The following simple steps will help you determine how much car insurance you need to carry. And it will also help you get the best coverage at the lowest price. If you are confused about any of the terms we use, be sure to review the glossary in "Little-Known but Important Insurance Issues."
Step 1: Starting Out
When it comes to auto insurance, you want to be adequately covered if you get in an accident but you don't want to pay any more than you have to. So how can you navigate your way through this murky subject?
Keep telling yourself there is money to be saved. How much? Hundreds, even thousands, per year. For example, one of our editors typed all of his insurance information into a comparative insurance service. The quotes (for very basic coverage on two old cars) ranged from $1,006 to $1,807 — a difference of $801 a year. If you're currently dumping thousands into your insurance company's coffers because of a couple of tickets, an accident or a questionable credit rating, shopping your policy against others may be well worth the effort.
Look at it this way — you can convert the money you save into the purchase of something you've desired for a long time. Hold that goal in your mind.
Step 2: How Much Coverage Do You Need?
To find the right auto insurance, start by figuring out the amount of coverage you need. This varies from state to state. So take a moment to find out what coverage is required where you live. Make a list of the different types of coverage and then return for the next step. (You will find a list of each state's requirements and an explanation of the various types of insurance in "How Much Auto Insurance Do You Really Need?" Also, check out "Little-Known but Important Insurance Issues" as it has a glossary of basic insurance terminology.)
Now that you know what is required, you can decide what you need in addition. Some people are quite cautious. They base their lives on worst-case scenarios. Insurance companies love these people. That's because insurance companies know what your chances are of being in an accident, and how likely it is for your car to be damaged or stolen. The information the insurance company has collected over previous decades is crunched into "actuarial tables" that give insurance adjustors a quick look at the probability of just about any occurrence.
So how much insurance should you buy beyond your state's minimum?
Experts recommend that if you have a lot of assets you should get enough liability coverage to protect them. For instance, if you purchase $50,000 of bodily injury liability coverage but have $100,000 in assets, attorneys could go after your treasures in the event of an accident in which you're at fault and the other party's medical bills exceed $50,000.
General recommendations for liability limits are $50,000 bodily injury liability for one person injured in an accident, $100,000 for all people injured in an accident and $25,000 property damage liability (that is, 50/100/25) given that half of the cars on the road are worth more than $20,000. Here again, though, let your financial situation be your guide. If you have no assets, don't buy excess coverage.
Another issue to consider is that the limits of any uninsured and/or underinsured motorist coverage that you purchase cannot exceed the limits of your liability coverage. Such coverage, he said, can be valuable, as it will cover lost income if you're out of work for several months after being injured in a major accident.
Your driving habits may also be a consideration. If your past is filled with crumpled fenders, if you have a lead foot or a long commute on a treacherous winding road, then you should get more comprehensive coverage. Keep in mind that you don't have to buy collision and comprehensive coverage. If your vehicle is older, if you have a good driving record and if there is a low likelihood that it would be totaled in an accident, but a high likelihood of it being stolen, you could buy comprehensive but not collision.
Step 3: Review Your Driving Record and Current Insurance Policy
Before you begin shopping for insurance you should check the following: the status of your driving record, your current coverage and the premiums you are paying.
You should know how many tickets you have had recently. But time plays tricks and our memories repress painful incidents. If you can't remember how long that speeding ticket has been on your record, check with your state's DMV. If your record will soon improve, and the points you earned will finally disappear, wait until that happens before you get quotes. Nothing drives up the price of insurance like a bad driving record.
Also, you should contact your auto insurance company or pull out a recent bill. Jot down the amount of coverage you have and what you are paying for it. Take note of the yearly and monthly cost of your insurance since many of your quotes will be given both ways. Now you have a figure in mind to try to beat.
Step 4: Solicit Competitive Quotes
Now that you have made several practical and philosophical decisions, it's time to start shopping. Begin by setting aside about an hour for this task. Bring all your records — your current insurance policy, your driver license number and your vehicle registration. Drink plenty of coffee. Have a phone at your elbow. And, of course, power up your computer.
Begin with the online services. If you go to InsWeb.com or other online insurance quote sites, you can type in your information and get a list of comparative quotes. These forms take about 15 minutes to complete. If this bores you, just remind yourself how much you will be saving and that you can use the money to buy something nice for yourself. If the entire shopping process takes you two hours to complete and you save $800, you're effectively earning $400 an hour.
A few things to keep in mind: 1) When you use quote sites, you may not get instant quotes. Some companies may contact you later by e-mail, and some that are not "direct providers" may put you in touch with a local agent, who will then calculate a quote for you. (A "direct provider," like Geico, sells an insurance policy to you directly; other companies like State Farm sell insurance through local agents. We'll discuss the pros and cons of each later.) 2) It's not easy to get quotes from these sites in all states — if you live in New Jersey, for instance, you'll probably find it faster to pick up the phone, since most insurers in this state currently don't provide online quotes.
You can also try getting quotes from some of the insurance companies listed on the Edmunds.com Web site — Liberty Mutual, Geico or Progressive. These forms will take about 10 minutes each to complete.
Step 5: Record and Compare Quotes
While you're researching companies, make notes in a separate computer file or on a piece of paper divided into categories. This will keep you from duplicating your efforts. When you visit the different online insurance sites, you should take note of several things:
* Annual and monthly rates for the different types of coverage — make sure to keep the coverage limits the same so that you can make "apples-to-apples" comparisons
* An 800 number to call for questions you can't get answered online
* The insurance company's payment policy (When is your payment due? What happens if you're late in making a payment?)
* Discounts offered by the insurance company that pertain to you
* The insurance company's consumer complaint ratio from your state's department of insurance Web site (more on this later)
* The insurance company's A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's ratings (more on this later)
Step 6: Work the Phones
Once you have exhausted your online options, it's time to work the phones. Those companies you haven't been able to get an online quote from should be contacted. At times, doing this process verbally can actually go faster than the online counterpart, providing you have all the information regarding your driver license and vehicle registration close at hand. When you get a quote, be sure to confirm the price. Also, ask them to fax or e-mail the quote to you as a record.
Step 7: Look for Discounts
While talking to the insurance companies' telephone salespeople, make sure you explore all options relating to discounts. Insurance companies give discounts for a good driving record, favorable credit score, safety equipment (for example, antilock brakes), certain occupations or professional affiliations and more. For more guidance in this area, check out "How to Save Money on Auto Insurance."
Step 8: Choosing the Right Insurance Company
You now have most of the information in front of you that you need to make a decision. However, there is something more to consider. You can clearly see which company is least expensive, but when you need them to cover a claim, what kind of job will they do? To put it another way, which is the most reliable insurance company?
Below, we offer a number of issues to guide your thinking and help you reach a decision:
1. Visit your state's department of insurance and check consumer complaint ratios and basic rate comparison surveys.
2. Get in touch with local body shops or dealerships you trust and ask which insurance companies they recommend.
3. Consider contacting an insurance agent for additional information about a particular company.
4. Check out the financial strength ratings for an insurance company by referring to the A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's ratings.
5. Look over J.D. Power and Associates' consumer satisfaction surveys reviewing auto insurance companies.
Step 9: Review the Policy Before You Sign
So, you've done your research, and you've decided on a company. Before you sign, though, read the policy. In addition to verifying that it contains the coverage you want, there are two clauses that you should look for in the contract:
1. Retain your right to sue. "Find out if you are giving up your right to go to court and will be forced into arbitration if there is a disagreement [between you and the insurance company]," one expert advised. "You're much better off if you don't give up this right…. It makes it easier for [insurers] to take advantage of you." If you find a clause to this effect, all isn't necessarily lost. "At least in theory, a contract is a mutual agreement, so you should be able to cross out that line in the policy," he said. If the company won't agree to the policy sans clause, then you should probably take your business elsewhere.
2. Avoid aftermarket parts requirements. If an insurance company has written in the policy that "new factory," "like kind and quality" or "aftermarket parts" may be used for body shop repairs, go to another company, one expert advised. If you own a relatively new car that you plan to keep for a while, you will probably be much happier if you spend a little more time researching companies on the front end rather than try to fight the company when you have a claim.
Step 10: Cancel Your Old Policy
After you lock in the insurance policy you want with the company you select, you have two more things to do. The first is to cancel coverage with your existing insurance company. Second, if your state requires you to carry proof of insurance, make sure you either have it in your wallet or the glove compartment of your car (some experts discourage this, however — if your car is stolen, the thief has everything he needs to prove the vehicle is his).
Now, there's one last thing to do: reward yourself for saving so much money on car insurance.
Checklist
* Determine your state's insurance requirements.
* Consider your own financial situation in relation to the required insurance and consider buying more to protect your assets.
* Review the status of your driving record — do you have any outstanding tickets or points on your driver license?
* Check your current coverage to find out how much in premiums you are paying.
* Get competing quotes from an Internet insurance Web site such as InsWeb.com, YouDecide.com and InsureOne.com.
* Make follow-up phone calls to insurance companies to get additional information about coverage.
* Inquire about discounts you might qualify for such as a multiple policy discount.
* Evaluate the reliability of the insurance company you're considering by visiting your state's insurance Web site.
* If you have chosen a new insurance company, remember to cancel your old policy.
Philip Reed |edmunds
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP White Console Review
A completely redesigned version of the popular Game Boy Advance, this system has a new illumination feature and a sleek, flip-screen design -- making it the most distinctively stylish, compact and portable Game Boy system ever.
The rechargeable lithium-ion battery takes just 3 hours to fully recharge, and its good for 10 hours of continuous play with the light on and 18 hours of play with the light turned off. Game Boy Advance SP is backward compatible, allowing you to use virtually all games previously released for the Game Boy® line.
Specification:
Product MPN
MPN : 44100
Key Features
Console Type : Handheld
Platform : Game Boy Advance SP
Color : White
Processor : 16.78 MHz Sharp ARM7TDMI
Display : LCD TFT (Active Matrix)
Gaming Type : LAN Gaming
Processor
Processor type : Sharp ARM7TDMI
Processor Speed : 16.78 MHz
Memory
Installed RAM : 256 KB
Installed Cache Memory : 32 KB
RAM technology : WRAM
Display
Display Type : LCD TFT (Active Matrix)
Screen Size : 2.9 in.
Max. Resolution : 240 x 160
Graphics
Max. Number Of Colors : 32,768 Colors
Audio
Audio Support : Stereo
Technical Features
Communication Type : Serial Cable Proprietary
Expansion Slots : Game Cartridge Slot
Main Controls : 4 Way Cross Keypad A/B/X/Y Buttons
Input / Output Ports : 1 x Game Boy Advance link connector 1 x Game Boy Advance SP multi-access port
Battery
Battery Run Time : 18 Hours
Battery Type : Rechargeable Lithium-ion
Dimensions
Height : 3.2 in.
Depth : 0.97 in.
Width : 5.69 in.
Weight : 0.31 lb.
Miscellaneous
Supplied Accessories : AC Adapter
Release Date : March, 2004
Product ID : 55496922
source
MSI Launches Wind Top AE2010 20-inch All-In-One Desktop
MSI just announced its next-generation all-in-one desktop PC, the Wind Top AE2010. This step up from the previous AE1900 is a 20-inch model with a 1600 x 900 touchscreen, AMD Athlon X2 Dual Core 3250e processor, and an onboard ATI Radeon 3200 graphics card with DDR3 128MB memory. The AE2010 also has 4GB of DDRII 533MHz SDRAM, a 320GB hard drive, 6 USB ports, and a 4 in 1 card reader. Look for this new model to be available next month for a starting price of $649.99.
CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA – August 26, 2009 – MSI, a world-wide leading manufacturer of computer components and systems, is excited to announce the next-generation all-in-one desktop PC, the Wind Top AE2010. The AE2010 is upgraded with an AMD Athlon X2 Dual Core processor for increased computing power and features an efficient touch-enabled All-in-One PC with a crystal clear 20-inch widescreen. The improved performance and beautiful form factor combined with EPA ENERGY STAR Version 5.0 efficiency rating provides users with a PC powerful enough for everyday computing and aesthetically pleasing enough to have as a design centerpiece.
The new AE2010 also includes a VGA input and output allowing the user to utilize the All-in-One PC as a monitor or transfer video data to another television or computer screen. Additionally, graphics capabilities have been improved via the onboard ATI Radeon 3200 graphics card with DDR3 128MB VRAM. Users will now experience brighter colors, sharper contract and significantly improved picture clarity. Lastly, design functionality has been improved with the addition of a VESA standard wall mount. Whether you choose to set on a countertop or mount on the wall, the AE2010 is poised to change in-home computing.
The MSI Wind Top AE2010 features touch-enabled applications, wireless connectivity, SuperMulti DVD Rewriter and a built-in webcam and microphone for maximum personal computing. Whether you are sharing and editing photos, videoconferencing, browsing the web or completing school or work products, the AE2010 provides the tools to get the job done efficiently and in style. Starting at $649.99, the AE2010 offers a tremendous value proposition for any computing scenario.
The AE2010 also features a 320 GB hard drive, 6 USB ports, 4-1 card reader and a color-matched multimedia keyboard and mouse. The ultra-silent, state-of-the-art cooling system eliminates traditional cooling fan noises and keeps the noise level no more than 26 decibels. As with all MSI All-in-One PCs, the AE2010 is engineered to consume up to 75% less energy than traditional desktop PCs.
System Specifications
MSI Wind Top AE2010-02SUS
CPU :AMD Athlon X2 Dual Core 3250e Processor
Operating System :Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium (with Free Window® 7 Upgrade
coupon)
Chipset :AMD RS780G and SB710
Graphics :ATI Radeon HD 3200 Graphics Core (Side Port DDR3 128MB memory)
Memory :4GB DDRII 533MHz SDRAM on board
Display :20-inch Touch Widescreen (16:9) 1600 x 900 High Definition
HDD :320GB SATA Hard Drive/5400RPM
ODD :Tray-load DVD Super Multi rewriter drive, support dual-layer
burning
Card Reader :4 in 1 (SD/MMC/MS/XD)
I/O :1 x DC-in jack, 6 x USB 2.0, 1 x E-SATA, 1 x LAN jack (RJ45), 1 x
Mic.-in, 1 x Headphone-out, VGA-in and VGA-out
Wireless :802.11 b/g/n
LAN :10/100/1000 Gigabit LAN
Webcam :1.3MP Webcam with Microphone
Sound :3W x 2 SRS Premium Sound Technology
Dimension :15.46” x 20.07” x 2.15”
Keyboard / Mouse :Color-matched multimedia keyboard and mouse
Support :VESA Wall Mount, VGA-in (monitor mode) / VGA out (dual display)
Software :Microsoft® Office 2007 (trial version), MSI Wind Touch, MSI Easy Viewer, MSI Burn Recovery, MSI Controller, MSI Q-Face, MSI Easy Face, WinRAR (trial version), SoftStylus™, Adobe® Reader, BurnNow, Cyberlink® PowerProducer, Cyberlink® PowerDVD8, Cyberlink® PowerDirector, Cyberlink® Power2Go, Cyberlink® DVD Suite, Cyberlink® PhotoNow, Gimp2, Dia, Ganttproject, FreeMind, GeoGebra, Java 6, Microsoft® DirectX, Microsoft® .NET Framework 3.5, Microsoft® MSN
Power Supply :External 90W Power Adapter with Active PFC
Via: MSI |hothardware
The 7 best features in Mac OS X Snow Leopard
When a new OS upgrade costs $29, you can be forgiven for thinking of it as a service pack. Such may appear to be the case with Mac OS X 10.6, aka Snow Leopard, which Apple has positioned as an under-the-hood upgrade whose new capabilities won't be so obvious to users, and thus not worth the usual $129.
I agree with that price assessment (if only Microsoft had made the same judgment about Windows 7), but I don't agree that what Snow Leopard offers resides merelyunder the hood. Instead, it provides many enhancements and some new features that Mac users of all persuasions will really like. (Note: The $29 upgrade price is for Leopard users; if you have an older Mac OS X version, it'll cost you $169 to upgrade.)
Much of Snow Leopard's focus has been internal. For example, Apple has revamped the kernel, included apps, and much of the OS itself to be 64-bit (to allow virtual addressable memory of 16 exabytes and physical addressable memory of more than 32GB). But until apps are rewritten for 64-bit and the new Mac models support that kind of memory, there's little immediate benefit -- ditto for multicore enablement in the Grand Central Dispatch engine. But the revamped QuickTime X and Java engines should result in faster processing of streaming media and Java applets (such as on Web sites).
Putting aside these important but long-term changes, here are Snow Leopard's most immediately beneficial new features and enhancements.
1. ActiveSync and Exchange 2007 support
Following in the footsteps of the iPhone, Snow Leopard makes these Microsoft technologies native to the OS. That means Apple's e-mail, calendar, and contacts apps work just peachy with Exchange 2007 server, giving users the same capabilities as Microsoft Entourage but with the better-designed, less-memory-intensive apps -- Mail, iCal, and Address Book -- included in OS X.
2. Exposé integration in the Dock
The Mac OS X Dock makes it easy to access applications, open documents, and common folders, a concept Windows 7 is stealing in its retooled taskbar. Open documents are even more easily accessed in Snow Leopard, thanks to the integration of Exposé. Now when you click and hold an app icon in the Dock, you get preview windows for each of its open documents, allowing you to switch easily among them or to close them, all without having to clutter your screen with document windows. I never cared much for Exposé in its traditional role (providing hot corners and shortcuts to open application windows), but I love the Dock-integrated Exposé functionality that Snow Leopard adds.
3. Automatic location detection
When you travel, it's easy to get mixed up as to when your appointments are, since your computer is still in your "home" time zone, and you have to mentally calculate the current time when looking at the calendar or clock. Sure, you can change the time zone in the Date & Time system preference, but it's easy to forget. So Snow Leopard changes the time zone for you automatically (if you set that as the default behavior), using Wi-Fi mapping to figure out where you are -- you will need to be connected to a Wi-Fi access point or router. iCal can also be set to adjust the times to the current time zone automatically, so your calendar always reflects the current times.
4. The new Preview is more like Adobe Reader
I have nothing against Adobe Reader, but I love that Preview now can open multiple PDF documents, display their contents as contact sheets, and show thumbnails of pages in a sidebar for easy navigation. In other words, it works a lot like Adobe Reader. That's one fewer app to launch -- and since Preview loads much faster than Reader, I can get to my PDFs' contents much faster now.
5. Movie and screencast recording
Snow Leopard takes the formerly $35 QuickTime Pro and makes it a standard, free app in Mac OS X. That means you can record movies and -- great for many marketing, education, and Web professionals -- screencasts from your Mac with no additional software.
6. Systemwide automatic text replacement
Automatic text substitution as you type is nothing new; Microsoft Word has had it for more than a decade. But Snow Leopard lets you specify such substitutions via the Keyboard system preference, so you have a common set of substitutions available to all applications. Right now, only TextEdit, Mail, and various Apple apps use this common auto-text service, but if other software developers adopt it, you may finally get all your text-oriented apps to autocorrect the same way.
7. No more gesture segregation
I have a late-2006 model MacBook Pro at home, and it's frustrating that its gesture-capable trackpad supports only the first generation of touch gestures (one- and two-finger moves), not the second-generation three- and four-finger options. Snow Leopard fixes that, so gesture-capable trackpads now support all gestures, no matter what Mac model you have. (Of course, your Mac has to have a gesture-capable trackpad, so models before 2006 aren't helped out by this update.)
Galen Gruman | InfoWorld
I agree with that price assessment (if only Microsoft had made the same judgment about Windows 7), but I don't agree that what Snow Leopard offers resides merelyunder the hood. Instead, it provides many enhancements and some new features that Mac users of all persuasions will really like. (Note: The $29 upgrade price is for Leopard users; if you have an older Mac OS X version, it'll cost you $169 to upgrade.)
Much of Snow Leopard's focus has been internal. For example, Apple has revamped the kernel, included apps, and much of the OS itself to be 64-bit (to allow virtual addressable memory of 16 exabytes and physical addressable memory of more than 32GB). But until apps are rewritten for 64-bit and the new Mac models support that kind of memory, there's little immediate benefit -- ditto for multicore enablement in the Grand Central Dispatch engine. But the revamped QuickTime X and Java engines should result in faster processing of streaming media and Java applets (such as on Web sites).
Putting aside these important but long-term changes, here are Snow Leopard's most immediately beneficial new features and enhancements.
1. ActiveSync and Exchange 2007 support
Following in the footsteps of the iPhone, Snow Leopard makes these Microsoft technologies native to the OS. That means Apple's e-mail, calendar, and contacts apps work just peachy with Exchange 2007 server, giving users the same capabilities as Microsoft Entourage but with the better-designed, less-memory-intensive apps -- Mail, iCal, and Address Book -- included in OS X.
2. Exposé integration in the Dock
The Mac OS X Dock makes it easy to access applications, open documents, and common folders, a concept Windows 7 is stealing in its retooled taskbar. Open documents are even more easily accessed in Snow Leopard, thanks to the integration of Exposé. Now when you click and hold an app icon in the Dock, you get preview windows for each of its open documents, allowing you to switch easily among them or to close them, all without having to clutter your screen with document windows. I never cared much for Exposé in its traditional role (providing hot corners and shortcuts to open application windows), but I love the Dock-integrated Exposé functionality that Snow Leopard adds.
3. Automatic location detection
When you travel, it's easy to get mixed up as to when your appointments are, since your computer is still in your "home" time zone, and you have to mentally calculate the current time when looking at the calendar or clock. Sure, you can change the time zone in the Date & Time system preference, but it's easy to forget. So Snow Leopard changes the time zone for you automatically (if you set that as the default behavior), using Wi-Fi mapping to figure out where you are -- you will need to be connected to a Wi-Fi access point or router. iCal can also be set to adjust the times to the current time zone automatically, so your calendar always reflects the current times.
4. The new Preview is more like Adobe Reader
I have nothing against Adobe Reader, but I love that Preview now can open multiple PDF documents, display their contents as contact sheets, and show thumbnails of pages in a sidebar for easy navigation. In other words, it works a lot like Adobe Reader. That's one fewer app to launch -- and since Preview loads much faster than Reader, I can get to my PDFs' contents much faster now.
5. Movie and screencast recording
Snow Leopard takes the formerly $35 QuickTime Pro and makes it a standard, free app in Mac OS X. That means you can record movies and -- great for many marketing, education, and Web professionals -- screencasts from your Mac with no additional software.
6. Systemwide automatic text replacement
Automatic text substitution as you type is nothing new; Microsoft Word has had it for more than a decade. But Snow Leopard lets you specify such substitutions via the Keyboard system preference, so you have a common set of substitutions available to all applications. Right now, only TextEdit, Mail, and various Apple apps use this common auto-text service, but if other software developers adopt it, you may finally get all your text-oriented apps to autocorrect the same way.
7. No more gesture segregation
I have a late-2006 model MacBook Pro at home, and it's frustrating that its gesture-capable trackpad supports only the first generation of touch gestures (one- and two-finger moves), not the second-generation three- and four-finger options. Snow Leopard fixes that, so gesture-capable trackpads now support all gestures, no matter what Mac model you have. (Of course, your Mac has to have a gesture-capable trackpad, so models before 2006 aren't helped out by this update.)
Galen Gruman | InfoWorld
How to Know If My Child Is Ready to Start Kindergarten
It is that time of year that parents and children are starting to think about school. Children will be returning to school shortly, but for some children – our youngest students – it will be a brand new experience – KINDERGARTEN!
Is your child ready to start kindergarten? Here are some considerations to help you decide.
Instructions
Step 1
THINK ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S SOCIAL NEEDS: Does your child play nicely with other children? When you set up play dates, can your child play without hitting or biting? Does your child follow adult oral directions or your rules? Can your child sit for short periods of time (10-15 minutes)? When school starts, your child will be in a classroom with many other children. They will need to have these basic skills in place to successfully function within a classroom setting. Settling into a new setting is important.
Step 2
THINK ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S PERSONAL NEEDS: There are basic self-care skills that each child should be fairly independent at. Can your child blow their nose? Tie their shoes? Put on and zip their coat? Put away toys? Use the bathroom and wash their hands?
Step 3
THINK ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S INTELLECTUAL OR ACADEMIC NEEDS: Children entering kindergarten should be able to perform some basic tasks and have some pre-literacy skills. There are many checklists available online, but as a former kindergarten teacher I would be thrilled if my beginning kindergarteners had the following skills:
a. Listens to and enjoys stories
b. Can recognize and names 10-15 letters, and knows their sounds
c. Speaks in complete sentences
d. Can print their first name
e. Counts to 20 (1,2,3…)
f. Can count 5 objects correctly
g. Knows their colors and shapes
h. Can sort by color, shape and size
i. Understands basic concepts like more, less, same
j. Understands positional words like above, below
Step 4
IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S READINESS: If you are worried about your child and whether they are ready for kindergarten, the first step you should take is to talk with your child’s preschool teacher. They have been with your child in a school setting, and can shed a great deal of light into your child’s strengths and weaknesses.
Step 5
If your child is not in preschool, make an appointment with the local elementary school principal. Tell them your concerns. They are absolutely there to help you sort through the situation, and assist you in next steps. It may be a kindergarten screening that is needed; it may be talking with a kindergarten teacher; it may be just spending time with the principal and talking through the problem.
Tips & Warnings
As you can see, kindergarten readiness is a complex issue. You cannot simply look at what your child can do academically – you must look at the whole child – social needs, personal needs as well as their intellectual or academic needs. Gather information, talk to education professionals, and then make the decision about school readiness. You, after all, are your child's first and most important teacher!
plannerpatty | ehow
Is your child ready to start kindergarten? Here are some considerations to help you decide.
Instructions
Step 1
THINK ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S SOCIAL NEEDS: Does your child play nicely with other children? When you set up play dates, can your child play without hitting or biting? Does your child follow adult oral directions or your rules? Can your child sit for short periods of time (10-15 minutes)? When school starts, your child will be in a classroom with many other children. They will need to have these basic skills in place to successfully function within a classroom setting. Settling into a new setting is important.
Step 2
THINK ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S PERSONAL NEEDS: There are basic self-care skills that each child should be fairly independent at. Can your child blow their nose? Tie their shoes? Put on and zip their coat? Put away toys? Use the bathroom and wash their hands?
Step 3
THINK ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S INTELLECTUAL OR ACADEMIC NEEDS: Children entering kindergarten should be able to perform some basic tasks and have some pre-literacy skills. There are many checklists available online, but as a former kindergarten teacher I would be thrilled if my beginning kindergarteners had the following skills:
a. Listens to and enjoys stories
b. Can recognize and names 10-15 letters, and knows their sounds
c. Speaks in complete sentences
d. Can print their first name
e. Counts to 20 (1,2,3…)
f. Can count 5 objects correctly
g. Knows their colors and shapes
h. Can sort by color, shape and size
i. Understands basic concepts like more, less, same
j. Understands positional words like above, below
Step 4
IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S READINESS: If you are worried about your child and whether they are ready for kindergarten, the first step you should take is to talk with your child’s preschool teacher. They have been with your child in a school setting, and can shed a great deal of light into your child’s strengths and weaknesses.
Step 5
If your child is not in preschool, make an appointment with the local elementary school principal. Tell them your concerns. They are absolutely there to help you sort through the situation, and assist you in next steps. It may be a kindergarten screening that is needed; it may be talking with a kindergarten teacher; it may be just spending time with the principal and talking through the problem.
Tips & Warnings
As you can see, kindergarten readiness is a complex issue. You cannot simply look at what your child can do academically – you must look at the whole child – social needs, personal needs as well as their intellectual or academic needs. Gather information, talk to education professionals, and then make the decision about school readiness. You, after all, are your child's first and most important teacher!
plannerpatty | ehow
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Obama Injects Himself Into Health Talks, Despite Risks
WASHINGTON — In pursuing his proposed overhaul of the health care system, President Obama has consistently presented himself as aloof from the legislative fray, merely offering broad principles. Prominent among them is the creation of a strong, government-run insurance plan to compete with private insurers and press for lower costs.
Behind the scenes, however, Mr. Obama and his advisers have been quite active, sometimes negotiating deals with a degree of cold-eyed political realism potentially at odds with the president’s rhetoric.
Last month, for example, hospital officials were poised to appear at the White House to announce a deal limiting their industry’s share of the costs of the overhaul proposal when a wave of jitters swept through the group. Senator Max Baucus, the Finance Committee chairman and a party to the deal, had abruptly pulled out of the event. Was he backing away from his end of the deal?
Not to worry, Jim Messina, deputy White House chief of staff, told the lobbyists, according to White House officials and lobbyists briefed on the call. The White House was standing behind the deal, Mr. Messina said, capping the industry’s costs at a maximum of $155 billion over 10 years in trade for its political support.
Some Democrats and industry lobbyists now argue that, in negotiating deals through Mr. Baucus’s panel with powerful health care interests, the White House was tacitly signaling as early as last spring that it might end up accepting something more modest than the government insurer the president has said he prefers.
The Finance Committee, for example, appears to be coalescing around the idea of nonprofit insurance cooperatives instead of a government-run plan. It is a proposal the health care industry prefers, but many liberal Democrats oppose, in both cases because cooperatives are likely to have less leverage over health care prices.
Rahm Emanuel, the White House chief of staff, disputed that the administration had elevated the work of the Senate finance panel above the four other committees that have all approved strong government insurers.
“They are an important committee,” Mr. Emanuel said. “They have a bipartisan process. The president would like that to work, just as he is proud that the other committees have done their work. They don’t get an exalted status over everybody else.”
But he also acknowledged the political realities that have made the Finance Committee’s still-unfinished cooperative plan a center of attention. “We have heard from both chambers that the House sees a public plan as essential for the final product, and the Senate believes it cannot pass it as constructed and a co-op is what they can do,” he said. “We are cognizant of that fact.”
Asked whether the president would accept the weaker co-op, Mr. Emanuel declined to comment. “I am not going to fast-forward the process,” he said.
Industry lobbyists and moderate Democrats in both chambers, though, argue that the White House’s actions behind the scenes show a recognition that the finance panel’s anticipated compromise is the most likely template for any final legislation.
“The House has largely been a sideshow,” said Representative Jim Cooper of Tennessee, a member of the so-called Blue Dog caucus of conservative Democrats. “The Senate Finance Committee is where it really matters. That’s the bottleneck.”
Members and staff of the four other committees say the White House has largely stayed on the sidelines. “They have been — what is a good way to put it? — available for consultation,” Mr. Cooper said.
Mr. Obama and his top aides have immersed themselves in the Senate Finance Committee process. The president talks to Mr. Baucus several times a week, people briefed on their conversations say. Mr. Obama has also held a few calls with the panel’s ranking Republican, Senator Charles E. Grassley of Iowa.
In addition, Mr. Obama invited both senators to a private lunch at the White House early in the summer and met with six panel members for another White House session last week. White House advisers have held long evening and weekend meetings with Finance Committee staff members.
Nancy-Ann DeParle, charged with leading the White House health effort, has a standing biweekly meeting with Mr. Baucus, while Peter R. Orszag, the White House budget director, has spent so much time in the senator’s office that he helps himself to the Coke Zeros tucked away in Mr. Baucus’s personal refrigerator.
Lobbyists for the drug and hospital industries say that, as early as June, White House officials directed them to work out cost-saving deals with Mr. Baucus’s committee. Drug industry lobbyists said they negotiated a deal to contribute $80 billion over 10 years toward the cost of an overhaul with Mr. Baucus, under White House supervision, before taking it to the president for final approval. House lawmakers have said they were caught by surprise when it was announced.
Hospital industry lobbyists, speaking on the condition of anonymity for fear of alienating the White House, say they negotiated their $155 billion in concessions with Mr. Baucus and the administration in tandem. House staff members were present, including for at least one White House meeting, but their role was peripheral, the lobbyists said.
Several hospital lobbyists involved in the White House deals said it was understood as a condition of their support that the final legislation would not include a government-run health plan paying Medicare rates — generally 80 percent of private sector rates — or controlled by the secretary of health and human services.
“We have an agreement with the White House that I’m very confident will be seen all the way through conference,” a lobbyist, Chip Kahn, director of the Federation of American Hospitals, told a Capitol Hill newsletter.
Mr. Emanuel and liberal Democrats argued that the White House had worked more closely with the Senate Finance Committee because it was stepping in to break up legislative logjams. In the same way, they said, Mr. Obama and Mr. Emanuel had personally interceded to resolve a last-minute revolt by conservative House Democrats that threatened to derail a bill in the energy and commerce panel in July.
Representative Henry A. Waxman, the California Democrat who is chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, said Mr. Obama had assured House members that he did not intend to let the Senate Finance Committee determine the final bill.
“This is going to be a genuine conference with give and take,” Mr. Waxman said. He added: “The president has said he wants a public option to keep everybody honest. He hasn’t said he wants a co-op as a public option.”
Still, industry lobbyists say they are not worried. “We trust the White House,” Mr. Kahn said. “We are confident that the Senate Finance Committee will produce a bill we fully can endorse.”
DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK | nytimes
Behind the scenes, however, Mr. Obama and his advisers have been quite active, sometimes negotiating deals with a degree of cold-eyed political realism potentially at odds with the president’s rhetoric.
Last month, for example, hospital officials were poised to appear at the White House to announce a deal limiting their industry’s share of the costs of the overhaul proposal when a wave of jitters swept through the group. Senator Max Baucus, the Finance Committee chairman and a party to the deal, had abruptly pulled out of the event. Was he backing away from his end of the deal?
Not to worry, Jim Messina, deputy White House chief of staff, told the lobbyists, according to White House officials and lobbyists briefed on the call. The White House was standing behind the deal, Mr. Messina said, capping the industry’s costs at a maximum of $155 billion over 10 years in trade for its political support.
Some Democrats and industry lobbyists now argue that, in negotiating deals through Mr. Baucus’s panel with powerful health care interests, the White House was tacitly signaling as early as last spring that it might end up accepting something more modest than the government insurer the president has said he prefers.
The Finance Committee, for example, appears to be coalescing around the idea of nonprofit insurance cooperatives instead of a government-run plan. It is a proposal the health care industry prefers, but many liberal Democrats oppose, in both cases because cooperatives are likely to have less leverage over health care prices.
Rahm Emanuel, the White House chief of staff, disputed that the administration had elevated the work of the Senate finance panel above the four other committees that have all approved strong government insurers.
“They are an important committee,” Mr. Emanuel said. “They have a bipartisan process. The president would like that to work, just as he is proud that the other committees have done their work. They don’t get an exalted status over everybody else.”
But he also acknowledged the political realities that have made the Finance Committee’s still-unfinished cooperative plan a center of attention. “We have heard from both chambers that the House sees a public plan as essential for the final product, and the Senate believes it cannot pass it as constructed and a co-op is what they can do,” he said. “We are cognizant of that fact.”
Asked whether the president would accept the weaker co-op, Mr. Emanuel declined to comment. “I am not going to fast-forward the process,” he said.
Industry lobbyists and moderate Democrats in both chambers, though, argue that the White House’s actions behind the scenes show a recognition that the finance panel’s anticipated compromise is the most likely template for any final legislation.
“The House has largely been a sideshow,” said Representative Jim Cooper of Tennessee, a member of the so-called Blue Dog caucus of conservative Democrats. “The Senate Finance Committee is where it really matters. That’s the bottleneck.”
Members and staff of the four other committees say the White House has largely stayed on the sidelines. “They have been — what is a good way to put it? — available for consultation,” Mr. Cooper said.
Mr. Obama and his top aides have immersed themselves in the Senate Finance Committee process. The president talks to Mr. Baucus several times a week, people briefed on their conversations say. Mr. Obama has also held a few calls with the panel’s ranking Republican, Senator Charles E. Grassley of Iowa.
In addition, Mr. Obama invited both senators to a private lunch at the White House early in the summer and met with six panel members for another White House session last week. White House advisers have held long evening and weekend meetings with Finance Committee staff members.
Nancy-Ann DeParle, charged with leading the White House health effort, has a standing biweekly meeting with Mr. Baucus, while Peter R. Orszag, the White House budget director, has spent so much time in the senator’s office that he helps himself to the Coke Zeros tucked away in Mr. Baucus’s personal refrigerator.
Lobbyists for the drug and hospital industries say that, as early as June, White House officials directed them to work out cost-saving deals with Mr. Baucus’s committee. Drug industry lobbyists said they negotiated a deal to contribute $80 billion over 10 years toward the cost of an overhaul with Mr. Baucus, under White House supervision, before taking it to the president for final approval. House lawmakers have said they were caught by surprise when it was announced.
Hospital industry lobbyists, speaking on the condition of anonymity for fear of alienating the White House, say they negotiated their $155 billion in concessions with Mr. Baucus and the administration in tandem. House staff members were present, including for at least one White House meeting, but their role was peripheral, the lobbyists said.
Several hospital lobbyists involved in the White House deals said it was understood as a condition of their support that the final legislation would not include a government-run health plan paying Medicare rates — generally 80 percent of private sector rates — or controlled by the secretary of health and human services.
“We have an agreement with the White House that I’m very confident will be seen all the way through conference,” a lobbyist, Chip Kahn, director of the Federation of American Hospitals, told a Capitol Hill newsletter.
Mr. Emanuel and liberal Democrats argued that the White House had worked more closely with the Senate Finance Committee because it was stepping in to break up legislative logjams. In the same way, they said, Mr. Obama and Mr. Emanuel had personally interceded to resolve a last-minute revolt by conservative House Democrats that threatened to derail a bill in the energy and commerce panel in July.
Representative Henry A. Waxman, the California Democrat who is chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, said Mr. Obama had assured House members that he did not intend to let the Senate Finance Committee determine the final bill.
“This is going to be a genuine conference with give and take,” Mr. Waxman said. He added: “The president has said he wants a public option to keep everybody honest. He hasn’t said he wants a co-op as a public option.”
Still, industry lobbyists say they are not worried. “We trust the White House,” Mr. Kahn said. “We are confident that the Senate Finance Committee will produce a bill we fully can endorse.”
DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK | nytimes
Cisco and Warner Music extend Web partnership
Warner Music Group announced Wednesday that it has expanded its partnership with Cisco Systems, using the tech giant's software platform to power more Web sites for its artists.
Warner Music is the first and only company that has said it is using Cisco's Eos social media software platform. Cisco announced the platform and hosted service in January.
The service, called Eos, allows media and entertainment companies to create, manage, and grow online communities. Through Eos, Cisco has compiled technology tools and slapped on an easy-to-use interface to make building and customizing Web sites easy. But most importantly, it's bundled into the software technology that will allow media companies to build interactive Web sites so that fans can connect with musicians, TV shows, movies, or whatever brands they want to promote.
Initially, Warner Music Group used the platform to develop Web sites for two artists, Laura Izibor and reggae singer Sean Paul. On Wednesday, it announced it has expanded that relationship to include sites for other artists, such as Paramore, R&B singer Trey Songz, rock band Halestorm, and a redesigned site for Sean Paul. By the end of the year, Warner Music Group has committed to creating 12 additional artist Web sites using Eos, including sites for "American Idol" alum Jason Castro, R&B singer Estelle, and hip-hop artist Lupe Fiasco.
With Eos, Cisco has essentially created a template for building and designing Web sites. Michael Nash, executive vice president of digital strategy and business development for Warner Music, said that Eos allows the company to develop a Web site five times faster than it could on another platform. And a strong online presence is something that Warner Music executives hope will lead to new revenue streams for its artists' content.
Edgar Bronfman, chief executive at Warner Music, noted the importance of using the Web to reach out to fans and music consumers.
"We clearly see the entertainment industry in a phase of tremendous transition," Bronfman said during a press conference Wednesday.
Cisco CEO John Chambers said that he believes Cisco's Eos platform could "change the music industry forever."
"When you look back five years from now, you'll see that what Warner Music is doing will change the industry, and others will follow in its footsteps," he said.
But Eos is more than just a platform for creating new Web sites. The software also allows media companies, such as Warner Media, to collect and analyze data about their users. For example, data can be used to identify "influencers," or people within the fan community who generate comments or traffic on the site. Data about these types of individuals could be culled to develop new features. Or data could be collected about certain users' behaviors to create more tailored content or marketing opportunities.
"We are still in the early stage of figuring out how to use this data," Dan Scheinman, the Cisco executive behind Eos, said in a phone interview after the press conference. "And much of what can be done with the data will be based on Warner's privacy policies."
Nash emphasized that the company is committed to protecting individual fans' privacy, but he noted the usefulness of this data for improving the site and finding new ways to monetize content.
Bronfman said that using other social-networking sites along with new, rich fan sites could help breathe new life into the industry, which has been hit hard by declining CD sales and piracy. And he sees the platform creating a vehicle for new business models. For example, he noted that the rock band Paramore has been offering a special box set on its Web site that has outsold the band's regular album 13 to 1. He said that other revenue streams could be added as well, such as backstage tickets or presale tickets that allow fans to come to rehearsals. Ultimately, he said it will be up to each band to decide how they use their site.
For Cisco, the move into providing a managed service for creating and maintaining Web sites is a huge leap from its traditional business of building routers and switches to shuttle packets around the Internet. Some critics of the company believe that Cisco, which is also diversifying into other areas such as consumer electronics, is spreading itself too thin. And a new corporate structure of creating development councils to create and usher in new businesses has been met with criticism from some journalists and bloggers who question whether all this collaboration is really effective.
But Scheinman said that the new corporate structure has allowed his division of 60 individuals to develop and grow much like a start-up.
"Sure some people are saying, 'Where's the revenue?'" he said. "But I think there is an understanding from John (Chambers) and others in the council that this has the potential to be big. And I think the new structure has created a place where people can work together and collaborate. Our core business is building networks, and this corporate structure allows us to tie everything together into something that realizes a much bigger vision."
Chambers himself said during the press conference that the music industry is valued at $1.3 trillion. Exactly how much of that money can end up in Cisco's coffers is unknown, but he believes the Eos platform could help grow the market, ultimately creating more opportunity for Cisco. And the more content that is shuttling across the Internet as people download and listen to music or check fan pages, the better things are for Cisco because all that traffic ultimately creates a need for more of Cisco's core products.
Marguerite Reardon | news.cne
Warner Music is the first and only company that has said it is using Cisco's Eos social media software platform. Cisco announced the platform and hosted service in January.
The service, called Eos, allows media and entertainment companies to create, manage, and grow online communities. Through Eos, Cisco has compiled technology tools and slapped on an easy-to-use interface to make building and customizing Web sites easy. But most importantly, it's bundled into the software technology that will allow media companies to build interactive Web sites so that fans can connect with musicians, TV shows, movies, or whatever brands they want to promote.
Initially, Warner Music Group used the platform to develop Web sites for two artists, Laura Izibor and reggae singer Sean Paul. On Wednesday, it announced it has expanded that relationship to include sites for other artists, such as Paramore, R&B singer Trey Songz, rock band Halestorm, and a redesigned site for Sean Paul. By the end of the year, Warner Music Group has committed to creating 12 additional artist Web sites using Eos, including sites for "American Idol" alum Jason Castro, R&B singer Estelle, and hip-hop artist Lupe Fiasco.
With Eos, Cisco has essentially created a template for building and designing Web sites. Michael Nash, executive vice president of digital strategy and business development for Warner Music, said that Eos allows the company to develop a Web site five times faster than it could on another platform. And a strong online presence is something that Warner Music executives hope will lead to new revenue streams for its artists' content.
Edgar Bronfman, chief executive at Warner Music, noted the importance of using the Web to reach out to fans and music consumers.
"We clearly see the entertainment industry in a phase of tremendous transition," Bronfman said during a press conference Wednesday.
Cisco CEO John Chambers said that he believes Cisco's Eos platform could "change the music industry forever."
"When you look back five years from now, you'll see that what Warner Music is doing will change the industry, and others will follow in its footsteps," he said.
But Eos is more than just a platform for creating new Web sites. The software also allows media companies, such as Warner Media, to collect and analyze data about their users. For example, data can be used to identify "influencers," or people within the fan community who generate comments or traffic on the site. Data about these types of individuals could be culled to develop new features. Or data could be collected about certain users' behaviors to create more tailored content or marketing opportunities.
"We are still in the early stage of figuring out how to use this data," Dan Scheinman, the Cisco executive behind Eos, said in a phone interview after the press conference. "And much of what can be done with the data will be based on Warner's privacy policies."
Nash emphasized that the company is committed to protecting individual fans' privacy, but he noted the usefulness of this data for improving the site and finding new ways to monetize content.
Bronfman said that using other social-networking sites along with new, rich fan sites could help breathe new life into the industry, which has been hit hard by declining CD sales and piracy. And he sees the platform creating a vehicle for new business models. For example, he noted that the rock band Paramore has been offering a special box set on its Web site that has outsold the band's regular album 13 to 1. He said that other revenue streams could be added as well, such as backstage tickets or presale tickets that allow fans to come to rehearsals. Ultimately, he said it will be up to each band to decide how they use their site.
For Cisco, the move into providing a managed service for creating and maintaining Web sites is a huge leap from its traditional business of building routers and switches to shuttle packets around the Internet. Some critics of the company believe that Cisco, which is also diversifying into other areas such as consumer electronics, is spreading itself too thin. And a new corporate structure of creating development councils to create and usher in new businesses has been met with criticism from some journalists and bloggers who question whether all this collaboration is really effective.
But Scheinman said that the new corporate structure has allowed his division of 60 individuals to develop and grow much like a start-up.
"Sure some people are saying, 'Where's the revenue?'" he said. "But I think there is an understanding from John (Chambers) and others in the council that this has the potential to be big. And I think the new structure has created a place where people can work together and collaborate. Our core business is building networks, and this corporate structure allows us to tie everything together into something that realizes a much bigger vision."
Chambers himself said during the press conference that the music industry is valued at $1.3 trillion. Exactly how much of that money can end up in Cisco's coffers is unknown, but he believes the Eos platform could help grow the market, ultimately creating more opportunity for Cisco. And the more content that is shuttling across the Internet as people download and listen to music or check fan pages, the better things are for Cisco because all that traffic ultimately creates a need for more of Cisco's core products.
Marguerite Reardon | news.cne
Crazy Britney Spears Being Lured as Ratings Bait Again?
It’s that time of the year again — last week nominations were released for MTV’s star-studded and notoriously controversial Video Music Awards. But who should score a whooping seven nods, including the top category for Video of the Year? Britney Spears, y’all.
The songstress will be up against 2009’s hottest acts, Beyonce and Lady Gaga for the coveted prize, prompting numerous industry insiders to question if she really deserved such a slew of nominations for her one and only music video this year, Womanizer, in which she suggestively caresses her seemingly naked body, photocopies her bottom after stomping around a corporate office in a black wig and gets raunchy in the back of a car in her secret-service inspired get-up.
"We were surprised she got so many nominations because she has been 'lip synching' and while she is talented, the terrain has changed so this may be sympathy nominations because she is getting well," said a key industry insider. "Every network is hurting for eyeballs. Britney always draws an audience."
But let’s not forget that it was because of the troubled Tinseltowner’s sedated-like opening performance in 2007 that the VMAs surged into a whole new ratings stratosphere.
"When I first saw it I started to panic," an MTV advertising executive told Tarts at the time. "But I soon realized that this was great, it was obviously going to get a lot of attention around the world."
Last year, Brit was ratings-gold for the VMAs (viewership was up 41 percent from two years prior) thanks to her over hyped ‘comeback’ - although this time she didn’t have to sing and dance, she just had to gratuitously accept three moonmen for her musical abilities. Interestingly, those three VMAs were the first Spears had ever won although she had previously received 16 nominations. Her 1999 debut album "Baby One More Time" remains the highest-selling album by a female pop artist of all time but even then she only scored three nominations.
So does Brit really now deserve seven nods or is MTV trying to not-so-subtly steer Spears back to the stage, for better or for worse?
Her former music producer and good friend, the Grammy winning Dallas Austin, even admitted she was quite "a singer."
"Britney is very normal, very average. She's fun, she likes to play games, it's sad because Hollywood makes you into a person that you don't want to be," Austin told us. "She can sing, but it's different than being a singer and a person who can sing. The average person can sing pretty much, you can sing along to it in the car and you'll probably be in the same pitch. But then there's people who can't sing, and they're tone deaf and they can't hear the pitch that the song is in. That's a different story. Britney Spears, Janet Jackson, Aaliyah - there are a lot of people with really great tones that aren't going to sing like Celine Dion or Whitney Houston."
Spears rep did not respond for comment and it remains unclear as to whether Spears will present or perform at the uber-hyped awards show, which will take place in New York City on September 13.
While things are obviously looking pretty positive for the pop princess on a professional front, it seems she could be going through some personal problems yet again. Britney has been back to a bit of her bizarre behavior over the last week — wigging out, wearing too tight dresses and hanging out with fellow "reformed" rehabber Lindsay Lohan. Let’s hope it is all in the name of post-tour recuperation!
Hollywood Foreign Press Luncheon Cursed With Another Car Accident
Chris Pine, Emmy Rossum, Jordana Brewster, Rose McGowan and (coincidentally, Marilyn Manson’s other ex ) Evan Rachel Wood were walking the red carpet outside the Beverly Hills Hotel before heading into the Hollywood Foreign Press Annual Installation Luncheon on Tuesday, however all eyes were actually on something slightly more sinister.
Just as one of the guests, believed to be an HBO publicist, stopped in the valet line and was stepping out of the car her vehicle was hit from behind (generating quite the smack!) and she tumbled to the ground. Drama ensued as several people panicked and rushed over to help but thankfully the female attendee came out seemingly unscathed.
But could the annual luncheon, in which $1,249,000 was donated to 29 film schools and nonprofit organizations to foster emerging filmmakers and education, have a car curse? Last year John C. Reilly failed to show as he was involved in a fender bender en route to the star-studded event.
However the belle of the ball was the super slender Emmy Rossum, who was obviously so concerned with being quizzed about the recent rumors she is splitting from her secret husband Justin Siegal that she had two reps walk her down and warn everyone not to approach the controversial topic. However we did spot Rossum making a hasty exit from the auditorium pretty early.
"It’s freezing, one degree in here," she told us with a laugh. "But all these people don’t feel it because they are wasted!"
One person who was trying to avoid being lumped into that category was Warren Beatty.
"I always behave badly at these things and I’m trying to control myself so I wrote some things down," he said. "To keep myself from saying the things I’m tempted to say …"
Pop Tarts Scene & Herd
Cindy Crawford, Rande Gerber, Sting and Trudie Styler sipping new Neuro drinks while together on vacation in St. Tropez, France last Thursday.
Samaire Armstrong at the Gavert Atelier Salon in Beverly Hills on Thursday, dying her blonde locks chocolate brown.
Bridget Marquardt picking up a "Guardian Angel" necklace from Energy Muse Jewelry at Melanie Segal's Teen Choice Awards gift lounge at Hollywood's Magic Castle on Friday.
Ashlee Greene (who has just been caught up in yet another nude photo scandal) picking up goodies at the Pastry by Angela and Vanessa Simmons booth at the 102.7 KIIS-FM gifting louge at the W Hotel in Westwood on Friday morning.
Jesse McCartney relaxing on the roof deck with a Agave Lemonade SoBe Lifewater and inquiring about renting the venue at the final SoBe Lifewater Summer Fridays event which was the Stephan Weiss Studios in NY. Cassie also got a pedicure before jumping onstage during the MJ tribute.
Lindsay Lohan at the Music Lounge at the Hard Rock Hotel Chicago during Lollapalooz on Friday, dancing backstage to The Virgins with her little sister Ali and on again girlfriend Sam Ronson’s sister Annabelle Dexter-Jones.
Leighton Meester and beau Sebastian Stan enjoying a daytime "brunch-fest" at Day & Night Restaurant Beach Club in Southampton on Saturday where they sipped from several bottles of Bertaud Belieu Rose Champagne with a group friends in a private poolside cabana. The couple later hit up Philippe Chow’s Lily Pond restaurant for the after party of Gotham/Hampton magazine’s screening of Kutcher’s film Spread.
Jon Voight, Brett Ratner, Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, James Van Der Beek, Scott Baio and the newly separated Shannon Elisabeth and Derek Hough partying up a storm and listening to the live sounds of Three 6 Mafia at Hugh Hefner's Annual "Midsummer Night's Dream" at the iconic mansion on Saturday night.
Designer Betsey Johnson dining with her family on Saturday night at Matto in East Hampton.
Down the road at Nick & Toni's, Mary J. Blige enjoyed dinner and bottles of French red wine with record executive L.A. Reid and his wife.
Former Cheetah Girl Adrienne Bailon relaxing in a private cabana The Pools at The Water Club at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City on Saturday with her girlfriends before enjoying some alone time at Immersion Spa. The songstress then used her Borgata Nightlife Rewards for a shopping spree at Fixation and Just Cavalli at The Water Club on her way to FORNELLETTO Cucina & Wine Bar before partying at mur.mur nightclub where DJ Chachi performed a special set for the guest of honor including her new single "Only You." A reality show following Adrienne’s new single life in New York City will air this fall on MTV.
John Mayer and Rob Dyrdek drinking Belvedere and Corzo the VIP table at Hollywood hotspot MyHouse on Saturday before escorting their ladies to the car at the end of the night.
Britney Spears picking up Office Depot backpacks for her sons at the Bop It Celebrity Retreat produced by Backstage Creations, backstage at the Teen Choice Awards on Sunday. Meanwhile Robert Pattinson, Hayden Panettiere, Ed Westwick and Abigail Breslin were spotted noshing on Sprinkles cupcakes.
Rob Lowe talking about a "huge twist" in the new season of "Brother's and Sisters" as he showed off his golf skills at the Bernie Brillstein Golf Classic benefiting Barlow Respiratory Hospital (Brillstein was Lowe's longtime manager) in Tarzana, Calif. on Monday.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie sitting together all evening sipping cocktails and making lovey eyes at West Hollywood's Mondrian Hotel on Monday for the "Inglorious Basterds" premiere after party.
Meanwhile Joshua Jackson kept a low profile next to his leading lady Diane Kruger as he let her steal the spotlight.
Eva Longoria-Parker dashing into the Beverly Hills Hotel after running significantly late for the Hollywood Foreign Press luncheon on Tuesday.
By Hollie McKay
The 5 surprising things ruining your teeth
Thought coffee was the only culprit? Find out how to protect pearly whites
We know smoking cigarettes and drinking coffee or red wine will not keep our teeth nice and white. We also know that chewing on hard things like pens or pencils can wear away or even break the enamel of our teeth, and that eating candy and other sugary foods can give us cavities. But there are other things that can ruin our teeth that you may not be aware of. Most of these things contain some acid and sugar that you will find surprising. Here are five things you didn’t know are ruining your teeth:
White wine
There is a recent study that says white wine can put people at risk for tooth staining. The tannins and the acids in the white wine can roughen the surface of the teeth. This can make the enamel more porous and allow the teeth to absorb color. So, if a person is having white wine at dinner, and then drinks coffee or eats something like blueberry pie — that person is at risk of having stained teeth. Red wine does cause more staining, but you are not off the hook if you drink white wine.
Milk
Milk is great — it has the calcium we need for healthy bones — but if someone gives their child or baby milk (or other sweet drinks, like apple juice) in the bottle too often or too long, this can cause cavities. We all have bacteria in our mouths. Bacteria use these sugars in the drinks as food. This is why people shouldn’t give children sweet drinks or milk too often and never let them fall asleep with a bottle in their mouth. Breast-feeding moms should also be aware, as babies are also at risk if they are falling asleep while being breast-fed, especially if a mom keeps her nipple in the baby’s mouth. A solution for this is to try to wipe or brush the child’s or baby’s teeth before they go to bed. Try to give the baby some water or diluted juice in the bottle and an alternate drink.
Cough syrup
Many cough syrups contain sucrose, fructose and citric acids. These ingredients can cause tooth decay and erosion. Many people take cough syrup or other types of medications like NyQuil right before they go to bed and after they brush their teeth. The syrup remains on their teeth all night long. Some syrups have alcohol in them as well, which can dry out the mouth. When the mouth is dry, there is less saliva. The sugars and acids remain in the mouth and on the teeth. Try to take the syrup with a meal, when there is more saliva present. If that isn’t an option, try to rinse with some water or try the pill form of the medicine instead.
Lemonade
Lemonade is a dangerous combination of acid and sugar. The formula for decay is bacteria that causes cavities (which we have in our mouths) plus acid (which penetrates the enamel layer of the teeth) plus sugar (which bacteria feed on), which equals tooth decay. Lemons are extremely acidic. Combining this fruit with the sugar makes it a potent cavity causer. Lemon slices in water are not nearly as bad as lemonade because there is no sugar involved, but the lemon does make your water more acidic.
When you eat something acidic such as fruit, it can strip the mineral off the teeth. Saliva in the mouth helps wash the acid away, but if you expose your teeth to acid too often this will lead to acid wear. When erosion occurs, it can cause the teeth to become very sensitive, which makes eating and/or drinking very uncomfortable. Not only that, but the teeth can become yellow and dark in color as the outer enamel layer is worn away and the dentin layer is exposed. Aesthetically, it isn’t pleasing either. Unfortunately this is irreversible.
How can you protect your teeth from acid wear? Drink a lot of water after eating or drinking. Drink acidic beverages through a straw so the liquid doesn’t have much contact with your teeth. Avoid brushing your teeth right after a highly acidic meal or drink. If you brush right after, you are just brushing your teeth with the acid. So, be patient, wait 30-40 minutes before you brush.
Swimming pools
Those who swim more than six hours a week in chemically treated pools may develop brown stains on their teeth, commonly called “swimmer’s calculus.” The chemicals in the pool mixed with the saliva can cause an unusual brown stain. The stain can be yellow to dark brown, and will be found, for the most part, on the front teeth. Swimmers should have more frequent professional cleanings to remove this stain. Wearing an airtight mouth guard can help.
Nancy M. Rosen, D.M.D. | msnbc
We know smoking cigarettes and drinking coffee or red wine will not keep our teeth nice and white. We also know that chewing on hard things like pens or pencils can wear away or even break the enamel of our teeth, and that eating candy and other sugary foods can give us cavities. But there are other things that can ruin our teeth that you may not be aware of. Most of these things contain some acid and sugar that you will find surprising. Here are five things you didn’t know are ruining your teeth:
White wine
There is a recent study that says white wine can put people at risk for tooth staining. The tannins and the acids in the white wine can roughen the surface of the teeth. This can make the enamel more porous and allow the teeth to absorb color. So, if a person is having white wine at dinner, and then drinks coffee or eats something like blueberry pie — that person is at risk of having stained teeth. Red wine does cause more staining, but you are not off the hook if you drink white wine.
Milk
Milk is great — it has the calcium we need for healthy bones — but if someone gives their child or baby milk (or other sweet drinks, like apple juice) in the bottle too often or too long, this can cause cavities. We all have bacteria in our mouths. Bacteria use these sugars in the drinks as food. This is why people shouldn’t give children sweet drinks or milk too often and never let them fall asleep with a bottle in their mouth. Breast-feeding moms should also be aware, as babies are also at risk if they are falling asleep while being breast-fed, especially if a mom keeps her nipple in the baby’s mouth. A solution for this is to try to wipe or brush the child’s or baby’s teeth before they go to bed. Try to give the baby some water or diluted juice in the bottle and an alternate drink.
Cough syrup
Many cough syrups contain sucrose, fructose and citric acids. These ingredients can cause tooth decay and erosion. Many people take cough syrup or other types of medications like NyQuil right before they go to bed and after they brush their teeth. The syrup remains on their teeth all night long. Some syrups have alcohol in them as well, which can dry out the mouth. When the mouth is dry, there is less saliva. The sugars and acids remain in the mouth and on the teeth. Try to take the syrup with a meal, when there is more saliva present. If that isn’t an option, try to rinse with some water or try the pill form of the medicine instead.
Lemonade
Lemonade is a dangerous combination of acid and sugar. The formula for decay is bacteria that causes cavities (which we have in our mouths) plus acid (which penetrates the enamel layer of the teeth) plus sugar (which bacteria feed on), which equals tooth decay. Lemons are extremely acidic. Combining this fruit with the sugar makes it a potent cavity causer. Lemon slices in water are not nearly as bad as lemonade because there is no sugar involved, but the lemon does make your water more acidic.
When you eat something acidic such as fruit, it can strip the mineral off the teeth. Saliva in the mouth helps wash the acid away, but if you expose your teeth to acid too often this will lead to acid wear. When erosion occurs, it can cause the teeth to become very sensitive, which makes eating and/or drinking very uncomfortable. Not only that, but the teeth can become yellow and dark in color as the outer enamel layer is worn away and the dentin layer is exposed. Aesthetically, it isn’t pleasing either. Unfortunately this is irreversible.
How can you protect your teeth from acid wear? Drink a lot of water after eating or drinking. Drink acidic beverages through a straw so the liquid doesn’t have much contact with your teeth. Avoid brushing your teeth right after a highly acidic meal or drink. If you brush right after, you are just brushing your teeth with the acid. So, be patient, wait 30-40 minutes before you brush.
Swimming pools
Those who swim more than six hours a week in chemically treated pools may develop brown stains on their teeth, commonly called “swimmer’s calculus.” The chemicals in the pool mixed with the saliva can cause an unusual brown stain. The stain can be yellow to dark brown, and will be found, for the most part, on the front teeth. Swimmers should have more frequent professional cleanings to remove this stain. Wearing an airtight mouth guard can help.
Nancy M. Rosen, D.M.D. | msnbc
Microsoft to port Bing to the iPhone
A software wrapper to make it easier to do Bing searches from the iPhone apps deck is in development
Microsoft is developing a software wrapper to better enable iPhone application developers to add Bing search results to their applications, a Microsoft official said on Wednesday.
The wrapper, based on Objective C, is being tested now and is due out in a few weeks, said Alessandro Catorcini, senior program manager for the Bing search engine at Microsoft, in an interview at the Search Engine Strategies conference in San Jose, Calif.
"Right now, there is an unneeded step to climb to integrate Bing results in your iPhone app but we want to make that smooth," he said. "We want to make it as easy as link [a] library, create an object -- bam -- you're done."
Bing was unveiled in June as a re-release of the Microsoft Live Search engine, and it was tipping point in the Microsoft-Yahoo deal. Microsoft earlier this week at the conference emphasized linkage between mobile devices and search capabilities as future expectation for search.
Paul Krill | InfoWorld.
Microsoft is developing a software wrapper to better enable iPhone application developers to add Bing search results to their applications, a Microsoft official said on Wednesday.
The wrapper, based on Objective C, is being tested now and is due out in a few weeks, said Alessandro Catorcini, senior program manager for the Bing search engine at Microsoft, in an interview at the Search Engine Strategies conference in San Jose, Calif.
"Right now, there is an unneeded step to climb to integrate Bing results in your iPhone app but we want to make that smooth," he said. "We want to make it as easy as link [a] library, create an object -- bam -- you're done."
Bing was unveiled in June as a re-release of the Microsoft Live Search engine, and it was tipping point in the Microsoft-Yahoo deal. Microsoft earlier this week at the conference emphasized linkage between mobile devices and search capabilities as future expectation for search.
Paul Krill | InfoWorld.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Prompt New Dosage for Heart Health
A healthy dose of omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA and EPA not only prevents heart disease in healthy people, it also reduces the risk of heart attack in people with existing heart disease, according to a new study. That finding has researchers recommending people add a daily dose of omega-3 fatty acids to their diet.
Based on a review of several large studies involving more than 40,000 people, researchers say the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids to heart health are clear and merit taking action to prevent unnecessary deaths from heart disease.
The body doesn't produce fatty acids, so researchers recommend healthy people consume 500 milligrams daily of EPA plus DHA, and people with known heart disease or heart failure should aim for nearly twice that amount (at least 800 to 1,000 milligrams daily).
"There are clear health and heart benefits associated with increasing one's intake of foods that are rich in Omega-3s, including oily fish like salmon, sardines, trout, herring, and oysters" researcher Carl Lavie, MD, medical director of cardiac rehabilitation and prevention at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, says in a news release. "Patients should talk with their doctors about whether a fish oil supplement is needed to get the right amount and, in turn, benefit from the associated cardiovascular protection."
DHA and EPA Help Heart
The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, reviewed the findings of four studies comparing the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in heart disease prevention over the past 30 years.
The results showed that omega-3 fatty acids' strongest protective effect appears to be in people with established heart disease after a heart attack. In these people, a daily dose of DHA and EPA is associated with a 30% reduction in the risk of heart-related death.
But researchers say healthy people can also benefit from including omega-3s in their diet. Research shows a diet rich in omega-3s can also reduce the risk of hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), heart attack, sudden cardiac death, and heart failure.
Most of the evidence for the benefits of fish oil comes from the use of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eiosapentaenoic acid), which are the long-chain fatty acids in the omega-3 family.
Lavie says EPA and DHA work by getting into the membranes of cells and by doing so may help improve the heart's electrical activity, muscle tone, plaque stabilization, blood pressure, and other aspects of heart health.
The study also showed that there was a smaller benefit of omega-3 fatty acids in preventing 9% of heart failure deaths in people with heart failure who took omega-3 supplements. Given heart failure patients' grave prognosis, Lavie says this is impressive.
"If we translate this finding, it means that we only need to treat 56 patients for four years to prevent one death," Lavie says. "And we are talking about a very safe and relatively inexpensive therapy."
By Jennifer Warner
WebMD Health News
Based on a review of several large studies involving more than 40,000 people, researchers say the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids to heart health are clear and merit taking action to prevent unnecessary deaths from heart disease.
The body doesn't produce fatty acids, so researchers recommend healthy people consume 500 milligrams daily of EPA plus DHA, and people with known heart disease or heart failure should aim for nearly twice that amount (at least 800 to 1,000 milligrams daily).
"There are clear health and heart benefits associated with increasing one's intake of foods that are rich in Omega-3s, including oily fish like salmon, sardines, trout, herring, and oysters" researcher Carl Lavie, MD, medical director of cardiac rehabilitation and prevention at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, says in a news release. "Patients should talk with their doctors about whether a fish oil supplement is needed to get the right amount and, in turn, benefit from the associated cardiovascular protection."
DHA and EPA Help Heart
The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, reviewed the findings of four studies comparing the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in heart disease prevention over the past 30 years.
The results showed that omega-3 fatty acids' strongest protective effect appears to be in people with established heart disease after a heart attack. In these people, a daily dose of DHA and EPA is associated with a 30% reduction in the risk of heart-related death.
But researchers say healthy people can also benefit from including omega-3s in their diet. Research shows a diet rich in omega-3s can also reduce the risk of hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), heart attack, sudden cardiac death, and heart failure.
Most of the evidence for the benefits of fish oil comes from the use of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eiosapentaenoic acid), which are the long-chain fatty acids in the omega-3 family.
Lavie says EPA and DHA work by getting into the membranes of cells and by doing so may help improve the heart's electrical activity, muscle tone, plaque stabilization, blood pressure, and other aspects of heart health.
The study also showed that there was a smaller benefit of omega-3 fatty acids in preventing 9% of heart failure deaths in people with heart failure who took omega-3 supplements. Given heart failure patients' grave prognosis, Lavie says this is impressive.
"If we translate this finding, it means that we only need to treat 56 patients for four years to prevent one death," Lavie says. "And we are talking about a very safe and relatively inexpensive therapy."
By Jennifer Warner
WebMD Health News
Raw foods as best Anti-Aging Supplements
One of the best anti-aging supplements is eating raw foods. This is because cooking actually removes some of the nutrition in food. Taking them in a raw form gives your body more of the vitamins and minerals present in food than otherwise. Here is a looks at some important raw foods you can intake to reduce the effects of aging:
* Raw foods that have anti-oxidant properties are best because they counteract free radicals which are responsible for causing aging. Foods like carrots, apricots, oranges, lemons and grapefruit are high in anti-oxidant properties and they should be taken everyday in order to minimize the effects of aging.
* Raw foods containing high levels of enzymes gives your body much needed vitamins and minerals. Any deficiencies in vitamins and minerals fasten the process of aging.
* Raw foods rich in sulphur helps to maintain skin, hair, nails and joints in a good condition. Foods such as asparagus, garlic, onion, broccoli, red pepper, watercress and seeds like hemp seeds and pumpkin seeds are rich in sulphur.
Raw foods containing phytochemicals such as broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, berries, carrots, cocoa, celery, and bell pepper will help to counteract aging effects because phytochemicals prevent damage and have anti-aging properties.
* Raw foods rich in vitamins E, C, B and A, and Zinc improve the body’s resistance to ill-health. This is because they help to boost the immunity system and give way for healthy looking skin. Thy also help to rule out eczema.
Raw foods serve as good anti-aging supplements primarily because they abound in vitamins and minerals, which help to keep body healthy and strong. They can eliminate toxins, which in time bring out aging. If you have a diet that is rich in raw sea vegetables, considerable level of body toxins gets reduced.
When having raw foods ensure that you take ones rich with antioxidants. A very powerful anti-oxidant is Coenzyme Q10, which is present in every body cell, but its level reduces with age. Taking foods such as spinach, broccoli and peanuts maintains the balance and reduces the effects of old age. Ensuring that 65% – 75% of your food intake is raw food, helps to bring about better health and counteract the signs of aging.
via helpfulhealthtips
How to Speed Up Performance on a Slow Windows Computer - Optimise Your Computer Fast
Does your computer keep freezing on you when you are using it? Does it take what seems forever for windows to start up? This is more common than you might think and you do not have to call a technician to fix it.
This is what you need to do to overcome a slow computer.
#1 The very first thing you need to do is to free up more memory and more space on your hard drive. The easiest way to do this is by removing any unwanted programs, unused programs, deleting pictures, documents and files you no longer need or use.
#2 The next thing you need to do is to remove all your temporary files. Do not confuse this with temporary internet files. These can take up a large amount of disk space. You do this by running the windows disk cleanup program which can be found from the start menu->programs->accessories->system tools->disk cleanup.
The next step is the most important step to optimising your computer and making it fast again.
#3 Run a free registry scan with good registry cleaner. This will detect any entries that are not needed, invalid start up files, and entries for programs that have already been removed that are making the registry too big and slowing down your computer. Running a good registry cleaner will detect these quickly and show you how to remove them with one click.
Doing these steps in this order will speed up your computer, making it run faster and start faster and prevent registry errors causing it to crash, or worse, failing to start at all.
David S Marshall |ezinearticles
This is what you need to do to overcome a slow computer.
#1 The very first thing you need to do is to free up more memory and more space on your hard drive. The easiest way to do this is by removing any unwanted programs, unused programs, deleting pictures, documents and files you no longer need or use.
#2 The next thing you need to do is to remove all your temporary files. Do not confuse this with temporary internet files. These can take up a large amount of disk space. You do this by running the windows disk cleanup program which can be found from the start menu->programs->accessories->system tools->disk cleanup.
The next step is the most important step to optimising your computer and making it fast again.
#3 Run a free registry scan with good registry cleaner. This will detect any entries that are not needed, invalid start up files, and entries for programs that have already been removed that are making the registry too big and slowing down your computer. Running a good registry cleaner will detect these quickly and show you how to remove them with one click.
Doing these steps in this order will speed up your computer, making it run faster and start faster and prevent registry errors causing it to crash, or worse, failing to start at all.
David S Marshall |ezinearticles
How to Teach Children Socially Acceptable Behavior
Children that are new to a daycare environment are just learning which behaviors are socially acceptable and how to manage their natural impulse to react physically to events that frustrate or anger them. Here are a few tips to help children learn which behaviors are socially acceptable.
Instructions
Step 1
It's important to model positive conflict resolution and non-physical problem solving. When searching for a daycare, it's helpful to see if gentle interactions are used to redirect children to good choices. Pay attention to whether teachers speak to children at their eye level and use children's names when addressing them.
Step 2
Encourage and praise children's attempts to use good conflict resolution and problem solving.
Step 3
Help children develop vocabulary necessary to describe feelings, needs and frustrations. Try not to ask yes or no questions. Ask questions that require an explanation and help the child verbalize what he or she is feeling.
Step 4
Redirect children away from inappropriate choices and toward appropriate choices. Remember to praise children and recognize their accomplishments.
Step 5
Offer opportunities in the program to practice social skills such as problem solving, cooperation, turn taking, and sharing. In addition, many accidents, child behavior challenges and inappropriate guidance issues can be avoided by providing a program that is rich in interesting and engaging activities. Spend some time in each childcare center looking for the following:
KinderCare |ehow
Instructions
Step 1
It's important to model positive conflict resolution and non-physical problem solving. When searching for a daycare, it's helpful to see if gentle interactions are used to redirect children to good choices. Pay attention to whether teachers speak to children at their eye level and use children's names when addressing them.
Step 2
Encourage and praise children's attempts to use good conflict resolution and problem solving.
Step 3
Help children develop vocabulary necessary to describe feelings, needs and frustrations. Try not to ask yes or no questions. Ask questions that require an explanation and help the child verbalize what he or she is feeling.
Step 4
Redirect children away from inappropriate choices and toward appropriate choices. Remember to praise children and recognize their accomplishments.
Step 5
Offer opportunities in the program to practice social skills such as problem solving, cooperation, turn taking, and sharing. In addition, many accidents, child behavior challenges and inappropriate guidance issues can be avoided by providing a program that is rich in interesting and engaging activities. Spend some time in each childcare center looking for the following:
KinderCare |ehow
OCZ Goes Mainstream With Indilinx-Based Solid 2 SSDs
OCZ Technology is at it again, this time pushing out a new range of solid state drives for the laypeople in the crowd. The Indilinx-based devices, which proudly boast a Solid 2 Series label, are designed to slot neatly into notebooks that can hold 2.5" form factor drives. The MLC based solution was designed with mainstream consumers (as opposed to hardcore tech enthusiasts) in mind, utilizing an Indilinx controller and offering decent performance that'll definitely crush traditional hard drives.
OCZ Solid 2 SATA II 2.5” Solid State Drives feature up to 125MB/s read and 100MB/s write speeds, 64MB of onboard cache, and unique performance optimization (which we uncovered last week) to keep the drives at peak performance. Available in capacities of 60(64)GB and 120(128)GB, the drives should start flowing to retail channels soon, though pricing remains a mystery for now.
OCZ Technology Introduces the Most Affordable Indilinx-Based Solid State Drive Solution with the Value Oriented Solid 2 Series
San Jose, CA—August 11, 2009—OCZ Technology Group, Inc., a worldwide leader in innovative, ultra-high performance and high reliability memory and computer components, today unveiled the OCZ Solid 2 SATA II 2.5” Solid State Drive (SSD) Series, the ultra-affordable MLC based solid state storage solution for mainstream consumers looking to take advantage of flash based storage technology. Offering a faster and more durable alternative to traditional hard drives in a cost-efficient SSD, the Solid 2 delivers reliable performance without the high price normally associated with SSD drives.
“While solid state drives offer exceptional performance, the high cost of ownership has been a barrier for many consumers,” commented Eugene Chang, Vice President of Product Development at the OCZ technology Group. “It has always been our goal to make quality SSD drives affordable to the complete range of customers. By making use of the proven Indilinx controller coupled new flash technology, OCZ is excited to introduce the Solid 2 that delivers increased reliability and performance over competing traditional and solid state solutions at a price point that is truly within reach of mainstream consumers.”
For users looking to upgrade their laptops or configure a cost effective RAID array in their home or office desktop PC, the OCZ Solid 2 Series is an excellent starting point into the world of SSDs. This line provides the best of both worlds —the performance and advantages of solid-state technology at an incredible value. Based on the quality Indilinx controller, the Solid 2 Series delivers an enhanced computing experience with faster application loading, snappier data access, shorter boot-ups, and longer battery life. Solid 2 SSDs feature HDD-dominating access times, up to 125MB/s read and 100MB/s write speeds, 64MB of onboard cache, and unique performance optimization to keep the drives at peak performance.
OCZ Solid 2 drives feature a durable yet lightweight alloy housing, and because OCZ SSDs have no moving parts, the drives are more rugged than conventional hard drives. Available in ample storage capacities of 60(64)GB and 120(128)GB, Solid 2 SSDs state drives meet the needs of users looking for a quality hard drive replacement.
Designed for ultimate reliability, Solid 2 Series SSDs have an excellent 1.5 million hour mean time between failure (MTBF) ensuring peace of mind over the long term. OCZ also offers a leading 3-year warranty and award-winning technical support with the Solid 2 Series, making SSDs a more viable upgrade for cautious users requiring ultimate levels of customer service.
Shawn Oliver | OCZ Technology
The ins and outs of Windows-based deduplication
All those copies of data increase hardware, power, and IT costs. Data deduplication is the answer, and Windows shops may already have the core technology in place
"Storage is cheap!" you might say. Well, certainly disk storage has become cheaper over time, and there are all sorts of products on the market taking advantage of the price reduction with virtual tape libraries and megastorage appliances. But keep in mind the fact that more disk storage comes at a cost beyond the vendor price tag: power to support and cool, space to house, IT administrators to oversee. You have to factor in all these costs. Products that provide single-instance storage (SIS) and data deduplication can really help mitigate the expense of so-called cheap storage.
You may not realize that you have some of the necessary ingredients to take advantage of deduplication within your Microsoft server environment. But you do.
[ Get the latest on storage developments with InfoWorld's Technology: Storage newsletter. | Learn which vendors support Windows Server 2008's deduplication capabilities. ]
First, let's be clear on what deduplication is: Data deduplication is the process of eliminating data redundancies at the storage repository or from network traffic. You can deduplicate either at the object (file) level, which is also called "single instancing," or at the block (subfile) level, which saves much more space.
Data is naturally duplicated due to mass distribution or data processing needs. Most IT organizations maintain multiple copies of the same file in different repositories, or even a few iterations of files you are working on. In addition, backup applications produce and maintain multiple copies of files so that they are available for recovery. Backup processes have contributed greatly to the explosion of data proliferation in the datacenter.
Consider a simple scenario. An e-mail is sent out with a 10MB video to 100 people. If the e-mail platform doesn't have SIS capabilities and the backup product doesn't have a deduplication feature, you are looking at backing up 1GB of data (which takes space, time, and money) as opposed to a single instance of 10MB.
J.PETER BRUZZESE | infoworld
"Storage is cheap!" you might say. Well, certainly disk storage has become cheaper over time, and there are all sorts of products on the market taking advantage of the price reduction with virtual tape libraries and megastorage appliances. But keep in mind the fact that more disk storage comes at a cost beyond the vendor price tag: power to support and cool, space to house, IT administrators to oversee. You have to factor in all these costs. Products that provide single-instance storage (SIS) and data deduplication can really help mitigate the expense of so-called cheap storage.
You may not realize that you have some of the necessary ingredients to take advantage of deduplication within your Microsoft server environment. But you do.
[ Get the latest on storage developments with InfoWorld's Technology: Storage newsletter. | Learn which vendors support Windows Server 2008's deduplication capabilities. ]
First, let's be clear on what deduplication is: Data deduplication is the process of eliminating data redundancies at the storage repository or from network traffic. You can deduplicate either at the object (file) level, which is also called "single instancing," or at the block (subfile) level, which saves much more space.
Data is naturally duplicated due to mass distribution or data processing needs. Most IT organizations maintain multiple copies of the same file in different repositories, or even a few iterations of files you are working on. In addition, backup applications produce and maintain multiple copies of files so that they are available for recovery. Backup processes have contributed greatly to the explosion of data proliferation in the datacenter.
Consider a simple scenario. An e-mail is sent out with a 10MB video to 100 people. If the e-mail platform doesn't have SIS capabilities and the backup product doesn't have a deduplication feature, you are looking at backing up 1GB of data (which takes space, time, and money) as opposed to a single instance of 10MB.
J.PETER BRUZZESE | infoworld
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Microsoft Purchase Office.com Domain of Belgium
Microsoft finally buy a domain name Office.com, preparation for discharge Office10. Office.com previously owned by the company with the name of Belgian origin ContactOffice.
Microsoft does not mention how much money they spent to take Office.com. While the user will move to Office.com contactoffice.com
Below is the announcement of Office.com, a user must move the data to the new site and change the e-mail address:
Dear Office.com Users,
As you know from the recent email we sent you, we will be transitioning the operation of your Virtual Office account to ContactOffice.com during the next 30 days.
As part of this transition, on Monday, June 29, 2009, we changed email addresses in the office.com domain to ones in the contactoffice.com domain.
To access your existing account, you will now need to log in at Virtual office
As of Friday, July 31, 2009, Office.com will no longer be available so please be sure to bookmark this URL for future use. Also, if you use POP or IMAP with Office.com you will need to change your settings to pop.contactoffice.net and imap.contactoffice.net respectively.
For new users looking please visit us at 'http://office.contactoffice.com to register for your free subscription.
We are committed to making this transition as seamless as possible and are working hard to minimize any inconvenience these changes may cause. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me by email at tom@contactoffice.com or by telephone, toll free, at 1-866-675-1776.
Sincerely yours,
Tom Graham and the Office.com Team
Microsoft does not mention how much money they spent to take Office.com. While the user will move to Office.com contactoffice.com
Below is the announcement of Office.com, a user must move the data to the new site and change the e-mail address:
Dear Office.com Users,
As you know from the recent email we sent you, we will be transitioning the operation of your Virtual Office account to ContactOffice.com during the next 30 days.
As part of this transition, on Monday, June 29, 2009, we changed email addresses in the office.com domain to ones in the contactoffice.com domain.
To access your existing account, you will now need to log in at Virtual office
As of Friday, July 31, 2009, Office.com will no longer be available so please be sure to bookmark this URL for future use. Also, if you use POP or IMAP with Office.com you will need to change your settings to pop.contactoffice.net and imap.contactoffice.net respectively.
For new users looking please visit us at 'http://office.contactoffice.com to register for your free subscription.
We are committed to making this transition as seamless as possible and are working hard to minimize any inconvenience these changes may cause. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me by email at tom@contactoffice.com or by telephone, toll free, at 1-866-675-1776.
Sincerely yours,
Tom Graham and the Office.com Team
How to Stay Healthy During the Influenza A (H1N1) Pandemic
The recent outbreak of swine-origin influenza Virus A (also termed H1N1), or more commonly known as "swine flu," has many people concerned about their health. These concerns are justified, but need to be placed into perspective to avoid a social panic that will not benefit anyone. Swine flu is a respiratory disease found in pigs caused by Type A flu virus. It is contagious the same way any other known influenza virus is transmitted, which includes person-to-person contact via coughing and sneezin
Swine flu cannot be transmitted by eating or handling pork, and properly cooked pork is safe to be consumed. Also, as with any influenza outbreak, people with underlying medical conditions such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, poorly controlled diabetes and similar clinical conditions are likely more susceptible to acquiring swine flu if they come into contact with the virus. It is essential to remember that for anyone, regardless of their health status, the only way to get swine flu is by coming into contact with a person actively infected with a confirmed case of H1N1. In this article I will help you to understand how to prevent swine flu, review the symptoms of infection and examine prevention/treatment interventions that are effective and available.
Instructions
Step 1
The basics of infection are simple and you already know them; however, it may be a good time for you to sit down with your family and review them:
• Eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables.
• Keep yourself hydrated by drinking enough water.
• Get adequate rest and exercise to help your immune system function properly.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or one of the many over-the-counter hand sanitizers. Hands should always be washed after using the bathroom, eating, sneezing, coughing or touching any object that may be contaminated with significant bacteria or viruses. A simple-to-follow-rule is that if you have any doubt about whether or not you should be washing your hands, then you should indeed be washing them!
• If you develop cold-like symptoms, even mild ones, it is best to stay home from work, school and social events for the time being. Your cold symptoms will more likely be the “common cold” that will typically respond to your usual self-care interventions. However, if they worsen you should contact your medical provider immediately.
* The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also suggest that anyone who is strongly suspected of having contracted swine flu be asked to wear a disposable face mask to prevent possible transmission to others.
Step 2
Know the signs and symptoms of swine flu in order to protect yourself and your family. Remember that swine flu presents itself like virtually any other flu-like syndrome, so while it is prudent to be cautious, the odds of you not coming into contract with someone with cold-like or allergy symptoms this time of year are fairly remote--so please do not overreact. Remember, the only way to get infected with swine flu is to come into contact with someone who has a confirmed case of the virus or by touching a swine flu virus-contaminated object.
The basic symptoms of swine flu include: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Diarrhea and vomiting have also been reported, but to a lesser extent.
Step 3
Since it's not yet known how easily swine flu is transmitted between people, it may be wise to avoid close contact with people who are displaying flu-like symptoms; however, it may not be necessary to isolate yourself from an ill individual if you feel well and are taking the precautions listed in Step 1. While not yet the standard of care, the ill person might provide you with a level of protection if they wear a disposable mask covering their nose and mouth while in your presence.
Step 4
If you have come into contact with a person suspected of having or confirmed with swine flu there are two drugs that can be taken to prevent you from becoming infected with the virus or to lessen the severity of the disease. Currently only two out of the five anti-viral flu drugs are effective against swine flu. The two effective medications are: Oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu ®) to prevent and treat in people 1 year of age or older and Zanamivir (brand name Relenza ®) is approved to treat people 7 years and older and to prevent Influenza A and B virus infection in people 5 years and older. Currently, there are health authorities testing other medications, but as of now only Tamiflu and Relenza are known to help with swine flu infection. Generally, treatment for swine flu is a 5-day course of therapy and 10 days are required for prevention control. It is also important to note that these drugs are not in short supply or difficult to manufacture. There is no reason to stock pile drugs or panic.
Step 5
Stay informed. The science and knowledge of swine flu infection and treatment is rapidly evolving on a daily basis, which is normal when there is a flu breakout. Newly developed information should not be considered a concern or reason to panic. It should be viewed as scientific advancement; the health care community is learning more about this emerging infection.
Tips & Warnings
* Swine flu is a real health issue, but one that can be better controlled with correct information and prevention strategies.
* Review and re-review your prevention interventions listed in this article and make sure each member of your family or community understands them.
* Information and treatment are expected to change due to the advances in our ability to learn about swine flu and to communicate more effectively worldwide via the Internet.
Richard Ferri | ehow
Windows 7 Upgrade Chart Sparks Spat
A chart Microsoft provided to a Wall Street Journal columnist that spells out which versions of Windows and XP can be upgraded to Windows 7 without a cumbersome "clean install" is causing a dust-up between bloggers and prompted Apple users to poke fun at Microsoft's upgrade process.
The chart, which Microsoft provided to Walt Mossberg, who writes the popular "Personal Technology" column in the Wall Street Journal, consists of a 66-cell matrix that details what XP and Vista users face when upgrading to Microsoft's next operating system.
Only 14 of the cells indicate an "in-place" upgrade, one that retains all data and applications, but simply swaps out the OS. Vista Home Premium, for example, can be upgraded in-place only to Windows 7 Home Premium or Windows 7 Ultimate.
The remaining 52 cells show where users must do a "custom" install, also often referred to as a "clean" install. That process requires users to back up data and settings, install Windows 7, then restore the data and re-install all applications.
Ed Bott, a noted Windows blogger and author, called the chart a public relations mistake -- "Someone at Microsoft is secretly working for Apple," he said in a Thursday post -- but said concerns over the size of the matrix, and the overwhelming number of "custom" cells, is overblown.
"Most customers considering an upgrade will be running one of a handful of Windows products," Bott said. "If they are using Windows XP, they'll need to do a custom install to move up to Windows 7. That was announced ages ago. Most Vista users will have clear and logical upgrade paths from their current edition to the same edition of Windows 7."
Bott crafted his own version of the chart that reduced the cell count to 14, half of the cells marked as suitable for "in-place" upgrading.
Joe Wilcox, a former JupiterResearch analyst and now a blogger and contributor to BetaNews, countered Bott's contention that things are not as bad as the Microsoft chart showed. "Ed uses smoke and mirrors -- a mistake regarding Windows Starter -- to try and discredit the chart," Wilcox argued.
"God bless him, Ed spent hours redoing Microsoft's chart to something simpler," Wilcox continued. "It's too simple, ignoring the many real 32-bit and 64-bit combinations that consumers will encounter as they decide on which Windows 7 edition is right for them."
Apple fans and users have also waded into the rumpus.
In an entry yesterday to The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs, "Fake Steve Jobs" wrote of the chart: "Green boxes represent upgrades that will be painful but won't kill you. Blue boxes represent upgrades that will kill you." (The diary is written by Dan Lyons, the technology columnist for Newsweek who uses the moniker Fake Steve Jobs.)
Fake Steve Jobs then linked to a page he said represents Apple's upgrade path from Mac OS X 10.4 and 10.5 to the upcoming Mac OS X 10.6, aka Snow Leopard, which is to launch next month.
The Cult of Mac blog did one better, aping the Microsoft chart with Apple's version for Snow Leopard.
Similar charts have popped up on other Apple-oriented sites.
"It's definitely dumb marketing," said Michael Silver, an analyst with Gartner, when asked for his take on the chart Microsoft provided Mossberg. "But you have to realize that the vast, vast majority of Windows 7 will ship pre-installed on new PCs."
For those who do upgrade to Windows 7, rather than buy a new PC at some point down the road with the OS pre-installed, the process isn't as onerous as the chart -- and Wilcox -- hint, Silver added. "For the majority of Vista users, they will pop the 32-bit Windows 7 disc in and be done," he said. "And most new PCs shipped to consumers over the past three years shipped with Vista anyway. Really, the biggest issue should be to know if they're running 64-bit, which has shipped on some consumer PCs."
And the jabs from the Apple side of the aisle aren't fair, said Silver. "Apple has an entirely different business model," he said. "They don't have a large enterprise market they need to support, and they don't have as much and as big a variety of legacy [applications]. Controlling the hardware and catering to consumers allows them to greatly simplify things.
"Windows users will always need to know a bit more about their systems than Mac users," Silver explained. It comes with the broader [Windows] ecosystem and deeper legacy."
Microsoft has slated an Oct 22 launch for Windows 7, although developers and IT professionals were allowed to download the final code starting yesterday. Apple, meanwhile, has only promised to deliver Snow Leopard sometime during September. It has not yet nailed down a specific date.
Gregg Keizer, Computerworld
Sony's S-Series Walkman Emerges; It's No iPod Killer
Sony's X-series Walkman (otherwise known as the OLED Walkman) has barely had time to make a splash in the US market, and already Sony is preparing to launch anoher music player. Based on some believable details leaked on Materiel's website (a French e-tailer), the new S-Series Walkman will arrive in 8GB (NWZ-S544) and 16GB (NWZ-S545) models, and while we doubt it'll compete with the heralded iPod touch, the built-in kickstand should make it suitable for movie watching, regardless.
The display has a 2.4" QVGA display, stereo speakers, a built-in FM tuner, a microphone, a rechargeable battery and a pretty crazy battery life figure. We're talking about 42 hours of audio playback or 6.5 hours for video. Also of note, the device looks to support a litany of file format, and the estimated $180 (8GB)/$211 (16GB) price tags don't seem all that outrageous. Of course, we've still got to wait for Sony to confirm this unit as real, but really, we're just waiting for the company to confirm a US price and release date.
Via: Sony Insider
Monday, August 10, 2009
Nvidia Warranty Costs Much Higher Than Expected
Nvidia’s second quarter profits are evidence that poor quality costs much more than just bad PR. The company recorded a charge of $119 million to cover warranty costs associated with faulty die and weak packaging materials used in its graphics chips. This is significantly better than the $196 million it had already written off for the same reason, but it was still much higher than analysts were expecting.
Most of these issues can be traced back to a faulty solder bump that was discovered in its 8M-series mobile graphics chip. Nvidia estimated at the time that the warranty costs could be somewhere in the range of $200 million, but clearly the $315+ million they have already spent shows they were perhaps a bit overly conservative in their estimates. This might be a result of the problem reportedly cropping up in G92 and G94 series mobile cards as well, but Nvidia has been pretty tight lipped on the issue.
When asked to comment on the charge Nvidia downplayed the impact and described them as a small distraction. Nvidia President and CEO Jen-Hsun Huang claims it hasn’t impacted Nvidia’s ability to launch new products, and he expects profits to rise in the near future. Huang is being optimistic, but he is likely hoping to reassure investors who saw the company’s revenue drop this quarter to $776.5 million from $892.6 million only a year ago. “The company has invested in new products such as Tesla, a graphics processing unit for high-performance computing, and low-power Tegra chips for mobile devices. The products should start contributing to the revenue stream soon”, Huang said.
via maximumpc
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Google vs Bing
Enmity two giant software and Internet giants Google and Microsoft that is more exciting course. Even of late-summer heat again. One form of competition between the two services is Search Engine (search engine). Read also "Chrome Google Operating System" other forms of competition between the google microsoft.
You may already know that Microsoft has to change / update to its search engine, which was initially called msn (http://search.msn.com) now called bing (http://www.bing.com). While Google remains the best search engine (google.com), which has long been the / rule the world search engine.
Enmity between the two search engines (search engine) that has this interesting someone named Domagoi Pavlesic. He has the idea to combine (accommodate) the two search engines in one site search service that is given the name bing vs google.
Search Engine - Google vs. Bing
Bing vs. Google with a http://bing-vs-google.com search combine the results from this second search engine (google and bing) in the two frames side by side in a one-page / page. So we can see a direct comparison of results from both a keyword search engine is.
According to me, this is a site search service of interest to try. Because we can get search results from the two giant search engines are different as well. This can also help broaden our search results.
