.
Sweep your gaze across the audience, remembering to engage with people at the very back and far sides as well as those in the front.  The rule of thumb is 90% direct, roving continuous eye contact.

#7:  BE EASY ON THE EYES.
Have sincere eye contact but careful not to drill holes through people.

#8:  SPEAK TO THE EYES.
Avoid speaking to your notes, slides, flip chart, ceiling or back wall.

#9   USE YOUR EYES TO READ YOUR AUDIENCE.
Remember, a presentation is more than a one-way communication; it's a dialogue with your audience. As you scan the audience they are communicating with their eyes, their body language and their facial expressions.  Take advantage of this non-verbal communication and adjust your delivery accordingly.

#10: BE SENSITVE TO CULTURAL DIFFERENCES.
In the United States, eye contact communicates confidence, credibility and connection. People from Arab countries use prolonged eye contact to gauge trustworthiness.  However, in some countries direct eye contact is seen as challenging and rude, for example in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, people avoid direct eye contact as a sign of respect. It will be worth your while to know this about your audience ahead of time.

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