How To Write Effective And Unique Articles That Are Optimized for the Search Engines

It is a well known fact that writing, distributing and posting articles to various location on the web is an extremely effective way to generate targeted traffic and establish yourself as an experienced marketer in your field. Unique articles that help solve the reader's problems, assists the reader in advancing their marketing acumen, or otherwise generally inform tend to stay posted on many web sites throughout the Internet and usually generate targeted traffic for the writer.

In order to further maximize the benefits of writing and posting unique articles, it makes good business sense to optimize the articles so the search engines list the URL's associated with those articles on search engine results pages (SERP's). Ideally, you'd like to see your article URL on the 1st page of the SERP's so you can capitalize on the free and targeted traffic from these listings.

So, what type of strategy can be utilized to optimize your articles for the search engines?

There's quite a few different ways but here are some tactics that you may want to use:

Article optimization tactic 1: Choose keywords that complement your USP and name your article page accordingly. When choosing keywords that will be the central theme of your article, it is necessary to define what your article will be about, who the information in the article will benefit, and how it will tie into your USP before choosing your keywords. After you've thought through this, then come up with a list of keywords that will be suitable as the central them of the article.

Next, decide which keywords you will center your article around based on the number of searches that keyword gets per day and by assessing how much competition there is for that keyword phrase. Once you have chosen your keyword phrase for the article, name your page.

Example: If 'green widgets' is the keyword you wish to base your article on, you may want to name your web page 'greenwdgets.htm' or 'greenwdgets.html' or 'greenwdgets.shtml'.

Article optimization tactic 2: Utilize keyword in the title tag. Utilize your keywords that you've chosen for your article in the title tag of the web page.

Example: Green Widgets | The best green widgets available

Article optimization tactic 3: Utilize keyword in headline tags. Using keywords in headline tags will increase rankings of your web pages.

Ideally you would use the keywords as the headline, but usually this doesn't look natural.

Keep the h tags before and after the entire headline.

Example:Green widgets: We have the most affordable and powerful green widget available anywhere, guaranteed!

Article optimization tactic 4: Utilize keywords in the 1st sentence of the initial paragraph. This an easily be accomplished and still make the paragraph read well and in a natural sounding tone if read back. Remember that you want your reader to feel like they are being talked with not "at" and you want your reader to not realize that your placement of your keyword phrases might be planned.

Article optimization tactic 5: Utilize keywords in text with appropriate keyword density After you write your article, you can easily edit to try to obtain the best keyword density for the search engines you'd like to target.

Google's optimum keyword density is between 1.5% to 2.5% keyword density at the time of this writing.

Once you have the article written you can use GoRank's keyword optimization tool (http://www.gorank.com/seotools/) to check what the keyword density is of the text of the article so you can edit accordingly.

Remember, you don't want to 'stuff' the page with your chosen and targeted keyword phrase but you do want to make sure that you utilize your keywords when you can up to the required amount for the desired keyword density.

Article optimization tactic 6: Bold or italicize keywords in text. When bolding and italicizing your keywords in your articles, it isn't necessary to bold and/or italicize every keyword phrase. When the reader comes across bolded and italicized words they add emphasis to the text at the time they read those words. So you should use your best judgment as to what looks right and 'reads' right when you edit your article.

One key item to remember to write naturally so you get your message across in a human manner.

You want the reader to click to your link at the end or in the body of the article and the more human and conversational your article comes across, the more likely that the reader will travel to the URL you'd like them to see. Some marketers write their articles without search engine optimization in mind and then go back and edit them for the search engines.

After your article is optimized, do all you can to get it posted to other web sites so the number of relevant links pointing to that article is heightened. If you get your article posted to some of the heavier web sites that post articles and have the correct categories where your article will fit, the faster your article URL will get indexed by the search engines.

Be humble, work hard, work smart.

Karl Augustine Author, "9 Deadly Mistakes To Avoid...",
SEO enthusiast, niche web site builder.
GET preferred status now!

Make Money With Keywords

What Do Trainers Do When They are Not Training?

In the new corporate environments where everyone wears more than one hat, trainers are often responsible for a myriad of duties beyond just facilitating new training classes. Their job is often that of Maintenance, IT Guru, Subject Matter Expert, Coach, Instructional designer, and Copy Clerk. There is an incredible amount of work that has to happen for a training event to occur. Let's look a little closer at the process.

Training starts with a new tool/ new behavior or a new policy. The training team is brought in at the development stage to work as a subject matter expert. They may be asked to do a Needs Analysis to identify what skills or behaviors will need to be learned or changed. They may also be engaged in the instructional design, so they need to see the project from the ground up. Training is called upon to represent what they think the client responses or questions may be and help the developers prepare to answer those questions.

Once the focus of the training has been identified the trainer will often be involved in the creation of the training materials. This can consist of everything in the instructional design process, from screen shots to learning activities, to knowledge checks. As the training guides are created the trainer serves as guinea pig for the materials, editor, and system tester to see if the material validates the learning. One the materials are complete the training team is often responsible for printing, collating, binding and distributing the materials for use. They are also responsible for long term maintenance of the materials, constantly updating any changes in the process.

The training team then steps into the role of liaison between departments. They discuss calendars, launch dates, business demands and space availability to help determine opportune training schedules. They often take on the role of communication and are responsible for any hoopla that is created around the training initiative.

The trainer is then in charge of preparing themselves and the training room for the training event. They must attend Train the Trainers to make sure that they know how to deliver the material. They must take notes and practice their facilitation skills on anything that they may have difficulty with. The trainer will prepare the room, making sure all the systems work, testing any projectors, sound systems, computers or lights that might be needed.

If the training event is a new computer tool or program the trainer tests access and response times in the training databank and confirms that the students will be able to log into the system and that the system mimics what will happen in the live data base.

If the training involves change management or behavioral skills, the trainer must be able to provide reasons for buy in and examples of successful implementation of the skill. In change management situations the trainer is often called on to act as proponent, counselor and communication liaison. The trainer is often the voice of the client as well as that of the agent.

Once the training event is complete the trainer steps into role of coach or observer and goes back into Needs Analysis to assess the effectiveness of the training event, close skill gaps and provide additional support to the trainees as they practice new skills or behaviors.

Trainers are often considered the point of contact to verify and validate information and are expected to be current on any changes, deals, policies or information in the daily interactions of their clients.

The training team is an integral part in the ongoing growth and development of a company and it takes flexibility, intelligence, personality and the ability to plan, multitask and deliver. They are expected to stay current in training practices, build their own skills and apply new training techniques into their presentations. As the world of training evolves to include e-learning, Web CT and blended learning the trainer must be able to adjust and provide value services in an ever demanding Call Center environment.

If you are interest in leadership theory and practices then you need to visit: http://www.righttolead.com. Carole Sue Jones Pouncey is a contributing writer and thinker for our organization. In addition, as a leader you may be interested in http://www.myleadershipsuccess.com. For more Training information visit http://www.trainercorner.com.

How To Develop Software For Your Business

Software development is a risky business.

Many software developers are barely skilled at their trade, much less at business. They can't understand how your business operates - and their code isn't unreliable.

It crashes constantly.

It isn't professional.

It hurts your business.

If you want software developed for your business, what can you do?

You need a software development professional - a consumate bussinessman, and you need to deal with him on your terms. How can you do that?

First, you need to make sure that you find a professional who understands business - your business. He has to listen, and be cautious before giving advice. If he tries to drop a pre-packaged solution on you, drop him. Make sure he charges by the project, not by the hour - hourly rates are great for developers, but not for clients. Hourly rates mean they get paid *more* for every bug they create - so they create as many as they can.

Once you have chosen a developer, the next step is to come to an agreement on what needs to be done. Don't worry about the particular technology used - the developer should worry about that. Worry about what you need on your end - and stick to your guns! You know your business best, and your developer should respect that.

After you have an agreement, you get a contract signed, and then the real fun begins. Insist that your developer give you regular progress updates - including early versions of the software (called 'builds'). That way, bugs can be detected early, and there will not be any surprises when the project is over. Depending on the project, you may be able to get a build every few days, or every week. The more frequent, the better.

When the project is finally over, you get to take a deep breath. Relax. Sip champagne - or Heineken, if that's your thing. Don't get too relaxed, though, because you will have to start the process over again soon. Business is constantly changing, and your software has to evolve with your business. That's good, though, because every project makes your business more profitable, and more profit in less time is always a good deal.

About The Author

David Berube is a software developer and IT consultant solving business problems. He's also a prolific writer and speaker. If you'd like a powerful, innovative developer, check out http://www.berubeconsulting.com.

djberube@berubeconsulting.com

The Stilling of the Storm

Matt. 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25.

General Pericope Distinctions

In the gospel of Mark, the "stilling of the storm" and the whole sea sequence follow the day of parables. In Matthew, this story and the split sequence come in chapters eight and nine; the day of parables comes later in chapter 13. Luke agrees with Matthew in noting the presence of the disciples, Mark has an independent "they" throughout the passage and no mention is made of the disciples. Mark's command in 4:3 is omitted here by Matthew who uses it to introduce the preceding passage (8:18). In Luke and Mark, Jesus stills the storm first and then admonishes the disciples. In Matthews, the action is reversed; Jesus rebukes the disciples and then stills the storm. One of the oddest features in Matthew is that it begins the story with "the disciples" but ends with "the men."

Exegetical Interpretation

None of the synopsis' give specifics regarding the day and time when the stilling of the storm occurred. Mark and Luke simple indicate, "That day." Mark 4:35 shows that the crossing of the lake happened on the "evening" of the day when the discourse in parables had been pronounced. Luke suppressed the mention of the late hour of the day but his verse (22) can be easily harmonized if we view the first gospel as being topological rather than chronological.

When Jesus concluded His teaching, he commands the disciples to cross with Him to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. The reason for this decision is undisclosed and can therefore, only be conjectured. Seemingly, the prevailing view assumes that Jesus was enervated and desired rest from the pressuring crowd. Walter Bundy in his book "Jesus and the First Three Gospels," suggest the possibility that Jesus may have desired seeking a new sphere for his ministry which Mark 8:35-39 seem to support.

The disciples, obedient to the command of Jesus, board the boat with Him. In the Lukan form of the story, the phrase "and his disciples" would mean the twelve and the women of 8:1-3; cf. 8:9. This is in stark contrast to the vague Markan "they" and "them."

The "other side" was the district of Decapolis, east of the Sea of Galilee. This side was more rocky and barren and not as heavily populated with people as the western shore. Thus being, it became a natural refuge from the active life of the western coast.

The sudden "squall" as used by Mark and Luke was not extraordinary. The Sea of Galilee, which is said to be approximately 685 feet below sea level, was surrounded by mountains on almost all sides. Particularly at night ("as evening drew near") a storm could develop quickly.

The Greek word employed by Matthew, "tempest," properly translates "an earthquake," while "squall" as used by Mark and Luke signifies a "hurricane."

Mark add the graphic picture of the waves breaking into the ship and mentions the dangerousness of the predicament. In contrast to the raging sea and storm outside the ship, Jesus is sleeping serenely inside the ship. Luke depicts Jesus' falling asleep before he mentions the squall while Mark mentions it after he discusses the storm. Jesus' falling asleep suggests He was subject to human fatigue and required a human necessity ? rest. There are theologians who propose Jesus wished to test the disciples' faith and others who add that Jesus' weariness may be considered voluntary because it was intended to assist the weakness of the disciples.

According to Mark, Jesus was "in the stern, sleeping on a cushion." Neither Matthew nor Luke mentions Jesus' location on board the boat. Luke omits the disciples' plaintive query about Jesus' nonchalance and apparent lack of concern about His and their welfare. The disciples awaken Jesus.

Most commentaries draw attention to the somewhat gentler versions of Matthews and Lukes' statements: "Lord, save us, we perish" (Mt. KJV), "Lord, save us, we're going to drown" (NIV), "Master, master, we're going to drown" (Lk., NIV), Master, master, we perish" (KJV). The most glaring feature is the boldness of Mark: "Do you not care if we perish" (RSV), "Master, carest thou not that we perish" (KJV), "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" (NIV).

The cry expresses fear, panic and indignation and the disciples seem to hold Jesus responsible. The storm did not disturb Jesus but it obviously did the disciples. Death appears imminent to the "chosen ones" and they resent Jesus for having the temerity to sleep during the crisis. It is at that moment that the disciples' humanity prevailed over their faith and they were overtaken with fear.

Mark and Luke records Jesus' reproach of the disciples following the stilling of the storm. In Matthew, the opposite is true. Opinions seem divided as to the exact order. Paul Ryan in "Gospels of the Sundays" made this observation.

"St. John Chrysostom, preferring the order given by St. Matthew, speaks thus: 'Before Christ would still the tempest of waters, He, by this rebuke, first calmed the souls of His disciples. He did so that they might be in a better condition to witness the miraculous exercise of His divine power, and to learn the lesson which the miracle was intended to convey.'"

Jesus rebuked the wind and the waves and all became immediately quiet. It is Mark alone who gives the actual words Jesus spoke, "Peace, be still," which literally means "be muzzled." Barclay also notes that Jesus uses the exact same words here speaking to the wind as He had to the demon possessed man in Mark 1:28.

Jesus' reprimand to the disciples was sharp and may have been tinged with anger and disappointment. The disciples' faith was insufficient to enable them to believe that Jesus, though sleeping, was still watching over them by His divine power, and could save them.

Rev. Saundra L. Washington, D.D., is an ordained clergywoman, social worker, and Founder of AMEN Ministries. http://www.clergyservices4u.org. She is also the author of two coffee table books: Room Beneath the Snow: Poems that Preach and Negative Disturbances: Homilies that Teach. Her new book, Out of Deep Waters: My Grief Management Workbook, will be available soon.

Look! America Take a Look!

I heard on the news this week how America continues to battle to bring democracy in Iraq. The people of Iraq really don't seem to want a free country governed by their own people. Hmm, why don't the Iraqis want the precious gift of democracy? Well, I request all Americans to take a good look at our own democracy and then maybe we can understand what all the fighting is about, okay.

Just imagine how we must look to the rest of the world. When our soldiers came home from Vietnam we called them baby killers; yet we turn around and kill babies still in the womb in the name of "choice."

How we must look to the rest of the world?

Americans say we are free to worship God anywhere in our country, but the Supreme Court says not in our schools.

How we must look to the rest of the world?

Americans say "we the people" run the U.S. government, yet we let our representatives govern us.

How we must look to the rest of the world?.

Americans say we love this country, but if the price is right we do all we can to sell it to another country.

How we must look to the rest of the world?

Americans pay more taxes for better service, but the more we pay the worse the service. We say in God we trust on our money, yet America as a nation doesn't even know his Son.

How we must look to the rest of the world?

The main question is how we must look to ourselves? Please take a LOOK!!!

Now out of all of this confusion, I still believe that united we stand and divided shall we fall.

If the idea of American democracy doesn't appeal to the people of Iraq, then please understand their fight is against our democracy-not our American Troops.

Peace Out!

Diane Williams, also known as Mrs. Fox is a unique character based from Nevada York's novels, Caught Up and Mahogany's Revelations. [ http://nevadayork.com ] She is an old soul at heart, who loves to tell it like it is! She firmly believes the real war on Earth is a spiritual war: Good vs. Evil. Diane's goal is to make sure that every person is aware that ones spirituality needs must out-weigh one's physical and mental desires. She currently resides in Idaho where she strives to "keep it real." http://nevadayork.com

Train Your Self To Eat Healthy

For some people it is really hard to give up the junk food and sweets and eat a better, more nutritious diet. So let's use the example of eating the 5 to 9 fruits and vegetables we need daily.

There are ways to work with your mind so that it becomes much easier and more enjoyable to eat all those servings of vegetables we need each day.

Did you know that you think in pictures?

You are motivated by the things that you want to move away from that might cause emotions you don't want such as pain, grief, anger etc. Examples: Ill health, overweight, not being able to join your family due to sickness is certainly things you want to move away from.

You are also motivated by the things you want to move towards. Emotions that would go with this are feeling happy, satisfied, loved, forgiven, respected, etc.

Move away from or move towards. These two ways you are motivated are the key to help you get past your dislike of vegetables and fruit if that is the problem .

Decide which type you are. Which are you most motivated by? Do you put moving away foremost in your mind or moving toward?

Ready to Start? Grab some vegetables. Look at them, feel them taste them, Chew on them. Snap them, break them up and hear the crunchiness. Involve as many of your senses as you can.

While doing that, do one of two things:

If motivated by what you are moving away from:

Paint the picture of what you are leaving behind. Accentuate the problems. Make them look really big and bad in your picture. Show your self what the big bad picture would be like a year from now or 5 years from now if you continued eating your bad diet. Put a lot of feeling into this.

If motivated by what you are moving towards:

Paint a big bright picture of what you will look like and feel like when you have better health. Think about who you love, who loves you and what you want to do and could do when you have good health.

Maybe you are not sure where you fit in to this process. Then play both pictures for yourself. Really put some pictures in your head. Use plenty of color. Turn the sound up.

Now which did you feel more motivated to eat the vegetables you need?

Play this picture over and over again as you eat the right foods, especially your vegetables and this will help you stay on track for better food choices.

Jeannie Crabtree C.Ac. shares health answers that work, tips, nutrition suggestions and research in her newsletter and health blog. http://www.health-doc.com

The Bigger the Carat the Better the Wedding?

Ahh . . . sweet romance.

The flowers. The chocolate. The late night whispers of "I love you."

For most people in love, the culmination of months of togetherness and special friendship comes down to one single moment: The marriage proposal - - featuring a simple, but elegant, diamond engagement ring.

Of course, if you're a celebrity, a simple ring may not have enough wattage to suit your tastes. Thus, we see many celebrities sporting five-carat to seven-carat diamond studded engagement and wedding rings.

Well, if you can afford it, why not flaunt it, right?

Take for instance the recent marriages of Britney Spears and Star Jones. When Britney Spears got engaged to her former back up dancer, Kevin Federline, she promptly bought herself an awesome-looking five-carat diamond engagement ring. (Does anyone really believe that Kevin bought this for her on his dancer's salary?)

Britney bought herself the ring she felt she deserved ? nothing wrong with that. Then, she and Kevin quickly made the leap to matrimony in a matter of months with a surprisingly nice (no lip kissing of Madonna) wedding ceremony.

As for Star Jones, it's not known whether her stunning seven-carat princess cut diamond ring was bought or donated, but she too happily skipped off to a wedding ceremony with all the trimmings.

So, does all this extra diamond wattage mean that celebrities have a better wedding ceremony than everyone else?

Absolutely, not.

There's absolutely no proof that their multi-carat diamond rings and fancy wedding accommodations gave them any more satisfaction at the alter than Joe and Jane Doe's down right sparse nuptials in a run-down back yard.

Buying the biggest and fanciest diamond engagement ring on the planet doesn't guarantee anything but a nice piece of ice jewelry to show off to your family and friends. Other than that, celebrities have the same odds for a successful, happy union as the rest of us.

And that's the way it should be.

About The Author

Copyright 2004

Donna Monday
One special moment. One special ring.
http://www.1-love-rings.com

Choosing the Proper Pond Pump

Whether you have a preformed or a liner pond, a pond pump is a paramount component of any water feature. Stagnant bodies of water attract mosquito infestations, which are a nuisance, and also undesirable, due to the recent outbreaks of the West Nile virus. Therefore, it is paramount that you utilize a pond pump that circulates your body of water.

Pumps are available in both submersible and external (out-of-pond) models. For the smaller pond (up to 1000 gallons of water), a submersible pump is the more economical and practical option. Submersible pumps can be placed directly in the pond and require relatively little installation. They are free of distracting noise, and for smaller ponds, can easily be utilized to drain your pond (if you hook up a hose to the output flow).

In the old days, the main disadvantage of submersible pumps was that the pump seal could rupture and release oil coolant into the water. However, this is not the case nowadays, because newer pumps are magnetic-driven, and no longer require coolant. "Mag-driven" pumps are slightly more expensive, but they have the added advantage of consuming less electricity.

Pumps are sized by gallons per hour (GPH) output at one foot of lift or height. Manufacturers usually offer charts that break down the power of each size pump according to incremental heights of one foot. It is recommended that you circulate your body of water at least once every 2 hours. Therefore you will need to size your pump to ensure that it has half the GPH rating as the volume of your pond in gallons. For example, if you have a 1000 gallon water feature, you will require at least a 500 GPH pump.

Calculating the proper pump for waterfalls is a bit trickier, because you must estimate your waterfall's height. To do so, you must measure the vertical height from the top of your pump to the top of your waterfall. In addition, you must add another foot of height or lift for every 10 feet of hosing you will be using (this will allow for loss of volume from resistance within the hose). To calculate the required pump GPH, a general rule of thumb is that each inch of width of the channel will require an extra 100 GPH. For example, if your stream or waterfall spillway will be 10 inches wide, you will need a pump that produces an excess flow of 1000 GPH at your waterfall's height.

If you plan on having fish, your water circulation demands will be drastically increased. Fish rely on the oxygen in the water to survive, hence a proper pump for a fish pond must ensure that extra oxygen is both introduced into the pond, and distributed throughout the pond. The general rule of thumb is that you must double your pump GPH if you plan on raising fish. An example of a pump that would be appropriate for fish is GardenSuperMart's UltraFlo line of pumps. These pumps have oxygen intake valves and an unique air/water air mix system which effectively increases the oxygen concentration in your pond.

The advantage of GardenSuperMart's low-maintenance, magnetic-driven UltraFlo pump kits is that they contain a sealed unit with a large enclosure that prevents debris from clogging the water intake. The UltraFlo line of pumps starts at 200 GPH, and increase up to 660 GPH. All UltraFlo pump kits come complete with a telescopic riser and diverter and 3 fountain heads.

If you require a more powerful pump, GardenSuperMart also has a SuperFlo line of pump kits that can provide up to 1585 GPH. All SuperFlo kits come complete with a telescopic riser and diverter, 4 fountain heads, and a sponge pre-filter. An optional SuperFlo Mechancial and Biological filter can also be added to the pump to provide additional water filtration for your fish.

Both the SuperFlo and the UltraFlo pumps can be purchased online at GardenSuperMart's store, www.buypond.com. In late May 2005, GardenSuperMart will also introduce a new line of MaxFlo waterfall pumps that can provide up to 2780 GPH of pumping power. Please stay tuned for further news and details.

Gerry Fung is the Vice President of GardenSuperMart, http://www.GardenSuperMart.com.

More information about their pond pump lines can be obtained at http://www.gardensupermart.com/buypond/c230094.2.html

Conservatory Planning Permission in the UK

It is quite unusual in the UK for a new conservatory to require planning permission. However, as we shall continually state in this article it is always sensible to check with your local authority. As there is always some element of the project that is quite unusual it is prudent to get permission. If in any doubt at all you should contact your local authority for confirmation. This is particularly so in Scotland where the rules governing conservatory planning permission differ somewhat from the rest of the UK.

There are a number of things that may cause your conservatory to require planning permission. The size of the conservatory relative to the property is important and also if the property is a terraced, semi-detached or detached house. Also, the size of the garden or back yard is important, as the conservatory must not occupy more than a certain percentage. When you are planning the conservatory take into account its position relative to boundaries of the property as the conservatory must remain within certain parameters. Should the conservatory be used as a commercial entity or if it is to be used as a separate dwelling then planning permission will almost certainly be required.

The make and style of the conservatory does not normally impact the need for planning permission. For example, the convention materials for conservatory construction are timber, aluminium and uPVC and these do not impact the planning issue. Similarly the style such as period designs like Victorian, Georgian and Edwardian is not important to this issue. Lean-to conservatories may have some bearing depending on the height of the roof relative to the property.

If you are considering a patio awning attached to the conservatory then this should also be OK, but a quick phone call to the planning department is always sensible.

If you are ambitious enough to build the conservatory yourself then definitely check with the local building regulations and planning department. If you don't and mistakes are made it could become a very costly business, so follow the golden rule and always check. If the conservatory is being built for you, then your retailer should guide you in the right direction, but always check with your local authority as the worse thing that can happen once you've built your conservatory is that you have to take it down.

Garry John has written many home improvement articles including items on conservatory planning.

Prescription for the Future and Technological Revolutions

The world sure has changed in the last two-decades hasn't it? When I started out in business, there were no cell phones, fax machines, computers, etc. And I am not that old, having just retired at age 40. Indeed, in the better part of two-decades everything changed. And it is still changing and moving along. What will the next two-decades bring? You can probably figure it out with a little thought and watching the trends, new discoveries and think of what kinds of things the military, health care, entertainment and government industries will want. I recommend this book which foretold much of what we see now about a decade before we had it:

"Prescription for The Future-How Technology Revolution is Changing the Pulse of Global Health Care.-By Gwendolyn B. Moore, David A. Rey, John D. Rollins.

Why this book is so intriguing is because we came so close but the dreams of the book were cut short for us by the dot com crash, due to the greed of the vulture capitalists. It is unfortunate that these companies could not have been run by real entrepreneurs instead of robot burn rate jet jocks with after burners. This book should have been read by those of the dot com day and those of us who should remember that the next wave of technology which is funded by private enterprise should be done so with careful regard to its benefits mankind and not the PR value of the story. For instance when a company has the possibilities of a break through in solving the problems of a type of cancer, it should at all costs protect the public trust of its mission while simultaneously protecting the investments of the stockholders.

When a short term play is made on the promise of future great technology as it was in the productivity driven promises of the Internet, then those companies and individuals involved need to see it through and not just the short term play on their personal holdings in the company at the expense of all peoples needing such productivity increase or in the cancer case a cure to stop it from spreading. It was a great book and prediction of the future and the author was right that it was for the most part a possible of the potential futures yet most of the technology which is actually possible ended with the collapse of the dot coms and the money flowing into its technology. If you read it you will understand what I am saying and we should be very careful that a repeat is not going to occur in the Bio Tech field, because now we are becoming very serious with peoples greatest fears. Death. It is a known fact that self-preservation is amongst one of the greatest needs of our human species. So if these venture capitalists are going to exploit peoples fears and do another screw job on the investment community and run up the PR on these start-up Bio Tech companies, they may end up taking down some of the biggest known drug makers in the process by trying to build up these small Bio Tech companies and trying to attempt create merger scenarios.

Although it is only money it also is playing on the fears of Americans and when the crash of the Bio tech occurs if it occurs then you will have allowed the hearts and spirits of the American people to be broken and this time it will be much more severe and take down millions of elderly investors and their lifesavings. No venture capitalist is worth that much. The future painted in this book was possible and almost completed, but was cut short by the fallout, which occurred by the down fall of the dot coms. Investors figured these were mostly scams, most were, but a few were real and this book shows the possibilities. We should not allow these people to do this, even though they operate within the law and have political connections. Perhaps that itself is the true travesty and why this dot com situation will move to bio tech and wreak havoc where we least want it.

It is time to bring the third class into the first class, we need the markets, we need the labor, and the biotech industry can eventually save us from our own demise as we infest the planet and over run our resources with too many people. As Gates put it to the IMF and other economists of the world at Devos, we have two thirds of the population living on less than $1.00 a day, why? Indeed, as we learn more about genetics and proteins, DNA and RNA we will unlock the secrets we need to take the entire World to the next step. However if we allow it to be torn apart by trickery and exploitation of our financial markets and the enrichment of a few to the detriment of all, we will lose the future markets for economic growth, one currency, one people, one united countries. Yet if we fail to provide the tools needed to allow AIDS in Africa to be defeated then we will see peoples of all third world countries systematically fall prey to the same fate. Yet we nearly have the power to fix the problem.

If we allow the distrust of fake, smoke and mirror start-ups to remove the trusts of the financial markets entrusted to provide capitalization of Americans greatest ventures, then we can never achieve all the greatest accomplishments of mankind that clearly await us. Dare to dream and understand human nature and use it to propel not repel. It will be interesting how this BioTech venture capital dollars drive the market. We are seeing CA offer incentives to investors tax-free who fund venture capitalists as they fund start-ups in Bio Tech. Is this really to be considered job creation and economic development or favoritism, which will lead to more heartache? (literally). Pay attention folks here is where we can change the course of history or simply repeat the past over and over again like some twilight zone movie. We must help reward the venture capitalists, who do the right thing, because they do it for the pure profit. We give bonuses to those who complete certain road construction projects ahead of schedule, why not an incentive to those start-ups for performance rather than excessive burn rate and spending sprees. If not they will take down good companies with important projects, which really can achieve their goals. Just some thoughts after re-reading this book. I recommend you read this book twice. Once now and then again in a few months after you have thought about it.

"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs

Freelance Writers: Double Your Income

Freelance writers are a strange group of people when it comes to running their own businesses.

They are outspoken and enthusiastic while selling their clients' products and services, but are hopelessly shy and reticent about blowing their own horns.

They grumble and gripe about their clients being disorganized and unfocused, but are terminally disorganized and unfocused themselves.

>> Yes, the situation is awash with irony

The thing I hear most from freelance writers is that they feel too shy to promote their own services aggressively.

They won't make cold calls.

They won't speak at local business events, at conventions or conferences.

They have never written a direct sales letter to send out to prospective clients.

The result? The result is tens of thousands of dollars in lost revenues.

>> Stranger and stranger...

I would hazard a guess that the majority of freelance writers make only a fraction of the money they could.

Their time is spent inefficiently. They work for too long on jobs that pay too little. They fail to replace low-paying clients with high-paying clients. They fail to negotiate higher fees for their work. They never outsource to other writers and make money on the margin. They pay too much tax. They put no money aside. Their cash-flow is horrible. Their promotional efforts are zero. And so on and so on...

It's a ridiculous situation. Why ridiculous? Because as freelance writers we expect to get paid well for the very set of skills we fail to use on our own behalf.

>> Double your income by getting serious about your business

Yes, if you work as a freelance writer, you are running a business. And as a business, you need to take things seriously.

Can you really double your income? Of course you can. Just use your time more efficiently and get more and better-paying clients.

We all know we have too many days when we don't get as much work done as we should. That's fine if you want to view yourself as a lone 'artiste' struggling with writer's block. But it won't cut the mustard if you view what you do as a serious business. Use your time efficiently. Get the work done.

And promote your services. If you are truly too shy to pick up the phone or speak in front of a crowd, at least use your writing skills and create a promotional sales package you can send out to prospective clients.

And here's the easiest way to double your income: get better clients and negotiate higher fees. In fact, the better the quality of client, the more open they will be to negotiation, and the more they will respect your work.

>> Concluding thoughts...

The first step to doubling your income this year is to change your attitude about your work. Think of yourself as a BUSINESS. You are. And apply all the disciplines that are used when running a business. Aim to make money. Organize your time. Get the job done.

It isn't so very hard. And the result will be that you'll make a great deal more money, and will probably enjoy your work a lot more at the same time.

Nick Usborne is a freelance writer, author and speaker. For more articles and resources on making money as a freelance writer, visit his site, http://www.FreelanceWritingSuccess.com. To find out more about doubling your income, read his review of Selling Yourself as a Copywriter.

Factors that can Influence Your Skin Type

Normal skin type

Normal skin is smooth, finely-textured, soft and supple. If you are lucky enough to possess this skin type, treasure it by using light cleansers and lotions and mild toners and fresheners.

Dry skin type

Dry skin is usually thin and delicate and often flaky and prone to fine lines. It sometimes feels tighter than it should. Extremely rich and greasy creams are not good for it because they strangulate the pores, often enlarging them and so creating an extra problem. Use light oils and lotions for moisturising and choose herbal toners, which are mild and not too astringent. Try to restore the pH or acid-alkali balance with the application of such things as cucumber juice or diluted vinegar so that the sebaceous glands are encouraged to function.

Generally speaking, the emollient and hydrating herbs (chamomile, comfrey, cowslip, elderflower, fennel, marshmallow, orange blossom, rose, violet) are the best to use in lotions and toners for dry skin. But there is no hard and fast rule. Astringent herbs can be good for dry skins, for example, if blended with emollient herbs or oils and gels, and many herbs are suitable for all skin types. If the skin is sensitive as well as dry, see the notes on sensitive skin below.

Oily skin type

Oily skin is shiny and coarser-textured, often with enlarged pores. It is prone to blackheads and spots. Don't use alcohol to reduce the oiliness of the skin, as it will only worsen the problem. Many herbal toners are suitable for reducing oiliness and tightening the pores (see list of suitable herbs below). Egg-white makes a nice mild face-mask. Don't over dry the skin; moisturise with a light lotion. Aim to restore your skin's acid-alkali balance so that the sebaceous glands cease to produce such large amounts of oil.

Astringent and cleansing herbs are generally the best to choose when treating an oily skin. These are: cinquefoil, clary sage, comfrey, cucumber, dandelion, horsetail, houseleek, hyssop, lavender, lemon balm, lemongrass, lemon verbena, marigold, mint, parsley, sage, witch hazel and yarrow. But don't forget that many herbs are suited to all skin types and that many of the strengthening and anti-inflammatory herbs (chamomile, cowslip, fennel, lettuce, elderflower, orange blossom, rose, violet) are suitable for oily skins.

Combination skin types

The person with this skin type will have to follow two beauty routines, one for the dry areas, and another for the oily. I think the oily areas balance up more easily in this type of skin than when the whole face is oily, so don't despair.

Sensitive skin type

This skin is usually fine-textured and often prone to reddish veins and patches. Keep to light oils and lotions for cleansing and moisturising, and mild herbal toners and compresses to soothe the skin and reduce redness and veins. It is usually wise for people with sensitive skins to stay away from the stimulating herbs (lavender, lime flower, mint, nettle, sage, southernwood, summer savory, thyme).

Dull skin

Dull skin has lost the bloom of vitality and the soft glow of renewal. It looks matt and lifeless. Its acid balance has slipped. If it is oily or large-pored skin use diluted cider vinegar or lemon juice, or cucumber juice to balance it. If it is dry skin, use buttermilk or cucumber juice.

Mature skin type

Older skin can be toned and softened and restored to much of its former beauty. The skin is a wonderfully regenerating organ, given encouragement. Use a light hand with makeup if you must use it, as this dries and ages the skin.

Other Factors that can influence you skin

The foundation of a healthy beautiful skin is diet. Are you getting sufficient polyunsaturated fats? These are essential to a healthy skin and do not cause facial oiliness. They are found in cereal grains, nuts and cold pressed nut and vegetable oils.

Plenty of vitamin C is fundamental to a beautiful skin, because it builds collagen and elastin, the bonding and structural substances which give tone and resilience. There is no need to resort to tablets. Eat bean sprouts, green and red peppers, black currants, oranges and lemons. Then there are guavas and rosehips, so your diet need not be restricted or dull. There is infinite variety to suit every palate.

Lack of vitamin A can cause dryness of the skin. Eat dandelion, parsley, watercress, carrots, pumpkins, celeriac.

If your skin is unbalanced, either flaky or too oily, or if your lips peel, then check your intake of vitamin B foods. Oats, years, bran, goat's milk, whole rice, sunflower seeds, sprouted seeds and grains are some of the sources.

About The Author

Danny Siegenthaler is a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine and together with his wife Susan, a medical herbalist and Aromatherapist, they have created Natural Skin Care Products by Wildcrafted Herbal Products to share their 40 years of combined expertise with you.

Join our Natural Skin Care Newsletter ? it's fun, free and Informative and you receive a free eBook on natural skin care.

Baby Shower Planning and Hosting

by: Criss White
Planning and organization are crucial to hosting a successful baby shower.
Below are some important topics to consider when planning:

1) Who will host the shower?

The person that plans and hosts the shower can be anyone, but is usually
someone who is close to the new or expecting mother. Normally, a close
friend or family member will do all the preparations, but sometimes the
new mother will help as well, particularly with the guest list. Sometimes
a small group of friends can plan the event together.

In the event of a surprise baby shower, planning must occur more carefully
and invitations should be sent out in secret. In this circumstance, people
who are not as close to the new mother will be involved in acquiring
supplies and getting the word out.

2) Who should be invited?

Be sure to invite all the mother's friends and family to the event. If
planning a surprise party, make sure that everyone you tell helps spread
the word. A close friend or family member may know most of the mother's
friends, but it can also be helpful to ask co-workers and other friends to
make sure that no one is left out.

Also, men are increasingly being included in these parties. An all women's
shower can be different than a shower with both men and women, so the
planner should consider these things as well.

If other young children will be in attendance, then make sure to plan
events for them too. Not planning for children is a common oversight that
adults make when planning parties of this nature. Baby shower games are a
fun way for both children and adults to celebrate.

3) Where and when should the shower occur?

The party should be held at a location that is comfortable to the new
mother. Oftentimes, the most common place to host a party is at a friend's
or family member's home. In this case, the mother will not have to worry
about cleaning up afterwards.

Sometimes, the party is hosted at the mother's place. This can be
convenient as well because the mother doesn't have to go anywhere. Friends
of the mother can help with the clean up afterwards.

For larger baby showers, banquet halls or other locations can be rented.
Other places include parks, restaurants, catered dining rooms, or anywhere
else that might be appropriate. It is okay to plan things differently as
long as the mother and everyone else has a good time.

Most baby showers occur several weeks before the baby is due. Sometimes
showers occur after the baby is born, which allows the guest to see the
new baby. When to have the baby shower is entirely based on the
preferences of the host and the mother.

Most showers occur on the weekends. Saturday is a popular day for these
parties. They can occur in the afternoon or evening, depending on various
factors, like people's schedules and how much you want to spend.
Generally, dinner parties are more expensive than hosting lunch.

4) What activites should be planned?

There are many games and activities that can be planned in advance to make
a baby shower memorable. Baby themed games are a fun way for everyone to
celebrate a new baby. Do a search for "baby shower games" on the internet
and you will find many games, some of which you can purchase and some that
are free.

A short speech of congratulations is also a nice surprise for the new
mother. If such a speech occurs, it is usually from a close friend or
family member. A good time for congratulations is before eating lunch or
dinner.

Finally, make some time before, between, and after events for everyone to
mingle with the new or expecting mom.

5) What kind of food is appropriate?

The food at the party does not necessarily have to be baby-themed,
although that can be a nice touch. The most common baby-themed food is
baby shower diaper cake. Your local bakery can also make other items like
cookies and pastries in the shape of baby blocks, pacifiers, rubber ducks,
and other baby items. Or you can make them yourself. Most importantly,
make sure to pick food that everyone will enjoy.

If you are hiring a caterer, then be sure to ask them about their ideas
and experiences with baby showers. They may have some creative ideas that
you may not have thought about.

6) Decorations and party favors.

Your local party supply store will probably have plenty of decorations for
your baby shower. Specifically themed decorations can also be purchased
online.

Buying party favors for your guests is always a nice way to say thank you
for coming. These gifts for your guests can range from themed candies to
more expensive keepsakes, including personalized items. Special prizes can
also be given out for game winners or other people who have been important
in the mother's life and during the pregnancy.

7) During the party.

Greet the guests when they arrive and have others help out if necessary to
make sure everything runs smoothly. And finally, don't forget to have fun
after all the planning and preparation.

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About the author:

Criss White is a professional web writer on baby and new mother topics for
baby and pregnancy websites. For more articles on baby showers, check out
our Baby Shower Ideas (http://www.mybabyshowerfavors.com/articles) and
more baby articles at Baby Lullaby (http://babylullaby.bravehost.com).
Note: If you find this article useful, you may reprint it on your website,
e-zine, or in your newsletter as long as the credits and resource box
remain in tact and the hyperlinks stay active.