In today’s competitive employment world most people are interested in “standing out” from the crowd. But, think again when it comes to the image you present to your prospective employer. What are they looking for? What does their culture support? Will the image you present blend in - or standout, and which is best?

The answer is really “both”. Yet, how can you possibly standout and blend at the same time? And what does that mean when it comes to your “image” anyway? Simple… research! From the employers point of view the fact that you have taken time to research your fit and taken steps to be sure you blend with the culture is what will help you standout. So, how do you make this trick happen?

Research is the single most important thing you can do before gracing the doorway of your prospective employer. Check their website - what’s the look? Formal, casual or somewhere in-between? Be sure to view the online photos of the top executives- what’s their look? Are they all in suits and ties - or polo shirts and khakis? And if casual, what area? Is it the Engineering, IT, Finance? What area will you be interviewing in? Many employer websites these days have a specific area with information to help candidates get to know the environment before they arrive.

But, don’t end your research there. Check the newswire and read articles, view photos. Network and find out what others know about the culture. If local, take a drive to the company and park near the door. See what the people who are coming and going are wearing. If you’ve got a recruiter by all means “ask”. But, also ask if the recruiter has ever met personally with the individuals you’ll be meeting with. Keep in mind that often recruiters have never set foot on the premises, let alone met with the client personally. They may have done all their work via phone conversations.

Also, if you’re in communication with the Human Resources Professional check on what they believe is appropriate attire and if there are any expectations you should be aware of in advance. What’s the impression this will leave with them? You prepare in advance and pay attention to details. And please, the question is not “What should I wear”? This will sound insecure and nervous nelly. Instead, simply say, “Are there any specifics that you’d like me to plan for in advance? Any particular attire you would suggest or will there be any presentations expected? This will allow for a free-flow of conversation.

The idea behind all this research is - you want give the employer the “feel” that you already work there. If it is a casual organization and people are in jeans and polo’s, you are going to be uncomfortable in a three-piece suit, shiny shoes and tie included. Impressive yes; but remember you want them talking about how well you will fit in and not “He was fine, but the suits got to go”. In other words, don’t leave them talking more about what you wore to the interview than about what a great fit you’ll be. Don’t balk at this - I bet you can probably bring back a memory right now about someone you remember who walked into an interview clearly out of sync with the company. Right?

Women should remember what would take away a good “blend” too. Low cut shirts, high thin heels, anything extreme or loud (patterns, colors, jewelry). And here is a piece of advice that stands for both men and women; don’t wear any fragrance the day of your interview. You never know whether the person interviewing you has allergies or may just be repelled by the scent. This can end your interview before it even gets started.

So, with all that said - whether you’re interviewing in high tech, or vogue fashion - research, research, research and remember, blend so that who you are will standout.

About the Author

Robin Ogden is a founder of FiredUP Careers, a career coaching company focusing on career products and services for professionals who wish to stay aligned with their careers, achieve success and truly dig what they do. For more information about FiredUP Careers and to receive our FREE ‘career death traps’ report, visit

http://www.firedupcareers.com

The demand for portable generators has increased substantially in recent years. There are myriad reasons for this increase. Emergency portable generators can have significant benefits to individuals and communities, helping to save lives, and lessening the hardships caused by natural disasters and lengthy power outages. Consumers should, however, be aware of the dangers associated with improper use of electric generators. We will highlight a few of these in the following paragraphs.

Portable Generators Produce Poisonous Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas discharged in generator exhaust. Inhalation of carbon monoxide is often lethal, and a number of deaths occur each year as a result of consumer generator use.

In 2004, the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) studied deaths from generator use following four major hurricanes that struck land in the state of Florida. Powering air conditioners and other appliances during nighttime hours was the primary factor identified in generator-related deaths in the CPSC Florida study, and in each of the cited cases, improper location of the portable generator became key to the tragic outcome. In 2000, two children swimming behind a family houseboat on Utah’s Lake Powell drowned after losing consciousness when a portable generator beneath a swim deck produced dangerous fumes. Once again, poorly planned placement of a consumer-use generator was cited as the primary cause of the tragedy.

Because of many similar incidents, the Consumer Products Safety Commission promulgated in December, 2006 that all new generators sold after March of 2007 be affixed with labels setting forth technical and performance data, in addition to the following warning:

“Using a generator indoors CAN KILL YOU IN MINUTES. Generator exhaust contains carbon monoxide. This is a poison you cannot see or smell. NEVER use (generator) inside a home or garage, EVEN IF doors and windows are open. ONLY use outside and far away from windows, doors, and vents.”

The CDC reported that a small portable generator will produce the carbon-monoxide level of six idling cars, a reality that surprises many consumers. Carbon-monoxide levels can be compounded with generator use because the gas is heavy and tends to linger, making it difficult to expunge from an infected area. This means that generators are never safe to use indoors, including inside of open garages, and that during operation they should be located as far from residential units or buildings as possible. In particular, operation near windows, screen doors, vents, and air conditioning ducts should be avoided. Operators should also note wind direction, and locate generators so that prevailing air currents carry fumes away from nearby buildings or residences.

Though all portable generators produce carbon monoxide, certain models create less CO emissions than others. For example, generators equipped with overhead valve (OHV) engines, a standard design in modern models, produce less carbon monoxide emissions than models sporting older side-valve, pushrod engines. Any consumer who intends to use a portable generator in locations with restricted airflow should seek a model creating the fewest emissions possible.

Portable Generators must be Dry and Free from Debris

Safe emergency portable generator use requires planning. Since portable generators are often used in inclement weather, or during the night when visibility is restricted, understanding how and where to use them in advance is critical. It is best to operate generators only in open areas, and, whenever possible, in locations where the generators will be protected from falling debris like leaves and twigs, and from blowing rain, sleet, or snow. A portable generator should never be wet during operation. An operator should likewise never be standing in water or on damp ground when he or she starts a portable generator. Portable generators should always be grounded according to manufacturers’ recommendations. Methods of grounding vary by generator model, but in general will require that a generator be connected to a fixed metal object (for instance, a cold water pipe - spigots for hoses or sprinklers on the outside of the house can be effective choices for generator use).

If heavy debris falls onto the engine of a portable generator, covering it or restricting air flow, the unit can overheat, producing dangerous levels of heat that in extreme instances can even ignite debris. If possible, an operator should dislodge undesired debris from a generator using pressurized air rather than scooping the debris out by hand.

We recommend placing a portable generator atop a concrete pad which rests at least 15 feet from all residences or buildings. Ideally a small roof should cover the pad, leaving a minimum of three feet of clearance on all sides of the generator for ventilation purposes. Other suggested generator locations are beneath a canopy, or inside an open or well-ventilated shed or carport.

Portable Generators must be Properly Connected

A portable generator should never be plugged directly into a residential electrical system (i.e., a wall outlet). Appliances should either be plugged straight into a generator outlet, or into a generator-ready extension cord (often referred to on packaging as “generator cords”). Since portable generators will be placed outdoors, operators need to be sure that any extension cord employed has been manufacturer-rated for outdoor use, and that it carries the Underwriters Laboratories endorsement for the maximum wattage produced by the generator model. Whenever possible, operators should also avoid routing extension cords in a manner that would create tripping hazards or covering extension cords with combustible carpets or padding which can cause heat build-up and perhaps even fire. Particular care must be taken when using an extension cord in wet conditions. If an extension cord is hot to the touch, it has been overloaded and must be either replaced or its load reduced. Operators should periodically inspect all extension cords for frays, cuts, cracks, exposed wiring, and plug damage, and replace any which have been compromised. An operator should always power on a portable generator before connecting a load to it (this is true whether appliances are to be connected directly or via an extension cord), and when connecting appliances, an operator should first connect the highest-wattage ones.

Rather than plugging appliances into a portable generator directly or via an extension cord, a user may wish to employ an electric transfer switch (which should be installed by a licensed electrician or somebody familiar with building codes in the operator’s area). A transfer switch serves as a bridge between the generator and main circuit-breaker panel of a building or residence. It allows a portable generator to send power directly and safely into a home electrical system. The National Electrical Code (700-6) provides that transfer equipment must be designed and installed to prevent inadvertent interconnection of normal and emergency power sources. In other words, an electric transfer switch needs to stop a potentially-lethal problem known as back feed — electricity being created by a home generator that enters outside power lines where it poses an electrocution risk to unsuspecting power-company workers. In an attempt to ensure that transfer equipment is installed according to code, some local government agencies require that the installer obtain a permit prior to installation. A qualified electrician will know when a permit is needed, and how to go about obtaining one. One type of transfer switch, referred to as a double-pole, double throw model, won’t engage unless outside utility power has been safely disconnected. Models of this kind are an excellent way to ensure that rules of safety are observed.

Operators need to keep something else in mind: Because utility workers are completely vulnerable when working on downed lines, lines that they believe are without power, many municipalities have criminalized the reckless use of portable and home generators. Violators can be subject to harsh fines, and even incarceration if convicted. Improper or reckless employment of portable or home generators can also void homeowners’ insurance in the event of property damage or personal injury. Given the number of drawbacks, engaging a licensed electrician to install transfer equipment is a sound investment.

Operators should take care not to overload a portable generator. In addition to its running watts, all generators have a maximum or surge-watts rating, reserve power which is intended to start appliance motors, and is not available for more than a few seconds at a time. During normal use, appliances connected to a generator should not consume above 80% of the generator’s maximum running watts. This reduces the chance of unintended damage or overheating. The watts used by an appliance will often be listed on a data plate attached to its back or underside. If a data plate cannot be located, a wattage meter which is inserted between an appliance and wall outlet is a good way to determine its exact wattage demands. A list of the average watts used by many common household appliances is also available on our website. Lists like ours are not intended to be comprehensive; however, such lists give some indication of the number and size of appliances a portable or home generator model ought to power safely.

Other Safety Tips for Portable Generators

Portable generators use 12 to 18 gallons of gasoline per day; for this reason, an extended blackout will require substantial fuel reserves. Gasoline, diesel, and other fuels burned by portable generators are highly combustible, and storing substantial amounts of them can be hazardous if done carelessly. We recommend that gasoline be stored in a container meeting American National Standards Institute (ANSI) requirements, as well as any applicable state requirements (the state of California, for example, has more stringent requirements known as “CARB”). ANSI coordinates the development and implementation of voluntary safety standards by United States manufacturers. An ANSI-compliant container will always be prominently marked as such.

It is advisable to use a stabilizer, such as STA-BIL, in gasoline or diesel which will be stored for emergency purposes. The shelf-life of pump gas is roughly six months, and for diesel, roughly a year. Stabilizers can frequently double a fuel’s effective shelf-life. Some stabilizers can endow gasoline with a life span of up to two years, and diesel considerably longer. T-REX recommends that, ideally, gasoline supplies be used and replaced annually. It is good practice to use fuel stored for emergency use in other gas-powered equipment — like chain saws and lawn mowers, ATVs or motorcycles. This guarantees that fuel supplies are replenished, and that gasoline is always ready for use when needed. Having a few extra quarts of oil, air and fuel filters, and spark plugs is also advisable.

There should never be open flames near a portable generator during operation. Flames, including lighted cigarettes, should also be kept away from a generator fuel supply. In particular a candle should never be used to provide illumination when preparing a generator for operation or powering it on.

A portable generator should not be refueled while running. If possible, refueling should occur after the generator engine has been allowed to cool, to prevent inadvertent fire should fuel make contact with a hot surface. To avoid refueling spills, it is always wise to store alongside a generator a funnel that can be used for pouring fuel and a rag to clean up spills. It is also advisable to have a flashlight and fire extinguisher within reach.

Keeping a portable generator in good working condition is important to ensure that it operates efficiently and safely when needed. Most manufacturers recommend that portable or home generators be started and allowed to run for five minutes every three months to insure that they remain ready for use. During down time, fuel tanks should be kept full (topped off). This prevents condensation from accumulating inside the tank, and diluting fuel. Water-saturated fuel can produce starting problems, and the engine may sputter during operation. Unfortunately, few people who purchase portable generators for emergency power needs heed this simple advice. Ignoring it can mean that a generator will not operate when it is most needed. We also advise generator owners to have their units serviced annually by a qualified technician.

It is a sound practice to keep small children away from portable generators. Even if a generator is being operated in a safe and well-ventilated area, its engine parts can become burning hot during normal use.

Finally, certain portable generator models are safer than others. Emergency generators are not intended for daily use, but are built to provide continuous occasional power in an emergency, or during a natural disaster or blackout. Inexpensive models can be more susceptible than top brands to heat failure, and heat failure in extreme instances can start fires. There are many inexpensive generators on the market — while inexpensive does not mean bad or unreliable, lower-priced brands may not last as long, or be as safe, as their higher-priced counterparts.

Summary

Here is a summary checklist of safety tips for portable-generator operators:

-Operators should always read the operating instructions or user’s manual before starting or using a portable generator. For best results and ultimate safety, an operator should adhere to these instructions. Generator owners should never remove warning stickers or safety devices from their models.
-A user should be familiar with the sound of his or her portable generator during normal operations. This allows for quick and easy identification of a problem during use; if a problem is detected, operators must immediately power down the unit.
-A portable generator should be used only outdoors and as far away as possible from open windows, air conditioners, vents or air-conditioning ducts.
-Users should check wind direction to ensure that during operation, exhaust emissions are being blown away from buildings and residences.
-There should be plenty of ventilation on all sides of a portable generator.
-A portable generator should be operated only in clean, dry locations. A permanent or temporary shelter may need to be built to house a portable generator during its operation. An operator should never touch any generator unless his or her hands are dry.
-A portable generator should be properly grounded before use to prevent inadvertent electric shocks.
-An undersized or frayed extension cord should never be used with a portable generator. If an extension cord becomes hot to the touch during use, it has been overloaded and the operator needs to replace it immediately with a larger cord, or power down the generator. Operators should always route extension cords to minimize tripping hazards.
-A generator should never be connected to an existing residential wiring system unless a DPDT electric transfer switch is used to prevent back feed, and isolate generator power from external lines.
-The main circuit breaker in a home or building should be turned off before any appliances are connected to a portable generator.
-Operators should ensure that generators are not overloaded by too many or too-large appliances; it is a good safe practice never to attach enough appliances to exceed 80% of a generator’s running watts.
-Fuel for the portable generator should be stored in a safe ANSI-compliant container.
-There should never be open flame near a portable generator during operation or fueling.
-A user should power down and, if possible, allow to cool, a portable generator prior to refueling.
-A generator should be serviced at least annually even if it has not seen use. Unless an owner is qualified, it is best to engage a specialist for generator service or repairs.

_______________________

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to serve as a substitute for, or replacement of, the operating instructions or user’s manual of any generator, regulations or guidance promulgated by government agencies, or recommendations made by qualified electricians. Generators should be used only in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions.

This article was prepared by the management of T-REX Generators. T-REX Generators is a virtual warehouse mega-store specializing in portable generators and generator accessories. We carry portable generators for natural disasters and emergency preparedness, job sites, recreation, and home back-up power needs. By supplying superior generators from industry-leading manufacturers, and maintaining a low-cost structure, T-REX is able to assure consumers that every generator purchased from us is a top value. For more information, visit our website at www.trexgenerators.com.

This article was written by James F. Jensen.

So, you think our elected leaders are finally taking seriously exactly just how soft of targets our schools really are? You may certainly think this when New Jersey’s Burlington Township School Superintendent Chris Manno said of a mock terrorist attack on the school and training session that “We need to practice under conditions as real as possible”.

Well, you’d be wrong.

Were these “terrorists” that were attacking the school people with an actual track record of such activities? Nope. In Mr. Manno’s world these “terrorists” were none other than radical Christians! Huh? Did I miss something?

Apparently.

The premise of the mock attack was that these evil Christians were attacking the school because a student had been expelled for praying before class. Call me crazy but if that is the scenario, shouldn’t the drill have been counseling for the liberal whiner that somehow thought it was ok to discriminate against the religious beliefs of a student and suppress the right of said student to freely practice his or her religion?

No, I guess not. That wouldn’t fit the template I suppose.

Anyway, the drill apparently was seen as successful with Burlington Township Public Safety Director William Corter proclaiming “This should really show how well we work together and respond.” He also said of the drill, “If mistakes are made, we want to know how they should be corrected. The things we do right, we still want to see how we can make them better.”

What do you mean you want to know “if mistakes where made?” If? Ok, how about this? The drill is wholly unrealistic!

Don’t get me wrong. Wackos can come from all walks of life. This includes the Christian community. But I can’t think of the last time a group of radical Christians assaulted a school and took hostages because one of our own was prohibited from practicing his or her faith.

Maybe some more realistic scenarios would be appropriate? Like, oh I don’t know, maybe a group of radical Muslim terrorists complete with bomb belts blowing themselves and half the school up because the infidels were not willing to accept Sharia law? All this would happen after the conflict resolution squad had been called in and while they were trying to talk the terrorists out of this action of course.

By golly! What am I saying?! I didn’t mean to offend the radical Muslim jihadists and bring these insane local leaders back to reality did I?

Yes, actually I did.

But since we obviously will not deal with reality of Islamic terrorists who believe that their god commands them to kill others who will not accept their god, and since it is apparently too much for these yummy brains to grasp that, I will propose some other goofy scenarios.

Please note, while I admit these are “goofy” they are certainly much more probable than Christian terrorists attacking a school. And I make that claim based upon actions that have been observed over the years.

Scenario Number One:

After learning of a potentially harmful black mark on the “permanent record” of a young William Clinton, Sandy Berger under orders from the former president charges through the front doors of the school. Firing at anyone that gets in his way, he heads for the records room with a portable paper shredder attached to his belt.

Students are mowed down in the halls between classes as Berger, filled with blood lust, is focused on his mission. Once at the records room, Berger kicks in the door and begins to dispose of the incriminating documents.

Police eventually arrive but, upon recognizing who it is that they have in their crosshairs, they lower their weapons. At trial, a judge gives him a slap on the wrist and demands that he takes a polygraph test which will never be administered.

Scenario Number Two:

Radical animal rights activists learn that the 4th graders have a poor, defenseless hamster named Skippy trapped against his will in a cage calling him their “mascot”. To show their support for animal rights, they storm the school, splatter the walls with red paint and take several students hostage.

Once inside they coerce Skippy into donning a bomb belt by promising him 40 hamster virgins and send him into the principle’s office to martyr himself for the cause. Several of the students are also convinced to be martyrs as well. After being promised 40 years of recess for their actions, they fan out into the rest of the school to commit jihad.

Police are unwilling to take out the new martyrs and the entire school is blown up. That is except for the animal rights activists who cowardly sneak out the back door after getting others to do their dirty work.

Scenario Number Three:

Environmental Marxists firebomb the school with Molotov Cocktails. This action was taken after learning that the school agreed to show Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Lie” … er … “Truth” BUT that it also allowed rebuttal from actual scientists who are not part of the falsely claimed “consensus” on manmade Global Warming. These scientists then proceeded to discuss how the Earth’s climate is always changing and how it did so even before humans and Haliburton began to rape Gaia for their own evil purposes.

The school burns to the ground and half the students are killed due to exits that were previously barricaded by the attackers. The enviro-Marxists promptly blame the excessive CO2 released into the atmosphere by the fire on non-environmentally friendly building materials rather than their own actions.

They then speed off in SUVs that get 15 miles to the gallon.

Scenario Number Four:

ATF Agents storm the school because they have learned that maybe, just maybe, there is a Christian prayer group meeting in the janitor’s closet. In order to justify the raid, they claim that the group is in possession of illegal cache of weapons.

Unable to coerce the Christians out of the closet they use tanks equipped with tear gas launchers to assault the school and kill hundreds when they inadvertently start a fire. Any students that attempt to escape the blaze have to dodge bullets fired by the agents who claim to be under attack by the children.

Scenario Number Five:

Radical gays attack and hold the school hostage after learning that the school has refused to teach that homosexuality is “normal”. Dressed in drag and gaudy makeup, they take an entire health class hostage and force them to put condoms on bananas and sodomize each other in order to teach them the joys of anal sex.

When the police arrive and begin to arrest the homosexual activists, they assert that it is their civil right to spread information about their lifestyle which the State is currently repressing.

In a 5-4 decision penned by Ruth Bader Ginsberg the Supreme Court agrees and throws the arresting officers in jail for 100 years.

Scenario Number Five:

Supporters of Al Gore and John Kerry band together. Upset about both candidates losing consecutive elections to an “idiot” and due to perceived fraud (or more accurately their inability to pull off enough voter fraud) they take over the entire school. The Gore supporters, typically 1960’s hippie rejects, and the Kerry supporters, talking about how they witnessed war crimes while in Vietnam although they were never in Vietnam, proceed to remove all pictures of President George Bush from the walls of history classes and replace them with pictures of the “true” President.

However, a dispute erupts between the Gore and Kerry supporters as to who is actually the rightful president. They begin to slap at each other with limp-wristed assaults.

After the incident some students are found to exhibit effects from biological warfare. This is later determined to have been the result of exposure to the poor hygiene and horrific body odor emanating from the armpits of the Al Gore supporters. Students caught in the melee suffer minor injuries but otherwise are unharmed, treated and released. But not before being equipped with propaganda from the attackers to help make them sympathetic to their cause.

So there you have it. If we’re going to play make-believe, let’s at least root it in some sort of reality ok? The whole “Christian Terrorist” scenario is nothing more than a comical attempt by leftists to avoid dealing with reality. And that reality is radical Islamist Jihadists want to kill all of the infidels.

Author’s Note: The original article discussing this incident can be found here:
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/112-03232007-1318937.html

J.J. Jackson is the owner and Lead Editor of American Conservative Politics - The Land of the Free and American Infidel T-shirts. His weekly articles can be read at Liberty Reborn

Have your ever been tempted by an email or an advertisement that claims you can “earn a college degree based on life experience?” Take a deep breath. Chances are good that the ad is from a “diploma mill,” a company that offers “degrees” or certificates for a fee, one that requires little course work, if any, and awards degrees based solely on life experience.

Many employers and educational institutions consider it lying if you claim academic credentials that you did not earn through actual and relevant course work. That’s risky behavior. If you use a so-called “degree” from a diploma mill to apply for a job or promotion, you risk not being hired.. If you attempt to make the same claim in a job application at another company, remember that Human
Resource people talk to one another.

Be warned. Diploma mills may even claim to be “accredited.” Colleges and universities accredited by legitimate organizations undergo a lengthy and rigorous review of the quality of their educational programs. Nevertheless, many diploma mills claim to be “accredited,” even though their accreditation
is from a bogus but official-sounding agency that they have created.

If you are at all suspicious, use the internet to check if the school is accredited by a legitimate organization the data base of accredited academic institutions posted on the internet by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (www.chea.org/search). Similarly, accreditation data can be sought via the U.S. Department of Education.

Watch out for sound-alike organizations. Some diploma mills set up names that are similar to well-known colleges or universities. A “dot.edu” web address does not guarantee legitimacy. Some diploma mills use credible-sounding foreign names. Researching the legitimacy of a foreign school can become a challenge but it can be worth the effort and the time. One possible shortcut if you are having difficulty checking out a particular school: contact the registrar of a local college or university and ask if it would accept transfer credits from the school you are considering. Their response may turn out to be your most valuable litmus test.

How can you tell if a school is legitimate? Here are six tell-tale signs: “No Attendance.” Legitimate colleges or universities, including online schools, require substantial student course work.

“No Studies, No Examinations. Get a Degree for Your Experience.” Mills grant so-called degrees for “work or experience” alone. Accredited colleges may give a few credits for specific experience that pertains to to a college degree program, but not an entire degree.

“Flat Fee.” Many diploma mills charge students on a per-degree basis. Legitimate colleges charge by the credit, course or semester; not a flat fee for a complete degree.

“No Waiting.” Operations that guarantee a student a degree in a few days, weeks or even months are not legitimate. If an advertisment in print, email; or by letter promises that you can earn a degree very quickly, it’s probably a mill.

“Advertising through Spam or Pop-ups.” If a school caught your attention through an unsolicited internet email or pop-up, it may be a diploma mill. Most legitimate institutions, including distance learning programs, will not advertise through spam or pop-ups.

“Click Here to Order Now.” Some diploma mills push themselves with aggressive sales tactics. Accredited colleges don’t use high pressure telemarketing to market their offering. Mills advertise in newspapers and magazines, too, and in the same pages where legitimate schools run their ads..

The development of the internet has fostered the growth of online learning. Online degree programs offer freedom and flexibility not generally found in many traditional residential programs. If these features have attracted you to distance learning, you will be well served by a careful approach to where you enroll.

Ask yourself these questions at the start: Are you looking for a way to earn the college degree that will help you get started in the career you’ve always wanted? Or a working professional looking for a way to update your job skills and advance your career, without having to take time off from work?

Legitimate online university programs make it easy for you to earn the college degree that you need. You can attend classes, interact with faculty, complete your assignments from your home, according to your own schedule.

Dee Smith gives you more info about online degrees at:
http://www.onlinedegreeprof.com

But I am not a Website Content Writer!

Sometimes it’s best to consider all the facts before rushing into something just because it is free. By reading the next few paragraphs you should find some extremely helpful information about adding quality content to your Internet business website.

How valuable is fresh content for your Internet business?

New content for your visitors to read is essential to your website’s gravity and is a must if you are going to have any success with bringing potential customers to your Internet presence. How are you going to add new information to your site every week?

Unless you plan to spend most of your time writing, this would be near impossible. What if you have more than one website? 10? 30? How are you going to keep fresh content streaming to all of them? No way!

The answer is in getting other people to write your content for you

Did you every hear of web content writers? How can article writers help you? Immensely!!!

Go to your favorite article site and find some writers who have reports listed about your topic.

Pick one that is 400 to 600 words in length. Buy this article and place it on your site. Simple enough?

Free article content websites

If you are crunched for cash you can always go to one of the many free article sites online where you can use the writer’s content for free with the exception that you must leave the author bio information intact. You can add comments of your own to make the article more unique for the search engines but this doesn’t take near the time as writing content from scratch!

Monetize your site with Google AdSense

Place Google AdSense Ads right after the title, again in the middle of the article and one more at the very bottom. You now have content instantly for your website with a nominal potential for visitors to click on your Google ads.

Do not have any other links on this page with the exception of maybe links back to your contents or home page. If your visitor wants to visit other web pages on your site, she can use the back button on her browser. You want to insure that Google Adsense gets the click so do not give the surfer many options.

Sidebar: Remember that you do have to leave links in the author bio section of the article to give credit to your writers.

Getting the picture about using articles to generate Adsense money? The best time to get information about article content writers is before you have listed a gigantic website. You defiantly should keep reading to learn more valuable advice about website articles while it’s still available.

The article content page

Now, you will need to create a page on your new money website that will hold a listing of your articles. A Contents page or a More Interesting Articles page. This lets your readers know where they can go for updated information or new articles.

It should be a piece of cake for you to update all of your Internet business websites this way while working only a few hours each day. Beats writing all the articles yourself, huh?

One word of caution about using free articles for your content

As good as all this sounds about the free articles online do not go rushing out and build your complete web business based from free content. You will want some original articles to place in-between the others to let your visitors (and the search engines) know that you have a serious web business and not just a collection of other people’s work.

The websites with staying power use this twin method and you would be wise to seek out a good content writer who can produce at least a couple of new articles per week for each website. Your web business will look more professional and you will earn the respect of Adsense customers and the major search engines.

Gear your website to get attention from the search engines

Remember to optimize your new article pages for the search engines so you will get even more traffic to your site. Find high index keywords by using programs like Wordtracker . Also Overture allows you to search for relevant keywords removing some of the work of finding them yourself.

I feel certain that something you read about content writers here will be beneficial to your online business. Then you will be happy you took the time to gain more knowledge about placing articles on your business website.

Jean Pardue is a freelance web content writer and can be contacted at speed-writer@hotmail.com.

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“Silk and steel” acoustic guitar strings, available through a number of manufacturers, are made of silver-plated copper wire wound over a silk and steel core. A lot of my fellow bluegrass and fiddle tune pickers think I’m crazy, but I love silk and steel strings. Alright, the fact is I don’t play in a bluegrass band, and when I jam it is usually only with one or two people who aren’t playing too loud. But volume and projection are related to, not only the gauge and type of string or the size of the guitar, but picking technique as well. In fact, not only do I use silk and steel strings, but I use them on small guitars! I play only 00 and 000 size guitars: I quit playing dreadnaughts years ago. Yet, I get plenty of volume. In fact, I have my little 1930’s Slingerland May-Bell (a small 12-fret to the body parlor guitar with an arched top and a round soundhole) strung with silk and steels and she has cutting power like you wouldn’t believe!

But here’s why I love silk and steel strings. First, they are in lighter gauges than their respective steel string counterparts. For example, GHS medium gauge silk and steels run from .011 to .048 inches, where Martin light gauge phosphor bronze strings range from .012 to .054 inches. The result is that silk and steel strings put much less stress on the top and neck of a guitar. I wouldn’t dream of putting regular steel strings on my Gibson L-C Century from the 30’s, because it has an extremely thin top. Silk and steels are also my choice for my Carson J. Robison (A Gibson-made “no frills” depression era guitar), because it has no truss rod reinforcing the neck.

Another reason I love these strings is that they sound wonderful. I have not liked the sound of silk and steels on a few of the newer guitars, but on my vintage instruments I adore them. Though these strings sound mellower, they don’t sound wimpy for flatpicking. In fact, if you play a guitar which is biased toward the high end, silk and steels may provide a wonderful solution. I love the sensitivity of these strings! You don’t have to punch them hard to produce a wide range of dynamics. And, last but not least, because they are lighter in gauge, they are more flexible, and thus easier on the fingers and easier to play.

Copyright © 2007 Lee Griffith. All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Lee Griffith is an avid acoustic guitar player and a vintage instrument enthusiast. He invites you to receive a FREE REPORT on a revolutionary acoustic guitar lesson kit, along with his weekly newsletter via email.

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Check out Lee’s blog, “The Flatpick Post” at http://flatpickpost.com

These little known quotes bring a perspective worth contemplating–including Dionne Warwick, Sir Winston Churchill, Mark Victor Hansen, Helen Hayes, et al.

“I treat others exactly the way I want to be treated.” - Dionne Warwick

“Why did I want to win? because I didn’t want to lose!” - Max Schmelling

Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if
nothing has happened. - Sir Winston Churchill

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.
- Buddha

The truth is that there is only one terminal dignity - love. And the story of a love is not important - what is important is that one is capable of love. It is perhaps the only glimpse we are permitted of eternity.
- Helen Hayes

“Don’t wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what. Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident and more and more successful.” - Mark Victor Hansen

“Dedicate yourself to the good you deserve and desire for yourself. Give yourself peace of mind. You deserve to be happy. You deserve delight.” - Mark Victor Hansen

“Lack of forgiveness causes almost all of our self-sabotaging behavior.” - Mark Victor Hansen

“In imagination, there’s no limitation.” - Mark Victor Hansen

“When your self-worth goes up, your net worth goes up with it.” - Mark Victor Hansen

Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, Life Coach, Hypnotherapist, Author, “101 Great Ways To Improve Your Life.” Mind, Body, Spirit healing and Physical/Sexual Abuse Prevention and Recovery. As an inspirational leader, Dr. Neddermeyer empowers people to view life’s challenges as an opportunity for Personal/Professional Growth and Spiritual Awakening. http://www.drdorothy.net

I was blessed to own and manage a rather large bicycle and lawnmower shop for twenty eight years. I hired quiet a few high school and college students over the years. Some of my students were from a local community college. A division of that school was a rehabilitation college. Some of the students had physical or mental limitations.

My lawnmower mechanic was Mr. Blake. He was raised in a black orphanage until he was eighteen years of age. The lady in charge of the orphanage called him into her office and said, “You are too old to still be here. We did our best, since you were a small baby to get a couple to adopt you. You are now old enough to go out into the world and make your own living. We have a job for you at a local bakery. We have found a one bed room apartment for you also.”

She went on to say, “You have been taught to managed money and live on your own.” Mr. Blake told me that everyday he would line up with all the other kids and couples would come by to choose a child for adoption. He said he would go and comb his hair neat, hoping to be adopted. It never did happen!

Now he was on his own. He met his future wife and married. He raised five children. Four graduated from college. Mr. Blake owned three rental properties. Years later the lady that raised Mr. Lionel Blake in the orphanage came to live with Mr. Blake and his wife until she passed away.

After working twenty five years in the bakery, he wanted to try something new. He enrolled at the community college and studied small engine repair. Mr. Blake worked at another lawnmower shop for five years. One day he answered my add in the classified for a lawnmower mechanic.

Mr. Blake was born a business person. I was a sales person and a customer service person. I felt that I was blessed to have Mr. Blake help me to become more of a business person. Mr. Blake was tough love.

One day, the placement officer from the community college brought over a student that was always in trouble with the law. He asked me if I would give the young student a job repairing bicycles to keep him out of trouble. I hire the young man. The young man was wearing a ankle bracelet because he was on probation. He was very smart and a good worker. I could not understand how this student could get into trouble so many times with the law.

Mr. Blake would tell me, “Mike watch that new student you just hired, I think that kid is up to no good.” I could not believe what Mr. Blake was telling me. Mr. Blake said that every word out of that kid’s mouth is a lie.

One day Mr. Blake was coming into the shop with his tool box. The young student was mouthing off to the other young bicycle mechanics. Mr. Blake put down his tool box, grab the student with both of his hands by the collar of his shirt and pushed him up against the wall. The student was in shock. Mr. Blake begins telling him, “I want to know what is your problem? This man is giving you a chance to make something of yourself and keep out of jail and you stand here with all of your lies.”

The young student frightened said, “I was adopted!” To that Mr. Blake replied, “I was not adopted!” He then let go of the student and told him to follow him to the back of the shop through the service door.

Total silence fell in the area where the other students were.
Two hours later Mr. Blake and the student came back up front.
You would have thought that young man had been dipped into holy water. He was not the same person.

His parents came to the shop one day when the young man was in school to thank me for what I had done. I told them that I had nothing to do with this. I directed them to the lawnmower service department to speak with Mr. Lionel Blake.

When they came back up front, Mr. Blake and the parents were smiling. Mr. Blake said, “He is going to be alright, he just had to have his head screwed on right.”

After the parents left, I told Mr. Blake that he should open a clinic.
He said, “Mike, you know it does not rain in my world!”

Just as there are for other real estate cash flow documents, there are 2nd mortgage note buyers who will pay you cash for a full or partial note. Although the terms and conditions might differ somewhat for this type of paper, you can definitely find a buyer that will offer a competitive rate.

Selling notes are a popular way to get instant access to a large sum of money. If you come across an investment opportunity that you can’t pass up, or want to make a big purchase, it makes sense to unload a note you may be carrying. It is definitely quicker and easier than getting a loan from a bank or other credit institution.

One of the other advantages is the decreased risk involved. Selling to a 2nd mortgage note buyer guarantees you a certain amount of money now, rather than having to wait for a check every month. You no longer have to assume the risk that the payor might default, or that something else might transpire in the time it takes for all of the payments to be made.

You might be wondering how much the 2nd mortgage note buyers will pay you for your real estate note. There are many different criteria he or she will take into account to arrive at a quote, including but not limited to the balance and time remaining, the value of the property and the financial stability of the payor. These factors will help the buyer determine how risky the investment is and if he or she wants to assume this risk. Obviously, the less risky the note the more you can expect to get for it.

You should look for a 2nd mortgage note buyer with many years of experience; one who is willing to explain all of your options to you and answer any questions you may have about the process. If you feel like you are being pressured into a sale or if you perceive the buyer is not being forthcoming, thank them for their time and talk to other 2nd mortgage note buyers.

The Internet opens the door to a nationwide pool of notebuyers, giving you increased access to many of the industry’s top investors. With more players, there is more competition so you can really get a great rate if you find the right 2nd mortgage note buyer. And remember, money today is always worth more than money in the future, so if you need cash right now, selling your note is a great way to get it!

Jamie has been working in the finance industry for many years and is a contributing editor to http://www.selling-your-note.com. Find out about 2nd mortgage note buyers on our website and receive a free, no obligation quote from professional note buyers.

President Mamoud Ahmadinejad defended Iran’s nuclear program in a speech before a group of Islamic clerics, stating, “The Iranian nation has an inalienable right to become a nuclear target.” Then, conflating a calculated reference to The Declaration of Independence with railway transportation, he added, “The train of the Iranian nation is without brakes and a rear gear. We dismantled the rear gear and brakes of the train and threw them away sometime ago.”

“But what happens after we have a nuclear weapon?” a cleric dared to ask.

“I was just getting to that,” he replied. “Now, some of you might wonder, what is likely to happen as Iran gets closer to having a nuclear weapon? What else? We’ll be attacked.

“And what if we actually threaten to use a nuclear weapon? You guessed it. We’re certain to be attacked.

“And what if we actually succeed in using a nuclear weapon? You guessed right again. We’ll be attacked - and no doubt with nuclear weapons.

“And who will attack us? Israel? America? England? France? Russia? China? The truth is, there are so many nations that might attack us we have absolutely nothing to worry about. We can be certain that one or more of these nations will attack us.

“And, if things go as they well might, we may be attacked by nearly all of them. But don’t worry. We’ll be going up in smoke for Allah. So we have nothing to fear.

“And, let me assure you, my intentions are in no way guided by a subliminal death wish. Nothing could be further from the truth. I’m very outspoken about my intentions.

“And no nation - not America, not Israel, not all the European infidels taken together, can deter the Iranian nation. We will become a nuclear target. It is our destiny, that is, unless somebody has a better idea.

“Then, like George Bush, I will entertain it before I dismiss it. Now, I’d like to hear it if anybody has a better plan.”

To encourage participation, the guards beside him presented arms. Noticing the potential fusillade, the clerics seemed in complete agreement with him.

“I’m glad you agree with the plan,” Ahmadinejad said. Then, continuing his recent references to American parlance, he effused, “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of nukes! United we die; divided we disagree! I have a nuclear dream! And, mark my words, the end is near!”

Tom Attea, humorist and creator of http://www.NewsLaugh.com, has had six shows produced Off-Broadway. Critics have called his writing “delightfully funny,” “witty,” with “good, genuine laughs” and “great humor and ebullience.”