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		<title>A Successful Business Starts With Your Personal Health</title>
		<link>http://www.fiercediscussions.com/2008/01/12/a-successful-business-starts-with-your-personal-health/</link>
		<comments>http://www.fiercediscussions.com/2008/01/12/a-successful-business-starts-with-your-personal-health/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 12 Jan 2008 20:06:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Patrick</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Motivational]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[business]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[health]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.fiercediscussions.com/2008/01/12/a-successful-business-starts-with-your-personal-health/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[


Having a good successful small business starts with your own health. There are many days that you will feel stressed, especially when you just start your own business. Stress will start with questions like; Am I going to make money? Do I have the right people in place? Will I have enough customers? Can I [...]]]></description>
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<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Having a good successful small business starts with your own health. There are many days that you will feel stressed, especially when you just start your own business. Stress will start with questions like; Am I going to make money? Do I have the right people in place? Will I have enough customers? Can I pay my bills? Can I avoid getting sick so my business will continue to run?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Lots of questions and these questions will cause stress and take a hit on your health. In many cases, you don&#8217;t even realize that stress can take a toll on your life till physical damage has been done.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><img src="http://www.fiercediscussions.com/images/bus-health.jpg" alt="Good health is important for a successful business" width="351" height="311" align="middle" /></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">When you start a business, you will be “running” around 24&#215;7. Yes, even in your sleep you will be running your business. When you go to parties, you will be talking about your business and in the right circumstances, you build a network relationships at the same time but a lot of energy goes in to these efforts.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Fortunately, you can maintain a healthy life style that make you even a better business owner.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Have you seen the TV program, the <a title="Biggest Loser TV Show" href="http://www.nbc.com/The_Biggest_Loser/" target="_blank">biggest loser</a>? In this program you will see 2 personal trainers: <a title="Jillian Michaels" href="http://www.jillianmichaels.com" target="_blank">Jillian Michaels</a> and <a title="Bob Harper" href="http://www.trainerbob.tv/index.html" target="_blank">Bob Harper</a>. Like all personal trainers, these people are always upbeat, energetic and look great. Tell me if you know full time personal trainers that are not upbeat and energetic. I bet you won&#8217;t find many.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Motivational speakers are 99% of the time people with a good physical condition as well. They work out and eat healthy.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">What I want to say is that a healthy psychical body will radiates its energy to your brain. When you feel physically healthy, your mind feels automatically healthy as well. The body and mind are one system.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">In your busy schedule, you should make time for exercise and make no excuse that you don&#8217;t have 30 minutes a day to step on a treadmill or elliptical machine. <a title="What 30 minutes a day exercise can do for you!" href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/aerobic-exercise/EP00002" target="_blank">30 minutes a day</a> is all it takes. Another advantage of a 30 minute workout: a lot of creative thoughts will pop up during your workout session. I have a notepad, in the room to write ideas down so I won&#8217;t forget them. While exercising think about what you have accomplished in the last 48 hours and how you can improve your business.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Another good activity during a workout session is listening to an audio book. I listen to audio books during stretch and weight training. Our library in town has many business books that you can borrow so you will learn additional business skills during your workout.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">After a few days with workout sessions, you will feel the benefits. In your body and mind. Plus you will set a good example for your employees. With the creative ideas that came up during the workout, you turn physical gain into capital gain.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">If you decide to go to a gym, you can build relationships when you have completed your workout session. Go to the bar and take a energy drink. Talk to other people at the bar and share business cards.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><strong>Disclaimer:</strong> I am not a doctor so before beginning any exercise program, it may be recommended that you first consult a physician or other qualified health care provider. A physician or other health care provider can determine what type of exercise, the frequency, and the intensity are appropriate for each individual. A physician or other health care provider may be able to recommend an exercise program that will cater to your specific heath concerns and needs.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">
<table border="0" width="490">
<tbody>
<tr><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME~1/Sue/LOCALS~1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME~1/Sue/LOCALS~1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Companies-Leap-Others/dp/0066620996%3FSubscriptionId%3D02E5W5871AJF7PMMMS82%26tag%3Dprofiwithinfo-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D0066620996"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41jIwFO%2BnTL._SL75_.jpg" alt="" /></a></td>
<td>
<div class="amazon-reloaded-info"><a class="amazon-reloaded-product-link" name="0066620996" href="http://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Companies-Leap-Others/dp/0066620996%3FSubscriptionId%3D02E5W5871AJF7PMMMS82%26tag%3Dprofiwithinfo-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D0066620996">Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap&#8230; and Others Don&#8217;t</a></div>
</td>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/4-Hour-Workweek-Escape-Live-Anywhere/dp/0307353133%3FSubscriptionId%3D02E5W5871AJF7PMMMS82%26tag%3Dprofiwithinfo-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D0307353133"><br />
</a></p>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/4-Hour-Workweek-Escape-Live-Anywhere/dp/0307353133%3FSubscriptionId%3D02E5W5871AJF7PMMMS82%26tag%3Dprofiwithinfo-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D0307353133"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51FSaZaVA3L._SL75_.jpg" alt="" /></a></td>
<td><a class="amazon-reloaded-product-link" name="0307353133" href="http://www.amazon.com/4-Hour-Workweek-Escape-Live-Anywhere/dp/0307353133%3FSubscriptionId%3D02E5W5871AJF7PMMMS82%26tag%3Dprofiwithinfo-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D0307353133">The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Things-Done-Stress-Free-Productivity/dp/0142000280%3FSubscriptionId%3D02E5W5871AJF7PMMMS82%26tag%3Dprofiwithinfo-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D0142000280"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/4104N6ME70L._SL75_.jpg" alt="" /></a></td>
<td><a class="amazon-reloaded-product-link" name="0142000280" href="http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Things-Done-Stress-Free-Productivity/dp/0142000280%3FSubscriptionId%3D02E5W5871AJF7PMMMS82%26tag%3Dprofiwithinfo-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D0142000280">Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Take action and stay focused - Set only one goal at the time</title>
		<link>http://www.fiercediscussions.com/2008/01/04/take-action-and-stay-focused-set-only-one-goal-at-the-time/</link>
		<comments>http://www.fiercediscussions.com/2008/01/04/take-action-and-stay-focused-set-only-one-goal-at-the-time/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 04 Jan 2008 05:49:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Patrick</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Motivational]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.fiercediscussions.com/2008/01/04/take-action-and-stay-focused-set-only-one-goal-at-the-time/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[


Following your dream is not always an easy task and I can talk about my dreams for hours. Having big dreams is great but unless you take action and make those dreams a reality, the dreams are worth nothing.
In fact, I believe having big dreams without taking action can make you easily depressed, especially when [...]]]></description>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Following your dream is not always an easy task and I can talk about my dreams for hours. Having big dreams is great but unless you take action and make those dreams a reality, the dreams are worth nothing.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In fact, I believe having big dreams without taking action can make you easily depressed, especially when you see other people living <strong>your</strong> dream successfully.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Today, during the TV program from Donny Deutsch called: <a href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/15838512" title="The Big Idea website from Donny Deutsch" target="_blank">The Big Idea</a>, I was reminded again that I was falling in the same trap of only dreaming about my ideas and not taking the next step.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Only I can take steps to make my dreams come true, nobody else can do that for me. In fact Joel Osteen, a popular pastor, preaches these same words in many of his books and that God wants you to live your life in the best possible way and rewards will follow.<o:p><br />
</o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Anyways, during the commercial breaks, I caught myself dreaming a few steps ahead during the TV program: wishing that I have a successful business and make a lot of money. I was dreaming or actually thinking what I can do with all that money that I am going to earn. <span> </span>I was dreaming how proud my wife would be if I become a successful business man. “Big mistake”, I said to myself after the show. My wife will only be proud if I take the first step towards success and commit to a goal.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Robert Shemin was today’s guest in Donny Deutsch’s program. He made in a very motivational way clear to me that the first step you take is action. Just like the Nike slogan says: Just Do It. He also made clear to set only one goal at the time. That’s right, only one powerful success goal. Preferably, set a goal that is expressed in a financial statement and promise yourself to focus on that goal before setting another goal. Don’t set a goal in which you don’t improve yourself. In other words: don’t waste your time.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am very <span> </span>enthusiastic about Robert’s wise words and checked out his new book called:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>How Come That Idiot&#8217;s Rich and I&#8217;m Not? <o:p></o:p></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Unfortunately, his book is not being published till Match 2008. I hate it that his book is not yet been published because there are some good topics described in his book.<br />
<o:p> </o:p><br />
Other elements from his book that will be handled:</p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal">play while      your money goes to work</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">stop      building someone else’s business and start building your own</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">live      and think like a millionaire while you’re becoming one</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">use      the power and “smarts” of other Rich Idiots to help you join the Rich      Idiot Club</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">add      OPI (other people’s ideas), OPT (other people’s time), and OPE (other      people’s experience) to do less and make more tap into timeless secrets      that unlock the energy and spiritual power of money<o:p> </o:p></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal">Well, I am telling you. I am not going to wait with taking action to become successful till Robert’s book is published. The message was clear: Take action!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">By the way: on the <a href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/19313789" title="Success Stories - The Big Idea Site" target="_blank">Big Idea website from Donny Deutsch</a>, you will find some awesome examples on how people took action and became successful. I recommend you to take a look at these articles and let me know what you think about his TV program.</p>
<table border="0" width="490">
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=0307395073%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B000FV90LY%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank"><img src="http://rcm-images.amazon.com/images/I/21z7lTHoF6L._SL110_.jpg" alt="8 player 48" height="75" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307395073?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=profiwithinfo-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=0307395073">How Come That Idiot&#8217;s Rich and I&#8217;m Not?</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=0743296885%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/0743296885%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/11ttse-f0XL.jpg" alt="Become a Better You" height="75" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=0743296885%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/0743296885%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank">Become a Better You</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=0307353133%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/0307353133%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/01rnApG3ePL.jpg" alt="The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich" height="75" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=0307353133%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/0307353133%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank">The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich</a></td>
</tr>
</table>
<p><script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script></p>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Everybody can start a WordPress Blog with this process flowchart</title>
		<link>http://www.fiercediscussions.com/2008/01/02/everybody-can-start-a-wordpress-blog-with-this-process-flowchart/</link>
		<comments>http://www.fiercediscussions.com/2008/01/02/everybody-can-start-a-wordpress-blog-with-this-process-flowchart/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 02 Jan 2008 18:27:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Patrick</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Blogging]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.fiercediscussions.com/2008/01/02/everybody-can-start-a-wordpress-blog-with-this-process-flowchart/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ Very recently, I started a WordPress blog and learned a lot  from other bloggers in a short time. With the information listed below on how  to start a WordPress blog, I hope that I can help people that want to start a  blog.
If I miss essential information in the list below, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p> Very recently, I started a WordPress blog and learned a lot  from other bloggers in a short time. With the information listed below on how  to start a WordPress blog, I hope that I can help people that want to start a  blog.</p>
<p>If I miss essential information in the list below, please  feel to leave a comment so I can improve this list and flowchart. If you have good resource  information on how to create a successful blog, please leave the web site  address behind with a comment.</p>
<p>Again, I just started myself. The number of posts that I  have written is still very low but I can use constructive comments and  opinions.</p>
<p><!--adsense#banner_posts--></p>
<p><strong>Process flowchart:  How To Start  A WordPress Blog</strong></p>
<p>A picture outlines the process better than 1,000 words so I thought  it is a good idea to provide a high level overview of the process steps that I  took for my WordPress blog. <strong>Please click on picture below to see whole the process  flowchart in large view.</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.fiercediscussions.com/images/create_blog/Blog_FlowChart.gif"></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.fiercediscussions.com/images/create_blog/Blog_FlowChart.gif" title="Process Flowchart: How to create WordPress Blog" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.fiercediscussions.com/images/create_blog/Blog_FlowChart_sm.gif" height="234" width="400" /></a></p>
<h6 align="center">click on image to enlarge</h6>
<p><strong>Process steps with  sub process steps</strong></p>
<p>With a few sub bullets, I provide you more detailed  information.</p>
<p>Not listed in the process steps are testing and back up  steps but we all know to do this as much as possible.</p>
<ul type="disc">
<li><strong>Register/obtain domain name</strong>
<ul type="circle">
<li>Select        a name that reflects your blog purpose</li>
<li>Select        a short easy to remember domain name</li>
<li>Good        sites to buy a domain:
<ul type="square">
<li><a href="http://help.godaddy.com/article_list.php?topic_id=612">GoDaddy.com</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.register.com/">Register.com</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>“domain        name selling stores” are called domain registrars</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li><strong>Select a web host provider that:</strong>
<ul>
<li>supports        PHP scripts</li>
</ul>
<ul type="circle">
<li>allows        execution of PHP scripts and provide you with a least one MYSQL database</li>
<li>provides        you enough network bandwidth for a lot of visitor traffic</li>
<li>is        known for high ratio of server uptime. Server uptime is important because        web host server down equals blog site down</li>
<li>installs        and upgrade WordPress with a click of a button:
<ul type="square">
<li><a href="http://www.inmotionhosting.com/">InMotion Hosting</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.globat.com/">Globat</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.lunarpages.com/">Lunarpages</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li><strong>Point your domain name to the web host       provider’s name servers (DNS servers)</strong>
<ul>
<li>The Domain Name system (DNS) serves        as the phone book for internet</li>
</ul>
<ul type="circle">
<li>Translates        an IP address to a readable domain name</li>
<li>Get        the DNS address from your web host provider and add this address  under your domain name account from        GoDaddy.com, Register.com or any other domain registrars</li>
<li>Example:        To make DNS link to a domain name that you have registered through        GoDaddy.com:
<ul type="square">
<li>Go         to GoDaddy.com</li>
<li>Click         on &#8220;My Account&#8221; (upper right area of screen)</li>
<li>Enter         your login name and password provided by GoDaddy and click &#8220;Secure         Login&#8221;</li>
<li>Click         on &#8220;Manage Domains&#8221;</li>
<li>Click         on the domain name you wish to modify</li>
<li>In         the Name Server Summary area choose &#8220;Click here to see details or         modify&#8221;</li>
<li>Enter         the new Name Servers from selected web host provider</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Example:        To make DNS link to a domain name that you have registered through Register.com:
<ul type="square">
<li>Go         to the Register.com</li>
<li>Click         on login to go to the Account Management area</li>
<li>Enter         the  username and password         provided by Register.com</li>
<li>Select         the domain name for which you wish to change DNS Servers</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li><strong>Create an email account under your new       domain name</strong>
<ul type="circle">
<li>This        email address will be used during the WordPress account creation</li>
<li>You        can create a separate email account for blog feedback that you might        receive.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li><strong>Register for a WordPress account with       your new domain email account</strong>
<ul type="circle">
<li>WordPress        sign up link: <a href="http://wordpress.com/signup/">http://WordPress.com/signup</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li><strong>Install WordPress files</strong>
<ul type="circle">
<li>If        you have a web host provider that has a one click install than you are        lucky and you can skip the following sub bullets;</li>
<li>Download        WordPress files at: <a href="http://wordpress.org/download/">http://wordpress.org/download/</a></li>
<li>Follow        install instructions at: <a href="http://wordpress.org/docs/installation/5-minute/">http://wordpress.org/docs/installation/5-minute/</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li><strong>Select a WordPress theme (blog       template)</strong>
<ul type="circle">
<li>Stay        away from one column templates. One column templates often limits your        freedom with widgets and plugins</li>
<li>Choose        a WordPress template at: <a href="http://themes.wordpress.net/">http://themes.wordpress.net/</a></li>
<li>You        can sort available theme templates by descending order on number of        downloads so you know which templates are very popular</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li><strong>Install your selected WordPress theme       on your host provider server</strong>
<ul type="circle">
<li>Upload        your theme to your web host server with a free FTP Client from <a href="http://www.download.com/">CNET        Downloads</a>:
<ul type="square">
<li>Core         FTP LE</li>
<li>Leech         FTP</li>
<li>CoffeeCup         Free FTP</li>
<li>AceFTP         Freeware</li>
<li>FileZilla</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Using        an FTP client to access your host web server, create a directory to        contain your theme in the wp-content/themes directory provided by        WordPress. For example, a theme named Test should be in        wp-content/themes/test. Your theme may provide this directory as part of        the archive</li>
<li>Additional        Wordpress theme installation instructions: <a href="http://codex.wordpress.org/Using_Themes">http://codex.wordpress.org/Using_Themes</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li><strong>Configure your WordPress blog</strong>
<ul type="circle">
<li>Logon        to your WordPress blog at: <a href="http://www.yourdomainname.com/wp-admin/">http://www.yourdomainname.com/wp-admin/</a></li>
<li>After        logon, bookmark the WordPress admin blog page because you will go to this        page very often</li>
<li>Go        to the menu/toolbar option: Presentation and ensure the correct theme is        listed under current theme</li>
<li>Under        Presentation, you will also find a sub menu with a choice to select        Widgets. Drag and Drop the widgets you want to see on your sidebars</li>
<li>Under        Options on the menu/toolbar you will find menu sub menu choices. Go        through each of them and adjust settings as you wish.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li><strong>Update       Permalinks</strong>
<ul type="circle">
<li>Change        your Permalink structure. Change the default permalink choice that        displays your links as: http://www.your-blog.com/?p=123 to date and named        base or create a custom permalink. One of the best permalink choices for        search engine optimization is: date and named base as shown in the        following format example:  <a href="http://www.your-blog.com/2007/12/26/sample-post/">http://www.your-blog.com/2008/01/01/my-first-post/</a>Search engines will now use the keywords in your web links in their        search engine database.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li><strong>Install and configure WordPress       plugins</strong>
<ul type="circle">
<li>Wordpress        plugins  are the true power behind        Wordpress, they are tools to extend the functionality of WordPress</li>
<li>Wordpress        plugins simplify your Wordpress customization by adding additional blog        features</li>
<li>You        don’t need programming knowledge in order to use plugins</li>
<li>Must        have plugins:
<ul type="square">
<li><a href="http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/all-in-one-seo-pack/#post-753">All-in-One         SEO Pack</a> - Optimizes your Wordpress blog for Search Engines</li>
<li><a href="http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/comment-timeout/">Comment         Timeout</a> - This plugin automatically closes comments on blog entries         after a user- configurable period of time.</li>
<li><a href="http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/google-sitemap-generator/#post-132">Google         Sitemaps</a> - This plugin will create a Google sitemaps compliant         XML-Sitemap of your WordPress blog</li>
<li><a href="http://txfx.net/code/wordpress/subscribe-to-comments/">Subscribe         to Comments</a> - Subscribe to Comments is a robust plugin that enables         commenters to sign up for e-mail notification of subsequent entries</li>
<li><a href="http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wp-polls/">WP-Polls</a> – With         this plugin you can add web polls to your blog.</li>
<li>Search         WordPress plugin site for other good plugins: <a href="http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/browse/popular/">http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/browse/popular/</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li><strong>Create static WordPress pages</strong>
<ul type="circle">
<li>Create        an About page (still on my To-Do list for this blog)</li>
<li>Create:        what is RSS page with an RSS link to your feed</li>
<li>Create        a custom 401 Error Page (still on my To-Do list for this blog)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li><strong>Subscribe       to Feedburner</strong>
<ul>
<li>Read: <a href="http://www.fiercediscussions.com/what-is-rss/">what is RSS</a> if you don’t        know what RSS is</li>
</ul>
<ul type="circle">
<li>Feedburner will show        you statistics about your RSS Subscribers</li>
<li>Sign        up for <a href="http://www.feedburner.com/">Feedburner</a></li>
<li>If        not done yet, install <a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/help/wordpress_quickstart">Feedburner        Feedsmith plugin</a></li>
<li>Create        large RSS icon link so your visitors can subscribe to your RSS Feed</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li><strong>Setup       statistic tools for your blog</strong>
<ul type="circle">
<li>Measure how        successful your blog is</li>
<li>Set realistic goals        for your blog and monitor your goals with statistic blog tools</li>
<li>Statistical blogging tools:
<ul type="square">
<li><a href="http://www.google.com/analytics/">Google Analytics</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/popup-whypro">Feedburner</a></li>
<li><a href="http://codex.wordpress.org/Plugins/Statistics">WordPress Statistics plugins</a></li>
<li>Your web host         server statistical logs and tools</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li><strong>Write quality posts</strong>
<ul type="circle">
<li>Place        yourself in the shoes of your readers when writing a blog article and ask        yourself the question: what did this article teach me and did it help me.</li>
<li>Only        quality posts will generate traffic</li>
<li>Quality        is more important than quantity</li>
<li>Use        accurate grammar and spelling</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li><strong>Promote your blog</strong>
<ul type="circle">
<li>Enable        RSS feed for your site and ask people to subscribe to your blog feed.        Look at my <a href="http://www.fiercediscussions.com/what-is-rss/">what is RSS</a> that explains        the reasons</li>
<li>Visit        other blogs and leave constructive comments (networking is important)</li>
<li>Submit        your site to search engine directories</li>
<li>Add <a href="http://www.digg.com/">Digg.com</a> and <a href="http://sphinn.com/">Sphinn.com</a> buttons</li>
<li>Respond        to comments left by visitors</li>
<li>Remove        inappropriate comments on your blog</li>
<li>Use <a href="http://pingomatic.com/">Ping-o-Matic</a> service for post promotion</li>
<li>Set        expectations for your visitors. In the about page, you list your goals        and provide useful information about the intent of your blog</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li><strong>Improve Your Blog for Search Engine       Optimization</strong>
<ul>
<li>Use <a href="http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/all-in-one-seo-pack/#post-753">All-in-One        SEO Pack</a> plugin</li>
</ul>
<ul type="circle">
<li>Create        a different title for each post</li>
<li>By        reading the title only, the visitor must be able to know what to expect        from your blog article</li>
<li>Create        a different blog post description, through the <a href="http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/all-in-one-seo-pack/#post-753">All-in-One        SEO Pack</a></li>
<li>Use        blog post tags to add additional search engine keywords</li>
<li>Create        a <a href="http://www.sitemaps.org/">sitemap</a> for your blog with the <a href="http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/google-sitemap-generator/#post-132">Google        Sitemaps</a> plugin</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<table border="0" width="490">
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=0470149469%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/0470149469%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/111puPwmt5L.jpg" alt="WordPress For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))" height="75" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=0470149469%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/0470149469%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank">WordPress For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=1904811892%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/1904811892%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/11AH977ZVXL.jpg" alt="WordPress Complete: set up, customize, and market your blog" height="75" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=1904811892%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/1904811892%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank">WordPress Complete: set up, customize, and market your blog</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=1599180472%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/1599180472%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/11BCZY29H1L.jpg" alt="Start Your Own Blogging Business (Startup)" height="75" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=1599180472%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/1599180472%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank">Start Your Own Blogging Business (Startup)</a></td>
</tr>
</table>
<p><script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.fiercediscussions.com/2008/01/02/everybody-can-start-a-wordpress-blog-with-this-process-flowchart/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<item>
		<title>Organize a successful Texas Hold’em poker night.</title>
		<link>http://www.fiercediscussions.com/2007/12/30/organize-a-successful-texas-holdem-poker-night/</link>
		<comments>http://www.fiercediscussions.com/2007/12/30/organize-a-successful-texas-holdem-poker-night/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 31 Dec 2007 02:38:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Patrick</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Entertainment]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[playing cards]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Poker]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.fiercediscussions.com/2007/12/30/organize-a-successful-texas-holdem-poker-night/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Last week, I attended a poker night and had a lot of fun. With  6 friends, we were sitting around the table with a glass of whiskey. Some of  them even smoked a few cigars. We made an agreement that we were going to wear a shirt with a tie. After 10 minutes [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><!--adsense#banner_posts--></p>
<p>Last week, I attended a poker night and had a lot of fun. With  6 friends, we were sitting around the table with a glass of whiskey. Some of  them even smoked a few cigars. We made an agreement that we were going to wear a shirt with a tie. After 10 minutes of plying poker, I had to think about a photo that I  found  on a stock photo site. Dogs playing poker:</p>
<p><img src="http://www.fiercediscussions.com/files/poker/Poker_Dogs_with_cigars.jpg" alt="Dogs playing poker" width="308" height="231" /></p>
<p>The time flew by and although I lost some money (less than  $20), I had a blast. In fact, I spend less than I normally would do when I go out to a bar. Because everybody had a print out of the Texas Hold&#8217;em rules, we were able to play the game without major discussions.</p>
<p>I can recommend organizing a poker night to everybody.</p>
<p><strong>What is poker?</strong></p>
<p>Poker is a number of card games that is being played by two  or more players who are making a bet.</p>
<p>The bet is based on the value of the cards in their hand  and/or based on the position at the table.</p>
<p>Poker is of French-American origin and one of the most  popular games in America.  Poker is believed to be played first in New    Orleans in the early 1800’s.</p>
<p>Poker is a complex game; it combines skill, luck and  psychology. The most popular poker games are Texas Hold’em Poker, Omaha poker, Video Poker,  Seven Card Stud and other types of Stud.</p>
<p>Most poker games like Texas Hold&#8217;em is a relatively easy game to learn but  difficult to master.</p>
<p>The goal of poker is not to win money, it is to play your  cards right. If you make a series of correct decisions, money will follow.</p>
<p><strong>Texas Hold’em Poker,  the game we played</strong></p>
<p>Currently Texas Hold’em Poker is very popular. There are  some good books and guides that can help you started to play poker on a  competitive level.</p>
<p>If you really get serious with Texas Hold’em poker then you have  to read one of these books. They are the best poker books you can buy at this moment.</p>
<table border="0" width="490">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=1880685337%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/1880685337%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/01ENY0NRA4L.jpg" alt="Harrington on Hold 'em Expert Strategy for No Limit Tournaments, Vol. 1: Strategic Play" width="1" height="1" /></a></td>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Harrington-Expert-Strategy-Limit-Tournaments/dp/1880685337%3FSubscriptionId%3D02E5W5871AJF7PMMMS82%26tag%3Dprofiwithinfo-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D1880685337"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51TTYJ8THNL._SL75_.jpg" alt="" /></a></p>
<td><a class="amazon-reloaded-product-link" name="1880685337" href="http://www.amazon.com/Harrington-Expert-Strategy-Limit-Tournaments/dp/1880685337%3FSubscriptionId%3D02E5W5871AJF7PMMMS82%26tag%3Dprofiwithinfo-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D1880685337">Harrington on Hold &#8216;em Expert Strategy for No Limit Tournaments, Vol. 1: Strategic Play</a></td>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Full-Tilt-Poker-Strategy-Guide/dp/0446698601%3FSubscriptionId%3D02E5W5871AJF7PMMMS82%26tag%3Dprofiwithinfo-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D0446698601"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51KMPl2RcUL._SL75_.jpg" alt="" /></a></p>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=0446698601%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/0446698601%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/11V4gkHRzOL.jpg" alt="The Full Tilt Poker Strategy Guide: Tournament Edition" height="75" /></a></td>
<td><a class="amazon-reloaded-product-link" name="0446698601" href="http://www.amazon.com/Full-Tilt-Poker-Strategy-Guide/dp/0446698601%3FSubscriptionId%3D02E5W5871AJF7PMMMS82%26tag%3Dprofiwithinfo-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D0446698601">The Full Tilt Poker Strategy Guide: Tournament Edition</a></td>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Every-Hand-Revealed-Gus-Hansen/dp/0818407271%3FSubscriptionId%3D02E5W5871AJF7PMMMS82%26tag%3Dprofiwithinfo-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D0818407271"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41brTTcRy0L._SL75_.jpg" alt="" /></a></p>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=047004604X%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/047004604X%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/11miTgMzwaL.jpg" alt="Texas Hold'em For Dummies (For Dummies (Sports &amp; Hobbies))" height="75" /></a></td>
<td><a class="amazon-reloaded-product-link" name="0818407271" href="http://www.amazon.com/Every-Hand-Revealed-Gus-Hansen/dp/0818407271%3FSubscriptionId%3D02E5W5871AJF7PMMMS82%26tag%3Dprofiwithinfo-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D0818407271">Every Hand Revealed</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><strong>To play Texas Hold’em poker, you  need the following items:</strong></p>
<ul type="disc">
<li>Texas Hold’em       Rules.<br />
<a title="Texas Hold'em Poker Rules" href="http://www.fiercediscussions.com/files/poker/Texas%20Hol%27em%20Rules.doc" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.fiercediscussions.com/images/download.gif" alt="Download" width="50" height="44" /></a><br />
Click on the download icon to get the rules in Microsoft Word format from       my blog</li>
<li>Poker       Hands Overview Card. What poker hands are the winning hands.<br />
<a title="Poker Hands Reference Card" href="http://www.fiercediscussions.com/files/poker/Poker%20Hands.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.fiercediscussions.com/images/download.gif" alt="Download" width="50" height="44" /></a><br />
Click on the download icon to get Poker Hand Overview Card from my blog</li>
<li>Playing       Cards</li>
</ul>
<table style="height: 154px;" border="0" width="490">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B000T6906A%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B000T6906A%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/11yjHpfLOuL.jpg" alt="Kem Arrow Black Gold 100% Plastic Poker Playing Cards, 2 Deck Set, Wide Regular Index" height="75" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B000T6906A%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B000T6906A%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank">Kem Arrow Black Gold 100% Plastic Poker Playing Cards</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B00111MWQW%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B00111MWQW%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/11QGCsH0p0L.jpg" alt="2-Deck Set of Da Vinci 100% Plastic Italian Made Playing Cards - Ruote Design, Poker Size Regular Index" height="52" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B00111MWQW%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B00111MWQW%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank">2-Deck Set of Da Vinci 100% Plastic Italian Made Playing Cards</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B000G9Y3GC%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B000G9Y3GC%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/110GoIVckaL.jpg" alt="Baker's Dozen - 13 Decks of Cards from 13 Different Las Vegas Casinos" height="61" /></a></td>
<td align="left"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B000G9Y3GC%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B000G9Y3GC%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank">Baker&#8217;s Dozen - 13 Decks of Cards from 13 Different Las Vegas Casinos</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<ul type="disc">
<li>Texas       Hold’em Poker chips</li>
</ul>
<table border="0" width="490">
<tbody>
<tr><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Premium-Insert-Wheatear-Chips-Buttons/dp/B000CP3O0G%3FSubscriptionId%3D02E5W5871AJF7PMMMS82%26tag%3Dprofiwithinfo-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB000CP3O0G"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51YEGJVHFBL._SL75_.jpg" alt="" /></a></p>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B000CP3O0G%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B000CP3O0G%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/112ZZFF6FNL.jpg" alt="New Premium 500 Real Clay No Metal Insert 11.5 gram Crown Wheatear Poker Chips Set, w/6 Dealer Buttons, 5 Unique Poker Dice, &amp; 2 Decks of Cards" width="7" height="10" /></a></td>
<td><a class="amazon-reloaded-product-link" name="B000CP3O0G" href="http://www.amazon.com/Premium-Insert-Wheatear-Chips-Buttons/dp/B000CP3O0G%3FSubscriptionId%3D02E5W5871AJF7PMMMS82%26tag%3Dprofiwithinfo-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB000CP3O0G">Premium 500 Real Clay No Metal Insert 11.5 gram Crown Wheatear Poker Chips Set, w/6 Dealer Buttons, 5 Unique Poker Dice &amp; 2 Decks of Cards</a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B000CP3O0G%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B000CP3O0G%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank"> </a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B0007PJPW2%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B0007PJPW2%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/01GM1ZVCSYL.jpg" alt="500pc 11.5g Dice Style Poker Chip Set w/ Free Case and Accesories" height="47" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B0007PJPW2%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B0007PJPW2%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank">500pc 11.5g Dice Style Poker Chip Set w/ Free Case and Accesories</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B000GSY19W%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B000GSY19W%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/11DND6F55CL.jpg" alt="Grip 600 pc Professional Poker Chip Set" height="75" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B000GSY19W%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B000GSY19W%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank">Grip 600 pc Professional Poker Chip Set</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<ul type="disc">
<li>$1 and       $5 bills</li>
<li>Regular       kitchen table, poker table or poker playing mat</li>
</ul>
<table border="0" width="490">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B000FV90LY%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B000FV90LY%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/11YN9PNSSVL.jpg" alt="8 player 48" height="75" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B000FV90LY%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B000FV90LY%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank">8 player 48&#8243; octagon poker tabletop with chip/drink trays</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B0009TUIJA%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B0009TUIJA%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/01SBN9C5CKL.jpg" alt="8 Player Texas Holdem 52" height="37" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B0009TUIJA%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B0009TUIJA%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank">8 Player Texas Holdem 52&#8243; Folding Poker Table Top w/Carry Case,</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B000EJ33X8%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B000EJ33X8%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/11RWQ6PVTDL.jpg" alt="8 Player Texas Holdem 52" height="50" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B000EJ33X8%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B000EJ33X8%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank">8 Player Texas Holdem 52&#8243; Folding Poker Table Top w/Carry Case,</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
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		<title>How to get the cheapest heating fuel in northern New England for the 2008-2009 winter season</title>
		<link>http://www.fiercediscussions.com/2007/12/30/how-to-get-the-cheapest-heating-fuel-in-northern-new-england-for-the-2008-2009-winter-season/</link>
		<comments>http://www.fiercediscussions.com/2007/12/30/how-to-get-the-cheapest-heating-fuel-in-northern-new-england-for-the-2008-2009-winter-season/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 30 Dec 2007 18:56:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Patrick</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Websites]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[heating fuel]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[website]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.fiercediscussions.com/2007/12/30/how-to-get-the-cheapest-heating-fuel-in-northern-new-england-for-the-2008-2009-winter-season/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Our 2007-2008 winter season is not over yet. In fact, the season just started. However, now is the time to research and prepare for next years heating fuel deals. When you prepay heating fuel, you save a bunch of money.
By joining a cooperative alliance, you can save a lot of money on heating fuel. By [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><!--adsense#banner_posts--></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our 2007-2008 winter season is not over yet. In fact, the season just started. However, now is the time to research and prepare for next years heating fuel deals. When you prepay heating fuel, you save a bunch of money.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">By joining a cooperative alliance, you can save a lot of money on heating fuel. By combining fuel orders, the cooperative alliance has tremendous buying power and can bid for low priced fuel contracts.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.nrgy.org/default.asp" title="Join Our Town Energy Alliance" target="_blank">Our Town Energy Alliance</a> in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Barnstead</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">New Hampshire</st1:state></st1:place> is one of the most successful cooperative alliance for purchasing heating fuel. Last year, its 8,000+ members saved over 75 cents per gallon on heating oil. <span> </span>Our Town Energy Alliance provides discounts for heating oil, propane and K-1 (kerosene).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.nrgy.org/default.asp" title="Join Our Town Energy Alliance" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.fiercediscussions.com/images/Our_Town_Energy_Alliance.jpg" alt="Join Our Town Energy Alliance for cheap heating fuel" height="95" width="490" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our Town Energy Alliance service area covers most of <st1:state w:st="on">New Hampshire</st1:state>, <st1:state w:st="on">Maine</st1:state>, <st1:state w:st="on">Vermont</st1:state> and a large area in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Massachusetts</st1:state></st1:place>.</p>
<p>I challenge you to tell me where to get cheaper heating fuel in northern <st1:place w:st="on">New England</st1:place>.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If your town is not located in the service area, please research the internet. They are many alliances you can join and alliances are of course not limited to heating fuel.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p>
<table border="0" width="490">
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=1589232127%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/1589232127%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/11HFVT1Z17L.jpg" alt="The Complete Photo Guide to Home Improvement: With 300 Projects and 2,000 Photos (Black &amp; Decker)" height="74" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=1589232127%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/1589232127%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank">The Complete Photo Guide to Home Improvement: With 300 Projects and 2,000 Photos (Black &amp; Decker)</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=1931498229%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/1931498229%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/11OIxrTzXWL.jpg" alt="Natural Home Heating: The Complete Guide to Renewable Energy Options" height="75" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=1931498229%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/1931498229%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank">Natural Home Heating: The Complete Guide to Renewable Energy Options</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B000JFRGYO%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B000JFRGYO%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/01TVQZGRFKL.jpg" alt="DeLonghi SafeHeat Oil-Filled Radiating Heater - TRD0715T" height="75" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B000JFRGYO%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B000JFRGYO%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank">DeLonghi SafeHeat Oil-Filled Radiating Heater - TRD0715T</a></td>
</tr>
</table>
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		<title>Losing weight after New Year Day is a difficult task but I have some tips.</title>
		<link>http://www.fiercediscussions.com/2007/12/27/losing-weight-after-new-year-is-a-difficult-task-but-i-have-some-tips/</link>
		<comments>http://www.fiercediscussions.com/2007/12/27/losing-weight-after-new-year-is-a-difficult-task-but-i-have-some-tips/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 27 Dec 2007 19:21:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Patrick</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Websites]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[weight loss]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.fiercediscussions.com/2007/12/27/losing-weight-after-new-year-is-a-difficult-task-but-i-have-some-tips/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[At the start of each new year, millions of people want to  loose some body weight. Not an easy task if you consider that obesity and drugs  addiction share common brain characteristics. Click here to read the NIDA article written in 2001 with this statement. For most people losing weight is  a [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>At the start of each new year, millions of people want to  loose some body weight. Not an easy task if you consider that obesity and drugs  addiction share common brain characteristics. Click <a href="http://www.nida.nih.gov/NIDA_Notes/NNVol16N4/pathological.html" title="Pathological Obesity and Drug Addiction Share Common Brain Characteristics" target="_blank">here</a> to read the NIDA article written in 2001 with this statement. For most people losing weight is  a lifetime fight. Sounds like a cliché but to loose weight consistently, you  have to commit to a new lifestyle.</p>
<p>Although I am not obese yet, I have to watch out for the  foods and drinks that I select.</p>
<p>In order to make smart eating choices, you need to eat fresh  foods. Of course you need to like the food you choose otherwise you can’t keep  up with your new eating lifestyle. Dirty drinks like Slim-Fast does not motivate me. It makes me quit after the first zip.<br />
The “tool” that I used to select my food is the USDA  National Nutrient Database. This database has lists of foods sorted by nutrients.</p>
<p>Click on the USDA logo below to go to the nutrients list.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.ars.usda.gov/Main/docs.htm?docid=15869" title="USDA Nutrients List" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.fiercediscussions.com/images/weightloss/USDA_Nutrients_database.jpg" alt="USDA Nutrients Lists" height="43" width="338" /></a></p>
<p>So I took the list that sorts food by Energy (Calories) and  highlighted foods that I really like and are low in calories. I repeated this process  with other lists, like the cholesterol list. Healthy items, that I have  highlighted on both lists, are now topping my weekly grocery list. If I didn’t  go through the nutrient list, I would have missed several delicious low calorie  food items.</p>
<p>Another good site to use is: <a href="http://www.calorie-count.com/" title="Calorie Count Database" target="_blank">calorie-count</a><a href="http://www.calorie-count.com/" target="_blank"></a>. This site grades foods  and provide nutrition facts. I have always been told that I should avoid food  items where more than 30% of the total number of calories comes from fat.</p>
<p>This means that reduced fat Jif creamy peanut butter is not  a healthy choice. Even when the label on the jar reads: reduced fat. Luckily  this site provides me other brands that have healthier peanut butter. Be  careful though, less fat does not necessarily mean less calories. Calories are  only one component of selecting healthy foods.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.calorie-count.com/" title="calorie count website" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.fiercediscussions.com/images/weightloss/Food_Label.jpg" /></a></p>
<h6>Bad food choice: more than 30% of all calories is coming from fat.</h6>
<p>Besides selecting healthy foods, I have a hard time to stay  motivated to a healthy lifestyle but found a good support solution. On the  Internet, there are several weight loss forums that show pictures from people  before and after their weight loss. Many people look beautiful after their  weight loss. Losing more than 20% of your starting weight makes you physically  and mentally a different person. My compliments to those people with a  significant weight loss. You are my motivator.</p>
<p>Here are 2 sites/forums that show before and after weight loss pictures. Take a look yourself, pretty awesome transformations you will see on these sites.</p>
<table border="0" width="490">
<tr>
<td><a href="http://weight-loss.fitness.com/before-after-between/" title="Before and After pictures on fitness.com" target="_blank">weight-loss.fitness.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.southbeach-diet-plan.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=11" title="Before and After Pictures on Southbeach-diet-plan.com" target="_blank">Southbeach-diet-plan.com</a></td>
</tr>
</table>
<p>Do you have any tips or cool websites that can help people with their weight loss? Please let me know.</p>
<p>Disclaimer: I am not a weight loss expert and can not be held liable for the information in this posting. Please consult with your doctor before starting a weight loss program.</p>
<table border="0" height="106" width="620">
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B0000U1OCI%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B0000U1OCI%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/0173MVRE6CL.jpg" alt="Omron HJ-112 Digital Premium Pedometer" height="75" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B0000U1OCI%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B0000U1OCI%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank">Omron HJ-112 Digital Premium Pedometer</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B0009V1YPU%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B0009V1YPU%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/11NDXPW3THL.jpg" alt="Tanita BF680W Duo Scale Plus Body Fat Monitor with Athletic Mode and Body Water" height="75" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B0009V1YPU%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B0009V1YPU%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank">Tanita BF680W Duo Scale Plus Body Fat Monitor with Athletic Mode and Body Water</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B000P666AC%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B000P666AC%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/01mFAP0remL.jpg" alt="CalorieSmart - Handheld Electronic Calorie Counter (Silver)" height="75" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B000P666AC%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B000P666AC%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank">CalorieSmart - Handheld Electronic Calorie Counter (Silver)</a></td>
</tr>
</table>
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		<title>Making a charitable donation because of my guilty feeling.</title>
		<link>http://www.fiercediscussions.com/2007/12/26/making-a-charitable-donation-because-of-my-guilty-feeling/</link>
		<comments>http://www.fiercediscussions.com/2007/12/26/making-a-charitable-donation-because-of-my-guilty-feeling/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 26 Dec 2007 14:53:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Patrick</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Websites]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[charity]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.fiercediscussions.com/2007/12/26/making-a-charitable-donation-because-of-my-guilty-feeling/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I hope this blog post will inspire you to take similar action that I took this morning.
Christmas day is over and I hope you had a great Christmas celebration. In my blog post yesterday, I talked about my “disappointing” gift but today, I want to stand still for the people that don’t have a luxury [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="MsoNormal">I hope this blog post will inspire you to take similar action that I took this morning.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Christmas day is over and I hope you had a great Christmas celebration. In my blog post yesterday, I talked about my “disappointing” gift but today, I want to stand still for the people that don’t have a luxury life. In other words: people that don’t have a roof over their head and a good daily meal to eat.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Yesterday afternoon, before I visited family to celebrate Christmas, my wife and I were watching television and saw families that were not able to celebrate Christmas in the way we are able to.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Their children did not get a nice Christmas meal and there were no presents under the Christmas tree. Of course, they showed the sad eyes of the children.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When I looked around in our living room, the floor was covered with presents and gift wrapping paper. My defective TomTom navigation system was laying in a corner, abandoned to be returned to the manufacturer.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">While visiting my family later that afternoon, I also noticed the nice gifts everybody received. Notebooks, a video camera, a Nintendo game computer and even a Sony playstation 3 were given.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I was still thinking about the poor people that were shown on television and got a guilty feeling. When I feel guilty, I want to get ride of that feeling as quick as possible so when my wife and I went home, I told my wife that there is one more gift that I want to give. She was surprised and said: “Patrick, you have given me already so many nice gifts this morning.” I explained to her that this gift was not a gift to her but to a charitable organization. My wife was surprised that those words came out of my mouth but she understood and agreed immediately.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Because it was a late evening, I decided to make a donation early next morning.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Today, after I got up, I researched on the computer for the best charitable organization. There are so many charitable organizations to choose so I found a website that was able to help me out with the selection of a good organization.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The name of the website is: Charity Navigator with web address: <a href="http://www.charitynavigator.org/" title="Charity Navigator" target="_blank">charitynavigator.org </a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This website provides ratings for thousands of charitable organizations in the world. You can search for organizations in your state and by different categories.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I choose for a homeless shelter in Portland, Maine and made my contribution. I feel good about my donation and don’t feel guilty anymore. Life is all about sharing the good life.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Please check out: <a href="http://www.charitynavigator.org/" title="Charity Navigator">charitynavigator.org </a>and make a donation to a charitable organization of your choice.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you need a push to make donation, please search on <a href="http://www.youtube.com" title="YouTube site" target="_blank">youtube.com</a> under the keywords: homeless and shelter and watch some videos.</p>
<p>  Let me know if you have guilty feeling towards people in need as well and how you handle these feelings.</p>
<p>[wp_youtube]uXptGHOVJGI[/wp_youtube]</p>
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		<item>
		<title>Did you get a gift that turned out to be a disappointment?</title>
		<link>http://www.fiercediscussions.com/2007/12/25/did-you-get-a-gift-that-turned-out-to-be-a-disappointment/</link>
		<comments>http://www.fiercediscussions.com/2007/12/25/did-you-get-a-gift-that-turned-out-to-be-a-disappointment/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 25 Dec 2007 18:56:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Patrick</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Gadgets]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[chirstmas]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[TomTom]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.fiercediscussions.com/2007/12/25/did-you-get-a-gift-that-turned-out-to-be-a-disappointment/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[First of all, I have to say that my Christmas morning was great. Pellet stove turned on, nice breakfast with an apple Danish strip and a good cup of coffee. Christmas music was playing softly in the background. It was time to unwrap the presents.
My wife got me a TomTom One 3rd edition navigation system. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>First of all, I have to say that my Christmas morning was great. Pellet stove turned on, nice breakfast with an apple Danish strip and a good cup of coffee. Christmas music was playing softly in the background. It was time to unwrap the presents.</p>
<p>My wife got me a TomTom One 3<sup>rd</sup> edition navigation system. Awesome! Now I never get lost anymore. The TomTom One stores the whole map of the United States and Canada. You can also select Guam as the default map. I guess nice for our men in service that want to drive around on Guam.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.fiercediscussions.com/images/TomTomONE_3rd_edition.jpg" alt="TomTom One 3rd edition" /></p>
<h6>             Nice gift if the TomTom works&#8230;</h6>
<p>It took me about 15 minutes to get the TomTom device out of the package. Wow, that was a challenge to get the device out. I turned on the device and customized some settings. Different color settings, not too bright, voice level loud enough so I can hear the lady&#8217;s voice clear. After my customization, I turned the TomTom off and went to my PC to install the software delivered on a CD.</p>
<p>In order to get the latest updates, you have to turn on the TomTom again and what happened?</p>
<p>I got a white screen. A pure white screen and nothing else happened. I pressed on the screen but the white screen stayed there. My mood started to change a little bit. What is going on with this device?</p>
<p>Immediately I started to google to find a cause and solution for this problem and I discovered that many people are complaining about the same problem. It turns out that there was a large batch of defective units shipped to the stores.</p>
<p>You can&#8217;t fix it yourself so you have two choices. Bring the TomTom back to the store or after calling the TomTom support line, receive shipping instructions and ship it back for another unit.</p>
<p>I was disappointed because I wanted to play with my new toy. Although there are worse things that can happen in somebody&#8217;s life so it is not going to ruin the rest of my day. My wife picked a nice gift for me and it was the thought that counts. We get this problem with the TomTom fixed though. Just return the device for a new one.</p>
<p>Please let me know if you got a Christmas gift that didn&#8217;t turn out as expected. I am also curious if I was the only person with a bad TomTom experience on Christmas Day.</p>
<p><strong>Update 12/26/2007:</strong><br />
I called the TomTom support line at: 866-486-6866 and received excellent service. After going through the phone prompts, the representative asked for personal verification information and the serial number on the bottom of the TomTom starting with: C_No:</p>
<p>Because I had already a TomTom account, I only had to provide my email address and all my information appeared on their screen.  After my phone call, I received a confirmation email from TomTom that I have to print out and include in the shipping box. I used a small carton box. The 2nd email that I received was from Fed-Ex with instructions on how to print out a prepaid shipping label.</p>
<p>I will send out my package tomorrow and expect a new device within 10 business days.</p>
<p><strong>Update 01/02/2008</strong><br />
Today I received my TomTom back and everything is working perfectly.  Taking the holidays into account, TomTom shipped a new unit back to me fairly quickly. I was able to update the maps and POI (Point Of Interests).</p>
<p>Tomorrow, I want to take the TomTom for a test ride.</p>
<h5>Read reviews on Amazon.com:</h5>
<table border="0" height="112" width="570">
<tr>
<td class="wpa-prod-img"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B000U9WVW6%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B000U9WVW6%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/11SPkyW0D2L.jpg" alt="TomTom One, 3rd Edition 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Vehicle Navigator" height="72" /></a></td>
<td width="200"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B000U9WVW6%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B000U9WVW6%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank">TomTom One, 3rd Edition 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Vehicle Navigator</a></td>
<td class="wpa-prod-img"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B000BKJZ9Q%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B000BKJZ9Q%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/114H9W14PYL.jpg" alt="Garmin nüvi 350 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator" height="75" /></a></td>
<td width="200"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B000BKJZ9Q%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B000BKJZ9Q%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank">Garmin nüvi 350 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator</a></td>
</tr>
</table>
<p><script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script></p>
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		<title>The best shopping deals can often be found just after Christmas day.</title>
		<link>http://www.fiercediscussions.com/2007/12/24/the-best-shopping-deals-can-often-be-found-just-after-christmas-day/</link>
		<comments>http://www.fiercediscussions.com/2007/12/24/the-best-shopping-deals-can-often-be-found-just-after-christmas-day/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 24 Dec 2007 17:48:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Patrick</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Shopping Deals]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[rss feeds]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.fiercediscussions.com/2007/12/24/the-best-shopping-deals-can-often-be-found-just-after-christmas-day/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Everybody loves a good shopping deal and the best shopping deals can often be found just after Christmas day. Retailers have to clean out the racks for the new season.
The problem that a lot of people have is how to find the best deals easily.
Well, I have the solution for you. In my opinion, the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="MsoNormal">Everybody loves a good shopping deal and the best shopping deals can often be found just after Christmas day. Retailers have to clean out the racks for the new season.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The problem that a lot of people have is how to find the best deals easily.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Well, I have the solution for you. In my opinion, the best way to keep track of deals is by using an RSS reader. FeedDemon and Google Reader are examples of good readers. I use FeedDemon and have setup custom watches. FeedDemon&#8217;s watches provide a way to look for keywords in news items as they&#8217;re downloaded.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For example: I have setup a watch with the keywords: LCD Samsung.<br />
When a new feed item comes in that contains the words: LCD and Samsung, I get a sound notification.</p>
<p>RSS readers can check for new items on certain time intervals that you can setup in the preference menu.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Below you will find a list of websites and the RSS feeds that can help you find these good deals. Just click on the rss icons next to the site name and your reader should open automatically<br />
Top 10 Shopping Deal RSS feeds:</p>
<table border="0" width="219">
<tr>
<td align="left" valign="middle">1</td>
<td align="left" valign="middle"><a href="http://www.bargainist.com/">Bargainist</a></td>
<td align="left" valign="top"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/bargainist" class="style3"><img src="http://www.fiercediscussions.com/images/feed-icon32x32.jpg" alt="Rss Feed Bargainist" border="0" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left" valign="middle">2</td>
<td align="left" valign="middle"><a href="http://www.cheapstingybargains.com">Cheap Stingy Bargains</a></td>
<td align="left" valign="top"><a href="http://www.cheapstingybargains.com/feed/" class="style3"><img src="http://www.fiercediscussions.com/images/feed-icon32x32.jpg" alt="Rss Feed Cheap Stingy Bargains" border="0" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left" valign="middle">3</td>
<td align="left" valign="middle"><a href="http://www.dealcatcher.com/">Dealcatcher</a></td>
<td align="left" valign="top"><a href="http://rss.dealcatcher.com/rss.xml" class="style2"><img src="http://www.fiercediscussions.com/images/feed-icon32x32.jpg" alt="Rss Feed DealCatcher" border="0" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left" valign="middle">4</td>
<td align="left" valign="middle"><a href="http://www.dealigg.com">Dealigg</a></td>
<td align="left" valign="top"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/dealigg/latest?format=xml" class="style3"><img src="http://www.fiercediscussions.com/images/feed-icon32x32.jpg" alt="Rss Feed Dealigg.com" border="0" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left" valign="middle">5</td>
<td align="left" valign="middle"><a href="http://dealnews.com">Dealnews</a></td>
<td align="left" valign="top"><a href="http://content.dealnews.com/dealnews/rss/last-twenty.xml" class="style3"><img src="http://www.fiercediscussions.com/images/feed-icon32x32.jpg" alt="Rss Feed Dealnews.com" border="0" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left" valign="middle">6</td>
<td align="left" valign="middle"><a href="http://dealspl.us">DealsPlus</a></td>
<td align="left" valign="top"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/dealsplus" class="style3"><img src="http://www.fiercediscussions.com/images/feed-icon32x32.jpg" alt="Rss Feed DealsPlus" border="0" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left" valign="middle" width="20">7</td>
<td align="left" valign="middle" width="148"><a href="http://www.fatwallet.com/">Fatwallet</a></td>
<td align="left" valign="top" width="37"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/FatwalletHotDeals" class="style2"><img src="http://www.fiercediscussions.com/images/feed-icon32x32.jpg" border="0" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left" valign="middle">8</td>
<td align="left" valign="middle"><a href="http://www.gottadeal.com">GottaDeal.com</a></td>
<td align="left" valign="top"><a href="http://www.gottadeal.com/rss2.xml" class="style3"><img src="http://www.fiercediscussions.com/images/feed-icon32x32.jpg" alt="Rss Feed GottaDeal.com" border="0" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left" valign="middle">9</td>
<td align="left" valign="middle"><a href="http://www.resellerratings.com/deals.pl">Resellersratings.com</a></td>
<td align="left" valign="top"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/ResellerRatingsDeals" class="style3"><img src="http://www.fiercediscussions.com/images/feed-icon32x32.jpg" alt="Rss Feed Resellersratings.com" border="0" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left" valign="middle">10</td>
<td align="left" valign="middle"><a href="http://www.slickdeals.net/">SlickDeals.net</a></td>
<td align="left" valign="top"><a href="http://slickdeals.net/rss.php" class="style3"><img src="http://www.fiercediscussions.com/images/feed-icon32x32.jpg" alt="Rss Feed SlickDeals.net" border="0" /></a></td>
</tr>
</table>
<table border="0" width="489">
<tr>
<td width="33"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=0061234001%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/0061234001%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/11qWjkXzrkL.jpg" alt="Freakonomics [Revised and Expanded]: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" height="75" /></a></td>
<td width="33"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=0470130652%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/0470130652%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/11iPcz-H00L.jpg" alt="Web Analytics: An Hour a Day" height="75" /></a></td>
<td width="33"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=1904811892%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/1904811892%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/11AH977ZVXL.jpg" alt="WordPress Complete: set up, customize, and market your blog" height="75" /></a></td>
</tr>
</table>
<p><script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script></p>
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		<title>My favorite recipes and recipe sites. Get ready for the New Years party.</title>
		<link>http://www.fiercediscussions.com/2007/12/24/my-favorite-recipes-and-recipe-sites-get-ready-for-the-new-years-party/</link>
		<comments>http://www.fiercediscussions.com/2007/12/24/my-favorite-recipes-and-recipe-sites-get-ready-for-the-new-years-party/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 24 Dec 2007 13:44:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Patrick</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Websites]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[recipes]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[top 5 recipe sites]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.fiercediscussions.com/2007/12/24/my-favorite-recipes-and-recipe-sites-get-ready-for-the-new-years-party/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It is almost New Years eve which means bring a pot luck dish to our New Years party. Maybe this year, we will bring several dishes. People always ask for my smokies wrapped in bacon. The flavor from the bacon, brown sugar and smokies is a flavor combination that not many people can resist. You [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="MsoNormal">It is almost New Years eve which means bring a pot luck dish to our New Years party. Maybe this year, we will bring several dishes. People always ask for my smokies wrapped in bacon. The flavor from the bacon, brown sugar and smokies is a flavor combination that not many people can resist. You have to try this. It is so easy to make and you will be the talk of the party.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A recipe doesn’t have to be complex. The same applies to blog writing, I believe. But I wonder if adding different flavors and I mean different article subjects will have the same positive affect on my blog traffic. This blog is less than a week old so I don’t expect to receive answers but feel free to give me your opinion.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Of all my favorite recipe sites, I prefer Allrecipes.com. This site shows the number of ratings of each recipe. If over 200 reviewers provide 4 stars for a recipe than the recipe has to be good and often those 4 star recipes are easy to make. I have tried many recipes and all most all of them are a success. Although I am a mess maker in the kitchen, I love to put delicious bites together. All good cooks are mess makers I have heard <img src='http://www.fiercediscussions.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif' alt=';-)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Making good dishes and meals requires good kitchen equipment. My 2 best pieces of equipment is the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B0006N900C%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B0006N900C%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank">KitchenAid 5-Quart Mixer</a> and the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B00005AXJ9%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B00005AXJ9%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank">Matfer Exopat Nonstick Baking Sheet</a>. I believe there is no better mixer that has excellent power and the non stick baking sheet works awesome and is very cheap. The mat gives you better results and even the carmalized sugar in my bacon wrapped smokies recipe is easily to remove. Currently, you can get this mat for less than 10 bucks.</p>
<p><o:p></o:p>My top 5 favorite recipe sites are:</p>
<ol style="margin-top: 0in" start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://allrecipes.com/Default.aspx">Allrecipes</a></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/">Foodnetwork</a></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.epicurious.com/">Epicurios</a></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.tasteofhome.com/">Taste Of Home</a></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.recipezaar.com/">Recipezaar</a></li>
</ol>
<p>My favorite recipes that I have tested:</p>
<table border="0" width="361">
<tr>
<td align="left" valign="bottom" width="205">
<ol>
<li><a href="http://www.fiercediscussions.com/wp-admin/Bacon%20Wrapped%20Smokies">Bacon  Wrapped Smokies</a></li>
</ol>
</td>
<td width="146"><img src="http://www.fiercediscussions.com/images/recipes_photos/Bacon_Wrapped_Smokies.jpg" alt="Bacon Wrapped Smokies" height="140" width="140" /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left" valign="bottom">
<ol start="2">
<li><a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Baklava/Detail.aspx">Greek Baklava</a></li>
</ol>
</td>
<td><img src="http://www.fiercediscussions.com/images/recipes_photos/Baklava_Vivnidhi.jpg" alt="Greek_Baklava" height="140" width="140" /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left" valign="bottom">
<ol start="3">
<li><a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Mexican-Baked-Fish/Detail.aspx">Mexican  Baked Fish</a></li>
</ol>
</td>
<td><img src="http://www.fiercediscussions.com/images/recipes_photos/Mexican_Baked_Fish.jpg" alt="Mexican Baked Fish" height="140" width="140" /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left" valign="bottom">
<ol start="4">
<li><a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/My-Best-Clam-Chowder/Detail.aspx">Clam  Chowder</a></li>
</ol>
</td>
<td><img src="http://www.fiercediscussions.com/images/recipes_photos/My_Best_Clam_Chowder.jpg" alt="Clam Chowder" height="140" width="140" /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left" valign="bottom">
<ol start="5">
<li><a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Caramel-Pecan-Pie/Detail.aspx">Caramel Pecan  Pie</a></li>
</ol>
</td>
<td><img src="http://www.fiercediscussions.com/images/recipes_photos/Caramel_Pecan_Pie.jpg" alt="Caramel Pecan Pie" height="140" width="140" /></td>
</tr>
</table>
<p>Get my favorite kitchen equipment pieces at Amazon.com:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B00005AXJ9%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B00005AXJ9%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/01RM8JK2SFL.jpg" alt="Matfer Exopat 11-5/8-by-16-3/8-Inch Nonstick Baking Sheet" height="32" /> Matfer Exopat 11-5/8-by-16-3/8-Inch Nonstick Baking Sheet</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B0006N900C%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B0006N900C%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/01YC56hkpcL.jpg" alt="KitchenAid KSM150PSAC Artisan Series 5-Quart Mixer" height="75" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B0006N900C%26tag=profiwithinfo-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B0006N900C%253FSubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02" target="_blank"> KitchenAid KSM150PSAC Artisan Series 5-Quart Mixer</a></p>
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