tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75539339344190172312024-03-13T03:44:19.796-07:00Think a Piecea piece of everything comes inbobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626672886866736956noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553933934419017231.post-19666856794386094792010-07-15T05:30:00.000-07:002010-07-15T05:38:21.445-07:00What do Muslims Believe?Muslims believe in One, Unique, Incomparable God; in the Angels created by Him; in the prophets through whom his revelations were brought to mankind; in the day of judgment and individual accountability for actions; in God's complete authority over human destiny and in life after death. Muslims believe in a chain of prophets starting with Adam and including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Elias, Jonah, John the Baptist, and Jesus, peace be upon them. But God's final message to man, a reconfirmation of the eternal message and a summing-up of all that has gone before was revealed to the prophet Muhammad through Gabriel.bobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626672886866736956noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553933934419017231.post-82100146469376987772010-07-15T05:26:00.000-07:002010-07-15T05:30:07.065-07:00Who are the Muslims?One billion people from a vast range of races, nationalities and cultures across the globe - from the southern Philippines to Nigeria - are united by their common Islamic faith. About 18% live in Arab world; the world's largest Muslim community is in Indonesia; substantial parts of Asia and most of Africa are Muslim, while significant minorities are to be found in the Russia, China, North and South America and Europe.bobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626672886866736956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553933934419017231.post-56687027480935760052010-07-15T05:21:00.000-07:002010-07-15T05:26:13.211-07:00What is Islam?Islam is not a new religion, but the same truth that God revealed through all his prophets to every people. For a fifth of the world's population, Islam is both a religion and a complete way of life. Muslims follow a religion of peace, mercy, and forgiveness, and the majority have nothing to do with the extremely grave events which have come to be associated with their faith.bobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626672886866736956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553933934419017231.post-31836053353953722492010-04-19T06:01:00.000-07:002010-04-21T09:24:15.780-07:00Love is a Fallacy<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">Cool was I and logical. Keen, calculating, perspicacious, acute and astute – I was all of these. My brain was as powerful as a dynamo, as precise as a chemist’s scales, as penetrating as a scalpel. And – think of it! – I was only eighteen.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">It is not often that one so young has such a giant intellect. Take, for example, Petey Burch, my roommate at the University of Minnesota. Same age, same background, but dumb as an ox. A nice enough fellow, you understand, but nothing upstairs. Emotional type. Unstable. Impressionable. Worst of all, a faddist. Fads, I submit, are the very negation of reason. To be swept up in every new craze that comes along, to surrender yourself to idiocy just because everybody else is doing it – this, to me, is the acme of mindlessness. Not, however, to Petey.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">One afternoon I found Petey lying on his bed with an expression of such distress on his face that I immediately diagnosed appendicitis. “Don’t move,” I said. “Don’t take a laxative. I’ll get a doctor.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Raccoon,” he mumbled thickly.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Raccoon?” I said, pausing in my flight.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“I want a raccoon coat!” he wailed.<br /><br />I perceived that his trouble was not physical, but mental. “Why do you want a raccoon coat?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“I should have known it!” he cried, pounding his temples. “I should have known they’d come back when the Charleston came back. Like a fool I spent all my money for textbooks, and now I can’t get a raccoon coat.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Can you mean,” I said incredulously, “that people are actually wearing raccoon coats again?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“All the Big Men on Campus are wearing them. Where’ve you been?”<br /><br />“In the library,” I said, naming a place not frequented by Big Men on Campus.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">He leaped from the bed and paced the room. “I’ve got to have a raccoon coat,” he said passionately. “I’ve got to!”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Petey, why? Look at it rationally. Raccoon coats are unsanitary. They shed. They smell bad. They weigh too much. They’re unsightly. They –“</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“You don’t understand,” he interrupted impatiently. “It’s the thing to do. Don’t you want to be in the swim?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“No,” I said truthfully.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Well, I do,” he declared. “I’d give anything for a raccoon coat. Anything!”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">My brain, that precision instrument, slipped into high gear. “Anything?” I asked, looking at him narrowly.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Anything,” he affirmed in ringing tones.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">I stroked my chin thoughtfully. It so happened that I knew where to get my hands on a raccoon coat. My father had owned one in his undergraduate days; it lay now in a trunk in the attic back home. It also happened that Petey had something I wanted. He didn’t have it exactly, but at least he had first rights on it. I refer to his girl, Polly Espy.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">I had long coveted Polly Espy. Let me emphasize that my desire for this young woman was not emotional in nature. She was, to be sure, a girl who excited the emotions, but I was not one to let my heart rule my head. I wanted Polly for a shrewdly calculated, entirely cerebral reason.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">I was a freshman in law school. In a few years I would be out in practice. I was well aware of the importance of the right kind of wife in furthering a lawyer’s career. The successful lawyers I had observed were, almost without exception, married to beautiful, gracious, intelligent women. With one omission, Polly fitted these specifications perfectly.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">Beautiful she was. She was not yet of pin-up proportions, but I felt sure that time would supply the lack. She already had the makings.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">Gracious she was. By gracious I mean full of graces. She had an erectness of carriage, an ease of bearing, a poise that clearly indicated the best of breeding. At table her manners were exquisite. I had seen her at the Kozy Kampus Korner eating the specialty of the house – a sandwich that contained scraps of pot roast, gravy, chopped nuts and a dipper of sauerkraut – without even getting her fingers moist.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">Intelligent she was not. In fact, she veered in the opposite direction. But I believed that under my guidance she would smarten up. At any rate, it was worth a try. It is, after all, easier to make a beautiful dumb girl smart than to make an ugly smart girl beautiful.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Petey,” I said, “are you in love with Polly Espy?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“I think she’s a keen kid,” he replied. “But I don’t know if you’d call it love. Why?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Do you,” I asked, “have any kind of formal arrangement with her? I mean are you going steady or anything like that?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“No. We see each other quite a bit, but we both have other dates. Why?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Is there,” I asked, “any other man for whom she has a particular fondness?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Not that I know of. Why?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">I nodded with satisfaction. “In other words, if you were out of the picture, the field would be open. Is that right?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“I guess so. What are you getting at?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Nothing, nothing,” I said innocently, and took my suitcase out of the closet.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Where are you going?” asked Petey.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Home for the weekend.” I threw a few things into the bag.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Listen,” he said, clutching my arm eagerly, “while you’re home, you couldn’t get some money from your old man, could you, and lend it to me so I can buy a raccoon coat?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“I may do better than that,” I said with a mysterious wink and closed my bag and left.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Look,” I said to Petey when I got back Monday morning. I threw open the suitcase and revealed the huge, hairy, gamey object that my father had worn in his Stutz Bearcat in 1925.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Holy Toledo!” said Petey reverently. He plunged his hands into the raccoon coat and then his face. “Holy Toledo!” he repeated fifteen or twenty times.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Would you like it?” I asked.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Oh yes!” he cried, clutching the greasy pelt to him. Then a canny look came into his eyes. “What do you want for it?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Your girl,” I said, mincing no words.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Polly?” he said in a horrified whisper. “You want Polly?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“That’s right.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">He flung the coat from him. “Never,” he said stoutly.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">I shrugged. “Okay. If you don’t want to be in the swim, I guess it’s your business.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">I sat down in a chair and pretended to read a book, but out of the corner of my eye I kept watching Petey. He was a torn man. First he looked at the coat with the expression of a waif at a bakery window. Then he turned away and set his jaw resolutely. Then he looked back at the coat, with even more longing in his face. Then he turned away, but with not so much resolution this time. Back and forth his head swiveled, desire waxing, resolution waning. Finally he didn’t turn away at all; he just stood and stared with mad lust at the coat.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“It isn’t as though I was in love with Polly,” he said thickly. “Or going steady or anything like that.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“That’s right,” I murmured.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“What’s Polly to me, or me to Polly?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Not a thing,” said I.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“It’s just been a casual kick – just a few laughs, that’s all.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Try on the coat,” said I.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">He complied. The coat bunched high over his ears and dropped all the way down to his shoe tops. He looked like a mound of dead raccoons. “Fits fine,” he said happily.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">I rose from my chair. “Is it a deal?” I asked, extending my hand.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">He swallowed. “It’s a deal,” he said and shook my hand.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">I had my first date with Polly the following evening. This was in the nature of a survey; I wanted to find out just how much work I had to do to get her mind up to the standard I required. I took her first to dinner. “Gee, that was a delish dinner,” she said as we left the restaurant. Then I took her to a movie. “Gee, that was a marvy movie,” she said as we left the theater. And then I took her home. “Gee, I had a sensaysh time,” she said as she bade me goodnight.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">I went back to my room with a heavy heart. I had gravely underestimated the size of my task. This girl’s lack of information was terrifying. Nor would it be enough merely to supply her with information. First she had to be taught to think. This loomed as a project of no small dimensions, and at first I was tempted to give her back to Petey. But then I got to thinking about her abundant physical charms and about the way she entered a room and the way she handled a knife and fork, and I decided to make an effort.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">I went about it, as in all things, systematically. I gave her a course in logic. It happened that I, as a law student, was taking a course in logic myself, so I had all the facts at my finger tips. “Polly,” I said to her when I picked her up on our next date, “tonight we are going over to the Knoll and talk.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Oo, Terrif,” she replied. One thing I will say for this girl: you would go far to find another so agreeable.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">We went to the Knoll, the campus trysting place, and we sat down under an old oak, and she looked at me expectantly. “What are we going to talk about?” she asked.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Logic.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">She thought this over for a minute and decided she liked it. “Magnif,” she said.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Logic,” I said, clearing my throat, “is the science of thinking. Before we can think correctly, we must first learn to recognize the common fallacies of logic. These we will take up tonight.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Wow-dow!” she cried, clapping her hands delightedly.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">I winced, but went bravely on. “First let us examine the fallacy called Dicto Simpliciter.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“By all means,” she urged, batting her lashes eagerly.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Dicto Simpliciter means an argument based on an unqualified generalization. For example: Exercise is good. Therefore everybody should exercise.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“I agree,” said Polly earnestly. “I mean exercise is wonderful. I mean it builds the body and everything.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Polly, I said gently, “the argument is a fallacy. ‘Exercise is good’ is an unqualified generalization. For instance, if you have heart disease, exercise is bad, not good. Many people are ordered by their doctors not to exercise. You must qualify the generalization. You must say exercise is ‘usually’ good, or exercise is good ‘for most people’. Otherwise you have committed a Dicto Simpliciter. Do you see?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“No,” she confessed. “But this is marvy. Do more! Do more!”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“It will be better if you stop tugging at my sleeve,” I told her, and when she desisted, I continued. “Next we take up a fallacy called Hasty Generalization. Listen carefully: You can’t speak French. I can’t speak French. Petey Burch can’t speak French. I must therefore conclude that nobody at the University of Minnesota can speak French.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Really?” said Polly, amazed. “Nobody?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">I hid my exasperation. “Polly, it’s a fallacy. The generalization is reached too hastily. There are too few instances to support such a conclusion.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Know any more fallacies?” she asked breathlessly. “This is more fun than dancing even.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">I fought off a wave of despair. I was getting nowhere with this girl, absolutely nowhere. Still I am nothing if not persistent. I continued. “Next comes Post Hoc. Listen to this: Let’s not take Bill on our picnic. Every time we take him out with us, it rains.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“I know somebody just like that,” she exclaimed. “A girl back home – Eula Becker, her name is. It never fails. Every single time we take her on a picnic –“</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Polly,” I said sharply. “It’s a fallacy. Eula Becker doesn’t cause the rain. She has no connection with the rain. You are guilty of Post Hoc if you blame Eula Becker.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“I’ll never do it again,” she promised contritely. “Are you mad at me?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">I sighed deeply. “No Polly, I’m not mad.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Then tell me some more fallacies.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“All right. Let’s try Contradictory Premises.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Yes, let’s,” she chirped, blinking her eyes happily.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">I frowned, but plunged ahead. “Here is an example of Contradictory Premises: If God can do anything, can He make a stone so heavy that He won’t be able to lift it?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Of course,” she replied promptly.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“But if He can do anything, He can lift the stone,” I pointed out.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Yeah,” she said thoughtfully. “Well, then, I guess He can’t make the stone.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“But He can do anything,” I reminded her.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">She scratched her pretty, empty head. “I’m all confused,” she admitted.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Of course you are. Because when the premises of an argument contradict each other, there can be no argument. If there is an irresistible force, there can be no immovable object. If there is an immovable object, there can be no irresistible force. Get it?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Tell me some more of this keen stuff,” she said eagerly.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">I consulted my watch. “I think we’d better call it a night. I’ll take you home now, and you go over all the things you’ve learned. We’ll have another session tomorrow night.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">I deposited her at the girls’ dormitory, where she assured me that she’d had a perfectly terrif evening, and I went glumly home to my room. Petey lay snoring in his bed, the raccoon coat huddled like a great hairy beast at his feet. For a moment I considered waking him and telling him that he could have his girl back. It seemed clear that my project was doomed to failure. The girl simply had a logic-proof head.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">But then I reconsidered. I had wasted one evening; I might as well waste another. Who knew? Maybe somewhere in the extinct crater of her mind a few embers still smoldered. Maybe somehow I could fan them into flame. Admittedly it was not a prospect fraught with hope, but I decided to give it one more try.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">Seated under the oak the next evening I said, “Our first fallacy tonight is called Ad Misericordiam.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">She quivered with delight.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Listen closely,” I said. “A man applies for a job. When the boss asks him what his qualifications are, he replies that he has a wife and six children at home. The wife is a helpless cripple, the children have nothing to eat, no clothes to wear and no shoes on their feet. There are no beds in the house, no coal in the cellar, and winter is coming.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">A tear rolled down Polly’s pink cheeks. “Oh, this is awful, awful,” she sobbed.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Yes, it’s awful,” I agreed, “but it’s no argument. The man never answered the boss’s question about his qualifications. Instead he appealed to the boss’s sympathy. He committed the fallacy of Ad Misericordiam. Do you understand?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Have you got a handkerchief?” she blubbered.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">I handed her a handkerchief and tried to keep from screaming while she wiped her eyes. “Next,” I said in a carefully controlled tone, “we will discuss False Analogy. Here is an example: Students should be allowed to look at their textbooks during examinations. After all, surgeons have x-rays to guide them during an operation, lawyers have briefs to guide them during a trial, carpenters have blueprints to guide them when they are building a house. Why, then, shouldn’t students be allowed to look at their textbooks during an examination?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“There now,” she said enthusiastically, “is the most marvy idea I’ve heard in years.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Polly,” I said testily, “the argument is all wrong. Doctors, lawyers and carpenters aren’t taking a test to see how much they have learned, but students are. The situations are altogether different, and you can’t make an analogy between them.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“I still think it’s a good idea,” said Polly.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Nuts,” I muttered. Doggedly I pressed on. “Next we’ll try Hypothesis Contrary to Fact.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Sounds yummy,” was Polly’s reaction.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Listen: If Madame Curie had not happened to leave a photographic plate in a drawer with a chunk of pitchblende, the world today would not know about radium.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“True, true,” said Polly, nodding her head. “Did you see the movie? Oh, it just knocked me out. That Walter Pidgeon is so dreamy. I mean he fractures me.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“If you can forget Mr. Pidgeon for a moment,” I said coldly, “I would like to point out that the statement is a fallacy. Maybe Madame Curie would have discovered radium at some later date. Maybe somebody else would have discovered it. Maybe any number of things would have happened. You can’t start with a hypothesis that is not true and then draw any supportable conclusions from it.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“They ought to put Walter Pidgeon in more pictures,” said Polly. “I hardly ever see him any more.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">One more chance, I decided. But just one more. There is a limit to what flesh and blood can bear. “The next fallacy is called Poisoning the Well.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“How cute!” she gurgled.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Two men are having a debate. The first one gets up and says, ‘My opponent is a notorious liar. You can’t believe a word that he is going to say.’ … Now, Polly, think. Think hard. What’s wrong?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">I watched her closely as she knit her creamy brow in concentration. Suddenly a glimmer of intelligence – the first I had seen – came into her eyes. “It’s not fair,” she said with indignation. “It’s not a bit fair. What chance has the second man got if the first man calls him a liar before he even begins talking?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Right!” I cried exultantly. “One hundred percent right. It’s not fair. The first man has ‘poisoned the well’ before anybody could drink from it. He has hamstrung his opponent before he could even start. …Polly, I’m proud of you.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Pshaw,” she murmured, blushing with pleasure.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“You see, my dear, these things aren’t so hard. All you have to do is concentrate. Think – examine – evaluate. Come now, let’s review everything we have learned.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Fire away,” she said with an airy wave of her hand.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">Heartened by the knowledge that Polly was not altogether a cretin, I began a long, patient review of all I had told her. Over and over and over again I cited instances, pointed out flaws, kept hammering away without letup. It was like digging a tunnel. At first everything was work, sweat, and darkness. I had no idea when I would reach the light, or even if I would. But I persisted. I pounded and clawed and scraped, and finally I was rewarded. I saw a chink of light. And then the chink got bigger and the sun came pouring in and all was bright.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">Five grueling nights this took, but it was worth it. I had made a logician out of Polly; I had taught her to think. My job was done. She was worthy of me at last. She was a fit wife for me, a proper hostess for my mansions, a suitable mother for my well-heeled children.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">It must not be thought that I was without love for this girl. Quite the contrary. Just as Pygmalion loved the perfect woman he had fashioned, so I loved mine. I determined to acquaint her with my feelings at our very next meeting. The time had come to change our relationship from academic to romantic.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Polly,” I said when next we sat beneath our oak, “tonight we will not discuss fallacies.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Aw, gee,” she said, disappointed.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“My dear,” I said, favoring her with a smile, “we have now spent five evenings together. We have gotten along splendidly. It is clear that we are well matched.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Hasty Generalization,” said Polly brightly.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“I beg your pardon,” said I.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Hasty Generalization,” she repeated. “How can you say that we are well matched on the basis of only five dates?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">I chuckled with amusement. The dear child had learned her lessons well. “My dear,” I said, patting her hand in a tolerant manner. “Five dates is plenty. After all, you don’t have to eat a whole cake to know it’s good.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“False Analogy,” said Polly promptly. “I’m not a cake; I’m a girl.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">I chuckled with somewhat less amusement. The dear child had learned her lessons perhaps too well. I decided to change tactics. Obviously the best approach was a simple, strong, direct declaration of love. I paused for a moment while my massive brain chose the proper words. Then I began:</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Polly, I love you. You are the whole world to me, and the moon and the stars and the constellations of outer space. Please, my darling, say that you will go steady with me, for if you will not, life will be meaningless. I will languish. I will refuse my meals. I will wander the face of the earth, a shambling hollow-eyed hulk.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">There, I thought, folding my arms. That ought to do it.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Ad Misericordiam,” said Polly.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">I ground my teeth. I was not Pygmalion. I was Frankenstein, and my monster had me by the throat. Frantically I fought back the tide of panic surging through me. At all costs I had to keep cool.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Well, Polly,” I said, forcing a smile, “you certainly have learned your fallacies.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“You’re darn right,” she said with a vigorous nod.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“And who taught them to you?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“You did.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“That’s right. So you do owe me something, don’t you, my dear? If I hadn’t come along you never would have learned about fallacies.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Hypothesis Contrary to Fact,” she said instantly.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">I dashed perspiration from my brow. “Polly,” I croaked, “you mustn’t take all these things so literally. I mean this is just classroom stuff. You know that the things you learn in school don’t have anything to do with life.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Dicto Simpliciter,” she said, wagging her finger at me playfully.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">That did it. I leaped to my feet, bellowing like a bull. “Will you or will you not go steady with me?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“I will not,” she replied.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Why not?” I demanded.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Because this afternoon I promised Petey Burch that I would go steady with him.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">I reeled back, overcome with the infamy of it. After he promised, after he made a deal, after he shook my hand! “The rat!” I shrieked, kicking up great chunks of turf. “You can’t go with him, Polly. He’s a liar. He’s a cheat. He’s a rat!”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">“Poisoning the Well,” said Polly. “And stop shouting. I think shouting must be a fallacy, too.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;" align="center">With an immense effort of will, I modulated my voice. “All right,” I said. “You’re a logician. Let’s look at this logically. How could you choose Petey Burch over me? Look at me – a brilliant student, a tremendous intellectual, a man with an assured future. Look at Petey – a knothead, a jitterbug, a guy who’ll never know where his next meal is coming from. Can you give me one logical reason why you should go steady with Petey Burch?”</p> <span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:Book Antiqua;" >“I certainly can,” declared Polly. “He’s got a raccoon coat.”</span>bobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626672886866736956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553933934419017231.post-20256892058118769372008-12-07T05:11:00.000-08:002010-04-21T09:26:04.571-07:00Pacquiao vs. Dela Hoya. The Modern David and Goliath Battle Royal<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4NLOwl5Q7p4/STvLxxJpcLI/AAAAAAAAAAM/Qxd3YpAkJPw/s1600-h/pacman.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4NLOwl5Q7p4/STvLxxJpcLI/AAAAAAAAAAM/Qxd3YpAkJPw/s320/pacman.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277035444262498482" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The Dream match, the golden boy Oscar Dela Hoya vs. Peolpes Champ Manny Pacman Pacquiao<span style="font-weight: bold;">. </span><span>December 7, 2008, Manila - Philippines</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">. </span><strong>Manny Pacquiao</strong> is just too much for <strong>Oscar de la Hoya. </strong>It was a fight dominated by the Pacman from start to the end of 8th round. Oscar came in surprisingly weaker, and landed too few punches to hurt Pacquiao. The dream match came out to be a David-Goliath battle because Manny came out to be the underdog and shorter than Oscar in terms of height and reach. But this big difference was not a reason for Manny to survive and win the fight after Oscar surrender before the nineth round started.bobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626672886866736956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553933934419017231.post-2540875867751168772008-12-05T07:52:00.000-08:002008-12-05T07:56:34.540-08:00Satellite Internet ServiceLiving in rural areas in most parts of the world can be a refreshing thought, especially if you are born and bred in the maddening city life. You can breathe fresh air, drink pure water and doesn't have to confront pollution of any kind. All said and done, putting up in remote areas can also be quite frustrating at times.<br /><br />If you are a tech junkie and rely on internet services almost every now and then, you may have only dial up internet access at your disposal. This will surely not guarantee you a high speed service. So, how can you combat this kind of a scenario? Do not worry. There's a solution for it. Read on.<br /><br />The concept of Satellite Internet Service is fast catching up with its users worldwide. There are several companies offering services of this kind to its customers. They are available in two different formats: Two way and one way internet services. In the case of the former, a dish is mounted on top of your house. Through it, information is sent to the satellite and in turn you receive the download speed. In the latter case, your phone line is used to transmit the information to the satellite. In return, the downloadable speed can be collected from your dish.<br /><br />The two way system has its own set of drawbacks. During cloudy and rainy days, the transmission between your dish and the satellite could be severely hampered. This is so, because the dish on your house top wouldn't be as powerful in sending signals as that of satellite in orbits. This condition is often referred to as 'rain fade'.<br /><br />As compared to two way systems, one way systems are capable to send signals at much higher power from a building which is 14 storeys in height. The signals in this case are beamed from a telephone port up to the satellite in the orbit.<br /><br />Some internet users may feel it undesirable to use phone lines for uploading purposes. According to them, it might be a negative point. However, the truth is far from it. Using a phone line for uploading is in fact a positive attribute as it does not have to confront situations like 'rain fade'. In either of these systems, the browsing speed is obtained via satellite to your dish.<br /><br />There's one more advantage to one way systems over two way systems. The time taken to load pages is much lesser in the former case as it makes only one way trip to satellite before it comes back.<br /><br />Affordability is another factor, where the one way systems score over two way systems. Installing two way systems is not easy and it requires professional guidance. They are also governed by the rules of FCC. However, one way systems are not controlled by any such rules. They are very simple to use and are far reliable. With one way systems, you can save as much as 150 pounds for an hour's work. What's more, professional help can also be sought for.<br /><br />So if you are facing problems in browsing internet, accessing them via satellite internet services is the way to go. Just because you live in remote areas, don't let the technological benefits pass by you. Try it out once and you will not be disappointed.bobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626672886866736956noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553933934419017231.post-92183888626650652272008-12-05T07:51:00.002-08:002008-12-05T07:56:34.540-08:00Get Rid of Stalkers Today With a Reverse Email LookupEver had a internet stalker or spammer? Well as we all know people can make email accounts and do whatever they want including doing things that aren't morally right. If you ever been in this situation or is in this situation right now there are ways around it. The first thing you need to go about doing is finding out who this person really is. Here are a few options.<br /><br />The most valuable resource in my opinion is Google. Google is known to provide relevant results for whatever you are trying to find. If it's out there on the web then it can be found. Simply just type in the email address in Google and see what comes up. You could possibly find old member accounts he or she has made on various cites which could have some valuable information you are looking for.<br /><br />You can run a search on his email via the email provider. Such as a Hotmail or AOL account. Go to the email provider cite and do some searching there. You can try contacting the company but I highly doubt you will get any progress made. There is still hope if you still haven't found the information you've been searching for.<br /><br />Some people will tell you that you should hire a private investigator however that is not really needed. There are cheaper options which will provide you with the same valuable information as a private investigator would hands down. There are various services called reverse email lookup service which will provide you with accurate information about the email you request to get information about.bobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626672886866736956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553933934419017231.post-43175825862271001352008-12-05T07:51:00.001-08:002008-12-05T07:56:34.541-08:00Can a Business Survive Without Broadband?When it comes to getting online, you have two choices. You can either go for dial-up, which uses a phone line to get online and therefore ties up that phone line whenever you are on the internet, or you can opt for broadband, which is permanently on, permanently available, and often one hundred times faster than dial-up.<br /><br />This simple but very distinct difference between the two options almost answers the question posed in the title without any further thought at all. If you are serious about running a proper business - even if that business is based at home - then you really must have broadband to get the best from your business. If you don't have it you will soon become frustrated at the limitations that dial-up gives you.<br /><br />When we hear about how various people set up their businesses online and delve into the various aspects of website marketing and how to provide the best service to their customers, you will never hear too much about what service they use to go online with themselves. But you can almost guarantee that they will be using broadband.<br /><br />The only situation in which the owner of an online business might just get away with using dial-up is if their website runs virtually on autopilot, and the only thing they need to do is to hop online occasionally to see what is going on and to check their stats.<br /><br />But just imagine trying to run a business in which you are constantly online fulfilling orders and making sure that customers are satisfied. Anyone who has tried using dial-up in the long and distant past will know that it has a tendency to cut you off, and it is also much slower than broadband. What this means is that even if you aren't cut off at any point you will certainly notice that it takes much longer to process orders due to the slower speed of entering websites and pages than it would if you were using broadband.<br /><br />It's reasonable to think that the smallest business just starting out online could get by for a time on dial-up. But once that business reaches any kind of success then broadband becomes almost necessary to encourage further growth.<br /><br />One other point worth bearing in mind is that because dial-up internet connections tie up your phone line, you would either have to be unobtainable on the phone (not good for customer relations) or you would have to have another dedicated phone line put in. When all is said and done you are much better off simply opting for broadband in the first place - it's probably cheaper.<br /><br />Internet marketing is a business strategy that tends to attract all kinds of people to it and has an image of being an easy business to succeed in. This is far from being the truth, of course, but some people will try and build a business without having the right tools to succeed - and one of those tools must surely be broadband.bobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626672886866736956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553933934419017231.post-4702620593166234112008-12-05T07:50:00.001-08:002008-12-05T07:56:34.542-08:00AOL Reverse Email Lookup - Find Your Long Lost Friend Or LoverAs the internet continues to grow we find ourselves establishing really good friendships and even relationships. Sometimes those friends or loved ones can disappear or you two just lost touch. With all the false information that floats around on the internet; it can be very tedious trying to find someone when all you have that belonged to them was an email address. Maybe you have a best friend from online or offline and you two have lost touch with each other. Or maybe an old crush that you would like to find. Even a loved one such as a family member that just doesn't seem to stay in contact with anyone in the family.<br /><br />Well I'm here to tell you that those days of never being able to find accurate and reliable information from just an email address are over. There are various methods you can choose to use to find the person you're searching for. If you haven't already tried this method then it's quick and could lead to some kind of information. Search with Google or better yet within AOL. Chances are slim to none but you never know they could of left some valuable information in their email account. The information might even be outdated or inaccurate but it's worth a try for a free option.<br /><br />If you think you are out of luck after trying those methods then your still in luck. There are services out there that can do a AOL reverse email lookup for you for a small fee. These services are very prompt so they can provide you with information quickly. The cost can be around $10-40 dollars depending on the service and if you plan to get some kind of membership with them. All you have to do is just do your research so you can find one that best suits your pockets and the information that you need.bobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626672886866736956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553933934419017231.post-79858948314167082352008-12-05T07:49:00.002-08:002008-12-05T07:56:34.542-08:00How to Explain MPLS to a Potential CustomerHow do you explain MPLS (Multi-Protocol Label Switching) as a potential bandwidth solution to a potential customer who as little understanding of just what options may be available to them? In other words, how do you put MPLS into laymen's terms?<br /><br />The best way I have been able to explain MPLS (Multi-Protocol Label Switching) is by drawing a picture depicting the following:<br /><br />Imagine the internet as an Ocean, large and wide. Full of sharks and other things that can get in the way of your data ... and you are 2 or 3 islands (or how ever many locations the customer has) in that ocean.<br /><br />A point to point is a bridge that you physically build between these islands that you can transport data on. Generally this is very expensive since you are actually building the bridge.<br /><br />Frame Relay is like an HOV lane on that higway. There are other users that are able to use your highway that is on the bridge, but you have a select portion that is only yours.<br /><br />MPLS is a submarine. It is a protected vessle that can go between any of your islands. It is encapsulated and protected and goes underneath the ocean thus being the most protected and versitile method of data/ voice transport.<br /><br />This is a very basic overview, but if taken to heart and understood in it's simplest terms, can help you move to a newer, more cost effective solution.<br /><br />MPLS is the new Frame Relay. Using the added capabilities found in MPLS switching, companies are able to prioritize traffic for real-time packets like voice and video.<br /><br />There are many flavors of MPLS sold by the carriers. The difference is usually based on the classes of service. COS is how you tag traffic for prioritization.<br /><br />If the customer has a Frame Relay network or ATM or even IP-VPN, MPLS would likely be a beneficial upgrade in cost and quality, especially if the customer uses VOIP or Video.<br /><br />For help in finding just the right solution involving MPLS .... or any bandwidth configuration for that matter .... take advantage of the resources available via Broadband Nation.bobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626672886866736956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553933934419017231.post-45881776143677008122008-12-05T07:49:00.001-08:002008-12-05T07:56:34.543-08:00How to Determine the Best Bandwidth Solution For Video Conferencing & Multi-Media ApplicationsYour business intends to make extensive use of video conferencing and multi-media applications. How do you determine what bandwidth solution (T1, DS3, OCx/Sonet, etc.) would best meet your needs and incorporate that decision into your network cover these applications?<br /><br />I'd say that it depends on what kind of service and QoS you are looking at. For example, when you say "video" you mean video conferencing and not something like VoD. The Bandwidth requirements will vary according to your service requirements.<br /><br />For example: For IPTV services, the image quality depends on the encoding deployed: MPEG-2 consumes approx. 3.75 Mbps, whereas MPEG-4 needs approx. 2 Mbps for the same high-quality image production. Also broadcast TV is delivered using IP Multicast which makes the bandwidth required dependent on the number of channels offered and the encoding rate. 200 channels of MPEG-2 in standard definition will take approx. 750 Mbps of bandwidth. VoD, on the other hand, is a unicast per-viewer channel. 1000 standard definition VoD users will need appro. 3.75 Mbps.<br /><br />The QoS requirements for video conferencing using H.323 (SIP could be different again) can be planned on the "Rule of 75" as follows: Calculate the minimum bandwidth required by each of your applications ( e.g., video, voice, data). The total of this bandwidth is the minimum requirement for any given link and it should consume NO MORE than 75% of the total available bandwidth on the link. The 75% rule makes allowances for bandwidth required for over head traffic, such as routing, Layer 2 keepalives and other applications, such as, email, HTTP etc.<br /><br />So, Capacity planning for H.323, should look like something as follows:<br /><br />Video data + 20% = bandwidth required.<br /><br />Example:<br /><br />Video data rate: Bandwidth Required:<br /><br />512 kbps = 614 kbps<br />1.5Mbps = 1.8 Mbps ...<br /><br />For issues such as number of concurent users and more stuff on video conferencing you can perhaps consider looking into Cisco's solutions offered and also TANDBERG boxes.<br /><br />Cisco considers anything 766Kb to be a "slow link" for VOIP. Also you need to consider the criticality of the sites so you may need two separate connections. All multi-media applications run on top of your other applications so QoS only allows a preference of who goes first.<br /><br />You need a good baseline of non-multi-media applications (VOIP). So bandwidth needs to be able to handle all necessary applications in the network.<br /><br />Also, you'll need to remember that the bandwidth aggregation at the Data Center needs to meet or exceed all inbound remote site traffic. In other words, if I have three remote sites all with T1s. I'll need more than one T1 at the Data Center to manage the traffic. Remember unless this is a greenfield then baseline, baseline, baseline!<br /><br />When it comes to streaming video, bi-directional - you are going to have to consider the quality of the compression you are planning to use. If you are planning on using high definition video 1 direction it is recommended to have at least 2MB in the direction of the video being accessed.<br /><br />So if you are streaming video to your computer then you need to make sure that you get 2MB download capacity. Also, another thing to keep in mind is latency and loss of packets. I would recommend staying away from wireless for this type of application as it will add latency and cause issues later. DS3 bandwidth and anything higher may be over kill, but would easily be able to handle your demands.<br /><br />Without knowing specifics, it is hard to provide a precise answer, but, one can still specify a systematic method for calculating required bandwidth. Once you know the bandwidth requirement, then it is all about negotiating the most economical way to order that bandwidth from a network provider in the area.<br /><br />Here is what I would suggest:<br /><br />1. Calculate the peak external link bandwidth requirements (inter-office data transfer, video conferencing, email transfers. With attachments running in tens of megabytes, email traffic can't be ignored these days.).<br /><br />2. Real time applications being mostly jitter and delay sensitive - so you have to make sure that you will have enough bandwidth when they need it. The bandwidth of video depends on the mpeg profiles used (without going into specific, generally 1.5 Mbps can give you very good video on a PC (equal to VCD quality). HDTV images can take about 20 Mbps - but that is domain more reserved for IP TV service providers). Most current users of interactive video communications will be happy with the images coded and transmitted @ 512 Kbps. This includes audio and video as well as control signaling. So, one should provision at least 512 Kbps per video stream, and more the better (I would say 1.5 Mbps is the good if you are a big organization and use a large TV for video conferences)). So, multiply bandwidth for a single stream by the number of parallel streams required. Now that determines the total peak real time usage.<br /><br />3. There is no specific rule - but wise men with experience advise to keep the peak real time within 60 to 75% of network bandwidth available leaving the remaining capacity for background traffic. In a small organization of 5 people - it is easy to tell people not to download gigabyte attachments when video conferencing is going on , but in larger organizations it is hard to enforce such things except with router policies (assuming they have QoS support), and you can deal with occasional unhappy users.<br /><br />4. Now, once you know your bandwidth requirements, it is time to talk to the network operator how they can provide that bandwidth in the most cost effective way.<br /><br />For help in finding just the right bandwidth solution for your video conferencing and multi-media applications .... take advantage of the no cost help provided at DS3-Bandwidth.bobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626672886866736956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553933934419017231.post-33983093224965523192008-12-05T07:48:00.000-08:002008-12-05T07:56:34.543-08:00Slow Mobile Broadband? Top Tips to Improve Your SpeedNetwork capability<br />The top speed of your connection will be limited by the maximum speed of the mobile phone company's network. In the UK, O2, Orange and T-Mobile support 1.8Mbps, Three support 2.4Mbps and Vodafone support speeds up to 7.2Mbps.<br /><br />However, it's one thing for the network to theoretically support these higher speeds, but if the link from the mobile phone company's mast back to the internet (called 'backhaul') isn't fast enough you won't be able to hit the higher speeds. This is similar to having a 54Mbps WiFi router at home, but connecting it to an 8Mbps ADSL connection - you speed is limited by the slowed link in the chain.<br /><br />Modem capability<br />Mobile broadband modems come in a variety of different speeds - from basic 3.6Mbps devices through to the fastest 7.2Mbps with support for high speed uploads. If your phone company offers 7.2Mbps broadband, but you've only got a 3.6Mbps modem, you won't be able to hit the higher speeds.<br /><br />Looking beyond just the speed of the modem, it's important to consider the technology inside the modem itself. Of particular importance is a technology called receive diversity - modems that support this feature have two internal aerials instead of one, making them a lot quicker, especially in poor coverage areas.<br /><br />Signal strength<br />The speed of your connection is affected by the strength of the signal you receive from your mobile phone company's network. The poorer your signal strength, the slower your connection. The software included with your modem will show you what your signal strength is - this is similar to the bar indicator you have on your mobile phone.<br /><br />If your in an area of poor or no 3G coverage, your modem will switch to use the much slower 2G network - instead of receiving speeds of 1.8Mbps, you'll be crawling along at just 30Kbps. The modem software or the lights on the modem itself will tell you if you're using 3G or 2G.<br /><br />You can improve your signal strength by moving your modem. Try moving closer to a window (as the signal can pass through glass more easily than walls), or try moving the first floor of your home or office. You might find a USB extension cable useful.<br /><br />You may notice that the strength of your signal changes throughout the day - this is called the 'breathing' effect of 3G networks. As the network gets busier, the coverage area shrinks, therefore you'll see your signal strength reduce too.<br /><br />Number of other users on the network<br />The speed of your connection will be reduced during busy periods on the mobile network. When you connect using mobile broadband, you're using a shared data service. This means although your data is secure, the 'pipe' that you're using is also used by other people on the network. As more people go online and start downloading using the same pipe, the speed each user receives reduces. It's similar to the difference between driving on motorway at 2am versus 6pm.<br /><br />As odd as it sounds, the number of customers making voice calls will also have an impact on your speed. This is because voice customers take priority over data customers on the network and during busy times voice customers are allowed to access the network ahead of data customers.<br /><br />In general, the busiest time to use mobile broadband is between 6pm and 11pm - during this you'll find your speed much slower than using it first thing in the morning.bobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626672886866736956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553933934419017231.post-92101012778681112752008-12-05T07:47:00.002-08:002008-12-05T07:56:34.543-08:00Broadband Providers - The Solution of All Your Internet NeedsThe modern people are showing great interest in taking broadband connection to enjoy hassle-free Internet facilities. Broadband is nothing but a faster version of the dial up Internet connection. It allows the users to connect the Internet without dialling the telephone line each and every time. Moreover, it facilitates the users to make phone calls, while they are working with Internet.<br /><br />The present day UK market is flooded with numerous types of broadband providers. Among these, five services like Vodafone, O2, Orange, T-mobile and 3G are recognised as the major ones because of their reliable customer services and flexible tariffs. The other remaining broadband services are known as the virtual networks. All the broadband providers of UK broadband market differ from each other in their tariffs, plans and services. They are offering several types of services like ADSL, LLU, Cable/Fibre Optic and Mobile broadband. The users can choose the best services depending on their needs, budget and the usage of Internet.<br /><br />To increase the number of their subscribers, all the providers including major and small are now offering bundles or combined packages to their customers. These bundles help the users to save large amount of money on using different types of services like phone and watching digital TV channels etc. The providers are competing with each other to offer maximum services to the customers via these combined packages.<br /><br />If you are looking to take a broadband connection, you should take many precautions before that. There are many factors to be considered by you. The first important thing is to have a clear idea of your budget. If you want to spend a very less amount on taking broadband connection, you have to compare all the broadband deals that are available in the present day market. If you are a heavy user, you should know the broadband speeds and download limits of the particular service that is selected by you. Otherwise, it creates many problems for you. Some providers are collecting fixed monthly prices plus one time payment for a wireless router or a modem or installation charges.<br /><br />One of the major factors that should be considered is the contract length of the provider. Most of the providers are now offering 12 or 18 months contract. Some offer you broadband connection without involving you in any contract, if you have your own modem and router with you.<br /><br />To have a clear idea or to select the best deal for you, the right way is comparing all the broadband providers including their tariffs, plans, packages and discounts at a reliable website over the Internet. It also helps you a lot, when you want to move to another broadband provider.<br /><br />It saves you from spending huge amount of money on taking a broadband connection.bobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626672886866736956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553933934419017231.post-6392996902000661792008-12-05T07:47:00.001-08:002008-12-05T07:56:34.544-08:00Broadband Providers - The "Fastest" Service ProvidersA broadband connection is a part and parcel of people's life. With the broadband technology, a person can access different websites, emails and Google Talk at a very high speed. One can even check a bank account without going anywhere. An individual can also transfer money from one account to another account with help of the Internet. Any one can pay his bills online without wasting any time. One can also get information about the world. With help of the Internet, an individual can also get the shortest route of a destination. People can also purchase anything from the online shopping portals. Dial-up connection and Broadband connection are two types of Internet connections that are provided by the service providers.<br /><br />Some years back, dial-up connection was provided by the service providers. In this type of connection, a phone user has to dial a number for accessing the Internet. The process of dialling the number was very slow because sometimes it gave 'huge traces' of busy routes of telephone lines. The phone lines were the essential things for dialling these connections. A person used to get very low data rate for accessing the Internet. In addition to that, he had to face many problems to download large files. With a dial-up connection, everybody has to face many problems like low downloading rate, busy routes of telephone lines and slow access of Internet.<br /><br />But on the other hand, the broadband connection providers give internet access more faster than a dial-up connection. The users can search on the various websites quickly. One can also download large files in just a few seconds. With a broadband connection, an individual can also access his email accounts quickly. One can also chat with others on applications such as Google Talk and Yahoo chat with the help of a broadband connection, at a high speed. This connection facilitates Internet access at a very high speed. It allows the users to take these services at cheap rates with VoIP technology that is useful in reducing the cost of communication and infrastructure. A person can quickly connect with the Internet. The main advantage of broadband connection is that it is easy to set up because for setting the connection, one need not connect through wires.<br /><br />There are many broadband providers in UK such as O2, Three, Virgin broadband and Vodafone that provide excellent service to people. They provide high speed for accessing the internet at a very high data transmission rate. But before taking this connection, one has to be very careful. People should check the brand name and the facilities given by the provider. A person can check the speed of the Internet also because everybody wants a high speed connection. One should also check about the limit of downloading data. If downloading rate is very low, it wastes the time of the people. The person should also check the cost of the connection. Then, be careful before taking a broadband connection.bobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626672886866736956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553933934419017231.post-55509359174218166962008-12-05T07:43:00.000-08:002008-12-05T07:56:34.544-08:00Verizon FiOS TV vs. Regular TVAre you considering switching to Verizon FiOS digital TV service? There are a lot of benefits that you can get from switching to the first fully fiber optic network built by Verizon. Soon all TV will be broadcast with a digital picture and you will have to have digital TV service. If you're thinking about switching to Verizon FiOS TV service from satellite or cable service or you want to upgrade your current TV to digital TV here are five ways that Verizon FiOS TV is better than regular TV:<br /><br />1. Better picture - The 100% digital picture that you get with the Verizon FiOS TV service is far superior to a regular TV picture. Even if you don't have a high definition TV you will still see a very noticeable difference in the picture. Think of how great it will be to watch your favorite shows and movies with a much clearer, sharper picture. TV and movies these days are made to be seen digitally so if you aren't watching them through a digital service you are missing out. The picture won't look as good without digital TV service.<br /><br />2. More choices - The Verizon FiOS TV service gives you movies on demand as well your favorite TV show and other programs that you can watch anytime you want for free. Rent the latest movies for a night in or keep the kids busy after school with their favorite kids' shows on demand for free. Do you like to do your workouts at home so that you don't have to spend money on a gym? You can change your workout everyday by watching home workout shows from fitness channels. You can also get all your favorite premium channels with digital TV service so you won't miss any of your favorite shows or movies.<br /><br />3. The Verizon FiOS DVR - Record your favorite shows to watch later with Verizon's striking digital picture. Only the Verizon fiber optic network could bring you a picture like this with all the features and extras that you want. Don't you hate it when there are two shows on at the same time that you want to watch? With the Verizon FiOS DVR you can watch one show and record another to watch at a later time.<br /><br />4. Low prices - You can get the great digital picture and get Verizon service for about the same price or less than satellite or cable. Cable packages can get to be very expensive when you add on things like premium channels or other services but with Verizon you pay less for digital TV service and you can save even more by adding Verizon FiOS digital phone and Internet services.<br /><br />5. Easy installation - The cutting edge Verizon fiber optic network makes installing digital TV service, digital Internet and digital phone service easy. When you get Verizon TV service you won't have to worry about a technician wanting to cut holes in your wall or stringing wires all over the house. Easy, fast installation is just one of the many benefits of Verizon's fiber optic digital TV service.bobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626672886866736956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553933934419017231.post-56611383710633969932008-12-04T07:37:00.000-08:002008-12-05T07:14:27.074-08:00Registry Cleaning Tool for Windows XPThere are tons of junk, viruses, and things of that nature that show up in every single persons computer. It is in fact impossible to protect your computer from everything as viruses are constantly updating and invading your computer.<br /><br />If you spent a great deal of cash on your computer - then maybe it's time to invest in a great registry cleaner so that you will not have to spend a great deal of cash replacing your current computer for a future computer that will crash as well.<br /><br />What is the Windows XP Registry<br /><br />There are many people who do not know what a registry is, and that's perfectly fine. The registry is something that is inside every single microsoft ran computer. The registry of the Windows actually holds all the application's information, program information, and everything else that's on your computer for it to run.<br /><br />You can go in the registry and delete the viruses and unnecessary junk that piles up in there, but you can accidently delete the "wrong junk" and in turn crash your computer. From experience, I have seen countless people speed up their computer by deleting the junk, but they get so addicted to it, that they inevitably delete the wrong thing.<br /><br />Most people do not even get to the point where they delete the right thing.<br /><br />What's a Good Registry Cleaner to Do?<br />A good registry cleaner does tons of things, it ultimately gives you professional software that allows you to scan your registry for all the bad things and unnecessary things that may be in it, identify any viruses, spyware, or software, and in turn delete it quickly and efficiently.<br /><br />It's basically professional software that is given to people such as you and I, and it's important that you start today - as this software is something great!bobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626672886866736956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553933934419017231.post-21439065233191733002008-12-04T07:33:00.000-08:002008-12-05T07:14:27.075-08:00The Best Registry Cleaner to Help Speed Up Your ComputerIf your computer slows down, it can be very aggravating. When you are used to new computers with lightning-fast speeds, being slowed down back to dial-up speeds can be a real drag on your happy mood. It does not have to stay that way, however, if you decide to improve your pc performance by using a registry cleaner software. But, as you will soon discover when you browse online, there are many registry cleaners available. How do you begin to work through all of the programs to figure out which is the best registry cleaner for your computer? There is a shortcut, and they are registry cleaner reviews. Written by computer experts, they offer advice on selecting a good cleaner, and even tips about specific cleaners and what they can offer. A registry fix review can save you a lot of time and hassle when you need to improve your pc performance levels quickly.<br /><br />As a starting point in your quest for the best registry cleaner, you will want to ensure that the cleaner you are considering is flexible enough to offer a report prior to making any changes to your Windows registry, and allows you to select the changes that you would like made from a list of all possible changes. This is important to keep in mind when you need your computer to speed up. PC computers all have Windows registries. This is the area in the computer where all of the information from the control panel is stored. What can happen that causes your computer to slow down is that tiny fragments of data that cannot be accessed by your computer are left on the Windows registry. This can easily occur if you install and then uninstall a lot of software and/or hardware. If you are a gamer or use a lot of different software and hardware that you routinely switch out, this can easily happen. It is very easy to leave small portions of software programs still installed in your computer's registry, even if you remove the majority of the program. When this happens, these data fragments simply get in the way of your computer when it looks for information, slowing it down tremendously.<br /><br />The best registry cleaner will only remove the information that the computer can no longer access, and thus can enhance pc performance. By reading registry cleaner reviews you will get information on how each program you are considering actually operates, and you can discover if it offers a report before removing needed information on your computer. That is one of the downsides to using not well-written cleaner software, and one that a registry fix review can help prevent. The best registry cleaner will not delete your important information without your authorization first. Registry cleaner reviews can help you select user-friendly software that does what you need. You can find a reliable registry fix review online.bobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626672886866736956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553933934419017231.post-65256488019632423672008-12-04T07:30:00.000-08:002008-12-05T07:14:27.075-08:00Fix My Slow Running Computer Please!Please,please do something about my slow running computer. It runs a lot slower than it used to. Quite often it freezes up completely,or even crashes,and has to be rebooted.<br /><br />How many computer repair shops hear this story? I can assure you that they all do and very frequently. Fixing slow running,freezing and otherwise badly behaved computers is a large part of the bread and butter for any computer repair shop. They all know how to fix it very easily of course. It is one of the simplest repair jobs imaginable and a good source of profit for the store.<br /><br />In fact it is so simple to fix this type of problem that the average Joe can go online and download a solution to his problems. He can have everything running smoothly once more in just a very short time.<br /><br />The required repair is done by a registry cleaning tool of which several are available on the internet. Most of them offer a free scan of the computer to see what problems there are in the registry. They will then present a report of the problems found and offer to repair them for a very reasonable fee.<br /><br />The cause of the slow running and freezing is a Windows registry which is choked with excess data. The registry is the part of a Windows computer which stores all the files needed to run the computer and programs. The operating system accesses this data to do its job.<br /><br />Over time as the computer is used many fragmental files from orphaned programs,pieces of incompletely uninstalled programs and similar junk material accumulates in the registry. The operating system is slowed down greatly as it tries to navigate through all this excess material. It will cause the computer to freeze quite frequently also.<br /><br />By downloading a registry cleaner application you can completely renovate the registry and bring the computer back to running smoothly once more. One tip we will give you--don't attempt to edit the registry yourself unless you really know what you are doing. Remove the wrong data and you will disable the computer or prevent some programs from running.<br /><br />We tested several of the most popular registry cleaners available online and found one that was definitely superior in terms of ease of use and efficiency.<br /><br />Would you like to know how to fix your slow running computer with a registry repair application? Would you like to know which one of them we found to be superior in ease of use and efficiency? For a lot of good free information go to our website at http://www.bestregistryrepaironline.combobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626672886866736956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553933934419017231.post-22421330208384278482008-12-04T07:29:00.000-08:002008-12-05T07:14:27.075-08:00How Can I Choose a PC Registry Cleaner?Understanding how a registry in a personal computer works is the first step in learning how a computer registry cleaner can improve and optimize your pc's functionality. But selecting a top registry cleaner can take a little guidance, and this is where a registry cleaner comparison can come in handy.<br /><br />If your computer is running slowly when performing tasks such as opening up software applications, or you find you are waiting a long time for your email to open or webpages to open, this can be a sign that something is amiss in your computer's registry. The registry on your computer is where you find stored all of the data from the control panel. It is essentially all of the brains of your computer, and is where your computer goes to retrieve the information it needs to conduct all of the functions you need it to perform, such as open software, make the hardware function properly and a host of other features.<br /><br />Problems requiring a computer registry cleaner can occur when you make changes to the control panel. Let's say you have upgraded your printer recently. You likely had to install new software in order for the printer to function properly, including the correct printer drivers. It is very easy, in the haste of installing the new drivers, to leave the old drivers installed. This data is now no longer usable or needed by your computer when you ask it to print using the new printer, and thus it tends to get in the way of the computer when it is trying to retrieve information, and it slows the computer down. Now imagine all of the many changes you have made to your control panel over time, and think about all of the fragments of data that have been left behind due to incomplete software removal and other changes. This is a big reason why your computer could be running slowly.<br /><br />The easy solution to this problem is to regularly use a pc registry cleaner. You can find a free registry cleaner download by looking online. Registry cleaner programs are available to remove or fix data fragments that occur when software is not completely removed during uninstallations. What you want to be using are registry cleaner programs that only remove the data you want removed and at the same time will keep intact your needed data. This is why registry cleaner comparison sites are so useful, because you can make the determination of which pc registry cleaner will work best for your specific pc's needs. A registry cleaner download can be just the easy fix you need to bring a pc registry cleaner into your computing life in order to optimize your computer.bobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626672886866736956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553933934419017231.post-21194646053583578962008-12-04T07:26:00.000-08:002008-12-05T07:14:27.076-08:00Try a Registry Cleaner Download For a Speedier ComputerFor an easy fix for a slow computer, you might want to consider using a computer registry cleaner. A pc registry cleaner is easily available as a registry cleaner download, which are often free as well. Instant help that doesn't cost you anything--what could be better?<br /><br />Here is how it works: The control panel of your personal computer is where the brains of your computer lie. The computer's registry is where all of the information your computer needs to function properly is stored. When it needs that information, it goes to the registry, sorts through all of the information stored upon it to retrieve the correct information, and then it goes off to perform whatever task you need done. It is a little like storing clothes in your closet. When it is clean and everything is organized, you have no trouble finding what you need. When it gets disorganized and messy, it takes you much more time to find what it is that you are searching for. Such is the case with a registry that has had many software applications downloaded and then removed. If it is done completely, there is no problem. If, however, the software removal is done incompletely, data fragments are left behind in the computer's registry. These can get in the way of your computer when it is sorting through information to find what it needs to perform your desired tasks. This is a big reason for why computers slow down over time.<br /><br />There is a fix for this common problem, and that is to use a registry cleaner download. A computer registry cleaner can fix or remove those hanging-on data fragments, so that they do not get in the way of your computer as it does its job.<br /><br />It does bear remembering that not all registry cleaner programs are alike. Some will actually remove data fragments that your computer might need for optimal function, and that can be a problem. You will need to do some registry cleaner comparison before you perform a registry cleaner download. Online reviews by computer experts offer reliable registry cleaner comparison information on registry cleaner programs, so that you can select a top registry cleaner that will work the way in which you intend.<br /><br />Reviews can also shed light by listing the top registry cleaner programs that they have found useful, so that you will be able to make an educated choice before you take the plunge and do a registry cleaner download. A quality pc registry cleaner can help speed up your computer back to optimal levels of performance, so it makes sense to carefully check them out to find the one best suited to your computer's needs.bobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626672886866736956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553933934419017231.post-65996187315651463782008-12-04T07:20:00.001-08:002008-12-05T07:14:27.076-08:00The Role of Anti Spyware Software Technology in Our Daily Online ActivitiesThere is no denying the fact that technology plays a very vital role in our daily lives. Irrespective of where you are put up, it catches up on you. There are hardly any days, where we don't use technology for our needs. Among many technologies that have managed to alter our style of living is our own personal computer. They are used widely in our homes or in offices. Lots of man hours are spent working on these machines that it becomes very important to have something in place to protect us. This is why anti spyware software is a must.<br /><br />A very true fact is to say that for every advancement made, there are associated positives and negatives. Therefore the technological changes happening in this world is no different. Technology usage can be like a two edged sword. While there are many benefits there are also an equal number of threats. If you are using your computer to access the internet, you are leaving yourself vulnerable to attacks such as the use of Malware and Spyware.<br /><br />These undesirable threats can impose serious damage to your privacy. To combat these menaces, you need to install a robust and a reliable anti spyware program. Installing any given anti spyware software is not the solution to the existing problem. The need of the hour is to purchase a program that is capable to update and constantly scan your system.<br /><br />Threats posed by internet criminals are changing almost every day. They are getting a lot sharper and always remain a step ahead of the best anti spyware and anti virus programs that are available in the market. It is therefore imperative that in this scenario, you need to stay alert and employ an anti spyware program or software that is capable of updating itself on a regular basis. Negligence on your part in these issues could be pretty dangerous and harmful to your system.<br /><br />Saying all this antivirus software is not prone to combat everything, therefore you cannot just install and forget. For example when new viruses come out they usually attack a few computers before the anti virus catches onto them. So what's there to say that you were one of the unlucky ones that it attacked? What I am trying to get at us that you should absolutely make sure you run a full check at least once a week.bobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626672886866736956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553933934419017231.post-91081398057117686692008-12-04T07:19:00.001-08:002008-12-05T07:14:27.077-08:00Famous Photo Editing Software - Adobe PhotoshopPhotoshop has been known as a business mainstream for graphics specialists. It may be difficult to learn it in your first try, but with continuous study, you will find it easier to use. It can do wonders to your images than you can think possible.<br /><br />If you are a beginner, it may be best to enroll first in course classes at your own local district academy to study the fundamentals of the software. These essential modifications are included in each preliminary Photoshop session. Self-studying later on may be much easier once you learn the basics from these classes.<br /><br />In 1987, Thomas Knoll, a PhD apprentice at the University of Michigan, started writing a composition on his Macintosh Plus to present grayscale descriptions on a colorless representation. This program, named Display, interested his sibling John Knoll, who was an Industrial Light and Magic staff, who suggested Thomas to turn Display into a complete image-organizing program.<br /><br />Thomas took a six-month vacation from his studies in 1988 to work in partnership with his brother on the program. They called their first software ImagePro. Later on Thomas renamed it to Photoshop and devised a temporary agreement with Barneyscan, a scanner manufacturer, to supply copies of the program with a slide scanner.<br /><br />For a period of time, John took a trip to Silicon Valley and presented an exhibition of the program to the engineers at Apple Computer Inc. and Russell Brown, art director at Adobe. Both presentations were victorious.<br /><br />Adobe won the bid and bought the program in September 1988. While John performed on plug-ins in California, Thomas continued writing program system in Ann Arbor. Photoshop 1.0 was released in public in 1990 entirely for Macintosh.<br /><br />Photoshop was continually modified to perform better and suit the needs of graphic editors. It was in November 1992 when a Microsoft Windows port of version 2.0 became available, and a year afterwards, it was ported to the SGI IRIX and Sun Solaris stage.<br /><br />It was in September 1994 when version 3.0 became available worldwide, which presented tabbed palettes and layers. In February 2003, Photoshop distributed with the Camera RAW 1.x plug-in, allowing users to import RAW configurations from unusual digital cameras exactly into Photoshop.<br /><br />In October 2004, the program was called Adobe Photoshop CS. The name makes use of the acronym CS for products in Adobe Creative Suite. The logo was a feather portrayed in shades of blue and green, which was also used in 9.0.<br /><br />The 10th edition, Photoshop CS3 became available in the market on April 16, 2007, with a blue symbol formed after periodic table elements, together with the new representation of other Creative Suite products.<br /><br />In January 2008, the Wine project proclaimed authorized assistance for Photoshop CS2, permitting the Windows edition of Photoshop CS2 to be used on Linux and other UNIX program.<br /><br />Photoshop has durable links with other Adobe software for media editing, computer graphics, and authoring. Documentations in Photoshop's indigenous layout, .PSD, can be exported to and from Adobe Image Ready, Adobe Illustrator, standard DVDs and offer non-linear editing and unique sound effects services such as backdrops and textures, for television, film, and the Web.<br /><br />The software revolves around editing pixels. Photoshop facilitates by controlling every distinctive pixel. Pixels are operated according to any tool that is being used.<br /><br />Photoshop versions:<br />1. Photoshop CS3<br />2. Photoshop CS3 Extended<br />3. Photoshop Elements 6.0 for Macintosh<br />4. Photoshop Elements 6.0 for Windows<br />5. Photoshop Elements 6.0 & Adobe Premiere Elements 4.0<br />6. Photoshop Express beta<br />7. Photoshop Light room 2<br />8. Photoshop CS4 (Stonehenge)bobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626672886866736956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553933934419017231.post-85129819317654307132008-12-04T07:17:00.000-08:002008-12-05T07:14:27.077-08:00Adobe Photoshop DevelopmentAdobe Photoshop is a software standard for many professional graphic artists. It features many powerful tools that can do basic to advanced image manipulation efficiently with outstanding results. Photoshop is one of the prides of Adobe Systems, a company leader in developing graphic applications.<br /><br />Photoshop is an ideal software in producing great quality output for web designs, advertisements, posters, photography, desktop publishing, and many other graphic works.<br /><br />The latest development of the product is the Photoshop CS4, which will be released in September 2008. It features more advanced tools for enhancing images.<br /><br />Features overview:<br />• Capable of painting directly on 3D graphics<br />• Wrap 2D images around 3D shapes<br />• Convert gradient maps to 3D objects<br />• Give depth to text and layers<br />• Better print quality output together with the inclusion of latest ray-tracing providing engine<br />• Supports common 3D formats<br />• Improved Adjustment and Mask Panels<br />• Fluid Canvas Rotation<br />• File display options<br />• 64 bit compatible<br /><br />Presently there are eight products of the Photoshop software:<br />• Adobe Photoshop CS3<br />• Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended<br />• Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.0 for Macintosh<br />• Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.0 for Windows<br />• Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.0 & Adobe Premiere Elements 4.0<br />• Adobe Photoshop Express beta<br />• Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2<br />• Adobe Photoshop CS4<br /><br />Adobe Photoshop can seamlessly work with other Adobe products such as Adobe Illustrator, Adobe ImageReady, Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Adobe Encore DVD.<br /><br />Photoshop uses the color models lab, RGB, CMYK, binary bitmap, grayscale, and duotone. It is capable of reading and writing both raster or vector images such as EPS, PNG, GIF, JPEG, Fireworks, and many other file formats.<br /><br />The traditional file formats of Photoshop are:<br />• PSD - Photoshop Document<br />• PSB - Large Document Format<br />• PDD - PhotoDeluxe Document<br /><br />Thomas Knoll was the key person who started this amazing program we know today. It all started in 1987 when Knoll wrote a program in order to display grayscale images on his Macintosh Plus. He was able to display monochrome images in his computer. He named his program Display.<br /><br />Upon knowing this, John Knoll, Thomas' brother who was then working at Industrial Light and Magic, convinced Thomas to develop it into a full image editing software. Thomas spent six months together with his brother in developing the software. From the name Display, they changed it to ImagePro. Adobe would buy license several years later and rename it to Photoshop.<br /><br />Barneyscan, a company that manufactures scanners decided to bundle the software with their products. 200 copies of the software were shipped. The software was then demonstrated by John Knoll at the Silicon Valley and Adobe impressed everybody, and later decided to purchase the license. After further developments, Photoshop 1.0 was then released to the market in 1990 but for Macintosh only.<br /><br />Eventually, more developments have been made with Photoshop. The Windows version was made available eventually and reached a larger market.<br /><br />Because of the popularity of the software, it was developed to support many other languages like Arabic, Chinese, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Swedish.<br /><br />Third party plug-ins are also supported by Photoshop. These plug-ins provide more additional effects, which can be applied instantly to any images. Example is brush plug-ins.bobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626672886866736956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553933934419017231.post-13202653000143349862008-12-04T07:16:00.000-08:002008-12-05T07:14:27.077-08:00Adobe Photoshop FeaturesAdobe Photoshop, commonly called Photoshop, is one of the leading image-editing software in the market today. The software was developed by Adobe Systems and has been one of the standard applications of many web developers, designers, and advertising agencies around the world.<br /><br />With Photoshop's powerful features, you can have unlimited possibilities in image editing which makes it standout among all other graphic software in the market. It has all the necessary tools that can be used to enhance and alter images.<br /><br />Image editing is a method of altering any image, either an illustration, digital or analog photographs.<br /><br />Adobe Photoshop Features:<br />Selection - This is the most basic but powerful feature of Photoshop. You can select only part of an image wherein you want changes to take effect. This method is done with the use of the tools like the marquee tool, lasso, and pen tools.<br /><br />Layers - Layers is a set of different stacked elements that contains different parts of an image. This is one of the best features Photoshop created. Layering lets you work on different parts of a photo and put them together for a dramatic finish.<br /><br />Image size alteration - This feature enlarges or reduces an image as needed.<br /><br />Cropping - Cropping lets you select a portion of the image you want to retain. It deletes the rest.<br />Sharpening and softening - Photoshop features the power to render a sharper or blurred effect on images. This feature is done by selecting the main subject and applying sharpening or softening effects. This feature is mostly used in portraits to create a better focus on the subject.<br /><br />Merging images - This features allows two or more separate images to merged as one.<br /><br />Removal of unwanted elements - This technique involves the use of clone tool to maintain the texture of the image. This is useful when you want to get rid of distracting objects in an image which gives more focus on the subject. This feature can enhance close up portraits, to erase acne marks in a face.<br /><br />Selective color change - Using this feature lets you alter the color of certain parts of an image, keeping the rest of the colors original.<br /><br />Slicing - This features the ability of slicing a whole image into parts and is labelled with different files and later on used as contents of a website. This feature is automated and widely-used in creating mock-ups of websites.<br /><br />There a lot more features of this great software which you just have to discover and will greatly help you do your image editing task faster and efficient with professional looking results.bobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626672886866736956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553933934419017231.post-10152218997826792482008-12-03T15:47:00.001-08:002008-12-05T07:15:18.189-08:00Reverse Email Search, Email Look Up, Email Trace - Whats the Difference?Many people find them self in a situation where they need to locate or identify a person from an email address. The first thing they will do is go online and look for an email trace, reverse email search or email look up. What they will find as results will vary greatly from free instant online searches to email investigations that can run into thousands of dollars.<br /><br />Lets take a look at the various service and get a working definition.<br /><br />REVERSE E-MAIL LOOKUP:<br />This is almost always a free instant online database search. You put the address into the appropriate field and hopefully it will return a name and address. Common free reverse email look ups are Whitepages.com and Bigfoot.com.<br /><br />REVERSE E-MAIL SEARCH:<br />This will usually pop up as an advertisement when your free reverse email look up fails. It's a paid search, usually around thirty to forty dollars. It is also an instant data base . This database will include "unlisted" email address information obtained from lists and online searches.<br /><br />Reverse E-mail Trace:<br />A trace is a full investigation into the real identity of the person that sent the email. It is not instant although the investigation can often be completed quickly. It will often include a header trace and comparison. This will identify the actual person behind the email address and not just the fictitious information anyone can enter when opening a free anonymous e-mail account like Yahoo or Hotmail. An email trace is usually required when you are dealing with online harassment or defamation by a cyber stalker.<br /><br />The information found in an email look up or reverse email search can be fictitious or made up information. It is also not reliable enough to be used in court where as a reverse email trace report can be used in court if provided by an experienced investigator recognized as an export in the field.<br /><br />If you need an email trace report the prices can vary so be sure to investigate the investigator before hiring him. Do a quick Google search to see if the company you are hiring is recognized as a authority or expert in e-mail tracing before hiring them.bobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15626672886866736956noreply@blogger.com2