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"تويتر" ينضم لمفاوضات حجب التواصل الاجتماعي

2011-08-24T18:16:00.000-07:00

"تويتر" ينضم لمفاوضات حجب التواصل الاجتماعي

Sexy and smart: one sector that won't be left behind: Japan's massive sex industry has shifted from bricks-and-mortar deflation to Internet elation - Industry Overview

2011-01-28T12:01:00.001-08:00

LIKE IT OR LOATHE it, the sex industry in Japan is big business. And despite the rickety economy, it's getting bigger. A recent survey by Takashi Kadokura, an economist with Daiichi Life Research Institute Inc., found that the Japanese market for what is rather quaintly called the entertainment trade fuzoku sangyo, swelled to a tumescent [yen] 2.37 trillion in fiscal 2001, up from [yen] 1.7 trillion a decade earlier.

This figure does not include "virtual sex"--Japan's huge sales of adult magazines, rentals and sales of porn videos and DVDs and the burgeoning market for Internet porn. And let's not forget receipts from the country's 40,000-odd love hotels.

Put together, the buying and selling of sex and related services in the world's second largest economy is worth more than the GDP of many smaller countries.

As the sex business expands along with the service sector it becomes increasingly integrated into the mainstream economy, earning billions for blue-chip firms like NTT and increasingly becoming a source of direct and indirect tax revenue for the government.

Why does this industry seem immune to the problems that have kept Japan on the economic disaster pages of the world's newspapers for over a decade? The truth is: It isn't.

As a stroll around the licentious pink heart of Tokyo's sex industry, Kabukicho, or the "soaplands" district of Yoshiwara confirms, many operators of sex clubs and massage parlors have resorted to the same deflationary price-cutting approaches practiced by other businesses.

More noticeable than the stagnation and decline of some areas of the sex trade, however, are the vitality and innovation that characterize the industry as a whole. Despite its murky image and legal problems, thousands of new businesses have sprung up in the last five years, offering all the eye popping lechery that money can buy.

The older ranks of industry veterans have been swelled by thousands of younger entrepreneurs and casualties from the mainstream economy who are transforming the selling of sex using new technology. Many of them are voraciously ambitious.

Some commentators are now using the once grubby sex trade as a stick to poke in the eye of Japan's arthritic political class. As Dacapo weekly magazine declared in May of this year: "Structural reform has been progressing rapidly in this [sex] industry exactly because the reform-driver has not been Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's administration. If he wants to know what reform is about, this is where he should be looking."

Winners and Losers

So who are the winners and losers in Japan's sex services industry? At the top of the list of losers are brick-and-mortar businesses like brothels, soaplands and strip clubs, which have seen collective revenues slump by over a third since the mid 80s, says Kadokura.

Stuck with high overheads (particularly for utilities), prices in these outlets are mostly fixed and are driving away male clientele, who have less disposable income than in the past. The price of a single visit to a soapland outlet (staffed by naked prostitutes offering soapy massages) is about [yen] 60,000--a price that is out of reach for most salarymen.

Strip clubs too are seen as expensive and old hat, and many exotic dancers are under pressure to broaden their appeal, says Tomomi Sawaguchi, who recently formed Japan's first union for sex workers. "The number of customers has fallen, so managers will ask some women to perform extra services on the cheap. I've seen foreign women having sex for as little as [yen] 1,000."

Rushing to fill the gap are the thousands of "fashion (sex) massage" outlets that sprang up nationwide in the 90s. With faster turnaround and cheaper labor costs (many are run and staffed by heavily exploited foreign workers), they offer sessions for as little as [yen] 10,000--keeping their services within range of the average male worker.

Sex message joins an increasingly long list of exotically titled innovations including imekura (image clubs), sumata (crotch play--an everything-but sex service designed to get around regulations banning intercourse in outlets) and "delivery health," or deliheru, a pizza-like business that dispatches a prostitute directly to your door for about [yen] 20,000 to [yen] 30,000.

"The life span of popular services used to be 22 years in the high economic growth era, but now it's less than three years," says analyst Takuro Morinaga of UFJ Research. "Firms are working harder to come up with innovations designed to add value to their services."

Many of these services flirt with the limits of the law and exploit mobile phone technology to do it. Prostitution, for example, is prohibited under the Prostitution Prevention Law of 1956, helping to explain the huge growth of delivery health. Now a [yen] 461 billion annual business, says Kadokura, delivery health firms hook up working women with paying men by advertising on utility poles in most city neighbor hoods, using only a keitai number. What happens next takes place in the privacy of the client's home and is therefore out of reach of the law.

7 tips for effective listening: productive listening does not occur naturally. It requires hard work and practice - Back To Basics - effective listening is a crucial skill for internal auditors

2011-01-28T12:00:00.000-08:00

TO BE SUCCESSFUL AT THEIR job, internal auditors must be able to write, speak, and listen effectively. Of these three skills, effective listening may be the most crucial because auditors are required to do it so often. Unfortunately, listening also may be the most difficult skill to master.

Effective listening is challenging, in part, because people often are more focused on what they're saying than on what they're hearing in return. According to a recent study by the Harvard Business Review, people think the voice mail they send is more important than the voice mail they receive. Generally, senders think that their message is more helpful and urgent than do the people who receive it.

Additionally, listening is difficult because people don't work as hard at it as they should. Listening seems to occur so naturally that putting a lot of effort into it doesn't seem necessary. However, hard work and effort is exactly what effective listening requires.

Internal auditors must listen to explanations, rationales, and defenses of financial practices and procedures. They are constantly communicating with fellow employees whose backgrounds range from accounting to finance to marketing to information systems. In addition, explanations by fellow employees of any "unusual" practices often pose a significant challenge to an internal auditor's listening skills. Auditors can use the following techniques to improve these skills.

1. CONCENTRATE ON WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING. When listening to someone, do you often find yourself thinking about a job or task that is nearing deadline or an important family matter? In the middle of a conversation, do you sometimes realize that you haven't heard a word the other person has said? Most individuals speak at the rate of 175 to 200 words per minute. However, research suggests that we are very capable of listening and processing words at the rate of 600 to 1,000 words per minute. An internal auditor's job today is very fast and complex, and because the brain does not use all of its capacity when listening, an auditor's mind may drift to thinking of further questions or explanations rather than listening to the message at hand. This unused brainpower can be a barrier to effective listening, causing the auditor to miss or misinterpret what others are saying. It is important for internal auditors to actively concentrate on what others are saying so that effective communication can occur.

2. SEND THE NONVERBAL MESSAGE THAT YOU ARE LISTENING. When someone is talking to you, do you maintain eye contact with that person? Do you show the speaker you are listening by nodding your head? Does your body language transmit the message that you are listening? Are you leaning forward and not using your hands to play with things? Most communication experts agree that nonverbal messages can be three times as powerful as verbal messages. Effective communication becomes difficult anytime you send a nonverbal message that you're not really listening.

3. AVOID EARLY EVALUATIONS. When listening, do you often make immediate judgments about what the speaker is saying? Do you assume or guess what the speaker is going to say next? Do you sometimes discover later that you failed to interpret correctly what the speaker was telling you? Because a listener can listen at a faster rate than most speakers talk, there is a tendency to evaluate too quickly. That tendency is perhaps the greatest barrier to effective listening. It is especially important to avoid early evaluations when listening to a person with whom you disagree. When listeners begin to disagree with a sender's message, they tend to misinterpret the remaining information and distort its intended meaning so that it is consistent with their own beliefs.

4. AVOID GETTING DEFENSIVE. Do you ever take what another person says personally when what her or she is saying is not meant to be personal? Do you ever become angry at what another person says? Careful listening does not mean that you will always agree with the other party's point of view, but it does mean that you will try to listen to what the other person is saying without becoming overly defensive. Too much time spent explaining, elaborating, and defending your decision or position is a sure sign that you are not listening. This is because your role has changed from one of listening to a role of convincing others they are wrong. After listening to a position or suggestion with which you disagree, simply respond with something like, "I understand your point. We just disagree on this one." Effective listeners can listen calmly to another person even when that person is offering unjust criticism.

5. PRACTICE PARAPHRASING. Paraphrasing is the art of putting into your own words what you thought you heard and saying it back to the sender. For example, a subordinate might say: "You have been unfair to rate me so low on my performance appraisal. You have rated me lower than Jim. I can do the job better than him, and I've been here longer." A paraphrased response might be: "I can see that you are upset about your rating. You think it was unfair for me to rate you as I did." Paraphrasing is a great technique for improving your listening and problem-solving skills. First, you have to listen very carefully if you are going to accurately paraphrase what you heard. Second, the paraphrasing response will clarify for the sender that his or her message was correctly received and encourage the sender to expand on what he or she is trying to communicate.

Dangers of Asbestos Exposure and US Soldiers in Iraq

2011-01-22T12:42:00.001-08:00

Many United State soldiers returning home from Iraq have complained of asbestos exposure from residing in poorly built housing units with insulation made from the material or working on military vehicles that use asbestos in their brake pads. Some US soldiers have been diagnosed with lung cancer, respiratory disorders and other conditions that result from toxic exposure linked to their service in Iraq.

Asbestos Exposure in Iraq

Reports show that asbestos imports to Iraq amounted almost $200,000 since 2003. There are currently no regulations concerning health and safety of personal on the job in Iraq for those working with asbestos exposure. The whole area has seen a raise in the import of asbestos, excluding Egypt and Saudi Arabia because they have regulations against asbestos. To show how much consumption that is now taking place, Iran alone orders more than 25,000 tons of asbestos each year.

Dangers of Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos is a known toxin that was used for many years in building materials, including insulation. Once inhaled or ingested, microscopic asbestos fibers can become lodged in vital tissues. Over time these fibers can accumulate and cause irritation, inflammation, and eventual damage. Pulmonary diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and pleural mesothelioma are more common illnesses caused by asbestos exposure, but abdominal and heart diseases can result from exposure as well. Numerous studies have also linked asbestos exposure to a range of other diseases, such as gastrointestinal and colon cancer. Exposure to asbestos is the number one cause mesothelioma, a rare but aggressive form of lung and liver cancer.

Lawsuit by US Soldiers Due To Asbestos Exposure in Iraq

In the past year an increasing number of lawsuits have been filed with regards to soldiers and military personnel being exposed to asbestos dust and fibers in Iraq as a result of debris being burned near to the site. The lawsuits were filed in many states, like California, Illinois, Missouri and New York. The lawsuits were filed against the construction and engineering company Kellogg Brown & Root which is a former subsidiary of Halliburton. The company has dealt with a number of United States government and military contracts for some time now. It is said in the lawsuit that Kellogg Brown & Root had many burn pits in Iraq and that they burned many things that released toxic waste and debris into the air, putting soldiers at risk of asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma Attorney Utah

2011-01-22T12:35:00.000-08:00

You can recover damages due to Mesothelioma, asbestos and toxic chemicals by hiring Belluck & Fox LLP. Individuals who have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma can get compensation from those responsible for the illness. Monetary compensation will not reduce your pain but it can get rid of the financial concerns that can have a negative impact on your family.
With Belluck & Fox LLP, you will be able to file two kinds of Mesothelioma lawsuits: wrongful death and a personal injury. The wrongful death lawsuit is normally filed by the survivors of a Mesothelioma patient. The personal injury claim is filed by the Mesothelioma patient. Legal rules and regulations are different for each kind of claim and are dependent heavily on the place where you have filed your case.
At Belluck & Fox LLP, your legal rights with regard to claim damages depend on issues including:

You will find that there is time limit for filing a claim. Generally, it is set by the statute of limitations. The time limit starts once your diagnosis is completed. You will not be able to get any sort of compensation when you do not file suit within the set deadline.
Mesothelioma has a long latency period but your compensation right is not going to vanish with the timeframe from exposure to diagnosis. However, the statute of limitations is going to have an effect on your legal right to file a claim.
When you work with Belluck & Fox LLP, you need not worry about your Mesothelioma case as the attorneys will prepare your case to ensure success in court.

To get justice, you may need to wait an extended period. Even if there is any delay in court proceeding, make sure you do not give up. All the legal moves are implemented after discussing them with you thoroughly.

Law Offices of Cooney & Conway

Operating in Utah for fifty years, Cooney & Conway make sure that you get compensation quickly. Their rates are not as high as other law firms. At Cooney & Conway, the main focus is on making sure that Mesothelioma victims get legal assistance at affordable rates.
In order to get a free case evaluation, contact the Mesothelioma attorneys of Cooney & Conway. They will tell you well in advance what sort of strategy they are going to follow in the court. Cooney & Conway employs a wide variety of tools and resources in terms of identifying worksites and manufacturers. The attorneys at Cooney & Conway are always ready for litigation against the companies responsible for your situation.
There are thirteen attorneys working in Cooney & Conway who give individual attention to your case. This means that all aspects of your Mesothelioma case are taken into consideration and the chances of you attaining success is higher. You can contact the attorneys of Cooney & Conway by e-mail or phone.

http://mesoblog.org/blog/mesothelioma-attorney-utah/

What Is A Dental Abscess? What Causes Dental Abscesses?

2011-01-22T05:54:00.000-08:00

A dental abscess, or tooth abscess, is an accumulation of pus that forms inside the teeth or gums. The abscess typically originates from a bacterial infection, often one that has accumulated in the soft pulp of the tooth.

Bacteria exist in plaque, a by-product of food, saliva and bacteria in the mouth which sticks to the teeth and damages them, as well as the gums. If the plaque is not removed by regular and proper tooth brushing and flossing the bacteria may spread within the soft tissue inside the tooth or gums, eventually resulting in an abscess.

There are 3 types of dental abscess:

Gingival abscess - the abscess is only in the gum tissue and does not affect the tooth or the periodontal ligament.

Periodontal abscess - this abscess starts in the supporting bone tissue structures of the teeth.

Periapical abscess - this abscess commences in the soft pulp of the tooth.

According to Medilexicon's medical dictionary:

A gingival abscess is "an abscess confined to the gingival soft tissue."
A periodontal abscess is "an alveolar abscess or a lateral periodontal abscess."
A periapical abscess is "an alveolar abscess localized around the apex of a tooth root."

A dental abscess usually requires treatment; otherwise it can worsen and result in the destruction of bone tissue.

What are the signs and symptoms of a dental abscess?

A symptom is something the patient feels and reports, while a sign is something other people, including a doctor or nurse may detect. For example, pain may be a symptom while a rash may be a sign. Signs and symptoms of a dental abscess may include:

Pain - the main symptom. This may be a throbbing pain, and is often intense. The pain usually starts suddenly, and becomes more intense over the subsequent hours or days. In some cases the pain may radiate to the ear, jawbone and neck.

Pain in the affected area when biting
Touching the affected area may be painful
Sensitivity to cold or hot food and liquids
A foul taste in the patient's mouth
Fever
General malaise (the patient feels generally unwell)
Trismus - the patient finds it harder to open his/her mouth
Dysphagia - swallowing difficulties
Insomnia

What causes a dental abscess?

A dental abscess in most cases is a complication of a dental infection. Bacteria, often bacteria present in plaque, infect and make their way into a tooth.

Periapical abscess

Bacteria enter the tooth through tiny holes caused by tooth decay (caries) that form in the tooth enamel (hard outer layer of the tooth). The caries eventually break down the softer layer of tissue under the enamel, called dentine. If the decay continues, the hole will eventually penetrate the soft inner pulp of the tooth - infection of the pulp is called pulpitis.

As the pulpitis progresses the bacteria make their way to the bone that surrounds and supports the tooth, called the alveolar bone, and a periapical abscess is formed.

Periodontal abscess

When bacteria which are present in plaque infect the gums the patient has periodontitis. The gums become inflamed, which can make the periodontal ligament (tissue surrounding the root of the tooth) separate from the base of the tooth. A periodontal pocket, a tiny gap, is formed when the periodontal ligament separates from the root. The pocket gets dirty easily and is very hard to keep clean. As bacteria build up in the periodontal pocket, periodontal abscess is formed.

Patients can develop periodontal abscesses as a result of a dental procedure which accidentally resulted in periodontal pockets. Also, the use of antibiotics in untreated periodontitis, which can mask the symptoms of an abscess, can result in a periodontal abscess. Sometimes gum damage can lead to periodontal abscesses, even if no periodontitis is present.

What should I do if I have dental abscess symptoms?

Any person with symptoms linked to a dental abscess should see a dentist immediately. Dental abscesses are easily diagnosed by a qualified dentist. In the UK the National Health Service (NHS) advises people to visit either their usual registered dentist, a local Dental Access Centre, or the emergency department of their local general hospital.

People who have swallowing and/or breathing problems should go straight to the emergency department of their local hospital.

If for some reason you cannot get to a dentist immediately you could visit your GP (general practitioner, primary care physician). A GP cannot treat an abscess, but he/she may prescribe medication and advise on self-care and pain management, and is also likely to know the fastest way of getting emergency treatment, if required.

What is the treatment for a dental abscess?

The only person who can effectively treat a dental abscess is a dentist. Treatment may involve typical dental procedures, and in some occasional surgery.

Incision - the abscess needs to be cut out (incised) and the pus, which contains bacteria, drained away. The patient will be given a local anesthetic.

Treating a periapical abscess - root canal treatment will be used to remove the abscess. A drill is used to bore a hole into the dead tooth so that the pus can come out. Any damaged tissue will be removed from the pulp. A root filling is then inserted into the space to prevent subsequent infections.

Treating a periodontal abscess - the abscess will be drained and the periodontal pocket cleaned. The surfaces of the root of the tooth will then be smoothed out by scaling and smoothing (planing) below the gum line. This helps the tooth heal and prevents further infections from occurring.

Surgery for dental abscesses

Patients with a periapical abscess and a recurring infection may need to have diseased tissue surgically removed. This will be done by an oral surgeon.

Patients with a periodontal abscess and a recurring infection may have to have their gum tissue reshaped and the periodontal pocket removed. This procedure will be performed by an oral surgeon.

If the dental abscess recurs, even after surgery, the tooth may be extracted (taken out).

Treatment for pain

OTC (over-the-counter, no prescription required) painkillers (analgesics) may help reduce the pain while the patient is waiting for treatment. It is important to follow the information on the packet carefully. Painkillers are only there for pain reduction, they cannot replace the visit to a dentist.

Aspirin, ibuprofen or Tylenol (parecetamol) are effective painkillers. However, some are unsuitable for certain types of patients (read below):

Ibuprofen and asthma - if you are asthmatic do not take ibuprofen.
Ibuprofen and stomach ulcers - do not take ibuprofen if you have, or ever had stomach ulcers.
Aspirin and children - do not give aspirin to children under 16 years of age.
Aspirin and pregnancy and breastfeeding - do not take aspirin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Things you can do yourself

Avoid cold foods and drinks
Avoid hot foods and drinks
Moderately cool foods, chewed on the "good" side of your mouth will probably be less painful
Do not floss around the affected area
Use a very soft toothbrush

Antibiotics - these may be prescribed to prevent the infection from spreading, and may be taken together with painkillers. Examples of antibiotics include amoxicillin or metronidazole. In no way should antibiotics be seen as a way of substituting treatment with a dentist, or postponing treatment.

What are the complications of a dental abscess?

In the vast majority of cases, complications only occur if the abscess is left untreated. However, complications can occur, even after seemingly effective treatment, but this is very rare. Possible complications include:

Dental cysts - a fluid-filled cavity may develop at the bottom of the root of the tooth if the abscess is not treated. This is called a dental cyst. There is a significant risk that the cyst will become infected. If this happens the patient will need antibiotics, and possibly surgery.

Osteomyelitis - the bacteria in the abscess gets into the bloodstream and infects the bone. The patient will experience an elevated body temperature, severe pain in the affected bone, and possibly nausea. Typically, the affected bone will be near the site of the abscess; however, as it may have spread into the bloodstream any bone in the body may be affected. Treatment involves either oral or intravenous antibiotics.

Cavernous sinus thrombosis - the spread of bacteria causes a blood clot to form at the cavernous sinus - a large vein at the base of the brain. Cavernous sinus thrombosis is treated with antibiotics, and sometimes surgery to drain the sinus. In some cases the condition can be fatal. This is a very rare complication.

Ludwig's angina - this is an infection of the floor of the mouth when the dental abscess bacteria spread. There is swelling and intense pain under the tongue and in the neck. In severe cases the patient may find it hard to breathe. Ludwig's angina is a potentially fatal condition. Patients are treated with antibiotics. In severe cases a tracheostomy (procedure to open the airway) is performed if there are breathing problems.

Maxillary sinusitis - the bacteria spread into small spaces behind the cheeckbones, called the maxillary sinuses. This is not a serious condition, but can be painful, and the patient may develop a fever and have tender cheeks. Sometimes the conditions resolves on its own. Depending on the severity, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics.

Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Mesothelioma? Lung Cancer From Asbestos

2011-01-22T05:38:00.000-08:00

Mesothelioma is a form oflung cancer that is almost always caused by asbestos exposure and is most commonly found in the outer lining of the lungs called the mesothelium. A majority of the people who developmesothelioma contract thiscancer through breathing in asbestos fibers or being exposed to asbestos dust while on the job. In cases where mesothelioma is found in a person with no previous occupational exposure, it is summized that the exposure may have stemmed from asbestos fibers found on the clothes of someone in their home who worked in an area where asbestos dust was found.

There are a number of reasons that make diagnosing mesothelioma in its early stages extremely difficult. The symptoms of mesothelioma can have a latency period of anywhere between 20 to 50 years after the initial asbestos contact, which means by the time the symptoms begin to show, the cancer is already within its advanced stages. Once symptoms are present, diagnosis is still not a speedy process. There are a number of diseases that mirror the symptoms that are found in mesothelioma patients and because of this mesothelioma is often the last stop - usually without prior mention from the patient about the possibility of previous asbestos exposure.

The success of treatment for mesothelioma is dependent on the stage in which the cancer is found. As it is found that most mesothelioma is not discovered until the advanced stages, mesothelioma treatment is often referred to as "unsuccessful." Studies show that when found within either stage I or II, treatment for mesothelioma - usually with a combination of radiation and chemotherapy - is successful in extending the patient's life for five years at a rate of 74.6% (Wikipedia). There are also alternative forms of therapy that can be used in conjunction with conventional treatments, that have been shown on occasion to decrease the size of mesothelioma found in a patient.

Asbestos was used for many years in a wide array of household and industrial products because of its multiple types and uses. It is fireproof, and can also be used as an insulator, thus allowing it to become very popular during the Industrial Revolution. It is unknown whether or not people were aware of the dangers of asbestos fibers at that time, but by the 1900's the risk of asbestos was becoming more obvious. People who lived in mining towns would develop lung problems, and general studies showed that asbestos workers died at a young age. Asbestos, in an undisturbed state, seems to pose no threat. However, as soon as it becomes damaged or friable, the fibers are able to be ingested, thus potentially leading to these or other health problems. Although some companies were aware of this danger, they continued to work with products containing asbestos with no regard to their employees. These blatant injustices are the reason for the popularity of mesothelioma in the field of litigation.

Written by Michelle Griffin
The Asbestos Cancer and Mesothelioma Support Center at Asbestos.Net
www.asbestos.net
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

What is Acne? What Causes Acne? How to Get Rid of Acne

2011-01-22T05:35:00.000-08:00

The word acne comes from the word acme meaning "the highest point", which comes from the Greek akme meaning "point" or "spot" - it was originally mispelt, with an 'n' rather than an 'm' in 1835.

Acne is a disease that involves the oil glands of the skin. It is not dangerous, but can leave skin scars. Your skin has pores (tiny holes) which connect to oil glands located under the skin. The glands are connected to the pores via follicles - small canals. Sebum, an oily liquid, is produced by these glands. The sebum carries dead skin cells through the follicles to the surface of your skin. A small hair grows through the follicle out of the skin. Pimples grow when these follicles get blocked.

In humans, when pimples appear they tend to do so on the patient's face, back, chest, shoulders and neck. Acne develops when follicles get blocked and infected.

Simply put - skin cells, sebum and hair can clump together into a plug, this plug gets infected with bacteria, resulting in a swelling. A pimple starts to develop when the plug begins to break down.

There are various types of pimples

Whiteheads - remain under the skin and are very small.
Blackheads - clearly visible, they are black and appear on the surface of the skin. Remember that a blackhead is not caused by dirt. Scrubbing your face vigorously when you see blackheads will not help.
Papules - visible on the surface of the skin. They are small bumps, usually pink.
Pustules - clearly visible on the surface of the skin. They are red at their base and have pus at the top.
Nobules - clearly visible on the surface of the skin. They are large, solid pimples. They are painful and are embedded deep in the skin.
Cysts - clearly visible on the surface of the skin. They are painful, and are filled with pus. Cysts can easily cause scars.

How common is acne?

Dermatologists (skin specialists) say that approximately three-quarters of 11 to 30 year-olds will get acne at some time. Acne can affect people of all races and all ages. It most commonly affects adolescents and young adults. There are people in their fifties who still get acne. According to Brown University, USA, approximately 17 million Americans are estimated to have acne at any one time.

Although acne affects both men and women, young men suffer from acne for longer - probably because testosterone, which is present in higher quantities in young men, can make acne worse.

What causes acne?

Nobody is completely sure what causes acne. Experts believe the primary cause is a rise in androgen levels - androgen is a type of hormone. Androgen levels rise when a human becomes an adolescent. Rising androgen levels make the oil glands under your skin grow; the enlarged gland produces more oil. Excessive sebum can break down cellular walls in your pores, causing bacteria to grow.

Some studies indicate that susceptibility to acne could also be genetic. Some medications which contain androgen and lithium may cause acne. Greasy cosmetics may cause acne in some susceptible people. Hormone changes during pregnancy may cause acne to either develop for the first time, or to recur.

Treatment of acne

How your acne is treated may depend on how severe and persistent it is.

Treating mild acne

The majority of people who get acne will develop mild acne. This can usually be treated with OTC (over-the-counter) medications. OTC medications can be bought at a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription. They are usually applied to the skin - topical medicines.

Most acne OTC products may contain the following active ingredients:

Resorcinol - helps break down blackheads and whiteheads. It is a crystalline phenol and comes from various resins. Resorcinol is also used for treatingdandruff, eczema and psoriasis.
Benzoyl Peroxide - kills bacteria and slows down your glands' production of oil. Benzoyl peroxide is a white crystalline peroxide used in bleaching (flour or oils or fats) and as a catalyst for free radical reactions. It works as a peeling agent, accelerating skin turnover and clearing pores, which in turn reduces the bacterial count in the affected area.
Salicylic Acid - helps break down blackheads and whiteheads, also reduces shedding of cells which line the follicles of the oil glands, effective in treating inflammation and swelling. Salicylic acid is a white crystalline substance which is also used as a fungicide, or in making aspirin or dyes or perfumes. It causes the epidermis to shed skin more easily, prevents pores from becoming blocked while at the same time allowing room for new cells to grow. It is commonly added to shampoos used for treating dandruff.
Sulfur - helps break down blackheads and whiteheads. Sulfur, in its native form, is a yellow crystalline solid. Sulfur has been used for centuries for treating acne, psoriasis and eczema. Scientists are not sure how sulfur works to help skin diseases. We do know that elemental sulfur does oxidize slowly to sulfurous acid which is a mild reducing and antibacterial agent.
Retin-A - helps unplug blocked pores. Retin-A contains Tretinoin, an acid from of vitamin A, also known as all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). Tretinoin is also used for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia. Retin-A has been used widely to combat aging of the skin, it also acts as a chemical peel.
Azelaic Acid - strengthens cells that line the follicles, stops oil eruptions, reduces bacteria growth. It is a saturated dicarboxylic acid found naturally in wheat, rye, and barley. Azelaic acid also mops up free radicals, which reduces inflammation. It is useful for patients with darker skin who have dark patches on their face (melasma), or whose acne spots leave persistent brown marks.

You can buy acne medications in the forms of gels, soaps, pads, creams and lotions. If your skin is sensitive you may prefer a cream or lotion. Gels, which are usually alcohol based and tend to dry the skin, are better for people with oily skin. OTC medications will have these ingredients in different concentrations. It is advisable to start with the lowest strengths. You may experience skin irritation, redness, and/or burning when you first try them. These side effects usually go away after continued use. If they don't you should see your doctor.

Treating more severe cases of acne

If your acne is more severe you should consider seeing a dermatologist - a skin specialist. The specialist may prescribe a treatment that contains some of the active ingredients mentioned above, such as benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, as well as adabalene. Prescription medications for acne are presented in many forms, such as creams, lotions, etc. Your dermatologist will decide what is best for you.

You may be prescribed an oral or topical antibiotic. Antibiotics can combat the growth of bacteria and reduce inflammation. Most commonly Erythromyocin and Tetracycline are prescribed as antibiotics for the treatment of acne.

Treating a cyst with interlesional corticosteroid injection
If an acne cyst becomes severely inflamed there is a high risk of rupturing. A rupturing acne cyst can often result in scarring. The specialist may inject a diluted corticosteroid to treat the inflamed cyst and to prevent scarring. The injection will lower the inflammation and speed up healing. The cyst will "melt" within a few days.
Isotretinoin
This is a strong oral retinoid, used for the treatment of severe cystic acne, as well as severe acne that has not responded to other medications and treatments.
Oral antibiotics
Oral antibiotics are frequently prescribed for patients with severe acne and some patients with moderate acne too. The aim of such oral antibiotics is to lower the population of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), a bacterium commonly found on the skin, which will multiply rapidly in blocked follicles. The dosage will be initially high, and then as the acne reduces so will the dosage. Antibiotics are not taken for more than six months. As time passes the P. acnes can become resistant to the antibiotic and another antibiotic is needed. Some American studies have indicated that it is better to use oral broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Oral contraceptives
The majority of women with acne find that taking certain oral contraceptives clears it up. Oral contraceptives suppress the overactive gland and are commonly used as long-term treatments for acne in women. If the woman has a blood-clotting disorder, smokes, has a history of migraines, or is over 35, she should not take this medication without checking with a gynecologist first.
Topical antimicrobials (topical = applied to the skin or mucus membranes)
As with oral antibiotics, the aim of topical antimicrobials for the treatment of acne is to reduce P. acnes populations. Topical antimicrobials are used for patients with moderate to severe acne. Examples may be clindamycin, erythromycin, and sodium sulfacetamide
The dermatologist may prescribe a topical retinoid. Topical retinoids are a derivative of Vitamin A and are very popular for the treatment of acne. They unclog the pores and prevent whiteheads and blackheads from developing. Examples of topical retinoids prescribed in the USA are adapalene, tazarotene, and tretinoin.

Looking after your skin if you have acne (or are prone to acne)

Wash your face about twice each day. Do not wash it more often. Use a mild soap made especially for people with acne, and warm water. Do not scrub the skin. Experts advise the use of an OTC lotion which contains benzoyl peroxide.
Don't try to burst the pimples. You may push the infection further down, causing more blocking and worse swelling and redness. Popping pimples makes scarring more likely.
If you have to get rid of a pimple for some event, such as a wedding, or public speaking occasions, ask a specialist to treat it for you.
Try to refrain from touching your face with your hands. When you are on the phone try not to let the receiver touch your face - there may be sebum and skin residue on it.
Keep your hands clean, wash them regularly.
Always wash your hands before touching your face. This includes before applying lotions, creams or makeup.
Glasses should be cleaned regularly. They will collect sebum and skin residue.
You skin needs to breathe. If your acne is on your back, shoulders or chest try wearing loose clothing. Tight garments, such as headbands, caps and scarves should be avoided - if you have to wear them make sure they are cleaned regularly.
Don't go to sleep with makeup on. Only use makeup that is nonceomedogenicor nonacnegenic - you should be able to read this on the label. If you cannot find it, ask the shopkeeper or pharmacist. You should use makeup which does not have oil and does not clog up the pores.
Hair collects sebum and skin residue. Keep your hair clean and away from your face.
Too much sun can cause your skin to produce more sebum. Several acne medications make it more likely that you will be sunburned.
If you shave your face, do it carefully. Use either an electric shaver or safety razors. If you use a safety razor make sure the blade is sharp. Soften your skin/beard with warm soapy water before applying the shaving cream.

Menstrual cycle - Girls and women with acne tend to get it worse one or two weeks before their menstrual period arrives. This is probably due to hormonal changes that take place. Some people say they eat more chocolate during this time and wonder whether there may be a connection. However, experts believe the worsening acne is not due to chocolate, but rather to hormonal changes.What can make acne worse?
Anxiety and stress - mental stresscan affect your levels of some hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, which in turn can make acne worse. Again, stress can make some people binge-eat. Experts believe the culprits are most likely the hormone levels, rather than the binge-eating.
Hot and humid climates - when it is hot and humid we sweat more. This can make the acne worse.
Oil based makeups - moisturizing creams, lubricating lotions, and all makeup that contain oil can speed up the blocking of your pores.
Greasy hair - some hair products are very greasy and might have the same effect as oil based makeup. Hair products with cocoa butter or coconut butter are examples.
Squeezing the pimples - if you try to squeeze pimples your acne is more likely to get worse, plus you risk scarring.

Sources: Wikipedia, Duke University, American Academy of Dermatology, National Health Service (UK).

Written by Christian Nordqvist
Original article date: 14 May 2008
Article updated: 5 March 2009

Living with a Sense of Lifestyle

2011-01-21T09:00:00.000-08:00

Often times, our concept of style mean no more than fashion. A lot of people find and manifest their sense of style mainly through their clothing, their hair, their nails, basically everything that can be seen in their body, those that are readily noticed. This is probably why a lot of people invest on these things. Everyone has an inherent desire to be, in one way or another, stylish. You're not exempted from it.

Style is something that you live with, and not merely something you wear. Majority of humankind overlooks the fact that you can actually show and live by your style through things that are more than your shirt brand or your hair do. Here are some examples:

You can show your style through your home. The way you build or decorate your home can actually be an expression of your style. Even before, cultures have somehow showed their way of life through the types of houses that they build—the classic castles of Europe, famous dwellings of India, Vegas' skyline condominiums and even as simple as the variety of Atlanta apartments. Artists are getting more and more hooked up to making their homes as unique as possible, trying as much as they can to express themselves through their home's design.

You can show your style through your everyday output. Like writers with their poems, composers with their songs, you can also express yourself through whatever endeavor you are in. No matter what you do for a living, you can find numerous ways to incorporate your sense of your style to your outputs.

All of us are walking billboards of what our style is. The same way that Europe's castles reflect authority, Vegas' towers reflect wealth, and Atlanta apartments reflect simplicity, you can also be a materialization of your stylistic senses. What you just have to do is to search and clearly define what this sense is, and find every way possible to express what you defined. Remember that it's more than what you wear, it's how you live. Start searching for it, and start building your life style.

Three Things to Watch Out For When Renting Office Space

2011-01-21T08:59:00.000-08:00

Having a home-based business in Washington, DC is cost-effective for many upcoming entrepreneurs. Owners of home-based business pay virtually no office space rental fees, because the business operates from within the owner's home. However, as the business grows, the company may need to hire more people to keep up with demands. Clients may also ask for on-site meetings to assess the company's potential.

If you have a home-based business, you can probably relate to these scenarios. However, you'll need to take action soon for your business' sake. Probably the most reasonable answer to the situation is to have your own office. Having your own office may accommodate your business needs for hiring more employees. Furthermore, an impressive-looking office may raise potentials for partnerships too.

In getting an office space, consider budget because this will affect your finances. An ideal setting should yield rental costs that will not overwhelm your capital requirements. For other things to remember when renting office spaces, read the following.

Average costs for utilities

Remember that rental fees are just part of what you'll be paying for a Washington, DC office space. You'll be paying for electricity, water, and Internet connection fees, too. Compare the costs with your average business income and see the remaining balance after taxes. If the profit yield is too low because of these added costs, find another office space.

Contract

While most companies for Washington, DC office space have a reasonable contract, it's still better to be safe than sorry. Research on tenant-proprietor laws in Washington, DC and compare these with the contract's stipulations. If you find out that a contract may not be in line with regulations, find another office space to rent. A contract in violation of Washington's laws will work to your disadvantage.

Roads

Check the traffic condition of the roads leading to the prospective Washington, DC office space. A longer drive due to traffic congestion may mean more money spent on fuel, thus adding to your expenses. Frequent traffic jams may also lead to a longer commute time, which can prove troublesome for you and your possible employees. If possible, choose an office space with fewer commuting hassles because this will save you money

The Excuses You're Taking Are The Excuses You're Taking

2011-01-21T08:57:00.001-08:00

A couple of nights ago I watched a webinar conducted by David Wood. On the webinar, David emphasized a fantastic point that I would like to explore today....the excuses that you make for yourself are the same excuses you'll accept from other people. Essentially he was restating the old adage that people mirror what they are encountering from you. Frequently the true culprit hampering our network marketing business is the attitude we have accepted as a part of our lives. Whether we recognize it or not we are constantly transmitting mindsets and attitudes that are picked up and reflected in the lives of those around us.
As we break this down, I hope you will start to see some of your own habits and actions that are in reality harming your network marketing business. Let me give you an example that I observe many times in my interactions with other people. A person joins a business, but they join at the lowest possible level on the grounds that they "can't afford" the top level. When you speak to them about their enrolling efforts, it is full of stories of prospects who did not join, because they "couldn't afford" it.
A different variation of this illustration is the distributor who joins a network marketing business, but never buys product and does not take part in the monthly autoship, because they "can't afford" it. When you analyze the downlines of these people, they are commonly filled with other distributors who don't buy product and don't participate in the company autoship, since they too "can't afford" it. In both of these cases the poverty mindset has found a productive breeding ground and this line of counterproductive thinking reproduces itself again and again.
A lot of distributors struggle in the areas of recruiting and reproduction in their network marketing business. When you start to ask about their attempts in these areas, you hear the excuse "I don't have the time" to undertake the activities that will grow their business. They don't make time for prospecting, training or recruiting. When this distributor brings someone into their business, the results are typically the same...no time to prospect, train or recruit and therefore no growth in their business either.
Among the basic principles of leadership is that you generally attract what you are. This implies that you will typically attract individuals like you into your network marketing business. The excuses that you have permitted to suffocate your business will also comprise the same excuses they allow to stifle theirs.
The key to getting over this type of business killing mindset is quite simple. You must adopt a zero tolerance policy when it pertains excuses. This policy starts with you. You can no longer make excuses for yourself or your lack of productivity. Learn to take responsibility for the condition of your network marketing business....you are the only one who can control those outcomes. When you make this stand with yourself you will make this stand with others. If lack of money is not an acceptable excuse for you, then you will not allow it to be an acceptable excuse from others. If lack of time is not an acceptable excuse for you, then you will not accept that excuse from others either.
If you take nothing else away from this article, remember this: "What you broadcast to others is what you will receive back from them in return."

Three Things to Look for in Virtual Office Services

2011-01-21T08:56:00.001-08:00

Office space in Washington, DC is becoming a rarity because many organizations want to have an office in the District. Many groups think that having an office in the DC area means easier access to the government, so it's ordinary to see various law offices and lobby firms in a single building. The influx of these groups made Washington more popular and resulted in increased office space rental costs.

As a possible solution, some upcoming business owners resorted to home-based offices to save on rent costs. This step works during the business' initial stages but may prove problematic when it comes to communications with clients. While your home may look respectable enough, you may need a more professional venue for personally communicating and meeting with clients.

One way you can achieve this is to opt for virtual office services. These services can make your business more professional, which is important when dealing with clients. Virtual office services can also provide you with meeting spaces or workspaces, for use in client meetings and conferences. In considering the meeting spaces of virtual office services, make sure the provider offers the following.

On-site Support

When you check the virtual office's meeting space, check if on-site technicians are available too. It's important to ask for the presence of technical support team for the meeting space in a Washington virtual office because you'll never know when the space's equipment will encounter glitches. Furthermore, on-site support may guarantee that a back-up system will work once the primary system malfunctions.

Audio-Visual Equipment

While most providers offering Washington virtual office services ensures that their meeting spaces have fully functional equipment, there's nothing like checking the equipment yourself. Ask for a dry run at the meeting space to determine image and sound quality from the equipment. If you're not satisfied with the initial test, it's best to get another virtual office service provider for your needs.

Assigned bandwidth

Most Washington virtual office service providers will boast of meeting spaces with fast Internet connections, but, to be on the safe side, ask for dedicated bandwidth, too. A dedicated bandwidth will ensure that you'll enjoy stable Internet connections when using the meeting space. An office with shared bandwidth speeds may encounter slow connectivity, and you don't want to encounter this especially when you're in the middle of a meeting.

Jacksonville Web Design Companies: How SEO Works

2011-01-20T07:23:00.001-08:00

Studies show that high-traffic websites appear at the first three pages of search engine results. High-traffic websites have a high number of page visits. Likewise, the top three items on result listings have the highest audience share. Appearing at the forefront of search engines generate increases web traffic, revenue, and profit. Have you ever wondered how high-traffic websites achieve their top positions in search engines?

Ask web design and SEO experts in Jacksonville and you will discover something new. They know the secret of audience attraction in web development. Most high-traffic websites hire the service of search engine optimizers. Search engine optimizers use various tools and techniques for search engine optimization (SEO). SEO increases one's web visibility and improves site ranking. SEO is one of the most important aspects of web development. Good layout and rich content are useless without a fitting SEO campaign.

In Jacksonville, SEO companies follow five stages of web development: planning, preparation, link building, test, and refinement. Planning is the business stage of the web development process. During planning, SEO specialists develop their objectives and goals. Does the client want to sell products online or does one simply want to make a brochure-ware? The purpose of a website determines keywords in an SEO campaign.

After this, SEO specialists develop web template and content. They incorporate keywords in articles and web content. They create layout for their web design Jacksonville clients. Most of them use hypertext markup language (HTML) and cascading style sheets (CSS). These are the most functional and practical programming languages for web configuration and layout. They also make catchy headlines, copies, and headers. They include white spaces in a layout. White spaces make a site appear neat and organized.

Aside from keywords, they include relevant links in web content. Links draw in traffic from other websites. Links must be relevant to the theme and topic of a website. Relevance determines the value of a link. Search engine spiders detect traffic-generating links. Websites with traffic-generating links are given a high ranking in search engine results. SEO Jacksonville, FL companies call this process link-building.

After link-building, web design Jacksonville, FL companies monitor the position of their client's website. They make necessary changes to improve ranking and web traffic, and sometimes recommend other techniques to advance their client's business standing.

Choosing an SEO Company in Jacksonville

2011-01-20T07:21:00.000-08:00

When you want to increase your website's visibility, look for search engine optimizers. Search engine optimizers are skilled in enhancing web design and content. In web development, this is called search engine optimization (SEO). SEO professionals use various tools and techniques to optimize your website. They analyze link competition, study keywords, and build interconnected links among websites. In Jacksonville, SEO is one of the most fundamental aspects of web development.

Keywords are combinations of words and phrases used in search engines. SEO specialists study and research keywords about different topics. They incorporate them in articles and web content. Clicking on a keyword leads you to the company website. Jacksonville SEO professionals publish various articles with keywords to increases web traffic and readership. Likewise, it promotes a website through informative articles and write-ups.

Aside from keywords, SEO professionals analyze and build links. They study the number of links needed to achieve top ranking in search engine results. SEO specialists aim to achieve number top rankings in search engines. Top websites have a first, second, and third rank in search engine listings. Top ranks increase the number of page visits, and at the same time, it improves one's web traffic. Are you looking for a SEO company in Jacksonville? Here are some factors you must consider in choosing a Jacksonville SEO company.

There are several companies that promise high-quality SEO service. Before choosing among a variety of SEO companies, ask for their professional portfolio. A professional portfolio represents the effectiveness of SEO campaigns for previous clients. These attest a company's professional expertise. A long-running SEO company Jacksonville usually has a competitive advantage over other companies, having served a lot of clients and successful SEO campaigns.

Aside from professional portfolio, inquire about a company's average working time. Working time refers to the work duration of a project. This depends on the number of web pages and scope of work in a search engine marketing Jacksonville campaign. Ideally, web planning and conceptualization last for a couple of weeks.

You can assess the level of professionalism of a company through good customer relations. Professional and experienced SEO Jacksonville companies respond promptly to client inquiries. Furthermore, they charge a reasonable fee for SEO services.

Simple, Clever And Effective Webspace Hosting Solutions

2011-01-20T07:17:00.000-08:00

Searching for the finest webspace hosting service is very complicated and often time consuming owing to the increasing number of companies these days. There are almost millions of web hosting service providers all over the globe and it is difficult for web masters to sort out the best.
Wild Lime hosting services has been a tough and effective competitor in the world of webspace hosting providers. This site hosting is easily comparable and better than other top most web space hosting providers with their features like Unlimited disk space, bandwidth,domains and 24/7 email or phone support.
Wild Lime hosting deploys easy to use cPanel that is generally used by web masters. The design of the official website is simple to use and clearly set to such an extent where novices can also understand and use the services effectively.
Stand out features:
Disk Space >>>>>>>>>   Unlimited
Bandwidth >>>>>>>>>   Unlimited
Money Back >>>>>>>>   Anytime
Uptime Guarantee >>>   99.9%
Multiple Domains >>>>   Unlimited
Website Builder >>>>>   Yes
Traffic Statistics >>>>> Yes
Shopping Cart >>>>>>   Yes
Control Panel >>>>>>> cPanel

Scripts supported:

FrontPage - Yes
CGI/Pearl Support - Yes
MySQL Databases - Unlimited
PHP Support - Yes
SSI - Server Side Includes - Yes
JavaScript - Yes
Flash/Shockwave - Yes
Real Audio/Video - Yes
SSL Support - Yes

Customer support: You can choose any form of technical support which is a convenient option if there any difficulties like changing the password or updating the information of your profile.

Phone Support
Email Support

Wild Lime webspace hosting also includes $100 free Google, Yahoo and Miva ad credits along with free Bidvertiser clicks which will help in promoting your website to the gigantic web world.
Most significant part of web hosting service is uninterrupted server maintained to access the website anytime. Wild Lime hosting performs a daily server back up to avoid any issues with server failures as their main motto is to deliver the best
If you are looking for fast, reliable and easy to use hosting service, then the best next thing to do is to go for Wild Lime webspace hosting.

!hindsight is a wonderful thing

2011-01-20T07:13:00.000-08:00

Outsourcing our website development overseas to India was a big mistake in my opinion; it caused us major delays and extra costs and we eventually had to enlist the help of a UK based developer to finish the project. Unfortunately, we cannot go back and change what has been but maybe our experience can help you and give you a bit of hindsight!

It was after a lot of research and cost comparisons that we decided to outsource our website development overseas, not only for the cost savings but for the technical expertise. What we didn't know then was that it would take 18 months to complete the development and more than double the costs involved.

The advantages turned into disadvantages for us and here's why:

Costs - a lot of people think it is cheaper to go abroad to places like India, but the initial quote is likely to increase when you realise you don't have everything you need. There are added costs in time and the overall management of the development. These costs far outweigh the initial monetary savings.
Working times - they can work whilst you sleep. But you are unable to speak to anyone after approximately 12pm during your UK working day. It means waiting until the following day to speak to someone and more often than not waiting another day for them to get back to you. Days roll into weeks and weeks roll into months. It becomes extremely drawn out and frustrating.
Experience - it has to be said that the expertise of overseas developers in second to none, with their American influences, they really are the best. As a video sharing website, it seemed logical for us to go to the most experienced people in this area. This level of technicality would have cost a lot more in the UK. However, we found there was a real lack of attention to detail and it cost us more in the end.
Language barrier - we had a lot of spelling mistakes, incorrect grammar and wrong wording on the website. You have to read everything over and over again and specify exactly the wording you want. Communication can be very difficult when they speak in severe broken English.
Accountability - you have to be very specific in what you want. they do not always provide advice or opinion. So if you don't know what you want, this could become a problem. If you are not experienced in web development, it is difficult to identify when things are not as they should be, until something goes wrong.
Coding - every web developer will write website code differently so if like us you find yourself no longer working with your overseas developer and you need to use a UK developer, it will cost you for the new developer to read and understand that code to be able to work with it.

If you have some experience in web development, outsourcing overseas could prove a real advantage because you know what you should be getting. We would recommend UK based developers, there are some really great ones around that are not too expensive, you are able to speak with them at your convenience and you have peace of mind with regulations in place to protect you against bad work. It may appear to cost more initially but in the long run it is worth it.

Tips for choosing the right web developer:

1. Always do your research - look for any bad reviews and look over previous work. Validate their work by looking at their portfolio and actually going on to some of the websites they have built.

2. Make sure that you have in writing; a specification detailing what your website should look like and include, a signed contract, and a checklist of all the functions your website should have.

3. Get a customer service agreement in writing from the company you choose detailing what you should expect from them if anything goes wrong.

4. Request a clause is put into the contract for any undue delays over the deadline.

5. Get testimonials from previous customers, speak to them if necessary to find out what their experience was.

Like with any project, website developments will come with their share of ups and downs, some will be easier than others depending on the complexity of your website. It is possible to avoid some common problems if you do your research and preparation beforehand.

When your website is your business, it is vital that you get it right.

We hope that our experience can help you choose the right developer for you.

Best of luck!

Cassie Lang.

A Shortcut To The Best Web space Hosting Service

2011-01-20T07:09:00.000-08:00

Wild Lime hosting is the fastest growing web space hosting service provider in the world owing to the best quality of service and an excellent customer support department. Wild Lime site hosting was founded recently in year 2010 after going through all the reviews of the entire web hosting service providers worldwide. The user reviews and expert concerns leading web hosting services have taken into account to provide the best webspace hosting for all the customers worldwide through Wild Lime hosting service.
Wild Lime hosting service offers Unlimited Disk Space, Unlimited Bandwidth, Unlimited Email Accounts, Unlimited FTP Accounts and Unlimited Domains for all web hosting packages. Viewers may think that these offers are even provided by some other web hosting services, and then what should be the reason to choose Wild Lime hosting service. Wild Lime hosting service offers guarantee to their customers with four extraordinary facilities that are lacking in current web hosting services.
Uptime Guarantee:
Wild Lime offers 99.9% uptime guarantee to their customers. If they fail in providing promised uptime, they will credit the customer account with a month's hosting costs.
Server backup:
Wild Lime has server backup facility at their location (Houston, Texas) and the backup is done on daily basis. They are supported by uninterrupted power supply to ensure continuous data transfer.

HP ProLiant DL 785 G5 Servers
Solid Backup Systems

Anytime money back guarantee:
Wild Lime hosting is specialized in customer satisfaction, the best guarantee in the industry. Customers can opt for anytime money back guarantee policy without any questions being asked if not satisfied with the hosting service.
24/7 Phone and E-mail support:
The company provides free technical support round the clock. Customers can directly reach to live expert who speaks English to answer all the questions and fix the problems related to web hosting.The great webspace providers offer free marketing credits namely Google, Yahoo and Miva advertising credits worth $100 along with free Bidvertiser clicks worth $20.
Choosing Wild Lime webspace hosting guarantees a complete satisfaction for those who are looking for reliable and high quality hosting solutions.

How To Make A Girl Fall In Love With You

2011-01-19T14:47:00.000-08:00

Let's get started. Getting a girl of your dreams is much like getting the car of your dream. But unlike a car which you can always bargain for, there is nothing like a 20 percent discount in courting the girl of your dreams, she's so sweet a thing to be discounted, you dearly are in love with her and your feelings for her can only be communicated not by the words of the mouth, but by the words of the heart. Getting the girl actually depends on how big your heart is - faint heart, never won fair lady.

The first dating idea for any man is to make a good impression. In your doing so, you don't have to talk, dress or do the common things that all the Toms do to get a decent girl's attention. Be unique, that's all you need. Be a man of his own style. Dress decently - indecency can make one be mistaken for arrogance; watch your language - obscene language gives the impression of immaturity, being uncultured and cheap; be a man of good habits - don't drink or smoke like any other loser.

How to make her fall in love with you? Take your time. Add some romance to your dating style. When in College I had a crush on the most beautiful lady in our first year lot. Though all senior guys were out to get that girl, I managed to divert her attention from the other guys. I wrote her three letters without disclosing my identity and slid into her room secretly; all I said was 'Yours Secret Admirer.' The first letter contained the meaning of her name, this I got by playing around with the initials of her name to make meaning. The second was a funny message that could only be read backwards and it was all about her physique and her smartness. In the third letter I told the girl to be ready to receive a rose flower from her admirer, but only if she could be kind enough to phone him using a number that I had included in the letter. The girl did phone me that very night, and her first words to me were, "Hallo Secret Admirer." So, the story of our love affair came to be. Later she told me that was so creative of me, no one had approached her in that manner. I made her fall in love with me and made a date in the romantic manner.

Befriending and understanding the girl you are out to get is the next important thing. This is what I also did. You have to understand that as a lady, she loves to be loved, adores to be adored and needs to be needed. This will move you closer to the girl and you'll get to know what she's into, what she likes and dislikes, and what her style is. Love is built upon friendship and it always leaves individuals better off having known each other should they break up. I and my College steady were to break some time later but to date, we are the best of buddies. Be sure that bringing out the selflessness friend in you will make her create room for you in her heart.

A shoulder to lean on and some good friend that she can always turn to is all that a lady wants. Please don't hesitate to be helpful and supportive. Be that friend who rekindles her zeal of hardworking and restoring hope back into her life when she looses hope. This above all other things will make you her daily vitamin simply because you bring out the best in her in terms of personality and character. In you, she'll have found that friend whom she can open up to, share with and advice each other on the rights and wrongs, the dos and don'ts of life. Don't forget to always be there to celebrate the good times, and to lend an ear when the girl needs you to listen as a friend.

Make the girl feel special; because she's someone's friend - your friend, and let her know that she too has touched your life in a unique way like no one else could. Compliment her for her company and for being there when you needed her, when you felt sad and all alone. Show appreciations for the comfort the girl offers you and for making you smile.

In your day to day talks, share your dreams, your world, and every aspect of your life with your girl. Always dream with her, build with her, and always cheer her on and encourage her. Tell your girl how you always think about her even when you try not to think about her. Let the girl know that she's your first thing in the morning and the last thing when you go to bed at night.

Her knowing that you were thinking of her when you slipped beneath the softness of your blanket and gave in to the bliss of sweet dreams, will make her go 'my my' and her heart will sing your name all the year round.

You have to be creative and constructive to keep girl's interest in you so full of life. I remember one time I told my girlfriend to be to imagine we are both deaf and dump. We then sat opposite each other on the table and started sharing our feelings for each other using eyes and hand signs. It turned out to be some fun. There was also this time that we were in the library and we decided we are not going to speak to each other verbal, so I wrote a love note on a paper and passed it across the table to her, she replied and on and on we carried on our love on paper conversation till we almost exhausted a whole rim of paper. At sometime, I noticed that some guys sited with us on the table were enjoying our ordeal than their studies. Such are the things that made the girl embrace my world. I remember her suggesting that we play deaf and dump two years after we broke up, can you imagine that?

Never fail to phone her, even when she least expects it. I once called some girl that I was interested in at four o'clock in the morning. When inquiring of what I was doing up so early, I told her I was in thirteenth heaven, where people think of their loved ones when they can't sleep. Wow! First thing early the next morning, she was at my door with a king-sized hug for me. No matter how many dates you take her, don't make any elbow - exceeding moves after any date, just drop her home and with a friendly handshake, wish her good night. Don't kiss her when she expects you to. Your respect as a gentleman will be earned on how patient you are with her when it comes to such matters as kissing her and accessing her inner graces.

The writing is on the wall that you want her, but you can't have her just yet. Increase your demand. Try to show her that men are also hard to get at times. Make her realize that when she feels a little dizzy, a little tired, a little sad, a little sick, a lot bored and very much cold, she's actually missing vitamin you. By this time, she'll be so much into you and since love is truthful and is characterized by open and honest communication, honestly promise her your everlasting devotion, loyalty, respect, and your unconditional love for a lifetime. Prove to her that you'll always be there for her, to listen and to hold her hand, and that you'll always do your best to make her happy, and feel loved.

Remember, patience is the key to her heart; be like that gardener watching a fruit as it hangs on the tree, day after day admiring it, but, exercising tremendous self-discipline, neither feeling the fruit, nor pinching it, nor testing it to see if it is ready. And then, one day he holds out his hand and the fruit simply drops into it, ripe, warm and eager to be eaten.

The patience and self-control which you practice will make you more attractive and charming. This will qualify you as her daily vitamin and win you that heart hers.

I wish you to meet the girl of your dreams ASAP, make her fall in love with you, and make her feel the happiest girl in the world!

How to Tell if a Guy Likes you - Five Signs He's Interested

2011-01-19T14:45:00.000-08:00

How can you tell if a guy likes you or is interested? You noticed him when you were standing and talking with a friend. You think he noticed you, but maybe it was your imagination or just wishful thinking. He looked at you at about the same time you saw him. Your eyes met for just a few seconds, and then you looked away. When you looked back up, he was talking with some other people. Was he watching you as you mingled? Or were you making that up? How can you tell if a guy likes you? Why are guys so hard to read?

Here are five signs that he is interested in you too. If any of the following happens, he is probably trying to get close enough to ask you out:

1. He tells someone

Is he interested? He likes you if he tells a mutual friend that he wants to know more about you, or he asks other people who you are and where you're from. He is trying to act like he's "just asking" but his questions indicate more than a casual interest. And when he tells someone that he finds you attractive, he probably knows that it will get back to you. He's hoping it does.

2. The look

He gives you a look that betrays his calm exterior. Even though he is across the room, "that look" he has says it all. It is sweeping, from your head to your toes, and then his eyes linger on yours. You think you notice the beginning of a tentative smile.

3. The conversation

Does he like you? When he manages to get close enough to you, to ask you questions, he is interested. He appears to be listening and responds to what you say. He's moving in to the ultimate question, which is: "Are you seeing anyone." He would only ask this question if he wanted to date you, and he hopes the answer is "No." Never ever wear a ring in public. When a guy is across the room, he cannot tell which finger it is on and he may assume incorrectly that you are taken. If he doesn't ask you the question of whether or not you are attached, he may ask someone whom you both know.

4. He appears unexpectedly

He likes you a lot if he shows up out of nowhere. He can only do that if he has been asking people about your schedule, or he has been paying attention to where you are going and at what time. His face may turn red when he sees you. A sudden, "Oh, hi," is his way of saying, "I don't want to seem obvious, but I am interested in you." If you feel the same way, do not act shy. Stop and talk to him.

5. EVERYONE likes you

Is he interested? When you are well liked and a happy person, why wouldn't he like you? Of course he does. If you don't have a great life, however, now is your time to start working on one. Take a look at your career possibilities, body image, future, plans, and resources. You may be naturally talented at something, but it won't matter unless you work on your strengths. Misused or unused talents fade away. School and training do not.

These are the five signs that he is interested and he is on the verge of asking you out. Make it easy for him and be friendly. This is where relationships begin.

Do you want to know more secrets about how to attract men? Do you know how to dress, what to say, what to do, and the body language to use when you go out? Do you know the 5 steps to take to meet any guy anywhere? Read on to discover all the secrets to having all the dates you want in How To Attract Men: Secrets Every Woman Should Know

Pros and Cons of School Uniforms

2011-01-19T14:42:00.000-08:00

We have worked with schools across the United States, and believe us, you are not the only person asking this question! The answers that we have heard from our customers are as varied as our customers are. The debate over school uniforms is complicated, so we've included highlights from both sides for you to consider:
Professional:
Some say that a child in a school uniform is more likely to take school seriously. Putting on the school uniform signals he or she is going to school just like dad dresses up to go to work. Schools report that when students dress in "work clothes" rather than "play clothes" they take a more serious approach to their studies.
Promotes Good Discipline:
Many think that school uniforms help maintain school discipline, decreasing the amount of discipline problems. The argument is that children today are lacking in self-discipline because parents refuse to discipline them. This makes it more difficult on the teacher who has to deal with classes of 25-30 students at a time.
Reduces Fighting and Violence:
Schools report that school uniforms decrease fighting and violence that arrise out of arguments over fashionable clothes. Children invariably tease those who do not have trendy clothes. Those who can't afford name brand clothes are often sensitive about their clothing. Schools struggling with gang problems report that school uniforms help ease tensions.
Distractions:
Many parents believe that students wearing school uniforms look nicer and that a school uniform policy ensures that children will come to school in appropriate clothing, avoiding distractions such as fads considered to be outlandish or overly revealing. Some students have turned school into an unending fashion show. This disctracts from learning, as some kids spend more time focused on thier clothes than on homework.
Values:
School uniforms stress that individuality and self-expression are not determined by designer clothing or the latest fashion fad.
Low Cost:
School uniforms are a bargain. They are becoming far less expensive than many other clothes. Schools argue that school uniforms are economical, especially compared to designer clothing, and parents agree given school uniform durability. They say school uniforms last longer because they are made for repeated wash and wear. Many schools capitalize on this by starting used school uniform stores or swap meets. Parents can get used school uniforms at discount prices, or just use them as hand-me-downs between siblings.
School Spirit:
Some feel wearing a school uniform helps build school spirit. It instills a feeling of belonging. As the Beach Boys said, "Be true to your school." Schools report an increase in school pride.

Individuality:
Supressing individuality is the most commonly cited objection to school uniforms. Educators argue that an academic program encouraging students to pursue individual thought is much more important than what they wear. They inhibit creativity and self-expression, forcing students to conform.
Causes Discipline Problems:
Some students reject any rules. Forcing them to wear school uniforms only aggravates their rebelious spirit. They alter their school uniform by tightening, widening, shortening, or lengthening them, and teachers are given the impossible task of policing the students on a daily basis.
Little or No Relationship to Academics:
Opponents insist that their is no credible evidence that school uniforms improve school discipline or promote higher academic acheivement. The principal argument is that some great students are terrible dressers. Dress does not necessarily improve learning.

Video Marketing Software Get It Right

2011-01-19T14:26:00.000-08:00

Video marketing is becoming increasingly more popular with time, and I don't think it's ever going away. If you don't want to get left behind you'll want to jump on the bandwagon and start your own video marketing campaign. Of course, making the videos is only half the job, you need to submit them, the more you submit, the more traffic you'll get. The submission process can be tedious but there are video marketing software programs that will do the submissions for you.
Many who are just starting out online have more time than money, though still not a lot of time, and will need to just go through the submission process themselves. If you have a little extra money to buy some software to take this burden from you, than you have to remember that not all software is created equal. Before you fork over your hard earned cash you want to make sure that the software program you get will really deliver.
Here are a few things to keep in mind, and look for, before you buy your submission software:
1. Some software products do more than others. The simplest software will just submit your videos to multiple online sites, but others will not only submit the videos they will also do link building in the process. This is an excellent added benefit and will make the software even more valuable to you (it will probably cost more too).
2. Another feature of the software is some of the programs will be downloaded right to your computer and others will be based online. The online versions will allow you to login to their site and upload your videos. They will then take care of the submission process from their end. You will receive some sort of notice when your video has been submitted.
This feature also makes it possible for you to record and upload a video from any computer, not just your own. That way you can borrow your friends great video recording software and record your video and upload it right there.
The download version will require you to run the software yourself, which isn't necessarily a problem but you will want to have high speed internet or it can take a very long time. Some software allows you to set the time for the submissions which is great since you can have the videos submitted while you sleep so you don't have to worry about tying up your computer.
Make sure when you are looking for software that you compare apples to apples and that you don't get caught up in the hype. The number of sites the software will submit your video to isn't the whole story. How good are those sites, how much traffic do they get? Having your video submitted to 20 -30 top notch quality high traffic sites is worth more than a video going out to hundreds of sites no one visits.
You'll hear me say it over and over again, one of the best things about having an online business is how automated you can make it. You really can work smarter and not harder online. Using video marketing software is just one of those automation tools. It can work for you just don't go for the cheapest product you can find, sometimes cheaper is just that: cheaper.

Le top 10 des dictateurs les mieux élus du monde

2011-01-19T14:11:00.000-08:00

Pour les chefs d'État autoritaires, rien de mieux qu'une élection «démocratique» pour asseoir leur légitimité. Voici les dix présidents les plus efficaces dans l'art de se faire élire sur des scores indiscutables.

- Ismail Omar Guelleh en mars 2010 à Nairobi, REUTERS/Noor Khamis -

De plus en plus de pays dans le monde organisent des élections au suffrage universel pour élire leur président. Mais derrière ce signe encourageant pour la diffusion de la démocratie se cachent des élections qui n’ont de démocratiques que le nom. Intimidation des opposants, médias contrôlés par le pouvoir, électeurs menacés, votes truqués, candidat unique: les régimes autoritaires rivalisent d’inventivité pour s’assurer des résultats électoraux qui asseyent leur légitimité. Voici notre Top 10 des dictateurs les mieux élus de la planète au 19 janvier 2011, un classement bouleversé notamment par la chute de Ben Ali en Tunisie, qui occupait la 4e place du dernier Top 10 (octobre 2009). [La méthode du classement est détaillée en bas d’article]

10- Hosni Moubarak (Egypte), 88,6%

Moubarak a remporté la première présidentielle multipartite du pays en 2005 avec 88,6% et une participation très faible de 23%. Au pouvoir depuis 28 ans, il avait gagné en 1987, 1993 et 1999 avec des scores supérieurs à 95%. Cette baisse de régime s’explique par le changement constitutionnel de 2005: avant cette date, le seul et unique candidat à la présidence était choisi par l’Assemblée du peuple et validé par un référendum national. Les observateurs internationaux n’ont pas eu l’autorisation de surveiller le scrutin, et les associations nationales ont obtenu ce privilège la veille de l’élection. Ayman Nur, le leader du parti d’opposition Ghad, a obtenu 7% des suffrages, mais a estimé que son vrai score était quatre fois supérieur: «Cette fraude a pour but d’éliminer le seul candidat qui sera encore vivant pour l’élection présidentielle de 2001», a déclaré cet avocat, qui avait 40 ans à l’époque.

9- Ilham Aliev (Azerbaïdjan), 88,7%

lham Aliev a été réélu sur un score de 88,73% en 2008, selon les résultats proclamés par la Commission électorale centrale au cours d’une élection jugée non démocratique par les observateurs de l'Organisation pour la sécurité et la coopération en Europe (OSCE). Malgré des «progrès considérables» par rapport aux précédentes élections, le scrutin «n'a pas reflété les principes d'une élection véritablement pluraliste et démocratique» ont déclaré les observateurs. Aliev avait succédé en 2003 à son père Heydar, ex-responsable du KGB qui avait dirigé le pays jusqu'à sa mort, de 1993 à 2003. Les observateurs du Parlement européen ont souligné l’omniprésence du président sortant et de son père dans la vie publique et le parti pris des médias du pays. Le pays est un important producteur de gaz et de pétrole. La Russie a publiquement félicité Aliev pour sa réélection, et les États-Unis maintiennent de bonnes relations avec le régime.

8- Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow (Turkménistan), 89,2%

Berdimuhamedow a été élu après le décès en 2006 du premier président du pays, l’autoritaire Saparmyrat Nyýazow qui avait développé un omniprésent culte de la personnalité durant ses 20 ans au pouvoir. La dernière élection du pays datait de 1992, quand Nyyazow avait récolté 99,5% des voix avant d’être désigné président à vie en 1999. Berdimuhamedow a donc été élu en 2007 en battant cinq autres candidats, dont aucun issu de l’opposition. La participation a atteint, selon les chiffres officiels, 95%. Dans la province de Lebap, les autorités ont menacé la population, déclarant que ceux qui ne voteraient pas n'allaient pas recevoir leur ration mensuelle de farine. Ceux qui votaient pour la première fois et les personnes âgées se sont au contraire vus promettre des cadeaux. Un jeune votant a ainsi reçu un exemplaire du livre du président défunt Nyyazov. De nombreux représentants étrangers, notamment des Russes et des Américains, étaient présents lors de l’investiture de Berdimuhamedow. Le Turkménistan dispose lui aussi d’importantes réserves de gaz naturel.

7- Abdelaziz Bouteflika (Algérie), 90,2%

Le président algérien, doyen du Top 10 du haut de ses 73 ans, est sur une pente positive: il a été réélu dès le 1er tour, le 9 avril 2009, pour un troisième mandat avec plus de 90% des voix, contre seulement 85% en 2004. La participation, qui était le seul enjeu d’un scrutin boycotté par les ténors de l’opposition, a atteint 74,24%, également en progression par rapport à 2004. Sur les 57 recours reçus par le Conseil constitutionnel, 53 ont été déclarés irrecevables sur la forme, et les quatre qui ont été acceptés sur la forme ont été rejetés sur le fond car dépourvus de preuves.

Le Conseil a estimé que les conditions électorales «ont permis aux électeurs de choisir, en toute liberté, leur candidat habilité à conduire le destin du pays, attestent de la régularité du scrutin, de sa sincérité et de sa transparence». Pendant la campagne, Bouteflika a déclaré: «Votez contre nous, votez même avec un bulletin blanc, mais votez.» Selon l’opposition, des habitants des bidonvilles ont été menacés d’expulsion et les salariés de licenciement s’ils ne prouvaient pas qu’ils avaient voté.

6- Noursoultan Nazarbaïev (Kazakhstan), 91,1%

Le premier et seul président de l'histoire du Kazakhstan a été réélu en 2005 avec 91,15% des suffrages, lors d'un scrutin qualifié par l'OSCE de non conforme aux normes internationales en matière d'élections démocratiques. Mais Nazarbaïev est soutenu par la communauté internationale, qui applaudit la santé économique du Kazakhstan, encore un pays riche en ressources naturelles. Lors de la campagne, l'ancien ministre et principal opposant de Nazarbaïev, Zamanbek Nurkadilov, est retrouvé mort à son domicile, gisant avec deux balles dans la poitrine et une dans la tête. La justice a conclu à un suicide pour raisons familiales.

En 2010, dans une lettre où il lui souhaite bon anniversaire pour ses 70 ans, Nicolas Sarkozy vante «un des pays les plus développés de l’espace postsoviétique» et se réjouit de la prochaine visite de son «cher ami» Nazarbaïev, à qui il a décerné la grand-croix de la Légion d’honneur, à Paris.

5- Pierre Nkurunziza (Burundi), 91,6%

Pierre Kkurunziza, ancien prof de sport et ex-chef rebelle aujourd’hui à la tête du bien nommé Conseil national pour la défense de la démocratie-Forces de défense de la démocratie (CNDD-FDD), a été réélu président en 2010 avec plus de 91% des voix, un score à première vue impressionnant mais qui devient faible quand on sait qu’il était le seul candidat. Les candidats de l’opposition s’étaient retirés pour protester contre les irrégularités du scrutin. L’observateur de l’Union européenne a déploré «l’absence d’une compétition multipartite» mais souligné que «malgré un contexte tendu et parfois violent, le peuple burundais a pu exercer son droit de vote». De nombreux opposants ont été arrêtés dans les semaines qui ont précédé le scrutin, où les explosions de grenades étaient fréquentes dans le pays.

4- Paul Kagame (Rwanda), 93%

Le président Paul Kagame, qui avait été élu avec 95% des voix en 2003, n’a obtenu que 93% pour sa réélection en 2010. Le groupe d’observation du Commonweatlh a estimé que l’élection s’est déroulée dans une atmosphère «pacifique» étant donné le passé récent extrêmement violent du pays, même s’il souligne que des limites existent sur la liberté d’association et de participation et que «le fait que les quatres candidats étaient issus de la coalition au pouvoir signifie qu’il y avait un manque de voix d’opposition critiques». Aucun des trois partis d’opposition n’a pu présenter de candidat aux élections.

3- Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (Guinée Equatoriale), 95,4%

Au pouvoir depuis le coup d’Etat qui a renversé son oncle en 1979, Nguema a été élu pour la cinquième fois en 2009. Avant ce scrutin, il avait promis de faire mieux que lors de la présidentielle de 2002, où il avait récolté plus de 97% des suffrages. C’est raté. Nguema a dû se contenter d’un petit 95,4%. L’ONG Human Rights Watch qualifie Nguema de «dictateur déterminé à rester au pouvoir et à garder le contrôle de l’argent du pétrole», et estime que le gouvernement du pays «est un des plus corrompus et répressifs du monde».

Le journaliste Peter Maass, dans un article pour Slate.com, le qualifiait de «pire dictateur d’Afrique» en 2008. Nguema a promis (encore) lors de sa dernière cérémonie d’investiture, en présence de représentants officiels de la France, «la participation de toutes les forces politiques de la Nation dans la gestion de la chose politique, afin d'avoir un consensus» pouvant garantir «la paix, la stabilité et le développement économique». Le président, âgé de 68 ans, souffre d’un cancer de la prostate et de problèmes cardiaques, mais la Guinée Equatoriale, troisième producteur de pétrole de l’Afrique sub-saharienne, n’en a sans doute pas fini avec la famille Nguema. Le fils Teodorin, qui a un penchant pour tout ce qui brille et qui coûte (très) cher, devrait prendre la succession de son père.

2- Bachar el-Assad (Syrie), 97,6%

Bachar el-Assad a été réélu en 2007 pour un second mandat de sept ans au cours d’un référendum boycotté par l’opposition, qui estimait que les Syriens devraient pouvoir choisir l’homme qui les gouverne. Plus de 11 millions de personnes ont voté pour le «oui», contre 19.653 pour le «non» et autour de 253.000 votes blancs, avec un taux de participation de 96%. Le ministre de l’Intérieur a déclaré lors de l’annonce des résultats: «Ce grand consensus montre la maturité politique de la Syrie et l’éclat de notre démocratie.»

Un avis pas vraiment partagé par un porte-parole du Département d’Etat américain de l’époque: «Je pense qu’il est assez difficile de dire qu’une élection est libre, juste et crédible quand il n’y a qu’un candidat, et que ce candidat reçoit 98% des votes. […] Je suis sûr que le président Assad se prélasse dans l’éclat de sa capacité à n’avoir battu aucun candidat et à continuer de sa mauvaise gestion de la Syrie.»

El-Assad est le plus régulier de nos dictateurs: il avait succédé à son père Hafez el-Assad à la mort de ce dernier en 2000 sur un score de 97,29%. Âgé de 45 ans, il est également un des plus jeunes.

1- Ismail Omar Guelleh (Djibouti), 100%

C’est le dictateur le mieux élu du monde, avec un score imbattable de 100% des suffrages lors de l'élection présidentielle du 8 avril 2005. Comme Bachar el-Assad, Guelleh a opté pour la méthode infaillible: il était le seul candidat à sa réélection. Les partis de l’opposition ont boycotté l’élection à la suite du refus du pouvoir de réformer le système électoral pour le rendre plus transparent, la décrivant comme «ridicule, truquée et en pacotille». Le candidat de l’opposition, Mohamed Daoud Chehem, ne s’est pas présenté parce qu’il manquait d’argent pour faire campagne. Guelleh n’est que le 2e président de l’histoire de Djibouti, ancienne colonie française, depuis l’indépendance du pays en 1977. Il avait lui aussi succédé à un membre de sa famille, son oncle Hassan Gouled Aptidon, en 1999 en remportant «seulement» 74% des voix. Officiellement, Guelleh devrait laisser sa place de numéro un au classement des dictateurs les mieux élus en 2011, puisqu’en principe il ne peut pas se présenter pour un troisième mandat.

source: http://www.slate.fr/story/32901/top-10-dictateurs-elus

Tips For Choosing The Best Stockbroker

2011-01-19T13:48:00.000-08:00

Choosing a stock broker can be an annoying task. While they all seem the same, there are differences in commission rates that you should be aware of. Depending on the type of investor you are, you may end up paying too many fees depending on the broker you choose. Here are some tips for choosing the best stock broker, depending on the type of investor you are.

1. Casual investor. If you are casual investor with a moderate amount of capital ($200k or less), then chances are most of your money is in ETFs or index funds. In this case, a discount broker is fine. You will rarely make many trades and you do not need much advice since you are just investing in standard, safe investments. A brokerage like TD Ameritrade is good for you since they have $9.99 trades.

2. Frequent trader. If you are a chartist, then finding a broker with low fees is a very high priority. Most discount brokers will give discounts to people who trade frequently. One example is E-trade. Another site like Interactive Brokers might be good for you too. Be careful with this sort of investment style, as fees may gobble up all of your profits!

3. High net worth investor. If you have $1 million+ in the stock market, then chances are you can get a discount on how much you pay per trade. This is especially the case with the established, big firms such as Fidelity. Fidelity offers $8 trades to those with $1 million+ in their Fidelity accounts.

4. Short seller. If you plan on selling many stocks short, you need a broker that has access to these shares so that you can short them. Most of these brokerages will be able to short mid and large caps for you, but many do not have access to a large percentage of the small cap stocks. Interactive Brokers might be the best broker for short sellers.

The Tips, Skills, and Tools you Need to Negotiate Effectively

2011-01-19T13:27:00.000-08:00

Negotiating skills are a nonnegotiable requirement for success, but few people understand the structures, techniques and approaches available to them in an attempt to gain successful results. Effective negotiation means more than just getting what you want. It means arriving at a solution that satisfies all parties and creates future opportunities. Fine tune your communication style. Listening is a key part of effective communication. What is and is not said is key during negotiations and in building professional relationship. Establish an assertive approach, communicate in a clear fashion, remain professional, be patient, try to avoid aggressive behaviors. Neutralize objectives presented by the counterpart and negotiate with confidence.

Being aggressive means standing up for yourself in ways that violate the rights of others.

Aggressive behavior is typically punishing, hostile, blaming, and demanding. It can involve threats, name-calling, and even actual physical contact. It can also involve sarcasm, catty comments, gossip and "slips of the tongue." Negotiation training will give you the crucial negotiation skill, strategies, tools and techniques you must have to effectively handle negotiations ranging from sales, contract, labor and business negotiations, to international negotiations involving business and political conflict to all varieties of personal negotiations.

Negotiation Tips and Goals

1. Improve personal and professional profitability.
2. Achieve desired outcomes and create synergy while fostering relationships.
3. Maximize financial returns and value in negotiations.
4. Avoid being cheated.
5. Neutralize difficult negotiators and their tactics.
6. Enter into and conduct negotiations with confidence.
7. Know when and how to walk away from a negotiation.
8. Improve personal relationships with colleagues, clients and loved ones.
9. Build leadership and team building skills.
10. Turn cultural differences into assets rather than liabilities.
Strategic thinking and planning is pivotal to your success in this business climate.

Tips For Choosing High-Performance Mutual Fund

2011-01-19T13:25:00.000-08:00

Most people who invest in mutual funds don't know what they are doing. They take advice from someone at a bank or perhaps a friend and plunk down money into a fund. Sometimes this strategy works, but most of the time, it doesn't.

When you invest your money in a mutual fund, you are trusting someone to invest in the stock market for you. Because of this, you want to be sure this person knows what he or she is doing. Also, you want to make sure that this person is not charging you too much to manage your money for you. Mutual funds fees are "hidden," in the sense that they do not charge you an upfront fee but rather a percentage of the amount of money in your account. If this percentage is too high, you would do better just blindly picking stocks yourself.

Here are five helpful tips for choosing the right mutual funds.

1. Keep the fees low. Generally, expense fees should not be much higher than 1% if it is just a basic domestic equity fund. You should never invest money in a fund that also charges a "load," which is an additional fee that is ridiculous to pay. Never invest in funds that charge loads; those funds are for suckers.

2. Check the asset base. Mutual fund managers only know of so many good investments. When they have too much money to manage, they begin investing in stocks they don't like much but need to invest in anyway or else they'll just have money laying around. There's little reason to invest in a fund with over $5 billion in assets. It's best if it's under $2 billion generally.

3. Consider an index fund. This is a fund that tracks a stock index, such as the S&P 500. For these funds, the manager just buys whatever stocks happen to be in the index. Since this is not much work, the fees are much lower. Even though this method is simple, it has proven to perform better than most mutual funds. Some high performance index funds include FSMKX (Fidelity S&P 500) and VIMSX (Vanguard S&P 400 Midcap.

4. Evaluate the fund's strategy. If you have a long term outlook, look for a more aggressive fund that invests in small-cap stocks, international stocks, and riskier stocks in general. High risk tends to result in high performance in the long run. If you are more risk-averse, consider an S&P 500 index fund.

5. Keep the fees low. Did I mention this already? Well, I'll mention it again. This is where most people mess up. Make sure you are not paying a load or paying too much in fees to the mutual fund.